CHAPTER 10 : KNIGHTS REUNITED

They were making good time. Evan had all the horses under control and Humphrey was complaining less of his aches and pains. Arthur was still complaining about his but only in private to Merlin who pretended to be unsympathetic as he enjoyed teasing Arthur.

Another day, a rainy one at that, the only person whose spirits were not dampened were Merlin's. Arthur said, "If you lift your face to the rain, then grin at me one more time, I'll kill you!"

Gawaine laughed, "You'd live to regret that Arthur. Just think of all the services which you'd forego..."

Leon laughed and Arthur blushed while Merlin turned grinning, "Trust you to put it that way, Gawaine!"

Another lunch stop but it looked as if they would be sleeping rough. The next village with an inn was too far to be reached in a half a day's ride. They bought extra food to see them through the night. The landlord mentioned caves in the area and Merlin's heart dropped. Arthur pushed Mulgan over to him and said quietly, "We'll all be together it will be alright." He hated seeing the look of panic in Merlin's eyes.

The rain never let up. It fell in sheets, they were all soaked and fed up. Finally, Gawaine saw the track which the landlord had mentioned and he pulled off and led them up the side of a hill and sure enough, there were caves.

Some looked like little caverns but two were big and deep. Leon led the way in and they dismounted.

Gawaine decided to explore and he came back to say, that it was huge and there were other caverns off the central one. Evan went to look at one and decided to put all the horses in that area.

To one side of the main cave, leading into another one, there was a fire pit and Merlin offered to hunt around for some dry wood. He found some and got the fire going but Evan and he eventually went outside and brought in enough to keep the fire going all night. Their bed rolls were damp on the outside but surprisingly the blankets were not soaked through.

Arthur decided that they should all sleep in one area. Even he would feel safer in a cave at night if Gawaine were nearby. Merlin stood near the mouth of the cave and was reluctant to advance too deeply into it.

Gawaine went over to him and said, "You can do it. Arthur will want you near him and I'll sleep on your other side." He put his arm around Merlin's shoulders and led him over to Arthur plonking him down beside him.

He smiled as Arthur slipped his arm around Merlin's shoulders and kept a tight hold.

Leon looked at the cave and decided to get well out of the prevailing wind and rain which was blowing in. He suggested that they should lay out the bedrolls around the fire to dry out while they ate supper. The cave was dry but the rain continued outside.

They sat talking about the last few days and how they were looking forward to meeting up with Rupert and the others, which could possibly happen tomorrow, at the earliest. Finally Humphrey decided to turn in. He moved his bedroll slightly and lay down with his feet to the fire. Evan picked up his bedroll and left to go back to the horses.

Leon nodded at Arthur and said that he was ready to turn in as well. "I'm bushed so you can keep talking, I doubt that it will disturb me." He also settled by the fire.

Arthur said quietly, "Merlin if you lie beside me, Gawaine can lie on your other side."

Merlin nodded saying, "But, if you lie next to Leon he can protect you and then I will lie next to you and then Gawaine next to me so you can both protect me."

Arthur looked at Gawaine and said, "Does that sound like a good plan?"

"Certainly! But Merlin if you must cuddle with someone, remember, please cuddle with Arthur not with me."

For the first time since arriving in the cave, Merlin smiled...

They laid out their sleeping rolls, Merlin banked up the fire. Gawaine went over and made sure that Arthur's sleeping roll was closer to Merlin's. Merlin gave him a little grin and they all settled.

Arthur felt sad. How long was Merlin, who was so brave and reliable going to be affected by the happenings that night? Then he thought of his little secret which only Gaius and Merlin knew and he realised that it would be forever. He loved him so much that it hurt him seeing his suffering. He reached out his hand and felt the edge of Merlin's bedroll. He let his hand run across Merlin's side and he made little circles with his fingers. Merlin turned and took his hand, sitting up he leant over kissed it and smiled in the firelight.

Merlin woke to the birds, he was snuggled into Arthur. He opened his eyes, saw the rock face and the rays from the rising sun and knew where he was. He moved away from Arthur a little and then realised that he wasn't the only one awake. Gawaine was as well.

"Were you alright? I see you migrated to the centre of your universe. I must say I know why however, as Arthur with the sun on his hair, looks like a Sun God from here."

Merlin smiled. "I slept fine, the ground was comparatively soft and I could hear your snoring, so I knew that we were safe. It would frighten away any beast or person of ill intent!"

"Well, you did your fair share of snuffling, yourself. "

"That's because I was lying on my back and I have a slight cold."

