I want to thank everyone who has: read, reviewed, favorited, or followed (or all four) this story. You don't know how much your support has encouraged me to keep writing. So a final thanks to: Tolleren, brynerose, IndiaMoore, Starkid191, TeganL74, ric-oola-127, chocolatecake1, Boxerbee, TheReinbachDragonlord, and the Guest. You. Guys. Are. AWESOME!

Merlin Season 5 this Saturday (wait that's tomorrow)!

Disclaimer: For the last time for this story, I do not own Merlin.

Epilogue - True Love's Kiss

"Eww" Aaron exclaimed in disgust, dragging out the last syllable and sticking out his tongue as if trying to get the nasty taste of Sir Gwaine's horrendous cooking out of his mouth.

"Aaron!"

"But Mother, Uncle Merlin kissed...a girl!" the young prince verbally defended himself.

Everyone except for Gwen (who still smiled to herself) laughed riotously at Aaron's obvious ignorance of the affairs of the heart.

"Father, will I be forced to kiss a girl? I don't want to"

The king let out a hearty laugh. "Only if you love her"

"Then I'm never kissing a girl" he proclaimed causing everybody, including the queen, to fill the room with laughter once again. "Ever"

"You know Aaron" Merlin started, a mischievous glint in his eyes, "your father had kissed a girl when he was around your age". At this, the young prince stared in horror at his father, as if this past action alone was the worst form of betrayal. "In fact, both your mother and father do it all the time". At this, the young prince made another gagging sound. Bending down and ignoring the glare from Gwen and the laughter from the others, the great Court Sorcerer leaned over and whispered, "And you know what - they enjoy it every single time"

Aaron's mouth was left hanging, the vile information proving too much for him to comprehend. The knights struggled to keep any form of encouragement for the warlock to continue with great effort. The Queen, in all her wisdom and grace, looked like she was going to throttle her best friend and any who would join him.

"You know Aaron" Gwaine started, "I've had my fair share of..."

"I think" Gwen interrupted, knowing Gwaine's rendition of kissing girls was not going to be appropriate for the seven year-olds innocent mind, "it's time for bed Aaron"

"But I'm not tired" the prince managed to say through a yawn, instantly forgetting the horrendous news about the vile practice his parents had taken up. What was Uncle Gwaine going to say anyway?...he thought to himself. Aaron was about to voice his question out loud, but his mother didn't let him.

"You cannot fool me young man. Thanks to Uncle Merlin, you've gone way past your bed time" the Queen admonished her son gently.

The prince looked with pleading eyes to the Court Sorcerer. "Uncle?..."

"Oh no. I'm not getting into this. Talk to your father"

Aaron sighed before looking to his father with the same pitiful eyes. "Father?..."

The king was about to answer (probably a 'yes, I see no reason why you can't stay up a bit more') when Gwen, standing behind her son, gave her husband the 'Eyes of Justice' (yes, Gwaine finally decided upon the name), causing a shiver to run down Arthur's spine. The others, noticing Gwen's famous stare down (and knowing they too would soon be the recipients of that same glare), quickly departed from the room with a 'good night' said in unison (Gwaine was already pushing his luck and he didn't fancy another lump on his already sore head). Merlin was the only one who stayed behind, really wanting to see what his best friend would do.

"Listen to your mother Aaron. It's off to bed with you" King Arthur recited.

With a dramatic sigh, Prince Aaron of Camelot, complaining childishly about being old enough to stay up and not being sleepy, sluggishly walked to his bed.

He was out cold before his head hit the pillow.

Merlin and Arthur quickly moved to the door to allow the prince to sleep, his mother quickly pecking a kiss on his forehead before she left to join them. Once they were out of ear shot, Merlin burst into laughter while Arthur looked indignantly at his friend.

"He is so your son Arthur. Stubborn just like his father"

"I am not"

"Come now Arthur. Lightning will strike you if you keep lying like that"

The King snorted. "Yes, like that actually happens"

"I could always strike you with lightning to make it a true statement"

"Like you would"

"Don't tempt me Arthur"

"The day you do, I will...", zap, "...Merlin!"

"What, it was just a little jolt"

"I'll have your head for that"

"No you won't"

"Yes I would"

"Would not"

"Would too"

"Boys!" Gwen interrupted. "I think we should all get some rest. And Merlin, I would appreciate it if you don't fry my husband...tonight"

Merlin flashed his signature grin while the King, shaking his head in agreement at first, stopped with a "Hang on!" when he realized what she had said.

"I wouldn't dream of it 'Your Majesty'"

"Merlin..." Gwen said warningly. She hated when Merlin called her that.

