Life in Camelot for Merlin and Arthur, continues in THINK OF NO ONE ELSE, LOVE the sequel to RAINING CATS AND LOVERS and BE ON YOUR GUARD, LOVE
Camelot: A kingdom, where to stay alive, love must be hidden, even denied.
CHAPTER 2 : MANOEUVRES MILITARY AND OTHERWISE
Finally, Uther's troops gained the upper hand and the peace negotiations began. This was more to Merlin's liking. They visited outlying areas, sometimes having to spend a few days camping. Excellent, already Merlin was planning his evening activities, but no life is without hurdles, and his came in the choice of knights who accompanied them. They were saddled with, a company of young knights, who kept their eyes trained on their Crown prince continually. None to be trusted with little indiscretions, which their regular friends ignored giving them space to be themselves whenever possible. He missed the 'knights in the know' who would defend them loyally.
A wink, a hand on a shoulder for a second longer than necessary, bedrolls close enough to link fingers once everyone was asleep; as simple as they were, these little occasions re-sparked the love that had been dormant during the military offensive.
Riding ahead of the others, Merlin looked over at Arthur and quietly whistled, the prince turned and Merlin put his right hand over his heart and patted it four times in succession, winked and then pointed at Arthur. He was rewarded with a smile. They would be back in Camelot by late afternoon and they were both looking forward to twelve hours of uninterrupted privacy.
Well, twelve hours wasn't what Uther had in mind as he requested his son's presence upon his return. Arthur cleaned himself up and chose what he would wear to the meeting. Merlin supervised the dressing remaining remarkable low key. His eyes were downcast as he followed the Prince across the bed chamber, with a quick manoeuvre, he had backed Arthur against the door pinning him there.
He smiled sweetly, "I'll stand behind your chair for enough time for you to make your report. I will then walk behind Uther's chair and start disrobing just for you." With that he gave his Prince a preview by kissing him...
Arthur tried to kiss him back but Merlin moved out of his reach. "We can discuss anything further, when we're back here,"...and pushed him out into the corridor, following him with eyes cast down and a big grin on his face.
As Merlin opened the large Council Chamber door, he not so innocently brushed against Arthur, managing to touch him. The Prince pushed him away, turning, a blush spread over his face and he said under his breath, "Fuck you, Merlin!"
Merlin smiled sweetly and said, "Yes, please, Arthur!"
They walked across the room and Merlin stood behind Arthur's chair. Gaius and Sir Rupert were also present.
Once his report was finished and Uther was asking questions, Merlin, as promised, moved nonchalantly across Arthur's peripheral vision to stand in full view, behind Uther's chair. He stood unmoving. He looked straight at Arthur challenging him. He put one hand on his hip, shifting his weight provocatively.
Arthur's eyes were on him, he stammered answering his father's questions and Uther lifted his head to look at his son.
Gaius and Rupert also privileged to the showdown, looked at Arthur questioningly. Gaius raised an eye brow as Merlin languidly raised his arm, trailing it slowly along the side of his body to his neckerchief.
Giving Arthur a come hither look, he shifted his weight to his other hip, slowly raising the hand from his hip and used both hands to slowly undo it. He licked his lips, then slowly removed it, letting it go over his shoulder.
Rupert covered his laughter by coughing loudly. Gaius grinned putting his head in his hands as he wiped his eyes. He was thoroughly enjoying the power contest between his almost-son and his Prince. His money was on Merlin, hands down.
Arthur tried to answer his father's question but his mind wouldn't work. His eyes were drawn to the most important person in the whole world, telling him that he wanted to be with him.
Merlin took his hand and started to languidly open his jacket... running his hand down his chest to his stomach, his eyes half lidded.
Arthur suddenly stood up, "Father, I'm too tired to continue now. Please excuse me. I will speak with you further tomorrow."
Merlin whose hand was on the laces at his waistband stopped. His face lit up into the most spectacular grin. Arthur had chosen him. He grabbed his neckerchief and walked over to Arthur's side. Not making eye contact.
Arthur turned to leave followed by Merlin. Gaius rose and applauded as Merlin passed him. Merlin grinned happily.
Gaius saw Uther looking at him, he swallowed, "Er...excellent report, Arthur. Don't you think he did a good job, Uther?" He sat down.
