A/N- Hi guys, I'm not dead! Though I'm positive school is trying to kill me. And to those who may be wondering, Merlin won't start talking for a while. I hope you guys don't mind too much. But it will happen, the little guy just has to get there first.

Thanks very much to Paralelsky for beta-ing :)

o}O{o

Mordred stood alone, looking at the chopping block and the unlucky soul who was cleaning up the blood. The courtyard was empty now, the only sounds were the scrubbing of the wet broom on the stones and the caws of the birds hiding in the clear sky. His ice blue eyes glanced back to the spot where the old mother had disappeared. Her pain was palpable in the air when she was shrieking at the king. Mordred hid a wince just thinking about it. The thought of King Uther caused Mordred's lip to curl in disgust- the woman was right. The king was the only evil marring the land. And he had his arms extended as if he were some benevolent god as he was passing judgement.

But even knowing the danger, Camelot had seemed so...so right. But that was three days ago and before he had witnessed a good man be executed for simply practicing magic. What would the king do to Merlin if he had found out the boy was magic. The thought caused an icy shiver to crawl down his spine and he visibly shuddered. Had he made the right decision in bringing Merlin to Camelot? Uncertainty weighed down his heart and he wished he could talk to Selwyn. His duty suddenly seemed too big for him now. How was he supposed to protect Merlin alone? A lump was working its way up his throat- how was he going to be able to keep Merlin safe in the years to come? He willed himself not to cry as terror grew in his heart.

He looked up at the sound of heels clapping across the stone courtyard and his eyes saw Morgana walking toward him. Mordred noticed that she had a sad expression on her face but he did not say anything even when she stood beside him. He avoided her gaze in order to keep the panic that was flashing in his eyes away from her.

"You should not be here, Mordred. No child should have had to witness that," she said softly.

"I am not a child, milady," Mordred whispered, looking to her solemnly and Morgana only smiled sadly at him.

"But no adult."

Mordred had nothing to say to that so he looked at his feet. Morgana placed a hand on his shoulder and he leant into the warmth it provided. It gave him the strength to look up at her.

"That man did not deserve that," he confided.

"No. But Mordred you must not say that in public- it could get you killed," she whispered worriedly.

"You agree with me then?" Mordred asked, hardly daring to believe it.

"Of course I do," Morgana said sincerely.

Suddenly, a slight weight was brushed off his shoulders. He gave her a small smile as he realized that he possibly had an ally in Morgana.

"Come on, we should go see how Gwen and Merlin are doing," Morgana smiled at him and began to lead him back to the castle. The maidservant was watching Merlin as Gaius was busy with his duties. Mordred had been nervous about the idea at first but Morgana had insisted and he had relented yesterday. It turned out that Merlin had very much liked Guinevere. And that had automatically given her a spot in Mordred's good graces. He was still very anxious about it however. The only reason he allowed it was because he had made Merlin swear he would not use magic half a hundred times. And he would only be out of Mordred's sight for less than an hour.

He allowed a small smile to form on his lips as he followed Morgana through the halls. Camelot was good for Merlin. He seemed happy here; he was still very shy and often clung to him when they met new people but the boy simply adored Gaius, Morgana, and Gwen. He would often silently inquire as to where the prince was but he had not crossed their paths since three days ago.

Mordred did not know what to think of Arthur. On one hand he seemed like a spoiled, arrogant noble, but on the other, Merlin had taken an immediate shining to him. Merlin had only ever hugged him and Selwyn and maybe Gaius but the boy was scared at the time. So, for Merlin to let his guard down like that struck Mordred as very significant. He was not naive enough to discount destiny; they were the once and future king and Emrys after all. More than anyone, those two would have a bond. He was not sure how he was supposed to feel about that.

So he had to give Camelot and Prince Arthur a chance for Merlin's sake and Albion's apparently. He only hoped that he was not making the biggest mistake of his short life.

o}O{o

As the sun filtered softly through Morgana's chambers, dust moats were sparkling their last goodbyes as the pretty young maidservant cleaned the room. Merlin thought that he would have liked to change the colour of his cloak to match Gwen's dress- it was a happy yellow, like the sun. But Mordred, Selwyn, and the nice old man told him he couldn't do magic. Merlin's lower lip jutted out in a pout and he gave a tiny sigh- he had to listen to them because he was a good boy and he didn't want the bad thing to happen. Whatever that was, but he didn't want Mordred to get mad at him so he couldn't use his magic. No magic. And he did like blue. It was his favourite colour. Just maybe yellow for a just a few minutes. No. No magic.

