CHAPTER 8 : SUMMONED HOME
As they approach Camelot, Sir Rook explained the message delivered stated that King Uther was not well and to protect his health, all travellers and beggars at Gaius's suggestion as Court Physician, were to be turned away from the castle gates.
The small party of two knights and two squires with the messenger entered by a little used but heavily guarded courtyard near the kitchens. The horses were taken from them and Sir Leon met them telling them that they would have to see Gaius before they were released into the main community of the castle. They all seemed healthy and Gaius allowed them to go to their respective rooms.
Arthur stayed in Gaius's chambers where the physician explained more fully the situation with his father. Two days ago Uther had seemed well at supper but by the morning was complaining of feeling nauseous. By lunch he looked ill and subsequently had a high fever and uncontrollable shivering. His face was blotched and his legs and hands blue.
Gaius attributed it to a public meeting the king had had with some visitors who were subsequently found struck down by the same symptoms. Three other knights were affected but were responded to Gaius's ministrations. However, the king was not. Gaius considered him too weak for any blood letting or treatment with leeches and was at his wits' end, hoping that Brother Aloysius's arrival later in the day might shed a light on the mysterious illness.
Arthur was then sent to his own chamber with the suggestion that he remained there until the illness was identified. Never one to enjoy being commanded to do something, Arthur was ready to rebel but seeing the look of concern in Gaius's eye, he said, "I will do as you ask, Gaius, but please keep me updated on the King's condition."
"I will, Arthur, just realise that being confined is not a punishment. I know very little about what ails the king and as your position in this kingdom is of great importance, being restricted to your chamber for a couple of days is a precaution."
Arthur nodded and left the room to be greeting by his manservant Martin who accompanied him to his chamber. Arthur was in no mood to chatter and they walked in silence.
Sir Leon who had also been present knew that Gaius was protecting Arthur as the future king and realised how sick King Uther actually was. Gaius said, "Don't say anything to Arthur or to any other knight. Sir Rupert has been notified to prepare for the worst and that is why it is imperative that Arthur's health is protected. God willing, the King will make a turn for the better but until that actually happens, Leon, we can only pray."
Arthur oblivious to the extent of his father's illness took advantage of the time before Merlin and the other squires returned to relax. Martin prepared him a bath, laid out fresh clothes and sent down for a meal. All the while bringing him up to date on what had happened at the castle since he has been away. "The king hasn't been well for a few days and Gaius has been run off his feet, however so far only three knights who were present at the meeting have been affected and they have all shown improvement. I heard that one of the original sick visitors didn't make it and died overnight."
"Can you get word to Merlin once he gets back, that I would like to see him?"
"I can try, Sir, but we are under strict orders not to leave our usual areas of the castle and I know that Gaius has been bemoaning the fact that he had even allowed his apprentice to go on the outing to meet up with the monks as he really needed him here."
"Martin, Brother Aloysius and Brother Anselme are well experienced with health problems so I'm sure that once they arrive, they will be of help and the illness will be identified." He had not thought that Gaius might have needed Merlin's help and realised that that would be where he should be instead of keeping him company. He'd be happy to know at least that Merlin was safely back in Camelot.
He sat in front of the fire day-dreaming and suddenly came to when he realised that he had once again seen strange places and things. This time screaming sounds and being trundled at speed through alleyways and buildings. He knew Merlin was there but pushed out of the way by strange speaking, blue clothed persons. He felt as if his head was going to explode and then saw his hearth and familiar chamber.
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Gaius never found the cause. Brother Aloysius was at a loss. They watched the king get weaker as the three younger knights improved and no other cases materialised.
Arthur was allowed to see his father and was shocked at his appearance. The seriousness of the situation struck him as he realised should anything happen to his father, he would be responsible for the Kingdom of Camelot. The sick room was darkened and stuffy, the bed was drenched with the king's sweat yet he shivered uncontrollably. His manservant and an assistant changed his bed and the bath sheets he laid upon. Maids were continually taking bed linens and night clothes down to the laundry.
