Chapter 47 [Physician's Chamber]

Merlin stopped in front of the chamber door. Changes weighed on him. Regret over Arthur's attitude and Uther's sudden departure ate at him. Why does everyone make it harder than it has to be? Can we not just all get along? I would have liked to have been outside to see everyone off at least. Memoria swept him back over the previous two years. Camelot's complexity, faster pace, and attitudes toward magic challenged him to be honest. Gaius and he grew to appreciate one another. Arthur tested his patience at times. Still, he learned the Prince's routine and preferences. Prophecy pushed him to protect Arthur and his new friends at every turn. Gaius and Kilgarrah advised on certain matters. Beyond that, he studied the grimoire. He listened to Gaius. He watched his steps around Uther….

…now all of that was gone. Transition had brushed it aside….

Now I get to be the Prince. Now I have to figure everything out all over again! Merlin ran his hand over the door's worn surface. So will Gaius, Gwen, and Morgana. Everything is changing. Guess first things first! Since I can not see the Prat or the Princess, I should check on Gaius and Lady Elaine. He knocked on the door.

Lancelot opened it. "Prince Merlin!" He bowed to his friend. "I believe that is due to you now?" Warmth and a bit of teasing sparkled in his eyes.

"Count Lancelot." Merlin stifled a cough with his hand. Enthusiasm warmed him. "I'm not Prince yet. I still need to be crowned. Princess Mithian and I need to go through the handfasting. But hey! You are really a knight now with a title and a wife! Lady Elaine seems really nice. That estate's really big. I was out there while I was healing."

Lancelot smiled. "Astolat is quite the manor, Merlin. I have a great deal to learn about overseeing it. I managed to observe while I was out there. Lady Elaine tells me that there are improvements needing to be done. I just want to learn how everything works."

"I know the feeling. I do not want to disappoint King Rodor or Princess Mithian. Guess I'll be down in the archives studying law codes. I should do more training with the knights as well. That's one thing Arthur does better than anyone else. He fights alongside the knights. He earns their respect." Merlin glanced around the passage to see if anyone hung out close at hand. Experience taught him how the passages' stones had ears. Gossip and Unwanted Information spread amongst courtiers akin to Wildfire.

"You will not have a problem in that regard, Merlin. You forget I have seen you in action. So has half of this citadel even if they do not know it." Lancelot clapped Merlin's right arm. "Your magic may not be cared for by some. I know that you are a good person. You care about people. We both have good ladies to care for and be companions to. I have all the confidence in you, my Prince." He bowed again. "I believe Gaius would like to see you."

"Yeah. I am sure he does." Merlin rolled his eyes. Despite his soon to be new position, Nerves' butterflies beat about the sides of his stomach. Anticipation could almost feel the awaiting lecture within the chamber. "I want to talk with Lady Elaine too." He walked into the chamber. "A little bigger than the one we had in Camelot." He surveyed their new surroundings.

"Merlin?" Gaius looked over from where he talked with Elaine. He walked across the chamber. He sized up Merlin's appearance. "I am so glad to see you on your feet again. You gave us all a fright! You know that? And what is going on? I had hoped to speak with Prince Arthur tonight."

"Gaius, whatever the Princess did, her spell's holding. She will make sure that I rest as well. Uther is leaving right now. He decided that another night here was more than he wanted to deal with. King Rodor told me to stay in the citadel. He is out there right now." He shrugged. "I decided to come up here and talk to Lady Elaine and you. At least we have a place here."

Gaius nodded. "Aye! We do. I wish it was under better circumstances! I cannot believe Wyngate! He was a great physician, a loyal friend, and King Rodor's close counselor for decades. And, as for you, did I not tell you to be more careful? Good grief! I just about had a heart attack when I heard what you did! And then to see you up here? You will be the end of me one day! I cannot believe you exposed yourself."

"It just happened. At least Nemeth is not Camelot. Magic is not hated." Merlin raised an eyebrow.

"That is a divided opinion, Merlin. Did you not hear me?" Gaius shook his head. "I still do not understand how you managed those spells against Meleagant's knights! Your magic is not that powerful!"

"Wait! You were the hooded man on the field? I…" Lancelot rubbed the back of his neck. "I wish I could say I was surprised."

"I heard a voice in my head. She told me to relax. A bright light blinded me. My magic felt so strong. The spell just came to me. I touched the ground. Then, the storm blew up overhead. Then, the light faded again. I saw the big guy going after Prince Kay. I jumped in between them." Merlin rolled his eyes at himself. "That sword hit me in the shoulder. I drove him back and got to the woods. Britomart and the Amazons' healer, Elena, found me. You know the rest."

