Water splashed around Gwydre and Amhar's feet as they carried the last bucket of dirty water out of the castle. It was one thing to clean their mess. A mess, they loved making. It was another to clean with the blue eyed she devil. That alone was a punishment to heed any naughty behavior for a few days.

Amhar wiped his filthy palm against his sweaty face. Leaving tracks of dirt. He wanted to cry. He knew another bath was in his near future. He grimaced at the thought of soapy water and his mother scrubbing his back with a bath brush.

He noticed something moving in the bushes. His eyes widen in apprehension until he heard "CROAK!" Toads, they would never sleep with toads singing all night long. Worse than Father when he was a deep sleep. He kept the whole wing awake one night. Amhar thought an animal snuck into the castle.

Gwydre shook the wooden bucket to relive it of any droplets of grimy water. A toad bounced in front of his feet. A small grin curved his young handsome face. He pivoted on his heel.

"Amhar, my brother, it is time to take arms."

"Our punishment will be steep."

"We must to protect Duran and Baby Rowan. They can't fall under her influence."

"Father will turn red."

"Nothing new."

"Mother will cry."

"She'll cry again."

"Uncle Merlin will be furious."

"He'll forget in a few days."

"It would be funny."

"Hysterical."

"Why not? We have nothing to lose except a cousin."

Vivi snuggled in her soft bed. She enjoyed sleeping in a ladies chamber adjacent to her Mother's. She wasn't a child. She refused to share the nursery with those ruffians, Gwydre and Amhar. They needed to learn to treat people with respect. Vivi's eyes drifted to sleep; she snuggled deeper in her soft linens.

"Croak!"

Vivi lifted her dark head as she scanned her room. "Croak!" She moved her pillow looking for a toad. "Croak!" She rolled to a cold floor and crawled under her bed. Nothing. She knew those boys did something. She clambered to her feet. "Croak!" Croak!"

Her small feet flew in the direction of her Mother's chamber. Her fists pounded rapidly until a sleepy Morgana appeared.

"Vivienne Elaine Lefay, why are you up?"

Her small fists curled into tight balls. "Those boys put toads in here." Morgana wiped sleep from her tired green eyes. "Darling, it rained. Rain brings toads to Camelot. It happens all of the time. Just try to sleep." Morgan brushed a kiss across Vivi's forehead. Vivi watched her Mother return to her chamber. Annoyed, she climbed back into her bed. She laid awake for hours listening to the melody of toads. They did this. I know they did this.

A tired Vivi crawled out of bed when rays from the morning sun traced her sleeping face. Finally, it was quiet in her room. She was so very tired. She couldn't wait for her afternoon nap. Slowly, she walked like a toad towards her wardrobe. Her small hand grabbed a brass knob. Her sharp shrill escaped her throat as toads jumped from her wardrobe. She was surrounded by them. Big ones. Little one. Big eyed one. Smiley ones. Fat ones. They bounced and crawled around her chamber. She stood in the center like the Toad Queen. Tears of anger flowed from her blue eyes.

"Gwydre! Amhar! I'm going to get you!"

"What's that," Duran asked nervously. "Nothing, Duran, just a bunch of toads," Gwydre answered as he pushed Duran's miniature foot into a tiny boot."

Gwydre noticed Duran sucking his bottom lip. "Are you sure?"

"Of course, I'm here to protect you."

Duran linked his fingers around Gwyrde's hand. "Kay."

"Are you hungry?" Duran nodded his blonde curls shaking. Gwydre looked over his shoulder at Amhar and Baby Rowan. "Let's leave before he comes. The baby needs her porridge. Mother needs to sleep with a new baby coming." Amhar smiled in agreement.

"Gwydre?"

"Yes."

Amhar wriggled his eyebrows. "Brilliant."