Chapter Three: Unexpected Guests

   Two days passed too swiftly for my comfort. During them I spent no time outside; I was trapped inside helping out with the preparations. Apparently, my father had invited all the high classed families of the aristocracy (whatever that was), and they would all be arriving early morning towards afternoon.

   During the day before the main day, my father took me aside for a quiet talk. He said that all the young bachelor sons would be there and I’d have to dance with all of them. At first I thought nothing of it, but then I started thinking of Lancelot and I realised that he was hinting at something; something that involved the word flirtatious and having to be rather different. Perhaps that’s why he wanted me to show him what I had chosen to wear before the day, so he could see the knights’ reactions to my more extinguished side. While all that was running through my head, he pulled out a varnished pine box from behind his back and placed it in my hands.

   ‘Open it,’ he beckoned. I stared at him, my eyes wide. I opened the hinged lid a little at first, and a stream of reflected light made me open it suddenly. I gasped; it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. A tiara. Real silver, real diamond. It looked heavy but it was so light.

   ‘You shouldn’t have.’

   ‘Yes, I should. It belongs to you now. It was your mother’s.’ My eyes swelled with tears, but I held them back. This seemed like the closest moment I had ever had with my father. This gift was too precious, but I knew he wouldn’t allow me not to keep it. He picked it out of its velvet bed, and gently placed it on my head. ‘There, a true princess.’ He smiled.

   I took it off, placed it back in the box and closed the lid. ‘Thank you,’ I said as I hugged him.

*****

   A white brightness from outside woke me as it streamed through my eyelids and onto my eyes. Someone had opened my curtains early, and I had a clear idea who.

   ‘Happy birthday, Elara!’ rang Beth’s voice, and it was a happy day (may be not in all aspects). She had obviously got up extra early for today. The dress and shoes were laid out behind the screen, the make-up was out on the dressing table and she was in her best servants’ clothes.

   ‘Good morning to you too.’

   ‘Special day, got to get ready the guests have already started arriving.’

   ‘What? What time is it?’

   ‘Two, may be three hours since dawn.’

   ‘Oh, great. Late already, on my day.’

   ‘Someone’s excited.’

   I blushed uncontrollably. ‘I changed my mind about dresses. But only for today,’ I added, before she got any ideas.

   It took about an hour for her to prepare me, possibly for an ordeal that will change my life. By the end it was as if I was someone completely different, still me, but a me who had grown up in a different environment. The heels would take a bit of getting used to, but I’ve been through worse, I told myself.

   Seeing him across the small hallway, I whispered up to him. ‘Father.’

   ‘About time. Where have you been?’

   ‘I got up late.’

   ‘Well, you’re here now, that’s all that really matters.’

   ‘Father, am I meant to dance with the knights and you as well?’

   He chortled as he welcomed an old friend. ‘Your first dance is with me, Elara. But yes, I suppose they wouldn’t mind a dance or two.’

   ‘Good.’ I wanted to make sure I wasn’t stuck talking to complete and utter strangers who knew nothing about me but thought they knew what I was like. I had a treat up my sleeve for them.

   I was meant to be greeting the guests at the main doors, which were wide open when I did finally arrive in the Front Hall. Beth was right about guests arriving early. I could hear all the whisperings behind me as the lords and ladies saw me adorned this way for (possibly) the first time. Amongst the familiar faces, I saw those who belonged to the young gentlemen I was expected to dance with. Some were cute, others were likeable, some were neither nor even remarkably handsome. I walked as calmly as possible, but fast enough so to reach my father without being stopped.

   We stood just inside the doors for around six hours; I had about ten glasses of water brought to me. I was getting tired and hot with the filling hall and I hoped the guests would be shown further inside soon (and I still had a lot of dancing to do). Once all the guests were ticked off the list they were lead into the Great Hall. The tables were positioned into a huge square with the dance floor in the centre; the small orchestra was at the far end, opposite where I sat. They were playing a soft melody as I walked in beside my father. The lords, ladies, knights and bachelors all stood behind their chairs. Their eyes were on me, and they waited until my father had sat before they too followed suit. It was pretty much like any other ball that might have taken place in this castle. The only two differences were that I was there and that the dancing was being looked forward to more than ever (probably).

