Fic: Uncer giedd geador 1/3
MASTER POST
Merlin smiled as he woke up. Last night had been wonderful. He reached out his hand and touched the arm around his waist. Merlin smirked slightly at Arthur’s possessiveness, even in sleep. They had only been in a relationship for a few weeks, ever since the Sophia incident, as Merlin had termed it. After Arthur had recovered from the embarrassment of being knocked out by Merlin, the Prince finally made a move. Merlin, who did not have a mental condition, made a move back.
Merlin turned his head and watched the Prince sleeping. He looks like something out of Gaius’s book, Merlin thought to himself. Then he frowned. He had yet to tell Arthur about his magic and he would have to if their relationship, as friends and lovers, were to continue. I’ll tell him tonight when he’s relaxed from a hot bath and sex. Never underestimate the power of sex. Arthur suddenly snuffled into his pillow and opened an eye blearily.
“Merlin,” he said. “Why are you so far away? I demand you move closer.”
“How do you still manage to sound like a prat even half-asleep?”
“It’s a gift, now move.”
Merlin huffed, but moved closer. He wasn’t stupid, they had to get up and go their separate ways soon. Well, after Merlin helped Arthur dress and got him fed, but there was only so long they could drag that out. And then tonight…. Merlin’s thought trailed off as he drifted back asleep. He could think about other important things later, right now Arthur was the most important thing to him.
****
The man looked around the market fervently, before nodding to the boy with him. The boy stepped out of the shadows and quickly walked to the man. They both went to a stall in the crowded market.
“Do you have what we need?” the man whispered.
The merchant said nothing, but cut his eyes sideways. The man did as well. The boy stepped closer to the man. Royal guards were stepping closer and closer.
“You talked!” the man hissed.
“You’re druids! King Uther would have my head!” the merchant hissed back.
The man glared, grabbed the boy and ran. The guards chased them through the streets. The man ran past merchant stalls and pushed over crates of various merchandise, hoping to block the guards’ path. The guards, however, ran around and smashed through the obstacles. The man swore and ducked into the castle entrance. The two druids ran through the courtyard, dodging people and animals. The man then threw the boy into a hiding spot in the middle of the courtyard.
“Stay here. Do not move, no matter what happens,” the man paused as he thought of something. “If help comes, call out, but otherwise stay hidden.”
The boy whimpered and held on to the man’s arm. “I’m scared.”
“I know. I am too. You have to be brave and wait for help.” He kissed the boy’s head and darted back into the streets.
The boy flinched as guards ran past his hiding spot yelling, but he didn’t move. He had to wait for help.
****
Merlin hummed as he walked into the palace courtyard. He and Arthur had managed to sneak away for a little while and make out. Morgana almost caught them, but Arthur managed to pull away and start yelling at him. However, she was suspicious though, especially since she knew how much Arthur liked Merlin. Gwen, who knew that Arthur wanted to tell Morgana himself, was able to distract her enough for both men to slip away. Arthur went to a meeting with his father about the state of Camelot, while Merlin went off to do his daily chores for Gaius. One of the chores involved horsehair, why Merlin didn’t know and he didn’t want to know either, so Merlin had to go to the stables and pluck some horsehair.
As he crossed the courtyard a voice suddenly yelled, HELP ME. Merlin stopped and looked around, but he couldn’t see anyone. The voice yelled again, HELP ME.
Where are you?
Here.
Are you talking in my head?
…
Right. Help you. Just keep, uh, talking and I’ll find you.
With guiding from the voice in his head, Merlin eventually found a boy. Who are you?
The boy blinked. HELP ME.
Merlin was about to ask how, when guards ran by shouting. “We found the druid! Now we need to find the boy that was with him! King Uther says both are to be executed in the morning!”
Merlin looked at the boy. He was shivering and looked like he was tired and hungry. “Come on,” Merlin whispered. He pulled the boy close to him and slowly left the hiding spot. As soon as they were both upright, Merlin muttered a spell. “This will keep you invisible as long as you’re close to me. Don’t move away.”
The boy nodded and drew closer to Merlin. Merlin smiled down at him, “It’ll be fine.” He took the boy’s hand and began a slow, but steady pace towards the castle. Merlin wondered if he should hide the boy on his own, but with all the guards running around searching for the boy, he knew that would be hopeless. He knew only of one place the guards would never look.
****
Merlin burst into Morgana's room and slammed the door behind him.
"Merlin!" Morgana yelled. "Where are your manners?"
"What?" Merlin spun around and stared at the women.
Gwen smiled slightly. "You're supposed to knock. What if Morgana was getting changed?"
"Oh. Oh!" Merlin flushed. "Sorry, I'm in a rush."
"Why?" Morgana moved closer to Merlin and her dress swished as she walked.
Merlin shoved the boy in front of him. "Help me hide him. He's sick."
“Who is he?” Gwen asked. She rushed forward to help steady the boy, but he flinched away and turned towards Merlin. Gwen stopped next to Morgana.
“The druid boy,” Merlin panted. “The one Uther is looking for.” He looked hopefully at the women. “Please, help me.”
Morgana looked at the boy, while he looked back. They stared at each other for a long time.
"Morgana? Morgana?" Gwen questioned. She reached out and touched her arm.
Morgana jumped. "Hurry, hide him behind the screen."
Merlin hurried the boy behind the screen and they knelt down together.
Quiet, Merlin thought. He wasn't sure how he could do that, but it sure did come in handy.
The boy nodded and burrowed closer to Merlin. Merlin thought he heard a whispered, Father, but wasn't sure. As they hid, the two of them listened to Morgana start to yell at the guards. They, like Merlin, had burst in unannounced and the door hit the wall. Gwen squeaked, while Morgana dropped a cup on the floor. The boy flinched, but Merlin held him tight. The word, Father, floated through his mind again. Merlin looked down at the boy, but he was focused on what was happening on the other side of the screen. The boy was most likely thinking of the man he had come into the castle with. He thought the boy might be doing it consciously, but he might not be. It did give him a spark of an idea, though.
"What are you doing?" shrieked Morgana. "How dare you come into my rooms with out my permission! Out!"
"Lady Morgana..." a guard trailed off.
"No! Get out! Get out before I tell King Uther!"
The guards shuffled around, while the captain of the guard tried to argue with Morgana. Merlin peaked out from a crack in the screen. He saw Morgana's eye twitch. He noticed Gwen saw it as well and she backed up.
"I said out," Morgana said quietly.
The guards gulped and left the room quickly. The women watched them leave, then Morgana rushed over to the screen. She crouched down and felt the boy’s forehead.
"Merlin, he's burning up. Where was he?"
"Under the castle. I don't know for how long."
Gwen tsked from behind them. "I'll get blankets and water. Should I get Gaius?"
Merlin hesitated, "Not yet. Let me speak to Arthur first."
"He'll turn the boy into Uther!" Morgana cried. "He's just like Uther when it comes to magic!"
"Maybe, but I have an idea."
Morgana blinked at him. "An idea?" She turned to look at Gwen, who shrugged.
Merlin grinned at both of them. "It'll be fine. Arthur will do what's best."
****
"You want to what?" Arthur asked Merlin.
They were in Arthur's room, talking loudly. Arthur was seated at the table, eating, while Merlin stood in front of him. Merlin had thought it would be better to break the news over food. Arthur was much more placid on a full stomach. Also, Merlin had a plan to kiss the prince senseless, if nothing else would work.
"I want you to help me keep the boy safe."
"You don't even know his name!" Arthur shoved his food away, making a mess on the table.
Merlin frowned and began cleaning up the mess automatically. "I'm sure we'll know it some day. Morgana and Gwen already like him."
"Morgana and Gwen," scoffed Arthur. "Of course they know before me. Does Gaius know?"
"Not yet. I wanted to tell you first."
"How kind of you," Arthur said sarcastically as threw his hands up in the air, pushed away from the table and stalked across the room to the window. He sighed and said, "Merlin. Why are you doing this? The boy is a druid, a crime against Camelot."
"So am I," Merlin replied.
"What?" The prince spun around and glared at him. "What do you mean?"
Merlin gulped, but stepped closer to his lover. "I'm a warlock."
"For how long?" Arthur crossed his arms. Merlin stopped and didn't come any closer.
"All my life."
"You never told me."
Merlin's eyes glowed gold as he threw his hands out to the side in exasperation. "How could I? Your father likes to kill anyone doing magic! 'Oh yes, prince prat, by the way, I'm a warlock who's saved your life a million times!' I'm sure that would work quite well! And then every time I try to tell you, because I think you've changed your mind about magic, you say something...pratish and ruin the whole moment! There was never a good time to tell you. I wanted to tell you tonight, but then this boy dropped into my lap. I had to speed up the process to save him. I can't let Uther kill anymore of my kind. It's wrong!" The fire in the fireplace grew bigger as Merlin got angrier.
Arthur flinched as the fire flared up. "Merlin..."
"No! For the longest time you've followed everything your father said, especially regarding magic! You have to change if you want to be the better king I know you will be," Merlin sighed. "We don't have time to talk about this. The boy needs to be saved. If you're going to turn me in, at least give me and the boy a head start." Merlin let out a deep breath as he watched Arthur.
"Never," Arthur scowled. He watched as Merlin flinched. "I'd never turn you in, even if you wanted to take over Camelot. I will need some time to take in the Warlock thing." Arthur stepped closer to Merlin and swept him up in a hug. "I hate that you lied to me. That you had to lie to me. However," Arthur pulled back so he was able to look at Merlin's face, "You are still the same stupid Merlin I’ve always loved, Warlock or not. I love you, so you have to stay with me, always. "
Merlin laughed shakily and kissed Arthur. "I love you too and I’m not stupid. I’ve never been caught using magic.”
Arthur arched an eyebrow.
“Well, ok, a few times, but they’re all dead anyway. Well, not all. Morgana and Gwen are still alive. Obviously.”
“Obviously. Why am I not surprised that Morgana and Gwen know?”
“Because you are a very smart man,” Merlin grinned.
Arthur scoffed.
Merlin’s smiled turned serious. “We still need to talk about this."
"Later," Arthur kissed Merlin again. He pulled the warlock closer and tried to pull his shirt off.
Merlin pushed away gently. "Arthur, the boy?"
Arthur sighed and went back to the window. He stared at the courtyard, where an execution platform was being set up. The two men were silent for a while.
Suddenly, Merlin growled, "I have to stay with you?"
“What?”
“You said I had to stay with you!”
“Merlin, I said that ages ago. We’ve been past that point for sometime now.”
