Chapter 3

It was three hours after midnight when Balinor, Merlin and Hunith broke through the trees surrounding Camelot. Merlin sucked in a sharp break of awe as he started to ask

"It this- it this?" Balinor nodded and said "Yes Merlin this is Camelot, this is home." as Balinor took in the sight of his former home memories washed over him like a flood

ones from his childhood with Uther where they would be causing mischief in the lower town then being dragged back by the Knights to be punished by their father, then

Uther being crowned king, Ygraine marrying Uther, Arthur and Merlin being born, his forced leave. This was the place he was born where Merlin was born. This was where

Merlin's and his future rested where belonged. Balinor closed his eyes for a moment and breathed in the crisp night air savoring the scent of the forest he had missed for so

long along with the smells from the lower town that wafted towards them. After a few long minutes he turned to Merlin after putting the hood of his cloak up and it cast his

face into shadow so that no one would know who he was unless he pulled the hood down. "Merlin pull the hood of your cloak up and do not take it down unless I say you can

do you understand." Merlin nodded doing what he was told. Once Merlin's face was completely covered in shadow like his uncles they all started forward. It took them a few

minutes to reach the courtyard and when they did Merlin looked around in wonder at the magnificent castle and courtyard before them. He swung of his horse the same time

his uncle did and followed his and his Aunt towards the two guards posted outside the citadel one looked to be about ten years Merlin's senior and he was a Knight. When

they got close he stopped them and said "What are you doing here? What do you want?" Balinor stood straight betraying what his status was compared to the knight and said

"All of us wish to see the king in privet now Sir Leon." the Knight Sir Leon looked a little outraged as he said "How do you know me? Who are you to demand such things you

have no right?" Balinor's voice got deadly quiet and threatening as he said "I have every right I am a noble of Camelot and the king knows me personally. As for how I know

you, you were training still to be a knight when I left. When you inform the king that I am here to see him tell him this he will know what I am talking about tell him that the

Eagle and the falcon have returned home and see what he says now go and see if he will see us and I guarantee you it will be a yes." Sir Leon glared but was also confused

by the words he was to relay but said he would and left to go and inform the king of his visitors. "The Eagle and the Falcon what does that mean uncle?" Merlin asked

confused about the exchange "The Eagle is what your father used to call me because I had a fascination with them, the falcon means you because there is a falcon that is

called a Merlin, you were so named because when you were born your eyes where burning gold from the magic you have then they faded to your icy blue eyes and when you

use magic they swirl with gold again. The Merlin Falcon has gold eyes so it seemed to fit. That was the code that your father and I worked out before I fled with you so that

when I came back he would know that it was me and I had you with me and so we could mess with the knights we always had fun doing that. Now all we can do is weight."

Balinor noticed Merlin's hands were shaking out of fear and anticipation of meeting his brother and father for the first time. Balinor put a reassuring hand on his nephews

shoulder and squeezed it genteelly as he said "Merlin I know you are a little nervous maybe even frightened at the prospect of meeting your father and brother for the first

time you have every right to be you never grew up with either of them only storied of them. You do not have to worry though your father loved you from the moment you

were born and your brother will love you just the same once you and him get to know each other a little bit you'll have a bond there and soon enough it will be a strong as

Uther's and mine and nothing not distance nor the passage of time will ever get rid of it. So just relax everything will be Alright."

Uther was in his chambers pouring over everything that was still being done for Arthur's anniversary as well as other things that were going on in the kingdom. Uther looked

at the planes for Arthur's anniversary and sighed he looked out at the dark sky and said quietly "I wish you and Merlin were here Balinor. I wish that Merlin could be here to

celebrate his eighteenth anniversary with his brother but I know I will see him and you again soon bring his home safe Brother." Uther was still off in his musings when

someone knocked on his door confused and a little on guard he said "Enter." the door to his chamber opened and it was Sir Leon who was standing there he had a concerned

but determined look on his face as he bowed the said "Sire there are there are three people here to see you the man who seems to be leading them says he needs to speak

to you in privet. He said you would know what this means so here is his message, The Eagle and the Falcon have returned home. He seemed to think that that jumble of

none sense would mean something to you sire." Uther's mind reeled he had not heard those words utter since that day eighteen years ago the only man who would know

those words was Balinor and if that message was sent that would mean he was here and maybe even Merlin was finally here as well. Uther strained to keep his excitement

from creeping into his voice as he said "Bring them in here Sir Leon and get Prince Arthur while you're at it, it is important he be here for this." Leon bowed again and left to

go get Prince Arthur and the guests that wanted to see the king. Uther silently hopped that it was Balinor and his son Merlin that he had given into his care to protect all

those years ago."