   Though the dancing would have to wait until after the three course meal. The first course was chicken and leek soup, nothing special. The second course was delicious. Pork and stuffing with roast vegetables and assorted condiments. But I was looking forward to the desert dish the most. My favourite dish, strawberry pavlova. I had about three slices before I felt full. Finally, the music began to change and one of the servants walked into the centre of the dance floor. I forgot his name; he was quite old yet had a friendly face.

   ‘Your majesty,’ he spoke to my father first, bowed his head; my father bowed his head back. ‘Your highness.’ The same happened between us, though I was holding back my mumbles. ‘My lords and ladies. I would like to invite you for a dance, but first their royal lieges may kindly take to the floor first.’ He bowed lower this time and walked off. My stomach twisted. My father stood up, and (as tradition) helped me up too. He took my hand and led the way to the centre of the hall. He bowed to me, I curtseyed to him. We got into the starting position for a waltz dance. We had a simple routine planned for this. The music began and we spun around, him leading. We gradually completed a full circle around the floor. When we had reached the beginning again the rest of the assembly began to join us. Tristan approached us and gently tapped my father on the shoulder. We stopped dancing and faced him.

   ‘May I have this dance, Elara?’

   ‘Certainly.’ My father went to dance with the other ladies and Tristan took his place.

   ‘I hope you know how to dance,’ he asked quietly, so only I could hear.

   I smiled childishly. ‘Not very well, unfortunately.’

   ‘We’ll not move much then.’

   ‘I agree.’

   Eventually I made my way through the whole dance floor swapping hands between all the valiant, yet annoying bachelors. Some were very kind, sweet and good looking. While others just seemed arrogant and foolish. One of them even tried to pull me closer so our bodies touched. I tried to repel, and almost failed. Thankfully, Gawain was nearby and saw the tension. He quickly came to my rescue.

   ‘Thank you,’ I whispered gratefully.

   ‘Any time. Having a good night?’

   ‘I think so. You?’

   ‘It’s been great.’ His eyes strayed around us.

   ‘Ah. You shouldn’t think like that you know. Many young girls wish to marry a knight but may be not those who are like you.’

   ‘That’s what you would say.’ I just smiled up at him. Even with two inch heels on, I was still a little shorter than most men.

   After about the thirtieth dance, I began to wonder where Lancelot was; I still hadn’t had my dance with him and I was starting to get a bit hasty and worried. I decided to make my way off the dance floor and go look for him. It took about five minutes, the floor was that crowded. By the time I’d reached the tables I needed a sit down. I found a chair and sat (rather too lady like than I would have done otherwise).

   ‘Elara. Want another dance with your father?’ My father walked up to me as he spoke.

   ‘Not right now, sorry. Um, have you seen Lancelot?’

   He looked about us but answered as if he had seen him only moments ago. ‘He’s around. Why?’

   ‘I haven’t danced with him yet, and it is only fair I dance with all the knights. And I have but not with him.’

   ‘Need some help looking?’

   ‘No, I’ll manage. I believe I know where he might be.’

   ‘Very well.’ And he left to continue talking to a nearby lord. The music had now changed again, into a slower, gentler tune. I made my way towards the great oak doors that led outside. All the while keeping my eyes open in case he was nearby.

   By the time I had reached the doors I still hadn’t seen him. That concluded my thought from before. He must be outside. Soon enough I found him leaning against the wall, arms crossed.

   ‘I was wondering where you were,’ I said, while carefully making my way down the steps holding the hem of my dress off the floor so I wouldn‘t trip. We were still able to hear the music.

