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“And next to petition…” droned the herald, looking down at his papers. “Welcome Lady Enid Kantor to speak to the court.”
Merlin yawned.
“The lady is here to offer her services…” – a confused look came upon his face – “to the King.”
A murmur rose in among the nobles as a small older woman slowly made her way up the aisle to the throne. Lady Kantor had grey hair streaked with white and was of small stature but held her head high and back straight. Not one thread was amiss on her person, the folds of her skirt falling in straight lines as she glided across the stone. Her dark eyes flickered sharply between the gentry standing at the sides and Arthur up on the dais of the throne as she came to a stop.
Merlin pushed away from the wall.
“Welcome, Lady Kantor,” Arthur said politely.
“I thank you, your majesty,” she answered and curtsied, hands holding her skirts gracefully.
“You wish to offer me a service?”
“Yes, your majesty, I do.” She clasped her hands in front of her. “A long time ago, when I was young, I started as a lady’s chaperone. Then, I found myself as the etiquette instructor to a young lord who was set to work as an advisor in King Olaf’s court. Since then, I have lent my knowledge and my wisdom of court life and policies to many courts in my life to see that propriety is followed. Courts are old and intricate beings, your majesty, without upkeep they tend to rot from within, like a bad harvest. It is a task which needs doing and I have risen to become a valued and appreciated travelling member of court, for wit and a strategic mind, for my offer of services.”
Whispers and frowns were interchanged among the nobles, but the Lady Kantor only smiled. “One could say I am an inspector of sorts.”
“An inspector,” Arthur echoed, his eyebrows raised. “I don’t see how Camelot has earned the reputation to warrant such scrutiny.”
“Oh no, your majesty,” Lady Kantor clucked. ”I don’t mean to imply your court is corrupt” – Merlin tripped where he stood, the advisors blanched, and even Arthur gaped as the lady prattled on – “or anything of the sort. I only mean to offer my services to ascertain whatever unwanted influences may or may not have stolen into your court.”
While Merlin fought down a hysteric laugh, he noted the nervous tittering of the lords and advisors on the council, many of which had borrowed their wives’ fans to cool their red faces. Arthur noted this too, his eyes flitting between them and Lady Kantor.
“I have been given glowing reviews,” the lady said.
“Pardon?”
Lady Kantor ruffled through her satchel. “I ask all my benefactors to write letters of recommendations for future employment and book keeping purposes. I was last in King Lot’s court and found some worrying alliances made but suspect they will be remedied before winter. I have also spent a few months in selected Mercian fiefdoms and visited the court of Gawant as of late. King Godwyn and Princess Elena were very hospitable and gracious hosts. They send their regards.” As she spoke, she produced scroll after scroll and placed them in Leon’s waiting hands.
Armed with haft a dozen of alleged letters of recommendation, Leon carefully walked up the steps to the throne. Arthur quickly scanned through few of the scrolls, thumbing at the seal at the end of the page. Merlin wanted to have a look at them as well, but the prat had not even looked his way since Lady Kantor had started her petition.
“The seals are authentic,” Arthur remarked and rolled them up.
Lady Kantor nodded. “See this as a test of propriety, I’ll make a tally” – Leon handed her back the scrolls – “Thank you, sir knight, very kind of you. Now, I’ll make a tally, a register of relation and station of each member of the court to see that no person has too much, or too little, influence on their hands. Everything needs to be in an orderly fashion, you see, your majesty.”
Lady or not, this woman was mad, Merlin was sure of it.
Arthur cleared his throat. “And what have you to gain from this, Lady Kantor?” He gestured to the throne room. “To have information on the inner most workings of court requires a lot of trust. How can I trust you will not sell this information to Camelot’s enemies?”
At this the old lady furrowed her eyebrows, an unhappy twist to her mouth. “I do not appreciate the questioning of my character or the reliability of my benefactors. Nobility these days have far too little faith in their subjects offering honest work,” Lady Kantor admonished. To Merlin’s reluctant delight, a faint blush stole across Arthur’s face. “You are wise to be suspicious though, your majesty,” Lady Kantor continued. “I find the games of court intriguing – I will not lie. My interest ends at the domestic however, and I have no wish to investigate, not instigate, any interplay between kingdoms. War is the height of impropriety. Such barbaric behaviour. No, I am but concerned with respectability and corruption, your majesty, and nothing more. I have seen great courts fall to greedy men and great courts arise when balance has been restored. For Albion, and her future, I think I would be good for me to manage all courts before my time has come, if my old bones allow.”
As the silence rang out in the throne room, Arthur finally looked at Merlin.
Since Arthur’s ascent to the throne, the council has waylaid all the changes Arthur had proposed for the betterment of Camelot. Not two days ago, Lord Kendrick and Lord Norwood had protested at the lowering of taxes for the border towns to the east due to the frequent attacks from Mercian bandits crossing the border. But when Arthur tried to compromise by letting the rate of taxes stand but sending supplementary aid and resources instead, three other advisors had protested the cost. Most advisors had been loyal to Uther and his policies and still viewed Arthur as a boy, unworthy of respect. Merlin stood in the corner fuming most council meetings and Arthur spent hours at the training grounds afterwards, pummelling the knights until the squires pleaded with him to stop as they would have to stay up all night to hammer out the dents in the armours before next session.
Merlin looked to where Lord Norwood discreetly dabbed at his forehead with a handkerchief, looking a bit faint.
Lady Kantor stood waiting, a passive smile on her face, but she tracked Arthur’s gaze and turned her eyes to Merlin. A shiver ran down Merlin’s spine as the calculating look came upon the old woman’s face again, her eyes shifting between Arthur and him, raising an eyebrow. With a look to the other servants, at the far end of the room, she shifted back to Arthur.
Merlin had a bad feeling about this. Letting a mad woman into Camelot to wreak havoc on an already difficult situation was the last thing they needed to establish Arthur’s rule. There were a hundred other ways to get loyal advisors into the council – none of them had to involve a meddlesome professional gossip.
Merlin shook his head wildly at Arthur who – to Merlin’s alarm – only rolled his eyes at him.
“Can you blame an old maid,” Lady Kantor said, her voice soft but strong, “in her old age, for enjoying some court gossip?”
“I suppose not,” Arthur acquiesced. “Very well. Lady Kantor, you will be allowed to remain in Camelot for as long as you need to conduct your inspection. You will have full access to all records and members of the court, including servants, at your disposal. How long do you think this endeavour will take?”
“Not more than a week, your majesty. A fortnight, if any riddles show themselves.”
“Good.” Arthur smiled. “I accept your services, Lady Kantor, for the health of Camelot and her court.”
Merlin gaped by the wall.
“I thank you, your majesty.”
“The gratitude is all mine.”
