CHAPTER 2 : SKELETONS IN THE CUPBOARD

Arthur had sent Merlin to Gaius, asking for a sleeping draught as he was sure he wouldn't be able to sleep and he knew he would need his wits about him tomorrow. Gaius worked on a slightly diluted portion while he was entertained by Merlin telling him about their afternoon with Treva. He held the vial up to the light saying, "It's good for Arthur to get out with the boy, a change of pace is always beneficial." He handed Merlin the vial saying, "He shouldn't really need this but if he insists on taking it, he can. It would be better if he tried to sleep first and then only took it if necessary."

"I could keep refilling his wine goblet all evening but then I don't relish trying to manoeuvre him back up to our chamber. I'm worried about tomorrow as well. I don't know what his expectations are but I have an awful feeling this isn't going to bode well and he'll be hurt."

Arthur opted to eat with a small group of knights in the smaller dining hall. Merlin could tell that he was slightly distracted but apart from Gawaine, whom Merlin had told about the proposed meeting, and Leon who had arranged it, no one else was any the wiser.

Spenser who was sitting next to Arthur, smiled when he heard about the afternoon spent with Treva. He remembered as a youngster tagging along with Arthur and Piers when they had gone hunting and being so impressed, that when a knight had found a crow with a broken wing, he had begged his mother to let him keep it as he intended to train it to fly like Arthur's peregrine.

The whole episode resulted in one sad little boy who had meticulously walked around with the crow on his shoulder only to have it fly away when its wing was healed. "But I thought it loved me!" he had sobbed to his mother. Lady Jayne smiled at her heartbroken son explaining that the crow had loved him but the sight of other crows flying free had been too much for it to ignore. She'd hugged him and his father Sir Rodney had arranged for him to spend an afternoon in the mews watching the falcons being trained.

"You're miles away," Simon suddenly said at his elbow.

Spenser smiled saying, "Remind me sometime, to tell you about my crow."

Arthur picked up on the word crow and started to laugh. "Simon, it was so funny, the crow was almost as big as he was and Spenser was always to be found near the kitchen begging scraps of food for his new pet. Gaius had strapped it up and then about a week after the bandages were removed, a flock of crows flew over and it took off, cawing after them, bidding adieu to one very forlorn little boy."

Then the conversation turned to other inappropriate pets the men had rescued. Leon's story about his pet rat could have been hilarious except that Leon kept a serious face throughout the whole sad affair.

Merlin smiled, Arthur seemed more like himself as he lifted his goblet and called, "A toast to all the misfortunate animals which we inadvertently upset by trying to make them into pets."

"I had a pet spider once," said Gawaine, "But it came to a bad end when I accidentally sat on it."

"How long had you had it as a pet?" Arthur wanted to know.

"Maybe five minutes!" Everyone laughed but Gawaine continued, "I was sitting in the corner as I had been cheeky to the maidservant and my mother was not impressed. It came out of a crack in the wall and I had it doing all sorts of tricks, then it dropped on the floor and I shifted…I couldn't find it. Then my mother told me to come over to her and asked me what was on the back of my trousers and it was Leggy my spider!"

The knights laughed and Arthur said, "…and on that note, I'm turning in." He left the room to a chorus of goodnights. Leon followed Merlin and him out the door and Arthur said, "Leon, meeting early tomorrow morning…make it in the smaller council chamber, I'd prefer not to invite the man into my private chambers."

Leon bowed saying, "Sire, it is set it up for after breakfast."

Arthur nodded and he and Merlin walked up the stairs. Merlin waited until they reached their chambers before breaking the silence.

-0-0-

"Arthur, do you need anything special for tomorrow's meeting?" He hated acknowledging that the meeting was even going to take place. He'd felt that the stares from Sir Reginald had increased over the last few days and was basically worried.

"A good night's sleep and clean clothes. I will have Leon present and you of course, but should the man want privacy, I will respect it."

"If everything he intends to say is factual why would he need privacy?"

Arthur became at little annoyed. He snapped, "I don't know, Merlin, just that he might and if its the only way to get information out of him, that is what I will be willing to give him!"