“You…you…arrgh, I can’t even think of a good word for you right now!”
“You don’t complain any other time I say you belong to me.”
Merlin stopped to consider. “Well, I don’t have a problem with it per say. I just hate being told what to do.”
“Don’t I know it.”
Merlin made a face at Arthur. “Why must I stay with you always then?”
"I don’t like other people to have my things and people I love. I'm a selfish prince," Arthur smirked.
Merlin scoffed. "Don't I know it.” Merlin paused and asked quietly, “Will you help me?"
Arthur took a deep breath, "What do we need to do?"
Merlin beamed and grabbed the Prince's arm. "Come with me," he said and ran out of the run, pulling his lover behind him.
****
“Merlin. Merlin!” Arthur hissed.
Merlin stopped running. “What is it? We don’t have time for a fit.”
Arthur tugged his arm out of Merlin’s grasp. “As much as I love you holding on to me, it wouldn’t be proper for my servant to pull me into the dungeons. Would it?”
Merlin rolled his eyes and sighed. “No, I suppose it wouldn’t. Can we hurry?”
“The man won’t be executed for a few days, we have time.”
“Arthur!”
The prince smirked at his lover and pushed past him. “Well, hurry along Merlin, we don’t have all day.”
“If I didn’t love that man, I’d kill him,” Merlin muttered as he followed Arthur into the dungeon.
Arthur led the way towards the druids cell. Merlin stopped right behind him and peered over his shoulder. There were two guards in front of the cell.
“Prince Arthur…” a guard started.
Arthur waved his hand to silence them. “You may leave.”
“But sire!”
“I said leave.”
The men gulped and quickly left Arthur and Merlin alone with the druid. Arthur moved aside and pushed Merlin towards the cell. “Hurry up.”
Merlin glared, but walked towards the druid. “Hello, I’m…”
“I know who you are,” the man interrupted. “We all do.”
“We?” Arthur asked menacingly.
Merlin shushed him with a smack to the stomach. “Well, that’s just…great. Anyway, we have a plan to save your son.”
“He’s not my son, not by birth. We all take part in raising children. I am the person he is closest too.”
“He called you father.”
“When?”
“When we were hiding. He didn’t say it out loud, though.”
The druid jerked his head in shock. Then he smiled, “He wasn’t calling me father.”
Merlin cocked his head in confusion. He’d have to think on that one later, or ask Gaius.
“Yes, well. Our plan to save the boy is simple; hide him away for about a week or so, since he is sick and it should be long enough after your…” Merlin trailed off.
“Execution,” the man supplied. “We all must die at some point.”
Merlin glanced at Arthur, who seemed to be staring at the man in fascination. It’s a good thing I’m not the jealous type. I wonder why he’s staring though.
“Yes. Then we shall say he is my son!” Merlin paused. “He does vaguely look like me anyway. People should buy it.”
“And if I’m asked about him?”
“You magiked him away,” Arthur stated.
“Magiked?” the man asked, his eyebrows rising in confusion.
“Please forgive him, he’s an idiot when it comes to magic,” Merlin said. Arthur scoffed, but Merlin kept talking over him. “Make up something, say he ran off, anything.”
The druid nodded. “How,” he asked, “will you explain your relationship?”
“Uh, what?” Merlin squeaked.
“I may have gotten captured, but I’m not an idiot. Even the boy knows. Now you must explain it to everyone else, especially if you want peace.”
“I don’t…I mean…we haven’t…” Merlin ran his hands through his hair. This wasn’t something they had ever talked about.
“I’ll tell my father,” Arthur spoke up suddenly.
“Arthur…”
“He can’t disown me, I’m his only heir. And if you have a child, then the Pendragon line can continue. In a roundabout way.”
“That doesn’t even make sense!” Merlin shouted.
Arthur shrugged, “It will to my father and that’s all that matters. Besides, we’d make good parents.”
“I don’t even know anymore,” Merlin sighed.
The druid, who had been in the back of the cell, came forward and touched Merlin’s hand. “You must save him. He could change the course of history.”
The druid and Merlin stared into each other’s eyes until Arthur pulled Merlin away.
“Get your own warlock,” the Prince growled. “This one is mine.”
The druid laughed. “So I see. Thank you, Prince Arthur and Merlin. We appreciate your help.” He bowed and then returned to the back of the cell. He sat down and closed his eyes.
“Come along Merlin. The guards will be back soon and we have to tell Morgana and Gwen the good news,” Arthur said as he dragged Merlin away.
“What good news?” Merlin asked. He shook off Arthur’s arm and walked beside his lover.
“They’re going to be aunts,” Arthur smirked.
****
"So," Morgana began slowly. "Let me get this straight. You and Merlin have been having a relationship for only a few weeks and you want to adopt this boy?"
"Basically," Arthur replied lazily.
"You've accepted Merlin and the boy's magical abilities?"
Arthur paused, "It's a lot to take in right now. All I know is that I love Merlin, so I'll do this for him. We can argue about magic later."
Morgana glared, "Arthur!"
"The boy doesn't have much time!" the prince yelled. "Right now, he's the most important thing, not magic!"
Merlin beamed at Gwen from across the bed the boy was in. Gwen smiled and dabbed more water on the boys' forehead. Morgana opened and closed her mouth a few times, before regaining her composure.
"Well," she said as she smoothed out her dress. "As long as you know that. Gwen, did you hear? We're going to be aunts!"
"I heard. I can't wait to spoil the little man rotten."
Morgana laughed, "Me either. Now we must tell Gaius. He'd like being a grandfather."
Arthur rolled his eyes at Merlin, who stifled a laugh.
"First, we must get the boy out of here. Gwen, can he stay at your place until he's better?" Arthur asked.
"Yes, of course. I can stay with him all week, or more if need be," she replied. "You can even say I'm ill, so then it wouldn't be out of the ordinary for Gaius, Merlin and Morgana to come by."
"Good, good," Arthur nodded. He turned to Morgana, "I'll have a wagon brought around the back, and we’ll hide the boy in it and have Gwen lie over him. Merlin, go get Gaius. The boy needs more help than we can give."
Merlin beamed again. "Of course." He leaned over and kissed Arthur's cheek. "Thank you."
Arthur flushed and cleared his throat. "Yes, well. Hurry up Merlin!"
Merlin ran out the door with a grin on his face. Everything might actually going to be ok, he thought happily.
****
Merlin ran up the stairs and entered the space he shared with Gaius.
"Gaius! Gaius!" he called. "I have some news!"
"No need to shout," said Gaius as he came out of Merlin's room. "Your room is a mess. It took me nearly thirty minutes to find the pans. Did you get the horse hair?"
"Er, no. But that's not important. I've taken in the druid boy and I'm going to say he's my son," Merlin stated.
"You've done what!" Gaius shouted at Merlin. Merlin flinched as Gaius' eyebrow went up.
"The druid boy, I've saved him. Arthur and I will be his parents."
"Arthur and you."
"Ah, I've forgotten to mention that." Merlin rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Arthur and I are in love, in a relationship, I've told him about my magic, and while he isn't quite sure about it yet, he still loves me."
Gaius blinked. "And that leads you to raising a child, how?"
"Um, well, the boy spoke to me in my head," Merlin pointed to his head to emphasize what he was saying, "and I found him. Since the druid man is going to be killed, we can't let the boy die as well. So I'm going to say he's my son, living with my mother, until I was sure of myself here or something like that."
Gaius made his way to a nearby chair and sat down. "What have you done, my boy? If Uther finds out, well, you're going to hope he never finds out or else it'll be our heads."
"Gaius, don't think of it like that." Merlin came over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"And how should I think of it?" Gaius glared up at the young man.
"You're going to be a grandfather," Merlin smiled.
Gaius stared at Merlin before sighing and putting his head in his hands. "I suppose," he grumbled, "that I shall be the stern grandfather."
Merlin thought about it, "Probably not. I mean, the boy won't be able to do much around Uther. He can have all his fun with you."
"A sudden and unexpected perk," Gaius sighed. "All right, what do you need from me?"
Merlin grinned happily at him. He knew Gaius would come around.
****
Arthur looked around the back entrance to the castle, then quickly strode over to a nearby wagon. He made sure the wagon was stable, as it was rather old, then walked back over to Morgana, Gwen, and the boy.
“I’ll take him,” Arthur said.
Morgana glared. “He’s my responsibility.”
“I’m going to be his father. Besides, you have to help Gwen into the wagon.” Arthur scooped up the boy, who was wrapped in blankets to hide him. He heard Morgana grumble, but as he said.
“It’s better this way,” Gwen said as she pretended to be unable to walk on her own.
“How so?” Morgana asked grumpily.
“Well, if Arthur was to carry me, rumors would start about the two of us. Which is ridiculous, considering Merlin would kill me if I ever tried anything and I love you. I think the rumors about you and I are much more interesting,” Gwen said happily.
Arthur smirked as he placed the boy in the wagon. “Shall I help Gwen up as well?”
“No,” Morgana stated. “You just get up front and drive us to Gwen’s home.”
“Are you sure your father won’t mind?” Arthur asked as he got the horse ready.
“He’s away for the whole week. There’s a blacksmith meeting or something, he wasn’t quote forthcoming with the details,” Gwen replied as she situated herself over the boy. Morgana hopped in after her and helped to cover the boy.
“I hope he doesn’t become overheated,” Morgana fretted. She bit her lip and moved the blankets so they would be more comfortable for the boy and Gwen.
“He’ll be fine,” Gwen said as she wiped her thumb over Morgana’s lips to stop her from biting. “He just needs to be covered as we leave the castle, then we can remove some of them.”
“We’ll have to put them back when we get to Gwen’s. She has nosy neighbors,” Arthur said from up front. “The horses are ready.” He climbed up to the bench and got the wagon moving.
Morgana grabbed Gwen’s hand and kissed it. Gwen smiled at her, “Everything will be alright.”
“I hope so,” Morgana replied with a frown.
****
Morgana helped Gwen into the house while Arthur carried the boy in. The boy was once more covered with blankets, Gwen just hoped no one asked why she needed so many blankets.
“Put him here,” Gwen commanded, pointing at a bed nearby. “It’s father’s, but I can clean the sheets so he won’t suspect.”
Arthur nodded and placed the boy down gently. He sat next to the bed and watched as Morgana and Gwen got things ready for Gaius. He looked at the boy and frowned, the boy was sweating and twitching. He pulled the blankets off the boy, then he took the boy’s shirt off.
“He needs to be bathed or wiped down,” Arthur said, “he’s sweating far too much.”
