Chapter 37 - The Love of A Mother

Ness's POV*

We reached the lower town within an hour since first setting eyes on Camelot. As we made our way through the town, the town's people all stopped dead in their tracks and stared directly at me. Instantly my nervousness returned. As we passed through the town, my eyes caught glance at the water fountain in the city square. I began to smile as memories flooded my vision. I remembered sitting and reading to the children with Merlin on the ground holding onto a young boy named Tommy. I remembered waiting for a friend named Gwen with my crutches in hand, and I remembered the day I suspected I was indeed pregnant with Ella.

Arthur must have sensed my nervousness and grabbed my hand, pressing it to his tender lips. I smiled faintly at him and pointed to the fountain.

" I remember reading to the children there. "

He smiled at me and kissed my temple, " That you did my dear, quite often too. "

Within minutes we were passing through the gates into the castle citadel. Merlin took his leave with Percival and Gwaine to the stables, whilst Arthur stopped the wagon in the center of the citadel. I looked around at the castle and gulped taking in its beauty. Within the citadel, I could see the grand stairs of the castle, to the right I could see a winding staircase that was marked "Physicians Quarters", and to the left I saw the covered stone walk way upon the second floor. An archway however caught my eye, and slowly I felt myself drawn to it.

"We are home my dear," Arthur said bringing me from my thoughts, with his hand held out for me to take

I looked at him with wide eyes and gulped as I took his hand. Stepping down from the wagon, my legs went stiff and I found myself unable to move. Arthur wrapped his right arm around me and held my hand with his left. Slowly he guided me towards the castle. As we reached the castle steps, the doors of the castle were thrown open. I tucked myself against Arthur scared as a group of people ran from the corridor.

"You're highness!" An older man screamed as he ran down the steps in front of us.

"Geoffrey, stop!" Arthur yelled as I began shaking in his arms.

I began to hyperventilate and soon my vision faded to black.

Arthur's POV*

"Geoffrey, stop!" I yelled as Ness began shaking in my arms.

"Ness! Baby! Breathe.. It's ok..it's ok," I assured her in attempt to calm her.

She had begun to hyperventilate and go limp in my arms. This was too much at once and she was truly terrified. Quickly I picked her up and held her against my chest, making my way up the castle stairs .

"You're highness?" Geoffrey questioned, " Is she alright? "

I became quickly annoyed, " No She is not. I will explain it all later, but for today, she needs my undivided attention. "

I was nearing the top of the staircase when I heard Merlin yell at them all before running up the stairs with Gwaine and Percival.

"Go, I'll brief them on the situation, " Merlin yelled to me and then back at the court before him, " Shut it!! "

"You're majesty should we follow ?" Percival asked looking to me worried.

" Please help Merlin for now, I need to get her to our room. This was too much for her sir Percival, " I replied smiling sadly, " I will have Lancelot inform the maid to ready rooms for you both. You are both family now and will stay here at the castle. "

"Thank you Princess," Gwaine replied earning a glare from Percival.

Nodding to the men, I made my leave with Ness in tow. Briskly I walked up the winding foyer staircase and set pace for our chambers. She needed to rest and I needed to be with our children. As I approached our room, I yelled through the door for Lancelot and quickly was met by the door opening to reveal Lancelot holding Anessa.

Hurriedly he moved out of the way allowing me to move Ness to our bed. Carefully I laid her down and moved her unruly curls from her face. Staring at my beloved, I fell to my knees my heart heavy in emotion. I began to sob uncontrollably at the sight of Ness in our bed, I was happy that finally my love was home.

I felt a pair of arms wrap around me and looked up with tear ridden eyes to see Lancelot. Since the night of the twins birth, Lancelot had become like a brother to me almost as much as Merlin. After a few minutes I was able to control my breathing, and looked to Lancelot. I patted him on his back and looked to see Anessa smiling at me. I smiled as she stood up on wobbly legs and attempted to walk to me. She made it four steps before falling on her bottom and giggling.

"Dada," she mumbled making my heart melt.

