CHAPTER 21 : HOMEWARD BOUND
Brother Mungo was happy that St. Columban's was within a few hours ride. He felt pleased that he had been able to help the visitors sent by his friend Malachius, also enjoying the opportunity to renew his contact with the monks at St. Bede's and to drop off the letters and papers he carried from his own monastery. However, he had missed his own community and was looking forward to being home with his regular duties.
Brother Benedict had enjoyed the trip, it was not often that the opportunity was given for a monk to travel so far. He had seen more of the area than he had ever expected and was determined to give a good report to Abbot John with the possibility that one day he might be chosen to visit Rome or even Jerusalem. He smiled monks were well travelled and welcomed in the network of monasteries which covered the world.
Since Merlin's talk the evening before, Gawaine was also looking forward to home. He knew that they still had an eight or nine day journey after they left St. Bridgit's; however he smiled wondering if Aled and John were still in Sir Leon's good books.
Squires were notorious for getting into trouble even in Camelot where they were well supervised and valued. Their safety was paramount and they were only allowed to accompany knights into battle in their final years. In many other kingdoms, squires and even pages went off to battle with their lords. Most never survived as not only were they unarmed but often on foot and unsupervised. They were lumped in with the losses of a skirmish more often than not, unnamed and not considered as valuable as a fallen destrier.
"You look serious," Merlin said to his silent companion.
"Just thinking about our squires and if Sir Leon is still even speaking to them."
"He will be, he's a good man and having children of his own has made him understand squires with all their individuality. If we get them home safely, it will have been a great experience for both of them."
"Even with Aled's scar?"
Merlin laughed, "Particularly with Aled's scar. He's probably checking it daily to see that it isn't fading too fast."
Gawaine's laughter was interrupted by Brother Mungo saying, "There it is…home!"
-0-0-
As planned they only spent one night at St. Columban's, leaving the following day hoping to get as far as they could before they had to find accommodation.
They also met up again with Brother Tomas who would accompany them back to St. Brigid's with Brother Benedict. The morning they left their had been special prayers in the chapel for the save journey home for both the monks who only had a day and a half journey and for Merlin's party who would be facing much longer on the road.
Merlin had thanked Prior Mungo for his help in agreeing to accompany him on his journey farther north and in finding Sir Cade, "Brother Malachius will be pleased to find out that we were successful in no small part due to your research into the family trees and your memories of stories told to you."
For his time and effort, Merlin handed him the pouch of coins as Leon had instructed him. When the monk had gone to decline, Merlin has assured him that it would be what King Arthur would have wanted as he understood that coffers fluctuate drastically and could always do with a healthy donation.
Turning their horses they left St. Columban's travelling south to reach their destination on the Caldew river.
Shortly after noon, the heaven's opened up and soon even the horses were dejectedly walking along with the heads down as the rain streamed into their eyes. Merlin suggested that if they could find shelter they would stop and wait out the storm. Brother Tomas explained that it was because of the hills and the deep valleys, "It will get better when we reach the BanTor."
Gawaine spied a derelict barn and rode over to look at it. A third of the timbers and thatch were gone but there was enough room at one end for the horses as well as their riders. It was not only raining but the sky was dark with storm clouds so it was decided that they would take shelter until the rain ceased.
Merlin built a fire and they sat around it telling of their travels to Brother Tomas who said, "Prior Malachius is going to be pleased that your trip was successful." With the rain pelting down through the missing roof, Brother Benedict told him about the lovely manor house and its beautiful surroundings and rubbed it in that the weather had been wonderful with never a sight of clouds.
Realising that the rain was unlikely to stop, they voted on spending the night there. Merlin said he would look after the horses and that Gawaine should check to see how much of Mrs. Latimer's cheese was left. "And hurry up as otherwise, I'm going to use some of the horses' oats to make a gruel at least that will see us over into tomorrow."
