Chapter 33 [Three of Hourglass' Turns Later]
Akin to Tornado's devastation, Circumstances and Issues changed plans. Negotiations went by the wayside. Rodor ordered the entourage's members to pack and prepare for immediate departure. Possessions flew back into trunks and valises. Horses were fed, watered and saddled. Taene's body laid in a newly purchased wagon's back. Honor Guard flanked said wagon and its precious cargo.
Farewells expressed led to sudden departure. Such as it goes….
[Front of the Citadel]
Merlin sat on Citadel's granite stairs. Questions batted around inside of his head. Magic and Prejudice ate at him. Misunderstandings and Arguments rang in his ears. Magic is not evil. Why can the King not see that? Who was so evil when Uther came to power? Who? He bowed his head. A frown sagged on his mouth. A pronounced sigh escaped his lips. Once more, Suspicion swirled about potential magic users. Lady Reyna tried to help the Queen. She is her subject. Right?
Gwen stuck her head out the door. Her search encircled Citadel's entire structure. Worry for Merlin occupied her mind. Fortunately, Morgana allowed her to check on him after Nemeth's departure. She watched him for a few of Hourglass' grains. He is taking this hard. Those people were not here all that long. It's sad that the Queen died. Life, however, goes on. Does it not? "Merlin?"
"Hmm?" Her call broke Reverie's grip on him. He jumped to his feet. "Huh? Oh! Sorry, Gwen." He straightened himself up and rubbed the back of his neck. "I just had some thinking to do. Prince Arthur looking for me?"
"Not yet as far as I know. Lady Morgana gave me permission to look for you. I should have known you would be right here still." Gwen wandered down the stairs toward him. "Are you all right?"
"Oh yeah." Cheeriness faked a grin onto his face for her benefit. "Too bad that Britomart and I could not work together more. She is some healer. You should have seen her upstairs." He shrugged. "Guess I got a great teacher."
"I do not know if I measure up to her standards. Thank you, Merlin, for the compliment." Relief and Praise spread a smile across her face. She relaxed. "By the way, I agree with King Rodor and Princess Mithian about your service. You were terrific yesterday. You rescue the Princess and the Prince! You helped as they tried to save Queen Taene. Their King even requested you for the honor procession. It shows what you can do when you keep your eyes open."
"Keep my eyes open?" Her comment raised his eyebrow. He turned toward her. He waited for clarification.
She sniffed. Amusement relaxed her even more. "Maybe watch out for chamber pots? It's all about confidence, Merlin. I know you can do it. Practice makes perfect, right?" A shrug took more from the argument's edge. She glanced into his eyes. "At least you showed what you can do."
"Thanks, Gwen. I wish I could have done more." Merlin bowed his head.
Gwen stiffened. She frowned. "You did what you could, Merlin. Nobody could have asked any more from you especially since you are a servant and a new one at that. Give yourself credit."
Arthur stuck his head out the door next. "So! *There* you are, Merlin! The King wants to talk to you." Insistence blazed in his eyes. "Now."
"Sorry, Prince Arthur." Merlin bowed to him. "I was thinking about yesterday and this morning. I figured that was a good thing. I did not mean to keep him waiting."
Arthur nodded. "I know. Thinking about the situation is a good thing. Daydreaming is not. Since King Rodor and his group are gone, I have a great many things for you to catch up on. Let us see what the King wants first. Come on." Impatience's hand swipe beckoned Merlin toward him.
"Guess that is my cue?" Merlin smiled to Gwen.
"Guess it is. I hope the King wants to give you good news, Merlin. Good luck in there." She watched Merlin follow Arthur back into the Citadel. Ominous thoughts billowed through her head. Please do not let him get in trouble.
Prayers went forth. Whether they were heard or not was another thing….
[Uther's Office—A Sixth of Hourglass' Turn Later]
Gaius watched Uther stare out the window toward the west. Epidemic's ravages came and went in a neighboring shire. He'd saved between half and three-quarters of one village. Another hamlet's graveyard tripled in size. He'd wanted a few days to digest and ponder those events.
And now Merlin's situation loomed in front of him….
