Author's Note: Here we are, folks. Finally at the end of a crazy long ride. Hopefully it has been a fun one. I am both happy and sad to say that this is the last chapter of The Love That Binds Us. Thank you so much to any and all who have read this story, and all the well wishes in the world to my amazing, beautiful, fantastic reviewers. You guys were the life that kept this story afloat for all this time. I owe everything to your support. Thank you, and enjoy.


"Wow," breathed Merlin in wonder. He kept pace with the Queen as they made their way into the courtyard, where two horses awaited them. "You're honestly telling me that Arthur is in the forest right now setting up this picnic for you all on his own?"

"Indeed he is," Gwen confirmed.

"That's a first."

"He wanted it to be ready for me when I arrived—he can actually be rather romantic at times—and he seemed very keen to prove himself capable without your assistance."

"Given how well that's worked out in the past," Merlin pointed out cheekily, "I fear for you. You're likely to end up with food poisoning, or sitting on the damp ground because he forgot to bring a blanket."

Gwen laughed with her friend as they walked down the stone steps. They stopped by their horses and took the reins from the stable hands. The queen and warlock swung up onto their horses with ease, and then they were off.

"I'm sorry to drag you along, as usual," remarked Gwen as they rode out of the city and into the forest.

"Don't be. Arthur's right; it's best for you to have someone to protect you, just in case. Especially now that you've got a baby coming! Got to be extra careful. And, honestly, you can't get any more careful than with me."

"So I understand." She glanced aside, considering Merlin with a smile. "It's truly amazing."

With surprise, he returned her gaze. "What is?"

"How you kept your sorcery a secret for so long."

Merlin gave an "Ah" and looked away, unsure if she was scolding or complimenting him. Personally, he felt that both were deserved.

"Thank you."

His eyebrows rose. "Thank you?"

Gwen simply smiled and nodded, focused on the path ahead. Merlin's brow crinkled momentarily as he pondered her meaning, but then he smiled softly. He had a feeling he understood her.

"I'm glad I met you in the stocks ten years ago," she said slyly.

The memory pulled at the edges of Merlin's lips. "Yeah," he answered. They met one another with youthful grins. "Yeah, so am I."


Guinevere informed him when they came near the area where Arthur had said he would be waiting. Dismounting, they walked the remainder of the way, talking easily together as they had been the whole ride.

When they reached the picnic spread, Merlin turned his eyes forward and then stopped in his tracks, his sentence hanging incomplete.

Arthur gave a smug smile as he stood up from the blanket, joined in this action by the cause of Merlin's surprise. Mordred. The druid smiled nervously and raised a hand in greeting, his cheeks a bright pink, as Arthur stepped off the blanket and crossed towards his wife.

Confused, Merlin turned towards the King, a question on his tongue. Arthur placed a hand on his shoulder.

"The picnic is yours, Merlin," he explained. "It was never meant for Guinevere and me."

"You mean to say… all this is for me and Mordred?" Arthur nodded. Dumbstruck, Merlin turned towards his fiancé. "Did you-"

Mordred shook his head vehemently. "I assure you I did not." He pointed towards the royal couple. The servant turned his incredulous gaze to his friends.

Smirking, Arthur shrugged. "I had no hand in the matter," he informed Merlin. "This was all Guinevere's idea and planning."

Now that Merlin looked at her, there did seem to be a special sparkle in her eyes lighting up her face. "You…" he said slowly. "You faked all this, so that you could arrange a surprise picnic date for us?"

"Absolutely!" Gwen confirmed brightly.

"You little meddler," he returned just as brightly. He laughed, stunned by what she'd done.

"You two became engaged yesterday. That calls for celebration," she insisted. "And I knew neither of you would be daring enough to ask Arthur for the day off, so I handled it for you."

"The way you say that makes it sounds like you handled me," Arthur protested.

"I did," she agreed, reaching up to grant him a gentle kiss. He shook his head at her, but was smiling nonetheless.

