Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.
Chapter 29 – The Ancient Prophecy Fulfilled
The following weeks were ones of chaos, confusion and reflection. The battle had indeed been televised worldwide and when asked The Lady admitted it had not been by her doing, prompting Merlin to speak with The Disir who said it was the will of The Triple Goddess that the world see the destinies of The Once and Future King and Queen fulfilled. Gwen had not been happy that her part in their destiny had been to be cursed and need saving like a damsel in distress, though Arthur reminded her that this was real life, not a work of fiction were damsels in distress reigned for many years, and ultimately it had been her that had turned the tide with Morgana. Although initially not certain they agreed with The Triple Goddess about the necessity of broadcasting the battle, they could not deny the help it had been for magic was now well and truly accepted on earth once more. Very few remained vocal about the evils of magic and were quickly shot down when they spoke out, people reminding them that it was not magic itself but humans that possessed evil and would use magic to those ends. Merlin's wards, which he had initially planned to remove after the war with Morgana, or truthfully Morgause, came to an end, remained in place at the behest of world leaders. Not only had crime rates and death tolls dropped to the lowest they had been in recorded history, but all other wars waging in the world had been forced to an end. As no more attacks could take place, all sides were forced to talk like grownups and civilized beings instead of trying to blow each other up, as that was no longer an option.
The funerals of those who had died fighting the wraiths were held within the two weeks after the battle and were all attended by Arthur, Gwen and their court. The two had also had a monument erected in the castle courtyard to honour all those who had given their lives to end a two thousand year old war. Each person's name was painstaking carved into stone and even those modern soldiers who had died found their names immortalized in the legendary Camelot. Although the grieving would never truly end, once the funerals were over it was time to begin to move on, which left a conundrum for those who had been reborn. Do they return to their present day lives? Or remain as their past selves in Camelot? Was it even possible for them to remain as their past selves in the present day, especially for Arthur and Gwen who were a King and Queen without truly having a kingdom. If they left what would happen to Camelot? The questions continued to pour in with no easy answer. It was made all the more difficult by the fact that their past selves did not weaken inside them as they thought they would once their destinies were fulfilled, and so each choice left a void and half of them feeling like they did not belong in whichever world they chose to live in. Their decision, however, was decided for them on two different fronts. As one, the people of Camelot decided to remain. None of them had had lives in the present such that they missed them terribly, which had Merlin wondering if it could be the work of The Triple Goddess, and the parts that they would miss, family, friends and the like, they did not have to give up. Their present day selves were more at home in Camelot then their past selves were in the modern world and so they were quite content to remain in Camelot, allowing their past selves to live the lives that had been cut short, and also ensuring Camelot was not forgotten. It seemed impossible for Camelot to be forgotten, however, is it became clear quite quickly that the world did not want it to be forgotten. With magic newly returned to the world, and seeing the legend that these people once were and the truth that the world had seen since their awakening, no one wanted them to disappear from public eye. Arthur, Gwen and their court, like their people, were happy to remain in Camelot, and, for the most part, allow their past selves free reign. The compromise they had established prevailed and although they remained Arthur and Gwen most of the time, Aric and Gina were not forgotten and were who they appeared as when they stepped outside of Camelot, shedding The High King and Queen for their modern selves in their modern bodies.
Even with this decision made they could not live as they once had, largely because it was neither practical, nor even possible, to do so. The Knights, who had spent their time in the past training, guarding the royal family, and competing in tournaments could no longer make a living doing so, nor was it strictly necessary with the war with Morgause finally being over. Before the final battle they had graduated with their degrees and so were in a position to use them, which they did on occasion, though they remained in Camelot most of the time, none of them having a 9-5 job in an office somewhere. It helped, of course, that jobs were not strictly necessary given both that Camelot was self sustaining, not really needing much help from the outside world, and that the treasury remained full. Camelot had been a wealthy kingdom and upon it's destruction the royal treasury remained untouched for two thousand years; that vast fortune being worth a great deal more today. Arthur and Gwen were not like Uther who had hoarded his wealth. They spread the gold around to their people where needed and allowed some into the outside world to be given to museums, and in a few cases even bought by private collectors; needless to say none in Camelot wanted for anything.
