A King with No Title

Nothing you need to do

Merlin resumes his jobs as Gwen sits and eats, smiling as she hums a small melody to herself. She makes a small grunting noise which forces Merlin to look up with great urgency, she looks back at him and smiles at his worry, "Nothing to worry about Merlin, they're just kicking." She says placing her hand on her stomach, his worry dissipates as she looks down, a loving and warm smile gracing her lips. "Would you like to feel?" She asks and Merlin looks suddenly worried again, she beckons him over and he slowly walks, she grabs his hand and places it tenderly on her stomach. The babies kick and move at the touch and Merlin's smile grows wide and his eyes fill with joy as he looks up at Gwen. Gwen smiles at him before looking at her stomach again, "Strong." She says as Merlin removes his hand.

"Yes." Merlin says unable to manage anything else, "Has Arthur felt them kick?" He asks curiously, and Gwen nods.

"He felt it the first time it happened. It is a magical experience, for lack of a better word." She snickers to herself and Merlin smiles as he goes to resume his work again. "Merlin, may I ask for your advice?" He nods slightly confused but not going to deny it. "Would you think it wrong of me to ask to name our son after my brother?" She looks up tears in her eyes, as if she had just said the most awful sentence ever known to man.

"I'm sure Arthur would love the idea, a son named after one of the bravest knights in Camelot, and a former knight of the round table, and also a brother to him." Merlin smiles, "It would be suiting, and I think Arthur would agree, Elyan has sacrificed so much for you and Camelot to have a son. An heir named after someone who has done so much, well, that offers the greatest tribute to your brother's memory." He says, he was not sure where the sudden burst of rather eloquent words had come from, for he would usually stutter and mumble when uncertain, but he believed every word he had said. Merlin had times like these, times where he was unexplainably mature and wise in nature, compared to his more playful aura generally.

A tear drips from Guinevere's eye landing on her lap. Merlin taken aback by the reaction apologises, only to receive a small chuckle from Gwen. "No need to apologise Merlin, that was just so sweet." She says wiping tears from her eyes, she had rarely spoken of her brother since the day she lost him, so to hear such kind and caring words from a dear friend so long after her loss left her lost for the right words to use and reminded her of all the love she felt for her brother. No matter how many times he messed up, she would have never abandoned him. In the end, he never abandoned her and became an honourable man and a caring brother.

"Oh." Merlin says, smiling and taking her hand, she looks at his face as he squats in front of her, "I'm glad that was what happened and I hadn't just greatly offended my Queen." She laughs at his words and Arthur walks through the door, poorly dressed and dishevelled. Like he had just been attacked by a bear. Merlin let his hand fall from Gwen's and stood up smiling at Arthur, "Welcome back, Your Highness." Arthur scowls at him and then move towards both Merlin and Gwen, before standing looking at the half folded sheets.

"Why aren't these done?" Arthur shouts, "Merlin, I've been gone all morning." He says folding his arms in his signature way as he glowered at Merlin.

"Sorry Sire, I was..."

"Helping me." Gwen intervenes, standing up and holding her stomach as she does. Arthur jumped back slightly as if only just realising she was here. "Hello, Arthur." She smiles sweetly, and he returns it with an awkward smile before looking at her stomach.

"Is something wrong with the babies?" Arthur inquires suddenly worried, Gwen shakes her head and laughs.

"No, Arthur, but may I talk to you anyway?" She pauses, looking at Merlin, "Alone, please?" Merlin nods and looks at Arthur for permission, Arthur nods quickly and Merlin walks out, going to the armoury. He decided this may be a good time to polish Arthur's sword and chainmail, he had recently done it but he didn't have much else to do. That thought made Merlin laugh abruptly, he normally has so much to do, but for some reason, Arthur hadn’t given him that much.