Chapter 12
Arthur led the way as they returned to Camelot. He glanced back at Gwen and Duran several times to make sure everything was all right. They finally stopped around midday near a stream for some food and to rest the horses.

"I'll take him with me for a while. "Arthur said as he and Gwen watched Duran chase a butterfly. "He'll be tired from sitting and probably fall asleep. How are you handling the riding after so long away from it?"

"I'm a little sore already but I think I can manage it. We don't have to go so slow. It will be after sunset when we get there as it is." Gwen said.

"I don't want to stress the horses or the two of you. I think Gaius needs to take a little easy as well. He isn't getting any younger." Arthur said.

Gwen looked over at Gaius nodding off as he leaned against a tree. She smiled. "He doesn't get out of Camelot very much does he?"

"No. I think this was the first time in the last three years. He went to Nemeth when King Rodor was dying." Arthur sighed. "At least he died before his daughter."

"Arthur, Mithian died in childbirth. It wasn't your fault." Gwen said.

"No it was Morgana's." Arthur pulled at the grass. "She was the one that twisted it all up with that damn enchantment. We should have been married and Mithian should have found someone that loved her. I was a horrible husband to her."

"I should have told you that I was with child as soon as I was sure." Gwen said.

Arthur looked at her. "We weren't ready to be married. We still had trust issues. Do we still have trust issues?"

"I don't." Gwen said. "Do you?"

Arthur shook his head. He looked over at Duran leaning over the bank of the creek. "Duran, don't get so close. You will fall in. I'll get him."

Gwen nodded as Arthur went over to the edge of the creek and scooped Duran up. He tickled him and deposited him next to Gwen on the blanket.

"We should get moving. Merlin?" Arthur called out.

"I've already packed up and the water skins are full." Merlin said as stood up. "I was waiting on you."

"Wake up Gaius and let's get moving." Arthur said.

Merlin grinned as he shook Gaius' shoulder. "Gaius, we need to go."

"I was awake. I was just resting my eyes from the sun." Gaius tried to bluff.

"And the snoring? What was that for?" Merlin chuckled.

Gaius glared at him. "Wipe that grin off your face and help me up."

Merlin got Gaius up and onto his horse.

Arthur helped Gwen mount and looked down to see Duran waiting. He chuckled. "You are riding with me for a while, Duran. Merlin, give me a hand, would you?"

Merlin came over. "What do you want me to do?"

"Pass him up after I get on." Arthur said. "He is going to ride with me for a while."

Merlin picked up Duran and put him in front of Arthur on the saddle. "Don't let him fall or Gwen will kill you."

Arthur just glared as Merlin mounted his own horse. When Merlin was ready they started back down the road.

"Sire, are you my father?" Duran asked suddenly.

"Yes but I thought your mother told you that." Arthur said.

"Yes but why are you my father?" Duran asked.

"That is a conversation for when you are a little older." Arthur laughed. "So I will just say that I am your father and I love you and your mother very much."

"Sire, can I call you 'Father'?" Duran looked up at him

"Yes." Arthur said. "I would like that very much. Duran, what is your full name?"

"You mean all my names?" Duran asked.

"Yes." Arthur smiled. He didn't think to ask it that way.

"Duran Thomas Leodegrance. That is what Mummy yells at me when I am really bad. What are all your names?" Duran said.

Arthur laughed. "Arthur Pendragon. I only have two."

"Does your mummy yell them at you when you are really bad?" Duran asked.

"No. I never knew my mummy. She died when I was born." Arthur said. "Do you know what that means?"

Duran nodded. "She went to the spirits. Was she really sick?"

"Yes she was." Arthur sighed. "Duran would you like four names? I want to give you one of mine."

Which one? Duran asked.

"Pendragon." Arthur said. "It belonged to my father too."

"You need to tell Mummy so she can yell it at me." Duran said.

Arthur laughed. "I promise. I want to give it to her too. Then we will all have it."

"Good then she won't forget it." Duran said. He yawned.

"If you are sleepy, just lean back against me. I will hold on to you." Arthur said. Arthur put the reins in one hand and put his arm around him.

Duran rubbed his face with his face and leaned back. Before Arthur could say anything else he was asleep.

Duran slept until they stopped to water the horses about two hours away from Camelot.

Arthur passed him down to Merlin and dismounted then went to help Gwen.

"What were you talking about?" Gwen said. "I heard you laughing."

"He was just asking questions. I asked him what his full name was. He said you yell it at him when he is really bad."

"All mother do that." Gwen said. "Mine did."

"I wouldn't know." Arthur said. "I told him I wanted to give him another. I want him to use Pendragon."

