Hey guys.

I know, I know, it's been a long time since I put up my last chapter. Admittedly, I did mean to have this put up two months ago, but university distracted me, and the amount of work I had to do piled up until I had no time, and then I got writer's block... No excuse really, but here it is. A long awaited epilogue.

But anyway, I hope you had a Merlin filled Christmas and have a happy new year.

I dedicate this to my sister, and to my long time reviewer emzigale07, and also to all of you who have read this and stuck with me for all this time.

I hope you enjoy, and as always, please review. They do equal much love.

Hope to see you again (metaphorically speaking) some time in the future

Love

Fey of the forest x

They ran through the forest, as fast as their little feet could carry them, away from the beast.

They'd originally been playing hide and seek in the woods, their mothers having shooed them away because they were getting under their feet, when they'd spotted it. The huge shadow had originally been dismissed as a cloud, but that cloud had been following them for a while, and they could have sworn they'd heard laughter as it moved. And then they'd got bored with hide and seek and Will had suggested they pretend to be knights and slay the dragon. The dragon was perfectly imaginary of course. There hadn't been real dragons for at least fifty years, or that's what his mother had told him at least. So they'd all chosen their weapons (twigs) and then pretended to stalk this thing through the woods near their village. It was fun for all of about fifteen minutes, when they'd all turned on their leader as they decided he wasn't doing it right. They'd elected Robert then as their leader, but the gangly boy had just took them around in circles, before they had all had the feeling of being watched. They looked around, but saw nothing, and decided to carry on following the tracks, before spotting the creature. It was gliding above them, its wings spread wide, and its pointy teeth showing. At first Benjamin had thought that he was imagining things, but it had then become clear that he wasn't.

"Dragon!" he called

"It's just through this path here." Robert told them, matter of factly.

"No, there's a dragon!"

"Yeah, just through here."

"No, it's up there!" The group didn't believe him, and when they looked above, it had disappeared. Walking along the path, they then came to a clearing where, unbeknownst to them, a Great Dragon had once stood long ago. Pretending to jump out on their imaginary prey, they were more than a bit surprised when they found a real live dragon lounging about in the sunlight. It was twice the size of the wolves that were found in the forest late at night, but its teeth were no less pointy. Its horns were golden, as was a strip down its back, but the rest of its scales were black. It had beady black eyes, and the children took one look at the beast, before about turning and running back to their village, discarding their 'weapons' as they did so. One boy though only got so far as the clearing edge before tripping over and falling. His friends ran off without him, and before he could get up, he felt three claws grasp his body. Sure that he was about to be eaten, the boy struggled to get free, but the creature simply giggled and said 'boo!'. He couldn't take it anymore, and he promptly fainted...

He came around in a cottage. There was a smell of wood smoke in the room, and there were various herbs and fabrics hung up around. The shelves were filled with potions and books, and the drawers were spilling over with more fabric. The boy blinked a few times, not entirely sure where he was, before getting up and finding his way to the door. He found that he was still in the forest, though he had no idea where in the woods he was. All he knew was that the cottage was next to a lake, and that there was a dilapidated guard tower nearby, with ivy and black and red roses trailing around it. Looking around for the owner of the place, he suddenly remembered the stories his mother had told him about the witch in the forest, who ate young children who had been naughty. He suddenly felt very nervous, and stepped backwards when he saw her.

Her face was kind yet wrinkled, scaring him a little. She might have been beautiful once, but her beauty had been replaced by age. Her hair was long and grey, tattered feathers sticking out from once perfect plaits. Her dress was little more than rags, the red fabric covered in dirt and dust, and she seemed to fit the description of the witch. He turned to leave, but was startled by a dark raven with tattered feathers who he'd disturbed from its perch on the window ledge. He cried out, especially as the dragon landed in front of him.

"Don't eat me! Please don't eat me!" both the dragon and the witch looked at each other and then at the boy before laughing. He was left feeling very much confused, but his escape was blocked.

"Oh, child, I won't eat you."

"Then...then you'll feed me to the dragon?"

"No. Penny here doesn't like human flesh. Alethea never allowed her to think of us as food."

"Alethea?" the boy questioned, memories of a story that his father had once told him prickling in the back of his head. "As in, Queen Alethea, King Arthur's wife?"

"Of course child."

"But they were stories... they were just stories, right?"

"No. They were truth." The witch stated matter of factly "Just what exactly have you been told?"

"I was told that Arthur and his wife ruled Camelot for a glorious age, but it fell when the King went to Avalon and his magician abandoned him."

"And the glorious age?"

"I wasn't told." The little boy said his eyes wide.

"Then let me tell you."

"You're not going to eat me?"

"No. And I'll make sure you'll be home in time for tea." She smiled.

"You...you will?"

"Yes. Me and Penny here will take you back, but you need to be told the truth first."

