Arthur slept through the day until the sun started to set and the occupants of the house returned from a days work. He was roused by the conversation and clatter drifting from the main room.

The aches and pains were still there but this time he was able to prop himself with less effort against the wall. The bed creaked loudly at his movement and the sound brought two figures to the doorway. Arthur watched as they lingered there, curious eyes looking at him but not approaching.

They were two boys, one a year or so older than the other. The older one had a darker tan and his rich brown hair hung down below his chin. It reminded him a bit of Gwaine even if it was less curly. The boy had light grey eyes that formed starling contrast between his darker coloring. He had had thin lips and his front teeth were missing. The other boy had light brown hair, almost blond. He was small and thin, making him look positively tiny and fragile. His eyes, however, were lively and alive. They were dark blue, almost black and gave the impression that the boy's eyes were bigger than they actually were. He hid behind the older boy but didn't avert his eyes from Arthur.

Arthur smiled gently at them, hoping to put them more at ease.

"Hello, my name is Arthur. Who might you be?" he asked them keeping his voice low and calming.

The boys glanced at each before the older boy spoke.

"I'm Gwyn." He then pointed to the boy next to him "And that's Lucan."

"Nice to meet you, Gwyn and Lucan."

The boys nodded and both offered him a smile shuffling closer before a voice interrupted them. "Gwyn? Lucan? Is Arthur awake?"

The two boys turned to look at the other figure that had appeared in the doorway. He was clearly older than Gwyn and Lucan. He was tall for a young boy, but gangly in a way young boys were when they had just started their growth towards adulthood. He was a bit awkward with his long thin limbs but had strength in him that came from hard work. His face was still soft from boyhood but Arthur could see the first signs of adulthood in the boy's features. He would have strong jaw and angular face when he grew older. His hair was cut short but was ridiculously messy, pointing at every which direction, which made him only look younger.

The boy stepped into the room and walked around Gwyn and Lucan to the bed. He held out his hand in greeting.

"It is nice to see you awake and lucid, Arthur, we were worried. My name is Claudin. I'm the oldest of us."

Arthur raised his hand with some difficulty to take Claudin's.

"It is nice to meet you, Claudin. I thank you and your family for your hospitality. How long have I been unconscious?"

Claudin walked to the table and poured water in to a cup to offer Arthur as he answered. "Four days. Today will mark the fifth." He offered the cup to Arthur who made a distressed noise as he took it and drank. Claudin tilted his head at Arthur's apparent worry.

"Is someone waiting for you? We could try and set a word to them?"

Arthur grimaced as he answered. "Yes, I have many someones waiting for me. The whole kingdom in fact. I am the prince of Camelot."

Claudin's eyes widened in shock. He gasped loudly and sprang up from the bed where he had been sitting hands flying to his mouth.

"Your Majesty! We had no idea-"

Gwyn and Lucan, who had been listening Arthur and Claudin, squealed in shock and excitement. Eyes wide in wonder, mouth's forming little o's in surprise.

"A prince!"

"Real prince!"

"In our home! We have a prince in our home!"

"The Golden prince of Camelot!"

Almost vibrating in excitement they ran from the room squealing and whooping all the way. Their yells brought rest of the children in to the room staring at shock at whom they now realized, was their ruler and royalty.

Arthur did his best to calm and reassure them as they scramble to bow and apologize for their rude behavior.

"It is alright, I am not angry at you. You have done nothing wrong! Quite the opposite: You have saved my life. I am in your depth. Hush, none of that now. I believe there is no place for formalities in here."

With some effort he managed to convince the older children to calm down and call him Arthur. The younger ones continued to squeal in excitement so finally Iseult sent them out to work out the excess energy. That sent Caelin, Gwyn and Lucan careening out of the door and outside. Iseult then handed Eli who had been nestled in her arms to Lunette.

"Could you take Eli and keep an eye on the little ones? Caelin, Rion and I would like to talk with Arthur." Lunette took Eli without a word, curtsied clumsily at Arthur and went after her siblings.

