"You knocked me out?"

Gwen laughed loudly. "Did you not know? I took a metal pitcher and slammed it against your head. I think you lost several brain cells during that. Clearly."

Merlin pouted, reaching up to rub his head. "Not my fault. Besides, I'm the one who had to go destroy the thing anyway."

Gwen rolled her eyes. "Right. You had to go to Morgana as an eighty-year-old man. How was that?"

"Honestly? It wasn't bad. I actually ran across some of the knights and they recognized me from when I saved your life by admitting that I was the sorcerer who enchanted Arthur to love you."

Gwen leveled a look at him. "I still can't believe we even fell for that and nearly killed you. What did you do to the knights?"

"If my memory isn't bad, I think he used us as step stools."

The two jumped and turned to where Gwaine had just entered. Gwen muffled a snort. "You did what?"

Merlin's lips quirked up the tiniest bit as he met Gwaine's gaze. "In my defense, you were going to kill me and I had to go kill a Mother Fommorah so that I didn't kill Arthur. It was a whole situation."

Gwaine blinked. "So you didn't kill Arthur?"

"It's a long story, Gwaine. Trust me." Gwen gripped Merlin's shoulder and pushed herself to her feet. "I've been hogging you too long, Merlin."

Merlin flopped onto his back. "Don't leave me."

"Let's be real, Merlin. You're only comfortable with me because you already told me most things before I died. I think Gwaine died a bit too early." Gwen patted his shoulder and moved to Gwaine. "Have fun!"

Merlin muffled a groan and glanced back up at Gwaine. "Are you going to sit down? I would get up but I would probably pass out."

Gwaine inched forward. "You're not feeling well?"

"I'm better. But I'm still not where I'd like to be."

Gwaine carefully lowered himself as they fell into silence. Merlin pulled his legs to his chest and took his time to study Gwaine. He seemed happier than the last time he'd seen him. More relaxed in a way. His hair was pulled back in a messy ponytail and his eyes were trained on the ground. He also seemed so much more reserved. Nothing like the loud, brash man that Merlin had met at the tavern.

"Did you find what you were looking for?"

Merlin blinked. Gwaine hadn't bothered to look up and meet his gaze. "What I was looking for?"

"Yeah. You told me that you had to find something. It was the last time we talked before I…. you know."

"I did find it."

"Do you— would you tell me what you were looking for?" Gwaine's voice was hesitant.

If Merlin thought hard enough, he could convince himself that he was in the same crystal cave he'd gone to that day. It wasn't hard. There was the same blue glow and Merlin could almost hear his father's voice in his head.

Merlin, you are more than a son of your father. You are the son of the earth, the sea, the sky, magic is the fabric of this world, and you were born of that magic. You are magic itself. You cannot lose what you are.

Merlin could still remember the moment he realized that the power rushing through his veins was still there. He cupped his hand and moved closer to Gwaine. "Gewyrc an lif." Merlin opened his palms and a small blue butterfly fluttered over to Gwaine, who gasped at the sight.

The creature settled itself on Gwaine's finger. Gwaine glanced up at Merlin. "You lost your magic?"

"I thought I did. But you can't lose what you are, Gwaine."

Gwaine watched as the butterfly flew away and disappeared as easily as it arrived. "So I never did know you."

"I am magic. But that doesn't mean that magic is me."

Gwaine raised an eyebrow. "See, you can't say things like that and expect me to believe that I know you."

"I'm more than just my magic. It took me a while to understand that but I got there. It was too late by then but you did know the real me. You just didn't know all of me."

"And why didn't you tell me?" Gwaine moved forward. "What did you think I was going to do?"

Merlin shook his head, looking away. "It wasn't you, Gwaine. I was a coward."

"So much of a coward you couldn't tell your best friend the most important thing about you?"

"Gwaine—"

"Merlin, you're the only one who knows about my father. I've told you things that I haven't even told Percival and I'm in love with the man." Gwaine's voice cracked. "I thought that that trust was two-sided."

