CHAPTER 14 : ALL GOOD THINGS…

Merlin would be talking a long time about the feast of Harvest Home. He and Arthur had been invited to join in many of the celebrations and with two knights as chaperones, had been allowed out to attend the bonfires and town celebrations. He was surprised at the amount of food and crops that were being packed away for the winter. He was taken to visit the buildings where the meat was being salted and another where the smoking was in progress. Arthur took him to see the granaries which were full to bursting. They toured the kitchen gardens and saw the vegetables which could be harvested during the winter and the root cellars where the vegetables already harvested had been packed away.

Arthur boasted that during the winter the king would need him to hunt and help the hunt servants bring in fresh meat. That sounded a bit of a stretch even to Merlin who glanced at Gaius who winked and smiled back at him.

Already the weather was getting colder and Gaius was searching out warmer clothes for Merlin to wear. Charles had given him a few of Arthur's outgrown heavier pants and a warmer jacket, nothing fancy but warm. Gaius knew that Hunith had sources for wool, to knit scarves and the like.

Any day now, Hunith would be beginning her journey back to Camelot and Merlin. Gaius for Merlin's sake, was looking forward to her arrival.

Merlin had begun to talk about her more often telling Knightly that he would soon see her and they would be going home. Other times, he was saying, "Do you think that you can get on without me, Gaius? Who will clean the leech tank and run errands for you? Do you want me to find you somebody to help you when I am gone?"

"Merlin, no one can take your place but I will find someone to help me when I need it and why can't I ask Arthur to clean the leech tank?"

Merlin thought that that was so funny that he almost rolled off the chair. "Gaius, he'd be hopeless, he's frightened of them. They would be all over the place and you'd be on your hands and knees trying to round them up. I'm going to miss them as they are rather cute and have very important jobs to do when someone has an infection, don't they? I'll clean it one more time before I leave and then maybe one of the squires could help you."

"Yes, they are important and save many a life during their lifetime. Remember when you had that infection in your wrist and we just put one on and it sucked out all the bad blood and the wound healed quickly after that."

"And I didn't feel a thing, did I Gaius?...and the leech got fat with my blood. They're really very, very strange."

-0-0-

Merlin's life in Camelot continued with lessons and riding. Gaius noticed that he was very much more attentive to peoples' faces in crowds as if he were continually searching for one person. He notified Gaius one day that his mother had left her friend's cottage and was on her way back to Camelot for him. "I feel it here!" he told him clutching his chest.

One rainy day, he sat beside Gaius grinding down seeds in a mortar and asked him to take care of Arthur. "I won't be here to help him make the right decision and I don't want to think that he will be getting into trouble. Can you make sure that he behaves himself and is happy and doesn't get too sad. Gaius, please look after him until I come back!"

Gaius had a lump in his throat as he promised to keep an eye on the prince.

"…and," continued Merlin, "Take care of yourself. Make sure that you eat proper meals and dress warmly. If your socks get wet, change them. Always eat all your vegetables and take the time to enjoy yourself." Merlin grinned as he was repeating what Gaius had often told him. "I have nothing to give you so that you can remember me but if you want, I could leave Pendragon with you."

Gaius thought of what he had experienced whilst having Merlin with him and he assured him that his being there since the spring and the memories he had of his time in Camelot was sufficient a gift. He also said, "I think that Pendragon after all should stay with you. He'd be lonely left here all by himself but should I ever need him, you could 'send him' to me. Couldn't you?"

Merlin grinned. It had been so nice over the last few months having someone with whom he could share his magic. Camelot might be a dangerous place for people with magic but with a guardian like Gaius, he had felt quite at home. He whispered, "You will keep practising, won't you Gaius? When I come back, I hope to see a big improvement. Be careful though, remember what you told me about the walls watching."

Gaius smiled, thinking that his caution had actually been that 'the walls have ears'. He hugged the little boy to him and promised that he would.

