Fic: Uncer giedd geador 3/3
MASTER POST | PART 1 | PART 2
“Mother!” Merlin cried. “Please stop telling Arthur stories of me when I was a baby!”
“But, you were so cute!” Hunith laughed. “He was always a happy child,” she continued. “He always made everyone in the village laugh. Especially Will.”
“Will,” Arthur muttered darkly.
Merlin rolled his eyes. “He’s best friend. And nothing else. You know that Arthur.”
Arthur huffed.
“Here we are,” said Hunith as they crested over a hill.
They looked down and saw a tiny village, made up of ten to fifteen buildings. There were crudely constructed fortifications all around the village.
“Wow,” Mordred said. “It looks so…perfect.”
Merlin smiled at the boy. “That’s exactly how I feel.”
Mordred set his horse forward. “Hurry! I want to see Uncle Will!”
Morgana laughed and set out after him. Gwen shook her head and followed her lover. Arthur glared.
“Don’t worry,” Hunith told him. “You are too good a father for Mordred to think of anyone else.”
Merlin smiled at Arthur’s shocked look. Arthur never knew the joys of having a mother, but he could borrow Merlin’s. Merlin was good at sharing.
****
Later that night, Merlin rolled his eyes at Will and Arthur’s posturing. They were all outside, enjoying the night air. Morgana, Gwen and Merlin were seated at the table. Will and Arthur were standing next to each other, having an argument of some kind about something.
“They really are stupid,” Morgana said casually.
“Don’t I know it,” Merlin replied.
“Mordred seems to like it though,” Gwen supplied as she pointed to the boy who was standing in between Will and Arthur looking back and forth in awe.
“My son is just as stupid as his other father and uncle,” Merlin grumbled.
The two women laughed at him. Merlin sighed and put his face in his hands.
“You should go stop them, before they kill each other,” Morgana motioned with her hand.
Will was too close to Arthur. The prince looked like he was ready to punch Will in the face. Mordred took a step back and frantically looked around for Merlin. Merlin stood up from his seat and quickly walked over.
“That’s enough!” he growled. “You are scaring Mordred and I won’t have that!”
Mordred ran to Merlin and hid behind him. Arthur looked abashed, while Will just looked angry.
“I’m sorry Mordred,” Arthur said as he knelt down to the boy’s level. “Your Uncle Will and I just had a disagreement. We didn’t mean to scare you.”
“That’s right,” Will said from behind Arthur. “This prat here just thinks we can protect this village without much help from his fancy knights.”
Mordred scowled and walked over to Will. He kicked Will in the shins. “Only Daddy can call Arthur a prat!” Mordred declared.
Arthur laughed as Will hopped around in pain. Merlin sighed once more. He took Arthur’s sleeve and Mordred’s hand and pulled them inside Hunith’s home. He’d deal with Will tomorrow.
****
“Merlin,” Will ground out, “how can you date that…that…prince!”
“I love him Will,” Merlin said calmly. “How many times must I say it?”
“He’s ok with your magic?”
Merlin paused in wiping up his mother’s table. He and Will were inside Hunith’s house, cleaning. Arthur and Morgana had gone off with five of the village elders to see the surrounding area to see if there were any natural barriers they could use. Gwen, Hunith, and Mordred were with the rest of the villagers, getting things ready for the upcoming fight.
“That’s what I thought!” Will cried, triumphant.
Merlin glared at his best friend. “It’s not that he’s not ok with it, he just has to fight a life time of thinking otherwise! He’s fantastic with Mordred’s magic and he knows I only use my magic for good.”
“Bah,” Will scoffed. “That prince’ll never change his ways. You and Mordred should just move back here. It’s safer.”
Merlin went back to wiping the table. “If anyone wants to be allies with Camelot, they can’t have any magic users at all. No where is safe as long as Uther is alive.”
Will was silent as he tidied up the kitchen area. “Still, I don’t trust him.”
Merlin sighed. I’ve been sighing too much, he thought.
I know Daddy. It’s getting annoying, Mordred thought back at him cheerfully.
****
Arthur sighed in frustration as he watched the villagers attempt to fight. They were lined up facing each other.
“No!” he yelled. “Listen, you must protect yourself and attack at the same time!” He grabbed a stick they were using for practice and showed them how to do it.
“That might be good for you, since you were probably trained since birth to kill, but we are just villagers,” Will drawled from his spot in line.
Arthur narrowed his eyes. “Practice!” he barked and stormed away.
Merlin made to follow him, but Gwen was quicker. Morgana looked at Merlin and bit her lip.
“They’ll be fine, don’t worry,” Hunith said as she passed around food and drinks for everyone.
****
Arthur kicked at the ground a ways from the village.
“Stupid villagers,” he grumbled to no one. “They have to learn to protect themselves.”
“Why?” Gwen demanded from behind him.
He spun around and glared at her. “What do you mean?”
Gwen marched over to him. “Villagers don’t expect to defend themselves. That’s what a good king does. He sends out soldiers and knights to his villages. He protects his people! He doesn’t insult and yell at them!”
“These aren’t my people,” Arthur protested.
Gwen slapped Arthur across the face. “How dare you?” she said angrily. “These are Merlin’s people, and that makes them your people! Their own king doesn’t care about them and someone should! There are people all over this land with no one to protect and care for them! They need the kind of king who will do everything in his power to help them when they need it!”
Arthur held a hand to his face. “You think I could be that king?”
“I do,” Gwen stated. “And not just because Merlin believes it as well. I’ve seen you change Arthur. You could be the king that everyone is waiting for.”
“Thank you, Guinevere,” Arthur bowed to her. “Now I know why Morgana loves you so much.”
Gwen blushed. “Yes, well,” she stuttered. “Sometimes you Pendragons just need a good talking too.” She turned to walk away, but suddenly looked back at Arthur. “I won’t tell Merlin what you said about his people and you had better not either.”
Arthur nodded. “I won’t. I don’t think I could stand to his see his face if he knew what I said.”
“Good.” With that, Gwen turned and walked back towards the village.
Arthur stayed where he was for a while before heading back as well. I should apologize to my people for the way I acted, he thought.
****
Two days later, all the villagers were hiding as the bandits came riding through. The leader, Kanan, rode out into the center of the village and yelled, “We’ve come for your harvest!”
The only sound the bandits heard was the wind blowing.
“Burn it,” growled Kanan.
Just as his men were nearing the closest homes, the villagers popped out from hiding and charged the men. Hunith beat a few bandits with a large stick. Will was helping some villagers trip the bandits’ horses as they tried to get away. Morgana and Gwen fought back to back with swords. Arthur led a few men into the center of the bandits and forced them outward, towards Merlin, who was standing near his mother’s house, conjuring a spell. The spell picked up the bandits pushed towards him and flung them into the forest. Mordred was hiding inside Hunith’s house, with the other children, watching everything. Every now and then he would see a bandit come stumbling back into the village, so he muttered a spell that knocked them unconscious.
After what felt like hours, but was actually a few minutes, the battle was over. Most of the bandits were either unconscious, injured, or gone. The villagers cheered. Mordred came out of hiding and ran over to Merlin, who was standing over Kanan. Arthur had fought with Kanan and managed to disarm him.
“Daddy!” Mordred cried. “We won!”
“That we did,” Merlin said wearily. He wasn’t used to using his magic for such a long time.
Mordred looked around and saw that everyone was panting and bloody. He grinned happily before feeling something grab his ankle. He looked down and saw the hand of Kanan, hanging on to him. Kanan grinned evilly and quickly grabbed Mordred and stood up. He held a dagger to Mordred’s neck.
“Don’t come any closer, or else,” the bandit growled.
Merlin raised his hand, but Kanan laughed. “You wouldn’t risk hurting your own son, would you warlock?”
Merlin’s hand dropped and he glared at Kanan. Everyone crowded around Kanan, but didn’t make a move. No one wanted Mordred to be hurt. Kanan kicked a foot our and felt a crossbow that had dropped from one of his men.
“Pick it up,” he told Mordred.
Mordred did as he was told and handed it to Kanan.
“Good boy,” he said. “Now, no one moves or the boy dies, got it?”
Everyone was silent.
“I’ll take that as a yes. Move, make room for me to get out.”
People started shuffling about. Suddenly, Will jumped out in front of Kanan. Kanan fired the crossbow and hit Will in the shoulder. Mordred took that chance and jumped away. Arthur closed the distance faster than Mordred had ever seen him move and shoved his sword into Kanan’s chest.
“This,” Arthur said viciously as he shoved the sword in deeper, “is for taking my son hostage.”
He pulled his sword out and let the body fall. He turned towards Mordred and asked, “Are you all right?”
Mordred nodded, wide-eyed.
“Good. Let’s go check on Uncle Will.”
Mordred nodded again, but didn’t move as Arthur passed by him and towards Will, who was being helped up by Merlin and Hunith. Perhaps, he thought dazedly, Arthur does care for me.
****
Mordred clung to Hunith as everyone else packed up and got ready for the trip back to Camelot.
“I don’t want to leave grandmother,” Mordred complained.
“We’ll come back,” Merlin said as he put Mordred’s things in a bag.
Mordred pouted. Morgana came over and tickled him. “Don’t be a sourpuss like Arthur,” she said teasingly.
“Hey!” Arthur protested.
Mordred laughed at being tickled and Morgana’s dig against Arthur.
“Everything is all ready,” Gwen called from outside. “We just need Mordred.”
Mordred pouted again, but trudged outside with the rest of his family.
“Why so sad, little man?” asked Will from atop his horse.
“Uncle Will! Are you coming with us?” Mordred asked excitedly.
Will nodded. “Someone has to keep Arthur in check when it comes to Merlin.”
