King Balinor and Gwaine where due to arrive the next day. Uther was not best pleased to see Gwaine for whom he had developed a strong dislike. But he knew better than to show it. After all King Balinor was a much needed ally. Thing were getting complicated and he would have preferred for the visitors not to know of the recent happenings. It would, he felt, show Camelot in a weak light. But then hopefully they would be so taken up with the new arrival they wouldn't notice. Uther was not convinced of his daughter's lack of involvement in the matter and decided to investigate discretely.

So that evening he asked Mordred to dine with him. He told Morgana he didn't want his grandson to feel upstaged too much by the new arrival. He also made it clear he did not expect her to join them, saying he knew she was observing a period of mourning for her husband, regardless of the circumstances. Mordred was nervous he always found his grandfather intimidating. But After expressing his sorrow to the young man on the death f his father Uther changed the subject to Mordred's training. Mordred soon became animated as he told the King of his progress.

"I need to be the best as I intend to be Ailfrid's first knight" he told the King. There by giving Uther the opening he needed.

"So you have given up the idea of ever being King?" Uther said keeping his voice neutral.

Mordred looked at his grandfather and without pause said "Oh I never wanted that! I know mother and father did but Sire it was never my aim" he smiled "Now I can concentrate on getting really good with a sword and not have to do so much on treaties and things"

Uther nodded "A noble aim, although if you are to be first knight you will need a working knowledge of such things" Uther paused not wishing to give the game away, then asked casually "What does your mother think of your ambitions now we have a new Prince?"

Mordred looked at his grandfather "I don't care! I like the Prince and Uncle Arthur and Princess Merlin, I know Mother hates her but she is very nice" Mordred had relaxed but then realised what he had said "I mean I don't think she does… hate her I mean"

"Don't worry my boy I will not tell her anything we have talked about. I know your father had ambitions and I am sorry it ended as it did. He clearly egged your poor foolish mother on, he was a rash man" Uther deliberately made his voice scathing and dismissive of Agravaine and made his daughter sound a silly empty headed woman.

"Father was a good man!" Mordred stood up and retorted angrily "It was all mother's idea I know it was! Father did as she wanted him to, she made him!"

"Sit down boy!" Uther said sharply, all pretence now gone "What do you know of their plans. Tell me if you know what's good for you. I won't have lies"

Mordred went bright red and wanted to run but he knew it would be pointless. Uther looked at his grandson and felt rare pity for the boy, so caught up in his parent's ambition. Quietly and gently he asked "Tell me boy what you know so we can protect the young baby Prince, let it be your first act as his future first knight. The knight's code demands it"

Mordred crumbled all the deceit and bad things his parents had done had played on his mind and he was almost glad to be able to tell someone, he just wished it was Prince Arthur and not the King. He started talking telling the King how he thought that his parents had something to do with Merlin's fall and what had recently happened. He didn't say anything about his thoughts that his mother had magic, he didn't want her to burn, he did love her, just not what she was doing. "I know they argued I heard them and Mother says I am weak for not wanting to be King!" he said brokenly "I don't want to disappoint her"

"You are not weak Mordred, you know what is right, and it is not your right to usurp your cousin. It is a good thing telling me" Uther explained "Do not worry I will not tell your mother what you have told me. But I must order you not to tell her anything either. I will deal with her in my own way." He ruffled Mordred's hair in an unusual show of affection "Do not worry son I will not see you an orphan. But I must stop your mother before she goes too far. Maybe I will send her back to Tintagel away from court she will be less dangerous." He hesitated "You have grown up Mordred, it is hard sometimes to do what is right. It takes a man to know when to"

Mordred was placated but he felt a traitor to his parents and a bad son. But he also felt better to get it all of his chest. He had a sleepless night. After his grandson left Uther called for Arthur and told him what Mordred had said "We need to protect the boy, I fear Morgana would be less than pleased if she finds out. I intend to send Mordred with Leon on a Patrol. He is old enough for his first one, especially if it a routine one. I expect you to not let your sister know we know what he has told me, but make sure your wife and son have guards at all times and that Morgana is never in their presence unless either you or I are there"

Arthur nodded and agreed "It will be easier once Balinor and Gwaine are here"

"They are to be told nothing. I will not have them thinking we are weak and divided"

Arthur rolled his eyes "That will be imposable Father as both Merlin and Queen Hunith know Merlin had dark magic used to try and kill both my spouse and child, and it will also be impossible to keep Agravaine's death from them. Better surely for them to realise we are investigating fully and not easily fooled""

Uther sighed "If you say so, but do not mention anything concerning your sister I have promised Mordred he will not be an orphan and I intend to keep that promise. It may be we need to put her under house arrest at Tintagel but we shall see" he loved his daughter despite everything and was going to find a way to keep her alive, in many ways she was more like him then he liked to admit, whereas Arthur was like his dearly beloved mother. Uther felt he was getting soft as he got older, at least where his children were concerned, and maybe his grandchildren. After all both his son and daughter had produced sons to carry on the family line. He was even getting fond in a way of his rather strange daughter in law. If only her family's kingdom wasn't a strong hold for magic, but he knew he needed their seafaring abilities.

