Morgana noticed a distant look plastered across Arthur's handsome face. "What troubles you, little brother?" Arthur flicked his blonde head. "Nothing." Morgana smirked," Really, what did Merlin say for the last five miles?"

Arthur rolled his sapphire blue eyes in annoyance. "I didn't have to come today. I have so many knights. Gawain could have joined you. I should be home protecting my wife and younger children. Instead, I gave into the chase. The desire to hunt down the monster and save the children. Always wanting to be the hero. I might return to nothing. A dead wife and children, all in the name of glory." Merlin and Morgana watched Arthur galloping away from them.

"What do we say," Morgana asked quietly.

"Nothing, we can't change his choices. He loves adventure. He likes to crusade. He has to make a choice. He has almost five kids," Merlin responded sadly.

"Are you jealous of the children, the family?"

"Yes, until I met Vivi. Arthur takes Gwen and the children for granted, foolishly, he thinks they will always be there. Today, he's learning that the walls of Camelot aren't always secure."

Morgana arched a dark eyebrow. "That's harsh."

"I could have done better by you. I tried sugar coating everything. I should have said," Morgana, I have magic. It could have saved so much pain. Instead, I hid the truth. Arthur needs to realize that the time for adventure is over until the children are older. Just like, I should have done more to save you. I lost ten years of my daughter's life because I never took a stand."

Morgana's green eyes were rounded like saucer. "Merlin…"

"I'm sorry for everything. For poisoning you, I'm sorry for everything.

"I..."

"I know."

"I'm sorry too. I had to learn the hard way. Besides, you could have made ducks dance in a line with magic ten years ago, I didn't care. I wanted to hurt everyone."

Morgana and Merlin trotted behind Arthur as he raced towards the castle.

Gwydre eyed Gwen's sparkling bed curtains with caution. "Do you think its enough mirrors?"

"I believe so, Gwydre. I can't make anymore."

Vivi's small body ached from channeling so much power to coat the castles doors and stairs with mirrors. Her blue eyes watered from tiredness. "It will keep Aunt Gwen safe."

Amhar traced the glimmering white curtains cocooning his mother and baby sister. They looked like freshly fallen snow. Mother looked like a sleeping beauty with Rowan snuggled on her shoulder. Ever so often, a soft breeze swayed the curtain causing rainbows to reflect around the chamber.

'She's been asleep a long time, Vivi?"

"She's fine."

Vivi nodded her dark head towards Duran. She didn't want to tell him about the wardrobe. Personally, it was a stupid idea. But, Gwydre finally convinced her to coat the nursery wardrobe with mirrors. Sadness racked her tired body as Gwydre wrapped a hand around Duran's

"I need you to trust me. I'll take care of you always."

"Okay."

Gwydre squatted to his smaller brother's height. "You have to get in the wardrobe. Just until the monster is gone." Duran's green eyes widened in fear, but he shook in curly head in agreement. "I will get you out soon. I promise."

Gwydre led his brother out of Gwen's chamber. Quietly, they walked back to the nursery. Gwydre didn't want to reveal that he was scared. He didn't know anything about killing monster. He was just naughty. I guess I need to grow up someday. He lifted Duran into the wardrobe. He pressed a quick kiss on his chubby cheek. A wave of guilt rose in Gwyrde's young body when Duran stuck his fingers in his mouth. Duran only sucked his fingers when he was sick or afraid. Gwydre moved away; Vivi moved closer to place a small kiss on Duran's brow. Amhar wrapped Duran's favorite blanket in his arms as Duran's eyes slowly shut.

"He'll sleep for a few hours, boys. Don't worry."

Tears filled Gwyrde's eyes. "Where is Father? He should be here. We're just kids! He's never here." Amhar looked away. Vivi rested a hand on his shoulder. "He's the king. He has to go." Gwyrde's dark head shook.

"It's because we ran away. Mother and the little ones could die. It's my fault."

Vivi pressed her lips together. "No, they won't die. We're Pendragons. A monster isn't going to get the better of us."

Gwydre brushed away his tears. "This never should have happened."

"Really? Goodness, now, I see my mother went evil. Having you father as a younger brother must have been tortured."

Amhar exhaled. "How come you never kiss me?"

Gwydre arched a dark eyebrow. "You eat off the floor. You never take a bath. You're dirty. Mother keeps Rowan and Duran extremely clean. You not so much." Gwydre twisted his face in distaste.

"If you love me, dirty wouldn't matter."

Kilgharrah flew in the direction of Camelot. He felt bad about yelling at Merlin about Morgana and their child. He hated to be wrong. He hated apologizing to Merlin. But, something drew him to Camelot. His leathery wings flapped wildly in the cloudless blue sky.

Amhar breathlessly Amhar flew down the stairs in the direction of his brother and cousin. He dropped to his knees. "Gawain approaches."

"With Father?"

"No."

"He didn't come back."

"Gwydre," Vivi soothed. "He's on his way."

"Don't need him. Gawain is here, like always."

"Gwydre, you don't mean that."

Gwydre shrugged as he hurried toward the courtyard.

"He doesn't mean it, Vivi," Amhar stated. "He loves Father. He wants to be Father. Maybe, he realizes he can be thoughtless like Father."

Vivi stared at Amhar. "You know the meaning of thoughtless?"

Amhar grinned. "Mother raged at Father once. I spotted a few pieces of candy under their bed. So, I crawled under the bed. They walked in and Mother used her "I'm mad voice". She always eats candy when she's having baby. So, she yelled that Father was thoughtless. He yelled back that he isn't thoughtless. She said it meant to not to think of others."

