Chapter 12

Merlin looked up as the door slammed shut. Arthur stormed across the room throwing his sword as the nearest wall before he sank the ground holding his head in his hands. Practically panicking Merlin made his way over to Arthur. Sitting down beside Arthur Merlin wrapped an arm around his shoulder lifting his chin up to look at him with the other
"what's wrong?"
Arthur shook his head "I'm sorry, so, so sorry. I haven't got a choice" he sobbed
"what's going on?" Merlin whispered, feeling the fear running through Merlin Arthur held his face in his hands
"nothing is going to happened to you or our baby, you understand that right" Merlin nodded "it's just"
"just what?" Arthur looked away
"there's some sort of out in the forest. My father had orders me and my men to go and kill it. I have to go" Merlin took a deep breath "when do you have to leave?" he asked
"Arthur looked up at him with sad eyes "this afternoon before the sun sets"
"how long will you be" Merlin rested his head against Arthur's shoulder "No more than 3 days. Merlin I promise I'll be here for the birth you have to believe me" Arthur was begging Merlin to understand, Merlin kissed him lightly "I know. Besides there's still 3 weeks before the baby comes" Merlin closed his eyes savouring the time they had left together.

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Arthur had left an hour ago. Watching the sun set out of the window he had watched Arthur and his men ride out through Merlin felt alone for the 1st time sense he meet Arthur. Turning away from the window Merlin fell to his knees as pain ripped through his body. His breathing quickened as he squeezed his eyes shit trying to block out some of the pain that burned him from the inside out. He groaned desperate for the pain to stop
"help" he tired to yell, he hissed as his body burned him again. He looked up at the door hoping for someone to come and save him, when none come he fell to his side, sweat covering his face, breathing quickly, eyes shut tightly.

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Standing outside Merlins room Morgona heard Merlin yell desperately for help. Barging through the door she threw herself on the ground beside him.
"Merlin...Merlin what's wrong?" she begged him to tell her
"it hurts. Make it stop PLEASE" he clung at her
"GAUIS HUNITH" she screamed trying to get Merlin to stand so she could move him to the bed

"Morgona what is it?" Gaius stopped when he saw Merlin "Get him on the bed" he ordered. Hunith and Morgona helped Merlin lay down on the bed. They stood back as Gaius looked over him
"Merlin open your eyes, look at me" his voice softened, Merlin opened his eyes "Merlin look at me. You've gone into an early labour the baby is coming now" Merlin shook his head
"NO... Arthur... Arthur's not here" Merlin moaned, Hunith sat down beside her son and held his hand "sshh love it'll be alright" she promised
"no need Arthur" Merlin groaned as he was hit by another contraction.

Morgona stood on the other side of the room with Gwen
"stay here with Merlin. Help him as best you can" she ordered
"why? Where are you going?" Gwen seemed confused
"to find Arthur and bring him back" Morgona turned and left the room.

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It wasn't as hard as she thought it would be to find Arthur as she thought it would be. Riding up to them she could hear some of the drunken men singing. She just hoped Arthur wasn't one of them. Getting off her horse she ran over to find Arthur. Arthur laughed at his drunken friends. They had been toasting Merlin and the new baby making the occasional joke at the idea of Arthur being a father. Turning away from them he saw Morgona running over to him
"Morgona" he called as she reached him
"Arthur...you need to come...Merlin. Baby...coming now" she gasped through heavy breaths. Arthur had about 2 seconds to register this information, Merlin was in labour and he wasn't there, before a knight handed him the rains to a horse. He didn't registered getting on the horse, he never heard his knights yelling his wishes of luck or even Morgona ridding next to him. All he could think about was Merlin and his baby. He just hoped he wasn't too late.

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Jumping from the sound of the door slamming shut Gaius was shocked to see Arthur, he did look frantic and possibly ready to attack but it was still Arthur and he was still here.
"How is he" Arthur demanded
"Merlin is tried and in a lot of pain but that is normal" Gaius smiled
"but it's too early, the baby shouldn't be here for another 3 weeks at least" Arthur was still frantic no matter what Gaius said
"Arthur the baby and Merlin are going to be fine. Merlin however needs you now" Gaius scowled the prince. Arthur ignored what the man was telling him walking over to Merlin.

"Merlin" Arthur whispered as he sat behind his husband pulling him up to rest on his chest
"Arthur" Merlin smiled weakly "your here"
"of course I'm here. I promised I would be didn't I" he kissed the top of Merlins head "you need to push ok" Arthur entwined his fingers with Merlins
"I can't" Merlin squeezed Arthurs hands biting back another groan
"yes you can Merlin. I'm right here with you. You need to do this for yourself and the baby"
"the baby" Merlin smiled
"yes Merlin our baby, come on I know you can do this" Arthur kissed Merlins neck
"Merlin you need to push now" Gaius told him and on his next contraction Merlin pushed with all he had, leaning back against Arthur squeezing his hands trying not to scream
"I can see a head. One more push Merlin, that's all it'll take. It'll all be over" Gaius promised and Merlin believed him. He pushed until he heard a crying sound and Arthur laughing as he kissed Merlin.
"Congratulations my friends you have a beautiful baby boy" Gaius placed the baby boy in Merlins arms who hugged him gently afraid he'd squish him. After Merlin Arthur held his baby boy, laughing as his small son grabbed hold of his finger. He eventually passed his son on to his grandmothers who was crying with joy. Lying back against Arthur "I love you" was the last thing he heard before he fell asleep.

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"Now all he needs it a name" Morgona laughed watching Gaius hand the baby back to Hunith
"your right" Merlin looked up at Arthur
"no way. You did all the work you get to choice the name" Arthur smiled, Merlin thought for a minute "I kind of like Lucas" (thank you to my brilliant sister kimi for the name) Merlin looked around nervously
"perfect" Gaius and Hunith laughed at Merlin's shy smile
"it suits him. Prince Lucas Pendragon. I love it" Arthur smiled moving from behind Merlin to take his son from Hunith.
"He is a very cute baby" Gwen spoke up for the 1st time in a while
"of course he is" Merlin snapped
"he's the cutest baby that had ever been born" Hunith reassured her son
"that includes you Morgona" Arthur teased
"will he have magic" come a voice from behind them

Everyone but Merlin who was already facing the door turned to see Uther standing in the doorway. Arthur backed up towards Merlin gently handing him their son before standing protectively in front of them.
"I...I don't know" Merlin whispered hugging his son close to his chest
"you say you were born with it" Merlin nodded "then he could have been too"
"I suppose but" Uthers sigh cut him off "I cannot risk my own, so. I hereby lift the ban on magic in my kingdom" Uther smiled awkwardly. Merlin was shocked, everyone one was
"you mean this father?" Arthur didn't take a step away from Merlin in case it was all a trick
"yes" Uther nodded "I'd just like the chance to know my grandson, not now of course but when you've all calmed down a bit" Uther smiled again before leaving.

(())())()()

It was much later when everyone had left. With Merlin asleep beside him and his small son asleep in the cradle Merlin had wanted in their room for the 1st couple of nights after the birth that it really hit Arthur. He was a father. He was scared to death but oddly excited about what was coming next. He was just glad he had Merlin with him.

So there is another chapter. There will only be one more chapter of this story. However sense so many of u have said yes I am happy to report that there will be a sequel to this. I'd like to thank my sister kimi for coming up with the name. Nimi1611 ily xoxooxoxoxo