CHAPTER 10 : THROUGH TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS (Part one of five)
Merlin feeling much more at ease as the spring days approached, had been shooed out of his room by Gaius to get some fresh air. Wrapped in Arthur's blanket, he sat up on the battlements above the hectic life and in his mind, possible threats in Camelot. He watched travellers below, arriving at the castle; their faces lit with anticipation of an interesting sojourn.
His mind flashed back to his first official visit with Arthur... His train of thoughts faltered, 'Was it really eight months since Arthur died? ... visit... official visit to a neighbouring kingdom and the ensuing chaos which was not completely his fault.
Uther sent Arthur and Sir Rupert, to the kingdom of Sertium to represent Camelot by attending the Coming of Age festivities of Prince Borsunt. Arthur chose Lancelot and Gawaine to complete the party. Merlin took it for granted that he would go to attend Arthur as his manservant.
Arthur explained, "I won't be needing you, Merlin, as a real manservant will be made available from King Belasord's household, so you might as well stay in Camelot and play around with Gaius or do whatever important things you do when you're not bothering me!"
"But you'll need me, honestly Arthur. You know you'll need me!"
Arthur remained adamant, "I won't, really Merlin, when do I absolutely need you?"
"You never know, you might really need me this time," Merlin insisted. "I know you better than any stranger. Please take me, Arthur."
Merlin wouldn't let it go; he insisted that he would accompany the prince. Finally, Gaius suggested to Arthur that he take him and let him help with the baggage and the horses. To keep the peace, an unhappy Arthur agreed, warning Merlin, "Remember, you will not be there in your official capacity as my manservant. You'll just be my dogsbody, are you still sure you want to go?"
Merlin grinned not seeing much distinction between the two positions as far as Arthur was concerned. "Yes," he nodded, "It will be fun!"
"Not for you, it won't..." scowled his prince.
"Oh, come on, it will. I'll assist the others and make myself useful."
"Oh! Let me at least, warn them of your intentions," Arthur chuckled as he left punching Merlin in the arm, playfully, well maybe, not that playfully.
Merlin didn't care as he had won the contest as to whether or not, he'd be going to Sertium. He reckoned, 'Arthur will need me, he always ends up needing me.'
Little did Merlin know... that this time it wouldn't be Arthur who would be needing the warlock's help...
Bright and early on the first day of the week, Merlin stood at the bottom of the steps in the courtyard, hanging onto three horses, waiting for Arthur and Sir Rupert.
Uther was giving Arthur and the senior knight, some final instructions, when there was a minor disruption in the courtyard below. Merlin had his and Arthur's horses by the reins and Sir Rupert's by the stirrup as it backed across the yard in anticipation of an outing.
The king shook his head, "Best of luck, if you intend to take that liability with you! At least, Camelot will be safe while you're away. Whatever you do, Arthur, don't let him cause a major incident in Sertium..."
Arthur scowled, furious with Merlin for once again drawing attention to his ineptitude as a servant and furthermore, to his own as a master. More fuel for the fire when the king would try to convince him to either properly train the 'idiot' or get an experienced manservant.
Finally, Sir Rupert's horse had backed itself into a corner across the courtyard, Merlin managed to get hold of its reins and the three horses and Merlin, clattered back to their original position at the bottom of the steps.
Merlin looked up to see Uther scowling at him. He dropped his head but not before grinning across to Arthur and shrugging his shoulders.
Arthur felt a chuckle building up but he just raised his eyebrows and shook his head at Merlin, before giving his father once again his undivided attention.
Arthur and Sir Rupert lead the procession out of the courtyard followed by Gawaine and Lancelot, then Merlin with Tom from the stables, leading a packhorse with their supplies. They would be spending two nights on the road before arriving at Sertium.
Merlin's horse was unhappy as it expected to be up in front next to Arthur's, its stablemate. It danced and sidestepped impatiently but Merlin managed to keep it in the back row.
The six riders rode through the forest breaking for lunch beside a mountain stream. When they mounted up again, Merlin bored with Tom's company, decided he wanted to ride behind or next to Arthur, or possibly Gawaine.
Slowly with each stop, Merlin and his horse made their way forward until finally the two horses were together. Merlin glanced happily at Arthur and smiled. Arthur just shook his head saying, "Took you long enough!"
They arrived at a suitable glen and as the day was ending, camp was set up; everyone giving a hand except Arthur who gave directions seated on a fallen log by their campfire. Merlin wasn't having any of that so he called out, "Arthur, can't you at least give us a hand so we'll be done faster."
