Epilogue
Immortal life is a burden when you have no-one to share with, Arthur told Merlin once. Good thing they didn't have to go through it alone. They lived long years with each other and were there as the world changed countless times. They had to blend into the world most of the times when they decided not to be isolated from it. They changed places, countries, appearances many times but never, were they apart.
Unfortunately, Arthur could not keep his promise to Merlin. He couldn't take him to the East for his millennia, for the witch-hunts weren't over at the time and they still had to keep out of sight, especially Merlin who seemed to get into trouble quite a lot.
But they did go eventually, in the second half of the 18th century. People had realised by that time that Merlin was immortal and a powerful sorcerer and most vampires in the world have heard about Arthur, the mighty vampire and Merlin, the immortal warlock. Some dared to speak of their unnatural relationship with a disapproving tone, only to be hushed by the majority who respected them both. It was in that period of time when Merlin managed to strengthen the Sun Spell, as he named it, making it last longer and without skin contact.
When the danger started to disappear for the supernatural creatures, the population of the Covens started to lessen as well. Some just wanted to go on their own way and others left to avoid the Civil Wars at that time. The Pendragon castle soon became almost empty with only few remaining. And that was when they went on their own adventure. When that time came, Merlin was reluctant to part from his sister but he knew that she was under Leon's care. Not that she couldn't take care of herself.
They still kept in touch with all of them Leon, Morgana, Gwen, Lancelot and Percival. They did cross paths at some point with them in the beginning of the 19th century somewhere in Europe. Eventually, they found themselves back to the Pendragon Castle where there was always someone waiting for them. Percival was there with a human, young lady named Lamia whom he turned to a vampire, a few years later.
They stayed in England for the majority of the 19th century with the spontaneous excursions at times, to Germany where they visited Uther and America where they developed some business there and they had to stay for about twenty years. They never stayed long in one place since people would get suspicious of their ability to stay young forever.
In 1914, Arthur decided he wanted to enlist. Merlin opposed to it, at first, calling him reckless and stupid, because he may be a vampire but he isn't invisible. In the end, they both went together. Then, they experienced something they never imagined they would. They were in France fighting the war when Merlin was as close as dead. The spell was broken and Arthur was burning under the sun. He managed to find shelter in some forgotten, underground shelter. Merlin wasn't breathing but Arthur wasn't dead so that had to mean there was something to be done. He gave him his blood and held him so close to him, wishing that he would live. And he did. Surprisingly enough, Arthur's blood didn't have the same effect as Morgana's. His magic did go wild for a moment but it wasn't all that destructive. His magic accepted Arthur's blood.
The feeling of Merlin's almost death destroyed a part of them both, not only that but the memories of war were not all that pleasant. The war left a big mark on them both. So they found their way back to the Castle were they resided in their solitary selves. There was little to be said and when there was it was only because they had to. They were close yet apart. When the war was over the Castle found itself filled again with people that wanted refuge, mostly vampires but werewolves and very few humans as well. Gwen and Lancelot came back and Morgana and Leon. Slowly, they managed to rekindled their spirits with their help.
They didn't even discuss going to the Second World War but they helped in any way they could. Arthur and Merlin, although they never said so, wanted to avoid any sad incidents like the last time, so they stayed mostly out of it.
The sad news, however, couldn't be avoided. In the midst of the war Uther's Coven was caught, the existence of vampires had been betrayed yet still kept in utmost secrecy of the government, to their luck. The world was dangerous for them again and they had to hide once more. Then, one day Gaius came unexpectedly and informed them that Uther was dead and Arthur was now Leader of all vampires. He was only one of the few that managed to escape. And as if the mourning and grief wasn't enough for them, certain organizations of vampire hunters started to pop out from everywhere.
Magic however, was not acknowledged as an existing ability to Merlin's luck. It was in 1957, when he told Arthur that there was a way to keep the Castle out of sight and only those who knew of its existence would know how to find it. But of course when Arthur asked how, Merlin found himself on a trip to the Northern part of Britain, after a long discussion if he were to go or not, to acquire the wanted information. Well, in the end he did and Arthur stayed behind, telling him that it was still dangerous for a vampire to go around, even if he could walk in the sun. It took him almost a month to find what he wanted and he found more than he expected.
