The couple both woke up to the dim, early morning light pouring in via the windows. At first, they merely stared at empty space, wondering what to do, then Arthur turned over and hugged Merlin close.

"Are you okay?" the prince asked.

Merlin sighed as the effects of sleep started to leave him, he wrapped his arm around Arthur's shoulders and nodded, "Yeah, you?"

Arthur nodded and kissed Merlin on the chest. "I've been wondering ...", he trailed off before yawning slightly.

"About what?", Merlin asked, looking at Arthur to give him as much attention as possible.

"Do you think that the baby will be magic as well?", Arthur asked curiously.

Merlin thought about it and then shrugged, "Possibly, we just have to wait and find out."

The prince smiled and kissed Merlin's cheek, "Our baby is going to be perfect, magic or no magic."

Merlin smiled but then frowned his brow when he remembered something.

"What's wrong?", Arthur asked.

"What are we going to do... for your birthday?", Merlin asked, not wanting to be excluded from the event but feeling a bit like a spoilt child asking about it.

Arthur sighed and frowned as well before resting his chin on Merlin's chest. "Well, we could have our very own party but from now till my birthday and afterwards too, I expect neither of us will have a lot of time to ourselves."

Merlin nodded in agreement as he could see Uther wanting to get as much distance between them as possible.

"I will beg my father as much as I can, maybe I can strike a deal with him.", Arthur suggested, determined.

Merlin smiled, wanting to stay hopeful, "In that case, I'll try my best to get into his good graces".

The couple smiled at each other and exchanged a quick kiss before getting up to get dressed. They ate their breakfasts and they talked about how happy they were about the baby before they started to walk to the throne room, hand in hand.

The palace was remotely quiet, besides the odd few knights talking or servant whistling a tune as he or she got on with their chores. Merlin and Arthur were both smiling and they were thinking about how lucky they were to have each other and to have been given the grand opportunity to have a child, they had everything that they had ever wanted and more.

The usual long walk only seemed to take a few minutes because of how happy the couple was, they had been discussing Arthur's upcoming birthday and Merlin had managed to get the prince to feel a little more excited for his 23rd birthday. That joy would be short lived though because the king had already started to plan every single detail of his son's party, he had made it very clear in his plans that Merlin was not to attend the celebration.

Uther and Agravaine were chatting excitedly when Merlin and Arthur entered the throne room. They did not even acknowledge the couple until they were right in front of the throne and looking at them. Merlin felt like hiding behind the prince when Uther glared down at him, he felt a sense of relief when Arthur moved his arm so that they could link arms and Merlin placed his hand on the prince's upper arm. Merlin gripped Arthur's arm for comfort and the prince kissed his cheek to calm him.

"Arthur! Come here and look at this, we have been planning the seating for the guests at your birthday party!" Uther said proudly.

Arthur and Merlin walked up the steps and the prince looked over the papers that Uther was holding, his eyes scanned over all the names and nodded slowly. However, his heart dropped when he realised that not only was Merlin not on the list but he was supposed to be sat next to a princess. "Umm, father. Why is Merlin not on the list?", Arthur asked, confused.

Merlin also piped up, "I'm not?"

Arthur caressed Merlin's hand on his arm gently to comfort the warlock as well as himself 'How could Merlin not be invited to my birthday party? This is ridiculous' he thought.

Uther's face was one of self-satisfaction, "I assumed that you would not want the witch at your party, he can have his own little party of making potions in Guias's chambers".

Merlin's heart sank and he looked at the name of the person who was supposed to sit next to Arthur 'Princess Angelina?'

"I am not going to sit next to any princess, Merlin will be sitting at my side and he is coming to my birthday party" Arthur stated matter of factly.

"He is not invited, therefore, he cannot attend the party" Agravaine scoffed.

Arthur glared at his uncle "I have already invited Merlin to celebrate my birthday with me because he is the love of my life and my personal consort" he stated.

Uther went to object but Arthur and Merlin walked over to stand next to the wall and he sighed, he could not be bothered to argue over the witch so he threw the papers onto the floor and he put his hand over his mouth as he leaned his elbow on the armrests of his throne.

Arthur looked at Merlin and he put his lips to the warlock's ear to whisper to him "Connect our minds together, we need to talk".

Merlin's eyes flashed gold and he connected his mind to Arthur 'Thank you for the invite'.

'It is not problem, not having you with me on my birthday is not an option, unless you feel sick or anxious' Arthur spoke through his mind.

'I will not be drinking alcohol at the party' Merlin informed.

'I know, stay away from the drunk guests, the knights and I will keep you company' Arthur comforted.

'Thank you, but you need to enjoy your birthday. It is going to be your last birthday when you are not a father' Merlin glanced at Arthur and he smiled.

