Chapter 19

"Merlin? He survived?" Relief lightened Morgana's mood. Rather than Uther's bullying session, Merlin's return brightened matters.

"Aye! He has, Lady!" Ywain bowed to both Kings. Then, he hustled back into the passage. "Easy now, Merlin. Slow steps." He and Malodius watched Merlin shuffled with labored steps into the chamber.

"Master Wyngate, perhaps we should have Merlin go to your chamber?" Mithian turned to Rodor. "Sire? Look at him!" Grimace contorted her face. Compassion weighed on her heart. What hit him?

"Indeed. And he shall, Daughter." Rodor descended from the dais. "Merlin? Seeing you is an answer to a prayer. We feared you were dead." He set his hand on Merlin's forearm. "Nemeth and the Five Kingdoms owes you a great deal."

Merlin grunted. Effort guided him into a bow. "King Rodor, thank you. Prince Accolon, Princess Mithian, Prince Kay." He turned to Uther. "Sire."

Acknowledgement forced Uther to nod. Displeasure kept the smile from his face. Rather he restrained his displeasure until later. "Indeed. You did a great deal. Prince Arthur and Gaius were troubled. Did he find you out there?"

"Aye, Sire. He and I saw each other. He and Queen Radegund are on their way back here." Merlin averted his eyes. Despite the lack of a response, Uther's tone conveyed his meaning. Arthur and Gaius are troubled but not him? Morgana showed concern. I am going to get sacked. Maybe that will be the only thing. Condolences for Reyna remained on his personal backburner for that point in time.

Uther sniffed. "You rode ahead? Truly so? Prince Arthur's horse would have brought you here much faster. Certainly in a more natural manner." Disdain glared at Malodius.

Rodor stroked his friend's head and mane. "Malodius can outrun a horse. He is a loyal servant, Uther. Kilgarrah is a loyal friend as well. We owe them and Merlin a great deal. I owe Kilgarrah and his rider life debts. So do several other kings. None of them are prizes to be kept caged."

"Great deal? Father!" Kay shook his head.

"Silence!" Rodor raised his hand. "This is still my throne chamber and kingdom! Kilgarrah's, Malodius', and now, Merlin's service have been or will be noted downstairs in the Hall of Heroes. Once again, Uther, your entrapment of the Great Dragon is crass and immoral!"

"Life debts?" Uther sniffed at that point. "Fighting with such magic is for fools! That creature is fortunate that I did not kill it! If I had my way, it and that lion would both be dead and buried!" Uther shook his head. "I have had enough! My entourage and I will leave at First Light. The boy should go with your healer to be examined. I wish for him to be ready to serve alongside the others tonight. Morgana, make sure you are not taking their viewpoints too seriously. King Ruthbert would be most displeased by this whole matter." His eyes met Accolon's and then Merlin's again. "Most displeased." He turned and stormed out of the chamber.

Accolon bowed his head. Restraint kept his response to himself. "Pardon, King Rodor and Milady, for involving you. I…"

"Prince Accolon, you said nothing. I assure you. If your father chides Lady Morgana or you, I will support you both. You held back and did not insult my court. You both choose your responses wisely. That is what diplomacy is about." Rodor nodded to the new couple. "I wish to speak with Prince Kay and Princess Mithian in private. Everyone else, you may go. Master Wyngate, please see to Merlin?"

"Aye, Sire." Wyngate bowed to Rodor and then toward the dais. "I will see to Merlin's condition. I know Master Gaius would like that as well. Come along, Merlin."

"Thank you, Sire." Merlin bowed. Then, he followed Wyngate from the chamber. I will be in that chamber. Gwen cannot do it all by herself. Besides, I can put Uther in a better mood.

Rodor watched as Ywain, Accolon, Morgana and the Royal Council followed them from the chamber. Ywain pulled the chamber door shut behind them. "Thank you for staying, my Children and Lord Blumenwald. I will keep this short."

"Father?" Mithian stood up. Concern raised an eyebrow.

"Mithian, let Father speak. Let him get out what he has to say." Kay shook her off. Rodor's impertinence toward Uther, Ruthbert, and the Royal Council sat ill with him. Personal viewpoint clashed with his father's to put it mildly. His suggestion to Uther about the marital alliance ran aground on the previous night. His own chess moves sought to position Nemeth alongside Camelot and Tintagel when his own time came.

Blumenwald maintained his silence. His quill scratched out a few notes. Kay's attitude grated on him. He turned toward Rodor.