"The truth?"

"What really happened." The boy simply nodded, and allowed the woman to lead him back inside. She handed him a drink and a piece of gingerbread, before she settled down in a chair by the fire. He sat cross legged at her feet, closed his eyes, and waited for her to begin.

"Those were the first few days of Camelot's Golden Age. With Merlin now on an almost equal par with Arthur, and with the ban on magic having been lifted, times were changing. The legends were only just beginning, and the tales of the Round Table, the Knights of Camelot, Arthur and Merlin, would be spread around the Kingdom quicker than a dragon's flight.

Merlin and Ingrid though missed those first few shining days. They'd gone away to Ravenscar to explore and celebrate their newlywed status, and before they knew it, they'd been snowed in. They could have used magic to get back to Camelot, but it would have taken up a lot of energy. Besides, they were having too much fun, and wanted to spend as much time alone together as was possible. They would come up with some excuse when they did eventually return to Camelot, but they weren't going to tell Arthur that their magic could have brought them back quicker. He'd only throw them in the stocks for being later than they could have been. Well, he'd throw Merlin in them. Ingrid would have been another matter entirely.

It was a few months after their marriage, rather than the few weeks they'd told Arthur, when they finally returned. They'd waited for the snow and ice to melt, and for the mud to dry out a bit before starting their journey, and even then they were in no rush to get to Camelot. However, after a fortnight of travelling through the budding trees, they finally set eyes on the legendary castle. The blue slate roofs of the towers were the first things they saw, towering above the treetops, and all too soon they were at the gatehouse. Smiling as they continued through the city, by the time they reached the courtyard, the message had reached the King that they had returned.

Ingrid and Merlin de Ravenscar were greeted by Ingrid's brother, Sir Gerard, who led them to the Great Hall. He didn't say a word as he walked them there, and Ingrid was certain that they were in trouble. Call it women's intuition, but she knew that they weren't about to be happily received. Reaching the oak doors, they paused before walking inside, and were shocked by the sight they were greeted with.

The knights of Camelot were all stood by their seats at the Round Table, and as Sir Gerard took his place, they sat down. Ingrid and Merlin were left standing, and they then locked eyes with Arthur, who was still standing. The King looked angry, and Merlin swallowed nervously, but before anyone could say anything, Ingrid was instantly by Alethea's side. The Queen was sat in Arthur's chair, and though that wasn't unusual, there was something else that had caught her eye.

"You're pregnant?" Merlin uttered, causing both the Queen and the knights to smile.

"No. She just ate too much over Christmas." Alethea glared at her husband, who simply patted her shoulder. "Of course she is, idiot!"

"Oh my... Congratulations!" Ingrid hugged her friend, which left Merlin to face Arthur alone. Whilst she cooed over her friend and found out all about what had happened whilst they were gone, the young magician was given an ear bashing by the King, and the two young women came in to the conversation half way through.

"...go gallivanting off like that? Especially when there's work to be done here? Who on earth do you think you are to do that? And why no news? You could have at least sent us a message!" the young Pendragon had been shouting then, and so the two women stepped in. Alethea calmed her husband down, whilst Ingrid calmly explained what had happened. Forgiven, they were then shown to their rooms and allowed to settle in.

"Alethea's son was born but two months later, in June, and both mother and child were healthy. Arthur had spent those hours pacing and worrying, but Merlin had kept him mostly calm. It was only when they heard the baby's cries that they went inside, and Arthur had been ecstatic to be a father. In truth, he did make a good dad, doting on both mother and child for the rest of his life. There were celebrations that evening, and none could be happier than the legendary King. Well, not until Merlin became a father...

You see, it was a good few months after that when Ingrid became with child, and then nine months later had twins. A boy and a girl. She and the warlock were proud parents, and within the space of a few years, Camelot was back in chaos, with little Onyx, a spitting image of her mother, running around and causing more mischief than her mother had ever done. She would hide pieces of armour from the knights, especially her uncle, and occasionally dye their red cloaks a baby pink. She would also steal the young Prince's toys and hide them too, whilst her brother would play with the Prince and pretend to go on quests. The knights of Camelot would sometimes join them too, making it feel so much more real for the youngsters.

Anyway, whilst the three children were growing up, the knights were having adventures of their own. Gawain went to fight the green knight and succeeded, Tristan was sent to Cornwall as an ambassador for Camelot where he was then sent to collect King Mark's wife to be from Ireland and instead fell in love with her, but that's another tale to be told another day, and Lancelot finally married Gwen. Gerard, well, Ingrid's brother eventually plucked up the courage to propose, and was happily married to Amelia. They moved to Ravenscar when Lord Edgar passed on from this world, and they spent many happy years together there. Sir Robert returned too, and the Knights of the Round Table protected Camelot until their dying day.

