CHAPTER 2 : OUTING ON THE HORIZON

As Simon was away visiting his mother, Arthur, Merlin and Spenser ate the rabbits. They were excellent, the cook had been quite liberal with the red wine and Spenser suggested that Merlin should get the recipe so that when he cooked on hunting trips, he could replicate the meal. Merlin was less than flattering in his reply causing Arthur to laugh.

They sat discussing old times, reminiscing about first meetings. Arthur had known Spenser it seemed like forever as he was born and raised in Camelot the younger son of Sir Rodney of Sherewell and his wife Lady Jayne. He was a few years younger than Arthur as his older brother Piers had originally been Arthur's friend.

Merlin had been at Camelot for a few years when his intervention into a visiting lord's questionable behaviour had saved a young page. Subsequently that page called Simon had always seen Merlin as his guardian angel and had trailed after him whenever possible. It was the closest to a little brother that Merlin had ever had. As he grew, the friendship had remained and often as a squire Simon was chosen to accompany the crown prince on outings. Soon he was automatically called upon as he was useful, tight-lipped and a pleasure to have around with a knack of anticipating requests. Now a knight, he was in the inner circle of Arthur's friends. His family was also represented at Camelot by his brother Guy currently a squire.

While it was still early, Spenser left as he wanted to check on the preparations for what was to be the last extended hunt of the season. He hoped that Simon would be back to enjoy it as he missed his company.

Arthur had decided to spend a few days with a select number of knights at the hunting lodge. It would be the first time that anyone apart from workmen had stayed overnight. Spenser had accepted the challenge of drawing up lists of squires who would attend them, the numbers of grooms and hunt servants as well as pack horses needed to carry their kills back to the kitchens at Camelot. He was also in charge of notifying the kitchens of what food they would need. They would rely on their own hunting skills for meat but vegetables, seasonal fruits and general supplies were needed. Arthur had also suggested that two men be brought from the kitchens so Merlin would be free to enjoy himself.

"Lovely thought, Arthur! Now instead of staying in camp near the fire, I will be able to traipse after you in all weather while you terrorize all the little bunnies and deer."

"Merlin, at this time of year, all the little bunnies are grown up and venison is a staple in the castle so unless you want to go hungry, thank God for the bounties of the earth. Anyway, we will be staying in the lodge and you can stay dry and warm overnight."

Merlin smiled. Arthur and he had visited the lodge while it was being built to check that their plans were being carried out. Arthur had insisted that their chamber was out of the way and that there was also a primitive water closet to alleviate those necessary trips outside to 'pick a tree'.

Merlin when he had heard this was shocked. "So, will everyone and his uncle be traipsing through our chamber to use it?"

"No silly, it will be private. That is unless you want to invite a few of our friends to use it." Merlin shook his head. "Anyway, they are strong healthy men and a trip outside during the night isn't going to kill any of them."

"You will not be popular when they find out…"

"I'm always popular Merlin because I'm the king!"

Merlin opened his mouth to say something and Arthur grabbed him pulling him down to sit beside him in front of the fire.

Lying against him, Merlin thought that he would be just as happy to pass on the hunting expedition but he knew that if the weather held, it could be enjoyable. It would be fun to stay in the new lodge for the first time and rearrange things which were not to his liking. He knew that Arthur had arranged for proper iron grills to be installed in the large stone hearth so maybe they could even look forward to bread. Anyway, time would tell…he knew that Arthur was looking forward to spending an inaugural night in the lodge and knowing Arthur he intended to make it a celebratory one as well.

Merlin came back to the present as Arthur was loosening the laces on his tunic. He smiled thinking how wonderful it was to be so in love that you trust someone completely. Then he thought of all the people who were pretending that they loved their partner and suffered in silence the intimacy. He thought about Camelot and he felt that most of the couples in the castle were happy being with their spouses and he turned his attention to what Arthur was doing to him. He was happy, no one compared to Arthur and although they had had minor rough spots, his heart still raced when he caught him looking at him across a crowded room.

-0-0-

He woke to the sun which although lower on the horizon still flooded parts of their room with sunlight. He knew that he was wakening later every day but as Arthur's day really didn't start until after he'd had breakfast, he lay still luxuriating in the comfortable bed and the knowledge that just a hand's breath away was Arthur.

