The next morning, Merlin awoke to Arthur's blue eyes staring at him.
"Morning." Merlin smiled, his head spinning from the fever he currently had. Arthur smiled back, stroking Merlin's hair.
"Does that mean you forgive me?" He asked. Merlin frowned for a moment but he remembered why he was angry at Arthur. The stupid prat had told his Mother to come and visit and now Merlin had no choice but to tell her all about the baby he was due to pop out in 7 months.
"No,I just forget." Merlin told him.
"Damn it." Arthur smiled.
Merlin wanted to tell his Mother, he really did, but he was scared that she might reject him for it. She hadn't been around them as much as Gaius, and the Knights and Gwen. She hadn't seen how close they were and this might shock and disgust her. Merlin knew deep down that his Mother could never hate him. She had put up with his magic since he was a little baby, and had never once said a word against him, but this was completely different. Loving a man was wrong in God's eyes and having a baby together was so unnatural. He really didn't want to see a look of reject on his Mother's face.
"If it helps." Arthur said, breaking Merlin's thoughts, "I got the kitchen to make you them honey cakes you love so much."
Merlin tried not to smile at this but he couldn't help it. Arthur always knew how to cheer him up.
So when Hunith arrived around noon, Merlin was still in bed and Arthur was sitting with him, feeding him honey cakes and grapes. Arthur was teasing him with the grapes, holding them out for him to eat, but stanching them away as Merlin went to take it in his mouth.
They were laughing together when the knock sounded at Merlin's chamber door and Gwen stepped in, followed by Hunith, who looked tired from her trip but very well. She was wearing a finely made dress and a cloak with a fur hood as the weather was getting cold. She looked tidy and not as skinny as she used to. Merlin smiled at her, remembering that she wasn't a peasant anymore, but Lady Hunith of Ealdor. He was glad that his status as Archmage of Camelot had resulted in a much better life for his Mother and the people of Ealdor.
"Merlin." Hunith smiled, coming over to the bed and kissing Merlin's forehead.
"Mother." Merlin smiled, the anger he felt at Arthur disappeared as he hugged her. He missed his Mother all of the time and often wished that Ealdor was closer.
"You look well." Merlin told her as she sat on the edge of the bed. Arthur had stood up and was moving their plate of food to the table and out of the way.
"And you not so much." Hunith said, placing her hand on Merlin's forehead to feel his fever in a warm way only a Mother could.
"It is just a fever, Mother, I'm fine." Merlin reassured her. She shook her head, turning to Arthur.
"And what have you been doing with my poor son, working him too hard I think." She said, but it was in a friendly way. Hunith was very motherly towards Arthur as well, and treated him more like a son then her King.
Arthur smiled and came over to give Hunith a hug. No matter how much he may deny it, Arthur liked having someone in his life that treated him the way only a Mother would. He wasn't used to it at first and it confused him slightly, but Hunith and Arthur had grown to love each other dearly.
"I try and make him take breaks, but he has never listened to me." Arthur told her. Hunith just gave him a warm smile and turned back to Merlin, holding his hand in hers.
"In the letter it said we had much to discuss." Hunith said, her tone curious. Merlin swallowed, nervous again now. Arthur decided to take his leave then, believing that it was best if he wasn't in the room. All Merlin could think was that he was bloody prat who was going to die later.
So Hunith and Merlin were left on their own and the Mother looked at her son with adoring and caring eyes.
"There is so much I need to tell you." Merlin finally said, taking a deep breath, "We used to tell each other everything so this is very hard because I've been keeping so much from you since I came to Camelot and I feel like I've betrayed you in some way."
"Merlin." Hunith said gently, reaching up stroking his hair out of his eyes, "You could never betray me, no matter what you haven't told me, communication is harder now since we're so far away from each other."
"I know." Merlin sighed, looking away from his Mother's eyes and fiddling with the fur blanket that Arthur had made for him. It was the fur of a brown bear that Arthur had killed. It was nice and warm, but it always made Merlin feel slightly sad. The only reason he could justify having it was that the bear had been attacking a village and had killed a lot of live stock before Arthur had slaughtered it.