“Here,” Morgana gave him a bowl of water and two pieces of cloth. “Keep one on his forehead and use the other to wipe down his chest and arms. We can’t do more than that until Gaius comes.”
Arthur nodded once more and set to work. If he wanted to keep Merlin happy, he had to take care of his future son.
****
Merlin knocked on the door of Gwen’s house, while checking the area for busybodies. Gaius stood behind him, holding his bag of medicine. The door opened, with Gwen peaking out. She smiled and opened the door.
“Come in. The boy is on the bed,” she said ushering them inside.
“You don’t know his name?” Gaius asked, raising an eyebrow.
They all shook their heads. Gaius sighed and went over to the bed the boy was on. Arthur moved aside, so the older man could have space to work.
“Well,” Gaius said as he examined the boy. “He’s temperature is high, but not dangerously so. There don’t seem to be any cuts that could be infected. It must have just been stress and a damp hiding place.” He picked up his bag and went over Gwen’s kitchen counter. Gaius took out a few ingredients and set to work. “He’ll have to be given this every two hours, put it soup or water. Keep him cool, the cloth is a good idea. Bathing him every four hours will help as well.”
“We can all take turns,” Gwen said.
Arthur grimaced as he said, “I can’t. I’m the Crown Prince, and no offense Gwen, I can’t be seen coming over here every four hours. Rumors and all that.”
“He’s right,” Morgana said. “It’ll have to be the three of us. If you let Merlin have free time?”
Arthur glared at her. “Of course I will. After he’s done all his chores, of course.”
“Of course,” Merlin said with a grin.
“Now that that is taken care of, please be quiet so I may work!” Gaius said loudly. “And someone learn that boy’s name!”
****
Two days passed with the boy at Gwen’s house. Merlin, Morgana, and Gaius had come up with a system of letting Gwen know they were coming in while hiding the truth from Gwen’s neighbors. They knocked on the door and yelled that they were coming in. That way the neighbors though Gwen was too ill to get up. Morgana was sure the neighbors would try the same trick, but Gaius said that Gwen was infectious and only those who had initial contact with her could see her. The neighbors weren’t quite sure what that meant, but Gaius’ eyebrow and hand waving convinced them to stay away from Gwen’s house.
On the second day, Merlin came by Gwen’s house, knocking loudly on her door. “Gwen, it’s me, Merlin. I’m coming in, don’t try to get up!” He opened the door and walked inside. He shut the door quietly as he moved over to the bed.
“How’s he doing Gwen?” he asked.
“Better. His fever seems to be coming down,” she replied as she handed Merlin a bowl of water. “Dump this out the window and get some fresh water.”
Merlin nodded and did as he was told. The fresh water was outside, so he left the house, while trying to avoid Gwen’s nosy neighbors. He did manage to hear Widow Gilbert say he was a nice boy, which was better than what she said he was last time. He smiled at her on his way back, and gained a smile in return.
“Is Widow Gilbert alright?” Merlin asked as he came back in.
“Hmm? Oh, I think so. Why?” Gwen asked distractedly. She was wrapping up the dirty sheets while trying not to wake the boy.
“She said I was nice and she smiled at me when I smiled at her. That never happens. And she said I was a clumsy idiot last time I came by.”
“You are nice and you are clumsy. Maybe she’s just in a good mood today.”
“Ha,” Merlin scoffed. “Has she even been in a good mood?”
“Well, no,” Gwen admitted, “but there’s a first time for everything, right?” She smiled at Merlin, who had to smile back at Gwen’s optimism.
“Anyway, the boy. What can I do?” Merlin asked.
“Wipe him down while I take the sheets into the back of the house and wash them.”
Merlin nodded and put a cool cloth on the boy’s head. He then began to wipe down the boy’s arms. As he started on the boy’s chest, the boy groaned. Merlin stopped what he was doing.
“It’s ok, you’re safe,” he said.
The boy’s eyes opened. “Where am I?” he slurred.
“A friend’s house. We have a plan to help you.”
The boy blinked slowly. “Tired.”
“Go back to sleep. Oh, what’s your name?”
“Mordred,” the boy said sleepily.
“Mordred,” Merlin whispered. He watched as Mordred drifted off back to sleep. Merlin smiled. Mordred sounded like a good name.
****
Merlin sat up, rubbing his eyes. Someone was speaking to him. He looked over at Arthur, who was sleeping next to him. Merlin had taken to sleeping in Arthur’s room every other day since they had first gotten together. He hoped to sleep there all the time soon.
Merlin, the voice said.
Merlin sighed. It was the dragon. Coming, he sent back. He grinned as he slipped out of bed. The dragon was shocked that Merlin could respond back.
Merlin put a shirt on, grabbed his shoes and snuck out of Arthur’s room. He shut the door quietly and jogged down the stairs and out into the courtyard. There he put his shoes on and continued on to the dungeons. He muttered an invisibility spell to slip past the guards and down to see the dragon.
“What do you want?” Merlin asked grumpily.
“My, my, aren’t you testy?” the dragon said.
“It’s three in the morning.”
The dragon shrugged. “I’ve called you here to talk about that boy.”
“Mordred? What about him?”
“Why is he still free? He’s dangerous.”
“He’s a boy! What can he possibly do?”
The dragon stared at Merlin. “He can bring about the ruin of Camelot. And Arthur.”
“How do you know that? You haven’t even met him!” Merlin yelled.
“You must turn him in.”
“He’ll be killed!”
“Yes. His death will save the kingdom and your prince.”
Merlin glared at the dragon. “I won’t do it! He’s my son now!”
The dragon blinked. “What?”
“Arthur and I have taken him and we shall raise him as our son.”
“Oh really?” The dragon smiled lecherously. “You and the prince, you’ve finally consummated your relationship.”
Merlin blushed. “That’s not the point! The point is I won’t let Mordred die and I won’t let anything happen to Arthur.”
“Hmmm,” the dragon hummed. “We did not foresee this.”
“Who?” Merlin asked, confused.
“No one.” The dragon flapped his wings and rose up. “Now, go back to your prince. We can talk about the boy later.” With that, the dragon flew up into the cave.
Merlin grumbled about stupid dragons as he made his way out of the dragon’s prison.
“Hello, Mer-lin,” Arthur drawled from atop the stairs.
Merlin jumped, he put his hand over his chest. “Damn it Arthur,” he shouted. “You scared me. What are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same thing. Where you talking to the dragon?”
“Er, no.”
Arthur stepped closer to Merlin. “You are a bad liar.”
“Oh, all right,” Merlin sighed. “I was talking to him. I have been since I came to Camelot.”
“Interesting.”
“How do you know about him? I thought he was a secret?”
“Only to the general public. Morgana, Gaius, and a few guards know about him. Father used to bring me here to show him off and say how magic was evil and how the dragon was the last one.”
“That’s…” Merlin frowned.
“I know,” Arthur replied. “What do you talk to him about?”
Arthur took Merlin’s hand and led him out of the dungeons. They walked across the courtyard and up the stairs to Arthur’s bedroom, talking quietly.
“You know, all kinds of things,” Merlin waved his hands. “You and me being two sides of the same coin.”
“What does that mean?”
“I don’t know,” Merlin shrugged. “He says a lot of things I don’t understand. Like, just now. He wanted me to turn Mordred in.”
Arthur opened his bedroom door and frowned. “What for? Mordred is just a boy.”
“That’s what I said.” Merlin walked in and started to undress. “The dragon was convinced he would bring the downfall of Camelot and you. He seemed to change his mind when I said we were raising him.”
“Interesting,” Arthur said distractedly. He was watching Merlin take his clothes off. “I like your pale skin,” he muttered while stepping closer.
“Arthur, you aren’t paying attention.” Merlin didn’t step away though. He moved closer and started to pull Arthur’s clothes off.
“I’ll pay attention later. Right now, I’m focused on you.”
Arthur kissed Merlin and started walking backwards, towards the bed. The fell back onto it. They could worry about the dragon and his intentions towards Mordred later.
****
Merlin stood behind Arthur, who stood next to Uther, as they looked down into the courtyard. He glanced over at Morgana. She was gripping her dress tightly, while Gwen stood, fretting, right behind her.
“Today,” Uther began. “We have yet another execution of a magic user!”
He pointed towards the side and the guards brought out the druid man. He winced as the sun hit his face. The guards dragged him to the execution platform. The executioner was already there, with his axe ready.
“Where is the boy that was with you?” Uther asked.
The man was silent. Merlin didn’t know if he wanted the man to answer or not.
“Well?” Uther demanded.
“I magiked him away,” the man smirked up at the king.
Merlin saw Arthur’s hand twitch. The prince then folded his arms against his chest.
Uther scowled. “Do you have anything to say for yourself?”
“Someday, perhaps soon, things will change in this kingdom for the better. I am just sorry I won’t be around to see it.” The druid looked up at the balcony they were standing on.
Thank you he whispered to Merlin.
Uther brought his hand up, then down. The executioner nodded and brought his axe up and down. Merlin stared at the druid the whole time. Arthur touched Merlin’s arm and the warlock blinked.
“Are you ok?” Arthur asked quietly.
“Yes,” Merlin said shakily.
Arthur just looked at him. “You’re crying.”
Merlin put his hand to his cheek and felt that it was wet. “I…”
“I know,” Arthur smiled slightly. “Let’s go. You have chores to do.”
“Thank you Arthur.”
“It’s nothing. Come along.”
Arthur strode off. Merlin looked out into the courtyard once more, then he turned and followed Arthur. They still had a boy to take care of.
****
Everyone was gathered at Gwen’s house, seeing what Gaius would say about Mordred’s health.
“Well,” Gaius said as he stood up. “The week is over, and you young man, are much better. Perhaps a little lingering cold, but nothing that won’t go away with time and rest.”
“Thank you,” Mordred said. He looked a Merlin. “How are you going to get me back to the druids?”
“Oh. I hadn’t thought of that,” Merlin stated.
Gaius sighed, while Morgana and Gwen giggled. Arthur just frowned. Mordred frowned back at him.
“What is your plan then?” Mordred asked.
“I’m going to make you my son,” Merlin said pleased.
“Our son,” Arthur interjected.
“Yes, our son.”
Mordred stared at Merlin. “How did you ever come up with that?”
“You said ‘father’ in my head and it seemed like a good plan.”
Mordred winced as he remembered. He saw Arthur staring at him, and the boy looked away.
“It’s a great plan Merlin,” Morgana said. “Gwen and I deserve to be aunts.”
Mordred eyes lit up. “You’re going to be my aunts?”
