CHAPTER 12 : OF KNIGHTS AND MEMORIES
One day, a royal message arrived from King Peter of Montbus. The king sent his greetings suggesting that it might be a suitable time for his family to once again visit the Pendragons.
The family consisted of the elderly King Peter of Montbus, his wife the Queen Zaerian, his son Crown Prince Paul and his unmarried daughter the Princess Petra. Also accompanying the king were Prince Paul's wife Rosann and their children, various companions, royal retinue and supporting staff.
Arthur sent a response inviting the King and his party to stay until after harvest.
King Peter had lost his kingdom when Uther defeated him claiming the kingdom of Montbus as spoils of war and annexing it to Camelot. However, the two men had remained on speaking terms if not exactly friends over the years.
King Peter retained occupancy of the family homes, a castle, a manor house, a hunting lodge and surrounding lands as a courtesy. Montbus was no more, the lands in reality belonging to Uther who as a favour had allowed the Montbus family to live there.
The royal couple had been regular visitors before Uther died. At which time King Peter had found out that upon his own death all his homes would revert to Camelot, forcing his family and staff to find alternate accommodation.
Arthur knew that visitors would mean more official dinners but he'd done it before still managing to live his own life. He hoped King Peter and his family were going to be easy guests. Two months is a long time to entertain especially if you dislike your guests.
Calling an immediate Council Meeting, Arthur announced the impending arrival of the Montbus party mid July to mid October He then left them to plan welcoming celebrations and the like. A council member was told to request that the Lord Chamberlain and his assistant Humphrey attend the meetings.
The extended family would have their accommodation in one of the castle's guest wings. Chambers had to be cleaned, aired and prepared. In some instances, guests would travel with their own mattresses and even beds, chairs and large travelling chests. Their luggage would arrive ahead of them in wagons as would minor servants. Personal servants would travel with the family. The priority was for it to be a smooth transition. Should they need extra staff they could be supplemented on occasion by the castle staff.
Arthur decided not to spend too much time worrying about it, leaving it in the hands of his staff. He had at least a month prior to their arrival.
Things progressed smoothly in the kingdom, the outlying villages had all been visited and wherever necessary food provisions and seeds for planting had been received. He wanted the villages to be as self sufficient as possible. Villages were the furthest outposts of the kingdoms boundaries and often the first to report intruders with ulterior motives into the kingdom. The weather was excellent and soon the fields around Camelot were planted out.
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Arthur one afternoon, mentioned to the Knights, that in the late summer, he was expecting guests and he confessed that he was not looking forward to having them stay for two months and he asked them to help lighten the load.
"Prince Paul, the Crown Prince and any other Montbus knights of which there will probably only be a handful, could train with our group. The ladies will be entertained by the wives of the Camelot knights and their children can play with the castle children."
"Won't some of the ladies want to do falconry and maybe go riding? There are many beautiful promenades in the area, they could even have picnics near the lake," said Gavin who had the experience of three married sisters.
"Thank you, Gavin, you can be the Activities Coordinator for our female guests! Speak to Lady Catherine, I'm sure she will be only to happy to take you under her wing."
Gawaine was howling with laughter. As Arthur noticing him, grinned and said, "Ah, Gawaine, I thought you might like to accompany Gavin's nephews and nieces while he and his sisters are entertaining the ladies. You could have play groups and excursions to sites of interest. I hear that the Holy Well and the ruins at High Stowe come highly recommended."
Laughter spread around the group at the look of dismay on Gawaine's face. He had hoped that he might have been in charge of introducing the visiting knights to the delights of Camelot's ale houses, for both libation and entertaining the comely serving wenches. His features deflated. Maybe, Merlin would be willing to put in a word for him as he really didn't enjoy the company of children, as he found their unbridled energy and continual questions off-putting.
Realising that he had accomplished his mission, Arthur put both of them out of their misery when he assured them that he had other people who would do those jobs and probable make a better job of it than they would have.
Gawaine grinned in relief saying, "I need a drink, anyone like to visit the tavern before supper?" A few of the group took him up as Arthur and Merlin returned to the castle.
"You know, Merlin, if you want to join them you can however," he said with a wink, "I have an exceptional jug of mead hidden away for occasions such as these."
