Goings On at Camelot

By Donna and Abby

Prudence Adams was nervous.  She had started to settle into her new home, and new job, and her husband had noticed a big change in her, but today she seemed as out of sorts as she had ever been.  "What's wrong, Pet?  The Holidays are coming, doesn't that give you joy?"

"No," she admitted.  "Because everyone will be coming to Camelot!  What if . . ."

"If he comes, it will be with his wife.  I'm sure the King will not allow any petty politicking to get in the way of the celebration.  Come," he smiled, opening his arms, "let us be merry!"  In the back of his mind he was not thinking of Grisham coming to town, but Sarah Jo and Duncan, and this he wanted very much.

Their goodbyes had been rather rushed when they had left Edan, and Ben had not exactly been happy with that. After all, Sarah Jo was expecting his child in around three months! So, rather than upset Prudence any more, he made a point of asking the two village men who made daily trips to the Castle to keep an eye out for any arrivals from Edan, and to tell him who they where!

As it neared the holiday, these arrivals came daily.  Ben just had to wait until he got the news he wanted most.  At the same time, he kept from his wife that Grisham had, indeed, come to Camelot, along with Vera, Montoya, Carmen, Dolores and Duende.

The Royals had already been informed about the situation involving Grisham, and they had told Ben that they would do everything they could to keep him away from the Doctor's wife. King Arthur was pleased to have the nearby village growing and becoming self-sufficient, and did not want anything to happen to cause them to possibly lose the new physician that had taken up residence there! It was good to have two medical men close together like this, in case there should be more than one could handle, and since one was old-fashioned, so to speak, and one modern, they complimented each other well.  Giles was as happy as he could be, with his wife and daughters, but he enjoyed having a colleague nearby to talk "shop."

Several days before Christmas itself, Robin of Locksley had come to the Castle as usual. He was helping his girlfriend, the sweet-tempered handmaiden named Maeve, hang up some of the decorations in the Great Hall when the sound of the trumpets on the wall notified them someone else was arriving. Along with everyone else, they ran out to greet the new comers.

Robin glanced at all the people dismounting from their carriages or horses, looking for one particular person. When he finally saw the obviously pregnant woman with strawberry blonde hair being helped down by a double of Sir Lancelot and the Highland Duncan that lived in the village, he knew that the couple that Doc Adams had been waiting for had arrived. This was confirmed by the presence of a dark haired toddler being handed down to his parents! Grinning, he leaned down and kissed Maeve, telling her he had to run back to the village, but he would return forthwith!

Prudence was running the reception area of her husband's practice.  They had gotten a cottage that doubled as an office and a home, so she could look after Mackenzie and Doc's patients at the same time.  The little boy was into something at the moment, just when his father was busy, so of course she was trying to get him to give up the treasure he had found and put in his mouth when Robin came in!

"Good mornin' to ye, M'Lady," he said with a courtly bow. "Is your husband available?"

"He's with a patient," Prudence said, her face going pale and setting off her freckles.  She had nearly one-year old Mac around the waist, while the tot screamed his indignation at the loss of his treat. HIS face was so red his hair looked extra blond.

Robin chuckled and reached out for the toddler. "Come to me lad," he said, tempting the boy by unwrapping a piece of sweet cake that he had pilfered from the castle kitchen.

Mackenzie stopped crying immediately, his large green eyes opening wide.  Reaching out, he snatched the cake and wriggled from his mother's arms, settling on his feet until his knees gave under him.  There he sat, cushioned by his diaper, and devoured the treat.

"I'll watch the lad for a bit if ye want to tend to something, M'Lady," Robin said with a contented smile. He was hoping that someday Maeve would give him a fine looking boy like this one!

"Thank you, I . . .you're not here because someone has arrived, are you?" she asked shrewdly, a trace of nervous tension in her voice.

He shrugged. "A fair amount of carriages arrived today, M'Lady. All of them seemed to have wee lads and lasses underfoot! My Maeve is quite beside herself. She loves children, she does!"

Prudence thought.  Vera was expecting, but had not had a child yet.  She did not think of Carmen's little girl, who would no doubt be arriving at the same time, so she relaxed.  "I'll go tell Ben . . .” But as she turned, he came out of his office with the bride to be from Glenbogle, Lexie. 

"Nerves are to be expected!" he was saying kindly.  "A few days and it will be all over, and then you can relax.  Oh, hello, Sir Robin."

"Greetings, Good Physician!" Robin replied as he tousled Mac’s hair, a happy smile on his face. "I have come to tell you of some more arrivals. Two of them look like our intrepid young lads, Connor and Duncan, and they came with women and children in tow!"

