CHAPTER 15 : STATEMENTS OF INTENT

Late afternoon there was a tap on Arthur's chamber door, he looked up as Spenser and Simon escorted Merlin in. Gaius had insisted that he use a crutch and with that and the help of the two knights, he had managed to climb the stairs without too much discomfort.

"We were visiting him and Gaius said that he could return to his own bed," Spenser said.

Simon added, "He's not too steady so Gaius wants him confined to chambers. He'll be checking on him again tomorrow and told me to say that if you need him this evening, he's eating with Geoffrey."

"Stop making such a fuss of me, you're like two mother hens." Simon and Spenser laughed at him.

Spenser handed Arthur two vials and some bandages. "The vials contain pain medication and the bandages just in case they are needed."

"Stay for supper," said Arthur. "We'll eat right here at the table. Thomas will be by soon as he just went to see if Treva would like to join us."

Merlin smiled, apart from being back in his own room, seeing Treva again would be great. He'd visited him after his fall and had been very upset, so seeing him up on his feet, even with a crutch, would make him feel better. He knew it made sense to take it easy as ankles can be funny things and need to be treated with respect.

Arthur settled him in front of the fire, making sure that the cushions were well placed, he had raised his foot on a cushioned stool.

"Who's the mother hen now?" grinned Simon.

"Not too much to ask that someone cares for you…" said Merlin with a smile for Arthur.

Spenser said cheekily, "And who better than the King, eh Merlin?"

Merlin blushed and Arthur said, "Stop teasing him. He's been through enough."

Thomas arrived followed by menservants with a selection of food for supper. Merlin drew in all the lovely aromas and smiled; he was really hungry and knew that the food and company promised an excellent evening.

Treva was the next to arrive, with Randall promising to pick him up after supper. Treva raced across to the fire and stood in front of Merlin smiling, "How did they get you up here? Did Arthur carry you up?"

"No, Spenser and Simon did the honours."

Treva smiled at them and said seriously, "Thank you for looking after Merlin...he's very special, you know."

The two helpers nodded and smiled, as Treva climbed up on Merlin's lap, putting his arms around his neck and lying against him.

"You're getting a little too big to do that!" said Arthur as he sat beside him.

"Never!" said Treva, cuddling even closer to Merlin. "You're not too old, so why should I be?"

Merlin grinned over his head at Arthur saying, "I guess he told you!" He kissed the top of the boy's head and said, "Treva, you will never be too old for me to cuddle you…" and thinking quickly, he said, "...or you, Arthur, for that matter."

"Nice thought!" said Arthur, "But are we ready to eat? You for one must be famished climbing all those stairs!"

"Yes, Arthur, but I'm nice and cosy here, so could we just eat in front of the fire?"

"Don't see why not," said Arthur. The others agreed.

Treva added "It will be like a picnic." Merlin insisted that a little table be put in front of him so that Trevor could drink his soup without getting it everywhere. Thomas smiled as he collected the empty soup bowls. He brought over chicken and pheasant slices with a creamy sauce, parsnips and carrots before refilling the wine goblets.

Finishing his supper and being warm and cosy between Merlin and Arthur, Treva fell asleep. Arthur lifted him up. The boy snaked his arm around his neck and murmured, "Arthur!" before snuggling in even closer.

Arthur smiled at the others and said, "I will be back in a little while." Followed by Thomas, he walked into the ante-chamber, Randall offered to take the sleeping boy but Arthur shook his head. A boy needed a father to put him to bed and he wasn't going to give up the opportunity often reserved for Merlin.

By the time he returned, the others were discussing the Reginald Chronicles as Simon called them. Merlin yawned and Arthur seeing it, said, "Let's call it a day…Merlin's had a busy one."

Spenser stood saying, "Try and get a good sleep, Merlin." And turning to Arthur he said, "…and don't you get carried away or you will be answering to Gaius tomorrow."

"Get off with you…" said Arthur smiling at his long-time friend.

Simon added, "Well then, Good Night! We'll see you tomorrow, Arthur."

-0-0-

Thomas came in as the others left and placed the warming pans in the bed, closed the curtains and banked up the fire. "Sire, I can stay in the manservant's quarters, should you have need of me."

Arthur glanced at Merlin who shook his head. So he said, "No, Thomas, we can probably manage. Thank you!"

Thomas dismissed, bowed and wishing them both good night, left.

Arthur settled down next to Merlin, "Tell me when you're ready for bed. You'll have to stand for me to remove your trousers."

"Maybe I'll just sleep in them."

"Suit yourself, Merlin, but you'll be much more comfortable without them."

"Well, you'll have to mind my ankle…"

"You can direct me getting the trouser leg over your foot or even better, I'll just cut them off."

