Title: Avlynn
Characters/Pairings: Arthur/Guinevere,Merlin, Avlynn, Duran
Rating/Warnings: G
Spoilers: Not really
Disclaimer: I own nothing =[
Summary: Avlynn’s her fathers daughter
Word Count 2,408
Author’s Notes: for
Camelot_love’s 14 days of love. Prompt was BLOND CHILD: Request that A/G has a daughter that looks like more like Arthur (to shake things up a bit.) and was prompted by
crayford Pretty random in it’s content just what sprang to mind hope you enjoy. Also this features Duran, Gwen and Arthur’s son, from another story I did so it would probably be best if you read that one first:
HERE’S THE LINKComments are ♥
Avlynn
Avlynn was her father’s daughter in looks. Even now at the tender age of 9 months you could see Arthur in her as clear as day. Only her skin, light brown in colour, slightly lighter than Gwen’s; distinguished her from her father’s features. Everything else held Arthur’s genetics, clear bright blue eyes, like a fresh stream. She even had his strong jaw but her baby fat had rounded off her face so it was not quite as defined yet. Her hair was fair, the colour of sunshine. She did not have much of it; you could still see her skin through the thin, fine soft whisps. There was a patch near the base of her neck though, where the hair was much coarser, this was the patch that had been rubbed down when Avlynn couldn’t lift her head but merely turn it from side to side lying down in her early months of life.
She was quite capable now however, to lift her head and throw it and her entire body about; much to Arthur’s horror. For she had developed a fascination with throwing her body backwards when in his arms, inflicting massive heart palpations on Arthur as he had to quickly throw one hand to catch her swinging head, petrified she would hit something and do damage and pull it back up again. It had become somewhat of a game now, Avlynn giggling with delight each and every time while Arthur’s heart leapt up into his mouth.
She could also sit up, leaning over her feet grabbing at the toys scattered around her, her favourite being the wooden carvings of animals that Merlin, Arthur and Duran had all carved. She did wobble occasionally however, teetering back till her body weight made her lose her balance and she fell backwards, legs flopping up into the air. In order to stop her hurting herself, they surrounded her with soft pillows, creating a little fort for her, her own castle. Arthur still had difficulty leaving her like that though, and so more often that not, he would be found lying down on the floor his body tucked behind hers, papers spread out on the floor as he examined the kingdoms affairs, while Gwen would sit by the window bathed in sunlight watching them fondly. Avlynn was contented with picking up her toys and banging them together, making as much noise as possible.
Sometimes however her own toys lost her interest and she would reach across grabbing at Arthur’s documents stuffing the corners into her mouth. Arthur would moan and tug gently at them, trying to pry them back, but then Avlynn would turn her beautiful big doe blue eyes at him, sticking out her bottom lip in a pout, why was it both his children had inherited his pout, and well he couldn’t say no then could he. When Arthur spread the documents out on the round table the next day ready to inform his knights of whatever it was they needed to know, they would all smirk and try to hide their laughs at the chewed up corners and small mucky hand prints scattered all over the parchment. Wrapped around her finger, was the expression Gwen frequently threw at him.
He wasn’t the only one though, Merlin was besotted, constantly doing the most ridiculous things to make her laugh; like trying to stand on his head and ending up as a mass of limbs of the floor or wiggling his massive ears till she was practically wetting herself. As for Duran, well he wouldn’t leave her alone, always hovering around her like she was honey and he was a bee. Peppering her with sweet kisses and cuddles; playing the same game over and over with her, completely contented to be commanded by her. Repeating his name over and over hoping she would say it first, obsessed with the idea. As luck would have it she did, though it came out more like Da-an than Duran. He’d been more than chuffed though clapping his hands and pointing at her looking at his parents with awe in his eyes, voice high with excitement.
“Did you hear, did you hear? She said my name, she said my name.”
