Merlin
Love by Any other name
Part 11
Camelot's war room was busy, Uther at the head of the table, taking reports from the knights, Arthur standing at the table with Leon and a couple of other knights. It had been less than two day's since the Cobalt Dragons proclamation, and the city, had, predictably panicked. What hadn't helped was that starting late the previous evening, the first of the Dragons had attacked. So while they made plans, the city lay under siege. That Uther had entrusted the evacuation of the lower and middle towns to Merlin was something of a shock in itself, but the boy had grown on him. Arthur had wondered why, but Uther had failed to comment, and Merlin had only replied that it was something that the king had trusted him with, and he would not break that trust. Of course, when Uther had asked Merlin to oversee the evacuations, a task that would normally have fallen to Arthur in other circumstances, he had protested, but not for long and not overmuch.
"For the moment the attacks seem to be centred on the Lower and Middle towns" said one of the knights. Uther nodded, as he looked over the map on the table. Arthur leant past him pointing.
"The biggest areas of devastation are here-" he pointed to another part of the map. "And here" he added, looking up. "The direct lines to both the castle and out of the city" he stated.
"Strategic targets" Uther agreed. "It means we're going to be cut off from outside help and form even reaching the town eventually" he said, but he was frowning, something wasn't adding up.
"Father?" Arthur asked.
"Why is he not attacking the castle? He could level it with a couple of Dragon's so why is he only attacking the town?" he wondered aloud. Arthur looked at the map again, not having any answers and hating it.
"Maybe he doesn't want to risk it quite yet" Arthur offered. Uther shook his head.
"No, Balinor isn't one to wait, there is a very strong reason while he's not attacking here" Uther said.
"The Dragon" Leon said suddenly, Arthur and Uther both looking up at him. "It has to be, if he takes out the castle, the chances are the cavern below may collapse" he said.
"It must be" agreed Arthur. Uther nodded, thoughtfully.
"If that is the case then we are in a strong position" he said.
"Not as strong as we would like" Arthur said. "Eventually we'll be totally cut off from our supplies in the village, even if the citadel doesn't fall, eventually we'll end up starving" he said. Uther nodded, then looked over at one of the knights.
"How is the evacuation of the town faring?" he asked. The guard shook his head.
"Sire, we still have around nine hundred people still unaccounted for, but with the severity of the attacks we don't know who has survived and who hasn't" he replied. Uther nodded then closed his eyes.
"Tell Merlin to start pulling back with those he has rescued, he has an hour" Uther stated.
"But what if there are any people left down there?" asked Arthur. Uther looked at him.
"I'm sorry Arthur, but my duty is to protect those we have saved, and I will mourn the loss of those we cannot but our duty must be to the living" he replied. Arthur looked away, then nodded.
"Of course, you're right" he said quietly. Uther nodded and then looked back at the knight.
"See to it" he said.
"Sire" the knight gave a sharp bow then hurried from the room.
The banquit hall had been turned to a makeshift hospital as people, townsfolk and defenders alike were being treated. Gaius moved among them with the help of Gwen and Morgana, who helped to tend wounds as best they could. Mostly burns and the like, and fortunately in most cases, although the person was blistered, they would heal given time. Unfortunately the wounded brought something else with them, the stench of burning flesh. The smell overpowering all the others in the large room.
"We need more water" said Morgana as she tended to an old man, a farmer by the clothes he wore.
"It's on its way" Gaius replied, looking over at her. Gwen hurried to Morgana, tipping some of the water she had into the pail Morgana carried.
