Chapter 23 [A Turn of the Hourglass Earlier—South Road Heading Toward Camelot]
Accolon emerged from the forest. He urged his horse onward toward Camelot. Remaining distance fell beneath his and Entourage's horse lengths. Chill breeze rustled Tintagel's standards in their midst. Luna's beams brushed over the meadow. Faerie dust danced in the air before his eyes….
…danced in his view of Camelot and his waiting Princess/Queen to Be….
Passion's sigh fluttered over his lips. His heart skipped a beat. Years' wait finally seemed to reap its reward. Uther and his father blessed the marriage. Bond linked Morgana and him already. Common agenda seemed to tie them together as well. Besides, she impressed him. Uther's ultimatum over Arthur and Gwen provided Opportunity's benefits. Quick thinking had preserved the goddess' plans. My Lady Morgana manipulated Uther with such skill! She can shelter Guinevere from further harm until our departure. Merlin can return to pack his things and then depart. Aredian's threat could expose us all.
I am glad you consider such things, Accolon, the goddess declared.
Milady! He bowed in his saddle. Thank you for your foresight and vision! Matters improve. Morgana and I can keep Merlin and Guinevere safe as long as need be.
Aredian has been dealt with. Nimue and Lunete neutralized his threat. He is now our agent. Aye. Take the girl with you both. She has her purpose very soon. Arthur Pendragon will have his purpose as well. Uther Pendragon will be dealt with. My plan proceeds as it must. The goddess exhaled a deep breath. I will say no more. Act normally. All will become readily apparent.
Aye, Milady. I will. And the Great Dragon? What of him? I would like to see him free once more. Accolon pressed his horse across the drawbridge. His pace slowed slightly through the Lower Town and up toward the Upper Town. He watched for townspeople and servants. He passed under the arch.
Patience. I have planned for that as well. Deal with the Pendragons. Affirm your bond with Morgana Pendragon. Make sure the Maid Guinevere and she leave Camelot safely. If Gaius presses about Emrys, I will know. His role remains in flux. For now, the pestilence in the southern provinces occupies him. With that, the goddess went silent.
Everything seems almost too neat. Faith! The goddess knows what she is doing. Accolon rode toward the citadel. His eye took in Camelot's best knights standing on the granite stairs. Gwen watched him off to the side. Uther and Arthur waited at the top of the stairs. Morgana somehow restrained herself and stood in place. He sucked in a composing breath. "Sir Horace! See to our horses if you would?" He dismounted. He smoothed his riding tunic. His hands straightened the crown atop his head. Confidence! You are King of Tintagel now. You are to be the Lady Morgana's partner and husband. You are the goddess' priest and servant on her business. She is with you. He drew his cloak closer to himself. His boots clacked against each stair. Your beauty outshines all but the goddess herself, Milady.
Pink flushed Morgana's cheeks. She bowed her head toward Accolon. And your Crown becomes you, my Love. Welcome, Accolon. Her heart danced at his presence. Assurance bolstered her resolve. I have talked with Gwen. We have to pack. Then, we can depart.
I would like that. Forgive me, Morgana. I have to greet King Uther. Accolon shot her a slight glance. Then, he turned his attention toward Arthur and Uther. "King Uther. Thank you for receiving us."
Uther raised an eyebrow. "Of course! And I greet you, Prince Accolon. Forgive me. Isn't that your father's crown on your head?" Intrigue and questions popped up in his mind.
"Aye." Accolon frowned. He allowed a deep breath. Mourning's downcast expression sagged across his face. Regret played its dirge across his heart. "Sadly, he passed beyond the Veil only a few days ago. He was ill for months. He carried on for our subjects and Britannia with no complaints. He was an inspiration. Fortunately, King Bors allowed me to return from Gaul to assume my duties."
"Of course, he did. Bors is a good man with sense." Uther met Accolon's eyes with his own. "You have Camelot's deepest sympathies. Whatever you need, we are here for Tintagel and you." He held his hand out.
Accolon nodded. "Thank you, King Uther. I appreciate that. Tintagel thanks you for your good will." He shook the offered hand. Regret twinged at his heart albeit for a fleeting moment. Keep your resolve. Remember your purpose. Uther's own hate betrays him not us. "My father treasured the friendship between our kingdoms. He appreciated your support during the troubles. It is my hope that the bond between Lady Morgana and myself will bring peace to Tintagel and strengthen the ties between Camelot and Tintagel as well.
"Well spoken indeed!" Uther nodded. Approval prompted a broad smile. "Excellent sentiments to start your own reign with! Prince Arthur, Lady Morgana and I still have time before dinner. You are invited of course."
"I appreciate that. Thank you. We can celebrate perhaps?" Accolon cleared his throat. "Pardon me. My mind is on diplomacy. I can assure you. My heart pulls me in another direction. Priorities dictate that Camelot and Tintagel take precedence in our attachments. I wish to align my heart's needs within them."
