A/N: *sigh* Alright, humans. I know that I said there would start being some explanation for the time gap in this chapter - and I fully intended on it! But, I just found the perfect place to end, and decided to put off explanation and all the hard work until chapter 12. I shall not fail you next time, I promise!

I probably shouldn't have been writing past 2:00 A.M. Maybe that's why I got lazy. I was also really proud of this chapter but then I was having second thoughts like 'no this won't do' and I really just need mental help honestly. But I'd love to hear what you think. You've all been massively supportive and wonderful, so thank you! Also, to whomever asked if I wanted guest reviews, the answer is: Of course! All reviews are welcome! I love them. I literally spent an hour talking to my best friend about all the amazing reviews I was getting and how happy they were making me. So keep 'em coming, okay? ;p

Sorry, for such a long a/n, I hope you all enjoy this one. See you soon!

*Flies away on dragon*


No one had moved since Delwyn picked up Gwydre – and the young child had since fallen asleep in her arms. It wasn't tense. No; in fact, the atmosphere around the camp felt quite the opposite. The air was… lighter than it had been before. Happier even. It was perhaps only the shock that kept everyone at a standstill doing nothing other than gape and stare at the warlock they had all presumed dead only minutes previous. Merlin, on the other hand, just waited, calm and yet not. He felt obligated to resist the urge to hug the friends he had missed so dearly and instead let them recover. Still, it was taking longer than expected, and it was making him jittery. Then, as if slightly crazed, Gwaine began to laugh. Then he laughed some more.

Merlin simply smiled. He had missed that sound.

"He's – oh, he's really – ha!" Gwaine's attempt at speech seemed to be what the other's needed to come forth from their dream-like states.

"Yes, he is…" Percival trailed off in agreement as if he understood the former knights babbling.

"Alive. Here. In front of us at this very moment?" Leon suggested. He ran a hand through his blonde curls and shook his head. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Not only was Merlin, their dear friend, standing before them, but he presumed Prince Gwyrdre was the young lass being held by Delwyn. No one imagined ever seeing either of them again – or at least, in Gwydre's case, for many more years to come.

"Merlin?" Arthur said, or rather asked, his voice uncertain and fragile. The king was afraid that if he were to just blink too long or look away he'd find himself awake suddenly having dreamt this all up. Merlin was standing in front of him, and Gods, was that his son there? In Delwyn's arms, sleeping so peacefully? He looked so precious and youthful, seemingly untouched by the hate that Cenewig promised to enforce upon him.

"I'm here," Merlin more or less assured his brother. "I'm back."

Tears were freely falling from Arthur's eyes then, if they hadn't been before. Once, long ago, he would have been embarrassed or ashamed to shed tears in front of his knights, and a lady no less. His own father had instilled the saying within his mind for so long to cry for no man, and yet here he was, nearly sobbing because it wasn't a dream. Merlin was there.

"Prat," Merlin sniffled before he bounded forward to meet his king halfway. He wrapped his long arms around Arthur without hesitation and found his face very quickly hidden in the crook of his neck. The warlock continued to smile even as tears raced down his cheeks and onto Arthur's back. Armor, that long ago he was tasked to polish after every battle or even a simple escapade, dug into his chest as he clung onto the man before him for dear life. After four tiresome years, he finally felt at home again, even for just that fleeting moment.

Arthur was joyous, his spirits uplifted, and all sadness formally pressed down on his shoulders seemed to have disappeared. He held tightly onto the material of Merlin's cloak, almost pulling the man closer. An irrational voice in the back of Arthur's brain suggested ideas like Merlin suddenly disappearing again if he were to let go too soon. He would have held on longer if another pressing someone didn't enter his thoughts.

"Gwydre?" Arthur whispered for only Merlin to hear. He didn't want to have raised his hopes to much for them only to be dashed. However, the name made the warlock pull back from their long embrace and give the king that ridiculously blinding smile again. Merlin stepped aside and gestured with his head to the child in Delwyn's arms. The other knights took this opportunity to swarm Merlin with hugs and pats on the back of their own all while Arthur walked slowly toward the woman he had helped without question.

