Gaius carried a kettle carefully across the room and sat it in the middle of a table next to two empty mugs. He was quiet as he poured the liquid into both cups, before dipping a small cloth filled with herbs around in the boiling water that quickly turned the color dark.

"I only have lavender this time I'm afraid. I wish I'd known you were leaving sooner, I would have been better prepared for your visit." The physician apologized as he settled into a chair across from Dorian.

"Please, do not worry yourself over a man like me, Gaius. I come for the company, not the drink. You ought to know that after all these years." The old guard smiled, lifting the mug to his lips and taking a slow, careful sip from the hot drink. "Still, it's as good as always, and I will miss these moments here with you, my friend."

"I still cannot believe you are finally going, Dorian. Truly I'm happy for you, but it will not be the same without you here." Gaius sighed, picking up his own drink and cradling it between his hands.

"In some ways it will," Dorian lifted one shoulder in a shrug while his fingers trailed around the rim of his mug. "After all, I've barely had a hand in training the men anymore, and my years have grown quite long."

"Don't say that or they'll send all of us old men on our way." The physician let out a laugh, and Dorian smiled.

"Gaius, the kingdom couldn't bear to get rid of you. In fact, I think they might not survive if you were to ever leave."

"I wouldn't go that far," Gaius chuckled, dipping the cloth of herbs in his cup again while he spoke. "My years are quite up there as well, and men don't live forever."

"Perhaps that's why I've decided now is as good a time as any." Dorian sighed himself, bringing his cup to his lips again and breathing in the aroma. "I received word that my youngest son had another child, a little girl. It's their first in such a large family, and I think now is the time to spend my final years with them."

"I understand that." Gaius nodded, smiling faintly into his drink. "I sometimes wish I'd found another, brought up a family of my own. But time is cruel with how it passes, and far too much of it went by before I considered that desire."

"Ah, but you do have a boy now, don't you? Perhaps Merlin will marry one day and bring a little one into your tower."

Gaius snorted at that, his hand flying to his face as he quickly set his drink down. "Forgive me, Dorian. But I don't think I'll be holding my breath waiting for that to happen."

The old guard smiled, but before he could speak the door to the physician's tower flew open and Gaius' ward came flying through in a rush.

"Merlin?" Gaius questioned, surprise alight on his face as the young man held up his hand while he passed, leaving behind him a trail of water from his wet and muddied clothes.

"Not a word, Gaius. Not a word." The young man snapped, not even glancing Dorian's way before he was leaping up the steps to the back room and slamming the door behind him.

"I apologize for my ward, Dorian. It appears he has forgotten all his manners." The physician uttered dryly, leaning back in his chair once again as the old guard laughed.

"Don't be, Gaius. The boy is as lively as ever. Oh, how I wish I still had that sort of life in me. Besides, I think it's a good thing with how solemn the citadel has been as of late."

"Yes," Gaius said softly, looking down at his lap. "We all miss Guinevere quite a lot these days."

"She was always a bright spot on a poor day." Dorian agreed, falling into a bout of silence that was soon broken by a yelp coming from behind the closed bedroom door.

Gaius whirled in his seat as the door flew open and Merlin sprinted down the few stairs while tugging down a dry tunic.

"Merlin?" Gaius called as the young man hurried past.

"I forgot! He's going to be furious!" Uttering the words with no further explanation, the young man once again ignored the old guard and dashed out the door, leaving his guardian half standing and staring after him.

"Well, there's never a dull moment with him, is there?" Dorian laughed, taking another sip of his drink.

The old guard's steps were slow and methodical as he walked through the long corridors of the citadel. It was getting later in the morning, soon to be afternoon, and Dorian knew he needed to leave soon. It was difficult, however, knowing how deeply he would miss his home.

He'd been in Camelot for over half his life, serving the kingdom and going about his days, and to leave now, while no doubt the best for him, was troublesome. Rounding a corner, Dorian stopped in his tracks as King Arthur stormed past him with barely controlled rage evident on his face.

"Sire." The old guard bowed, though the king barely seemed to know he was there.

Not a few moments later Merlin was rushing past again, no doubt trying to catch up to the man.

"I'm sorry I forgot!" The young man was panting, and Dorian's steps slowed even more as he listened to them arguing.

"I don't want to hear it, Merlin."

"I can't help that I was busy, Arthur!" The servant cried, and Dorian peeked over his shoulder to see the king whirl around.

"Busy with what exactly?"

"With life! And other things.." Merlin trailed off, shifting from one foot to another.

"You were off getting drunk at the tavern again, weren't you?"

"No!" The young man cried, only for the king to scowl.

"You're pathetic, Merlin."

"And you're crabby." The young man shot back.

"Excuse me?" Arthur asked, his voice turning deadly as Merlin backed up a step and drew in a breath.

"I'm simply saying, Sire, that you've had a short temper as of late. Perhaps a relaxing bath or a ride in the woods would help."

"I think throwing you in the stocks and pelting you with a few dozen rotted fruits would make me feel better instead."

"Well, whatever cheers his highness up." Merlin chirped, and the king spun on his heel and stormed away from him, refusing to acknowledge the servant as he trailed behind him.

Dorian shook his head to himself, trying to stifle his smile at the two of them. Guinevere being banished from the kingdom had taken a toll on a lot of people, but none as much as the king himself. Still, Merlin had always been there for the king, and this time seemed no different.

