Adrenaline, losing his friends and father figure, and narrowly escaping with their lives aside, Merlin had to say he liked an Arthur that actually listened to him and apologized when he was a prat.

Especially when he was saying things like, "I'm entirely in your hands."

Merlin might have squirreled a few ideas away for later when they were back home in Camelot and not running for their lives.

At the same time… it rubbed him the wrong way.

Simply put, it wasn't his Arthur.

His Arthur was too proud to admit he was wrong ninety percent of the time. His Arthur didn't ask, he demanded. His Arthur gave out apologies the way other people had teeth pulled.

But his Arthur was also quick-thinking, and commanding, and in control of the situation. He was honorable, diplomatic, and annoyingly endearing.

Merlin eagerly awaited the day they were safely in Ealdor and he could have that Arthur, the real Arthur, back.

Hunith ran to greet them, her smile wide and shining. "Oh, my boys!" She said, kissing them soundly on the cheek. "I've missed you so."

Arthur grinned. It was good to see Hunith again. Suddenly pain stabbed him in the ribs. His initial burst of adrenaline was wearing off and his injury was making itself known. "Merlin," he grunted, his knees buckling.

Merlin caught him before he fell, holding him upright. "He needs tending to."

The last thing Arthur saw was Tristan bending down to help Merlin carry him.

When he awoke it was much later, toward evening. Someone was tending to his injured ribs. He'd have guessed it was Merlin, but Merlin's hands felt different—larger, with longer fingers, and more sure in their touch.

He blinked, and opened his eyes.

For a moment, he was startled at how deer-like she looked. Wide dark eyes that were soft and sad, brown velvet skin and a graceful frame. They regarded one another for a moment, one in shock and the other resigned.

"Guinevere," Arthur said.

"Arthur," Gwen replied.

He tried to sit up. "What are you doing here?"

"Hunith took me in on Merlin's request," Gwen explained. "She's been most gracious."

Arthur sighed. "Guinevere…"

Gwen tensed.

"I've missed you." Arthur coughed. "As has Merlin. He won't stop hounding me to let you come back."

Gwen smiled tentatively. "And I have missed you both."

He opened his arms and Gwen hugged him, bursting into tears.

The sounds of Agravaine's men were growing louder.

"I thought you'd said we lost them?" Arthur asked.

"I thought I had," Merlin replied defensively.

"It won't take long for them to catch us," Tristan informed them, positive as ever.

"I'll go back," Merlin said.

"What are you going to do?" Arthur asked in his I dare you to repeat what you just said tone.

"Create a diversion," Merlin said, unperturbed by Arthur's tone, as always.

Arthur grabbed him by the shoulder, stopping him. "It's too risky."

"I know these tunnels and Agravaine doesn't," Merlin said. "You keep going."

Tristan took this at face value and moved on, supporting Isolde. Gwen hesitated but moved a few feet, glancing back over her shoulder. Merlin handed Arthur his torch and turned to go, but Arthur stopped him again, cupping a hand around the back of his neck. "Merlin…" He hesitated, then leaned in and kissed him, softly, right at the corner of his mouth. "Don't do anything stupid."

"Me?" Merlin asked, smiling.

Arthur slowed to a stop and turned around. Tristan also stopped. "What are you doing?"

"Shh!" Arthur listened carefully, hearing the sound of falling rocks. "Merlin."

"He knows the tunnels," Tristan said. "He'll find his way."

"I'm going back," Arthur said, walking past them back the way they had come.

Tristan stared after Arthur in confusion. "For a servant?"

"You're wrong about him," Gwen said. She took a step closer. "And Merlin's not just a servant. He's Arthur's husband."

Tristan gaped at her. "He married a servant?"

Gwen just smiled.

Arthur jumped around the corner, ready to attack the person waiting on the other side and—

"Merlin!" Arthur straightened up. "Where have you been?"

Merlin smirked. "Were you worried about me?"

"No," Arthur lied. "I was making sure we weren't being followed."

Merlin's smirk morphed into a full smile. "You came back to look for me."

"All right, it's true," Arthur admitted. He tried for a smile, but it faltered. "You know I couldn't—" He swallowed, then shrugged. "I couldn't bear to lose you."

"Really?" Merlin asked, stepping closer.

Arthur huffed. "Don't be stupid."

Merlin kissed him. "Me, stupid? Never."

"Come on," Merlin said, plunking himself down next to Arthur, "I'll take watch." When Arthur merely continued brooding, he pressed on. "Arthur, what's the matter?" Merlin grew serious. "Don't listen to Tristan, he doesn't know you."

Arthur's voice was heavy. "I trusted the wrong people."

Merlin shook his head. "They betrayed you. That wasn't your fault."

"No. I was a fool," Arthur said bitterly. "I misjudged everyone. My uncle, Morgana… Every decision I've made has been wrong."

Merlin leaned against him. "You're being too hard on yourself."

Arthur's expression didn't change, but he leaned into Merlin. "I should be more discerning, wise… a statesman, a king. Tristan's right, there's nothing special about me. I'm just like everyone else."

"You're not," Merlin insisted. "You're a worthy king."

"I'm good with a sword," Arthur replied. "That's all."

