My Dad

When I talk about my Dad, I am speaking of the man that raised me. He is actually
my maternal grandfather but he rescued me when I was four. He adopted me when
I was six. This is the man my heart calls Dad. I don't remember the man that gave
me half of my DNA. He left when I was two and I never saw him after that. I don't
even have a picture of him. The man my mother married after that was not a nice guy.
I'll just leave that part of my past alone for it has no place here. Let us just say that
I am so grateful my dad got me and my younger brother away from him. Two years
of abuse was enough for a lifetime.

Dad isn't famous and didn't have a fancy job. He has worked hard for most his life.
He raised five children and four of them are some of the finest people you could ever
meet. My mother, well she made some bad choices and she took her own path. He
stepped in when two of his grandchildren were in danger. He took those two children
and raised them as his own. He showed them love and took care of them as best he
could. He worked hard to provide for them. My dad was a steady rock and fortress
when we needed shelter.

My dad showed me the meaning of hard work and standing by your word. He is my
rock. From him, I got a love of animals and the need to take care of people. From
his quiet example, I learned to do my best at everything I do. Family comes first
for him and I have seen him drop everything to help one of his own. My dad is a
quiet man but he loves to tell stories about how things were when he was younger.
He knows every shortcut in town and is almost always early for everything. He loves
to laugh and his blue eyes sparkle when he teases in his gentle way. He is slow to anger
but when he has reached his limit, watch out. His anger usually doesn't last long and
I have never know him to hold a grudge.

He has supported me when I need him and lets me go my own road. I know he is
always there for me. He may not say I love you with words very often, but his actions
speak of his love. He is the one I talk to when I hurt or need advice. No matter how
old I get, he will always be my Daddy. I love him more than mere words can say.
Without him, my world would be empty and cold. He is my compass and guiding
star. He restored my hope in men when I was scared and confused. He earned my
trust with his love and showed me that I could trust people. Dad showed me that life
is not for the weak and that sometimes hope is all you have. Even though life may
break my heart, my dad has shown me how to mend it. He has a quiet dignity that
speaks louder than words. I love him for all he has taught me with his life. I can only
hope that I can be a blessing to others, as he has been to me.

Ifs and Should Have Beens- Chapter 11

***Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin or any of the characters from Merlin. I am
      borrowing them for this story. This story is not for profit. It is for
      entertainment purposes only. ***

    
     Arthur paced his chambers in anger. He had greatly enjoyed his talk with King
Thomas. In truth, the man would make a powerful ally. Hopefully, at least one of
his Knights would make a match with one of King Thomas' daughters. All three
of them were lovely. Aurora and Gwaine had stayed close to each other ever
since Arthur had arrived. Grace and Percival seemed interested in each other.
Leon appeared to have charmed Charlotte. If things went well, soon there
would be three weddings. Arthur smiled to himself, happy with the thought of
three of his Knights make such perfect matches. None of the princesses were
likely to inherit the throne so his Knights would become princes when they wed.
Arthur knew Leon would choose to remain in his service. He could only hope
that Gwaine and Percival would choose to do so. Losing them would be a
horrible blow to Camelot but he would support their choice.

       He gazed around the room. In the corner there was a tub full of water for
his bath. Steam still rose from the water. Arthur stirred the water with his finger,
testing the temperature. Not too hot, not too cold. It was just the way he liked
his bathwater. Now if only Merlin was here. He had no idea where his lazy
servant was but Merlin would hear about this when he showed up. A king
having to bathe himself. The idea was beyond imagining. Arthur quickly stripped
off his clothes and stepped into the tub. The warm water began to soothe his
stress away. He leaned back against the side of the tub, relishing one of the few
moments he had to himself. Ruling Camelot was much more work than he had
thought he would be. Arthur rarely had time do anything just for fun anymore.
There was always someone clamoring for his attention or some matter that had
to be decided at once. Thank goodness for Merlin. Arthur thought he would go
crazy without his servant's gentle nature and good humor to distract him.

