Darkness

Little Prince

Merlin had been back five months, when he had the worst nightmare since he'd returned. He hadn't just been screaming in his sleep, his magic was lashing out as well. Gwaine was trying to wake him, but his magic was keeping him away. Arthur rushed in along with most of the Knights trying to find out what was going on. When they saw Merlin writhing on the bed, they all started talking at once, until Arthur shushed them.

"Gwaine! Why aren't you waking him up?!" Arthur shouted.

"I can't! His magic keeps shoving me back against the wall!" Gwaine yelled back. To prove his point, Gwaine was pinned to the wall by gold tendrils. Arthur frantically looked around the room for something that could wake Merlin up, eyes landing on a pitcher. He grabbed it and tossed the contents towards Merlin. Once the water made contact, Merlin gasped, sputtering as he sat straight up in bed.

"What! The hell!" He exclaimed.

"Merlin, you were screaming loud enough to wake half the castle." Arthur explained.

"I was?" He asked, confused, eyes still out of focus.

"Yes, can you remember what caused this outburst? It's been a long while since you've had any kind of episode, let alone any reaction to this degree." Arthur was speaking softly. The Knights were still gathered behind the King, wanting to make sure their friend was ok.

"Erm." Merlin put his hand to his head, feeling like it was swimming. He felt himself starting to fall over, but Gwaine caught him. "Morgana. Something's wrong." Merlin whispered.

"What?" Gwaine gasped. "Merlin, what about Morgana?"

"I don't know. I'm sorry." Merlin shook his head trying to clear it.

"If you remember by morning.." Arthur left the words hanging in the air before ushering the Knights out of the room to let Gwaine tend to Merlin.

"Merls, how do you know it's something to do with Morgana?" Gwaine asked softly.

"Erm. Well. We, uh, we shared a lot during our captivity." Merlin cleared his throat. He knew he would have to tell Gwaine eventually, he just hoped he wouldn't lose his lover in the process. "I would doze off, and wake up with your name on my lips, and my body sort of reacting to wanting you. One of the times I woke, she was in my lap. I didn't want to. Not really. But my body was already reacting to the closeness. We were lovers for a time. In the darkness. We never kissed though. Not once. I couldn't. She wasn't you." Merlin finished.

"Merls, look at me." Merlin looked up meeting his lover's eyes. "I don't blame you. Look, if we're being honest, I took a lover or two myself. They couldn't replace you, though." Merlin smiled at him, and it made Gwaine's heart ache. "So, do you think her magic was reaching out to you or something?"

"I'm not entirely sure." Merlin shrugged, and yawned. Gwaine chuckled.

"Well, if you don't mind drying the bed off again, I think we both need some more sleep." Gwaine asked.

"Oh, yeah, sure, sorry." Merlin's eyes flashed gold and the blankets, as well as his hair, was dry again. Gwaine climbed back in bed and pulled Merlin to his chest. Merlin wrapped his arms around Gwaine and was breathing deeply in seconds. Gwaine pressed a kiss to Merlin's head. An idea had started to form in the back of his mind, why Morgana's magic would reach out to Merlin, he only hoped he was wrong.

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The next few days, Gwaine kept a close eye on Merlin. It seemed the one night was simply that; One night. One bad night. It was bound to happen, Gwaine knew this. Merlin had been through a terrible, unimaginable ordeal and had come back to them. Merlin had decided to go for a walk, gather some herbs that Gaius was needing. Gwaine was following him, shadowing really. He had an uneasy feeling, and hadn't wanted to let Merlin out of his sight. Merlin wasn't paying attention enough to notice Gwaine following. He had gathered some herbs and was checking off a list, when his head shot up and he looked to his right. Merlin stood, tense, Gwaine could feel the magic in the air ready for anything. A woman stepped out from the trees carrying something. There seemed to be some sort of silent conversation that Gwaine couldn't hear. The woman came forward then, handing Merlin, first, a letter, second, a small bundle. She gave him a sad smile and then was gone. Merlin hadn't moved from when the woman handed him the items.

