A/N: This is the penultimate chapter of this story. There is a third installment don't worry, I just need some time to write ahead a bit. I have a lot going on with school and stuff so haven't had as much time to write. Between the first story and this story, you all said you preferred to have regular installments so I'll get ahead with writing and make sure you have an upload a day hopefully. I will also continue with little stories on the side like I did last time too. Thanks for reading this story!

Hope you enjoy the last two chapters. :D

Chapter 38

The remainder of the drive was completed in silence. When they arrived at the hospital, Hunith led Merlin to Freya's ward easily. Matthew stood up to greet them. He too looked tired and worried but there was a bit of relief sparkling in his eyes, "She just woke up," he said as he hugged Merlin, "It's good to see you."

"What's this then?" Merlin teased his sister as he sat down, "This desperate to see me that you got yourself hospitalised? You could have just asked me to come."

Freya smiled weakly.

"How are you feeling?" Merlin asked.

"It's agony," Freya said, "Does it hurt as much as this when you're in hospital?"

Merlin shrugged, "Maybe girls really are just weaker than boys."

Frey slapped him, "Don't you dare."

Merlin smiled.

"They're talking about surgery: emergency C-section. They don't know what's happening so they want to make sure the babies survive. But it's too early, Merlin, I'm scared."

"It's ok," Merlin soothed, "They know what they're doing, alright? You're going to be fine, all three of you."

He held his sister's hand tightly and watched Hunith talk to Matthew worriedly, trying to figure out what they were saying.

"I'm glad you're here now," Freya said, "They don't understand but you know what it's like."

"I can't say I've ever had a C-section, though," Merlin joked, "I don't know what that's like."

"Idiot," Freya scowled, "I meant you know what it's like to be in hospital when no one knows what's wrong with you. It's scary."

"Yeah, it is. But I'm fine, look at me. So you'll be fine too."

"You don't look fine."

"I've just flown half way across the world to get to my sister because she's being dramatic," Merlin said, "I'm tired."

"Dramatic?"

"You look fine to me," Merlin smiled.

"Your definition of fine tends to be pretty near death so…"

"There you go. Dramatic. 'Pretty near death' but you're sat up having a conversation and smiling."

Merlin hadn't realised his mother had left the room but she came in with a cup of water for him, "There's a tablet dissolved in there for your headache," she said.

"I didn't tell you I had a headache," Merlin said.

"I can tell," Hunith said, "It's obvious. Drink it."

"Thanks," Merlin said.

Freya suddenly let out a little whine and squirmed. Everyone looked at her immediately and the doctor Matthew had been talking to came over.

"The bleeding's started again," the doctor announced, pressing the call button for assistance, "It's alright, we'll sort it, everyone out, please."

"Can Matt stay?" Freya asked.

"If you're both alright with that."

"Whatever she needs," Matthew said easily.

Merlin guided his mother out into the corridor but soon it was Hunith who was pulling him.

"Where are we going?"

"To get you something to eat."

Merlin rolled his eyes but didn't say anything. Hunith was worried about both her children. But she couldn't help Freya so she had to help Merlin. Hunith bought him a sandwich and a hot drink and they sat down in the café area together.

"Have you been in touch with Arthur or Morgana?"

"I texted to tell them we were at the hospital," Merlin said, "But I haven't checked if they'd replied. Arthur will probably still be asleep."

Hunith nodded, "Do you feel a bit better?"

"Yeah, loads better." That wasn't entirely true but he wasn't going to worry her any more. He rested his elbows on the table and propped his head up in his hands. Hunith sipped her tea thoughtfully, tapping her foot in time to some sort of tune.

Less than an hour later, Matthew came in and stood beside the table. Hunith had gradually made her way through three pots of tea but Merlin's only movement was to sink down so his arms were crossed and his head was buried in them.

"They performed the C-section," Matthew said and Merlin lifted his head.

"They took Freya to intensive care. And the babies are in NICU together. They think the babies are fine. Two little girls. I don't know who to go to."

"Go to Freya," Merlin said, "Both of you. I'll go to the NICU. We can switch or move around when we know more."

Merlin stood up and hugged Matthew, "Congratulations," he said, "Look after my sister."

"Look after my daughters," Matthew said, "Their names are Briar and Rose. In case you need them to get in."

Merlin smiled, "Of course Freya would name her kids after a Disney Princess. What were they going to be called if they were boys? Prince and Charming?"

Matthew actually smiled at that which Merlin took as an achievement, "I'll speak to the doctors and let you know what they say."

