Chapter 34

[Merlin's Bedchamber]

Merlin extended his arms overhead. Stiffness restrained his left shoulder only in the slightest regard. Mithian's spell dispelled any trace of his wound. A line of rulers that is descended from sorcerers? Uther and Arthur cannot know how to deal with that!

And you are the son of a Dragon Lord, Merlin, and a knight of Nemeth. Father and I both know your true worth.

He stiffened. "Princess?" He looked this way and that. "I hear you but…"

Snort echoed through his mind. I am about to leave my chambers for dinner. I wondered if you are ready as well? Mithian regarded herself in the mirror.

I was looking at my clothes. I should be ready in a few grains of the hourglass. He regarded the torn jacket and bloody tunic. "Glan agus càradh cho math rì ùr!" Canary flashed through his eyes.

Energy glowed about the damaged clothing. Blood's stain evaporated. Torn fibers reached out and resecured themselves to one another. Within a pair of heartbeats, the jacket and tunic stood as new.

I am ready. He pulled his tunic on and tucked it in. Then, he donned his coat. I lost my neckerchief though. We must have left it behind on Astolat.

Father has it, Merlin. I believe we can find you another one. Now, we must not keep the others waiting. I will be right there. I am sure you look presentable. Just do not strain yourself with your spells. We do not want another situation. *Do we?*

Kilgarrah chuckled, Nay, Princess. We do not. It seems you already know Merlin well. Does she not, Merlin? Impishness added another guffaw for good measure.

Merlin's eyes rolled. Crimson streaked his face. Air about him warmed…significantly. Embarrassment reddened his cheeks. He pulled at his collar. He bit his lip. She's a Princess. She watches people all day.

I watch people all day. Her loud snort echoed through his mind. Is that what you think of me, Merlin? I just watch?

Her giggle caused reactions. Giddiness' butterflies danced about in his stomach. NAY! At least I did not call you a Prat or something! Prince Arthur…he…he is always watching people. He trains with the knights. He is Crown Prince. I remember you are always at King Rodor's side. The Prince…never seems to care much. You have got to be the Crown Princess.

Prince Kay is the Crown Prince. I am *just* a Princess after all. Kay's attitude and Social Convention grated on her. Councilors, courtiers, and other royals shoved her toward a typical pigeonhole. Knitting, pretty looks, and having babies constituted proper duties. Advisory roles such as those held by Queen Taene and her, permanent membership and voice in Royal Council, and side presence in her father's legal proceedings were not. Disapproval flared up over her hunting. Thank you, Merlin. I appreciate that from you at least. You are not just shoving me aside.

Lady Morgana fights the same battles for respect in Camelot. I hope Prince Accolon and his father respect her. You and she seem to have a lot in common. Besides, people saw us outside. You did not care. Prince Arthur doesn't care. Prince Accolon doesn't care. Lady Morgana would not care. My mother served as village elder for a while. I respect you, Princess, Merlin clarified.

A gentle knocking came from the door.

I am right outside, Merlin. Open the door please, Mithian told him.

He sucked in a deep breath….a most unservile breath…akin more to Nervous Courtier breath…. She is a Princess. I am a servant. He bowed his head. His hand yanked the door open. "Princess Mithian." Respect prompted a bow from him.

"Merlin." Her eyebrow arched. Empathy, of course, picked up on his inner struggles. "Are you all right? You seem troubled." She rubbed her chin.

"Me? I just cheated Death three times in a week. My healer exposes herself to save me. My Prince and King disown me even though my magic has saved them many times. I know my father's identity but little else about him. Aye. I am troubled. I…well…I have another issue as well." Uncertainty edged his eyes toward hers.

"Issue? I see." She looked up and down the passage. "We can take a minute." She stepped in and closed the door. "Merlin, whatever you say here or over our link, is between us. The only exception is matters of state." She cleared her throat. "You understand that?"

"Princess, I…I'm a servant. We…" Protests tried to block out what was in his mind and heart. Conspicuousness flushed pink streaks across his cheeks. His voice kept catching in his throat. His heart raced. His eyes averted from hers.

Skepticism glinted in her eyes. "Merlin, I realize that you are trying to act in a proper way. Thank you. We do have to maintain propriety after all." A sharp breath punctuated that observation. "However, I think we both know you are not a servant. Not any longer anyhow. I also know you did not get that wound from defending Camelot's wagons or whatever. You saved Prince Kay. You saved my brother. I am grateful. Sir Balinor's knighthood is yours now. Our family's debt to your father passes to you now. Better still, my grandfather's grant to him passes to your mother and you now." Nerves now squeezed at her windpipe as well. Crimson blushed across her cheeks.

"Mother? What about her?" Merlin stiffened. "What did Father do? Is she in danger?"

"In danger?" Her eyebrow raised. "Wherever did you get that from?" A sharp snort dismissed that notion. "Nay, Merlin. Before your father's departure, Grandfather gave him permission to bring Lady Hunith back here to live at court. King Rodor is looking forward to meeting her. I am as well." She looked into his eyes. "You have other questions?"

"I am grateful for the King's and your consideration of Mother as well as me. You have been kind already. Prince Kay. Is he all right? He did not come to dinner. We did not see him outside. I wondered about him." Merlin raised an eyebrow. Suspicions darkened his thinking. What has been going on with the Prince anyway?

"King Rodor will speak to that when he is ready to do so." She sucked in a deep breath. "Meantime, however, you are now in Nemeth's service. King Rodor has received King Uther's grant. It has been witnessed by Queen Radigund and Lord Blumenwald. Lady Morgana and Prince Accolon speak to your virtue as if we needed that after Shalott? Princess Josiane has shared what she knows of your deeds for Camelot. Yours is quite the story I must say!"

"Princess. I serve. I have tried to stay in the shadows. Now, after what happened, everything has changed. People know now. I am sure Gaius will lecture me soundly. Mother will be beside herself. I have exposed you as well." He rubbed the back of his neck.

"I believe that my magic would have manifested itself at some point. Necessity and our connection made that happen sooner rather than later. I am fine with that. Prince Kay is not but…I will let the King address that." She looked deeply into his eyes. "We know you will serve as your Father did here…as you have in Camelot. You are our subject now, Merlin. There is an opportunity. King Rodor will offer it to you at the right time. I am…hopeful." Nerves bounced about in her stomach. "For now, however, the meal awaits. Remember, Merlin, while you must still comport yourself according to protocol, they owe you respect as well." She opened the door again. "We should go."

He looked around. Kay's absence and her emotions raised further questions in his mind. Referred to Offer put him on edge. She is really anxious about this offer. What is King Rodor going to offer? It does not have anything to do with Mother I hope? He followed her out into the passage and shut the door behind themselves. "I would not do anything to shame you, Princess."

"I know that, Merlin. Thank you once again." Gratitude prompted a smile. A sparkle danced about in her eyes. Then, she led him down the hall and toward the stairs.

Guess who was coming to dinner?