King Balinor and Prince Gwaine went straight to see Merlin and the baby the minute they arrived, hardly even saying hello to Uther. Uther shook his head in disgust, the visiting King should have given some respect to custom and not rushed off in such a manner the minute they could. It seemed to him that Gangani had some strange customs. He intended to make his displeasure known at the banquet that night. This was Camelot and things would be done his way.

What Uther didn't know was that Aithusa had told Kilgarrah all that had happened and the Great Dragon had in turn told his Dragonlord. The two men were relieved that Merlin and his son were alive but wanted to see then in the flesh before they could truly be at rest. King Balinor was deeply upset that in agreeing to the match he had put his youngest son in such danger. He loved his children deeply and it had hurt him to send Merlin away. Gwaine although older than Merlin also loved his brother deeply, there was none of the petty jealousies between the Princes that happened in some families.

Merlin was hugged by both his father and brother before they turned their attention to Ailfrid. Balinor took his grandson from Queen Hunith who had been holding him. "Take care father, he has already shown signs of ability"

Balinor nodded "Of course with your talent it was not likely to be otherwise. Just as long as he isn't as mischievous as you were" the gruff King said fondly. "You were only a few days old when you changed my clothing into cloth made of softest blankets so you were cosy"

Merlin looked worried "I am trying to stop him using is powers unless we are alone, it would not be good if King Uther heard about it."

Balinor and Gwaine looked at Merlin, it was Gwaine who spoke first "If he harms a hair on Ailfrid's head I will kill him"

Mab chose that moment to make herself visible "I will keep the young Prince safe, I intend to stay here for a time" Mab's voice was determined as she looked at the Gangani nobles

Balinor nodded "That would be wise I think"

Arthur spoke up from the door he had just arrived from pacifying his father "You all forget I am here, I will protect my family!" he said in an annoyed tone.

"I'm sure you will son" Balinor said kindly "But magical threats of the power of Morgause might be hard for you to counter alone"

"He is not alone Father, I am fully capable of taking on Morgause now I no longer need to use my powers to maintain my pregnancy. It is our duty to look after our son not yours" Merlin sounded angry "I am no longer a child! Arthur is the Once and Future King and I am Emrys remember that!""

"Your father did not mean to slight you Merlin, nor Arthur, but the High Priestess is very powerful and canny." Hunith told her son "He is only trying to help, we are your family and worry for you and always will be. You are young yet and are still our son even though you have married and are no longer with us" With that she stood up and took he husbands arm "Come on we should leave them in peace. I understand that Merlin is attending the feast tonight so he will need his rest."

Gwaine looked at his brother "Are you fit enough?" he demanded

Merlin rolled his eyes "Don't you start I have enough with Arthur, Yes I am fit enough, my magic has healed me I am only lounging around so the King does not suspect my magic!"

Arthur grinned "I will make sure he is fine and doesn't stay to long" he shooed Merlin's family out before sitting next to Merlin "Joking aside I don't want you staying at the feast for to long."

"I won't Ailfrid will need to go to bed. I am taking him down with me" his voice showed clearly he would not be dissuaded. "I will have him with me"

Arthur arched his eyebrows "That is hardly necessary, he has three nursemaids and I am sure Freya will also stay with him"

Merlin glowered at Arthur "He is staying with me or I will not go! The choice is yours. Someone has already tried to kill him and I have no intention of letting him out of my sight. Not until I know the ones responsible have been dealt with. With Magic involved I trust no one else enough to protect him" Merlin glanced at Mad who was sitting on the crib "Sorry Mab not even you"

Arthur looked at Mab who was clearly not happy "Merlin our son is too young to be in such a crowded room it isn't safe. He was premature don't forget and we need to protect him. As well as Freya I will have Percival and Lancelot stay as well as Mab, and don't forget Aithusa" He leaned forward and hugged Merlin "Your parents will be upset if you do not attend."

Merlin pouted clearly unhappy, it took Arthur over an hour to talk Merlin round, and then they had to get ready. Merlin wore his normal Gangani costume, one of his looser ones but not the 'hideous' one he worn when carrying Ailfrid. It was the first time he had spent the time to dress up since the birth, Arthur smiled "You look wonderful sweetheart"

He held out his arm "Came on and take your time, you may be healed but you went through quite an ordeal. No one will expect you to stay long" As the left the chambers they found Percival and Lancelot waiting outside.

Merlin looked at the knights "I want you in the room with my son and send word if I am needed"

They agreed with a smile. Then Merlin saw his brother leaning against the wall "And what are you doing here?"

"I have come to escort you to the Great Hall. Arthur on one side me on the other" he grinned "And if you complain I will carry you bridal style" he paused "Or Arthur can" he smirked at Merlin "I won't have you over doing it you delicate flower"

Merlin's eyes flashed and Gwaine looked at his sibling "What have you done now?!" he demanded

"That's for you to find out" was all the reply he got.

Looking at Arthur Gwaine got no help "Merlin is your sibling, me I try never to upset the Pure One." He hesitated before adding "During the pregnancy I asked myself more than once why the Pure One, the Evil one might have been better." Then hastily "But that was purely pregnancy hormones, Merlin is the sweetest of partners"

Merlin smirked at Arthur "Good recovery" then held out his arm for his brother to take "Come on you two let's get this over with so I can get back to my son"