Hime: Thanks for the reviews! Hope you enjoy this chapter too! :)

"Arthur, what is the matter?" Gwen asks as the couple were making their way back to Hunith's house.

The blonde sighs at his wife's question, "I just wonder why Layla hates having her son near me. She's acting as if I'm sort of disease Myriddin could catch if he spends too much time in my presence."

"I don't think it's anything against you Arthur. I can't blame Layla for being wary of Pendragons considering all the prosecution there is against magic because of Uther..."

"But I am not my father! She knows that!"

Gwen was startled by her husband's sudden shout but she remained composed and moved her hand to his face, cupping his cheek, "What about that woman intrigues you so Arthur?"

The king answers without hesitation, his tone sincere as he speaks, "She's kind, intelligent, interesting, attentive, observant, witty and has a fine sense of humor."

"If I didn't know any better, I would say you're describing Merlin."Gwen comments, her lips twitching into a smile,

Arthur makes a face at her words, "That buffoon does not have an ounce of intelligence compared to Layla."

But then again, Arthur realizes, he had compared Layla and Merlin before but there was one major difference between them. Layla was mysterious and secretive whereas Merlin was open book. If you wanted to know anything about him, you can just ask. If you ask Layla anything personal, she would just shut you out.

Arthur sighs deeply, feeling a migraine coming on.

"Myriddin" Layla began but her son interrupted her before she could say anything else.

"I didn't do anything wrong and I didn't say anything to give us away I promise!"

The brunette mother sighs deeply, today was the day they could finally return home so she had thought yesterday would be the last she would ever see Arthur unfortunately, fate had other plans.

Not to mention the fact that both she and her son had made contact with his wife.

Layla sighs again, feeling even more tired.

"Mama?"

"Yes love?"

"Uncle Arthur seems nice...he really does Mama..."

The brunette smiles and picks up her adorable son to carry him and kisses his cheek, "I know dear. I know."

"Aunt Gwen seems nice too but she should be careful though because she's going to have a baby soon."

Layla blinks her eyes in confusion and turns to her son, "How would you know that sweetie?"

Myriddin grins widely, "When she touched me earlier, I saw it. Aunt Gwen with a big belly and Uncle Arthur kissing her forehead! It was really sweet Mama!"

Ah...so Myriddin is a Seer. Amazing, he's only two and he already has such strong power...

"But I also know Mama is already pregnant now though."

Now that got her completely off guard, she hasn't even told Merlin about it yet!

"D-dear, how did you k-know that?"

Myriddin beams at her, feeling really proud of himself for causing his mother to become so flustered.

"Well, you're kinda bad at hiding the morning sickness Mama, that's one. Second, last night while you were asleep I touched your belly and then I saw it! I'm going have little twin sisters Mama! They're going to look just like you too!"

Layla couldn't help but smile at that, the idea of having children with her mother's looks appealed to her.

"Will you tell your Papa that I'm pregnant?"

"No I don't think you'll want me to tell on you Mama but you should tell him soon though. I mean, you've had morning sickness since Papa told you they were coming here right? Papa will be mad you didn't tell him until now."

Layla felt sheepish under her son's gaze. She felt bad that she didn't tell Merlin but she just couldn't find the right moment. It was a stupid excuse she knew but everything has been so hectic with Arthur and the knights coming here that Layla couldn't bring herself to tell him.

"Mama, please tell Papa soon okay?"

Layla smiled at her son's worried face before kissing his cheek, "I promise love."

"Hello there!"

Annabeth turned to see Leon and Percival grinning at her and waved her over from the other side of her fence. Curious as always, she wipes her wet hands from washing earlier with her apron before going over to them to see what they wanted, "How may I help you gentlemen?"

"Your name is Annabeth correct?" Leon asks just to be sure.

The milkmaid wrinkles her nose in distaste, "Only Mordred calls me that and I hate it when he does. Call me Beth please."

Percival frowns, "So why does Merlin refer to you as Anna?"

"Merlin thinks Anna suits me better" she answers, blushing pink.

Leon smirks seeing her blush, "Do you like Merlin?"

"You never forget your first love after all."

Percival smiles fondly at that and nods, "So what is your relationship with him then?"

"We grew up together. He thought me how to read and write. I played with him a lot. I'm only a little younger than him, I just turned 22 only a little while ago."

"Well happy belated birthday then" Percival tells her, being nice.

"Thank you but could you two move it along and tell me what Is it you want?"

The knights stares at her smiling face and the milkmaid continues, "If you want information, you can get it provided I get something in return."

"How did you know we wanted information from you?" Leon asks.

Beth snorts in reply, "If all you wanted to do was strike a conversation with me then you would have at least introduced yourselves first instead of immediately asking for my name."

Naturally, Leon and Percival felt foolish that they've been found out.

"So? What do you want?"

"We were wondering why you and Mordred don't get along." Leon admits.

Beth frowns, wondering if she heard correctly, "That is all? Seriously?"

"Yes...what were you expecting?"Percival asks, frowning at her expression.

"Something about the village I guess or maybe even information on Hunith or Merlin perhaps... I don't even know Mordred that well."

"Yet the two of you don't get along." Leon points out.

Beth sighs, "Well that's because-"

The young maiden stops herself realizing that she almost gave away information without promise of a trade, "What do I get in return?"

The two men look at each other before looking back at her, "What do you want to know?"

Beth thought about it, she knew she couldn't ask what was the medical reason that brought the royal couple to consult with Hunith considering the fact that whatever ailed them would be something foreign kingdoms could take advantage of if they knew and the knights probably wouldn't know what it was anyway. She also knew that asking about personal information about the royals won't be given. She already knew the Knights' names because she had peeped into Merlin's home a few times so she has heard the knights address each other. There wasn't anything Beth would like to know specifically that the knights could provide so what could the knights trade?

"Miss Beth?" Leon calls.

She didn't hear him because a brilliant idea just popped into her head. It was a long shot but if there was an even small chance that she could leave and secure a job for herself, she'll be just fine.

"Would you happen to know if there are any job vacancies at the royal palace?"

If she had an opportunity to get out of Ealdor, she'll take it!

Hime: Please review! Thank you~