Chapter 8

In the third month of his pregnancy Merlin began to show, he gave trying to hide the bump that was growing with each passing day. At first he had felt silly about his pregnancy showing until one night Arthur lent down and kissed his stomach just as he was about to fall asleep. Although Merlin was physically healthy he still lost his energy quicker then he should and felt tired most of the time. At a feast held in Arthur's honour Merlin almost had almost collapsed, Arthur of course panicked and all but forced Merlin to stay in bed. To Merlin's annoyance Gaius agreed with Arthur and told Merlin that bed rest was probably the best thing for him. Arthur made sure Merlin was never left alone, there had been occasions where Arthur had almost been dragged away from Merlin fulfil his duties as prince. The last time the guards came looking for Arthur one of them had made the mistake of telling him Merlin was not the most important thing in his life, Arthur had spun around and punched the guard in the face before Merlin even knew what was going on. The guards had left them alone since.

Looking out the window Merlin sighed. He graved the sunlight; he wanted to feel the sun on his skin and the grass under his fingers. All he has to do was convince Arthur.

()()()()

Lying on the covers of their bed with his hands resting comfortably on his ever growing bump Merlin watched as Arthur dressed waiting for the right moment to ask. He watched as Arthur pulled his shirt over his head only to look over at Merlin in adoration

"Arthur?" Merlin called nervously
"yes Merlin?" Arthur raised an eyebrow as he tried to fix his own hair
"If I asked for something would you give it to me?" Merlin asked hesitantly
"why? What are you planning?"
"Nothing just answer the question please" Arthur smiled and kissed the top of Merlins head
"yes Merlin for you I'd do anything"
"even if you though it was a bad idea?" Merlin smiled hoping Arthur would give in
"what are you trying to ask me Merlin?" Arthur sighed
"I want to go outside for a while" Merlin could see the conflict on Arthur's face. On one side Arthur knew this was probably a bad idea, what if Merlin collapsed again? But on the other spending all day everyday inside could not be good for Merlin or the baby.
"On one condition"
"anything" Merlin laughed "I carry you outside" before Merlin could protest Arthur had scooped him up in his arms and was carrying him out into the castle garden

()()()()()

When Arthur reached the garden still holding Merlin in his arms Arthur sat down and leant against a tree with Merlin resting on his chest. They sat in the sun talking about what Merlin's life had been like before he came to Camelot when Merlin jerked up suddenly
"what is it" Arthur asked worried pushes some hair out of Merlins eyes
"did...did you feel that?" Merlin could barley believe what had just happened
"what? Feel what Merlin?" Merlin grabbed one of Arthur's hands and placed it over his stomach. Arthur felt a slight kicked against his hand,
"Merlin was" He didn't know what to say "yeah Arthur that was the baby" Merlin smiled, Arthur lent down and kissed Merlin's stomach "I love you both" "I know we love you to" Merlin grinned. A guard walked out to find them
"Prince Arthur there are some people here who say they know lord Merlin" he bowed to them "send them in" Arthur thanked the guard as he walked away. Merlin turned his head to see the two people he'd missed most. "Mum Will" he called rising to his feet.

"Merlin" came to responses at once, his mother first tugging him into a strong hug,
"we thought, we heard you had been found out, then there were the rumours that the prince had saved you" Hunith sobbed into her sons shoulder.
"it's ok Mum, I'm fine and Arthur did save me" Merlin was a little confused when his mother pulled away and looked at him then he realised no one from his Eldor knew about him and Arthur "that man the guard, he called you lord Merlin, why did he do that?" Will asked, Merlin just stood there stunned with no idea what to do.

From the looks Merlin was getting Arthur knew something was up. Standing up beside Merlin Arthur took hold of one of Merlin's hand "are you ok? Do you want to leave?" Merlin shook his head, sure he was fine the only thing wrong was his family was standing in front of his expecting some kind of explanation and he had no idea what to say.

"what's wrong with you Merlin?" will asked
"nothing is wrong with him, he's perfectly fine" Arthur growled he hated it when people assumed Merlin was sick, ok there had been the morning sickness but Merlin was past that now-he hoped. Merlin looked at Arthur who squeezed his hand in support, taking a deep breath Merlin turned back to his family

"I know it sounds crazy but it's true. Arthur and I are married, I... we cast a spell that allows male sorceress to carry children. It saved me from death and now Arthur and I are going to have a baby" Merlin said in a rush feeling awkward waiting for his mother's response.
"oh Merlin why didn't you tell me before. I would have come sooner" Hunith pulled Merlin into another hug, Merlin looked over at his friend. Will stood there with a mixture of horror and disgust on his face "will"
"don't...Merlin don't. You can't be serious. This is madness; it goes against everything that natural in the world. You're a freak" will yelled
"Will please" Merlin tired to make his friend see that he was not evil but he was cut off by an angry Arthur

"shut up NOW" Arthur hissed, anger dripping from his words "you've hurt my Merlin. Now you have to choices, you can apologize and hope Merlin forgives you because I won't or leave this city and never come back"
"that's right protect the freak" Will hit the ground before he finished his sentence, a bruise already forming on his face from where Arthur had punched him. Calling for the guards Arthur ordered them to make sure Will left the city and never came back before he wrapped his arms around Merlin waist leading him back inside, Merlins mum following close beside her son.

Arthur hated it when people acted as if there was something wrong with Merlin, like he was infected with some sort of disease, he had put up with it from some people in the past but that idiot had hurt Merlin with his words. Arthur decided that no one would ever get the chance again.

So there's another chapter hope you like it. Sorry if you're a fan of will, it's not that I have anything against him it's just that I find that he kinda gets in the way of Merlin Arthur slash. Thanks for reading review if u feel like it.