Hello people, sorry for the long wait, but I have been really busy with life. But don't worry I will never abandon all of you. I can't even believe that this is already the seventh chapter... I have a feeling that this story will be longer then it's prequel... but oh well...
So I was planning to do a bit of smut in this chapter, but it become longer than planned so you will all get it in the next chapter. Oh and also, I hope that Iseldir isn't that much OOC, but it's just that we haven't seen him much and all...
A bit more explaining in this chapter and I think I have explained most of wait I needed to explain so we can go on in time with this story. Oh and I'm not certain that a C-section already exist in the Arthurian legend... but oh well, it's a fanfiction and all.
So please enjoy and tell me what you thought of it, you know that reviews make me write quicker!
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Merlin sat in the window sill as he heard the soft sighing of Arthur in the background. He knew how much Arthur hated the paper side of his 'job'. Merlin just ignored the irritated sounds that the king made and stared at the townspeople beneath him. It was a peaceful sight and somehow it felt as if he was still watching over the people, even when he wasn't allowed to use his magic, Arthur would kill him if he did... and of course he didn't want to hurt his little babies.
It was then that a bright smile spread over his lips as he almost jumped up and hung out of the window. Gwaine, Percival and Elyan were back, together with Iseldir.
He heard Arthur yelp in shock behind him before the king's hand grabbed the back of his shirt and pulled him inside. 'Merlin!'
The raven turned around, facing Arthur with a soft pout on his face as he saw the stern look that Arthur was giving him. 'Gwaine and the others are back.' He said hastily.
Arthur immediately shifted, glancing out of the window before he turned back to Merlin with a relieved look on his face. 'Together with Iseldir... hopefully he can inform us some more about your situation.'
Merlin knew that Arthur was worried about him, about the whole situation. Arthur had never told Merlin about it, but the raven knew that the king was afraid. How he feared that he would lose Merlin like... like he had lost his own mother in childbirth. 'Arthur calm, I'm certain that Iseldir will tell us that everything will be alright.' He said with a smile before he leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss on the blond's lips.
Arthur just nodded before he straightened his shirt and grabbed Merlin's hand. 'Let's meet them in the Council chamber.' They made their way outside, Arthur ordering one of the servants to fetch Gaius and send him to the Council room and asked another one to meet Gwaine and the others at the front and to also sent them towards the room.
It wasn't long before they entered the Council room, it was completely empty as the last of the meetings had ended earlier that afternoon.
Arthur pulled out one of the chairs, offering... or better said ordering Merlin to sit down. It wasn't the first time that Arthur did that, apparently he was afraid that Merlin tired himself to much with doing nothing... as he was allowed almost nothing.
It didn't take long for the others to arrive, Gwaine swung open the door as he was loudly chatting to the others about... apples?
Iseldir just nodded politely as he listened to Gwaine's story, Percival and Elyan had already stopped listening, but Gwaine fell silent as he noticed the king and Merlin.
A bright smile spread over Iseldir's face as he noticed Merlin and he bowed to him. 'Emrys, it's a pleasure to meet you again, why di-.' His mouth suddenly snapped shut as his eyes widened in shock. His eyes quickly snapped to Merlin's stomach before he looked in his eyes again, his face pale as a sheet.
'It seems you already understand the situation.' Merlin said seriously.
Iseldir slowly nodded before he straightened his back and took a deep breath to calm himself down. 'Yes... and I must say that I'm rather shocked to see you in this situation, but at the same time it seems that I should congratulate both you and the king.' The last he said as his eyes shot for a moment to Arthur.
'We have a lot we want to ask you, but first please sit down.' Arthur said as he signed for the druid to sit down at the table. Gwaine wanted to follow, but Arthur more or less ordered him out, which Gwaine did under much protest and Percival's strong arms.
They had barely settled themselves down before Gaius entered the room. The physician greeted Iseldir before he too sat down on his usual spot at the table. It didn't take them long before they had explained the whole situation and of course... what had happened in the woods.
They fell silent for a moment before Gaius said. 'I have done my research on the potion and it's affects, but the books on the subjects are limited here in Camelot and we hoped that the druids had more knowledge on the subject then we.'
Iseldir crossed his arms as he nodded. 'Yes, I indeed have knowledge about the spell and potion that caused Emrys' pregnancy... But first I wish to examine Emrys, to better understand his situation as this is also new for me.'
Arthur stared nervously at Iseldir, it was clear that the king wanted to stop the druid from coming near his lover, but he didn't speak the words and Merlin gave him a small reassuring smile before the warlock turned to the druid. 'Of course.'
The druid turned to Merlin, his hands reaching forward and he placed them on the raven's stomach. Merlin gasped for a moment, it scarred him to know that someone else than Arthur was touching him, especially as it was close to the place that his children were growing. Iseldir had barely touched him before Merlin felt the druid's magic flow into him, in instinct he tried to throw the man out, but stopped as he felt the man cringe in pain. '... I'm sorry.' He mumbled.
Iseldir took sharp breaths, trying to drive the pain out of his mind before answered, the pain still partly visible inside his voice. '... It's fine Emrys, I know you didn't mean to hurt me, but you have to let me inside at your own free will.'
