The Road to Albion

It was a beautiful spring day when the official party set off from Camelot. The wedding invitation from Lady Elena had arrived not long after Merlin's official appointment as Court Sorcerer of Camelot. Having just beaten off Morgana's latest scheme, Arthur had felt the wedding of Lady Elena and Lord Lechard, had come at the right time for everyone

A chance for his Queen and him, as well as Merlin and the Knights to relax a little bit outside the pressure of Camelot's spotlight. Although he realised, it maybe a little bit of an ordeal for Merlin, as the spotlight would certainly be on him as much as anyone. If he was nervous he was showing little sign of it as he continued to complain to Arthur, at the slightest thing, and his enjoyment of pulling the King up had not altered one bit. Nor the way he could get the back up of the King at a moment's notice. As Merlin sneezed and sniffed, Arthur turned to his companion with a hint of not so subtle sarcasm in his voice.

"Merlin I believed part of our birthday present to you last week was a rather lovely set of handkerchiefs. Is there any chance you could use one, instead of spending your entire time sniffing away, like a trapped boar!"

"Arthur." Gwen chided him, "it's not his fault he has a cold, if you hadn't of made him go out on that hunt last week he wouldn't be in the state he is now." She looked round at him sympathetically.

"Thank you for that Gwen. I would also like to add being made yesterday, to go out after dark and collect herbs for a certain someone, who insisted he couldn't wait another evening for his herbal remedy didn't help either."

"You said you were going out anyway." Arthur retorted

"I did not." Merlin replied "you made it quite clear you wanted it there and then."

"When did I say that? I fear this cold has turned you deaf before your years Merlin." The King grinned, before giving a little wink to Gwen.

"Now then boys." Gwen broke in, as the Knights sniggered around them

"Welcome to an ordinary day in the company of the King and Warlock my Lady." Gwaine laughed. Gwen flashed a grin at Gwaine, and rolled her eyes as she watched her husband and friend continue their escapade.

"At times you two are like a couple of school boys." She laughed.

"This is quite reserved for them," Percival remarked "you should hear them when they are really going at it."

"I remember on one occasion Merlin ended up being thrown in a stream." Leon laughed remembering the sight of the wet warlock shaking himself dry like a dog.

"Arthur you didn't." Gwen said looking sternly at her husband, before grinning at Merlin. "what did you do to make him do that?" she asked him.

"What did I do?" Merlin replied pretending to sound wounded at her words. "Nothing Gwen. It was just my natural superiority when having a conversation, he lost the argument and reacted in the only way the he is able!"

"Lost the argument? Merlin you have never won an argument, against me in your entire life. Except in your dreams maybe, which is how you spent most of that day I seem to recall. Because you certainly didn't see my raised leg as you walked pass me!" he laughed.

"Well I hope the pair of you will be better behaved when we get to our destination. I don't want to be embarrassed by you, so shape up." Gwen smiled.

Arthur and Merlin exchanged a glance both of them speechless for once.

"An embarrassment, as if I could be to you." Arthur said laying on the charm.

Merlin sniggered, "Please Arthur, trying your charm on Gwen like that, you really should know better."

Gwen looked down, trying hard not to laugh. "Merlin –"

"Merlin shut up." Arthur retorted.

"Of course, my lord, whenever you have no answer to me you pull rank on me!" Merlin remarked, pleased with himself.

"Merlin I would quit while you're ahead if I was you." Percival smiled. "or else you may end in that stream over there." Percival pointed at the stream ahead. Arthur peered over his shoulder at Merlin, as if tempted by the suggestion for a moment.

Everyone including the warlock laughed. Gwen looked over at Arthur who exchanged a fond look with her. She was so glad that she'd been allowed to accompany them this time. She sensed that Arthur was entirely relaxed, which after the last few months was a blessing. The battle with Morgana had been wearing for everyone. Camelot had just begun to get back on its feet. Even now Gwen was amazed at the turn of events.

Not for the first time her perception of Merlin had changed totally. If it hadn't been for his selfless act none of them would be here now. It was a shock enough that they all found out that day that he was a sorcerer, not just a sorcerer, a mighty warlock.

Even now she found it hard to believe her old friend was such a powerful figure. Outwardly he had changed little from the day, although the after effects of it had taken a while for them all to get over, not least Merlin and her husband Arthur. It had taken Gwen a considerable effort to get them back together, with the inevitable fall-out that the incident had caused. At one stage she feared the relationship would never repair itself. But after a little time apart Arthur had eventually got over the shock, and bit by bit Gwen and Gaius had talked him round.

In the end Gwen was proud of both of them, and she felt lucky to be a part of life in Camelot. With her husband beginning to mature into a fine King, and her friend taking his place by his side like he'd always been, as the new Court Sorcerer, Gwen like everyone else had embraced the new world at Camelot. Morgana had been given a bloody nose, and had retreated, where nobody knew, but few doubted that one day she would be back.

But Gwen was determined that this trip would be nothing but a positive start to their new world. They were due to meet many old friends and acquaintances and as she looked around her as they travelled on, she only had hopeful thoughts in her head. She was determined to play her part in their bright future, and back her husband and friend in their plans to rebuild Camelot.

"We could do with giving the horses a break." Arthur suggested pulling into a clearing. "it's still early afternoon we should make Gawant by late afternoon."

Arthur jumped off his horse, helping Gwen down from hers. Merlin watched the couple with a smile on his face, they'd been married for over a year now and still they acted like newlyweds, he thought to himself.

"Leon can you give the horses something to eat please?" Arthur asked.

"Isn't that my job?" Merlin asked suddenly peeved.

"Merlin remember that little talk we had before we left Camelot?" Arthur asked "about the fact that now strictly speaking, you were more than just a servant."

"Yes I remember, and do you remember how I informed you that I still saw myself as a servant, with court responsibilities."

"Yes I remember all of that Merlin." Arthur replied with a smile, "that's not to say that I agree with you."

"But" Merlin stuttered,

"But nothing you are just going to have to get use to it." Arthur grinned.

"This may surprise you Merlin." Leon said, "I was feeding horses before you were even thought off."

"Yes Leon and I'm sure you can do a great job too, I'm not doubting it for one minute but, it doesn't feel right." Merlin said, realising it sounded lame.

"You need to relax a bit Merlin that's all." Gwen busying herself. "remember what you first told me when I became Queen."

"Exactly." Arthur agreed sitting by him a smile on his face."You really are never satisfied Merlin are you?" Arthur said "what was it you said to me. That I never appreciate what you do, and just for once it would be nice, if other people did things for me. Whenever anyone does you spend all your time complaining."

"I hate to say it Merlin." Gwen remarked handing him a drink "but he's got a point."

"Great." Merlin grumbled, "now the Queen is handing me a drink. You do realise Gwen I'll never hear the last of this from him now." He said reluctantly lying back.

Everyone laughed, Arthur ruffled his hair, as the two of them looked at each other they both laughed.

"I never thought I'd be in this position." Merlin smiled.

"Or any of us for that matter." Arthur corrected. "I think this moment deserves a toast. To Merlin Camelot's own warlock, and to the future of Albion."

As everyone raised their cup, Merlin couldn't help looking around his dear friends, and letting the emotion of the moment get into his eyes. This was indeed a special moment, and for a second he thought of those who where not here to share it. As he revelled in the atmosphere of the forest, he let his mind go and went back to the day his mother told him, that one day he would experience a day when all of the sacrifices would seem worthwhile. Maybe this was the day he thought happily.