All The Above, My Love is the tenth story in the Rejected by Royalty series.

CHAPTER 1 : NEW BEGINNINGS

Arthur would stand beside his father on the dais for the investiture; Merlin would stand next to Gaius slightly behind the royal pair.

Merlin stood near the window watching the sun peek over the rooftops across the courtyard. Today would be busy. He turned smiling, Arthur was still asleep. Merlin was tempted to crawl back into bed but knew that he needed to get the coppers going and recheck Arthur's outfit for the ceremony.

He busied himself and thought of the excitement which must have invaded the squires' wing. Today would see five candidates from the ranks of the squires being invested as knights; fourteen years in training but in five more hours it would reach fruition.

The candidates would just have completed their overnight vigil and would be relaxing before having breakfast. Later they would process to the Grand Hall preceded by squires carrying their cloaks and swords. Their sponsors would be asked to vouch for them and their Mentor Knight would acknowledge that they were of the highest calibre suitable to represent Camelot. The candidates would kneel before the king to be knighted and swear allegiance. They would then be vested in their red cloaks and handed their swords and spurs.

It would have been an arduous undertaking but the toils and tribulations of the years would surely disappear as they felt the weight of Uther's sword on their shoulders and heard the words, "Arise, Sire Knight!"

Mothers and fathers who in some cases had sent their son to Camelot as a six year old would look in awe at their adult child, who had entered the hall vested in white with black boots and was now wearing the much valued cloak with the Pendragon crest. They would stand back realising that their sons now had a new family as the knights surrounded them welcoming them to their brotherhood. Fathers would flash back to their own investitures and mothers would remember the grief of parting with their sons.

Merlin remembered when he had seen his first investiture and had watched the kneeling candidate addressed by the king and told, 'Arise, Sir Knight!' his throat had constricted and he had felt quite emotional. He smiled to himself; he still enjoyed the pageantry of the court especially if one very handsome blond man was involved. He could still see Arthur kneeling as his father tapped him on the shoulders with the ceremonial sword and told him to arise. The look of pride in Uther's face had astonished him.

He turned again to look at Arthur, lying completely at ease without any cares, his mind far away from any worries of Camelot.

Merlin smiled and went back to the bed and he leant over, pushing Arthur's hair off his forehead to kiss it as he whispered, "Arise, Sir Knight!"

Arthur stretched his legs out straight and went to snuggle back into the blankets. Merlin stood aside and a shaft of sunlight hit his face eliciting a groan. "No, not yet, I don't want to get up…!"

Merlin leant in and said, "Come on, open your eyes! It's a fun day today, investitures and the Knights' Supper. They'll be lots of visitors and some lovely nubile creatures floating around and you'll really enjoy yourself. You'll be much in demand and…might even find a…"

"Don't even think it! You're not getting rid of me that easily!" Arthur grabbed for him but Merlin was quicker and danced out of his reach.

"Your breakfast is here, and the water is on. Stir yourself, Oh Lazy One!"

-0-0-

Arthur and he had a leisurely breakfast and talk turned to some of the candidates, Nathan the king's current squire, Philip ever-willing to help and Robin who had had the misfortune to lose his horse to the poisoned fodder.

"Why don't you have a squire? The king has his manservant Richard and a squire."

"Don't think that you are any longer up to the task at hand, Merlin?" Arthur teased.

"No, I was just wondering… By the way, any idea of who will take Nathan's place?"

"Well, whoever it is, he'll come well recommended, maybe one of the Camelot Knights' sons or brothers. I assure you the position is an honour and the senior squires vie for it seriously but the final decision it made by the Squire Masters. The young man has to be intelligent, capable, trustworthy and sworn to silence as he is privy to much information. 'It will be a feather in someone's hat,' as Humphrey would say.

Arthur pushed away his dishes and stood up, "Is the bath water ready, yet?"

Gathering up the dishes, Merlin called over his shoulder as he carried them into the antechamber, "Will be…as soon as you're ready to immerse you royal foot…"

Arthur was immersed in the hot water, Merlin propped up against the door, ready to be of assistance if required. "You're getting better at this bathing thing, you're so clever as you can practically do it yourself!"

Grinning, Arthur said, "Not by choice!"

"Don't worry, it's just that when we have a tight schedule, I know better than to get too close," Merlin added teasingly.

Arthur reached for a bath sheet and Merlin stepped forward and handed it to him being careful to stay well beyond his reach. While Arthur dried himself off, Merlin checked the clothes on the bed. Everything was in order.

