Author's note: Well, we've finally reached the conclusion of this story. This chapter serves as more of an epilogue than anything, but I felt like it was necessary to make sure everything was wrapped up nicely. I'm not planning on a sequel to this story at the moment, but if any of you guys have any idea of things you'd like to see, I may consider revisiting the idea in the future. I think a series of one-shots might be fun, if I can think of enough things to write about. No promises though. But, regardless, thank you all for coming with me on this journey! I've appreciated all of your kind comments and support! I'm so glad you've all been enjoying this story.

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Merlin ran wildly down the corridor in a hurry to get to Arthur's chambers as soon as possible. His ceremonial Camelot red cloak billowed behind him impressively as he ran, in stark contrast to his natural clumsiness as he bumped into fondly exasperated servants and nobles alike on his way. But he didn't have time to slow down, not today.

"Arthur!" Merlin cried out excitedly, tossing the doors to his brother's chambers open with a loud bang as he rushed into the room. "Are you ready yet?"

Arthur was standing in the middle of the room attempting to close the clasp on his new cloak, to no avail. He let out an incoherent grumble, both at the offending clasp and at Merlin's lack of decorum.

"Here, let me help." Merlin offered, reaching out to fix the clasp with practiced fingers. "Why on earth didn't you have George do this?" He mumbled distractedly as he fussed with Arthur's clothes.

"I don't need a servant to do everything for me Merlin." Arthur huffed in response. "I can dress myself, you know."

"Oh, can you?" Merlin teased as he stepped back to inspect his work. "That's certainly a change. I seem to remember you saying something quite different when I was still your manservant. It's good to see you finally growing up, Sire."

"Oh, shut up." Arthur snapped, but the effect was dampened by the smirk on his face.

"Are you ready for this?" Merlin asked seriously. "This is huge, after all. It's your coronation! You're really going to be king now, no going back. Are you nervous yet, because a lot could go wrong, you know, and-"

"Merlin." Arthur sighed heavily, cutting off Merlin's rambling.

Merlin grinned sheepishly and pulled Arthur in a for a quick hug that was as much for his benefit as it was Arthur's.

The events leading up to Arthur's coronation had been an emotionally draining whirlwind for the both of them, but not unexpected in the least.

As Uther had slowly grown weaker and weaker physically, the whole kingdom had been preparing themselves for the approaching day when Arthur would become king. Then, a week ago, the king had passed peacefully in his sleep.

Merlin had felt sorrowful at the loss of his father. Although he had never really grown as close to their father as Arthur had, he had grown to love the man all the same. But Arthur had been deeply affected by his father's loss, and it had saddened Merlin to watch his brother mourn him. However, he and Morgana had sat up with Arthur the entire night after Uther's funeral services had concluded, both understanding what it was like to lose someone you loved as a parent, and together they had mourned as a family. Although the pain was still fresh, together, they were moving on.

But, despite the lingering sadness, Merlin was happily embracing the change that accompanied it. He knew it was time, time for Arthur to take his rightful place as the king of Camelot. Merlin could feel the rightness of it in his bones.

Arthur had grown so much since he had met him. He'd shown himself to be deserving of the crown time and time again as regent, with his wisdom and love for the people. Granted, he was still a prat, and that would never change, but Merlin was proud of him and what he had accomplished for the residents of the kingdom.

Of course, there was only so much he could do without the official title of King. But now, he would finally be able to enact all of the changes they had been discussing together for some time now.

The first act Arthur would complete as King had been planned out for months now, and all those closest to them, Morgana, Hunith, Gauis, and the knights, were all ready to support them through it. It would be the repealing of the ban on magic, and the announcement that both the Prince and the Lady Morgana had magical abilities. Merlin was so excited he was fit to burst, even if he was a bit worried about how the kingdom would react at first. But he knew that no matter their reactions, they would come out of this for the better. And, he knew that the people adored Arthur enough already that they would come to accept the changes he would bring.

Morgana had, thankfully, accepted the position of Court Sorceress, leaving Merlin free to pursue other interests. She would be instated into the position today after the coronation and the declaration of the repeal of the ban. She had told Merlin just this morning that she was excited to test wits with the council members over the many issues they were sure to have with her new position. Merlin was simply happy to leave her to it. Court intrigue still escaped him, no matter how long he was exposed to it.

