Chapter 10 [Slightly Earlier]
Mithian ascended the granite staircase from the stables. The horseback ride through the immediate forest and fields had distracted her somewhat. Her mind sought distance and escape to process Reyna's advisories. There is so much to consider! Why can Kay not do his duty without acting like a bully? He'd rather be in Camelot than here! Already he sides with King Uther than Father and me. A frown twisted at her mouth. He and the other suitors laugh at me. I am doomed to be an old maid. Who'd take me as a partner? Father and our subjects come first. She glanced back at Morgana. "I wish the ride could have been longer, Lady Morgana. Apologies."
"The ride was fine, Princess Mithian. Thank you. I have a great deal to think about." Morgana peeled her riding gloves off one at a time. Reyna's impending fate burned at her. Uther's attitude chafed at her to say the least. Merlin's continued absence prompted concern. Sorcery, however, ate at her. Nausea unsettled her stomach. Pinpricks jabbed at her skin. Burning irritated her. Her fingers rubbed at her temples. "Pardon me."
"Are you all right? I should not have insisted on that ride." Mithian bit her lip. I let myself get distracted! Father would lecture me soundly for being a poor hostess! I would deserve it! Bad enough that she is in pain. I did not notice that! Let Uther be as he is. We will not mistreat Lady Morgana or Prince Arthur!
"I am." Morgana sucked in a deep breath. Necessity demanded that she find someone…anyone to trust with Reyna's insight. "I am uncertain. I…." Burning surged within her. "AHHH!" Canary flashed in her eyes.
"Lady Morgana? Please tell me! What can I do to help?" Mithian guided her toward her chamber. She scanned their surroundings. Paranoia kept her alert for Aredian or Camelot's knights. "Master Wyngate can keep secrets. It's all right!" Pressure now took its turn at her mind. "Now I am feeling something." She braced herself against a wall. She bit her lip.
Torches flared all around them. Flames seared walls and ceiling overhead. Fortuna, however, had ensured that said outburst occurred in relative safety. No eyes but theirs witnessed the event.
Morgana shuddered. Effort sapped her energy. She slumped onto the stairs. "Mith…Mithian? I…I'm sorry." Tears welled up in her eyes. Breaths rasped from overextended lungs and parched mouth.
"What? What was that?" Shock and Surprise stiffened Mithian. She turned toward Morgana. "You…have magic?" And I felt her channeling it? What does that make me? She rubbed her forehead.
"You sensed it happening?" Morgana's sharp look stabbed out at Mithian. She pulled herself off of the granite. "We…we cannot be out here. If anyone noticed, they'd tell Uther or Aredian." Fear shook her head.
"My chambers are not far. We can rest there. I…I will send for Master Wyngate. He will know what to do." Mithian pushed another breath from her own lungs. "King Uther is…my concern. My father will deal with Aredian. Bad enough Lady Reyna has to suffer. We…" She sucked in another breath. She heard footsteps echoing toward them.
"Princess Mithian? Lady Morgana?" Accolon helped each of them to their feet. "What is this? Are you both all right?" He'd seen the light from the torches' flare up down the passage. Necessity demanded his own look around. He knew they had to get out of sight immediately. Proposal could wait for the present. Right now, Friendship and Amor demanded his attention. "Your chamber is close by, Princess. Come. I will get you up there."
"You…you saw…?" Morgana shivered. Images of Uther's demands and accusations ran through her mind. Memoria recalled Headsmen's and Hangmen's victims on scaffolds back in Camelot's square. Revulsion overwhelmed her. Pity moved her. Prayers whispered past her lips…
Pity then…Fear now for Mithian and herself….
"It is all right. Can you stand, Milady?" He assisted them to the top of the staircase. "Aye. I saw. We were fortunate." He glanced around. "Can you let us into your chamber, Princess?"
"I can do…that." Mithian's headache lessened. "Thank you, Prince Accolon. I appreciate your consideration. We have enough issues without this matter as well. There are eyes everywhere." Her efforted footfalls hustled (as much as could be managed anyhow) toward her chamber. She opened the door. "In here! Quickly!" She beckoned to them with a wave of her hand.
"Indeed." He slipped Morgana's right arm over his shoulders. "Come along, Milady. We will make sure you are all right." He braced her step by step. Instinct prepared him for his father's or Camelot's knights. He helped her into Mithian's chamber and shut the door. "I should open it shortly. I do not want any questions or doubts about intentions."