Arthur sighed. "There really is no need for any formalities. You saved my life and cared for me without knowing who I am. You have earned the right to use my name, especially here in your own home." He indicated the space on the bed. "Please, feel free to seat yourselves."

Iseult sat gingerly on the edge but Caelin and other boy, who Arthur guessed was Rion, remained standing. They still looked shocked and unsure about Arthur's identity. Arthur found it a bit surprising that they had been so at ease with him when they had not know his identity. Now that they knew he was not a threat they were more wary of him. But then again, he though they might be afraid of my status rather than me. He was rather used to it. Merlin had been refreshing change to the pattern since he didn't seem to care of his status at all. He certainly didn't fear it.

Arthur had started, after meeting Merlin, to make a habit of putting those of lower status more at ease with his presence with gentle words and calm presence. The number of fearful glances had since decreased in the castle.

He felt disgruntled that the children feared him as a prince and tried to appear as reassuring and benign as he could.

"I suppose you wish to know what happened to your father and me." Arthur asked though it came out as more of a statement. The children only nodded and Rion slumped down next to his sister.

Arthur spent a moment looking at him and taking in his features. He had auburn hair, more red than brown and it fell in gentle waves around his ears. He had tucked some of the locks behind his ear to keep them away from his eyes. He wasn't as tall as Claudin and at leas a year younger. His eyes were green and bit slanted. Few freckles dotted his nose and cheeks. Together his features gave him slightly elfish look. He had lightly crooked teeth and long, thin fingers.

Rion moved his eyes to Arthur, expectant and apprehensive. Arthur could see grief in their faces and wished he didn't have to tell them. But they deserved to know. He drew a breath and started to tell his experiences.

He told them how he had been on a patrol and how they bad been caught unawares. How he had been surrounded and forced to flee, wounded, from the battle. He told them of his long night trying to lose his pursuers, how he had lost most of them but still been caught. How he had fought and dispatched what he had though to be them all.

"Your father found me then and wished to help me. Especially when he recognized me as a prince. I warned him. I advised him to leave me and flee since I was not sure I had lost the enemy. He did not heed my warnings. As he was tying my wounds we heard the enemy approaching. I ordered him to hide. After some debate he did. I tried leading enemy knights away from him but I did not have much strength left. Three knights found and attacked me. I handled the first, but the second was more skilled. I could barely move. The third knight attacked me from behind."

He looked each of the three children in to the eyes.

"Your father saved me. He stuck down the knight. I turned to him in order to thank him. But the knight was not yet dead, as his armor had protected him. He sprung up and…"

He trailed off. No wanting to voice what they all new. Iseult and Rion were crying quietly, Claudin not far behind. Arthur reached out to pat Iseult on her arm, hoping it offered some consolation.

"I tried to save him, but I was too slow. I killed the knights but it was too late."

Arthur now shifted his eyes to Claudin's who was now crying silently. He held his gaze as he spoke of the promise he had made to a dying man.

"Before your father died I made a promise to him. I promised I would ensure you have everything you need. I will take responsibility of your well being and ensure you are all looked after. You need not fear the future. You will be provided for."

It seemed as huge weight was lifted from Claudin's shoulder and some of the shadows left his eyes. He sagged were he stood and then he slid onto his knees next to the bed, bending his head as his shoulders shook. Iseult buried her head in her hands as she cried from both relief and grief. Rion buried his head against his sisters shoulder to hide his tears.

Arthur watched them with sadness. He then rolled onto his side, facing the crying children. He curled one arm around Iseult and Rion, resting the other on Claudin's head. He did not say anything not did he pull them into an embrace. He merely offered physical touch to show them they were not alone.

xxXXXXXXXXXXxx

It took Arthur two more days before he was well enough to get up from the bed. And even then he soon realized he was unable to walk more than few steps without his knees giving out. The soles of his feet were raw and painful, lighting up in agony every time he tried to even stand. The infection was mostly over but it would take time before the skin would grow back. This meant Arthur wouldn't be able to walk in a long while. He wondered where exactly he had run to cause so much damage and swore never to sleep without his boots ever again.