Vivi folded her arms. "What goes on around here?"

"Chaos."

"Really, you have to stop eating off the floor."

"You shouldn't waste food."

Gawain rested a firm hand on Gwyrde's shoulder. "I'm proud of you. Arthur will be quite please when he returns. He's behind me," Gawain assured the children.

"He's coming?"

"Of course, he loves you. He was so deathly worried about the three of you."

"Okay."

Amhar and Vivi exchanged looks. "Okay, we need to get the Nobles into their chambers. I think the monster is in Camelot waiting to strike."

Gawain ordered a bunch of guards to usher everyone out of the main halls. Amhar noticed Gwydre watching Gawain's ability to take charge. He knew his brother would be a great leader one day.

Gawain eyed the children. "Off to the nursery."

His moth dropped open when the children refused to budge.

"Gawain, he likes to eat noble children. We need to lure him into the courtyard to you."

"Arthur will put me in the stocks."

"Won't be the first time."

Gawain frowned. "Do you have a plan? I'm taking orders from children."

"Pendragon children were' special."

Gawain shook his dark mane. "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

"Oh, is that why we find them in the shade?"

Gawain shook his head at Amhar. "Someone save us. No, someone save me from these children."

Mulekia slithered up a rough wall along the castle. He was hungry, annoyed, and tired. Was it worth all of this work? His lungs felt like they were ready to explode. His filthy claws grabbed a window pane and he flipped his body into the gleaming floors of the castle. Tiredly, he sat for a moment. His beady eyes closed for a moment until he caught scent of his favorite smell. A noble child. He opened one eye. Three noble children.

Mulekia frowned. Did the large boy with brown hair beckon him? How dare his food play with him? Forget the other three, his dinner was before him. He wiped his claws on a heavy velvet drape. He bared his teeth at the children. The girl smirked and arched an eyebrow. The other popped candy into his mouth. Oh, how tasty, will they be? Nothing, better than Noble pride. Mulekia rose to his feet; the children smiled and ran down the hall.

Kilgharrah landed in the courtyard when Gawain stood holding his sword, looking fierce.

'What's going on," the great dragon inquired."

"A child eating monster has invaded Camelot."

The old dragon shook his head. "What have I told Merlin about surrounding the castle in magic? It was one thing to give when advice when I lived her. He never took it. It's another to have to fly here and be ignored." Kilgharrah slapped his paws together. "Greatest wizard of all time. Really? Have to listen to him because of Balinor. Should have eaten Balinor."

Gawain looked at the great dragon. "Are you going to help?"

"Yes, anything that eats children needs to die."

The great dragon's eyes popped open. Did he smell his favorite meal? A treat that he occasionally ate. Was a Mulekia present?

"Did you say a child eating monster?"

Gawain nodded.

Gwydre jerked Amhar and Vivi around the corners of the hallway. Their hands felt damp; he worried that he might let go on them. He gritted his teeth and pulled them swiftly down the hall. Cluttering filled the vacant corridor as they struggled to catch a breath. Vivi's hair flew in her eyes, blinding her view. She placed all of her faith in Gwydre. Behind them, Mulekia howled and scratched the floor. His sticky tongue flapping at them.

"Just around the corner."

Gwydre summoned a rush of strength as he flung them around the last turn. Quickly, they hid behind a large mirror. Gwydre clamped a hand over Amhar's mouth. He could feel his heart beat as his hart thumped in his ears. He smiled encouraging at Vivi.

He heard Mulekia clamoring around the corner.

"Arrgh," floated in the air. Mulekia jerked suddenly as he attempted to back away from the mirror. His scaly body flipped out of the window. A loud shriek broke several windows in the castle. Vivi and Gwydre covered Amhar with their arms.

Gawain jumped out of the way as Mulekia dropped from the sky. A shot of hot flames roasted his sprawling body. Kilgharrah stomped happily to his meal. Gawain's stomach turned as the old dragon stated munching.

Kilgharrah lifted his head," Would you like a bite? I'm being rude." A hand covered Gawain's mouth. "No, you eat it."

Arthur's face twisted in disgust. Morgana covered her face with her soft hand. Merlin gagged as a horrid smell assaulted their senses. Cautiously, they entered the courtyard. Kilgharrah lay on the sandy ground rubbing his full belly.

"Hello," he moaned. "Just a little snack.

Arthur eyes grew wide when he spotted mounds of white bones scattered around. 'What did you eat?"

"A Mulekia. Delicious."

Relief flooded through Arthur, Merlin, and Morgana. "Where are the children?"

"Inside, we took care of it."

Arthur flung open the doors to the Council room. Gawain leaned on a window pane, overlooking the children. Duran sat on his throne wearing Arthur's crown. Amhar sat on his left; Vivi holding Rowan on her lap sat to Duran's right. Gwydre leaned protectively over Duran's throne.

Arthur shot Gawain a curious look. "They saved the day, Arthur."

"No, Father, Duran saved the day. So, he's king for the day."

Arthur smiled proudly at his children. His blue s darted around. "Where's your mother?"

Vivi smiled. "She needs a kiss of true love to awaken."

Arthur looked hesitantly around the Council Room. Morgana slapped the side of his head. "Go to Gwen. Obviously, we aren't needed. King Duran can rule today."

Arthur slowly exited the room.

"Going to change some laws," Amhar muttered. Arthur popped his head around the door. Amhar laughed. "Just checking to see if you left," Amhar laughed.

A/N: Arthur and Gwen and Merlin and Morgana. One last part epilogue