A/N: This took me a very very long time to write... I just couldn't get it right and I never seemed to be happy with the character interactions in this chapter.

I would like to dedicate this to Harpfire, who helped me out a lot on this chapter. She has a Merlin fic called crimson snow. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves Merlin angst. XD

But here you are... The long awaited reunion chapter.

IMPORTANT AUTHORS NOTE AT THE END OF THE CHAPTER.

Warning: Considerably less angst in this chapter. Lots and lots of bromance.

Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin...

Chapter 7

"...Arthur?" Merlin asked hesitantly. He stepped forwards, reaching a hand up to grasp the king's shoulder, but paused, his fingers hovering over the man's shoulder blade. He couldn't bring himself to touch Arthur... He didn't want to take the risk that his fingers would pass straight through him and prove that it was all a dream, that Arthur really wasn't there.

"Merlin," Arthur said, a small smile growing on his face. "You look terrible."

And then Merlin rushed forwards, wrapping his arms around his friend, huge sobs tearing through his body and making him tremble. Arthur froze for a moment before wrapping his own arms around the warlock, his heart tearing apart as he heard the sounds coming from Merlin. He suddenly vowed that he would do everything in his power to never hear the sound of Merlin sobbing a few moments, Merlin pulled away, holding the king's shoulders at an arms distance and studying his face. "What's going on?" he choked out through the tears. "Are you alive? Am I dead?"

"Still asking stupid questions, I see," Arthur commented, his smile teasing and his blue eyes alight with humor. His face grew serious again and he opened his mouth to continue, but Freya stepped forwards, a sad smile on her face.

"You're not dead, nor are we alive. We are at the bridge between life and death itself," she said. Merlin released Arthur's shoulders and turned to her, confusion plain on his face.

"Why are we here?" he asked, looking around at all of the faces he thought he would never see again.

"You have a choice to make Merlin," Freya said, her hand coming to rest on Merlin's own. "I hate to ask it of you..."

Merlin shook his head for her to go on, concern flashing over his expression.

"When you killed Morgana, you restored the balance to the world. A life for a life... Now, in return, you must choose one of us to go back with you," Freya continued. Merlin's heart froze in his chest, ice water spreading through his veins as his brain tried to process what he had heard.

"What...?" he trailed off, his voice breaking.

"I will let you talk to each of us in turn to help make your decision," Freya murmured, stepping away from him and pulling Arthur back as she went. Before he could ask any more questions, two people stepped forwards from the semicircle.

"Merlin," Hunith said, opening her arms and hugging him tightly. Merlin pressed his face against her shoulder, smelling the soft scent of herbs and straw, something that had always comforted him as a child. Balinor placed a hand on his son's shoulder, giving him a warm smile.

"Mother... Father," Merlin said, pulling away from the hug and looking at each of them in turn. "I..."

"Shhh..." Hunith interrupted. "You don't have to explain. I don't want to come back. I lived a long, happy life and now I am at peace. Bring someone back with you who can make a difference in the world."

"Anyways, we are happy together. You can't bring back one of us and leave the other," Balinor said, putting his arm on Hunith's shoulder.

Merlin's throat closed up and he nodded, unable to speak for a moment. "I'll miss you," he said, giving them each one last embrace before turning to the next person in line.

"Will," Merlin said, stepping forwards and hugging his friend.

"I've missed you, Merlin," Will said.

"Me too..." Merlin said, looking closely at his friends bright face. "I wish I could take all of you back..."

"I think I know who your choice is going to be, Merlin. Listen, I'm not angry at you for not choosing me. I don't really want to go back. Death isn't so bad." A sad grin spread over his face, and he slapped Merlin on the back. "Cheer up, would ya? You always look so sad now."

Merlin nodded, a smile lighting up his face. "That's better," Will commented. "See you later..."

"See you," Merlin said, knowing that he would not see his friend for a long time. He turned to the next person. "Lance," he said, grinning as he saw knight.

"Merlin!" Lancelot said. "It's good to see you." Merlin and the knight embraced for a moment. before the warlock gathered the courage to speak the question that was plaguing his mind.

"Does Arthur know that it wasn't you who seduced Gwen? Does he know about the enchantment?" Merlin asked, and Lance nodded.

"Freya explained it all to him earlier," the knight commented. Merlin grinned, feeling as if a huge weight was lifted off his shoulders.

"Good," he muttered. "That's good."

"You take care of yourself, Merlin," Lance said, giving the warlock one last pat on the shoulder and gesturing towards the next person in the semicircle.

"Hey, mate. Do you have any beer?" Gwaine asked him suddenly, making Merlin turn and stare at the knight, a grin breaking out across his face.

"I missed you too," he said.

"You and Arthur have fun now, you hear. Don't get too drunk without me," Gwaine said.

Merlin nodded and then turned to the last two people in the semicircle. "Hi," Merlin said, his voice thick with tears. "Freya..." He couldn't continue, couldn't tell her what he was going to do. "I..."

