CHAPTER 6 : HOMEWARD BOUND

Supper was a celebration for villagers and visitors alike. Their problems had been settled and from the point of view of the knights no lives were lost and Sir Romney had returned with the monks. Now, escorting them back to Camelot was their priority.

Sir Romney did not get that much sleep as he went over a few things with Aislin before turning in. He had his reservations as did Aislin that the Henning Family who had left might still try to cause trouble for the villagers. He hoped not but at least when they discussed their report with the king, they would be able to tell him that they had left the area satisfied with their work as Hillsley was once again peaceful.

The squires were given time to eat and no sooner had they, than those who had accompanied the knights to the monastery were ready to turn in. Merlin joined them and they sat around in the sheep shed telling the other two squires what they had missed. James and Piers were not able to equal their exploits just saying that that had been kept busy by the four knights who had stayed in Hillsley.

Brynn mentioned the young lad they had found in the stream and who had subsequently died. Merlin looked at Arthur knowing that he felt it had been a failure on the part of their group not to have been able to save him. He smiled kindly, Arthur was going in his life to face many occasions when he would be unable to save people even if he had the best of intentions. Arthur glanced in his direction and smiled back, asking Merlin about the burned guard. Merlin was able to report that he would make a complete recovery and had been lucky because one of the other guards had eased the pain by helping the injured man to sit with his leg in the stream until the pain had diminished and then had covered it with a wet cloth.

"Gaius will have to see him when he arrives home but he should be all right and I used some of Gaius's ointment so that will also help."

"He won't be too comfortable riding though," James added.

"Well, they could get him slightly tipsy and then he wouldn't be as conscious of his leg," Piers suggested.

Merlin said, "Then he might fall off his horse and break his leg, I think he is better just suffering the pain."

Arthur again felt uncomfortable as if what Merlin had said was not in context to where they were at the moment. He shook his head wondering why things sometimes seemed so confusing. To change the subject, Arthur said, "You know, Brynn and I tasted excellent ale in the monastery. They have their own brewery. I was impressed."

Piers was quick to pick up on it saying, "What are you, Arthur, an ale aficionado all of a sudden?"

"Well, at least I know what I like! Not like you who couldn't make up your mind over a real bitter or a mild one until we hard to cart you unceremoniously up to bed. You were so lucky that everyone else was celebrating as I think you might have been drummed out of the Squires for drinking if any of the squire masters had seen us."

"I thought we agreed never to mention that episode of my 'childhood innocence' again," Piers said feigning hurt. "Luckily, I wasn't caught and I learned my lesson…" he exclaimed finally laughing.

James interrupted him by saying, "Yes, we all know, you now hate beer!"

The four squires laughed remembering the incident, giving Merlin a little glimpse of the other side of life as a squire in Camelot.

Finally Arthur yawned saying, "Although this bonding session has been good for the soul, I'm ready to turn in, 'night everyone and if any of you has to get up during the night, watch where you walk and please do not step on my legs!"

Merlin leant over once they were settled to blow out the lantern plunging everyone into darkness. It had been a luxury to use it as candles cost money and were not to be wasted. He smiled thinking of Gaius when he complained to him that he had almost measured his length on the stairs to his room and Gaius had been less that comforting when he had said that humans were not meant to be able to see in the dark and that he should be more careful in future…

-0-0-

Arthur was disturbed as someone got up early to go outside, it was still dark and he lay thinking about the last nine days. He had enjoyed himself, he'd worked hard but was pleased with the results. He had hopes that the reports from the knights would be positive and he would again be asked to participate in outings away from Camelot.

He closed his eyes and smiled to himself, Merlin being there had been a bonus. He had been pleasantly surprised when Piers had told him that he'd seen Merlin with the groom and the guards. He was not sure how much contact he would have with him but over the time, Romney had included Merlin in with the squires and they had seen more of each other. He knew that when they got back to Camelot, it would be different as Merlin would be working most of the time and he would be back in training and schooling to become a squire. He just hoped that they'd be able occasionally to bump into each other, he smiled to himself as he thought, 'Literally more than figuratively!'

He was conscious of someone coming back in and stopping near him. He opened his eyes but could only make out a figure. He recognised who it was as a voice said, "It's quiet, no one is on guard. Are you sure you don't need to go outside?"

Merlin looked down at him and waited then when he saw Arthur nod his head he leant over and gave him a hand up. They walked quietly to the doorway and slipped out. Arthur followed him to the far side of the building facing the woods and leant against an old gate post. He spoke first, "This is practically the first time that we have been alone, there was always someone else around, not that I mean that is bad but it is sort of nice to be able to speak together without interruption."

"Well, as someone in Ealdor would say, 'We're practically within spitting distance of home!' "

"This chap whoever he is must have had superior powers as it will take us at least a good two days riding to reach there."

Merlin laughed, "You know what I meant. As of tomorrow I will, according to Romney, be taking my place behind the monks but in front of the guards."

