Chapter 47 [Next Day]
Sol shone down against powder puff blue backdrop. Puffy clouds chased each other across the sky. Unseasonable warmth puffed across Britannia. Pomp, Circumstance and Celebration had taken place in Camelot. Arthur and Gwen sat on their respective thrones. Discussions and negotiations were set to begin. Merlin and Mithian's affair remained three days in the future.
One side trip remained, however….
[Woods Just Into Essetir from Camelot]
Mists and Fog hung low between trees and over the ground. Snow's clumps melted in places. Mud sucked at horses' hooves and men's boots along winding roads. Overcast's gloom contrasted with Camelot's bright cheer on that day.
Merlin cantered out onto the open grass. He recognized the area of course. Late summer and fall saw the villagers' threshing grass for hay there. Oats and barley grew to the north. Legumes and other crops grew around the village. Simplicity ruled the area. It tugged at his heart. "We are good!"
Mithian, Malodius, Britomart, Gawain and Lancelot emerged after him. Security and Necessity demanded vigilance. Despite Merlin's homecoming, Cenred ruled Essetir (even if he ignored it for the most part). Saddlebags sagged on their pack horses. Another saddled horse bore no rider. Knights could ride down on them without trouble (especially given the fog). Priority, however, remained with charity and good works.
"Is this right, my Prince?" Mithian rode up to Merlin's side. Her eyes strained to peer through the fog. "We should take care."
"Aye." Merlin looked back over his shoulder toward their companions. Then, he pointed ahead. "Ealdor's straight ahead. We should get there, drop off these supplies, and bring Mother back. I would like to stay longer to let you see it. Cenred and Meleagant could ambush us here. Follow me." He urged his horse onward.
Mithian shook her head. Take care, my Prince! She spurred her own horse onward after him. "Follow him, Malodius!"
Malodius ran ahead of her in pursuit of Merlin. His pace caught up to Merlin's horse. I sense no danger, my Prince! I sense that this fog is magical in nature.
The goddess wishes to cover us up. Let us make sure Mother's all right. Then, we can return to Camelot. Merlin noticed buildings' shadows through the mists. That is Ealdor! Hang back here. He rode the remaining distance into the village. He stopped just short of Hunith's hovel. Smells and sounds relaxed him ever so slightly. He dismounted and patted his horse's flank. "Be right back."
Hunith stuck her head out the door. With planting a few months off, she sifted through her seeds. The fire kept her warm. "Hello? Who's there?"
"It's me, Mother." Merlin strode into view. Under his hooded cloak, his old servile clothes allowed him a measured disguise. They provided some comfort as well. "How are you?" A grin spread across his face. Relief and Joy at seeing her (and her potential opportunity) lifted his spirits. He embraced her.
"MERLIN? Why are you traveling on a day like this? I know it's warm for the season. You will catch your death of cold at this time of year!" Hunith seized onto him as well. "There is not any more trouble in Camelot? Is there? I know Prince Arthur was angry when you left last but…."
"Mother, there are changes we need to talk about. We…." Merlin started.
Hunith stepped away from him. She noted Mithian's emergence from the fog along with the others. "Are they with you, Merlin? Where are the Prince and the others? They do not seem to be from Camelot." Curiosity prompted questions. She scratched her head. The emerald flag stood for something else. "I thought Camelot's flag had a yellow lion on it?"
"It does. Mother, things have…well…changed." Merlin rubbed the back of his neck. He noted Mithian walking toward them. "I have made some discoveries. Camelot has discovered things as well."
"Changed? Discoveries?" Suspicion narrowed Hunith's eyes. "Merlin, what did you do?"
"Merlin did nothing. Everything has changed about us." Mithian stepped to Merlin's side. Nervous butterflies fluttered about in her stomach. Her legs quivered ever so slightly. "So, Merlin, is this Lady Hunith?"
"Lady?" An incredulous cough escaped Hunith's mouth. "Look around! We are certainly not in the King's court here. But aye, I am Hunith. And you are?"