Merlin blinked. "You and Percival?"

"Don't change the subject."

"You have no idea how many times I've wanted to tell you. I've always known that if I could tell anyone, it would be you. I'm sorry that by the time I found my courage, it was too late. I'm sorry that you found out through someone else."

"I found out after I died."

A bitter smile curled at his lips. "Yeah. It's a shame. It took me your death and Arthur's death and even Percival's death for me to find my courage and to be who I was. I lost myself, Gwaine. I didn't know who I was without my magic and I never realized that I was so much more than that. Our time got cut short."

Gwaine met his eyes. "Yeah. It did."

"I couldn't tell you who I truly was because I didn't know. No one did. Not even those who knew about my magic. But I promise you, that I'm here now and after living for so long, you learn some things along the way." Merlin reached out to grip Gwaine's knee.

Gwaine stared at his hand. He let out a soft laugh and looked back up. Merlin's eyes crinkled slightly.

"There you are. I was afraid I was talking with a ghost." Merlin whispered.

Gwaine snorted and pulled back. "That's not funny, Merlin."

Merlin's smile faltered the slightest bit. "No. It's not."

"I understand. I wish that you would've found that courage sooner but life isn't that easy. Obviously. Just let me in, yeah? You were my first real friend. I can't lose you again."

Merlin leaned over to tip Gwaine's chin up. "I'm not going anywhere. But I do require some information. Since when were you and Percival a thing?"

"What? You thought I would be hung up on you forever?" Gwaine teased, ignoring the twinge in his heart.

Merlin tilted his head slightly. "Huh. I thought that was a rumor. I was really the first person you ever loved?"

"I'm pretty sure you were half of Camelot's first love, Merlin." Gwaine drawled.

Merlin smirked. "I'm sure. If it's any consolation, when we first met I had insisted that you sleep in my bed. Funny how you woke up shirtless from a leg wound."

Gwaine jerked forward. "Shut up. Are you—?"

Merlin suddenly laughed, loud and clear. "Don't let it go to your head. The attractiveness faded the moment you opened your mouth."

Gwaine grinned, his first real one in a long time. "You thought I was attractive?"

Merlin leveled a look at him. "Don't even. Besides, you got Percival now. And he is quite a catch, not going to lie. I mean, those arms—"

Gwaine's eyes darkened immediately. "Hey. That's my boyfriend. Those arms are mine."

Merlin leaned back. "I'm happy for you. Really. I'm glad to see that you got your head out of your ass and settled down."

Gwaine nudged Merlin slightly. "Says you. I'm told that you've been wandering the earth aimlessly for so long and now the love of your life is back and you're still sitting here with me."

Merlin's face flushed. "Which life are you talking about? I've lived with thousands of them."

"Every single one of them, Merlin. Whether you remembered him or not."

"I would go out but I really can't take another wave of memories so I think that one at a time is better. And he hasn't come to visit me so—"

Gwaine grinned, leaning over to ruffle Merlin's hair. "Don't worry your pretty head about it. He's just being stupid."

Merlin rolled his eyes. "If I'm being honest, I don't blame him."

"It's just Arthur. Besides, if he's going to do anything when he sees you, it's break down. He's been a complete mess without you."

Merlin looked down. "Yeah, well, that feeling is mutual. Obviously."

Gwaine couldn't stop the smile from spreading over his face. "It is mutual, isn't it?"

Merlin snorted. "If you're asking whether I love him back that's such a stupid question."

"So you do remember! I didn't know because you were kind of losing it and Arthur was just murmuring nonsense and I don't think he even realized he said it but—" Gwaine broke off, smirking. "Feelings mutual so I don't see the problem."

A soft smile played across Merlin's face. "Yeah."

Gwaine glanced down. "I've missed you."

Merlin chewed on his bottom lip. "Me too."

Gwaine leaned over and ruffled Merlin's hair, the gestures saying all the things he didn't say aloud. Merlin leaned into the affectionate touch. God, he missed his friends more than he had realized.