Arthur glared as he helped Mordred get onto the boys horse and then got onto his own horse. “I’m a perfect gentleman to Merlin,” he stated imperiously.
“Ha!” Morgana laughed.
“Be quiet, you. I know what you do to Guinevere!” Arthur called back.
Merlin and Gwen rolled their eyes at each other and climbed up on their horses. Hunith came over to Mordred and kissed his cheek. She then did the same to Will. She gave Gwen and Morgana a hug. Hunith walked towards Arthur and said, “Take care of my son. Or else.”
Arthur gulped and nodded. “Yes ma’am.”
She nodded and smiled as she came up to Merlin. “Take care dear.” She kissed Merlin’s forehead. “Come see me more often.”
“We will,” he said.
Hunith grinned as she watched them ride off back to Camelot. She knew that her son and Arthur were going to great things someday.
****
A few months after saving Merlin’s village, Arthur killed a unicorn. Merlin called him an idiot since it was known that killing a unicorn could have dire effects on the person who killed it. Instead of bad things happening to Arthur, horrible things happened to Camelot. First, the water dried up. Then, the crops failed and finally, it began to snow in the middle of spring.
Merlin had told Arthur to take a break from figuring out a way to break the unicorn’s curse, so Arthur took Mordred and Merlin outside to play in the snow. Merlin protested and said he would just watch them. He shivered as he watched Mordred and Arthur play in the snow. Well, he watched Arthur dodged rock hard snowballs thrown by Mordred, but it was really the same thing. They were both having fun, was the main point. He shivered again and both boys looked over at him.
“Are you ok Merlin?” asked Arthur.
“Just cold,” he replied. Merlin didn’t really like the snow, but as long as he had a nice warm to go back to, he guessed winter was ok.
“We can stop Daddy. I don’t mind,” Mordred piped up. Suddenly, the young boy sneezed. He blinked slowly. “I don’t feel so good.”
Arthur scooped the boy up and took him to Merlin. The warlock felt the boy’s head. “He feels a little warm,” he frowned. “How long have you felt bad?”
Mordred shrugged. “A few days. Ever since Uncle Will took me out that one day and we made things in the snow.”
Arthur frowned. “Did you dry off right away?”
“No,” Mordred shook his head. “We watched the knights come back from a fight. They were pretty and shiny.”
“Oh.” Arthur shot a look at Merlin.
“I’ll go get Gaius,” Merlin said worriedly. He ran towards the castle.
Arthur nodded and started walking towards the castle, while he carried Mordred. They finally reached Mordred’s room. Arthur stripped off the boy’s clothes and put fresh nightclothes on him. He then tucked Mordred into bed and sat next to him.
“You want Morgana to come read you a story?” the prince asked.
Mordred shook his head and burrowed closer to Arthur. “You tell me one.”
The prince stared in shock. Mordred hardly let Arthur touch him; much less choose him over Morgana. “Okay. What story would you like to hear?”
“How you and Daddy met.”
Arthur grinned, “Well, one day I found Merlin being attacked by some thugs. Naturally, I rescued him. After a long and vicious battle, I won. Merlin tripped over himself while thanking me, as I helped him up, our eyes met. He said fell for me at first sight. I said I’d loved him since before I’d seen him. And then…” Arthur told a grand tale that Mordred only half heard as he drifted in and out of consciousness.
****
Merlin rushed into Mordred’s room with Gaius right behind him. They both paused as they saw Mordred happily curled up in Arthur’s lap.
“Well, he is sick,” Gaius said in sly voice.
Arthur glared. “Hardly. He’s just tired.”
Merlin looked worriedly at the physician. “Will he be all right?”
“Let me look him over.” Gaius came over to the bed and gently pulled Mordred off Arthur. He pushed the sheets back. “Have you been keeping him cool?”
“No,” Arthur said. “While he had a fever, he was shivering. I didn’t…I wasn’t sure what do to.”
“I see. That was probably a good thing. We don’t want him to get the chills. Merlin,” Gaius turned to the warlock, “go get some cool water and a cloth, then get more blankets. You’re going to have to cover him up and cool him off in cycles.”
Merlin nodded and ran from the room.
“Is it serious?” Arthur asked.
“No, not serious, however we don’t want it to become worse.”
****
In the morning, Mordred was feeling a little better. He blinked his eyes and saw Merlin and Arthur lying on either side of him.
“Daddy,” he whispered.
Merlin sat up quickly, his hair askew. “Mordred!” he exclaimed. “Are you feeling better?”
“A little bit.”
“Good,” Arthur said as he got out of the bed and stretched. “I have to go train my knights. A scout said they saw some bandits approaching.”
“It’s the unicorn,” Merlin scolded. “I told you not to kill it.”
Arthur made a face at Merlin. He ruffled Mordred’s hair. “I’ll come visit in a couple of hours, ok?”
Mordred nodded.
Arthur bussed Merlin’s cheek and left the room.
“Daddy?” he heard Mordred ask as Arthur began to close the door. “Did you and Arthur really have kiss right after he saved you from the troggs?”
Arthur grinned as he heard Merlin sputter, “Where did you get that from?”
“Arthur told me,” Mordred replied.
Being a dad is fantastic! Arthur thought happily as he shut the door.
I will kill you slowly, Merlin threatened.
Arthur was so shocked Merlin spoke in his head, he ran into a door. He rubbed his head while Merlin laughed.
“Warlocks,” he muttered as he stood up.
****
Later that night, Merlin found how to reverse the curse. He and Arthur rushed off, leaving Mordred with Morgana and Gwen.
When they came back the next day, the snow had stopped, the water was back and the crops were rich again.
Mordred stood inside their bedroom glaring at them.
“I know you want to go to bed, but first I must do this,” the boy stated. He marched over and kicked them both in the shins.
“Ow!” they yelled.
“Good, I’m glad that hurt. Don’t you two morons ever try to leave me alone again. I need my fathers!” Mordred yelled at them. He ran into his room and slammed the door.
“He must have know through my magic,” Merlin said tiredly. “I’ll talk to him tomorrow.” He walked towards the bed. He noticed Arthur wasn’t next to him. “Arthur?” he asked turning around.
“He called me father,” Arthur said in wonderment. “Merlin! He called me father!” Arthur grinned widely.
“So he did,” Merlin smiled softly. “Now come to bed.”
Arthur nodded and walked towards the bed in a daze. “He called me father,” he murmured as he fell asleep.
****
A few months passed without Mordred trying to kill Arthur, which made everyone in the castle worry.
“Mordred?” Morgana asked quietly one night at bedtime. “Do you not like Arthur anymore?”
Mordred blinked at her. “What do you mean Aunt Morgana?”
“Well, you haven’t tried to kill him, or help him train, in quite a few months. We’re all beginning to wonder.”
“Wait,” Mordred said confusedly. “Everyone thought that me trying to kill Arthur was my way of saying I liked him without saying it? And that by not doing it, everyone, including Arthur, thinks I hate him.”
“Basically.”
“I do like him though!” Mordred protested.
“He doesn’t seem to think so.”
Mordred sighed much like Merlin always did. “I supposed Arthur does need more training on how to dodge.”
Morgana beamed at him and continued telling her tale. She had known that Mordred would come around. Pendragons had to get their affection in the strangest ways.
****
Soon after Mordred resumed Arthur’s training, Gwen’s father was arrested and accused of being a wizard. Morgana, Merlin, and Arthur ran around trying to make sure Gwen was all right and trying to save Tom. Mordred stayed with Gwen most of the time, just sitting next to her reading. Gwen spent most days sitting in Morgana’s room, staring out the window.
“He won’t die Auntie Gwen,” Mordred said out of the blue one day.
“How do you know?” she asked dispiritedly.
“The Knight of the Lake is coming.”
Gwen turned her head and blinked at Mordred. “What?”
“The Knight of the Lake is coming. Aunt Morgana will dream about him tonight. He’s going to catch the real bad guy and free Tom. Then he can be a Knight of Camelot,” Mordred said without looking up from his book. “And then the Knight and Uncle Will shall have an epic romance. Not as epic as Daddy and Arthur’s though.”
“Of course not,” Gwen said in a strangled voice.
“Don’t tell anyone, not until Aunt Morgana dreams it.”
“I won’t. I don’t think anyone would believe me,” Gwen muttered as she went back to looking out the window.
****
Over the next few days, what Mordred had told Gwen came true. When everyone gathered in the throne room to watch Uther punish the real magic user, Merlin asked Mordred how he knew what would happen.
Mordred shrugged and whispered, “The faeries told me.”
Merlin narrowed his eyes. “Morgana needs to stop telling you faerie stories.” He turned back to hear Uther’s decree.
“And you, wizard, shall be put to death,” Uther said contemptuously. He waved his hands and the guards drug the man away. The king then turned to the Knight of the Lake. “Thank you, good knight. You helped me from making a horrible decision.”
The knight bowed, but said nothing. Merlin wondered why he never spoke. Merlin cut a look at Mordred, who was staring intently at Arthur.
What are you doing? Merlin thought.
Nothing, Mordred thought back.
“Father,” Arthur spoke up, “do you suppose I could have this knight in my personal guard?”
“I don’t see why not. We know he is brave,” Uther replied. “Please remove your helm, so we may see the newest knight of Camelot.”
The knight hesitated before taking off his helm.
“Lancelot!” Gwen cried in happiness. She ran up and hugged him. “Thank you,” she said while kissing his cheek.
Lancelot blushed, “It was nothing, my lady.” He bowed to her and Morgana. “I am always willing to help friends.”
Uther sputtered, “You cannot be a knight!”
“You already said he could, father,” Arthur protested.
“He has no noble blood! He doesn’t even own land!” Uther yelled.
