Chapter 36 -New Beginnings Part Two

Arthur's POV*

Her body trembled as I held her in my arms. Ness was truly terrified, and never had I seen her as scared as she was now. I held her in my arms until she stopped crying and began to yawn. She was indeed tired and today had been too much for her. Carefully, I picked her up from under her knees and held her sideways against my body. I looked to Percival with saddened eyes and he smiled to me, whilst he pointed to the stairs and nodded. Slowly, one by one I ascended the stairs with Ness in my arms. Looking into the rooms, it was easy to find Ness's. Her room was small, but had a window with a rocking chair beside it. A small bed sat in the corner and a stack of books, lay scattered amongst the rickety table against the bed. I smiled at her small room, it reminded me of her shared quarters with her brother when we first met. It was no doubt any bigger either.

Gently, I laid her upon a small bed. She looked to me with tired and by her expression, I could tell she was truly afraid. Bending down, I kissed her forehead tenderly before standing up right once more. Limping to the chair across the small room, I removed my boots and shirt laying them neatly next to one another. Looking back at Ness, I limped slowly back to the bed to lie down with her.

" May I? " I asked before doing so.

After a moment , she nodded and moved over as far as she could in the small bed, allowing me to lay down with her. I smiled as I laid down and slowly not to startle her, I wrapped my around around her, pulling her against me.

" Goodnight my dear, " I whispered against her ear

" Goodnight, " she mumbled as she laid her head upon my chest.

My Ness by some miracle had returned to me. For eight months I had wished to be with her once more and hold her in my arms, and finally after all the heartache, I was able to. Not long after she bid me goodnight, was she asleep in my arms. My mind kept replaying the days events, causing me to lay restless. I was sure of two things:

One, I had finally found my Ness.

Two, Come hail or high water, I would help her remember.

~ The Next Morning ~

Ness's POV*

I awoke wrapped in a familiar warmth that I could not place a finger on. Opening my eyes, I looked up to see Arthur. His eyes were still closed, and his lips parted slightly a soft snore escaping them. He was breathtakingly handsome. Looking down from his face, my eyes landed upon a clover necklace. The necklace looked so familiar and as I wrapped my hands around it, I remembered:

~ Flashback ~

I waited in my wheelchair patiently for Arthur. Tomorrow in celebration of his birthday, he would be crowned the official Crowned Prince of Camelot. Looking into the small pouch, I prayed he liked my gift. It wasn't much, but it was well more then I could afford on a servants salary. Growing up my mother always said four leaf clovers were a sign of good luck, and I hoped with every fibre of my being that Arthur loved his gift. The door opened bringing me from my thoughts, to reveal Arthur. He smiled as he saw me and I couldn't help but chuckle at him. He was covered in dirt and his hair was pointed in every direction humanly possible. He had been training all afternoon with my brother.

"What's so funny?" he asked me with a cheeky grin.

"You!" I chuckled , " Look in the mirror Arthur. "

I watched as he walked to the floor length mirror and sighed. He looked himself over in the mirror modelling for me, making me laugh harder.

"All I see is sexiness," he quipped smiling at me

" Oh really, " I laughed and wheeled over to him

"Well that's not all I see," he began as he bent over to kiss me tenderly , " I also see a beautiful goddess before me. "

"And who might this goddess be?"

" Well you see my dear, she has beautiful pale freckled skin. Her auburn hair when hit by sunlight, forms a halo around her beautifully sculpted face and neck. Her eyes sparkle bright green and are surrounded by beautiful blue borders. Her name my dear one is miss Nessa. "

I couldn't help the blush that kept across my pale face as he finished speaking. Arthur was truly the most angelic creature I had ever laid eyes on.

"I love you Arthur, ' I said to him bringing my small hand up to caress his cheek.

He kissed my hand and closed his eyes at my touch," And I you my dear one. "

I smiled at him and nervously dug through my satchel upon my lap. I smiled faintly and held my arm out to him.

"Happy Birthday sweetheart," I said handing him a small pouch.

