CHAPTER 10 : HANDS OFF!
The two parties slowly approached each other. It must have been around noon, when on a hill across a gorge, Leon first noticed movement in the woods. Seeing the colour red, he knew that they had found knights. He motioned for his men to remain silent as he was certain that there were more people than three red cloaked figures.
Romney said quietly, I think that if we stay where we are, they will pass right in front of us, that is if they are on the road."
Deciding to let that happen, Leon pulled his men off the road to await the travellers. The previous encounter three days ago on this road had made him wary of charging into whatever lay ahead. Hopefully, the group were not at the hands of some bandits.
Caedrik offered to scout ahead and get an idea of the make up of the group. "Just be careful!" Leon said, "Don't give away your position! It might make it worse for Arthur if he's a prisoner."
Gavin offered to join him.
It took no more than twenty minutes for the group of riders to reach the rock cluster where Caedrik lay hidden. He listened and was able to pick out the general conversational patter which you might expect with a group of travelling knights. He heard Gawaine laugh at something which Arthur had said. They had reached a curve in the road and Arthur and Merlin were the first two riders to appear. Neither seemed stressed out as their horses were just walking along on loose reins and Merlin had turned to say something to a younger lad behind them.
Deciding that nothing was amiss, he and Gavin walked out to stand in the middle of the road. "You're safe, Sire!" he said relieved, nodding at Merlin and the two other knights, "Thank God!"
"Of course, I'm safe," said Arthur glancing at the two knights, "Would be little good to anyone if I weren't able to retrieve my wayward manservant from the hands of dangerous life-threatening bandits." He stopped to grin at a young lad who immediately glanced at Merlin.
Merlin smiled back at the lad saying, "The king is just teasing. He knows you're not a bandit."
Thoughts of being hanged at the crossroads or having his hands cut off were thankfully pushed into the recesses of Owen's mind. He decided he really didn't understand the king who seemed to often say the opposite of what had actually happened. He wasn't afraid of him, just sometimes confused by him.
The horses stopped and Gavin said, "Leon and the others are down the hill. I came ahead to see why you had strangers with you."
Merlin said, "Let me introduce Harry and his young brother Owen. They saved me and we managed to escape. We were even able to bring Gulfa back for Spenser."
Gavin laughed, saying, "Well, for him that will be icing on the cake as we met up with Simon and Rook and they are now ahead of us on their way back to Camelot."
Turning back to Owen and Harry, Merlin took the time to explain, "This is Sir Caedrik and Sir Gavin also knights of Camelot." Noticing that Owen seemed a little worried he said, 'Now, you know four knights and the king."
Arthur sighed shaking his head at Merlin and said impatiently, "Well, what are we waiting around for! Let's get back to Camelot."
"Here, have Gulfa and I'll double up with Gawaine," Merlin said dismounting and holding the horse's reins so that Gavin could mount.
"Thanks but no need. The others are only a little way down the road we'll walk." Caedrik nodded.
So the horses set off with the others walking, Merlin and Gawaine joining them on foot.
Gavin brought Arthur up to date on Simon, "They should almost be in Camelot. Won't be walking around without pain for sometime but he was able to ride so that is one thing. Didn't happen to find his sword did you as he was telling Spenser that he'd lost it?"
Arthur turned to Harry saying, "Did Clive have the sword?"
Nodding, Harry said, "Yes, Sire. Clive said that with the scabbard and belt it would be well worth something…also the boots."
"Might yet turn up," said Caedrik, "…if someone who buys it, realises it's a knight's sword and worth a lot of money, he might decide to return it to Camelot. People know the chances are good that they will get a reward."
"Hope so," added Gawaine, "As Simon is emotionally attached to it, it being his father's and him being dead and all that…"
Within no time, the sound of horses and muffled knights' voices reached Leon. He had placed Nigel, a little further up the road and when he had heard him yell back that he could make out Arthur, Caedrik and Gavin. Spenser, Romney and Leon stepped into the middle of the road to meet them.
Arthur dismounted to greet the other knights. Leon walked up to Arthur who said, "Well, Gaius will be one very relieved man!"
