CHAPTER 12 : A CAMPING WE WILL GO
Gaius had suggested to Sir Richard that as Merlin would be leaving soon, another boy should join Arthur in his riding lessons. They had decided to approach Sir Rupert to see if his son Rudyard currently a page, might join Arthur and Merlin.
Gaius was slightly worried about Merlin's departure. Both Martin and he had added another boy to Arthur's lessons in the library. They had chosen a seemingly quiet soul of nine years old, called Caedrick, son of Lord Brendan but joined with Arthur and Merlin, he quickly blossomed into someone to be contended with.
Merlin, the youngest of the three was impressed. Within the first fortnight he told Gaius, "He is awfully clever and really funny. He even had Martin laughing." He paused, considering something and looked directly at Gaius and said sadly, "I don't think Arthur would miss me anymore if I wasn't in the library every morning."
"Merlin, you know he would, Arthur just needs to learn how to get along with other boys, so he will have…"
Merlin interrupted him, "…someone to hang around with once I am gone? I know, I like both Caedrick and Rudyard but it still makes me a little sad."
Gaius knew that introducing more boys to Arthur's circle had been necessary but his heart went out to the almost eight year old. Arthur had done so well since Merlin had arrived that even Uther had commented upon it privately to Gaius, "Good job you did with my boy, can almost tolerate him now!" Gaius had cringed…
And so it came to pass that as Merlin's birthday was in October, Gaius arranged a special treat. Charles had notified a young manservant called Humphrey that he would be working for the prince for three days.
Gaius had asked permission of Sirs Rupert and Brendan that their sons be excused from school and training.
Merlin had been delivering tonics one afternoon and Arthur and Charles had dropped by the physician's chambers. Charles took a seat, Gaius smiled and said, "Arthur, Merlin's birthday is next week. Charles and I thought it might be nice to do something fun before his mother comes to take him home."
Arthur's face fell, Gaius kept mentioning Merlin's leaving but he knew that he had no intention of letting him go as he would speak to his father himself and as the prince, insist that Merlin remain in Camelot. He however, listened carefully to what Gaius was proposing.
Arthur's eyes grew wide and he grinned. Charles nodded and smiled and Arthur jumped out of his chair and hugged Gaius. They were going to camp overnight for two nights, just Merlin and he, Rudyard and Caedrick to celebrate Merlin's birthday…in the woods…by themselves, well, sort of by themselves as Gaius had explained that they would need to have knights, a manservant and probably a groom with them.
"Wait, till I tell Merlin, he'll be so surprised!"
"Arthur, we're not going to let on until everything is arranged," said Charles. "You'll have to keep it a secret!"
Poor Arthur, the secret kept bubbling in his mind and on so many occasions, he'd look at Merlin and grin and Merlin unsuspecting as he was, would happily grin back and Arthur would laugh. "You won't believe the plan," said Arthur sitting on the steps in front of the castle. He punched Merlin in the arm and added, "…but can't tell you as sorry, it's a secret!"
He had decided that he wanted to give Merlin a present for his birthday as Merlin had given him one. Arthur was no artist and didn't think that a drawing would be very good, so he went to chat with Gaius.
"Can you think of something that I could give to Merlin which he would really like? I could get my father to give him all new clothes or even his own horse, he'd like that I know…"
"Well," said Gaius. "Maybe in his village, he'd not have an occasion to wear expensive clothes. He wouldn't be able to accept a horse as he would have nowhere to keep it; horses eat oats and Merlin's mother couldn't afford to spare any of their oats for the horse. Let's think of something else…"
By the time, Merlin walked in with a basket of mushrooms and roots, they had decided. Arthur could give Merlin something very special. He would however, have to ask permission of Sir Geoffrey but it was decided that for Merlin's birthday he would receive a book on dragons. Arthur wasn't convinced that a book would be a great present but Gaius had assured him that Merlin would be thrilled.
Merlin looked at both of their faces and knew that they had been talking about him. Arthur just patted him on the head and Merlin pulled away, laughing. "You're both up to something, I know! Arthur is always grinning and bursting to say something and Gaius, you get a far-away look on your face sometimes…"
"Can't we tell him now? It's almost ready. He'll have to know one day and we'd have the fun of talking about it, the whole time."
