Hi everyone! ^^
I finished this chapter before the 6th, and it gave me the push I needed to also finish the previous chapter!
I wanted to publish this one today, as a birthday gift for Bertaz! Happy happy happy birthday girl! I hope you'll have a beautiful day! Thank you so much for everything you do for the Escalin community, and for me personally! I appreciate you so very much! 3
Ti voglio bene Eli! Grazie veramente di tutto! ^^ 3
This was a surprise for her, so she'll be also reading this chapter for the first time now! I hope you'll like it! ^^
(And that also means that this chapter wasn't proofread! XD please be patient with me, and sorry for any error you could find! ^^)
Thanks a lot to everyone who read, commented and liked my fics, and specifically this one! ^^
Please, follow me on twitter if you like! I'll appreciate it ^^
( /RoryWild4)
And Bertaz too! (She draws Escalin sooooo well! She's an inspiration and a huge help every time!)
( /BertazHead)
I also recommend reading the stories of: sailingskye and Wolly! They are totally gold! *.*
CHAPTER 7: Promises
Merlin was experimenting and researching in her lab, as usual, she had devoted herself to this particular project for the last four years and ten months.
She didn't remember clearly what happened after the Seven Deadly Sins defeated the Demon King, after…
It was all so blurry.
She knew she had finally achieved her goal, to resurrect Arthur as the king of Chaos, that she had told everything to the other Sins, and that they had to fight Cath Palug in order to save Arthur and the future.
Then everyone had gone their separate ways, she had come back to Camelot with Arthur to rebuild the kingdom and find the survivors there. With her magic and Arthur's help she would say that they had done a very good job, and after that Camelot had flourished thanks to everyone's efforts, and had become a very healthy and peaceful kingdom. The treaty with the other realms had been a huge push forward for all the participants, and now Camelot was as well known as Liones and the fairy and giant's kingdoms.
Everything had worked out quite well!
She had briefly visited when Big Sis-sis and Meliodas had their son, Tristan, and even congratulated Elaine and Ban for their Lancelot; she had heard that King and Diane's wedding had been a big event, but she hadn't been able to attend, she had been in the middle of restoring Camelot and wasn't really in the condition to take that journey. Gowther visited everyone from time to time, also playing the part of messenger between the former companions; she had wanted to find a better way for them to stay in contact but she hadn't found the time for that yet, she had been pretty busy herself.
"Mom!"
An unconscious smile formed on her lips at that voice, she had been expecting him.
The Mage turned around, welcoming the sight with a smile: her son was walking fast towards her, a big warm smile on his face, and with his ginger hair and wide blue eyes, he was the mirror image of his father.
Looking at him she couldn't help the pang in her heart, she missed Escanor terribly, like she had lost a part of herself, and he reminded her of his father so much... but looking at their precious miracle also filled her with hope and love.
"Hello my little lion."
Merlin let go of all the things she was focusing on at the moment and turned around to welcome her son in her arms.
He almost jumped on her, and she lifted him up without problems.
"How was your day?"
She embraced him for a moment, welcoming his warmth against her.
He smiled even wider than before.
"Good! I trained with big bro Arthur! He said that I'm getting better with a sword!"
She couldn't stop the warm smile that spread on her lips, he was training with wooden swords she knew, he had insisted on it, at first she was unsure, he was just four, but when he said that he wanted to train so that he could become strong enough to protect her, she had agreed, her heart melting at his sweetness.
"Did he now?"
She teased, tickling him lightly, making him laugh and squirm.
"Mom!"
She stopped, laughing with him.
"Yup! I'm getting stronger!"
He said, puffing out his chest in pride.
"My brave little warrior."
She kissed him on the cheek and he circled her neck with his arms to hug her.
He had been her ray of hope for all these years, he made her find courage and strength that she hadn't known to have, he had filled her days with warmth and love; Escanor had really given her the most precious gift of her entire life.
"Are you working on finding dad?"
She looked from her son to her books, splattered all over the place.
"Yes. I'm not giving up."
She said with conviction.
She had been searching for a way to bring Escanor back, a way for him to have survived, or anything else! She was sure that he wasn't totally lost to her, she could feel it, and the burned marks on her face were proof of that; sometimes she thought she could feel something from them, but she had never been able to make sure of it, nonetheless they were there for a purpose, and she wasn't giving up!
She had told her son what had happened, more or less, she didn't want him to grow up thinking that his father didn't want him, or not knowing anything about him; she was determined to find him also for their son's sake.
