CHAPTER 5 : DUNGEONS AND CORRIDORS

Day after day passed and his connection with the boy grew closer. He had almost forgotten what it was like to wake up without being bombarded by questions. "Why did the sun come in that window first? Did it ever get bored and decide to arrive at the back window instead?"

Gaius had in his spare time been working with Merlin's printing. He was a studious type and happily copied information which he felt that he might need from the books Geoffrey loaned him. He was becoming quite the expert on dragons and he had heard him telling Pendragon one day, that when he grew up he would like to be a dragon keeper. Pendragon had listened very seriously, bowing his head as if accepting that possibility.

Merlin was getting a good idea of the size of the castle and one day was shocked to learn that in the cellars, there were areas called dungeons where bad people were kept. He begged Gaius to let him go down there to explore but Gaius refused saying that it was not a place for a boy, as it was cold and dirty.

But one day, Gaius had no one to look after him and a prisoner was sick, so against his better judgment, he allowed Merlin to tag along on the understanding that he said nothing and touched nothing. He gave him his bag to carry and they set out.

Merlin's eyes almost popped out of his head as he descended further and further into the bowels of the earth.

"Gaius, you were right, it is cold and damp. Why don't they light fires to keep warm?

"Because they have no wood and it would be dangerous because someone might get burnt."

"Like Billy at home, when he fell into the fire at his friend's house and he burned his arm...and my Mam had to go and fix it for him?"

"Exactly!" said Gaius.

"They should open the windows."

"Why?"

"Because it's very dark here and it doesn't smell very nice, does it?"

Gaius agreed that it smelled awful but said, "Sadly, there were no windows."

"Why not?"

"Because we're under the ground..."

For the first time, since he had arrived in Camelot, Merlin was speechless. They were so deep in the earth, that they were underground. He'd been under a bank which hung over a river and in a hole under a tree but never under the ground. He got closer to Gaius and held onto his robe.

Gaius smiled and said, "Don't worry; I would never leave you here. Once we have seen the sick prisoner, we can go back upstairs." Merlin took it all in but said nothing.

When they got to the cell, where the prisoner lay, Gaius went in but Merlin stayed outside clinging onto the bars, watching that Gaius didn't leave without him.

It wasn't until they were climbing the stairs and conscious of fresh air that Merlin spoke again. "I didn't like it down there. Gaius, I was frightened..."

Gaius regretted not leaving Merlin in the library but he hadn't realised that it would affect him so. He thought, 'Stupid me, I was not seeing it with the eyes of an seven year old.' He said, "Merlin, there was nothing to be afraid of, the guards were there and no one took any notice of you. You were safe, as I was with you." He felt a little hand seeking his and he squeezed it. "But, don't worry; we won't go down there again."

"But what if some else gets sick and they need you?"

"Well then, I'll go and you can stay in my chambers and brush the floor and wash our plates and mugs."

Merlin beamed and looking up at him, said in a relieved voice, "That's a better plan, Gauis!"

-0-0-

One day, there were crossing the courtyard, when the knights came trotting in. Merlin noticed that Gideon was leading them and he was quite impressed. The man Gaius call the king, was riding him, he swung his leg over the horse's back and dropped to the ground. He yelled at one of the knights who immediately dismounted and joined the king.

There were some sweepers cleaning the cobblestones and they had stopped to watch the horses and riders. The king turned and said, "Imbeciles, get back to your work, you're not paid to stand gawking!"

Immediately, the sweepers returned to work but Merlin could see by the looks on some of their faces that they weren't happy. He thought the king was rude.

A young voice said to Gaius, "Is the king always rude?" Gaius grabbed him and they hurried on.

Once they were in the herb gardens behind the castle. A downfallen Merlin said, "Gaius, did I do something wrong?"

Gaius sat on a bench and pulled the boy next to him. He knew that he had to explain to Merlin about kings and servants. He told him carefully, that the king was the most important person in the castle and he had a big job running the kingdom and he was always in a hurry. He never wasted time and he didn't want anyone else wasting time either."

"But, he was rude, couldn't he just have said. 'Hey, you servants, get back to work, please!' He didn't have to yell at them."

Gaius smiled, "Yes, he should have but he didn't think, did he?

