CHAPTER NINE : THE QUEST FOR A FAMILY

Gaius listened solemnly to Arthur's proposal glancing at Merlin who nodded his head. "Will you be safe?" Gaius wanted to know.

Merlin again nodded and smiled, "Gaius, I'll be back before you know it hopefully with answers to the questions we have."

"Don't worry, I'm not sending him out on his own, I intend to send Gawaine and Leon with him," Arthur added, "Geoffrey assured us that the Abbey is a safe place and that he'd trust Malachius with his life. He also felt that the names will be more familiar to someone living further north."

Gaius looked again at Merlin, he wasn't ready to let him go. However, Arthur seemed convinced that Geoffrey's idea was a good one and Merlin seemed to be in agreement. He shook his head, maybe he was just acting like a fussy parent. He remembered seeing older parents being too cautious with their offspring. He smiled at Merlin saying, "Go, however don't do anything stupid."

Arthur had also smiled as he put his arm across Merlin's shoulders and said, "Listen to Gaius, this is only supposed to be a fact-finding mission not a trip to set the world at right."

They left Gaius and went down to Geoffrey to finalise the arrangements.

Geoffrey was ready for them and had had scribes working overnight to get the family tree copied and various letters of introduction organised. Arthur was glad to know that the originals would be staying at Camelot. They were important manuscripts.

Merlin would carry a letter of introduction and various missives from Geoffrey to Malachius.

"Have you ever been there?" he asked the Head Librarian.

"Years ago, before Arthur was born even, Malachius trained with me here. We visited Cumberland one summer. You will love the area with the lakes and the mountains. I was picked to remain here and work under my predecessor but Malachius had a slight difference with your father, Arthur, and as a result was unceremoniously escorted out of the lower town and encouraged in no uncertain terms to never bother darkening the gates of the town again."

Merlin sensing a juicy story wanted to know, what the argument was about.

Geoffrey smiled and said, "Uther's unreasonable haste in executing anyone who had a charge of sorcery against him. There was a young boy, who arrived in Camelot who had a flair for healing and Uther took offence and the child was burned on the pyre."

Merlin's heart clenched. It could have been him if his mother had not ingrained in him the need to keep his magic a secret. Arthur felt uncomfortable, he had been forced to witness executions from the earliest age. Many a time he had afterwards sobbed uncontrollably in Gaius's arms as he had seen children torn from their mother's and thrown into prison to be later beheaded.

Merlin remembered Gaius telling him that he had been furious that Uther had paraded his young son like a battle trophy on the balcony during these executions. He slipped his hand into Arthur's and squeezed it. Geoffrey noticed and smiled, he was glad that Arthur had found someone to be with. He himself had always been alone and he wished that he had been able to find that special person.

He hadn't bothered mentioning it but another reason that Malachius had left was that he could not condone Uther's unreasonable attitude towards what he saw as 'unnatural friendships'. He had stood by as two of his best friends, young knights had been burned facing each other on the pyre while Uther made disgusting comments and chides, calling them aberrations, all the while trying to encourage the assembled knights and the townspeople to join him.

Geoffrey had been proud to see that the knights forced to witness their friends' deaths had remained true to them and not uttered a sound. The townspeople had followed suit and in disgust Uther had left his balcony.

The knights had remained in the courtyard until no hope of life remained before marching silently back to their quarters. Geoffrey also knew that Malachius had been involved with collecting the bone fragments and seeing that a funeral had been held.

However, Arthur didn't need to be reminded of those details.

Geoffrey over the years had remained in touch with his friend and had not been surprised to learn that Malachius had settled as a librarian in an abbey. Technically, he was Brother Malachius and actually the Prior of the Abbey of St. Brigid in Caldew.

Geoffrey knew that Merlin and the others would be safe at St. Brigid's and he hoped that his friend would be able to help with the search for the family mentioned in the papers. He planned the message he would send immediately to Malachius, telling him of the upcoming visit of representatives from Camelot.

Planning to leave Merlin, spent one whole day with Geoffrey and then feeling that he had absorbed all that he needed to know, had told Arthur that he was ready to leave.

