CHAPTER 6 : A JOB OFFERED, A LESSON LEARNED

Arthur returned to his room in a much better frame of mind than when he had left earlier that day. Charles did not question him but could see that he was more relaxed and actually ate his supper without complaining and went to bed without any arguments.

Charles always slept in the manservant's chamber off the anteroom in the prince's royal chambers. Arthur now accepted it, though to begin with, it had caused some problems as he viewed it as a babysitting. Charles had explained that his father's manservant slept in the very same room in his father's quarters.

He went to the library the following morning for his classes with Sir Martin. He confided in him that he had met a strange, little servant working for Gaius.

"He loves dragons and he says that he can read but I don't believe him, I'm sure that he just looks at the pictures. Do you know him?"

"I believe, he came in one day with Gaius seemed a nice enough boy." Martin had decided to play it low key.

"Well, I won't be having anything more to do with him as he is a peasant!"

"Peasants are very necessary for the running of the kingdom. If we only had, knights and squires, there would be no cleaning done in the castle, no meals cooked, no foods grown and harvested. What would you do then?"

"I'd make someone clean for me and cook. The king wouldn't let them get away with it for long. He'd have them beaten and burned. Peasants are of little importance."

Martin said nothing but he thought that Gaius if he did intend to get involved with the prince's upbringing had bitten off more than he could chew. He couldn't but remember the lad Merlin with some fondness but he wasn't going to be the one to burst Arthur's bubble by telling him that in truth, the lad's reading ability far surpassed that of the prince's.

-0-0-

Gaius and Merlin had the unenviable task of cleaning out the leech tank. Merlin insisted that each leech be caught and kept in a bowl until Gaius had scrubbed the tank clean. He then went to the pump and brought back a bucket of clear clean water and lovingly introduced each leech back into its home.

"How old is this one and what is its name? Do they come if you call them?"

Gaius smiled fondly at him knowing full well, that he had been joking with the last question. But undaunted, Merlin continued, "Gaius, every being needs a name. Even the leeches, you said that they work very hard for you. Can I name them? May I, Gaius?"

Looking from the pleading face to the black leech, Gaius asked, "...and how do you intend to tell them apart?"

"Oh, that's easy, Gaius, they are all different!"

…and Gaius had the feeling the Merlin would name them…and know them apart.

-0-0-

The two of them went to check on Rodick. He was certainly looking better, he was in less pain and had continued his Knight's mentoring lessons with Sir Bevan.

They were returning and met up with Sir Martin near the training grounds. Gaius sent Merlin on ahead so they could talk privately. He chuckled when he heard that Arthur had mentioned Merlin but wasn't too happy with the reference to his being just a peasant.

Gaius said, "I'd like to nip that in the bud but he is only repeating what the king says. Even Merlin had commented upon how rude Uther is to his subjects. He will be shocked and disappointed if he ever hears Arthur speaking the same way.

"Martin, they were so sweet together. Merlin is so natural and Arthur seemed to revert to a child again. They even tickled each other, giggling like proper children. Arthur desperately needs contact with other children."

Merlin came running back saying, "Gaius, I just saw Arthur swinging a sword. He didn't look at all happy. Maybe he could come for tea and I can show him my leeches."

Martin said, "I believe Arthur is eating with the king tonight."

"That's a shame, 'cause he really is nice, isn't he, Gauis?"

"I think so."

"...so do I!" chimed in Sir Martin.

"Who is?" said one of the recently invested knights as he passed. Gaius acknowledged the curly haired young man with a smile. Every now and again, one of the squires growing up, makes an impression with the other knights and royal councilors...and the twenty three year old Sir Leon of Beswick was one of them.

Merlin looked at the knight, picking up on the Gaius's feelings. The knight in question smiled and Merlin responded with a grin.

"Gaius, you never told me you had such a handsome grandson!"

Merlin giggled, he liked this man as he thought being called Gaius's grandson was very exciting. He shook his head and said, "No, I'm only Gaius's assistant. Aren't I, Gaius?"

"That's right until your mother comes for you in September, you are my number one assistant." Gaius turned to Sir Leon and said, "Sir Leon, let me introduce Merlin, he is the son of a close friend."

