Author's Notes:
Hello everyone! As promised, here is the second addition to Albion's Coin. So sorry for the wait, I just started a new job and haven't had much time for writing. I will do my best to post new chapters regularly. If you have not read Albion's Coin, you should read that story first before reading this one. I'm very excited for New Beginnings. Lots of surprises and unexpected turns are coming up in this next story of Merlin.
Chapter 1. Of Pranks and War
The queen of Camelot sat in a rocking chair next to the fireplace in the chamber she shared with her husband. Relaxing with a book after a particularly long day, enjoying the silence of solitude. Gwen's quiet evening was interrupted when the door suddenly opened. A sheepish Arthur came striding in the room. Followed closely by a five year old Merlin. "Quick, let's hide behind the changing screen."
Gwen rolled her eyes. "What are you boys up too?"
"Uncle Gwaine is upset." Merlin's voice answered from behind the screen.
"What did you do?" Gwen asked with a sigh.
"What make you think it was our fault?" Arthur asked defensively.
"Because you wouldn't be hiding otherwise."
Before Arthur could say anything else, the man in question burst into the room. Indeed he did not look too happy. "Alright Gwen where are they?"
"Where are who?" she asked him playing dumb.
"Don't defend them Gwen. You know perfectly well who I'm talking about. A certain king and his trouble making son. Or another term I like to use, the devil's minions."
"What did they do this time? And why do you smell like," Gwen moved in closer to define the smell. "What is that? Egg?"
"Ah!" Gwaine said holing up his right index finger. "Yes Gwen, why indeed. Should I tell you or should your cowardly husband do it?"
"Arthur, Merlin, would you care to explain yourselves?" Gwen said crossing her arms.
"No." came the reply.
"Young man, you come out here right now. You too Arthur."
Eventually, both of them cautiously came out from behind their hiding spot. Arthur smiled nervously at the annoyed pair. More warily of Gwen then Gwaine.
"Who's going to start?" Gwen said.
"It was daddy's idea. Honest." Merlin said being the first to crack.
"Thanks a lot Merlin." Arthur told him.
"Your welcome." Merlin said cheerily, remembering his manners.
Gwaine quietly snickered. Gwen had to fight showing a smile. They were still in trouble. "Arthur?" Gwen prompted him to continue.
"Well. What if I told you it was father, son bonding time?"
Gwen still had her arms crossed.
"It was a harmless prank Gwen."
"You think cracking eggs in my helmet, and egg running down my neck is a harmless prank?" Gwaine stated.
"Well you needed a bath anyway."
Gwen gave a sharp look at Arthur. He wisely clamped his mouth shut.
"Alright young man, now you apologize to Uncle Gwaine."
"I'm sorry Uncle Gwaine."
He couldn't keep a straight face any longer. "Apology accepted." Gwen uncrossed her arms.
"Good. Will you tuck Merlin in Gwaine? I need to have a little talk with Arthur."
Gwaine poked his head up. "You're in trouble," he mouthed with a stupid grin on his face. Arthur rolled his eyes at the childishness displayed in his knight.
"Come on sport," Gwaine said lifting Merlin onto his shoulders. "Let's let mommy and daddy have a private 'discussion'.
"I'll be in, in a few minutes Merlin." Gwen said as they were about to leave.
"Okay." Merlin called back as Gwaine carried out the young prince.
Gwen crossed her arms again "Am I in trouble?" Arthur asked. She gave her husband a stern look. Arthur nodded to himself. "I'm in trouble."
"Arthur what were you thinking?"
"About what?" Arthur asked confused about the direction of the 'discussion'.
"You let Merlin into the Armory Arthur. He could have been badly hurt." Gwen said her voice slightly rising.
"I was with him the whole time Gwen. I did't let him touch anything."
"Anything?" Gwen said unconvinced.
"Well, I let him crack the eggs into the helmet." Arthur said snickering. He quickly became serious at the look Gwen shot him.
"Arthur."
"It was just a prank Gwen. Gwaine has Merlin do them all the time with him, I thought it would be fun for me and him to do one. That's all."
"That's all?"
"Yes, that's all. Plus, the look on Gwaine's face was priceless!" Arthur said laughing. The image of egg dripping on the side of Gwaine's face after he put the unsuspecting helmet on his head still fresh in his mind.
Gwaine walked down the hall with Merlin still on his shoulders.
"Uncle Gwaine?"
"Yes my young apprentice?"
Merlin always liked it when his favorite uncle called him apprentice. He didn't know what it meant, but it made him feel special. Uncle Gwaine didn't call anyone else that. "Are you still mad at me?" He knew Uncle Gwaine apologized to him because his mother was in the room. He thought that might have been the reason.
"No Merlin, I not mad at you."
"Promise?"
Gwaine chuckled. "I promise Merlin. I could never stay mad at you. I just wish I thought of the prank first."
I hope the first chapter was up to your expectations. Please leave reviews, they make my day.