So, we've reached the end. Thank you so, so much for reading and supporting this story. I'm in the midst of planning a modern AU but with Merlin and Morgana as rock stars two different bands with forced to work together by their managers, Arthur and Gwen, respectively, on tour after Morgana receives a lot of bad press for her partying ways. So look out for that in a while if it sounds interesting. On we go.

Epilogue

4.5 Years Later

It was a lovely day, really. Snow fell outside, surrounding the estate and resting on the marble and stone stairs leading up to the front door. The backyard and garden were nearly a foot deep in snow, and more was sure to fall.

Morgana typed on her laptop quickly, as she had an article due to be submitted for the paper by midnight. A mug of coffee rested on the dining room table next to her. She didn't have the heart to work in her father's old study, so she had turned the dining room, which was rarely used, into a workroom.

Mrs Gibbons kept trying to check in on her and bring her biscuits or food, but she just didn't have much of an appetite.

Mrs Gibbons reached for her mug, as it was half empty and the coffee was cold.

"I'm fine, Mrs Gibbons," Morgana said, not even looking up from her laptop.

She ignored her and took the mug, replacing it with a fresh cup of coffee.

"Mrs Gibbons," Morgana turned around. Oh. He was most definitely not Mrs Gibbons.

"Hey," she smiled at him.

"Hey," Merlin slid into the chair next to her. He'd just arrived home, snow melting in his hair. He wore a dark blue jumper, and his worn old scarf was likely hanging on the coat rack near the foyer. It was nice that they were getting a white Christmas. Apparently it was even snowing in the city.

"What are you doing home so soon?" she asked, picking up her fresh coffee.

"Surgery went easier than planned," Merlin said, snatching a biscuit from the plate Mrs Gibbons had set out earlier.

"Were the older doctors playing nice?" Morgana asked with a small smirk.

"Shut up," Merlin scowled, "Just two more months of surgery and I'm done."

"Medicine was better, huh?" Morgana said sympathetically.

"That and general practice," Merlin made a face. He hated going into surgery. The attendings were usually nice and more than competent, but he didn't fancy cutting a patient open.

"Just two months and you get your certificate," Morgana placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Thank God," Merlin sighed, still munching on the biscuit, "How's the article?"

"Almost done," Morgana said, "I'm just glad I'm done covering stories like 'cow stuck on barn roof'."

Merlin snorted back his laughter, "Now you're on your way to being a political pundit and Sherlock Holmes all at once."

Morgana grinned, and turned back to her article. Merlin sat next to her, reading over her shoulder and offering his opinion when something struck his interest. He spent most of his time eating the biscuits, though.

Mrs Gibbons wondered how the two survived on their own in Dublin when Merlin was still at university and the manor was just for weekends and holidays. Both would end up so consumed with their work they'd forget to eat, though Merlin was a bit better about it. Though the man could cook, med school left little time to do so.

Every weekend they visited, Gibbons would send them back to their tiny flat with a week's worth of food or enough to tide them over until their next visit. Now that Merlin was an interning, they could stay permanently at the old Dulac estate.

When they moved in and tried to organise their belongings, Morgana refused to move anything in her parents' room that hadn't been sold at auction after their deaths. Some of her father's ties and her mother's dresses and jewels remained.

She moved her old dolls and dollhouses and toys to a guest bedroom and she and Merlin re-painted the walls of her old room light blue-grey colour. Her posters went up, but Merlin added a few of his. The walls and dressers were adorned with photos from London of their friends and Gaius and Merlin's parents and friends in Northern Ireland. If finally felt homey.

Morgana joked that they should start a wall of ticket stubs for all their train journeys to and from London and Belfast, and Merlin pointed out that would be pointless since they purchased train cards.

Now it was almost Christmas, and everyone agreed to meet in Dublin this year. Mithian, Leon, Gwen, Arthur, and Lancelot would be coming from London. Gwaine and Percival were presumably already in Dublin at his mum's so they could pick up Elaine, and Will, Freya, Clark, and Arianne would be coming via Will's car. Hunith and Balinor said they'd come by for New Year's. Morgause and Cendred may or may not be attending, and Uther claimed he was too busy, what with running a company and all (his term as Prime Minister was over, and the law precluded him from running again).

Merlin tried to convince Gaius to come by, but he made the excuse of having to look over the shop.

Morgana made a noise of triumph. Her article was finished, sent to the editor, and she was done. Now she could make use of her two weeks off. She glanced at Merlin, then at the empty plate that once held biscuits.

"I was hungry," Merlin said sheepishly.