It was ten years since Alethea's marriage to Arthur when Gaius passed on from this world. It was a peaceful death, in his sleep, and he was given the best funeral, second only to that of King Uther's. None could replace him, and though his death affected Merlin fairly badly, he had his family to keep him going.

Morgana, though a druid now, did actually live near Camelot with her husband, Elphin, and their adopted son, Mordred. She kept in close contact with Alethea and Ingrid, and Mordred grew up into a fine young magician. Merlin would occasionally teach him too, although the druid boy still scared Alethea slightly. The Queen had been brought up thinking that the druid Mordred would kill Arthur you see, and she still lived in fear that it would actually happen. It never would do, but the fear was still there, and eighteen years worth of being told that it would happen made it hard for her to think otherwise."

"Camelot had a glorious three decades under King Arthur and Queen Alethea's rule, with an undisturbed peace lasting throughout the Kingdom. All was well for the two monarchs, their family, their friends and their people, but then, not long after their thirty first wedding anniversary, disaster struck...

The Queen became seriously ill, and no one knew why. No cause could be found, and no matter what was tried, a cure could not be discovered. As the days passed her strength weakened until she could hardly do anything without help. By this time she was forced to simply lay in her bed, looking pale and drawn, a shadow of her former self. The King refused to leave her side, leaving his son to look after the Kingdom whilst he cared for his wife. Arthur practically begged the physicians and warlocks and druids to cure her, and he didn't care what means they used. He simply loved her too much to lose her. Ingrid and Merlin understood his pain, and they didn't want to lose a good friend, but then, one day as Alethea lay in bed, Ingrid knew. They wouldn't find a cure. There simply wasn't one.

She would remember that day clearly for the rest of her life because it shocked her so much. She knew that even her magic wouldn't save her. It would only prolong the pain, and it would be worse to keep her suffering. Tears had sprung to her eyes and then they all knew. Even though Ingrid and Merlin both tried their magic, refusing to believe what they knew was truth, it didn't work.

"How long?" that was all she uttered.

"A day... Two at most." Arthur had stared at his friends then, his eyes wide and pleading, begging Ingrid and Merlin to do something... anything, to save her.

"Then send for my friends and the Prince..."

"But Alethea..."

"I must say my goodbyes." Bless her. Even when she was dying she had control over her husband, and he could not refuse her anything after all those years."

"So that evening, with candles lighting the room and the people stood outside to say their goodbyes, her friends and family gathered around her bed. Plenty of tears were shed as they said their farewells, but Alethea could only smile and tell them that she would see them again one day. Her husband cried that evening too, as did her son, but as time passed by, her friends left her, unable to stay any longer. There was only one person who had been missing that evening, and that had been Merlin. But at about midnight, he came running into the chamber with news that he thought might cheer the King up.

He'd found a way that Alethea would live. The only downside was that she could not stay in Camelot. Merlin didn't have the heart to explain that she would not be able to return to the legendary castle either, but no one asked about it then. Arthur was just so ecstatic that he seized the chance to cure his wife without a second thought."

"At dawn the next day, with the horses saddled and everything ready, Arthur got his wife ready for the journey ahead and solemnly carried her outside. Holding her tightly in his arms as the group rode out of Camelot, Merlin, Ingrid and Prince Aeron all noticed the King's tears. They understood his pain perfectly. Merlin and Ingrid could never imagine having to do this themselves, and the Prince was about to lose his mother. The very weak Alethea took one last look at her home for all these years, before closing her eyes and resting her head on Arthur's chest. She knew as well as the others now that she had very little time left.

It was noon when they finally reached their destination. The water lapped gently at the lake edge, with a small mist rising above the waves. As they all dismounted, a boat sailed towards them, nine ladies in waiting sitting there patiently. The party knew that it was time to say goodbye. Ingrid hugged the Queen close to her, not wanting to let her go and with her eyes watering she finally relinquished. Merlin smiled sadly, embracing his friend for what seemed to be the last time, before Aeron stepped forwards. A few words were passed between mother and son, but no one knew just what was said. All Alethea did was hold him tight to her, her eyes watering as she then handed over her pendant that she had worn on that fateful day when she was brought to Camelot.

And then it was Arthur's turn. Pressing his lips onto hers, he never wanted to let her go, and she didn't want to let go of him. Tears streamed down both their cheeks as they knew that they were to be parted for quite some time now. Alethea knew just what was about to happen, and though she didn't want to be parted from them, she knew that it wouldn't be for long. Holding onto her husband as he carried her on to the boat, she smiled sadly as she was placed on the bed in the centre and Arthur went to sit down.

"It is not time for you just yet Arthur Pendragon." They told him. The grief stricken King tried to argue, but the ladies remained calm as they tended to the ill Queen. It was only when they explained that the longer he kept them there, the less time his wife had that he finally stepped off the boat. But as they sailed away, he tried to follow them, stepping into the cold water until it was up to his waist. It was then that his son and his best friend stepped in and dragged him back. His shouts echoed around the forest, and his tears fell freely as he struggled to free himself, but by the time they let him go, it was too late. The mist had enshrouded the boat once more."