“Yes,” Gwen smiled. “And Gaius will be your grandfather.”
“I’ve never had a grandfather before,” Mordred said, wide eyed. “We are raised by the whole clan, but we don’t call anyone father, aunt, or grandfather.”
“That seems silly,” Arthur said.
Mordred glared at him. “It’s not silly. Is it Merlin?”
“Uh, well,” Merlin stuttered, “It’s not silly, so much as different.”
“See?” Mordred stuck his tongue out Arthur.
Arthur chuckled. “He is definitely your son, Merlin.”
Merlin huffed. “Just ignore Arthur, I do.”
Arthur grabbed Merlin from behind and swung him around. He then just held him, with Merlin’s feet hanging down, not even close to the floor.
“Put me down you prat!” Merlin yelped.
“No,” Arthur grinned. “Not until you say you’ve never ignored me.”
Gaius rolled his eyes at their antics and packed his things up. “I will see you all tonight,” he said as he left.
Merlin squirmed in Arthur’s hold. “I can’t even see your face. How can I tell you something if I can’t see your face?”
“Try,” Arthur hitched Merlin up a little higher.
Gwen laughed as she put the bowl of water on the counter. “Morgana, will you help me with these sheets? I should clean them before dad comes home.”
“Of course.” Morgana bent and kissed Mordred’s forehead. “Everything will be all right. See you tonight.”
Mordred nodded and watched her and Gwen leave him alone with his soon to be fathers. He stared as Arthur moved Merlin, so Merlin was hanging over his shoulder.
“I’m going to fall!” Merlin squawked.
“No you won’t. Now say it!”
“Fine, fine! I’ve never ignored you! Happy?”
“Delighted.” Arthur set Merlin down. “See? You only had to say what I wanted.”
“Prat,” Merlin mumbled as he kissed Arthur.
Mordred glared at Arthur once more. That Arthur was too mean to Merlin, he thought.
****
Later that night, Merlin was getting Mordred ready to meet Uther in Arthur’s room. Merlin was already dressed in his best clothes. Gwen had picked Mordred’s clothes.
“Sensible clothes for a farm boy,” she had said while laying them out. “I’m sure your mother would have picked them.”
Merlin slapped his forehead. “My mother! I’m going to have to tell her about this.”
Gwen patted his cheek. “I’m sure she’d love a grandchild.”
“She’s still going to kill me because I didn’t tell her sooner.”
“You’ll just have to grovel.”
“Very funny Gwen!”
Gwen laughed as she left the room.
“You don’t have to do this,” Mordred said as he scrubbed behind his ears. “I can go back to the druids, you know.”
“I know, but I don’t want you to. I do have to do this.” Merlin took the cloth and started washing Mordred’s back.
“Why?” asked the boy.
Merlin paused in washing Mordred. “Because I’m here to help you. I have been ever since I first heard you.”
“…That’s a bad answer.”
Merlin laughed. “So it is.” He resumed washing. “I don’t know; it’s just a feeling I have. I think the future will be better because of it.”
“Humph, that’s still a bad answer. It doesn’t tell me anything.”
Merlin laughed again. “You know, you’re kind of like Arthur.”
Mordred glared. He wasn’t anything like that stupid prince.
****
“Father!” Arthur called out.
Uther was walking down a hallway towards the dining hall. He turned as his son called out to him.
“Yes Arthur?”
“There is something I must speak to you about something.”
“Well, tell me as we walk to dinner,” Uther set off again as Arthur trailed behind him.
“It’s a little more important than walking and talking. I should look you in the face.”
“Oh,” Uther said, surprised. Rarely was anything that important to Arthur.
Arthur nodded as he opened the door to the dining hall. Uther was again surprised as Morgana was already there. She was usually the last to arrive. Her maid, Gwen, and Gaius were also there.
“Gaius? What are you doing here?” the king asked.
“It’s part of my announcement,” Arthur spoke up.
“Really?” Uther sat at the head of the table, put his elbows on the table and steepled his fingers. “Well, what is it?”
Arthur straightened up and cleared his throat. “Father, I have fallen in love.” Arthur paused to watch his father. Uther just sat, staring, at his son.
“I have fallen in love,” Arthur continued, “with Merlin. My servant. He and I plan on being together for the rest of our lives, so I won’t be marrying any women.”
“Are you done?” asked Uther.
“Yes.”
“I see.” Uther sat back in his chair. “Are you stupid? How do you expect to care on the Pendragon line, with a servant? A male servant no less! And I suppose, you’ll be marrying Merlin as well?”
“Yes. As for carrying on the line, that’s covered as well.”
“What?” Uther growled.
Arthur grinned and jogged to the door of the dining hall. “Come in,” he said.
Uther watched as his son grabbed his servant’s hand and pulled him inside. Merlin paused and looked back. He held out his hand and a young boy took it. Uther cut a look at Gaius, who smirked at him. Uther scowled. He hated being the last to know anything.
“Father,” Arthur said, stepping forward, dropping Merlin’s hand. “This is Merlin’s son. I shall adopt him and he shall be my heir.”
Uther blinked. “You have a son?”
“Well,” Merlin blushed and scuffed his foot on the floor. “It was a while ago. I was young and in love, or so I thought. She died after she gave birth, I took care of him, with my mother’s help, right up until I left. And I had to leave him behind with my mother, until I was certain that my job would work out all right. Which it has, obviously.”
“Obviously,” Uther said with sarcasm. He saw Arthur grab Merlin’s hand once more. He sniffed and got up from his chair, came around and knelt down to look at the boy. “What’s your name?”
“Mordred. Mordred Pendragon.”
Gaius and Morgana laughed out loud as Uther stared at Mordred in shock.
“That’s what Daddy said my new name was. Isn’t it Grandfather?” Mordred gave Uther a big smile.
Uther grinned and picked Mordred up. “Yes, yes it is.” He turned to Arthur and Merlin. “We will discuss this later.”
Both men nodded. They smiled at each other as Uther put Mordred in the seat next to him. They still had a long way to go, but this first obstacle was over with and went very well.
****
Arthur sighed as he shut his bedroom door behind him. “That didn’t go as bad as I thought,” he said.
“I thought your father as going to kill me,” Merlin scoffed.
“He liked me,” Mordred piped up from beside Merlin.
“Of course he did,” Arthur replied. He reached out to ruffle Mordred’s hair, but the boy dodged and hid behind Merlin. Arthur frowned and glanced at Merlin, who shrugged. “I’ll see if your room is ready Mordred.”
“I get my own room?” Mordred asked as Arthur left.
“Yes,” Merlin smiled down at him.
“Amazing! I’ve never had my own room before, I always had to share with the other children.”
“Well, you won’t have to share anymore.”
“Good, I don’t like sharing,” Mordred scowled.
Merlin laughed. “You are so very much like Arthur, it’s scary.”
Mordred was about to yell that he wasn’t, when the man in question came back into the room.
“The room is ready for Mordred to move in. Shall we?” Arthur asked.
Merlin nodded and took Mordred’s hand. “Your room is right next to ours, you can get in through this door.”
They walked through the door and Mordred looked around, wide-eyed. There was a huge bed next to the far wall. There was also a table in the middle of the room, next to a fireplace. There was a dresser with a mirror against a long wall, opposite a big window. Mordred looked at the dresser in confusion.
“It was the only one we could find on short notice. It’s an old one of Morgana’s, I hope you don’t mind,” Arthur said.
“This isn’t a guest room?” Mordred asked.
“No. This is in the middle of the castle, which is where the family stays.”
“Where’s Merlin sleeping?”
Merlin blushed, dropped Mordred’s hand and began to get come sleeping clothes out for Mordred.
“Technically, there is a room for the prince’s wife, but Merlin will be sleeping with me and not in Gaius’ workroom,” Arthur stated.
“Then, what’s this room?”
“For the prince’s firstborn. I never stayed in here because my grandfather had already died by the time I was born. When I become king, my room will become yours, and my father’s will become mine.”
“Oh,” Mordred bit his lip and looked around. “Is your room close to Grandpa Uther’s rooms?”
Arthur nodded. “Family has to stay close.”
Merlin beamed at Arthur as he showed Mordred to the bathroom to change.
“You’re going to make a good father,” Merlin said.
Arthur flushed and looked away. “I’m just telling the truth. Family must stay close together for protection. That’s why we all live in the middle.”
Merlin hummed as he leaned in and kissed Arthur. From the doorway of the bathroom, Mordred glared at the couple. He jumped when Arthur’s eyes opened and stared at him. Mordred straightened up and dropped his shoes on the floor with a clatter. Merlin pulled away from Arthur and smiled at his new son.
“Ready for bed?” the warlock asked.
Mordred nodded. He walked over and took Merlin’s hand, completely ignoring Arthur. Merlin and Arthur frowned, but let the slight go.
Mordred climbed into bed, while Merlin pulled the sheets up around him and sat on the bed. Arthur stood behind Merlin with his hand on his shoulder.
“Mordred,” Merlin began, “we just wanted to remind you not to use magic. It could be dangerous for you. So, no magic in front of anyone but me and Gaius.”
Arthur coughed.
“And Arthur,” Merlin added.
“Not even Aunt Morgana and Aunt Gwen?”
“Well, they know about my magic and your magic, so they should be fine. Ok, no magic except in front of Arthur, Gaius, Morgana, Gwen, and me. If anyone else sees you, you could die.”
“And you could die too Daddy, like Conlaoch?”
“Conlaoch?” Merlin asked, looking at Arthur in confusion. Arthur shrugged.
“The man I was with,” Mordred said.
“Oh! He never told us his name,” Merlin replied. “But, yes, I could die as well.”
Mordred bit his lip and nodded. Merlin leaned over and kissed his forehead. Arthur reached out and ruffled the boy’s hair. Mordred wasn’t quick enough to move away, so he scowled at the prince. Just then, the door to the bedroom opened and Morgana walked in.
“I’m here to tell my nephew a story,” she declared.
“No Gwen?” asked Arthur slyly.
Morgana sniffed. “Her father came home today and they are spending some time together. She wanted him to know that she had recovered from her sickness and that he shouldn’t worry. She should be able to come by tomorrow night.”
“Well, alright then. Mordred, Arthur and I will see you tomorrow morning. Come into our room if you need anything, ok?” Merlin said.
Mordred nodded. He turned to Morgana and asked, “What story will you tell me?”
Merlin smiled and took Arthur’s hand. “I think it’s time for our talk,” he whispered.
Arthur grimaced, but nodded in agreement. He wasn’t looking forward to this at all.