He was so used to another person beside him when he slept that he had trouble settling alone. It was worse when they were on outings with visiting knights. Many times he'd distanced himself from Arthur before the camp awoke, worrying that one day he would get caught. He smiled; one morning he had been awoken by someone continually jabbing him in the calf. He turned around and it was Gawaine who smiling apologetically had whispered, "Merlin, let go of Arthur, we're not alone!"

Merlin realised that he'd been sleeping with his head on Arthur's chest oblivious to their whereabouts. Gawaine had saved the day as across the glen, the knights of Lord Cyprian were already stirring. Late in the day, Arthur had mentioned the fact and Gawaine had nodded, "Part of my job to make sure that you are safe from dangers including rumours."

Later, Arthur kidded Merlin saying, "If you have a pressing need to hold someone during the night, might I suggest Gawaine, I know he'd appreciate it and I trust him."

Laughing Merlin said, "Don't think, I'm going to let go of you that easily." He thought of the hunting lodge and knew that there was plenty of room for a fair sized party to be housed. Arthur had insisted that covered areas for grooms and horses be incorporated into the plans. He knew that the squires and pages would sleep in any available spaces in the lodge proper and if the party was small, a room could be allocated to them.

Most people were used to sleeping outdoors, taking advantage of any enclosed area which they could find. If nothing was available they'd lie in the open. There was a hierarchy of sleeping roll placement with Arthur received the best position closest to the fire if it were a cold night and the others fanning out around him as protection. Not too close as to be seen as crowding but close enough that if attacked they could encircle their king. If the area seemed questionable sentries were always placed. They rotated among all the members of the group with Arthur insisting on taking his turn as warranted.

Arthur stretched and brought Merlin out of his reverie. He slipped out of bed, going to the water closet he placed his hand in the pitchers of water on the side table and with a quick whispered spell, hot water was available. He then unlocked the door into the antechamber and brought in the breakfast left by Thomas. There was a note on the sideboard from Leon, asking to see Arthur at his earliest convenience. Merlin put in on the table with the breakfast.

"You're up and busy and I haven't even got out of bed. Is it late?" Arthur said.

"No, I let you sleep in for a few moments as you deserve being pampered every once in a while. But if you get up now, there's hot water and breakfast on the table."

Arthur made his way to the table and seeing the note opened it. "Do you know what this is about?"

"No, Thomas must have put it on the tray early this morning and it can't be too important or Leon would have woken us."

"Send word, that I'll see him immediately. Also, advance the after lunch meeting with the senior squires to this morning. I want to go down to the stables and check on the horses and then we're gong to ride up to Baskers as Rook mentioned there is a rumour of a large wolf roaming the area and I'd like to check to see if it's worth organising a hunt."

Merlin ate with Arthur and then left him to find a page. Usually during the mornings, the pages were at school but as they were the messengers inside the castle, a few were always strategically located to run messages. Merlin went to the head of the stairs and asked the guards to send a page to the king's chambers.

Within a short while, there was a timid tapping at the outer door and Merlin left Arthur to tighten up his own belt and went to answer it. To his surprise Treva and Henry were standing there with serious expressions on their faces. Henry said, "Good morning, Sir, we were told that the king needed a page."

Treva was beaming at Merlin as he whispered, "This is our first ever summons and we're so excited."

Merlin smiled proudly and invited the two of them into the main chamber. "Arthur, we have a page here to deliver your message."

Arthur said, "You take care of it, just tell him to be quick as Sir Leon might have gone on to something else.

Clearing his throat, Merlin caused Arthur to look up and he saw the two young boys. "Well, well, well! This is a pleasant surprise."

"Arthur, it's our first time out to deliver messages and we have to stay together in case we get lost."

"Rightly so, the castle is a big place and we don't know everyone who might be around." Then becoming the king again, he said, "Pages, take this note to Sir Leon!" He smiled at Treva and his best friend as he added, "Remember your manners the two of you and Treva, you are not acting as my ward but as a page of Camelot."

