Chapter 29 [Physician's Chambers—A Turn of the Hourglass Before Dawn]
Dread's pall sagged over the area. Nocturne dragged by. Grain after grain fell through Hourglass' neck. Rodor and Mithian accepted Merlin's invitation to use his bedroom. (Magic, of course, cleaned the area to royal specifications, Good Reader. Gaius, at least, wasn't there to lecture him.)
Events however both built on and distracted from such matters….
Merlin sat by Taene's bedside. His rag wiped away Sweat's beads from her brow. Exhaustion weighed down on him. Still, Duty pressed him to continue. He shuffled back and forth from the workbench. "Wish I knew more." Frustration ate at him. I have magic but I cannot help her. The Queen's presence is so important. If I have this destiny, why can I not do anything?
Oh, Merlin. You are so impatient, Kilgarrah cut in. I have felt your emotions. First, the Young Pendragon's impatience grates on you. Then you are nervous about learning your role with some maid. Your heart goes back and forth about two attachments. And now, I feel you already mourning over the woman in front of yourself. Even someone with your potential cannot intervene in the cycle of Life. Mortals are born, grow, wither and pass beyond the Veil. That is simply the way things happen.
Merlin bowed his head. He ground his teeth. He wanted to do something…anything…. He squeezed Taene's hand. Then he pulled himself back.
"It…is all right, Merlin." Taene's eyes turned to him. "I…appreciate you. Prince Arthur…does not understand. You are…already a great servant. You…need time."
"Lady, I…." Doubt and Wonder filled Merlin's mind. Weakening Whispers tickled and crackled across his ears akin to Autumn's Leaves. "I am but a servant. I cannot…"
"Nay…Listen to me." Effort forced terse breaths. "Meleagant…will not…stop. He craves…power. Ambition…means ruin. Ambush…provocation. With you...lies Britannia's…hopes." Gasps came from Taene's mouth. "Princess Mithian will fill my…role. King Rodor will make…sure. Prince…Kay does not understand. You…are important. Far more…than a servant. Learn…Watch….Grow. I…have seen…"
"Have seen? I do not understand." Merlin stiffened. Taene's eyes pierced deep into his psyche. His heart chilled. Secrets' layers seemed to unravel.
"You…you look like him. You act like him." Taene touched Merlin's hand. "Your father…was like you. I cannot say more. Reach out…to others. Mention me…when you meet Radegund. You…and another…will be called on…for sacrifice." Surprising Strength surged through her. "Look…to her example. Protect…Protect…"
"Protect what, Queen Taene?" Merlin pressed her. "I must know. Who is Radegund?"
"Much…more than…Camelot or Nemeth…Much, much more. You will know her. Protect…my children and land….You…are your father's…son. Protect Britannia. Call…Britomart." Taene frowned. "Water."
Merlin guided a few sips into her mouth. "Here you are." Then he wiped her mouth. "Britomart! Princess!"
"Merlin?" Britomart rushed over to them. "My Queen! You are awake! Thank the goddess! Milady!" She curtseyed. "I have more medicine. I…."
"Nay. It will not…help." Burning breaths escaped from Taene's mouth. "You…are so loyal. Watch out for Princess Mithian. Trust Merlin. He…will be important in time to come."
"My life for Milady and your house, Queen Taene." Britomart bowed her head. "Merlin does not give himself enough credit. If you say to trust, I will do so."
"Mother?" Mithian kneeled beside the bed. "Britomart, wake the King! He must know. I knew you would be well! I knew it!" Her lips kissed Taene's hand.
Britomart rushed toward Merlin's bedroom. Time moved quickly enough. Taene slipped closer and closer to the Veil. She knocked on the door and stepped out of view.
"I…am awake. Mithian, I will…soon pass beyond the Veil. It will be for you…to take my place. Your father will need your strength. Kay…does not care. The hardliners sway…him. He looks to…King Uther. You…are now…Lady of Nemeth. Be patient. Look to…your father. Look to….to…Merlin." Taene ground her teeth.
"Merlin is a good person. I see that." Mithian's eyes met Merlin's. She sized up his strength and fortitude. "Kay and I owe him our freedom and lives. Nemeth owes him much."
Taene made her head move up and down. "More…than you know. In the…storm to come, my Daughter, sacrifices will be made. You must…stand tall and strong. Do not cave to Kay or the hardliners. Nemeth's salvation will rise. From our past…a new leader…will emerge. Promise me."
"I will, Mother. I will be strong for Father and our land. That I promise you." Mithian choked back sobs. Lament chilled her heart. "Please. I need you. I am not ready."
"King, Lord Blumenwald and…the One…will help. Merlin will help. Britomart can be depended…on." Taene coughed a few times. "So…so hard. Your father?" Taene's hands went limp. Her labored breaths became more pronounced.
Mithian stood and stepped back from her bedside. "He is coming." She nodded to Rodor. "Sire. The Queen is awake." Reverence wavered but remained in place.
"My love." Rodor raised her hand. His lips brushed Amor's brushstrokes across her knuckles. His eyes discerned her weakness. Her icy hands affirmed Death's approaching finality. "Just relax. It will be all right." He fought back Emotion's tempest within himself. Tears welled up behind his eyes. "We will be strong."
"Thank you. You are the strongest man…I know." Taene ground her teeth. "We have shared a lifetime together. Remember?" She treasured his grip around her hands. "We ruled well. Mithian…must sit at your side. She…must learn."
"She will. Lord Blumenwald is ready to work with her. She cares for our people." Pride pushed a smile across his face. He looked to Mithian. "Are you ready to listen and take heed, Daughter?"
"I am, Father. I want to serve our people. I do not know if I can be like Mother." Mithian bit her lip. Purpose firmed her resolve. Doubt plagued her in that moment.
"Do it…your own way, Mithian." Taene cleared her throat. "I have…seen your love for the people. They love you. I have…faith in you." She set her jaw. "Remember. Listen to our King. Your advice must balance strength, mercy and wisdom. You cannot be rash. I know you have those within you. I fear your brother cannot maintain that balance. I know you have…potential."
"Thank you." Mithian kissed Taene's cheek. "I will make you proud."
"I know." Taene coughed. "I have no doubts. Rodor, I told…Mithian to prepare. Meleagant…is not done. I know you will be aware. Be on guard. He will try again. None can…stand against him alone. Not even the Knights of Camelot." Her breathing efforted still more.
Rodor conceded a nod. Meleagant's horde elicited Apprehension's insecurity within himself. Nemeth's forces had magical and martial means. Still, Adversaries' numbers rendered the fight less than fair. "King Ruthbert and Queen Radegund should be ready as well. The other kingdoms as well. I do not trust Uther in our lands."
"His knights will be needed. And there is another here as well." Taene glanced to Merlin. "The servant, Merlin. Trust in him when the time comes. There is more to him than meets the eye. I cannot say what."
Rodor turned toward Merlin. He noted Merlin's strange reaction and muttering across the area. What is going on with him?
Curiosity pressed with Questions. Other things were going on….