After the feast Merlin was able to get out and about more as long as he was careful. He always had his knights with him and as likely as not Arthur as well. Although Arthur was more relaxed with his sister out of the way. He hated the thought that she might harm Merlin and the baby but was doing his best to be realistic. Merlin's mother spent most afternoons with him, although she didn't often take her Lady in Waiting with her, knowing as she did how Sophia rubbed her son up the wrong way. Also Aithusa had taken an extreme dislike to the Lady and was want to bite her.
What came as a surprise to everyone was Uther, he seemed to have changed his attitude totally to his 'daughter-in-law'. The thought of having another grandchild seemed to have softened his mood. Although no one was taking it for granted that this state of affairs would continue. But it certainly made Merlin's life easier. He did find the family meals a trial at times but with his friendly nature he relaxed more and more. It was Arthur who bore the brunt of the mood swings of his pregnant partner. But he to found an unexpected ally in his father who remembered how Ygraine had been through her pregnancy, but at the same time he was wary of his father's motives. But he took advantage of the status quo to ask something.
"Mordred is doing well in his training we need to give him to a knight as a squire."
Uther looked surprised "I suppose we do, he is growing fast, it might be best for us to wait for his parents to come back"
Arthur raised an eyebrow in a move he had got from Gaius "Why? Is that not the choice yours? Mordred needs to make a start as soon as possible and with the winter here it is a good time. It will allow his knight to teach him the basics before the spring patrols"
Uther looked at Arthur "You have clearly given this some thought, it hasn't escaped my notice how close to the boy you are, not sure his mother would approve"
"Well she ought to, I am the Crown Prince and he is my nephew. As to who, we have several good knights with no squire. But for temperament Sir Leon would suit the boy, he is also due a squire. He is from a good family and his loyalty is beyond reproach. But there are many others"
Uther chuckled "You are getting a political head on you at long last son, Sir Leon is one of your knights, I assume you are trying to make sure Mordred is steered towards loyalty to you rather than his mother's ambitions?" he paused "But at the same time Sir Leon is a very good knight with patience and of high enough rank to give Mordred's parents no obvious objections."
Uther looked across the courtyard "Your wife is yet to have a son, Mordred may yet be your successor, although he will not replace you in your life time, much as his mother might wish it. I have reared a viper in that one, but she has at least the Pendragon ambition"
"Even if we have a daughter this time Merlin is young enough to have many more children, remember father she is not yet eighteen." Arthur protested "It is too early to talk of who will be King in years to come"
"I will consider your comments about Mordred's position and inform you, please supply a list of all knights needing squires so I may consider them all." Uther picked up some papers "Now winter supplies" the subject was clearly closed and Arthur knew better than to push it.
Merlin was sat by the window one day as Mordred played with Aithusa and the boy hear Merlin gasp. He turned round quickly "Are you alright?" he asked, he had become very close to Merlin in the past months
Merlin smiled "Don't worry just the baby kicking extra hard" Merlin rubbed his belly to sooth the babe within.
Mordred looked puzzled he had realised that Merlin was carrying a small person in his belly and he had seen animals give birth so he wasn't totally ignorant but he didn't know babes moved before they were born. Merlin smiled at his puzzled face "Would you like to feel?"
As soon as Gwaine and his father had returned to Gangani Prince Gwaine called Tristian to see him, the knights parents were Tintagel born but had moved to Gangani before their son was born, but they still had family in the area. Gwaine as Crown Prince was responsible for all the knights and his father left such matters solely to him. Gwaine had far more power than Uther as Balinor had a very good relationship with his son and trusted him totally. The King also believed in letting his son slowly take power so that on his death his eldest son wouldn't be overwhelmed with responsibility.
"Tristian old friend it has come to my notice that you have not had the opportunity to visit your family recently, nor the lady who I know is in your heart" Gwaine leered at the later to tease his friend. "As we are not likely to face any invasions with winter fast approaching I give you leave to visit your parent's home country."
Tristian looked at Gwaine they had been friends for many years having grown up together and he knew the Prince to well. "I assume you have something you would like me to do while there?"
Gwaine grinned "Indeed I do, your old friend Morgause is in Tintagel as is Princess Morgana of Camelot, an evil bitch if ever I met one. Interestingly for the daughter of a magic hater she has some power. We believe her powers are growing and she has an eye on the throne of Camelot." He looked at his friend who was also a good friend of Merlin's. "We believe she may have used said magic to make Merlin fall down a flight of stairs in an attempt to kill him and the child he is carrying"
"Is he and his babe alright? Did not Emrys sense it?" He was shocked he knew the power that the pure one had, after all he had been one of her Guard before she left.
"He is fine as is his babe but as he is pregnant and his powers are being used elsewhere. He cannot use his magic freely at the moment." Gwaine admitted. Tristian was fully aware of Merlin's true sex, something not hidden in Gangani, but more because of his ability to carry a child, Merlin had always been referred to in endogenous terms, something easy to do with his titles.
"Father would like you to take Mab with you, her talents might be useful" Gwaine grinned, the knight was only one of a few humans that Mab considered her friends. It would make the trip interesting as well as hopefully productive. She could spot the fear in any human's heart without even trying, and as a spirit could come and go as she pleased. "It will also get her out of my hair"
Tristian grinned "It's been ages since I have had time to spend much time with Mab, can I tell her?" Tristian knew of all the people Mab hated Morgause was top of the list. Then Tristian let out a snort "You shouldn't have upset Mab then she wouldn't have put out that reward for whoever cuts of your hair! Who else but you would have that as a fear?"
"You tell her by all means, then I won't have to see her. You know one morning I expect to wake up bald and find she has come into my room at night, especially now Emrys has gone" Gwaine touched his hair as if expecting it gone.
"You're safe she promised Emrys she would leave it, and you know she loves your brother more than anyone, even me" Tristian looked upset at the later "How does he do it? Get everyone to like him"
"Dunno mate but it hasn't worked with Uther or Morgana" the Prince admitted "Anyway go when you can and get there before the winter sets in, take a boat and crew and bring Isolde back with you" He looked at his friend and then got serious "Find out what you can, take the raven messengers with you, the Pure One's life might depend on what you find out. I would go but she knows me. Watch that husband of hers he's a slimy one. I recon he would turn on his own wife if he thought it would benefit him, a right pair they are, made for each other. Yet their son is a good sort as long as they don't corrupt him"
"I'll use my usual cover, smuggler and trader. I will pinch some of your best water of life with me" Tristian smiled "That should get me an in to the castle"
The water of life was a fermented distilled brew that the region was famous for. "That's fine but make sure you bring ma some cider back!" Gwaine said with a grin.
"You traitor to your people" Tristian told him "You and your apples, they will be the death of you one day."
"But what a death" Gwaine laughed then seriously added "Take care my friend and look after yourself"