"Yes, Sire!" The two boys said in unison, bowing smartly and rushing out of the room in search of Sir Leon.

Arthur turned to Merlin and said, "He's growing up so fast, his first time delivering a message. I hope that the two of them don't get distracted and get that note to Leon before nightfall."

Merlin smiled, it was cute seeing Treva working as a page and he was pleased to see that at his age they still were delivering messages in pairs. He thought back, that had come as a direct response by the Ladies of the Court after the fiasco with the eight year old Simon. What Arthur had said about the castle being big was true but sometimes the problem was more with the people in the castle than the chance that the little boys might get lost. Anyway, the ladies in charge of the pages were always careful. Older squires usually dealt with strangers but every now and again regardless of how careful people were, some child would fall through the cracks and problems would ensue.

Not all of the pages and squires were related to knights and had their families in the castle. Often boys belonging to other important families were sent to Camelot to be trained and Camelot had to vouch for their safety. He smiled recalling the young squires he had seen in their mother's arms as babies and the younger brothers of some of his friends among the knights.

"You're quiet," said Arthur breaking into his thoughts.

"Yes, just thinking of all the knights who have younger brothers among the squires, especially Simon's brother Guy and Timothy, Gielbert's brother."

Merlin nodded and unconsciously put his hand to the back of his head. They were the squires who had found him after Neville's surprise attack.

"Come here, Merlin, don't go back there. By the way I saw…"

They were interrupted by a knock on the door as Thomas announced that Sir Leon had arrived.

"Send him in." said Arthur with a smile as at least the boys had been successful.

"Just was delivered a note by two very capable pages. Treva asked me to identify myself before he handed me your note. It was quite amusing. When I confirmed who I was, I was given a big smile and handed the note. Gosh, he's growing up so fast."

"Glad, he was on his best behaviour as I had visions of him finding you and yelling for you to stop as he had a note from his father." Arthur motioned to the table and they sat, "Your note was waiting for us when Merlin dragged his lazy body out of bed and got the breakfast."

"Excuse me? I was lazy, wonderful how I had hot water ready and your breakfast on the table and you were still lying in bed."

The three of them laughed. Leon loved listening to the king and his former manservant bicker; it was a pure pleasure to see Arthur so relaxed with Merlin. Leon said, "The news I have is only sketchy but reports are coming back from Stonefield concerning disturbances with casualties in that area."

"Same area as two years ago?"

"Yes!"

"When did a detail of knights and soldiers last visit the place?"

"Six months according to the reports and no mention was made of any problems."

"Send say, four knights and ten armed men. Maybe just the fact that they arrive will settle the locals. Where there any suggestions as to who or what was causing the problem?"

"No, Sire." Leon handed him a much folded parchment note and Arthur read it before passing it to Merlin.

"Isn't that near Roxeter where Simon was going?" Merlin asked.

Leon nodded, "Maybe a half days ride away."

Arthur said, "He should be all right as he said that he intended to keep to the main Roman roads and not do any cross country riding as it wouldn't shorten the journey by much."

Merlin decided to mention it to Spenser. He didn't want to worry him but it was better to be forewarned. He couldn't see Simon getting involved in anything as he was travelling alone and all knights knew that discretion was the better part of valour.

"Leon, mention to the senior knight in the expedition that Simon is in the area, he might be useful to them." Leon left.

-0-0-

Merlin said, "As we're riding out, you should put on the padded doublet and your heavy cloak."

Arthur turned smiling, "Merlin, I'm the one who seems to be quite capable of choosing clothes that will keep me warm. Do you ever see me moaning of the cold and shivering?"

Merlin gave him the 'let's not play that game' look saying, "…and who exactly lays out the clothes that you wear?" Arthur had the sense to keep quiet. "I do, you just stand there to be waited upon."

"Not always, sometimes I take the initiative…"

"We're talking about dressing, at the moment, Arthur!"

"Well, after we've finished discussing clothes, I would like to initiate something more interesting!"

Arthur had won his point and Merlin smiled shaking his head as Arthur took hold of his shoulders and kissed him saying, "…and you, Merlin, will also put on a padded doublet and a heavy cloak before we go out…"