AN: This is it ladies and gents. Hopefully you all have had fun with this one. I had fun writing it and hope to see you all on a new journey. If anyone was interested in background of this fic, all I can say that it was heavily inspired by Witcher series of games, especially the Wild Hunt and I thought it would do well to lend itself some of that world and magic. Just interesting way in which that world blended sorcerers and humans. It gave me this idea and I ended up writing it, for which I am glad all of you tuned in. All that's left to say is just one last time before the curtains come down. I know, I know dramatic much… have fun and if you want to share your thoughts about this fic, please leave a comment and I will do my best to respond.

Chapter 16 (Epilogue)

Merlin suppressed a groan when another stab of pain pulsated around his head. Another headache this week. They were going to kill him one of these days.

"Ugh."

A loud 'cling' could be head and Merlin lifted his head to gather his barring's. Soon he was greeted by the odor of alcohol, cheap perfume and sweat. God, he hated Sundays.

"I see you have already managed to drink your fair share of alcohol. Not a bad start my friend."

He peaked at the man next to him, still wearing a suit and drinking his beverage at a slow and steady pace. He hated the posh bastard.

"I hate you Lancelot."

The said man laughed and tipped his glass in his direction.

"Come now Merlin, we've had laughs and shared a drink. Your less than savory intoxication is not my burden to bear."

Really, he should find better friends. Yes, tomorrow he is starting on a friend hunt.

"Tell me again how do you manage to look as fresh as a daisy when I can barely keep my eyes open?"

Lancelot only looked at him, amusement dancing in his eyes.

"Practice."

Sure, he felt that even if he practiced for the next thousand years the moment he drinks his second bottle he would be a goner. There's no amount of experience that can change that.

"Something wrong Merlin?"

He placed his fingertips to his forehead trying to numb the pain.

"It's these headaches. I feel like they've been getting more constant. It feels like my entire head will just split apart."

His friend watched him with concern.

"If they are getting so bad, maybe you should see a doctor."

"Now pray tell me where I will find time to do that? Being a professor isn't easy Lancelot. You got to be on time, ready and everything."

Lancelot took a sip of his drink before replaying.

"Didn't you say all we lawyers do is sleep in the office, bang the secretaries and yell into our phones?"

Merlin only shrugged in return.

"I'm just saying maybe you should take it easy."

Sure, easier said than done. Merlin has figure at the very early age that if you don't work hard, don't be surprised if you end up shooting up in an alley. Next day you will be in the paper. The obituary section.

"I am taking it easy."

These headaches were not the latest of disturbances in his life. No, for a long time now he has felt like a large chunk of his life was missing and that he would always be like this. An almost human that is just never where he was supposed to be.

"Sure you are. Looking like you are about three steps from the emergency room is just the fashion style you are aiming for."

Merlin glared at him and started to get up from his seat, pulling the messenger bag over his shoulder and tossing the money on the table.

"Leaving already?"

He glanced at Lancelot, already picking apart his schedule for tomorrow.

"Yes. I have this royal exhibit of some sort. They are going to be showing the paintings of the royal ancestors. "

Lancelot regarded him carefully for a moment before saying, "You take care of yourself Merlin."

Merlin slapped his shoulder in return.

"You too."

He stepped out of the dingy place and out to a cool and fresh evening air. Taking a deep breath he let the familiar road take him back home. He was lost in thought when somebody bumped into him. He felt his shoulder burn in return and looked at the man next to him.

"Sorry."

The man seemed to be lost in thought for a moment before shaking himself out of it.

"No, it was my fault."

He looked somehow familiar but Merlin just couldn't place him and his headache was back full force so he waved the man off. It was time to go home. There was a prescription bottle with his name on it waiting.

-oo-

The art exhibit was a huge event. People from all society came to see these never before seen paintings. It was said they needed to be preserved and generally they were in bad condition so they spend many years in restoration. He sighed - didn't people have better things to do? He loosened the tie around his neck. It was as if this place was suffocating him, but he needed to be here so he will persevere.

Merlin pulled out his phone from his messenger bag before turning towards the entrance. He read a message, which was not surprisingly from Lancelot. He didn't have many friends.

'Just to let you know. I am calling a round tomorrow at the pub, just closed a case. So celebration is in order.'

