Sorry this has taken so long to put up I just haven't had much time as I have been busy. FYI One of the things I've been busy with was my Birthday (30th November for any of those readers in the future who are reading this like in 2015 or something as it is 2013 while I write this-Nearly Christmas) sorry for that but I just thought it was weird thinking that people might be reading this for years to come!
Chapter 52
Merlin and Arthur walked out of the forest together. They walked up to the castle where they found the others waiting for them. Merlin was a bit drawn back and seemed shy so Arthur went to them first and they whispered something to him so that Merlin couldn't hear. Arthur laughed and beckoned Merlin forwards.
He came forwards tentatively looking up at the castle and smiling and together, the lot of them walked into the courtyard. There Merlin stopped and stared up at the entrance. Arthur turned to him and merlin said "I haven't been in the castle for months"
Arthur was lost for words so was glad when Elyan said "Well it's time you did" and Arthur found himself again as he walked back to Merlin a gently pushed him forward "I'm sorry for driving you out; I shouldn't have done that." He said "From now on, you will always be welcome here
Merlin smiled "thank you Arthur." And they walked up the stairs into the castle. At the top of the stairs Merlin lingered not sure where to go. "Come with me, to your room" said Gaius and Merlin nodded as he followed Gaius up the stairs.
When Merlin had gone and was out of ear shot Arthur turned back to Gwen, Mordred and his knights and grinned "So what's this I hear about the druids and people of Camelot wanting us to help organise a festival in Merlin's honour?" he said rubbing his hand together and the others laughed.
An hour later, Arthur was watching as tables were carried along all the streets of Camelot towards the battlefield soon to be the place of the biggest banquet Camelot had ever seen. Everyone was invited so there was a lot to do. There were many setting up decorations but even more helping with food. Most of the people of Camelot who were able to cook were in a kitchen preparing the vast amount of food needed. There were roasts, bread, salad and much more. The nights all had a part in rounding up as much food as possible and some had been sent out on a quick hunt to gather more supplies. Everyone was going all out to make this feast perfect.
However, the most important job was Gaius's. He had the job of keeping Merlin out of the way until the feast began. Arthur glanced up at the physicians tower were the warlock dwelled at that moment.
In the tower Merlin was sitting leaning against Gaius staring round the room. HIS room. All the things he had left behind were here, his neckerchief, his old clothes, nearly everything he had owned.
When they first got to the physician's chambers Gaius had sat him down and checked him over. He had a few burns but nothing serious, not compared to injuries he had had before. Gaius had treated them quickly then got him some water to drink. Merlin was hungry but when Gaius didn't make a move to get him food he didn't bother asking.
Then Gaius led Merlin up to his room. He had felt a wave of shock in being back in a place that had meant so much to him before. He sat down on the bed and Gaius sat behind him.
It must have been at least an hour and a half they sat there. Gaius seemed relaxed enough just to sit there and let Merlin rest, he needed it. Merlin began to drift off to sleep against Gaius so Gaius gently lowered Merlin's head onto the bed and left him to sleep as he began his own preparations.
First he tidied up his chambers that Morgana had messed up quite a bit. That took a while but after he had done, he turned to his closet and opened it to retrieve his best robes which were thankfully still there. He changed into them and then went to the window. He smiled as he saw the mass of people down on the streets, children running frantically around everywhere.
After 5 minutes Gaius snapped out of his trance and got back to business. It was nearly 8 o'clock which was the time he had been told to get Merlin to the feast. He went up into Merlin's room and he saw Merlin still sound asleep on the bed. He quietly chose out Merlin's best clothes and laid them on the bed with a deep blue cloak and leather belt that a servant had dropped of half an hour earlier.
He carefully shook Merlin awake and softly said his name "Merlin, wake up" Merlin did wake up and sat up quickly, breathing heavily. Gaius gripped his shoulder "Calm down, it's only me, your safe" and Merlin relaxed.
Gaius helped Merlin get changed out of his own clothes into the fresh ones set out for him. Merlin was slightly confused at the cloak and Belt but Gaius just raised his eyebrows and said "You'll see" so Merlin left it.
Merlin followed Gaius through the strangely quiet city down to the gates. Gaius told Merlin to stay in the street for a minute while he went to check something. Merlin did as he was told and a few minutes later he saw Gaius coming back towards him.
As Gaius led him on through the gates Merlin heard Arthur's voice, he was making a speech "Today a great threat was lifted from the world. Today, we are free. Today, we witnessed the coming of the greatest warlock ever to be born. This day is one to Celebrate, so as King of Camelot I open this feast in the honour in our saviour and my friend Merlin, court sorcerer of Camelot"
Merlin arrived at the table as Arthur said the last sentence and Arthur turned to Merlin grinning as he drew near. Arthur laughed at Merlin's shocked face and joined in the clapping as Merlin sat down on the chair oh honour.