"Oh come now," Gwen said to him and kneeled down to peer into his eyes. "Someone as cute as you should never have a frown on their face." Gwen grinned at him, causing him to give a minute smile.

"That's better," Gwen laughed and stood up. Merlin blushed and looked at his feet. He liked it when she smiled. "Would you like me to tell you a story about Prince Arthur again?" she looked down at the child knowingly. Merlin immediately nodded eagerly and climbed onto the chest at the foot of Morgana's bed. He wanted to see the prince again, and they could play together. Merlin could be his knight and Mordred the loyal dragon.

His deep blue eyes trailed the dark skinned maidservant as she went back to cleaning. He had never seen anyone of her skin colour before. Not with the druids or back in Eald-

All Merlin knew was that she was pretty and very, very nice. And she had gentle eyes too and she told stories almost as well as Wynnfrith did, which was really very good. Merlin very purposely tried not to think of his old home by focusing very hard on Gwen, unconsciously becoming very still.

"Once upon a time, not too long ago, there lived a young prince named Arthur," Guinevere began and looked to the suddenly enthusiastic Merlin. He was sitting cross legged on the wooden chest and holding his toes. The maidservant animatedly told the story of how he saved a princess from a tower and asked her to marry him. She stretched it as long as she could and was done her cleaning before she finished it.

Morgana and Mordred entered the chambers to find Gwen sitting on the floor against the chest with Merlin sitting close but not too close beside her. Merlin immediately turned to them and pressed a finger against his lips. The two exchanged an amused glance and settled down to wait for the end of the story. Gwen smiled at Morgana as the lady passed to go sit at her table and Mordred went to lean against the wall beside the door.

"And then he went down on one knee and-" she cut off at seeing the disgusted expression form on Merlin's face. "You don't want to hear the romantic part?"

Merlin shook his head swiftly up at her. Gwen looked down at him and put a mock calculating expression on her face. "Well how are you going to find out her name?" She made a show of looking around the room which caused Merlin to smile. She laid her eyes on Morgana and smiled wickedly.

"How about Princess Morgana?" She asked Merlin.

"Oh Gwen, don't you get him started now," Morgana laughed. Merlin scrunched his brow at her in a perfect synchronization with Mordred. He stared for a few seconds before shaking his head. "Ah, thank you, Merlin," Morgana said graciously. Merlin looked at Mordred in triumph before turning his gaze to Gwen. He then pointed to her which caused the two women to laugh.

"I don't think I could be a princess, Merlin," she ruffled his hair above his innocently enquiring face. Merlin's only reaction was to reach up and fiddle with the strings of his cloak, a gesture only Mordred recognized as a nervous one. The older boy was relaxed though because Merlin still wore a small smile on his lips.

"Oh, I'm not so sure, Gwen," Morgana said slyly, "I think you would make a perfect princess. Too good for Arthur though."

"You are too kind, milady," Gwen said not a bit flustered.

Mordred then stepped away from the wall and adjusted his cloak. "Alright my lady, we should be going now," he said to Morgana. She raised a scolding eyebrow to him.

"Just Morgana, Mordred."

"Sorry my la- er, Morgana," he smiled sheepishly at her.

Gwen pulled Merlin to his feet and stroked his hair. "I will see you later, Merlin."

The boy smiled sweetly at her and waved before going to Morgana and raising his arm up. She laughed and knelt on the floor. Merlin reached his fingers into hers and held on while staring at her hair. Morgana smiled to conceal the sadness blooming in her eyes; Gaius had told them that Hunith's hair was also black.

"Come on, Merlin, we don't want to keep Gaius waiting," Mordred said a few moments later. Merlin nodded and Morgana patted his head. He hurried to Morded who grasped his hand and squeezed it comfortingly.

"Bye Morgana, bye Gwen," he said to them and departed with a waving Merlin. Merlin let Mordred lead him away and he looked back at the two women. Merlin thought about giving them a hug before but decided against it.

Because they weren't his mother.

o}O{o

The two boys climbed up the staircase to Gaius' quarters, and Merlin seemed to like pointing to the sign that read 'physician' each time they passed, though Mordred was sure he had no clue how to read it. He pushed the door open and it gave a loud creak, and Merlin let go of his hand to enter the chambers before he did. The boy walked a few steps and stopped, looking every which way for the physician. Mordred followed and did the same, "Gaius?" he called. He looked around the cluttered room and then up to the second floor to find Gaius on one of the ladders reaching for a book. It seemed very unsafe to Mordred so his next call was quieter and wary. His tone did not matter however, because the old man turned and immediately lost his balance and broke the wooden rail as he fell.

