The Foundling

By Jo and B

Very early Christmas  morning, Maximus went out to the stables to check on the horses. His animals  always were tended before he took care of his own needs of the day. The sun  was still low behind the trees and long shadows lay down the row of stalls. He  went to Legion first, as was his habit and an acknowledgement of sorts of the 
white stallion's rank. As he stood, stroking Legion's neck, he thought he  heard a sound from
one of the empty stalls.

On silent feet, he made  his way past several of the occupied ones, stopping just outside the empty  stall. A man lay there, half covered by straw, and as Maximus watched,  he turned again in his sleep. Narrowing his eyes, the General studied the  man. He'd never seen him before. Finally, with the toe of his boot, he  prodded the man's
foot.

"You, there," he said, "what are you doing here?"  


Oh no! East had overslept and he reckoned he was in for it now. He should  have been gone an hour ago. The man who stood above him was about as imposing as they come and East was still in a post sleep stupor. He rubbed his eyes to
make sure he was not dreaming. No such luck.
 
East stood slowly, brushing himself off. He trembled a bit but managed to  maintain most of his composure.
 
"I'm sorry. I was just passing through. Got no place to stay and, well, mate, the horses said it would be okay."
 
Bending down to pick up his pack, East cleared his throat to conceal the  sound of his stomach growling. "I'll be on my way, sir. Didn't mean to trespass  on you. Just needed a place to lay my head'sall."

Maximus sized up the man with long years of practice in judging character. One corner of his mouth twitched just a bit. "Did the horses happen to mention breakfast up at the main house in half an hour? If you will help me with the feed, of course." He smiled disarmingly.

The man's offer stunned young East. He blinked a few times before it sunk in. "I'd be chuffed to help you with the feed, mate. My name's East Driscoll, by the way. Grew up around horses and to tell you the truth they didn't say nothing bout any brekkie but I'd be obliged. Can't remember the last time I had any tucker 'cept for a handful of your sweet feed."

Looking down at the floor he kicked at the straw. "Sure is a good mix. You know your stuff, ma...sir."

Smiling at the man kind of sheepishly he nodded. "I'll get to work. I know where the feed is and I figure you give em two flakes of hay for brekkie too, right?"

"Right," Maximus nodded. The man did seem to know his way around a horse stable. "Are you just passing through the Glen, East, or are you considering staying on a while? I ask because I could use a good man to work with my horses. Would you be interested in a job?"

East's eyes widened. He hadn't thought about staying in this place when he wandered in but there was something in the air that told that he could deal with it for awhile.

"I can shoe horses. Reckon I'd like to stay for a bit if you could use me. I'd earn my keep, sir. Promise you that," he affirmed with a nod. "Can bunk in the tack room if it's okay but there's just one thing. I don't know your name and I never worked for anyone I didn't know by name before."

"Meridius. Maximus Decimus Meridius," the General answered. "And I have been looking for a farrier. There has not yet been one in the area who needed the job, so I shall be most grateful to have you stay on."  He looked toward the tack room. "You are sure that will be sufficient? I could make other arrangements if...."

"I don't need much, Mister Meridius. Never had much but I don't need it. The tack room would be a palace for me compared to some places I been and besides , I get along with horses better than I get along with people. Better off sleeping out here with them."

East made quick work of the mucking and feeding. He was raking the shed row like any good horsman would before the sun began to warm the tops of the trees. Stopping to lean on the rake he thought for a moment then he spoke. "Mister Meridius. I reckon I should say Happy Crimbo. Bout near forgot it was. Reckon I got a nice pressie today. Thank you."

"Happy Christmas to you, East. There is a wash room just off there." He indicated a door beside the tack room. "Please come have breakfast with us. I would like my wife to have a chance to meet you."

Maximus left East to his ablutions and walked back up to the main house. Joimus was in the kitchen pouring orange juice when he entered. "I hope it is not an inconvenience on such a special morning," he said, "but I found a young man asleep in one of the stalls just now. He is a farrier and I have offered him work. He wants to stay in the tack room but I thought it would be good to invite him for breakfast."

"A young man in the stable?" Joimus said. "And on Christmas Eve? He had no where else to stay?"

"It does not appear he did."

"Yes, I should very much like to meet him. I'll add some more eggs to scramble."  She smiled at her husband and turned to the refrigerator. She had made a large batch of fresh blueberry muffins and bacon was cooking. There was plenty of coffee. The timing of the young man's arrival interested her. She was a great believer in the entertaining of angels unaware. Not that the young man was an angel, of course, but that he had come to them on Christmas Eve was, for her, a matter that boded well. And if Maximus already considered him worthy of employment, that, too, was enough for her.

A few minutes later Maximus went to answer a knock on the door and escorted the new arrival to the kitchen where he introduced him to his wife. Joimus extended her hand. "I'm so glad you could join us, East. Christmas morning is a good time to be together with those we know and an even better time to get to know those we don't. Please, have a seat at the table there. Would you like some coffee?"

"Please." he smiled at the lovely woman who offered. East took her hand lightly in his but he released it quickly. It's not that he was uncomfortable but he never had a sheila offer a handshake before. Mostly they wanted something else from him.

 "It's very kind of you to invite me, Missus, being a stranger and all." His eyes traveled over the ceiling of the cottage and he tried to remember if he'd ever seen such a place. "It's peaceful here. Feels good to me."

A blush rose up to his cheeks as he sat down. He was not sure if that was a proper thing to say but it was honest and innocent. "I ain't used to having a meal like this. Lately its been bush tucker or whatever I could scrounge. Ain't got no family." He was well aware that his lack of education hung on him like a badge too.

Joimus found herself really liking the young man. His innocently frank way of speaking was appealing. "Merry Christmas, East," she said, her lips curving into a smile. "I'm really glad you've come."

He felt a blanket of warmth cover him. How did he get so lucky as to end up in this place? Growing up alone and living the same way, East never knew what sincerity and love felt like but he sensed this place was full of it. For once God had smiled on him.

"Merry Christmas, Mum." he replied, not really realizing what he just said.