Mithian, who's dream as Miranda had been to be an Arthurian historian, no longer needed a history degree as she was, in essence, history itself, though she did continue to work in that field, wanting to pass on the history of both Nemeth and Camelot. Arthur and Gwen had sworn that their kingdom would not become a tourist attraction, even though it was already that with millions of people around the world wanting to visit it. They had point blank refused to allow tourists inside the gates while still fighting Morgause, though with the war over Mithian convinced them of the benefits. They spoke in detail when Mithian first presented her plan to them and trusting her as they did they essentially decided to allow her to do as she wished; they knew she would never destroy the integrity of Camelot nor would never turn it into a tourist trap. As they expected, Mithian proved to be smart in her plans, taking full advantage of the demand to visit Camelot to make things the way she wanted. Camelot's gates were not thrown wide open, allowing unimpeded access. Only a few hundred people a day were allowed inside and tours had to be arranged through a select few tour companies who met Mithian's criteria and agreed to her conditions. No cheap souvenirs were made, nor did anyone attempt to open such a store, though Camelot's once bustling marketplace, which in the past had seen a few hundred visitors a day as people came from outlying villages to trade, came to life once more. Guided tours were given of the castle so that people may see the iconic Round Table and the throne room, though there were many parts of the castle that were off limits, and castle guards, who retained their positions for security with so many visitors, were very adept at stopping anyone from wandering. The Knights spent their time training and holding tournaments as they once had. The tourists being allowed to watch both if either a training session or tournament was taking place during their visit; these were not shows that were put on daily for the tourists, who were not guaranteed to see one. Even if it was no longer possible to make a living as a Knight, many still wanted to become them, from children who thought knights were cool, to adults who were serious about the craft. It was one aspect of their past lives that they continued with. They would no longer train men from childhood, but if any adults truly wished to move to Camelot and become a knight they were welcome to take the trials, those that succeeded being Knighted by King Arthur. In this twenty-first century knighthood was also no longer only the realm of men, several women having successfully passed the trials.
Merlin continued to build the bridge between magic and non-magic users, though he also spent a great deal of time working alongside his wife. He had spent two thousand years without her and would not do so again. As time passed they noticed that he began to age, confirming that his time as the Immortal Mage had come to an end and he would live out this life with his friends and family and be able to pass on with them. Less than a year after Morgause's defeat, he and Mithian were also gifted with the child they had always wanted. They learned then that their inability to have a child had not been due to either of them, but rather due to The Triple Goddess, who had stopped the possibility of a child in an attempt to save Merlin from more hurt; he had to watch his wife and family die, she did not want him to have to bury his children or grandchildren as well as he lived on.
As for Arthur and Gwen they still ruled Camelot as King and Queen. Due to the previous non-existence of Camelot, and the power those within it held, the British government had not attempted to bring Camelot under their jurisdiction. They declared it sovereign territory, fully under Arthur and Guinevere's control, and not subject to the laws of modern Britain. Ruling Camelot took up a great deal of their time, and what time they spent outside of Camelot was usually with their parents and families as Gina and Aric. However, on more than one occasion they did find themselves considered as extended members of the modern royal family. While modern Britain did not try and interfere with Camelot, just as they did not try and interfere with modern Britain, the two royals found themselves invited to many functions held by Queen Elizabeth. The first state dinner they went to had surprised them for not only had they been seated near The Queen, but had been tasked with entertaining the foreign dignitaries just as members of The Queen's family was. Shortly thereafter they began working in co-operation with Queen Elizabeth, attending more events and even hosting their own, giving them a semblance of still being true monarchs. They were well aware, of course, that Queen Elizabeth did not do this for them. While they were sure she was fond of them, as they were of her, Queen Elizabeth had always put her country first, and given their standing around the world and the interest in them it was beneficial to Britain for them to not sequester themselves in Camelot and never be seen, but to actively participate in more than just their own affairs. Given they themselves had dedicated their lives to Britain, neither minded being used so, so long as it continued to benefit Britain. They also remained good friends with William and Kate, and even Harry, though he got along famously with Lancelot. This was, of course, helped along by the fact that their children were as close as ever, particularly George and Eleanor, who demanded to see each other multiple times a week. The youngsters close friendship also happened to garner a great deal of attention from the tabloids, many of which had joked about a royal betrothal much to the parents' annoyance. This was even more prominent, and more annoying, given Camelot's status as sovereign territory. Historically royal marriages were made to forge alliances between kingdoms, and with Camelot being essentially its own kingdom inside Britain, a marriage between Eleanor, the daughter of the current King and sister of the future King, for William would one day be King of Camelot upon Arthur's death, though he would never hold his father's title of King of Britain, and George as the future King of England, would unite the two kingdoms.