"Mother, please. You are not yet. You are by right. Hunith of Ealdor, this is Crown Princess Mithian of Nemeth…my betrothed. Princess, this is Hunith, my mother," Merlin introduced them. Then, he stepped back.
"Your…?" Hunith raised an eyebrow at his statements. "Merlin, we are peasants. We cannot marry royalty. That is impossible."
"Father made it possible, Mother. Thank Uther for keeping him from us. He planned to bring us back to Nemeth all along." Seeing Skepticism knit itself across Hunith's brow, he added, "I talked to Father just before he died. His last thoughts were of you."
"That is the truth. My father, King Rodor, and grandfather kept his knighthood hereditary. Merlin has earned that rank through birthright and deeds. That is why I called you 'Lady' before. You were Sir Balinor's beloved. Merlin is being too humble for his own good. He is now Nemeth's Crown Prince. We will be married day after tomorrow. King Uther granted Merlin's service to King Accolon of Tintagel. King Accolon, in turn, granted him to King Rodor and me. Before that, King Accolon freed Merlin. My father knighted and crowned Prince Merlin." Mithian squeezed Merlin's hand. "I wish to welcome you. Sir Balinor mentioned you before his disappearance. Now, I have a face to go with your name."
"Face with…?" Hunith noted the others. "Wait! I remember him! Lancelot?"
"Aye, Milady!" Lancelot waved to Hunith. Memoria recalled his stop off there a few months earlier. In return for rest and a roof overhead, he and Gawain helped with the harvest. "It is good to see you again! You see? I am looking after Merlin! Gawain!"
"Yeah, Lance. I see her." Gawain walked right over to Hunith. "Still looking good! Everything still all right here?"
"We are, Gawain. Thanks to Lancelot and you. We really appreciated your help!" Hunith embraced Gawain and then Lancelot in turn. "What brings you all the way back out here? Surely, Camelot would have more opportunities for you both?"
"King Uther banished me last year. Gawain and Percival could have continued on without me." Lancelot shrugged.
Gawain smacked Lancelot in the arm. "That wouldn't happen, Lance! Percy and me wouldn't leave you in the woods." Frown twisted on itself. Sharp look and headshake sealed that notion. "Besides, we're set too. Thanks for telling us to keep our heads up. You're a great lady, Hunith." He bowed to her. "We've got another person for you to meet. Hey, Brit! This is Merlin's Mom!"
Britomart's eyebrow arched at Gawain. She joined the others at Hunith's side. "This is Lady Hunith?"
"She is." Mithian's smile broadened. "Dame Britomart, Hunith of Ealdor. Hunith, Britomart was my servant. As with Merlin, she earned her way to knight status. She is our first female knight." Pride beamed through her eyes and smile.
"It is an honor. Sir Gawain and I are betrothed as well. Thank you for giving Sir Lancelot and him shelter before." Britomart bowed to Hunith. "I wish we could see more of this village. From what Prince Merlin has said, it is a good place."
"It is that." Lancelot nodded. "We brought some grain for the village. Prince Merlin, you should tell Hunith. Gawain, Britomart and I can get this grain to the square. Pardon us, Hunith. You might get a few things together." He hustled back toward the horses.
"Get a few….?" Skepticism darkened across Hunith's face. "Merlin, what is Lancelot talking about? You are really a Prince? What did you do for King Uther to give you away like that?"
"King Uther wanted changes around Prince Arthur. He agreed to a marriage for Morgana. Gwen and I were sent to King Accolon. Things happened. King Uther died. King Accolon granted Gwen back to Arthur. She and Arthur are now Queen and King of Camelot. I discovered what Father left for us in Nemeth." Merlin sucked in a deep breath. Icy cloud puffed past his lips. "You can have a warm bed…a real bed. You would never be hungry again. We would be there every day. You would be cared for and respected. We have another family now."
"Father and I want you there. As Merlin just said, we are a family. You are part of that family. There has been a place for you for the last twenty years. King Uther threatened Sir Balinor and us. He fled to protect us all. That is why he left you here. He did not want to. He had to protect you." Mithian shook her head. "Whatever you need to bring, you can. We have everything ready for you in Whitgate."
Offer made…..