"Who's the boy?" Uther asked his attention mostly on the parchments in front of him.
Arthur took a second to respond, "He's my manservant's little brother. He's come to Camelot to learn how to be a servant." Uther blinked and lifted his head, regarding both his son and Merlin, who stood slightly behind. Mordred, his hair slightly cut differently, and dressed in clothes very close to what Merlin himself wore clutched Merlin's leg tighter, refusing to lift his face from the warlock's leg.
Arthur noticed, "He's shy." His face was rather tight, but he hid it well.
Morgana was staring in blatant surprise at Mordred, until her gaze lifted to Merlin's and then Arthur's. Arthur met her green eyes coolly. Morgana quickly composed herself, but her expression demanded both Arthur and Merlin to give an explanation.
"Alright, keep him out from underfoot." Uther said, before asking for Arthur's opinion on the tax regime. Tension bled out from Merlin, and he ushered Mordred to where Gaius and Gwen stood, both who recognized the boy, but said nothing. Gaius gave him an eyebrow, Merlin simply shrugged.
Gwen was eyeing both Merlin and Arthur with surprise, before smiling and running a gentle hand through Mordred's hair.
Merlin let out an unheard sigh of relief.
It was later that day, after Arthur's training and Morgana stormed in, Gwen hurrying behind her to lock the door.
"What do you think you're doing Arthur?" Morgana hissed, "Don't you know who this boy is?" She waved to Mordred, who was sitting atop Merlin's back on Arthur's bed.
Arthur, who quickly stood at her entrance, came around his desk and glared into her face. "Don't make assumptions Morgana! You don't understand!"
But Morgana was on a roll, "Are you stupid! The minute Uther finds out about him, he's dead! Why didn't you leave him with the druids? They take good care of people like us-him." Morgana's face colored, but she didn't even slow down. "What did you do Arthur? Huh? Murder the druids in the whole camp? Has your darling father destroyed more lives?" Morgana screeched to a halt when Arthur stepped forward and grasped her arms in a painful grip.
"I said shut up Morgana." Arthur's face was dangerous, stormy. A sniffle caught their attention, and they looked over to find Mordred pressed to Merlin's chest, rocking.
Merlin looked up at them both, "You're scaring him." He stood, lugging Mordred up with him and carried him to the guest room. Morgana was abashed, Arthur simply sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
Merlin emerged a second after, keeping the door open a crack.
He crossed to where Morgana stood and said quietly, "Even druids have hatred in them, Morgana."
She looked between the two men, unable to speak.
Merlin continued, "They tried to create a weapon out of him. Forcing him to view us as evil, and if he didn't comply they made him comply. Do you know what that does to a boy his age? Merlin broke off and looked away.
"Despite what you think, Morgana, he's safer here." Arthur said, "I will keep him safe, along with Merlin and Gaius, and hopefully you two." They were all quiet for a moment. Before with a squeak, the door opened and Mordred timidly approached his head down.
"I thought I told you to get some sleep." Merlin said, his voice amused. Mordred looked at him, a childish smirk crossing his face, "I didn't want to." The boy said, with an aloof look on his face.
The look quickly turned to laughter as Arthur pounced, lifting by his legs and swinging him upside down. "And I thought you said you would listen to what Merlin said!" the prince growled playfully, tickling the boy. Mordred shrieked very much like a normal child until Arthur set him down. Mordred caught his breath and lightly kicked the prince's shin in retaliation. Arthur acted like it was a mortal blow, falling to the ground and mock-crying.
Mordred giggled for a few minutes until he sobered and turned to Morgana.
Morgana blinked at how different the boy looked from the last time. Pale and feverish and frightened was what she remembered, but this boy here was fed and happy and healthy.
It's okay Morgana. They might not look like much, but they're good parents.
Morgana didn't know how to react, are…are you sure? She risked a glance at Merlin, who sat at the table like he belongs there, and Arthur, who was still lying prone on the floor, regarding both her and Mordred.
Mordred simply smile and hugged her, before reverting to the serious kid he was. Merlin jumped up, "Now, about that nap." He snapped at Mordred's heels as the boy squealed and rushed into the guest room.
"I didn't know you were good with kids." Gwen said slyly, looking at the both of them. Arthur shrugged, carefully keeping his face neutral. Merlin pursed his lips and smiled, bashfully looking to the side.
"Well, if you need anything," Morgana said stiffly, slightly embarrassed, "Don't hesitate to ask." She walked out of the room with the same briskness she had coming in. Gwen smiled and curtseyed to Arthur before following.
The men relaxed for a moment before a creak distracted them again.
"Can I have some water?"