Mordred's heart jumped into his throat as Gaius started to plummet to the ground. But then he gasped as the old man's descent crawled to a snail's pace. He swiftly looked down to Merlin who was frantically searching for a way to help Gaius.

Mordred quickly found a solution. "The bed, Merlin!"

Merlin's eyes immediately flashed gold and with a sweep of his hand he sent the bed sliding under the physician. The little boy sighed in relief and let time free. Mordred barely had time to pat Merlin's shoulder before Gaius sprang up and looked at him accusingly.

"What did you just do?" he asked gruffly. Mordred gave a small step forward to keep the old man's attention off Merlin.

"Nothing," he said truthfully.

"Tell me!" Gaius arched his eye brow at him while composing his breathing.

Mordred just blinked at him and wanted to curse when Gaius' blue eyes found Merlin who was staring at his feet. The boy seemed to feel Gaius' eyes on him, causing him to cringe and to step fully behind Mordred.

"Did he do that?" the physician asked incredulously.

"Do what?" Mordred licked his lips. Gaius speared him with a disproving gaze and strode toward him and looked down at Merlin.

"Merlin, was that you who moved the bed?" Gaius asked curiously.

Merlin glanced up at him before starting to twiddle his hands together and study the floor.

"Merlin?" The boy forcibly shook his head back and forth and still refused to look up. Mordred nearly groaned as the boy's knees started to shake, and if he could have nudged Merlin without Gaius knowing, he would have.

"How did he do it?" Gaius asked Mordred genuinely perplexed. The eleven year old looked down as Merlin tugged his hand and looked at him apologetically.

"It's alright, Merlin," Mordred sighed and then looked to Gaius. "He slowed time. I know it is a very complex spell but he has been doing it for ages. It's easy to him. If he wants to do it, he can. He doesn't need incantations." Mordred explained.

"Impossible," Gaius breathed and studied Merlin who was now biting his lip.

"No it isn't," Mordred said harshly, "Selwyn said Merlin is a warlock. Some warlocks can do that." Mordred and Gaius then entered a staring match- the boy appealing with his eyes not to contradict his statement.

The physician nodded and exhaled a breath. Even in the myths of recorded warlocks, there was never one that he had heard of that had such power to control time as this boy seemingly did. But of course, there was the prophecy of Emrys. The physician swallowed and told his body to relax; Selwyn was right in that letter, he most certainly would experience Merlin's power.

"If anyone had seen that," Gaius glanced at the closed door.

"I know," Mordred sighed, "he has been good though, haven't you, Merlin?" He paused to smile at the nodding Merlin. "He hasn't used magic since we got here."

"Good, we will have to start teaching him to control himself soon. Go on, I think someone needs a nap," Gaius smiled at Merlin. The boy pouted and shook his head, even after giving a huge yawn. Mordred laughed at him and led him to their room. Gaius' voice stopped them though and they turned back to look at him.

"And, Merlin, thank you." Merlin beamed at him and Mordred smiled, opening their door and guiding Merlin inside.

Their room was comfortably cluttered now and it never ceased to bring a smile to Mordred's face when he saw it. There were now two beds, thanks to Morgana, which were spaced very close together. Not that it mattered because Merlin always snuck into Mordred's bed anyway. And a small desk along with their dresser filled the space nicely.

"Alright, Merlin," Mordred said while tucking Merlin in, "I'll wake you when it is dinner time." Merlin smiled at him and yawned. Sighing contentedly, he closed his eyes and fell asleep. Mordred brushed the hair away from his face and then turned to go back in the main room.

He descended the staircase to find Gaius clearing away the remains of the banister. Mordred helped him and they worked silently. When he was finished sweeping the dust and small pieces of wood into a corner he set the broom down and turned to the physician.

"Thank you, Gaius," Mordred said quietly.

Gaius appraised him. "Whatever for?"

"...Merlin is different enough as it is. I don't want him finding out just how different."

The physician sighed and ambled over to him. He uncharacteristically patted Mordred's shoulder and said, "He is lucky he has you. Mordred you should not worry, between us we can keep him safe."

The boy nearly smiled. Was he so transparent? "But he often cannot control himself," Mordred looked to Gaius and suddenly words were pouring out of his mouth. "He does magic in his sleep! And even when he sneezes something happens, or if he trips, and I think he makes it rain when he's sad. I don't know if I-"

"Calm down, Mordred," Gaius said sternly. The boy blinked, regaining his senses. He could not believe he had just told Gaius that. "Listen to me, with my help we can teach Merlin how to control his magic. It will only take time."