PART 2
Merlin smiled as he woke up. Last night had been wonderful. He reached out his hand and touched the arm around his waist. Merlin smirked slightly at Arthur’s possessiveness, even in sleep. They had only been in a relationship for a few weeks, ever since the Sophia incident, as Merlin had termed it. After Arthur had recovered from the embarrassment of being knocked out by Merlin, the Prince finally made a move. Merlin, who did not have a mental condition, made a move back.
Merlin turned his head and watched the Prince sleeping. He looks like something out of Gaius’s book, Merlin thought to himself. Then he frowned. He had yet to tell Arthur about his magic and he would have to if their relationship, as friends and lovers, were to continue. I’ll tell him tonight when he’s relaxed from a hot bath and sex. Never underestimate the power of sex. Arthur suddenly snuffled into his pillow and opened an eye blearily.
“Merlin,” he said. “Why are you so far away? I demand you move closer.”
“How do you still manage to sound like a prat even half-asleep?”
“It’s a gift, now move.”
Merlin huffed, but moved closer. He wasn’t stupid, they had to get up and go their separate ways soon. Well, after Merlin helped Arthur dress and got him fed, but there was only so long they could drag that out. And then tonight…. Merlin’s thought trailed off as he drifted back asleep. He could think about other important things later, right now Arthur was the most important thing to him.
****
The man looked around the market fervently, before nodding to the boy with him. The boy stepped out of the shadows and quickly walked to the man. They both went to a stall in the crowded market.
“Do you have what we need?” the man whispered.
The merchant said nothing, but cut his eyes sideways. The man did as well. The boy stepped closer to the man. Royal guards were stepping closer and closer.
“You talked!” the man hissed.
“You’re druids! King Uther would have my head!” the merchant hissed back.
The man glared, grabbed the boy and ran. The guards chased them through the streets. The man ran past merchant stalls and pushed over crates of various merchandise, hoping to block the guards’ path. The guards, however, ran around and smashed through the obstacles. The man swore and ducked into the castle entrance. The two druids ran through the courtyard, dodging people and animals. The man then threw the boy into a hiding spot in the middle of the courtyard.
“Stay here. Do not move, no matter what happens,” the man paused as he thought of something. “If help comes, call out, but otherwise stay hidden.”
The boy whimpered and held on to the man’s arm. “I’m scared.”
“I know. I am too. You have to be brave and wait for help.” He kissed the boy’s head and darted back into the streets.
The boy flinched as guards ran past his hiding spot yelling, but he didn’t move. He had to wait for help.
****
Merlin hummed as he walked into the palace courtyard. He and Arthur had managed to sneak away for a little while and make out. Morgana almost caught them, but Arthur managed to pull away and start yelling at him. However, she was suspicious though, especially since she knew how much Arthur liked Merlin. Gwen, who knew that Arthur wanted to tell Morgana himself, was able to distract her enough for both men to slip away. Arthur went to a meeting with his father about the state of Camelot, while Merlin went off to do his daily chores for Gaius. One of the chores involved horsehair, why Merlin didn’t know and he didn’t want to know either, so Merlin had to go to the stables and pluck some horsehair.
As he crossed the courtyard a voice suddenly yelled, HELP ME. Merlin stopped and looked around, but he couldn’t see anyone. The voice yelled again, HELP ME.
Where are you?
Here.
Are you talking in my head?
…
Right. Help you. Just keep, uh, talking and I’ll find you.
With guiding from the voice in his head, Merlin eventually found a boy. Who are you?
The boy blinked. HELP ME.
Merlin was about to ask how, when guards ran by shouting. “We found the druid! Now we need to find the boy that was with him! King Uther says both are to be executed in the morning!”
Merlin looked at the boy. He was shivering and looked like he was tired and hungry. “Come on,” Merlin whispered. He pulled the boy close to him and slowly left the hiding spot. As soon as they were both upright, Merlin muttered a spell. “This will keep you invisible as long as you’re close to me. Don’t move away.”
The boy nodded and drew closer to Merlin. Merlin smiled down at him, “It’ll be fine.” He took the boy’s hand and began a slow, but steady pace towards the castle. Merlin wondered if he should hide the boy on his own, but with all the guards running around searching for the boy, he knew that would be hopeless. He knew only of one place the guards would never look.
****
Merlin burst into Morgana's room and slammed the door behind him.
"Merlin!" Morgana yelled. "Where are your manners?"
"What?" Merlin spun around and stared at the women.
Gwen smiled slightly. "You're supposed to knock. What if Morgana was getting changed?"
"Oh. Oh!" Merlin flushed. "Sorry, I'm in a rush."
"Why?" Morgana moved closer to Merlin and her dress swished as she walked.
Merlin shoved the boy in front of him. "Help me hide him. He's sick."
“Who is he?” Gwen asked. She rushed forward to help steady the boy, but he flinched away and turned towards Merlin. Gwen stopped next to Morgana.
“The druid boy,” Merlin panted. “The one Uther is looking for.” He looked hopefully at the women. “Please, help me.”
Morgana looked at the boy, while he looked back. They stared at each other for a long time.
"Morgana? Morgana?" Gwen questioned. She reached out and touched her arm.
Morgana jumped. "Hurry, hide him behind the screen."
Merlin hurried the boy behind the screen and they knelt down together.
Quiet, Merlin thought. He wasn't sure how he could do that, but it sure did come in handy.
The boy nodded and burrowed closer to Merlin. Merlin thought he heard a whispered, Father, but wasn't sure. As they hid, the two of them listened to Morgana start to yell at the guards. They, like Merlin, had burst in unannounced and the door hit the wall. Gwen squeaked, while Morgana dropped a cup on the floor. The boy flinched, but Merlin held him tight. The word, Father, floated through his mind again. Merlin looked down at the boy, but he was focused on what was happening on the other side of the screen. The boy was most likely thinking of the man he had come into the castle with. He thought the boy might be doing it consciously, but he might not be. It did give him a spark of an idea, though.
"What are you doing?" shrieked Morgana. "How dare you come into my rooms with out my permission! Out!"
"Lady Morgana..." a guard trailed off.
"No! Get out! Get out before I tell King Uther!"
The guards shuffled around, while the captain of the guard tried to argue with Morgana. Merlin peaked out from a crack in the screen. He saw Morgana's eye twitch. He noticed Gwen saw it as well and she backed up.
"I said out," Morgana said quietly.
The guards gulped and left the room quickly. The women watched them leave, then Morgana rushed over to the screen. She crouched down and felt the boy’s forehead.
"Merlin, he's burning up. Where was he?"
"Under the castle. I don't know for how long."
Gwen tsked from behind them. "I'll get blankets and water. Should I get Gaius?"
Merlin hesitated, "Not yet. Let me speak to Arthur first."
"He'll turn the boy into Uther!" Morgana cried. "He's just like Uther when it comes to magic!"
"Maybe, but I have an idea."
Morgana blinked at him. "An idea?" She turned to look at Gwen, who shrugged.
Merlin grinned at both of them. "It'll be fine. Arthur will do what's best."
****
"You want to what?" Arthur asked Merlin.
They were in Arthur's room, talking loudly. Arthur was seated at the table, eating, while Merlin stood in front of him. Merlin had thought it would be better to break the news over food. Arthur was much more placid on a full stomach. Also, Merlin had a plan to kiss the prince senseless, if nothing else would work.
"I want you to help me keep the boy safe."
"You don't even know his name!" Arthur shoved his food away, making a mess on the table.
Merlin frowned and began cleaning up the mess automatically. "I'm sure we'll know it some day. Morgana and Gwen already like him."
"Morgana and Gwen," scoffed Arthur. "Of course they know before me. Does Gaius know?"
"Not yet. I wanted to tell you first."
"How kind of you," Arthur said sarcastically as threw his hands up in the air, pushed away from the table and stalked across the room to the window. He sighed and said, "Merlin. Why are you doing this? The boy is a druid, a crime against Camelot."
"So am I," Merlin replied.
"What?" The prince spun around and glared at him. "What do you mean?"
Merlin gulped, but stepped closer to his lover. "I'm a warlock."
"For how long?" Arthur crossed his arms. Merlin stopped and didn't come any closer.
"All my life."
"You never told me."
Merlin's eyes glowed gold as he threw his hands out to the side in exasperation. "How could I? Your father likes to kill anyone doing magic! 'Oh yes, prince prat, by the way, I'm a warlock who's saved your life a million times!' I'm sure that would work quite well! And then every time I try to tell you, because I think you've changed your mind about magic, you say something...pratish and ruin the whole moment! There was never a good time to tell you. I wanted to tell you tonight, but then this boy dropped into my lap. I had to speed up the process to save him. I can't let Uther kill anymore of my kind. It's wrong!" The fire in the fireplace grew bigger as Merlin got angrier.
Arthur flinched as the fire flared up. "Merlin..."
"No! For the longest time you've followed everything your father said, especially regarding magic! You have to change if you want to be the better king I know you will be," Merlin sighed. "We don't have time to talk about this. The boy needs to be saved. If you're going to turn me in, at least give me and the boy a head start." Merlin let out a deep breath as he watched Arthur.
"Never," Arthur scowled. He watched as Merlin flinched. "I'd never turn you in, even if you wanted to take over Camelot. I will need some time to take in the Warlock thing." Arthur stepped closer to Merlin and swept him up in a hug. "I hate that you lied to me. That you had to lie to me. However," Arthur pulled back so he was able to look at Merlin's face, "You are still the same stupid Merlin I’ve always loved, Warlock or not. I love you, so you have to stay with me, always. "
Merlin laughed shakily and kissed Arthur. "I love you too and I’m not stupid. I’ve never been caught using magic.”
Arthur arched an eyebrow.
“Well, ok, a few times, but they’re all dead anyway. Well, not all. Morgana and Gwen are still alive. Obviously.”
“Obviously. Why am I not surprised that Morgana and Gwen know?”
“Because you are a very smart man,” Merlin grinned.
Arthur scoffed.
Merlin’s smiled turned serious. “We still need to talk about this."
"Later," Arthur kissed Merlin again. He pulled the warlock closer and tried to pull his shirt off.
Merlin pushed away gently. "Arthur, the boy?"
Arthur sighed and went back to the window. He stared at the courtyard, where an execution platform was being set up. The two men were silent for a while.
Suddenly, Merlin growled, "I have to stay with you?"
“What?”
“You said I had to stay with you!”
“Merlin, I said that ages ago. We’ve been past that point for sometime now.”
“You…you…arrgh, I can’t even think of a good word for you right now!”
