Dandle – to move (a baby, child, etc.) lightly up and down, as on one's knee or in one's arms
It happened when Arthur and Merlin were walking through the newly rebuilt Lower Town, checking the shops and houses which were being put up. It had never been a major concern of his father, Uther feeling that if the people were too poor to be able to afford well built homes then they should simply work harder. Never mind that the rent for living in Camelot was more than most families' income's. Uther had never cared about that, after all a king's people were the source of his income and he had a war against magic to fund.
But Arthur wanted to do things differently and so he had funded the rebuilding of the houses destroyed during Morganna's reign of terror. That was why he was out "inspecting" one of the building sites with Merlin, when the mother came up to him.
"Good day, m'lord." She said, "We," she indicated her brood of children "just wanted to say hello and thank you for this."
"Don't thank me, it should have been done a long time ago." He smiled obviously thinking that this conversation was over.
"Well that's the thing, m'lord, this little one was born the day you and your fine knights took back Camelot." She indicated a small bundle that was wrapped up securely in her arms. "And well we were wondering if you'd like to say a few words." She paused and held up the small bundle expectantly towards Arthur, which, nervously, Arthur took, holding it out in front of him as if it was a small, dirty piglet. Then as Arthur looked into the small face, it inexplicably turned red and started to scream.
"Arthur hold the baby properly!" Merlin told him, his hands over his ears, "Put her up close to your chest so she can feel the warmth."
"But it's screaming!" Arthur answered defensively.
"Probably because SHE'S scared, you giant useless clotpole, hold her properly!" Finally, his ears being too painful to allow it to go on, he took the baby from Arthur's (unresisting arms) arms, brought her close to his chest and rocked her. And as if by magic (though in later years Merlin denied using any) her crying quieted to a few intermittent sobs, before being drowned out by happy baby noises entirely.
"See, easy if you know how to do it." Merlin said, giving Arthur the feeling that deep inside (or not so very deep at all), he was feeling decidedly smug .
"Why, Merlin, you're very good with children." Said the mother.
"Yes. Maybe we should have your duties moved into the Nursery, I'm sure Lord Sedgewick's children would love to have you look after them, that is if the change isn't too difficult to handle." Said Arthur, grinning at the thought of Merlin having to look after the two young lordlings, who were well known for being absolute terrors.
"What, you mean make sure that a pair of aristocratic brats are kept fed, out of mischief and clean. Yes, very different, after all there are two of them." Merlin, grinned, knowing that as long as he held the baby, he was safe from any reprisals.