By next morning everything was sorted Leon and Elyan had moved Gwen, Freya and Will to hotel. Hunith decided she wanted her uncle there so he stayed. They told everyone that long-lost relative was coming to see Hunith. She still hadn't told her son although Gaius had guessed. Just before she left for the airport Gaius pulled her to one side "You need to tell him Hunith, give him some chance to get used to the idea."
"I can't! what if Merlin won't stay, no it can wait until we're here and don't you dare tell him." she hissed "Just trust me to know him best, he is my son."
Gaius raised his eyebrow "I don't think you are being fair to him, But I won't say anything"
Gwaine drove Hunith and Arthur to the airport and Gwaine waited in the car as the other two went inside. As the passengers started to come through from the incoming China flight Hunith looked at Arthur worry clear on her face. "Do I look alright, after all I'm a lot older, and will he recognise me?"
Arthur smiled "You look just great Hunith." they had finally started using first names. "Don't forget he's older to."
It was then that Hunith saw her long-lost love. He was taller than most of the passengers and his long hair and beard gave him away instantly even if she hadn't recognised him. She went still unable to move or say anything. Arthur noticed and waved his hand "Mr Dragoon over here"
Balinor looked up and saw Hunith his face broke into a very nervous looking grin and he moved towards them. "I'll be in the car" Arthur told her and left the two to be reunited in private.
Balinor picked Hunith up and hugged her burying his face in her hair "I never thought I'd see you again" he murmured "I love you so much, I've thought of you every day."
Hunith was crying tears of joy as she hugged him back "Why didn't you come home or send for me?" She knew the answer, they had discussed this the day before on the phone "You great lummox think of the years we've wasted."
"I know my love, I know but I'm back now and if you'll have me I'll never leave you again." Balinor carefully put her down. Mindful that they were blocking the way. "Let's get home and get reunited in private."
He immediately spotted the concern on her face "What's the matter?"
"Gaius is waiting" Hunith said "I asked him to."
"Not frightened of me love, are you? Don't worry I can be nice, but I hoped we could be alone." Balinor sounded hurt and disappointed.
"No never, not of you! I asked him so he could support Merlin." it went quiet as Hunith realised she had just blurted out what she had intended to break gently.
Balinor frowned so Hunith continued "Merlin is ….. Merlin is our son, I was pregnant when you left he's eighteen years old."
Balinor's face went from puzzled to overjoyed then frightened "I have a son! I'm a father! I left you to cope with that all alone" he stepped back "Does he know?"
"No, I could never talk about you it made me cry, and I didn't want him to feel he had to avenge you, after all I thought you were dead. I still haven't told him I thought we could do it together" Hunith gasped out.
Balinor slowly smiled "That we can! You called him Merlin?"
"Of course, your favourite bird, when I had a boy I just knew there was nothing else I could call him. I wanted to call him Balinor but knew that might be dangerous for him." she admitted.
Balinor took her hand and picked up his suitcase "Come on love I have a son to meet!"
When they got to the car Gwaine took the suitcase as Hunith and Balinor got in. As Balinor sat down in the roomy interior opposite Arthur he looked at the smartly dressed younger man. "Pendragon? I assume"
"Please call me Arthur, I have the name but no longer have any connection with the man who gave it to me as I told you" Arthur said dryly holding out his hand
Balinor took it in a firm handshake. "You don't try to squeeze the life out of it like your father did." Looking Arthur up and down he remarked "You look more like your mother. And thank you for finding me so I could see my woman again. But you never answered why?" he was clearly suspicious.
"Once I drove Uther out of the country I found a photo in my mother's desk of you and Hunith with my parents, then I found some papers."
"Yes, but why? A man like you has a reason for everything." Balinor persisted
"Because it was the right thing to do, I'm gay and you stuck up for gays." Arthur smiled "I also love your son and he deserves to know his fathe.r"
Balinor sat up even straighter and Hunith felt his hand tighten its grip on hers "You're together?"
"No, but I want to be." Arthur said honestly "But lots has happened to make that difficult I hope that you being back will help." Arthur looked from Hunith to Balinor "I'll let your lady explain later. But first you have a son to meet." He paused "If you hurt him in anyway I'll kill you." he said the words calmly but Balinor knew he meant them, he had been around gangsters long enough to know when something was a bluff. He knew it wasn't just a figure of speech.
"The same goes for you" Balinor replied.
"Boys please! Stop the posturing, Merlin will make his own mind up, remember he's eighteen and an adult." Hunith looked at Arthur "Thank you for what you have done, for whatever reason, but this changes nothing, you know that."
"At least you're calling me Arthur now," Arthur gave a grin "I am beginning to melt your heart."
"Her heart is mine" Balinor growled
"And Merlin's will be mine, like mine is already his." Arthur spoke in a deadly serious tone, "You clearly know what meeting your soulmate is like and I know Merlin is MINE. I won't let anyone or anything stand in our way."
Balinor bristled but Hunith put her hand on his arm "Not now love, met your son first" she glared at Arthur "You have done a lot for our family, but I have told you before I don't care who you are. Merlin will decide of his own free will who, if anyone, he settles with"
Gwaine broke the tension when his voice came through the speaker from the front "We're here"
He stopped and opened the door helping Hunith out. Then stepped back to let the men out. Arthur waited by the door as Hunith and Balinor went inside. Then Gwaine turned to Arthur "Princess he looks like a hard bastard, let him settle in before you pick a fight with him. Maybe it won't be necessary"
"If I want your advice I'll ask for it, until then shut up" Arthur snarled back
They waited outside just in case they were needed, Arthur had told Hunith he would, before taking her to the airport. Telling her "That way if Merlin needs space we can take either him or his father to the hotel. It might be hard for them both"
After about ten minutes Merlin burst through the door, he had traces of tears on his face, he flung himself into Arthur's arms much to the blondes surprise and delight. "Thank you, thank you so much" he cried. "I will never be able to thank you enough" he hugged Arthur who placed his arms around the slender form and pulled him closer savouring the moment he had waited for, for so long. All too soon Merlin pulled away. He looked up at Arthur sheepishly "Sorry I got carried away."
"You can get carried away as often as you want Merlin." Arthur drawled "I take it went well?"
Merlin nodded "I was a bit angry to start with, and it will take a time for it all to sink in, but I can see mum is so happy and that's enough for now" Merlin said "I came out to say he is staying." Merlin turned to Gwaine "Mum sent out this for you."
He handed the knight a bag. Gwaine sniffed it and beamed "An apple cake, tell her thank you."
Arthur raised an eyebrow "And me?"
"She said thank you, but I think she's cross with you for some reason. Even though you bought dad back to us." Merlin paused "I've got a dad!" then he looked at Arthur "Sorry I know what this must have cost you, losing your own dad abroad and all that. Mum said you only found out once he'd left"
"That's ok Merlin, it was worth it for the cuddle. We will go now, call if you need anything…..and think about that job or the date ehh"