“You don’t complain any other time I say you belong to me.”
Merlin stopped to consider. “Well, I don’t have a problem with it per say. I just hate being told what to do.”
“Don’t I know it.”
Merlin made a face at Arthur. “Why must I stay with you always then?”
"I don’t like other people to have my things and people I love. I'm a selfish prince," Arthur smirked.
Merlin scoffed. "Don't I know it.” Merlin paused and asked quietly, “Will you help me?"
Arthur took a deep breath, "What do we need to do?"
Merlin beamed and grabbed the Prince's arm. "Come with me," he said and ran out of the run, pulling his lover behind him.
****
“Merlin. Merlin!” Arthur hissed.
Merlin stopped running. “What is it? We don’t have time for a fit.”
Arthur tugged his arm out of Merlin’s grasp. “As much as I love you holding on to me, it wouldn’t be proper for my servant to pull me into the dungeons. Would it?”
Merlin rolled his eyes and sighed. “No, I suppose it wouldn’t. Can we hurry?”
“The man won’t be executed for a few days, we have time.”
“Arthur!”
The prince smirked at his lover and pushed past him. “Well, hurry along Merlin, we don’t have all day.”
“If I didn’t love that man, I’d kill him,” Merlin muttered as he followed Arthur into the dungeon.
Arthur led the way towards the druids cell. Merlin stopped right behind him and peered over his shoulder. There were two guards in front of the cell.
“Prince Arthur…” a guard started.
Arthur waved his hand to silence them. “You may leave.”
“But sire!”
“I said leave.”
The men gulped and quickly left Arthur and Merlin alone with the druid. Arthur moved aside and pushed Merlin towards the cell. “Hurry up.”
Merlin glared, but walked towards the druid. “Hello, I’m…”
“I know who you are,” the man interrupted. “We all do.”
“We?” Arthur asked menacingly.
Merlin shushed him with a smack to the stomach. “Well, that’s just…great. Anyway, we have a plan to save your son.”
“He’s not my son, not by birth. We all take part in raising children. I am the person he is closest too.”
“He called you father.”
“When?”
“When we were hiding. He didn’t say it out loud, though.”
The druid jerked his head in shock. Then he smiled, “He wasn’t calling me father.”
Merlin cocked his head in confusion. He’d have to think on that one later, or ask Gaius.
“Yes, well. Our plan to save the boy is simple; hide him away for about a week or so, since he is sick and it should be long enough after your…” Merlin trailed off.
“Execution,” the man supplied. “We all must die at some point.”
Merlin glanced at Arthur, who seemed to be staring at the man in fascination. It’s a good thing I’m not the jealous type. I wonder why he’s staring though.
“Yes. Then we shall say he is my son!” Merlin paused. “He does vaguely look like me anyway. People should buy it.”
“And if I’m asked about him?”
“You magiked him away,” Arthur stated.
“Magiked?” the man asked, his eyebrows rising in confusion.
“Please forgive him, he’s an idiot when it comes to magic,” Merlin said. Arthur scoffed, but Merlin kept talking over him. “Make up something, say he ran off, anything.”
The druid nodded. “How,” he asked, “will you explain your relationship?”
“Uh, what?” Merlin squeaked.
“I may have gotten captured, but I’m not an idiot. Even the boy knows. Now you must explain it to everyone else, especially if you want peace.”
“I don’t…I mean…we haven’t…” Merlin ran his hands through his hair. This wasn’t something they had ever talked about.
“I’ll tell my father,” Arthur spoke up suddenly.
“Arthur…”
“He can’t disown me, I’m his only heir. And if you have a child, then the Pendragon line can continue. In a roundabout way.”
“That doesn’t even make sense!” Merlin shouted.
Arthur shrugged, “It will to my father and that’s all that matters. Besides, we’d make good parents.”
“I don’t even know anymore,” Merlin sighed.
The druid, who had been in the back of the cell, came forward and touched Merlin’s hand. “You must save him. He could change the course of history.”
The druid and Merlin stared into each other’s eyes until Arthur pulled Merlin away.
“Get your own warlock,” the Prince growled. “This one is mine.”
The druid laughed. “So I see. Thank you, Prince Arthur and Merlin. We appreciate your help.” He bowed and then returned to the back of the cell. He sat down and closed his eyes.
“Come along Merlin. The guards will be back soon and we have to tell Morgana and Gwen the good news,” Arthur said as he dragged Merlin away.
“What good news?” Merlin asked. He shook off Arthur’s arm and walked beside his lover.
“They’re going to be aunts,” Arthur smirked.
****
"So," Morgana began slowly. "Let me get this straight. You and Merlin have been having a relationship for only a few weeks and you want to adopt this boy?"
"Basically," Arthur replied lazily.
"You've accepted Merlin and the boy's magical abilities?"
Arthur paused, "It's a lot to take in right now. All I know is that I love Merlin, so I'll do this for him. We can argue about magic later."
Morgana glared, "Arthur!"
"The boy doesn't have much time!" the prince yelled. "Right now, he's the most important thing, not magic!"
Merlin beamed at Gwen from across the bed the boy was in. Gwen smiled and dabbed more water on the boys' forehead. Morgana opened and closed her mouth a few times, before regaining her composure.
"Well," she said as she smoothed out her dress. "As long as you know that. Gwen, did you hear? We're going to be aunts!"
"I heard. I can't wait to spoil the little man rotten."
Morgana laughed, "Me either. Now we must tell Gaius. He'd like being a grandfather."
Arthur rolled his eyes at Merlin, who stifled a laugh.
"First, we must get the boy out of here. Gwen, can he stay at your place until he's better?" Arthur asked.
"Yes, of course. I can stay with him all week, or more if need be," she replied. "You can even say I'm ill, so then it wouldn't be out of the ordinary for Gaius, Merlin and Morgana to come by."
"Good, good," Arthur nodded. He turned to Morgana, "I'll have a wagon brought around the back, and we’ll hide the boy in it and have Gwen lie over him. Merlin, go get Gaius. The boy needs more help than we can give."
Merlin beamed again. "Of course." He leaned over and kissed Arthur's cheek. "Thank you."
Arthur flushed and cleared his throat. "Yes, well. Hurry up Merlin!"
Merlin ran out the door with a grin on his face. Everything might actually going to be ok, he thought happily.
****
Merlin ran up the stairs and entered the space he shared with Gaius.
"Gaius! Gaius!" he called. "I have some news!"
"No need to shout," said Gaius as he came out of Merlin's room. "Your room is a mess. It took me nearly thirty minutes to find the pans. Did you get the horse hair?"
"Er, no. But that's not important. I've taken in the druid boy and I'm going to say he's my son," Merlin stated.
"You've done what!" Gaius shouted at Merlin. Merlin flinched as Gaius' eyebrow went up.
"The druid boy, I've saved him. Arthur and I will be his parents."
"Arthur and you."
"Ah, I've forgotten to mention that." Merlin rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Arthur and I are in love, in a relationship, I've told him about my magic, and while he isn't quite sure about it yet, he still loves me."
Gaius blinked. "And that leads you to raising a child, how?"
"Um, well, the boy spoke to me in my head," Merlin pointed to his head to emphasize what he was saying, "and I found him. Since the druid man is going to be killed, we can't let the boy die as well. So I'm going to say he's my son, living with my mother, until I was sure of myself here or something like that."
Gaius made his way to a nearby chair and sat down. "What have you done, my boy? If Uther finds out, well, you're going to hope he never finds out or else it'll be our heads."
"Gaius, don't think of it like that." Merlin came over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"And how should I think of it?" Gaius glared up at the young man.
"You're going to be a grandfather," Merlin smiled.
Gaius stared at Merlin before sighing and putting his head in his hands. "I suppose," he grumbled, "that I shall be the stern grandfather."
Merlin thought about it, "Probably not. I mean, the boy won't be able to do much around Uther. He can have all his fun with you."
"A sudden and unexpected perk," Gaius sighed. "All right, what do you need from me?"
Merlin grinned happily at him. He knew Gaius would come around.
****
Arthur looked around the back entrance to the castle, then quickly strode over to a nearby wagon. He made sure the wagon was stable, as it was rather old, then walked back over to Morgana, Gwen, and the boy.
“I’ll take him,” Arthur said.
Morgana glared. “He’s my responsibility.”
“I’m going to be his father. Besides, you have to help Gwen into the wagon.” Arthur scooped up the boy, who was wrapped in blankets to hide him. He heard Morgana grumble, but as he said.
“It’s better this way,” Gwen said as she pretended to be unable to walk on her own.
“How so?” Morgana asked grumpily.
“Well, if Arthur was to carry me, rumors would start about the two of us. Which is ridiculous, considering Merlin would kill me if I ever tried anything and I love you. I think the rumors about you and I are much more interesting,” Gwen said happily.
Arthur smirked as he placed the boy in the wagon. “Shall I help Gwen up as well?”
“No,” Morgana stated. “You just get up front and drive us to Gwen’s home.”
“Are you sure your father won’t mind?” Arthur asked as he got the horse ready.
“He’s away for the whole week. There’s a blacksmith meeting or something, he wasn’t quote forthcoming with the details,” Gwen replied as she situated herself over the boy. Morgana hopped in after her and helped to cover the boy.
“I hope he doesn’t become overheated,” Morgana fretted. She bit her lip and moved the blankets so they would be more comfortable for the boy and Gwen.
“He’ll be fine,” Gwen said as she wiped her thumb over Morgana’s lips to stop her from biting. “He just needs to be covered as we leave the castle, then we can remove some of them.”
“We’ll have to put them back when we get to Gwen’s. She has nosy neighbors,” Arthur said from up front. “The horses are ready.” He climbed up to the bench and got the wagon moving.
Morgana grabbed Gwen’s hand and kissed it. Gwen smiled at her, “Everything will be alright.”
“I hope so,” Morgana replied with a frown.
****
Morgana helped Gwen into the house while Arthur carried the boy in. The boy was once more covered with blankets, Gwen just hoped no one asked why she needed so many blankets.
“Put him here,” Gwen commanded, pointing at a bed nearby. “It’s father’s, but I can clean the sheets so he won’t suspect.”
Arthur nodded and placed the boy down gently. He sat next to the bed and watched as Morgana and Gwen got things ready for Gaius. He looked at the boy and frowned, the boy was sweating and twitching. He pulled the blankets off the boy, then he took the boy’s shirt off.
“He needs to be bathed or wiped down,” Arthur said, “he’s sweating far too much.”
