Chapter 26

Merlin entered the newly furbished living room of the house with a heavy box, panting.

"You two are probably the only people in the world who want to move in February… Oh, no you don't!"

He quickly pulled away from Morgana to put his load on the table nearby. Morgana stamped her foot.

"I'm not an invalid, Merlin!"

"Nope, you're just 5-month pregnant with my future ward. For once, I agree with Arthur: you are forbidden to do anything."

She glared and made a 'you're so small' gesture with her fingers. Merlin frowned and she laughed.

"Fine. Go and download that truck then so I can have my husband back here with me."

"I like the sound of that… Where do you want the mirror?"

"I'm not sure…"

Arthur sighed heavily. She had had Merlin and he moved the couch four times, and the armchairs more times he cared to count. The only reason the furniture was finally in place was due to Gwen's intervention, who had pointed out they had to finish before snow started to fall.

With the baby growing inside her, Morgana had become more and more obsessed with housework; she'd even made efforts with the cooking, which Arthur was still not sure if he should be grateful for or not. Anyway with snow came mud and slush, and the idea of having it all over the place had pushed her to settle down, thankfully.

"I'll put it here near the shelves and you'll decide later, okay?"

"No, wait!"

He obeyed at once. Last time he had overlooked her wishes, it had taken him one hour to smooth her temper and two more so she stopped crying. She'd cried more in five months that she had her entire life… Some days, he wondered where the sane, poised woman she used to be had disappeared; or if he would survive the next four months without permanent brain damages.

"Put it over there, near the logs dispenser. Humff…"

She put one hand on her stomach.

Arthur forgot instantly about her unpredictable pregnancy moods and hurried to her.

"What's the matter?"

"He kicked."

Beaming, Morgana took his hand and placed it on her round side. He could feel warm through the light blouse. Her body heat seemed to have increased at the same rhythm than her belly, the constantly mood-shifting and some of her curves had…

"Here! Did you feel it?"

The movement of the baby had put some pressure on his palm, and he nearly screamed in wonder.

"He's going to be an outstanding soccer player. Does it hurt?"

"A little. It's wonderful."

Morgana tried to share with him as much as she could, but he would never know how it was for her; Arthur felt a little jealous of her bond with their son. Her eyes were shining. He forced himself to pull back, and kissed her lips lightly.

"Please, don't cry… I don't know if we have any tissue left."

She pouted and punched his shoulder gently, the whole effect spoiled by her delightful grin.

Merlin came in with another box.

"How many times to I have to tell you..."

Arthur and Morgana smiled at each other before finishing the patronizing comment in chorus:

"Pouting is not good for the baby…"

The great opening of the "King Arthur revealed" exposition she had worked to build took place in June with the beginning of the summer solstice.

Morgana looked around the growing crowd inside the big hall of the Museum with a little sigh. Tonight, the Shield of King Arthur would be exposed for the first time, and it was her discovery. Gwen waved from the other side of the room and she nodded with a small smile. It'd been a long day, she felt tired, and her back was starting to kill her.

Morgana scanned the room again. Arthur was discussing with the curator. The work of Logres ltd at the chapel had definitely secured his position as the Museum first choice for Site remodelling. She was so proud of him… Her eyes moved back to the red and gold sheet over the case they would uncover later. Arthur's specialists had designed a reproduction of the original sarcophagus, entirely transparent, except for the embossing representing the sun in its chariots, the waterfall, the harvest and the blowing cloud, which were made of brushed glass. The shield was displayed inside, on a velvet cushion.

The four crystals and the original notebook of Sir Nicholas were in two small glass-cases near the massive one, so everyone would see how the crystals fit into the shield. Now, she was convinced Sir Nicholas was wrong; Merlin was not the author of the poem. Morgana, along with Godefroi, Dr. Mordred, and other scholars, thought all the riddles were Sir Bedivere's (Bedwyr) doing. The latest inscription, copied in embossed golden letters at the foot of the sarcophagus, sounded too much like the riddle itself for not being from the same author.

A glass of fruit juice made its appearance in front of her and she leaned against Merlin's shoulder. He offered a plate, but Morgana shook her head.

"You should try the canapés, they're really good."

"Thanks, but no. I… Ow!…"

Morgana gave a loud cry when the cramp tight her stomach. Merlin helped her to a bench nearby while she breathed deeply to ease the tight knot. She stayed put for a little while and paled again when another cramp hit.

"Merlin…"

She grasped his hand roughly.

"Merlin, the baby…"

"Oh boy. Arthur!"

With the contractions torturing her, she didn't care about Merlin yelling above his head in the middle of the high-class party for her beloved. She never felt more afraid in her life…

He paced the room like a lion in a cage.