"Gwaine." Merlin said. Gwaine rolled his eyes. Of course Merlin had guessed he was here. His magic must have felt him hiding nearby. He stepped out and came to face his lover.

"Merls." The look on Merlin's face was unreadable. There were too many emotions flitting across that Gwaine couldn't tell what he was thinking. He looked down and saw what Merlin was holding then. His suspicion from the previous days came rushing back to the front of his mind. He had been right. Bundled in Merlin's arms, was an adorable baby, with dark curls adorning their head. "Oh, Merls." Gwaine came forward and gently touched the tiny scrunched up face. Something wet dripped on Gwaine's hand while he was touching the baby's face. He looked up and saw Merlin had tears streaming down his face.

"I -I -I.." Merlin stammered. "Gw-Gwaine. What am I supposed to do?" Merlin reached up and touched the black curls.

"Love?" Gwaine asked gently. Merlin glanced up, and Gwaine saw the happiness that was warring with doubt and fear in his eyes. "It looks like we have a family now, eh?" He smiled at his lover. Merlin returned the smile with a choked laugh.

"Yeah, I guess we do." Merlin agreed and pulled the baby closer.

"Let's head back, yeah? We can get sorted in the room and read the letter? Figure out what to do next? Together?"

"Together." Merlin agreed. They walked slowly, carefully back to the castle. They snuck in a side entrance and made it to their room without being seen. When they got to the room, Merlin sat back on the bed, still cradling the baby against his chest. He handed the letter to Gwaine, who broke open the seal on it, and read it out loud.

Merlin,

Neither of us planned this. Or expected it. As soon as I knew, I dreamt of you. You know the dream. You met me there. In the first place we saw after being imprisoned. Trapped. Captured. You always were the light in the dark. Not just my light in the dark, but for everyone. I am not cut out to be a mother. I am rage and anger and darkness. Though we both have magic, the child does not. I had a vision. As a Seer, I give you my word, this child, our child, will not have magic. He will not have magic. You have a son, now. He is the last of the goodness I once had. Any good you thought that may remain with me, it's in him now. Protect him. Raise him as your own. You and your lover will make him a good family. You're a father now, Merlin. You need to protect your little Prince as much, or more, than your King. For I will still come for Arthur. It has been written and prophesied for too long.

The one thing I ask, the only thing, show him your love. Your light.

Morgana

Gwaine finished reading the letter and looked up to see Merlin smiling sadly.

"Little Prince." Merlin said, touching the tiny fingers that had somehow gotten hold of his neckerchief. "William. Yes, William. Named after the first friend I ever made when I was a boy. Unless," Merlin looked up at Gwaine, "do you think something else? Maybe after Lancelot?" Gwaine smiled at his lover and went to sit next to him on the bed, putting his arm around him.

"Little Prince William. I think it's wonderful." They sat that way for some time. "Merls. You should probably take him to Gaius. Make sure he's healthy and all that, yeah?" Gwaine had traced a finger down the little rosy round cheek.

"Yeah, you're right. What should I tell him? What can I tell him?" Merlin asked, concernedly.

"Merlin. I think Gaius will be thrilled." Gwaine assured him. Merlin only nodded. William had started to wiggle a little and fuss just a bit. Merlin shushed him and he calmed almost as soon as he heard his father's voice. "Want me to walk with you? Or would you like me to go and fetch the royals to come meet their nephew?"

"Oh, gods! That's right! Erm, I'll head to Gaius, you get Arthur and Gwen?" Merlin asked, not taking his eyes from William.

"Of course, love. I'll meet you there." Gwaine kissed Merlin's forehead and tilted his lover's head up to meet his eyes, then kissed his lips. Merlin smiled into the kiss.

"I'll meet you there." Merlin agreed.