Gasp! Yes, people the last chapter for this story and I may say that it's difficult to believe that I have ended this story, even for me. So again I thank everyone for the great support and the awesome reviews that you guys have given me. They really have helped. So for everyone, here's a cookie (shows cookie and wait till it's taken).
And to answer everyone's question: Yes, there will be a sequel to this story (another one, haha). Will be set when Kay and Will are a bit older. I even have hinted to the sequel in this chapter, I will see who figures it out (even though I think it's a rather obvious one).
What more to say about this chapter, uhh... oh yeah, we're going to skip forwards in time a bit, with just a few pieces of their childhood. And a really long chapter for you all! So please enjoy and tell me what you thought of it and I hope to see you guys in the sequel (will probably be up in one or two weeks (I got examns)).
X
Merlin groaned softly as he woke up, slowly opening his eyes. The first thing he saw was Arthur's worried face hanging over him, he blinked several times before a smile spread over his lips.
'Good morning, love.' His husband whispered to him as he placed a small kiss on the raven's lips.
'Hi.' He whispered softly back before he pushed himself up, but immediately he felt pain rush through his body. A deep hiss left his lips as he sank back to the bed, Arthur's worried hands immediately on him.
It was then that he felt another pair of hands on him and his eyes shifted to Gaius. 'Steady, Merlin.' The physician said as he held him softly down. 'Your wound hasn't completely healed yet, you need your rest.'
'I...' Merlin started before his eyes widened slightly. The wound... his babies! 'Where are they!' He breathed out, how he wanted to hold his children in his arms.
'You stay in bed and I will get them.' Gaius softly said to him before he disappeared to the other room.
Arthur gave him a reassuring squeeze in the hand. 'Don't worry, they're doing great... Do you remember anything from the last time you woke up?'
A slight frown spread over Merlin's face and he gulped, he remembered. He remembered his father and Will, the darkness and eventually... He remembered holding his son Kay and watching Will sleep silently in his sleep and in the end Arthur coming towards him and then just sleep, but... there was more to Arthur's question than that, he just knew it.
It was why he blinked. 'What do you mean?'
The king bit his lip, eyes narrowing themselves slightly. 'You have been asleep for a four days and... I thought that I lost you.' The last words were barely more than a whisper.
He couldn't have been asleep for so long, could he?... and Arthur thought that he was almost dead. He knew that he had been close to it, but the thought of really dying. He felt a slight sting in his heart at the thought of his father and best friend... Ygraine.
He had almost forgotten Ygraine's request. 'Arthur, I... I think went to the place between life and dead.' He could see the fear rise in Arthur's eyes. 'But I'm fine, I promise you... but when I was there I met... your mother. Ygraine told me that I had to tell you that she loves you and she said that Uther accepts us.'
Arthur gapped several times at him, clearly not really knowing what to think, what to say and so they just ended up staring at each other in silence, a smile spread over Merlin's face as a tear rolled over Arthur's cheek. It clearly meant much to him.
He was brought out of his thought by a soft cry and his eyes immediately shot up, staring at his two children as Gaius took them to him. A bright smile spread over his lips as Kay and Will were placed in his arms.
Will was staring curiously up at him, eyes wide.
Kay on the other hand looked just at peace, his eyes partly open as he snuggled into his father's chest.
'They're beautiful.' He breathed out as his eyes shifted to Arthur. Arthur just smiled as he leaned in to kiss him, he chuckled softly and kissed back. They could finally be the family they had wanted to be.
X
5 months
Arthur rubbed his hand over his face as he watched the documents in front of him. A low growl was spread deep in his throat, but he knew he couldn't let his rage out, Merlin and his children were just a few feet away from him.
His eyes shifted for a moment to them. Merlin sat against the headrest of the bed, both their sons on his lap as they were wrapped in a blanket. The raven was telling them a story, something about a girl and a witch with red apples, he wasn't really sure what he was talking about, but Will and Kay looked like they enjoyed it.