-0-0-

Hunith arrived early one evening. Merlin was having supper with Arthur and Rudd, allowing Gaius and Hunith to have an uninterrupted heart to heart. Hunith asked if she was doing the right thing in taking Merlin back to Ealdor and Gaius assured her that it was the right move for the eight year old. Laughingly, he told her that Merlin had already notified him that he would be returning in ten years and to keep the position of physician's assistant open for him. "I don't understand his concept of time but he has assured me that I will still be alive and needing him."

Hunith smiled, "I'm so excited about seeing him. I thought of him every day and…" she paused to control the break in her voice, "…every time, I looked at the baby, I second guessed my plans to let her have a proper family and keep her existence a secret. Then I'd think of the three of us trying to cope in Ealdor and I knew that it was the kindest thing that I could ever do for her. Gaius, should I ever tell Merlin what happened to me? Does he even need to know? Will there ever be the right time to tell him the truth?"

"If there ever is, you will know when." Gaius continued thoughtfully, "After all, you're his mother and you know him better than anyone and no one but you, can make that decision."

"But what do you think?"

"Hunith, it is not my position to give you such advise. Suffice it to say, that I am sure that you will do the right thing."

There was the sound of an opening door and the person whom Hunith loved the most walked in. He stopped dead, dropped what he was carrying and barrelled into his mother, sobbing with relief. "You came, you came!"

Gaius watched the reunion with teary eyes and then got up clearing their supper dishes, leaving the mother and son in front of the fire completely oblivious that he was in the room.

-0-0-

Hunith had accepted Gaius's invitation to spend a second night in Camelot. Merlin was thrilled that would give him a whole day to show her all the exciting things and for her to meet Arthur.

Arthur had heard from Charles that Merlin's mother had arrived and that he would not be in the library for lessons this morning. Gaius met him once his lessons were over and walked with him down to the stables where Merlin would be joining him so that his mother could meet him and Ghellie and see them ride.

Gaius cautioned, "Arthur, you know that Merlin has been waiting a long time for his mother to return, so try not to upset him. He really wants to be with her but he'd also like her to stay here with him."

"Well, why can't she?"

"Because, she had her own cottage and she works in Ealdor looking after new babies and the sick."

"I'm sure my father could find her a job here…I know, she could help you and then Merlin and I could still be friends and hang around together.

"I have a feeling that Merlin and you will always be friends. We can keep in touch by sending letters and you can include little gifts.

"He doesn't have a horse. Could I send him a horse, Gaius?"

"I explained before, that he can't have a horse now. However, when he comes back to live in Camelot, we will see that he has a horse."

"Really?"

"Yes, really! Now come on, Sir Richard will be waiting to start your lesson. Merlin has already gone to the stable to show his mother Ghellie." Gaius put his hand on Arthur's shoulders and said, "Keep a smile on your face and be happy because Merlin is!"

Arthur made his way to Merlin who was standing next to a lady admiring Ghellie. His own groom came over with his horse and Arthur walked over to Merlin's mother, held out his hand said, all grown up, "I'm Arthur, welcome to Camelot."

Hunith made a little curtsey and Merlin looked between his Mam and Arthur and grinned. "She came! I told you she hadn't forgotten me."

Hunith smiled and said, "I'm glad that Merlin had someone to look after him while he was here. I have been hearing wonderful things about you, Sire."

Gaius said, "I'm sure that Arthur wouldn't mind if we call him by his name." Arthur nodded smiling shyly at Hunith.

Sir Richard interrupted them by saying that they should mount up and get on with their lesson. They did and Hunith was certainly surprised by Merlin's equestrian skills. Her heart was in her mouth as he cantered around following Arthur and then they finished the lesson by going to the far end of the training field and galloping back to Sir Richard, Gaius and Hunith, the boys yelling their heads off. Hunith's heart dropped as she witnessed part of the wonderful life which Merlin had shared over the past seven months. Grooms took the horses and the four of them walked back to the castle.