"I could ask him to let you ride with the squires again however, I have a feeling he'd say no," Arthur said making a face, "better to just accept whatever happens."

"Well, I am sort of a humble extension of Gaius and the monks are his guests so it would be my right place. They're interesting to talk to and Brother Aloysius is very knowledgeable."

"Be as it may, I'm also interesting, aren't I and I'll miss you…?"

Merlin smiled into the dark as that explained how he felt too. "We can meet up once you're home, Gaius doesn't work me twenty-four seven. If I invited you, would you consider joining us for supper if you had a free evening?"

"I certainly would but maybe that should be cleared with Gaius first. I don't know what he would think if I materialised expecting to be fed."

"That would be no problems," said Merlin, "as you could stop by the kitchens and bring your own food with you. On second thought, bring enough for the three of us."

That caused Arthur to laugh, "You've obviously been thinking about this haven't you?"

"Well, I'm pretty certain that Gaius is going to be eating frequently with our monastery guests either in their chambers or even in the dining hall. Your father will certainly have them dine with him one night and I will not be on the guest list.

"You might...as Gaius's apprentice."

"I hope not…oh, that didn't come out right, did it? As I would be honoured to dine with your father should he ask me…" Merlin petered out and Arthur laughed as he knew that was far from the truth and said so. Merlin smiled and continued, "Well, what I had meant to say was I doubt that my position at Camelot would hold much sway when a dinner guest list is draw up."

Arthur laughed, "Well said! We'll make you into a diplomat in no time. Now listen, many nights I am left eating by myself under the watchful eye of Martin. There is no reason why, if Gaius has no need for you, you couldn't accept my invitation to join me for supper."

"I would be very honoured," said Merlin with his tongue in his cheek.

Arthur picked up on it and said, "I know why I like you as you are not afraid of me. So many people creep around me and it is unnerving. I am no different to them…"

"Except in being the Future King of an all-powerful nation and having a bedchamber three times as big as any of the others in the castle!"

"Wait until you see my father's royal chambers, they are huge. You could spend your whole life in there and never feel hemmed in. He even has a private staircase leading down to the floor below to rooms which I presume would be the Queen's chambers. I once went in them with Humphrey. I have never mentioned them to my father but it would be fun having two ways to get into your chambers."

"I do!" insisted Merlin, "I can go in the door and climb out the window!"

"…and hang there until some intrepid knight comes along with ladders to rescue you." Arthur said and started to laugh.

A disembodied voice said, "Arthur?"

Arthur bit his lip and then realised it was Piers. "We're sitting here talking, I bumped into Merlin when nature called. Anyway, should be going back in now as I'm still tired. Are you on your way out or your way in, Piers?"

"On my way out," the other squire said. "You really should be getting back to sleep as the sky is lightening and we'll be on the road early according to Sir Cadmus. Bye, Merlin!" He walked off towards the trees.

Merlin stood up and immediately said, "Sorry, I kept you up, you should have said that you were tired."

"I'm not as that was a lie. I'd be happy to stay out here until the sun comes up as long as you're with me. If I don't get a chance to talk to you privately again, remember I was serious about your joining me for supper. Anyway, you know where I live…" he laughed, "as I do you and if necessary I'll send a page with a message."

They turned and walked back around the sheep shed and just before they went through the opening that stood for a door, Arthur whispered, "Now, I'll try to stop thinking about you so I can get some sleep…"

"Me as well…" a voice in the grey darkness responded.

-0-0-

True to what Sir Cadmus had told Piers, they were woken up early and had eaten, got the horses sorted and were on the road before the morning fog had lifted. They were all glad to be back on the road especially the guards who had been superfluous as there had not been any fighting but as one of the detachment mentioned maybe their presence had been enough to have a calming effect.

Sir Romney lead with Sir Aislin so Arthur rode with James after the other knights and their respective squires. He had glanced around hoping to see Merlin as he knew that he would be with the monks but as they were riding after the guards they were some distance back. They rode until mid-morning when Romney called a halt at a ford and the horses were watered and the riders got off the stretch their legs. Brynn and Arthur laughed at the other squires as they were stiff after having spent less time in the saddle over the last five days.

Romney had no intention of pushing the horses, if they covered ten miles before a break that suited him as he knew that the next ten miles would be hilly terrain and less distance would be covered. He intended to camp in the abandoned village as they had on their first day out of Camelot.

He'd laughed when Aislin said, "I felt sure last night when I went to bed that I was not sleeping alone."

Romney kidded him saying, "Better not let you fair Lady Wife hear you say that as she will be banning you from her bed."

Aislin laughed out loud and the others knights who were not in on the conversation smiled as obviously something amusing had been said. "No, I'm true to my wife, it's just that I'm sure the mattress was alive, as I woke up covered in bites and they itched like mad. Vicious little things a lot worse that what we encounter at home."

