Chapter 5
Arthur and Gaius continued to talk about trivial matters concerning the running of the kingdom for a while longer. They had just about finished when Merlin came through the door with a large tray full of food.
"I wasn't sure what you wanted so I brought a bit of everything." Merlin said as he placed the tray on the table with a thud.
"Did you leave anything in the kitchen for the mice, Merlin." Arthur looked at the loaded tray in wonder. "How did you manage to carry all of that?"
"I'm stronger than I look." Merlin glared at him. "Ham or chicken? I'll just give you both."
"All this and they are eating thin stews and hard bread." Arthur leaned back in the chair. "I wish they were here to share in this."
"Soon Arthur, now eat something." Merlin sat a loaded plate down in front of Arthur and handed a plate to Gaius that wasn't nearly as loaded. He sat down and started to help himself from the tray. "So how are you going to address the Council on their list?"
"I think I'll just chuck it in the fire." Arthur said as he watched Merlin filling his plate.
"You have to have a reason not to choose another wife, Arthur or they will become suspicious. You need to come up with an excuse." Merlin said.
"'I'm still in mourning' is not good enough?" Arthur said as he bit into a sausage.
"Most likely not. You haven't been in mourning for some time." Merlin said. "Tell them you're not ready to take another wife or tell them that there is no one on the list that appeals to you. I would believe that." Merlin said as he poured wine in his cup. "It's not like there are dozens of available princesses to pick from."
"There is enough for a list." Arthur held his cup out for merlin to fill it.
"Name four available princesses." Merlin said.
Arthur wrinkled his brow. "Vivian and maybe Elena. That is all that I can even think of. Neither of them is appealing as a wife. How many is on that list Gaius?"
"Ten Sire." Gaius said seriously.
"Ten?" Arthur started to laugh. "I'd say half of them are probably very ugly and the others have whiney little voices that make your skin crawl."
Merlin laughed. "I'm sure it isn't as bad as all that. But I do wonder how they came up with ten names."
"Most of them are from the lands to the north and east. There are a few younger princesses on the list as well." Gaius said.
"How young?" Arthur wrinkled his nose at the thought of marrying a child bride.
"I believe they are all at least seventeen years of age." Gaius said. "They wanted to add a few that were younger but I told them that you would never go for that kind of thing."
"Thank you for that at least." Arthur said. "Whose idea was this list?"
"Sir Bedford suggested it and they all thought it was a grand idea." Gaius said.
"Do you think it is a grand idea?" Arthur looked at the old man.
"No, I did not." Gaius said. "I believe you will never be truly happy until Gwen is your Queen."
"Then how is it that you are the one talking to me about it?" Arthur asked.
"I am the one you are least likely to kill." Gaius teased as he broke off a piece of bread. "I am the only physician you have."
Arthur grinned. "Quite right. I think I would have run the others through. Very brave of you, Gaius."
"I have my moments." Gaius said. "The Council will most likely want an answer tomorrow at the scheduled meeting."
"I will give them one they will not soon forget." Arthur vowed. "Have Merlin bring me a copy of the list in the morning before the Council meeting. I want to see who they think is an appropriate bride for their King."
"Of course, Sire." Gaius said.
The three men finished their meal as they talked of trivial matters and teased Merlin. It was good to see the King have hope again after so many months of anger and guilt.
The next morning Arthur looked at the list as Merlin laid out his breakfast. He sat on the end of the bed with a scowl.
"Is it that bad?" Merlin asked when he saw Arthur's face.
"Even worse than I suspected." Arthur sighed and walked over to the table to eat. "These men have lost all sense. There are at least four of these women I don't even think speak the same language as I do. I assume I was supposed to talk sweetly to them in Latin. If they even know Latin which I doubt."
"Do you know Latin because sometimes…" Merlin started.
"Shut up Merlin. I was just making a point. Get my clothes ready." Arthur ordered.
"Yes Sire." Merlin grinned. He pulled a shirt out of the cupboard and threw it on top of the screen along with a fresh pair of breeches.