As the one-year anniversary of Morgause's final defeat approached, the people of Camelot petitioned The King and Queen to hold a coronation for them in this time. It was not the first time that the people had petitioned them for this, there had been several such attempts throughout the last year, each one of which was turned down. The people of Camelot wanted to officially crown their monarchs in this time instead of merely having it carry over from two thousand years ago. Such ceremony was important to them, and even to Arthur and Gwen, though the two deemed this particular ceremony inappropriate in this day and age. However, the people were determined and they grew smart about it. Instead of asking for another coronation this time, they petitioned to have a ceremony where The King and Queen would renew their vows to serve Camelot and Britain. Although they had sworn to do so from the time they had re-awakened, they had not done so officially or publically and this request was not one either could refuse unless they did not wish to renew their vows, which was not at all the case. The people were jubilant at their monarchs' acceptance and began preparing Camelot for the ceremony; scrubbing and polishing every inch until it shined. Both Mithian and Queen Elizabeth both helped to convince them that this was the right course of action. The Queen herself had renewed her own vows to serve her country more than once, though admittedly not in such an overt display, and given the dedication the two had shown to the world over the last year she did not deem it inappropriate in the least; she was also openly amused that the people of Camelot had essentially manipulated their King and Queen to get what they wanted. She also noted that it worked as a manipulation against any who would say it was not Arthur and Gwen's place to hold such a ceremony for those people would then be saying that those in positions of power, for even the naysayers could not deny that Arthur and Gwen were in positions of power, could not vow to dedicate their lives to the betterment of Britain. Mithian, on the other hand, showed them both the educational and public relations opportunity this presented. With Queen Elizabeth behind them, and agreeing to attend, other members of the royal family and modern British dignitaries would follow her lead and further cement both Arthur and Gwen's, and Camelot's, position in the modern world. It would also allow people to see some of the pageantry the monarchy was known for. While they were used to the pageantry of the modern monarchy, there was both something different and special about historical pageantry, conducted at historical locations, by historical figures. It was to this end that Arthur and Gwen even found themselves agreeing to allow a TV crew inside Camelot to broadcast the ceremony, though they drew the line at allowing anyone else inside, wanting to ensure there was space for both the people of Camelot, and their invited guests.
oo00oo00oo
The day before the ceremony was to take place, another event occurred, one which they had been waiting a year for: Morgana had been found. During all this time no one had heard even a whisper of her. Merlin had assured them that The Lady had taken an interest in her wellbeing and even The Disir were working on behalf of The Triple Goddess to try and bring back the last High Priestess of her order. However, regardless of the assurance that Morgana was safe, no one had seen or heard from her, and not even Merlin knew where she was. At least, he didn't know until today when Aithusa journeyed to Camelot and informed The Dragonlord that Morgana was on the Isle of the Blessed. The Great Dragon was unclear as to whether she had requested to see them or not, but regardless Merlin hastened to find Arthur and Gwen, taking the three of them to the Lake of Avalon with a simple flash of gold in his eyes. They arrived to find Morgana in discussion with The Lady who stopped upon seeing them, causing Morgana to turn.
"Arthur…Gwen…" She murmured with wide eyes; clearly she had not asked to see them. "Merlin…"
"Morgana…" The two royals breathed, tears in both their eyes. Gwen was the first to break away and rush over; enveloping the other woman in a hug that she did not reciprocate.
"We have missed you so much." The Queen muttered, not caring that her affection was not returned; knowing now that Morgana's actions in the past had not been her own and that she actually did know this woman, she knew that Morgana was wracked with guilt. It wasn't long before they were joined by Arthur who wrapped his arms around both his wife and sister, though pulling the raven-haired beauty fully into his embrace when Gwen backed away to give them a moment.
"Morgana, what happened-" He began.
"Please, Arthur, I can't forgive myself."
"I don't care." He continued, pulling back enough to look her in the eyes. "You are my sister, Morgana, and if Morgause did not lie then you are my sister by blood as well. I loved you even when I thought you had betrayed us, and that has not changed. I am so sorry."
"What could you possibly have to apologize for?"
"I believed the worst of you."
"We both did." Gwen added, having not gone far at all.
