CHAPTER 20 : LEAVING LOCHLAIRN

At lunch, Latimer came in to tell them that His Lordship would like to see Merlin and Sir Gawaine mid-afternoon. The four guests continued to sit at the table as Brother Mungo said, "So, we will soon be leaving Lochlairn and you will be making your way back to Camelot. It's a long trip, you are very welcome to take a few days break at St. Columban's on the way."

"Thank you kindly, Brother, but I think we will just make it an overnight stay as Prior Malachius is probably thinking that we have absconded with Brother Benedict here and his community will think that we have abandoned two squires, one knight and a manservant in your guest house ad æternam!"

Brother Mungo smiled as he said, "I'm sure the boys have been helping the knights and I know that both Sir Leon and the man Harris were already involved in the monastery goings on before we left. Even with helping with the manual labour, quite a few of our visitors feel rested and refreshed when they return home. One of our visitors was fascinated by our Alms House where we distribute food for the needy. He stayed with us for one half a year, returned home and the following spring requested the Abbot to be enrolled into our noviciate."

"You know, the only time I have spent in the monastery was when I travelling and no inn was nearby. I had not realised the organisation and hard work that goes on there," Gawaine said.

Merlin thought, 'Now, Gawaine, don't tell me that you have decided to join a monastery.'

Gawaine made Merlin and the others laugh as he said, "You know your brewing operation is very close to my heart."

Brother Benedict laughed and said, "You do realise that we are non-imbibers except on special holidays and feast days and then one goblet of wine suffices."

Gawaine looked downhearted and said, "Well certainly, that's one idea that needs to be revisited."

There were all laughing when Latimer returned and asked Merlin and Sir Gawaine to follow him.

-0-0-

They were shown upstairs to a sitting room and upon walking in Merlin was surprised to see Sir Cade, standing by the window using a cane. He smiled saying, "I thought it was time that I began to take more of an interest in my life"

Merlin smiled saying, "You have a very important role as a grandfather."

The Lord of Lochlairn motioned the two of them to a table near the hearth saying, "This surprisingly was one of the Lady Barbara's favourite rooms, the views from the windows are very pleasant and she said that she felt more at home in this smaller room than in the downstairs formal rooms. She also said that the light as it faces north was better for painting.

When you return to Camelot I would like you to take some small portraits and landscapes, so that Clare has a record of her family and her family home. You will have to keep them in safe-keeping until she is older."

Merlin smiled he had already decided to so some sketches of Dovey's grandfather so that she would recognise him when he visited.

Sir Cade seated himself and turning to Gawaine said, "So, you are the man whom I must thank for rescuing my Clare. I am indebted to you. If not for your foresight, I would never have know that she had ever existed. Thank you!"

"Sir, when you meet her you will realise that it is I who am the lucky one as she had brought much love to Merlin, King Arthur and some of the other knights. Someone had been looking out for her that day."

Merlin was hoping that Gawaine would remember that the information he'd given to Sir Cade was a sanitised version of what had happened with no excessive details just the basic facts and that he wouldn't launch into the horrifying event they had come upon.

Nothing Gawaine said was too detailed and Sir Cade thanked him again before nodding at Latimer who approached with silver goblets and another of those famous squat bottles and some shortbreads.

Latimer poured and Sir Cade said, "Latimer, join us in a toast to one very lucky young lady my granddaughter Clare who was found by this brave knight and I am now entrusting into the care of King Arthur of Camelot." The four of them sipped the malt and Merlin took the opportunity to look at Gawaine with a warning glance that he was not to get carried away in his enthusiasm for what was becoming his favourite beverage.

After a little while, Latimer excused himself saying that he had to see that the preparations for the evening meal were being carried out. Sir Cade nodded and the man left the room.

"I realise," said the older knight, "that my grandson has for all intents and purposes no name, unless Clare ever speaks of him by name, I would like him referred to as Rodik after my young son and Megs' brother who died when she must have been around ten. He will also be called Niall after his father."

