CHAPTER 4 : WINNING FAIR AND SQUARE

Merlin stood behind Arthur's chair, in their private dining chamber listening to the conversation. He knew that Reginald had already questioned his being present but Arthur had ignored his querying look that a manservant should be present at their private meal. Thomas served table and Merlin just waited.

It was late Merlin was standing next to the door in their chambers, waiting for Reginald to leave. He felt sick; Arthur was completely besotted with the man. He no longer wanted to hear anything about Merlin's feelings. He was feeling great, gaining new information daily about his mother's life as a young girl.

"...and then they would go into the woods with their maidservant and a picnic would have been set up by the stream. After eating they would chase butterflies, trying to catch them. Your mother was very fast and she often was lucky. My mother said that she never caught a butterfly herself but was happy to be with her sister having so much fun."

Merlin thought, 'Have you heard how stupid you sound. I'm sure that if Arthur said the word goat you would incorporate it into a dreamlike sequence starring the two 'Y's.' It annoyed him immensely that the Arthur he knew had become so gullible. He was quite capable of making serious decisions but let Reginald arrive on the scene and all of a sudden he accepted whatever the man said as the gospel truth.

'I have to stop this!' thought Merlin. Reginald had been in the castle for nearly a month and seemed in no hurry to return home, wherever that was. He had even mentioned that his chamber was lacking in amenities and Arthur had insisted that he move to a chamber on his floor which was used for non-royal but none the less important guests.

Merlin had been sure that he had smirked at him when he had been shown the chamber. His manservant had certainly settled in well even using Camelot pages to do his bidding. Merlin had mentioned it to Arthur who had promised that he would look into it. Merlin certainly didn't want Treva being used as cheap labour by Neville. Reginald after all had his own squire a gangly fifteen year old called Sid.

-0-0-

Poor Gaius was continually bombarded by Merlin's complaints. "Maybe you could make friends with Neville. You're with him enough," he had suggested with a slight smile in his eyes.

If looks could have killed, Gaius would have been prostrate, breathing his last. "How can you even think that? Reginald is a fraud and sooner or later someone is going to learn the truth. You know it…Geoffrey knows it...Gawaine knows it! How am I going to get Arthur to see it?"

"You won't! Arthur will have to come to that realisation himself and in his own time. Merlin, he was badly treated as a child by Uther. Instead of being open about Ygraine, the king refused to speak of her and pushed Arthur away whenever he tried to get close. Granted, he was grief stricken but he should have included Ygraine's name in conversations when Arthur was growing up. The result is what you now see, an adult man yearning for information however mundane about his mother. We had happy lives growing up with loving mothers; Arthur's was anything but normal. He deserved at least a modicum of information from his father."

"But, I didn't have a father and I managed…"

"Merlin, you had a loving mother. A child needs a loving mother to have a good start in life or a grandmother who gives him all the love he needs to get rooted, before he is able to branch out on his own." Gaius smiled as he said, "…and poor Arthur got me…a sad substitute, a flock of nursemaids and Humphrey as a trusted manservant, as he grew older."

"But, Gaius, you did a very good job. Arthur is loving and kind like you and he is capable of anything he sets him mind to even if he can be obstinate and pig-headed." Gaius smiled at those words. "You did a brilliant job." Merlin looked at the man who had taken him under his wing when he had first come from Ealdor, who had worried about him, advised him, who had shared with him his love of magic and had encouraged his learning more about it. He had fallen on his feet, the day he had delivered Hunith's letter. He wrapped his friend and mentor in his arms and held him close.

Gaius wrapped his arms around the man clinging to him and smiled… After a while, he pushed him away gently, saying, "Away with you, you'll have this old man blubbering. I'm sure Arthur is wondering where you are?"

"Not if he is with Reginald…" Merlin said sadly as he left.

-0-0-

Arthur had invited Reginald to ride with him. Merlin said, "You don't really need me, do you?"

"I most certainly do, what would happen if my horse went lame, how would I get home?

"We could ride double?"

"Right! Or I could ride…"

"…and I, Arthur, could walk."

"Merlin, you're certainly on the ball this morning."

Arthur threw his arm around Merlin shoulders as they walked along the corridor. Merlin thought, 'Like old times!' Nonetheless, he didn't want to get into an argument as Arthur had been rather cool to him the last time he's made reference to the fact that he didn't seem as affectionate as he used to be. The words 'prior to Reginald' were insinuated but not voiced. Merlin decided he would try to be positive today, even if he had to tag along behind Arthur and his new best friend.

