PART IV: "The Crucifix and the Hangman"

In the weeks following Arthur's awakening, a multitude of things were discussed. Merlin told Arthur of the downfall of Camelot and caught up with him on the times. Many nights were cut short by the screaming of a king mourning his kingdom he'd lost in his dreams. Many more nights were restless in Merlin's own renewed night terrors. He'd dreamt of losing Arthur many times before, but they were greeted now by the man the warlock had lost. All of those nights, the lovers shared an embrace to combat the persistent grief. They'd had a much more extensive and understanding discussion about Merlin's magic. Arthur had gotten the opportunity to fully recognize Merlin's devoted use of the outlawed art. He'd expressed great penitence for the words he'd said in his dying days. Merlin had accepted his apology with stories of how their adventures had really occurred. They'd cried and laughed during the retellings, especially at those of Dragoon the Great. Arthur had mocked Merlin for living in that old shack - which he'd immediately taken back once he'd witnessed the inside which tearfully reminded him of home. They remembered old friends and Merlin recounted their history through the distorted lens of time. Arthur had gotten a right laugh when Merlin had told him exactly what the "historians" had been writing about them. They were both quite upset with the telling of Lancelot's story, but they sniggered at the rather noble portrayal of the drunken Sir Gwaine and the strongly inaccurate and interesting family trees. Arthur had also found it personally amusing when Merlin had told him he'd supposedly married Gwen. Arthur knew he wouldn't have even stood a chance (if he was even interested) against Lancelot; they were destined from their first meeting, as were Arthur and Merlin. Arthur had cackled uncontrollably when he'd learned Merlin had been immortalised as a decrepit, old man. Neither were surprised that time had portrayed them simply as advisor and advisee, rather than lovers. Mankind would always see what they wanted, rather than what was true. Roses and briar, and all that.

It was just after Merlin put some sort of tomato flatbread - pizza, Arthur thought Merlin had called it - in the oven that Arthur got an idea. Arthur decided to surprise his lover. So he went to the extensive bookshelf that held all the records Merlin had collected over the years and thumbed one out. He considered it for a minute, then beamed and went to the record player in the corner. He put it on and paced the arm just before the right track, just as Merlin had shown him.

Merlin, bent over a recipe on the counter, was startled by arms wrapped around his waist dragging him somewhere. "Uh, where are we going?" Merlin implored with a questioning grin. Arthur turned him around in the middle of the room and retracted his arms.

"Dance with me?" Arthur asked with his right hand outstretched and a blissful smile.

Merlin muttered something about romantic prats and took his love's hand. Then he'd realised what song Arthur had put on the record player. It was "Annie's Song" by John Denver; a song that professed such bountiful love. Arthur put his left hand on Merlin's waist and Merlin put his right hand on Arthur's shoulder. With a roll of the eyes, Merlin twined the fingers of his left hand with the fingers of Arthur's right. They twirled lazily around the room to the song that filled the room.

"I don't remember you having this sort of coordination in Camelot, Merlin."

"I've had a sufficient amount of time to practise since then, sire," Merlin retorted with a grin of his own.

Arthur frowned slightly at that; he hated to imagine someone else dancing with his Merlin.

Seeming to read his mind, Merlin spoke with a light smile, "oh, don't give me that, you old prat. I had to do something while I was waiting for you."

This seemed almost instantly the wrong thing to say. Arthur's frown increased and he looked to his feet as they slowly stopped dancing. Ever since Arthur had risen from the lake, he'd had an incredible guilt for leaving Merlin alone for so long. They'd scarce spoken about it since it was such a touchy subject. Normally, they'd just dance around the topic, but now it seemed they'd danced right into it.

"Arthur…" Merlin spoke, moving his hand from the blondes' shoulder to the side of his face; Arthur leaned into the touch instinctively. "It wasn't your fault. You died. There was nothing you could do. There was nothing either of us could do. But it's all past now; you're here." They shared a brief kiss before Merlin finished, "you are here."

Arthur smiled tenderly and hummed before sweeping Merlin back into the music. Merlin chuckled and replaced his hand onto Arthur's sturdy shoulder as his love began to sing along to the music.

"Come let me love you, let me give my life to you

Let me drown in your laughter, let me die in your arms

Let me lay down beside you, let me give my life to you

Come let me love you, come love me again"

Merlin smiled into Arthur's shoulder as he was spun around the room. A single tear escaped him and he found for once in his life since he lost Arthur, it was a tear of elation. His king, his master, his superior, his sovereign, his comrade, his friend, his closest companion, his clotpole, his prat, his Arthur had come back to love him again.

Suddenly he knew everything could and would be all right again. His once and future love had him in his arms, and he knew he'd never let go.

Merlin faintly laughed to himself, and Arthur hummed curiously.

"Remember what you said to me the day you left? I'd like to hear you say it again," Merlin voiced.

"What? That I was sorry-?" Merlin cut him off with a shake of the head.

"No, no, not that; the other thing."

A confused moment passed in Arthur's eyes before he came to realisation.

"You don't have to trick me into saying I love you, Merlin," Arthur said. "I'll say it over and over again until you're sick of it." Merlin threw his head back and cackled, but sobered up to a lopsided grin quickly.

"I'd never tire of hearing that even if we had all the time in the world, sire."

And they did.