Petition ended, Lady Kantor turned to walk down the aisle and as she did so Leon offered a supporting arm. The lady took it and smiled as she patted at his arm, and from what Merlin could hear, immediately asked for his name.
Merlin pinched the bridge of his nose, wanting to drive his fingers through his eye-sockets. The headache he would have to nurse the coming week would be spectacular.
This could only end in disaster.
“Next!” the herald’s voice boomed in the throne room. “Welcome Lord Brenweld to speak to the court. He wishes to discuss the barely prices in…”
-
As the week progressed, Merlin grew more and more suspicious.
He had asked Arthur what in the world he thought he was doing just after the end of the petition, almost yanking off Arthur’s ceremonial cloak. Arthur had frowned and swatted at Merlin’s rough handling. “The seals were real and Lord Aldrich actually remembered her from when she was here the last time. And you saw how they were shifting, Merlin!”
“There are ways of getting your council to be loyal to you without inviting what is probably a Mercian spy into Camelot!”
“Merlin, what would Lady Kantor even do? At best, she will weed out my corrupt advisors, and at worst she will get her fill of gossip and leave.”
“Don’t blame me when you’re attacked in your chambers one night because you’ve practically invited enemies to come dine with you.”
“Well, you might not be able to fight off a gossiping old lady, but I can, so I have nothing to worry about.”
Arthur had met with her the day after, the castle alight with titters and gossipmongers who both admired and scoffed at the new guest. The cook’s help was especially vocal about how she knew everything that went on in the castle and should Lady Kantor just come to her, she would be done and gone within the day. The help blanched however when a guard came to fetch her only an hour later as Lady Kantor wished to speak with her. The servants very quickly stopped their idle gossip when she passed their quarters. It did not last long however, as each servant returning from the chamber where Lady Kantor had put up office came back gushing about the little lady’s manner and courtesy. If it was even possible, the gossip increased in the castle corridors. Even the stable boys were seen whispering into Lady Kantor’s ear when they had a break.
Lady Kantor gained the grudging respect of the servants with the same ruthless efficiency she conducted her inspection. Naturally, Merlin tracked her every move.
Arthur, the prat, only rolled his eyes at his grouching.
Next had been the knights, as Gwaine came down to Gaius’ room when Merlin had been tasked with grinding herbs for tinctures and healing pastes. Merlin only grunted when Gwaine regaled about the inspection on the training field. Lady Kantor had had all knights line up and walked down the row with a register in hand and Arthur by her side. She had scrutinized them all, asking about their heritage and birthplace, family name and crest, age and height, knighthood and battles fought.
“The princess walked down the line next to her, showing us off as if we were prized cattle!”
“Be glad you didn’t have to show her your teeth.”
“Yeah… But you know, Lady Kantor is actually quite sharp. Quick-witted – I like that in a woman, but she told me I still had some growing to do before she could give me a chance, the minx.”
Merlin set down the grinding stone. “You flirted with Lady Kantor?”
“Only after she gave Sir Ellis a marvellous dressing down. He had muttered something about parentage and knighthood after my introduction, the git. But Lady Kantor heard and practically said he was embarrassing himself and his knighthood for his lack of trust in his King’s choice of knights, and perhaps the King should look for a governess to teach him some basic manners.”
“Oh.”
“You should have seen the look on Sir Ellis’ face, Merlin! I had to propose to her then and there.”
Next, lords and ladies were called into Lady Kantor’s office and Merlin himself had to deliver supplementary paper and scrolls to her as the week continued. Each time she thanked him kindly and sat back at her table, her legs so short only the tip of her shoes and dress touched the floor. From what Merlin had seen, the lady kept her chambers neat and organized, all of her notes stacked in pretty piles and her various leather-bound books safe from any splattering ink. The floor somehow always seemed freshly swept when he peaked inside.
Arthur sighed heavily as Merlin finished his tirade. “Lady Kantor being tidy is not grounds for suspecting her of crime, Merlin.”
Based on what Merlin knew about nobles and their tendency to just drop things about their chambers as they pleased, he thought it was reason enough for suspicion. “And what, you think you know her from just one meeting with her?”
Arthur did not answer. He sat by the hearth and stared into the fire, his knuckles stroking at his jaw back and forth. Arthur had been quiet ever since he came back from his meeting with Lady Kantor. A meeting which had taken all afternoon.
Merlin reached out with his magic to sense if Arthur had been cursed or bespelled, but he came up with nothing. Merlin huffed and folded the laundry with more force than necessary. The prat was still too trusting. How he managed to still run head first into the arms of any and all evil people even though he had been cursed and had assassins sent after him, Merlin could not fathom. If not for Merlin, Arthur would have been killed a thousand times over by now, and the dollophead did not even know it! Merlin ran himself ragged just for Arthur to invite trouble into the castle the moment Merlin got a breather.
When he had complained to Gaius about it last night, Gaius had given him a look and told him Lady Kantor had been to Camelot before. Gaius even remembered her. She was an upstanding lady who had more sense of justice than just sense, if Gaius’ mutterings were to be believed. Many years had passed, how could everyone be so sure the lady had not gone demented in the meantime? Arthur had not even been alive at the time.
But his mother had.
Merlin’s hands stilled on the tunic he was folding. When Lady Kantor was here last, Queen Ygraine had been alive. She must have met and spoken to Arthur’s mother.
Lady Kantor could tell him what she knew about her, what his mother had been like, how she had dressed, what her voice had sounded like. Arthur always got this starved sheen to his eyes whenever the subject of his mother came up. Uther, in turn, had always ignored it. Merlin wished he could help in some way, sooth that haunted air that seemed to envelop Arthur when the late queen was mentioned, but he had never known how.
Perhaps, Lady Kantor had seen that need in Arthur too.
Merlin guiltily scratched at his neck. That would explain Arthur’s immediate trust in the old lady, had she told him. He sighed and refolded the last tunic gently, flattening out the creases.
When he tried to sneak a glance at Arthur, he jolted as Arthur met his gaze, already looking at his way.
Merlin swallowed. “Arthur?”
Arthur did not answer immediately. His eyes snagged on Merlin’s scarf before he turned back to the fire and shook his head. “Nothing.”
“If you’re sure, sire”
As Merlin headed to the wardrobe though, stowing the laundry away, Arthur said, “You can have the evening off when you’re done.”
Merlin almost hit head on the door when he hurried to lean back to look at his king. “Sorry?”
“What’s the point of having such large ears if you never use them?” Arthur asked with a slight smirk. “I said you can have the evening off.”
“My ears are fine, but your head must not be, sire, if you’re giving me time off,” Merlin joked and headed to his chair to feign checking the back of Arthur’s blond head. “Any tenderness? Swelling? Any goose eggs?”
