Chapter Text
Conclusion
[Whitgate—Merlin and Mithian’s Bedchamber]
Sol bathed the chamber with his warm beams. Pixie dust danced in the shafts washing the expanse. The light sparkled and gleamed on the varnished oak furnishings. A slight breeze rustled through the open window. It stirred the parchments on the desk. It swayed the hanging garments in the open wardrobe.
Dust tickled Merlin’s nose. He wrinkled his nostrils. Allergy burned and itched in his sinuses. His breathing caught in his throat. He twisted and turned. He struggled to keep his breathing shallow. For several heartbeats, he resisted against the brewing sneeze.
Then his lungs betrayed him. He exhaled and then released a single sound. “AAH-CHOO!!!!” Then another and another.
He winced. Great. Mithian wanted to sleep in. I would have to be that way! He shook his head.
Sneezing is a natural act, Merlin. Quit berating yourself already! Mithian blinked back Dream’s bliss. She rubbed his shoulder.
“You were sleeping so soundly. I didn’t want to wake you. I guess….” He admired how her eyes caught the early morning’s light. Even as it was mussed, her hair glistened softly against her pillow. Her lips twisted into Mischief’s smirk. “And that doesn’t bother you?”
“Bother me? Well I did want to sleep further. I suppose we could prepare for the day’s activities,” she supposed. She leaned close to him. Her lips whispered Amor’s reassurances across his cheek. “Then again, my Prince, I don’t think we have anything today. Father will want to speak over dinner.”
“We have that long, do we?” he supposed. A grin spread across his face.
“Aye, Merlin. We do.” She coughed. “I can think of a few things to keep us occupied.”
“As can I.” Anticipation and Desire lightened his heart. He felt as if he could fly in that particular heartbeat. He kissed her forehead. “And a proper good morning to you.”
“Even if your sneeze conveyed me abruptly into it?” she teased. Her eyebrow raised. Her eyes sparkled. She embraced him.
“It’s an art. I learned from Arthur. What can I say?” The mention of Arthur’s name distracted him. Instinct nagged at him. He had that feeling. Once again he felt as if his former liege was misled. Much as Agravaine had done, Arthur was heading down the wrong path…
…a path from which only Gwen could rescue him…if he’d listen….
Mithian shook her head. “Merlin?”
He stared into space absently. His mind continued to puzzle through the question at hand.
“Merlin.” She rubbed his back.
“Hmm?” He jumped. He turned to her. “Oh sorry. My mind….”
“You’re thinking of how to pull Arthur’s head out of his arse. I know. I worry as well. Still we have to trust Gwen to do her share. Meantime we have our own duties to consider. That…and our subjects…and well…you know?”
He rubbed his chin. “Maybe your father’s concerns?”
“Aye. There’s Continuity to consider. I’m sure it won’t be unpleasant,” she declared. She drew closer. Her hands massaged his shoulders.
“Oh I know it won’t be.” His eyes danced at that suggestion.
She grinned. “You are the greedy boy. Aren’t you?”
He smirked. “Can’t be helped. I have this uncouth Princess who’s a beauty and more than she appears. How can I refuse?”
“How can you indeed?” Her lips stamped Affection’s seal across his. She pulled the quilt over their heads and snuggled close.
Some parts of the royal affair were private after all…..
****
[Physician’s Chambers—Half of an Hourglass Turn Later]
Britomart stared at the ceiling. Duty tugged at her. Patients needed tending. Sickness had to be cured. Wounds bandaged. Cures made. Instead she was on her back. She sucked in a burning breath. Her ribs ached. She frowned.
“You’re staying put, Brit.” Gawain put a hand on her shoulder. “For once, I’m telling you.”
She rolled her eyes. “Don’t…enjoy this too much, you Oaf.”
“Who me?” Satisfaction spread a smirk across his face. “I get the last word for once?” He held a wooden cup of water up. He waved it in the air. “Don’t talk. Drink. Rest. Be quiet.”