Uther said, "Yes. Very well, Arthur, I'll see you at lunch day after tomorrow. We have all worked hard during this campaign. You deserve a couple of days for yourself."
Arthur stood at the door and said, "Thank you, Sire. Good Night, Father."
He nodded at Gaius who caught his eye, raising one eyebrow. Arthur grinned blushing, as he nodded to Rupert.
Merlin opened the door for him, with the word, "Sire?" then turned slightly, nodding at Gaius and Rupert, smiled and closed the door.
Gaius was sure he heard laughter, whooping and running feet...
Merlin made his way to the kitchens and picked out something for them to eat. The cook gave him choice pieces of what was to be served for supper later in the evening. She also included a jug of wine. Merlin returned to their chambers and they enjoyed the food. The fact that they would have all night to themselves without any interruptions, kept a smile on Merlin's face. They sat at the table drinking.
Arthur was stupefied that Merlin had gone through with his threat. He kept chuckling, "How far would you have gone Merlin?
"Oh, Arthur, I was only warming up, if necessary I would have gone the whole way!"
"My father would have had a stroke if he could have seen you. Gaius and Sir Rupert also seemed to have enjoyed the show"
"Well, next time, I intend to sell tickets and do it at a Council Meeting."
"No, you won't! Next time you do it, it will be in the privacy of our own chambers, for yours truly!" Arthur wasn't worried, this was the Merlin who had been too embarrassed to change clothes in front of him.
'However,' thought Merlin, 'If push came to shove, the next time, I might actually do the 'full monty'!'
Arthur delicately said, "Well, I'm tired. I'm turning in. How about you?"
"I'll wait a little while, as I can still see the remnants of the sunset in the western sky! I'm not tired, I'll clean up the room and do a little repairing of your tunic, but you go to bed, I'll join you later."
Next thing Merlin knew was a hand across his chest and he was physically lifted and dumped on the bed.
"Now!" Arthur laughed, "We're not playing games..."
"Not yet..." was Merlin's reply.
They had a whole day and a half to themselves. After lunch, they climbed to the highest part of the castle and sat against the turret walls, enjoying the scenery and being alone with no prying eyes. Arthur sat against the turret wall with Merlin in front of him leaning against his chest. They relaxed and talked, no one any the wiser that they were there, no one except the clouds, an occasional hawk and the crows.
Merlin, do you remember growing up?"
"Of course, don't you?"
"Yes..."
"What used you to do?"
"Went to Geoffrey for lessons; Martin for sword practice; Thomas for riding lessons."
"Who was your best friend?"
"I had one but he left when I was around nine. Then, I never had a real one until you. Did you have any friends, Merlin?"
"Yes, some but especially Will." Merlin looked down and Arthur realised that there was still sadness about Will's death. "Who was your friend, Arthur, did he die?"
"No, there was a misunderstanding with a knight and my father didn't believe us and Rudyard was sent away."
"What happened?"
"It's not important."
Merlin wanted to laugh. He knew when Arthur was lying. "Come on, Arthur tell me! We promised no secrets."
Arthur looked at him and smiled. "You're not going to like it. I was brought up here by Gaius. Sir Rupert's oldest son was called Rudyard and we used to play together." Arthur's voice brightened as he remembered all the good times. "When we were older, we were even allowed to go riding by ourselves."
"There was a knight called Sir Talbot. One hot summer day, as a special treat, Rudd and I were allowed to go by ourselves on a picnic. We went to the little lake near Castle Farm. We had lunch, messed around and then decided to go swimming. It was so hot that we just lay on the beach to dry. Then we started rough housing and wrestling. Merlin, we were two kids."
"We heard horses and looked up to see Sir Rupert and Sir Talbot. I really disliked him as he used to pick on me. If we were in the corridor, he'd purposely walk into me, saying, 'Prince, eh!' He never did anything in front of anyone except Rudd and finally I told Gaius. He said to ignore him. So we did..."
"Why didn't he, do something?"
"Well, I guess he didn't think it was that important.
