Although here was a celebration in the castle, as well as the town, the King only attended for the very beginning, and then he went to spend time with his Queen and son. He fully intended to be with his son as much as his duties allowed. Merlin's own memories of childhood where the times spent with his mother, his father had been rarely seen, except when he needed telling off and he wanted his son to remember him for much more.

The Kings next duty was to call the baby dragon from its egg. Kilgarrah and Ffion had returned from Powys as soon as Merlin called Kilgarrah to tell him his son had been born. Even Freya and the baby made their way to the training grounds, the nearest open space they could use. Freya was determined that Emyr should be there was the next dragonlord. Merlin placed the egg on a log brought to the site for the occasion and then called the hatchling out by naming it Toweard. As the baby dragon emerged they could all see it was a golden colour much like its father. The name that had come from deep within Merlin was especially poignant as it meant the Future in old English and as one of only four dragons alive he was very much the future of his race. Toweard was taken off by his parents and Aithusa but would spend time with Merlin and his son as he grew up, much as Aithusa had done.

Freya was also keen to be very involved in the raising of their son, so although here was a nanny she was there for when the parents couldn't be, rather than as a substitute. Merlin made sure that at least two hours every afternoon were free for official duties. Emyr was not to be spoilt though; his parents were keen that he would lean from an early age to respect all of Camelot's inhabitants. The first months of his life were uneventful. Although it must be said not many babies were brought up with a dragon in close proximity. Emyr and Toweard seemed to develop a bond very early and the young dragon was often found sleeping by the prince's cot.

It didn't seem long before Arthur was pacing the corridors waiting for the birth of his child. Merlin and Gwaine kept him company as he went through the same anxieties the King had only months before. He too had a son safely delivered. Arthur and Mithian named their son Everard, Mithian had chosen the name for its meaning 'brave as a bear.' It was decided that he would share the royal nursery with Emyr. That way the two new mothers could support each other.

After a further three weeks Warmund, 'loyal protector' followed as Gwaine and Eira's son was born. Once again the King and Arthur kept Gwaine company in the corridor as they waited for the birth. Warmund would also use the royal nursery.

The three new mothers were delighted that they each had a son. They would hopefully be friends as they grew up together. Gwaine however was already talking about another child as he wanted a daughter as soon as he could. He loved his son but had always wanted a daughter. Eira laughed at him saying any girl born of his loins would be forced to live in a tower, as her father was well aware of all the tricks men got up to.

But the future of Camelot was secure with a new Prince, the growth in dragon numbers and the peace that had descended on the land.

…

Follow up to this story may well be written as I have several ideas.