"Here, this should keep you going" Gwen said. Morgana nodded, looking at her maid in a new light, often expecting her to make some small slip up, or do something Gwenish, but not today, no today she was as dedicated as Gaius in her work, determined, careful, her face, normally open and inviting was today changed, a seriousness on her features that seemed oddly out of place, yet somehow comforting in its own right. But then Morgana couldn't believe that she herself was here either, but With Merlin down in the town, down where the Dragon's were she had found herself unable to wait in silence, not doing anything. So here she was, the Lady Morgana, caring for the injured townsfolk, seeing the gratitude in the eyes of those she helped, sometime treating them, sometimes even a kind word. It was humbling to realise how much she meant to them, and soon she found herself, if not enjoying herself appointed task, at least not hating it. She was brining a small shred of hope to these people who worked hard and loved their kingdom. So even if all she could do was offer a word of support or press a cold cloth to someone's head, then she would gladly do it, besides, she realised that not only had it helped her to focus her thoughts away from the danger Merlin was in, it was, she realised, what he would have done. She smiled, knowing that a lot of the people in here, were here simply because Merlin and the group of knight's with him had found and rescued them, so when the farm reached out a withered hard worked hand towards her, she took it, smiling at him.
Across from them the doors opened and several servants rushed into the room each carrying two buckets of water, placing them down, before they picked up the discarded empty ones and ran out. Morgana realised as well in at that point that Uther was wrong about servants in general, the six that had came in, all young, had not been asked to perform the task, but had, like her, taken it upon themselves to do what they could to help.
"Thank you my Lady" the farmers voice was raspy and she looked down at him.
"Shussh, you need to rest" she said. He smiled and nodded, she returned it and then moved away, to the next person in line, a woman holding a young baby, she looked up as Morgana approached and bowed her head as Morgana knelt down by them, the woman's eyes wide and searching, the baby squirmed in her arms.
"Here" Morgana said handing her a cup of water. The woman took it.
"Thomas!" yelled Merlin as Thomas ushered another couple of people down an already crowded alleyway. Thomas turned to him and jogged over to him, his brow sweating, as was Merlin's.
"That's another ninety odd by my thinking" Thomas said. Merlin nodded and looked up as a beige scaled Dragon flew over them, followed by a green and red one, a second later the several buildings to their right went up in flames.
"Damn it" muttered Merlin as the flames began to spread, people around them screaming as he, Thomas and a couple of other knights ushered them down the alleyway.
"MOMMA!" a child's scream brought Merlin twisting around, there about twenty feet away a small child, no older than maybe seven sat near to a burning building, the child's mother beside him, a wooden beam across her. Merlin ran to him and a quick glance told him the mother was beyond saving.
"Merlin!" Thomas called over to him. Merlin quickly picked up the hysterical child, who jolted and screamed even more.
"Shushh, I've got you" Merlin soothed him, then looked over at Thomas.
"Back, we've been called back!" Thomas yelled.
"but-" Merlin went to protest, when suddenly the building beside Thomas went up in flames, the knight along with it. Merlin ran to him, seeing his friend's face staring up at the sky, his features partially melted, several people had stopped, looking at him. Merlin grew angry in that instant.
"Move!" he roared. The people looked at him, then quickly began moving, some supporting those that could not move quick enough. With a final look at Thomas, and a silent goodbye Merlin joined the crowd running away, the child looking back over his shoulder.
"Mamma? Pappa?" the child whispered reaching out.
"I'm sorry, so sorry" Merlin replied.
"What was the hot?" asked the child. "Did they get burnt?" he asked.
"Dragon's, bad Dragon's did this" Merlin said. The Child began to squirm again, Merlin comforting him again.
Morgana looked up as the doors opened again, people being led in by hand maidens and guards alike. A moment later he was there, blackened with soot, holding a child in his arms. She ran to him, embracing him, careful not to jostle the child in case he was hurt.
"I was so worried" she said, kissing him quickly. Merlin smiled.
"I told you I'd never leave you" he replied. "you've got soot on your face" he added. Morgana went to wipe it away then shrugged.
"It could be my new look" she said with a smile. "Who's your new friend?" she asked, indicating the boy.
"I don't know, his.. Mother and Father…" he didn't say the rest, Morgana shook her head sadly.
"so what's your name?" asked Morgana.
"Jamie. Are we in the castle? I never seen the castle" he said. Morgana smiled.
"Yes Jamie, you're in the castle" Merlin said. Jamie began to sniff, then cried.
