Merlin: The Light of Eriador

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

He was standing in the middle of the crowded hall with the strange impression that he was nothing but a tiny bug on a wall, and it was most likely what Arthur had intended.

The sight was impressive.  He had never seen the King’s hall so agreeably decorated.  White flowers in large red clay jars could be seen in every corner.  The tapestries had all been brought out and thoroughly cleaned.  There were at least a dozen long blazoned red banners hanging from the ceiling.  The chandeliers had been lit.  Camelot was spotless, the floors were polished and even the servants looked clean.  Merlin was wearing the traditional red and gold tunic that he hated, all including the feathered hat.  Everything had been made perfect for King Ulrik and his guests who seemed to regard it all with indifference.

Even more shining than the candle lights was King Ulrik’s daughter.   Merlin had always considered Morgana to be the most beautiful woman of his acquaintance.  Morgana’s disappearance had not changed that fact.  However, Ulrik’s princess, named Ursulla, had shiny brown and wavy hair, pale skin and a long thin neck around which she wore many jewels.  Her dress was a work of art, truly.  It sparkled as she walked, or rather as she glided elegantly, here and there, giving away kind words to the many guests, with a particular attention to Arthur.

“I heard the rumor.”

Merlin had not seen Guinever - Gwen -  standing a little behind him with her back almost against the wall.  As he glanced at her, he saw that she wore a red unflattering dress with a gold dragon in the front.

“What rumor?”  He tried not to sound too interested.

“That you fell off the stairs.”

“Oh, that rumor.”

“Is there any other?”

“No, I just…  Never mind.”  He forced himself to smile.  “How are you Gwen?”

She did not answer right away, but instead she followed his glance in the direction of Lady Ursulla who was now speaking eagerly to Arthur.

“She is older than him,” said Gwen in a quiet voice.

“Is she?”

“Four years older; that’s what one of her maids told me.  She’s got many maids.”

They both stopped talking as they heard Lady Ursulla laughing loudly at something Arthur had just said.  She was throwing her head back and shaking her curls slowly and Arthur looked around awkwardly.  He seemed unsure how he should react.  

“Some people have no subtlety.”  

Gwen’s comment made Merlin turn his head and look at her.  He thought that he saw a hint of longing in her face, but it was only a fleeting thing.

“Arthur could never be interested in her,” he made a point of saying, and weighed every word.

“I know,” she said after a second’s hesitation.

“Everyone can see she’s a snotty proud little daddy’s girl.”

Gwen smiled.  “Don’t you think they deserve each other?”

“Probably.”

Both of them fell silent for a while as they looked at the happy gathering in King Uther’s great hall.  The joking seemed to have relieved some of the tension which was arising from the fact that the Lady Ursulla and Prince Arthur seemed to enjoy each other’s company.

A feather fell on Gwen’s forehead and she giggled.

“I like your flag,” she commented.

Merlin looked up.  Not only was he wearing the stupid outfit, but he was also standing near the doorway, straight as a pole, and holding up a single nine-feet-tall red blazoned banner.