Merlin drifted off in his lover's arms and slept soundly until it was nearly evening again. He stirred with an effort and stumbled his way through a shower and breakfast. The windows finally went dark, and Merlin smiled at the knowledge that Arthur would soon be up as well. The sound of a knock at the door distracted him from the pleasant prospect, and Merlin went to the door to find Mr. Reddorm. Merlin's smile broadened at the sight, and he beckoned the man inside. "I'm so glad you're here! I was going to call you. I know there's nothing we can do to repay you, but... anything. It's yours."

"No thanks, necessary. The two of you have helped me as well." Before Merlin could question the statement, Mordred stepped inside and looked around. "Thankfully I have a few contacts in real estate. A bit intrusive, I realize, but it allowed me to find you. I had hoped to speak with Arthur. I don't suppose he's awake just yet?"

When Arthur woke, he was distinctly aware of two things: firstly, Merlin had already gotten up and left their bed, and secondly, he sensed a presence he had not felt in centuries. He sat up with a start, his fangs appearing as his entire body coiled with tension. //Mordred...// Arthur did not want to believe it could be possible. But it was an unmistakable sensation. It was as if a lightning rod had replaced his spine, and electric bolts were sizzling through him. Wrenching the covers aside, the enraged vampire fairly flew out of the bed and into the hall. Arthur could hear Merlin talking, and then... that voice! "YOU!" he snarled, lunging into the next room and seizing Mordred by the throat.

Merlin barely had time to react before the man he'd known as the Last Drop's manager for the better part of a year flicked his fingers. Arthur flew back as if he'd been shoved and the man gave a shake of his head. "Well, I'd hoped that you might at least try to be polite. After all, Arthur," Mordred chided with a smile, "you wouldn't be here now if it wasn't for me. You'd be rotting in a hole somewhere." He turned his attention to Merlin next. "I hope you'll forgive the misdirection. As you can see, there are some difficulties in my revealing myself, and I thought it might be best if we got reacquainted without the baggage of the past between us."

It was easy enough to put the pieces together, and Merlin took a step back, "Mordred."

"One and the same," the man agreed with a sweeping bow and an easy laugh. "Now, there's really no need to look so horrified. Have I done anything to harm either of you? Anything at all? The only bad blood between us is centuries ago. Arthur, you should consider letting go of the past - especially when the three of us have such a bright future together."

"We having nothing together!" Arthur snarled, his fangs flashing as he gathered himself to his full height again. His fingers curled as if they had transformed into claws, and it took a monumental effort on his part not to rush Mordred and tear his throat out. Rage swelled deep inside of Arthur. Mordred had condemned him to an eternity of torment. He did not trust for a moment that his sire had either his or Merlin's best interests at heart. "You helped free me for a reason," Arthur accused, shielding Merlin with his body. "Whatever plans you have, forget them--now!"

"Oh, I'm afraid it's far too late. You two have actually done all the work for me - well, most of it." The man smiled, the expression no longer warm but cold, teasing perhaps but not welcoming in the slightest. The man lifted his hand and a tiny tendril of light flew from the tips of his fingers. Ignoring Arthur entirely, he addressed Merlin, "You recognize this?"

The sorcerer frowned but nodded over Arthur's shoulder. "Yes, the fae use it for detecting illness and..."

"And?" Some of the humor had returned to Mordred's eyes as he let the glowing blue light twist in the air above his hand. "What else, Merlin?"

"And for, well... as a pregnancy test."

"Precisely. The magic sees any invasion of the body the same way, really, and can pinpoint it easily." Mordred stepped forward and, when Arthur tensed, held up his other hand to freeze the man in place. "Now, now. Be nice. Wouldn't want anyone to get hurt." He smiled at the equally apprehensive look on Merlin's face. "You needn't look so worried. You aren't sick, and he can't get sick. It's good news." As Mordred chuckled, the light moved away from him at last and swirled its way through the air toward Merlin.