Gwydre was so much larger than he remembered. So big, in fact, he was surprised Delwyn could carry him for so long. He looked so much like Gwen, more so than Amr ever did at that age. His cheeks, his nose, his dark curly hair – it all so perfectly reminded him of Guinevere. Amr's hair was just as curly, but much lighter, and he had Arthur's broad face. Both their children were so incredibly beautiful though, it took his breath away at the mere thought. He had been losing hope that he'd ever see Gwydre so innocent and young.

"He has your eyes," Delwyn commented, drawing him away from his thoughts. She adjusted the boy, lifting him up higher on her hip and then brushing a stray hair behind his ear before she continued. "That's what I was trying to tell you earlier, although I doubt I was being very clear. His eyes are – well they're just like yours. When he wakes up, you'll see."

Arthur smiled at the woman who clearly cared for his son. Only last night she stumbled into his arms and he thought her nothing more than a stranger. Yet he had a feeling that without her, this reunion would not be happening.

"You're – uhm – you're looking a little tired there. I could…" Arthur gestured to his son, not sure how to proceed. Delwyn just smiled kindly at the request.

"I'm sure he wouldn't mind being held by his father for a bit. He won't startle either, he has a way of sensing friendly company," she told him before easing the child into the kings waiting arms. Gwydre remained fast asleep, looking more comfortable than ever, even as his head rested against the cold breastplate of Arthur's armor. He looked like he was where he belonged, Delwyn thought.

Merlin, who had been listening to Gwaine rant about how unfair the 'princess' had been since he'd been gone, turned to look at the scene with content. He caught Delwyn's eye and shared an unspoken conversation with her.

We did it.

We're finally safe.

Gwydre's safe.

The likes of which was interrupted as Leon came forth with a question. "Merlin, not that I'm not positively happy to see you, but where have you been? It's been four years."

Arthur turned to him, and wondered the same thing. He couldn't be more pleased than in that moment but Merlin had simply been traveling through the woods by the looks of things – with a random girl and his son. He needed to know what happened.

"It's a long story," the warlock responded. The question seemed to take away all the joy he had been feeling and instead fill him with dread. He walked over to Delwyn to stand beside her, taking comfort in the fact that she understood. She was there, and perhaps suffered more than he did.

"Then explain it to us, Merlin," Arthur said softly. He only wanted to understand.

"Perhaps, when we get back to Camelot? That way we only have to tell the story once. I'd like to go home now too, if you wouldn't mind, and see everyone. Gwen, Gaius, my mother, and Amr – gosh, how old is he now… Eight?" Merlin responded, steadfast in his decision to get home.

The knights grew silent, their faces etched with grief and the sadness at having to tell their friend such bad news.

"Mate, Gaius he – he passed away last summer. It was peaceful. Gone in his sleep," Gwaine stepped up and explained. Merlin shut his eyes tight, took in a deep breath of air, and shook his head in denial. Because the closest thing he had ever had to a father could not be dead. Not now, not when he was almost home.

"I'm sorry, Merlin…" Percival said with full sincerity, speaking for everyone.

"No, he was fine. He was fine!" Merlin collapsed to his knees, Delwyn following after him and holding tight onto his right hand that tremored. No one moved after that as he wept for his guardian. The heavy foliage surrounding them rustled in the heavy breeze and the river nearby ran furiously over the rocks of which it was forced to travel. The horses whinnied, the fire crackled, and Gwydre let out a tired yawn all as Merlin tried to stifle his cries of anguish.

"My mother – I remember my mother being at Camelot," Merlin managed to choke out. He leaned heavily against Delwyn for support.

"Yes. Hunith was a great deal of help to us for a long time," Arthur told him, not sure how to proceed any further than that.

"And now?" Merlin inquired.