"What do you intend to wear today?" Arthur said as he came back into the chamber and slipped on his pants.

Merlin slipped a fine silk under tunic over the prince's head, pulling it down so that it lay comfortable on his hips, as he answered, "Your latest present to me; the dappled brown tunic, with leather laces; my mushroom suede pants; topped off by the sun speckled jacket with the brass clasps. I will be an apparition in golden hues to off set all the red which will surround me."

Arthur burst our laughing, "…and to think that for years you wore that ratty brown jacket!"

Merlin reached for Arthur's gold tunic and as Arthur raised his arm, he dropped it over his shoulders and straightened it out. "I'll have you know that I am very attached to that fine article of clothing and it is only because you have given me other outfits that I will not be making an entrance into the hall with you today…wearing it!"

Laughing, Arthur held still as Merlin fastened the silver claps on the neck of his tunic. "All closed, or leave a couple open to entice the ladies?"

"All closed, I've enticed the only person that I am interested in?"

"Someone, I know?" asked Merlin.

"Don't think so…a gorgeous, well dressed creature that obviously is fascinated by me and who has yet to come forward and confess his interest."

"Certainly, no one I recognise. Does this paragon of virtue abide in this castle?"

Suddenly serious, Arthur looked shyly at Merlin and said, "No, Merlin, he lives here…" and with that he put his hand on his heart.

Merlin felt himself stepping towards Arthur and he put his arms around him and clasped him to his chest saying, "Funny, because I also have someone who lives in my heart as well…"

"Would I know him?"

"Don't think so. He struts around the castle, laying down the law and being quite annoying but when he's alone with me he becomes the most wonderful man in the whole of Camelot. One day, I'd like you to meet him as I think you would like him."

With that Merlin allowed Arthur to kiss him but they were interrupted by a knock on the antechamber door.

Merlin pulled away to answer the door and Spenser walked in. Arthur said, "Well, my Lord Sherewell, you cleaned up nicely."

"Thank you kind Sire, you don't look too bad yourself," he turned to look in Merlin's direction and said, "You're not even dressed and people are already making their ways downstairs."

"Won't take me long and anyway, Arthur always likes to make a grand entrance, don't you?"

"I don't and I would have been quite happy to have been delayed today, that is if Spenser hadn't interrupted us."

Spenser just grinned. "Come on, this is a special day. The king wouldn't appreciate a tardy prince entering with his slightly tousled manservant!"

"I'll have you know, that I am never tousled," said Merlin smiling.

"That's what you think!" Arthur's quickly retorted. Spenser laughed. He felt quite at home with the two of them.

Merlin quickly changed into his clothes, he wouldn't accept any help from Arthur as that was often counter productive but he did allow Spenser to help him with his tunic and jacket."

"Laced or unlaced?" asked Spenser.

"Laced!" said Merlin.

But he was contradicted by Arthur who said, "Unlaced, and this is the Prince of Camelot making that decision," and so the laces were left open. "If I'm bored, I can entertain myself."

"Me too!" insisted Spencer and the others burst out laughing. Arthur giving him a punch on the arm as Merlin blushed.

The three of them left the room.

-0-0-

Arthur arrived in plenty of time to join the dignitaries before the candidates arrived. He stood talking to Sir David and Gaius. Finally, the trumpets sounded and all eyes turned to the main doors for the entrance of the Squire Masters, mentors and candidates. Arthur stepped onto the dais to stand beside the king.

Family members occupied the areas closest to the dais and their sons walked to the front of the hall flanked by knights. Sir Rupert greeted the assembly.

The young candidates repeated their vows, together as one voice. "We pledge to serve our King; to live by honour for glory; to protect the weak and defenceless; to despise pecuniary reward; to guard the honour of our fellow knights; to speak only the truth; to shun unfairness, meanness and deceit; to persevere in all things; to never refuse a challenge from an equal or turn our backs upon a foe and to respect the honour of women.

And in no time, the name of the first candidate was called. Sir Leon said, "Robin of Northanger…"

Robin stepped forward with his squire and his sponsors. His knight mentor, Sir Thierry stood before the king and answered questions set by Geoffrey on the suitability of the candidate. Geoffrey and Uther conferred, the king nodded. Robin knelt and Uther placed his sword on Robin's shoulders and said the golden words, "Arise Sir Knight!"