The sight before Merlin was overwhelming. There were decorations everywhere and the whole of Camelot was sitting before him cheering for HIM! Even the Dragon was there! He was so gratified. Arthur sat down beside him and everyone began to eat the food laid out for them.
A little while later Merlin turned to Arthur "You didn't have to do this" he said. Arthur clapped him on the back "You deserve it, we all do" he said. Merlin smiled and said "thank you Arthur." Then he noticed something "Where's Mordred?" he asked but Arthur just grinned as Merlin heard Mordred's voice "Look behind you"
Merlin whirled around and saw Mordred and smiled again before noticing the person standing beside Mordred. "Mother!" he cried in delight and he stood up to hug her. She accepted him lovingly and then the three of them sat down, Hunith next to her son.
Everyone smiled to see the delight on Merlin's face. Eventually Merlin stopped doting over his mother and got on with his meal heartily joining in a conversation with the nights.
Only those closest to Merlin noticed a change in his eyes. His stormy grey eyes were once again back to their originally sparkling blue. All took this for a sign that Merlin was whole again.
At the end of the main course Arthur stood once more. "Before we tuck into a delicious desert, we should have some entertainment. What could be better than a magical display performed by none other than Merlin? The crowd cheered but Merlin shook his head to Arthur. However he couldn't get out of it that easily as Gwain then started up a chant of "Merlin, Merlin, Merlin"
Eventually Merlin gave in and stood up and the crowd cheered again as Arthur sat down clapping. Merlin took a quick look at his mother before beginning.
Merlin raised his hand and his eyes glowed as he muttered "Forbearnan" and a flame appeared in his hand. Then he said "Hoppaþ nu swilce swá lieg fleogan" and the flame flew up into the air. "Intend lig, intend lig" he said and it grew the size. Then he said "Upastige draca" and a massive dragon appeared shimmering in the fire. Finally he said "Mulaka draca lig koleran swá fortoha" and the dragon split into hundreds of little dragons, all different colors which flew around everywhere.
Everyone gasped as the dragons spat out little colored flames but relaxed once they realized they were harmless. They all applauded Merlin as he sat down and within minutes the air was full of multicolored flames.
Gwain clapped Merlin on the back and said "Nice one mate but I can think of many things you could have done bettteerr..." he slurred off at the end, obviously drunk and went away muttering something about explosions and unicorns. Merlin grinned after as the other knights laughed at their drunken companion. The feast went on with more entertainment, (which included, singing, dancing and to Gwain's delight a flying cow"
At the end of the feast those of the round table walked back up to the castle, Gwain being supported by Percival. They all laughed as a group once more and now Merlin was back they felt complete. What proved once and for all that things were back to normal when Merlin tripped over Arthur's foot and Arthur let out an automatic "idiot!"
All went quiet (except Gwain who was quietly singing to himself) as they waited for Merlin's reaction. Merlin stared warily into Arthur's eyes as he got up and then finally muttered "Prat" Arthur sighed at hearing the old insult and felt strangely happy even after being insulted. He punched Merlin gently on the arm and they all went their separate ways to bed.
Over the next two years Mordred, Leon, Elyan and Percival got married. Mordred to a druid named Kara. Leon to Lord Heaton's daughter, Lady Elena, Elyan to a girl named Tia and Percival to a girl named Shannon; she was a small quiet girl but had a fiery heart. Gwain finally got his wish to see a unicorn when he escorted Merlin to the labyrinth where there were many Unicorns galloping about.
As well as this, Merlin visited the lake of Avalon many times, once explaining his connection with Freya to Arthur. The lady Morgana was stripped of her title and imprisoned on island far away that was shielded so that no one could get on or off without Merlin's permission.
Finally Arthur and Gwen had their first child. It was a boy who grew to look very like his father but with his mother's brown eyes, he was named Tom after Gwen's father and was a warrior with a kind heart and all knew he would one day make a great king. Merlin was made the official court sorcerer. Together, he and Arthur united the lands and led them into the golden age of Albion which lasted for many years to come. Also Gaius was reunited with his love Alice and they worked together curing the sick.
All in all the years to come were great ones and all looked forward to the future, except a few who still agreed with Morgana's view that Arthur would one, day turn on them all. Surely, Emrys wouldn't be by his side forever, would he?
OH MY GOD! Finally finished! That is so sad, I cannot believe it, I really hope you all liked it as you are all great fans! I have many more ideas for stories so look out. Though, I will finish my scar story before starting on them. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH, THIS HAS BEEN BRILLIANT! (And for those of you in the future you are brilliant as well!)
