Arthur stayed with Merlin for as long as he could, but eventually, once Merlin has gone to sleep and his mother was with him, he had to go and see his father and attend to some training, of only for a short time. The minute he hit the corridors he was being congratulated. It was clear news had got out. Several people asked about Merlin, he told them he was doing well but would need to recover in peace so would not be receiving visitors other than the close family and Lady Drea the lady in waiting. In truth he was worried about Merlin, more worried than he let on to his husband. They needed to be very carefully to protect the new born babe and mother.

Once Arthur met with his father it was decided to make the announcement as it seemed half the castle knew anyway. The townsfolk cheered and the nobles where happy that the direct succession was now clear. As soon as he could Arthur headed back to Merlin. On his way he was stopped by Mordred who was waiting in an alcove.

He grabbed Arthur's arm as he went past "Sorry Uncle but I wanted to say how happy I was, but I'm not sure mother and father would approve. I really don't want to be King…..ever! I know they want me to be King, but I will look after your new Prince when I am older" he paused "I swear it!"

Arthur smiled at his nephew "That's good to hear and I know Merlin will be happy, come with me to see the new Prince….if you want to"

Mordred looked down the corridor "I best not, I will come when mother does" he looked embarrassed.

"I understand, and thank you Mordred, it means a lot to us to have you on side." Arthur patted his nephew on the shoulder "Try not to worry about what your parents want, I am sure they will come to terms with it soon"

Arthur left the boy who clearly didn't want his parents to know what he had said. As he continued his journey he couldn't help but wonder about his sister. But at least his father now seemed happier with Merlin, though what he would think if he knew the truth was another thing. Now that was another problem as Arthur didn't want Merlin to have to hide his real self for much longer.

As Arthur entered his chambers he found Merlin holding Ailfrid and Hunith cooing over her grandson.

Hunith looked up "Once the King and Gwaine arrive I will have to leave, but it has been so nice to spend this time with Merlin and now the babe"

"It's been a pleasure to have you here and you must visit again" he looked around "Where Mab?"

Merlin grinned "She took herself off, Drea was coming here and she didn't want to hide in the cupboard"

Merlin looked even paler than normal and clearly needed to rest but he was holding on to his son like he had no intention of letting go "You know your father visited earlier when you were with the knight. He seems a different man"

Arthur took his son from Merlin "I noticed, will it last though…..and what would he say if he knew the truth"

Hunith spoke up "I think it will he was so pleased with Ailfrid as for the rest. I don't know"

Arthur looked at Merlin "do you think he has any magic?"

"I think he will, although as yet I haven't seen any" he yawned

"Rest for you my love, your mother is here and so am I get some sleep" Arthur gave the babe to his grandmother and helped Merlin settle down to sleep. He was in bed but had been propped up. "We will wake you if your son needs you"

Merlin had been asleep for a short time when Morgana and Mordred arrived to see the new Prince. Shutting the door to the bedchamber Arthur took his son out to show his sister and nephew. Getting Mordred to sit down Arthur placed the babe in his arms and turned to his sister "I wasn't sure you would visit, after all it's not good news for you is it?"

Morgana looked at her brother "Arthur you malign me, Yes I did think Mordred should be the heir, but only due to your reluctance to marry" she looked towards the bed chamber door "How is Merlin I hear she had a hard time"

Arthur looked at his sister and watched her reactions carefully "Magic was used to try to kill my son in the womb. Had not Gaius noticed I would have lost them both."

Morgana was careful to hide her emotions "That is terrible do you know who?"

"We have an idea, we just need to prove it" Arthur said calmly "When we do they will pay with the full penalty of the law." Looking down at Mordred Arthur smiled "What do you think of your cousin?"

"He's so tiny" Mordred said in awe

"He came early so is smaller than he should be, but he appears strong."

Morgana looked at her brother "How was magic used?"

Arthur looked at his sister "It was in his food or drink, a potion activated by a spell that would only harm a pregnant person, father is investigating with Gaius, it shouldn't take much to trace what it was in then we just work out who handled the food or drink. Luckily it is a known spell and has been used in the past. That's how it was recognised so quickly" Arthur knew he had to draw his sister out and hoped she would make a mistake when trying to cover her tracks.

Morgana looked at her brother showing no signs of the worry she was feeling and hoped her plan worked. "I hope you catch them soon" Turning to her son "We had best leave the Prince to rest Mordred, come, you have your duties to attend"

Uther had as with anything to do with magic acted quickly, a search was being made of the castle and town. As his son was a new father he had asked Leon to oversee the search, everywhere was to be searched. It was later that morning when Leon went to the King.

"Have you found anything" Uther demanded "You had better have if you are here"

"I have Sire, it has been passed to the Court Physician who confirms it has traces of magic" he handed Uther an empty clay jar.

