Disclaimer, I don't own Merlin unfortunately.
Ok, so this is the next chapter and the little girl's name is pronounced 'ay-wa', like the mythical entity thing in Avatar with Sam Worthington.
Arthur couldn't ever remember seeing something as perfect as the beautiful child that was nestled softly in his arms.
The hour old girl was currently swaddled in the blanket that read 'little prince', an ironic twist of events that Merlin had not failed to laugh at before he fell asleep.
The brunet was lay next to Arthur on his side, curled up in the sheets with a hand resting in his now empty stomach. Gaius had stitched him up with minimum fuss before stating that they should get some sleep. Merlin had succumbed almost instantly to the call of dreams, drifting off after kissing their daughter lovingly on the head and pressing a hand to Arthur's face softly muttering a small "thank you", what he was thankful for though Arthur wasn't sure, if anything, Arthur felt as if he should be saying thank you, Merlin had given him the most perfect child, a baby girl.
The youngster gurgled happily in her sleep, bringing one tiny fist up to her face as her mouth stretched in a 'o' as she yawned. Arthur smiled indulgently, feeling his heart melt just a little bit more before he bought his index finger up to her face, brushing away a strand of golden hair that had fallen in her face.
The small child gripped her father's finger in a surprisingly tight grip for one so young, before burrowing deeper into her blanket and drifting off to sleep.
Arthur, content just to look at her, stayed awake, still slightly worried about the blood loss from the operation. Checking the brunette as frequently as he checked their perfect little daughter, he brushed soft gold hair from his little girls face, asking the heavens how he ended up so lucky.
He woke suddenly the next morning as he heard a crash and a small groan of pain. Bolting upright the king quickly lay their daughter in the centre of the bed before standing and assessing the room.
Seeing his husband toppled on the ground by the bed sent shivers down the blond's side as he rushed to aid his husband.
Pulling him back up to the bed the king carefully settled his husband on the pillows next to their little girl before lifting his night shirt and checking the stitches.
"They've torn." he said solemnly, watching as red rivulets dripped steadily from the puncture wounds.
Arthur carefully dragged the white linen shirt back down to cover the wounds before he walked over to the door and stuck his head out, calling over the nearest guard and asking him to summon Gaius, quickly.
Turning back into the room and closing the door behind him. Smiling softly as he saw his husband cradling their daughter in his arms and cooing to him softly, he walked over quietly.
"Shhh, little one. It shall all be fine, me and daddy are going to look after you, and you'll be so happy and loved."
Merlin smiled at his daughter and kissed her forehead lovingly, heart close to bursting at her perfection as she watched her small face scrunch up and her mouth stretch into an 'o' as she yawned.
Arthur slipped into the bed next to Merlin, wrapping his arms around the brunet and kissing his neck lovingly, "you know we shall have to think of a name." he said, smiling adoringly at their child.
"I don't think I shall ever tire of looking at her." Merlin said softly, stroking the back of one of his fingers along her cheek. "She is so perfect Arthur, thank you so much."
"You keep saying that," Arthur began, rubbing soothing circles into Merlins neck "but I think it is I who should be thanking you; you have me the most perfect daughter and the most amazing family, and I love you." he said softly.
"As I love you." Merlin replied, turning his head and softly pressing his lips to the blondes. The kiss was soft and new in a strange kind o way, as if the addition of the young princess had deepened their bond in inexplicable ways.
They parted when they heard the door open and Gaius walked in, medical bag in hand and a look of worry etched on his face.
"Merlin my boy, how fare you?"
"I tore my stitches Gaius," Merlin smiled in a guilty way at the old physician, smiling as the older man rolled his eyes.
Gaius shooed Arthur off the bed and quickly lifted the small wiggling child from the brunet's arms and into the blonds, ears deaf to the warlock's protests.
"Lie flat back." Gaius commanded, lifting Merlins shirt after he had followed his command and lain down.
Gaius tutted as he took in the sight of the torn stitches, immediately getting to work on repairing them.
"Names." Merlin prompted as Gaius tugged on a stitch causing him to wince.
"I would like something Druid." Arthur said after a moment's silence, Merlin turning his head sharply from examining Gaius' handiwork to stare at his king, shocked.
"Really?"
"Honestly."
The answering smile that Merlin threw him was worth it all, lighting up the space between them with a love to pure for words.
"Awyr." Merlin said and Arthur tried the name out a few times, rolling it around his tongue and tasting it on his lips.
"I love it." he said, smiling at the small child in his arms. "Awyr, my daughter Awyr." her blue eyes opened at the sound of her fathers voice, small fist reaching for him and clenching tightly as she grasped his finger.
"what does it mean?" he asked the brunet, not even bothering to tear his eyes from the now sleeping little girl.
"Air, it means air." Merlin said softly as Gaius pulled his shirt down over his now healed stitches.
"I think it is definitely befitting of a princess." Gaius said, taking the little girl from the blonds arms before moving her to the bed and unwrapping her from the blanket.
"I just need to check that everything is okay with little one." he explained, tickling her small tummy and making her wiggle and squirm.
Both parents waited anxiously as Gaius preformed his checks, sighing in relief as the physician wrapped the baby back in the blanket and handing her back to a nervous Merlin.
"Ten fingers and toes, all healthy and if I'm not correct, a touch of magic in her." Gaius smirked as Merlin beamed and began to croon over his daughter, pride radiating from his very bones.
Arthur smiled as well, remembering how far he and Merlin had come from the beginning, how much he now loved the magic that was a part of his husband and how he would love the magic that was a part of their daughter.