Sir Rupert told us to get dressed and we could hop up on the horses and ride double back to the castle. We did as told but neither of us wanted to ride with Sir Talbot, so like monkeys, we both climbed up on Sir Rupert's horse. It was fun, we thought we were both 'kings of the castle' riding into Camelot on a destrier."
The next morning, Rudd and I were at our lessons with Geoffrey when a squire came and gave a note to him. Geoffrey said that Sir Rupert wanted to see Rudd. He was happy to get out of class and go with his father. I never saw him again.
I was in disgrace. My father said that I was a disappointment to him. I didn't know why, he took away my horse and my training classes. I went to the only person I trusted, Gaius. I asked him, what had happened, what had I done and where was Rudd? He explained that Sir Talbot had lied about us and Uther had believed him over Sir Rupert. That didn't help much, so I kept asking what did he say, we had done?"
Finally, I went to the king and he bluntly told me what Sir Talbot had reported had been happening on the beach and that was why I was in trouble and Rudyard was gone. Next, I went to Sir Rupert but he had gone away for a few days. When he came back, I went to him and he explained that Sir Talbot had lied about what we had been doing but that Rudd was now a squire in training at his uncle, the Earl of Warwick.
I remember Sir Rupert told me, 'Arthur, when you are grown up and have children, always be a father first and a king second.'
"I've never heard anyone talk about a Sir Talbot." Merlin said.
"You won't. He made my life a misery after that. He'd accidentally jam me into door ways or push me into the wall, or knock my books out of my hands but always when there was no one to see. Gaius intervened with the king but my father told Gaius that I was too soft and that it was about time that grew up. It was shortly after that that I started training with the squires
One day, Sir Max and Sir Talbot went out on patrol and later Sir Max returned with Sir Talbot's body tied to his horse. Nothing was ever said. There was no knight's burial and all Gaius would say was 'Good riddance to bad rubbish!' I haven't thought about that bastard for so long."
"And what about Rudd?"
"Well, he is one of his uncle's knights. I sometimes see him at tournaments but we have little in common. I'm now the Crown Prince and not a nine year old boy. Sir Rupert told me that he is now married with a little boy of his own amd he proudly said that he was called Arthur." Arthur smiled as that proved that Rudd had really not forgotten him.
Merlin decided that as Arthur seemed happy with his memories that he wouldn't push him any further. Life as a crown prince growing up must have been tough if you had to worry about vindictive knights and a disinterested father. Merlin thought, 'Thank God for people like Gaius and Sir Rupert!'
"How about you? Was there a tutor in Eleador?"
"No, my Mam taught me how to read and it was easy once I got it figured out. We were the only people in the village with any books except the headman who made tallies of grain with ticks and X's. My mother had books on herbs and medicine. It wasn't like a story of a battle or anything but it was fun to read on rainy days and winter nights.
One winter, a stranger came to the village and stayed till Spring, he even showed me how to copy the letters in the books and print them with a stick on the dirt. My Mam fed him supper and in return he taught me. He was nice, he taught me some Latin. I missed him when he left.
Then things got difficult. I fell out with the village children because I was different and I only had Will.
My Mam felt I should live away from the village and due to my lack of luck, I ended up in Camelot."
"But, you like it here now, don't you?"
"Well, it wouldn't be bad, if I didn't have a job working for an overbearing, royal Prat with an oversized ego and little between the ears." Merlin turned and looked at the prince who had his eyes wide open in shock and what looked to Merlin like worry lines across his forehead.
"Honestly, Arthur, do I look like the kind of person who would share a bed with someone of that description? Of course I like it here. Where'er you go, I goether; where'er you stop, I stoppeth; where'er you tread, I treadeth; where'er you sit, I sitteth; where'er you lie, I li...eth ..."
"Knock it off ,Merlin, I get the picture! Come to think of it, if we return to the chambers now, we might experiment to see if you'd agree that where'er I... He leaned over and whispered in Merlin's ear.
Merlin said, "Your Majesty, I do not believe that that is in my job description... but as my dear old granny used to say, 'For he that naught n'assieth, naught n'acheveth'!"
"Your granny never said that..."
"Well, maybe not my granny but Chaucer did!"
"What does it mean?"
"Nothing ventured, nothing gained." With that Merlin was on his feet, tugging Arthur up and the two of them went down the tower stairs laughing...