Morgana snorted and closed her laptop, "C'mon, we've got Christmas shopping to do."

It still felt odd, after nearly a year, to be able to take a car in and out of Dublin. Merlin preferred the bus, as he felt so awkward around Morgana's driver. Our driver, she would correct. What was hers was his, and vice-versa.

They had done their shopping, after hours of agonising over what to get everyone. Merlin was of the opinion they should just get everyone their own bottle of booze. It was a great idea.

"We can't just get them bottles of alcohol," Morgana had rolled her eyes.

"Why the bloody hell not? They'd appreciate it," Merlin insisted.

Morgana ended up choosing most of the presents: a dark red silk scarf for Gwen, a pair of warm blue mittens for Arianne, a mint green wool hat for Freya, a pair of dark brown gloves for Mithian, a red tie for Arthur, since he was a businessman now, Merlin picked out a small set of paintbrushes for Lancelot, a woven wristband for Percy, sunglasses for Leon (who always seemed to misplace his), a grey scarf for Will, a dark green hat for Clark (Morgana thought it'd be cute to buy him and Freya matching presents, Merlin snorted), and a bottle of whisky for Gwaine. They didn't buy anything for Cendred and Morgause since they had an extensive registry list for their yet to be born child. The pair had finally settled down permanently in London, though Cendred still travelled frequently. Morgause couldn't exactly sit on a plane every week whilst seven months pregnant.

"Shit," Morgana tripped over the rug in the corridor. Gwen had called her, saying they were on their way. Morgana had sent two cars to pick up the Londoners.

"Merlin?" she called, wondering where the hell he'd gotten to. She fixed the clasp on her necklace, the old pendant Merlin had gotten her years ago. There was rarely a time she didn't have it about her neck.

She tried to adjust her boot as she walked, but that was why she tripped in the first place. She walked towards the study while trying to fix her shoe, and ended up crashing into Merlin. He dropped the book he was holding and she fell on top of him. This was familiar.

"Hello, stranger," Morgana said, not moving from her spot.

"Hello, dear," Merlin grinned, kissing her softly, "comfortable?"

"Very," Morgana smiled.

They remained like that with no intention of moving. Morgana cast a glance to the book and frowned when she saw it was old magic book.

"What were you doing?" she asked.

"Just…something told me I should take a look," Merlin shrugged, "it looks like the blank pages are missing. I was bringing it to show you."

"What?" Morgana asked, finally standing up. Merlin followed suit.

"The magic pages, they're missing, or they're written on. My memory's a bit fuzzy," Merlin scratched his head.

Morgana didn't even know why they still had it. It had been lugged from London to their Dublin flat, and now here. Neither of them spared a second glance at it. Merlin picked it up and showed her. The last page had writing. She read it, and it ended just before the legend of the lady and servant was to end. What did they do, change the course of history? She snorted at the thought. Magic or no magic, how could pages just disappear?

"Oh," she said in confusion. Merlin took the book and dashed back to the study, leaving it on the desk. He rushed back to her and they walked downstairs.

They reached the bottom of the stairs and Merlin kissed her for no apparent reason.

"Mistletoe," he pointed to the garlands affixed to the railing.

"You have to stand under it, you dolt, not next to it," Morgana smirked.

"Do I really need an excuse to kiss you? After all these years?" Merlin asked.

"No," Morgana kissed him on the cheeks, "but we have company."

Maybe cramming all of their friends into an admittedly large living room wasn't the best idea. Freya had refused a drink, and immediately Will decided that Clark had gotten her pregnant and threatened to bash his face in. Arianne had to shield her brother from both Will and Merlin, who turned a brilliant shade of red at the thought of little Freya being pregnant, despite Freya being a grown-ass woman.

"Whoa," Freya shouted, "why can't I refuse alcohol without being pregnant?"

"Even if I were pregnant, I wouldn't give it up," Gwaine said from one end of the couch.

Percy rolled his eyes, "That's why we're not having kids."

"Oy, I can't get pregnant anyway," Gwaine pouted.

"Aww, your kids would be so cute," Gwen smiled a bit, sending a glance to Arthur.

"Of course they will, have you seen us?" Gwaine snorted.

"So, you're not pregnant?" Will asked weakly.

"That's no one's business but mine and Clark's," Freya said stubbornly.

"Freya, love, they're going to know anyway," Clark said gently, making sure Arianne had a tight grip on Will's arm, just in case.

"Oh, fine. I'm pregnant," Freya said, throwing her arms in the air.

There was a collective squeal from Arianne, Elaine, Gwen, Mithian, and Morgana, who immediately hugged Freya.