Arthur grabbed his hand as if to throw it off him but stopped suddenly, the gleam in his eye fizzling out as he tested the weight of Merlin’s hand in his instead. A contemplative look came upon him, for just a moment. Arthur cleared his throat and wretched his eyes away from their hands, looking up at Merlin, who felt how his cheeks blushed and had to consciously close his mouth as to not look the fool.
Arthur’s eyes were tired, but he quirked a smile none the less. “You can have the evening off. You’ve done well today, Merlin. Thank you.”
“Oh, I- Thank you, I mean-” Merlin swallowed and tried again. “You’re welcome?”
Arthur nodded and let go of his hand. He picked up his wine and took a sip, staring into the fire as if nothing had happened. “Have a good night, Merlin.”
Merlin hurried out the room and down to his own, his hand tingling all the way.
It was the morning after that Merlin finally could sneak into Lady Kantor’s chambers.
He had seen her walk down one of the eastern corridors with Geoffery, heading towards the library. They walked slowly gesturing to a paper in between them, pointing and discussing, while one and then two maids had to skirt around them to hurry along with their baskets.
Leaving Arthur’s – now polished – swords in his chamber, Merlin walked to where Lady Kantor stayed. The hallway was fortunately deserted, but Merlin did not want to waste time. With a quick spell he unlocked the door and sneaked in, shutting it quietly behind him.
Lady Kanor’s chambers looked like most other guest chambers in the castle. There was a big bed, a table with some accompanying chairs, a set of drawers and a chest to house clothes and miscellaneous items brought along during the journey. The lady had been given one of the rooms which looked out onto the courtyard which must have pleased the meddling woman immensely.
Disregarding the view from the window, the room looked deceptively normal if not for the stacks upon stacks of paper, scrolls, and books littered on every flat surface of the room. Merlin looked about the room astonished as it seemed Lady Kantor was set on using every available scrap of parchment in all of Camelot for her investigation. There were at least three inkwells scattered around the room with an accompanying quill or two.
While the general amount of notes and books should have given a messy and scatter-brained impression, there was a clear system and order to the chaos, which made things both easier and harder for Merlin. As he slowly walked closer to the table, which had turned into a veritable workstation, he also noticed that, again, the floors must have been recently swept, if not scrubbed, and the table wiped off of any crumbs or dust.
Perhaps the maids used the excuse of sweeping to wheedle Lady Kantor for more gossip.
Merlin scanned the first paper he saw on the table. It was a list of names, which was slowly being crossed off. He recognised some nobles and a few other castle staff listed, though not all. Gaius’ name, for example, was yet to be crossed off. He set it down and continued to rifle through the papers and books.
For an hour, Merlin did nothing but read.
Lady Kantor had gathered an impressive catalogue.
Transcripts and notes from interviews, descriptions of court meetings, ledgers from the treasury, carefully sketched family trees, maps of fiefs, and lists of petitions were all accounted for. Merlin sat down on shaking legs as he read through an account from the cook on the subject of her monthly wage and the number of royal poisonings since her hiring. Merlin shuddered and prayed that they were unrelated.
Camelot and all of her secrets were on display, and Merlin was sure this was not all. The inner court was pinned like a butterfly, spread to be showcased, vulnerable. A dart of unease travelled down his spine. If all of Camelot’s secrets were soon to be unveiled…
Magic swirled sickeningly in his stomach.
Gaius had already warned him that Lady Kantor was observant and that he had better stay away from her as much as possible. However, Gaius had not implied she was a threat, only to be mindful around her. A steady pulse was growing by his temple.
Merlin leaned back in the chair, a heaviness pressing down on his chest, pushing the beating of his heart up to his ears.
Picking up one of the heavier books, he dreaded the words he would find on the page. But as he read, he found himself recognising the story. Biting his lip, he opened the cover properly to look at the inscription on the first page:
Camelot As She Was
Spring, seventh year of Uther’s reign
Recorded by Lady Enid Kantor
Merlin sat up and flipped to the page where he had been, retracing the words.
Lady Kantor described the King and Queen of Camelot, sat side by side on the thrones, in front of their people. She described Queen Ygraine as a kind, yet determined, woman. Queen Ygraine was generous with her time and help, a good compliment to the disciplined and more reserved King, Lady Kantor decided. The people of Camelot loved them dearly and the kingdom was flowering with prosperity. There was a line, cleverly hidden with difficult prose, which alluded to the fact that no heir has been born yet even though four years have passed since the wedding, but the court physician was not worried, and evidently neither was Lady Kantor at the time of writing, as she ended the section:
The King and Queen are in love, as all good kingdoms should have it. An Heir will be born soon to two adoring parents and will want for naught from the day they come into the world. There is no doubt that this child will spread the joy from which they came to the people of the land, for Camelot and her future.
Merlin set the book down, his hands numb as they held onto the binding.
He ignored the ache in his chest as he stood up from the chair and put everything back to their original places. He looked over his shoulder out the window. From this window, he couldn’t see the training field, what with a wing of the castle blocking the view, but he imagined he could see Arthur there, golden hair gleaming and mud on his armour, training the knights.
The image of Arthur sitting by the fire yesterday evening flashed before his eyes.
He looked back on the stack of reports and accounts detailing Camelot from the top of her turrets to the depths of the dungeons.
By now, the pulse by his temples had grown into a steady ache. A twin to the one in his heart.
As he shoved the chair in, harder than he needed to, a sheet of parchment floated down to the floor. Even though he no longer felt the same urge to read Lady Kantor’s notes, his eyes skipped across the page.
It was a list of all the servants’ names. Gwen’s had already been pencilled over, but to the bottom his own name glared at him.
Merlin – King Arthur’s manservant & Gaius’ apprentice. Large ears, gangly gait. Shifty sort.
Merlin scoffed. Well then.
Any warm feelings that had begun to grow for the old lady were snuffed out as he stalked back to his rooms. He slowed after a while, almost making an errand boy run into his back, as he looked down at his legs. They were slim, sure – he spent most of his days running up and down stairs – but he would rather call himself lean than… gangly. Or was it the way he walked?
His feet felt too big for his body the rest of the way back.
To finish off his poor forenoon, Merlin tripped on the final step down the stairs and was grateful when he saw the door back to his and Gaius’ rooms.
He pushed opened the door, minding his feet around the groove in the floor. “Gaius,” he called, “you remember the other night when you told me not to go into-“
Merlin stopped and choked by the door, because sitting at the table with Gaius was Lady Kantor, a bowl of stew placed in front of her. They both had looked up when Merlin entered the room, Gaius with a look of pained suffering and Lady Kantor with a surprised amusement.
“We have a guest, Merlin,” Gaius said, tilting his head pointedly across from him.