"Ness my dear, you shouldn't have," he exclaimed as he took the pouch.

I watched as he opened the pouch and as he looked inside , tears filled his eyes. I began to worry as I saw him will back tears.

" Sweetheart, did I do something wrong? "

He kneeled down before me and held my hands, " I love it Ness, thank you so much my dear."

"You're welcome sweetheart, it's for good luck," I explained

" I have all the luck I need my dear, forever you are all I need, " he whispered kissing me softly.

~Present Day~

Ness's POV*

"Ness," a voice called out to me bringing me from my memory

I looked up to see Arthur staring at me, his face filled with worry. I looked back down at the necklace on his chest and clutched it once more in my hand.

" I remember this, " I began as I sat up holding onto the necklace , " It was the night before you were crowned the Crown Prince of Camelot. You were turning nineteen... I remember I was in a wheelchair from being poisoned and was awaiting patiently for you to return from training... I remember how nervous I was to give it to you. I had saved up a months salary to have it made for you.. It was a rainy afternoon, and when you arrived, I couldn't help but giggle at the state of you. "

" I remember well, " he began, " You were practically trembling as you handed me the pouch. When I opened it tears came to my eyes, it was the most precious thing at the time you could give me. "

"It was for luck... I remember mother used to say four leaf clovers brought luck.. I remember you holding my hand and telling me that as long as you had me, forever I was all the luck you would need," I explained with a small smile.

I looked up at Arthur and saw he was crying and instantly became worried.

"Sweetheart?" I questioned worried I had said something to upset him

He cried harder and all I could do was hold him in my arms. He held on to me tightly, as if he were to let go, It would be the last time he would ever hold me. After a few minutes, he composed himself enough to sit up and look at me.

"I'm sorry Ness," he began sniffling, " I have just missed you so much. I know you don't remember much, but this just now, proves to me that there is hope for you too. "

I gulped feeling guilty that he missed me so much, and even though it was not my fault or choice for this all to happen, the look in his eyes made me feel horrible.

"Hey now," he started and pulled my chin up gently to look at him, " Stop beating yourself up, this is not your fault my dear. When we get back, we will help you with it all, I promise and every step of the way I'll follow. "

Looking at him now, I Could see why it was and just how I managed to fall for him. Leaning in slowly, I pressed my lips against his. He didn't kiss back at first and I believe it had to do with shock, but after a moment, he kissed me and sent tingles of pleasure through my body. Pulling away, he smiled at me a contagious smile that I could not help but reciprocate.

" I love you, " I began, " and I'm not just saying that to make you happy, I'm saying it because for the past couple of months I have fallen in love with you in my dreams. Every night I dream of you.. Of us.. And now your here and it's not just a dream, it's real.. It scares me because I don't remember, but I want to.. For the past few months, I began a new life and now over night, my old one has returned. "

"I love you too Ness, " he replied and once more kissed me.

~ Later that Day~

Normal POV*

" I'm going to miss it, " Ness said aloud looking at the hut.

The five of them were mounting their horses and wagon full of belongings, soon to leave Argen.

" We will come back to visit, it belongs to my family, " Percival assured her smiling

"Anytime you need to get away my dear, we will," Arthur assured her whilst sitting in the wagon with her.

Merlin mounted his horse and approached the two of them on the wagon. He raised his brow at Arthur

"What?" Arthur questioned annoyed by Merlin

" Oh nothing, I was just wondering how much experience you have driving a wagon, " he quipped.

" Enough, it can't be that hard, " Arthur spat back

Ness could sense her brothers discomfort and placed a hand on Arthur's arm, " Arthur, sweetheart.. Why don't you let Merlin drive the wagon? I feel the need to talk to my brother. "

Arthur sighed but agreed reluctantly. Stepping down from the wagon, he kissed Ness on the cheek.

"I love you, " he said to her

" I love you too, " she whispered, " Now off you go our children our waiting for. "

Arthur smiled and mounted his horse, whilst Merlin hooked his to the old wagon. Merlin looked up from his horse and smiled to his baby sister, he was happy to be bringing her home.