The squire chosen by Robin stepped forward and handed his sponsor the red cloak of Camelot which was then put around the new knight's shoulders. Sir Thierry handed him his sword and his belt was buckled around him to receive it. Again, he knelt before Uther and as a knight renewed his allegiance. Then he took three steps backwards, bowed and returned to his position and the second candidate was called.

Once the last candidate returned to his previous position, Uther spoke a few words. He congratulated parents for their commitment and squire masters for their hard work. He spoke directly to the new knights mentioning that they were joining an elite few recognised across the land as brave men, joined in a brotherhood of chivalrous conduct.

He added that they would be staying in Camelot until after the tournament but then they would be allowed to return to the parents for a month's holiday. He then told the young knights to find their parents so that they could be the first to congratulate them.

Arthur mingled with the crowd congratulating the newly invested and being introduced to any parents whom he did not already know.

A luncheon was served in an adjoining hall for families and friends. Uther was in attendance to welcome the guests but he then left.

Nodding at Merlin, once his father left the assembly, Arthur did the same. "I'm famished!" he confessed.

"Well, why didn't you partake of the food offered?"

"Because Gaius said that he was returning to his chambers and I told him we'd bring lunch and visit with him. I'll get on with the visiting and you bring lunch enough for four as Geoffrey also intends to be there. On second thought, bring more as there may be other visitors as today is now a holiday."

Merlin jogged off down the corridor, nabbing three younger squires to accompany him.

In no time, suitable amounts of food were loaded on platters and the group, assisted by some kitchen staff made their way to Gaius's door. Merlin knocked gently just in case the others were in the midst of a private conversation and stood back sending the boys in with the food.

Geoffrey and Gaius's eyes lit up. There were some interesting dishes with plenty of ale and wine by the look of the number of stoneware jugs. Merlin hadn't been carrying food but he brought from behind his back a container which Gaius knew by its shape and size held mead. He nodded in appreciation and Merlin put it on the sideboard for later together with extra goblets if needed.

The squires were dismissed and Merlin served the wine then Arthur moved over motioning for Merlin to share the bench as the older men had taken the chairs.

"That was my eighteenth investiture. Mind you, to begin with, I was only there for the actual laying on of the sword and then removed and went back with Humphrey. Didn't matter as for me the most exciting part was when the king said, 'Arise, Sir Knight' and squires received their cloaks and swords." Arthur was miles away as his next words were, "I remember the first time that they wished me Happy Birthday, I was ten and Sir Rupert said, 'For the Love of Camelot!' and the other knights seemed to yell it back at him…"

Gaius added, "… and you stood there clapping your hands. I think you won all the knights' hearts that day."

"Mind you, now they know you better, they are not as smitten." Which remark got Merlin a shove and if Arthur hadn't grabbed him, he would have gone off the end of the bench, ending up on the flagstones.

Geoffrey laughed, "If your best friend can't bring you down to earth, who can, eh. Arthur?"

"No, you were really a lovely little boy." Gaius continued, "Humphrey told me that the night following your birthday appearance, you were all ready to go back down to dine with the king and the knights, so that you could also yell 'For the Love of Camelot' as you had been getting on his nerves, practising it all day.

Arthur grinned. Humphrey had been a stalwart servant, putting up with him as he made the switch from being with Gaius to living in his royal bedchamber. Sir Rupert's son Rudd and he had used it as a playroom for the longest time and even camped there with Humphrey but after Rudd was taken away, it had become his real bedchamber. It was full of great memories but looking back, he preferred the memories from the last ten years than those earlier ones. He ran his hand down Merlin's leg and smiled.

"Just think, Arthur, one day you will be knighting the candidates. Glad it'll be them and not me as I don't think I would trust you that close to my head with a sword in your raised hand."

"Merlin, listening to you, you'd never think that you've trusted me with more than your head!"

Gaius and Geoffrey burst out laughing and Merlin turned a delicate shade of pink. "Sire, remember that remark tonight, when I decide to sleep in the manservant's chamber."

"He's got you there, Arthur!" said Gaius. "Anyway I have work to do here. Just leave the platters, Merlin, and send someone up to get them later on."

Geoffrey said, "Thanks for lunch. I've got to get back to the library as the king left a message that he wanted some family tree traced."

"Well, we're going riding," said Arthur. "They've started to break the three year olds and I have my eye on a mare."