The boys were currently almost five months old and growing rather fast and with each day that past he could see how they grew, how they became two completely different personalities. Kay was the largest of the two, but also the quiet one. Will on the other hand always wanted attention and his magic was starting to grow in power, already having used it all of the knights at least once, which they definitely didn't like. According to Hunith Merlin had showed almost the same magic when he was that age, maybe even a bit more powerful, even though he didn't play such 'tricks', like dying the knights hair and hanging them upside down. According to Gwaine it were just Arthur's genes that caused that behavior... He had already punish-... corrected Gwaine for those words. Kay on the other hand didn't show any signs of having magic, but according to Iseldir that could come at a later age, even though Merlin didn't believe that that would ever happen.
A soft sigh left his lips as he turned back to his work, how he wished he could change places with Merlin.
He sighed again as he read the document, it was worrisome as their seemed to be an increase in bandit attacks near the border. He had already sent out Gwaine and Percival to investigate, but they had came back empty-handed... maybe he should sent out Leon tomorrow-.
It was then that he heard a high squeal and his head snapped around, eyes fixated on Merlin as the man stared wide eyed at his husband. 'What's wrong!' He could feel his heart clenching together.
Merlin blinked several times as he stared down at Kay. 'D-did you just call me papa?' He asked the little boy, who just stared up at his father with wide not understanding eyes. 'Can you repeat that for papa?' He begged.
Arthur threw the pencil on the table as he hurried to the bed. 'Did he talk?'
Merlin's eyes were filled with pure joy as he nodded hastily. 'Yeah, Kay just called me papa.' He turned back to the boy. The two children just stared confused back, but with a slight grin as they seemed to realise that their parents were happy about something.
X
3 years old
Merlin slowly made his way back towards his and Arthur's chambers. His hand tightly wrapped around the two presents in his pocket, he just had to make sure to hide it before those two boys found it. Just one more week and they would turn four.
He smiled softly, he couldn't believe that they were almost four years old. Time was definitely going fast. He was also looking forward to the arrival of his mother, she had promised to come at least every birthday, but still refused to settle in at Camelot, telling them that Ealdor was her home.
It was when he had almost reached their chambers that he felt a wave of magic rush through the air, it wasn't... it was something that was familiar to him, but he couldn't quite place it. It wasn't normal magic, not like Gilli's or even Will's... It was older than that.
And it frightened him.
He almost ran into the room, for a moment fearing for his children, but he felt relief as he saw Arthur sitting in front of his two sons. 'Arthur, did something happen?'
The king didn't answer, he just stared confused at Kay. It was then that Will jumped up and ran to Merlin. 'Papa.' He wrapped his tiny arms around his father's leg. 'Kay was talking really strange.' The little raven explained as he looked up with wide blue eyes.
Merlin frowned. 'What're you talking about?' He asked slightly confused before he slipped his hand in his son's and walked towards Arthur. 'Arthur, what happened.' This time his voice was somewhat sterner.
Arthur looked up at him, gapping before he answered. 'I don't know what happened. I was just dressing Kay and then he started to speak to me in this strange language, I... Merlin what was it!' The last he almost demanded.
Merlin worriedly sank through his knees, placing his hands on the boys shoulders as Kay was starring innocently up at his father. 'Can you repeat what you told daddy to me?'
Kay opened his mouth, but immediately closed it again. It was clear that he too was startled by what had happened. It was with a bit more encouragement that the boy began to speak. The words were low, almost growling and it just didn't belong to a little boy his size, but at the same time was it something that he would recognize everywhere.
'I... I am scared.' The boy started to sob, clearly scared by Arthur's reaction.
'It's okay Kay, this power isn't something that should scare you, it's part of you just like it's a part of me. Just concentrate and focus on the 'normal' words we speak every day.' He explained as he gave the boy a reassuring smile.
Kay nodded. 'I... I will papa.'
'Good, now go play with your little brother!'
He watched as Kay gave him another nod and then went to his brother. It was then that he turned back to Arthur, the man was gapping at him. 'Wh-what was it? It wasn't normal magic, right?'
Merlin breathed deeply in, how was he going to explain this to Arthur... it also scared him. 'I... The language that Kay spoke was... Arthur, Kay is a dragonlord.'
'But that isn't possible, right? You told me that the oldest son could only become a dragonlord when his father dies...'