"I'll do the same," Matthew promised, "Your Arthur's strong, you know. Stronger than I ever gave him credit for."

Merlin smiled, "I'll talk to you in a minute. Thanks for lunch, mum."

Briar and Rose were the most beautiful babies Merlin had ever seen. They had soft blonde curls like Matthew or, as Merlin realised with a smile, the princess they were named after. They were tiny, lying on their backs side-by-side in an incubator. They were, Merlin thought, far too young to have so many wires and machines connected to them. But they'd been born just over a month earlier than they should have and were very sick.

Merlin reached a hand through the hole in the casing and tickled Rose's foot. She moved a little, causing a reaction from Briar. The girls were holding hands, their miniature fingers tangled together.

"Are you the dad?" a nurse came in.

"Uncle. The mum's brother. You don't think you could speak to the dad though, could you? He's worried sick but doesn't want to leave Freya."

"Of course."

"I told him everything the doctor told me but I'm not sure how much it did in terms of reassurance for him."

"I'll do what I can."

"Thank you so much," Merlin got his phone out, called Matthew and handed it over to the nurse, turning his attention back to the twins. When he'd first seen them, he'd been worried he'd never be able to tell them apart. But already he was starting to see differences. Nothing he'd be able to explain to anyone else trying to learn to tell them apart but he could just tell. Just from what he'd seen in the twenty minutes he'd been with them, it was obvious that Briar was slightly more dominant. She seemed to be comforting Rose, making more noise, shifting around a bit more but holding onto her sister tighter, hugging her when she became agitated.

Merlin felt a flash of guilt at realising all this. It should be Freya or Matthew learning to understand their children during their first hours of life. Freya should be holding them to her skin and nursing them. And none of it should have happened for another month.

"There you go," the nurse handed Merlin his phone back, "I explained everything and I think he sounded happier."

"Thank you," Merlin said gratefully.

"I'm sure my colleagues are looking after your sister," the nurse said, "She'll be alright."

Merlin smiled appreciatively.

"Do you want me to show you to a room where you can rest? You look exhausted."

Merlin chuckled, "I'm ok, thank you. But is there somewhere I could get some water?"

"I'll get some for you. Is there anything else you want?"

"No, thank you."

Once again, Merlin put his hand through one of the holes in the incubator and this time stroked Briar's hair, "You girls have the most amazing parents," Merlin said quietly, "Mummy's going to fight to be able to look after you. She's so excited to meet you."

"Here you are," the nurse returned with a bottle of water for him, "I got a blanket for you too. You look like you could use somewhere comfortable to sit." She carried over one of the bigger armchair type seats from next to one of the other cots, "This will be more comfortable for you."

"Thank you," Merlin moved from the tiny plastic chair he was in to the new, bigger one with a sigh, "You wouldn't mind if I took my prosthetic leg off, would you?" he asked awkwardly, "I've had it on far too long."

"Of course not, go ahead. I can put it somewhere safe for you if you'd like?"

"No, that's alright. I'd rather havte it close. I just need a break for a bit."

"Well just let me know if you need anything. I'll be around."

Merlin wrapped himself up in the blanket, keeping one hand on each of the babies in turn, hoping it would be some sort of comfort for them. It wasn't a huge surprise that he fell asleep. Every part of him- physically and mentally- was exhausted and hurting. He felt like he could sleep for weeks.

Which was probably why it took so much effort for Matthew to wake him up not even hour later.

"I'm sorry," Merlin was deeply embarrassed but Matthew didn't look at all angry.

"Don't worry about it. We all need the rest."

"How's Freya?"

"Not great. We're still worried. But nothing's happened for a while so I thought I should come and see my daughters."

"They're gorgeous," Merlin sat up and stretched, "You're so lucky."

Matthew stroked Rose's cheek with his thumb. Under their father's touch, the girl stirred and looked up at them. He grinned at them, "I wish I could hold them," he said to Merlin, "I wish Freya could hold them too."

"Do you know what went wrong?" Merlin asked.

"Haemorrhage. Rose was growing in a position that was putting strain on Freya somewhere. But because of Briar, she couldn't move. When they got to a certain size, it was too much. Everything tore or ripped or burst or whatever and here we are."

"Why didn't it show on any scans? If she was in an odd position."

"We don't know."

"Can't trust scans, can we?" Merlin smiled, "Didn't show the full extent of my tumour last year, didn't show what was wrong with Freya."

"Rubbish, these hospital folk," Matthew joked, placing his hand over where the twins' fingers were interlocked.

"Is mum with Freya?"