"Don't worry mom! I will protect you until we find dad!"
His grin was so radiant and sure that her heart melted even more.
"Thank you Gawain, your father would be very proud of you, as I am."
She kissed and hugged him again, making him giggle and hug her hard in turn, then after a few moments he began wriggling, trying to get out of her grasp.
She let him down before he could fall.
"Is it true that Tristan and Lancelot will come over at the end of the month?!"
He was so excited at the idea to have his friends over that he was unable to stay still, she smiled fondly at that, turning back to her desk.
"Yes, they will accompany their fathers that have business with Arthur."
At the unexpected silence she frowned, turning around to see that Gawain was still and that his smile had fallen a little, she slapped herself mentally and her heart hurted for him: he was a very brave child, but he was a child nonetheless, one that longed to finally meet his father; seeing other kids interacting with their dads had always made him a little melancholy, it wasn't as if she couldn't understand, she felt the same when she saw families go out together, or couple's interacting with each other's, she felt the loneliness too, if in a different way than him, but both of them longed for Escanor just as strongly.
She walked back to him, crouching down to his level and embraced him.
"I promise that I will find him."
She assured her son, trying to be strong for him...
"I know that you will!"
...just as he was trying to be strong for her.
He smiled again, his spirit lifted up for the moment, and then left her arms running towards the door.
"I need to go do my homeworks!"
"Okay, I'll see you at dinner."
He just grinned and walked out from her lab.
She had definitely been blessed with a marvellous son, strong, caring and intelligent, she couldn't have asked for more.
Now, if she only could find his father and have him back with them, that would have been perfect.
She frowned in determination and turned back to her work.
I will find you Escanor! I promised!
It was just a few days later that things turned suddenly for the better.
Merlin was working in her lab, as usual, when suddenly she heard a strange knock disrupting her concentration. She lifted her eyes and was shocked to see Mael outside her window.
She hadn't seen or heard from him in almost four years, so having him there was quite a strange event.
She moved from her desk to the window, opening it and letting the Archangel enter the room, stopping in front of her.
"I'm very surprised by your visit, to what do I owe the pleasure?"
She was a little sarcastic, looking at him with contempt and her arms crossed on her chest, they hadn't left each other in the best of terms; at the time she was mourning her lover's death, worrying about her sudden pregnancy, desperately searching for clues that could help her find the father of her unborn child, and when she had turned to him, the Archangel had been very evasive and not at all forthcoming. His behaviour had infuriated her, leading to some nasty words and accusations from her part. She may have exaggerated a bit, but he had almost seemed reluctant to help, or hiding something from her, and that, added to the situation she was in, had made her see red.
Mael looked at her, seeming almost apologetic, and grimacing at her tone.
He decided to go straight to the point, he knew that the Mage was short tempered with him right now.
"I know that you think that four years ago I didn't want to help you, that wasn't it, I did want to help but I wasn't able to, and for that I'm very, very sorry, please believe me."
He bowed, trying to get across to her just how sorry he was. She regarded him with a lifted brow, not very impressed.
"Why are you here now?"
Her tone was cold and distant, she hadn't forgiven him one bit.
The Archangel lifted himself up and sighed, looking directly at her.
"I wasn't able to help then, but I can help you now, if you'll let me."
At his words her eyes opened wide and glinted with desperate hope.
"Do you know where he is? How can I have him back?"
She was suddenly in his face, her hands grabbing his clothes and twisting them, her eyes full of fire and determination now.
"Start talking!"
She almost growled the command, and Mael found himself swallowing nervously.
"I know where he is and how to get him back as a living man."
The raven haired beauty was suddenly regarding him with open hopeful eyes, she let him go and turned around, she needed a moment to understand what he had told her and to recompose herself.
She felt so many emotions swirling inside and almost escaping through her eyes, she closed them for a moment, one hand on her mouth, her other arm embracing her midsection, and breathed deeply to calm herself down.
She couldn't begin to put in order all the thoughts passing through her mind at that moment, she couldn't focus on that, she had first of all to know how to have Escanor back by her side again, everything else could wait.
Merlin turned, determination clear on her face again.
"Tell me everything. What do I need to do?"
Mael smiled gently.
"You already achieved one of the requirements: you never stopped believing he was alive, you never stopped searching for him."
She felt a warmth spreading in her chest, knowing that all this time she had been right, that everything she had been doing in the last years wasn't in vain.