Merlin approached the stable and the grooms already had Favoury, Arthur's grey and Iago waiting for them. Merlin caught Reginald's look of surprise when he mounted the fiery chestnut. Obviously, Merlin's horse was not to Reginald's liking.

"I'm surprised Arthur, that you let your manservant ride a horse more suitable for a king."

"Merlin has always ridden destriers. Anyway, no one else gets along with Iago as well as Merlin and he looks good on him." Arthur turned away from Reginald and gave Merlin a loving look and raised his eyebrow in admiration of what he saw.

Merlin basked in the moment of unexpected closeness even with Reginald less than four feet away.

Reginald raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. He thought, 'If I did not know otherwise, I might think that the king was spoiling his pretty manservant.' However, knowing that Ygraine and Uther were on the monarch's mind, Reginald spun another story for Arthur's benefit.

If Arthur had turned around, he would have seen Merlin raising his eyes to the heavens and then sticking his finger down his throat as if trying to vomit. Merlin knew that it was childish but it allowed a certain release of, to put it mildly, sickening feelings.

When was Arthur going to catch on? One day, Merlin would prove to him that this liar was making a fool of him and surely for the betterment of himself. However, he would do it respectfully. It was a very delicate situation. He didn't want to hurt Arthur even though he knew how deep the ties to his absent mother were. He knew what he had to do but he would need undeniable proof and that was more difficult to find than he had expected. Merlin thoughts were interrupted by Arthur calling his name.

"Merlin, wake up man! See that rise ahead. I'll race you there and bet you a golden coin that Favoury can beat her brother Iago."

Merlin loved nothing better than a challenge. "You're on!" he said "But I don't have any money."

"No problem," said Arthur, "I'll figure out something you can do to pay me back." He raised an eyebrow suggestively and grinned. Merlin smiled then Arthur said, "Reginald, you can count down and then meet us at the old oak tree."

Reginald did as he was told and the two horses took off and were soon galloping side by side, leaving Reginald a little annoyed that Arthur hadn't included him in the race and a little worried that maybe his hold on Arthur was not as solid as he hoped.

The sand track was perfect for racing and as the wind blew in his face, Arthur forgot all his pressing problems and concentrated on getting to the top of the rise first. However, Iago was fleet of foot and Merlin was pulling ahead.

Arthur yelled, "Deer to your left!" Merlin glanced taking his mind off the race and Favoury drew up alongside him.

"Oh, no you don't!" called Merlin as he threw himself forward on his horse's neck urging him to run for his life. The little chestnut did just that and reached the top of the hill, a neck ahead of the grey. Merlin glanced at Arthur and was granted a huge smile.

Arthur said, "You won fair and square." Both men slipped off their heaving horses and loosened their girths and led them around until they got their breaths back as Arthur said, "Where are grooms when you need them?"

Merlin smiled. This was his Arthur back again if only for a few minutes. Arthur reached in his pocket and withdrew a coin and flipped it in the air. Merlin didn't reach out to catch it and it landed on the grass. Arthur bent over and picked it up with a questioning glance at Merlin, "Don't you want your winnings?"

"Not really, you look after me and between you and me I would prefer you considered how I was originally going to make payment and you could do the same…"

Reginald cantered up to them and said, "Who won?"

Arthur called out seriously, "Merlin, he came first." He continued quietly just for Merlin "…or he might!"

Merlin could feel a blush spreading up his cheeks, Arthur was playing dangerously and he loved it but he remembered that the knight standing before them was not one of their close group, so he turned offering to lead the horses for a little while longer. Arthur passed him the reins making sure that their hands accidentally on purpose touched.

Reginald dismounted and the two men walked side by side down the rise with a beaming manservant walking along behind leading three horses.

Feeling furious for Arthur who had seen nothing wrong in being beaten in a race by his manservant, Reginald seethed. The kingdom would go to wrack and ruin when menservants didn't know their places. There was no reason for Merlin to have beaten Arthur, if his horse was faster, he should have held it back so his sovereign could have claimed to victory.

What was it with Arthur? He was respected by his knights and council but he treated some of them too familiarly and everyone knows where that led…to contempt! There was a time and a place for everything and dealing with a manservant and friendly knights, in an overly friendly manner in Reginald's mind showed weakness. Deep down, he realised that regardless of the information about Ygraine that he could make up, he would never be as close to the king as Leon, Gawaine, Spenser and that foolish Merlin were.