He was able to hobble to the main room where he preferred to sit and watch Iseult and Lunette bustle around as Rion and Claudin worked outside. Gwyn and Lucan helped when they could, and other times they played games with each other. They also loved to pester Arthur for stories of his quests.

And Arthur told them stories. In the evenings when they all gathered inside for supper he would tell them about his own adventures. He would also tell them tales about his knights, Merlin and how life was in the castle. He would tell them about Guinevere, Gaius and even Morgana, when she had still been the king's ward. Those tales he told with quiet voice remembering the good-hearted, honest woman he had loved like a sister.

The children listened attentively with wide eyes. They would sit around him, leaning closer in anticipation. They were completely captured by his tales and very attentive audience that lived along the stories as Arthur told them. Sometimes he would tell them stories he had been told when he was young.

Caelin soon started to make a habit to crawl on his lap as he told them stories. Iseult tried to keep her from doing it, warning her of his injuries. Arthur would reassure her that Caelin wasn't causing him any pain, which would lead to Lucan squeezing next to Caelin on his lap. Arthur didn't mind since the children seemed to need the safety he seemed to provide.

Telling the stories was also a nice way of spending the days he had been confided to bed. True, he had slept most of that time, but when he did not he sat leaning against the wall, eight children scattered around him on the bed or the floor, and wove his tales to entertain both them and himself.

Arthur had noticed that all of the children seemed to seek support and protection from him. They were lonely and scared now that they had no parents and Arthur had apparently taken the spot Cador's death had created. They didn't see him as their father and Arthur didn't try to be one, but they did appear to perceive him as a guardian or a protector and maybe as a friend.

Arthur's tales served to familiarize him to them and soon the children were all comfortable around him, trusting him to protect them with his skills as a knight. Living without any protection from stranger was dangerous and Arthur knew he could still fight if he had to. He had his sword and chainmail near him and Iseult had brought him Cador's boots incase he needed to get up. He had told them this as he had requested his sword to be brought for him and it seemed to make the children relax all the more.

As soon as Arthur could stay awake during the day he started to suffer from extreme boredom. Luckily he always had Eli for company. Arthur and Eli had bonded over the time Arthur had been confined to the bed as well as when he had started dragging himself to the main room. At first Eli had been hesitant to approach him now that he was awake, but seeing his siblings had no hesitance when it came to him, he had soon warmed up.

It also helped that Arthur would pay attention to him and entertain him for the whole day while others were outside. Soon Eli would rarely be seen more than five feet away from Arthur and Arthur received an unexpected crash course in childcare.

During the times when Eli slept, often draped across Arthur's lap or legs, he would ask Iseult for small thing to do in order to help the monotony of his days. Eli was a wonderful child but he could take only so much of playing in the same spot with a baby.

Iseult and Claudin had hunted for small tasks he could complete while sitting in one place. One night Lunette had thought him how to sew and Arthur had learned just to have something to do. He supposed it could come in handy during hunting trips and long patrols. Iseult had brought him some of her herbs and soon he had learned how to tie them so they could be left to dry and how to grind and chop them for poultices and ointments. It also had the side effect of Arthur learning some very basic herb lore.

Claudin bought him their tools that needed repairing as well as a knife and wood to carve. That gave Arthur an idea to curve a bow for both protection and hunting and he asked the children to search for materials.

Arthur worried constantly about the state of his Kingdom. He had been prince reagent for three months and then gone missing. He did not find that impressive at all. His father would have few chosen words for him if he were himself enough to berate him.

Merlin must have been tearing his hair out. He always was such a worrywart. Arthur didn't think he had gone longer than a day or two without Merlin's near constant presence by his side since the young man had been appointed as his manservant. Arthur did not wish to admit it but he missed his friend terribly.