-0-0-

Finally, the day arrived for Merlin's departure. Arthur had given him a squire as was suited the position of Royal Emissary. He'd allowed Merlin the choice and Merlin had gone with Aled, the youngest brother of Sir Gerard. The fourteen year old would be joined by a senior squire John who would be squiring for the two knights.

Leon and Gawaine had been involved in all the planning. It wasn't to be a secret that they were representing Camelot just that the information they carried was for specific ears only. Anyway, Leon's and Gawaine's cloaks and Pendragon emblems would place them as Knights of Camelot to anyone in the know. It had also been agreed that a manservant wouldn't go amiss

The others had laughed as Leon had said, "See, Merlin, you won't have to do all the cooking by yourself!"

The night before they left, Arthur had insisted on a private supper with just Gaius and Geoffrey. There were no secrets among them and they spoke openly of the mission.

Geoffrey realised that Merlin hoped that the search would be fruitless that no information would be found and that the child could remain with them. Arthur was more realistic, should the child have relatives, it was only right that they should be notified and given the opportunity to claim their family member.

At no point should Arthur's name or position be dragged into the conversation. The interested party was to be a minor noble known as Sidney, Lord Copperthwaite of Tugmore or more readily referred to as Copperthwaite. Malachius as Geoffrey's contact however would be privy to the whole story.

-0-0-

Morning came and Arthur was loathe to let him get out of bed.

"Arthur, I have to get up. We're supposed to be meeting in the courtyard after the others have eaten breakfast."

"I'll miss you, I don't know why I agreed to your going with them!"

"Because you want to get to the bottom of the mystery of why a homeless couple would have in their possession the papers and jewellery." He managed to slip out of Arthur's grasp, " I'll be back before you realise I'm gone!" thinking to himself, '...as if.'

Gawaine had assured him that they'd have a great time. "You and me and Leon, we'll be able to put up at alehouses, set our own routes getting up later and calling it a day early."

"Gawaine, this is not supposed to be a holiday, we have to get to Malachius post haste and learn as much as we can then get back here to Arthur and Geoffrey."

"Well, Arthur can't begrudge us a couple of drinks."

Merlin just shook his head. He knew that Geoffrey had already given Leon an itinerary and a map before impressing upon him the importance of travelling a minimum of as many hours a day as the horses could manage depending upon the terrain. Gawaine's idea that it was going to be a holiday was far from the truth.

Merlin was ready to get dressed. He looked at his clothes, made to measure travelling clothes. His reflection in the window showed that he cut the fine figure of someone on an important mission. He had a leather satchel which he would wear across his chest and a flowing cloak. His squire would be dressed similarly.

Leon's manservant Harris was to accompany him. He was trustworthy and had been on the castle staff for years as had his parents before him and as were his children as one of his daughters was Helen who was helping to look after Dovey.

Arthur wanted to walk him to the courtyard and Merlin laughed trying to lighten the moment by saying that it was unnecessary as he knew the way. He stopped before they left their private chambers to enter the antechamber and putting his arms around Arthur hugged him. "Don't forget me, will you?"

Arthur hugged him and whispered, "Never!"

There was a discreet tap on the door and Merlin and Arthur walked into the antechamber with Arthur saying, "We're ready, Thomas."

Merlin smiled as he said cheekily, "Thomas, take care of him!"

Arthur hummed, "Merlin, I'm quite capable of looking after myself as you well know."

Thomas caught Merlin's eye and said quite seriously, "I will, Sir! Have a safe journey."

"Thank you, we'll probably be back within the fortnight."

Arthur and Merlin made their way to the courtyard and Merlin was surprised to see quite a few people gathered to see them off. Gaius and Geoffrey were on the stairs as was Treva whom Merlin hugged. "Be good for Randall," he said to him. Treva nodded grinning happily.

Also in the courtyard were most of the knights from their little group as well as Sir Gerard Aled's brother. It had been great honour to his family for Aled to be chosen to accompany Merlin, Gawaine and Leon on a special mission.

Merlin walked down the last couple of steps and Iago who was being held by Aled nickered at him.

He turned smiling to face Arthur who said seriously, "Remember whom you belong to…don't do anything I wouldn't. If it gets too dangerous abandon the mission as you and the others are more important than any family tree."

