Author Note 2012: Hi just an idea I had so hope you enjoy it. This chapter is when Merlin, Arthur and Morgana are young children playing together not knowing what destiny had for them. Hope you enjoyed. I do not own Merlin.
Merlin and Arthur are cousins. Hunith and Uther are brothers and sisters

Author Note 2017: I had some comments about how well 2 year old Merlin is specking in this chapter (and comments that 2 years old can't talk that well) All children develop differently and you will be amazed that what some of them say. In my mind Merlin will be advance in this commutation and language but not as advance in his physical development. Arthur I imagine it being the other way round, due to spending lot of his time in the presents of his father and knights.

Destiny Cousins

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Chapter 1 – the children

There was a tournament in Camelot. Six year old Arthur couldn't wait for it, one thing tournaments were exciting and epic to watch plus his favourite and only cousin Merlin was coming to stay in Camelot for the first time.

Merlin was two years old and he lived on the edge of Camelot borders with his mother Lady Hunith and his father Lord Gordon, Arthur looked out of his window waiting for them to come. He saw Morgana arrive with her family, He didn't go to say hello. Morgana was annoying and a girl.

Lord Gordon got off his horse and went into the carriage to checked if wife Hunith and his son Merlin were alright. It was an uncomfortably journey, but it wasn't far to go. He knew Merlin wasn't his real son and that he was Balinor's child. When Balinor left, Hunith discovered she was pregnant and terrified Uther would kill her or the unborn baby. Gordon come up with idea to marry Hunith as soon as possible to keep everyone safe from Uther. No one needed to know that Merlin was an son of an dragonlord. Gordon loved Hunith with all his heart and Merlin to. He knew Hunith loved him also

Gordon and Hunith had new worries after Merlin was born with always keeping a lid on Merlin's magic. Luckily Merlin was starting to understand he had to keep his magic secret. They couldn't keep turning invitation down from Uther. "We will be there shortly." informed Gordon

"You have to take the most bumpy route, didn't you." said Hunith good naturally, she wasn't truly annoyed with him.

"Bump bump bump bump." Merlin suddenly piped up "I like bumps, funny."

"I agree, Merlin." said Gordon

Once Lord Gordon was back on his horse they were off again. And Camelot come into view "That's Camelot." said Merlin at once staring at the Castel amazed.

"Yes dear." said Hunith as they come up to the main gates of the Castel "Remember the rules, Merlin."

"Don't talk about magic." repeated Merlin at once. He put his fingers to his lips "Shhhhh."

The carriage stopped and Hunith and Merlin got out. Uther hugged his sister.

"Sister how was your journey?" asked Uther

"It was as good as it gets, brother." said Hunith

Uther turned to Gordon and shook his hand "Good to see you, Lord Gordon."

"You too sire." said Gordon "you're looking fine today."

Uther nodded his thanks and turned his attention to Merlin "Hello Myddin. Still like to be called Merlin do you?"

Merlin nodded his head "hell-o uncle." said Merlin "Were Arty?"

"He has been wanting to see him for weeks." said Hunith smiling. The boys last saw each other while Uther and Gordon went hunting an few months ago "He's been talking non stop about Arthur, can't wait to see him..."

"I'M HERE." yelled Arthur panting slightly because he ran all the way from his chambers to the courtyard.

"Arty... Arty...Arty...Arty." said Merlin bouncing up and down

"Father, he called me Arty not my name." said Arthur tugging his father's sleeve with a frown on his face "I am Prince Arthur, no one can call me Arty"

"Now Arthur, Merlin is only little." said Uther shaking his head "Maybe you can teach him how to say you name correctly."

"Okay then." said Arthur letting go of Uther and grabbing Merlin's hand "Come on Merlin let's go to my chambers, I'll teach you how to talk." Arthur was leading Merlin inside

"Me can talk, Arty." said Merlin following Arthur inside almost tripping on the steps.

"Not like a noble," said Arthur at once "Nobles have to talk rightly you know."

"Me am a noble, Arty." said Merlin happily "Me can talk super duper." Following Arthur inside

"You're not going to get a moment's peace with Merlin around Uther." said Gordon patting Uther on the arm. "He never stops talking, and always seem to find trouble in an empty room."

"I hardy get any peace with Arthur." said Uther shaking his head "I've got Morgana staying as well. You know what she and Arthur are like and now Merlin is up and about we need to double the guards. I'm just glad Morgana and Merlin are just visiting and not staying for good." The adults all laughed as they went inside.

"Arty... Mor-na-na!" yelled Merlin chasing after Arthur and Morgana down the corridor. The older two were planning a sword fight in serect, but Merlin was following them, trying to catch up.

Morgana turned around she was seven years old she was the oldest of all of them and she liked to tell the boys what to do "Merlin, you can come with us. But only if your quiet and don't make a sound." Merlin nodded his head seriously.

"He can't come. He's a baby." said Arthur pouting slightly.

"Me two." said Merlin pointing to himself. "Me not baby. Me all grown up."

"See," said Morgana smiling "Merlin, is big boy now you won't tell no one will you Merlin?"

"No," said Merlin shaking his head "No, tell shhhhh."

Arthur rolled his eyes "Fine, but you can't fight Merlin, you're too young. You watch"

"Alright, Arty." said Merlin and the three of them made they way to the armory keeping out of sight sight of the guards.

Morgana and Arthur were at full swing of the fight in the armory. They were using the melee swords and wearing helmets. They both going full blows. Morgana proving girls can fight and Arthur proving girls couldn't beat boys. Arthur was insulting Morgana and Morgana was insulting Arthur.
Merlin was standing on one of the benches cheering for both sides. None of them knew how much noise they making when Uther come in. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THREE DOING."

Arthur and Morgana were in trouble for fighting again with their families and taking Merlin along with them, after formally apologizing to each other and all the adults Arthur, Morgana and Merlin played a board game together. But they all got fed up of that very quickly and began talking about the tournament the next day. Merlin's and Morgana fathers were competing in it.

"My father is not competing because he's the king." said Arthur "And if he dies he can't be king. Also he does all the important talking at the start."

"My father is the best fighter ever." said Morgana proudly "No one can beat him."

"Me daddy fights good too." said Merlin speaking up "He try to win, he told me"

The three of them went to bed and couldn't wait for the next day. But one of them wanted to forget that day. And none of them did.

What do you think? Merlin likes to watch fights (he dose in season 1) The first couple of Chapter will been early life because I got some good ideas for it.

Also everyone thinks Lord Gordon is Merlin father. The other people who know the truth at this point his Gordon and Hunith.

Hope you enjoyed and please review