"I hope you're referring to my trousers as you had me worried for a bit there, Arthur."

Arthur smiled saying, "Now, wouldn't that be a stupid thing for me to do?" He put his arm along Merlin's shoulders and held him. "I'm sorry you were hurt. If I thought like Gawaine, I would happily sneak into that bastard's chamber and beat up his brother so that with broken arms and legs, he'd have to crawl around."

Merlin smiled, allowing his lips to reach Arthur's cheek, "I'm sorry too, as it sort of limits what we can get up to tonight. As warm and cosy it is at Gaius's, I missed you. There was no one to cuddle with and when I woke up I couldn't feel your heart beat."

"I'm sorry, Merlin, I've been so difficult about this Reginald thing. I realised that he was a real character but I didn't realise how determined he was."

"Me neither…!" said Merlin sadly.

"But between us, most of the blame lies at my door. I didn't listen to you. I was determined to hear this man out and look what problems that caused. The three of you travelling across the countryside, you and I not able to speak truthfully to each other, and now you and your bad ankle causing us further problems. I'm sorry, Merlin!"

Merlin put his arm up and turned Arthur's chin, "Arthur, King of Camelot, I love you with my heart, mind and body. Maybe the latter will have to wait for a while but I still love you."

"Me, too!" said Arthur with a chuckle in his voice.

Merlin closed the distance between them and gently at first but then with more insistence, kissed his best friend.

Under Merlin's supervision from the bench in front of the fire, Arthur removed the warming pans. With Arthur hanging onto his waist, Merlin was able to get out of his trousers and Arthur just had to help with his bad ankle. He then dropped a nightshirt over his upper body and lifting him, carried him to the bed. He insisted on putting pillows under the down comforter at the bottom of the bed, to keep it off Merlin's ankle.

Once Merlin was comfortably settled, Arthur crawled into bed beside him and sighed. He was happy, Merlin was beside him in bed and Reginald was going to get his comeuppance. He let his head drop onto Merlin's shoulders and said, "Have I recently shown you, Merlin, how much I love you?"

"I don't think so or if you did, I don't remember, maybe you should do it again as I have a feeling, I might enjoy it."

Arthur propped himself up on his elbow and started by kissing him…

-0-0-

Sometime in the middle of the night Merlin woke up, he could feel Arthur's arm across him and remembering his ankle, he managed to turn himself slightly so that his arm could go across Arthur. He didn't want to ever lose him…he drifted off again.

He was on a headland, the Atlantic waves were breaking against the rocks below and Arthur was standing close to the edge, mesmerised by the puffins. Merlin loved that like him, he could be so taken with these little clowns. Gaius had unearthed a lot of information about them but it was sketchy as they were so seldom on the shore spending the rest of the year heaven knows where.

They were not alone as Arthur's cousin and heir Sir Reginald was with them as was Treva.

Arthur had called Treva to stand with him as he could see the entrance to a burrow where the parents nested and they were hoping to see a black fluffy baby known as a puffling which might come out to greet its parents and get food.

Merlin suddenly felt as if all the pores on his skin were being pierced with red hot needles. He wasn't able to speak only to watch in horror, as Reginald walked up behind Arthur and pushed him over the cliff. Treva who was holding his hand fell with him.

Merlin screamed and someone grabbed him. He fought to get away from them, he needed to get to the edge, maybe they had only slipped a little way and they could be saved. He managed to get away and looked below; Arthur was flat on his face on a rock, head and legs at an unnatural angle. Treva's battered body was in the waves being carried up onto the rocks and then off again as the wave receded.

Once again, Merlin pushed at the person who held him even closer. He started to scream as a pain in his ankle flared up…but the arms still held him tightly as he screamed for Arthur… He felt himself being forced to his knees, "Give homage to your King!" a voice commanded. Merlin raised his eyes and saw Reginald in full royal regalia.

"Never!" he said and getting up, scrambled towards the edge of the cliff and fell, joining Arthur and Treva on the rocks below…

"Merlin, Merlin, I have you. You're dreaming. Stop thrashing around, you'll hurt your ankle even more. Hold still, Love."

Merlin forced himself to open his eyes, although he could only see him in the light of their night candle, he knew the person holding him was his Arthur. He tucked his face under his chin and cried for Treva and all the little pufflings.

He never told Arthur what he had dreamt; he might…once Reginald had been driven away but not yet…

-0-0-

…and so it was the following day but one, that Merlin leant against the window jamb in their chamber and watched Arthur, two knights and Reginald leave the courtyard midmorning.

Gawaine said, "Arthur, as there are only four of us, are not two squires overkill?"

