First let me apologize for the long wait! Life is really getting busy on me and shows no signs of slowing down which is exciting for me but not so much for my free time. But I promise to try and dedicate more time to writing. Realistically it'll be closer to April when I can write more so hopefully then updates will be faster. I'm slowly closing in on the amount of chapters I have already written :s

But for now I hope you guys stick with me and still enjoy this story

o}O{o

Boredom might have been Arthur's least favourite thing on the planet. He stared out his window to the courtyard down below, regarding the nobles hanging about with little interest. Morgana had just left the courtyard with Mordred tagging along, so there went two avenues of entertainment. Well he wouldn't annoy Morgana at the moment, not when she felt so downtrodden. The prince had been doing his best to lift her spirits, taking her on rides and agreeing to spar with her once but Morgana always drifted back inside herself. Even Uther had noticed and professed his worries about her to Arthur this morning. He had pretended like it was nothing, like Morgana wasn't terrified she had magic. The longer Morgana remained like this, the more Arthur was determined to be strong for her. He knew that she couldn't go on being scared of herself, but the prince had no idea how to help her.

Arthur sighed loudly and shook his head, dismissing his thoughts about it. Perhaps Mordred would be able to help- Morgana seemed ridiculously attached to the boy. A smile grew on Arthur's face remembering the 'proverb' Mordred quoted to him. The boy was so gullible and Arthur had learned quickly how to use it to his own advantage. But now that Mordred was gone as well, Arthur could neither tease him nor train him. The prince left the window to go take a walk in the castle halls, thinking about how well the boy was progressing. If Mordred kept it up, Arthur thought that he might be able to put up a good fight by the time he was sixteen. He'd gain more muscle surely, which he sorely needed.

The servants were busy this time of day, clearing their lord's and ladies' lunches and tending to other things Arthur cared not to think about. All of them scrambled to bow to the prince as he passed and some of them lost what they were carrying on the floor. Their distressed expressions did not amuse Arthur as much as they once had, which made him a little sad. But only for a moment because he needed to think of something to do.

Merlin was with Guinevere, Mordred had said, so maybe he would attempt to find them. Merlin was always happy to see Arthur and Guinevere was pleasant enough company. The prince hadn't interacted with her much but hearing her flustered ramblings when she tried to talk with him usually made him smile. He nodded, making the decision to head to the lower town when he saw Sir Leon talking with Lady Heather. She burst out laughing and Arthur fought not to cringe at the grating peals. Leon smiled politely but Arthur could see the strain around his eyes.

"Leon!" he called, deciding that a rescue was in order. The speed at which Leon turned to him wide eyed was priceless. "I do hope I'm not interrupting."

Lady Heather laughed once more, though it was more of a terrifying giggle. "Oh of course not, Sire!"

Arthur turned his head by reflex, wincing at the overly sweet sound of her voice. She was certainly nice enough to look at- silky brown hair with a doll like face but Morgana had already warned him that if he gave Heather any attention she would stab him in his sleep. The two women were not on friendly terms.

"Sire!" Leon called in relief, his face lifting. "Did you need me for anything, my lord?"

"You seem to have forgotten about our patrol, Leon," Arthur stated.

The knight smiled brightly but Lady Heather leaned in and put a delicate hand on his shoulder. "Oh you will forgive him, won't you, my prince? I can be so distracting."

She spoke with such fake sweetness, Arthur honestly wondered why her teeth weren't rotting. "Well if we leave now, we won't be late," he hinted.

"I must be going, my lady," Leon said quickly.

"Aww, but we were having such a good time," Heather complained but then giggled, "I'll be waiting for you!"

Leon simultaneously tried to bite his lip and smile, the result wasn't very charming. He cleared his throat before sidling toward Arthur. "Yes… well… good day, my Lady."

The knight quickly turned on his heel and a look of stark relief replaced the pained politeness. Arthur nodded to Lady Heather before following, allowing himself a little smile. They cleared the hallway and turned the corner before Arthur laughed outright.

"Thank you, Sire," Leon said in a low tone of voice.

Arthur grinned at him. "I thought you got rid of her," he accused Leon good naturedly.

"I thought I had," Leon replied honestly, "But now I am in your debt."

"Well, I actually was going to go for a ride. You can repay me by tagging along," Arthur proposed.

An interested look dawned onto Leon's features. "Certainly, Sire."

"Good," Arthur said, "meet me outside the stables. We can head out from there."

o}O{o

The treetops overhead filtered the sunlight green, the rays glimmering through the foliage and casting wavering shadows as the wind breathed on the leaves. A stream was murmuring nearby, off the trail and behind the rolling ground of the forest floor, barred from view by the thick underbrush and old trees. The trail they were following was well travelled, almost wide enough to be a road. Roots from the oak trees meandered across it, making Mordred nervous that his horse would trip. He preferred his own two feet rather than riding on the tall beast, but at least his horse was a good one.