It seemed like forever to Merlin before Sir Leon came back into view a slightly confused expression on his face and he face Balinor and said "I am to escort you to the kings

chambers all three of sir." "Thank you sir Leon lead the way." Balinor said winking at Merlin who could not help but smile knowing his Uncle had no intent on letting this sir

Leon lead him anywhere not when he was the kings brother and knew these halls better then the knight himself. Before Sir Leon could even make a step to lead the way

Balinor started forward flanked by Hunith and Merlin. Sir Leon tried to get ahead of Balinor but was no match for the kings brother's long strides or Merlin's for that matter

which matched his uncles perfectly even though he stumbled sometimes on the unknown floor. Soon they were standing in front of a two solid oak doors. Balinor stopped in

front of them and motioned for Leon to announce them which he did looking a bit torn between giving Balinor a look of annoyance or ignoring him completely but he did go in

and announce them to the king and the quickly ushered them in then left the three of them alone with the king and a blond haired young man who could only be Arthur.

Uther tried to distinguish anything familiar about either of the cloaked faces but could not make out anything so he decided on a little test because he knew what the real

Balinor would say to this question if asked by his brother "Who are you?" Uther could see a small bit of a smile as the man in front of him said "I am who I was, I who I am,

and I am who I will always be." Uther's heart soared with recognition and love for the man before him because there could be no doubt that this was his twin brother Balinor.

Uther let out a laugh and said "Balinor I knew it was you only you could come with that stupid code you made up all those years ago and only you would answer me like that.

Now take off that blasted hood it had been to long since I have see the face of my twin brother." Balinor pushed his hood back laughing as he did saying "And you were the

only one who was able to understand all those riddles and codes and I remember we used to have so much fun tormenting the Knights with them. I is good to see you Uther

it has been too long." Balinor finished his sentence by pulling his twin brother into a tight embrace which he held for a few minutes then released him. Uther knew that

Balinor would only be here for one of two reason one either Merlin was with him or something had happened to Merlin Uther grew serious and asked "Balinor is Merlin with

you?" Balinor smiled and flicked his eyes to the your man standing still with his hood up but looked just a regal if not for the clothes as a prince should but also a little too

tense for Uther's liking. Uther felt a small bit of hope flood his chest maybe this hooded boy was his only other son Arthur's twin brother. Uther smiled at the boy and said

"You have nothing to fear from me boy, please lower your hood so I can see your face." the boy tensed noticeably and looked at Balinor who nodded for the boy to do so.

The boy seemed to understand Balinor's signal,, his hands were noticeably shaking as he pushed the hood of his cloak of his face. When the hood fell Uther knew just by

looking at the boy that this was his other son the one that he had sent away with his brother to keep him safe, tears gleamed in his eyes he had to hear to boy tell him who

he was he had to know his voice was shaking slightly as he asked "What is your name? I think I already know but indulge me." The steely determination in the boys eyes was

so very much like Arthur's and his own that Uther already knew what the boy was going to say but he had to hear it or this would not seem real until he heard the boy tell

him his name this would all be a dream. The boy bowed only slightly and said "My name is Merlin milord." Uther let out a shaky breath there was no doubt in his mind now

that this was his son. He could not help himself he strode up to his son slowly so that he did not feel threatened and looked at him took in everything about him then said "I

see you carry yourself like I do and have my eyes but have your mother's caring and selfless nature, from what Balinor tells me you also have my temper. I am so sorry I

had to give you to your uncle for safe keeping Merlin but I had no choice I only did it to protect you. I could not let that sorcerer take you and use you like she said she was

going to. I am so sorry." Merlin smiled a lopsided smile that looked right at home on his face as he said "You have nothing to be sorry for, you did what you thought was

right. I practically up to speed on everything I need to know from what uncle tells me. the only thing I am not good at at all is a sword fighting I am literally rubbish at it but

I can do more damage with my magic anyway though I never use my magic to hurt others unless it is in self defense or in defense of someone I love or the helpless. I am

still trying to wrap my head around all this but you and Arthur had been hero's of mine for a long time and now I know who I truly am I could not be prouder to be called you

son, father." Merlin inclined his head slight to Uther a fatherly fond smile lit up his features and he hugged his son for the first time since the parted eighteen years ago as he

said "I could not be more proud to hear you say that, Merlin." After a few moments Uther ended the hug giving Merlin another fatherly smile that he usually only reserved for

Arthur until now. With a jolt he remembered Arthur was still in the room and was probably wandering what the heck was going on. This was going to be an interesting night.

