Chapter 14

Mithian offered Royal Nod to the throne. "Pardon us for interrupting the case at hand. We only returned from the forest. It was a most…unusual return…at that. Camelot's servant, Merlin, Malodius and Lady Elaine of Astolat are with me. Lady Elaine requires a chair. Her ordeal caused her to twist her ankle."

Appleby bowed. "Milady Princess."

Rothgar bowed albeit unwillingly. Chauvinism and Ill Regard soured his outlook. He'd see her married, raising children and silenced rather than in male dress and making pronouncements.

"Of course, Daughter." Rodor signaled to two knights. "Should she not be in the Physician's Chambers?"

"Aye. She should. I wish for her testimony to be heard before we do so. I would not take from Lords Appleby and Rothgar however. Merlin, help me please."

"Aye." Merlin eased Elaine into a vacant chair. "Now you can relax that ankle." He stepped back. Conspicuousness made him feel out of sorts. He bowed. "King Rodor, greetings. Pardon me."

"You are always most helpful, Merlin. I welcome your presence. May you inspire others in your realm to have such an open outlook. Please observe. I would speak with you later as well," Rodor replied.

Merlin nodded. "Thank you."

"Thank you, Sire, Milady, and Merlin. I…I appreciate it." A tremble shook Elaine. She managed a bow at the waist for Rodor's benefit. "I am sorry. That is the best I can do."

"I see your respect, Lady Elaine. Thank you." Acknowledgement prompted a nod from Rodor as well. "Now, as to the case at hand, Lord Rothgar, you have admitted yourself to crossing the border between the two manors. You have stolen Lord Appleby's produce. You willfully trespassed on those lands. You have aided and abetted at least one direct assault on his people. I would speak further with Lord Appleby's reeve and see it for myself."

"Pardon me, Sire. What's to stop Lord Appleby from conjuring up an injury to slander me? Sorcerers can do such things!" Rothgar hissed through clenched teeth.

"I have no reason to do so. You have your land. I have mine. Not everything can be done by a wave of the hand. Honest work, good sweat, and effort breeds satisfaction. I do not take shortcuts." Appleby bowed to Rodor. "Whenever you would like to visit, please send word, Sire. We will have a proper welcome."

"Thank you. Lord Rothgar, you owe Lord Appleby recompense for the stolen fruit. Until I can see to the final details, you will stay in my dungeon on the stealing charge. I would not render final verdict on the other matters until I have seen everything for myself." Rodor turned to Blumenwald. "Can you see to the overseeing of Lord Rothgar's manor in the meantime?"

"I shall see to it." Blumenwald quill scratched out that last detail across the parchment's bottom.

"Very good. Princess Mithian, now that we are finished for the present, I believe you requested to be heard?" Rodor turned to Mithian. "What concerns us? And why is Lady Elaine in such condition?"

Mithian sucked in a deep breath. "Malodius and I found Lady Elaine in the forest in this manner, Sire. She was fleeing from her father and his men. In addition, Aredian was there." Her eyes narrowed. "He had his hands on her arm."

"Aredian?" Rodor stiffened. "Are you certain?"

"One does not simply forget that man, Father. Count Bernard was with him. In fact, he'd invited Aredian into Nemeth. And there is this document. If I may approach?" Mithian produced the folded parchment.

"Aye." Rodor beckoned her forward. "What is this?"

"This is a wardship agreement. Count Bernard attempted to hand Lady Elaine to Aredian without your consent." Mithian handed him the parchment. "Princess Josiane was to have returned with Count Bernard. Elaine and I came ahead of them." She nodded to him.

Murmurs and whispers echoed through the chamber. Outrage mixed with Anger. Coughs and guffaws punctuated discussions.

Rodor read Bernard's document. A knocking from the door echoed to his ears. "AYE?"

"Pardon me, King Rodor!" Josiane stepped into the chamber. She offered a slight bow. She beheld the situation. "I return from the forest. Princess Mithian has explained?"

"Aye! She has. Do you have Count Bernard with you?" Rodor looked up from the document. He handed it over to Blumenwald. "Have you seen this before, Lord Blumenwald?"

Blumenwald read the document over. He stared at Mithian and then at Josiane. "Princess Mithian? Princess Josiane? I did not authorize this! I would never!" His face paled. "Sire." He held the document to Rodor.

"Make certain that it is secure. Lord Appleby, Lord Rothgar, I wish for you both to observe. That is why I advised Lord Appleby to take care!" Rodor strode forward. Anger narrowed his eyes. "Bring Count Bernard in."