Matthew nodded, "I can't tell how she's coping. She'd used to it being you but never Freya, if you know what I mean."

"The father of her children was killed in a car accident. Her youngest son was killed in an explosion. Her eldest child gets into more fatal situations then are possible to count. And now her youngest child and only grandchildren are gravelly ill. It's always her that has to put the brave face on."

"It feels like I understand more now," Matthew said, "Now I'm a father, I mean. Seeing my kids like this is horrible. Imagining them going through half the things you've been through physically pains me."

Merlin got his phone out and cursed, "Three missed calls from Arthur," he explained to Matthew.

"You better return them."

Merlin put his leg on, clapped Matthew on the shoulder and left him to his children. After finding a quiet place to sit, Merlin called Arthur.

"Hi, gorgeous," Arthur said when he answered, "Everything alright?"

"It could be better," Merlin said honestly, "The babies are lovely and we're fairly certain they'll be alright. They're in the NICU but hopefully won't be for long. But Freya's not in a good way. She's in intensive care too. She hasn't even seen her children yet. I've spent more time with them than either of her parents have."

"Are you with them now?"

"No, Matthew just came down. He doesn't know where to be so I'm with the twins, mum's with Freya and he's going in between."

"How are you doing?"

"I don't know. Part of me is happy that the twins are going to be fine. But what if Freya isn't? Would Matthew be able to cope with two new-borns on his own? And if not, would mum be up for helping? There's no one else here, Matthew's family live hours away, we live in a different country."

"Don't get carried away. What have the doctors said about Freya?"

"I don't know. I've not been there. Matthew's not in the right mindset to talk about it. I wanted to speak to you before I went up. Are you feeling better?"

"Mostly. Still a little dizzy. Starving though, I was just about to have dinner with everyone and I'm going to stay with Gwen tomorrow."

"I pulled you away from dinner?"

"Yeah."

"I'm sorry."

"No, don't worry. They're getting the kids sorted first. Just keep me updated, yeah?"

"Promise. Love you."

"Love you more, gorgeous."

Merlin sighed and put his phone away, burying his head in his hands. He didn't think he was quite up for facing the sight of his little sister, unconscious and struggling for life. So instead, he went back to the NICU to see Matthew. He was sitting in the chair Merlin had previously been in, his hand still over the twins'. Merlin sat in the little chair beside him, "Any news?"

"She needs another surgery," Matthew said, "Urgently. They're prepping her now, your mum will come down soon."

"She'll lose her mind when she sees these two," Merlin says, "She's always wanted grandkids."

"Freya and I have wanted kids for ages. But that time we looked after everyone while you were in Scotland just made us want our own more. It felt so natural. We've been trying ever since. I don't know if it's a bit weird to tell you that but…"

Merlin laughed, "You're going to be great parents."

"I appreciate that. I wasn't joking earlier, by the way. I never appreciated how strong Arthur really is. Seeing Freya like this, not knowing what's happening to her, why it's happening, how to make it better: it's the most horrible thing in the world."

"This is different. Your children are involved in this, Matt. Not just the person you love. Arthur's never had to worry about more than just one person at a time. Suddenly for you, though, your wife's life and both the lives of your new born babies are in danger. Completely out of the blue. Don't think you have to be like Arthur in this situation. He's an idiot anyway."

Matthew sighed, "I wish I could hold them."

"You'll be able to," Merlin said, "They're only in here because they're premature."

"They're sick," Matthew said, "They'll be here a week before I can even hold them in my arms. By then anything could have happened."

"Are you staying here tonight?"

"I think so. They have these little rooms and they said I can sleep in one. I just have to decide who to be with."

"Maybe wait to see what the surgeons say. I can stay with the girls if you need."

"As much as I appreciate that, I think your mum will be wrestling you home to get some proper sleep at hers."

Merlin rolled his eyes.

"She's right to," Matthew said, "I know full well you haven't slept in three days and that sandwich you had earlier is probably the only thing you've eaten in that time."

"Technically, if you take into account time differences, it's not been that long."

"Doesn't matter. Look, I'm not explaining to Freya or Arthur if you end up sick. I've got enough people to visit in here as it is. Go home with Hunith when she asks."

Merlin nodded, "Alright. Thank you."

When Hunith did come down to see them, she fussed over the girls as best she could for a while before, as Matthew had predicted, pretty much man-handling Merlin to her car.

"I'll do your washing for you tomorrow, don't worry about emptying your suitcase now," she pushed him into one of the spare rooms, "You get yourself changed, I'll cook you some dinner."