Mackenzie had finished his cake, and was looking for more.  Prudence lifted him and said, "Ah, that's who.  Go and see her, Ben.  I'll be fine here."

He knew why she would not go near the castle, and he didn't blame her.  Lexie was his only patient of the day (damn immortals and fae constitutions kept his schedule light!), so there was nothing to hold him back.  After kissing his wife, there was a moment of awkward silence, where he wanted to say, "Don't wait up," but never would.  She knew it, and told him quickly that she would have dinner at her sister's, and for him to take as long as he needed.

"I'll ride with ye, if ye like," Robin said with a grin. "My Maeve is expecting me back." It was no secret now that the couple hoped to marry soon.

Another quick kiss by Ben to mother and child, and they were astride their horses and headed back to Camelot!

Ben found the castle bustling with activity. Once they had passed over their horses to the two stable girls, Jeannette and Faline, the men went their separate ways, Robin to find Maeve, and Ben to locate the newcomers.

Robin certainly had not understated the amount of visitors coming to the castle!  They were literally from all over Edan, including nearby Rivendell.  Not only human and fae, but elf and hobbit were also present!

Ben noticed a great many of the Hogwarts children were coming, and among them, the angel/fae Angel, and the new elven prince, Aubrey.  Although just six months old, he was aged eighteen, and would not be returning to the school. Angel would though. She wasn't quite matured completely yet, although she was a lovely young woman of approximately 16 years of age. Ben smiled when he saw the girl. She looked a lot like a younger version of Prudence and Patience!

It was obvious that she and Aubrey were *close*.   Ben doubted they had gotten physical, but it was clear they were a couple.  As the coaches from Hogwarts emptied, the young couple came out, holding hands.  He helped her out without ever letting go of her, and seemed very sad, probably because he would have to be apart from her for a time.  He was a very handsome young man, tall and thin, like his father, but with dark hair like his mother.  He wore it braided and tied like the Rivendell elves. Angel's red hair hung down in thick waves down her back and she looked very pretty dressed in a long, green velvet dress and cape. She had a smile on her face that could light up the darkest room!  Angel was very happy that her parents had given her permission to come to the castle with Aubrey instead of going back to Edan for the Christmas holidays. But she had a feeling though her father would pop in to check up on her sometime during her stay!

Seeing Duncan unpacking some one of the carriages, Ben Adams made his way through the crowded fore gate toward him.  "Highlander," he said casually, "fancy meeting you here."

"Ben!" Duncan chuckled. "You’re looking good. Married life suits you!"

"As it does you.  And our lady?  Is she glowing, as she should?"

"Glowing and expanding,” Duncan said, making a motion with his hands to show about how much Sarah Jo was showing right now. “She says your kid is a bit kinder to her though. The wee bairn isn't using her ribcage as a dance floor like our Josh did."

"Perhaps it is a bit smaller," Doc noted.  It sounded almost professional until Duncan saw the gleam in his eye and laughed.

"She is inside, trying to talk Josh into a nap. Last I saw, he was racing around the room we were given like a little wild Indian."

"With or without his nappy?" asked the other father, knowingly.

"Without, most likely. The lad likes to go in the buff. He isn't walking just yet, but he can sure cruise the furniture! Go on in," he said with a wink as he handed Ben the basket filled with Sarah Jo's things. "I know Sarah Jo will want to see you. I'll be along in a minute and take the kid out for a walk to see all the pretties here in the castle. Maybe that will tire him out."

"And you, as well," Ben winked.  He knew how much women loved little baby boys!

Ben carried the basket into the castle, asking the first servant he passed where Sarah Jo's room was. It was several flights up the main stair, but he took them two or three at a time, even with his burden! The happy squeal of little Joshua from behind a carved wooden door told him he had reached the right place. Of course he wanted to see the little one, but he also wanted a little private time with the mother of his child.  He had missed her.

He knocked on the door, and was rewarded by Sarah Jo's happy cry when she saw him and her threw her arms around his neck. But their joyous greeting was cut short as little Joshua took off at warp speed on his hands and knees down the halls. Luckily Duncan was coming up the stairs himself, and he intercepted the little escapee.

Ben's dark head and Sarah's bright one were poked out of the door, laughing as Joshua sailed in the air, his father's strong arms lifting him high before bringing him close and safe.  Then Duncan waved at the couple and took his son back down the stair.

Ben grinned as Sarah Jo closed the door. "He is quite a handful, that one," she said with a chuckle. "Just like his father. Oh Ben, it is good to see you!"

"And it is very good to see you."  He did not mention he had a very similar firebrand underfoot at home.  It was no time to be discussing their children.  This meeting would be somewhat more adult than that.

He closed the distance between them, and his mouth once more found hers. As they kissed, he could feel his child kicking in protest about the extra pressure on her belly!