"Okay okay" he said, hands raised in surrender, "I know when I'm not wanted"

"I doubt it" Arthur teased as Merlin turned around to head to his chambers.

"Fine. I'll go and leave you two love birds to your...personal business" he said while wagging his eyebrows suggestively.

"...Merlin!" Arthur, finally catching the inappropriate connotation, blushed furiously before looking at Gwen. To his horror, he found that she was laughing...at him. The King went to pick up the small inanimate object that always seemed to be conveniently set aside for him to throw at Merlin until he realized that they weren't in his chambers. The Court Sorcerer must of realized this, for he was laughing at Arthur, one hand holding his stomach while the other was pointing at him. Before Arthur could protest, a slipper hit Emrys square in the side of his head, immediately silencing both men.

"Merlin, don't think I've forgotten the things you told Aaron" she said warningly. "You know, I think I should..."

The Court Sorcerer panicked.

"Sorry Gwen, but it's...um...way past my curfew" Merlin rushed to say, trying to pull a convincing yawn. "Good night" and he left, leaving the Queen and King of the most powerful kingdom to journey to their chambers in peace and quiet.

"Why is it that he fears you more than me?" Arthur asked his wife.

"It's a secret my dear" she answered teasingly, leaning her head against his shoulder.

"Then I guess I'll have to find out, my Lady"

"I will never tell, my Lord"

By now, they had reached their chambers. It took only a few moments for them to get changed into their nightclothes, but once they had, both Arthur and Gwen had snuggled into bed. Arthur was just about to fall asleep when...

"Merlin's a good story teller" Gwen said suddenly.

"Yeah. I didn't know Gwaine could keep his mouth shut for so long"

A moment of silence.

"I wish things turned out differently"

"How so?"

"Well, don't you ever wonder how happy he would be if he was able to be with her?"

"Yeah"

The Queen yawned. "He needs someone in his life"

"You know as well as I do that his heart only belongs to her"

"I know. I just wish there was something we could do" she finally said before letting the bliss of sleep take hold.

Unfortunately now Arthur, who before was beginning to doze off, was left fully awake to contemplate his wife's comment. Merlin was the only one out of the Round Table Knights who wasn't either married or courting. Even Gaius found love again when the ban on magic was lifted and his fiancé Alice returned to Camelot.

The King sighed, remembering the first kiss he had witnessed from his best friend.

Just as Merlin and Freya kissed, the sun's light practically shot out from behind the trees, illuminating both of them with its glorious rays. All of a sudden, the water receded from the Lake of Avalon only to crash roughly against the shore. Like bees to honey, a stream of water detached itself and slithered its way to the lovers, latching onto the warlock's leg.

The two lovers, still blissfully ignorant of the world around them as they kissed, didn't seem to notice the water flowing up Merlin's leg nor did the warlock himself feel the healing effects of the blessed liquid as it healed all his wounds, from the gaping hole in his chest to the decayed bone of his right shoulder. Even the black veins that throbbed under his skin vanished as if they never existed. But none of them noticed, too absorbed in the love they had for one another, knowing full well that they wouldn't see each after this for some time.

Arthur just stayed and watched, witnessing one of the most extraordinary forms of true love he had ever seen, with tears in his eyes. Once the healing process was finished, it flowed back to the ground to rejoin the water that had formed underneath the couple. Merlin's eyes shot open to reveal gold irises as the liquid pushed both of them to a standing position. The water, tinged yellow by the sun, then rose to create a wall around the lovers, spiraling around them like a golden-liquid tornado. Too blurry to see and confused at what just happened, the prince was about to make his way to the couple.

"Do not fret Arthur"

Arthur jumped at the ancient voice of the Great Dragon who he had forgotten was still with them. Kilgharrah was looking down, pity in his golden eyes.

"What's happening?"

"Emrys and the Lady of the Lake's power are the most powerful magic ever to exist. When they come together like this, well...hereis the result"

"What do you mean 'like this'?"

The Great Dragon sighed. "The prophecies have always foretold of the love the Lady of the Lake would share with Emrys. They alone aren't just drawn to each other, but their magic is as well". Arthur gazed at the swirling waters in awe. "However, Destiny has cruelly seen it fit to keep them apart" Kilgharrah sighed heavily, knowing how much his kin had suffered and lost, "but when they do meet again, it is a sight to behold. To put it simply, their magic soars, unchained and free to be with that which makes it whole!"

Just as the prince's gaze returned to the awesome sight before him, a blinding light flashed and the water slowly descended and returned to the lake. Merlin, now fully clothed in a white shirt and new brown trousers (and looking more like a noble rather than a servant), and Freya (with now a rose in her hair) broke from their kiss, both of their eyes returning to their original color.