"whatever is it?" asked Morgana, frowning.
"I lost my stick, daddy said I shouldn't go away without my stick" he said.
"your stick?" asked Merlin. Jamie nodded and it was then that Morgana realised.
"You're blind?" she asked. Jamie nodded again, going to wipe tears away with his soot covered hands.
"no, no, let me" Morgana said, using the sleeves of her dress to do so.
"Jamie, I have to go to see the king and the price, but you can stay with my friend okay" Merlin said.
"okay" Jamie replied. Merlin smiled as Morgana took him, he wrapped his little arms around her, even as Merlin kissed her, before stroking the boy's hair. With a smile for Morgana he rushed out. Jamie leant back slightly running a soot coated hand across Morgana's face.
"You're pretty" he said.
"Why thank you" she replied with a smile, one of the few she hadn't had to force today.
Uther and Arthur looked up as Merlin walked in. Arthur immediately concerned for his friend.
"Are you alright?" he asked. Merlin nodded.
"Just soot. We got we think around another ninety people out" Merlin said addressing Uther. The king nodded. "I should also report that Thomas didn't survive" he said softly. "I'm sorry" he added. Leon looked away nodding.
"He died bravely, if not for all the men who were out there no one would have survived from the town" Leon said, then he turned back. "So let his death not be in vain" he added. Merlin nodded as Arthur clasped an arm on his shoulder.
"We can mourn the dead later, for now we need to work" he said softly. Merlin nodded and then clearing his head looked at the map, then at Arthur and Uther.
"So what do we have so far?" he asked.
"You did well in evacuating the towns as you did, now we need to look at trying to turn the battle" Uther stated.
"We think" said Arthur, "that Balinor is holding off from attacking the citadel because of the Dragon we have, so hopefully that will give us some breathing room" he explained. Merlin nodded, then looked away.
"Is there any other way down into the cavern? Apart from the steps?" Merlin asked.
"Why would that help?" asked Leon.
"Well if he's not attacking the citadel, then the chances are he's looking to get the Dragon out first, he obviously can't use the route down there that we would take if we needed to" Merlin said.
"Oh my god" Arthur suddenly said. Everyone turned to him.
"Arthur?" asked Uther.
"This wasn't an attack at all, so many Dragons, yet hundreds escaped. A massive deception" he stated. Uther went ridged as he caught on.
"We've been so busy with evacuating the town" he said softly.
"The town was never the true target, the damned Dragon was!" Arthur yelled, running out.
"Arthur! Its too dangerous!" Uther roared, Merlin ran after him and with a snarl so did Uther.
The three of them raced through the citadel, people watching and moving out of the way as quickly as they could, however even as they rushed down the stairs, past the cell, they knew they had been duped and royally so. The guards at the top of the stairs were both dead, heads canted at inhuman angles.
"Damn it" hissed Uther as they downed the steps, two at a time, before running onto the platform.
"I wondered when you would catch on Uther, and look, you've brought your little boy and my bastard son as well" Balinor said as he stood by the broken chains, the great Dragon soaring above them.
"Balinor" Uther spat. Balinor ignored him, his attention on Merlin.
"So, we finally meet face to face. I have to say I'm disappointed in you, I expected so much more, instead I get another another weed in a dead garden" he hissed.
"I am no more your son than you are my father" Merlin spat back, but strangely enough it was Uther who put an arm on his shoulder.
"This boy is everything you could never be, Loyal, dedicated and possessing a kindness and wisdom you never could. No wonder you're disappointed" Uther said. Merlin seemed to stand taller all of a sudden, glancing up at the dragon then back at Balinor.
"Oh what a wonderful speech Uther, really, that was almost believable" Balinor said. "Ultimately however, it changes nothing. I could easily have the Great Dragon cave this place in, taking your damned citadel and all who reside in it down with it, but yet… I still have a use for this place" he said.
"You will never rule Camelot!" Arthur shouted.
"Oh don't be so naïve you royal brat, If I desired the throne then I would already possess it, but that task is for another" he said.
"who?" demanded Merlin.