"No," replied Arthur, "It is a reward for being competent and on their toes. I'll explain later." He said with a smile.

Guy and Timothy had been thrilled when Squire Master Melor had announced that they were going to accompany the King on his ride. "Behave yourselves, make yourself useful and don't get lost!" He had admonished them. The other squires of their level were all wide-eyed, usually it was only senior squires who accompanied the King.

The riders paired up, Arthur with Gawaine and Spenser with Reginald. Gawaine a while later, pulled up and dismounted saying that his horse was favouring its left fore and he wanted to check for a stone in his hoof. Timothy jumped down to hold Cavan. The others continued trotting.

"Can't see anything, Sir Gawaine," said Timothy.

Gawaine nodded, "Maybe, he just stepped awkwardly on a flint; he seems all right now." The two of them mounted and caught up.

Gawaine's well timed delay had accomplished what he and Arthur had hoped. Reginald had moved up to ride next to Arthur. Spenser had fallen back allowing the king and knight to be a couple of horse lengths ahead so they could talk in private.

"Nasty looking bruise!" Arthur said as he looked at Reginald, thinking, 'It suits you, you bastard!'

"I apologise, Sire, but my squire swung the door into my face. I'll kill him once I lay my hands on him." Arthur nodded and the knight continued, "I was sorry to hear that Merlin was incapacitated. Falls are such annoying things."

"Yes, it was unlucky. He was probably running flat out and he tripped, luckily no broken bones, just a sore head and wrenched ankle."

"I remember my mother telling me that your mother had once slipped on dew covered grass and had wrenched her ankle. My mother ran for help and the knights picked my aunt up and took her to her chamber."

"Oh, that must have hurt! Young girls don't wear heavy boots like us," said Arthur. He marvelled as he realised that hearing the story had had no effect on him. His heart hadn't speeded up and he hadn't had that feeling of being emotional. He had just thought to himself, 'A gentleman's heavy boot up your arse, would work for me right now!'

Reginald decided to continue with his stories and Arthur listened patiently. Finally, Reginald said laughing, "I guess I am the closest thing to a family that you have."

Arthur waited, taking his time. He didn't want to interfere with Reginald's train of thought, so he nodded.

Reginald continued boldly, "We are actually first cousins by birth, are we not?" He waited but again Arthur committing to nothing. "Maybe, we should announce that fact to the Court. Your knights would rejoice that you have blood relatives."

"Relatives?"

"I meant…a relative, a cousin…not only any cousin but a first cousin. Not that I am asking for any special attention."

Arthur thought, 'Not that you're likely to get any either, you devil! Just a proclamation that you are related to me by blood…wake up, Man. I'd rather be related to my horse than to you!' He patted Mulgan distractedly saying levelly, "It certainly is worth looking into."

"I could be of help to you. If I were shown how, I could greet less important guests and sit in on meetings and help with your work load."

Gawaine and Spenser, who were now riding more closely, looked at each other. "Is the man out of his mind?" whispered Gawaine. Spenser just shook his head.

Spenser saw Arthur's shoulders tense as he repeated, "Certainly, worth looking into!" He then turned to Spenser saying, "Spenser, ride with me I want to discuss your recent trip to the western counties."

Reginald dropped back grinning at Gawaine and muttered, "Things are going to change!"

Gawaine having heard him distinctly said instead, "Yes, it looks like the weather is going to change." He called ahead, "Arthur, I think we should turn back now, the weather is changing."

Arthur turned and gave him a grin saying, "So, it is!" They swung their horses around and cantered back to Camelot. As the knights walked up the steps, Arthur turned back remembering to thank the squires for accompanying them. He also mentioned that he appreciated the care which they had given Merlin. Both boys bowed smartly before leaving to join the other squires.

Nodding at Reginald to dismiss him, Arthur accompanied by the other two knights made his way back to his chambers. He said quietly to the others, "Say nothing now, we'll wait till we get back to Merlin."

As Thomas shut the heavy exterior door after them, Arthur said, "Is Merlin here?"

"No, Sire, he went down to Gaius's."

"Send a page to get him and arrange for a late lunch in the private dining room. Get Rhylan to help you and also notify Leon and Simon that I want them to join me." Thomas bowed and left to do all the King had demanded.

Arthur turned to the others saying, "We'll stay here near the fire until the other room is ready. Did you hear the audacity of that man? His arrogance…? This afternoon, I'm going to see Geoffrey and we'll set up a meeting for tomorrow. Reginald will believe it has to do with setting up the proclamation leading to changing the rules for succession but I'll have a surprise in hand for him as it will be the opening act for his final performance in Camelot."

