Chapter 51 [Dining Chamber]

Servants had completed their preparations. Settings awaited their use in places around the polished table. Utensils and goblets sparkled in the light. Candles and torches cast their flickering light across the chamber.

Arthur and Gwen guided Rodor, Lancelot, Britomart, and Gawain into the area first. Cordiality guided the three royals' visit on that day. During the others' expedition to Ealdor, a spirited horseback ride wound through forest roads and along scenic views. Picnic's feast warmed the mood still further. Frosty relations thawed a little more. Discussions in Arthur's office followed suit. Arthur pardoned Lancelot without hesitation.

"Your hospitality is wonderful." Rodor inspected the chamber. Approval prompted a nod from him.

"Thank you, King Rodor," Gwen expressed. "I appreciate how King Accolon, Queen Morgana and you could help us as well." She offered a royal nod. "And thank you for offering Lancelot a place to serve."

"Sir Lancelot has earned his place with us." Rodor regarded Lancelot. "He has done good service as a mercenary in the past. King Accolon speaks well of him. And I should not have to tell you of Prince Merlin's regard for him."

"Lancelot is a good man." Arthur walked over. His hand clapped Lancelot's shoulder. "He helped us against Hengst. Gwen would not still be alive if not for him. Merlin helped as well." He shook his head.

Lancelot bowed to Arthur. "Thank you, Sire. I am glad that I could keep the Queen safe. Without Prince Merlin, we would not be standing here right now." He kept a straight face. New position and a permanent place brought change. Slight warmth came from Gwen's presence. Thoughts of Elaine, however, lightened his heart.

"I am sure Prince Merlin's magic proved vital." Annoyance flicked Rodor's eyebrow at Arthur. "You do know his clumsiness is an act?"

"Act?" Arthur sniffed. "He and I were captured by Hengst's men because he would not stop prattling on."

"Arthur, please! Merlin is a loyal friend." Gwen rolled her eyes. "He helped us to get out of there! Lancelot?" She turned to Lancelot.

"He did." Lancelot shook his head. "He trapped Hengst with the wilddeoren. Without that spell, we would not have escaped. I would not have killed the griffin without him either."

"You killed it, Lancelot. Merlin…" Arthur shook Lancelot off. "Wait. He did something…?"

"Lancelot, your lance killed it." Merlin cleared his throat. "I helped."

"Helped, did you?" Mithian glanced at the new Prince. "I am not surprised." Pride billowed up within herself. How did he remain as a servant for as long as he did? She shook her head at that notion.

"Another monster, Merlin? Really?" Hunith rubbed her forehead. Consternation brewed within herself. "I sent him here to remain safe." She bowed to the hosts. "King Arthur, Queen Guinevere, Merlin told me about King Uther. I am sorry to hear that."

"Thank you, Hunith." Arthur assessed Merlin's and Hunith's new outfits. Differences gave him food for thought. George's presence irritated him. Wish would grab the new Prince and throw him back into his previous role. "Welcome to Camelot!"

"Thank you. This is all so sudden!" Hunith glanced toward Merlin. Then, she turned toward Rodor. "King Rodor?" She curtseyed. "Thank you for lending me this dress. Princess Mithian told me about you, Your Highness. I appreciate what you are doing for my family. I have questions if that is all right?"

"Of course. The pleasure is mine to finally meet you after all of this time." Rodor smiled at Hunith. "I would add my welcome as well. I am sure Princess Mithian has already done so?"

"Aye, Your Highness. She and you have been very kind. Your bread and grain will help Ealdor through the winter. Thank you." Hunith curtseyed to Mithian as well. "Milady. Thank you for lending me your dress."

"It is my pleasure. You will have others of your own of course." Mithian restrained herself. Protocol demanded composure. On the inside, however, Excitement bubbled over. She is very nice, Merlin. As if someone worried I would not like her?

I want everything to go right. Merlin hugged Hunith's shoulders. "I am glad that we can see each other every day. I missed you."

Joy's tears welled up in Hunith's eyes. "I missed you too! I see you settled and with someone special. I cannot wait to see this city." She leaned into the embrace.

Merlin smiled. He savored that heartbeat. "We will all see Whitgate together, Mother. It is quite a place."