"Well I guess that's everything," Gwaine announced walking out of the hut.

"I guess we should take our leave now, with luck we should return by mid morning tomorrow," Arthur exclaimed.

"As you wish Princess," Gwaine replied cheekily mounting his horse, " After you. "

"Gwaine!" Percival scolded hitting him across the head.

" What? " Gwaine replied causing Ness to chuckle.

Arthur rolled his eyes at him but deep down loved Gwaine's sense of humor. It would be interesting to see how he managed life in Camelot. Taking the lead he looked back at Ness and waited for her to signal she was ready. After a moment, she nodded and held onto her brothers arm. Together the five of them making way home with the lost queen.

Merlin's POV*

For several hours, we rode in silence Ness and I. So much had happened that neither one of us knew what exactly to say. Finally it was Ness who broke the silence.

"Your older aren't you?" She asked causing me to chuckle

" Yes but only by a few hours. "

" We will be twenty this year? " she asked once again

" Yes, our birthday is two months away, " I explained to her.

I smiled as she leads her head on my shoulder. It was quite nice to have Ness back after all this time. After a few moments she suddenly looked back up at me:

"You're uncomfortable," she stated, " I can feel it, but I also feel happiness and grief. "

She had gotten stronger than before and I stared in shock at her. Suddenly a warm feeling of peace washed over my body and Ness began to smile.

"How did you do that?"

" I thought happy and calming thoughts dear brother, " she explained with a bright smile .

"You couldn't do that before sissy, it seems your magic is stronger!"

" Could I sense your emotions before? " she asked me curiously

I smiled to her and nodded, " Yes, we could feel what the other felt but never could we change each others emotions or feelings.

"Interesting," she replied and ran her face over her hands, " What about this telepathy ? How do you do it? "

"You first open your mind, once doing so reach out to the persons energy you want to communicate with. Then think really hard about what it is you want to say, then say it aloud in your head as of you were talking," I explained

Ness closed her eyes and after a minute I heard her voice in my head:

"Like this?" She questioned

I smiled to her and telepathically replied "Yes sissy, just like this. "

"Bloody Hell," she exclaimed this time aloud causing Arthur to turn towards her.

"Ness, my dear.. Is everything ok?" He asked her

" Yes sweetheart, everything is fine, " she replied with a smile, " Merlin was teaching me how to communicate telepathically. "

I smiled at Arthur causing him to chuckle, and with that, watched as he turned around and continued to ride.

"So Merlin, " Gwaine spoke up, " Who's the eldest? "

"Me, by only a few hours."

" Huh, how old are the two of you? " he asked and Percival turned to him smacking him

"Gwaine!" He yelled

Ness giggled at the two of them and I couldn't help but smile at them.

" Nineteen, we will be twenty I just under two months, " I replied

"Our birthday is September thirteenth," Ness answered

" Hey that's eight days before mine, " Gwaine exclaimed cheerfully, " I told you she was still a baby Percival. "

" Its also our anniversary, " Arthur spoke up chuckling at Gwaine and then looking at Ness, " You wanted to marry on your eighteenth birthday. "

I watched as my sister looked to him and watched as she gulped. Ness began to hyperventilate and I carefully took her in my arms.

"Ness? Nessa!" I screamed as her eyes rolled back in her head.

" What's wrong with her? " Gwaine screamed and jumped off his horse.

"I don't know! I don't know!" I panicked beginning to hyperventilate myself.

Arthur soon was beside me and took over holding Ness. I watched as he brushed her auburn hair from her face, and rocked her.

"Merlin?" He said to me , " Calm down, your hyperventilating and feeding off her emotions. Calm down.. Breathe Merlin.. "

"Does this happen often with them?" I heard Percival ask

" It does but only in stressful situations, " Arthur explained, " Their magic and souls are tied together, in many ways that even I don't understand. "

After a moment everything went fuzzy and then faded into nothingness.

