So this is the final part of Storm's Ahead. Thank you for reading till the very end and the encouraging comments!
For those who want an uncomplicated happy ending: stick to chapter 24. However, I prefer the epilogue. It answers some questions, contains Gwaine's attempt at poetry and has another Arthur/Merlin friendship moment :)
I wrote most of this before even posting the first chapter which was two years ago, so I'm really happy it's finally time to post this! Enjoy!
Epilogue: A Good Day
It was a full week later when Merlin snuck out of the castle just before dawn. He left quietly not wishing to wake Gaius and while he had promised Arthur to introduce him to Kilgharrah properly, he needed to have this first talk by himself.
Last night he had heard the Great Dragon in his thoughts announcing the infernal lizard's return. So Merlin wasn't surprised that the dragon was already there waiting for him in their usual clearing as the sun unobtrusively crept above the horizon. It held the promise of a good and calm day.
"Kilgharrah." Merlin greeted with a solemn nod.
"Emrys." The dragon replied and inclined his head in respect.
"Don't please," Merlin shuffled his feet feeling uncomfortable with Kilgharrah's gesture, "Er, I'm glad you're back." He said honestly.
"The people living back there thought I was a god." Kilgharrah told him a bit annoyed.
"And yet you're here." Merlin grinned at the dragon's obvious discomfort this time.
"I wanted to see you fulfil your destiny." The dragon said sincerely before rolling his eyes, "And they completely butchered my name."
Kilgharrah continued, "You did well, young warlock, the songs and tales of this battle will outlive the ages." He paused to chuckle, "Sir Gwaine's limerick fortunately not…"
"I hope so." Merlin commented with a broad smile. The two were silent for a moment. Kilgharrah merely waited for Merlin to speak of what was bothering him and Merlin needed a moment to gather his thoughts.
"I know I've changed, Kilgharrah," The warlock finally said with a grave heart, "I didn't notice immediately after waking but now... I never wanted this."
The dragon sighed, "Everything in this world is balanced, Emrys, you know this. But someone must balance the scales."
"What exactly does that mean?" Merlin replied frustrated.
"You're the one who has to carry that burden."
"You knew this would happen, didn't you?" Merlin accused the dragon while pacing up and down in front of him, "You knew Hréonhes was still out there: the dragons' unfinished business, Magic's lost ally."
"It was one possibility yes, the other was-"
"My death, yeah you were rather blunt about that. You practically pushed me into this! It was because of your warning that I faced Hréonhes that way." Merlin waved his hand accusingly in the dragon's direction giving Kilgharrah a dark look while he continued, "It was because I thought I couldn't avoid it that I choose this path."
"Confronting Hréonhes directly would have been the wrong choice." The dragon argued back. Merlin knew Kilgharrah was right, he had know what he might have become. Still understanding didn't change what happened. Kilgharrah however went on, "This was the only way to pass Magic's test, a test of true character and valour."
"So I passed the test, lucky me." Merlin muttered sarcastically and kicked away a loose rock. "Why do I get the feeling this is just the beginning?"
"Beginnings and endings are meaningless in the vast stretch of time, Emrys." It was no comfort at all that for once Merlin actually understood the Great Dragon's cryptic puzzles. Kilgharrah remained uncharacteristically silent after that merely content with watching the warlock pace up and down the meadow.
Merlin sighed and stood still again. He asked almost pleadingly now, "But why me?"
"Because you're the best of all of us." Kilgharrah simply said.
"I don't want this." Merlin stated again.
"I am sorry, Emrys."
When Merlin re-entered the city and passed the Rising Sun he saw Gwaine and Galahad making their way to the castle as well. As he didn't want to talk to those two – and Galahad in particular – just yet, he lowered his pace. Even so, Merlin could hear what they were talking about. Actually, Gwaine was singing again. The warlock shook his head wearily. Poor Galahad, he thought with an amused smile. The druid was a loyal friend but even from this distance Merlin could see the young man's patience was wearing thin.
"There once was a man in Camelot
Who swore to defend the King's old mot
He died in his name
Protecting this dame
His valiant deeds were never forgot.
Alas his brave efforts were a fail
Evil returned searching the Grail
Death spat him back up
Evil lost the Cup
Let's feast and heave these tankards of ale!"
"But it doesn't make sense!" Galahad exclaimed rehashing his old argument again.
"Who cares? It's catchy and the moral of the story should win over the sceptics." Gwaine waved away his friend's concerns.
