Okay! So this is the last Chapter, wow. It's really long though I guess that's a good thing.
I really wanted Gawain and Tristan to get happy endings as well. Mostly because of the last episode when Gawain helped Arthur and Merlin retrieve that trident and they went to Camelot, he looked so sad when he had to turn. As for Tristan who hasn't heard his story (or watched the movie). Lol. And yes maybe Galahad too will one day get the chance at marriage.
Arthur slowly woke up with a familiar ache in his shoulder. He groaned softly, stretched and winced. "Arthur?" Slowly he opened his eyes to see a fretful Merlin above him, he slumped in relief then suddenly fell on top of him hugging him. Shocked still, he froze at the contact, Merlin too tensed after he realized Arthur wasn't hugging him back. "Are you alright?" He asked when he quickly moved back. Arthur looked around, he was in his chambers, daylight poured in through the windows and Merlin, Merlin was just as he remembered, young and wide eyed. "I'm alright…what happened?"
Now came the trouble. Merlin didn't know if Arthur remembered the future, or if he still felt anything for him. His heart raced as he saw the look of confusion on Arthur's face slowly pass and he relaxed frowning at his shoulder, Merlin's mind flashed to them kissing, to Arthur actually being nice to him, he wondered if it was all over and dreaded it. "I'm okay Merlin, there's a few things I want to tell you." Before he could continue Uther walked in, a look a grim worry changing to a bright smile. Merlin moved off the bed to stand beside a pleased Gaius by the wall.
"My son. You're awake , I thought I'd lose you too." Before Arthur could gain an understanding of that sentence Uther gently hugged him knowing of how battle wounds could leave lasting affects. Arthur hugged him back and slowly sat up. "What happened?" Uther frowned, "You don't recall the battle?" Arthur frowned glancing at Merlin, what have you done, he silently screamed at him. "A sorcerer entered the castle," Uther spoke slowly as if it greatly pained him, "he found Morgana first and you saw him attack her, he said something about taking those special to me. You told me you were going to the eastern borders but Gaius explained to me that you were on to the sorcerer." Uther looked him in the eye and said, "Son, Morgana is dead. You yourself were gravely wounded, if it wasn't for your menservants knowledge on the poison you would have died."
He gave a curious look at Merlin, "My manservant helped me? Merlin?" Uther nodded and frowned, "These past few months you've been very different Arthur. I know we haven't been able to talk but I hope these changes stay, you've been so attentive at meetings and taking initiative and going out to see the villages for taxes," Uther clamped a hand over Arthur's left shoulder, his good one, and smiled softly, "I am very proud of you. If your thinking of revenge , don't, you killed the sorcerer before the poison took affect. His body has been seen to. I'm very proud of you son."
Just as he was turning for the door Arthur said, "Can we go see Morgana resting place together?" He could see his father tense and when he turned it was only the second time he saw tears in his father's eyes, "Yes we can, she rests beside her father. Where she should be." Arthur nodded understanding and Uther left. Gaius saw to his wound, now almost healed and blaring red. He grimaced and asked, "How long have I slept?" "About two weeks sire." Gaius was quick and was soon wrapping his shoulder up again, "Is there anything else I can do for you sire?" Arthur looked at them and shook his head.
He spent the day in his chambers not entirely needing more rest but needing to quiet his mind. He remembered everything but now everything was different. Morgana his sister was dead, he thought of the three pillars, of what she would have become. Knowing just how he got his wound, he wondered what to do, if Merlin felt the same. He starred out his window for hours not truly seeing anything but remembering. Heat rushed into his body as he thought of their last night together, then he almost started crying remembering how he was taken from him.
But then Merlin was there smiling widely with a tray of food in his hands, and he sat opposite him and together they talked about nothing for the rest of the night, Arthur knew it was Merlin who healed him, who used magic to make everyone believe there had been a sorcerer, a body to burn. When the morning came Arthur was up when Merlin walked in. He smiled and asked, "So when were you going to tell me about your magic?" Merlin dropped his armour and froze. "Merlin I'm quite astonished that you could even keep it from me never mind for three years. I'm not angry but I expect nothing but the truth now."
Merlin turned an unsure and yet relieved smile on his face, he even looked shy. Arthur wanted nothing more than to reach over and pull them together instead he asked, "Where's the boys?" Merlin was too shocked over the magic to answer and Arthur sighed, "Merlin….I know you couldn't have handled Morgana by yourself and I am great but I still need my knights around me. So again who's here in Camelot and take me to them."
In Gaius' rooms shock and silence greeted Arthur as he walked towards Gawain and Lancelot. Gwen was seated at the table, tea in front of her and Gaius stopped brewing whatever he was brewing. He smiled at the men, can't believing how young they looked. Hugging them each, he grinned at Gawain, "Before you leave I want to introduce you to someone." The two knights glanced at each other confused at their prince's behaviour. But Gawain still nodded and Gwen jumped out of her seat to hug him and wish him well. Arthur noticed Lancelot's eyes seemed to follow her and when she sat down they were holding hands.
