This is a story I thought up while watching repeats of Merlin. As will probably be evident by the end of this chapter, I'm a huge Arthur/Gwen fan, but this story doesn't actually centre on them, although they feature in it a lot. This is just the prologue, to set things in motion and lay the background for the actual story. Hope you enjoy it!

Disclaimer: Believe it or not, I don't actually own Merlin. That's why I'm on this site. If I owned the show, there would be a lot less Morgana and a lot more Arthur/Gwen. :)

'Arise King Arthur, monarch of Camelot!'

Merlin smiled, tears of pride in his eyes as he watched Arthur rise. The young king still bore the marks of grief from the loss of his father, but he stood tall and smiled as the applause rang through the hall. His eyes met Merlin's, and he laughed quietly as Merlin assumed a solemn face and gave a low bow. It had not been long since the final defeat of Morgana and Morgause, and Camelot was still adjusting back to the life it had known before they had unleashed their full power upon it and nearly destroyed it. Uther had not survived that final battle, and it was for this reason that Arthur was standing wearing the crown of Camelot much sooner than anyone had expected.

Arthur's wandering eyes soon found Gwen in the room. She was crying, and smiled at him through her tears. They both knew, of course they did, that this was just the beginning for them. That they could be together, and never fear discovery again. At last.

Finally, Arthur looked at his people, and as he did he suddenly realised just how much he cared about them. He had always known it, but now that he was so responsible for their lives he felt a protectiveness for them that would never go away. Smiling, he raised his hand in acknowledgement and as they shouted his name, for the first time since his father's death he felt truly happy.

x x x

'I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.'

Another milestone passed in Arthur's life, thought Merlin as he gazed at the couple now entwined at the front of the church. The day Arthur had removed the law against royalty marrying commoners had been a huge shock for Camelot, and not all of its inhabitants were entirely pleased with the change. But for most, it was another step towards a better future led by their new King, and they applauded it. Of course, before the day was out Arthur had proposed to Gwen, and within a week the two had made the announcement public and already started planning the wedding. Now, a month since the day of the proposal, they were at long last married, and it would not be long until Gwen became Queen Guinevere at her coronation. As he sat watching them, Merlin began to think about how in order to continue to lead the kingdom further into the destined future; he would soon have to tell Arthur about his magic. He knew it would not be easy, but he was also sure that the King would understand. It would show him that not all magic was bad, and possibly open his eyes to the concept of a new world where good magic was to be embraced, and not punished.

x x x

'You what?'

Merlin took a deep breath.

'I said I – I have magic, Arthur.'

Arthur stared at Merlin for several seconds, before suddenly bursting into laughter.

'What – what are you laughing about?'

Arthur was bent over now.

'You, Merlin! Do you honestly think I'm going to believe that? Magic…' he choked out, laughter shaking his body.

Merlin sighed, and held out his hand.

'Morthdres ampuarne dae nathren.' Arthur's eye's flickered up just in time to see Merlin's glow deep amber, and he whirled around to see his cupboard burst open and all of his clothes fly out. They circled the room once, then returned to the cupboard folded and shut themselves back in. He slowly turned back to his manservant, shock written all over his faced. They stared at each other for what must have been minutes, until Arthur managed to open his mouth.

'I don't understand,' he croaked. 'Why?'

'Why?' Merlin laughed almost bitterly. 'You think I chose this?' He closed his eyes for a second, then opened them and said, 'I was born with it, Arthur. Born with it. I couldn't help it any more than you could help being born royal.'

'So you've – you've used it?' Arthur almost whispered.

'Oh, Arthur,' smiled Merlin, 'you have no idea.'

x x x

Gwen's screams echoed down the corridors of the castle, and into Arthur's chambers remarkably loudly. Merlin sat nervously on a chest of drawers, while the king himself paced up and down anxiously biting his knuckles.

'I'm sure everything will be fine.' Merlin broke the tense silence. Arthur's head jerked at a particularly loud shout, and he spoke.

'That's it. I'm going in.'

'You can't! Didn't you hear Gaius? The risk of infection is – it's too great!'

'But my mother died in this situation, Merlin. Died. I can't just leave her!'

'Arthur, I think that this is one thing Gwen has to do by herself.'

Punching the wall, Arthur resumed his pacing, before flinging himself on his bed.

'How do people cope with this more than once?'

'I wouldn't know,' Merlin sighed. 'Rather you than me is all I'm going to say.'

All of a sudden, the shouting stopped, and footsteps were heard running down the corridor. Arthur leapt to his feet and flung open the door. A young maid was stood there.

'Is she all right?' Arthur asked urgently.

'Come and see for yourself.' the maid replied with a smile. Arthur pushed past her, raced down the corridor and threw himself through a door. Merlin followed him almost as quickly.

Lying on the bed was Gwen, drenched in sweat and looking as if she'd just run several miles. But she was beaming at the small, pink being wrapped a white blanket that was lying in her arms. She looked up when Arthur entered and whispered,

'Isn't she beautiful?'

Taking a shaky step towards the bed, her husband got his first real look at his daughter. He took a deep breath as Gwen held her out to him, and all of a sudden he was holding her. His child. His daughter. Gwen's daughter. Their daughter…

'Congratulations, sire.'

Arthur looked round at Merlin.

'Thank you, Merlin.'

Gwen twisted in the bed until she too could see Merlin.

'So?'

Merlin looked at her, confusion clouding his face.

'What?'

'What do you think we should call her?'

Merlin looked from Arthur to Gwen, astonished. Arthur grinned at him, and nodded. Taking a step closer to the baby princess, Merlin looked at her eyes. They were a hazelly blue, a perfect mix of Arthur's and Gwen's. They reminded him of another pair he had once seen. Looking up, he gave that beam that was just so him, and said,

'I think you should call her Freya.'

And so they did.

Thanks for reading! I hope you liked it! Please review; I love you all :)

Iliketotastetherainbow x