Chapter 5

The next morning as they were sitting around the table with Hunith eating breakfast Merlin said with a smile he could hardly conceal, "Mother, we have some great news."

Hunith looked up with a twinkle in her eye, "What is it?"

Morgana could hardly contain herself as she grabbed Merlin's hand, "We want to get married."

Hunith wasted no time in coming around the table to pull Merlin and Morgana up into a bone crushing hugs. Tears came to her eyes, "I knew! I hoped! And now it is so." She smiled at each of them kissing each one on the cheek. She put their hands together boxing them in with her own. "I am so happy for you! We will be a family!"

All of them just smiled. Vivian stood up and reached for her parents. Merlin scooped her up and they enjoyed another family embrace with Hunith.

Moments later they were sitting back at the table finishing breakfast when Hunith asked, "So how do you want to do this? We could have the wedding here."

Morgana and Merlin looked at each other. "That may be a very good idea." Morgana said. She felt so safe here with Hunith and Merlin. "I am still the most wanted woman in Camelot and surrounding areas for my crimes."

"At least the Sarrum is not an issue." Merlin frowned.

Morgana squeezed his hand smiling at him.

Merlin smiled back squeezing her hand in return. "Gaius knows what is going on here. I have told Arthur a little, but he does not know Vivian is my daughter or Morgana is her mother. So for now, I think a small ceremony here would be perfect."

A shadow came across Morgana's face. "Will you be going back to Camelot? Because I don't know if I could step into the city without being arrested."

Merlin kissed Morgana on the forehead. "Don't you worry about that. I have been in touch with Arthur and Gwen. Both of them miss you. Gwen is all for our relationship and has talked Arthur round. I think they may even like to come to our wedding."

Morgana smiled brilliantly at Merlin and kissed his cheek in gratitude.

Hunith got up suddenly, "I'll be back in a moment."

Moments later she was back with a package under her arm. "I have been saving this for a long time. I hope you like it." she said as she handed the package to Morgana.

Morgana unwrapped it slowly and saw the finest white silk and lace she had ever seen. She fingered it reverently. "Hunith it is so beautiful! I cannot take this. It is too much."

Hunith turned to Morgana, "I picked it up when I last went to the capitol and you will take it. I can help you make it up."

Morgana just hugged Hunith so tightly as tears came to her eyes. "Merlin is so lucky to have you for a mother. I am so lucky."

"You are family now Morgana. If you like, call me mother." Hunith said.

"Mother," Morgana kissed Hunith's cheek as tears fell from her eyes..."Thank you! Mother!" She had a family. It was something she had been without for so long. Her heart couldn't hold it.

Merlin just smiled with that goofy grin on his face as he picked up his daughter and kissed her crown. "We are a family!"

A few days later, Hunith and some close friends were in a small clearing in the woods. Arthur, Gwen, Gwaine, Percival, and Gaius were all there as were many druids along with Iselder who was their leader and would be performing the ceremony today.

Morgana was wearing the white silk and lace she, Gwen and Hunith had made into a beautifully fitted dress.

There was enough left over to make Merlin a fine white silk shirt. Gwen and Arthur had brought him some fine soft black leather pants and boots and a blue waistcoat and cape. Merlin had combed his wavy black hair back and and looked every inch a prince out of a fairy tale.

Morgana's hair hung in riotous curls down her back with white and blue flowers woven into it.

Iselder performed the ceremony as he wrapped a garland around their hands. "This represents the joining of your hearts and souls and lives bound together forever. If there be any who say nay, speak now or forever hold your peace."

Only the singing of the birds in the trees and the rustle of the wind through the leaves were heard as those present were very quiet.

Iselder continued, "These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever.

"These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future.

These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other.

These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow and tears of joy.

These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one. These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.

And lastly, these are the hands that, even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

He gestured for them to exchange rings.

"Vivian was dressed in a blue satin dress the color of her father's waistcoat Gwen had brought her forward. In her hands was a blue satin pillow with two rings on it.

