In the morning Arthur tried to get up without disturbing Merlin but the younger man woke anyway, so they breakfasted together. Mab arrived just as they finished "I have told Tristian what we planned and he is in agreement. He is going to go back to meet up with Gwaine on the coast where a boat is waiting. I am going to stay here"

Arthur frowned "Where exactly?"

Mab rolled her eyes "Here you fool, I am tiny you have more than enough room for me and I will sleep in the cupboard so you two can kiss and cuddle in private" Mab looked at Merlin "Is he always this dense because if he is I worry that our plans will not work"

Arthur looked affronted "I was thinking more of keeping you a secret!"

"Oh that's no problem" with that Mab disappeared and a disembodied voice said "No one can see me like this" before she reappeared again. "Although I will keep out of sight if the witch is about. Does she ever come up here?"

"Morgause? I have never met her so why should she come to my rooms" Arthur said puzzled

"He is thick I knew he was! No you idiot I meant Morgana your sister!" Mab rolled her eyes once more. "Please try and keep up"

"MAB! Behave or you cannot stay" Merlin protested then looking at Arthur "Ignore her she can be a bit obnoxious when she wants to be. That's why she argues with Gwaine so much"

Arthur still looked put out "I don't expect that sort of treatment in my own rooms"

"Why not I expect Merlin tells you off" Mab said grinning

"What Merlin does or does not do is none of your business" Arthur told the grinning Mab.

"Ignore her Arthur she is winding you up" Merlin looked at her friend "I mean it Mab, Arthur is to be treated with respect! He is my husband after all and the once and future King"

Mab screwed up her nose and pretended to think "Oh ok" she grinned "But he does wind up well" then all of a sudden Mab became serious "Take care you two I would hate to see either of you get hurt, and Merlin look after my nephew"

Arthur's eyebrows shot up horrified "There's another of you!"

"No you mutton head, the baby of course" Mab said then she disappeared as George walked in with Freya to clear away the breakfast and help the pair get ready for the day. Arthur was soon off to training and Freya helped Merlin have a bath and dress, Mab materialised and sat on the edge of the bath, she knew Freya well.

"You are huge Merlin" she commented

"Thanks for that! I would never have known if you hadn't told me" Merlin grumbled as he stood up and dried himself off. Once dry and in his smalls Freya helped Merlin with the rest of his clothes. Then as Mab disappeared again Drea walked in and they sat and chatted. Merlin sent the lady in waiting off to the market as he had to attend a meeting with the King. Uther had made it clear he expected to see his 'daughter' once a day unless indisposed. With Morgana being back Merlin knew the lunchtime meeting would include the Princess and her husband. He was not looking forward to it at all. Arthur arrived to change and escort Merlin down to the family dining hall. Merlin took Arthur's arm to help stabilise himself as he walked and Lancelot followed behind. With Morgana back everyone was on full alert.

Part one of the plan had started. Merlin and Arthur would maintain friendly relations with Arthur's sister to try to lull her into a sense of false security. As they didn't know exactly what Morgause and Morgana were planning they needed to be careful. Everyone else was already there when they made their entrance to the private dining room. There would be a full feast that night to welcome the Princess back to Camelot so this was just a light meal so the family could catch up. Morgana and Agravaine were sat in their places with Mordred by his mother. Uther smiled at Merlin as they entered "How are you Merlin? Feeling well I hope?"

This friendly comment made Morgana's eyebrow rise. This was friendlier than she had expected, clearly things had changed since she had left. She knew Uther had been thawing towards Arthur's wife but this…

"I will be glad when I hold my baby in my arms" Merlin said with a smile

"Yes you are a bit large and waddling like a duck" Morgana said sarcastically looking at Merlin's baby bump

"I'm sure you can remember from your pregnancy" Merlin bit back, as Arthur glared at his sister.

"I like Merlin like this" Arthur said looking at his sister

"I'm sure you do" Morgana looked at her father "How has Mordred been doing with his studies and training?" it was clear she wanted to change the subject away from the soon to be prospect of another person on the way pf her son inheriting the throne.