"So, Merlin," he announced, "I suppose you're relieved of your duties for the day, then. Not that I evidently have any say in it. You as well, Mordred."

"I, um… Thank you," Merlin said.

"Eat the food before it gets cold," the Queen recommended, quickly hugging Merlin and kissing his cheek. "And enjoy yourself. Relax. I get the feeling you haven't done enough of that in many years."

Merlin smiled at her perceptiveness. She may have been teasing before, but it was clear from the tender look she gave him that she was now being perfectly serious.

"Perhaps you're right," he murmured. "Thank you, Gwen. Really. For all of it."

"You're welcome, Merlin." She moved off, joining her husband by their horses and grabbing the reins.

"Thank you again, Arthur," Mordred called out as the royal couple mounted their steeds. "And thank you, Guinevere, for preparing such a lovely gift."

"It was my pleasure," she assured him. Arthur nodded his goodbyes, and then the royalty rode away, leaving the newly engaged couple on their own.

Merlin turned back to Mordred, eyes still wide. His lover shrugged, laughing gently.

"So did you know about this, or…?" Merlin gestured at the blanket and basket. Mordred stepped away from the picnic and joined Merlin, linking their arms together.

"I knew nothing," he said. "I thought, as you did, that the picnic was intended for Their Majesties. That is what Arthur summoned me for last evening. He wished to prepare a romantic outing for Guinevere, but he was determined to do so without your help and therefore came to me instead. At least that's what I was falsely told. He informed me of the truth when we got here this morning." Mordred grinned, squeezing the servant's arm. "I think it's lovely. A truly thoughtful gift from our friends."

"I confess that I'm incredibly impressed that they both managed to hide the truth from us," Merlin remarked, turning his head towards his lover and smiling back. Mordred leaned forward and the two men kissed.

"Now then!" exclaimed Mordred, releasing his grip on Merlin's arm. The warlock laughed loudly as the younger man skipped energetically back to the blanket and plopped himself down on the ground, a look of childish eagerness about him. "Shall we eat? You must see what they've packed for us, Merlin! Tis all the finest delicacies of Camelot's kitchen. There is…"

Merlin listened happily as Mordred rambled on, pulling out each item of food as he spoke about it. A feeling of peace overwhelmed him in a way it hadn't in years. There were no threats, no worries, no secrets, only he and his lover on a ridiculously romantic date, in the full support of their dearest friends. Nothing could be more perfect.

His movements leisurely and carefree, Merlin made his way to the blanket and sat down beside Mordred, content merely to lay back and listen. Soon they were feeding one another strawberries, engaging in food fights, kissing, talking, and altogether sharing a very quiet and enjoyable day together. They stayed long after all the food was gone, lying side by side and discussing everything under the sun, including their upcoming nuptials and life together.

Both men were the happiest they'd ever been, free of the burdens they'd been plagued with all their lives, free to relax and cherish the company of their most beloved person in the world.


"Two days?" Arthur repeated, staring at Merlin with a blank face. "You wish to marry Mordred in two days? That really isn't much time to prepare for a wedding, Merlin."

"Well, we want it to be a small ceremony anyways," Merlin pointed out, lounging casually against Arthur's table, where the King sat with boring papers that he was more than glad to avoid. "I want my mother to be there, and she can't stay in Camelot much longer. So two days."

"Very well," agreed Arthur with a sigh, looking down at the papers again. "I'll get it done."

The servant jolted, his head tilting. "What do you mean you'll get it done? I'm the servant, I'm the one who ought to be getting things ready, it's my job-"

"Yes, but it's your wedding, isn't it?" Arthur said exasperatedly, rolling his eyes. "I'm hardly going to make you work for your own happy day. The other servants can handle it. I'll supervise."

"Oh, that's reassuring."

"Shut up, Merlin."


"Are you certain this is what I should wear?"

Mordred tugged the long cape worriedly, checking his reflection in the mirror once more. Unlike the traditional red cape worn by the knights, this one was a deep blue, like the evening sky. Percival walked up behind him, placing firm hands on his shoulders to stop him from fidgeting.