Sitting down he told them that he remembered but he wouldn't speak of anything that happened, telling him he was told by Merlin not to. Merlin and him argued about it for a full ten minutes before Arthur remembered something else he had to do, he remembered what his knights had told him and he walked around the city for an hour before he grinned.
That afternoon found Arthur outside of Camelot in a little field that the towers overlooked. He danced in a circle, sword in his left hand as little Galahad and page Tristan learned how to block and parry. The knights questioned him greatly knowing it wasn't the prince's duty to train the pages but Arthur shook his head and said, "Those two will make fine warriors and more so, warriors for Camelot." They didn't know the blonde but none questioned his birth right since it was known he would never become a knight, many knew his mother a kind woman but not of noble birth. Then again they could have been silenced by the gentle look in Galahad eyes, and how utterly different he was from a warrior.
When he returned the boys home he found Moira smiling whole heartily at him, now a seamstress and herb woman she had her own little place and as Galahad excitedly shown him, more furniture and his own little bed. Though he did grow red and silent when a little girl with honey blonde hair came waltzing in, her name Elaine. Her mother behind her holding a bunch of cloth. Moira smiled as they ran out to play hand in hand, grins on both their faces, Arthur frowned trying to place her in his mind but couldn't.
"Little Elaine has been such a godsend," Moira said seeing Arthur stare after the children, "She was supposed to be living with her uncle in the valley but Kathrine here spoke to her brother and arrranged her to stay." Kathrine nodded smiling as she wove, "Yes well i do think my daughter is a little young to be arranged to the king of Astolat If she finds love i dare say i shall be happy for her with the king or any other." They spoke for a few more minutes Merlin sitting by the door. When he was about to leave Moira said, "Thank you so much your highness. I'm making much more earnings here, I swear when I have enough I'll repay what I owe you." Arthur shook his head, "It's just good your in Camelot now. This is your home and you owe me nothing." Once he left telling Galahad to meet him in the same place the next day Merlin frowned next to him. "How did you know he was in Camelot?" "I didn't Merlin, but Galahad and Tristan were trained by the best." Arthur looped an arm over Merlin's shoulder and said, "Tell me everything that happened." Merlin mildly confused held a smile on his face.
Arthur nodded going over everything, now back at Gaius's. Merlin leaving out the incident of them together. "Alright so Merlin I need you and Gawain to follow me, Gawain you leave tomorrow?" Gawain nodded, "Lancelot and I decided to travel together," he shrugged, "Might be good for us. He needs to learn how to relax." Lancelot rolled his eyes leaning towards Gwen who had the day off, both were smiling. "Well both of you will have interesting adventures to tell me when you return, but I am still sorry to see you leave." He nodded, "Alright. Come on."
He dropped Merlin off first the joyful mood of the day turning into a dreadful nightmare. Merlin stood in the middle of the endless hall his mouth a slight 'o.' Arthur reached for him without guilt and said, "You knew about the Archenamous from the library and it saved my life. Now you need to read more you never know when it could come in handy." Gawain behind them was clutching his stomach, first in mouth trying to stop laughing so hard. Arthur couldn't even hold in a chuckle at the sight of Merlin's horrified face.
They walked out of the library and out of the castle, Gawain looking around expectantly. "No one is going to throw you in the dungeons. Don't worry right now you're just a trader from the town I have business with." Gawain nodded as they entered the market. Almost in the middle of the excited chaos Arthur stopped and then suddenly, unexpectantly pushed Gawain.
Tripping Gawain caught himself but not fast enough. Instead he almost toppled over a girl. Catching her, he immediately apologized. It was then he noticed she was a true beauty, a red haired, pale skin and gentle beauty. His heart stopped as her green eyes met his and she smiled a big happy grin, "Oh no it's perfectly fine. Are you okay?" Gawain a well known gypsy, tavern seeking and bar fighting man, a ladies man too, had to take a moment to say anything and what came out was, "Um…Gawain…" Her smiled didn't falter but her brows came together in confusion, "Well Gawain I'm Helena would you like to try some of my and mother's pastries?" She gestured behind her and he saw a small shop. He nodded and behind watching the entire scene Arthur smiled. Maybe now Helena wouldn't marry so young and to such a horrible man before Gawain saved her from her life.
Gawain spent the rest of the day with Helena helping her making dough and chopping wood for the ovens. He knew whatever feelings he had ever felt for anyone else would never compare to Helena. Though she was only eighteen now, he knew in a few years when he returned to Camelot, he'd go straight to her, make a home with her. Her mother enjoyed his company as well, though it was mostly to get him to do the heavy labour. Gawain didn't mind even when making a fool of himself. He told Helena of his life and she of hers. By the time night came he said, "When I come back I will come for you. I promise, will…will you be here?" Helena smiled slowly, "Do you mean will I wait here for you?" Gawain looked down and Helena laughed, "Gawain," She whispered now serious, she caressed his cheek, "You're a loyal, strong and the most wonderful man I have ever met. I will wait however long it takes." When they parted, they kissed, a kiss of love that knew no bounds and no sense of time.
