CHAPTER 11 : KNIGHT NIGHT!

Merlin woke early the next morning and turned to check Arthur as he'd woken him during the night having a nightmare. He'd eventually settled but Merlin hadn't been able to get any response from him even when he told him that he was safe. He just held him until he stopped shuddering, finally falling into a deeper sleep.

He knew that he was still under stress from being held captive and Gaelen's appearance had done nothing to help him. He'd feel better when Gaius had seen him. Humphrey had told him in detail everything which had gone on giving him a better idea of what Arthur had been through.

He let himself drift off and it was Arthur who woke him. "Good morning, Handsome!"

Merlin snuggled in closer, saying, "Good morning, Oh Mighty One! Did you sleep well?"

"Yes on the whole but I dreamt that my father killed you, and I sat there holding you as you died...but you were a merlin..."

"Well, then I would just have flown away and returned to you later. I can do things like that, you know!"

Arthur smiled, "Come here and show me what you would have done once you returned..."

They finally had to get up and joined the others for an early breakfast. They left just after dawn planning to reach Sir Rupert's camp outside Hedgemere by late afternoon. The weather was perfect and every time Merlin caught Arthur's eye, he smiled and flapped his arms pretending to fly.

Gawaine learned over and said, "Keep doing that and someone will think that you're Peter Pan?"

"Who's he?"

"A boy who never grew up..."

"Suits me, did he have a friend who was a prince?"

"Don't think so but he had friends called Wendy and Tinkerbell."

"What sort of a name is that?"

"A perfect name for a fairy!"

"Honestly Gawaine, I sometimes wonder what goes on in your head even when you're sober."

They stopped briefly to buy food then pushed on. Arthur kept counting down the hours before he would see the spires of Camelot. If the weather held and they could ride from morning to dusk it should take just over four days.

The company was good and the hours passed quickly. The first night at Rupert's camp, they had to sleep rough but it was a warm night and the guards were well versed in setting up a suitable quarters. They had three separate camp fires and each group kept to themselves; the Camelot Knights, the guards with the Gower knights and the household staff. Thierry and Brian had been hunting and fresh game was roasted and served. They sat around telling tales and tried to solve the mystery of the original mission's capture.

They remembered and toasted the knights who had lost their lives, Sirs Bentley, Harold, Mandon and Bevan. Arthur most regretted Sir Bevan's death as he had been Edmund's father and he was close to him. His mind then jumped to Edmund himself and he felt more upset.

A voice at his shoulder said, "Is there anything I can get you?"

He looked into Merlin's worried face and said, "No! It's O.K., it just brings back memories."

Arthur let himself enjoy the camaraderie. He felt at ease with his knights and his mind was untroubled. It reminded him of his and Rudd's first ever overnight in the woods with Gielbert who was then a squire. Unbeknownst to them, they were only a mile away from Home Farm and there were also two knights watching over them. Rudd and he had been so brave to begin with but as the night progressed, they both crept back to sleep near the fire with Gielbert. He smiled remembering the 'wild' cow which they had heard and insisting the next morning to the manager at Home Farm that he should be careful in the woods at night.

Looking back, he realised that in general, life in Camelot had been good, tempered here and there with peaks and valleys, some rather depressing. Merlin caught his eye and he smiled and Arthur knew that there had been and hopefully would be, some future highpoints.

The camp was well supplied with ale and after the meal and a few rounds, the stories and jokes started. Gawaine as usual was in high form but he was matched by Rook with his wicked sense of humour. At one point, he suggested that Merlin should cover his ears as his next story might shock him.

Arthur had laughed saying, "Rook, I can assure you that having Gaius as a teacher, has prepared him for anything you could come up with!" He smiled at Merlin and said quietly, "Volume XI, Chapter IV, Page II, Subsection VII !" Merlin blushed and Arthur grabbed him around the shoulders, ruffled his hair, pushing him onto his back. He looked down at him, laughed and hauled him upright, giving him an extra punch on his arm for good measure.

Suddenly there was screeching and everyone's adrenalin flowed until a white ghost flew through the camp and they realised they'd been visited by tyto alba. Merlin laughed as in Ealdor there had been a pair living for years in a hay barn, scaring the living daylights out of kids who felt sure they were not only hearing ghosts but also seeing them. Rodney mentioned the Roman superstition which associated them with death and woe betide any household which had a barn owl land on its roof.

Soon, people started to settle for the night and it finally it was only Gawaine and Rook who were still talking quietly.

The plan to leave at daybreak never materialised as they left later. The knights went first with Rupert and Leon out in front, followed by the guard and that all important chest of gold. Merlin had teased Arthur when he had seen it. "Is that all you're worth?"

