Chapter 9

Gwen swept some dirt into a pile off to the eastern side of Morgana's chamber. Despite Britomart's usual exacting standards, the chamber lacked spit and polish. Effort and Elbow Grease lent sparkle and shine to desk and bed. Dirt cloud escaped as a rug beat against Citadel's outer walls. She carted the chamber pot down the passage toward its disposal place. Someday they will invent a private area in each chamber! She disposed of the refuse.

George rushed toward her. Fear paled his face. His eyes went wide. Chamber pot sloshed almost as much as his goblets. "I almost wish that peasant would come back! I cannot help it!" He poured the pot out.

Spite animated Pot's spit back on him.

"Oh nay! NAY!" Disgust rolled his eyes. "Look at this! Now, I have to change! Prince Arthur has so much he needs done!" Frown curled at the sides of his mouth.

How does he manage not to get killed by the Prince? Merlin would *never* act like this! Stench threatened to clog her nostrils and unsettle her stomach. "George, it is all right. I will see to the Prince. I just have to put this chamber pot back in Lady Morgana's chamber. Then, I will go right there." She batted her hand in front of her face. Her eyes watered. "Go on." She motioned toward the servants' quarters.

"Thank you!" George sprinted down the passage. His pace disrupted the usual flow. Several baskets nearly overturned. Other servants barely managed to keep from upsetting covered food platters or wine flasks. "Pardon! Terribly sorry! Oh!"

Dirty looks and choice words echoed back up the passage. (Don't worry, Reader. We won't repeat them here…) Heads shook. Eyes motioned down the passage at Gwen. Then, the affected castellans kept going toward their destinations.

Merlin, where are you? She carried the two pots back down the passage. She set Morgana's back in her chamber. Then, she closed the door. "Hopefully, she will understand." Her mind, however, kept returning to Merlin's situation. No one has seen Merlin since before the battle. He could be dead out in the woods or wandering in need of help. We are leagues away from home. Cawdorians or Mercians could kill him out of spite! Worry dampened her spirits.

"GEORGE!"

And Prince Arthur's on edge. Her eyes rolled. Temper's fury intimidated Castellans and Guests alike. Even if he will never admit it, he has to be beside himself about Merlin! She set her jaw. Strides ate distance away between his door and herself. As in Ealdor, his behavior grated on her. In spite of Status and Class, Lecture brewed within her. Her hand rapped against the door. "Sire?"

Arthur flung the door open. "DON'T JUST KNOCK! COME….in…." Her presence stopped Tantrum in its tracks. He stepped aside. "Gwen, I thought…."

Gwen cleared her throat. "George splashed himself with this. He is changing into some fresh clothes. This, I believe, is yours?" Her eyebrow arched at him akin to peeved tutor. She curtseyed to him. "May I enter, Sire?"

"Aye. Please." Arthur struggled to form words. His heart skipped beats, pounded, and then skipped still more beats. Merlin's absence infuriated him. George drove him to the breaking point. Gwen however…Gwen….

Gwen….

"Prince Arthur, with due respect, I…" Gwen noted his gobstruck reaction. She looked him over. "Are you unwell? I can find Gaius?" Even at that point, her own breathing labored. She stepped back from him.

"Huh? Oh…!" Arthur composed himself. "Thank you, Gwen. That will not be needed. I am sure Gaius has enough helping Wyngate with the knights. I can take that. Are you all right?" He took the chamber pot from her. "Do you need to sit?"

"Nay. Thank you." Gwen rubbed the back of her neck. "I should not ask." She furrowed her brow. Class consciousness bore down on her. She looked all around. "I remember my place. If anyone should hear…."

"Nay! I want to hear what you have to say, Gwen." Arthur shook Convention and Status off. "Please."

"Well…all right." Gwen looked about one more time. Then, she walked into the chamber. "Sire, with due respect, why are you carrying on like this? George is not Merlin. We know that. He is trying."

Arthur stifled a rude cough. "You can say that again! George is going to drive me mad! How has he lasted this long in the royal household is beyond me!" He threw his hands up in the air. "He cannot fill goblets properly! He adds salt to everything! Look around! He cannot sweep anything! He cannot help me with my armor!" His hand swiped Sweat's beads from across his forehead. "Just wait until Merlin gets back here!" He ground his teeth.

Her eyes rolled. "DID YOU REALLY EXPECT MERLIN TO STAY BACK WHILE YOU RUSHED INTO THAT FIGHT? REALLY?" Her hand planted itself right on her hip. "He would NEVER let you go by yourself! NEVER! Sire, please!" Her head shook at him.

"MY FATHER ORDERED HIM NOT TO….! I TOLD HIM NOT TO….!" Arthur barked back.

Rude snort escaped her mouth. "Again, this is Merlin. It is not like he crossed swords…."

He hissed a sharp breath. "That is exactly what he did! The Amazon Queen was here earlier." He shook his head. "She showed me a shield, a sword, and that neckerchief he wears! It was all soaked in blood! He is out there somewhere! The King…."

"The King refuses to waste knights on us servants?" She folded her arms across her chest. "You saw it?"

"Aye! I did! Father took it from me and threw back in that Queen's face." His hand came down on the table next to himself. "Queen Radegund is right! I should be out there searching for him! That idiot!" Worry, however, soaked through Insults and Attitude. "He should be here! My armor! My clothes! My bloody chamber pot! At least my goblet would not spill over!"

"Princess Mithian's maid, Britomart, and the Amazon Queen's maid are out searching. They are making due. I am sure Merlin will turn up." Gwen's attempted poker face tried to restrain her own issues. Potential raiders, Cawdorians, Mercians, animals, or even angry peasants lay in wait out there. Injuries could kill Merlin before anyone found him. I…" A knocking at the door interrupted him. "AYE?"

"Sire! I am back!" George slipped back into the chamber. He'd overheard them from behind the door. Disdain narrowed his eyes at her. "Perhaps Lady Morgana needs you, Guinevere? I can attend to our Prince's needs quite well." He straightened himself. Arrogance and Superiority flared in his nostrils and tone.

Irritation flicked Arthur's eyebrow. "George, Guinevere is quite capable of fulfilling her duties very well. I believe she can properly fill a goblet without spilling any of the wine? She knows there is more to chamber work than polishing. She is concerned about her fellow servant, , I am as well. Since you are back, I need my stable stall mucked out. I would not trouble King Rodor with such things. Go on." His eyes narrowed at the obnoxious servant.

George maintained a straight face. "As you say, Sire." He bowed and departed. Still, he'd heard plenty from Arthur and Gwen. He also knew Uther would like to know as well.

"Pardon me, Prince Arthur. I will not get you in trouble with the King." Gwen curtseyed. Then, she hustled off for Morgana's chamber.

Arthur sucked in a deep breath. Bad enough, Merlin had vanished. Amor stirred his heart yet again. While Gwen and he connected, George knew all about it.

All sorts of trouble persisted. He had no idea what was to come next….