"Yes," said Percival confidently. "You look dashing. Merlin might just faint away dead when he sees you in this, all handsome."

The druid gave a tinkling laugh, meeting his friend's eye gratefully. "That is not quite what I wish to happen on my wedding day. Could spoil the mood."

"Eh, just a bit."

"Just a bit," he agreed.

The two friends dissolved into laughter. A minute of merry release settled Mordred's nerves, leaving calm in its wake. He sucked in a deep breath, looking again towards the mirror.

Sincerely, Percival looked over Mordred's shoulder and said, "Really. It'll be perfect. All right?"

Mordred stared at his reflection. Then he nodded determinedly. "Thank you, Percival. I think it shall."


A few minutes after Merlin settled in to sleep, the body next to him shifted. Turning around, Mordred lay his head down on Merlin's shoulder and nestled close.

"Tomorrow we shall be married," he whispered.

"Oh, is that tomorrow?" was the murmured reply.

Merlin chuckled as the knight dug his fingers into Merlin's side as punishment. "Not if you continue to tease me thus," Mordred retorted.

"All right, all right, I'm sorry," said Merlin, a smile on his lips. He pressed a kiss to Mordred's forehead. "Will you still marry me?"

"Mmm… perhaps…"

Merlin placed two fingers under Mordred's chin and guided his head up. Leaning forward, he met Mordred's lips with his own, pouring every ounce of his love and passion into three seconds of a kiss.

Drawing back, he asked, "And now?"

Eyes fluttered open. The blue color shone in the darkness. "How could I ever resist?"

"No, you've got that backwards," Merlin protested. He pressed a kiss to the top of Mordred's crown. "I'm not the irresistible one." A kiss to his forehead, savoring the way that Mordred's eyes fell closed at the soft touch. "You are. And I-" A lingering kiss to the left cheek. "-am just the lucky man-" A lingering kiss for the right. "-who gets to marry you."

He brushed his fingers across Mordred's cheek, then cupped his face securely in his hand. They leaned forward at the same time, meeting in a heated kiss. Pulling himself close to the warlock's body, Mordred moaned into his mouth, and Merlin greedily devoured the sound with his tongue.

He pressed forward, turning Mordred onto his back as he licked at Mordred's bottom lip. The druid ran experienced hands down his torso, allowing Merlin to deepen the kiss, stretching upwards towards his lover, aching for more.

And thus they shared their last night before matrimony.


The manner of his waking on the morning of his marriage was rather odd. A clatter of noises roused him, and Merlin was barely blinking himself blearily awake when two pairs of rough hands began shepherding him out of bed.

"Merlin?" he heard a confused, not-quite-awake Mordred mutter.

Merlin protested as a large hand was slapped over his eyes, but he was hustled quickly out the door and into the hallway. He heard the door to Mordred's room clang shut behind him.

The hand was removed, and suddenly Leon and Percival stood in front of him, grinning.

"What on earth was that about?" cried Merlin.

"Bad luck to see the bride before the wedding," Leon said with a wink.

Merlin's jaw fell open in incredulity. For several long, silent seconds he stared at the two knights, wondering how he ever managed to get mixed up with such insane friends.

"Right, I'm going back to bed," he said finally, trudging towards the door.

The servant halted abruptly as Percival stomped into his path, still grinning.

"Not an option, sorry." Percival crossed his arms.

So many thoughts were flying through Merlin's mind that he could do nothing but stare dumbly. Leon took the opportunity to grab his arms, spin him around, and march him away down the corridor. Giving up, Merlin sighed and went along, realizing he had no real choice in the matter.

"So where are we going, then?" he asked.

"I'm taking you to Gaius'," answered Leon, "where Gaius and your mother will prepare you for today. Percival's going to help Mordred, and I've got a few last things to help Arthur with."