Gwen had nodded, smiling wide and kissed her daughter’s cheek, cooing how clever she was and telling Duran it was because he was her big brother and she loved him ever so much. Arthur had congratulated both his children also, ruffling Duran’s dark brown hair and picking up his daughter giving her a squeeze. Only Gwen had noticed that during this hug he was whispering dad da into her ear frantically.
“It’s not a competition you know” she had said, rolling her eyes as he continued to say dad da over and over again, only getting da-an as a reply.
A few weeks later though she was saying it; making Arthur’s heart swell up, till his chest felt like it might explode. Gwen had giggled at him and the way he’d virtually skipped around the room. His bubble had deflected a little though, when Duran had popped his head in, eager to see what all the fuss was about and why his father was currently bopping up and down making baby noises in front of Avlynn. Avlynn who was in her mother’s arms; bobbing up and down in the same motion as her father noticed Duran and immediately tired to wriggle free of her mother’s grasp, flapping her arms about, pushing Arthur’s face away, madly crying and reaching her little hands out.
“Da-an, da-an, da-an.”
Arthur had pouted sulkily watching as Duran flashed her a broad grin and plopped down on the floor, spreading his legs out wide and patting the space in-between them, beckoning her. Gwen had put Avlynn in-between his legs so that her head was resting against his chest but Avlynn was not satisfied with that, she wanted to see her big brother’s face so she twisted her head and body around still crying out da-an, da-an and then uttering strange noises as she got more frustrated, little face beginning to turn red. Picking up a pillow Gwen had placed it down behind her, hitting Arthur across the stomach with it first, mouthing “stop sulking” to him and then twisted Avlynn around so that she was now facing Duran. Carefully Duran had tipped her over making sure her head hit the pillow gently, her chubby little legs flipped up into the air, small plump fingers grabbing onto her toes as she wriggled her legs about, grinning her two bottom tooth grin. Duran had placed his own hands over hers and wriggled her about a little faster, singing the tune that went along with their game.
“Wriggle, wriggle, baby’s a moving, wiggle, wriggle baby’s a grooving.”
Her giggles of delight flooded into the room floating up into air so that it almost glistened with happiness. Duran really was turning out to be an extremely loving big brother and they had already formed a very strong bond. Both Gwen and Arthur wondered how long this harmonious relationship would last, when the novelty would wear off and he wouldn’t find the hard tugging of his hair cute, saying it was her way of saying I love you. Or find it endearing that she was constantly grabbing at his clothes when in his arms, sucking them and leaving drool marks. Then again when it came to his kindness, love and patience Duran had his mother’s qualities, boundless like the sea; so perhaps it would continue to be this pleasant always. The idea was naïve; there would be fights eventually, temper tantrums. Arthur had a niggling feeling that Avlynn would be rather good at those, she was already showing little signs, the way she got frustrated easily when things didn’t go the way she wanted them to, like just now. And lord knows that he had been, was good at those and there was something in her little eyes that just screamed like father like daughter.
Arthur was still currently having his own tantrum, pouting like a child even though Gwen was giving him death eyes. How she managed to smile so sweetly and lovingly, laughing blissfully at her two playing children and then turn her head and give him a look that could kill in a split second, whisper through gritted teeth “stop it” and then back again to soft cheerful mother face, amazed him. Duran picked up on his father’s mood though and still wriggling his sister about asked what was the matter.
“Nothing darling, your father’s just being a silly fool.” Gwen replied in a sing song voice, Arthur frowned, he was not being silly and he wasn’t a fool. Was it so bad to want all her attention?
“Being silly over what?” Duran voice enquired after he’d given Avylnn a nose kiss, re-assuring her that although he was talking, she still had his attention.
“About how Avlynn said your name first and now when she’s finally spoken dad da, you’ve come in and all she wants is you” Gwen said matter-of-factly, picking up odd bits and bobs that were lying around. It got so messy in this room during the day now they had children.
Duran frowned and rolled his eyes, huffing like Gwen did when she thought something was ridiculous.
“Honestly father you really are a silly fool.”
There everybody goes again calling him a silly fool; he was NOT a silly fool.
“It’s not a competition you know,” Duran chided.