"Who's got a cold?" asked Arthur.

Merlin and Gawaine said at the same time pointing at the other, "He has!"

"Well, soon we'll be home and Gaius will be able to dose you with one of his famous concoctions. It's good for liars too!"

Arthur was pleased to see that Merlin had survived a night in a cave and seemed in fine spirits. He smiled to himself as he's woken up during the night and realised that Merlin was almost on his bedroll. As no one was awake, he had just reached out to him, pulling him closer then he threw his blanket over the two of them. It was good to have friends whom they could trust. His mind flashed to Aiden and Robert, the pyre and the knights and he suddenly felt very sad.

Sir Rupert sat with the knights and Sir Thierry to plan the following day. It was decided that Sirs Thierry, Rodney and Brian would stay with the guards in camp and an advance party of Sir Rupert and Rook with two guards would continue towards Sir Leon's group and hopefully meet on the road. Rain started to fall but it did little to dampen the spirit in the camp.

A clear sky greeted them at dawn and Sir Rupert's small group left hoping to meet up with Leon's before nightfall.

Leon's group was progressing slowly. The extra horses hampered their speed but Leon was loathe to leave them as they represented lives lost and he knew that Evan would refuse to abandon them. He decided that if they were all safe what did a few more hours each day matter. Anyway, it was giving Arthur and Humphrey a chance to get over the aches and discomforts from their enforced captivity.

Looking back, he was glad that Merlin had decided to push his way into their little group. He was always an asset as he had such a great affect on Arthur. He knew that without him Arthur would have insisted on riding hell-bent-for leather back to Camelot which in his condition might have been disastrous. Then he looked at the man riding beside him and realised that even if Uther couldn't see it, Gawaine was worthy of being knighted.

Arthur smiled, he liked having Gidun next to him when they were riding. Everything went better when he knew who was beside him. Thank God for Gaius...without his quick thinking Merlin would have been wandering around on his own in the woods as Arthur knew that keeping Merlin in Camelot while he was missing would have been nigh on impossible.

It was time to rest and water the horses. It was market day and the little village was busy with hawkers and peddlers. Arthur and Merlin wandered around the stalls while Evan and Gawaine looked after the horses. Leon had gone with Humphrey to make arrangements for a meal in the inn. They had no sooner done one side of the road and were returning on the far side than a figure stood in their path.

Merlin was the first to react and he said, "Gaelen?"

Arthur bristled; he still blamed the man for his son's death. The man looked in good health and was once again dressed as a Gower knight.

"Sire. I am glad to see you. My brother knight and I are on our way to Camelot at the behest of King Hansard to find out why his request to see you was never acknowledged?"

Arthur said nastily, "That doesn't concern me. Address Sir Leon who is at the inn."

Merlin turned to Arthur and said quietly, "Let me explain. You join the others for lunch and I will see you later."

Arthur said, "As you wish, as long as I have no need to converse with him!" He turned abruptly, stomping off.

Merlin and Gaelen stood by the road and Merlin explained that the pain was still raw for Arthur and brought him up to date on what had happened over the last three weeks. Gaelen was shocked. He was to deliver papers to Uther yet he now wanted to return to King Hansard with the news.

"Why don't you speak to Leon? Follow us, till we meet Sir Rupert and then they might be able to suggest something. But I warn you, Gaelen, stay away from Arthur."

Gaelen was uneasy as he didn't like the look in Merlin's eyes so he nodded and left.

And that was how it came to be, that the two Gower knights joined Sir Leon's party and rode behind Evan and all the extra horses. Gaelen never looked in Arthur's direction and Arthur pointedly turned his back on him. Merlin felt a chuckle arise in his chest as they were acting like a couple of teenage girls but in his heart, he had an inkling of the pain which Arthur was experiencing.

Leon had found out that another inn was within a half day's ride and they kept going until the village came into view. It was twilight, by the time they arrived at a small inn and arrangements were made. Due to lack of space, all the knights, Gower and Camelot would share a common room and Arthur and Merlin would have to join them.

Arthur walked outside so Merlin got up and followed him. He wouldn't let it rest, he insisted, "Merlin, I am not sleeping in the same room as him."

"You know Arthur, it wasn't his idea to run off. Princess Guinevere made the decision."

"But, he went with her!"

"...and would you follow me if I decided to leave Camelot?"

"Don't use that as an example, Merlin. It's not the same."

"Isn't it? I know you couldn't but would you want to?"

"With all my heart..."

