Mordred glanced towards Lady Morgana's tent as he passed it on his way out of the camp to fetch water from a nearby river. He'd been curious about the woman ever since the rumors had gotten out that Aglain had brought her into camp in the early morning hours suffering from a serket's venom. What would she be like? Kind like Emrys, Arthur, and Gwen? Or more of Uther's ilk?
How were the three doing? It'd been over half a year since he'd last seen his rescuers and he wished he could ask after them, but he knew it would be odd for a druid to ask after the prince's health, if not suspicious.
With one last glance at the tent, he slipped out of the camp and onto the rocky path that led to the river.
He'd just reached the water and started to fill one of his buckets when he felt something brush his mind. It was so faint, he likely wouldn't have noticed it in the bustle of the camp. Small and probing, searching, clearly done by someone untrained.
Curious, he hid his buckets under a bush and followed the feeling. He'd only met a few people that had the gift naturally like him, most had to learn it. There shouldn't have been any other druids in the area, which meant they were probably on their own. A dangerous thing for someone with magic to be in Camelot.
He slipped through one of the mountain's many defiles until he reached a small hill. He peeked over the hill and was both surprised and thrilled to see Emrys and Gwen coming to a stop atop a pair of horses.
The older warlock pointed ahead and Gwen slipped off her horse. They talked for a moment, Emrys looking worried, before Gwen took his hand reassuringly and walked off.
Mordred climbed over the hill and slid down it, calling out with his mind.
Emrys turned at his name, eyes widening. "Mordred? What are you doing here?"
"The druid camp I'm staying with is nearby," Modred said, speaking aloud to be sure none of the others could listen in. Iseldir had told him to keep Emrys's identity secret from the outlying clans, worried about the rumors of some clans turning against the druid's peaceful lifestyle. "What are you and Gwen doing out here?"
"Looking for your camp, I think," Emrys sighed, swinging himself off the horse. "Have you heard anything about the Lady Morgana?"
"She's back at camp. She was attacked by serkets."
"What?" he gasped, paling. "Is she okay?"
Mordred nodded. "Saraid said she saw her up and walking around with Aglain earlier. Is she why you're looking for our camp, Merlin-Emrys?"
The older warlock's nose scrunched up. "You know, you can just call me Merlin."
Mordred nodded. He did, but Emrys was Emrys. The druids had taught him how such a title deserved respect.
"Right," he said. "Yeah, we're here to bring her home. Uther's looking for her, and if the knights track her here..."
A shiver went down Mordred's spine and he stepped closer to Emrys.
The warlock set his hand on his shoulder. "Hey, don't worry, we won't let you get hurt." Emrys tilted his head, considering. "Hey, that thing you do where you talk in people's heads, can you reach your camp from here?"
"Yes, why?"
"Could you warn your people? Even if we manage to get Morgana out, they might still spot you."
Mordred nodded determinedly and reached out to the camp. He couldn't speak to everyone, not all of the druids in the camp had magic, but he'd reach enough of them to get the message going.
The knights are in the area. We need to leave.
He heard the message repeated back to him in other's voices as they took up the message, but focused on Emrys. "I told them."
"Thank you, now you need to get back.
Mordred hesitated. He knew he needed to return so he could go with the camp, but he didn't want to leave Emrys so soon.
His choice was made for him when a dog's howl cut through the air.
Gwen bit her lip as she crept through the trees, hoping a druid didn't spot her. She was relieved when she ducked behind a tent and spotted her lady through the seem.
"Morgana," she whispered, poking her head inside.
"Gwen? What are you doing here?" Morgana gasped, turning to her.
"I came to bring you back."
"Then I'm afraid you've had a wasted journey. I'm never going back."
"What?" she asked, climbing into the tent.
"Arthur must have told you why I'm here."
"I know, but you must return."
"I can't. More importantly, I don't want to," Morgana said, turning away.
"Uther thinks you were taken and the rest of Camelot worries you're lost. Arthur's been sent out to search for you and he can only slow down his men so much before gaining Uther's suspicion.
"If I return, Uther will have me killed," Morgana breathed and Gwen took her hand.
"He doesn't need to know about this. We won't tell a soul."
"I'm sorry," she said, pulling away. "I'm never going back. These are my people. They're like me. I don't feel so alone here. Do you understand?"
Gwen shook her head, tears forming. She thought of Merlin. "No, and I don't think I ever will. But you have a place in Camelot, and people who care about you. Doesn't that mean anything?"
"It does, but I need this, Gwen. I cannot return."
"Mor-"
"Please, just leave."
Crying, Gwen nodded and slipped out of the tent. She fled into the trees, picking up speed when she heard a dog howl. She came into the clearing where she left Merlin, only to find him gone.
