CHAPTER 1 : MERELY A MONARCH

Merlin tried to keep the schedule in his head. Life had changed, Arthur had assured him it wouldn't but it had.

Most of his manual chores had been taken away. A servant was now responsible for the repair and laundering of not only the king's belongings but also his. Another man was privy to and in charge of the many goings on in the chamber and it was actually a suggestion from Richard, the late king's royal manservant which had resulted in his youngest son Thomas being approved for the position. He was discreet, trustworthy, responsible and, as was his father incapable of being bought so he was a perfect choice.

Merlin was still the royal manservant but strictly that. His sole responsibility was looking after the well-being of the king. Arthur had suggested that another man might care for him but Merlin had been adamant in that he would dress and be responsible for the day to day care of the royal person. Merlin had smiled to see Arthur relax as he made that statement. He knew of Arthur's dislike in having anyone another than him dress or supervise his bathing routines.

"We're like an old married couple…" joked Merlin.

To which Arthur had replied, "Never a truer word spoken!" He wrapped his arms around Merlin saying, "…and how I hope, we will remain for many years to come."

A bevy of menservants delivered meals daily to the private dining room or antechamber, as Arthur preferred eating breakfast in his own chamber. In the adjoining private dining room, Merlin would often take over serving their close friends but downstairs, he never served unless Arthur specifically motioned for him. He was always on guard especially when there were other reigning monarchs in the castle. His absence of serving at table was noted by those in the know but the reason for it well understood.

Another fellow was responsible for all the king's armour and weapons. Merlin wasn't sorry to relinquish that position. It had been tedious. Reshaping dinted breast plates, hauberks, shields and helmets was time consuming and boring to boot. The only part of it that he might regret was the hours spent talking to Arthur as he polished armour in his chambers but now that work was relegated to the armoury. Cleaning the chambers had never appealed to him and as long as it was accomplished under the watchful eyes of Thomas, while they were out, he was all for the changes. The same grooms were still responsible for their horses.

Finally, the personal guards had been relocated away from the king's chambers to the end of the royal corridors. Merlin breathed a sign of relief. Arthur's chambers were not the size and depth of Uther's old ones and having guards outside the antechamber door had seemed foreign and had made Merlin feel slightly uncomfortable. He was always worried that his remarks to the king when they were in their chambers might have been overhead. Also, if they had an argument, he wanted to give as good as he received and he didn't want tattletales keeping the castle entertained by what he might say to Arthur in the heat of the moment.

He also appreciated that during their private moments, they were not overhead, as had happened on a couple of occasions following the death of the king, when Merlin had used his hand to stifle Arthur's rather noisy love-making.

Arthur had grinned insisting that he was the king and he could make as much noise as he wanted.

"Maybe, in the turret room but not here with the guards less than fifty feet away."

"But the walls are thick…"

"Arthur, it's not the walls but the doors that I worry about."

Arthur had grabbed him and when they were lying back together had said, "Yes, Harry, I agree! It did sound like caterwauling. Do you think that his Majesty is in need of our breaking the door down to save him from whatever is attacking him? …But wait! On second thought that was a definite girly scream. It must be coming from somewhere outside…"

Merlin started giggling and Arthur leant over him again smiling down at the man who had helped him get through two exceptionally upsetting months and who would again tomorrow stand behind him on the dais as Sir Geoffrey introduced the new monarch to another contingent from a neighbouring kingdom.

Later sitting in front of the fire, he's said "Who is it tomorrow, Merlin?"

Padding across to the desk, Merlin brought back a sheet of parchment and sat in front of the fire with his feet on Arthur's lap. "Well, this afternoon, Prince Regent Norman arrived from Brecon with his family. So tomorrow, you will be receiving letters from King Brennes and meeting with Norman. That should be easy…Arthur, could you leave my feet alone and concentrate on tomorrow's meetings." He fidgeted and moaned.

"Did you know that you have the sexiest toes around."

"Had much experience, to make that claim, then?"

"No, but I doubt that Gawaine's toes are as perfectly shaped as yours are." Arthur then started sucking his second to big toe and Merlin lost it completely, writhing in what Arthur wasn't too sure was agony or ecstasy.

"Remember, Merlin, we do have guards outside so maybe you should control yourself." Merlin managed to get his foot away from Arthur, swivelled pinning him to the chair. Arthur countered with, "I do believe that we would be more comfortable on the bed…"

-0-0-

These episodes were few and far between. Arthur was working hard and many days was exhausted. Gaius assured Merlin that in a few months things would settle into a regular routine, allowing him to see more of him and spent more time just the two of them.

"I feel as if I only know the back of his head. I sit through interminable meetings and then when we would normally have retired leaving Uther to deals with any ensuing problem or discussion, he's whisked away by the council and like a sheep led to slaughter, I follow meekly behind."

Gaius laughed, "Some sheep, more a wolf in sheep's clothing! How does Arthur seem to be taking it?"