Gawaine said, "I would like to propose a toast to the baby Prince Rodik Niall of Lochlairn named in honour of his young uncle and his father."

Merlin smiled to himself, Gawaine knew exactly what to say and he had cemented the tie between himself and the present Lord of Lochlairn.

Sir Cade smiled broadly and said, "Well put, Sir Gawaine?" Have you been at the court of Camelot for many years?"

Gawaine laughed and further ingratiated himself to the man as he said, "Well, there were years when I was a bit of a wild thing serving various masters." Merlin grinned and Sir Cade nodded smiling as Gawaine continued, "…and then I met Merlin and it turns out that my calling was to become a Knight of Camelot, not easily done as the then King Uther, did not exactly see the merit of asking me join them; however his son must have seen my inherent abilities or maybe it was my charm…" Sir Cade interrupted him laughing and Gawaine, the knight who Uther called the reprobate continued, "…so here I am, accompanying his most valued envoy on this quest for the family of a little girl who is close to his heart."

Merlin smiled, Gawaine certainly could turn on the charm when needed but he knew that what he had said, he had said from the heart.

The three of them sat talking with Sir Cade and Gawaine exchanging stories of being knights. Then His Lordship spoke about the visitors' plans to return to Camelot. Merlin realized that the words 'return to Camelot' had a lovely ring to them and he decided that they would do so as soon as possible without being rude to their host. Sir Cade said that he understand their desire to get home especially as they had maybe eleven days of riding ahead of them. He suggested that they leave early the next morning, that would allow him to get together the few things that he wanted Clare to have.

-0-0-

As they walked into the dining chamber for supper that night, the Brothers, Melin and Gawaine were surprised to see the table set for five and when the door opened it was Sir Cade who walked slowly in on Latimer's arm confessing that this was his first time downstairs in over a year. Once he was seated, they all sat down and he then asked Brother Mungo to say Grace and also a blessing for those about to return to their homes.

Grace said and blessings given, Merlin looking at Sir Cade realised that the last couple of days had taken years off his demeanour. He wasn't recognisable as the frail old man who had been sitting with a blanket around him the first time Merlin had been in his presence. The intervening days had uncovered a more vibrant elderly gentleman, one who might next summer be able to travel down to Camelot to see his granddaughter. Merlin decided then and there that this was the man he was going sketch for Dovey or should he say more rightly Clare, to show to her when he started to tell her about her grandfather.

Sir Cade had the Brothers Mungo and Benedict charmed and they both insisted that if he should ever go to Camelot, they would be insulted if he did not break his journey by spending a few days at both the monasteries of St. Columba and St. Bridget.

The spirit of the evening was uplifting, Merlin noticing that Latimer kept a careful eye on His Lordship so that he didn't overexert himself. Merlin thanked Sir Cade for his hospitality stating that they would be taking back to Camelot fond memories of not only Clare's grandfather but of his beautiful estate.

Merlin had hit the nail on the head referring to the knight as a grandfather. He beamed and said that any little girl who had Merlin in her life would be very lucky and he was thrilled that his granddaughter Clare would be having Merlin in hers. He then turned to Gawaine and asked him to continue watching out for his little Clare and that he hoped maybe next summer to make the acquaintance of King Arthur as well as the other members of the party who had made the perilous journey north to find him and make him a happier man than he had been in years.

He then excused himself and accepted help from Latimer and Merlin to get up from the table and to make his way upstairs to his bedchamber, promising to see Merlin the following morning before he left.

Latimer then handed him a leather packet which Merlin recognised and Sir Cade explained, "I have kept one thing a gold necklace given to my daughter by her mother. Everything else I am returning to you for Clare. Please tell her the story about the pendant and why she is called Clare." He slipped Niall's signet ring off his finger and handed it to Merlin.

Merlin did not take it but said, "Keep wearing it and you can give it to her yourself and tell her all about her father and his family when you come to visit."

"Yes, I could do that and because it is Niall's ring, it will make me feel closer to the two of them. I would also ask you to take these sketches and portraits. I have had them rolled and placed in a scroll pouch as they are easier to carry. The information about the portraits are included."

