Thank you to everyone who has favourited, followed, and post reviews - the support has been amazing and all your comments have been deeply appreciated.

Caldera32 is a wonderful person and an excellent beta, without her skill and guidance this story would not have been posted so I owe her a great debt.

Well, here it is at last – the final chapter, I hope you find it satisfying. Please let me know your thoughts.

Chapter 12 Epilogue: A Sorcerer in Servant's Clothing

6 months later

Merlin nudged his horse with his heels and looked around in awe. It was a simple hunting trip with Arthur and Gwaine - something he could easily sabotage later - but for now it was glorious.

Dappled sunlight filtered through the trees, highlighting a myriad of different colours and shades. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes briefly to appreciate the warmth on his back and the scent of wild flowers and herbs. Nature had outdone herself.

A sharp pain exploded at the base of his skull. Merlin brought up his hand reflexively, swivelling in his saddle and giving Gwaine a pointed look. The knight raised his eyebrows and gestured towards the trees. Merlin sighed and shook his head, still rubbing his neck.

"That hurt!" He mouthed.

"Sorry!" Gwaine replied silently, accompanied by a shrug of his shoulders.

Gwaine knew of his magic now. The knight had taken it very well, enjoying being in on the secret - a tad too enthusiastically. If Merlin paused during a patrol the knight took it as some sort of signal and would start winking and wiggling his eyebrows in a conspiratorial manner – it was a wonder Arthur hadn't noticed.

Whilst Merlin was recovering from the incident with Kane, Gwaine had approached him about his scars, the cuff, and everything else. The warlock had been too exhausted to put up a fight and could not face lying anymore - so he had told him. After a stunned silence, the knight had thrown back his head and laughed. He had wrapped his arms tightly around the bemused servant, planted a kiss on the top of his head and ruffled his hair before laughing some more. Gwaine had called for a celebration of course, and for once Merlin had joined him - finally he did not have a secret to hide.

The following morning Gaius had poured a bucket of cold water over the slumbering knight, clipped his ear, and sent him on his way. The physician had then chastised the hungover warlock for sabotaging his own recovery with such a stupid act.

Consequently, Merlin had no clear recollection of exactly what he told the knight, although he had his suspicions.

Gwaine no longer tried to pair the servant off with every available woman he saw nor cajoled him into being cheerful when things got to be too much. If Merlin slinked off to the highest turret of the castle, Gwaine gave him space to be alone. Only if the warlock was gone for too long would the knight come and find him, sitting at his side with naught but a nudge and gentle squeeze to the shoulder before whispering "come on, or you'll be missed."

Merlin was broken from his thoughts by the dulcet tones of his king.

"Everything all right back there, Merlin? Not having another vacant episode or got one of your 'funny feelings' have you?"

The servant sighed. "Everything is fine, Sire."

Merlin could have left it there but couldn't help himself. "Thought you didn't believe in my intuition."

It seemed like Merlin would have the last word, then Arthur replied in a lazy tone.

"There is no denying prey animals are highly attuned to danger, so it's worth paying attention."

"Prey animals?" Merlin pulled on the reins of his horse, then folded his arms.

The king glanced over his shoulder. "Don't be so sensitive, Merlin." He turned back, trying to hide a smirk. "I'm merely saying you're either a predator or… well, Gwaine and I have superior strength, speed, and reflexes – typical hunters - whereas prey animals tend to be all long limbs, wide eyes, and big ears -"

Whump! A random branch smacked Arthur in the stomach.

"Are you alright, Sire? Did the fearsome predator just get attacked by one of those stationary trees?"

"Merlin!" Yelled the king, but there was no heat in the words.

The dense vegetation soon swallowed up the raucous laughter. It was good to joke with Arthur again; for a time things had been a little strained between them but it was better now.

Merlin's body moved rhythmically with the horse as they continued the ride in silence. He let his mind drift back to all that had happened in the last six months.

