Chapter Text
Arthur
A laugh bubbles out of my mouth as I watch Llacheu toddle around, his laughter bouncing off the walls as he staggers towards me. I kneel down and pick up the smiling child as he pats my chest and plays with the tassels of my shirt. I look up and give his mother a wink and a grin as she sighs softly and sits back in her chair.
“Hey little man,” my words are soft as I place the child in my lap and take my place back at the table. Ignoring the scowls of the other council members, I focus all my attention on my heir and can’t stop the smile as he babbles on about nothing. His childlike wonder has helped to heal me more than words can express.
After the rather unsuccessful meeting, I sigh softly as I hold the now sleeping child close, my hands covering him protectively. I crack open an eye as I feel a blanket draped over us. The lovely face of Gwen appears before me, and I hum softly as I slowly open my drowsy eyes. “Hey,” I rasp, my voice rough as I try to keep it as quiet as possible so as not to disturb the sleeping child.
“Hey,” Came her reply, her eyes loving as she watched us, her chin resting in her hand. I’m sorry about him interrupting the meeting,” I waved off her concerns as my First Knight walked into the room, a small smile gracing his face as he saw me and Llacheu.
“Don’t worry about it; I was glad for the distraction; besides,” I press a long and tender kiss to the top of the child’s dark, wavy hair and sigh as I nuzzle him gently. “I could never refuse him anyway, and the nannies need a break sometimes,”
“That is very true,” Sir Leon spoke up, his voice a soothing baritone as he placed a hand on Gwen’s shoulder, his wedding ring glinting in the warm sun.
I smiled up at my two closest friends, feeling warm in my chest at their happiness. It had been three years since Gwen and I had decided to end our marriage, and while it had been difficult at first, I couldn't deny the rightness of it now. Seeing her with Leon, the love that shone in their eyes, it was everything I had ever wanted for her.
"Arthur," Gwen's soft voice pulled me from my thoughts. "Have you given any more consideration to what we discussed earlier?"
I felt a small pang in my chest, knowing exactly what she was referring to. My mind drifted to the letter I had penned just days ago, addressed to a certain Dragon King. Merlin. Even thinking his name sent a rush of emotions through me - longing, regret, hope.
"I have," I admitted, my fingers absently stroking Llacheu's dark curls. "I... I sent the letter."
Leon's eyebrows rose in surprise. "You did? That's wonderful, Arthur."
I nodded, a mix of anxiety and excitement coursing through me. "I don't know if he'll respond or if he even wants to hear from me after all this time, but..." I trailed off, looking down at the sleeping child in my arms. "I had to try. For the sake of our kingdoms, if nothing else."
Gwen reached out, placing her hand over mine. "And for your sake as well, Arthur. You deserve happiness, too."
I met her gaze, seeing the sincerity there. "Thank you," I murmured, feeling a lump form in my throat. "Both of you. I don't know what I'd do without your support."
As if sensing the emotional weight of the moment, Llacheu stirred in my arms, his little face scrunching up before his eyes fluttered open. He blinked up at me, a drowsy smile spreading across his face.
"Papa," he mumbled, snuggling closer.
I hugged him tighter, my heart swelling with love for this precious child who had brought so much joy into all our lives. Whatever the future held, whatever came of my attempt to reconnect with Merlin, I knew that with Llacheu, Gwen, and Leon by my side, I could face anything.
"Come on," I said, carefully standing with Llacheu in my arms. "Let's go see if we can find some sweets in the kitchen. I think we've all earned a treat after that council meeting."
As we made our way out of the room, I couldn't help but wonder what Merlin was doing at that moment and if he ever thought of me.
******
Merlin
The letter I’d received from Arthur sits on my desk, open and read; I lean back in my chair and bite back the urge to roll my eyes and groan. The reports, while encouraging, are also very boring and dry. Reaching up, I scratch at the scaled head of my ever-faithful dragon, my daughter in everything but blood: Aithusa. She was the last dragon my father ever hatched; the bond that the white dragon and I share is soul-deep, and I pity anyone who tries to get between us.
