Alvarr hated toadying up to the king but he would do anything to help protect Merlin, the poor boy deserved so much more even if he wasn't Emrys, and if he wasn't he deserved more. The druid didn't trust some of the others, they would sell their souls for freedom, so he was going to try to make sure that either he or Ari be with him as much as possible. Later that evening Alvarr attempted to communicate directly into Merlin's mind. If he could do that the chances of keeping him safe would increase. He waited until all were asleep in case the child reacted. Then when Merlin woke up from a nightmare, as he did most nights, Alvarr got up and cuddled the boy, as he did he tried to use the druid way and talk into Merlin's mind,

"Merlin, it is me don't be frightened, this is just a special way of talking to you" He knew but the stiffening of the small frame in his arms that the attempt was successful so he continued

"We can talk this way and no one knows what we are saying. I will look after you, trust just me and Ari for now, and when they try to get you to use your magic just do tiny things, don't let them know what you can do"

Alvarr could feel Merlin trying to communicate back but all he got was mummy and scared. He cuddled the boy some more "We will try again tomorrow, you will soon be able to talk this way. But remember I am your friend, to help your mummy you must do only little magics"

The next day when they were taken outside Merlin was terrified, but he and Ari were separated and taken to one side when a knight spoke to him "I will be taking your training for a time and I just want you to try the best you can." Merlin felt this man was nice but remembered what his new friend had said and during the course of the morning just did very small things. But it seemed to please the man. Merlin even relaxed enough to notice his surroundings for the first time. There was so much space and it was so bright and colourful. The past three days was the first time in his small life he had been outside and today he noticed. He looked around in wonder and was sad to be taken back inside the dark castle and to his cell.

Four Years Later

Merlin had soon learned to speak with his mind, so both Alvarr and Ari knew of his mother and uncle and the threats Uther made to Merlin. So they explained the need not to let anyone else know of his full powers. So over the years Merlin had kept using only a small portion of his magical abilities. Uther knew very few children who had power of any sort at his age, so believed what was reported to him. What powers Merlin did display was kept at small harmless things, but as long as progress was being made nothing was said. It was after all his dragonlord powers that Uther wanted the most. Not realising that the most powerful sorcerer who would ever live was under his control.

Arthur was now twelve and had been training as a knight for two years. First with wooden swords, and recently he had started with a real sword, all be it a scaled down version. Sir Kay had been his tutor and the knight had been a good influence on him. But for the real thing he was also trained by a younger knight Sir Leon who Uther hoped would be a good influence on Arthur as he headed for adulthood. Sir Leon continued the guidance started by Sir Kay and Arthur was a much better child for it. He was still arrogant, but was kinder to others. He had had the same servant for two years now and realised that the people would be his responsibility one day and they would look to him to care for them and understand their needs. Today was the first time he had been out on the training fields as the same time as the sorcerers. He had seen them of course, but not so close and he had never seen the small boy that was now training with Sir Kay. When they stopped for a break and were sat having a drink Arthur turned to Sir Leon.

"I know father has a group of sorcerers but who is the child." Arthur had seen glimpses of the boy before and it puzzled him.

"Another sorcerer Sire, he has been training with Sir Kay for some time now" Leon didn't approve of the use of the sorcerers was weapons against their will. To him it seemed wrong to condemn them to burn on one hand, and use them to fight on the other. As to the use of the small boy, well he found it abhorrent, but like the rest of the knights he kept his thoughts to himself.

"But he seems so small, I know all sorcerers are evil but he is so small and seems useless" Arthur watched what was happening.

"I'm sure the King has his reasons Sire" Leon said diplomatically.

Looking at the apparently half-starved child Arthur was determined to get to the bottom of it. "I will ask him" Arthur said

"It might be best not to sire. Your father has strong views on magic users" Leon cautioned "Now back to our own training"

The Lady Morgana had just finished her daily lesson with Geoffrey of Monmouth. She had managed to get him to agree to stop early by claiming she had a headache and she was heading back to her room. At thirteen she was already using her feminine charms to get what she wanted. As the door opened she saw Hunith on the floor cleaning it. Morgana had become very fond of Hunith and hated to see the gentle woman working so hard. As she approached Morgana realised Hunith was sobbing. "Hunith stop what you are doing and tell me why you are crying."

