Chapter 11

The group's eyes turned to their glowing hostess. Morgana, Mithian and Elaine all curtseyed. Accolon and Malodius bowed to her. Merlin, on the other hand, puzzled over their reactions. "And who is this? Sorry but I have not been introduced."

Fair enough, Emrys. I am the triple goddess. This is but one of my realms. I have brought you here for a reason. Most of your realms are allied with one another. Camelot has agreements with some and is antagonistic to others. The goddess surveyed their numbers. Despite your origins and viewpoints, you all have ties to sorcerers and magical beings. Most of you have already exhibited your abilities. Some have barely scratched the surface. Some hide who they are. She looked to Elaine, Morgana and Merlin.

"Lady, who is this Emrys? There is nobody here by that name." Mithian rubbed her chin. Her eyebrow raised. "Sire, you are very well schooled and read. Have you heard of that?"

Accolon nodded. "Aye. The goddess refers to either someone named after the legendary Druid figure or that figure himself. Other than Morgana and you, the rest of us have magic."

"Rest of us? Merlin?" Mithian looked at Accolon, Merlin and back to Accolon again.

"Some of us just found out for ourselves." Morgana folded her arms across her chest. "Merlin, do you know who this 'Emrys' is? He'd best not be in Camelot if he knows what is best."

"In the mists just now, that's the first time I've heard that." Merlin shook his head. Once again, Gaius' fears about Morgana's emerging magic echoed across his psyche. How powerful is she? Was Gaius right to do what he did?

Morgana stiffened. "MERLIN! YOU KNEW? AND GAIUS? IS THAT WHY HE GAVE ME THOSE SLEEPING POWDERS?"

Have a care, Morgana Pendragon. Emrys wished to help and work with you. Gaius, however, decided to suppress your abilities. He has betrayed me in favor of Uther. The goddess narrowed her eyes. I feel your anger, Emrys. I know how close you both are. Morgana is correct. As much as I defend you to her, you are still his accomplice. Necessity is a double-edged sword. True, you have to survive at Camelot. You work around Uther and Arthur Pendragon. You have frustrated my agents in their efforts to end the Purge. You protect Uther from his own stupidity. Now, I fear his stupidity endangers all. His rabid dog returns to Camelot. He seeks an answer. You offered him opportunity, Emrys. Now, the dog, Aredian, needs to be put down. The Lady of Shalott died protecting your secret. He suspects you, however. Morgana, you will be his target as well. This one is ruthless in his methods. I have endured enough of him as well.

Merlin bowed his head. He ground his teeth.Loyalty and his heart wanted to lash out anew. Gaius protected and provided for him. In many ways, Gaius was his father figure. Despite disagreements and cumbersome methods, situations worked out for the best. Still, Consequences and Outcomes now reared their ugly heads. Morgana's pain screamed at him. The others' unspoken questions echoed through their thoughts to him. "How could he know?"

"Mother…was?" Elaine put her hands over her mouth. "You? You were the hooded man! You're the one who was in the back room! You're the one she concealed in the passage!" She pointed at Merlin. "That awful Aredian was looking for you!" Sobs choked off her speech.

Malodius rubbed up against Merlin's leg.

Morgana rolled her eyes. "Uther rants on about that! Meantime you were limping around the citadel. You were wounded on the battlefield defending the wagons."

Accolon curled his lip. "That's what Gaius would have you all think." He glanced at Merlin. "I saw what you did. So did Elena of the Amazons, King Rodor and Britomart." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I've seen spells, Merlin. Other than the triple goddess, I've never seen anything like that!" He bowed to the goddess.

Mithian raised her hand. "Wait. I understand Merlin was grievously wounded. He should have lost his arm. That was from a Cawdorian sword."

"It was from Meleagant's sword actually. He sought to ambush Prince Kay. Merlin took the blow instead. Somehow, he bowled Meleagant over with a spell. Then, he slipped away. There's that. There's also his earthquake spell. That's what I meant before by the unbelievable spell. That shook up the whole battlefield! That is why Aredian wants you dead, Merlin. If Uther knew, he'd kill you for sure." Accolon took a deep breath. "Merlin, I know Gaius wants you to stay. I know how loyal you are to Prince Arthur. I commend you for that. You are not safe there."

"If Uther found out, he'd make a public spectacle out of your execution, Merlin." Accolon grimaced. Imagination played out Auto da Fé in her mind. "Aredian would see Morgana and you burn at the stake. Nay. I'd have you go to Tintagel. You will be safe there."

"Now wait!" Protests spewed from Morgana's mouth. "I am not helpless! Besides, Uther could start a war! He will think you abducted me!" She grabbed onto his arm. "We are so close! I do not want a diplomatic incident." Desperation raised her voice. "Please, Accolon! We do not want to ruin things!"

"She's right." Merlin rubbed his forehead. Implications and consequences ran through his head. "I could try to get Prince Arthur to speak with you. What Morgana said would be the least of our worries."

Mithian cleared her throat. "Father would insist on pulling you back to Whitgate, If he knows, he will insist on granting you sanctuary. Uther would not threaten us again as he did!" She clenched her fists.

Uther Pendragon does not care, Mithian of Nemeth. The one you speak of returns as we speak. You should return to Whitgate. Aredian will turn back to Nemeth once he has found Emrys and Morgana. The goddess turned back to Merlin. You will not be safe there. Despite what Gaius and others believe, Emrys, your time has drawn to a close in Camelot. There is something awaiting you in Whitgate. Someone is coming. You and he must meet. It is of vital importance. Mithian of Nemeth, I will send Emrys back with you. There are others who can attend to Kilgarrah's liberation.

"Kilgarrah?" Mithian stared at Merlin. "The Great Dragon is alive? We thought him dead! He has been gone all of these years!"

"Nay. He is alive." Merlin rolled his eyes. "Morgana heard him earlier." He weighed over the goddess' plan. He had to admit that Aredian's presence proved a big threat. Duty pushed Merlin toward Arthur. Despite the threat, he still felt that Arthur's destiny as Once and Future King was more important than even his own life.

"That voice! That's the dragon underneath Camelot? He talked to us?" Morgana put those facts in with everything else. "They will love that. Unfortunately, knowing Arthur, he will want Merlin back to clean everything. He will know Merlin's missing."

You can come up with an explanation. I am sure of that. I will send you back with Accolon, Morgana Pendragon. Good luck, my Children. See to the threat at hand. Change is upon us. The goddess' eyes glowed bright emerald.

Light built up around the group. Flash swept them away toward Destinations.

Another transition, anyone?