"Is he nice, Gaius? Do you like him?"

Yes, he is a nice man but very difficult sometimes."

"Who's next in charge? Is he better?"

"Well, the next in command will be his son when he grows up."

"Is his wife nicer than he is? I bet she is because usually, women who have children are nice, aren't they?"

"The king's wife died, when her baby boy was born."

Merlin's eyes filled with tears, "So the baby never had his mam with him when he was growing up. That is very sad. I wouldn't have know how to look after myself if I didn't have my Mam."

"Well, Prince Arthur, for that is his name, had lots of nursemaids and servants to look after him?"

"Did they feed him, and wash him, and help him get dressed him and play with him?"

Gaius nodded.

"That's good then, isn't it? Merlin thought for a second and said, "Does he have any friends?"

And Gaius, without thinking of the consequences said, "No!"

"Why not?"

"He just doesn't!"

"...'cause nobody likes him?"

"Merlin, he's the crown prince and he doesn't mix with other children in the castle. He is too busy with school work and things like that. He doesn't know any children..." he finished lamely.

"Would they like him if they knew him?"

"I would think so."

"Would I like him?"

"Yes, Merlin, I'm sure you would like him."

"Would he like Pendragon and Knightly...?

Realising he was approaching turbulent waters, Gaius suddenly said, "Let's pick the thyme and coriander."

Merlin followed after him, saying, "I think he would, Gaius, I'm sure he would..."

-0-0-

Geoffrey joined them for supper and Merlin was able to listen to all the exciting things which had happened in the library. He was very good when Gaius had guests and never interrupted and didn't speak unless he was spoken to. He had learned since arriving in Camelot that if you kept quiet you learned many interesting things.

"The prince was down for his lessons today. He's difficult to figure, he was really rude to one of the senior squires who was picking up books. The boy was minding his own business but Arthur challenged his right to be there. He was at least seven years the prince's senior, it didn't seem to matter as he spoke to him as an unmannered ruler might speak to a servant." Geoffrey shook his head, "It's not right to bring up a boy in isolation from his peers. I think he needs to be with children his own.

Nodding, Gaius sad, "But his majesty doesn't!"

"Would he have to know if there happened to be another youngster around?"

Then they got onto other things and Merlin was playing with a spider which was crawling across the floor.

Finally Gaius, told him to get ready for bed and not to forget to wash. "I'll check on you, once you're in bed. Leave your door open."

Geoffrey smiled, "You've turned into a real father-figure, old friend."

"Actually, more like a grandfather-figure!"

"He's a charming lad. I sometimes see the two of you walking around and he seems to be forever talking."

"Well, I can say one thing, I'll never be lonely as long as Merlin is around." Gaius laughed, "Mind you, I don't get any peace either but I'll never be lonely."

Gaius stood and went up to the little chamber and checked on Merlin. Geoffrey heard him say, "Goodnight and 'sleep tight', dear."

And a muffled voice said, "Love you, Gaius."

Sitting back down at the table and pouring each of them another portion of mead, Gaius looked up when Geoffrey said out of the blue, "Would you consider letting him meet the prince?"

"I don't think it would be fair as he's only here until the end of the summer and if they struck it off what would happen to Arthur when Hunith returns? Anyway, Merlin's only seven and Arthur acts older than his nine years."

But against Gaius's better judgment, it happened!

-0-0-

One day, Gaius with Merlin in tow was making his way to the king's chambers. He left Merlin sitting happily against the wall; Merlin smiled at the guards and then went back to his book on dragons. One of the guard's smiling, said to his companion on duty, "Now, that kid's no trouble at all. Maybe you-know-who could learn something from him."

He had no sooner said it than the young gentleman in question came down the corridor with his manservant.

He spied Merlin and his face changed to a scowl.

"Who are you and why are you on the royal floor? Get back to the kitchens!"

Merlin was miles away and he only got the word kitchens. He looked up at a blond heavier set boy with a none too happy face.

"Stand up when I speak to you, peasant! Why do they allow imbeciles in the castle?"

His manservant leaned over and said in a quiet voice, "Sire, he's the court physician's helper."

"Well, then why is he not with the court physician instead of littering up the hallway? I won't stand for this..."