~ Ness's memory ~

Merlin 's POV*

When I awoke, I was in Arthur's room. Looking around, I was confused by how the room was different. There was no baby furniture and books lay scattered amongst the table. Walking closer to The table, I could see that the books were Ness's healing books. I was now even more confused, Arthur never looked at her books since that dreadful day.

Looking up from the table, my eyes landed to the bedside table. I sighed, everything made sense now as I saw Ness's leg braces. This was the past, this was Ness's memory. Peaking through the curtain upon the bed, I smiled as I saw Ness and Arthur sound asleep, his hand resting on her protruding stomach. She was pregnant with Ella. Reaching out, I gently laid my hand upon her belly. This was a memory from before the or wedding no doubt. Ness was not yet very big.

Shuffling on the bed brought me from my thoughts, and quickly I his behind the window curtains. I watched as I saw Arthur awake and smiling as he saw The sun was just beginning to rise. I watched as he looked at my sister and moved away a stray red tendril of curls from her face. He looked to the bedside table as if he were contemplating something. After a minute, he proceeded to pull out a pouch from the table. After closing the table drawer, he poured the contents of the pouch into his hand. Inside his hand lay Ness's engagement ring. I stared in awe at the sight before me, for this in fact was the moment he proposed. He slid the ring into her nimble finger and then began speaking to Ella, making tears form in my eyes. Carefully I listened:

"I don't know if you can hear me yet, but I love you so much already. Your mother is an amazing woman, she loves you dearly already. I hope you love me and I pray I can be a better father then mine. You are so loved and a blessing to us even under the circumstances in which we conceived you. I hope to marry your mother. Cross your fingers little one, that is if you have any that she will say yes. " he said to her stomach and then kissed it.

Unknown to him , Ness was awake with tears pouring down her face as she looked at him. I watched as he bent up and kissed her softly whilst grabbing her left hand.

" Nessa, I know we have known each other barely a year, but I have loved you since I first met you. You are beautiful and I know this baby is a surprise and we are not yet married but I was hoping we could change that. This ring was my mother's and my father's mother before that, will you accept it and do me the honor of marrying me Ness? " he asked looking into her green eyes. "It took you long enough, " she said kissing him fiercely, " Yes you prat, I want nothing more but to marry you, " she smiled as she pulled back from him.

The scene before me, was probably the most beautiful sight I had ever seen. My sister was truly happy. After a moment, I was in the garden watching myself walk Ness down the aisle to Arthur. It was their wedding day. As the two of us approached Arthur, I kissed my sister and took my place next to Morgana. Ripping my eyes from the sight of the love of my life, I continued watch the ceremony:

" Ness, I have loved you since the moment I met you and hit you by accident with my shield. I still remember the smile on your face when your brother Merlin, " I said glancing to him, " attempted to defend your honor and introduced us. Time after time, you have saved me and shown me what true love really is, I love you with all my heart and I can't wait for our baby to arrive, God blessed me with not just one Angel but two, and I promise to love you forever even in death my heart will forever be yours. I promise to everyday treat you as the princess you are and spend my life forever proving myself to you, for never will I be good enough to deserve someone as beautiful as you. "

She was tearing up now and her hands were shaking. I watched as Arthur kissed her hands calming her down and told her to breath.

"Arthur, I never thought I was capable of being loved or in love as I much as I am with you. Your are my world and my everything Arthur. I was always afraid to be myself to anyone but with you I can. I have loved you since I first laid eyes on you, even though then I thought you to be a royal prat. You have become an amazing man and with each passing day my love grow a more and more for you. I can't wait to see the father and one day long I know you will be. You are the light to my darkness, the love of my life. I promise to love you forever and I would give my life for you all over again. I don't regret anything or care about anyone else as long as I am with you. I love you more than life itself and I will forevermore"

I chuckled as Arthur kissed her only to be interrupted by Geoffery

" Sire, we are not to that part yet, " he said chuckling before continuing, " if there is any reason for these two not to be wed I asked that you speak now... "He paused" Very well then, do you Arthur Pendragon take Nessa to be your lawful wedded wife in sickness and in health, for richer of for poor, till death do you part? "

"I do, forever and always," Arthur said looking to Ness.

