"When Light Meets Shadow"
Category: Het (Canon AU)
Characters/Pairings: Gwen/Arthur and Mithian/Merlin
Rating/Warnings: M (sex)
Basic Summary: Writing Challenge #9: Randomly Generated - The story ends during a birth. During the story, a kidnapping occurs.
Word Count: 10,443 words
Part One
Gwen rest comfortably in bed and with the wine red blankets pulled up to her waist. The soft rays of sunlight filtered through the wide window across the room, providing a comforting warmth. She sat upright with her back lying against a pillow and holding her fussing baby boy. She wore a white night dress with gold floral embroidery, and her hair was tied up in a single, long braid. Gwen bared her breast and struggled to soothe the crying infant in her lap. She pulled him close and positioned him against her soft, full bosom. The babe nuzzled against his mother's warm flesh, latching onto her nipple and suckling greedily.
She stifled a yawn. Her deep brown eyes were teary with fatigue, and she struggled to stay awake. Gwen smiled down at the beautiful, fragile creation who was born of her and Arthur's love. He was the very image of his mother. He had Gwen`s tawny skin and long, dark eyelashes. The young mother caressed his dark curls and sang a lullaby that one of the midwives taught her. She owed the women a great deal . Her mother died when she was very young, and so she knew little about caring for an infant. She'd been terrified during labor. It was the worst pain she'd ever felt, and she feared she would die.
However all her suffering proved to be worthwhile when she held little Calan Pendragon in her arms. Gwen was given a second chance at having a family, and she couldn't be more grateful. She only wished that her father and brother could be a part of her son's life. Yet she found comfort in knowing that they would be with them in spirit. This would give her the strength and resolve she needed to face each new day. Besides, she had Arthur and Merlin`s support. Each man helped to shoulder her burdens in different ways, and she did the same for them in return. Gaius had long since passed, but not before witnessing the start of Albion`s rebirth. There was some comfort in knowing that. She discovered that not all families were bound by blood. Some families were bound by the heart. Her musings were interrupted when she noticed her husband.
Arthur smiled when he entered the chambers, carrying a fistful of purple wildflowers. He placed them in the blue vase sitting on the bedside table. Then he sat alongside his wife and child on the bed's edge. Gwen smiled up at him, taking in his slightly disheveled state. Clearly he'd lost his comb again, judging by the way his sunny blond hair was tousled. His thin, red tunic was unlaced, and the grass stains on his brown trousers suggested he'd been training the knights.
"Should I thank Merlin for the flowers?" she teased good naturedly.
"No, my talent for romantic gestures has vastly improved," he replied, shoulders straightening.
"I've outdone him on quite a few occasions."
"That's true," she said, smiling when he leaned towards her and kissed her forehead. "Thank you for the flowers. They're lovely."
"You're welcome."
The new parents focused their attention on the little miracle they created. Calan turned away from his mother`s breast and began taking interest in his inquisitive, dark eyes peered up at his father and then he started to hiccup. Gwen adjusted her night dress and sat the babe upright. Then she laid him against her chest, placing his small head on her shoulder. She gently patted his back as he continued to hiccup.
"Is he alright?" Arthur asked.
Gwen beamed at her husband, and her heart was touched by his concern. He was such an overprotective father.
"He`s fine," she assured him. "He always does this. I still can't believe we created something so precious."
"Neither can I."
When Calan`s hiccups ceased Gwen placed the infant onto her lap once more. He babbled happily, kicking at the blankets surrounding him. Arthur reached out to his son, and the baby curled his small, soft fingers around his father's thumb. Arthur`s sky blue eyes met Gwen`s warm brown ones, and the couple smiled at one another. Moments like this made her glad that she decided to care for the child herself instead of hiring a wet nurse. She couldn't imagine missing such precious moments in her son's life.
The castle gardens were one of Mithian`s favorite places in Camelot. She enjoyed the serenity and privacy the small oasis offered. The gentle breeze rustled the surrounding bushes, and the flowers` sweet aroma drifted through the air. Mithian`s flowing blue dress billowed behind her as she walked throughout the grounds. The princess brushed a few dark, windblown curls out of her face and headed towards the garden's center. A massive peacock fountain stood tall at the heart of the garden and with sparkling water flowing from the fanned tail. Lily pads floated atop the rippling water beneath the marble fixture, and a colorful array of fish swam about. She sat on the fountain's edge, gazing at the fish in the glistening pool and enjoying the sun's warmth.
At times she missed her father and brothers desperately. Their visits and letters were scarcely enough to cure her homesick heart, but she was content to live in Camelot. In the end Nemeth and Camelot were united by a marriage. It was a highly unconventional one in the eyes of many, but Mithian was happy. She didn't care that Merlin was lowly born or a warlock. The princess found the love her heart desired in the most unexpected way. She never dared to think she would fall in love with Arthur's manservant . Yet their rocky friendship strengthened over time and soon blossomed into love. When Morgana was defeated and Merlin`s true nature revealed, Mithian wasn't the least surprised. She always knew he was more than just a servant.