   ‘Not enjoying yourself inside?’

   ‘Not without a dance from you.’

   ‘Oh. Would you care to now?’

   ‘Now seems fine.’ We moved closer and I leant against his chest as we had done in the forest. He slowly spun me round to the beat of the music. I was in harmony again. We were a bit too near the entrance to my liking, but any further away we wouldn’t be able to hear the melody.

   ‘Can you dance?’ he asked.

   ‘Not very good at it, I’m afraid,’ I replied as I looked up at him. He met my gaze in the same warm, gentle stare that I liked.

   ‘Neither can I.’

   Then his head seemed to come nearer, I knew he wanted to kiss me again. I turned my head so he ended up pressing his lips against my cheek instead.

   ‘I don’t think we should do that here. Not with all these people around, what would they think?’

   ‘That you’re in love and their hopes of your marriage to an arrogant fool will be crushed.’

   My eyelids shut minutely in a hard stare. ‘They’re not all arrogant. Some of them are really nice, actually.’

   ‘Surely not as nice as me?’ he teased.

   ‘No, not as nice as you.’

   We continued to spin around through another two songs. All the while we were completely undisturbed. However, just as the orchestra began its tenth or so song (our fourth together) the knights all decided to come out for some fresh air. Unfortunately, Lancelot and I were too intertwined to notice them.

   As they came out of the doors they suddenly stopped in their tracks. Eyes almost out of their sockets as they saw us so close together.

   ‘Elara, Lancelot? Are you two already...?’ Gawain couldn’t finish his sentence so he used hand signals instead, fingers crossing over each other.

   I pulled away in complete embarrassment. ‘No, what gave you that idea?’ I replied, though it was too obvious and late to get out of the situation.

   ‘The way you two were dancing was a bit close,’ said Bors.

   I pursed my lips, moved my eyes to Lancelot and blushed.

   ‘We were merely having that dance between friends.’

   ‘Very close friends perhaps.’

   ‘Oh, shut up, Galahad!’ I barked. ‘And don’t start getting any ideas into your thick skull.’

   ‘Okay, we were merely assuming because you looked so peaceful and romantic together.’ That sent a shiver down my spine. If only I had had the decency to somehow get a dagger fitted into the dress.

   ‘Lads, leave them alone,’ came Tristan’s voice from the back. He walked around and came to stand beside me, though not between me and Lancelot, I noted.

   ‘You always take her side, Tristan!’ shouted Gawain.

   ‘That’s because she’s family. And we always stick together no matter what.’ He sounded very vigilant when he spoke like this.

   ‘What’s going on here?’ spoke a voice from within the shadows over the courtyard. I had not heard that voice in years, it was similar to the servant’s voice just before me and my father first danced together. Only this time, I knew straight away the man to whom this voice belonged to.

   ‘Merlin, is that you?’

   ‘Correct. My, you have a good memory.’

   ‘How could I forget you?’

   He stepped out of the shadows and only just into the rays of light coming from the windows. ‘True.’

   ‘Why are you here? I didn’t know father invited you.’

   ‘He didn’t, but I have urgent news he needs to hear.’

   At that moment my ears became more alert, my features more concerned. ‘Gawain, Galahad. Can you go get my father out here please?’

   ‘But...’ began Gawain.

   ‘No buts. Now.’ He couldn’t disobey a direct order from me, being as high up as I was (not that that usually stopped him). He and Galahad stormed off inside to fetch my father out.

   ‘So, what have you been up to, Elara?’

   ‘The usual. Nothing ever happens around here. You of all people know that. You built the place.’

   ‘Yes, I did, didn’t I?’ That was the Merlin I remembered, always joking, always happy. He didn’t sound as if he had urgent news.

   ‘And you? What has happened to you these past years?’

   ‘A lot of things. Firstly, I gained an apprentice who is a good learner.’

   My lips thinned. ‘Blimey.’

