Chapter 3

Merlin

I watched my nearly two year old children from the bottom of the cliff. I felt terrible. Awful. How else should I feel? Watching my kids about to jump off the edge! They had been quite a handful. Protectors and knights constantly had to chase them to keep them out of trouble. They loved to prank. I don't even know how two year olds were able to be so much trouble. Their armlets glittered in the sunlight. The druids insisted on adorning them with the customary armlet that was worn by all magical royals of Camelot.

'Go on. If I don't catch you, your father will!' Aria said cheerily, her wings unfurled protectively as were my children's. They had the same beautiful black wings.

'Just… feel the wind?' Vira asked unsurely. Aria nodded and then she beamed, grabbing Wolf's hand.

They took a flying leap off the edge and my heart plummeted instantly. Their large wings blocked out the sun as they spread out and flapped frantically. Wolf faltered. In that one moment, his balance was flipped and I threw out my arms, ready to cast a spell to save his life but Vira reached out her little arms and held onto her brother's arm, tricolor eyes filled with fear.

Aria flew down and righted our son and then… they flew. I couldn't help but smile at them. That's when a powerful magic hit me and it came from Camelot.

'Merlin!' Arthur screamed the moment we arrived back in the castle. Gwen screamed and another wave of magic hit me. He grabbed me and shoved me into the room. The first thing I saw was Gwen and a lot of blood. It was messy and god-awful, I will never un-see that… Then Vervain grabbed me. Everyone was grabbing me today.

Gwen pushed and there was a pulse of magic… no way… It's not possible. Vervain's face showed all her emotions, fear, confusion, determination. 'Help me!' She demanded, clutching at her overdue tummy.

'Excuse me? Do I look like a midwife?' I demanded right back. I don't want to do this wrong… I'm a man and not a healer… I'm not qualified to birth babies even if I did live with Gaius for years!

'I just need you to send a surge of magic into Gwen. The baby won't be born unless it feels the magic and I'm so damn pregnant, magic is dangerous for me to use!' She cried in frustration. Gwen called out for me, tears of pain streaming down her face. Her hand reached out and I grabbed it, sending my magic into her with careful concentration. It was never a good idea to mess with magic in the birthing room…

But I didn't screw it up it seems because then there was a cry. Pure and innocent. Vervain picked up the bloody, slippery thing and cleaned it. I just held Gwen's hand and comforted her. 'Thank you, Merlin.' She breathed as Arthur burst into the room Lyra and Damien running beside him, eager for a look at the new baby. I moved away.

Arthur took her hand instead and Vervain placed the baby in my arms, leaving me no room to say anything. I looked down at the magical child. I grinned. Lyra had her father's blue eyes and blonde hair. Damien, while having blue eyes got dark hair. But the little girl in front of him had golden locks and innocent brown eyes that spoke of love and warmth. Arthur looked at me and then at his child. I held her out to him.

'What was wrong? Vervain just yelled to get you.' Arthur asked, cradling his baby girl.

'Witches and warlocks… they will refuse to be born unless they are able to feel the presence of magic. Vervain couldn't use hers and she doesn't trust anyone else so she got me.' I told him, hinting strongly at what this suggested. He furrowed his brows, confused.

'Your youngest is a witch.' Vervain said bluntly.

'What?' Arthur exclaimed, missing the look of excitement in his children's eyes. 'Impossible.'

'I thought about it… but it's not.' I admitted. There was one way… 'You were born of magic… it must have resided in you until it chose to flow into one of your children…'

'She really has magic? Will you teach her, Merlin?' Gwen asked from the bed, too tired to move though she looked with pride upon her littlest girl. I nodded and beamed. How could I refuse?

'Can I hold her, Father?' Lyra asked boldly, reaching her three year old hands up for her little sister. Arthur shook the shock from his system and wordlessly placed the baby gently into Lyra's arms. She rocked the child and she giggled, waving her arms.

Damien came forward with a smile and touched her cheek very gently. 'She's so soft.' He said in wonder, touching the baby girl's hair and face. 'What's her name?'

Arthur froze and cocked his head sheepishly. 'I don't know what kinds of names are given to magical children. Gwen?' He asked my old friend. She shook her head helplessly.

'Merlin?' He asked me. I spluttered and looked at the child, stumped.

'Liath.' And Damien blushed while Lyra grinned and cooed at her sister.

'Fitting.' Vervain commented, patting the little two year old on the head.

'Liath then, it sounds beautiful.' Arthur said, smiling down upon his children.

Vervain

I won't lie. I couldn't wait to give birth. I couldn't wait for the pain and the screaming to begin. I just wanted to get this over with. But no… the little one inside me just had to make me wait. I was in extreme discomfort. Why wouldn't I be? I was a month overdue! I had just delivered Safira's little Kathlin yesterday. Lancelot was over the moon.

When my water broke the first thing I screamed was 'Finally!' And Gwaine barked a small laugh before screaming for Gaius and the healers.

I allowed one of my healers to give me the small surge of magic when I figured out that my child had magic. I only did different for Liath because she was a princess of Camelot. Daemon came into the room when my child cried out. She only stopped crying when Gwaine rocked her. She was certainly very troublesome. 'Nuala.' I spoke softly smiling at a new princess. She would have my powers. She was the Princess of Nature.

'Can I carry her?' Daemon asked with a calm demeanor and Gwaine smiled, showing him how to hold my girl. Daemon took his sister into his arms with the utmost care and I knew instantly, he loved her even if it didn't show on his face. She looked past her pale hair at him with silver eyes and she wailed loudly. Gwaine winced and reached for Nuala but I held his arm and tugged him back.

Daemon cradled her and rocked her gently, his face now soft with a very slight curve to his lips. 'Hush, Nuala. I'll take care of you.' My two year old son said, holding his sister protectively to his chest. And I lay back contentedly.

Morgana

'Aunt Morgana, look!' Lyra called out to me, a little bundle giggling in her arms. I smiled. My niece was so cute. Akvai grinned up from his book as Damien greeted him. Gwen entered my room, Aria and her twins trailing behind her. I looked at the small child that was dumped into my arms. She laughed at me with soft eyes and golden hair. I felt magic emanating from her.

'Your third, Gwen? I heard from Merlin that this one scared him out of his mind. Little Liath, correct?' I asked, smiling at the child. I didn't go out often. People hated me for good reason. Most accepted my son even if some did not, he often wandered and played with the other children but came back often in between to keep me company. He was a sweet boy.

Few people visited me but the Kings and Queens did as did their children. 'Yes, Arthur is very happy and the druids are excited to find that one of Arthur's children is born with magic. Where is Merlin today by the way, haven't seen him all day.' Gwen said, speaking to me then turning to Aria.

'Dad's blue!' Vira piped up with a giggle.

'Uncle Arthur's pink!' Wolf laughed, his wings unfurling slightly.

'So he's in the stocks…' Aria concluded, smacking her palm to her face. 'Why am I not surprised…?'

Gwen and I laughed. It felt nice to have friends again. It felt nice to have a home and a son who loved me. All I wanted now was to protect him. That was my only purpose now. Why be Queen when I can be a mother after all?