"Well, life throws many obstacles in the path of true love and you just have to try your best to overcome them. Gaelen is an obstacle. I'm not going to waste my time thinking about him. I have my own memories and if you think deeply, you know that you had no intention of staying with Guinevere once a child was born. Don't waste your energy by letting his presence spoil our time together."

"But whenever, I hear his voice, I'm back at Gaius's holding the baby. Merlin, it hurts." His eyes filled up with tears.

Merlin knew that Arthur had been through a lot in the past weeks and was still in need of support. He regretted that when a touch or a token of affection was needed but couldn't be given. Arthur leant toward him and put his hand on his shoulder but Merlin shook it off and said, "Not now, Arthur. We have to be very careful as our little group had grown to include strangers."

Supper was a quiet affair. Leon and Gaelen spoke about getting information back to Hansard but agreed to wait until they had met up with Sir Rupert. Gaelen was shocked to hear that four knights had been killed in the attack.

Gawaine picked up on the friction between Arthur and the Gower knight but when Merlin was not forthcoming he decided to leave the group for more jovial company. When they finally turned in, he stayed behind waking Merlin when he finally made it upstairs, by tripping over the end of his cot and landing on his legs. Merlin smiled, Gawaine always added comic relief and he was thankful for it as he knew that Arthur was also not asleep but there was nothing he could do about it.

Breakfast done, the group was back on the road. It would be a straight forward journey. They had ridden maybe two hours when Gidun started fussing, Merlin laughed but Arthur who had hardly said 'Boo!' since mounting and still in a bad mood snapped, "For heaven's sake, haven't you learnt to control that brute yet."

Merlin's jaw dropped, he looked in shock at Arthur who had the decency to say, "Sorry, Merlin, I'm not myself today!"

"Obviously!" said Merlin and swung Gidun around to ride next to Gawaine.

"The prince has a bee in his bonnet, has he?" said Gawaine, "What happened yesterday to put him in such a bad mood?"

Merlin decided that silence was the best policy so he shrugged his shoulders.

"The two of you had a tiff? I thought that you were past that now. Oh, well, life has it ups and downs as does love, I guess?"

Merlin couldn't help but laugh at Gawaine's effort to look serious. Arthur heard him and turned glaring at him.

"Go up and ride beside him, he's been through a lot recently, he'd not a bad chap and he looks crestfallen and upset."

"Gawaine, you could be a counselor for lonely hearts and the like... Just watch what you say in front of the Gower knights." Suddenly, like Arthur before him, he had a flash of Aiden and Robert and as he put his heels to Gidun to catch up with Arthur, he added, "Life can be very cruel."

Merlin slipped back next to Arthur, "I'm sorry. That was childish of me to walk away but you hurt Gidun's and my feelings."

Arthur smiled and gently cuffed Merlin across the back of his head, which would have to suffice for a hug was out of the question. Gawaine smiled.

Mid-afternoon, they rounded a bend in the road and saw red ahead. Merlin yelled, "Knights!" and Arthur and he took off at a canter.

Sir Rupert dismounted and hugged Arthur; he remembered him as a friend of his son Rudyard and was grateful to see him alive and well. The rest of their group came cantering up and smiles were all around. Leon was happy to see Rupert as now the responsibility could be shared. Rupert was pleased that everyone was accounted for and he acknowledge the two Gower knights. They remounted, Rupert and Leon in the lead.

They would have to spend another night on the road but by tomorrow afternoon they should be nearing the village of Hedgemere where the others were camped. Arthur's spirits seemed to lift and he chatted happily with Rook bringing him up to date on his adventure. At one point, he turned and winked at Merlin, whose heart did a double flip.

His whole being was yearning for Arthur's touch but he had to settle for a wink.

A large inn stood in the village of Morselea. Arthur's eyes lit up when he saw it as he knew that there might be private accommodation besides communal rooms. Actually they were lucky, there were two private rooms available, one sleeping four which the Camelot knights took and one double, while the others occupied a communal room. Merlin smiled and managed to slip his arm around Arthur's waist as he helped him up the stairs to their private room. He said solicitously, "How're your ribs, Sire, still hurting?"

Once they were in the room, he barred the door and threw himself on the bed grinning. "As long as you're in pain, it is well within my job description to assist you with everything."

Arthur sat beside him and felt nothing but love for this person who had insinuated himself into his life and made himself indispensable. Merlin sat up and gave him a hug before bounding off the bed to help Arthur out of his jacket and into something lighter for supper saying, "Do you think Rupert would think it rude if we ate in our room?"

"I think that would be inconsiderate as we have only just met up with him and I know he will have lots of questions to ask me directly. Sorry, it was a good idea and remember, we won't be down there all evening..."