"No, 'dogsbody", that's why I brought you, remember?" The others laughed.
Gawaine returned with a couple of rabbits which he skinned and roasted. Tom handed out the supplies and a decent meal was had. As night fell, they set around the fire discussing the coming days until one by one, they unrolled their bedding and turned in.
Arthur stood looking at his bedroll as if he were clueless. Merlin determined to pay him back for his last insulting remark, pretended ignorance of the situation and settled ready to fall asleep. That was until a pebble aimed at his head made contact and he had to acknowledge the prince. He got up and walked over to him, "Sire," he said innocently, "Do you need help?"
Arthur just kicked his bed roll in Merlin's direction. Merlin apologised," So sorry, Sire, I am not yet accustomed to my dogsbody duties." He knelt, opening the bed roll, arranged it on the ground and gave an exaggerated bow to the prince.
"Don't get too cocky, Merlin, as you said, you don't know the extent of a dogsbody's duties!"
Giving Merlin a half-hearted scowl, he lay down and pulled the blanket around him.
Merlin thought this trip might prove interesting...
On the second night into the journey, Merlin helped Tom set up the camp in a field outside a small village. Gawaine happy to finally see civilization, went with Lancelot to reconnoitre, returning to announce that there was a pub so the knights and the prince decided to walk over to sample the local ale.
Gawaine feeling sorry to be leaving Merlin, mentioned to Arthur that it might be a good idea to take him with them to help get them back to camp if it should be needed. Arthur told Merlin that he would accompany them, so the three knights, the prince and his not so wonderful manservant set out.
A good time was had by all. No excessive drinking but Gawaine managed to start at least one fight and was finally unceremoniously chucked out and barred for life by the landlord. He sat dejectedly on the well and waited for the others.
Merlin never one to leave things alone, told Arthur that he would go and check on Gawaine. Arthur had nodded more to stop being interrupted than to agree with the idea.
Gawaine was happy to have company and convinced Merlin that he needed another ale, so Merlin also became barred for life when he purchased an ale for a currently barred customer.
Arthur raised his eyes to heaven, pleading, "Don't get Merlin into further trouble, Gawaine. I have problems enough with him as it is."
"Arthur, I promise, from now on, I'll look after him like my younger brother."
"Exactly what I am worrying about..." said the prince.
Camp was broken early the next morning. The knights now formally dressed as they were expected in Sertium for noon.
True to his word, Arthur's party was greeted by King Belasord and Prince Borsunt and later in the guest chambers allocated to him, a manservant for the duration of his visit, introduced himself. Stanley was to serve Arthur during his stay in Sertium. "It will be an honour to serve you, Sire!" he announced.
Merlin hadn't realised how strange he would feel handing over his prince to Stanley. He stood there immobilized until Arthur finally had to tell him, "Merlin, I no longer need you today, you may go. Return later this evening."
A very unhappy Merlin left the chamber passing the smirking Stanley. He decided to make himself useful, so set out to find the knights' quarters. He was very impressed with the castle. It was warm and draught free. The staff was pleasant and happily gave him the necessary directions.
He found Lancelot and Gawaine and helped them with their dressing for the evening meal. He was not expected to attend anyone in the Dining Hall, so he then set out for the stables. The horses, pleased to see him, were settled in their new quarters.
Hungry, Tom and he made their way to the Servants' Hall. In this household, the Dining Room had its own staff so Merlin noticed Stanley seated with friends at one of the main tables. The manservant would return to his own quarters at night, leaving the servant's bed in the guest room's antechamber to Merlin.
Three days passed and Arthur seemed satisfied with Stanley's serving him. He reminded Merlin that he must emulate Stanley as that was the best way to learn, from an expert. Merlin suppressed his immediate retort and murmured, "Yes, Sire!"
To which, Arthur laughed continuing, "Come on, Merlin, you can do better than that. Tell the truth, you can see that he is excellent. Very capable, fast, quiet, no arguing, no chatting and you will especially pay attention to this, always on time! I want you to observe his work, so I expect you here when I dress for supper tomorrow evening."
Next evening, Merlin stood in attendance, in the corner of the chamber as Stanley dressed Arthur for the Celebratory Dinner. He felt uncomfortable, there was something about Stanley's continual fixing and rearranging of Arthur's clothes which was beyond the care usually given by a dresser but the prince seemed oblivious as he usual was when someone was helping him dress. To him, they were just an extra pair of hands.