"She remains at Camelot… Although her heart is broken and all hope shattered that you might return," the king gently handed his son to Percival so he could go to Merlin's side. He pulled the warlock into his arms and cradled him as if he were Amr. "But you are coming home now. The sight of you will surely start mending her heart again… Gods, Merlin, I'm so sorry. I promise everything will be alright."

Merlin merely nodded against his plated chest.

[^-^]BREAK[^-^]

It was nearing nightfall when they reached the borders of the castle. Merlin 'whooped' and hollered in excitement from the back of Gwaine's horse when they were finally able to see the turrets over the trees. Delwyn, who was with Leon, smiled brightly in anticipation. Never once had she entered Camelot without fear of some kind hanging over her head, and now it was a symbol of victory. They had made it! It was almost time to rest, and she hoped soon, she could call that magnificent city home as well.

When they entered the gates not much later all eyes were on them. People gazed in wonder and awe as they caught eye of the Court Warlock riding back of Sir Gwaine. He had been thought dead for four years, and now the cheery young man – though not so young anymore they mused – was back and looked as well as ever.

Gwydre was also awake and full of excitement. So much fun he was having while sitting in front of the man who was his father, on a great big horse, riding into a great big city. He watched as people began to crowd the streets, some cheering, others throwing flowers and such other things. It was almost too much to take in. His magic hummed quietly beneath his skin, making him feel warm and welcome to this new place, and suddenly it wasn't so frightening anymore. In fact, it was if he – or rather his magic – recognized it all. Every street, shop, market stall, man, woman, and child. This place felt like home.

"Merlin, you're long overdue for a visit to The Rising Sun with me, mate," Gwaine said with his signature grin as they passed the tavern. "I'm sure dear old Berthilda would give you a few free drinks to make up for time lost."

"And I'm sure you've gone mad if you think Berthilda would give free – anything!" Merlin chuckled.

"Oh, Merlin! We must go sometime," Delwyn cut in. "I've never been to an actual tavern before, and I'm as old as you!"

"You're Merlin's age?" Percival asked in shock, having assumed she was much younger. Meanwhile Gwaine was feigning a heart attack of high dramatic proportions.

"She's never been to a tavern? Tell me you've at least had drink before?"

Delwyn suppressed a giggle while shaking her head back and forth.

"We must right this wrong! I declare we all go out and celebrate tomorrow night – and the bill can go directly to his highness!"

The situation was so lighthearted that all Arthur could do was laugh. Then they entered the citadel where the king quickly spotted Guinevere standing next to Amr and everything just seemed so... perfect.

"Mommy?" Gwydre piped up. His magic buzzed with familiarity at the sight of Gwen, and Merlin had told the boy enough stories about his parents for him to know that the woman standing there was his mother. Arthur dismounted and lifted his son off the horse in the time it took for Gwen to run to them with her arms out and tears streaming down her face. Amr followed close behind her, so as she fell to the ground to embrace Gwydre and smother him in kisses, Arthur went to hug his eldest.

"You're safe and you're home and you're so, so precious," Gwen said to the boy whose face she held in her hands. He smiled at her before hugging her again.

"Mommy."

"I love you, Gwydre. My beautiful baby boy," She pulled him closer, not daring to let go, before reaching out a hand to Amr and Arthur. The eldest prince fell into her waiting arms beside his brother and Arthur knelt down and wrapped his arms around them all. "I love all of you," She whispered. Then Gwen's gaze shifted upwards and fell on Merlin and she let out a gasp. He was simply standing there watching the reunion with a content smile, and the queen was having none of that.

"Merlin," oh, how she had missed him. "Get over here, right now."

Merlin swallowed the lump in his throat and made quick work of her request, for how could he deny the queen? She stared at him for a long moment, trying to convey how much he was loved too, how much he had been missed, and how glad she was that he was here for this. Then Gwen pulled him down between her and Arthur, and his head landed on her shoulder where it stayed as they all sat there and drew comfort from each other. Because in that moment, everything was alright again.