"Ah now," he said, feeling her "bump", "there will be no getting around it.  Your mother and I have a little making up to do."

"Yes, we do," she said, taking his hand and pulling him toward the huge canopy bed that dominated the bedroom. "I didn't have a chance to give you a proper goodbye!"

"It was a bit rushed," he apologized.  "But for the best in the long run.  If we can get past this holiday - you know who is here - then she will be much better off.  Of course, I feel like a cad, because she is so miserable when I am so happy!"

She hugged him tight. "Duncan said he will keep an eye on him. So far, he has behaved himself since coming back with Vera!"

"I don't actually believe this one will attack her," Ben said heavily.  "But he has a point about Mackenzie.  Technically he is the boy's father, and within his rights to ingratiate himself into our extended family - but it causes her such pain to see him!"

Sarah Jo nodded in understanding. "I know how she feels," she said softly. After all, she had been a victim of the other Grisham's abuse as well!

Knowing this, he pulled her close.  "Far be it for me to mention another man while I am holding you this way, but I do thank God for Duncan at a time like this.  Certainly he keeps your mind off the wretch, and no doubt he keeps you safe from him!"

Sarah Jo nodded, saying nothing for a moment and then making a face, she said, "He does keep me safe. But just in case, he is teaching me ways I can defend myself. Enough of that," she said, her blue-green eyes flashing with mischief as she reached down to unbutton his trousers. "I want you. Now!"

He chuckled, tumbling her on the bed.  "Some nun," he muttered as they quickly undressed each other. She was even more beautiful now than she had been when an innocent virgin girl. Her breasts were full and her belly expanded nicely. Expanded with his child!

And everyone knew what a turn on that was to a Methos!  He had not been going without - and of course, neither had she - but they were both hungry for each other.

Sarah Jo was at the end of her second trimester in her pregnancy, so she wasn't feeling too big and cumbersome yet. And she still had quite an appetite for sex at this point! All in all, it was a good mixture.  She was pregnant but not too far gone! They spent the entire afternoon in each other's arms, and well into the night.

When Duncan did return, it was with a very tired and hungry little boy in his arms. He looked apologetic. "He wants his mamma," he said, handing Joshua to Sarah Jo to nurse. "He had some oatmeal and fruit earlier, but he likes to fall asleep in his mother's arms at night." He winked at Ben. The Highlander had spent a very pleasant day showing off his son to everyone.

The other man winked back, as he reached for his clothing.  Kissing Sarah Jo openly and deeply, he said, "Again, before I go."

She responded of course, kissing him soundly even though Joshua was now attached to one of her full breasts, nursing noisily as her milk let down.

Duncan said nothing, being used to it, and even shook Ben's hand after the kiss was over.  Then he finished dressing and went out into the hall. He left the castle with a happy spring to his step, heading to the stable to fetch his horse and to head back to the village to spend the rest of the night with Prudence.

But of course it wasn't to be so pleasant.  Out of nowhere, he heard the voice his wife dreaded over all.  "Ah, so that's how it is, is it?" said Grisham as he came out.  "Odd how you people hop beds and have the nerve to pick holes in MY coat!  Not that I can blame you.  A weakness for redheads, huh?"

Ben froze in place, wishing that he had brought his sword with him. But he forced himself to relax as he shrugged. "Always have," he said, a sharp edge to his voice.

"I can certainly see your point," said Grisham lazily.  "Of course, I love Vera now, but in my younger days I've had a redhead or two."

Ben’s eyes flashed dangerously. "Stick with Vera now. If you would like your head to remain on your shoulders, that is!” He knew that Duncan had made it quite clear to this version of Grisham that he had decapitated the other one for his crimes against women and that he would gladly do it again if he even looked cross eyed at one of them!

"Hey, don't get so touchy!  I said I loved Vera now!  Just  . . . with this kid bein' mine, I can certainly see what you see in her.  And the other one! No offense, okay?  Now, when can we discuss the kid?"

 "He is under King Arthur's jurisdiction," Ben said firmly. "He is the law around here. You can seek an audience with him, if you like."

Grisham frowned, but said nothing else as another redhead came down the passageway. This one was walking hand in hand with a young man, exactly as she had been when Ben saw her last.  He did not like the way Grisham was looking at her, but decided Aubrey could protect her well enough, and if not him, then her father would have something to say about it!

"Stay away for her too," Ben growled softly as Grisham turned on his heel and walked away. "If you know what is best for you!"

"I saw you looking, though," he said as he walked away.  Ben was disgusted, but as Grisham left, and the doctor looked at the young couple, he knew they would be all right.  Despite having to be separated for a few months, he could see they were really meant for one another.