Sorry for the long wait. I have no excuse except for life. Forgive me.
I don't own anything, not that that helps anything legally. I'm also my own editor and everything, so any problems are mine.
'So, without further gilding the lily and with no more ado, I give to you,' the story!
Merlin had fashioned himself something of a leather strap to keep Aylwin close to him while he worked. Though he received odd looks as he did his chores, nobody stopped him or asked a question, assuming it was a duty of his to watch this child; they assumed it was a visitor's child, or something of that sort. Aylwin remained blessedly quiet. Of course, the first person to ask him a question was the king Arthur.
"What the hell have you got on your back, Merlin?" Arthur asked loudly, standing over Merlin while the servant was on his hands and knees, scrubbing the floor of the king's chambers. Merlin sighed and stood up.
"It's a child, Arthur. Surely even you can see that." Merlin answered, reaching around for the strap and pulling it to the front of his body. He lifted Aylwin from the strap and held him close, feeling protective.
"Yes, but whose child is it, Merlin?" Arthur was sounding exasperated. Merlin fought the urge to make a face.
"Mine, Arthur." Merlin looked down at the bucket and cloth, then back up to Arthur. "Can I get back to work now?"
"No, you may not!" Arthur watched the child with new interest. "How on earth did you end up with a child?"
"Would you like me to explain it to you, sire?" Merlin asked sarcastically, hoping that Arthur didn't say yes. Luckily enough, Arthur just frowned.
"No, I don't need that." Arthur snapped back. "And where's it's mother?"
"The mother is..." Merlin scrambled for an excuse. "The mother is dead. She died in childbirth."
"Oh." Arthur kept his eyes on the child, refusing to look up at Merlin. "I'm... sorry."
"Don't worry. He'll be raised fairly." Merlin told him softly. Arthur nodded.
"Make sure he bears no guilt over his mother's death." Arthur instructed. He held his hands out awkwardly. "...May I, uhh-"
"Yes, of course." Merlin moved Aylwin from his arms to Arthur's. "His name is Aylwin."
Arthur frowned at Merlin before returning his attention to the child he was holding. "That's a mouthful, Merlin. No child can say that."
"Well, it's his name. He only gets one." Merlin replied, watching how his son reacted to the hold of his other father. Aylwin had responded predictably, making a joy-filled noise and pressing his face to Arthur's chest. He reached out with one small hand and grabbed at Arthur's jaw.
"Winnie." Arthur said suddenly, startling Merlin out of the trance he had entered watching Aylwin. "I'll call him Winnie. He'll be able to say that much easier than the dreadful name you chose for him."
"Aylwin is a good name, and he's going to be a good man." Merlin argued. Arthur shrugged.
"We'll call him Aylwin when he becomes a man, then." Arthur kept his eyes on the child. "For now, he's Winnie."
"Yes, fine, sire. He's Winnie." Merlin held his hands out to take the child back. Arthur hesitated, not wanting to give the child back for reasons unknown to him, but he did return him nonetheless. Merlin settled the child back into the strap and returned the strap to his back. "Shall I return to work?"
Arthur didn't answer at first, seemingly thinking. Aylwin peered curiously over Merlin's shoulder, eyes far too intelligent for such a young child. Finally, Arthur did speak.
"I don't have anything to do right now. Isn't that right, Merlin?" Arthur asked. Merlin was surprised by the sudden change in the direction of the conversation, but he didn't show it.
"No, sire, you're supposed to practice with Gwaine soon, on the sword." Merlin reminded him. Arthur frowned slightly.
"I can do that tomorrow." Arthur was suddenly fascinated by the lantern holder on the solid stone wall. "Would you like me to watch over Winnie while you worked?"
Merlin stared at Arthur for a long moment in blank shock. Arthur just stared back, but his eyes darted from Merlin to Aylwin and back again.
"Why?" Merlin finally managed to say. Arthur straightened his shoulders.
"Because no child should have to be strapped to a servant who is not it's mother." Arthur answered firmly. Merlin caved and made a face.
"Aylwin doesn't have a mother, so I'm the best he's got." Merlin reminded him. Arthur shook his head.
"That's not what I meant. I just..." Arthur couldn't seem to find words for why he wanted to care for the child. The air inside the castle was cold, the stone resisting heat and the fire of the lanterns helping very little in keeping anyone warm. He felt the strongest, strangest urge to hold the child close and never let go. "It'll be good practice."
Merlin nodded, knowing not to push it any further. "Yes, fine."
Arthur watched in silence as Merlin undid the strap, carefully lifting his son from it and passing both the child and the leather to Arthur.
"You're sure you can handle this?" Merlin asked, feeling more than a bit worried. Arthur slung the strap over one shoulder and held the child close in both arms.
"Yes, Merlin, I'm sure." Arthur assured him. "I'll return him to you by nightfall, assuming you've finished."
"Thank you, Arthur." Merlin looked down at Aylwin, bending slightly so his face was level with the child's. "Behave for Arthur."
The child stared at Merlin, identical blue eyes locked together. The child reached out and touched his face, and Merlin felt reassured that all his secrets would be safe that day. Merlin stood up straight, and Aylwin moved his hand from Merlin's face to Arthur's shirt.
"Back to work, then." Arthur ordered half-heartedly before leaving, child held firmly against his chest.