Hey guys,

so sorry for disappearing for a couple of months with this latest chapter, a lot of things in my personal life hit me hard over the last 4 months.
Unfortunately, this will be the last chapter for the year, as I'll be going away for about 2 months to visit family, and probably won't have, or limited access, to internet.

I would also like to thank all of you who have left comments on this fic.

I hope you all enjoy this chapter, and I will hopefully get round to posting the next chapter late January/early February next year.

Thank you so much for understanding!

Merlin all but collapsed into Arthur's chambers.

It had been a week. A week since the Dolma had shown up at Camelot. A week.

And Merlin felt like someone had slammed his head into a wall. Repeatedly.

He had been on his feet constantly, magic getting more of a stretch than it had done in years. Scratch that. Within the entirety of Merlin's life, he had not once used magic nearly as much as he had been doing in the past week.

The entire experience was more… more frustrating than anything else. Merlin constantly had to remind himself who he was, whether that be his elderly female alias or, well, himself. There were times he had caught himself saying things as Merlin that only the Dolma would say, and vice versa. Gaius, of course, was a huge help with this, a simple raised eyebrow and Merlin was put back on track. Lancelot was helpful… on the occasion that he wasn't trying to stifle laughter or shooting Merlin bemused looks behind the others' backs.

Huffing, he began cleaning Arthur's chambers, which, despite being cleaned every single day, still managed to get messy.

He had just begun his daily routine of fluffing Arthur's bed, when the king himself strode in, purpose in his step.

"Ah, Merlin, there you are."

Merlin rolled his eyes at the quite obvious statement. "Observant today, aren't we Arthur?"

The king merely snorted at that, rolling his own eyes in fond amusement, which slowly morphed into one of quiet content.

"I feel like we haven't had much opportunity to talk, Merlin," Arthur said, hands drumming on the wooden table, eyes watching, but not seeing. "Come and sit."

Merlin froze in his step, what was Arthur doing? In all of Merlin's years as his servant, he had never once invited Merlin to sit at the table, unless it was to make some form of teasing remark or pull some kind of stupid prank on him.

Warily, Merlin approached, Arthur having already sat down, eyebrow raised, as he gestured impatiently for Merlin to sit.

"How have you been?"

Merlin blinked, sitting in stupefied silence for a few moments.

"What?" eloquent as always, it was the first word which Merlin could think of to say, and also the first which his stubborn mouth could produce into the ensuing silence.

Arthur sighed, a soft sadness entering his eyes, pained expression crossing his face.

"It has come to my attention that while I may have apologised for my actions before the battle, I have not apologised for my actions in the past… and I know that some of my actions have hurt you greatly. One which comes to mind, and which I shall regret forever more is when Gaius was kidnapped. I have not always listened to you, Merlin. Not when it has mattered the most, at least. Looking back over the years, I have realised that I had only really listened to you when it was convenient to me. And yet, you still stood by my side all these years, always pushing me to be better, believing in me, having faith in me when no one else has. I cannot even begin to thank you for that. I may not be able to change the past, Merlin. But I can change the future. You are one of my best friends, and I am ashamed to admit that it has taken me this long to figure it out, or to even try and seek forgiveness for my actions. So, what I suppose I am trying to say is that I'm sorry. I'm sorry for the way I've treated you over the years, and with a promise to try and listen to you more. You will always be my be-"

Merlin couldn't let him go any further, practically throwing himself over the wooden table, wrapping his friend in a fierce hug. And if there were a few tears, well, neither of them was going to mention that.

But the hug couldn't go on forever, and they eventually pulled away. Wiping away the few tears which had slipped out, and Merlin pretended not to notice Arthur do the same.

An awkward, yet not unwelcome silence filled the chambers, enveloping them in a feeling of warmth.

A sliver of hope burned brightly in Merlin's chest, and he dared to hope as he had never hoped before. Arthur had grown over the years, first into his role as a prince, and later, as a king. But there had always been that block, habits learned from his father which neither Merlin nor Gwen, or any of the knights of the round table had been able to shake from Arthur.

Of course, their friend had gotten better over the years, learning to rely on them all more and more, but now it would seem that maybe Arthur was finally learning to open up more to them. Or at least to Merlin.

Perhaps…

No.

Arthur wasn't ready, or was he?

"There has actually been something on my mind," Arthur started, breaking the silence between them.

"Really?"

Merlin couldn't help the amusement which came across in his voice, and suddenly, it was like peace had been restored, Arthur rolling his eyes, the barest hint of a smile flitting across his face.

"Yes, and it has to do with the Dolma."

Inwardly, Merlin tensed, but outwardly, he raised his eyebrow at Arthur.

"And pray tell, what exactly are these thoughts?"

Arthur shoved him, not hard enough to actually do any damage, but enough to push Merlin off the chair, and suddenly they were both laughing.

It felt good, Merlin realised. He had forgotten what laughing had felt like, forgotten what it had felt like to feel free, to be able to laugh with and at Arthur. And, for a moment, Merlin was able to forget all of his worries.

Arthur's eyes sparkled in amusement.

"I have a proposal, something I would like to run by her first…"

Merlin squinted at Arthur, "And do I, your most esteemed and loyal friend, get to know what this proposal is?"

Arthur shook his head and laughed, "Not yet, but you will… I would like to have a private meeting with both Guinevere and the Dolma tonight, however, I would also very much like you to be there…"

Merlin stopped, mind whirring. There was no way he would be able to be there as both Merlin and the Dolma, and yet, Arthur wanted him there. And Merlin knew that this would be the best opportunity to tell Arthur, to come clean about it all, to tell him the truth, but something held him back. It wasn't the right time… but then, as Lancelot kept telling him, when would be the right time?

"Merlin?"

"I… I can't," he said, regret and guilt flowing through his chest. Now to come up with a believable lie, one which Arthur would believe. "I'm supposed to be helping Gaius tonight, especially since he's been so busy ever since the battle, and you know, he's not getting any young-"

"Merlin, I understand," Arthur sighed, running his hand over his face. "Sometimes I think I forget that you have two jobs. If it would suit, I could postpone the meeting?"

Merlin shook his head, "No, really. Tell me about it tomorrow…"

Arthur nodded, "Well, I think I'm keeping you from your duties to Gaius. I'm sure he requires more of your help than I do at the current moment."

Merlin blinked, nodding as he stood up to leave.

"Oh, and Merlin?"

He turned, looking back at Arthur, hand on the door.

"Thank you for everything."