BE ON YOUR GUARD, LOVE - Sequel to Raining Cats and Lovers
Camelot: A kingdom where loving can be a punishable offense.
CHAPTER 2 : A HUNTING, WE WILL GO
Merlin hated hunting with a passion even if he were riding. He hated the idea of killing things and getting enjoyment out of it. Anyway, what was enjoyable standing holding two horses while his lord and master played hide and go seek with bunny rabbits?
He also didn't appreciate having the carcasses hung from his saddle, which meant that he had to wash down his horse, sticky from blood. Helping gut deer and boar prior to putting them on the pack horses was also not to his liking. He hated bush-whacking and dragging carcasses to the horses. One good thing though, none of the meat was wasted and should an animal be shot and stumble off injured with a broken arrow shaft protruding from it, someone tracked it down until it could be killed. Although, as an observer and not an actual hunter, he had noticed, that many of the prince's guests were less inclined to worry about wounded animals. This meant that the castle staff had to be more vigilant.
He really did hate hunting but sadly he knew that the love of his life, lived to hunt!
So today, he was up early getting Arthur's breakfast so they could be out by dawn and catch all those unsuspecting bunnies!
"Have you any preference as to what you will wear today, Sire?" He tacked on, the sire just to show his disproval.
Arthur half dressed, chuckled, "Merlin, if you don't want to go, I can always find another servant to spend the day with me in the woods; riding shoulder to shoulder; watching out for each other; sitting side by side as we have lunch; enjoying a day outside in this beautiful weather. You could go to the kitchens and help peel vegetables..."
Merlin had moved slowly behind him and as he finished talking, he'd leaned over whispering "This is how I like to hunt, Arthur!" Then he tickled his ear with his tongue. Arthur spun around but Merlin was too fast for him and reached the door first. He opened it and sprang out backwards into the corridor right into Lancelot and Leon.
A half-dressed Arthur came barging through the door right into Merlin, saying "I'll show you how to hunt tonight, my love!" He stopped dead, staring at Lancelot and Leon, his face burning red.
Lancelot grinned at Arthur, laughing, "Happy to see it's us and not the King, with half of his council, Sire?"
But Leon smiled and took it one further by saying, "Practicing hunting maneuvers, are we, Sire?" Lancelot laughed and gave Leon a congratulatory pat on the back, turning to wink at Merlin before continuing down the corridor.
"I'll get them for that!" Arthur said but then he forgot as he returned to chase Merlin and captured him. Holding him captive, he retaliated by first, nibbling his ear.
Merlin's knees went weak and it was many minutes before Arthur even thought about dressing...
Feeling, safe, satisfied and secure in his love, Arthur turned to Merlin. "You know, Merlin, I can name three people in the castle who know about us; Gaius, Lancelot and Leon. I have my suspicions about Sir Rupert and Geoffrey but they can be trusted. Those five and..." He realised that once Gawaine arrived, he would be the sixth.
Arthur had often watched Merlin in Gawaine's company and realised that there was a link between them. Merlin seemed completely at ease with him and seemed genuinely happy to be with him. At one point, Arthur had seen him as competition but one night in Cave Two, Merlin's shocked reaction to such a query had dispelled that thought immediately. Arthur felt quite secure in knowing that he was the only one for Merlin.
"Knowing your track record for keeping secrets, Merlin, I would surmise, that Gawaine will know about us within ten minutes of your laying eyes on him."
Merlin spluttered, "Arthur that's not fair, I try to keep things secret but they just seem to slip out. Better make that five to be safe!"
There were three words for Gawaine as far as Merlin was concerned, so he continued, "He's fun, trustworthy and courageous and... he's the best swordsman, I know!" For that remark, Merlin received a not too gentle rap on his head, "Ow! Arthur, how come you can be so gentle one moment, and so rough the next?"
