#4: First Meeting
Disclaimer: [Insert standard disclaimer here]
Summary: When Llacheu Pendragon met Caldwell Barclayn...and the aftermath.
King Everard had sent his twin brother, cousin, and a large entourage on a "goodwill visit" to Camelot.
"Camelot welcomes you, Prince Elwin of Bernicia." Arthur said formally as they visitors rode up.
Elwin, almost twenty years older than when he had last set foot in Camelot, swung of his horse and strode forward. The king and prince clasped arms, then Arthur smiled. "You're not a child anymore, are you?"
The Bernician responded with a grin and the words, "And I've heard you've gotten old, Your Majesty."
That prompted laughter from some, and shocked looks from others. Elwin turned to address the queen as Lord Gwaine shouldered his way forward, holding out his hand. "Arthur."
"Gwaine." Arthur's gaze moved to someone coming up behind his former knight. "Let me guess: your son? Caldwell, right?"
The black-haired boy merely narrowed his dark eyes before glancing up at Gwaine. The older man said, "Be polite, Caldwell."
That prompted a stiff bow from the boy and a smile from Arthur, who raised his voice to call, "Llacheu!"
The prince came forward, blue eyes suspicious behind a fringe of dark brown curls. "This is my son, Prince Llacheu." Arthur said with no small amount of pride.
Ignoring the adults, the two boys watched each other with a mixture of distrust and curiosity. "How old are you?" Llacheu blurted out suddenly.
"Eleven."
"I'm twelve."
"You look younger."
"I do not!" Pause, then, "My father says your father is an idiot."
"My father says yours is an ass."
Gwaine stifled a laugh as he and Arthur exchanged knowing looks.
By the end of the day the boys were near inseparable.
Lucky, really, that Caldwell turned out to have magic and ended up spending a lot of time in Camelot being tutored by Merlin.
"I admit it; I did set all the targets on fire with magic. But it was Llacheu's idea!"
"Was not!"
"Was too!"
"Okay, fine, but you're the one who suggested hiding all of the knights' socks in the stables!"
Or maybe not so lucky.