"Gwen," a voice hissed and he looked over to see Merlin peaking out of a crevice. She followed it around to where Merlin was hiding with the horses.
And the boy they'd snuck out of Camelot.
"Oh, it's you!"
"Mordred is with the camp," Merlin explained. "Where's Morgana?"
"I'm sorry, she refused to come. She wants to stay with the druids and I couldn't talk her out of it."
Merlin shook his head. "There's no way Arthur can call the hunt off now. Uther will never stop looking for her."
"I know, but she wouldn't listen. She said they were her people."
Merlin looked sad and glanced down at Mordred. "I can understand that." He sighed and squeezed Mordred's shoulder. "Do you know where we can bring you so you can meet up with the rest of your people? I don't feel comfortable just leaving you."
Mordred's nose wrinkled up and his eyes darted about. "I don't know. Everyone's shouting and talking over each other. I can't tell what they're saying."
Gwen frowned and Merlin pointed to his head.
He cocked it like he was listening to something, his brow furrowing. "I can't tell either, I think they might be -" he cut off as both boys went still.
Mordred started shaking and breathing heavily.
"What's wrong?" Gwen asked, grabbing his shoulders. She looked up at Merlin to see his eyes were closed and his face pinched.
He took a deep breath and looked at her, tears already starting to fall. "Th-they found the camp."
She gasped and brought Mordred into a hug.
"It-it sounds like a lot managed to escape, but…" He shook his head.
They stood in silence for a second then Gwen pushed them towards the horses. "We need to go. We're too close to the camp."
Merlin nodded and helped Mordred onto his horse. "Just try not to listen. Focus on my voice," he said as he climbed on in front of the druid.
He didn't talk after that, but Gwen assumed he was speaking with his mind, trying to cover up whatever they were hearing from the camp. She wasn't sure if she should talk as well or if it would make things worse so she focused on leading the way out of the forest. When they reached its edge they took a break to let the horses rest.
"Are you okay?" she asked them.
Merlin nodded and helped Mordred down. She got down as well and pulled them both into a hug.
"We need to figure out what we're going to do," Merlin said. He took the horses' reins and led them to some fresh grass. "Do you have any idea where to go?" he asked Mordred.
"I don't know. I couldn't tell where the others were going? They must have just scattered."
"Can you find them?" Gwen asked, looking between them.
Merlin shook his head and looked down at Mordred, who did the same. "I was always just told to follow the others' voices, but I can't hear anyone now."
"We can't just run around looking for them. The knights will have set up patrols to try and track down the ones who escaped," Merlin said. "We'll have to take him with us until we can find another clan."
Mordred perked up, but Gwen frowned. "You want to take a druid to Camelot?"
He flinched, excitement fading from his face.
"No one will know he's a druid." Merlin set his hands on Mordred's shoulders. "It's your decision. "We can go to Camelot, or Gwen can head back and I can try to -"
"I want to stay with you!"
The two blinked at his enthusiasm.
"Are you sure?" Gwen asked.
"I want to stay with Emrys."
Merlin pinched his nose. "You need to call me Merlin."
"I can do that," Mordred said, nodding.
"Not Merlin-Emrys."
He frowned, but nodded slowly. "Merlin."
Gwen looked between them and sighed. This was happening then. "We're going to need a story for why we have them. Could he be your cousin?"
"Yes!" Mordred said while Merlin said, "No."
The druid deflated as the older said, "Gaius knows my mother's side of the family better than I do and my father… had no family. Gaius would call us out on the lie immediately."
"Well, I doubt anyone would believe he's my family," Gwen chuckled.
"I could be the son of a friend," Mordred offered.
Gwen and Merlin shared a look.
"How is it," Arthur sighed, running a hand over his face, "that I sent you out to find Morgana and instead you brought home a druid?"
"He's not a druid. He's Will's cousin. His uncle asked me to take care of him."
He met Merlin's vapid expression with an annoyed one.
"We couldn't leave him out there on his own. It's just until we can get him home," Guinevere said and Arthur crumbled under her pleading eyes.
He turned to the kid. "Your name's Mordred, right?"
"Yes," he said, looking up at Arthur with wide eyes.
The prince was surprised to not see any fear there, only wonder. He knew Merlin said the druids were worshipful towards them, but he figured it was more Merlin and they would still be cautious around him. He doubted it was because of how they'd rescued them. Arthur hadn't even been around the kid while he was conscious.
"Where did you plan to have him stay?" Arthur said, focusing back on the other two. "The Physician's Chambers are crowded enough with just you and Gaius."
"He could stay with me," Guinevere said. "I have the room, though I'd need to save up for another bed."
Arthur opened his mouth to offer to buy one - and take the money out of Merlin's wages since he was sure this was all his idea - when the memory of the rescue gave him an idea. Maybe he could finally solve a problem he's been chewing on. "He could stay here."