Arthur knew the council and his knights could see to Camelot's affairs even without his presence. One of the first things he had done after things had cooled down after Morgana was to assemble a council that could see to things should something happen to him. He had had enough brushes with death during his life to know he might die any day. He had ensured Camelot would not descend into chaos while they searched for an heir.

It would be interesting to see how his plan had worked when he got back.

Arthur had asked for writing utensils the moment he had a chance. It had taken some time before Claudin had produced a pen and a quill but eventually he had found them. The ink had been dry but he had mixed some water in it and the resulting letter had been readable if messy. He had sealed the letter but had not used his seal. If the wrong people found him he and the children would be in danger for despite his ability fight even when injured he was still weak from his fever and his wounds were nowhere near healed. He wouldn't be able to do much. He hadn't even mentioned exactly where he was in his letter. He had employed one of his codes and only mentioned the village.

He had given the letter to Claudin who had delivered it to the village. It was addressed to Gaius in hopes it would attract less attention since it was not unusual for Gaius to receive letters from villages where an epidemic has started to spread. He hoped the letter would reach Camelot within few days but since neither he nor the children had money to pay for the delivery it would likely take a long time for the letter to reach its destination.

After four days of sitting in the main room Arthur decided he wanted some fresh air. He had taken into habit of walking on his knees in order to allow his feet time to heal. Last time he had walked he had torn open one of the deeper cuts. Iseult had been angry with him and had ranted at him in a manner very similar to an old wife. Arthur had listened her quietly and bit his lip to keep from smiling. It made a very comical picture: a small girl scalding a grown man, who also happened to be a prince. Arthur was rather glad they had forgotten his status by now. It made a very refreshing change, but also served to remind him of Merlin.

Walking on his knees had brought memories of his first meeting with Merlin, who would no doubt laugh himself silly watching him now. Arthur found he didn't particularly care. Here he was still around the same height as rest of the occupants of the house. Only Claudin was significantly taller. And Arthur was ready to crawl if that meant he could just move around. He never took well to staying still when ill.

The wound in his side was still painful and he feared he would tear it open. It did bleed occasionally and Arthur knew it would have been stitched if he had been in Camelot.

Fortunately, the wound seemed to be healing without complications even thought sudden moves were out of question. Iseult was in all honesty right to worry about Caelin and Lucan causing him harm by sitting on him. But Arthur loathed feeling helpless and ignored her. Arthur had had enough battles wounds to know how to work around them.

The other wounds were painful but manageable and they did not pose any danger. He still felt weak and he slept far longer during the night than he used to. The fever had been hard on his body and he knew he had lost weight. But he was getting better even if he ate less than he would have in Camelot. He knew they did not have overabundance of food even if they weren't exactly lacking it.

Arthur was currently shuffling on his knees towards the door with Eli siting on his left calf. Arthur didn't mind and dragged him along towards the door. They were alone in the house as everyone else was outside working or playing or both.

Arthur reached the door and pushed it open, receiving his first glimpse of the yard outside. There were two other buildings and a vegetable garden as well as various pushes and trees. Arthur dragged himself and Eli out of the door to the yard and sat against the wall moving Eli to his lap.

In the four days he had spent out of bed Eli had become somewhat of an extension of himself. During the daytime and Arthur found himself handling him without much of a thought. He never thought he would find himself plying a nursemaid but that was apparently his chore now. It was reasonable even if Arthur struggled with some of the things that it entailed. First and foremost being the task of keeping Eli clean.

But Arthur managed it along all the other little chores he had asked to be allowed to do.

Eli played with the fastenings of Arthur's tunic as he sat contently in Arthurs lap. Arthur had quickly learned that Eli, as well as Caelin, were very affectionate. He had received a very quick introduction in physical affection. No wonder Merlin liked hugging so much if this was how he was raised. Even the older children had started to seek physical contact from him. Arthur didn't deny them, knowing the grief of losing a loved one and understanding they needed it, even he sometimes felt awkward. The children, however, did not allow the awkwardness to linger and Arthur was getting more and more used to it and had even started to offer it.