The monks laughed assuring him that they had no need for food as they were used to fasting before Feast Days and they were certain there would be a feast laid on in St. Brigid's when they safely returned. It then transpired that the cook at St. Columban's had sent food with Brother Tomas in case they were hungry on their journey. There were oatcakes, dried fish, parsnips, cheese as well as apples from the monastery orchard.
Gawaine was disappointed that there was no ale or malt brew. He told Merlin so later while the monks were praying and Merlin said with a grin, "I guess you will, once we leave the monks be tanking up on ale."
Gawaine smiled quite positively then his face fell as he said sadly, "Not with Leon around! Where? Oh, where is Latimer with his little squat bottle?"
Merlin said nothing just smiled. When he and Brother Tomas had unsaddled the horses and laid their saddles bags in the corner, he made sure that the little squat bottle was safe.
-0-0-
By dawn the rain had stopped and the sky was clear. Merlin had a good feeling even though they were a half day behind on their travels. They would be able to find somewhere to stay tonight and then hopefully arrive late afternoon at St. Bridgid's.
They kept up a steady pace, stopping at a small village market for some thick soup and fresh bread. Gawaine looked eagerly at the ale house but Merlin shook his head as they had to make up time otherwise it would be tomorrow evening before they reached the monastery. Brother Benedict said that he knew of a farmhouse where the monks sometimes put up on their travels.
Everything seemed to fall into place and by mid afternoon the following day, they saw across the Caldew River, the outskirts of the town and the monastery. Their arrival was welcoming and Merlin was happy to hand over all the responsibility to Sir Leon.
That night, Sir Leon, Merlin and Gawaine were invited to dine with Prior Malachius who was thrilled to hear of the success of their mission, "Sir Cade would be welcome to stay here on his way down to Camelot," he told them.
Aled came running when he saw Merlin and he gave him a hug asking how the scar was and the boy grinned saying, "Still there!"
Merlin grinned at John saying, "He just wants it to last long enough to get a reaction from his fellow squires."
"…and it should as it is still rather red but he says it doesn't hurt," John said remembered that Aled's father had asked him to keep an eye on his son and he hoped that returning him with a scar from a boar's tusk wouldn't be held against him.
-0-0-
The following morning, Merlin was surprised to realise that he and Gawaine had been allowed to sleep in and it was well past dawn when they finally got up. The boys wanted to hear all about their adventures and Gawaine told them about the estate they had visited and how there was a river full of salmon and hills with deer and not too many trees. They were interested in the boy Barry being allowed to fly a goshawk which in Camelot was the king's bird and flown only by him or the Master Falconer.
The conversation turned to what they had done while Merlin and Gawaine had been in Lochlairn. John assured them that they had kept busy, one of the monks on a rainy day had shown them the work which the scribes were doing illustrating manuscripts and they had worked with Brother Apiarist the beekeeper and learned that not only the candles were beeswax but mead was made from honey. Both decided that they didn't like it when they had tasted it but Gawaine had laughed and told them to come back to him with the same remark in ten years.
They had also done their fare share of working in the gardens and they looked healthy for their few days outdoors. Leon also looked rested and said that his stay had been interesting and he and Harris had been working in the hop fields. Gawaine asked if they had spent time with Brother Brewmaster but neither of them had.
Merlin spent time with Prior Malachius and was given papers which he would like delivered to Geoffrey. He thanked Brother Benedict for accompanying them to Lochlairn and told him that if ever he were in the vincinity of Camelot he would like to see him.
When the time came to leave the following morning. They were laden down with honey and cheese, fresh bread and fruit.
Of course, Aled had to remind them as they passed the area where he and the boar had had an encounter. His leg was obviously not hurting him and he told Merlin that Brother Felicien had been happy at how soon the swelling had disappeared.
John wanted to know if their letters had been delivered to their parents and Leon assured them that they would have received them at least three days ago.
Over the course of the next five days, they covered many miles. Only twice staying at places where they had previously stayed. Gawaine was happy to stay at Trotting Hill again and Leon told him in no uncertain terms that he didn't want a repeat of the previous stay's drinking.
