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Chapter Text

Week 0 - Step One: Preparing for the Future

Uther stepped into his friend’s office, which was also currently serving as his bedroom now that he had given his room up to his nephew. Most likely in an attempt to protect his nephew from anyone catching him practicing magic. No matter, Gaius would have his own room back soon enough.

Uther would normally summon Gaius to him but he wanted his friend to feel more comfortable and confident in their own rooms and he wanted Gaius to feel as secure as possible for this conversation.

“Merlin,” Gaius didn’t look up from the table he was working at, “Unless you’ve already collected all of the foxglove I need, you shouldn’t be back yet. You already have your bag, and your cloak, I checked. I don’t care that it’s raining out, we need that foxglove. Lady Wiese’s rashes are back and we need to make more cream.”

Uther chuckled, causing Gaius to turn in his chair so quickly he almost fell off, “Sire! I apologize. I didn’t realize.”

Waving at Gaius to remain seated, Uther sat on the patient cot, “I gathered that my friend.”

Gaius gave him a physician’s look over, “Is something wrong? If you were injured or sick, I would have come to you.”

“I’m as healthy as ever, no I wish to talk with you about something I don’t want getting around the castle and a servant is less likely to overhear anything here.”

“Oh?”

“It’s nothing to worry about. I simply wanted to request that you inform me if your ward is affected by any ah, womanly conditions.”

“Womanly? Merlin is a man.”

“I am quite aware, it’s just,” Uther paused pursing his lips, “you are aware how close my son is with your ward.”

Gaius tensed.

“I’m not threatening him.”

“What are you doing then?” Realizing how he came off he added a hasty, “Sire.”

Uther ignored Gaius’s tone, he was understandably worried about his nephew, “The entire castle is quite aware that my son has not given a single lady that has visited this court any true attention since your ward arrived. The type that will result in a marriage and an heir, at least when he isn’t enchanted.”

Gaius’ hands tensed as he tried to appear calm.

“Everyone knows it’s because my son is far more interested in your ward, but it is far past the time that I could remove your ward, in any manner, without my son rebelling. Quite frankly I think Arthur would disown himself before I could think to do anything.”

“If you don’t plan to,” Gaius’ face was pale, “remove, Merlin. What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to offer my son a deal, he can have a relationship with your ward if he promises to do his duty to the crown and take a spouse and have an heir. I can tell anyone I need to that your ward is just a bedwarmer, but everyone will know it is more than that.”

Gaius gave him a considering look, “You’re going to offer your son and Merlin a relationship as a bribe to get your son to take a wife and have an heir. You are really willing to go that far to have a grandchild?”

Uther rubbed his eyes, “I am willing to make any concession at this point to have Arthur father a child. Obviously, I’d prefer of course to have Arthur marry someone to further Camelot, but frankly Gaius. I’d take a sorcerer at this point.”

Gaius stared at him.

“Yes, I know. I would have to change the ban to strict laws about magic being used instead but, as long as whoever bears the child is loyal to Arthur, I’ll bless a marriage between them.”

“Truly?”

“Camelot needs Arthur to have an heir. Anything else is second to that.”

Gaius nodded, still obviously shocked by what he’d said.

“Now,” Uther drew Gaius’s attention again, “You need to keep this information to yourself for now. I am going to offer them the deal, but I want them to make the decision for themselves. Even if I can’t see them declining the offer.”

Gaius nodded, “I understand. I will wait for Merlin to talk to me about this, but why tell me at all?”

Uther shrugged, “You can reassure him that he’s not in danger from me and,” he grimaced, “You can make sure they have whatever they might need for, the physical part of the relationship.” There was no reason to mention he didn’t mean for Gaius to reassure his ward about having the relationship, but about something that should come up with in a few months.

Gaius had already turned away to his cupboard of vials, “I can tell Merlin to bring it up for the next time Arthur pulls a muscle.”

Leaving his friend behind, Uther smiled for the first time since he found out about the further consequence of the bargain that had brought him Arthur and taken his wife. The first step of the plan had gone perfectly. Now he just needed his son to plant his seed inside magic himself.

Week 0 - Step 2: Setting the Stage

Uther placed his pen back in its stand as Arthur, followed by his warlock manservant, entered his study.

“Father,” Arthur’s armor still had some mud on the legs, having answered his summons straight from the training field, “You summoned me?”

“Yes,” Uther nodded, “We have a manner of great importance to discuss.”

“Is Camelot under threat?”

“Not in the normal manner, but its future is definitely at risk if you don’t sire a son soon.”

Arthur managed to hold back a groan, “I have told you father, I will only marry for love.”

“Arthur, until you have an heir, anytime you go into battle all of Camelot is at risk. If you die before siring a child Camelot will be at risk of our neighbors trying to take over our lands. You say you care for all the people of Camelot, but you put them at risk of being plunged into war every day you go without an heir.”

Arthur grimaced, lacking a good response. He could feel Merlin wanting to comfort him from where he was standing against the wall by the door.

Uther sighed, “I am aware of your wish to marry for love, but Camelot cannot wait for you to fall in love when your heart already resides with another.”

Arthur stiffened in place, watching his father as if he was a threat.

“I’m not threatening him. I am aware, unfortunately, of how far you will go for him, and he for you. Instead, I have an offer for you.”

“What is it?” Arthur’s words were clipped.

“In six months, there will be the midwinter ball. By the end of that ball you will be married or seriously courting someone,” He held up a hand to stop Arthur, “In exchange, the official story will be that you took your manservant as a bed warmer.”

A squeak came from near the door as Arthur considered his father, “Official?”

Uther barely restrained himself from rolling his eyes, “Everyone will know your relationship is more than that, but visiting nobles will only receive the official story. Which will not interfere with your marriage prospects if we end up working a treaty into the marriage. Not that I require you to choose someone who is a noble.”

“Not a noble? You would be okay with me marrying someone of common birth?”

“Arthur, at this point if you get a child in a sorcerer I’d take it as a message from the gods and loosen the magic ban.”

“Even a sorcerer?” The doubt was heavy in Arthur’s voice.

Ignoring the warlock that had stopped breathing, Uther nodded, “Anyone, as long as it results in an heir. Preferably a boy but a girl will do. Now go, think on my offer. I had two dinners delivered to your room. I expect an answer by lunch tomorrow. You're dismissed.”

As the door closed behind the pair he leaned back smiling. His plan was going exactly as planned. He expected it wouldn’t be long before Gaius brought him the happy news, but for now he glared at his desk. The revisions to the magic ban sat on his desk taunting him. He just needed to remind himself this was the only way for Arthur to have an heir, only in magic would a seed of his son’s loins grow.

Step 3: Deal or no Deal?

Arthur watched as Merlin fretted in the other chair at the table waiting on Arthur to respond to his confession. So his best friend had magic and his father most likely suspected it due to the comments he made about magic. He had said he wasn’t threatening Merlin but now he knew that Merlin was at risk of death every moment he remained in Camelot.

Then there was his father’s offer. Quite frankly it was more than he had even dared to dream of. Not only being able to be with Merlin, but not to have to hide it? That was an offer he could never have imagined. He hadn’t acted on his, and what he believed were Merlin’s, feelings because he didn’t want to make Merlin a secret. Merlin didn’t deserve to just be a secret lover, something he would have had to hide from everyone. He had always known that if he could, he would give all of Avalon to Merlin in a heartbeat. Did Merlin having magic, even amazingly powerful magic change that?

No, the Merlin sitting in the chair across from him was still his Merlin, he just knew him better now, “Thank you.”

Merlin stared at him, “You’re? No! I’ve been lying to you for years! You should be angry! I’m sorry for lying, I should be begging for your forgiveness for lying to you! Not you,” Merlin waved his hands as if to explain something.

“No Merlin. You don’t need to be sorry for protecting your life. I’m grateful that you’re giving me your trust now. You didn’t have to tell me; I’m honored you trust me with this.”

“Oh,” Merlin ran his hands along his neckerchief, “I wanted to tell you.” Arthur couldn’t stop his eyes from focusing on Merlin’s hands, haunted by the skin that was hiding under the cloth, “If we do this, I can’t still lie about that.”

Arthur forced his eyes back to Merlin’s own, “Did you tell me because your magic will do something?”

“No, Yes?” Merlin pursed his lips, “I’ve wanted to tell you about my magic as it’s a big part of me, but my magic could do something as well. I came to Camelot to learn how to control my magic, but it still acts on its own sometimes.”

“You came to Camelot, where sorcerers are killed, to learn control?”

“This is where Gaius was, Mom sent me to him hoping he could help and he has! It’s just that my magic is really powerful and it can get away from me when I’m not paying attention. I always thought it might act up if I ever uh,” Merlin stopped, blushing.

“Merlin,” Arthur stared at him, “Have you not?”

Merlin blushed but shook his head.

“But you want to? With me?”

Merlin nodded.

“And I just want to check, you’re not doing this because I want to? I’m not pressing or making you do this? I know I’m the prince and you're my manservant but I don’t want to take advan-” Arthur stopped as Merlin stood up.

Merlin grinned at him as he walked around the table to Arthur’s side, “Arthur, you’ve never been able to make me do anything.”

“Good, I just wanted to make sure,” Arthur smirked up at Merlin, “Before we move onto the fun bit.”

Merlin’s blush flared back and even darker as Arthur stood.

“Well?” Arthur was enjoying Merlin’s reactions, the idea he was going to be Merlin’s first was heady, “Are you going to help me out of all of this?” He gestured at the clothing still on his body, “It’s rather in the way of all the things I want to do to you.”

Merlin’s fingers were nowhere near as skilled at removing Arthur’s clothes as normal, but Arthur wasn’t exactly good at removing Merlin’s clothes at all.

Chapter Text

Week 1 - Step 4: Morning After

“FUCK!”

Arthur woke up instantly, ready for an attack, only to find his bed mate cursing, “Merlin?”

“Oh, is that what it takes to wake you up?”

“Is something wrong?”

“I just tried to get out of your steel trap arms but when I moved my hips everything hurt.”

“You’re hurt?” He let go of Merlin and went to crawl out of bed, “I’ll get Gaius!”

Merlin’s firm grip on his arm stopped him, “You are not getting my uncle because I’m feeling sore after having sex for the first time. Give me a moment and I’ll go get breakfast.”

“No, stay there. I’ll go get a servant to bring up breakfast for the both of us.” Arthur stood from the bed.

“Arthur,” Merlin glared, “I’m your manservant. I’m the one that gets your meals.”

Arthur looked at where Merlin hadn’t moved on the bed, “Get out of the bed and maybe I’ll let you go.”

Merlin glared at him and slowly made it to the side of the bed under Arthur’s amused look. When Merlin attempted to stand Arthur helped him back onto the bed when his knees buckled.

Arthur grinned down at the pouting Merlin, “I’ll go see about ordering breakfast for us.”

“Dammit Arthur! I don’t want everyone thinking I’m being, I’m using, fuck! I don’t want people to think, I think, I’m better than them just because I’m sleeping with you!”

Arthur pulled on a pair of sleep pants as he walked towards the door, “And you will show them,” Arthur stopped right before opening the door, smirking, “When you’re not recovering from losing your virginity.”

Both turned to look at the door next to Arthur at the firm knock. Arthur stepped back and when he saw Merlin had managed to pull one of the blankets to cover himself Arthur called out, “Enter.”

The door opened revealing George carrying two sets of breakfast. His face was blank as any professional servant should be. There was a maid next to him carrying some clothing, whose face on the other hand was nowhere near blank. Her face was flushed a bright red.

Looking at her face Arthur thought for a moment, ‘Well there goes any chance to keep that fact secret.’

George bowed to him, “Your Royal Highness, I have the breakfast dishes the king ordered. Mary has the clean clothes the physician sent up.”

Arthur nodded, waving at the table, “Just put everything there, we can handle it from there.”

George nodded and easily carried the two dishes over and deposited them on the table before turning and leaving the room, not giving anything, such as the embarrassed Merlin covered in only a sheet a second look. Like any practiced servant of the royal household would.

Mary on the other hand tripped twice on the way to the table, staring at Merlin and the wide array of love bites doting his neck. She squeaked when she accidently dropped the clothes Gaius sent and a vial of some kind slipped out. Face turning even darker she turned to leave, but tripped as she got a look at Arthur’s chest.

Unlike the vast array of bruises of varying colors and sizes on Merlin’s neck, only one laid on Arthur’s skin. It was lighter than most of Merlin’s but it was just high enough that not even Arthur’s armor would hide it. After recovering her footing, she managed to dash out the door, George closing it behind her.

Merlin groaned laying back down from where he had sat up, “Well you don’t have to tell your father now. People in lower town will know the prince had tumbled his virgin manservant by tonight. Which your father obviously approves of as he was the one that ordered two breakfasts. I’m going to have to ask Gwen how bad it is later.”

Arthur tried to hide his smile, as he picked the vial off the table, “I think this is a tonic for pain, do you want me to bring breakfast over to you as well or should I carry you to a chair?”

Merlin sat up enough to glare at him, “Chair, I do want to get something done today, and changing the bedding because I got food in it is not on the list. There must be a short staffing somewhere to have a new maid bringing my clothes. By the triple goddess she’s so green she won’t even think to keep quiet about what she saw, but if I stay in your bed I’m not going to get out.”

“I don’t know,” Arthur hummed, “I think rather like how my bed looks right now.”

“Clotpole, help me out here.”

Arthur hummed as he walked over, “That’s still not a word.”

Merlin settled for glaring at him.

Carefully scoping up the warlock Arthur placed Merlin in a chair gently as he could, which still caused Merlin to hiss, before sitting down to discuss their day.

Neither stopped to consider who ordered a brand-new maid to visit the prince’s quarters, or later just how fast the news spread of both their coupling and of Merlin’s former state of virginity.

Week 1 Step 5: Gossip-Virginity

A group of friends gathered to eat lunch and gossip as they tried to do as often as possible. The group was an odd group of friends. Tracy was an assistant cook, Cheryl a lady’s maid, Diane a general maid, and Steven the royal tailor’s son. They were of course discussing the hottest bit of gossip. It was about the prince and his manservant, which was a common subject, but this was practically scandalous.

Tracy passed out the special treats she had managed to make her friends, “So you all heard that Dansille sent up both two dinners last night, and two breakfasts this morning to the princes’ chambers.”

The group nodded.

“But it gets better, the king gave Dansille precise instructions on what to send up, both times.”

Cheryl startled, “He ordered what to be sent up? Why in the world would the king be that specific?”

“Well maybe it’s to show that he really is okay with the relationship? I mean it was a lot of things you’d bring on a romantic date, and weirdest of all things he specified for Merlin’s portion to be the same quality as Arthur’s.”

“Is that strange?”

“If a servant is ever to dine with a lord or lady, the dishes are supposed to be obviously different so the servant knows they’re not the lord or ladies equal, even if they are eating together. It should be made even more obvious with a servant and the prince, and that’s not even the weirdest part!”

Diane hit Tracy in the side with her elbow, “Spill girl!”

“The king made it clear that Dansille should make sure that Merlin is eating regularly and well.”

“What the fuck is going on?”

Steven shrugged, “It could be because when the King ordered that Merlin’s clothes be brought to a higher quality, one more befitting Merlin’s station, that the quoted cost was lower than he expected. Merlin is practically made of twigs, incredibly muscled twigs, but still twigs.”

Cheryl looked at him confused, “Befitting his station?”

“Well Merlin’s clothes should have been of better quality as the prince’s manservant, but the king was oddly specific on a few things. Mostly colors.”

Diane leaned in, “Did you all hear what Mary overheard when she went to deliver clean clothes for Merlin? That he was,” Diane stopped blushing.

Tracy laughed, “That Merlin was untouched? I mean I’m not surprised. He definitely blushed like a maiden when coarser language came out.”

Cheryl shook her head, “I just don’t understand how he managed it. I mean he certainly didn’t have a lack of interested women or men.”

“You should know since you tried.”

Diane smiled, “I never understood why you even tried, anyone with eyes can see the only person Merlin has ever been interested in is the prince.”

Cheryl shrugged, “Can’t fault a girl from trying.”

“The prince might, he’s always been a little, possessive.”

“As long as no one tries now we’ll be fine. Although I always wondered if he held off because of,” she looked around, “you know.”

“Before he came to Camelot maybe, but since then? Neither of those have even glanced at someone else.”

Tracy snorted, “Unless the prince was hit by another love magic thing.”

Steven laughed, “I heard Merlin hissed at the last person to spell the prince with a love enchantment.”

“Nah,” Cheryl waved the idea off, “He has more class than that. I’d bet he pulled out that look of his he uses on anyone that threatens the prince.”

“Well,” Tracy grinned, “It’s going to be a lot easier for Merlin to figure out the next time the prince gets hit. Can’t get closer to the prince, then the prince’s bed.”

“You think they’ll share a bed? I mean beyond the fun times?”

“Why not? The only person they might have had to be careful about showing how close they are is to the king and it sure looks like he’s encouraging them.”

Tracy folded her napkin carefully, considering the folds, “Do you think the king is really okay with them being together? I mean that he’s not just hoping to get this out of the prince’s system?”

Steven coughed, “I think I can answer that.”

“Oh?” The women turned to him.

Steven blushed, “Well the king specifically ordered this to be done by tonight’s feast for Merlin to wear.”

“Well?” Cheryl prodded him in the side, “What is it?”

Tying the final knot of the embroidery he had been working on, Steven shook out the cloth, before turning it so the others could see the emblem that he had just finished filling in. The neckerchief was a bright Pendragon red, with simple gold embroidery along with the edges, all of which set off the bright gold Pendragon crest that sat at where the corner would sit flat against the wearer’s chest.

“Well,” Diane blinked at the cloth, “That’s a statement.”

Chapter Text

Arthur glared down at the page in front of him, “They burn down trees on purpose and want us to lower taxes?”

Merlin hummed as he settled some of Arthur’s clothes away, “Why did they burn them?”

“They say one had seskat.”

Merlin swore.

“Merlin?” Merlin rarely used actual swear words.

“Where they able to save any trees?”

“What do you mean they said only one tree was diseased.”

“Seskat travels fast between trees. Often if you find it in one tree and it will be riddled threw the nearby trees. You have to burn at least the nearest trees, better to burn more than less. You can’t move the wood either or you might spread the disease. Were they able to save anything?”

“They say they burned four-and-ten of their trees, they have, well had, fifty trees in their area.”

“That few? Wow, somebody was fast down there. It will be hard as they have to clear the area carefully until they can chance using the area for new trees. Dropping tax for a season will help them recover.”

“Huh, you have an advise on these other farming tax requests?”

Merlin shrugged, “Hand them here and I’ll tell you what I can help with.”

Handing the pages over Arthur turned to trying to other matters as they saw working at his desk, together.

Chapter Text

Merlin dashed around the corner, his eyes landing on the steward, “Thomas! Perfect. I need you to change the servants that normally attend visiting nobles. No one under the age of thirty is to serve the guests and nobody petite. I’m not having what almost happened on their last stay happen this time.”

“Also, I need someone to get their servants to see Gaius. We may not be able to help them outside these walls but I want them as safe as we can make them while they’re here. I need you to have several servants sent to Gaius to help him make seaweed tea, mixtures to suppress the courses and creams meant for internal healing. No one is leaving our home pregnant if they do not wish to be.”

Merlin rubbed his forehead, “Then we need to put them in… the wood rooms, they will be treated to the best Camelot can offer, but unable to leave those rooms without a guard noticing. I need to talk with Della about making sure there are enough guards outside the rooms to,” Merlin paused scowling, “escort each family member if they all leave at once. None of them are to be alone at any time, inside or outside the castle.”

He frowned at Thomas, “If a skilled servant that is younger than thirty or petite has to enter that hall their boyfriend, older brother, father or whatever the guard can claim to be goes with them. No one is going to be threatened to be outed as a sorcerer because they said no to one of those,” Merlin grimaced, “men.”

Thomas nodded, “I will see to it at once. Is there anything else I can do?”

“No, I don’t want to bother you. Especially with all the servant changes you need to do now.”

“I’m about to have several young lads and ladies with nothing to do. I know they will want to repay you for the warnings. Here,” Thomas took a piece of paper that was sticking out of Merlin’s pocket, “I’ll take this. I can have the young ones running around doing these. It will give them experience working in different places. Now you still need to talk with the lead guard about the Fasnards, and the head cook about the feast for their arrival, correct?”

“Dansille does want my opinion on the dishes. The Fasnards are one of the pickier of visiting lords, and they like to insult any tiny fault they can find. Including not having a dish they want made. Then I need to talk to whoever is supposed to be in charge of the seating arrangement.”

“I believe that is Sigebert.”

“Great, I have to deal with his attempts to flirt.”

“You know he doesn’t mean any of it.”

“Yes, but there is only so many pick-up lines I can listen to in a single day. Whose pulling out the linens?”

“Lord Ertze.”

Merlin groaned, “That man is obsessed with his linens, and yet he wants my opinions before doing whatever I say would be good.”

“Do you want me to send him a message?”

“If you could tell him the cat set for the high table and the dog for the lower tables? The dog set is reminiscent of the Fasnard’s crest. Which will play into their egos, but if we throw up the dragon set for the hangings, they’ll know how small they are in the view of the crown.”

Thomas nodded, “I’ll send your recommendations to the Lord Chamberlain.”

“Right, I can help him once he starts freaking out about which table cloth should go where, and where to hang the wall hangings so assassins don’t have an easy time finding hiding spaces.”

“No problem, Merlin. I will see all of this gets done.”

Merlin gave a final thanks before his footsteps quickly retreated and Uther stepped into the hallway, from the side Merlin hadn’t come from.

The steward hummed looking over Merlin’s chore list before turning away from the way Merlin had gone. He jumped when he saw the king so close behind him, before dropping into a bow, “Your majesty! I did not hear you.”

He waved the comment off, “You were taking orders from Arthur’s manservant,” which was not something he was really against as it showed the warlock had some idea on how to run the household.

“Yes Sire.”

“He may be Arthur’s manservant, but he is still a servant. You are the steward; he should be reporting to you. If you interact at all.”

“Sire, I’ve been working here since I was a boy and when I was told Lord Fasnard’s family was visiting I forgot to check the notes on the different noble families. When Merlin heard he immediately came to me with those orders. He has only been here for one of their previous visits, where they only stayed one night ‘but during their stay two of our servants were almost assaulted.”

Thomas let out a breath that shook, “I thank every god that Merlin was present when one of the Lords pulled a child into a bedroom. Merlin managed to get her out of the room without arousing suspicion. He had warned the guards that he had a Bad Feeling about the Fasnards,” Somehow Thomas made it seem like the warlock having a bad feeling was extremely significant, “Luckily he had taken over the duties of all of the servant boys that should have served them as well.”

“What happened?”

Thomas gave Uther his best blank servant look, “The prince has taught Merlin self-defense. You had him flogged for attacking a lord.”

“If it was self-defense, why didn’t he say anything when I ordered the punishment?”

“A servant accuse a lord without proof?” Thomas probably didn’t notice that he had arched his brow at the king, “Often it’s better to take the punishment and keep quiet, and everyone knows you dislike Merlin.”

Uther grimaced, “Carry on, I wish to speak with the other head servants.”

“Sire, if I may, I recommend you ask the head guard about Merlin’s Bad Feelings, careful saying it though, it causes most people to jump.” With that Thomas bowed and left to complete his tasks.

Uther continued on his way to his office, he would send a summons to Della after lunch. He wanted to make sure Merlin had a chance to talk with him first. Then he could see what Merlin had told him and explain this thing about Merlin’s bad feelings.

Chapter Text

Week 4 Monday – Council Meeting: Determining Taxes

The meeting had started several candle marks ago and did not look to be ending anytime soon as the different lords gave reports on their holdings. Arthur knew it was important and he did his best to pay attention but he was struggling. The only thing keeping him going at this point is Merlin's comments. Merlin had already told him several pieces of information when he refilled his wine but if Arthur wasn't paying attention people would know where most of his opinions and comments were actually coming from.

The latest lord stood up to talk and Arthur narrowed his eyes at the man. Merlin had a Bad Feeling about the man, as well as just not liking him in general. Arthur needed to be ready for whatever the Bad Feeling was coming from.

"Your Majesty," Lord Fasnard bowed his head to the king before starting his piece. It was about the taxes on his land and a river that had all but dried up near his fields. "And that is why I am requesting a reduction in taxes of my land this season."

Uther nodded considering the request, ignoring Merlin as he stepped forward to fill Arthur's glass, "That seems reasonable."

"Father," Arthur didn't look away from the Lord making the request, not even glancing at Merlin as he stepped back to the wall, "I have a question for the lord before we accept his request."

Uther looked to him, "What is it?"

"Lord Fasnard,” Arthur smiled, “I was hoping you could explain how the drying up of the Althu river affects your wheat fields that are fed by the Taru river.? Unless you were speaking about your apple harvest. Those trees do receive water from the Althu river."

Uther turned hard eyes on the Lord, "I feel myself interested as well. I'm sure you are not trying to lie to this court. Are you Lord Fasnard?"

"No, no your majesty," Sweat beaded on the man's brow, "I, I was merely speaking of our apple harvest as his royal highness said. I would never try to deceive the court."

"Then I expect you will be delivering your normal amount of grain tax as normal, and more to help the holdings whose wheat fields are damaged by the drying of the Althu river."

The Lord grimaced, "Of course, your majesty."

As the meeting shifted to another lord, Uther noted, but did not comment, that as the meeting progressed Lord Fasnard’s glare seemed to be focused on his son's warlock.

Week 4 Monday Night – Not-Brother

“Greetings, my good not-brother.” Morgana swept into Arthur’s chamber without even a knock.

“Morgana!” Arthur glared at her, “Knocking is important! What if I had been naked? Or with Merlin?”

“Please Merlin knows to lock the door and he’s having dinner with Gwen in my chambers.”

“What, why? And I still could have been naked!”

“Well, if you had been this conversation would be even more awkward.”

“More? What are you doing here?”

Morgana swept the skirt of her dress to the side as she sat at his table, “I’m here with an offer.”

“Of what?” Arthur narrowed his eyes at her.

“It’s about Uther’s deal with you and Merlin,” she rolled her eyes when he tensed. “It’s nothing bad. I just told Uther that if he gets to the point where he would break his deal with you two, I would marry you.”

“Ew,” Arthur scrunched up his nose, “You're practically my sister.”

“I didn’t say I wanted to, I still see you as my stupid not-brother but,” She pursed her lips, “You’ve been so happy since the deal. Merlin as well. I don’t want either of you to lose that. If I have to find the greatest fertility potion and sleep with you once I will.”

“But… you don’t want a baby.”

Morgana grimaced, “I don’t. I think I’d tell it to call Merlin mom and me auntie. Father would get your heir and Merlin would get a baby to raise. I’ve seen him with babies and little ones. He’d make a great mom.”

“He’s a guy Morgana. He can’t be a mom.”

“Try telling him that. I bet if I tell him the baby was his to mother he’d be ecstatic.”

“You really think he wants kids?”

“Don’t get your smalls in a twist. I doubt he cares if they are his by blood or not. Any child of yours he’d see as his, as long as you told him that you wanted that.”

“Oh.”

“Now Uther said he’d consider it. He looked a bit green for some reason, but we all know I would take everything into my hands if it came to that.”

“I’m not sure if I should thank you or not. The idea of marrying you is,” Arthur shuddered.

“Well, yes, I agree. That’s why it’s the last resort. Now we haven’t talked in ages. I ordered dinner to be delivered here for us both so we could talk, like we used to.”

“I miss those talks from before having dinner like this became possibly scandalous. I hope with me being with Merlin it will prevent any rumors father could possibly hear.”

“Don’t worry. I gave those gossips of Merlin’s something better to talk about.”

Arthur tapped his fingers on the table, “Better?”

“Gwen is taking Merlin’s measurements for me. I’m going to give you both a gift. I’d say what it was going to be of course.”

“What is it?”

“I remember when you saw Merlin with that dress.”

“Morgana!”

“You just wouldn’t stop talking about it. What was that one thing you said?” She tapped her finger on her lip, “Oh yes, that it wasn’t even his size. So, I figured I’ll get you one that is. Any color preferences?”

“You can’t! No, no you’re not making him a dress!”

“But I am dear not-brother. I’m just asking about any preferences you might have. I was thinking black with blue accents, like his eyes.”

Arthur groaned, burying his head in his hands until servants came in with their dinners. As they ate Morgana let conversation to turn to less embarrassing subjects.”

Week 4 Monday Night – Measurements

“So,” Merlin sat down at the table with their meals as Gwen wrote down the last measurement she had made, “Finally going to explain?”

Gwen smiled at him, “My lady wishes to commission a present for you and Arthur. A congratulations on finally being able to be together gift.”

“Why would she need my measurements for that?”

“Well, it could be something for your new court attire you’re going to need at feasts and such.”

“But Brain is already doing that, and clothes seems like an odd gift.”

“What sort of gift wouldn’t be odd for giving as a congratulations on being able to have sex with Arthur,” She smirked at Merlin’s blush, “And a relationship of course.”

He tried to control his blush as one of his best friends teased him, Gwaine had been far worse, “You have a point there. But then why is she giving us anything?”

“Why do nobles do anything?”

“So she’s trying to one up Arthur or embarrass him?”

“Maybe, or she might really consider it a way to say congratulations without saying it. It’s not really something that comes up in polite conversation, like picking a favorite. Which you’ve been Arthur’s for years. He just didn’t do anything to make it official.”

“Favorite?”

“It’s something kings, princes and high-ranking nobles do sometimes. It’s a way of showing that they consider the lower born person as important to them. Someone they take counsel from. Someone they see as an equal, or very close. The only thing stopping you from being officially Arthur’s favorite is a lack of some piece of jewelry or something that would make it obvious to even foreign nobles that you're Arthur’s.”

“Oh.”

“He probably did it to protect you from Uther. Morgana explained to me that Uther already didn’t like how close you were to Arthur and if Arthur had officially marked you as his favorite Uther may have done something to get rid of you. Not wanting people to know Arthur was taking a peasant as a confidant.”