He leaned his head back in the sun and enjoyed the warmth it offered. He could hear Gwyn and Lucan yelling nearby. It sounded like they were playing knights and were currently locked in a battle against a griffin. Claudin, Rion and Iseult were further away working on the field. He didn't see or hear Lunette and Caelin so they were probably in the forest.

A yell caught Arthur's attention and he opened his eyes to see Caelin run at him with Lunette walking behind her. They were both carrying baskets and Arthur guessed they had been collecting berries they could boil into yam and store for winter. He frowned in thought.

The though had him frowning. He doubted they would be able to survive the winter even if he sent provisions and he hesitated in leaving them with a stranger where he could not keep an eye on them. Another possibility had started to form in his head but he had not mentioned anything about his plan to the children.

Caelin reached his side and thrust her basket under his nose. "Look, Arthur, look! We picked lots and lots of berries! We can make many jars of yam from them." Arthur looked obediently into the basket and smiled at Caelin, petting her on her head.

"Very good Caelin. You have been big help to your siblings."

Caelin smiled, preening at the praise offered by a prince.

Lunette, who had approached with a more sedate pace in order to avoid spilling any berries, came to stand by their side. Arthur noticed how she glanced at him behind her hair before staring at the ground, faint plush rising on her cheeks.

Lunette, Arthur had quickly learned, was the shyest of them all. She didn't talk very much and had a habit of lowering her head and hiding behind the thick wisps of hair that fell across her face. Her hair was very coarse and served well to hide her face. It tumbled down her back reaching her waist and sometimes it looked like she could hide herself entirely in it. It certainly managed to hide her shoulders from view.

Arthur, when he realized Lunette wanted physical touch as much as the others but was too shy to ask it, had developed a habit of brushing Lunette's hair behind her ear. It never stayed there, it was too thick and too coarse and there was simply too much of it, but Lunette reacted well to these casual touches.

The way Lunette shifted her basket so that Arthur had slightly better view into it told him Lunette wanted to show the results of her hard work as well. Arthur leaned obediently to look and smiled proudly at Lunette, earning more prominent blush.

"Well done, Lunette. I'm impressed." The blush darkened even more. Lunette's blushes were not easily distinguished since like Gwyn, she also had a tan skin, but Arthur noticed them anyway, and they never failed to make him smile.

Arthur chuckled and gave Lunette a pat on the head as well, causing her to duck her head and toe the ground even as she smiled, pleased with the praise.

Eli had finally lost the interest in Arthur's tunic's lacing, having pulled at them until they were laced up tightly and hopelessly tangled. He turned to look at the two girls and tried to peak at the baskets to see what was so interesting about them.

Caelin pulled the basket away, scowling at Elin. "No! Eli! You'll spill them." Eli scrunched up his face, unhappy for being denied and Arthur intervened quickly before he could throw a tantrum. He scooped Eli up to be in level with his face and blew a raspberry against his stomach, something he had learned from watching Rion with his siblings. Eli screamed in laughter and Arthur darted a quick glance at Lunette.

"You better take the berries inside before Eli remembers he was interested in them." Lunette nodded and pulled Caelin inside.

Arthur set Eli to the ground and started a game with him using some of the rocks that lay nearby. Eli was soon completely engrossed and Arthur relaxed against the wall, enjoying the moment.