"Do you think I'm that stupid? Really?" Balinor sneered. "The people will find out soon enough, but my patients wears thin. Kilgharrah!" he called, the Great Dragon swooped downwards.
"Kill them, incinerate them" Balinor ordered. The Great Dragon landed and looked down at Merlin, Arthur and Uther. It reared back, then looked at Balinor.
"No" Kilgharrah replied. How one simple word could cause such shook was remarkable.
"he's sleeping, finally" said Morgana as Gwen moved up to her, another pail in her hands. Gwen smiled and knelt down.
"I am so proud of you my lady" Gwen said. Morgana frowned, looking at her.
"Whatever for?" she asked.
"If you were to ask me two months ago if I could have pictured you here, tending to the injured, comforting a blind child, I would have scoffed. You've changed so much" she said, then frowned.
"Not much much, just changed as in, not the same…" typical Gwen, saying one thing, getting tongue tied and saying almost the completely wrong thing. Truth be told it was one of the traits Morgana found most enduring. True she was a dainty thing most of the time, but then Morgana had known her for many years, and she above all else knew that this particular flower had some dangerous thorns when it wanted, yes she was kind, but she could also be brutally honest when it struck her, and that was the other thing Morgana loved about her friend, she could always rely on Gwen to keep her clear headed.
"I don't know if that's a compliment or not" Morgana teased.
"Compliment, oh yes, compliment, not good as far as compliments go-"
"Gwen"
"My Lady?"
"You're babbling"
"Sorry"
"But I admit I do know what you mean, but then could you have seen me falling in love with Merlin two months ago?" she countered.
"Okay, I admit I didn't see that at all" Gwen agreed. Morgana smiled.
"then you know the effect he's had on me" she said. "If it wasn;t for him, for what we've been through, his selflessness, his kind soul, For loving me as me, not as some object to be desired, then no, I would most likely not be here today. But he's taught me a lot, Look around you, these people, the townsfolk, the servants, you. Your all hero's in your own right" she said.
"Oh no, not me" Gwen said. Morgana took her hand, something she never did in public.
"Yes, you, all of you. Its like I was blind before I met Merlin, and he's opened my eyes, and its strange because I look around now, I don't see servant's doing their duties, I see people working to make people like me happy" she said. "And none of them complain, and then today, seeing them all rushing together, working without being asked, doing what they can to help… No Gwen, people like me are not the hero's, especially today" Morgana said, stroking Jamie's hair as he fidgeted slightly.
"Gwen!" Gaius's voice cut in. Gwen and Morgana looked over at him.
"If your break is over I could do with some help" he prompted. Gwen nodded and stood, a second later Morgana did the same and picked up a bucket.
"What do mean no?" Balinor's voice was a hiss of contained fury. "I am a Dragon lord!" he roared.
"I know, and I am fighting you as I can. You may have freed me Balinor but I will not kill these people" the Great Dragon replied.
"You would dare defy my command? You would dare defend the one who imprisoned you!" Balinor roared.
"I care not for Uther, the other two however, they have a destiny that far outweighs any of your petty desire for vengeance" Kilgharrah replied.
"Destiny? I have a destiny?" asked Arthur.
"Silence!" Roared Balinor. "Destiny, give a man two gold pieces roll some dice and call it destiny if they win or lose. Destiny is nothing, now I give you one last Chance, kill them" Balinor hissed.
"and I give you Dragonlord my final answer. No" the Great Dragon replied. Balinor hissed.
"Then you have made your choice. You may choose to betray your kind, but I have no such weakness. I am a Dragonlord, and I demand justice for what Uther has done. If you will not kill them, then I Will!" he roared, spinning around.
"Blainor no!" roared Kilgharrah even as a lance of Flame shot out from his outstretched hands. It happened fast, the flame hitting the three men, knocking them back withering in pain, before they slowly got to their knees, Balinor advancing on them. Behind him Kilgharrah began to roar.
