Merlin One-Shots!!

I guess I am a father now

"Hey I said I'm sorry! What more do you want from me." I'm arguing with a three year old. Eh I argue with the princess all the time what's the difference.

"Up." He raises his arms towards me with the most innocent look in his doe eyes I just can't resist. I lean down pick him up, tickling him as I did so. I'm not exaggerating when I say my heart melted at the giggles he let out.

"So what's your name little man." I asked with my head cocked.

"Kyeyar." He said, copying my action.

"Well Kyeyar, I don't know about you but I am starving. Let's go get some breakfast."

I throw on an extra layer of clothes before picking Kyeyar up and heading down to the market Square. I purchase a rather large bread roll and two apples then head to my spot as I like to call it. An abandoned section of the castle full of tiny alcoves and snaking corridors. No one ever comes down here, perfect place for some peace and quiet.

"Where are we?"

"This is my own little piece of Camelot. Here you can do whatever you want and no one will tell you off."

"Really?" Kyeyar's eyes seemed to light up at the suggestion. God I see so much of me in him.

"Really."

"Okay!" Kyeyar jumped out of my arms and sat on one of the many benches nestled into the alcoves. "Partum Vita."

I tried not to react as his eyes flashed a brilliant gold and a single emerald butterfly fluttered from within his hands. It's delicate wings shimmered with golden sparks that forked across the lace like lightning. I look back at the boy and all I see is naive wonder, a joy that could get him killed. Yet I don't feel the fear that has been installed since childhood. How can someone so young possibly be tainted by evil. If Kyeyar has it, magic is not inherently evil. It just can't be.

So despite all I have been taught, I bend down and ruffle the boys hair. "That was amazing. How did you do that?"

"Mama taught me. She said things floated around me when I was even littler. She wanted to teach me to control it. Papa didn't like it though."

"Well I think you are incredibly special, Kyeyar. Now eat up, I need to train soon." I hand Kyeyar a piece of the bread which he wolf's down.

"Train?"

"I'm a knight. I train with Prince Arthur." Suddenly all the happiness dashed from his face, leaving only terror in its place.

"Mama said Knights are bad. Knights want to hurt me. Please don't hurt me." His eyes flash gold once more and a tiny flame appears in his palm.

"I would never hurt you. Never." Risking getting burned, I place my hand over the flame and run my thumb over the back of his hand. Luckily as soon as I come into contact the flame extinguishes, leaving only a slight tingling sensation in my palm.

"Promise."

"I promise. As long as I am here no harm will ever come to you." Once again Kyeyar launches himself into my arms breathing a sigh of relief. The terror surrounding the knights of Camelot makes my stomach churn. How is installing fear protecting our people? Especially those with magic who only lash out in acts of revenge for something Uther has done to them. In my eyes that is pretty damn reasonable. Don't get me wrong, killing for revenge is not something to be encouraged, but I think I finally understand where they are coming from. Magic isn't something to fear.

"Come on, lets go." I take his tiny hand in my own and lead him out the abandoned wing. I try and steer clear of the main corridors, not wanting to explain why I have a child with me. Then reality hits. I can't take Kyeyar out with me, people will see him. And if they see him he will get scared again, especially as he will be surrounded by the very same knights he has been taught to be terrified of. I can't risk exposing him. But where can I-

Merlin!

"Change of plan, Kye. I am going to take you to a very good friend of mine, his name is Merlin. I will come back after training ok." Kyeyar simply nods in response, not looking all to keen on parting from me.

I duck into the servants corridor and head to the physician's chambers praying someone will be there. When I reached the chambers I heard the familiar bickering of Camelot's star-crossed lovers.

Shit Arthur's here! Think Gwaine think.

"How about a piggy back ride, Kye."

"Yay! Up up!" I lift Kyeyar up and place him carefully under my cape praying his tiny form isn't too obvious. Just as I finish fixing the cape Arthur emerges with Merlin in tow. His suspicious glances are quickly replaced by an annoyed scowl.

"Gwaine you have training, why are you here?"

"You have training to, Princess. Hwy are you here." Thankfully Arthur couldn't outwit me, so turned on his heel and stalked of to the training grounds. I let out a sigh of relief and tapped Kye's tiny feet. He shuffled around my torso, hiding his head in my chest at the presence of Merlin. Speaking of, Merlin looks almost as confused as Arthur does on the daily.

"Gwaine why on earth do you have a child!" He exclaimed a little to loudly for Kyeyar's liking.

"Are you trying to scare him? Jeez calm down." Merlin gave the child an apologetic look and signalled for me to follow him inside. Gaius looked up from his work and gave me a look similar to Merlin.

"Care to explain Sir Gwaine why you have a child attached to you."

"Um well you see, I was on my way home from the-

"Tavern." Merlin and Gaius interjected in unison.

"Yes thank you for your input. As I was saying, i was on my way home from the tavern when Kyeyar here scared me half to death. His parents are...not in Camelot. I promised to protect him, but I can't take him training with me for so many reasons."

"So you, what? Want me to babysit." Merlin asked. I nod, gently placing Kyeyar on the floor. He clamps himself around my leg refusing to look Merlin in the eye.

"If that's ok. Kyeyar," He looks up at me with tears in his eyes and a wave of guilt crashes over me. "I promise I won't be gone long. You can trust Merlin, he is just like you." Kyeyar's eyes widen and he looks at Merlin with a strange wonder. Merlin seems a little taken back by the revelation, but smiles all the same.

"You have magic too?" Kyeyar questions, feeling brave enough to let go of me entirely.

"Yes I do. Are you a druid?" Merlin looks down at Kyeyar's arm, most likely in search of a druid mark, but finds nothing.

"No. Mama said I was special. I can make things float!" He announces it with such pride my heart bursts. He is too much!

"Well you certainly are, Kyeyar." Merlin stands back up to address me but I am barely paying attention. My mind is focused on Kyeyar. I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared to leave him. Uther is known to be completely merciless when faced with a 'threat' of magic.

"Gwaine!" Kyeyar giggles, tugging on my cloak. I snap back to reality and raise my eyebrow at the child. He points up to Merlin who is staring at me softly.

"He'll be fine Gwaine. Now go before Arthur puts you in the stocks." I nod hesitantly, bending down to ruffle Kye's hair.

"Bye Gwaine, see you later." He chirps, jumping up to hug me. Honestly that kid is going to be the death of me.

I love this concept to much and am making this into a book! It will be posted soon!!
- update the book is out now, called Our Spot

Oh and Kyeyar is pronounced Kaiyar, just in case there was any confusion.