Merlin worried his brow, “You do a lot of the same things for Morgana, why aren’t you one then? Is she also worried about Uther?”

“No, she wasn’t worried. She actually offered but I declined. I don’t want that much attention.”

Merlin drummed his fingers on the table, “Is there something I’m supposed to do because I’m this favorite thing apparently, and why didn’t anyone tell me all of this?”

“Merlin you’ve been doing everything a favorite does, and a good deal more. I swear you’re the closest thing we have to a queen with all you do. And for the second part, it wasn’t official so it wasn’t really something to bring up.”

“You’re kidding. I don’t do any queen things.”

“You give orders to the steward.”

“I just point things to him sometimes.”

“Does what happened on Saturday before the Fasnard’s arrived ring a bell?”

“Um, I.”

She continued as her friend fumbled for an answer, “The Lord Great Chamberlain uses your choices.”

“Nothing would ever get chosen if I didn’t help Him!”

“Merlin, whatever you say as help, he does.”

Merlin groaned, hiding his face in his hands, “Please stop.”

“Do you see what I mean?”

Merlin nodded without moving his hands.

“Good, now eat. I don’t want you even more tired than you already are.” She rolled her eyes, “I know the two of you are happy, but maybe you should tell Arthur to take a break for a few days until you get your energy back.”

Finally reaching for his food, Merlin sighed, “He’s not.”

“Not what?”

“Making me tired. After dinner this past week I’ve been too tired to do more than cuddle. I mean I can finally have Arthur and I’m too tired to!” Realizing what he had just shouted he turned a dark red.

Gwen rolled her eyes, “Oh come off it Merlin, it’s just us. No need to be embarrassed. This is the first time we’ve had a chance to talk privately. Since everything happened.”

“Well why don’t we discuss your sex life then?”

“Seeing as I’m not even seeing anyone that would be hard.”

“Oh,” Merlin smirked at her, “You still haven’t done anything about all that blushing when Sir Lancelot is nearby. Or sighing as he practices in the training field? I could put a good word in for you if you want. He’s really a sweet man, you could be really happy together.”

“Don’t you dare.”

“You should do something then, he likes you.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Well, it’s not Morgana he’s staring at during feasts. Also, he’s certain you're taken, so he pines. It’s adorably sad. Can I at least mention you’re not seeing anyone?”

Gwen pursed her lips, “Fine, you can tell him I’m single if you can do it without being obvious why you’re telling him.”

“Yessss.” Merlin grinned at her.

“But back to you, were you really a virgin? I mean, you’re a handsome man, and a good kisser.”

“Gwen, the only thing I did before Arthur was kissing you.”

“I got your first kiss! Well, you got mine as well so that’s fair. But really no one’s offered?”

Merlin’s cheeks flushed pink, “People have offered. Cheryl’s offer had me blushing for days I swear.”

Gwen laughed but let the conversation turn to less embarrassing topics as she made sure he ate all of the food on his plate, and most of hers. She carefully snuck her food over to him knowing she could tell Diane what she’d done and would get another dinner, and maybe a honey cake, then. She rewarded anyone that got more food into Merlin.

Chapter Text

Uther stared at Lord Fasnard’s eldest son, “Please repeat that. I must have misheard you.”

“That servant,” The man pointed a finger at Merlin, “Tried to seduce me and is now claiming assault to hide his own actions.”

“You’re claiming, Arthur’s manservant, tried to seduce… you?”

“He did! He attempted to do so on our last visit as well!”

Arthur scowled at the man, before turning to his father, “You can’t believe him, look at what he did to Merlin!” Merlin already had a black eye forming, a bitten lip and his neckerchief was clutched in his hand. It had a clean tear through it to contrast the faint red mark on Merlin’s neck where the cloth normally rested. His breathing looked normal and he wasn’t clutching his side to Uther’s relief.

“Quite Arthur. Adam Fasnard, are you really accusing Merlin, Arthur’s manservant, of making forceful, sexual advances on you?”

“Yes!”

Uther broke down laughing.

“Father?” Arthur looked at his still laughing father.

Uther wiped a tear from his eye, “That is the funniest thing I’ve heard in years.”

“It’s the truth!” Adam growled.

“The only bed my son’s manservant wants to be in is my son’s, and even concussed he could never mistake you for Arthur.” Uther chuckled, “You’re not even blonde.”

Lord Fasnard glared at Merlin, “And you let him stay?”

“My son taking him as a bedwarmer hasn’t interfered with him doing his duties so I see no reason to dismiss him.” Uther turned to Merlin who was rubbing his neck, “It seems your concerns about the Fasnard’s were correct.”

The warlock blinked, obviously not knowing how Uther knew of the warlock concerns.

He continued ignoring the warlock’s confusion, “I wish to know what crimes or attempted crimes they may have performed on my household, by the Fasnards.”

Lord Fasnard scowled, “This is outrageous! This man comes onto my son and not only do you believe him, a peasant over my eldest son, and you’re going to let him make more false accusations?”

Merlin glared at him, “You just don’t want the king to know that you like to get young girls pregnant and once they start showing beat them until they lose the child. Every female servant of yours has come to the physician’s quarters to remove any life they had carried so you can’t beat it out of them instead. You’ve never touched a Camelot servant as you wouldn’t be here to beat the child out of her if your seed stuck.”

Everyone stared at where Merlin was glaring at the lord from where he was standing next to Arthur. Merlin was always happy, smiling, or an anxious mess, all but Arthur had never seen him angry. Assassination attempts got frowns and love enchantments annoyance, but not the anger they could now see.

“Your eldest son Adam likes men, young men the younger or slighter they are the better. He likes to beat them as he gets them into his bed. Then he forces himself on them without preparing them as he continues to abuse them. One of the servants that came with you has a tear in his rectum. If he’d been raped again, he’d be dead, and we could still lose him if the tear gets worse. He’s in the worst danger, but all the others are in need of healing. Two boys died when you were staying here three years ago. Gaius was able to save the castle servants he attacked but not those that you had brought with you.”

Merlin scowled, “The second son, Alrod likes little girls and boys. He makes sure not to hurt them, but he has no interest in anyone above the age of four and ten summers. Every child in the castle, and every young servant is restricted to one communal area watched over by four guards for the course of your stay. In case he manages to slip the guards somehow.”

Uther, and everyone present that didn’t already know, had gone white, “What of Lady Fasnard and the youngest Fasnard?”

“Oh Lady Ferguson died years ago. They just never told anyone so Lord Fasnard could claim one of the servants was his wife when he traveled. There are rumors about her death, but nothing is certain.”

“And the boy?”

“Alfred! He’s a real sweetie. He turned twenty summers two months ago. He sneaks teas and herbs to the servants near his father, healing ointments to the ones Alex touches and keeps a diligent eye on the little ones. Servants will leave their children in his office if they can’t watch over them. He's actually too afraid to try and find a wife, he worries about what his father would do to her. So, he mostly focuses on keeping his people fed and as safe as he can make them. He’s probably getting a lot done while he doesn’t have to watch over his people with his family away.”

Uther nods, “Alright, do you have any proof or anything that can support your claims?”

“Father,” Arthur glared, “Merlin would never lie about such things.”

“I cannot arrest nobles on what a servant says, no matter how trustworthy. Some evidence or another noble seeing and attesting to these crimes is needed to try any noble of a crime.”

Merlin placed a calming hand on Arthur’s arm before turning to Uther, “I have the physicians logs from each of their visits if that would work sire?”

Uther nodded, “Bring the logs to the Lord High Chancellor. You will be required to provide evidence at the trial tomorrow as well.”

Merlin nodded and left to get the logs, he smiled, he had a good feeling for once.

The next day the men were all tried and Uther personally sent them to the headsman before sending a message to the new Lord Fasnard about his new status.

Chapter Text

Week 6 Wednesday Night - Step 6: First Signs

From where he was sitting at the head of the banquet table Uther made sure not to seem at all interested in the exhausted warlock moments away from falling asleep standing up against the wall behind the head table. The container of wine the warlock was holding was practically empty he’d guess. Morgana’s maid was hovering near the warlock, along with another servant he didn’t recognize on the warlock’s other side. He knew the entire castle was worried by the warlock’s unexplained exhaustion.

While the exhaustion was a potential sign his plan had succeeded, it was more severe and earlier than he had expected. So far Gaius hadn’t figured out what was wrong with his nephew but Uther suspected his friend would figure it out soon. He was rather eager to have his plan success confirmed.

The amount of work the servants were putting into making sure no one noticed the warlock’s inability to do all most of his assigned tasks was impressive. Which was a good sign for the future household.

A servant passed behind him carrying a variety of items that servants often sneaked to eat during feasts. He slowed to a stop in front of the warlock, seeming to have a message for the servant next to him, obviously it was an excuse to get the warlock to grab something to eat. Instead of grabbing something, the warlock practically shoved the jug into Morgana’s maid’s hands before fleeing the hall, hand covering his mouth.

Uther smiled as he dismissed his panicking son. It seemed the warlock was getting sick when faced with food, Gaius should bring him the confirmation of his plan soon enough, perhaps even tonight!

Week 6 Wednesday Night - Step 7: Physician’s visit

Gaius stared at his ward, “Alright, you’ve put this off long enough. Take off your shirt and sit down. I’m giving you an exam. How long have you been feeling tired?”

“I’m fine Gaius, I’ve just got the sickness that goes around at this time of the year. I’ll keep taking it easy and it will pass. There’s no reason to worry.”

Gaius arched his dreaded eyebrow and Merlin sighed, complying with his uncle’s request he started pulling off his shirt as he answered, “A couple weeks?”

“A couple?” Gaius’s eyebrow didn’t dip.

Merlin huffed, crossing his arms as he slumped on the table, “Three and a half roughly.”

“The regurgitation?”

“That’s new. I’ve been nauseous off and on but that was the first time I threw up.”

Gaius prodded Merlin to sit up straight so he could check Merlin’s breathing, ignoring Merlin’s stomach, “How long on the nausea?”

“Three weeks? I’m not quite sure.”

“Anything else odd?”

“Even with the nausea I think I’m hungrier than normally? I mean Dansille seems to be trying to force feed me whenever I walk anywhere near the kitchen but I’ve not been trying to turn it down like I did when she first started, but maybe that’s the whole eating more making me want more?”

When Gaius didn’t respond Merlin looked at him, “Gaius? Do you think you know what’s wrong?”

“I need a urine sample.”

“Okay? Um, I’ll grab a clean chamber pot then, I do have to pee again.”

“You’re having increased incidents of urinating?”

Merlin nodded, “Yeah, now that you ask, I have been.”

Gaius didn’t have to wait long before Merlin was back, “Put it down there and off with you. I know the prince must be worried.”

“You don’t want me to stay?”

“It’s nothing urgent and you should get some sleep. I can’t have you being too tired to get me those herbs I need tomorrow.”

“Fine,” Merlin rolled his eyes, “I’ll be back in the morning.”

As soon as Merlin was gone Gaius walked to the kitchen. One of the girls hurried to him, “Do you need something physician? A patient needing broth?”

“No, no patient. I need you to tell the head cook I need some wine for testing.”

The girl nodded, obviously confused before hurrying over to Dansille giving her Gaius’s message. Dansille nodded before grabbing a jug and heading over to the physician, “Someone hoping for happy news? This wine is pretty cheap so I won’t miss it.”

Gaius managed a smile for her, “Thank you Dansille. Your help is as always appreciated.”

“Happy to help, do you want a honey cake? I have several left over from the feast.”

Gaius shook his head and hurried back to his quarters where he mixed some of the wine and his wards urine before sitting down to wait. Half a candle mark later he worked past his apprehension and looked into the mixture, it had changed color.

“Well,” Gaius spoke into the empty room, “I always knew that boy was going to drive me to drink. Although,” Gaius thought for a moment, remember an odd conversation from only two months ago, “It appears that I need to go talk to the king.”

Gaius stood up, if his friend had planned this, he had a lot of questions to answer. And Gaius was going to have those answers for Merlin when he visited tomorrow morning.

Week 6 Wednesday Night - Step 8: Success

Uther looked up from where he was working on the letters he had to finish, as the guard announced Gaius’s presence. Not that the guard got far before his friend shoved himself into the room. Uther waved to the guard to close the door.

Gaius bow was the most aggressive Gaius had ever given him, it was rather impressive, “Your majesty. I have a matter which requires your, immediate, attention.”

Uther smiled and waved to a chair, “Of course my friend. Come sit and tell me, don’t stand on decorum. We have been friends long enough that you need not sensor yourself here.”

Gaius ignored the chair, “You planned this.”

“You’ll have to be more specific Gaius. I have many plans.” Perhaps goading his friend was wrong but he had been lying to him ever since Merlin arrived, which he now appreciated but still.

“Merlin getting, by the crone, PREGNANT! How dare you do this to him? How dare you do this to both of them!”

“Would you rather the boy was dead?” Uther watched as the blood ran from his friend’s face, “Sit down and I will explain.”

Gaius sunk into the chair and accepted the goblet of wine Uther passed him.

“Now,” Uther took a sip out of his own glass, “I found out your nephew’s magic when that assassin's bolt went wide, missing my son completely. When I looked over to check on Arthur, your nephew’s eyes were still gold as he was glaring at where the bolt ended up in the wall.”

Gaius swallowed roughly, “And you didn’t say anything?”

“My son wouldn’t have believed me. Even if he caught the warlock himself, he would have denied it to protect your nephew. I know if I was to act against your ward Arthur would stand with him. No, I was considering how to get rid of the boy when that blasted dragon sent me a message. Something about regretting killing the warlock. I hadn’t decided between a staged bandit attack or an assassin so I went to visit him while I thought.”

Gaius’s face had gone green but his voice carried his surprise, “You can hear the dragon?”

“How do you know about the dragon?”

Gaius felt sweat trail down the back of his neck, “Merlin found him.”

Uther narrowed his eyes at Gaius but as it wasn’t important, he continued, “He explained that if I killed the warlock the future of Camelot would be doomed.”

“The future?”

“Yes, he explained that the ritual that took my wife was not done taking.”

“What do you mean? Your son is in prime health, I have found no negative effects.”

“It’s not something you can see, the dragon explained the spell was a life for a” Uther emphasized the letter, “Life.”

“Uther?”

“The ritual made it so Arthur cannot seed new life.”

“Merlin hasn’t slept with anyone but Arthur.”

Uther nodded, “Yes, but my son was born from magic, so apparently only magic themselves can give him a child.”

Gaius frowned, “A life for a life. Arthur being sterile would make sense, but why not just tell them?”

“I was serious when I talked of Arthur having an heir being an urgent matter. Camelot could not wait for them to decide,” he drummed his fingers on the table, “Who knows how long that would have taken.”

“They will not be happy about your deception.”

“Camelot is more important. They will understand that. Now tomorrow you will inform your nephew that he is no longer Arthur’s manservant or your assistant. He is now Arthur’s intended. His duty now is to Arthur’s heir and Camelot. I will be sending out invitations for their wedding tonight. I was working on the last of them when you entered.”

“Invitations?”

“Yes, we need the guests for the wedding to arrive as soon as possible. This will not be the first time a child was conceived before the royal marriage, but the child will be born within wedlock. If we are fortunate your ward will still be on the thinner side when the wedding occurs. Although having the conception obvious while the guests stay would not be a bad thing either.”

Gaius shook his head, “Considering how fast the symptoms are showing I doubt he’ll be thin.”

“Well, he is on the skinnier side. I’m certain that once the kitchen truly takes over his meals, he’ll fill out more and everything will be less obvious. Now go get your rest, you have happy news to give tomorrow.” He picked his pen back up, “I just need to finish these so they can get them sent out tonight. Before I take my own rest.”

Gaius headed back to his chambers, well Merlin deserved to hear some of the news before the king.

Chapter Text

Merlin yawned as he entered the physician’s quarters. A full night sleep in the softest bed in all of Camelot and he was still exhausted. Maybe he should let the other servants take over all of his duties for a day as they had been demanding. He didn’t want to push off his work, but he could really use a day off to get some extra sleep. One day would hopefully set him to rights.

“Ah, Merlin.” Gaius looked up from his patient logs, “Remove your shirt again. I need to make another measurement.”

Shrugging Merlin complied, waiting until he was sitting on the table again to ask his questions, “So did you figure it out?”

“I did.”

“And?” Merlin prompted when Gaius stopped.

“There’s nothing actually… wrong.”

“But there’s something?”

“Your magic can do amazing things my boy, many things that should be impossible.”

“Gaius, whatever weird thing my magic did this time, just spit it out.”

“You're pregnant.”

“M~ Mer~ b~ brea~.” Words seemed to be coming to him as if he was underwater, was he in a lake like Arthur had been in? “~lin bre~ breathe!”

Merlin sucked in a deep breath and coughed on it on the way out, his hand was resting on something that was moving with another slow rhythm beneath it.

“In… and Out Merlin, Come on Merlin breathe with me, In… and Out.”

Merlin followed the prompts as his hand moved at the same rate, “Ar-Arthur?”

“Thank the gods, Merlin. How are you feeling now?”

Merlin blinked at him, “Arthur? When did you get here?”

“Half a candle mark at most. One of the guards told me you were panicking worse than you normally do. Can you tell me what’s happened?”

Merlin waved at Gaius prompting him to explain.

“Gaius?” Arthur turned towards Gaius without removing the hand he was rubbing over Merlin’s back with, “Is he sick?”

“No sire.”

“Call me Arthur, you’re Merlin’s uncle. It’s weird to hear that from you.”

“Well… in about eight months you’re going to be a father.”

“What?”

“Merlin’s magic let you impregnate him.”

“Wait,” Merlin looked up, “We’ve only been together for a month and a half. Why am I so sick?”

“Part of it may be your activity level and diet but,” Gaius pulled out a cord with regular knots along it. “Sit up, I need to make another measurement, and arms away from your sides.”

Merlin followed his instructions confused, until Gaius placed the measurement cord around his stomach, he stared as Gaius took some notes down, “No.”

“I’m going to need you to come by weekly for now, you know the risks in these cases.”

“No, no not twi,” Merlin trailed off in a wounded whine.

“I collected the other measurement yesterday so you can put your tunic back on.”

When Merlin didn’t move to do so Arthur proceeded to struggle to force the tunic onto Merlin. Which, apparently dressing someone was more difficult than he had thought, “Could you both fill me in on whatever I’m missing?”

Merlin stared at Gaius, “Maybe it’s because I’m a man? I mean I can’t, I mean my magic… made me pregnant but it wouldn’t.”

Arthur looked between the wincing Gaius and the horrified Merlin, “Merlin?”

Gaius sighed, “Most wo-people don’t show,” he waved at where a small bump that was now hidden by Merlin’s tunic, “Until they are three to four months along. Most who show before that are carrying more than one child.”

“You think Merlin might be having twi-OW!” Arthur rubbed his side where Merlin had hit him, “What was that for?”

“This is your fault!” Merlin glared at him.

“I can’t help that your magic lets you get pregnant!”

“I’m pregnant, I’m allowed to be unreasonable but fine. My magic is at fault for me being pregnant. If there is more than one, then that’s your fault.”

Recognizing a losing battle for what it is, Arthur moved on, “What am I going to tell my father? I mean, he let us be together so I’d marry.”

“No,” Gaius sighed, “It was so you would have an heir, and he already knows about the pregnancy.”

Both men stared at him, Merlin was the one to break the silence, “What?”

“The night before the king offered you two that bargain, he came and talked with me. He managed to distract me from the first thing he said by talking about the deal he was going to offer.” Gaius sat back rubbing his forehead, “He told me I was to tell him if Merlin came down with any conditions women experience.”

Arthur tightened the hand not on Merlin’s back into a fist, “He planned this? This is why he talked about it being okay if my spouse has magic!”

Merlin frowned, “I want to know why he thought this might happen. Did he use something, but no you said it was because of my magic.”

Gaius settled back into his chair, “I promised to never tell the details around your birth,” he looked at Arthur, “So any details I ask you save for your father but magic of the Old Religion was involved.”

Merlin eyes widened, “Your mother died when you were born. A life for a life.”

Arthur’s eyes widened in horror, “My father traded my life for my mother’s?”

Gaius sighed, “He didn’t know it would be your mother’s life that was taken. He probably expected the sorceress that cast the spell to be the one to die, or a random peasant. I’m rather certain your mother figured it out, but she chose you.”

Arthur gave a jerk for a nod, “You must have brought it up for a reason then. What is it?”

“You were born from magic, your mother’s life for your own. The laws are strict. One for One not,” Gaius grimaced, “One for One and More.”

“More?”

“With anyone but Merlin, you would be unable to sire a child.”

Arthur glanced at Merlin confused, “Why?”

“A child born from magic can have no child unless magic themselves gives one.”

“Oh,” Arthur stared at Merlin, “That’s why he’s doing this, why he’ll accept some amount of magic. It’s the only way I can have an heir.”

Merlin frowned, “Why not just tell us then? I mean if it’s the only way for Arthur to have a child. I’d have done it.”

Arthur scowled, “Probably in some bid for control of the situation.”

Gaius sighed, “He didn’t want to wait for you two to decide, he said Camelot couldn’t wait for you to decide to have the child.”

“That sounds like him, did my father have anything else to say to you?”

“That Merlin is no longer my assistant or your manservant, instead he’s your intended. His duty is to your heir. Uther has also sent out the invitations for your wedding.”

Merlin coughed on nothing, “Wedd-wedding?”

Arthur nodded, “That makes sense, he’d want to make sure we’d be married well before the child is born. He’s probably happy to know so soon in the pregnancy.”

Gaius nodded before turning to Merlin, “You’ve gotten a shock and you’ve been exhausted, which we now have an explanation for at least. I want you to spend today and tomorrow either sleeping or resting in bed.”

“But, bedrest?” Merlin pouted, “I’ll get bored.”

“Good, you’ll sleep more than. I mean unless you want to make it three days?”

“Fine, I was thinking about getting in a nap this morning anyway, so it’s not that big of a deal.”

“Arthur, I trust you to get this one in bed and make sure he stays in it, resting. I’ll send a note to Uther about the bed rest so Merlin should have longer to adjust to the news before having to deal with Uther summoning him, or inviting you two to a dinner.”

Arthur nodded, “Of course. Alright Merlin, let’s get you back in bed so you can get that nap you had been planning on. I’ll tell George to take over your chores for now.”

“Fine, but he’s not the one replacing me. It would be too weird for me if he was your manservant.” Merlin then glared at both of them before stomping out of the room, forcing Arthur to hurry after him.

Chapter Text

Gwen carefully pushed the door in, carrying something Morgana had ordered her to bring to Arthur’s chamber so she had an excuse to get in and see if Merlin was inside, and if he was, what was going on.

The castle was ripe with rumors now that Merlin hadn’t been seen for all of yesterday and today. The tamest rumor being that Merlin was injured or sick and restricted to bed rest. Which with how exhausted Merlin had been recently would make sense. On the other hand, some talked about Uther banishing Merlin or that Arthur had Merlin tied to his bed as some sort of sex slave.

Cheryl, one of the leaders of the gossip rings had come down on that rumor hard squashing it before it could get out.

Her favorite was that Merlin had lost a bet and had to walk around naked for a couple days. Although she hoped that was wrong now, there are certain bits of your best friend you don’t want to see.

She snorted thinking about the rumor Steven had started, that Merlin was pregnant. He usually had a good ear for the truth in the sea of gossip but really? A man being pregnant? Even for Merlin that was a bit too weird.

“Gwen!” Merlin smiled from where he was sitting on Arthur’s bed, “Do you have time to talk? Bed rest is boring when you can’t sleep anymore.”

Seems like bed rest was the answer. “I have until I need to get Morgana ready for dinner. She sent me with this,” She waved the note in her hand before dropping it on Arthur’s desk, “So I could get in to see you, if you were in here of course.”

Merlin groaned, falling back onto the bed as she sat in a chair, “How bad are the rumors?”

“You mean the one about Arthur chaining you to the bed as a sex slave?”

“WHAT?” Merlin sat up so fast he almost fell off the bed.

She laughed, “Don’t worry, Cheryl killed that one before it could spread, but this being part of some sort of sex game is still out there. Which seeing as you're dressed, makes it unlikely.”

Merlin rubbed his face, “All this because I’ve been stuck in here sleeping for two days?”

“Well, the real talk started when someone said George wasn’t just filling in for you but was your temporary replacement until they assigned or hired someone else. Which is crazy, Arthur would never allow you to be replaced.”

Merlin snorted, “Which is why the king ordered it.”

“Wait, is someone really replacing you? Why? I thought the king was okay with you and Arthur?”

“Oh, he’s more than okay with it. It was all part of his plan, and it fucking worked, the bastard didn’t even warn us what could, did happen.”

She glanced around the empty room checking for anyone as her friend insulted the king, “What happened?”

“I’ve been promoted to Arthur’s intended.”

“Wait what? Arthur’s… but wasn’t all of this so Arthur would marry and have an heir? Why would you be marrying…” She stopped to stare at him, “Steven was right?”

“Considering I have no clue what he said, I don’t know, but he often is.”

“Are you pregnant?”

“Yep,” Merlin popped the p, “Apparently this is all because of some magic from when Arthur was born. It made it so he could only have a child with magic themselves, which is me. I know you know about my magic; most people do by now.”

Gwen nodded as she stared at him.

“Well, I don’t really have magic, I am magic. The druids call me Emrys. I’m apparently the strongest sorcerer to ever live. Although I’m a warlock that practices sorcery, not a traditional sorcerer. I’m actually the embodiment of the magic Uther tried to purge from the Camelot according to some people.”

“Powerful,” Gwen stared, “I’ve seen you trip, standing still.”

“I thought we agreed not to talk about that.”

“You said that, I never agreed to anything.”

Merlin smiled, holding out his hands, which confused her, until his eyes flashed gold and a blue butterfly appeared in his hands.

She gasped watching as the butterfly flew around the room before hovering in front of her. Holding out her hand she felt it land on her finger, “How?”

“Sorcerer’s and even most warlocks need certain spells to do things. Warlocks can do uncontrolled, or accidental magic as well but they learn spells for control. On the other hand, my magic, a lot of the time I don’t need spells, it just does what I need it to.”

Merlin’s eyes flared again and a flower crown appeared in his hair, and she felt one forming on her own head as well, “What can’t you do?”

“I don’t know.” He shrugged his shoulders at her look, “I’ve never tried something and had it not work, eventually.”

She looked from the butterfly and back to Merlin and wasn’t surprised by the fear of rejection in his eyes. Merlin was always afraid of what people would think, but he was her friend, he never needed to fear her rejecting him, “Is that why you know about the baby already?”

Merlin groaned and fell back on the bed, “I hope it’s the magic that’s making it so obvious. I’m going to hurt anyone who ever dares say the word ‘twins’ near me.”

“Twi-“She stopped at Merlin’s growl, “So how long are you stuck in bed?”

“Just the rest of today. I have no clue what I’m going to do tomorrow. I mean I’m not Arthur’s manservant or Gaius’s assistant, apparently my duties are to be pregnant. So, no clue what I should be doing.”

“Well, I have tomorrow off after I help Morgana dress in the morning until when I have to help her get changed for dinner with the king. Want to go to the market together? I can come get you once Morgana is dressed.”

Merlin’s answering smile was brighter than the sun.

Chapter Text

Week 6 Saturday Morning – Tunic Choices

“Come in,” Merlin called out when Gwen knocked on the door.

She was surprised to find him partially dressed, Merlin had hose and even his boots on, but no tunic, “Are you ready?” Obviously, he wasn’t but if her friend didn’t care about being half naked in front of her, she wasn’t going to bring it up.

“I can’t figure out which tunic to wear.”

Gwen walked over to look at the three tunics on the bed, “Well it’s just a walk in lower town, it shouldn’t be hard.”

“It has to do with this,” he motioned at the noticeable bump low on his stomach.

“You're already showing?”

“As I said last night, hopefully it’s the man thing, if it's twins I’m going to kill Arthur.”

“So,” Gwen avoided that pit trap, “What does that have to do with these tunics?”

Merlin pointed at the most leftward one, “That one’s small enough that you might be able to see the bump if you’re looking for it. Then this one is my normal tunic which will be enough to hide it without anyone being suspicious, and that one,” he pointed at what looked like one of Arthur’s old tunics, “Will make it look like I’m trying to hide something.”

“You want to control what the rumors are going to say. Without telling your friends what to say.”

“Rumors are best if you let them form on their own and I’m certain Uther wants to choose when the news of my pregnancy goes out but he hasn’t said anything to me yet. In fact, I’ve been instructed that my duty now is to Arthur’s heir so going to go look at baby toys would be thinking about the baby’s future.” Merlin picked up Arthur’s tunic and pulled it on, “Let’s go.”

“You’re planning on angering the king.”

“What’s he going to do about it? Throw me in the dungeon? I might get sick and that could hurt the baby. Now we should go, I want to spend enough time to look at a bunch of baby things and talk with one of the caravan guards.” He glanced at her, “Did I tell you about him? His name is Edward Elywne,”

Gwen shook her head.

“Well I have some of the muscle cream he loves and he’ll have plenty of news from Mercia and Escetir, maybe something from Nemeth as well if we’re lucky. I just have to be back in time to have dinner with Arthur, Morgana, and Uther.”

Knowing it was useless to fight Gwen followed him, and if they passed where Diane always scrubbed the floor on Saturday mornings, why that was just chance.

Week 6 Saturday Afternoon – Gossip: Hidden Bump?

“Girls!” Diane glanced at Steven, “And Lad.”

Steven shrugged his shoulders, “It’s fine. I’m quite secure in my sense of masculinity, even when I’m knitting lace.” He held up his knitting.

Cheryl waved him off, “Steven has always been one of the girls, he’s just man shaped. Now spill, you look like you have something good.”

“I saw Merlin heading out of the castle with Gwen.”

Tracy nodded, “Gwen told us he’s taking lunch down in lower town with her, so we wouldn’t try and track Merlin down to feed him. I could have told you he had the day off.”

“You didn’t see what he was wearing.”

“Spit it out then.”

“It was one of the prince’s tunics, one of his older ones.”

