The couple ate and then Arthur took Merlin down the private corridor to his sister chambers. Morgana opened the door and smiled as she bid them enter. Leon was with her. "It is good to see you Merlin" she hugged the young man. Then looked at her brother an unasked question in her eyes.
"I have told him Morgana, I'm sorry but I needed to convince Merlin that he was safe, that I will keep knowledge of his power from the King"
Morgana smiled "It will be so nice to have someone who understands. Arthur has been wonderful, but to have someone who truly knows what it is like….."
Merlin beamed at her "I have never known anyone like me. I thought I was a monster" he said sadly.
"Never! My Little Hawk you could never be a monster" Arthur hugged his Omega. "Never believe that"
Leon spoke up "I believe Sire we should leave these two together and go to supervise the preparations. The King is in a foul temper. Better to keep the peace, with the Royal visit coming up" Leon knew of Arthur's stance on the visit and wanted his friend and brother-in-law to try to keep things low key for a time.
Arthur looked at Merlin and it was clear he didn't want to leave him. Merlin smiled "Go my alpha, I am safe here"
Reluctantly Arthur did as he was bid "We will all dine together later, in my rooms I will inform George to arrange it"
Morgana showed Merlin the books that her brother had found for her. "There are more but I only keep a few here at a time. They have to be hidden."
Merlin gave a bashful smile "I could hide them for you, with a concealment spell, there is one in this book" he pointed to the book they had been looking at.
"You can do that?" the princess was surprised "I have difficulty in reading the old tongue and certainly not well enough for spells of that complexity"
Merlin shrugged "My magic seems to be able to read it" he explained "My mother taught me to read and write but as soon as I saw the old tongue, in one of Gaius's books, I could read it. I can teach you how to as well"
Morgana was excited "Come on let's do it, Arthur has found a secret room in the library but we could keep more here if it works. We are going to have so much fun together."
Morgana read through the spell and after a couple of attempts hid the books. He then taught Morgana the spell so she could use it when he wasn't there. The he yawned "Using magic makes me tired. Can we go in the garden now" he asked
"Of course" Morgana smiled "We can sit under the tree and you can rest. Oh Merlin we will have so much fun together. I'm sure we will both get stronger with practice. I mainly have the power of sight, I am getting better at controlling it. What are your strengths?"
"I don't know" Merlin said honestly "I could do magic as a babe, I don't need spells for everything."
Morgana looked at the Warlock "We will find out. But we must be careful no one ever sees or hears us"
"That's easy, I can put a ward on the room when we practice so we cannot be overheard or seen, and no one can come in without us letting them" Merlin said.
Morgana nodded "But Merlin never use any magic anywhere else. Uther would have you burnt. You must promise me!"
"I can't! If I have to use it I will, to save someone or if Arthur or you need it!" Merlin protested.
"Neither of us would want that Merlin, please keep safe, you are the best thing that has ever happened to my brother" Merlin didn't answer but looked down and blushed.
Elsewhere in the castle Leon turned to his friend "What will you do when Princess Bronwyn and King Bayard arrive? Your father is determined"
"I don't know but I will not marry her" Arthur snarled "Merlin is my soul mate I will not sully that by taking a wife. I will leave Camelot rather than that and I have told the King!"
"Take care my friend" Leon warned "Do not do anything hasty"
"I just wish Father could see how I love Merlin, he loved my mother and never took another for a wife."
"But your mother wasn't a peasant nor a man" Leon said trying to make Arthur see the difficulties.
"Nor were they soul mates! You have no idea Leon, I know your bond is strong but Merlin is my other half, we cannot be separated." He looked at his brother-in-law. "I would rather die than hurt him in even the smallest way. I haven't told anyone else yet but believe him to be carrying, but please let us tell Morgana"
Leon nodded "I will, congratulations"
Arthur saw the doubt in his friends face "Well say it!"
"I'm sorry Arthur but your omega has been through so much I just worry it will be too much for him, also he is very young"
"I know, but what is done is done, I will protect him and count on you to do the same. Gaius is checking him over and once I have spoken to him I will make plans. But when to tell the King? Will it make him gentler with my omega, after all he is carrying his grandchild? Or should I not say anything?"
"That is something you will have to consider, but you are an alpha prime, your father knows that you can tell. After all most alphas can. Think carefully and don't make a bad situation worse. You have more than yourself to think of now" Leon was worried about what was happening and the speed of it all.
"That's why I might leave Camelot. My Omega and child come before anything" Arthur knew in his heart of hearts that was true. He would defend the people of Camelot but Merlin had to come first now.