Chapter 2 [Uther's Office—A Turn of the Hourglass Later]

Uther took a draught from his goblet. Matters had calmed since the near calamity two weeks earlier. Paranoia raised his awareness. He ordered further patrols of the countryside. Other knights patrolled the Upper and Lower Towns for any potential magic. Otherwise, everything else remained steady. The treasury remained at substantial levels. Camelot would host a tournament in a month's time. Several new knights proved their skills under Arthur's tutelage. And then there were Nemeth's and Cawdor's diplomatic visits…

…Trouble? Crisis? Chaos? Understatements all….

Camelot needs treaties with Rodor and Meleagant. They need a treaty between themselves. How I *wish* they did not have to be here at the same time! He rubbed his forehead. I'll have to bring our best knights in to keep order. The households will have to stay on different floors. The spare bedrooms on the citadel's eastern end will need some work. There are suitable beds in those areas. They'll have a couple of servants apiece. He pondered the deeper situation. That new servant boy. Arthur says he's slow to grasp basic service. I cannot let him insult Meleagant here. Arthur is not the most patient either. An idea came to him. Perhaps this can work. Morgana and Rodor's daughter get along very well. Could her maid teach the boy, Merlin? They will be here for at least a week. Queen Taene and King Rodor are far more patient. I cannot let them know about the dragon chained up beneath us! He curled his lip. What am I thinking? It is not like Merlin can talk with that beast! I am imagining things! He tapped his finger on the desk.

A knock came from the door. "Sire?"

"Come!" Uther looked up toward the door.

The knight opened the door. He bowed to Arthur and Morgana. He stepped out of the way. "Prince Arthur? My Lady?"

"Thanks, William." Arthur strode past the newly dubbed knight. "Good morning, Father." Merlin's renewed efforts rebounded his mood. "Is everything all right?" He nodded to Uther.

"Sire, I'd like to know as well." Morgana assessed Uther's expression. "What seems to be the trouble?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Arthur, can you get the door? I need this to be private." Uther pointed toward the door. He got up and walked toward the western window. His eyes gazed out over the walls and up the road. Urgency added an edge to his voice. He heard the door close. "Within the week, Camelot will have a challenge. King Rodor and Queen Taene of Nemeth and King Meleagant of Cawdor will be here. Rodor will have his children with him. We will have to keep the two entourages apart. Rodor, Meleagant and I will negotiate in the main hall. Arthur, you will need to make sure that the knights are watching the Cawdorians at all times. I do not trust Meleagant not to plan some scheme. I'm sure Prince Kay would like to spend time around the knights and you."

"I'd be delighted, Sire." Arthur pondered the workings of such an arrangement. "Prince Kay is a skilled fighter for his age. He and the knights would benefit from being around each other. His outlook differs from his father's as I recall?"

She kept a straight face. Meaning he hates magic as much as Uther and Arthur! Under her Mask of State, however, Distaste soured her thinking. Despite the others' thinking, she detested Kay to be honest. She conceded the others' point about his knightly prowess. Still, Chauvinism, Arrogance and Condescension burned at her. Memoria reminded her of Kay's attitude toward Mithian. "I would like to spend time with Princess Mithian and the Queen if that is all right?"

Uther nodded. Approval prompted a smile to cross his lips. "You know my request before I ask it, Morgana. Very good. I want King Rodor to feel secure here. As much as he shelters sorcerers in Nemeth, I should seem to be a reasonable host. Therefore, I am leaving those arrangements to you. The Princess' maid I imagine will be coming."

Arthur's eyes rolled. "Oh, you mean the fire hair?" He scoffed. "I do hope King Rodor has put her in her place. She's no knight."

"Why, Arthur Pendragon!" Fire blazed in Morgana's eyes. "Britomart's service to us here and in Nemeth has been more than excellent in the past." A smirk twisted at the corners of her mouth. "Surely, you aren't threatened by a mere girl who can use a sword?" Sass stabbed at Arthur.

Arthur stiffened. Denial narrowed his eyes. "As if! It's not a girl's place to fight with the knights, Morgana. At some point, she and you will understand that." He threw his hands up. "Father!"