Morgana engaged him in small talk as they rode, taking small pauses to see if Mordred would talk. She was leading on her white mare with Mordred following behind. He hadn't had the courage to reveal the true nature of Morgana's dreams yet and before long the lady grew impatient.

"I don't think anyone can hear us now," she said. Mordred took in a deep breath. "What did you want to talk about?" She stopped her horse on the trail and directed it sideways so she could face him.

Mordred pulled on the reigns to get his mount to stop and the gentle horse eased into one. He looked into the trees and spotted some leaves falling gracefully to the ground. When they touched, the boy looked up at Morgana.

"I know…" Mordred began quietly, "that you're scared of your dreams." Morgana stilled and frowned darkly, not saying anything. "But, Morgana, you shouldn't be afraid of them."

Morgana just stared at him with her pale brow furrowed, looking like she did not know what to say. "What- what do you mean?"

Mordred swallowed his nerves and continued. "I know they're- they're not normal dreams. They're something more." Morgana opened her mouth to speak but shut it again. "It's a gift, Morgana. You shouldn't be afraid."

"How can you know?" she asked, her voice only just above a whisper. "What do you mean a gift?"

"Merlin told me that you dreamt about Sophia coming to Camelot. And Gaius said that in the past, your dreams came true."

"Why would he tell you that?" Morgana demanded.

"Because I understand," Mordred answered and then looked away to chew his lip. This was it. "Can I tell you a secret?" he asked timidly.

Morgana looked confused, the stitch in her brow deepening further. "Of course," she said gently.

Mordred steeled himself to reveal his secret, taking a deep breath. He looked at his hands, clutching the pommel of the saddle so tightly his knuckles were white. But then the rasping of a sword whipping out of its scabbard had him looking up in horror. Morgana was clutching a sword looking past Mordred's shoulder, causing him to blink in confusion before coming to his senses. He looked around and found that two men were strolling toward them down the path, each carrying naked blades.

Mordred immediately turned to Morgana's saddle where she always packed a sword and dagger and reached for the hilt in the sheathe. He pulled the dagger out, momentarily surprised that it turned out to be a sword before dismounting from his horse. Morgana must have packed two swords then he reasoned.

Morgana followed him and tried to defend him but the boy took another step forward. "I'll protect you, milady," he promised.

"Oh don't tell me Arthur's been teaching you chivalry," Morgana criticized under her breath.

"Among other things," Mordred said, sliding into an offensive stance.

"Hey now," one of the men said lightly, "we don't want no trouble." He had brittle looking hair that fell into small black eyes and was grinning crookedly, showing off a crooked set of teeth. His companion was smaller but carried himself with a certain grace that made Mordred nervous. They didn't look like bandits to him. In the stories Arthur had told him, bandits favoured ambushes and there were always more than two.

Mordred glanced into the trees, looking for more when Morgana replied. "What do you want then?" she asked icily.

"Your horses. And your pretty little necklace there," the second man stated, eyeing the jewels resting on Morgana's chest.

"Horse thieves are hanged in Camelot, didn't you know?" she pointed out. Mordred fought not to glance back at her, instead keeping his large turquoise eyes on the two men walking towards them.

The black eyed one growled impatiently, stopping several paces from them. "We'll take our chances."

"So you will let us go unharmed before running off on our horses?" Morgana wondered. Mordred practically heard her eyebrow scrape upward.

" 'course," the thief replied with a smile. The second one kept a straight face, studying the horses' saddles and bridles.

Morgana's voice was sharp when she spoke next. "Well you see, I find that hard to believe. Perhaps you'd like to escort us to Camelot first and then be on your way."

"I don't think you understand your situation, lady," he growled and hefted his sword. With a glance, Mordred could see that it was well cared for, unpolished but still deathly sharp.

"Listen," the smaller man spoke up. "We'll be long gone by the time you get back to the city. We want your horses, not your blood." Mordred guessed that he was the one with the brains. The way the larger one relaxed his shoulders made Mordred think the other man was the leader.

"How kind of you," Morgana remarked.

"Send us the horses now, and we won't be forced to take them," he offered, "I don't think you want your little friend here to be hurt, Lady Morgana."

"You know who I am?" Morgana asked in surprise and with a hint of admiration. This man was either incredibly brave or very stupid if he knew who he was threatening.

"Oh yes," he said and tipped an imaginary hat, "prettiest lady in the five kingdoms. But if you'll excuse us, we have business to attend to."

Neither Mordred nor Morgana moved. Arthur's servant was still in a ready stance, gripping his sword tightly. "Fine," Morgana said, "but you get one. And we will take the other back to Camelot. I don't trust you to leave us with our lives."