"You can tell me anything, sweetie." Hunith said kindly. Merlin swallowed again and licked his lips before speaking again.
"It's about me...me and..." He started but the sentence got stuck in his throat. He had never had to tell anyone before. People had just figured out on their own.
"Is it about you and Arthur?" Hunith asked, shocking Merlin. He looked up, questioning in his eyes.
"How...how do you...?" Merlin asked, trying to figure it out. Had Arthur told her through letter?
Hunith titled her head to the side slightly, taking in the sight of her son. She smiled gentle.
"Some things you cannot hide from your Mother, even from such a distance." She said, "In all your letters you speak of Arthur more then you speak of yourself, it didn't take long to figure out."
"Oh." Merlin said, waiting for the negative reaction now. His shoulders tensed and he could feel his palms getting sweating in his Mother's hold.
"Do not worry Merlin." Hunith chuckled slightly, sensing his discomfort, "I do not judge who you fall in love with, and I can see how Arthur looks at you, he makes you happy and I am sure it is your two's love that has made this kingdom so great."
Merlin felt himself deflate in relief as his Mother spoke these words. It didn't last long though as he remembered he still had to tell her about the baby that was in his belly.
"You don't know how glad I am to hear that." He said, smiling at her. She could see through the smile though and stroked her hand up his arm gently.
"What else is on your mind, Merlin?" She asked, her tone soft and warm, feeling like a warm embrace. He closed his eyes briefly, taking a deep breath.
"You...you're going to be a Grandmother." He said, resulting in a frown from his Mother.
"How?" She asked. Merlin licked his lips nervously and then lifted his shirt up to saw his Mother the very slight bump that was there. Her eyes went wide but probably not because of the bump but at the scars that was there, especially the recent line that went across nearly his whole stomach. It was still pink with healing and there were also the other scars that Hunith had never seen. She looked sad and confused, so Merlin leant forward and grabbed her hand, slowly bringing it against his stomach.
"I'm pregnant." He whispered and Hunith's eyes grew and started to water.
"How...how is that possible?" She asked, almost fearful. She didn't recoil her hand in disgust though and Merlin took that as a good sign.
"I'm a Warlock." He smiled, "We can do a lot of things."
Hunith chuckled slightly, and wiped her eyes dry. Merlin looked at her, waiting for her to say something.
"I am so happy for you." She finally said. Merlin stared at her for a few seconds, hoping that he heard right but not quite sure. He finally believed it though when Hunith leant forward and wrapped her arms around him and brought him into a warm, motherly hug.
"Really?" He whispered, needing to confirm it.
"Oh my boy." She whispered, kissing his hair, "My sweet little boy, you've been through so much during your life and you deserved none of it, all the hate and hurt, you deserved none of it, but now I can see you are happy and it makes me so proud to see you like this."
Merlin felt tears in his eyes as she said theses words. He sniffed them away and smiled, leaning against his Mother's shoulder. Despite all the changes that she had gone through, she still smelt the smell and Merlin found comfort in that. She held him tight, and Merlin relaxed.
"You're going to make a great Father." She told him.
"I think technology I am going to be the Mother." Merlin said and they both laughed. He leant back up and she smiled at him, stroking his hair back and cupping his cheek.
"I am so happy for you." She said and he nodded, thinking Arthur wasn't a complete clotpole after all.
The next day, Arthur called a meeting together to discuss the baby. Only their most trusted friends and servant was going to know about it, and Arthur was going to ask for the help of his most trusted Knights during Merlin's pregnancy.
Merlin couldn't have the baby at Camelot, and he would have to leave the Castle once the bump got noticeable as to avoid rumours to spread. Something this unnatural could spark a lot of anger among the citizens and a rebellion could start. Some people were already angry about the allowances of magic now, and many people had tried to start a fight with the King and his Archmage because of it. A few attempts had been made on their lives but Merlin protected them with his magic.