Feeling faint, Merlin feigned a smile. “Lady Kantor,” Merlin greeted thinly.
The lady smiled with twinkling eyes, and said, to Merlin’s utter horror. “So, this is your apprentice, Gaius? Is my little shadow joining us for lunch?”
Merlin made himself scarce the rest of the day.
-
“Merlin, do come in.”
Merlin shut the door and came to sit by the table. “Lady Kantor.”
When Arthur had informed him that Lady Kantor wanted to talk to him, Merlin had balked and tried his best to convince Arthur that there was no reason for her to want to speak to him – he was only a servant after all. And useless, at that. In a surprising show of patience, Arthur had tried to convince him, but as Merlin continued to refuse, it had ended with Arthur dragging him to Lady Kantor’s door himself.
And so here Merlin was, arms crossed, trying not to look at the stacks of notes he had rifled through himself only two days past.
Lady Kantor huffed as she rightened her papers. “I’ve always liked to conduct my smaller affairs with less airs than that. Do please call me Enid. It’s only the two of us here.”
Merlin hazarded a look back at the door. Indeed. “As you wish, Enid.”
“Good lad,” she said and turned to the pitcher by her side “Wine?”
“No, thank you.”
“Are you sure?” she asked, her eyes tracing his shoulders and wrists as she poured a little into her own cup. “You’re but bones. It would do you to keep warm.”
Merlin eyed the pitcher and Enid’s own glass, but he only got as far as opening his mouth before she spoke again.
“I wouldn’t poison you, lad.” Merlin jolted but Enid just sat down the pitcher with a thoughtful look. “I do hope I haven’t given the impression of being so dim-witted that I would attempt such a thing.” Enid furrowed her eyebrows. “I can assure you-”
“What’s this really all about? I don’t know anything.” Merlin’s heart beat faster in his chest as he flew up from his chair. “You come to Camelot to search out all of her secrets and expect us all to believe there aren’t any other motives than setting it all straight? What do you want with Arthur?”
Merlin clenched his fists by his side, his magic simmering under his fingertips. He did not want to hurt an old lady, no matter how evil, but he would if he had to. Enid looked up at him, her wrinkly hands knotted loosely in her lap, her dark eyes flickering over him.
“Gaius did say you were a distrustful one,” she sighed after a moment. “Merlin, do sit down, please. We can talk about this in a civilized manner.” She gestured to his chair and waited until Merlin slowly sat down again, leaning away from the table. “I do not want to harm your King, Merlin. Be sure of that if nothing else. All I want to do is make sure there are no members of court who are misusing their influence to Camelot’s detriment.”
Merlin could not help but feel petulant in face of the old lady’s calm demeanour. “What do you care about Camelot?”
“I don’t care about Camelot,” she answered in an even timbre. “I care about the safety of the people – a safety which depends on the court of the kingdom. Corruption is a decease that has felled many great reigns, and I want to see an end to it. That is all there is to it. You, however,” – the corner of her mouth twisted up into a wry smile – “care about Camelot. A great deal I have gathered. Enough to rifle through my notes and trailing me about the castle.”
Merlin stilled in his chair.
“Don’t grow shy on me now, lad. I admire the dedication. I think we have a common goal, so I’ll forgive your intrusion.” She put a blank paper in front of her and dipped her quill. “Now, I would appreciate it if you could just let me do my work and then you can decide what you think about it. Would that be amenable to you?”
He shifted where he sat. “Yes, my lady.”
“Excellent. Your name is Merlin, correct?”
“Yes.” He raised his eyes from the tabletop to hers. “You already know that.”
“I do, but I prefer to ask the person nonetheless,” she said and began to write. “You would think you needn’t ask, but there has been known to be some” – she turned some of her pages to the right and frowned – “discrepancies. Do you have any other names you go by?”
Merlin forced himself to shake his head as loose-limbed as he could manage. Tension controlled his body as she narrowed her eyes at him. “No? No nicknames?”
Merlin swallowed. “Arthur calls me an idiot fairly often if that is what you mean.”
“It’s not,” she said dryly, but sent a last considering look before she finished her sentence. “What are your duties in the castle?”
“I’m King Arthur’s manservant,”
Enid nodded and reached for a scroll. “Appointed fairly quickly, from what I’ve gathered. You saved the King, then Crown Prince, from poisoning and certain death. You were unwillingly rewarded with the position of the Crown Prince´s manservant, effective immediately,” - she looked up from her notes – “but, you have come to be a loyal and valued servant.”
“Did Arthur say that?”
“Among others.” Enid tracked as he scratched at his nape, but he quickly stopped when he noticed her watching. He stuffed the hand under his thigh. Enid huffed out a small laugh, before continuing, “You are not only the King’s manservant though.”
“I am also Gaius’ assistant.” Enid hummed as she wrote. “I help him collect herbs and create remedies when he needs me to.”
She set down her quill. “You are the Royal Court Physician’s apprentice, in other words.”
“I suppose.”
“That’s not a poor title to have,” she said, staring right into his eyes, “don’t you agree?”
“I guess.”
Lady Enid shuffled amongst her papers. “So, you were the Crown Prince’s manservant – seeing to everything the future regent will need in his ascent to the throne – and now you are the King’s manservant – the person in charge of the regent’s daily well-being and his general steward. From what I have gathered, also a confidant and trustee to the King. Additionally, you hold the position of the Court Physician’s apprentice, therefore in line to become Court Physician when Gaius retires.” She closed the hand she had used to count the steps of his time in Camelot and looked up. “Have I understood everything correctly?”
A weird feeling settled in Merlin’s chest. “…You have.”
“You sound unsure.”
“My chores involve emptying the King’s chamber pot and cleaning Gaius’ leech tank,” he said. “I muck the stables most days.”
Enid frowned. “But these are still your official titles, are they not? Does the King have additional manservants or Gaius’ several apprentices?”
“No.”
“Are you asked to do manual labour often?”
“Only when I’m late with breakfast,” Merlin joked, but the lady did not even smile.
Enid clicked her tongue and scribbled furiously on her paper. When Merlin started to shift, she said, “Oh, don’t worry, Merlin. You haven’t said anything wrong. I’m just noting some things for me think about.”
Surviving torture had scared him less than this.
“Good,” she said after a while and put a decisive point at the end of her sentence. “Now, let’s return to your official roles – other chores none withstanding. That’s a great trust you have, to inhabit such important roles as you do.”
“I… suppose.”
“How have you been trained for how to manage these key positions?”
“Trained?”
“Yes, as such a valued member of court, and so young too, you must have had some guidance.” Her dress rustled as she crossed her legs and fiddled with fall of the fabric.
“No?” At this Enid looked up sharply, and Merlin fumbled for words. “I mean, I am being taught by Gaius about physiology and medicinal botany, if that’s what you mean.”
