The Golden Age Universe
At Deaths Door – Chapter 8
~Fran Gipani

Disclaimer- So I obviously don't own Merlin no matter how much I'd love to :'( but I do own my OC Brooke

Note from the Author- I really would like to thank all the people who have reviewed, followed and favourited this story, you guys are awesome :) This is the last chapter before the Epilogue :/ but I am writing a third in this series so keep an eye out for that when this finishes :) I know this story is rather short but when I planned what I wanted to happen this is how it turned out :P Review at will and I hope you enjoy!
~Fran xx

Gaius sat at his work bench reading a thick book on ancient Magic; it seemed to be the only thing to keep the sound of Merlin's pacing feet out of his head. He had only ever seen Merlin pace twice before the first when he had been impatient to get back to Freya and the second when Arthur's life was in extreme danger. Both times Merlin had been stressing over someone he loved and this time it was no different. Every so often Merlin would glance over at the unconscious Brooke, but when Gaius saw the man's face again all he saw was sorrow and worry. "Merlin you need to calm down, Brooke will be alright." He hated to say something like that but Merlin was beginning to get on his nerves.

"We don't know that Gaius!" Merlin stopped pacing but looked at Gaius with a manic look in his eye. "She could be close to death but we could do nothing for her. We don't even know if she is stuck in the divide like I was! If she is though I swear I am going to go there myself and…" He looked close to hysterics before Gaius cut in.

"No you will not. Merlin I am not letting you anywhere near that divide again do you understand. Brooke is breathing perfectly fine, she is a little cold but that is nothing a few blankets can handle and she is not waking up probably because of the amount of Magic it took to bring her back." Gaius stood up and walked over to his ward and put a hand on the younger mans shoulder before saying, "Merlin go make yourself useful. I will come and find you if she wakes."

Merlin glanced feverishly over at Brooke before reluctantly saying, "Ok fine, I will be back." He walked to the door and left, leaving the door closed behind him. He was half way down the corridor with his shoulders slumped and a heavy heart before he heard Gaius's voice behind him. He turned to see his mentor stick his head out the door a wide grin on his face.

"Merlin, Brooke just woke up."

Merlin spun his body around to face the door as a wide grin spread over his pale features. He broke into a run and heading for the open door. As Merlin slipped past Gaius into the room beyond the old man took a step back and closed the door in front of him. There were a few errands he had to take care of.

~O~O~O~

"Brooke!" Merlin exclaimed as he ran over to where she was lying. To Merlin she looked pale but had a little flush in her cheeks, whether it was from waking up or from Merlin's reaction to her waking it was hard to tell. Merlin sat on the edge of the bed and took Brooke's hand, "How are you feeling?" He asked hesitantly.

"I'm fine...I think, my head hurts a little and I feel tired but other than that I'm fighting fit!" She grinned at Merlin, glad to see he was alright. "How many days have I been out of it?"

"Two, but thank goodness you've woken up." Merlin pulled her into a tight hug before releasing her slightly to give her a light kiss on the cheek. "I missed you…" Merlin muttered into Brooke's neck.

"I missed you too Merlin, trust me I missed you too." She had tears in her eyes, as did Merlin who seemed to not really want to let Brooke go for fear of losing her. Brooke sat up a little more comfortably to be able to see Merlin properly as her friend pulled out of the hug, ignoring the slight pains in her head Brooke asked, "So what happened after you woke?"

"I don't remember much," Merlin laughed, "Gaius gave me something to put me back to sleep so my body could heal and so I wouldn't be worrying about you." He smiled warmly before continuing, "I talked to Arthur and explained everything. We've forgiven each other though I didn't think he was in the wrong at all." Merlin had more tears pricking at the corners of his eyes as he finished, "Brooke…Brooke he's legalized Magic!"

Brooke looked, though rather stunned, overjoyed as well, "Oh Merlin!" She cried out happily before saying, "That's wonderful!" And with a wide smile on her face she pulled the bewildered Merlin into a kiss. Merlin was so surprised that at first he didn't respond but it was hardly a moment before he responded and lent into the kiss before…

"Oh, get a room you two!" Came Arthur's disgusted sounding voice.

Merlin and Brooke jumped in unison, breaking apart and looking at their King with sheepish looks on their faces. "Not much better than you and Gwen!" Merlin retorted with a grin, keeping hold of Brooke's hand.

