"Mordred? Will you?" Merlin asked for the umpteenth time. The druid still wouldn't answer. "Please, come with us."

"Why?" he asked bitterly, a sour laugh escaping his throat. "Why would you want me there when you have Arthur?"

"What? Mordred, what does Arthur have to do with this?"

He snorted and rolled his eyes. His face was turned from her, so she could not see the tear rolling down his face.

"Mordy," she said softly, using the special nickname that either meant endearment or a taunt. "What's wrong?" Her hand touched his shoulder, but he stood up, still not facing her, and pulled away.

"Nothing," he said, low and harsh. "Nothing's wrong."

"Mor-"

"Emrys, leave me alone and go back to Camelot! Just leave me! Just like the rest of them!" he yelled, probably not aware he was doing so. He stormed off, but not before Merlin heard a strangled cry.

Merlin sat back down again, by the small lake. It was her's and Mordred's special place, one they hadn't been to since Amby was born. She had hoped the setting would help lighten his mood, which had been angsty and gloomy for the past few days.

Why would you want me went you have Arthur?

His words rang in her ears. He sounded jealous, but not like a lover would. He sounded more like a child upset over his single parent getting married again. Mordred was jealous.

"Oh, Mordy," she muttered, standing up with a small smile. "I still love you."

Mordred couldn't take it. Emrys was HIS, not Arthur's. He'd been there for her, Arthur hadn't. He'd raised Amby, Arthur hadn't. He'd helped Merlin through the worst part of her heartbreak, while Arthur was the one who caused it. He made a vow to himself to protect Merlin, while Arthur always put her in danger. Merlin was the first person to love him, and Arthur couldn't take that away.

The king didn't deserve Merlin, and the druid was at first relieved they would remain "just friends." Mordred didn't know "just friends" threw each other looks of love or that they occasionally would hold each other's hands. And he hated it.

Everyone left him, either by dying or just abandoning him. He never knew his parents and the druids that raised him really weren't loving. He was kicked out of various places, and no one would take him in. He was nearing rock bottom when he found her. Mordred had cared for Merlin, and when she was better, she did the same for him. At first, he wouldn't allow himself to become attached, but the prying and the kind nature of Merlin made his walls fall down. It took him a while before he realized that he loved her.

He wasn't sure what type of love it was, but it wasn't romantic. Whatever it was, it wasn't the usual type either. It was possessive and protective, but also caring and concerned. It confused him.

"Watch out," he heard a voice say, "I hear there's Acromantulas in these woods."

He turned and saw an old man. He felt as though someone stepped on his grave as he looked into his eyes. Something was off about them. "They come out at night," Mordred replied, rolling his eyes.

"Really?" asked the old man. "How do you explain that?" He pointed.

Mordred turned, magic flaring up in case of an attack. There was nothing there. "Fooled you," said the old man with a smile.

Mordred felt annoyed. "Shouldn't you be bothering some else?"

He shrugged. "No one left to annoy."

The druid felt his heart move a little. "How come?"

"The only people I cared about I pushed away because I couldn't accept that other people loved them. I thought they would forget about me. I never made any friends, for fear they would do the same. After a while, the spite eats at you, and bam you hate everyone," said the stranger with a smile.

"Why would you-" asked Mordred, feeling something stir in his chest.

"Push them away? Think they would forget me? Never make any friends? Well, Mordred-" he ignored the boy's shocked, suspicious, and astonished look "-let me ask you. Why do you think those things?"

"Because they're true," Mordred admitted sadly.

The old man shook his head. "They're only as true as you wish them to be."

"But-"

"No," continued the stranger. "This person you love, Emrys, does she love you?"

Mordred shook his head.

"Does she love you?"

"She loves another, even if it wasn't in the same way we loved each other," said a glaring Mordred.

"How did you love each other?"

"We-" he struggled for words "-we-we cared for each other. Every night we would say goodnight in a certain way. Every morning, she would stroke my hair and wake me up. When we were alone, she would hold my hand and we just sat there in silence. We never kissed, except to show that we were happy or something, and it didn't have a romantic feel…..just affection."

The man nodded. "Nothing can replace that love. Yes, affection is a form of love."

"But she's in love with-"

"I know, I know, but a person can love more than one person at a time. She still loves you," he said, a note of finality in his voice.

Mordred tried again. "But others have-"

"Left you? Well, she won't. She does love you. Why else would she ask you to go with her?"

Mordred thought for a moment. "You're right."

"'Course I am. Now go and find her, before she leaves without you," said the old stranger, eyes twinkling.

Mordred knew he had to do something before he turned away. "Thank you. Can I ask for your name?"

The old man looked surprised. "I am known by many names, but you will know me by…..Portentum. Not really much of a name, though."

Mordred repeated it to himself. He liked the way it rolled off the tongue, but it made a chill run through his body. "Thank you, then, Portentum. I hope we met again."

"No," said Portentum. "Really, it would be better if you didn't see me again, but you will. For now, good bye, and don't forget, it will do you good to make new friends." Mordred blinked and he was gone. Feeling unnerved, he ran back to the little house, knowing he would find Merlin there.

"Emrys!" panted Mordred as he ran in. She was the only one in, as Gwaine, Arthur, and Amby decided to have "man time." Mordred immediately walked over to her, and pulled her into a tight hug. He pulled away but still kept her close.

"Mordy," she said, eyes and voice soft. "I know why you've acting this way. I will always love you, no matter what."

"I realize that now," he said, tears peaking out. "I love you too, Emrys. I will come to Camelot with you."

"Great!" she said, then continued with the same soft voice as earlier. "Mordy, I just want you to know, no one can ever replace you, and I won't leave like the others. We're a family, right?"

"Right," he confirmed. She kissed his forehead, before they both sunk by the small fireplace. "Emrys, I hope you will forgive Arthur one day. He's a good man, even if he said those things."

"I know," she sighed. "I've almost forgiven him. I'll just torture him by keeping him waiting. I can tell being 'just friends' is killing him," she laughed.

"You do that," smiled Mordred. This would be interesting.

Sorry this chapter is soooo... but I had no idea what to do, so ideas came and fingers typed.

BTW Portentum means "monster" in Latin. I have plans for that old man.

Arthur: How come I wasn't in this chapter?

Me: We are not starting this again!

Gwaine: I wasn't either.

Mordred: It was mostly about me.

Me: No, I am not talking to fictional characters again!

Merlin: You like talking to us though.

Me: uuuuuuuuuugggggggggggghhhhhh hh. I'm leaving.

Merlin: Since the Author's gone we would like to thank...

Gwaine: Luka Knight.

Arthur: ilovebeingme17.

Mordred: TsukihanaYUE.

Amby: ijusttaserdyou.

Merlin: That Gryffindor Flame.

Gwaine: Lady Blade WarAngel.

Arthur: bubzchoc.

Mordred: And Corey YoungBlood.

Merlin: All of them, for reviewing the last chapter.

Amby: YAAAAAAAAAAY!