"Hello sweet pea," I sniffled looking to my beautiful baby girl

Crawling to her, I picked her up and hugged her tightly, kissing the top of her head. Looking around, I saw the nursery door ajar and carefully I stood holding my sweet pea. I walked carefully to the nursery and smiled when I saw Bailey fast asleep with his toy owl. He loves his naps and has to have one everyday. Anessa however hated naps and slept better at night without them. Bending down I kissed his head tenderly, not to wake him and walked back to the main room with Anessa.

"You finally found her," Lancelot said aloud as he looked at Ness .

" We did, she was in a small village in Lots kingdom. "

" Argen, " the knight said with a smile

" Yes she was with two gentleman. They came here with us actually, their names are Percival and Gwaine, " I replied.

"I sense there is more you have yet to tell me Arthur," Lancelot quipped looking at me

I gulped and looked down sadly. Anessa could sense my sadness, and pressed a wet kiss upon my cheek. She was already so much like Ness.

"She has amnesia Lance," I began my breath shaking , " When we found her , she didn't remember me or anyone for that matter. "

I watched as the young knight sat with shaky legs in a chair, a look of sadness upon his face.

"Is it permanent?" He asked sadly

Placing Anessa down in her make shift playpen, I kissed her head and walked to Lancelot. Leaning against the bed post, I couldn't help but stare at Ness.

"So far objects and words have triggered her memories. In just the past day alone, she has remembered a lot. However, all of this has terrified her. In the three years we have been together, I have never saw Ness this scared. She's had had severe anxiety since we found her, and right now appears to be a shell of the Ness we once had, " I explained sadly.

"There's hope though Arthur," Lancelot quipped trying to lighten the situation.

I smiled at him, " There is indeed, I just wish there was more I could do for her. "

A cry erupted from the nursery earning my attention. Quickly I walked through the creaky door to find Bailey upset and pointing at his owl toy in the floor. I smiled at my curly headed some and picked him up. He in fact had his father's temper.

"Shush, my Prince it's ok, daddy's got you," I said to him as I cradled him to me.

I smiled as he laid his small head upon my shoulder, he was in fact still sleepy. Bending down, I carefully picked up his owl toy and handed it to him. He smiled a silly one tooth smile, before laying his head once more on my shoulder. As I walked out of the nursery I smiled at Lancelot. He had learned to love the twins dearly, and I couldn't help but laugh as he sat upon the floor making faces at Anessa. Her laugh was contagious and her brother began to wiggle in my arms at his sister.

"Alright, alright hold on my prince, " I said to him as he squirmed in my arms, he wanted his baby sister.

I smiled at the twins as I set him down and watched as Bailey quite clumsily kissed his sister. At eight months old already did he play the role of her protector. Anessa loved her brother, but hated his kisses. She had recently learned to bite and more often than I cared to admit, did I have to separate them

"Pea, " Bailey screeched as he hugged his sister.

I laughed as Anessa sent him a death glare. They indeed were like Merlin and Ness.

"Be a good girl sweet pea, " I said to her as I ran my fingers through her short curly blonde hair.

The door opened and Anessa suddenly started giggling as she stood on her chubby legs

"Unc-Unc," she yelled as she saw Merlin .

Merlin laughed as he saw Anessa and Bailey.

"Hello there sweet pea," he said to her as he shut the door behind him, Percival, and Gwaine.

I watched as the two men looked around at our chambers. Gwaine stared at Ness and then back at the twins.

"They are beautiful," Gwaine said aloud looking at the children.

"That they are, they luckily get their looks from Ness," Merlin chuckled.

" Hey you prat! " I yelled and threw a toy ball at him.

I watched as Lancelot stood from the floor and walked to Percival and Gwaine. He held his hand out to introduce himself to both the young men. Merlin and I looked to each other smiling as Gwaine blushed when Lancelot smiled at him. Finally we knew his type and the both of us couldn't help but chuckle as Gwaine held out his hand to him

" Gw-Gwaine of Argen, " he stuttered as he shook Lancelot's hand

"Its a pleasure to meet you," Lancelot spoke then turned to Percival, " How are you? "

"Good mate," Percival replied and hugged Lancelot, " You finally became a knight I see. "

"That I did," Lancelot said smiling.

Merlin and I looked confused at the two men, and Merlin took it upon himself to question them.

