Chapter 31 [Morgana's Chamber—A Half of Hourglass' Turn Later]
Gwen crept into the area. Despite Sol's place above Horizon's eastern edge, she just got to Morgana's breakfast. I cannot believe I overslept! Father was right. What was I thinking? She shut the door behind herself. Still, she knew the reason.
Merlin….
Is he all right up there? He is not a physician. He has not started any apprenticeship with Gaius. He knows a few herbs but that is all. Hopefully Britomart can show him something. She folded her arms across her chest. Worry ate at her. Merlin will try to help. That is who he is. I just do not want him in the middle of a crisis between Camelot and Nemeth. How does he get into those problems? A frown pretzeled her lips. This would have to happen now! Gaius cannot help that those people need his help too. I just hope the Queen is all right.
Morgana looked out the window. Sleep had evaded her during Night's passage. How is the Queen? First King Meleagant attacks the Nemeth parties? Then he does so right here in Camelot and within sight of the walls? Now, Queen Taene is so deathly ill. Worse, Gaius is not here at this point? She turned to see Gwen setting a covered platter and fresh goblet on the table. "Oh! Good morning, Gwen. Thank you." She deduced Concern weighing down on Gwen's thoughts and across her face. "Are you all right?"
"Pardon me, Milady." Gwen curtseyed. "I was thinking of the Nemeth delegation. The Prince was kidnapped. The Princess and her maid barely escaped with Merlin's help. And now, Queen Taene's really sick? I just hope Merlin does not do anything to get himself punished or worse." She bit her lip. "I am sorry. You have enough on your mind."
"Gwen! You know I value you as more than just a maid." Morgana assessed Gwen once more. The latter's feelings for Merlin came out clearly to her at least. "Perhaps you might accompany me after breakfast? I was going to see if there is anything I could do for King Rodor, Queen Taene and Princess Mithian."
Gwen managed a smile. Relief relaxed her. "I…would appreciate that. Thank you, Milady." She took the plate's cover from the platter. Two sausage links and scrambled eggs awaited Morgana's pleasure. "I brought too much."
"Perhaps you might have a sausage?" Morgana shrugged. "The King and Prince Arthur will never know." She pointed at the plate. "I only eat one anyhow."
"I lost track and brought an extra one. Where is my mind this morning?" Gwen rubbed her forehead. "I cannot take that sausage. I could not ask."
"You did not ask. I offered it. Please eat it, Gwen. You more than earn that with your caring and hard work around here." Morgana motioned toward the plate.
"Thank you for understanding, Milady." Gwen considered the sausage. Aroma made her mouth water. A bite from it flooded Spices and Rich Taste throughout her mouth. "This is delicious! Thank you. Sometimes, Father's customers offer a pig for payment. We have these and ham too. It is very kind of you."
"It is no trouble." Morgana broke off a piece from the other sausage. She speared it with her fork and put it in her mouth. "I am glad you enjoy it."
Gwen ate the sausage in a couple of bites. "I wonder if Merlin's meal was like this last night?"
"I am sure it was. Princess Mithian and I both felt that he merited a good meal at the very least for his heroism yesterday." Morgana shook her head. "We should be seeing him being made a knight this morning instead of training to be a servant." Indignity sniffed through her nostrils. "The King is so stuck on the Knight's Code. Bravery should mean an improvement in social standing." She handed Gwen a cloth handkerchief. "Wipe your hands with that. You can wash it later."
"Thank you, Milady. I wish Merlin could train to be a knight." Gwen finished the sausage. She accepted the handkerchief and wiped her hands with it. "He could learn armor and the parts of it. Father and I could show him! The Prince can train him." Enthusiasm raised her spirits up. She put the handkerchief in the laundry pile. Daydream conjured up an image. Imagination prompted an image of Merlin riding beside Arthur and the other knights. Sol glistened off of Chain Mail. Resolve and Earnestness enabled him to ride into Threat's very teeth and claws. Her Colors lay tucked in his wrist's cuff under the chain mail. Magical and Mundane stood no chance against the Knights of Camelot and Merlin. She waved to him. "Bring him back to me."