Sure enough, Merlin was soon dropped off at the Court Physician's chambers, where receiving a hug from his mother made the whole ridiculous morning well worth it. Gaius ushered him to the table, serving all three of them a plate of bread, fruit, and meat.

The family talked and laughed over breakfast, feeling more natural together than they'd ever been apart. Merlin ignored all thoughts of how much he would miss his mother. But when Hunith placed a gentle hand on his arm and said, "We'll visit each other much more often, Merlin, I promise," he decided that he hadn't ignored the thoughts as well as he could have.

When they'd finished eating, Gaius sat back lazily and watched as Merlin used his magic to clean the plates in a second.

"Ah," he breathed. "Now that I could grow used to."

Merlin looked over his shoulder with a lopsided grin. "I remember the time you caught me using magic to do my chores," he said. "You nearly took my head off."

"Well, it clearly wasn't doing you much good," Gaius teased. The warlock laughed and apologized sheepishly. Gaius waved a hand. "It hardly matters now. I am simply glad that things are finally different."

"You can say that again."


Not long after, Gaius vacated his chambers so it was only Merlin and Hunith together. Hunith waited patiently as Merlin dressed himself in his old room. When the sounds of shuffling feet and fabric ceased, she called up,

"Well, come down! Let me see you."

The door opened and Merlin emerged, making his way down the steps. His hands couldn't keep from repeatedly smoothing over the clothes. As she got her first glance, Hunith's features softened, and she took a step back so that she could better admire his splendor.

Hunith stood silently taking in the sight of him for long enough that Merlin grew warm in the cheeks and began to squirm. He looked down at himself nervously.

"It looks ridiculous, doesn't it?" he asked anxiously. "I can't believe Arthur did this for me, I shouldn't have taken it, I mean, it's not right for someone like me-"

"Merlin, you have never looked so handsome," Hunith interrupted kindly. Merlin stopped rambling, and a hesitant smile pulled at his lips as she took his face in her hands. "Nobility suits you."

"You think so?"

Beaming, Merlin ran his hands more calmly over the finery, enjoying the soft material beneath his fingers.

When Arthur had visited him the night before with an outfit designed especially for Merlin's wedding, he'd been speechless. He'd stared in awe at the ensemble laid out for him: a white silk tunic, a fine red jacket with golden buttons, a pair of brown trousers, and boots, all of which were fine enough to belong to a nobleman.

"This is too much," Merlin protested as soon as he'd regained his voice. "I'm just a servant, you shouldn't be giving me such expensive gifts."

"You are not even close to being 'just a servant,'" Arthur retorted. "We both know you're much more than that. This doesn't even scratch the surface of what Camelot owes you. And even if that weren't the case, I would still have wanted to do this. Because above all else, Merlin, you are my friend, and a better, truer man I've never known."

Merlin turned glistening eyes on his best friend. He was too choked up to speak, so instead he wrapped himself around Arthur in a hug. The King sighed exaggeratedly, but returned the gesture.

"Merlin? Are you ready?"

Merlin jolted out of his thoughts, and he grinned down at his mother.

"I believe a certain someone is waiting for you," she added.

Just the thought sent Merlin's heart into a gallop. This was real. This was happening. In just a few hours, he and Mordred would be married. Finally everything was going right.

He took a deep breath. A twinkle in his eye, he extended his arm towards his mother. Hunith smiled and linked her arm through his, squeezing his arm gently in support.

"I guess it's time," he declared, shaking himself out, as if shaking away the final nerves. "Here we go, Merlin."

Mother and son strode from the room.


Mordred exhaled heavily, hands clasped behind his back. He stood ready and waiting in the throne room, becoming more jittery with each second that passed. Though, in all fairness, not many had passed. But every second felt like an hour when he knew that at any moment Merlin would be walking through those doors.

The knight sent one last anxious glance at Percival, who met him with a steady smile that Mordred was compelled to return. How could he do anything else? The few people that he and Merlin loved most surrounded him, and soon he would be married to the gods' most perfect creation.