     Arthur finished bathing and stepped from the tub,grabbing a thick towel to dry
off with. He wrapped it around his waist and walked to his bed. Merlin had laid
his clothes for the banquet there. He had picked the red velvet outfit that he knew
Arthur was comfortable in. The fact that it was formal without being too fussy
made it one of Arthur's favorite outfits. It was easy to put on as well. A good
thing, seeing how Merlin was missing in action. Arthur began dressing, grumbling
to himself about lazy servants. His mind raced as he thought of clever punishments
for his errant servant. He was pulling on his boots as Merlin came racing through
the door. Arthur's jaw dropped as he took in the sight of his servant. Merlin was
dressed in a forest green velvet outfit cut very similar to his own outfit.

     "What do you think you are wearing?" Arthur asked in a dangerous voice.
"Where did you get those clothes? I've seen your whole wardrobe and you don't
own anything as nice as that outfit. What is going on here, Merlin?"

     "King Thomas' father Sir Samuel gave them to me," Merlin answered in a
voice filled with awe. "He invited me to the feast tonight and knew I wouldn't
have anything suitable. So he gave me this to wear. It used to belong to his
grandson but he didn't like it. He said the color made him look washed out.
Sir Samuel saw how nice it looked on me and told me to keep it. He even
said there may be some other things I could have. Isn't that nice of him?"

     "Why would he invite you to the feast?" Arthur replied. "You are just a
servant. I didn't know you had even talked to King Samuel. Even if he has
turned to throne over to his son, he is still a king and should be addressed
properly. Remember that, Merlin. I won't have King Thomas think my servants
don't know their place. That reflects badly on me."

     "He asked me to call him Sir Samuel," Merlin said in a wounded voice. "He
doesn't like being called King Samuel. His son is the king and it undermines
King Thomas when people call his father King Samuel. Or so Sir Samuel says.
I hope you know I would never do anything to make you look bad, Sire."

     "I know that Merlin," Arthur replied. "But that doesn't tell me why he would
ask you to dine with us. Royalty rarely asks servants to dine with them."

     "He come here looking for you and we got to talking," Merlin answered. "He
remembered Gaius from when he used to visit Camelot. He knows that King
Thomas and Prince William will likely spend the feast talking with you. Gwaine
and Aurora will be wrapped up in each other. Percival and Leon will be trying
to win Grace and Charlotte's hearts. That leaves him nobody to talk to. I guess
he just liked me. He's a very nice person and I wouldn't want him to be bored
while the rest of you talk to each other. But if you don't want me there, I'll go
and tell him I feel ill or something."

     "No, better that he has someone to talk to," Arthur said with a wave of his
hand. "The rest of us will be busy. Just don't say anything embarrassing. You
have a way of speaking before you think. Now how do you think things are
going between the Knights and the princesses? How did things go after King
Thomas and I left? Any possible love matches?"

    "Well, Gwaine and Aurora seem to be wonderfully matched," Merlin replied
hesitantly. "I'm not too sure about the others. Leon and Charlotte seem to be
getting along. Grace and Percival had a nice conversation also. I really can't
say if they like each other enough to marry. I'm sure you"ll see at the banquet.
Maybe you can tell better than I can. I don't have that much experience with
women. It is hard to tell what they are thinking. Shouldn't we be going?"

     "Yes, we should," Arthur said as he walked to the door. "I don't know what
I was thinking asking you. A woman could walk by you naked and you would
not notice. I'll pay close attention tonight. Maybe there will be three weddings
soon. Won't that be wonderful, Merlin?"

     "Lovely," Merlin answered as he followed Arthur from the room. "That
will be just perfect." Merlin lowered his voice. "But will it be the three couples
you think? And will you still be happy?"

     Merlin closed the door and followed Arthur down the hall. He prayed that
the feast would go well. Who knew what was going to happen? He just hoped
Arthur wouldn't be too angry. And that he would still be alive when the dust
settled. This was going to be a long night.