He handed Merlin two bottles which he recognised and continued. "One is for the Brothers to celebrate the Feasts days in their communities though, if what I have heard is true, many monasteries are well known for the malts they make. This will give them an opportunity to taste our local endeavour. The other is for that rascal Gawaine. I enjoyed his stories and hope that his sense of humour will also entertain you and help make your return journey less arduous

-0-0-

When Merlin dropped by Gawaine's room later on to say that the grooms had already been notified of their early departure, he did not mention the little squat bottle which he had already carefully packed in his saddle bags. He did however mention that he was again carrying some of the jewellery for Clare and the portraits and sketches.

Lying in bed and watching the moonlight create patters on the walls of his chamber, he realised that it would be many a day before he got back to Arthur. He climbed out of bed and went to the window, he looked up at the familiar moon and whispered, "Arthur, I'll soon be on my way..." He got into bed and almost immediately fell asleep.

He's back in Camelot in their chamber leaning against the wall, he makes out the furniture in the firelight. Arthur is sitting at the table reading and when he decides to turn in, Thomas has banked up the fire and opened the curtains commenting on the full moon. Arthur nods wishing him good night and the manservant leaves.

Before going to bed, Arthur goes to the window standing there bathed in the moonlight. In his dream, Merlin reaches out to touch him but the distance is too great. He can only stand and watch. He remembers the times over the years that they have enjoyed the moonlight, something which always wakes Merlin not in a frightening way, more in a soothing manner, reminding him of things which have been and those things yet to be experienced.

He is conscious that there is someone at the door but realises it is no one to fear as a figure in a nightshirt carrying a candle walks into the bedchamber. It goes towards Arthur who has not heard the door opening and he jumps but then smiles and places his arm around the young boy.

"What are you doing wandering around the castle at this hour? Does Randall know that you left your chamber?"

Shaking his head, Treva says, "No, I was very quiet so as to disturb him." He pauses before continuing, "Arthur, Merlin is coming back isn't he?"

"Of course he is, I told you that he had a long way to travel to find out all he could about Dovey's family and then he would be coming back to us. He will I promise you! He will have been missing us as we are missing him. Come on you're going to get cold, hop into bed but don't blame me if Randall suddenly comes blustering in trying to find out where you are."

"He won't be able to get in as he hasn't a key and anyway who would burst in on the King unannounced?"

"You would!" said Arthur as he takes one more look at the moon and thinks, 'I love you, Merlin!' Before closing the curtains and getting into bed saying, "…and exactly how did you get in here?

Treva grins and snuggles against Arthur saying with a small laugh, "Merlin gave his key to me so that I could watch over you!"

Arthur smiles, "Sleep well then and when he comes back we can tell him that you did just that."

Merlin smiled in his sleep everything was all right at home, now he just had to get there.

-0-0-

As he got his things together the following morning, Merlin tried to figure out how many nights before they would reach Camelot and he realised that it depended entirely on how long they stayed at St. Brigid's with Brother Malachius. He felt sure that the kindly prior would understand that he needed to get back to Arthur and would not feel slighted if they only stayed a short while.

They left Lochlairn after lunch, Barry had their horses ready for them. His Lordship made it to the front door and sat in a chair placed there by Latimer. He asked Merlin to convey his best wishes to King Arthur thanking him for searching for his granddaughter's family. He hoped one day to be able to thank him in person.

Merlin gave him a knight's arm shake, thanking him for his hospitality and promising to tell Clare all about him. He finished by saying, "I'm holding you to it, I expect next summer to receive a missive that you are on your way to visit your granddaughter."

"God willing!" Lord Lochlairn said with a smile. "Latimer and I would love to visit you in Camelot." He sat in the chair watching the four horses until they were out of sight thinking, that will be me next summer when I go to visit Clare. Little knowing that he would be called from this world following a heart attack in midwinter. As he closed his eyes for the last time, he would have seen his family, his beloved wife Barbara, his daughter Megs with his grandson Baby Rodik in her arms, surrounded by the men of his family, his sons Niven, Sinclair and Rodik and his son-in-law Prince Niall.