“No, lad, I’m talking about court life.” She got a book from her pile and held it up. The title read Court Customs and Etiquette – A Brief Treatise. He had not even known there were books on the subject. “Have you been taught by some former manservant about etiquette and politics? As Gaius is an acting advisor on the council, being the Court Physician, it is expected, and traditional, you will take his place too when the time comes. Have you had any formal education on the subject of court politics?”
“I have not,” Merlin said, “but my friend Gwen helped me a lot.”
“Guinevere, the former lady’s maid and servant, smith’s daughter and sister to Sir Elyan, yes.” Enid looked through her papers with a worried set to her mouth. “Oh, my days.”
“Lady Kantor-”
“That’s a nice scarf you have, Merlin. Well-dyed. Rich fabric,” she said not even looking up, fervently alternating between scribbling and scuffling. “And I told you to call me Enid.”
“Thank you, um, Enid. The scarf – Arthur gave it to me last-”
“Merlin, do you know what a favourite is?”
“No? Should-”
“It does not matter. At least not right now. Merlin,” – Enid took a deep breath and laid her hands flat on the table - “I see you have been left to fend for yourself a lot, which is not proper for a man of your station, and you have been denied the education you should have been promised the moment you set foot in the castle. Do not blame Gaius, as it is not his responsibility, and from what I’ve heard, he takes care of you and your apprenticeship to best of his abilities. I apologize for my conduct, but I am very concerned about what I’m hearing.”
Merlin was still trying to make sense of what she was saying, feeling almost dizzy where he sat. “A man of my station?” Merlin asked. “My lady-”
“Enid, I did tell you.”
“Enid,” he paused, “I was born a commoner, or a peasant as Arthur delights in reminding me, so I don’t know if you should be so… incensed on my behalf.”
Enid slowly rightened her piles again, sorting the papers neatly to her side. There was a rueful tilt to her mouth. “Which makes your situation all the more severe. Had you been born into court, you would have had some basic knowledge of codes of conduct already. You have done very well, Merlin. Court has done away with some of your rough corners, which I imagine cannot have been an easy journey. Throw a duckling in a pond and it will swim, I suppose.” She sighed and picked up her quill again in a gentler grip. The crow’s feet by her eyes softened. “You say you are a commoner? Where were you born?”
“Ealdor.”
Enid paused. “That’s in Cendred’s Kingdom. Not Camelot.”
“Yes,” Merlin answered, “How did you know?”
“I travelled past it once,” she said and sent a glance out the window. “Quaint little village with green fields all around. Very charming.”
His eyes burned hot for a moment as Merlin thought back to his home. To his mother’s cottage. To the farms and the pastures.
“Can’t forget the cows,” he said and blinked a few times.
“Of course not.” Enid smiled. “So, your family lives there still? They have not followed you to Camelot?”
“Um, no, my mother is still there.”
Enid made a sympathetic sound. “Oh, I do hope you visit her often. According to the castle records, a manservant is owed four weeks of leave every year at least. More have been noted by benevolent masters.”
“Four weeks?” Merlin marvelled. “I did not know that.”
No doubt Arthur, the clotpole, had just conveniently forgot to mention it.
“The prince values your company I’ve learned,” Enid said in an amused tone. “But no matter, it will all be rightened and proper in time. Your mother’s name?”
“Hunith.”
“And she’s from a family of farmers I presume?” Merlin nodded. “And your father?”
“He’s…” Merlin cleared his throat. “He’s not around.”
Enid paused and set down her quill. “I do apologize, lad, is he no longer with us?”
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
Merlin shrugged and looked to the unlit hearth in the room. Enid observed him for a few moments before she asked, “Was he from Ealdor too?”
“No.” Merlin scratched at his cheek. “He met my mother when he stayed there for a time but travelled on and never knew me.”
“I see.” She picked up her quill again. “What was his name?”
“Edmund.”
She hummed but did not put the nib to the paper. “And what was his profession?”
“Farmer, I think.”
“To be sure,” she said and then continued in a mild voice, “Merlin, tell me, why did you think to lie just now?”
“What?” Merlin felt cold sweat break out across his palms.
She gave him a look. “Lad, I am old, but my wits and eyes are still with me. I can tell when someone is lying to me.” She clicked her tongue. “I would not have survived in court otherwise.”
“I’m not lying,” Merlin said, offering any half-truth he had. “I never knew him.”
“You might not have known him, but it is clear to me, Merlin, that you know of him.”
Merlin crossed his arms. “I don’t know anything.”
“Oh, but you do, young man, you do.”
“Why does it matter? What are you looking for?” Merlin asked through gritted teeth. Again, his magic tingled across his skin. “There was a reason you came to Camelot, wasn’t there?”
Enid narrowed her dark eyes at him. “Merlin, don’t start accusing me of nefarious crimes I have not committed.” She leaned back against her chair and muttered something under her breath which Merlin preferred not to hear. She looked to the ceiling before taking a deep breath.
“I understand you have seen a lot of treachery and lies in your time at the castle,” Enid began. “You’ve seen your King be preyed upon by evil people who wanted to do him and Camelot harm. From what I’ve understood, you’ve had a great hand in many of the unveilings of these harmful plots. You have surely been cornered and threatened in your time here, especially being too close to the King. I have no doubt it has left its marks on you and your view of the world.”
Merlin only stared at the little lady in front of him.
“You would do good to remember, however, my memory and connection reach far and wide.” She smiled, but her eyes looked tired. “I was in Camelot before the Purge. I saw what happened to the people here, to citizens of Camelot. It created a lot of resentment for a great deal of people, which you have come to know. It saddens me that a young man such as yourself has so little faith in strangers.”
The muffled footsteps of nobles passing by in the hallway shuffled by. Merlin watched as dust particles floated in the air where sunlight fell through the windows. He blinked and blinked and blinked to sooth the burning in his eyes.
Enid continued, “From all of my interviews here in Camelot, I have come to know you as a character of unwavering loyalty and steadfast support. I had no doubt you would be suspicious of me from the moment I arrived. I am happy his majesty has a friend like you, Merlin.”
Merlin could not look at her.
Enid continued, “I have heard of you from my visits to other courts, too. King Arthur’s loyal manservant who shadows his steps, acts the fool but somehow remain fast and trusted by Arthur’s side. You have been given more notice than most servants. I have heard a great many things about a great many people, and I do my best never to forget them. Some years past, I heard of a man named Emrys,” – Merlin stopped breathing – “A man of magical powers beyond measure, who would unite Albion and bring on a golden age with the Once and Future King.”
With his heart beating in his throat, Merlin lifted his gaze. “Where did you hear that?”
