Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.
After the incident with John everything was over the hump and running smoothly once again. The people in response to seeing Gwen feeling so strongly about the whole situation finally realised the Druids meant no harm and became more welcoming to them, encouraging more Druids to arrive.
There were instances of non Druids using magic, or the Druids using it for a different purpose than healing and every time Arthur tried to be fair and not give too severe a punishment. He even learned to rely on Merlin in most cases, making the warlock a judge and king's proxy.
A few months after the change in the law an extraordinary hot summer came, making the harvest meagre at the best. In order to save his people from hunger, Arthur decided to allow magic to be used - under supervision of course - to enhance crops. At the same time he abolished order about Druids needing a knight to practise healing and allowing them to make and sell amulets of healing, poultices and the like.
The use of magic in harvest allowed Camelot to not only avoid starvation but also produce more grain than ever before and export it to neighbouring kingdoms, which were touched by the drought too.
Other rulers of course weren't indifferent to the changes in Camelot. The most unwelcome was Bayard, an old ally of Uther. He even threatened to break trading agreements and withdraw from the Five Kingdom's alliance if Arthur wouldn't reconsider his decision.
Thankfully Bayard was the only one outward hostile. Annis sent note indicating she had nothing against magic and it was one of the main points in disagreement between Camelot and Caerleon, since the latter kingdom didn't persecute magic.
Rodor, Godwin and Olaf decided to see how the situation would unfold before making any decision, whereas Alined wrote such a roundabout message there was no way to decipher what he thought. Merlin assured Arthur that the ruler had nothing against magic - only unwelcoming towards peace. As proof the warlock quoted what happened at the last peace talks, of course omitting pieces about his magic and making it sound as if Gaius was the one to find the cure.
A nice surprise were messages from Lot, and Xander the King of Dyfed, expressing their wishes to negotiate truce and trade agreements. From what Merlin knew, Dyfed was a small kingdom to the west of Camelot, where many sorcerers found refuge during the Great Purge. Uther tried to conquer it, but Dyfedians had no qualms about using magic to fight and easily drove back the tyrant. Since that time there had been no communication between the kingdoms. Until now.
Unfortunately not everything went so well. There was still mistrust on both sides, which only time could get rid of. The worst were nobles, even if they wouldn't show it in the public or in sight of those close to the king.
One of the least pleasant incidents involved Sir Maurim and Ninianne, but thankfully everything ended well. There was even a good outcome as it made the Druid and Leon go public with their engagement.
Many accused Merlin or praised depending on the person's view, of the changes in the law. Lord Vimor went as far as to try to assassinate the First Advisor and in the end was stripped of his title and forced to work as a servant in the castle.
The Magic Advisor managed to fulfil his other duties, among them cataloguing the content of the vaults. He had already done half and found many useful artefacts as well as pieces of jewellery only looking to be magical of nature. In response to Arthur's question how he knew it, Merlin only shrugged and said his source preferred to stay anonymous. Surprisingly the king left it at that.
The warlock was walking in Lower Town and marvelling at how much had changed. He saw Druids selling a service of healing enchantments or herbs, their children playing with townspeople offspring and generally a peaceful coexistence.
Merlin sighed, because he could no longer find a good argument, or at least half-decent excuse to not to tell Arthur about himself. For years the warlock had been dreading and couldn't wait for the day he would finally come clean.
Merlin had imagined dozens of scenarios how it would happen, some having happy ending, some not fatal one, but there were also those with advisor's head on a chopping block or even pyre. The warlock knew Arthur wouldn't execute him, but it couldn't stop his imagination.
It was late afternoon and Merlin was heading for King's Chambers, barely registering greetings or even other people's presence. The walk appeared to last barely a second and the warlock in no time stood before the door. He even knocked and proceeded only after uttered 'Enter'.
Hearing the door open, Arthur raised his head from the paperwork and exclaimed. "Merlin! I had no idea it was you," then the king seemed to realise something and became even more incredulous. "You knocked!"
The advisor grimaced. "Yeah, don't get used to it," he tried to smile but was too nervous to succeed.
Contrary to what would have happened before, Arthur noticed something was amiss with his friend. "Merlin, what is it?" he asked.
The warlock fidgeted where and the king thought he wouldn't get any answer, Merlin took a deep breath and uttered. "I need to tell you something."
"Alright, take a sit," Arthur motioned to the chair opposite to him, which after some hesitation the advisor took. However he sat only on the edge and seemed ready bolt at any time. "So, what did you want to talk about?" the king prompted.
"I have kept a secret from you," Merlin seemed to wait for a joke, but when it didn't come he continued. "My whole life I was warned against telling anyone, but I have to tell you. You need to know. Just please, hear me out before you decide anything." The young man pleaded and Arthur nodded in agreement. The warlock took deep breath and started. "I have…," suddenly Merlin felt something impossible but at the same time knew he wasn't mistaken. The advisor abruptly got up and shouted already running away, "... to go!"
When Merlin was a little way from Arthur's chambers, he slowed down trying not to look too suspicious even though everything inside him screamed to hurry up. Without a problem the advisor got out of the city, and once in the forest started to run again.
He stopped only after reaching the clearing where Merlin usually met Kilgharrah. The Dragonlord used his power and waited, because what made the warlock rush away like a madman was a presence of a dragon flying towards Camelot, which was neither Kilgharrah nor Aithusa and had malicious intents.
Any guesses?