Chapter Nine

If Arthur's arms were hurting before, they were screaming at him now, Merlin saw him struggling as they finished laying out the hay. "Are you okay?" he asked.

"Just tired," said Arthur wiping the sweat from his forehead.

"Oh," said Merlin suddenly sympathetic, "I'm sorry, and here I thought I was easing you into it."

"Easing me into it?" asked Arthur shocked.

"Yeah, this is a pretty light day, for me," said Merlin, as they walked back across the courtyard.

"This is light?" asked Arthur in disbelief.

"Yeah, if Arthur were up and about I'd have to bring him his meals, and clear up after, and be with him when he goes to council meetings, and his training sessions with the knights, sometimes he makes me spar with him." Merlin shook his head, "I don't think I'll ever be much of a swordsman, but I don't think Arthur really cares that much, as long as I stay standing long enough for him to ring my bell a couple of times and look clever in front of his knights."

"So you don't like the training sessions?" asked Arthur.

"It's fine," said Merlin, "Gives me a chance to catch my breath, and just help him with the weapons. There's another thing I'm responsible for the weapons, and the armor, everything has to be cleaned polished and put away, and if it's damaged it has to be taken to the blacksmith. You probably don't have to worry about that, since Lady Catherine isn't a warrior. In fact, tomorrow you should talk to Gwen, she used to be maid to the king's ward she'll know more about being servant to a Lady than me. I'll talk to Gaius about getting you some salve, you're probably going to be pretty sore tomorrow since you're not used to this." They stopped outside the door to the guest quarters. "I'll come by in the morning and we'll go down and pick up Lady Catherine's breakfast together." Arthur nodded tiredly, "Don't worry," said Merlin kindly, "It does get easier."

Arthur fell asleep almost at once; he couldn't remember when he'd felt this exhausted even after his most extensive training sessions, or even after a battle. Battles were short and intense, this day had been long and arduous and almost unending. His last thoughts were; 'I don't know how Merlin does this everyday.'

Arthur woke up to the sunlight streaming through the curtains in his bedchamber.

When he opened his eyes, Merlin was stood over him, with a sad expression in his face. Then he noticed Arthur was awake.

"Arthur!" cried Merlin smiling on reflex, "how are you feeling?"

"Confused," said Arthur frowning, at the relieved look on Merlin's face.

"You've been out of it for two days," said Merlin, pouring a goblet of water from a pitcher at his bedside. Arthur took it and gulped the cool liquid, wondering how Merlin knew his throat felt as if he'd swallowed sand.

"Thank you," said Arthur handing the goblet back. Merlin looked a little surprised when he took the goblet and set it aside.

"I'll go get Gaius," said Merlin and left the room.

Arthur sat up and groaned, he was back in his body, complete with healing chest wound. Maybe it was a dream, he thought, being in a servant's body, following around Merlin, there's no way he worked that hard without Arthur to tell him to do stuff.

"Prince Arthur!" Lady Catherine swept into the room.

Arthur looked at her stunned. Then Gaius followed her in with Merlin bringing up the rear.

"Sire, this is Lady Catherine, you were wounded when you and the knights helped save her from bandits."

"Right," said Arthur, "wasn't there someone else with you?"

Lady Catherine cast her eyes down sadly.

"Lady Catherine's manservant Peter came back to Camelot with her," said Gaius gently, "but he died in his sleep last night."

"He was wounded?" asked Arthur.

"No, he suffered from a disorder of the brain," said Gaius, "it's rare but I've seen it before some people are just born with it."

"I'm sorry for your loss," said Arthur sincerely.

"At least I will be able to lay him to rest with his family like he wanted," said Lady Catherine resigned.

Lady Catherine left to allow Gaius time to check out Arthur and make sure he was healing well.

Arthur met Lady Catherine one more time when she left Camelot with Peter's body wrapped and slung over a horse. The king was sending a contingent of guards to see them to the border.

"I wanted to thank you again," said Catherine stepping a little closer to Arthur and away from the others milling around.

"Did your spell kill him?" asked Arthur quietly.

"No, the bandits killed him," said Catherine sadly, "he suffered from the condition your physician mentioned but he died in the battle. Peter was a kind soul; he would have consented to your use of his body, provided you didn't waste it." She regarded him shrewdly, "Did you waste this gift?"

Arthur glanced back at Merlin helping load the supplies in the saddlebags for the guards.

"No," said Arthur, "I learned a lot, thank you."

Author's notes: Well now we need to figure out what Arthur's going to do with all his new found wisdom...

Later Cynic