Melou of Camelot

The stables for the Galwyddel court were small and cramped and frankly, Melou didn't like them much. Of course, he didn't have a choice as to where he housed his horse, especially today when it was raining and Aeron desperately needed a brushing out before they started back home tomorrow.

He hadn't been out there for ten minutes when he realized he was being watched. He had been almost the entire week he'd been here. "You gonna come out, finally, or hide forever?" He asked casually and not looking away from his work, but loud enough to be heard throughout the building.

A boy, wet from sneaking about in the rain, stepped into the dim light and leaned against the stall of another horse. "Did ye really live at Camelot?"

Melou smiled, recognizing the boy as Senyllt, the king's grandson. "Yeah, 'til I was about your age. Then we moved up to Gwynedd. Your Da know you're following me?"

Taking a few steps closer, the boy just shrugged. "Prob'ly. What was it like?"

"Big. Bright. Noisy. Nothing at all like here." He glances over, eyebrow raised. "Why, you thinking of running away?"

"Nah. Just curious." Senyllt grinned briefly. "Ye need help? I can fold 'is blanket for ye."

"Sure, if you want." He barely supressed a chuckle as the other boy brightened and eagerly took the blanket from him.

"Yer real tall." The boy observed.

Melou had to laugh at that. "Taller than most, yeah. Not as tall as my Uncle, though."

"Maelgwn? Northern Picts're sendin' a princess down to 'im. Want 'im to father an heir."

...that was news to Melou. He tried not to look as shocked as he felt. "Where'd you hear that?"

Senyllt shrugged, still folding. "Nobles were talkin'. S'posed to be me Da, but I guess they figger Maelgwn's a better choice."

"Huh." At least he knew now why Dingat and Tudwal were willing to side with him and Melehan, instead of his uncle. "Must have their reasons."

"Guess so." The younger prince agreed. "Ye ever actually get t'talk to Arthur?"

After a brief hesitation, Melou answered, keeping his voice even and hopefully unbiased. The last thing he wanted was to feed rumours. "Of course. Once in a while. He was usually real busy, but he'd greet us at dinner, sometimes ask about what we were learning and stuff."

"Did ye like 'im?" Senyllt pressed.

Now it was Melou's turn to shrug. "Didn't know him that well."

Either that satisfied the boy, or he realized he wasn't going to get much information, as he fell silent for a few moments before starting in on a new topic. "They want ye t'marry me aunt, ye know."

To his credit, Melou only snorted quietly, and didn't drop the brush. "They've suggested as much."

"Ye goin' to?"

"No." He answered firmly. "Not planning on getting married any time soon."

Senyllt nodded. "What 'bout yer brother?"

"Well, that'd be up to him, wouldn't it?" Melou grinned suddenly. "I"ll be sure to let him know when I get home, though."

The boy smiled back, seemingly understanding his intention, and then handed back the neatly folded blanket. "Can I do anythin' else?"

"Nah, I think I can handle the rest. But thanks."

"A'right." He hesitated, as if uncertain whether to stay or go, and then asked, "Can I see yer scar?"

"From the arrows?" Melou guessed and then leaned down, pulling the collar of his shirt over to reveal the mark on his shoulder. "It's healed up pretty good." Apparently, scars didn't just impress girls, but boys who hadn't had to face battle yet.

Senyllt gave it a good look, eyes wide, and then nodded. "Ye were lucky."

"Yeah, I was."

A brief pause followed before the boy asked another hopeful question. "Need help loadin' up tomorrow 'fore ye go?"

"If you want." Melou gave him a quick smile. "Be just after breakfast so I can get a full day's riding in."

"I'll be here." He promised eagerly, then started for the door and the rain. "See ye at dinner then."

Melou nodded. "See you there." Once the young prince was well out of sight, he let himself have a good laugh and wondered if he had been so easily impressed at that age.