Chapter 80
[Side Dining Room—First Floor of the Palace]
Rodor leaned back impatiently in his chair sipping broodingly from his water goblet. He'd expected everyone at the table fifteen minutes prior. He sighed heavily imagining another discussion with the Prince and Princess about protocols….
…then again given what Gwen and Freya had pointed out that this business was intruding upon their special time, he could let it pass….
"King Rodor, with all due respect, your councilors had to expect a delay given the circumstances," Gwen reiterated. "I understand it's convenient since we're all here for the wedding but…."
"That's exactly why they're insisting it's today," Lancelot pointed out. "The ingrates returned from Colwich day before yesterday. Your Highness, perhaps we should postpone….?"
Elaine bowed her head choosing to stuff a grape into her mouth rather than blurt out an ill-advised response.
"Lady Elaine?" Rodor queried with concern.
"May I speak, Sire?" Elaine requested blushing from bringing attention to herself. Getting the royal nod, she sucked in a deep breath. She squeezed Lancelot's hand before pressing on, "I…am tired of being demonized for those views." She quivered allowing a few tears to flow down her cheeks.
"I did not mean to upset you," Lancelot apologized.
Elaine smiled reassuringly. "You're only considering the Prince and Princess. I just don't want Father shutting me up again or not receiving any visitors."
"I think we both will have something to say about that." Lancelot pointed out.
"With your indulgence, Rodor, we all shall," Arthur cut in.
"I would appreciate the support, Arthur. Of course I must maintain the royal prerogative much as you would at Camelot," Rodor accepted conditionally.
Gwen shot Arthur a knowing look while nipping an angry retort in the bud. She well knew the only reason he'd relented in granting Rodor's request was for Merlin's sake. The last thing she wanted was for this standoff to drive a wedge between the two kings. That's what Rodor's council wants.
"Certainly. That is why I asked to dine with you. We should present a united front." Arthur nodded slightly to his Queen acknowledging her cue.
"Speaking of which," Freya cut in while motioning toward the door. "They're here."
Rodor glanced curiously toward the door and then toward the High Priestess.
At that moment, Merlin and Mithian entered the chamber breathlessly. While they had composed themselves before entering the area, it was obvious that they had hustled between the bedchamber and the room. They bowed before Rodor in due respect.
"Please sit. I trust last evening went well? I will await the report from Lady Radiff," Rodor noted.
"Report?" Merlin queried in confusion. Seeing Mithian rolling her eyes, he insisted, "What report? What did we do?" Seeing Arthur shaking his head and Gwen grimacing, he asked his friends, "What is the King speaking of?"
Arthur eyed Rodor again out of respect. Getting the nod to continue, he did so. "Merlin, your marriage is a state matter. There is the other matter."
"Which should stay private," Gwen disagreed.
Merlin looked around the table. "What other matter?"
"He's trying to say that Lady Radliff will be checking our sheets for blood," Mithian clarified. "They need to make sure we actually consummated our marriage."
Merlin's eyes went wide. "Of course we….Why do they need to know?"
"For the sake of our dynasty, Merlin," Rodor explained. "An heir would solidify matters and provide the continuity I spoke of last night."
"Father, I can assure you. That is why we were late," Mithian explained allowing herself a dreamy smile in the process.
"The council will challenge it saying you could have made the blood appear with magic," Arthur pointed out. Seeing the consternation in the newlyweds' faces, he put his hands up defensively. "I'm not saying that. They will say that."
"Sounds like a packed house if you ask me," Lancelot presumed moodily. "Your Highness, perhaps we might balance the scales? With your indulgence, might I make a suggestion?"
"Of course, Sir Lancelot. Proceed," Rodor accepted cordially.
"Thank you, Sire." Lancelot turned to his wife. "If the King agrees, Milady, will you serve along with me? Perhaps Sir Gawain and the Lady Britomart would also concur to do so? We are all landowners. Perhaps we three are new to Nemeth but you, Elaine, are not. You could guide us."
"Me?" Elaine gasped before shyly blushing. "Lancelot, I….I could not impinge upon this important matter! I appreciate your confidence and support but…." She turned to Rodor; her eyes wide with fear. "Forgive him, Great King, he…."