Steven groaned, “My dad’s going to be pissed he isn’t wearing the clothes we made for him.”

Cheryl sighed, “So he was wearing his lover’s clothes, that’s new but no reason for you to be acting like this.”

“It is when he rested his hand on his stomach thrice just in my view, and not the nausea touch, he was resting his hand there.”

“Hah!” Steven punched his hand into the air, “I was right! I told you guys, he’s pregnant! I bet that’s why the king let the prince and Merlin be together. The prince got cursed or something so only Merlin can give him an heir.”

“Well,” Cheryl drummed her fingers on the table the friends had managed to score for lunch, “He definitely could over power any curse but Merlin’s still a man.”

“He accidently creates butterflies when he’s happy and thinks he’s alone.”

“He has a point Cheryl,” Tracy sat leaned back from where she sat on the bench, “They’ve only been together for two months though. How would they even suspect that? If it was the king’s plan did he order Merlin tested?”

Tracy hummed, “I mean Merlin has been really tired, and then he threw up. Gaius is really smart, or the king might have said something to make him suspicious. The king did visit Gaius the night before he offered the prince and Merlin the deal. It just doesn’t explain why he was so tired; women aren’t usually that tired this early in the pregnancy. I mean he kept dozing off everywhere.”

Steven bit his lip, “Merlin’s a man, maybe even with magic he needed to make something to hold the baby? I mean if he had to grow, you know, girl parts, he’d have a definite reason to be exhausted.”

“Girl parts? Not able to say vagina?”

“Pretty sure he would have figured it out before now if he had grown one of those, I meant the internal stuff, which I don’t know what it's all called so fine, womanly parts.”

Diane frowned, “Do you really think the king planned all of this?”

“Well,” Steven tidied up his lunch, “The king did make a comment to dad about Merlin needing more clothes as he filled out.”

“Is that why you suspected Merlin was pregnant?”

“No. I’ve always been suspicious something more was going on; I mean the king could have threatened Merlin. Why let the prince take Merlin as a lover if he wants Arthur making an heir? He’d want Arthur spending his seed somewhere an heir could come from, right? Which if prince is cursed, or was cursed and Merlin was the uh, cure? That’s the only reason I could think of for the king to encourage them to be together.”

Tracy nodded, “The specially ordered romantic dinner, and the breakfast for them. Ordering the improvement of Merlin’s diet. He was getting them together and trying to get Merlin healthy enough to get pregnant.”

Diane’s eyes widened, “The special neckerchief. You guys should have seen how Arthur looked when he saw Merlin with it on at the feast. I’m still surprised Arthur lasted as long as he did before dragging Merlin off.”

Cheryl blinked, “Didn’t he retire before dessert went out? That’s what I heard.”

Tracy nodded, “He actually ordered some dessert later that night.”

“The kind you lick off someone or you would feed them?”

Diane blushed, “Cheryl!”

“Oh, come on, you want to know.”

Tracy rolled her eyes, “The type you would feed someone. Do you know how hard it is to get cream and such out of sheets? Merlin washes sheets. No way would he be interested in doing something like that to the sheets he has to wash. Although if he is pregnant I doubt he’s still going to be a servant now. Explains everything that is happening with George and a new manservant, but I mean if anyone deserves to be made a noble it’s Merlin with all he’s done for Camelot.”

Diane frowned, “But why the large clothes? He can’t be showing already. It takes three to four months before you start to show.”

Cheryl frowned, “Maybe he’s just worried someone will be able to tell? Timothea, you all know her, she works in the laundry, did that when she got pregnant. She did it when she found out she was pregnant, she tried to hide her stomach well before she grew out.”

Steven shrugged, “He is a guy, he could be showing because of that?”

“Twins,” Tracy stared at the others, “Women having twins show super early like only six weeks in early.”

The group stared at each other, there was no way their friend was carrying twins… right?

Week 6 Saturday Night – Anxious Dinner

Merlin tried not to show his anxiety but he was rather certain he was failing spectacularly as Arthur had already placed his hand on Merlin’s thigh.

Eating with Arthur was normal, there weren’t any rules he didn’t know about to break. If it had just been Morgana, he’d be more worried that he was going to embarrass himself, than anxious. But it was with her and Uther. Who would have had him burned at the stake three months ago, and the only reason Uther hadn’t was because for some reason he was needed for Arthur to have an heir. He thought he had the right to be anxious.

He jumped when a plate was placed in front of him, and a crash came from across the room where a decorative tree had grown twice its size and burst out of its pot. He blushed when everyone looked from the pot to him, “Sorry.”

“That was a bit,” Morgana blinked, “Startling.”

He gave her a faltering smile, “Sorry my magic acts up if I experience extreme emotions, like when I get really happy, I create butterflies. Especially as I haven’t been using my magic, so it’s getting restless.”

Uther frowned, “Your magic acts without your permission?”

“Not often. I do have pretty good control if I’m using it regularly. Which I haven’t been since you threatened to lock me up in Arthur’s rooms if I was caught using it, and well,” Merlin gestured at his stomach, “This isn’t going to do anything good for my control. As I get further along my control is going to get worse, especially if I don’t practice.” He tilted his head to the side thinking, “My passive magic will get stronger as well.”

Uther scowled, “Magic will be allowed in your chambers and whichever room you chose to work out of.”

“Work out of?”

“You will be expected to learn to read, write and perform arithmetic, as well as learn the history of Camelot and other things Arthur’s wif-spouse, should know.”

“History would be interesting to learn about, but I can already read, write and perform arithmetic.”

“Gaius taught you all of that while you were serving as my son’s manservant and his apprentice?”

“No, my mother taught me and Gaius says my skills are impressive.”

“What else did your mother teach you?”

“I’m not sure what things will interest you, since she taught me a lot about plants and other things I needed to know as a peasant, but,” Merlin paused for a moment, “She said the fact that I had memorized the few classic stories she had was impressive.”

“What stories?”

“Well, the most annoying one to memorize was Caesmon’s Hymn, it’s short but the paper mom had was so beat up so it took a while to figure out which word was what, so I’m probably a bit off on that as I memorized what I thought it was so my accuracy may be off. Homers Odyssey is my favorite; I mean it’s long and I’ve tried to get the full version of it here because we definitely were missing pages. The pages we did have I’ve memorized. It’s not like there was much to do in the house when I had to hide because my magic was acting up.”

“You know Latin?”

“Not much, mom taught me some but the only thing we had for me to learn from was the Odyssey, and I’m rather certain I’m saying words wrong. Other than that, a bunch of short poems. I was sometimes asked to read any letters other villagers got. Although I think my mum was better at that. Nothing else my mom said were classics.”

“How did your mother know how to teach you so much? You were a peasant.”

“My grandfather was a part of a lord’s estate and he taught my grandma and my mom. When my mom was fourteen some lord started paying her the bad type of attention so my grandma sent her to live with my great-aunt. Mom had a few of her favorite poems and such and then my father got her the damaged Odyssey. He had promised to get her a good one. That of course was before he walked out on mom when she was pregnant with me. Mom says he left to protect us, but I think she just didn’t want me to think bad of him.”

Uther grimaced at the reminder that Merlin was a bastard, “We will need to expand on your education then, rather than start it.”

Morgana took a sip of her wine, trying to hide how eager she was for information about magic, “I admit I’m more interested in hearing about what passive magic is. Accidental magic is easy enough to understand, but what is passive magic?” Seeing Uther’s frown she added, “Is it dangerous?”

Merlin shook his head, “Generally no. I mean if someone attacks me it's going to try and protect me, which might involve hurting the other person but generally no. Most of my passive magic is shown in my connection to nature. Plants grow and bloom when I let myself relax, even when I’m holding onto my magic as tight as I can the grass I walk on and the trees I pass by are strengthened. Often wind will blow to cool me down and often just putting my hand on a pile of wood will light it. Water pools together when I need to dry the floor or it helps me swim. Not much, it’s more it tries to hold me up but if it weren’t for that I’m not sure if I would have gotten Arthur out of that bloody lake.”

Arthur blinked, “You’ve never helped me out of a lake.”

“That you remember. When the sidhle tried to sacrifice you in lake Avalon to regain their immortality I had to pull you back out of it.”

“Sidhe?”

“You remember how I had a Bad Feeling about Lady Sophia? Yeah, turns out she was sidhle and she drugged you with a love potion so you’d follow her out of the castle and to the lake. She told you that the two of you were going to elope. Why you needed to be in full plate armor to elope I have no idea but dragging you and all of your armor out of that lake was horrible.” Merlin growled, “I despise love enchantments.”

Uther glared at the far wall, “We will need to track them down and kill them for daring to enchant Arthur.”

Merlin shook his head, “They’re already dead. Had to get rid of them before I could save Arthur.” He hummed, “Did get a cool staff out of the whole thing at least.”

Arthur furrowed his brow, “How did you kill both of them? You’re a terrible shot even with a crossbow. You couldn’t have overpowered them in time.”

“Arthur,” Merlin sounded like he was trying to explain something to a small child, “I have magic, I used magic to kill them.” Merlin sat back running a hand through his hair, “You were drowning. I had to use magic, and there was no one around to worry about reporting me as a sorcerer, not that that would have stopped me.”

“But,” Arthur looked at Merlin worried, “There were two of them, why would you risk yourself like that?”

“You. Were. Drowning.” Merlin emphasized each word, “I told you I’ve killed for you. I’ve told you of some of the people I’ve killed to protect you, do you really think I’d let having to kill two sidhle stop me?” Merlin looked down at his plate for the first-time and started grinning, “Strawberries! I thought we were out!”

The other three people at the table exchanged bewildered looks at the sudden change in Merlin’s demeanor as Merlin started into his fruit. After a moment the others started eating as well. More mundane conversations started up. At the end of the meal Merlin was dozing slightly as Uther told Arthur that he expected to see the pair in the morning, and Morgana invited Merlin to lunch which he, yawning, happily accepted.

Chapter Text

“Merlin,” Morgana smiled as he stepped into her chambers, “Thank you for agreeing to lunch.”

Merlin smiled at her, “Thanks for giving me something to do. I’ve been told my duties now are to the baby but it’s not like being pregnant is something you work at. Everyone is telling me to rest but I have rested, there must be something I should be doing. I mean someone’s going to start teaching me about history and the other stuff at some point, but am I supposed to find someone to teach me? Or do I wait for someone to show up? Quite frankly if a monster showed up I’d be almost thankful for having something to do.”

Morgana smiled, “I can help you with that, but I was hoping to discuss magic with you. I have a few questions.”

Merlin cut her off, slapping himself in his face, “That’s what I was forgetting.” Merlin smiled at her shyly, “Maybe we should move this to my office? Or at least I think that’s what the king called it. That way I can show you something?”

“That’s agreeable.”

“Great, can you get the door? I can get most of the food but,” Merlin frowned, “I’ll have to come back for the drinks.”

Morgana rolled her eyes, “Merlin this is when you call for a servant. They carry around food, not you. It’s not proper for you to be carrying food between rooms.”

“My lady, I was a servant five days ago. I can carry a few plates.”

Morgana shook her head before stepping into the hallway to wave down a passing servant. “Apparently you could use some lessons on what you shouldn’t be doing now.”

“My lady,” The servant bowed, “How may I be of service?”

“Merlin and I have chosen to take our lunches in his office. He needs to get used to using it.”

“Of course, my lady, I will move your dishes there.”

Merlin smiled at the servant when he stepped into the room, “Lindon! I haven’t seen you in forever. How’s your sister’s baby? Did she overcome that cold?”

“She did and she is picking up weight again as well. We are so relieved and it was all thanks to you, that tonic you gave us that did it.” Lindon started picking up the plates, “We really can’t thank you enough.”

“I was happy to help and it is… was my job. No thanks needed.”

“Still you have them, we thought we were going to lose her. With you to watch over Arthur’s heir we’ll never have to worry about their health! Now where to?”

“My office? I think that’s what the king called it. It’s the room set aside that magic can be used in.”

“I know where that is, I helped clean out some of the cobwebs. I’ll have to take two trips but I’ll have you both settled into your office soon enough.”

Merlin picked up the pitcher before someone could stop him, “I’ll carry this so it's just the one trip.”

Lindon smiled, “Alright, I’ll let it go this time, but in the future…”

Merlin groaned walking out the door, “I know, but let me hold onto the thought I don’t have to learn what bows to use, I can’t get away with just the one now. When I bowed to the king when I entered his office with Arthur, he got mad because I bowed too deep. This is my fourth day of not being a servant, and the first two I spent on bed rest! How am I supposed to know the correct bow?”

Morgana, who had been walking beside the gossiping Merlin smiled, “I can help with that, but fair warning it will change after you get married.”

Merlin groaned as Lindon followed him into his office, “Why can’t I just hide until the wedding so I don’t have to learn all of this.”

“You’ll need to know it for the wedding, before and after, and that isn’t the only etiquette thing you need to learn before that. You have four weeks to learn a lifetime's worth of noble manners.”

Merlin whimpered and Lindon placed the dishes on the table. Merlin tried to smile at Lindon, “Thanks for the help, Lindon.”

Lindon smiled, bowed, and left.

Morgana arched her eyebrow as Merlin sank into one of the seats, “What’s the chance you know any servant I see in the hallway?”

“It depends what you mean by know. I know everyone’s names of course, but if you mean past that?” Merlin tilted his head thinking, “Three out of four most likely. Plenty of people visit the physician’s office and I always like to talk with whoever I’m working on chores with. The brand-new servants I haven’t had a chance to talk with, and some of the older servants who don’t like talking with anyone younger than fifty. Them I don’t know well.”

“Well, you’re a noble now so you won’t have time to do that now.”

“Oh,” Merlin frowned as he drummed his fingers on the table, “Right. Well,” He turned a smile on her, “Magic. We can finally talk! Gaius gave me a grimoire to teach myself from, but he never actually trained me. He said he was helping you so was he giving you lessons or do you have your own book?”

“He gave me sleeping potions for my dreams and refused to talk about magic.”

Merlin stared at her, “You’re kidding, right? Please tell me you’re kidding and my uncle wasn’t ignoring a seer who is also a warlock coming into her powers.” Merlin looked at her face desperate. “Please.”

“You think I’m a warlock?”

Merlin hid his face in his hands and leaned over and screamed into them before sitting back up and smiling at her, “Okay, he wasn’t actually helping you.” Merlin’s voice was slightly hysterical, “He was just ignoring a budding warlock seer who needs to learn control or you’ll get yourself killed by the king. Okay,” He clapped his hands, “For right for now, if your magic acts up: blame me. I don’t care if I’m in lower town, blame me and I’ll take credit, he can’t kill me. Do you know of any magic you’ve performed?”

“I set my curtains on fire and blew out the windows after a nightmare.”

“Vision, you’re a seer you see potential futures. You have precognitive visions, just remember you’re seeing prophecies not destinies. Destinies can’t change, prophecies can. But fire and wind, let’s focus on fire first. You’re always going to have a stronger connection to those two things because that’s how your magic first manifested, but fire is the more dangerous of the two. So, putting out fires is the first thing you need to learn.”

“You’ll teach me?”

“Of course! I’ve always wanted to teach. So today,” He waved a hand and a candle shifted in between them and lit up, “We are going to stay here until you can easily put out this fire. I’ll explain the incantation and things you need to know before casting spells while we eat lunch. We’ll have to get together again for me to teach you anything else.”

“You didn’t use an incantation to do that.”

“Okay, important fact, never compare your magic to mine.”

“Why not?”

“One, I’ve been doing magic since I was born practically and the reason all of this happened,” he motioned to his stomach, “is because I’m Emrys. Pretty clear now with the whole only magic himself can bear Arthur a child thing. Which means the druids are right and I am magic. So, I will always have an easier time doing magic because it’s what I am. So don’t compare yourself to me, you’re going to be a powerful warlock, I can tell, but I’ll always be better than you because I’m magic. Do you understand? Or was I too confusing?”

“No, that makes sense, but why are you the only one that can give Arthur a child?”

“I’m not exactly sure but I have my suspicions. Apparently Uther used magic in some way that resulted in Arthur’s being born. Whatever he did apparently made it so only I could bear him a child because I’m magic. But let’s focus back on the spell I need to teach you.”

Morgana hummed, “I can tell Uther I’m training you all about being a noble lady so we can meet regularly. I’ll actually have to teach you but you’re a fast study. I’m certain you’ll pick up everything fast enough so we can focus on magic.”

Ignoring the lady comment Merlin nodded his agreement, before going on to explain some of the basics of casting magic and the spell to put out fires.

Chapter Text

Week 7 – Council Meeting: Spending

“That is my final report on how the royal finances should be spend this season,” The High Lord Treasure Tabot concluded.

Uther nodded before turning to the council, “Any objections?”

“Your majesty,” Lord Chamberlain Entze was the first to speak, “With the planning of the royal wedding new table linens are needed and we need money to do other things to get the castle ready to accept so many guests for such a monumental occasion.”

“Damn your linens,” The Earl Marshal Bobot slapped the table, “We need new horses.”

The Lord High Constable Spirlea glared at him, “Your horses are fine. We need new chain mail!”

“Quiet!” Uther’s voice boomed through the hall, “This is not a bar brawl. You’ve stated your pieces, we will discuss this calmly. Now,” Uther turned to Arthur, “I had the financial reports and requests sent to your rooms for review. What would you do?”

Arthur glanced down at his notes, “First we should reduce the budget to the court system and instead invest the money in new horses.”

“Your Royal Highness!” The High Lord Chancellor Lumani interrupted, “We need that money to continue working.”

Uther glared at Lumani for interrupting before turning to Arthur, “Why do you recommend the decrease in the justice budget?”

“That is because,” Arthur looked back at his notes.

Merlin’s sigh cut off his search, “You didn’t hear a single thing I told you earlier, did you?”

“We have new recruits that need training. We need them well practiced and trained for when the guests arrive.”

Uther glared at his son, “Did you hand off your royal duties to your intended?”

Arthur didn’t meet his eyes, “Merlin has always been far better at these things. I had him review them this time, instead of working through them with me as we have limited time before the wedding to complete everything that needs to be done.”

“Your former manservant was aware of state secrets?”

The room sat in silence as Arthur failed to form a response. Which several of the nobles present gave each other confused looks over why Uther was even asking. Everyone knew that Arthur turned to Merlin for assistance in these matters. Did Uther really not notice what happened during the meetings? Such as the one with the former Lord Fasnard?

Uther turned to Merlin, “Seeing as you are the one who apparently did my son’s work, you will be the one to give what should have been his review.”

Merlin paled, but took a deep breath when Arthur placed his hand on Merlin’s arm to calm him, “Alright.”

“Well,” Lumani growled, “Why do you think my budget should be reduced? Is it because you fear me boy?”

At the insult Merlin straightened out of his minor slump to glare at the lord, “Fear a man who doesn’t attend any beheadings, even the ones he orders? I have no fear of a man who cannot stomach to see his own orders carried out.”

“I-I,” Lumani looked around the table, “That’s a lie.”

Merlin scoffed, “I’m no longer a servant Agustin. You can’t order me to keep quiet about the bucket you keep in your office for when a beheading must be ordered. Why what did you say on the day of the Fasnard’s execution again? That you had a spot of the cold, but you didn’t need to visit the physician’s office and you didn’t seem to have a cold when you were at the brothel that night. ”

Uther turned to his High Chancellor ignoring the other comment for now, “Is that true? Are you not man enough to see your own orders carried out?”

“It is only the beheadings your majesty. They are rare enough that I do not miss too many executions being carried out.”

Merlin rolled his eyes, “Which is why your budget is too high. Beheading someone is far cheaper than other methods of execution. I know you all like the,” Merlin paused for such a small moment only Arthur noticed, “Pyre. Burning people alive is very… flashy, but it’s also incredibly expensive. Every burning takes up large amounts of wood that we then need to replace into the castle supply.”

Lumani scowled, “You just say that because you're scared of burning yourself.”

“My personal feelings about the pyre do not affect the numbers. Even if I didn’t wake up from nightmares about burning it would still be the most expensive and frankly stupid way to execute someone.”

A servant knocked at the door before entering, carrying a goblet of water, “Sorry my lords, it’s been three candle marks since Lord Merlin’s last cup.” Most of the court present shifted awkwardly in their seats thinking of Merlin’s admission as merlin grumbled, the servant placed a filled goblet of water on the table next to Merlin and left after seeing Merlin did start drinking it.

“Right,” Merlin tapped at the table having finished the goblet, “Where was I? Oh yes, burning people is stupid. Someone is just as dead from the gallows or the ax as the pyre. If someone is going to do something that would lead to their execution if they got caught, they aren’t going to let the fear of how they’ll die get in the way of committing the crime. If you lot would just start hanging or beheading people instead of the pyre you would save a lot of money.”

Merlin pulled something from Arthur’s stack of paper and sent it in a gust of wind to Talbot with a spot of magic as he went to have it passed over to him, “Oh, um sorry about that, did not mean to send it flying. Charles, that’s a breakdown how much each execution method costs and why. I included a percentile comparison of the types of execution methods that were carried out before and after Agustin took over the position he now holds, which shows why the justice system’s budget needing to be increased so quickly after he took his position. He claimed an uptick of sorcerer burnings as the initial cause but just never allowed his budget to be reduced after that. Even if you went back to how criminals used to be punished before Agustin came into his position, the amount of money saved could easily be used to benefit the crown elsewhere. Such as buying new horses.”

There was a short pause in the meeting as Talbot picked up the paper and glanced over the numbers.

“Well?” Uther looked at the treasure, “What do you see?”

“I would want to confirm these numbers, but your majesty it all seems to be in order. I do remember when Lord Lumani kept requesting more money to carry out executions. I have no doubt that if we did go back to the way before he took the position, we would save a good deal of money. Lord Merlin also included an average of executions and other crimes carried out per season so I could more accurately determine the justice department’s monetary needs with this. I will then be able to distribute the money to other needs of the crown.”

Uther frowned, turning to Merlin, “Your work in this matter was well done, but why have you spent time on it now? Surely you could have saved such concerns until after the wedding and your classes decrease.”

Merlin shrugged, “I was told I needed to practice my arithmetic more. I worked through the assignments given to me but once I finished those, I went looking for other places to practice.”

Uther snorted, “And you just happened to pick this subject?”

Merlin grinned, “It was the first thing I could think of. I practiced with some other things too.”

“Right, moving on. Are there any other departments you believe to be receiving more than they should be?”

“It’s not a decrease in their current budget but a denial of extra funding for that department.”

“Continue then.”

“Lord Spirlea wants to buy more new chainmail but new mail isn’t needed. We need to start repairing mail, not completely tossing sets because it’s been damaged. Everyone who wears mail should know the basics of repairing it. You never know when you could use that knowledge in the field.”

Spirlea sputtered, “You can’t expect knights to repair armor, it’s a waste of their time.”

“I didn’t say do it, just know how to, their squires can do it in their stead. I beat the knowledge into each of Arthur’s personal knights so knights can learn. I didn’t make them do any repairs but they knew how to do it if they ever needed to. Although I think I saw Leon replace a chipped link on his mail once.”

Merlin shook his head, getting rid of the random thought, “Squires and guards on the other hand should be repairing their gear, and if their mail is beyond their ability to repair, they should approach the royal black smith about getting it repaired if at all possible. Providing the tools necessary and extra links to repair mail and set up a system with the black smith about funding large repairs would save a lot of coin as well as work for the black smith so they can focus on new weapons and it will make people more appreciative of their own gear.”

“They’ll still need replacing.”

“Yes, but not nearly as often as they do now. I can keep a set of Arthur’s mail up to his expectations while a squire may go through three sets, and that’s not counting how often they’re replacing their knights set on his behalf.”

“Squires see more damage than the prince, they are practicing constantly,” Spirlea argued.

“Oh yes,” Merlin’s voice dripped with sarcasm, “Hits from blunted weapons, both wood and steel, are so much more damaging than sparring with live blades, bandit attacks, razor sharp monster claws, and ruddy teeth. It really is nowhere near comparable to squire training. I’ve had to repair Arthur and his knight’s armor mid trip on more than one occasion but your squires, Keneth, are too busy to learn and do the same maintenance inside a nice safe bandit free castle.”

The entire table blinked at where Merlin had stopped speaking only to glare at the Lord High Constable. Everyone but Talbot who seemed to be taking notes.

Uther coughed to get everyone’s attention, “Merlin, is there any other overspending you believe is happening?”

“No, that’s it for overspending.”

“And where do you think the money should go to?”

Merlin pursed his lips, “You’re going to think the one I think is most important isn’t necessary.”

“Well what is it?”

“Increasing the servant’s pay.”

Uther frowned, “I don’t see why that would be important but you have had good reasoning so far, we will hear you out.”

“The prices in the markets have increased since I first got to Camelot but no one in the castle has gotten a raise in that time, unless they get a promotion. And frankly a raise in pay will boost servant morale and interest in going that little farther forward than is strictly necessary. Even a smaller raise than I think should be done will take servants who are counting every coin and often coming up short, to reliably support their families. Families will go from struggling to feed their children, to being able to buy new clothes for those children. If you give out a straight bonus of pay before the guests arrive for the wedding the servants will give their all to the event, versus just their responsibilities. It’s a lot easier to focus on your work if you know you don’t have to worry about having to count coins to get your family fed for at least a week.”

Talbot was the one to speak into the silence after Merlin’s impassioned speech, “Servants can’t afford new clothes?”

“The lowest servants, or the ones that have to take time off for an illness or a pregnancy? Yes. Most servants are able to support their families, and whether the occasional time off they might need to take because they get sick or save up for the occasional more expensive item for the family. Personally, I a… I was saving up for a good pair of boots. Following Arthur around on various patrols or quests does a number on footwear. I only needed three more pay days to get them.”

Talbot looked up from his notes, “Noted, now what about the horses and wedding arrangements?”

“We just lost four horses, getting that many at once will be hard as well as expensive, especially as we really need six as the stable was already short. The fact that they most likely need training as well will just increase the cost as we need to pay people to train them. Also, Lord Ertze does need more coin for the wedding. We need to hire additional servants to help during the time the guests are here and the number of feasts involved will cut into the castle kitchens stock a good deal. But we do not need table cloths Deandre! We have enough to cover every table we’ll need for the wedding twice, if not thrice.”

Lord Ertze blushed, chastened.

Merlin looked up at Uther, “Um, that’s everything I noticed.”

Uther gave Merlin an approving look, “Well said, and covering the points I noticed as well as the issue with Lord Lumani.” Turning away he looked over the table, “Lord Talbot bring me an updated plan once you have taken his opinions into consideration. Look into the idea of increased wages as well as looking at the idea of a bonus before the wedding. Lord Lumani, report to my office a candle mark after the meeting. Now Lord Giovaneli, what did you wish to discuss with the council?”

Week 7 – Following the Council Meeting

Arthur stepped into his father’s office already wincing from what his father was going to say about the last council meeting, “Father? You summoned me?”

Uther’s raised brow was almost as bad as Gaius’s, “Did you need your intended’s help for that as well?”

“No, I received and responded to the summons myself.”

“Well, there’s that at least.” Uther looked his son over, “Although I do wonder if you relied on him to dress this morning or did you let your new manservant attend you.”

Arthur snorted, “Merlin and Edric seem to finally have come to an agreement. Edric has managed to take over most of the tasks Merlin tried to hold on to, which was interesting to watch as that progressed, but they’ve come to an agreement. Anything that potentially involves touching my skin is still Merlin’s to do, and Excalibur. Still not sure how Edric actually took over not only my armors upkeep but putting it on me as well.”

“Your future wi…spouse should not be dressing you.”

“Father there is little I would not do if you ordered it but if you want Merlin to stop you can deal with the possessive warlock currently experiencing mood swings yourself. Now I believe you wanted to talk about Merlin’s knowledge of the kingdoms affairs before our engagement?”

“Yes, that is why I called you.”

“He advised me on most matters as it helped to have someone to talk through things with. It all started with him helping me with my speeches and he was so helpful I just kept asking for his opinions.”

Uther frowned, “So that is why your speeches got better so suddenly. He’s had access to kingdom secrets for that long?”

“Well, he organized my desk before that but really father, I don’t understand why it’s such an issue, it was just Merlin.”

Uther rubbed his face, “Fine, but be more careful with your new manservant and kingdom secrets. I don’t know why I’m surprised that Merlin knows so much. I was dreading the day you would mark him as your favorite, then I would have needed to deal with him.”

“Which is why I never did, and Merlin didn’t need any trinket from me to know how important he is to me, and Merlin has charmed the desk. Only the two of us can pick up anything from the desk or read any of the papers on it.”

“Well, at least one of you is cautious.”

“Father, Merlin is paranoid, not cautious.”

“That won’t hurt him as your queen, and he has a good eye for people. I’ve replaced Lord Lumani with his son to work as the chancellor. He will be better about choosing sentences and seeing them played out. I’m certain Merlin will be excited that using the pyre is not something the new chancellor favors due to the many issues in setting one up. Which apparently there are many of as well as the cost. I’ll see you both at dinner tonight.”

Arthur nodded at the dismissal and left the room. He grimaced as he walked down the hall, Merlin hated taking dinner with Uther and it was supposed to be one of their nights off to just be together.

Week 7 – Garden Naps Part 1

Merlin grumbled as he looked around for the head gardener.

One of her assistants approached him giving a quick proper bow, “How can I assist you my lord?”

“Brent, please call me Merlin.”

Brent nodded but Merlin doubted he’d carry through, “If Elasnor is available I would like to speak with her, but only if she’s not busy, I know being the head gardener is still a new position for her, so she must be terribly busy.”

Brent bowed, “I will get her at once.”

“Only if she’s free!” Merlin called after him before sitting on a bench to wait, rubbing his back.

A few minutes later Eleanor appeared smiling, “Merlin! How are you? I haven’t seen you in ages!”

Ignoring Brent’s, who had bowed again, panic at Eleanor’s causal greeting Merlin smiled, “Pregnant.”

She laughed, “Alright I deserved that, but what else? You used to visit the garden weekly, at the minimum, before this.”

“Stressed. I haven’t been feeling my best, and well duh pregnant, but more than that these last few days. As I haven’t been outside recently I was hoping to ask a favor?”

