Star Crossed Lovers
Chapter 1
Dawn is breaking on the eastern horizon, as the two young men sit quietly on their horses for a moment on the rise overlooking the city of Camelot, stunned by the beauty of the morning sun illuminating the white towers. "Almost there," the dark haired man says to his companion.
"Yes, Sire. Though I must confess my apprehension," the other says. "Magic is not welcome here."
"I know, Mercutio. And I'm sorry to expose you to this danger. But we'll not be here long. I'm eager to return home to woo my lady."
Prince Romulo, the son of King Escalus of Montague, has come to Camelot with his friend Mercutio to try to get information about Camelot's fighting strength and to learn what they can about the defenses of the Citadel.
Montague and Camelot have long been rivals, though not necessarily enemies. King Uther does not approve of Montague's acceptance of magic. Romulo's father has told him that he does not desire war with Camelot, and would rather reconcile their differences amicably, but information was always valuable. Romulo and Mercutio were sent not only to learn what they could about Camelot, but also to see if there was any possibility for a future alliance when the crown prince Arthur takes the throne. Romulo wants to take the measure of the young warrior he's heard so much about.
Mercutio, the older of the two at thirty, with his long blond hair tied bach by a leather cord, is the contrast to Romulo's dark looks, though both are tall and slender with rich brown eyes. They are dressed simply in browns and greens, the better to disguise their status, although Romulo carries himself with the regal bearing of a prince. "Let's go," he commands and spurs his horse forward toward Camelot.
Mercutio follows close behind.
xXx
In Arthur's bedchamber Merlin yanks open the curtains over the eastern window to let the sun stream in as Arthur, still in bed, complains, "It's too early, Merlin. Go away."
"Can't do that, Arthur. You told me to get you up early this morning. Lots to do," Merlin says.
"Fine. Go do it, then."
"Have some breakfast," Merlin says, hands him a bowl with fruit and walks over to the clothes cupboard. "You'll feel better."
Arthur takes an apple from the bowl, and pitches it at the back of Merlin's head. "Hah! You're right; it did make me feel better."
"Ow!" Merlin lifts his hand to rub the back of his head. "Okay, so you're up now. You've got to get dressed."
Arthur gets out of bed, his movement overturning the bowl of fruit on his bed. He crosses to his changing screen and ducks behind it. He pours some water from the pitcher Merlin had left into the basin and scoops his hands into the water to splash on his face. "Why is the water always so cold, Merlin?" he grouses.
"If you got up when I brought it in, it wouldn't be," Merlin retorts, holding out Arthur's red shirt for him to put on. Arthur pulls the tunic over his head, but does not tie it.
Arthur comes out from behind the screen and takes his blue jacket from Merlin, shrugging into it. "I hate these ceremonial events. That circlet that my father insists I wear gives me a headache."
"Well, we all have our burdens to bear, Sire," Merlin says. "Who is coming today?"
"King Urien of Rheged. My father hopes to cement an alliance."
"I thought we had a trade treaty with Rheged?"
"We do, but father is negotiating something additional, I think," Arthur shrugs as he says this. "Let's get to the throne room for the welcoming ceremony for the King and his court," he adds grabbing the thin gold crown Merlin holds out to him. Arthur strides from his room, Merlin following behind.
xXx
The two strangers have arrived in Camelot at last. They have left their horses with Master Seward at the stables and have secured a room at the inn. Glad to be off the road, they are sitting companionably at one of the tables outside The Rising Sun, enjoying a late breakfast in the morning sunshine. Prince Romulo sits with his head resting on his hands, elbows on the table, uninterested in the spectacle of the city. He sighs.
"Out with it, Romulo. What's ailing you?" Mercutio asks in exasperation.
"Fair Rosaline," Romulo answers. "Out of her favor where I am in love."
"Still pining, are you, Romulo?" Mercutio asks with a laugh.
"Were I at home, I could look upon my lady. Is she not fair, Mercutio?"
"Forget her. You're always falling in love." Mercutio predicts with a laugh, "look around and you will find others even more beautiful."
"There can be none such," Romulo laments.
"I'll warrant you'll find another."
Romulo lifts his head and stares as Morgana and Gwen walk by on their way to a shop in the town. "And here she is. God have mercy."
He jumps from his chair and rushes inside the tavern, emerging a moment later with the puzzled innkeeper in tow. "Who is that vision?" he asks, pointing down the street at Morgana.
The innkeeper looks in the direction of Romulo's pointing hand. "That's the King's ward, the Lady Morgana," the innkeeper says. "A bit out of your league, if you don't mind my saying, sir," he adds, taking in Romulo's modest travel clothing. He ducks back into the tavern.
"Ah, Mercutio. I am lost," Romulo moans.
Mercutio laughs again at Romulo's latest predicament. "Well, Rosaline's forgotten at least," he thinks.
"Let's get to work," he says, "and see what's going on in fair Camelot." They walk toward the citadel hearing the noise and shouts of men wielding arms on a nearby training field just outside the wall. They find themselves walking toward two other young men, one of whom is burdened with an assortment of battle gear, and they watch them turn left from the gates and head over to a wide field under the ramparts. Romulo and Mercutio follow close behind.
They overhear the imperious voice of a tall, well-muscled blond man wearing chainmail over a red quilted jacket, addressing a gangly dark-haired slightly younger man carrying a load of gear. "Keep up, Merlin. You do know the practice session is today, don't you?"