She breathed deeply.
"What's next then?"
The Archangel let her digest his words, and then went on.
"You have to prepare a recipient for his soul, it must resemble him, it doesn't matter the material in which you'll be building it, once his soul will inhabit it, it will become a human body, flesh and all. The most important thing it's the resemblance with the real Escanor. If it's not adequate, the soul won't be able to come back to it. You can use your magic, but you have to do at least one thing with your own hands."
Merlin frowned in thought, she was already thinking which material to use and how to better build it. It was a tricky thing to do, if one took into account Escanor's changing nature.
"I have to use one material only or can I use more than one?"
"You can use all the materials you think will be best suited for it, it doesn't have to be only one."
It seemed a very complicated mission, but Mael had faith that if there was a person who could achieve that, it was the Mage in front of him.
Said Mage was already immersing herself in this new task, even more than usual, knowing that it was essential in bringing Escanor back. She finally had a trail to follow, an actual goal to achieve, she didn't want to lose even a second!
"Do I have a time limit?"
She asked while already on the move, calling to her book after book, while scribbling down ideas and suggestions.
"You don't have a strict time in which to finish this task, but the faster you are, the better. His soul has already spent a lot of time away from his physical body."
And now she also felt the pressure… but never mind, she hadn't wanted to take her time in building the recipient, she wanted him back as soon as possible!
"Very well."
That was the last thing she said to him, focusing completely on what she had to do now. The Archangel smiled, watching her at work for a few moments before turning and going towards the window to let himself out.
"Mael."
He stopped and turned his head to look behind him, she hadn't stopped what she was doing, and hadn't turned around.
"...thank you."
That was said in a tone so low that for a moment he believed he had to have heard that wrong, but he was sure he wasn't mistaken, and looked at her in surprise and shock, she was still at work, so he just smiled.
"It was the least I could do."
With that he turned around and flew away, leaving the Mage to focus on her project.
Merlin worked on building the recipient every possible minute of her free time, the only moments that she wasn't working, or busy with her other duties, were spent with her son; she had decided to not say anything to Gawain, not yet, not before being sure that Escanor would really come back to them, she didn't want to give him false hope.
She opted to use some clay for the most part, it was easier to give it a form with that, but she also added some metal pieces so that it would be sturdier.
The most tricky part was to decide in which form to build it, she loved both his night and day form, they were both part of him, they make him who he really was, and she loved him that way; so she decided to create it in his middle form, that would hopefully beckon both sides of him.
She greatly hoped to have made the right choice.
She dedicated herself to that so much that she was able to finish it in just two weeks, she wanted it to be perfect, she needed it to be, she couldn't and wouldn't make any mistakes; she remembered him to the last, tiny detail, and she had built him with every care, so the result was very impressive. She had used her magic for everything, except his eyes and lips, she decided to do those herself, handling that with gentleness and love, she loved his eyes, how he could made her feel every different kinds of warm just by looking at her, and she loved his lips, so apt at reciting sweet poems, at infuriate so many when he voiced his prideful thoughts, and marvellous at giving her pleasure.
Looking at her finished masterpiece she felt all kinds of emotions blocking her throat, and she had to swallow more than once to clear it, trying to not be swallowed by her own feelings instead.
It was the moment of the truth.
She waited for Mael, he had been dropping by more often with the recipient almost finished, wanting to check out her progress, so she had just to wait for his usual visit.
When he finally arrived it was past the sundown, and was totally shocked by the results: it was like being face to face with the real Escanor. She did an outstanding job, and he told her as much.
"I just hope this will be enough."
She whispered, she was confident in her work, but she couldn't help herself feeling nervous, the results were too important not to be.
"And now?"
She needed to know what to do next.
Mael smiled gently.
"Now you'll sleep."
His words received a nasty frown from her part.
"Ah, don't get me wrong!"
He lifted his hands in a placating manner.
"You'll need all your strength for the next part. You'll have to teleport this in a deserted place, you wouldn't want to hurt someone with the magic that the next phase will need, and you have to perform the next task at the exact time of day that you had in mind when you built it."
Merlin looked from the Archangel to the recipient, she didn't have to muse a lot about it, she knew pretty well which time of the day she had in mind for this.
"What will I have to do then?"
"I'll tell you tomorrow, I'll come with you to do my part and to make sure that everything will go right."
The Mage nodded, still looking at it.
