Hello! :D
This is the Epilogue for Through The White. I am truly blessed for all of you wonderful readers, and I'm sorry this took so long. This has been a fun and exciting story to write and I hope you all liked it as well.
This is set 4 years after the last chapter, because I really don't think Arthur would knight Galahad at 15...
Thanks to everyone who ever read this story, it means a lot, thank you a million times! Thanks to mythgirl07, Shiya, lozzabluebell, PhantomForever112, Oz, TeganL74, FireChildSlytherin5, ReadingRaven019, Basil Allegri, Ali-Apple, foxare and everyone else who reviewed! You are really truly exceptionally awesome! :D I cannot thank you enough for being such a big source of encouragement!
Lots of Love
Ocean Mint Leaves
Chapter 21: Epilogue
XXI
Eleven at the Table Round
With gemmy carcanets are crowned:
The twelfth hath flowers of woodroffe wild
Around his forehead bound.
He cometh singing like the lark-
He entereth gay with garlands green-
"Art shepherd-clown or chapel-clerk,
O knight?" said Guinevere the queen
To Galahad undefiled.
"Why Galahad this joyous mien?
O Galahad where hast thou been?
Hath prayed and fasted all the Lent?
What vision hast thou seen?"
But Galahad throws his garland down:
"O king, O knights, no monk am I;
Nor yet, my queen, a shepherd-clown;
In wanderings 'neath the open sky
Mine idle days were spent.
- Elinor Sweetman " Pastoral of Galahad"
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A young man of about 19 years of age was running through the courtyard of Camelot's castle. His short mahogany hair whipped on the wind and a wide grin was plastered on his face. He was followed closely by a much younger figure, Prince Amhar, who was just 11 summers, but looked older. The young Prince was tall and well-built with compassionate brown eyes and shiny blond hair. What may come as a surprise to the reader, is that behind them both, King Arthur of Albion was running, a scowl on his normally agreeable face, and behind them all Emrys, better known as Merlin, was trying to reach them with his clumsy feet almost entangled in the long linen robes he was wearing.
"Come on, Merlin!" King Arthur shouted, looking at his friend in annoyance "why are you being even slower today?"
Under his breath, the mighty man muttered "Prat" and his eyes flashed gold. The King immediately tripped with a root that wasn't there before and went on his knees. Merlin waved goodbye, laughing lightly, as he reached the others.
The odd group burst into the King's chambers completely out of breath and the Queen directed them a stern glance from her place by a small, wrinkled old woman which Arthur supposed was the seamstress. Amhar and Galahad both flinched when the Queen crossed her arms across her chest and directed them a murderous glare. Arthur pulled Merlin to his side as the incensed warlock listened to the lie quickly leaving his friend's lips
"It was Merlin's fault Guinevere. He decided to sleep in today and someone had to wake him up…apparently he takes a lot of time to get dressed in these fancy robes…."
Merlin glanced at Arthur in outrage, squirming to pull his arm away "HEY!"
"Shut it!" Arthur whispered in his ear.
Guinevere's gaze became even fierier; apparently she had heard the whole exchange. Arthur's fingers dug into Merlin's arm and the warlock rolled his eyes when Galahad and Amhar pressed closer to him.
"Really?" Guinevere said sweetly, placing her hands on her hips, obviously preparing for a rant. Merlin noticed how Arthur pulled him almost imperceptibly in front of him and Galahad and Amhar both took a step back.
"Stay where you are young men!" Gwen snapped, directing a glare on Galahad and Amhar's direction. Both quickly ducked their heads in a fright "Because what I heard…." Gwen continued on, her eyes never leaving Arthur "is that the knights, except for Lancelot mind you, decided to go for a drink yesterday with Galahad and my son…and that you and Merlin apparently followed up when Galahad's Knighting Ceremony is today in two hours and there is a seamstress from across the kingdom who very kindly accepted to do his robes which has waited here almost 3 hours for any of you to show up!"
"Mother…"
"Not now Amhar! I cannot believe you! You let your child sneak out on the middle of the night with his friend which happens to be the most immature 19th year old I've ever seen, drag your best friend to the tavern with you and decide to disappear for the entire night!"
Arthur furrowed his brow "Hang on…!"
"Don't you dare tell me to hang on, Arthur Pendragon!" Gwen shrieked, taking a step forward. Arthur quickly stepped behind Merlin while his friend rolled his eyes "What on earth were you thinking!"
"I…."
"NO!" Arthur flinched as Gwen prodded him in the chest with her slender finger, pushing Merlin aside, which was all too happy to get out of the fuming Queen's way "We'll talk later. Galahad will get his robes made first and then you and Amhar will regret ever disappearing like that AGAIN!"
