Chapter 2: THE BURNING OF FIRE (FIRE)
Morning came and so did Jenney with the breakfast tray. Gwen, who had always been an early riser was lying in bed watching Arthur snore.
Jenney came in quietly and placed the tray on the table and started to place the dishes. She looked up when she saw a movement from the bed.
"It's just me, Jenney," Gwen whispered when she saw the maid look up. "Finish what you're doing." Gwen untangled herself from Arthur and went to the hearth to stoke the fire.
"Your majesty, I can do that." Jenney walked around the table.
"I know it just chilly in here. I don't want the King to catch cold after being in the wet so long." Gwen was chilly too. Standing there in just her shift, the chill off the floor rose up her legs. She went to the chair and grabbed the velvet dressing gown and put it on. She would have preferred a warmer woolen one. She will have to add that to the list of things she still needed. They had married quickly after the coronation and there wasn't that much time to prepare.
Arthur stirred in the bed. Jenney jumped still not used to serving the unconventional couple. Gwen smiled at her maid's nervousness. Most married couples had separate quarters but they did not. Gwen preferred it that way. A commoner husband and wife would share a bed, she had explained to Arthur. He seemed pleased when she had spoken to him about it.
Gwen walked over to the bed and pulled the blankets up over Arthur's bare shoulder and back. She would let him sleep a while longer.
"Jenney, bring some more wood and make sure the water pitcher is full." Gwen said quietly. "We will be taking a late morning."
"Would you like to dress My Lady?" Jenney asked.
"Not yet, I think I'll slip back in bed with Arthur for now."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Jenney blushed slightly, curtseyed and went to take care of the queen's requests.
Gwen pulled off the dressing gown and got back in bed. Arthur turned over and pulled her to him in his sleep. She smiled and pulled the blankets up over them. It was still chilly in the room.
~X~
Merlin opened an eye then shut it quickly. It was morning and he was really late. He went to get up and he was assaulted but weak aching limbs. It's just from the rain and the riding. He made to get up again and fell with a thud to the floor.
Gaius looked up the stairs to the closed door of Merlin's room when he heard the thud. He moved quickly up the stairs and opened the door.
Merlin lay in a heap by the bed. He felt the boy's head and he was feverish. "Merlin, can you hear me?" Gaius patted his cheek. He got no response.
Gaius went to the corridor and caught the attention of a serving boy to help him put Merlin back to bed. After that was accomplished he sent the boy to tell Arthur that Merlin was ill and not fit for duty.
~X~
There was a quiet knock on the door of the Royal Couples' chambers. Jenney opened the door and saw he friend James standing there. She smiled. "Hello James. What are you doing here?"
The boy looked at the floor then back at the pretty maid. "The Court Physician sent me to give the King a message."
"Oh," Jenney said. She stepped back and let him pass.
James bowed the Royal Couple as they ate a late breakfast. Arthur looked up. "What is it?"
"Sire, the Court Physician said to tell you that Merlin is ill and unfit for duty." James said quietly.
Arthur looked at Gwen who looked worried. "It's nothing. He's just being a girl."
"No Sire. I had to help Gaius put him to bed. He had tried to get up and passed out from a fever, apparently."
"That is not Merlin being lazy. He is ill." Gwen looked at her husband. "We should go see him."
"After I take care of some things, we will go see about him." Arthur seemed unconcerned and took another bite of sausage. Actually he was worried but didn't want to show it in front of the other servants. It was not like Merlin to be that ill.
"Thank you, James," Gwen said. She looked at Arthur in astonishment. Gwen knew that Merlin and Arthur were close so she did not understand his behavior.
James bowed again and turned to leave, pausing to smile at Jenney as he left.
"Go take care of what you have to do. I'm going to see about him now." Gwen said angrily as she stood. She gave Arthur a glare as she left their chambers.
Arthur sighed and quickly followed his Queen. "Guinevere, wait for me." He called out to her as he chased her down the corridor.
Jenney laughed softly at them. They reminded her of her parents, who had been married for decades. They were definitely not what one would expect from a Royal Couple.
~X~
Gaius had tried everything he could think of to lower the fever that raged in Merlin. Whatever this sickness was it had a hold on him. He checked Merlin's forehead again and it was still on fire.
The door to the physician's chambers opened and the Royal Couple stepped through. Gwen seeing the door to Merlin's room open walked quickly across the room. Arthur still behind his bride wearing a scowl followed her lead.
"Gaius, how is he?" Gwen asked quietly as she entered the small room. Merlin was as white as the sheets he was laying on.
Arthur scowl deepened when he saw Merlin. "He was fine last night how could this get so bad so fast, Gaius?" Arthur stood at the foot of the bed.
Gaius looked up. "He must have had it then and just not said anything. I can't imagine why he wouldn't say he felt ill."
"I can't either. He complains about everything." Arthur was even more worried now.