"And you think you're worth more?"

"Well, that surely depends on, to whom and maybe, when," he said cheekily, making Arthur grin.

A couple of the knights rode ahead to make sure food would be available, when they stopped to water the horses and give them a rest. They kept up a steady pace and late afternoon reached a little village with an alehouse. Sir Rupert insisted that the knights ate together and left the setting up of the camp to the guards and the household staff.

Merlin had turned to follow Humphrey and Daniel but Leon had caught him by the elbow and said, "Where do you think your're going? Come with the knights."He laughed, "You can always help getting anyone who might have drunk too much back to camp."

The meal was good, there was a lamb or rather mutton stew, hot and plentiful and also some fowlers' pie which was a mixed bag of game birds. It was also served with fresh bread and ale so no one went hungry or thirsty.

Rupert insisted that they turn in earlier as he warned that they would be up at daybreak ready to leave once the light was sufficient. "We need to get a full days riding in tomorrow otherwise, we'll end up having to camp an extra night before arriving home."

The site chosen by Sir Brian was excellent. He's convinced a local former to allow them to camp in his woods. The knights were able to sleep against a hill which was preferable to some of them than lying flat. There was a stream and even a meadow of sorts for the horses. The man had also willingly sold them oats for the horses and his wife agreed to have porridge ready early in the morning for anyone who was interested in breakfast.

Arthur lay down next to Leon with Merlin and Gawaine on his other side. It seemed to him that he had no sooner laid his head down that Merlin was poking him. He tried to grab him and pull him in for a kiss but Merlin pulled away and shoved a bowl of porridge at him. "Rise and shine, Sire, breakfast is served."

Arthur said under the noise of other people's talking, "You sure know how to ruin what would have been the beginning of a wonderful day!"

Although they started off in the sun, the weather deteriorated and soon it was cloudy with a fine drizzle. Everyone, bar one's spirits fell. "If you're going to smile, don't you dare look at me!" Arthur told Merlin who complied but kept grinning to himself when Arthur wasn't looking.

To pay him back, he kept talking to Gidun and Mulgan, "Now, isn't the track softer with a little you-know-what? You're really lucky as the gods are thinking of your legs." Arthur leant over and punched him so he shut up but hazarded a peek at Arthur who caught his eye and had to smile.

By mid-afternoon, the driving rain was so bad that they could hardly see ahead of them. There were huge puddles everywhere and the rain was running down Merlin's hairline onto his neck and wetting his back. "Satisfied now, are you?" an equally wet Arthur said, "I always knew you shouldn't interfere with the weather but no, you go thanking the gods for soft roads, so now we have a river!"

Rupert told the men to seek shelter in the woods and up against a rock strew hill. He named two guards to stay with him and the money chest. He told them if they found somewhere dry to plan on staying there for as long as it rained. If night fell, they should stay overnight and meet up again tomorrow morning.

Gawaine came over and whispered to Arthur. "I know this area. We have a choice, if we backtrack a mile, there are caves, if we continue on for about two miles, there is a farm with outbuildings. What do you want to do?"

Arthur looked at Merlin, who shrugged. So he continued, "Which would you recommend, Gawaine?"

"I like the idea of the caves but, Merlin, you're not too fussy are you?"

"I can manage," said Merlin, "...as long as the three of us are there."

"I was thinking of inviting Rupert as well. There are at least three caves some larger than others but we could all be dry if we split up."

Arthur said, "Caves, it will be! Talk to Rupert and tell him how much place is available. Maybe all the knights could stay there."

Gawaine left to seek out Rupert.

Arthur turned to Merlin, "Are you alright with that?"

Sure, if you can reserve a private chamber for the two of us!"

"Make a wish, my friend!"

Sir Rupert agreed so, five knights and two guards with the chest backtracked with Gawaine to the caves. Arthur told Humphrey and Daniel to follow them as well. True to his word, there was a selection of caves, some smelled strongly of animals but on the whole they were dry and quite large. Their horses were out of the rain and Rupert decided to call it a day for travelling.

When everyone else was settled, Gawaine said to Arthur, "Follow me!" They picked up their bedrolls and saddles bags and he took them up a little track through brambles and stopped reaching forward to pull the brambles away to expose a narrow opening. He entered beckoning Arthur and Merlin to follow him. Six feet in, they stopped in amazement. The cave in front of them was huge, it had galleries and many alcoves leading off it. Gawaine gave them a tour and pointed out interesting carvings in the rock face. He also showed them an underground stream and an opening in the ceiling explaining that smoke would rise and exit the cave.