"Well, he has made good progress as Sir Leon's squire" Uther told her

"I had hoped for Sir Valliant to train Mordred you knew this so why was it changed?" Morgana said trying to keep her temper.

Uther looked at his daughter "The selection of squires is my prerogative, Sir Valliant is rather short tempered for the post and anyway he has been away gaining experience in the field, he has not been on long term patrols. Sir Leon has the temperament suited for the job and the two match well" The King explained, something everyone was surprised at. He normally hated his decisions questioned. "You should be proud of your son, one day he will make a fine knight"

That made Morgana angry, her son was supposed to have the crown! She looked at Merlin and Arthur before saying bitterly "He may yet be heir after all their child may be a girl and we all know a girl cannot inherit"

"Your continued yearning does you no credit daughter. Even if this child is female Arthur and Merlin have ears ahead of them" he looked at Mordred "You would do well not to listen to your mothers ambitions boy, no good can come of craving what is not yours"

Mordred looked uncomfortable but wisely kept quiet. But Arthur felt no such need "He will make an excellent first knight and counsel I am sure. Sir Leon says he shows great promise in both his sword work and his understanding of both the Knights code and diplomacy."

Mordred looked pleased with the praise but kept his head down. Merlin deciding to take pity on the young man looked at Morgana and Agravaine "I hope you had a good stay and your journeys were pleasant."

Agravaine spoke for the first time "We did, it is always good to go home, although we both missed both court and our son. But there is a need to keep an eye on things. Next time we go perhaps we will be permitted to take our son to see his heritage"

"Perhaps" Uther said "But he has duties here he is growing fast"

Morgana muttered so the Merlin could hear "He's not the only one"

"It must have been nice to catch up with old friends" Merlin said pointedly referring to Morgause.

"It was although of course Morgana knows so few as this has always been her home" Agravaine pointed out. "But the change of pace was pleasant. Maybe you should consider a stay in the country" he asked Merlin

Merlin gave a smile that didn't reach his eyes "I have in the past in Gangani, but my place now is with my husband at that means Camelot" Merlin was feeling uncomfortable as the baby was kicking him hard, his back hurt and he just wanted to get back to his rooms.

"When is your mother going back to her husband?" Morgana asked "As she seems to have acquired the services of one of my Ladies in Waiting"

"I am sure my mother will have no objection to her return, as to her return both Kings are happy for her to stay to see her grandchild born." Merlin looked down at his belly "And that won't be long now, in fact I do believe he is trying to kick his way out"

Uther looked at his daughter "You have three Ladies and left one behind it was I who allocated her to Queen Hunith. You really are getting petty Morgana I suggest you stop" he stood up. "I have eaten enough" Looking at Morgana "I hope the conversation at the feast will be more convivial "

With that the meal broke up everyone made their way back to their own rooms. "Did you hear her talking about the unborn brat as if she knew it was male? I swear neither will live much longer" Morgana spat out the minute they were in their chambers

Agravaine looked uncomfortable "Keep your voice down! Do you want us to be executed?"

"We just as well be if this doesn't work out, just make sure everything goes as plan tonight, I want this sorted first attempt." Morgana looked at her husband "She will have the brat soon then it will be harder."

"I don't know as much, did you see how your brother was watching everything. It won't be easy" he protested

"Nothing in life is" came the reply.

The feast that night was a large one, Arthur suspected more because Uther had not had an excuse to hold one for a while rather than because Morgana was back. The couple had both changed yet again although Merlin complained he was now reduced to wearing what he described at tents. As they left this time both Lancelot and Percy followed. They would stay nearby though out the feast. Arthur was sat to Uther's right with Merlin at his side, Morgana's normal place at his left was taken by Queen Hunith as she clearly outranked a Princess. Morgana by default found herself sitting next to the Queen with Agravaine next to her. Morgana was pleased with the arrangement as it gave her a far better alibi for what she had planned. She presented her father with a gift of wine from Tintagel. Enough for all of the high table to have some. She asked Morris, Uther's manservant to poor it. Merlin declined saying he wasn't drinking

"It upsets me at the moment" he explained

"This won't it's very good for the stomach just try a little bit" Morgana insisted

Not wanting to cause a fuss Merlin did as asked having no more than half a goblet and drinking it slowly. The feast on the whole went better than the private meal earlier but Arthur noticing Merlin was looking tired asked his father if they could leave. "Merlin is finding it difficult" he explained.

