A/N: Sorry it's late. Thanks for the lovely reviews! :) Enjoy this chapter :)
Arwen4eva xxx
The morning is a bit of a blur. Waking up, getting dressed, having breakfast, making sure I have everything, mounting my horse, setting off and here we are. Midday resting for a while whilst we eat our lunch.
"How much further would you say it is Merlin?" I ask.
"No more than about an hours ride I should think." I smile and nod at him.
"Thank you for this Merlin."
"What do you mean?"
"Giving me the chance to see my husband again and Arthur the chance to meet his father."
"It's nothing really. I'm helping a friend out."
"You're doing more than that Merlin." little Arthur says. I look at him.
"Am I?"
"It means more to me than you will ever know. You know what."
"What?" Merlin says.
"When I rule the army, I am going to make you a knight." My mouth drops open and so does Merlin's.
"Why?" he asks.
"Because you are the bestest friend that anyone could ask for Merlin and, you are the bravest man out of everyone and the bravest I will ever know." A tear rolls down Merlin's cheek. He stands and takes hold of our bowls.
"We should be going now if we want to get there in time." I stand taking little Arthur's hand.
"Come on mister." I take him over to his horse and help him get on. I mount my own just as Merlin ties the rest of the supplies onto his and we set off to our destination. The Stones of Nematon.
Merlin stops and we all look into the distance.
"There they are, the Stones of Nematon. We should tether the horses here and walk there." We all dismount and I take the horn of Cathbad in one hand and little Arthur's hand in the other. We begin to walk behind Merlin. I squeeze little Arthur's hand. I can't believe I will see Arthur again. After all this time.
"Mother, are you ok?" I look down at little Arthur releasing the grip on his hand.
"Yes, I'm fine. Great even."
"Then why are you squeezing my hand?"
"I guess I'm just a bit nervous I suppose. It's been 9 years since I last saw your father."
"You shouldn't be nervous. I am the one who should be nervous. In fact I am nervous."
"Sweetheart, you have no need to be nervous do you." I say as I give his hand a reassuring squeeze.
"I have never met father before. You have spent years with him. I wish I could have done that but I am so glad you have agreed to this mother." I smile at him and wrap my arm around his shoulder.
"He is going to love you as much as I do Arthur."
"I know." We reach the stones. I look at Merlin who smiles at little Arthur and I.
"Just blow the horn and a light will appear. Walk into the light and from then it is up to you. But remember, what ever you do. Do NOT look back as you return."
"What happens if we do look back?" little Arthur asks.
"Your fathers spirit will be released into our world."
"That doesn't sound bad." I say.
"Yes, I know. But you will then have to send him back and as you are blowing the horn Gwen, only you can do it. It will be really hard for you to do something like that."
"It would be more than hard." I say simply. I look down at little Arthur. "Are you ready mister?" He nods.
"Yes I am."
"Here we go then." We walk into the centre of the stones. I take a deep breath and blow the horn. At first nothing occurs but then a huge bright light surrounds us. Arthur takes the first steps and as instructed, we walk into the light.
After walking through the light, little Arthur stops.
"What is it?" I say. He lifts a finger and I look to where he is pointing. It's like there is a shadow moving towards us then he appears. Wearing his simple white shirt, smiling at me. I let go of little Arthur's hand and walk towards him.
"Arthur?" His smile deepens.
"Hello Guinevere."
"I've missed you."
"And I you." He places his hand on my cheek. He's surprisingly warm. I have really missed his warm body against mine. I place my hand over his as a tear rolls down my cheek. "Come here." He opens his arms and I dive into them. "It's so nice to have you in my arms again Guinevere."
"It's just nice to see you again." I feel him burrow his face into my hair and kiss my neck. I give out a small breathy laugh and pull back. "Would you like meet your son Arthur?" He smiles at me then sees little Arthur standing silently behind us.
"Come on mister. Come and meet your father." I say holding my hand out to him. Reluctantly, he takes my hand and stands beside me. Arthur crouches down in front of him and puts his hand on his shoulder.
"Hello son."
"Hello father." Arthur looks up to me and smiles.
"I've been watching over you and you are becoming a very good swordsman."
"Merlin helps me out. He is actually quite good with a sword without the need of his magic." Arthur's smile disappears slightly but then reappears.
"Merlin. Good with a sword? I doubt that but he is a brave man, a very brave man."
"Am I?" We all turn around to see Merlin standing behind us. Arthur stands up.
"Despite everything Merlin, yes you are a very brave man. The bravest in fact. Perhaps braver than I ever was."
"Thank you Sire. ...I am sorry that I couldn't save you. I didn't want to use my magic because then I could prove to you that magic wasn't everyth-"
"I understand. I do Merlin. Don't worry about it. But I want to say... Thank you for everything, old friend."
