How To Train Your Dragonlord

Morning

In Arthur's chambers, he and Merlin talked about everything and nothing well into the small hours of the following day. They deliberately didn't talk about the days to come, where the Crown Prince would be away from Camelot.
Neither wanted to admit that they didn't want Merlin to go - well, Merlin wanted to go to ensure his mother's safe arrival. But neither wanted him to go, because they knew it would be more dangerous on the return trip, as he would be riding alone.
So they talked of lighter topics, humourous jokes were shared, making fun of each other returned, they generally had a laugh.

Hunith P.O.V:
When I retired for the evening, Merlin and King Arthur were still chatting and drinking. I slept soundly that night, in the spare bed in Gaius' Chambers, which is apparently where Merlin used to sleep.
It was strange enough sleeping with a wall and door separating you from the person nearby, I couldn't begin to imagine how Merlin felt, sleeping in a Chamber that was entirely his own, with no one sharing.

Merlin P.O.V:
When Arthur and I finally parted company, there was an hour until we'd see each other again for breakfast. I washed and redressed, before going to Gaius' Chambers, to meet up with my mother. As mother's always can with these things, she could tell as soon as I entered the chamber that I hadn't slept at all.
Also as mother's do, she fussed over me. "Honestly Merlin," she said. "Just because it was your birthday, it doesn't mean that you didn't need sleep! We have a long journey ahead of us, and we both know how unpleasant it is sleeping on the ground." But I could tell that she wasn't really angry. Annoyed, yes. Angry? Never.
Despite this knowledge, I apologised to my mother for a mistake that could not be rectified, but was never going to be fatal. I knew that she wanted me to apologise for being young and excited (because of my birthday), so I did. "I'm sorry, mother. I know that I should have slept last night, but I can't have my birthday every day!" She gave me a look of almost-disappointment at the fact that I was getting off topic. "Sorry. If it makes you feel better, I'll sleep through the meeting that I 'must attend' before we leave."
Mother laughed at that, as I knew that she would, forgetting for the moment that I was ever so slightly in trouble. "It's okay, Merlin. You have to be conscious for that meeting, I'm afraid, but you can sleep first when we set up camp tonight." As she spoke, she started to tidy my hair a little. She sighed. "Honestly, Merlin. You're the Crown Prince now, you need to at least look presentable." She stopped messing with my hair and looked me in the eye. "Come on. Let's get you to that meeting."
We started walking towards the meeting chamber and I smiled to myself secretly, knowing that she had forgotten that she had been annoyed with me.

Merlin P.O.V:
We arrived at the chamber shortly before the meeting commenced. The court tried to insist that a woman of such low standing as my mother should not be allowed into the meeting. I informed the court, as politely as I could manage after they insulted my mother, that unless they allowed her to remain in the room, I would be taking my leave of the meeting, holding up everyone's days, including my own.
At this ultimatum, they succumbed and allowed my mother to remain present throughout the meeting. When I glanced over during the course of the meeting, my mother seemed more proud - even - than when she learnt of my becoming the Crown Prince of Camelot.
After the meeting had ended - it had been highlighting a few of my duties once I returned from Ealdor - mother and I had to set off for Ealdor. I wasn't comfortable with leaving Arthur, but I knew that we couldn't afford to leave Camelot without anyone to guide the kingdom, should something go awry. We all prayed that nothing would go awry, of course, but it was better to be safe than sorry.
Arthur came to the castle gates to wave us off and wish us safe passage to Ealdor. I felt a weight press down in my chest at the knowledge that I wouldn't see the Dollop head for a while, but I drove my horse on, forcing myself not to look back.

A/N ~ OH MY GODS I AM SO SORRY THAT IT HAS TAKEN ME HALF A YEAR TO UPDATE THIS! I have a more solid plan in place, now, for how I want this to go, so (hopefully) I should be able to update a little bit more frequently (so long as I find the right words).
I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank every angelic reader of this story, putting up with half a year of writer's block over the plot and wording of this part. I will try to do better by you, little cherubs, but I can't make promises (writer's block's a b***h).
Thanks once again to all of you, and don't forget to vote, comment and add me if you like the - Merthur - content of this book.