Uther took the jar and looked at it "This isn't one of our normal ones" he was puzzled. All wine and mead was bought by the barrel and was decanted into the castles own bottles and jugs for serving. Smaller clay lidded jars were seldom used. He inspected it.

"No Sire it isn't" Leon looked unhappy at the news he was going to have to impart "It was found in a chest in Lord Agravaine and Princess Morgana store room. It attracted our notice because it was in an otherwise empty chest that had been locked. The store was also locked. There are two other full containers like it in their rooms but they were in full sight"

Uther called for the guards "Fetch Lord Agravaine and Princess Morgana immediately."

Morgana and Agravaine arrived under escort. Uther was sat on his throne looking every bit the King. He gestured for Arthur to sit then looking at his daughter and son in law demanded "Have you seen this before" holding out the container.

Morgana spoke first "It's a clay bottle" he said not appearing in the least bit worried. She took it when Uther handed it to her "It looks like one of the Tintagel ones, they have different tops than those from Camelot "We bought some with us for you to try, it was from some we purchased from a trader

"Why a bottle and not a cask or skins?" Uther asked

"We opened the cask at Tintagel and decided to bring some with us as it was so nice, we only had the one cask. It was easier than skins as we had a wagon with us." Agravaine explained "Why what's the problem"

"It was found during a search of the castle. It was found in hidden in the locked store room in our chambers." Uther said looking at the man who was both his brother in law and son in law. "Would you care to explain why it was in a locked chest?"

Morgana looked puzzled "Which chest?"

"The large travelling chest my lady" Leon explained as Uther looked at him

"Well I have no idea, I don't have a key nor do I have a key to the store" Morgana said "I suspect someone planted it"

Uther looked less than convinced "Yet you admit it was your bottle and you were the one who brought it to the feast" he snapped. "There was no other empty one" looking at Agravaine Uther barked "Explain"

Agravaine looked at Uther "Our manservant must have put it away" he shrugged "Why all the bother over a clay bottle?"

"Because Princess Merlin and her unborn child were nearly killed by dark magic yesterday evening and Gaius said there are traces of dark magic on this bottle. Does your manservant have the key to the chest or the store room?"

As Uther spoke Agravaine paled. "You cannot think that I….."

"Indeed I do!" Uther said "You want your son to be heir, With Merlin and the babe out of the way he had a clear chance." Looking at Morgana "I warned you, I never thought your ambition would go so far"

Morgana shook her head "I had nothing to do with this, we have been set up." She protested. "I couldn't even open the chest the lid is too heavy for me!"

Uther looked at Agravaine "Where are the keys kept?"

Agravaine looked at the King "All my keys are kept on my person, the chest was not locked"

"Do you have the only keys?" Uther demanded

"I do, but as I said the chest should not have been locked, although the store room would have been I believe the steward has a key to the room. As for the chest the knight was clearly mistaken" Agravaine protested

Leon looked at the Lord "Sire you may inspect the chest for yourself, the lock is still closed we had to break into the side of the chest, as during the search you could not be found to open the lock. The Steward did indeed unlock the room."

Agravaine looked at the King "You cannot believe that we would do such a thing"

"You are saying your wife has a key?" Uther said quietly

"No she does not!" Agravaine snarled "How dare you even suggest we had anything to do with this"

Uther turned to the guards "Take him to the cells he will face trail in the morning" turning to Morgana "It seems that this time you are clear, but this will be investigated at the trial and you had better hope you are not implicated in the attempted murder of my grandson or you will join your husband on the block"

"Take him away and confine the Princess in her rooms under guard" Uther gave Leon the container "Have that taken to the Physician. Tell him to make sure he is right. Then ask my son to attend"

As Arthur walked into the room his father gestured for him to sit "It appears we have our culprit, the container was found. The only person with the key was Lord Agravaine, he admitted Morgana did not"

Arthur went to get up "Where is he I will kill him!"

"You will not, he will face trial as will your sister if it is found she had anything to do with it" Uther said "Justice must be seen to be done. Agravaine had powerful friends, he will face the penalty if guilty and I am sure he is. You must be content with that, had either your wife or child died I would have let you swing the axe. But they are safe"

"Ailfrid is weak he was born too early and Merlin has had to face the knife!" Arthur protested

"Gaius says they will both recover" Uther pointed out "You will not be sitting on the council for the trial tomorrow, but you have my word justice will be done" To Arthur's surprise his father put a comforting had on his shoulder "You forget I lost my Queen and we could have lost you, I know how you feel, your wife will receive the best of care Gaius will see to that, as will my grandson. I admit to start with I wasn't that keen on Merlin but she has proved herself to be a good wife to you and she has become like a daughter to me." He paused "Yet again magic has been used to try and kill my family, I will never rest until it is wiped from the face of the earth"

Arthur felt a shiver go down his spine, he knew that if ever his father found out Merlin had magic and was a man nothing would save him. For now they had to continue with the deception