Arthur finished breakfast and got dressed. Merlin followed him as he walked with purpose to the Council Chambers to make several people wish they were never born.
X
The Council members were waiting when Arthur came through the door. They could see that he was in a foul mood. They had come to expect the King to be impatient and cross. He had been so since the death of the Queen and the child.
Arthur sat down. "Sit and let's get started. What business needs my attention today?"
Lord Bedford cleared his throat. Arthur nodded for him to speak. "Sire, we have a list of names we would like you to consider for marriage. You are still without an heir and now also without a Queen. It is your duty to Camelot to preserve the line of succession with an heir."
Arthur looked at the man and squelched his impulse to laugh. He glanced at Gaius then back at Lord Bedford.
"I am well aware of my duty to this Kingdom. I will see the list but I will choose a bride in my own time not yours."
Lord Bedford passed him the list. Arthur looked it over and stood up he turned his back on the Council members and motioned for Merlin to get him some water. Arthur winked at Merlin when he passed him the goblet full of water. Arthur sat down and put the goblet on the table. He looked up at the Council members with anger in his eyes.
"What exactly is the meaning of this? Most of these women are girls barely out of the nursery and these are the women you want for your Queen. Have you lost all sense? They are from lands where we already have alliances and lands we have trade agreements. There is no political gain here either. I am appalled at you all for going along with this. Who was the mastermind of this folly?"
"That would be me, Sire." Lord Bedford said. "I meant no disrespect to you. I was just trying to call attention to the fact that there are several available women from which to choose."
"Then you marry one of these." Arthur threw the list at him. "I will choose a bride in my own time. I do not need you and your pathetic match making to find one for me. I have not yet recovered from my losses. I will hear no more on this matter. Is that understood?"
There was a chorus of 'Yes Sire' in the room. Merlin turned his back on the room to keep them from seeing the big grin on his face. Trust Arthur to make them feel ashamed for trying to help him.
Arthur gave a stern look at the Council. "Now that that nonsense is dealt with, tell me of the preparations for King Alined's arrival."
One of the other Council members recounted the preparations that had been completed and those that were almost complete. Arthur sat in silence and listened with a stern face. When the report was over, Arthur dismissed the council. The room cleared in record time.
Gaius was the last one to leave. He turned back and smiled at Arthur and Merlin. There was a look of amusement in his face that made Arthur chuckle.
"Did you enjoy that, Sire?" Merlin said when the room was clear.
"Yes, I really did." Arthur laughed. "Now let's get Alined's visit over with so I can get back to Ealdor."
Merlin nodded. "I hope he doesn't want to stay longer than a few days."
"Indeed. I'm going to training." Arthur said. "Get on with your duties. Oh there is one thing I need for you to do."
Merlin smiled. "You want me to get a present."
"Well yes. Find a wooden sword. I didn't see one when we were there. I want you to get some silk cloth as well. Something nice."
Merlin smiled. "Purple, of course."
Arthur slapped him on the shoulder and grinned. "Yes Merlin."
"I'll get right on it." Merlin said.
Arthur walked out of the Council Chambers to go to training. He just had to get through the next few weeks then he could see Gwen and his son again and try to talk some sense into her.
Over the next few weeks, Alined came and talks and treaty negotiations went well. There were some minor disputes on trade allowances but Arthur and the visiting King worked through them to get a final agreement they could both live with. After a great feast in Alined's honor and a signing ceremony Arthur was glad to see him go after only ten days.
Arthur stood on the steps and watched Alined go. He turned to Merlin. "We leave at first light have Gaius prepare."
"What should we tell people?" Merlin asked.
"We will tell them that your mother isn't well and Gaius is going to treat her." Arthur said
"What is your excuse?" Merlin asked.
"You are her son and I am fond of her. She has been a friend to the King." Arthur said. "I'm the King I don't really need an excuse."
Merlin grinned. "If you say so. I was just trying to make it all believable."
Arthur shook his head and looked at Merlin like he had lost all senses. "Just leave the worrying to me."
"Yes Sire." Merlin grinned and went to make preparations.