The old guard had listened to them bicker and argue for years, and perhaps that was exactly what the king needed now to rid himself of the pain he was no doubt in.

Placing the last of his belongings on a small cart pulled by a donkey old in age as well, Dorian mopped his face with a cloth and looked up to the sky. His son's village wasn't too far, and he'd surely reach it by nightfall, but he'd spent a bit too long in Camelot and would now be walking through the late afternoon into evening. Before Dorian could start on his way, however, he was stopped by a voice calling out to him in the distance.

"Dorian."

Turning, the old guard watched as King Arthur strode towards him with a wrapped bundle in his arms.

Bowing once he was closer, Dorian paid his respect to his king. "Your Highness."

"I could not have you leave without acknowledging your many years of service and loyalty. Camelot was lucky to have you, as was my father and I." Presenting the package to him, Dorian took the bundle into his arms and felt the weight of a sword within.

"It has been my honor to serve both your father and you, my lord." Dorian bowed again, clutching the sword close to him.

"We wish you safe travels, and the knowledge that if you ever wish to return, Camelot will welcome you as an old friend."

"Thank you, Sire. I wish you the very best as well in all things. You're a fine king, and I'm certain that your father would be proud."

A small smile rose to Arthur's lips, and the man nodded once before turning and heading back for the citadel, leaving Dorian to pack his sword away.

"Dorian."

Turning at his name a second time, the old guard watched as Merlin came bounding towards him, a satchel clutched to his chest.

"Gaius sends his wishes for safe travels and wants you to take this with you." The young mad offered out the bag, and the old guard took it carefully and peeked inside, finding rations and tonics and cloths filled with different herbs residing inside.

"Tell your guardian thank you from me, Merlin. He's been a true friend through the years and I'll miss him greatly." Dorian smiled, and the young man offered a grin in return before he left the old guard to hurry off in the same direction the king had gone.

Holding the satchel close, Dorian watched Merlin's back as the young man paused and stepped off the road to return a shovel from where it had fallen over. It was a simple act, barely taking a few seconds, but it was a kindness the man didn't often see.

Of course, Merlin had always been different, and for some time the old guard had been worried he wouldn't last in Camelot. Guards saw quite a lot in their day to day work, from arguments to dalliances to strange behaviors.

In the beginning he'd merely passed off the occurrences around Merlin as quirks the boy had or simple coincidences. However, as time went on, the old guard could no longer deny what was right in front of his eyes. And then, one day it became evident, as he'd seen it firsthand. Merlin, at the time the prince's personal manservant, using magic.

Dorian had fought with himself for two days after that, about whether he should take the boy to Uther for his crimes. But in the end, Merlin's magic had saved Arthur's life, and the old guard realized that no one else had known of what happened. So Dorian had watched him, wanting to keep an eye on the magic user hiding within the walls of Camelot.

Over time, he came to realize that Merlin in fact used magic quite frequently. To the point where he wouldn't be surprised if Gaius came to know of what his ward was capable of. But never once had the boy, who had grown into a young man within the same citadel as the king, proven to be dangerous. In fact, it seemed he usually only used his magic to help Arthur.

Dorian wasn't sure who, if anyone, knew about what Merlin was doing, but at the same time the old guard had never felt the need to tell the Pendragons about it. Why cause trouble when there was no need?

Besides, he'd grown familiar with Merlin through Gaius, and Dorian was certain the young man wouldn't hurt a fly unless it was out to get the king. And if the fates had thrown those two young men together in the kingdom, who he was to trifle with their design?

Letting out a long breath, Dorian grabbed the donkey's reigns and began to lead the old creature onto the path headed for the forest. He hoped that Camelot would thrive. He missed what it used to be, back when magic was used freely. And oh, how he missed his wife.

His two sons never should have been forced to grow up without their mother, and a piece of Dorian had wondered if he should have harbored anger towards the Pendragons for what they did. But how could he, when he himself had been just as scared? And that ridiculous fear had lingered for so many years, and for so long after discovering Merlin as well.

Dorian wished he could go back to when he was younger, wished he could find his wife again and hug her close while apologizing for what a fool he had been. Her magic was beautiful and unique, not something to be feared. Still, the laws were laws, and Dorian's children grew well enough with only him in their lives.

And now there was a little girl he could not wait to meet, one who he knew had been named for the woman he should have tried harder to save. His life was about to begin anew, outside the walls of a kingdom he knew well, and excitement rushed through him at the thought.

Perhaps King Arthur would find that same joy over starting a new journey, and one day hold a small child of his own in his arms. Perhaps the same would happen for Merlin, too. Dorian knew he would eagerly await that day, when a letter from Gaius would come to tell him of such news. Until then, he would find his children and their families and spend his days in peace.

Dorian's head turned, taking in the sight of the citadel in the distance one final time, and said his goodbyes. Farewell to Camelot, his home for so long. Farewell to his king, who he hoped might one day change the ways that had been so firmly set in stone. And a final farewell to the young magician who had made him realize not all who used magic were as corrupt and evil as they were made out to be.

A/N

I've wanted to do this story for a while after reading an old tumblr post about how Merlin is rarely careful with his magic when guards are surely around. Also because the episode where Guinevere is banished after messing around with Lancelot BROKE ME and I'm just not ready to deal with that yet.

I hope you guys enjoyed! Feel free to leave a review and let me know if there's any story prompts you'd like to see! Chances are if you've asked for it I've already got it planned, but it never hurts to remind me! See you guys next time!