They left and Gaius could here Merlin as they went down the corridor, "Honestly, Arthur, you can only ride one horse at a time and you already have three!"

"Merlin, believe me, one can never have too many horses!"

-0-0-

Uther had a bee in his bonnet, he had met Lord Richard of Northanger and Lady Mireille, parents of the newly invested Sir Robin. To his surprise, they were accompanied by their widowed daughter Lady Rosetta Braxley. Uther was mesmerised, here was a beautiful young woman whose husband had recently died leaving her with a little girl. Her lineage seemed above reproach and Uther decided that he had the time between now and the tournament to broach a marriage agreement for his son.

Uther's eyes lit on Arthur; this was the perfect solution. Under his auspices, the girl would be housed in the castle and Arthur if he had an ounce of brains, would see sense and avail himself of this young lady's hand. Uther was going to take a new tack, no pressure. He would just make sure that Lady Rosetta was in all the right places at the right time. Hopefully, Arthur's thirtieth birthday celebration would include an announcement of upcoming nuptials.

This time, he thought to himself that he himself would remain level headed but adamant that Arthur take a wife and hopefully produce an heir. He thought firmly, 'I've found the girl now all Arthur has to do is let nature takes its course! He's handsome, she's beautiful. After all, at their ages what does love have to do with it? It's his duty as a crown prince to produce an heir!'

He realised that Arthur probably had someone on the side, after all he was nearly thirty and had hardly been celibate since his wife disappeared. It would not be a problem, as long as he kept his dalliance secret and didn't upset the future Princess. One day, he'd figure out who was keeping his son company. Maybe he'd get someone to question that annoying manservant who follows him faithfully like a pet dog. He had to be in the know, for goodness sake his room was off Arthur's chambers. Offer him money, anything. God, the man was pathetic!

The king was proverbially 'counting his chickens…' as he now had decided that Geoffrey would be involved as would Gaius who had some strange influence on the prince. He'd have to walk carefully around them as the last episode of finding a second wife had been a disaster.

-0-0-

The Investiture Dinner for the new knights was attended by all the knights; absent were only the very elderly and the infirm. It was a time for a knight to remember his own investiture and celebrate the new knights in their midst. Only immediate family members were invited but the king made sure that Sir Robin's sister was present with his parents.

Each new knight was introduced and applauded, welcomed from the ranks of senior squires to the brotherhood of knights. They had often served at royal ceremonies in the dining hall and now they were being served by the newly classified senior squires.

There was a lot of fooling and good natured teasing and Sir Rupert on behalf of the knights of Camelot welcomed the newly invested. He finished by raising a goblet and intoning 'For the Love of Camelot!" to which, all the knights responded.

"Did you remember the words after all those years of practice?" said a voice at Arthur's ear. Merlin holding the pitcher went to return to his place behind Arthur's chair.

But Arthur quickly said, "Yes, and I'll see how good your memory is, later this evening!"

"…and I'll hold you to that, Sire!"

Finally, the evening started to wind down. Once the king had left, other knights and family members started to drift away.

Arthur called over Daniel and asked him to have a table laid with something light and plenty of drink in the small council chamber as he intended to continue the party there. Arthur explained to all present that this was to be their last real drinking bout as with the upcoming tournament most of the knights would limit their drinking until after they had competed.

Merlin had a flash of Gawaine and wondered if he would also be following that regime. Anyway, he was due to arrive any day now and he would be able to see first hand if his friend had cut down on his alcoholic consumption.

It was closer to dawn by the time Arthur's friends wandered up to their chambers. Many of them were a little uncoordinated, others almost bladdered but with the help of friends they would all arrive safely in the right wing. Merlin smiled, Arthur was feeling no pain, but still making sense and had not reached the stage when everything was hilarious.

Gavin asked if he needed help but Merlin shook his head and Arthur told him that regardless of how much he drank, he was always able to climb the stairs. Gavin winked at Merlin and they both laughed, for on more than one occasion, Merlin had needed help returning his master to his bedchamber.

-0-0-

Uther had retired earlier but hadn't been able to settle. He tossed and turned; he had a new goal in life and this time he was going to succeed, 'Come hell or high water!'

His mind was racing; he could see it, the next generation of Pendragons, a new prince, his grandson... He'd no longer have the pitying glances of other monarchs as they listed their grandchildren. Arthur would be married and everything would fall into place…he dropped off and dreamt of fertile lands, spring lambs, pristine streams and sunny skies.