CHAPTER 20 : OF CASTLES, CAVES AND DONKEYS
The weather held and they spent the night in a little village on the coast. The location was picture perfect. The sea crept in between rocks and the cottages on the promontory were all made of stone. The inn was nothing more than a large cottage with the family sleeping in the attic but it had a main room with a large fire, rough tables and benches for regulars.
They'd ridden straight through pausing to rest the horses and eat lunch. Mulgan and Gidun's accommodation was basic, a lean-to with a slate roof but they would be undercover and out of the wind. One of the landlord's boys would keep an eye on them, for which service he'd be paid.
Their accommodation was hardly better. Behind the cottage was an extra store room and they could sleep there. The landlord had offered that they come upstairs and share the open attic with the family. However, Arthur declined politely explaining that all they really needed was a roof over their heads to make them feel quite at home.
Merlin afterwards had said to him, "Just a roof over our heads! Arthur, the tester on our bed at home is more of a covering than this roof!"
"Agreed but I would prefer to sleep by ourselves. Heaven knows who you'd be snuggling with! I counted seven kids included those two little babies. If I'm going to snuggle with someone, I at least like to know his name. By the way, what did you say your name was again?"
Merlin grinned, "I'm not fussy myself, any warm body in a pinch."
Arthur smiled knowing that that was a gross exaggeration, "Now, be serious, do you know what today is?"
"No? Tuesday?"
"Well, we left early-September and...you've been getting older every day."
"Arthur, is it my birthday?"
"I don't think so, not yet but I have a little present for you."
Arthur reached for his bedroll, which unusual for Arthur he had been taking care of all by himself. He unrolled it and pulled out a grey garment. Merlin watched and slowly realised that he was looking at a pullover, not unlike a tunic but it was knitted. He grinned, Arthur must have bought it from the landlady who knitted them for the fishermen.
"Oh, Arthur, it's lovely. It's so warm. Can I wear it now?"
"Of course, Silly, it's yours."
Merlin's face fell. "But, Arthur in the rain and wind, I'll be warm and you will be cold. We'll have to share."
"No, we won't!" and with that Arthur pulled a second slightly larger garment from his bedroll.
Someone popped their head around the door and said, "Supper's ready!"
Merlin smiled folded his pullover and wrapped his arms around Arthur who was still folding his and tucked his head against his neck saying. "Thank you for a wonderful present, we'll be like twins..." He gave Arthur a kiss but pulled away before Arthur got other ideas, saying, "Don't want to miss supper now, do we? Maybe, there'll be a birthday cake and ice cream."
"What are you talking about? Iced cream...what's that?"
"Oh, Arthur, you're so worldly yet you have a lot to learn." He grabbed Arthur's hand and dragged him out of the room, "Come on, I'm hungry and we'll have to compete with seven kids!"
Following the supper of which there was plenty, they sat before the fire. A few locals came in and most of them commented positively on the stretch of good weather they'd had the last two days. One old chap said to Merlin, "If you're in the area tomorrow, you should explore the promontory, we're all proud of this area...great views, lovely coves and some good fishing spots."
"Are they ever any lobsters around here?" Merlin asked.
"Yes quite often. Young Tom might have some tomorrow."
The landlord heard the conversation and came over to join in. "Well, 'iffin you're planning to stay over, I'll see what I can do. There'll be an extra charge for a special meal but my missus can do wonders with sea food."
The others agreed that if any fisherman brought in lobsters, they'd send them up to the inn. Arthur nodded and promised a finder's fee as well. Merlin felt that this was a wonderful birthday, some warm clothing and the chance of lobster in the next few days. What else could happen to make this a more memorial couple of days?
They made their way to the store room and Merlin was quite happy as the lack of space necessitated their lying close together and he finished his birthday, happily with his arms wrapped around Arthur. They had both thrown their new pullovers over themselves and they were warm and toasty and the rattling of the slates, the moaning of the wind and the scurrying of the various little animals with which they shared the room had no affect and the two of them fell fast asleep.