Arthur had to lunch with his father, he left with Charles reminding Merlin to show his mother the library where he took his lessons. He would be joining them for supper.

Sir Martin was there when they visited and Merlin introduced him to his mother. Hunith smiled hearing the wonderful things which Martin had to say about her son's academic ability. He mentioned that she had done an excellent job of teaching him the basics in reading and printing.

Merlin insisted that he wanted his mother to visit the turrets so they slowly made their way there and were rewarded by seeing the king and some of the knights leaving Camelot. It was a spectacular show even though, the wind was bracing and chilled them.

"Time for lunch and a little libation," Gaius said smiling, as they descended the spiral stairs and made their way to his quarters. Hunith smiled, shivering and agreed.

Merlin never stopped talking. "Did you know that Arthur's father is the king and his horse is called Gideon?

"Some of the birds here are called falcons and some are even merlins like me. They are tame and come back when they are set free." He then said mostly to himself, "Maybe, I'll have a falcon in Ealdor…"

Gaius looked at Hunith and said, "Oh, oh!"

Hunith said as she gave Merlin a knowing look, "Well I hope it doesn't see a certain rabbit as food!"

Merlin grinned and grabbed her hand and continued, "Arthur has his own servant and he never has to make his own bed! He also has lots of clothes and he has even given some to me so that I'll be warm this winter."

Gaius nodded, "Just a few basic things, he'd grown out of but still with lots of wear in them."

"Mam, did you see the leeches? They all have names and they are very important if you get sick, aren't they Gaius?"

Gaius nodded, he was going miss the boy's chatter, the statements and questions. He thought, 'This time tomorrow, he will be gone…'

Lunch was a hearty soup and bread. Satisfying and filling, topped off with a measure of mead for the adults. Hunith realised that of all the people in her small circle of acquaintances, she had made the right choice leaving her son with Gaius. He had looked after him perfectly and she could see the relationship between them. There was something special and she knew without verbalising that it was their magic.

Merlin said, "I have two friends whom I would like you to meet. But it's a secret isn't it, Gaius?" Gaius nodded and Merlin closed his eyes and the dragon appeared. His mother glanced over her shoulder towards the door but Gaius put his hand on her arm saying quietly, "He's careful, he'll have already locked it."

"Mam, this is Pendragon just like the dragon on Arthur's cloak and the flags above the castle. Only Gaius and I know about him, and now…" he smiled, "…you as well. Arthur gave me a book about dragons for my birthday but we can't tell him about Pendragon, can we, Gaius? Well, maybe when he is all grown up when I come back to Camelot."

"Right," said Gaius, "We don't talk about magical things in front of Arthur."

"But he'd love him if he saw him, wouldn't he?"

Feeling slightly out of her depth, Hunith heard herself say, "I'm sure he would, Merlin!"

Merlin put Pendragon on Gaius's lap. He then turned to his mam and said, "Have you ever heard of a unicorn?" Hunith shook her head. "Oh, I have so much to tell you about them." His eyes sparkled, "Gaius gave me a book about them for my birthday. They are wonderful…"

Hunith noticed the look of concentration on his face and the slight change in his eye colour and the most wonderful creature she's ever seen, appeared on the table in front of her. Pendragon eyed it but then resumed trying to see if there was anything of interest in Gauis's pockets.

Merlin put his hands on the table and the little unicorn put her front feet on his arm and snuffled in his ear. "Her name is Grace…she's special." The unicorn, tried to hide herself in his jacket. "She's shy but I know that she will get used to you. We can't tell Arthur about her either. He's seen Knightly because the king believes in rabbits but not dragons and unicorns, right Gaius?"

Gaius smiled at Hunith and nodded at Merlin. "I think that maybe we had better put them away now, just in case someone needs me."

