Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin. If I did, than the series would not be over already.
A/N: So this will have spoilers for the end of the series. I have now seen the finale four times and I can't believe that the show is over. I was happy with the magic reveal and thought it was perfect, but I wanted even more and for it to never end. I will be using elements from the final episode and then continuing off on my own. Some scenes will be combined and some will be changed. I'm not sure if this will be my final reveal story. Since it happened in the show it seems a little pointless to continue on after this story, but if an idea strikes me than I might continue.
The Once and Future King
"The person who defeated the Saxons was the sorcerer," said a wounded Arthur. He could understand why his manservant who had been missing throughout the battle was suddenly at his side when he awoke claiming to have defeated the Saxons and the dragon.
Merlin could not contain his tears. He knew now was the time to reveal who he truly was to Arthur. If he didn't do this now, than he might never have another chance. He knew now that the time was right. "I'm a sorcerer," said Merlin through his tears. "I have magic. I use it for you Arthur. I have only ever used it for you."
"Don't be stupid," said Arthur. "I would know if you were a sorcerer. I have known you long enough to know that there is no way you could possibly possess magic."
"Just watch and you will see," said a resigned Merlin. He looked Arthur in the eyes as he cast a spell at the camp fire. He knew Arthur saw his eyes change to a brilliant gold. He then saw Arthur's eyes travel to the fire and see the dragon he had made out of the fire. Merlin was crushed to see that Arthur's disbelieving eyes and suddenly turned fearful. His eyes were now looking anywhere but at Merlin. It almost looked like he was trying to find a way to escape his manservant even in his injured state.
"Leave me," said the fear stricken King who was hoping that now that he knew Merlin's secret, nothing more would happen to him. He couldn't defend himself in his current state. Maybe the fact that he had already been run through with a sword and was dying would be enough for the sorcerer in front of him.
"I can't leave you," said a dejected Merlin. "I can't let you die."
"Just leave me alone," said Arthur pleading with the sorcerer who had once been his friend.
"At least let me explain,' said Merlin who was still sobbing.
"What is there to explain? Arthur asked Merlin. "I know now that you have been lying to me for who knows how long. I trusted you and valued your opinion. I know I should have treated you better, but I never thought you would turn to sorcery to get back at me. How could you?" Arthur had become vehement during this time and suddenly felt just how severe his wound was.
"Lie back or you will make the wound worse," said Merlin. Arthur's comments were not unexpected, but he had hoped to never hear them. He had just saved Camelot, again, and he thought that maybe Arthur would not be so quick to judge. It didn't matter since Merlin's work was still not finished and he could not let these comments get to him. "I have always had magic. I was born with it."
"That's impossible," said Arthur. "I am most likely dying so if you could please stop lying to my face that would be much appreciated."
"Get some rest," commanded Merlin. "I will be here when you wake in the morning. "
"Just leave me be," pleaded Arthur. "If you ever considered me your friend, than please just leave me."
Merlin walked away from Arthur to let him get some rest. The fire was high enough that it did not need tending to at the moment and there was nothing that could currently be done about Arthur's condition. Merlin decided to leave Arthur for the moment and search for help. He knew that if he had Gaius here, than he could help. He found a small bird that he quickly enchanted to find Gaius and take a message to him telling of Arthur's location and current condition. He then settled himself just outside of Arthur's line of vision and sat staring into the night. The night was long and Merlin found himself repeatedly looking back at his King and friend to make sure he was still alive. After a long night the stars began to fade and the sun began to rise.
It was at first light that Merlin saw Gaius approach the small clearing where Merlin was hiding with Arthur. He quickly pointed to where Arthur was hidden.
"Go tend to the horses while I examine the King," commanded Gaius to the distraught Merlin.
Once Merlin was out of sight, than Arthur no longer feigned sleep since there was someone here who could actually help him. "Gaius you have to help me," pleaded Arthur.
"That is what I intend to do, Sire," said Gaius.
"You don't understand," said Arthur. "Merlin is a sorcerer." Gaius' lack of response told Arthur all he needed to know. "You already knew."