"Well, I think you are very lucky having someone to help you all summer. I wish I could have a squire to help me..."

Merlin turned in all seriousness to Gaius, "Maybe if Arthur isn't doing anything important, he could give Sir Leon a hand..." He was interrupted by the other two laughing their heads off and Gaius putting his hand on his shoulder.

Merlin was worried, had he said something really wrong? He was worried as he didn't want this knight cross with him. He looked up at Gaius timidly but Gaius was smiling at him as well and said to the others, "Not too sure of the rules of protocol yet but it will come in time."

Arthur looked up at the outburst and being bored with his training made his way over to the group. Merlin saw him coming and slipped away from Gaius and trotted over to him.

"Arthur, I've found you a real job!"

"I already have a job, Merlin. I'm the Crown Prince, silly! "

"I'm not silly. You looked so bored with fight training, that I thought you might like a change…" They had reached Gaius, Martin and Leon so Merlin said, "See, Arthur, this is Sir Leon and he would like a squire to help him as I do Gaius. I though it might have been a fun job for you."

If he could have Leon would have been happy if the earth had opened up and engulfed him. He bowed in Arthur's direction and said, "Sire!" as did Sir Martin.

Merlin looked up at Gaius and wondered why he didn't say that he thought that it was a brilliant idea. Gaius was looking at Arthur waiting for an explosion and probably, if he was in true form a cuff across the back of Merlin's head. The three adults waited expectantly; Gaius ready to intervene if necessary.

Arthur looked at this strange little boy in front of him and realised that he was not trying to be smart that he honestly thought that he needed a job. He looked at Sir Leon whom he quite liked and decided to play along. This was turning out to be a better day as each minute passed.

He stood as tall as his nine years would permit and using a voice which he had often heard his father use when he was mildly annoyed, he said, "So, Leon, a regular squire would not be sufficient for you. You've set your sights rather high, haven't you?"

Merlin was lost. Arthur sounded annoyed but his eyes were smiling.

Sir Leon replied, "Sire, it was Merlin's trying to be helpful. I don't need any help honestly."

"Well," said Arthur, "Maybe, I need a squire for myself." He looked at Gaius, "Find a squire to work for me would you?"

Gaius smiled fondly at Arthur, bowed and said, "Most certainly, one day when I am not busy!"

Merlin chimed in wanting to be helpful, "Arthur, I can help Gaius find you a squire."

"No, on second thought," Arthur said turning to Merlin, "…you can be my helper instead."

Merlin's heart dropped. He worked for Gaius, he didn't want to leave him. His mother wouldn't know where to find him if he went to work for Arthur. His face fell and Leon kindly whispered, "It's alright, Prince Arthur is only kidding. Aren't you, Sire?"

Arthur looked at Leon and said haughtily, "You, Merlin, will work for me!"

Merlin looked at Gaius and then back at Arthur and said. "Arthur, I already have a job but sometimes when Gaius doesn't need me, I could help if you can't find anyone else."

They were interrupted when Sir Richard's assistant came to remind the prince that he was supposed to be at riding lessons.

Arthur nodded and turned to Gaius and said, "I want Merlin to come with me to riding lessons, now!"

Gaius picked up on the prince's tone and said, "Arthur, is that a command or a request?"

Arthur thought and rephrased it. "Gaius, if you don't need Merlin right now, can he come with me?"

"You will have to ask him yourself, Arthur."

Arthur turned to Merlin and half smiled saying, "Do you want to ride a horse?"

Merlin's eyes lit up and he nodded but turned to Gaius and said, "May I Gaius?"

Gaius said, "Yes, you may but be sensible and do what Arthur and Sir Richard say." He said turning to the Prince, " Arthur, I'm trusting you to look after him and will hold you responsible as you are two years older."

Arthur stood straight and tall to show the two years difference and grabbed Merlin's sleeve and made off to the stable yard.

Merlin turned to wave at Gaius and Arthur did the same smiling back at him.

Sir Martin said, "You. Gaius, are a miracle worker. That was the most normal reaction Arthur has had with anyone in ages. I have never seen such a look of satisfaction on his face for a long time."

