Endings and New Beginnings

Elia stood at the front of the hall, her eyes fixed on Guinevere. After the happiness of finding out that she could stay, she was once again swept up into the fresh memories of what they had lost.

Guinevere sat stoically on the throne, looking out that those gathered there.

"The king is dead," Leon said. "Long live the queen!"

The phrase reverberated through the hall as everyone joined in, Elia as well. She glanced over at Merlin, who was standing next to her, a pained expression on his face. She reached over and took his hand, squeezing it. He smiled briefly at her before returning his gaze to the front of the room.

A few days had passed. Elia stayed to offer what help she could, but she would need to return to The Willows soon. They would need to bury their own dead and then make preparations for the others to leave for the docks. It was not a task that she was looking forward to, but it was one that she needed to take care of. She and Elidren had stayed up late into the night nearly every night, discussing plans.

Merlin would go with her, thankfully. She wasn't sure if she could get through it on her own.

Saying goodbye to her family and her home. Again.

"Gwen," Elia said softly, walking up to the queen once the ceremony was over. Guinevere offered a brave smile, but Elia could still clearly see her pain. Elia embraced her.

"I just… keep thinking that perhaps… he'll come riding back in through the gates… that there's been some horrible mistake," Gwen said softly. Elia stepped back at studied her. "How am I supposed to do this on my own?"

"You're not alone," Elia said. "There are so many here that will help you. Myself and Merlin included. We will stay at your side as long as you want." Guinevere smiled at her and pulled the elf into another hug. "Have courage, dear Gwen."

"Thank you," she said softly. She then stepped back and looked around the room. "Suppose I should get to work… being sole ruler." She smiled again and then walked off, others quickly stepping up to offer words of comfort.

"She will be fine," Elia said, sensing Merlin at her side. "You will as well." She looked over at him.

"Did you see that?" he asked.

"Don't need to," Elia replied. He nodded as Bridget walked up to the two.

"My queen," she said, bowing before her.

"You showed great bravery on the field," Elia said.

"I only did what I was supposed to do," Bridget replied, though a sheen of tears filled her eyes. The young elf was still battling her own guilt over Mordred though she knew there was nothing that could have been done. "Are we really to go to The Isles… without you?" Elia nodded, glancing at Merlin.

"It would seem that Fate wants me here," she said.

"Perhaps… I could stay as well," she said. "You will need help." Elia smiled as she pulled the elf into an embrace.

"No. You must go with the others. I cannot guarantee that you would be safe," Elia replied. She looked over Bridget's shoulder, meeting Cameron's eyes. "And I feel that Cameron will need help with our armies." Bridget stepped back from her.

"What?" she asked.

"With Rhys gone, someone will need to replace him, both in the army and on the council," Elia said.

"But… I was just a servant before," Bridget said. "And I'm still labelled a traitor."

"You have proven yourself," Elia said. "All it takes is a few words from me and I'm sure it can be." Bridget smiled and bowed.

"Thank you, my queen," she said before walking away.

"You've forgiven her," Merlin said.

"Yes. A while ago," Elia said, still watching Bridget as she walked up to Cameron. "She will be good at his side."

"Cameron?" Merlin asked. Elia nodded.

"I at least saw that," she said, glancing at him. "They will work well together." She then started walking off.

"You've seen more? What else have you seen?" Merlin asked, following her.

"All in due time, Merlin," Elia replied.

"You've seen something with us?" he pushed. Elia stopped and glanced back at him.

"Again… all in due time…"

A few weeks later, Elia stood solemnly on the docks overlooking the fleet of ships. The elves were already on board, though Faeranduil, Elidren, Trevor, and Fianna, stood before her. Merlin was at her side, squeezing her hand. She glanced over at him and then turned back to the elves, stepping up to them, letting go of his hand.

She was grateful to have him at her side. Though she knew that she would someday see her kin again, it still did not ease the pain of their parting, for she did not know how long she would have to wait.

"My queen," Faeranduil said as she approached. She felt the tears beginning to prick behind her eyes as she straightened her back and looked to the boats, seeing the elves lining the decks. Bridget stood next to Cameron and inclined her head towards Elia when their gazes met. Elia then looked back to the sage elf. "This is not the last we will see of each other."

"Yes, I know," she said. "But my heart still aches."

"You have a great purpose before you. Stay focused on that," he said. Elia then looked to Fianna, who was smiling through her tears. She stepped over and hugged her once maid, feeling the tears threatening to pour out.

"Have courage, my queen," Fianna said softly. "We will be fine." Elia nodded as she stepped back from her. She then stepped over to Trevor and embraced him next. She could hardly speak, too overcome with losing her best friend.

"I would stay with you," he whispered in her ear.

"I know," she said. "I wish that you could."

"Try not to get into too much trouble without me around," he said. She stepped back and smiled up at him, her tears already falling down her pale cheeks.

"I will miss you," she said softly. She then looked at Elidren.

For years he had always looked out for her, helped her. Given her advice, even if she did not always want nor heeded it. She did not know what she would do without him. He had always been there. She closed her eyes as Elidren pulled her into his arms.

"Do not worry, Lia. I will keep them safe," he said softly.

"Our kin shall flourish under your leadership," she replied, looking up at him.

"All I ask is that you keep yourself safe in the meantime. And you know how it goes… after a while, time will begin to pass quickly," he said. "Before you know it, we will be back." She nodded, the tears pouring down her cheeks.

