Epilogue

Parenthood

Gwen carefully examined Faith's small hands covered in what appeared to be ink. Gwen winced when Faith wrapped her chubby fingers around her loose curls. "Ouch." Faith giggled gleefully. Gwen gave her daughter a surprised look. "You like to hear my say, "Ouch. It's not funny," Gwen chided softly. Arthur dangled a string in front of Sir Mischief; he refused to make eye contact with Gwen. He hoped that she wouldn't notice Faith's hands.

"Arthur?"

"Yes, darling?"

"What happened to the baby's hands?"

Arthur smiled innocently at his wife. He hated when her eyes gleamed in anger. "I took her to a Council meeting. She's an important part of the Council." Gwen arched an eyebrow. "How did she get ink on her hands?"

"She knocked it over. I tried to clean them."

Gwen rolled her eyes as she flounced towards the door. "Her hands better be back to normal before Richard's wedding to Vivian."

Merlin

Merlin marveled at the beauty of Avalon. The serenity and peace filled the air; animals eating quietly as he walked beside Freya. Her beauty hair dusted with white flowers. Her delicate hand clasped his lovingly. They walked in silence as their hearts met in harmony.

A son

Faith thought the baby had a weird shaped head. He didn't look like Father at all. Too much brown hair like mother. Faith touched a small finger; she jumped in shock, when it moved. Oh, he's warm. She sniffed the wriggly body. He smells like bad milk. I wanted a puppy.

"What do you think of your little brother, Faith, "Father inquired.

"He's small like a doll. I'll put him in my chamber and play with him. Or can we give him away?" Merlin chuckled as Arthur smiled in horror.

"Father, what's his name?"

"Llacheu"

Faith twisted her mouth as she struggled to pronounce her baby brother's name.

"Jack."

"Llacheu."

"Jack."

"Fine, we'll just call him Jack, but his name is Llacheu." Faith smiled in triumph.

Vivienne

Arthur, Gwen, and Merlin stared nervously at the baby found on Camelot steps during the early morning hours. The guards reported that they didn't see anyone, but they found watery footsteps.

Merlin looked at Arthur sheepishly. "She's my daughter with Freya." Gwen shot Merlin a puzzled look.

"She's alive and flesh in Avalon." Arthur shook his blonde head.

"I don't want to know, Merlin."

Baby sisters

Faith and Jack stared at their little sisters, Edith and Agnes. Vivienne smiled in joy at the small children, finally she was older than someone. Jack was older by a few months. They would treat me like a baby.

"Faith, when will they do anything?"

"In a few months, they will smile and coo. We can play with them," she answered her brother. "Make sure you're hands are clean before you touch them." Faith could see a frog squirming in his pants.

"Jack, let go mix things in father's workroom. I've learned to make things disappear," Vivienne implored. An unholy light appeared in Jack's eyes as he ran away with Vivienne.

King Arthur

Gwen beamed proudly as Geoffrey lowered the gleaming crown on Arthur's golden head. She nudged Jack to stay awake as he appeared bored during his father's coronation. Gwen watched Vivi's small mouth moving. The little witch is practicing spells. What am I going to do with these children? Faith stood with tears in her eyes as she watched her father become King of Camelot. Merlin looked proudly at Arthur as their lives entered a new phrase.

Gwen held Arthur last night as he cried over the loss of Uther. His mood brightened when he watched their children eating breakfast. His purpose in life reaffirmed through his children, his family.

Galahad

Gwen braided Faith's long blonde hair.

"Mother, too tight!"

"I'm sorry, sweetie. Uncle Lancelot and Aunt Eliza are coming for a visit."

Faith's beautiful face dropped in disgust. "Are they bringing the boy?"

"He's your cousin."

"He's a prat."

"They grow out it."

Damsels in Distress

Faith sat with her legs crossed on the Council Room floor, her blue eyes full of anger. Her eight year body turned away from her brooding father. Jack whimpered softly as his chocolate eyes filled with tears. Vivi's blue eyes stared nonchalantly at her father.

Arthur cradled Edith in his arms as Merlin tossed Agnes in the air. Her soft giggles filled the air. Gwen noticed Lancelot, Percival, and Gawain looked grim in the corner. Jack gave his mother a puppy dog stared as she approached the children.

"Arthur, it's the children's meal time."

"No, they are being punished."

"Why?"

"They made the girls disappear!"

"Again," Gwen replied calmly.

Arthur frowned at his fuming wife. "You knew?"

"Well, King Arthur, we have five children living in our charge. Four of ours, and one of Merlin's. I know everything about them."

"You knew that Vivienne could make the babies disappear."

"Yes, she made Jack disappear last week. They go to Avalon. They visit Freya. What's the harm?"

Arthur's face flushed like a plate of red cabbage. His mouth curled in a frown. Gwen raised a hand. "Gentlemen, please take the children to their meal. I would like to speak with Arthur and Merlin."

Gawain grabbed the babies from Arthur and Merlin. "Who's who?"

"Edith has light brown hair and green eyes. Agnes has brown hair and blue eyes, Gawain," Gwen reminded softly. Faith gave her father a mean look as she walked from the room. Jack kissed Gwen's hands softly.

"I love mother, not him. He's mean."

Gwen pressed a kiss to Jack's curly brown hair. Her four year old son always thought Arthur was mean. Usually, because Arthur prevented him from playing with kitty.

Vivian pulled Jack towards the door," Come with me, I've learned a new spell."

Merlin threw his hands up in anger." I can't do anything with her."

"She's four. Stop teaching her magic," Gwen responded tartly. 'What is this really about?'

Arthur clenched his jaw. "I went to visit the babies. They were gone. I had everyone searching for the babies," Arthur yelled. "Then, Faith confessed that they made them disappear."

"It was a game. They came back."

"I need to know where the children are at all times."

"Fine, I'll leave them with you." Gwen tossed her head as she stared towards the door.

"Guinevere, Morgana sent me a message." Gwen's heart sank as she spun on her heel.

"When?"

"Last week, I thought she took the babies."

"You didn't say anything."

"I didn't want to upset you."

"What did she want?"

"A meeting."