"Ready?"

Merlin took a deep breath, but it caught a bit in his throat. He recovered quickly, disguising it as a light cough. He opted for just nodding his head in response, but in his mind, he still wasn't ready. Merlin still wondered at times if he had been dreaming all of this, and that one day he'd suddenly wake up from it. Or even worse, maybe he had been enchanted somehow, and he was under the mercy of an enemy sorcerer.

But nothing strange had happened yet, so Merlin had to pretend like everything was normal. His hands were shaking a bit as the doors opened, and light from the throne room streamed in to greet him with surprising warmth. But it didn't compare to the warmth he felt at seeing his friends gathered there, smiling with pride and even admiration. At Merlin.

It had been months since Arthur had first discovered Merlin's secret, and Merlin had almost died. Twice. As he healed, Arthur had worked on legalizing magic again, and Merlin had helped in every way that he could, demonstrating good deeds with his magic to those who were still skeptical.

Magic had been legal for a week now. And Arthur had sacked Merlin.

"I can't very well have a Court Sorcerer as a servant. People will talk."

Arthur said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world, and that Merlin was utterly ridiculous for thinking otherwise. Merlin didn't find himself speechless very often, but in that moment, he had been absolutely dumbfounded.

The ceremony itself was quite short, mostly because Merlin was so anxious that he was stuck in some sort of daze. But by the end of it, Merlin was Court Sorcerer. Merlin. Court Sorcerer of Camelot.

The feast after was quite spectacular. Merlin realized that he had never been seated at a feast before, and he was at the head table, right next to Arthur and Gwen. He must've pinched himself a dozen times that night, most likely giving himself several crescent-shaped scars. It kept Merlin grounded, and he was able to remain present enough to thank everyone who congratulated him.

The room lapsed into silence when Arthur suddenly stood, goblet raised out to his many guests.

"I'd like to make a toast to Merlin, who has brought us peace to the five kingdoms. Let this mark a time of great prosperity for all. To Merlin!"

"To Merlin!" everyone called back, raising their goblets and drinking merrily.

Merlin felt moisture pricking at his eyes and heat flaring in his cheeks. All this recognition after so long felt wonderful, but almost wrong as well.

He was feeling quite overwhelmed, and a bit after the toast, he excused himself from the banquet. Lords, why was his heart pounding? Merlin leaned on the stone wall to his left, gazing down at Camelot through a stained-glass window.

"Merlin?"

Merlin started as a hand landed on his shoulder. He turned slowly, unsurprised to discover the owner of the hand.

"You alright?" Arthur asked, his gaze questioning.

"Yes, fine. Just needed some air, that's all."

Merlin turned back to the window.

"You're a hero, Merlin. Can't you learn to accept the credit?"

"I'm the same as I always was, Arthur. It's just overwhelming to suddenly be recognized for all of it."

Arthur's brow furrowed, but he had listened all the same.

"You're still a riddle to me. And no less of an idiot."

Merlin laughed a bit, and he stopped digging his nails into his skin. "And you're no less of a prat."

Arthur shoved Merlin's arm lightly, before he too looked out the window and into the night. Camelot was quiet; peaceful.

"Where do you think he went?" Arthur asked suddenly, his eyes growing serious.

Merlin didn't have to ask to know who he meant.

"I don't know. But I have a feeling he'll be back."

Arthur's gaze drew back to meet Merlin's, and he nodded with resolve. "We'll be ready for him."

…

And once again, the balance is restored to nature. Thank you guys for all your support for this story, it's been a lot of fun. That's the end, but I may end up writing a sequel. We'll see!