Arthur at this time was sulking in his wine. Merlin looked at him over the large jug, angry, tired and confused. Finally as Arthur poured his sixth goblet Merlin almost shouted, "What is it?" They locked gazes, Merlin slightly frightened at his outburst and Arthur gloomy. "Merlin…" He thought of Merlin telling him not to act, not to feel anything. But then he thought of their bond, their beloved bond that he felt empty without. Finally he shot forward, grabbed the surprised warlock and kissed him. Merlin, surprisingly responded right away, and soon Merlin was in his arms. Merlin moaned disappointed when finally needing to breathe Arthur broke the kiss. Panting, Merlin's eyes were wide as he whispered, "Arthur…is this okay."
Arthur took a long time to answer, their breath even. "I don't know Merlin," He thumb started stroking Merlin's cheek, "I don't know anything anymore, except that I want you." Merlin gasped and then attacked. Arthur surprised fell back into his chair, Merlin in his lap and their lips together, tongues dancing. It was clumsy, more passion than tactful and it was perfect. Merlin's hands on his body his lips moving to Arthur's neck, "Ugg…Merlin, there's so much I have to tell you." Merlin shifted so that they looked into each others eyes. There was a huge grin on Merlin's face then slowly it started to slip, "Arthur, you're going to be king." Arthur blinked, "I mean you need a wife…a son." Arthur was already shaking his head, now he was grinning, "I have one-or will have one. A prince to take my place, don't worry Merlin. Somehow, I know all I truly need is you."
Merlin gave him a small peck as he whispered, "I love you Arthur." It was only later, after Arthur pushed them to the bed, after clothes were discarded and the feel of soft skin replaced the roughness, after little gasps, panting and loud moans echoed through the room and when finally, finally he saw his warlock's eyes change to that amazing gold he felt it.
Wrapped in each others arms he felt Merlin move. "What…?" Strong and whole a bond, the bond like non other. Arthur smiled and Merlin gasped. He moved his head off Arthur's good shoulder and said, "So you want to start talking?" Arthur grinned, "A bond of our souls." Merlin's hand spread across Arthur's heart as he felt everything. Merlion smiled, "You love me." Not a question but a statement Arthur smiled back, "Of course, I love you idiot. It took a while but I do and always will." He rolled them over getting a cute little yelp from Merlin and grinned, "Talking can wait, I can think of a lot more delicious things we can do."
So it would wait. Arthur didn't know how his future would one day come, pass and end. But it would, magic right now was outlawed and sorcerers ban together to kill him, he knew he would one day release them from fear, from execution. He knew his knights deserved happiness. One day maybe with Merlin's help they could get the princess Isode to come to Camelot, after all an allegiance with Camelot would be much better than one with Mark's kingdom.
Mordred was a different matter, he would be powerful, but never truly would he be able to get a strong hold on Camelot. Arthur would never have Morgana as a wedge between him and his love, a doubt that turned fatal to him, and Camelot. Mordred wouldn't have Morgana to tell him of Arthur's weaknesses or to stand behind as a supporter for the thrown. He was beatable, that is if he even tried to attack, perhaps maybe in years to come, when magic is great again he would choose a peaceful life, without hatred or greed. Perhaps, Arthur didn't know.
Maybes and Perhaps. The only thing Arthur was certain of, was sleeping in his arms. He knew without Merlin at his side he never would have become king, never mind a king worthy of greatness, of Merlin himself. He smiled the scent of pine and wildness surrounding him, he knew for certain he would never leave Merlin, never again make that mistake. His future as long as his love was there was bright and perfect.
"Forever." He whispered as sleep finally took him away. Merlin's soft sleeping smile widened as if he agreed as well, then he snuggled closer into Arthur's warm body, Arthur's arms tightened in his sleep. No one saw Merlin's eyes turn golden beneath his eyelids as if his magic agreed as well...
Kilagharrah sniffed the air, a change had come. His eyes seemed far away as he saw flashes of a world only he could see. A future that had been stopped and a new one unfolding. He smiled to himself as he chuckled softly. So Merlin had finally done something right, Arthur he knew was safe. Their destinies were theirs and if anyone ever asked The Great Dragon he would have said it couldn't have happened but alas he had been wrong. "Well, well warlock, I hope you're ready." Kilagharrah chuckled again as he laid his head down. The future no longer seemed so desperate, Mordred would be a threat but a beatable one.
"Well done warlock, and future king." The Great Dragon said sleepily then it started to snore.