"Well, then, I think I'd better..." Merlin brushed the hair off Arthur's forehead and let his finger trace down his nose to his lips. He was deliberate in his actions and Arthur began to complain finally grabbing him and gently kissing him. Merlin pushed him away, "That's it, I can't take anymore if we have to join the others. These last few days have been so difficult; I close my eyes and remember all the things we could have done if not for people being around."

"Soon, Merlin, soon..."

Actually Merlin enjoyed supper, the conversation was good and Arthur was in a great mood retelling for Rupert's benefit all the happenings both sad and happy.

Gawaine leant over and whispered, "So, the love birds have made up?"

Merlin grinned at him. There was something about Gawaine which he appreciated. He was wild and full of laughter but he was also trustworthy and exceedingly courageous. He drove Arthur crazy as he knew that Merlin felt safe with him and a spark of jealousy would flare in his mind.

Leon saw through the joking realising the calibre of knight Gawaine was.

Rupert was pleased that Gawaine had met up with Leon's group as he must have been a help. Both he and Leon felt that he had potential and could see him as a Knight of Camelot, not right now as Uther disliked him but maybe in the future.

Rupert mentioned that after a night's rest, he had sent Gielbert and Romney back to Camelot with the news that Arthur was safe. Barring any problems, riding all out, they should have been there in three days. He also told Arthur in particular that he was carrying a goodly amount of gold which the king insisted that he should use if a ransom was required.

Gawaine laughed, "Well, men, I think that means that we can have another round and our friend Rupert on behalf of his majesty the king can foot the bill." Rupert laughed and nodded. They all toasted the king and sipped the mead.

Merlin was very careful as he wanted to remain lucid and be able to walk up the stairs. Arthur smiled at him, reached over, removed his goblet and downed it.

"Scared he won't be able to fulfill his manservant's duties, Sire?"

Arthur smiled, he knew when he was being teased so he just said, "Exactly, Gawaine..! Be careful though as tomorrow I won't be so lenient when people forget their places and speak above their station."

Merlin couldn't help but add, "See, Gawaine. He's not so far gone that he doesn't remember that he's a crown prince."

Rupert and Leon started laughing and soon they all joined in. Humphrey smiled, it was good to see them enjoying themselves. Heads were raised across the room, Gaelen looked up but got back to his drinking. He had to travel with them tomorrow and Arthur was still out to get him.

When the others retired, Gawaine opted to stay with Rook for a couple of more rounds. Arthur and Merlin made their way upstairs. The landlord had been in and lit the fire. Merlin barred the door. Arthur stood there as Merlin helped him off with his clothes then sat on the bed and Merlin knelt to remove his boots.

"How's the pain?"

"It's getting less each day, just sometimes I move one way and the pain flares up and takes my breath away."

"You do that to me each day..." Merlin said in a quieter voice than normal. "Take my breath away that is ...not the pain bit."

Arthur leant forward and cupped Merlin's face and turned it up to him, "Merlin, if you and I were the only people left in the world, I'd be content and happy."

"But wouldn't we get bored, just the two of us?"

"I don't believe so...do you?" Arthur swung his legs up on the bed and lay down.

Merlin undressed slowly in front of the fire knowing that Arthur was watching. He walked around the end of the bed to his side and said, "Sire, as I'm the only other person left in the world, may I share this royal bed with you?"

"I don't know. What credentials do you have to prove you're worthy?"

Merlin knelt on the edge of the bed, thought and whispered in Arthur's ear. Arthur burst out laughing and pulled back the blankets so his best friend in the whole world could slip into the bed beside him. Merlin smiled happily...

An hour later, Arthur knew that Merlin was still smiling. He really loved this man and he knew that whatever faced them, together they would be able to manage. He had obviously been created for Merlin and he was certain that Merlin had been created solely for him. Lovers till the end...

Suddenly the door burst open and guards stormed into the room, they parted and the king stood there.

"What may I ask is this mockery of love?"

He heard himself say, "Father, what would you know about love?"

The king reached the bed and grabbed for the body still asleep beside him.

There was a slight squawk, a frantic fluttering of wings and the king threw the bird back onto the bed.

"Mend your ways, Arthur, or the same will happen to you."

Arthur was left alone in his bed facing a fluttering mass of feathers. He lifted the merlin and held it close to him as it breathed its last. Tears fell on the crumpled feathers...

He heard it say, "Arthur, it's only a dream, I'm here with you, we're safe."

But he knew he wasn't...and he started to sob.