Merlin stepped quietly over the moss covered forest floor. He was disguised as Emrys, wearing the red, dragon crested robes of the court of Camelot sorcerer. He reached into his pocket and felt the two items there. One was the potion that turned him back into himself and the second, the second was the reason he was here. He ran his fingers along its surface then drew his hand away.

When he'd told Arthur he was going on this journey, Arthur had insisted on accompanying him, or at least sending him with an escort. They'd argued about it but Merlin eventually won. This was something he had to do alone. He'd left Camelot almost two weeks earlier. Now, almost at the end of his journey, Merlin admitted to himself how much he'd missed Arthur's company.

He smiled wistfully to himself. He missed home, missed Arthur and Gaius and the knights and most of all Bri. And if all went well, he'd be heading home to them soon. His hand closed over the object in his pocket.

A stone tower became visible through the trees. He'd found it. He was here. A low metal door was visible near its base. Merlin walked towards it. He unlocked the door with his magic and walked cautiously up the narrow curving stair that led to the top. The air was stale and musky. Shafts of sunlight spilled in through cracks in the outer stones, but no other light broke through.

The chamber at the top was poorly lit as well. Shelves lined the walls, covered in jars and herbs and boxes. A large cauldron stood in the middle of the room with a table and bench beside it and against the far wall, there was a small bed. He walked about the room, looking at the items collected there. He sat down wearily on the bench to wait. No one was home.

He didn't have to wait long. A light shuffling on the stair and then Morgana swept wearily into the room. He'd left visible signs of his presence, from the broken lock to doors left slightly ajar.

"I've been waiting for you," he told her.

"Emrys," she whispered, and her voice shook with anger and fear.

Merlin waved his hand and the door closed behind her.

"We have unfinished business to discuss," he told her.

She walked slowly along the wall.

"Have you come to try to kill me?"

"No," he answered simply. "I am here as a messenger. But first," he added, his hand slipping into his pocket, "no more games."

He uncorked the vial and drank its contents. Under Morgana's startled gaze, Merlin turned back into himself. She stopped in her tracks and gasped.

"Merlin! It was you." Her surprise soon gave over to anger and she smashed her fist across a row of pots that sat on a ledge beside her.

"It was," Merlin agreed. "Always." He stood and walked towards her. "I have watched you grow from a good soul into a foul creature, Morgana. I have regrets. I look back and I wonder if I had done things differently, would it have saved you from this?"

Morgana's face contorted with amusement. She laughed, and her laughter was humourless and jarring.

"You think too much of yourself, Emrys. You take too much credit. You are arrogant, just like my dear little brother. And I am going to make it my life's purpose to destroy you both." She reached for something behind her, and in that moment Merlin held his hand out and shouted a few words, his eyes glowing bright. The shelves behind Morgana exploded outward, all the items on them were thrown across the room in a shower of glass and splintered wood. Morgana shrieked with fury.

"You cannot threaten me anymore," she said, her voice rising, "I have grown too powerful, even for you."

"Perhaps. Or perhaps it is you who is arrogant," Merlin said. "But that is not why I've come." He reached into his pocket again and his hand closed around the second object. He drew it out and held it out towards her. "I was sent to give this to you."

In the palm of Merlin's hand lay a large golden disk, engraved with runes, the symbol of the Disir's judgment. Morgana's eyes widened and all the blood drained from her face, leaving her skin white as chalk.

"Impossible," she whispered, a hand coming up to her throat.

Merlin came to stand before her. He reached out with his other hand and she flinched, her eyes still on the disk. He took her right hand and turned it palm up so he could place the disk in it.

"You know what this is."

"Yes," she whispered, all fight gone out of her.

"Then be wise and heed it. It's not too late. This is goodbye, Morgana," he said and walked away.

...

Merlin reached Camelot four days later close to nightfall. He stabled his horse and shouldered his travel bag as quickly as he could and with eager steps he ran up to the throne room.

Court was still in session but the guards opened the doors for him and Merlin walked in. Seated on the throne Arthur was judging a case between two farmers. Gwenevere was seated beside him, and Sir Leon and Elyan were standing on either side of the dais. Onlookers and witnesses were lined up before the king. Merlin noticed Bri standing to the side, her back away from him, and he walked towards her.

He stepped quietly beside her, touching his shoulder to hers. He felt her jump and turn her head. Their eyes met. As composed as ever, she barely moved but her eyes went wide with joy and she grasped his hand in hers.

"Merlin, you're home," she whispered.

"I'm home. I've missed you."

