"God, she is so irritating," Merlin muttered, watching as Morgana whipped up the waves and doused through the sandcastle of Camelot that Merlin had been carefully building.
There was a small chuckle and Merlin looked up to see Percival, whose eyes were locked on Morgana. "She seems happier than before."
Merlin snorted. "Does she actually?"
"You weren't there for it but you actually couldn't go a day without starting an argument with her. I very nearly lost my cool one day."
Merlin mock-gasped. "You lost your cool? Well, she must have truly been a pain."
Percival grinned. "You seem happier too. More… free."
Merlin pursed his lips slightly, watching as Morgana doubled over in laughter, dousing Gwen in water, who sputtered under the waves.
"I'm guessing you two worked things out?" Percival asked.
"Kind of." Merlin rolled his eyes, leaning back on his hands. "We really just ranted to each other about everything. It was freeing in a way. I can't remember the last time we really sat down and talked. Though to be fair, Morgana almost drowned me last night and I did almost crack her skull against a rock."
Percival blinked. "Well, that's…"
Merlin snorted. "It turned out alright. We've come to a truce. Ish. We understand each other at least. Which is really the best we can do for right now."
Percival gave a soft smile. "I'm glad. You deserve to be happy."
"You do too." Merlin glanced up. "Your life ended too quick. I could've saved you."
"My life ended the moment Gwaine died. At least, I died fighting for the same kingdom we all died for. Except for you, of course. You lived for the kingdom."
Merlin gave a heavy sigh. "I did. Camelot was all I ever had. I can't believe I ever forgot."
"Percy!" Gwaine yelled jogging down the shore. "I need your help."
Percival didn't move, simply groaning. "I swear to god if you make me stand in front of you so the sun isn't in your face again—"
Gwaine snorted. "No, not that. I have something to show you." Gwaine wiggled his eyebrows and backed away slowly.
Percival was silent for two heartbeats before he launched to his feet, turning to Merlin. "We'll talk later, yeah?"
Merlin wrinkled his nose. "You're disgusting."
"No shame, Merls. Arthur's at the far end of the beach if you feel like you're missing out." Gwaine called as he dragged Percival away.
"I hope you get genital herpes!" Merlin yelled after them.
There was a snort from beside him and Merlin turned to see Leon walk up. "I've had to watch those two and Gwen and Lancelot be all lovey-dovey for the past month and it's honestly getting revolting."
Merlin laughed. "I feel for you. Though I am a hypocrite. Arthur and I have still yet to talk about our relationship but if things go well I'm afraid we might be even more revolting than them."
"Please. You two were revolting back in Camelot with all the sexual tension."
"Come on. Do you know how it feels?"
Leon shrugged. "There was this one girl while back but that didn't really end well. I don't think it's for me. It's not like I'm alone, anyway."
Merlin's lips curled up. "You're not. I wanted to thank you."
"Whatever for?"
"Just these past few months. You've always been close to Arthur and I'm glad that he wasn't alone." Merlin looked up.
"We grew up together. I'll always be there for him, especially when you're not."
"I'm kind of surprised you're okay with me. I never thought that you were accepting of my kind."
Leon furrowed his eyebrows. "Magic was always a sore topic. I mean, I grew up alongside Arthur and so all of his prejudices were ingrained in me as well. I'm ashamed to admit that I haven't always made the right decision but I know you, Merlin. And you are the furthest thing from evil."
"That's enough for you?"
Leon nodded. "From the moment you stumbled back to Camelot and told us about Arthur's death. From the moment you spilled everything and told us all you did for the kingdom. There was never a doubt."
Merlin chewed on his lip. "I'm glad Arthur has you. He'll need someone level headed like you."
Leon laughed. "I'm glad Arthur has you. And I wouldn't count on me for level-headedness. I very nearly aided you in Arthur's death when you came asking for a crossbow. Do you remember that? I can't believe I actually did that."
