When sleep takes Arthur, his breathing evens out to slow and steady puffs with the occasional snuffling snore. Merlin marvels at the naked trust Arthur insists on giving him. The glorious and dignified body lies next to him nestled between sheets with dried blood stains. The sealing cuts, various bruises marring Arthur's skin even as he reaches for his lover in his slumber.
"Me'l'n," Arthur mumbles, content to press up against the warlock.
If Arthur weren't mostly asleep, Merlin thinks he might be offended to be called some kind of fruit. But with the sleep tousled hair and the cuddling, Merlin can't really complain. Merlin sees Arthur's face, unmarked and guilt twinges in him. Barely whispering, he heals Arthur as much as he could. He watches his magic take away the evidence of skin being broken and he pushes his power into the wounds, willing them not to leave scars.
"Tickles," Arthur smiled happily.
The dizziness hits the sorcerer again and he is not able to continue. He lays knocked out for a second. The worst has been taken care of. He casts a subtle low-level glamour over the bruises. Then Merlin allows himself to caress Arthur lightly, enjoying his lover's presence and restored perfection.
When Arthur finally wakes, the King is surprised to find himself strangely unmarked as if it were all a dream. He touches his ribs where the deep cut was. He looks up to meet Merlin's blue eyes.
"You healed me?" It is half a question, half a statement.
"Unfortunately, the bruises are still there," Merlin said sheepishly, hand hovering over Arthur's pale hip.
"Oh." Arthur rubs the area with a wince.
"I put a glamour on them so you don't have to explain away any...unusual injuries," Merlin smirks.
"Why didn't you tell me you could do this like before?" the blond pouts, thinking for all the times that might have been useful.
Merlin blinks owlishly. "Actually I didn't really know I could do that. I just kind of wished it really hard."
Arthur sits up gingerly. "Only because you have freaky powers," he grumbles, though he negates his statement by nuzzling Merlin's cheek, seeking a kiss. The brunet obliges him a little stiffly and Arthur feels a bit of disappointment set in.
Merlin dresses himself quickly and leaves with a perfunctory kiss on the cheek. "I have to go, love."
The warlock heads for the lab connected to their chambers and closes the door.
It's a mess.
He could use his magic to clean up the mess but there is nothing so satisfying as to do it by hand. That way he can be sure of the effort that has been put into the cleaning. Gaius used to have him do it that way so no one would find out but also to instil in him the value of hard work. Or as punishment accompanying the 'actions have consequences' lecture. Merlin feels shame cling to him all over again. He's wiping up the last of the mess, washing his hands wishing he could get the image of the body writhing cutting open his chest, and pulling his own heart out mixed with tasting blood when Gwen comes in.
He had been so deep in his reverie that he is startled.
"Are you alright?"
"Fine." Merlin answers, then automatically slipping into physician mode. "How've you been feeling?"
"Tired. I think it might be a bad case of the nerves or just a bug I caught from eating so much. It's been so nasty that I've thrown up a few times. It's not that bad but Morgana's been so worried so I thought I'd slip in while she's in court and see if I can get a ginger tonic." She looks embarrassed to even be there, used to taking care of everyone else.
Merlin distractedly hands her a ginger tonic. "Peppermint tea might help as well." Searching for the label amongst his jars sprawled in the cabinet, Merlin knocks over a tower of books.
"Oh Merlin, let me help you," Gwen offers helpfully. This is the Merlin she knows and she smiles at his clumsy efforts to help. "I'm glad you're back and that you're better."
"Thanks," Merlin mumbles. Something clicks in his mind as he works. "Have you been throwing up at night as well?"
"Usually in the morning, it wears off so I don't have any problem doing my work."
The warlock cocks his head to the side, remembering what The Reaper said. Not wanting to alarm her with his suspicions, he says vaguely "I might as well you know, check, to save you coming again."
"Sure," Gwen agrees easily, catching the drift. She's relaxed, legs swinging.
The first few times they did this, she was skittish and they both felt awkward. It was a big thing to ask of Gwen, an experimental procedure, with many risks and he didn't know what to think of her as: a friend, a patient, a mother. He checks it three times so he's absolutely sure. Merlin is shocked. Gwen is with child. With Arthur's child. He honestly never thought it would work. Another Pendragon indeed. He had been prepared to carry the child himself using a magical womb if need be. For Arthur, he would.
Gwen notices that he's taking longer than usual but she doesn't interrupt him. "Is something wrong, Merlin?"
Merlin's heart warms at Gwen's goodness. He can tell that the concern is for him and not for herself because that is the type of woman Gwen is and has always been. He brings his eyes up from her clothed belly, at the fetus forming beneath her dress and he smiles, "Congratulations."
Gwen returns the smile beatifically. "It worked? You're sure? I mean of course you are, I just thought you said that it wouldn't, anyway, it's just such a surprise."