Merlin nodded as he concentrated his powers to bring down his defends, lowering his walls and he could feel Iseldir push further inside him, flowing through his flesh and bones before Iseldir neared the other two souls inside of him. Merlin had to calm himself, his heart was telling him to push the druid out, to kill him for coming so close to his kids.
'Calm Merlin, calm...' He told himself again as he tried to even his breath. It wasn't as if Iseldir's touch was painful, his instinct just told him to protect his children.
Iseldir examined the two babies and later his body for a good ten minutes before he pulled his magic out, causing the two of them to come back to reality. Both men were panting softly as they cleared their minds and after a few good seconds did Merlin turn to the others.
Merlin blinked for a moment as his eyes me Arthur's, the blond had left his place and sat on his knees next to the raven, their hands were entangled and the king's lips were pressed in a tight line. 'Arthur?' He asked a bit startled.
'Are you okay?' Arthur asked nervously, his voice was also filled with concern and what sounded like anger.
'I'm fine Arthur.' He answered with a soft chuckle. 'Why wouldn't I be?'
The king's eyes clearly softened as he heard his lover's words. 'It looked like he hurt you?'
The warlock's eyes widened as he understood what his husband was telling him, Arthur thought that Iseldir had hurt him? 'No, no!' He almost yelled in response. 'It's nothing like that, I promise you. My magic just acted on instinct as it felt Iseldir's magic and reacted rather strong.' Arthur still didn't look completely assured and Merlin pressed his lips on Arthur's noise. 'I'm fine, I promise.'
'Emrys is right, I would never hurt him.' The druid added as Arthur stood up and sat down on his spot again.
Gaius had watched the conversation between Merlin and Arthur with his eyebrow slightly raised, but it was clear that he was also concerned. 'If you would please inform us about what you discovered.' He eventually asked as the king had calmed somewhat.
Iseldir nodded at him before he turned back to Merlin. 'It seems that both you and the babies are doing fine, but as you had already discovered, the children are draining you from your powers and I would advise you to not use it the next few months.' He fell silent for a moment before he added. 'Even so this is the first time I have seen the potion work on a male myself.'
Arthur gapped at the druid. 'You mean that this is the first time the potion succeeds?'
'Emrys's the first person I have met in person on who it succeeded, but the total amount of times it successfully caused creation of and child is seven.' Merlin frowned as he heard the number, it was definitely lower than he expected it to be. 'For the spell to work a great amount of magical power is needed, the amount that only few posses and one of them being Emrys.'
'How many died because of the pregnancy?' Arthur blurred out, his face was pale while his hands tightened themselves into fists. Merlin knew why Arthur asked, still the thought alone scared him.
Iseldir didn't answer him immediately. 'Just like a normal pregnancy this one has its risks, but with good care and enough rest it can clearly be reduced. At the same time you shouldn't underestimate Emrys' powers, his power is great and it will definitely enlarge the chance on a good outcome.'
'You still haven't answered my question, how many died?' The king's blue eyes narrowed themselves even further as he glared at the druid.
'Three... One during the pregnancy and the other two during the birth, but they weren't as powerful as Emrys and I assure you that I will stay in Camelot to watch over Merlin during his pregnancy.' The last Iseldir added as Arthur looked about the faint.
'We had already hoped that you would say that.' Gaius said with a smile as he too tried to ignore the number. 'At the moment there's still one question I would like to get answered; What would you suggest on the birth?'
'A cesarean section.' Merlin cringed as he heard the druid's answer. Did he really have to have a C-section?... I-it scared him, Gaius had told him about them and the risks they brought with themselves, but... he trusted Gaius and he knew that Iseldir would do everything to bring it to an good end.
'What's a ces- or whatever you called it?' The king asked nervously as his blue orbs shot from Iseldir to Gaius and eventually he looked at Merlin's slightly shocked face, which probably didn't help.
Gaius sighed deeply as he crossed his hands. '... It means that we have to operate on Merlin to bring the children into the world.'
'O-operate?'
'You shouldn't worry my lord, both I and Gaius have done the procedure before.'
'... I don't know if I'm comfortable with th-.'
Arthur was stopped as a pair of lips were pressed against his own. 'Arthur I will be fine, there's no other way and I trust them.' Merlin may be scared, but he just had to assure both himself and Arthur that it would all be fine. He slowly stood up as he grabbed Arthur's hand and looked at the druid. 'I'm certain you are tired from your long trip and I suggest you will get some rest. I will do that same.' The last Merlin said with a soft chuckle as he felt sleep pull on his mind.
'Of course Emrys, for now we have discussed what has been needed to be discussed and together with Gaius I will do some more research on your situation.' Iseldir said with a smile, it was clear that he enjoyed the thought of being near his savior for the next couple of months.
Merlin had guided a still rather stunned and hurt Arthur to the door before he stopped and looked once more at the druid elder. 'There are two more things I would want to ask of you. We wish to keep my pregnancy a secret for as long as possible because of Camelot's safety, so if you could keep it a secret, even for the other druids and secondly... Gwen, my friend, is pregnant too, would you also watch over her for me?'
Iseldir stood up, his eyes shining with joy as he bowed for his lord. 'It would be my pleasure.'