"Don't know, he gets ready for bed and literally is out for the count. There is nothing to discuss about the day's happenings as we are both present for them, anyway, it is the last thing that I want to consider discussing when we get back to our chambers."

"How's Thomas working out?"

"Great, I certainly wouldn't have been able to attend to Arthur all day if not for him. He's a godsend. He always makes sure that there is suitable food for snacking available and the room is spotless, hot water is at hand and our laundry has never been better organised. His organisational skills are great and everything is running like clockwork…apart from our personal life that is."

Gaius glanced up; Merlin was now miles away and the look of sadness on his face touched Gaius's heart. "Merlin, hang in there, you know he still loves you. It is just a period of adjustment that he is going through. Everything just hit him suddenly, make the most of the little occasions you have alone. Don't expect too much but show him that he's still the most important person in your life."

"Does he think that, Gaius?"

"He does, but stress can manifest itself in different ways. I remember once Uther bought a fine new colt. He had high hopes for him but he never materialised into a great stallion because he was too involved with everything going on around him. Finally, he was turned out with an old gelding and he settled down. Then, at last he found himself and as long as his gelding friend was nearby, he settled down to his duties. Actually, he sired Gidun. So don't give up hope…"

"So, I have to find Arthur a gelding?" Merlin started giggling as his mind started processing candidates for the position. His laugh was contagious and Gaius soon joined in, both of them making rather indelicate suggestions as to whom Merlin might approach and how to convince him to be gelded.

Suddenly, the door burst open and Arthur appeared. He looked like his old self and grinned at the two of them. "I'm free for the afternoon. Everything on today's schedule has been taken care of. I couldn't find you and then I just knew that you'd be here. Gaius, can I borrow him for the afternoon?"

Merlin was literally thrilled with Arthur's news. They would be uninterrupted until supper.

"Thomas has laid out a lunch in our chambers and I've notified the stables that we'll want our horses this afternoon." He grabbed Merlin's hand and drew him out of his chair. "It's all right isn't it, Gaius?"

Gaius smiled and nodded and added as an aside, "He won't be needing a gelding after all…"

Merlin spluttered, Arthur looked at him but shrugged and dragged him away.

-0-0-

Following a quick meal, they made their way to the stables. The guards were rather perturbed that the king intended to ride out alone with his manservant. "Sire, you could be a target for bandits," said the Captain of the Guards."

"Well, if I am that will reflect on your inability to keep the region around Camelot safe."

"Sire, we have regular patrols and it is safe."

"Exactly, that is why I intend to ride out unaccompanied today. Do not worry yourself, my man, I will take full responsibility for anything that happens."

Merlin was smiling inside. The worse thing would have been if they'd had ten guards trailing after them. He intended for Arthur to have an enjoyable afternoon, one which would have been impossible with hangers on. They mounted and left the courtyard. Sir Gielbert giving them a thumbs up as they made their way towards the portcullis.

It was a lovely early winter day. Snow had yet to fall but puddles had a layer of ice which cracked as the horses rode through them.

"Merlin, what is so interesting in the trees?"

"Mistletoe…yuletide is approaching and although it will be scaled down as the kingdom is still in a period of mourning, it doesn't mean that we can't have mistletoe, does it, Arthur?"

Merlin caught his eye and for a second Arthur regretted that they were riding through the forest. They should have stayed in their chambers. Arthur's mind slipped back to the previous years when Merlin practically had mistletoe everywhere, even in the water closet and was insistent that the traditional kisses were given and received.

"Wait, Arthur! Come back here." Merlin turned Gidun so that the two horses were side by side but in opposite directions. He touched Gidun and he moved forward slightly enabling Merlin to lean over to give Arthur a kiss.

"What was that for?"

"Because…" Merlin grinned and pointed upwards. Way up in the tree was a ball of dark green leaves…mistletoe.

It was a good thing that they were alone as having to explain to the guards, why they intended to dismount, might have been rather difficult. Standing against the 'mistletoe' tree, Arthur peppered Merlin's neck with kisses and finally claimed his lips. All recent memories of separation were dismissed. Finally, getting his breath back, Merlin said, "I missed you so much. I wonder if you realise how much I need you…"

Arthur smiled at him saying, "If you had been in my mind at some of those meetings, you would have been surprised where I was and what I was contemplating."

Snuggling against Arthur's chest, Merlin quietly whispered, "You too?" He slowly tipped Arthur's head and kissed him deeply.

The winter sun bright though not warm, shone softly upon them. Merlin could feel the cold wind ruffling his hair and he ducked his head under Arthur's chin. "I'm cold," he whispered, "If only it were summer…"

Arthur now felt the chill and standing back, pulled Merlin away from the tree. He smiled wickedly sending Merlin's heart aflutter saying, "I think the horses are anxious to return to their stables, don't you?"

"I believe so and maybe the turret room could do with a visit."

