The rise of Arthur Pendragon

The stories of Merlin Emrys

Merlin wakes long before Arthur, he is still fully clothed and wakes amongst rich cotton blankets and silk sheets, he is laying on a pillow next to Arthur who is snoring happily next to him. He lifts Arthur's arm from over his chest and places it on the pillow next to him. Quietly Merlin stands up and sneaks out the room and out the castle to go and get changed.

"Rise and shine!" Merlin laughs ripping open the curtains letting the morning light in.

"What time is it?" Arthur asks groggily as he sits ups muttering about the light.

"Time to get the heck up!" Merlin declares chuckling to himself.

"I swear to god-" Arthur begins but collapses into laughter at Merlin who is dancing around the room.

"Do you know how much I have missed this?" Merlin questions as he lays a tray of bread and bacon in front of Arthur.

"I'm guessing a lot" Arthur says making a face at the food.

"What's wrong? Do you not like it?" Merlin asks seeing the expression on his face.

"I'm just really not hungry." Arthur mutters "You have it, you could do with fattening up" Arthur jokes prodding Merlin in the stomach.

"You have to eat something!" Merlin exclaims "You barely ate anything at the feast!" 

"Merlin, I can't get stabbed, I can't be cut, I don't bruise and I can drink enough beer to kill a man and it has no effect. I don't think I have to eat to survive. I don't think I have to eat at all" Arthur sighs throwing a bread roll from one hand to enough "I've been built like a perfect soldier." Arthur adds.

"You were one of them anyway" Merlin smiles taking a bit of bread knowing Arthur is probably right. 

Suddenly shouts erupt from the hallway outside.

"Fetch the King!" someone shouts as heavy footsteps run past the door.

"The young Pendragon has been born!" another shouts happily, Arthur grins happily at the words. 

"Come on, get changed, we've got you great great great how ever many greats grandchild to meet!" Merlin laughs tugging Arthur off the bed.

Within minutes Arthur and Merlin are walking towards all the cheerful shouts.

"This'll be the 6th royal birth I've seen" Merlin sighs.

"Have they all been this exciting?" Arthur asks feeling the buzz of happiness ripple through the air.

"Oh you should've been here when Gwen and Louis were born! Twins! It was crazy" Merlin laughs remembering the moment fondly.

"What was Edwards birth like? When was his birthday?" Arthur asks as they pass a crowd of chatting maids.

"Sir Leon and Sir Percival were the ones with her when she went into labour!" Merlin laughs "They were in the throne room with her and suddenly she felt the pain and she knew! It was a quick birth they were both healthy. He was born on the 13th of October." Merlin explained as they came to a stop outside the door. The knights opened it for them and they both went in.

Elizabeth was still in bed, her forehead beaded with sweat and her skin pale but she was grinning from ear to ear at the bundle in her arms. Louis was sat next to her holding her hand and smiling down on her. Louis looked up at them both and smiled again.

"He's perfect!" Louis told them as Arthur stepped closer.

"We are going to call him James, James Arthur Pendragon." Elizabeth said rocking the small bundle in her arms "James after my father and Arthur, after you" she added in case Arthur hadn't understood their gesture. But he had, he covered his hand with his mouth in shock and told them how thankful he was and how beautiful James was.