The raven bit his lip as he nodded. 'Yeah, he could only be a dragonlord after I die... It means that I have died, back when they were born... I... I told you how I saw Will and my father, I think that I died back then, it wouldn't have been longer than a minute, but still... I crossed the line to the world of the dead.'
He saw the shock in Arthur's eyes, and the worry before the blond leaned forwards and wrapped his arms around Merlin. To reassure himself and Merlin.
X
10 years old
Kay was nervously shooting glances over his shoulder as he and his twin brother ran through the hallways. Will was laughing loudly, clearly enjoying himself as Kay was just nervous about the consequences of their act.
Which was freeing and enchanting a good dozen chickens so that they would 'disturb' the knights training. Even though the better word was to attack them.
Kay chuckled softly as he remembered uncle Leon's high pitched scream... how uncle Gwaine had jumped in uncle Percival's arms. They definitely made sure to not hurt them, - too much-, and they definitely got a good laugh.
Hopefully daddy wasn't going to be too angry at what they did. He knew that papa would probably find it amusing, but he didn't know what daddy would think of it. 'Daddy is going to be so angry!' He complained at his brother.
Will glared back. 'Oh don't be such a girl, Kay. We just had a little fun!' He laughed loudly again.
'Hi boys!'
Both brothers stumbled to a stop by the sudden voice, Kay almost bumping into his brother. 'Uhh... hi, Elisa.' He heard Will whisper and he also looked up, grinning at their best friend.
Elisa was staring at them. 'Did you play another trick.'
Will chuckled. 'Yeah and it was so funny, you should have been there!'
'I went to the market with mommy, but next time you two should include me!' She said as she crossed her arms. 'Oh and uncle Merlin was searching for you two, something about grammar lessons.' Both groaned after hearing those words.
'Fine, we will, see you later.' Kay replied before he grabbed his brother's hand and dragged him with him.
They had barely turned the corner as they heard another voice, this one was dark and low and send chills down his back. 'Will, Kay.' It were the only words the man said to them.
'Uhh... yes, sir, what is it?' Kay asked nervously as he felt Will clench his hand around his shirt and Kay knew why, he could also feel the dark energy coming from this man.
'You shouldn't be worried boys, I just came to check on you twwwo, to make sure you were alright.' The man said as he leaned forwards.
The man was definitely scary, but he wasn't going to show it, daddy had always thought him that he shouldn't let anyone see his fear. This man was probably one of the guest for the tournament later that week. It was also why he straightened his back and glared back at the man. 'Thank you, but you don't have to watch over us, we can handle everything ourselves.'
A loud laugh left the man's lips, his body shaking heavily as he clenched his eyes together, it was then that he noticed the scar on the man's eyes. This man was clearly a warrior. 'Of course you can handle it yourselves.' He eventually said before he brushed his hand over Kay's cheek, which send more shivers down his spine again, but the touch wasn't long before the man walked away.
'... Okay, he was definitely scary.' Kay joked. But he could feel that Will was still scared and he turned back to his brother, hugging him to calm him down. 'Don't worry, I will protect you... Now let's go back to papa.'
And with that they walked further through the hallway and eventually into their fathers' bedroom.
'Hi, papa.' He told his father as they walked in.
Merlin looked up, smiling as he saw his two boys. 'You're here, good now we can start your lessons.' They quickly shuffled to the table and Merlin frowned as they didn't go against it. 'What is it?'
Kay turned to his brother and could see the fear that still lingered in those eyes. 'We met a rather scary man on our way here.'
Their papa chuckled. 'And the two of you couldn't handle him together?' He had barely said those words before Will walked to his father and climbed on his lap, holding tightly onto his shirt. '... Was he really that scary?'
Will nodded. 'Yeah, he felt so scary.' He mumbled.
'As scary as daddy when he tripped during training and fell into the mud?'
It was then that Will burst out into giggles. 'That wasn't scary, that was funny!' He shouted out, almost as if he had already forgotten the event that had happened before.
They turned back to their lessons and they were busy for a good ten minutes before Merlin asked. 'So what did you two do this morning?'
Kay and Will looked at each other, a guilty look spreading through their eyes. 'Uhh... we...'
They couldn't finish their words as the door was thrown open and their rather angry dad walked into the room. 'Boys!'
