After Arthur had thought things through he made his way back to his husband only to find that Uther had arranged for them all to attend a feast that evening since his daughter was leaving for the winter. He had even asked Gaius if Merlin could attend and been given a tentative yes, providing that Merlin didn't stay late and ate sensibly and didn't drink undiluted wine. Arthur wasn't best pleased but Merlin was looking forward to getting out of the room. As a precaution Merlin was surrounded by protection as they went to the main hall. Arthur and Balinor held his arm each side. Arthur was a very attentive husband throughout the evening. Uther still seemed to be keeping to his new attitude to Merlin and asked if there was anything he could do to help Merlin in anyway.
"After all you are carrying my grandchild"
Arthur seized the chance "There is as a matter of fact Sire, Merlin is greatly missing Aithusa and would like her company during the pregnancy"
Uther pursed his lips, then looking at Merlin and seeing the hope in the blue eyes replied "I see no reason why the creature couldn't visit." He turned to Balinor "Am I right in my belief that such a young dragon has no magic powers?"
Balinor gave a wry smile and not feeling any shame in lying to protect his youngest child said "That is essentially true. Dragons may be magical beasts but they use magic sparingly. As Aithusa is very young all her energy goes to growing. But her very presence will help Emrys to relax, they have a strong bond."
Uther chose to take this at face value and agreed Gwaine smiled "In that case as I am leaving tomorrow I will arrange for her to arrive."
Camelot's King seemed to relax at that news "That will be satisfactory I had no idea you were leaving so soon."
"My son needs to return with me here our Kingdom needs its Crown Prince, We will stay for a week before returning, just to make sure Emrys is fully recovered" Balinor wanted to make it clear he would not be rushing off.
Agravaine choose to ask "Sire I find it strange that you continue to refer to Merlin as Emrys, surely she is a Pendragon now"
Balinor turned to the other man and replied sharply "Emrys is a title as well as a name. My youngest child will carry that title until death along with the title of the Pure One. It is a title from the Gods and not to be cast aside. Only the very closest family and loved ones may refer to Emrys by the name you use so openly and freely, please remember that! I am sure that in company you always call your Crown Prince by his title as a mark of respect Emrys deserves no less" Balinor was clearly cross that Agravaine called Merlin by name in a crowded hall.
Agravaine realising his error and not wanting to antagonise the visiting King bowed his head "I apologise your Majesty I meant no offence"
"I rather think you did" Balinor retorted "But as guests of your King I will overlook your rudeness this once"
Morgana glared at Merlin as if it was his fault "Your Majesty Lord Agravaine IS a member of Camelot's Royal family and as my husband is surely allowed to use your daughter name."
"In public your husband calls you Princess Morgana, I just demand the same curtesy for Emrys nothing more."
King Uther seeing an international incident or coldness developing decided to stop further comment "You have our apologise King Balinor, all my family and court will take heed of your comments and ensure such an oversight does not happen again. Now I feel we should offer a toast and say thanks that my unborn grandchild is safe as is Emrys."
The toast was drank and the conversation went onto safer topics. As Morgana whispered to her husband "Take care you fool, we need to pick our battles with care."
Agravaine looked at his wife in disgust "You bow down and grovel just like the rest if you want the crown you have to be strong" he hissed back
"You have to be careful and plan your battles not make yourself and plans obvious you fool!" she hissed back "We need to take over without them realising what we intend. Do not underestimate the Gangani or Uther, do as I say and watch your mouth"
She looked up to see Gwaine watching them with undisguised interest, he smirked at Morgana glared at him, then he bowed his head in a mocking way before talking to his father. "Sire they will cause problems"
Balinor smiled and speaking in Gangani said "I know, why do you think you are going to send Tristian to Tintagel when you get back, he has family there and can keep an eye out. Also send Mab that little minx can have fun, she likes nothing better than too look into people's hearts for their deepest wishes and dreams"
Replying in the same way Gwaine grinned at his father "The little fairy, I think you have a soft spot for her mischief. As for Tristian he will enjoy the trip I know he was hoping to go back to continue his dalliance with Isolde"
"Isolde will make him a good wife. Her parents are dead now and I hear she is ready to leave her brother's house" Balinor told his son. "Remember son when your time comes to be King, use your people in a way they wish to be used. You get more from them that way. Also always keep an ear on other Kingdoms as well as your enemy's. Morgause will be trouble she has been planning something for a long time. Another reason to use Mab, she hates Morgause" Then reverting to Camelot's tongue he turned to Arthur. "You will enjoy being a father but having a pregnant partner can be fraught with difficulties, remember never in any way refer to your spouse as fat and agree with everything, Is that not right King Uther"
Uther looked up from where he had been talking to Hunith, the Gangani Queen had been keeping Uther occupied as her husband and son had been talking. "Indeed. No disrespect to the ladies but it is a dangerous time for men, better to keep busy elsewhere when possible until nearer the date."