Eleanor looked worried, “How can I help?”

“Is there a patch of dirt or grass you wish was growing flowers?”

She nodded.

“I don’t know how much people get what the whole me being Emrys means but I have a strong connection to nature and while wind I can find anywhere, earth is harder. Especially as actual nature is the best and that’s not exactly available inside lower town or the castle. This is the closest I can get, so I was hoping to take a nap somewhere that spontaneously growing flowers or bushes or maybe a tree won’t be problematic.”

Eleanor hummed, “I know of an area that refuses to grow anything, I’ll take anything you can get to grow there.” She led him down a short path to a patch of dirt that had a few strands of browning grass. “Will this work?”

“It’s perfect,” Merlin grinned as he used a little bit of magic to help him remove his shirt before he laid down and let out a groan more commonly restricted to one’s bedroom.

Eleanor arched one of her eyebrows at him, carefully not reacting to the frightening amount of scars on Merlin’s torso, “Comfortable?”

Merlin nodded, smiling, “Please have someone wake me for dinner.”

Eleanor blinked at the grass that was growing near Merlin’s hand, “Don’t you mean lunch? It’s just past breakfast.”

“Don’t care, this is already better than any lunch could be.”

“Have a good nap then, I’ll make sure to stop by before dinner and wake you.”

Merlin didn’t respond, already snoring. Perhaps she’d have a guard stand on either side of the path so no one would wake her friend up early, he obviously needed it.

Week 7 – Garden Naps Part 2

Uther stormed into the gardens, his son following close behind, “Father why are we charging into the gardens?”

“Your warlock missed lunch.”

“So? He probably sneaked something from the kitchen for old times’ sake. If not missing one lunch won’t hurt him, I’ll ask him why missed lunch at dinner tonight.”

“I can’t believe you’re not concerned that the person carrying your heir is missing a meal.”

“As I said, missing one meal is not a big deal, and why are we in the garden?”

“A guard notified me that he is in the garden when I asked his location. He is apparently sleeping in the cold.”

“It’s not exactly in the cold, it’s not even cold enough to pull the warmer clothes from storage.”

Uther didn’t respond, just followed the guard who was leading them to where Merlin was, only stopping in front of another guard. Uther growled, “What is the meaning of this?”

“Your majesty,” the guard spoke softly, “Lord Merlin is sleeping a few feet down the path. He’s looking much better than he has been the last few days. He’s asked to be woken for dinner.”

Arthur was equally softly, making sure not to whisper, “He’s sleeping? He’s been having a horrible time the last two days.”

Uther glanced at Arthur’s obvious relief, “I will see him, but as long as the situation is acceptable, we will leave him to sleep.”

As the guard stepped to the side Arthur turned to his father, “We need to walk normally. If we try to walk quietly, he’ll wake up.”

Uther gave him a confused look but followed Arthur’s instructions and walked normally down the path until they reached the napping warlock. He was partially covered in plants and vines, but not enough to cover up the numerous scars on Merlin’s chest.

Uther stared at the scars, voice soft as the other’s had been, “How?”

Arthur tilted his head to the side indicating they should leave Merlin before talking. They walked past the guards and a good distance down the path until they found a long bench.

Arthur sunk onto the bench running a hand through his hair.

Uther considered the bench for a moment before sitting down beside his son, “That boy has more scars on him than most, no more than even my most experienced knights.”

Arthur nodded.

“How?”

“Keeping me alive is apparently very dangerous.”

“What do you mean?”

“The large burn on his chest? He got it fighting Nimueh when attempting to trade my life for his after the Questing Beast bit me, in the end Nimueh’s life was the one that was given, when Merlin killed her.” Arthur took a breath, “I’m not sure if you saw the serket sting, but he told me if he had to choose between surviving another serket sting or dying on the pyre he’d pick the pyre.”

“How many times has he done such things?”

“Saving me? Or Camelot? Or even you a few times? He honestly has no idea, and that’s not with counting all the tree branches and other things he’s done during bandit or animal attacks.”

There was silence between the father and son for a time, but no more than a candle mark, before Uther stood, “Tell Merlin to bring a blanket to cover himself in the future.”

Arthur stared after his father, that was the first time his father had said Merlin’s name since all of this had started.

Chapter Text

Week 8 – Education Review

Uther looked around his office at the instructors he had assigned to Merlin’s education, “We’re half way until the guests start arriving for the wedding. How is Merlin’s education coming along? Morgana says he’s picking up the manners and such he will need to navigate the noble ladies during the wedding. He needs to be able to handle them without her help. What of his knowledge for the conversations they might try to engage him in?”

“Your majesty may I go first.” The second oldest man spoke, Branyn, who was both the royal historian and royal map keeper.

“You may.”

“Merlin is an amazing student. He’s constantly asking questions to better understand the subjects and his memorization skills are amazing for someone who has no official teaching. He can actually draw detailed maps of the places he has traveled to. Even if he has… interesting names for things.”

“Interesting?”

“Well in one spot he refers to a river as… ah, the River That Always Tries to Drown Me. Apparently, he’s had issues crossing that river. A different place he calls Bandit Ridge Forest, bandits like to attack from ridges there.”

Uther nodded, “What of his knowledge of other lands?”

“Well obviously he knows of the history and lands of Essiter the best.”

“Obviously?”

“Well, he’s from there.”

“Merlin is from Cernard’s lands?”

“Yes, the small village of Ealdor.”

“Does he have any family there?”

“Just his mother, I believe.”

Uther turned to the nearest servant, “Oswin go tell Sir Leon to immediately gather a group of knights and retrieve Merlin’s mother. He should take the most disrespectful knight of Arthur’s, that one seems to have a higher attachment to Merlin than my son so he might be better able to get her to come. If necessary, they are to force her to come.”

Oswin bowed and ran out of the office.

Uther turned back to Branyn, “Outside of Essitor then?”

“Not much history, he does have a basic map of each memorized. Winton probably knows more of his knowledge of other kingdoms due to covering political matters.”

Uther turned to the next scholar, “Well?”

“His political knowledge of foreign lands is comparable to the princes. I consider his education on those complete. His knowledge is more lacking in the nobles of Camelot. The more troublesome nobles he knows, but the others he doesn’t even know all the names of. If they haven’t been a problem or stayed in the castle, he hasn’t heard of them.”

Uther nodded, “Branyn hold off the rest of your lessons until after the wedding, he knows enough for now. Winton take his time, the wedding guests are going to consist of many of the families he does not know of. Focus on the guest list first. Now Levia, how is his more cultured learning going?”

“He hates music, I can’t get a single instrument in that man’s hands. For performers he’s far more interested on how easily one could be carrying a weapon on them or being a straight up assassin. He recognizes the skills of artisans but he isn’t interested in what they truly mean.”

Geoffrey nodded, “He often complains of those lessons when he comes to the library for our lessons. But he is very committed to my lessons. His Latin is increasing drastically and it is harder to get him to stop reading than to start.”

Uther looked between the two, “As long as he knows the basics about the arts I see no need to continue his lessons, but he will keep his literary studies. It is relatively easy to direct a conversation to a literary work, rather than trying to get him to understand the arts that he does not appreciate or views as something to assess as needing a threat evaluation.”

Levia and Geoffrey nodded, Levia sighing in relief that she no longer had to try and beat art appreciation into the paranoid warlock.

“Now,” Uther looked them all over, “Outside of your subjects, is there anything else you noticed?”

Levia nodded, “He refuses to order servants. Not just insisting on being polite, which would be fine. The problem is if he’s hungry he won’t ask until his stomach is growling, and he doesn’t even ask then, a servant just hears it and goes to get him something.”

Winton shook his head sighing, “He kept perfect control of the prince’s schedule, when he was not off doing something magic, it was always impressive. Everybody knows the prince never used to be on time in the mornings to anything and Merlin always had him there on time, or slightly early. But I swear every time I see him, he’s panicking about where he’s supposed to be.”

Uther pursed his lips, “It seems he needs a manservant.”

Branyn shook his head, “I don’t think that will work sire. He already complains of Edric trying to help him. Assigning him a personal manservant may make things worse.”

Uther glared, “What solution do you have?”

Winton frowned “Maybe a maid? He seemed more comfortable with the female servants doing servant tasks for him than the men.”

“That makes sense,” Levia hummed, “He was raised by his mother with no father figure, and even when he got here Gaius was more a mentor. He’s never been cared for by a man, and he was a manservant himself. I could see how that would be awkward.”

“We already have a man set to take up the queen’s role,” Winton shrugged, “Having a maid to assist him may give him a better understanding of that position as well.”

Uther nodded, “A way to show his role and someone he’d be more comfortable with. Yes, that will work. Continue his education as we discussed. I’ll have the steward looking into a female servant for Merlin.”

Week 8 – Lord’s Maid

Merlin blinked as he stepped from his and Arthur's quarters at the servant who curtsied, at him, "Eda? Do you need something?"

She shook her head, "No Merlin, I'm here to help you."

"But I don't need anything?"

"Oh poor dear, you do."

"But?"

"Now we are going to have you go though what you should do if a servant bows or curtsies to you."

"What?"

She ignored his confusion, "Now most of the time you'll ignore the servants that bow, you both have jobs to do and that would be impossible to do if you had to say hello to everyone you pass."

Merlin blinked, "That makes sense."

"Now if a servant approaches you, you either say yes inquisitively or wait for them to speak. So let's try again." Eda curtsied, "Lord Merlin?"

"Yes?"

"I'm Eda, the king has assigned me to assist you as a lady's maid."

"But I'm a guy?"

"Would you prefer lord's maid?"

"I don't care about the lord or lady. I, I just don't need a maid."

"Would you prefer I find you a manservant instead?"

"No. I don't need a ser-"

Eda cut in on him, "So as your lord's maid I have organized your schedule. You have a lesson with Lord Winton now but it will end in time for you to rest for an hour before your lunch with Lady Morgana."

As she started walking away, still speaking Merlin gave Arthur a bewildered look.

He smiled back, "You better catch up, unless you don't want to know your schedule for the day?"

Glaring at Arthur for using his own words against him he turned and hurried after Eda.

Week 8 – Gossip: Lord’s Maid

Diana giggled as she sat, "By the maiden, did you hear about Eda?"

Tracy looked up from her meal, "Was she assigned a new child to govern? I thought she said she was too old to be running after children now."

"They assigned her to Merlin as his lord's maid."

"You’re kidding me."

Cheryl laughed, "I actually saw her in action. I was bringing in some water to his office so Merlin had something to drink and he tried to get up and help. I swear he jumped when she said 'Lord Merlin.' He whined at her but she just told him it was not proper for him to try and interfere with a servant's work or interrupt his own beyond thanking me. And when he went to say something about being helpful, she asked if she needed to stop him saying anything to servants to remind him what not to say and he pouted! Oh my gods, it was adorable!"

Tracy shook her head, "Poor Merlin."

Chapter Text

Week 9 – Picking up Mum

Gwaine smiled as he walked into Essiter. He had left his iconic Camelot cloak with Leon and the other knights on the other side of the border, along with his plate and mail. Garbed in worn clothes and with his sword in a battered sheath with a well-worn grip he looked like any normal traveler. Not a hint of him being a knight, let alone one of Camelot.

He ambled down the road into town, not rushing but not dallying either. He waved at farmers in their fields and smiled at kids tending to animals. Until he reached his destination. Knocking on the humble doorway.

Opening the door Hunith smiled up at her guest “Gwaine! Oh, what are you doing here? Is my son with you?”

“Hunith, it is my honor to bring a message from my best friend to the most beautiful woman in all of Essor!”

Hunith slapped him on the arm, “Stop that. What is my son up to now? Come in, come in.”

Gwaine followed her in, talking in a loud voice still hearable by anyone who might be nearby, “He’s getting married!”

Hunith closed the door behind Gwaine, “Married? I didn’t even know he was seeing anyone!”

Gwaine’s voice was much softer now, even someone leaning against Hunith’s door would not be able to hear it, “Well it’s a bit like a sword point wedding, but it is urgent that we leave as soon as possible.”

“He got a girl pregnant?”

“Nope, he is. It’s Arthur’s which means you’re the future grandmother of the heir of Camelot. If Cernard gets a hold of you it would be… bad, very bad. I need you to collect your family heirlooms and other such things and quickly at that. We already wasted more time than I like on this conversation. Cernard’s spies may already have brought the news to Cernard, and if anyone connects Merlin back to you it will be bad.”

Gwaine placed the bag he had been carrying, pulling out the blanket from the castle’s garbage pile that had been giving it some bulk, “We have everything you need for clothes and the like, get your heirlooms so we can leave. Merlin will be in danger if Cernard gets a hold of you.”

Hunith face drained of color before she ran into the sleeping area, pulling a beautiful knife from under the bed, a battered book from a shelf and a small blanket and rattle.

Gwaine swept everything carefully into the bag. The tunic he had in the bag cushioning the items as he hung the bag back over his shoulder again, “Ready?”

Hunith nodded and followed Gwaine out of the house and down the road, only to be stopped by one of her obviously warry neighbors, “What’s going on Hunith?”

She smiled, trying to hide anything beyond happiness showing through, “Merlin’s friend has come to get me for Merlin’s wedding. Could you watch my house while I’m gone?”

The woman relaxed and smiled, “Of course, I still have your spare key. Tell your boy congratulations from us in Elador. Maybe you’ll be a grandmother soon! You’ll have to tell me all about it when you get back.”

Hunith smiled back at her as they continued on their way, “Thank you Chaney! I’ll make sure to tell Merlin.”

Hunith and Gwaine went as fast as they could, without raising suspicion out of the village. As soon as the village disappeared Gwaine started to explain, “I have a horse a short distance down the road to take us into Camelot as fast as possible. Hunith if we get separated, I need you to promise to keep the horse and keep riding to Camelot. I’ll be better off if I don’t have to protect you and you need to make it out of Essiter.”

Hunith rubbed her sweaty palms on her dress as she agreed. She found herself very thankful of Gwaine’s rush, and his comforting arm around her, when they passed a knight of Essiter riding towards Elador shortly before they reached Gwaine’s horse.

Week 9 – Just Missed

The headsman of Elasnor rushed over to Hunith’s house, Essiter knights a few steps behind him, “Hunith! Hunith there are men here to see you. Hunith,” When he went to knock on the door it swung open, “Hunith?”

“Ceolmund?” Chaney looked over, “Are you looking for Hunith? You just missed her.”

“Wh-what do you mean?”

“A handsome fellow, a friend of Merlin’s, came to bring her to her son’s wedding. Never would have thought that boy would settle down.”

The lead knight stepped forward, Chaney jumping when she got her first good look at him, and his very expensive looking armor, “She left?”

“Y-yes sir. She’s on her way to her son’s wedding. She’ll be back in a week or so, after Merlin’s wedding, if you want to find her then? I mean she didnt say when she was coming back but thats what I’d expect.”

“So, this Hunith is Merlin’s mother. Good to have that confirmed now we need to find the wench.”

“You know Merlin?” Chaney couldn’t keep the utter disbelief out of her voice, “But he lives in Camelot now, why would you know of Hunith’s boy? He’s no-one important. He’s a sweet, well he’d be a man now, but he’s still a bastard. I’m surprised anyone has agreed to marry him, no matter how nice he is. Didn’t want to say that to poor Hunith of course.”

“Considering he’s the only cure, or whatever you want to call it, for Camelot’s pest of a prince’s curse, Crenard is extremely interested in him. Wait, why did neither of you report the boy to the crown?”

Ceolmund stared at him, “How should we have known he’s this cure to something?”

“I mean the magic, that he’s a sorcerer.”

“That boy a sorcerer?” Chaney laughed, “He couldn’t ever seem to get all of his limbs to work right at the same time. There’s no one here to teach him either, I guarantee you that.”

“Considering his magic was strong enough that Camelot’s prince could get him pregnant I think you’d have seen some sign of it.”

“Get him what?” Ceolmund stared at him.

“Well? Why shouldn’t I jail all of you for hiding a magic user?”

Chaney bit her lip, “I always thought Hunith kept him from the other kids because they picked on him, seeing as he’s the only bastard in Elador. She must have been hiding him. He was either in her house or in the woods. We rarely ever saw him; I held him when he was born but other than that I don’t think I even had a chance to touch him.”

The knight nodded, “She must have done that so no one found him out. If she wasn’t so useful a bargaining chip against Camelot, I’d see her hang for that. How long ago did she leave with this knight? And how did you miss that a knight was the one that got her out of town? You’ve said you haven’t seen any knights before us and there’s no way Uther would send anyone else to get her.”

“A knight?” Chaney stared, “I mean he was a handsome fella, but he didn’t have a horse or even nice clothes. My son has nicer clothes than the ones he had on. I mean he had a sword but I figure that’s why Merlin sent him for Hunith. The man could have used it to scare off any bandits from attacking them.”

“Smart,” the knight snarled, “Send a knight in looking lowborn so no one would notice, now which way did they leave?”

“Sir?” One of the younger knights spoke, “I saw a man and a woman on the path leading south out of town.”

“And you didn’t stop them?”

“You said to come here as fast as possible, to stop for nothing.”

“Alright everyone saddle up, he took a curved route to better hide where he was headed then. We have plenty of time to catch up if they’re on foot.”

“Um, Sir?” Chaney hoped no one could see her knees shaking under her skirt, or they’d think it was normal nerves when talking to a knight, “They only just left, the man was pushing to leave but I wanted to know what she knew, and they left on the west path.”

The knight nodded, “He would have wanted to get out as soon as possible, the south path would add too much time if he was racing to get out. You,” he pointed at the knight that had spoken earlier, “Go down the south path and confirm those two are just two peasants. The rest of us need to move west, he would have gotten her off the path most likely to hide their tracks, we’ll need to search wide so we don’t miss her. Move out!”

Chaney and Ceolmund remained standing where they were until well past the last horse disappeared from view before Ceolmund turned to Chaney, “They left on the south path, a good time ago. Didn’t they?” It wasn’t really a question.

She gave him a dry look, “Do you really want the king to get his hands on Hunith to use as leverage? She was the midwife that saw both of your boys and my girl born healthy. I wouldn’t wish Uther himself into our king’s hands. Everyone knows what he does to the sorcerers he claims to favor, who knows what he has done to Hunith. It’s why none of us said anything to the hunters either. I might not have liked the boy but neither of them deserved that.”

“It was only suspicions, we didn’t know.”

“The boy’s eyes were gold when he was born Ceolmund.”

“When he was born? Gods, no wonder he could get pregnant of all things, but if you knew… you know what you were risking if someone found out.”

“As I said no one deserved what the king would have done to Merlin.”

Ceolmund bit his lip but nodded. No matter how much he had hated having a bastard in the village, there were some things that you could not do, and still call yourself a good man afterwards.

Week 9 – Back to Camelot

Leon helped Hunith off of Merlin's favorite mare. She was the most forgiving to inattentive, or in this case, inexperienced riders, while still being one of their swiftest horses if speed was needed.

"Thank you, Leon." Hunith held on to the mare’s saddle as her legs shook.

Leon nodded to where a log had been pulled up where the main fire would be, "Take a seat. We'll have camp set up and get started on dinner soon. You should rest."

"There must be something I can do to help."

"Ma'am. You just rode a horse for the first time, without anyone aiding you as well. We are still several days away from Camelot, save your strength for that."

Hunith pursed her lips but did as she was told. She was feeling worn out by the ride, which she was not looking forward to continuing. Even if it would bring her to her son so much faster than by foot. Looking around she noticed she would probably be more in the way than helpful.

She watched as the camp was set up around her. Tents went up as men left to hunt or collect firewood. Gwaine made sure to point out where they had dug a hole if she needed to relieve herself.

When the rabbits they had caught were cleaned the men began to argue whose turn it was to cook, no one it seemed wanted to be the one to cook. Seeing a place she could help; she quickly took over. With their pot, the rabbits and some of the foods they had brought with them she soon had a simple stew ready for everyone to eat.

Gwaine scraped the last of his stew from his bowl, "That was almost as good as Merlin's!"

"Gwaine!" Leon glanced towards Hunith.

She could only laugh, "I'm glad to hear he put my lessons to work. I'm happy to come second to my son."

Gwaine sighed out in relief.

She worried her hands as the knights she didn't recognize wandered over to a different fire they had started up, leaving her alone with Gwaine and Leon, "How is my son? Truly?"

"Rounding." Gwaine smiled at her.

Leon slapped him on the back of his head, before turning to Hunith, "He's doing as well as can be in the circumstances."

"He, and Arthur, are of course delighted to be married, the idea of being pregnant has sort of settled in now with Merlin. The symptoms and such are more of a sliding scale on how he's handling them. He is really ready for the morning sickness, which apparently isn't just a morning thing, to be over. "

"They’re really getting married?"

Gwaine tried to smile comfortingly knowing it might be a sensitive topic with Merlin's birth being what it was. "Well, the king won't allow the baby to be born out of wedlock so he already had wedding invites set up when Gaius told him that Merlin was, ah, expecting."

"How did he know to expect it? I know Merlin can do amazing things, but that is because of his magic, how could Uther think anything would happen of the two of them being together?"

Leon placed his hand on her knee offering comfort, "The king found out."

"WHAT? You said Merlin's okay!"

"He is Hunith, for some reason, no one knows exactly why, Merlin is the only person who can bare a child of Arthur's."

Gwaine nodded, "Arthur's been attacked so many times it isn't too surprising that something interfered with Arthur's ability to have a child, but because of Merlin's magic, maybe because he's so powerful or whatever the whole Emrys thing is. Merlin is Arthur's only hope for a child."

"And the king is just letting Merlin be? He's not waiting to hurt him?"

Leon shook his head, "If he tried anything Arthur would kill him, and," Leon grimaced, "Children die. Arthur may need another child."

Gwaine smiled, “Everyone knows he has magic but the king won’t lay so much as a finger on him. One because Merlin is Arthur’s only hope for a child and well, he doesn’t know that if he had tried to kill Merlin the entire castle and lower town would revolt. Just about anyone who has met your son is a little in love with him.”

Leon settled back onto a log, “Maybe it’s because of his magic but he’s a good man and that is clear to all to see. The fact that he’s saved Camelot so many times is another thing. The prince and king might not have known about all the threats to Camelot he’s stopped but the common people do. He was always so focused on making sure Arthur or Uther didn’t notice that he would forget to be worried about other people seeing.”

Gwaine smiled at her, his eyes crinkling at the corners, “Your son’s eyes burn the most brilliant gold and it’s considered as a bit of a good luck charm if you see them by most.”

"So," Hunith tried to relax, "Merlin's safe from Uther."

Gwaine smiled, "Yep. Uther is more focused on making sure Merlin is as healthy as possible. Quite frankly I wouldn't be surprised if he started referring to Merlin as Princess Merlin or something. Everyone knows he's trying to get Merlin trained to take on the roles a queen does."

"The queen?"

Leon nodded, "Merlin already does many of the tasks that are involved in running the castle, and he's already had Merlin sit in on one of the council meetings."

Gwaine smirked, "Where he whipped the floor with one of the lords and gave opinions that the royal treasure took into note before redoing the budgeting for the kingdom."

"The entire kingdom?"

Leon rolled his eyes, "For the castle."

Gwaine smirked, "He got the High Lord Chancellor replaced."

"He was derelict in his duties, Gwaine, that wasn't hard to do."

"He still did it on, what? his tenth day? of not being a servant anymore?"

"Ninth."

"Yes, ninth. That’s not impressive at all."

Hunith stared at them, "My Merlin?"

Leon nodded, "Merlin's basically ran the entire castle for years, the Lord Great Chamberlain listens to him about setting up feasts, the Earl Marshal tells him when there's issues with the horses, hell the head of the guard has on several occasions gone to Merlin about certain issues with guard numbers affecting the castle patrols."

Gwaine snorted, "When he's not paying attention, because some monster or something is afoot in the castle, he'll actually order servants, guards and the occasional knight without thinking about it and they do what he says. I swear the words 'Bad Feeling' come out of Merlin's mouth and the entire castle goes on alert. Personally, those words come out of his mouth, I follow him around so he doesn't need to find me if he needs me to do something."

"Bad feeling?" Hunith looked at them confused, "Why do you care if Merlin has a bad feeling?"

Leon smiled, "Nine out of ten times something dangerous is going on, an assassin or some plot against Arthur or the crown."

"What about the other tenth?"

"Serious issues that aren't an active threat, like when one of the wells went bad last summer."

“My boy deals with assassins? Merlin’s letters never mentioned anything like that.”

“Merlin has saved Camelot and Arthur so many times he can’t remember. Seriously, his scars have scars and he can’t remember where he got what must have been a nasty swipe of some monster’s claws on his left side.”

“SCARS!”

Gwaine blinked, “Oh shit, you didn’t know.”

“I thought you said he was safe!”

Leon grimaced, “From Uther. Now he’s in danger because he’s carrying Arthur’s heir. Many people would prefer the Pendragon line to end with Arthur. But he isn’t a helpless man, or undefended.”

Gwaine grinned, “He’s the greatest warlock to ever live, and just about every servant, guard or knight in the castle would die, or kill for Merlin. I know of two assassins that were caught before they could get anywhere near Merlin, just because they said something bad about him.”

“Four that I know of, and two spies. That isn’t counting the other assassins and spies that have been caught before they could get within a stone’s throw of Merlin.”

Gwaine nodded, “The only person that is allowed to say shit about Merlin is Arthur, unless he actually says something that hurts Merlin. Then all of his food will be stone cold and every single dish he likes isn’t made until Merlin forgives him.”

Hunith looked between them, “What of the other nobles?”

Gwaine smirked, “Well for the king they do only very minor things when he’s especially mean to Merlin but they can’t really expect Uther to change his mind about Merlin. Well, at least before the whole pregnancy thing. But any other lord or lady? Minor annoying things such as a bath that isn’t as warm as it could be, delay in delivering food to their rooms and other things the servants can get away with.”

Leon shrugged, “Not that there are many nobles who don’t like Merlin. Merlin’s turned Arthur from a selfish prat, those are Merlin’s words, into a man will be a good king and it's rather obvious Merlin’s work so they at least appreciate him for that, even with him being a servant, well formerly a servant now.”

“It was rather obvious Uther expected push back when he declared Merlin and Arthur were to marry, but I know that at least one lord said ‘finally.’ The sexual tension between those two couldn’t be cut by a sword before Uther’s deal. Trust me I tried.”

Leon’s eyebrow arched, “That’s what you were trying to do?”

“Yep, and as I said it didn’t work.” Gwaine turned to Hunith, “I know Merlin’s going to be happy to see you.”

“I’m happy as well, it will be nice living well, near him as I think with castles being so large near him might not be as close as I consider close.”

“Eh, you’ll get rooms in the royal wing so his and Arthur’s chambers wouldn’t be too far away.”

“The royal wing? Why would they put me there? I’m no one important.”

Leon squeezed her knee, “Hunith you’re the future grandmother of Arthur’s heir. As soon as Arthur and Merlin consummate their marriage you will be a noble. The king is going to treat you like one as soon as you arrive to help him disguise the fact that Merlin is a peasant.”

Gwaine snorted, “Let alone a bastard. Not really the done thing to marry a prince to a peasant bastard but Uther has to bite the arrow on that if he wants Arthur’s heirs to be born within wedlock.”

Leon nodded, “We are actually set to stop shortly outside lower town to meet with someone who will be helping you into a nicer dress and other such things before anyone in lower town or castle gets the first look at you.”

“A new dress? I don’t need something like that! I’m sure one of the cleaner ones you brought would be fine.”

“Hunith, the king ordered that we stop for that, he ordered that specifically Gwaine and I come get you before Cernard realized you were in his country. If Cernard had gotten a hold of you it could have led to war. There’s a reason we carefully planned for only Gwaine to come get you. One lone traveler would draw far less attention than a full force. Cernard could have claimed we were raiding his village if we all went at once.”

Hunith stared at him shocked.

“You’re about to face basically a complete change to how you live when we get to the castle. You are Lady Hunith now. Which reminds me, do you have a last name? If not, we have a list for you to choose one from.”

“But I’m just Hunith of Elador.”

Leon squeezed her knee again trying to offer some kind of comfort, “I’m sorry Hunith, but you’re now a Lady of Camelot, and you’re going to need a last name for people to refer to you by.”

“Wyttl. Our last name is Wyttl.”

Gwaine smiled, “Alright Hunith Wyttl and Merlin Wyttl it is. It kind of figures his last name is wild since he loves it so much.”

“Oh, does it matter that his birth name is actually Myrddin? He hasn’t gone by it since he was a little boy.”

Leon nodded, “That will be important for the wedding. Don’t give it away though, we will tell Merlin how much the king would prefer his official name to be something fancier than what he’s been called as a servant. It will give Merlin leverage to get a concession from the king if he doesn’t like something about the wedding.”

Gwaine leaned back, “Enough serious talk. Aren’t you excited to surprise Merlin!”

“He doesn’t know I’m coming?”

“No idea! It will be a total surprise; he could use a happy one for once!”

Chapter Text

Week 10 – Lord’s Maid Education Review

Uther looked up as Merlin's, lord's maid, Eda stepped into his office.

Eda gave a perfect curtsy, "Your majesty, how may I be of service."

"Since you've taken over Merlin's schedule, he has been spending less time at lessons. After the wedding that will be acceptable but for now, he has to be prepared for anyone to bring up subjects he should know as Arthur's intended. Increase the lesson times again."

"If I may, your majesty?"

Uther waved her on.

"Merlin is a month and a half pregnant and acting like he isn't. He hasn't been taking care of himself, not because he doesn't want to, but he doesn't know how. The boy honestly thought he was doing everything he needed to but he’s only taken two naps in the two weeks between the pregnancy was announced and I was assigned as his lord's maid. That is not nearly enough rest. It wouldn't be if he was only having one child, let alone the twins everyone with eyes can tell he is."

"What does twins have to do with anything?"

"He may only be a month a half pregnant, but with twins he's basically three months gone. He needs to spend time relaxing and sleeping. I don't know if that poor boy knows what relaxing is, he's either unconscious or trying to do ten things at once. The only way I can find to get that boy to sit down and rest is if I have a book and unless it's one of the magic ones that won't keep him still long enough either. Even the magic ones get at most two candle marks."