Merlin had got to his feet and he was looking at the other boy. He could see anger and hatred but he didn't think that it was directed at him as he had done nothing. He looked around to see who might be on the receiving end of the tirade. There were only the guards and the man accompanying the boy, in the hallway.

"Who gave you that book? Give it to me. It belongs to the castle."

Merlin held the dragon book closer to his chest. Sir Geoffrey had lent it to him and he would have to return it, in one piece if he ever wanted to borrow any other books.

The blond bully held out his hand but Merlin couldn't give it up that easily. "I have permission to read it," he said, deciding that he wasn't going to back down.

"Don't be a fool! Peasants can't read, you idiot!"

Coming closer, the boy went to grab the book and Merlin took a step to the left, his eyes never leaving the boy's. There was a hesitation, a look of indecision, possibly regret but it was quickly replaced with what Merlin thought might have been what people referred to as blind hatred, though he could never figure out if it was blind, how could it be seen...

As quick as lightening, the boy's fist came up and Merlin cringed before hearing a familiar voice saying, "Ar...thur!"

The boy's fist stopped mid-air and a look of confusion clouded his vision, his shoulder was grabbed and he was spun around to face an annoyed court physician.

Merlin breathed a sign of relief before scuttling across to be next to Gaius. He felt the comforting hand on his shoulder.

Suddenly, the door opened and the man whom he knew as the king came out. "What is the racket? Guards see to it...!" He then glanced at his son standing with his head down and Gaius with a face like thunder. "What has he been up to this time? When are you going to learn how to behave? If you weren't the crown prince, I would wash my hands of you and ship you off somewhere."

The boy face, broke, he looked terrified and Merlin saw that his eyes were tear filled. He said sniffing, "Father, I..."

"Stop that snivelling and shut up! You are a disgrace to the name Pendragon."

Merlin felt distraught, no one had ever spoken to him like that. He felt frightened for the prince. He noticed that Gaius's hand on the prince's shoulder had relaxed and it seemed to be more comforting than impeding.

Before he could stop himself, he had slid his hand into the boy's and held it tight. He felt Arthur's hand hesitantly return the pressure.

"Gaius, do something about him. He needs to be taken in hand. I have neither the time nor the inclination! …and heaven knows, no one else seems capable. Break his spirit if necessary…!" The king paused and Merlin shuddered as he continued, "Beat it into him but make him a prince worthy of the family name!" Merlin felt Arthur's hand tense.

The king retreated into his chamber, followed by his manservant. Gaius murmured, "Sire."

Merlin looked up at the tear stained face but said nothing. He didn't know what to say or do; he was shocked and actually frightened for the boy. He knew his Mam would have opened her arms and he would have run into them but there was no mother for Arthur to seek out.

The king's words worried him. Did Gaius actually beat boys? He'd have to be very careful that he didn't get on the wrong side of him. He glanced at the Gaius, he knew and loved… 'No, he couldn't believe that Gaius would beat anyone. He wasn't that kind of man; he'd never beat a boy.'

Gaius turned and nodded at Arthur's manservant who left them. "I think we need to talk in my chambers, don't you Arthur?"

At the sound of the comforting, non-threatening words, Arthur's breath caught and he began to sob and Gaius put his arm around his shoulders. Giving Merlin a sad smile, he led the two of them along the corridor.

Gaius saw that Arthur still had tight hold of Merlin's hand but he didn't remark on it.

-0-0-

It felt warm and safe in Gaius's chambers. Arthur tried to remember what the king had threatened to do with him. Send him away? Have Gaius beat him? Deep down he realised they were threats but he needed someone he could trust to tell him that point-blank, to help him realise that bullying was what the king had been doing, to intimidate him.

Arthur hated being himself; he wasn't a pleasant person to be. He was expected to act as an adult and sometimes he really didn't know how to or what was expected of him. His mentors were all older men and he had the overwhelming feeling that the majority of them felt that having to deal with him was an added chore to their already hectic schedules. On second thought, not all of them as he liked his tutor Martin and Richard, his riding master.

He liked Gaius and he was now very sorry that he had even considered punching his helper in the face over a silly book about dragons, even if, the boy had been lying about being able to read as he was obviously just looking at the pictures!