Arthur woke a little later and realised that ten years previously Merlin had arrived in Camelot for the second time. The feeling was still there from that very first meeting when they were children. He smiled in the dark. He wasn't going anywhere and as his friend snuggled into him, Arthur knew that Merlin felt the same way. Ten years! Merlin was a man of twenty-seven. He remembered, 'I'm going to be thirty next summer.' He shook his head slightly and thought, 'How time flies when you're having fun…!'
-0-0-
Next morning, clad in their new woollen pullovers, carrying food supplies and their bedrolls, they made their way to the promontory and looked out to sea. It was spectacular and Merlin's hand found Arthur's. The sounds of the waves transported him. He knew they were alone and felt that together they would be able to face whatever was ahead of them. He was strangely invigorated by this location. He was conscious of more than the visual panorama. His senses were being bombarded and once again he knew that his rightful position was beside Arthur as seer and lover.
Arthur picked up on his feelings and put his arm around his shoulder. He turned Merlin towards the land away from the ocean and placing his hand over Merlin's heart said, "I have never questioned it but standing here in this place, I know that from the time before we were born, we were meant for each other. Do you feel it?"
Merlin smiled lovingly at the person before him, being at a loss for words, he placed his hand over Arthur's heart finally sliding it up to his chin, tilted his head and kissed him. His mind became a myriad of memories and the kiss became deep and demanding. They broke apart gasping for air.
Arthur smiled at him, gently saying, "Merlin, we should come here more often!"
Merlin grinned shyly, he couldn't explain the sensations he was receiving. It was as if he were connected to the earth and everything was right. He pulled away from Arthur and looked around. He could see a cove below and a beach. "Let's go down, we'll have lunch below and maybe have a little more fun..."
Arthur having lived with Merlin for years understood exactly what he meant and smiled.
They descended carefully. Merlin for some reason unknown to Arthur, even carrying their two bedrolls became sure-footed and managed even the most difficult sections with ease. Arthur had trouble and was only too pleased to have a steadying hand to help him. The sun was warm and they were sheltered from the sea breezes. They reached a sizable flat section and Arthur said, "Enough for the time being. Let's stay here and look around, it's surprisingly level, we could sit against those boulders and have lunch.
Merlin looked around; they were below the promontory, on a fair-sized flat headland. Below them and in front of them was the sea; on their right, to the north across a cove was another headland with caves; behind them were the cliffs and rocks leading back the way they had descended and to their left, more lower cliffs and beyond that another bay. He walked to the very edge and felt one with the land and the sea.
Arthur had dropped his bedroll and was sitting against a boulder, looking at him expectantly. "You seem miles away?"
"It's spectacular here. This flat area, the coves, the caves, the waves...Arthur, I think I'm in love."
"I hope it's with someone I know!"
"No, I mean in love with this spot. Of all the places, you and I have been this must be the most perfect."
"Except there's no bed..." Arthur added with a slight smile.
Merlin face softened, he walked over, knelt down, put his hands on Arthur's hips and said, "...and Sire, when has that ever stopped us?"
-0-0-
When Merlin finally opened his eyes, Arthur was propped up on his elbow beside him, "Arthur," he murmured, "Is it just me of was that special?"
"You outdid yourself, Merlin My Love! There is something special about this place."
He got up leaving Merlin and walked to the edge of the flat area and said, "I feel that this is the perfect location for a castle. Somehow I know, one day there will be a castle here. It will keep the inhabitants safe from their enemies and years after, when it is nothing more than a ruin, people will remember it fondly as...I'm famished, are you?"
Merlin smiled, Arthur often insinuated that he had a grasshopper mind but to jump from the wonders of castle building to the mundane act of eating, made him laugh. He realised that Arthur was also under the spell of this area, halfway between the sea and the sky. He thought sadly, 'If only Arthur knew, I could have made him castles in the air and we could have played make-believe for ever!' But, that was not a possibility so Merlin grinned saying, "Let's eat right here. Let's pretend this is the royal dining hall and you are the king, sitting in splendour viewing one of nature's greatest gifts, the sea."