"You're pregnant, yes. About four weeks along."
"It's a miracle," she breathes, wonder in her voice. Merlin had designed this magical pregnancy himself. It would be the first of it's kind. This child would thus share the characteristics of Arthur, Merlin and Gwen. She strokes her still flat stomach. "I'm so happy for you and Arthur. For us."
"I'll have someone tell Arthur the good news."
Merlin summons a messenger boy. "Tell the King that I have good news about Gwen."
Gwen practically glows. Even with all the complications the pregnancy will bring. Even if the chance of miscarrying is high, she is happy. Not only is she happy for herself, but is she happy for Merlin and Arthur. Especially Arthur.
When the message is delivered to Arthur, he asks the messenger boy to repeat it as if he could not believe the words. "Good news, you did say?" he asked the boy again. At the nod he receives, the King stands up. "Excuse me, I must attend to this matter," Arthur smiles stiffly. "Lady Morgana, I will leave the Court in your capable hands." He takes her hand and kisses it, then leaves.
Though Arthur has changed and he is a good man, Morgana knows something is definitely up when Arthur puts on his cold, stately persona that Morgana has mentally dubbed his Uther impersonation. Morgana quickly excuses herself as well, passing the baton to Sir Leon. She follows Arthur from a discreet distance. From the look on Arthur's face, she could tell that this was something out of the ordinary is happening but he did not seem excited by this good news. This is what drew her curiosity. Her visions said nothing, beyond danger to Arthur and an impenetrable black curtain. Now here she is, hiding behind pillars and hoping to eavesdrop outside like an errant ward.
Arthur is striding briskly back to the wing where Merlin had left him this morning. 'Good news' about Gwen could only mean one thing. It is their secret code words. He is going to be a father. A father. Each step towards his destination like a weight added to his shoulders. He is a warrior, a champion and he knows that he is the youngest king in Albion for centuries. Yet, he does not feel ready. Putting a gloved hand to readjust the crown on his head, the handsome King is reminded of his failure to live up to his father's expectations so many times in his life. Of the many, many things he has to live up to. Of the things he has yet to do. He knows he should be feeling relieved, he can fulfil his duty to Camelot now. Can he be a good father? Taking a deep breath, Arthur smiles shakily before walking into the soft murmur of voices.
"Guinevere," Arthur says, kissing her hand reverently. He can sense her radiance and joy and it is contagious. The King thinks that he might feel something akin to hope flutter in him. "This is...wow. I-I don't know what to say."
Few things surprise Morgana, as a seer but this, she never saw coming. She stays rooted to the spot, hand over her mouth in shock.
"Congratulations?" her maid says with a light laugh.
Arthur pulls Gwen into a hug. "I cannot express...how much this means to me. To us," he said, glancing at Merlin. "Thank you for sharing with us this gift. We're going to be a family." There is a tone of wonder there. "I know you said you don't want payment but ask and you shall have it."
"Your Majesty-"
"It's definitely Arthur now." He holds up a hand to stall her protests, the wheels turning in his head. "You'll have to move all your things in to the castle. I mean you're over here most of the time. Don't worry, the house is and will always be yours. I can have someone maintain it. I know it's closer to your workshop but I'm going to have to speak with the Royal Smith. You mustn't do any more metal work now."
"Arthur. I'm with child, not completely useless," Gwen argues. "The women in the village work hard even when pregnant. Merlin, tell him."
"Well, Gwen is right," Merlin says with an apologetic look at Arthur.
"I just want to make sure that you have the best of care. If not for yourself, for the baby," Arthur says with a stubborn glint of his gold eyes.
"Then listen to me. Lady Morgana has been unwell lately. She needs me. You should trust me to be able to take care of myself. I've been taking care of people my whole life. I know what to do." Arthur's jaw clenched but Gwen continues mischievously, playing her trump card, "You're not the one who's pregnant."
Arthur glares but caves in. "Fine. But you will promise me that you won't work too hard. If you need help you'll... you'll tell me."
Gwen smiles triumphantly. "Of course, Arthur." She softens, placing a hand on his calloused one. "I will do my best to take care of the baby ok? I know the baby is precious but I'll go crazy if you tell me to lie in bed all day and that won't be good for the baby. I can manage for now. If it makes you feel better, I won't do any metal forging anymore but I think I can still manage the armoury and take inventory."
After a long moment, Arthur closes his eyes and nods. "I'll announce it straight away with a feast. A really big celebration in honour of this momentous occasion."
Merlin cuts in regretfully, "I think...it's safer if we don't. There was just an attack on your life. I think we should wait a while Arthur. At least until I'm up to full power. Sorry Gwen."
Morgana has heard enough. She bursts into the room. She goes to slap Arthur but Gwen stops her. "I can't believe you," she seethes. The crackle of magic hovers in the tension, a slight shimmer distorting the air. "What have you done to Gwen?"