"No. We all did." Merlin corrected. He had allowed them their moment, but would by no means be relegated to the background.
"Even before I knew we shared a father I called you my sister, and yet I so easily accepted that you betrayed us. If I had not believed it, if I had refused to accept such illogical reasoning for your betrayal, that I knew you would never have found logical, if I had fought harder to bring you back-"
"We both have things we regret." Morgana interrupted. "Though I still do not think you have anything to feel guilty over."
"Well, we shall agree to disagree on that."
"Will you come home, Morgana?" Gwen asked, pleading with her friend. "We all miss you."
"Everyone believes me dead, and Camelot is no longer my home."
"Only the modern world believes you dead." She argued. "The people of Camelot are well aware that you live and have forgiven you; they know all too well how when enchanted a person's actions are not their own. You were forgiven the moment they learned Morgause had taken control of you."
"And Camelot will always be your home. Regardless of what you say." Arthur added.
"Still…"
"I can alter things. Let you start over." Merlin offered, earning a shocked look from those gathered.
"You would use your magic like that? For me?" Morgana was both touched and even more wracked with guilt at the thought.
"There are only a handful of people I would use my magic like that for. My wife, and soon to be daughter." He smiled as he always did at the thought of finally having a child of his own. "For Arthur, Gwen…and you."
"I will not ask that of you, Merlin. No matter how tempting." She replied after a moment.
"But if this is the only thing that stands in your way-"
"But it isn't! I have spent so long as someone I am not, that I no longer know who I am. No matter how much guilt I feel, even I can recognize that I was not myself when I waged war on you. But regardless I did wage war, I took many lives and I cannot forgive myself for it."
"You were controlled by Morgause-" Arthur tried to argue.
"I know." Morgana had heard these arguments before from both The Lady of the Lake, and The Disir. "But that guilt is still there and until I can gain control of it, until I find who I am again, I cannot return." Both Arthur and Merlin opened their mouths to argue, but Gwen cut them off.
"Will you at least visit?" She implored. "Or allow us to visit you here? Although we would love nothing more than to have you returned to us, instilled by our side as our sister once more…we cannot imagine what you have gone through. You take all the time you need, Morgana, and we will not pressure you so long as you promise us to be safe, and to not cut us out of your life completely." Although they both looked like they wanted to argue further, Arthur and Merlin recognized the wisdom in Gwen's words. Morgana was wounded, though this wound could not be healed with the wave of a hand. She needed time and space and so long as they knew she was safe and that they would see her at least occasionally they would live with her absence for now. Morgana stared into Gwen's eyes for a few moments as if looking to determine whether or not she was speaking the truth that she wanted her in her life. When she saw that The Queen was entirely serious she nodded.
"Alright. I agree to your terms." She said, with only a hint of amusement.
"Where will you go? What will you do?" While Arthur could live with her absence, he wanted more than just a simple promise to be safe.
"I think I will be here for much of my time. Or with The Disir. Apparently The Triple Goddess is determined to not lose the last High Priestess of her order and so she has commanded The Disir to help me. I have lived so long in darkness that I don't know what light magic is any longer. I will spend my time immersing myself in the magic of this earth, the magic The Triple Goddess governs over, so that the final taints of Morgause's dark magic are washed away. Hopefully it will also bring me peace."
"And I will help." Merlin added, this time his voice brooked no argument. "You will need a friend, Morgana, and though there are others who can fill that spot I am the only magical one who can. It is also my duty as Emrys to ensure the wellbeing of magic itself, along with all those that practice it." Morgana hesitated for a moment before offering him a small smile.
"I would like that." Knowing that with The Lady, The Disir, and Merlin watching over her that Morgana would never truly be alone, Arthur and Gwen felt much better about leaving her. It had been but a brief meeting, but even Arthur, who could be quite clueless at times, saw that Morgana was not ready for more at this time.