-0-o-0-

Gwen heard yelling. She pushed away from Lancelot, groaning.

"Did Gwaine leave yet?"

Gwen shrugged. "Don't know. What is the commotion, though?"

The two found Arthur and Morgana near the shore, yelling at each other. Morgana's lower half was soaked in water and Arthur's hair looked like he'd been through a tornado. Their voices echoed across the beach.

"You were always a coward weren't you?" Morgana snarled.

Arthur gave a disbelieving laugh. "I was the coward? You should've talked to me, Morgana. Did you truly think I would kill you in cold blood?"

"Why wouldn't you? You've done it for thousands of others."

"I was young and naive," Arthur growled. "I've made mistakes but I would never have hurt you. If anything, it would've made me realize the good in magic. All you did was show me the evil in it."

"You're just determined to see the evil in everything. I was trying to save my people because those like Emrys supported the enemy."

"You've killed and destroyed so many people on your rampage to the throne. You caused more destruction and division that you were trying to fix." Arthur shouted. "I wasn't the enemy. I was your friend."

Morgana snorted. "We were never friends, Arthur."

"You were brave and kind and had a good heart. You stood up to Uther and called him out whenever he did something wrong but you ended up becoming just like him."

Morgana shook her head. "I was nothing like Uther."

"His blood ran through your veins, Morgana. You never sought peace and unity. You were too selfish to admit you were wrong. All you wanted was power. And you and Uther might have wildly different beliefs when it comes to magic, but let's be honest. Like father like daughter, right?"

"I think the phrase goes 'like father like son.'" Morgana stalked forward.

"Unlike you, I can admit my faults and downfalls. You would rather die than surrender." Arthur paused, tilting his head. "Oh, wait. You did."

Morgana lashed out, her eyes flooding the most brilliant gold. Arthur crashed into the water, all the breath leaving him at once. "You—"

"Morgana!" Gwen yelled and bolted down to them. "What is wrong with you?"

Morgana snarled and backed away. Arthur rose to the surface, sputtered. "What did I do to you?" His hair matted to his forehead and his clothes were dripping. "What is it that I did that made you hate me so much?"

Arthur's voice trembled and Gwen wondered whether his face was wet from the lake or his own tears. "You wanted to see me dead, Morgana. You didn't care for my life. We grew up together. I'm sorry if I wasn't a better brother but just tell me. What did I do to make you hate me so much? What the hell did I do?"

Arthur's voice rose to a thunderous yell, his eyes sparkling with more anger than Gwen had ever seen.

Morgana stormed forward. "You watched as Uther murdered thousands of innocent lives before you. You watched it and fed it and encouraged it. You did nothing, Arthur. Saving a couple of lives here and there doesn't change anything. Do you know how many families were destroyed and ruined? If Uther would listen to anyone, it would you. But instead, you followed him around like a puppet, didn't you?"

Arthur stalked up the shore. "You—"

"Arthur." Gwen shoved him back by the chest. "Stop it! That's enough."

Morgana gave a heavy breath and then turned to storm away. She paused and then called back to Arthur. "Don't be a fucking coward, Pendragon. Talk to him."

Arthur let out a breath and ran a sharp hand through his wet hair.

Gwen rolled her eyes and shoved Arthur in the direction of the cave. "Go."

Arthur winced. "Guine—"

She leveled him a dark look. "He's been waiting for you, Arthur. Don't make it a bigger deal than it has to be."

-0-o-0-

Arthur carefully stepped into the cave. Gwen had barely given him time to dry off so his clothes were uncomfortably clinging to him and his hair was sticking up wildly. At the far end of the cave was Merlin. He was wrapped up in his blankets and sitting up against the wall. His eyes were closed and he looked the most peaceful Arthur had ever seen.

Arthur crept forward and stopped in front of Merlin. Before he could think to sit down, Merlin's eyes cracked open, revealing its bright blue color. Arthur started back slightly. Merlin's lips curled up. "Took you long enough, my lord."