Arthur smiled and they mounted, Merlin sending Gidun off in a gallop but Mulgan soon pulled up beside him and they galloped together across the meadow to home.

Merlin smiled, for all the times that he had felt trepidation in returning to Camelot, now there was no one watching for them, questioning their movements and watching hawk like their reactions. It really did feel like coming home. Gaius was there and Arthur, well Arthur, he turned and smiled in his direction and Arthur smiled back.

-0-0-

Meetings both council and military soon raised their heads but Merlin remembered that there were times when Arthur had his mind on other things so he became quite adept at running his knee along Arthur's thigh as he passed him papers or the occasional goblet of wine, smiling to himself as he saw the king shudder. He chose his moments carefully as he knew he was playing with fire and that Arthur would have every right to reprimand him if he felt his actions were out of place or inappropriate for the moment.

Another meeting was over, they had returned to their chambers and Arthur threw himself on the bed. "Merlin, one day, I'm going to grab you and have my way with you in the Council Hall. What were you playing at today?"

"Well, how long winded can some old chap be when discussing the maintenance of the effluent sluices. That is hardly earth shattering. Did Uther really attend all those meetings? You'll just have to name someone Master of the Shit!"

Arthur burst out laughing, "That's not likely to happen but I can see that in a short while, I will be able to reinstate the different groups who took care of such matters and then just hear from them on a monthly basis. Is that more to your liking?"

Snaking his arms around Arthur's neck, Merlin whispered demurely, "Sire, I think that would be an excellent decision."

"Merlin, you drive me to distraction."

"Is that a good or bad thing, Sire?" Merlin grinned cheekily.

"Depending upon when and where…right now it's good."

"Not so much! As you're dining with your knights, Gaius and Geoffrey tonight…"

"We'll make it a quick meal and have the evening to ourselves."

"That would be possible if it were only the latter but you know when the others get going, they'll never want to leave."

"But, I'm the king, I'll just tell them to leave."

"Best of luck, it's never worked before!" Merlin smiled, "Excuse me, brother knights, but I have a pressing need to leave you now and return to my chambers…I can just hear the hoots and insinuations."

"Well, you can get rid of them or I could fall asleep at the table; maybe they'd take the hint."

"Not likely, they'd probably offer to help carry you to bed and then want to sit around in the chamber for another drink so they could keep me company."

Merlin disentangled himself from Arthur and went to lay out something for him to wear. "Any preferences?"

"Yes…you!"

Merlin smiled sometimes Arthur knew exactly what to say.

-0-0-

Merlin smiled at the heads around the table. Arthur was continuing with his plans for the hunting lodge. Just preliminary, to be sure but at least as far as Merlin was concerned it was a step in the right direction.

Without Uther to influence Arthur, it had again reverted to a real hunting lodge. Only women willing to face the hardship of hunting and living rough would be invited. A laugh went around the table as that would immediately remove about ninety-seven percent of the Ladies of the Court.

Gielbert assured everyone present that Donatienne had confided in him that she would not be joining him. Some of the others told similar stories and Spenser insisted that he would be only too happy to arrange ladies' picnics if it would guaranteed that they would be left to enjoy the lodge themselves.

"So, I won't have to make a sign saying 'Men Only'? asked Simon. This remark was follwed by a lot of joking. Merlin was impressed as there was a united front, a positive decision, no women.

Spencer asked for silence saying, "Honestly, Brother Knights, the thought of sharing our hunting lodge with women had almost turned me off hunting completely." Comments continued to fly.

"I think Merlin should have made that comment," teased Romney. "He's never been enamoured with it."

Merlin tried to explain, "I agree that game has to be killed if we are to eat however, but I'm not thrilled with the overall joviality of the kill."

"But you'd fight with the best of us for a serving of succulent roasted pork," teased Arthur.

Merlin mimed sticking his finger down his throat and gagging.

"I'll hold you to that over Yuletide. You can sit there with a carrot, a swede and a piece of bread and watch us enjoy the fruits of our labours. Anyway, after what happened to you when you took on the boar, I'm surprised that you don't want to get your revenge!"

"Arthur, I vaguely remember that my being in that position was in direct response to your being down there too!"

"Can't stay away from me can you, Merlin?"

A figure was suddenly standing beside them. "...and doesn't he try his best but you keep getting yourself in such predicaments that he is forced to save you?"

Merlin spun around, as he was grabbed in a hug, he managed to say, "Gawaine!"

Gawaine approached Arthur and knelt. "Your Majesty, I offer you my deepest regrets and my allegiance."

Arthur got up and walked over to Gawaine and grasped his arm. "You came!"

"I figured that you needed me to make sure that the Yuletide celebrations got off to a good start."

Gawaine was surrounded by his friends.

Merlin sidled up to Arthur and said, "You found him..."

"Just for you, Merlin, a special gift for my best friend… Get some goblets, we'll toast his return. Hunting lodge planning is thirsty work."