"Arthur, have you no shame? You let them go off for ale and inferior liquor as you intend to closet yourself away with the real stuff."
"One of the perks of being the King of Camelot, Merlin," he smiled as he added, "…and you as the second most important person in Camelot...after me, that is...my best friend and lover, will be invited to partake of this particular nectar."
Grinning Merlin said, "Slightly big headed are we?"
However, Arthur just nodded in affirmation and placing his arm over Merlin's shoulders, they made their way back to their chambers.
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In the castle one of the most important times was arriving as Arthur would be officiating at the investiture of the senior squires. Five young men were qualified, one of them being Rhylin brother of Sir Romney.
The knights-in-waiting had been measured for their uniforms and more mature knights and family friends had been approached to act as sponsors. The Squire Master had submitted the names of the candidates to the king and at a meeting, the names were announced and any knight present who had a reservation about the suitability of the candidate was expected to speak out in front of the assembly.
Should this occur, a senior knight would then approach the Squire Master and the knight's mentor. The candidates chose a specific knight to be their mentor for their last year to help prepare them and to weed out any young man who needed an extra year or who maybe should be excluded from ever becoming a knight of Camelot.
The age of the pages was from seven to fourteen and another seven years as squires would see them as candidates at twenty-one. After fourteen years under the capable eyes of the Ladies of the Court and the Squire Master very few unsuitable candidates were presented. Each one of them was awaiting the moment when they felt the weight of the king's sword on their shoulders and before the assembly of the knight, their families and friends heard the words as Arthur said, "Arise Sir Knight!"
One very warm night, Arthur and Merlin were in the solar in front of the open window that overlooked the valley, trying to take advantage of any available breeze. Merlin asked Arthur about his investiture,"Of course, for you it would be no surprise as you knew that you would be knighted, right?"
"Not really, as I started early as a page, I was only a six years old and in my last year, I was worried that my father might decide that as I was twenty and one year younger than the other candidates I would not be eligible. I knew that I excelled in combat…"
"Combat, isn't the only thing, what about the values and virtues of being a knight?"
"Merlin, this is my story and I'll get to that. Sir Rupert as my mentor, assured me that I was ready but it wasn't until I was measured for my red cloak that I felt that it was possibly going to happen.
"We were all very excited but also daunted by what lay ahead of use. Most of us had fathers or grandfathers who were knights but to be a Knight of Camelot was something always desired but not easily attained."
"I would have had complete confidence in your becoming a knight. You are haughty enough and you swagger when you walk, you were made for that red cloak!" Merlin added.
"I don't swagger!"
"You most certainly do, your cloak flows out behind you and I can't ever remember seeing you stumble over it."
"Merlin, knights don't trip over their cloaks, they are born to wear them with ease. It is our comportment and the years of training, wearing cloaks even as squires that makes us able to carry it off."
"I know, 'head up, chest out, gut in and bum down'."
Arthur laughed saying, "I'll give you 'bum down' if you don't stop interrupting me. Do you want to hear about the investiture or not?"
"Yes, please, Oh Mighty Knight, so that one day I might aspire to wearing the red cloak and swaggering around like a girl."
Arthur grabbed him holding him against himself, "There are a few things to know about us and the first thing is that we are not girls."
Merlin came back with, "Arthur, have you ever seen a group of your knights standing around with their cloaks draped over their arms like the trains on the festive dresses of the court ladies?" He grinned adding, "You look like bunch of wusses!"
Arthur grinned and said, "You'd better not let Gawaine hear you say that…"
"He knows that's why his cloak is tapered so that he doesn't have to hang onto it yet it still falls perfectly and covers his horse's rump…" Merlin looked stricken, "Oops! I promised never to say anything about that. Arthur, promise me that you won't say anything, as he will know who let the cat out of the bag."
Arthur put his arm around Merlin's shoulders as he said, "Your secret is safe with me." However, he intended to check that Gawaine's cloak was regulation length and see if what Merlin had let slip was true.
"The length of the cloak is proportionate to the height of the wearer. It is made to flare out as the knight strides out!"
A voice said, "Actually, minces might be a better description for some of the knights."