Merlin rode with Leon and he was able to bring him up to date on all things Clare. Leon was naturally surprised to find out that Dovey or Clare as he corrected himself was royalty. He laughed saying, "Arthur will say that she recognised his royal blood and that was why she fell for him."
He was pleased to hear that her grandfather planned to visit next summer and Merlin told him that he had sketches of Clare's family and the manor at Lochlairn. He also mentioned that he was carrying the Clare pendant and the lady's ring but that the grandfather was wearing her father's ring which he would bring when he visited. He is a very likeable chap and I'm sure that Arthur will like him."
"And how did Gawaine behave?"
"He was a perfect gentleman, impressing Sir Cade to no end and settled in nicely as the manservant/butler used to bring a bottle to the table after the evening meal which contained…I presume excellent single malt. Gawaine doesn't know but I have a bottle for him in my saddle bag which I will give him once we arrive safely at home."
Leon laughed he had missed the two of them, life in a monastery guest house was good but he had one day taken the two boys and their horses and ridden out across the fields to get away from the sound of the bells. He said, "Every time at the first peal, my heart jumps as I figure it must be an alarm bell as we are under attack!"
-0-0-
The closer they got to Camelot, the more anxious Merlin became. Stupid thoughts raced through his mind, was Arthur all right? Had something awful happened to Treva? Was Clare still improving...would she still remember him? Had Gaius managed well in his absence? He'd been away too long for his liking and although he had accomplished what he had set out to do, he couldn't wait to see the landscape become more familiar. His worries must have transferred to Iago who was pent up like a spinning top.
Gawaine said, "Merlin, you're driving your poor horse crazy. Try meditating as I'm sure it will make you feel more mellow as that is what Brother Benedict told me."
"I just what to see him with my own eyes."
That night they stayed again at Trotting Hill where they were halfway between St Brigid's and Camelot...four days to go if everything went according to plan. Once again the Roman roads were beneficial. They avoided sleeping rough as much as possible but one day, as the sun dropped below the trees, they knew it was a probability.
Finally, along the river, they saw a mill. Seeing the miller's house nearby, Leon felt sure that the miller for a price, wouldn't mind letting the six of them pass the night in one of his sheds. He'd personally vouch for them, that or sleeping rough and it had been getting colder all afternoon and now there was also a cold wind. Thankfully the miller was home.
He knocked on the door of the cottage and heard someone unlocking the door. He explained who he was and what he wanted. Miller Hobbs nodded saying his son was working at Castle Farm and Camelot Knights would always be welcome. Leon mentioned that there were two knights, two man servants and two squires.
His wife immediately said they would find room in the house for the boys, "Our children are all gone, we have the room." Hobbs got a key and followed Gawaine outside to show them a place to stay.
The shed was large, clean and dry. Mrs Hobbs arrived and said that if they were willing to eat plain food, she could get a meal for them. Hobbs told the squires they would be staying in the cottage and they could help carry the meal over. They smiled and followed Mrs. Hobbs across the road. Supper was plentiful and as Mrs. Hobbs had promised plain and hot. Hobbs even supplied ale for the adults.
The following morning, Hobbs said to Merlin, "Would you carry a message to our son? His name is Randy and he's a cowherd. We only get to see him once a year. You could tell him that he is the uncle to a little girl as his sister Jessy just had a baby"
Merlin promised to see that their son received the message. He also thanked Mrs. Hobbs for looking after the squires. She had even cooked them a hot breakfast. Merlin slipped her a couple of coins and told her it was for her new granddaughter.
Once Sir Leon had paid Hobbs what had been decided upon, they mounted and rode away. The squires turned around waving at Mrs Hobbs. Aled said, "She was nice, Merlin, she checked on us before we went to sleep."
For a second, Merlin realised that since returning from Lochlairn he had treated the boys more like adults than the children they still were. He still had a few days left with them and he intended to rectify this.
"I think she liked having boys in her house again," said John, "and I'm going to visit her son Randy and tell him I think his mother is really nice."