"Don't credit me, we all know who the kingpin is in this situation. Now, let's hope that I get him back in one piece!"

-0-0-

Gaius was working with his potions and salves as the door flew open and Merlin burst in.

"Gaius, I rode Ghellie and Sir Richard said that I can do it again and…Arthur said that I was alright for the first time and…Arthur galloped and I trotted…and I loved it, Gaius!"

The court physician smiled. The boy was so excited and obviously Arthur had been kind to him. He'd check with Richard later to find out how Arthur had behaved towards him with Merlin around.

"Are you ready for supper after your busy day?"

"Yes, please. I really could eat a horse..." he stopped put his hand over his mouth and looked wide-eyed at Gaius. "That wasn't a very nice thing to say was it after I had had such a nice time with Ghellie?"

"Don't worry, I know exactly what you mean. Go and wash your hands and then set the table. We've a special treat as the cook saved us some pigeon pie."

Merlin told Gaius everything which had happened to him since he had turned to wave as he was being dragged off by Arthur. He'd obviously had a wonderful time and Gaius smiled, Merlin needed to have contacts with other children. As nice as it was to have him with him, he was an old man and he felt that the boy needed to be around others his own age as did the prince.

The supper was a success and the plates were scraped clean. Merlin wiped them before putting them back into the cupboard. He put Gaius's goblet on the table as he knew that he would want to have a drink of mead later.

They sat in front of the fire and Merlin said, "Gaius, how long have you known Arthur?"

"Since, he was a baby."

"Did people like him then?"

"Well, not too many people knew him. He was just a little baby without a mother being brought up by the royal household staff but he was also the prince."

"Why didn't he live with his father? Didn't he want him to?"

"His father is the king and he is very busy."

"He wasn't very happy after riding as he had to go to have supper with the king. I told him that he should be happy but he said that I was stupid and that I don't know anything...I do know things, don't I, Gaius?"

"You know a lot of things. You are very clever but Arthur knows lots of things too but just different things than you do."

Knightly the rabbit suddenly materialised in Merlin's lap. Gaius looked at him and Merlin shrugged with a little grin.

"Why doesn't the king love Arthur?"

"Uther is very busy and he feels running the kingdom is his first duty. However, Uther does love Arthur."

"...but he yelled at him in front of other people. Would my father love me if I met him?"

"Your father, Merlin, couldn't but love you as you are so special and Hunith has helped you grow into a very special boy."

"She won't forget me, will she Gaius?" Merlin tightened his hold on Knightly.

Gaius wanted to insist that she wouldn't but he knew that his mother had to have the baby and find a family to take it in. So, instead of saying flippantly, of course she won't, he said, "She said that she would return for you at the end of the summer, so until she does you will stay with me here in Camelot."

"Gaius, I heard some knights call Arthur a bad name behind his back. Why don't they like him? He's really nice."

Not intending to discuss Arthur's shortcomings with other members of the Camelot family, he said, "Arthur can sometimes expect everyone else to do what he wants, even if they are a lot older."

But, he doesn't do that to you or Sir Richard. Is that because you are more important than he is?"

Gaius laughed explaining that when he was a man Arthur would be the second most important person in the kingdom after the king but that at the moment he was only a boy prince and he had a lot of growing to do before then.

"Will he make it?"

"I hope so, Merlin, I really do!"

-0-0-

Life settled down and Merlin and Gaius continued their normal routines except that the prince was often seen in Gaius's company. Merlin continued to ride Ghellie during some of Arthur's lessons and he quickly made Sir Richard another of his fans. With his pleasant easy going disposition, absolute delight in all things new and his heartfelt appreciation of anything anyone else did for him, people liked Merlin.

One day, he was invited by that same knight to have lunch with his good wife and twin boys who were just a little older than him. He came bubbling back to Gaius.

"Where you ever a twin, Gaius? How did a lady decide to have twins? Why have I never met any twins in Ealdor? Can Arthur and I become twins, that is if he wants to?"

Gaius was still enthralled by Merlin's interpretation of the world. He wanted to say, 'no...she doesn't…because there weren't any and unless you are you can't become one...'

