Reunion

When I rode back to Camelot I fidgeted the whole time. Mordred laid a calming hand on my shoulder. I smiled and thanked him with a look. Mordred had grown in the last few months and I had decided to take him with me. He could be a great asset to me. We were still trying to change his destiny, well I was Mordred was still trying to tell me that I couldn't do it.

"What's Camelot like Lady Emrys?" Mordred asked trying to get my mind off Arthur.

"Well it's big," I said thinking of the right words. "It's really hard to describe."

"Oh," he said looking at the reins.

"We'll be there soon Mordred, see that big hill?" I asked pointing to a large hill that had one or two smaller hills in front of it. He nodded. "You can see Camelot from there." I pushed my horse to go a little faster and Mordred's horse, Bonamy, followed. We rode in our usual companionable silence until we got to the top of said hill.

"It's even more beautiful than I remember," I whispered. Mordred just gasped and went wide-eyed. Sometimes I forgot he was still a child, well not so much anymore.

We galloped on until the horses were tired so we walked them and the castle towered over us. Mordred looked around at everything and anything. When we got into the courtyard I slipped off my horse and ran into Arthur's waiting arms. He held me to him tightly and I felt the tears coming. "I missed you so much," I whispered and he simply held me and stroked my hair.

I pulled back and Arthur eyed Mordred. Mordred scanned Arthur and looked displeased. "He's a friend Arthur. You aren't jealous are you?" I asked amused. He looked at me shocked that I would even ask.

"He's only an eight year-old boy-"

"Ten," I said.

"What?" Arthur asked.

"He's ten," I said finally.

Arthur looked amused. "Well I'm sorry that I can't stay. Morgana and my father are at it again so I need to get back. Just go to the chambers that I prepared for you last time, I love you." He gave me a deep kiss and strode toward the audience chamber. I started to walk to my chambers but Gwaine jumped in my way.

"Hello little bird," he said handing me a daisy. "Welcome back."

"Thank you Sir Gwaine," I said my face burning. "It's good to be back. Come Mordred," I said gesturing to the young boy. He followed and gave Gwaine an icy and withering look. "Mordred that was Sir Gwaine, one of Arthur's knights." I gave him a lecture on behaving himself.

"Now there are a few rules I must tell you that are the most important," I said closing the door to my chambers. "No magic. I know it will be difficult but here it's illegal and they will kill you. On a happier note I want you to look nice and be courteous, especially to the young ladies in waiting and ladies themselves. I want to take you on as my apprentice and I will not be misrepresented by you being rude and looking unruly." He nodded so I continued. "Now go try these on to see if they fit." I handed him a pack. He went into the antechamber and so I sat on my bed and waited.

He walked out his shirt and tunic unbuttoned, "These things," he gestured to the fastenings, "are too complicated for me. Show me how?" I stepped forward and fixed his collar on the shirt and started to fasten it. Arthur burst through the door and we all stared at each other. Arthur looking between me and Mordred and we both focused on him.

"Merlin, a word alone," Arthur said sending a glance toward my young apprentice. Mordred bowed and left to the antechamber. "What was that?"

"He's a boy, you said that yourself. He's not used to all this. I need him to look presentable but he couldn't fasten his shirt and tunic, nothing happened or was going to happen. Don't trust me to be faithful Arthur?" I asked looking at him.

"I trust you it's him I don't trust," he said looking at the closed door.

"I trust him Arthur. He's being nice to you, trust him until he gives you reason not to," I said hugging my fiancé tightly. He gave me a quick kiss and I knocked on Mordred's door.

"Yes my lady?" he asked his icy eyes stared up at me.

"I want to introduce you to Prince Arthur, Mordred." He walked out shyly looking at his boots. He had put his plain white tunic back on. "Arthur, this is my apprentice, Mordred. Mordred this is my fiancé, Arthur."

Mordred bowed deeply to Arthur and when he straightened he said, "Lady Emrys talks quite fondly of you sire," he smiled, "You're practically all she talks about."

"That's quite enough Mordred," I said blushing. I gave him a stern look but he just kept smiling. "Go change for dinner Mordred." He gave Arthur a last glance and went to fulfill my request.

"He seems a handful," Arthur said grinning at Mordred's statements.

"He certainly can be." Arthur just grinned and pulled me into a hug.

"I love you," he whispered into my hair, "and I missed you so much."

"I missed you too," I said looking into his eyes. I could see the beginning of tears there. "I never want to be away from you again. Not for that long." He nodded and we silently agreed that we wouldn't leave each other. I felt Mordred's presence but I didn't care, I wanted to be with Arthur.

"NO!" I heard Mordred's voice in my head scream so I turned to look at him. His fists were clenched as was his jaw, I could see the tears streaking down his cheeks. "Why him?"

"Mordred, don't," I warned. I glanced back at Arthur, he was clearly confused. I turned back to Mordred. What was I supposed to do? "Mordred, not here." I whispered putting a hand on his shoulder.

"Why not! He's your fiancé shouldn't he know!" he yelled in my head.

"He doesn't need to!" I argued. I must have looked crazy because Mordred's mouth was not moving and my words were the only ones being spoken aloud. "This has nothing to do with him! It's between us!"

"No!" he yelled finally aloud, "He needs to know that I love you!" I could feel Arthur's shock. "Don't you think that he needs to know that another wants the honor of your hand and heart?"

"Mordred, listen to me," I said looking into those piercing eyes. "What you want I can't give you. I'm already Arthur's! You know as well as I what my destiny is!" I said forgetting Arthur. "If you want to fight Arthur for me all you'll do is end up getting yourself killed!" He flinched at my harsh tone.

"You know that I could rip him apart, you just want to save him," Mordred said quietly. Arthur must have come out of his shock because I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Name your challenge boy," Arthur spat.

"Any challenge?" Mordred said with that eerie smile.

"Name the challenge."

"Magic, I challenge you to a magical duel," he said slyly.

"Magic is forbidden!" Arthur said.

"But you already agreed Prince Arthur. The challenge stands," Mordred said.

"Mordred of the Druid people, I, Lady Emrys, take the place of Prince Arthur of Camelot," I said stepping forward. "Set the time of this challenge and find your own lodgings."

"Before the mid-day meal and I shall Lady Emrys," he said gathering his pack and leaving.

"What do you think you're doing Merlin? And why did you proclaim yourself as Emrys?" Arthur asked grabbing my shoulders.

"I'm saving your life and that is my name among the Druid people. When a magical challenge is issued that's how I must reply," I stated simply.

"how are you saving my life by getting slaughtered?"

"Arthur, listen to me carefully. I hope your feelings for me don't change after I tell you this but if they do I'll understand why you broke our engagement-"

"What are you going on about?"

"Arthur, I'm a witch. I was born with magic." I said and I heard him gasp.