Arthur smiled and he kissed Merlin 'I want you to enjoy it too, we do not have to hide away this year'.

Merlin nodded and he put his head on Arthur's shoulder 'I will, it is a relief to not have to hide'.

'When do you want to tell your mum about the baby?' Arthur asked.

'Could we write a letter to her later?' Merlin looked up at Arthur.

'Of course, I would like that' Arthur answered.

Merlin sighed happily as he placed his other hand on Arthur's bicep 'We love you'.

Arthur kissed Merlin's head 'I love the both of you too'.

Merlin and Arthur continued to talk to each other through their minds for a few minutes as they stood next to the wall only a few feet away from the throne, they felt like the world was their oyster and that heaven had presented them with beautiful gifts, each other and their child.

The king looked over at Merlin and he had an evil idea when he remembered the boy that Merlin had protected. "Guards, arrest the witch!" Uther shouted.

Merlin looked up and then he looked at Arthur "What did I do?"

Arthur was equally surprised "Nothing".

Two of Uther's guards marched over to where Merlin was and they grabbed the warlock's arm. Merlin was confused and slightly scared, he looked at Arthur and he gulped.

"Arthur!" Merlin pleaded.

Arthur looked at Uther "What's the meaning of this?!"

"The witch will take the thieving boy's punishment. Ten lashes!" Uther ordered.

Merlin realised what was happening and he read Uther's mind.

'I should've given the boy a harsher sentence. He would not survive It' Uther thought.

Merlin realised that by taking the lashes he was saving the boy, the knights yanked him away from the prince and lost his grip on Arthur's arm "Arthur!" He looked over his shoulder.

Arthur grabbed Merlin and he pulled him into free from the knights, he quickly pulled the warlock into an embrace and he glared at Uther "Do not hurt him!".

"It's either face the punishment or the boy is executed" Uther smirked evilly.

Merlin gulped "I'll take the flogging". He then pulled away from Arthur but he held onto the prince's hand, he looked at the knights and he sighed "I'll follow".

Uther's guards led Merlin and Arthur outside to the courtyard and one of the guards grabbed Merlin's arm roughly, the guard tried to force Merlin up the steps and onto the platform but Arthur smacked his hand away.

"Keep your hands off of him!" Arthur shouted at the guard.

Merlin gulped and he let go of Arthur's hand, he walked up onto the platform and he stood where he had stood when he was whipped before. But Uther's knights grabbed Merlin and they forced the warlock down onto his knees before they grabbed some chains. One of the guards grabbed Merlin's wrist and he held it against one of the platform's standing beams. The other knight grabbed Merlin's other wrist and he shackled the warlock's wrists together. Merlin saw the whip and he gulped in fear, tears welled up in his eyes and he closed them tightly.

Arthur as the fear on Merlin's face and he turned his head to look up at Uther "He will not be forced to go through torture on his own, not this time, you insensitive pig!" he shouted at the king before he started to push past the guards and ran onto the platform, he sat down on the other side of the beam and stroked the warlock's hair before he grabbed Merlin's hands "I will not allow you to be put through a lashing again without being able to comfort you!" he promised.

Merlin opened his eyes and he saw that Arthur was sat on the other side of the beam, he sniffled and he let out a few shaky breaths. "Close your eyes, I don't want you to watch as I am whipped".

Arthur shook his head in defiance "No, I am going to comfort you and to do that we need to maintain eye contact".

The warlock slowly exhaled and the prince stroked his knuckles with his thumbs, Merlin felt safer and guarded with Arthur near him and the prince wanted to protect and comfort him as much as he could. He also wanted to keep their baby safe.

"No matter what happens, please don't leave us" Merlin pleaded in a whisper.

"Never. You have my word" Arthur softly said before he kissed Merlin.

Merlin nodded and he remained focused on Arthur's eyes, his own eyes flashed gold and he spoke to Arthur through their minds 'I am worried about the baby, what if something happens?'

A knight ripped open the back of Merlin's tunic, the warlock's already scarred skin was exposed and he shuddered when the cool breeze brushed across his bare pale skin.

'Nothing bad will happen to the baby, everything will be alright' Arthur promised.

Merlin did not get the chance to say or think anything because Uther raised his arm and then he lowered it, signalling for the lashing to begin. The guard raised the whip up into the air without hesitation before he brought it down onto Merlin's back, the young warlock jolted when he felt the pain and he winced.

Arthur did not look away from Merlin's eyes "That's one, nine more left".

Merlin frantically nodded his head. He jolted and he hissed in pain on the second lashing "Uuummmtthh!" he kept his lips shut as he tried to ignore the blood trickling down his back.