She frowned. “You…hush. I’m…I…” She grimaced.
“Can’t listen. Can you?” He frowned. He put the cup to her lips. Slowly the liquid eased through her mouth and down her throat.
She drained the cup. Her eyes drooped. Sleep claimed her.
He set the cup down on the table. He reached down and straightened a stray wisp of her red mane. “Only way to get you to relax.” He considered her pale face. Her breathing rasped catching every few attempts. “Maybe if you did that before, you wouldn’t have the two broken ribs.” Following Merlin’s directions, he checked the wrap around her torso. “Wish he could use a whammy on you.”
“For some things, the body should respond on its own.” Nimue looked over the sleeping patient. “Sleep is the best thing for her. You do know not to irritate her?” She raised an eyebrow.
He rolled his eyes. “She gets herself in trouble. Don’t look at me.”
“I believe Mischief is acquainted with you on a first name basis, Sir Knight.” Nimue coughed. “Sister Fenice has heard a great deal.”
He frowned. “Sorie should keep that to herself. Whatever.”
“Is it her fault you’re reckless? I’d look to yourself first.” Nimue checked the wrap one more time. Then she nodded. “Just let her sleep. With rest, she’ll recover and be back in charge of you in no time.” She waved toward the corner. Her eyes glinted canary. “Do be aware.” She disappeared in a poof of white mist.
“Be in charge of me? Sure. Dream on.” He settled down on a stool. He set a wet cloth on Britomart’s forehead. “And you rest.” He sighed.
Some people couldn’t win for losing…..
****
[Garden]
Josiane sniffed deeply of Rose’s scent. The smell eased her mood. She’d enjoyed her visit with Boeve. She ate of fresh fish from the boats at the harbor. She listened to the bards’ best tales and songs. She reacquainted herself with several exiles from her homeland. She’d helped the city’s poor with foodstuffs. Bliss couldn’t have been any better….
…that is if Malice would’ve kept out of it….
Threats spoiled the ambiance. Camelot pressed for an increase in tribute. Raiders attacked but were driven back. Exiles from the Roman inner sea’s eastern regions reported on Mustafa’s and Alys’ tyranny there. Elyan and Leon shared other accounts of strife with the Holy Roman Empire to the east. And that was before hearing about the royal progress’ abrupt ending.
Who is that Sorceress? What connection does she share with the Red King? And why would the two tyrants work together? She frowned. “On the eve of happiness, the ingrates seek to ruin everything.”
“There will always be people like that, Josiane. We just need to deal with them,” Merlin assured her. He led Mithian down the floral lined path. “You had a short visit. Why didn’t you stay longer?”
“Boeve and I had some time. Threats however demanded my return. I wasn’t about to leave King Rodor or you both without my aid, Merlin. Aunt Britomart’s injury needed additional tending. I brought some healing herbs for her. And then there’s the Sorceress’ threat. Word that Cligés’ uncle and that ingrate, Mustafa, have allied reached my ears,” Josiane explained.
“They have?” Mithian’s eyes went wide. “I thought they were enemies.”
“They had been. Still the snakes will turn toward a common goal. They hate my brother and me. Alys still lusts for Fenice. Counts Leon and Elyan spoke of skirmishes along their eastern borders with her father,” Josiane reported.
“Elyan and Leon? They were in Hampton?” Merlin inquired. Disappointment crinkled his brow.
“They sailed north for Mercia. I am sure King Percival and Queen Blancheflor will wish to speak with us. I told them to speak with Queen Elena as well. The war comes to our shores.” Josiane bowed her head. “I didn’t wish for this.”
“No one would say that, Josiane,” Mithian assured. “Is it our fault that Meleagant and this Sorceress bring anarchy to our land? Did you invite them to harass your family and endanger us all? Nay. I’d say you stop blaming yourself. “ She embraced the other woman. “Your concerns are ours. How are relations between Hampton and Camelot?”
