AN: Ok so this is a third attempt to upload this epilogue. It's starting to get annoying.
I started writing this and then saw everyone's reviews and I'm glad you all agree that it needs one last part. So here it is, I hope this is the happy ending you're looking for
Epilogue
Seven Months Later...
Merlin let out a shaky breath as he stared at his reflection in the full length mirror. He was in one of the bedrooms at the Pendragon estate, waiting. Waiting was the worst, it drove him mad and he couldn't decide if he wanted to pace, run or sit still he was so anxious. He settled for smoothing out invisible wrinkles in his tux and attempting to tame the mop of hair.
"You look fine," Will said from behind him, offering him a reassuring smile.
"Are you sure? I feel like it was a mistake to go for a tux." He replied as he adjusted the cerulean cravat and smoothed out the white vest.
"Yes, I'm sure. You look stunning," he insisted and walked over to Merlin and wrapped an arm around his shoulder. Merlin grinned at him in the mirror.
"Have I said thank you for being here? For agreeing to be my best man and walking me down the aisle?" He asked, turning to fix Will's blue tie.
"Yes, about a dozen times and have I told you that it's the least I could do?" He countered and grabbed Merlin's hands to stop him from fidgeting.
"Yea," he smiled and drew in a deep breath. "What time is it?"
"Uh," he shook his arm to reveal his watch, "You're on in twenty."
"Ok... would it be ok if I took a minute alone?" He bit his lip worriedly and Will rolled his eyes.
"Of course, but if you get cold feet—you come find me, I'll steal the getaway car." He teased with a wink.
"Oi get out of here," Merlin threw a box of tissues at him, making him laugh and quickly leave the room. Merlin was still grinning when he turned back to the mirror.
"Well this is it," He said to himself. He looked down at the engagement ring and twisted it around. He was finally marrying Arthur. The whole affair was a lot bigger than he would have liked. There would be press after the ceremony, hundreds of people here that he didn't know. The only people Merlin had invited was a handful of family friends from Ealdor and then Will and Freya. Arthur only wanted Lance, Gwaine, Percy, Leon and a few other coworkers there but he was obligated to invite what seemed like the entire company. Merlin wasn't about to complain though. After everything they had been through, he was willing to do whatever it took as long he ended up married to the one man he loved most.
He looked out the window where he had a clear view the gardens and thought back to when he first met Arthur. He smiled at the memory, how arrogant he was and how much he had hated Arthur at first. He closed his eyes and replayed their first kiss and his fingers automatically reached up to his neck where he could almost feel Arthur removing his neckerchief. There were so many moments over the last two and a half years that had left Merlin breathlessly happy. There were also moments that were so painful, so stressful that he didn't think they would ever make it here. After they stopped Morgana and Camelot was officially safe, they still had to work through all the issues Merlin had caused. It took several months for Arthur to trust Merlin again and there were still moments when Merlin wasn't sure if he completely trusted him. A part of him worried that he would never have that trust again. It hadn't been easy to regain what he had managed to and he would spend the rest of his life proving to Arthur that he could be trusted.
His mind wandered to Mordred and he wondered where he was now. Morgana had been spotted in Brazil with Morgause. It was officially confirmed that Morgause had been in league with Morgana the day after 'the battle of Camlann' (as Merlin had taken to calling it) when she had pulled her stock from the company and stepped off the board. Mordred however, had not been seen or heard from since he left and Merlin couldn't keep himself from worrying about him. Gwaine had confessed to him that Mordred had been the one to turn over the evidence. He couldn't figure out why he did it though but a part of him suspected that it was because Mordred really had cared about Merlin. Despite everything, he still cared about the Druid. Perhaps not in the same way, but he understood Mordred in a way that no one else ever could and it was the same way about Merlin for Mordred.
Merlin was still standing at the window, lost in his thoughts when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He jumped and spun around, letting out a loud gasp as he was met with those icy blue eyes.
"Mordred," He breathed and quickly looked around.
"I'm sorry for showing up like this," He said quickly and took a step back, automatically giving Merlin space.
"Where have you been? What the hell are you doing here?" He fired his questions at him and Mordred slipped his hands into the pockets of his suit.
