First Official Visit
By Montez
Disclaimer: chapter one
Chapter 24
Arthur could not recall so much food and entertainment that went on throughout the day and evening. Yes, the celebrations for the anniversary of his birth were spectacular, but this even out did those. So many people moved in and out of the main courtyard, expressions of gratitude for the young Prince's return were relayed to not only the King, but to Sir Leon, who had been swept up among his fellow Knights in their own celebration, but to Arthur as well, whom normally had little interaction with the general populous outside the servants and few merchants allowed inside the Citadel. He saw an array of townspeople, many dressed modestly, some even with well worn garments, but something he did notice was the look of joy on all their faces, even the children he saw running around.
Watching from the top of the stairs, next to his father, Arthur couldn't help but think of his new friend Merlin, whom he realistically knew he may never meet again. The boy had not known exactly who Arthur was, but maybe he did once the Prince remembered the comment the strange boy made about him being a prince, but the child had not treated him any different than he would anyone else. The boy actually had the nerve to call the Prince a name, what was it…oh yeah, a prat (whatever that was). Arthur couldn't help but smile thinking Merlin would have been blown away by all the people and food present, but it also made his heart ache knowing the dark-haired, talkative boy would never experience anything remotely like what Arthur was witnessing. As the day wore on and more entertainers appeared the thought of the smaller boy faded, as the Prince took it all in.
Evening had arrived and after one of the best meals the young Prince could remember Uther escorted his son to his chambers. The boy was obviously exhausted, but as with most children, kept pushing his way through. Uther himself was feeling the affects of the day as well. "Must I get ready for bed so soon, so much is still going on?" Arthur moved to the window, watching people working on cleaning the courtyard.
"It is well past the time and you are still recovering, I fear we may have both overdone it today, even I will be turning in shortly." Uther moved to stand behind his son.
Arthur looked up at his father, then moved toward his bed, sitting on the edge, "Arthur?" Uther could tell something was wrong, fear was taking hold that maybe they had really overdone what his son could endure so soon after all that had happened. When his son did not respond the King's anxiety took over, quickly kneeling in front of the quiet blond, Uther reached up to his son's face, "Arthur, is something wrong? Please, what…" The King was unable to finish as he found his arms full of his trembling son, the child's arms latched securely around his neck. "Arthur?" Uther whispered.
Leon had just told Arthur that morning that fear could be a good thing and that everyone feels it. Arthur had pushed his fear aside with the focus of the celebration, but feeling his father standing next to him the fear the young boy held for the last week started to surface, he felt his body start to tremble and his breath beginning to hitch. Part of him still wanted to hide this from his father, fearful that he would be viewed as weak, but then he remembered the fear on his own father's face.
Sitting on the side of his bed Arthur could hear his father call out to him, but it was the fear he heard in his father's voice and finally saw on the older man's face that sent Arthur over the emotional edge he'd been treading, he launched himself into his father's arms. He recalled Hunith telling him to hug his father as she hugged him before they left, and though it wasn't a 'mothers' hug, Arthur needed the feel of his father's strong, protective arms around him.
That is how Uther found himself with his son clinging to him, trembling and sobbing silently. All the father could do was hold the boy tight, emotion clogging his own throat as he allowed himself the moment of just feeling his son in his arms.
Several minutes passed, Uther could feel his son starting to calm, thus allowing himself to calm. "Leon said a mother's hug made everything bad go away" Arthur mumbled into his father's neck, "I think a father's hug can do the same thing" the boy said taking a deep breath, finally pulling back to look into his father's face. "I was so scared, but now I'm not." Arthur gave a small smile then leaned again into his father's arms. Uther was at a loss for words and just held on.
A moment of panic slammed into Uther when he felt his young son sag in his arms, but soon realized the child had simply fallen asleep standing in his father's embrace. Pushing past his own weakened state, Uther forced himself to stand slowly and place his son onto his bed. It had been many years since Uther had put his son to bed, but in the quiet of the boy's chamber Uther moved around pulling back the covers on his son's bed, taking his boots and outer clothes off, he slipped the boy under the covers then took off his own boot and outer coat, sitting again, for the second night, next to his son as the boy slept.
Uther was awake before dawn and silently made his way out of his son's room, but instead of heading toward his own chamber he headed toward the council chambers. A couple of torches illuminated the quiet room as the King made his way to the table and the box that contained the scroll that was delivered the day before. He had intended to look at the object once Arthur had retired for the night, but he could not leave his son after the boy's breakdown.
Taking out the scroll Uther moved over to one of the torches. Once running his finger over the familiar seal he finally broke it, unfolding the paper that would be the catalyst of what they days meetings would bring. The older man brought his hand to his head as he read, not wanting to believe what he was reading, his mind trying to figure out exactly what he may have to do to bring justice to those responsible. Allowing the paper to reroll itself the King made his way to his chair and sat heavily in the darkened silence. So much was going to change, and he did not think he was going to like the man this was going to make him become. He had thought he had put this behind him nearly ten years ago, but apparently it had not been enough.