Chapter 19 [Dining Hall]

Uncomfortable silence smothered State Ambiance's welcome. The room practically gleamed. Beef pleased palates. King Bors' best wine straight from Provence added fruity and yet dry accents. Worry and Concern, however, lent Rigidity's air to the affair as a whole.

Morgana managed to steal a few bites from her plate here and there. Her eyes kept drifting toward Mithian. Memoria recalled Gorlois' absence in Tintagel's service. Hope kept her eyes glued to that citadel's windows. Hope waited for Gorlois' return on his trusted stallion. Hours turned to days. Days turned to weeks. She turned back to Uther. Her mind flashed back….

[Citadel, Tintagel—Years Earlier]

Routine's activity resonated throughout the granite passages and chambers. Castellans conducted errands and tasks. Bureaucrats worked with Lord Ruthbert to govern the kingdom. Gorlois and the knights fought alongside Camelot's counterparts across the Southern Sea. Weeks had turned to months. News had remained scant from Gaul's eastern territories. Prayers pleaded for their safe return.

Ladies labored over Tapestry's finest details. Needles threaded stitches through rough cloth. Mental images flowed through their needles and onto the fabric itself. They endeavored to have a fine gift prior to Gorlois' return.

An elderly gaunt woman looked up from her work. Her eyes surveyed the chamber and others' activity. Most others worked on their portions. She noted the dark-haired girl staring out the window. "Princess Morgana, do you not want to do your share?"

A pained sigh escaped Morgana's lips. Boredom rolled her eyes. Tedium robbed her interest. She could've cared less about the tapestry or gifts. She just wanted her father. She pined for his strong embrace and commanding presence. Unlike many of her age, she understood Throne's demands on Gorlois. Pride warmed and strengthened her. "Father will be here soon. I know it, Countess Hilda."

Hilda nodded. Morgana's belief had remained constant. Her bond with Gorlois endeared her to the entire court. She and the other women watched Morgana sit by her father's side on a small wooden chair of her own in the Throne Chamber. She outwrestled the boys. Her reading advanced well beyond her age. Preference lay in a horseback ride rather than knitting or sewing. Oftentimes, Ruthbert's son, Accolon, and she would ride under guard at such times. Still, Hilda and the others wanted Morgana to turn to more feminine works.

Morgana, predictably, could've cared less. Knights' procession grabbed onto her attention. Camelot's and Tintagel's banners punctuated Procession's numbers. Solemnity guided the warriors in that way. Welcome Bells silenced all too quickly. A wagon in their midst carried a special bier. She failed to spy her father. Wrapped Bundle grabbed onto her attention. Dread elicited a gasp. "Nay! NAY!"

"Lady Morgana." Hilda cleared her throat. Insistence sharpened her tone. "The King should be honored. We…."

"Countess Hilda, that will be quite enough." Ruthbert stood at the door with a blonde-haired boy. "Accolon and I will see to Lady Morgana." Curses flew through his mind. She had to be watching. I told those fools to keep the body out of view. "There will be another time for that." He cleared his throat and bowed to Morgana. "Lady Morgana? King Uther is waiting outside."

"King Uther?" Morgana recalled Camelot's King and her father's friend. Uther had treated her well. His kindness stood out to her. "Accolon?"

"Lady Morgana." Accolon bowed to her. His father's directives restrained him to Formality's most polished reserve. Heaviness weighed on his blue eyes. "Father and King Uther want us to come with them."

Morgana nodded. Tears welled up in her eyes. Her breath rasped. "Stand with me?"

Ruthbert set his hands on Accolon's shoulders. "Go to her. Remember what we talked about." He motioned toward Morgana.

"Aye, Father." Accolon walked toward Morgana. "I am here, Milady." He saw Recognition and Mourning already forming in her eyes. "Walk with me?'

Morgana bit her lip. She studied the entire chamber. Sympathy replaced Criticism and Impatience in Hilda's and the others' faces. Confirmation shored up Instinct's conclusions. She stood tall. She looked to Accolon. "Thank you."

"Of course." Accolon nodded to her. Despite his own sadness, he knew Necessity demanded his strength now. Friendship demanded Maturity for her sake and that of the kingdom's. He marched out at her side. Together, they walked down the stairs and toward the Throne Chamber.

