A/N: Thank you SnidgetHex, GuestM, Buckhunter, and Guest for reviewing!

Chapter 5

In the morning, Arthur went out to the fields on the edge of the lower town where the surviving men of Deorham's army had been assembled under guard. Leon and Gwaine brought King Artungrin before him, pushing him to his knees in front of the victor. Artungrin glared defiantly up at Arthur, who felt only grief that their friendship had come to this.

Artungrin lifted his chin. "Get it over with."

"I'm not going to kill you," Arthur said.

Artungrin blinked in surprise.

"You and your men are free to return home."

He noticed Gwaine shooting Leon a look at that, but his knights wisely held their tongues. Arthur knew Gwaine wanted justice for Merlin, but Arthur wanted the cycle of violence to end.

"Why?" Artungrin asked skeptically.

"Because I've learned the value of mercy," Arthur replied. "And it's peace I want, not war." He nodded to Leon and Gwaine, who hauled Artungrin to his feet. "You will be escorted to the border. I advise you never enter Camelot's lands without leave again."

With that, Arthur turned and walked away. He hoped there would be no future repercussions of this, even though he also knew that he'd done the right thing regardless.

He returned to the castle where repair efforts were underway on the gate and immediate courtyard. The dead were being separated, with those belonging to Camelot piled along one wall. The others would be loaded into carts and sent back to their homeland. The loss of life was tragic, but it would have been much worse if they hadn't had forewarning.

Arthur headed inside and was greeted with the sight of Guinevere coming down the stairs. She quickened her pace when she saw him, and he spread his arms to sweep her into a fervent embrace. He hadn't had any time to see her since the night before, with so much to do post battle.

Arthur pulled back. "How's Lily?"

"She's resting," Gwen replied. "It's exhausting giving birth to one baby, let alone two."

Arthur's jaw slackened. "Two?"

Gwen grinned. "A boy and a girl. We almost lost the girl, but Merlin was able to save her."

Arthur's mind reeled with that information, but it sounded like everything was fine now. "What about Merlin?"

"What do you mean?" Gwen asked in confusion. "He seemed fine. Was he hiding an injury?"

Arthur shook his head. "No, but he had to use his voice to call the dragon. It cost him."

Gwen's eyes widened. "He left with Gaius a few hours ago, but I think Gaius is in the main hall tending to the wounded."

The two of them headed that way, and indeed Gaius was treating the wounded, with Merlin helping.

"Shouldn't you be resting?" Arthur asked him.

Merlin shrugged and pointed to a flask on his belt. Arthur could only assume it was medicine for his throat.

"He may have saved the day," Gaius put in, "but he'll not be speaking for a long while now, since Lily won't be up to any healing magic of her own any time soon."

"Well," Arthur said, a teasing lilt in his voice. "It'll be nice to have some silence from you for a change."

Merlin shot him a dirty look.

"Where can I help, Gaius?" Gwen asked.

The court physician gave her instructions, and Arthur left them to their work.

There were still a lot of things to handle, so it was a while before Arthur had a free moment to go see Lancelot and Lily. Their door was open, probably from people coming and going. Arthur knocked quietly to announce himself before stepping inside. Lily was asleep in the bed, and Lancelot was pacing as he rocked an infant in his arms. He looked over at Arthur's entrance and smiled.

Arthur crossed the room and looked down at the wee thing. It had a tiny fist wrapped around Lancelot's much larger finger. "Congratulations," he said.

Lancelot nodded in acknowledgement. "They're so small," he remarked, glancing over to a bassinet near the bed.

Arthur spotted a second baby sleeping inside it.

"I've never been more scared," Lancelot confessed, keeping his voice down. "I was so excited to be a father, but now…I have no idea what I'm doing."

"You'll do fine," Arthur assured him. "And you'll be a wonderful father, Lancelot, I have no doubt. Have you chosen names yet?"

Lancelot nodded, that fond gaze falling back to the child in his arms. "This is Rhys, and his sister is Rhedyn."

Arthur smiled again.

Joy comes in the morning.

A few weeks later, Arthur sought out the Druids again with Merlin. His court sorcerer was recovering and was able to speak a little at a low volume, though he still wasn't supposed to overdo it. But Merlin was the only one who could find the Druids' new camp.

Seoc came out to greet them, and his previous hostility had waned. "It is good to see you well, Merlin," he said. "And you, King Arthur."

It was gracious of him to include Arthur, and he inclined his head in return. "I hope these recent trials won't deter us from forming a peace between our peoples."

Seoc considered him for a moment, then gestured for him and Merlin to follow him to his tent so they could talk.

Arthur shared an encouraged look with Merlin. The very idea of peace and magic had been under siege, but they had emerged intact, and their efforts had not been wasted. The kingdom Arthur wanted to build was still possible.