Thank you for your continued interest and support. I appreciate it.

I know I said I'd do this in a few days, but you guys have been wonderful, so I made a go at it today.

This is the last installment for this story.

I do not own Merlin or the characters and except for about three prompts...this epilogue is all mine.

"Wow! You look...my God, there isn't a word to describe how you look, Mrs Pendragon. But I'll go with magnificent," Arthur said to Gwen.

A huge smile graced her features.

"Why thank you, my Lord. And just so you know, I'd settle for the way you look at me, any day."

He approached her, and brought her into his arms. With a soft peck to her lips, he mumbled,

"I need to get you out of here. Otherwise, we won't leave...because, seeing you in that dress is giving me ideas...naughty ideas."

Gwen giggled and playfully slapped at his chest, but he grabbed her hand and twirled her, making the shimmery red dress and her mass of black curls swish to and fro.

Her strappy heels added to her height, bringing her to about two inches over his shoulder, but she still had to look up to him.

The two were on their way to a dinner, celebrating the Queen's recovery from an illness, which had her out of office and off her feet for over two months.

For the last ten months, Arthur and Gwen have been living on cloud nine.

They were...and still is...blissfully happy.

They lived the first five months in New York, with frequent long visits to Camelot. But it all changed, after the Queen became ill.

So now, they have taken up residence on their own estate, but live most of the year in their apartments at the palace.

Arthur clasped the snowflake necklace he had given Gwen around her neck, lingering for a moment longer than was necessary.

As he looked at the clasp, he was taken aback to the day that he'd discovered, Gwen had to leave the necklace behind.

ARTHUR

When I first saw the snowflake necklace, I thought Guinevere was sending me a message...that she never wanted to see me again...and that my special gift meant nothing to her.

But after rekindling with her in New York...after my now famous speech...I later learned that it was the travel secretary at the palace, who made her leave the necklace behind.

I don't have to say how that made me feel...but let's just say...a coffee table and a couple pictures belonging to the hotel I stayed at, paid the price.

I felt like I could've wrung Kate's neck.

She had the audacity to tell the woman I love, that the necklace I had especially made for her, was not hers to keep...and it was the property of the Crown.

It wasn't and that witch knew it, she just wanted to make my Guinevere feel bad.

And she did, because, not only did she spew that spiel, she told Guinevere, that soon I'll give the necklace to someone else.

Well, the moment I landed back in Camelot, I went straight to Kate's office and let her have it. I didn't hold anything back. And within a few minutes, I had her things packed and had her escorted from the palace.

Guinevere was furious with me, but I didn't care...no one messes with the love of my life and get away with it.

Present...

Arthur kissed his wife's neck and felt her shiver.

"See, if we don't leave now, we never will. Plus, I really want to see Prince Andrew's face, when he meets all those eligible young women, who will be vying for his attention."

Gwen snorted.

"He's still salty with you, Arthur. I hope you don't piss him off any further..."

"Oh, but I intend to, my love. Granny is feeling much better and he, being the slick brat he is, found a way to coerce me into staying here with him. And I'm going to make him pay for that."

"He didn't coerce you Arthur, he begged and pleaded, until you finally gave in. Now you're his First Royal Advisor...and you love the job...it's as if you're still the Crown Prince of Camelot."

"Exactly! And the bastard knows that. I make tons of decisions he should be making...he's the bloody Crown Prince, not me."

Gwen lifted up and pecked his lips, essentially bringing his rant to an end.

"Let's go my handsome devil, before you pop an artery."

At the dinner, the Queen was at a huge table, with a steady stream of people going up to her and offering her their congratulations on her recovery.

Like a homing signal, her steel gray eyes landed on Arthur and Gwen, just as they stepped through the door. And not too far behind them, Andrew entered, looking as if he was walking to the gallows.

"I'll never forgive you for this," he said, as he leaned into his brother.

Arthur had to smother a smile, as he responded,

"Oh, but you will, Prince Andrew. Granny will see that you do. Now chin up, because she's looking this way. Smile."

And just like that, Andrew pasted a smile on his face, lifted Gwen's hand to his lips and said,

"You look positively ravishing, Gwennie. Care to ditch the sorry sod you married and take my arm?"

Gwen giggled, but Arthur growled.

"Watch it, little brother. We don't want to cause a scandal, do we? This time our grandmother might be laid out for good, if she witnesses me kicking your royal ass. So it's best to keep such thoughts to yourself..."

"I will...in public...but all bets are off otherwise," Andrew said. "Only because I know it'll wind you up, you lucky prat!"

One year later...

Andrew stood at a podium, announcing to the world, that he was an uncle for the first time in his life.

He had a huge smile on his face, as he said,

"People of Camelot, I stand before you tonight, not only as the Crown Prince of Camelot, but as a happy uncle..."

Applause and whistles punctuated the air, and he held his hand up for quiet.

"My brother...former Crown Prince...now, Duke of Howden, and his wife Guinevere...Duchess of Howden, had the joy of welcoming a beautiful son into the world last night. He arrived one minute before twelve...obviously, he wanted to be here on that day...because, that day is very significant in the royal family. It's my parents' wedding anniversary. And though they are no longer with us, we get to celebrate doubly on that day, from now on.

Now, I know you all would like to hear the names chosen for my little nephew, but I will leave it up to his parents, to decide when to make that known. But I have to share this, at least...Andrew is one of his names...but you'll have to wait to find out which one it is. Thank you and I bid you good day."

Arthur and Gwen watched the live news conference from the private room, at the very private hospital, with their little bundle of joy nestled in her arms.

Arthur swore and Gwen smiled.

"What part of 'do not announce any of his names' does he not understand?" Arthur asked. He turned to Gwen. "This is your fault Guinevere. I told you not to give our son Andrew's name..."

"But Arthur...it's not his first name...not even the second. Plus, I like the name Andrew...and it's part of the family..."

"I don't care. That bumbling fool should've kept his mouth shut. Wait...you like the name Andrew? What about my name? Don't you like Arthur better?"

Gwen rolled her eyes as she looked at her husband.

"Really, Arthur?"

But he just stared at her, with a silly pout on his handsome face.

"For your information," she started. "I happen to love the name Arthur, but I really like the name Andrew too. It's not stuffy, and...it's your brother for goodness sake, Arthur Pendragon. Andrew is going to be a wonderful uncle to our son and another splendid role model for him. Now, give your wife a kiss, will you?"

Arthur's pout morphed into a smile.

"So bossy," he grumbled, but leaned in anyway, and sweetly kissed her.

"Remind me to call Morgana later, okay?" Gwen said a few minutes afterwards.

"Course, we wouldn't want to forget the honorary godmother, would we?" Arthur asked.

Gwen giggled.

"No we wouldn't, because, then I'd be known as 'Forgetful Bitch' and I definitely don't want that."

Well, i tried. I hope this was good enough. My thinking capacity is limited right now. I have a terrible toothache.

Stay safe!