The tendril expanded until it was a thin sheet like ephemeral gossamer that canvassed the sorcerer's body carefully as it sought anything out of place. He'd been through similar exams during his time in the other realm and seen it done, had even learned the spell though it had little use in the human world where few fae walked. Finally the light came to rest in front of Merlin and its glow changed from a soft blue to vibrant purple. Merlin swallowed and shook his head. "There's no way that-"

"Don't worry, it's perfectly safe. Magical, you see. You're every bit as much a man as you always have been... just a bit special for a time. Around nine months, should all go well." Mordred finally turned to Arthur and smiled the smile of a man supremely pleased with himself. "Congratulations! You're going to be a father."

Stunned, Arthur found he had temporarily lost the ability to form words. He gaped between Merlin and Mordred, his already icy blood turning that much colder. "What have you done?" Arthur found his voice again, his hands curling into fits as he fairly shook with rage. His eyes, blazing with anger, focused on Mordred, who seemed nonplussed by his ire. "Tell me!" he shouted, his fangs glinting. "What have you done?" If Mordred failed to answer, then Arthur would not hesitate in choking it from him. Even if it meant being destroyed in the effort.

"Facilitated a miracle. Obviously." Mordred gave a shake of his head and a long-suffering sigh. "You really should be more grateful, Arthur. I've given you eternity, and now I've given you a family." He held up a hand as Arthur moved toward him. "I wouldn't. You'll want me when the baby is ready to be born. Magical births are hardly standard. But you're overwhelmed. Of course you are. I'll leave you to it." The man chuckled as he walked casually toward the door. "You may as well enjoy this." Mordred met Arthur's gaze evenly. "I do owe you, after all. Consider this repayment."

Only when the door closed again did Merlin feel able to breathe. In its creator's absence, the magic faded into the air. "He isn't lying," Merlin said in a tremulous whisper. More loudly, as if volume might equal renewed strength, he added, "I don't know how, but he isn't lying."

Unprepared for Mordred's return, let alone the fact Merlin was now pregnant, Arthur was left completely reeling. A part of him could understand why his father had been so fearful of magic when it resulted in situations like the one he and his lover now found themselves in. Snapping himself of a trance, Arthur turned and placed a tentative hand on Merlin's stomach. "Are you alright?" he whispered, swallowing hard. "Is there a way... to reverse the spell?" A million thoughts raced through the vampire's mind. He couldn't fathom the purpose for Mordred's actions, but his main concern was for Merlin's well-being. If he died from this...

"I'm... I'm fine, I think," Merlin answered, still sounding too shell-shocked to be entirely sure. He swallowed hard and met Arthur's gaze. He was surprised at how much the suggestion of reversing the spell hurt, but he reminded himself that it made sense. They didn't know anything about the child, didn't know whether it was really theirs or what Mordred's purpose could be. After a long pause, Merlin shook his head, "I don't know one." His hand reached up to tentatively cover Arthur's. "Maybe it doesn't have to be a bad thing," he suggested softly.

Arthur drew back, gaping at Merlin incredulously. "How can you say that?" he wondered aloud. "Mordred has done this for a reason. And he's never done anything for the good of anyone but himself." Feeling at a total loss, the vampire knew that needless worrying was not going to help Merlin or the situation they'd both found themselves in. Arthur gently led his beloved over to a chair, urging him to sit down. He knelt down, folding Merlin's hands into his own. "We're going to get through this together," he promised, choking on a surge of emotion. "I'm going to be here for you, always. No matter what."

Merlin found himself swallowing tears and nodded, though he couldn't quite meet Arthur's gaze. He knew that the vampire was right. Of course there was a reason. Of course there was some dark motivation. Of course. But he couldn't quite push the idea away that something started with bad intentions could still end well. "We'll figure it out," he echoed with a smile that only felt a little hollow. "I'm sure we will."Merlin squeezed his lover's hands tight and tried to believe the words. "It's going to be fine."