"Are we missing something here?" Merlin asked the two of them

Lancelot smiled at the two of us, " Do you remember Eleanor my older cousin? "

"Vaguely, I remember her and Ness were close when we were younger, why?" Merlin replied

"She was my wife," Percival answered sadly and stared at the children.

The room became quiet and with that I approached both Percival and Gwaine.

"I never thanked you for taking care of her, " I began clearing my throat, " I am forever indebted to you both. "

"For Ness Princess, we would do anything," Gwaine replied clapping me upon my back.

I looked at Percival to see him still smiling at the children. I could tell he missed his daughter and seeing the young babes before him, made him happy. Walking to the play pen, I picked up the twins and walked back over to the four of them. Stopping in front of them, I looked to both Gwaine and Percival.

"This is Anessa," I began and looked to my daughter in my right arm, " and this is Bailey, " I said smiling at the young prince .

I smiled as Anessa reached towards Percival giggling. He looked to me and with a gentle nod of the head, allowed him to hold her. He smiled as he took her and I laughed as she began to clap her hands at him.

" May I take her over by the window to play? " he asked me and I smiled allowing him to go.

Bailey began to squirm and Lancelot chuckled, " Here I'll take him over to play, " he said and took Bailey to his sister.

" He loves his sister I see, " Gwaine chimes looking at the twins.

"That he does. He has to be wherever she is or he throws a screaming fit," I replied chuckling.

I looked to Ness and sighed, "If only she would wake," I thought aloud to myself

Merlin could sense my sadness and wrapped an arm around me, " Soon, " he said, " soon. "

Ness's POV*

I awoke in a soft bed that held a familiar warmth. Opening my eyes I saw it was no doubt, mine and Arthur's chambers. Looking around, I could see the sun had set upon Camelot. The room was dark and lit only by the fire and candles. I sat up slowly taking in my surroundings and as I did, was greeted by six sets of eyes.

Out of the six I only recognized four which were Arthur, Merlin, Gwaine and Percival. I became frightened looking at them all and slowly I scooted back as far as possible on the bed. Arthur could see how scare I was and slowly approached me.

"It's ok my dear, it's ok," He said as he sat next me.

" Sissy, Merlin, " said softly as he approached, " These men won't hurt you they are family . "

I looked to the man dressed in a brown shirt. He has dark hair and eyes, with a small but if stubble upon his face. He smiled as he looked at me.

"Nessa, I'm Lancelot I grew up in Ealdor with you and Merlin," he said sweetly to me

"Winny.. You're Winny's grandson.." I stuttered looking to him

" Yes Ness, I am remember you always loved her garden full of lillies, " he replied

I frowned looking to him, "I don't remember her garden , but I remember her. I named my horse after her."

He smiled to me and nodded, " Yes you did sissy, you very well did. "

Looking at me from a far was an old man, his eyes were gentle and soft. His hair was long and gray, and he smiled happily at me. He looked familiar.

Standing slowly from the bed with wobbly legs, I approached him. The man felt as though he had been a father figure to me. Carefully reaching out I grabbed his wrinkled hand.

Closing my eyes, my memories of him flooded back to me. He was my uncle..

Opening my eyes I looked to him with tears in my eyes and hugged him , " Uncle Gaius. "

"Yes my dear girl, it is I," he said smiling and holding me as a father would his daughter, " I have missed you so my dear girl. "

Pulling back from him I smiled at him and then to my husband and brother. I looked around confused when I didn't see the twins. My eyes settled upon a cracked door in the corner. Slowly and nervously I walked to the door. Pushing open the door I fell to my knees crying at the sight before me. Laying in a crib together was Anessa and Bailey. My children. My twins.

"Oh my dear," Arthur said to me as he came to hold me.

I cried tears of joy looking at the twins. Never had I known a love greater than that of a mother and child until now. I sobbed against my husband, finally I was right where I belonged.

"Is that them, " I cried looking at Arthur.

"That it is my dear," he said to me as he kissed my forehead.

He was crying as well, and slowly he helped me to stand, his arms supporting me. I looked back to my brother. His hands were drawn to his face and tears streamed from his dark blue eyes. He was leaning against Lancelot for support.

"Go, " he said to me telepathically, " they have been waiting for you sissy. "

"I love you bubba ."

