Chapter 23

The Return

Gawain was much shorter than Brand and the bigger man was beating him down with sheer strength. But Gawain was a fine swordsman and he was managing to get some blows past the giant. Arthur arrived on the scene first closely followed by Rupert, but the two warriors were so wrapped up in their battle that they did not heed the Prince. Arthur groaned, 'I knew this would happen!'

'No, wait sire, they are not in earnest.' said Rupert putting a hand on Arthur's elbow to prevent him moving forward.

Arthur looked again and in truth the bout was not a fight to the death, even though the two men fought fiercely. Brand laughed as Gawain made a particularly deft manoeuvre then caught sight of Rupert out of the corner of his eye. Gawain took full advantage of his momentary lapse in concentration and dashed his shield from his arm with a violent blow. Brand roared as his grip was twisted open but he brought his sword sharply into play passing it swiftly across his body to defend himself. Gawain's blade skidded off it and he lost his balance, crashing to the ground just in front of the prince. Brand withdrew, leaving the young knight to pick himself up. Arthur looked down on Gawain with a frown.

'Just a friendly exchange sire,' said Gawain. 'Brand wanted to try out his sword, he hasn't used it for two hundred years.'

Arthur was relived to see such good humour between the two potential enemies. He turned to Brand. You fight well…I would be happy to welcome you as one of the knights of Camelot.

'Brand gave him a broad grin. If I survive Lillian's fury Prince Arthur then I shall certainly consider it.'

'What should I call you now…you will not need to live like a blacksmith much longer.'

'I want no other name. I have left my former life behind and it is not for me to decide how we shall live. That by right will be Lillian's choice.'

'You have seen the change that is starting in your land?' Arthur asked.

'Indeed, it is the beginning of the end of our long life of bondage, but it will not endure if you do not destroy the stone.'

Arthur offered Brand the sword he had given him but the he refused to take it back.

'Keep it a while, I may yet come and claim it.'

'Sire said Rupert, we must now ride to Camelot, or I will have been negligent in my duty.'

'Merlin will be here soon,' said Arthur calling for him in his mind. He did not have the faintest discomfort in this collusion with a sorcerer. But then thoughts crowded in on him. it was the mention of Camelot. 'How quickly things have changed…'he thought, 'but what will happen back at court… if he was to talk to Merlin with his mind… but that would be impossible!' Arthur felt a sudden sinking feeling in his chest as though a thrilling game had come to an end.

Merlin arrived amongst them. No one saw which direction he came in. He could easily have just walked out of the air.

'We have to go Merlin,' said Arthur stepping neatly into the role of master again, perhaps to distract the others from Merlin's eerie arrival. 'Ready the horses,' he said giving him a pat on the shoulder and not meeting his eye. Merlin looked a little puzzled but obeyed with a curt nod.

'Gawain, Rupert, we will need to find something to eat.' The knights slipped back into their reverential roles as easily as the prince assumed his command. Rupert, who could not stand another minute in his foul smelling armour took his leave of Brand and went in search of water and fish.

Brand approached the prince and took his hand. I too must return home Arthur. ' They exchanged looks of mutual respect.

'I should like to visit your Kingdom again one day,' said Arthur.

'Perhaps you will welcome me to Camelot Arthur,' He smiled. Then he and Gawain together went to reclaim their horses.

*

Merlin found the three horses where they had left them inside the castle walls. The horses had been free to wander, but they always returned to where he left them. He didn't know why Arthur had dismissed him like that, but he supposed it was time to get ready to go home and resume their former lives. As he bent to lift a saddle he was aware of someone moving next to him and stood up. Aidith stood, very close to him, she gently touched him and he felt a warmth cascade from her touch into his body, all the way down to his fingertips.

'What did you do? he said, a little put out. Her touch had felt incredibly invasive.

'Ask me for the sword Merlin.' she said.

'But I don't really…'

Ask me! insisted Aidith. 'Trust me Merlin.'

'Will you give me the sword?' He asked,'

Aidith let out a huge sigh. She unbelted the scabbard and handed the sword to Merlin. As she passed it to him her hand shook and brown spots of age began to bloom on her skin. Merlin looked at her beautiful face, which grew dry and lined even as he watched. In a few moments she could barely stand. Merlin took her in his arms and lowered her down to the ground, folding his legs underneath him to sit with her. She smiled up at him, her blue eyes turning grey. 'Thank-you,' she said weakly and held a trembling hand against his cheek. She gave a short laugh.

'After all these years Merlin, all I want…is a little more time…' and with that she closed her eyes, her breath became, slow and shallow and she died.

Merlin could not stop his tears, not for Aidith alone did he weep, the shock of seeing her fade to nothing before his eyes, watching a whole lifetime pass in a day, was overwhelmingly sad. She had spent her entire life protecting people who she would never know. But Merlin also grieved for the loss of his freedom, he felt that what he had shared with Arthur was now over. They were turning homeward to Camelot, to a life at court. Arthur would again, be ruled by Uther. He feared for their friendship, he feared for their safety. He had unwittingly made Arthur an accomplice in magic. And although he had longed for the day he could share his secret with him, he somehow didn't imagine that Uther would still be a threat.

The body that was once Aidith crumbled into dust that lifted up on the breeze and curled into the air like smoke.

Merlin stood staring, his mind still crammed with a hundred questions that now, would never be answered. Arthur came up behind him, leading his horse.

'Merlin,' he said quietly. 'We will not need the extra horse, you must deliver it to Brand quickly and take your leave of him.' Merlin did not turn around and acknowledge him.