"Then you can meet me here before mid morning, and then I'll teleport us to a convenient place."
The Archangel agreed and flew away, leaving her alone with the recipient.
The Mage walked slowly to it, and caressed its surface gently, looking in its eyes with longing.
"I want to see you for real again soon."
She leaned forward, putting her cheek against its chest, as if seeking comfort.
It was just a cold piece of clay and metal right now, but she hoped and believed with everything she had, that tomorrow it will be warm, and hugging her back.
The day after, Mael arrived in the morning, as agreed, and Merlin teleported both of them and the recipient immediately, she didn't want to lose even a single second.
She had found a suitable place a good distance away from any settlement, it was just a plain expanse of short grass, one could see a forest nearby and some green hills all around. There was a gentle breeze and the sky was free of clouds.
She couldn't ask for better settings.
The Mage took a deep breath, closing her eyes briefly, and then turned towards the Archangel, who was just there watching her with a tense expression.
He was nervous too.
"What do I have to do?"
She asked in a determined voice, trying to hide her own nerves.
"It's a very good thing that you didn't heal those scars."
He said cryptically. She unconsciously caressed them with a hand.
"Because they'll be the way to connect with him, and to call him back here."
Her eyes grow in shocked surprise.
Those burnt marks had been a reminder of him, of their promise, they had fueled her determination to never give up on finding him, to still have hope.
And she had been right.
They will serve their purpose now.
She was so glad, so, so, so relieved!
"How?"
She almost whispered, her voice catching on the lump of emotions in her throat.
"I need you to be in physical contact with the recipient, the nearer the contact to your scars, the better. You'll be the conductor to make his soul enter the recipient, while I'll call his soul and guide it in the right direction. It will probably be uncomfortable, I don't know if it will hurt or how much, but you can never break the physical contact until it's over, or it won't work… and we could lose his soul, forever."
The Archangel's words were solemn, and they sat heavily on her stomach and heart.
This couldn't go wrong, she'll just have to endure everything that will come her way, she will resist, she must!
"Alright. We can begin."
She said with determination, and then turned towards the recipient, taking a few steps to arrive right in front of it. She levitated, so that she could be face to face with it, putting her hands on its cheek, cradling its face between them, and then leaned forward, resting her lips on its own, closing her eyes.
This was the same position as their last kiss, she thought it was befitting, and she couldn't get closer than this.
Mael looked at her with a gentle look in his eyes, it was obvious how much she loved him, but then shook himself mentally, he had to be very concentrated to help in this.
Immediately he began to call the soul, it wasn't an easy task, but he was up for it.
A beacon of light appeared right after, forming a kind of 'road' between the sky and the two figures there, she could feel its warmth on her back.
Suddenly she was in pain, a lot of pain! She had never felt anything like this before!
Her body was burning up, and she could feel some kind of weight on her chest, she couldn't breath!
Her instincts told her to immediately get away, to make all this stop, but she couldn't, wouldn't do that! Instead of fleeing, she leaned even more on the recipient, being careful not to grip it with too much force, so that it wouldn't break anywhere.
She had to endure this, she will!
Mael could see that the Mage was struggling, she seemed to be suffering, so he tried to move things along faster, they had to succeed!
The terrible sensations weren't lessening, she was having trouble staying concentrated, her breaths were leaving her lungs but she couldn't take them in, and she was desperately trying to grip her creation so that she wouldn't lose contact even if she was to faint.
The Archangel decided to give it his all, knowing that she couldn't take much more of it, and forced the reincarnation to an end, slamming the soul against the recipient.
Merlin felt the surge of magic growing, and felt like something inside her was being removed by force and pushed on her creation.
At that moment there was a blinding light and the power inside the recipient exploded outward, pushing the Mage away from it, and making her fall, hard, a few meters away.
The Boar was gulping mouthful of air, trying to replenish her need of it, the fall had knocked every last breath out of her.
Mael ran at her side, making sure that she was okay; luckily she had only been pushed away by the magic recoil, and she was unharmed, anyway she gratefully accepted his help to stand up.
Their surroundings were still too bright, but slowly the light diminished, while her heart began pounding in her chest.
Had they succeeded?
She took a couple of shaky steps towards where the recipient had been, her arms stretched in front of her, blindly searching for it.
Suddenly something caught her hands, firmly but gently.
She gasped in surprise, tightening her grasp, astounded by what she was feeling: it wasn't the cold feel of metal and clay, it was soft and warm.
