CHAPTER 16 : THE LORD HIGH EXECUTIONER
All too soon it was time; Merlin and Arthur left for the small Council Chamber meeting Leon on the way. Arthur had already visited the library that morning and spoken with Geoffrey. Everything was organised from files pertaining to Uther's marriage to Ygraine to the news collected by Merlin, Leon and Spenser whilst they were away.
Reginald had been advised to bring any scrolls regarding his parentage. For the full impact, he was also asked to have his manservant accompany him. Merlin got chills running up his back when Timothy had returned after delivering the message, to say that Sir Reginald would be only to happy to be in the King's presence in at noon.
Arthur's chair had been set midway down one side of the table and Reginald would be invited to sit facing him. Geoffrey would be on Arthur's left with a scribe beside him as Arthur wanted everything which transpired documented. Sir Rupert as Senior Knight and Sir Rodick would sit on Arthur's right. Those seated would have their menservants standing a few feet behind their chairs.
Gaius would be seated at the end of the table with Merlin standing behind his chair. This allowed Merlin full view of the table. At the other end would be Simon.
Directly opposite Arthur would be Reginald with Neville standing behind him. He would be flanked by Sirs Leon and Gawaine
Spenser would be on Sir Leon's right and Sir Gielbert on Gawaine's left. Behind each knight would be a squire. As an added attraction, Arthur had asked that each squire carry the standard of the knight they represented. The squires Guy and Timothy would be standing behind their brothers Sirs Simon and Gielbert respectively.
Gawaine when he found out where he would be sitting, told Merlin on the quiet, "I hope Reginald makes a dash for it as I intend to lay him flat out on the flagstones and none too gently either."
Merlin laughed, "Gawaine, control yourself, I don't think Arthur intends this to descend into a tavern brawl."
"The man deserves whatever he gets. I haven't forgotten how his lies momentarily caused a rift between you and Arthur and I certainly haven't forgotten Neville's attack."
Merlin did however appreciate Gawaine's feelings. He shifted his weight as although he had graduated to a stick, his ankle was acting up today.
Merlin had listened carefully to Arthur's seating plan and said, "Isn't this overkill? He's not that important and really he doesn't deserve all the ceremony."
Smiling, Arthur said, "But, Merlin, I want him to see what he is missing out on when he is escorted out of the chamber by two of our burliest guards. Anyway, it will be fun. I am having the squires carrying the standards, process in ahead of me once everyone else is present. It was Spenser's idea. They will then stand behind their respective knights.
"Reginald will be standing on one side and get the full view. I will come in and move to my chair then the Lord Chamberlain will tell Reginald to take the chair opposite mine and…then the fun and games will begin! I'm asking Thomas to stand behind my chair as if you stand behind it you won't get a full view of the table and I want, My love, to be able to see the look on your face when Reginald goes down!"
Merlin grinned, it had taken Arthur five months to get to this position but by early afternoon, Sir Reginald of Woodhouse would be on his way.
"Then," said Arthur, "We will be served lunch with plenty of wine to celebrate."
"Arthur, I think you just wanted a party…but do you think that Reginald will go without a fuss?"
"I'm sure he will. Once he leaves his rooms for this meeting, menservants are going in to pack for him and his travelling chests will be ready for him whenever he leaves. The pomp and circumstance will reinforce that he really doesn't belong with us in Camelot."
"Do I belong here in Camelot, Arthur?"
"More than you can even imagine!" He leant forward and hugged Merlin to himself, reminding himself that there was no time for anything further as he wanted to be in the private chamber beside the small Council Chamber before Reginald had even left his room.
"Merlin, if I had the time, I would show you, to within in inch of your life how much you belong in Camelot! However, time is of the essence and I need you to help me get dressed and don't forget my crown. After all, if it is to be a proclamation, the King wears his crown and even if this is a non-proclamation, I intend to get into the spirit of things."
"Is there even such a word as non-proclamation, if it's not a proclamation surely it would be a declaration?"
"Merlin, get me dressed, tonight we can 'etymologise' to your heart's content."
Grinning Merlin said, "Honestly, I think I'd rather do other things tonight. That is if you are agreeable, Sire?"
