Chapter 86 [An Hour Later—Council Chamber]
Merlin sat gingerly in the oak chair just left of the table's head. He passed his hand over the varnished armrests. He exhaled a sharp breath while trying to relax prior to the meeting. He glanced around at the other councilors wondering how he'd fit in.
Frankly the failed coup pressed down harder on him than a pile of granite. The rancor of the condemned former lords and knights ate at him casting doubts upon his resolve.
He sipped on a goblet of water and set it down firmly spilling a little. He frowned and wiped the spill up with his sleeve.
"My Prince, it will be all right," Lancelot assured him. "We're all anxious."
"Yeah, Lance, but Merlin's way too concerned what those stuffy bastards think of us," Gawain pointed out knowingly. He shook his head and shrugged. "We're all on that barge. Okay? I spent your entire feast defending a certain someone's honor on that point." He cast a slight glance at his wife who sat on his right. "Wonder who that would be?"
"Wonder indeed," Britomart sighed knowing she'd never hear the end of that. "They call me the 'maid'. I don't care, my Prince. The oaf has a point. We're not accepted by the nobles as a whole and unjustly so. I frankly don't care what the idiots say or think. I'm here to serve King Rodor and you both."
"At least you have your estates. I'm still here representing my father," Elaine lamented. "I can relate to what you're feeling, Prince Merlin. It feels so like a dream. I almost fear that someone's going to tear me away from it all."
"You're the Lady of Humbarton, Elaine," Lancelot reminded her. "And nobody is going to tear you away from Marie and me." He squeezed her hand reassuringly in his.
"Well said, Lancelot," Mithian complimented. "I keep telling the Prince that he's worthy of his place. King Rodor has told him the same. I want to propose something to this body. Since we're all here together, I say we consider ourselves equals at this table. Nobody should be intimidated by anyone. We all respect my father of course. He is the King after all. The rest of us, however, have shared the battlefield together. Lady Elaine, you rescued Marie without hesitation."
"I would not dishonor you, Princess," Ywain indicated.
"That's not what she said," Merlin insisted. "All Princess Mithian said was that when we propose ideas and strategies for the King's consideration, none of our ideas are any better or worse than anyone else's just because we're royal, noble, common or whatever. Now if Gawain comes in drunk, well…."
"Hey some of my best ideas have come to me in the tavern. That ain't my fault! You know that!" Gawain protested.
"I can remember some of the brawls because of a fist coming to meet your face too," Merlin disagreed.
Ywain coughed sarcastically before gulping on his water at that notion.
"I won't argue with that either," Lancelot interjected. "I have drank with you, Gawain. Dull it never is."
"How else should we do it?" Gawain pressed feeling defensive.
"We keep duty in mind and our minds sober when we walk in here," Galahad disagreed. "What we propose can shape the royal prerogative. King Rodor deserves our best effort."
"Not to mention our tenants and vassals," Elaine chimed in.
"We all honor each other. All right? That is the lesson of Arthur's round table. In a circle, there is no head of the table. Among us advisors, we can see ourselves that way." Merlin turned to Mithian. "That's what you meant?"
"Precisely." She smiled with satisfaction at him before proposing, "Shall we vote on that?"
The group glanced at each other before raising their hands unanimously to support that notion.
Now don't you forget that, my Warlock. You did that. You just took my suggestion and helped to get it through the council. See? Mithian lectured caringly.
I did….I really did, Merlin conceded almost in an oxymoronic combination of wonder and confidence. He marveled at that concept.
He'd scored a triumph. His first…
No correction…their next—His and Mithian's next triumph….
"To our mutual respect. No matter what other may think outside, we all respect each other in here. To mutual support," Mithian proposed while raising her goblet.
"Hear! Hear!" Hector concurred as everyone touched their drinks together and took healthy draughts.
"I am glad to hear such sentiments at my council table," Rodor approved from the door.