"Arthur, that is so mean." Gwen gave him the second glare of the day. "What has gotten into you?"
"I'm just saying he complains." Arthur sighed. He wasn't going to have a peaceful day with an angry wife and an ill man servant. He had to just be quiet before he made Guinevere even angrier at him.
"Did you go through any areas that were unusual or had sickness?" Gaius asked Arthur as he dipped the cloth in water to put on Merlin's head. "Where did you sleep last night?"
"We didn't go through any places where there was sickness. Last night we slept in an old hay barn." Arthur frowned and tried to remember if there was anything unusual about the trip. "We slept in a cave the night before because of the rain, but we have used that cave before."
"Have you used the hay barn before?" Gaius asked.
"No, I really don't even remember seeing it before last night. The straw smelled musty. Merlin was sleeping with his face close to it. All of our bedding was soaked from the rain. Some of the knights and I laid out our cloaks." Arthur was concerned now. He had lain on his cloak but Gwaine and Elyan had not.
"Maybe there was something in the straw." Gaius sighed. "What could it be that it would give him such a fever?"
Arthur turned and rushed into the corridor and called to a passing guard. "Go find Sir Elyan and Sir Gwaine and bring them to me."
"Did you say Elyan?" Gwen had followed him. She stood there behind him in the middle of Gaius's chambers. She was pale with worry.
Arthur turned to her and nodded. He was afraid that if Merlin was ill then the two knights would be also. They returned to Merlin's room to await the two knights.
They didn't have to wait long. Percival came in with Gwaine over his shoulder. "Gaius!" Percival called out as he came into the physician's chambers.
Gaius came to Merlin's door and shook his head. "Put him on the cot there." Gaius pointed to a cot against the wall. He turned to Arthur and said, "It's Gwaine."
"Are you sure he's not just drunk?" Arthur asked. He was hoping that was the case. He looked at Gwen. She was dipping the cloth into the basin to cool it down for Merlin.
"I'll check but if Percival brought him here it must be something else." Gaius went down the steps to examine Gwaine.
Percival ducked his head as he entered Merlin's room. "Sire, Gwaine has a fever."
Arthur looked at him seriously then pulled him aside to speak quietly. "Percival go find Elyan. I sent a guard but it has been a while and the Queen is concerned for her brother."
Percival nodded and hurried out.
"You think Elyan is ill too don't you?" Gwen looked up at Arthur. She bit her lip not wanting to here the answer.
"He may be but I believe that Gaius will cure them. Don't worry Guinevere." Arthur couldn't bear it if he was the reason that Guinevere lost her brother. It had been a fear of his since he had knighted Elyan.
It was twenty minutes before Percival came back with Elyan over his shoulder just as he had carried Gwaine. Percival laid him on the other cot in the main room of the chamber.
"Where was he?" Arthur asked as he came over.
"He was at the forge. I think he was trying to do some work. He was passed out near the door." Percival told them.
Gwen stood at the top of the steps in the open door way. "Did he light the fire?"
"No. He had just walked in. Nothing looked like it was touched." Percival answered her.
Gwen nodded and came to her brother's side. "Is it the same, Gaius?"
"Yes Gwen, I'm afraid it is." Gaius grimaced. "Is anyone else affected?"
"Leon is the only one not here." Arthur said. "Percival see if you can find him."
Percival nodded and turned to leave.
As if on cue, Leon stepped through the door. "Sire I just came from the stables. Two of the horses are dead. The Stable Master says there are two others that are ill as well."
"What horses are they?" Arthur asked him.
"The two that are dead are yours and the one that Merlin rides. The two that are ill are mine and Gwaine's." Leon looked at the two men on the cots. "What illness do they have?"
"That's four of the six we took." Arthur frowned. "Percival was it yours and Elyan's horses that were separate from the others?"
"Yes, they were on the far end near the door. the others were in the corner. There was not much room for all six." Percival nodded.
"Was there straw anywhere near the horses?" Gaius asked the Knights.
"Yes, well, not mine and Elyan's but the others were right against some old bails." Percival looked at the old physician. "Do you think something was in the straw?"
"Leon, I need the contents of one of the horses stomachs to check it." Gaius looked at him.
"Take it from mine, Leon." Arthur said. "He was the one closest to the straw. As soon as Gaius finds out what this is he may be able to fashion a remedy for the horses as well."
"Sire, I fear that if the horses ingested the straw there is nothing that can be done." Gaius shook his head. "But I will do my best. First we must cure these men."
Leon nodded and went to get what Gaius needed.
Arthur went to kneel beside Gwen at Elyan's bedside. "Guinevere, I must attend to some matters but I will be back."
Gwen nodded. "I understand. I want to stay with my brother."
Arthur nodded and walked towards the door. He stopped to speak to Gaius. "I'll send some help, Gaius, to care for them."
"Thank you Sire," Gaius said gratefully.