Arthur had realized that despite the boredom staying in one place brought, he did enjoy his time with the kids. They were all adorable, even if he would never say it aloud. Arthur enjoyed the calm and simple life in the small house. The children kept his days full enough even if he couldn't wait to finally be on his feet. But as long as recovery went, this was the best he had ever experienced. Despite this, he was starting to miss his life in the castle. He was missing the activity of it. He loved Camelot and could never have another life elsewhere.

while Lunette and Caelin were sorting the berries inside Arthur continued to play with Eli. At some point Gwyn and Lucan joined them and the game became more complicated as the boys fetched more stones and stick to use. Arthur joined forces with Eli and the playing continued until Iseult returned from the field to prepare supper and sent Gwyn and Lucan to help Claudin and Rion.

Arthur moved inside and drew Caelin into another game while Lunette and Iseult started to cook. It was very domestic and sometimes Arthur felt useless since he was the adult and still didn't help much with the chores. But it couldn't be helped and he contented himself with the fact that at least he kept the little ones entertained.

The smell of cooked vegetables drifted from the cooking fire. Arthur guessed Iseult had gathered some of the carrots and cabbages from the vegetable garden. He wondered if they would add meat to it or if they would merely have bread. Meat had to be bought since none of them really knew how to hunt. The meat their father had bought during his last visit to the town had been mostly eaten and they were trying to make it last. They sometimes caught fish from the small stream where they got their water but the fish were small and hard to catch.

That was half of the reason Arthur was planning to make the bow.

Arthur had stared to realize that the children were sometimes having difficulties gathering enough food for them all. Their father had relied on his wood crafting but the last winter had been hard. They did not have any saving and the food from the last visit to the village had been eaten. They were now relying on what they got from their little field.

Claudin had confessed to Arthur that he hadn't realized how much they had relied on their father's wood crafting to get enough food on the table. He had been surprised that the food they had had only lasted for little more than a week. They had never been rich and all of them knew what it meant to go hungry but at least they had never starved. They wouldn't start now, Arthur had promised and told Claudin to search the materials for a bow.

Arthur's thoughts were interrupted when the boys entered the house. He looked up from his game with Caelin and Eli to greet them. Lucan and Gwyn ran straight at him, babbling about their day.

"We saw a pheasant!"

"He was hiding in the grass!"

"And when we worked we scared him and he ran away making huge racket!"

"And then we chased after him!"

"But we couldn't catch him. We could've eaten him for dinner!"

Lucan ended their tale in a sour note. Arthur gave the stones he had been holding for Eli who promptly threw them at Caelin's direction in an attempt to start a game of fetch.

"Oh, do not worry. Pheasants are hard to catch with bare hands. Beside, Iseult and Lunette have already prepared our dinner. I think we shall be having vegetable soup, aren't we, Iseult?"

Iseult turned to them from where she had been pulling bowls for Lunette to lay on the table to answer. "Yes, soup and bread."

Arthur turned to Lucan and Gwyn. "See, no need to catch pheasants today."

Claudin stepped forward at this. "Speaking of catching pheasants, I found this today. Do you think this might suffice?" He asked, handing out long, sturdy peace of wood. Arthur took it and examined it. It was dry and dead but still strong looking, with no knobs or other limbs along its length. He grabbed it from both ends and tried bending it. The wood was flexible but firm, Arthur was pleased to find, and would not break easily.

"Yes, I think this will do splendidly." He said as he continued examining the wood "Thank you, Claudin, you did great. Could you give me the rest of the materials and the tools?"

Arthur was sitting cross-legged in the middle of the floor, which would allow him plenty of room to work. Rion, who had been standing behind Claudin, turned to a cupboard that stood along the wall. He retrieved a pile of sticks and fishing line. Arthur had sent Gwyn and Lucan to search the forest and their father's storage of wood for straight long pieces of wood. They had brought plenty and Arthur had sorted through them, placing the ones he could use aside. The result was that he had the materials for six arrows. Claudin went to fetch the tools Arthur had requested from Cador's workroom.

Arthur started to test the wood for bow and then started his work. Around him the children started to settle down, doing chores that needed to be done before they settled for the night. At some point Iseult called them to table, and after that they all gathered together for a story. Arthur told them about his time in Ealdor, where they had defeated the bandits.