However, because of the pregnancy, he couldn't produce as much power and Arthur wasn't taking any chances, even though Merlin had protested.
The meeting took place in one of the smaller court rooms and no one was allowed in apart from the selected people who were attending. Merlin had placed a silencing spell around the room so no one could ears drop on them either. The people who were in the room were Arthur, Merlin, Gaius, Hunith, Gwen, Katherine, Eleanor, Leon, Lancelot, Percival, Gwaine, Elyan and Arthur's manservant, Thomas. They were all seated around the table, which was round as Arthur had taken a liking to the old tradition that promoted equality. No one was any less or more equal at this meeting, not even Thomas and Eleanor, who were both servants of the castle. They would all be needed for this pregnancy to work and for Merlin and the baby to be safe.
Arthur was nervous about this, Merlin could tell. They had never said aloud about their relationship, apart from to Katherine and Eleanor, but they were in the same situation as them so it wasn't the same. Merlin knew Arthur had been taught that loving someone in such a way was wrong and a weakness; not that he believed it the way it was taught, but the lesson was still there. His Father's voice still tormented him sometimes.
Arthur stood and looked around him. Everyone was looking at him with expecting eyes, all a bit unsure about why they were there. Arthur cleared his throat before addressing them.
"Something has happened that requires the helps of all of you." He started, "I trust every single last one of you and I hope you will support us, that is Merlin and I, in this situation."
He looked around the table again and could see it everyone's eyes. They were all agreeing to do whatever it was before they had even heard. They trusted Arthur and Merlin with their lives and all of them were dear friends to them both. Whatever the situation, they would help anyway they could and then try some more.
"I think you all know this, as close as we all are, but I have never really said aloud about one of the most important things in my life." Arthur said, "I know I am married." At this he looked at Katherine, who had spoken to before this meeting. She had argued that she and Eleanor would not mind being known about to the people that were in this room.
"But this marriage is purely political for both me and Katherine, we do not love each other but we knew we would have to marry in order to protect our kingdoms."
To Arthur's surprised, no one in the room looked shocked at this. He was expecting some people to look at him with disappointed eyes but no one bat an eyelid. This made him believe that these people, his friends, knew everything he was saying. Regards, he needed to say it anyway.
"I am in love with another." He said, and took another deep breath, holding his head up high as he proudly said, "I am in love with Merlin."
There were no faces of disgust or protest or people storming out of the room. He had expected that there might have been. Instead he received smiles and people mutterings 'finally's, and nods of approvals. This left him slightly speechless for a few minutes, but he was snapped out it as Merlin reached up and took Arthur's hand in his. Arthur looked down to him and the smile that he loved so much was there. Arthur smiled back and then looked around the table again, where most people were smiling at them.
"We need your help with a very important matter." Arthur started up again, "As you all know, Merlin was taken seriously ill six months ago, and he nearly died."
Most people nodded, some already knowing the reason why but most didn't.
"The reason for this is because he performed a spell on himself." Arthur said, feeling something pulling inside him as he remembered it, "And without going into too much detail... he is pregnant."
The room went so quiet, that a pin dropping would have been able to be heard. The woman of the room already know about Merlin's pregnancy and they were all smiling with their happiness for the couple, but the men, the Knights and Thomas, know nothing of this. They were all looking at Merlin with a shocked look on their faces. Arthur had to wonder whether he had ever seen them this shocked before. He didn't think so.
"That's brilliant!" Gwaine was the first to break the silence and he stood up and came round the table to embrace Merlin tightly. Merlin laughed as his friend wrapped his arms around his shoulders to hug him.
This reaction sparked a respond from everyone else. Leon and Percival stood and came to join Gwaine with embracing the couple. Thomas looked confused but smiled politely and Lancelot smiled his gentle smile as he looked at the two men who were being embraced. Elyan was clapping and laughing at his sister's happy tears.