"Aye, Prince Merlin." Rodor held his hands out. "But we shall treasure our experiences with other places as well. One must be open to all things."

Arthur nodded. "Your point is a good one. I know what Mer…Prince Merlin…meant." His eyes met Merlin's. "As long as we are on good terms, why not open our doors to each other? I know that Camelot is nothing without our friends."

"Dinner is served it seems." Gwen stepped toward the table. Granted, Hunger nagged at her. She also wanted to keep the conversation on a positive note. "Today is a celebration. It seems that King Accolon and Queen Morgana were detained. We can enjoy what we have. Britomart, Merlin, and I have our new positions. Lancelot has a well-deserved home. One day, I hope he can find someone to be with. Gawain, perhaps we can get to know you better as well? We can have more days like today here and in Whitgate? I would like that."

"Thank you. I would like that as well, Queen Guinevere. I believe you both have met Sir Lancelot's betrothed. She is Countess Elaine of Astolat," Rodor agreed albeit with Clarification's minor adjustment at the end. "Sir Gawain and Dame Britomart will be wed soon enough. Congratulations to you both as well once again." He and Arthur took their seats. Then, the others joined them.

"Perhaps then we can understand how magic works?" Arthur cleared his throat. A deep sigh cleared his throat. "I still cannot believe that my father was a sorcerer."

"His magic could have been there all along. It just happened to come out when it did." A shrug lifted and dropped Merlin's shoulders. "People just overreact. They do not understand. Maybe we can help each other to understand?"

"I wish that could be the case, Mer…Prince Merlin." Hunith placed a hand on Merlin's arm. Her mind adjusted to his new title. "With respect, King Arthur, I remember Will's funeral in Ealdor. Your lecture to Prince Merlin about magic and its evils tore my heart. Why do you think I sent him here? I wanted him safe from such things. If I had known about Balinor and the other connections, I would have asked Gaius to help him to Nemeth instead."

"Mother." Merlin bowed his head. A wince twisted at his mouth.

"Merlin did joke he was in disguise when he first arrived." Gwen took a drink from her goblet. Hunith's issues stoked her issues. She considered him anew.

"Magic's nothing to sneeze at." Gawain cleared his throat. "It has its uses. Still, it is bloody scary at times."

"I had a point, Hunith." Arthur glared at Merlin. "That was not Will? That was you?"

"Aye. It was. We were about to lose and die." Merlin rubbed his chin. "I conjured up that whirlwind. Will protected me. As for what brought Aredian here, this is what happened." He put his hand up. Canary flashed in his eyes.

Smoke wisped from the table's candles. It rose into the air. A smoke horse appeared for three heartbeats. Then, it dissipated.

George dropped a platter on the floor. His eyes went wide. Remorse and Indignation over his mess stewed in his mind and heart. His eyes narrowed. Restraint and Obsequiousness kept his words to a minimum. "Sire, I will get something to clean that up."

"Err…aye, George. Do that. First, however, Prince Merlin did warn us before he conjured that horse. You have overfilled enough goblets and polished too much silver. At least it was not a chamber pot." Arthur motioned toward the door. "I am sure Audrey has something downstairs."

George bowed. Then, he scurried from the chamber.

"I believe, Sire, that was a part of Merlin's deception?" Mithian glanced toward Merlin. "Now, he does not have to resort to such displays. I am looking forward to seeing what he can accomplish out in the open."

"With respect, I think you all will be very surprised and pleased." Lancelot raised his goblet to Merlin. "Prince Merlin." He drank a swallow to seal Toast's blessing toward his friend.

"Indeed, Sir Lancelot. Thank you." Rodor raised his own goblet. He drank from his own goblet. "To friendship and where it may lead."

"To friendship." Arthur looked toward Merlin. In spite of such wishes, Uncertainty dogged his feelings. Long-Instilled Notions nagged at him. Suspicions continued to burn in his mindset.

Merlin maintained the Mask of State. Hope held out that his former liege would work toward his promise. (Oh, how he wished for that, Good Reader!) Reality, however, knew that road to be long and rut laden.

Mithian said nothing. Rather, she averted her eyes. Arthur's issues grated on her late nerve. Still, Diplomacy kept her on track.

Flies buzzed about the soup, it seemed….