AN: Hello, thank you for the many reviews I got, it was like a flood, Ground, thanks again, you always see what I overlook so I can improve.

BTW the last chapter 'Brothers' has been made better so if you didn't know this can you go read it then this chapter, thanks :)

Okay, so 'Sins of the father,' I realised there's a plot hole here (thanks to Ground again :)) What happened was Ygraine spoke to Arthur as she did in the episode, but she looked at Merlin as she faded and he heard a voice in his head saying "later we shall speak," then on the way back to Camelot, Merlin wakes up in the night and walks a little way away from the camp, where his mother is waiting, and there she speaks to him. He is angry that his father "killed" his mother, though he has met Nimueh, and knows how she can be so he places blame on her after thinking it through

Does that clear it up?

I was reading my first chapters and I realised how terribly written they are so when this story is officially "complete" I'm going to go back and sort them out, while doing that, I'm going to finish the series' so even though it'll be "complete" do check it every now and then to see what's changed

Sorry about such a long AN, chapter now

Oh, before I forget, Merlin is not mine.

I think Merlin is of age by now, so the two series' took a couple of years, although there's been time in between them and stuff, so the main four (A, M, G, Mor.) Are all at least 21 now though Arthur (being older than M) is probably closer to 22.

^ just helps with something in this chapter, 'kay?

BTW it continues from last chapter, thanks :)

Chapter 15

Merlin and Arthur pulled away and just contemplated each other. Uther spoke and they looked at him.

"Tonight there shall be a ceremony, and a celebration, and Merlin, you will officially become, a prince of Camelot."

Merlin smiled, "I'm not really prince material though..."

"Nonsense,"

Merlin turned to Arthur, who had spoken "What?"

"You'll be a great prince, you're an adept knight and you care about your people, if that's not prince material, then I don't know what is,"

Merlin gaped "What happened to 'idiot'?"

The blonde grinned "You're not so much an idiot anymore,"

Merlin smiled "And you're not the prat I thought you were,"

Uther shook his head at the pair "You know, you do have to change for the ceremony, your knight things will do and Arthur, don't forget your crown,"

"Very well father, but won't Merlin need one?"

"I've had one made, off you go,"

"Sire," said Merlin, a thought coming to him as he turned to leave

"Merlin you are my son," said the king "you may address me as 'father'."

"Okay... father, well I was thinking, should you not inform the Lady Morgana?"

"I'll get a message to her unless you want to take it...?"

"I'll do that," Merlin smiled and walked out of the door with his brother

He thought it was better he tell Morgana, she might take offence if she didn't hear it from him as they had grown quite close and it was the only thing she didn't actually know about him.

0o0

He knocked softly on Morgana's door and waited to hear an 'enter' before walking into her chambers. Guinevere was in there, sorting dresses and Morgana was at her dressing table. She saw his reflection in the mirror and stood up to embrace him, a smile on her lips "Merlin," she said warmly as they moved apart

"Morgana, Guinevere," Merlin nodded to Gwen, who smiled and continued working

"I, I came to tell you something, Morgana," Said Merlin quietly

Morgana frowned, "Is it bad news, are you leaving?"

"No, nothing like that,"

Gwen made to leave the room but Merlin spoke again

"You don't have to leave Gwen, you can hear this too, you'd find out soon enough anyway,"

"Well Merlin, don't leave us in suspense," said Morgana "what is it?"

"I'm – Uther is," Merlin sighed and tried again "I was summoned to Camelot by Uther, when I got here; he told me that I'm..." He looked at the floor "his son," he near whispered the words.

Morgana said nothing and gathering his courage the brunette boy looked up.

Morgana looked thoughtful "So you're a prince?"

Merlin nodded and surprise flickered across his face as Morgana began laughing

"What's so funny?"

"Oh – I'm sorry Merlin, but that means Arthur is your brother!"

"Ye-es,"

When Morgana stopped laughing at his expense Merlin explained everything and told her about the celebrations that evening.

After that Merlin returned to his chambers, where Vyorn had set him out his clothes on the bed. The boy stood beside it, waiting for him.

"Will you wanting any assistance with dressing My Lord?"

"No thank you Vyorn, I think I can manage,"

0o0

The entire court was silent as they waited for Uther to arrive; Merlin stood with the other knights, next to Sir Leon, who could walk, but not serve and was only there for show purposes.

The King was announced and Arthur and Morgana – who were seated either side of Uther's throne – stood up.

Uther stood facing the crowd and spoke

"I suppose nearly everyone here is curious as to why I have called this ceremony."

A few courtiers nodded though no one spoke. Merlin felt physically ill.

"Well, those who were there cast your minds back to roughly twenty years ago when Queen Ygraine was taken from us," sadness flickered across the lined face "You were all told that she had been ill after the birth of Prince Arthur, yet few knew the truth, many others guessed, she was with child again somehow. When she died you were told that her child had passed with her, this was a lie."

Gasps and whispering ran through the court but Uther held up a hand and they were silenced.

"I sent the child away, so that it could not remind me of the wife I had lost, but now they baby I sent away has returned as a man," Uther looked at Merlin "ready to claim his birthright, step forward Merlin," he lowered his voice at the last words.

Merlin felt all eyes upon him as he knelt before the king; he was reminded of Arthur's crown prince ceremony all that time ago, the black night had interrupted, Merlin hoped nothing would do so now.

