Chapter 7

After two days, Ralph was completely healed and had full mobility in his left arm and shoulder. Ralph had Suit download Old English so he could understand Merlin. Two days later, he could converse freely with Merlin, who was happy to have another man to speak with. Merlin told Ralph how Pam had been telling him about Ralph's adventures as a superhero. Merlin said, "You are an incredible man. All the things you have done and all the times you have saved the world."

Ralph said, "I'm sure Pam exaggerated some; I am her husband. But, yeah, I have been involved in many strange adventures, most of which I did not want to experience. But I did what had to be done and what was the right thing to do. You have also had many adventures."

Merlin said, "Only since Pam has arrived, but nothing like you."

Ralph said, "I think you will have many adventures … wait and see." Knowing what he had learned about Merlin in the Men in Black universe he had been to while searching for Pam, and if the lucid dreams and the out-of-body episode he had when he had the xenomonic flu while there were genuine, Merlin would be amazing.

Merlin pointed to the scar on Ralph's face and asked, "Is that where your face was burned on the rock when you stopped the Earth power the aliens were using?"

"Yes, that, and my hands were burned down to the bone. That is why I have these scars," Ralph answered, holding his hands so Merlin could see the scars.

Ralph finally had a chance to tell Pam about his search for her in the Men in a Black alternate timeline where the Hero scientists first thought she was. He explained that he was sent through to find her, but she wasn't there. He also told her how all the humans seemed to know the symbol on the suit. This was the symbol of Merlin, the magician in that timeline. He had been there for two weeks before they could bring him back. When he told the scientists about the hero symbol being the symbol of Merlin, the magician, they agreed that you didn't just go through to an alternate universe; you also went back in time to that universe, here with Merlin.

Pam told Ralph, "Merlin is very concerned about what will happen when I leave, and he no longer has access to my knowledge and superpowers. He is getting quite a reputation with the King and the townspeople. What will happen after I'm gone? I know the going-away present I will give him before we leave."

Ralph began helping Pam at the hospital by lifting patients to change the bed pads. He also washed the bed pad covers and filled the clean cushions with fresh straw and moss. This was one of the worst jobs at the hospital, but it kept him busy. The townsfolk learned he was Pam's husband, and everyone was happy to meet him. He had Suit download the natural medicine information and went with Pam to collect plants, herbs, and fungi. They sometimes made love while in the forest together, but not as energetically as they would before Pam got so large.

The village blacksmith was brought into the hospital one day, but nothing could be done. He had suffered a heart attack and, according to Barry, he probably had severe arteriosclerosis. He died. This left the village without a blacksmith. Ralph had Suit download blacksmith knowledge and skills. He told people he assisted a blacksmith where they used to live. He took over the job as the town blacksmith. With Suit on, he could efficiently perform the hard work a powerful man usually performed. Also, with his knowledge of future devices and mechanics, he developed blacksmith methods that made the job even easier. He worked about four hours daily and got everything the village needed to be done. He bartered with his customers for food, clothes, materials, and other services. He also helped Merlin to plant fields. He could plow fields quicker than any animal team when no one was around.

One day, the King's blacksmith called him to come to the castle and help sharpen all the knights' and soldiers' swords. They were going off to war. While at the court, he learned that the King was off to battle a horde of giants terrorizing the northern lands. He told Pam about the giants, and they both wanted to see if they were real. Ralph and Pam flew north and found the giant's camp. The giants were about 8 -9 feet tall and very ugly. They decided to take out the giants themselves and save the King the time and expense.

Ralph and Pam landed in the camp, and the giants immediately attacked them. They pushed the giants away, and they would attack again. Ralph told Pam, "Go and sit down, baby. I'll take care of this."

She flew over, sat on a large boulder, and watched her husband at work. She cheered and clapped as he knocked down the giants. Ralph hit several of the giants in the mouth, knocking them down. He picked up a couple and threw them at other groups of giants. He grabbed one giant by his feet and swung him around in circles, hitting any giant that tried to run at him. He let the giant go as he swung him around, and the giant's body flew a few hundred yards away. The giants now hesitated to attack Ralph. Ralph saw this, put up his hands, and said, "Let us sit and parley."

The giants sat, and Ralph asked, "Why are you attacking the people in this area?"

The chief giant said, "Because our crops have failed, and we have no food for our people."

Ralph asked, "Have you attempted to trade with the humans?"

The chief giant said, "No because they always run away or try to attack us." Ralph nodded, understanding.

Ralph asked, "What if we sent you a human to act as a go-between? You give him the products you can trade and tell him what you want. He can then take your items and trade them with the humans. You will get what you want, and the humans will not be afraid."

The giants thought that sounded like a good plan. He told them he would send a man called Merlin to collect their items for trade.

Ralph and Pam flew back to Merlin's cottage and told him the deal they had brokered with the giants. They asked Merlin to go to the King and tell him about the plan. Merlin did as he was told, and the King agreed to try it. Merlin met the giants and collected their items for trade. He traded the giant-made items for food and returned the food to the giants. The giants were happy, and the King was delighted he didn't have to pay for an army.

Ralph and Pam's life living with Merlin, working at the hospital, and as a blacksmith went on for another month with no word from Eric or Arnold. Pam kept getting bigger and her time kept getting closer to giving birth. She got tired more quickly and had to sit down more often.