“And the wheat stores are nearly full to bursting,” Sir Horian grumbles as he hands me a few sheaves of paper; I take the offered papers and flip through them, my eyebrows raised as I read.
“Well then, have the Stone Masons begin building a new silo at once; in the meantime, try to find as best of a place to store the excess grain as possible; if we have no more room, give it back to the people so they can prepare for the coming winter. From what I can sense, it’s going to be a very cold and long one,” At everyone’s nod, I turn the focus to another topic, one that’s been on my mind very much these past few years.
Taking a deep breath, I lean forward in my chair, my elbows resting on the tabletop and my eyes scanning the room. “I am going to Camelot. I have been invited, and I will be taking my knights and Uthir and Jarin with me.” I raise a hand as the council members start to object. Many of them have their faces turning red.
“I have made up my mind, and that is final, I should not be gone longer than two weeks, three at the very most,” Mother smirks beside me as she clears her throat at once the clamor of voices falls silent; I have to bite my tongue to stop myself from laughing as many of the men look down as though they’d been scolded by their mother.
******
I’m brushing down Nymira when I hear the familiar sound of Jarni’s soothing voice as he tends to his own mount. I couldn't help but smile as I listened to Jarni's gentle murmurs. He had always had a way with horses, and his mount, a sturdy chestnut gelding named Copper, was particularly devoted to him. As I ran the brush along Nymira's gleaming black coat, I found my thoughts drifting back to the letter from Arthur.
It had been years since we'd last seen each other, and the prospect of returning to Camelot filled me with a mix of anticipation and dread. So much had changed, yet I couldn't deny the flutter in my chest at the thought of seeing him again.
"You're brooding again, my lord," Jarni's voice broke through my reverie, a hint of amusement in his tone.
I turned to face him, raising an eyebrow. "I don't brood, Jarni. I contemplate."
He chuckled, shaking his head. "Of course, sire. My mistake."
I sighed, setting down the brush and leaning against Nymira's side. The mare nickered softly, turning her head to nuzzle my shoulder.
"I just... I don't know what to expect," I admitted, my voice low. "It's been so long, and we parted on such difficult terms."
Jarni nodded, his expression thoughtful. "True, but you're both different men now. Wiser, perhaps. And the world has changed too."
I couldn't argue with that. From what I'd heard, the integration of magic into Camelot had been a slow process, but it was happening. And here in Ealdor, we'd built something beautiful – a kingdom where magic and non-magic users lived in harmony.
"You're right," I said, straightening up. "Whatever happens, we'll face it together. As a united front."
Jarni grinned, clapping me on the shoulder. "That's the spirit, sire. Now, shall we finish readying the horses? I believe your mother is eager to be on the road."
I laughed, picturing Hunith's impatient expression. "Gods help us if we keep her waiting. Let's get to it."
As we worked, I felt a sense of resolve settling over me. Whatever awaited us in Camelot, whatever came of this reunion with Arthur, I would face it with courage and an open heart. A smile crosses my face as I see Aithusa standing next to my mother, her body now the size of a ten-year-old girl. My sweet dragon-child, the daughter of my soul.
“Papa,” the young girl called as we approached, her eyes gleaming as she glanced at the carriage that came up behind us. I chuckled as she stared at the black, blue, and gold carriage as it slowly came to a stop in front of them. Turning to me, the young girl swallowed hard. “Do I have to get in there?” she asked, her voice going quiet as she glanced into the sky.
“Not if you don’t want to, sweetie,” I hummed as I slipped from the saddle and embraced my daughter. “Do you want to fly?” I asked as I gave her a kiss on the top of her head. At her nod, I smiled and took a step back.
“Will you fly, too, Papa? " she asked as she started to glow; a low chuckle escaped me as I shook my head.