He only typed the most simple of responds before finally moving inside, his attire a bit out of place and loosened his tie even more in his nervousness. These types of events were really not his thing. He avoided most of the crowd and ended up just generally looking at the artwork instead.

As he browsed the lavish history, one much smaller painting caught his eyes. He moved closer to get a better look at it. People could easily miss it because the other ones were almost floor length paintings or at least his size. This one was the size of a small window.

It caught his eyes because it was the portrait of the same man he bumped into on the sidewalk the day before. How was that possible?

Suddenly a man appeared next to him, nonchalant and drinking his bourbon, if he had to guess. He hated bourbon, probably won't like the man either.

"Surprised you didn't join the other flock to uh and ah at the landscape with a goat. Stunning stuff really."

The man had this devil may care attitude about him that Merlin found stood out in a place like this.

"Still from all the art in the room, you had to pick the one with Arthur. He was an annoying bastard I tell you."

A disbelieving snort escaped Merlin. Maybe he liked the guy after all.

"Sure, because I am sure you know it all firsthand because of all the times you went to battle with the man. You probably have plenty of war stories."

Every syllable dripped with sarcasm but Merlin just couldn't help at the incredibility of the man's statement. In return the man only laughed and pointed at picture.

"I have, but now that you are being so uptight about it I will never share." he stated in dramatic fashion. He and Lancelot would get along splendidly.

"At least this party isn't a bust. I see a lot a beauty in this place and I don't mean the paintings."

Before he knew what he was doing, he had extended the hand towards the man and said, "I'm Merlin."

The man only raised an eyebrow, before laughing out loud. A couple of guests looked their way before going about their business.

"You gave me crap about knowing Arthur and you are named Merlin."

Merlin glared in return and dropped his hand, balling it into a fist. He could get on your nerves very easily he found out.

"I'm Gwaine by the way."

The disbelief was clearly evident on Merlin's face because he added quickly, "You better believe it." before turning and walking away towards the couple of girls that seemed to be glancing their way every few seconds.

What an odd lad Gwaine turned out to be. He shook his head and turned around to look at more paintings. Maybe even that landscape Gwaine mentioned earlier.

As he turned he saw a painting on the opposite side. It was as big as him and on it a single person in an elegant pose. She was sitting on a bench staring through the window in her chamber, her red gown flowing around her making her look otherworldly, but the thing that caught his attention was a gold sheath with the knife on her belt. An unusual thing if he may say so.

"Morgana..."

The name fell from his lips before he was even aware of what he was saying. His confusion grew but as he looked at the bottom for the description he saw it on the gold plate.

Lady Morgana Pendragon.

He could feel the shudder that coursed through him and he had to take a step back, his breathing shallow and before he knew it a hand was clapped over his shoulder.

"Ah the lady Morgana. She was a beauty."

He glanced at Gwaine who was talking to him like he was an old friend and he never actually left their earlier conversation.

"What happened to the 'ladies' that you went to?"

He just pointed on one side of his face where his cheek seemed to be in deep color of red and a fingerprint or two could be seen.

"Yes well, no harm done. Anyways, the lady Morgana, if I recall, was sister of King Arthur. She was his most trusted confidant. Together they brought peace and prosperity to the land. It is known as the golden age of Albion."

Merlin still couldn't recover because the more he looked at her, the more his heart began to pound until all he heard was ringing in his ears.

"She looks lovely."

Gwaine only looked at him as if he had grown a second head.

"Lovely? Really? What are you, twelve? She is hot."

Merlin couldn't find it in himself to deny that.

"But don't let her fool you. She has a mean punch also in all account just stay away from her."

Merlin still found it strange that he was talking about these people like they were here and not thousand years in history.

"If you are wondering, she never married, which was odd for that time. I believe she said, and I am paraphrasing here, 'without him there is no one else'. To put things in perspective she loved someone so much that if she was Rose in Titanic she would've moved her ass for Jack so he can also get out of the water and not freeze to death."

Merlin thought the man was kidding but he was as serious as he had seen him be in a minute that he knew him.

"You are a strange fellow Gwaine."

"Yes but that is why we will be great friends."

He once more turned to leave, but not before Gwaine said, "I advise you to go to the next room and admire the beauty."

"What?"

He only pointed at the door not far from him that said 'no entrance allowed'. As he turned to ask Gwaine was he out of his bloody mind the man already left. He rubbed his temples as the headache came back full force but his curiosity lead him inside the said room.

