A/N: Uhmm... No, I'm not dead or anything, just really tired and busy. I just started college and it has been so busy and I still have to work so between school, work and homework I have little time to write. Still I will never abandon a fanfic and I will definitely try to get the next chapter up as soon as possible. Reviews help me write :P. But to come back to the story. Are you guys curious about what will happen, what happens to Merlin and to Gwaine? After this chapter I will probably skip quickly through the weeks. So please enjoy and tell me what you think.
X
Merlin slowly opened his eyes as he felt the warmth of the sun upon his skin, it was warm and gentle, it was also then that he felt the softness underneath him. He frowned for a moment, how did he get back in his and Arthur's bed...
His eyes snapped completely open as his memories started to return, forcing himself up to look around, searching for Jarl. But the man wasn't there and he gentlly wrapped his arms around his stomach, feeling the ever growing bump beneath his fingers. He released a relieved breath as a tear rolled over his cheek, his babies were safe.
It was then that the last part of it returned, Jarl had tried to kill Arthur! He immediately threw the covers away, making his way to his feet. He felt dizzy for a moment, but tried to ignore it and forced himself forwards.
They had changed his cloths to a simple pair of breeches and one of Arthur's shirts, - which were beginning to become rather tight-. He didn't gave it much thought as he slowly walked to the window, his hand placed on his stomach. It was clear that it was early, only a few of the citizens were out on the streets, servants hurrying as they made their way towards the castle.
He snapped around as he suddenly heard the door, his eyes searching for the person and he couldn't help, but let a relieve smile cross his face.
Arthur's own eyes shifted to the bed, the chock clearly visible in his eyes as he didn't saw his lover lying in bed, he turned to search the room and his eyes eventually fell on Merlin. 'Merlin!' He almost flew the distance between them and pulled Merlin in a warm hug, still making sure to not squeeze his belly too much.
Merlin smiled softly as he leaned into Arthur's chest, wanting to fell that warmth against him. 'W-what happened?' He whispered against the blond, he had no idea what happened after he blacked out, did- His eyes grew wide as he remembered Gwaine. 'How is Gwaine?' Arthur pulled slightly back and Merlin felt his heart sink as he saw the other's eyes. 'W-what...'
The king let out a soft sigh before he lifted Merlin up and walked back to the bed, carefully placing him back on the bed before he sat down next to him. 'Do you know how you blacked out after... after you used your magic to safe me?' The raven nodded with fear in his mind. 'After you saved me I rushed to get you back to Camelot fearing that something was wrong with you, the others came after us, Gwaine with Percival... Gwaine is in a rather rough shape... Gaius doesn't know if he will make it.' The last words Arthur almost whispered.
Merlin let out a hurt filled cry as he felt tears run over his cheeks. 'I-it's all my fault...'
Arthur pulled him gently to his chest. 'Shh... It will all be alright, I promise you.'
But Merlin knew better, he knew that it was likely that Gwaine would... would... It was even difficult to think about.
They slowly sank down on the bed, Merlin crying out his eyes as he drifted off. The last thing he felt was Arthur's warm arms around him.
X
Arthur carefully pulled away as he was sure that Merlin was fast asleep. The cushions were stained with his lover's tears and Merlin's eyes were red from all the crying, but he knew that he had to get it out. He gently caressed Merlin's cheek before he stood up.
He knew that what he had said earlier was a lie, Gwaine was in a very bad shape and it was very likely that he would die, even with the aid of Iseldir. It was heartbreaking to think so, and it was probably even worse for Percival. The knight had never left his husband's side, he also hadn't said a word, his eyes were only settled on Gwaine, but at the same time Arthur could see the fury in the other's eyes. He didn't even want to know what Percival would do if Gwaine died.
He silently walked towards his desk, knowing that he had a lot of paperwork to work on, but his mind was still with Merlin. His lover had slept for more than a day before he woke up and now he was again asleep, at least he was safe, his lover was safe.
His thoughts shifted back to his conversation with Iseldir. The druid had controlled Merlin when he was still asleep. He had feared for both Merlin and his babies and according to Iseldir they would be fine, even though Merlin had gotten a rather big hit from the use of his magic. Iseldir had even said that Merlin had to stay in bed for the rest of his pregnancy, something that Arthur knew his raven would hate.