What did that boy get himself into? I told him to keep his head down. Gaius pieced together Courtiers' accounts. Uther's summation throbbed at his temples. At least with the Princess, he was out getting my herbs. Still, did he have to ride off after Prince Kay? And right into the Cawdorian camp no less? Good grief! Memoria recalled Hunith's imploring him to keep Merlin safe. How can I do that if he keeps rushing off into trouble? Dark Thoughts flooded his mind. "Sire, Merlin tried to help."
"I know, Gaius." Uther shook his head. "I will discuss this further when Prince Arthur and he are here." Grim expression knotted his face. Kay's account about Sleeping Mists and Reyna's presence unsettled him.
Arthur opened the door. "Sire, I found Merlin." He nodded to Uther and stepped into the room. "Merlin?"
"Aye, Prince Arthur." Merlin tip toed into the office. He studied the entire area. He noted Uther turning around to face him. Surprise and Relief lifted his spirits with Gaius' presence there. "Gaius! You are back! How did everything go?"
A lengthy sigh escaped Gaius' lips. "We can talk back in our chamber, Merlin. Pay attention to King Uther now." He motioned toward Uther. "Sire."
"Of course." Merlin bowed to Uther. "Sire, I did not mean to keep you waiting. What can I do for you? Can I get the door?"
"You should do that." Uther watched Merlin close the door. He mulled over his next words. He knew Merlin still adjusted to Camelot. On this occasion, at least, the situation did not warrant Stocks' example. "I have questions. First though, Camelot owes you thanks for your service during Nemeth's visit yesterday and this morning. King Rodor brought your service in regards to Queen Taene to my attention. He was most complimentary of your performance. Furthermore, your aid to Princess Mithian and Prince Kay saved Camelot from a dire political situation. I appreciate those things. The positive outcomes do hold weight in my thinking. Your rash ride after Prince Kay did raise questions. He wondered how you managed to get through that mist without falling asleep. How did you manage that?"
Merlin kept a straight face. "Sire, I put my neckerchief over my nose and mouth. Then I took one of the knights' daggers and cut the Prince's ropes. I got him to my horse and we rode right back here. I was just as confused as the Prince and everyone else was. I just took advantage of the situation."
"And what happened with Lady Reyna? How did you assist her with Queen Taene's treatment? Did she attempt to cure the Queen?" Uther glared right into Merlin's eyes.
Merlin frowned. Situation demanded Pretexts…and yes, Lies. I can do this. "Sire, Lady Reyna looked the Queen over. She did examine Queen Taene much as Gaius would do for a patient. She mixed up some medicine. She showed Britomart and me how to do it. It was just herbs, water and other medicinal treatments. Nothing else."
"Nothing?" Uther raised his eyebrow. "No sorcery?"
Merlin tap danced around Uther's question. Reyna's appearance and disappearance could cast Doubt's conundrums over the whole matter. "I did not see anything beyond what Gaius would do. He opposes sorcery. Britomart and I treated the Queen with that medicine and being there for her. Neither of us used sorcery, Sire. She did not use it to treat the Queen or involve Britomart or me in anything like that." And if we had? Would there have been harm in that? What if the magic had worked?
Uther nodded. His posture relaxed. "I see. I am glad you made that distinction. It saves me from having to take this matter any further. You should take greater care. Remember that you are a servant. Your other actions came in the course of your assumed duties. You will focus on those duties as servant and Gaius' apprentice. It is a pity that you are a peasant. I could have raised you up to a knighthood. If you were noble, I would do so. Alas! You are not." Uther sucked in a deep breath. "That is all. You will report back to Prince Arthur for tonight's meal. I would encourage you to take today to think on what I have just said. Gaius, go with your apprentice. Thank you."
"Sire. Thank you." Gaius bowed to Uther and Arthur. The Eyebrow rose at Merlin. "I wish to see what Merlin found for me yesterday."
"I will think on that." Merlin bowed as well. Then he opened the door. "Gaius."
"Thank you, Merlin." Appreciation prompted a nod from Gaius for him. He led Merlin from the Office's stifling atmosphere. Further discussion would answer his questions. Safety, however, came first.
Merlin shook his head. I cannot be a knight because I am a peasant? I thought that was the law. I have proven myself. It does not matter. Welcome to the real world, Merlin.
Such as it went….