"Merlin, listen to me, none of the Camelot knights mince. They stride out to face dangers and to take on all comers."
Grinning Merlin says, "Right, Arthur! Sir Bruce does a marvellous rendition of a stride."
…and this time Arthur trying to keep a straight face, threatened to throttle him if he made any more disparaging remarks however, Merlin just grinned awaiting his next opportunity.
"Anyway," as I was saying, "Before I was rudely interrupted, the day of the investiture came and we had to spend the previous night in silent contemplation and prayer in the Grand Hall. There were eight of us and we wore white cloaks and fasted from mid afternoon. It's strange what goes through your mind when you are awake in the middle of the night and such a momentous thing is going to happen to you the following day. Innocuous things, I wondered if the king had ever forgotten any candidate's name and I hoped I didn't fall over as I turned to descend the stairs. You know we had never worn the full cloak until it is put on our shoulders after we are invested."
Merlin actually became quiet. He knew that Arthur was more proud of being a knight of Camelot than actually being the king. Knighthood was earned and the kingship had been his by right of birth. He was happier when he was fighting skirmishes with his men than when he was talking from the throne. He knew that the others looked up to him but he sometimes had questions that he was maybe not the best king.
Merlin knew of this, as one night they had lain in bed and spoken about their fears until a sliver of light was on the horizon. Merlin's fear was that he would not be worthy of looking after Arthur. That one day he might slip up and lose him. To be shunned for the rest of his life as someone who had not been able to protect his king. He knew that it would not be the loss of a king which would worry him rather the loss of the man Arthur. The man only he really knew and without whom he really didn't think that he would want to live.
Arthur continued, "Following the night in the hall, we were taken to break our fast and have a chance to relax before being assembled to face the king, our mentors, sponsors and families."
"Were you excited?"
"Beyond excited more like scared shitless. We knew we had the strengths and skills needed but we would pledge in the Code of Chivalry to be not only strong and brave but to fear God, to protect not only our liege lord the king but also our fellow knights, the weak and defenceless, to never refuse a challenge, to live by honour and glory eschewing deceit, meanness and monetary gains. We pledged to help widows and orphans and to respect the honour of women."
"…and have you?"
"To the best of my ability…"
Merlin turned and slipped his arm around Arthur placing his head on his chest saying, "I know you have, I just wanted the opportunity to let you tell me yourself. Keep going, I want you to hear what happened next."
"We were led into the Grand Hall by the Squire Master. Our sponsors were there as were our families and all the men who would soon be our brother knights. Our sponsors removed our white cloaks and when the Squire Master called your name, you walked forward individually to stand before my father and swear your allegiance to him and Camelot and also to profess your pledge to the Code of Chivalry.
During the pledge, Sir Rupert as my mentor had his hand on my shoulder and my sponsor stood behind me. Uther had asked Sir Rupert if I were a worthy candidate for investiture and he acknowledged the question by saying, 'Yes, Sire, Arthur is worthy'. I think I was shaking in my boots at that point.
"Uther said, 'Step forward!' and I mounted the stairs and knelt before him. I couldn't believe what was happening and the next thing I remember, Uther said, 'Arthur my son... Arise, Sir Knight!' There was a deafening round of applause and I stood and walked to the bottom of the steps."
"…and you didn't trip?"
"No, Merlin, no one tripped and certainly not me. I was not only a Crown Prince, I was now a Knight of Camelot." Arthur smiled softly remembering that wondrous feeling. He had been by his father's words accepted into the Brotherhood of the Knights.
Merlin glanced at him and said nothing allowing him time to relish the memories. He sighed, he would have been so proud to have stood in the crown of servants in the Grand Hall and seen Arthur knighted.
"Sir Rupert put the red cloak of Camelot across my shoulders. My sponsor placed my belt and scabbard around my hips and Gaius representing my family handed me my sword. I slipped in into the scabbard feeling completely different than I had on every previous occasion. Sir Rupert handed me my spurs and one of the squires knelt to put them on my boots. It was quite emotional having one of my friends serve me. I then turned and made my way to my position before the dais as the other candidates were invested.