Morgana and Accolon entered the august area. She noted Courtiers' heads bowed. Tears streaked several faces. Nobles whispered to each other. Politics' vacuum opened Opportunity's door wide to them. Potential Power Struggle lay in the balance.

Uther stood at Bier's side. Frustration over Defeat's turn of events in Eastern Gaul burned at him. Gorlois' sacrifice enabled the others' retreat. A great many Tintagelian knights lay buried across the waters. His eyes spied Morgana. His face brightened ever so slightly. Secret kept their true identity secret save for a few others. Ruthbert and he had reached quick agreement. He strode toward her. Purpose and Reassurance guided his steps. "Lady Morgana?"

"King Uther." Morgana curtseyed to Uther. "Greetings. Welcome."

"Thank you." Uther stooped down to Morgana's level. "You carry yourself well, Child. Your father would be very proud. We will go on a special visit to Camelot. Would you like that?"

"What of Tin'agel? Who watches here?" Morgana's eyes went wide. Panic uneased her at that point. "Don' mean disrespect to you, Sire. Care about the kingdom. Father gone. We have to care."

Surprise raised Uther's eyebrow. He nodded. "We will make sure Tintagel is well cared for, Lady Morgana. Forgive me. King Gorlois would be very proud of you. We will make sure everyone is well cared for."

"Father and I will keep watch, Milady, as you said, Your Highness." Accolon bowed to Uther. Tacit Arrangement (some would call it a Coup) angered him. Still, he did not want Morgana sent away, cloistered like some Nazarene recluse or worse murdered. His eyes met Uther's.

"That is correct, Lord Accolon. Thank you. I am sure your father and you will be effective regents." Uther regarded the two children in front of himself. Respect raised his spirits in that dark hour. They have both seen too much already. Yet that will prepare them for the future. Stability is the key. Gorlois' arguments with him concerning Sorcery rang in his ears. Opportunity allowed Policy's reversal. Ruthbert and he determined to exterminate the witches. They'd cast down the Old Religion under their boots. "Right this way, Child."

Morgana eyed Uther at that point. She sensed Ulterior Motive's presence there. Suspicion darkened her outlook. Priority however remained with on her father's bier. She would honor him appropriate fashion. Then, she would depart with Uther to Camelot.

Transitions were underway….

[Present Day]

"Milady?" Gwen brought the wine pitcher around to her. "Milady, are you all right?"

"Hmm?" Morgana snapped back to her current surroundings. "Oh! I am terribly sorry. Gwen, did you ask me something?" She looked up at Gwen.

Uther set his own goblet down. "Guinevere was asking if you are all right. She was asking if you would like your wine refilled." He knew full well about Morgana's relationship with Gwen. Mithian's feelings for Britomart more as companion and friend than a servant weighed on him. Disapproval soured his outlook on those bonds. Merlin's unexpected absence infuriated him as well. Propriety demanded that such matters be dealt with. He shot Gwen a severe look. "Are you all right, Morgana?"

"Aye, Sire." Morgana frowned. "I do not want to make this about myself. I was just reminded of that day you brought King Gorlois back to Tintagel. I do not want this situation to be the same for everyone's sake of course. Forgive me."

Uther cleared his throat. "That was a terrible day for both of us, Morgana. As you said, we want a better outcome on this occasion for everyone's sake. At least I could bring you here where you are safe and cared for." Understanding prompted a smile. Concern, however, turned him back toward Mithian. "Princess?"

Mithian stirred. "Hmm?" She started. "My mind wandered. Forgive me, Sire. My mind is on the King, Queen and Prince Kay." She stabbed at a piece of meat. "That was rude of me." She held her goblet up. "Britomart, can you refill my goblet please? I will have water."

"Certainly, Milady." Britomart poured water into the goblet. Then she stepped away. Uther's issues were pointedly obvious to her. She understood Protocol's expectations on her role. Leniency guided Rodor's hand in that regard. Uther, on the other hand, clearly disapproved of Morgana's and Mithian's respective friendships with Gwen and herself. In addition, Questions remained in her mind over Merlin's disappearance. Merlin was here with us earlier. Then he disappears like this? Prince Arthur requires his best work. He seemed so dedicated before!