   ‘Yes, I hope you will be able to meet him. He should be here soon.’

   Then everyone went quiet and waited. A moment later father came out, followed by Galahad and Gawain.

   ‘Father, Merlin has news for you.’

   ‘Merlin! He’s here, where?’

   ‘Here, old friend.’ Merlin walked closer out of the shadows and into the light from inside.

   ‘Merlin. Nice to see you again.’ They shook hands and engaged in a ‘bear hug’. ‘What brings you here tonight?’

   ‘As Elara told you, I have urgent news.’

   ‘Oh. Well, now’s not a very good time.’

   ‘I noticed. Oh, and a happy birthday to you, Elara, I almost forgot.’ I giggled.

   Merlin was fantastic; I had known him from around the age of two so I‘m told. He always used to perform magical tricks for me, up until I was five. He had the same long, white, fluffy beard as ever, which balanced out the fluffy, white, long hair on his head. He wore a dark bluish-green cowl on, that was belted around the waist.

   ‘Father, why don’t you talk to Merlin inside somewhere and I’ll watch the guests?’

   ‘Just what I was about to ask you to do.’

   I watched my father and Merlin walk inside, and then I followed. As I passed Lancelot, I took his hand and pulled him behind until we were inside. I didn’t care that the knights knew about us now. I wanted to know what news Merlin had brought. Was it good news or bad news? You could never tell with Merlin, he was so casual about everything.

   Inside, the dance floor was less crowded than before. I made Lancelot have one last dance with me (though this time we were careful with the space between us), before I was asked to dance with someone else; it was going to be like that all night.

   Around ten o’clock the guests began to leave. So I stopped dancing with my partner, Lord Derby’s son and went to fulfil my duties as hostess. When most of the guests had left to go to their quarters, I went in search of my father. He would probably have taken Merlin into a side chamber, the problem was which one. There were many doors going out of the Great Hall, too many. On the way down one door covered wall I saw Beth. I called her over and asked whether she had seen which door my father had gone through. She told me and I quickly went to find out what was happening. I knocked loudly on the door, and waited. It opened slightly and father’s head poked through.

   ‘Can I come in, father?’

   ‘Of course.’

   He opened the door further and I stepped inside. Merlin stood off to one side, and I noticed that another man was in the room. I couldn’t see his face, he had his hood up. However, I easily guessed this was Merlin’s apprentice by the clothes he wore. He had the same type of robe as Merlin, but it was coloured dark brown. I pulled my eyes away from him and turned to Merlin.

   ‘So, what is this urgent news that you bring, Merlin?’

   ‘It’s not really for your ears, Elara,’ he sweetly said.

   ‘You can tell my father but not me, it won’t make any difference to anything if I know.’

   ‘Honestly, you’ll hate me if I tell you.’

   After my night, I felt like I could handle anything. ‘Try me.’

   ‘Elara,’ said my father. ‘He’s right, you can’t know the news. It involves difficult concepts.’

   ‘You mean it involves me. I know I am now of age for marriage. I knew what you meant by your words of me dancing with the young bachelors. However, I’m not quite ready to get involved with that yet.’

   ‘Yes, I know that, but this is something different altogether.’

   ‘Just tell me.’

   He shook his head. ‘No. Now is not the right time.’

   ‘Then when is?’

   ‘That we don’t know,’ answered Merlin.

   ‘I can see I’m out voted.’ And I walked out and shut the door behind me.

*****

   My room has a balcony that looks over the land to the distant hills beyond. I always liked to be alone and look out on clear nights when I’m upset or frustrated. Tonight was a clear night, and I was frustrated. How could my own father hide something from me? We never really had any secrets, until recently. He didn’t know about the petty arguments between me and the knights, and now I had a bigger secret. Lancelot.

   Lancelot was my father’s most loyal knight, the whole kingdom knew that. Though no one knew him as well as I did. Right now, things seemed to be right but not perfect. I couldn’t locate the problem within the situation, but there was one there. It was keeping low, like a snake hidden under the leaf mould waiting for the right moment to strike its unsuspecting prey.