Josiane narrowed her eyes. Frustration darkened her features. “Arthur pressed Boeve for greater tribute. I can’t believe this! After what Edgar put us through, Arthur would do this? Really?”
“Perhaps if we’d speak to Gwen, she could intercede?” Merlin suggested.
“Before our standoff at the Severn, I would hope so. Perhaps Morgana might assist? Given how uncharacteristically Arthur is acting, there is no way to tell,” Mithian presumed.
“I do not wish to come between Arthur and Morgana. I won’t sink to his level,” Josiane denied.
Merlin shook his head. “I just wish I understood why Arthur’s being such a prat. Even if he’s being stubborn, he tries to be considerate of his nobles. He didn’t summon Boeve to Camelot?”
“He did. Would you trust him after what he’s putting us all through? I’m sorry. I wouldn’t see my love in the dungeon for trust,” Josiane doubted.
“And yet Arthur is his liege lord. If summoned, Boeve must go.” Mithian frowned. “I’m sorry. Given everything else, I wish I could offer another solution.”
“I know. It isn’t your fault, Mithian. I appreciate your father’s generosity. I don’t want trouble. I just want a life with Boeve! I want to serve my people! Why is that so difficult?” Josiane demanded.
“Arthur’s being difficult. It’s almost like he’s turned into Uther.” Merlin shook his head. “He spent years protesting such decisions. Now he’s doing it.”
“All we can do, my Prince, is be watchful. After that, we can trust in our allies. Together we can all bring order to Britannia. Beyond that, we trust in the goddess,” Mithian noted.
“We should hold onto our faith. I am praying to my god for such relief,” Josiane agreed. “He has blessed me with you, my Friends, and your aid. We should take comfort in that. Lancelot and Elaine, you two, Gawain and Britomart, Fenice and Cligés in addition to Boeve and me—our happiness is reason enough to celebrate.”
“And soon Father will join Britomart and Gawain. Everything else will come together in its own time.” Mithian spread her hands to envelop the entire garden. “For now, let’s enjoy as you’ve said.” She sniffed a lilac blossom for emphasis.
“We’re here for you,” Merlin affirmed.
“As you always have been, Merlin. Given the magic you work, I have confidence in our chances, my Friends.” Josiane smiled for them. “We created this place together. We can extend that magic together.”
“Together,” Merlin agreed.
“Together,” Mithian concurred. Confidence urged her head to a strong nod.
“Together!”
The trio turned to see Lancelot, Elaine, Fenice and Cligés watching them.
Merlin smirked. “As you said, stronger together than by ourselves. Right?”
“Indeed so. Whatever Fate puts in our path, we shall prevail,” Josiane declared. She embraced her brother.
“No matter what Uncle Alys does, we’ll take a strong stand,” Cligés declared. “You’re stuck with us.”
“To the end, Princess,” Elaine chimed in.
“We stand by one another.” Lancelot took a solid breath. “Meantime King Rodor calls us to breakfast. Shall we?”
“I’d say we’re ready.” Merlin felt a rumble coming from his stomach.
Mithian’s eyes sparkled. Mischief tugged her lips into a smirk. “Oh? Are we or is your stomach ready, Merlin?”
“I wasn’t hungry before. Maybe because I’m concerned about everyone? And then there’s this Princess…I don’t know what her name is,” Merlin teased.
Mithian rolled her eyes. “We could’ve called for some fruit, Merlin. It’s not my fault your mind was occupied with something else. Come. Let’s fill that delicate stomach of yours.” She took his hand and guided him toward the passage door.
Perhaps War loomed to the north and off of the coast. Perhaps Insecurity dogged them both within and outside of their kingdom. Still Amor bonded them. Companionship brought them together and gave them allies across the continent. And that in the end might make all of the difference in the end.
But then again, Adversity brought together the dark forces to test them.
How that conflict goes, a great deal hung in the balance…..
THE END (for now)