"What moral?" Galahad asked, but regretted it immediately when Gwaine grinned, "Ale of course."
"That's a horrible moral! And seriously, what's a grail, Gwaine?"
"Needed something to rhyme with ale." The knight replied with a carefree shrug, "What? Can't I use poetic license?" After a long pause, Gwaine glanced to his side and asked, "This intense stare you're directing at me, is that a Druidic thing?"
"No, just an 'I'm annoyed' thing." Galahad informed him and they entered the courtyard still squabbling.
Merlin twirled his thumbs for a few minutes and entered through one of the lesser known side-entrances. He really needed some peace and quiet to think about Kilgharrah's words. Halfway towards his destination however he was suddenly pulled into an alcove facing exactly who he'd wanted to avoid.
"What did you give in return?" Galahad rounded on him without pleasantries. The young knight had obviously ditched Gwaine somewhere – probably the kitchen – and clearly had been waiting for a chance to ambush the warlock. Merlin knew he couldn't avoid the druid forever, not with Galahad's gift, but the knight couldn't have chosen a more inconvenient time.
"What are you talking about, Galahad?" Merlin tried to get back to the hallway but the druid blocked his path with a swift side-step.
"You know what I'm talking about. You've been avoiding me." Galahad said stating the truth, "So stop being obtuse. You know I know you can't cheat dead. No one can come back unchanged, not without some sort of sacrifice." The druid stressed that last word, "The rest might not care, relieved that they are especially Gaius, but I need to know, Merlin. What did you do? What did you promise in return?" He insisted and crossed his arms signalling he won't back down before he had his answer.
Merlin sighed. This was exactly why he had been avoiding Galahad. He had known this was coming. Merlin ran his hand through his hair and leaned back against the wall, "I promised what I lost." He said reluctantly.
Galahad looked confused and when Merlin could sense the druid was growing impatient, he hastily added, "A day, all right, I promised a day." After a few moments of silence he altered that statement, "Technically, it was a day and a couple of hours."
"A lot can happen in a day." Galahad said concerned and moved to lean against the opposite wall.
"I know." The warlock said quietly. He had been thinking about that since he remembered.
"What are you going to do, Emrys?" The young knight asked his earlier vehemence completely gone and once again replaced with understanding and support.
"Forget about it, what else can I do?" Merlin shrugged and stepped out of the alcove. This time Galahad didn't stop him but just said, "Until that day."
"Yes, until that day." Merlin repeated. And forgetting was exactly what he would do.
"I thought I might find you here." Arthur said a bit out of breath after running up and down the castle in search of his wayward manservant. Merlin was leaning his forearms on the battlements and just stared ahead his eyes on the horizon. When Arthur arrived, he glanced briefly over his shoulder before focussing back on the city below him.
Arthur looked around the tower. The blood was gone. There was nothing left to give testimony to what happened a little more than a two weeks ago. Nothing visible at least, but for the king it will always be the place where his heart stopped for a moment.
"It's a bit morbid for you to be up here." He said as he approached Merlin and went to stand next to him.
"I like it here. Always have." Merlin sounded so wistful, "It's in the middle of everything and yet it's so peaceful."
"Maybe Gaius should check you again." Arthur gave Merlin a sideway smile which his friend returned. It was peaceful here.
"How do you feel?" Arthur asked after a moment of silence. The first couple of days after Merlin had woken up, the warlock had been tired and restless at the same time. Gaius deduced it was normal, and since there weren't exactly other cases to compare notes with, Arthur had agreed with that assumption. The only difference in health anyone else noticed was Merlin's sudden allergy to the sun which he couldn't recall having before. Now whenever Merlin went outside into the sun, he had to sneeze one time. Gwaine found it hilarious and still chuckled when it happened. Since this was the only side-effect Gaius could find, Merlin was declared fully healed.
"Strong enough to take on the world." Merlin said dryly.
"Careful with that, you might win." Arthur quipped, "But seriously, you're okay right?"
"Yes, Arthur, I'm not going anywhere." Merlin reassured his king without teasing him about how Arthur seemingly cared. That would be considered a low blow. Maybe in a few weeks they could joke about what happened, about everything, but not yet and certainly not here. For good measure Merlin added, "Not anytime soon."
"Good, because how did I ever survive without you by my side?" Arthur marvelled out loud.
"I've been wondering the same thing the last couple of years with your tendency to get into trouble."
