PART 6

The Lords and Ladies of the Court assembled in the throne room for the wedding of King Arthur and a serving girl. The Knight's and their wives as well as some of the most important town's people were also in attendance.

The Council was still at odds with the new King about the marriage. Granted his intended was the sister of one of the commoner Knights but that didn't make her an appropriate Queen in their eyes. They suggested a foreign Princess as a way to gain military support, a need of the kingdom. But King Arthur was adamant and would hear none of it. He was marrying for love not military alliances and that was final.

The King walked up to the dais and stood waiting for the doors to open and his bride to walk through. Out of the corner of his eye he saw some of the Council members standing together in a group. They were up to something and it was obvious. The doors opened and the dark haired beauty started to tentatively walk to the King. When she reached the King and took his hands, the Council members walked out in protest. Arthur did nothing and pretended he didn't see what they had done. He would deal with them later. He gave his bride a smile and a comforting squeeze of her hands.

"King Arthur, is it your intention to become one with this woman?" Sir Geoffrey asked solemnly.

In a voice loud enough that the Council members could hear as they left, Arthur said, "It is"
O~X~O~X~O~X~

In the days leading up to the wedding the Knights of the Round Table started to make their appearances. Their memories of Camelot came back as they started to gather. Leon was already a part of the group as was Elyan. Lancelot was in Central America working for a children's charity. Percival was the next to show up. Only Gwaine was missing.

"Arthur, I'm telling you he is most likely in one of the pubs in the area we should go round and look for him." Merlin insisted.

"Merlin, I'm not going from pub to pub searching for a lost Knight of Camelot."

"That's where we met him before." Merlin reminded him.

Arthur just glared at him. "We are going out in a few days to celebrate my marriage, we will look for him then."

"But that's only a day or two before the wedding, he will never have time to sober up." Merlin shook his head. Well if Gwaine ever sobered up that is.

"Gwaine that we know doesn't ever sober up. He has too much alcohol in his body to ever be free of it." Arthur laughed. He could still out fight out ride and out talk us all.
~x~

The night of the 'pub hopping excuse' as Gwen called it came without Gwaine making an appearance. The second pub they entered, Gwaine sat there at the bar and smiled.

"Good to see you all again. Was wondering when you'd get here. What are we celebrating anyway?" Gwaine said already a bit wobbly.

"Arthur is getting married in a few days." Merlin told him.

"To Guinevere?" Gwaine sighed. "I guess I missed out on her, huh?" Gwaine threw his arm around Merlin's shoulders. "You got any prospects? And does she have a sister."

Merlin laughed. "Yes and no she doesn't have a sister." Same old Gwaine.

"That's just not fair, Merlin." Gwaine looked hurt.

"Come on Gwaine we are going to get our tattoo's." Elyan said as they started to leave for the tattoo shop down the street. Each man of the Round Table had worn the dragon silhouette in a circle on the forearm of his sword arm.

Percival was a bit hesitant. "Elyan, do you remember what happened when we did this last time? Lancelot, Leon and I got infected."

"That's because you didn't keep the bandage on it long enough." Elyan frowned. "Gwen told you to, but you didn't."

Arthur looked at them. My knights are girls. "If you don't want to don't, but I for one am going through with it." Arthur went into the shop and showed the man what he wanted. The others looked at each other and followed his lead.

This time Merlin was granted the honor of wearing the 'Knight's Mark'. Actually they held him down.
~X~

True to their word, the guest list for their wedding was very small. The newly found Knights of Camelot and family were all they wanted to share their day.

To them it was their second marriage. They didn't feel the need for elaborate parties.

The only noticeable absence was Arthur's father. Arthur tried to act like it didn't matter but somehow it did. That man was his father even if he was no longer a king. He tried not to show his disappointment, but Gwen knew it was there.

"Merlin did you try calling him?" Gwen asked for the third time.

"He isn't answering his phone or mobile." Merlin answered her again. "He thinks if he doesn't show Arthur will not get married."

"Do you …. ?" Gwen started to ask then stopped not wanting to know the answer.

"He wants this more than anything." Merlin reassured her. "Luther is just being stubborn because he did not get his way."

"Arthur is upset, Merlin." Gwen frowned.

"He'll be fine once he is your husband again." Merlin put his hands on his shoulders and nodded.

"Then go so I can dress." Gwen laughed and shooed him out.

Merlin went to check Arthur's progress. The groom was struggling with his tie.

"Just don't stand there, Merlin help me." Arthur sighed as Merlin quickly tied the silk tie without difficulty.

"It's just nerves Arthur. Gwen looks beautiful by the way." Merlin smiled and admired his work.

"She does? What am I saying? She always does." Arthur looked at himself in the mirror and started to mess with his hair.