Arthur turned around, the sun behind him creating a halo as he said, "Where in heaven's name do you get all these ideas?" He thought for a few minutes, turned looked out to sea, then again at Merlin and said, "It would have been nice though…"
After lunch, carrying their bedrolls, they made their way down to the cove, Merlin was thrilled to find tidal pools, each one filled twice daily at high tide. In one, he found an orangey-yellow starfish. "Arthur," he called, "Come see! This would make a daunting enemy. I saw them in Gaius's book. You can cut an arm off the Asterias rubens and it will grow into a new starfish and the original starfish just grows a new arm to replace the one it lost."
"Are you sure that you didn't just dream that up to impress me?"
"Arthur, I assure you, I have no need to make things up to impress you. Do I?" he suggested with a shy grin.
Laughing, Arthur said, "No, I can honestly say that your just being you, is impressive enough, my Love!"
They continued exploring the rock pools trying not to cast their shadows over the water to alert the residents that they were being observed. They poked around in the pools for some time, they saw crabs and various small fish and anemones but Merlin still hadn't seen a lobster.
Finally they made their way back to the caves. Some were small, some joined to others and one was deep and seemed suitable for a night's stay. The sand at the back of the cave was dry, the scattered pieces of drift wood were bone dry as were the ribbons of seaweed. There were rocks on which they could climb and it was a perfect place to overnight. They dumped their bedrolls and provisions there and went exploring further along the coast.
They returned to the cave and sat outside watching the tide rolling in. It was determined and forceful, they backed closer to their cave, listening to the rhythmic crashing of the waves and the sucking, sliding sound as the water returned to the sea.
Soon, they were surrounded by water on three sides, they watched the waves, glad that they had no need to wade to another section of the beach to find a campsite.
They made their way back to the cave, watching the water lap at the entrance. By the texture of the sand, they could tell how high the tides came in the cave.
Merlin was miles away, a soft smile on his lips, engrossed in his thoughts, when Arthur suddenly said, "Look at the water, are you sure that it should be coming in this far?"
Merlin glanced down at the fine dry sand, now being licked by little wavelets creeping closer to them and had his doubts that this was a normal occurrence. The sand here, had been dry. He looked around the cave and realised that they were not yet at the back. He turned and saw that there were footprints leading deeper into the cave. He started to follow them. The roof began to slope down and the walls press in and they entered a tunnel.
Arthur hesitated.
"Trust me, I will never lead you astray," Merlin said. "Follow me!"
They retrieved their bedrolls and walked further into the tunnel and saw what amounted to a gallery. Looking down, they saw that the waves were already obliterating their footprints in the sand on the cave floor.
Arthur looking upset. Merlin leant over and whispered to him, "You will, Arthur, one day be a great king and to do that we will survive this little inconvenience." He offered him his hand, creeping forward on the rocky ledge. They entered another tunnel climbing continually.
They came out into a large cave, lit spectacularly by huge fissures in the rock face. Daylight poured in. Merlin went over to peer through one and he gasped. "Arthur, over here it's mind-boggling!"
Looking out they could see the ocean below them. The cove across which they had wandered had become an inlet of the sea and halfway up the opposite promontory, they could see the flat area where Arthur had wanted to build his castle.
They were isolated in a kingdom of their own with a window over their private world of crashing waves and screaming gulls.
Merlin walked back to where they had dropped their bedrolls. The sun was shining into the cave and he brought them to where Arthur stood. "If we sleep here, we will wake to the sounds of waves and the call of the gulls."
Arthur turned and got hold of Merlin and wrapped his arms around him, before pulling him snugly against himself. He ruffled his hair and taking his head in both of his hands, placed his forehead against his, saying, "How often I wished over the last week that it could have just been the two of us."
Merlin smiled and said quietly, "We might be cut off from the world but not from each other!"
"Arthur's Castle and Merlin's Cave together in this little piece of heaven!"
