CHAPTER 2 : A HUNTING WE WILL GO

Uther had forbidden Gaius to ride out to meet the returning hunters. He was worried about him and convinced him to set up his chambers to receive the two injured men. Aislin tried to give him a description of what injuries had been sustained. Gaius worried as internal injuries were always touch and go and now Merlin had been hurt as well as Arthur. If anything happened to either of them... he knew he couldn't continue at Camelot, he was old and without Merlin around he would just go off and live quietly until his life was over.

There was a tap on the door and Leon walked in, "I'm here to help you with anything which needs to be done." He walked over grabbed the kettle filling it and swinging it over the fire. Gaius gave him cloths to fold into pads suitable for pressure or absorbent dressings.

Gaius shook his head and said, "It's the waiting which is killing me. Once I see him, I'll feel better."

Leon smiled sadly. He realised that Gaius used to Arthur's many close calls, felt that he had a good chance to survive but it was Merlin he was worried about. There was nothing to him, no fat to cushion falls and protect him from punctures.

The king rode Solomon down to the meadow to get the first glimpse of the returning party. The lower town was in silence as two litters, one accompanied by the king, made their way through the narrow streets.

Arthur as was befitting was carried in first, followed minutes later by Merlin. The king had retired to his chambers realising that Gaius needed no spectators, just willing and capable hands.

Gaius listened to Arthur's chest and breathed a sigh of relief, his breathing was steady, his colour was good. He was slowly coming round; his eyelids were fluttering. The bites and gouges seemed superficial but would be susceptible to infections. His head had a huge bump, his left arm was broken. His right side had been punctured but the bleeding had slowed. Leon helped remove his clothes and was given a bowl of warm wine and told to clean as best he could, all the lacerations.

Gaius turned...

...he walked over to Merlin and his heart dropped. The usual pale countenance was almost marbled but his heart was steady and he was warm to the touch.

Romney explained how he had been unable to sit without screaming and they had managed to move him upright until he was on the litter. He told him that he had murmured a couple of times on the way back but not to him, to Gidun.

When Gaius touched him, Merlin's face relaxed, all the worry lines disappeared as if he knew whose hands were examining him. His injuries were localised to where the boar had made contact with his inner thigh, groin and lower legs. The bruising was extensive. He was going to be very sore and hopefully there would be no permanent damage. The bleeding had slowed and it was the risk of infection which worried Gaius the most. He immediately made another antiseptic wash and as with Arthur, Romney and he removed his clothes. Romney swabbed not only the affected area but any bruising and scratches that were visible.

Gaius raised Merlin's head and slowly dripped a pain relieving draught into the side of his mouth and held him until it had trickled down his throat.

The guards had changed three times in the new day before Romney and Leon had left Gaius's chambers, to be replaced by Gielbert and Spenser.

"You should be resting, Spenser!" was all Gaius said.

"I will, when you do..." was his reply.

The fire was warm, the chair comfortable, he had treated his patients who were being monitored by capable friends and Gaius let himself close his eyes.

He woke to a lightening sky and whispering and he noticed that Arthur was conscious and talking. From the position of his cot, he couldn't see Merlin and was demanding in an irritable way, where he was and why hadn't anyone told him that he was in Gaius's chamber.

Gaius got up and went over, asking Gielbert to put on the kettle and he felt Arthur's forehead. He seemed slightly feverish but his pulse and breathing were good. "What do you remember?"

"The ground gave way, I fell landing on a boar, I think. It subsequently turned on me and I rolled into a ball and wedged myself into the rock face."

"That probably saved your life."

"Gaius, why isn't Merlin with me? Didn't he realise that I never came back last night? After I fell, I thought I heard him talking to me but it turned out to be a hound licking me. Do you know where he is?"

Speaking slowly and softly, Gaius said, "Merlin is here, he was worried about you and he fell asleep on the other cot." Gaius decided not to mention any injuries.

Arthur smiled and said, "That's alright, then..." and promptly fell back to sleep.

There was a tap on the door, Spenser answered it walking back in whispering, "Breakfast for Gaius and his nursing staff!" He put the food down on the table.

Gaius suddenly realised he had had nothing to eat since lunch yesterday. "I'll make some porridge later once I check on my other patient."

Merlin looked peaceful, his forehead was cool but his abdomen felt hot. He was sleeping but not deeply and Gaius didn't want to disturb whatever sleep he could get. None of his bones had been broken but only time would tell how much muscle damage had been done. He breathed a sigh of relief both boys as he affectionately referred to them, had survived the night.

"Gaius, come on, sit down I've made your oatmeal and the cook sent some cooked apples and milk."

As the sun reached Gaius's window, Sir Aislin and the squire Simon walked in. "Shouldn't you be at school or training? Gielbert said, "Sir Malcolm will not be happy if you are absent."