Arthur flinched at her every word, eventually ducking his head and pouting at the exact same time that Amhar let out a dramatic sigh.
Gwen exhaled loudly, closing her eyes before she turned to Merlin with a concerned and gentle look on her face "Merlin, are you tired? I'll make Mary bring you something"
Arthur opened his mouth indignantly at Gwen's back but quickly shut it when Merlin raised his eyebrows and Gwen whirled around, throwing him another deadly glare.
"I'll love that, thanks Gwen" he said happily.
The Queen threw another fuming gaze at her husband and son, saying softly "I am so disappointed of you two…" before going out of the room with her chin high.
As soon as she was gone Arthur strode over to Merlin, determined to wipe that smug smile out of his face "Merlin! I thought it was your job to protect me! How does that count as protection?"
"What's wrong with you?" the warlock yelled, staring with a half-incredulous, half-amused expression at his King "I'm the victim here!"
Arthur rolled his eyes. "Yes, alright…"
"It's true! You dragged me with you!"
"You came willingly!"
Merlin groaned and face palmed, earning a little giggle from Amhar "I had to stop you from killing yourself stupidly, of course I did!"
Galahad, who had disappeared for the entire exchange with the small wrinkled woman, came into the room again, grinning from ear to ear. He was wearing dark green robes which enhanced his reddish hair and alabaster skin, bringing out the warm brown of his eyes.
"Wow, look at you!" a voice said appreciatively and then Gwaine stepped into the room, smelling strongly of some sort of cologne (probably to hide the stink of ale) already dressed in his Knight of the Round Table robes and grinning maniacally "You look great, mate!"
"Thanks!" Galahad said, skipping a little and blushing deep red "I have to go thank the Queen for this!"
Without another thought, the would-be-knight went out of the room, racing through the corridors to catch up with Gwen.
Gwaine turned towards the other people in the room, bowing deeply at the old Lady and congratulating her for her skill with a needle. The seamstress's cheeks blushed red and her lips quivered. She smiled a little and went out of the room shakily and not because she had any form of degenerating disease….
"Well, if it isn't the Princess and my favorite warlock!" Gwaine exclaimed happily, opening his arms wide.
Arthur and Merlin shared a knowing look before staring at Gwaine blankly.
Gwaine's smile slipped from his face "Ah, come on!" he whined "Are you two doing that creepy "two sides of the same coin" thing again? It is not fair!"
Neither Emrys nor the Once and Future King said a word.
"You two are just not fun!" Gwaine complained, shrugging at Amhar "See, that's why yesterday…"
Arthur held out a hand, placing two fingers on the bridge of his nose. "You made half of the Round Table drink more than three tankards each and then decided to run off giggling like a lovesick girl with the rest of the knights following you and singing something I don't even want to know…!"
Gwaine smirked "exactly"
Arthur groaned loudly, dropping his forehead on Merlin's shoulder "I give up"
"There, there" Merlin said, patting his King awkwardly in the back "You'll be alright. It's Gwen, she loves you"
"That bad huh?" Gwaine said, smiling even wider "Well, what can I say princess? She's still way out of your league"
"Shut up, Gwaine!"
"Um…father?" Amhar's voice came from Arthur's right leg; his hands pulled his arm "Shouldn't you give some kind of speech or something?"
Arthur stared blankly at his son for a few second before spurning around in a fright "Merlin!"
"Calm down, Arthur" Merlin said soothingly, rolling his eyes and taking a roll of parchment out of the inside of his robes "I spent yesterday morning doing it"
Arthur opened it and surveyed it, letting out an alleviated sigh "Thank God I made you my advisor"
"Thank God I am not you princess" Gwaine piped in, narrowing his eyes at the corridor. With a jolt, Arthur saw Guinevere marching towards them, a frown still marking her smooth face.
"Merlin, honey!" Mary said, coming from behind Gwen and placing a tray full of warm bread and milk on Arthur's table "Better eat now before the ceremony starts, you look half-starved"
Merlin smiled sheepishly, letting himself slump against the chair and immediately stuffing his mouth with honey filled bread. "Thank you Mary!" he said after a rather difficult swallowing (which involved Arthur rolling his eyes and Gwaine patting him enthusiastically on the back).
"You're welcome darling" Mary said, smiling and marching out of the room with a bow.
King Arthur tentatively reached for one of the fluffy breads but Merlin glared at him and Gwen slapped his hand away.
"OW!" Arthur said, frowning at his wife "What was that for?"