She swallowed the lump in her throat, and slowly lifted her eyes, the light finally manageable for her irises.
She couldn't believe it, she wanted to, but at the same time she was left wordless and almost numb.
His piercing and loving blue eyes were looking straight at her, his smile gentle, his hands were supporting her own squeezing lightly.
"Merlin…"
Hearing his voice, her name leaving his lips, every emotion came crashing down on her, and she couldn't stifle a deep sob. She felt frozen, her insides were a chaos of feelings that were rooting her on the spot.
"...Es...Escanor…"
The whisper of his name seemed to defrost her and made the time move again for her.
"Merlin, I'm back home."
At those words her more logical side left her completely, and on instinct she just jumped on him, hugging him around the neck tightly to her. He caught her in his strong arms and embraced her back to him.
He felt so warm.
She was sobbing against his neck, and some tears were also cascading down his cheeks while he was hiding his face in her hair, breathing in her perfume deeply after so long.
Mael was trying not to cry with them, and decided that it was time for him to depart and leave them alone, flying away silently, so as not to disturb the reunited couple.
The two lovers stayed like that for a while, just basking in the presence of the other and reassuring themselves and their partner that this was real.
When Merlin pulled back, her hands began caressing him on his cheeks and upper body, unconsciously examining him to make sure that he was okay, that they really succeeded in bringing him back, safe and sound.
He was mimicking her, caressing her back and sides, needing the physical contact after all those years.
"Where have you been?"
She wasn't sure what to say or ask first, her mind hadn't caught up with everything yet, so she went back to the basics.
"I was in the goddess realm."
At that her eyes grew in surprise, but soon they were frowning in anger. Turning her head behind her she saw that the Archangel had already left the premises.
That little..!
"So that's why Mael had been so evasive.."
She pouted, not at all happy with the Archangel. He laughed heartily and the sound was so beautiful to her ears.
"Don't give him a hard time, he was under strict orders, and helped me a lot."
She sighed and let go of the argument that was beginning in her mind about that, she would have time to hunt down that darn bird and make him pay..!
Escanor saw at least part of her thoughts in her eyes, and chuckling lightly he tried to distract her from them.
"I had a bargain with the Supreme Deity, She had heard my last selfish wish, so I had to work for her for a time, and if I did a good enough job, She would give my life a second chance"
He knew that she would be asking how or why all this had happened, her curiosity was one of the traits that he loved very much, so he summarised it for her, for now it would be enough.
She seemed to relax again, and smiled up at him, raising a teasing brow.
"So you did well, uh?"
She had always liked the light banter in their conversations.
"Of course! She even agreed with Mael to let me have a part of Sunshine, so I think I did pretty well!"
He grinned, proud of his achievement, making her laugh a little.
Then he regarded her with warm blue eyes full of affection.
"And I had a very good and strong motivation to do my best so that I could return."
She felt her heart skip a bit and then accelerate at that gaze and words. She didn't think it could be possible for her to love him more, but he just proved her wrong.
She smiled lovingly up at him.
"I am so grateful for it, for having you here again. I missed you so much.."
She couldn't help the catch in her voice and the tear that slided down her cheek, she was feeling so much, so many things that she couldn't begin to list them.
He just smiled, catching the tear with his fingers, cupping her cheek to caress it.
"I missed you so much too."
She leaned towards his touch, putting her hand on top of his, her smile tremulous, looking at him trying to take everything in.
He cupped her other cheek with his other hand, caressing the still scarred skin, and then leaned forward to kiss her.
It was so gentle and loving that more tears escaped her eyes; she lifted her other hand to his cheek only to find it was also wet with his tears. She smiled against his lips and kissed him back, their lips moving against the other, lovingly and reassuringly.
They stayed in that amorous embrace for a while longer, unable to let the other go just yet, needing to feel their partner against them, reassuring both that this was real and not just another dream.
After a while Merlin nipped jokingly at his neck, making him chuckle, and moved a little out of his embrace, if reluctantly.
"I better summon some clothes for you, you're just too tempting like this."
She couldn't help but rake her eyes along his naked body in appreciation and hunger. He laughed and smiled predatorily.
"Why don't you let yourself be tempted then?"
He flirted, trying to embrace her once more, but she chuckled evading his arms, her cheeks a beautiful red.
"Oh I have all the intention to have my way with you and let you have your way with me… later!"