"Thank you." Arthur said, smiling despite the fact he was trying to stay serious. He hadn't expected such a positive and loving reaction.
"But how…" Gwaine asked, sitting back down in his seat. He looked confused as he stared at Merlin's stomach. The bump wasn't noticeable at all through his clothing, but now everyone knew what was there, "How is the baby going to come out?" He winced thinking about it; a fate no man wanted to face.
"Gaius is going to perform surgery to birth the baby." Merlin told him. Slightly less painful then what Gwaine was thinking, but still a terrifying concept.
"So what do you need our help with?" Leon asked, knowing that the look on his King's face meant he wanted to get on with business and get the meeting over with.
"Well, Merlin can't have the baby here because of rumours that may spread, so we need all of your help to make his absence believable and also to keep him safe until the baby comes." Arthur said.
"Where will Merlin go?" Lancelot asked.
"I am going to Ealdor for the last four months of my pregnancy." Merlin answered, wanting to be just as much of a part of the meeting as Arthur. It was him they were talking about of course. They had told this plan to his Mother and she had agreed that Merlin could come and stay with her for four months. She insisted in fact.
"We are going to tell the Kingdom that the baby is Katherine's and that she is going to finish off her pregnancy at her Father's castle, so Katherine and Eleanor are going to Ealdor with Merlin."
"Are you ok with that, Merlin?" Gwen asked, looking at her friend, "About everyone thinking that Katherine is the Mother?"
Everyone looked at Merlin, including Arthur, whose eyes were suddenly sad. Merlin nodded, sure of his answer.
"Yes, it doesn't matter what other people think, we will know the truth, and we will tell our child that." He told her and the rest of the table. He laid a hand on his stomach, feeling love already for his unborn child. He had felt it for a long time though so that wasn't unusual.
"We are going to tell the Kingdom that Merlin has gone with Katherine, at my wishes, to keep her safe." Arthur said, restarting the conversation. He placed a hand on Merlin's shoulder though, squeezing it gently as a sign of comfort. Merlin smiled at the touch.
"I want two Knights to go with them to keep them safe and to stay with them in Ealdor." Arthur said.
"I will go." Gwaine said straight away. Merlin smiled at him, realising what such a good friend Gwaine was. The Knight truly cared about him.
"And I will go." Percival said, showing how gentle and kind he was. The gentle giant of the Knights. He also loved kids so that was probably another reason he was going. Merlin knew Lancelot would volunteer, if he could cope with being away from Gwen that long. Merlin understood for he had no idea how he was going to cope without Arthur for four long months.
"Great." Arthur smiled, pleased with the way the meeting was going, "Now Thomas, I wish for you to go with them as you are my most trusted servant, only every beaten by Merlin."
"And we all know how that went, Sire." Thomas smiled, earning a laugh from around the table. Thomas had got so use to Arthur that they comfortably banter now, just the way Merlin and Arthur use to be. It had to be that way, otherwise Arthur would get bored. He hated servants that just stood there and took the orders. He needed someone to chat with, and it also made him trust Thomas a lot more. He had been his longest running servant so the two were good friends, along with Arthur being Thomas's mentor. Thomas and Merlin were quite close as well.
"I would be honoured, Sire." Thomas said once the laughter had died down. Arthur and Merlin smiled at him and then around at the room.
"Ok, so that is all sorted, in three months you ride for Ealdor." Arthur said happily.
"I am sorry if I am speaking out of place, Sire." Hunith smiled, "But I do think this is cause for celebration."
"I couldn't agree with you more, M'Lady." Arthur replied, eyes shiny, "Thomas, please tell the kitchen staff that tonight we feast and to cook their finest foods."
Thomas stood, bowing to his King.
"And take the night off, Thomas, tonight you feast with us." Arthur told him. Thomas smile gratefully before leaving to pass on the command.
That night they celebrated. Just the people invited to the meeting earlier in the day. The next day Arthur was going to announce to the Kingdom that his wife, Katherine, was pregnant, but for now it was just him and Merlin and their friends and family celebrating the truth.