Merlin shrugged, Arthur was being testy so he decided not to discuss it anymore. He helped him out of his doublet and tunic turning to put them away. Arthur was sitting on the chair in front of the fire staring into the blaze, watching citadels and castles collapse into the inferno. Merlin walked over and knelt to remove his boots, slipping house shoes on his feet.

Arthur mumbled his thanks and propping his elbows on his knees dropped his head into his hands, "It's the suspense which is the worst. Does he really have news about my mother or is he trying to better himself?"

Merlin said, "By lunchtime tomorrow, you will know. Come on, let's get to bed. It's late and you need a good night's sleep."

"I'll take the sleeping draught now. You did get it, didn't you?"

"Yes, it's on the beside table but Gaius suggested that you try to fall asleep by yourself and only use…."

But Arthur had already stood up and taken it, scoffing the whole thing down in one gulp. "Disgusting stuff! Forget Gaius's suggestions, I rarely take any medication but I needed this right now."

Merlin wasn't happy. If he needed something to get to sleep tonight, what would he need tomorrow night if everything hadn't gone the way he wanted it to? Arthur slipped off his remaining clothes and slid into bed. He lay with his arms behind his head staring at the underside of the tester. Merlin crawled in beside him and waited.

"Merlin, know that whatever happens, it will not alter anything between us. You are the most important person in my life." Arthur turned toward him and smiled. "Seriously, I want your opinion on everything I hear from this man. Regardless of what it is, will you be truthful with me?"

"Always, Arthur! Now go to sleep, tomorrow will be here before you know it and you'll be moaning about the fact that you don't want to get out of bed."

Arthur smiled in the candlelight and burrowed into the sheets and quilts thinking, 'Please, let tomorrow open some doors to my past." He sighed and taking Merlin's hand, fell asleep.

Merlin lay there, trying to slow his racing heart. There was something wrong but he couldn't for the life of himself figure out what it was. He guessed that tomorrow would bring some light to the matter.

Arthur fell asleep quickly and was quiet until early dawn, when Merlin could see the façade of the buildings across the courtyard in the early light. He then became restless, tossing and turning, mumbling and sighing. Merlin guessed that the effects of the potion had worn off but Arthur was not truly awake.

-0-0-

Sir Reginald and his manservant presented themselves in the small council chamber on time. The knight followed Sir Leon into the room and bowed. Arthur remained sitting at the table and motioned for him to sit on his left. Sir Leon occupied the chair on Arthur's right, technically the place of honour. Whether Sir Reginald realised the slight or not was debatable.

Arthur started off by saying, "Anything you wish to say, may be said in front of Sir Leon of Berwick, he is a knight trusted by me and a good friend." Arthur made no reference to Merlin who was standing behind his chair but he motioned to the guard standing at the door that he should assume his position in the corridor. He left Sir Reginald's manservant standing near the door.

Merlin was determined to commit to memory everything Sir Reginald said. He'd make notes later in the day to keep Gaius up to date on the session. Gaius had not been too pleased that Sir Geoffrey was not going to be present but then again maybe all the man wanted was to tell Arthur that a family member had been a maidservant in Ygraine's home or that his sister had married into the extended family.

Arthur nodded to Sir Reginald and the knight began. "Sire, I believe that my family history might be of some interest to you." He handed Arthur a parchment with a seal, which Arthur read carefully. You can see that I am the legally recognised ward of Lord Landon and Lady Elizabeth of Chertsey both deceased. Lord Landon was killed in a battle eleven years hence while Lady Elizabeth had already died."

Merlin had all the names straight in his mind but couldn't see the importance of any of them. Leon was also awaiting the outcome of the revelation. Arthur remained silent.

"I should however mention," said Sir Reginald with a smile that it is my natural parents who might be more interesting to you. My father was Sir Maurice of Blogwort also deceased as is my mother the Lady Yvette." He looked expectantly at Arthur as he said that name.

Arthur seemed nonplussed by the man's look. He said, "I am sorry none of the names mentioned mean anything to me."

"I think they will, Sire, when I explain more fully but I am loathe to do so in front of others. I would prefer to speak in private…" He waited patiently and finally Arthur nodded at Leon who stood, bowed and retired.