"True…" Replied Arthur cocking his head to the side slightly, "…but I'm the King and she's my Queen and we can do whatever we like!" He looked over to Brooke who was now looking slightly flushed, "Good to see you back with us Brooke, I am happy to see Merlin gave you a proper welcome…" He grinned suggestively.

"Shut up…prat! What do you want?" Merlin never failed to talk to his King as an equal.

"Idiot." He snapped back before turning to Brooke with a smile, "If you are able to walk Brooke, Gwen wants to have a word. Merlin…you need to come with me."

"Of course Arthur, give me a sec to dress a little more respectfully though first?" She asked, Brooke turned to Merlin, "Would you mind helping me up?"

"I'll be in my chambers when you're ready Merlin. Brooke, Gwen is in the finest Guest Chambers, there is something there she needs your help with." Arthur spun round and strode to the door before turning back and saying, "Do hurry it up will you Merlin? I know how you like to dawdle." He then left the room letting the door shut with a clunk behind him.

~O~O~O~

Brooke knock hesitantly on the heavy wooden door of the Guest Chambers, she waited until she heard Gwen's reply before pushing open the door to see Gwen in a deep purple dress in conversation with an older looking woman. She was dress rather simply and there was something about her eyes that she recognized. "Brooke!" Gwen exclaimed, a smile spreading over her face that did not equal to that of a servant/mistress relationship. Gwen walked up to Brooke and folded her into a hug.

Brooke was taken a little by surprise but was glad all the same, "It's good to see you again Gwen." She said with a smile as they broke apart.

"You too Brooke," She smiled before turning to the woman, "Hunith I don't think you have met Brooke?"

"No, I haven't." She smiled warmly at Brooke, "I'm Hunith, Merlin's mother, it's good to meet you."

"It's good to meet you to; I'm Brooke, a friend of Merlin's and Gwen's handmaiden." Brooke could tell already she and Hunith were going to be great friends.

"More than a friend I think…" Gwen prompted with a cheeky grin; Brooke blushed, instantly giving the game away.

"Really?" Hunith smiled, "Well I hope you two are happy together, he hasn't exactly been luck with love in the past." Hunith looked a little distant for a moment before asking, "So Gwen, what is it that you have brought me here for? And why can't I see my son?"

Gwen smiled knowingly, "Basically, Merlin doesn't know you're here, Arthur and I want it to be a surprise. Along with another surprise which I am sure you and Brooke will be overjoyed with."

"What?" The two women said in unison before breaking into identical grins of anticipation.

"Well, in light of recent events Arthur has revoked the laws banning the use of Magic in Camelot."

"Really?" Hunith looked stunned, she had tears of joy pricking at the corners of her eyes, "Wow that's…I'm speechless…"

"That's not all though," Gwen grinned at the look of expectation on the faces of both women…she opened her mouth and began to speak. By the time she had finished Hunith had sunk onto the edge of the bed. She was overjoyed but shocked at the same time and couldn't wait to see Merlin's reaction.

~O~O~O~

"Arthur why...?" Merlin began but Arthur cut him off.

"Merlin for once," He grimaced, "For once do what I say. No questions asked, please. Merlin just put on the clothes." He grinned, "I can turn my back if your body embarrasses you."

"Fine, and my body is perfectly normal thank you very much!" He snapped back before turning to the set of fine cloths on the bed. There lay a white shirt, and long brown trousers. Next to those was a long midnight blue cloak with silver fastenings and silver trimming. "Why…?" He started to ask but thought better of it and shrugged off his worn and tattered jacket.

Arthur had tried to look away for the sake of Merlin and his privacy (the room didn't have a changing screen) but once he had caught a glimpse of Merlin's skinny pale torso he couldn't pull his eyes away. It wasn't that he was attracted to him or anything but his friend was so skinny and that scared Arthur. The clothes Merlin wore didn't really extenuate this and Arthur had never really looked, recovering from his shock he let a grin spread over his face as he spied Merlin's neckerchief on the bed. Moments later Merlin spun round to face Arthur with a wide grin. The change to his look was amazing, Arthur stood in shock for a few moments before stepping forward to hug his friend. "My wife has good taste." He muttered in his ear before releasing him and quickly reaching out to tie the neckerchief around Merlin's eyes.

