Chapter 49 [Camelot]
Camelot reveled in Coronation's and Royal Marriage's glory. Festivities' vibes cast warmth throughout the city and into the countryside. Flower petals rested along cobbled ways. Streamers and flowers colored and decorated roads and byways throughout the city. Scents and colors conveyed Festivity's mood.
New Age had truly begun….
Nimue watched the plaza from just inside the citadel's front door. Festivities lightened her outlook ever so slightly. Events harkened back decades in time. Back before the dark times. Back to May poles, Yule logs, and Solstice pageantry. Back to when Magic could exist openly…
…Back before Uther's issues and blood lust…before the Purge…
The Young Pendragon makes a solid effort. I will give him that. Perhaps he and Merlin can work together? She watched children play in front of her. Hope warmed her heart. Maybe there can be a future?
That is my hope as well, Child.
Nimue stiffened. I did not mean to doubt you, Lady.
I know. It is a noble wish. Much as Emrys had yesterday in Whitgate, you have one now. There are places for such sentiments, Nimue. Now that Uther and his followers fall away and lose influence, my garden can flourish anew. You witnessed the global co-existence's foundations. Whitgate will witness still more in two days' time. The Roman Lake will be well represented. Emrys and the others return now. I have brought them from the Essetir.
That little troublesome hamlet? Did Merlin find his mother? Nimue rubbed her forehead. Did Cenred and his rabble find Merlin and the others?
Nay. That one has his eye elsewhere. I enshrouded the valley in fog and overcast. Emrys knows the way. He and Lancelot guided the others to Ealdor. Mithian and Rodor of Nemeth shared food and seed with the village. I am delighted by their act of generosity. In such ways are the seeds for my bigger garden sown, Nimue, the goddess declared. Then, she went silent.
"It is a beautiful sight. I have to say." Gaius ambled into view. Caution kept him alert to her moods. He'd just come from his former chamber. His successor already worked on cases and concerns. Leon sat on the council in his place. His books misted to their storage place.
"Aye. It is." She shot him a look. "Children can play in the open. Dragons can fly overhead freely. Even the Lion can help his Prince and Princess openly. Cooperating with priorities can bring about such things, Gaius. At least they do not have to worry." Nimue shook her head. "Merlin should not have had to worry either." Her eyes rolled. "Aye. I know all about the smoke dragons. Aye, he should have been more aware of his surroundings. Still, it never should have come to what it did."
"All things for a purpose, I believe." Gaius eased toward her. "Pity what happened to Uther."
"Pity what he brought down about himself and on others you mean." Sarcasm and Malice juxtaposed in her tone. "So, Uther was a sorcerer all along! King Arthur is a magical being like Merlin or the Dragon! Fortunately, the goddess can take even the most rancid eggs laden with shells, tidy somewhat, and render a culinary masterpiece. You might have had more faith in her than that." Scoff punctuated that remark.
"I did what I had to do, Nimue. I regret that those people lost their lives. I saved those that I could." Gaius stiffened. He set his jaw. Despite Guilt burning in his heart, Conscience assured him that he followed the best possible course. "Merlin especially."
"Ah…Merlin." Nimue rubbed her chin. "Oh, what I could have done with him. What Rodor and Mithian could have done with him especially after that fool Kay's death." A deep sigh escaped her mouth. "See what your support of Uther did, Gaius? Balinor rotted away in a cave in exile all of these years. Merlin and his mother lived in squalor rather than serving the goddess' designs. What Merlin now has…he could have had years ago." She raised her hand to cut off his retort. "At least since Shalott. The boy earned his spurs that day if not before. My overconfidence and his victory on the Isle of the Blessed should have seen to that."
"Merlin did very well where he was. The King would have made him a knight. Merlin could not have used his magic in the open. Certainly, you realize that." Gaius shook her off.
