Our Spot • A Sir Gwaine Story

chapter 2

The next morning I awake to something tickling my nose. I bat it away sleepily only to be jolted awake by a crash and a small cry. Shit I pushed him of the bed!

"I'm so sorry little one." The boy sits up with a pout, crossing his arms over his chest defensively.

"That hurt."

"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, much to the boys delight. We 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 goes down there, perfect place for some peace and quiet.

"Where are we?" Kyeyar questions, voice high and inquisitive.

"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 naïve 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 must 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?" Crumbs spill from his mouth as he talked. Wow that food went quickly.

"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 with his skin 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. His 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.

"How about we make a deal. Every morning whilst having breakfast, we can come here and you can do all the magic you want. As long as you promise not to use it around the castle. Do we have a deal, Kye?"

"Deal!"

"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!