“Actually,” Lancelot said while clearing his throat. “I do have land. I met an old widow who had a castle near a lake. She had no children and no family, so she left it all to me.”
“Why?” Uther questioned.
“I saved her from a gargoyle,” Lancelot replied. “I am now Lord du Lac, as she adopted me before she died.”
Merlin started as he glanced down at Mordred. I suppose you knew this already?
Yeah. Tell Arthur to make Uncle Will, Uncle Lancelot’s servant.
Too many romance stories as well, Merlin replied.
Mordred just grinned up at him. Merlin sighed and went to help Arthur convince Uther to keep Lancelot around.
****
The months after Lancelot’s return were quite, it seemed as if the magical world, which frequently attacked Camelot knew something big was coming. Mordred fidgeted as Morgana helped him dress.
“Why must I wear this stupid outfit?” he whined.
“Because,” Morgana said distractedly. “We must see your fathers off in a proper fashion.”
“You aren’t even dressed!”
Morgana looked down at herself. She was still in her nightgown. “I-I’ve been having bad dreams,” she said.
“You should tell Arthur,” Gwen said as she gently pushed Morgana aside. “He knows about your magic, he would believe you.”
“Not about this,” Morgana muttered as she sat down on the couch.
“How’d he find out again?” Mordred asked. “Grandpa Uther took me hunting that day.”
“Merlin and her were talking about it,” Gwen replied. “Arthur thought they were sneaking around because they were cheating. He was very relieved it had to do with magic and not anything else.”
“Then he yelled because I never told him. I told him no one told me until the Unicorn incident,” Morgana said wearily. “Then he forgave me once he was done yelling.”
“Oh,” Mordred frowned. “That’s a lot less dramatic than I thought it was going to be.”
Morgana shrugged. “He’s dressed Gwen. Send him down and help me please.”
Gwen nodded and shoved Mordred out the door. “Don’t get those clothes dirty until after your fathers leave.” She shut Morgana’s door.
Mordred stuck his tongue out and turned around. He heard the door open and Gwen call, “And don’t make that face at me.”
Mordred stared as she shut the door again. Auntie Gwen doesn’t even have magic. Does she?
****
“Daddy?” Merlin asked seriously.
“Yes?” Merlin was getting his horse ready for the trip. He took a step back and looked at it. It didn’t look right.
“Does Auntie Gwen have magic?”
“No,” Merlin paused. “At least I don’t think so.” He tilted his head to get a better angle on the saddle of the horse.
“She does not. She is just that good,” Arthur said as he stepped up beside Merlin. He looked at his lover’s horse and sighed. “You put it on backwards.”
“Aha! I knew something was wrong,” Merlin smiled.
Arthur sighed again and fixed Merlin’s saddle. He then helped Merlin up onto his horse. Arthur climbed up on his horse and looked down at Mordred.
“You be good for your grandfathers and aunts,” he said.
Mordred nodded.
Just then, Morgana came running down the steps, still in her nightgown. Gwen came running after her. Morgana ran up to Arthur and grabbed his leg.
“Don’t go,” she said frantically. “It won’t end well.”
Arthur shot a look at Merlin, who bit his lip.
“We have to go Morgana,” Arthur said gently. “This monster is terrorizing villagers. I’ll have Lancelot and my other men with me, plus Merlin. I’ll be fine.”
Morgana nodded and stepped back into Gwen’s arms. She grabbed Mordred’s hand and held it tight.
Arthur looked up at a balcony and saw his father. He waved then rode off. He was positive nothing bad would happen.
****
“Nothing bad will happen, you say,” Merlin stated sarcastically. “What could possibly go wrong, you say.”
“Yes, yes. Shut up, Merlin,” Arthur growled as he and Merlin hid behind a boulder.
They had come upon the monster quite suddenly. Merlin and Arthur had been separated from the knights and practically forced into a cave.
Arthur glanced over the boulder, then ducked as the monster blew fire over it. “Okay,” he said. “I see a way to kill it. Now I have to get to it.”
Merlin raised a hand and Arthur saw his eyes glow golden. Some nearby rocks flew to the side of the cave. The monster’s head whipped over to the sound. Arthur jumped out from behind the rock and flung his sword at it. The monster rose up and smashed Arthur into the ground, it then bit into his shoulder, right through the armor. Arthur cried out in pain and tried to reach for his sword, but it had broken off as the monster thrashed around. The monster rose up again, trying to finish the prince off.
“No!” Merlin screamed. He yelled out a spell and the monster was blown into pieces. Merlin scrambled over to Arthur. “Arthur! Are you all right?”
“I’ve been better,” his lover quipped before passing out.
Merlin choked back a sob as he pulled Arthur out of the cave. He couldn’t see any of Arthur’s men, so he cast his mind about, looking for someone familiar. LANCELOT! he screamed.
Merlin bent over Arthur and hoped they came quickly enough.
****
Mordred heard that his fathers had returned, so he rushed out of his room happily. He couldn’t wait to tell them about the potion Gaius had let him make. He pushed past servants, knights and assorted others to get to the front gate. Mordred skidded to a halt next to Uther, Morgana, Gwen, and Gaius. They all watched as Merlin came through first, with a horse trailing behind him.
“Where’s Arthur?” Mordred asked.
Morgana gasped. Mordred looked closer at the second horse and felt his knees give out. There, on the horse, was Arthur.
Uther rushed down the stairs and gently pulled his sons limp body off the horse. He picked Arthur up and began to carry him, while crying, towards the castle. Uther’s legs went out from under him, however, some nearby knights picked up Arthur’s body and rushed to his room.
Morgana collapsed, crying, where Gwen was holding her.
Mordred picked himself up and ran to Merlin, who was also crying. Merlin picked up Mordred and wrapped him in a hug.
“It’ll be ok, Daddy,” Mordred whispered. It has to be.
****
Uther sat next to Arthur’s bed, holding his sons hand. “What did this to him?” he asked.
Merlin, who sat on Arthur’s other side, said, “The monster we were chasing.”
“What did it look like?” Gaius questioned. “The sooner we know, the quicker we can save Arthur.”
“It was big, brown,” Merlin paused, remembering. “It had a beak and wings, but it couldn’t fly. It had sharp teeth, they pierced his armor. It had sharp talons too, they left scratches in his armor as well. It didn’t seem like it could see very well, but it could hear excellently.”
“Hmm…” Gaius flipped through his books he had brought with him. “Aha! Here it is; the Questing Beast. Oh dear.”
“What is it Gaius?” Uther asked quietly.
“It looks like someone had to summon it,” the old man replied.
“Nimueh,” Uther hissed. “Will I never be rid of her? How can we fix this?”
Gaius was silent. “I can see what I can do,” he finally said.
Uther nodded curtly. He then stood up and dropped his sons’ hand. “I must tend to the kingdom. Keep me informed.”
As soon as he left, Merlin asked, “With magic?”
“Yes, but powerful magic. The Questing Beast has only appeared one other time in Camelot’s history and it forebodes a time of great upheaval.”
“I think losing a prince would be an upheaval,” Merlin replied.
“We won’t lose him!” Gaius yelled. “Now leave me, while I try to help ease his pain.”
Merlin frowned, but left. He needed to go check on Mordred.
****
“The Questing Beast?” Mordred murmured after Merlin had told the others what had injured Arthur.
“There is no cure,” Morgana said suddenly.
“Gaius will find one,” Gwen told her optimistically.
“Do Lance and I need to go kill something?” Will asked. “I’d be happy to kill something.”
Lancelot chuckled and placed a hand on Will’s arm. “I don’t think can be solved with killing, sadly.”
Merlin sat, despondently in a chair in Morgana’s room. He looked out the window and down into the courtyard. He rubbed at his temples and sighed.
“Daddy,” Mordred whispered.
Merlin jumped, he hadn’t heard Mordred move. “What is it?”
“I know how to save Arthur, but it won’t be good.”
Merlin picked Mordred up and walked towards the door. “Mordred is too upset right now. We want to be alone,” he said as he left.
“He’s up to something,” Morgana said quietly. “Something dangerous.”
The other three nodded.
****
Merlin took Mordred to an unused room in the castle and placed him on a table.
“Tell me,” he said. “Tell me how to save Arthur.”
“Well, I read in Grandpa Gaius’ book. The only cure for the Questing Beasts bite is for someone to make a trade. A life for a life.”
“Like with Igraine.”
Mordred nodded.
“Where to I make this trade and with who?”
“With the Priestess of the Old Religion, on the Isle of the Blessed.”
“How do you remember all of that?”
“I’m smart,” Mordred grinned.
“I can see that. Ok,” Merlin clapped his hands together. “I’m going to this Isle and see if I can save Arthur.”
“Daddy! You could die!” Mordred cried.
“It’s a chance I must take.”
Mordred nodded and bit his lip.
“I don’t love Arthur more than you,” Merlin told the boy. He pushed some hair off of Mordred’s face. “I love you and him differently.”
“You have to save him.”
“I do. It’s part of my destiny.”
“He should save you once in awhile,” Mordred huffed.
Merlin laughed. “He has and he will again. Now, go.” He took Mordred off the table and set him on the floor. “Distract everyone so I can leave quickly. I’ll be back soon.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
Merlin kissed Mordred’s forehead and gave him a little shove out the door. Mordred walked down the hallway with his head high. Daddy will save Father. He has too!
****
Merlin stumbled into the room he shared with Arthur later that night, clutching a goblet.
“Gaius!” he called.
The old man sat up from his slumped over position in a chair. When he saw it was Merlin, he scowled.
“Mordred told me where you were and what you were doing!” Gaius yelled.