The idea of Arthur and him being twins made Gaius realise that the two of them, at least from Merlin's perspective were compatible. He took the time to give a brief biology lesson to enlighten Merlin on the ins and outs of twins. He was in the middle of so doing when the door flew open and the subject of their discussion flew in.

Merlin had been so involved in the lesson and his questions about what-ifs, that he was surprised at the sudden interruption. He turned saw that it was Arthur and said, "You made me jump. You really should knock on Gaius's door before you charge in, Arthur!"

Arthur was not in the best of moods and having Merlin draw attention to his shortcomings didn't go over well. "I don't have to knock because I am the prince. Isn't that right, Gaius...?"

"Well, Arthur, it would be..."

But Merlin interrupted with, "I think you should knock as this is Gaius's house and he is older and very important, aren't you Gaius?"

In the past, there had been days, when Gaius's non-working world had been quiet and on some occasions almost boring but those days were in the past since Hunith's son had arrived. He sat back fascinated by Merlin's manner of dealing with Arthur. He was as natural as if he were talking to a friend from Ealdor. He wished that either Geoffrey or Richard was here to see this moment of amicable confrontation.

Arthur retaliated with, "No, he is not! I am very important so I don't have to knock!"

"Well, I think you should! My Mam says that you should always announce your arrival."

"Your mother is a peasant! What would she know about palace protocol?"

Merlin didn't like Arthur's tone, he looked back at Gaius, faced Arthur again and said, "I don't understand what you are saying..." He shrugged and moved back to Gaius, "What's a prod-ock-kal and does it live in the palace?" he asked.

Arthur said, "Gaius, are all peasants this stupid?"

Gaius realised that not only was Merlin out of his depth but he himself was getting cross with Arthur. "Arthur, you are being childish. You know that Merlin has hardly any knowledge of palace life and what you said about his mother was unnecessary, even rude. If you want to remain in this chamber, apologise."

There was dead silence. Merlin remained comfortably, next to Gaius. He had never seen him so cross and was happy that he wasn't on the receiving end of his harsh words.

"I'm waiting, Arthur!"

Arthur's head dropped and he shuffled his feet but remained silent. Gaius looked at him expectantly, his body language said sorry but he wanted Merlin to hear the actual words. He cleared his throat and said, "Arthur?"

Wracking his brains, Arthur knew that he couldn't apologise as he really didn't know how! "I...I don't know what words to say, Gaius..."

Gaius realised that Arthur had probably, never spoken a truer word. Merlin was listening wide eyed. Gaius started to speak but was interrupted by Merlin who walked over to Arthur and put his hand on his arm saying, "It's easy, Arthur, just say how you feel sorry for what you said and that you didn't mean to hurt my feelings by saying mean things about my Mam and me!"

Arthur looked up and said, "I'm sorry." He stopped to gauge Merlin's reaction to this statement and as he nodded and waited. Arthur stole a glance past him at Gauis who no longer looked as cross.

Merlin prompted him "...and then say. 'I was rude saying that your mother knew nothing'..."

Arthur took a deep breath and said, "I was rude about your mother and...I was not kind to you, Merlin!"

Merlin beamed, "See, you did it! He did, didn't he Gaius? ...and now I say, 'I forgive you, Arthur'."

Gaius smiled and said, "Very well done, Arthur. Now, why did you come here?"

Arthur was basking in their praise but he remembered his initial reason for bursting in and said, "I wanted Merlin to have supper with me but now..."

"Why don't you join us for supper here?" Gaius said, deciding that the situation was still a little volatile and could do with some supervision. "Charles can bring enough food for the three of us."

"I can eat... here...with you?"

"I think so, that is if Merlin agrees for it's his 'house' too." Merlin's grin confirmed his agreement. "That's settled then, off you both go, find Charles and tell him, politely mind you, that you, Arthur, have been invited to have supper with us and could he please bring the food here. "

Merlin danced towards the door dragging Arthur who stopped before he left and smiled shyly saying, "Thank you, Gaius!"

Walking to the cupboard, Gauis stopped for a moment reliving the last couple of minutes when Arthur had learned an important lesson from a peasant's son from the little village of Ealdor.