Gawaine nudged Spenser in the arm saying, "Always told you, you don't want to get on the wrong side of our illustrious leader, The King of Camelot!" Arthur laughed at him.

Spenser said, "Nothing closer to the truth, eh, Arthur?"

Merlin arrived and hobbled straight to the fire. Leon and Simon arrived together, hot and bothered as they had been on the training field taking advantage of the good weather. They joined the others; Arthur sitting next to Merlin, explained what had transpired on their little outing that morning.

Arthur was very animated as he said, "That stupid fellow, you won't believe what he said. He assured me that he wasn't looking for any special attention but suggested that a proclamation be made announcing that the two of us were blood relatives and as he put it, he was sure that the Knights of Camelot would be thrilled." Arthur smiled, "I almost told him that I'd rather be related to my horse, I certainly trust Mulgan more than him."

Merlin smiled and nudged Arthur with his knee.

"I said by the way…very calmly, 'It certainly is worth looking into,' and he believed me. Spenser and Gawaine were privy to the conversation." Both knights mentioned, nodded.

"Then the man had the audacity to offer to help me, saying that with some training he could be able to greet less important guests and sit in on meetings and help with my work load. Leon, he's an absolute imbecile. The sooner we get rid of him the better."

"I vote for hanging as he was indirectly the cause of Merlin's fall and caused a lot of problems," said Gawaine.

"…or, maybe just forgetting him in some dark and damp, rat infested dungeon. He could be brought out on holidays to be paraded around." Simon added

Arthur grinned.

Spenser said, "I have a better one…we cover him in fox urine and take him into the forest, then let loose the hounds and all have a wonderful afternoon of hunting."

"He should be naked!" added Merlin with a grin, "But we should insist that he wears his boots so he can run."

Arthur grinned, sometimes a little comedy helped alleviate the seriousness of an event.

-0-0-

Opening, the adjoining door from the private dining chamber, Thomas arrived with Rhylan carrying pitchers of ale. Gawaine breathed a sigh of relief, this was going to be an enjoyable meal. He stepped forward to help Rhylan.

Arthur said, "Well, we all know where Gawaine's mind is!"

"Sire, such a lot was accomplished during the ride that I think it might be a good time to celebrate," the knight said.

"Give thanks for the fruits of the grain harvest!" Arthur said then turned to them adding, "I am positive that what happened this morning is the start of the downfall of someone we all know."

Rhylan made sure that everyone had a goblet filled with ale and left another full pitcher within Gawaine's reach before returning to where Thomas stood near the dining room door. "The staff has the table almost set and the fire is taking the chill off the chamber." Thomas said quietly, "Once you notice that their goblets are empty notify me and I'll announce that the meal is served. It's ready as soon as they are."

Rhylan pulled the door over and waited. Merlin caught his eye and nodded. He opened the door and nodded at Thomas, who came into the room and announced, "Sire, lunch is served!" Arthur stood and the others followed him into the dining room.

-0-0-

Leon was shocked at the boldness of the man. Arthur confessed that he had actually led him on by not interfering and allowing him to have his say. "I think he thought all his birthdays had come into one, as I just nodded and told him I would look into it."

"Will Geoffrey be ready by tomorrow with all the information? Leon asked.

"No, I'll set the meeting for the following day and conveniently stay out of Reginald's way tomorrow." He glanced at Merlin, purposely pushing his thigh against his under the cover of the table. Merlin didn't move away. "Mind you, I'm pretty sure that Geoffrey would be ready this afternoon but I prefer to give him a little leeway. I think Sirs Rupert and Rodick should also be present. I won't call on his squire Sid as I can't be sure that he would speak out against his former master with so many people present."

Merlin said, "He's still very jumpy around people but has settled in well with Gaius and has really impressed him as he told him that he thinks that the leeches are by far the most interesting worms he has ever seen."

The others laughed. Everyone knew how Gaius felt about his special aquatic, miracle workers

"How about the squires Guy and Timothy…?" asked Gawaine

"Not needed, as with Reginald's squire, we have plenty of people to corroborate what they said."

Spenser said, "What are you going to do with the manservant as he is the one who planned Merlin's accident?"

"I saw him skulking around the corridor this morning and he looks as if someone got to him first. He couldn't walk upright and his face is almost unrecognisable. Almost felt sorry for the chap…" Simon turned looking at Merlin smiling as he said, "Well, not really after what he did to you…"

"I know what I'd like to do to him!" said Gawaine, "…and it would involve a lot of pain and blood."

Merlin laughed, "Not on my account, please! I'm getting better and he has been punished enough. I would think that when his brother is expelled from Camelot, he will follow with his tail between his legs. Neither of them have much to offer humanity."