Merlin's eyes caught hers. Reassurance prompted a nod. Then he rode off with the Prince and Comrades. Battle lay ahead….
"Aye. He could. If only King Uther would allow it." Morgana's grin spread across her face. "You see him in that role. Do you not?"
Conspicuousness reddened Gwen's face. "Milady, forgive me. I have daydreams when I should be getting your gown ready for Nemeth's visit today." She curtseyed again. Then she rushed off for the wardrobe. "Perhaps the emerald one?"
"For Nemeth's colors. Why, Gwen! You have the makings of a diplomat yet!" Morgana drank from her goblet. "Aye. I believe you have a good idea." She set the goblet down. "We will go with that." She heard a knock at the door. She checked her robe. "I will get that. Can you put that dress by the changing screen please?" She walked across the chamber and opened the door. "Princess? Britomart?"
"Lady Morgana, pardon my showing up here." Mithian cleared her throat. She still wore the previous day's dress. "Might Britomart and I come in? I seem to be too early." She dabbed her handkerchief across her eyes. Lament melted Resolve's strength within herself.
Morgana's eyebrow raised. "Nonsense! Come in. Gwen and I are late in getting ready for today." She stepped to the side. "We were going to check on your family shortly."
"Thank you." Mithian led Britomart into the chamber. "King Rodor is preparing for his meeting with King Uther. Merlin will join us as soon as Sir Galahad can organize an honor guard." Somberness sucked a deep breath into her lungs. "Queen Taene passed through the Veil two turns of the hourglass ago. We had to deal with Prince Arthur and Prince Kay last night. I do not know how long we will stay. That is King Rodor's decision."
"Merlin is still there?" Gwen stopped herself short. Worry once again ate at her. "Is he all right?"
Mithian quirked an eyebrow. "Of course, Merlin is all right. I do not understand the concerns about his service. He and Britomart tended to the Queen all night. He did not sleep. He allowed the King and me to use his bed for short rests." She edited out his strange actions just before Taene's death. (We know of course about Merlin's motivations.)
"I can work with Merlin on table settings. Guinevere, maybe you can help him further? If we stay longer, I can work with him further. I hope I can. King Rodor and King Uther will make that decision. Procedures and settings can be taught. What I saw in you yesterday and this morning is essential," Britomart clarified. "Milady, with your permission."
"If we stay, of course. I just do not want anyone blaming Lady Reyna for the Queen's death. She had nothing to do with it. If anything, Master Wyngate refused to work with Lady Reyna in Whitgate." Mithian rubbed her forehead.
"Prince Arthur told Uther about her appearance in Gaius' chamber. Then Prince Kay…." Morgana cut off her own response. She shook her head. "King Uther told Prince Arthur and me not to say anything." Curses flowed through her head.
Mithian narrowed her eyes. "What about Prince Kay? King Rodor ordered him to his chamber last night." She ground her teeth. "Lady Morgana, what about Prince Kay?"
Morgana bowed her head. "Prince Kay came in on my argument with Prince Arthur and the King about Lady Reyna being here and…magic in Nemeth." She rubbed her forehead. "Prince Kay told us that Lady Reyna was a witch. She used magic to get here and disappear. King Uther plans to charge her with Queen Taene's murder."
"WHAT?" Mithian stared at Morgana. "That is not true! Lady Reyna cares for my mother! She did not know about the Queen's condition until it was too late." A terse breath hissed through clenched teeth. "He is opposed to sorcery. I cannot believe he did that! He knows better!" She slumped into a chair. Sobs choked her. Tears welled in her eyes. Betrayal and Outrage stung her heart.
"King Uther scolded him for going behind King Rodor's back, Princess Mithian." Morgana brought the half-full goblet over to Mithian. "Gwen, bring my gown to the changing screen. I'd best get dressed." She ground her teeth. The King will use that to press King Rodor on the matter if he wants that agreement. I know Prince Kay is immature and a brat. He might just start a war with his attitude.
What was that about Best Laid Plans?