Merlin himself had appeased Arthur by agreeing to become an ambassador to the Druids, something that he both enjoyed and dreaded in equal measure. He was constantly fascinated by their peaceful way of life, and he loved having talks with their elders about magic, but he hated the long periods of time he spent away from Camelot and Arthur. And the way they treated him, as the "great Emrys", was a bit unsettling at times. But usually, he enjoyed the time he spent with the different druid tribes. He'd visited with them secretly a few times before Uther's passing to help begin preparations for the peace talks Arthur was planning. But soon, once magic was legal and Arthur was a bit more settled as King, they planned to invite them to return to the lands nearer to Camelot that had been taken from them in the great purge.

Even farther in the future, Merlin and Morgana both hoped to seek out those who would be willing to teach magic within Camelot. Surprisingly, or unsurprisingly according to Morgana, Merlin had known a bit more about magic than he had realized, but there was still a lot he needed to learn before he felt comfortable teaching anyone else. Isildur, the leader of one of the druid tribes, had offered to teach him what he knew, stating what an honor it would be to teach Emrys. Merlin planned to take him up on the offer the moment he had time, and hopefully, learn a bit more about the prophecy of the Once and Future King and Emrys in the process.

"Merlin?" Arthur said amusedly, startling Merlin out of his musings. "Are you alright? You spaced out for a moment."

"Sorry." Merlin replied sheepishly. "There's just a lot of things on my mind, that's all."

"Yes, there are a lot of things on my mind as well." Arthur replied, his hands fidgeting nervously with the hilt of his sword. "And there are so many things to be done. Legalizing magic, peace talks with the other kingdoms, and-"

"Wait, what?" Merlin interrupted petulantly. "Peace talks? You didn't tell me you were planning peace talks already! I thought you were waiting!"

"I don't tell you everything." Arthur replied with a laugh. "I have to keep some secrets from you, now don't I?"

"Yeah, sure, but just you remember, I'm sneaky. I'll figure things out sooner or later. After all, who knew about your feelings for Gwen even before you did?" He smirked at Arthur teasingly.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Arthur blushed and looked away.

"Sure you don't." Merlin laughed. "But I'm expecting you to propose within the month, just so you know. And you better do it too, because the knights and I have a bet going and I plan to win."

"You're betting over my love life?" Arthur replied, sounding a bit offended.

Thankfully, before Merlin could respond, there was a knock at the door. Morgana entered, followed closely behind by Hunith.

"Mother!" Merlin exclaimed happily, rushing over to embrace her. "You look lovely!" She was wearing a gown befitting a lady of the court, and her hair was done in a simple yet elegant braid instead of in her usual headscarf. But it was her smile that was the most beautiful thing she wore. She practically radiated happiness.

"Thank you, Merlin." She said as she placed a quick peck on his cheek. "The lady Morgana was kind enough to lend me a gown befitting the occasion." She walked past Merlin and towards Arthur, embracing him as well.

Seemingly sensing Arthur's nerves, she embraced him just a bit longer than normal before letting go. Merlin smiled at the sight, pleased beyond measure that Hunith had chosen to stay in Camelot and assist Gaius. Much to his delight, she had become somewhat of a surrogate mother to both Arthur and Morgana, providing them both the motherly affection they had so desperately craved. Arthur especially had sorely needed it, and it had done wonders for him.

"I'm so proud of you." She said softly, planting a kiss on Arthur's blushing cheek and patting his hand softly. "All of you." She continued, turning to face Merlin and Morgana.

"Now, let me look at you." Hunith added, stepping back to look Arthur over with a critical eye. Noticing something out of place, or maybe imagining it, she reached forward and began to fuss with his cape and armor.

Morgana snickered a bit at how uncomfortable he looked at all of the motherly affection he was receiving, and Merlin cocked her a small smile.

"You're just as worried as Merlin." Arthur mumbled as she finished fussing and stepped back.

"I'll take that as a compliment, then." She said with a small laugh and a smile. "I think I raised him well enough, after all."

"Are we ready then, Mother?" Merlin asked.

"Yes, I dare say we are." She replied with a small nod.

"Do I get any say in when we're ready?" Arthur grumbled.

"Of course not." Morgana said with a chuckle, turning to lead them all out of the door. "None of us trust your judgment." She added over her shoulder with a wink.

Arthur made a sound of mock offense, and Merlin simply laughed.

"Are you sure you're ready?" Merlin asked softly, falling into step beside Arthur and allowing the ladies to walk ahead of them.

"Yes, Merlin. I'm ready." Arthur replied. He squared his shoulders, and, at that moment, he looked every bit the great king Merlin knew he would become.

It had been a long time coming, and the path hadn't been easy, but Merlin could see it. The golden age was just over the horizon. There would certainly still be trials to face, but the future that the dragon had spoken of, the future of freedom for all, was almost here.

And together, with their friends and family beside them, Merlin and Arthur would face the future side-by-side, as they'd always done. As brothers.