A Bond Beyond Brothers Chapter 6, a merlin fanfic

A.N. *looks at you from behind a door* Hi y'all! So yeah, ummm, college has been sucky:( It's hard to write and update while trying to keep up with school. Anyway, I have a few shantys in this chapter (which I think is my longest yet) that I will leave links for, if you so desire to listen to them while you read. I hope you enjoy this next chapter!

In order:

"Whisky, Johnny" watch?v=M_RoX7kOs_I

"Maid of Amsterdam" watch?v=_5pe91O6Cnk

"Leave Her Johnny, Leave Her" watch?v=gEWS5dGSDOc

The rain had dwindled off by the morning. Artur and Myrddin were woken up by the stable boys beginning their morning chores. When they reached the stall the brothers were in, they took the boys and horses out of the way. They tied them up on a peg in the wall meant for a horses lead rope. After the stall was clean, the stable boys moved all four back into the stall. Cenred and Agravaine came out a half-hour later, bringing a small amount of food for the brothers. They allowed the boys to eat before they tacked up the horses. They set off, Artur and Myrddin keeping up on foot.

It wasn't a long trip to the docks in Dublin. Artur and Myrddin hadn't seen the sea before, coming from a land locked village. They were looking around in awe, taking in all the sights and smells. They were led to a decent sized sailing ship tied up to the dock. There were two gang planks- one lead up to the deck and the other went to an opening in the side of the ship- and the group went up the second one. It led into the hold where horses and livestock could be kept during trips. The two men led the horses over to a vacant stall, tied them up, and untacked them. They untied Artur and Myrddin's wrists, instead tying the rope around their waists, and then the ends to an empty ring.

"Alright now. You two will stay down here for this trip. It should take less than a day, but we won't be leaving for a while yet. We'll bring you some food down later." Cenred told them. He and Agravaine went above deck. As the morning progressed, more animals were brought up, totaling three cows, a small flock of chickens, another horse, and a couple pigs. Once all the animals and cargo were loaded, the door was shut, and the ship left port.

Later that night, Artur and Myrddin were trying to sleep. It was hard to do so because of the constant motion; though the sea was calm, it was still unnerving to two boys who had spent their whole lives inland. All was quiet, until a raucous voice broke it. "How 'bout a song lads?" came from above on the deck. A roar of approval was heard, and a voice began singing.

Whisky is the life of man

Whisky, Johnny

Oh whisky is the life of man

Whisky for my Johnny O'

I drink whisky when I can

Whisky, Johnny

I drink it out of an old tin can

Whisky for my Johnny O'

Whisky gave me a broken nose

Whisky, Johnny

Whisky made me pawn my clothes

Whisky for my Johnny O'

Whisky drove me around Cape Horn

Whisky, Johnny

It was many a month when I was gone

Whisky for my Johnny O'

I thought I heard the old man say

Whisky, Johnny

"I treat my crew in a decent way"

Whisky for my Johnny O'

"A glass of grog for every man"

Whiskey, Johnny

"And a bottle for the shanty man"

Whisky for my Johnny O'

The sailors laughed loudly. "How 'bout another one?" another voice asked.

In Amsterdam there lived a maid

Hark well what I do say

In Amsterdam there lives a maid and she was mistress of her trade

I'll go no more a rovin' with you fair maid

As the first verse was beginning, down below Artur covered his brothers' ears. Myrddin gave him a dirty look, but didn't try to move the large hands.

A rovin', a rovin' since rovin's been my ruin

I'll go no more a rovin' with you fair maid

I asked this maid to take a walk

Hark well what I do say

I asked this maid out for a walk that we might have some private talk

I'll go no more a rovin' with you fair maid

A rovin', a rovin since rovin's been my ruin

I'll go no more a rovin' with you fair maid

Than a great big Dutchmen rammed my bow

Hark well what I do say

For a great big Dutchman rammed my bow and said, "Young man dis is mein freur"

I'll go no more a rovin' with you fair maid

A rovin', a rovin' since rovin's been my ruin

I'll go no more a rovin' with you fair maid

So take fair warnin' boys from me

Hark well what I do say

So take fair warnin' boys from me with other men's wives don't make to free

I'll go no more a rovin' with you fair maid

A rovin', a rovin' since rovin's been my ruin

I'll go no more a rovin' with you fair maid

As another loud tavern song began, Artur brought his brother closer and wrapped him in a hug. He began quietly singing the angel lullaby to help his brother sleep. It wasn't long before Myrddin was sound asleep. Artur shifted so he could lay down and still hold his brother. Another song had started, but this one was more calm and quiet.

I thought I heard the old man say

Leave her Johnny, leave her

"Tomorrow ye will get your pay"