So this is what I produced. I don't really find it all that good. I don't know why, but I struggled to write this. I think writers block is starting to hit, but I will definitely persevere. I realized I should have put the first little paragraph with the last chapter, but when I wrote it I couldn't decide at the time, so I left it for this chapter. To me, it seems kind of out of place, but I was keeping it, so I just started with it. Whatever. Give me reviews and such. I love getting them! :) I am still amazed at the amount of followers and favs. Thanks guys! XD

I'm also thinking I'm going to do a one-shot of preggers Merlin. I have one written out. I might post it tonight as well, so look for it on my profile.

"Does anyone care to explain what the bloody hell is going on?" Gwaine exclaimed.

Both Arthur and Merlin looked to each other before Merlin looked resigned and said, "We'd better do this somewhere secure. Let's go to mine and Arthur' chambers. You might as well send for the other knights and Gwen as well. Get Gaius too or he'll have my head for not inviting him as well. This way I only have to say everything once."

Everyone just stood there, too anxious to do anything.

"Well, what are you waiting for! Go!" Merlin yelled.

Percival and Gwaine then fled from the room to get the others.

"Are you sure you want to do this? You don't have to, especially in front of them."

Merlin just sighed. "I know, but this is something they all need to hear. I don't want to repeat myself either. It's time you all know what happened four years ago."

All Arthur could pray for was that Merlin didn't relapse into the shell of a man he was four years ago or there would be hell to pay.

Arthur helped Merlin get to their chambers. Merlin was still shaky from his encounter with Ward and leaned on Arthur heavily. Arthur suspected it also had something to do with what happened four years ago. Arthur knows how hard this is for Merlin to discuss and so allowed Merlin to take his time getting to their chambers. By the time they arrived, everyone else was already there, standing, waiting for the royals to arrive. When he and Arthur entered, Gwen and Gaius were the first to react and instantly went to Merlin' side.

"Oh my god! Are you alright Merlin? What happened? Do you need to sit? Sit. Here's a chair." Gwen rushed.

Merlin just waved Gwen aside, saying nothing in return.

Gaius just raised an eyebrow and asked Merlin if he or Arthur had any injuries.

"No Gaius, we are both physically fine," Arthur said for the both of them. "If I can get you all to sit down, then we can get started."

Everyone looked nervous, but sat down anyways. Arthur lead Merlin over to their bed and sat him down. He then went towards the door to shut and lock it.

"Merlin, if you wouldn't mind, could you, you know," Arthur hinted, wiggling his fingers at Merlin.

Merlin grinned slightly before remaining stone-faced and uttered a spell to make sure no one could hear into the room. "Heorcnian Hierdan!"

Merlin gave a nod to Arthur to let him know the room was now secured.

"Alright, now the reason we have brought you all here today was because of an incident that has occurred in the throne room whilst listening to our people speak their minds. It has something to do with what happened four years ago."

Arthur watched as everyone adopted worried and fearful looks, while occasionally glancing at Merlin. Most of the people here were present during Merlin' attack and those who weren't had seen the aftermath of Merlin while he was recovering. It was bad and they all knew it.

"Merlin asked me to gather you all here today because..." Arthur was cut off as Merlin interrupted.

"That's enough Arthur. You don't need to do all the talking here. I have asked you all here today because I am going to tell you all about what really happened four years ago. All the details and why I acted the way I did. I don't want anyone to interrupt me while I'm talking or I won't finish. Can you all agree to do that?"

Everyone around the room all nodded their heads. Arthur went and sat on the bed beside Merlin, wrapping his arm around him for comfort. Merlin leaned into Arthur as he began his tale.

"It all started when me and Arthur were walking back to our chambers after the council meeting. I don't really know how it happened, but it was like I was distorted from reality. Suddenly I wasn't in Camelot anymore. I was in Ealdor and I wasn't in my body. I was seeing and hearing from another. That was the man who showed up in the throne room today. He was the dark sorcerer from back then. Now as I was saying..."

As Merlin proceeded to tell everyone about what happened, down to every last excruciating detail, everyone's faces were morphed from terror, to pity, to anger by the end of his tale.

"...And after he had finished my mother off, I found myself on the floor in Arthur' arms and suddenly falling into labour. By the way, where is Kalia? She was with you last, Gwen."

"Oh, I left her with Mary, the cook. She seemed fine with having Kalia' help with the cooking," Gwen said.