"He lived for one more decade, but not a day went by where he didn't think of his wife. His love for her never died, and he ruled the Kingdom with her always on his mind. The Kingdom of Camelot still remained peaceful, but news soon reached them of raiders on the borders. Though Merlin and Ingrid tried to persuade Arthur not to go, the King ignored their pleas and dragged his knights to the border towns. He and his men tried to hold the raiders off, but Arthur was no longer the warrior he had once been. He fell in battle.

Merlin took him to join Alethea, and watched from the bank as man and wife were reunited once more. Excalibur was thrown in to that same lake, ready to be collected again when Albion needed its hero once more, whilst Camelot was ruled by Aeron, Arthur's son."

"It wasn't long after his father's passing when Aeron moved his stronghold. The memories that Camelot brought up were just too painful for him, and the years were beginning to show on the castle. It would not be long before it would fall to ruins."

"As for Merlin and Ingrid, once Arthur passed on they moved to Merlin's home village. They no longer had any reason to stay in Camelot and the memories were too many for them to cope with. They settled down together, their children now happily married off to other families, and made themselves a new life.

Merlin passed away two years ago. Old age took him, and he too went to join his master and his friends. Ingrid mourned, but she carried on. She's the last one left now. The knights all fell or moved away, Morgana died a few years before Merlin, and Gwen lived for a happy twenty years as Lancelot's wife before death claimed her. Slowly but steadily the people of Camelot have passed on, leaving only memories behind, and soon that's all that there will be left. Memories and stories..."

The old woman paused, staring at the dying flames of the fire for quite some time, almost as if thinking back to happier times. The young boy stayed sitting there, not wanting to disturb her but all the same being very much aware of the time. His mother would kill him when he got back home.

"So that is what happened to them all?"

"Yes, but there is a rumour that one day, when Albion is in need of them once again, Arthur and his knights will rise again to protect the Kingdom."

"When will that day be?"

"That's the thing. Nobody knows." She told him. "Now, won't your mother be waiting?" the boy nodded sadly. "Then we'd best be getting you back."

"But..." he was about to explain that it would take at least an hour or two to get him back home when she stopped him and simply pointed to the dragon outside. "You don't mean..."

"I'm sure Penny won't mind."

"You mean... That's Alethea's dragon?"

"Dragons live for far more many years than humans." She told him, leading him outside. "Come on Penny, we've got a passenger."

So that was how the boy got home. Flying was a strange experience and at first he had been scared before he then felt the wind through his hair and then he felt like the luckiest boy alive. After all, who else could say they'd ridden on a dragon? All too soon though they arrived at his village. It was dark when they landed, and no one was to be seen. The boy dismounted and then turned back to the old woman and her dragon.

"Thank you."

"You are quite welcome..."

"Robin. My name is Robin." In the moonlight he could just about make out the trace of a smile before she whispered in the dragon's ear.

"Pleased to meet you Robin." The boy ran along, before turning around to see the dragon flying off.

"Wait! I don't even know your name!" The woman simply laughed mischievously.

He'd received such a telling off that evening and had been sent to bed without supper that he thought that his mother would never forgive him. She didn't believe his story but eventually she relented and let him out to play with his friends the next day. Telling his friends what he'd been up to, none of them believed him so he decided to show them.

So, as twilight dawned, the group of boys from the village reached the clearing where the cottage and tower stood by the lake, but there was no sign of the woman or her dragon whatsoever. The cottage was empty and it appeared that no one had lived there in years. The thatch was rotting, the fireplace cold and the shelves were bare. The tower itself was now in ruins. It was almost as if no one had been there in years.

"Told you he was lying."

"But she was really here! Yesterday, this was where she and her dragon were!"

"Well they aren't now."

"I say he's lying!" But as they looked out across the lake, they saw just one raven flying out into the centre, before it was enshrouded in mist...

Ingrid had returned to her friends that evening, Penny joining them too. As the dragon had landed, Ingrid had gone inside the old building to hear the sound of laughter drifting from a hall somewhere, and she smiled when she recognised thee voices. Arthur. Alethea. Morgana. Merlin...

But she wasn't revealing herself to them just yet. No. That wasn't in her nature. Finding her way to Merlin's room, she grinned when she spotted one of his scarves and she took it in her hand. Hiding behind the door as she heard footsteps, she nearly panicked when the door opened and her husband came in. However, whilst his back was turned, she sneaked out of the room and into the corridor. The magician simply took one look at his desk and then smiled...

And across the lake, the boys swore blind that they could hear the sound of mischievous laughter and just one word...

"Ingrid!"