"I wasn't sure about that." Gwen said. "I was alone and it was safer to use my surname. People asked fewer questions. What about the Court? Won't they ask questions?"

"He is my son that is what I will say." Arthur said.

"His title?" Gwen said. "What of that?"

"He already has it. I signed the decree when I went back to Camelot." Arthur said. "I thought we talked about that."

"We did but will he be addressed as 'Your Highness'? Gwen asked.

"'My Lord' most likely. You are a Lady of the Court yourself. Elyan is a Knight that gives you title as well." Arthur leaned and whispered in her ear. "Lady Guinevere."

"No one has called me that in a while." Gwen smiled.

"Arthur, we need to make a fire or get moving what so you want to do?" Merlin said.

Arthur looked over at Gaius and Duran. Gaius was showing him a flower that was growing at the base of a large rock.

"I don't want to be out here with the two of them. These woods are not safe. Let's get moving." He said to merlin. "Duran come along!"

Duran ran over to them. "Are we riding some more?"

"Yes. We have a little farther to go before we get to Camelot." Arthur said.

"I want to ride with you, Father." Duran said.

Gwen looked at Arthur expecting him to tell the boy to ride with her.

"I need to get your mother on her horse first." Arthur looked around at Merlin. "Merlin, I need you pass him up to me again."

Merlin came over from helping Gaius mount. "Do you think that is wise?"

"He is my son." Arthur said as he helped Gwen up on her horse. "Besides he will most likely fall asleep and I can manage him better than Guinevere."

Merlin nodded. "Just so you are sure."

"I am." Arthur went over to his horse and mounted.

Merlin lifted Duran into the saddle then went to mount his own horse.

They rode on in silence until they reached Camelot. As Arthur predicted Duran fell asleep almost immediately. They arrived just after nightfall.

The guards waved them through when they saw that it was Arthur. Two sleepy grooms came into the courtyard to collect the horses.

Merlin yawned as he looked at all the things that needed to be taken off the horses. He shook his head to wake himself up and started to unload the horses.

Arthur looked around and saw Merlin unloading his horse. "Merlin some help please."

"Oh right." Merlin came over and took Duran from Arthur.

The boy was sound asleep. Merlin smiled as Duran snored on his shoulder.

Arthur dismounted and went to help Gwen. He took Duran from Merlin. "Let the grooms unload the horses. Tell them to bring the bags to my chambers. Have a maid make up the chambers next to mine for the night. You better see to Gaius."

"I had better go." Gwen held out her arms for Duran.

"You are staying in the castle tonight. I don't have the strength to carry him all the way down to the lower town." Arthur said.

"Arthur, I told you I wanted to stay in my own house." Gwen put her hands on her hips and gave him an annoyed look.

"We will send maids down in the morning to clean it first then you can go when everything is in place." Arthur held out his hand. "Don't argue it's late and he is heavy."

She took his hand and they went to Arthur's chambers. Arthur put Duran on the bed and pulled his boots off.

Gwen looked around. Being in Arthur's chambers brought back so many memories and not all of them were good.

"Did she stay here with you?" Gwen asked.

"No she had her own chambers. Morgana's old chambers actually." Arthur said as he pulled a blanket over Duran. "I would go to her when we…. We did our duty."

"Oh." Gwen said.

Arthur looked at her. "I know this is awkward for you. It is for me as well."

There was a knock at the door.

"That is probably the bags." Arthur opened the door.

Elyan was standing there. "Arthur, I was told by one of the guards that Gwen is in Camelot."

"She is." Arthur waved him into the room.

Elyan smiled and wrapped his arms around his sister. "I have missed you." He pulled back to look at her. "Gwen, where have you been?"

"I was in Ealdor all this time." Gwen said.

"Merlin never said a word." Elyan looked at Arthur.

Arthur shook his head. "She made him promise and you know how he is about promises."

"Are you ill? I know Gaius went with Arthur and Merlin." Elyan looked her up and down.

"No I'm fine. It was only a visit and nothing more. Elyan I have to tell you something. I should probably just show you." She took her brothers hand and led him over to Arthur's bed. "This is my son."

"Where is your husband?" Elyan asked. "Where is the boy's father?"

Gwen looked at Arthur.

"I'm his father." Arthur said.

Elyan looked at Arthur. "How is that possible?"

"We were together in Ealdor before we took back the castle." Gwen said. "I didn't tell Arthur I was with child. By the time I was sure, Arthur was married. He only found out about Duran when he went to Ealdor with Merlin the first time."

Elyan took a few minutes to process what he had just been told. He looked at his nephew ant then at Arthur. "Arthur, you need to make this right. You must marry my sister."