Hey guys!

So for future reference I will not be posting this soon but I thought more people would trust it if there was more chapters and I already wrote it so here we go!

Thanks to those that commented honestly love y'all!

Chapter 2 - Homecoming

The ride home was unusual how usual it felt. As if nothing had happened in the past couple of days. When Arthur first got out of the clearing he asked if Merlin knew if Gwen was alive. After finding that answer Merlin told him of some of the other deaths he had known about, before getting off the topic. For almost the entire ride nobody mentioned sorcery or the great battle they had faced. They rode straight for Camelot, with almost no breaks in between.

The battle wasn't mentioned until the peaks of the castle could be seen in the distance.

"Merlin, tell me," Merlin perked up at his name, unsure of the question, "How many bodies will I see before me?"

Merlin looked to the ground before meeting eyes with Arthur, "I am not sure," his voice was quiet, "Too many to count."

With that Arthur nodded silently to his manservant before picking up speed.

Words could not describe the death that plagued Camelot. Bodies were wrapped in linen and left in the streets as there was no place else for them. Arthur and Merlin slowly trotted through the gates, citizens staring in awe stopped what they were doing. Arthur could do nothing but stare at the tragedy in front of him.

"Arthur," Merlin's voice broke his trance. Merlin nodded ahead to the castle steps where Gwen was tripping over herself as she ran down the stairs. Arthur instantly jumped off of his horse and ran to his wife.

"I thought you were gone," Gwen was sobbing into his shoulder. Arthur held her tight, and together the King and Queen embraced each other outside the palace. After a couple of moments they seperated and Gwen looked at Merlin, mouthing the words 'thank you.' He smiled as a reply.

"We have a lot to talk about," Gwen then locked her hand in her husbands and together they marched into the castle.

Arthur had pulled his council together, discussing the future for Camelot and how they planned to repair the city. It was a long exhausting meeting, and it saddened Arthur how little faces he saw before him.

"And what has become of Morgana?" This was Lord Alden, an older man that had served under Uther.

"She is dead," Arthur decided to not go into further details surrounding the event. By his lack of answer the counsel understood and swiftly moved onto the next topic.

When the council finally dismissed Arthur remained at the table, Gwen resting her hand on his forearm.

Lord Alden remained in the room as well. It wasn't until the last member left that he spoke.

"My majesty, I believe there was one topic we did not touch upon today."

Arthur looked up into the old man's eyes. He has wrinkles that shaped his face, and although Arthur had known him his entire life he could not remember the man looking any younger than his current age.

"I believe we missed a lot today Lord Alden," Arthur responded with a tired smile.

"Yes indeed," the man stopped for a moment letting silence rest in the air, "I have been apart of this council before you were born, I knew your parents well. I grew up in this kingdom before your father was in control and I joined him to claim the throne."

"I know this, Alden and I am forever grateful," the man raised his hand asking politely for the kings silence.

"Although I have remained by your father's side and your side without question, I have also grown up in a world before the great purge of magic." Arthur tensed slightly, Gwen feeling it in his arm. "Your honor, I am far too old and fragile to have fought beside you at the battle, but I travelled with you to help with the injuries and I remember seeing a warlock that had fought for Camelot." Gwen looked at Arthur's face judging his every movement. He no longer stared at the old man, but now at the crest in the center of the table. "I understand this is a fragile time to discuss the future of magic in this kingdom, but sire I do think it is the right time." Alden then stood and bowed before leaving the large room.

Gwen gripped his arm and Arthur fell out of his trance.

"He's right you know," she smiled at him, pulling his chin lightley so that their eyes would meet. "I heard of this great sorcerer, a man who would do anything to protect his king… even risk his life." Gwen then stood, "Sounds like a clumsy servant we both know."

At this Arthur shot out of his seat, "You know?"

Gwen laughed, turning back to her husband, "I figured it out after he left with you after the battle."

"I-" Arthur stared at his wife, "I don't know what to do."

Gwen took a step towards him, placing her hand on his chest.

"You were stabbed by a sword forged in dragon's breath, a piece broke off and travelled to your heart," She mirrored the motion with her hands, "You were as good as dead," she pressed harder on his chest, "and only days later are you completely healed." Arthur hadn't thought about that until now. He felt no pain on any part of his body. He had understood magic had a role in his healing but he was astonished that he had not one ache in his body. "And you can thank that for Merlin and Magic." Her voice pulled him out of his thoughts. He bent down and kissed her softly.

She smiled and pulled away, "We both have a lot of work to do, yours starting with finding Merlin." With that Gwen spun and exited the throne room.

—

Merlin sat alone in Gaius' room. After they returned Merlin decided to let Arthur have his moment back.

Gaius had left to care for the wounded which left Merlin alone in his room. He knew he needed rest but every time he closed his eyes sleep would not come.