Uther thinking back to both his wives pregnancies nodded sympathetically and agreed. So Arthur took Merlin back, Mab was sat in the window when they arrived in their rooms she looked up and frowned before going to Merlin's side as he sat on the edge of the bed.

"What's the matter Mab?" Merlin asked "I am fine you know I just have a backache."

"No you have foreign magic on you, I can sense it" then she got closer and touched Merlin "I sense Morgause's magic, what had touched you!" she demanded

"Nothing! I got nowhere near anyone other than Arthur and the knights all night." Merlin insisted

"He's right Mab, you must be wrong" Arthur agreed

"I AM NOT!" Mab insisted "Did you eat or drink anything from the witch?"

"I had a small glass of wine but so did everyone on the high table including Arthur" Merlin said "Can you sense it on him?"

"No" Mab admitted "but I don't like it" she perched on the headboard of the bed "I will watch you tonight."

Arthur went to swat Mab "You are not staying in our bed"

"I am" Mab insisted

In the end Arthur agreed as Merlin want to sleep. But three hours later Merlin started to squirm in the bed as if in pain, Mab jumped down and prodded Arthur "Wake up Mutton head"

Arthur instantly woke but grumbled "What is it with you lot from Gangani with your name calling"

"Never mind that look at Merlin" Mob demanded.

Arthur turned and gently touched Merlin "Are you all right my love" a few weeks prior they had started to sleep slightly apart as their normal spooning made Merlin feel hot at night.

"Hurts" Merlin mumbled

Instantly fully awake Arthur asked "Where? Is it the babe?"

"My back and belly" Merlin said "Sharp pain"

Arthur shot up and called for Gaius to be sent for. Before going back to Merlin, it was clear something wasn't right. Arthur felt panicked and looked at Mab "That magic can you still sense it?"

Mab shook her head "No it faded that's why I felt happier" she admitted

Gaius arrived and was soon checking Merlin over. He looked at Arthur and Merlin "The babe is in its way"

Merlin looked at him with horror "It's not due to a month yet!"

"Due or not the time has come." He looked at Arthur "Send for the Queen and Freya they will have to help me, we can't have a midwife here not without betraying Merlin"

That had been the plan all along as they couldn't have anyone else present without others finding out that Merlin was a man. Gaius started to check Merlin again then when Freya arrived he sent her to get his bag from his rooms. "You need to leave" he told Arthur

"I want him here" Merlin protested. "Please"

"For now but later he will have to go" by now Mab was sitting back in the window looking worried "Why didn't I do something" she muttered

"Mob what are you talking about?" Gaius asked

"She said she could sense foreign magic earlier" Arthur explained

"Foreign magic? Is it still there?" the physician demanded

"No" Mab said "But what was it? I should have done something then"

Merlin's pains continued to get worse and Hunith sat holding Merlin's hand while Arthur supported his husband who led back onto his chest. Gaius kept examining Merlin and then decided "I need to open you up now Merlin. We need to get your babe out, he seems to be getting distressed"

They knew all along that Merlin would need to be cut open to remove the baby as Merlin didn't have the anatomy to give birth, Gaius believed that Merlin's magic would heal him afterwards. After all he wouldn't have been given the ability to have children if he couldn't. "I can give you some painkiller but not much."

He handed Arthur a bottle "Help him drink that then leave I won't have you fainting on me and no argument"

Arthur did as he was bid and as Merlin became dozy he reluctantly left the room kissing Merlin before he left. On leaving the room he was surprised to see his father waiting outside pacing up and down with Percy and Lancelot. "Father what are you doing here?"

"Doing what all expectant fathers and grandfathers do" Uther told him "It's so early I am worried you forget I lost two wives"

Arthur paled "That's not helping" he said weakly, worry was already gnawing at him.