"Well, I didn't get an invitation but I wanted to offer you my sincere congratulations." He said with a smirk, amusement dancing in his eyes and Merlin couldn't stop the eye roll that followed.
"Right so you just decided to show up out of the blue and come say congrats twenty minutes before I walk down the aisle?" He said skeptically and Mordred nodded.
"Mmhmm, you know that timing isn't something I excel at," he teased, "And I wanted to give you my wedding present," He said, his voice dropping in volume and he stepped closer.
"Mordred," Merlin warned, stepping back but Mordred held up his hands.
"I'm not here to try and get between you and Arthur, Emrys. I'm here to apologize for the part I played in Morgana's game. I'm sorry for everything I did to you, there's no excuse." He whispered sincerely, "I've never known anyone like you before Merlin. You know me better than I know myself it seems and there's something about you... something so... good that I just wanted to be close to it. I ended up hurting you though and I'm sorry."
"It's ok," Merlin sighed, "I forgive you. It was my fault as much as it was yours." Mordred's lips turned up in a sad, small smile and he reached up and gently brushed Merlin's bangs off his forehead.
"Here," he reached into his inside jacket pocket and pulled out a small package wrapped in black paper and a silver ribbon, "your wedding present."
Merlin raised an eyebrow and took the package without a word. He removed the ribbon and carefully ripped open the paper. He frowned as he looked at the blank brown leather cover and looked up at Mordred questioningly.
"I got another book of poetry published," he explained, "read the dedication." He nodded for Merlin to open it. He opened it hesitantly, unsure of what to expect as he flipped through the first pages until he came to the correct one.
"Dedicated to Merlin Emrys and Arthur Pendragon; their love for each other is an inspiration and light of hope in an otherwise darkened world." He read, tears brimming his eyes and he looked up at Mordred. "You didn't have to do that..."
"I meant it. I want you to be happy Merlin." He said quietly, letting his hand come up to cup Merlin's cheek and brush a stray tear away with his thumb.
"I want you to be happy too," he sniffed and wiped his other cheek.
"I am," he reassured and leaned forward and pressed his lips to Merlin's. It wasn't a passionate kiss, or a kiss that quietly asked for more. It was simply a thank you, a kiss that said everything that neither man could say and only lasted a second. "Bye Emrys," Mordred whispered before walking away.
"Bye Mordred," he called after him rather weakly and then he was gone. He let out a shaking breath and sank onto the couch, desperately trying to compose himself. He closed his eyes and drew in several deep breaths. When he opened them again, he realized just how badly he had needed to see Mordred again, to say goodbye to him. Whatever feelings he'd had for him needed to see him one last time before Merlin could let them go and he was incredibly grateful that he'd shown up.
"You ready?" Will asked as he popped his head in. Merlin quickly set the book down and stood up.
"Yup," He smiled and wiped the last few tears away.
"You ok? Not changing your mind?" He asked teasingly.
"Shut up," Merlin scowled and Will grinned back at him.
"Time to walk the plank," he joked and held out his arm for Merlin to take it. Merlin rolled his eyes but took his offered arm and they walked down the corridor together. Just as they came to the set of double doors that would lead to the back gardens and aisle, Will stopped them.
"Before you do this Merlin, there's something I need to say," he said as he turned to Merlin, his green eyes filled with an intensity that told Merlin just how serious he was.
"Ok," he frowned.
"I know that I've been a bit of a prick about you and Arthur and it's taken me a long time to get on board with this. I'm sorry for any hurt that I caused you but you have to know that it was only because I wanted the very best for you. You deserve a man who is going to love you more than himself, more than anything else on this world. I let my own issues cloud my judgement of Arthur and that was a mistake. Anyone can see just how much he loves you, they would have to be blind not to and he's good for you. He challenges you and you make him a better person." He said, stumbling awkwardly as he tried to express himself and Merlin grinned.
"Thank you Will," he hugged him tightly, "thank you so much for saying that."
"I wasn't finished," He mumbled into Merlin's shoulder and Merlin laughed.
"What else did you want to say?"
"That you have my blessing," he said, glancing down at the floor, "even if it's nearly two years too late."
"Thanks," Merlin smiled and kissed his friend's cheek. "We should probably get going."
