Chapter 33

Uther walked away from Elaine's bedside. Frustration brewed over Gaius' consideration for Elaine's situation. He waited for Gaius to join him in the passage. Then, he started back in, "Very well. It does not matter in any event. Merlin has revealed himself to be not only a collaborator with sorcerers but a sorcerer and Dragon Lord himself! He is fortunate that I granted his services to Rodor a few hours ago. You, on the other hand. I cannot believe you harbored him! Did you know about Merlin's magic?" Uther cleared his throat.

Gaius hung his head. Merlin, what did I tell you about being careful? Good grief! Now you have done it! "Aye, Sire. I did. I might point out that Merlin saved Prince Arthur's life with his magic. He has used it in service of the realm." The Eyebrow raised at Uther's mention of the grant. "If I might ask, what do you mean about Merlin granting service?"

Uther sucked in a sharp breath. "I sacked him downstairs. Rodor wanted him. I imagine that Radigund would have claimed him if Rodor had not! Unbelievable! Tintagel is the only kingdom that is still sane!"

"Dragon Lord?" Surprise took Gaius aback as well. "I did not know about that." His eyes pleaded with Uther's on that front. "Hunith never told Merlin much less me! Sire! I just knew she wanted Merlin to have an opportunity at a better life in Camelot. That is the truth! I thought they were dead?"

Uther narrowed his eyes. "The slayers and I dealt with their beasts and them as you know." He flicked an eyebrow at him. "That woman hid the truth from the boy as well. She was wise to do so. You realize that he was talking to that beast under the citadel? Intolerable! Well, the boy inherited his father's talent! HE WAS TALKING WITH THAT CREATURE UNDER OUR NOSES THE ENTIRE TIME! His abilities were manifesting and you never said a word! NOT A WORD!"

"Merlin does what he does, Sire. I knew. I told him that it was a bad idea. The only thing I can say is that he did so for Camelot." Exasperation rasped in Gaius' tone. He rubbed his forehead both at Merlin's attitude and at Uther's knowledge of it. "Should I ask who his father was?"

"Balinor the Dragon Lord, Gaius. That ingrate fled before I could pursue him here! No matter. He is dead. He must be for the boy to come into his abilities as he did. This is why I preach vigilance! You harbored Merlin and never said a word to any of us?" Uther held his hand up. "Wait! During the plague, there was the poultice in the maid's house. Tom the Blacksmith claimed he had never seen it. The maid Guinevere insisted she was innocent. Merlin did it. Didn't he?"

Gaius kept his resolve. He maintained a straight poker face. "I have no idea. Merlin was concerned. I was as surprised by his outburst as you are to be honest. You know he has feelings for Gwen."

"You mean did." Uther ground his teeth. "Now, I know where Prince Arthur gets his ideas from! No matter! If Rodor wants him, he can have him! I am trying to decide what to do with you. Not only did you harbor a sorcerer, you collaborated with him. I do not care if it helped Camelot or not! THE LAW IS THE LAW!" He curled his lip. "You have hurt me, Gaius!"

"Sire, Merlin served Camelot and protected Prince Arthur. With respect, you have used magic and magical items in Camelot's interests. Have you not? Merlin was trying to do the same. He has saved your life more than once." Gaius braced himself.

"THAT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE, GAIUS!" Uther slapped the wall. "HE IS A SORCERER! YOU KNEW AND HELPED HIM! YOU'RE USING SORCERY TO HELP THAT WITCH!" He ground his teeth.

Irresistible Pull yanked at Gaius. He stumbled backward into the chamber. "Sire? I am not doing this! I…!"

"GAIUS! SO HELP ME!" Magic's intervention infuriated him still further. "THIS IS NOT FINISHED! COME BACK HERE!" He stalked toward the door.

The door slammed shut in his face. Locks secured themselves. Additional spell burned his hand. "AHH!" He pulled his hand away.

That must be so painful! Poor Uther! You really should have that looked at. Pity. You just had to burn the healer who could have helped you! TSK! TSK! Now, I believe you are finished, Nimue taunted in his head.