As one, the councilors jumped to their feet and offered their respect to their liege. Almost like a group of school children caught talking by the teacher, they felt out of sorts by the royal entrance.
Rodor assumed his seat. Then he motioned to them all. "Please sit." He allowed them to all do so. Then he signaled to Alain to shut the door. "My thanks to you all for assuming the responsibility and burden. This meeting will not follow its original intent. Unfortunately we did not get to meet with the Sorcery Council. We shall but not at this point. You all are adjusting to your roles. Before you leave for your respective estates, I wanted you to sit in these seats. I know you all have fought and celebrated together. Six of you are embarking on new paths as newlywed couples. Allegiances are changing in some cases. Responsibilities are growing. Still, despite all of this, we are all people. You all need to listen to each other. I need to listen to you before I can decide on a course of action. If we don't, we end up like the traitors in the courtyard. You all can disagree and offer distinct points of view. That makes for a richer discussion. Still respect has to weigh heaviest. As I said before, I found your words pleasing. Your motion, Prince Merlin and Princess Mithian, struck a balance between formal titles and the regard for each other's opinion. Think on that while out on your estates."
"Sire, I know it is probably not the time but I had an idea for the original meeting. May I present it?" Merlin interjected albeit nervously.
"Of course. Please do," Rodor agreed. He was delighted to see Merlin's confidence in that situation. Consequently he wanted to encourage that tendency.
I hope he likes this. I don't want to make a fool out of myself! Merlin nodded guardedly and proposed, "Thank you. The rides between here and certain places are longer than a day's journey. Even to get from end to end of our kingdom, as compact as we are, can still stretch the winter sun to its maximum. Often travelers have to sleep in the woods where they are vulnerable to the elements, animals and to unsavory characters."
"Morgana looked to get the jump on you, Merlin. Besides it was my fault she hurt you," Mithian lamented. "I was careless."
"What?" Rodor queried in surprise.
Gawain sighed. "Yeah well, Princess, you were trying to let us know she was there. The way she hovered over you, you didn't have much of a choice. Merlin had to know so he could make stuff happen. He still should have been watchin' his back. I should have watched your back."
"Gawain…." Merlin started to disagree.
"No, Mer…Prince Merlin," Gawain cut him off. "Pardon me but you like takin' chances. You can't do that anymore. None of us can."
"Safety on the road is an issue," Hector noted. "Anyhow, my Prince, please continue."
Merlin pressed on. "I was thinking of possibly several inns or taverns along the paths. Perhaps we can start with a survey to find out which places are the most desolate. In those places there could be a structure—a place allowing for lodging, maybe a hot meal or drink. The idea is that it gives travelers a chance to get out of the cold and get a meal. I don't know how much they'd pay or what would be fair to charge them, Sire. Do we have a map of Nemeth?"
"Aye," Rodor concurred. "It's in the corner."
"Allow me," Mithian indicated while fetching it. She untied the binding ribbon and unrolled the parchment to its full length across the table. You're doing great! Keep it up!
Thanks. With that, Merlin continued, "As you can see, we have several such places. I was referring to the Gedref woods and the eastern forest. From my studies with Sir Geoffrey back in Camelot of Nemeth's customs and places, I noticed that the Balasine and the border with Caerveron are particularly open and vulnerable."
"And hence needing a place such as the one you propose." Rodor rubbed his chin in consideration. "Your proposal has merit."
"Aye 'tis true, my Liege and Prince," Ywain concurred. "Besides an inn, it could offer a place for our knights to base ourselves away from the castle while on patrol."
"And get a drink," Gawain nudged in.
"As long as you remember certain things, right?" Lancelot supposed, eliciting a few chuckles around the room.
"We can keep each other on the straight path," Mithian assured them all. "Father, how long has it been since the last survey of the kingdom?"
Rodor frowned. "I'd say at least ten years." He studied the map noting that the Gedref was still denoted as "disputed" despite being settled upon for four years. "For strategic and economic purposes, a new survey will need to be undertaken in any event. Thank you for bringing that to my attention. I shall have to send riders and accessors out."