Merlin tilted his head and kissed him. He smiled; he liked having his own cave. After all, if Arthur could have a virtual castle, why shouldn't he go one better and have an actual cave? He was pleased with himself, now that he had a cave of his own. He only hoped that tomorrow they would be able to find their way back down to the beach before making the climb back up to the headland.
True to his word, they woke to the sound of gentle waves and gulls. It was another lovely day, Merlin rolled up the bedrolls and breakfast consisted of what had been left from last night's supper. They emptied their last water skin hoping to be able to find a stream on their climb.
Arthur took one more look across the sea and joined Merlin as he made his way back to the lower cave. The sand was damp and easy to walk on and they made their way across the cove and started to climb.
They reached the flat section and took a break.
Merlin sat beside Arthur looking in the direction of where his cave was and he felt satisfied that this part of their holiday had been wonderful.
Arthur looked over at him and said, "Come closer. I have an idea."
Laughing, Merlin said, "Wonder if I can guess what you have in mind?"
...and he did!
-0-0-
In the warm sun and protected from the wind off the sea, Arthur sat against a boulder. This was a magical place, he was certain.
Merlin lay with his head on Arthur's chest and his eyes closed. He saw a castle in this very spot, unclear exactly as to the builder, yet feeling that the ruins would be there for many a year to come.
They slowly made their way back to the inn and the first thing Merlin did was check on their horses.
It was mid afternoon and they had decided to spend another night there. The landlord's wife grinned agreeing to feed them and they sat outside, Arthur nursing an ale, watching the setting sun until they were notified that supper was ready. The meal of seafood chowder looked excellent but then the landlord paraded in with three lobsters. He explained that they had been in a bucket of seawater and had only just been cooked.
Merlin's smile lit up the room and by the end of the meal everyone had had a taste of lobster with the children sucking on the legs. Merlin was the children's favourite and they were all over him. For a second, he wished that he might have entertained them with some simple magic, maybe some jousting knights or Arthur's dream castle.
Once the children had left for bed, Merlin watched Arthur by the fire as he chatted with the landlord sampling his selection of local ales.
Merlin felt content. Arthur had named a cave after him and they had shown how much they loved each other.
Arthur wandered over to him once the landlord had left and sat beside him. The little inn pleased him, it was well build and fitted perfectly into the landscape. No one knew who they were, this was a real holiday. He smiled to himself, now to find some donkeys for Merlin.
"What's funny, Arthur"?
"I was wondering if we would ever see your donkeys."
"Not to worry. I'm sure we'll see one before we arrive home." Merlin stood up, pulling Arthur to his feet. "Come on, I'm ready to turn in."
They were in the same little store room and Arthur was fast asleep by the time Merlin had folded their clothes.
-0-0-
They left quite early and were seen off by the smiling family with one boy waving an empty lobster shell. The landlord confided to Arthur that he would be very happy to see the two of them again and his wife complimented them on their thick woollen tunics. Merlin smiled, he had certainly enjoyed his birthday with this hospitable family.
Both horses were happy to be back on the road after their forced rest. Mulgan kept shying at the silliest things making Arthur laugh and Merlin rolled his eyes to heaven. Gidun acted like the real gentleman he was, but he wasn't beyond grabbing at leaves as he walked along.
Arthur said, "See, mine's not the only one being silly..."
"I'll have you know that Gidun is not being silly, he's just experimenting with food as we did over the last few days."
"Merlin, you must think that I'm stupid." Merlin nodded at him but he either didn't see or decided to ignore him as he continued, "Horses eat what they are given, they don't know the difference from one leaf to another."
"They do so! When we stop, I'll prove to you that even an airhead like Mulgan will choose between different leaves."
"Why don't you like him? You're always putting him down..."
"Arthur, I do like him but I love it as you get upset when I criticise him. It just makes the time pass faster!" Merlin took off with Arthur threatening all the awful things he would do to him when he caught him. And catch him he did as Mulgan had more speed that Gidun who really wanted to ride beside him not an eighth of a mile ahead of him.
