As requested, I have decided to contine the story. After this chapter, I'll probably make it more like a series of related one-shots, all in this verse. It'll be post-reveal life - scars, truths, new positions in court, and new adventures. Enjoy and thanks for all the reviews, you guys! It makes my day!
Merlin woke slowly. Feeling returned first and he registered a soft bed underneath him, probably the softest he had ever felt in his life. He was definitely in Avalon to be this comfortable.
Sound came next. There were definitely other people here, he could hear them breathing. The soft sound of deep breathing was closer to him as well, almost like someone was asleep. Did you need to sleep in Avalon? He had been under the impression that the dead didn't need to sleep.
Finally, Merlin opened his eyes, only to immediately furrow his brow in confusion. This wasn't what Merlin had expected to see. He'd seen Avalon. This...this didn't make sense.
Because this? Looked an awful lot like Camelot.
And the sleeper? Definitely had a strong resemblance to his king and best friend.
What was going on?
As Merlin took in more of his surroundings, he began to realize that he might have to reevaluate his assumptions. He was in one of the guest chambers in Camelot, more spacious than his tiny little room to be sure, yet he doubted this room had ever been so full. Sleeping knights were draped all over the place – on benches and spare cots, even a couple of cleared off tables and the floor. Gwen was sleeping on a cot nearby with Elyan sleeping sitting up leaned against it, Gwen's hand resting lightly on his shoulder.
Arthur was sitting on a chair next to the large and comfortable bed that Merlin lay on, chin on his chest, sound asleep as well.
Arthur was alive. Gwaine and Elyan were alive. Merlin had actually, truly done it. He had created his own destiny and brought his friends along for the ride. The young warlock felt tears build in his eyes. His king, his best friend, his purpose was safe. Arthur was going to be okay.
What he didn't understand was why he was okay...
A sudden gasp alerted him that someone had woken. "Merlin!"
Servant met the eyes of king and both felt sweet relief fill them once more. All around Merlin the sound of knights and queen waking began to fill the room, but Merlin kept his focus on Arthur, a smile quirking at his lips, happy if confused.
"Arthur." Merlin croaked, surprised to find his voice hoarse, his throat dry. Immediately, a cup of water was pressed to his lips and Merlin drank gratefully, surprised when it was pulled away and revealed to be Arthur, the king of Camelot, who had offered it.
Clearly, something had changed while he had been...indisposed.
"Um, what happened? I could have sworn I was dying."
Arthur tensed for a moment, but forced himself to relax as he gazed upon his servant and friend. "Your lady friend – who I want the full story about, by the way – showed up and healed you." Arthur explained. "You've been unconscious for about 3 days."
Merlin gazed around the room at the knights, and queen, who were all smiling and grinning at him. It would have been a little creepy if not for the circumstances. Merlin remembered all too well what it was like to think someone you cared about was dying. "Have you all been here the whole time?" he asked, smiling himself.
"Yes and driving Gaius properly crazy." Gwaine spoke up. "He finally locked himself in his chambers, I think, to get some peace and quiet. Since he knew you were okay, and all."
Merlin looked around the room once more, eyes pausing on those that had been lost to them so short a time ago. The emotion welled up in him till it was nearly too much. The tears finally spilled over and Arthur leaned forward, brow furrowed, looking concerned. He laid a hand on Merlin's shoulder, gently. "Are you okay?"
Merlin smiled at his king – the most genuine, relieved, happy smile that Arthur had ever seen from him. "You're alive. We...we really made it through."
Now Arthur was smiling just as brightly. "Thanks to you we did."
There was a pause, then the moment broke as Merlin snorted. "We're turning into a bunch of girls, Arthur."
The king looked offended, though he had to fight to keep the smile off his face now. "You're the one crying, idiot!"
"True, you're too dirty to be confused for anything near a girl at the moment. When was the last time you bathed?" Merlin waved a hand in front of his nose as if to ward off the smell.
Arthur glared at him. "Well, if my manservant hadn't decided to suddenly become an all-powerful sorcerer, maybe he would have been around to draw me a bath!"
"Hey, I'm a warlock, not a sorcerer. And this 'all-powerful' warlock just saved your life, you ungrateful prat!"
Before Arthur could retort, Gwen's voice interrupted them. "Arthur, leave the poor man alone! He just saved all of our lives and all of Camelot, not to mention defeating the two most powerful sorcerers we know of."
Merlin's triumphant smirk in Arthur's direction had the knights all laughing, only Leon trying to muffle it so the king couldn't hear it.
The warlock knew that the euphoria of everyone being alive and well would soon wear off. When that happened, there would be many questions, many stories to be told, many truths to be revealed, and probably more tears to shed. The last decade had not been an easy journey for Merlin and sharing it would be painful just as much as it would be releasing.
But Merlin knew they would be okay. This was the start of a brand new life for all of them and now they would all be here to enjoy it.