Rodor nodded. "Mithian shows concern for the situation and me, Kay. That is something you can do as well." He ascended the dais and sat back down on his throne. "Not everything comes down to calculations and deliberate moves. Sometimes, the best thing to say in a situation is nothing at all. I admit I lost my temper just now. Still, given King Uther's crass betrayal of our hospitality, something needed to be said. Did you see the Royal Council just now? Even Master Wyngate? They looked to King Uther. Frankly, they all but celebrated Lady Reyna's death this morning. Even Count Bernard acts in a most distasteful fashion." He sniffed.

Kay bowed his head. "Father, perhaps King Uther might have a point? We cannot trust sorcerers. Look at that man on the battlefield…."

"How do you know about that man, Kay?" Mithian cut him off. "Does he not deserve a hearing? Especially given that he saved our kingdom and most of Britannia through his actions? He deserves our praise and gratitude not suspicion. How can you justify Kings Uther and Ruthbert looking down on Malodius and the Great Dragon? All they do is serve. Did you see how King Uther looked at Merlin just now? Merlin can barely stand up! You heard Queen Radegund! Look at that shield and sword over there!'' She pointed toward the cracked shield and sword. "Pardon me, Sire." She nodded and sat back down.

"You made my points for me, Mithian. Kay, listen well to your sister. Take heed as well of Prince Accolon. Note how he kept his own counsel. He maintains his resolve. He understands what it means to rule over a divided kingdom. A generation ago, King Uther did the same thing in Tintagel that he is doing here. His father is not so insightful. Pity because I respect King Ruthbert in most regards. You, on the other hand, lack Prince Accolon's resolve. Do not think I miss how you align yourself with the hardliners on the Royal Council. I hope you did not suggest the marriage between your sister and Prince Arthur." Rodor rubbed his forehead. "This makes my decision easier." He sucked in a deep breath. "I am sending you to Gaul. King Bors wishes good knights at his court. Besides, Prince Bors and you get along very well. While he does not follow the Old Religion, he does believe in tolerance and co-existence. He has many lessons that he can teach you, Son. You are to leave day after tomorrow."

"Father, what if something happens? You know Mithian cannot inherit! Now that the truth about our heritage is known, do you think they'd accept her even if she is married?" Kay bit his lip. Protests sought to push back against Rodor's decisions in that regard.

"Kay? Did you really suggest that to King Uther?" Mithian set her jaw. "Especially after what happened this morning, do you think I would agree to marry Prince Arthur? I would NEVER!" She slapped her throne's armrest. "FATHER DOES THAT! NOT HIM! NOT ME!"

Disdain rolled Kay's eyes. "Father, you allow her too much! She should be…."

"Be…like what?" Rodor raised an eyebrow. "Like your mother? Like Lady Reyna? Like Queen Radegund? They could all think circles around you and those others. I would place Queen Igraine and Queen Annis in that group as well. They have sharp minds and keen wit. Mithian learns those lessons. Unlike you, she watches. She listens." He turned to her. "I lament her misfortunes on the marriage market. Still, there is someone out there for her. I have a few such men in mind. When the right one comes, Mithian and I will have that discussion. Pity that Prince Accolon was not that one. Still, he and Lady Morgana's marriage will bring peace to Tintagel at long last."

"And that servant? What of him?" Kay spat. "He thinks he's Prince Arthur's special councilor! He goes out and fights like a knight? Really?"

"Look at the shield and sword next to you, Kay. I think that speaks well enough to his presence out there." She pointed toward the battered items. "Do you think that sleeve tore itself off?"

"Maybe if he would act like a typical servant, he would not have such accidents? BAH!" Kay shook his head. "Sire, Mithian, I have packing to do. Until dinner then." He bowed to them. Then, he walked out of the chamber and into the passage. Resentment brewed within himself.

Rodor watched his son's departure. Wish wanted Kay to accept the diplomatic envoy/apprenticeship as intended. Still, he knew Kay viewed it as an exile/banishment. Hardliners had gained too much influence on his thinking. He exhaled a sharp breath.

"Is Kay really ashamed of Mother? What did she do to him?" She narrowed her eyes at the door. She struggled to understand Kay's mindset.

"He listens to the wrong counsel, Daughter. I fear for him and you both. Come. Lord Blumenwald and I have documents to see to. You and Lady Morgana have Lady Elaine to console." Rodor led them out of the throne chamber and toward the royal apartments.

Treason, rebellion, and civil war come from such competing claims….