“Here,” Morgana gave him a bowl of water and two pieces of cloth. “Keep one on his forehead and use the other to wipe down his chest and arms. We can’t do more than that until Gaius comes.”
Arthur nodded once more and set to work. If he wanted to keep Merlin happy, he had to take care of his future son.
****
Merlin knocked on the door of Gwen’s house, while checking the area for busybodies. Gaius stood behind him, holding his bag of medicine. The door opened, with Gwen peaking out. She smiled and opened the door.
“Come in. The boy is on the bed,” she said ushering them inside.
“You don’t know his name?” Gaius asked, raising an eyebrow.
They all shook their heads. Gaius sighed and went over to the bed the boy was on. Arthur moved aside, so the older man could have space to work.
“Well,” Gaius said as he examined the boy. “He’s temperature is high, but not dangerously so. There don’t seem to be any cuts that could be infected. It must have just been stress and a damp hiding place.” He picked up his bag and went over Gwen’s kitchen counter. Gaius took out a few ingredients and set to work. “He’ll have to be given this every two hours, put it soup or water. Keep him cool, the cloth is a good idea. Bathing him every four hours will help as well.”
“We can all take turns,” Gwen said.
Arthur grimaced as he said, “I can’t. I’m the Crown Prince, and no offense Gwen, I can’t be seen coming over here every four hours. Rumors and all that.”
“He’s right,” Morgana said. “It’ll have to be the three of us. If you let Merlin have free time?”
Arthur glared at her. “Of course I will. After he’s done all his chores, of course.”
“Of course,” Merlin said with a grin.
“Now that that is taken care of, please be quiet so I may work!” Gaius said loudly. “And someone learn that boy’s name!”
****
Two days passed with the boy at Gwen’s house. Merlin, Morgana, and Gaius had come up with a system of letting Gwen know they were coming in while hiding the truth from Gwen’s neighbors. They knocked on the door and yelled that they were coming in. That way the neighbors though Gwen was too ill to get up. Morgana was sure the neighbors would try the same trick, but Gaius said that Gwen was infectious and only those who had initial contact with her could see her. The neighbors weren’t quite sure what that meant, but Gaius’ eyebrow and hand waving convinced them to stay away from Gwen’s house.
On the second day, Merlin came by Gwen’s house, knocking loudly on her door. “Gwen, it’s me, Merlin. I’m coming in, don’t try to get up!” He opened the door and walked inside. He shut the door quietly as he moved over to the bed.
“How’s he doing Gwen?” he asked.
“Better. His fever seems to be coming down,” she replied as she handed Merlin a bowl of water. “Dump this out the window and get some fresh water.”
Merlin nodded and did as he was told. The fresh water was outside, so he left the house, while trying to avoid Gwen’s nosy neighbors. He did manage to hear Widow Gilbert say he was a nice boy, which was better than what she said he was last time. He smiled at her on his way back, and gained a smile in return.
“Is Widow Gilbert alright?” Merlin asked as he came back in.
“Hmm? Oh, I think so. Why?” Gwen asked distractedly. She was wrapping up the dirty sheets while trying not to wake the boy.
“She said I was nice and she smiled at me when I smiled at her. That never happens. And she said I was a clumsy idiot last time I came by.”
“You are nice and you are clumsy. Maybe she’s just in a good mood today.”
“Ha,” Merlin scoffed. “Has she even been in a good mood?”
“Well, no,” Gwen admitted, “but there’s a first time for everything, right?” She smiled at Merlin, who had to smile back at Gwen’s optimism.
“Anyway, the boy. What can I do?” Merlin asked.
“Wipe him down while I take the sheets into the back of the house and wash them.”
Merlin nodded and put a cool cloth on the boy’s head. He then began to wipe down the boy’s arms. As he started on the boy’s chest, the boy groaned. Merlin stopped what he was doing.
“It’s ok, you’re safe,” he said.
The boy’s eyes opened. “Where am I?” he slurred.
“A friend’s house. We have a plan to help you.”
The boy blinked slowly. “Tired.”
“Go back to sleep. Oh, what’s your name?”
“Mordred,” the boy said sleepily.
“Mordred,” Merlin whispered. He watched as Mordred drifted off back to sleep. Merlin smiled. Mordred sounded like a good name.
****
Merlin sat up, rubbing his eyes. Someone was speaking to him. He looked over at Arthur, who was sleeping next to him. Merlin had taken to sleeping in Arthur’s room every other day since they had first gotten together. He hoped to sleep there all the time soon.
Merlin, the voice said.
Merlin sighed. It was the dragon. Coming, he sent back. He grinned as he slipped out of bed. The dragon was shocked that Merlin could respond back.
Merlin put a shirt on, grabbed his shoes and snuck out of Arthur’s room. He shut the door quietly and jogged down the stairs and out into the courtyard. There he put his shoes on and continued on to the dungeons. He muttered an invisibility spell to slip past the guards and down to see the dragon.
“What do you want?” Merlin asked grumpily.
“My, my, aren’t you testy?” the dragon said.
“It’s three in the morning.”
The dragon shrugged. “I’ve called you here to talk about that boy.”
“Mordred? What about him?”
“Why is he still free? He’s dangerous.”
“He’s a boy! What can he possibly do?”
The dragon stared at Merlin. “He can bring about the ruin of Camelot. And Arthur.”
“How do you know that? You haven’t even met him!” Merlin yelled.
“You must turn him in.”
“He’ll be killed!”
“Yes. His death will save the kingdom and your prince.”
Merlin glared at the dragon. “I won’t do it! He’s my son now!”
The dragon blinked. “What?”
“Arthur and I have taken him and we shall raise him as our son.”
“Oh really?” The dragon smiled lecherously. “You and the prince, you’ve finally consummated your relationship.”
Merlin blushed. “That’s not the point! The point is I won’t let Mordred die and I won’t let anything happen to Arthur.”
“Hmmm,” the dragon hummed. “We did not foresee this.”
“Who?” Merlin asked, confused.
“No one.” The dragon flapped his wings and rose up. “Now, go back to your prince. We can talk about the boy later.” With that, the dragon flew up into the cave.
Merlin grumbled about stupid dragons as he made his way out of the dragon’s prison.
“Hello, Mer-lin,” Arthur drawled from atop the stairs.
Merlin jumped, he put his hand over his chest. “Damn it Arthur,” he shouted. “You scared me. What are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same thing. Where you talking to the dragon?”
“Er, no.”
Arthur stepped closer to Merlin. “You are a bad liar.”
“Oh, all right,” Merlin sighed. “I was talking to him. I have been since I came to Camelot.”
“Interesting.”
“How do you know about him? I thought he was a secret?”
“Only to the general public. Morgana, Gaius, and a few guards know about him. Father used to bring me here to show him off and say how magic was evil and how the dragon was the last one.”
“That’s…” Merlin frowned.
“I know,” Arthur replied. “What do you talk to him about?”
Arthur took Merlin’s hand and led him out of the dungeons. They walked across the courtyard and up the stairs to Arthur’s bedroom, talking quietly.
“You know, all kinds of things,” Merlin waved his hands. “You and me being two sides of the same coin.”
“What does that mean?”
“I don’t know,” Merlin shrugged. “He says a lot of things I don’t understand. Like, just now. He wanted me to turn Mordred in.”
Arthur opened his bedroom door and frowned. “What for? Mordred is just a boy.”
“That’s what I said.” Merlin walked in and started to undress. “The dragon was convinced he would bring the downfall of Camelot and you. He seemed to change his mind when I said we were raising him.”
“Interesting,” Arthur said distractedly. He was watching Merlin take his clothes off. “I like your pale skin,” he muttered while stepping closer.
“Arthur, you aren’t paying attention.” Merlin didn’t step away though. He moved closer and started to pull Arthur’s clothes off.
“I’ll pay attention later. Right now, I’m focused on you.”
Arthur kissed Merlin and started walking backwards, towards the bed. The fell back onto it. They could worry about the dragon and his intentions towards Mordred later.
****
Merlin stood behind Arthur, who stood next to Uther, as they looked down into the courtyard. He glanced over at Morgana. She was gripping her dress tightly, while Gwen stood, fretting, right behind her.
“Today,” Uther began. “We have yet another execution of a magic user!”
He pointed towards the side and the guards brought out the druid man. He winced as the sun hit his face. The guards dragged him to the execution platform. The executioner was already there, with his axe ready.
“Where is the boy that was with you?” Uther asked.
The man was silent. Merlin didn’t know if he wanted the man to answer or not.
“Well?” Uther demanded.
“I magiked him away,” the man smirked up at the king.
Merlin saw Arthur’s hand twitch. The prince then folded his arms against his chest.
Uther scowled. “Do you have anything to say for yourself?”
“Someday, perhaps soon, things will change in this kingdom for the better. I am just sorry I won’t be around to see it.” The druid looked up at the balcony they were standing on.
Thank you he whispered to Merlin.
Uther brought his hand up, then down. The executioner nodded and brought his axe up and down. Merlin stared at the druid the whole time. Arthur touched Merlin’s arm and the warlock blinked.
“Are you ok?” Arthur asked quietly.
“Yes,” Merlin said shakily.
Arthur just looked at him. “You’re crying.”
Merlin put his hand to his cheek and felt that it was wet. “I…”
“I know,” Arthur smiled slightly. “Let’s go. You have chores to do.”
“Thank you Arthur.”
“It’s nothing. Come along.”
Arthur strode off. Merlin looked out into the courtyard once more, then he turned and followed Arthur. They still had a boy to take care of.
****
Everyone was gathered at Gwen’s house, seeing what Gaius would say about Mordred’s health.
“Well,” Gaius said as he stood up. “The week is over, and you young man, are much better. Perhaps a little lingering cold, but nothing that won’t go away with time and rest.”
“Thank you,” Mordred said. He looked a Merlin. “How are you going to get me back to the druids?”
“Oh. I hadn’t thought of that,” Merlin stated.
Gaius sighed, while Morgana and Gwen giggled. Arthur just frowned. Mordred frowned back at him.
“What is your plan then?” Mordred asked.
“I’m going to make you my son,” Merlin said pleased.
“Our son,” Arthur interjected.
“Yes, our son.”
Mordred stared at Merlin. “How did you ever come up with that?”
“You said ‘father’ in my head and it seemed like a good plan.”
Mordred winced as he remembered. He saw Arthur staring at him, and the boy looked away.
“It’s a great plan Merlin,” Morgana said. “Gwen and I deserve to be aunts.”
Mordred eyes lit up. “You’re going to be my aunts?”