Gaius nodded and Arthur burst into a very confusing story about Sir Geoffrey's woods, a man called Humphrey and bedrolls. Merlin stood there confused until Gaius explained everything. "Merlin, to celebrate your birthday, Arthur has invited you to go camping with him. Caedrick and Rudyard will also be going. There is a small hunting lodge near Sir Geoffrey's parents' home and you will be staying there. Humphrey, a young manservant will go with you and naturally, you will be sleeping rough so you will need bedrolls. Is that easier to understand?"
"But I don't have one, I just sleep on the ground."
"We'll get some from the knights, they always have them." Arthur suggested. But Charles assured both of them, that he would see that they had bedrolls of their own as would the other boys.
Merlin was surprised that anything special was being done for him. He knew about birthdays but usually his Mam just kissed him and wished him a happy day and sometimes there was chicken for supper and flowers on the table. He came back to the present with Arthur saying, "…and that is not all!" Gaius had glared at Arthur and he had shut up.
"When do we go?"
"Day after tomorrow."
"Do you think, Gaius, that Sir Richard would let me ride Ghellie?"
"Of course, he will!" said Arthur, laughing, "You can't very well run along behind me can you?"
A not really unpleasant shiver ran up Merlin's spine; a feeling that what Arthur had joked about would come to pass in the distant future. He immediately forgot about it as it was unimportant. After all, they were going camping…
-0-0-
The plan was simple; Sirs Rodick and Bryn, both newly invested would accompany them as well as Sir Leon as Master of the Outing. Humphrey would take care of the boys' needs; the groom Aric would be responsible for horses. Behind the scenes, food would be delivered to the hunting lodge earlier in the day and unknown to the boys, because the crown prince was present there would be guards strategically located in the area.
The day dawned fair and misty. There was a crispness in the air and some leaves already carpeted the ground.
After a hearty breakfast, they assembled in the courtyard where all their bedrolls had been piled by Humphrey. Grooms arrived with horses and the boys helped tie bedrolls, containing a change of clothes in case of rain, behind their horses' saddles. They were given a waterskin each, to buckle on their saddles and a saddle bag with a snack for their lunchtime stopover. There was much excitement but finally everyone was sorted out and goodbyes had been said.
Uther appeared briefly beside Gaius as the little group left the courtyard. "He's growing up, Sire!" said Gaius as Arthur riding beside Leon led the way under the portcullis.
Merlin turned and grinned at Gaius before disappearing from view. Gaius realised that this would be happening again, sooner than he wanted to consider.
The little group made their way on the approximately three hour trip to the estate of Yewdene, which belonged to the Monmouth family. They left the regular track and turned into the dark woods following ancient hunting trails. They spooked a couple of deer but Merlin was more interested looking for unicorns.
"I'm coming back to hunt here in the future," stated Arthur, the experienced, kingdom renowned hunter.
To be shot down by Caedrick who added., "Well, after you get permission from Sir Geoffrey's family to hunt their land."
"Don't be silly," said Rudd tuning in, "This is still Camelot so if Arthur wishes to hunt here, he just has to tell them, not ask. Isn't that right, Sir Leon?"
"Well, technically all the game in the kingdom belongs to the king but it would be good manners to mention that you would like to hunt on their land and I'm sure Lord and Lady Monmouth would be only too thrilled to let Prince Arthur hunt here."
Arthur turned to give Caedrick a so-there look! Suddenly a pheasant flew up in front of his horse and the world renowned rider had to grab his pommel not to overbalance and fall off. Merlin giggled.
"You're quiet Merlin," said Leon, "You alright?"
"Yes, thank you, Sir Leon! I'm having a lovely time."
Leon smiled, he was another of the knights who had fallen under the spell of the nearly eight year old who had tamed a rebellious and quite obnoxious prince. Arthur turned to Merlin and smiled happily. He knew it would be fun to go camping. This would be his first time away from the castle overnight and he had his best friend with him so it was even better as they would be able to talk about it afterwards.
Sir Rodick was the first to notice the hunting lodge. Merlin was surprised as it was really only a large, stone-walled cottage surrounded by trees, with a lean-to for the horses. To him, it looked like home and already he was happy that he had come with Arthur.
