The Golden Age Universe
All for You - Chapter 1
~Fran Gipani

Disclaimer - I don't own Merlin, or the characters...I'm just borrowing them and adding a couple of awesome OC's

AN - I thought I would update with a new chapter which was a little more substantial :) enjoy! And please leave a review if you have the time... :)
~Fran xx

Merlin's eyes flickered open, he blinked a few times, clearing his sleep blurred vision. His gaze then rested on the beautiful face of his wife, her lips were slightly parted, but there was a distinct small smile there, he watched as her lids flickered open to reveal her bright green eyes. Merlin brushed the wavy strands of blonde hair from Brooke's face and placed a light kiss on her forehead, he smiled, "morning lovely."

"Good morning," Brooke smiled back. Seconds later the loud cry a child filled their ears and broke the peaceful silence. Brooke moved to get up but she felt a strong hand on hers.

"I'll go," Merlin grinned before rolling out of bed and sauntering over to their child's crib, one shoulder of his nightshirt slipping slightly to reveal his pale skin. "Hello, my star." Merlin lifted baby Maire* - blankets and all - into his arms. He began rocking her gently, humming a tune his mother had always sung to him when he'd woken from a bad dream, he looked at his daughter with a tenderness in his eyes. A look reserved only for her. At that moment there was a knock at the door, Merlin looked round, still humming, while Brooke called out for them to come in.

Gwen turned to where her messy haired friend was standing with his daughter in his arms, a sad smile crossed her face. "Sorry, to come in at this time, but Merlin, Arthur needs you to dress and meet him at the Council Chambers."

"What is it?" Brooke asked her friend and queen, "here Merlin, I'll take Maire." Sitting up in bed now, Brooke stretched out her arms to take her daughter. She pressed her lips to Maire's forehead before looking up at Gwen again.

"He didn't say," Gwen frowned, "it was just that he needed Merlin."

"Okay then," Merlin was already behind the changing screen, pulling on the shirt that Brooke had laid out the night before. Minutes later he literally tumbled out from behind the screen, having got one leg caught in his long brown trousers. Both women smiled, at the look of pure mortification on Merlin's face. Moments later followed by a quiet giggle from the two year old in Brooke's arms, she was awake now and her bright green eyes, just like her mother's, had watched her father tumble.

Now fully dressed Merlin grinned, "I'll see you later my love, thank you Gwen for letting me know." He dashed from the room leaving the two women to look at each other with warm smiles on their faces.

"Is it alright if the twins come in? I know you've just woken but then were asking after Maire."

"Of course Gwen it's fine!" Brooke laughed, she was standing now, still with the smiling two year old in her arms.
"Elyan, Heidi, you can come in now!" She then whispered to Brooke with a grin, "I told them to wait outside and that I'd call them in once I knew it was fine."

Mere seconds later a four year old boy and girl ran into the room. "The boy, Elyan, had straight dark hair and blue eyes, and olive skin, he was skinnier and taller than his sister, Heidi. She however had thick, light blonde curls which settled round her face and shoulders, she was shorter and looked more like Arthur with her blue eyes and blonde hair. They didn't look it, but they were twins, though Heidi was minutes older.

"Good morning Aunty Brooke!" The pair coursed, smiling up at Brooke. Though Merlin and Brooke were in no way related to Arthur or Gwen, Arthur and Merlin were brothers in everything but blood, also they'd made each other god parents to their relative children. So it seemed sensible to just call them Aunt and uncle. "Hello Maire!"

Brooke knelt down so that Maire was at their eye level, "be gentle." she said instinctively as Heidi stretched out a small hand to meet Maire's.

"I will." She replied, "when can Maire play with us?"

"Soon my dear, very soon. She's just not old enough yet, but she will be." She smiled.

"Yay! Elyan annoys me sometimes." She added as an after thought.

"Hey!" Elyan protested, pouting slightly.

"Heidi," Gwen warned, "be nice. Why don't I take the children over to the play room so you can get ready for the day? Then you can meet me there later."

"Sounds perfect," Brooke smiled, then she looked down at Maire, "Aunty Gwen is going to take you over to the playroom okay? Mummy'll see you soon."

Gwen lifted Maire into her arms before turning and walking to the door, "come on Elyan, Heidi." The children followed her from the room, leaving Brooke to dress in peace.

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Merlin pushed open the door to the Council Room, a concerned look on his face, "what is it Arthur?"

"It's Morgana, she was spotted near one of the outlying villages."

"It's been five years since we've heard anything from her, why now?" Merlin thought aloud.

"I don't know, but whatever reason she's back it wont be good." Arthur walked round the table, closer to Merlin, "we need to find her though before she can do something drastic. You said that last time she wanted to kill you, to get revenge. Who's to say she won't try again?"

Merlin nodded, "I need to do something about it. Stop her before she can hurt anyone, because she won't hurt me physically. She's learnt that now. She'll go for Brooke, Maire...you... She'll try to hurt me emotionally." A look of anger flooded Merlin's face, "I need to stop her."

"No my friend," Arthur put a hand on Merlin's shoulder, "we need to stop her."

AN -Thanks for reading and I hope you liked the children's names :) If you're curious about the reasons for the names then send me a PM and I will explain :)

*Pronounced My-ra, it means 'star of the sea' or 'sea of bitterness' which will be significant later in the series.