Merlin handed him a hair brush. "Here this might help."

"Yeah right." Arthur looked at the brush then took it and laid it on the dresser. Why am I so nervous? I used to slay bandits and fight wars. Arthur looked at the brush and picked it up and used it.

Merlin tried to keep from laughing as he went back to the guests to get them seated for the ceremony.

Arthur came out and stood by the minister. He was trying to look as calm as he wasn't. His eyes lit up when he saw his bride come out of the other room. She is even more beautiful than last time.

Gwen was beautiful. She wore flowers in her hair just like before. The gown was simple and very similar to the original one except for the sash. This gown had a lavender sash not a red one this time.

The ceremony was strait forward and quick. Their vows were simple and the minister was thankfully not long winded.

Champagne was served and the beautiful chocolate cake was cut and plated.

Gwen led Arthur to a chair and sat on his lap. "Do you remember this part?" She laid a napkin over her skirt to catch the crumbs. Even though they had been practicing Arthur still seemed to make a mess.

"Yes, I believe I do. I also remember the gossip afterwards." Arthur smiled at his beautiful bride. The Court talked of nothing else for weeks.

"No gossip this time." Gwen held a bit of cake on the fork teasingly. We had been scandalous before, now we will enjoy every minute of it.

Arthur took the bite then kissed his bride. He presented her with a bite that she accepted then kissed him. They took turns sharing kisses between bites of cake.

Arthur and Gwen sipped champagne from the matching flutes as toast after toast was given. Gwen had planned on sipping sparkling water but the last pregnancy test failed to show a positive. They had hoped that she was pregnant.

This was a fresh start; a new beginning to give them the life that they had really wanted not the one chosen for them. They had missed out on raising children before but this time they refused to miss out on anything.

After all the guests had left and Merlin was off to spend the night at Freya's. The silence comforted them once again. They cuddled on the sofa. Just being together was a gift. No matter what happened from now on they would handle it together.
~X~

Gwen was the first to wake the morning after the wedding. She laid there listening to Arthur breathe. There was something very soothing in it. Arthur stirred suddenly. He woke with a gasp. There were times that Arthur had nightmares of the lives he had before, mostly from the wars he had fought in and his many deaths. Merlin said it was a side effect of the spell. She didn't experience it because this was her first life after Camelot.

"Good morning." She sat up and he looked at her. She could see him come out of his nightmare and recognize her.

"Good morning, My Queen." he reached up and caressed her cheek. "Did I wake you?"

"No, I was awake just waiting on you. We have gifts to open and thank you cards to write." She smiled.

Arthur groaned "I thought that was the bride's job."

She playfully pushed on his chest. "You are not getting out of it."

Arthur gave a loud exaggerated sigh. "If I have to then I will. We couldn't have gotten that many gifts."

"There are a few. I'm going to make tea meet me in the lounge."

Arthur watched as she hopped out of bed and headed for the kitchen. He sighed again. Why can't we just stay in bed?

Arthur put on some clothes and went into the lounge. There were a few gifts. They hadn't sent out announcements or anything so few people even knew of their wedding. He decided he liked it that way. He sat by the pile and started to sort it.

Gwen came out of the kitchen with a plate toast and two mugs of tea. She sat the tray on the table next to where Arthur sat on the floor, and then joined him there.

"Guinevere, why are there two gifts from your father?" Arthur looked at the small box and the long one both with Tom's signature on them.

"Oh, that one is from the engagement party." she pointed to the long box. "I never opened it."

"That's right I remember now. He said it was more for me than you. Maybe it's a cricket bat." Arthur grinned when she frowned. He tore the paper and opened the box. He was not prepared for what he saw. Excalibur. He lifted it out of the box and stared at it.

Gwen glanced at Arthur to see what the gift was. She gasped when she saw it. "It can't be."

Arthur put the sword back in the box and grabbed his mobile off the table. He dialed and waited for an answer. "Merlin, get over here, now. There is something you need to see." He paused. "Don't be lewd. It's one of our gifts. Hurry." Arthur disconnected the call.

Gwen looked at the sword. "It makes sense really. It was made by the Queen's father. I doubt he even had a clue what he was giving us."

"Where did it go after I died?" Arthur lifted it again. It glinted in the morning sun coming through the window.

"I don't know. I assumed Merlin buried it with you. I didn't see it after you died."

"I didn't have it in any of my other lives." Arthur carefully stood with the King's Sword. He flicked it slowly at first then faster. "This is my sword. I would swear to it."

There was the sound of a key in the lock. Merlin swung the door open and walked it. "What did you want me to….? He stared at the blade in Arthur's hand.

Gwen broke the silence. "Merlin, why did my father have Arthur's sword?"