The man's mask of friendliness dropped from his face. "Well that just won't do. Grab the kid, Sam."

Sam grinned and flicked his head to shake away his dry hair. It was the only warning Mordred got before the man sprang forward, but he was in action at once. Mordred whipped his sword outward, striking with all his might just like Arthur constantly reminded him, aiming for the man's blade to drive him away. Sam recoiled and looked at Mordred like he was a talking rat.

Mordred shifted back into an offensive stance and glared for all he was worth, his eyes narrowed into slits with the blue of his irises gleaming dangerously. Mordred could not defeat them with the sword, but he had magic at his disposal and was powerful enough to break their necks with a good throw. But the thought of killing made him nervous and he knew he'd have to kill them for risk of being reported. And Morgana would be scared of him if he used his magic for evil. Mordred scowled at their predicament but knew that he would defend Morgana no matter what it took.

"Oh ho!" Sam laughed, "Look, a trained monkey, Len."

A scornful laugh made its way out of Mordred's lips before he could stop it. "It isn't me who's the trained monkey."

Sam's face darkened in anger and he yelled in outrage before driving his arm downward. Mordred dodged to the side, and sliced the man's shin before dancing away in a successful attempt to lure him away from Morgana. Mordred made the mistake of assuming that because Sam was big he was also slow. The man sprang after him, lashing out with his sword and forcing Mordred to duck. He felt the air being cut above him and he cried out in alarm, thrusting his sword out instinctively in one of the ripostes Arthur was teaching him. It sliced the man's side, possibly alarming Mordred more than the now wounded Sam.

"Get away from him!" Morgana yelled and joined the fray. Sam remembered that she had a sword and turned to face her but was too slow in his block. Mordred watched in disbelief as Morgana sent the sword flying out of Sam's hand and stabbed his shoulder in a quick second. She grabbed Mordred and hauled him away as Sam howled in pain. Mordred stumbled, his eyes fixed on the blood staining the thief's clothes. But Morgana dragged him back, her other arm straight and pointing the sword at Len who was grimacing. Her storm blue eyes were alight with fire.

He walked forward gracefully and stopped in front of his partner, twirling his sword. "Now look what you've done," he said, anger lacing his tone. "You've gone and made this a fight."

"Well considering you started it, I think it's only fair," a new voice stated pretentiously. Mordred looked down the trail, hope bursting in his chest.

Arthur was approaching the two thieves from behind, wearing a deadly expression and resting his hand on his sheathed sword. Sir Leon followed like a scowling shadow, his own sword gleaming in the scattered sunlight glistening through the trees.

Len spun on his heel but did not move from his partner's side. Sam struggled up, making it to his feet with the help of the smaller man. Each one faced both fronts and Mordred met the gaze of Sam with a smirk on his face. The bandits were in trouble now.

"Put down your weapons," Arthur said, "and we won't have to kill you." Silence met his proposal, prompting Arthur to add, "Need I remind you off your odds."

Len hesitated in lowering his sword but with a glance at Sam he let it drop to the ground. "We didn't do nothing," Sam said frantically.

Arthur continued to saunter closer and narrowed his eyes. "Attacking my sister and my servant is not nothing." Morgana's fingers tightened on Mordred's shoulder and he took a glance to see her staring at Arthur in surprise and he could see she was touched. The bandits were shocked and looked at Arthur fearfully, realizing who he was. "Both of you will be put in the dungeons and the king will have the pleasure of deciding what to do with you."

The thieves stood helplessly as Arthur passed them with Leon standing guard behind. Arthur glanced at Morgana and Mordred, checking them for injury, his gaze lingering for a moment on Mordred's bloodied sword.

"Move," Arthur ordered. Len and Sam flinched and shuffled forward, Sam drooping in pain. Sir Leon waited for them to pass, the sword at their backs preventing them from running. "Are you two alright?" the prince asked them.

Mordred nodded and grinned. "Thank you, Sire. You saved us."

Arthur preened at the admiration Mordred was unable to hide and looked to Morgana. The king's ward had not removed her hand from Mordred's shoulder.

"You've impeccable timing," she said.

"You're welcome," Arthur smiled, "now come along. You don't want to be left behind."

Mordred was going to follow Arthur but Morgana held onto him. He glanced at her but stayed. "Are they any more, Sire?" he wondered.

"No, just these idiots," the prince replied. Len glanced back starting to glare before looking at the ground.

Morgana nodded and led Mordred back to the horses. She held her self tightly and Mordred wondered if she was angry with him. She did not meet his wide eyed gaze even when they mounted up and started following the prince. Morgana directed her horse to walk just a little ahead of his, keeping the two of them close. Mordred opened his mouth to try and speak but bit his lip upon seeing the look on her face. He couldn't see all of it but certainly enough to know that she wasn't happy. And Arthur was the unfortunate target of her glare though Mordred had no idea why.

