Chapter 44 [Guest Chambers]

Preparations and packing commenced for Camelot's contingent. Servants emptied tunics and gowns from wardrobes. Said garb and personal effects rested in their bags. Hustled efforts conveyed said goods to waiting horses. Knights awaited the courtiers.

Haste hallmarked this departure with one exception….

[Morgana's New Chamber, Tintagel Guest Area]

Gwen looked about the chamber. Morgana's dresses and personal items sat in their usual spots albeit in new places. She smoothed the evening's gown behind the changing screen. The next day's dress hung in the wardrobe. At least that's done. Morgana will not have to worry about that. Uther can rant, rave, and leave. I cannot believe he is just leaving! What has come over him? I thought that rulers were supposed to have formal departures? I wish he could have spared that woman. It is not our kingdom. It caused so many problems. She shook her head. I wish I could stay in Camelot. So what if I only have the one feat? Merlin got into the royal household by saving Prince Arthur's life.

Morgana walked into the chamber. She rubbed her forehead. Last discussions with Uther and Arthur went for naught. Civility somehow barely kept everyone from screaming at each other. Still, she and Accolon retreated before the inevitable explosion. I cannot believe Uther has to leave now! Really? He cannot even let King Rodor organize a proper sendoff? "This looks very nice, Gwen. Under the circumstances, you have exceeded yourself."

"Oh! Pardon me, Milady!" Gwen curtseyed. "I did not see you!" Embarrassment streaked red across her face. "I just finished. Your dress for tonight is in back of the changing screen. Nemeth's maids just finished making the bed as well. I would have done it myself."

"You do enough for us, Gwen. I am grateful for their assistance." Morgana walked over to the changing screen. "And you know my preference before I even do!" She sat down in front of the mirror. "I could use some wine. Perhaps you might sit down after that? I know the move to this chamber was rather sudden."

"It was a few hours early. I was already packing. At least Prince Accolon arranged for this area ahead of time. King Rodor lent the help of his household staff, Milady." Gwen filled a goblet with wine and handed it to her. "They just brought that in for you." She poured herself some water and settled onto another chair. "Prince Accolon seems very nice. I have good memories of our last visit to Tintagel."

"It is a nice place. I will be glad when he and I are married. Just think! King Ruthbert and we can help to unify the people. I want to help bring peace. So does Prince Accolon. I am glad you can see he is a good man as well as Prince." Morgana shook her head. "I was worried to be honest."

"Worried, Milady?" Gwen drank from her own cup. Her mind wrestled with potential issues. Morgana did not worry without reason….

…and yet she had at that point….

"Aye." Morgana took a draught from her goblet. "Ever since we were in Ealdor, I have seen Prince Arthur and you drifting closer together. He looks to you. I can understand. You are a very capable person. You know I value your companionship. You are not simply a servant to me. The trouble is you are still a servant to our King and Prince. King Uther wishes Prince Arthur to marry someone of his station." She shrugged.

Gwen frowned. Established Tradition bore down on her. Frustration burned. Why does it always have to come down to class? How am I going to come up with two more feats in Tintagel? How will I ever be with Prince Arthur? At least Prince Accolon gave me credit for what I did at Ealdor. Guess Merlin's magic makes him different. Her eyes closed.

"Prince Accolon respects you. It will be all right." Morgana raised an eyebrow. "Gwen." Her mouth twitched. "Gwen, open your eyes." Her eyebrow raised.

Gwen opened her eyes. She glanced toward Morgana. "Can I speak honestly?"

"Of course. Speak your mind, Gwen." Morgana gauged the other as well. Negativity radiated off of the other woman akin to Heat off of Pitch.

"I am trying to understand something. Prince Accolon does not think I can be around Prince Arthur. Neither do Kings Ruthbert or Uther. Yet Merlin saved Prince Arthur's life. That earned him a chance in the Royal Household. Now, he gets to be with Princess Mithian. Prince Arthur gave him chances. Must be how he did it." Gwen's eyes bored into the ceiling. "I feel terrible. Merlin is my friend. I should be happy for him." She shook her head.

"But you feel as if there is a double standard?" Morgana grasped Gwen's basic intent. "That is it." She sucked in a deep breath. "Gwen, there is so much more going on with Merlin than you know. Then any of us…including Merlin himself…know. Would it help you to know that Merlin is feeling overwhelmed right now? I mean he nearly died three times since the battle. Aredian and King Uther interrupted his healing at Astolat. Priestess Nimue tried to heal him the second time. Well, you saw what happened at the banquet. Now, another person used magic to heal him once and for all. Remember when Merlin thought he was just some peasant from Ealdor nothing more or less?"

"That is what he told us, Milady."

Morgana nodded. "That is all he knew at the time. He knew about his magic. Of course, given King Uther's laws and outlook, he had to disguise himself and act from the shadows. Still, he did so. He still learned his duties and excelled at them. I do not know how matters happened. I do not know how the events unfolded. I just know Merlin stood ready to defend Prince Arthur and Camelot. He definitely did that. The torch's flare up in the cistern had to be from his spell. I will bet that the wind that blew those raiders apart in Ealdor was from another spell. I'd be willing to say that the magic exposing Valiant's shield was Merlin's as well. Despite everything Merlin did, King Uther and Prince Arthur refused to recognize his efforts. Prince Arthur wants his friend there. Now, we come here. King Rodor discovers Merlin's pedigree and about Hunith. He realizes that Merlin is a Dragon Lord as well as a sorcerer. Merlin's father, Gwen, was a knight here in Nemeth. By right, Merlin is noble not a peasant. King Rodor owes Merlin's father a life debt. Merlin was wounded saving Prince Kay's life. He should be dead. He is not. So, Merlin earned advancement by birth and by deeds."

Gwen blinked. Memoria recalled Merlin's words to her about there being more to him than met the eye. "Merlin's father was really a knight?"

"Apparently. He was Sir Balinor of Nemeth. I would like to know the whole story at some point. Still, the point is that Merlin did not seek out advancement or a specific goal. He served Prince Arthur. In doing so, he not only fulfilled Camelot's standard but also for the Amazons, Tintagel, and Nemeth in the process. That is something you and he have in common, Gwen. Look at Princess Mithian's servant, Britomart. She is Nemeth's version of Merlin: Wyngate's apprentice, Mithian's shadow and best friend, and is willing to fight with any weapon. And Elena, Queen Radigund's servant? She will be promoted shortly to full sisterhood. She proved herself on the battlefield. She helped to heal Merlin. Still, she serves. Opportunities came in the course of that service. I would like to train more. I would like to see you polish your skills with the blade. As we saw here, we may need your skill. Who knows what can happen during a battle? But again, that will depend on King Ruthbert and Prince Accolon. We shall see."

Gwen mulled over Morgana's thoughts on that matter. Perhaps she had a way forward from her current situation. So, I train and get better with the blade. Meantime, I have to be patient and hope the King recognizes what I can do. That is my duty. I can hope one day it can be different.

"I do wish for your happiness, Gwen. I am not trying to hold you back. Unfortunately, circumstances are in your path. Perhaps for now? Who knows?" Morgana shrugged. "None of us can know the future. I know you will do well for yourself in Tintagel. From there, we shall see." Her smile attempted to soothe the other's feelings.

Gwen nodded. Understanding and Experience reminded her that she couldn't win on that day at least. She simply took another sip from the goblet. Her mistress' words soaked into her mind.

Tempus fugit…but to where and what point? Those were points indeed….