Merlin nudged him. "Your faith in me is astounding."
"You're really something else, Merlin. I don't think I'll ever understand." Leon said, carefully studying him.
"I've once been told that I was a riddle wrapped up in a mystery."
"Gaius?" Leon guessed.
Merlin grinned. "Who else? I swear, I'm surprised he lived that long with the amount of stress I gave him. I miss him."
Leon's smile faltered the slightest bit. "We all do. But in the end, he found his peace, yes?"
"Yeah. And now, hopefully, we found our peace too."
Leon's gaze shifted back to the water. "I think we did."
-0-o-0-
Gwen pulled over her soaked jacket, flapping it in the air.
"Gwen!" Morgana jogged over. "Hey, let me—"
"What is the matter with you?" Gwen snapped before she realized she was even talking.
Morgana paused, her expression freezing. "What?"
"What are you doing?" Gwen hated it. She's never seen Morgana this open and relaxed and Gwen never wanted to change that but she was angry. Angrier than she tried to convince herself to be.
"I thought I would help you dry off." Morgana frowned.
"What? Do you think everything's okay now? That since you and Merlin have worked things out that everything can go back to how it was before?"
Morgana took a hesitant step forward. "Gwen—"
Gwen pushed back. "Look, I've tried to let it go since Merlin was our priority but I can't. I can't. There was a time in my life where you genuinely wanted to kill me, Morgana. Now, I can understand Merlin and Arthur, alright? I don't care if the knights were able to forgive you since they never really knew you in the first place but we were best friends. I had done nothing to you."
Morgana stepped back. "I thought- I thought we talked about this. I never—"
"What did I do? What the hell did I do to make you hate me so much?" Gwen demanded. "I never gave any indication that I wouldn't accept you and I'm not of the knights who were just pawns in your game. You would have killed me to get on the throne of Camelot. And you expect me to just let all that go? Just let go of the fact that our entire friendship meant nothing?"
"I did mean something. I just- I lost my way. You know this. It was nothing against you. I believed that I could only be free if I was on the throne. And there were thousands of lives at stake—"
"What about my life? Do you think I wanted to be queen? Because I didn't. I would've been fine to be a servant for the rest of my life but I loved Arthur and he needed a queen."
"That throne was mine, Gwen. It was never yours. I spent so long preparing myself to be queen and—"
"You lost all right to that throne the moment you turned on Camelot." Gwen snarled. "You would've been a great queen. But you lost it and betrayed us. That was never your throne. I was queen. I made Camelot a better kingdom and I legalized magic. At what cost?"
Morgana pressed her lips together. "No. You're right. You didn't deserve anything I threw at you. You were caught in the middle of a game you had no place playing in."
"I lost everything in a matter of weeks. I was alone for over forty years. Yeah, I might have had Leon and Merlin but that's different. I was the queen and I was alone ruling over the broken kingdom that you left behind. Did it mean that much to you? You wanted justice and revenge so bad that you were willing to destroy my life to get it?"
Morgana's eyes shone. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I don't know what I became or why I did things I did. I was so desperate to be free and to get my justice and I forgot that you caught some of it. Merlin—"
"This is not about Merlin. I can perfectly understand why you were angry with Merlin. Wanting him dead is one thing but I can understand it. I can understand it with Arthur. They wronged you. They left you. But what the hell did I do? What the hell did the thousands of innocent lives that you killed and destroyed in the process do?" Gwen said, stepping forward.
"Gwen, that was thousands of years ago. What do you want me to do? I can't go back and change things. It's too late for that. Yes, I wanted to be queen and yes, I ruined your life in the process. I wanted you dead if it would mean I got to be queen. Do I regret that? Yes. But I can't change it. I was angry. I was so angry and I destroyed my relationship with you. I said I'm sorry. What more do you want from me?"