Merlin lifted Grace in his hands and said, "Goodbye, I'll see you later…" and the unicorn dematerialised in a puff of mist. He put Pendragon on the table and said, "Say goodbye to Gaius." The dragon mumbled and bowed his head acknowledging the court physician and disappeared. Merlin looked up and Hunith heard the door unlock; he then looked across at Gaius and sighed happily.

-0-0-

Supper was a great success, the four of them got on fine and the cook once again provided a variety of foods to tempt the boys and please the adults. Hunith was shocked by the choice and smiled seeing Merlin happily eat everything placed before him. She worried that he would not do so well on their simple fare at home.

Gaius smiled and said, "Don't worry this is a special feast as Merlin is leaving. The cook has outdone herself. He's more used to regular meals but it's good to see the two of them digging in. Isn't it?"

Arthur kept stealing glances at Hunith to whom Gaius had explained Arthur's life story and the sorry lad he'd been prior to Merlin's arrival. She smiled at him as Merlin explained to her all the wonderful things they had done together.

Merlin and he spoke non-stop, completing each others sentences and telling as much as they could of their life together. She laughed at some of their antics and told Gaius, "You must be a saint to have put up with all of this."

Gaius laughed, "Hunith, it's kept me young, haven't aged an iota since Merlin arrived."

Merlin quickly chirped in, "…and now Arthur will keep him young until I come back, won't you Arthur?"

Arthur looked serious and said to Hunith, "I wasn't a very nice person before Merlin arrived, was I Gaius?"

"But you're nice now," insisted Merlin, "Everyone says that don't they, Gaius?"

"Well, I am as long as you're around. Now, I won't know what to do when something happens which annoys me."

Merlin laughed, "Oh, yes you will. Just close your eyes and say, 'What would Merlin do?' See, it will be easy!"

"Right like the time we slid the chest in front of the door so Charles couldn't get in?"

"…and the time we hid in the latrines and yelled as people went to…"

Gaius cleared his throat saying, "Erm, Boys, not when a lady is present!" and he motioned to Merlin's mam.

Hunith was having the hardest time not to laugh. She had been so worried during her time away and here she was meeting her son's friend and hearing all the wild things they'd got up to. She tutted but grinned at both of them.

"Merlin and I raced our horses when we were with Sirs Bryn and Rodick and I won a copper but Merlin had already won one for seeing Camelot first." Hunith was lost but smiled encouragingly anyway.

"…and Rudd fell in the river and Sir Bryn had to scoop him out." Both of the boys started laughing at that memory.

There was a tap at the door and Sir Leon dropped by to wish Merlin and his mother a safe trip back to Ealdor.

Hunith was really impressed with the knight's arrival and that fact that Merlin quite confidently thanked him for taking them on the camping trip. "Look after yourself, Merlin, and we'll see you when you come back in ten years." Leon smiled, nodded at Gaius and left.

The four of them moved to sit in front of the fire and Gaius smiled. Merlin was snuggled into Hunith and sitting closely on her other side was Arthur. She moved her arm back and he snuggled in as well and she wrapped her arm around the motherless ten year old.

Merlin looked at him and whispered, "See, Arthur, I told you my Mam could be your Mam too! She always has lots of love."

Gaius wiped away a tear as he looked at Arthur's face, upturned to Hunith who bent over and kissed his forehead, causing the prince to shiver in delight and snuggle even closer.

Soon it was time to break up the party and Arthur said, "See you in the morning. You won't leave without saying goodbye will you?"

"No, I'll be here until after breakfast."

"I'll be in the courtyard, won't I Gaius?" Arthur's eyes filled with tears.

"Yes, you can be with me in the courtyard."

"You'll be fine, Arthur. You're a prince and Gaius will look out for you, won't you Gaius?"

"Yes, Arthur and I will be alright, as we've got each other.

-0-0-

Merlin was up early bouncing around the chambers, helping his mother get together his few possessions.

