A/N

So I officially have a beta: Hatstand! YAY! So here is the final chapter of Valiant!

Merlin sat on his bed, eyes shut, repeating the spell over and over again in hopes of getting a different result. He hadn't slept at all the night before and he still hadn't figured out the spell. He was rapidly running out of time. He could hear the sounds of people heading towards the tournament but he still hadn't made any progress.

Something was gently nudging his hand but he ignored it and continued to recite the spell over and over again. His concentration was broken as a tiny roar echoed around the room. Merlin opened his eyes to find a tiny dragon staring back at him and giving the occasional playful chirp. He could hardly believe it. The spell had actually worked! Merlin jumped off his bed ignoring the tiny dragon and flung the door open only to find a very startled Gaius standing there with his fist poised to knock.

"I figured out the spell!" Merlin exclaimed running around Gaius.

"Hurry!" Gaius called after him as he continued running.

Normally Merlin would sit next to Morgana, but he didn't want to risk someone seeing him or hearing him say the spell. Instead he ran through the knight's tents where he could stand hidden at the edge of the arena while waiting for the perfect opportunity to intervene. Arthur and Valiant were already mid-battle when he arrived, but Arthur seemed to be holding his own for now. The crowd watched the two breathlessly, Morgana was even beginning to look worried, but for whom Merlin couldn't tell.

The two continued to swing at one another, the crowd cheering whenever Arthur got a good hit and gasping when he took a blow. Arthur swung his blade at Valiant's head, knocking his helmet off. The crowd waited breathlessly to see what they would do. Arthur took off his helmet as well and the crowd cheered encouragingly. The battle continued, but Uther did not look pleased. Morgana even winced in concern when Valiant slammed his shield into Arthur's face, knocking him to the ground. Valiant stepped on Arthur's shield to keep him from using it. In retaliation, Arthur swung at Valiant who easily blocked the blow with his shield. Valiant stabbed at Arthur who abandoned his shield and easily rolled out of the way. Valiant's sword embedded itself deeply into the ground right where Arthur's heart had been moments ago. Morgana and Gwen gasped in horror; genuinely worry clear on their faces.

Arthur's sword was soon knocked out of his hand and Valiant had him pinned against the wall. Arthur easily knocked him away, leaving Valiant gasping for breath. Merlin knew it was now or never.

He quickly recited the spell from memory, smirking when the audience stood staring in shock at the snakes that sprouted from of Valiant's shield. Arthur staggered back in shock.

"What are you doing? I didn't summon you!" Valiant exclaimed.

"He is using magic" Uther gasped.

Valiant laughed as the snakes completely dropped from the shield. "Kill him!" he shouted.

Arthur backed up against the wall, completely defenseless. Morgana looked around frantically before ripping the nearest knight's sword out of its sheath.

"Arthur!" Morgana shouted tossing him the sword. Arthur quickly beheaded the snakes and turned to face Valiant again. Valiant swung at Arthur who blocked the blow and grabbed him, stabbing him as he did so. The crowd leaped up, cheering as Valiant collapsed to the ground dead. Arthur stood there for a moment, proudly taking in the cheering crowd before walking over towards Merlin. He clapped Merlin on the shoulder whispering as he walked by.

"Thank you, Merlin."

Later, at the feast, Merlin stood beside Morgana watching proudly as Uther addressed the gathering.

"My honored guest's! May I present your champion, Prince Arthur!" Arthur emerged grinning at the cheering crowd, looking like a true king.

Arthur walked over to Morgana offering his arm.

"My lady."

"My champion" Morgana replied, genuinely smiling. She took his arm and he led her on to the feast. Arthur and Morgana seemed to be getting along well, until they started glaring at each other until Morgana stalked off, Gwen trailing behind faithfully. Arthur quickly made his way over to Merlin.

"I'm sorry for not listening to you…" said Arthur.

"Can we talk later?" Merlin asked. "There's a lot I need to tell you that I don't want people hearing…"

"I'll meet you in your chambers later," Arthur said more quietly. Merlin grinned and nodded his head in silent agreement. He felt someone place a hand on his shoulder and whipped around to find a very guilty looking Uther.

"Merlin, I just wanted to say I'm sorry for not listening to you," he said apologetically.

"It's ok…" Merlin assured but Uther cut him off.

"No it's not, I should never have taken the word of a knight over the word of someone who's… who's been like a son to me. I promise from now on I will listen to you and I will try not to ignore what you say."

Merlin smiled. "Thank you," he replied. And he meant it.

Evan had a slight bounce to his step as he prepared his master's chambers.

"What are you so happy about?" Merlin asked grinning.

"I saw you talking to Uther," Evan replied.

"Yeah, he wanted to apologize," Merlin shrugged.

"He never apologizes though!" Evan exclaimed. "This proves that he really cares about you!"

Evan was right; Uther never apologized for anything. Did that mean he would accept Merlin's magic? Someone loudly knocked on the door and Evan opened it, bowing deeply as Arthur entered the room.

"That will be all Evan" Merlin informed him. Evan bowed once again,

"Good night Sire," he said before silently leaving the room.

As soon as the door shut behind him Merlin said,

"Gaius knows about my magic."

"What?" Arthur explained, looking worried, "how did this happen?"

"He's known for years actually," Merlin corrected. "I kind of lost control right when he walked in, but he says that he won't tell Uther."

"He doesn't know?" Arthur asked, looking mildly surprised.

"According to Gaius, no," Merlin replied.

"Can you really trust him though? He did give you that potion that suppressed your powers in the first place."

"I know but he was doing it to protect me," Merlin explained, He went on to tell him what Gaius told him about the day his father was killed.

"I guess we have no choice." Arthur refused to look at Merlin, guilt evident on his face.

"Arthur?" Merlin asked tentatively, taking a step closer.

"I feel horrible about what I did," Arthur whispered. "You needed me and I blew you off"

"It doesn't matter," Merlin assured.

"It does!" Arthur insisted. "You've always been like family to me. Family doesn't do that to each other!"

"Arthur," Merlin assured placing a hand on his shoulder, "I forgive you." Arthur grinned at Merlin, then jumped back startled.

"What is that?" Merlin whirled around. The miniature dragon he had created earlier peered up from its place on his desk. He silently thanked the dragon for not drawing attention to itself when Evan was in the room.

"That's the statue I practiced the spell on." Merlin muttered the counter spell and the dragon instantly turned back to stone, reverting back to its original pose as well.

"It was you who made the snakes come out," Arthur stated, not fully surprised.

"Yeah," said Merlin softly, carefully scooping up the statue and returning it to its original home. "It was the last gift my father ever gave me."

Arthur felt a twinge of guilt when he realized how alone Merlin was. He pulled him into a tight hug, promising himself that his friend wouldn't have to feel alone again; he would be there for Merlin from now on, no matter the cost.

EndNotes

I love bromance so will Arthur be able to keep his promise? How long until Uther finds out? Review and tell me what you thought! Next up, The Mark of Nimueh!