Chapter 84 [Three Hours Later—Rodor's Throne Room]
Merlin stood in front of his throne and surveyed his friends' expressions. He noted mixed feelings ranging from contentment, happiness and insecurity. He inhaled deeply while trying to calm himself. From Morgana's invasions of Camelot and Whitgate, he was well aware of how others coveted power. He knew well how those forces could surge unexpectedly; their tidal forces threatening everything that they all held dear.
He understood that such a position represented privilege as much as birthright or achievement.
I wish that everyone could just live in peace, he complained to himself.
I wish that too, Merlin. Unfortunately some do not wish to live in harmony with others, Mithian cut into his thoughts. You should know that.
Yes. He bowed his head recalling the raids on Ealdor from his earliest days. Through Memoria's lens, he recalled the attacks on Camelot from both mundane and sorcerous sources. Even all of the recent upheaval leaving their respective kingdoms diminished cemented that conclusion firmly in his head. We must stand tall.
And with our friends. Look out there, my Warlock. Look and see what we have, she advised motioning with her eyes for him to observe her point.
He surveyed the room once again taking in the assembly standing in front of them. Nemeth's remaining loyal nobles lined the rear guard. Amazon warriors stood alongside Gallic warriors. The old religion's priestesses held a row in the midst of the group. Camelot's Knights of the Round Table made a left column. The emerald clad Nemethian Knights held the right flank of sorts. Across the front row stood Queen Elena, Queen Annis (who Freya had teleported back there), King Arthur, Queen Guinevere, Talesin, Freya, Gaius and Hunith. Truly we are the beginning of a united Albion.
Heed her words well, Emrys, Talesin advised telepathically. We are stronger together than apart.
I'd never argue that, Talesin. Still there is one asset not out there with you, Merlin pointed out. He reached across Rodor's vacant throne and squeezed his wife's hand. To me, you're the greatest advantage.
As you are to me, Merlin, Mithian concurred while returning the gesture warmly and with a gentle smile.
Arthur squirmed and rolled his eyes. Given Rodor's wishes, he would not insult Merlin openly even in a playful fashion. Still he groused to himself, You're ruling and you're still acting like a bloody girl? Stop being an idiot already!
Gwen cleared her throat and glanced at him in disapproval.
Fine. Whatever. He should be stronger, Arthur insisted to himself.
At that moment, the heralds' trumpets pierced the air majestically.
Regis cleared his throat and pronounced, "Attention, Good Lords and Ladies! Presenting his Eminent Majesty, King Rodor of Nemeth!" He bowed respectfully.
Rodor strode into the room, onto the dais and stood before his throne. He acknowledged the bows and regal nods before himself. "Thank you, my Friends. I am delighted that you all chose to extend your respective stays here or returned to attend this event. As we all know, several former nobles and knights attempted to overthrow our royal prerogative this morning. Once again, the fact that we are here and that I and my heirs stand before you reflects the assistance and support that you all provide. So I wish to heartily thank you once more for myself, Prince Merlin and Princess Mithian." He nodded respectfully to the group.
"LONG LIVE THE HOUSE OF RODOR!" Lancelot cheered loudly.
"HUZZAH! HUZZAH!" the crowd called out supportively.
"Thank you. It warms my heart to hear such sentiments," Rodor acknowledged. "With that assistance, we have resolved these matters. It also brings to light certain changes. Due to the two invasions and this unfortunate situation, I shall need a totally new group of councilors. Furthermore, with the legalization of magic, a sorcery council shall serve alongside it. This second body shall be a Britain-wide endeavor spanning all of our respective interests. And lastly I will speak to our brave and loyal knights without whom, we would not be here today. First though, I wish to announce the appointment of Gaius of Camelot as our new Court Physician. Gaius, will you approach the throne please?"
Gaius slowly stood and ambled toward the throne. Upon reaching it, he slowly kneeled in front of the royal trio. "As I can serve you, my Liege."
"And it is with gratitude that we accept that service. In return, I ask if you will serve our kingdom and its subjects without reservation."
"I shall, Sire."
"Will you respect our royal authority serving us before all others?"
"I shall, Sire."
"Will you, as a member of my council, faithfully advise and be at the side of myself and my heirs? Will you be willing to sacrifice as needed on our kingdom's behalf?"
"Whatever is needed, I shall do, Sire."
"Very well." Rodor drew his sword. "In return for your service, I ennoble you, Lord Gaius. You will serve on my council in addition to your duties as Court Physician. I shall find you an estate if that is your wish?"