"What is taking so long? I'm supposed to be inside with her…"

"Sit down Arthur they will let you in as soon as the routine exams are done."

Gwen failed to reassure him. Arthur barked at her.

"What if…"

The strong hand of his father came to rest on his shoulder.

"She'll be alright, son, don't worry."

Uther's attempt at calm reassurance failed too. He was as anxious as his son was. He remembered all too well Arthur's own difficult birth, and he loved Morgana like a daughter. Arthur shook his head.

"I can't stand…"

Merlin was battering his foot on the floor like a metronome, as white as a sheet. Arthur crashed in the chair next to him, his head in his hands. Merlin was the next sanest person in this room after him. There was no noise coming through the door, which terrifying him even more. He jumped on his feet when a nurse came out.

"Mr. Pendragon? You can come in, now. Labour is started. Put on a blouse and wash your hands please."

Morgana was settled in a birth-bed. Her hairs were pulled back from her face in tangled damped strands and her delicate face was shining with perspiration. She grabbed his hand as soon as he reached her. Arthur answered the ferocious squeeze with equal force, kissing her forehead.

"You took your time to come in…"

"You know I like to make an entrance."

"Your son takes that after you…Ow…"

She grunted when another contraction shot through her stomach, her cry changing into a moan when the pain eased just a little. He pressed her hand steadily, trying to help her find a calming rhythm in her breathing.

"Arthur, I'm scared…"

"It's going to be fine my love, I'm here…"

Gaius nodded:

"You've got to push now Morgana. The baby's coming; you're doing great. Push."

Her scream of pain thickened the ice into his veins. Arthur felt his knees go weak. All her suffering was his doing; she probably hated him so much… Morgana crushed his hand with another painful cry. Minutes later, the baby's piercing scream was the most wonderful sound he had ever heard.

Two years later

Morgana glimpsed at her men playing outside. Arthur had caught James behind his tiny arms and was making him pirouetting around up and down, to their son delight. James had managed to get rid of his cap, and his hair was full of snow. He had inherited his father blond hair and her green eyes, though a little clearer. She smiled. He also had his father interesting habit to drop pieces of clothing rather easily…

A truck stopped in the alley and a four-legged furry monster jumped out, running to the Pendragon men. James yelled in happiness when he saw the dog, wriggling into Arthur's arms to go down and be wiped by the enormous tongue of the animal. Jenny, the sweeper, who babysit for them from time to time, got out of her vehicle to quickly grab her dog by the collar before the big black shepherd knocked the boy down.

Morgana turned around from the window and smoothed the fabric of her evening gown over her hips with a smile. Tonight they celebrated their second marriage anniversary, in addition to Arthur's birthday, and she had a very special gift for her husband.

Minutes later, Arthur knocked and entered their bedroom. He paused to look at the radiant image she formed, seated at her hair-dresser surrounded by dark puce and golden lace and pondering through her jewel box.

"I think you are looking for these."

He handed her a small package, with a silver bow.

"Happy anniversary."

Morgana didn't wait and torn the wrapping apart to open the little box. The rubies were dancing at the end of delicate golden rings, enlaced to form a light chain. The precious stones were shaped like their now-famous bigger brothers, square in shape, beautifully cut. She put the earrings on with an enchanting smile, looking at the effect in the mirror.

"Thank you."

She circled his neck with both arms. Arthur was about to take his thanks on her ravishing red mouth when a bark erupted from the first floor. Morgana collapsed against his chest.

James already had his godfather's knack for interrupting…

"He is probably riding the poor Smoke again. Jenny should not let him do that…"

"She laughed out of her head every time. Maybe we could buy a dog? So we can teach him to behave with animals?"

Morgana took his hands off her waist, kissing him lightly.

"I fear we can't do that. The allergies…"

Arthur frowned.

"James has no allergies, he puts his nose into Smoke's fur all the time and he's just fine."

"I was not talking about James."

He stared at her for a second because recognition hit him.

"You mean… You're… Are you?..."

She laughed.

"We really have to work on that incapacity you have to form complete sentences…"

"Oh, shut up."

Arthur pressed his mouth to hers for a swift kiss, but she refused to let him go and kissed him back until they both needed to come up for air. Morgana nuzzled his chin, shivering when he caressed her cheek while playing with the earrings dancing around her face.

"I want a girl, as beautiful as her mother."

"Compliment will lead you everywhere. Hurry up now, or we'll be late for diner."

"I love you too."

The end is only the beginning.

A/N: This fic is now complete. Describing Arthur and Morgana as an actual couple, rather than playing with the chase, was tough. I please with the results and I hope you enjoyed it. Thanks for the kind review, and don't worry, I'm not giving up on them. After all, the Lady Morgana is Arthur first love, and his last. Whatever happens in between is irrelevant.