As he stepped in he saw two giant pictures. They spanned from the ground to the ceiling and there he finally saw.

King Arthur Pendragon.

There was no doubt about it. It was the man from yesterday. They looked the same.

"How is that possible?"

"It would be, my dear friend that you do not believe in fate."

He snapped his gaze to the man that came towards him. The man from yesterday. It all seemed surreal.

"Which is justified if we know what fate brought to you."

Merlin only said his name.

"Arthur?"

He spread his hands wide, a serene smile on his face.

"In the flesh."

"I don't understand..."

He came to stand before him.

"Those headaches growing worse? It is why she said that we should introduce ourselves before the floodgates are opened. For you to have something to tether you."

He looked at him in confusion. Okay Arthur Pendragon standing before him is just stuff of fiction, but his eyes didn't snap him from existence nor did he wake up from a very lucid dream. This was happening.

More than that, he wanted to believe because that sense of not belonging and complete void was starting to suffocate him and he could feel his heart sore in response.

"How do I open the floodgates then?"

Arthur shook his head, the demeanor of a leader and a king in his stature, so different from the man he knew. Wait, what?

"No, not what Merlin. Who."

He glanced over his shoulder and he turned towards the portrait Arthur was looking at. He was looking at the portrait of Morgana. He would remember those eyes anywhere, but he felt like he needed that little something to cross over the threshold.

"I need her."

He muttered slowly.

"It is nice to hear that after all this time."

With that it was like he was hit with a bat on his face for he was frozen and his emotions just couldn't handle all of it. This was beyond his wildest dreams.

He turned around and there she was.

"Morgana."

Standing with the hands clasped in front of her, a timid look of expectation on her face and a simple green dress that made her look more beautiful than he ever remembered her to be.

"It is me Merlin."

With those simple words it all came rushing back…

Must you always be a prat?

I know where Morgana is.

I see you are traveling in company Arthur. How about I join you? This could be our new adventure.

You got yourself a sorcerer eh Arthur, planning to bring back the old crew back. The knights of the old table was it and Morgana?

Always have to be the drama queen, eh Merlin.

I'm here Merlin.

I don't know what to say to make it right Merlin?

Nothing's changed Morgana.

We really didn't pick the right time for our reunion.

Emrys.

By the time his life finished flashing before his eyes he was already wrapped up in Morgana, kissing her like he hadn't done in a lifetime, shocked and relieved that all of this was finally happening and that the hole in his chest was finally closed. As the kisses grew more desperate and demanding they heard an awkward cough not far from them.

Morgana didn't have any problem with continuing their little display but Merlin reluctantly let go. But only her lips, being away from her now was just too hard to bear.

"Yes right, we should, uh, stop?"

Merlin said it almost like a question and Arthur just rolled his eyes at them. Morgana only raised a suggestive eyebrow.

"Not in my part."

Arthur stomped his foot in annoyance.

"I will not have you pawning at my sister, back off Merlin. I will not have it. Not in my presence."

Morgana only stuck her tongue out at Arthur while this one fumed at them, before turning towards Merlin and kissing him soundly once more.

"I wanted you to have this."

With that she presented his mother's blade and as he lovingly stroked it, the familiar shape giving him comfort, he shook his head at Morgana.

"No, it was always meant to be yours. Just never had a proper chance to give it to you."

The love in her eyes brought warmth to him and he just couldn't help but get addicted to the feeling.

"How is this possible?" he asked again and Morgana took the cue.

"Well I have regained my memory about a year ago, at about the same time that I have managed to track Arthur who was coincidently searching for me."

He nodded before asking, "What about Gwaine?"

Arthur answered that one, displeased in every way possible.

"We found him in a bar."

Figures. Good old Gwaine.

"Does Lancelot remember then?"

Arthur gave him a questioning look before frowning.

"Gwaine is working on it."

He really didn't even want to know. He had his family back, his love and really what else is there to want? Fate seemed to finally come around and give him the chance he knew they all deserved. A chance at peace and happiness. Even if it was a thousand years later.

He placed an affectionate kiss on Morgana's forehead before placing a hand over her shoulder and guiding her out of the room, with Arthur in tow.

"A few kinks need to be ironed still but I have gotten you all back so now there is one thing to do. Celebrate."

Morgana nodded as she wrapped her hands around the lower part of his back and whispered, "I like this academic look you are going for."

