two chapters in one day! couldn't leave you with that cliffhanger

In the room Gaius was seriously worried it was clear to him that not only was the baby early but something wasn't right. So he made the decision and asking Hunith to hold her sons hand, and face away he cut into Merlin's abdomen. The young warlock did his best not to scream but even with the painkiller it hurt so bad, he bit down on the rag his mother had placed in his mouth. As Gaius made the cut he could see immediately what was wrong.

"Freya help me please" he asked the young girl. "Hold the babe very still"

As Freya did as asked Gaius working quickly and carefully, unwrapped the umbilical cord from around the bay's neck. Trying not to hurt Merlin more than he had to. Then cutting the cord Gaius told Freya to take the babe. "Merlin heal yourself" he told Merlin who had tears running down his face. "You have a lovely son now use your magic there's a good lad"

Merlin's eyes went golden as he complied with Gaius. The cut on his abdomen started to close as Gaius held it gently together. Mab flew down and added her magic to Merlin's. Then everyone looked at Gaius "A boy" he said with a grin.

Gaius walked to the door and opened it slightly He looked at the Prince and King "A boy, small but has good lungs" As Arthur went to go in Gaius stopped him. "A few more minutes we need to clean up Emrys" then the door shut.

Arthur turned to his father "A son I have a son"

Uther smiled, the first real joyful smile Arthur could ever remember seeing on his father's face. "Well done son." And clapped him on the back. Percival and Lancelot were also grinning from ear to ear.

A little while later Gaius came to the door once more and let Arthur and Uther in and showed then the babe "He is so small" Arthur said as he took the tiny bundle

"He is a month early" Gaius pointed out "You will need to take extra care of him until he grows stronger." He paused and looked at the proud men "There were problems the cord was round his neck. I managed to get it off before it caused him to stop breathing but it has bruised him." Arthur took his son to the bed and sat looking at Merlin who was looking up clearly exhausted but happy.

Gaius meanwhile spoke to Uther "Sire I have reason to believe magic was involved in both the early birth and the cord"

Uther looked savage "Magic! How can you be sure?" he demanded

"I had to make a small cut into Emrys so I could release the cord and signs of dark magic were present. Black tendrils around the babe, also the cord was round twice. Also I have been checking Emrys every day and the birth was sudden with no previous signs. The pregnancy was normal in every respect. The Queen also confirmed magic, remember she is used to seeing it and its effects"

Hunith walked up "This was dark magic not the pure magic I am used to, this was caused by evil"

Uther glared at her "All magic is evil it corrupts"

"You are wrong, Magic is like your sword it is the user that is good or evil not magic" Hunith said strongly

Gaius stepped between the two "This is the room of birth and has a very tired person within who has been through an ordeal as well as a new born"

Uther at least had the decency to look contrite. "I will leave, but I need to be kept informed, is the magic still present?"

"No, it dissipated as the child was born, whoever caused it clearly wanted the mother and baby to perish. Once we got the child out it went" Gaius said, careful not to mention the Mab had checked carefully. "Sire the magic I believe it was caused by a very powerful sorceress, as you know I have some knowledge of such things I believe we must be extra vigilant for the babe, this might not be the only attempt on his life"

Hunith looked at her uncle "I will send for my husband or oldest son they are used to dealing with magic they will be able to protect them"

Uther looked at her "I want no magic in Camelot"

"You have no choice! It has already nearly claimed the lives of my youngest and grandchild" Hunith said "You knew Gangani was a magical kingdom so man up and accept that we can deal with his better than you can or face the vengeance of Gangani and the dragons if anything else happens. Remember it is your grandson to and it happened here!" "

For all of Uther's hatred of Magic he had no real answer to the Queen at that moment. So he turned a walked away saying to the two knights as he did so "Guard them with your life. If anything happens I will hold you responsible."

He then headed for the council chambers and called together his knights "There has been an attempt on Emrys and her baby, a magical attack be extra diligent and find out if there has been any activity in the area. Double the guard around the castle but I want this kept secret for now no one outside of this room and the Crown Prince is to be told"

Arthur looked down at Merlin and placed their babe in his arms. "We need a name" he said gently "But rest for now"

It was that moment that the babe decided to cry so Freya helped Merlin get his son to the breast. Gaius looking on looked at Hunith "I will need a different wet nurse"

Hunith smiled "You have time Merlin will want to feed himself as long as he can, we can use goat's milk for any extra needed."

Gaius snorted "Uther would never allow that! No I know a woman who gave birth three days ago I will speak to her" he paused "When you contact Balinor tell him I recognised the magic it is the High Priestess Morgause" he them walked up to Arthur

"I told your father magic was involved and the Queen put him right on pure and dark magic" he grinned "He also knows Merlin was cut, but not the extent only that I needed to remove the cord. That will allow Merlin to remain secluded for longer"

"Oh great! Now he will be on a hunt for anyone with magic" Arthur rolled his eyes "You should have kept quiet"

"I couldn't Sire, not with Emrys and your son in danger." Gaius told him "Now I must try and work out the source or when the spell was cast."

"No need we know" Arthur told him "Or at least by who, the how shouldn't be too hard. We already had a plan in place, but clearly they are ahead of us" looking at the physician "Look I will come and see you later but I believe Merlin needs his rest. Just one thing will my son live?"

"With care and as long as he stays healthy Sire. He is premature but I believe he is strong enough to cope with most things, after all he coped with his difficult birth. I also believe that Merlin's magic will protect him from most things. Had Merlin not been who he was it would have been a different story" Gaius told Arthur

"Why" Arthur was clearly puzzled

"Well I was ready to open Merlin up because he was a man, and of course he could heal himself otherwise a woman would probably have died of the pain or infection. You see his magic helps in so many ways. Had Merlin have been female I wouldn't have thought about removing a baby that way except as a last resort, and by then the babe would have strangled to death and I may have not been able to remove the body. As you are well aware childbirth is a risky thing and has a high mortality if things go wrong, both for mother and child. When this was planned they clearly had no idea Merlin was male, and I suggest you keep it that way." Gaius hesitated "That's one of the reasons I told your father I had had to cut Merlin, one nothing else would have made sense, two in normal circumstances Merlin's life would still be in danger so he will be safe for a time and finally it will give you time to work things out."

"Thank you Gaius from both of us, I know once Merlin is feeling better he will appreciate what you have done"

"The boy means a lot to me Sire as do you" Gaius smiled "Now I have to get some sleep it is still the early hours of the morning then I have a wet nurse to sort out" with that he left.