Sir Reginald glanced at Merlin and raised an eyebrow at the king who didn't even glance over his shoulder but said, "My manservant stays!"

Merlin thought, 'Here comes the interesting part…" but again he was disappointed as Sir Reginald only mentioned that the Lady Yvette was the daughter of Hoel, which meant as little to him as it seemed to Arthur.

"Sir Reginald, I am unable to see why this information might be of any interest to me."

"Sire, speaking in all honesty I think that you need to hear the rest of the story. My birth parents never married, the acceptance of the wedding proposal having been forbidden by my maternal grandfather as my mother was too young. I was sent as a youngster to Sir Landon's family. I still have memories of my birth family, especially my close relatives."

Merlin thought, 'Get on with it man. You're wasting Arthur's time.'

"Sire, I would suggest that you have your most trusted librarian check on the family name of de Bois."

Merlin felt a shiver run up his back, he knew no one with the family name 'de Bois'. Yet with the respect which with he said it, it was obviously the hinge to the whole story fabricated by the man.

Arthur's reaction was neutral, he rose and said, "I will do that and let you know if I wish to see you at a later date." Sir Reginald rose, bowed and left the council hall accompanied by his manservant, leaving the parchment on the table,

Merlin sat down beside Arthur and said, "Well, that was a tempest in a teacup! What was it all about? Have you ever heard of a Lady Yvette?"

"She must be older than us, Reginald must be at least forty so she would have been in her late fifties if she were still alive. Let's go to see Geoffrey, maybe he can shed some light on this story."

But it wasn't Geoffrey but Gaius whom they met first and by his reaction they learned that the name 'de Bois' was important.

Arthur said, "Who is she, Gaius? You recognised the name, I know it, I can see it in your face…"

"I think we should involve Geoffrey; he will have more information than I have."

Merlin said, "After lunch, we can meet up with him and…"

"No!" said Arthur. We will go right now…you too Gaius. We can all eat later."

Gaius thought to himself, 'Arthur, you probably won't want anything to eat after talking with Geoffrey.'

The three of them made their way down to the library. Geoffrey's lunch had been delivered but he had not yet eaten so he offered to wait while he sent one of his scribes to the kitchen to ask them to send lunch for the king and two additional guests.

Arthur refused explaining that he wished to discuss business which might be important. Geoffrey motioned for a scribe to remove his untouched meal and sat at the table joined by the king, Gaius and Merlin. Merlin watched Geoffrey carefully to see if the name had the same effect on him as it had Gaius.

Laying the parchment on the table before Geoffrey, Arthur explained what Sir Reginald had said and how it made no sense to him as he knew none of the names mentioned. Geoffrey glanced at the names and shook his head.

Arthur continued, "Reginald has claimed to be the bastard child of a Lady Yvette and a Sir Maurice of Blogwort. He asked that the papers be scrutinised by you, Geoffrey. He had been unwilling to speak in front of Leon but when it had been only Merlin and I, he had mentioned the de Bois family expecting to get some reaction. I know no one with that name. What do you think he is trying to get at?"

Merlin had noticed Geoffrey's reaction to the de Bois name and how he had glanced quickly at Gaius. He was certain that they both knew the significance of the name.

Geoffrey took a deep breath, "I think it would be better coming from you, Gaius."

Arthur seemed confused, "Gaius, you could have mentioned it on the way down. What is it?"

"Arthur, your mother was a de Bois."

The look on Arthur's face was incredulous. He had stopped breathing and he glared at Merlin. Merlin slipped his hand over his on the table to give some support.

Geoffrey added, "The family name of de Bois is the maiden name of your mother, Sire, but I have never heard of a Lady Yvette in connection with Queen Ygraine."

"He mentioned that he knew his birth mother and her close family members." Arthur said, "Could my mother be related to this Lady Yvette?"

Merlin mentioned that Reginald also presented letters from Lord Landon stating that the ward whom he received from the de Bois family is one and the same child.

Arthur asked, "Gaius, did my mother ever mention the name Yvette while you knew her."