Arthur stood there look from his father to the other young man who looked strangely familiar to him though he knew he had never see the boy before but his father started

to spout of none sense about how they boy carried himself like Arthur's father and had his father's eyes that shown with Arthur's mothers kindness. Then went on about how

he had to send him away to protect him with the man claiming to be his father long lost twin brother. Then what really caught him off guard was the cheeky but at the same

time respectful manner in which the other young man talk to his father about what he knew because of what this man Balinor had taught him but that he was rubbish with a

sword but his magic was just as deadly if not worse than a sword but that he never used his magic to harm people only to help them unless they hurt others. Then he had the

audacity to call Arthur's father, father which made Arthur's lip curl in annoyance and a little bit of contempt for the younger man Arthur did not have any siblings yet this boy

was trying to take his place with his father Arthur was not going to have it.

"Father who is this boy and what right does he have to call you father he is not even part of our family you should have him punished for his audacity." Arthur was trying to

keep the anger out of his voice but failed spectacularly causing Uther to flinch slightly. the man Balinor turned to look at Uther with a incredulous look saying "Uther I thought

we agreed that they day before their eighteen birthday we would tell which son of your we had which you had Arthur the truth, I told Merlin did you forget to tell Arthur?"

Uther smiled apologetically making Balinor smack his forehead in exasperation saying "Uther you prat how could you have forgotten something like this? Now Arthur thinks

that Merlin is trying to manipulate you and take his place because he is ignorant of what is going on. This has now officially turned into a mess. You need to explain to him

now before this gets out of hand. We do not need your sons hating each other or at least one hating the other you need to fix this now." Arthur was taken aback by what the

man said could it be true that he had a brother but that his father had never told him. Everything seemed so jumbled now but for some reason he could not stop his eyes

from wondering back to the other young man and having a strange feeling of connection with him that he had seen him before like in a half forgotten dream but he could not

understand why he felt that way maybe he should hear his father out and try to understand.

Uther understood his brother was right he had forgotten and now he needed to make it right he turned to Arthur and motioned for him to sit down at the table. Soon all five

of them were sitting at the dining table in the room. Uther looked at Arthur and said "Arthur there is something I should have told you yesterday to prepare you I just did not

thing that your brother and mine would be showing up today I did not think they would be coming back till a couple of days from now. But is seems Balinor had other Ideas.

Let me explain from the begin so you understand."

For the next half hour Uther explained to Arthur about how Ygraine had had twins the night she died and that Merlin was Arthur's twin. He also explained how Merlin had

powerful magic and if the druidic prophecies where true then Merlin was the most powerful sorcerer to ever walk the earth and that Arthur would be the once and future king.

Then he explained the reason behind why he had sent Merlin away and why Balinor had been protecting him till today so that he could come home. But Uther made sure that

both of them understood that he loved them both equally so neither of them could take the others place. When Uther finished his tale Arthur seemed a bit dazed for a second

then said "Well that explains why I seem to feel a connection to you despite having not knowing you. But I guess I am glad that I have a sibling I always wanted one now it

seems I have a twin and a twin who had magic no less." Merlin straightened up a cheeky smile that rivaled even the king himself as he said "Well I am glad of that two but

one other thing is true, you are a prat." Balinor and Uther's eyes shot in Merlin's direction with a lot of amusement and shock but then quickly snapped to Arthur when he

said smiling a little "Yeah and you're a complete Idiot this is going to be fun." "I couldn't agree more." Uther and Balinor could not contain themselves anymore as they burst

out laughing as he said "They sound just like we did at their age if not worse down to the fond insult of Prat and Idiot from the right one of them as well." Uther kept laughing

but Balinor was laughing as well while saying "When we were their age what are talking about we still act like that you Prat." That just made them both laugh harder.

It was a little before dawn when He had Arthur take Merlin to the room next his so he could get some rest. Arthur complied happily Merlin however was a bit cheeky about it

saying that the Prat could not possible show him the way anywhere he looked like he could not even dress himself. And that was when the bantering started. They bantered

like that all the way down the hall till they were out of earshot while Uther and Balinor laughed at their antics. Once the king and his brother had regained their composer

Balinor said "This is going to be fun." Uther just said "Yes with the two princes of Camelot now home Camelot is in for one wild ride." Balinor just nodded his head in

agreement. Soon after the princes were gone Balinor and Hunith were taken to where Balinor's old room was and it was exactly as he had left it eighteen years ago. Soon

they were both asleep and Uther finally felt whole again for the first time in years his who family was back together he had both of his sons and his brother back the only

worry was if that sorcerer came after Merlin again but Uther just drifted to sleep in a blissful mood after the events of the day.