"Of course." Josiane stepped back into the passage. "You are Merlin? Perhaps you might help me?"

Merlin rushed out after her. He discovered the semi-conscious Bernard floating on the carpet. "You brought him here like this?"

"Did you think we would risk a horseback ride? There is no telling what lurks in those woods." Josiane watched the carpet lower to the floor. "Help me with him." She picked up Bernard's feet.

"Fine." Merlin hefted Bernard's shoulders. He guided her into the chamber. "The carpet could have floated him in here."

"These men could not handle that. I would not incite the magic haters, Merlin. I should not have to remind you of prejudice." Josiane sniffed. "Keep a firm grip. He starts to awaken. We would not wish for this buffoonto crack his skull before King Rodor lays sentence. Would we?"

Bernard stirred. His mouth contorted. His eyes blinked. "Mmm…what? Where am I? What is going on?" His eyes opened. "YOU WITCH! PUT ME DOWN! I'M NOT GOING ANYWHERE ON THAT BLOODY CARPET! YOU HEAR ME?"

Amusement arched Josiane's eyebrow. "You have heard the man, Merlin? He wants to be put down. Grant his wish." She let his feet drop to the floor. Then, she stepped back.

"Fine." Temptation urged Merlin to simply fling Bernard to the floor. Instead, he helped the other man to his feet. "She's already brought you back here, Count Bernard." He stepped back from Bernard. "You might want to turn around." He pointed toward Rodor and Mithian. Pronounced wince contorted his face.

"Brought me? Turn around? Wait! I know you! You are Prince Arthur of Camelot's servant! I should have known! I will drag you back to King Uther himself! He will hang your worthless carcass from the walls!" Bernard scoffed. "Why would I…?"

"Aye, Count Bernard. DO turn around!"

Bernard stiffened. Recognition grasped onto Rodor's voice. Akin to latter day child with the hand in the cookie jar, he slowly edged around bit by bit. He took in the throne chamber around himself. Pity, curses, narrowed eyes and rolling eyes greeted him in the process. He stopped to find Rodor and Mithian standing in front of their thrones. "Sire! I…" He fell to his knees. "Whatever the Princess said, I can explain! She is mistaken! I didn't…."

Mithian quirked an eyebrow. "I assure you, Father. The evidence is quite clear. Only King Uther's summons prevented me from bringing Aredian here as well."

"Pity, Daughter." Rodor set his jaw. "I'd want that one's head for myself." He took a composing breath. "Still, you did the right thing. Uther would start a war over that. As it is, we have enough problems." He strode toward Bernard. "Are you impugning Princess Mithian, Count Bernard? You would not accuse her of lying, would you? I would think very hard before you do that!" He shook his head. "I have had my fill of sorcerers being hunted because of their magic!" He pointed to Blumenwald. "I HAVE SEEN THE PROOF! COUNT BERNARD, YOU KNOW BETTER! BAD ENOUGH YOU DID WHAT YOU DID TO YOUR WIFE! NOW, LADY ELAINE TOO? FOR SHAME!" He shook his head. "I have given you MORE CHANCES! You have used up your usefulness to me! You are charged with attempted kidnapping, forgery, and treason!"

"Treason?" Bernard ground his teeth. "I never betrayed you!"

"YOU BETRAYED ME WHEN YOU INVITED THAT SCOUNDREL AREDIAN INTO THE KINGDOM! YOU KNOW I BANISHED HIM!" Rodor pulled Bernard back to his feet. "Join Rothgar in my dungeon! Your sentence, Bernard of Astolat, is death! I am glad Lady Elaine lives. She will inherit Astolat. I will see her with a competent husband and steward to help her to run it properly!" He signaled to Galahad. "Take Lord Rothgar and him away!" Dismissal prompted a backhanded wave.

"SIRE! SIRE, WAIT! I!" Bernard struggled as two Nemethian knights dragged him backwards from the dais and the chamber itself.

"I know the way! I go with you peacefully!" Rothgar snarled at the knights. He narrowed his eyes at Rodor.

"Do not look at me in that manner, Lord Rothgar. Take him from my sight before I charge him as well!" Rodor made a face. "They both try my patience!" He looked about the area. Indignation and Outrage darkened his face. "Everyone is dismissed! Come, Daughter!" He squinted at Merlin and Josiane. "You both as well! I must know everything! Lord Blumenwald, please see to Lady Elaine. Have her brought to Master Wyngate. Then, join us." He shook his head. "I will get to the bottom of this mess!" He marched out of the throne chamber.

Nothing was ever easy…Things, however, were about to get a lot more complicated….