Arthur then put his hand on Leon's forearm and wished his a safe journey.

He turned and put his arm across Gawaine's shoulders and said quietly, "If you value your life…don't bother coming home without him!"

-0-0-

Merlin noticed that Sir Graham and Henry were standing in the courtyard with Randall. Treva now looked as if he was going to burst.

Arthur laughed saying, "As you are going past Yewdene, these two scallywags will accompany you as they are spending a few days there with Sir Graham and Lady Henrietta.

The staff know they are coming so once you get to the turn off, they can continue with Randall."

"Isn't this fun, Merlin, Henry and I will go with you as far as Yewdene and if we are good," he glanced beseechingly at Arthur, "we can stay there until you come back and can pick us up."

Arthur shook his head, "They're only going for a couple of days and will be back here long before you return."

Henry who had come over, said seriously, "If we had been older, Treva and I could have acted as Merlin's squires, couldn't we?"

"Yes, I think that in a few years, you'll both make excellent squires," Arthur said kindly to the beaming boy.

Merlin thought, 'Pity the poor knight who gets the two of them.' He glanced at Arthur who was grinning thoroughly enjoying the conversation.

Merlin said, "Well if you're ready, let's go!" Randall and a groom walked over with their horses and the boys mounted.

As the knights and squires mounted, Merlin turned to Arthur and laughed "We'd better get going, the further we get before nightfall the closer we'll be to Cumberland and Malachius and the sooner we'll be back home. At least, the next three hours will be interesting."

He heard Sir Graham remind his son to obey Randall and behave himself riding with the knights. "Your mother and I will be at Yewdene in two days and if you have both behaved yourselves we could stay another couple of days."

Merlin turned Iago around and mounted him, nodding at Leon mounted on Mentor who led the party of nine out of the courtyard.

Arthur walked at his stirrup and said, "You don't mind taking the boys as far as Yewdene, do you?"

Merlin grinned and said only for Arthur's ears, "I'd rather be taking you. We haven't spent time there recently. Promise that when I get back, we can have at least one day there to ourselves."

"I'll be counting the days," Arthur said seriously. "Take care. No pushing yourselves until you're all exhausted." He put his hand on Merlin's knee and squeezed lightly saying, "I'll be waiting. Remember that if ever it gets too dangerous abandon the trip. Maybe the information does not even pertain to the child."

Merlin let Iago join the others turning to nod at Arthur as he walked beyond the sentry guards at the portcullis. The leather satchel felt tight across his chest and his hand rested briefly upon it.

-0-0-

Gaius was waiting for Arthur on the steps and they made their way back into the castle as Gaius said, "Sire, he'll be safe with Gawaine and Leon. Geoffrey gave them some excellent maps and they won't be reaching any area which they don't know until they're north of Glevum….he told me that he mapped their journey using as much of the Roman road system as possible. It will help them time wise and there are plenty of villages along the way." He smiled continuing with a chuckle, "He won't have any time to himself until he drops the boys and Randall. How long have you known about their plans?"

"Treva has been asking to go and to take Henry with him. He assured me that he was old enough to travel by himself." Arthur laughed, "Couldn't see myself turning him loose on the kingdom, yet I admired his self confidence, so when Graham agreed that Henry could go I decided to up the ante and let the boys go with Merlin's group as an added treat."

"I'd better get back to work, I have to see the squire Roland to check his leg. At his age, the bone should heal faster than an adults. When will theses young men learn that they are not invincible and think before they act?"

"When they are old men, Gaius!"

"If, Arthur, they survive that long!"

Returning to his chambers, Arthur felt at a loss. It was not often that he and Merlin were separated and the next fortnight loomed ahead. He was determined to keep busy and as Thomas walked in, he asked him to notify the squire master that he would attend this morning's senior squires' training session.

-0-0-

Gawaine smiled as Merlin rode next to Henry listening seriously to the page. He glanced down at Treva who was beside him having insisted that Henry would have been too shy to ride next to anyone but Merlin.

"Henry could have ridden with Randall surely he wouldn't be shy with him?"

Treva thought for a moment before saying, "True but you have to remember that Merlin is Arthur's best friend and I asked Henry to keep him company." He looked up at Gawaine and added, "...so I could then ride with you!"

