It was six hours later before Arthur came out of his private quarters, first he went to see his children and sister to give them the news, bending down to Hunith who was sat on Merlin's lap he told them "The babies are safe and well as is your mother. You have a sister and brother, we have called your brother Bradley and your sister Katie would you like to come and see them?"

Hunith jumped off her brothers lap and grabbing both Arthur's and Merlin's hand started to pull then towards her home. Arthur grinned at his sister "Can you tell everyone the news?" he asked

"I will, now take these two to see the rest of their family" she then watched the group disappear before she did as asked.

The mood in Camelot was high as they celebrated the new arrivals. Merlin loved the new arrivals and helped with them as often as he could, he also helped to look after Hunith for his mother as she coped with her new arrivals. But he was a boy who lacked confidence and gradually he began to wonder what his position was within his family. It started just after the twins had been born when Vivian and her friend Rhona where helping him with the hens. He had never been close to Vivian since that first incident when she first arrived and they mostly avoided each other. But today they found themselves on the same team for the afternoon work. Merlin had finished school and had also had his magic lessons and had been sent to help the girls, who had fished with school and had taken up jobs in the community, with the hens.

Vivian looked at Merlin and demanded "You could do this with your magic and then we wouldn't have to, we could go to the river and swim"

Merlin often got this from the younger members of the group and just smiled "You know I can't, I have to work just like you and not rely on magic for everything"

"Why?" Vivian protested "Who would know?"

"I would!" Merlin said calmly "I promised my mama and papa I wouldn't"

Vivian glared at him "They aren't your real mama and papa and now they have three of their own children they don't really want you!"

Merlin was hurt by that comment "That isn't true they love me as well"

Vivian smirked she saw the hurt in Merlin's eyes "We heard them talking didn't we Rhona" she didn't wait for the other girl to speak "They said they were going to get you to move out and go to Balinor so they didn't have to bother with you, just as soon as everything had settled. Your Papa said he was fed up with you hanging around"

Merlin turned and got on with his work, but he was hurt and although he didn't believe Vivian a nagging doubt took hold. He brooded for several days and gradually every little thing started to make him doubt his place. Merlin was now eleven years old and he was uncertain about everything, he was in many ways younger than the other three children of his age. Because of his magic, in some ways he was doing more than Simon, Mandy and Richard but emotionally he was less confident in himself and lacked self-esteem. He remained very thin and gangly and was teased for his large ears and clumsiness, not maliciously, but he took many of the comments to heart. He knew he was different and often felt out of place in his small world. But over the years had become good at hiding his feelings from everyone, especially his family.

So after a week Merlin was seeing every little thing as proof of his lack of place within his family. When Mithian was too busy with the little ones to spend time with him or when Arthur snapped at him it all made him feel less wanted. Arthur was trying hard to increase the defences for Camelot and making plans for any attack by the bandits and was worried about everyone's safety. He had no idea of what was going through Merlin's mind. Mithian was finding it hard to cope with four children in the primitive conditions and had no idea of the hurt she was causing her eldest.

Merlin himself was beginning to withdraw into himself once more. But if anyone asked him if he was OK he would say "m'fine" and wander off. With several moody young teens in the community it was put down as just one more. Vivian however realised what was happening and continued to make snide comments whenever she had the chance.

One day when Morgana was coming back from the spinning room to her private quarters she passed by where several of the children and teenagers were gathered, they were helping to make butter and prepare the supper vegetables for Audrey. She noticed Vivian sitting next to Merlin and frowned. She knew the two were not friends. Getting closer without them noticing she hide behind the wall of the spinning house and listened.

Vivian had her head close to Merlin "You been kicked out yet? You will be soon after all you are nothing to them and you know it" she hissed then added "I bet Balinor won't want you either, not all the time"

Merlin visibly cringed and seemed to shrink into himself. Vivian got up and moved away. Morgana waited not sure what to do but knowing she needed to deal with this and fast. As she went to move she realised she wasn't alone, Gwaine was beside her "How long have you been here?" she whispered

"Not as long as you but long enough" Gwaine said his voice full of concern, He took Morgana's elbow and made her move back, he took her in the opposite direction and didn't stop until they were well away from Merlin. "We have to do something, but at the same time he can't know we heard."