"There is nothing to forgive, Lady Elaine. It is a noble idea. You are most qualified possessing the requisite bloodline, intelligence and humility to balance the others. You proved your worth out on the square yestermorn," Rodor assured her. He looked to the manservant standing by the door. "Dagobert, please fetch the Lady Britomart and Sir Gawain immediately. I wish to appoint some new councilors."
"Father, with all due respect, will it not appear like we've bewitched you?" Mithian queried knowing that Kay had accused her of that previously.
"Or worse that Gwen and I are influencing you," Arthur understanding her tact.
"Perhaps though that can be counteracted?" Merlin proposed. "Given that each side has held the other's kingdom in the balance while the other was a captive over the past month, I think we've established the trust factor? We could make the point that you, Arthur, could have held onto Nemeth for your own, disposed of King Rodor and Prince Kay, forced Mithian to marry an unworthy servant and be one herself. Likewise, Nemeth could have ignored your situation with the Amazons, allowed Gwen and Elena to remain in Morgana's nightmare realm and ruled Camelot for himself. I mean we're all here out of trust. Right? We've shown that we respect each other. The Amazons balanced the scales for their role here with their assistance and the treaty for example. Freya is showing that Avalon is not a threat in itself but rather Morgana's objectives were the threat."
Mithian jumped in, "Perhaps we can show the role prejudice can play along with rash thinking? Merlin points out that trust is the factor. Our situations were caused by vengeance and brooding hate. Odin's hate for Arthur and Camelot led him to ally with Morgana against us. Meleagant's blood lust made him vulnerable to Morgana's scheming. Likewise Queen Radegund's feelings toward patriarchy allowed her to be influenced in a similar fashion. Forgive me, Arthur and Guinevere, but I have to make the point. Your love overwhelmed state policy. We nearly had a war. Fortunately cooler heads and Arthur's diplomacy won the day."
"Including your warm heart, Princess," Arthur complimented. He nodded in admiration. "I have to ask where was this strategy when you were my servant, Merlin?"
"In some ways, I was. Still in things like this, I wasn't your equal," Merlin pointed out. "It wasn't my place to point out such things in front of Uther or the council. You and the knights offered me a few opportunities." He shrugged. "Part of the perks of being a Prince, I guess." He bowed in deference to his father-in-law and then kissed his Princess' hand.
"And you show your growth in such ways," Rodor declared seeing Merlin's value once again at that point. "I know this is irregular, Priestess Freya. I support the betrothal between Sir Gawain and Lady Britomart as well as Sir Lancelot and Lady Elaine's union. If all four agree, would you be willing to perform the rites?"
"If it is their wish, I am most willing," Freya agreed without hesitation.
"I wish nothing less if you agree, Lancelot?" Elaine concurred.
Lancelot nodded understanding Duty's call and his warm feelings for Elaine. He glanced at Gwen knowing full well it could never be anyhow. Then he squeezed Elaine's hand supportively. "As long as your father understands I did not want to impose myself on you, Elaine. I will not simply seek land or to intrude upon your family. I wanted to court you respectfully, Milady." He kissed the back of her hand for emphasis.
His lips' gentle contact sent warm feelings rushing through Elaine. "I never thought anything less. Father will understand given the state of our affairs. I appreciate this favor, King Rodor. We owe this to you and Princess Mithian."
"I simply arranged the audience with our Liege, Lady Elaine. You proved your worthiness as Lancelot has already pointed out. Everything proceeds according to the King's wish," Mithian deflected the praise with skill.
Before she could proceed, an urgent knocking came from the door.
"Enter!" Rodor bade.
Dagobert opened the door allowing Gawain and Britomart to enter. "As you wished, Majesty." He bowed and shut the door again insuring their privacy.
"Sire, forgive us. Dagobert awoke us. We had little time to prepare," Britomart apologized as they bowed.
Gawain followed suit even if it was half of a bow. He stifled a yawn and rubbed his forehead. "Wonder where the fire is?" He glanced back at Dagobert sarcastically.
Merlin shook his head while motioning toward Rodor demonstratively.
"The 'fire' as you put it, Sir Gawain, concerns an appointment to my council as well as a lordship and an estate for each of you," Rodor explained with more than a bit of impatience creeping into his voice. "I understand you both are betrothed. Very well. If you both are prepared, we shall complete the process."
Britomart bowed respectfully. "I am prepared to do so if Sir Gawain will." She looked at her fiancé sharply. You'd better not back out of this!