"Am I ever not?"
-0-0-
Things went smoothly, Merlin watched in delight as the knights stood as Arthur processed in with the squires carrying the standards and five guards who stationed themselves inside the chamber near the door. Arthur walked by Sir Reginald without acknowledging him as he stood with the Lord Chamberlain. The knights waited for Arthur to be seated then sat down.
The Lord Chamberlain, announced Sir Reginald and he strode confidently to his place opposite Arthur between Leon and Gawaine. He looked around the table nodding at various knights.
Arthur welcomed those present and thanked them for attending. Merlin looked at the group around the table and agreed with what Arthur had previously said about pomp and circumstance.
The meeting actually went quickly. Sir Geoffrey de Monmouth gave a brief breakdown of the information supplied by Sir Reginald upon his arrival. He asked Reginald to place the various items on the table. He then explained that before any claim could be acknowledged, it had to be substantiated beyond a reasonable doubt. He then turned to Arthur who asked Sir Leon to explain the process of substantiating the facts.
Sir Reginald shifted in his chair. He listened to the name of Sir Mordecai's manservant Roger and his former position with the de Bois family and he turned pale as the information that good man had submitted was read out.
Sir Reginald turned a shade of green as the name Lady Annabelle was mentioned and the crowning touch was the name of the town of Chertsey which turned him grey. He mumbled and muttered and finally Geoffrey said, "Is there something you wish to say in your defence?"
From where he was sitting, Merlin watched a man's life crash before him. He didn't even bother wasting his time on Neville but he did glance at Arthur and could see that he was being vindicated.
Sir Geoffrey said, "Am I correct in stating that your mother Yvette was a ward in the de Bois family and that you never knew her?"
Reginald had the decency to glance down as he muttered, "True, my Lord!"
"That in no way could she have told you anything about the life of the young lady who became Queen Ygraine of Camelot?"
"True my Lord…"
"That you did wantonly try to advance your importance in this kingdom by these aforementioned lies and innuendos?"
"Yes, my Lord."
Geoffrey turned to Arthur and said, "Sire, what is your pleasure?"
Sir Reginald was visibly shaken; he knew that whatever the King was about to say was binding. He didn't want to be hanged by a rope until dead, he felt that he would rather be whipped or spend time in the dungeons. After all, he had not laid a hand on anyone; it was his brother who could be punished for that.
Arthur turned to Sir Rupert and said in a voice loud enough to be heard by the whole chamber, "Is it not at this time, Sir Rupert, that the accused is allowed to explain his position"
"Sire, I feel that is not necessary as every time the man opens his mouth it is to tell a lie. I think your verdict is well due. Stand, Sir Reginald and hear the King!"
Reginald got to his feet shakily. He stood there a stupid man accused of lying to no one more important than the King of Camelot and he had been found out in those lies. He had lost everything.
Arthur said, "Is there anyone who would like to speak on this man's behalf before I make my final pronouncement?" No one stirred.
Merlin wanted to grin; Arthur was in his element drawing out the sentence to allow the stupidity of the man standing before him to be obvious to all.
"I have made my decisions," said Arthur. "You and your brother…" Reginald's eyes opened wide in surprise, "…will be taken to the dungeons for no longer than a year nor less than nine months. Your knightly possessions including armour, weapons and horses will be forfeited. Upon completion of time served, you will be escorted to the boundary of Camelot and under pain of death you shall never again set foot in this kingdom."
Reginald shook in anger, saying "But…but I…!"
Sir Rupert stood beside Arthur and said, "Guards escort them to the dungeons!"
Even Merlin was impressed with the size of the two guards who detached themselves from the five near the door and walked forward.
-0-0-
Soon the only people in the chamber were those invited by Arthur. The staff began laying platters on the table and the squires were serving wine. Gawaine announced that attending the trial of a lying bastard was tiring work and he enthusiastically took a full goblet from a squire.
Arthur laughed at him and said, "Hopefully, Sir Reginald of Woodhouse will think twice before lying again. I'll be glad to hear the last of him."