With Merlin, there would have been continual talking as he helped him but Stanley never uttered more than, "Is that comfortable, Sire? Does that seem right? No Sire, I can fix that... better?"
Merlin realized that each unnecessary touch was accompanied by a challenging smile from Stanley in Merlin's direction. He wanted to push Stanley away and deal with Arthur himself. He suddenly realized that maybe he was jealous. That was silly really but why did he feel so uncomfortable about it.
Arthur was now dressed; Stanley making final adjustments to the outfit, while the skin on Merlin's body crawled. He'd kill him, he really would if he didn't stop touching Arthur like that.
Arthur turned and said, "Thank you, Stanley, you may go." turning to Merlin he continued, "Did you learn something from that?"
Stanley left the room, brushing against Merlin as he did, looking him in the eye as if challenging him to a contest with Arthur as the prize.
Merlin didn't intend to take this every day. He turned to Arthur saying challengingly, "Why did you let him do that?"
"Do what?"
"Fuss over you like that and touch you continually."
Arthur glared in Merlin's direction, "He's a manservant, a dresser. Scared that I am going to bring him back to Camelot instead of you?" There was silence, he turned and saw the look on Merlin's face. "Merlin lighten up, I'm kidding..."
Merlin glanced away. He felt strange, Arthur might see Stanley as only a manservant but Merlin felt that Stanley had another agenda, as he was picking up negative vibes.
Merlin felt Stanley's hands resting on his shoulders, his clammy thumbs touching the back of his neck. He involuntarily shivered, moving forward with a wrenching movement to dislodge them but to no avail. He felt the other man leaning toward him, his breath in his ear asnd with a syrupy voice , he asked, "So, how's the Golden Boy in bed?"
Merlin's stomach recoiled.
The table became quiet all eyes turned towards him.
"Prince Arthur to you!" he snarled, pulling himself up, pushing himself back as Stanley cried out, the bench cutting him across the shins. "If you want to live, watch not only your mouth but your filthy mind. Now, get away from me."
"Oh, Lover Boy, is jealous!" Stanley pretended to shake and cower. "I'm scared of you, Merlin..."
The servants' hall erupted in laughter. Some of the occupants with strained looks as if there was more to Stanley than Merlin realised.
Merlin left the room and braced himself against the outer wall. He was upset yet furious. How dare Stanley accuse him of impropriety? How could he have said such a despicable thing about Arthur?
Arthur was his friend and he'd defend him till the end. He decided not to tell Arthur, he'd take care of this himself. He made his way back to the stables to check on Tom and the horses. Chances are that Gawaine might be there and he could run the situation by him; as he'd know what to do.
Luckily, Gawaine was there. Merlin embarrassingly told him of his run in with Stanley and exactly what he had said. Gawaine was surprised and annoyed to hear of Merlin's experience. "I'll watch out for Arthur as well. Between the two of us, we should be able to keep him clear of any problems. Look out for yourself, Merlin, Stanley sounds like trouble."
Feeling confident now that Gawaine was involved, Merlin returned to Arthur's quarters. He liked Gawaine, he'd always been friendly and his sense of humor was very infectious as far as Merlin was concerned. However, Arthur said that he wasn't a steady type, preferring Lancelot.
Arthur wasn't in, so Merlin took the opportunity to tidy up his clothes. The servant's bed in the antechamber looked rather inviting so he stretched out hoping that footsteps near the door would awaken him. They didn't and he was caught there when Arthur and Stanley returned.
Arthur dismissed Stanley saying, "I can manage tonight. I will see you in the morning."
"Yes, Sire, early as usual..."
Arthur nodded absentmindedly, so Stanley departed.
Merlin waited a few moments, then announced himself. "Arthur, let me help you with that."
"Ah, Merlin," Arthur smiled genuinely pleased to see him. So, he happily took over his former position for the evening. They chattered amiably as he got changed.
The prince wanting to know what Merlin had been up to said, "So how was your evening, was the food in the servants' quarters good? Meet anyone interesting?"
Merlin could feel himself blushing as he looked at Arthur who wasn't watching him, Stanley's words vivid in his mind. He managed to answer off handedly and steered the conversation back to Arthur's evening as he was too embarrassed to repeat to Arthur what had happened in the servants' hall.
He was still annoyed by Stanley's insinuations about him. He loved Arthur that was true but as a brother. Anyway, Arthur was popular with the ladies so Stanley was way off base in his accusations.