Uther nodded, "Keep him in lessons as much is safe for now, after the wedding he will need to continue his education but there will be no need to rush."

Eda curtsied, "Of course your majesty."

"As for relaxing, try the garden, dismissed."

Week 10 – Hunith Arrives

"Mom!" Merlin smiled as Hunith entered his room, "I didn't know you were coming! I'd hug you but I don't want to get stabbed."

"I'm almost done pinning this one," Brian, the royal tailor pulled at one of the sleeves, "I can come back for the rest later."

"It's so good to see you Merlin, but there's no reason to upset the man's work. Leon said they'd have a maid bring up some water for me to wash up with. I'll wash and put on one of the cleaner dresses for now and go find us some lunch."

"Kennard will bring up lunch. Someone would have told him to bring up two lunches."

"Oh, I wouldn't want to be a bother, I can go get them myself."

Brian snorted, "You’re going to be just as bad as this one. You will be the grandmother of the prince’s heir, servants will be serving you. It wouldn't be proper for you to go get your own meal."

Brain leaned back looking at some part of the tunic, Merlin wasn't sure where, "A maid will help you into one of the dresses I prepared for you after your bath. It will have to do until I get your measurements for a proper dress."

"Oh," Hunith blushed, "You don't need to do all that for me. I'm sure you can just find something for me to wear that you've already made."

"Don't fight it mum, the more you fight the more expensive whatever it is gets."

"Too right," Brian fixed another pin, "Merlin is the best hope that my boy will no longer have to hide what he is, and if he is found out now at least his death will be quick."

Merlin stared at him, "Steven has magic?"

"His mother taught him a few things to help him control it before the sickness took her from us."

"Control?" Merlin eyes widened, "Steven's a warlock struggling with control?"

"Oh dear," Hunith worried, "Keeping this one hidden was hard enough in a village, in a castle it would have been impossible. Although you don't have to worry about him being chained at least."

Brian looked at her confused as he carefully removed the pinned tunic from Merlin, "So it's true? Magic users would rather risk death than be employed by Essiter's king?"

Merlin shuddered, and not from the cool air of the room with the tunic gone, "Everyone knows what happens to chained sorcerers, I'd rather face the pyre than try and hide from Cenard's hunters. It's why I came to Gaius for help controlling my magic. At least if they caught me here, I'd be dead." Merlin blinked, "Or pregnant apparently, which I really didn't see that one coming."

"Arms up."

Merlin allowed the next tunic to be pulled on without grumbling about putting on his own clothes this time, "Inessa passed five winters ago, has Steven had further training? Are the spells she taught him enough for him to control his magic? I know how frightening it is to have uncontrolled magic in this castle."

"I have him work out of view of the door, he mostly knows things to help him smoothing fabric or fixing missed stitches. My assistants know to look the other way when he, ah slips."

"Have him come to my office first thing tomorrow, well right after breakfast, I can teach him some things to help focus his magic until Arthur is king, as long as Steven only does magic inside those rooms he can't be punished. Eda set aside that time for me to rest so I’m not busy."

Tension dropped from Brian's shoulders, "You would do that?"

"As I said, I know what he's going through. I'd do it for anyone who needs help with control, hell if people were interested, I would love to teach magic to anyone who wants to learn. It would be dangerous right now since magic is legal only in my rooms for now but if someone I was teaching slipped in view of someone who reports them to Uther I could probably save them. I mean I'd be practicing teaching like I'll need to teach the baby and I can cry at the drop of a hat if I need to."

Hunith looked at Merlin's stomach, "The baby?"

"If it's twins I'm going to kill Arthur."

"With how big you are now I wouldn't be surprised if you have three in there."

Merlin's face turned green, "Three?"

"You know the woman two doors down from us? She had twins and you’re definitely looking like she did, if not bigger."

Merlin wheezed and Brian was quick to brace him in case he fell, "Triplets? No, no I can't have, no its twins, twins, only twins, twins are fine, not, no."

Brian looked at Merlin's face, "Perhaps you should sit down? We can finish the pinning later."

Merlin shook his head taking a deeper breath, "This is the last one, right? I've suppressed panic for hours before, let's get this done." He looked up at the door as there was a knock, "Come in."

A maid stepped into the room giving a curtsy to Merlin while smirking, "How is my lord this morning?"

"Cheryl stop it, please."

"I have no idea what you mean my Lord." Her smirk grew at Merlin's groan, before she turned to Hunith, "My Lady, your bath is ready. Do you want lavender or rose oil?"

"Oh, please call me Hunith dear and a bath is far more than enough."

"Or we could use both."

Merlin sighed, "Pick lavender, it's easier to make and rose smells weird right now. Oh, Cheryl? could you have someone send for Arthur to come up before lunch. I need to panic for a bit but I'd prefer to wait until he's here for me to panic at."

Cheryl looked at him, "You’re waiting to panic until he gets here?"

"I have years of practice putting off anxiety attacks until I had time after whatever had tried to kill Arthur that time was gone. My mother can tell you about why I'm going to panic. It would be good for everyone in the castle to know my change of view."

Cheryl nodded, "I'll have someone fetch Arthur for you while I help your mother with the bath then. Also, I'll make sure everyone knows to avoid rose for now."

"Thanks, you’re a great friend Cheryl."

"Anything for you Merlin, now," Cheryl turned to Hunith, "This way Hunith, your bath awaits."

Week 10 – No Train

Uther felt his eyebrow arch as he looked at the glaring Merlin who had stormed into his office as he spoke with his son, "Do you need something?"

"We need to talk right now as I'm holding up the tailors for the wedding until we come to an agreement on my wedding stuff."

"I told the tailors my expectations."

"Yeah, we need to talk about those, they need a couple changes."

"There is nothing to change, I made my choices quite clear."

"You put me in a cloak with a train and I will trip on it, several times most likely, before the wedding even starts."

"A cloak?" Arthur turned towards Merlin, "You should have a robe, or special tunic since you're a man."

"Arthur. I don't care that your father wants me to look effeminate, I care about safety risks."

"Effeminate? Father," Arthur turned to Uther, "What are you doing putting Merlin in female clothing?"

Merlin sighed, "Arthur I don't care about that, it's not the issue. I'm here to talk about alternative options. Most of which is ditching the train."

Uther frowned, "You have a counter offer?"

"Keep the cloak like you want but without the train and I'll make a circlet of flowers to wear instead of a hat. That will be far more to your goals without being dangerous. And if someone asks you can say it's due to me being Emrys or something."

"If you agree to certain flowers."

"I know flower meanings; I'll figure out something that will actually work and send you the flower choices for your approval."

"Acceptable, and other issues?"

"I'm not wearing slippers. It's either boots or I go without the shoes all together. I don't care how pretty you make the boots but they need to be solid enough that I won't trip or slip on the stone."

Arthur nodded, "I don't like it when you wear hose that cover your feet in our rooms, I'm constantly worried you’re going to slip on nothing. There is no way I'd allow you to leave our rooms with slippers on. I'm not sure if I fully trust you in our rooms with them lately."

“If you weren’t proving my point, I’d be mad at you.”

"Alright," Uther took a piece of paper and wrote out the revisions, "Bring that to the tailor and let him work."

Merlin actually bowed before leaving smirking.

Uther turned to his son, "He seems extremely pleased by the few changes. I would have thought he would have been more combative about the other choices I made."

Arthur shrugged, "I'm not sure why I was surprised he was okay with the effeminate clothing, he doesn't care if people refer to him with female titles, beyond being titles themselves. Also, he got out of wearing a hat, he hates hats."
Week 10 – Bridal Shower

“So,” Merlin looked at where Morgana was sprawled across one of the couches in the room. His mother was sitting on a chair and Lancelot and Gwen were sharing another couch and Gwaine was sprawled in his own chair, skin of ale in his hand, “Why did you create this ‘bridal shower’ thing?”

Morgana gasped, “You think I have an alternative motive.”

He looked at her calmly waiting for her need for drama, which he completely understood, to pass enough for her to answer.

“Why don’t we turn to the gift giving part of this event.” She clapped her hands, “I’ll go first, it's hanging in the cabinet there, the one wrapped in black cloth. You know the size changing spell you’ve been teaching me to change the size of clothes?”

“Yes?” A worried feeling spread through his body but he pulled the cabinet open and pulled out the black wrapped item from beside two other wrapped items, one in pink and one in bright pendragon red.

Slowly unwrapping the cloth he was both horrified and yet unsurprised to find a beautiful gown. It was entirely black, except for the numerous but small blue accents. The bodice was bound together with a bright blue ribbon. All of the accents he was rather certain matched his eye color.

Morgana grinned, “Well put it on! Don’t worry about it not fitting! I checked the charm, it will adapt to your size no matter how round or flat you get.”

“I’m not putting this on!”

“But,” Tears started to well in her eye, “I had it made special for you.”

Glaring at how she was about to let out fake tears, that for all he knew they were fake, would make him feel horrible. Isn’t the pregnant person supposed to be the one using emotions to make them do his bidding? “Fine.”

Gwen stood up, “I’ll help!”

Merlin glared knowing one of the other wrapped items, he had no doubt where also dresses, was her ‘gift.’

“You’ve never put a dress on before, right?”

“I’ve never worn a dress!”

Hunith smiled, “Well that’s not exactly true.”

“Alright, I’ve never worn a dress unless there was literally nothing else to wear in our entire house when I had a sudden growth spurt, and it wasn’t one of these, these monstrosities.”

Gwen grabbed his arm pulling him behind the screen, “Then you’ll need help, and I am a lady’s maid.”

Merlin grumbled as he pulled off his own clothes and replaced it with the lowest layer of the dress, before glaring at Gwen. In a few short minutes, not only was he tussled up in the dress but he knew how to get himself into it and out of it on his own, with the help of his magic.

He stepped out behind the screen to many whistles from the group. Morgana had obviously given someone a very good set of his current measurements, or the spell was just very good, as the entire gown clung to his form, the corset not having a hint of a design to support a woman’s chest.

“Well,” his mother smiled at him, “You do look quite cute, but I have something to go with it.” From a small bag on the table beside her she pulled out a strip of cloth, golden in color, “Now stay still.”

He glared at the wildly laughing Gwaine as his mother tied the cloth around his throat, it was much too small to be a neckerchief and when his mother stepped away, he looked into the mirror he saw himself blushing a bright red with a gold ribbon with a bow, off to the side of his throat. The ribbon did nothing to hide his Adam’s apple, and in no way did he look like a woman, even with the bump, beyond the fact that he was wearing a gown.

Gwaine grinned at Lancelot, “Go on, show him what you got him, he should wear the entire set.”

Merlin turned a glare on Lancelot, he hadn’t expected Lancelot to go along with all of this.

He shrugged, “I called underclothes so Gwaine couldn’t.”

Gwaine stopped laughing glaring at him, “You said I wouldn’t know what size to get and you would!”

“I lied to protect my friend from what you would have chosen.”

“But you brought a box!”

“I did bring something, just not what you would have!” He pulled up a small wooden box and placed it on the table beside the bag his mother had pulled the ribbon from.

Merlin went over to the box and pulled off the top to find stockings and garters. Obviously of the style women wore under dresses, the stockings were simple, and the garters were all simple smooth cloth. Nothing like what Gwaine or one of the other girls, nor his mother, would have brought.

Gwaine groaned seeing Merlin look at them, “Why did you say you knew his size if you only got boring garters?”

“I never said what size I meant you leach, and you would have gotten the wrong size garter. All of you seem to think Merlin has thin sticks for legs even when he’s been carrying Arthur’s gear for years, they’re long like twigs, but they are nowhere near thin.”

Merlin noticed the box seemed a bit shallow, and there was barely enough room for two sets of stockings and the single set of garters. Taking a closer look, he saw a small cloth tab sticking up from under the bottom of the inside of the box. Before he could look closer Lancelot gave him a look before closing the lid, “I don’t think this is all necessary for all of this. His normal hose works for your fun.”

Merlin was curious about what was under the tab, but if Lancelot hid it, there would be a good reason.

(He would later discover that under the tab were several sets of stockings and garters that were in no way as chaste. Which he did appreciate not being revealed at the party, even if he couldn’t think of why he would include them, even hidden. Well, the first time he looked at least.)

Morgana smiled at him before pointing at the mirror, “Flare your magic.”

Wanting to get it over with, he pulled up just enough magic to make his eyes glow, he watched amazed as all of the blue accents turned gold.

“Wow,” Gwaine was the one to break the silence, “Now how the hell did you get it to do that?”

Morgana smirked, “I have my sources, and I heard my brother quite enjoys when your eyes glow.”

Merlin blushed looking away from the mirror heading back to the screen, “I’m putting my real clothes on now.”

“Oh, come on princey.” Gwaine was grinning again, “Aren’t you going to try on me and Gwen’s gifts first.”

Looking around, even his mother looked interested to see the other dresses so he sighed, “Gwen grab one, I’ll practice using magic to get out of this.”

Gwen followed him behind the screen with the dress wrapped in pink, her gift. A few minutes later he stepped out into the room wearing the new dress. It was a different design then the first dress but he couldn’t really tell what made them different other than the obvious color and patterns.

Gwen’s gift was mostly gold with deep red accents. With the scale and flame patterns he gave Gwen a knowing look.

“I actually based the designs on a book about dragon lords I found. It seems they often decorated their armor with patterns of their partner dragon’s scales, and all the pages in the book had flame patterns around the edges so I guessed that was common as well. The book’s cover was almost completely gold on the jacket of the book so I chose that for the base of the dress.” She smiled at him pointing at one of the accents, “I did pick out the pendragon red for those because of Arthur.”

Lancelot leaned forward to get a closer look at some of the patterns, “So that was why you kept quizzing me about the dragon that called Merlin that!”

She nodded, “I couldn’t really ask Merlin what his scales look like without revealing what I intended. I do think you should get the tailor to look at the dragon’s scales for some of your official clothes. Being a dragon lord used to command a lot of respect before the purge. I’m sure you could bring that back.”

Merlin snorted, “So I just need to get Kilgharrah and the tailor together and working together. I do think Kilgharrah would be willing. He often talks about the dragons and dragon lords from before the purge so he would probably be happy to see me wearing those patterns, but on real clothes, not these. No one is going to see these again.”

Morgana smiled, “Not even Arthur?”

He glared at her, “I have no idea why you think Arthur would be interested in me in a dress, so no. I will not be showing him.”

“What if he asks?”

“You’ve already told him about giving me these.”

“Actually, I gave a note to Leon for him to give Arthur at the end of their night. I remember how he couldn’t stop talking about you when he saw you wearing that dress. I’m rather certain you’ll need a mending spell after Arthur sees you in one of those.”

He glanced over at his mom who was smiling at him, before looking back to Morgana, “Don’t say that sort of thing in front of my mom!”

“Oh, what? That you might get some action if you put on a dress?”

“Morgana!”

Hunith laughed, “Don’t worry about me dear. I’m happy to hear you are enjoying spending time with your husband to be. When I first started on my way here, I was worried. I knew Arthur was a good man, but I had no idea how the two of you were handling the change in your relationship. And,” She gave him a sly smile, “Liking to see your husband in a dress is a rather tame thing for someone to bring into the bedroom. Trust me when I say there are things you don’t want to know about our neighbors back home.”

Merlin blinked at her, “I’m going to take your word on that, I really don’t want to know.”

She smiled at her son, “That would be best, now why don’t you try the last dress on and then we can move onto the chocolate.”

Merlin quickly went back behind the screen, always excited for what used to be a rare treat. If there was one thing he could appreciate about marrying into nobility; it was the access to the expensive treat chocolate.

“Fuck no. I am not putting that on.” Merlin stared at the last dress Gwen had behind the screen.

Gwaine laughed, “Come on princey, unless you’re too much of a chicken to wear something your best friend spent a good amount of coin on.”

Growling Merlin let Gwen start putting him in the dress, Gwaine’s guilt trip working, “I think I only have one best friend now and that’s Lancelot.”

Gwen pouted at him, “I’m not your best friend?”

“You are literally forcing me into a dress, and Gwaine bought this, Lancelot is the only friend I have here tonight.”

Gwen stepped back smoothing down a few spots on the dress, “I’ll help you get these into a hidden compartment in your chambers if you agree I can be one of your best friends again.”

“After you move them, Gwaine is dead to me.”

“Hey!” Gwaine yelled.

Morgana spoke, “Now you have to come out behind there. I need to know what has you disowning one of your closest friends.”

Merlin stormed around the screen into view causing every person in the room to make a shocked sound.

Where the dress Gwen had commissioned had bits that could be seen as a reference to the Pendragon family, this dress blasted it out of the water.

It was entirely made of Pendragon red cloth, with the Pendragon crest, a golden dragon, was in every line of embroidery. Merlin scowled, the only way this could be more obvious of an ego boost to Arthur is if it literally said. Morgana speaking up intererrupted his thought.

Morgana sounded shocked, “Does that say Property of Arthur Pendragon along the wing of the Pendragon crest on his back?”

Merlin turned, “Gwaine.”

With a completely carefree expression in response to Merlin’s face he replied, “That’s not the only place it says that.”

Merlin’s eyes flared an enraged gold, “Ou willa drenc nanuht ac waeter a sum feowertieneniht.”

Gwaine started to sweat in the silence following the spell, “Merlin? What did you just do?”

Merlin smirked, “You're one of my best friends again.”

“Merlin?”

“I hope you enjoy the next fortnight.”

Gwaine’s voice grew more panicked in response to Merlin’s smile, “Merlin? What did you do?”

Merlin smiled before walking back behind the screen, “Gwen could you help me get out of this? I wouldn’t want to,” his voice lowered into almost a threat, “damage it.”

Gwen gave Gwaine a worried look before darting behind the screen.

Gwaine gave an uneasy laugh before taking a sip of his, no longer, wine. “Water? You turned my wine into water?”

A smirk could be heard in Merlin’s voice, “I wouldn’t bother picking up anything but a glass of water for the next fortnight.”

“Fortnight?”

Merlin came back around the screen having used magic to help him get dressed as fast as possible to see his friends devastated face, “I could make it two?”

Gwaine panicked, “No, I have learned my lesson. Please bring my alcohol back.”

Merlin’s smirk could have belonged on a dragon’s face, “Nope! Now,” he turned a happy smile on his mother, “You said chocolate?”

Gwaine spent the rest of the night begging for Merlin’s forgiveness which he quite enjoyed denying. Gwaine would do well to remember that one should never anger the most powerful warlock to ever live, especially when he’s pregnant.

Merlin turned suddenly from his prize, “Wait Lancelot, how do you know of Kilgharrah?”

“I once got very lost.”

Chapter Text

Week 11 Monday Morning - Get Out of There

Merlin was dozing against Arthur as they waited for the party of nobles to get into place to be welcomed into the castle. It wasn’t anymore exciting now than it had been waiting against the wall. At least then there was the chance someone would order him to escort someone to their rooms. Now he was stuck standing with Arthur greeting nobles as they arrived. At least being pregnant had one bonus, no one was saying anything about him dozing on Arthur’s shoulder between groups of guests.

He barely restrained a groan when Arthur moved his arm from helping to support him to pushing him to stand again. It was time to fake knowing what he should be doing. He didn’t even know why he was out here; he was only Arthur’s intended. Wasn’t greeting people done only by the royal family? Why did he have to deal with all of the annoying bits when he wasn’t even married yet? His stomach wasn’t happy with all the standing and only getting little snacks between guests. He was desperately hopping his stomach would behave during all of this.

Merlin pulled up the smile Morgana had almost beat into him for today as the most recent arrivals reached the king.

The lead noble bowed to Uther, “My King we are honored to receive an invitation to such a monumental occasion.”

Uther gestured for him to stand, “Lord Lewin, we are glad you were able to respond to our invitation.”

“I’m sorry to say my son was unable to come, but my wife Bedelia and our daughter Marjorie are looking forward to the festivities.”

As the two where introduced Merlin’s eyes focused on the daughter, and when the family went to go past he reached out and stopped her. “I apologize for delaying you Lady Lewin, but I need a moment to talk with whatever is possessing you.”

Uther who had turned, probably to give Merlin a reprimanding look stopped and with the rest of the courtyard watched the pair.

Marjorie shook her head, “I don’t know what your speaking of my lord.”

Merlin smiled at her, trying to be calming, “I know you don’t. It’s trying very had to get into the castle and thought it could sneak in without being noticed. Now get out of her or,” Merlin’s eyes flared gold, “I will make you.”

The girl’s eyes turned a sickly green, “Uther must die.”

“Well, yes, everyone has to die eventually.”

“He must die now.”

“Look I can understand you hate Uther, I can’t exactly say I don’t, but unfortunately Camelot still needs him to be king so we can’t just put Arthur onto the throne. I know as a magical creature you don’t really understand humans but it’s all silly human politics that if we interfere with the line of succession, it could prevent the golden age of Avalon that has been prophesied from happening. Now get out of that poor girl, she doesn’t deserve to be used as your play thing.”

The sickly green faded from her eyes and then a mist of the same color oozed out of her and a small creature appeared in the air above her.

“Really?” Merlin stared at it, “It’s fall! What are you even doing awake?”

“There is nothing to sustain me, Uther rid magic from the lands.”

“Here,” Merlin held his hand up to it and a small gold ball appeared in his hand, “Eat that and go back to sleep. I don’t want to even hear a whisper about you for at least the next thirty years! This is more than enough to sustain you that long.”

The green, thing, swept forward and scooped the ball into its mouth before darting into the ground directly beneath them.

Merlin glared at the ground, “Well that’s going to be annoying to deal with later.”

Uther glared at him, “What was that? Why didn’t you kill it?”

Merlin rolled his eyes, “I don’t exactly carry around ash of an alder tree, three mouse teeth and a pile of sheep excrement on me so I couldn’t kill it. It’s far easier to get them to leave with a little magic, all they can do is give someone truly horrendously bad breath. Not really dangerous enough for,” Merlin stopped suddenly hand clapping over his mouth. A servant luckily made it to him in time with a bucket so that Merlin was able to puke into that, “By the crone I’m am ready for this morning sickness to be over with.”

He took a quick swig of water to wash his mouth out before turning back to Marjorie, “Sorry about that, I really hope you have a good stay here. I’ll have a bath delivered to your room, and Gaius, the physician will drop off a lotion you should use to wash your hair out with and you shouldn’t have to deal with the way they tend to turn people they’ve possessed hair green.”

Marjorie curtsied to him, “Thank you my lord for ridding me of that creature. I am sorry I brought such a thing with me.”

“It’s not your fault. You just had a bit of river water in your hair when it was looking for someone to possess. It was happy to help, just make sure to get the lotion all the way through your hair.”

As the Lewin’s left Merlin turned back towards where the noble’s family were queued up to be greeted, he sighed. No more dozing but at least someone brought him some oranges to get the taste of the sick out of his mouth. Hopefully he wouldn’t have to throw up again while they were receiving guests.

Week 11 Monday Evening - Show of Power

At one of the tables of the feast a group was talking together about various things until Lady Ana Noir brought up the matter most of them had wanted to talk about. “Where any of you there when Lord Merlin dealt with what ever was in poor Marjorie? I heard he drew a demon from her and banished it for fifty years.”

Her neighbor, Lady Cordelia Drummer, shook her head, “I heard forty years.”

Lady Geraldine Wullenweber leaned over the table slightly towards the other, “I saw it. He threated to force what ever it was out of Marjorie, his eyes flared the brightest gold I’ve ever seen, and the creature stared talking threw poor Marjorie. Said something about Uther needing to die and Merlin talked with it something to do politics and a golden age for Avalon before it finally showed itself. He feed it some of his magic and told it not to come back for thirty years.”

“I wonder how powerful he is.”

“Well he did throw up shortly afterwards but he was cursing morning sickness when I passed him by. Although I was confused on why he was eating oranges if he’s having problems with morning sickness.”

Ana hummed, “Maybe he doesn’t know it can make morning sickness worse?”

Geraldine looked over at the head table, “Maybe he doesn’t know?”

Lord Edward Noir glanced again at the food on the head table, “Probably the same reason Lord Merlin’s clothes are all a little to tight around his stomach.”

Geraldine frowned, “That was odd, usually if a woman is expecting before the marriage every step is made to make it so people don’t notice. It’s very strange the prince’s intended to be walking around in clothes as tight as his are.”

Edward turned to his wife, “As I was saying the king would never order Lord Merlin’s clothes to be small enough to show Merlin’s pregnancy so obviously.”

Lord Raymond Drummer added dryly, “He definitely didn’t order Lord Merlin be provided only foods that encourage morning sickness while they were welcoming nobles into the castle. No he wouldn’t be flaunting Lord Merlin’s pregnancy by making his morning sickness worse.”

Edward nodded, “The servants aren’t sneaking bland foods onto Lord Merlin’s plate because the king ordered only fatty foods to be available at their table. There must just be a platter of food more appropriate for those expecting that we can’t see on the table.”

Cordelia looked to her husband and then at the head table, “Yes, obviously the servants wouldn’t be more loyal to Lord Merlin than the king, and doing what they can do to circumvent the kings orders. Did any of your servants warn you about upsetting Lord Merlin?”

Raymond nodded, “Using a new member of the household’s opinion on Lord Merlin as a way to detect spies and assassins seems a bit strange.”

Edward shrugged, “If it works they’d be stupid not to use it.”

Cordelia hummed, “It would be interesting to talk with someone who inspires such loyalty,” she looked at the other women, “Do you think we could set up a tea with him? I mean it is something that well, the lady of the household would initiate, and as he is carrying Prince Arthur’s heir it could be seen to be his responsibility with their being no queen to it instead.”

Ana nodded, “We could help him understand his new duties. How he should act as the, um lady of the household when guests come to call.”

“Perhaps we can send a note asking for tea?”

The women at the table smiled and agreed to send a note with a servant after dinner.

Chapter Text

Week 11 Tuesday Morning – Garden Meeting

Eleanor led the ladies threw the gardens, “The garden that has been set aside for Merlin’s use is a little deeper in so anyone casually walking through is unlikely to reach here, and if they do,” She smiled at the guard in the pathway, “Harlan, is he ready for guests?”

Harlan nodded, “Servants dropped off the tea just a minute ago. Brent should be coming out soon. Oh, there he is.”

The group of women turned to where a young man had stepped around the final corner into Merlin’s garden. He was adorned, oddly. In his basket he carried pruning and such equipment, he gave the head gardener a dead stare, “I won.”

A flower bloomed in his hair where the bud had been stuck.

“Good job. Merlin intends to stay awake today so the flowers shouldn’t try and leave the area. Go home, take a bath your done for today.”

Brent bowed to the ladies before marching his way away, most likely towards the entrance to the gardens as more flowers bloomed in his hair.

The women gasped as they got their first look of the garden Eleanor had led them to. It looked more like a meadow than a garden. Flowers bloomed out of season all around the ground.

“Merlin!” Eleanor called out, “Your guests are here!”

Merlin shook himself as if from a doze and looked over at the group of women, from where he was sitting against the sole tree in the garden, “Oh hi! Come on over!”

With his greeting the group watched as some of the flowers sunk into the ground and were replaced by a bright green grass path leading to where Merlin was sitting, and now blushing, standing, “I mean welcome ladies, if you want to come over, I have um, tea?”

As the women walked along the path, they couldn’t help but to stare at the beauty around them, and when they arrived to where Merlin was, he was biting his lip looking at their dresses, “On minute.” Looking at the ground Merlin’s eyes flashed gold and stone benches grew from the earth parting grass and flowers so they each had a place to sit, “Does that work for everyone?”

Ana blinked at the benches that had so quickly formed before smiling at Merlin, “Yes Lord Merlin, these will work nicely.” With that she claimed the bench closest to a tall bunch of lavender, “It’s beautiful here.”

Merlin blushed, “Please just call me Merlin.”

“Only if you will call me Ana.”

The other ladies each make similar statements to which Merlin smiled back, “Of course. I hope it isn’t too strange I asked to met out here. I don’t think I’ll have much time out here this week so I’m trying to sneak in as much time as I can.”

Cordelia looked around, “Is this all you? The woman that led us out here said this was your garden.”

Merlin nodded, “Yes. I come out here to relax and let my magic sink into the ground.”

“Sink?”

Merlin frowned as he put down the platter that had been sitting next to him onto a dense bush that formed in between them all, and started pouring out tea, “I’m not sure how much people understand the whole Emrys thing. Wait, how would you like your teas?” With skills he had honed in his time as servant he quickly made up a cup for each of them and passed them out before sitting on the ground to lean back against the tree with his own cup.

As soon as he was sitting on the ground again his shoulders relaxed and he smiled at his guests, “My magic is of that of natural world, and while I can find wind where ever I go, nature is harder. I am comforted and energized by being in nature and with this,” he waved at his stomach where they could all notice a bump, “Comfort and energy aren’t the easiest things for me right now.”

Marjorie looked around, “Is this enough nature? It looks very natural here but you said nature was harder.”

“This the best part of the garden and it gets better the more time I spend here but this ground has been cultivated, but no, the best place is in a real meadow or in the middle of a forest.” He laughed, “Never thought I’d miss collecting herbs for my uncle.”

Merlin shook his head, “But enough about me, why did you want to get together? Eda said you wanted to talk about, uh things I might need to know about having guests?”

Week 11 Tuesday Lunch - The Noir’s Take Lunch

Lord Noir blinked at his wife over lunch, "A picnic?"

"Yes. Lord Merlin knows of a couple of wonderful places near the city that are great for picnics. He mentioned a few he had found on hunting trips with the prince. I was thinking we, me and the other ladies, could surprise him by having a picnic in one of his favorite places tomorrow as their isn't anything planned yet.”

She sighed taking a bite of her lunch, “We will need plenty of guards, we shouldn't just rely on Lord Merlin's magic to keep us safe. Mayhap Prince Arthur could lead some of the lords on a hunt? You and the guards could escort us to the meadow and then you and the prince can go enjoy a hunt while the ladies and Merlin enjoy a tea outdoors. After your hunt you could all come to the meadow and we can have a picnic together. Then we could all come back to the castle in time for dinner."

