Hi guys, happy new year!

I am so sincerely sorry that I haven't updated in such a long time. Life caught up with me and I had to go through a lot of counselling due to all my emotional issues but I'm back now and I promise I will try hard to update as much as I can.

If you're reading this, thanks so much for your interest and not giving up on this story. :)

I love my readers very much. :*

Love forever & always,

Hime

In Merlin's Backyard Garden

"So Leon, what did you want to talk about?"

"Is it true that your mother had a lover named Balinor?"

Merlin's eyes widened, "How-?"

"Doesn't matter, was Balinor the Dragonlord your father Merlin?"

Merlin silently cursed Leon in his mind; by asking him a direct question, it would be hard to find a loophole to come up with an answer, a half-truth one at least.

Leon, seeing that Merlin was playing the pokerface card, looked for other signs that could give him away which he did.

"Seeing as how your hands keep clenching and unclenching, that tells me that I'm right."

Merlin flushed at the bearded knight's observation.

What was he going to do now?

Leon decided he had to press on since Merlin was keeping quiet, "Does that mean you are a Dragonlord as well?"

"Would it matter even if he was?"

The two men turned to see Percival coming around the right corner of the house.

"Percival?" Merlin asked.

"Leon, answer my question. Would it matter?"

The older knight fixed a steely look at Percival's way before turning to Merlin, "No actually, it doesn't."

The warlock looked at the man addressing him in surprise, "It doesn't? "

"No because it was you that saved Camelot from the Great Dragon wasn't it?"

How did-?

"You ordered the dragon to leave Camelot. That's the only explanation that makes sense because I never could believe that Arthur slayed the dragon when no carcass was found."

What came next completely caught the senior knight of guard, the younger man before him started laughing!

"MERLIN!"

The said dark-haired man wiped a tear from his eye, "HAHAHA! I am so sorry Leon, I really am but I always wondered if anyone actually noticed that!"

The knight just looked at Merlin in disbelief before finally chuckling along.

"It really is something isn't it?"

Merlin nodded, smiling.

Percival coughed, taking the men's attention away from the present and onto him, "Excuse me but I had have to ask. Leon, are you going to report Merlin? For being a dragonlord?"

"Yeah Leon, I want to know that too."

The three men turned to the left to see that another person had listened in on the conversation.

"Gwaine" Percival recognized.

"Well Leon?" asked the brunette knight. "Are you going to turn my friend in for what he can't help to be born with?"

Everyone turned to look at the Camelot born nobleman for his answer. Merlin felt himself sweating and Gwaine was mentally preparing to grab Merlin and run away with him to avoid arrest.

Time stood still as Leon finally gave his answer.

"No, of course not. "

Percival watched as Merlin and Gwaine breathed a sigh of relief. Look like he was the only one who believed his friend would do the right thing.

After dinner, Hunith recommended a place for Arthur and Gwen to relax however Merlin knew the place too and was startled by his mother's suggestion to his friends that he almost dropped the plate he was washing.

"The Midnight Hot Spring? But Mother that's very deep into the woods and-"

"The Knights can go to stand guard. Close enough to be of assistance if needed but far away enough not to disturb their privacy."

Merlin pursed his lips in response, he turned to his King, "Are you fine with an arrangement like this?"

Gwen answered before Arthur could, "I think it's a lovely idea. A hot spring sounds wonderful."

Merlin sighed, relented, "Fine, go with Percival and Leon while Gwaine and Mordred can help me with the clearing up."

Gwaine groaned at that, "Oh come now Merlin! I wanted to venture in this town and see if i could-"

"-chance upon a tavern? I'm afraid you won't be finding any alcohol in these parts my friend. Ealdor is too poor afford such things."

Gwaine froze in shock which gave the chance for Leon, Percival, Arthur and his wife to exit quietly, very gladdened by the turn of events as they were spared from hearing any naughty, inappropriate comments from the rugged knight.

Gwaine's predicament on the other hand, amused and irritated Merlin. It amused him because Gwaine was finally speechless and for quite a while he was spared from talk of his usual nonsense but Gwaine's stone-like state irritated Merlin because Gwaine was stuck in his dining-chair and did not help with the clearing up at all.

Stupid alcoholic…

When the couple reached the hot spring and the knights moved to their positions, Gwen proceeded to undo her buttons but Arthur stopped her by grabbing her hands.

"Gwen"

"Yes Arthur?"

"I want to speak to you about something."

"What is it?"

"I'm thinking of changing the laws regarding magic."

In a far-off cave deep in the woods of Ealdor...

"He'll be fine Merlin. Nothing like a good night's can't cure" reassures Layla.

"I know" murmurs Merlin before kissing his sleeping son on the forehead.

As soon as Mordred and Merlin were alone after dinner, the curly haired knight told the warlock what had transpired earlier that day. It did not take long for the lanky man to grab his mother's hooded cloak and make leave for his wife's cave hideout to check up on his son.

"I just wish I was there you know?"

"I know love, I know."

Merlin stood up and turned to his wife who was walking towards him.

"Merlin?"

"What is it?"

The beautiful witch didn't answer him at first, she took his hands in hers and held them before looking up at her husband.

"I think you should tell Arthur the truth soon."

With Arthur & Gwen

"You feel that the way your father prosecuted his magical cases were unfair and unjust."

"Yes. I've seen and heard it first hand Gwen. I know my father was biased and I need to change these laws now that I am in power."

"But Arthur, Not saying that you're wrong or anything, in fact I fully support your decision however do you think the Council will agree?"

"They've been in league with Uther for years."

"It'll be hard but I'll have Gaius and Geoffrey to help me. I think I can make a convincing argument."

"I know you can do it."

Arthur smiled, "Thank you."

With that, he leaned towards her and kissed her deeply.

The Queen of Camelot was more than happy to oblige and kissed her husband back, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Please review! Thank you! :) Sorry if I'm a little rusty...I haven't written in so long... ^^;