The immediate aftermath of his battle with Kane was a bit of a blur; it had taken a few weeks for his magic to settle, to regain his strength and put on the weight he'd lost whilst wearing the manacle. Merlin gave an involuntary shudder, rubbing the raised pink band that scarred his forearm. It was a permanent reminder of all he'd been through; yet another mark to add to the ever-growing collection.

He'd woken up terrified his secret was laid bare; however, with Gaius' intervention, he'd gotten away with it yet again. But the victory was hollow; with each lie the cloak of deception got heavier and harder to wear. Merlin was so shaken from his near miss that it took a while before he felt comfortable using his magic around the king again; he was paranoid he'd slip up, but at the same time he almost wanted to.

The warlock had always hidden his injuries, not wanting to arouse suspicion or appear weak, but that was rather difficult this time. People treated him like a fragile bird; even Arthur seemed different - more careful. Merlin hated it. He rejoiced when the royal's temper resurfaced, welcoming the normality of it. Eventually the banter returned as well. That wasn't all that had changed; Arthur listened more now and sought his advice openly, even asking his views on Kane. He'd told the monarch fate had served its own punishment; Kane was not capable of standing trial and there was nothing to be gained from his execution.

When the king had addressed the citizens of Camelot, Merlin had been publicly thanked for his role in helping to save the kingdom. The people had been told Kane was a bigoted and bitter man. Hate and a lust for power were the impetus behind the attack, but use of a force he did not understand had ultimately resulted in his own destruction. Arthur had stressed that ignorance and prejudice were a poison that could destroy a kingdom, calling for tolerance and understanding so something like this would never happen again.

When announcing the sentence the royal had stated that the lord had already paid the price for his greed and should be pitied. No further action was warranted. There had been a little disappointment at the verdict; a good lynching brought spectators from the outlying villages, which had always been good for trade.

Arthur had been shocked at the shallow nature of the populace, especially when he heard complaints from vendors saying their takings had gone down since Uther had left the throne. He had vowed to give his people a positive reason to gather and, at Guinevere's suggestion, organised an open day once a month were there would be access to education and the poor could attend literacy lessons – the solution brought in the promised crowds and satisfied the masses.

Life returned to an even keel and Merlin resumed his double life. Then Kane woke up.

Merlin had panicked when Kane moved his limbs - it signalled a return of motor activity. The warlock had spent a restless week waiting for the noble to open his eyes, wondering if he would remember. It was the closest the servant had come to confessing all to Arthur, believing the truth would be better from his own tongue - but he couldn't do it.

Kane never recovered; he had severe cognitive impairment with expressive and receptive problems. At best he could follow two-word commands, vocalisation was limited to a few grunts, and he needed help with even the most basic of tasks. The noble had brought it on himself, of course, but it seemed to Merlin all who discovered his secret met with misfortune - save for his mother and Gaius. What if the knowledge was cursed? He'd even tried to warn Gwaine but the knight had just flicked his hair and shrugged, saying he'd take his chances. Still, the warlock had resolved to wait a little longer before he told his king.

The queen had tried to track down Kane's family to no avail. There was a woman who'd originated from the same area, was of appropriate age and profession, but she'd burnt at the stake for witchcraft and so was unlikely to have been the sister they were looking for. With nowhere to go, Kane had stayed in Camelot, working in the stables. Merlin could not find it in himself to hate the man and would read to him sometimes, occasionally choosing a passage in Latin - Kane seemed to like the lilt of the words despite no longer understanding them. The warlock had even toyed with the idea of trying to help but Gaius had forbidden any dabbling and Merlin had to concede he was probably right.

Merlin had received a mixed response to his heroics. Some thought the king's manservant had gotten above his station; there were rumours of misdeeds and sorcery and he endured the odd accident, shove, or kick. Merlin never said anything but Arthur always found out and reprimanded those involved.

Most were pleased for him; Geoffrey certainly seemed to have developed a soft spot for the servant. Instead of tutting when the gangly man knocked over a pile of books, the librarian would make a point of showing Merlin ancient texts or delight in the odd conversation in Latin.

