Chapter 2 - The beginning
December 22nd 1977 10:30 PM
St Marys Hospital, Dublin
Snow was slowly falling outside creating a soft white blanket covering the ground, the world silent, peaceful, unaware of the darkness that is yet to come and the darkness overshadowing another world hidden in plain sight. To most people, it is only three days till Christmas and are exited to celebrate with family or friends, everything is right with the world. Inside, small, weak cries can be heard as a new life had been brought into the world; a small infant bundled up in a crimson red blanket with a golden dragon crest embodied onto it being gently cradled in the arms of a young man with black hair who is trying to calm the infant. A similar aged dark blonde stood by him looking down to his child as the child opens their eyes to look up at the blond: eyes a stark red, matching that of the blanket that is wrapped around the baby. They where sat in a dimly lit hospital room, looking down at the small and precious life in the black haired mans arms, on the other side to them near the window looking out onto the world was a small hospital cot. As the infants eyes meets the young man's, the cries stop as their eyes flash gold, the black haired man noticed this. Realisation hit him, his infant, no child has magic.
Besides them, in a hospital bed laid a good friend who had a light tan completions with dark brown curly hair, who also carried their child for 9 months. both men, own her their life as it was much more than just being a surrogate; she would act as the Childs godmother and if the worst where to happen the infants safety and life would fall into her protection. Through out the pregnancy both men were closer than ever to their friend, even after they wanted her to be involved in the Childs life although, she doesn't know this yet.
"Merlin, Arthur, may I see your child, if that's okay with you" said the young woman
"Oh, yeah Gwen, your the reason why we have child of our own, Im not entirely sure how to thank you" said Arthur as Merlin gently passed over the infant who had now completely stoped crying and was content. Carefully Gwen, head the small life in her arms, as she looked down into the Childs face, she spoke softly "You look exactly like your Arthur, except you have Merlins ears" just then the baby opens their eyes, crimson red orbs looked up the the young woman. " Their eyes are amazing,
Looking up back to the two men "Have you finally thought of a name yet? she has to have a name at some point" questioned Gwen in a soft but teasing tone. "Yes we have" Merlin spoke "Kaiya, we still not sure on who's last name to use yet -". "And Probably never will" Arthur jokingly interrupted which made Gwen laugh slightly.
"What ever last name you two boys decide, Im sure it won't matter. Kaiya is a wonderful name and its suiting for her" , small red eyes look up to Gwen "Her eyes are amazing, do you know what caused it"
"Yes, we know. I believe it might be her heritage. Mainly from me, Kaiya might also be magic like myself ." Merlin says getting quieter as he continued the sentence. remembering everything that has happened due to his magic and magic its self. Don't get him wrong, it's not like Merlin hates magic - far from it- it's just the aftermath and the stigma he is not fond off. Even though magic is more common now and is taught, his name is a curse, very few people know the truth about his legacy. A legacy that Kaiya, his child is apart of. There is still evil and darkness out in the world, even if magic is taught and not against the law like it was the young man would want Kaiya to be taught by himself or Gaius. If Kaiya were to be taught like most Witch or Wizard he'd fear that she will be singled out to become open to the darkness. much like ....
"Mer"
"...lin"
"Merlin" , Gwen says gently finally getting his attention "Are you okay? , you stoped talking and went pale" Arthur chimes in.
" Im oaky , just thinking" Merlin says trying to measure them
"wow, now we are getting worried, ain't we, Kaiya" Arthur says , talking to the infant (who is now back in his arms) in a funny high pitched voice.
Gwen and Arthur laugh quietly as Kaiya gave a gummy smile that turned into a yawn, starting to fall asleep. Merlin and Arthur gave each other a look, in agreement. They were going to ask Gwen to be the child godmother.
"Ha, Ha, very funny" Merlin spoke slightly annoyed at the earlier comment as Arthur place the now sleeping baby onto the small hospital crib. the next day they would take Kaiya home with them, starting their new life together as a family. In that moment, as the snow fell heavier outside all seem right again. Avalon had returned and peace restored, for Merlin this meant that not only had his King had returned but his friend, his soulmate. All that they could hope for is that Kaiya would not have to go through the same realities and hardships that himself and his King had to go through, that Kaiya would know peace.
December 23rd 1977 9:30 AM
Outside of St Marys Hospital - Dublin
Merlin, Arthur and Gwen were all leaving the hospital, Kaiya was in a baby carrier altho was being held by Merlin still wrapped up in the red blanket they were the previous night. Gwen was being pushed by a nurse in a hospital wheelchair since she was still weak from the trauma of giving birth. Once at the entrance, Arthur left to go and get the car to bring it to the two and to a suitable place.
"So" Gwen said grabbing Merlins attention, "Did you and Arthur finally decide on a last name?"
"Oh, yes , we did" Merlin responded in his usual cheery tone
"What is it then?" Gwen said
"Emrys" Merlin said quietly, too quietly in fact since Gwen asked " Sorry, what is it?
"Emrys" the young man said, this time speaking louder than before. "Kaiya Emrys, the same last name as my father and mother"
"I think thats wonderful" Gwen said
"In addition, the last name Pendragon is widely known, me and Arthur would hate for Kaiya to be put in danger or left vulnerable to any dark force due to his name and the heritage that comes along with it. Very few know the name Emrys , most believing it to be a fairy tale. It's safer this way" Merlin added. "Don't worry, Im sure everything will be fine, you, Arthur, Kaiya and the rest have a family". The sound off a car pulling up caught their attention as Arthur stepped out to open the passenger door. The nurse that was with them helped Gwen up out of the wheelchair and into the car, Gwen accepted this all be it stubbornly. Arthur then opened the back door to let Merlin and their child in before returning to the drivers side. Once they where all in the car the Nurse walked back into then hospital with the wheelchair as they drove off.
December 23rd 1977 10:40 AM
Harold's Cross - Dublin
Just over an hour later, the new family where final able to welcome their child into there home, before the house seemed big when it was just Merlin and Arthur living there, now however, it felt complete. Gwen, Arthur and Merlin were in the front room, Arthur and Gwen were quietly talking on the sofa while Merlin was playing with Kaiya on the floor in-front, using some of the baby toys that they received from their friends before Kaiya was born. A short while later Arthur, got up to make cusps of tea for them as well as a bottle for Kaiya. when returning to the room, he handed the bottle to Merlin as he began to feed Kaiya.
"Gwen", Arthur questioned, Gwen."Yes Arthur, what is it" she responded.
"Me and Merlin were wondering, since neither of our parents are alive,Merlin doesn't have any siblings and has chosen Gaius to be a grandfather and I don't have any that the only one I have I can not trust and is missing -"
"Arthur" Gwen suddenly stated, "You're talking to fast, calm down. what are you trying to say" she said gently
After taking a deep breath he continued "We would like it if you could be Kaiya's godmother, and if anything were to happen to me, Merlin or Gaius, you would take in Kaiya."
The only sound in the room was Kaiya, who was now being burped after finishing the bottle that had been fed to her and it was defining. Merlin by this point had turned to Gwen to ask her if she was okay but then, she responded.
"Your joking right."
"No, we are not, me and Arthur are both serious about this. We want you to be our Childs godmother"
Silence filed try room again, but this time it was comforting hopeful even, it was over quick though as Gwen responded " Yes, I it'll be an honour" she finished by smiling softly at the her two friends her gaze meeting Merlin's and then it towards Kaiya. Maybe, just maybe everything will be ok this time. That the moment of peace that Merlin had in the hospital the night just gone was a sight of hope and not a fleeting feeling and state.