She smiled, warmly, kindly. “A lady meets plenty of people on her travels, my lad,” she said. “Druids among them. From sharing their stories, I have no illusions about who this Once and Future King might be.” Enid reached across the table and took Merlin’s hand in hers. Her skin was soft and stretched thin over the back of her hand. “It would not be rash to assume his most steadfast would have found him already.”
He was a pinned butterfly. His voice was brittle when he spoke. “You can’t tell him.”
“I would not,” Enid said and petted his knuckles. “And will not, I promise you. Some secrets are meant to remain secrets until the time comes.”
When a tear finally escaped his eye, he was quick to wipe it away, but as another fell and his breath hitched, he let go of Enid’s hand to drag his own harshly across his cheeks. It would surely redden the skin to the point where Arthur would ask him what had happened, but Merlin did not care. Years and years of his secrets had been retold to him in a matter of minutes. His heart laid on the table and a stranger had examined it. Not Gaius, not Gwen, not Lancelot, not Gwaine, not Arthur, but Lady Enid Kantor.
She had figured it all out in a matter of days.
His lungs burned as he forced air into them.
“There’s no need to be scared, lad,” Enid murmured, her hands clasped on the table. “Here you go. Dry your eyes.”
Merlin took the white handkerchief hovering in the air in front of him and dried his face. The warm ache spreading over his body made him feel like a child. Lost. It was as he blew his nose that he suddenly stopped and stilled.
The handkerchief.
Only a fait glimmer of gold was left in Enid’s eyes when she gave him a little mischievous smile and said, “I thought that would stop the tears.”
“You’re a sorcerer?”
“Not as such, I only know some petty magic. I learnt some when I was a girl because I didn’t want to do my chores. Scrubbing the floors, washing the dishes, sweeping. There was nothing I hated more, and now in my old age my body cannot handle it anyways,” Enid said and waved her hand. “It’s not much, but in the eyes of the law, we’re quite the same you and I.”
“I suppose we are,” Merlin wiped the handkerchief under his nose. “I use it to polish Arthur’s armour sometimes.”
Lady Enid let out a chuckle. “There are plenty of ways this castle could be run more efficiently should the servants be allowed to use all tools at their disposal.” Enid sighed. “But such things are not needed for an inspection of court, nor needed to be mentioned to the King. The future is worlds away, while the court games are unfolding as we speak. Don’t you agree?”
Merlin gave a shaky laugh. “I do.”
“Glad we’re in agreement.” She gathered her papers and let magic shuffle a few to the left as she picked up her quill. “Let an old lady do her royal spring cleaning before summer comes, will you? It is such a pain to deal with distrustful lads like you. Does me no good.”
Merlin huffed but could not help staring at the self-sorting papers, a giddy feeling settling in his stomach. “Yes, lady Kantor.”
“I told you to call me Enid,” she chided with a twinkle in her eye. “Your father, Merlin.”
“Balinor,” he answered, his chest much lighter than before. “His name was Balinor.”
“Balinor? Where did he hail from?”
“I don’t know. He fled to Ealdor after the Purge, that’s all I know.”
“The name tickles me.” Enid frowned at her papers, her fingers tapping by her side. “I’d like to think I’ve encountered a Balinor before. Was he of noble blood?”
“He was a dragonlord.”
“A dragonlord?! Merlin, my lad, you are not giving me an easy time here. You could have started with that,” Enid said and scribbled in the margins of her notes. “You are the last living dragonlord, then, too. I have met your father, should you want to know some about it you can just ask, but I also have some notes from my time there I can lend you-”
“Camelot As She Was. Spring, seventh year of Uther’s reign,” Merlin cited dutifully as Enid mock-grumbled at him. “Did you flee with him?”
“I fled before, I’m afraid. You should have seen that when you cheekily looked through my notes. My last visit here was a year and a half before King Uther started his war on magic. I took to other courts to spare myself the grief.”
“You said you fled but based on your book, it seemed like you didn’t know what was going to happen.”
Endi sighed, a heavy set to her shoulders. “I was invited to stay. My inspection and report were finished a year before, but I stayed for longer. As Queen Ygraine and King Uther’s problems continued, I began to hear whispers of what King Uther planned to do. I do not attempt to claim to be a trusted source on magic, but it did not look good. I tried to advise, but I am not of court, I was a guest and not privy to the trust of the King. And I did not trust the desperation in his eyes.
“I had to leave. It saddened me greatly. Camelot had showed such promise, but I knew that should anything happen to the Queen, the King would not stop recover., and should magic be the cause…” Enid spared a glance to the window and the light streaming in. “A great many political changes have been made by men in love. Even more by men in grief. For better and for worse.” Enid sighed. “But I’ll think you’ll come to see it in your own lifetime well enough.” With a smile that deepened her crows’ feet, Enid leaned back into her chair. “No need for an old crone to drone on about it.”
Merlin nodded and played with a loose thread on his tunic. “Did you talk to Arthur about his mother?”
“I did,” Enid said, “He did not ask, but I could see he wanted to know. He is like his mother in that way, keeps his most important desires close to heart, away from prying eyes.”
He could not help but think of Arthur by the fire again, the quiet evenings of the past weeks.
Enid hummed as she wrote down some final notes. By now, she had filled three pages of her slanted handwriting. Merlin was starting to see why he had had to make paper runs to her chambers as often as he had.
“You’re an interesting character, Merlin,” she mumbled and stroked the feather of the quill against her temple. The fibres of the feather blended almost perfectly with her own grey and white hair. “Our own little discussion notwithstanding, there is plenty for me to investigate. It’s almost outrageous, I dare say! Oh, don’t look so scared, lad, nothing bad will come of this. I’m just seeing how King Uther, in his ignorance, left a mess for his son to rule from, in more ways than we have imagined. Goodness me.”
Merlin leaned forward to try to see what she was writing but the page whizzed into the pile to her right. When he reached towards the stack of notes Enid swatted at his hand. “You’re not getting me fired, are you?”
“No, no, no, my lad. I am not depriving you of your beloved prince,” Enid said while Merlin choked on nothing. She quickly put her notes away in her book and placed it in her lap, giving him a look of warning. “Camelot and her court had more discrepancies than I thought. It will all be rightened and straightened out to be sure when I deliver my rapport.”
“You can’t tell me what the discrepancies are?” Merlin wheedled.
“All in good time, lad, in good time.”
“I want to know.”
“And you will, Merlin,” she began, “as soon as I’m done with all the interviews.”
“Lady Enid-“
“No, Merlin, you’ll have to wait,” she said and stood up. She was the same height when she sat on the chair as when she was standing.
“Perhaps Gwaine could get you to tell him the results in advance,” he said as the little lady tried to herd him out the room.
