AN: This song comes from AVPS and is sung by Harry when he arrives at Hogwarts and finds a new home. This one is a reveal which I don't actually think I've done so far. Either way; this is a beautiful song, written and performed by Darren Criss and I love it.

The silence seemed to deafen them. The shock and enormity of what Merlin had just confessed and proven had stunned all of them into silence. They had joked about it; the idea of someone like Merlin having magic but the reality of the situation was a whole other story. Merlin stared at his feet; waiting for the anger, the accusations, the sentence of exile or execution; he didn't dare look up to see the hate in his friend's eyes. However the knights and Arthur weren't looking at him, instead, as one they had turned to Gwen; beseeching her mutely to take control or tell them what to do. Gwen hadn't said a word through Merlin's confession while the others had spouted questions of what he had done and why. Instead she had absorbed it all; taking on board all Merlin had said and what he hadn't. There was only one way she could react.

Merlin kept his gaze on his boots and the red hemline of Gwen's dress appeared in his limited line of sight before her arms wrapped around him in a tight hug. The hug told him more than words could. She accepted him; he was still the same Merlin. Merlin hugged her back and within seconds the others were there; breaking the silence with claps on his back and wisecracks about how easier things would be now for them. Finally Arthur seemed to find his voice.

"Well, it seems we have a lot to organise. The ban needed to be repealed and there hasn't been a Court Sorcerer for nearly thirty years; we'll need to speak to Geoffrey and get it done properly." Arthur commented.

"You mean it?" Merlin asked; this couldn't be real, could it?

"Of course we do; after all you've done, it's the least we can do." Gwen smiled, Merlin shook his head in disbelief as a grin spread over his face. Later that evening; after an emergency council meeting which got the majority of details arranged, Merlin wandered around the castle and felt like a massive weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He also felt something else. A sort of peace. Like he was finally home.

"Home,
I've heard the word before,
But it never meant much more
Than just a thing I've never had."
Merlin sang to himself; he'd been born and raised in Ealdor but he'd never really felt like he belonged there. He was the weird, clumsy kid who had hardly any friends. When Hunith suggested he go to Camelot, he'd been so excited. That he'd finally have a place to belong. But in a way, it was even worse in Camelot than it was in Ealdor. The shaky start, the dangers, not to mention the whole 'anyone-accused-of-magic-will-die-horribly' thing.

"A "place,"
They say, "Hey, know your place!"
But I've never had a place to even know,
Or a face that I could go to
If I needed someone there..."
Well ok, that was a slight exaggeration, Merlin mused. He was almost always able to speak to Gaius; if he was desperate he sought out the Dragon's help but there was nowhere he could go where he could just be Merlin. Somewhere where he could just be himself; not a servant, not bound by some destiny, not a foe to a well, psychopath but that place didn't seem to exist for him. Now however that the truth had finally come out and everyone accepted him; maybe at last Camelot would now become home. Merlin stopped at a window and focused on the good times, the funny times. When everything got crazy but it was strangely funny. Like when the Goblin escaped; Merlin had just laughed so much at what had happened; Uther being bald, Arthur braying with donkey ears; Gaius being possessed by a goblin; obviously the fate of the kingdom was at stake but still, good times. Good times. Even thinking about it caused Merlin to laugh.

"I'm laughing
It's hard to hide a smile
My god, it's been a while
Since I have had a reason to.
To think
It's been here all along
Somewhere to belong,
And a reason,
A something-to-believe-in."
Merlin mused; he supposed in a way Camelot always had been home. Why else would he have risked so much to protect and defend it if he didn't consider it home? Aside from Destiny and all that stuff Kilgharragh came out with; the bottom line was; in his heart of hearts, the place had become home the moment he set foot in it all those years ago.

"I've finally found it,
A place where I'm wanted...
This must be how it feels to have a home."
Merlin claimed. He felt so many different things; pride in the strength of the kingdom and it's people; hope for the changes the next days and weeks would bring and also a sense of peace. He didn't have to hide anymore. He didn't have to lie anymore. He was free. Free to be himself. Free to practise magic. Free to be Emrys. Free. He liked that word.

"I used to dream about it
But never schemed or counted
On fantasies or wishes-
It breaks a man to see what he misses
So many nights I'd pray
For a better life, a better day
But I never thought that it'd come true
Now that it's here, I don't know what to do
And I'm trying not to cry,"
Merlin claimed as he thought about how he would dream about a Camelot with magic; everyone knowing who he was. There were two alternatives; the dream and the nightmare. Luckily for him; he'd gotten the dream. How many times had he longed to reveal himself; to proclaim to everyone that he, Merlin, had magic and now that it had all happened; his secret revealed, magic about to be re-legalised… he didn't know what he was supposed to do. For once, Merlin had no smidge of what to possibly do and maybe that was why tears pricked his eyes. Because he didn't know how else to react; he was simply crying with relief.

"This must be how it feels
To have a home."
Merlin mused as he returned to Gaius' quarters. His mentor was sitting up and they spoke long into the night about all that had happened, what would happen and what could happen. Everything as they knew it was about to change; there were going to be mixed reactions, struggles would appear and they'd be overcome. But tonight at least; they imagined the positives; how things would improve both rapidly and over time.

A week later found Merlin pacing nervously outside the doors to the Great Hall. Like a knighting ceremony; the induction of a new council member, and by extend a lord- yes he was Lord Merlin now, title and everything. It came with the Court Sorcerer tag apparently; was done publically with a feast afterwards. A feast in his honour, Merlin never thought he'd see the day… Merlin stopped and took a deep breath as the doors opened.

"I've finally made it
I've hoped and I've waited
And for the first time in my life, I don't feel so alone
My heart starts to heal
To know that it's real.
This is how it must feel
To have a home!"
Merlin claimed; this was what he had been born to do. Merlin stepped into the hall and quickly glanced around; the knights were beaming with pride at their younger brother; Gaius' expression was one of paternal pride while Hunith was next to him dabbing her eyes. Arthur and Gwen were ready and waiting; carefully expressionless but Merlin could see the happiness in their eyes as he approached them. As he was formally introduced as Lord Merlin; Camelot's Official Court Sorcerer, Merlin once again felt that sense of peace he'd been feeling ever since he'd revealed himself. This was where he truly belonged; these people especially were his family.

And Camelot truly was his home.

AN: Aw bless him. Just because they were commoners didn't mean they were bad people. Gee Lord Agravaine, you need to understand that.