"Stop!" Balinor commanded. "You won't kill them, but my command is still enough that you will not interfere when I do" he said, Kilgharrah roared again. Slowly he moved up to the slope, looking at the three men.
"And what a wonderful destiny this it would have been" Balinor taunted. "Now… Die" his arm lifting up again.
Morgana moved around the group, stopping by a young woman who was looking away, holding her head in her hands. Slowly she knelt down.
"Are you okay?" Morgana asked softly.
"I am, now you are here" came the reply, the woman turned her gaze to Morgana.
"Morgause" Morgana spat, even as the woman gripped her wrist.
"I said I would come to you tonight, and I have, you want explanations and you will get them, but not here" Morgause said. "I will tell you this, Uther has lied to you for many years, lied and deceived you covering his own indiscretions with what he perceives as love" she said, Morgana tried to pull away, but the grip was too strong.
"Morgana?" asked Gwen looking over. Morgause glared at her and tilted her head back, sending Gwen flying back.
"Gwen!" Morgana screamed.
"If vengeance is what you seek, then take my life" Uther said, still on his knees. "My son has done nothing to harm you" Balinor lowered his arm, grinning.
"True, but the Pendragon line must end, the sins of the father must pass to the son"
"Balinor…" Kilgharrah growled, commanded into helplessness.
"And as for Merlin, how could such a disappointment be related to me?" he said, raising his arm again, pointing it at Merlin.
"An embarrassment to be erased" he said. Merlin slowly got to his feet, glaring at this man, this supposed Father.
"then do it" Merlin said.
"Merlin no!" Kilgharrah roared. Balinor laughed at him, then fire began to crackle around his hands.
"Very well, goodbye my son" he whispered and a moment later the world went a fiery orange.
"BALINOR!" Roared Kilgharrah, even as Merlin was blasted back to land by the steps.
"MERLIN!" Screamed Arthur. Balinor laughed, then frowned as Uther cocked him hard in the jaw.
"This place is not safe!" Morgause hissed at Morgana, Morgana having finally pulled away from her.
"I would rather die than go anywhere with the likes of you!" Morgana screamed. Morgause's face hardened, then she stood.
"You will not get a second chance sister" she said.
"I am not your sister!" Morgana screamed at her, backing away. "I could never be something like… like you!"
"Very well, I had hoped you would see reason, would at least hear me out. I have done all I can to save you" she said. Then she glanced at the guards. "Know this then, as much as I regret this action, I will always care for you" she added, then with a blast of wind and light that knocked everyone away, she was gone. Morgana stared at the empty spot, then took a deep breath, before turning.
"Gwen… GWEN!" she yelled rushing over to where Gaius was kneeling by her, the others in the room slowly recovering.
"My lady?" Gwen's voice was soft, but beautiful to hear. Morgana pulled her into an embrace.
"we must get her to a cot" Gaius said gently. "It doesn't look too bad, but a head wound is nothing to chance on" he told her. Morgana nodded and with the help of one of the knights, placed Gwen on a nearby cot. Across the room Jamie had awoken and had his hands out searching. Morgana went to him quickly, he was trembling, and Morgana realised that when everyone had been blasted back he had been over in this little corner by himself.
"I'm sorry Jamie" she said, as she moved back to Gwen with him holding her tightly.
Balinor glared at Uther, rubbing his jaw.
"I Was going to save your death until last, but no matter" he sneered.
"What have you done" Kilgharrah's voice, soft, enraged, at the same time kept repeating over and over.
Uther ignored it, drawing his sword, advancing on the man who had just killed his own son.
"I beg you to try" Uther sneered, Arthur stood there, torn between his fighting father and his possibly dead friend. Balinor raised his hand again.
"NO MORE!" Roared Kilgharrah, suddenly swooping up to the roof of the cavern before diving downwards. Uther stumbled back even as Balinor turned, eyes wide as Kilgharrah's massive jaws closed around him, flame shot of from the man's hands, even as he screamed when with a final, ripping motion Balinor was released to tumble to the ground far below, Torso and Legs separated. Uther watched, eyes wide, even as Arthur ran to Merlin, kneeling by him, picking up his lifeless body.