She smiled wider and her hand squeezed his, their fingers entwining, but outwardly, they just stood shoulder to shoulder facing the court. A proper welcome would have to wait until later. Merlin grinned at the thought. He'd learned that Bri in private was nothing like Bri in public. It had been quite a revelation. He rubbed his thumb gently across her wrist and felt her shiver.

"That's it?" a voice said quietly behind them. Merlin turned his head and saw Gwaine standing there. "A little hand holding? As if I haven't seen you two all over each other when you think no one is looking!"

"Gwaine!" hissed Bri, turning red.

Gwaine chuckled and drew Merlin into a hug.

"Welcome home, Merlin!"

"It's good to be home, Gwaine."

From the sounds around them, court had been adjourned for the evening and people started walking out. Arthur stood up from the throne and came forward.

"Merlin!" he shouted. "What in the blazes took you so long?"

"You know," Merlin stalled, smiling, "this and that."

"You mean you were dawdling?"

"Dawdling? I never dawdle."

Arthur stopped an arm's length away, hands on his hips, and scoffed loudly. Guinevere walked around him, her arms held wide open towards Merlin.

"He missed you, Merlin," she said, against his shoulder as she embraced him, "dreadfully. And so did I."

"Please!" Arthur scoffed again. "I did nothing of the sort."

Leon and Elyan came and clapped Merlin on the back.

"Good to have you back, Merlin."

Merlin grinned at them all.

"So, you're going to tell me anything at all?" Arthur asked when the others had walked away. "About your trip? About Morgana?"

"I'll tell you everything."

They looked at each other in silence. Arthur put a hand on Merlin's shoulder.

"Perhaps I did miss you a little."

"Well, I certainly missed you," Merlin said. "No incessant and demanding prattle for over three weeks. 'Merlin, do this! Merlin, do that!' It was much too ... relaxing."

Arthur smacked him on the shoulder.

"Idiot."

"So, how's your new manservant?"

Arthur scrunched up his face and shrugged.

"He's learning the ropes. He's obviously not you. Not that you ever were a very competent manservant." He was silent for a while looking wistful. "It's the end of an era, Merlin."

Merlin mirrored Arthur's earlier gesture by placing his hand on his friend's shoulder.

"And the beginning of another," he said. "I'm finding it strange too. I have no more reason to hide."

"I am glad of that, Merlin. I really am." He frowned. "Do you think it worked?"

"You mean Morgana?"

Arthur nodded. Merlin shrugged, his eyes staring unseeing down the corridor behind Arthur.

"I don't know. All I know is that the judgment is passed and whatever she chooses to do, every circumstance will conspire against her. I know that from personal experience." He smiled, but his eyes were sad. "It will be her choice. And we'll be on our guard."

Arthur nodded.

"And besides, it's easier now," Merlin continued. "I have ... contacts."

"A veritable spy network of sorcerers," Arthur said not looking entirely pleased.

"Are you worried I'll slowly get corrupted and turn bad wizard against Camelot?"

Arthur scoffed.

"Please, don't be ridiculous, Merlin!" he exclaimed, and Merlin smiled at the oblique confession of trust. "I'm worried I'm out of my depth, Merlin," he admitted reluctantly. "Bad guys with swords, I can handle. A growing network of sorcerers, not so much."

"You're not alone, Arthur. Don't forget that."

"I know, Merlin. I know."

They walked together in silence down the corridor.

"I'll go and let Gaius know I've returned and unpack my things."

Arthur stopped him.

"About that, Merlin. I've sent Gaius and Percival to a northern village where there's a rumour of a magical creature that petrifies anyone on sight. Now that you are back, I think we should follow them north. So, no need to unpack. We can leave in the morning."

"In the morning? I barely got back!"

"Aren't you looking forward to some glorious adventures?"

"I am looking forward to sleeping in my own bed."

"Running a kingdom is hard work, Merlin. Pack up! I'll see you at dinner."

Merlin sighed and watched Arthur disappear around the corner. He supposed there was no getting away from "glorious adventures" as Arthur put it, which really meant riding a horse all day and getting Arthur out of trouble.

He sighed and then grinned to himself. It was good to be home.

*The End*

AN: Ta Da! All better!
Thank you so much everyone who's come along for the journey. I've certainly had a great time writing this - I've de-traumatized myself post series finale. :D I've loved your comments, favourites & follows. You've encouraged me and made me laugh. I will miss Merlin and Arthur, but at least I know in my mind I've left them alive and well, off to their glorious adventures ... Whatever troubles they get into after this are not of my making! ;P