Hunith looked up, she hadn't heard her mistress approaching. Today was her son's eighth birthday and she hadn't spoken to him for four years, and had only seen him from a distance and it was breaking her heart. She smiled up at Morgana, the girl had been a real solace in her life "Oh it's nothing my lady, I stubbed my toe that's all."

Morgana didn't believe her for a moment. She had noticed Hunith was sometimes very down and had also heard her crying at nights. Hunith slept in the tiny room off of Morgana's. Morgana had assumed she was crying because of her dead husband, her maidservant had once told her she was a widow but refused to say more. She wished Hunith would talk to her, the woman had become just like a mother to her over the years and she wanted to help her.

"Well leave the floor it can't be that dirty, in fact leave the cleaning, and come on we will go to the market and get some material for my new dress. The sunshine will do us both good."

So without more ado she dragged her maidservant outside to the market. They looked around and Morgana had soon chosen some red material for her new dress and some ribbons. She had also asked the stall holder to put in some blue linen in the order, not tell Hunith it was for a new dress for her. Then she dragged Hunith round to the training grounds. "I want to see Arthur, he has his proper sword now and has started his knight training proper now"

Hunith followed dutifully. She was secretly pleased, Arthur was after all her nephew, and before all this had happened she and Balinor had treated the boy like a son. She liked to see how he was doing and was secretly very proud of him. As they watched the training Hunith's gazed swept over the area and she felt her heart almost stop as she saw Sir Kay some thirty yards away with a sorcerer. Then and Kay moved she saw her son. She had seen him in the distance on several occasions but not this close for over a year. Merlin was easily recognisable with his pale skin and raven hair. He was so painfully thin it broke her heart. As she watched him the collar catching the sun as he moved a tear fell onto her cheek. How could life be so cruel to them?

Morgana chose that moment to look round and saw the pain and anguish on Hunith's face. Looking across to see what had caused such a reaction she saw the sorcerers training. It was clear to her that her maidservant was looking at the boy. She was puzzled and decided that she would find out the cause of Hunith's distress. Reach out she touched Hunith's arm, as soon as she did Hunith forced her expression to change "Are you all right Hunith?" the teenager asked.

"The sun is in my eyes no more my lady. Your brother is doing well is he not?" Morgana decided to talk to Hunith once they were back in her rooms.

Later when Hunith was sewing Morgana went to see her brother. As they got older they had both been given chambers in different wings. Morgana walked in without knocking to find her brother sitting at his desk. "What do you want Morgana? And you really should knock you know, I could have been changing or even in the bath."

"Well so what I've seen it all before" she smirked as he went red

"Not since we were small children" he protested.

Morgana glanced at George Arthur's manservant "Disappear" she told him

Arthur looked up "George go and clean my armour" then he looked back at the girl he considered his sister "Well?"

Morgana sat down "Arthur what do you know of the sorcerers Uther has?"

Arthur was surprised by the question, especially as he had been wondering about them himself "Not a lot, I know all sorcerers are evil and that when father started the great purge he kept some under his control to help rid the land of them"

"But what about the boy? He can't be much use" Morgana asked "Why does Uther have him and who is he?" she persisted.

"I have no idea Morgana, why the interest?" he was curious what she knew, he could tell by Sir Leon's tone earlier that he would be better not to ask his father.

"Will you promise not to repeat something if I tell you?"

Arthur's curiosity was peeked "I promise"

"Well it's Hunith, I know she's really sad about something, I hear her crying at night sometimes, then today when we were watching you train I turned round and she was watching the boy sorcerer and she looked so broken and sad. But she won't tell me anything. Who is he Arthur? And why does it upset Hunith so"

Arthur was surprised, he liked Hunith she sometimes talked to him when he was feeling down if his father has shouted at him. Of course he would never admit such a thing. Sometimes he even thought he could remembered her with a big bearded man playing and cuddling him when he was smaller, but he knew that was wrong. "I don't know Morgana, I asked Sir Leon about him, and he told me not to ask father. He seems so small and he's seems to be a useless sorcerer. But I daren't ask father, not yet, if I get chance sometime I will. One things for certain father won't worry if a servant is upset"

"Well I don't like it!" Morgana scowled "I will ask Uther."

Arthur looked at Morgana "You better not, Sir Leon doesn't usually say things like that, and what if it gets Hunith in trouble?"

Morgana calmed down and went deep into thought "Your right I won't but one day I will find out. I don't like Hunith to be sad, she is good to me and a nice person"