Merlin was smothered in questions about how he had managed to do it and about how it was going and was offered more advice about pregnancy than he knew what to do with. Arthur just sat next to him and laughed as the poor Warlock looked overwhelmed but happy. He was smiling at everyone and laughing at things that Gwaine was saying. It was the happiest Arthur had seen him in a very, very long time.
Part of Arthur felt sad that he alone wasn't enough to make Merlin feel completely happy again, and the conversation that they had the night Merlin told him he was pregnant kept going round in his head. About him feeling clean again. The King felt guilty about feeling that way but he had tried for years to make Merlin feel complete and happy again but he hadn't been enough. Merlin had to nearly die first to feel happy again.
But another part of Arthur, a much bigger part, felt completely content as he watched Merlin's eyes light up a shiny blue he hadn't seen since they were both young boys; naive and fearless. His laughter lines had returned and the smile didn't leave his lips. It was like all his problems had washed away, to make room for this small, amazing miracle.
And for three months it stayed that way. Merlin was happy and bright and he seemed to glow. It was incredible to watch. He wore lose clothes to hide his growing bumps and Katherine wore folded cloths under her dresses to make it seem like she was growing. No one knew because Merlin dressed himself and Eleanor dressed the Queen.
The day before Merlin was due to ride to Ealdor, his mood changed though. Arthur came into his chambers after a meeting that day and found Merlin sitting beside the window, holding a red cloak to his face and crying into it. The sobs filled the chambers like loud bell chimes.
"Merlin?" Arthur asked, rushing over to him. He recognised the cloak as his as Merlin looked up at him with wet blue eyes.
"I don't think I can do this without you." He cried and Arthur felt his shoulders fall as he realised why Merlin was so upset. They weren't going to see each other for four months. It was without a doubt the longest they hadn't seen each other.
"Yes you can." Arthur told him, sitting beside him and pulling him close to his side. Merlin leant into him, his head rested on his shoulder as his body shook.
"You'll have your Mother, and Katherine and Eleanor to look after you, and Gwaine will no doubt keep you entertained." Arthur told him, wrapping his arm around Merlin's shoulders and turning his face to nuzzle his hair.
"Can't you come with me?" Merlin asked. Even by his tone Arthur knew that Merlin knew that it was impossible.
"I have to stay here and look after our Kingdom." Arthur reminded him, "Our people need me."
Merlin sighed, his tears slowing. He hugged the cloak to his chest, looking defeated and tired.
"I am going to miss you." He mumbled. Arthur kissed his hair, placing a hand on his slightly swollen belly. He was deeply saddened that he was going to miss the growth of his unborn baby, but there was no other solution.
"I am going to miss you too." Arthur told his lover gently, "I am going to miss both of you."
That night they held each other close under the moonlight. Arthur kissed Merlin's tears away and Merlin laid his hand on Arthur's heart, filling him with the warm feel of his magic. It felt like he was bonding their souls together. It felt sweet and loving and even though Arthur knew Merlin was leaving tomorrow, he couldn't help but smile.
Arthur rode out with Merlin and his party until they reached a safe place where no one would see them. It was there that they said their goodbyes. Their friends stood aside and allowed the two lovers walk off into the forest just a little while away. Once alone, Arthur brought Merlin close to him and embraced him tightly.
Arthur felt tears in his eyes as Merlin buried his head into his neck, clutching tightly at Arthur's arms.
"Keep yourself safe." Arthur told him, trying to keep his voice even and firm. Merlin laughed, surprising the King as he looked at him. Merlin had tears in his eyes as well, not quite fallen yet, but he was smiling warmly at Arthur.
"You always try to be authoritative when you're sad." Merlin explained and then leant forward to press his lips to Arthur's. Arthur breathed him in, wanting to remember his unique scent. When they broke away, Merlin moved his hands away from Arthur's arms and opened the satchel he had over his shoulder. He took out a round glass orb that was small enough to fit into the palm of his hand. It was green and had patterns moving around inside it, as if it was filled with thick simmering liquid. Merlin gave it to Arthur.