"Hey!" Merlin protested trying to pull it off but Arthur grabbed Merlin's wrists and pulled them down.

"Merlin don't. Just trust me. Please."

"Fine."

"Good, now follow me!" Arthur said before walking to the door.

"Uhh…Arthur…I can't exactly see!" He grinned

"Oh…erm…one sec!" Arthur laughed before walking back and putting a hand on his shoulder to guide him.

About ten minutes later the still blindfolded Merlin stood on the balcony where Arthur had days before announced the return of Magic to Camelot. Though he didn't know it Brooke was on his right with Hunith standing next to her; Arthur and Gwen were standing next to him. Finally Arthur took the neckerchief off from around Merlin's eyes. The darker haired man's jaw dropped, from the balcony he could see the whole of Camelot's population there. They stood in silence, anticipating what their King was about to say.

"Arthur what are you doing?" He said incredulously, looking at his friend like was mad. It was at that moment he felt a hand slip into his. He looked to his right and saw Brooke standing there looking more beautiful than ever. He smiled at her, putting all his feelings into that smile. From behind Brooke he saw his mother, and it was then that he couldn't contain his joy but knew that there was a good reason he was there and that he couldn't greet her or Gaius who was standing next to her. Not while standing where he was. Merlin felt Brooke squeeze his hand as Arthur began to speak.

"A couple of days ago I legalized Magic in Camelot and since then a few issues have come to light that need rectifying, there are two jobs which need filling. The first is that of my personal advisor, a right hand man so to speak and the second is that of court sorcerer. The first of the positions in the court my person of choice has been unknowingly doing since I met him. The second position I know only can take, this man has taught me so much and I hope his continues to do so." Arthur turned to Brooke, "Brooke, if you could?" Brooke, lead Merlin forward to the front of the balcony next to Arthur before squeezing Merlin's hand lightly and stepping back next to Hunith and Gwen.

"Merlin," Arthur kept contact with his friends shocked blue eyes as he continued to speak, "Do you accept my offer of both those positions in the Royal court?"

"Arthur I…" Merlin whispered incredulously, "…me, the idiot…your royal advisor? You sure?"

"Of course, I can think of no one better. And I never really thought you were an idiot my friend."

"Thank you, of course Arthur, of course I accept the positions." Merlin grinned, tears pricking at the corners of his eyes.

"Do you promise to stay loyal to me and the crown in your endeavors as Court Sorcerer and the Kings personal advisor?"

"Yes Sire, of course. Merlin bowed." At this the whole of Camelot broke into a cheer, Arthur held out his hand to Merlin who took in his own. There was such a look of sincerity in both men's eyes that you wouldn't think that they spent most of their lives joking with each other calling each other names.

The cheers kept coming as Hunith ran forward to hug her son, not caring that the whole of Camelot, was watching. She had tears in her eyes as she hugged her son, "I am so proud of you Merlin. She whispered in his ear, "Oh and I met Brooke, she seems lovely." This was all Merlin needed to hear. Then as Gaius folded him into an embrace heard much the same, but he was still in shock over what Arthur had done for him.

Moments later Merlin felt a light pull on his shoulder and he spun round to see Brooke. She was dressed in a pale grey dress with midnight blue trimmings, waist band and all sewing done in the same colour as Merlin's cloak. Her long blonde hair was pulled back and twisted in a loose knot at the back of her head. She looked beautiful and Merlin…well…he loved her. A warm smile crossed Brookes face as Merlin put a hand on her cheek; he looked tenderly into her eyes before moments later their lips met and they kissed. Merlin didn't care that his mother was there, nor that the whole of Camelot was watching; all that mattered was that Brooke was there, Magic was returned to Camelot and Arthur was on his way to becoming the king he was destined to be. Merlin was happier than he had been in a very long time.

For now.

Note From the Author- So just one more chapter! I hope you enjoyed the ending to this one! Please let me know if you think it was too rushed or something like that but any loose ends will be tied up in the epilogue :) I hope it wasn't too cheesey for you guys :) Thank you for reading! :)

P.S. I am thinking of writing a short collection of oneshots as a sort of accompaniment to this piece. It would be a collection of stories of when Brooke snuck out to see Merlin in the year he was exiled, he would probably teach her some Magic and you would be able to see their relationship development a little more. :) Jut let me know what you think and I may consider writing it :) Thanks again for all your awesome support! :)

~Fran xx