"It is quite understandable, Princess Mithian. Your sense of duty is well noted." Uther saw Potential's capabilities in her at that juncture. Ruthbert's proposal to Rodor remained in his mind. Assumption pointed to Kay's and Accolon's thinking in Continuity's regard. "When Prince Arthur and the knights return, I hope King Rodor, Queen Taene and Prince Kay are with him. I value these talks. I appreciate that King Rodor's consideration."

Knocking cut off their discussions. One of the guards stuck his head in. He bowed. "Pardon me, Sire. Sir Horace is here. There is word on Prince Kay. May I let him in?"

Everyone sprung to attention. Concern turned everyone's eyes in the knight's direction. Hopes rose. Worry remained still constant, however. Their ears remained keyed for any and all news.

Uther nodded. "Have Sir Horace come in at once, Sir Ryan. It is quite all right." He stood up and turned to face the door. "Sir Horace?"

Horace strode into the chamber. Nerves ate at him. His mind remained with Merlin back in the Physician's Chambers. "Sire. Pardon my intrusion. I would not do so unless I had news." He bowed to Uther and the others.

"I have no doubt of that, Sir Horace. You are one of our most distinguished knights." Uther made an upward motion with his hand. "Please rise. What of Prince Kay? Is there news of Prince Arthur and the others? I would see him."

Horace shook his head. "I do not know about our Prince, Sire. Prince Kay, however, is in the Physician's Chamber right now. Prince Arthur's servant, Merlin, found him in the woods. He brought the Prince back to us. I helped Merlin to bring him up there. I wanted to let Lady Morgana and you know as soon as possible."

Uther stiffened. "Merlin is no healer. He just joined us a fortnight ago." A frown crossed his face. "I do wish Gaius was here. Without him, we have no one to access Prince Kay's health."

Morgana rubbed her chin. So that is where Merlin has been. Does he consider himself a knight? A servant? A healer? What does he think of himself? At least he found the Prince. Now, the question is to keep him from the stocks or the lash.

Merlin really went after the Prince? What was he thinking? How did he get Prince Kay away from those Cawdorians? Gwen bit her lip. She wiped her palms against her dress.

And now Merlin brings Kay back here as well? How did he manage to get Kay away from Meleagant? Does he know anything about Mother and Father? What about our knights? Now there are two acts? Certainly, there should be due consideration for this. I know he deserted his post. He felt there was reason. "Pardon me, Sire." Mithian pointed to Britomart. "Britomart is Master Wyngate's apprentice. She has trained with him for several seasons now. She is a skilled healer. King Rodor would trust her in Master Wyngate's absence. If I may, Sir Horace, how is the Prince?"

Horace sucked in a deep breath. "When I left him with Merlin, Prince Kay remained unconscious. Merlin has him on a medical cot for treatment. He asked that I notify you immediately."

"That is greatly appreciated, Sir Horace. Thank you." Uther turned to the others. "Morgana? Princess Mithian? Shall we see to Prince Kay. Bring Britomart with you, Princess. Gaius speaks very highly of your Court Physician. I shall take him at his word. Guinevere, see to this chamber."

"I will do so, Sire." Gwen curtseyed to Uther. "If I may say so, I hope Prince Kay and Merlin are all right."

"Think good thoughts, Gwen." Morgana ignored Uther's look at her. "I am sure Britomart and I can let you know later."

"Thank you, Milady. Princess, best wishes." Gwen bowed her head.

"Thank you, Guinevere. Speaking on Nemeth's behalf, I agree with Lady Morgana. I appreciate your smile and service. Let us remain positive." With that, Mithian followed Uther and Morgana from the chamber.

"I will let you know what happens, Gwen. Have faith. Thank you for seeing to the chamber." Britomart hustled off after the royals. Her mind spun over Implications' potential outcomes. I know Milady is thinking the same thing. How does someone as apparently clumsy and unskilled as Merlin is claimed to be do what he has done this afternoon? And twice? Her eyes narrowed. Mindset shifted from Servant to Apprentice Healer. She would not fail Duty's call…as if she ever did….

Gwen set to work on Dinner's remains. She planned Morgana's snack already. I wonder what Princess Mithian would like? The King still does not like how Lady Morgana treats me. Why? I work hard. I hope he does not put Merlin back in the stocks again. I do not understand why he does the things he does. He left his post like that? How will he defend himself to the King and Prince Arthur? Will they sack him? Worry chilled her. She bit her lip. Then she continued to clear the table and chamber.

Distractions were welcome….