He nodded, "It does sound appealing. I could bring it up to the prince." Looking at his wife's pout he changed his answer, "I will bring it up with the prince." At his wife's smile he sighed in relief. That pout never ended well for him.

Week 11 Tuesday Afternoon - The Request

"Prince Arthur!"

Arthur turned towards the voice, "Lord Noir? Is there something you wish to discuss?"

"Why yes. I noticed we have no plans for tomorrow and my wife was thinking the women could have a picnic with your intended while the men go for a hunt."

Lord Drummer nodded, "My wife said something similar. She thought we could all ride out together with some guards to leave at the main camp with the ladies and then we could enjoy a hunt before having a late lunch with the women before returning to the castle."

"Yes, a good hunt for the men," Lord Liston sounded eager, "And a picnic for the ladies. Your intended would be safe with the guards at the picnic." A blush dawned on his face, "If Lord Merlin would be willing to stay with the women."

Arthur chuckled, "He'd be ecstatic. He hates hunting but he's really missed getting out of the castle and lower town. He'll be happy with a chance to spend some time out in true nature."

"Perfect," Lord Noir clapped his hands, "Tomorrow morning then?"

Arthur nodded smiling, "I'll have the servants get something together for tomorrow." The hunt slash picnic being the lords, and apparently their wife’s idea meant that his father couldn't say no to Merlin leaving the city this time.

Chapter Text

Week 11 Wednesday Morning - Into the Forest

Arthur could tell the exact moment their horses entered into what Merlin called true nature as every muscle in Merlin’s body seemed to relax. If it was anyone else he would have worried they would fall of their horse.

Letting out the occasional happy giggle Merlin led them to a large meadow. Everyone stared at the natural beauty. The river that flowed around one side and fell over the cliff that cut around the other side. The entire group could only stare, except for one person.

“Arthur,” Merlin crossed his arms, “Are you going to help me down or am I going to have to ask Gwaine? I have no idea how they expect me to get out of this thing.”

After realizing he couldn’t stop the trip the king made his displeasure known instead by ordering a special saddle for Merlin to use. It was designed for someone who was heavily pregnant, not someone with only a bump, a decently sized bump but still the saddle was overkill by months. It was meant to help Merlin keep his seat as he rode but Arthur worried more about Merlin ridding in the thing than if he had a normal saddle.

Merlin’s magic had caught him several times now when he tripped over his own feet, random items, and a staircase. He had no doubt that if a horse did manage to throw Merlin his magic would protect him and the babies, and they would be much safer than if he was be stuck to a panicking horse. Maybe they could forget to put it back on, or break it?

Quickly dropping from his horse, he handed the reins to someone before starting in on the straps. A moment later Gwaine started on the other side of the pouting warlock.

Edward turned to Leon, “Sir Leon, is Merlin unexperienced riding? I wouldn’t have recommended the trip if I knew.”

“No, Merlin is an expert horseman. He’s on several occasions mended clothes while our horses where in a canter.”

Lancelot snorted, “I’ll do you one better. I once saw him coil fishing line while galloping, not only did it not tangle I saw his eyes, they were blue. He wasn’t using magic. More curse words than I knew existed but no magic.”

Eylan, who was watching in fascination as Arthur failed to free Merlin from the saddle added, “I swear I saw him sharpening and polishing a knife.”

Leon nodded, “I was just waiting for him to cut himself so I could tell him off, I’ve been waiting for years and not even a nick any of the times we were attacked by bandits, monsters or sorcerers. Not one cut.”

“Okay,” Edward glanced at the other lords, “If he is so skilled why the saddle?”

“The king has banned Merlin from leaving the city because he’s worried Merlin will run or something. Which quite frankly is ridiculous. I mean not only is Merlin alarming loyal to Arthur, he’s currently carrying the hope for the future of Camelot. The only reason Merlin would leave is if it was to follow Arthur.”

“That seems extreme.”

“He once tried to straight up exchange his life for Arthur’s. He’s endangered his life so many times protecting Arthur its insane.”

Elyan smiled, “I once heard someone accuse Merlin of trying to poison Arthur. I was laughing so hard he almost escaped. How many times do we know of Merlin drinking poison on purpose to protect Arthur?”

“I try not to think of that number. I’m going to go gray any day now from the stress because of all the times those two who have tried sacrificing themselves for the other.”

“Chin up, Merlin didn’t start this trip off by saying he has a Bad Feeling. We should be safe from bandits!”

Raymond made an inquisitive noise.

“Merlin can smell an ambush coming two days from now I swear.”

“Finally!” Merlin cried as he swung from his horse. As soon as he was on the ground, he was pulling his boots off and sighing when his feet touched the forest floor, “Now we just need to set a couple blankets up and you lot can go murder helpless animals.”

Arthur sighed, “If I promise to drop off everything I catch at the lower town butcher to be given to the families that can’t afford meat will you not glare at me at least?”

“You’ll drop it off in lower town?”

“I remember you talking about how rarely you got meat in Elador and well I thought I could do something for those that live in lower town that are struggling.”

Merlin gave him a quick peck on the lips, “Well I’ll wish you luck this time. Now help with the blankets.”

Arthur gave him a quick kiss back before making sure everything ready was ready for the picnic.

Edward frowned at Elyan, “Meat was rare for Merlin?”

“The king is trying to keep it quiet but Merlin’s not letting him. Merlin grew up in Elador,” he glanced at Merlin and added quietly, “Merlin’s father disappeared before he was born.”

“Lord Merlin was a peasant bastard?”

Elyan nodded, “Without a father to hunt for the family apparently the only times they got meat was from charity and bastards don’t get much charity. Hunith was a midwife for the village so they did get some.”

Edward winced, “He knows what it’s like to go without so he doesn’t want others to if he can help it.”

“He’s put some rules in about the castle pigs. He has it determined how much each pig actually needs and had declared they shouldn’t be allowed to over eat. The rest is up to the head cook to dispose off in what ever manner she decides, or at least that’s what my sister says. She’s Morgana’s maid so she’s never needed anything but that’s the talk between the servants of the castle. Now mount up or Arthur will leave us behind.”

Edward gave a thoughtful look towards his wife, maybe he would bring the idea up with her later, but for now he had a hunt to enjoy.

Week 11 Wednesday Morning - Direct Contact

Ana looked down at her friend who had forgot the blanket all together to lay onto the grass of the meadow, “You look comfortable.”

Merlin hummed happily, “Could be better but this is amazing.”

“How could it be better?”

“Direct contact with the grass.”

“Direct?”

Merlin shrugged, “In the garden I usually ditch my tunic, everyone demands I pull a blanket over myself then but skin contact with the tree or grass and flowers is the best. But I’m rather certain going without a tunic around a bunch of women isn’t appropriate.”

Ana shared a look with the other ladies, “We made this picnic with your health and comfort in mind. One of the guards can help you with a blanket while we look the other way. When the men get back you can pull the tunic back on and I see no reason for anyone to say anything.”

“Really?” Merlin perked up.

All the ladies nodded and he called over a guard for help hold up and then lay a blanket over him. When they turned back, he may actually have been glowing.

“So,” Merlin smiled at them, “What do you want to talk about?”

Week 11 Wednesday Dinner - Dangerous Merlin

"So," Ana looked to her husband, "How was the hunt earlier?" They had gotten back to the castle from the picnic in time to prepare for the feast, but to close to have a chance to talk until after the feast had started.

"Quite good. You saw the prince felled a deer, but I managed a few rabbits myself. How was your picnic?"

"Oh, it was wonderful. Lord Merlin was practically glowing with that much nature around us. Flowers actually grew into his hair as we rested there. Although it was a bit odd in my view that when he took," She glanced at the table, "He left his neckerchief on. Do you think it was a gift from the prince and he was worried about losing it?"

"No," Lady Marlene Pelisser, who sat across from Ana this dinner slowly said Merlin's honorific as if displeased by it, "Lord Merlin has always worn a neckerchief. It was actually hard to recognize him when he went without those rags back when he was a servant."

Cordelia leaned forward, "Truly?"

"I'd be surprised if his wedding clothes lack one."

Ana nodded, "To each their own I guess, but how is he to show any necklace he wears? I mean, I know he's a man but he must have gotten something."

Lord Clive Pelisser spoke before his wife could comment, "He doesn't wear any neck jewelry, says it's too easy to be used to strangle someone."

Raymond blinked over at Merlin, "Then why does he wear the neckerchief?"

"I'm not sure why he favors them but he's made it so if someone grabs it, it will unknot or tear well before it can be used to strangle. The knot he uses will slip apart at a good tug, and if they grab that there are weak spots where they would tear open if needed."

"That's rather thought out, but how do you know all that about the neckerchief? Did he spread the knowledge around so people wouldn't attempt it?"

"Oh no. I've seen it in action when assassins have tried to use it against him. Their shock when it tore gave him plenty of time to deal with them. "

Edward frowned, "Dealt with? You mean he was able to escape?"

Marlene snorted, "Someone once told him he should try to escape if he was attacked."

"He didn't agree?"

"He said it was pretty easy to escape once the assassin was dead."

"He’s is skilled in self-defense?"

Clive took back over, "Lord Noir, when Merlin was still a servant he traveled with the prince for years. Through quests, bandit attacks, monsters, and assassins where others have died. Which with now knowing of his magic explains some of how he survived, but even without his magic Lord Merlin is more than capable of dealing with threats to his or the prince's life."

Ana frowned, "Are you sure we are talking about the same person? Lord Merlin hates hunting and visits lower town to offer charity."

Marlene sounded gurglingly impressed, "He is far to kind but he is also extremely."

She was cut off by the sound of glass breaking. The sound drawing everyone’s attention to the head table where Merlin was holding out his hand towards a bolt. His eyes were lite up a brilliant gold as the crossbolt seemed to hit something in the air in front of the head table.

As the bolt clattered onto the table, echoing in the silent hall. Merlin, with eyes still golden looked up into the rafters before slashing his hand down, an assassin following his hand as they were flung onto the floor. A sickening crunch was heard before the assassin screamed in pain.

"Merlin," Arthur rested his hand on Merlin's outstretched arm, "Let the guards take him, we need his information on who ordered him to attack."

"He tried to kill us Arthur,” Merlin growled, “He dared to tried to hurt the four of us."

"And you stopped him, let the guards take him away."

"He doesn't need to arms to talk."

The entire hall winced at the man's scream when the man's arm was severed and seared shut before it even had a chance to bleed.

"There," Merlin's arm dropped and gold faded from his eyes, "He'll never be able to shoot someone ever again. "

The guards quickly stepped forward and carried slash dragged the assassin from the hall. Before they had fully left the hall attention turned to where Merlin was now bent over the bucket that was constantly near him in case of morning sickness.

Arthur was making soothing sounds as he rubbed Merlin's back, only speaking when Merlin was sitting back up. He handed Merlin his goblet, "Use this to rinse your mouth out." He sighed as Merlin cleaned out his mouth, "We're safe now."

"Why?" Merlin tried to talk as he started sobbing, "Why does everyone hate me?"

"Not everyone," Arthur pulled him to stand, "Just the idiots. Everyone else loves you, I love you, come here."

As Arthur pulled Merlin into his chest as he looked over at his father, "I think it would be best if we retreat for the night." He didn't wait to see Uther's response instead trying to led Merlin from the hall. He knew Merlin's mood would be shifting to anger soon and it was best if they kept the flinging of things about with magic inside their rooms whenever possible.

Marlene turned back to her conversation partners, "Extremely dangerous when he chooses to be. I will admit that was a bit much even for him. He must have had another mood swing hit him during all of that for him to remove the man's arm like that. Normally he favors knocking people out."

Clive nodded, "He's been suffering from horrible mood swings to go with the morning sickness. He can go without a swing for days and then have ten in one. We just saw two, figure the prince excused them before Merlin could be hit with another one."

"Oh," Marlene looked at the others, "The throwing up was morning sickness not a reaction to what he did. I think his accidental magic might cause morning sickness to worsen."

Ana stared, "You think that was all accidental?"

"No, the accidental part was catching the bolt. The rest he meant to do."

Ana nodded and decided to move the conversation along, "Mood swings are ever so unpleasant." She turned away from the head table, "Do you think a new neckerchief would be a good gift to thank him for hosting us?"

Clive nodded, "Definitely. He likes being able to choose between the number he has now."

Marlene snorted, "Now that he no longer just has to pick between the cleaner of the two."

"Marlene! That is enough, Lord Merlin is a nice man, there is no reason to bring up the past so."

She shrugged looking away as conversation turned to where they could find cloth for their gift, and talk of what they would embroider onto them before they sent them to Merlin from their own estates.

Chapter Text

“Seriously?” Merlin growled, “Someone is trying this now?”

The acoustics of the room meant Merlin’s slightly raised voice could be heard threw out the feast hall. Meaning everyone turned to look at the angry warlock. Only to watch in shock as Merlin grabbed Arthur’s shoulder and pulled him into a kiss.

“Merlin?” Arthur looked at him confused.

Uther was about to speak as Merlin growled out, “I am going to disembowel the next person who even thinks about going near you with a love enchantment.”

Uther glared at where Merlin still had a grip on Arthur’s shoulder, “What is the meaning of this?”

Merlin pointed at Arthur’s freshly filled wine goblet, “There’s a love potion in there and rather than listening to him talk about somebody else in a dazed state, I administered the cure all cure for love enchantments, true loves kiss.”

“Reasonable, but perhaps you could let go of Arthur now that he is cured.”

Merlin squeaked blushing hard as he almost shoved Arthur backward into his chair.

Arthur leaned forward again to give Merlin a quick kiss before pulling back, “Thank you.”

Uther glared, “Arthur!”

“I was just making sure the enchantment was gone, now what were we talking about? I’m not sure if we were still speaking of the bandits near Kent or not.”

Several people jumped as the goblet, filled with love potion, disappeared from the table with a cracking noise, anyone who looked could see Merlin, eyes gold, glaring at where the glass had been.

Chapter Text

Cordelia swept her skirt to the side and settled onto the grass next to Merlin, “I must most humbly beg your forgiveness on behalf of my husband for his,” She paused, “Ill thought out plan.”

“What do you mean?”

“He wanted to stop any rumors about you using a love potion on the prince so he came up with the plan to give the prince a love potion to prove the rumors wrong. Apparently the prince was to be in love with the goblet containing the potion. Which I hope that may get him some forgiveness for what he did.”

“Your husband had my Arthur drugged. Leading me to completely embarrassed myself by kissing him in the middle of the feast. Which apparently you don’t even do at the wedding feast.”

Cordelia nodded blushing, “Is there anything my husband, or I, could do to earn your forgiveness? He is willing to do anything to gain your forgiveness for his idiocy.”

“The goblet thing does help but,” Merlin crossed his arms, “If he wasn’t a noble I’d put him in the stocks for an hour to show him how embarrassed I was. But apparently you can’t put nobles into the stocks.”

“He accepts.”

Merlin frowned at her, “Uther was quite clear that I can’t throw nobles into the stocks. No matter how annoying.”

“And you’re not.” Cordelia grinned, “You simply told me a way he could earn your apology and he is volunteering to do that to earn your forgiveness.”

“I’ve always wanted to see a noble take the punishments they like to throw around, and it will be good for the produce sellers. They haven’t been selling as much as they use to.”

Ana blinked at him, “What does fruit sales have to do with this? I mean of course seeing Lord Drummer in the stocks will definitely be good for them, but why do you say they are selling less than they use to?”

“They’ve had a dip in sales since I’ve been made a noble. Arthur always threw me in the stocks at least twice a week. Where I got to enjoy heckling people and having the only things people could do back is throw fruit at me.”

“The stocks?” Marjorie smoothed her dress down, “I thought you two have been in love for years?”

“Well, yes, but I am… I mean was a horrible manservant.” Merlin grinned, “I once made him eat rat stew because I was mad at him.”

Bedelia blinked, “I think my daughter meant why didn’t he use a kinder punishment like a night in the dungeons?”

“I prefer…preferred a couple hours in the stocks. I mean talking with the guards or people was better than a night in a cell. It’s cold down there. And if there was something trying to kill Arthur, I’d be free when they were most likely to act. Use to be people got worried if I didn’t show up in the stocks while we where in the castle. They started posting a sign when I got sick or injured. Otherwise, people sent panicked messages about me to the castle.”

“People… panicked if you didn’t get thrown in the stocks?”

“They were just worried about my health. That actually leads to my newest question. How often do you visit the towns around your estates, I know how often Morgana goes but I’m not sure what’s normal.”

The rest of the tea was spent talking about visiting lower towns and charity projects.

Chapter Text

Week 11 Saturday Day - After an Hour in the Stocks

Merlin smiled as he offered a vial to Raymond, who was rubbing his back, "Lord Drummer, this will help with the pain, it tastes like piss so I recommend downing it in one go."

"Thank you." Raymond took the vial and chocked down the mixture, "That was vile."

"Most tonics are. Is your manservant here?"

"I believe so. He got me good with a tomato if I recall correctly. Oh, there he is," Raymond waved his manservant over.

The man came over, obviously anxious.

"I have to say, you have quite a throwing arm. Got me well good with that tomato. Now," Before the manservant could panic, he turned to Merlin, "Lord Merlin, this is my manservant, Graham."

Grimacing at the title, Merlin made sure to smile at Graham, "I just wanted to hand these off to you."

Merlin pulled some vials and tubs from a leather bag and dropped them back in once he had explained them. "So, this is for the onion smell, rotten onions stink so get his hair wet and rub half of this in. Wait two candle marks and then wash the mixture out, then repeat with the rest of the vial. Again, wait two candle marks before washing everything out.”

He dropped another vial into the bag, “This vial is a miracle on tomato stains. Then this cream is for where his neck and wrists hit the stocks and the other one is for back pain. Wash your hands quick after putting that on or your hands will go numb.”

Merlin gave him a physician’s unimpressed look, “If your hands do go numb get another servant to dress Lord Drummer and help him with anything. You might still think you can do things but if this numbs your hands it’s going to be hours until you can actually do anything. Then the last vial is the best at getting the littles pieces of fruit or veg from his hair. Just a scrub and a rinse for that."

Graham nodded accepting the pouch.

Raymond looked confused, "I definitely appreciate all of this, but why? I mean this whole thing was a way to apologize for my actions at the feast with the love potion."

Merlin shook his head, "I wanted you embarrassed not in pain, and the other stuff is to make Graham's life easier. I don’t want to punish him for what you did.”

Nodding Raymond looked thoughtful, "Did you throw anything? I know you were watching but I never noticed you with any of the fruits."

"It felt too weird being on this side of the stocks to throw anything."

"Well, I feel mighty embarrassed, even if I do have to admit I was hoping to hear the prince trying to sweet talk that goblet."

Merlin giggled, "That would have been great but fair warning." Merlin turned a glare on the lord.

Raymond put up his hands, "No more love or any other sorts of enchantments from me."

"Good, now I do have to thank you for fulfilling dream of mine to see a noble in the stocks. It was even enough to distract me from the tournament Arthur's competing in today. With how worried Uther is about Arthur's heir you would think he'd be against Arthur risking his life the day before the wedding."

"Arthur is the greatest swordsman in Camelot, he won't lose."

Merlin grimaced, "You only have to slip once and no matter what anyone says Arthur isn't perfect."

Week 11 Saturday Evening - Gossip about Flyta

Cheryl sat down at the table smiling, "Did you all hear the latest about Lady Wiese?"

"Actually," Steven sat down next to her, "It's been horrible with the last-minute fixes for the wedding tomorrow. So could you tell me what happened with her and Lady Morgana first?"

Diane nodded, "We did miss you these last two days. So what happened was that Lady Wiese was making some snide remarks to Lady Morgana about her needing to hurry and find a husband because her status as the king's ward wouldn’t give her a right to be in court once Prince Arthur is king."

Steven grimaced nodding, the vile woman did have a point.

"Well, that's when Merlin turned the corner and acted like he'd been looking for Lady Morgana. They were both meeting in his office for their lunch so we know he wasn't actually looking for her."

Cheryl smirked, "He must have heard the wench because he said he'd been hoping she would be willing to be his Lady-in-Waiting once he was married."

Steven grinned, "That must have felt great. Lady Weise was always so rude and ordered him about when he brought her those tonics, he and Gaius made for her."

"It gets better. He then pretended to finally notice Lady Weise and asked what her name was. She like us, she knows that Merlin knows the names of every person, horse, and possible cat in the castle. Then before she could answer he said it didn't matter he wasn't looking for a," Cheryl leaned forward, "Maid-in-Waiting."

Steven blinked, "Did he set her on fire next? That's the only way he could have made that worse. Not only showing that Lady Morgana would always have a position at the court but that he also saw Lady Morgana as Lady Weise's superior in court. That had to sting."

Cheryl shook her head, "He left it at that but at the tourney earlier she tried to get back at him when she managed to sit beside him in the second half."

"What did she do?"

"She tried to prove that she was more cultured or something and she brought up a recent writer she'd been reading and asked if he had read any of it or just heard it."

Steven could only stare at her bewildered.

Diane nodded, "She made it obvious she thought the only way Merlin could know of the works is if the prince read it to him."

"Merlin's constantly reading. Anytime Eda makes him sit and relax, she pulls out one of his books for him. Lady Weise must have known that."

"Apparently not, or at least she thought he was working on simple things because Merlin came back with the fact the prince couldn't be even bribed to read anything that wasn't a about war techniques or such, but that he did like it when Merlin read him stories. Went on to say the author she mentioned wasn't something either of them enjoyed.”

She giggled, “Then he started talking about the Odyssey and how he thought it was best in Latin and that he thought it was Arthur's favorite as Merlin didn't have to go get the story when he wanted to recite part of it to him. He apparently was pretty aminated about it, as he always is with that story being his favorite and asked if she had a favorite part and recited part of his favorite, you know the word game with the cyclops?"

Tracy grinned, "Lady Weise was forced to admit she couldn’t read Latin and hadn't even heard of the Odyssey as well. Merlin actually looked disappointed that he couldn't talk more about it I heard. Luckily for Lady Weise one of the prince's bouts started and Merlin was far too busy fretting to continue talking about such things."

The friends broke down laughing imagining how embarrassed the heavily disliked Lady Weise was.

Cheryl whipped a tear from her eye, "Edric saw as the prince, during the tournament feast, told Lord Weise that his wife must miss their lands and after the wedding it would be a good time for her to return to them."

Steven managed to stop laughing long enough to speak, "He must have been so embarrassed. I mean the prince himself basically dismissed his wife from the court where everyone was sure to hear about. The only thing worse would be if the king had done it."

Diane leaned back on the bench, "From how people were describing the king's expression during the tourney after she tried to pull that. I think the prince just bet the king to the joust. He does not like it when anyone speaks badly of Lady Morgana."

The friends agreed with her before moving onto less juicy gossip.

Chapter Text

“So your telling me,” Merlin glared at Arthur as they walked to the royal balcony, “All of that nonsense with having to go through that whole ceremony and were not officially married until we kiss where everyone can see?”

“Technically, we aren’t truly wed until we consumate the marriage.”

“Consumate? The wedding is only official once we have had sex? Why all this nonsense then? It’s not like they think we’ve been celibate. I’m over two months pregnant and look like it’s been four!”

“We have to have sex after the marriage for it to be official.”

“After? All the sex before this whole thing doesn’t count?”

“Your not suppose to have sex before the marriage ceremony at all. So, yes. Only sex after the marriage ceremony works. This kiss is to show everyone that we have completed the ceremony and are wed.”

“But we’re not wed until we have sex again.”

“Yes, but the common people will see the kiss as the proof of the marriage.”

“I don’t get royal weddings. A hand fastenings back home would be done already.”

“At least we don’t have to have witnesses to the consecration. I can’t be more grateful for you being able to use your birth name to get us out of having to deal with that.”

“That’s why your father wanted people to watch us tonight? So they see that were having sex?”

“Yes. I’m certain my father would have insisted on being a witness as well and I don’t want my father seeing that.”

“If your father had been a witness, nothing would have happened.”

“Understandable.”

“But are they really expected us to consumate the marriage tonight? They got us up at the ass crack of dawn, which I was told I would no longer have to do. Then were shoved into these clothes doing all that shit before the wedding ceremony even started, then even more during the ceremony and now your asking me to walk all the way up to the royal balcony? I still have to get through the feast without falling over in exhaustion. I love you Arthur, but the only thing happening tonight is sleep.”

Arthur shrugged, “As long as we consumate the wedding before we leave our chambers in the morning it will be fine. I’ll try to get us out of the feast as fast as possible so you can get that sleep. I’ll also make it sure no one wakes us up tomorrow.”

“Sounds like a plan, now lets have our,” Sarcasm dripped from Merlin’s voice, “First kiss.”

“It’s the first married kiss its proof for everyone that the wedding has been completed.”

“Fine. Now help me up the trick step so we can go kiss in front of as everyone that fit into the courtyard.”

Arthur stepped forward and helped Merlin avoid the step meant to trip up assassins, and was happy to earn his first wedded kiss for his help, as his, no their people cheered below.

Chapter Text

Ann looked up at the head table, “I have to say I’m very impressed by Mer… I mean Prince Merlin today. After the wedding prep, the wedding itself, and now the wedding dinner he’s still awake and smiling. There’s no way he’ll be awake to wish us off tomorrow.”

Cordelia snorted, “I doubt that will stop the king from demanding it.”

Shrugging Raymond added, “He’ll probably just sleep through it, like he’s sleeping through this.”

“This? You mean the dinner? He’s talking with the prince.”

“Prince Arthur is definitely talking at Prince Merlin, but I doubt Prince Merlin is doing more than smiling back.”

“Are you saying he’s sleeping? Sitting up in all this noise?”

“Yes.”

“How?”

“The same reason he held his hands in front of himself during the wedding. He wasn’t trying to look demure; he was holding his hands to prevent himself from returning a servant stance. He probably dozed through parts of the wedding ceremony as well.” He blinked, “Ah, did you see that?”

Merlin was now turned and talking with someone on the side opposite Arthur. Arthur’s finger still rested on the rim of his glass.

“I thought you said he was asleep.”

“He was, but you see where Prince Arthur’s finger is? He just ran it around the rim of his goblet. I would wager a good sum that is something they made before this as master and servant. So, if Prince Merlin started to doze or got distracted it would catch his attention to well, in the past pour the wine, but now it will be a useful tool as a married couple. With the prin- with Prince Arthur being able to get Prince Merlin’s attention easily at feasts.”

“Well, it seems Prince Arthur has finally gotten them free, I hope Prince Merlin makes it to bed before falling asleep.”

“Eh, Prince Arthur is strong. Merlin’s only two months pregnant, he’ll manage.”

“With twins, Prince Arthur might need help.”

Chapter Text

Arthur smiled at the Lord and Lady Drummer, “I hope you both enjoyed your stay here. Merlin sends his regards, but unfortunately the court physician has ordered bed rest after the activity of yesterday.”

“Yes,” Gaius stopped next to Arthur, “I agree with my orders. Why I just spent a good candle mark explaining why my orders needed to be carried out to the king,” Gaius’s eyebrow raised, “Perhaps you could inform me what my orders are, exactly?”

Cordelia and Raymond glanced at each other and then to the blushing prince.

Arthur gave Gaius a sheepish smile, “Strict bed rest for today, then bed rest with small amounts of walking and sitting tomorrow and overmorrow. Followed by restriction to our chambers for another three days.”

Gaius nodded, “A week of rest after the stress and activity of this week would be a proper prescription. Let my nephew know that I will be by tomorrow to check on him, and ask why he didn’t send me some kind of note to tell me I had been by to see him.”

“That bit is my fault. He fell asleep before he could finish telling me what to say to my father. I actually picked the three additional days as he fell asleep before giving me that number.”

“Well if this happens again, which it should not, do inform me before the king starts questioning me about my orders.”

Arthur winced, “We will.”

“Well then I will be by tomorrow around lunch time to give Merlin a more… detailed exam.”

Cordelia turned a worried look on Arthur as Gaius left, “Is Prince Merlin unwell? Did all of this possibly harm him or the babes?”

“No, he’s fine, just exhausted. After this morning he swore he wasn’t leaving bed for anything other than the chamber pot. When father’s orders came to prepare to wish everyone off Merlin prescribed himself bedrest for the day. When I told him my father would not accept his prescription as he was no longer Gaius’s apprentice, he gave me what to tell my father his uncle had said. He is just in need of a good deal of rest to recover from the festivities.”

Cordelia nodded, “Understandable, I feel in some need of rest myself and I am merely a guest, and not pregnant. Do give Prince Merlin our well wishes.”

“He will be glad to receive them. He does regret not having a chance to see you off but the idea of the stairs…”

“As I said, understandable. Now we must be going. I worry about what my youngest have gotten up to in the time we’ve been going.”

“I wish you swift travels then.”

Once Arthur had left, Raymond led his wife to their waiting attendants, “I do wish we had gotten to talk with Prince Merlin again but he needs to look after himself and the babies first.”

“We will just have to send a letter to give the well wishes we could not do in person. It will go well with the neckerchief I plan to make in thanks for hosting us.”

“You always have the best plan my dear.”

“And you do not, really a love potion?”

“Your not going to let that one go, are you?”

“Never.”

Chapter Text

A guard rushed forward to catch Merlin before he landed after tripping on the stairs, he let out a sigh of relief when Merlin’s magic slowed Merlin’s fall enough that he could reach Merlin in time to catch him, “Are you okay?”

Merlin nodded, “Thanks Harlan.” As he stood, he glared at the stairs, “Stupid stairs, stupid stomach messing with my balance even more that normal. I’m not even dizzy right now and I can’t get up some stupid steps.”

“More than normal?”

“Yeah shoes mess with my ability to sense the ground like my magic wants to.”

“Your shoes?” Harlan gave Merlin a confused look, “Mess with your magic?”

“They always have, and now my balance is shot with trying to deal with that and this,” he waved at his stomach.

“Do you want help up the stairs? Since your shoes are… a problem?” Harlan knew he sounded confused as he asked.