"I've had lots of practice living with you over the years, that's why. It's a talent, I have! Gawaine is all those things but also a heavy-drinker, impulsive... and the second best swordsman in the kingdom! But I trust him and although it will be good seeing him again, we have to look out for ourselves first..."
Arthur always seemed a little tense when Merlin talked about Gawaine, sensing that he said, "You know, Arthur, that I don't love him, don't you? I like Gawaine, he makes me laugh, I feel safe with him and it's great being hugged by him. But I love you, you make me laugh, I feel safe with you and there is nothing bar nothing, as wonderful as being hugged by you."
With a contended smile, Merlin raised himself on his elbows to give Arthur a little kiss. He noticed the tear filled eyes but made no comment. Arthur was his, mind, body and soul. Something Gawaine, as much as he liked him would never approximate.
Arthur thought as long as Merlin loved him, everything was right with the world. He still had worries though, as castle staff thrive on gossip, both good and bad. Many people, Arthur knew, would be pleased to see them happy, especially Merlin as he was a favourite throughout the castle. However, there were still people who saw gossip as a way of rising in the ranks. He didn't feel that anyone would go directly to the king but Merlin and he would have to be sensible and be vigilant. A half dressed Prince chasing his servant into the corridor had been stupid. But sometimes in the heat of the moment, you make decisions which can come back to haunt you.
He must have dozed off. He woke suddenly seeing the sun had reached the fireplace. What was he doing, it was late morning? Merlin and he had still to leave their chambers. He looked at the head beside him on the pillow, Merlin was less dressed that he had been when he had run out of the room and he wasn't much better.
He poked his sleeping partner in the ribs, "Merlin, it's late we missed the opportunity to go hunting."
"I'm quite happy to hunt in bed," was all he got as a reply as Merlin shifted towards him.
"Merlin, get off me!" He managed to sit up but was pulled over when Merlin managed to get his arm around him. "Rabbits, on your right, Sire! Shall we take advantage of the situation?"
Merlin smiled, it was now close to noon and Arthur had a very happy smile on his face. "No bunny rabbits, to clean, no blood to wipe off his horse, no standing around!" Merlin told Arthur as he cuddled into him, "This was the best morning of hunting that I have had in ages. How about you Arthur?"
Arthur smiled saying, "You're right, but now I'm hungry so you can get up and go down to the kitchen to see if you can hunt us something for lunch." Arthur lay back watching Merlin get up, get dressed and leave the room mumbling to himself about equality of jobs, and a good swift kick. He was really fascinated by him and he thanked his lucky stars for the day that Merlin had arrived in Camelot.
He got up, stretched and went to find something to wear. He really was hungry. Maybe they could go fishing this afternoon or wait until dusk to do some hunting. He'd think about it but for now...
Merlin came in placing one platter on the table, realising that Arthur was suitably dressed, he returned to the door motioning two of the kitchen staff to come in, one carrying a second larger platter and the other pitchers of cider and water. He took the second platter asking the servant to remove the remnants of the prince's breakfast. Both servants returned to the door, saying, "Sire," bowed and left.
As Merlin opened the windows even further, the room was filled with the sounds of autumn. Geese could be heard as they flew in formation, readying for their return trip South. Children were playing in the lower town and their voices were echoing against the castle walls.
Arthur hearing one of his Master Knights giving commands; walked over and looked out, a party of young Squires in Training, were leaving the courtyard, their brown cloaks billowing, as they followed the two red-cloaked knights, all the horses' hooves echoing.
His morning workout had made him hungry. Merlin was obviously feeling the same as he had excelled in his luncheon selection. A broth, two choices of cold pie, fish and fowl, an assortment of vegetables, cheeses, seasonal berries, thin dried bread and a stoneware pitcher of what Arthur assumed was cider.
Camelot was a blessed kingdom to live in, food was plentiful, they were at peace and he smiled fondly at the young man who had been with him for years but who was now making Arthur happier than he had ever been in his life.