A familiar voice echoed from afar, interrupting her musings. She rose from the fountain and followed the sound. Mithian walked the length of the garden and stopped when she reached the rose bushes, turning the corner. A stone gazebo with a glass dome roof came into view. Gwen sat inside, holding a squirming Calan in one arm. She reached for a strawberry amidst the fruit assortment placed in front of her on the table with the other. She didn't appear to be having much success in her efforts.
"Shall I take the little one off your hands?" Mithian asked, smiling.
The queen turned to look at her, smiling in return. "I would be grateful. I would have invited you to join me, but your maid wasn't sure where you'd gone."
"It's fine," the princess assured her, taking the babe out of his mother's arms and sitting down across from her. "Little Calan loves his Auntie."
The baby started to cry, and he reached out for Gwen. Mithian quickly rose from her seat and returned the child to his mother.
"I must have imagined his affection for me," she joked.
"Oh, nonsense," his mother chided lightly. "Calan adores you. He`s just in one of his moods."
"Motherhood suits you," Mithian said with a smile.
"Oh, Thank you," Gwen replied. She smiled in return and pushed her goblet further across the table and out of Calan`s reach. "I`ve always wanted a family of my own. How about you?"
"Merlin and I really haven't talked about it. I suppose, if it's meant to be."
"You never know what the future will bring."
"Indeed," the princess agreed. " However I think looking after Merlin keeps me busy."
Gwen laughed. "I know what you mean. We have such reckless husbands."
Mithian smiled. "There's never a dull I couldn't imagine sharing my life with anyone else."
"I`m glad he has you in his life."
"I`m grateful to be a part of it."
The princess's thoughts drifted elsewhere. She began to contemplate her friend's journey as a mother. Having a baby did little to alter Gwen`s appearance, the princess observed. If anything her friend seemed to be even more beautiful if that were possible. Maybe this was the maternal bliss the midwives often spoke of? She seemed to radiate with an inner glow, and her dark eyes shone with a happy queen could still easily fit into her red velvet dress that was a favorite amongst her numerous gowns. In Mithian`s eyes she appeared to be the perfect mother. However the princess wasn't aware of the sleepless nights and all the fears and worries that come with being a new parent.
Calan`s happy babbling disrupted her thoughts, and she smiled at the baby. His small frame seemed to drown in the thin, white fabric he was dressed in. She wondered how long Gwen could balance her duties as a queen and mother without the help of a nursemaid.
As if sensing her thoughts, Gwen confessed her concerns. "I would like to continue caring for my son, but I have duties that need tending to."
"You needn't feel badly,"Mithian replied, reaching out across the table and gently grasping Gwen's hand. "Many royals require the assistance of nursemaids or wet nurses."
"I know, but I'm his mother. I need to be there for him."
"You will be when you`re able. Besides, your birthday is but a few days away. You should be thinking of joyous things."
"Thank you, Mithian. You're a dear friend."
"Why are we sneaking around like this in broad daylight?" Merlin asked, reaching up to push back the hood on his dark cloak. However Arthur smacked his hands away before they could come in contact with the coarse fabric. The court sorcerer scowled at his friend, but without true malice.
"It's called being discreet,"The king explained. He rolled his eyes and continued to survey the bustling marketplace as if it were a battlefield. The two friends stood beside a stall filled with various fabrics in a wide array of colors. The row of stalls were aligned along the dirt street that spread out further than the eye could see.
"Why not send for the craftsman and let him come to the castle?" Merlin reasoned.
"Then Guinevere will know we're up to something," Arthur replied, glancing over his shoulder and giving his friend a pointed look.
"If I know Gwen then she already does. We did sneak out before breakfast, wearing hooded cloaks."
"Do you ever stop talking?"
Sighing, Merlin followed Arthur as he weaved in and out of the crowds, traveling throughout the marketplace. The two young men stopped beside a stall with brooches and gazed at the intricately detailed jewelry that glistened in the sunlight . Arthur reached back, grabbing Merlin's arm and pulling him to the front.
"Which one do you think she'll like?"
"How should I know, Arthur? I'm not a girl."
The king snickered. "That's debatable."
"Do you want to pick a brooch on your own?" the court sorcerer asked, feeling smug when he noticed Arthur's deflated expression.
"No," he answered, standing back and allowing his friend to look at the brooches.
A golden rose stood out amongst the countless items presented to Merlin. He picked up the brooch and carefully examined he turned to face Arthur, offering him the brooch in outstretched hands.
"How did you do that?" he exclaimed in amazement.
Merlin`s brows furrowed in confusion. "Do what?"
"You always know what girls like."
"I've learned to pay should try it sometime."
"Merlin...Shut up."
The court sorcerer grinned, knowing this was all part of the unconventional bond they shared. The vendor`s perplexed expression amused him. Yet the old man remained silent and gratefully accepted the coins Arthur gave him. Then the king tied his coin purse to his belt and picked up the neatly wrapped parcel that contained Gwen's gift.
"Thank you, old friend," Arthur said with a smile, giving Merlin a manly slap on the back that made him wince.
"Couldn't you have settled for a friendly handshake instead?" he teased, ocean blue eyes alight with mirth as he smiled.
"I greet all the knights that way," The king explained, smiling. "It`s a gesture of brotherhood."
"So..inflicting pain on someone is a sign of affection?" he joked despite his heart being touched by the sentiment.
Arthur laughed. "Only you would see it that way."