He saw she was crying and moved one of his hands to rest on her stomach, making her smile.

"Do you Nessa Nicole Emrys take Arthur to be your lawful wedded husband? In sickness and in health, for richer of for poor, till death do you part? "

"I do, until my heart stops beating and even then forevermore, " Ness replied

"By the powers vested in me and the laws of Camelot I now pronounce you husband and wife, Arthur you may now kiss your bride, "Geoffrey exclaimed and together, Arthur and Ness's lips met.

~ Present Day~

Merlin's POV*

"Merlin? Merlin! " A voice called out to me..

I opened my eyes to see Gwaine looking at me with a big smile.

"There you are handsome, " he said chuckling.

I shot up from the ground and stumbled over to my sister, to see if she were ok. She however, had not woken and Arthur was crying. I caressed her head and sadly smiled to Arthur.

"She's ok, " I began, " she's rem-remembering.. I saw her memory.. It was of the day you proposed and your wed -wedding.. "

"She remembers?" Arthur questioned

" Yes, " I mumbled

"Merlin? Are you ok?" Arthur asked me worriedly.

" She's stronger than be -before, " I stuttered my head feeling dizzy once more.

"You need to lay down brother, " Arthur replied and looked to Percival , " Can you guide his horse back with you? "

" Yes your majesty, " Percival assured him

"I'll tend to yours princess," I heard Gwaine say aloud before once more falling asleep.

Ness's POV*

"Ar-Arthur, " I mumbled my eyes slowly opening to see my head upon his lap.

"Oh thank God!.. You scared me Ness," Arthur sighed clearly relieved

I looked to my hand to see my ring was not there. The ring in my memory was so beautiful. I sat up slowly and was surprised to see Merlin asleep next to us. We no longer were moving and in the wagon. A camp fire roared with bright flames next to us.

"Where are we?"

" We made camp just outside of Lots kingdom. We are in Camelot territory now my dear, " Arthur explained.

I looked at him and then back down to my left hand, rubbing my ring finger.

"Your mother's ring? What happened to it?"

He smiled at me and pulled out of his pocket a small satchel. Opening the satchel he pulled out his mother's ring along with my wedding band. I started to tear up at the sight of my rings.

"May I?" he asked and I nodded to him whilst holding out my left hand.

Carefully one by one, he slid each ring upon my finger. I smiled at the rings and looked back up to him to see him also tearing up. Gently, I wiped away his tears with my right thumb and rested my hand upon his cheek. I remembered.. I remembered our wedding, I remembered him proposing to me.. There was still many things I didn't remember, but slowly my memories were working their way back to me.

Looking at him, my heart filled with love, I knew, I loved Arthur more than anything.

"Until my heart stops beating, I will love you," I said too him

" I love you too, " he shuttered and kissed me tenderly.

" I remember you proposing and I remember our wedding, " I began, " But there are many moments I still have no recollection of whatsoever Arthur. "

"You will my dear, you will," he whispered kissing me once more.

When the kiss was over, I looked to my brother. He was sleeping and I could feel his discomfort. Something had happened.

As if knowing, Arthur answered my unspoken question:

" When you collapsed in his arms, your magic connected with his. Your magic pulled him into your memory and he saw everything you did my dear. It took a toll on him, for never have we seen your magic to be so strong, and when he came back his own magic exhausted him. You two have never connected to this extent magically before Ness, " he explained.

"Our souls are connected, " I began while looking at my brother, " After I died, I saw Ella, daddy, and a woman I believe to be your mother. Her name I don't remember.. "

"Ygraine, her name was Ygraine, " he smiled tears forming in his eyes.