Sir Rupert congratulated Arthur saying that the whole process had been very impressive. He also made reference to Leon, Spenser and Merlin who had managed to accumulate such excellent evidence of the man's guilt. He said, "If only all trials were as easy to officiate with unquestionable evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt."
Arthur and the others nodded, many times the guilt of the accused was not cut and dried and innocent people had suffered as a result. Merlin felt a shiver go up his spine as he thought of all the people whom he knew to be innocent and whom he had witnessed being beheading, hanged or burned. He gave a special thought to all the family members of these people who had joined them in death, especially the innocent children who were separated from their loved one and whom Uther with his warped idea of compassion had sent to be beheaded. He shuddered and tried to ignore in his mind's eye, the pleading looks of these little lost ones.
He remembered Arthur breaking down one night as he told him that for the longest time he had thought that the children were taken away to be given to other families and the day when as a nine year old he had learned the truth, he had been unable to look his father in the face.
Noticing him, Gawaine had stepped beside him, "Are you all right, Merlin, you look a little out of it?"
"I'm all right, Gawaine, just remembering some of the unlucky ones who couldn't prove their innocence."
Gawaine put his arm around his shoulder saying, "But we know that these two are guilty beyond a shadow of a doubt and they deserve to be imprisioned."
Merlin smiled and agreed.
-0-0-
Merlin's ankle had healed well and it was only after extensive exercise that he had any reminder of the injury.
He and Arthur had settled any problems they had had and Merlin was awaiting Yuletide.
Having been busy all week with council meetings and drawing up plans for renovations to Uther's chambers, Arthur had suggested a pre-Yuletide present of time away from Camelot. The kingdom was a peace with no attacks imminent and Arthur felt that time off would revitalise their love life.
Plans were made; just the two of them would be spending two nights at Yewdene, their country mansion three hours away from Camelot. I had been the family home of Sir Geoffrey but he had given it to the two of them as he had no offspring. It was a beautiful manor house with trustworthy staff and continuing in the tradition set out by the Lady Imelda, Geoffrey's mother, falcons were raised. Many of the merlins now at Camelot were the direct descendants of the first birds Arthur had flown when as a guest of Lady Imelda and her husband Lord Hawley, he had visited Yewdene as a child.
On a crisp morning with just a light layer of snow, a small party of riders left Camelot. The party had grown slightly with Treva on Popper along with his best friend Henry on Girlie, both were ecstatic to be going on a mini holiday. Only the closest of friends were invited to Yewdene and this time, the same was true. Arthur had at Merlin's suggestion invited Spenser and Simon. Randall was along to look after the boys and Thomas would see to Merlin and himself.
Merlin riding beside Treva said teasing him, "But surely your life is one big holiday, isn't it?"
"Merlin," said the boy in all seriousness, "I have important things to do all week long. I can't just take off to go hunting or riding like you and Arthur can. Henry and I are busy studying and training all day." The serious little Henry beside him nodded.
Arthur smiled. A child's outlook on life can be so different when he only sees the fun things adults do not the long hours of meetings, discussions with visiting dignitaries and continual training.
Soon the landscape changed and they were above the Yewdene village. Down in the valley, they could see the Manor, the stables, mews and in the distance Manor Farm. They dismounted to give the horses and ponies a breather. Merlin's heart swelled as he thought of all the wonderful times they had had there. He knew they would be welcomed by the household staff who were trustworthy having been with the Monmouth family for years. Arthur had not changed anything and it was now the third generation looking after the house.
Treva knew the watercolour of Yewdene which hung in the private dining chamber; however it was to be Treva's first actual visit. Arthur regretted that it was so late in the year, as during the summer they would have ridden the circuit of Waterfall Cave and its gorges. It was something to look forward to on a hot day.
Merlin glanced across the valley towards the waterfall careening down the cliff and had bittersweet memories of innocence lost but trust regained because Arthur had loved him. He loved this house with its non-castle ambience and its wonderful memories.
The boys mounted and took off being warned to wait at the bridge and Arthur smiled at Merlin, a new generation would be introduced to Yewdene as it would be Treva's upon their deaths. Randall and Thomas, Spenser and Simon followed the excited boys.