Uther's manservant listened intently to what Gaius was telling him. He had Brother Anselme with him throughout the day. Together they monitored the king's condition and kept Gaius and Brother Aloysius informed.
Meantimes, Merlin was run off his feet as he did his usual work for Gaius. Added to that he spent time finding references in Gaius's library of medical papers for suggestions to help in healing the king. He was also at the beck and call of Brother Aloysius which saw him scouting the woods to find herbs and plants which the monk needed. He thought of Arthur but had no way to contact him. He knew that the king was close to death and hoped for a miracle as he felt that Arthur was not ready to assume the reins of power He did not believe that Arthur at his age was prepared to take over running the kingdom even with the help of The Royal Council and the Senior Knights.
It annoyed him as when he felt his position should have been with Arthur, he had spent all of his time working in the physician's chambers. Due to the extreme importance of the situation, he had no time for himself. He seemed to be on the go from morning to night. He often wondered if the two physicians realised there was only one of him. His only hope was that Arthur didn't think that he had abandoned him.
Nevertheless, when Uther seemed to stabilise and then take a slight turn for the better, Merlin was able to breathe a sign of relief. He wanted desperately to make contact with Arthur to see how he was managing but he couldn't. He'd tried to question Gaius as to how Arthur was coping but his mentor said, "Don't worry about Arthur, he has his advisors and support staff."
"But have you seen him?" he asked.
"My priority is his father. When Uther is up on his feet, you will be able to make contact with Arthur again." He passed Merlin some parsnips and continued, "Now, these tubers need to be washed and peeled. The peelings are to be pulverised and boiled. I'll make an elixir from the liquid. Away you go, Brother Aloysius and I are going to check on the king."
Merlin returned to the job at hand of scrubbing tubers. It was great that Arthur was being looked after but he would feel better if he could see him with his own eyes.
-0-0-
The castle was a strangely quiet place, no boisterous suppers although training for squires and knights continued as was necessary. Pages no longer roamed the corridors as squires were being used for carrying messages.
Arthur felt that even the few people he saw each day were creeping around him not wanting to disturb him. It was unnerving. The unexplained flashbacks were continuing and he felt isolated and even abandoned even though he knew he wasn't.
Gaius came to him one afternoon with Brother Aloysius to say that the King his father seemed brighter today that he had spoken a few words and had asked to see his son.
Arthur dressed appropriately and Sir Leon escorted him to the royal chambers. He was shocked at how under the weather his father still looked but the king was certainly more conscious of what was going on around him. He heard his father out as he explained that should anything happen to him Arthur as his son would be crowned king.
Uther grasped Arthur's hand as he said,"You have been raised to this…and I have confidence…although you are younger…than I would have wished for you to be...taking over the running of the kingdom…I have every confidence…you will do a credible job." His father lapsed into silence exhausted by the short sentences he had managed to say.
"Father, you will get over this setback, you are already so much better."Arthur said stretching the point slightly as his father's voice could hardly be heard as he was breathless after a few words. The monarch's mind however was alert and what he had said made sense.
Arthur noticed that Gaius and Brother Aloysius seemed pleased and they later explained that this was the best condition they had seen the king in for the last three weeks. Brother Aloysius said, "It's a good sign as he is becoming involved with the people around him and the goings on in his chambers. He is capable of speaking in complete sentences and his thoughts are succinct."
"He has even taken some liquids," Gaius added, "and we will be more able to feed him medicine with what he consumes. Today, he even spoke about when he gets better, that is a good sign. He even asked after the knights who were also sick."
Arthur thought that he still looked at death's door but agreed that he was lucid, A weight was lifted off his shoulders as Gaius said as they stood at the door, "Arthur, I think seeing you has helping him. Thank you for agreeing to visit him. It has put his mind at rest. Hopefully he will have a good night's rest and be ready to face tomorrow in a positive frame of mind."