"Sire, I wish to be a humble healer and to serve as councilor. Certainly my energies can be focused here in the palace to that end? I require little save what I need to survive and sustain my medical supplies for our people's needs. But that is for you to decide," Gaius tentatively declined.
"I praise your humility, Lord Gaius. Very well, you shall have a suitable chamber for yourself and your medical library. Prince Merlin has described it as considerable." Rodor tapped the elderly physician on each shoulder. "Rise, Lord Gaius, Court Physician and Royal Councilor."
Gaius slowly rose to his feet. He turned to find everyone clapping for him. He saw Merlin warmly smiling with approval. He noted Arthur's nod of satisfaction. I am now of this place not Camelot. May I be so worthy! I won't let you down, Merlin, or this kingdom for that matter!
"Thank you, Lord Gaius. Please stay where you are. For you are a part of the next two stages of this gathering," Rodor expressed graciously. "On the next item of business, the royal council as it is reconstituted. As we head into this new era, I do not need to tell you all of the choppy waters through which our respective ships of state sail. I need a body of singular individuals with diverse backgrounds and opinions yet can agree and co-exist. With the aid of everyone here, I have so chosen. Lord Gaius, as previously announced, is the first so-named. Would the follow persons please rise and join him before me? Princess Mithian, Prince Merlin, Sir Lancelot of the Lake, Lady Elaine of Astolat, Sir Gawain, Lady Britomart, Sir Galahad, Sir Ywain, Sir Galahad and Sir Hector."
From each part of the constituency, the summoned individuals moved toward the front while dealing with a range of emotions. Lady Elaine, for instance, still dealt with her anxiousness although she bore herself with greater confidence. Likewise Merlin felt more secure in his role after dealing with Meleagant. Gawain constrained his usual boisterousness for his friends' sake yet he allowed himself a warm smile for the position and being with his wife.
As one, they bowed before Rodor and then turned to the group.
"My royal council! Thank you, All, for your service in this regard. Now, as for the Sorcerers' Council… If the sorcerers would please remain, I would appreciate it. As for the others, if you will stand to the side, I will require you again presently."
Lancelot, Ywain, Hector, Britomart, Gawain and Galahad did as he bid them.
Rodor continued on, "After we signed the preliminary agreement to lift the ban on magic in our kingdoms, I have consulted with most of you on who should fill out this council. It is mainly an advisory body to suggest new laws, point out revisions to existing laws or to strike them all together. Furthermore this group will reach out to those with magic in a supportive role. "In addition to Prince Merlin, Princess Mithian, Lady Elaine and Lord Gaius, I would ask High Priestess Freya of Avalon, Sir Mordred of Camelot and Master Talesin to stand before us. In addition, standing outside is Kilgarrah, the Great Dragon. Finally I would ask Malodius, our most worthy ally and magical being to come forth. Prince Merlin, if you would open the window please?"
Merlin's eyes flashed yellow. "Fosgailte uinneag!"
The large window unlatched on its own accord and swung open.
Kilgarrah stuck his head into the chamber. "Thank you, Prince Merlin. It is a pleasure to be involved. Greetings again, King Rodor."
A ripple of anxiety churned through some elements in the room. They still recalled from one instance or another, the Great Dragon's fiery rains of destruction. Consequently they were uncertain of his involvement to say the least.
Rodor raised his hands while trying to reassure the audience. "Everyone! Order please! It will be all right! Kilgarrah is here peaceably! Actually this brings me to the sorcery council's third mission. We need a discussion of our experiences with magic so that we can move forward."
Arthur raised his hands. "If I may, King Rodor?" Getting a nod from the host, he continued, "I have seen this dragon's anger directed at my capital. I watched as he rained fire and destruction down from the sky in apparent retaliation. I didn't understand…until Prince Merlin explained the reason. Perhaps he might expand upon that?"
"Yes, Merlin, please do elaborate," Kilgarrah pressed.
"I would like to hear it," Queen Annis supported.
"And so would I," King Bors chimed in. "King Rodor?"
"Sire, I'm sorry. I don't mean to cut in on your prerogative," Merlin apologized while bowing to Rodor.
"It is quite all right. It is for you to explain this, Prince Merlin. Do so freely, my Boy," Rodor assured him before taking a step back and allowing him the floor.
"Thank you, Sire. Friends, for ages prior to the Great Purge, the Dragons and the Dragon Riders coexisted. They shared a symbiosis more appropriate to being brothers than master and rider. They served your ancestors in war and hard times. Then the Great Purge saw the mass extermination of the Dragons and Dragon Riders. Kilgarrah watched as every other dragon was murdered. He was imprisoned for twenty years as a prize by Uther beneath Camelot's citadel. I released Kilgarrah as part of a deal I struck to stop Cornelius Segan's spirit from attacking Camelot. Kilgarrah took his vengeance…until he was stopped," Merlin started.