oo00oo00oo
The following day dawned bright and early as George and Sefa roused their master and mistress to prepare them for the day to come. Given that every citizen of Camelot, without exception, wished to attend, the ceremony would be held in the castle courtyard just as their last coronation had been, with the visiting officials given places of honour upon the balcony with a perfect view of the proceedings. As a not so subtle reminder to those who had attended their coronation first coronation, both were dressed in the same clothes, Arthur with his red and gold doublet, the red cape with the golden dragon sigil stitched on the shoulder, and Gwen in her purple gown with lace sleeves and flowing train, both also wearing their golden crowns. Aside from their children, whom they had helped wrestle into their best clothes, the two had seen no one save their man and maidservant though they did watch as people began arriving. Everyone was dressed in their best, including the visiting royals and dignitaries who, as this was essentially a state function, wore either military dress uniforms, morning suits, or elaborate dresses; the female royals also wearing glittering tiaras. When the time came for the ceremony to begin Sefa and George led them down the stairs and out a back door so they may walk up the aisle that had been left for them. Trumpets sounded as they began to make their way to the landing on the castle steps. They smiled and nodded as they passed their people, their smiles brightening just a bit as they spotted their friends, family and children. Only one person awaited them on the landing: Geoffrey of Monmouth, the Court Genealogist and Keeper of the Royal Library, who was a good friend of Gaius', and had been to Uther, had been chosen to perform the ceremony. As one of King Uther's friends, Arthur had known Geoffrey longer than he could remember and the man had been an unofficial uncle to the then Prince, much as Gaius had. Finally reaching the landing, the two knelt on the cushions that had been placed there for them as Geoffrey came to stand before them.
"Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the peoples of Camelot according to their respective laws and customs?" He asked of Arthur.
"I solemnly swear so to do."
"Will you, to your power, cause law and justice in mercy to be executed in all your judgements?"
"I will." Arthur's reply was just as serious as it had been the first time he spoke those words.
"Then by the sacred law vested in me, on behalf of the people of Camelot, I humbly accept the renewal of your vows of service, King Arthur!" Arthur stood and turned to face the crowd, a few people up on the balcony began to clap though it quickly died down when no one else joined in. When silence reigned once more, Arthur looked down on his wife. Regardless of the current date, the laws of Camelot had not changed in two thousand years, and so it was Arthur's duty to renew Guinevere's vows. The church, or elected official, only had power to crown, or in this case renew the vows, of the rightful monarch of Camelot; as Guinevere was the King's Consort he must crown, or renew the vows, of his Queen. Even so, there would be little difference in their vows.
"Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the peoples of Camelot according to their respective laws and customs?"
"I solemnly swear so to do."
"Will you, to your power, cause law and justice in mercy to be executed in all your judgements, and ensure The King does not stray from such when his impatience, temper, or ego get in the way?" A soft laugh went through the crowd, none who knew their King surprised that he would add such a vow or attempt a joke at such a time.
"I will." Gwen replied, attempting to hide both a smile and frown, though her eyes told of both her amusement and the chastisement she wished to give Arthur.
"Then by the sacred laws vested in me, I accept and welcome the renewal of your vows of service, Queen Guinevere!" Remembering his own actions during their first coronation, Arthur offered his hands to Gwen and helped her to stand before leaning in for a kiss. When the two pulled apart and turned to face the crowd, a great cheer erupted.
"Long live The King! Long live The Queen!" The two allowed the cheers to continue for a bit before Arthur raised his hand for silence.
"Let every man, woman and child bear witness, that from this day, all Britons will be united in one common cause!" He allowed those words to sink in for a moment, many remembering them from so long ago. "Those were the words that I spoke upon my coronation as High King of Britain two thousand years ago. I have dedicated my life, both my lives, to peace in Britain, and with The High King no longer needed to bring peace to the land, I happily renounce that title."
"However, we both believe, with all our hearts, that those words are still relevant today." Gwen continued. "We have proudly renewed our vows to Camelot, and swear to continue to work towards peace both here, and throughout Britain. Alongside Queen Elizabeth and her descendants, as well as the elected British government, we know that another Golden Age is possible, so long as all Britons are united as one!" The sound was deafening as the crowd roared their approval. Once more, Arthur reached for the sword at his side and pulled forth Excalibur, raising it on high.
"For the love of Camelot! And for the love of Britain!" He cried. Gwen did not hesitate to reach up and join her hand with Arthur's, just as The Knights of The Round Table did not hesitate to follow their King's example, unsheathing their own swords and holding them up as the crowd took up the cry.
"For the love of Camelot! And for the love of Britain!"
A/N - I totally meant to post this last week, but got distracted. Anyways, that's the end, there's no more! Initially I was going to have them pretty much settle into modern life and that was going to be that, but I realized that I didn't want their past selves to Camelot to be forgotten so came up with this instead. I hope it wasn't terribly disappointing.