"You stuck her with your pointy end, didn't you, mate?" Gwaine whooped from his seat. Morgana may have made the mistake of lending Gwaine her Song of Fire and Ice collection a while ago. Clark turned pink, and Will's jaw nearly dropped. Leon laughed, and discreetly gave Gwaine a high-five for the comment. Mithian saw and shook her head at her boyfriend.

Percival shouted his well wishes, and Lancelot stood to hug Freya and clapped Clark on the back.

Merlin pushed through the group of girls and hugged Freya tightly, "I better be godfather," he said, kissing her forehead.

"Definitely, I'm afraid Will's head's about to explode," Freya offered a shaky smile.

Merlin moved over to Clark and smiled, "Congrats, man."

"Thanks," Clark smiled nervously.

Everyone began to fuss around Freya, and she finally snapped, "Oh for Christ's sake. I didn't want anyone to know," she glared at Will, "because it's Christmas and it's not such a big deal."

"There's a person inside your stomach. Kind of a big deal," Elaine pointed out, drinking a glass of scotch.

Freya levelled a glare at her as well. She'd love a scotch or whisky or beer right about now, but no. She was pregnant. And happy, but she was also just a school counsellor and Clark was a mechanic. Sure, her parents were middle class, and Clark's dad was rich, but they didn't want to rely on him (she knew not to count on her parents; they weren't exactly pleased with their recent, as in two-months ago recent, town-hall wedding).

"Can we all just focus on Christmas? And also how amazing this house is?" Freya asked.

"Jingle bells, jingle bells," Morgana started to sing off-key, Merlin joining her immediately. He sounded so much better.

Soon, everyone started to join in with the singing, and Will finally smiled at Freya and Clark, nodding. He still saw her as a little sister, but they were grownups now.

Dinner was a long and loud affair. Arthur tore into his food as if he'd not just stuffed biscuits and rolls in his face while they were in the living room. Gwen looked at him, distaste plain on her face.

"You're going to need a few more holes in that belt there, Arthur," Merlin joked.

Arthur guffawed, and then glared at Merlin once Gwen burst into peals of laughter.

"You two need to move back to London. Arthur's surrounded by employees kissing his arse to get a promotion and the like. There's only so much the rest of us can do to keep his ego in check," Gwen said with a smile.

"His ego's the size of London," Mithian joined in the conversation, Leon nodding in agreement.

"More like the whole of the UK," Morgana snorted.

"Oy," Arthur frowned at his sister.

"I speak the truth," Morgana shrugged.

"Not the whole of the UK," Merlin said, "you need to include the commonwealths."

Arthur shook his head and Merlin grinned. He really did miss Merlin's humour, insulting as it was at times.

"So, when's the wedding?" Arianne asked, looking at Gwen and Arthur.

"We could ask you the same," Gwen countered.

"Hell no," Arianne made a face.

"We're never getting married," Will said in agreement.

"You're practically married as is," Clark pointed out. He'd like to see his sister settled and happy, but if she was happy without the ring and ceremony, then he'd be happy too.

"I'd like to inform you that we can't get married," Percy said, gesturing between himself and Gwaine.

"But we fuck like rabbits anyway," Gwaine smiled crookedly.

"Oh, God," Lancelot groaned, "not at the table."

"We're not going to shag on the table, don't worry," Gwaine said with a wink, "though you can watch if you like."

Percival smacked Gwaine on the shoulder gently. Sometimes he didn't know when to shut up.

"We're not related," Elaine closed her eyes from second-hand embarrassment. She was tired of her brother hitting on her boyfriend.

Merlin leaned in close to Morgana's ear, "Whose idea was it to get everyone here together at once?"

"We must've been insane," Morgana bit her lip.

"Hey, lovebirds, care to share with the class?" Arthur made a face at his sister.

"Fuck off," Morgana stuck her tongue out.

"So when's the wedding?" Percival asked politely.

Merlin and Morgana shared a look, "About that."

Gwen's eyes immediately went to Morgana's hand. She had the first engagement ring Merlin had given her five years ago, but now a thin silver band joined it. She looked at Merlin, and noticed he was hiding his hand under the table.

"Oh my God," Gwen said, "congratulations!"

"Thanks," Morgana smiled a bit. Leave it to Gwen to figure it out before anyone else.

"You got married and didn't tell anyone?" Arthur had a mind to strangle them.

"Not exactly the first time," Gwen pointed out, referring to their engagement and unofficial wedding.

"Thanks," Morgana sent her best friend a 'please don't bring that up' look.