Romney pretended to be shocked and pulled Gilpin away from Aislin and his horse. Then he laughed, "Better give all your clothes a good shake and have some lavender oil sprinkled in your bed. Heard that that helps. Luckily your wife didn't accompany us on the trip as she would be less than happy with you. Bedbugs and fleas are one of the not so happy occurrences of sleeping in stranger's homes, or to think of it, inns." He laughed as he added, "I think the older you get the more annoying it is. My youngest seems to attract them but as he sleeps with our old hound both of them are probably crawling alive. Mind you, I wouldn't say that to my wife or Bonz would be turfed out."

"I remember as a kid watching a flea jump from the kitchen cat onto a serving maid," Aislin added, "and thinking it was funny."

There were approaching an inn and Romney made a sign for everyone to halt. The inn was often frequented by knights and the meals though not wonderful, were plentiful and hot. There was also shade for the horses and the ale was good enough after their hilly climb.

The innkeeper and his staff had seen the group arriving and his family met the knights with tankards of ale. The horses were handed over to the squires and the knights stood around drinking until they were told that a meal was ready for them. The guards had their own supplies and set up across from the inn. Arthur smiled as he saw Merlin go into the inn accompanying Brothers Aloysius and Anselme. The squires ate outside on the ground.

"Have you run across any illness?" The innkeeper wanted to know of Romney, "We had merchants in yesterday who said that Shadford, South of here, has been hit by sickness and it is very hard on children and the elderly."

Romney explained that the majority of his group had been no further east than Hillsley but that a few of them went as far north as Lesschester and had heard no rumours of illness. "We are travelling with two monks and they haven't mentioned any illness in their area and they would have heard about problems as they deal with the sick all year."

The mortality rates for children was always high and Aislin noticed that Sir Rook looked worried as his wife was with child and Gaius had mentioned twins which meant that both of the babies would be small and at greater risk.

Merlin's ears caught the gist of the conversation and hoped that they were not carrying something back to Camelot or going to return to find the castle besieged by illness.

Brother Aloysius noticed his concern and said quietly, "Brother Anselme and I will pray for your people and also offer our help to Gaius if needs be."

"Thank you, Brother, Gaius has a healthy respect for travellers bringing illness with them and in the times of great sickness, has the guards stop people who are obviously not well and send them directly to his chambers so he can make sure they are not carrying something that will spread like wildfire."

"Gaius is a very sensible man and a brilliant physician, I know that we can trust that he will do the best he possibly can to protect Camelot."

Soon Sir Romney was motioning for Arthur to get the horses. The guards were all mounted and after Sir Roger had settled with the innkeeper who wished them a safe journey, they were once again on the road. Their evening meal would consist of bread, cheese and a couple of chickens which they had managed to purchase in the little village.

-0-0-

Within three hours they approached the abandoned village. The guards set up camp in the woods and the knights claimed the more intact buildings. Arthur could have sworn that if anything it looked more rundown than it had ten days ago.

Space in one of the cottages which the knights had claimed, as it still had remnants of a roof, was limited, therefore only the monks were invited to join them. It was a squeeze but with the threatening storm clouds better than what was on offer for the squires whom Merlin had been told to join.

The squires returned to where they had slept the first night but it wasn't suitable for all of them should it rain. They could sleep in the woods and rely on shelter from the trees but Brynn suggested dividing into two groups to make the best of what was on offer in the derelict buildings. So they did.

James managed to find a suitable corner in one of the cottages that had not only a half timbered roof but three walls, the covered area was rectangular and large enough for possibly three people. Arthur could see that it was going to be too small for five so he said, "Why don't you three stay here and Merlin and I will search around while it's still light, for somewhere for the two of us."

Piers said, "Arthur, are you sure? You can have my space and I can find something with Merlin."

Answering maybe a little too fast, Arthur said, "I can manage fine, look at all these ruins it won't be hard to find somewhere."

Brynn offered to help them search but Merlin suggested that they should use the time to put fir boughs on the dirt floor. "It will be softer to lie on and keep you out of any puddles if it does rain."

Sir Rook smiled as he saw the three squires dragging fir boughs into the cottage they had chosen. He was impressed with their initiative. They'd been told not to mollycoddle the squires but he wasn't too happy with them not having adequate cover and waking up in sodden clothes.

"Should we also get boughs?" Arthur asked.

Merlin grinned and said, "Not yet! Follow me. Do you remember that I slept out with the grooms the last time we were here. Well, I was up early and did a little exploring and found something quite interesting."

"A cottage that is weather tight?"

"Not, a cottage exactly a small cave! Dry as a bone and just up beyond those rocks. It's small but in a pinch the five of us could scrunch in there. There is also a stream nearby."

Arthur turned and said, "Maybe we should tell the others…or maybe we shouldn't, just keep it for ourselves. They will be fine in that little area and you did remind them about the boughs." He kicked at a tuft of grass and said hesitantly, "What do you think?"

"Well, unaccustomed as I am to making decisions of such magnitude…" he smiled softly at Arthur and said, "...I think that we should keep it to ourselves."

"I agree, an unanimous decision, let's find this cave of yours." He grabbed Merlin's hand and pulled him in the direction to which he had originally nodded.