Merlin turned to him smiling, “Harlan you’re a genius.”

“I am?”

Merlin muttered something and with a flash of gold eyes Merlin’s shoes where in his hands. Merlin sighed resting his feet on the ground, “Much better.” He started up the stairs again, notably more sure a foot waving back at Harlan, “Thanks Harlan!”

Harlan watched as Merlin walked up the stairs with out a single wobble in his steps. Harlan glanced around glad no one was in view. Hopefully it didn’t get out that he was the one that apparently gave Merlin the idea to walk around shoeless.

- Later that day-

Arthur turned the final corner to Merlin's office. Where he was supposed to do all his purposeful magic. Not that he paid much attention to that rule. Merlin was having far to much fun preforming ‘accidental magic’ in front of his father. Arthur was going to pull all of his hair out from stress and the babies hadn't even been born yet.

"Merlin?" He carefully called into the room, there had been several odd mishaps from someone surprising Merlin while he was practicing. Gwaine had been rather proud of his purple hair but Arthur would rather not be hit.

"One minute," Merlin grabbed a pen and scribbled out some notes.

Arthur looked around the room to see if anything new had shown up. Several bunches of herbs and other items he had seen in the physician's quarters before were scattered about. Along with a wide variety of other items. On the table closest to him stood Merlin's boots. Arthur supposed Merlin was working on something that required bare feet, maybe some kind of druidic magic?

"Done!" Merlin turned to Arthur, "What do you need?"

"Father wishes to dine with us. I wanted to come get you myself. I haven't seen you since this morning."

Merlin groaned, "But I don't want to change. Can’t I just go like this? I could clean it really quick."

"I had Eda bring you a clean tunic."

Merlin grumbled as Eda removed his old tunic and replaced it without letting him help. He wasn't quite ready to admit that he couldn't actually dress himself anymore. Even if he had no chance of tying his hose any more with how large he had gotten, he didn't want to admit defeat. Magic was the only thing saving his dignity at this point.

"Alright," Now changed into his new tunic he looked at Arthur, "Let's get this over with.” He smiled, “I am happy to see you too, even if it means we are going to dine with your father."

Arthur gave Merlin a confused look as he walked straight past his shoes, "Merlin? Aren't you going to put your boots on?"

"No."

Arthur grabbed the boots before following Merlin, "Merlin, you need shoes."

"No."

"Your going to hurt your feet."

"As long as I'm not on a rug I'll be safer than if I'm wearing those blasted things."

"Will you at least put them on before we arrive in the dinning room?"

"No."

"I'm not going to convince you to put them,” Arthur sighed, “Am I?"

Merlin grinned his as he easily walked down a flight of stairs, "Nope."

Arthur flagged down a servant to bring the boots back to their rooms, if Arthur wasn't carrying the shoes maybe his father wouldn’t realize Merlin was barefoot.

Chapter Text

Merlin turned to Arthur and touched his shoulder after the last lord explained his reasons for the subpar tax offerings he had sent to the crown this year.

Arthur squeezed his hand, “You can just say what you know now. No more need to sneak facts to me.”

“Oh right,” Merlin turned back to the council, “The tax report Lord Swild just gave is obviously false.”

Lord Swild glared at him, “You dare to accuse me of lying to my king?”

“Yes.”

“How dare you, you little-”

Arthur cut him off, “Take care of how you talk about my husband, your prince.”

“Ah, I apologize your highness, I just… got emotional at being accused of lying to my king. As I would never lie to my king.”

Merlin rolled his eyes, “Considering the taxes you sent in, you already have.”

“I just gave evidence on why I sent in the lowered taxes, a sickness infested my lands! My harvests were all but nothing! The people in my lands are going to starve if I pay any more than I have.”

“You said that your wheat, grape and pumpkin crops were hit with rankrot.”

“They were! The fields are empty!”

“Rankrot is a disease of trees Lord Swild. It can’t infect any of those crops. Rankrot infested your neighbors fruit harvests the year, which is why their request for reduced taxes was approved. They rely on their fruit harvests to purchase wheat and other foods, from neighboring lands, including your own. Unless you’re saying a disease of fruit trees has suddenly appeared in wheat, grapes and pumpkins, all at the same time?”

The council fell silent as the lord’s face drained of color.

Merlin snorted, “I have no idea how you thought you would get that past this council. I was going to remind Arthur that this was the matter we had discussed yesterday. How amusing it was that you were blaming rankrot of all things. Remember Arthur? You were going over the scouting reports along the north border.”

Uther very carefully exchanged a confused look with his son, who subtly shook his head. Apparently, even with Merlin telling him something was off Arthur hadn’t realized the nobles report was a lie. Meaning Merlin was the only person, possibly on the entire council by the worried shuffling of papers of his councilors, who knew what was actually happening in the lord’s lands.

Uther nodded at Merlin, “Well said. Now, what would you do now?” Carefully turning the situation where his lack of knowledge would be obvious, into what appeared to be an attempt to teach his son-in-law how to handle a council matter. Which allowed Uther to get the consul of the only person here with the knowledge on the matter, without showing his, or his son’s, lack of actual knowledge in the matter.

Merlin stared at him, “What?”

“When Arthur is king you will need to assist him in these councils. This is a good opportunity for me to see how you would address a situation such as this one.”

Merlin's hands trembled slightly as he pulled a map of the land of Lord Swild and his neighbor’s from Arthur’s stack of paper. “So Lord Swild has enough to grain to pay his taxes, but Lady Herve does need grain for her people. I say instead of the crown having the grain delivered here and then sending money to Lady Herve to help her people, we should take the grain from Lord Swild’s land and redistribute it to the villages in Lady Herve’s lands instead.”

Uther nodded, that would be more effective, even if the crown would not get as much in taxes as he wouldn’t be able to hold back any grain from going to Lady Herve’s lands and the more he seemed to take Merlin’s advice, the stronger Merlin would look to this council. Now to see if he could get anything more out of Merlin. “Do you have any further ideas on this matter?”

“Like how much grain to send where? I mean I did make this prospective plan,” Merlin turned to the pile of Arthur’s papers, easily sliding a few pages out, “It has the grain requirements each village in Lady Herve’s lands will need to survive the winter, it would be best to send a little more then that but as long as we send at least this much there shouldn’t be any deaths,” Merlin grimaced, “Due to starvation at least.”

One of the counselors looked to Merlin, “At least?”

“Starvation is only one of the risks of winter. Last winter most of these villages, one of Lord Swild’s and two of Lord Toure’s have reported deaths due to the cold. Mostly children and the elderly. A disease went through that area two years ago that killed many healthy men and the older boys. Meaning the villages don’t have the man power to repair the older houses, especially in Lady’s Herve’s villages with the flood damage from last spring effecting the houses as well. I fear we may see a Yukionna this winter.”

Arthur blinked, “A Yukona? Is there perhaps one already in the lands causing the troubles in Lady Herve’s lands?”

“No the troubles in these villages is due to the flood that hit last spring when the Loift river overflowed. The flooding most likely triggered the human illness and the rankrot breaking out this year. The late Lord Herve refused to send for aid, and Lady Herve’s request hasn’t been addressed yet. With the grain we shouldn’t have to worry about a Wedigo at least.”

“What aid did she request?”

“Food to feed her people and man power to rebuild homes. If we could send about, well so close to winter now, probably twenty able bodied men and a carpenter to overlook them to help repair houses and demolish the ones that can’t be repaired there should be enough good houses for villagers to survive the winter and give them a good chance of recovering this coming summer. With the grain of course.”

Uther smiled, “Good reasoning. You seem to have given this a good deal of thought.”

“This is actually what I had asked to address the council with later, not Lord Swild’s taxes, but the fact that Lady Herve’s aid request still needed to be addressed and how best to meet them. I have it all written down here. A plan to redistribute Lord Swild’s grain will still need to be created.”

“Arthur,” Uther turned to his son, “You know who we can spare, see to the men and carpenters being dispatched to give aid. Lord High Chancellor use Merlin’s notes to determine the most effective way to redistribute Lord Swild’s taxed grain. Anything that can not be covered by Swild’s taxes will be supplemented by the crown so our people survive the winter. Now Lord Swild about your attempt to defraud the crown…”

As Uther dismissed the council later he smiled, he would have to make sure Merlin’s involvement in the aid being sent out was known. This was just the sort of the thing that would create Merlin’s image as Camelot’s queen. A well learned, compassionate ruler to soften his sons more firm rule. A good balance for the future rulers of Camelot.

Chapter Text

Merlin grumbled as he wandered into the lower town market. He needed to get away from all the guards that were supposed to be helping him up and down stairs now that Uther had figured out why he had been going without shoes. Now Uther had ordered that if he gets caught without shoes he was to be carried to his rooms to put on a pair. The guards and Eda, were unfortunately keeping a close eye out for his shoes so he was stuck tripping over himself. After being carried once he wasn't going to get caught again. Maybe an illusion?

Elyan was walking along at his side as an escort, apparently being the strongest warlock to ever live wasn't safe enough for him to walk through lower town on his own. At least with one of Arthur's knights he wasn't forced to take five guards. Although they generally where pretty helpful carrying his purchases. He gaunt even fought the escort this time just wanting out of the castle as quick as possible.

Stopping at the fruit booth he talked about the apple harvest as he handed over the list of the things Dansille wanted brought up the castle. Most of the head castle staff gave him things to drop off at various booths so he had an excuse to speak with the different merchants.

After forcing coins into the fruit seller's hands, he started eating a pear on his way to the next stall he saw. Back when he was living off a manservants pay he had appreciated the little bits of help he got, but now that he could spend royal coin. He enjoyed taking some of Uther's coin and giving it back to the ones who had paid the large taxes Uther demanded.

Later he indulged in a pastry that the bakers made specifically for him, he didn't fight the special treatment as they took the coins for the food easily, and had the best news about what the different lords and ladies were getting up to in their own estates. Lady Marlen had no reason to turn up her nose at him with the things that she got up to on her estate. Maybe he could make a comment about it and see how she looked at him then.

He visited various other booths before meeting up with the castle marshal to inspect the new bows and daggers that the castle had ordered.

Various people asked about the baby, many giving tips to assure a good birth, and congratulated him on the wedding, but it was at the very end that the cobbler waved Merlin over.

Merlin smiled at him, "Naveen! I haven't had a chance to talk with you in a while. The royal tailor has taken over my foot ware. I have so many shoes and I keep getting confused on which to wear when. Arthur has normal boots and dress boots but for some reason I need more shoes than I've ever seen in my life."

"He did pay me a good deal for a pair of boots for you. It has a vine pattern if you want to see it, but come here I've heard of your shoe problems. I think I have something you might like."

Merlin followed him into the small store and work space, "What is it?"

Naveen smiled, "Slip your boots off and let me put these on you. You'll see what I've done then."

Shrugging Merlin sat down and using a little magic, removed his shoes and waited as Naveen slid the first shoe on, "What?" Merlin tried his best to look at the shoe. Of what he could see, it looked exactly like his other shoes but there was one major difference. This boot didn’t have a sole.

Naveen adjusted a leather band on both feet that went around the arch of his foot securing the shoes in place, "Stand up, take a few steps around. What do you think?"

Merlin grinned as he stood up taking confident steps as he smiled down at the normal looking pair of boots, "These are the best of the shoes I’ve ever owned."

Naveen chuckled, "I'm glad you like them. I have a few extra bands incase you need a new one."

"I wouldn't be able to wear them all the time but thank you so much for these. At least some times I’ll be able to be steady on my feet."

"It was my pleasure. I'll send the bill up the tailor with the other shoes he's ordered."

Elyan smiled picking up the discarded pair of shoes, "Unfortunately if we want to make it back in time we need to leave."

Saying a final goodbye to the cobbler, Merlin walked back up to the castle, his stride far more confident than it had been on the way into lower town.

Chapter Text

Merlin grumbled as Percival followed him into lower town, “Oh Merlin, you need an escort to visit lower town. You’re the most powerful warlock to ever live but we can’t have you going into lower town alone. It’s too dangerous. Like I haven’t been wandering around lower town, all on my own, for years.”

Percival shrugged, “Well at least you can still go to lower town? Didn’t the king threaten to prevent you from leaving the castle at all a few days ago?”

Merlin grumbled, “Okay it could be worse, but still, one of Arthur’s personal knights as a guard or at least five normal guards seems a bit overboard.”

“Well, a day off of training is nice.”

“You have a twisted wrist, your off patrols and training for another two days still.”

“Ah, but are you certain I wouldn’t be pushing that if I wasn’t escorting you?”

Merlin glared at him knowing Percival was right. You practically had to tie knights up to prevent them from returning to ‘light’ training to early. He made sure to start smiling as he took the last turn, stepping into lower towns market.

As Merlin approached a fruit stand a little girl ran up him, “Merlin?”

Merlin stopped smiling, “Yes Marigold?”

“Ainsley said your tummy is so big beacuse your pregnant, but Edison said you weren’t because you’re a guy, and guys can’t get pregnant.”

“Edison would be right normally, but magic can do a lot of different things. For me it’s allowing me to carry a child, so yes I am pregnant.”

“Do you really have magic? Ainsley said magic is evil, but your to nice to be evil.”

Merlin squatted down to her height and held out his hands and inside the cup of his hand a marigold appeared, “Magic is a lot like a knife. You can really hurt people with a knife but you’re much more likely to use a knife to cut bread then to hurt someone.”

“Oh, okay. Can you make different flowers?”

“I can, but I have other things I have to do today.”

“Like what?”

“Well I’ve found a spell to look inside someone’s tummy to check on their baby.”

“Why?”

“Well I’m a man, and even with magic I can’t be certain everything is going right with my pregnancy. So, I want to look at other people to see what is the right way.”

“You want to look at other people to make sure your baby is alright?”

“Yes. I’m hoping to find someone who will let me look at them.”

“Why would they say no?”

“I need to use magic for it, and a lot of people are really scared of magic.”

“But if magic makes flowers and cuts bread, why are they scared?”

“Is there anything your scared of?”

“The dark.”

“And are you scared even when your some place safe?”

She nodded.

“Your scared of what is in it, right?”

She nodded again.

“Well people are scared of magic because they don’t know what’s in it either.”

“Oh,” She looked down at her feet for a moment before looking back at him, “But your Merlin. If you were in the dark I wouldn’t be scared. Why would people be scared if it’s your magic?”

Merlin chuckled, “Not everyone isn’t scared because I’m me.”

“Okay. Can I see your tummy?”

“Sure,” Merlin went to stand but only made it when Percival helped him up. Maybe having Percival here was a good thing. After taking a moment to rub his back, he pulled up his tunic to reveal his stomach, “Gaius tells me they will start moving around soon.”

“Your tummy is really big.”

Merlin dropped his tunic over his stomach again. “Well there are two babies in there.”

“Oh, can I have the flower?”

“Of course, let me stick it into your braid so the petals don’t fall off.” Merlin tucked the flower into the top of Marigold’s braid, encouraging the stem to grow a little to better hold onto her hair. “There, you’re even cuter than normal now.”

Marigold giggled before running off.

Percival chuckled watching Merlin rub his back grinning, “Do you want a little girl?”

“I’d have to do this all over again so, no. Two boys is going to be more than enough as it is.”

“Your sure their both boys?”

“Yes, the spell confirmed it but I could already tell.”

“Could you tell me the gender of mine?” A woman sitting on a bench near by asked.

“With the spell, yes. If you’re okay with that.”

“I trust you Merlin, if your say this magic is safe it must be.”

Merlin blushed smiling as he walked over. When he got there he knelt down next to her, “I’m just going to place may hands on your stomach and recite a spell. My eyes will glow and after a few minutes I’ll pull my hands away and I’ll be able to tell you how the baby is doing and their gender.”

She nodded, obviously a little worried, “Alright.”

Merlin lightly rested his hands on either side of her stomach, ignoring the looks he was getting he cast, “unborenre besceáwodnes.” The woman took a surprised breath but didn’t move away. After a few minutes he pulled back and the gold faded from his eyes, “Well you have a very healthy little girl in there.”

The woman stared at her stomach, “A girl? Finally.” She laughed, “I already have three sons, I was praying for a little girl.” She stood pressing her hand against her back, “I know a few other women who would love to have some good news. We’ve had two bad births recently and everyone’s more worried than normal.”

As Percival helped him up Merlin smiled at her excited. Today was turning out much better than he had hoped for already. He hadn’t actually thought anyone would feel comfortable enough about his magic to let him use the spell. He had thought it would take a few trips using magic casually before anyone would allow him to get a real look. He had hoped that eventually one or two women would allow him to look, but now this woman was already leading him through lower town to where different pregnant women lived.

Chapter Text

The latest woman was obviously due any day now as she rested on the thin bed in her families home, with a quick incantation he was again scanning where the baby rested. He stopped frowning, maybe he had cast the spell wrong?

The woman looked down as he pulled away quickly, “Did you see everything already?”

Merlin shook his head, “I want to recast the spell, something looks off. It’s a girl by the way.” As the woman smiled at the welcome news, Merlin took another look before pulling back cursing. He looked at Percival, “We need to get her to Gaius, the babies breech. I have a spell that should help but I’m not certain if she’ll be comfortable with it, and I want a senior physician present before I do anything.”

The woman stared at him eyes wide, “Somethings wrong with the baby?”

“The babies healthy but she’s pointed the wrong way for the birth. I have a spell that can slowly change the direction the baby is pointed, but it might trigger the birth and I want him present if it does. Or if your not comfortable with the spell, we will need to perform surgery to get the baby out or she, and possibly you, won’t make it.”

The woman sat up looking understandable frightened as she felt something soak the sheets beneath her, “It’s to late, the babies coming.”

Merlin swore colorfully, before cupping his hands in front of himself. As soon as a bird made of smoke formed he spoke into it, “Gaius surgical removal of a baby, lower town. Go!”

The bird disappeared through the door as Merlin turned back to the woman, “Alright, the only way that you and the baby are both going to make it is if I remove the baby via an incision. There is always a risk of you loosing to much blood or me not getting in fast enough to save the baby but this is your best shot. Do you want to go through with the surgery?”

The woman’s face was white, “If its our best chance than I want to do it.”

“Alright, what’s your name? Mine’s Merlin and that’s,” he pointed over his shoulder, “Percival.”

“Mary.”

Merlin turned to look at Percival and the people hovering near the door, “I need boiled water, it needs to boil for at least five minutes before I can use it. I also need a lot of small cloths and a small fire, wait,” He turned to Mary, “Are you okay with further use of magic? I know several spells that could help, but I’ll only use them if your comfortable with it.”

“I don’t care how you do it, save my baby.”

Merlin nodded before creating a flame beside him as he pulled out the pouch of physicians tools he always carried. Arthur managed to get injured at the most annoying of times. Unrolling the leather pouch he checked on his tools, “I need you to lay down on your back. I have some tonic that will knock you out so you won’t feel anything or move during the surgery.”

Mary quickly downed the liquid before laying back on her back.

Merlin cast a cleaning spell on the first large cloth he was given, laying it down below her to give a barrier between the bed and her body. As the first pail of water was sat beside him he used a smaller cloth and soap to clean his hands.

He hissed at the hot water on his skin before grabbing another cloth and using more of the soap to wash her stomach, making sure to focus on where he was going to make the incision.

He ran each of his tools in the small fire he had made to clean them, and once they cooled down he began the surgery.

The next thing he noticed was Gaius who was pushing him away to finish the last of the stiches. Looking at them he muttered out a simple healing spell before his vision went black.

Chapter Text

Blinking his eyes open Merlin could tell he was lying on a bed that was not his own. Looking up he saw Arthur, still dust covered from the patrol he must just have returned from, looking down at him.

Merlin smiled awkwardly, “Hi?”

Arthur snorted, “Only you Merlin could wander into lower town to look at pregnant people and find an actual pregnancy emergency.”

Merlin shrugged, “It wouldn’t be interesting otherwise.” He sobered, “How is Mary and the baby?”

“Good, the baby feed well and is sleeping now.”

“Did she name her yet?”

“Mia.”

Merlin furrowed his brow, “That sounds familiar.”

“It should be, it was your grandmother’s name.”

“Mine? Why would they chose that name?”

“Merlin, you’re the only reason that the little girl and mother survived. They asked Gaius for family names of yours, and since Hunith is still alive they chose your grandmother’s name.”

“Oh,” Merlin looked shocked by the revelation.

“Now up you get. Everyone wants to thank you and then we need to get you to our bed.”

Merlin sat up groaning, “How long was I out?”

“Four candle marks.”

Merlin sighed as he sat up, allowing Arthur to assist him as he stood. He was so tired that he didn’t even complain, “Where is everyone?”

“In the living area, we had to kick half of lower town out, they’ve gone back to there business. Now but I expect your next visit to the market is going to be very welcoming. We’ve been waiting for you to wake up. Gaius said it was just magic exhaustion mixed in with normal exhaustion, but I didn’t want to move you until after you woke up. When was the last time you slept?”

“Before you left on your little excursion.”

“Damn it Merlin, that was two days ago! You need to sleep!”

“Well maybe you shouldn’t go out when I can’t be with you.”

“Father barely lets you out of the castle.”

Merlin merely hummed as he stepped into the living area.

“Merlin!” A little girl ran into his legs, almost knocking him over. Only Arthur pressing against Merlin’s shoulder kept him upright, “Your okay!”

He smiled at her, “I was just a bit tired. I’m fin,” a yawn cut him off.

The girl gave him a look, “It looks like you need a nap.”

“That’s what this one is saying as well.” He hooked his finger over his shoulder, “If I promise to go to bed after, can I see the baby before I leave?”

The girl crossed her arms looking up at him before nodding, “Alright. She’s with mom over there.” She pointed at where Mary was smiling at them.

Walking over Merlin looked down into the blankets, where the little baby rested, “You really named her Mia?”

“Yes, you saved both of us. Do you want to hold her?”

Merlin looked down at his hands which were trembling in his exhaustion, “Better not. I, unfortunately, do need to prevail myself of my bed.”

She nodded, “You are always welcome to visit.”

“Thank,” He yawned, “You.”

“No, thank you, if it weren’t for you, my daughter wouldn’t have a mother anymore, let alone a little sister.”

Uncomfortable with the praise Merlin smiled awkwardly before walking out of the house followed quickly by Arthur. Meeting up with Percival who was leaning up against the side of the wall outside talking with a young man.

He looked up, “Ready to go?”

Merlin nodded as he yawned, “Yeah, I need to get some sleep.”

“I’m glad you noticed.”

When Merlin turned to glare at Percival he almost tripped over his own feet.

“Enough of this,” Arthur sighed, “If we go at your pace we won’t make it back to the castle until dawn tomorrow.”

Merlin glared as he started walking down the street, slower than in the past, yes, he was pregnant but not slow, “Oh, and what do you plan to do about that, carry me?”

“Yes.” Arthur stepped forward and swiped Merlin’s feet out from under him so he could catch him and pull him into a princess carry.

“Cabbagehead put me down! Right now! I’m to heavy!”

“No.” Arthur smirked as they started walking past people giving them knowing smiles at the pair.

Knowing that magic was the only way free Merlin pouted, obviously annoyed but unable to escape. Although a few yawns later Merlin’s head was resting on Arthur’s chest and he was soon asleep.

Arthur smirked at Percival; Merlin was going to be so pissed when Arthur pointed out that he had passed out like a damsel in her prince’s arms. Merlin might charm all he clothes inside out again, but it was so going to be worth it.

Chapter Text

Uther stepped out onto the area around the training grounds looking for his son and son-in-law. He frowned seeing Merlin sitting just barely outside the training field. Well with in the potentially dangerous near the field. Merlin was sitting with two of Arthur’s personal knights as well.

“Arthur! Come here!”

Disengaging from his sparring partner, Arthur jogged over to him skirting several spars in between them. “Father? Do you need something?”

“Why is your husband sitting practically inside the training field? That area is definitely too dangerous for someone pregnant to be.”

Arthur shrugged, “No weapon can get within three feet of him, he’s set up the shield from the assassination attempt before the wedding permanently, well during the pregnancy something about the energies in pregnancy allow him to keep the ward up at all times. Even if someone shot at him point blank the bolt would just freeze in place.”

“Then why are two of your knights not training but resting with him?”

“Merlin misses spending time with the knights, as well as other people, and this is an easy time to get to talk with them, although he grabbed Lancelot so he’s asleep.”

“Sir Lancelot means he’s sleeping? Wouldn’t it be better for him to be sleeping in your bed?”

“The babies are moving now, if ones asleep the others awake and moving around, and then the reverse happens. For some reason they both calm down near Lancelot so when Merlin really needs sleep he comes to the training grounds and grabs Lancelot.”

“Surely he could avail himself someplace inside the castle to sleep while… cuddling Sir Lancelot.”

Arthur shook his head, “The sound of the training yard apparently is calming and helps Merlin sleep. He thinks its left over from when he used to sleep polishing armor or weapons on the side of this field. Apparently he can polish swords while sleeping.”

Deciding to ignore that bit of information from before, “Then why is Sir Elyan over there as well?”

“He gives the best ankle massages. Foot pain has been affecting Merlin’s sleep.” Arthur snorted, “The first time Elyan gave Merlin a foot massage Merlin said he was leaving me for Elyan. Elyan than said Merlin was too high maintenance and that he was stuck with me.” Arthur’s grin was almost infectious.

“What of the other knights?”

“Gwaine is also cuddly, apparently, but those two exchange stories and gossip the entire time. Percival gives the best neck massages, and Leon talks about magic with Merlin. How to use and counter it in battle mostly. Sometimes Morgana shows up and then they make despairing comments about the lot of us. Other times its different servants and occasionally he’ll watch on his own but generally Eda dedicates this as his unstructured social time.”

Uther nodded, “Carry on then. If he wishes to speak with servants at least out here no one will see it.”

“Thank you father. Now may I go back to drilling the knights my husband hasn’t commandeered?”

Uther nodded and watched as his son weaved back through the field again to restart his spar, before looking at the sleeping Merlin. Well, he knew there would be some oddities with making a servant into his son’s spouse. At least he wasn’t flaunting his magic or his personal history right now.

Uther turned back to the castle, he could talk with his son and son-in-law when Merlin hadn’t managed to fall sleep.

Chapter Text

Merlin frowned as the tunic stuck only partially over Arthur’s form.

“Uh, Merlin?” Arthur’s voice was muffled by the fabric.

“I think all those feast have finally gotten to you.”

“What? Why?”

“Well I can’t get the tunic the rest of the way on.”

“Don’t be ridiculous Merlin, it’s merely snagged some where, just pull a little harder and it will fit.”

“You asked for this Clotpole,” With that Merlin yanked on the tunic and it settled full onto Arthur’s form.

“See Merlin, if fits,” Arthur was cut off by the sound of several stiches snapping, “Fine?”

Merlin rolled his eyes, “Yes Arthur, it fits perfectly. The fact that I can see your under shirt through this hole in the side means nothing.”

Arthur stared at Merlin, “I can’t have, I can’t have gained weight! I’ve been as active as ever and I have not been over indulging at feasts.”

“Well there were a lot of feasts during our wedding week.”

“That was almost two months ago!”

Merlin nodded thoughtful, “The castle has been rather feasted out but if your so sure your not being a lay about it could be… no that wouldn’t happen to you of all people.”

“What couldn’t I have done?”

“Well,” Merlin hummed, “Couvade is not exactly common but it is still not really uncommon either.”

“Cou what?”

“Couvade, it’s where a father to be will pick up some symptoms of pregnancy from their partners.”

“Symptoms?”

“Weight gain, nausea, sleeping problems and the like… and if you already gained enough weight to be noticed this early… I mean my pregnancy weight gain is more obvious because as a man my body isn’t built to hold a baby, my magic will make sure nothing happens but my back hates me already.”

Arthur’s face paled as Merlin talked, “I think I’d like to go start training a little early today.”

“Alright, I’ll grab that tunic then, they’re generally looser as it is.”

Soon enough a slightly panicking Arthur was fleeing his rooms, leaving behind a smirking Merlin.

Chapter Text

Morgana stopped next to the light snacking Merlin, who was watching over the practice field, where Arthur was again out training. Looking down at her smirking friend she carefully sat, “So Arthur has been out training much more often than he usually does, this is almost as bad as when he’s preparing for a tournament.”

Merlin hummed popping a chocolate covered tomato into his mouth.

“Gwen says several of his knights are worried about Arthur’s recent… fervor for training.”

Merlin grin turned to a smirk, “I’m sure there’s no reason to worry.”

“Okay, what did you do?”

“I have no clue what you mean.”

Morgana merely arched an eye brow.

Merlin snorted, “Fine. I may have led Arthur to believe he’s experiencing couvade symptoms.”

“Couvade?”

“It’s where a father to be gains symptoms their pregnant partner is experiencing.”

“And you convince him he?”

“Is gaining weight.”

Morgana glanced at Arthur, “His armor looks like it fits.”

“Oh he hasn’t gained any weight.”

“Then why is he so concerned? He’s ignored your ribbing about his weight in the past.”

“He may have popped a few stiches last week and I mentioned loosening a couple of his tunics.”

“Okay what did he do?”

“He called me fat.”

“Ah, he is one to put his foot in his mouth. That’s not something you say to a pregnant person.”

“Oh no, Morgana he said it two years ago. I’ve been trying to shrink one of his tunics since then and it was finally small enough. Then I added a few fake stiches to a few of his other tunics to snap easily and now he’s convinced he’s gotten fat. The couvade, sympathy pregnancy, just made this better.”

Morgana blinked at Merlin before turning back to the field, “Should I be worried?”

Merlin hummed munching another tomato, “Probably, I’m still a little miffed about that, bridal, shower, you threw.”

Morgana gave her friend an uneasy look before turning to the field. Well that was ominous, maybe she could think of something as a gift to appease the warlock.

Chapter Text

“The more skilled you are at something the more effective your spells will be,” Merlin smiled looking around the room of magic users camped out in his office, “The less energy you're going to need, and the more the quality of your work will improve. So, say Rachel and Morgana both cast the same mending spell. Rachel’s spell takes less magic for her to cast and the mending will be better, even though Morgana has more magic. This is because Rachel knows the best way to do the mending the normal way, she knows what sorts of tricks to use the normal way and anything she mends with magic will be more durable than Morgana’s work. With enough magic Morgana can make it look like Rachel’s but it will only look like it not be it.”

