Chapter 22 [Merlin's Bedchamber—A Sixth of the Hourglass Later]

Merlin inspected himself in a full-length mirror. Blue-gray shirt, clean pants, and a borrowed coat allowed him a measure of Routine's support. He straightened his alternate neckerchief. Wyngate's remedy cream smelled of its herbal components. Stubble had fallen to borrowed dagger's edge. "At least I do not have to walk in with those torn and bloody clothes." He raised his arms over his head.

The left shoulder slowed its motion in that regard….

My arm still is not healed. I thought that spell would handle it. He pressed his right hand up against his left shoulder. He ground his teeth. Canary flashed through his eyes. Magic passed through his hand and into the shoulder. His shoulder eased but still remained hampered. I will just have to try and take it easy. I wish Arthur could have George do it tonight. He cleared his throat. "Guess it's no time like the present." He patted his coat pocket where the lilacs from Reyna's garden rested therein. He walked to the door. He eased it open and jumped back.

"Merlin? So, it is true! You are here!" Gwen looked past him and into the guest chamber. "We had not heard anything until a few hours ago." She put her hand on his arm. "You have no idea how worried we all have been." She embraced him. "Morgana let me know what was going on. I am glad to see you on your feet."

"Yeah. Sorry about that." Crimson flushed across Merlin's cheeks. He returned her hug with one of his own. "Guess the battle got more intense than we all figured? At least Queen Radegund gave me a shield. I had a sword. Their healer and Britomart helped me." He stepped out into the passage. "Glad to see you are all right. I saw Arthur earlier." Grimace twisted his face for emphasis. "You know me. He and the King are waiting. I think we have all have seen enough of George."

Her eyes rolled at him. "You have no idea. The Prince was ready to throw him out a window two days ago!" Her eyes drifted toward his left shoulder. "I cannot believe you still have your arm. There is no way. Yet there it is." She raised an eyebrow.

"It was really close but well…you know?" Merlin shrugged again. Cheeky grin attempted to deflect her investigation. "I'm just tough. Survived worse than that. I need to take it slow."

She nodded. "I suppose so. Just do not kill yourself, Merlin. All right? Everyone cares. Prince Arthur does too." She stopped herself at the mention of her Prince's name. Concern and Warmth had drawn her toward Merlin's chamber. For this…his first full year and a little more of Merlin's time in Camelot…his manner and charm attracted her. Friendship bounced over certain lines where he'd been concerned….

…then Ealdor and their stand for Merlin's neighbors came along…

…then Arthur gained her attention…

It is not like I can be with a Prince! I am just a servant. Get over that thinking! Besides, I will probably go with Morgana to Tintagel. Father is dead. Elyan could be anywhere. She looked around the chamber. "I never expected you to stay in a place like this! Quite a step up!"

Merlin rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah. Guess you save the baggage here and people take notice?" Teasing prompted a smirk for her benefit. "At least there is no 'idiot' or 'cabbage head' here."

"Merlin, the Prince cares. Gaius cares. You have a lot of friends in Camelot!" Disbelief, however, numbed her thinking at Noble Class chamber. Four post bed dominated a corner. Tapestries adorned two walls. Sol shone in through a large window. Plush carpet lay across the floor. Desk and chair sat against the remaining wall. "It seems you have friends here as well. Have to say that I am impressed!"

"You know me. I just get on everyone's nerves and stir up trouble." Cheeky humor jabbed at himself. Embarrassment deepened his blushing. Ostentatiousness unsettled him to be honest. He'd rather his former servant's lodgings several floors beneath their feet to be honest.

"Merlin…" She shook her head at him. Once again, his manner eased her mood. Still, matters remained on her mind. "I wanted to warn you. Morgana and her fiancé overheard the King earlier. To say he is not happy with you is an understatement." She looked around. "At least that lion is not around." She bit her lip.

"Lion? You mean Malodius?" Merlin looked around the passage. "Sir Ywain told me about him. He is scary at first. He did get me to that healing place…wherever that was."

"Merlin! That thing is a creature of magic!" Her eyes went wide. "What has gotten into you? You above all should know better! Maybe it is a good thing we are going back to Camelot at First Light. I mean no offense to King Rodor or Princess Mithian. They are too forgiving of sorcerers and those creatures."

"Lady Reyna did save my life, Gwen." Merlin pointed to his shoulder. "That is how I still have my arm apparently. I almost died because of it. Guess there is some good in it? I do not know. Right now, I just want to get back to serving Arthur before he hurts George."

Gwen narrowed her eyes at him. This new outlook confused her to say the least. He knows magic is evil. Maybe Father's death and Lady Reyna's execution are making him think through some things? Magic did help us in Ealdor. It also has hurt us in Camelot. She made a mental note to herself and filed it away for future thinking. "Aye. There is that. Arthur threatened to polish him if he overfills one more goblet. He might have you work with him."

"Me?" Scoff spurted from Merlin's mouth on that note. "George will not accept that. He looks down on me like pig slop. It might be fun." Consideration drew up a list of tasks. "He can muck out the stables and dump the chamber pots."

"Merlin, you know Prince Arthur wants George on the other end of the kingdom never mind the citadel. I cannot believe everything is changing. Prince Arthur and you are going back to Camelot." She frowned. "Morgana is engaged. I am going to Tintagel with her."

"If Master Wyngate gets his way, I will be staying here for a while." Merlin pointed at his shoulder. "Riding on the lion was bad enough. The wagon was hard. Let's see how I handle tonight first." He shut the door behind them. "Gaius would be staying here with me as well."

"Merlin, given how things are, you might have to deal with it. You were in that throne chamber with the King, Morgana and Prince Accolon. You know better than I do!" Gwen surveyed their surroundings. "Their hospitality seems very nice. Still, they do not agree with the King either. Anyhow, you are right. We should be heading toward the dining chamber." Her hand stifled a cough. "After you, your lordship?"

"Gwen." Merlin cringed. "I am still me. I just have this really nasty scar. Maybe I have to deal with the Prat too."

"Stop! You do not know who is listening!" She slapped his arm. "Come on!"

Kitchen and Dining Hall awaited. Other Rubicons as well….