   Leaning on the balcony, my head resting on my arms, I breathed slowly and deeply to better relax and stay calm. I forgot that I was still in my dress, but that didn’t matter right now. I was still anticipating what Merlin’s news was about, it had to involve me somehow or otherwise my father would have allowed me to know. A shudder crept up my spine, but it wasn’t an inner sensation. I suddenly got the feeling that someone was behind me, or watching me from the ground below.

   ‘Your highness.’ Merlin’s voice made me jump, and as I did so I spun around.

   ‘Merlin, you know very well I don’t like surprises.’

   ‘Sorry,’ he said gently.

   ‘What do you want?’

   ‘I have come to ask you something.’

   I folded my arms. ‘Go ahead.’

   ‘May I look into your mind and thoughts?’

   ‘Pardon?’ I went blank.

   ‘You see, I need to look inside your mind.’

   ‘Was that why you came here today? Just to ask my father if he’ll allow me to have my mind searched.’

   ‘Yes, but at the same time no. It was part of it, but you’re old enough to make your own decisions. So will you agree?’

   ‘Very well. But first, what does it involve?’ I asked, I wasn’t sure if this was a good thing.

   ‘From you, I need you to relax, and clear your mind and try not to think of anything. You will see old memories resurface but I cannot do anything to stop that. It won’t take long, I promise.’

   ‘Fine.’

   ‘Thank you. Ready?’

   ‘Ready.’

   I closed my eyes, continued my deep breathing and cleared my mind just as he said. I felt him put his fingers on my temples and the next thing my mind opened of its own accord. I watched the flashes of distant memories before my eyes, and felt old emotions recollect themselves. It didn’t take long, as Merlin had said, but when I opened my eyes I had tears down my cheeks and I was kneeling on the floor. Merlin was there comforting me.

   ‘I’m so sorry, Elara. But I had to do that; hopefully, you will very soon come to know why.’

   He tried to get up onto his feet again, but I grabbed hold of his robe and wouldn’t let go.

   ‘Don’t leave me here like this.’

   ‘Alright, I see. You need company tonight after that. I’ll get my apprentice to watch over you.’ That stopped the tears and I quickly let go of his robe. This was ridiculous, I’m now eighteen, crying, and asking this old man not to allow me to stay alone.

   ‘No, no. I’m over it.’ I tried to get up, but fell down again. My eyebrows came together in thought, clearly that had taken most of my energy away.

   ‘You clearly aren’t. Here.’ He gave me a lift up and helped me inside. He sat me down on the bed. ‘I’ll be back in a few seconds.’ Then he vanished, there was no other word for it. After all, what could the most powerful wizard of all not do?

   A few seconds later he reappeared, but this time he brought company, as he had said he would. ‘Elara, this is Delrand. Don’t worry, he’s very faithful, you can trust him.’

   ‘Good evening, your highness.’ At those last two words, I frowned up at him.

   ‘Do not call me that,’ I said in a cold, monotone voice. He seemed taken aback.

   ‘Oh, I forgot to tell you, Delrand. Elara doesn’t like being called that, hence why I call her Elara.’

   ‘Forgive me, my mistake.’

   ‘Apology accepted.’ I knew I was going to have trouble with this one. It reminded me of my first ‘real’ experience with the knights. The time when they tried showing off their so-called skills and they hadn’t got a clue and made complete fools of themselves. Well, this might turn out to be a similar situation. I was determined not to fall asleep with him around tonight.

   ‘Well, I’ll leave you two to get acquainted. I haven’t quite finished speaking to your father.’

   ‘Good night, master,’ said Delrand, as he bowed his head in respect to Merlin; though he had already disappeared. He walked over to the wooden chair and sat down. He crossed his legs, folded his arms and slunk his shoulders down.