Merlin was thrilled. He liked the size of the cave and the water and opening in the roof reminded him of another cave but without any of the bad memories. He felt quite comfortable in gorges and slowly he was beginning to enjoy caves again. He smiled at Arthur who put his arm around his shoulder and kissed his forehead.

Gawaine said, "O.K., you two lovebirds, let's collect wood and see if we can get a fire going. Many times, cave dwellers leave wood for the next traveller so try near the entrance."

Merlin soon found sufficient to get a fire started. The firelight threw elongated shadows on the wall but being able to see both Arthur and Gawaine, stopped his imagination from straying too far. He soon had a blazing fire going and placed his wet clothes near the fire, encouraging Arthur and Gawaine to remove jackets and tunics to see if they could dry them. He laid out their bedrolls around the fire in hopes that they might also dry.

Gawaine came back from exploring with more wood. Merlin nipped outside to bring in some damp wood which would dry off by the fire. Arthur had tried to make a torch with grass but it smoked and wasn't of much help, as it needed animal fat to burn properly.

They sat around the fire daydreaming. They were warm and safe. The rain was still heavy and the winds had picked up. Arthur worried that the roads would be impassable, slowing their journey even further. At least, Gaius knew that Merlin and he were safe that is, if Gielbert and Romney had arrived home.

They emptied their saddle bags and Gawaine had some dried meat, Merlin had nuts, shrivelled mushrooms and what smelled like smoked fish. Arthur had dried fruit and something unidentifiable possibly cheese which was rock hard sporting a green mould. That went on the fire but the other food was shared out. Water was available and Arthur said, "Shame we have no ale."

Gawaine rolled backwards reaching for his saddle bag and produced a wineskin, "Would wine suffice, Sire?"

Arthur grinned, "Honestly Gawaine, if I were to be marooned on a desert island and Merlin couldn't be there, I think I'd choose you to be with me."

Merlin laughed as Gawaine said, "Be prepared! That's my motto in life..."

Soon Merlin could feel his eyelids drooping. Arthur laughed and said, "I see someone who is ready for beddy-byes."

He murmured, "Sleep...yes please!"

"Arthur, that takes me back," said Gawaine. "My mother used to say that to me when I was young as she handed me over to my nanny at nighttime. Strange how some things stay with us forever."

Arthur left Merlin asleep by the fire and rearranged their bedrolls next to each other. Gawaine went to the far side of the fire, explaining that he would be better able to keep away any marauding animals.

Arthur smiled and said, Thanks!" and leant over Merlin waking him up and pulling him over to their bedrolls. "Mmm!" was all Merlin said as he lay down and was fast asleep in seconds.

Putting his arms around him and holding him closely, Arthur kissed him and whispered "Nighty Night, Merlin My Love!" Arthur smiled to himself, here he was a crown prince responsible for a kingdom but by far his most important responsibility was the man who lay fast asleep in his arms. 'I love you so much!' he thought and tucked Merlin's head in the curve of his neck and fell asleep.

He was awoken maybe an hour later by Merlin thrashing about, screaming trying to fight off something or someone. Arthur realised it was just a nightmare and he spoke quietly saying, "Merlin it's me. I'm right here beside you." But to no avail, Merlin had his eyes wide open and was still cursing and fighting, punching at Arthur and trying to bite his own hands. He looked terrified.

"Gawaine, I need help!" Gawaine got up and came over." Just hold his hand so he doesn't hurt himself. I don't think he's awake, he can't see us but maybe he can hear us."

Merlin was now thrashing about and using his legs. He'd caught Gawaine and it had hurt. So, he threw the blanket over them and they knelt on the edges of it to keep his legs from making contact. He said quite clearly, "No! Not him, me...!" Whatever he was feeling was disturbing and very upsetting to him.

Arthur let go his hand and tried to steady his head as he whipped it back and forth. Merlin grabbed his wrist and he knew that he would be bruised tomorrow. He'd experienced this once before with him after the attack in Cave Two but he had not had any recurrence since then.

Slowly the intensity of the thrashing calmed down and Merlin without waking, began to moan and whimper.

It tore at Arthur's heart and he was glad that there was someone else with him. Finally, he was quiet again. He had not awakened. Chances are that tomorrow he would have no recollection of last night just curious about his hands if he had bruised them or Arthur's face and hands if he had scratched and bitten them.

If Arthur questioned how he had slept he'd say fine, oblivious to the disturbing events. Arthur knew he wasn't lying as if he had a bad nightmare, he would often laugh and discuss it. He might say that he was a little confused but nothing else.

Once he'd settled, Gawaine went back to his bedroll. "Wake me if you need me."

