Disclaimer: Oh yeah, I forgot to mention: I wrote ALL Arthurian legend and I own the TV series Merlin! You mad?
Author's Note: Thanks for the interest! Please review! I LOVE constructive criticism. Don't expect ridiculously frequent updates: I have ten classes and I work a job. That's all. Enjoy!
Panting, he raced down the corridor and burst into the royal chambers.
Bags hung under the Queen's eyes as she attempted to console the flailing, wailing prince in her arms. "Merlin, what have we told you about knocking?" Gwen sighed but at this moment, Merlin knew his inconsiderate habits were the last of her worries.
"Gwen, it's late. You should be in bed."
"Don't be ridiculous. He needs me."
"Gwen, Camelot needs you. Get some rest."
"I'd like to," she sighed, "but I'll stay up with him all night if I must."
Merlin gently lifted Amr from her arms. "Leave him to me. Get to sleep."
"But-"
"I promised you I'd look after him. I can share the load. Get some rest."
Gwen caved into her exhaustion. "Alright. Don't stay up too long. Thank you."
"My pleasure. Good night, My Lady."
Merlin headed swiftly for Amr's nursery which was not too far down the corridor. Normally he wouldn't condone running with a screaming infant but tonight would not be a good night for waking the whole of Camelot.
And of course the door was locked.
"Tóspringe."
It felt strange using magic in front of Amr. It reminded him of the few times he'd used it in front of Arthur after he'd found out. The prince's brilliant eyes stared up at him. Merlin took a second glance.
Amr had stopped crying.
"Well, that wasn't too bad, now was it, Your Highness?"
Amr continued to stare up at him with the eyes that haunted his every waking hour. They seemed to be asking him Why did you agree to this? Have you ever done anything with a baby? The first thing that came to mind was a lullaby.
"The sun has set, the stars come out
Home the dragons have gone
To rest their great long wings
And wait for morning to dawn.
Without a sound they hold each other close
Waiting for the day they can fly free.
At long last first light bursts through trees
They and their kin stretch their wings in the breeze
They rejoice with roars of delight
And set the skies aflame with light
Never ceasing, not even at night.
The sun has set, the stars come out
Home the dragons have gone
To rest their great long wings
And wait for morning to dawn."
And with that, the child fell fast asleep. Merlin held the prince of Camelot in his arms and kissed him on the forehead. He crept from the room and locked its door with an enchantment that some might have called a tad excessive.
"Learh fearnancai."
He then headed back to the royal chambers to make sure Gwen was not up worrying. Not wanting to disturb her, he used his mind's eye to see the Queen sleeping soundly in her bed.
He tried not wake Gaius as he slunk back to his room. He knew he had an important day ahead and he had much preparation to attend to before his first meeting as an advisor but his mind raced. He merely sat on his bed, basking in the moonlight.
Hours passed. Sleep would not come to him.
There must have been a reason Merlin could hear Amr's cries inside his head whilst far away. As his Godfather, Merlin knew that this boy had to be protected. He was special.