Chapter 14
Merlin opened the door to Arthur's chambers and Duran ran in.

"Sire!" Duran ran over and Arthur picked him up.

Arthur smiled. "Duran, good morning. Where is your mother?"

"She is on the way. She wanted to freshen up a bit." Merlin said. He went over and looked around the bed. "Found them! Duran, I have your boots."

"Have Merlin put your boots on. There is a lot to be done today." Arthur said as he put Duran down.

There was a knock on the door.

"Enter!" Arthur called out.

Sir Geoffrey came in. "You sent for me, My Lord?"

"Yes. I did. Duran come here. This is Sir Geoffrey. He will be your tutor." Arthur said.

Duran came over and looked up at Sir Geoffrey. "Hello."

"Sir Geoffrey, this is my son. Prince Duran. I am sure you will give him a good education."

"Of course, my lord. It would be my honor." Sir Geoffrey looked uncomfortable. "If I may, Sire, who is the boy's mother? Is she agreeable to this arrangement?"

Gwen came in without knocking. She smiled when she saw the old man talking to Arthur. "Hello Sir Geoffrey."

"Lady Guinevere, I didn't know you were back in Camelot." The old man said.

"We arrived last night." Gwen said. "You are looking well."

"Thank you My Lady." Sir Geoffrey blushed slightly.

"I have asked Sir Geoffrey to be Duran's tutor." Arthur said.

"Thank you." Gwen said. "I can think of no one better to educate him."

"You are his mother?" Sir Geoffrey asked gently.

"Yes. I hope we will not put you to any inconvenience with our marriage ceremony day after tomorrow." Gwen said.

"No My Lady but this is the first I have heard of it. My Lord? Sir Geoffrey looked at Arthur.

"That was one of the things I was about to discuss with you before everyone started to arrive. I think a mid-morning ceremony and a luncheon feast would be best." Arthur turned to Merlin who was making the bed. "Merlin, you need to speak to the cook."

"I'll get right on that." Merlin said. "I'll go get some breakfast for the three of you, My Lord."

"Will he be introduced at the Council meeting today?" Sir Geoffrey asked.

"Merlin is taking him to get fitted for new clothes for the wedding. I will introduce him at Court later today. That is acceptable with you, Guinevere?" Arthur asked.

"Yes. I will bring him to Court after our mid-day meal. I think I will take advantage of Duran being with Merlin to go to the market. I need a few things." Gwen said.

"Have the bills sent to me." Arthur said.

Gwen nodded. "I want to check on Gaius as well. All that riding put him off his feet."

"Merlin didn't say anything to me." Arthur said.

"He probably didn't want to worry you. I'm sure he is just tired." Gwen said.

Merlin came in the door with a large tray full of food. He sat it on the table.

"Is Gaius felling alright?" Arthur asked.

"He is just tired. He said he will be at the Council meeting but I will be taking his rounds this afternoon." Merlin said as he started to put the dishes on the table.

Duran came over to the table and watched. "Who is all that food for, Uncle Merlin?"

"It's for you and Mummy and you can let Sire have some too." Merlin smiled at Arthur.

"Uncle Merlin?" Sir Geoffrey looked at Arthur.

"It's fine. Merlin's mother was a great help to Guinevere. She is his surrogate grandmother." Arthur said.

There was a knock on the door. Arthur nodded to Merlin.

Merlin opened the door and it was Elyan.

"Is Gwen in here with the boy?" Elyan asked. "I went next door and no one was there."

"Come in Elyan and be formally introduced." Gwen said.

Elyan came in and Duran looked up at him in wonder. "You're a knight!"

"That's right." Elyan knelt down in front of Duran.

"Duran, this is my brother." Gwen said. "This is your Uncle Elyan."

Duran hugged Elyan. "Hello Uncle."

"Hello Duran." Elyan hugged him back. He pulled back and looked at the boy. "We shall have great fun together."

"Elyan." Gwen said with a hint of warning in her voice.

"Don't worry Gwen. I won't let him get caught." Elyan looked at Gwen with a twinkle in his eye. "He may be a Prince but he is still a little boy."

Arthur laughed. "Careful Elyan, he will wear you out trying to keep up with him. He is a very energetic little boy."

Gwen glared at one then the other. "I'm trying to raise him properly, if you don't mind."

Arthur cleared his throat. "Sorry Guinevere."

Elyan grinned "I'm not. When are you going to let him come spend time with me?"

"Tomorrow. He will be busy today. Sit at the table Duran and have your breakfast." Gwen looked at Elyan. "Don't you have patrol or something?"

"Yes I was on my way. Will you have dinner with me tonight Gwen? Both of you?" Elyan asked.

Gwen nodded. "You better go before you get in trouble for being late."

"They can't leave without me. I'm leading the patrol." Elyan stood up and gave Gwen a kiss on her cheek and nodded in respect to Arthur. "See you later Duran."

"Bye Uncle." Duran said as he looked at the plate Merlin set in front of him.

Elyan grinned and left.

"I must be going as well sire I have to prepare for the Council meeting." Sir Geoffrey said.

Arthur nodded "I will see you there."

Sir Geoffrey bowed slightly and left.

"What does he have to prepare for?" Merlin asked. "He is probably going to tell the other Council members the news."

"I'm counting on it." Arthur said as he held a chair and waited for Gwen to sit.

Gwen sat down and Merlin put a plate in front of her. "Merlin, this is too much."

"Camelot cannot have a thin Queen. Eat up Guinevere." Arthur said.

"So you are both trying to fatten me up then?" Gwen scowled.

Merlin grinned. "Only a little. Do you want another slice of bread, Duran? How about some jam this time?"

Duran nodded.

"He eats like you." Merlin grinned at Arthur as he spread jam on a slice of bread.

"Merlin, where are the reports? Did you forget them?" Arthur said as he looked around the table.

"They are on the desk. I brought them in first thing." Merlin said. "If there were any problems then Elyan would have told you last night." Merlin said. He gave Duran his jam slathered bread.

"I wanted to see if that sorcerer had come back." Arthur said.

"The disappearing camp site?" Merlin said. "I think I would know if a sorcerer was around. I'd be able to sense it."

Arthur looked at Merlin. "I suspect that I don't know half of what you have done."

"Not even half. We need to have a long talk, Arthur." Merlin said. "There are many things I need to tell you."

"You and Gaius will dine with me tonight since Guinevere and Duran will be with Elyan." Arthur said. "I want to talk to Gaius as well I have questions for him."

"I'll tell him." Merlin said. "It's late you need to get to the council meeting."

Arthur took one last bite of sausage and nodded. He drained his water goblet and stood up. "Stay and finish your meal. I will see you this afternoon."

"Will I get to play outside today?" Duran asked.

"You and I will take a walk this afternoon after we introduce you to everyone." Arthur said. "If that is agreeable with your mother of course."

Gwen nodded. "It's fine if you are sure you will have the time."

"He will I will make sure of it." Merlin said.

"Thanks Merlin." Arthur kissed Gwen on the cheek and tousled Duran's hair before leaving.