Latimer found His Lordship the following morning with a smile on his face looking younger than his age belied.

Merlin found out when the bluebells were carpeting the forest outside the castle walls.

-0-0-

Merlin turned one last time to look at the manor house in the hills. He felt that his time there had been fruitful. He had given a man a granddaughter he had never known and settled the questions he had about Megs and Niall.

The four riders arrived at St Bede's before nightfall. Mrs. Latimer had packed some extra supplies for the trip and Brother Mungo was happy to be able to leave them with St. Bede's small community.

Following the evening meal, the monks went to pray together and Merlin and Gawaine sat outside the building with legs outstretched, enjoying an ale and watching how the setting sun created shadows on the surrounding hills.

Soon, they were nothing but two voices isolated by the impending darkness. Gawaine remarked, "We've ridden through some spectacular areas from the lakes further south to the mountains around Lochlairn. Do you think we'll go home the same way?"

"That will depend on Leon but I'd like to talk to Brother Malachius and see what he suggests. He might have a more direct route for us to follow."

Gawaine laughed, "In other words, the quickest way back would be your choice. Missing him that much are you?" He said nudging Merlin gently in the ribs.

"No," Merlin said but the longing in his voice showed Gawaine that he had been right. "I just want to get all the information back to Geoffrey then he will be able to make records of Dovey's origins."

But Gawaine wasn't convinced, he knew that until Merlin laid eyes on Arthur and saw that all was well, his mind was set on arriving home. Playing devil's advocate, he said grinning, "So, I couldn't interest you in spending a few days in the district of all those lakes?"

Merlin knowing that he was being teased said, "I think I'd prefer to head right home, however in the future should Clare decide she wants to go north to spend some time in Lochlairn, I might suggest to Arthur your name as a suitable escort as you love the area so much."

Gawaine grimaced. He liked the child but the thought of playing nursemaid to a young girl, a party of maid servants and their support staff really didn't appeal to him. He couldn't say that there might not have been an opportunity for a little fun; however after once being caught as a younger man with one of the Ladies of the Court, he tried whenever possible not to mix business with pleasure. He smiled as he acknowledged to himself, well it hadn't exactly put him off just made him a little more careful should the lady in question have as a husband one of the Camelot knights.

They turned in and it seemed that in no time, Brother Benedict was raising them as dawn had already broken and there was a meal prepared for them to break their fast before getting on their way.

Merlin looked around at the St. Bede's little community, meagre in not only people but buildings. They had been so welcoming not asking for anything just opening their doors and taking care of them. He suddenly realised that he still had all the coins which Arthur had given him before he had left home. He had sewn the small gold one into the hem of his jacket and the others he'd knotted into the four ends of his kerchief which Gawaine had then assured him would make a lethal weapon.

The small gold coin which Arthur had given him became a donation from Merlin to St Bede's. As they prepared to leave, Merlin had slipped it to the Prior explaining, "This might help you to continue your work in this area. Thank you for your hospitality."

The monk looked at the little coin and his face broke out into a smile, he said, "This will pay off the builders, the thatcher and his supplies, our labourers, the farmer for loaning us the hens and we will still have enough to buy food for our brothers and the needy. May God keep you and your travelling companions safe on your return journey. We will remember you in our daily community prayers. God speed!

Merlin smiled Gaius and he often discussed the new religion brought by the Romans. He had met many monks over the years and he knew that Gaius respected them for the care they were willing to give to anyone regardless of his rank or ability to pay. Gaius often discussed cases which stumped him with the Brother Physician from St. Ninian's the nearest monastery to Camelot.

He seemed to have been in another world as he mounted and was surprised when Gawaine said, "Next stop, if the weather holds and the chances seem pretty good, will be St. Columban's later today."

True to Gawaine's words, the day remained beautiful.