Arthur kissed Merlin's forehead "That's the second one. Just hold onto my hands".

As the torture continued, Merlin winced and but he tried to hold in his screams even though he was on the verge of crying out in pain every time his back was whacked and slashed open. Arthur had started to softly shush his warlock and he whispered to him how amazing he thought he was and how much he loved him. Uther did not show any remorse for Merlin as he was tortured once again, he was grinning in great pleasure as pain was inflicted upon Merlin.

Merlin cried out in pain in the sixth lashing and his tears fell "Arthur!"

"Just four more. It's nearly over, just keep looking at me" Arthur said in a soothing tone.

Merlin nodded and he looked into Arthur's eyes, he held in a screams of pain for the rest of the lashing and he squeezed Arthur's hands. He slumped against the beam and he winced in pain but he kept looking directly into Arthur's eyes.

Arthur saw Merlin jolt on the ninth lashing and he gently stroked the warlock's knuckles with his thumbs "I love you, Merlin Emrys. I always have and I always will".

Merlin did not move on the tenth lashing, he made no noise and he did not look away from Arthur. The knight took the shackles off of Merlin's wrists and the Prince rushed to comfort his warlock.

"Hold onto me, my darling" Arthur scooped Merlin up and he hurried to carry him back into the castle, Merlin just held onto the front of his shirt. Arthur carried Merlin to Guias's chambers and he sat the warlock down on the sofa, " Guias, my father ordered for Merlin to be flogged again. Please help him!" he pleaded.

Guias rushed to find some way of helping Merlin, whilst the prince crouched down in front of Merlin

Arthur started to rub Merlin's leg and he held the warlock's hand "You're the bravest man that I have ever met. I love you so much".

Merlin sniffled and he held onto Arthur's hand "Thank you for looking after me" his eyes flashed gold and he whimpered as the wounds on his back healed.

Guias walked over and he rubbed Merlin's shoulder, he handed the warlock a cup of water "Just breathe, Merlin".

Merlin winced before he looked at Guias "Will the baby be Alright?"

"Your child will be quite alright" Guias answered.

Merlin nodded and he slowly exhaled "Thank the gods".

"Merlin, why did you not heal yourself the first time that you were whipped for having magic?" Arthur asked, curiously.

Merlin looked at Arthur "I needed to take my punishment just like anyone else. By healing myself I would have shown weakness and vulnerability, and that is what Uther wanted me to be".

Arthur sat next to Merlin and he kissed the warlock "The world does not deserve you".

Merlin leaned against Arthur "Using magic on myself drains my energy a lot of the time. I am tired".

Arthur kissed Merlin's head "Go to sleep if you want to. I will carry you back to our chambers".

Merlin smiled "Our chambers?"

Arthur smiled "If that is what you want?".

Merlin cupped Arthur's cheek in his hand and he kissed the prince "I would love that".

Arthur smiled and he stroked Merlin's hair. "Sounds good to me".

Guias smiled when he saw how happy the couple were. He sat down and he started to get to work on creating some medicines for the villagers. Merlin smiled as he closed his eyes and he rested his head on Arthur's shoulder. He fell asleep after a few minutes and he whimpered as he dreamed.

Arthur carefully moved and he scooped Merlin up, the warlock unconsciously snuggled into him. Arthur smiled and he kissed Merlin's head "I am going to protect you. I promise".

Guias walked over and he looked at Arthur "Make sure that he rests. If he grows anymore tired then he could collapse or suffer an exhaustion- induced seizure".

Arthur nodded "I assure you that he will be resting for the rest of today and tomorrow".

Guias nodded "Treat him well, Arthur. He deserves to be treated with respect and love".

Arthur looked at Merlin; the warlock was fast asleep and he groaned as he snuggled into Arthur more. The prince smiled and he kissed his love's head "He will have nothing but the best and he will be treated like a noble".

Guias smiled "You know where I am if you both need me. Now get him to where he is safe and sound".

Arthur nodded and he turned to carry Merlin out of Guias's chambers. He walked through the palace as he cradled the warlock in his arms. He made it back to his chambers and he kicked the door open, he carried Merlin into the room. He laid his love down on the bed and then he sat on the bed next to the sleeping warlock. He started to stroke Merlin's hair and he smiled "You will have nothing but the best. You will be treated with the respect that you deserve and I will never stop loving you." He spoke softly.

Merlin rolled over and he snuggled into Arthur, a soft 'hhhmm' trailed passed his lips and he smiled as he slept.

Arthur smiled and he laid down so that he could hold Merlin, he wrapped his arms around the warlock and he kissed his head "You become more and more beautiful every day. You're so special to me and my love for you keeps getting stronger".