Uther held out a sword and proclaimed everything that Merlin, as a prince, must be.

Merlin swore to do those things and Uther placed upon his head a circlet of gold.

"I now proclaim you, Merlin Pendragon, second son of Uther Pendragon and the second prince of Camelot."

Merlin stood, feeling the unfamiliar weight on his head, as the crown applauded, he turned to face them. He smiled nervously, wishing they would stop staring at him, it was rather unnerving.

The celebrations were long and after many hours of being toasted and having to dance with many women, Merlin wasn't a great dancer as it was and he was expected to dance with just about everyone, Merlin escaped.

He wandered aimlessly and found himself at the base of a staircase. He shrugged, but was about to walk past them when he heard a voice.

"Prince Merlin? Where'd he go?"

"I'm not sure, this way?"

Oh god. It was a pair of brunette twins who were seemingly infatuated with Merlin, one called Dindrane and the other Dechtere; they were the daughters of some lord whose name escaped Merlin. He ran up the stairs two at a time hearing them approaching.

He reached the top of a tower a few minutes later, out of breath, but away from those two. He bent over and then heard a noise, footsteps on the stairs!

He ran, looking for a place to hide, he found a door and walked through it, closing and locking it behind him.

Merlin put his ear to the door and heard

"I don't think he came this way Dech,"

"No me either, darn, well perhaps he went along that corridor,"

Hearing their footsteps receding Merlin leant against the side of the door with a sigh of relief.

"Hiding from the twins,"

Merlin whirled around to see who had spoken

"Morgana," he whispered

The raven haired woman was sat on the stone floor in the empty room in the dress she had worn to the celebrations, green like her eyes; her knees were drawn up, her arms around them.

She stood up and smiled, though it lacked happiness.

"Yeah, I am, they've been bugging me all night, I had to get away, plus I have no clue which is which!"

Morgana laughed

"So, what are you hiding from?" Merlin asked

Morgana looked troubled "Uther,"

Merlin was confused "Uther, why?"

Morgana glanced away "Because I'm of age now and he wants me to pick a husband,"

Merlin felt his heart shatter and suddenly he knew, he had been like this around Morgana because he had been falling steadily in love with her. The thought of her with another man made his stomach twist painfully.

"Don't you have one in mind?" He tried to make light of it

Morgana sighed and looked sorrowful, like a five year old when their rabbit's died "Yes, but he wouldn't see me like that,"

Merlin had to ask, "It's not Arthur is it?"

Morgana looked at him in surprise "God no, he's the complete opposite! I – o—"

She looked horrified about what she had said.

"I should –"

She tried to walk away but Merlin turned and caught her wrist, she looked at his hand and then into his eyes, hers held the look of a cornered doe.

"Morgana," Merlin spoke softly "You can tell me anything, who is it?"

He released her and she stepped back.

"I can't tell you," she whispered, lowering her face

Merlin took a chance, his heart thudding in his chest

He raised his right hand and used his index finger to gently lift her chin so that she was facing him, they were inches apart and Merlin shifted his hand to the side of her face and closed the gap between them. Their lips brushed.

Electricity surged through them both and they gasped their eyes flashing gold as their magic recognised an equal and surged through them.

Merlin went to pull away but Morgana's arms wound around his neck to prevent him going anywhere. Their mouths met again, firmer, yet soft, Merlin slid his arms down to her waist to pull her closer.

Their lungs forced them to part, leaving them gasping, Morgana still in Merlin's arms.

"Merlin," she murmured

He smiled, feeling a happiness he'd never felt before "I love you Morgana," he said softly

A smile flickered across her mouth "I think I loved you from the moment I met you,"

Merlin raised an eyebrow "Really? Why? I mean, you're the most beautiful woman of the court, and I'm, well."

Morgana frowned "Don't you ever put yourself down Merlin, you're the most wonderful man I've ever met, you're kind, compassionate, you'd do anything for anyone, and I love you for it. And you're beautiful."

Merlin frowned "Beautiful?"

"Not in a feminine way, you've a male beauty that many men don't,"

Merlin smiled and hugged her close.

0o0

"So Morgana," said Uther the next day, as he, Arthur, Morgana and Merlin were dining together for the first time. "Have you made your choice on a husband?"

Morgana glanced at Merlin, who was sitting opposite her, looking back at Uther she spoke "I have My Lord,"

Uther looked surprised "You have?"

"Yes My Lord,"

"Well, who is it?"

"It is your son My Lord, Prince Merlin," she smiled across the table at him and he grinned back, Arthur looked sort of nauseated.

Uther looked at Merlin "And you are willing Merlin,"

"Yes, father, I am,"

Uther smiled, a rarity for him "Well that is certainly good news, I wish you happiness,"

"You do not oppose this My Lord?"

"Oh of course not, I was young once, I know what it is to be in love..."

"You were young once?" Merlin blurted the words before he could stop himself

The whole table erupted with laughter, even Merlin after getting over his mortification.

Wow that had to be the longest chapter of this whole fiction. Sorry about the romance, sadly it's not my strong point as I've never experienced it myself, which is really sad...

Anyway, the chapter how was it?

I'm really upset to say that there is only one chapter left, set years into the future...

Does the longest chapter get a review?

Thanks for reading this far

S