"No, she never mentioned that name. Arthur, until Geoffrey does research into the fact, don't get your hopes up that you have found someone who is willing to talk about your mother. It might be a different de Bois family. We don't even know if …" he pointed at all the parchments, "… if any of these are authentic. Give Geoffrey time and he may be able to come up with something."

But Merlin knowing Arthur the way he did, realised that the idea of getting to know someone who claimed to know his mother was uppermost in his mind.

-0-0-

Reginald followed by his manservant had returned slowly to the chamber where he was staying.

"Well, step one accomplished," said his manservant throwing himself on the bed.

"Brother, it didn't go as I had expected. He knows nothing about the de Bois connection. Maybe it was a mistake to try to build on that."

"The old guy in the library must know that it is the queen's name and he'll put two and two together. Never fear, we're on the trail to a life of luxury. Just you mark my words, Reg, best idea I have ever come up with!"

"If anyone comes in and sees you on the bed, you'll blow our cover. Where's the kid? Isn't he supposed to stay here?"

"I think he was taking clothes down to the laundry. He'll be back, he knows no one here, he won't loiter."

Reginald stood at the window, "I could get used to this life."

"Not that easily…you have to get the king's confidence and keep your story straight. No wandering off on tangents and blowing your cover. Drive a wedge between him and his manservant the one who accompanies him everywhere. Treats him like a bloody confident. He's always within three feet of the king and all his knights seem to accept that he has a right to being there."

"Not jealous are you, Nev? Aspiring to become the monarch's manservant are you?"

"Not bloody well likely, I want to be the brother of the recently found king's first cousin…"

There was a knock on the door and Neville jumped off the bed and answered it. It was the squire whom Neville clipped across the head for not having had enough sense to announce himself so he didn't need to get up.

"Get the horses ready, we're going riding. I don't want to be seen as hanging around waiting to hear from his majesty. Nev, you'll come too. Do you good to get away from Camelot and behave like yourself for a change."

-0-0-

Arthur meantime had returned to his chamber. He stood at the window tracing the rectangular panes. "Merlin, what do you make of the whole situation?" He was shocked by the news about his mother's maiden name. "He could have told me! I have asked him over the years if he knew anything about my mother and he always remained quiet."

"Well, maybe it slipped his mind or he didn't think it was of any importance…"

"No need, to defend him, Merlin, Gaius let me down even if while Uther lived he kept it to himself, once I was crowned he should have come clean! At least, he'll be less likely to be forgetful now as he will have to deal with Geoffrey's findings."

"Who's very thorough, so I'm sure he will be able to get more information. He must have records from your father's marriage and documents that validated it."

Arthur jumped up, "That's it! Come on, Merlin, get some lunch and then we'll go back to the library and search through the archives. Maybe there is more than just a name and date."

"It isn't straightforward by any means so it will take time to get it all sorted out. We can't go downstairs now as you have a meeting with the council this afternoon." Merlin left to waylay a squire, asking that lunch be sent up to the king's chamber. He knew that Thomas would probably have already made some arrangements so it was just getting the food delivered that was necessary.

He returned to find Arthur talking with Gawaine. "Merlin, our friend and his manservant have gone riding this afternoon, his squire as well."

"I saw them leaving from the stables about a half hour ago. Checked on their rooms and everything is still there so they will be returning. Arthur, if it's not too private, what did he tell you?"

Arthur hesitated and looked at Merlin who nodded. "Gawaine, this is in strictest confidence, he claims to belong to a de Bois family." Gawaine looked puzzled until Arthur continued, "I just found out that my mother's maiden name was de Bois!"

Merlin said, "We don't know if it is the same family but Reginald seems to think it is."

Arthur grimaced as he turned to Gawaine saying, "Keep watching Reginald, you might pick up something. However, don't put yourself in any danger. He probably isn't worth it."

Gawaine nodded and left. He had a feeling that the news lay heavily on Arthur and that he was unwilling to discuss it any further. He met up later with Leon but didn't tell him anything apart from the fact than the man in question had gone riding and that he'd spoken with Merlin and Arthur. He thought to himself, 'The next opportunity I get, I intend to do a thorough search of that man's room.'