Arthur was shocked, it looked quite small and very dark and the trees seemed to dwarf it. "Will there be enough room for all of us?"
Leon nodded, saying, "Yes! But as we are camping, we'll be sleeping outside unless it is raining."
Merlin had the feeling that Arthur and Rudd would have preferred being tucked up inside. He didn't care as many times when it was too hot to sleep in the cottage his Mam had allowed him to curl up outside their front door. It was fun as Knightly would join him. One morning, one of his neighbours noticing the black and white rabbit had mentioned that it would soon be ready for the stew pot. After that, he had become more careful when he allowed Knightly to join him.
The groom had all the horses settled and Rodick wanted to know if anyone was interested in laying some traps for rabbits for supper tomorrow.
Caedrick said, "I know how to set traps, I'll go with you."
Not to be outdone, Arthur agreed; so off they went with Rodick to set some traps.
Bryn asked if anyone would like to go and check the stream, to see if they could get some fish. Rudd shook his head, he said that he would rather stay with Leon. Now, Merlin who hated hunting and killing things, liked trying to catch fish. He was actually quite gifted at it as he had patience.
Bryn and he went off and Merlin found a place where the river bank was flat with a good overhang and he lay down. Bryn smiled and sat watching him. Merlin turned his hand up so that his fingers made an open cup and waited, he let a few fish swim over his hands and then when the next one did the same, he slipped his finger into its gills and swung it up on the bank where it lay thrashing. Bryn quickly dispatched it and congratulated him.
"In a minute, the others will settle and I'll try to get another one. Why don't you try as well? There are lots of them down here."
Sir Bryn knelt on the bank watching how Merlin shaped his hand and remained very still. He had heard the gamekeepers talk about tickling trout but he had never experienced it. Merlin caught two more fish then lay down beside Bryn and held his hand in place. "Did you feel that one?" he asked. Bryn nodded…
"Next time, close you hand and swing it out of the water, over your shoulder and the fish should land on the bank."
But it didn't, it flipped doing a somersault and fell back into the stream. Merlin grinned and mimicked Gaius by saying, "Very good, you almost had it. Try again…" Bryn did and on his fourth try, one landed on the bank and Merlin grabbed it before it flopped back in the river. He persisted and landed another one all by himself.
Merlin was the winner, seven to two but Bryn was thrilled. Merlin said, "Bryn, you should keep practising. Gaius always says to keep practising as practise makes perfect, or something like that!"
Bryn said, "Well, if I need lessons, I'll know to come to Merlin, the Master of the Fish!"
Merlin giggled and asked for a knife to gut the fish. In Bryn's mind, he could understand how this little boy had captivated Gaius and Arthur and he admitted to himself, half of the knights and the household staff. They returned to the hunting lodge, a stick between them holding nine, good-sized trout for supper.
Arthur was a little put out, Merlin was getting all the praise and he and Caedrick wouldn't know if any rabbits had been caught until they visited their traps the following morning. However, Merlin looked up at him with an expectant smile. Arthur leant over and patted him on the back, telling Merlin that he had done a good job. "You, too!" he said grinning slyly at Bryn who stood admiring his two trout. Bryn laughed good naturedly.
Leon got everyone organised and sent them off in pairs with a knight escort to collect fir boughs to lie on.
He then helped Humphrey and the groom collect wood and by the times the boys returned, the fire was blazing, making a welcoming beacon in the dark woods.
Humphrey had checked the supplies which had been delivered and he chose a vegetable stew to complement Merlin's catch. There was bread. The boys would drink water or juice but the cook had included some stoppered stone containers of ale for the adults. There was also a selection of fruits. The cook had been generous and there was also ham and more vegetable should the rabbit trappers be unsuccessful.
Humphrey skewered the trout on sticks and balanced them over the fire. Any leftover fish could be had for breakfast tomorrow. As the boys returned, they gathered around the fire admiring Humphrey's work. Three fallen logs were drawn around the fire so they could sit on them as they ate.
It was getting darker and Leon smiled to see Arthur sitting next to Merlin. Gaius was not going to be the only one to miss his young assistant.
"Merlin, could you get the plates?" said Humphrey and Rudd stood up to go with Merlin.
Rudd came out of the lodge and said, "Merlin wants to know if you want the mugs?"
