-Epilogue-

Ten Years Later

The doors and windows were open letting in the golden streams of afternoon light. Ryll could smell the sea from the doorway where she leaned, eyes closed, face turned up to the sun. She could hear laughter behind her and turned to see Merlin chasing after a little boy with shocking blue eyes. Merlin's eyes. His curly black hair flopped as Merlin caught him up in his arms and twirled him around. The boy's older sister danced out of reach as Merlin tried to pull her into his embrace. Her golden curls danced with her and her smile made Ryll's heart melt. The little girl skipped into the house and ran to Ryll. Ryll bent down to engulf her in her arms. Merlin came in from the backyard, still holding the boy tight in his embrace. The sun illuminated him, and Ryll had to squint against its brightness to see his face. He set the boy down and he ran forward to hug Ryll as well.

"Can we go to the beach later?" the little boy asked.

"I want to build a sandcastle!" the girl said.

Ryll stood and looked up at Merlin. "I think that's a wonderful idea."

"I want to build Camelot!" the boy said excitedly while his sister grabbed her favorite book. Famous Women of History was well read, the edges showing wear and tear. There was one page that was newer than the rest. Ryll had replaced it herself. Morgana the title read. Heroine of Camelot.

"Are we still going up to Camelot tomorrow?" Merlin asked.

"The kids have been asking after their Aunt Morgana and Uncle Arthur," Ryll said. "They wouldn't miss it for anything."

Merlin put an arm around her waist and they stood together in the sunlight letting the salt-scented wind brush their faces. Ryll rested her head on Merlin's shoulder.

"Are you happy?" he asked her.

"I'm home," she told him. "There's nowhere on earth I'd rather be."

THE END

Appendices:

+ Merlin and Ryll spent three years travelling the world together. They returned to Merlin's home in Hunter's Grove after Ryll discovered she was with child.

+ Emmaline Hunith Emrys was born followed by her brother, Roman Arthur Emrys two years later.

+ In their travels, Merlin and Ryll discovered other magical communities around the world.

+ Morgause continued to help people with magic who had nowhere else to go, sheltering them in Camelot and teaching them to control their powers.

+ Nimueh was never seen nor heard of again and it is not known if she ever gave up her hatred.

+ Arthur ruled Camelot with Gwen at his side and made Morgana his chief advisor. They visit their father's grave every year on the anniversary of his death.

+ Though they never married, Lancelot and Morgana stayed together in Camelot, finding peace within each other's company.

+ Merlin and Ryll visited Camelot often and their children only ever knew the legends as true (though the real version of history, not the version told in story books).

+ A year after giving birth to Emmaline, Ryll's magic started to appear again though not as powerful as before. Both children started to show signs of magic at the age of three.

+ Gwaine was rumored to be breaking hearts and overseeing the rebuilding of The Rising Sun which Byron offered to run.

+ Ryll's Sidhe blood made her immortal, and Merlin never had to worry about losing her again. In Camelot their love is legendary.

+ Though most of the history books don't get it right, King Arthur and Merlin live on in stories. New research was found regarding Morgana and some history books have started questioning if she really was the villain of the story. For those who know what really happened, who lived through it and fought in very real battles, they are content to let everyone else believe they are just a legend.