Thank you all for your reviews and support! I give an especial thank you to Taz for reviewing practically every chapter all on the same day; I literally almost cried when I saw the notifications, I was so overwhelmed. Thank you!
I had a lovely Thanksgiving, though I am like 90% sure that I caught Covid during the holiday. Don't worry, I'm fine, the disease is not treating me too terribly. But yeah, my sister tested positive (I didn't actually test), and it seemed reasonable to assume that we have the same thing since we were together the whole time. Anyway, I was determined- especially since I ended up missing last week- that I would not skip posting this week, so I spent all afternoon writing this up. I hope you like it!

A Boy's Dream

"I want to be a knight, Father," Rowan announced without preamble.

Merlin's nose scrunched as if he had just smelled something foul, "Are you sure?" he asked, "Knights are thick."

Rowan huffed a long-suffering sigh, and Merlin laughed good-naturedly so that Rowan could be assured he was only joking. At the same time, Merlin would need to hear more about Rowan's seemingly sudden decision before indulging or encouraging it. Committing oneself to a knighthood was a serious business. Rowan was still only a boy, after all. If this was merely a passing fancy, then Merlin did not want to make any promises.

"Knights are cool," Rowan retorted, "everybody loves them, and they protect the kingdom."

"Well, they do protect the kingdom," Merlin agreed with a slight frown.

"And I want to help," the boy proclaimed.

"There are lots of ways to help the kingdom. You don't have to become a knight, Rowan."

"That's true," Rowan acknowledged, and by his tone Merlin instantly knew that the boy had thought through this conversation several times before ever starting it, "but I am quite sure that it is what I want to do."

Apparently, this decision was not quite as sudden as it had first appeared to Merlin. Rowan must have been contemplating it for a while. Merlin was proud to see him working through his ideas on his own before making choices, let alone announcing them. He sat down and gave his son his full and complete attention. He noted the boy's determined posture, and he prepared to analyze every twitch in Rowan's expression.

"And you know that a knight's job is not all sunshine and rainbows? Contrary to what you said, not everyone loves them. They have to be diligent and train and work hard every day, even if people spit on them. They must follow the law. They have to do hard things, sometimes. Sometimes they are required to fight in battles or wars. Sometimes they get hurt. It's not easy being a knight, even though I like to poke fun at them."

Rowan had averted his eyes a couple of times during the speech, but not in shame, and he made sure that their gazes locked before he answered, "I understand, Father."

Oh, he was good. There was no way that Merlin could hold a front against such a sincere, thoughtful, and clever boy, and Rowan knew it. Besides, Merlin did not have anything against Rowan becoming a knight. Even if the law had not changed to allow peasants to become knights, Merlin's position in the court may have been enough to validate Rowan's desire for knighthood despite their mutual lack of noble blood. He just wanted to know that Rowan was sure of his decision before caving and attempting to help his boy pursue this dream.

He fixed Rowan with a calculating stare as he asked, "You understand… and you are sure it is what you want?"

Rowan answered unflinchingly, "Yes."

Merlin nodded in assent, "Very well. I will support you in this, Rowan. There will come a point when your decision is final, but just so you know, there is still time to change your mind."

"I don't think I'm going to."

Merlin could not keep himself from smiling now that his evaluation was finished, "I know, my boy."

He placed a hand on Rowan's little shoulder and squeezed it to give confirmation of his acceptance. A bright grin spread across Rowan's cheeks.

"Thank you, Father."

"How would you feel about taking a squire?"

"A squire?" Leon raised a questioning brow, "Surely you don't mean..?"

"I know he's not quite old enough yet," Merlin hastily tried to explain, "but- just- how would you feel about it?"

"You do know that boys are usually fostered away from home for this?"

"Well, yes, but I couldn't…" Merlin could not even finish the sentence; he did not think that he would be able to handle sending Rowan away from Camelot, however selfish that might be.

Leon rested a hand on Merlin's shoulder and gave him an understanding smile, "I know, Merlin. If you were a lord, some of the other council members might try to insist upon tradition, but what business is it of theirs? He is your boy. I don't think it will be too troublesome to have him as a squire here in Camelot."

Merlin sighed lightly in sudden relief. He had not truly considered any troubles arising from ignoring the traditional method of sending boys away from home to learn to be a knight. It was good to hear that there would be little trouble there, if any. However, Leon's statements had not actually answered his question.

"So, what do you say, Leon?" Merlin prompted.

Leon seemed to hesitate as he thought about it, "I say, Merlin, that I believe Percival is a more appropriate choice than myself for this task."

"Percival?"

"Yes, Percival. He hasn't taken a squire before. Most knights matching his years will have trained at least one by now. I think it is time for him to get one, and the extra responsibility will suit him well."

Merlin allowed his thoughtfulness to show on his face, "I hadn't considered that."

"I know. That is why I am the first knight, and you are the court warlock," Leon smirked.

Merlin burst into laughter, Leon easily joining him.

"Alright," Merlin spoke as he composed himself, "Percival, then."

Leon nodded, "I will speak to him about it."

"Oh, I could-" Merlin broke his sentence when Leon held up a hand.

"As first knight, it is one of my duties to assign squires," he explained, "I will speak to Percival on this matter. But it will still be a few years before Rowan is old enough to be a squire. I recommend enlisting him as a page until then."

Merlin thought that Leon probably enjoyed watching surprise morph his expression as he exclaimed, "Already?"

"Sure," the knight smiled genially, pretending not to notice that he had practically just flipped Merlin's world, "why not? He's plenty old enough, and it will give him something to do, not to mention providing a firm taste of what it's like in a knight's world."

Somehow, Leon had caught on to Merlin's concern that Rowan could still change his mind- or that he should at least still have the choice to change his mind- before he came of age. Merlin sensed Leon's silent message—'If Rowan hates being a page, he can back out before becoming a squire with no repercussions.' Merlin did not particularly like the idea of giving up his child so soon to be a page, but he recognized that Leon was probably right. This would be the best way to ensure Rowan's happiness, whether his path led him to knighthood or to something else. Besides, Merlin was already pretty sure that Rowan was not, in fact, going to change his mind, so perhaps it was better to start as soon as possible.

"I suppose you are right," Merlin allowed a semi-bitter smile and a sigh, "It's time to start letting him grow up."

"He is going to grow whether you allow him or not," Leon advised.

Merlin raised his eyes to meet Leon's. The mist in them must have delivered the message that he could not speak because the knight's hand found his shoulder again.

"You'll be alright," he said.

Merlin huffed his growing emotions out of his system so that he could speak properly, "You're right, of course, Leon. He won't even be far from me. I'll make sure he is ready and send him on to you."

Leon's approval shone on his face as he patted Merlin's back twice in a rough, companionable way before he stood in preparation to depart.

"Leon?"

The knight returned his attention to the warlock, patiently waiting for his words. Merlin smiled more genuinely this time.

"Thank you."

"Anytime, Merlin."