"Aye. They told us the rest." Gaius rubbed his forehead. Consternation stewed inside of himself. "I know you saved us all. That 'big guy' as you put it was Melaegant of Cawdor! You really went up against him without armor or any protection? Uther was beside himself! That is why he and Aredian executed Lady Reyna! They thought she was you. Think, Merlin! The hardliners here at court nearly staged a coup! Prince Kay tried to seize the throne from his father! Do you think he cared that you saved his life?"

"I did what I had to, Gaius! You think I am going to just let him die?" Merlin threw his hands up in the air. "King Rodor's been kind to me. I just hope he keeps being patient because I will need it. At least we know who my father was."

"I know you have magic, Merlin. I am still trying to deal with you being a Dragon Lord. I can imagine how Prince Arthur must feel without your service. He does count on you." Lancelot frowned.

"Yeah…you did not see him earlier." Merlin winced. "He looked at me like I had just stolen the entire treasury or something." He rubbed the back of his neck.

"Did you expect anything different? Merlin! Of course he did! Prince Arthur hates magic! I was not at Ealdor! Did you not tell me he lectured you about magic being dangerous?" Gaius shook his head. "What did you expect? For him to praise you? To thank you for doing what you did? You should know better by now!" He sucked in a sharp breath. "Sometimes I wonder about you."

"Merlin tried to do the right thing, Master Gaius. Mother knew that. She told me before those men took her away." Elaine managed to stand. "Sir Lancelot, can I have some help please?"

Lancelot hustled to her side. "Take it slowly." He supported her across the room toward the others. "One step at a time."

"I would rather you not walk yet, Lady Elaine." Gaius pointed toward the chair. "Lancelot, please help her to that chair. She has had a most difficult time of it. She is still weak from the mushroom poisoning. Then, there is shock to consider as well." He watched Lancelot and Merlin help her into the chair.

"Thank you, Master Gaius." Elaine settled into the chair. Her hand squeezed Lancelot's. "And you, my Good Knight." Gratitude glittered in her eyes. "I will be looking to you for experience on the Council. Father shared nothing with Mother and me."

"My experience is with Camelot's Council and laws. I suspect I will be looking to Lord Blumenwald and King Rodor as well for advice concerning Nemeth's laws. I will certainly do what I can to assist. Our Prince to Be and I worked together on medical matters in Camelot. That collaboration will continue in different ways. I will look forward to working with Britomart when she is not serving Princess Mithian or King Rodor." Gaius poured water into a wooden cup. "Drink some more water, Lady Elaine." He handed her the cup.

An expectant knocking alerted them to yet another visitor. Merlin? Can you open the door?

Sorry. I came up here to check on Gaius and Lady Elaine. Merlin hustled across the chamber. There, he opened the door for Mithian and Malodius. "Princess? Malodius?" Instinct pressed him to bow.

"Merlin…" Playful snort escaped from her lips. "You are still Crown Prince-Elect. Your respect is appreciated. A nod, however, is sufficient." She looked into the chamber. "Lady Elaine! You are awake and sitting! This is wonderful indeed! I can use news such as this!"

"Princess Mithian?" Elaine forced herself back to her feet. She eased herself toward a curtsey. "Thank you. Master Gaius, Britomart, and Elena helped me. I am grateful."

"I am relieved that you are on your feet again, Milady. King Rodor will be overjoyed when he hears this as well. Master Gaius, thank you for your service to us. I cannot wait to see what you do with this chamber." Mithian surveyed the entire area. "Sir Lancelot, I await your service as well. Prince Merlin has good things to say about you."

"He is a wonderful friend, Milady. I am glad that he is here. Thanks to the King and you for such a home and a fine woman to share it with." Lancelot bowed to Mithian. He noted Malodius watching them. "You know that is a magical creature? Should we not be careful of it?"

"Malodius is our friend, Lancelot. He serves Nemeth." Merlin walked over to the lion's side. He stroked Malodius' back.

"As you can see, Sir Lancelot, you are not in Camelot anymore." Mithian raised her eyebrow. "Prince Merlin, we should go. King Rodor is calling for the Royal Court. Even if you do not have your crown yet, he wishes for you to watch the proceedings."

"And you?" Merlin supposed.

Another snort jabbed at Merlin's ears. "I might want you there. Why I do not know. Aye. I wish for you to see this case for yourself. Besides, I believe you could have something to offer, my Prince. Follow me." She turned and started toward the door.

"I will check back later." Merlin hustled after Mithian. Before, Arthur brought on such haste. Now, she did as well.

Important issues and Transitions did spur matters on it seemed….