Breakfast was finished and the plan was that they would meet Arthur and Sir Martin in the courtyard. Gaius knew that Sirs Richard and Rodick would also be there.

Merlin grabbed his mother's hand and took two steps into the corridor and froze. Reality hit him!

He ran back to Gaius sobbing, "Don't make me go…!"

Gaius hugged him, his heart clenching, sending currents through his body as he experienced for the last time the magic which surged through Merlin, rekindling his own pathetic gift. He did not want to relinquish his boy; he needed him as much as Merlin needed his mother.

He knelt down in front of the lad and said, "Merlin, you told me that I would be alive when you come back and I am holding you to that. You are mine until the day I leave you. You need to go with your mam now and grow up. It is very dangerous for you here. You know where I am, you can write to me and I will always answer any letter.

"I'll make a pact with you now, in front of your mother, that I will be expecting you back in ten years. You will have grown into a fine young man and I will not take on anyone permanently as my assistant. The job is your forever."

He smiled softly and said, "Look after yourself and your mam. Remind Pendragon, how much I enjoyed his company and watch over Grace."

"She really does like you, Gaius!"

"I know or she wouldn't let me see her. Take care of Knightly and remember, keep your magic to yourself. Be a good boy and don't forget me."

Merlin gave Gaius the grin which had, since he had first met him, melted his heart and whispered, "Never!"

With Hunith holding his hand, Merlin made his way down to the courtyard.

Gaius wiped his face on his sleeve and caught up to them on the back stairs, Merlin slipping his hand into his.

-0-0-

They had already said their private goodbyes but both the boys had ended up sniffling, Gaius and Hunith pretending to be oblivious to the tears.

"You won't forget me?" said Arthur.

"No..!"

"Can I come and visit you?"

Merlin looked at his Mam and she nodded, knowing that it would never happen. He said, "You can and should as we could have fun. We're not rich but we have a roof over our heads and food."

Gaius's heart went out to Merlin, as he compared his simple life in Ealdor to the sumptuous life of the Prince of Camelot.

"Well, you can always come here…Can't he Gaius?" Suddenly, Arthur put his arms around Merlin and gave him a big hug, let him go but not before messing up his hair. Merlin looked up at him and laughed.

As if on cue, Gaius said, "Well, Hunith if you want to be home by tomorrow night, you should be setting off. Be a good boy, Merlin, and don't forget us. I'll have a hard time finding an assistant as special as you."

Hunith smiled, she thought how much that little word special conveyed. She had had second thoughts about taking Merlin home but Gaius had encouraged her to, the eight year old needed his mother. She felt sure that Arthur and the court physician would muddle along.

Standing in the middle of the cobbled courtyard, next to Gaius, who had a restraining hand on his shoulder, Arthur watched Merlin walking away holding his mother's hand, glancing up into her face.

Suddenly, Arthur realised that this was really the end. The space between him and Merlin had grown and Gaius's hand was now gripping his upper arm stopping him from following.

Merlin and his Mam reached the portcullis and Merlin turned as if he had a change of heart but his mother had hold of his hand and she kept walking. Arthur's heart clenched as his only friend looked straight at him and mouthed. "I won't forget…!" and turned to walk down the slope to the lower town.

Arthur buried his face in Gaius's sleeve and sobbed.

-0-0-

Watching from his window, Uther thought, 'Shame really as the young lad was a good influence on him… not a suitable companion however…" and he turned to his papers putting the two boys out of his mind.

-0-0-

Gaius lay in bed that night thinking, running over in his mind the past seven months and somehow he knew '…this was not the end…not even the beginning of the end…it was, perhaps, the end of the beginning!' *

FINIS
* Sir winston Churchill (1875-1965) November 1942

The foregoing story is actually a prequel to WELCOMED WITH LOVE, the second story in the Rejected By Royalty series.

BEHOLD A PALE LOVE, the eighth story in the Rejected By Royalty series will begin in September 2012.