"They gave me permission to skip this morning so I can run messages and the like for Gaius." Simon walked over and looked down at Arthur. "He's asleep. Can I see Merlin? They're saying that he saved Arthur's life."

"He's over there but don't disturb him as he's quite sick."

"Poor Merlin...what did Arthur say, was he cross?"

"He doesn't know yet and you can make yourself busy, find a couple of menservants and ask them for extra wood to keep this fire going and some pails of water. We have a lot of work on our hands."

By noon, Arthur and Merlin had been washed and had their injuries tended to and Gaius was due to lunch with the king to bring him up to date on his son's condition. Gaius knew that it would be too much to expect that he would show any interest in Merlin's injuries, he was after all the lowest of the low in Uther's eyes, only a servant.

Merlin's body wasn't responding as well to treatment as was Arthur's whose arm had been set, his hands treated and wrapped in a light gauze to keep them clean but allow the air to get at them. His puncture wound no longer bleeding, had been cleaned and packed. He had even taken a little broth and he had insisted that his bed was placed closer to Merlin so he could keep an eye on him. He was still fuzzy as to how Merlin had been injured but in time, it would all come out.

Two days later, Merlin came round as Gaius had been keeping him lightly sedated because of the pain from his injuries. His first words were, "Gaius...Arthur?"

Arthur leant over him and said, "That is absolutely last time that I take you hunting!"

Merlin gave a faint smile and said, "But I was just getting to enjoy it and..." but the effort was too much and he fell back asleep.

Gaius saw the concern on Arthur's face and said, "It's what his body needs. He's got a long way to go yet. Wouldn't be a bad idea if you took the time to have forty winks as I'm sure he won't come round until late afternoon."

"...and you Gaius...?"

"Well, Sire, that sounds like an excellent idea. Wake me if you need anything."

Gaius dozed off almost immediately and Arthur lay down, watching Merlin's face and letting his feelings for him seep through his body. He looked towards the window and watched the patterns made by the bare branches, allowing memories of Merlin's loving him to envelope him and found himself praying that Merlin's injuries would not be permanent.

He wouldn't be able to face that…then guilt flooded over him; he was being small minded, petty as he was putting his needs before Merlin's. He shifted and looked at the most important person in his world who because he had selflessly tried to help him, was fighting infections and possibly serious repercussions. He took a deep breath and at that moment Arthur grew up, realising that regardless, he intended to stay with him forever.

Gaius's patients improved steadily. Arthur still had some discomfort from his wounded side but it was healing well, as was his face which had been badly scratched and bruised by the gouging he had received. He had no fever and although stiff was quite able to get around. He was slightly hampered by his splinted arm but soon he was managing admirably. He had on the king's orders and against his own wishes returned to his own chamber and Humphrey had resumed his old position to care for him.

The king had said, "Arthur, remember you are the crown prince, any medical attention can be administered in you own chamber. If necessary, Gaius can check you there as Humphrey can keep him updated."

"But Mer...!" It came out before Arthur could control himself. Gaius needed him to help with Merlin and if not helping, to keep him entertained or watch over him as he slept.

"Of little importance, should he get well he can assume his position. Mind you, I would prefer that you used this opportunity to make a clean break from him and re-assign the position of manservant to someone else."

Arthur thought, '...as if I would ever let that happen!' He just glared at his father.

"If you are up to it, I expect to see you in Council Meeting from now on... I'm leaving now, before I lose my patience with you!"

The king swung around and left as Arthur bowed slightly and said, "Sire!"

However, when time permitted, he spent most days with Merlin who was still experiencing pain and sporadic discomfort and was running a slight fever. Gaius refused to let him leave his chambers until he was completely well. He could not yet walk completely upright and stairs were beyond him. Lifting was out of the question as Gaius had seen him wince handing him his empty plate.

Leaving him one day in Geoffrey's care, Gaius had an invitation to lunch with the king and Arthur. He went begrudgingly but was pleased that he had, as the king mentioned the success of the hunt that day with included one massive boar, Arthur had cringed at that description. Certainly their Christmas menu was organized with enough meat that even the castle staff would partake in the festivities.

Uther then surprised Gaius by mentioning that he had heard that it was his former assistant who had killed the large boar and possibly saved his son's life. "Can't say that I approve of him as Arthur's servant, Humphrey is a more suitable choice, however he seems to have his uses."

Arthur's mind was on a different track and he almost choked on his wine...while Gaius raised an eyebrow at him trying not to grin but the king was oblivious to the undercurrent of feelings.

