Well, with this chapter, the story comes to an end. I apologize for how short it is, but there just wasn't much more to put in. I hope you all enjoy it. It's been a pleasure to to write for you :) And, again, thank you to everyone who reviewed, favorited, alerted, or just read. I appreciate it so much!

Before I go, I'd like to give a shout-out to the people who helped me get this story on the net. To Laura Ruth and Kelsey for reading it over for me and making sure it was all ready to go, I give my wholehearted thanks, appreciation, and love. I couldn't have done this without you guys! And to another Laura, I must give credit for the title, because I had no clue what to call it and she came up with it at the drop of a hat. Thank you, girly! :)

Merlin TV show and characters (c) BBC and their respective actors.

Arthur spoke through a voice filled with pain. "First of all, I don't want you to leave. But because I am your friend, I've realized that what I want matters a whole lot less than your safety. You have to live, because as long as you're alive, somewhere, when I'm king you can come back and live without fearing for your life. But if you were caught and executed… there's no coming back from death."

The raven-haired boy exploded. "Well, what about what I want, then? Huh? You think I don't know how dangerous Camelot is for me? I'm the one who's been living for years with the secret that could get me killed. You think I want to die? Think again! I could have died any time in the past few years, if that's what I wanted. And where would I go? Back to Ealdor? They have no love for me there; too many unexplainable things happen when I'm around. Camelot is my home now. Gaius is like a father to me, Gwen a sister, you a brother. And besides, how do you think I'd feel if I left just to save my own sorry self and you got hurt or killed because I wasn't here to protect you? Please, Arthur, don't ask me to leave," he finished, fury giving way to pleading.

The prince sighed, indecision written in his cobalt eyes. "But if you get caught, you'll die."

"I'll be careful, just like I've been for the past few years."

Arthur rolled his eyes. "Careful, he says. Think of the number of times you've admitted to or been accused of sorcery! If you hadn't escaped each time and proven who really did it, you would have died!"

Merlin raised a finger to point out something Arthur had apparently missed. "Ah, but I did escape each time and prove who really did it."

The prince opened his mouth to argue, then shut it in defeat. "Point taken," he muttered. "I still don't like the idea of how much danger you'll be in every day, though."

Merlin shook his head ruefully. "It doesn't matter what you like or don't like. This danger is something I've been living with all my life, especially so in the last three years. I'm used to it. I'll handle it. And if I get caught, I'll escape it. Again."

Arthur looked at his friend for a long moment before giving up. It was clear that the ebony-haired boy was going to insist on this. And the prince had long since learned that arguing with the young man got him nowhere but frustrated. "Fine. Take chances with your life. But know that you won't be going it alone anymore. I mean, I couldn't very well let my best friend die, now could I? Besides, it's just so difficult to find even half-decent servants these days…"

Merlin grinned at the prince, who grinned right back. But Arthur was bursting with questions. He'd never really gotten to talk with a sorcerer before and his curiosity got the better of him. "So, how does this whole magic thing work, anyway? Are you the only good sorcerer, like the exception to the rule or something? Who else, besides me and Gaius, knows you have magic? Have you ever used magic to do your chores or do you just save it for the important stuff? Would you ever…"

The blonde boy kept asking question after question, not giving his friend a chance to reply. Merlin sighed. It was going to be a long afternoon…

I hope you all enjoyed it! It certainly was an awesome experience for me! Again, thank you so much, to all of you, my loyal readers :)

Saoirse