Lady Enid gasped theatrically and slapped him lightly on the arm. “The cheek of you! I did not want to believe what the King said about you but perhaps I need to reconsider my assessment.”
Merlin turned around suddenly, almost tripping over his own feet. “Lady Enid, I’m sorry.”
The old lady stopped, peering up at him through white eyebrows. “Whatever for?”
“I was impolite to you. I mistrusted you.” Merlin chewed on his cheek. “I went into your chambers.”
Enid’s dark eyes flickered over his face, his hunched shoulders, and sighed with a small smile. “I have already forgiven you, my lad. You have great responsibility, and you have done well to be as guarded as you are. Camelot will thank you for it one day if she has not already. Do not fret, Merlin, you did nothing wrong.”
Merlin resented the way his eyes filled with tears again, but he did not look away. “Thank you.”
“Such a polite young man,” Enid chuckled. “Bend down a little, please.”
Not questioning why, Merlin did as he was told.
Enid patted his head, settling his cowlick. “You’ve done well, Merlin. I do not know all that you have had to endure, but you have been very brave. Your father would have been proud of you, and I am certain your mother is too.”
His scarf had caught most of his tears, but he still had to knuckle some away as he straightened again. He gave her smile as she tutted at him.
“I will tell the King that I require your services for the rest of the day and not to expect you until tomorrow morning. Tell Gaius I have decided you are to rest,” she commanded and brushed at his jacket, pulling at the sleeve to straighten the creases.
Merlin only nodded.
Enid walked him to the door. “Make sure to get to bed early tonight. You will need the rest for tomorrow.”
Merlin stopped in the doorway. “Why?”
“Do not worry about that,” Lady Enid said, a sudden glint in her eyes. “Take care now and thank you for your time today.”
“Lady Enid, what-“
“Goodbye, Merlin,” she said sweetly.
And she shut the door in Merlin’s face.
-
The next morning, the court was gathered again, a nervous titter in the air as the King’s watchful eyes skipped about the nobles. The empty places among the rows were noted and behind concealing hands the gossip was spreading like wildfire – a dizzying mix of truths, lies, and hearsay, to be sure. Gaius listened as a chatty maid explained something to him, pointing unabashed at the nobles’ backs, eyes wide and expressive.
Merlin stood tense by the wall again, Guinevere next to him, as he watched Lady Enid, on the arm of Leon, walk up to the throne. He could not help but fiddle with his scarf and shift his weight between the balls of his feet.
Leon and the little lady finally reached the front of the room and she waved him off. A cane had been fashioned for her, and from what Merlin could see, it looked to be of deep and dark wood, very similar to the colour of the old lady’s eyes. Arthur eyed the cane as well and a self-satisfied look came upon his face. Merlin rolled his eyes. Mystery solved then.
Lady Enid looked exactly like she had the day she had come, but somehow her small face seemed more open, her eyes inquisitive rather than cunning, and her crow’s feet gave her the appearance of constant amusement.
She caught Merlin’s eye and sent him a wink.
“Lady Enid,” Arthur said from the throne, voice carrying over the room. “I trust you have finished your work.”
“Indeed, I have, your majesty,” she said and clasped her hands. “My inspection has been very fruitful. I want to thank your majesty for the access to Camelot’s records and the help of your librarian, Geoffery, who has been a great resource in my endeavour.”
“Do tell the court what you have found.” Arthur cast a glance at the nobles. “I’m sure we’re all wanting to know.”
Leon stepped forward with a little pulpit, Enid’s official notebook open on it. “Thank you, Sir Leon,” she said and patted his arm. “I should like to begin in falling social standing, beginning with your nobles and ending with your servants, if that will please your majesty, as I want to end this report on a positive note.”
Arthur sent a sharp smile to the noble section of the throne room. “By all means, my lady.”
“So,” Enid rifled the beginning of her book and settled in by the pulpit. “On the account of your council and nobles…”
What followed was an hour-long denunciation of several of the royal advisors and landed nobles in Camelot. Lady Enid was next to vicious in her objective recounting of bribery, treachery and crime that made up the past times of many lords and ladies in court. She showed proof of embezzling from the treasury which had been going on even since before Arthur’s ascent to the throne but was mindful to point out that the treasurer had been threatened to ensure his silence on the matter. There was apparently an inner circle of advisors plotting how to undermine the King in all matters of lawmaking, particularly the ones pertaining to tax. Lord Norwood had withheld wages to his staff and was an abusive master which was corroborated by the twenty-odd testimonies Lady Enid had collected across her interviews. She named several instances of sabotage having occurred between different alliances of lords and expressed her intense dissatisfaction with the general conduct of most advisors, save a blessed few.
It became evident as Lady Enid progressed that she had already informed Arthur of all of these accounts the night before as most accused nobles were not present. The gaps in the rows became all the more pronounced as the remaining people shifted away, as if afraid the spot was contaminated.
Merlin had been vaguely aware of all the intricacies of inner court, but this… this was as beyond what he could have ever imagined. Of course, saving Camelot from magical threats took most of his waking time, so he had never even thought about what threats came from within.
Enid finished by commending the rest of the nobles who were well-liked by servants and had kept their records clean. “It saddens me, your majesty, to inform you of all this but you have good and loyal men and women around you as well. Do not blind yourself to them.”
“I will not, Lady Enid.”
“Now, on the account of your Knights,” she continued, turning a few pages. “A lovely group of loyal men, dedicated to you, your majesty, for varying reasons but most, if not all, have a deep belief in you and your rule of Camelot.”
Arthur nodded to the group of knights standing by the foot of the dais. Gwaine sent him an overzealous wave back.
Enid hid her smile as she spoke. “Knighting common born men is against the established tradition in Camelot, but there are enough precedents in other kingdoms as to not be a complete novelty. By appointing those showing bravery and chivalry, the trust between King and knight is that of mutual values, and not only by the binds of blood. There are grounds to believe this makes for more loyal protectors of the land, as they are of the land proper. If I may express my opinion, I think it shows progression and strengthens Camelot’s claim of being fair to all and true to those who protect her in turn. A wise decision, your majesty.”
“I could not ask for better men to protect the people of Camelot.”
“Speaking of the people of Camelot, now I wish to discuss you servants.”
Lady Enid detailed all the different servant jobs from the maids, to the cooks, to the stable hands, to the armoury workers, to the record keepers, to the laundresses, to the sweepers, and the labourers. She described the steadfast work and honesty of the servants and how they cared for the castle. She commended the kitchen staff for their dedication to making nutritious meals and finding ways to conserve and use all the food they were supplied. The maids had recently made inspections of all the linens with the laundresses to make sure they were up to standard. The stable hands had kept vigil over a mare that recently had given birth to her foal, staying up all night to monitor her health. She praised the servants’ sense of family and how they all worked to keep the castle running. All of this she complemented with some accounts from visiting nobles she had met before and their favourable comments on Camelot’s hospitality.
