Chapter 10 : PERCHANCE TO DREAM

Merlin was up early. He wanted to check his aired clothes and get the skull and paws packed away before Arthur started to ask questions. He decided that his tunic didn't smell too bad anymore but his trousers which had come into direct contact with the bear smell were grotty and stinking.

He checked with Harry and the groom knew exactly where the semi-waterproofed bag was. He was also interested in the bear's skull as he mentioned that in his old village, there had been a family who possessed a hide and a skull. As a kid, he hadn't been too interested but now he had to admire the solid skull with the enormous teeth. Once it was secured, he offered to keep the bag safe, delivering it to Gaius's once they got home. He was a little less happy with the bears paws but Merlin wrapped them in dock leaves and tied them with vines and they were also to be carried on the pack horse. Bess didn't seem to be unduly perturbed with the additional reeking bundles.

Once back in Camelot, the bear skull was given to the father of the current cook who cleaned it of every sinew and cartilage and returned it to Merlin without leaving any abrasions on the bone. The cook insisted that his father had an army of grateful beetles but everyone just laughed. Gaius however didn't, he just smiled knowingly.

The claws were removed from the pads and each knight who had been present on the mission duly received one. Gawaine insisted that it was like a magnet but Merlin attributed it more to the fact that he had just been lucky.

The skull was finally placed on a trophy chest in the dining hall where it was admired by everyone especially visiting dignitaries.

-0-0-

Merlin made his way back to the fire pit and lit a fire. He put a pot of water with oatmeal over it for the porridge. That and cheese would be what they'd have for breakfast. Food was running short but if they passed a village they were usually able to buy pies and bread from farmer's wives.

He nipped back to the cave and woke Arthur who opened his eyes smiling but then the smell assailed his nose and he said, "Merlin, you do pong!"

"…and a good morning to you, My Love." Merlin said sarcastically. "If I had had a laundry tub, I would have stayed up all night sponging the trousers trying to get them clean but…"

"You could have used the river."

"Arthur, wool shrinks, if I had got into them, I would never have got out of them once they were dry. Anyway, they would never have dried in time and I can't very well wander around naked especially in Keynsham, therefore, I had to put on my smelly clothes. You've smelled worse"

"Yes, but when we both smell bad then your smell is cancelled out by my smell and we smell fine. Anyway, I seldom smell bad."

"Arthur, you do…remember the time you misjudged the distance and fell in the latrines? Even the pigs shied away from you."

"That was hardly my fault. I didn't invite the disaster you did, yet you managed to remain safe and dry."

Merlin remembered, Arthur insisting that he needed a bath and as it was Merlin's fault, he would be responsible for cleaning his foul smelling outfit. He smiled, "But we had fun cleaning you up, didn't we?" He remembered that by the time Arthur had finished fooling around, they both needed baths.

Thinking of a bath, made him feel dirtier than he actually was. He thought of hot water, Gaius's oils and clean bath sheets, just to be able to luxuriate in the water, and if he filled the bath with lots of water allowing himself to float effortlessly, maybe even snooze until he was disturbed.

…and disturbed he was by Arthur who woke him out of his squeaky clean reverie by saying, "Maybe, one of the others has something you could borrow."

"Maybe extra socks but who in their right mind carries trousers and a tunic to fit me. Anyway, let's get going I've already started the porridge and some of the others are up."

"If there's a market in any village which we pass through, buy yourself a new pair of pants so we can return to Camelot sweet smelling. By the way, where's the skull?"

"All packed away and taken care of."

Arthur pulled his boot on wrong and was hopping around trying to fix it.

"Get dressed by yourself often?" Merlin commented as the king scowled at him. He smiled back saying, "Arthur, if looks could kill, I'd be dead at your feet. Let me help."

Kisses exchanged and peace restored, they made their way to the fire.

-0-0-

Merlin rode beside Arthur; every time Arthur sniffed Merlin grinned. "I'll set you up with someone tonight, Arthur, as I doubt that the smell will be gone by then. Any preference blond, brunet or redhead...how about it…? Curly hair or straight, long or short, what is your preference, Sire?"

Arthur smiled, "My preference, Merlin, is you...only you...always you. You'll clean up one day, so don't worry and until then I can use a peg on my nose or some gauze bandaged mint."