"Merlin." Freya stepped forwards, wrapping her arms around Merlin's body and pulling him closer, leaning her forehead against his and closing her eyes. "You don't have to tell me who you chose. We all knew who it was going to be."

Merlin reached up his hand and brushed a lock of dark hair out of her face, lifting her chin with his fingers. Their lips brushed, making Merlin's heart pound in his chest. He put his hands on Freya's waist, pulling her closer and deepening the kiss.

It was several moments before they pulled apart, Merlin's hands not leaving her body. "Will I ever see you again?" he asked after a moment of silence.

"I do not know," Freya responded, her voice quavering slightly. "It is time for you to leave this place..."

"Ready to go, Arthur?" Merlin asked, watching in awe as the air was split in front of him, a golden rift of light appearing.

Arthur nodded, and, with one last glance at everyone around them, they both stepped into the light. Warmth spread over Merlin's skin and he blinked a few times, momentarily blinded. Once his eyes adjusted, he saw the lake in front of him.

His friends and family were gone, leaving him staring at where they had once been. He didn't cry. He could only feel happiness for seeing them all one last time, glad that he knew they were not alone and afraid in death.

That was when he remembered. Arthur... He couldn't see Arthur and his heart began to flutter in panic. He looked around frantically for a moment, before seeing the king, who was standing in the lake, water coming up to his knees.

"Arthur," he gasped in relief. "How do you feel? Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

"Merlin..." Arthur interrupted, holding his hands up. "I am fine. I should really be asking you that question... You look like you're about to fall over."

Merlin was suddenly aware of how tired and weak he was, his knees feeling rickety and his no trembling. "I... I think I need to sit down," he said, and before he could even move, his body crashed to the ground, his head swimming.

His vision clouded with black, and he blinked a few times. Arthur was standing over him, gripping his shoulders.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Fine..." Merlin muttered, pushing himself upright.

"Don't do that, Merlin! I'm not an idiot," Arthur said, staring at his friend. "You just collapsed... What's wrong?"

Merlin took a long time to respond to this, his mind scrambling and his thoughts blending together. "I... haven't been well," he said hesitantly. Somehow, he didn't have to tell Arthur why.

"Well then. Let's get you back to Camelot," Arthur said. "Where is my sword?" He looked around himself for a moment

Merlin swallowed. "Arthur..." he said. The king didn't respond, still searching for his weapon.

"Arthur..." Merlin repeated.

"Yes?" Arthur said, looking back at his friend.

"Your sword... it's in the lake," Merlin muttered.

"You.. threw my sword... into the lake?" Arthur asked incredulously.

"Yeah..." Merlin replied. "But I can get it back... I promise!" He said. "Freya can bring it up for me..."

"Ohhh, Freya. Who is she and why haven't I heard of her before?" Arthur asked.

Merlin blushed, looking down. "You've... met..."

"We have?" Arthur shook his head. "I think I would remember if I had met your girlfriend, Merlin," Arthur said. "She was strikingly beautiful... Is she the one you missed so many days of work to go see?"

Merlin glared at the king, and before he could stop himself, he blurted, "For your information, when I was 'skipping work', I was actually saving your sorry behind. I never eloped or went to the tavern... And you never asked me about my personal life except to make fun of me for it, so of course I never spoke of her. Anyways, she died and that's all you need to know."

The smile dropped off Arthur's face as he studied his friend, seeing the genuine hurt on the warlock's face. "We can talk about this later..." he said. "Help me get my sword and then we can leave."

Merlin took a shuddering breath to calm himself before speaking. "Freya!" he called weakly, and to Arthur's surprise, a hand shot out of the water, a sword gripped in its fingers. The hand threw the sword and it splashed into the shallow part of the lake, glinting in the light. Arthur bent forwards, picking up Excalibur and wiping the water off the blade.

"Thank you," he called to the water, putting Excalibur in the empty scabbard at his waist. He glanced at the warlock, who was still lying on the ground awkwardly. "Ok, time to go, Merlin. Since you're too lazy to get up and walk, I guess I will just have to help you." He stepped forwards, picking the warlock up off the ground.

"Arthur.. What? Put me down!" Merlin shouted, squirming. His foot connected with something soft and he heard Arthur let out a small weeze.

"Merlin! I could have you hanged for that!" Arthur managed to say through clenched teeth, nearly dropping the warlock as he curled in on himself.

"Stop being such a girl, Arthur," Merlin said, smiling as the king rolled his eyes, standing up straight and beginning to walk again. The sun set as they made their way closer to Camelot, closer to home.

TBC

IMPORTANT AUTHORS NOTE HERE!

Ok, so the next chapter is the last chapter I have planned out. I would love to continue on with this story, but I need to know what you guys would like for me to do. Would you like me to add a few one shots on Camelot getting used to magic and then end it? Would you like me to add a few one shots and then make a huge plot build up like the series (any ideas on a plot build up that you would like)? Would you like me to end it next chapter? Please leave me a review and leave some input. I would love to hear what you want to read. XDDDD

Thank you all so much for your continued support.

-Dawn