I have no idea how to write out spells, so I won't even attempt too.
Merlin let his eyes glide into the great hall from the place where he sat. Arthur had redirected him to one of the chairs to keep as little weight as possible on his throbbing leg. When he woke up today, he was almost unable to move without hissing or groaning, but he needed to get out of bed and be present at the signing even while Arthur told him that he should just stay in bed.
Red cloaks mingled with deep green ones as the knights of both kingdoms entered the room and the Belsanian royals entering as last. A bright smile on their faces for the new treaty that would be signed within minutes, and Merlin couldn't help himself in revealing the smallest of smiles. This was truly the moment of truth, the moment the two royals would sign the treaty.
And in some hours King Charles and Prince Henry would attempt to heal his leg, but the uneasy feeling was still present in him and he couldn't shake the feeling off. He knew he could trust them, he. just. knew. it! but the feeling was not about that it would harm himself, but it were his children that he worried about the most. How would they react to the healing, would they feel any of it? Thoughts swirled through his mind but he willed them to stop and should let himself concentrate on the signing of the document.
He took a deep breath when he saw Arthur dip the quill in the deep black ink and drops of excess ink oozed out from the tip and back into the ink well. Arthur sneaked a quick glance back to his consort and the corners of his mouth quipped up. Merlin was so focused on the dripping of the ink that he almost missed the look, but gave a quick jerk of his head in response at which Arthur brought the quill down onto the parchment and the scratching of the tip could be heard throughout the whole hall, while he signed the treaty.
The moment of dread wasn't over just yet. The King of Belsana still needed to sign and Merlin held his breath once more as the quill was passed from one monarch to the other. Charles studied the parchment in front of him and Merlin's heart pounded against his rib cage. Seconds went slowly by until the moment finally came and King Charles signed the treaty with precision. Standing straight from his bent position he grabbed Arthur's lower arm in a firm grip as a sign of respect. An echo of cheers from manifested through the vast hall as the knights from both kingdoms were relieved the signing went unscathed.
Merlin pushed himself of the chair, clutching his stomach as the twins decided to join the festivities by moving around a lot. Arthur was at his side in seconds, concern voiced through the numerous questions he asked, with Merlin waving him off with a weak hand. Even if he was already up for a couple of hours, he felt so weak and tired, but he wanted, no needed, to stay awake. The King and Prince would perform the healing ceremony soon, but he knew he could never be awake for so long. His husband seemed to sense it and at the same time kept him upright. He motioned Lancelot and Gwaine and his personal servant Sam towards to them.
"Merlin, sweetheart. Take some rest in our chambers."
"But what about-"
"I'll wake you in time. Please do this for me." Arthur said softly, pressing a kiss on his consort's temple and bringing Merlin's hand over into Gwaine's while Lancelot gripped the other side.
"Please bring him to our chambers."
Both knights nodded and Sam trailed behind them as Arthur watched them escort his love out of the great hall and only when he didn't saw him anymore he made his way back to the Belsanian monarchs to apologize for Merlin's sudden absence. They could understand and asked if everything was alright at which Arthur assured them that his consort was tired, but would be ready for the healing.
He then turned to the knights and representatives present in the room. "Camelot and Belsana, allied in peace! Let us celebrate by a feast tomorrow night!"
~oOoOo~
Two hours later, Arthur made his way to his chamber and opening the doors revealed his consort lying in bed with one hand above the duvet, protectively placed on his stomach. Smiling at the sight Arthur crouched down at the bed and started to run a hand through the raven black hair. Softly calling Merlin's name.
After a few tries, there was finally a response of Merlin by a soft groan and moving his head deeper in the pillow in a way that said that he'd like to keep where he was and not to be woken.
"Merlin, it's time…"
"M'sleepy."
Arthur chuckled. "I know you are and you can get some more sleep later. The King and Prince are already waiting."
Merlin's eyelids started to flutter ever so slightly. "M'not dressed yet, don't want to disrespect." His eyelids cracked open to reveal his husband now sitting on the side of the bed, caressing the bump through the thick duvet and a smile gracing his lips.
"I don't think they'll mind that. Can I call them in?" A nod of Merlin's head made him stand up and opening the door to reveal the two monarchs already standing and waiting. Just like Merlin, Prince Henry would stand with hands present on his belly, whether it was intentional or just a subconsciously thing, Arthur doesn't know.
Lancelot and Gwaine stood a bit on the left, together with Gaius. Whispering stuff to each other but ceased conversation once the doors opened.
"He's ready." Was all Arthur said and both royals nodded, walking in the room to find Merlin having pressed himself up against the headboard and a pillow put behind his back for personal comfort. A worried look did cover his face though and Arthur quickly made his way to the bed again to sit besides him and comfort him to his best abilities.