"Why not? I could kill that bitch, in fact I think I will" Morgana snarled her green eyes flashing.

"Not yet we'll sort her later, first we need to help Merlin. The question is how" Gwaine said seriously "We need to tell his folks"

"Arthur will blow his top….the trouble is can he convince Merlin that she is lying?" Morgana paused "I think we need to speak to Balinor first"

Gwaine frowned "Why first? Why don't we tell all three at once, let them deal with it, they are his parents"

"Will Merlin believe them? Think back to when you were that age Gwaine everything was so difficult. I know I hated Uther"

"You still hated Uther when you were older Morgs so that's no help. I had a bad relationship with my folks and it all started about that age. Shall I talk to him? We get on well, you know man to man and all that."

"What will you say? You can't let him realise we were listening" Morgana said "You can try but let me know how you get on. I'm going to warn off Vivian, just leave her to me" she looked at Gwaine, who she knew had a soft spot for Merlin.

Gwaine nodded "I will ask Lancelot for advice, he's very good with Merlin and he might have some ideas. But I think we need to tell Arthur and Balinor first, it's not right to keep something like this from them. We can let Arthur decide about Mithian after all she has the twins to worry about."

Morgana reluctantly agreed "Let's do it now then the quicker we deal with this the better"

They went down to the new barriers that were being built as a precaution against attack. Arthur and Balinor along with Leon were discussing some further ideas. Morgana went up to her brother "Arthur, can I have a private word with you and Balinor please?"

Arthur raised his eyebrow at the please and decided it must be important. "OK" then he looked at Leon "Can you have a work with Tom and Elyan about our ideas?"

Leon took the hint, he would ask his wife later now was clearly not the time, so he left.

"Well?" Arthur looked at Gwaine and Morgana expectantly, Balinor stood silently at his side.

"Come over here in private and I want your promise to not yell and listen before you say anything" Morgana told her brother, then she looked at Balinor "You to….please"

Arthur frowned "You have it" then he looked at Gwaine before saying "As long as you are not telling me you two are having an affair"

Balinor nodded his agreement. He was a man of few words.

"Christ Arthur I don't have a death wish, anyway I love Eira to much" Gwaine said with a shudder.

Morgana just glared at her brother. "It's about Merlin, we know why he has been so withdrawn lately"

Immediately Arthur became serious "You do? Well out with it" Balinor tensed at his side and admitted a small growl

Morgana and Gwaine looked at each other before Morgana told her brother what they had overheard adding "We think that maybe Gwaine should speak to Merlin. I will deal with that bitch Vivian"

Balinor snarled "That girl needs dealing with properly"

At the same time Arthur's face was pinched with anger his jaw clenched "How could Merlin believe that? Why didn't he say anything?"

Morgana put her hand on her brothers arm "Calm down Arthur, you to Balinor… you both know how insecure Merlin is, he always has been. Arthur if something like this had happened to you at his age would you have gone to Uther? Or even me? The same with you Balinor would you have gone to your parents?"

"Your sister is right Arthur, being that age is full of difficulties and insecurity's about your place in the world." Balinor agreed.

"My relationship with Merlin is far different than my own with my father, you know that!" Arthur's voice rose he was clearly hurt that Merlin hadn't confided in him as well as angry and upset that Merlin should be feeling unloved.

"Calm down Princess, we know you love the boy as if he were your own blood, but we are talking about Merlin, you know he has low self-esteem. He always has had, nothing to do with how you treat him. Let me talk to him please, if you go off half cock now it won't help." Gwaine said calmly "We are just suggesting that you and Balinor just be aware and maybe spend extra time with him."