Arthur stopped and they waited for Merlin to catch up with the horses. They then trotted off in the direction of Camelot.

-0-0-

Arthur had decided to eat in his chambers. He needed time to absorb the information he had received from Reginald. Thomas set the meal on his desk in front of the window and Arthur then told him, he had no further use for him as Merlin would take care of everything until tomorrow morning. He had had a busy day and really just wanted peace and quiet.

Merlin had suggested that he had a hot bath as it would help him relax but Arthur declined saying that he would prefer to eat first as once he had his bath all he wanted to do would be to go to bed. So, they sat in comfortable silence enjoying the roast pheasant and seasonal vegetable. Thomas had brought up some of Arthur's cheddar cheese and they smiled at each other as they enjoyed its sharpness on grilled bread with their wine.

"That Cheddar trip was exciting," Merlin said. "From that awful storm on the moor to visiting the caves and getting the situation sorted out there." He laughed as he reminded Arthur of their disguises and his refusal to wear anyone else's boots.

"I just couldn't face slipping my feet into stranger's boots. It made my stomach flip."

"Would it have been better if you had known the owner of the boots?"

"Probably not!" said Arthur after thinking a while.

"Well," said Merlin, "It's a good thing you were born rich as the majority of people in the world during childhood, have worn hand-me-downs. I remember one boy in our village had to wear his sister's skirt for two days as he'd got soaked falling in the pond after his mother had warned him not to get wet. She couldn't get his trousers dried immediately so he had the choice of going out butt naked or covering himself with a skirt so he could continue playing."

"Merlin, would you have worn girl's clothes just so you could go out to play?"

"I honestly don't know, as I feel quite comfortable in nothing."

"That is in the confines of our chambers or in bed but outside in full view of the whole village."

"Arthur, our villagers worked so hard that I don't think they would even glance at some kid minus his trousers."

Supper was finished and Merlin checked the coppers which he'd set a fire under as soon as they had returned to their chambers. "Water will soon be hot," he said as he cleared the table.

There was a tap on the ante-chamber door as he put the platters on the sideboard and a little voice said, "It's Treva, is anyone home?"

Merlin opened the door to find Treva and Randall in the corridor. "Is it convenient for him to visit? He's on his way to bed but wanted to see both of you before he went to sleep."

Merlin put his finger on his lips and whispered, "Let's surprise Arthur, he's just finished his supper."

He put his hand on the interior door and said, "Arthur, sorry to disturb you but there is a very important person here who would like to speak to you." He looked down at Treva who had his hands over his mouth trying to suppress a giggle.

"Merlin, tell them to make an appointment to see me tomorrow. I'm too tired to see anyone tonight."

Merlin nodded at Treva and let him pass in front of him. "Arthur, are you too tired to see me?"

Arthur's face broke into a smile and Treva ran across the room flinging himself at the king who was still sitting at the table.

"I want to invite you and Merlin to come to see me and Popper as tomorrow we are going to have a test with Sir Malcolm to see how well we have improved in our riding since last year. Can you come? Please say yes, some of the other pages will have their parents there as well."

Merlin said, "Of course, we'll try to be there and if Arthur is too busy, I can at least be there."

"But I wanted both of you…"

Arthur smiled, being wanted by Treva was really only second to being wanted by Merlin. "Merlin, make sure that we are both free to watch Treva tomorrow. You're not going to fall off or anything. Should we bring Gaius with his medical supplies, just in case?"

"You know I won't fall off, Arthur, that is unless Popper dumps me off and she hasn't done that for a long time and it wasn't her fault as I was racing Kevin even though we were told not too and I wasn't looking and a big tree came in front of us and I went one way and Popper went the other way. Papa was none too pleased when the servants told him what had happened and he said that if I was unable to look after my pony while I was riding that maybe I didn't deserve one but I do, don't I?"

"Yes, you do if you are careful." Merlin said, marvelling how Treva could talk about his former life without getting too upset.

Treva suddenly yawned and Arthur said that it was time for him to go to bed. Treva said, "I could stay here if you want, your bed is big enough for three."

"No, Treva, I think we will all get a better sleep if we do so in our own beds," Merlin said, "On your way now, and we'll see you after the testing." Merlin walked with him to the door and handed him over to the patient Randall. "What time is the riding test? The king and I intend to attend."