Hunith looked at her youngest son "Don't listen to them dear, they don't have to go through it. Listen to someone who has gone through it, make sure Prince Arthur rubs your back and feet when needed. And don't let your husband forget that he is responsible"
The next morning Morgana and her husband said farewell to their son Morgana took her son to one side "Son you must not disappoint me, remember YOU are the true heir to the King, one day you will be King. You must keep faith with this. Your Uncle is weak and unfit to rule. Use this time well, study hard and make sure you speak to your Grandfather every day. Impress him with your knowledge and sense of duty."
Mordred looked at his mother and knew better than to admit he didn't want to be King "Yes Mother" he said dutifully as he kissed her cheek. Within the hour the couple had headed out with a guard. Morgana had already spoken to Sophia and Valiant and given them their instructions and hoped they would be carried out to the letter. She trusted the pair to write and let her know exactly what was happening. But Sophia was less than pleased at being left as a child minder. The spying part was no problem but she didn't like children. So it wasn't hard for Mordred to escape Sophia and run to Arthur and Merlin's chambers the minute his parents were gone, he was determined to speak to his uncle.
Mordred ran along the corridor but when he saw Percy standing outside the Princes chambers he stopped running and made himself walk up to the knight. He like Percy the large knight had always been kind to him. Stopping by the door he looked up at Percy "Sir Knight I wish to speak to my Uncle the Crown Prince"
Percy smiled down at the small boy "I will ask Sire"
Percy knocked on the door and hearing Arthur opened it "Sire Prince Mordred would like to speak to you, may he enter?" he didn't let Mordred see the big grin on this face.
Arthur looked up from where he was sitting with Merlin having the breakfast "Of course let him in" Arthur stood up and walked away from the table to collect another chair for his nephew.
Mordred walked in and smiled at Arthur and Merlin "I hope you don't mind but I wanted to see you before you went training" he looked at this Uncle his best pleading face on "Sire would you let me train with you, only I am getting to big to train as I am, only I want to be a knight when I am old enough" he paused and looked at Arthur before blurting out "Mother wants me to study all the time so I can be King but I don't want that. I want to look after you son when he is born, I want to be his first knight like Sir Leon is to you"
Arthur looked at Merlin before looking back at his nephew. "I see no reason why not, but you still need to study hard"
Merlin added "We might have a Princess and not a Prince" he said with a grin. "But we would love for you to be our child's friend. You are a good person"
"Sit down young man and eat with us." Arthur looked at his nephew "You need to study because one day you might be King, you are in line and even if you are not if you are first knight you will need to advise the King. I know how hard it is I hated it and when you are your age you don't realise the need, but it is important"
Mordred tried to act sensibly and show his Uncle how grown up he was. He sat down and together they finished the meal. Merlin looked at the young man and felt a connection with him, he was after all closer in age to him that Arthur was, there being only six years difference. "Aithusa is coming to stay with me soon, would you like to get to know her?"
Mordred looked excited then remembered "I would love to but Mother has left Lady Sophia and Sir Valiant in charge of me and they may not let me." He admitted sorrowfully.
Arthur smiled "That's alright leave them to me. I outrank the pair of them. As to your training I am in charge of all knight training anyway. As for seeing Aithusa we will think of a reason for you to spend time with Merlin that won't get you in trouble. But you best go back now, I will send for you later for your sword practice say nothing and leave that to me"
Mordred stood up hero worship in his eyes as he looked at his Uncle "Thank you Sire" with that he was gone.
"He is a good boy, don't let him get in trouble Arthur, I don't trust Sophia or Valiant. In fact he gives me the creeps" Merlin said.
Arthur looked at Merlin sharply "Has he said anything to you?"
"No but it's how he looks at me. I just don't trust him. Sophia is a bitch I am sure they will be sending Morgana reports while she is gone." Merlin admitted.
"Don't worry my love, I will think of something, as to Valliant I think he is due a long patrol, in the opposite direction than Tintagel." He grinned. "As to Sophia with Morgana not here you will be manager of the castle without being watched by my sister. Can't you think of something?"
Merlin grinned "Well for the first two weeks she can keep my mother company, they will be here that long at least"
"I wouldn't wish that on your mother" Arthur protested.
"You don't know my mother! Queen Hunith may seem gentle and kind but she had a hard core, after all she keeps my father under control" Merlin grinned. "She might even stay behind once father leaves. You know mother can be a very demanding woman if she wants to be"