Merlin smiled happily; the words 'only you' and 'always you' expressed exactly what was in his heart.

Arthur put Mulgan into a canter and a stream of red flowed to Keynsham, renowned for malting and brewing. They swung into the town, scattering, chickens, dogs and even small children. Arthur grinned and pointed to the market stalls, Merlin nodded.

They stopped outside The Malt Barrels and Romney dismounted and went inside. Merlin took his horse's reins and waited. Romney came out and nodded, "They've got room for us." A hostler appeared to help Harry with their horses.

By the time Arthur had finished being welcomed by the town's leaders and a meeting time arranged, Gawaine was already ordering ales and everyone had gathered in the ale room.

Romney nodded at Merlin and raised his eyebrows. Merlin nodded back and smiled... a private chamber. The squires gathered the saddle bags and bedrolls and took them to the chambers, two dormitory style and a family chamber.

Gielbert had pulled two tables together. Merlin came over to Arthur who moved over so he could sit beside him. "Arthur, do you need me?"

Arthur said as a quiet aside, "Merlin, I always need you! Why?"

"Well, while you have the meeting with the village leaders, I could see if there are any clothes for me to buy."

Arthur threw him a coin purse leaning over to say, "Get something and make sure it fits and burn what you are wearing. Go, Leon and Gielbert will be with me at the meeting, we can manage."

Merlin got up and went out, Simon joining him. "You should really get all dressed up and surprise Arthur."

"I've got my good court clothes at home. Market towns really do not cater to the calibre of castle fashions. For men, there'll only be rough homespun and possibly some linen, while the ladies will fare better with ribbons and finery. What were you suggesting, Simon, a dress?"

Simon started to laugh and the two of them walked over to the first stall. Nothing, it wasn't until the third stall that Merlin was lucky; there was a rough homespun farmer's blouse which fitted him. He held up a pair of pants in front of him, they were huge but with a belt they might be all right.

Simon shook his head, "Merlin, you can't wear those, you'll look as if you've put your legs in two burlap sacks. Arthur won't be impressed. These are more your size. You'll be swamped by those. Make yourself look nice for him"

"Simon, I didn't realise that you cared and I don't think that homespun clothes regardless of the size will appeal to Arthur's taste."

"I do! You'll be wearing them, that's all that matters. You and Arthur are good together. You keep him on an even keel and happy. A happy king is a good man to work for."

Merlin laughed, "Now I understand why you came with me, you were thinking of yourself and covering all bases."

Simon blushed slightly and said, "Merlin, you are reading into it things which don't even exist."

Merlin didn't comment but decided that Simon was hiding something and that he intended to find out what had caused the blush.

-0-0-

They returned to the inn; Merlin went upstairs, stopping at the kitchen to beg some hot water. He washed himself off and changed into the new clothes. He really did feel better. The trousers were fine and certainly fitted better than the first pair would have. The over-blouse would do, it was a dull beige but it was new and clean. He'd pass it on to someone else when he reached Camelot. He ran his fingers through his hair smiling to himself, Simon was right. He knew that not only did Arthur make him happy but he made Arthur happy too. He rolled up his bear scented clothes and shoved them under the bed.

The meeting was over so he went directly to the ale room and stepped inside, Gawaine whistled appreciatively making Merlin blush. He raised his eyes to Arthur's and was rewarded with a big grin.

Leon said looking at the homespun over blouse, "Well, if it isn't Uncle Tom Cobley!" The others all hooted in delight.

Romney added, "Are your fellow cronies outside?"

Merlin shook his head, slipping in between Leon and Arthur who said, "You smell almost normal again…" He ran his hand from Merlin's hip along his thigh before letting it finally settle on his knee, kneading it gently.

It send shock waves through Merlin who glanced up to see if anyone else had noticed and found only Simon looking at him, mouthing, "See!"

The landlady bustled in with her girls and supper was served. The knights appreciated the meal of roast pork, fried trout, turnips, fresh bread and local cheese. The tables were finally cleared and the knights sat around drinking. The conversation finally came around to the local ales. The landlord heard them and came to offer them some of the abbey's limited barley malt, wondering of they would care to sample it. He explained that it was more expensive than his normal ales. However, Arthur nodded and told him to set up mugs for everyone.