The only one who knew the spell was a boy named Daegal. He had magic, something Merlin didn't expect to find. He lost all hope that there would be anyone with magic left in this world other than him. Yes, he had magic but he still didn't know how to use or how to control it. They ended up going back together but they didn't expect to find the Castle attacked by a bunch of vampire hunters. Of course Merlin aided to save the day once more and then had the spell up and running.
There was of course the constant jealousy from Arthur's part, what with Merlin trying to teach Daegal and so on, but Merlin found it kind of adorable. Anyway, Daegal wasn't even, uh that way, and he respected "Master Merlin" too much. Arthur still glared at him.
...
Belgravia, London- 2013
Arthur was wearing his dark blue Westwood suit, no tie and the collar of his crisp, white shirt open exposing his Adam's apple. The sun glistened on his sunglasses as he looked up the sky, taking the warmth in. It was a beautiful sunny day, rare thing if you live in London. He was currently leaning on one of his favourite cars waiting for a certain someone to make his appearance out of their house.
Merlin, who was just getting out of the door, dragging a suitcase behind him, nervously checked his pockets for his keys. He, unlike Arthur, was not wearing his posh clothes. Instead he was wearing black jeans and a nice light-blue shirt.
"Did you lose your keys again, Merlin?" Arthur exclaimed.
"Yep! Pass me yours."
Arthur sighed and approached him, giving him the keys. He took Merlin's suitcase to put it in the boot over his while Merlin locked the house. They were in the car and in the London traffic. It takes almost an hour to reach the Pendragon Castle and Merlin found he was very much sleepy. Arthur quickly looked away from the highway to look Merlin's head hovering.
"Sleepy, are we Merlin?" He almost yelled, making him jump.
Merlin's eyes flew open and yawned.
"What were you doing last night? You came to bed long after I slept."
"I was trying to decide which books I should bring with me, for Daegal."
Arthur scoffed.
"There we go again." Merlin said. "Don't give him too much trouble. The poor child must already have a hard time under Gaius' preaching."
"Yes, yes!" Arthur tried to brush the matter off.
"Besides, I'm eager to see how far he's gotten with his studies without me. I fear he may have been lazing around too much."
"Aren't you the strict teacher?" He teased.
Merlin scoffed.
It was still morning when they reached the Pendragon Castle. They wanted to be there before everyone else. Everyone except Gaius and Daegal who watched over it while they were both undergoing their studies. Arthur and Merlin invited them over for the rest of the summer. Morgana and Leon were coming over from America. Gwen and Lancelot were coming over from Edinburg. And Percival with Lamia would come over a week later from Southampton.
When they breached through the invisible shield of Merlin's spell the castle could almost be seen. There was no asphalt of a road and the ground was rough underneath them. When the trees cleared they both smiled. It held so many memories, good and bad but it always was their home.
Two figures started to become clearer. Merlin taught Daegal how to accomplish the Sun Spell. It wasn't as strong as Merlin's and it didn't last that long but he thinks that eventually his magic would get stronger and thus the spell. They got out of the car to greet them.
Then, they found their way to their old room which was fully refurbished throughout the years, like the rest of the castle, from the great amount of Merlin's and Arthur great fortunes which they earned throughout their years of business. They had companies almost all over the world that hired vampires as well, under secrecy of course and for night shifts. Merlin always magicked their way through paperwork so that it would look like they inherit a company from a grandfather, a long lost uncle and whatsoever. Anyway, they were well off.
They found their way walking around the Castle and to their secret hideout. The clearing on the hill. They laid down on the grass, eyes closed, ready to doze off. Merlin's head on Arthur's chest and their hands entwined.
"Do you think the others will be late?" Merlin asked in a low voice.
"I think they'll be fine." Arthur replied. "Don't worry little thing."
"Tsk!"
"What?" Arthur asked curiously.
Merlin supported himself on an elbow looking down to Arthur's eyes. "All these centuries and the nickname that you keep is that!?"
"What? You mean little thing?"
Merlin looked at him with intent.
"You like it, don't deny it."
Merlin kissed him quickly and fall back on his chest. "I actually do." He said after a long while. "Very much."
They have changed many times over the centuries. People have changed, times, lifestyles but the only things that never changed was their home and the bond between them.
A/N- END! This is finished. I am not planning on writing any sequels. Sorry...
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Thank you to everyone that reviewed! Honestly, your kind words are what drove me to write this piece. I am actually pretty pleased with the outcome. And thanks to everyone that followed and favorited me as well!