Chapter 31

"Sire, I…" Merlin bowed his head. Lies struggled to coalesce in his mind. Unlike many others, the situation would not spin. Eyes all around stared. Eyes all bore into his consciousness. Past…Present…Old…New…Arthur, Uther, Malodius, Kilgarrah, Rodor, Mithian…..

Mithian?

What the? Merlin turned toward Mithian. Once more, her energy coursed through him. His breath caught in his throat. His eyes met hers. Everything and everyone else seemed to fall away. How is this happening?

It is tied to that spell I cast. Merlin, how I can hear you? I… Mithian bit her lip. Magnetism pulled at her. Protocol and Social Divides dissolved in that heartbeat. Amor's breeze billowed her toward him. She just knew his eyes. His heartbeat soothed her nerves.

"MERLIN!" Arthur grabbed onto his servant. "STOP ACTING LIKE A GIRL!" He shook Merlin a few times. "WAKE UP! THIS IS SERIOUS! YOU'RE GUILTY!"

Merlin trembled. His eyes turned now toward Kilgarrah. He focused on his friend's chest. Another energy burst jarred him. "ERON-WAH PROYTECTA RODOR, MITHIANA, AND NIMUEHA!" White glow flashed in his eyes.

Everyone froze. Tension sparked throughout the square. Camelot's knights grabbed for their weapons. Amazons and Nemethian knights did the same. Ears struggled to understand Merlin's exclamation. Observation took in Mithian's interest in Merlin.

Needless to say, Chaos had its playground at that point….

Malodius jumped to his paws. That was Dragon Speech! He is a Dragon Lord? Dragon?

Aye. It is unmistakable! Kilgarrah narrowed his eyes. "I…never…would have guessed!" His eyes squinted at Merlin. Then he strode toward Rodor and Nimue. "You heard that, King Rodor?"

"I most certainly did!" Rodor stared at Merlin. His eyes bulged. Surprise caught his breath. "That sounded like a Dragon Lord!"

Nimue, as one might imagine, savored Irony's intrusion into the affair. "He is most certainly is! Well done, Merlin! Well done! I do not speak that tongue, but I have heard it!" She regarded Merlin anew. "He does…" She stiffened. "Wait! I cannot believe I missed it! Look at his face, eyes, and build!"

Rodor stared. "By the goddess! Priestess, how did I miss THAT?" He rubbed his forehead. "Now, I am glad I secured his services! But what did he say?" He looked to Kilgarrah. "Did you understand?"

"Merlin instructed me to protect Priestess Nimue, Princess Mithian, and you, King Rodor." Kilgarrah regarded Merlin in a new light. "It seems there is another Dragon Lord after all." He bowed his head to Merlin. "As you have asked."

"Thank you. I…." Merlin rubbed his forehead. "Dragon Lord? Me? How? I…" His focus lapsed.

"SEIZE HIM, ARTHUR! WE WILL MAKE AN EXAMPLE IN CAMELOT OF HIM!" The spell on Uther faded. He moved toward Merlin. "This ends NOW!"

"You will do no such thing! Merlin is King Rodor's subject now! Not Camelot's! STAND DOWN!" Radegund strode between Merlin and Uther. "You have pushed my patience to the breaking point, Uther Pendragon! Do not press me any farther!"

"King Uther, with respect! Please stop! We do not need a war!" Respect and Entreaty prompted a nod from Accolon. Desperation (and a hefty dose of Shock as well) spun his own mind and understanding as well.

"With respect, King Uther, Prince Accolon is right! NAY!" Mithian threw herself over Merlin. "He is a Dragon Lord! He is protected by Nemethian Law!" Her eyes met Uther's. "Please, Sire! We do not need further bloodshed!"

"Aye, Daughter. You both are right. Thanks to Priestess Nimue, I have realized something else!" Rodor hustled to Mithian's and Merlin's sides. "Merlin, who was your father?"

"I…I do not know, King Rodor." Merlin bowed his head. "My mother never married. I came from a village in the Essetir. She and I did the best we could. She would never talk about my father."

"Essetir? Merlin, what is her name?" Mithian grabbed Merlin's arm. "What is your mother's name?"

"What does Hunith have to do with this? And what do you mean Merlin is your subject? He is my servant!" Arthur grabbed Merlin's other arm.

"I am WHAT?" Merlin stared at Mithian, Arthur, and then Rodor. "How…? I…." Consternation pounded at his mind. He tried to free his arms from the two royals' hands.

"King Uther granted your service to Nemeth, Merlin. I heard his grant. Queen Radegund and Lord Blumenwald witnessed it. Prince Arthur, release Merlin right now! I have heard and seen all that I need to!" Rodor glared at Arthur. "Merlin should never have been a servant! His father's knighthood is his by right. Priestess Nimue just saw it. He is Sir Balinor's son." He helped Merlin to his feet. "It seems you are full of surprises, Merlin."

"Sir…Balinor?" Merlin rubbed his forehead. "This is the first time I have heard that name. Why have I not heard this before? Why was he not with Mother and me?"

"Merlin, it was not Sir Balinor's fault. I am so sorry." Mithian embraced him. "He fled. Father?"

"Aye. Merlin, your father was here. Sirs Galahad and Ywain served with him. Kilgarrah and Malodius both knew him. Sir Balinor wanted to bring your mother here. He was about to do so. Then, a threat came from Camelot. Is that not right, Uther?" Rodor stood. He set his jaw. "It seems my question gets asked again. When is it enough? Look! You drove Sir Balinor from here and into the wilderness! He never saw his beloved again! He never knew his son!"

Uther frowned. His eyes glared at Merlin. Disgust and Outrage burned at him. "If I had known, Rodor, I would never have allowed him to be at court! I would have had Merlin killed!" He shook his head. "I have heard quite enough! I still have enough knights to…."

"To what? Meleagant, Odin, and Cenred would like nothing better for us to fight amongst ourselves!" Rodor set his jaw. "Can you not think of anything but your bloodlust? How much blood do you crave? I know you have sacrificed your own knights. We will remember that. However, your actions demean their sacrifice! I want you gone by First Light! I have had my fill of Camelot's hatred!"

"Sheer ingratitude! Rebellion burns within Nemeth. You will want my help at some point, Rodor. I promise you that." Uther turned to his own knights. "STAND DOWN, KNIGHTS OF CAMELOT! MAKE SURE YOU ARE PACKED AND READY TO GO! WE WILL DEPART AT FIRST LIGHT!" Uther shook his head. Betrayal stung at his heart over supposed allies and liars. He stalked back into the citadel.

Layers and layers….