"Merlin?" he asked softly, a moment later Uther was next to him. Kilgharrah suddenly began roaring.
Above Camelot the Dragons began to land, all roaring to the sky, people in the citadel running to the windows to watch.
"What is it Morgana? What's happening?" asked Jamie.
"I don't know" she replied honestly.
In the cavern Merlin suddenly coughed and began to scream, his eyes shooting open glowing yellow.
"What is it?" asked Uther as Merlin and Kilgharrah finally lapsed into silence. Merlin taking hitching breaths, before he opened his eyes again, back to their normal colour.
"The son of a Dragonlord. Is a Dragonlord" Kilgharrah said from behind them. Merlin slowly sat up with Arthur help.
"I hope you're not angry at me" he said looking at Uther. Uther looked at Kilgharrah, then at Merlin.
"No, not at all" he said, then smiled, Arthur joining a moment later, then Merlin as well.
"come we must get him to the infirmary" Uther said. Merlin stood up by himself, but still leant on Arthur.
"Uther" the Great Dragon spoke up. Slowly Uther turned, seeing the beast, he looked quickly back at Arthur.
"Go, take him"
"Father?"
"go" he commanded. Arthur looked once more at the Dragon, then moved away, going up the steps.
"Why did you save us?" Uther asked, turning back to the Dragon.
"I did not do it to save you" it replied. "Had only you come and Balinor commanded it, I would have killed you. But you must know by now this is not about us" it stated. "Arthur has a great destiny ahead of him, but to fulfil it he will need Guinevere at his side, but they will both need Merlin, who in turn will need Morgana. Those four will usher in a golden age never before seen in this land or any other" it explained. "None of them truly realise the burden that has been placed on them, but in time they will. Balinor, Nimueh, they were but two small examples of what is waiting for them, for they will face danger. The Darkness is coming Uther. Balinor was but one small part of it. The other part is a lot more dangerous" it said, then without another word it flew up, and out of the opening at the top of the cavern. Uther stared after it for several moments, then turned and walked up the steps.
Morgana turned as The doors opened and Arthur moved in, supporting Merlin. She was there in an instant.
"Get his tunic off" said Gaius, Arthur complying. Merlin's chest was scorched, the skin red raw where Balinor's attack had hit him.
"What happened?" asked Gaius.
"Balinor is dead" Arthur said. "The Dragon killed him, not fast enough to stop Merlin playing roast special of the day"
"Arthur" snapped Morgana. Merlin raised a hand.
"Leave him, its what he's good at, I'll do the fighting he can do the witty one liners" Merlin said with a smile.
"don't you just wish" Arthur replied.
"Wait, if Balinor is dead…" Gaius suddenly said, as he held a wet compress to Merlin's chest.
"Yes, I'm a Dragonlord now" Merlin replied. The group fell silent for a moment.
"Ermm Gaius" Merlin said softly.
"Mm?" Gaius replied.
"The compress is dripping" Merlin said. Gaius blinked, drawn away from his thoughts.
"Sorry, sorry" the old man said. Merlin sighed and looked down.
"Wonderful, now it looks like I peed myself" he muttered as Uther walked in.
"Is that Arthur?" asked Jamie softly. Morgana smiled.
"Yes, that's price Arthur" she replied.
"am I dressed properly? Momma said I had to dress properly when I saw roal… roil… kings and princes" he said. Morgana chuckled at him.
"You're dressed just fine" Arthur said. Jamie snuggled down into Morgana's shoulder.
"Arthur you're embarrassing him" said Merlin with a chuckle.
"Father?" asked Arthur as Uther approached.
"The Dragon is gone, how's Merlin?" he asked, shocking Morgana slightly.
"A bit burnt, but otherwise in good health" Gaius replied. Uther nodded.
"Good, now would you in the future stop scaring me like that" Uther snapped at Merlin. "First the witches, then Nimueh then Balinor…" he muttered, before he walked away.