Leon returned with the contents of Arthur's horse's stomach. Gaius took one look at it and nodded. "Leon, tell the Stable Master to give the horses that are ill lots of water. Tell him its ergot in the straw."
"The other two that were ill have already died, Gaius." There was a hitch in Leon's voice as his horse was one of the dead. "But I will have the Stable Master treat the last two."
"That's a good idea. Just in case they also ingested some of the tainted straw." Gaius agreed with the knight. He patted Leon on the shoulder. Leon had always been a master of horsemanship so Gaius knew that losing one of his horses upset him.
Leon nodded and left for the stables once more.
"Gaius, how can you tell that's what it is?" Gwen asked as she daubed at Elyan's forehead.
"The straw had the smell of rye. The stable master feeds wheat and barley not rye. He says it gives the horses colic. Cover them up. They will have to sweat it out. We shall have to get them to drink more water to flush their system."
Gwen nodded and covered Elyan with another blanket.
Jenney and another maid, Alice, came into in. "The King sent us to help, Gaius." Jenney said to the old man. She and Alice had helped often nurse the sick and injured.
"Alice, stoke the fire and Jenney, I need to bring Merlin down here with the other two. He needs to be warmer." Gaius was already half way up the stairs to Merlin's room.
Jenney followed him. In a few minutes she and Gaius were carrying Merlin down the stairs. They laid him on a pallet by the Knights.
Gwen turned to look at Merlin. "He looks pale, Gaius."
"Yes he does." Gaius turned to the maids. "I need fresh water and more wood to keep the fire going." Both maids hurried to get what was needed. Gaius took a cup and filled it with water and held Merlin's head trying to get him to drink. His hands were shaking.
"Here let me help." Gwen kneeled on the floor and held the cup to Merlin's lips and carefully tipped it. Merlin thankfully swallowed some of the water.
"Thank you, Gwen." Gaius sat on a bench near Merlin. "I'm not as young as I used to be." Gaius smiled a worried smile. "He always worries me."
"He has a talent for it, I believe." She rose and put her hand on the old man's shoulder. "He will recover to worry you again."
"I have no doubt." Gaius nodded. He patted her hand.
Jenney and Alice returned with wood and water.
"Jenney, you watch over Merlin and Alice, you have Gwaine. I will take care of my brother." Gwen instructed the maids. "Gaius, you need to rest. Have you eaten?"
"Yes, my lady, I have, thank you. I think I will sit for a while." Gaius smiled up at her.
Gwen returned to Elyan as the other girls attended their assigned charges.
~X~
Arthur had Court matters to attend to then he sent for Percival and Lancelot. Lancelot was still healing from a deep wound he had received by bandits on patrol.
"You sent for us, Sire?" Lancelot bowed as he and Percival came into the council chambers.
"Yes, I want you to go and see to it that the barn we stayed in is burned to the ground. It is a hazard and it needs to be removed. Take some guards with you to contain the blaze." Arthur told them.
Percival and Lancelot bowed and left to do as commanded.
Arthur went to check on the men in Gaius's care.
~X~
Percival and Lancelot along with about ten guards rode out the way Percival and the others had come home the night before. They rode at a good pace for hours until they came to the old barn. They made camp outside the barn and made plans to start the burning in the morning.
~X~
By morning, Merlin and Elyan had recovered enough to sit up and eat broth and drink water on their own. Gwaine was still very ill.
"Why is he still unconscious Gaius?" Arthur asked when he came in that morning.
"I believe Gwaine may have been dehydrated to start with from drink. It will take a little while longer for him but by mid day he should start to stir." Gaius was glad that his treatment was working. Merlin even had a little pink in his cheeks, although he believed that had something to do with Gwen's new maid.
"I ordered the barn to be burned to remove the hazard." Arthur told him.
"That is a very prudent course of action, Sire." Gaius agreed. "That barn is very dangerous to an unsuspecting traveler. I'm sure that the Knights were not the first to be affected by the ergot poisoning."
"What causes this poison?" Arthur asked curiously.
"Ergot is a natural growing fungus. It is most common in rye." Gaius explained.
"So this was not intentional then?"
"No sire. It was purely accidental."
Arthur nodded. He turned to look at his exhausted wife still fussing over her brother. Elyan looked like he was about to lose his temper at her. "Thank you, Gaius. Guinevere, come you need your rest. You have been at your brother's bedside all night." Arthur held out his hand to her.
"Go ahead Gwen. I'm going to be fine. You need to get some sleep. You look tired." Elyan said in a way only a brother could get away with.
Arthur resisted the urge to chuckle. Guinevere would have slapped him had he said that, he thought. Elyan was right, she did look weary.
"Are you sure you'll be alright?" Gwen asked her brother. He nodded. Reluctantly Gwen took Arthur's hand and let him lead her to their chambers.
When they arrived he helped her remove her gown and joined her for a short nap. Arthur had missed her in the bed last night as she was nursing her brother.
