Duran nestled his head on Gwen's soft warm body. Her rhythmically breath lulled Rowan to sleep. He patiently, Duran guarded Mother and Rowena from the scary thing in the woods. He arched a golden brown eyebrow as a clattering noise filled Gwen's silent chamber. Cautiously, Duran raised his head to peer over Gwen's large bed.

Surprised twisted his adorable features as his head tilted in shock. However did they get here? Vivi, Gwydre, and Amahr laid twisted on Gwen's gleaming wood floor as they struggled to detangle themselves. Amhar squealed; Vivi huffed; and Gwydre whined. Duran clamped his lips shut and rolled from his favorite spot. His little feet stamped towards the wiggling ball of limbs.

He leaned over and," Quiet, now!" Amhar and Gwydre jumped because they thought for a moment that Arthur had returned. Vivi stopped wriggling as she looked at Duran's stern face. She resisted an urge to laugh. Her small cousin appeared quite angry.

His small finger covering his lips as his green eyes rested on his shocked brothers.

"Mother is sleeping. Rowan is sleeping. Quiet."

Guilt filled the trio as they wriggled free from their bondage. They realized their mother and aunt needed to rest for a new baby coming. They couldn't wake her, she shouldn't worry about anything. They were always good when Mother was going to have a baby. That was the only time that they followed the rules. How could protect Mother and Rowan, if she was sleep?

Gwydre's shoulders slumped. "We have to wake her!"

"No, " Duran muttered. "She's sleeping."

"You don't understand."

Duran crossed his arms and stuck out his small chin. "NO,"

Vivi swallowed a laugh as Gwydre started to flush in frustration. He looked over his shoulder at Amhar. "What did you feed him this morning?"

"Porridge."

"Well, he's usually agreeable."

Vivi smirked," Maybe, he's ready to overthrow his king."

Gwydre stuck out his tongue at her." Really, Gwydre?"

Gwydre waved his arms around. "I can't deal with this now. Father and your parents are gone. Most of the knights are gone. A monster is coming here to eat D-U-R-A-N, M-O-T-H-E-R, and R-O-W-A-N."

"Don't scare him."

"I spelt the words. He can't spell."

Duran smiled at his brother. "Come." His little hand grabbing at Gwydre.

"Not now."

Duran's small mouth dropped open. "Come, Now!"

'Look, Duran, not now!"

Gwydre howled in pain after Duran's foot connected with his shin. Vivi and Amhar laughed as Duran stomped his foot. "Listen!"

Vivi tilted her head. "I think he's trying to tell you something. Gwydre rubbed his knee. "Well, he needs to learn how to talk better."

Vivi slapped Gwydre's dark head. "Be a better brother."

"Look, my parents don't hit me."

"Maybe, they should start."

Vivi clasped Duran's warm hand. "Show me."

Happily, Duran tugged her towards the door.

Gwydre, Duran, and Vivian turned around when they heard crunching. Amhar devoured a cookie discarded by Rowan, crumbs falling carelessly on the floor.

"Where did you get a cookie?"

"Found it on the floor."

Gwydre rolled his blue eyes. "Really, be glad that Mother is asleep. That's disgusting."

"Food is food."

Duran ran over to Gwen and kissed her gently on her cheek. "Be back."

Gwydre looked lovingly at his mother. "How is she still asleep?"

Vivi could see a cloud of magic around Gwen. "My mother cast a sleeping spell to make her rest."

Duran proudly beamed as Gwydre read from a monster book. "Let's see, Mulekia's are afraid of Mirrors and Dragons." He fluffed Duran's curls. "Good job, Duran. I'm sorry for being a prat."

"I'm telling you said a bad word, Gwydre."

"Amhar, not now."

How can we put mirrors around the castle Gwydre wondered. Mirrors are expensive and heavy. That thing isn't eating my family. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched Vivi fluffing her hair.

"Your hair isn't important."

Her mouth dropped opened." It's hot! One day, I'm going to turn you into a frog. A big frog, a warty frog!"

A happy gleamed formed in Gwydre's eyes. "Can you turn things into mirrors?"

"Piece of cake."

"Why did you say anything?"

"You didn't ask."