"You don't think I wasn't! I feared the worse for Merlin especially with Iago reaching us. Did everyone else get back safely?"
"Yes, all accounted for except for the group you see here. Are those two bandits?" asked Leon surprised to see Gawaine and Aislin on such friendly terms with the older of the two.
"No, just a misguided soul out to make quick penny, who stupidly dragged his kid brother along with him." Arthur laughed saying, "Gawaine is taken with him as his father is a village brewer. Guess he's hedging his bets that if he were ever to get marooned in Shepton at least he wouldn't die of thirst. Actually, there's a nastier character the leader called Clive however, I'm sure he's just a cog in an even bigger wheel.
"Merlin has a vial with the remains of what he believes was used to knock out good old Iago."
Leon huffed as he had never heard Arthur use the words good and Iago in the same sentence. Too handsome for his own good yes, a liability yes, pigheaded yes on many occasions but never good, he'd have to remember to tell Merlin.
"If that arrow tip had hit me, I would have been dead. Merlin had also been drugged but luckily these two…" he said, pointing to Harry and Owen, "Saved his life when Clive left them alone with him. Young lad's plucky, I'll give him that!"
Merlin was talking to Spenser and Romney who said, "Rhylin brought me up to date on what had happened. I checked Iago before we left and he seems to have got over whatever made him sick. He was his usual charming self with the stable hands. He really is a one man horse! Arthur needs to reward that horse of yours for saving his life. He was actually concerned about him. Guess he didn't want to have to face you, if anything awful had happened to your beloved Iago."
'Sometimes,' Merlin thought, 'It's good to have proof that Arthur did have a kind bone in his body when it came to Iago.'
Spenser happily took over Gulfa's reins, "Was worried that I mightn't see you again, Girl." He said as he patted her.
Once they had remounted, Leon took his place next to Arthur. Merlin smiled to himself, tonight he would sleep in his own bed with Arthur. He'd missed any physical contact but with two strangers in their midst, they'd been careful even if Arthur had on more than one occasion gone to wrap his arms around him and then remembered at the last moment not to.
At one point, Arthur had almost growled at Gawaine who had spent what he considered an inordinate amount of time with his arm draped over Merlin's shoulders. Deep down, Arthur was happy, Melin was safe and sound and soon they would be home.
Merlin had taken the horse which Spenser had been riding. When Arthur had motioned for him to come and ride beside him, all hell had almost broken loose, as the feisty young mare who had not yet figured out the hierarchy of the knights' horses had taken an instant dislike to Favoury and kept pinning her ears back and whipped her tail around when the grey looked at her.
Arthur tutted blaming the rider but then had grinned, "They often say that the horse reflects the rider's attitude." He smiled and said with an arched eyebrow, "Have you gone off me, Merlin?"
Laughing Merlin relaxed and the mare took the opportunity to swing her rear towards Favoury preparing to kick. Merlin nipped that in the bud by giving her a thump in the ribs and pushing her forward into the bit reminding himself that this was not Iago who always treated his sister Favoury with respect.
He grinned sheepishly at Arthur, "Sorry, I let my mind wander."
"You can ride someone else's horse if you would feel more comfortable."
"No, I'll stick with this one…I think the excitement of being a lead horse with the noise of everyone else following her has excited her a bit. She'll settle."
Arthur said, "Let's give them a canter that should work." But work it didn't as the mare then decided she was in the Derby and wanted to stay ahead of Favoury even if it were only by a nose. Arthur fully enjoyed Merlin's discomfort and he kept suggesting helpful hints which Merlin acknowledged with choice language.
Arthur was laughing and Spenser turned to Leon and said, "Somethings never change!"
"What's her name?" Arthur asked.
"Don't know but I can think of a few choice words to call her," Merlin replied. Finally the novelty of being first wore off and by the time they reached the meadow to the east of Camelot, Merlin's mare had settled somewhat.
-0-0-
The turrets of Camelot cast elongated shadows as they approached. Merlin had known that once they were within sight, he would feel the stress and anxiety slipping away as he was being welcomed back into the family fold. He sighed.