The two knights and Gaius hovered at the back of the chamber and were keeping their distance, but still close enough would it be necessary to intervene.
"Lord Merlin-" Charles began but Merlin cut him short.
"Please, just Merlin."
"Alright. Merlin, I'm sure you must be afraid of what will happen, but I can't press enough that neither of us try to harm you or your unborn children. Not when we just signed a peace treaty. Will you allow us to use our magic to heal your wound?"
Merlin looked at the four familiar faces and subconsciously started to caress his stomach. He looked at the two knights and probably his two best friends. They stood in readiness, their thumbs already resting at the hilt of their swords and the rest of their fingers placed on the scabbard. If it was needed, they had their swords out within the second. Merlin looked at both of them and gave a short jerk of his head before moving to look at his old mentor and guardian. As always the man appeared calm, hands clasped in front of his maroon coloured robe. He gave Gaius just a small smile.
As last he looked up to his husband who had put a reassuring arm around him and placed his other hand over one of Merlin's that rested on his growing stomach. He could feel Arthur's fast pulse through his skin and Merlin knew Arthur was just as scared about this all as he was. But then Merlin glanced to the two monarchs and it just felt… good. He didn't feel his magic flutter underneath his skin like it would whenever it sensed danger, it was calm and serene.
One final look to Arthur told him that he was ready and the King as well as the prince strode forward once Arthur told them that Merlin was ready.
"My lord." Charles started looking at Arthur. "I have to ask you to come stand by us. It will not bode well when someone beside us touches Merlin once the healing will start, our magic won't be able to focus entirely at your consort."
With a pained look, but full of understanding Arthur placed a kiss on Merlin's temple before standing up and standing behind the King and Prince. Merlin looked slightly distressed when the King brought his hand up and touched the skin of his forehead and his eyes changed into a bright golden colour. Immediately Merlin's eyes started to slid closed as well as his whole body went limp and sagged down onto the matrass.
"What's happening! What did you do…" Arthur began, voice rising and Lancelot and Gwaine already taking a cautious step forward but Gaius held out his arm, stopping them in their tracks and just shook his head to the two knights.
"Forgive me, but during the healing it's best that Merlin is not aware of it. From what I gathered from the Court Physician the wound is deep, almost against the bone. Even with magic it will hurt far too much for a person to cope with."
"Oh." Arthur answered, ashamed of himself for jumping too quick to the wrong conclusion.
The King took this as a sign to continue and he as his son placed their hands around the wound as Henry had pushed the blanket away just enough to reveal the bit of skin of Merlin's left leg.
Arthur held his breath as he saw both King and Prince closing their eyes and concentrating deeply. For a few seconds nothing happened, but then the two royals started chanting words of the Old Religion, words of a language that was not understandable to Arthur. Every time Merlin would use them he would look in awe, but now he was far too much worrying for the wellbeing of the three persons that mean the most to him.
The chanting grew stronger and harder with tendrils of gold settling around the hands of the monarchs and seeping deep into the skin of the leg. Even when unconscious, Merlin started to moan and trash his head. Small drops of sweat started to appear on his head and all Arthur wanted to do is stop the monarchs what they're doing and wanting to comfort his husband by holding him in his arms. He was almost ready to do it when he felt a gentle arm put on his own and looking to the side he saw Gaius standing next to him and telling him softly that this is how the spell worked.
When the older man precisely came to stand next to him, was unknown to Arthur, he didn't even notice much at this point to be honest, he was far too concentrated on his consort who could barely keep lying still.
And then there was silence. The chanting stopped and the King and Prince took their hands from the place where the wound used to be.
"It is complete."
Arthur rushed forward, glancing to the place of the old wound and to his astonishment the skin was completely healed, not even a scar or light coloured tissue was noticeable. He raised his eyes up to look at Merlin's face. He was still breathing a bit heavily but he started to calm down once Arthur spoke to him.
"You did it, you were great. I knew you could do it." Arthur frowned and looked back at the two royals. "Why doesn't he wake?"
"The sleeping spell will wear off soon Arthur." Henry said. "In a few hours Merlin should be awake."
"And the wound… is it healed now?"
"We will know for sure when Merlin wakes up. We don't want to give you false hope." Henry replied.
"We will leave you alone with him." The King said and took his son by the arm and guiding him out the room, with the two knights trailing behind them. Gaius stood a few moments longer to look at his former ward before he decided to give the King and his consort some privacy. He had to inform Hunith on how it progressed. She wanted to be in the room when the healing would take place, but Gaius had advised her not too which she wasn't really happy with but understood nevertheless.
Turning around to close the door, he saw a glimpse of Arthur covering Merlin in the warmth of the blanket and leaning forward with his hands prominent on his consort's stomach to leave a kiss on Merlin's hair.
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