Iago was happy eating the 'scenery' and Mulgan ever the king's horse stood still waiting to follow the others. Merlin pulled Arthur to him and whispered in his ear. Arthur blushed and laughed, saying "Can't wait, eh, Merlin?"
"Can when it is something worth waiting for! Thomas will see to the others."
"But we are expected as word was sent two days ago."
"So, there won't be any dust?" said Merlin with a grin.
"No, Merlin, I don't expect to see a speck of dust."
Merlin's fingers traced Arthur's jaw line. "Maybe a couple of little kisses to get us in the mood…?"
"When, Merlin, did you ever need to get in the mood?"
"Well, I might one day when we are old and grey, so it might be good to practise now," he backed Arthur until he was against his saddle and gently kissed him. He smiled saying, "See, Old Man, this is how it is done."
Arthur's patience had run out and by the times they broke apart they were both gasping like fish. "Come on!" said Arthur, "Let's get down there before lunch is finished."
"We could eat in our chambers…"
"No, that would be ill-mannered on the first day; we have the boys to think of."
They mounted and rode off, Arthur tutting at the long wisps of yellowed grass hanging out of Iago's mouth.
"I know…" said Merlin, "But it was a little reward for his standing quietly and not running off."
Arthur said, "Merlin I don't understand, you let them get away with anything."
"…and don't they love me for it, Arthur?"
Arthur grinned, "Not as much as I do, MyLove!"
Arthur led the way down into the valley. Merlin smiled as unbeknownst to Arthur, he had just had his first seasonal kiss under the mistletoe. Jumping the season maybe, but what better excuse for sharing a little joy.
-0-0-
They were just starting lunch as Merlin and Arthur arrived. The boys had been thrilled with their guest chamber and Spenser and Simon seemed happy with their accommodations as well. There was no lack of space as the manor could easily accommodate ten guests. The reception rooms were good sized but more cosy than those at Camelot.
Arthur had tried to incorporate some of Lady Imelda's choice of colours into there own chambers and intended to do the same in their new chambers once the basic renovation had been finished. The colours in Yewdene were earthy, it lacked the vibrant royal tones and Arthur found it very relaxing. Certainly, their bed chamber and solar would mimic that.
Arthur told Treva and Henry that they were free to wander wherever they wanted in the house but to be careful. Outside was another matter as they had to notify Randall where they were going and they were limited to staying within the immediate grounds.
Merlin smiled, he remembered how Geoffrey's father was a great one for rescuing hurt animals and he used to have pet fox, an old badger not the most friendly animal around and various deer. He even had a goat that had been born with only three legs. It didn't know that it should have had four and was quite happy living with the deer. He wondered if the tradition had been kept up by the gamekeeper. Tomorrow, he intended to find out.
The boys were tired after their long ride and opted to play with some games which they found in the solar. Simon and Spenser explored the library then curled up in two huge chairs to read. When Arthur wandered in, Spenser was snoring and Simon had thrown a blanket over him. Arthur helped himself to some wine and offered a goblet to Simon.
"I never realised how beautiful the manor would be in real life, Arthur. I'd seen the sketch done by Sir Martin but to see it nestled in the valley with the setting sun bringing out the yellow of the stones, it is truly spectacular."
"I like it because, it is cosy. Sometimes I think Camelot could do with a woman's eye when it comes to decorating. I know that Sir Rupert and Lady Alisse's chambers are lovely but then again that is a woman's touch and their daughter Mathilda also has Romney's and her chambers looking lovely. I think my chambers could do with a women's touch."
A voice from under the blanker muttered loud enough for them to hear, "Wouldn't put it that way to Merlin his nose might get out of joint!"
"Spenser, you were supposed to be asleep, I was talking to Simon. Anyway, let's see what the woman in your life does once you find her that is…"
"He'll never find a woman," said Simon with a grin, "He's too set in his ways!"
Arthur ignored that comment and said, "Somewhere there is someone for Spenser to love and when he falls, he'll fall hard."
Arthur had walked over to the window and missed the warning look which Spenser gave the grinning Simon. Spenser stood up and joined Arthur, "Think we'll see rain before the day's out. Look at those clouds."