Merlin shoved the cup into Gaius’ hands. “Quickly, give it to Arthur.”
“Merlin…”
“Just do it! It will save him!”
Gaius nodded and rushed over to Arthur. “Sit him up.”
Merlin got behind Arthur and levered the prince up. Gaius managed to pour the liquid down Arthur’s throat with ease.
“Good,” Merlin sighed. He pulled out from behind his lover and kicked his shoes off. He climbed in next to Arthur and closed his eyes.
Gaius stared at the couple before going back to his chair. He wanted to watch over them a little bit longer.
****
Merlin woke up the next morning with Arthur and Mordred glaring down at him. “I’m not dead,” he said while blinking his eyes.
“No, but you will be once I’m better,” Arthur said scratchily. “How dare you do something so dangerous for me!”
“I love you moron!” Merlin yelled. “I’d do anything for you!”
Arthur had no retort and crossed his arms over his chest. “Well don’t do it again.”
“I won’t if you won’t.”
Arthur scowled and closed his eyes. “I’m tired. Leave me alone.”
Merlin snorted. He looked over at Mordred. “Are you mad at me too?”
“Yes, but I am glad you’re alive,” the boy replied.
“Good.” Merlin patted the space in between him and Arthur. Mordred climbed in it and closed his eyes.
Perhaps, Merlin thought, things will be better now.
****
Merlin was awoken suddenly by Mordred pushing him off the bed. “What is it?” he asked groggily.
“It’s grandmother,” Mordred cried.
“What? Where?”
“Grandpa Gaius’ room.”
“Stay with Arthur,” Merlin said as he rushed from the room and to Gaius’ room.
When he got there, he saw his mother stretched out on one of the tables.
“What happened?” Merlin asked.
“I believe,” Gaius said steadily, “that this is the life the Old Religion chose in exchange for Arthur’s.”
“I’ll kill her,” Merlin ground out as he grabbed his mother’s hand. “I’ll go back tomorrow and kill her.”
“I assume you mean Nimueh.”
“Yes.” Merlin laid his head on his mother’s chest.
Hunith raised a hand and placed it on Merlin’s head. “Don’t cry.”
“Mother…”
Hunith smiled at her son softly. “It will all work out.”
Merlin was so wrapped up in Hunith, he never noticed Gaius sneak out of the room.
****
When Merlin woke up the next morning, he found Gwen tending to his mother.
“Where’s Gaius?” he asked.
“I don’t know. No one has been able to find him since last night,” Gwen replied. She turned to him. “Go check on Arthur and Mordred. I’ll look after your mother.”
“Thank you, Gwen,” Merlin said.
“It’s no problem. Hunith is family after all,” Gwen smiled.
Merlin smiled back and left. He leaned against the door and took a deep breath. Then he made his way towards his and Arthur’s room. He saw Morgana sitting with Arthur and Mordred, telling a story.
“You must tell good tales, Morgana,” Merlin said lightly. “I’ve never seen Arthur so enraptured.”
“Shut up,” Arthur replied, laughingly. He suddenly turned serious. “You’re leaving again.”
“I have to. I have to save mother and Gaius,” Merlin said in a strained voice.
Arthur nodded.
“Don’t think of coming with me!” Merlin exclaimed. “Just stay here with Morgana and Mordred.”
“Oh no!” Mordred shouted. “I’m coming this time.” The boy turned to Arthur. “Don’t worry Father, I’ll make sure nothing happens to him.”
Mordred strode out of the room, leaving a shocked Arthur on the bed. Merlin took Arthur’s momentarily silence as a sign, kissed his lover quickly, and ran after Mordred.
“Well,” Morgana said, smoothing down her dress. “Shall I continue with the story?”
****
Mordred hid behind Merlin as they made their way into the ruins on the Isle of the Blessed.
“Daddy, look,” Mordred pointed. “It’s Grandpa Gaius!” The boy ran over to his grandfather and knelt down next to him. “I can’t tell if he’s alive or dead.”
“He’s dead,” Nimueh smirked as she came out into the open.
Mordred glared at her. “You hurt my father!”
“I haven’t touched Merlin. Yet,” she smiled, sickly sweet at the boy.
“Not Merlin, Arthur!” Mordred yelled at her.
Nimueh jerked back in shock. Merlin took the opportunity and slid himself in between her and Mordred and Gaius.
“You tricked me,” he growled.
Nimueh smirked again. “I didn’t. I said ‘A life for a life’. I just didn’t say whose. Anyway,” she waved her hand dismissively at Gaius. “He was a traitor, he deserved to die.”
Merlin growled again. “No one deserves to die.”
Nimueh shrugged. “You and the boy should join me. The three of us could tear Camelot apart.”
“Never!” Mordred yelled.
“It won’t happen,” Merlin agreed. “You are on your own.”
Nimueh’s face changed from pleasant to ugly in that moment. “Then you’ll just have to die as well.”
She threw a fireball at Merlin, which sent him flying back.
“Daddy!” Mordred cried.
“Stay with Gaius,” Merlin coughed out. “I’ll take care of her.”
Merlin stood up, dusted himself off and pointed at Nimueh. He began to mutter a spell. Nimueh laughed harshly.
“That won’t work against me! I’m the Priestess of the Old Religion!” she cried out.
Merlin ignored her and kept muttering his spell. Nimueh yelled in frustration and sent a large bolt of fire at Merlin. The young warlock countered with a blast of lightening. It hit Nimueh straight on. She gasped and fell backwards.
“Why?” she gurgled.
“I figured it wasn’t the Old Religion picking who would die, but you. The Old Religion doesn’t like being used for evil, so I made a pact with it,” Merlin said as he stood above her.
“What?” she gasped for breath.
“I’m the Priest of the Old Religion now. I said I would never use my magic for evil. It likes me better than you anyway.”
She grabbed Merlin’s leg. “Save me.”
“I can’t. The Old Religion really did pick this time.” He kicked her hand off and walked over to Mordred and Gaius.
“Daddy, you were amazing!” Mordred crowed.
Merlin chuckled. “Let’s help Gaius up and the three of us can go back home.”
“That,” Gaius said slowly, “is a good idea.”
“I shouldn’t tell Father about this, should I?” Mordred asked as they left the ruins behind them.
“Probably not right away, no,” Merlin replied. “He’d only get a big head about being the lover of the Priest of the Old Religion.”
“And Arthur does not need a bigger head,” Gaius quipped.
They laughed all the way down to the water’s edge.
****
Two months passed before Gaius was certain Arthur was healed.
“No fighting or training for at least another two months, but you can get out of bed,” Gaius said as he packed his medical kit back together.
“Thank the gods,” Merlin sighed. “I was getting tired of his whining and complaining.”
Arthur sniffed imperiously at his lover. “Shut up.”
Gaius rolled his eyes as he left. He was nearly run over by Mordred, as the boy rushed inside.
“Mordred!” Gaius shouted.
“Sorry Grandfather Gaius! I wanted to see how Father was doing,” Mordred responded.
“Fine, but no training. Of any kind,” Gaius stated.
Mordred nodded sadly. “All right.”
“Good,” Gaius said as he left the doorway.
“Well,” Mordred said into the silence. “What shall we do?”
Arthur stretched as he got out of bed. “I need a new sword. I thought about going to see if Tom had anything.”
Mordred and Merlin shared a look.
“Actually,” Merlin began. “I know where you can get a great sword.”
Arthur raised an eyebrow. “Oh, really? Where?”
****
“Merlin. This is a lake,” Arthur said while pointing to the aforementioned lake.
“I know,” Merlin responded. He tugged on Arthur’s jacket. “Strip off already. You don’t need to have your clothes wet.”
Arthur huffed and took off his shoes, pants and shirt. He was left in his undergarments. Merlin whistled.
“Ew,” Mordred said from his place on a rock.
“Merlin, why is the sword in a lake?” Arthur asked.
“It seemed like the place to put it.”
Arthur sighed and rubbed his eyes. “Fine. I’ll get the sword.”
Arthur waded out into the lake and then dove under. He popped back up a few seconds later.
“Isn’t it there?” Merlin yelled.
“It is,” Arthur called back.
“Then what’s the problem?”
“It’s stuck in a stone. Why is a sword stuck in a stone?”
“I don’t know! I didn’t do that!”
Merlin looked at Mordred, who shook his head.
“Don’t look at me,” the boy cried.
Arthur sighed once more before diving back down. Merlin and Mordred waited onshore for what seemed like hours, but was actually only minutes. Arthur came back up, gasping for air. He swam until he could walk back on land. He was holding the sword in his hand and it was glinting in the sun.
“What took so long?” Mordred asked as Merlin dried Arthur off.
“It came out too easily, so I stuck it back in a few times to check,” Arthur replied.
He held out a hand and motioned to his shirt. Mordred picked it up and gave it to him. Arthur began to wipe the sword down with his shirt.
“Check what?” Merlin asked. He scowled and took the shirt from Arthur. He then handed Arthur his clothes.
“To see if it always came out that easily.” The prince set the sword down carefully as he dressed. Once he was finished he picked the sword back up.
“Did it?” Mordred asked excitedly.
“Yes.” Arthur turned the sword so he could look at it from all angles. “It needs a sheath.”
“Will can make one,” Merlin said as he tugged Mordred away from the lake edge.
“This had better be an amazingly, fantastic sword for all the trouble I went through,” Arthur said as he stared at the sword.
“It is Father,” Mordred said happily. He grinned at Arthur.
Arthur grinned back and took Mordred’s hand. Merlin took the boy’s other hand and the three of them made their way back home.
****
In the cave, far below Camelot, the dragon opened his eyes slightly. “Maybe,” he mused, “the future has been changed for the better.”