But on second thought, he was only a peasant so it didn't count. He knew that as a royal personage, he could do whatever he wanted to servants. He just followed his father's example and on some occasions the king had even patted him on the back when he had been rude to his servants, laughing and boasting that he was a chip off the old block!

Arthur turned and glanced at the boy sitting on the cot in the corner of the room, looking at his book again as Gaius put some more wood on the fire to heat up the water in the kettle. He knew that he was going to be in trouble but he would just wait quietly until Gaius spoke. He liked this room, he remembered it from when he had been little and he would visit it with his nursemaids. There were so many things to look at from the leeches gliding silently in their tank to the multicoloured bottles and dried herbs. He shuddered, he hoped his father didn't send him away but again it didn't matter as he knew deep down that there were few people in Camelot who would even notice that he had left.

He looked again at the dark haired boy. He was small and thin but he had caught him looking at Gaius and had seen them smile at each other. He then remembered the hand sliding into his. He hadn't held anyone's hand in years. He'd once tried to hold the king's hand but he had been unceremoniously pushed away and told to grown up. He'd seen people holding the hands of children and stooping to give them hugs before continuing on their way. Was he so un-likable that no one wanted to touch him? He could never remember being hugged since Mary his nursemaid had left. He had liked her and she was round and pudgy, always laughing and she made him happy too. However, the king had decided that a five year old needed a manservant and amidst tears and hugs, they had been separated.

Gaius broke into his thought as he said to Merlin, "Put your book away and come have something to eat near the fire." Once again, Merlin smiled and did as he had been told. He didn't argue or say that he wanted to continue looking at the book, as he himself would have done, he just put it on the shelf and walked to Gauis.

"Sire, are you going to join us?"

Arthur copied Merlin's actions; he smiled at Gaius and walked over closer to the fire. Gaius smiled and laid his hand on his shoulder. Arthur was surprised; it was nice, someone making contact with him for no reason just because they wanted to.

"Gaius, you think that dragons realise how much they frighten people?" Merlin asked glancing at Arthur to include him in the conversation.

"Well, I don't think that they realise that they are so formidable. Just think, do you realise how much you frighten ants?

"But, I would never purposely kill one. Once I sat on one that was on my chair. I didn't mean too but it was stuck to my bum when I stood up and..." Merlin laughed, "... my Mam called me an ant-killer."

Arthur laughed and then he blushed remembering how he happily killed any insect or small rodent that he came across, just because he could. Before he could stop himself, he had blurted out, "I'm afraid of spiders!"

Merlin was shocked. "But you're a prince, I didn't think that you would be frightened of anything!"

Arthur got control of himself again and said, "Well, I'm not really but…"

Gaius came to his rescue by saying, "Did you know that for its size and weight a spider can spin a thread that is stronger by comparison to any rope which the castle rope maker could cord?"

He realised that this gem of information was lost of them as Merlin said, "But Gaius, I saw a rope that was this thick…" and he showed with his hands how thick the rope had been.

"Well," said Arthur getting into the conversation, "I once saw one this thick," and he showed with his arms in a circle, the supposed thickness of the rope.

"Wow!" said Merlin laughing, "That is almost as thick and I am round and he tried to put his arms around himself to measure up to Arthur's claim.

"Come here," said Arthur and he put his arms around Merlin to prove that he wasn't as big as the rope he had supposedly seen.

Merlin was ticklish and he started to giggle and pulled away from Arthur laughing. "Are you ticklish?"

Arthur stopped dead, dropped his head saying "I don't know!"

Before Gaius could stop him, Merlin had his arms around Arthur saying, "Tickle, tickle, tickle!" and running his fingers up and down his chest and his sides. Gaius sat waiting to intercept any punches which Arthur might throw.

"I feel it. It's like my inside is laughing."

Merlin obligingly increased the tickling until Arthur was giggling.

Gaius stepped in saying, "Boys, that's enough, someone is going to get hurt." He was dumbfounded; he had never seen Arthur acting his age. His heart went out to him. Right then and there, he made the decision to accept Uther's challenge.

He, Gaius would take on Arthur…he'd take the boy under his wing to help him grow into a man worthy of the Pendragon name. He'd need support and he realised, looking across to where the seven year old was now sitting, that he had one of the tools close at hand.