Chapter 40 [Royal Dining Hall]

Arthur looked about the chamber. Decoration remained at a bare minimum. Servants shuffled about in Duty's routine. Memoria recalled the Terrible Day. (Nay, Reader, not the one the Other Bards spoke of in the other tellings…) Rodor, Accolon, Morgana, Gaius and Gwen regarded him in turn. "It appears the same. Odd that for a celebration there is not more."

"We have a funeral to attend first. A dragon lord chose to pass through the Veil amongst us last night. Sir Balinor will be missed," Rodor's fingers tapped on the table. Impatience ate at him. "The Coronation will proceed after Midday. He would have wanted that."

"And what of the rest of us? Surely, with due respect, Your Majesty, we would be able to speak with Merlin before then?" Gaius sized Rodor up. He recalled the ruler well enough from their earlier encounters.

"Gaius, Merlin is of age to decide for himself. Let it be so." Accolon drank from his goblet. His eyes burned into Gaius'. Do not seek to interfere in the goddess' will, Gaius. She already has enough of an account where you are concerned. "Besides, this is his heritage."

Gaius stiffened. He is a priest? Good grief! Suspicion darkened his mind. "Heritage? Pardon me but what heritage?" The Eyebrow raised his hairline a good quarter inch. Much as with Arthur and the others, Merlin's origins stemmed from Ealdor. (Well, as much as they knew anyhow.) "What tie would Merlin have here, King Rodor."

Rodor shook his head. He wanted to keep that matter under wraps. Still, Query launched…Answer deserved. "We did not know who Merlin's father was, Gaius. Merlin, until last night, did not know. Princess Mithian, Lord Blumenwald and I did not know who his mother was. Had we known earlier, I'd have pressed King Uther for Merlin's service."

"His father?" Confusion clouded Gaius' thoughts. A deep frown twisted his mouth. "I am afraid I do not understand, King Rodor. Hunith raised Merlin alone in Ealdor. She sent him to Camelot for a better life. He served King Arthur and Camelot. He was my ward and apprentice prior to Uther's grant. What else was there?"

"What else indeed?" Irony weighed on Arthur's response. He shook his head. "Merlin's bumbling around was an act. He did good service when he had a mind to." He glared at the door. "I wish the Princess would get back here with him."

"An act he had to do due to our fathers' laws." Accolon shook his head. "Merlin was right to hide and do what he had to in the shadows."

"Neither he nor I should ever have had to." Morgana raised an eyebrow at them. "Nor should I have had to do sleeping powders to keep me from my magic."

"Morgana, we have been through this. I believe Gaius intended to protect you. I agree with him. You saw what Aredian did here. Father's position did not protect him from Aredian in the end. Certainly, it would not have protected Merlin or you either." Arthur rubbed his forehead. "I am getting a headache."

"I am having enough trouble of my own with this." Gwen accepted a refill from Britomart. "Thank you, Britomart."

"You are welcome." Britomart nodded to Gwen. Then, she checked with the others before her retreat back to the corner. Her new robes and chain mail awaited her. "Sire?"

"Nay, Britomart. You have done well enough. Please stay. I wish to announce our surprise once Sir Merlin and Princess Mithian rejoin us." Rodor took another draught from his goblet. "Cassandra?"

"Aye, Sire?" A blonde slender girl rushed toward them. Her dress matched Britomart's. She held the water pitcher in her hands. "What can I do for you?"

"Perhaps you might take over for Britomart?" Rodor pointed toward the three empty chairs. "Britomart, you may join us. Once the announcement is made, you will return to your chambers. Sir Galahad will await you."

"Aye, Sire." Britomart curtseyed to him. "Once again, thank you. I live to serve." Then, she eased into her chair. Much like a new coat, the action felt foreign to her. Even her glib tongue failed her at that point. Uncharacteristic nerves unsteadied her resolve in that heartbeat. She kept her eyes on Rodor even if her heart wandered the citadel's guest chambers.

"We know that. It is time for the Princess and me to reward that service." Rodor noted Mithian and Merlin at the chamber's door. "Ah! Daughter! Sir Merlin! Please enter." Merlin's usual attire raised an eyebrow. "The tailors and armorer were supposed to have his new garb ready."

"I do not know, Father." Mithian offered the royal nod. Embarrassment reddened her face. "Merlin, I…"

Excitement pressed at Merlin at the sight of Gaius and his friends. Despite Transition's burden on that morning, he wanted to speak with them. "Perhaps I can borrow some chain mail and a surcoat, King Rodor?" Merlin bowed to the table. "I saw one last night that can be of use." He motioned toward Gaius. "May I?"

"Merlin, I say! You do miss details." Relief and Joy washed Gaius' issues away. He sprang from his seat and hustled to Merlin's side. "I was so worried! Are you all right?"

"Aye, Gaius! It is so great to see you!" Merlin embraced Gaius. "I am glad you are all right!"

"Everything is fine, Merlin." Gaius assessed Merlin. The exam allayed earlier issues. "You seem healthy enough." His trained eye caught no signs of magical coercion or drugs. "And you are sure about Sir Balinor? Merlin, we have not heard about this before."