Pointed snort escaped Mithian's nostrils. "I believe my father knows that he can trust you, Prince Accolon. We are friends in spite of the failed negotiations. One day, we will each find someone. Until then, caring is not a crime. You are only assisting us. Lady Morgana?"
"I am fine now, Princess. Thank you. I…I am sorry." Morgana sucked in a couple of composing breaths. "We know now. Do we not?" Rueful laugh escaped her lips.
"Know what?" He studied them. Secrets and issues burrowed deep into their psyches. "You know who the sorcerer is?" He raised an eyebrow. "Princess Mithian knows that my father and I do not agree about sorcery and King Uther's Purge. You should know that as well, Milady."
Morgana quivered. Halting movements jerked her head slowly upward. Her eyes met his. Earnestness there reassured her. Previous meetings had stoked Friendship's and Trust's fire. She recalled Ruthbert's and Rodor's negotiations. Shared experience, however, affirmed his words and meaning. "Thank you."
He raised Morgana's hand. "I would protect you for a lifetime, Milady." His lips whispered across her knuckles. "It is a fortunate thing I found you both together. I know it is a bad time. Still, I have my purpose. I wish to respect Princess Mithian and you. I have higher orders to make a request of you." He sucked in a nervous breath. "I did not want this to surprise anyone."
Mithian nodded. Her head bowed. She sensed his intent. "What would we be if you are not happy, Prince Accolon?" Her hand stifled a cough. "We are friends. Your happiness is first and foremost. Lady Morgana needs a protector now at Uther's court."
Morgana stared at him. "Accolon, are you asking?"
He kneeled in front of her. "Morgana, my father and King Uther will be announcing this later. They're finalizing an agreement for us. I wanted to let Princess Mithian know out of consideration. I also wanted you to know that I do not look at you as a prize. I would not have our bond as simply a political one. I love you. I always have. I am my father's heir. You are Gorlois' heir. We can unify Tintagel with our partnership. I am not over you. You are not over me. Granted, we owe our allegiance to my father and Tintagel first. I would grow with you in every regard. Magic included." Canary glowed in his eyes.
Morgana gasped. Her hand covered her mouth. "You have magic too? How?" Shock and Doubt unsettled her. She wanted to know more about this turn of events.
"My abilities have only begun to manifest themselves. The goddess herself wanted me to ask you personally. We can honor Lady Reyna with this arrangement. When it is our turn to rule, we can work to help those like us." He turned toward Mithian. "That goes for Nemeth as well. I will never forget your father's kindness or yours."
"Father appreciates you as well. Sometimes, I wish you were my brother. I value our friendship and support Kay has little regard for being here. I fear for him." Mithian shook her head. "Lady Reyna told me there is someone for me out there. I have to be strong. As she said, I am the Lady of Nemeth."
"You are our friend." Morgana nodded. "Who would not want such a friend? Neither Accolon nor I would throw away an ally. You are discerning, Princess. Let that work for you now." She rubbed Mithian's arm. "There is that stupid law about a woman not ruling here in her own right." She shot Accolon a firm look. "I heard you before, Accolon. I know our fathers follow that. I want that law stricken from the code."
"We will do so. As I said, rule as partners and equals, Milady. My father, Tintagel, and the goddess…only those are above us." Accolon affirmed. "Well?"
Morgana's heart lightened. "Aye, Accolon. Of course, we have to wait for those negotiations to be affirmed. But thank you for coming to me first. We will rule together. We will bring peace. We will bring tolerance." She raised his hands. Her lips sealed Affirmation's bond between them. "My Prince."
He touched foreheads with her. "My Princess."
Mithian stood tall. Granted, she knew of their love since childhood. Admiration had drawn her toward him however. Hope had held out for successful negotiations. Still, she would not deny him or Morgana their due. If one wishes to have a friend, one must be that friend first. May Lady Reyna be right. "Congratulations, Prince Accolon and Lady Morgana. I am sure Father will add his best wishes to mine on Nemeth's behalf."
"Thank you, Princess." Morgana embraced Mithian. "As I said before, you are our friend. We will figure out our magic together."
"This is by the goddess' design, Princess. We have our magic. So does Lady Elaine. We will all figure this out together." He took both of their hands in his. "Together."
"Together," Morgana affirmed.
"Aye. Together." Mithian nodded. Companionship eased her heart somewhat. Still, Questions and Concerns were their own burden.
And so it went….