Chapter 24
[Whitgate]
Mourning dampened Citadel's air. Rumor made its way down granite passages and chambers. Word reached into Upper and Lower Towns. Activities ceased. Diplomacy ground to a halt. Knights' training suspended. Eyes turned toward citadel.
Funerary preparations proceeded. Wyngate and a servant washed Balinor's body. Nemeth's emerald flag covered the corpse. Household and townspeople collaborated on laying Pyre's wood and straw in the plaza. Service set to commence at Dawn.
Son, however, lingered with his thoughts….
[Physician's Chambers]
Merlin sat next to Balinor's covered corpse. Childhood's questions and wonder lingered in his mind. Mystery had cloaked his father's identity. Hunith evaded the topic. Nobody in Ealdor knew Balinor. Eventually, Acceptance shifted to Hunith as both parents in one.
Questions, however suppressed, remained….
Why did you hide in those woods? You could have blended in. Merlin's hand ran across the flag. Tears welled up behind his eyes. Do I tell Mother? How can I tell her that we found you? His eyes rolled. It was his last wish! His forehead touched the flag as well.
Malodius whined from his guard spot to his right. Mourning for his long lost comrade dampened his spirits as well. Memoria recalled Balinor's prowess on battlefields across Britannia and Europa. Even among fellow Riders and Dragons, Balinor's skills shone brighter than a hundred suns. Atop Kilgarrah's back, he'd led an army from Clouds' cover against any and all comers. Glory flapped Civilized Flags atop battlements….
…that was before Purge's Dark Pall…before Uther's spleen poisoned Fortuna's outlook…before Treachery's scythe cut down Heroes in craven ambush….
He cared for your mother and you, Merlin. Never forget that. Kilgarrah's voice echoed over leagues. Merlin's pain slammed into him. Malodius' confirmation clarified matters. Lament and Outrage over his brother's fate frothed and boiled within him. Indignity festered over the manacle about his foot. He should never have had to hide. He was a hero. King Rodor can tell you that. So will the Princess.
His mantle is now yours, Merlin. It is for you and Kilgarrah to reignite that flame. You cannot hide behind the Pendragons any longer. Malodius set his paw on Merlin's lower leg.
A numb nod bobbed Merlin's head up and down. Sharp pain stabbed at his heart. Phantom ache ground at his shoulder's scar. Instinct guided his hand to that spot. Now that too?
It is a reminder of your worthiness, Merlin. Mithian rubbed his affected shoulder. Class distinctions disappeared before Circumstances' issues. For past Hourglass' turn, she watched Merlin. Feelings and emotions vibrated their shared link. Reverence wished to open the Hall of Heroes for Merlin's benefit. "You are Sir Balinor's son whether you wish to recognize that or not."
"If I was worthy of the honor and mantle. Lady Reyna's still dead, Princess. Why?" Merlin placed his hand atop hers. Tears burned at his eyes and cheeks.
"You and she are heroes of Nemeth, Merlin. Father and she knew this to be true! She protected you to the very end. Now, that knowledge is coming out. It should never have had to be a secret. We will find a way to free you from Camelot."She shook her head at that notion.
He glanced at her. Skepticism glinted in his eyes.
Indelicate snort escaped from her lips. "And who protects you from King Uther or Prince Arthur, Merlin? They were ready to kill you at Shalott. Aredian is in Camelot right now. I suspect you are one of his targets."
"Prince Arthur would help me."Denial flattened Merlin's tone. "Gaius has kept me safe so far." That assertion elicited an eye roll. Ingenuity and Determination had saved Camelot dozens of times (at least). Granted, Disregard cast a blind eye at class distinctions, social niceties, and tradition….
…then again, Warmth and Amor made that case for him at that point. They pressed a certain Princess closer and closer still….
"I do not doubt Prince Arthur's resolve in that regard, Merlin. I remember his concern very well for you. King Uther, on the other hand, regards you as any other servant. Do not overlook that." She rubbed his shoulders. Her eyebrow arched. "I remember how he dismissed you from the dining chamber. And you were trying to comfort Lady Elaine."
"Aye. At least I did not collapse in front of your father, King Uther, Prince Arthur or Lady Morgana." Merlin flexed his left shoulder. Stiffness resisted his effort in that regard. "I was useless for about a month." Scoff and then a cough followed that. "Prince Arthur bellowed at me trying to get me well again."
A warm giggle escaped her lips. Imagination cued up images of Arthur's impatience echoing throughout Camelot's citadel. "You should have stayed here. I believe you earned special consideration. Prince Kay would not have cared for it. Father would have put him in his place. You might recall some of us insisted on that."
"I know Master Wyngate and the King argued with King Uther but…you?" Surprise elicited a second look. "I was just a servant to you. You did not know…."
"Merlin…." An exasperated sigh escaped her lips. "Your kindness to Lady Elaine stood out. Your service to us when clearly you should have been in bed mattered. Britomart was beside herself. Father bellowed at King Uther about his treatment of you. Besides, she and I would not wait. It seems the goddess opens a world to you." She patted Balinor's cover. "His title is yours, Merlin. You are no longer a mere servant if you ever were one."
"Princess, I…." Merlin struggled with a response. Denials and Obligations held strong. Fealty tugged him back toward Camelot and Arthur. Warm breezes however slowed said attraction. Mourning hung over him. His hand squeezed hers harder still. Belief wanted to press on. Memoria recalled how Arthur released him prior to the Ealdor misadventure against the raiders. Perhaps he would allow it now? What about Gaius?
Two worlds on a collision course...
It is a moot point, Merlin.
Malodius jumped to his feet. Magical prompt elicited a snarl through clenched teeth. His tail whipped back and forth. Mane stood on end. Stay back!
"Princess?" Merlin sprang back from his father's side. He looked about the chamber. "That's King Accolon's voice." He pressed closer to her side. "Behind me."
"Merlin, if it is King Accolon, he would not hurt either of us." Chill elicited a shiver from her shoulders. She noted congealing mists in the far corner. "There!"
Accolon stepped out onto the stones. "Merlin, Princess Mithian." King's crown glittered atop his head. Chain mail shone under Orange and Blue surcoat. He nodded to them. "Matters are resolving themselves." He turned to Balinor's covered body. "At last, Sir Balinor, you are treated as you deserve. As you honored us in life, so shall we do for you in Death." He placed his hand on Obsidian Eagle in its emerald backdrop. "I promise to see Merlin to his proper place. I assure you of that. Thank you for your service." He stepped back. His hand clapped his chest three times.
"See me…what?" Merlin scratched his head.
More questions arose….