"Right yea," Will nodded and held out his arm again and Merlin linked his arm. They opened the door just as the band began to play I've loved you before by Melissa Ethridge, the violins playing in perfect key with the piano. The aisle curved around the garden and the trees at the front blocked Merlin's view of the altar, his heart pounded in his chest. Just as they rounded the bend, the chorus began and Arthur came into Merlin's view and the moment he saw Arthur's lopsided grin, he broke into his own grin. Biting his lip to keep himself from laughing at the sudden happiness that was overwhelming him, the slowly walked forward. Arthur looked so incredible standing beneath the wisteria covered arbor. He was wearing the same tux as Merlin, except his vest was the same blue as Merlin's cravat and his cravat was white. The black jacket fit him perfectly, outlining his sculpted body and Merlin made himself memorize every detail. He was perfect.
Lance and Gwen stood to Arthur's left. All the groomsmen were wearing black tuxedos with matching blue bowties. Gwen was wearing a beautiful blue spring dress and Merlin was glad he had taken her advice to let her pick out her own dress. He would never have found one that would have looked as good. To Arthur's right, Gwaine, Percy and Leon stood, their hands clasped behind their backs and grins plastered on their faces. Freya stood just beside and behind Arthur, wearing a beautiful but simple black dress. She had gone online and been ordained as their minister for the wedding since neither of them were religious and didn't want a stranger performing the wedding. And since Freya had practically singlehandedly saved Camelot, they could think of no one else better for the job. Finally, Merlin's eyes found Arthur's again and they stayed there as Will gave Merlin away. Arthur held out his hand and Merlin gently clasped it, their fingers linking.
"Hi," Merlin said before he could stop himself and Arthur laughed.
"Hi," he smiled with a wink.
The ceremony was going by so fast; Merlin nearly missed his cue to start his vows. He looked into Arthur's eyes and for a moment, he completely forgot everything he wanted to say. It took a few seconds for him to find his voice and he cleared his throat as he began.
"Arthur, I desire you to be no other than yourself. I love all that I know of you and I completely trust who you will become. I promise I will respect and honor you always and in every way. I promise to guide you when you ask for direction, to serve you in every way I can," he winked at him with those words before continuing on, "I promise to challenge you to be a better person and to allow you to do the same for me. Most importantly though, I swear to you that I will always and forever be by your side, an ever present companion for you. My love for you will never wane, but will only continue to grow as we grow and change together. I love you," he whispered the last words as his throat was tightening too much to be able to speak anymore. It was ridiculous, he told himself, to be crying but he honestly couldn't think he could ever be any happier than in this moment. Arthur grinned and kissed his tears away, causing the audience to 'awe' and a few to whistle. They laughed and Lance handed Merlin Arthur's ring, "with this ring," he started as he held it to Arthur's ring finger, "I thee wed," he said, grinning at the ridiculously traditional last part of his vows and he slid the ring onto Arthur's finger. He grinned back and waited as Freya turned to Arthur.
"And your vows?" She prompted and Arthur let out a nervous sigh.
"Day by day, I know and love you more," he started, losing himself in Merlin's misty eyes, "I love you for not only who you are but what I am when I am with you. I learn from your wisdom and experience every day. You challenge me to new heights and your unwavering faith in me gives me strength. Your touch, delights me and I know that without you, I am simple incomplete. So this day, I bind myself to you with these wedding vows, willingly and wholeheartedly, free from any doubt or mental reservation. All that is mine is yours; with love I give you all of me. I will honor you, cherish you, rejoice in your success, and weep in your sorrows. My love for you is eternal, and will reach even beyond death. For now and for always, I am yours." He finished and slid Merlin's wedding band onto his finger. Merlin couldn't hold back the choked sob that escaped and before waiting for Freya to speak again, Arthur pulled him to him. He reached one hand to the back of his neck and the other to Merlin's waist and kissed him with every ounce of love he could possible put into one kiss. The world fell away and it was only the two of them as they sealed their vows, their tears slipping into their mouths and slowly, they pulled away, laughing with the sheer joy of the moment.
"Well, I guess that parts done," Freya joked, "I now pronounce you husband and husband!" She shouted happily and everyone cheered and loudly clapped but they heard none of it. They were still holding on to each other, kissing each other's cheeks and whispering I love you's into each other's ears when the band began to play A Thousand Years.