Gwen sucked in a breath. "I don't want anything. Just stop acting like everything is okay. If you found an understanding with Merlin, then that's great. But I can't just joke and laugh with someone who I know would kill me if they could get what they wanted."
"I've changed—"
"No, Morgana. The world changed. We both know that if we were back in Camelot, you would be exactly the same." Gwen muttered and shoved back Morgana to storm away.
-0-o-0-
"You're not giving her enough credit."
Gwen started at the voice. Merlin lowered himself to the ground beside her.
"Excuse me?"
Merlin raised an eyebrow. "With Morgana? You weren't quiet, Gwen."
Gwen snorted. "And you think I'm wrong."
"No. I agree with you. You don't have to forgive her. Not after everything she's done with you. For me, It was easier than I thought. We were both at fault."
"I didn't do anything to her," Gwen said, picking at the sand below them.
"I know. But Morgana's not entirely to blame. She was manipulated her entire life. By her father and then by Morgouse. I'm not trying to excuse her actions but you should try to understand. She made mistakes. Yes, it costs people's lives but you don't understand what it was like to have magic in Camelot. It was terrifying. And I, clearly, didn't help the situation for her."
"I don't know what it's like. But that gave her no right to—"
"Gwen. she never hated you. She was terrified. All she ever wanted was freedom and justice and she had no one to help guide her to that."
Gwen looked up. "You can't seriously be asking me to forgive her."
"I'm not. I'm not. I haven't even completely forgiven her yet and I know that she hasn't forgiven me. But it's been a thousand years. You don't have to let it go or be friends with her if you don't want to but she has changed. You know that. The last I saw her, I killed her. Trust me, I know. She's not perfect, but she's better."
Gwen dug her tongue into her cheek and looked away. "I know. I just—"
Merlin looped his arm through hers. "I know. I'm sorry."
Gwen gripped his arm, sighing heavily. She closed her eyes and dropped her head on his shoulder. "Did we do it?"
"Hmm?"
"We came back because Albion's need was greatest. You told me that Albion was the united lands. But Camelot's fallen."
Merlin furrowed his eyebrows. "But the lands haven't. This is Albion. England. The United Kingdom."
"But what was its need? Why- why are we here?" Gwen asked.
"I don't know, Gwen," Merlin said, letting his eyes flutter shut.
They sat in silence for a while before Gwen suddenly jerked up, nearly hitting Merlin in the head. "Oh my god."
Merlin blinked. "What?"
"Albion's not a place."
"What are you on about? Albion is the United Kingdom."
Gwen shook her head. "No. Albion is the land that we united, not these new lands. Albion was at the core of Camelot."
"Camelot is gone, Gwen."
"But you're not," Gwen said, her eyes shining.
"What?"
Gwen laughed. "It makes so much sense. It wasn't a coincidence that when we arrived, you were starting to lose your magic and die. We came to help you. Because your need was greatest. Merlin, you are Albion."
Merlin just gaped at Gwen for a moment. "I— no. That doesn't make sense. Albion is a place. It can't be—"
"You're the only thing left of Albion. The rest of it has fallen. And we came back to save you. Just like you've saved us so many times."
Merlin stared, his mouth open. Gwen just grinned, looking overly pleased with herself. She swayed closer. "Your welcome."
-0-o-0-
Merlin took in a breath, staring at Rowan's profile picture.
"Are you going to call him or not? It took me a lot of effort to fix that, you know."
Merlin glared up at Morgana. "Shut up. I don't know what to say."
"Maybe something along the lines of 'those strangers turned out to be my lost lost friends and they got me my memory back because apparently, I've had amnesia for the past fifteen thousand years.'"
"Don't you have anything better to do? Like, don't know, talking to Gwen?" Merlin snapped.
Morgana's smirk fell. "Leave Gwen out of this. Call him."
Merlin took in a breath and called Rowan. He pressed the phone to his ear and rocked back on his heels, closing his eyes. Rowan picked up on the fourth ring.
"Merlin?"