"Do you remember something of...?" Arthur asked vaguely redirecting their conversation to what he really wanted to discuss. A few days back the king had caught Merlin staring deep in thought and since then it happened an alarming amount of times. In the past this might have been a reason for concern, but then Arthur usually got distracted by some problem and forgot or let Merlin give an excuse when he did ask. Now Arthur knew with absolute certainty that it was a reason for concern.
"When I died and came back?" Merlin filled in the silence and sighed, "It's a bit like dreaming. When I woke up I didn't remember a thing. A couple of days ago conversations and images came back, but now it's just impressions and feelings again."
"Feelings, what feelings?"
"Love, Arthur, I think I saw Freya again." Merlin admitted with a soft longing smile. It was something he still remembered, this and that other thing he was trying to forget.
"Why so thoughtful, Merlin?" Arthur asked when Merlin remained quiet for a long time. Something akin to worry flitted across his friend's face from time to time and his eyes got that faraway look in them.
"It's nothing." The warlock quickly brushed the question off, "Ouch! What was that for?" Merlin exclaimed indignantly as he rubbed his arm where Arthur had punched him.
"Something's bothering you and you're not telling." Arthur answered with a untroubled shrug, "So let's try again: Merlin, what's bothering you?"
"Hréonhes." Merlin said while realising it wasn't a complete lie the moment the name left his lips.
"What about him? He's gone."
"He kept comparing us."
"You're nothing like him." Arthur pointed out.
"He was like me at one point." Merlin countered.
"Merlin, you're about as evil as my left sock."
Merlin tilted his head and an incredulous smile appeared on his lips, "I don't know what to make out of that. Your socks are rather vile."
Arthur snorted but didn't reply. Instead he gazed at the city below.
"Do you trust me, your friend and your King?" Arthur asked solemnly after a while.
"You know I do, Arthur."
"Then believe me when I say that you'll never become like him. I won't let you, deal?"
"Sure."
"Good, now you gave me permission to call you an idiot."
"Who was he actually? I mean what was he trying to achieve?" The king asked curiously after Merlin's indignant expression faded away. Arthur had been wondering about Hréonhes' intentions, but couldn't really pinpoint what they had been. Morgana on the other hand was a much more straightforward matter.
"I don't know if he wanted to rule the world or watch it burn. I don't think he knew it either." Merlin said honestly and that had been what made Hréonhes such a dangerous enemy. The sun had reached its highest peak by now and while it was still a beautiful day the northern chill made it quite clear that Autumn was well on its way. In a few weeks maybe even less than that Camelot might be blanketed below a shimmer of white.
"What are you going to do about me?" Merlin asked as he watched some late birds fly towards the south.
"Oh, I can think of a few unpleasant things, the stables for example."
"Because I scared you, you're going to work me to death. That's your plan?" Merlin stared at the king.
"Yup, I'm keeping you in sight too."
"Double torture then, but seriously I can take care of myself you know." The warlock said slightly offended by the lack of trust in his abilities.
"You died two weeks ago." Arthur countered easily.
"Yes, but…" Merlin stopped talking. The way Arthur was looking at him told him this was not open for debate.
"What are you going to do about me?" He asked again instead.
"Are you sure you're feeling okay? You're repeating yourself."
"You didn't answer my question." Merlin pointed out.
Arthur sighed. It was quite clear what would need to happen. He didn't know how to make it happen yet nor how his people would react. Still the rumours Leon kept on hearing about the White Goddess and magic coming back to Camelot in her hour of need were hopeful. It wouldn't surprise Arthur that Leon had the main hand in directing those rumours in the desired direction. It also explained the sudden interest Gwaine showed in rewriting the more popular tavern songs with one recurring theme: the good side of magic. His knights weren't exactly subtle about their efforts.
"Rescind the laws on magic, I suppose. They obviously didn't work when one suicidal warlock managed to elude them all these years." Arthur said fondly.
"Thank you."
"Don't mention it."
They both stared at the hustle and bustle down below. It felt like all was said and done, when in truth it was only just beginning.
"So, what's next?"
"I want peace, Merlin. But it can't be as long as I don't end my father's war on magic. I want you to help me achieve that peace for everyone."
Arthur knowing had changed everything. Except the things that mattered in the end: loyalty, trust and friendship.
This was indeed a good day.
This is my happy ending n° two :) But let's be honest, Merlin's being secretive again. Spots and stripes and all that rot, I don't think Merlin's capable of being completely honest especially if it is to protect those he cares about even if he wants to. Stupid noble warlock!