"Merlin is your friend and poses no danger to you, Sire," said Gaius. Gaius now knew that Arthur knew of Merlin's magic. Unfortunately Arthur was not handling this revelation the way he had hoped. It was to be expected after all the times Arthur had been betrayed by magic users.
"I want him to leave me be and never show his face again," said an angry Arthur. "You both have lied to me all these years, but right now I need a physician so I can overlook your betrayal for the moment.
"Merlin never betrayed you, Sire," said Gaius. "He has been at your side all along helping you. He has saved your life more time than you can imagine using magic. He still wants to help you."
"I don't need a sorcerer's help," said a stubborn Arthur.
"Merlin can do far more for you than I," said Gaius. "It is said that he is the most powerful sorcerer to have walked this earth and none shall ever surpass his greatness."
"Merlin?" Arthur could not quite believe they were talking about the same person. He was finding it difficult to think of his servant and friend as a sorcerer. To find out that he is the most powerful to have ever lived was more than he could believe.
"Merlin can help you, but you must trust him," said Gaius. All this time Gaius had been examining Arthur's wounds and did not like the look of the wound that Arthur had attained in battle. It would be a miracle if he survived.
"If I don't make it, tell Guinevere I love her," said Arthur. "Give her the royal seal since there is no one I wound rather have rule Camelot after I am gone than her." Arthur pulled the royal seal from around his neck and handed it to Gaius. "I'm already dying so I guess there is no harm in going with Merlin. It is not like there is anything he can do to me now."
Merlin had heard what Arthur had just said on his way back from taking care of the horses. He tried to put on a brave face and pretend that he had heard nothing. That didn't stop his heart was hurting at the lack of faith his friend put in him and the lack of trust that was suddenly there.
Gaius noticed Merlin not far away and stood up to go and tell him his diagnosis. Arthur flinched when he saw Merlin nearby, but gave no other sign to acknowledge his presence. As Gaius was telling Merlin what he must do, Arthur was thinking about his manservant and how Merlin could possibly be evil. Merlin had always been with him and had always given his advice, occasionally spouting something wise and profound. Merlin had risked his life for Arthur countless times and Arthur had done the same for a mere servant. They had become friends long ago and their relationship went beyond that of a typical Master/Servant relationship. If Merlin was evil, than he would have had countless opportunities to kill bring an end to Camelot.
Arthur now thought about the old sorcerer he had seen up on the hill during the battle who had defeated the Saxons. Even from a distance, Arthur could tell that was the same Sorcerer who had planted the poultice under his pillow and who had killed his father. So in reality it had been Merlin who had done all of that. Not it didn't seem so difficult to see what Merlin had tried to accomplish. He wanted to bring an end to Uther and to control Arthur once he took the throne. Everything was becoming clearer in his mind, but there was still another part of him that couldn't see Merlin as being an evil sorcerer.
"We should get going, Arthur," said Merlin who leaned down to help his friend up. "We have a long journey ahead of us and we should leave now if you are to live." Since Arthur did not want to rise at the moment, Merlin took the time to say farewell to Gaius. They hugged and Gaius promised to make Merlin's favorite meal upon his return. It was then that Gaius left and it was back down to being only Merlin and Arthur in the small clearing.
"You have had a few more moments rest, but now we really need to be on our way," said Merlin who was frantic to get moving since Arthur's time was growing shorter.
"I will go with you if you can answer a couple of questions for me first," said Arthur.
"Can't we talk on the way?" Merlin asked but soon gave in at the look in Arthur's eyes. "What do you wish to know?"
"Did you plant a poultice under my pillow while disguised as an old man and later kill my father?" Arthur asked point blank and did not like the darkness that crossed his servant's eyes.
"After all we have been through together, you ask me this?" Merlin asked.
"Just answer the question," said Arthur.
"Morgana was the one who planted the poultice," Merlin began. "She had already turned to the other side and wanted Guinevere to be executed. I figured the only way for Guinevere to be freed was if another sorcerer was caught planting an identical poultice under your pillow. I used an aging spell to disguise myself."
"Oh," said Arthur who had not been expecting such a selfless response. "What about my father?"
"I really was trying to heal your father," said Merlin. "The healing spell I used on him should have worked, but I didn't know at the time that Morgana had enchanted a necklace that was then placed on Uther that would reverse the effects of any healing magic done on him."
