Arthur was the one they found first.
"Father, father, can you please take us into the village? Mother said you had or Merlin had to." Llacheu said.
Arthur wasn't use to being this bombarded by little people, except for that one time... never mind, he thought.
To be quite honest Arthur still had a lot of work he had to do, but looking down at his children's pleading eyes, he couldn't resist.
He remembered a time in his youth when he had begged his father to go into town square to play with some of his friends. But he simply refused.
"I don't see what the big trouble is" young Arthur said walking next to his father down a corridor.
Uther stopped short before glaring at his son, "If you are too ask me one more time, Arthur, I will have you locked in your chambers for the rest of the day. Do you understand me?"
Arthur gulped before nodding his head, he was furious but he had to obey his father's wishes.
''Yes father." He said tightly.
Noticing he was upset Uther sighed, ''I just want what's best for you." he said putting a gloved hand to Arthur's face.
He then looked to a guard who was standing near by, "Make sure does not pass the court yard. If he does come to me straight away, even if I'm working."
with that he walked away leaving a red Arthur behind.
Arthur made a vow that day to be fair to his children and he wasn't going to break it today.
"Sure, we can go now if you want." he said smiling at his children.
When Arthur and his children made their way into town square with some guards, everyone bowed and chattered happily because the young princes and
princess were stopping buy for a visit.
Thomas and Llacheu smiled at everyone but they kept to themselves as their father trailed behind them while he held Gwennie's hand.
"My lord." Arthur heard a young girl's voice say.
Arthur turned around and saw a young girl who looked around thirteen years old, she had fiery red hair and her head was bowed lowly.
He then signaled the guards to keep watch of Llacheu and Thomas.
"You addressed me?" He asked.
The young girl nodded shyly without looking up.
"You needn't be shy." he said gently before smiling down at Esmeralda who had squeezed his hand.
The girl finally looked up revealing bright green eyes.
"She's pretty papa." Gwennie said excitedly tugging on his arm, "Is she a princess like me?"
Arthur looked up at the girl and smiled apologetically.
"I am no princess" The girl said bashfully turning her to attention to the little girl.
"Are you sure?" Gwennie asked.
"I am very sure." The girl said before turning back to Arthur. "Forgive me sire, I just wanted to give the princess a token of affection from my family."
She then reached into her pocket pulling out a fine silver chain that had a charm with three intertwined triangles.
The gift looked to fine to belong to her or her family.
The pocket she pulled it from was patched and her clothes were old and tattered.
Gwennie stared at the necklace in awe.
It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen even though she lived in a castle full of riches and gold.
"Father it is beautiful." She marveled.
"It may be so, but you can not have it. Tell your family I am truly sorry but your gift is to much to give." Arthur said.
The girl's eyes widened in surprise while Gwendolyn seemed like she couldn't contain her tears, "But father." She moaned.
"Forgive me sire, but surely it is no trouble. My youngest sister died the day the princess was born. The necklace was a gift her but it was too late. When the
princess was born we saved the necklace for the princess knowing it would be safe in the castle for a long time. Surely we would've sold it by know but we would never." The girl explained.
Arthur pondered what the girl said for a while before looking down at Gwennie whose grip tightened on his hand and stared hopefully at him.
Arthur felt his resolve slipping looking at his daughter's brown and blue eyes, making him remember that she was the creation of him and his true love. He
couldn't deny her.
"What is your name then?'' Arthur asked.
"Ida, my lord." She said bowing hastily and biting her lower lip reminding him of Guinevere when she was still a naïve servant.
Arthur looked to Gwendolyn whose eyes began to water making him sigh, "I can deny you nothing." He said.
Ida looked up smiling, " My lord" She acknowledged before crouching down in front of Gwennie, "May I" she said looking down at the necklace she was holding then Gwennie's neck.
Gwendolyn looked up at her father for approval.
When he nodded she jumped up and down and nodded.
Ida grinned at Gwennie before placing the necklace around he neck.
Gwendolyn smiled down at the necklace before clasping it tightly.
"I'll treasure it forever." She promised Ida.
"My lord." A guard's voice called out.
Arthur turned around and saw Thomas and Llacheu dripping wet with sheepish smiles.
Arthur pinched the bridge of his nose before sighing. If Guinevere or Merlin were here they wouldn't act out this way, okay maybe not Merlin, he'd be the cause of some trouble too.
"What happened?'' he asked.
Thomas and Llacheu began to talk over each other causing Arthur to put his hand up to silence them, "We'll discuss this later." He said before looking back at Ida.
"Thank you again, I'll be sure to bring thanks to you and your family." Arthur said.
"No need." Ida said.
"Wow" Llacheu and Thomas said when they saw her.
"Don't think about it" Arthur said pointing at them. "We're going back to the castle so you two can get cleaned up." He said before turning to leave with Gwennie still holding his hand and the guards and his sons following him.
As they walked to the castle Gwendolyn began to rub her head and wince. Noticing Thomas ran up to walk beside her but something made him double over in pain.
Arthur, Llacheu, Gwennie and the guards stopped in concern, " Are you alright? What's happened?" Arthur asked.
Thomas looked up and his eyes flashed to a golden color before turning back to it's normal blue.
"I'm fine" he groaned while getting up.
"You sure?" Llacheu asked.
"Yes, I'll just see Merlin after I wash up." he assured them.
Arthur gave Thomas one last look before turning forward and walking to the castle, but Gwendolyn still winced and rubbed her head as they kept walking.
When they finally got to the castle Merlin was waiting by the entrance glaring and tapping his foot causing Arthur to roll his eyes.
"What are you on about know Merlin." He asked slightly annoyed and slightly amused.
"You didn't tell me you all were leaving. I was looking allover the castle looking for Thomas and Llacheu but I had to run into Gwen to find out you lot were in the square." He complained.
"Merlin, we've been over this plenty of times. I am King of Camelot and I don't have to check in with you."
When Merlin was about to complain Gwendolyn smiled and began jumping up and down, "Uncle Merlin look what I have." she beamed excitedly showing him her necklace.
Merlin looked down to smile at Gwennie, when she showed him her necklace his eyes involuntarily flashed gold.
"Can you not do that?" Arthur asked.
Merlin frowned, "I don't know why that happened." He replied honestly.
"Isn't it beautiful?" Gwennie asked.
"Very" Merlin said smiling.
"Why don't you finish packing for your trip to Nemeth while me and your uncle Merlin talk." Arthur said.
Gwennie frowned, "Do I have to?" she asked.
"Unfortunately" Arthur said.
Gwennie just pouted before walking to her chambers trying not to slip on the wet trail Llacheu and Thomas left on their way to their rooms.
"Can you see to it that Thomas checks in with you? He nearly fainted when he walked up here and his eyes began to you know - 'flash'" Arthur explained.
"Of course." Merlin said.
Arthur nodded at him, "Thank you, I have work I must attend to" with that he walked away.
A/n: What's going on with Merlin and Thomas? What about Esmeralda?
Btw here are their current ages: Thomas 8, Llacheu 8, Esmeralda 5