"Good. That's fine," Merlin said.

Arthur decided he should be the one to inform everyone of what happened in the throne room.

"Alright. Now I will tell you what happened in the throne room," Arthur started.

Merlin went to interrupt Arthur, but Arthur saw this coming and shushed him saying, "You've done enough today. I'll tell them what happened."

Merlin quietly nodded and clung to Arthur tighter, seeking his comfort, which Arthur gladly gave, holding him tighter and continued on.

"So I had just arrived at the throne room, after getting our rambunctious daughter into the bath, when Merlin informed me we had one villager left. I took my place beside him and called for the guards to let him in..."

When Arthur had finished, everyone sat quietly, not quite sure what to say to Merlin. Finally it was Gwaine who spoke up.

"So that mook in the throne roomed killed your mother. Why didn't you kill him when you had the chance? I know I would have."

Merlin looked up and Gwaine noticed that tears were staring to form.

"I did," he whispered. "A little after he first came in, I tried to, but I didn't expect him to have magic other than the magic he used on me. When you and Percival came in, I was still in a bit of shock and wasn't really thinking rationally until it was too late and Ward had disappeared."

"And nobody here blames you for him getting away. Isn't that right, Gwaine," Arthur growled at the knight.

Gwaine looked sheepish and replied, "Of course. I wasn't implying that it was Merlin' fault. None of this is his fault. I just though an almighty sorcerer like him wouldn't have had a problem getting rid of that filth."

Merlin just turned toward Arthur, his face in his neck and whispered, "Even I make mistakes."

Only Arthur heard him and glared fiercely at Gwaine, wishing he'd hold his tongue. Gwaine backed away from him and remained silent.

"So, what do we do now?" Leon asked.

"Now we find this monster and we kill him before he comes after Merlin again. I'm not letting this crazed sorcerer hurt my husband again!" Arthur announced.

Everyone nodded their heads in agreement.

"So where do we start?" Gwen asked.

"I think for right now, we should all take a break and return to this tomorrow afternoon. Merlin needs some rest. And we all need some time to digest the information we've just been given," Gaius replied.

When no one moved, Gaius said in a stern voice, "Everyone out!"

Percival and Gwaine tried to resist, but Gaius just raised an eyebrow at them and they backed off.

Once everyone left the room, leaving Arthur and Merlin alone, Arthur said to Merlin, "I wish you had told me this before. Then maybe I could have done something and protected you better."

"You couldn't have done anything. It's nobodies fault but mine," Arthur went to protest, but Merlin stopped him. "I don't want to hear it Arthur. I should have invited my mother to stay with us a month ago, but I was too busy with matters here, that I forgot. She ended up paying the price and for that, I will forever blame myself."

Arthur looked down at Merlin with sadness. He knew nothing he said to Merlin would get through that thick head of his and kept his mouth shut, when an idea formed.

"How about we have an official funeral for Hunith. We can make a headstone as well, so you can finally say your goodbyes. This could help you to let go of the guilt your harbouring for no reason and put her to rest. It would help everyone else cope as well. Wasn't she and Gaius close? This way everyone can grieve for her and finally get some peace."

While Merlin didn't want to have to say goodbye again and relive everything that happened, he knew what Arthur was saying was true. He should put her to rest and let everyone else grieve. She wasn't just his mother. Gaius held her dearly and he knew Gwen had also gotten close to her. It was for the best he thought.

"Alright. Let's do it."

Arthur smiled. "Good. But how about we get some sleep now."

Merlin just smiled in return while Arthur helped him into his night clothes. While Arthur changed into his night clothes as well, Merlin had snuggled down into the bed, awaiting his husband. Merlin' eyes had just closed when he felt Arthur' arm wrap around and pull him close.

"Goodnight my love. Sleep well."

"Goodnight." Merlin replied.

Arthur heard Merlin' breath even out and knew that he had fallen asleep. His thoughts were racing though and his worry for Merlin' health and safety stuck with him.

'I just hope this doesn't undo all the progress of the last four years. I want my carefree Merlin back.' Arthur thought, finally closing his eyes.

Translation for the spell:

Heorcnian Hierdan- listen and fortify

Not sure if I used these right and couldn't figure out the words I needed so this was what I came up with to make sure the room was soundproof. I just kind of added the two words in this order, so I'm not sure if I punctuated correctly.

Thanks for reading!

...til next time