'Arthur put his hand on Merlin's back.' Merlin felt a strange kind of gratitude followed by annoyance.

'I saw what happened to Aidith Merlin. It must sadden you. I am sorry for your loss.'

I hardly knew her,' said Merlin over his shoulder.

'Yes but…'

'I'm fine said Merlin turning to give Arthur a look that was at once deferential and critical.

Arthur sighed and walked away from him.' What had he done now.'

*

The shutters in Uther's room had not been properly opened in a week. Gaius believed in fresh air and light for his patients, but someone was closing them the minute he left the room. Uther had been sleeping around the clock. But he had no fever and very few other symptoms of illness. It had started with headaches and general lethargy. Gaius put it down to exhaustion: that gradual collapse that comes when someone has done too much for years then falls into idleness. He had seen men die from sheer lack of purpose. Ironically Uther's hatred of magic had kept him well for all these years, now things were changing. 'Yes,' thought Gaius, 'I was expecting this. Far from dying, the king might just be beginning to truly live.'

Someone knocked the door and entered, it was Gwen.

'I've brought you some food Gaius,' she said.

Thank-you my dear,' replied the old physician giving her a fond look. He followed it with a quizzical one and she noticed.

'What is it? she asked.

'You are bearing Arthur's absence well.'

Gwen looked at Uther. 'Don't worry. He wouldn't stir if the Great Dragon himself bellowed down his ear.'

'I do miss him,' she confessed, 'but…the longer he is away the more impossible it seems and the less I hope… when I see him that will change… I know. It's not that I doubt him, or…what we have. It's just such a fairytale. Isn't it Gaius?'

'Let me tell you about fairytales Gwen.' said Gaius shifting a little in his chair as though he were going to start a lesson.

A loud groan came from the king and Gaius leapt up quickly. It was the first sign of Uther waking in days.

'Sire. Can you hear me?' asked Gaius anxiously.

Uther drowsily opened his eyes. 'Where's Arthur he asked, where's my son.'

Gwen quietly slipped from the room.

'Arthur is on his way sire, Rupert and Gawain were sent to fetch him.'

'Fetch him? Why where has he gone?'

'On a quest sire, don't you remember, you gave him your blessing.' Uther let his head drop back down onto the pillow.

'Ah yes...yes…good…I will get up now.'

'I wouldn't advise it yet sire. Give yourself a little while, you have not moved very much in weeks.

All the more reason…said Uther struggling to sit. Once he was up he fell back against the headboard with a deep flush to his face.

'That will do for now sire,' said Gaius.

Gaius went to the window and opened the shutters. Down below in the courtyard a group knights were dismounting. They were grubby and unkempt and wore a strange insignia, a dead tree. With a churning stomach Gaius recognised it from a drawing in the travel journal, was the prophecy of the stone come to Camelot already? He peered more closely at the men.

'Well I'll be…' he started

'What is it? Gaius,' asked Uther

'Tis your son sire. Prince Arthur is back.'

*

The journey home had been uneventful, tedious even. They rode hard and did not have a decent meal except for something they grabbed at Eadlor and that was hardly a feast. They were tired and bruised and Rupert's wounds were livid and sore. Arthur waved away the guard as they approached.

'Open the gates Beldevere!' he shouted, not wanting to stop and explain anything. Sir Belvedere looked up in surprise as he recognised the voice, he just managed to step aside as the knights charged through the gates. They dismounted in the courtyard instead of going to the stables. Arthur wanted Rupert to get his wounds attended to and he needed to find out about his father, He climbed the steps two at a time, yelled to Gawain to get Rupert to Gaius and told Merlin to stable the horses, then wait in his chambers.

'Yes sire,' said Merlin to his fast disappearing back.

Arthur burst into Uther's room and seeing Gaius there and his father sitting up in bed he felt a huge weight lift from him.

'Gaius,' he said, 'do you think you could see to Rupert,' Uther looked at him hard. He was giving orders in his chambers, in his presence! 'if you are finished here,' added Arthur.

Gaius left and Arthur sat on his father's bed. 'Sorry father, I wanted to speak to you alone.'

'I'll overlook it this time Arthur, you are a little overwrought. I suppose they have been spreading a panic have they, the Lords? No doubt they told you I was on my deathbed.'

'Yes sire, that was the message,' answered Arthur scrutinising his father's face which although very pale had still a promise of his usual good health.

Uther looked at his beloved son. He was worn out and thin, in his face he could read the traces of a great tribulation but an equal joy.

'When did they find you Arthur, Rupert and…?'

'Gawain sire…they came upon us nine days ago and did me great service in the recovery of …an artefact.'

'Let's see it Arthur and tell me all.' Arthur suddenly realised that he could not entirely explain everything to his father. It was all wrapped up in magic. He would have to think about it, untangle it all. He stood up and fussed over Uther's pillow.

'Are you comfortable father?'

'There's something you are hiding Arthur.'

'Not exactly it's just that it's such a long story and I have to clean myself up …'

'Of course, of course,' said Uther. 'You go. It's good to have you back. I have to sleep now, I am so tired…come and dine with me later.' Uther slid back down into the bed and was almost instantly asleep.

Arthur closed the door quietly. He suddenly felt emotional and if he were the crying type, like Merlin, he might have shed tears of relief. As it was he just leapt down the stairs four at a time, almost crushing one of the maids as he did so, she grinned at him in abject adoration but Arthur was too fired up to notice servant girls, even Gwen, who he longed to see could not shift him from his next task. All he had to do was get hold of Uther's sword, get Merlin to do his stuff and the job would be done. Camelot would be safe.