"Arthur. I know I kept my secret from you. From Gwen. I had always wondered what it would have been like if I had told you earlier about who I am. Then when Camlann came along, I had the most important reason why I couldn't go with you at the start. I desperately wanted to."
"What reason was that?"
"Morgana had found a way to cleanse me of my magic and I had to get it back." Merlin seems very tense and so does Arthur. "I had to travel to the Crystal Cave, the birthplace of magic. I met my father there."
"Merlin, your father is dead plus you said that you've never met him."
"I lied. ...the dragonlord Balinor, he is my father. I'm the last dragonlord."
"So that means you got rid of the dragon at Camlann."
"Yes, that was Aithusa. Kilgharrah the Great Dragon is dead now. He was old but helped me take you to Avalon after you died. One last deed."
"You saved my life so many times yet never sought any credit."
"I did it to keep you safe not for the credit. I felt all alone as if I were a monster but having my friends. I didn't feel so alone anymore."
"You've never been alone Merlin." I say.
"You have always been a dear friend Merlin. That'll never change." Arthur says. He then looks down at little Arthur again. "You look after him Arthur. Merlin always needs someone."
"It would be my pleasure father." Arthur ruffles his hair slightly making little Arthur laugh.
"Here mister." I hand him the horn of Cathbad. "Be careful with it."
"I will mother." He then walks off and stands by Merlin and Arthur holds me closer to him.
"I am extremely proud of you, my Guinevere."
"How come?"
"You were brave enough to do what I couldn't and something my father was too scared to do. You lifted the ban on magic."
"I did it for you Arthur. After what Merlin told me, I gave it a good thought and did it for you. I knew it was what you would have wanted." He pulls me in for a hug.
"Thank you." I hold him close to me. I don't want to leave him. To make the most of the moment I draw back and kiss him. When he withdraws I look into his eyes. Crystal blue just as I remember them. So gorgeous! I kiss him again but when he tries to draw back, I refuse to let him. I cling to his lips and bring my hands to the nape of his neck and fiddle with his hair. I feel him caress my back, my waist, my arms and finally my cheek.
When finally the need for air dawns on us, we have to withdraw. I bring my hands to his cheeks and begin to gently stroke them.
"I wish you could just come back with us Arthur."
"Believe me Guinevere, if it were possible it would have happened many years ago." I press my face into his chest trying to prevent tears that are wanting to fall.
"I really don't want to leave you. Please don't make me leave you."
"Guinevere. I wish you could stay, but if you do, you will be forever trapped in the world of the dead."
"It would mean that I am with you."
"You must live for the sake of Camelot." He takes my face in his hands forcing me to look at him. "And for the sake of our son Guinevere." I look behind us to see Merlin with his arm around little Arthur's shoulders. He smiles at me and I smile back.
"I have to go?"
"Yes but you know I will always love you and I will always be with you." he takes my hand in his and places it over my heart. "In here." I give out a breathy laugh.
"Mister, come here." Little Arthur comes over to me and holds my hand. "Say ...Say goodbye to your father." I let go of his hand and step back.
"I'm so glad I got the chance to meet you father. You are exactly as Uncle Leon and Uncle Percival described. You are the best father anyone could wish for." Arthur kneels down and I notice a tear falling down his face.
"You are the best son I could have ever asked for Arthur. I know one day, you are going to be a remarkable King. Just as remarkable as your mother is."
"I promise you father that I will look after mother. Not just for me but for you as well."
"Thank you my boy, I know you will." Arthur pulls him in for a hug.
"I love you father." A tear rolls down my cheek.
"I love you too, Arthur." Little Arthur draws back and walks back over to Merlin. Arthur stands up, takes my hands in his and begins to stroke small circles on the back of them.
"Will I ever be able to see you again?" I say, holding back more tears.
"Perhaps one day Guinevere." I look into his eyes. "You take care of our son. Teach him all that you taught me."
"What did I teach you?"
"How everyone is equal. That if I follow my heart, I will know the right answer. You taught me to trust in myself. The list could go on." A smile forms on my lips. "There." he says tracing my smile with his finger. "That's the smile I know and love."
"I love you so much Arthur."
"I love you too Guinevere. Now go, live the rest of your life. Take care of our son."
"I will make you proud."
"You don't need to. I am already proud of you." I kiss his cheek and whisper into his ear.
"Promise me something."
"Anything."
"Try and talk to me once in a while, please."
"Of course." I withdraw and take a few steps back still looking at him.
"Thank you Arthur. For everything."
"No Guinevere. Thank you for being the most trustworthy woman and the most wonderful wife a man could ever know and love." I take one last look at Arthur - my Arthur - and turn to our son.
"Come on mister. Let's go home." He takes a hold of my hand and we begin to walk back the way we had come. I fight every instinct I have to look back at Arthur.
"I will always love you." I hear Arthur say as we step back into the centre of the stones.