"It is your own fault if you went out in the middle of the night Arthur Pendragon!" Gwen said, wrinkling her nose delicately "Now let Merlin eat in peace and by God's sake Amhar explained to me what happened!"
The prince squared his jaw, glanced apologetically at his father and then caught a wink from Merlin before he started to speak.
"Well Mother…Gwaine and the knights wanted to make Galahad an initiation to the Round Table. I told him that it was not a good idea…" Gwen almost smiled "but as you can see he didn't listen to me. Apparently they all went to the Council Chambers and Gwaine made Galahad carve his name on the back of the chair he'll use…"
Arthur yelped at this, spurning around to face Gwaine "You what?"
Gwaine shrugged "What princess? It is a way to mark territory"
"The only marks you'll have will be from the stocks…." Arthur growled darkly just as Merlin snorted and tried to keep the milk he'd drank down.
The King turned to his advisor and friend with wide eyes, studying Merlin's fingers drumming the table…just as he always did when he hid something.
"What? You knew?"
Merlin barely flinched below Arthur's accusatory stare "Come on, Arthur, everyone knew. You can see them from a mile away…You're just an oblivious dollop head"
"I am not!"
"You can ask Mithian next time she comes to visit" Merlin said, shrugging and grabbing another bite of bread "she thought it was cute the way Amhar spelt his name"
Amhar turned pink at this and Arthur's eyes narrowed as he turned towards his son. "You too?"
"I did it when I was four!" Amhar said defensively.
Arthur almost squeaked in indignation "But you are my son!"
"Hey, and a knight of the Round Table too!" Gwaine said, frowning.
"Shut up Gwaine!" Arthur and Gwen said at the same time. Gwaine glared at them.
"Anyway…" Amhar said, sighing "After that Gwaine dragged the knights to the tavern, including Galahad and by extension me. But neither of us drank anything!" he said rapidly, flinching under Gwen's stare "we just hang out with them. A few minutes later they all started singing this weird song…and that's when father and Uncle Merlin appeared"
Gwen directed her gaze towards Merlin, who gulped down his milk and looked merrily at his Queen "I guess you want my part of the tale?"
Gwen smiled mirthlessly "If you'll be so kind, Merlin"
Merlin beamed at Arthur -who in turn glared at his warlock-and then clapped his hands
"Arthur woke me up and told me Amhar and Galahad were missing and that we'd go find them. So we went out and looked around eventually finding all of them skipping through the streets apparently trying to escape from our very understanding cabbage head here…"
"I still think you are jealous because you haven't carved your name…"
"Silence Gwaine!"
Merlin stifled a giggle as he continued "Knowing Arthur, Gwen, you'll understand he went ballistic and we practically chased Gwaine and the knights all around the lower town…"
Gwen placed a hand on her brow, smoothing the lines that marred her beautiful face "That does not explain why you disappeared for the entire night"
"I was getting to that…after we chased them around only with the sound of their voice…"
He didn't manage to finish the sentence because Galahad burst into the room, skipping around madly like a 5 year old with a new toy.
"Thank you my Lady!" he said, beaming at Gwen while he hugged her impulsively "thank you, thank you!"
It was very difficult for Gwen to keep her smile away any longer. The corners of her lips tugged upwards as she hugged the knight back.
"You are welcome, Galahad" she said warmly, apparently forgetting she was mad with him too.
Walking towards Merlin, King Arthur bent down and caught his arm "Can't you do anything to get us out of this?" he hissed, almost pleadingly. Almost.
Merlin smiled wickedly "Watch the show, prat"
Just then the door opened, letting a bunch of blushing knights into the room, Lancelot walked into the room right behind them, with a slight frown that contradicted his small smile.
"My Lady!"
"Gwen!"
"My Queen!"
All of them tried to express the degree of their chagrin in the way they spluttered out apologies to the fuming Guinevere. But she glared at them as she let go of Galahad and placed her hands on her hips.
"You are all in big trouble" she said in a deadly tone. Everyone in the room, especially King Arthur, shuddered.
"Gwen let us explain…." Elyan said taking a step towards his sister but Gwen was having none of it.
"Merlin please continue" she asked, glaring at her brother.
"With pleasure, my Queen" Merlin said, smiling mischievously while drinking from his clear goblet "as I was saying we chased them around for hours until the knights apparently walked straight into a henhouse and scared all those poor chickens and chicks…."
Galahad, who was still jumping around Guinevere like an excited baby lamb*, frowned as he piped in "they weren't "poor" they were insane!"
"They chased us all around the lower town!" Elyan moaned.
"And let's not forget those goats that busted out later on!" Leon said in a heartfelt murmur, rubbing his arm.