"Stopped? Prince Merlin, who can stop a dragon like that? You said the riders were wiped out!" Queen Elena queried.
"And since the ridership passes from father to child, that means no more riders," Rodor theorized.
Kilgarrah chortled. "Not hardly. One survived…and passed his gift to his son. There is one last dragon lord remaining. You all know him."
"Really?" Rodor queried not expecting that wrinkle in the discussion.
"Yes." Merlin admitted, "I am he. My father, Balinor, survived the Purge in exile. King Arthur and I met him just prior to his death. He passed his gift onto me." He glanced toward his sovereign. "I was waiting for the right opportunity, Milord."
"Did you know about this, Mithian?" Rodor queried in surprise.
"Yes, Father. I found out during our exile," Mithian replied earnestly. "Others here know, I believe? Sir Gawain, Sir Ywain, Sir Lancelot, Lady Britomart and Sir Mordred all found out prior to the liberation of our city."
"Aye, Sire, we did," Gawain concurred while eliciting nods from the others in the room who knew.
"I have known for several years actually," Gaius chimed in.
"You did, Gaius?" Arthur queried incredulously. "Unbelievable."
"Arthur, please," Gwen interceded. "We've had this discussion. You know why they had to conceal that information. If Uther knew, he'd have had both Gaius and Merlin executed. You would have exiled them."
"Yes well…." Arthur squirmed in embarrassment.
"It's a reaction many of us would have shared, Queen Guinevere," Queen Elena conceded. "I know Prince Merlin to be a noble man. Perhaps we should hear from those who were hunted for being sorcerers?"
"There are others who can speak to that," Merlin chimed in.
"I can," Freya indicated.
"As can I," Mordred noted.
"And I can add some observations," Mithian interjected while suppressing a shiver. She could still see the stake outside in her mind's eye. "And there are actions to discuss both right and wrong. My father is correct. We do need a discussion! We also need members from every realm so that we can equitably serve everywhere. This may start with Nemeth and Camelot. We can expand though."
"And talk about bad reactions as well," Freya insisted. "I don't have to remind you all about Morgana Pendragon, I trust? We can learn well from her example."
Rodor put his hand up. "As we can see, there is a need for this group. We should all contribute to it. Thank you, everyone. Prince Merlin, stay by me please. The rest of you may return to your places." He waited for the others to do so. Then he announced, "And the last group I wish to point out is the remaining group of my loyal knights. King Bors, those knights who volunteered to assist us are appreciated."
"It is my pleasure, King Rodor," Bors assured him. "We should come to each other's assistance. I would not leave your kingdom undermanned."
"Nor would any of us, I'm sure," Queen Elena pointed out. "As has been pointed out already, we should assist each other. The recent situations here and in Camelot only demonstrate that point."
"And we can collaborate in other ways besides in war," Merlin announced. "We are friends after all."
Everyone looked to each other. Some nodded in affirmation. Others remained silent choosing to judge more.
"Well spoken indeed, Prince Merlin. My thanks for that," Rodor complimented. "Name our knights if you would?"
"Aye, Sire. Please come over to my side as I name you, my friends. Sir Ywain, Sir Gawain, Lady Britomart, Sir Lancelot, Sir Galahad, Sir Hector and Malodius. As much as you don't want me to include her, Princess Mithian should be named as well," Merlin announced.
You'd better include me, Mithian insisted sharply.
If I didn't, I'd be in the guest chamber…. Merlin cracked.
What was that? she queried half-seriously wanting some levity.
Oh nothing…. He rolled his eyes.
The sorcerers coughed and kept chuckles to themselves upon hearing the newlyweds' telepathic banter.
Rodor puzzled over the myriad expressions scattered throughout the crowd not understanding their underlying context. He had to admit that a great many things about his son-in-law remained a mystery. Still he trusted Merlin and the other knights to protect him and Nemeth; to honor their vows and hold the line when and where needed. "You see Nemeth's new core! We can and will build on this foundation. Thanks to you all, my loyal warriors, for your troth once again. I do appreciate it."
The assembled knights bowed before their sovereign.
"And our thanks to you all, our Friends! May we all benefit from our alliances. Safe journeys to you all. Thank you and be blessed!" Rodor wished in conclusion effectively ending the meeting.
As the group broke apart into individuals or smaller fragments to talk before departing for their realms, a new understanding seemed to be forming. Questions hung in the air. Possibilities seemed to abound.
All parts of a new garden being sown…a garden of treasures for Britain and Albion in general….