Arthur was speaking before he could even consider his words. "You're one to talk. It took you nearly two months to remember us."

Merlin raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Did you forget about the fifteen-thousand years before that or are you just being prat about it?"

Arthur's heart stumbled at the insult. "You know me, Merlin."

Merlin's eyes shone. "I do. So are you going to give me a hug or stand up there like an idiot all day?"

Arthur's knees buckled beneath him until they were face to face. Merlin made no effort to move forward or help him, seemingly content with raking his eyes across Arthur's face. Arthur lurched forward until they were just inches apart. His fingers were suddenly trailing across Merlin's cheekbones and the bridge of his nose. Merlin shuddered beneath the cool touch. Arthur smoothed his hands over Merlin's lean shoulder and easily looped around his thin waist. Merlin fit seamlessly into his frame and Arthur tucked his face into his neck, breathing in the pure scent of Merlin.

Merlin curled into him, the sheets pooling at his hips. Merlin's long fingers were suddenly pulling at his hair and running over his broad shoulders and Arthur nearly cried at the familiar touch.

"Merlin." He murmured. "Merlin. Merlin. Oh, gods."

Merlin laughed softly, his breath hot against Arthur's ear. He squeezed tighter before pulling back, loosening his grip. Merlin's hands trailed from Arthur's hair to his neck and then the pad of his thumb was brushing against his parted lips. Arthur sucked in a breath and tried to ignore his hammering heart.

"You're soaking. Jeez, Arthur. You're going to get a cold if you don't change."

"Is this your way of asking me to take off my clothes?" Arthur muttered, nudging his nose against Merlin's.

Merlin choked on a laugh, pulling back. Arthur felt a flush rise in his cheeks, the air going hot as he realized what he said. "Not that you want me to. I mean, I would never—"

Merlin dropped his hands to Arthur's hips, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "As amazing as that sounds, I doubt that's the best idea right now."

He pulled at the blankets around him. "Cover up. You're shivering."

Arthur gratefully pulled the sheets around him and nestled closer to Merlin. "Are you really here? Do you remember me?"

Merlin's lips curled. "I could never forget you, my king. My dollophead."

"Clotpole," Arthur murmured, letting his eyes fall shut.

"That's my word." Merlin relaxed around him, letting Arthur slump forward. "I'm sorry. For everything."

Arthur jerked up to meet Merlin's eyes. "Don't ever apologize to me again. I don't want to hear it. If anything, I should apologize to you. The amount of suffering I put you through—"

"You didn't put me through anything. I brought that upon myself. I chose you from the moment we met. And I don't regret a single thing. Everything I was, everything I am, it's for you. It's all yours."

Arthur sighed. "I'm not worth all that."

Merlin tucked a loose strand of hair behind Arthur's ear. "You have no idea the things you're worth, Arthur Pendragon. I wouldn't have waited this long for just anyone."

Arthur leaned into the touch. "There are so many things I don't know. I wish I had more time to get to know you."

"You do now. We have all the time in the world. You deserve to know everything I've done." Merlin whispered.

"I sure hope so. I'm so tired."

Merlin adjusted their positions until they were comfortably leaning against each other. "Don't rush. I'll tell you everything. Just sleep. I'm back for good. I'm not going anywhere, okay?"

Arthur closed his eyes and inhaled slowly. "Don't leave me again."

"As long as you want me, I'm here. Just promise you won't leave me either."

Arthur smiled against his neck. "Come on, Merlin. The world could be crashing down around us and even that couldn't pull me away from you. I'm never leaving you again."

Merlin tilted his head and pressed a feather-light kiss to the nape of Arthur's neck and snuggled closer. The two didn't move for a while, content with being tucked up against each other like two children afraid of the dark. They would talk in the morning, but until then, the warlock and former king basked in the glory of what once was. And the glory of what was to come. For nothing, not even destiny could stop the golden legends from getting their happily ever after.

-0-o-0-