"Once we were all invested, Sir Bevan father of my best friend Edmund stood and said, 'For the Love of Camelot!' and everyone from the doddering Sir Aland down to the smallest page responded with 'For the Love of Camelot.' It must have been difficult for Sir Bevan as by rights, Edmund if he had lived would have been invested that day as well."
Arthur grew quiet as he remembered his friend who had died in his stead. Merlin took his hand and held it, his thumb making little circles. He knew that Arthur needed time to remember the sad as well as the joyous.
Finally he said, "Merlin, you would really have liked Edmund!" He shivered.
"Arthur, I think it's cooled off enough to go to bed, maybe no blankets just the sheets to cover us." He got up and walked to their bedchamber. Arthur followed him and he pulled back the quilt and blankets. Merlin lit the night candle at the bottom of the bed.
Arthur looked up at him and smiled, " You know Merlin, I can't decide if I like you better in the moonlight or candlelight."
"Well, Sir Knight, I'd opt for either but we certainly have more opportunity to show how much we love each other in the candlelight." Merlin slipped into bed beside him and was engulfed in Arthur's arms.
"I love you, you know that don't you, Merlin?"
"It hadn't escaped my attention, Sire!" said Merlin happily smiling to himself.
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One morning, Arthur awoke and rolled over to find that the bed was empty. Then he remembered, today was a big day in Camelot, it was the Day of the Investiture. By early afternoon, they were be five more knights.
The castle was full of house guests as the five candidates' families were all present. Many of this year's candidates were from other areas and after spending at least seven years training in Camelot, with only yearly holidays back with their families, they naturally wanted their parents as witnesses of this momentous happening.
Of the squires, Rhylin had been born and raised in Camelot as had Royon and Rostyn twin sons of Sir Bartholomew but Aubrey was a nephew of King Brennes of Brecon and Marcus from Cornwall as he had followed his older brother Sir Matthew to Camelot.
Arthur sat on the edge of the bed and Merlin appeared with their breakfasts which had been placed in the antechamber by Thomas. "Good morning, Handsome!" he said as he walked across to the table. "Breakfast or a bath first. You don't have time for a three hour soak but you have time to get clean."
"I'll bathe first and then we'll eat. Arthur walked into the water closet and smiled, the fires under the coppers had been lit and the half filled bath water was hot. Merlin arrived and ran more water to fill it up. Arthur stripped off throwing his nightwear to Merlin who caught it deftly. The set up was perfect, the big bath, the soaps including his favourite soap as well as a variety of linens with the bath sheets placed before the fire to warm.
He thought, 'Facilities fit for a king!" He smiled, after all he was a king. "Shame, we are short on time, as I can think of a few things which we could do which might be fun."
"No, Arthur! You have a strict schedule. You will be having a private audience with the candidate's parents and extended family. These people have travelled a long way to see you."
"Not, so far, Sir Bartholomew will only be coming from the married knights quarters as will Rhylin's mother Lady Hester as she's been here for the last week visiting Romney and Mathilda's baby Rupert."
"You know what I mean."
Merlin upended a pitcher of water over Arthur's head and he spluttered, "Merlin, I've told you, warn me before you do that. I practically inhaled the whole thing!"
"No, you didn't! Anyway, your hair has to be clean and shiny so that you are by far the most attractive gentleman in the room." He bent over and gave Arthur a kiss on the back of the neck before saying, "…and here's another one."
Arthur stood up and Merlin continued rinsing him off, laughing to himself as he remembered the first time he had learned that he had to assist Arthur with his bath. He'd been shocked that the crown prince couldn't do something so basic for himself, which he had been doing since he was around eight.
Arthur lifted one foot to be rinsed, then put it on the mat beside the bath, while Merlin emptied another pitcher to rinse the soap and dirty water off the other.
Merlin smiled again and Arthur said, "What's so funny?" As Merlin walked to the fire to get the bath sheet.
"I was thinking of the first time I had to assist you when you bathed. I did the whole routine with my eyes closed, I was so embarrassed…"
"I remember, you dropped the bath sheet into the bath and I had to stand there chilled until you could get another one. Not as embarrassed now…are we, Merlin?" Arthur said smiling coyly.
Merlin looked at Arthur allowing his eyes to sweep down to this ankles. He grinned as he said cheekily, "Nothing I haven't seen before!"