Plans for the Winter Solstice celebration were in full swing. The dining hall was decorated and the Yule log, that massive tree trunk which would be put in the large fireplace in the hall had been ceremoniously dragged through the street to the castle. The days of Christmas would be a time of warmth and plenty during a cold dreary season of the year. Red berried, shiny holly boughs were used to brighten up the areas and many residents were already enjoying the mulled wine and cider, a favourite winter drink.

Local children had been scavenging the forests to find clumps of the evergreen mistletoe, considered sacred by the druids and found living as a parasite on various trees and in some cases finally killing them. Although the berries were not a danger to the birds and insects which fed on them, they were poisonous so the children were warned to avoid touching their faces or mouths after picking mistletoe. The ladies of the court were their chief customers and large amounts of the plant would be delivered to the castle in return for coppers and Christmas wishes. The ladies liked to hang the festive clump of branches in their chambers and throughout the castle. Catching an unsuspecting lady under a clump of mistletoe was rewarded by a kiss and the amount of the greenery spread throughout the castle made that tradition easy to maintain.

Arthur had managed to steal a small clump of mistletoe which he had spirited up to their chambers. He intended to take full advantage of the tradition. He missed having Merlin with him but he had agreed that until Merlin was free from pain and able to function normally, he would not be leaving Gaius's chambers.

Arthur worried as he was already on his feet and coping but Merlin was still bed-bound. He wanted him up and around and missed his immensely. Council meetings were absolutely dead without Merlin's asides both vocal and physical!

Gaius was not entirely happy with Merlin's progress. Although the wounds for all intents and purposes could be said to have healed, the force of contact with the boar's snout, tusk and possibly even foot had damaged the soft tissues causing him continual discomfort. His legs although badly scraped and scratched were healing.

"Whatever made you decide to wedge yourself unprotected in that position?"

"It was the only way that I could think of reaching the boar with the knife in such a limited space. I had my legs down and it kept grabbing at them so I curled them up and back and kept them out of the way. Gaius, maybe I wasn't thinking clearly, I was worried about Arthur. I thought I was staying out of the way."

A voice at the door said, "Staying out of the way?" Sir Leon stepped into the chamber, "From what I can make out, hanging in the air, almost spread eagle over a furious animal... Merlin, it was practically a death wish, you could have been disembowelled or if the first stab hadn't been fatal, your head could have been pulverized as by then you were hanging upside down. Honestly from now on whenever you go out hunting with Arthur and the knights, I'm going to insist that a senior knight accompanies the lot of you."

He smiled, "How are you feeling? A group of us are going out this afternoon. Gidun looks longingly at us whenever we leave the stable yard. Care to join us?"

Merlin blushed and involuntarily moved his hand to cover his groin.

Gaius said laughing, "Leon, I think that was a hit below the belt!"

Leon agreed, shrugged his shoulders, grinned at Merlin and left.

Merlin had quite a few visitors over the days from pages to squires and naturally knights. However one day, his face lit up as Gawaine walked through the door.

"So, what is it that I am hearing about a certain manservant who is shirking his duties?" He asked, with a knowing look, raising his eyebrows, causing Merlin's face to blush as he grinned.

"Gawaine, you're a sight for sore eyes! Are you staying over the Yuletide festivities?"

"As long as your Lord and Master doesn't boot me out!"

Gaius took the opportunity to start his afternoon rounds and left the two of them together, cautioning Gawaine against any roughhousing and checking that Merlin was comfortable in the chair in front of the fire. "If he needs to get up keep on eye on him. He's still having some pain. There's mead in the cupboard but don't drink me out of house and home!"

The time passed quickly and they heard Gaius at the door but it was Arthur who walked in and he seemed neither surprised nor annoyed at seeing Gawaine, not what Merlin would have expected. Then it dawned on him, Arthur had already met Gawaine and given him permission to visit him. He smiled to himself with Arthur and Gaius looking out for him he should soon be well enough to resume his position as royal manservant and...

Gawaine took his leave and nodded his head at Arthur and said, "Sire, take care of him, he's one in a million!"

Arthur actually smiled and said, "Don't worry, I intend to!"

"Thanks for coming Gawaine. Arthur, you know, maybe the three of us could spend a night drinking together."

Gawaine laughed as Arthur said, "Merlin, don't push your luck."

The big Christmas feast was upon them and Merlin refused to allow Gaius to miss it. He assured him that it was safe to leave him by himself for a couple of hours. Arthur had no choice but to attend and agreed that a night celebrating with his old cronies would do Gaius the world of good.

Merlin was surprised when, about an hour after Gaius had left, there was a tap on the door and Gielbert walked in.

"Aurora is fussing and has a slight fever so Donatienne decided she wouldn't leave her and wanted me out of the way as she said I'm useless and that she and the nursemaid can manage. So, once I'd eaten, I didn't feel like drinking and staying for the rest of the festivities so thought that as I hadn't seen you in the dining hall that I'd drop by to visit, that is, if you feel like company? How is it coming along, still in pain?"