"But he could have in Nemeth, Gaius. How much has he benefited from being back here since that battle? Hmm? How much? It has been more than a few years. Rodor would have taken him into the royal household based on that alone. However, Uther…mmm, much as he does with everything else, only values people as far as they are useful to him. After that, he casts them aside. Merlin grated on him. He thought Arthur gave Merlin too much leeway. He hated Arthur's views of social standing as opposed to his precious codes. Uther waited for your back to be turned. Then, he rid himself of the boy and maid." Chuckle escaped her lips next. "Or so he thought." Predatory smirk spread across her face next. "My! My! How the goddess does use those opportunities! She would have used Merlin sooner there." She sucked in a deep breath. "But there were the Segan and the Druid girl situations, were there not? And that mess with those slavers? The strands did need tying." She shook her head once more. "You see? You make me overlook certain details with your thinking as well."
"I did what I had to. I will not deny that. I kept Merlin safe." Gaius ground his teeth.
"Tell that to his mother…Hunith, I believe?" She snickered. "She is not happy with you right now. It seems she found out about that nasty wound." A pronounced wince jabbed her point deeper into his psyche.
"She knows Merlin rushes headlong into trouble. He takes his service to Arthur seriously. I cannot stop him. You know that as well as anyone. Do not pick on me when you started that trouble, Nimue." The Eyebrow raised.
"I…?" Derisive laughter served as her next response. "Uther's lust for a male heir actually started it. I wanted the Purge to stop! No more! No less! Merlin got in my way." She pointed toward the arch. "There. I believe that is him and the others now."
Gaius nodded. Distraction provided a welcome respite from her arguments. He focused on Merlin, Mithian and the others. He made his way down the stairs one at an efforted time. Why did you not watch what you were doing, Merlin? Uther wanted Arthur to have a standard servant. You did not have to attract attention! He waved to the group.
Merlin pulled up on his reins. "Gaius!" He dismounted and tied his horse to the hitching post. "Mother's with us!"
Mithian smiled at Merlin's enthusiasm. "Master Gaius, I trust everything proceeds as it should?" A playful snort escaped from her lips. She dismounted and walked over to Hunith's horse. "Can I offer you a hand, Lady?"
"Thank you." Hunith eased out of the saddle and down to the cobbles. She looked over the company anew. Gratitude, of course, extended to Mithian and Britomart for their care where Merlin was concerned. Lancelot's and Gawain's work ethic impressed her. She respected Lancelot and Britomart further for keeping Merlin's secret. As always, Camelot overwhelmed her. Size and magnitude blew her away to be honest despite earlier visits. "Gaius, it is good to see you!"
"And you, Hunith. I trust your journey went well?" Gaius shuffled toward the group. "Lancelot?" He looked about the area. "I am not sure you should be here."
"Father is seeing to that. Besides, Lancelot did help to save Camelot. King Arthur can choose to pardon him. If he does not, Lancelot returns to Whitgate. I am sure Lady Elaine would not argue with that." Mithian peeled off her gloves. She flexed her fingers. "Perhaps Cassandra can draw a bath? I would clean myself up before meeting with King Arthur and Queen Guinevere."
"You should do the same, Merlin." Gaius patted Merlin on the arm. "You might look around our old chambers. Make sure that everything is in Whitgate or with us."
"They are, Gaius." Irritation stiffened Nimue. An eyebrow arched at him. "Prince Merlin." She nodded ever so slightly to him. "I see your mother is here."
"Aye. Everything went well. We delivered food and seed grain to Ealdor. We could not linger. We did not want to run into Cenred." Merlin noted Hunith waiting to his right. "Mother, would you like to freshen up before we see Arthur and Gwen?"
"That would be very nice, Merlin. Thank you." Hunith followed Mithian and him up the stairs and into the citadel.
"I will wait here with Lance…just in case." Gawain looked around for any knights nearby.
Britomart nodded. "I will see to Milady's needs. I will be right back." She hustled up the stairs and after the others. Despite her knighthood, Instinct pushed her toward Mithian and her needs. With a parting look toward Gawain, she disappeared into the citadel.
"Good woman there, Gawain." Lancelot sat down on the stairs. Mirth and teasing spiced his tone and danced about in his eyes.
"Being with Elaine's making you soft." Gawain made a face. Inner Man Child protested and threw his tantrum. Heart, however, betrayed him. A certain fire-haired knight reminded him of Mother's presence from long before. Amor's tug had ensnared him as well.
Seems some things couldn't be helped….