It was at least an hour later when there was a soft knocking on the door and Arthur hurried over to open, his eyes glancing at Merlin to see if the other had woken, which wasn't the case.
'Iseldir.' He said as he saw who was behind the door.
The druid nodded as he stepped into the room, his eyes immediately shifting to Merlin. 'How is he?'
'He woke up earlier, but he fell asleep again after I told him about Gwaine.'
Iseldir nodded sadly. 'I just came from him, he's getting worse, but there's still hope, he's a strong man.'
'Let's hope so.' Arthur whispered as he followed Iseldir towards Merlin.
Iseldir stared for a moment down on the slender body of the warlock before he turned to Arthur. 'Would you wake him up for me? Normally I would have said that it was wise to let him sleep, but he may panic if I examine him now.'
Arthur nodded as he sank down to the bed, leaning over Merlin as he placed his lips on Merlin's. 'Wake up, my love.' It was rather strange to do this with Iseldir in the room, but he knew that he had to wake Merlin up gently as he didn't know how much in shock the other was.
The raven slowly opened his eyes, which were still red, and stared for a moment confused at him before his eyes shifted to Iseldir. 'Good morning Emrys, please stay down and I will examine you.'
Merlin only nodded and Arthur stood up while Iseldir took his place, slowly lifting up Merlin's shirt. Arthur stared slightly amazed at the pregnant stomach, it had gotten so much bigger since the last time he had seen it... He quickly made a calculation in his head, Merlin had to be 25 weeks along.
He stared intensely as Iseldir touched his lover, he definitely didn't like that, and both Iseldir and Merlin went into some sort of trance. It was a strange thing to see, but he had gotten used to it, not that he liked it.
He had to wait a good ten minutes before they got out of the trance, the druid pulling back. Iseldir shot both of them a reassuring smile. 'It seems that your children are doing fine, but on the other hand is it clear that your body is exhausted, it would be wise to take a lot of rest.' He gave Merlin a stern glance. 'But I would suggest that you stay in bed for the remaining time of your pregnancy.'
Merlin opened his mouth to protest, but Arthur was first. 'He will stay in bed and I will help him.' He said as he glanced sternly at the raven.
The warlock pouted at him, but the energy soon disappeared from his eyes and Merlin's eyes closed themselves. 'M sorry... I will go back to sleep, okay?' He said as he lay down again.
'Just go to sleep.' Arthur whispered softly as he kissed Merlin's forehead, but the raven was already asleep.
They waited for a moment more before Iseldir whispered. 'Than I will take my leave again, I will go and watched over Sir Gwaine again...' He stopped for a moment before he added. 'Even though I have said that Emrys has to stay in his room, I think that it's wise to let him say goodbye before...'
Arthur turned back to Merlin. 'Yes, that would be a good idea.'
X
Merlin was shuffling nervously after Arthur, they had just finished their diner and he was finally allowed to go and see Gwaine, but at the same time was he scared, he didn't know what to think. Gwaine was probably dying and it was all his fault, he was the one to blame.
He pulled his cloak tighter around him, it was meant to hide his large bump as they made their short journey to the chambers that Percival and Gwaine shared.
Arthur glanced once warmly at him before he turned to the door and knocked. He opened the door and Merlin followed him inside. Merlin glanced past Arthur and he felt his heart immediately sink. Percival looked horrible, it was heartbreaking.
After that his eyes shifted to Gwaine, the man lay unmoving onto the bed, his skin was pale and it just looked unnaturally.
Merlin sank down next to Gwaine, eyeing him with sadness as he tried to hold down a sob. It was then that he turned to Percival and he threw his arms around the man, but still the man didn't move. 'I'm so sorry.' He whispered.
It was then that Percival looked up, his eyes looking tiredly at the warlock. 'I... I just don't know what I will do without him.' He threw his arms around the raven.
'He will be alright.' Merlin whispered before he bit his lip and added. 'I'm sorry, it's all my fault.'
He felt how the knight's arms tightened themselves around him. 'It isn't your fault... Yes, I have been angry at you at first, but... but I knew that it was his own choice to go after you, he would never have abandoned you.' He felt how the knight's tear stain his shirt and he did the same to Percival. 'Just be there for us.'
'I will always be here for you.' He whispered back.
It was then that he heard a soft groan and both their heads snapped to Gwaine. The brunette was slowly opening his eyes.