Strangely after his first mouthful, Leon insisted for the benefit all and sundry, that bar none this was his favourite drink. There was much joking as Leon didn't really drink copious amounts of anything. The others agreed that it was smooth with a nutty flavour.

"Now this is a real ale," Gielbert announced and with Arthur's approval, called a serving girl over to bring more pitchers for the table.

"Merlin, try it!" Arthur encouraged. Merlin who had sat the whole evening in front of a half mug of ale shook his head. "Come on…" insisted Arthur winking, "You're among friends, nothing bad will happen to you."

Merlin glanced around the table and Gawaine grinned at him raising an eyebrow. He smiled back at Arthur then said to everyone, "I think that maybe I should refrain as if you keep drinking that stuff, I'm going to be busy getting you all to bed with only the help of two squires."

Gawaine said, "I can assure you that no one will need to help me to bed. Regardless of how much I drink I am never too drunk to get into bed."

"That's if you can find it…" said Gielbert.

"…and whether it's yours or not!" Leon added.

Romney said to everyone, "Remember years ago, during a tournament when he not only couldn't find his bed but his guest room and ended up scaring the daylights out of one of the senior squires when he suddenly appeared and tried to join him in bed." The knights all laughed; poor Gawaine, it had taken him a long time to live down that escapade.

"But, Brother Knights, I will also have you remember that I won the jousting the following day."

Merlin said, "Purely by chance as no one wanted to make eye contact with you in case you decided to visit them that night."

"Right on!" said Leon putting his arm across Merlin's shoulders as Arthur almost choked on his ale.

Arthur thought that without these knights, life would be very different. He was not close to all his knights but he appreciated every one of them. Some however were special. He looked around the table and smiled as he knew he could trust all those around the table with him tonight. His eyes lighted on Gawaine, who had settled in and was accepted by them even though he'd only recently become a Camelot knight. He smiled, he would trust Merlin with every single one of them and that was high praise indeed.

Merlin picked up on his smile. He said quietly, "Thinking of something nice, Arthur?"

"Well, if you must know…it was you."

"Nice to know that I can put such a happy look on your face…"

"You do more than that…and I really appreciate it."

"You know, Arthur, you deserve everything I do and more. It's not hard to be nice to you as I see you as me but blond and brawny. It's like being very kind to myself."

Arthur smiled, as funny as it might have seemed, he understood exactly what Merlin was trying to say.

The conversation around the table had slowed into a companionable silence. The squires were dozing at an adjoining table and finally, Rhylan woke himself up as his head fell off his hands smacking onto the table. Romney laughed at his brother and stood up saying, "If we don't turn in soon, neither of these young men will be of any use tomorrow."

Leon said, "What time will we be leaving here?"

"Let's say immediately after breakfast, we have a full day's ride ahead of us, otherwise we'll be roughing it for another night." So, saying Arthur stood up followed by Merlin.

Those words broke up the group and they retired, Gawaine and Gielbert remaining to finish up their last mugs of abbey ale.

-0-0-

Arthur followed Merlin up the stairs, they were on the back of the building and the moon was making puddles of silver across the floor in the chamber. Merlin couldn't help but think that it was fortuitous. He loved the moon, the cool pale light which didn't have the strength of the sun but could light the landscape in a magical way.

Arthur saw the moon and shivers ran the length of his spine. He remembered… "Am I going to be treated to any spectacle tonight, Merlin?"

Merlin said, "…and what exactly do you have in mind?"

"Something sensual yet entertaining?"

"Arthur, sometimes I wonder if Gaius did us a disservice giving me that compendium. Life would have been so simple."

"True but just think of all the wonderfully marvellous suggestions we would have known nothing about. Tonight you can be the Master and I will be your willing Slave."

"Some slave!" said Merlin as he threw himself down on the bed. "You could never be a slave with your, 'But wouldn't it be more fun if we did this' and 'Again, Merlin, again!' One of the things about being a good slave is to keep your mouth shut. The master is really not interested in what you think or what you want. Right?"

But there was no answer and Merlin opened his eyes to see Arthur with his lips clamped shut. He laughed and Arthur threw himself across him on the bed. "Arthur, you'll break something and then we'll have to pay for it. These beds must be years old and your bouncing on them like that isn't going to make them any more stable."