He groaned at her words, he too was very tempted by her.
"What's stopping you now?"
She smiled affectionately and caressed him on the cheek.
"I'm not the only one who has been waiting for you."
She responded cryptically.
He seemed confused, but accepted her words and decision. He took her hand and kissed it, gentlemanly.
"As you wish my dear."
Suddenly he circled her waist with the other arm, pulling her against him, and silencing her surprised gasp with a hungry kiss.
It ended too early for both of them, but they were both breathing hard.
"But after… you're all mine."
He whispered those hot words in her ear, making her shiver and almost moan.
"I promise."
She was just able to say that, breathlessly.
Her answer satisfied him, and he let her go, smiling.
She chuckled, shaking her head amusedly, and summoned some brown pants and a white shirt for him, enjoying the view while he dressed himself.
After he was fit to be seen not only by her hungry eyes, she teleported both of them back to her lab in Camelot.
Escanor looked around curiously.
"I see that some things never change."
He was amused and relieved by it, she was the usual, chaotic Mage he knew, he would have recognised her lab over any other. She punched him lightly on the chest, laughing with him.
She couldn't completely believe yet that he was here, she was so happy and grateful! But she had another thing to do first of all.
She took his hand and brought him to a chair, making him sit there.
He had followed her without a word, always trusting and believing in her.
"Stay right here, don't move! It's a surprise."
She winked at him, and he smiled nodding.
It was so heartwarming seeing how he trusted her implicitly, how their relationship rekindled immediately the instant they were in each other's presence again, it felt like no time had passed at all, and she was so grateful for it.
She quickly went in search of the other person who could make her smile shine brightly.
From his behaviour and the lack of questions, she suspected that Escanor had forgotten about the last thing he had been aware of, before his death.
She internally giggled, it would be a very amusing and loving encounter, for sure.
After just a couple of minutes she found her ray of hope, he was in the courtyard with Arthur, training again, and suddenly she couldn't wait to see him doing that with his father.
She approached them, with almost a jump in her steps; Arthur noticed her first, and had to take a second look to make sure it was her: her aura was different, she seemed to be radiating light, and the burned marks on her lower face seemed less noticeable than before. The young king almost missed the attack of his 'little brother' and parried it just at the last second, signaling to him to look behind.
When Gawain saw his mother he instinctively smiled at her, waving with both hands, but he seemed to also have caught the change in her, stopping suddenly and looking curiously at her.
"How is your training doing?"
She asked, arriving near them.
"He's ferocious!"
Arthur smiled, ruffling the little boy's hair.
"Hey!"
Gawain laughed at the king's antics, and Merlin couldn't help but smile more.
Arthur then turned to her, ready to ask what was wrong or what had happened to her, but the little lion was faster.
"Mom! You seem different!"
The young one was very perceptive when it came to the people he cared about, and the Mage had to laugh at that, she was feeling so much pent up happy energy inside her.
"Oh, really? Is that a bad thing?"
She asked amused.
This time it was Arthur who answered her.
"No, I'll say it's a very good thing, you seem happier! As if…!"
The king trailed off, he seemed to have realized something, his eyes grew big and looked at her to have confirmation of what he was suspecting.
There was only one plausible reason for her obvious happiness and radiance that he could think of.
Merlin smiled secretly, her eyes mischievously regarding her perceptive protégé, putting a finger on her lips in an obvious gesture to keep silent.
Arthur couldn't stop smiling brightly in answer.
In the meantime Gawain looked from his mother to his 'big brother', confused.
"What?!"
He was curious, like his mother, and he wanted to know what was happening.
The Boar turned to her son, kneeling down to him, always smiling.
"I have a gift for you Gawain."
"Really?! What is it?!"
He was excited, like every child at the prospect of receiving something, even more if it was unexpected.
"It's a surprise!"
She winked at him chuckling at his charming pout.
"Can't I have it now?"
She laughed more.
"You can see it now, but you'll have to close your eyes and not open them until I say so, okay?"
Her little warrior nodded vigorously his head, excited.
She lifted herself up and took his hand in hers.
"I'll be seeing you tomorrow, probably."
She told Arthur, with a knowing smile, he just laughed.
"Take your time! But after that I want to know everything!"
She lifted a brow in amusement.
"Everything?"
She was smirking and the king grimaced.
"Not things that would permanently traumatize me, please!"
She laughed heartily at that.
"I wouldn't tell you, and he wouldn't like it either."
