A/N: You guys rock! Thank you for all of the feedback regarding whether I should continue or not. I will definitely continue! I have the rest of the story planned out. XD
Special thanks to whitedawn1 and thespiritmaiden for your kind words. You rock!
So these next few chapters will be transition chapters, so if it seems a little bit boring, I apologize. XD
If any of you are Potterheads, I just created an RP forum. There is a link on my profile page. The forum is called 'Going back to Hogwarts!' I would love it if you joined!
Warning: None
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.
Chapter 8
Gwen sat alone in the throne room, her brown eyes dull with sadness and her hands clasped in her lap. She was unaware of the door swinging open, her thoughts far away from Camelot.
"My lady?" A tentative voice brought her back to the present, her eyes snapping to the man standing before her.
"Gaius!" she said. "Is there any news of Merlin?"
The old man shook his head, his face haggard and his eyes showing his deep weariness. "No, my lady. I fear that he may not return..." His voice sounded sad and alone, making Gwen's heart ache and tears gather in her eyes.
"Do you have any idea where he has gone?" she asked.
"No..." Gaius shook his head sadly. "His mother meant everything to him. Seeing her pass so soon after Arthur made him lose control of his magic. He could have gone anywhere..."
Silence filled the large room, both the queen and the physician thinking about the troubling days to come.
Suddenly, there was a loud pounding on the double doors, a guard bursting in. His face was pale, his movements frantic as he stumbled up to the throne.
"My lady," he dropped to his knees, his limbs trembling. The guard's head was bowed, eyes staring at the floor, unable to look at his queen.
"What is it?" Gwen asked, her heart hammering. She wasn't ready for any problems! She needed more time. She kept the panic she felt out of her voice, trying to sound prepared for what was to come.
"My lady, Merlin was spotted entering Camelot... He had another person with him... My lady... King Arthur has returned."
Gwen thought she had heard him wrong for a moment, but when she saw the look on Gaius' face, she knew she had heard right.
She didn't speak, standing from her throne, the sound of the heavy wood scraping against cobble stone echoing in the large room.
"Where is he?" she asked, her voice sounding hesitant.
"They should arrive in the courtyard any minute now, my lady," the guard replied, startled when Gwen ran from the room, gathering her blue dress around her knees so she could move faster.
She blasted out of the doors of the castle and into the brightly lit courtyard. She stood still, eyes searching the nearly empty courtyard, until she spotted two figures approaching from a distance.
She could just make out a dirty red cape billowing in the wind, chain male glinting in the sunlight. She didn't run to him. She stood still, watching him approach from a distance. Her heart dropped when she saw the black haired figure he held in his arms.
"Gwen," Arthur said when he reached her. Gaius rushed forwards, taking the frail, unconscious form of his ward from the king's arms, checking his pulse.
Gwen stepped forwards, reaching her hand up and striking Arthur firmly across the face.
"Owwww..." Arthur said, confused. "Why did you...?"
Gwen rushed at him then, throwing her arms around his waist and burying her face in his shoulder. "Don't ever do that to me again. Ever..." She muttered.
Arthur stroked her back, bringing his hands up to her face and pulling her in for a kiss. They would have stayed like that forever, but Gaius' voice interrupted them, making them jump apart.
"What happened?" Gaius asked. "How...?"
Arthur began to explain everything, how Merlin had appeared at the bridge between life and death, how Merlin had to chose who to bring back with him, how Merlin's choice had been him, Arthur.
Gwen placed a hand on Arthur's arm, her throat tightening with unshed tears. "I'm glad you both made it back safe."
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Merlin awoke quickly, sitting up and staring wildly around the room. He was alone in his bedroom, the sheets twisted around his ankles.
"Arthur?" he called, his heart thuddding and his vision blurring a little as he panicked. Surely it hadn't all been a dream...
His door swung open, and to Merlin's huge relief, Arthur stepped inside. "Merlin!" he said. "I'm glad you're up!"
"Prat," Merlin snapped back trying to cover up his panic. "You just want me to do your chores for you. What is it today? The stables or your room?"
"No, Merlin," Arthur said. "I don't want you to do your chores."
Merlin's jaw dropped in mock horror. "Are you feeling all right, sire?"
Arthur rolled his eyes, sitting down on the chair by the bed. "Gwen told me you refused her offer of becoming Court Sorcerer."
Merlin nodded, looking quickly down at his covered feet. Arthur studied the man for a moment before continuing. "Well... I wanted to... I came to... I was wondering if you would change your mind."
Merlin looked up hopefully, his blue eyes sparkling, a grin lighting up his face. He quickly covered up his joy, a sly expression flashing over his face. "Will I get any days off?"
Arthur rolled his eyes. "Is that all you can think about? Days off?"
"At least Sunday!"
"Fine," Arthur responded. "Sundays off..." He stood up, leaving the room for a second before returning with a tray balanced in his hands. He passed the tray to Merlin.
"Woah, whats this!" Merlin said. "Arthur Pendragon, the king of Camelot, serving me?" Merlin said, shock written on his face.
Arthur rolled his eyes. "Just eat your stew."
"Arthur?"
"Yes?"
"If I become court sorcerer, can I eat food out of the palace kitchens?"
"...Yes."
"Can I have new chambers?"
"...Yes."
"Can I have my own horse?"
"...Fine! Now stop asking me for things!"
"Can I... Ow! Okay, Okay, I'll stop!"
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
The king stood before his people for the first time since his return. He scanned the crowd in front of him, eyes going from face to face, resting on each one of his knights, his friends.
He spotted Merlin standing in the back, flashing the raven haired figure a small grin. He took a breath before speaking, collecting his thoughts.
"People of Camelot. It is with great happiness that I stand before you today. As most of you know, I was declared dead... I was dead!" He paused to let his words sink in. "The only reason I am standing here speaking to you is magic. Magic saved me and magic saved Camelot. It is time that we rewrite our laws, to rethink our morals, to let magic back into Camelot! Sorcerers will no longer be persecuted. Magic will no longer be outlawed!"
The room erupted in noise as people turned to each other, shock showing on each of their faces. Arthur stood patiently, waiting for the noise to die down. Once it became silent again, he continued.
"And we have one person to thank for this, one person to thank for saving Camelot, for bringing me back. Merlin!"
The servant stepped forwards, his hands clasped behind his back. His palms were sweaty and his stomach was doing little flips. He stopped right before he reached the throne, kneeling respectfully and bowing his head to the floor.
"Rise," Arthur said, and Merlin obeyed, nearly tripping over his feet as he stood.
"Do you, Merlin, promise to use your magic only for the good of Camelot?" Arthur asked.
"I do," Merlin said, his voice echoing.
"Then, by the power vested in me, I declare you Merlin Emrys, Court Sorcerer of Camelot." Arthur touched Excalibur lightly on either side of Merlin's shoulders.
The room erupted with cheers.
TBC