CHAPTER 10 : A MOVE ON THE HORIZON

Merlin lay comfortably in bed next to Arthur his body still and relaxed in the twilight. His mind far from relaxed was running through the last couple of weeks. He felt that he probably had a lot to catch up on, as since their return he had been out of the loop.

Arthur had asked him where he had been hiding himself and he had explained that he had been in full view doing all the usual things he did to keep Arthur's life running smoothly. The only real difference being that he was not at Arthur's elbow during the day and he had been able to spend more time with Gaius. He'd eaten morning and luncheon meals with Gaius as Arthur hadn't asked him to serve him as Thomas was more than capable.

At night, he had always been present for the evening meal, leaving Arthur's chambers only once the king had retired. He'd even managed to get some time with the horses and one day, he had without permission taken Arthur's Mulgan out. None of the stable hands had stopped him and he had ridden down to the lake in the fresh snow. He felt that it had done both him and the horse good to get away from the castle.

On the way back, he'd seen the pages training and had picked out Treva who seemed to be growing in leaps and bounds.

The boy came running over to him. "If you're not busy, can I come and visit you this afternoon?" the boy had asked. "You never told me about the hunting lodge."

"I'd enjoy that but I'm working with Gaius so if you get permission, why don't you come down to his chambers? I'll get Betsy to send up some special raisin cakes and we can have a little party."

"...and Arthur too?"

"No, I think it will be just Gaius, you and me, as Arthur is very busy at the moment." And so…Merlin was able to have one on one time with his adoptive son. He brought him up to date on their hunting trip and promised that one day, Treva would be able to visit the lodge. Deep down, he felt guilty that he had been so engrossed with his own problem that he had not thought about Treva.

Treva chattered on about Arthur and asked if maybe one day the three of them could have supper together. "I haven't seen him by himself since you went off hunting. One day, I delivered a message to Leon and I asked him if I could visit the king and he shook his head and bustled off saying that Arthur was too busy with other people. Then I didn't see you around and I wondered if I had done something wrong and neither of you wanted to see me. I haven't done anything wrong have I, Merlin?"

Merlin's heart went out to the boy. He knew all too well the feeling of missing someone except he didn't have to guess if he had maybe done something wrong, he knew that in Arthur's eyes, he had. He put his arm around Treva's shoulders and apologised for not getting together with him sooner and reiterated that Arthur had indeed been very busy.

Merlin was pleased to hear that he seemed to have no knowledge of the coolness between the men to whom he was officially a joint ward. Gaius enjoyed Treva's visits and one day out of the blue having never mentioned the situation between Arthur and Merlin had said, "You know, it'll break his heart if he ever gets wind of your not being together."

Merlin had spun around saying, "We are together…!"

Gaius had sighed and said into the soup he was heating on the fire, "You know what I meant, Merlin."

-0-0-

Merlin stretched luxuriating in the softness of the mattress and the familiarity of the royal chamber. He lay watching the shadows cast by the fire and finally got up and went to the water closet and ran some water warming it with a blink of his eyes. He looked around the little room at the bath and the coppers. This was really the height of luxury and they would also have the same in the Uther's old apartments. He freshened himself up and poured fresh water for Arthur. He walked back into the room and stood at the end of the bed watching Arthur sleeping. He couldn't take his eyes off him, there was so much relief in standing there knowing that once again they had hurtled an obstacle and were safely united on the far side.

He was still dreaming and a voice said, "Do you always spy on people when they are sleeping?"

"No…only you!" He walked forward and kissed Arthur on the forehead, "Get up, there's hot water for you and then you can get dressed for supper. We're running a little late, so don't dawdle!"

"I can think of better things to do than eat," Arthur complained. "We could sit in front of the fire and talk."

"Can't disappoint your guests now, can we? Come on, it seems ages since I sat beside you sharing a meal.

"I was such a fool punishing you and making myself miserable at the same time. I forgave you long ago and then couldn't figure out how to let you know as whenever I looked at you, you cast your eyes down. Merlin, I missed you." Arthur wrapped his arms around Merlin, it was something that he had wanted to do almost as soon as they had returned to Camelot but his pride wouldn't let him.

"Arthur, I forgave you almost immediately but I couldn't tell you?"

"Why not?"

"Because I had already spoken out of turn once," he smiled, "…and look where it got me!"

Dressed and respectable, Arthur held Merlin's head in his hands to give him a quick kiss before saying, "Let's join the others…"

The invited knights were already gathered in the private dining room being served drinks by Thomas when Arthur and Merlin finally put in their appearance. There was silence as the knights glanced from Arthur to Merlin and it was Gawaine who broke the mood when winking at Merlin, he said, "Finally!"

Arthur glared at him saying, "Know your place, Sir Knight!" However, Merlin nudged Arthur in the arm as they made their way to their seats and he relaxed.

Merlin was pleased to see Simon at the table. He had returned from his visit to his family, to hear of Spenser's injuries from the wolf disaster. Gaius had after a week released Spenser to Leon's care and Leon had arranged for a senior squire to remain with him overnight. With daily visits from either Gaius or Merlin, he had progressed to being able to walk slowly but was confined to his room as per Gaius' orders. Now, that Simon was back, he was able to spend time with him and soon Spenser would be able to walk further afield. Merlin thought Simon had been fortunate not seeing him immediately after the attack.