Arthur nodded wishing the Court Physician a good night and walked with Sir Leon back to his chambers.
-0-0-
King Uther was improving slowly. His convalescence would take time and the Royal Council and Senior Knights had decided that his condition should be kept secret as much as possible. As the optimum time for neighbouring kingdoms to attack would be when Camelot's leader was weak and unable to respond.
While the Royal Council continued with the administration of day to day affairs, Sir Rupert assumed responsibility for keeping the knights in top form and training continued for the squires and pages.
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Sir Leon was worried about Arthur as on the last three occasions he'd seen him, he was morose and unwilling to talk. He did not have the company of his friends and was as far as Leon was concerned, too much involved with his father's illness and the muttering of the old men who now were interested in taking the Crown Prince under their wings.
Arthur had never had a hovering father figure and he found that the best way to deal with all these genuine sentiments of interest and caring was to shut himself away from everyone, remaining in his chambers where he could decide whom to permit access.
Leon figured that it would now be good for Arthur's to get out and about. His father was holding his own and Gaius had agreed that Arthur's sitting in front of his fire in his room did nothing to improve the situation.
"Take him out for a good gallop that will blow away all the cobwebs and make him feel energised."
"Sounds great but he has to be willing to leave his room. I guess I couldn't borrow your assistant for a few hours could I?"
Merlin who had just walked in glanced up as Gaius said, "You can have him for the afternoon. He could probably do with a break as well." Turning to Merlin he said, "You'll work with Leon this afternoon but be back here before supper."
"Let's go before Gaius changes his mind!" Leon said smiling as he slipped his arm across Merlin's shoulders and escorting him out of the room.
-0-0-
On their way to Arthur's chambers, Leon explained briefly that Arthur needed cheering up. "He's holed up in his room and if he steps outside some well-meaning person tries to comfort him or commiserate with him on the amount on work which will now be laid on his young shoulders. Gaius thinks a good gallop would fix him but he obviously didn't realise it was pelting rain so I decided that an afternoon with someone who has no ties with Senior Knights and members of the Royal Council might accomplish the same thing.
"I have given Martin the afternoon off so if Arthur needs anything, could you look after it?" Merlin nodded. "Try to get him out of his room even if it is only to roam around the castle. I think the realisation of what he will have to face one day, hopefully in the far distant future, has shocked him. It came out of nowhere as the king was hale and hearty before Arthur left and on death's door upon his return."
"Leave him to me, Sir Leon, I can be good company when I put my mind to it!" Merlin said with a smile.
They passed the guards stationed at the bottom of the stairs and Merlin heard Leon tell them that the physician's apprentice was to be allowed access to the Prince Arthur's chamber without being challenged, regardless of it being day or night.
They reached the door to Arthur's chambers and Leon stopped, "He's been through a lot, I don't know how willing he'll be to talk. I think he's needed to speak with someone his own age for some time but, with the king so ill, his son's needs were ignored. Now it's up to you. He's all yours!"
"Thank you, Sir Leon, I'll look after him until Martin returns."
Merlin's heart was thumping in his chest as he opened the door to Arthur's antechamber, the last time he'd been there was following that awful training session when Arthur had been exhausted.
Martin was in the antechamber ready to leave. He nodded at Merlin and explained, "I will place lunch on this side board, in case the Prince should feel he's hungry. The fire has been recently banked. Between you and me he's practically dead on his feet and needs a good sleep. I'm sure he's worrying himself sick but it is not in my position to say anything to him.
"The Assistant Chamberlain Humphrey was here two days ago and he did seem to perk up a little, even had some breakfast but within a half hour of his leaving, he was once again sitting in front of the fire staring at the flames. Sometimes he'll answer me with a yes or no but other times it's as if he's blocked out all intrusions and wants to keep to himself. I worry about him as he is usually a very active young man. Gaius told me to keep doing what I was and that time would be the healer. He dropped by to visit him but the prince was in a deep sleep and he seemed loathe to waken him. I will be back with supper and to see if you need anything else." So saying, he walked across to the bedchamber door opened it and stood back to let Merlin enter.