"Morgana, whatever you heard," Arthur looks pained. "It's not what you think."
"Oh really? So tell me that Gwen is not pregnant because you decided to sow your seed."
Arthur winces as if she had slapped him. "She is but we didn't...that is I didn't..."
"It's a magical pregnancy," Merlin explains in a low voice. "Arthur has done nothing dishonourable to Gwen. This child will share characteristics between Gwen, Arthur and I."
Morgana laughs. "The people will not see it that way. That last time magic went in a pregnancy, it turned out to be a disaster," she threw a pointed glare at Arthur. "What meddling have you done now for this life, Merlin, kill a daemon child?"
"Don't talk about matters which you know nothing about, my lady," Merlin's eyes change dangerously and for a moment Morgana swears that they were bright red.
"Oh I know all about this. A woman's value is in her virtue. Gwen will be shamed. Pregnant, out of wedlock and carrying the bastard child of the king? That's proof you fucked her Arthur. No one is going to believe your immaculate conception story. Aside putting her in danger, who do you think is going to want her after this?"
"I have done nothing shameful. I have nothing to hide, Morgana," Arthur retorts.
"Then you are more foolish than I thought. I thought I knew you better than this. You know what they will say."
"Since when have we let that stop us? People will talk. They always do."
"Gwen's reputation will be ruined forever. A lady's honour is her purity. You are always thinking of yourself. It is Gwen that will have to bear the consequences. People will think her a common whore. No one will want her. I know you can scarcely think of anyone but yourself but this is not being fair to her."
"Morgana, if you're insinuating I'd make Gwen suffer for this, you're wrong," Arthur said, unwilling to back down. "It doesn't have to be that way. I'm going to announce it, publicly declare Gwen to be under my protection."
"Arthur, you can't-"
"I am King now. I can and I will do as I please, Merlin."
"Arthur. A mother without a father is an unfortunate but not a dangerous position. A possible heir to the throne is a target. Think about how many attempts there were on your life as the only heir to the throne. Announcing it will put Gwen in more danger, not less."
Morgana sneers, "I know what you're doing. You're stalling, warlock. You don't want Gwen to have the place you covet, Merlin. Jealousy is such an unattractive look on you."
Gwen can feel the tension seeping into the room, Merlin's power humming and Arthur's hand straying unconsciously to his pommel. "Enough!" she said, raising her voice sharply. All eyes turn to Gwen. Taking a deep breath, she continues, "Please, enough! I can't stand by and watch everything fall apart… You haven't asked me what I want! I'm right here and it's my baby too." She holds her head up, black straight and she looks taller, almost regal.
Merlin can see that in another lifetime perhaps, Gwen would have been Arthur's Queen. Merlin cannot stand that thought, even though Gwen is his dearest friend. He shoves down all the dark thoughts as much as possible, focusing instead on Gwen's words. "This is my honour to bear. I will not put the child in danger. I won't risk it. Merlin is right."
"Gwen…" Morgana flounders, a frown marring her forehead. "I wish…"
"Please my lady, do not vex yourself on my behalf. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, I didn't want you to worry about me. I have already agreed to move to the castle. There is nothing the people can do to me. They cannot cast me out from my home. I am safe. This is a gift, given freely. This is what I want. For the love of Albion." Gwen smoothed the front of her dress. "I will do whatever is necessary to keep the child safe. It doesn't matter what other people will think. You, all of you, are the people important to me. As long as we know the truth then that is enough for me."
Morgana is not placated. "I respect your choice Gwen and I do not blame you. I blame Arthur. He will ruin you. Arthur, you selfish bastard. This is what I meant by right and wrong. You can't just change all the rules to suit yourself. I thought you were better than that."
"You will not speak to me like that," Arthur's temper flares. He advances on her but she does not step back, her gaze steady.
"Or what?" Morgana tilted her chin defiantly. "You're just like your father." Adding another jibe, she inclines her head stiffly. "Sire. I will not speak to you at all. As you wish."
"And I blame you, Merlin, you've ruined him. No, don't even think about it, you've done enough."
Morgana slams the door and storms out in her pompous manner which comes off as majestic. Arthur had always hoped a little vindictively that she might just trip over her skirts but she never did. He wondered if the flair for the dramatic exits went from Uther to her. Morgana had most definitely been Uther's ward.
Gwen's predicament has made her decisive. "We still have time before I start to show right? Let's just leave this for now."
Arthur is still looking at the door. Merlin is looking guiltily at the floor.
Gwen sighs. "I'll handle this."
"Don't forget your medicine," Merlin reminds, trying to be helpful.
Gwen gives him a weary smile and goes off to think about how to repair the damage done.
To be continued: All criticism welcome.