Chapter 11

During their travels, they had finally met the immortal seer, Vadoma and her colorful, capable people the Goddess had directed them to meet. Viviana had told them this was an important pause in their qwest to learn from the great seer. Vadoma taught them to communicate with others through crystals and through dreams, to scry, using water, crystals or fire, to direct their visions to the past, present, or future, to distingusih between an alternate timeline and their current one. This was another game changer because of Vadoma's instruction, Morgana was now able to control and direct and understand her dreams and visions, and so much more. It was a joyous month they spent with this colorful tribe, learning their history and soaking up the abundance of magic and joy that permeated every aspect of the camp.

Back in Camelot, Gwen, Arthur and the knights had learned steadily, everyday about magic while Merlin and Morgana were gone. Gaius had told them about how magical people could contact others in their dreams, so when Merlin and Morgana contacted them in their dreams, they were not overly alarmed. The next morning after such dreams, Gwen and Arthur would share with each other what they had learned from the magical couple, happy to know the travelers were safe, had broken the curse, and the love spell, found the Goddess, and were on their way to Caledonia to find Merlin's family.

Arthur was happy for Merlin. The man who had been fatherless during his early life deserved this kind of happiness. Merlin's father was not coming back from the dead. However, the prospect of finding family was fabulous for Merlin.

Arthur was somewhat jealous as both his parents and much of his extended family were now deceased. Gwen in a similar situation, had spent a majority of the following nights comforting her husband and king. Arthur clung to Gwen and vice versa. She was his heart and stability, as he was hers.

Still Arthur could not complain. He had the knights who were like his brothers.

And there was good news. Gwen was pregnant and would be giving birth sometime around the new year. Arthur was over the moon that he and Gwen would have an heir.

Of course the knights were thrilled for Arthur and Gwen and were fighting over who would be best and favorite uncle or Godfather.

When the knights first found out Merlin had contacted both Gwen and Arthur, they immediately haranged Arthur incessantly to have Merlin contact them in their dreams.

Gaius felt like he was suddenly tending a bunch of boys instead of knights with their constant bickering over the royal heir and who would hear from Merlin next.

Gwaine was the first to hear from Merlin.

Within the week after Gwaine had heard from Merlin, all the knights who had been studying with Arthur, Gwen and Gaius, had heard from Merlin.

Gwen was pleased the curse over Morgana had been broken and spent quite a bit of time listening to Morgana's apologies for her wrongs to Arthur and his queen during their dream conversations. Gwen was quick to assure Morgana that she was forgiven, especially since Morgana had not been in control of her actions while under Morgause's curse.

The subject of the orphans had come up in one of their communications. Morgana was happy to hear Arthur and Gwen had found a home for the orphans and insisted Gwen anonymously send monetary support from Morgana's Cornwall estate earnings to the orphans and the family supporting them. She also asked Gwen to please make sure the orphans were learning to read, write, and learn a trade of some sort. She told Gwen, when they finished the Goddess' mandate, she and Merlin would take over these matters.

Morgana also asked Gwen to look into the people who had been injured or killed when she had been queen and ordered the guards to shoot arrows into the crowd. Morgana felt horrible over what she had done now that her conscience was released from the curse, even though she had not been in control. She was anxious to provide restitution for these victims as well.

Each time Morgana had a dream conversation with Gwen and heard the progress she was making in these matters of restitution, Morgana's heart would become lighter and her nightmares became fewer as she directed Gwen in using her personal finances to provide aid to the victims of her crimes. It was a relief. Still Morgana was saddened that she could not totally replace the lives that had been lost. She vowed to herself that on returning to Camelot, she would personally visit each of the victims.

When Arthur heard from Gwen about Morgana's efforts to provide restitution to her victims, he was happy to be regaining his lost sister. He set about helping Gwen in these projects. And even though Gwen had promised to keep the restitution anonymous, Arthur had not, and was quick to tell the victims who their benefactress was.

