It was a rocking horse!
Lottie with all her might, pulled it out of the box and set it down on the floor.
The adults besides Merlin looked at the horse in awe. What expert craftsmanship!
"Thank you Uncle Merlin!"
Bella was shocked that her daughter was thanking Merlin, "Lottie! The King-!"
"But Uncle Merlin was the one who made it" the child counters.
"And how did you know it was me little one?" Merlin asked, trying to hide his amused grin with his fist. Mordred could see that Merlin looked ready to laugh as the corners of his mouth were twitching.
Lottie turned the wooden horse to show the adults the engraved, cursive 'M' behind the horse's ear.
"Your signature"
Lottie picked up Emma where she had carefully put on the floor earlier and lifted her hand to show the same M.
"It's Uncle Merlin's mark."
Every adult in the room turned to look at Merlin in awe and confusion.
"Why did you go through the trouble of making it Merlin?" Percival asked, curious. "Why did you take the task upon yourself instead of giving it to Camelot's craftsman?"
"Because he was sick" Merlin explained. "I tried to tell Arthur but he wouldn't pay attention to me."
Everybody turned to look at Arthur then who had a sheepish expression on his face.
Gwaine chuckled, taking the attention of the blonde king "Well now Merlin, aren't you the handy one?"
Merlin shrugged nonchalantly causing Arthur and Gwen to look at him in wonderment.
Just how much did they really know about Merlin?
At the council meeting later in the day
"Milord, there is something we would like to discuss with you before we end this meeting."
Arthur sighed inwardly, knowing what was coming. He refused to look directly at any of the older men in the room.
"You still do not have a heir after 5 years of marriage."
"I am aware councilman" Arthur answered through gritted teeth.
A man on Arthur's right speaks up then, "Are you having problems in the-"
Arthur cut him off with a steely gaze, effectively shutting him up, "This meeting is adjourned."
"Arthur, perhaps we need to consult Gaius again" Gwen suggests after her husband had told her of what happened.
"He says we're perfectly fine Gwenievere!"
Gwen flushed, she was ashamed and her husband was frustrated.
After five years, she had yet to give her husband a child.
Even after all the fertility potions and what not, after all their tries; Gwen had failed to conceive.
She had failed as a wife.
Arthur and Gwen then went to the library, perhaps a man of knowledge like Geoffrey of Monmouth could help them. Just as they were about to turn the corner, they heard Geoffrey's voice.
"You know Gaius, if those two do not come up with a child by the end of the year, Arthur will have to name whatever closest relative he has as the next heir."
Gwen was about to gasp in shock but her husband covered her mouth in one swift motion, shushing her.
Gaius sighs, "I am perfectly aware of that."
"You say those two are healthy?" asks the scholar.
"Yes but perhaps they need a different medical opinion."
Arthur deadpanned, who would that be?
"Who do you suggest?"
"Why, Hunith of course" the old man answers simply.
Gwen blinked, Merlin's mother?
"Ah yes, Hunith. A bright young lady, her mother had taught her well. A fantastic herbalist for sure."
"Yes and a shame that she died."
There was a heavy silence then, causing Arthur and Gwen to fidget uncomfortably.
"You should not blame yourself my friend" Geoffrey says solemnly.
"How can I not, I should have-"
"You did what you could and you know that. You did get Hunith away safely."
"She is my goddaughter, how could I ever turn her away?"
Gwen and Arthur were shocked by the revelation, who would have taught?
"What are two doing?"
Gwen and Arthur jumped and turned to see Merlin there holding some books, looking at them curiously.
"They were eavesdropping"
The couple turned again to see the two elderly man looking at them sternly. The king and queen of Camelot looked ashamed.
"We apologize."
"How much did you hear?" Geoffrey asked.
"We've only just come" Arthur says quickly.
Gaius and Merlin looked at each other, knowing instantly that it was a lie. Geoffrey shook his head, also recognizing the falsehood.
"Is there something you two need?" Gaius asks politely.
"No, nothing. We were just strolling" Gwen says, taking her husband's hand. "We need to go now, it's about time we head back."
Without another word, Gwen takes Arthur away, leaving the three men alone in the library.
"What did you think they want?" Merlin asked his mentor.
"I don't have a clue Merlin."
The three educated men made their way to one of the tables and sat.
"Gaius, perhaps you were wrong in your assessment of Arthur? I mean his mother was not fertile so maybe?"
"The disability is not hereditary Merlin"
"But still-"
Geoffrey interrupts, "Merlin, Gaius and I believe that your mother should see the king and queen."
Merlin sighed, "Alright then, I'll arrange to bring her here."
"I think the King and Queen should go to her."
Merlin's eyes widened in shock, "WHAT? Gaius-!"
But Geoffrey agreed, "They could use a change of scenery, it could do them some good."
"They are the king and queen of Camelot! They can't just willy-nilly travel whenever and wherever they want!"
"They could bring the knights Merlin" Gaius reminds him.
"But what of my family?" the young man asks, his voice quieter than before.
"You're going to have to introduce them" says the man who had performed the wedding ceremony.
Gaius looked over at Geoffrey, "Geoffrey, it will not be so easy for Merlin to tell Arthur and Gwen the truth."
"Things are never easy. But that's life. The secret is going to have come out Merlin."
Merlin slumps in his chair then; unsure, exhausted and worried.
The secret is going to have come out
The knights; Gwaine, Percival and Leon were excited, they were going to Ealdor for the first time. They've heard stories from Arthur, Gwen and Merlin but had never gone there.
"Wait, Mordred you've been to Ealdor too haven't you?"
Mordred who had finished saddling up his horse turned to Gwaine to answer him, "Yes, that's right."
"So have you met Merlin's mother?" Leon asked.
"Yes, a very homely and warm woman" Mordred says, smiling at the memory of Merlin's mother.
"She sounds a pleasure to meet" Percival says thoughtfully.
"Does she look like Merlin?" Gwaine asks, curious.
Mordred took a moment to gather his thoughts before answering, "They have the same eyes, I believe Merlin takes more of his father."
"I thought Merlin's father-?"
"Yes he died. Hunith was the one who told me that Merlin looks like his father."
Gwaine nodded, looking solemn.
"Come on men! We're leaving!"
The knights looked up to see the infamous trio; Arthur, Gwen and Merlin coming down the steps, dressed and ready to go.
Another adventure awaits!