CHAPTER 11

Elena, Bayard and Olaf all left the next morning with good wishes and promises of invitations to their own kingdoms in the near future.

"You're certain you wouldn't like to stay longer?" Arthur asked Elena, who was the last to leave. "You've hardly had a chance to enjoy Camelot."

"I had best get back to my father," she said regretfully. "But please, do come visit us in Gawant soon. He isn't really up to travel any more, but he would be thrilled to see you. He's already been discussing appointing our own Court Sorcerer and Lord Merlin's advice would prove invaluable."

"I'm sure Merlin would be delighted to help."

Elena swung herself up onto her horse. Arthur smothered a grin at the look of trepidation on some of the older knights' faces as they followed suit - no doubt they were struggling to adjust to the swift pace with which their Regent Queen faced everything. "Farewell then, Arthur. Tell Merlin I said goodbye as well, and thank him again for all he did for me the last time I was here."

Arthur inclined his head and waved goodbye as she departed. As the Camelot knights and staff dispersed from where they had been lined up in the Courtyard, Gwaine sidled up to Arthur with a sly grin.

"So, how annoyed do you reckon Merlin is going to be when he realises you let him sleep through all that?"

The answer, of course, was very annoyed. When Merlin awoke, several hours later, it was to Arthur shaking him awake for dinner.

He opened his eyes slowly, forehead creasing once he realised where he was. "What am I doing in your bed?"

"You practically passed out in it." Arthur gestured to George, who stepped forward with a fresh set of clothes for Merlin to change into. "Now hurry up; Gaius says you should eat something."

Merlin bolted upright and looked, aghast, to the dark sky outside. "I slept all day? Why didn't you wake me?"

The truth was that Arthur hadn't had the heart to wake Merlin, who even now looked as though a stiff breeze might blow him over. What he said, though, was, "I tried! You muttered something about needing to catch up on your beauty sleep. Not that it's done you any good..."

Merlin glowered, but changed into the clothes George passed him without further complaint. Now that he was awake, he found himself utterly starving.

"You're in high demand by the way."

"Oh?"

"Bayard, Olaf and Elena have all asked for your help choosing their Kingdom's court sorcerers."

Merlin looked stunned. "Me?"

"In the space of this summit you've caused an earthquake, stopped time, summoned two dragons, and come out of a fight with a High Priestess of the Old Religion relatively unscathed," Arthur listed off with wry amusement. "Who else do you think they'd want to consult?"

And just like that all of Merlin's annoyance disappeared in the flash of a pleased smile.

"Well, if it isn't sleeping beauty," Gwaine greeted Arthur and Merlin as they entered the dining hall. Despite the knight's teasing, he looked relieved to see Merlin back to his normal self. "It's good to see you, my friend."

As Merlin went with Gwaine to chat with the rest of the knights, Arthur drifted towards Gaius and Guinevere. The dining hall was arranged in a simple manner, a stark contrast to the grand feasts they had gotten used to throwing for the visiting Kingdoms over the past few weeks. Arthur found himself relieved at the change. There would be no diplomatic posturing tonight. Just good food, good wine, and good company.

"Thank you for looking after Merlin last night, Sire." Gaius handed across a goblet of wine. "That boy does worry me sometimes."

Arthur accepted the drink with a nod of gratitude. "He worries us all, Gaius, but he's also the reason we're standing here today."

"He certainly has a way of defying the odds," Gwen added.

"And long may he continue to do so."

They raised their goblets in a silent toast and drank deep, each one grateful to have the Court Sorcerer back safe in their midst.

The night wore on and Arthur found himself relaxing more than he had in weeks, the weight of responsibility momentarily lifted from his shoulders. Even better, he could see the change in Merlin too, as the warlock joked and laughed along with everyone else.

Still, the effects of Merlin's recent trials lingered, and by the time they made it to the end of the main course his eyes were drooping.

"Tired already?"

"It takes a lot of energy to save the Kingdom." Merlin smothered a yawn in the back of his hand. "Don't worry, I'll sleep in my own chambers tonight."

"Glad to hear it - you're a real blanket hog."

"And you snore," Merlin retorted. "But you don't hear me complaining."

"As I recall, you complained quite a lot on our hunting trips..."

Their playful bickering continued through dessert, after which everyone went their separate ways. Once he had bid farewell to Guinevere (much to the amusement of the knights, who whooped enthusiastically at their goodnight kiss), Arthur walked Merlin back to his chambers.

The palace corridors were quiet but for their own echoing footsteps and Arthur found himself thinking back to all that had changed in the past few months. A year ago he never would have believed where Camelot found itself now, nor how much happier he was in the wake of it all.

"What do you look so pleased about?" Merlin asked suspiciously as they reached his door. "Is Gwen really that good a kisser?"

"What?! No! I mean yes, but-" Arthur broke off with a frustrated sigh. "I'm pleased because the Summit was such a success."

Merlin smiled tentatively. "It really was, wasn't it?"

Arthur squeezed his friend's arm. "Tomorrow, you get to wake up in a world where magic is free."

Merlin's eyes, tired though they were, glinted happily at that thought. With a final goodnight he disappeared into his chambers, and Arthur headed back to his own.

There was more work to be done, of course. Morgana was still out there somewhere, and Alined would not stop his scheming either. As he settled into bed, however, Arthur pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind and focussed on the good. His Kingdom was safe, peace was restored, and the future of Albion was bright. He fell asleep with a contented smile on his face, dreaming of a new and harmonious era illuminated by the golden touch of Merlin's magic.

Author's Note: Thank you all for reading and especially to those who have left such encouraging feedback. Keep an eye out as I'd love to write more in the universe of this particular AU.