"So we were chased by farm animals for hours?" Gwaine asked, grinning as if Christmas had come early "I only remember Merlin and Arthur yelling while I was trying to catch some sleep…."
"…In the hay of the stables, Gwaine" Lancelot said, sighing.
"This reminds me…" Percival's thunderous voice resounded; the knight's handsome face firmly pressed in a mask of concentration "why didn't you do something Merlin?"
Merlin blushed furiously, smiling sheepishly as Arthur's hand slapped the back of his head.
"Ah" Merlin said.
"Merlin apparently didn't want to hurt those poor little animals!" King Arthur said, grinning devilishly "You are such a girl Merlin it is not even funny"
"Hey, did you want half of your citizens to wake up and see their farm animals all dead only because their King is an extreme prat?" Merlin retorted, huffing indignantly "I don't think so"
Arthur frowned as Guinevere sighed and shook her head fondly "Oh, Arthur…the things you get into"
Arthur looked at her, hope glimmering in his eyes "You are not mad with me anymore?" he asked in a slightly high pitched tone.
Gwen laughed as she marched out of the room "Oh, I am mad with you…but now I need to go to a certain young man's knighting"
Arthur's eyes widened, almost as much as Galahad's as he grabbed Merlin's arm and jerked him out of the table. The warlock almost spluttered the warm milk he was drinking but Arthur just dragged him down the hallways as the knights ran behind him, trying to catch on with Guinevere's joyful laugh.
The decorations had been arranged by Queen Guinevere, and they were surprisingly fitting. Red, silver and deep green could be spotted everywhere. Huge fountains of water flowed with crystalline liquid and the jugglers who were invited were waiting patiently for the ceremony to be over in a corner, smiling and highly pleased of being present in the knighthood that had been most anticipated that year…
The only thing that contrasted was the huge ceremonial red carpet that conducted directly to the King itself. He looked majestic, glowing with pride and dignity.
He looked like the Once and Future King.
Galahad felt his breath caught in his throat as his gaze found Merlin's, full of amusement and paternal pride. He walked straight through the red carpet, kneeling and bowing deeply before Arthur, who in turn wrapped his hands around Excalibur's hilt.
"Do you solemnly swear to uphold the laws of the land as a true citizen of Camelot?" Arthur asked, glowing with the light of the morning sun.
Galahad looked on breathlessly as tears formed between his eyelids "I do"
"Do you swear to never avoid dangers out of fear?"
Galahad almost snorted and he could see that King Arthur was thinking about their first meeting also.
"I do"
Arthur smiled imperceptibly, the corner of his beard turning upwards. By his King's right side, Merlin winked and Galahad felt his heart flutter with anticipation.
"Do you swear to be truthful in all the areas and whatever situations life puts you in?"
"I do"
For some reason Galahad did not understood, Arthur's eyes were glimmering when he said the next words "Do you swear allegiance to your King?"
Immediately and almost reluctantly the King's gaze left Galahad's and fixed itself upon Merlin, who titled his head to look at him and placed a soft hand on his shoulder….
Arthur smiled.
There was something unspoken in that gesture, something deep and soul-rooted that made Galahad promise himself he would ask Gwen about Merlin's own Court Sorcerer appointment…
"I do, my King" he answered softly, smiling up to King Arthur who smiled warmly too.
"Then I pronounce you…" Galahad couldn't help but shiver when the cold blade of Excalibur touched his shoulders "Sir Galahad, high knight of Camelot and member of the Round Table"
A long whistle filled the air ( probably Gwaine) and then Galahad found himself surrounded by a pair of lanky arms, Merlin's arms, and pats in the back. Soon, his family, the Knights of the Round Table were there, hugging him and in Percival case almost breaking his ribs. After escaping a few noogies from King Arthur and Gwaine he found himself staring at something he thought he'd never see.
"This is your personal attire of the Round Table" Queen Guinevere said softly, handing him the bundle of scarlet clothes in her arms "It is yours Galahad. You've earned it"
He felt tears come forth from his eyes and he hastily wiped them away with one hand, taking the clothing in his hands like if it was as sacred as Excalibur.
"Thank you, My Queen" he whispered, voice thick with emotion.
Gwen smiled gently at him and embraced him, murmuring soothingly in his ears "You'll be a great knight, Galahad. I am proud of you…"
"We are all proud of him" King Arthur said warmly, appearing by Guinevere's side in an instant "You have everything I ever sought in a knight. Bravery, compassion, chivalry…a certain disdain for the rules…"
"You seek that in a knight?" Galahad asked eyes wide.
