Author's Note: Thank you to everyone who read this, and those of you who left reviews, or favorited/followed. This is the last chapter.
As soon as the family had established that Merlin wasn't hurt, and he explained everything that had happened after the performance, he insisted on going to Sir Uther's cell. They watched, amazed, as he pushed on the heart to reveal the secret passageway.
"A secret door!" Lance said, amazed.
"Come on," Merlin said, grabbing a candle, "We have to see about Sir Uther. He led the way to the cell, Arthur, and his family trailing behind him. They weren't quite ready to let him out of their sight. Merlin frowned when they reached the closed door, "I thought it was open…" he didn't remember closing it when he had gone down to talk to him, and they hadn't used the door when they left. He went to push the door open, only to find a chain keeping it shut. He turned to Balinor, "Daddy, we have to get in."
"Hunith hold this," he passed his own candle to his wife, and went to join his son at the door. He started shoving at it with his shoulder, and Arthur joined in. With their combined strength, they managed to shove their way inside.
"We have to look after his earthly body," Merlin said, pushing his way inside the depressing cell. There was no friendly caw of Kilgharrah to greet him. There was no parchment with the original works of William Shakespeare. But above all…on the cot, where Sir Uther had never been able to rest, was a skeleton wearing tattered rags, that were once the fine clothing of a lord. Merlin knelt by the cot, and had to choke back tears at the sorry sight.
"Poor Sir Uther," Hunith said, sympathetically. She put her hand to her own throat when she caught sight of the heave chain around the skeleton. Arthur looked down at Merlin, and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. They were pulled from their thoughts by a caw.
Merlin looked towards the window. Kilgharrah sat on his perch, "We'll take care of him now, Kilgharrah." The bird gave a final caw before disappearing. His work was finished.
The dark-haired boy looked back down to the remains of his friend. But before anyone could say anything, a bell began to ring.
They all shared a confused look before Arthur realized, "It's the chapel bell!" he said in wonder. They all hurried out of the cell, and left the castle.
"Look," Lance said in awe, as they went outside. The old dried up tree that Hunith had wanted to take out, was covered in beautiful blooms.
Merlin's eyes filled with tears and he smiled, before saying, "When the silent chapel bell sounds the ghostly sinners knell. And the barren almond bares…he's been forgiven!"
One week later, the chapel bell was announcing the procession of the funeral party. The town's priest was leading the way, followed by the pallbearers, members of the Pendragon family, and the Emrys family and Duke Arthur.
They were finally laying Sir Uther to rest.
They weren't burying him in the Pendragon family plot, but in a little garden, to be watched over by the stone angel. They were laying him to rest with his beloved wife. Before they could lower the casket, Merlin reached out, and placed the red heart that had opened the secret door on the lid.
As they lowered him into the ground, Merlin remembered what the ghost had told him, "To lie in the soft, brown earth…listening to silence…to forgive life…to be at peace, beside my Ygraine." And he smiled. His friend was finally free.
After the funeral, the Emrys family were eating with Lord Leon Pendragon.
"Well, Lord Leon," Balinor began, "Now that Sir Uther has been laid to rest, I'm assuming you and your family would like to return to the hall?"
"When you and your family have returned to America, perhaps," Merlin and Arthur shared a sad look at the reminder, "Though, actually, we have become quite fond of living in London. Why? Have you something in mind?"
"Well," Balinor said, exchanging a look with Hunith, "I've spoken to the university about extending my research grant," he explained with a slight smirk, and a glance at Merlin, who was looking at him with hopeful eyes.
"Oh, dad, really?" he asked.
Balinor went on as if he hadn't heard him, "And there are some wonderful schools."
"Cool!" Gwaine and Lance cheered as one, realizing what he was getting at.
"And Hunith was telling me how she loves England, so…would you consider extending the lease, indefinitely?"
Before he could answer, Hunith broke in, "And of course, we would be delighted if Alice and Gaius would consider staying on."
"Oh, yes!" Lance said, "And we'd promise to be good, won't we Gwaine?"
"You bet!" Gwaine agreed.
Gaius stammered, flattered, "I'm sure there's nothing Alice would enjoy more," he said, excluding himself. He gave a small mph when Alice elbowed him in the gut.
"Of course, we would love to," Alice said, happily. If the boys spent a lot of time outside, she would be fine with it. They did enjoy the company.
"So, what do you say?" Balinor asked Lord Leon.
Lord Leon stammered, looking around the table. Lance and Gwaine both had their fingers crossed, Duke Arthur looked like he was trying to convince him to say yes by telepathy. Hunith just looked hopeful, but it was the Merlin's small "Please," that convinced him. How could anyone refuse him.
"I could think of nothing more fitting than you and your family staying here for as long as you like," the family all let out a small cheer and Merlin hugged Arthur. Lord Leon interrupted their celebrations, "Oh, and one more thing," he walked over to Merlin, "My dear boy…you've rendered my unlucky ancestor a very important service. My family and I are much indebted to you, and your marvelous courage," Merlin blushed at the praise and attention as the lord reached into his pocket and took out a small box, "In this box, contains a ring that belonged to the Lady Ygraine. On behalf of the entire Pendragon family, I give you our deepest thanks," Merlin's eyes widened as Leon pulled out a thin gold ring with a small, but no doubt, priceless diamond, and placed it on Merlin's finger. It fit perfectly, "You are a very extraordinary young man."
After they were all done eating, Merlin and Arthur had decided to take a walk back over to the garden. They were in shock at the sight that greeted them. Just like the barren almond, the garden was had bloomed again.
"Arthur, the garden's come back to life," Merlin said in awe, "It's beautiful," they walked, hand in hand, over to the statue in the middle of the garden where they had laid Uther to rest. Merlin looked at the statue and said, "May this bring Sir Uther and Lady Ygraine back together, as Sir Uther brought Arthur and me together…and Lady Ygraine…Sir Uther made me see what life is…and what death is…and that love is stronger than both," he knelt to the ground and plucked a lovely red lily, he placed it on the grave marker. It was cut to look like an open book. On one 'page' read Lady Ygraine Pendragon de Camelot. 1558-1584. At the bottom, it read, to ere is human… On the other 'page' read, Sir Uther Pendragon de Camelot. 1547-1995. At the bottom, to forgive, divine…
"Please forgive him," he said softly. As Merlin and Arthur shared a kiss before heading back to the castle, Sir Uther looked down at them, his beautiful wife by his side. She had never blamed him for her death.
"Adieu, adieu, adieu. Remember me, my gentle child."
"Oh, Uther, read me another sonnet."
"Ah, yes, my dear. The greatest pleasure. Oh, never say, ye, that I was false of heart. Though absence seemed my flame to qualify. As easy might I from myself depart. As from my soul, which in thy breast doth lie; that is my home of love."