Rachel looked to him, “What about compared to you? You're apparently the most powerful warlock alive.”

“I’m a bad example to compare to for two reasons. The first being my magic isn’t learned but innate. I’ve literally been performing magic since I was born and, in some things, I just want things to happen.”

“And the second?”

“I’m a peasant and a bastard, no matter what Uther pulls to make it look like I wasn't. I’ve grown up doing things like mending washing clothes and I have significant practice from when I was Arthur’s manservant. I have plenty of skills in mending but say,” He looked around the room before settling on Morgana’s sleeve.

Grabbing some cloth and string he gestured at Morgana, “Can you show me some of your embroidery?”

Morgana held out a sleeve with embroidery out to intrigued him.

“Alright Grèis-bhrat.” The cloth in his hands drew the string in and soon a perfect copy of the embroidery on Morgana’s sleeve was in his hands.

“Seems you did quite fine.”

“Yes, it definitely looks like it but, how about now?”

One of the maids couldn’t hold back laughter at the tangled horrible mess of string under the embroidery, not the few neat lines one would expect under an embroidery pattern.

“Me being so powerful is why the top is a perfect copy but my lack of skill created this mess,” He smiled at the group, “So yes I will excel at housekeeping and other involved in being a manservant, but put me in front of nobles and I will end up a flailing confused mess.”

Morgana smiled, “You aren’t that bad.”

“Tell that to the spoon fiasco. I grew up with a couple bowls, spoons and the knife that my father left behind. Although we were almost as careful about hiding that as my magic.”

Rachel frowned, “Why?”

“An unwed woman and her bastard having a knife that nice? We would have been accused of stealing and somebody would have taken it as the least of the possible repercussions.”

Morgana frowned, “Couldn’t you have said it was your father’s?”

Merlin snorted, “A man runs away from a woman he got pregnant leaving a knife like that behind? Still not sure if I believe mom that my sire did actually leave it behind for her to protect herself or if she had it from before him, when she moved to the countryside to escape that noble and she just wants me to think kindly of the man that abounded us. She always said he left to protect us but it was probably a lie to get away from a child he didn’t want.”

Steven reached out a comforting hand, resting it on Merlin’s shoulder, “He was a fool to not stay for you and your mother. You're some of the kindest people I have ever met.”

Merlin shoots him a grateful smile, “Thanks Steven.” He took a calming breath, “Right we were repairing going to start with a mending spell for cloth today. Did everyone bring a few things in need of repair? Otherwise I’m sure I can find something to rip up for you to practice on.”

“Theres no need for that,” Fiera, one of the daughters of noble that stayed at the castle held up a basket, “I brought plenty. My little brother is going through the phase where nothing he owns stays in good shape, everything has holes.”

“Alright, the spell we are going to use is càradh aodach and to cast we should have the fabric in our hands, please pull out a piece of fabric that has just a simple tear in it, nothing on seams or anything with a pattern, just boring fabric.”

As the afternoon went on Merlin ran all of them through the variety of ways the spell could be used.

“Now this is just how to use this spell as a fabric mending spell. If we change out the word aodach with fiodh a, but you have to put that in front of càradh then the spell will repair wood. Now, carefully repairing something thin like fabric is a lot easier to do than repairing wood. If you have two broken pieces you can hold them together, and as long as nothing is missing, mend them back together but it will take more work because wood unlike fabric has more material to it and unlike fabric the pattern in wood isn’t a regular pattern so that will make it harder on your magic.”

Racheal whipped at her brow, “I don’t think I’m up to trying that today. This is the hardest mending I’ve ever done.”

Merlin shrugged, “You're still learning magic after repressing it for years, even the simplest of spells are going to challenge you, and this isn’t exactly a beginners spell. I mean it’s close but actual beginners stuff was when we were lighting and snuffing out fires. This is something that you can easily practice with, behind a very well locked door, or just coming and sitting in here, without needing me to spot you in case a fire gets away from you.”

Merlin stood groaning, “Now I’m going to get something to eat, feel free to come in here at any time to practice, what you really need at this point is to practice.”

As the group broke up Merlin considered whether to wait for lunch or try and sneak to the kitchen to get his own food. That hadn’t gone well for him last time...

Chapter Text

Merlin hummed as he went to cast the spell to observe the babe Ashley was carrying. He was down in lower town for his biweekly visit, and was eager to see how she was doing as she was due to give birth soon, "You've been eating well correct, only drinking water that has been boiled?"

He couldn’t kick the habit of sliding into the physician’s assistant role at times like this.

Ashley scoffed, "Of course I have. I'm not an idiot; this isn't my first time at this. Now look and leave." She wasn’t the nicest woman but he couldn’t complain seeing as she was letting him look. Even if it was just because of the anxiety going through the town with all the recent problems with pregnancies that there have been.

"Unborenre besceáwodnes," Ashley tensed as Merlin's eyes flashed gold but didn't move.

"Well, the baby is starting to drop but,” Merlin narrowed his eyes as he felt something off, “The umbilical cord is looking worrying."

"Worrying?"

"The cord looks to be wrapping around the baby's head area. Moving the cord wouldn't be hard and has a very low chance of triggering labor, and if it does the baby is developed enough, he will survive. Do you want me to move the cord?"

"Could the cord wrap around his neck?"

"Possibly from the position it is in, that's why I want to move it. Although with this, even if you allow me to fix this issue, I'd consider you a high-risk pregnancy and I advise you fine a physician to attend the birth."

"I can't afford that."

Merlin pursed his lips, "I could call it practice if we induced the birth. Then Gaius, the court physician, could be training me or well showing me what happens in an actual birth, to calm my nerves or something ridiculous like that. Uther would accept that if he questions Gaius coming down for this, I highly doubt Uther realizes I've helped with other births. I would want to wait a week to induce, give them a little more time in there."

"Alright," Ashley bit her lip, "Do what you need to and next week you will come back."

"Best to stick to bed rest with some walking around your house but no lifting or anything strenuous. For the birth Gaius and I will be here in," Merlin considered his schedule and Gaius's, "Six days. Now are you willing for me to move the cord?"

"Do what you need to."

Nodding Merlin let his eyes light up gold as he carefully, oh so carefully, put the umbilical cord away from the babe’s neck, almost certainly avoiding that risk to the babe.

Chapter Text

"Hey Ashley," Merlin grinned, "This is Gaius, the court physician."

Ashley nodded, her hand resting on her stomach as she watched them enter the room, "Thank you for coming."

"Always good to get out and stretch my legs," Gaius smiled, "Now Merlin is going to take another look, if that is alright with you, so he knows what the babies positioning should look like. Then I have a tonic for you to drink to loosen the babe and we will start working on getting the babe to come."

Ashley bit her lip uneasy, "Okay. Merlin can look. What should I do?"

"Just lay down and we will start."

Letting out a breath as she sat, a careful maneuver with her being so far along. Something Merlin had an easier time at but he knew he was headed that way.

Resting his hands on her belly, currently over her dress as she had yet to remove her lower clothes or ruck up the dress as it would need to be once the babe started coming. Understandable as she was probably uncomfortable being undressed in front of two men, even if one was pregnant. Her sister was present so at least she wasn't alone with them.

"Unborenre besceáwodnes." Stretching out his magic he could feel the baby is healthy. Widening his view, he noted the umbilical cord was still safely positioned. Moving on he frowned.

Ashley's face paled, "What's wrong?"

Merlin tried to comfort her, "The babe is healthy, he is just positioned in not the best position to be born."

It looked like his words had only partially comforted her but she still looked worried.

Gaius turned to Merlin, "What did you see?"

"The baby is back-to-back with Ashley. It's going to be a more strenuous labor but you've said they don't call for a surgical removal of the babe."

"It will be longer and harder on Ashley but the babe should shift into the correct position for the birth.

Merlin frowned, "I think I could do it, move the babe into position, with magic."

Gaius turned to look at Ashley directly, "I would advise you to let Merlin reposition the babe. The change will be better for you and the babe. The repositioning shouldn't trigger labor but I'd prefer to wait until your water breaks as it may aid you in becoming ready to start pushing. At that point labor will have already started so there is no danger of triggering it."

"Once my water breaks then. The tonic?"

Handing over the vial Gaius advised, "It's best to drink it in one shot as it is not a pleasant flavor."

Heading the physician's advice, she threw back the tonic, grimacing at the taste. Then there was nothing to do but wait.

When Ashley water broke repositioning the babe was done quickly and easily and Ashley proceeded to have a normal labor and the child was soon in his mother's arms.

Ashley looked up from the babe as he latched for the first time, "Thank you."

Smiling Gaius and Merlin finished collecting their tool before leaving her to rest.

It was only once they were back in Gaius's chambers, putting away his tools, did Merlin talk, "Gaius. I think we need to talk."

Chapter Text

Uther glared at where Merlin was standing in a royal wing hallway with Steven having found them chatting away, "What is going on here?"

The pair froze, Steven's knuckles going white around the handle of the basket containing some very recently, magically, pieces of fabric.

"Well?"

Merlin desperately started to come up with an excuse as it had been made very clear to him that if he was found talking with a servant in a public area inside the castle, beyond what Eda thought was appropriate, the servant would be punished, "I."

"Oh, there you are," Hunith came around the corner, "Thank you Merlin for making sure he didn't leave without giving me the fabrics I need for the baby clothes I am making."

Uther turned a frown on Hunith, "Clothing for Arthur's heirs will be made by the royal tailor."

"Oh yes, or most of it at least. I just want to make some outfits for when my grandchildren are just playing around and won't need as fancy of clothes."

"The tailor will see to that need."

"A few extra outfits won't hurt; babies and children go so through so many clothes. I swear I was doing laundry every day when Merlin was younger. He had a talent for finding the biggest mud puddle around and falling into it."

"MOM!" Merlin's blush lit up all of his ears. 

"What? It's the truth."

"Be that as it may," Uther interrupted, "Making clothes is not something someone of your status should be doing. Morgana is teaching you embroidery, correct?"

"Yes, and while making pretty things is nice it's not very useful. A couple of outfits will be."

"No. You will not engage in servant tasks."

Hunith glared at Uther, causing Merlin and Steven to share a worried look. "Well, what am I supposed to do? All I've heard is things that I cannot do since I arrived here. I am not a decoration; I will be useful."

Uther scowled, "You can further your education, learn music and about the other arts and teach your son about them being something other than a danger to be assessed for threats, about hosting various ladies, and embroidery is necessary for any lady to know."

"My son is justifiably cautious about people coming into the castle and directly in to see the royal household, and embroidery is useless for anything but making something look fancy."

"Good afternoon," Morgana joined the group, "I couldn't help but over hear and I think this is more of a conversation to be had between ladies. I can help Hunith with finding out what to occupy her time with. For one Hunith embroidery is about more than decoration. It can send all sort of messages without saying anything out loud. Such as, before the pregnancy, Merlin was given a Pendragon red handkerchief to wear with the Pendragon pattern on it in gold, the other Pendragon color. It was a way to, without having to say anything, to mark Merlin as Arthur's. Actually, declaring that Merlin was important to Arthur wouldn't be proper, but the handkerchief sent the message for Arthur."

Hunith looked at her thoughtfully, "Truely?"

"You can say a good deal with embroidery and it doesn't leave anyone an option to address it without making a big deal over a big deal over a bit of fabric and thread." Morgana turned to Steven, "Bring some plain neckerchiefs, of Merlin's preference, to my quarters. I will talk with Lady Wyatt there."

Steven bowed and strode off to follow her orders.

"Now Hunith please come with me so we can talk. Merlin good luck with your chickens."

Uther blinked before turning to Merlin, "Chickens?"

Merlin laughed awkwardly, "It's something to do with my pregnancy?"

Deciding he really didn't want more details, Uther walked away to do something actually important then ladies talking about embroidery.

 Chapter 39 Week 23 - Creature

Merlin closed the door behind him as he entered his office before using magic to remove his boots. Placing them on a table near the door to remind him to put them back on when he left, "So did reports from the other towns come back yet?"

"They did," Gaius frowned down at the map on the table marked with different colored pebbles. "Black stones for the mother and babe dying, dark gray mother survived but mother did not, light gray the reverse, white for both."

Merlin stepped over to the map, "So whatever it is came from the southeast."

"Yes, it's obvious to see where it passed through Camelot, but it is definitely in Lower Town now. I marked the birth by surgery with a black stone as it would have killed them both most likely, not sure what to mark the back-to-back birth."

"Dark gray. I'm pretty sure the umbilical cord was moving to wrap around the babe’s neck before I moved it."

Gaius added the stone to the end of the line of pebbles.

"It's a timeline of the births?"

"Of sorts. I can tell you that these two births," He pointed at a black stone in one village and a white in another, "Happened in the same week."

"It can only be in one place then, that's something at least. How long do you think it was in each town?"

"Seems to range from a few months to a season. It seems to move on when there will be a gap in births."

"Creature makes more sense then. Curse would be more regularly timed in changes between places but a creature would move on if they are somehow feeding on the bad births. No births, no food."

Gaius nodded, "No idea what though."

"Well, whatever it is also goes after animal births," Merlin furrowed his brow, "The kitchen has had an issue with hens dying on them. They are blaming a lot of it one the fact that they are buying chickens that haven't laid their first egg yet."

"Laid their first egg?"

"Yes, the first egg a chicken lays is the most dangerous as it is the most likely to get well, stuck. Kills the chicken which really sucks as yeah you might have chicken to eat for a night or two, if you catch it while its dying, but after putting all the work into raising a chicken for eggs it dying without laying any is a cost we can't afford. Oh, I mean couldn’t, back in Essitor. Don't need to worry about that now. What we do have to worry about the fact that what ever creature this is might be is possibly feeding on the chickens having bad births, bad lays?”

“Well, it can prey on humans and animals, but only feeds on births that go bad.” Gaius sighed, “Nothing about that sounds familiar to me. I don’t think there’s anything like that in my books.”

Merlin grinned moving aside a curtain that was along one wall, “We’ll just have to look at my magic books!” Pushing the curtain aside Merlin revealed a book case with several books on it, “We’ll just have to check mine!”

Gaius stared at the shelf containing a handful of books, “Where did you get these?”

Merlin shrugged, “Mixed in with some of the gifts from the wedding. I managed to sneak them out before Uther saw them so now, I have my own books! I mean just a couple but it’s a start. Arthur thinks there’s probably a secret room or something with more books but Geffery doesn’t know about it, or doesn’t trust me enough to hide them in my office.”

“Well either way we have plenty here to look through. Let start.”

Nodding Merlin took down a book and started paging through looking for anything similar to what they were dealing with.

Chapter Text

Merlin closed the door behind him as he entered his office before using magic to remove his boots. Placing them on a table near the door to remind him to put them back on when he left, "So did reports from the other towns come back yet?"

"They did," Gaius frowned down at the map on the table marked with different colored pebbles. "Black stones for the mother and babe dying, dark gray mother survived but mother did not, light gray the reverse, white for both."

Merlin stepped over to the map, "So whatever it is came from the southeast."

"Yes, it's obvious to see where it passed through Camelot, but it is definitely in Lower Town now. I marked the birth by surgery with a black stone as it would have killed them both most likely, not sure what to mark the back-to-back birth."

"Dark gray. I'm pretty sure the umbilical cord was moving to wrap around the babe’s neck before I moved it."

Gaius added the stone to the end of the line of pebbles.

"It's a timeline of the births?"

"Of sorts. I can tell you that these two births," He pointed at a black stone in one village and a white in another, "Happened in the same week."

"It can only be in one place then, that's something at least. How long do you think it was in each town?"

"Seems to range from a few months to a season. It seems to move on when there will be a gap in births."

"Creature makes more sense then. Curse would be more regularly timed in changes between places but a creature would move on if they are somehow feeding on the bad births. No births, no food."

Gaius nodded, "No idea what though."

"Well, whatever it is also goes after animal births," Merlin furrowed his brow, "The kitchen has had an issue with hens dying on them. They are blaming a lot of it one the fact that they are buying chickens that haven't laid their first egg yet."

"Laid their first egg?"

"Yes, the first egg a chicken lays is the most dangerous as it is the most likely to get well, stuck. Kills the chicken which really sucks as yeah you might have chicken to eat for a night or two, if you catch it while its dying, but after putting all the work into raising a chicken for eggs it dying without laying any is a cost we can't afford. Oh, I mean couldn’t, back in Essitor. Don't need to worry about that now. What we do have to worry about the fact that what ever creature this is might be is possibly feeding on the chickens having bad births, bad lays?”

“Well, it can prey on humans and animals, but only feeds on births that go bad.” Gaius sighed, “Nothing about that sounds familiar to me. I don’t think there’s anything like that in my books.”

Merlin grinned moving aside a curtain that was along one wall, “We’ll just have to look at my magic books!” Pushing the curtain aside Merlin revealed a book case with several books on it, “We’ll just have to check mine!”

Gaius stared at the shelf containing a handful of books, “Where did you get these?”

Merlin shrugged, “Mixed in with some of the gifts from the wedding. I managed to sneak them out before Uther saw them so now, I have my own books! I mean just a couple but it’s a start. Athur thinks there’s probably a secret room or something with more books but Geffery doesn’t know about it, or doesn’t trust me enough to hide them in my office.”

“Well either way we have plenty here to look through. Let start.”

Nodding Merlin took down a book and started paging through looking for anything similar to what they were dealing with.

Chapter Text

People kept sneaking looks up to where the royal family was set to watch the execution of a young girl who had been caught causing flowers to bloom. On the platform Uther, Merlin, Morgana and Arthur was standing, apparently waiting on the execution to begin.

Uther was grinning down at where the gallows was set and ready for use. Morgana was smirking and Arthur, and everyone else was staring at Merlin.

Arthur leaned into whisper, trying to speak low enough his father wouldn’t here, to Merlin, who seemed to be merely inspecting his nails. “Aren’t you going to do something? She’s only eight?”

Merlin hummed still looking at his nails, “I have invited a friend to visit. I thought he might be interested in everything’s going on.”

“A friend? Merlin how is that-”

Uther’s order to bring out the sorcerer was interrupted by the sound of the flapping of wings… very, very large wings.

Everyone stared as the great dragon landed on an invisible perch. Kilgharrah looked to the royal family balcony, “Hello young warlock. Why have you commanded me here?”

Merlin smiled as Uther quickly backed up into the railing of the balcony, they were on in fear, “I was hoping you would do some cleaning for me. I mean that,” Merlin waved at the gallows, “Is a bit of an eye sore so…”

Kilgharrah turned and breathed out a very small fireball, small for a dragon at least, which hit the gallows and sent them up in flames. They burned so fast it was reduced to ash in moments. Before Kilgharrah turned back to the balcony, “Is there anything else you require of me young dragon lord?”

“It depends,” Merlin turned to Uther, “If a little girl is going home now, or not.”

Uther stared at Merlin clutching at the banister, “You’ve never protested other executions. There have been several executions of magic users since you started carrying Arthur’s child.”

“Killing someone or attempting to kill someone are crimes punishment by death no matter if it’s a dagger or magic. Those guilty of crimes with magic deserve the same punishment as those who do not have magic doing the same things. Then for black magic, such as taking over the will of another, well the punishment from before the ban make sense. If the punishment of a crime calls for death is done by a sorcerer. I will not stand in the way of their punishment, but a girl making a flower bloom? That does not warrant death.”

Merlin shrugged continuing, “As long as magic is illegal there should be a punishment, but making a flower bloom? She should get a talking to; larger works would call for a night in a cell. As long as magic is illegal, I will not oppose it being punished, but only if it’s a reasonable punishment or I might give Kilgharrah his desire to kill you for caging him like a beast under your castle for over two decades. Now I believe there’s a young girl who is frightened enough for her use of magic. It’s time for her to go home.”

Uther seethed looking at Kilgharrah, “Fine. Order the dragon to leave and I’ll free the girl to go home.”

“Alright,” Merlin looks up at Kilgharrah, “Great Dragon as soon as the girl is safety home you will leave, unless Uther tires to murder someone for merely having magic. I have no argument with a death sentence for those committing a crime with magic that would be a capital offence without magic.”

Uther glared at a guard growling, “Release her, but you,” Uther turned to the grinning Merlin, “No more trips into lower town without my approval for you.”

Merlin winced but nodded agreeing to the demand. Ignoring the many people who were yelling at him to refuse, that it was an unfair bargain. Which in some ways it was, but a bargain did need to be made.

Morgana glared after Uther when he left, “That was cruel, you should not have agreed to his demand.”

“He had to do something to prove he still had power over me after I summoned Kilgharrah. I knew something like this was going to happen, but it was worth it.”

Kilgharrah let out a puff of smoke, “Are you sure I cannot kill him?”

Merlin rolled his eyes at the frequently asked question, “And have Arthur attain the throne due to a dragon? No other country could trust we wouldn’t do the same to them. No, you are to remain a threat against Uther’s cruelty. If other countries try to start a mass killing of an innocent group, I might change my mind but no dragons, you are not a method of war.”

“Well spoken young Warlock. You and the Once and Future King are well on your way to creating Camelot’s golden age, although not in the way I expected, but the girl is home. I will take my leave until you have need for me once more. If you change your mind about Uther do let me know.”

Arthur stared as Kilgharrah took flight and then disappeared into the sky, watching as he quickly faded out of view.

“Arthur,” Merlin concern was clear in his voice as he looked to Arthur who had been worryingly silent.

“You can command a dragon and you worked as my manservant?”

“I meant it when I said I was happy to be your servant for the rest of my life. Becoming your husband was rather unexpected but I will be with your until I die. Now come on, I want you to cut apples up for me while I grumble about not visiting lower town anymore.”

Arthur took a calming breath before following his annoyed husband as he shuffled towards the stairs up to the balcony. Merlin really didn’t like having to dealing with the annoyance and troubles of stairs and was sure to be crabby until they got to where ever Merlin wanted to get to.

Chapter Text

Uther looked down the table, “Merlin, what did you wish to address to the council.”

“I found several laws I believe should be struck from the records.”

Uther glared at him, “We are not discussing laws about magic.”

“While I’d love to talk about those that is not the laws I’m speaking of. No, the laws I wish to speak of are more,” Merlin took a moment to think, “Odd? Such as the law stating that wearing the colors of Mirth to a council meeting will be punished by a day in the stocks, no matter how noble the blood.”

He grinned as several council members looked uneasy, “If you remember your history, the colors of the kingdom of Mirth, that Camelot conquered many years ago, where green and white. So if you want to keep that law on the books your going to have to take turns as only the king, my husband and myself are not breaking that law. I mean sticking to the law would stimulate the economy. I have an in with the local produce sellers and they could use some extra business.”

Lord Bobot, the Earl Marshal, was fingering the white ending of his sleeves, “An in?”

“I was great for business. I could get anyone throwing fruit. There was this one lady once who was guilting people out of throwing veg until I got this one,” he angled his thumb towards Arthur, “To throw me in the stocks.”

Arthur nodded, “Asking to be thrown in the stocks isn’t the weirdest thing you’ve ever asked of me.”

“So I managed to taunt this lady until she bought out half the stock to throw at me. I used to get a free apple every time I went in to the market.”

Uther coughed, “All in agreement to strike that law from the record?”

The entire council agreed.

Uther turned to Merlin, “Any other laws?”

Merlin picked up several pages of notes, “How about the one that would prevent Lady Morgana from wearing her favorite dress because the lace pattern that is on it is the cluney lace pattern? I’m not telling her if that stays in.”

“Please list the laws, if anyone objects to a law being struck from the record speak up. The next law?”

Merlin went on to name thirty more laws before the council was forced to move onto the next issue. Uther told Merlin to send the complete list to his office after the meeting.

-

Uther looked up at Arthur as he handed Uther a pile of papers, “How does he know of these laws?”

“Gaius is threatening with him laying down rest, uh, forced rest if he doesn’t take it easy. He’s taken to reading law books when his ankles act up. He’ll have more of these as he keeps going. Please ignore the more, colorful, language in some of his notes. The babies have been keeping him up and any time he goes without any solid sleep for more than two days he starts getting, creative, in his language.”

Uther nodded, “Your mother was the same. It will only get worse as it goes on.”

Arthur groaned even as he happy to hear another fact about his mother, “I think I’m going to hide when he Gaius orders B rest.”

“Running will just make it worse. It’s best to endure it than to push it off, then they feel entitled to be angry, endure it and he might feel guilty after blowing up.”

“I don’t think he’s going to feel guilty. I swear he some how knows when I even think of saying the B-word.”

“B word?”

“The thing Gaius will put him on near the due date.”

“Bed r-”

Arthur shushed his father, “He’ll hear you.”

“Arthur he’s not even in the castle.”

“I don’t think it matters.”

Uther dismissed his paranoid son as he picked up the first paper, who would even make a law about walking over rivers with ducks on their heads?

Chapter Text

Balinor stepped into the castle courtyard. He knew it was daring getting this close to where Uther’s men were, literally inside of them. The wall behind him offering him little comfort. Unfortunately, it would be the fastest way to confirm the rumors. If Uther had truly managed to force Emrys into a marriage, he would have to do even more daring things to help Emrys escape.

Emrys couldn’t complete his destiny if he was bond to some noble as some sort of trophy husband or what not. He just hoped it wasn’t a story to cover up Emrys’s death. The rumor Emrys was married to the crown prince was far to ridiculously to even consider.

Standing against the wall he observing the field of training knights, his first challenge to get past, to seek the information he needed. On the other side of the field two people were watching the knights train, “Hunith?”

Hunith over and he was blessed to see her beauty once again. Something he had only dreamed of but never he thought possible. “Balinor?” Her voice was as beautiful as he remembered.

“Balinor!” Hunith jumped to her feet and ran around the field towards him.

Moving to meet her he was stopped by a sword at his neck, he had forgotten the knights. He had forgotten why he was here.

The knight looked at him cooly, the sword not wavering from his neck, “Who are you?” At least he hadn’t been recognized.

“Oh, Lancelot!” Hunith called as she drew near them, “He’s safe, he’s … a friend.”

Balinor winced at her words, he deserved every word but it still hurt, “Hunith I’m so s-”

His apology was cut short when Hunith flung herself into his arms as soon as the sword was clear, “Balinor!”

Shit, she was crying, “I’m sorry.”

Hunith shook her head, stepping out of the circle of his arms, “Uther’s men were hunting you.” Well, there went that fact, “You did the only thing you could to protect us. Now, come here, I need to introduce you to someone.”

Lancelot was watching them calmly, but his sword was still in his hand, “Hunith. I’m sorry.” The knight seemed to be truly contrite, “But I can’t let an unknown man any closer while he is still armed. Even with the ward.” He turned to Balinor, “Sir. If you would hand over your sword and dagger, Hunith can bring you further towards the castle. I will return them as soon as I am able to.”

Before he could answer Hunith started in on his sword belt, “Come on, give them to Sir Lancelot. He’ll take good care of them. I have to introduce you to someone.”

Uneasy, Balinor complied before Hunith accidently untied his hose in her haste to disarm him. The knight sheathed his sword and accepted both weapons. Once both of Balinor’s weapons were in Lancelot’s hands, he stood aside.

Hunith pulled Balinor straight across the still field. Which was rather worrying that everyone had stopped at what his, no not his anymore, she must have moved on, she was to lovely not to, Hunith was doing. It seemed she was pulling him over to where she had been sitting.

A young man was sitting there looking up at them and just about kicked all the air out of Balinor’s chest when he looked at Hunith, “Mom, who’s this?”

Hunith smiled but looked to Balinor first, “Balinor, this is Merlin. Merlin,” her smile was radiant, “This is your father.”

Somewhere behind them a sword fell to the ground, the sound ringing through the silent training grounds. Until one of the closest knights spoke, “Oh, shit.”

Merlin, his son, turned to the knight, “Gwaine! Help me up!”

Gwaine and another knight stepped forward to help Merlin to his feet. Which was rather obviously needed when Balinor got his first good look at his son’s stomach, “How? No Dragon Lord ability I’ve heard of can result in a man becoming pregnant.”

His son blinked at him, “It’s a Emrys and Once and Future King thing.”

Before Balinor could comment on any of that, Merlin perked up and waved at someone coming from the castle, “Arthur! Come here!”

Turning Balinor saw two men that had been deep in conversation, before the younger man jogged forward to reach them. Passing everyone to reached Merlin, wrapping an arm around Merlin’s side, “Merlin? Do you need something? I’m sorry but we’ve run out of strawberries.”

Merlin shook his head smiling, “No. I’m good. I just I wanted to introduce you to someone.”

Arthur turned as Merlin grinned and waved at Balinor, “Arthur, this is my father,” Arthur’s eyes widened, “Balinor. Father,” Merlin’s voice was slightly giddy, “This is my husband Arthur Pendragon, Crown Prince of Camelot.”

Arthur smiled at Balinor, “It is an honor to met you sir. Do you have somewhere to stay? I can easily have a room made up for you to stay in the royal wing. Unless you’ll be staying with Hunith? I could have you both moved to larger rooms if that is what you both need.”

Before Balinor could respond he heard a familiar voice roar, “Balinor!” Balinor turned to face the king head on, “How dare you show your face here!”

Balinor’s face broke into a wide smirk, “Ah but is that any way to talk to your brother-in-law old friend? It turns out both of us having sons didn’t stop us from becoming family!”

“Wait.” Arthur looked between the two, “You two know each other?”

Balinor nodded, “Before the purge we were friends. I actually knew your mother. After he started the purge, I had to run from his hunters. He kept chasing me even into Essitor because I am,” Balinor smiled at his son, “Was the last Dragon Lord.”

“Wait.” Merlin grinned at Uther, “You’re the reason my parents never married. My father didn’t walk out on my mum, he was running from your hunters! He had to stay away so you wouldn’t follow him back to my mom. If you had stopped the chase at the border, my parents would have married. It’s your own fault that your son married a bastard!”

Merlin laughed at the expression on Uther’s face, it was one of the greatest things he had ever seen.