The ride back to Camelot took about a day and a half but as they passed through the large trees surrounding the forest, just outside the city's walls, Richard could just faintly make out the tall grandeur buildings rising up behind the trees.
He couldn't help but marvel at just the mere size of the city alone.
As they passed through the forest and made their way into the lower town of the city Richard couldn't help but stare at all the activity going on around him. Everywhere he looked he saw houses, shacks selling all kinds of goods from various types of grain and food to items like boots and fabric for clothing, and people of every size, shape, color.
Never before in his life had he ever seen such a large city. Compared to the small village that he had been from the city of Camelot itself was enormous. It would take at least four large villages just to fill it.
Everyone they passed either bowed or greeted them with a friendly hello and nod of the head as they passed by them or moved out of their way to continue on with their daily rountines of buying, selling, shopping, cleaning, and working in order to keep the place up and running.
'The people here are so happy and friendly.' Richard thought to himself with a smile. Back where he was from everyone seemed to merely tolerate the lives they had without complaint but if you knew them well enough you knew they weren't really happy. Maybe some people might've been happy but certainly not like everyone who lived in Camelot seemed to be.
As they continued on out of the lower town Richard noticed the houses got bigger and nicer looking and there were less people buzzing about the city. He no longer saw children running and playing the streets. He no longer saw women squatting over a bucket of soapy water cleaning their laundry or hanging them up on a clothes line to dry. Instead he saw people dressed in much nicer clothing standing around talking to one another, probably about local gossip, only to stop and give them a quick greeting and continue on with their conversation.
At the very end of the lower town of the city stood the castle itself. As they approached the large white marble stone steps that led up to the large oak coated wooden doors, Richard couldn't help but stare at it in complete awe with his jaw dropping open slightly.
The houses themselves seemed like small little market fruit stands compared to the large castle looming before him.
"Like it?" Arthur asked him with an amused grin watching Richard's reaction.
"It's so big..." Were all the words Richard could manage to muster out.
"You expected something smaller then?"
"No...Yes...I don't know..." Richard replied shrugging his shoulders.
"Well if you think the outside is huge just wait 'til you see it from the inside." Gwaine spoke giving Richard as light and friendly elbow nudge in the chest.
"It's even bigger on the inside?" Richard asked in a surprised response opening his eyes wide as he tried to imagine just what it would like from the inside.
"Yep. Much bigger." Gwaine replied as he and the other knights dismounted their horses handing them over to a couple of young stable boys, at least half older than Richard, who took them to the stables for a good brushing and rest from the long journey home.
Richard of course had been lifted off Arthur's horse, gripped gently around the waist, by Lancelot before being placed on the ground.
"Come on. I'll take you to meet Merlin and my kids." Arthur says taking Richard's hand and leading him through the large oak doors entering the castle.
Inside the castle along every large white marble stone pillar and beams were many different color and pattern tapestries. There were some that were purple and gold, some that were blue and white, some that were red and golden, and some that were yellow and orange.
"They're so pretty." Richard couldn't help but comment aloud as he stopped a moment to stare at a large red one with the emblem of a large golden dragon on it, just like the ones Arthur and the other knights wore on their capes.
"Huh? Oh you mean the tapestries. Yes they are kind of nice aren't they? They represent the symbols of each kingdom that has sworn their allegiance to Camelot." Arthur told him.
"You mean like allies?" Richard asked as he turned to face Arthur who now stood right beside him.
Arthur nodded before continuing down the hall leaving Richard to follow him. Noticing Arthur had continued on ahead of him, Richard jogged quickly behind him to catch up walking as quick as he could to match Arthur's stride.
As they contined walking down the hall they passed so many different rooms and hallways that Richard had lost track of just how many there were.
When they reached their destination at the very end of a long hallway Arthur stopped in front of two large oak doors and knocked on one of them loudly.
"Come in." Came a voice from the inside.
Arthur turned the knob to the door to open it before walking on inside.
Sitting on the bed was a tall and thin man, around Arthur's age. He had short dark hair, pale colored skin with cheek bones that stood really stood out on his face, and blue eyes. He wore a long red and brown robe that went all the way down to his feet.
"You're back." He spoke happily as he stood up and walked over to Arthur hugging him relieved to see him again.
"I brought someone here for you to meet." Arthur said after hugging him back and pulling out of the hug. He beckoned Richard forward with a slight waving motion of his hand.
"Merlin, this is Richard. Richard, this is Merlin." Arthur simply introduced them to one another.
"Hello." Richard greeted him.
"Hello Richard, it's nice to meet you." Merlin replied after giving Arthur a look that clearly said he wanted an explanation once Richard was out of earshot.
"Arthur told me about you." Richard said with a small smile.
"Oh did he? And what did he tell you?" Merlin asked curiously.
"He said you were his husband and that you were really nice."
'So he didn't mention I was a sorceror too? Probably a good idea since it probably would've frightened him if he did..' Merlin thought to himself before replying "That's right." and returning the smile.
Changing the subject he added "Why don't I take you to see Landon, Lil, Mark, and Jake? I'm sure they would love to meet you."
"That would be great! I've never had kids around my own age to play with." Richard replied hardly able to contain his excitement.
'Poor thing. He must've been so lonely.. I remember that feeling...' Merlin thought to himself barely able to hide the look of sad sympathy on his face as he and Arthur left the room with Richard to find the other kids.
"Welcome home Arthur." Spoke a tall, stout, and elderly looking man with short, shoulder length white hair, and light colored skin. He wore a long red and brown colored robe like Merlin had.
"Thank you Gaius." Arthur replied.
"And who is this?" He asks noticing Richard standing between Arthur and Merlin looking up at him.
"This is Richard. Richard, say hello to Gaius our court physcian." Merlin replied back before Arthur had the chance.
"Hello Gaius. Arthur and Merlin are taking me to meet other kids to play with." Richard spoke with a big grin.
Gaius couldn't help but smile and chuckle a bit at Richard's enthusiasm. "Then I won't keep you waiting."
"Speaking of the kids, have you seen them Gaius?" Merlin asked.
"Last I saw them they were playing outside with Gwen." Gaius replied.
"Great. Thanks Gaius." Arthur replied leading the way down the hall with Merlin.
Richard followed a couple paces before turning to face Gaius. "Thanks."
"No problem. Have fun." Gaius told him.
"I will! I'll come back later and tell you all about it!" Richard promised before running after Merlin and Arthur to catch up with them.