Few days passed and there was still no answer from Vortigern. The rulers started to be impatient, especially king Lot and king Odin who were determined to send an army against him and force the king of Kent to withdraw. But Arthur knew exactly what he was doing. He was sure that Vortigern would send a message eventually, he was just taking his time. And Arthur was right. One day, an envoy of king Vortigern appeared within the walls of Camelot. The boy with the letter was invited to the council chamber where he was obliged to read the contents of the message in the presence of the king.

"King Arthur," he began; "I have a message from Vortigern, king of Kent."

"Go on," Arthur motioned at him.

The envoy took a breath and looked at the piece of paper. He started reading. "My army is already lost, thus, at your request, I will withdraw my men from the borders of Camelot. However, I have one wish which I believe you will grant. I am announcing a ceasefire at the time and would like to meet on neutral ground. You, Arthur, can choose the place," he looked up at the king.

"That's all?"

"Yes," the boy said and handed Arthur the letter.

The king read it again by himself. He glanced at Leon and Merlin and then he returned his eyes to the envoy. "All right then. Tell Vortigern we'll be there tomorrow at noon on the hill outside the Darkling Woods."

The boy nodded, bowed his head and made his way to leave. When he disappeared behind the door, Merlin and the rest of the knights walked closer to Arthur.

"Are you sure this is a good idea, sire?" Leon asked.

"If he has something important to say, I'll listen to him," the king replied. "Place will be completely safe. It's an open space and it's almost impossible to set up an ambush there."

"What do you think he wants?" asked Merlin.

"I have no idea, but whatever it is, I hope it will bring us peace," said Arthur. "Ready the horses, to not waste time in the morning. We'll leave at first light."

The next morning, Merlin, Arthur and his knights left Camelot to meet with Vortigern. The rulers of other kingdoms accompanied them, too. The king of Kent was already waiting for their arrival in the place Arthur had indicated, and when he saw them coming, he rode slowly on the horse to the front, leaving his men behind.

"King Arthur," he said as the king of Camelot faced him; "I see you brought your guests with you," he glanced at the rulers.

"The matter also applies to them," Arthur replied.

"I have nothing against it," Vortigern stated.

"So what is it that you wanted to discuss with me, Vortigern?" he asked and Vortigern's face darkened immediately.

"I wanted to ask about my son," he paused, collecting his thoughts. "When he came to you? And why?" he spoke slowly, there was no anger in his voice, only regret.

"So that's it," Arthur scoffed. "You don't care that your son is dead, you only want to know whether he betrayed you or not."

"You think I do not care about his death, that I don't suffer. But you don't know how I feel, how much it pains me to even think about it, that I'll never see him again," Vortigern replied. "Vortimer was after all my son, even if he betrayed me. I have a right to know."

"We took him in some time ago," Arthur began and then nodded at his friend. "Merlin, my advisor, took him in. I didn't know that Vortimer was in Camelot. I found out about this just a day before your attack. I could accuse him of spying and then execute him, but instead I trusted him by giving him a chance and let him stay in my kingdom," he stopped for a moment and continued. "He only wanted to have a simple life, far away from the madness of wars and battles."

"I am grateful for that," Vortigern sighed.

"Don't forget that Vortimer was a casualty of your war," said Arthur.

"Don't blame me for the death of my son," he said, shaking his head. "I didn't kill him."

"Not directly," Merlin interjected. "And Vortimer did not betray you, Vortigern. Saxons were his enemies, not you."

The warlock's words seemed to touch Vortigern. He lowered his stare and didn't say a word to this. After a moment he looked up at them with painful eyes.

"There are many things I've done wrong, many things I regret," Vortigern started. "With the death of the Saxons' leader I have regained my kingdom. But what of it now? My son's death made me realise what was really important and how much I had lost. I would gladly give this kingdom so that only Vortimer could come back to me. If only it was possible," he said and his gaze shifted involuntarily to Merlin.

"Guess you will have to bear the burden of that thought for the rest of your life, Your Highness," Merlin replied. "I'm only sorry that it was your son's death that made you see that."

After a few moments of silence, Vortigern just bowed to all of them. He agreed to the terms set by Arthur and the rest of the members of the union between the seven kingdoms, and withdrew his men from Camelot promising the peace and considering joining the union.

Arthur bid farewell to befriended rulers and headed with Merlin and the knights to Camelot. After everything they've been through, they returned there with peace and hope in their hearts.

"You know, Merlin," said Arthur, not looking at his friend, as he walked into his chamber. The warlock, on the other hand, turned his eyes to him. "Sometimes I will miss all the days when we went on dangerous trips to fulfill some important quests," he smiled slightly at the thought of old times.

"Well, I'd rather not," Merlin replied and looked out the window.

Arthur glanced at him confused. "Why not?" he asked.

"I'm tired of constantly saving your royal backside," the warlock said with a serious face.

The king couldn't help but laugh at his friend's remark which made Merlin chuckle as well.

"I thought you enjoyed it," Arthur glanced at him smiling.

"Yeah, of course I did enjoy it, Arthur," Merlin laughed. "Especially when I made you look like a complete simpleton."

"If I knew then…," the king started, shaking his head.

"Still, all to save your life," the warlock added, cutting him off.

"Yeah," Arthur nodded.

"It became kind of a habit. You getting into trouble and then me magically getting us both out of it," Merlin stated. "But despite the peace we have achieved I must agree with you. From time to time we will not be hurt by a little adventure," he smiled at Arthur.

"You see," the king smiled back and put his arm around Merlin's shoulders; "it would be boring without it."

They both looked ahead out the window. The sun was shining as brightly as ever. A figure of the white dragon was floating above the horizon. And it finally came the dawn. The dawn of a new era. The dawn of Albion.

Author's note

~

So this is the end. It's my first fanfiction and story I've ever written, and for sure it's not the last. Thank you all for reading and commenting. It really means a lot to me. Thank you!