He smirked as he closed his eyes and fell asleep. Only time would tell.
THE END
“Mother!” Merlin cried. “Please stop telling Arthur stories of me when I was a baby!”
“But, you were so cute!” Hunith laughed. “He was always a happy child,” she continued. “He always made everyone in the village laugh. Especially Will.”
“Will,” Arthur muttered darkly.
Merlin rolled his eyes. “He’s best friend. And nothing else. You know that Arthur.”
Arthur huffed.
“Here we are,” said Hunith as they crested over a hill.
They looked down and saw a tiny village, made up of ten to fifteen buildings. There were crudely constructed fortifications all around the village.
“Wow,” Mordred said. “It looks so…perfect.”
Merlin smiled at the boy. “That’s exactly how I feel.”
Mordred set his horse forward. “Hurry! I want to see Uncle Will!”
Morgana laughed and set out after him. Gwen shook her head and followed her lover. Arthur glared.
“Don’t worry,” Hunith told him. “You are too good a father for Mordred to think of anyone else.”
Merlin smiled at Arthur’s shocked look. Arthur never knew the joys of having a mother, but he could borrow Merlin’s. Merlin was good at sharing.
****
Later that night, Merlin rolled his eyes at Will and Arthur’s posturing. They were all outside, enjoying the night air. Morgana, Gwen and Merlin were seated at the table. Will and Arthur were standing next to each other, having an argument of some kind about something.
“They really are stupid,” Morgana said casually.
“Don’t I know it,” Merlin replied.
“Mordred seems to like it though,” Gwen supplied as she pointed to the boy who was standing in between Will and Arthur looking back and forth in awe.
“My son is just as stupid as his other father and uncle,” Merlin grumbled.
The two women laughed at him. Merlin sighed and put his face in his hands.
“You should go stop them, before they kill each other,” Morgana motioned with her hand.
Will was too close to Arthur. The prince looked like he was ready to punch Will in the face. Mordred took a step back and frantically looked around for Merlin. Merlin stood up from his seat and quickly walked over.
“That’s enough!” he growled. “You are scaring Mordred and I won’t have that!”
Mordred ran to Merlin and hid behind him. Arthur looked abashed, while Will just looked angry.
“I’m sorry Mordred,” Arthur said as he knelt down to the boy’s level. “Your Uncle Will and I just had a disagreement. We didn’t mean to scare you.”
“That’s right,” Will said from behind Arthur. “This prat here just thinks we can protect this village without much help from his fancy knights.”
Mordred scowled and walked over to Will. He kicked Will in the shins. “Only Daddy can call Arthur a prat!” Mordred declared.
Arthur laughed as Will hopped around in pain. Merlin sighed once more. He took Arthur’s sleeve and Mordred’s hand and pulled them inside Hunith’s home. He’d deal with Will tomorrow.
****
“Merlin,” Will ground out, “how can you date that…that…prince!”
“I love him Will,” Merlin said calmly. “How many times must I say it?”
“He’s ok with your magic?”
Merlin paused in wiping up his mother’s table. He and Will were inside Hunith’s house, cleaning. Arthur and Morgana had gone off with five of the village elders to see the surrounding area to see if there were any natural barriers they could use. Gwen, Hunith, and Mordred were with the rest of the villagers, getting things ready for the upcoming fight.
“That’s what I thought!” Will cried, triumphant.
Merlin glared at his best friend. “It’s not that he’s not ok with it, he just has to fight a life time of thinking otherwise! He’s fantastic with Mordred’s magic and he knows I only use my magic for good.”
“Bah,” Will scoffed. “That prince’ll never change his ways. You and Mordred should just move back here. It’s safer.”
Merlin went back to wiping the table. “If anyone wants to be allies with Camelot, they can’t have any magic users at all. No where is safe as long as Uther is alive.”
Will was silent as he tidied up the kitchen area. “Still, I don’t trust him.”
Merlin sighed. I’ve been sighing too much, he thought.
I know Daddy. It’s getting annoying, Mordred thought back at him cheerfully.
****
Arthur sighed in frustration as he watched the villagers attempt to fight. They were lined up facing each other.
“No!” he yelled. “Listen, you must protect yourself and attack at the same time!” He grabbed a stick they were using for practice and showed them how to do it.
“That might be good for you, since you were probably trained since birth to kill, but we are just villagers,” Will drawled from his spot in line.
Arthur narrowed his eyes. “Practice!” he barked and stormed away.
Merlin made to follow him, but Gwen was quicker. Morgana looked at Merlin and bit her lip.
“They’ll be fine, don’t worry,” Hunith said as she passed around food and drinks for everyone.
****
Arthur kicked at the ground a ways from the village.
“Stupid villagers,” he grumbled to no one. “They have to learn to protect themselves.”
“Why?” Gwen demanded from behind him.
He spun around and glared at her. “What do you mean?”
Gwen marched over to him. “Villagers don’t expect to defend themselves. That’s what a good king does. He sends out soldiers and knights to his villages. He protects his people! He doesn’t insult and yell at them!”
“These aren’t my people,” Arthur protested.
Gwen slapped Arthur across the face. “How dare you?” she said angrily. “These are Merlin’s people, and that makes them your people! Their own king doesn’t care about them and someone should! There are people all over this land with no one to protect and care for them! They need the kind of king who will do everything in his power to help them when they need it!”
Arthur held a hand to his face. “You think I could be that king?”
“I do,” Gwen stated. “And not just because Merlin believes it as well. I’ve seen you change Arthur. You could be the king that everyone is waiting for.”
“Thank you, Guinevere,” Arthur bowed to her. “Now I know why Morgana loves you so much.”
Gwen blushed. “Yes, well,” she stuttered. “Sometimes you Pendragons just need a good talking too.” She turned to walk away, but suddenly looked back at Arthur. “I won’t tell Merlin what you said about his people and you had better not either.”
Arthur nodded. “I won’t. I don’t think I could stand to his see his face if he knew what I said.”
“Good.” With that, Gwen turned and walked back towards the village.
Arthur stayed where he was for a while before heading back as well. I should apologize to my people for the way I acted, he thought.
****
Two days later, all the villagers were hiding as the bandits came riding through. The leader, Kanan, rode out into the center of the village and yelled, “We’ve come for your harvest!”
The only sound the bandits heard was the wind blowing.
“Burn it,” growled Kanan.
Just as his men were nearing the closest homes, the villagers popped out from hiding and charged the men. Hunith beat a few bandits with a large stick. Will was helping some villagers trip the bandits’ horses as they tried to get away. Morgana and Gwen fought back to back with swords. Arthur led a few men into the center of the bandits and forced them outward, towards Merlin, who was standing near his mother’s house, conjuring a spell. The spell picked up the bandits pushed towards him and flung them into the forest. Mordred was hiding inside Hunith’s house, with the other children, watching everything. Every now and then he would see a bandit come stumbling back into the village, so he muttered a spell that knocked them unconscious.
After what felt like hours, but was actually a few minutes, the battle was over. Most of the bandits were either unconscious, injured, or gone. The villagers cheered. Mordred came out of hiding and ran over to Merlin, who was standing over Kanan. Arthur had fought with Kanan and managed to disarm him.
“Daddy!” Mordred cried. “We won!”
“That we did,” Merlin said wearily. He wasn’t used to using his magic for such a long time.
Mordred looked around and saw that everyone was panting and bloody. He grinned happily before feeling something grab his ankle. He looked down and saw the hand of Kanan, hanging on to him. Kanan grinned evilly and quickly grabbed Mordred and stood up. He held a dagger to Mordred’s neck.
“Don’t come any closer, or else,” the bandit growled.
Merlin raised his hand, but Kanan laughed. “You wouldn’t risk hurting your own son, would you warlock?”
Merlin’s hand dropped and he glared at Kanan. Everyone crowded around Kanan, but didn’t make a move. No one wanted Mordred to be hurt. Kanan kicked a foot our and felt a crossbow that had dropped from one of his men.
“Pick it up,” he told Mordred.
Mordred did as he was told and handed it to Kanan.
“Good boy,” he said. “Now, no one moves or the boy dies, got it?”
Everyone was silent.
“I’ll take that as a yes. Move, make room for me to get out.”
People started shuffling about. Suddenly, Will jumped out in front of Kanan. Kanan fired the crossbow and hit Will in the shoulder. Mordred took that chance and jumped away. Arthur closed the distance faster than Mordred had ever seen him move and shoved his sword into Kanan’s chest.
“This,” Arthur said viciously as he shoved the sword in deeper, “is for taking my son hostage.”
He pulled his sword out and let the body fall. He turned towards Mordred and asked, “Are you all right?”
Mordred nodded, wide-eyed.
“Good. Let’s go check on Uncle Will.”
Mordred nodded again, but didn’t move as Arthur passed by him and towards Will, who was being helped up by Merlin and Hunith. Perhaps, he thought dazedly, Arthur does care for me.
****
Mordred clung to Hunith as everyone else packed up and got ready for the trip back to Camelot.
“I don’t want to leave grandmother,” Mordred complained.
“We’ll come back,” Merlin said as he put Mordred’s things in a bag.
Mordred pouted. Morgana came over and tickled him. “Don’t be a sourpuss like Arthur,” she said teasingly.
“Hey!” Arthur protested.
Mordred laughed at being tickled and Morgana’s dig against Arthur.
“Everything is all ready,” Gwen called from outside. “We just need Mordred.”
Mordred pouted again, but trudged outside with the rest of his family.
“Why so sad, little man?” asked Will from atop his horse.
“Uncle Will! Are you coming with us?” Mordred asked excitedly.
Will nodded. “Someone has to keep Arthur in check when it comes to Merlin.”
