A/N: Hey guys.

So I have been gone a while (not as long as last time at least) but I'm back for the final chapter of Inheritance.

Life, work and writer's block got in the way of this chapter, especially the writer's block. I went through about five different versions of the first part then about ten of the second. the last parts were relatively easy to write in comparison.

I am still not entirely happy with this, especially Kilgharrah's bit. But I finally managed to get one the versions finished and I know that at the moment, I will never get it any better, and that i might not ever manage to do so.

This chapter will make it obvious that it's not better read. But I hope that you enjoy it and excuse all the horrid spelling and grammar that it contains.

So for the last time, thank you to those who have reviewed, favourited, put it on their alert's list or just read. And thank you to those who will continue to do so now that the story is over.

Disclaimer: I tried to cast a spell that would let me own the rights to Merlin, but discovered I don't have magic :(

So for the final time, I hope you enjoy the last chapter of Inheritance.

"MERLIN!"

Weeks had flown passed since the battle against Morgana and whilst it couldn't be said that all had returned to normal, it was getting close. Wild rumours still flew around the kingdom, but for once they were tamer than what really happened.

The biggest (and arguably the thing that actually wasn't all that different) change was the relationship between Arthur and Merlin. The king still ordered the youth around, and the Dragonlord whined, argued, insulted but still did it anyway. The difference now that there was a deeper sense of trust and family between the two, and a bond stronger than anything found in Albion and beyond.

So at the familiar shout that echoed throughout the kingdom, all the people, peasants and noble alike felt a smile tug at their lips.

So yeah, things were not yet back to how they were, and probably would never fully be, but most, if not all of Camelot felt that it would be brighter for it.

"MERLIN!"

Kilgharrah looked but from his meal with a fond look upon his scaly face. Ever since the battle, he had been allowed to come and go from the clearing neat Camelot as often as he liked, with little problems. Oh sure there were a few attacks by frightened Knights, and those who wondered in the woods for reasons would run off screaming when they encountered him, but they occurred less often know.

Thinking back upon the immediate aftermath of the battle, his fond look dropped. He had caught up to Ambrousius after the battle was over, when Aithusia was just a speck in the distance. Even now the Great Dragon was unsure if his choice of not chasing after the white one, both before and after the battle, was a mistake but he knew that his brother needed him. The betrayal of Aithusia combined with the fear of rejection from his family could seriously injure Ambrousius and honestly, Kilgharrah didn't want to deal with his moping again.

Silence reigned after his arrival as King and Dragonlord gazed at each other. He would never admit it but he felt great relief when Arthur snorted and asked what took so long. Soon the banter between to two erupted and all was well. Everything was going so well that he almost felt bad interrupting. Although the screams that occurred when they noticed him were amusing (later both dragons would wonder why no one had seen a massive magical flying reptile but then again they were from Camelot).

When everything had calmed down (helped by Ambrousius roar), the eldest dragon decided to finally tell his friend how the Dragonlord's gift (or curse depending on how one viewed it) ended. Once the sorcerer in question had fully accepted his dragon soul, he would be given a choice whether to return to a human form or remain forever more as a dragon.

Kilgharrah snorted as he thought about the black dragon's choice. Only he would think of that.

"MERLIN!"

"WHOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO"

Gwaine ducked and rolled as his best mate winged over his head, then quickly had to dodge to the side to evade a raging monarch. The rouge knew very little about magic, but even he suspected Merlin's choice to be able to be both Dragon and Man was unusual and near impossible. But then, the knight decided, that was the Warlock all over.

Said Warlock was having a blast. Arthur was being particularly pratish today about his breakfast (apparently George had been spoiling the King in terms of food) so a simple remark about learning a spell to lengthen belts had lead to Merlin summoning his wings and taking flight, Arthur launching a goblet after him before giving chase.

As the Dragonlord emerged outside via a door helpfully held open by a laughing Perceval, Merlin waved to the children who ran in his shadow, laughing as some of the younger ones pretended to be Dragons.

He was glad that everything turned out all right. The transformation back into semi-human form was painful and long (learning to hide the wings, tail, scales, claws and fangs was breeze in comparison) but he eventually returned to Camelot to find the magic itself was no longer illegal, and whilst still not fully accepted, he was not greeted to too many calls for him to meet the pyre. He was reinstated as Arthur's manservant; although Merlin suspected Gwen had a lot to do with that, and there were even talks of creating a magical advisors role (court sorcerer caused too many screaming fits among the court).

Yes, Merlin thought as the breeze ruffled his hair and sunlight glinted off his scales, life was finally going right.

Deep within the forest, a dark haired woman stumbled along, held up by a white dragon. Both had been travelling for days, looking for a safe place to rest.

Suddenly a stick cracked in the distance, causing the dragon to pause. A fox ran onto the path, causing the dragon to relax and turn to her companion. Due to this, neither noticed the hunter sneak up in the foxes wake and cast a shimmer net over the pair until it was too late.

Both human and dragon screamed. The reptile started to chew and claw at the net, afraid to spit fire as it would hurt her friend due to how close they were.

The woman stretched out her hand around the raging creature, eyes glowing bright with the signature sign of a sorceress.

"Snæde!"

Both of the trapped female paused in horror when the spell failed, causing the human, who was joined by the rest of his team, to laugh even as they pinned down the netted pair.

"That is a Sphinx hair net princess. It is capable of holding dragons. No human spells can affect it."

The man smirked, lips spreading over yellow teeth, as he approached his prisoners. He reached towards the net and forced the woman's chin up, forcing their eyes to meet.

"Sarrum is going to pay handsomely for you two, Morgana Pendragon."

A/N: So that is it. The ending of Inheritance. I am not 100% happy with this but it's out there now so judge me lightly.

I used the Sphinx hair idea from Jake Long, American Dragon (don't own) because I don't know what those chains that held Kilgharrah were made from and I am unoriginal and couldn't come up with anything better.

I have half a plan for a sequel for this, but nothing concrete. However I promise that if i ever get round to writing it (in between all the other fics that are eating my brain. Although I have discovered I like forcing my favourite characters to face some kind of transformation or conflict with their instincts) that I will post a notification alongside a preview here on inheritance.

Once again, thank you for sticking with me. It's been a long and emotional journey, so after I leave you with a translation and a joke, I will go cry in the corner.

Spell: Cut (possibly cut the branch. Not entirely sure but Merlin used it to brake the rowan staff and it fit. I have no talent making up words or spells)

Joke: Why are dragons good storytellers?

They all have tails. :D

Goodbye and fairwell from this fic to you.

The Owl Mage.

The End