A/N – Huge apologies for the late replies to everyone's comments and for this being very late. I'm in the middle of moving and I just started my new job, which made it difficult to update as promised. That said the next one will be up Monday (already written and ready to go), but I apologise if this isn't as good as usual (I'm sooo tired!). I hope you enjoy.

A/N 2 - Huge, huge thanks to those who reviewed. You guys really make my day.

Chapter 4

Sweet Dreams

AMAM

Arthur almost jumped when the door pushed open slowly, not surprised when a head of dark, raven hair, poked in through the door. Deciding that ignoring the boy would be the easiest thing, Arthur turned back to stare out the window.

Unfortunately, Merlin never did have any respect for Arthur's personal space, and little Merlin was no exception, toddling over to where Arthur was sitting and pulling himself up, leaning against Arthur.

Ignoring the warmth, Arthur ignored the little boy's shivering, something clenching hard when he felt a splash of something against his arm, knowing that Merlin was crying.

Sighing, he didn't look down at the boy as he lifted his arm, pulling him closer, relaxing as he felt Merlin relax next to him, his heart easing a little as he listened to the little boy's breathing slow, feeling Merlin lean even more against him.

It took him awhile to realize that Merlin hadn't eaten, at least that's what Morgana had said, and Arthur was a little worried by how small Merlin was.

Weren't kids his age supposed to be all rolly and pudgy?

"Merlin," he whispered, watching as the eyes opened, Merlin looking up at him with wariness.

"Are you hungry?" he asked. Merlin nodded slowly, looking up at him with his big blue eyes, making Arthur want to hug the boy.

Making himself resist, he gently pulled his arm away, walking over to the door, not missing Merlin scrambling down from the ledge to follow him, and sticking his head out, knowing that there would be a servant coming past at any moment.

Once he had sent the servant off to find him some food, pushing Merlin back a few times so the person wouldn't see him, he went to the fire place.

"This can't be too hard," he muttered to himself, aware that Merlin was watching him avidly, standing just behind him when he knelt by the fire place.

After a few tries he sighed, running a hand through his hair, jumping when the logs in the fire place suddenly burst into flame. Pulling Merlin further behind him, he relaxed as the flames died down, leaving a roaring fire in its place.

Turning, he saw Merlin's gold eyes, but couldn't think too much about them when he heard the knock on the door. Moving over to the door, he couldn't help but smile a little as he felt Merlin following close behind him again.

"Sire," the young woman said, smiling up at him. "I could put this on the table for you if you would like."

"No, no," Arthur replied, shaking his head. "I'll take it from here."

"Yes, your highness," the woman replied, handing him the tray and leaving.

"See, that's a servant," Arthur muttered to himself, closing the door and carrying the tray over to the table, trying not to smile when Merlin's eyes widened at the sight of the food.

"Hungry?"

Merlin nodded slowly, climbing up onto the chair next to Arthur, his eyes still on the food. Giving in to the urge Arthur smiled, as he made a plate up for Merlin, watching as the little boy stared at it, before starting to eat.

Making up a plate for himself, Arthur started to eat, watching as Merlin chomped away on his food, grinning up at Arthur for the first time since Arthur had stormed out of Morgana's room, the sight making something in Arthur relax.

They were almost finished when the pounding came on the door, Arthur moving towards it before he heard the voice.

"Arthur!"

Opening the door, he was faced with a panicked Morgana, something Arthur had never seen before, the lady usually always cool and composed.

"We've lost Merlin," she said, worry and concern making her voice waver a little. "Somehow Gwen and I both fell asleep, even though I don't remember lying down, and then when we woke up he was gone. I know that you're angry, Arthur, but he's just a little boy. He said he was three and he doesn't understand that he can't show everyone-"

Morgana's rant was cut off when Merlin popped out from where he'd been standing behind Arthur, a happy look on his face as he looked up at Arthur, before looking at Morgana.

"Oh," Morgana continued, biting her lip, Arthur knowing that she was trying not to smile. "Never mind, I'll just leave you to it, then."

With the hurt and anger from her earlier revelation just below the surface, Arthur wasn't sure if he could trust himself to talk, so he just nodded, not missing the flash of hurt on Morgana's face when he shut the door without a word.

He looked down when he felt the tug on his arm, Merlin looking up at him with a frown on his face.

"Sad?" he asked.

Sighing, Arthur shook his head.

"No, I'm fine," Arthur lied, giving the boy a weak smile and moving back over to his chair, resting his head in his hands.

He was shocked when little arms wound around his neck, his position making it easier for Merlin to pull him into a hug.

"Sad," Merlin said, the little boy patting his neck in a way Arthur was sure he thought was reassuring.

"Um, thank you … Merlin," he said, putting his arms loosely around the little boy, awkwardly patting his back, before pulling away.

Merlin held on to him a little longer, before letting go and beaming up at him. Arthur wasn't too sure about children, but he was pretty sure that most weren't as well behaved or mature as the little boy was.

"Baf?" Merlin asked suddenly, looking up at him questioningly.

"Good idea," Arthur replied, standing up and moving over to the door, quickly informing the servant girl from before that he'd like his bath prepared.

"Baf?" Merlin asked again hopefully.

"Yes, they're just getting it ready," he replied.

"Baf! Baf! Baf!"

Arthur couldn't help but feel a little happier when he saw Merlin tearing around the room, jumping every now and again, repeating his mantra over and over, something about it making Arthur smile.

Once the servant, the same girl as before, had informed him that the bath was ready, he led Merlin into the room, frowning when the boy held his arms up to him, staring until Merlin impatiently pulled on his shirt, frowning and looking up at Arthur.

"Oh, right," Arthur said, realizing that the little boy probably needed help.

Once he was undressed, Merlin practically dived into the bath, giggling and splashing as Arthur tried to decide if he should leave the room, or whether the little boy would need help.

It turned out that Merlin knew what he was doing, picking up a cloth and washing himself, Arthur turning his head away to hide his grin when Merlin washed his ears, which looked even larger with Merlin's hair wet against his head.

Once Merlin had finished, Arthur watched as the little boy was swallowed up in the towel, grinning up at Arthur as he ran back into the room. Picking up Merlin's clothes, Arthur followed him, watching as Merlin dried himself by the fire, putting on some bed clothes that hadn't been there before.

He yawned loudly once he was done, Arthur seeing that his eyes were starting to droop.

"I, uh, think it's time for bed," Arthur said, wondering how he was going to get Merlin back to his rooms in Gaius's quarters.

His thoughts were cut off as Merlin walked over to his bed, climbing in and pulling the covers over himself. Deciding that it would be easier to keep Merlin here, where Gaius couldn't see what had happened, Arthur let the little boy get himself comfortable. Once he was, Merlin looked up at him expectantly.

"Um, good night, Merlin," he said, a little uncertainly, patting the boy on the head.

"Kiss?" Merlin asked, rubbing his eyes with a hand, before burrowing further into the pillow and blanket.

Leaning down, he kissed the boy gently on the forehead, watching as Merlin's eyes slid shut, the boy quickly falling asleep.

AMAM

A/N – So more will start to happen in the next chapter, more plot but hopefully still cuteness ;). As always let me know what you thought :D.