Arthur threw his head back and said, "You've been Master long enough, I want to be Master now."

"That wasn't even two minutes and we did nothing. I'm still the Master. So, Slave, you may remove my boots."

Arthur grinned, whether he was the slave or master didn't really matter as Merlin's loving was generous and gentle and he'd win either way.

The moon was soon shining on the head of the bed, Merlin sleepily opened his eyes and glanced at it. The master and slave game was over and they were again equals, with the king cuddling Merlin against his chest.

Hours later, Arthur was awoken by a struggling Merlin. "Merlin what's the matter?"

But Merlin either couldn't hear him or wouldn't listen…

It would have been a lovely day, the countryside at its best. You'd have ridden miles, reaching the rolling hills above the sea. Fresh water streams would have run down the hillside and you'd have stopped to drink and water the horses. You'd have lain on the hillside, your arms around each other, admiring the coastline, the bays and the cliff, enjoying the solitude.

Arthur would want to get going, 'We'll go down on the sands and ride in the surf. The horses will like that.' You'd have mounted and made you way down tracks, all of which would have led to the beach.

It would have been surreal, the sand would have been firm and the spray kicked up by the horses would have reminded you of clouds…you'd have felt as if you were flying. You'd have dropped Gidun's reins guiding him by your legs and stood in the stirrups with your eyes closed and your arms outstretched to the sky. You'd have heard Mulgan cantering beside you and Arthur would have laughed at you.

You'd have heard a scream and the sound of a snapping bone, a splash then the blood curdling sound of a large animal crashing to the ground. You'd have opened your eyes to see Arthur rolling face down in the surf. You'd have grabbed your reins and would have pulled Gidun to a trot, turning him, making your way back. Mulgan would have been stretched out on the sand, his head at an unnatural angle.

You'd have thrown yourself off Gidun who would have stretched out his neck to Mulgan's head and then danced back just as quickly. You'd have raced into the waves and pulled Arthur ashore. He'd have been unconscious and not breathing. 'Breathe damn you. You're not leaving me alone! Please, Arthur, breathe…' you'd have said.

You'd have sat on the sand rocking Arthur's body. You'd have turned him on his side and water would have dribbled out of his mouth. You'd have pushed on his ribs hoping to squeeze more water out of his lungs. You'd have visualised Gaius's instructions that you needed to make the lungs smaller forcing the water out. You'd have pushed again and more water would have been expelled. You'd have had no idea how long you worked...you'd have taken a break and would have pleaded again with Arthur, 'Breathe, you Idiot! I can't do it for you!'

Suddenly, Arthur would have gasped and been violently sick. He'd have opened his eyes and you'd have grinned at him. Water would have still been dribbling from his mouth and he'd have taken hesitant breaths. You'd have hooked your finger into his mouth as you had seen that there was sand on his lips, in his teeth and on his tongue. 'Arthur,' you'd have said softly, 'Now is not the time to bite me…'

A little while later, Arthur would have managed to croak, 'Merlin, what happened? I went flying and I woke up to you practically squeezing the life out of me.'

You'd have said, 'I thought you'd drowned… you wouldn't keep breathing and Gaius said that someone has to breathe regularly before they are out of danger from drowning.'

'Is Gaius here?' he'd have said.

You'd have said, 'No, just the two of us.' You'd have turned your head, Mulgan's body would have been gone as would have Gidun…and two loaded packhorses would have been standing in their place, heads down, each one resting a hip.

However, Arthur would have been there soaking wet and shivering and you'd have just curled yourself around him hanging on for dear life. You'd have planned to later build a fire with some driftwood but right then…you'd have needed to rest…and you'd have tried to run over in your mind what had happened…but you wouldn't have been able to…

…it would have only been a premonition.

They woke early in the morning. Merlin's arms wrapped tightly around Arthur hanging onto to him with all his might, he wasn't going to lose him as he had almost done during the night.

"Merlin, did you dream last night?"

"No, I don't think so...did I, Arthur?" He tilted Arthur's head back and kissed his brow, then his eyelids and the bridge of his nose. He lets his lips find Arthur's and pulled away. "Arthur, you taste salty, what were you doing last night?"