"Why would you even try to heal my father if you are a sorcerer?" Arthur asked. This was what he mainly wanted to know. Why would a magic user help a Pendragon?
"I will not deny the fact that I hated your father," Merlin began. "He was an evil tyrant who killed many innocent people, but he was your father so I had to help him."
"Alright," said Arthur.
"Alright?" Merlin echoed back as a question.
"Let's get going before this wound gets even worse."
Merlin helped Arthur up from the dirty ground and helped him onto his horse. It would be slow going on a horse in Arthur's current condition and it would take days to reach the lake of Avalon. Merlin had a plan, but he could not get anything help in their current location. They would have to travel through the forest for at least half a day before he could call for help. Both men were silent as they rode through the forest throughout the day. Merlin didn't know how to begin explaining everything and telling Arthur everything he had ever wanted to tell him. Arthur was putting his life in Merlin's hands, but that didn't mean that he trusted the sorcerer.
It was when they had reached the end of the forest and were out in the open that they saw a couple of Saxons heading their way. Merlin quickly jumped off his horse and through a blanket over Arthur to cover his identity.
"Help us! Merlin shouted to the Saxons. "Please help. Our camp was attacked by knights and my friend is hurt."
The Saxons didn't seem to believe Merlin's story and instead pulled the blanket off of Arthur and recognized who he was instantly. Before the Saxons could even fully unsheathe their swords, Merlin had blasted them away with raised hands and golden eyes.
Arthur was disgusted at the display of magic. "All this time you have been lying to me," said an Arthur with loathing in his voice.
Merlin said nothing an instead found a place for them to hide while more Saxons passed by. Merlin again used his magic to see the paths ahead to find a clear direction, cover their tracks, and lead Saxons in the wrong direction. "We will rest here for the night," said Merlin. "I don't think you are in any condition now for the next part of our journey without proper rest.
Once they were both settled near some trees, Merlin tried lighting a fire without magic. He didn't want to use anymore magic than was necessary since he saw how Arthur looked at him after each display of his power. Unfortunately, Merlin was failing to light the fire.
"Why don't you use magic?" Arthur asked only being half sarcastic.
"I guess it is just habit," said Merlin who then lit the fire once Arthur had given him permission to do so. "This feels so strange," Merlin commented since it felt weird to be using his magic openly in front of Arthur.
"I thought I knew you," said Arthur. "I once trusted you."
Merlin then set to cooking a stew before he moved to remove Arthur's boots. "What are you doing?" Arthur asked as his boots were removed from his feet.
"These need drying," said Merlin. "Now let's get you something to eat. It will be good for you. "Merlin grabbed a bowl and spoon from his supplies and filled it up with the stew. He then moved over to Arthur and tried to get him to eat something.
"Why are you doing this?" Arthur asked, shocked at the behavior of this sorcerer. "Why are you still acting like a servant?"
"Well I am your servant," said Merlin.
"Why do you do this when you have so much power?" Arthur clarified.
"I do this because of who you are," said Merlin. "Some people are born to be farmers, physicians, or great kings. It is my destiny to serve you and this is why I was born. You are a great King and there will never be anyone like you. That is why I do this."
Arthur couldn't help but feel disappointed at the reasoning behind Merlin's actions. He supposed that he didn't mean much to Merlin and that everything was just a task for him. He couldn't even bring himself to eat what Merlin had made. It surprised him when Merlin persisted trying to feed him and held his head up so that there would be less chance of him choking.
"I also do this because you are my friend and I don't want to lose you," said Merlin with a tear in his eye. He was finally able to get Arthur to eat some of the stew at this point. "It first started that I was destined to serve you and help you ever since I first arrived in Camelot," said Merlin conversationally.
"I tried to take your head off with a mace," said Arthur thinking back to when they first met.
"I stopped you, using magic," said Merlin with a small smile.
"You cheated!" Arthur exclaimed.
"You were going to kill me," Merlin responded.
"I should have," said Arthur darkly.
"I'm glad you didn't," said Merlin.