He didn't find out until they ran into a patrol closer to the city and after the guards had taken away the two thieves. Arthur was just about to climb up on Hengroen before Morgana dismounted. The prince hesitated and turned to her when he realized she was walking to him.

"I'm your sister now?" Morgana hissed. There was a strain in her voice, Mordred noticed.

Arthur shrugged, looking a bit confused. "It was simpler than saying the king's ward," he said, offended at her tone. "Don't worry, it won't happen again."

"See that it doesn't," she said. Arthur drew back, genuine hurt rising up in his blinking eyes.

Mordred's mouth dropped open and he glanced at Leon who had paused in climbing into his saddle. The knight had one foot in the stirrup and had pursed his lips, his eyes flicking between Arthur and Morgana.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Arthur demanded. "I just saved your lives."

"You've been teaching Mordred how to use a sword!" she accused, her angry voice echoing into the trees. Mordred, now the recipient of three stares, hunched his shoulders.

Arthur scoffed and glanced at him. "Good thing I am. He put it to good use today."

"He almost died!" Morgana yelled.

"Look!" Arthur appealed, gesturing to the boy. "Not a scratch on him!"

Morgana took an angry step forward but Arthur stood his ground. "What happens when he faces someone who knows what they're doing? What then, Arthur?"

"That won't happen," the prince said, rolling his eyes.

"How do you know? You're putting ideas in his head!" Morgana argued.

"He's not an idiot, Morgana," Arthur stated impatiently.

"He's just a boy!"

"But he's not a child! You keep treating him like one."

"He is a child! And you always forget," Morgana jabbed a finger into Arthur's chest and glared.

"I do not!" Arthur yelled and stepped back, brushing her hand away. "I know he's small, so I'm teaching him to be fast. How to turn it to his advantage."

"You're unbelievable!" she sputtered, "he's not going to be faster than a- a murderous bandit, Arthur. He is an eleven year old boy and-"

"Exactly!" Arthur shouted, matching volume with Morgana. "I'm teaching him how to defend himself. Only until I can get to him. He knows he has to hide if something happens."

Morgana's eyes widened in fury. "He put himself between me and two bandits. He isn't going to hide when you want him to, Arthur."

Arthur's lips quirked and he nodded his head like he was impressed but he countered right away, holding up his finger to be heard. "He will when I tell him to. Like it or not, he's the prince's servant. He goes where I go."

"He doesn't have to go on patrol!" Morgana seethed.

Arthur growled in frustration and put his hands out as if he wanted to shake her. "Morgana, he has skill," Arthur explained like he was playing his final card.

"I don't care if he has skill," Morgana said shrilly.

"You don't understand. He's better than almost every squire in Camelot!" Arthur entreated. Mordred wanted to smile but the tension held his lips down. A blush worked its way up his neck and to his ears though. "And he only first touched a sword just months ago. Months, Morgana. They have been training for years. He can last five seconds against me, can't you Mordred?"

All Mordred wanted to do was disappear but he gave a tiny shrug. It had been an accident the time he lasted five seconds and Arthur wasn't even trying. He had tripped and tried to right himself, ending up behind Arthur which gave him an extra second before he was disarmed. Mordred felt Sir Leon look at him so he stared downward at the horse's mane with nothing to do but listen.

"I knew this was about you," Morgana said coldly. "You just want to make him a perfect little soldier don't you? Another sword for your armoury."

Arthur's silence made Mordred look out of his cringe. The prince looked taken aback, staring at Morgana disbelievingly. "Is that what you think?" he asked her with not a trace of sarcasm.

Morgana was deaf to the hurt in Arthur's voice. "Yeah. I do," she stated.

The prince's face became hard and Mordred realized a sudden resemblance between him and Uther. "Well thank you, Morgana, for thinking so highly of me," he said and turned his back before climbing up on his horse. "Come, Leon." Sir Leon was quick to climb onto his saddle and follow Arthur, but not without sending Morgana a confused glance. "Mordred!" Arthur yelled as they were riding away.

He jumped and glanced to Morgana. She was standing still with a calm expression on her upturned face and made no move to get back on her horse. Mordred didn't want to leave her alone in the forest even though they were close to the city. He looked helplessly after Arthur but stayed where he was. The prince did not call him again which made Mordred worried.

"You couldn't have meant those things," he said quietly to Morgana.

The king's ward turned her gaze downward but did not give any answer. It wasn't long before she climbed onto her mare and started to lead the way back to Camelot. Mordred followed with a hung head. This was all his fault. He never should have tried to talk to Morgana about her dreams.

o}O{o

My my, a bit of tension in the wind isn't there. Thanks for reading :)

And I know I didn't get to reply to everyone's reviews last chapter even though they were all so great, I promise I will this time!