Although Merlin had been checking in on Spenser regularly, he had not bumped into Simon on his travels around the castle. He was glad that the latter was back as he knew that that would help in Spenser's recovery. He tuned into what was being said around the table and realised that the lodge was still one of the topics of conversation. Everyone had positive things to say about their time there and the amount of meat they now had secured in the castle's meat safes. The upcoming Yuletide was the other topic.

No mention was made about the less than positive journey back to the Camelot. Merlin's regular friends had privately commented to him on Arthur's irrational behaviour but Merlin hadn't encouraged them as it was really his and Arthur's problem. He sighed contentedly, all that was in the past.

Arthur hearing Merlin's sigh, slipped his hand down to Merlin's lap. Merlin entwined his fingers in Arthur's amused by the fact that over the years they had both acquired dexterity in using their non-dominant hands for handling utensils and goblets. He watched Arthur reach for his goblet and take a mouthful of wine. He smiled and wished that they had been dining alone in their chamber. Then he thought it could have been worse as Arthur might have been dining with the court and that would have meant that until the ladies and the majority of the knights had left he would have either been seated with Gaius and standing waiting to serve Arthur. He shifted slightly so that he could feel Arthur's knee against his.

Finally everyone drifted back to their own chambers, leaving Arthur and Merlin alone. Thomas had been in to build up the fire and put the warming pans in their bed. Merlin walked to the window and pulling back the heavy curtains looked out. There was a full moon and it was reflecting off the snow which had fallen earlier in the evening. Everything looked peaceful in the amber glow of the torches in the centre of the courtyard. Merlin tried to remember at whose castle they had first seen the use of overnight lanterns and had brought the tradition home to Camelot but he couldn't remember.

He felt a hand on his waist and Arthur's chin on his shoulder, "Ready for bed?"

Turning and catching Arthur's lips Merlin said suggestively, "Always…if you are the other occupant."

"…and if I were not?"

"Well then, it would depend," laughed Merlin, "On whom your substitute was…"

Merlin made quick work of helping Arthur disrobe. Soon the warming pans were back on the hearth and Merlin slipped into the bed. "Arthur, I forgot to mention Treva, we should have lunch with him. Maybe tomorrow?"

But Arthur who had other plans at the moment just mumbled something non-committal and searched for that spot behind Merlin's ear which marginally got his full attention before he turned into a shuddering mass.

And Treva went out of Merlin's mind as it was completely absorbed by what Arthur was intending to do.

-0-0-

Merlin lay feeling satisfied and certainly much loved, cuddled against Arthur. He thought that they were the stupidest people to fight as they had missed each other so much. Neither one of them had been the victor as they were both punished by the other's absence. He glanced at Arthur who had a smile on his face. "Something funny enough to be shared," he asked.

Arthur turned to him tracing his eyebrows with his finger. "Merlin, the next time I get cross with you, I give you permission to whisper to me, and I mean whisper not yell it in front of all the knights, especially Gawaine, 'Arthur, remember how lonely it is at night all by yourself' and then I'll come to my senses and forgive you on the spot."

Merlin smiled, revenge might seem sweet but sex was sweeter in his book. He wrapped his arms around Arthur and held him close to him. This was really all he wanted in life; Arthur followed at a distance by his Mam, Gaius and Treva. He reminded himself to send a message to his Mam in Ealdor that he wanted her to come and spend some time with them over Yuletide. His eyes closed and he tried to remember to get mistletoe as it wasn't too early to start the kissing tradition.

It must have been around five in the morning, pitch black when Merlin awoke suddenly from a deep sleep. He took a couple of seconds to get his wits about him and then lay perfectly still. He thought that there was something in their chambers besides Arthur and him. Had he in his hurry to turn in forgotten to bolt their chamber door? Regardless of that, Thomas would have locked the antechamber corridor door. The chamber was impermeable. He lay still trying to place the sound. It was common enough, a movement but as if whatever was doing it was reluctant to move quickly. He rolled on his side, slipping his feet off the bed so that they touched the floor. The flagstones were chilly. He slid out of the blankets twisting so that he landed on his knees, crouching hoping to get a better view of the room.

He located the sound once he was upright; it was coming from the dining room. Funny because he felt sure that he had heard Thomas locking the adjoining door once he and Arthur had gone through it into their own chamber. He told his feet not to get cold and walked quietly across the room to find the interior door was unlocked. Anyone could have walked in and found Arthur and him in bed. Anyone could have been across the room in an instant and Arthur could have had a knife in his chest.

Slowly depressing the latch, he opened the door a crack hoping that the hinges had been well oiled. He picked up light in the room from a hand held candlestick. He cleared his throat and the candle wobbled but didn't fall over. He peered over the light to pick out a young maidservant close to tears.

"Well," he said, "To whom do I owe the honour of this midnight visit?"

