A/N Ahhhhh. Um. Wellllll - I don't really have an excuse for this? It was the ending of a story I wrote like, one, maaaybe two years ago... and I liked the ending more than the actual story... so I figured what the heck... Um. Wah-lah. Enjoy. Not a reveal fic.

Beyond those gates was his freedom. The chance to be himself and not have to hide.

He didn't have any regrets about leaving Camelot. There was nothing tying him to the city anymore. Gaius was gone, his friendships with the knights were all but non-existent and Arthur... was Arthur. He couldn't even admit to himself that they were friends. Or had been. Whatever they were.

Besides, if the city ever really needed his help then he'd lend his hand. But for now it was his turn to live his own life. And he was excited.

A familiar voice broke the silence he'd quickly grown used to and caused him to jump a mile in the air.

"Where are you going?"

He swore softly under his breath.

Maybe he wasn't a master of stealth after all.

"Away." He said softly. He had wanted to avoid any confrontation - as cowardly as it was, he wanted to just slip away and be done with it.

"Why?" Arthur sounded confused. Maybe even a little hurt.

Well. That would make two of them.

Merlin shifted his pack and turned to look him in the eye. He knew the exact moment when Arthur saw the exhaustion and loneliness and pain that he carried with him. He knew the moment when Arthur realized that Merlin was tired of jokes and pranks at his expense, that he was tired of being mocked and being everyone's free entertainment while he gave them all everything he had and was given nothing in return.

He saw the realization, the regret and the apology... but the time when that was appropriate, when it would have meant something had long since passed.

He recalled the dragon's words that had been spoken so long ago - the words that had been playing in his head for weeks now.

"You must protect the young Pendragon until he claims his crown..."

Until he claims his crown.

He had done that. Now he wanted to live.

So, the next words he spoke didn't mean anything special to Arthur nor did it make any sense to the king. But it made sense for him and he felt no need to give an explanation.

"You're king... my job is done."

He ignored the calls and shouts and walked away.

Away to a future that was his to have, wherever it took him.

He was ready.

A/N I'm pretty darn sure I wrote this when I was annoyed at Arthur for some reason. And the knights. And the whole of Camelot. And that Merlin definitely deserved better - no doubt after Arthur threatened him with exile.

...That's actually when I probably started to write this. That ticked me off so bad. I mean come on Arthur. That was just low. Tch.

Whatever.

No one died in this ending, unlike the freaking season finale. Merlin just leaves. *shrugs* What can I say?

BTW, this is my 20th story. It's a milestone. This is huge. A major accomplishment. I never thought it would happen. But it has happened and 21 might be up in a couple of days and it's way longer then this one.

Please review - I wake up in the morning and it's like Christmas has come early. ;)