Mordred hadn't known what to expect when he felt Merlin's baby kicking, but he was amazed and stunned. Even later that night when he went to bed he continued to think about it, it had been a wonderful thing to him. And somehow it made him feel a connection with the baby. Like they were meant to be together. That night he dreamt of a boy with Merlin's blue eyes and his uncle's blonde hair. Mordred himself was a knight and was the young prince's protector and friend. When he woke up in the morning he was convinced that was his role in life and he swore to himself that he would make sure no harm came to the baby inside Merlin. Then he remembered suspicion that his own mama and papa wanted the baby and Merlin dead. He shuddered and later as he walked along the corridor he saw Merlin outside with Arthur and as he watched them he whispered "Somehow I will keep you safe little one" He had a real since of purpose and as he trained with Sir Leon that day he impressed his master.

"You are doing well Mordred, you have real fire in your belly. Keep this up and you will rival Prince Arthur one day" The knight told him "But now we need to teach you other things. Using your sword is good but you must also know how to look after it and your armour, which is our next lesson"

Mordred followed Leon to the armoury, they spent the next couple of hours polishing. Leon smiled at his charge. He had a good idea who had put his name forward and was pleased. Mordred would be his first squire in training and an honour to have a royal. He had also been pleased with the youngster's efforts. Not having been a page, something Mordred would have already gone through had he not been a Prince, the whole thing was new to the boy and although it was early days Leon was impressed "Once we have finished this we need to take my chain mail to the blacksmith to have a repair made. I will introduce you, but after today it will be your responsibility, as will looking out for damage to both my and your armour and weapons"

The next few weeks saw Mordred go to bed every night aching and bone tired but happy. He was still able to see Merlin and Aithusa so he felt he could keep an eye on Merlin and his baby. Arthur had gradually been taking Merlin out for fresh air when the weather was clement enough. The warlock had been going stir crazy staying indoors. If it was wet or to cold Arthur walked with Merlin round the corridors for mild exercise. Everyone was preparing for the Yule celebrations and the castle was abuzz. When the day came Arthur gave Merlin two gifts the first was a real surprise to Merlin when he opened the box.

"I realise you are not a girl, but if I didn't give you it questions would have been asked." It was a necklace of ruby's, sapphires and emeralds. All gems that protected the wearer gold from all manner of ills "Both my grandmother and mother were given at Yule in the year of their first pregnancy to protect them and the chid they were carrying." Arthur looked embarrassed "If you do not wear it, it will cause offense and suspicion"

"Then I shall wear it" Merlin said "It is a thing of beauty and Gangani also understand the protective properties of the jewels"

Arthur handed him another gift "This one is more practical" he handed Merlin a long thin box.

Once opened Merlin gasped "It is beautiful"

Inside was a dagger its handle was also incrusted with Ruby's and Emeralds they had been carefully set to allow the handle to be smooth and easy on the hand. "I know you already have a beautiful knife but.."

"Thank you so much, it is just the right size." With that he lifted up this trouser leg and took a dagger from a hidden sheath in his boot, then he slide the new one in"

Arthur lifted an eyebrow "How many more do you have?" he asked "And how come I didn't know about that one"

"Let a lady have her secret's please" Merlin smirked in rely as he handed Arthur a small leather purse "No weapons for you but I hope you will wear this"

Arthur took out a leather cord with a golden pendant in the shape of a Merlin with a ruby eye. "I have also enchanted it to give you protection, it won't stop every spell but should cover all the more common ones. And it's manly enough to you to wear"

Arthur placed it around his neck "Wear the necklace at the feast tonight, then perhaps you can get away without wearing it most of the time, it is rather showy. He placed his ancestral piece round Merlin's neck where it hung over the high collar he always wore.

Merlin chuckled "Now I will need a guard just to stop it being stolen"

"You will have me at your side my love"

The feast went well and everyone seemed to enjoy it, Queen Hunith made a point of mentioning the necklace which made Merlin blush. But it seemed to please Uther, who was pleasant all evening. Merlin and Arthur managed to escape fairly early citing the need for Merlin to get his rest, he was now showing a large bump and it was no lie to say he was tired. His feet ached as did his back.

The next morning they woke to find a blanket of snow over the ground and winter had set in with a vengeance. Training was limited to indoors with dummies so Mordred was kept busy learning all the other 'knights' duties. He hadn't escaped studying as he now had the knight's code to study as well as battle tactics. But he had maintained his enthusiasm and everyone was pleased with him. His Grandfather asked him to visit one day, which terrified the boy, he thought he must have done something wrong. Uther was not known to spend much time with his grandson.

As Mordred went into the Kings chambers he tried to hide his fear. Uther watched him as he walked in "Sit down boy I won't eat you!"

Mordred sat stiff as a board as Uther looked at him "I hear you are doing well in your new duties, you have impressed both the Crown Prince and Sir Leon." Uther paused "I know your mother has …hopes.. that you might one day rule but I hope you realise that is not likely to occur"

Mordred nodded his voice had seized up. "So what is YOUR ambition, and I mean yours and not your mothers" Uther demanded.

Mordred swallowed and his voice squeakier than he would have liked he spoke "I hope one day to be a full knight Sire, I want to be the new Princes guard and protector"

Uther looked at his grandson "That's if it is a Prince" the paused "Why?"

"Sire I don't want to be King, I mean it would be an honour but I want to be a knight! Politics bore me Sire" Mordred stuttered "I have tried to tell mother but she won't listen nor will papa" Mordred hoped he hadn't said the wrong thing but it was true.

Uther snorted "You have a point, but even as a Knight you will be involved in politics especially if you intend to be the next Princes personal bodyguard. He will need an advisor and it is always best to have a family member in that post, especially on older cousin who doesn't have an eye on the throne" Uther stood and walked round before stopping behind Mordred "You may change your mind yet you are young and sword play always seems better than rule, I thought that at your age"

Mordred kept silent not knowing what to say, as the silence dragged on he spoke "I won't Sire. I may only be eleven but I have never wanted the crown!"

"Then I hope it stays that way, converting something that is not yours could get you executed for treason. Something your parents would do well to keep in mind" a hand came down on Mordred's shoulder making him jump. "Remember Mordred to beware of sorcery, it is evil and corrupts the soul of those who practice it. I know you have become attached to that beast. But whilst at the moment it is innocent it WILL become evil. Harden your heart for one day it will have to be killed, and you may be called on to kill it, after all it allows you to get close. Remember what I say, do not believe for one moment that anyone or thing that uses sorcery can be trusted" Uther sat back down "You have pleased me with your answers, continue the good work"

That was clearly a dismissal so Mordred got up, bowed and left the room his mind in turmoil. He loved Aithusa and didn't want her killed, he wondered if he should warm Merlin. But if he did and the King found out what would happen….. Growing up was proving a problem and one he needed to think about, his responsibilities and loyalties were already being tested to the full and he had yet to reach his twelfth birthday.

...

Poor Mordred and teenagers today think they have problems