"Did he just say he was worried about me?" asked Merlin. Slowly everyone looked at each other.
"Naaaa" they said shaking their heads.
"I bloody well did!" Uther called from outside. Arthur suddenly clasped him on the shoulder.
"I guess that makes you part of the small little inner circle then" he said cheerfully.
"Do I have to learn anything?" asked Merlin.
"Oh lots and lots" Arthur replied with a grin, then he looked up at Morgana.
"And who knows, maybe family" he added slyly.
The following day the group gathered in the great hall, Uther looking up as they entered.
"Sire" Merlin, Morgana and Gwen said with a bow.
"What's happened?" asked Uther looking at them, Arthur standing beside him, also looking concerned.
"the Dragons are gone, but I had them collect enough wood so we can start repairing the damage" Merlin said. Uther nodded, not entirely comfortable with having Dragon's back in the kingdom now as well as having a living Dragonlord standing in front of him.
"And I've told them never to return, to go back to their homes" Merlin added.
"Good" Uther said, unable to hide the relief in his voice totally. "But I hardly think it takes you and Morgana to tell me this" he said.
"Actually it is a request from both of us" said Morgana, as Gwen moved back out of the room.
"Oh?" asked Uther, his interest piqued.
"I and Merlin have grown close as you well know, so we have, spoken about this most of the night" she began.
"Marriage?" asked Arthur, blinking.
"No… not yet" Morgana replied with a roll of her eyes.
"then what?" asked Uther.
"I am your ward sire, and with your permission we would like to take a Ward of our own" she said.
"Who?" asked Uther, frowning. Morgana turned and nodded at Gwen who walked back in a moment later with the little boy Morgana had been holding when he had seen her yesterday. He'd been cleaned and well dressed, Gwen guiding him slowly as he felt around until he found Merlin's hand.
"Jamie, this is King Uther" Morgana said. Jamie went wide eyed and attempted a bow.
"King" he said in greeting.
"Sire, Jamie, you say sire" Gwen whispered.
"Sire" he amended.
"And you wish to take him as your ward?" asked Uther, looking at him.
"His parents were both killed by the Dragon's sire" Merlin explained. Uther nodded and went silent for several moments.
"Is he going to say no?" whispered Jamie.
"Jamie, come here" said Uther suddenly. Jamie glanced at the voice and then, gulping stepped forwards, feeling out with his hands, until he nearly walked into Uther's leg, luckily his hand caught it first.
"Kin- sire" he said. Uther knelt down and looked at him.
"such a position is not to be taken lightly Jamie, people will expect you to behave in a fashion befitting the ward of a King's own ward" Uther stated.
"I know sire, and I'll be good. Lady Morgana said she will teach me" he said. Uther nodded then stood up, before he sat back down, then he looked at Arthur.
"Arthur?" he asked. Arthur sighed.
"I don't know, it is a lot to learn" he said, then he grinned "But if it makes Morgana and Merlin happy, then who am I to disagree" he said. Uther nodded and looked at Gaius.
"Gaius?" he prompted. The old physician looked at Jamie as well then nodded.
"If need be I can help with his education" he offered. Uther nodded again, then turned back to the boy.
"Jamie"
"Sire?"
"Enjoy your new home" he said with a smile. Jamie looked up then smiled.
"Thank you king" he said excitedly with another awkward bow. Uther chuckled.
"Call him Grandfather" said Morgana with a laugh.
"oh dear lord" muttered Merlin. Arthur and Gaius both chuckled, before being silenced by a glare from Uther as Gwen took Jamie's hand, leading him away to Merlin and Morgana who took one hand each.
"Thank you grandfather!" Jamie called excitedly. Uther sighed and sipped from his wine.
"Oh he'll have to get used to it anyway, only eight months to go" Morgana said as they turned away with Jamie. Uther nodded then spat his wine all over the floor, even as Gwen lost her footing and landed on the floor.
"WHAT?" he demanded. Slowly he looked at Gaius then at Arthur, both of them blinking and shocked.
"I give up… I really give up" he said.
To be continued….