Author's note: Ok, I know this is quite short, but the actual story is really finished – this is just an epilogue to sum everything up. I hope you enjoy it! Please remember to review :)
"No, Edward, come here!" Merlin yells, his voice high and panicky. The ten-year-old pays him no heed and continues running along the thin edge of the fountain. He wobbles, but before he can fall over, his eyes flash gold as he uses his magic to steady himself.
"Edward, how many times do I have to tell you," Merlin says wearily, walking over and scooping him off the fountain. "Magic is not a toy."
Edward just laughs and Merlin can hear Morgana laughing behind him as well. "If you can't talk some sense into your son, he'll have to go," Merlin says, though he is smiling. "Really, Morgana, he's going to be king someday, he needs to learn some responsibility."
"Come on, Merlin, let him have some fun! Arthur's already training him for hours every day – soon he'll forget what fun is."
Edward struggles and Merlin wearily lets him go, watching the boy fondly.
"Have you seen Arthur?" he asks Morgana.
"He was visiting Lancelot and Gwen last I heard," she says. "Go on, I'll watch Edward."
Merlin gives her a grateful smile and hurries down to Gwen's house, where he finds her, Lancelot and Arthur enjoying lunch together.
"Merlin," Arthur says, smiling widely and pulling up a chair.
"Your nephew is a monster," Merlin grumbles, though he can't keep the affectionate note out of his voice.
"Perhaps you would prefer to be taking petitioners in the throne room?"
Merlin cringes; Arthur knows how much he hates the tedious task.
"Or maybe you could do some of the paperwork that we're supposed to share," Arthur continues, his eyebrows raised.
"Ok, never mind!" Merlin relents. "I'm fine with babysitting duty, really."
"Good." Arthur leans over to kiss him. Merlin watches Arthur's eyes carefully. "Relax, Merlin, I'm fine," he says, reading the sorcerer's expression easily.
"You sure?"
"I'm sure." Arthur squeezes Merlin's hand as Merlin thinks back. It's twelve years to the day since Uther died and Arthur took over as king. Though Arthur was of course sad to see his father go, no one can deny the relief that came with it. Arthur and Merlin were finally able to stop hiding their love, the ban on sorcery was lifted, and Camelot flourished.
Albion was created and the land lives in peace and prosperity. Merlin reminds Arthur of this often, so on the anniversary of Uther's death, there are always plenty of happy memories to go with the sad ones.
"Arthur was just telling us about that time you accidentally turned your hair blue, Merlin," Gwen says, grinning.
"That was not me! Morgana was experimenting and –"
The three of them burst into laughter. "We know, Merlin," Lancelot says, clapping him on the back and handing him a mug of tea – Arthur had long since banned anyone from giving Merlin alcohol, given his low tolerance. Merlin can't really blame him; the last time he was drunk, he ended up setting Arthur's bed on fire. Arthur was not happy.
"You'd look good with blue hair, though, Gwen," Merlin says, grinning slyly at her. "Why don't you let me…" he raises his hands invitingly, opening the flow to his magic just enough that his eyes glow gold.
"No, Merlin, don't you dare!" she shrieks, skittering backwards.
This time, Merlin laughs with the rest of them.
Merlin and Arthur spend the rest of the afternoon with Gwen and Lancelot before heading back up to the palace.
"I should really go see Edward," Merlin says reluctantly. "He hasn't had his magic lesson yet today…"
"I can think of a better use for your magic just now," Arthur whispers in his ear, his breath tickling down Merlin's neck.
"Oh yeah?"
Arthur doesn't reply, but sweeps Merlin off his feet and carries him back to their chambers and lays him gently down on the bed.
"I love you," Arthur says, looking down with such tenderness that it takes Merlin's breath away.
"I love you."
Arthur leans forward, pressing his lips to Merlin's. "Now, about that magic…"
The End