His chest rose and fell. The seconds ticked past. He allowed his eyes to fall closed, and he drifted into the quiet darkness he found there. He gently brushed the edges of his magic with his mind, comforted by the warm spark of its presence. He was practically in a world of his own.

Sound reached his ears.

Eyes flashing open, Mordred turned towards the hall's entrance.

Breath failed him.

Looking calm, confident, and absolutely stunning, Merlin walked slowly towards the head of the room. Hunith escorted him, but Mordred hardly noticed. Merlin was decked out in beautiful shades of red and gold, a glowing image of nobility. The warlock looked as regal as Arthur, and far more beautiful. Merlin's eyes sparkled in the light, and his delicate smile exuded a much greater happiness than Mordred could comprehend coming from such a slight tilt of the lips.

Mordred stared in wonder as Merlin walked all the way down the hall, until he finally came to a stop just in front of Mordred. His eyes remained locked on his fiancé as Hunith reached up to kiss her son's cheek.

He finally broke free of the spell that Merlin had unintentionally cast upon him when Hunith stepped his way. She reached upwards and kissed his cheek just as she had Merlin's. The druid's eyes glimmered with warmth as he turned a smile upon her. Hunith grasped his hand briefly, sharing her strength with him. Then she walked away, joining Guinevere amongst their small gathering of friends.

He turned back to Merlin.

Merlin stared at him now just as he'd been staring at Merlin moments ago. Mordred nearly blushed to have such a tender and admiring gaze upon him, and in public, but he was elated to the point of distraction. He met Merlin's eyes and smiled, without even needing to move his lips.

"Ahem."

A gentle laugh bounced around as Merlin and Mordred both snapped free and turned sheepishly towards their friend. Arthur smirked knowingly.

"Now, then," he said, "are we ready to start?"

Another laugh went up, shared by Merlin and Mordred, who both gave their hearty consent.

His face adopting a serious expression, Arthur began the ceremony, speaking of the sacred commitment they were pledging themselves to. All present listened to his strong words, taking them into their hearts.

Soon it came time for the rings and vows.

Upon Percival's cue, a dressed-up Mirabelle left her father's side. A bright smile on her face, she approached the almost-married couple, carrying two rings in the palm of her hand. The two sorcerers grinned down at her, whispering hellos—which she returned just as furtively—as they leaned down to take the rings from her.

Her task done, Mirabelle hustled back to a proud Percival's side. He hugged her tightly as she beamed up at him, and then they returned their attention to the ceremony.

Clearing his throat, Merlin stared for a moment at Mordred's chest, before finding the fortitude to lock his eyes fiercely on the other man's.

"Mordred," he said.

The room was silent, all eyes fixed on him. Mordred forgot to breathe as he stared deep into Merlin's eyes, hanging on his words, the cool, soothing tone of his voice.

"Before you came to Camelot, I'd lost hope. I didn't see it then, but I was in a dark place. I still spoke of a new age, of Albion, but I didn't truly believe in it. Not really." Merlin shook his head, remembering the days he spoke of. Then he smiled. "And then you came, and… you were everything I'd been missing. You became the friend I'd stopped believing I deserved. You were my confidant and my equal. And before I knew how to stop you, you'd wormed your way into my heart with your smile, and your wit, and your laugh. Your passion, and vision of the future.

"And our road was never easy. In fact, the very agents of the universe were working against us," Merlin said forcefully. He broke eye contact with Mordred so that he could look about, including their friends in the story they perhaps knew little of. "Fate strove to keep us apart, but our love…" He turned back to Mordred. "…our love proved to be stronger. Together we changed the fate of the world, of our friends, of Camelot. And our own. We refused to give up on each other, and that is the reason we can stand here today. I can't even imagine what my life would be without you in it, and I don't want to. I only want to look to the future. Our future."