"But there was a secret behind our win." He told the children "It is a very closely guarded secret and only I know about it. There was a sorcerer helping us." The children gasped aloud. They had heard plenty of stories about evil sorcerers and wicked witches.

"But, aren't sorcerers evil?" Asked Rion with a puzzled frown.

"I do not know for sure, but this one helped me. I think he has saved my life before."

"Then, then he must not be evil. If he saved you," said Lunette, much to Arthur's surprise. Arthur nodded thoughtfully at her.

"Yes, that is what I thought. Magic has certainly cased much grief, but I wonder if that is all what there is to magic. There is at least one magic user that wishes no harm."

Caelin crawled closer to him. "If I had magic I would save you too!" She said earnestly and Arthur ruffled her hair with a warm smile.

"But you would have to be really careful so no one would find out. They would hang you if they knew." Warned Gwyn.

Caelin's eyes widened. "No way! But I wouldn't have done anything bad!" She turned her head at Arthur. "You wouldn't hang me, right?" she asked, tugging at his sleeve. Arthur patted her head reassuringly, "Of course not."

"Even if I had magic? I wouldn't hurt anyone!"

Arthur looked at her, contemplating.

"No, not even then."

Caelin smiled and for her, everything was all right now. But the older children were still wondering.

"So, if any of us learned magic, you wouldn't be angry?" asked Iseult. Arthur turned his gaze at her, considering her question. "I do not know. I would ask why you would do it and what you did with it. I don't know much about magic, only what my father has told me and what I have seen with my own eyes. But I doubt that is the whole truth. It doesn't explain the druids. They practice magic but they are still very peaceful people. I have also heard that magic can heal. Without magic I would have lost one of my most trusted knights."

Arthur set aside his bow and gazed at the fire, lost in thought. Eli, seeing his chance, immediately crawled on his lap. Arthur's had rose without conscious thought and he propped Eli against his shoulder where the small boy started to chew on his shirt. Caelin and Lucan drew nearer as well hoping to get on his lap as well while Gwyn settled to lean on his leg.

"When I was small, I was really afraid of wolves." Rion started little hesitantly, breaking Arthur out of his thoughts.

"I remember thinking they were bloodthirsty beasts and I wouldn't go into the forest at all, not even with father. Then mom sat me down and explained me of their habits and what they ate and stuff. She said they were a bit like dogs, really, only they were afraid of humans and would attack if they felt threatened or were really hungry. And then she said they didn't like being near humans any more I liked being near them. I'm still afraid of them but not as much." He finished.

Claudin eyes him little bemused. "I remember that, but what's the point of telling it?"

Rion opened his mouth but it was Arthur who spoke. "I think Rion has a very good point. Sorcery has not vanished despite my father's best efforts and I do not think I can be as ruthless as him. The next best thing would be to study and learn about magic. To see how it would best be managed. Wolves may attack when threatened. I wonder if same could be applied to sorcerers. Would they be as big of a threat if they were left alone? On the other hand, what if, given any leniency, sorcery would pose a greater threat to Camelot?"

Arthur turned to look at the children who listened to him attentively, eager and open-minded. They did not judge him for his thoughts even if many would, considering the topic. Arthur smiled at them shifting so Caelin and Lucan could better fit on his lap and hitched Eli a little higher.

"Anyhow, my first priority will always be the safety of my kingdom. I want to be a just ruler and for that I am willing to keep an open mind, if nothing else."

He looked down and saw Caelin half asleep. "I think you better go to bed already, it is late."

Iseult gestured at his bandages, "What about those?"

Arthur waved it aside and gave Eli to Rion while Claudin lifted Caelin off of him. He picked up his bow again and resumed his work. "I will work with this awhile longer. I'm hoping I might finish this today. I will clean my cuts before I sleep."

While the children set their beds and started to fall asleep one after the other, Arthur sat by the fire, thinking about his Kingdom and the role magic had in it.