“Yes,” Gwen smiled. “And Gaius will be your grandfather.”
“I’ve never had a grandfather before,” Mordred said, wide eyed. “We are raised by the whole clan, but we don’t call anyone father, aunt, or grandfather.”
“That seems silly,” Arthur said.
Mordred glared at him. “It’s not silly. Is it Merlin?”
“Uh, well,” Merlin stuttered, “It’s not silly, so much as different.”
“See?” Mordred stuck his tongue out Arthur.
Arthur chuckled. “He is definitely your son, Merlin.”
Merlin huffed. “Just ignore Arthur, I do.”
Arthur grabbed Merlin from behind and swung him around. He then just held him, with Merlin’s feet hanging down, not even close to the floor.
“Put me down you prat!” Merlin yelped.
“No,” Arthur grinned. “Not until you say you’ve never ignored me.”
Gaius rolled his eyes at their antics and packed his things up. “I will see you all tonight,” he said as he left.
Merlin squirmed in Arthur’s hold. “I can’t even see your face. How can I tell you something if I can’t see your face?”
“Try,” Arthur hitched Merlin up a little higher.
Gwen laughed as she put the bowl of water on the counter. “Morgana, will you help me with these sheets? I should clean them before dad comes home.”
“Of course.” Morgana bent and kissed Mordred’s forehead. “Everything will be all right. See you tonight.”
Mordred nodded and watched her and Gwen leave him alone with his soon to be fathers. He stared as Arthur moved Merlin, so Merlin was hanging over his shoulder.
“I’m going to fall!” Merlin squawked.
“No you won’t. Now say it!”
“Fine, fine! I’ve never ignored you! Happy?”
“Delighted.” Arthur set Merlin down. “See? You only had to say what I wanted.”
“Prat,” Merlin mumbled as he kissed Arthur.
Mordred glared at Arthur once more. That Arthur was too mean to Merlin, he thought.
****
Later that night, Merlin was getting Mordred ready to meet Uther in Arthur’s room. Merlin was already dressed in his best clothes. Gwen had picked Mordred’s clothes.
“Sensible clothes for a farm boy,” she had said while laying them out. “I’m sure your mother would have picked them.”
Merlin slapped his forehead. “My mother! I’m going to have to tell her about this.”
Gwen patted his cheek. “I’m sure she’d love a grandchild.”
“She’s still going to kill me because I didn’t tell her sooner.”
“You’ll just have to grovel.”
“Very funny Gwen!”
Gwen laughed as she left the room.
“You don’t have to do this,” Mordred said as he scrubbed behind his ears. “I can go back to the druids, you know.”
“I know, but I don’t want you to. I do have to do this.” Merlin took the cloth and started washing Mordred’s back.
“Why?” asked the boy.
Merlin paused in washing Mordred. “Because I’m here to help you. I have been ever since I first heard you.”
“…That’s a bad answer.”
Merlin laughed. “So it is.” He resumed washing. “I don’t know; it’s just a feeling I have. I think the future will be better because of it.”
“Humph, that’s still a bad answer. It doesn’t tell me anything.”
Merlin laughed again. “You know, you’re kind of like Arthur.”
Mordred glared. He wasn’t anything like that stupid prince.
****
“Father!” Arthur called out.
Uther was walking down a hallway towards the dining hall. He turned as his son called out to him.
“Yes Arthur?”
“There is something I must speak to you about something.”
“Well, tell me as we walk to dinner,” Uther set off again as Arthur trailed behind him.
“It’s a little more important than walking and talking. I should look you in the face.”
“Oh,” Uther said, surprised. Rarely was anything that important to Arthur.
Arthur nodded as he opened the door to the dining hall. Uther was again surprised as Morgana was already there. She was usually the last to arrive. Her maid, Gwen, and Gaius were also there.
“Gaius? What are you doing here?” the king asked.
“It’s part of my announcement,” Arthur spoke up.
“Really?” Uther sat at the head of the table, put his elbows on the table and steepled his fingers. “Well, what is it?”
Arthur straightened up and cleared his throat. “Father, I have fallen in love.” Arthur paused to watch his father. Uther just sat, staring, at his son.
“I have fallen in love,” Arthur continued, “with Merlin. My servant. He and I plan on being together for the rest of our lives, so I won’t be marrying any women.”
“Are you done?” asked Uther.
“Yes.”
“I see.” Uther sat back in his chair. “Are you stupid? How do you expect to care on the Pendragon line, with a servant? A male servant no less! And I suppose, you’ll be marrying Merlin as well?”
“Yes. As for carrying on the line, that’s covered as well.”
“What?” Uther growled.
Arthur grinned and jogged to the door of the dining hall. “Come in,” he said.
Uther watched as his son grabbed his servant’s hand and pulled him inside. Merlin paused and looked back. He held out his hand and a young boy took it. Uther cut a look at Gaius, who smirked at him. Uther scowled. He hated being the last to know anything.
“Father,” Arthur said, stepping forward, dropping Merlin’s hand. “This is Merlin’s son. I shall adopt him and he shall be my heir.”
Uther blinked. “You have a son?”
“Well,” Merlin blushed and scuffed his foot on the floor. “It was a while ago. I was young and in love, or so I thought. She died after she gave birth, I took care of him, with my mother’s help, right up until I left. And I had to leave him behind with my mother, until I was certain that my job would work out all right. Which it has, obviously.”
“Obviously,” Uther said with sarcasm. He saw Arthur grab Merlin’s hand once more. He sniffed and got up from his chair, came around and knelt down to look at the boy. “What’s your name?”
“Mordred. Mordred Pendragon.”
Gaius and Morgana laughed out loud as Uther stared at Mordred in shock.
“That’s what Daddy said my new name was. Isn’t it Grandfather?” Mordred gave Uther a big smile.
Uther grinned and picked Mordred up. “Yes, yes it is.” He turned to Arthur and Merlin. “We will discuss this later.”
Both men nodded. They smiled at each other as Uther put Mordred in the seat next to him. They still had a long way to go, but this first obstacle was over with and went very well.
****
Arthur sighed as he shut his bedroom door behind him. “That didn’t go as bad as I thought,” he said.
“I thought your father as going to kill me,” Merlin scoffed.
“He liked me,” Mordred piped up from beside Merlin.
“Of course he did,” Arthur replied. He reached out to ruffle Mordred’s hair, but the boy dodged and hid behind Merlin. Arthur frowned and glanced at Merlin, who shrugged. “I’ll see if your room is ready Mordred.”
“I get my own room?” Mordred asked as Arthur left.
“Yes,” Merlin smiled down at him.
“Amazing! I’ve never had my own room before, I always had to share with the other children.”
“Well, you won’t have to share anymore.”
“Good, I don’t like sharing,” Mordred scowled.
Merlin laughed. “You are so very much like Arthur, it’s scary.”
Mordred was about to yell that he wasn’t, when the man in question came back into the room.
“The room is ready for Mordred to move in. Shall we?” Arthur asked.
Merlin nodded and took Mordred’s hand. “Your room is right next to ours, you can get in through this door.”
They walked through the door and Mordred looked around, wide-eyed. There was a huge bed next to the far wall. There was also a table in the middle of the room, next to a fireplace. There was a dresser with a mirror against a long wall, opposite a big window. Mordred looked at the dresser in confusion.
“It was the only one we could find on short notice. It’s an old one of Morgana’s, I hope you don’t mind,” Arthur said.
“This isn’t a guest room?” Mordred asked.
“No. This is in the middle of the castle, which is where the family stays.”
“Where’s Merlin sleeping?”
Merlin blushed, dropped Mordred’s hand and began to get come sleeping clothes out for Mordred.
“Technically, there is a room for the prince’s wife, but Merlin will be sleeping with me and not in Gaius’ workroom,” Arthur stated.
“Then, what’s this room?”
“For the prince’s firstborn. I never stayed in here because my grandfather had already died by the time I was born. When I become king, my room will become yours, and my father’s will become mine.”
“Oh,” Mordred bit his lip and looked around. “Is your room close to Grandpa Uther’s rooms?”
Arthur nodded. “Family has to stay close.”
Merlin beamed at Arthur as he showed Mordred to the bathroom to change.
“You’re going to make a good father,” Merlin said.
Arthur flushed and looked away. “I’m just telling the truth. Family must stay close together for protection. That’s why we all live in the middle.”
Merlin hummed as he leaned in and kissed Arthur. From the doorway of the bathroom, Mordred glared at the couple. He jumped when Arthur’s eyes opened and stared at him. Mordred straightened up and dropped his shoes on the floor with a clatter. Merlin pulled away from Arthur and smiled at his new son.
“Ready for bed?” the warlock asked.
Mordred nodded. He walked over and took Merlin’s hand, completely ignoring Arthur. Merlin and Arthur frowned, but let the slight go.
Mordred climbed into bed, while Merlin pulled the sheets up around him and sat on the bed. Arthur stood behind Merlin with his hand on his shoulder.
“Mordred,” Merlin began, “we just wanted to remind you not to use magic. It could be dangerous for you. So, no magic in front of anyone but me and Gaius.”
Arthur coughed.
“And Arthur,” Merlin added.
“Not even Aunt Morgana and Aunt Gwen?”
“Well, they know about my magic and your magic, so they should be fine. Ok, no magic except in front of Arthur, Gaius, Morgana, Gwen, and me. If anyone else sees you, you could die.”
“And you could die too Daddy, like Conlaoch?”
“Conlaoch?” Merlin asked, looking at Arthur in confusion. Arthur shrugged.
“The man I was with,” Mordred said.
“Oh! He never told us his name,” Merlin replied. “But, yes, I could die as well.”
Mordred bit his lip and nodded. Merlin leaned over and kissed his forehead. Arthur reached out and ruffled the boy’s hair. Mordred wasn’t quick enough to move away, so he scowled at the prince. Just then, the door to the bedroom opened and Morgana walked in.
“I’m here to tell my nephew a story,” she declared.
“No Gwen?” asked Arthur slyly.
Morgana sniffed. “Her father came home today and they are spending some time together. She wanted him to know that she had recovered from her sickness and that he shouldn’t worry. She should be able to come by tomorrow night.”
“Well, alright then. Mordred, Arthur and I will see you tomorrow morning. Come into our room if you need anything, ok?” Merlin said.
Mordred nodded. He turned to Morgana and asked, “What story will you tell me?”
Merlin smiled and took Arthur’s hand. “I think it’s time for our talk,” he whispered.
Arthur grimaced, but nodded in agreement. He wasn’t looking forward to this at all.
PART 2