Alrighty, so I haven't updated since November 2013! I am very sorry, however my excuse is that I moved from London to Melbourne, and I'm now working as a nanny, which means that I've got less update time! Have been a little out of the loop with with Merlin, but been watching series 3 on ABC so hopefully catching up! Hope you enjoy! :)

As Arthur made his way into his chambers he received a pleasant surprise. Both Guinevere and Amhar were awake, and sat on the bed. Both looked up as he walked in.

"Father!" Amhar squealed, making his way towards Arthur, who picked him up.

"Hello! How have you been? Terrorising your mother, aunt and gran?" Amhar had changed since Arthur saw him last month. His hair was getting darker, more curly and longer. He'd put on some weight (making him heavier to carry) and seemed clearer in his speech. The little boy would be two next month, and Gwen wasted no time in telling Arthur all the plans she had made for his birthday.

As Amhar settled down to play with his wooden figurines, Arthur turned to Gwen.

"And how is my beautiful wife?" He asked gently, putting an arm around her shoulders. They were now only two months away from meeting their new baby, and judging by the size of Gwen, he or she was going to be big.

"Tired. I just want to sleep, then when I go to bed I'm not tired at all." Arthur grinned, putting his spare hand on her belly, but quickly withdrawing it sharply, as if he'd just been stung.

"He just kicked me!" Arthur complained. Gwen giggled.

"He? Has Morgana foreseen something in your time away?" Arthur froze. This was something he'd never thought to ask his sister. But instead of running to the find her, he stayed with Gwen. After all, he'd been with Morgana for a whole month. Gwen hadn't seen him in all that time. For a while they sat and watched Amhar play, saying nothing as sunlight gradually filled the room.

"So, boy or girl?" Arthur asked, breaking the silence which had been in place. Gwen bit her lip in thought.

"I don't know. Your mother would like a granddaughter, but I've got a feeling we'll be having a house full of boys. Not that I'd mind, because I wouldn't. If it's a girl though, maybe we could call her Cornelia, or Nerissa. I think they're nice names. I thought you might have some too." Arthur contemplated for a moment.

"For boys, possibly Gwydre or Llacheu. They'd be fine names. We'll stick with your girl names though, I haven't thought of any yet."

###

Meanwhile, on the other side of the castle, Merlin and Morgana were sitting with Hunith and Balinor, who had been watching Ywain for the night. Being reunited with her son made Morgana appreciate Ygraine's love for Arthur so much more. At least it had only been a month, not the 27 years that Ygraine had had to endure. She listened intently as Hunith pointed out Ywain's additional teeth, as well as the loss of a fair bit of his hair, which was just the way Merlin had been all those years ago. Once Hunith and Balinor had left, Morgana cuddled her son tighter. The little boy gurgled, then reached out to touch her hair. Of course, having had a month away, Morgana had forgotten how strong his grip could be.

"Ouch! Ywain! I'm guessing your aunties have been letting you get away with everything, haven't they. Then again, how could they refuse you?" In the background, Morgana thought she heard Merlin mutter something which sounded like 'indulgence' but said nothing else.

###

That morning, as everyone who had been away gathered to have breakfast together, along with Gwen, Morgause, Amhar and Ywain. As it turned out, Audrey had caught Gwaine sneaking away the food, and he told a magnificent exaggerated escape story, involving a bear and a giant leg of ham. Elyan's absence had been explained to Gwen earlier that day by Arthur, who despite being slightly upset, accepted that if it made her brother happy then so be it. Arthur studied his knights, alongside his family. Finally, they could continue their normal-ish lives; nothing could happen to them now.