"But what about Leon? He now has to ride by himself, maybe he'd like you to ride next to him."

"I like Leon but I like you better!"

Merlin hearing the conversation laughed to himself. Gawaine and his outgoing personality had a pint-sized fan. He was drawn back to Henry asking him what he thought they should do at Yewdene.

"Behave yourselves as you only get one chance to make a first good impression on the staff. Listen to what Randall tells you and don't let Treva do anything wild even if it might sound wonderful at the time."

Henry was quiet before smiling at Merlin. He thought Treva was so lucky having Merlin as his guardian more so than even having the king as his other guardian. "I'll keep a watch over him but you know, Merlin, he has some really brilliant idea."

Merlin smiled to himself as he thought of what those same words meant when he said them to Arthur. He hoped he wasn't blushing and was interrupted by a little voice saying, "Will you miss King Arthur?"

"Arthur?" He paused, "Yes, because we do so many things together, he will have to eat breakfast by himself and do all the reading for the various meetings. I told Thomas to keep an eye on him." Merlin said with a little smile.

"If he gets lonely he can invite Gaius for supper, can't he?"

"He certainly can and he probably will. Maybe even your father and some of the other knights."

They were interrupted by Treva turning to tell Merlin that he needed make a stop. Merlin nodded and Henry decided he needed to go as well. The party stopped as the boys dismounted and Merlin nodded at Randall who followed them a little way into the woods.

When they came out, Treva decided to change ponies so Henry was with Gawaine and Treva was beside Merlin. He glanced at his guardian and smiled, "I wanted to ride with you."

"So you used a trip into the woods to arrange that change," Merlin shook his head, smiling. The boy knew what he wanted and managed without ruffling any feathers to get his own way. He reminded him of himself.

They reached the small river where they usually took a break. The horses were happy to stop for a drink and Leon's manservant passed out fruit and some sweet buns to the boys. They had ridden around two hours at a pace to suit the two ponies with short burst of cantering but mostly trotting. Merlin figured that within three hours they would be at the turn off for Randall and the boys to leave them.

Yewdene, had been Geoffrey's home when he was growing up and Arthur had spent time there visiting Geoffrey's parents before they died. Geoffrey inherited the property and as he was without children, he gave the manor house as a gift to Arthur.

It was more homelike than the castle and Merlin and Arthur had regularly spent time there when he was a crown prince. Once he became king, Arthur's duties meant that they spent less time there; however Merlin's memories of the house and manor farm were entwined with and came second to his memories of the time he spent their with Arthur.

Soon they had reached the bridge were Randall and the boys would cross to reach the manor. From the top of the last hill they had climbed, they had been able to look down at the cream stone manor nestled among its fields and surrounding forests.

At the turnoff, Merlin had dismounted as had the boys, he'd ruffled Henry's hair telling him to enjoy his visit. He told Treva to look after Henry and hugged him, "Pay attention to Randall, your chances of making a second visit will rest on your not causing any trouble for anyone." He held the boy away from him and said. "I expect to hear glowing reports of your holiday when I come back."

"Merlin, you will come back, won't you? I don't think Arthur will ever smile again, if you don't"

Looking at the worried child, Merlin knelt beside him and said, "I promise that I will be extra careful so that when this mission is over not only Arthur but you can smile again." He added, "I have Gawaine and Leon with me as well as Aled and John. We make a good team and will soon be coming back this way on our way back to Camelot. Look Randall and Henry are waiting for you. Come on, up you get on your pony."

He walked over with Treva to Randall, "They have both promised to be good...enjoy yourself!"

"Thank you, Merlin, I know we will. Keep yourself safe!" He checked the boys on either side of him and they started over the Roman bridge. Treva turned around to wave and Merlin waved back.

Merlin walked back to Iago and took him from John. He rode up to Leon and said, "We can now speed up and hopefully reach Speckleford by mid afternoon," He knew that Gawaine's ears had perked up as there was an inn there and probably ale, "…and then when Gawaine has had a drink, we'll push onto Glevum for the night."

"Now, aren't you a man after my own heart? Gawaine said smiling.