Sorry for the delay, life got in the way

...

George and Freya arrived with a tray each full of all sorts of treats, putting them on the table Freya turned and grinned at Merlin "I think the cook wants to fatten you up."

"Help yourself Freya, you as well George we will never eat all that!" Merlin snorted

"You eat first, we will have what's left." Freya reassured her master before turning to George "There has to be some perks to looking after these two"

George looked mortified "The honour of serving the Crown Prince is enough"

Freya laughed "Loosen up George and we will share the food."

George looked at Arthur "Go ahead George, unless you don't want to. But don't waste it. If you don't want it find a family in the lower town to share it with" Arthur smiled at Merlin before adding "Once we have eaten I want a bath prepared, by the fire."

The couple ate as much as they could before George brought up the hot water and Freya got the bath out. Giving a knowing smirk she moved the dressing screen between the door and the bath. Arthur helped her after commenting to Merlin "This girl is far to knowing for her own good"

Once the bath was full Arthur shooed the servants out of the room with the remaining food and turned and helped Merlin out of his clothes before stripping himself. Then picking Merlin up, he carried him over to the bath and placed him in the hit water. "Now shove up, I will get in behind you"

Within moments Merlin was led back against Arthur's chest as the blonde washed his lover, taking care over the bruised areas, they relaxed until the water started to cool. The Arthur got out dried himself and then lifted Merlin out and helped dry him. They had just dressed when Balinor, Hunith and Gwaine arrived. Merlin was sat in a chair by the fire and Arthur had called for the bath to be emptied.

"Glad to see you looking better Merlin" Balinor told his son. "You need to be careful, I know this wasn't an accident. And Gaius has told me he doesn't want you to use your powers but better to use them than get yourself and your child killed." He looked at the two men "I think you should know we know who it was. Or at least have a damn good idea. I know you won't like it but I have warned her off"

Arthur looked at Balinor and said angrily "You should have come to me with your thoughts. It is my right to deal with this. The perpetrator needs to be stopped…Who is it?"

Balinor looked at Arthur with sympathy "It was better I did, were you aware your sister is a seer and recently has awakened other magical powers. As yet she is limited but she has the potential to be very strong."

Arthur looked shocked "Are you sure?"

"I am or I wouldn't have said anything. I can sense others magic once it reaches a certain level. Hers has grown as I didn't sense it on our last visit. With her ambitions this could get very dangerous she will bear watching, although I have warned her off" Balinor looked at his son in law "It will be hard on you, she is kin after all."

"At least she will be gone over winter, her and Agravaine are traveling to their estates at Tintagel" Arthur informed Balinor.

"That might not be so good" Gwaine interjected "The High Priestess Morgause has been there for a few months. We wondered why she had chosen Tintagel."

"Morgana only decided recently" Arthur protested "Coincidence, she wouldn't go that far"

"Arthur right father" Merlin added

Gwaine laughed and Hunith looked at her son "I'm sorry my son, but you have always had to kind a heart. Your father and brother wouldn't be telling you unless they were sure."

"I realise Arthur that you don't wish to think the worse of your sister, but Morgause doesn't travel without reason, she is an evil woman. We at Gangani have crossed her in the past. She is more than willing to use the dark arts" Balinor added "You will have to be vigilant, especially having Merlin's powers limited. She clearly wants the babe and Merlin dead" the king then looked at his son "But Merlin, you also need to make sure you are not stressed you have a babe to think of now. King Uther seems to have mellowed towards you, use that to get him to allow Aithusa back. With her about you will at least have some magical protection. I doubt he will allow your brother to stay. And anyway he needs to be at Gangani, he is the Crown Prince after all."

Arthur walked out the room and up to the ramparts he needed to think things through and for that he needed to be alone. Merlin saw him go and stopped Gwaine following him. "Leave him. Let him think things through" Merlin wished he could follow but knew that would be stupid. "He will come back when he is ready"

Arthur found a quiet spot and looked out across the countryside deep in thought. It wasn't such a jump to believe that his sister would want to kill Merlin and the babe. After all she had never hidden the fact she wanted Mordred to have the crown. If he was honest he knew she would kill him of she thought she could without repercussions. Yet he couldn't help but remember when they were children and how close they were. When had it all gone wrong and why hadn't he seen this coming. As he thought back to her nightmares that had plagued her and he upset she used to get, he was glad when they had stopped, about the same time as she had decided to marry Agravaine. The more he thought the more he remembered….. she often seemed to know what was going to happen and would get very upset and scared. But then if she did have magic she would have had every reason to be. She would have believed Uther would have killed her daughter or not. Could he have helped her if he had understood? Could he have stopped this?