Chapter 25 [Nemeth—Physician's Chambers, Citadel]

Shock waves reverberated through the citadel. Rulers' and guests' meal turned on its ear. Celebration forgotten. Prayers and Reverence took charge of minds and hearts.

Treatment sought. Desperation overwhelmed….

Gaius examined Merlin's shoulder and arm. Increased bruising purpled the afflicted area. Skin grew clammy and icy cold under his fingers. "Where is Wyngate? He knows better than this!"

"Father has knights looking for him, Master Gaius." Mithian ran her hands through her hair. "Master Wyngate told him not to be there. Father and I asked him to take it easy." She remained off to the side. "George could have worked with Britomart and Gwen."

"I asked…I pleaded with him. Merlin does not know how to say nay!" Britomart drained pooled blood from his shoulder. "That one impact should not have undone the entire spell!"

"So, it was magic!" Arthur set his jaw. He could hear Uther's ranting about that. "I told Merlin not to trust it! It is unreliable!" His mind turned back toward Ealdor. Once more, Memoria reminded him of Magic's power. He witnessed anew Twister and Wind blowing battle apart there. He saw Earthquake and Storm doing the same at Shalott….

…his eyes turned to Merlin… What is his tie to all of this?

Britomart stiffened. "Elena and I did not heal him, Prince Arthur." She let out a sharp breath. Mithian's headshake stifled her further response.

"What do you mean? You both were with Merlin! You mean someone just cast a spell from some other place?" Arthur rubbed his forehead. "Father will not accept that. He…."

"With respect, Sire, the King will have to. Elena, Britomart, and Master Wyngate are more than competent as healers." Gaius brushed his fingertips across Merlin's shoulder and chest. "Merlin had no business serving in that chamber tonight. "King Rodor, Princess Mithian, the four of us including Wyngate—we all tried to stop Merlin. You know how he is! So how else did this happen? Somehow, the spell was cast on Merlin even if it wasn't in that room. They did not use magic. Someone else did. I cannot say who it is."

"Whoever it is, Master Gaius, they should be thanked not persecuted for their assistance!" Mithian stalked over to the bedside. "He sacrificed. He did his duty. I wish he had for chain mail."

"I told him to stay out of the way. Merlin stumbles about battlefields. Somehow, he avoids the worst of it until that last battle." Arthur tried to compose himself. Emotions unsettled him to say the least. Granted, Clumsiness' fits infuriated him and the rest of the royal household. Still, Courage and Loyalty overwhelmed him. Knights remained hard pressed to duplicate such feats. Servants? Nay. Rarely if ever. His eyes moved toward Britomart. Of all servants, she'd match Merlin for such feats. Not many if any others could….

"Merlin is extremely loyal to you, Sire. Again, with respect, how do you think his mother feels? He just about gives me a heart attack every time he does something like that." The Eyebrow raised Gaius' hairline a couple of inches in response. "I do not know. I fear that we may have to amputate. Even so, I cannot see how he will survive."

"Father does not care about Merlin other than as a servant. He will not stay longer than First Light." Competing Priorities staged their tug of war inside of himself. On the one hand, Uther and Camelot demanded his loyalty first and foremost. However, Loyalty, Equality, and Merit demanded Merlin (and Gwen of course) receive their due consideration…Knights' Code or not. Capability Laws demanded their elevation.

Uther scoffed at such things. Realities suited Political Means after all….

"King Rodor will care. Merlin did not breach the peace with his request. He had asked King Rodor for permission beforehand. We saw the King tell Merlin to go ahead. Merlin expressed his condolences. Lady Elaine loves the flowers. He will hold Count Bernard responsible for the breach of the peace." Mithian took Merlin's hand in her own. "How you do not raise him up to being a knight is beyond me."

"Merlin? A knight? HAH!" Arthur scoffed off that notion. "Maybe a knight of the tavern or picking flowers! He trips over chamber pots!"

Mithian folded her arms across her chest. "I am serious! Prince Arthur, according to the Capability Laws, Merlin qualifies RIGHT NOW! He saved the baggage train including the treasures. I understand he saved your life to get the job. Morgana told me of the poisoned chalice." Her own eyebrow arched. Eyes narrowed to slits. Rashness wanted to push Merlin's real role in his face. Political Acumen and Experience, however, restrained her in that regard. "Those are three off the top of my head!" Admiration warmed her heart. "If he was a knight, I'd demand his freedom! I…."

Your heart has made its wish know, Mithian of Nemeth! And so shall it be! The goddess' voice boomed through their minds.

"Milady! What…?" Instinct pushed Britomart closer to Mithian's side. She looked about warily.

"Who was that? That does not sound like anyone in here!" Arthur drew his sword. He turned in a complete circle.

Gaius' eyes went wide. He stiffened. "That voice…it has…it cannot be!" Denial pushed away Truth in that case. Years…decades…had passed. Memoria, however, had not forgotten her voice. "The triple goddess?"

Aye, Gaius! I have not forgotten! This is not your time. Mithian, for you, however, a choice has been made. If this one…Merlin…is to survive, yours is his tether.

Mithian tightened her grip on Merlin's hand. "I will not fail. I…." Energy flowed into her. Tremors shook her body. I feel it! White glow surrounded her. For the first time in Generations' passage, Magic awoke in Taene's…and Grandfather Rhyfroth's…line. Canary glowed in her eyes. "Beò! Is mise am Mithian agad! Is tusa mo Merlin…mo EMRYS! Tha sinn airson a chèile!" Effort pushed energies into the fallen Merlin. Amor pounded at his heart…once…twice…again.. "BEÒ!"

Merlin's form glowed. Shoulder's and Chest's wounds closed anew. Bruises lightened and disappeared. Heartbeat picked up. Breath filled Lungs' sails anew. Color returned to his cheeks. His eyes snapped open. "AHHH!"

"You made it! You are back! I…" Mithian sucked in deep breaths. She bowed her head. "I helped you. I did it!"

"You have magic!" Arthur stalked toward her. Other words beyond those failed him. Father's words seared through his mind. Matters had to be dealt with. He reached for Mithian's arm. Something would be done….

…except he could not move….

Nimue strutted from the shadows. Her eyes narrowed. Her head shook at the scene. "You have done enough, Boy!"

Confrontation forthcoming….