"As we see to our estates, we can do our own surveys and report back, Sire," Galahad suggested.
"My father would provide some continuity at least around Humbarton, Astolat and Shallot," Elaine added.
"Indeed he would, Lady Elaine. Thank you all for these suggestions. Perhaps you might all follow Sir Galahad's suggestion? As you spend time on your estates, familiarize yourself with the terrain, vassals, villages and resources. As we rebuild, we will need to know all of these assets. Assess the roads running through your lands. See if Prince Merlin's suggested waystation would function well there. Then report back with your findings. We'll see where we can go from there."
"We should also check on the people here in Whitgate. I wish I could simply use magic to repair the damage caused by the invasions. It would seem right on the surface. Such measures though bring reaction and repercussions. The Prince's spell to blast open Camelot's gates brought such reactions. It is unfortunate that the Sorcery Council could not be here to consult," Mithian raised the point.
"There are still people needing aid however, Milady," Elaine noted. "We should do something. Perhaps we do not have the manpower to help build new structures. Still we should not seem cold toward the people. I would think that would inspire their loyalty if nothing else."
"Indeed it would," Rodor concurred. "Very well. I shall have those matters addressed. I will speak with Master Talesin about the use of magic to rebuild. As for the people themselves, I have enough men to spare that I can have them go out and see to the people here. This has been an excellent first meeting. I believe we all have matters to tend to. I would stress, Prince Merlin and Princess Mithian, for you to enjoy your progress through the kingdom. While it is a scouting opportunity, it is your time as well. Make use of it." He glanced at his daughter expectantly before standing.
On cue, the councilors all did the same.
"You are all dismissed. My thanks again." Rodor motioned toward the newlyweds. "Please stay behind for a minute." After everyone else had vacated the chamber, he regarded Merlin with a smile. "You have better instincts and background than you give yourself credit for, Merlin."
"Try telling him that, Father," Mithian noted while shooting him a confirming look. See? What did I tell you? Have confidence in yourself!
I'm trying. Thanks though for the support.
That's what I do. Just remember that. I will collect. *Later* She quirked an expectant eyebrow.
He smiled at that pleasant thought. For the sake of their shared secret, however, Merlin made it seem like he was talking about his studies within Camelot's archives. "I just did a bit of research."
"Sometimes instinct and initiative can uncover more in a single day than others can deduce in a lifetime. Remember what I said. You two need time together. I do not want your trip to digress overly much into business. Certain lines of continuity do need establishing as well," Rodor declared.
She sighed. While she knew he was right, she wanted to figure out being a wife and a witch first. Then she'd be a better mother knowing full well that they'd have to raise children with magic. "We shall have to see, Father."
"I know. I shall be patient. Just don't keep me waiting too long, my Children. I shall see you at dinner tonight?" Rodor supposed.
"Tonight then, Sire," Merlin agreed with a bow.
"See you then, Father." She nodded and kissed his cheek. Then she watched as he left the room. "So much for having space to find ourselves." She slumped into a chair and looked down at the floor.
"We'll make that space." Even if he felt just as weighed down by the court's expectations, he forced a smile onto his face for her benefit. "We're both learning about the different sides of our world, right? I have to deal with politics. You have to deal with mastering your dreamworld talent. We both need to deal further with our magic. I think we have the right not to rush a child into our world until we're ready."
"How did you get so insightful?" she queried; her spirits already perking up.
"Must be that Princess I'm around all of the time. She's a bad influence," he cracked mischievously.
"Bad influence…really?" She rose to her feet and smirked confidently. "Guess Rosebud is going to have to beat Valiant. Isn't she?"
"She can try," he insisted.
"Let's put that to the test. I'm in the mood for a ride," she challenged.
"That makes two of us," he concurred. He took her hand as they left the chamber.
As Rodor suggested, business could now take a back seat to the pleasures of early marriage. Where they would take such paths was anyone's guess…..