Arthur told Merlin what he intended to do to him as a punishment. He would be banned from the royal chamber and the dining hall and his duties would be limited to the stables and the latrines.
"Well, I hope at least that you will let me bathe, before I get into bed."
"Oh, there will be no our bed! It will revert to being my bed and you will not be welcome."
"Mulgan, did you hear what your master just threatened? Poor you, as he will be in the foulest of temper most of the time. At least, Gidun will be happy with me."
"But Merlin if all you are going to do is clean out the stables and the latrines; you will have no use for a horse. I will take Gidun away from you."
Melin stopped Gidun and looked at Arthur, "You're only kidding aren't you?"
"No why?"
"I don't want to lose you! I'd have to run away as I couldn't stay in the castle knowing that I could never be with you." Merlin saw Arthur's smile and leant over grabbing Mulgan's rein and pulled him closer to him so that he could kiss Arthur. He whispered, "I'll ride double with you if you like."
Arthur looked up hopefully, so Merlin swung his leg over Gidun's neck, then reached over for Arthur to haul him in front of him on his saddle.
"This used to be a lot easier when we were younger! I swear, Merlin, you have put on at least fifty pounds."
"If you are going to insult me, I'm going back to Gidun."
"No, you're not. It just makes you all the more cuddly!"
Mulgan looked around at the added weight. Merlin took the reins and Arthur put his arms around Merlin's waist. Mulgan continued down the road with Gidun following beside him but every now and again wandering to sample various, greenery.
Arthur kept mumbling sweet nothing against the back of Merlin's ears and nibbling them. He'd then place little kisses at the nape of his neck but wouldn't let Merlin turn his head around to kiss him. He was driving him out of his mind. Neither of them was paying much attention to anything but each other.
Finally because the riders were preoccupied Mulgan stopped and decided to eat the leaves on a bush. The lack of forward impulsion dawned on Merlin who opened his eyes and saw ahead a patchwork of fields going right to the edge of the sea. He slipped off Mulgan.
"Arthur let's stop here for the night. The view is spectacular and we can sleep rough. Our new clothes will keep us warm."
It was a grand view but Arthur's attention was caught by movement on the road ahead of them. "Donkeys! I can see donkeys."
Merlin looked and sure enough a man was leading two donkeys along the road towards them, one accompanied by a foal. They waited and when the man came closer he nodded. Merlin walked toward him and the foal came scampering over to him.
The owner said, "Sorry, she thinks she's a dog. If she could wag her tail, she would!"
Arthur smiled, Merlin was just as taken with the foal as she was with him. He had his arms around her and his forehead pressed against hers and Arthur had to laugh as she was chewing the arm of his birthday present.
They did spend the night overlooking the coastal plain before turning east the next day to return to Camelot.
Their holidays were over, there had been nights of renewal and commitment.
Arthur loved Merlin and Merlin trusted him completely, together as a couple he knew that they would face the future regardless of its hardships.
As they mounted the following morning, a voice said, "This has been the best holiday ever! I got to the seaside and saw the donkeys."
Arthur was pleased. It had been such a little thing, yet it had made Merlin happy. He hoped that in the years to come they would still be able to enjoy life…in all its simplicity.
He was miles away; he'd been with Merlin for ten years. He thought back to their very first meeting more than twenty years ago. He sighed as he'd known then that the dark-haired, blue eyed boy was special. The prince had kept that knowledge in his heart and his mind for another ten years before he had finally entered his life again.
Twenty-seven years old and of those years, he'd been his for a mere third. Would that the fates were kind and allow them at least another twenty years! Arthur reminded himself, that he would soon be thirty. What did he have to show for that lifetime?
He looked over at Merlin in silence, letting his mind wander as he watched him. He was beautiful, of that there was no doubt but he was more importantly strong minded and capable, just, kind and loving.
How had it happened that someone so wonderful…this man, one among thousands had accepted him?
Maybe picking up on his thoughts, Merlin turned and smiled.
FINIS
To be continued in FOR LOVE OF A FALCON which is the ninth story in the Rejected by Royalty series.