"But he won't talk to do the spells," Mordred breathed and looked down. He wouldn't cry, he wouldn't. The matter was taken out of his hands however, when Gaius found his parental instinct and drew him in for a hug. The tears just spilled out of his eyes and he could not help himself from gripping Gaius with all his strength. He could not remember the last time someone besides Merlin gave him a hug; he forgot how safe it made him feel.

"I promised not only Selwyn, but Hunith as well. And I promise you Mordred, that we will keep Merlin safe."

Mordred nodded into Gaius' chest and allowed himself to believe it. Even if for a moment.

o}O{o

The day dawned clear the next morning, and Mordred decided to take that as a good sign. The room was bright and seemingly warmer than it had been in all the years Gaius had inhabited it. All three of them were sitting at the table- Mordred and Merlin were eating sandwiches and Gaius was covertly studying the youngest. "And has he ever done an incantation from your previous lessons successfully?" Gaius turned his attention to Mordred.

"Only a few. After seeing me or someone else do it. But the words made no difference," Mordred replied.

"Does he know how to read?" Gaius asked thoughtfully. The physician had been interrogating Mordred for an hour now.

Merlin looked up from his sandwich and nodded. Gaius raised an eyebrow at him and looked back to Mordred.

"I'm not sure," Mordred answered and glanced significantly at the boy. "It seems like he follows the words and he can point to simple words like tree. But I don't think completely." At this Merlin crossed his arms and his lips adopted a slight pout.

"Well even a few words are quite remarkable for not having access to proper tools," Gaius said slowly. "What about writing?"

"He's more interested in drawing when we gave him paper. He likes charcoal." Mordred exchanged a smile with Merlin.

"Hmm, well I will make sure the both of you receive some sort of education."

"I already know how to read and write," Mordred said quickly.

"Yes, but what of history, or science?"

"Well..." Mordred trailed off and decided to finish his sandwich.

"Exactly." Gaius looked far too smug for Mordred's liking.

"But what about magic? Both of us need to learn that," Mordred said and both he and Merlin gazed expectantly at an unruffled Gaius.

"With due time. And certainly not during the daylight when someone can walk in," said the physician.

Mordred nodded understandingly and looked over to Merlin who was making his crusts fight each other.

"Eat your crusts, Merlin," Gaius admonished. Merlin dropped them into his plate and stared at Gaius. Mordred sighed and was going to tell Gaius to forget about it before something remarkable happened. Gaius' eyebrow worked increasingly higher the longer Merlin left his crusts on the plate in front of him and then fast as lightning, Merlin stuffed the crusts into his mouth and made a disgusted expression while chewing.

"How did you do that?" Mordred asked loudly and looked from Merlin to Gaius as if trying to work out a great mystery.

"Thank you, Merlin." Gaius nodded pleased and then looked to Mordred, "After dealing with King Uther, I think I can handle a little boy."

Suddenly Mordred was hit with a feeling that Gaius should not have said that. He blinked and looked at Merlin who was now occupied with jabbing the crumbs on his plate with his thumb. The older boy smiled to himself, dismissing the feeling, knowing that they didn't need to worry about Merlin ever being a handful. Gaius chuckled over his little joke and then stood up to shuffle toward one of his desks. He turned around with two vials and gestured for Mordred to get up.

The boy sprang out of his chair, eager to get out into the city once more. He stopped in front of Gaius and Merlin immediately followed beside him.

"Hollyhock and feverfew for Lady Percival, and this is for Sir Olwin. And remember, he's as blind as a weevil, so remind him not to take it all at once," Gaius said and handed the vials to Mordred.

"I know, Gaius," he said and smiled at the physician, "you told me yesterday."

Gaius patted his shoulder, "Off you go then. And be careful, the both of you."

"We will," Mordred said and turned to leave. Merlin gave Gaius a farewell smile and bounded after Mordred.

The physician watched them leave and heaved a sigh as he went back to work, feeling the absence of their youthful energy keenly. As he worked, he pondered the mystery of Emrys, and wondered if Selwyn had got the message he had sent. If he had, his reply would be here shortly. Maybe then, Selwyn would reveal more of the prophecy. Gaius was their guardian now after all, and he did not intend to slack on the job.

o}O{o

Yay first episode published! What did everyone think?

Also, I want to say here- thank you guys so much for following this story. All you reviewers, favouriters, and readers really make me happy. So thank you :)