Merlin took a deep breath. "The only ones that could keep it safe without it corrupting them is the King's blood line or the blood line of the family that forged it." Merlin paused and looked at Gwen. "Since there was no heir to the throne of Camelot, the only other person that could keep it safe was you or Elyan."

"So you gave it to Elyan after I died?" Arthur stared at the sword in awe.

"Yes." Merlin took another deep breath. "Gwen, I didn't know what you would do if I gave it to you. Elyan seemed the best choice. He agreed to keep it hidden until the King and Queen reunited."

"Wait, I remember a story my father used to tell us. It wasn't a part of the traditional legend so I thought he was making it up." Gwen frowned trying to remember.

"Well?" Arthur was curious now.

"The Great Warlock Emyrs entrusted the King's Sword, Excalibur to the Brave Knight of Humble Birth. The Knight swore an oath on the sword to protect it from those that would use it for evil. He entrusted it to his son who also took an oath on the sword to protect it. The tradition was to continue until the King and the Queen reunited and the Knights of the Round Table were gathered once more." Gwen looked at Merlin. "The Knight was to name his first girl child 'Guinevere' after the great Queen. I'm the first daughter in generations. That's why I was named Guinevere. There is another part of the story about that too but I can't think of it." She sat back against the sofa and frowned again. Gwen sighed. "Most of the written legends are unclear as to where Queen Guinevere actually came from. They range from a foreign princess to a daughter of a baron. None of them ever said that the Queen was a blacksmith's daughter."

"That means you're directly linked to Excalibur." Arthur looked at his Queen. "You are from the same bloodline that you were in Camelot."

"You both are, actually." Merlin said quietly. "So am I. I can trace my blood back to the original Emyrs."

"But I had no heirs, Merlin." Arthur was confused.

"No, but Morgana did." Merlin sighed. "In Camelot's time she had two children a son and a daughter. This is the first generation where Morgana had no son. Only Vivvie."

"Who fathered her children?" Gwen asked.

"During Camelot's time, the son's father was a druid and I was her daughter's father."

"Well, that didn't change now, did it?" Arthur looked at Merlin. Arthur suddenly regretted how harsh he sounded. I didn't mean it to sound like that.

"You know?" Merlin looked shocked.

"Yes, she swore me to secrecy. Father doesn't know." Arthur looked at Merlin apologetically. "He would have killed you. He was so angry at

Morgana for not telling him who Vivvie's father was that he refused to speak to her for years. They still weren't speaking when she died."

"That's awful." Gwen shook her head.

Merlin looked at the sword lying next to Arthur. His eyes clouded. "She was pregnant when she died."

Gwen and Arthur stared at the warlock sitting on the floor with them.

Merlin, sensing their gaze, took a deep breath and answered their unspoken question. "It wasn't mine."

"Then who …?" Gwen started then stopped for fear of the answer.

"I never knew." Merlin's eyes were wet and he brushed them with the back of his hand. She wouldn't tell me.

"So unless we have a son, this is it for my line. Is that what you're saying?" Arthur took a breath.

Merlin stared at the sword and didn't answer.

"Merlin was your daughter the oldest of Morgana's children during Camelot's time?" Gwen asked curiously.

"Yes, the daughter is always first. The first daughter … our daughter … she was born after the fall of Albion. Most lives she doesn't survive her childhood. Accident or sickness takes her. I have only been the father of two of them, Anna and Vivvie."

They sat quiet. All stared at the sword. Each one had their own fear rolling through their heads. Merlin feared for his daughter. Gwen feared her secrets. Arthur feared his mortality.

Gwen sighed and opened the other gift from her father. It was a book. The pages were well worn and the binding had been repaired several times. She opened it up and there in old fashioned script was the story she had just referenced. Behind the story was a family tree starting in the time of Camelot with Tom, her mother, Elyan and herself. She looked up at Arthur and Merlin. "This is the story and the family tree. The Queen's family tree," she whispered.

Arthur looked at what she was holding. "Was that the other gift from your father?"

She nodded too stunned to say anything more.

"Tom knows who we are then. That is why he gave us these gifts." Arthur thought back to his first meeting with Tom. He hadn't let on that he knew anything.

Gwen carefully turned the pages of the family tree. Each son had only one son to pass on the sword. She was the only daughter since the time of Camelot.

"Read it to us, Guinevere," Arthur said. He wanted to hear the story of how his sword was protected.

Gwen carefully turned to the first page and started to read it aloud.

When the story was over Arthur and Gwen looked over to where Merlin had been sitting but he was gone. They hadn't heard him leave. Arthur held out his arms to Gwen who moved into their protection. They sat for a while just thinking about the story Gwen had read.