"I love you" they said in unison, causing Arthur to smile. The prince coughed obnoxiously so, causing the couple to finally take note of his presence.

"Kilgharrah, I didn't realize you were still here!" Merlin exclaimed joyfully. The prince gave an indignant glare to his friend, Kilgharrah roared in laughter (quite literally) while Freya giggled to herself before swatting Merlin's arm.

"That wasn't very nice Merlin" Freya reprimanded gently.

"The prat can take it"

"Um, I'm still here you know" Arthur complained.

"I know"

"Merlin...aren't you going to introduce me?"

The warlock smiled and beckoned the prince over. It wasn't until he saw her in the sunlight that Arthur remembered. This was the...

"It's a pleasure to meet you Arthur Pendragon" Freya greeted, holding out her hand.

"...But we already did...didn't we?" the prince said solemnly before suddenly kneeling down, surprising both Merlin and Freya. The Lady of the Lake smiled sadly at Arthur before beckoning him to rise.

"I'm so sorry. This is all my fault. I'm the one who..."

"I have never blamed you Arthur. In fact, we wouldn't be here if I hadn't become the Lady of the Lake"

Arthur gave a confused look which prompted Freya to explain how she and Merlin met and the events that followed after Morgana took over Camelot.

"You have nothing to feel sorry for Arthur. Without you, I would still be under the witch's curse. So thank you"

Arthur took her hand and kissed it as he would do for a princess.

"Hey, she's my girl!" Merlin said, trying to ease the tension the prince had created for himself. Sure enough, Arthur chuckled at his friend's 'over-protectiveness'.

"Hello my Lady" Kilgharrah said while bowing his head to the Lady of the Lake. Freya curtsied before returning the greeting.

Just then, the thunder of horse hooves sounded in the forest behind them. The knights came rushing in on their steeds only to find everyone perfectly fine. Tying their horses, they made their way to the group, all happy to see their best friend alive and well.

Of course, Gwaine was the first among them to notice Freya. Quickly making his way through the group, he stood in front of her and...

The King smiled, sleep threatening to take over.

He smiled at the memory of Gwaine flirting with Freya, obnoxiously so, in front of Merlin.

He smiled at the memory of said flirtatious knight being magically lifted in the air and thrust into the lake by an annoyed warlock when he didn't heed his first ten warnings.

He smiled at the memory of the others being introduced to Freya (except for Gwaine) and how happy they were to see her...and how happy they were to see Merlin safe.

He smiled sadly at the memory of Freya and Merlin leaving, how she told him they wouldn't see each other for a long time.

He smiled when he remembered the journey home. The knights were joking like the brothers they were, excited and relieved to have Merlin back. Once they had returned to Camelot and were safe in the physician's quarters, Gaius had hugged his foster son so fiercely, the warlock looked like he was going to pass out. Then Gwen came in...

Arthur smiled as he recalled the resounding smack that reverberated throughout the room as Gwen's swift hand came down upon Merlin's unsuspecting head before she pulled him back into an embrace, all the while scolding him about hiding secrets and not coming to them before.

Then of course, Merlin sat down with them and explained everything.

Yes, Arthur smiled at all of these things before turning on his side facing Guinevere, her beauty showing even while she slept.

The King of Albion closed his eyes, still smiling. He had learned many things on this little adventure of theirs. However, there was one lesson that he would cherish forever.

No matter how bad things could get, no matter how dark the road ahead seemed...

He could always count on Merlin.

After all, that's what friends were for.

Thanks again, all of you, for your wonderful support for this story. It's sad that this is over but I hope it was well worth the wait and read (despite how cheesy the ending may be). I know a lot of you were wondering if I'm going to write another story.

Although I'm flattered that y'all want me to write another story, I'm going to be taking a break from writing. I going to be transferring to another college come next year and I have a lot of work to do to make it happen. I do plan on writing another story (and possibly a short one-shot), but it probably won't be posted until 2013. Also, I want to see where the producers leave us in Merlin after the fifth season.

Speaking of which, I'm super excited for tomorrow! Merlin comes out and after seeing all the trailers and sneak peeks and previews (go to the Merlin Series 5 wiki page to see them), I think my mind just spontaneously exploded from the awesomeness! If any of you are in the UK, please (drops on knees to properly beg) post the episode on youtube for us US folks who would have to wait until January to see them.

So with that my fellow readers/writers, I thank you again for your wonderful support. It's been fun writing for you guys and I wouldn't have finished it without you.

Until much later,

-STL13