"No, he'll be alright now." Arthur rearranged his bedroll and their blankets and lay down facing Merlin his arm gently across him, praying that whatever had caused the frightening feeling was far away from his consciousness and that he was just asleep. He went over in his mind what they had done or eaten, he'd had no wine. He could think of nothing which could explain what had happened. It was as if Merlin had gone somewhere else and for a while had been in a different time and place.

Merlin woke to the birds and light coming into the cave. He got up and put more branches on the fire and once they had caught, he added more logs. He was pleased to see that everyone's clothes were dry so he separated them into piles. He felt thirsty and walked to the stream at the back of the cave. The others had finished off the wine so he left them sleeping.

It was still early so he returned to the fire. Arthur was snoring slighty, he smiled but he didn't wake him. He sat with his back against the rock face and tried to recall why he had woken, upset, feeling sad and so alone. He acknowledged to himself that maybe Arthur needed someone stronger and more capable. Was that what had upset him? He would look after him to the best of his ability but he might have to rely on other people as well. He needed to run these feeling by Gaius. Was he second guessing his abilities and being irrational or was there a basis for this anxiety?

Arthur moved and Merlin looking at him realising that he also looked worried as if he too understood that his abilities were not strong enough but then Arthur opened his eyes, saw him and smiled and he knew that they would muddle through, that in the end everything would be alright. He crawled across to Arthur and lay beside him, shivering slightly. Arthur pulled the blankets over him and said, "You were really tired, did you sleep well?"

"Yes, I think so." He shuddered, "I feel as if there is something there but I can't remember it." He shrugged and smiled, "It'll come to me later on. Why? Did I wake you up?"

...and Arthur, out of love, lied and said, "Knowing you, Merlin, if you had woken me I would have remembered!"

Gawaine had listened to their conversation and smiled, Arthur was not only brave but prompted by love, considerate.

Merlin grinned and blushed. He propped himself on his elbow and leaning in, gently exploring Arthur's face with his finger. Arthur closed his eyes waiting for the finger to be replaced by lips. When it wasn't, he opened his eyes and saw that Merlin was miles away, distractedly playing with his earlobe, frowning slightly.

Arthur whispered, "Earth to Merlin!

Merlin eyes flashed back to Arthur's and he said, "Sorry, I almost thought I had it..." He leant over and...

Gawaine sat up, "Before the two of you get completely carried away, I'm out of here. Thanks for the dry clothes, Merlin." He stood up and slipped them on and called over his shoulder as he left. "Carry On! But I'll be back for the rest of my stuff..."

Merlin burst out laughing then turned his attention to Arthur...

Sir Rupert lead the way down to the main road. Arthur rode beside him. "I'd hoped to have a chat with you last evening but you must have been in another section of the cave."

Arthur nodded adding, "Excellent group of caves, well worth remembering about them for the future."

"Well, hopefully, we won't be this way again in pouring rain." He continued, "Ride with me and we'll see if we can shed a little more light on this mess."

By the time, they were all reassembled, the majority of them just wanted to reach somewhere to purchase food. They were hungry. The road surprisingly wasn't too bad, but apart from the leaders, Rupert and Arthur, everyone else was muddy. The fords were deep so the horses' legs were splashed clean but were no sooner clean than they were once again mud covered. Finally, they reached the next village.

"You look as if you had a mud shower," laughed Arthur as Merlin offered to take Mulgan and tie him up.

"Well, we can't all have the luxury of riding out in front."

"Do I detect a hint of envy or is it job dissatisfaction, Merlin?"

"No, just that I was relegated to the back and it seemed that every horse in front went through each puddle with gusto and I benefited from the flying mud."

"Poor Merlin, and he so likes rain but not its results, is that it?"

Merlin smiled sweetly but with a hint of insubordination said, "...and the first shall be last and the last shall be first!"

"Is that a threat?"

"No, but it could be..." Merlin ducked behind his horse as a punch flew in his direction. It missed Merlin and got Gidun in the flank. He moved over and bumped into Mulgan, who stepped on Arthur's foot.

Arthur roared, "Merlin!"

"It wasn't me. Your own horse stood on you, you really should be more careful around him."

Arthur chased around Gidun to get at Merlin but he slipped behind Leon who stepped in and said, "I don't want to get involved in this argument but the inn is open and food is available."

Merlin peeked around Leon and said, "Truce, Arthur."

Arthur grabbed him from behind in a headlock. He said quietly, "Be afraid, Merlin! Be very afraid, the next time we are alone..."

Merlin grinned cheekily, "I'll keep you to that, Arthur!"