Gawain did not understand for a split second. His head struggled to deal with the ramifications of the situation at hand. Then, as if a club had whacked him in the skull, he got it. "We haven't…so you're not…not that I don't want it but….."
"Gawain," Merlin advised.
"Yeah, Your Princeness?" Gawain cracked.
"Shut up," Merlin requested while (somehow) managing to keep a straight face.
"Yeah…I…." Gawain gulped. He still wanted to marry Britomart. Still he wasn't prepared for a "shotgun marriage" sort of deal. He figured he had a few more nights of carousing at least before he cemented the deal. He considered the proposal. He already had his knighthood and the betrothal. Still lands, a council seat and a wife?
Take it, you Idiot! Arthur struggled to contain himself remembering it wasn't his court and that Gawain wasn't his man any longer.
Gawain nodded after a moment's thought. "Yeah sorry. I weighed everything. Let's do this." He turned to his fiancée. "Didn't mean to leave you hanging. It's a lot, you know?"
"Look next time before you leap, you Oaf," Britomart chided albeit half-seriously.
Forgetting where he was, Gawain instinctively responded, "Hey! I've got no problem getting hitched. All right? I wouldn't rush you! Imagine that? I actually respect someone."
"Will wonders never cease?" Merlin muttered before getting an elbow in the ribs from his wife.
"Such respect serves you well, Sir Gawain," Freya complimented effectively defusing the situation. "Please rise. Ladies Britomart and Elaine, Sir Lancelot, if you would do the same? I would request you stand together. The rest of you can serve as witnesses."
"When we ascertain the greater matters at hand, you may proceed," Rodor agreed conditionally. Sir Lancelot, as Lord of Humbarton, and Lady Elaine, as your father's representative over the manor of Astolat and the accompanying island of Shallot, are both qualified to sit on my council. Prince Merlin, I grant you the estate of Westburton on our eastern border with Camelot. Sir Gawain, I grant you Umbridge. Lady Britomart, you are the Lady of Deinsburgh which adjoins Gawain's estate along the border with the Celts. Prince Merlin, please stand with them?"
"Of course, Sire," Merlin agreed. He slowly got out of his seat and kneeled before Rodor.
When the others had followed suit, Rodor drew his sword. "I hereby affirm the grants and bestow the aforementioned titles upon you all." He tapped the sword's point on each person's shoulders. "I will hold you all to your previous oaths. Lady Elaine of Astolat, do you swear fealty to your king?"
"I do, Sire, gladly," Elaine affirmed.
"Thank you. Will you serve me against all enemies?" Rodor inquired.
"I will, Sire," Elaine agreed.
"Will you look out for your serfs' rights? Will you oversee the manor's governance fairly?"
Elaine gulped. "I will, Sire. As my father is still alive, I would not usurp his authority. My duty is to you. But does a daughter not owe her father respect as well?"
"Aye, Good Lady, she does," Rodor agreed while offering Mithian a smile. Then he tapped Elaine on the shoulders. "And you have secured Astolat as his heiress, Lady Elaine, and secured your family's legacy. All of you rise as Noble Lords and Ladies of Nemeth as well as members of my royal council."
Merlin inhaled sharply as he rose to his feet. His mind continued to labor as he digested the new role as advisor to Rodor. I'm advising him?
Why not? You used to advise Arthur, Mithian pointed out over the link. I might have said something to Father. Maybe….
Oh you did. Did you? Merlin supposed wryly.
Yet another reason we need some more us time *later*, she reminded him.
He smiled warmly at that pleasant thought. Let's just survive this meeting. Then we can hope. He turned to the King just as the latter was presenting a scroll to him. "Sire?"
"Your proclamation declaring you the lord of your manor and place on the council, my Son. May you use it to protect our family's interests and the Greater Good," Rodor indicated.
"I shall do both with my life if necessary," Merlin vowed earnestly while accepting the scroll.
"Of that, I have no doubt," Rodor assured him while embracing him. "Just be yourself and you will get the job done. Now come. Let us get these four married and then meet the council."
Have faith, Merlin, Freya assured him. We can do this. With that she made four silken strips appear in her hand in preparation for the upcoming hand fasting ceremony.
Merlin took his place at his wife's side firmly believing that together they would meet their opponents. Perhaps with care, they could win a victory. More than likely, they would have to be content with holding their own.
It was hard to tell…..