"We didn't want to bother anyone since we're all so busy, and we figured since we're together today anyway, we can celebrate this way," Merlin shrugged.

"Aww," Mithian said, "that's so sweet. But stupid. We would've made time," she scowled a bit.

"Sorry?" Merlin said.

"Don't give her ideas," Leon said jokingly. He'd like nothing more than to put a ring on Mithian's finger, but they were content as they were.

"So did no one know?" Lancelot asked, a bit surprised Merlin wouldn't mention anything to him.

"Just my parents," Merlin said, "and that was just because we needed witnesses."

"I'll let Uther know after New Year," Morgana shrugged. She couldn't bear to call him 'dad'.

"Are you pregnant?" Arthur asked suddenly.

"Would I be drinking like Gwaine if I were?" Morgana raised a brow.

"Fair point," Arthur nodded, relieved. He wasn't ready to be an uncle.

"So, here's to Freya and Clark's baby and Merlin and Morgana's wedding," Lancelot raised his glass.

"I'll drink to that," Arianne said, nudging Will, who was looking between the two couples. Both his best friends were married, and one was expecting a child. When did they get old enough for that to happen?

"You're my best friends," Will took a breath, "Clark, Morgana, look after them."

"Of course," Clark said seriously, and Morgana nodded.

"Cheers," Will said, everyone else chiming in.

"What about you then?" Morgana asked her brother.

Gwen blushed and Arthur glared, "I was going to propose later tonight, but since everyone's plans are being thwarted…"

Arthur's look softened and he reached into his pocket, taking out a ring. Gwen's eyes widened and she looked around the table. Bloody idiots, they all knew. No wonder they looked so sheepish. Lancelot grinned knowingly, and Merlin gave Morgana an annoyed look. Morgana shrugged, feeling bad that she ruined his proposal plans. They told everyone but her and Gwen. Rude.

"Guinevere, will you marry me?" Arthur asked, holding out the ring to her.

She nodded quickly from the seat next to him and he slipped the ring on her finger. She threw her arms around him in a hug, and Arthur kissed her.

"I think this calls for more drinks," Morgana said, as a way to make up for ruining his plan.

Merlin walked into the kitchen and emerged with a fresh bottle of wine, "Cheers, everyone!" he raised it before opening the bottle.

Merlin and Morgana collapsed onto the couch in the living room long after everyone had left or gone to sleep. Tomorrow was Boxing Day, but everyone had their own plans. Gwaine, Percival, Elaine, and Lancelot were staying in Dublin and they'd meet for lunch the next day. Mithian got a call from her boss telling her the court date for one of the cases she was working on was moved up for the day after tomorrow instead of after New Years, so she and Leon left for London.

Clark and Freya were staying in one of the guest rooms, as were Will and Arianne, and Arthur and Gwen in the other room. Mrs Gibbons was absolutely thrilled there were more people around to feed and look after.

"Never again," Morgana nestled her head onto Merlin's chest. Merlin wrapped his arm around her and squeezed her close.

"Our friends are quite a handful," Merlin conceded.

"I'm glad they know, now," Morgana said quietly.

"Me too," Merlin smiled.

They remained quiet for a few minutes. They hadn't had a moment alone to just relax since Merlin started his interning at the hospital and since Morgana started to write more articles. Her research led to a lot of digging around and hounding people for information. Merlin likened her to a detective rather than a journalist most of the time.

"I talked to dad on the phone," Merlin informed her, "and then mum. They sound so happy."

He sounded wistful. He could've had both parents growing up. He loved his mother dearly, but Balinor was different. Six years ago they were strangers, and now they were closer than Merlin could've ever hoped. It helped that they were so close, location-wise. Every weekend that wasn't spent at the manor was spent at his parents'. Parents. As in two. It was nice.

"I guess I'll have to call Uther eventually," Morgana sighed. Their relationship was on shaky ground. Morgana forgave him for his misdeeds since he was such a wreck, but she'd never forget. He betrayed her parents, but most importantly, his best friend.

"Eventually's not now," Merlin murmured, already drifting off to sleep. His fingers brushed against her waist, holding her close.

Morgana closed her eyes and fell asleep listening to Merlin's heartbeat. Their friends would probably find them in the morning and tease them, but that was fine by her. They were fine, they were all fine.

Upstairs in the study, the old book magic book glowed a brilliant shade of gold and floated to hide towards the back of a shelf. Its job was done.

So, that's the end. I left the end a bit open-ended. You can read into the magic book what you will, but I have my own ideas about it. Thank you so much for reading, reviewing, favoriting, and following.