"Here?" Merlin said, glancing at the bed.
Arthur rolled his eyes. Idiot. "In my servant's quarters."
"Is that allowed?"
"It is if I make him my household page."
The boys looked confused, but Guinevere nodded.
"Isn't page the step before squire?" Merlin asked.
"Household page," Guinevere explained. "Basically he'd be your assistant."
"He'd be able to help me while your off being useless, or help Gaius while I need you for something."
The glare the older warlock gave him was muted by his excitement and quickly abandoned. "You mean I wouldn't have so much work to do."
"You'd have the same amount, you'd just have help."
"I'll take it!" He frowned and turned to Mordred. "Only if it's okay with you, though. Arthur can be demanding. I'm sure we can find something else."
But the druid looked just as excited, if not more so. "I could help you and the Once and Future King."
"Prince Arthur," Arthur cut in. "Your Highness, Sire, My Lord, please use one of these. Even Arthur would do since people will think you're just learning bad manners from Merlin. Just don't call me that in front of anyone but us. And preferably not then either."
"Of course, Sire," he said, nodding rapidly.
"Are all druids like this?" Arthur whispered to Merlin as Guinevere took the kid into the servant's quarters.
"Iseldir isn't quite so bouncy," Merlin chuckled. "But he's just as respectful over the whole Emrys and Future King thing."
"He's going to need clothes, preferably ones that don't look like he's been living out in the middle of the woods all his life. We also need to hide his cloak. Most won't recognize it as a druid cloak, and even my father wouldn't charge anyone simply for having one, but it would make people look too closely at him."
Merlin nodded. "I know, but it's all he's got so I couldn't force him to get rid of it. I'll hide it with the books."
"I'll give Guinevere some money and the two of you can get him some clothes. Say his uncle gave it to you for him."
"Thank you. I know I'm asking a lot."
"Just be careful. There's been enough death lately."
Merlin bowed his head in silence for a moment before looking up again. "How's Morgana?"
"Furious. She's trying to sell father on the idea that the druids were just journeymen who had graciously taken her in after hurting her ankle during her ride, but too many of the knights reported it as a druid camp so he thinks she's just confused. Or worse."
"Gwen tried to get her out."
"I know, Morgana told me. I understand she's scared, but she just doesn't understand. Father never would have stopped looking for her and once it was reported that her trail ended in an abandoned Druid camp…" He shook his head. "I'm just grateful most of the druids escaped."
"It's not just fear, it's also the acceptance and understanding the druids could have given to her. You can't comprehend what that feels like."
Arthur set his hand on Merlin's shoulder for a moment before shoving him towards the wardrobe. "Come on, I need to get ready for dinner."
Dinner was tense as Morgana was refusing to so much as acknowledge the king, which he was quickly growing tired of.
Finally, he turned his attention to Arthur and he braced himself in case Uther took his anger out on him. "The steward tells me you've taken in a page."
Of course, the steward somehow managed to rat him out in under half an hour. "I have."
"If that servant of yours isn't able to serve you properly, then you should just get rid of him and get a new one. There's no need to hire more help."
Morgana finally looked up and Arthur hurried to answer before she could really anger his father. "The problem isn't with Merlin's service, but the time needed for him to serve. Merlin is Gaius's ward and apprentice, which means his time is often shared between myself and Gaius. I cannot see reason in forcing him away from his apprenticeship as Gaius is getting on in years and Camelot will need a professionally trained Physician when he eventually passes on, either to the next world or retirement."
"You think the boy can be trained?" Uther snorted.
Arthur shrugged. He did, but he couldn't say as much to his father. Merlin's idiocy had gotten him out of far too many situations. "I cannot say, but Gaius believes so and he is the expert. Perhaps medicine is the one thing Merlin can actually do.
"As I was saying, though, I considered letting him go as you suggested, but Gaius does not have the resources to pay his way. Merlin would have to get another job, which could take even more time away from his work for Gaius. In the end, I believed the most logical routes to take would either be to let Merlin go and increase Gaius's stipends or get Merlin an assistant. A page would cost less than what we would need to pay Gaius and the page I found has some plant knowledge so he will be able to handle any minor tasks Gaius and I could have so Merlin can focus on his more important work."
Arthur made sure he appeared relaxed as his father thought it over. Finally, he said, "I still don't see how the boy could be taught a physician's work, but I'll allow it, so long as you ensure both boys are earning their wages."
"Of course, Father."
"When do I get to meet your page?" Morgana spoke for the first time since the meal began, curiosity glittering over the still present anger and mourning in her eyes.
"You have better things to be focusing on then the servants," Uther said and she immediately shut down again.
Arthur sighed and speared a piece of ham with his fork.
Subtitle: The One Where Arthur and Merlin Adopt Their Son