My dear Frodo,
Adventure and epic journey has been in the Baggins family ever since my mother, Belladonna Took married my father, Bungo Baggins. Whether it is because of the Tookish side of us or for some other unknown reason, I have found that my life has been filled with the unexpected happenings that the other residents of the Shire frown upon. I am not just talking about my quest with Thorin and Co. to reclaim the Dwarf kingdom of Erebor.
Although that was a time I will never forget and - indeed, I do not wish to – I must tell you that it was not the only adventure I have been involved in and it was certainly not the last. The greatest of them all though, must have happened five years after I returned home to Bag End after the Battle of Five Armies.
My story begins neither in a hobbit hole nor in Erebor nor even in Middle Earth, but rather in a far land called Albion with a warlock and a King.
HMOEBRBLIITN
"Why are we going on a ship again?" Merlin asked, hesitating before stepping on to the plank that led up to the great ship.
"Aredor, Merlin. Aredor." Arthur replied, striding confidently on. "Aredor is a great kingdom with a powerful fleet of ships. It would be a smart idea to be allies with them in or even out of war. It would be a serious disadvantage if we were at war and could neither use land nor sea. Plus if I have any dreams of uniting Albion then it would be best to start with gaining allies."
"What about air? Why couldn't we use the air in battle." Merlin asked.
"Can you fly Merlin? No? I thought so. Since no one can fly I seriously doubt any one could get in the air and fight in a battle. Unless you have a friendly dragon and dragons are all dead." Arthur replied, stopping and turning back to face his manservant.
"That's what you know." Merlin mumbled.
"If you get sea sick mate just use the ocean as a bucket." Gwaine whispered to him from behind.
"Yeah, doesn't really help." Merlin replied. "You've never seen me sick. It's awful."
"You know what I'm looking forward to here on this journey." Gwaine exclaimed loudly. "The rum. Sailors always have rum."
"Many apologies my friend, but we've no alcohol on this ship." A smart, formal voice said from aboard the ship. "The Sredgon is a royal ship and she doesn't allow her crewmen to be drunk while managing her."
"Shame. I don't think I've been sober for longer than … two days. Three might make me go crazy." Gwaine grinned.
"We'll just throw you overboard then." Percival laughed, pushing Gwaine playfully and making him almost fall off the long plank into the water. The rest of the knights just began laughing, Merlin grinned and even Arthur rolled his eyes while cracking a small smile.
As Merlin finally reached the deck, a rather busy sight greeted him. Crewmembers ran around everywhere, pulling ropes, setting sails and scrubbing wooden items. Merlin raised an eyebrow and just followed Arthur as he stepped forward to meet the captain. He had no idea what was going on anywhere and much rather fancied just focusing upon Arthur and his conversation with the ship's captain.
Captain Seighan Rogdorn was a short, buff man with a thick salt-and-pepper beard and long, thick hair of the same colour. His skin was well tanned and worn from years of travelling the seas, a strong smell of sea salt surrounding him. His arms and legs were strong and muscled, hands calloused and powerful that reached forward to grip Arthur's hand in friendly welcome. His face was rough with bright blue eyes that looked full of experience and knowledge. However, contrary to usual sailors, he wore sensible but expensive clothing and his posture was impressive. Obviously used to having important passengers. His voice was honey-like and formal; his use of words advanced and smart. Merlin reasoned quite easily that this was a man who knew what he was doing and was used to ordering around a tough group of seamen but was also used to royalty.
"King Arthur of Camelot. It's a pleasure and honor to meet you." Rogdorn said, bowing his head slightly.
"Thank you Captain Rogdorn. I am pleased that you are able to carry my knights and myself across the great sea. It will make our journey so much easier." Arthur said gratefully.
"Anytime sire. Anytime." Rogdorn replied.
"This is my manservant, Merlin." Arthur introduced, using his hand to motion back to where Merlin stood.
"Sire." Merlin said respectfully and bowed.
"None of that young man. I don't go by sire. Rather Captain or Captain Rogdorn." Rogdorn smiled.
"Of course Captain." Merlin replied.
Arthur turned as his knights boarded the ship and he waved them over. "Captain, these are my knights. Sirs Gwaine, Percival, Leon and Elyan."
"Pleasure to meet you, sirs." Rogdorn said and then motioned himself to some people behind him. "May I introduce my first mate and best friend, Lucifer and my daughter, Alyss."
Merlin watched as Lucifer first stepped forward and shook Arthur's hand gracefully. He was a man in his early forties, tall and muscular with light blonde hair. He was less tanned then Rogdorn but had the same look of knowledge and experience evident in his eyes. Lucifer was a more graceful man though and had the walk of one accustomed to both sea and land.
Alyss then stepped forward next to her father and curtsied to Arthur. She was a young woman around their age with brown-black, waist length hair and storm grey eyes like her father. She did however have a slim, muscular figure, which Merlin guessed she might have gotten from her mother. She had tanned skin that didn't seem as hard worn as her father's but Merlin reasoned she hadn't been on the seas as long as him. Alyss was dressed similar to a boy, probably easier when she was traveling on a ship.
"My lord." Alyss said, her voice much like her father's, warm and welcoming.
"Pleasure to meet you, Alyss." Arthur replied and then he turned back to the captain. "How long will it be until we set sail? I am eager to reach Aredor."
"In half an hour sire. The crew still has to prepare for the journey and load some of the food and fresh water into the storage cargo. In the meantime I will have Alyss lead you to your cabins."
"Thank you." Arthur said. "Do you mind if my manservant collects our baggage from the horses first?"
"Of course. Alyss wait here until Merlin returns. Then you will show Arthur to the royal guest chamber and then show the knights and his manservant to the large guest cabin." Captain Rogdorn said before heading off with Lucifer.
Merlin raised an eyebrow in Arthur's direction, a silent question for whether or not he was going to do this alone. Arthur just smiled mischievously and shooed him away with his hand. Merlin sighed and trudged back down the plank towards the horses.
HMOEBRBLIITN
It was almost time to leave shore by the time Merlin managed to get all of the baggage on the boat's deck. Arthur seemed to be in deep conversation with the first mate about their route, Gwaine was unsuccessfully trying to flirt with Alyss and the other knights were chatting amongst themselves. As Merlin dropped the last of the luggage down, Arthur turned and headed over to him.
"Merlin, finally. Took your time did you?" Arthur asked.
"I was lugging it by myself. All of it. So that's yours, four knights and mine. I'd like to see you try and do it in less time." Merlin exclaimed, massaging his own shoulders.
"You see Merlin, I would achieve that challenge because I am much more stronger and faster than you. That's why I'm King and you're my servant." Arthur teased.
Merlin rolled his eyes and responded, "But I have the brains because if you did you'd be a lot more observant and discover things that I always do."
"What's that supposed to mean, Merlin?" Arthur asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Become more observant and you'll realize what I mean." Merlin smiled and picked up some of the bags again.
"If you'd follow me please." Alyss said, quickly moving away from Gwaine who just laughed good-heartedly.
This time thankfully the knights helped and grabbed the rest of the bags. Merlin grinned and followed after Arthur and Alyss. She led them first to the knights and Merlin's cabin where they were able to set the baggage down. It was a nice cabin too with plenty of comfy beds and space. The knights stayed there and claimed their spots, saying much to Merlin's displeasure that the servant got to choose last. Merlin and Arthur then followed Alyss to Arthur's room where she left them to themselves, or rather for Arthur to load his chores on Merlin.
