So this is a super late birthday fic for the one and only Arrionical! She's the absolute best and my Mergana soul mate! Her mergana stories are some of my absolute favorites and I cannot recommend them enough for any and all mergana fans (especially the birthday fic she wrote for me called "Of the Sea" which is pure magic and 100x better than my fic lol). Also she's a huge morgana stan and does her character complete justice in every fic, so basically I love you girl and I'm super late but I hope you enjoy!

This is the 3rd part of my Meet Me at the Lake AU featuring a Mergana Wedding!

XXXXXXXXXX

I think we deserve

A soft epilogue, my love

We are good people

And we've suffered enough

Her long sleeves billowed out with the wind. She stood at the edge of the hill, facing the early rays of dawn -wearing that blue dress he loved so much- the one he'd seen her in the very first time.

She doesn't turn around when she says, "You know it's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding."

He walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her waist. Parting her hair to the side he planted a kiss at the base of her neck.

"I didn't know you believed in superstitions."

She leaned back and tucked her head under his chin. "I don't, but we haven't had the best luck in the world. I'm nervous Merlin, I'm scared something will go wrong. This chance at happiness, this hope for a new life. It will end before it even begins."

He slowly turned her around and peered into her anxious eyes.

"Morgana, look at me. I know my promises haven't meant much in the past and I've failed you spectacularly before. But for what it's worth, I promise you, we'll be fine."

"The little crease between her eyebrows disappeared as she smiled at him.

No more words needed to be exchanged as they stood side by side watching the sun rise.

XXXXXXXX

Purple hydrangeas crowned Morgana's hair. Merlin had enchanted them so they sparkled like the amethysts around her neck. Gwen tucked in the last flower and then stood back to admire her beloved friend.

"Gwen, don't cry. If you cry, then I will too– "

"Don't you dare shed a single tear and ruin all my hard work!" Gwen mumbled with a watery smile. She quickly dabbed at her eyes and beamed at Morgana.

"I am so happy for you Morgana, you deserve all this and more. I just wish…"

Her unspoken words hung heavy between them, and both women mourned silently for the late King.

"Oh how he would've teased you and Merlin!" Gwen said in happier tones.

Morgana shook her head fondly. "I can just imagine his smugness about us ending up together. Believe it or not he had been the first person to notice Merlin's feelings for me!"

Gwen laughed softly. "I believe he's watching us today. And probably berating us for keeping his best friend waiting. Come on then."

Morgana took a deep breath. She was ready.

XXXXXXXX

The Grand Hall had never looked so festive. Magical creatures from far and near had come to witness the union of the most powerful warlock on Earth and Avalon's most beloved high priestess. Druids, knights, faeries and nobles filled the chairs on either side of the room. The four large pillars had been adorned with the same hydrangeas, shining in the sunlight that spilled in from the high windows.

A trail of rose petals covered the aisle leading up to the alter. Merlin was standing there in his best white suit, under the wooden arch, waiting for his bride.

XXXXXXXXXX

The large doors of the grand hall parted to reveal a long line of giggling flower girls, all dressed in identical yellow dresses. They tossed sunflower petals in the air and curtseyed to all the guests as they passed by.

Next came the sisters of Avalon, carrying small golden harps. With their shimmering white robes, waist length hair and red lips, they looked every bit as intimidating and beautiful as sirens.

Soft soothing music filled the hall as they spread out to stand on each corner, nimble fingers smoothly pulling at the harp strings.

Finally, the bride entered. Gwen standing on her left, Morgause on her right. Merlin's breath hitched when he laid eyes on her.

Morgana's lavender dress was fitted at the bodice and gently flared wider toward the bottom. It was a simple style, with two lines of crystals running down her chest and a band of silver vines circling her waist. The lower half was chiffon purple tresses that fell to her ankles, just above her slippers.

Merlin's smile as she came to stand next to him was bright enough to light up the entire city. Hers was equally radiant.

As the music and guests settled down, the High Priestess began speaking.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of the Triple Goddess, and in the face of this company, to join together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony.

"Merlin, will you have this woman to your lawfully wedded wife? Will you love her, comfort her, honor her, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, remain faithful to her, so long as you both shall live?"

"I will."

"Morgana, will you have this woman to your lawfully wedded husband? Will you love him, comfort him, honor him, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, remain faithful to him, so long as you both shall live?"

"I will."

Morgana placed her hands in Merlin's as they both recited their vows:

"Today, I recognize you, my anam cara

And ask that you become a part of me, in sacred kinship.

With you I will share my innermost self, my mind and my heart.

With you, I have lost all fear and have found the greatest courage.

I have learned to love and let myself be loved.

With you, I have found a rhythm of grace and gracefulness.

Love daily reawakens in my life; a rebirth; a new beginning.

With you my anam cara,

I am understood,

I am home."

As the last vow was uttered, a silver ribbon materialized before the newlyweds and spun around them a few times before gracefully tying itself around their right hands.

Merlin leaned forward and whispered, "Is feider leannee anam cara"

He cupped her face with his left hand and gently kissed her. The hydrangeas bloomed at the touch of their lips as their combined magic filled the air. The music began once more while the guests clapped and cheered with a few knights (Sir Gwaine in particular) even whistling.

One final tradition was left before their first dance as husband and wife.

Hunith came forward –wearing a beige gown and the biggest smile- and handed them a small oval mirror, just big enough to fit their faces in side by side.

It was an old celtic tradition for the newlyweds to look into a mirror together, as a symbol of gazing at one's future, or more specifically, the person who is their future.

For Merlin and Morgana though, the tradition held a whole new meaning, since the bride was one of the most powerful seers in the Kingdom.

Instead of seeing their faces in the mirror, Merlin caught glimpses of their actual future, bits and pieces of what Morgana herself had seen so far. He stood in amazement as the whole world narrowed down to just him, Morgana and the mirror, showing him all the dreams he'd been too afraid to even hope for. Soon to become a reality. It was only a matter of seconds but felt like a decade.

The trance broke, and he was back to staring at himself. Morgana's reflection winked at him.

"There's so much more to come my love." Merlin heard her say in his mind.

"I look forward to it all anam cara."

XXXXXXXXXXX

In Celtic Spiritual tradition, it is believed that the soul radiates all about the physical body, what some refer to as an aura. When you connect with another person and become completely open and trusting with that individual, your two souls begin to flow together. Should such a deep bond be formed, it is said you have found your Anam Cara or soul friend.

According to John O'Donahue, an accomplished Irish poet, philosopher and Catholic priest, "...You are joined in an ancient and eternal union with humanity that cuts across all barriers of time, convention, philosophy and definition. When you are blessed with an anam cara, the Irish believe, you have arrived at that most sacred place: home."

This is what I feel Merlin and Morgana are to each other, not simply lovers or partners or even just soulmates, but Anam Cara.

Arrionical, wishing you the best in life for everything love and super belated happy birthday!

(Also quick shoutout to I luv Milarion 1201, I know how long you've wanted me to to continue this AU so I hope you liked it my dear.)