Merlin took the smaller one and placed it on Morgana's finger, "I will not seek to change thee in anyway, to respect thee as I respect myself, to love thee without reservation as I love myself and protect thee from harm"

Morgana took the other ring and placed it on Merlin's finger. "I will not seek to change thee in anyway, to respect thee as I respect myself, to love thee without reservation as I love myself and protect thee from harm"

"I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss, a symbol of starting your life together." said Iselder smiling.

Merlin gently pulled Morgana to him and kissed her.

Morgana's arms slid up to Merlin's shoulders and went around his neck deepening the kiss till he lifted her in the air. She was floating and every bit of her was on fire as she felt Merlin's love and passion filter down to her smallest nerve endings in her toes.

The few that were there clapped to see the love and affection displayed by the newly-weds. Congratulations were given around and music started to play. Merlin and Morgana shared their first dance as husband and wife.

Merlin and Morgana headed toward Hunith after their dance. Morgana took Vivian from her as Merlin extended his hand in an invitation to dance.

Hunith smiled took his hand and enjoyed a mother/son dance with Merlin.

Merlin brought her back to Morgana and Vivian after.

Hunith picked up Vivian and did a little jig with the small girl in her arms. It was a joyous party with lots of food, music and dancing that lasted till the stars came out and beyond.

Hunith, Morgana, Gwen and Vivian had danced with Merlin, Arthur, Iselder, Gaius, Gwaine and Percival. Sometimes as a group doing line and circle dances and sometimes pairing off so everyone got to dance.

Vivian had long ago nodded off in Hunith's shoulder.

Hunith's feet were sore had happily taken her home and put her to bed.

Merlin and Morgana headed back to Hunith's cottage and shared the bed in the new addition they had built. It was a beautiful night for them. As Morgana slept in Merlin's arms she dreamed. She was by a waterfall with a pool. A cottage was close by. She and Merlin were sitting by it while their children played in water and slid down the falls. She counted 10 in all and …... she gasped waking up. "10 children!"

Merlin was up in a shot. " What is it?"

"I saw our family." Morgana sat with eyes wide in wonder.

"What did you see? Merlin asked in alarm.

"10" Morgana hardly gasped out.

"10 what?" Merlin asked.

"10 children! Our 10 children!"

Merlin's eyes widened. " Morgana? We don't have 10 children."

"No, but we will."

Merlin's smile turned goofy as he stroked Morgana's face and hair. "My love!" He couldn't help himself. He grabbed Morgana and kissed her passionately rolling her body under his. "We should start now."

Morgana looked up at him through her long lashes. "Yes my love we should begin now."

"It was several weeks later. Merlin had finally received a letter from Arthur telling him to come back to Camelot and bring Morgana. Merlin's letter had convinced Arthur of Morgana's change in feelings. And her allegiance to Arthur.

Morgana had had several dreams she had related to Merlin regarding life in Camelot. She had seen herself as High Priestess to Arthur advising him on all Magical issues along with Merlin as his court warlock and magical adviser. These dreams and Morgana's pledge of allegiance to Arthur to build Albion had been the ticket.

Merlin and Morgana returned to Camelot with Hunith and Vivian.

They stayed in Morgana's old room and fixed the adjoining rooms for Vivian and Hunith. Merlin refitted the old west tower for his office study. Both he and Morgana took on apprentices to train in magic and the healing arts and the managing of the magical community.

Arthur passed laws rescinding the bans on magic informing the populace that all would be held to account if those laws were violated or magic was used for evil. Arthur and Gwen had several children who became inseparable friends to all Merlin and Morgana's children.

Aithusa was healed of her deformity by Kilgarah who became her mate. The dragon race grew

It was beautiful to see the peace that prospered in the land and it's people. Arthur embraced the magic community and utilized their skills for building improving roads and water systems and safety, health, education and welfare.

The families of Arthur and Merlin grew. Happiness grew. Merlin's vision had come true. The golden age of Albion had arrived.