And so Merlin was forced to sit in this position for what felt like hours. It wasn't until a knock on the door followed by a familiar voice that Merlin got up.

"Merlin," Arthur had already found his way into the center of the main room when Merlin walked in.

The king, although healthy, looked just as tired as Merlin.

"Is Gaius in?"

Merlin shook his head, "He left to care for the wounded."

Arthur nodded, leaving a stale silence between them.

Arthur found a stool to sit on, looking anywhere in the room but Merlin.

"Arthur, I'm sorry." Merlin had a pleading tone to his voice and he instantly had flashbacks o the conversation they had together in the woods when he was first injured.

"I should be the one apologizing," Arthur stared at a spot in the floor between them.

The silence returned.

"You told me you were a warlock, that you were born with magic." Arthur then looked up at Merlin, "What does that mean?"

Merlin smiled, "I didn't choose this life Arthur, just as you were born to be king I was born to be magic." He tentatively pulled out his hand, whispering a small spell under his breath. An image of a small horse took shape, leaving his hand and flying around the room. Arthur watched with a mixture of wonder and tentativeness.

"I wish I could have told you," Merlin watched as the horse vanished in the air, "I would never have hurt you or Camelot, you know this."

Arthur looked back at his servant. The man looked weak from the battle and the travel that had followed it. Heavy bags were under his eyes and his skin looked pale.

"You lied to me for a decade, Merlin," Arthur felt a tremble in his throat, "And for that I can never forgive you." At this he saw the hurt in his friends face. "You had to live and witness the purge and yet you stayed by my side the entire time, and for that I am forever in your debt." Merlin looked back at his king with a face of hope. "And Camelot cannot survive without you, Merlin."

I can not survive without you.

"But for us to move forward I need to know the truth, everything Merlin."

This led to Merlin feeling slightly more comfortable in the conversation, a light smile fell on his lips.

"Then we start when I first came to Camelot…"

For hours the two men sat in the dusty room, Merlin reciting each adventure one after another. The constant fear of living under Uther, their destiny together, stories of goblins and witches and beasts, his connection with Morgana... and the night he poisoned her. He retailed the countless times he saved camelot, and the countless mistakes he made along the way. He spoke about meeting Lancelot and the secret they held together, and his first love Freya. The day he met and had to say goodbye to his father, and the gift he learned he had. And he finished with the great battle. How he so wished to be beside Arthur as he rode into battle but how he was left weak with no powers. He spoke about travelling far to save you, and ultimately being too late. And he told the story of the strange girl Ivy who saved Arthur's life when Merlin's powers failed him.

Throughout the journey Arthur had piled questions in his head, but when Merlin finished nothing but silence fell between them.

It was after many moments that Arthur spoke, "I never realized."

Merlin didn't react, instead he stared at his friend, hoping for something.

"Merlin, for years you have slaved for this kingdom with little praise," at this he stood up placing a hand on his servants shoulder, "I hope you understand that I am not my father. And since his death I believe the kingdom has changed their views as well. It will not be easy but I wish to bring magic back into Camelot."

At this Merlin shot up.

"Sire-"

"When have you ever called me that?"

"Arthur, I don't know what to say."

"You don't know this, but for our entire journey back to Camelot I have thought through the future of sorcery in Camelot." He pulled away from Merlin, pacing around the room, "And although it might sound easy to you there it wasn't in my mind. There were some who are similar to Morgana, who have allowed magic to poison their hearts. The public will not forget that. I do not know if it was my father who turned her away, and created the monster she had become, but her reign of terror is now over. There are others as well," he turned back to Merlin now, "who have used magic to lighten the kingdom." He smiled at his friend, "and I cannot ask you to hide from me or from anyone ever again."

Merlin couldn't help the smile that had formed on his face, or the warmth that radiated his body.

"I know you are an idiot, Merlin, but I am sure you know that kings of Camelot used to have magical advisors beside them at all times."

"I'm not a complete fool, Arthur."

"I don't know any man who I would rather have fill that position."

"I would be honored."

The silence that filled the space between them was no longer empty, but instead filled with happiness and warmth.

"The council is meeting again tomorrow and I expect you to be there. Don't sleep in like you always do, this is actually important."

Merlin laughed for the first time in a while.

Arthur then turned to leave, his hand on the door when he stopped.

"Merlin, this girl that saved my life, you have no idea who or what she is?"

"She came out of nowhere, the magic she performed was foreign to me."

"You said she looked familiar."

"Yes, but I don't know from where."

Arthur nodded before walking out the door, leaving Merlin smiling to himself.

There we go chapter 2!

Also you guys will probably figure out who Ivy is before Merlin. I know how I want him to figure out but I still don't know when (it won't before a while though)

I would love to hear your theories even though I won't respond cause I'm really bad at avoiding telling spoilers.

Thank you!

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