"Rowan. Hey."
"Jesus fucking Christ." Rowan cursed, his voice coming loud through the microphone. "Are you alright?"
"I'm okay. I'm good. I promise."
"I'm face timing you."
Merlin blinked, pulling the phone away. "What? Rowan—"
Morgana snorted. "Good luck."
Merlin rolled his eyes. "Go away, Morgana. I would rather you yell at me than do this."
"Don't be a spoil-sport, Merlin. I'm the one who fixed your phone."
Merlin shot her an overly sweet smile and then picked up, pushing past Morgana to go down to the water.
Rowan's face filled the screen and Merlin internally winced. He had large bags under his eyes and his hair was a mess. "Oh my god. Merlin. Are you kidnapped? Did they kill you?"
"No. I'm fine. I promise." Merlin said.
"What the hell? I have to call the police."
"What? Don't get the police involved. I'm fine."
Rowan's eyes went sharp. "Well, I didn't know that, did I? I have to tell them that you're okay. I called them the third day you were gone. You said you were going to be back two weeks ago!"
"I know. I know. I'm so sorry. Things came up and I completely lost track of time—"
"Where the hell are you? You weren't at the lake." Rowan demanded.
Merlin sputtered. "I'm—"
"Hey, Rowan. It's Arthur. We're actually in my hometown in another place. Don't worry about Merlin. He'll be home in a few days." Arthur swooped in, grabbing the phone.
"What? Give the phone back to Merlin. Who the hell are you to—"
Merlin crowded closer, shooting Arthur a glare. "Rowan, I'm fine. I promise. Call off the police."
Arthur grinned into the camera and ended the call instantly. Merlin grabbed the phone. "Arthur! What the hell? Did you just end the call?"
Arthur shrugged. "He was getting annoying."
"Arthur!"
Arthur grabbed Merlin's hands, dragging him along. "Come on. The rest of them have been hogging you and we haven't talked in some time."
"We talked yesterday."
"And that's too long, Merlin. I'm not letting you go again."
"Gwen said that I needed saving and that's why you came. It's stupid really. I didn't need saving." Merlin muttered, pocketing his phone. He made a mental note to call Rowan again later.
Arthur shrugged. "I don't know, Merlin. I nearly thought you had a mental affliction when I saw you at the coffee shop."
"Bold of you to think I haven't had one since Camelot."
Arthur let out a startled laugh. "That is true."
Merlin laughed softly. "Thank you for bringing me back."
"You can't get rid of us that easily, Merlin." Arthur teased, ruffling his hair. "Besides, It was the least I could do. You've already suffered so much."
Merlin looked up. "Not because of you. You know that, right?"
Arthur swallowed, looking away. Merlin leaned forward and tilted Arthur's chin forward. "Whatever I did for you, I did it because I wanted to. You're not to blame for my stupid actions."
"That doesn't change the fact that I hurt you. Multiple times."
Merlin's lips quirked up. "But I hurt you too. I revolved my life around you, Arthur. It honestly wasn't healthy. But now, it's over. I'm done with destiny. And if Gwen is right, then you're done with yours. You saved me."
"It was destiny that brought us together."
"Yeah. But that's not why I stayed. And that's not why you brought me back." Merlin's heart hammered in his chest, his palms suddenly sweaty.
Arthur's eyes went painfully fond. "Yeah. That's not why."
Merlin let out a soft breath, meeting his eyes. "It's funny because we've kissed exactly two times and I remember neither of them."
Arthur snorted. "Right. The first time we were drunk."
"And the second time, you knocked me out. Which is overkill by the way. You just wanted an excuse to kiss me."
Arthur grinned. "Guilty."
Merlin rolled his eyes. "Well, I would appreciate it if I actually remember it next time."
"Next time? You think an awful lot of yourself?"
"I would think that you would want to kiss the man you love," Merlin said, raising his eyebrows.
Arthur choked on his spit. "What? What?"