"Yes please!" said Humphrey so Caedrick went to help them, Arthur just sat staring into the fire.
Supper was a great success. All the fish was finished and Merlin took the skin and bones to go and bury them in the woods but Arthur suggested that instead they should be burned. Merlin looked at Leon who nodded and Merlin gave Arthur the pewter plate and he threw the leftovers into the fire. They crackled and smoked and everyone decided that it might have been better to bury them after all.
Humphrey took all the pots and plates to a stream and cleaned them.
Leon in the meantime, laid down the rules for sleeping. They would sleep with their feet to the fire. If they had to get up during the night, they were to wake either Humphrey or him as he couldn't have them wandering off in the woods and getting lost. They would sleep in all their clothes but they should remove their boots and put them near their heads.
If it started to rain, he would wake them up and they would go into the lodge. He checked that the boys understood the rules. It was a big responsibility being in charge of the crown prince for three days and he didn't want to make a mess of it. He told them to choose someone to sleep next to and Arthur chose Merlin and Rudd chose Caedrick so that worked out fine.
The adults rolled the logs back to make enough room for bedrolls. They put their extras clothes in the lodge and settled. Leon put his bedroll on Arthur's right. Rodick would be on Merlin's left and Rudd's right and Bryn slept beside Caedrick and Humphrey. The groom opted to sleep closer to the horses.
When everyone was ready to retire, the boys couldn't sleep. They whispered to each other and Leon laughed to hear Merlin saying, "Arthur, are you sure you are comfortable? Try to get a good night's sleep."
"I'm not going to sleep, I want to stay up all night as Charles isn't here and he can't force me to go to bed!"
"Well," Merlin said, "I am going to sleep as Gaius says that growing bodies need plenty of sleep."
"Merlin, you could sleep all year and you wouldn't be as tall as I am."
"I will be, one day, as I intend to grow taller than you are. Anyway, you are two years older than I am."
"Well, not really, as I had my birthday in the summer and you will have your birthday soon and then you will be eight while I am ten and a little bit."
"Oh, that's right so then you won't be able to boss me around as I will be almost the same age as you. Ouch! Arthur, that hurt you pinched me…"
Leon intervened with, "Alright the two of you, settle or you'll still be asleep by noon tomorrow. Goodnight Arthur!"
Arthur said, "Goodnight, Leon! Goodnight, Merlin!" But there was no answer as Merlin had already fallen asleep.
-0-0-
They woke to the sun shining in the branches. Merlin put his head up and saw Humphrey was already up preparing food.
Arthur as Leon had predicted didn't want to get up. So they left him lying there and had breakfast of oatmeal and fruit. They then collected up the bedrolls and put them in the lodge. Merlin went over to Arthur and said in his best Charles' voice, "Sire, get out of bed, this minute!
Arthur turned over and pulled the blanket over his head as Merlin grabbed it and pulled it off him. "Get off, Merlin!" was Arthur's response.
"Fine, we are all ready to go exploring but you will have to stay with Humphrey and Aric.
Arthur opened both eyes and said, "Exploring?"
"Well, you missed all that Rodick told us."
Arthur was on his feet in a second and said that he was ready to go. Leon however insisted that he had some oatmeal and some apple juice. His breakfast finished, Arthur walked with Rudd as Merlin was with Rodick. Bryn and Caedrick brought up the rear. Leon was following Geoffrey's map to the surprise.
"Rodick?" Merlin asked, "Do you have any pains from your accident? Were you sad at not being able to compete in the tournament? Will you do jousting next year?" Merlin stopped dead as he realised that even if Rodick were jousting, he would not see him as he would no longer be in Camelot.
Rodick stopped too and said, "Merlin, are you alright?
"Yes, but I won't be here for next year's tournament. My Mam is coming to get me in November."
"I'm sure, you will come back one day and I promise I will try hard to win the jousting that year." Merlin smiled.
"So", Arthur said to Rudd, "Where are we going?"
Rudd was a little shy. He wasn't used to being with the crown prince, only during riding lessons. He mumbled, "We are going to explore some caves and climb a mountain."
"I don't see any mountains around here."
"Well, maybe a high hill?" said Rudd a little flustered and Arthur punched him in the arm and smiled. He liked Sir Rupert's son.
