Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin or King Arthur, I wish.
I hope you all like the ending.
Everyone in the courtyard shielded their eyes and ears as a loud crack of thunder sounded. As the dust and magic settled, the people of Camelot opened their eyes to see the storm dissipating and only scorch marks on the ground where Morgana had stood. Merlin walked over and knelt, touching the burn marks, a tear running down his cheek, "I am so sorry Morgana."
Standing again, he turned to where Arthur and the knights were watching him in shook. He approached them sorry, transforming before their eyes from the powerful sorcerer to the bumbling idiot they thought he was. Merlin looked at the sheepishly at them, as Lancelot was the first one to come forward.
"Well done Merlin," Lancelot exclaimed, pulling him into a hug. "I always knew you could do it."
"Thanks Lancelot," Merlin said quietly, still keeping his eyes on Arthur. Lancelot could sense his nerves and fear over the others response and took a place behind him, clearly showing his support.
The next to respond was Gwaine who burst out laughing, causing the others to all look at him in confusion. "Well that explains how you survived." Merlin looked at him bewildered. "Come on Merlin…you are not very good with a sword or bow or axe, really any weapons, and yet you never seem to get injured. It just makes sense now that you have magic." Slapping him on the back, Gwaine joined Lancelot behind Merlin saying, "glad you're on our side mate."
Gwen was the next to step forward, shocking both Merlin and Arthur. Pulling Merlin into a hug, she whispered in his ear, "thank you for everything." As soon as she had seen his eyes turn to gold, Gwen knew that it was Merlin who had healed her father, who had confessed to bewitching her and Arthur, who had defeated every magical threat that had come to Camelot over the past four years. Kissing him on the cheek, she took her place with Gwaine and Lancelot.
With his sister's acceptance, Elyan merely shook Merlin's hand and joined his fellow knights. Leon, on the other hand, looked torn. He had been a knight far longer than the others, he had experienced numerous magical attacks and his loyalty to Arthur and the King were fighting against the fact that he knew Merlin would never harm Arthur or Camelot, at least on purpose. He looked to Arthur, who was still staring at Merlin with an indescribable look on his face.
Merlin took a step towards him, speaking quietly, "I swear to you Arthur, I only ever used my magic to protect you. I am sorry I never told you. I never wanted to put you in the position of having to keep my secret as well."
"Are you sure you didn't just fear me turning you into my father?" Arthur asked in a low voice. The knights behind Merlin made a sound of protest, but Arthur put up his hand to silence them.
"No Arthur, I didn't think you would turn me in. Perhaps at the beginning, but not for awhile now. I just didn't want to come between you and your father."
Arthur was shocked at the blind faith Merlin seemed to have in him. He was raised to hate magic and had believed for his entire life that all sorcerers were evil. Little had happened to dissuade that idea; Camelot, and his especially, seemed to be a magnet for magical attacks. And yet Merlin…Arthur mused…Merlin was not evil. A bumbling idiot and a rubbish servant, but he was definitely not evil. Even in killing Morgana, Merlin had offered her countless times to surrender or escape and her death seemed to play heave on his heart and mind. Evil would not respond as Merlin did. Arthur knew what he had to do.
As Arthur continued staring at him, Merlin became more and more nervous. Despite what he had said, he feared Arthur's reaction. This was never how he wanted his secret to be told. He had always thought it would come up in conversation one day; he would just confess to Arthur in private and Arthur would give him a hard time, but things would stay the same. Now that he had been forced to show his powers to basically all of Camelot, he had put Arthur in a difficult spot, forcing him to choose between his father's laws and teachings or believing in Merlin, without the opportunity to tell him the whole story.
Abruptly, Arthur turned from the group and walked over to the courtyard steps. Merlin bowed his head, certain that Arthur had decided against him. As Arthur began to speak, Merlin raised his head to watch what he believed would be the last few moments of his life. At least Morgana is dead, he thought, they will just need to find a way to defeat Mordred.
"People of Camelot," Arthur's voice rose above the whispering and confusion in the crowd. "Today, and the past few weeks, the very foundations of Camelot have been shaken. We have seen magic corrupt and destroy someone that we loved and our kingdom." Merlin flinched at Arthur's harsh words, but continued to listen. "However, we have also seen magic protect us. Merlin risked his life time and again to protect our kingdom." Arthur looked over at Merlin at this point who was staring at him in shock. "As Prince and Regent in my father's illness, I hereby declare that magic is no longer outlawed in Camelot. All citizens of our kingdom shall forever be treated the same, whether you possess magic or no." The crowd was dead silent for a few moments and then a whooping cheer was heard, from Gwaine of course, Arthur smiled, that caused everyone to begin to clap and yell. Most of the citizens of Camelot knew Merlin, knew his foolishness and his kindness, in addition of course to his odd relationship with Arthur, and they trusted him.
Arthur walked back over to the knights and Gwen, who surrounded him, slapping him on the back and shaking his hand. Gwen give him a quick kiss and whispered, "I am so proud of you Arthur."
Gwaine began to laugh, drawing all their attention. "I think you broke Merlin, Arthur," he said, gesturing towards Merlin, who was staring at Arthur shell shocked.
"Wha…ka…I don't understand," Merlin stuttered.
Arthur laughed at his expression, "you are not evil Merlin, therefore magic cannot be all evil either. Simple as that." Merlin smiled a bit at his logic, losing some of his stiffness. "Although now that I know you have magic, I expect that your chores will be getting done a lot faster and I will be sure to take that into consideration. Unless of course as court sorcerer, you will be too busy to continue as my manservant."
Merlin stared at him again. "Court sorcerer…wha…wha?" The others all laughed at Merlin's response.
"I may have to surprise you more often," Arthur joked, "it seems like a good way to shut you up. Merlin gave him a dirty look and Arthur lost his cockiness and looked at him earnestly. "Truthfully Merlin, I would be honoured if you would accept. You are the only person whom I could even imagine taking on Camelot. I trust you."
Merlin looked ready to cry at Arthur's words, but restrained himself, taking a deep breath. "I accept the position and will remain your manservant. You wouldn't be able to survive if I quit anyways."
"Hey," Arthur grabbed him in a headlock, "take it back."
"Never." Merlin struggled to escape and eventually Arthur just let him go.
"Why didn't you just use magic to get out?" Leon asked.
Merlin looked stunned for a second. "I didn't even think of using magic. I guess I can now."
"Yes, but what is the fun in that," Arthur said.
"For you," Merlin huffed.
"Exactly." Arthur looked around, as the majority of the crowd had remained to watch the outcome of his announcement. "Alright, everyone back to work. We have a kingdom to rebuild." Everyone headed off to their own tasks with the knights joining the villagers and Gwen and Gaius heading to restock the healing supplies. Soon it was just Arthur and Merlin left.
"Thank you Arthur," he heard Merlin whisper, looking towards him, he saw tears in Merlin's eyes. In that moment, Arthur knew he had made the right choice. Magic may destroy and kill, but it can also create and heal, and if there is anyone in the world, it is Merlin who can heal the wounds of magic, on both sides, in Camelot.
"No Merlin, thank you." As they walked back towards the castle, Arthur remembered something that Merlin had said. "Merlin, what did you mean that I am the Once and Future King?"
"Uhhh, it is prophesied that you will unite the lands of Albion and bring into the kingdom a time of great peace and prosperity. And return magic to the land, which you already did." Merlin looked at Arthur nervously, awaiting his reaction.
"Sooo," Arthur said, drawing out the word, "no pressure then."