Arthur reported to his father, the King was not best amused at what had happened but could find no fault in the outcome but one "So why bring the widow here? She will be out for revenge and cause problems."

"No she won't father, Kendrick abused her, she was very unhappy. Anyway she is going to be Lady in Waiting to Merlin. I have no doubt she will be loyal, and the family will pay her an allowance" Arthur reassured his father.

"That was your wife's idea I suppose? Did we have no noble women here that could fill the post? Lady Sophia perhaps?"

"Lady Sophia is Morgana's second Lady as well you know, that would never have worked. Anyway since when did you ever worry about the women's domestic arrangements" changing the subject Arthur added "I have included a patrol to the area every month just to keep an eye on the situation. We can't risk instability on the border"

They continued to discuss the patrols for the next hour. Then as Arthur left his father he was accosted by his sister. "Arthur Pendragon will you control that wife of yours!"

Arthur smiled at his sister "What is the matter now?"

"She had thrown Lady Sophia out of her rooms and made her move. Her and her husband have had those rooms for three years!" Morgana screeched "I went to see your wife and she refused to us another room"

Arthur smiled at the thought of Merlin putting his foot down. "When you moved them there I told you if I married they would need to move. Merlin has her own Lady in Waiting now. I'm sure Sophia and Valliant will get over it" Arthur said "Deal with it Morgana, Merlin was within her rights"

"Why Lady Drea? She knows nothing of the court at Camelot, if Merlin had wanted a Lady in Waiting I could have suggested one"

"I think you will find Merlin has her own ideas and likes Morgana. I wish you would try to get on with Merlin. You can't blame her for me being Crown Prince, I know you wanted Mordred to have the title but it was mine by birth right"

Morgana went puce with anger "No you are wrong it should have been mine! I am the eldest!" Morgana spat out.

Arthur looked at his sister with pity "Not this old argument, you know the son takes precedence. A woman would never hold a Kingdom together. Don't let this ruin your life Morgana, nor that of your son. It will get you nowhere. Now if you don't mind I need a bath and change it has been a long few weeks." He went to walk away but turned back "Morgana don't take your animosity out on my spouse, hurt Merlin and I will never forgive you. You cannot win this fight accept it"

"Never, my son will have his birth right even if I can't, He will sit on the throne of Camelot" Morgana turned and left her brother. Arthur in turn frowned, he wished there was some way to make his sister see sense. For years they had been the best of friends until this fixation came between them. It had got worse after she had married Agravaine and Arthur fully believed his uncle had manipulated his sister's resentment and made it flair up. But he also thought it was his father's suggestion that Mordred be the heir, if he did not marry, that had finally made his sister become so fixated. She had had the possibility of ruling through her son dangled in her face. Now he would have to take care and watch the pair and warn Merlin against trusting them.

Merlin was pleased he had managed to bring Drea away from where she was so unhappy. It also helped that the new Lady in Waiting got on with Freya despite their difference in station. Drea knew her duties were to be companion to Merlin but wondered just what other things Merlin would want her to do. "I am not used to Court Princess, I am sorry to be so ignorant"

Merlin laughed "I am not used to this court either, but as Freya will tell you I am perfectly capable of looking after myself. To keep my husband happy Freya collects my meals and cleans the rooms with George, Arthur's manservant, and helps me dress if necessary. You can do whatever you like. The King doesn't like me leaving the castle without permission but we can go riding and down to the market if he agrees. Do you ride?"

"I do, although I haven't for several years."

"Then we shall ride. I will also teach you to throw a dagger if you like! Although we best not tell Arthur, he might not approve. Your family are also at court so I understand feel free to visit them. I won't need you to be with me all the time. I love to read and spend time in the library as well as with Gaius the Court Physician, I have always had an interest in healing." Merlin looked awkward before he said "I am not interested in fashion and dress's preferring my own style, but if you wish to sew and embroider I have no objection if you do it here"

Merlin wondered if he would ever be able to share his true gender and magic with his new friend, but knew for now he couldn't. The two spent the next few weeks getting to know one another and became friends. Arthur was busy with training and council sessions but Drea soon learnt that if he found time to come to the chambers in the day she was advised to disappear. As the couple clearly had a healthy relationship. But it didn't take the new Lady in Waiting long to find out that Merlin's relationship with the Princess Morgana was less than friendly and that the King often seemed less than enthused with the match. Which confused her as she had understood the King had brokered the betrothal. She asked Freya one day "Has Emrys upset the King in anyway?"