"Yes, Sire," Merlin replies as he trips and bumps into the other.
"Merlin!" the blond sputters. "Watch where you're going."
"Yes, Arthur." Merlin says, glaring at the other. Then he says, "I don't understand why Uther is having the big feast tonight. Everyone will be tired after the training today with King Urien's men, with another practice planned for tomorrow."
Arthur answers with exaggerated patience, "because, Merlin, my father wishes to entertain King Urien in style and to secure the loyalty of his nobles. Come on, hurry up."
"Yes, Arthur."
The two strangers watch Arthur and Merlin cross to the training ground under the ramparts where the knights have started their practice. Mercutio says, "I think that the big feast tonight will be the perfect opportunity to glean some information from drunken lips. We've got to go."
"Do you think the King's ward will be there?" Romulo muses.
"Romulo, focus on our mission!" Mercutio snaps. "But I think we will have to attend in disguise, perhaps as Camelot Knights." Mercutio thinks for a moment, then his eyes turn gold as he incants a quick spell of magic to sneak a couple of red capes over to them, rolling them on the ground as if driven by a wind. None of the knights who are engaged in training exercises notice.
But Merlin, who is sitting on a small bench on the sidelines sharpening a sword, does. He sees the robes tumbling on the ground, and looks up in the direction they are traveling to see Mercutio's eyes glowing gold. He looks at the two strangers speculatively as Mercutio picks up the robes and secretes them behind his back.
Also standing nearby are two young squires, the twins Gareth and Gaheris. Gareth also sees the magic. He turns to his brother, "Did you see that?"
"See what?" answers Gaheris, not taking his eyes off the practice bouts.
"Those two men over there are using magic. I'm sure of it."
Gaheris looks over to the two men, "Who are they?"
"Don't know, but I don't think they're from around here." He turns back to look at the field, "look, there's that idiot Merlin just sitting there. Let's have some fun." Gareth bends down and picks up his water bottle, upending it and letting all the water drain out. "Merlin!" he calls. "Come over here."
Merlin looks up at the sound of his name.
"Merlin, I said to come here," Gareth shouts louder.
Merlin rises reluctantly and walks over to the two boys. Merlin remembers very well his treatment at their hands not too long ago, when the two had first arrived in Camelot. He had been falsely accused of theft by the two, and was publicly flogged. Arthur never found out about it, and Merlin never told him. Now he is distrustful of their motives in calling him over. "What do you want?" he asks when he reaches them.
"Fill this water bottle," Gareth says.
"You can get water just over there from the bucket," retorts Merlin.
"No, I want fresh water. Get it from the pump." Merlin glares at him. "Now, Merlin." Merlin takes the water bottle and leaves to fetch the water, as the boys exchange smiles as they walk away to the other end of the training field.
The practice concludes, and Arthur walks with Sir Leon back to the bench where Merlin had been sitting. He looks around for Merlin, calling for him. Arthur looks at Leon, puzzled by Merlin's absence. "He was here just a few minutes ago," Arthur says to Leon.
"Yeah, I saw him sharpening a sword when I got here. See, here's the sword and whetstone," Leon says.
"Where did he go?" Arthur frets. "I told him to wait here."
He sees Gareth and Gaheris standing nearby and calls them over. "Have you seen Merlin?" he asks the twins.
"Yes, Sire, I saw him walking toward the city gates just a moment ago," offers Gaheris.
"Did he say anything about where he was going?"
"He may have mumbled something about needing to get something to drink. To the tavern, maybe?"
Arthur snorts, "Oh, did he? That idiot. We'll see about that." Arthur storms off angrily.
Leon narrows his eyes and turns to speak to the two squires just as Merlin reappears with Gareth's full water bottle.
"What happened to Arthur?" Merlin asks, seeing the prince stalk away. "Why's he so angry?" He hands the water bottle to Gareth.
"No idea," smiles Gaheris, as he and his brother start to saunter away.
Merlin sighs, and, gathering up Arthur's belongings, hurries off in the direction of the citadel to catch up with Arthur.
Leon barks, "wait a minute." Merlin halts mid-step and looks back, but Leon waves him on. Merlin nods, and resumes walking.
"I was talking to you two." He gestures roughly to the young brothers. "Come with me. You're not nearly finished your practices yet."
The two brothers, twins Gareth and Gaheris of Orkney, had arrived in Camelot just a few months previously with their father, King Lothian, to attend King Uther's peace negotiations with the five kingdoms to forge alliances with Camelot. Under a separate agreement negotiated by their father, the two boys remained in Camelot to squire for the Knights of Camelot. Neither has yet been accepted by a knight to serve as his squire, so they worked and trained for all as needed. Sir Leon has mistrusted them since their arrival. Although he cannot prove it, Leon is convinced that the twins had falsely accused Merlin of theft and planted the dagger as evidence that pointed to his guilt. Merlin suffered brutal punishment at Uther's command, which Leon was forced to oversee. Unless he can prove Merlin's innocence, there is little he can do.
He's observed the twins and feels that they are developing their fighting skills, but are quick to shirk their less pleasant duties. They are bright and cunning, but show aggressive behaviors toward the younger squires and servants. Leon wants to make sure that the two are closely supervised. When he has more proof, he promises himself that he will inform Prince Arthur of his concerns. Now, he says to them, "back to your drills. Then see me for your chores for today."