Arthur glared as he helped Mordred get onto the boys horse and then got onto his own horse. “I’m a perfect gentleman to Merlin,” he stated imperiously.
“Ha!” Morgana laughed.
“Be quiet, you. I know what you do to Guinevere!” Arthur called back.
Merlin and Gwen rolled their eyes at each other and climbed up on their horses. Hunith came over to Mordred and kissed his cheek. She then did the same to Will. She gave Gwen and Morgana a hug. Hunith walked towards Arthur and said, “Take care of my son. Or else.”
Arthur gulped and nodded. “Yes ma’am.”
She nodded and smiled as she came up to Merlin. “Take care dear.” She kissed Merlin’s forehead. “Come see me more often.”
“We will,” he said.
Hunith grinned as she watched them ride off back to Camelot. She knew that her son and Arthur were going to great things someday.
****
A few months after saving Merlin’s village, Arthur killed a unicorn. Merlin called him an idiot since it was known that killing a unicorn could have dire effects on the person who killed it. Instead of bad things happening to Arthur, horrible things happened to Camelot. First, the water dried up. Then, the crops failed and finally, it began to snow in the middle of spring.
Merlin had told Arthur to take a break from figuring out a way to break the unicorn’s curse, so Arthur took Mordred and Merlin outside to play in the snow. Merlin protested and said he would just watch them. He shivered as he watched Mordred and Arthur play in the snow. Well, he watched Arthur dodged rock hard snowballs thrown by Mordred, but it was really the same thing. They were both having fun, was the main point. He shivered again and both boys looked over at him.
“Are you ok Merlin?” asked Arthur.
“Just cold,” he replied. Merlin didn’t really like the snow, but as long as he had a nice warm to go back to, he guessed winter was ok.
“We can stop Daddy. I don’t mind,” Mordred piped up. Suddenly, the young boy sneezed. He blinked slowly. “I don’t feel so good.”
Arthur scooped the boy up and took him to Merlin. The warlock felt the boy’s head. “He feels a little warm,” he frowned. “How long have you felt bad?”
Mordred shrugged. “A few days. Ever since Uncle Will took me out that one day and we made things in the snow.”
Arthur frowned. “Did you dry off right away?”
“No,” Mordred shook his head. “We watched the knights come back from a fight. They were pretty and shiny.”
“Oh.” Arthur shot a look at Merlin.
“I’ll go get Gaius,” Merlin said worriedly. He ran towards the castle.
Arthur nodded and started walking towards the castle, while he carried Mordred. They finally reached Mordred’s room. Arthur stripped off the boy’s clothes and put fresh nightclothes on him. He then tucked Mordred into bed and sat next to him.
“You want Morgana to come read you a story?” the prince asked.
Mordred shook his head and burrowed closer to Arthur. “You tell me one.”
The prince stared in shock. Mordred hardly let Arthur touch him; much less choose him over Morgana. “Okay. What story would you like to hear?”
“How you and Daddy met.”
Arthur grinned, “Well, one day I found Merlin being attacked by some thugs. Naturally, I rescued him. After a long and vicious battle, I won. Merlin tripped over himself while thanking me, as I helped him up, our eyes met. He said fell for me at first sight. I said I’d loved him since before I’d seen him. And then…” Arthur told a grand tale that Mordred only half heard as he drifted in and out of consciousness.
****
Merlin rushed into Mordred’s room with Gaius right behind him. They both paused as they saw Mordred happily curled up in Arthur’s lap.
“Well, he is sick,” Gaius said in sly voice.
Arthur glared. “Hardly. He’s just tired.”
Merlin looked worriedly at the physician. “Will he be all right?”
“Let me look him over.” Gaius came over to the bed and gently pulled Mordred off Arthur. He pushed the sheets back. “Have you been keeping him cool?”
“No,” Arthur said. “While he had a fever, he was shivering. I didn’t…I wasn’t sure what do to.”
“I see. That was probably a good thing. We don’t want him to get the chills. Merlin,” Gaius turned to the warlock, “go get some cool water and a cloth, then get more blankets. You’re going to have to cover him up and cool him off in cycles.”
Merlin nodded and ran from the room.
“Is it serious?” Arthur asked.
“No, not serious, however we don’t want it to become worse.”
****
In the morning, Mordred was feeling a little better. He blinked his eyes and saw Merlin and Arthur lying on either side of him.
“Daddy,” he whispered.
Merlin sat up quickly, his hair askew. “Mordred!” he exclaimed. “Are you feeling better?”
“A little bit.”
“Good,” Arthur said as he got out of the bed and stretched. “I have to go train my knights. A scout said they saw some bandits approaching.”
“It’s the unicorn,” Merlin scolded. “I told you not to kill it.”
Arthur made a face at Merlin. He ruffled Mordred’s hair. “I’ll come visit in a couple of hours, ok?”
Mordred nodded.
Arthur bussed Merlin’s cheek and left the room.
“Daddy?” he heard Mordred ask as Arthur began to close the door. “Did you and Arthur really have kiss right after he saved you from the troggs?”
Arthur grinned as he heard Merlin sputter, “Where did you get that from?”
“Arthur told me,” Mordred replied.
Being a dad is fantastic! Arthur thought happily as he shut the door.
I will kill you slowly, Merlin threatened.
Arthur was so shocked Merlin spoke in his head, he ran into a door. He rubbed his head while Merlin laughed.
“Warlocks,” he muttered as he stood up.
****
Later that night, Merlin found how to reverse the curse. He and Arthur rushed off, leaving Mordred with Morgana and Gwen.
When they came back the next day, the snow had stopped, the water was back and the crops were rich again.
Mordred stood inside their bedroom glaring at them.
“I know you want to go to bed, but first I must do this,” the boy stated. He marched over and kicked them both in the shins.
“Ow!” they yelled.
“Good, I’m glad that hurt. Don’t you two morons ever try to leave me alone again. I need my fathers!” Mordred yelled at them. He ran into his room and slammed the door.
“He must have know through my magic,” Merlin said tiredly. “I’ll talk to him tomorrow.” He walked towards the bed. He noticed Arthur wasn’t next to him. “Arthur?” he asked turning around.
“He called me father,” Arthur said in wonderment. “Merlin! He called me father!” Arthur grinned widely.
“So he did,” Merlin smiled softly. “Now come to bed.”
Arthur nodded and walked towards the bed in a daze. “He called me father,” he murmured as he fell asleep.
****
A few months passed without Mordred trying to kill Arthur, which made everyone in the castle worry.
“Mordred?” Morgana asked quietly one night at bedtime. “Do you not like Arthur anymore?”
Mordred blinked at her. “What do you mean Aunt Morgana?”
“Well, you haven’t tried to kill him, or help him train, in quite a few months. We’re all beginning to wonder.”
“Wait,” Mordred said confusedly. “Everyone thought that me trying to kill Arthur was my way of saying I liked him without saying it? And that by not doing it, everyone, including Arthur, thinks I hate him.”
“Basically.”
“I do like him though!” Mordred protested.
“He doesn’t seem to think so.”
Mordred sighed much like Merlin always did. “I supposed Arthur does need more training on how to dodge.”
Morgana beamed at him and continued telling her tale. She had known that Mordred would come around. Pendragons had to get their affection in the strangest ways.
****
Soon after Mordred resumed Arthur’s training, Gwen’s father was arrested and accused of being a wizard. Morgana, Merlin, and Arthur ran around trying to make sure Gwen was all right and trying to save Tom. Mordred stayed with Gwen most of the time, just sitting next to her reading. Gwen spent most days sitting in Morgana’s room, staring out the window.
“He won’t die Auntie Gwen,” Mordred said out of the blue one day.
“How do you know?” she asked dispiritedly.
“The Knight of the Lake is coming.”
Gwen turned her head and blinked at Mordred. “What?”
“The Knight of the Lake is coming. Aunt Morgana will dream about him tonight. He’s going to catch the real bad guy and free Tom. Then he can be a Knight of Camelot,” Mordred said without looking up from his book. “And then the Knight and Uncle Will shall have an epic romance. Not as epic as Daddy and Arthur’s though.”
“Of course not,” Gwen said in a strangled voice.
“Don’t tell anyone, not until Aunt Morgana dreams it.”
“I won’t. I don’t think anyone would believe me,” Gwen muttered as she went back to looking out the window.
****
Over the next few days, what Mordred had told Gwen came true. When everyone gathered in the throne room to watch Uther punish the real magic user, Merlin asked Mordred how he knew what would happen.
Mordred shrugged and whispered, “The faeries told me.”
Merlin narrowed his eyes. “Morgana needs to stop telling you faerie stories.” He turned back to hear Uther’s decree.
“And you, wizard, shall be put to death,” Uther said contemptuously. He waved his hands and the guards drug the man away. The king then turned to the Knight of the Lake. “Thank you, good knight. You helped me from making a horrible decision.”
The knight bowed, but said nothing. Merlin wondered why he never spoke. Merlin cut a look at Mordred, who was staring intently at Arthur.
What are you doing? Merlin thought.
Nothing, Mordred thought back.
“Father,” Arthur spoke up, “do you suppose I could have this knight in my personal guard?”
“I don’t see why not. We know he is brave,” Uther replied. “Please remove your helm, so we may see the newest knight of Camelot.”
The knight hesitated before taking off his helm.
“Lancelot!” Gwen cried in happiness. She ran up and hugged him. “Thank you,” she said while kissing his cheek.
Lancelot blushed, “It was nothing, my lady.” He bowed to her and Morgana. “I am always willing to help friends.”
Uther sputtered, “You cannot be a knight!”
“You already said he could, father,” Arthur protested.
“He has no noble blood! He doesn’t even own land!” Uther yelled.