The warlock took a deep breath. Mordred's eyes were shimmering. The beautiful sight fuelled Merlin with energy and determination. Smiling confidently, he said,

"I swear that from now on, for every day for the rest of my life, I will care for you and protect you. I will stay with you always, and love you more than anyone else in the world. You're everything I ever dreamed of, and I'm looking forward to a lifetime of chances to prove exactly how much I love you."

Merlin took Mordred's left hand, smiling crookedly in the way Mordred adored most. "So with this ring," said Merlin as he pushed the ring onto Mordred's finger, a twinkle in his eye, "I wed thee."

The young man inhaled a deep breath, overwhelmed by Merlin's speech. His fingers grasped Merlin's briefly. Releasing his sweaty grip, Mordred took a second to steady himself, to find his center and allow it to calm him.

Now it was his turn to tell just what Merlin meant to him.

"Merlin," he began. Then he smiled almost teasingly and added, "Emrys."

He paused. Merlin smiled understandingly and nodded, encouraging him.

Eyes shining, Mordred said, "The first time that I came to Camelot, you saved my life. Not knowing whom I was, knowing nothing at all but that I was in need of help, you risked yourself to hide me from the guards. You saved me. And that is what you have continued to do for me.

"You say that when I found you, you were in a dark place. Well… you know well that I had long lived in darkness myself. Yet you gave me the chance to prove myself, to show that I could overcome the sins of my past and future. You dared to let me into your heart; you let me see all the pieces of you that I've come to cherish. I was lost before you entered my life, Merlin, but I am lost no longer. You have left me confused on one matter only."

Merlin's brow wrinkled, his head tilting endearingly. Mordred almost laughed aloud to see the concern in his lover's expression.

"To this day I cannot understand how anyone manages not to fall in love with you," he completed honestly, breaking out into a beaming smile. A smattering of laughter echoed around him, but Mordred could not look away from Merlin, Merlin who looked so amazed, so grateful. Amused, yes, but overcome with tenderness for Mordred more so. Mordred's heart skipped forward happily.

"You are my guiding light, Emrys," he continued quietly. "I will cherish and adore you for all my days. I will be by your side when you are sick, and I will fight by your side when foes attack. I shall never grow tired of showing my love to you, and I am relieved to know, for once and for all, that I will always be free to."

Nearly crying—those were definitely tears in his eyes—Merlin nodded powerfully, and Mordred knew that he understood.

He smiled. "Therefore… with this ring, I wed thee."

Once the ring was placed securely on Merlin's finger, Arthur—who Mordred was hugely gratified to notice was somewhat choked up himself—declared,

"To seal your vows to one another, you may now kiss."

Merlin didn't hesitate. He crossed the distance quickly, mashing their lips together almost clumsily. Mordred found that he didn't care as he returned the passionate kiss, wrapping a hand around Merlin's neck. Though neither man was crying, Mordred fancied that he could feel the ghosts of unshed tears on their cheeks.

Hardly two seconds had passed before the King protested loudly, "All right, well done, that's enough."

Merlin and Mordred split apart, laughing appreciatively. Despite his words, Arthur smiled proudly at them.

"By the power vested in me as King of this land," Arthur proclaimed, "I now pronounce you, Merlin and Mordred, married in the eyes of the law."

A heartfelt cheer went up, and those in attendance clapped emphatically for them. Holding hands tightly, an exuberant Merlin and Mordred turned to acknowledge their friends, those people closest to them in the world. Gaius, Hunith, Gwen, Arthur, Leon, Percival, and little Mirabelle, all beaming and celebrating for them, hugging one another and looking on with true pride and happiness. Each and every smiling face warmed their hearts a thousand times over.

Mordred tugged Merlin's hand, gently turning his body, before pulling him in for one more kiss.


A/N: For those who are interested, I'm planning a sequel to this story. It won't have an overarching plot like this one, but it will be oneshots and short stories that take place after Merlin and Mordred's wedding. I hope some of you will take a look at it! I'll try to post the first chapter as soon as possible. The story will feature old friends and new adventures and hopefully much much more. Thanks again for everything.