   ‘Why do you keep your hood up?’ It seemed like a childish question, I wasn’t expecting a kind answer in return.

   ‘The same reason why you have to go around wearing dresses and giving orders all the time.’

   That really got to me so I decided to correct his judgement about me. ‘Actually, this is only my first time in a dress. I prefer to wear the same attire as the knights.’

   ‘Oh, then forgive me for being a little arrogant.’

   ‘I guessed you’d be that way at first. I mean, you probably know nothing at all about me. Only that I’m the princess.’

   ‘In fact, that is all I knew about you.’ That proved that I had a good thinking mind. ‘So what else makes you different to what I might be thinking about your personality and behaviour?’

   Deep question, I thought. ‘Well for starters, I own a sword, a set of daggers, a bow and a couple quivers full of arrows. That enough information?’

   ‘So, you’re a princess who likes to fight and shoot?’

   ‘Yep, that pretty much sums it up. What about you? What made you become a magician?’

   ‘Wizard,’ he corrected me. ‘Well, I was born with my powers, but I never knew until I did something out of my control. At first, I thought it was an illusion, but all the other children in my village started to avoid me. Even my parents became a little afraid. It happened again, only that made me realise that it was stemming from me.’

   ‘So, how did Merlin find you?’

   ‘I ran away from home. In order to protect my parents from my dangerous gift. Anyway, it was about a week after I first ran away, that I came across Merlin. I told him who I was and what had happened to me and he offered to teach me to control and use the magic. And I’ve been a wizard ever since.’

   ‘That’s really quite sad.’

   He shrugged. ‘Do you think?’

   ‘Yeh. How old were you when you ran away?’

   ‘About nine. May be a few years younger perhaps. Are you always this talkative?’

   ‘Only if I want to know someone a little better.’

   ‘And you don’t feel the least bit sleepy?’

   ‘No.’ It was odd; I was expecting to loath this man, or boy, but instead we seemed to be getting on.

   I thought about what else I could ask him, and then I remembered the door was unlocked. I jumped off the bed and ran to the door. I always kept the key in the lock. I turned it and the faint click of the lock closing sounded. That was better. Now I was sure that no one would barge in and find me alone in my room with a complete and total stranger.

   ‘What was that about?’ he asked.

   ‘Sorry, I always lock the door at night,’ I lied. ‘And I hadn’t so I thought I’d best had, just in case.’

   ‘Just in case someone comes in on us you mean?’

   I bit my lip. ‘Yes,’ was all I could come up with.

   ‘Don’t worry, I understand. You know, being a wizard I can easily put a spell around myself or the room.’

   ‘What kind of spell?’

   ‘Either, one so I’m invisible to the naked eye, or one that will stop anyone from hearing what is being said in this room.’

   ‘I like the second one.’

   ‘Done.’

   ‘That quick? Don’t you have to say anything, you know, like magic words or stuff?’

   ‘That is only for untrained wizards, those who haven’t learnt that thinking is more powerful.’

   ‘Right.’ I didn’t understand, but carried on anyway. I climbed into bed but stayed sat up.

   ‘Are you sure you don’t feel any drowsiness wash over you?’

   ‘Positive. But I need to get some sleep anyway. So, this is good night.’

   ‘Good night.’ And he vanished, I gasped. ‘Don’t panic, I’m still here. Like I said before, I can become invisible.’

   ‘Fine.’ I knew I sounded concerned.

   ‘By the way. You do realise you’re still in that dress?’

   ‘Yes, I am well aware of that fact. But I can’t change because that involves having a maid in here. And I can’t have the both of you in here at the same time.’

   ‘Invisible,’ he reminded me.

   ‘That doesn’t mean much to me, because you are still there. And I also don’t trust your magical abilities.’

   ‘I get the hint. Although Merlin did say you could trust me.’

   ‘Well Merlin’s not here right now, is he?’

   Then I settled down and fell asleep immediately.