Arthur who was riding beside him smiled as whatever drug had been introduced into Merlin's body was obviously dissipating. He couldn't vouch for how well he had slept as they had not been together but he seemed more like his former self as each hour passed. He could feel his heart quickening as he realised that tonight they would be together and woe betide anyone who decided to interrupt them.
The horses clattered into the courtyard, Arthur pleased that no delegation of irate Council Members were waiting for him on the steps. He rode up and dropped off his horse, a groom immediately stepped forward and took Favoury also waiting for Merlin to hand him his reins.
Merlin said, "Watch this one as she's fiesty." The mare then went off quite happily with the man, walking sweetly beside Favoury as if they were used to being turned out together and they were best of friends.
Arthur watched them and putting his arm over Merlin's shoulders said, "Women!"
Merlin watched as Gawaine spoke with the Sergeant-At-Arms. Presumably arranging that Harry and Owen had somewhere to stay overnight as Arthur wanted to see them tomorrow after the Council meeting.
Sir Rupert of Sloane, Romney's father-in-law had been left in charge during Arthur and Leon's absence, he stepped forward and welcomed Arthur home. "Nothing ill to report, Sire!"
"Thank you, Sir Rupert, you can bring me up to date on any matters needing my attention tomorrow. Tonight, I intend to eat with a few of my knights and retire early. Some of our accommodation was questionable. Join us for supper as there are a few things I'd like you to hear."
Merlin meanwhile had been waylaid by a worried Gaius. "Whatever did you get up to, My Boy? I received worrying information about your horse. Treva was in a real state." Merlin looked around expecting to see him.
Gaius continued, "It's his friend Henry's birthday and he was invited to eat with Sir Graham and Lady Henrietta. I assured him that Arthur would be busy once he returned and that you would understand, but that he could see you tomorrow morning. Don't panic! I told Randall not to allow him to wake you up and that after you had eaten breakfast would be a civilised time. The kid was really torn about not being here but I encouraged him to go as the two of them are the best of friends and it would give me a chance to chat. You look a little under the weather...are you all right?"
"I am now but I have a vial which I would like you to look at." He reached into Simon's saddle bag which was over his arm and withdrew the leaf wrapped vial. "It's noxious, certainly a sleeping drug of sorts. There's not much in there but hopefully, enough for you to work out what it is."
"Leave it with me, I'll wait until I've identified it before I speak to you. Have a good supper and get some sleep, you look dead on your feet!"
Merlin smiled, having heard his mother say the same thing on many occasions. The two of them entered the door together and then Merlin set out after Arthur saying, " Good Night, Gaius! I'll see you tomorrow."
Merlin could hear the others ahead of him and walked faster to catch up.
-0-0-
Arthur was giving instructions to his friends, "Meet in my dining room in one hour. Visit your families to let them know you're back. Gawaine, did you find somewhere to put the other two?"
"Yes, it's all taken care of they can stay in Camelot until you have finished with them. Then they can go back to Shepton."
"Merlin? Oh there you are, see that Thomas has my chambers ready."
Merlin smiled to himself. Thomas would have been expecting the king's return and probably had the fires lit under the coppers in their water closet and knowing him, bath linens, oils and soaps laid out in abundance. The chamber fireplaces would have been lit and the bedding and nightwear aired. Suitable clothes for this evening's dinner would be laid out ready for Arthur to choose what he wished to wear. Thomas was an excellent manservant, discreet and trustworthy. Arthur had complete trust in him and Merlin regarded him highly.
The man Thomas was literally worth his weight in gold. Merlin had never known him to query any request, rather he executed it promptly in particular if it involved Arthur. He kept their chambers immaculate and spoiled even him as he saw that all their laundry was taken care off and returned immaculate. Merlin liked the man as he was unobtrusive and competent.
Not unlike himself, he decided and then laughed. He remembered the messes that he used to get into when he was looking after Arthur. 'Mind you,' he thought, 'He was never the easiest man to serve. Too demanding for my liking, a stickler for specific creases in his good linen tunics so they fell properly and that never-ending insistence on punctuality.' The latter for which Merlin had spent his time being chastised as he was habitually late.