Merlin smirked. "What? Did you think I forgot?"
Arthur flushed and he looked away. "I— I mean, I never—"
"Did you mean it?"
"Mean what?"
Merlin ran his tongue along his bottom lip and Arthur's gaze flicked down at the movement. "Do you— are you in love with me?"
For a moment, Arthur didn't seem to be breathing. "What the hell do you think?"
Merlin fought down the smile that threatened to break out over his face. "I don't know. Tell me."
Arthur glanced back up at Merlin, his eyes wide and vulnerable. Merlin inched the slightest bit closer, repeating himself. "Tell me."
Arthur was silent for three heartbeats before he whispered, "I love you. You know that."
Merlin's eyes flicked over Arthur's face for half a second before he swayed closer, his breath hot. "Do I?"
Arthur tilted his chin up, forcing himself not to hide away. "So what? Do you love me?"
Merlin grinned, his eyes crinkling at the edges. "What the hell do you think?"
Arthur pulled back before Merlin could close the distance. "Tell me."
Merlin rolled his eyes and ran the tip of his nose along the line of Arthur's jaw. He let his eyes take Arthur in. With his golden hair and bright bright blue eyes and crooked teeth. Merlin clenched his teeth ever so slightly, a wave of pure affection crashing over him. How could he have ever forgotten this man?
"I love you. I have since the day we met."
"All fifteen thousand years?"
Merlin chuckled softly. "Every last second. It's always been you."
Arthur's breath hitched as Merlin carefully cupped his face and ran his thumb along his hairline, his cheekbones, his lips. Merlin tilted up a bit and pressed a feather-soft kiss to Arthur's forehead. He trailed down the side of his face until his lips were pressed against the throbbing pulse of his neck. Merlin let his eyes flutter shut as he breathed Arthur in and inched impossibly closer.
Arthur carefully tilted Merlin's face up. "You want to remember this time or not?"
Merlin's lips curled. "Don't worry. This time, I'll never forget."
And Merlin pushed forward, catching Arthur's lips on his own. Arthur gasped at the contact and his hands scrambling to find purchase on Merlin's hips. Merlin pushed closer and his hands slid from Arthur's jaw to behind his neck.
The entire world tilted dangerously to the side but this time, Merlin welcomed it. He welcomed the heat of Arthur's palm that bled through his shirt and buzzed in his head as everything blurred into clarity at a thousand different moments yet at the exact same time.
Everything, from the moment Merlin had stepped into Camelot and all of the stories and memories and adventures but all the quiet things too. The soft nights before the fireplace and the lingering hands to the longing looks and broken smiles and shattered lives and failures and successes and anything and everything that built up over and over and over again to lead to the very moment that—
Merlin pulled on Arthur's bottom lip and fit his tongue along with his, relishing in the way he could barely get any oxygen because he was inhaling Arthur, Arthur, Arthur. Merlin pressed his palm to the back of Arthur's neck, feeling out Arthur's pulse for the confirmation that this was real and Arthur was alive and it wasn't a dream.
Arthur pulled back, his breaths coming heavy and his eyes blown wide. His lips were slicked red and his cheeks were flushed with heat. Merlin threaded a hand through his golden hair and watched it glint like a crown in the sunlight as if nature itself realized that Arthur was a king. Not Camelot's king, but Merlin's. Just Merlin's.
Arthur ran his hands along Merlin's sides. He pushed closer to trail his lips along the line of Merlin's throat. Merlin dropped his hands and pulled Arthur closer.
Merlin laughed into Arthur's neck. "Yeah. I don't think I'll ever forget that."
Arthur pulled back just enough to meet Merlin's eyes. "I sure hope not. But if you ever do, I'll be here to help you remember. Always."
Merlin gripped Arthur's hands and pressed a soft, almost chaste kiss to his lips. His eyes twinkled knowingly in the light. "Always."
-0-o-0-
