Merlin went down and grabbed some bread and cheese and went through to the nursery. Hunith was sitting playing with the twins, with the druid women watching on. As the toddlers saw their father they rushed straight to him, and grabbed a leg each. Merlin bent down, and putting his food to one side, picked them both up and cuddled them.
Hunith looked at her son, a smile on her face "I hope you had a good sleep." She noted the red blush that spread across his face.
"I did, thank you mother. How have the twins been?" trying to change the subject.
"Their fine now, but you need to consider them more when you rush off, they were very upset. It seems Glinda must have seen what happened. You knew she was a seer, it's not fair to put her though that at her age." Hunith seldom criticised her son, but it was clear she was unhappy.
"I'm sorry mother, I will try to be more careful. They are my life, you know they are." Merlin sat on the floor and started to do simple magic to amuse his children.
Gwaine walked in and smiled as he saw Merlin and the children. "That's good to see." He sat down next to Hunith and smiled at her.
Hunith turned to Gwaine, and very softly so no one else could hear, she whispered to him. "I want my son to be happy, and if you can do that I approve, but don't ever hurt him." She had a hard edge to her expression that Gwaine had never seen on her before.
Equally quietly he answered her "I won't hurt him, I'd rather die first. I have loved him along time, and intend to care for him and the kids."
Hunith smiled and spoke to her son again. "I will leave you with the children and I will see you in the morning."
Merlin got up and kissed her on the cheek. "Sleep well mother."
Merlin played with the children until it was their bedtime, then he helped settle them for the night. Then leaving the druids to watch them Merlin headed for the King's chambers, Gwaine following on behind. Knocking on the door, Merlin went into the room and found the King and Queen enjoying a quiet time with the Princes, before going down to have their evening meal in the great hall. There wasn't a feast, but the nobles were gathered together to rejoice at their Kings return from fighting the Saxons. Merlin and Gwaine were also to attend.
"Good to see you well rested." Arthur commented "You look better than you have for ages." He had a twinkle in his eyes.
"Thank you, Sire." Merlin replied sarcastically. Not saying more in front of the two young boys.
"I thought tomorrow we could all go for a picnic with the children. It will make a pleasant change." Gwen suggested.
"Thank you Gwen, I will bring the twins and Aithusa, she can keep them amused." Merlin knew all the children loved the dragon.
"Who else would get a dragon babysitter but our kids?" Arthur laughed.
"Since she is the last of her kind, they are uniquely blessed. I wish I could find more eggs." Merlin sounded wistful.
"Now that would be an adventure." Gwaine wished he knew of any reports, what a present that would be for Merlin.
"I've had enough of adventure for now." Arthur sounded serious.
"You won't say that in a couple of days, when you're bogged down in meetings." Gwen said to her husband.
They left the princes with their nanny, and went down eat. As the company was less than simulating the evening finished early, and they all went back to their rooms. As usual the first thing Merlin did was go into the nursery to check on his children, he bent down and kissed each of them on the forehead before whispering a spell that would ensure a peaceful nights sleep. As he turned he saw Gwaine watching him, a soft expression on his face.
"You're a good father, they're lucky to have you. If you'll let me I'd like to help look after them. Not just guard them, but care for them." The knight looked at both the sleeping children. "They're part of you Merlin."
Merlin looked at Gwaine in surprise. "I didn't expect that. I know you like kids but it's different when they depend on you. I'd be honoured to have you help."
Gwaine moved forwards and put his arms around the other mans waist and pulled him into his chest. "They're yours, Merlin, and if I'm to have you, I'll have them as well." He kissed the top of Merlin's head. "Come on love lets go to bed."
Merlin walked into the bedroom with Gwaine and spotted the bath and the now cold bath water. "Damn I forgot I'd given Sam the evening off never mind." His eyes flashed gold and the window opened and the water rose from the bath and out of the window.
"It's a good job there wasn't anyone outside." Gwaine laughed.
"The first couple of times I did it there was, but everyone has learnt by now." Merlin moved back into Gwaine's arms. "I could get used to this." He felt protected within the more muscular mans embrace.
"Good because I'm not going anywhere." With that Gwaine moved with Merlin until they reached the bed.
They spent their first night together in each other's arms. Yes, they had slept that way before, but not with the feelings they both shared out in the open. The next morning a very surprised Sam came in to wake Merlin up. It was quite clear to him that he had walked into something quite different, than ever before. For a start he could see both men were without nightclothes, unless they had trousers on. They also looked different; each had a contented smile on their faces. As Sam stood there, making up his mind what to do, Gwaine opened his eyes and winked at him.
"Hi Sam, Could you leave us for a bit? Come back in say an hour with breakfast."
Sam nodded and left without saying a word. He sat down on Gwaine's bed on the lowest floor of the tower, and wondered if he had seen what he thought he had seen. He was still sat there when Hunith walked in the door. She looked at Sam and guessed what he has walked into. She sat on the bed next to him.
"Hello Sam, you look shocked." Sam looked at Hunith not sure what to say.
"Don't worry Sam I think I know what you saw. It's alright you know, they love each other. I realise it's not a normal thing for you to see, but just accept it. And please I'm sure you won't, but don't gossip, please. Let them have their privacy." Hunith put her hand on Sam's knee. "Now go and get them their breakfast and make sure you knock when you take it upstairs."
Sam looked at Hunith and smiled at her. "I sort of guessed they liked each other, but…." He looked at Merlin's mother "…well I was surprised."
"I'm sure you were; now off you go. There's a good lad."