"No he doesn't" A voice said, and Gwaine placed one of his arms around Galahad's shoulders, a wide grin on his face and a goblet full of ale on the other "But you have to admit it makes everything more exciting!"
"I think having you Gwaine it's enough excitement" Merlin quipped, standing right besides Arthur and smiling at his younger friend "How do you like it Galahad?"
"This is the most amazing day of my life!" the boy answered sincerely "thank you"
Gwen's smile was the widest and then Galahad felt someone throw himself into his arms, followed by a fit of laughter
"Congratulations brother!"
He carefully lowered Amhar to the ground, taking notice of the shinning diadem that was placed in the young prince's golden locks.
"Brother?" he asked, quirking an eyebrow, although his heart warmed inside.
Amhar shrugged "Why not? I've always considered you my brother only that now it is official"
Galahad caught Arthur's gaze softening considerably behind Amhar, glancing at Merlin while the warlock smiled and placed his hand on the King's broad shoulder.
The moon was shining in the sky when Galahad found Guinevere. The Queen was sitting placidly, looking over Camelot from her balcony, eyes dreamily searching through the stars.
"My Lady?" he said softly.
Gwen whipped her curls towards him, smiling warmly "Galahad! How are you? How is everything coming along?"
"Fine, my Lady…I just…I have a question"
Gwen glanced at him curiously; taking Galahad's hand and making him sit beside her.
"What is it?" she asked softly.
Galahad took his time, glancing at the stars before sighing and turning to his Queen.
"How was…how was Merlin's appointment as Court Sorcerer?"
Gwen seemed a little surprised, but her face quickly morphed into one of sweet understanding.
"Oh" she said "I see"
Galahad glanced at her questioningly.
"You were thinking about the vows, weren't you Galahad?" Gwen explained sweetly, bright brown eyes shining with affection "and the way Arthur and Merlin looked at each other…"
She glanced towards the moon once more, placing strains of dark curls behind her small, delicate ear.
"Yes, I know where you are coming from. I do remember that day very well…It was the last vow which caught you attention, was it not? The one in which you swore allegiance to the King?" She looked at him and Galahad nodded softly, watching her with the wide eyes of a child lost in a magic-born dream.
"Merlin was…he was radiant" Gwen said, inhaling sharply, eyes glimmering in the recollections of her mind "He shone through. I had some dark blue robes made for him…." She smiled and looked over at Galahad's green ones. Galahad beamed at her.
"Thanks again"
Gwen smiled "You're welcome. Anyway, Merlin did something quite unprecedented…he looked up towards Arthur, placed a hand on his heart and said…Hmm…let me see if I remember correctly…" Guinevere's beautiful face furrowed in concentration, eventually lightening up "Oh yes, I am almost certain this were his words: I told you once, Arthur that I was glad to be your servant till the day I die. My life is yours, My King. It has always been"
Gwen's eyes shone as she wiped a stray tear from her cheek.
"Sometimes, the gratefulness I feel for Merlin overwhelms me. What have we done to deserve such a noble and kind soul? And after that, Arthur did something rather original actually..."
Galahad's breath caught in his throat as Guinevere's smile became as wide as the half-moon in the sky.
"What did he do?" the newly appointed knight asked, curiosity making his heart beat faster.
Gwen's eyes washed over him as a warm hearth.
"Not caring the slightest for the nobles and Lords there" she said "Arthur pulled Merlin into a hug and obliged him to stand by his right"
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.
.
The days after Galahad's knighthood were absolutely hectic. Tournaments were held in almost every opportunity, bards appeared in the court every day chanting newly composed symphonies for him and Gwaine dragged him to the tavern whenever he had the opportunity (Arthur had already invested in a high security spell for those "poor animals")
But the moments Galahad got to spent with his brotherhood were those he loved the most. Being able to stand proudly by the rest of the Round Table side was just a dream come true, the banter and games after each training session irreplaceable…
"What did I told you, hmm?" Merlin said as they rode through the forest, doing their monthly patrol "I know the King very well"
By the pure blood stallion at his side, Arthur shoved him playfully and Galahad laughed.
(A few hours later they were surrounded by bandits and Galahad couldn't help but feel he was finally home when Gwaine declared that was the last experience he needed to finally be a full part of the brotherhood….)
.
.
.
(Days later, while Arthur walked towards his table to go through some paperwork he noticed something not quite right with his chair. Glaring, the King approached the very costly chairs of the Round Table and quickly went into a full rage when he saw what was wrong with it.
In a childish handwriting, a word had been carved between two gigantic hearts.
"Princess"
Gwaine was dead.)
* Has anyone ever seen a baby lamb skipping around? they are extremely cute!