“A great court stands on the effort of great servants,” she finished, turning around to smile at the small group of servants who had been free to attend the session, “without them, the kingdom would not prosper.”
Arthur smiled wide at the small group who curtsied and bowed in varying states of fluster.
“I have but one more thing to add to my report, your majesty,” Lady Enid said and closed her book. “I apologise for leaving this for last, your majesty, but it’s a special case, I’m afraid. It pertains to your manservant, your majesty.”
His smile dropped slowly. “Merlin?”
Merlin himself stiffened by the wall, all eyes turning to him. He ignored Gwen pushing at him by his side and tried to get eye contact with Lady Enid but to no avail. Even Gaius looked worried by his place in the crowd.
“Yes,” Enid said, “Merlin. Firstly, being the King’s manservant and the Court Physician’s apprentice, he has been slighted time and time again since he came to court what with the lack of mentorship he has received. He has been given no education and no guidance in being one of the King’s most trusted! King Uther might not have trusted his manservant but you, your majesty, should know that the nature of a relationship between such a servant and his master will be critical, as the servant will see to his master’s every need, future and present. It is imperious that a manservant receives education for such a liable position and Merlin has done extraordinarily well with what he has been given. He deserves protection, compensation, and respect for all of this responsibility.
“Secondly, as he is the apprentice to the Court Physician, he should already have a place at the advisor’s table. He is a competent and up-and-coming young man of skill and wisdom. Gaius was a close confidant of Uther’s and now he, as Gaius’ successor, should be given the opportunity to learn all of his duties. Gaius is a wonderful mentor and teaches him what he needs to know but Gaius must always rearrange his lessons for Merlin to make time for his other duties. Merlin should at least have the authorization to delegate his tasks to other servants to keep up with his studies, which are key for him to be able to take over the position as Gaius has taken no other apprentice. There is no reason for Merlin to take care of the King’s laundry, no matter how much he likes it.”
Pindrop silence.
“Those are all… valid points…” Arthur said. He turned to Merlin, eyes lost, but Merlin could not even attempt to communicate anything.
Merlin could do nothing but stare at the lady, jaw on the floor. Was the room spinning? Why did it feel like he was under water?
Enid was a liar – she did mean to kill him.
Arthur cleared his throat. “I-Well,” he paused and began again, schooling his features, “since Merlin always excelled in his duties, I had not thought about the burden it would pose on him, but this will be remedied.”
Enid huffed and sorted through some papers which had glided out of her book. “See that you do, your majesty. I trust you will think this through thoroughly once I am finished. Based on what we spoke about yesterday, I should think the course of action is evident.”
His hand coming to support his jaw, Arthur looked at Merlin. A contemplative look stole across his face as he furrowed his eyebrows. Overwhelmed, Merlin tried to get him to signal what he was thinking. Arthur only stared. Though all of the court was looking at him, it was only Arthur that made him feel like he had to hide.
“It is,” Arthur said finally.
“Thirdly,” Enid began.
“Thirdly?” Arthur looked sharply to her, his body still turned towards where Merlin stood by the wall.
“Thirdly,” she began anew, “I have to address the inappropriateness. Merlin, a manservant? I realize the circumstances of his employment were special, but as the new King, you should have re-evaluated this decision, your majesty, as new information has come to light.”
Heart in his throat, Merlin could not help but fear.
Lady Enid had promised him she would not tell him. In public, at court, with Lady Enid’s newly acquired trust, he stood no chance against the council.
“Merlin,” she said, “is a dragonlord, of noble blood and lineage! While the Purge sure dispersed nobles across Camelot, there are no valid grounds to punish a boy for the sins of his father. He is noble, and from the records, there is a withering estate to the west of the land which should by right belong to him. Magic has been outlawed in Camelot for two decades; Dragonlords have served Camelot and her kings for centuries, the line unbroken. That is not a small thing. Today, there is but one remaining dragonlord now and he is kept as a servant. It is beyond improper that he is not treated as an honoured guest at court. If anything, him being of appropriate age and such an eligible young man, he should be considered as a marriage prospect to the King!”
“Marriage prospect?” Arthur squeaked.
“It is wholly inappropriate for him to be this close to the King unsupervised, truly. Though, I am loath to encourage separating the two of you. Merlin is an asset as an advisor and confidant, and your majesty would do well with such a match such as Lord Merlin, should his title be rightfully re-instated. Having spoken to him, he is a loyal and humble man who would rise to the occasion and responsibility. He is loyal to his own detriment and will do anything for his King.” Enid finished quietly. Her gaze flickered to Merlin, a bittersweet emotion on her face. She turned back to the throne. “Such devotion has surely not gone unnoticed, your majesty?”
For a moment, Arthur did not answer. His eyes were glued to Merlin’s face, flitting over his cheekbones. Merlin rubbed at his own arm, feeling the fabric scratch at his skin. His hair fell in his eyes as he looked down at his worn boots. There were stains on the hem of his trousers.
“It hasn’t, Lady Enid,” said Arthur, not looking away from his manservant.
“You show great promise as King. Our discussions have convinced me of that. I hope my inspection will be of use. Camelot is lovely and her castle and court charming. I would appreciate a recommendation letter, though I imagine you will be busy in coming months.” Notebook in hand, Lady Enid curtsied. “I thank you for your hospitality and your time, your majesty.”
Dismissing herself, the lady took her cane and began to walk away from the pulpit with weary steps. The sun had crept lower in the sky during her report, and she had been standing for all of it. More than three knights and five servants made to assist her down the aisle, Merlin included, but Gwaine got there first with a smirk. He held out an arm to her. Enid raised an eyebrow at him but turned back to the throne room doors.
“Lady Enid?”
All turned back to Arthur who had risen from the throne, his red cloak cascading down behind him. Lady Enid’s hair glinted in the patch of light where she had stopped, looking as pure as snow. She lifted her brown eyes to Arthur and tilted her head, listening.
“Your counsel has been valuable to me this past week, in more ways than I had thought.” A pause. “There are some laws I would like to assess, some changes I’d like to implement in my court, for my reign.”
Lady Enid narrowed her eyes as she looked up at him. “I see.”
“Would you like to stay and advise me on this task?”
Crow’s feet deep and lips curled into a smile, Lady Enid chuckled. “I suppose I could stay for a while, should your majesty want it.”
As Merlin watched the pair of them, Arthur by his throne and Lady Enid with her calculating eyes grinning to each other, he knew.
He knew he would not have a quiet moment in the foreseeable future.
He slumped against the wall.
“Merlin?” Gwen asked. “What’s a dragonlord?”
Gods help him.