Merlin felt lighter, the burden of destiny not as hard to bare. Gwaine knew about his gift and Arthur, on the whole, treated him with a lot more respect - even if he still had to dodge the odd goblet in the morning. The king seemed genuinely curious about all things mystical and magical, to the extent he was willing to finally try and build bridges with the druids. As promised, their community was no longer persecuted and the royal even set up a meeting with some of the druid elders.

All in all there was a feeling of hope; change was in the air. Merlin felt it in his bones as surely as the approach of spring - perhaps this meant his king was finally ready to learn the truth?

It happened too quickly. He heard the bolt rather than saw it, just managing to avoid the arrow before it lodged in a tree. More followed but, thanks to some magical intervention, all missed. The horses were spooked but the three companions managed to dismount and launch an offensive.

Merlin sensed four men and signalled to Gwaine. The knights took two bandits each and Merlin dropped a branch on one, heating the sword of another. Common thieves were no match for the mighty knights of Camelot; within minutes the grunts and clanging of metal died - the party of three victorious.

As they were celebrating, a man recovered enough to hurtle towards the royal. Arthur sidestepped the strike easily but tripped on a log, landing flat on his back and vulnerable. The thug snarled, lifting his blade. The pinned monarch's eyes widened in horror as silver bore down.

Merlin and Gwaine were on the other side of the clearing - too far away.

Instinct took over as magic rose like molten lava, erupting out of Merlin's palm and sending the attacker sailing through the air. He caught movement, and a second bandit followed the first.

The bodies bounced off the trees and lay lifeless on the ground. The silence was deadly.

This is it; The moment he'd dreaded and simultaneously craved. Arthur had seen him use magic and no excuse could be pulled from the hat to explain Merlin's golden eyes or the flying thugs.

Gwaine pushed himself in front of the warlock.

Merlin gaped in shock as Arthur picked himself up and quietly dusted the debris from his clothes. Not once did the royal break eye contact. He marched towards the two men.

The rogue knight placed a hand against Arthur's chest. "His magic saved your life."

Arthur merely clasped Gwaine's fist in his own and lowered the limb. "I know."

He pushed past the stunned knight.

"I've known for some time."

The king reached his servant, then did something the dark-haired man was totally unprepared for: Arthur embraced him and patted his back.

"It's about time."

Merlin found it hard to breathe. Black spots danced in his eyes and his knees buckled. Gwaine grabbed him and between the two knights they steered a very shaken warlock toward the ground.

Merlin looked up, wide-eyed. "You knew?"

Arthur nodded.

"How long?"

"Since Kane."

A loud whistle could be heard and Gwaine kicked a stone into the undergrowth. "Son of..." he trailed off, shaking his head.

"I don't, I… I..."

Arthur put his hands on his friend's shoulders, looking directly into his eyes. "I was not ready and neither were you."

Merlin blinked slowly and nodded, his head swam and he swayed dangerously.

"Here," a water-skin was thrust under the servant's nose and he was so dazed he needed assistance to drink from it.

"If I'd known I'd have gotten this reaction, I would have told you I knew months ago." The king said a little hesitantly, "I've been trying to think of a way to shut you up for years."

"Glad I could be of service, Sire." Merlin replied automatically.

It was not up to their usual calibre, but it was all either man could manage given the circumstances.

The warlock could not process what had just happened. He'd waited his whole life for this moment. Either his dreams were plagued with horrifying scenarios or he'd spend endless nights awake thinking of how he would convince Arthur his magic was a gift only to be used to protect and serve. Finally the time had come to reveal his secret and Arthur already knew, already accepted him – he just couldn't get his head around it.

A wave of magic welled up inside and he could not help but chuckle; he laughed until tears rolled down his face and he beat his fists into the grown.

Arthur eyed his servant; this was not the response he'd expected. He turned toward Gwaine.

"It was water in that skin, wasn't it?"

"Of course."

