It was as predicted several days before Merlin was properly awake and even then he was exhausted, but so happy to have given his alpha two children. He explained that until he had put the protection spell on himself he had not realised. The girl was much smaller than her brother so that explained why the physicians hadn't picked up on it. Arthur spent as much time as he could with Merlin in the first weeks. It wasn't until Merlin was properly awake that the babies were named. Arthur refused to name them until he was. Even though they had picked out names for both a boy and girl beforehand.

The Prince was to be Balinor Arthur after Merlin's father and Arthur himself, even Merlin though he had never met him. Hunith had no idea if he was still alive but assumed no as Merlin could command Kilgarrah. She had told both men all about him and why he had left Hunith not even knowing he was to be a father. Arthur refused to give his son Uther's name. Saying "It is enough that he is a Pendragon" The Princess was to Ygraine Hunith after Arthur's mother and Merlin's own mother.

Not only did the children have all the knights as honorary Uncles but also George, who was besotted with them. Arthur found it hard to believe that the previously very correct servant had changed so much. Gwen joined Morgana as an honorary Aunty. Arthur grinned at Merlin at the antics of their friends. "Wait until Ygraine is old enough to court, heaven help the men who try!"

Merlin smiled sweetly "I feel more worried about Balinor, I fear Gwaine will lead him astray"

Arthur and Merlin did have a long talk once Merlin was better about what happened and the risks Merlin had taken not only with his own life but also the babies. Arthur tried to extract a oath that Merlin would never do such a thing again. But Merlin refused. "I am your consort, your people are mine. If I can save them or you I will always do so. You are my alpha and worth more to me than myself."

Arthur called him a self-sacrificing fool and sulked for days but in the end gave in. He couldn't stay cross with his Little Hawk for long. Word of their victory and Merlin's role in it spread over the land and it wasn't long before the vision of a united Albion became much closer.

Arthur and Merlin asked Kilgarrah where he had put the cup of life and the Great Dragon had smiled enigmatically "That is for me to know" he told them "If it is needed I can fetch it." Then he looked at Merlin "I have recently heard of a dragon's egg and I intend to collect it."

Merlin was overjoyed at the thought, he wanted to go with Kilgarrah but with two young children he couldn't. Kilgarrah failed to also mention that the same story also mentioned a Dragonlord He had reason to believe it was Balinor. Kilgarrah had never been convinced that his dragonlord was dead, even though Merlin could clearly command him. He believed that it was Merlin's power and his father's distance that made it possible. He hoped to not only have another dragon in the world but also reunite Hunith and Balinor and allow the male omega to get to know his father. But there was no point in encouraging what could be false hope. So he flew off keeping his counsel about his thoughts.

Part three to follow one day.