"It's improving slowly. But believe me, the next time Arthur wants to hunt boar, I'm sorry, I don't think I'll be joining him."

"You were just unlucky this time. Mind you, if you hadn't gone down after him, I think that by the time the huntsmen had found the other entry, Arthur might have been a goner! It sounds as if you distracted the boar from injuring him further. He owes you one!"

Merlin smiled, Gielbert had made him feel welcome in Camelot from the beginning. He had never questioned his closeness to Arthur and he knew him to be trustworthy and a faithful friend.

"Will Aurora be alright?"

"Babies are funny, the slightest thing and everyone gets upset yet they are quite strong. She's two months and still the most beautiful baby around. Had you never thought of getting married and having a family, that is before you met Arthur?"

"No, there were girls in the village but I wasn't ready to settle down with any of them. We all just went around together as friends. Then I came here and started to work with Gaius and other things became more important in my life." Merlin ducked his head a little and then he said softly, "...and then there was Arthur."

"You're happy together aren't you?"

"Yes, I would think that you feel the same way about Donatienne as I do about Arthur. He feels like the reason I am supposed to be here, without him the world would be a dark place." Merlin grinned slightly embarrassed. "When I see him, I feel as if I'm really alive. He has only to catch my eye and smile and I feel as though I am most blessed." He ducked his head feeling that he had gone too far, he loved talking about Arthur; it was second best to talking to him!

Gielbert nodded, "That's how I feel about her as well. I would see her with Marie Soleil and I was sure Arthur was blind. How could he not see what a wonderful person she was? He'd talk to her and she'd seem to melt in his presence, but nothing every changed. She idolized him. He liked both cousins but in a detached brotherly way. Then slowly the attraction seemed to vanish. She was more relaxed with him more like a friends and by then, well I was captivated!

"I was lucky as I was often chaperoning the girls when they went out riding with Arthur. We had great fun and then I realised that Donatienne had me wrapped around her little finger. Lady Yvonne mentioned to me one day that she thought that I might wind up being in the family. I was shocked that it was so apparent to her aunt. One day Valentin asked me if my attentions were honourable and I acknowledged that his little cousin had caught my eye. He laughed and he'd said, 'Caught your eye! That's an understatement...' When we went to France for her cousin's wedding, we spoke to her parents. Arthur was as blind as a bat, he was shocked when I finally told him that Donatienne and I had an understanding. He had noticed nothing over all those years. Mind you, he couldn't have been happier, he was obviously waiting for the love of his life to come along and you did!"

"It makes a beautiful love story."

"But yours does too, Merlin."

"No it doesn't as for the vast majority in Camelot it is something dirty which must be kept hidden. There are times when I stand beside Arthur with aching arms as I can't hold him, I can't even put my hand on his arm, when I know that he is needing it. Think how many opportunities we miss being able to support each other openly as you and Donatienne can. Can't you just see the king, if I ran across the courtyard and he swung me around in his arms? I saw the two of you yesterday, you were like two children.

"The best time for us is when we are away from Camelot with trusted friends. He can touch me, he can watch me, he can smile at me and there are no frowning looks. I can sleep beside him and no one questions my right to be there. I can hug him and no one seems shocked. I couldn't live this life it if weren't for those precious moments. You must have feelings like that, that the two of you are complete. The world no longer intrudes and everything is beautiful, safe and oh, so perfect."

Gielbert leaned forward, nodded and grinned saying, "It's a wonderful feeling isn't it. I was so worried that a baby would ruin that feeling but it hasn't. We just seemed to open our arms wider and found place for her between us. Having a baby together was something special, it added to the love we already had for each other."

Merlin's mind flashed back to the spring, standing in this very chamber holding Arthur's son. Suddenly the sadness washed over him and he realised that his eyes were tear-filled. He was more emotional recently and Gaius had explained it could be from the medication but also from the stress of living alone, in other words he was missing not only Arthur's love but also just being with him.

Gielbert noticed and realised he had maybe been too forthright. "I'm sorry, Merlin, I didn't mean to upset you. I know that if the Princess and Arthur had had a baby, you would have felt that way too as it would have been Arthur's child."

"No, it's alright, I'm just glad that Aurora has such loving parents and hopefully one day she will have a little brother."

"Don't let Donatienne hear you say that, she's sworn off babies for at least three years," and Gielbert chuckled making Merlin laugh as well. "Anyway, I should return to see how they are managing."

Merlin smiled to himself, he snuggled under the blanket which Gaius had thrown over his lap and sat daydreaming. Camelot was the right place for him; he had Gaius, good friends and Gidun. He enjoyed his position in the royal household and Arthur...Well, what could he say about his Arthur...?