A/N: Okay, so I'm thinking about turning this into a series with the occasional update into Arthur and Merlin's life after the events of ch 1. I have lots of ideas about if merlin ever got made court sorcerer, and lots some people have made me aware that I set up some Mergana really well, even though that wasn't my intent. I have a few oneshots already written, so I might post them here. No idea if i'll actually do that or have a time frame for it, just thinking out loud.

Anyway, if I don'tcontinue, here's a short epilog. Thanks for reading!


Around 9 Months later….

An earsplitting scream tore through the halls and echoed against the stone walls.

The King of Camelot jumped to his feet and stared at the door from whence the scream had originated. He tugged at his hair, distress and helplessness plastered on his face.

"Maybe you should be in there? You know, just in case."

"Gaius knows I'm right outside if anything should go wrong." The dark haired man dressed in a fine but simple tunic replied from his seat on the bench the king had just vacated. "This is all perfectly normal…"

Another painful scream sounded from the room in front of them.

"…..I think." Merlin amended, not looking too sure.

Arthur glared at him.

"Besides," Merlin teased, trying to distract Arthur "Do you really want me in there staring at a half-naked Gwen if I don't need to?"

The king grimaced at the thought and reluctantly retook his seat beside Merlin. They were quiet for a while, each absorbed in their own thoughts before Arthur said quietly:

"What if I'm awful at it?"

"Awful at what?" Merlin asked, leaning forward to look the king in the eye. Arthur didn't respond, just sent a terrified look at the wooden door in front of them and Merlin understood.

"Arthur," He said soothingly, putting his hand on Arthur's shoulder as a gentle show of support. "You're going to be a great father."

"How do you know?" Arthur demanded, his eyes pleading.

"Because…" Merlin floundered, then sighed with exasperation "Look, do you really think I would let you screw this up?"

Arthur chuckled. No, he was sure that if he did something stupid Merlin would be the first one to let him know. He was more grateful for that assurance than he could ever express, but he was still nervous.

"I don't know anything about girls." He admitted.

Merlin opened his mouth to say something reassuring, but then snapped it shut with a thoughtful expression.

"Yeah, neither do I actually." Merlin said. "I guess we'll both have to listen to Gwen on this one."

Arthur smiled and was about to respond when another agonizing scream ripped through the air and drained the expression right of his face.

But then the scream was replaced by a new sound. A different, high pitched cry reached them that made Arthur go weak in the knees. He was clutching Merlin for support to keep from falling down, even though he didn't remember getting to his feet again.

A moment later Gaius appeared in the doorway wiping his hands on a towel, an exhausted smile on his face.

"Sire, would you like to meet your daughter?" He asked Arthur kindly.

The king stared at him with wide eyes but stayed rooted to the spot. His hand clinched around the fabric of Merlin's sleeves like he was clinging to it for dear life. Merlin rolled his eyes at Arthur's hesitation and gave him a gentle shove toward the door.

Once his feet had started moving, Arthur couldn't stop himself. He charged through the door and into the chambers, stopping a few feet from the bed. On it, Guinevere was propped up against some pillows, sweat still gleaming on her skin but looking oh so lovely. She was staring down at the little bundle swaddled in her arms with a look of total awe and joy. She looked up, finally noticing her husband's presence, and offered him a blinding smile of delight. He tiptoed around the bed and sat next to her so that he was in a better position to see their daughter.

She squirmed in her blanket trying to get comfortable, her tiny hands flailing. Her skin was still bright pink, but he could already tell she would be fair skinned like him. Her hair too, a little tuff of fuzz, was blond like his. Her eyes on the other hand were solely her mother's deep shade of chocolate brown. She yawned then, her tiny face tightening up and her eyes blinking and it was by far the most adorable thing Arthur had ever seen.

Gwen gently handed her over to Arthur's awaiting arms and he marveled at just how tiny she was.

"Hello Aurora." He cooed softly, tears slipping from his eyes without permission. They had picked the name out months ago, but it had never seemed quite real to Arthur. Not until just then.

Gwen glanced at the door expectantly, and Arthur realized someone was still missing.

"Merlin!" He called, getting an unhappy gurgle in response from Aurora.

Merlin's head poked through the doorway, checking to make sure it was safe to enter. Gwen beamed at him (actually she looked like she might be stuck with the happy expression on her face) and Arthur gently got off the bed still holding his daughter. Merlin looked almost as nervous as Arthur had been as the king walked over to him.

"Merlin, meet Aurora. Aurora, this is your uncle Merlin." Arthur said. Merlin's heart constricted happily at his new title as he smiled down at the new princess. Then Arthur surprised him by handing over the small bundle.

In his arms, Merlin got a good look at the princess.

"She's beautiful." Merlin said with awe.

"Yeah, she is." Arthur agreed, his chest swelling with pride.

"Good thing she looks like Gwen." He teased, but Arthur was in too good a mood to do anything but roll his eyes.

Merlin looked up and caught Arthur's gaze with his.

"Arthur Pendragon" He said suddenly very seriously, and the hairs on the back of Arthur's arms prickled as he felt magic stir in the room "I swear to you that I will protect this child with my magic, my body and my life until the day I die. As long as I live, she will never feel alone or afraid." Merlin's eyes flashed gold, sealing his oath. There was a time when the sight would have disturbed Arthur, but now he just reached out and placed his palm lovingly on Merlin's cheek.

"I know." He said, never breaking eye contact with the warlock. "That's why we've named you her godfather."

Merlin's eyes widened with surprise, then started to water suspiciously. He looked down at Aurora to try and hide his tears. He was grateful and honored beyond belief.

Aurora squirmed and there was a foul smell in the room.

Arthur grinned at him.

"And you can start your duties as godfather by changing your first dipper."

This time it was Merlin's turn to roll his eyes.

"Prat."


Thanks for reading! feel free to review!