Arthur walked with Merlin to the dining room where the family dined when not using the Great Hall. Uther was there with Morgana, Agravaine and Mordred as well as Balinor, Hunith and Gwaine. Two spaces were left at the table on the right of Uther, Arthur led Merlin to his seat and after Merlin sat down Arthur took his seat. Merlin looked down demurely which got a smirk from Gwaine. Uther immediately started to speak to the visiting Royals asking about their journey home. "Are you a good sailor Queen Hunith?"

"Indeed not Sire" Hunith said with a grimace "I can sail and do regularly with my husband as is my place, but I cannot claim to be a good sailor"

Balinor put his hand on his wife's. "My lady is better than she thinks she is. The trip round the coast is always rough. When we go back we will travel your coast and visit friends in the north. I'm sure that journey will be better as the sea is not so open. The west coast of Hibernia is always rough"

"Then you aren't going straight home?" Agravaine asked "You have been away sometime I would have thought your people would be restless to see you"

Balinor looked at Arthur Uncle, he didn't care for the man and he had made that clear "My people are a sailing nation they are used to the rulers not watching over them, but they remain loyal" Balinor looked at Uther "We have very good communication systems, I am in contact with my people. But it is important to maintain links with allies is it not"

"Indeed" Uther said as he scowled at Agravaine.

Gwaine grinned "I suspect you will visit our shores soon"

Uther looked at the visiting Crown Prince "I will certainly be sending envoys although I doubt I will visit for some time."

"Let me know and we will send boats for you" Gwaine looked at Agravaine his every word a challenge "Perhaps your family would care to visit I'm sure your boy would like to experience the sea"

Agravaine looked at his King "I would welcome the chance but doubt my King can spare me for such a long trip"

"We shall see, it seems only fair we visit you" Uther said "Though I doubt the boy would want to leave his Mama"

"The Princess would be more than welcome." Gwaine retorted. "I'm sure Merlin could lend her suitable garments for the trip"

Merlin looked up on hearing his name he smiled at Morgana "Of course a pleasure" then he turned to his mother "My lady, I thank you for Freya, if you are sure you can bare to part with her"

Hunith smiled "Merlin you are welcome Freya has no family to miss her and she knows how to care for your garments" looking at Uther "Your Majesty I hope you do not object if a maidservant stays with the Emrys"

Uther didn't look too pleased at the idea of further foreigners on Camelot's soil but could think of no valid reason to object.

"Of course not, she can always return with the Crown Prince if she wishes later" Looking at Gwaine "Two months I believe you are staying"

Gwaine grinned "I believe three was agreed. I wish to see Merlin settle before I leave, we have seldom been apart for long. You see Merlin often sailed with me" Gwaine looked at his father "I understand Aithusa will be coming today."

Balinor looked at his son well aware of what the younger man was doing. "Yes she will, before we leave" he glanced at Merlin "You will be pleased to see her no doubt"

"Yes Sire" Merlin said. Arthur noticed the twinkle in Merlin's eye and wondered just what was going on.

"Ah, your animal companion" Uther said "Not something we have much of in Camelot. We have hunting dogs and a few cats to keep the mice down, but not pets as such. I hope it does not disturb the smooth running of the castle. What type of dog is it?" he asked looking at Merlin.

"Sire forgive me it is not a dog! Nor a cat. Aithusa would be most upset to have you believe that was what she was" Merlin said the twinkle much more obvious now.

Morgana spoke up "Well what is it?"

With a large smile showing just how happy he was Merlin answered "A dragon, my lady"

Uther half chocked on his wine "Did you say a dragon!"

"Yes Sire, but fear not, she is but a small one. Not much bigger than a hunting dog" Merlin said "It is such a privilege to have one as a friend for she is that more than a 'pet'"

Arthur swallowed waiting for his father rage to explode. But he had agreed and never once asked the nature of Emrys's 'pet'.

Uther stood up his face full of rage "A dragon! We have no dragons in Camelot and have no wish for any, you Sir have tricked me!" he shouted at Balinor who looked at the other King with something akin to amusement. "We do not tolerate such beasts of magic here"

"No I did not trick you, we asked that the Emrys have the comfort of her companion who she has had beside her all her life and you agreed. You neither questioned it or what it was, it was the first thing you agreed to. And I insist she be allowed to stay and in safety. Your son had taken the Pure One for his own, you cannot go back now" There was a dangerous edge to Balinor's voice

Arthur spoke up "As Agravaine ordered my bed sheet this morning there can be no doubt of that Father. I admit we were lapse in not asking of the nature of the beast, but surely a baby dragon can be little or no problem. In fact to have such a creature in the Kingdom may well add kudos to our reputation, after all none have been see on the mainland since the time of my birth"

Mordred smiled "A real dragon" he asked speaking to Merlin for the first time.