It was obvious Merlin was in shock and would not be capable of answering any of Arthur's questions. The disappointment was crushing - the king had been uncharacteristically patient the last few months and now he still had to wait.

Arthur felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Give him time; he's been hiding all his life."

The royal spun around. "I take it you knew?"

Arthur had not meant to sound terse but it hurt more than he cared to admit that the knight had been told before him.

"Naturally."

The royal stormed off towards the edge of the clearing to get some kindling - since Merlin clearly was not capable of setting up camp. When he returned he snapped the wood with more force than necessary before throwing it onto the ground.

"How long?"

Gwaine sighed. "After Kane - pretty much the same as you."

"He told you?"

Gwaine looked over at Merlin; the warlock was still in a world of his own.

"I challenged him; he was exhausted and did not deny it. I don't think he would have said anything otherwise." Gwaine rubbed his beard and looked a little sheepish. "I also gave him mead, which may have loosened his tongue further."

Arthur frowned.

Gwaine put his hands on his hips and kicked at the ground before looking up. "He's had a tough time. You have to understand; he's loyal to you above and beyond everything."

The king's expression softened. "I know."

The other knight snorted. "Do you really? Because your reaction, your respect, it means everything to him. Some of the sacrifices..." Gwaine shook his head, it was not his place to tell.

Arthur jabbed his finger into the other man's chest and snapped.

"I'm not my father, Gwaine! I don't make a habit of burning sorcerers. I've known for six months and in that time have I ever behaved differently towards Merlin, shown any indication I would cause him harm?"

The king stepped away, breathing hard. Did everyone see him as some sort of tyrant?

Gwaine held up his hands. "Slow down; I didn't say that. You're a good king, Arthur, it's why I swore allegiance, but you can't deny your mistrust of magic or some of the things you've said in the past."

Arthur let his arms flop down to his sides, deflated.

"It was what I experienced – all my life magic caused nothing but pain and loss. Then, I discover Merlin has it!" Arthur shook his head and ran his fingers through his hair. "It was not easy to come to terms with. But what happened with Kane, it made me think about things differently. I saw it – I saw magic, felt it even; it became a tangible force."

Arthur could not deny he had been a complete mess those first few days after discovering Merlin had magic - more so when he became certain his servant possessed it. The royal had experienced anger, frustration, resentment, and melancholy all at the same time. Thankfully the throne room was being rebuilt at the time and all the recent trauma could easily explain his moods. Merlin had been recuperating and a little out of it, which was just as well because he had not been sure how to behave around the man anymore.

On one occasion Arthur had gone to check on Merlin and found him in the throes of a nightmare. The servant had been drenched in sweat and thrashing around on the narrow cot, begging not to be burnt. The king had cooled fevered flesh and whispered he'd never do such a thing, staying until the dark-haired man calmed. He'd never told anyone what he'd seen but the memory of it woke him from time to time.

It felt wrong to tease someone who was obviously intelligent and powerful, and he could not help but be a bit uneasy. He had searched repeatedly for signs his friend was different but could not find anything new. When Merlin had returned to work he continued to be a clumsy oaf who often did idiotic things so the royal eventually felt justified in calling him such.

There had been times he felt Merlin was on the cusp of telling him but the servant always seemed to lose his resolve no matter how much Arthur tried to goad him. Merlin kept tight control and it had struck Arthur there had been other occasions when his friend may have been trying to tell him something but he'd been too ignorant to realise until the moment had passed.

Arthur had been surprised to discover he could now feel Merlin's magic, could sense the hum in the air and a tingle against his skin. Having been exposed to it in such large quantities during the battle with Kane, Arthur was now attuned to it. When something strange happened - on a patrol or even something as simple as his quill going missing just after he'd insulted his servant - he knew who was responsible.

Every time Merlin used magic it seemed obvious - how could he have been so blind before? It was unique but familiar, warm and comforting - he recognised it as easily as a person's voice or gait. Did that mean Merlin already had magic when they first met? That it had always been there? It would certainly explain why a runt would challenged a seasoned warrior to a fight.