They both chuckled.
"Who? What are you talking about?"
Gawain was very confused.
"You'll see, my precious."
She leaned down and patted his nose lightly with a finger, smiling at him, and then teleported them just outside of her lab.
"Now, be a good boy and close your eyes."
He smiled and nodded, closing his beautiful baby blue, and making her heart warmer at how similar he was to his father.
She took both his hands to guide him inside, opening the door with her magic.
Escanor was still sitting where she had left him, and was confused by the words he had heard just outside, who was she talking to?
When the door finally opened he could see Merlin's back, her head turned a bit towards him to see behind her, she was leaning a little forward and was blocking his view of what she had in front of her. He was about to open his mouth to ask something but she shook her head, signaling him to stay silent, and then turned to look forward. He lifted a confused and amused brow but did as she had asked, waiting.
She entered the lab just enough to be able to close the door, then she stopped, looking again behind her at her lover, and then lifted herself up more, turning to the side, so that he could finally see what she was hiding until then, her eyes never leaving Escanor's face.
She wouldn't have lost this moment for anything in the world! The moment he realized just what, or who, she had brought back with her.
The Lion's eyes grew big in shock when they landed on the small child that was gripping one of her hands. He didn't know what to say, or how to say it, he felt a lump in his throat, his eyes were tearing up, because it was so obvious who was in front of him, the resemblance was astonishing; even with his eyes still closed, Escanor could tell that that was his son.
His and Merlin's son!
And at that moment he suddenly remembered his last moments, how Sunshine had made him able to see the little sprout in her belly, how he had teared up telling her that she was pregnant with their child, and how sorry he was, internally, not to be able to see his child be born and grow up.
And now that child was in front of him, he was already a little boy, and he was experiencing so many feelings that he didn't know what to do.
Merlin could read everything in his eyes, and was regarding him with so much love; when he was slowly able to turn his head towards her, looking at her, his eyes asking, as if in confirmation, she just nodded, her own eyes tearing up.
"Mom! Can I open my eyes now?"
The words had Escanor turn immediately back, focusing his attention again on his son.
His son…
"Not yet, Gawain. Follow me."
Merlin looked at her son and then again at Escanor, she had called him by his name for the Lion's sake.
Gawain...his son's name was Gawain…
He had to bite his lip to stifle a sob, putting one hand on his mouth.
The Mage slowly took the child forward, until he was just in front of his father; his eyes were locked on him, trying to memorize everything, he could have touched him, he wanted to touch him, to make sure that he was real, that everything was real!
He looked towards Merlin again, her gaze so soft and loving, and she smiled, knowingly. She let go of her son's hand.
"Gawain, now lift your hands in front of you."
The child did as he was told without hesitation.
"Like this?"
"Yes."
She put a comforting hand on her lover's shoulder, as if encouraging him to take that last step forward.
He hesitated just for a moment, he didn't know what his son knew about him, he suddenly had so many doubts and fears, but Merlin's hand was enough to reassure him, she was on his side, and he went for it.
The Lion lifted his arms and gently took his cub's hands in his, he was looking at him in disbelieving stupor, he was so happy.
Gawain seemed taken aback, surprised and confused, but still he asked his mother for permission.
"Mom…?"
"Yes, you can open your eyes Gawain."
The little boy did so, slowly and unsurely; the first thing he saw where two big hands holding his own, it was strange but he wasn't scared, he knew that his mother was with him and that she wouldn't put him in danger, and the hands felt warm and gentle, they were touching him with such gentleness, and he had felt something when they had touched him, like a connection, and that he was safe. Feeling more sure, he brought his eyes up, along the muscular arms, taking note how this was obviously a man, and that he was sitting on a chair, he could see his muscular legs underneath, and then went on looking over his broad chest, finally arriving at the man's face.
Then his eyes grew big and his mouth opened in unbelievable astonishment.
He had seen images of him, his mother had told him enough, and he had seen himself in a mirror many times, so that he could recognise the man in front of him without a single doubt.
"Dad?"
At that word Escanor couldn't help a tear to slide down his cheek. He couldn't believe how happy he was, how warmth he felt, from just that single word uttered by this kid, his kid, his son!
When he had opened his eyes the Lion had almost sobbed, he had his hair and eyes, when they finally looked at each other, the recognition in both of them had let the other feel so warm and happy, they had connected immediately, there wasn't any doubt whatsoever.