“Actually,” Lancelot said while clearing his throat. “I do have land. I met an old widow who had a castle near a lake. She had no children and no family, so she left it all to me.”
“Why?” Uther questioned.
“I saved her from a gargoyle,” Lancelot replied. “I am now Lord du Lac, as she adopted me before she died.”
Merlin started as he glanced down at Mordred. I suppose you knew this already?
Yeah. Tell Arthur to make Uncle Will, Uncle Lancelot’s servant.
Too many romance stories as well, Merlin replied.
Mordred just grinned up at him. Merlin sighed and went to help Arthur convince Uther to keep Lancelot around.
****
The months after Lancelot’s return were quite, it seemed as if the magical world, which frequently attacked Camelot knew something big was coming. Mordred fidgeted as Morgana helped him dress.
“Why must I wear this stupid outfit?” he whined.
“Because,” Morgana said distractedly. “We must see your fathers off in a proper fashion.”
“You aren’t even dressed!”
Morgana looked down at herself. She was still in her nightgown. “I-I’ve been having bad dreams,” she said.
“You should tell Arthur,” Gwen said as she gently pushed Morgana aside. “He knows about your magic, he would believe you.”
“Not about this,” Morgana muttered as she sat down on the couch.
“How’d he find out again?” Mordred asked. “Grandpa Uther took me hunting that day.”
“Merlin and her were talking about it,” Gwen replied. “Arthur thought they were sneaking around because they were cheating. He was very relieved it had to do with magic and not anything else.”
“Then he yelled because I never told him. I told him no one told me until the Unicorn incident,” Morgana said wearily. “Then he forgave me once he was done yelling.”
“Oh,” Mordred frowned. “That’s a lot less dramatic than I thought it was going to be.”
Morgana shrugged. “He’s dressed Gwen. Send him down and help me please.”
Gwen nodded and shoved Mordred out the door. “Don’t get those clothes dirty until after your fathers leave.” She shut Morgana’s door.
Mordred stuck his tongue out and turned around. He heard the door open and Gwen call, “And don’t make that face at me.”
Mordred stared as she shut the door again. Auntie Gwen doesn’t even have magic. Does she?
****
“Daddy?” Merlin asked seriously.
“Yes?” Merlin was getting his horse ready for the trip. He took a step back and looked at it. It didn’t look right.
“Does Auntie Gwen have magic?”
“No,” Merlin paused. “At least I don’t think so.” He tilted his head to get a better angle on the saddle of the horse.
“She does not. She is just that good,” Arthur said as he stepped up beside Merlin. He looked at his lover’s horse and sighed. “You put it on backwards.”
“Aha! I knew something was wrong,” Merlin smiled.
Arthur sighed again and fixed Merlin’s saddle. He then helped Merlin up onto his horse. Arthur climbed up on his horse and looked down at Mordred.
“You be good for your grandfathers and aunts,” he said.
Mordred nodded.
Just then, Morgana came running down the steps, still in her nightgown. Gwen came running after her. Morgana ran up to Arthur and grabbed his leg.
“Don’t go,” she said frantically. “It won’t end well.”
Arthur shot a look at Merlin, who bit his lip.
“We have to go Morgana,” Arthur said gently. “This monster is terrorizing villagers. I’ll have Lancelot and my other men with me, plus Merlin. I’ll be fine.”
Morgana nodded and stepped back into Gwen’s arms. She grabbed Mordred’s hand and held it tight.
Arthur looked up at a balcony and saw his father. He waved then rode off. He was positive nothing bad would happen.
****
“Nothing bad will happen, you say,” Merlin stated sarcastically. “What could possibly go wrong, you say.”
“Yes, yes. Shut up, Merlin,” Arthur growled as he and Merlin hid behind a boulder.
They had come upon the monster quite suddenly. Merlin and Arthur had been separated from the knights and practically forced into a cave.
Arthur glanced over the boulder, then ducked as the monster blew fire over it. “Okay,” he said. “I see a way to kill it. Now I have to get to it.”
Merlin raised a hand and Arthur saw his eyes glow golden. Some nearby rocks flew to the side of the cave. The monster’s head whipped over to the sound. Arthur jumped out from behind the rock and flung his sword at it. The monster rose up and smashed Arthur into the ground, it then bit into his shoulder, right through the armor. Arthur cried out in pain and tried to reach for his sword, but it had broken off as the monster thrashed around. The monster rose up again, trying to finish the prince off.
“No!” Merlin screamed. He yelled out a spell and the monster was blown into pieces. Merlin scrambled over to Arthur. “Arthur! Are you all right?”
“I’ve been better,” his lover quipped before passing out.
Merlin choked back a sob as he pulled Arthur out of the cave. He couldn’t see any of Arthur’s men, so he cast his mind about, looking for someone familiar. LANCELOT! he screamed.
Merlin bent over Arthur and hoped they came quickly enough.
****
Mordred heard that his fathers had returned, so he rushed out of his room happily. He couldn’t wait to tell them about the potion Gaius had let him make. He pushed past servants, knights and assorted others to get to the front gate. Mordred skidded to a halt next to Uther, Morgana, Gwen, and Gaius. They all watched as Merlin came through first, with a horse trailing behind him.
“Where’s Arthur?” Mordred asked.
Morgana gasped. Mordred looked closer at the second horse and felt his knees give out. There, on the horse, was Arthur.
Uther rushed down the stairs and gently pulled his sons limp body off the horse. He picked Arthur up and began to carry him, while crying, towards the castle. Uther’s legs went out from under him, however, some nearby knights picked up Arthur’s body and rushed to his room.
Morgana collapsed, crying, where Gwen was holding her.
Mordred picked himself up and ran to Merlin, who was also crying. Merlin picked up Mordred and wrapped him in a hug.
“It’ll be ok, Daddy,” Mordred whispered. It has to be.
****
Uther sat next to Arthur’s bed, holding his sons hand. “What did this to him?” he asked.
Merlin, who sat on Arthur’s other side, said, “The monster we were chasing.”
“What did it look like?” Gaius questioned. “The sooner we know, the quicker we can save Arthur.”
“It was big, brown,” Merlin paused, remembering. “It had a beak and wings, but it couldn’t fly. It had sharp teeth, they pierced his armor. It had sharp talons too, they left scratches in his armor as well. It didn’t seem like it could see very well, but it could hear excellently.”
“Hmm…” Gaius flipped through his books he had brought with him. “Aha! Here it is; the Questing Beast. Oh dear.”
“What is it Gaius?” Uther asked quietly.
“It looks like someone had to summon it,” the old man replied.
“Nimueh,” Uther hissed. “Will I never be rid of her? How can we fix this?”
Gaius was silent. “I can see what I can do,” he finally said.
Uther nodded curtly. He then stood up and dropped his sons’ hand. “I must tend to the kingdom. Keep me informed.”
As soon as he left, Merlin asked, “With magic?”
“Yes, but powerful magic. The Questing Beast has only appeared one other time in Camelot’s history and it forebodes a time of great upheaval.”
“I think losing a prince would be an upheaval,” Merlin replied.
“We won’t lose him!” Gaius yelled. “Now leave me, while I try to help ease his pain.”
Merlin frowned, but left. He needed to go check on Mordred.
****
“The Questing Beast?” Mordred murmured after Merlin had told the others what had injured Arthur.
“There is no cure,” Morgana said suddenly.
“Gaius will find one,” Gwen told her optimistically.
“Do Lance and I need to go kill something?” Will asked. “I’d be happy to kill something.”
Lancelot chuckled and placed a hand on Will’s arm. “I don’t think can be solved with killing, sadly.”
Merlin sat, despondently in a chair in Morgana’s room. He looked out the window and down into the courtyard. He rubbed at his temples and sighed.
“Daddy,” Mordred whispered.
Merlin jumped, he hadn’t heard Mordred move. “What is it?”
“I know how to save Arthur, but it won’t be good.”
Merlin picked Mordred up and walked towards the door. “Mordred is too upset right now. We want to be alone,” he said as he left.
“He’s up to something,” Morgana said quietly. “Something dangerous.”
The other three nodded.
****
Merlin took Mordred to an unused room in the castle and placed him on a table.
“Tell me,” he said. “Tell me how to save Arthur.”
“Well, I read in Grandpa Gaius’ book. The only cure for the Questing Beasts bite is for someone to make a trade. A life for a life.”
“Like with Igraine.”
Mordred nodded.
“Where to I make this trade and with who?”
“With the Priestess of the Old Religion, on the Isle of the Blessed.”
“How do you remember all of that?”
“I’m smart,” Mordred grinned.
“I can see that. Ok,” Merlin clapped his hands together. “I’m going to this Isle and see if I can save Arthur.”
“Daddy! You could die!” Mordred cried.
“It’s a chance I must take.”
Mordred nodded and bit his lip.
“I don’t love Arthur more than you,” Merlin told the boy. He pushed some hair off of Mordred’s face. “I love you and him differently.”
“You have to save him.”
“I do. It’s part of my destiny.”
“He should save you once in awhile,” Mordred huffed.
Merlin laughed. “He has and he will again. Now, go.” He took Mordred off the table and set him on the floor. “Distract everyone so I can leave quickly. I’ll be back soon.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
Merlin kissed Mordred’s forehead and gave him a little shove out the door. Mordred walked down the hallway with his head high. Daddy will save Father. He has too!
****
Merlin stumbled into the room he shared with Arthur later that night, clutching a goblet.
“Gaius!” he called.
The old man sat up from his slumped over position in a chair. When he saw it was Merlin, he scowled.
“Mordred told me where you were and what you were doing!” Gaius yelled.
Merlin shoved the cup into Gaius’ hands. “Quickly, give it to Arthur.”