"Around eleven, I think. I can send a message with a squire so you will be there in time. Goodnight, Merlin."

"Goodnight Randall. Sleep tight, Treva." He bent over to gave the boy a kiss.

Treva's arms snaked around Merlin's neck and he held him close as he whispered, "I love you, Merlin!"

Merlin locked the outer door and coming into the bed chamber, barred the interior door. "Well, Arthur, we have something to look forward to tomorrow."

He glanced up and Arthur was standing in front of him half dressed. To Merlin's quizzical look, he said, "Well, you said the hot water would be ready after supper, and anyway I think we have something to look forward to before tomorrow." He pulled Merlin towards him saying before kissing him, "Don't you?"

Within the half hour, Merlin stood in front of him soaked. Arthur had been fooling and Merlin was unlucky to land in the bath as well. Arthur said apologetically with a gleam in his eye, "Look! What a shame you are all wet. I won't have time to get your trousers dry until the day after tomorrow. Guess you're going to have to borrow one of the maid's skirts or go butt-naked."

Merlin shrugged and promptly dropped all his wet clothes on the flagstones. He stood there.

Arthur grinned and said, "Of all the outfits you wear, or should I say don't wear, this is certainly my favourite!" He grabbed his arm and led him to the bed.

-0-0-

It had been enjoyable watching all the pages and their mounts performing under the direction of Sir Malcolm.

He put them through walking, trotting and cantering, circles and sudden stops as well as turns to the right and the left threading through markers in the ground. He then complimented them on their expertise and congratulated their riding instructors. They were all thrilled that the king had been present. Arthur stood up and announced that Sir Malcolm and he would like to see them all ride to the end of the field and then charge back in a controlled canter. The boys cheered and made their way across the field. It was always a special treat to be allowed to go fast and they knew better than to let their ponies and horses get out of control as that was really frowned upon.

They cheered and screamed as they flew past Arthur to the other end of the field. Everyone had ridden sensibly and no one had come to grief. The last little boy to pass the king was sobbing. Arthur asked to see him and he sorrowfully explained that his pony had been his brothers and she was now twenty and couldn't go as fast as the others.

"Well, don't you worry about that because as far as I am concerned she is the most handsome pony here today."

The child's face broke into a grin and Merlin hastily swallowed. Arthur could be so kind and understanding when he wanted to. He smiled and caught his eye and Arthur returned the smile.

Reginald who was standing in the king's group, then and there decided that he would do his utmost to put Merlin in a bad light with the monarch and ingratiate himself in the position of trust currently occupied by the manservant.

Later he told Neville of his plan. "You intend to become his manservant isn't that a step backwards for a knight?" said his astounded brother.

Luckily, they were in his chambers and Reginald was able to wipe the floor with his idiot brother.

-0-0-

Merlin had other plans. He vowed to continue searching Reginald's background regardless of how difficult it seemed.

He knew that Geoffrey was working hard on contacting families who had known the de Bois family. However, it was proving difficult and time consuming as so many family members were dead and others confessed to only minimal information of the family in question.

Unknown to Merlin, Sir Geoffrey had possibly hit pay dirt. He'd contacted a certain Sir Mordercai whose son Sir Barric had trained as a squire with the de Bois family. Said young man was now married and living in the north but his father had promised when he next saw him to ask him to contact Geoffrey. Not really satisfactory as that could take up to a half year. Too much was at stake for such a delay. Roger Sir Mordecai's manservant had also worked for the de Bois family in his youth, so Geoffrey was hopeful that the man might also have some useful information.

If Arthur had not been so taken with Reginald, Geoffrey could have asked for a royal messenger to deliver letters to this Sir Barric, but that wasn't going to happen. If Gawaine hadn't been a Knight of Camelot, he could have gone wandering off to deliver messages but that wasn't going to happen either. He knew that Merlin would have left tomorrow for the north but that was certainly out of the question.

Gaius had suggested that Geoffrey visit this Sir Mordecai but with the autumn coming on and bad weather in its wake that didn't seem an alternate solution either for the elderly gentleman. "Is there no way to get word to Sir Mordecai?"

"We could maybe include a package with the next royal messenger who heads to the east and hopefully he could pass it on and it will finally reach its destination." So that is exactly what Geoffrey did and one late August morning, watched a king's messenger set out with royal mail and a private package address to Sir Mordecai of Hedthorpe. Gaius and Geoffrey nodded in relief. They had done their best.