"I shall miss you the most… even your lectures," she replied, laughing softly. He looked over at Merlin.

"You have someone else to look after you now," he said. "I am sure you are safe in his capable hands." Merlin's eyes widened at the praise. And here he thought the stoic elf did not like him. Well, he supposed that was still up for debate. But at least Elidren had come to respect him. "We will be fine." Elia nodded and stepped back.

"I will hold you all in my heart until the day Fate brings us back together," she said solemnly.

"All hail Elia of The Willows and Rosewood… forever our Queen," Faeranduil said before bowing low before her. All the elves followed, causing more tears to course down Elia's cheeks. She lifted her chin slightly, even though her vision was slightly blurred from the tears.

"May the sun be forever at your back," she managed to say in a clear voice. The elves then stood and turned, making the last, silent procession onto the grandest of the ships. Elia stood silently watching as they set sail, not moving until they all became tiny dots on the horizon.

"They will be back," Merlin said softly, stepping up to her side.

"I still feel as though my heart is breaking," she replied. She looked over at him. "I assume it is the same for you." He nodded.

"At least we have each other," he said softly. Elia nodded and looked back at the sea.

"Yes… we have that…"

Elia sighed as she leaned back slightly in the grass on a hill overlooking Avalon. She was not yet ready to return to Camelot, so they stopped there for a few moments. The place still held so many painful memories for them both, but yet, it held a certain atmosphere of peace. It was in the way the gentle breeze blew through the grass and caused the water on the lake to ripple

"I think here would make a good place for a home," she said suddenly, looking over at Merlin.

"You think?" he asked. Elia nodded, looking back at the lake.

"If we are to watch for Arthur's return… and that of the elves… this would be a good place for us," she said. "We're not far from The Willows or Camelot. And we will always be here, waiting."

"It could be our own haven of magic," Merlin said, starting to come around to the idea. Elia smiled as she leaned her head on his shoulder.

"And I'm not sure I would like centuries living within the stone walls of the castle," she replied. "I need more light and windows." Merlin chuckled.

"Perhaps we can build you a large garden," he said. Elia nodded slowly.

"And a balcony," she added. "That overlooks the lake."

"If that's what you'd like," he said. They both fell silent a few moments, allowing themselves a moment to process everything that had happened recently. This was the first time they had finally managed to have a decent amount of time alone and discuss what came next for them. Of course, they knew their purpose, but there was still so much more to think about besides that.

In the weeks since the final battle, many things had changed rapidly. They had held a large, grand state funeral for the fallen king, along with the many knights that had lost their lives just after Guinevere had stepped forward as Arthur's heir. Guinevere had also paid tribute to the elves who had given up their lives.

Gwen had also vowed to overturn the law against magic, allowing Merlin to finally live freely as his true self. She wanted to welcome other druids and those who only vowed to use magic for good into their lands again. Even though, Merlin still had yet to fully disclose his secret. Gaius and Gwen knew. Elia, of course, but he was still hesitant to let others know completely. But they would in time. Once the painful memories of Morgana's evil power had begun to fade.

"Lia… if Gwen has accepted magic… then why is it The Willows is continuing to die?" Merlin asked, the thought never far from his mind. He had gone back with her and the others to help prepare for the journey to the docks, had seen with his own eyes. Seemingly overnight, most of the willows had begun to wither. Elia sighed and shook her head at the painful memory. It was the reason why she did not wish to remain there keeping watch. She had already seen Rosewood die and was not sure she could watch another home fade away before her eyes. She and Merlin had packed up as many of her things as they could, sending wagons of items off to Camelot as they continued on to the docks with the others.

"Truthfully, I do not know," she said, her brow furrowed. "But sometimes in order for something to become strong – to become what it is truly meant to be - another thing must first be destroyed. Perhaps The Willows and other elven kingdoms needed to die first in order for us to reach our fullest potential…" She sighed. "Whatever it is, I am now tasked with looking after it. Protecting our archives. Keeping a keen eye on the great willow."

"We both are," he said. Elia looked over at him and smiled.

"At least that will help ease the passing of time," she said. "And there is still plenty to do… watch over Camelot. Help Gwen and the others."

"Perhaps… perhaps we could also consider… a wedding," Merlin said. Elia looked over at him, her eyes wide as Merlin started blushing slightly.

"Are you proposing, Merlin?" she asked, a smile playing across her face.

"Well, I mean… we had spoken of it before. Figured we could at least keep those plans," he said. "And you no longer have a kingdom to run or marriage law to worry about…"

"Certainly, makes things easier. Now I am just an elf," she said. Merlin snorted slightly.

"You're still a queen, Elia," he replied. "And I'm-"

"The greatest warlock to have ever lived," Elia finished, grinning at him. "What a pair we make." Merlin smiled and nodded.

"Not sure if I'll get used to that," he said.

"You will. The dragon certainly had that right… everyone will be telling the story of the powerful sorcerer Merlin and King Arthur for centuries to come," she said.

"What makes you so sure?" he asked. Elia shrugged and glanced over at him.

"I just know," she said. She looked back at the lake. "I know that it's not going to be easy… there's a lot of pain that we must deal with, but… there's still so much for us to do."

"This is true," he replied. He then leaned over and kissed her gently. "But having you here… makes it easier to bare…"

"We can do this," she replied. Merlin nodded again.

"Now… about that wedding…"

Here we are at the end, but never fear… there's a little bit more to come… Decided to just go ahead and post it all. Enjoy!