"Yes she is real, but a baby, would you like to see her later?" Merlin asked wanting to make friends with the solemn boy.

Mordred looked at his mother "Can I mama? Please"

Morgana looked at her son, she was unable to say no to his earnest plea "As long as the King agrees"

Uther sat down realising he had no choice and trying to take his son's way out. "It must not roam free, a hut will be provided for it and it must be kept under guard"

Merlin stood up showing real spirit for the first time before King Uther "Aithusa will stay with me, if she goes in a hut so shall I"

Arthur pulled his 'wife' down into his seat. "I will guarantee the behaviour of my spouses companion Sire. Once she is here I will make appropriate arrangements for housing and care"

Uther glared at his son "Make sure of it, and keep the creature out of my sight!" he turned to King Balinor "What other surprises do you have for us? What other things have you sneaked into the negotiations?"

Balinor looked at Uther "You signed the agreement, I read it you should have done. Perhaps if you had paid more attention to what you were agreeing to you would know. We do not act in a dishonourable manner. As far as we are concerned you have gained more than we" Balinor looked at Arthur "I hope you will be more honourable than your father. I have given you my Kingdoms greatest treasure. Guard Emrys well or the full wrath of Gangani will be upon you" He stood and held his hand to his Queen "We leave you. Merlin please come to see us off my dear we will leave in a candle mark"

After the King and Queen had left Uther calmed down slightly but he was still very unhappy. As the meal finished he turned to his son "Stay I wish to speak to you" he glanced at Merlin "Alone"

Merlin stood and went to move as her brother moved to his siblings side " Came Merlin lets go and see our parents" he lead Merlin from the room Morgana and her family followed. As they approached their parent's chambers Merlin looked at Gwaine "Did the King really not ask about Aithusa?"

"No, she was referred to as your animal companion when the translator went over the clauses and Uther never questioned it. He was so keen to get what he wanted he wasn't really bothered about the clauses surrounding you, as long as you weren't bringing a retinue. Uther was so keen to try to get the better deal he was foolish."

"I am glad I made sure the unicorn was safe, such a gentle creature should not be harmed, and anyway unicorns should be in herds and not alone. Uther would have killed her just for her horn!" Merlin was speaking in her native tongue enjoying the chance not to have to watch his words.

Gwaine stopped before they joined their parents "Merlin was he good to you, has he taken you as his partner?"

Merlin blushed "Yes he has, he was kind and gentle, Gwaine do not worry I know Arthur will keep my secret and he will unite Albion as the prophesy says"

"Damn the prophesy! I only want you to be happy. Do you think he will love you and you him" Gwaine demanded

"I think I love him already, as to his feelings give him time" Merlin put her hand on her brothers arm "Do not antagonise the King, he is a man who will have has way"

Gwaine grinned "So am I! Priceless his reaction to Aithusa" the brunette grinned before he became more serious "Remind Aithusa to take care that man destroyed all the dragons in Camelot and encouraged the other leaders to do the same. He will look for a reason to remove her"

Merlin became very serious "I will see no harm come to her, if necessary I will send her to you. She is my kin. If I do send her to you will you care for her?"

"I will, but if she arrives I will come for you, that man is not to be trusted Merlin, if he finds out about your powers he will execute you, you should never have come here, not until Uther was dead!" Gwaine put his hand on the handle of his sword "I could bring that forward, make Arthur King!"

"No Gwaine, Arthur needs time, I will make sure I am careful always"

As they entered the chambers the both bowed to their parents Balinor looked calmer, clearly Hunith had been talking to him. "Gwaine make sure Merlin is safe, remove him if you are concerned, I should never have listened to the priestesses that man is a bigot"

"Father I am here! I can look after myself you know and it was also my discussion to come here!" Merlin said.

"Only because they have indoctrinated you. You are my youngest child and should not be here!" Balinor hugged Merlin "Take care"

"I have had that lecture already from Gwaine, do you all think me stupid!"

…..

Meanwhile Uther glared at his son "Did you know about this…dragon!" he demanded

"Sire I was at the same negotiations as you! I knew nothing" Arthur said "Like you I assumed it was a dog"

"Did your wife not mention this creature, after all you spent enough time with her yesterday" Uther demanded

"No Sire we were getting to know one another in the afternoon and after the feast was not a time for talking" Arthur smirked. "Was it really necessary to make such a thing about the sheets?"