Uther rubbed his chin. "Arthur has a point, Morgana. Women cannot fight as knights. The Knights' Code forbids it. Do not encourage her." He shook his head. "Rodor allows his daughter too much space. She might want a hunt. I do not want her out there. There is no telling what traps Meleagant might have out there. She'd be better suited working on that tapestry with you in the south hall."

Sarcasm raised her eyebrow even further. "She is a better hunter than either of you already, Sire. And I don't remember anything in the Knights' Code about women using crossbows to hunt."

Uther hissed through clenched teeth. "You will mind me, Morgana. There is something I think Nemeth can help us with. The new servant boy, Merlin, is it?" He regarded her through smoldering eyes. "His performance does not improve."

Arthur frowned. "He did get better this morning, Father. At least he didn't trip over the chamber pot or do anything stupid." He shook his head. "He actually asked me for direction. I can't believe it!"

"He has not even been here for two weeks yet! Gwen tells me that Merlin really cares about being your manservant and helping Gaius!" Exasperation raised her voice. Her frown curled further in on itself. "Just think how'd you be! Merlin comes from that small village. Camelot is overwhelming. He has to meet your standards. He wants to please the King. Some people take longer to learn than others! You're not patient with servants, Arthur." She folded her arms across her chest.

"I am too!" Arthur protested. "I haven't thrown him out a window yet."

Uther regarded them both. "I had overlooked that part of Merlin's background. Thank you, Morgana, for the reminder. Gaius had told me about that. With him gone, Merlin will be by himself. This is a splendid opportunity. Morgana, I have a special task for Merlin. I want him to work with Rodor's maid during their stay here. Perhaps this tutelage will keep this Britomart's mind on her proper priorities. You might also remind the Princess of the evils of sorcery as well. Her parents, I am sure, have filled her head with lies and ill-informed notions."

"I will be delighted to help Merlin in this regard. Thank you, Sire." She nodded to him. Rebellious thoughts, however, formed in her mind. I would not help you in that regard. Perhaps that woman might not have attacked us if not for your hate. Chills evoked a shiver from her anew. "Who is left for Arthur? We should have the best in front of Kings Meleagant and Rodor."

"I agree." Uther softened his tone. "There is that servant in the west wing. He awaits such an opportunity. I would work with him on how he fills wine goblets. Despite that, he will suit me just fine as a servant for you, Arthur."

Arthur's hand stifled a cough. "George?" Somehow, his eyes did not roll on that note. Merlin's shortcomings riled him. However, at least, Merlin wanted to relate to him on some level. Besides, Merlin had saved his life and dealt with the threat to the Court. George was stiff and well…boring.

"Aye. That is his name. I know Merlin is trying very hard. I appreciate his effort. We should direct that in the right direction. Queen Taene is very patient. Perhaps she might do our work for us? Meantime, George and Morgana's maid can mind matters here. Arthur, inform the boy this afternoon. I want him ready in three days."

Arthur stifled his objections. George's stiff-arsed manner and overflowing goblets rankled him to say the least. Maybe Merlin might not be so bad after all? Some choice! "I'll tell him when he comes back from the laundry. He'd probably enjoy doing girlish things."

Skepticism prompted a snort. "Britomart could teach him about herbal remedies. She is training with their court physician. I will let Princess Mithian know when they arrive. Careful. We girls are smarter than Prince Kay or you think." She nodded to Uther. Then she left the chamber.

"Can you believe her? As if a girl could outfight us?" Arthur let a pronounced sigh go.

Uther frowned. "King Rodor and Queen Taene allow them to think such things. Focus on Prince Kay. He at least understands the bigger picture. He is a skilled fighter. I believe he can learn much from you. He is also the Crown Prince of Nemeth. His sister cannot inherit in her own right. Therefore, we should focus on him."

Anything to keep me away from George! Arthur nodded to his father. Then he left as well.

Uther pondered the deeper implications of Britannia's resident chessboard. Conflicts, rivalries and strife lay within each interaction. He and Meleagant had spilled blood across their mutual border. Cold War defined Nemeth and Camelot over the previous twenty years.

None would back down. Life kept getting more stressful it seemed….