"I'll go with you," Aled said with a grin.
-0-0-
Slowly, the knights and Merlin began to recognise some of the villages and inns. After a quick lunch at a village market, Gawaine said that given the chance, he would like to choose the accommodation for that night. Leon glanced at Merlin who nodded. Leon agreed adding, "We will need suitable accommodation for six and not an ale house with a lean-to for any drunks unable to make it home!"
"Follow me!" Gawaine said and set off at a smart trot. Merlin had an idea where they would end up, as a little inn specialising in superior ale was about two and a half hours ahead.
Merlin had been correct, as at dusk The Old Willow was ahead of them as they came over the bridge. Leon said, "Go ahead, Gawaine, see if you can get us some beds."
Gawaine handed his reins to John and swinging his right leg over Hazlit's neck, he jumped to the ground. Leon thought one day he'd land on his face and it would serve him right. Both Aled and John had been warned not to attempt it as their riding master had insisted that acrobatics were for bareback riding.
Gawaine came back through the door grinning, giving them a thumbs up, "All arranged and Annie says she can have a meal ready and for us, just to put away the horses and come inside and we can have a few drinks before we eat."
Merlin and the boys saw to the horses, the offer to sit drinking until the meal arrived didn't interest him.
Aled was talking his leg off, "Merlin, did you know that to make a pound of honey, bees from the hive have to fly fifty-five times a thousand miles and twelve bees make a tiny little spoon of honey in a year. You know like the spoons Gaius uses for strong medicine. A hive can be home to hundreds and hundreds and hundreds and…" he glanced at Merlin to see he was grinning so concluded, "hundreds of bees and during the winter they live on the honey they have collected during the year."
"What happens if the beekeeper takes all the honey out of the hive in autumn?" John asked.
"The bees starve to death."
John thought about that then said, "Merlin, if that happened could another beekeeper save the bees by feeding them some of his honey?"
Merlin whose knowledge of bees was limited to the fact that honey was delicious and having being stung by one when Gidun had stumbled across a nest of them in the woods had to acknowledge that he really didn't know. In his mind's eye, he could see the horses scattering and the swearing of the knights as the bees came after them. Arthur had been less than amused as Mulgan had been stung on his foreleg and nearly unseated him as he had suddenly stopped to bite at it. Merlin smiled, that was years ago and he still remembered it as if it were yesterday.
Turning to the question at hand, he said, "It makes sense to me that someone could but if a second man saved the bees then wouldn't they belong to him and not the man who had emptied the hive of their food supply? And, why the sudden interest in bees?"
"While John was helping in the fields, I spent my time with Brother Apiarist. He was really interesting and the bees flew all around us and landed on our hands and arms but they never stung us. Brother said that was because they were well fed, happy bees and they liked living at the monastery."
They had reached the door and Merlin opened it letting out the warmth and the light as the three of them walked in. He smiled to himself hoping Sir Nathanial or his wife the Lady Lucinda were interested in bees as they were going to learn a lot about them from their son.
They joined the others after piling their saddle bags in a corner out of the way, the serving maids were just bringing in the meal and it smelled wonderful. "You're in luck we have good beef stew as we slaughtered one of bulls last week, poor fellow broke his leg."
"…and might I know what he was up to that he managed the break?" Gawaine asked with raised eyebrows.
"No," said Annie with a grin, nodding towards the two younger members of their group who were waiting for the whole table to get their meals and for Sir Leon to nod at them telling them that they might begin to eat. Even at an inn, the rules of the dining hall were followed in the presence of the knights.
"Well, at least he had his hopes up!" Gawaine countered.
Merlin left the two knights and Harris at the table and followed one of the girls upstairs to sort out the rooms. There was a single room in which Merlin left Leon's saddle bags, there was a room for two for Gawaine and himself and a room with three pallets where the boys would sleep with Harris.
One more trip downstairs and with the squires help, all the saddle bags were in their respective rooms. He told the boys to turn in and went back downstairs to see how close to turning in the others were.