"Yes! Agravaine was doing his duty, and in a way I wish you had not done yours. King Balinor is a tricky customer. I want you to read through the treaty with me, we need no more surprises" Uther's manservant had arrived with some scrolls. "We need to know before Balinor leaves"

"Sire I should be with my wife we were only wed yesterday" Arthur said pointedly

"You have the rest of your life with the wench, we need to know what her father has done" Uther threw a copy at his son.

They read through the document carefully then Arthur said "I can see nothing untoward"

"Summarise" Uther demanded

"I marry the youngest child of Balinor and Hunith, Emrys will be recognised as my future Queen and given the standing and respect due. Any issue will inherit the throne of Camelot in due course. Due to Emrys's age Gwaine stays here for three months to help Emrys settle and to foster closer ties and understanding. Merlin's animal companion is to be permitted to stay with Merlin.

We have a joint treaty to protect each Kingdoms borders including our right to call on the Gangani fleet, and closer trade deals. On their side Metal goods and both boats and training in their use will be traded freely. On ours wheat and timber. Our Kingdoms customs and beliefs as well as individual laws will be recognised in full by the other, including Religious practices but the laws of each state will be upheld whilst visiting each other. Although there was a clause giving Emrys the right to practice the Gangani beliefs in private but that issue would follow ours"

Uther held up his hand "What are their beliefs?"

"We know they have priestesses and seem to follow something similar to the old religion, but nothing was fully discussed. I believe it was decided as we didn't share any borders it wasn't an issue." Arthur admitted.

"Ask your wife, and let me know by supper, I won't have her corrupting our people, also that maid we were tricked into taking, she is not to have the same freedom" Uther said "We have wiped out heathen practices I won't have them get a foothold again."

"I hardly think we were tricked father, it was a request no more. Surely if the maid and Emrys keep their beliefs private it can cause no harm" Arthur said

"I expect you to make your wife see the error of her ways. The Gangani seem to have their woman folk we controlled it shouldn't be difficult" Uther said "As for the dragon I want it gone as soon as possible, your wife must be forced to send it back. Otherwise we may need to dispose of it quietly, such evil cannot stay here"

"But we agreed!"

"By trickery! I would never have agreed if I had known!" Uther snarled as he looked at the treaty "Where is the clause on the joint ban on magic"

"There isn't one" Arthur admitted "You know well that you agreed that religious beliefs should be up to the Kingdom concerned, that was clear, at the time you wanted deal on the use of the Gangani fleet for defence as much as they wanted no joint ban! You agreed that. They aren't the only Kingdom that doesn't agree on such a ban, we have treaties with others"

Uther looked at Arthur "But we have not found you a wife from one of them. Find out if your wife has any magical ability, if she does it must be bound!"

Arthur looked at his father in horror "Why should she? King Balinor is not known to have any such powers, your man spent enough time in their court, and his Queen is from Essetir, although they have no outright ban on magic King Cenred's father was well known to gather any such people together, he would not have allowed her to stay in a village. Emrys is much beloved by King Balinor such an action would be seen as an act of war!"

"She will be bound if there is the slightest hint of magic, better still an accident, I understand she is known to be clumsy" Uther looked at his son. "I expect you to do your duty. It wasn't a love match so it will be no problem. I allowed my wish to see Camelot safe from a sea attack to cloud my judgement, it won't happen again. I will not risk any issue of yours to carry such a risk"

Arthur felt a shiver of fear run up his spine. He would not allow Merlin to be put at risk, perhaps it would be better if he were to return with her parents. At least that way he would be safe, hiding his sex would be hard enough, but the magic, one small slip would see him dead. If Merlin left now, then in the future he could return, and take his place at his side. Arthur kept his fears to himself bowed to his father.

"I will go and speak to Merlin Sire" He left his thoughts a total muddle. No it wasn't a love match but he couldn't bear to think of that young and happy young man dead for something that he couldn't help. He had always known his father was ambitious and hard but this just seemed to be a step to far. Uther had got everything he had wanted form the treaty and if he had missed anything it was because he knew he had gained more, and had wanted the Gangani King to sign before he realised that the trade deal was one sided. After all the corn and timber was hardly worth the same as all the weapons and the boats Camelot was getting. Arthur knew that Balinor realised that, but was willing to allow that if Merlin was happy, something Uther would never understand.