He laughed as he walked to their chambers. Those were the days, maybe not as good as the present ones but full of laughable events and in retrospect good memories.
-0-0-
Thomas was in the antechamber as Merlin came in. He said, "Good Afternoon, Sir! Glad to see that King Arthur and you have safely returned."
Merlin had given up trying to get Thomas to refrain from calling him Sir so they had reached an agreement. Thomas could use it once upon greeting him in the morning or should Merlin be with a group of knights or dignitaries. Otherwise, he would address him as Merlin. Thomas held strictly to proprieties. Everyone else called him Merlin but Thomas was a stickler for tradition.
"No more glad than I am to be here, Thomas! Everything under control here?"
"The king's armour is polished and the damaged links of chain mail repaired. His second pair of boots have been resoled, your knife hilt has been fixed and the broken candle stand moved and replaced by a new one.
"There is hot water for bathing and all supplies have been left out. The fire will be lit in the dining room and the table is already set. The meal will be on the table at the requested time. Will I be needed to serve supper tonight?"
"No, once the food is on the table, we'll manage ourselves. Leave the platters with the extra food on the sideboard. It will just be the usual group of knights eating with us. Tell the kitchen sufficient for ten and plenty of drink as Gawaine and the others will be thirsty. Tomorrow's breakfast could be served a couple of hours later than usual."
"Should I leave fruit, cheese and bread in the antechamber in case you're up earlier?"
Merlin nodded and Thomas turned to leave saying, "I'm happen to see you back safely as the rumour went around that you had been hurt. Young Treva would ask me every time he saw me if I had heard any news." He smiled, "I think that he asked the same of everyone else." He nodded at Merlin and left to light the fire in the king's private dining room.
Merlin walked through to the bedchamber, remembering how he once had been left in Ealdor with the women and the kids next door when Hunith had gone to get some rare herbs in a neighbouring village's market. It had been the longest day in his life and he had also spent the day asking, "Is my Mam back yet?"
The fire was lit in the bedchamber and the room looked peaceful and inviting. The sight of the bed made him feel tired and he would quite happily have thrown himself onto it and fallen asleep.
He walked into the water closet and checked that everything was ready for Arthur to have a wash. He'd have to bathe after supper as there wasn't enough time now as he had not yet arrived in their chambers. He picked what clothes he wanted to wear, then went to where Thomas had laid things out for Arthur and made a decision, leaving him no choice would shorten the time he needed to get dressed.
'Talk of the devil,' he said to himself as he heard Thomas saying, "Good Evening, Sire! I'm on my way to see the cook about your supper."
Arthur said, "Thank you, Thomas." After which Merlin heard the distinctive sound of the door to the antechamber being bolted.
"Merlin? Where are you?"
"I should be asking you that. I've been waiting here twiddling my thumbs. Now, there's not enough time for you to bathe properly"
"Sure there is, I can be in and out in no time. When I bathe in the river, I'm in and out fast."
"That's exactly as I said, Arthur! Now, there is no time for you to bathe properly."
Arthur came up behind Merlin and wrapped his arms around him. "I wanted to do this to you ever since we found you. It was so hard keeping my hands away from you. Come here!" He turned him and nuzzled into his neck.
Merlin understood exactly what Arthur meant. He had felt rotten that first day after he'd escaped. He'd just wanted everyone to go away and leave him alone with Arthur. He thought how difficult it must be for the married couples to be parted when knights went off on extended excursions or war leaving their families behind. Surely some of them missed them. He knew that Camelot ladies all closed ranks to help wives whose husbands were missing.
Separation was one of the most difficult things to cope with and looking at Arthur, he thanked his lucky stars that they were able to spend so much time together. However, that didn't mean that they had time to mess around, he said, "Just get washed for now and then tonight once everyone has left you can luxuriate in the bath till dawn if you wish."
"That depends," Arthur said seriously, "Is that to be a solitary soak or do you think you might be able to persuade someone to join me in the bath?"
Merlin grinned saying, "I'm sure I might be able to persuade one of the others but only if you get washed and dressed now as otherwise you will be greeting your guests in your smalls…"