“Merlin…”
“Just do it! It will save him!”
Gaius nodded and rushed over to Arthur. “Sit him up.”
Merlin got behind Arthur and levered the prince up. Gaius managed to pour the liquid down Arthur’s throat with ease.
“Good,” Merlin sighed. He pulled out from behind his lover and kicked his shoes off. He climbed in next to Arthur and closed his eyes.
Gaius stared at the couple before going back to his chair. He wanted to watch over them a little bit longer.
****
Merlin woke up the next morning with Arthur and Mordred glaring down at him. “I’m not dead,” he said while blinking his eyes.
“No, but you will be once I’m better,” Arthur said scratchily. “How dare you do something so dangerous for me!”
“I love you moron!” Merlin yelled. “I’d do anything for you!”
Arthur had no retort and crossed his arms over his chest. “Well don’t do it again.”
“I won’t if you won’t.”
Arthur scowled and closed his eyes. “I’m tired. Leave me alone.”
Merlin snorted. He looked over at Mordred. “Are you mad at me too?”
“Yes, but I am glad you’re alive,” the boy replied.
“Good.” Merlin patted the space in between him and Arthur. Mordred climbed in it and closed his eyes.
Perhaps, Merlin thought, things will be better now.
****
Merlin was awoken suddenly by Mordred pushing him off the bed. “What is it?” he asked groggily.
“It’s grandmother,” Mordred cried.
“What? Where?”
“Grandpa Gaius’ room.”
“Stay with Arthur,” Merlin said as he rushed from the room and to Gaius’ room.
When he got there, he saw his mother stretched out on one of the tables.
“What happened?” Merlin asked.
“I believe,” Gaius said steadily, “that this is the life the Old Religion chose in exchange for Arthur’s.”
“I’ll kill her,” Merlin ground out as he grabbed his mother’s hand. “I’ll go back tomorrow and kill her.”
“I assume you mean Nimueh.”
“Yes.” Merlin laid his head on his mother’s chest.
Hunith raised a hand and placed it on Merlin’s head. “Don’t cry.”
“Mother…”
Hunith smiled at her son softly. “It will all work out.”
Merlin was so wrapped up in Hunith, he never noticed Gaius sneak out of the room.
****
When Merlin woke up the next morning, he found Gwen tending to his mother.
“Where’s Gaius?” he asked.
“I don’t know. No one has been able to find him since last night,” Gwen replied. She turned to him. “Go check on Arthur and Mordred. I’ll look after your mother.”
“Thank you, Gwen,” Merlin said.
“It’s no problem. Hunith is family after all,” Gwen smiled.
Merlin smiled back and left. He leaned against the door and took a deep breath. Then he made his way towards his and Arthur’s room. He saw Morgana sitting with Arthur and Mordred, telling a story.
“You must tell good tales, Morgana,” Merlin said lightly. “I’ve never seen Arthur so enraptured.”
“Shut up,” Arthur replied, laughingly. He suddenly turned serious. “You’re leaving again.”
“I have to. I have to save mother and Gaius,” Merlin said in a strained voice.
Arthur nodded.
“Don’t think of coming with me!” Merlin exclaimed. “Just stay here with Morgana and Mordred.”
“Oh no!” Mordred shouted. “I’m coming this time.” The boy turned to Arthur. “Don’t worry Father, I’ll make sure nothing happens to him.”
Mordred strode out of the room, leaving a shocked Arthur on the bed. Merlin took Arthur’s momentarily silence as a sign, kissed his lover quickly, and ran after Mordred.
“Well,” Morgana said, smoothing down her dress. “Shall I continue with the story?”
****
Mordred hid behind Merlin as they made their way into the ruins on the Isle of the Blessed.
“Daddy, look,” Mordred pointed. “It’s Grandpa Gaius!” The boy ran over to his grandfather and knelt down next to him. “I can’t tell if he’s alive or dead.”
“He’s dead,” Nimueh smirked as she came out into the open.
Mordred glared at her. “You hurt my father!”
“I haven’t touched Merlin. Yet,” she smiled, sickly sweet at the boy.
“Not Merlin, Arthur!” Mordred yelled at her.
Nimueh jerked back in shock. Merlin took the opportunity and slid himself in between her and Mordred and Gaius.
“You tricked me,” he growled.
Nimueh smirked again. “I didn’t. I said ‘A life for a life’. I just didn’t say whose. Anyway,” she waved her hand dismissively at Gaius. “He was a traitor, he deserved to die.”
Merlin growled again. “No one deserves to die.”
Nimueh shrugged. “You and the boy should join me. The three of us could tear Camelot apart.”
“Never!” Mordred yelled.
“It won’t happen,” Merlin agreed. “You are on your own.”
Nimueh’s face changed from pleasant to ugly in that moment. “Then you’ll just have to die as well.”
She threw a fireball at Merlin, which sent him flying back.
“Daddy!” Mordred cried.
“Stay with Gaius,” Merlin coughed out. “I’ll take care of her.”
Merlin stood up, dusted himself off and pointed at Nimueh. He began to mutter a spell. Nimueh laughed harshly.
“That won’t work against me! I’m the Priestess of the Old Religion!” she cried out.
Merlin ignored her and kept muttering his spell. Nimueh yelled in frustration and sent a large bolt of fire at Merlin. The young warlock countered with a blast of lightening. It hit Nimueh straight on. She gasped and fell backwards.
“Why?” she gurgled.
“I figured it wasn’t the Old Religion picking who would die, but you. The Old Religion doesn’t like being used for evil, so I made a pact with it,” Merlin said as he stood above her.
“What?” she gasped for breath.
“I’m the Priest of the Old Religion now. I said I would never use my magic for evil. It likes me better than you anyway.”
She grabbed Merlin’s leg. “Save me.”
“I can’t. The Old Religion really did pick this time.” He kicked her hand off and walked over to Mordred and Gaius.
“Daddy, you were amazing!” Mordred crowed.
Merlin chuckled. “Let’s help Gaius up and the three of us can go back home.”
“That,” Gaius said slowly, “is a good idea.”
“I shouldn’t tell Father about this, should I?” Mordred asked as they left the ruins behind them.
“Probably not right away, no,” Merlin replied. “He’d only get a big head about being the lover of the Priest of the Old Religion.”
“And Arthur does not need a bigger head,” Gaius quipped.
They laughed all the way down to the water’s edge.
****
Two months passed before Gaius was certain Arthur was healed.
“No fighting or training for at least another two months, but you can get out of bed,” Gaius said as he packed his medical kit back together.
“Thank the gods,” Merlin sighed. “I was getting tired of his whining and complaining.”
Arthur sniffed imperiously at his lover. “Shut up.”
Gaius rolled his eyes as he left. He was nearly run over by Mordred, as the boy rushed inside.
“Mordred!” Gaius shouted.
“Sorry Grandfather Gaius! I wanted to see how Father was doing,” Mordred responded.
“Fine, but no training. Of any kind,” Gaius stated.
Mordred nodded sadly. “All right.”
“Good,” Gaius said as he left the doorway.
“Well,” Mordred said into the silence. “What shall we do?”
Arthur stretched as he got out of bed. “I need a new sword. I thought about going to see if Tom had anything.”
Mordred and Merlin shared a look.
“Actually,” Merlin began. “I know where you can get a great sword.”
Arthur raised an eyebrow. “Oh, really? Where?”
****
“Merlin. This is a lake,” Arthur said while pointing to the aforementioned lake.
“I know,” Merlin responded. He tugged on Arthur’s jacket. “Strip off already. You don’t need to have your clothes wet.”
Arthur huffed and took off his shoes, pants and shirt. He was left in his undergarments. Merlin whistled.
“Ew,” Mordred said from his place on a rock.
“Merlin, why is the sword in a lake?” Arthur asked.
“It seemed like the place to put it.”
Arthur sighed and rubbed his eyes. “Fine. I’ll get the sword.”
Arthur waded out into the lake and then dove under. He popped back up a few seconds later.
“Isn’t it there?” Merlin yelled.
“It is,” Arthur called back.
“Then what’s the problem?”
“It’s stuck in a stone. Why is a sword stuck in a stone?”
“I don’t know! I didn’t do that!”
Merlin looked at Mordred, who shook his head.
“Don’t look at me,” the boy cried.
Arthur sighed once more before diving back down. Merlin and Mordred waited onshore for what seemed like hours, but was actually only minutes. Arthur came back up, gasping for air. He swam until he could walk back on land. He was holding the sword in his hand and it was glinting in the sun.
“What took so long?” Mordred asked as Merlin dried Arthur off.
“It came out too easily, so I stuck it back in a few times to check,” Arthur replied.
He held out a hand and motioned to his shirt. Mordred picked it up and gave it to him. Arthur began to wipe the sword down with his shirt.
“Check what?” Merlin asked. He scowled and took the shirt from Arthur. He then handed Arthur his clothes.
“To see if it always came out that easily.” The prince set the sword down carefully as he dressed. Once he was finished he picked the sword back up.
“Did it?” Mordred asked excitedly.
“Yes.” Arthur turned the sword so he could look at it from all angles. “It needs a sheath.”
“Will can make one,” Merlin said as he tugged Mordred away from the lake edge.
“This had better be an amazingly, fantastic sword for all the trouble I went through,” Arthur said as he stared at the sword.
“It is Father,” Mordred said happily. He grinned at Arthur.
Arthur grinned back and took Mordred’s hand. Merlin took the boy’s other hand and the three of them made their way back home.
****
In the cave, far below Camelot, the dragon opened his eyes slightly. “Maybe,” he mused, “the future has been changed for the better.”
He smirked as he closed his eyes and fell asleep. Only time would tell.
THE END