This is it, the final chapter. I hope you like it.

I don't own Merlin.


When they finally reached Merlin's house, it was almost evening. Merlin found enough food to make something of a dinner, and the two of them sat down together at the table. They ate in silence for a few minutes, then Arthur put his fork down and looked at Merlin.

"Alright, what is it?" he asked.

"What?"

"You only sulk like this when you're worried."

"I'm not sulking, I'm thinking," Merlin told him absently.

"Well, good to know you're taking up new hobbies."

Merlin's expression didn't change.

Arthur sighed, "What are thinking about, then?"

"What's going to happen, I suppose."

"Oh?"

"I'm not sure... I mean, now that all the others are gone and you, uh, you don't feel like you belong here..." Merlin faltered.

"Ah," Arthur paused, and continued in an offhand way, "Well, like you said, I could learn about this time. Get used to things."

"You wouldn't miss... everyone?" Merlin kept his eyes lowered.

"I would," conceded Arthur. "But most of them had already... said goodbye to me, I guess. It wasn't like seeing them again really, it wasn't the same. They were still who I'd known just... different."

Merlin coughed.

"I don't mean you Merlin. You don't count."

"Oh, that's very nice."

"You know what I mean, stop being an idiot."

Merlin smiled, "Only when you stop being such a prat."

Arthur whacked him on the shoulder and Merlin laughed. Arthur returned to his food, but Merlin cleared his throat, "Uh, so what are we going to do?"

Arthur took a sip of water, thinking. Then he said, "Well, it'd be nice to see some more of the country, maybe. Or some of the others you mentioned you've been to."

"We could do that," Merlin nodded, "I mean, if you wanted... I don't have to-"

"Really, Merlin, you're incredibly obtuse. Of course you're coming with me."

Merlin grinned, "I am not obtuse! You just can't communicate well."

"I beg your pardon, you're one to talk. At least I don't need to rely on making up words."

"They're not made up. They're idiomatic."

"Ooh, expanding your vocabulary and thinking all in one day, very impressive, Merlin."

"Dollophead."

After dinner, Merlin started unpacking the rucksacks and Arthur idly examined Merlin's work area, flipping through the books and picking up strange powders and potions with mild interest.

"Careful, that's poisonous."

Arthur hastily put down the bottle he'd been holding, "And you leave it lying around?"

"It's got a cork. Anyway, until a few weeks ago there was no one else here," Merlin shelved the books he was holding, took another from the bookcase, and walked over with it to Arthur, "Here. This an atlas, a book of maps. You can use it to look for places you want to go."

Arthur took it from him and looked at the unfamiliar map of Europe Merlin had left open, "Where do you recommend?"

They stayed at Merlin's for another week, getting ready and planning the trip. Merlin had a sizeable amount of money after all his time alive, and between that and his magic it was easy to plan out what they were going to do. They packed sparsely (Merlin's bag was mostly full of his books and magic supplies), since most of the clothes Merlin had didn't fit either of them. They'd buy more on the trip. After a week they were ready, and going to set out. Flights were happening at regular intervals, but not commercially yet, so their first step was to go to a port. They were taking a ferry to France. Merlin wanted to show Arthur some of the castles there. As they left Merlin's cottage, Merlin stopped in the doorway and hesitated.

Arthur turned around when he noticed Merlin wasn't following him, "Merlin, what is it?"

Merlin swallowed, "Nothing... just, I am different."

"What?"

"You- The other day, you said that the others were different, but I am too."

Arthur took a few steps forward, "Merlin..."

"I just... want you to realise that. I don't want to be pretending again."

"Merlin, I know you've changed. That doesn't mean you need to be worried."

"You're sure?"

Arthur sighed, "If you keep asking, I may change my answer. Come on Merlin."

Merlin smiled and started walking, locking the door as he left, "Thanks."

"Besides, you haven't changed that much, you're still unusually stupid," Arthur smirked.

"And you're still an ass," Merlin said grinning.

Smiling, Merlin and Arthur walked away from the cottage. Their destiny wasn't laid out and the future was theirs to decide. They were ready for the challenge.


Thank you so much to everyone who read, favourited, followed, and reviewed. I'm really glad that you enjoyed my story. Thanks also to my beta for helping me edit the chapters. Thank you again for reading, reviews are always appreciated.