"WITCH! SHOW YOURSELF!" Uther glared in all directions. Burn stung his hand. Glowing Door Handle dared him for a second try. His mouth twisted into a grimace. He beat on the door. "GAIUS! GAIUS! OPEN THE DOOR!"

"What are you bellowing at?" Rodor folded his arms across his chest. He held up his hand toward the knights accompanying him. "Please tell me you are not upsetting Lady Elaine. She has dealt with quite enough!" He pointed at Uther's hand. "Why are you holding your hand like that?"

"I burned it! That witch Nimue put an enchantment on the door! She used spells to pull Gaius back into the chamber, slam the door in my face, and make the doorhandle hot!" Uther pointed at the glowing handle. "I need a healer."

Irony elicited a cough from Rodor. "You brought this on yourself, Uther. Do not expect me to retrieve Master Gaius from there. Lady Elaine needs his expertise. Pity you do not like collaborators and such! You do not want him? I need a physician in any event." He got up in Uther's face. "I like so-called collaborators. Master Gaius would do quite well here. By the way, Master Wyngate refused to go with you. I did offer given what is going on. No matter. I have everything arranged."

Uther's rage smoldered akin to Volcano. Rodor and Nimue had outmaneuvered him. Ruthbert had departed. Accolon and Morgana kept themselves away from the scene as well. Radigund sided with their host. "I should have let Meleagant, Odin, and Cenred have you!"

"And then what, Uther?" Rodor raised an eyebrow at him. "If everyone else falls, what then? Do you think Camelot would have withstood that juggernaut?" He sniffed. "Your defenses are considerable. They would have starved you out. Look at what happened at Shalott! Because of your late arrival, they got that far rather than keeping them in the north! We almost lost! We SHOULD HAVE lost! MAGIC, not CAMELOT, won that battle, Uther! DEAL WITH THAT!"

"NEVER!" Uther's frown curled yet further in on itself. Denial shut off Reason. "Rebellion undermines your position, Rodor."

"I am aware of my kingdom's issues. Your example inspired today's rebellion, Uther. Rest assured; I am dealing with it. You never learn. Even when King Ruthbert and you heal the wounds you yourselves inflicted a generation ago on Tintagel, you overstep your boundaries again. Even when Merlin is on the cusp of regaining what is rightfully his, you overstep your boundaries again. Even when I have negotiated Prince Kay's future, you overstep your boundaries again. I am leaving Sir Matthew and Sir Lancelot to guard the door. Do not bother them again. Lady Elaine is for all intents and purposes Countess of Astolat."

"Lancelot?" Uther rolled his eyes. "You?"

"Aye, Sire." Lancelot suppressed his feelings. He bowed to the two Kings. "As always, I seek to do my duty. King Rodor was kind enough to make me a knight. I am grateful to him."

"Indeed, Sir Lancelot. You have proven your worth in many regards. Sir Galahad, Sir Ywain, and King Bors all speak to your valor. Nobility is in a man's deeds and heart not simply in his pedigree." Rodor patted Lancelot on the arm. "Watch the passage carefully."

"Aye, Sire." Lancelot stepped to his post. Uther reminded Lancelot of the past. Once more, Gwen nagged at his heart. Gwen is not here. She will leave for Camelot. There is no chance that the Lady Morgana would release her. His eye drifted toward the door. Memoria recalled previous trip to Astolat. Reyna healed festering battle wounds. Elaine cared for him. Gentle manner and humility drew him in. He reassured her after a few magical accidents. His hand touched it. Elaine, what is it that you are doing to me? Tis strange! I did not think anyone but Gwen could make me feel this way. And yet…

"It seems I have chosen well." Rodor stepped aside. "Dinner will be served soon. I have another healer who can dress that wound. Come." Lancelot's lingering before the door made an impression. Reyna's and Bernard's accounts of Lancelot's previous visit weighed in as well. Everything works as it will! He watched Uther hustle away. Then, he followed suit.

Strands cut. Strands redone. Strands to suit Greater Good….