“Did your mother tell you to say that” Arthur grumbled.
Gwen and Duran rolled their eyes in unison. Avlynn turned her hair this way and that, looking at the three towering figures above her, her fair eyebrows scrunching up as if in deep thought, sensing something was off in the mood of the room. Then letting go of her foot she reach one chubby hand out to Arthur, fingers wiggling.
“Dad da”
Arthur’s face abruptly lightened, all traces of sullenness gone as he bent down onto his knees leaning his face over hers and kissing her palm as her hand came up and brushed across his face. Her bottom lip was sucked complete under her top one now as she caressed his features. Her blue eyes were looking at him like he was the most curious thing in the world. Duran stood up, brushing his clothes down as his father wriggled his body around to take his place blowing raspberries on Avlynn’s tummy as she pulled and tugged at his hair giggling.
“Seeeeeeeeee I don’t mind that she wants you now.”
Gwen patted the top of his hand affectionately, smoothing down his hair.
“That’s because you’re not silly darling” her tone was amused, she knew that would rile Arthur but it was just too tempting to resist saying.
“Or a fool” Duran, obviously sensing his mothers intentions, added. Arthur stuck his tongue out at them both before turning back to Ayvlnn and cooed out.
“You wouldn’t call me a silly fool would you, no you wouldn’t because you love your dad da don’t you.”
“Dad da.”
Arthur chuckled and threw his son and wife a pointed glance as if to say “seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee” making them chuckle and roll their eyes in unison once more.
Mum ma had come next in the name game. When Avlynn had spoken it Gwen didn’t make a fuss the way her boys had or attempt to get her to say it over and over again. She had merely smiled softy at her young daughter, cupping her little head in her hand, stoking it from the top of her head down her rosy plump checks and down and round her chin; pride and love swelling within her chest. Her brown eyes melted into chocolate pools and her insides turned to goo, her facial expression serene and calm though she felt like jumping up and down.
“That’s right little one.” Her voice was soft, warm and loving when she replied. Gwen kissed the top of her head while Avlynn grabbed at the dangling pendant around her neck, her blue eyes studying it for a moment before flopping her head against Gwen’s beating heart, soothed by her mother’s touch.
Merlin had tried to get her to say his name and was extremely disappointed that she hadn’t, whining like a child. Gwen, ever the peace maker, tried to explain that Merlin was an extremely difficult word for a baby to pronounce and Duran hadn’t managed it at this age. Merlin had only grumbled and then pulled his famous sad panda face when Arthur asked Avlynn “Who am I?” and she replied in her cute little voice “Dad da” Gwen had cuffed Arthur hard across his head, chiding him about his childish behaviour and setting a good example for his children but Arthur couldn’t help himself.
Merlin had however gotten some compensation when one sunny day he’d been walking across the grass towards Avlynn, Gwen and Arthur who where currently having a picnic, while Duran ran about in the distance with his friends. Avlynn had smiled broadly at seeing Merlin, her funny playmate with the big ears and magic touch. Merlin had reached out his hand open and closing it in a wave, calling out Hi in a high pitched tone as he drew closer, when suddenly Avlynn reached out her hand to him mimicking his hand movements and called back “hi” making Merlin stop in his tracks, gasping, looking rapidly from Avlynn to Gwen, who was smiling proudly to Arthur who was smirking, beaming with fatherly pride, then back again. Merlin had beamed from ear to ear after the shock had worn off and then proceeded to repeat it over and over again clapping and cheering when she replied back. Avlynn feeding off the euphoric atmosphere had flailed her arms up and down laughing every time, amused by the reaction of the people around her.
Yes, Avlynn was well loved and doted on by all, showered with affection every second of every day and the more the days that passed the deeper in love they all fell. Fell into blue shinning eyes, bubble laughs, the touch of small hands caressing their faces, a voice pure as sunlight saying their names with such warmth that they somehow where given a new meaning, a new life. She had them wrapped around her finger it or was it more wrapped around her heart?