Of course the people of Camelot were shocked and amazed that the once "wicked witch" had been under a curse that had taken her free will. They were thrilled that the same witch had been freed of the evil influence and was making amends. The people loved Arthur and Gwen and that love was spreading to Morgana who was redeeming herself through her generous restitution and sincere repentance.

Morgana had eventually told Gwen she and Merlin were married by Dragonfasting and the Goddess' power.

Gwen was of course thrilled and immediately started planning a huge celebration and official ceremony when they returned to Camelot.

Morgana had told her to not get too far advanced in her planning as they still had the Goddess' mandate to fulfil and they did not know how long that would take.

When Gwen found out how Merlin and Morgana could transport themselves and their animals, she insisted they set a goal to come home as soon as possible.

Arthur having remembered the prophecy that Merlin and Morgana were to share a great love and basically be the "King and Queen of Magic". He was glad to have been intsrumental in this dragonfasting by letting Merlin go find Morgana and become Emrys. He was a bit unsettled knowing how Morgana could be a bit of a shrew. That bit of stress disappeared during a dream conversation with Merlin. In that time, he was shown how happy Merlin was, evident by the smile and relaxed air he had never seen on his manservant in Camelot. It was another step in Arthur's restitution for his father's and his own wrongs in destroying Merlin's life, and all Merlin had done for him in the past. What made Arthur most happy was that he still had his best friend.

Merlin was thrilled that Arthur was accepting him and supporting him in being Emrys and was still his friend. Merlin had learned so much and gained so much on this journey with Morgana. Merlin had his Creator, the Goddess, Viviana, Gwen, Arthur, the knights and Gaius to thank for a level of happiness he had never known before and each day only got better. They had all helped him and Morgana fulfill the prophecy of a great love which grew everyday. Morgana was the love of his life, his soul mate and his equal in every way. Morgana was becoming less anxious and terrified of the dreams of her past as she continued to provide restitution. Each day she was happier than she had ever been, all because Viviana had intervened and Merlin had taken the chance to save her from the darkness.

Merlin was the recipient of Morgana's devotion, loyalty and fierce love for freeing her from the curse. Merlin was the love of Morgana's life and she made it a point to make sure he knew with every fiber of his being that she loved him completely, unconditionally, and without reserve and she would never give him a cause to worry about her committment or fidelity and she would protect his heart.

Merlin of course returned her love, loyalty, fidelity and devotion with as much intensity and without reserve. He was so proud of the woman Morgana was and everything she was doing to right the wrongs of her past.

Merlin had been concerned for Gaius as he was getting up in years and really needed help. So during one of his dream conversations with Arthur, Merlin suggested that Arthur find Alice and told him how Gaius and Alice had been so tragically separated at the beginning of the purge and what a gifted healer she was.

Arthur had asked Gaius about it the next day.

Gaius confirmed everything Merlin had told Arthur.

Arthur had told Gwen, who had made inquiries.

It was less than a month later that Alice joined Gaius in Camelot and was helping with his medical practice. He was glad Alice was there.

Merlin had suggested to Arthur that he contact Gilly to help Gaius as well. Merlin had to explain that Gilly had fought in the tournament years ago and almost beat Uther with magic.

Arthur was reluctant until he heard that Gilly had left the tournament on good terms with Merlin, his integrity intact. Arthur had pointed out it would be easier for Merlin to contact Gilly through his dreams and tell him to come to Camelot. Arthur promised he would welcome Gilly with open arms and set him up with Gaius.

Gilly had joined them shortly after that.

Gwen was thrilled when Merlin and Morgana and the bandits showed up at their door. She and Arthur put the bandits in the dungeon and made a feast and a wedding ceremony for Merlin and Morgana even Hunith could attend. Merlin had transported home to get his mother and Viviana had supplied the wedding clothes and helped with other arrangements. It was a beautiful wedding with much singing, dancing and story telling. Everyone was sad when Merln and Morgana left.