"Why did you never tell me you were a sorcerer after all this time?" Arthur asked Merlin. He suddenly realized that he was more hurt that Merlin had never trusted him with his secret than the fact that he was a sorcerer.
"You would have chopped my head off," said Merlin.
"I honestly don't know what I would have done," said Arthur truthfully. If Merlin had told him, would he have called for the guards? Would he have run Merlin through with a sword? Could he have condemned his friend to die without an explanation? Did Merlin only wait until Arthur was dying to tell him the truth since Arthur could do none of the above?
"I didn't want to make you choose between me and the law," said Merlin.
"That is what you were worried about?" Arthur asked with a laugh that quickly turned into a severe cough. Merlin gave him some water to help with the coughing.
"Get some rest, Arthur," commanded Merlin. "We have to set out for the last part of the journey at first light."
"You do realize that I am still the King and you can't tell me what to do, right? Arthur lightly scolded Merlin.
"I have always told you what to do, and that is not going to change," said Merlin.
"Don't ever change, Merlin," said Arthur sincerely.
"I won't," responded Merlin.
"I mean it," said Arthur. "No matter what happens, promise me that you will always be you."
"I promise," whispered Merlin. "Now get some rest."
The next morning came way too quickly and Arthur was even weaker than the previous day. He knew that he would not last much longer and that they would never make it to their destination. Arthur feared that he would not get to say everything he needed to say to Merlin more than he feared dying. He knew that Guinevere would rule Camelot well and that the knights would remain loyal to her. He wished he could see her before his death, but that now seemed impossible. What was important right now was understanding his puzzling manservant. Could he have been wrong all this time about magic? Could magic be used for good as well as evil? Was Merlin still good because he was young and hadn't been corrupted yet, or was it not magic that corrupted the hearts of people, but who they already were inside? He needed to understand this before he died.
Arthur woke to the sound of Merlin's voice calling his name. He could feel himself beginning to slip away from this world, but Merlin's voice dragged him back. If Merlin was not here with him, than he feared that he would not wake anytime he went to sleep. When had he put so much faith into his clumsy manservant? How could one man be so remarkable?
"We have to be leaving now and you are not going to like the way we are going to travel," said Merlin who would not meet Arthur's eyes, but was instead looking behind him into the wide clearing.
"Isn't that the dragon I slayed?" Arthur asked Merlin. "I must be dead already if I am seeing dead dragons.
"I might have lied about you slaying the dragon," said Merlin sheepishly.
"What?" Arthur yelled only to recoil in pain a moment later.
"Balinor, the Dragonlord was my father," Merlin began. "When he died, his powers were passed on to me. I spared the Great Dragon and showed him mercy. I asked him to show mercy to others. He is going to take us the rest of the way to Avalon. He is old and dying, but he has promised to do me this one last favor.
"It is an honor to properly meet you at last, young Pendragon," said Kilgharrah, bowing slightly to Arthur. "I fear it may be too late to save your life, but that does not mean that we should give up hope.
"Uh yeah," stuttered Arthur. "Nice to meet you as well when you are not trying to destroy Camelot."
"Come on," urged Merlin. "I will help you climb on Kilgharrah and then we can be on our way."
"You expect me to ride a dragon?" Arthur asked disbelievingly.
"How else are we going to get there in time?" Merlin retorted.
"Fine," Arthur relented.
Kilgharrah got as low to the ground as was possible to make it easier for the two to climb onto his neck. Despite Kilgharrah's efforts, Merlin still had trouble getting Arthur onto the dragon. It took Merlin at least ten minutes to get on the dragon with Arthur. "Hold on tight," said Merlin.
Within no time at all, Kilgharrah had delivered Merlin and Arthur to the island in the middle of Avalon. During this time, Arthur's life was quickly slipping away from him the closer they got to Avalon. By the time they reached the island, Arthur was barely holding on. Merlin gently got Arthur to the soft grass after they had landed. No sidhe were to be found and it didn't look like any would be coming. Perhaps Merlin and Arthur had offended too many of their kind in the past for them to want to help.
"I fear it is too late, young warlock," Kilgharrah sadly told Merlin.
"Can't you do anything?" Merlin demanded. "You are a dragon and he was wounded by a sword forged by dragon breath. You have healed me before. Can't you do anything?"