"It became apparent last night, Master Gaius." Mithian cleared her throat. "King Arthur, congratulations to Queen Guinevere and you." She nodded to him.

"It seems that I should say the same." Arthur returned the nod with one of his own. "Have to say, Merlin, I wish I'd have known about your heritage. Father would've made you a knight."

"The King would have burned him at the stake." Morgana cleared her throat. "Merlin is the son of Sir Balinor the Dragon Lord. How do you think that would have gone over in the Royal Council?" She shook her head. "There is a reason Gaius did what he did with the powders. It does not mean it was the right reason. It was a reason nonetheless." Her eyes burned into Gaius' psyche.

"I was protecting you, Milady." Gaius bowed to make the point further. "I try to protect life. I was saving yours. I had Merlin to think about as well as you just indicated."

"You should have told me, Gaius!" Morgana narrowed her eyes. Lecture stabbed from her tongue at his ears. She raised her hands. "No matter. The matter is closed. Is that not true?" She turned to Accolon.

"Aye. It is." Accolon nodded. "I hope it will never happen again. I had to hide as well. It will not happen again in Tintagel. That I can promise you, Milady." He lifted her hand and kissed the back of it.

"Indeed so, King Accolon. Nor here in Nemeth. I believe we all have enough memories in that regard." Rodor noted Sol's position in the sky. "Pardon me, Sir Merlin, the hour grows late. There is one more thing that needs to be done. Then, Princess Mithian and you should see to your chain mail." He stood. "Britomart, please kneel in front of me."

Mithian bit her lip. Mask of State maintained its serene poker face. Inside, however, Triumph pressed her to jump up and down. Congratulations and Gratitude shone in her eyes for Britomart. "Thank you, Sire. Please do, Britomart. Pardon me, my Prince." She hustled to her father's side. Pride beamed down on her maid/best friend/bodyguard/confidant.

"You are welcome. As I said, service such as hers or Sir Merlin's deems a reward. I know this is her wish." Rodor drew his sword. "Britomart of Nemeth, your service is known to us. Your desire to protect our royal household and see to every detail is without peer. I need only to ask the questions. Are you ready?"

Britomart trembled. Emotions clashed inside of herself. Disbelief over her current state numbed her. "A…aye, Sire. I am." She looked up at him and then at Mithian. "Milady."

"Britomart." Mithian motioned toward Rodor. Her smile spread still further across her face.

Rodor nodded. "Britomart, do you swear to protect Nemeth? Will you look out for its people and prerogatives before any other kingdom's? Are you willing to give your life if needed for our royal house and people?"

Britomart nodded. "Aye, Sire. I so swear." Affirmation locked her eyes onto his. "You have been kind and generous to me. Our people received me after the fire. How can I not protect them? How can I not swear to you, my King, Milady and…if I may…Prince Merlin? My service to you is my greatest honor and privilege. I can do so now as a knight. Once more, my life for Nemeth and for your house." She bowed her head.

Mithian wiped tears from her eyes. A quick breath composed her once again. "Thank you."

"Well put, Daughter." Rodor rubbed Mithian's arm. He understood her perspective on the matter. "And my thanks as well, Britomart." He raised his sword. "Therefore, by this sword…." His sword's point tapped each of Britomart's shoulders in turn. "I hereby free and raise you to noble status. I declare you a knight of Nemeth, Dame Britomart. You are the first such knight. May you continue to be such an example." He sheathed his sword. "Daughter?"

"Aye, Father." Mithian helped Britomart to her feet. "Look at you! A knight at last! You have your dream. As King Rodor said, you have earned it. Now, I believe your armor is waiting, Dame Britomart. Meet Sir Galahad and the others by the Physician's Chambers."

"Aye, Milady!" Britomart curtseyed to the other royals. Then, she headed out of the chamber. "My Prince." She curtseyed again.

"Dame Britomart, not yet. I…." Merlin squirmed. Embarrassment reddened his cheeks. He bit his lip.

"You are in all but oath, Sir Merlin. I know Dame Britomart's intent. It is all right. Thank you, however, for your restraint and humility." Rodor motioned toward the door. "Dame Britomart? Sir Galahad and your new comrades are waiting."

"Aye, Sire!" Britomart rushed into the passage. Euphoria and Success rushed to her head. Joy's tears coursed down her cheeks. Tempus pushed her toward her chambers. Disappointment would not dampen Galahad's or any other knight's mood further on her account.

"I believe, Daughter, you should guide Sir Merlin downstairs. We will see you outside." Rodor handed her a heavy iron key ring with three metallic keys on it.

"Aye, Sire." Mithian bowed to him and the others. "Pardon us. Sir Merlin?" She guided him from the chamber.

Arthur sucked in a deep breath. "I never thought we would see a day like this." He shook his head. Wonder and Amazement spun his head.

"Arthur, we have seen him fight. Wish we could have known about his magic." Gwen took a mouthful from her goblet.

"Some things were by design, Milady." Gaius' eyes met Morgana's. Purpose and Regret lit up therein. Still, Merlin's protection remained the highest priority.

"Come. We should eat. I will put some aside for Sir Merlin and Princess Mithian." Rodor held his hand out to the offered food.

Servants became knights. Traditions shrouded in dark became light….