They walked for about an hour, taking lots of rests and looking for rabbits because the crown prince had a one track mind. Merlin was jogging after them to catch up as he had found a salamander and couldn't take it with him as it mightn't have been able to find its way back home. So, he had had to stop to watch it.
"Come on, Merlin! Aren't your legs long enough to keep up with us!" Leon frowned slightly at Arthur, who then said, "Don't worry, I'll wait for you." He glanced up at Leon who smiled and nodded.
Finally, they reached a hill and they climbed halfway, looking for a narrow path between boulders. Bryn kept checking the map which Sir Geoffrey had given Leon. "Here it is, we keep going straight ahead," he said.
They did so and could hear a waterfall. They looked up and could see it above them. They started to descend and found a cave, coming out into a little glen with a pond and the waterfall splashing into it. "It's one hundred feet tall," said Arthur quite impressed.
Bryn checked the map and told them that Sir Geoffrey had written that it was closer to thirty. They sat on the rocks and watched the rainbows in the spray. "Are they magic?" Rudd asked.
Merlin froze, he was sure that he hadn't made any rainbows. He was relieved to hear Leon explain that they happened as the sun caught the water drops and seemed to change them to colours. Merlin breathed a sigh of relief.
Leon decided that they should have lunch in the glen. There was plenty to eat, lots of bread, creamy cheese, dried beef and apples. They all had their fill and Merlin was able to lay a trail of crumbs for some rabbits which he had seen hiding from them. He wouldn't tell Arthur as he would have spoiled it by saying that he was going to kill all of them.
After lunch, they climbed to the top of hill. It was a clear day and they could see for miles.
Suddenly, Arthur said, "Merlin, I can see your cottage and your mother is hanging out some washing."
It came out of the blue and for a second, all Merlin could think of was his home. He swallowed quickly and blinked his eyes to clear his tears and said, "Arthur, you're lying as my village is two days away and my Mam is still with her friend."
Arthur laughed and said, "But for a minute you thought that I could, I saw you looking in the same direction to see if it was true."
Leon drew their attention to the valley behind them and said, "That manor house way over there, is where Sir Geoffrey was born and lived before he came to Camelot."
Caedrick said, "Are you serious, or are you joking like Arthur was?"
"No, that is really the house, maybe one day you might visit there."
They'd seen enough of the countryside and started to follow the little path down the hill. The sky was overcast and the wind had picked up. Arthur seeing some sheep, decided one day he would hunt sheep instead of deer.
"That won't make you very popular at Castle Farm, will it?" was Merlin's retort and everyone laughed.
Finally they reached the woods, the boys looked tired and Leon smiled at the other knights as he was sure that they would be turning in earlier than last night. There was a rumble of thunder and Leon told them that they might have to sleep in the lodge as it looked like rain.
Rudd and Arthur seemed happy at the prospect. Merlin had really liked sleeping near the fire; his bedroll had been very comfy. He knew they were safe as he had felt that they were protected by more people than three knights.
Humphrey had skinned and gutted, the four rabbits which Rodick's group had caught in their traps. They were now skewered, waiting to be cooked upon the explorers' return. Arthur strutted around as if he was the only person responsible for their hunting expertise.
They ate around the campfire but as they were finishing it began to drizzle and Leon shooed them all inside.
In their supplies were candles so the inside of the lodge was cosy. Aric brought in some of the burning logs and laid them on the fire, he'd set during the day. It was nice inside especially as the rain became heavier beating against the roof.
Merlin stood in the doorway and watched the rain falling in buckets, suddenly there was a clap of thunder and he jumped, grabbing for anybody and he smiled as he realised that Humphrey was holding him while Arthur was hanging onto Caedrick and Rudd was wrapped in Bryn's arms. Everybody laughed and the boys returned to the doorway to watch the lightning and count for the next peal of thunder. Some times the lightning and thunder were almost simultaneous and again everybody jumped.
Leon finally got them settled as the storm abated. The four boys slept in the farthest corner near the fire, with the knights forming a barrier between them and the door. Humphrey left a couple of candles burning in case anyone woke during the night and made sure that the fire was kept going. They all fell asleep and slept in late because the cottage was so dark.