"That is most prudent. We are Kings. Our thoughts and feelings should be with our realms and peoples first before our hearts. Perhaps I might have you speak with Prince Arthur in that regard?" Uther motioned toward Arthur. Purpose curled his lip. See how you should be thinking? Here is your example!
"Oh?" Accolon studied Arthur. Beneath the Prince's Mask of State, Resentment and Frustration frothed in the latter's mind and heart. "I always thought of you as most loyal to Camelot, Prince Arthur. It is good to see you again."
"King Accolon." Arthur offered the royal nod. He maintained a most stolid expression. "As the King said, you have our sympathies. Welcome! Congratulations as well!" He held his arms out.
"Thank you. I have looked forward to speaking with you. I was thinking of having a tournament in honor of the wedding. I was hoping you'd take part?" Accolon embraced Arthur. "You were always a good friend, Prince Arthur. I look forward to our realms working together and having each other's backs in peace and war."
"Always." Accolon's sentiments eased Arthur's mood. Hopes pined for Arrangement between them over Gwen. Favor could repay Favor. Compromise wouldn't eat at Camelot's prerogative…or so was his intent. "I will be there if the King agrees."
"We will both be there of course!" Uther clapped Arthur on the shoulder. "You both should speak on such things. I would appreciate any wisdom you might share with Prince Arthur. Tell me. Did you have a chance to speak with King Rodor or Princess Mithian?"
Morgana kept her eyes straight ahead. She buried her own thoughts. Keep plotting and scheming. Keep trying to manipulate everyone. Everything comes apart under your boots and you cannot even see it.
Patience, Lady. Remember your resolve. The endgame…remember that. Accolon focused on Uther and Arthur. "I did. Would you believe? There might be someone that the Princess cares about! King Rodor is speaking with him and the latter's lord. Those arrangements seem most promising! I can hope. After the failed negotiations, I still hold Nemeth in high esteem. Princess Mithian and I are friends. As you said earlier, however, I have to keep Tintagel's interests first and foremost."
Uther soured. "Indeed you should. As I said before, you're a good example to others in that regard. I can assure you. King Ruthbert and I intended to join the Lady Morgana and you. We knew of your feelings for each other. We will have Lord Geoffrey oversee your marriage. Since your feelings and thinking are there, we can finalize the arrangements? The rest of our business can wait until tomorrow. If you're too tired, I understand." Uther glanced toward Arthur.
"Nay. If the Lady Morgana is ready then so am I. Our realms' interests and hearts' interests align. Forgive my impatience but why wait? The court is assembled. If that meets with your approval, it does mine. Speaking of the Lady, might I greet her?"
"You should. My apologies, King Accolon. I believe you two need no further introductions?" Uther stepped back. Rodor's reported negotiations endangered his ambitions for Gedref and Nemeth. Another match would have to be found as soon as possible. He filed that notion for later.
"I believe not, Sire." Desire and Amor lightened Morgana's mood. She walked toward Accolon. "Welcome to Camelot, my Lord." She curtseyed to him. "I am glad your journey went well. I am prepared to do my duty for Camelot and Tintagel."
Accolon raised her hand. His lips whispered Amor's sentiments across her knuckles. "As am I. We should see to the best interests of both realms." Restraint held him back from Embrace or (Unchaste) Kiss. Ardor, however, shone in his eyes for her and her alone. "I would finalize matters and not wait. I understand that state matters take time."
"I know." Morgana set her jaw. Her eyes met Arthur's and then Uther's. "Everything in its time, Milord. We have waited so long. We have our love. Trust in that. We can let protocol guide us through that." She took Accolon's hands in hers.
"You see, Accolon? You are a most welcome influence indeed!" Impatience sparked Uther's mindset. He turned toward Geoffrey of Monmouth. "I see no reason to make Lady Morgana and King Accolon wait any longer. The court is assembled. The terms are known to and agreed upon by Tintagel and Camelot. "That is suitable?"
"Aye. I have seen my father's copy. I am prepared to sign and seal the document. If you can have someone see to my knights and their horses, we will finalize everything." Accolon looked back down the stairs toward his entourage and horses.
"Of course!" Uther signaled to the grooms. "They will take the best care with your horses. Your knights can join us in the banquet of course! Now come! You two have waited long enough. Perhaps one day, you might help Prince Arthur find a proper match?"
Arthur stiffened. His teeth ground against each other. Resistance closed off his heart. Determination marshaled its force to resist his father's next maneuver.
Accolon nodded. "I know of several potential candidates, King Uther. I can direct you to them if that is acceptable? Maybe King Bors might assist? I know Gaul is an ally of Camelot." His eyes met Morgana's. Then, he returned his glance to Uther.
"Indeed! He and I are old friends!" Exultation and Triumph pumped Uther up. His eyes lit up. His smile threatened to push at his ears. "Come in! Come in! We will seal our treaty! Then, I have a feast awaiting!"
Morgana and Arthur followed the two kings through the door. Each maintained their masks. Emotions and True Outlook hid beneath Political Facades. Desires and Goals however pushed them toward divergent aims…
…aims skewing Fates' loom….
Trojan horses, anyone?