Gwaine said something and the king directed his attention back to the knight.

"He will tell you everything, I'm sure – just not today. Hell, I think I barely scratched the surface." The rugged man flicked his fringe and sighed. "He's revered by the druids, you know; they have a different name for him - Emrys."

Arthur froze. "Emrys?"

"Something like that."

It was the royal's turn to let out a hysterical laugh, bringing his hand to his face in disbelief.

Ever since he'd found out about Merlin he'd started researching the mysterious Emrys that Morgana had mentioned and his traitorous uncle had wanted to find so desperately. The powerful sorcerer whom his sister feared and who had allegedly been protecting him.

Unsurprisingly, Gaius had denied all knowledge. Geoffrey, sensing a change in Arthur's attitude, had uncovered some ancient manuscripts thought to have been destroyed during the purge. They contained a prophecy about the Once and Future King and Emrys.

He'd intended to ask Merlin about it when the time came, since it stood to reason he knew who this man was – Arthur never expected them to be the same person. Of course it would be Merlin; who else?

The royal snorted at the absurdity of it all. Supposedly the most powerful magic-user to walk the earth and he had him washing his socks!

The king's behaviour seemed to have shaken Merlin out of his stupor. Arthur looked up to see Gwaine and his servant giving him wary glances. The blond knight recovered his composure and sat down next to his friend.

"It seems we have much to discuss."

Merlin nodded.

"I accept you, Merlin - and your magic. I don't want you to change."

The warlock made to interrupt but the king silenced him. He was determined to make Merlin realise he was safe.

"It will have to be a secret for now – the citizens of Camelot are not ready - but one day they will be. I was going to tell you when we got back, but now is as good a time as any. I think I have a way to sway the people."

Merlin eyed the king cautiously.

"One of the new recruits is very talented; he'll make an excellent knight." Arthur smiled and spoke quickly in his excitement. "Remember the boy Mordred? Think about it, Merlin, a Camelot knight who's also a druid!"

Ice struck the warlock's heart as if he'd been touched by the dorocha. All sound seemed to be sucked from the clearing and Merlin could see Arthur's animated face and wide grin dance silently in front of his eyes.

That's when he knew it was real, that the fantasy he'd been living for the past few minutes was actually happening - because that was his fate, wasn't it? Time and again to be handed hope and joy, grasp it tightly to his heart, only to see it ripped from his fingers and shatter.

Freya was killed by the man he'd sworn allegiance to; he'd met his father only to have the dragonlord die in his arms. Now, after all this time, Arthur finally accepts him, accepts magic, and cruel irony invites the man who is preordained to take his life to serve at his side.

This was the game the gods liked to play. He knew now, all his fears about Arthur and what he would think when he discovered all Merlin had done were nothing. Morgana and Mordred, destiny and doom, that was the real battle.

For once he felt ready; he would embrace his true self: he was Emrys, Arthur was his destiny, Albion was their future, and he was going to fight tooth and nail for it.

Merlin broke into a wide grin, then bowed his head solemnly. "To The Once And Future King."

Arthur froze for a moment then gave a bow in return. "Emrys."

They pulled together in a fierce hug then broke apart and started to laugh.

Gwaine knew he witnessed the beginning of something special; he could never have the unique bond that the other men shared, but he would be part of it. Courage, magic, and strength – that's what the dwarf had said, and it was good enough for him.

The rogue knight pulled a flask from his breast pocket.

"Now, if you two ladies are finished, I think there is some celebrating to be done!"

THE END.

So, what did you think?

I feel very pleased to have finished but also a little sad, it's been great to share ideas and comments and I will miss it now it's gone!

Writing does not come easy to me – I have to really work hard at it. Even then, I could not have done this without Caldera32 checking through my work - the success of this story is as much to her as it was to me.

It really makes me happy to think there are people out there who have enjoyed what I have written and shared their comments –THANK YOU!