"Gwaine, if you keep gaping at my wife like that, insects will take the opportunity to fly into your mouth you know."

Mordred chuckled at Merlin's joke before taking Myriddin from him. The small boy beamed at his older brother while Gwaine closed his mouth and cast a playful glare at his friend's way.

"You didn"t mention she was extremely beautiful Merlin mate!"

The warlock smirked and clapped his friend on the back, "I'm pretty sure I mentioned she was gorgeous Gwaine."

Gwaine shook his head and Layla smiled in amusement at the brunette knight's behaviour.

"In any case Sir Gwaine, Why are you here?"

The rugged knight turned, meeting eyes with the witch and couldn't but help but waver slightly at her soft gaze.

After a while of being lost in her stare, he finally spoke, "I came here because Merlin wanted to tell me the truth and give me the opportunity to meet you and the child you share with him."

"As you have so what do you plan to do now?" Layla asks him.

"I just want to ask Merlin..."

"Yes?" Merlin answers, looking over at his friend who turned to him warily.

"How can you keep something like this from Arthur Merlin?"

The neckerchief-wearing man sighed but Gwaine continued.

"Your child is adorable. Your wife is an absolute beauty. They seem sweet, gentle and loving. Wouldn't you want to show them off? Aren't you proud of your family?"

Merlin looked at Gwaine then, locking eyes with his longtime friend, "Of course I am. With all my heart I love my wife and son but they as well as I are beings of the Old Religion. It is a way of life for us to surround ourselves with nature, warmth and peace. However, if you are a being of magic living in Camelot, it is a completely different story; you have to live in secrecy lying about who you really are and hiding what you can do. I cannot put my family through all that. I had to this for 9 long years and it was hard. I do not want my son to grow up in Camelot or be brought there till Camelot's laws on magic have changed. In the meantime, he and Layla will continue to reside in Ealdor till the time comes."

Myriddin buried his face in Mordred's neck at his father's words knowing this was a sensitive topic for his father so he kept quiet and breathed in Mordred's scent and warmth while Gwaine gathered his thoughts.

"Wouldn't the laws change if you tell Arthur everything? That you have been using your magic to protect him and Camelot? Surely Arthur will see that magic is not all bad if you just explain."

Merlin shook his head, "Arthur believes magic is evil thus it will not be easy to convince him that I am not like that and I have only been doing good."

"You know he will listen to you Merlin"

Merlin laughed, "He never listens! When I tell him I sense danger, he still goes anyway! When I tell him my woes, he calls me a girl! Arthur does not take me seriously Gwaine!"

Gwaine closed his mouth, knowing that at that point he could argue no longer. Merlin was right, as much as he hate to admit Arthur had never taken Merlin's warnings seriously despite the fact Arthur does care for Merlin as a friend even though he is his manservant.

"Fine, keep him in dark. But you know Arthur will be upset when he finds out all of this."

"I can expect nothing less" says Layla, catching the attention of the men.

The witch turns to the druid knight to change the topic, "Mordred, won't you take Myriddin and play with him in the words? I want him tired so he can have a good sleep."

Gwaine raises his hand before Mordred could reply, "Excuse me, but may I play with the lad too? I do love children. I am great with them."

Layla smiled making Gwaine feel warm inside, "Why not?"

The handsome knight grinned in response before making his way to Mordred who carried the small boy in his arms. He took off his black leather gloves and bent a little so he could meet at eye-level with his friend's son who became shy and looked down.

"Hello there young man. My name is Gwaine. What's yours?" he asks gently, smiling at the boy.

"Myriddin" the boy says softly. Luckily Gwaine was close enough to hear.

Layla smiled at how cute her son was being until she felt a kiss to her cheek and turned to see her husband had walked to her side. Merlin grinned at his wife before taking her hand and kissing it making the smile on the witch's face widen.

Myriddin felt awkward and fidgeted as Gwaine became silent realizing the man was studying him.

"What does Myriddin mean?" the impulsive knight asks.

Mordred answered it before the boy in his arms could, "It's actually one of Merlin's many names."

Gwaine blinked and turned to Merlin, "You have many names?"

The man nodded, "In the prophecies of the Old Religion, I am called Emrys. A renowned figure in the stories of the druid people. I am recognized as the druid lord and the saviour of the Old Religion."

Gwaine stared, he had heard about a prophecy before; Emrys, the protector and advisor to the great Once and Future King who will bring about the golden age of Albion.

"Arthur is the Once and Future King isn't he?" the bearded knight asks quietly.

Layla was surprised, "You know of the prophecy?"

Gwaine nodded, "There was once or twice I had taken refuge with druids. They took me to their camp to patch me up when I got hurt at a tavern brawl."

"Wow"

Gwaine turns just in time to see the small boy look at him in awe before looking down, blushing in embarrassment.

The rogue knight chuckled and ruffled Myriddin's hair before speaking again, "I have overheard some of the stories about Emrys when the elderly told the young druids about them."

Mordred nodded, knowing this already.

Gwaine turns to Myriddin, "Your father is a great man. You must be proud."

At that, the boy looked up, finally meeting Gwaine's brown eyes with his own brilliant blue ones, "I am. Very proud."

Mordred smiled, "On that note, let's go play tag okay?"

Myriddin nods his head enthusiastically causing Gwaine to chuckle and swiftly take the boy in Mordred's arms before running off with him, "Then you're the catcher!"

"Gwaine! Hey!"

Myriddin's and Gwaine's laughter rang about in the woods making Mordred groan.

"Brilliant..."

He politely bows to Merlin and Layla in respect before making his exit and the witch turns to her husband.

"Are you alright?" she asks softly.

"Of course, I am fine my love."

Layla frowns trying to decipher whether or not his smile was fake or not. After a while of staring, she decided not to pry and smirked mischievously at her husband when an idea came to mind, "If that is so, would you accompany to the hot spring?"

Merlin chuckles and holds his gorgeous wife close to him, "We haven't been there in a long time have we?"

"We've only been there once."

"Yes and it was the night Myriddin was conceived. You told me that."

Layla blushed in embarrassment before playfully punching her husband on the chest causing him to chuckle at how adorable she could be.

"Come then. A visit to that place is long overdue."

Layla laughed, a musical sound that made Merlin's eyes soften as he watched wife laugh in mirth.

She was so perfect and she was his. All his.