"As long as he lives, as his soulmate, so can I," I explained , " Our souls are bound together for never can either of us truly die without the other ... I remember in the cave, my father told me I could decide my fate... I chose to return Arthur. "

"I'm glad you did my dear, I have missed you," he whispered

" Father told me that Merlin was in many ways stronger than I, but in many ways I am stronger then him. That's why he can heal to an extent, but cannot fully remove pain. I can change emotions , see visions, and connect my memories to him. I can return to the cave and see my father and Ella, but he cannot. We both are connected as one, but are in fact two different sides of the same coin. "

"Bloody hell, that sure explains a lot, " a voice said from behind me and I saw it was in fact my brother.

" Are you ok? "

" I'm fine now since I rested.. Are you? " he asked me worried

I smiled faintly and hugged my brother, " Never better bubba. "

" How long have we been here? " he questioned

"Since nightfall, " Arthur replied, " The sun will be rising soon, Camelot is only two hours from here. "

I looked around and saw Gwaine as well as Percival, soon asleep on a cot together. I chuckled knowing it would be a fight trying to wake them both.

Merlin saw me chuckling at the two of them and eyes them suspiciously:

"So he is really gay?" He questioned referring to Gwaine

I chuckled, " Yes but don't worry he's not into you. "

"How are you so sure?" Merlin asked curiously

"Because the way he feels is purely platonic, he thinks of you as a brotherly figure. I can feel it."

" What about Percival? " Arthur asked

"Percy feels sad most of the time.. His wife and daughter were killed by a witch six months ago now... He is a gentle giant and has a wonderful heart. His wife refused to help this witch by using her magic, and in return was killed for it... He's only twenty -six and has gone through a lot already.. " I explained sadly

"That is a hard thing to bare at a young age. I know how it feels to lose a loved one," Arthur mumbled .

I grabbed his hand and focused on his energy, he was happy but at the same time full of worry and sadness. Closing my eyes, I helped him to think of our children and our wedding to make him happy. When I opened my eyes he looked at me shocked.

"Bloody hell, you are stronger, " he said chuckling

"See I told you, you pompous prat," Merlin chuckled

" Oh I'm the prat, " Arthur retorted throwing a stick at Merlin

Before the stick could hit him, I closed my eyes and pictured butterflies. Opening them I giggled at the look of shock on their faces. Standing slowly, I waved my hand towards the horses and packed up camp. I chuckled as Gwaine and Percy stood disheveled wondering what happened to their pillows.

"Rise and shine boys!" I chuckled and smiled at them

I laughed as Gwaine mumbled incoherently to himself, while Percival smiled at me.

"Good morning miss Nessa," he said as he walked over and kissed my cheek.

" Good morning Percy, " I exclaimed and then looked to Gwaine, " Good morning sleepy head."

Before long the five of us were on our way to Camelot. Percival rode with Arthur's horse whilst Gwaine and Merlin rode next to each other chatting on separate horses. The two seemed too get on well. Arthur insisted on riding with me, and as we rode, I held onto his arm. I couldn't help but be nervous as we got closer to Camelot. What if I wasn't going to be a good mother? What if I were a horrible wife? But most of all, what if I didn't ever fully remember. The five of us stopped suddenly and Arthur pointed ahead.

In the distance, I could see a grand stone castle with light Gray walls and the Pendragon crest printed on flags. It was beautiful and brought me back to the first time I laid eyes on it.

"I see it Ness! Camelot," Merlin screamed" Beautiful, "I said to him as I stared at the grand castle.It was breathtakingly beautiful and never had I saw anything so magnificent.

" It's as beautiful as it was the first day we arrived bubba, " I exclaimed with a smile

" At least no one is being decapitated this time, " he laughed back at me causing Arthur to roll his eyes.

" You really are a strange family , you know that, very strange , " Gwaine stated looking at us blankly.

I couldn't help but chuckle at him, and look to Arthur.

"Welcome home my Queen," Arthur said smiling and I couldn't help but kiss him.

When the kiss ended I smiled at the four men around me and looked back at the castle. Suddenly, I felt as though everything would be ok. Suddenly I looked forward to a New Beginning.

TO BE CONTINUED...