He chuckled and squeezed her shoulders before looking down at her.

"You are nothing if not absolutely breathtaking Morgana. No matter what time we are in." he said enjoying a content smile that appeared on her face before he looked over the gathered guests to see if he could spot Gwaine.

As wrapped in the moment as they were standing here where they literally had the portraits of them didn't seem like a good idea.

Soon he saw Gwaine walking around with his hand clasped around someone's shoulder. When he got the better look he was surprised to see that it was none other than Lancelot.

"You two know each other?"

"Yeah Lance is my mate. We go way back." Gwaine said like it was a common thing.

Lancelot only gave Merlin a disbelieving smile.

"I can't believe we are back together, to finally remember you all."

Merlin nodded at his friend and turned towards Arthur as he led Morgana towards the exit and said, "Let's get out of here."

Arthur was one step ahead already pulling out his phone, which was a rather odd picture, because now he mostly remembered him with a sword and a horse.

"I need to tell Gwen to come meet us. She is excited to meet you."

"Who?"

Morgana placed a hand on his chest and he looked down towards her.

"His queen."

Well he was happy his friend managed to make it work. As they walked to the nearby pub he couldn't help but say to Arthur, "I am proud of you Arthur, of the kingdom you build and piece you brought to Albion."

His friend clasped his shoulder in gratitude before saying, "Couldn't have done it without you Merlin. None of it."

He could feel Morgana nod at his side and just felt this overwhelming sense of joy and piece wash over him.

"Well I got my dream come true." Gwaine said and all of them almost groaned. He stopped in front of suspicious looking place before adding, "Welcome to my pub ladies and gents."

They all looked up in surprise to see that they were at the entrance of a pub.

"This looks like a dump." Arthur said, looking not at all impressed.

"I second that." Lancelot said from the other side while Gwaine looked at them like they all lost their minds.

"Again with no faith people. Prepare to be impressed."

He opened the door and on the inside it still looked like a dump, with only a couple chairs occupied. The place looked almost empty. A grumpy man at the bar didn't bat an eye at them entering. Arthur stopped for a second outside.

"I'll wait for Gwen here, then I'll come meat you."

Merlin nodded and moved inside.

"Gwaine, it's still a dump."

Gwaine scratched the back of his head.

"Well I admit it needs some work."

Merlin looked down to share a kiss with Morgana.

"Don't worry Gwaine, we got all the time in the world." Merlin said, all the while looking lovingly at Morgana, while she mirrored his smile.

"Ah you two are nauseating. I am getting the beers." Gwaine said moving towards the bar.

"I'm coming with you."

Lancelot went to help him out.

"We're not that bad." he said while brushing his noise with hers.

"Yes but we will be. Also one more thing Merlin."

He looked at her.

"What?"

She smiled almost devilishly at him.

"Magic isn't gone."

With that her eyes flashed with gold. Merlin only chuckled at her antics.

"I know. It never left."

His own eyes blazed in return as his fingertips cracked with energy and she only intertwined them with hers.

Things are definitely going to be interesting and after everything he just could help but just be. It seems that if you stand for what you believe, even destiny can be more lenient and grant you reprieve.

Arthur came in with a stunning brunette but before introductions could be made Lancelot and Gwaine shoved beers in their hands.

"Come on guys. A toast."

They all looked at Merlin as he gazed at them, a look of complete content on his face.

"To family and new beginnings."

They all clashed their glasses and said, "To family!"

Before Gwaine added, "And restoring my pub into something grand."

With that he earned a slap on the back of his head from Lancelot.

"So not the time for that mate."

As laughter erupted from the pub with one journey ending, another one was about to start. With magic around you never know - anything was possible.

"Long live the king!"

"Come on guys, stop that."

"Yeah have an unnaturally long freakish life, filled with unnatural things you big oak."

"What did you say Gwaine?"

"Ah nothing. You look exceptionally stunning today Gwen."

"I'm going to kill you Gwaine."

"Merlin, no better yet protect me Morgana..."

"You've done it now."

"Oh shot your pipe hole Lancelot."

"Boys stop acting like five year olds. I mean really."

"We're sorry Morgana."

"That's more like it. Now clean the table from all the mess you left and bring us another round."

"You're very good at bossing men around Morgana."

"Really Gwen, you too."

"Oh I've noticed it too."

"Shut it Merlin."

"Yes madam."

- The end-