"This will glow when I am three days away from giving birth, even if there are complications and the baby comes early." Merlin told him, "You will know before me when the baby is coming and it will give you and Gaius enough time to ride to Elador."
"It's beautiful." Arthur said, looking at it in wonder.
"Promise me you will be there when the baby is born." Merlin said, looking at him intently.
"Merlin, it isn't proper for me to be in the room with you." Arthur told him, still looking at the orb.
"None of this is proper, Arthur!" Merlin said, now sounding scared. The tone was enough to draw Arthur's eyes away from the green orb and to look at Merlin. There was a single tear falling down his cheek and his eyes were filled with worry and fright. It made Arthur frown with concern. He had been reassured that there was nothing dangerous about the pregnancy and the way the baby was going to be born, so why was Merlin so scared?
"I need you there to hold my hand." Merlin told him.
"And so I will be there." Arthur replied sincerely. He leant forward and gentle pressed his lips against Merlin's temple, "I promise."
Merlin nodded, his eyes shut but a small smile on his lips.
Arthur then took a small step backwards and started to undo the clasp on his cloak. Merlin watched him questionable and his smiled widened as Arthur took off the red cloak and placed it around Merlin's thin shoulders. The cloak drowned him but Arthur wanted Merlin to have it.
"Just so you know that I am close to you even though we are far apart." Arthur told him, placing his hands on Merlin's stomach. The baby gave a small kick and the King smiled at the feel. He bent down on his knee and placed a kiss where he had felt the slight push of his unborn child.
"I will be with both of you." He told Merlin, standing back up and kissing him. More tears had fallen from Merlin's eyes and the kiss was wet but that didn't matter. They clang to each other for a moment, not quite wanting to let go. However, they had to make more ground if they wanted to get to Ealdor by tomorrow, and Arthur had a kingdom to go back to.
"I'll see you in 4 months." Arthur told him. Merlin nodded, seeming to have lost the ability to talk with the amount of silent tears that were flooding his face and throat. Arthur gave him one more kiss before taking his hand and leading him back to the horses and their friends who were waiting for them patiently.
"Look after him." Arthur told Gwaine as Merlin mounted his horse.
"Of course, Princess." The Knight smiled.
"And make sure you look after the King." Merlin told Leon, who had come to ride with them to join Arthur on the ride back to Camelot.
"Always, Merlin." Leon smiled. Arthur mounted his own horse and walked the stead over so he was next to Merlin. They shared their last kiss and smiled at each other, not caring about the people around them.
"I love you." Merlin told him.
"And I love you." Arthur said back. They looked at each other's blue eyes for a second before Arthur turned around and joined Leon.
The two Knights, the two Ladies, the servant and the Warlock rode off and the King watched until they were out of sight.
"Come, Sire, we should make it back to the castle before dusk." Leon said, interrupting Arthur's thoughts.
"You are right, my friend." Arthur replied, before turning around and riding towards his castle.
Merlin was quiet during the ride, hanging back slightly from the rest of the group as he tried not to sob. He was anxious about not being with Arthur, like something was going to go wrong without his strong King to be there for him. Merlin knew that there was a strong chance that he wasn't going to survive the birth, because having surgery to get the baby out was very dangerous. He was just sad that he may not see Arthur again. He wished that they had these four months to say goodbye. Of course he hadn't told Arthur about the dangers, because he would only panic and tell Merlin to get rid of the baby and that thought just killed Merlin. The baby growing inside him was the most important thing in his life, and he wouldn't give it up for anything, but knowing that Arthur would be angry and upset with him if he knew the truth was heartbreaking. So Merlin kept it a secret and asked Gaius not to mention it to Arthur. There was still a small chance that he could survive.