“Perhaps later, my darling girl,” Comes my reply as I move over to the carriage to check on Mother and make sure she’s comfortable.
******
Sir Leon
I’m standing to the side of my beloved wife, our son, standing next to Arthur as is his right as the King’s heir. My beloved wife, his ever-faithful Queen, and the dissolution of the marriage were by mutual agreement, and when Gwen learned that she was pregnant, she was both overjoyed and terrified. What would the people think? What would the council say? But most of all, she was terrified of what Arthur would say and possibly do. Her fears turned out to be unfounded, for when she told Arthur that she was expecting, he threw her a party and gushed about her pregnancy to whoever would listen.
A warmth spreads through my chest as I watch Arthur and Llacheu standing side by side. Despite the unconventional circumstances of his birth, Llacheu has brought nothing but joy to all our lives. Arthur dotes on the boy as if he were his own flesh and blood, and in every way that matters, he is.
The sound of hoofbeats in the distance draws my attention. I straighten, my hand instinctively moving to rest on the hilt of my sword. Arthur notices the change in my posture and follows my gaze, his eyes narrowing as he scans the horizon.
"They're here," he murmurs, his voice a mix of anticipation and apprehension.
I nod, feeling a flutter of nervousness in my own stomach. It's been years since we've seen Merlin, and I can only imagine the emotions running through Arthur at this moment.
As the party from Essetir comes into view, I can't help but marvel at the sight. At the forefront rides Merlin, looking every inch the king he's become. His presence seems to command the very air around him, and I'm struck by how much he's changed since we last met.
But the creature flying above them truly takes my breath away. A dragon, its scales shimmering white in the sunlight, circles overhead. I've heard rumors of Merlin's bond with the last dragon, but seeing it with my own eyes is something else entirely.
I glance at Arthur, watching a myriad of emotions flicker across his face. There's awe and pride there, but also a hint of sadness and longing that makes my heart ache for my friend.
Gwen's hand slips into mine, squeezing gently. I look down at her, seeing my own mix of excitement and trepidation mirrored in her eyes. Whatever happens in the coming days, I know we'll face it together, as we always have.
As Merlin's party draws closer, I feel the air around us change, crackling with an energy that's both familiar and foreign. Magic, I realize, with a start. It's been years since the ban was lifted, but I'm still getting used to feeling it so openly.
Arthur takes a deep breath, squaring his shoulders as he prepares to greet our guests. Llacheu looks up at his father, eyes wide with curiosity and a hint of nervousness.
"It's alright, little one," I hear Arthur murmur, resting a reassuring hand on the boy's shoulder. "Remember what we talked about? This is a very important friend of mine, someone I've known for a very long time."
Then, breaking the tension, a small figure darted out from behind Merlin's horse. It was a young girl with striking white-blonde hair and eyes that seemed to glow with an inner light. She looked up at the castle in wonder before turning back to Merlin with a questioning gaze.
"Papa?" her clear voice rang out, causing a ripple of surprise among the gathered courtiers.
Merlin's face softened as he looked down at the child, a tender smile gracing his features. "Yes, Aithusa. This is Camelot."
I heard Gwen's soft gasp beside me, and I knew she'd recognized the name. Aithusa. The white dragon. But how...?
As Merlin dismounted and lifted the child into his arms, I saw Arthur take a step forward. His voice, when he spoke, was steady, though I could hear the undercurrent of emotion beneath his words.
"King Merlin of Essetir," he said formally, "Camelot welcomes you and your people."
Merlin's gaze locked with Arthur's, and for a moment, it was as if no one else existed. Then Merlin inclined his head, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
"King Arthur," he replied, his voice carrying a hint of warmth. "It's been far too long."
As the two kings approached each other, I couldn't help but feel that we were witnessing the beginning of something momentous. Whatever happened in the coming days, I knew that nothing would ever be the same again.