"There is nothing I can do," Kilgharrah simply said.
"Why?" This was all that Merlin could ask. He could think of no reason why Kilgharrah could not help Arthur.
"His time is at an end as has been foretold," said Kilgharrah. "Remember that he is the once and future king. His time may be at an end now, but he will rise again when Albion needs him again."
"When will that be?" Merlin asked fearing that even if Arthur were to rise again, he would never see his friend again."
"Only time will tell and you must be there when he rises again to show him the way," said Kilgharrah.
"So this will be in my lifetime?" Merlin asked.
"Do you not know what your name means?" The dragon asked Merlin.
"Isn't Merlin a type of hawk?" Merlin responded, not quite understanding what the dragon was getting at.
"Your true name is Emrys which means immortal," The dragon explained to the warlock. "You will be alive if Arthur rises tomorrow or a thousand years from now. I wish I could see you in the future, but I believe this will be our last meeting. It has been an honor to work by your side, young warlock. I will now leave you to say your goodbyes."
"Farewell, Kilgharrah and thank you for all you have done," said Merlin with tears in his eyes. Everything was just so unfair. Arthur and Kilgharrah were both dying and he just learned that he would outlive everyone he has ever known.
Arthur had passed out on the flight over and Merlin spent a good two minutes trying to rouse his friend from his slumber after Kilgharrah had left. "Arthur!" Merlin yelled. "I need you to wake up."
"Shut up already," said Arthur. "I hear you. Are we in Avalon? Am I going to live?"
"It doesn't look good," said Merlin wiping more tears from his face.
"Will you just hold me, please," said Arthur who was barely conscious.
Merlin held Arthur in his arms and looked down on the face of the man who was his king and friend. At the beginning he never could have imagined how close he would grow to Arthur. It was hard to think of a time before they had met. He didn't know what he would do without Arthur, but he would wait as long as it takes until Arthur came back.
"I don't know what to do," said Merlin.
"Just listen for once in your life," said Arthur struggling to get the words out. "I want to tell you something I have never told you before. You have done so much for me and for Camelot. I know now that everything you did was to help me build my kingdom. Thank you." Arthur reached up and stroked Merlin's hair.
"Farewell my friend," said Merlin grasping Arthur's hand. "Until we meet again."
Arthur gave Merlin one final smile before he closed his eyes for the last time and was gone from this world for the time being. Merlin could do nothing but sob for what seemed like forever. His friend was gone and he had failed to save him like he had failed so many others.
Merlin knew that he should take Arthur's body back to Camelot to rest beside the kings of the past, but leaving Arthur in Avalon is was felt right. It Avalon was where Arthur was to rise from, it would make sense that his body should be here as well as his spirit. Merlin provided Arthur with burial rites fit for a king before tossing Excalibur into the lake of Avalon. He saw a hand reach out of the water and grip the sword. At first Merlin though it was Freya taking the sword back until he realized that the hand was too manly to belong to Freya. Merlin then decided that it had to be the spirit of Arthur, already in Avalon, claiming his sword to hold on to until they were both needed again.
Percival had finally caught up and found Merlin on the shore of the lake of Avalon. He convinced him to return to Camelot. When Merlin returned he found out that Guinevere had guessed that the old sorcerer was Merlin after something Gaius had said. It ended up being Guinevere who brought magic back to Camelot and Merlin was appointed Court Sorcerer. Merlin only stayed until everyone he knew was gone. Gaius died a few years after Arthur. Guinevere lived to be an old woman, but she was never quite the same after Arthur's death. Most of the knights that Merlin had known and befriended had died relatively young. Once Guinevere was gone and there was no heir to the throne, that is when Camelot began to fall and all that had been achieved over the years began to fail. Magic was slowly dying out and Merlin knew he no longer belonged in his once beloved Camelot. Merlin spent years traveling the world, never aging, and never changing. He would occasionally use aging spells when he stayed in one place for awhile so that others would not become suspicious of why Merlin never seemed to age a day.
It was many years later that Merlin could not even go by his own name because of the legends that had been spread about himself and Arthur. Most of the information was wrong, and the different legends depicted him as an old man who had originally counseled Uther. The legends made him laugh, but also reminded him of all he had lost.