A little voice said, "Sir, it's me Jennie from the kitchen. When the platters and goblets was dun lass night there wud be a goblet missing and housekeeper said it wuz my fault. She wuz cross and sent me 'ere before we started on the breakfasts to find it." She held out her hands, "I didn't break in and I weren't going to steal nuffin. Peter is outside with the key."

Merlin smiled, "It's all right, Jennie. I'll help you find it." They looked under the table nothing but on one of the less often used side tables was the missing goblet. "Hurry up and get this back to the cook that will keep her in a good mood and King Arthur's breakfast will be on time."

"Thank you, Sir, sorry I woke you up..."

Merlin went with her to the door and nodded at the young man Peter the keeper of the key. "Back to the kitchens, both of you!" He watched them walk down the corridor, thinkink that housekeepers and cooks could be very hard on the staff under them. Apart from it being nice and hot in the winter, the kitchen is one place that he would never have wanted to work.

Arthur rolled over as he got back into bed, saying, "What are you doing wandering around at night? If your feet are cold don't you dare put them anywhere near me."

However, once threatened, Merlin couldn't resist letting his cold toes work their way up Arthur's leg. That led to a couple of squawks which Merlin rewarded with a few kisses and Arthur decided that maybe being awoken early in the morning wasn't that bad after all.

-0-0-

Things were progressing towards Yuletide and the meals were in the planning stages for twelve nights of banquets and suppers of varying importance. The huntsmen were still out daily ensuring that no one would go without food.

The Chamberlain Humphrey was overseeing the preparation of extra chambers to house guests and the families of knights who would be joining their sons for the holiday. He had asked for a meeting with Arthur to present him with the names and numbers of guests. Arthur was happy to see that no requests had been made by other royals to join them over Camelot. He preferred the idea of celebrating with his own men and their immediate families. Winter weather was seldom conducive to travel and most people preferred to spend time holed up in the safety of their homes, no matter how humble. There would be many evenings of celebrations and inevitably following the holiday, there would be announcements of betrothals and even upcoming marriages. These would be held during the summer when visitors would be more easily able to reach Camelot.

Once Humphrey had left, Arthur had mentioned that he was considering installing Treva in their current chambers when they moved to their new ones but upon Merlin's suggestion decided to put it off until he was older. At the moment the boy's chambers were on the floor below closer to the chambers occupied by families of the married knights. Merlin had felt that he would feel isolated on the royal floor. He was outgoing and friendly and had made good friends with all the young pages but Henry was still his constant companion.

Treva had one day confided to Arthur that having a sister might be a good idea. It seemed that Henry's cousin the Lady Pamela had caught the nine year old's eye. "She's very good at riding and is a fine shot with an arrow. Did you know that she is a sister to Timothy?" He told Arthur knowingly, "Timothy is called Pudge by his family. I like that name, it seems friendly."

Arthur nodded, as the arrival of young Pamela had been a shock to Sir Lionel and Lady Cordelia who had felt that after Pudge any more children would have been an improbability. The baby girl had been welcomed with open arms by her family especially her brothers, Timothy and Gielbert. All the ladies of the court were thrilled with a new baby as Lady Cordelia was highly respected and loved by many. However, things hadn't gone as planned, as Pamela's mother never picked up after her birth and died before the baby was a year old. The baby was taken in by Lady Henrietta to be raised in the company of her own baby son Henry. Arthur smiled realising that the Lady Pamela would be a suitable match for Treva when he was of marrying age.

Arthur came back to reality with Treva saying, "Henry calls him Pudge, can I do the same?"

"No, I think that you would have to be invited by the person in question to use his nickname." Arthur smiled hardly feeling that Timothy would want his brother's friend calling him Pudge even if said friend was the King's ward.

Treva had also reminded Arthur that he was taking him to the new hunting lodge as Merlin had promised. Arthur had smiled saying, "If Merlin promised then I will do the same. Now, off you go as I have a meeting to attend. You can walk down with me."

Merlin saw the two of them at the top of the stairs and it filled his heart with love. He knew that he had done the right thing bringing Treva to Camelot and ensuring that he stayed with Arthur and him. Treva had suddenly seen him and raced downwards to him jumping from the second step towards Merlin who caught him and swung him around saying, "One day, you're going to knock me off my feet and we'll both land on the floor."

"That's all right," Treva laughed, "Arthur can pick us up! Anyway, I have to get back to Randall now." He gave Merlin another hug and turning toward Arthur said, "Keep it a secret about you know who!" and he was off in the swirl of his cape.

As Merlin looked puzzled over those last words, Arthur told him about the Pamela conversation. Merlin had laughed saying the maybe in fifteen years, Arthur might be a grandfather. Deep down, Merlin had thought that the idea of having a little sister for Treva would have been nice as he had after all lost two sisters in the ambush which had wiped out his family. He seldom mentioned being an only child but did on occasions make mention of his sisters and his brother Kevin. Merlin often marvelled at how well Treva had coped with the attack and ensuing upheaval. He seemed happy in Camelot. Randall his manservant was devoted to him and the same could be said for Arthur and him.

Arthur slipped his arm around Merlin's waist and said seriously, "We did the right thing didn't we?"