Merlin went through the shower and battled into the cleanest pair of pyjamas he could find in his suitcase. Sitting on a bed was a nicer feeling than he thought it would be. He was so comfortable that in the twenty short minutes between his mother starting to cook him dinner and her delivering it to him, he'd fallen asleep. Hunith was reluctant to wake him, knowing how much he needed some rest. But he also needed good, hot food.

"I'm going to go back to the hospital while you get some rest," she said while he was eating, "Make sure Matthew's alright."

"Mum, you need to rest too."

"I won't stay long, honey, I promise. I just want to make sure everything's alright."

"Have you eaten?"

"I've put some food aside for when I get back."

"Promise you'll eat it?"

Hunith nodded and took his empty plate, "Have you got your phone on? I'll text you if anything happens."

"Look after yourself, mum."

"Get some rest."

Merlin put his phone onto the loudest possible setting and placed it on the pillow next to him so there was no possible way he'd miss a notification or call. It was strange to fall asleep in another's house when no one else was there but he was so exhausted that he didn't really have the capacity to think about it.

He didn't wake up when Hunith got back home and poked her head in to check on him. He didn't wake when Arthur texted to say goodnight or when his friends' groupchat pinged a couple of times in a short conversation between a few people. He didn't wake the next morning when his mother got up and cooked breakfast for herself, nor when she left the house and sent him a message to explain where she'd gone. In fact, Merlin didn't even begin to stir until past mid-day, long after Hunith returned from where she'd been at the hospital.

He stumbled out the spare room, barely having had the energy to put his prosthetic leg on, let alone get up and go into the kitchen.

"Oh, there you are," Hunith smiled when she saw him, "You must have been exhausted."

Merlin stretched, "What time is it?"

"Nearly three," Hunith hugged him, "I've just got home from the hospital."

"How's Freya?"

"She's a bit better," Hunith said, handing Merlin a mug of coffee, "Still unconscious in ICU but I've got higher hopes now."

"And Matthew?"

"He's a lot happier. I told him I'd stay in tonight so he can get some sleep at home."

"Did you get any rest last night?"

Hunith nodded, "I wasn't gone long. Right, I'll get you something to eat, you get dressed and we'll head out."

"I can make my own dinner," Merlin said, "I'm an adult."

"I want to make sure you're eating healthily," Hunith brushed him off, "You starved yourself for three days and before that god only knows what you'd been eating."

"Yes because it's a well known fact that Arthur loves to make sure I'm not eating anything," Merlin muttered sarcastically.

"Hey!" Hunith smacked him, "Go get showered. And call Arthur!"

Once again when they reached the hospital in the early evening, they split up and Merlin went to the NICU while Hunith went to Freya's ward. Merlin hated the NICU. It was so deeply unfair for people so young, those only just blessed with life, to be threatened with death.

"You look a bit better," Matthew noted when Merlin joined him.

Merlin grinned, "And you don't so I think it's time for you to go home. I'll stay with these two."

"They're crying a lot now," Matthew said, "There's always a nurse that comes to help."

"I'll manage," Merlin promised, "Go on."

"I'll go and say goodbye to Freya."

Merlin settled himself down in a chair and got his phone out so he could speak to Arthur. He'd called briefly before they'd left for the hospital but Merlin knew he'd have more time when he was actually there so put off a lot of the conversation.

"Hi, Merls," Arthur said down the phone, "How is everyone?"

"A bit better, I think. Matthew's heading home for some rest so I'm with the babies."

"You going to tell me their names yet?"

"Not my place to," Merlin said, "When you arrive, you'll find out. When are you arriving?"

"The ferry leaves at half five tomorrow."

"So we'll be sleeping in the same bed tomorrow night?"

"You bet we will."

"I miss you."

"It's only been two days. And we've been asleep for most of that time."

"It still feels strange."

"I know. I miss you too."

"How are the dogs?"

"Fine. They were so happy to see me. I feel bad leaving them again."

"You could bring them. Mum wouldn't mind."

"I want to get there as quickly as possible. If I had to stop off for them every so often it would take longer."

"You'll drive safely though, won't you?"

"Of course."

They chatted for a while longer, every so often stopping while Merlin soothed one or both of the babies.

"Have you been up to see Freya?"

"I don't think I can yet. I was going to ask you to come with me when you arrived."

"Of course, I'll come."

"It's just, I've never had to visit anyone I love when they're in intensive care. I don't know what to expect."

"It's ok, I'll be there soon."

"I love you loads."

"I love you loadser."

Merlin laughed.