Chapter 30

The Sword Master and the Prince

Rupert looked in at the forge. The usual smith was not there but the girl Guinevere was working at the fire with Brand instructing her or was it that exactly, the girl was calling out numbers in a kind of code and the old man was at he forge, his skilful hands turning the metal and beating in out, with his head cocked to one side listening to the ring of it speaking to him. They both fell silent at his voice and Brand greeted him warmly but Rupert was not there to speak to Brand he wanted the girl and Brand sensed his gaze turn to her so took the bellows from Gwen and left them to it.

Gwen walked over to Rupert pulling off the leather gloves that protected her hands. Rupert looked down at her hands, small and slender with clean neat nails. He wondered that a servant girl should have such hands, just as he wondered at the friendship she appeared to have with Arthur.

'I thought I should come and speak to you about yesterday,' said Rupert, Gwen smiled at him with a question narrowing her eyes.

'I was, I feel, rather disrespectful to you…' Gwen raised her eyebrows.

'Really Sir Rupert there is no need.'

'Perhaps, but I apologise for it.'

'Not at all, I took no offence.'

'Then you are generous,' said the knight losing some of his formality. He now looked over Gwen's shoulder into the forge where the blacksmith King was heating metal in the coals but now the he appeared to be half blind and not fully able to handle the tools safely the girl followed his gaze and hurried over to help him find the anvil.

'You are assisting him? asked Rupert.

'Yes, I am learning a lot,' she said.

'Is there something special you are making?'

Gwen looked uncomfortable she was in no respect an easy liar.

'We are forging swords for the Prince,' interjected Brand I am showing Gwen one of my secrets.

'Well then, I shall leave you to it', said Rupert.

The knight took his leave with the distinct feeling that something was afoot, he decided to go and see Arthur in his chambers and determined not to leave without an answer.

*

'Very well Rupert,' said Arthur after twenty minutes of ruthless interrogation, 'perhaps I should tell you. You are however the most honourable man I know and I will not force you to compromise that. What I tell you now I ask you to hold in confidence but if you conscience dictates otherwise then I will not rebuke you for breaking that confidence. Do you understand me?

'I will keep your confidence for no other reason than you trust me with it.' Said Rupert easily.

Arthur appraised the man before him. He had thought him almost a slave to his honour and now he saw him afresh. 'Very well Rupert,' he said clapping him smartly on the shoulder. 'Come and sit with me.'

Arthur told Rupert the entire story, even of his discovery of Merlin's powers. The older man listened carefully showing a little surprise at some of the revelations.

'Merlin, Gaius and Brand are about to bring the stones together and they will be reunited as one.' explained Arthur. Hence the forge has been working night and day.

'And the girl has been helping Brand to find his mark with the hammer.'

Arthur looked in surprise at the knight and Rupert, noted it. 'I watched them and spoken with her, does she know about all this?'

Arthur did not know how to answer him. Did Rupert know about Guinevere?

'She is just helping Brand at them moment,' said Arthur feeling a simple answer was the safest. He did not want his personal life mixed up with all this, he did not want to burden Gwen with the truth or tell Rupert all his secrets.

'Perhaps you should tell her Sire.' advised Rupert. Arthur did not answer him. Rupert noticed his reluctance and discomfort and let the matter drop. It was not the right time to talk of women and love.' He changed the subject back to the stone.

'Is there danger in this escapade Arthur?'

'Yes,' said Arthur gravely relieved in the change of tack, 'there is a danger to Camelot and to ourselves. We believe the same thing will happen here as did at Eadbald's castle.

'Rupert frowned, what exactly?

'Camelot will be swallowed up by the forest...' explained Arthur 'I'm not sure how or what will happen but The Forest of Heaf will appear as it did all those years ago when Aidith imprisoned the stone.'

'Do you need me to enter the forest again?' asked Rupert, with a fervent wish that he would not.

'No but I believe I will need you to watch the other knights. If we should fail to repair the stone we are still safe as long as The King lives but if he should fall…' Arthur felt a catch in his throat at the easy words that were yet the most painful.

'What peril does the King face Arthur?'

'He will enter the forest.' Rupert's eyes grew round in surprise. Arthur continued aware of the significance of what he had just revealed 'He has prepared well and I shall guide him to it.'

'But this is magic, how can the King accept it?'

'Things are changing Rupert and after this they will have changed utterly, know this and trust me.'

Arthur stood up and walked away from Rupert to stand with his back to the window. He observed Rupert, his thoughtful look, his hand running through that shock of silver black hair. 'He cannot accept this,' thought the Prince. 'I knew it would be too much.'

Rupert thought about all that had been said and knew that this was a turning point for Arthur, who had always been fiercely loyal to his father. To talk to someone, to anyone as he just had, was unprecedented. Rupert looked up at him from his chair.

'These are trying times Sire and call for extraordinary measures. I understand that.'

Rupert watched Arthur pace from the window to the fireplace where the Prince leant down to tend the fire. Rupert for a second wondered where his servant was then remembered that Merlin was hardly a servant anymore. Arthur had little idea how to stoke a fire indoors and was in danger of putting it out. Rupert joined him and placed two logs on the glowing embers, Arthur gratefully allowed him to take over. Rupert wanted to reach out the young man. They had always kept a strict professional relationship, that of master and student and had never discussed anything personal until a few weeks ago. Rupert approached him and talked quietly just as Merlin used to.

'Your father came to me when you were yet a child he spoke of his great love for you Arthur and that he would give his life for you, indeed that is why he came to me, fearing that his fondness would weaken you.' Arthur did not turn to face Rupert but the knight could tell that he was listening keenly to all he said.

'I vowed to treat you as I would my own, with fairness and with a fatherly love I swore an oath to never deceive you or indulge you and I hope that I have held true to that oath.'

Arthur turned to face him now. Rupert could not read him but noted that a little of the stress had left him.

'I am your man Arthur I was bequeathed to you the moment I accepted the charge and the moment I vowed to serve you. You may direct me as you wish and I will not question you.'

Arthur could not help but smile broadly at the man before him, the man whose good opinion he had striven for and who he trusted with his life. Somehow his words would make the next few hours bearable. Without Merlin by his side and with the revelations of his father a sadness and loneliness had taken hold of the Prince. As he watched him Rupert saw this pain lessen in him and he was glad.

Arthur told Rupert of their plans, he was to go with his father out of Camelot and the others would work in the forge throughout the night, and take advantage of the time when the townspeople were asleep, he could not say how long they would be there or what would happen around them but he asked that Rupert inform them immediately of any changes within Camelot.

'Merlin can bring me home if I am needed.' added Arthur. ' I will come if you call me.'

The knight bowed to Arthur and took his leave. The Prince began to dress for his journey.