" I love you too sissy, " he replied wiping his face

I looked to Arthur crying and smiled as he wiped away my tears with his thumb. Together, his arms around me, we walked towards the twins. My breath hitched as I reached out to touch them. They were perfect, both of them were perfect.

I watched Arthur as he bent down to the children, " Wake up little ones, mummy is home, " he said to them sniffling.

I watched as the twins slowly woke up and as they opened there eyes, I broke down sobbing.

"Can I hold them?" I questioned my voice shaky looking to Arthur

" Absolutely my dear, always, " he choked out and ushered me to sit in the rocking chair.

As I sat down, I watched him eagerly as he picked up both our children. Carefully he walked to me his face now flooded with tears.

"Bailey.. Anessa.. I want you to meet your mummy," he said as he handed me our children .

I held Bailey in my right and Anessa in my left. Both of the children smiled at me happily as I took them.

"Ma-ma," Bailey chimed clapping his hands on my face

He looked just like Arthur.

Anessa wrapped her arms around my neck and held on tightly. Looking into her eyes, I could see she in fact had mine.

" Oh my go-goodness! Yo -You're both so beautiful! " I cried as I held them, " You're both so per-perfect... Oh I love you both so much... Mummy love you both... "

I clutched onto my children happily crying tears of joy:

"Arthur the-they're perfect I cried."

I looked up to see him sobbing as he watched me with the twins. He fell to his knees in front of me and kissed me tenderly.

"I know my dear, just like their mother," he cried as he wiped away my tears .

I heard sobbing front the doorway and looked to see Merlin crying on Lancelot's shoulder. Gwaine was standing by him rubbing circles on his back as he cried. Percival wiped away a few tears that fell from his eyes, whilst Gaius was grinning from ear to ear.

" There, there Merlin it's ok, " I heard Lancelot say attempting to calm my brother.

"I ca-can't help it, I'm just so happy," my bubba replied as he looked at us.

I looked to both my children in my arms. Anessa smiled to me and Bailey squirmed out of my arms to his father.

"Ma-ma," Anessa said causing me to look at her.

As I did, she smiled as placed her chubby hand upon my face:

~Ness's Dream~

~ "Mummy, look!!" I heard a happy little girl with blonde curls yell to me.I turned to look and smiled at the horse dancing in the flames before us "Good job sweet pea, " I yelled back as I watched her from a far. "Mum watch me," I heard another voice yell and this time turned to see a strawberry blonde boy with freckles who looked just like I Arthur . I smiled as I saw him transform the flames into a dragon." Good job my prince, " I yell with a smile to the boy. I couldn't help but smile at the two children before me. They were beautiful and reminded me so much of their father. I laughed as they skipped happily around the gardens as I sat upon the bench Arthur had made for me. As I watched the children, I felt a pair of arms wrap around my waist and rest upon my largely round stomach. "How is she today?" My husband asked and I chuckled as he kissed my neck. "She is doing great today and kicking up a storm, I have a feeling she will be a lot like her father." " As long as she favors her mother, I would love to have a curly red headed little girl, all freckled face running around, " he replied as he pressed a kiss to my lips.He helped me to stand and walked me over to the children. It was fall and the morning air was slightly chilly. "Children, it's time for breakfast come on now," Arthur yelled, " You're uncle and grandfather are getting impatient hurry now. "I looked closely at Arthur, he was as gorgeous as ever. His sandy blonde hair had grown to the bottom of his ears and flipped out slightly at the end. His build was more muscular and his eyes as blue as the sea. He placed his hand in mine and stared down to my swollen belly, that stood out from the burgundy dress I wore. "Alexandria," he said , " Alex for short. " " I love it and I'm sure the twins will as well, " I reply with a slight chuckle "I love you Ness," Arthur says as he kisses me "And I you, with all my heart sweetheart," I say just before his lips touch mine.~

I looked down shocked to my daughter as the memory ended, she had magic.

"Fu-future," she babbled

" She has magic, " I stuttered , " she showed me a memory. "

"Yes she does my dear, just like her mother. Bailey does as well, but Anessa's is just like yours," he explained.

I smiled at my children and family surrounding me. Finally I was home and forever I would stay..

TO BE CONTINUED...