-0-0-
The heavy curtains were closed over the windows and a figure all scrunched up was sitting in front of the fire.
Merlin walked into the room and felt the heat, he slipped off his jacket and threw it on the bed, the figure in front of the fire didn't move. He sat on the bed waiting for Arthur to turn around which he didn't.
Finally, knowing only too well that Arthur if he needed, to defend himself, could move extremely quickly and valuing his own life, Merlin stood against the bedpost and said quietly, "Arthur?" No response so he said a little louder, "Arthur, it's me can I come closer?"
Merlin noticed Arthur's shoulders seemed to sag even more and a muffled voice said, "Yes!"
The emotion surrounding the word went right to Merlin's heart and he walked forward and stood behind him. He slipped his arms around his neck and held him to his chest before lowering his head and gently kissing the top of Arthur's head.
He stayed there holding the prince to himself until a flood of emotions was released in Arthur and he starting sobbing. He managed to say, "I wanted you here with me so much...but I knew Gaius needed you more at the moment as did my father.
"They didn't want me talking to any of my friends among the squires and Council just kept drilling me in all the things I would need to do if my father died. I'm tired but I can't sleep…and when I do I have wild dream and hear strange noises such that I have never experienced. None of it makes any sense."
Merlin walked around him and knelt before him on the floor saying, "I think they botched up the whole thing, don't you? Your father is now out of danger, there is every hope that he will make a full recovery and you won't be taking on the responsibilities of the kingdom for many a year." He lifted Arthur's chin until he could make eye contact, "Trust me?"
Arthur nodded and Merlin could see that he was more relaxed already. He left him and went to the window saying, "It's still daylight outside, is it all right if I open the curtains?" He smiled encouragingly at Arthur who nodded in return. The room suddenly looked better and Merlin was surprised at how disheveled Arthur looked as if he had been living rough for the last three weeks.
He walked back to him and said, "You need a bath, a shave and a haircut but not now. I think a little sleep would do you good. When did you last have a good night's sleep?"
"I can't remember, I intend to sleep and then my mind starts racing, my head aches and I can't."
Merlin thought of all the preparations that Gaius could have made up to help settle Arthur's mind to allow sleep and he felt guilty. "Well, I think you should try a little rest now, what do you think?"
Arthur looking relieved that someone else was making the decisions nodded before adding, "You'll stay with me won't you?"
Smiling Merlin said, "Well, I wouldn't turn down the chance of a short afternoon nap...if that is, you don't mind sharing your bed." He stood and held out his hands and Arthur grasped them as a dying man might his rescuer. He put his arm around Arthur's shoulders leading him to the bed, and once he had him seated on the bed, knelt down to remove Arthur's house shoes.
"Don't do that, I can remove them myself!"
Merlin smiled ignoring Arthur's command, "One day, I'll probably need help with my boots and you can reciprocate."
Arthur smiled but the smile never reached his eyes then his face became serious as he said as he lay back on the pillow, "Merlin, I don't think I have what it calls for to be a king…it's as though I am divided in two persons. I know things but I can't put my finger on them and my dreams are beyond my wildest imagination."
Slipping into bed beside him, Merlin said, "You will understand, Arthur, when the time comes." He slipped his hand into Arthur's and held it letting it go only when Arthur's breathing showed that he was asleep.
The next four hours were anything but peaceful as Arthur tossed and turned, sometimes sobbing and at other time muttering. Each time Merlin held him until he settled. He found himself whispering to Arthur how he truthfully felt which he would never have done if he had been awake. He smiled to himself…he felt closer to Arthur in his time of need than he had ever felt to anyone.
