The Golden Age Universe
At Deaths Door – Epilogue
~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 am so sorry for the lateness of this chapter but I hope that you all enjoy it all the same! Thanks to all the people who have reviewed, followed and favourited this story, you guys are awesome :) Review at will and I hope you enjoy!
~Fran xx

"You know Arthur, I think this is probably one of the best things you have done for him." Gwen said to her husband, looking up at him fondly. The two stood on the balcony of their chambers watching Merlin produce bubbles from the tips of his fingers in entertainment for some of the children in the lower town. "He was always happy, but I think being able to use magic makes everything that much better for him."

"For him, and for the kingdom as well; Merlin is a better strategist then I originally thought and with his input on magic. Well, Camelot is stronger than ever." He replied with a warm smile, looking fondly at his friend down in the town as Brooke walked over to sit with him. The king and queen watched as the couple sat with the children gathered around them.

"He's good with children isn't he, Merlin is?" Gwen said with a small smile.

"Yeah," Arthur agreed with a nod, "But he's not the only one I imagine to do a good job of it." He replied playfully before pulling Gwen into a kiss and lifting her into his arms. They kissed again before sinking into the blissful warmth of each other and the soft sheets of the bed.

~O~O~O~

Arthur grinned widely as Merlin told him what he was planning to do, "I can help you there," Arthur said thoughtfully to his friend, "I have an idea."

"Don't strain yourself!" Merlin joked, "Thank you though, what's your idea?"

"Don't push it Warlock, I don't have to help but I wanted to choose some nice jewelry for Gwen for our anniversary and maybe I could take Brooke with me to help me decide which and then you could keep Gwen occupied helping you. If that's ok that is, it's just I don't really want her to find me at the market." He grinned sheepishly as he replied.

Merlin grinned, "Sounds good to me, thank you my friend!" Merlin held out his arm and Arthur took it to shake before pulling his friend into a hug. "She will be thrilled, I know it."

Later that afternoon Brooke was leaving Arthur's chambers with a smile on her face, happy with the jewelry that he and Brooke had picked out for Gwen, when she bumped into that very person as she turned away from where Arthur was sitting at his desk. "Ohh, I am sorry Gwen," she smiled apologetically, I just was here looking for Merlin. You haven't seen him around anywhere have you? I thought he might be with Arthur or Gaius but he's not." She ran a hand through her hair in worry and hoping that she didn't give the game away to Gwen.

"It's alright Brooke, Merlin is perfectly fine. I thought I saw him walking up to the North Tower." Gwen smiled knowingly, "Maybe you could find him up there…"

Brooke breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank you Gwen, I will go find him now. See you Arthur." Brooke said before walking in the direction of the North tower. As she reached the stairs she saw a number of candles lined the left side right up to the top. Curious she followed them to the top to find Merlin standing at the back of the small tower room. The candles lined the small circular room until they reached Merlin's feet. Merlin stood with his back to her but somehow Brooke knew he was smiling.

"Brooke." Merlin started, "Thank you, thank you so much for…for everything. From the moment I met you I knew that I loved you. You are such a beautiful woman, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you." He turned around with a small white flower in his hand; he got down on one knee. "Brooke…Brooke will you marry me?" He looked up into Brookes smiling face holding out the white flower.

"Yes!" Brooke had tears in her eyes as she replied, "Yes Merlin of course!"

As Brooke replied Merlin stood and his eyes flashed gold. One by one the petals on the flower pulled themselves from the bud and wound their way around Brooke's ring finger on her outstretched hand in a ring. Moments later the white turned to silver and the small bud of the flower floated from Merlin's palm to the ring on Brooke's finger and within seconds it was welded to the ring and cleared to a bright shade of blue; much like Merlin's eyes. The remaining stem turned silver and curled it's self around Merlin's ring finger.

This all happened within a few seconds and by the end both had tears threatening to break loose. Merlin pulled Brooke into a kiss, it was as if a warmth spread through their bodies as their lips touched. Merlin threaded his long fingers through Brookes thick blonde hair as he deepened the kiss before they pulled apart slightly so that their foreheads rested against each other.

"I love you Merlin." Brooke whispered.

I love you too Brooke." Merlin breathed back as he pulled her into a hug.

~O~O~O~

Miles away in the freezing snow Morgana huddled in a cave, plotting revenge against Merlin. Against Emrys. How has he always thwarted my plans? He is nothing but a servant and he may be Emrys but he is an idiot all the same. Merlin must pay for what he did to me. She pulled her cloak around herself more tightly as she shivered. I need to think of something new, something that will completely throw him off guard. I need to get him at his weakest, and for Merlin that is only one place. He has the advantage of magic over me but I know where it'll hurt him most. Not hurting him but hurting someone he loves. The boy is too selfless for his own good. A smirk crossed her face as she formulated her plan.

I need to target his heart.

Note from the Author- Thank you so much for your patience with this fic! I really am so sorry about the delay with the epilogue but I hope you all will enjoy it all the same :)

The bad news is that this was the last chapter of this fic :( but the good news is that I will be posting a sequel! I will probably be uploading it nearing the end of the year as I am in my last year of school and I honestly have no time to write whatsoever. I don't know what I am calling yet but there will definitely be loads of Arwen, Merke, laughs, cries and of course the angst. The next story will be the last in this trilogy but I have planned a spin off series with a few of the characters that you will be meeting later.

Also thank you so much to all of you who have followed, faved, reviewed this story and stuck with the characters and enjoyed my writing. You guys are awesome and are a huge support. Until next time and don't forget to review!
~Fran xx

P.S. I am also 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! :)