That evening the party of six set up camp in a small clearing. Katherine and Eleanor had a tent to share, and Arthur had insisted that Merlin took a tent as well, even though the Warlock didn't think he needed it. He set them both up with a wave of his hand but he didn't go into his tent. Instead he sat by the fire, staring at the flames as his friends spoke around him. One by one they went to bed until there was just Merlin and Gwaine awake.
"Go to bed Merlin." The Knight said, sitting next to him, "I'll take the first watch and then Percival is going to take the next."
Merlin looked up at him like he was stupid.
"You know I don't sleep when I'm out of the castle." He told his friend.
"You're not still doing that, are you?" Gwaine sighed, "You need to sleep tonight, you're pregnant and, from what I've heard, you need your rest."
"I'll be fine." Merlin told him, smiling at him, even though it was a tired smile. Gwaine raised his eyebrows.
"If I have to carry you into that tent I will." He told the Warlock, who chuckled lightly. Before the Knight could say another thing, Merlin put his fingers to his forehead and Gwaine's eyes fell shut and he fell gently to the floor, sound asleep.
"Goodnight." Merlin smiled at him, before turning back to look at the fire. He concentrated on the flickering flames, playing with something in his hands. It was another small orb, but this one was a white one. It looked like there was smoke swirling around the glass orb. Merlin looked at it and whispered underneath his breath. The spell caused the fog to disappear and what was left was a miniature scene, like it was in the orb itself.
It was Arthur's chambers back at Camelot, and a mini Arthur was walking around, trying to get changed without a manservant. He fell over as he took off a boot and Merlin laughed lightly. The Warlock had made the orb so he could watch Arthur when he could, just to make sure that his King and lover was ok. The orb showed what Arthur was doing when Merlin asked it to.
Merlin watched as Arthur got into bed and blew out the candle that was on the dresser beside the bed. The moon light still lit the bed though, and Merlin watched as Arthur took the pillow that Merlin normally slept on and hugged it to his stomach. Merlin smiled sadly.
"Goodnight, Arthur."
He then said another spell and the scene with fogged over with the white smoke. Merlin sighed, putting the orb in his pocket. He pulled the red cloak tighter over his shoulders and looked into the fire again. He felt a kick in his stomach and he rested his hand there, as if he was comforting his baby.
"I know." He whispered, "I miss him too."
The next day Merlin was a lot more tired than he normally was when he had stayed up for the night. The night had worn him out and he couldn't even find the strength to redo the spell so he was more awake. He sighed as he slowly rode behind everyone. He placed one hand on his stomach protectively as he tried to ignore the disapproving stares from Gwaine.
When the Knight had woken that morning, he was not happy. He had promised Arthur that he would look after Merlin, but he had managed to let the Warlock stay up all night and have no rest. Merlin knew it was stupid to force himself to stay awake but he couldn't help it. He had nightmares and was so scared that someone would attack them that he refused to let himself fall asleep. He hated being out of the castle walls, and journeys like this made him very uncomfortable and nervous. He just couldn't shake the feeling that something would happen to him again.
However, right now he was too tired to worry as he let his horse follow the others and his mind went slightly blank as his eyes kept drafting shut. The warm sun beating down on them made him even drowsier and he could very faintly feel the beating of his baby's heart on the palm of his hand from where it was place on his stomach.
So with the heat, the gentle rhythm of his horse and the feel of his unborn child, Merlin managed to draft off.
Which was very bad when you were sitting on top of a giant horse.
Merlin very faintly heard someone calling his name as he felt himself fall through nothingness. It felt like he was floating through air and he could hear people yelling and he could feel the warmth of the sun on his cheeks. He felt his baby kick again and he felt like smiling.
And then everything went black.
Sorry this took so long. University is crazy busy at the moment and I have a million assignments due in. This was supposed to be the last chapter, minus the epilogue, but the chapter got longer than I expected. So there is one more chapter and then an epilogue to sum it all up. I can't give a date that I am going to post the next chapter because as I said Uni is crazy, but I'll get it up as soon as possible.
Anyway, please review :D