Freya smiled "I think Emrys is too independent he disapproves of the Pure Ones wish to go on patrols with Prince Arthur. Also the King was less than happy with the Crown Prince Gwaine when he was here. The Gangani are not like the nobles from this Kingdom"

"Perhaps he will be warmer once Merlin is with child" Drea hoped it was true as she wanted to see Merlin happy. At the same time Drea learned to watch out for Morgana's ladies and made an effort to know what was going on. Drea had learnt from her previous life that servants were always good to have on your side and has soon gained the respect of many of the castles staff. She could cope with Sophia, after all she had live for years with an abusive husband. Valliant gave her the creeps but she had little to do with him.

Once Merlin was back he made an effort to be friendly with Mordred, he hadn't been able to allow him to spend time with Aithusa but he liked the boy and hoped that if he showed him friendship Morgana might thaw. But when Morgana found out her son was becoming friendly with Merlin she stepped in and stopped further meetings telling him "She is using you Mordred nothing more, don't be a nuisance and bother her. Remember any children she has will stop you having your rightful place as a future King. I have heard she calls you a snivelling brat behind your back."

Mordred as always wanted to please his mother so stopped trying to visit Merlin. It was just after this happened the Merlin became unwell. They had had a feast to celebrate the Kings name day and the next morning Merlin felt poorly, he was nauseous with severe stomach cramps. A worried Arthur called Gaius, who immediately tested Merlin for various poisons and put him on strict bedrest. "Make sure everything Merlin eats is plain and easily digested." He told a worried Arthur.

Arthur immediately told Freya that she was the only one to bring food to Merlin. "If someone is trying to poison Merlin I want to make sure they have no access."

The sickness continued as did stomach cramps they were so bad sometimes Merlin couldn't stand. Arthur was beside himself and Gaius was visiting several times a day. The Merlin started to spike a temperature. Gaius had books out everywhere until one day he found what he was looking for. He went to see Merlin and Arthur together. "Sire I have made an error that has caused you some distress and I apologise. I have discovered what is wrong with Merlin"

"Can it be cured" Arthur demanded as he heal Merlin hand.

Gaius had a strange look on his face "Not as such Sires, you see Merlin is pregnant, I think he is in the very early stages and his body is adapting. The pains are due to his magic causing a womb to grow inside him and adapt to keeping the baby alive. If I am right he became pregnant the very evening he fell ill so to speak"

Arthur and Merlin looked at each other and broke out in smiles. Then Arthur asked "Merlin isn't seventeen yet is it safe for her"

"Sire it's a bit late to be asking that don't you think?" he smiled at Arthur expression "I do know how pregnancy works you know! You know as well as I do that many women have children before Merlin's age. The danger is that he is a male not his age." The physician looked at Merlin "No using your magic, for anything, for a few months at least. Your body has many changes to go through. I want you to rest. Lift nothing and let Freya and Lady Drea do everything for you. As to your illness I suggest we tell the court it is an extreme form of morning sickness, it's as near the truth as we dare."

Arthur nodded "Is there anything I can do?"

"Merlin needs to be kept as free from stress as possible in these early stages. Might I also suggest that relations between you both stop until the worst of the symptoms have passed. I will send up a herbal mix for tea that might help but only use what I send nothing else as some herbs could be dangerous. A warmed cloth over the area might help as well. But most of all both of you enjoy this time as much as you can and congratulations" Gaius smiled "And Merlin write to your mother, but please don't call you magic messengers, NO magic remember not even your shield for this room"

"How did you know about that?" Merlin asked

"Merlin I may be getting old but I am not senile. Whenever I arrive there is no sound coming from this room not even murmured conversation. You have your two knights let them do what they are paid for and protect you. I don't suppose anyone can listen in with them standing at the door"

After Gaius left the couple hugged each other in happiness. "You must do as you are told my love" Arthur told Merlin "Promise me you will take no risks"

"I will be bored out of my mind but it will be a small price to pay for giving you a child. But I hope I never have to listen to Gaius talking about sex again!" Merlin smiled

"I agree, not something I want to think about too much. Now do we tell the King? You are very early" Arthur asked

"I think we do, but ask him not to announce it, you could say Gaius believes I am but it is early days." Merlin looked thoughtful "Perhaps he will be warmer to me if he thinks I am carrying your child"

"You are right of course, but I will ask him not to say anything until the danger of your extreme morning sickness has passed" Arthur smiled once more "My clever wife" he hugged him once more "Freya and Drea will need to know of course"

Merlin laughed "You call me clever but I think you had something to do with the baby!"

"I may have but you are the magic one" Arthur sat with a grin as large as his face could take. Then as Merlin's face winced in pain his grin disappeared "My poor love, it is you that has to suffer."