Merlin found himself living in a time much different than what he had previously known. Never once in his long years did he dream there would be such inventions as airplanes, cars, electricity, television, and the list goes on. He was living in a time where he believed he was the only person to possess magic. Magic was considered by most to fake and to have never existed at all. It was a lonely time for Merlin. He would visit Glastonbury every year on the anniversary of Arthur's death to see if there were any signs of his friend returning, but each year was the same.
Around 1500 years after the fall of Camelot was there something that made Merlin sure Arthur would be returning at some point soon. The world had gone mad. Wars were breaking out everywhere and nuclear weapons were being used. People were calling it World War 3, but this time felt different than the two previous world wars. Major cities were wiped out, many people died; all of the technological advances had suddenly disappeared. After England was hit, Merlin made his way back to Glastonbury to check on Avalon.
Merlin was not surprised to see a blond figure rising out of the water and swim to the shore. Merlin knew at once that this was Arthur. Even after all the years that had passed, Merlin would recognize Arthur anywhere.
"Arthur!" Merlin ran to meet his long lost friend and embraced him. He did not care that Arthur was disoriented and in soaking wet. Merlin was so thankful to have his friend back that for a moment he forgot why it was that Arthur had been brought back.
"Who is Arthur? Who are you? I don't appreciate some stranger running up and hugging me," said a disgruntled Arthur look alike.
"Do you not know who I am? Do you not even know who you are?" Merlin began questioning desperately.
"Should I know who you are?" The Arthur look alike asked the man in front of him. Of course he knew who he was. He was Luke. He had gone for a swim to get away from the troubles of the time. Nothing relaxed him more than going for a swim in the lake. These were dangerous times, but he figured he would be safe enough in Glastonbury.
"I am sorry then for what must be done," said Merlin who then slapped Arthur. "Do you know who you are now?"
"Get off of me you weirdo," said Luke. "My name is Luke and I have lived here my whole life. I just went out for a swim and don't need some scrawny little idiot slapping me, telling me who I am supposed to be."
"Okay," said a confused Merlin. "Let me try something else." Merlin thought of all the times he had spent with Arthur and all of their adventures together. He brought to the front of his mind everything he had tried not to dwell on for the past 1500 years. He then looked directly into Luke's eyes. "Eftgemyndge (1)," said Merlin and his eyes flashed a shade of brilliant gold.
"What the hell is wrong with you? What is that freaky thing you just did with your eyes? " Luke asked before he grabbed his head in agony. "Merlin?"
"Arthur?" Merlin responded tentatively.
"Of course it is me, you idiot," said Arthur. He had just remembered his past life and now his present life was catching back up to him.
Merlin could not believe that he finally had Arthur back after all this time. Without hesitation, the two embraced each other like the old friends that they were. The time did not seem so long to Arthur, but to Merlin it had been too many lifetimes of waiting.
"How long has it been?" Arthur asked his friend and former manservant.
"Around 1500 years," said Merlin.
"You waited for me all that time?" Arthur asked disbelievingly.
"Of course," said Merlin.
"How?" Wondered Arthur.
"I stopped aging the day that you died," said Merlin. "I have been wandering around these past years waiting for the time when you would rise again."
"The world is bad now," Arthur stated seriously. "I guess I had to live this other life to truly understand what has happened to the world since I was last here. I have all of the memories of 'Luke', but I am myself again."
"Let's get to work," said Merlin who was grinning despite the terrible shape that the world was in. Arthur was back and by his side. This time around there would be no secrets between them and they would accomplish what they set out to do. Their destiny together was just getting started.
A/N 1: (1) I looked up the pretense tense of the old English word for remember. I have no idea if this is right or not.
A/N 2: I considered ending the story after Arthur's death, but decided to continue on a bit more. I agree with others that it would be weird to have Arthur appear again in modern times. I really liked someone's idea that the best point for Arthur to come back would be in a dystopian future. That is when a leader of the past would be needed more than in our current time. So I decided to add the beginning of what that future would be like. I have seen the finale quite a few times now and I still get choked up each and every time. I can't believe it is over. Hope you all have enjoyed my stories.