Merlin placed his fingers at the side of Arthur's jaw, gently turning him so they were staring into each other's eyes. "Your people love you."

"Most of them are dead, thanks to me." Arthur was trying to avoid Merlin's gaze, but it wasn't working.

"No, most of them escaped. They'll be here in the forest, I'm sure of that."

"Well, if they are, they'll have to find themselves a new king."

Arthur shook off Merlin's touch and stood, walking away. Merlin stood as well. He wasn't going to give up that easily.

No matter how many times Merlin heard the people chant, "Long Live the King!" he didn't think he would ever tire of hearing it. Sometimes, late at night, he'd stare down at Arthur, tracing the lines of his face with his eyes, his fingertips, and he'd whisper long live the king, as if it were a prayer.

But he didn't think any of the chants sounded as sweet, as well-earned, as the time the chant went up when King Arthur pulled the sword from the stone.

"Never give up hope," Isolde told Gwen. "Love is stronger than anything."

Gwen scoffed. "Even the betrayal of your family?"

Isolde nudged her. "Believe me. I know a few things about betrayal, and family." She nodded toward Arthur. "And if there's one thing I know, be it lovers or friends or siblings, if you choose to love then you can heal all wounds."

Gwen carefully righted a knocked-over chair. "It will take time," she noted, surveying the damage to the room.

"Well, Merlin can take care of it," Arthur joked.

They smiled at each other, but Gwen's faded as she stepped forward. "If you want me to go, to return to Ealdor…"

"I want you to stay."

Gwen hovered, uncertain.

"Guinevere…"

"You don't have to say anything."

"What happened between us…"

"Please, Arthur, I can't forgive myself."

"I don't care."

Gwen waited, hardly daring to breathe. Arthur took her hands in his. "Guinevere, you are—you always have been—family." He smiled. "I think it's time you came home." He paused. "That is, if you still want to. We are a handful."

Gwen smiled. "Yes. Yes, with all my heart."

Arthur hugged her and spun her around, making her laugh. Merlin entered the room and leaned against the doorframe, smiling. "So, it's been decided then?" He asked.

Arthur set Gwen down and she ran over to Merlin, hugging him so fiercely that he nearly fell over. He hugged her back, smiling. "Welcome home, Gwen."

The doors to the throne room opened slowly, sweeping to the side to reveal her. She was dressed in a rich robe of purple and gold—the colors of royalty. She walked deliberately, elegantly, courtiers and knights on either side of her. Outside in the courtyard, the commoners and merchants and peasants waited with bated breath, eager to see and hear for themselves, to know if it was true.

She kneeled down on the dais steps, her head slightly bowed as Arthur approached her. He held up the thin gold chain that his mother had worn as queen. It was delicate but strong, jeweled but not gaudy, and it suited its new owner perfectly.

"By the sacred laws vested in me," he announced, "I crown you Guinevere, Crown Princess of Camelot and heir to the throne."

He placed the gold circlet upon her head and smiled down at her. Gwen gave a tiny laughing smile, slightly disbelieving, and took Arthur's hand to help her stand up. Arthur led her up the steps of the dais and turned her to face the assembled crowd.

"Long live the princess!" Arthur declared.

"Long live the princess!" The crowd chanted. "Long live the princess!"

Outside in the courtyard, the commoners went wild. "It's the Commoner Princess!" They shouted. "Long live the princess! Long live Guinevere!"

When the shouts had died down, Arthur raised his hand. "There is one more who needs to be crowned today."

Everyone fell into a confused silence. Out in the courtyard, people whispered excitedly. It might not be common news in the court just yet, but everyone in the lower town knew about the king and his manservant.

The doors opened once again and everyone turned, craning their heads to look.

It had taken some doing, but Arthur, Gwen and Gaius had combined forces to convince (force) Merlin to wear nicer clothes, and he now wore a fine suit of Camelot red. He had to force himself to walk slowly down the aisle instead of rushing the way he wanted. He didn't like everyone staring at him, but he understood the importance of ceremony. Or, rather, he understood that Arthur and everyone else in the court thought ceremony was important for some insane reason.

When he reached the dais he knelt as Gwen had done, bowing his head down. It was a good thing, because this way Arthur couldn't see his smirk.

"I am afraid that today I must confess to you a sin—the sin of deceit," Arthur began. "I have lied to my people, and for that I am truly regretful. But the time for hiding is over." He glanced down at Merlin and smiled. "The man who kneels before me now is the bravest, wisest, most dedicated person I have ever known. And I am honored to call him husband."

Arthur held up a simple gold circlet—the one that he had worn as Crown Prince. "By the sacred laws vested in me, I crown you Merlin, Prince Consort of Camelot."

Down in the courtyard, absolute madness broke out. Even the guards in charge of keeping order were shouting themselves hoarse. Elyan, Gwaine, and Percival wolf whistled and whooped as Arthur took Merlin's hand and helped him to his feet, leading him to stand at Arthur's side. Leon, a little more dignified, simply smiled and led the clapping. And from every person in the throne room and every corner of the citadel could be heard the cheer,

"Long live the kings! Long live the kings! Long live the kings!"