Merlin was rubbing Escanor's back, looking at the most precious people in her life, finally meeting each other, finally they were together, finally!
The older ginger had to clear his throat, his son was waiting for him to say something.
"Yes… yes, you're my son, I'm your dad."
His lips were trembling from the emotions to voice out loud those words.
"I'm so happy to meet you."
He was looking at his son like he was the most precious miracle he had ever seen, and for him he was.
Gawain was reciprocating his gaze, he was still surprised, but hearing him speaking, his voice so warm and gentle, hearing his words, he suddenly came out from his stupor, and smiled so brightly that almost blinded both his parents.
"DAD!"
The little lion cried out loud, jumping on his father, who immediately secured him in his strong arms.
"I wanted to meet you so much! I missed you a whole lot!"
Gawain felt incredibly safe and warm in his father's embrace, hugging him back around his neck, hard.
Escanor chuckled, relieved and happy, he hadn't known what to expect when he saw the little child, but knowing Merlin he had never had to doubt or fear his son rejecting him.
"I wanted to meet you so much too… Gawain."
Gawain loved how his father said his name.
"Mom missed you a whole lot too!"
The kid backed away a little to see his mother looking at them with tears cascading down her cheeks.
"You found him mom! Happy tears?"
She chuckled and tried to dry them with her fingers.
"I promised you I would find him! Yes, happy tears."
Suddenly she found herself sitting on Escanor's thigh, his arm secured around her waist, and his mouth kissing her cheek, neck, mouth, everywhere he could, thanking her, and making her giggle in happiness.
"Me too, me too!"
Gawain was asking for his attention back and the Lion was only happy to oblige, kissing his son's cheeks, forehead, hair and nose, making him giggle too.
"Hahaha your moustache tickles!"
Escanor laughed with him at that, and hugged them both more.
Merlin kissed her son's hair and then turned to kiss her lover's mouth, trying to rein it in to stay chaste. When they broke the kiss, the Boar and the Lion were looking at each other with so much love that even Gawain could tell they did love one another very much.
"I never saw mom this happy before! And I was never this happy before! Thank you dad!"
Escanor almost cried again at his little cub's words.
"I've never been this happy before myself! I won't leave you two ever again, I'm here to stay."
Gawain and Merlin both smiled at him, and the three of them stayed cuddling and talking for the rest of the day, changing settings and going to sit and cuddle on the couch.
When their son had exhausted all his energies, and fell asleep, Escanor insisted that he wanted to be the one to put him to bed, so Merlin gladly let him, showing him Gawain's room, which was just next to hers, and was connected through a door.
After making sure that their son was warm and sleeping peacefully, the proud parents left the room quietly, closing the door behind them.
Going back towards the couch, suddenly Escanor grabbed Merlin, hugging her and hiding his face in her neck.
"I don't know how to express all this happiness that I'm feeling, I'm so grateful to be back by your side, and to have met our son, to have a son with you! I didn't think… I didn't know…"
The Mage smiled lovingly and hugged him harder, caressing his hair comfortingly.
"He was the best gift you could have ever given to me, he helped me stay strong, he was my ray of hope, and encouraged me to keep searching for you."
She lifted his face up, so that she could look him in the eyes, her hands on both his cheeks.
"I love you so much Escanor! And I'm so grateful for him and for you."
The Lion almost began crying again, her words moving him greatly.
They leaned towards each other and kissed lovingly and meaningfully, sharing their feelings with their partner.
Soon the kiss deepened, and Merlin began walking backwards towards her bed, never leaving his lips and taking him with her, quickly casting a soundproof spell, neither wanted to have their son hearing them rekindle their acquaintance with each other's body.
They made love like it was the first time (minus the painful part!), re-discovering each other, taking and giving pleasure, and just staying in contact with one another.
At last they were laying in bed, tired and satisfied from their activities, cuddling and talking, Merlin on her back and Escanor embracing her, with his head on her breasts, breathing in the natural perfume of her skin, letting her caress him lovingly.
They were finally all together, they were finally at peace.
They had maintained their promises to each other.
I hope everyone liked this!
Bertaz, I hope you liked this! I tried to add some of the things you like about Escanor and Merlin! I hope I managed that! Ancora buon compleanno di cuore! ^^
Please, as always I appreciate your comments and reviews very much, so tell me what you think without problems! It will help me improve! ^^
Next chapter will be a little sweet epilogue, and this story will come to an end! :)