Epilogue

Two Weeks Later

"Bloody hell where the bloody hell is that bloody gauntlet… ah!" Arthur snatched the offending piece of armor from off his dresser and tugged it on. He had sent George on some random errand, because the man had started up with his brass jokes again and Arthur really wasn't in the mood. He had knight hopefuls to test today, and was still feeling rather frustrated at yesterday's rather pathetic display. Really, how these men honestly expected to become knights when they could barely keep their sword in their hands was beyond him.

Arthur hurried down to the training field, where the hopefuls waited, looking rather pale and nervous. Gwaine was there chatting some of them up, which would explain the collective unease. The man did like to exaggerate what was to be expected in these battles. Arthur highly suspected he was the one behind the rumor of hopefuls having been beheaded during the trials.

Arthur marched to the training field and unsheathed his word, giving it a few practice swings. "Okay, then, you lot? Who's first?"

A rather shaky young man stepped out onto the field, and so began another day of disappointments – save for two young fellows who at least managed to keep their sword in their hand.

"Lords, they're pathetic," Arthur said during the break as he took a drink from the water bucket. Gwaine, lounging on the bench nearby, shrugged.

"I did offer the suggestion that you may be going a bit too hard on them…"

Arthur chuffed. "Gwaine, if this were war, no one would be going easy on them."

Gwaine shrugged again, since he couldn't argue with that one. "Could also be they're nervous over fighting a giant slayer."

"Except I didn't slay the giant, a dragon did."

Gwaine pointed at him. "Exactly. You weakened it, a dragon came out of nowhere and finished it. A dragon the same color as all the ones on the Camelot flags. It's bound to make anyone nervous."

"Not you, though."

Gwaine snorted. "Never me."

"You being an arse again?"

Arthur whirled around to face whoever dared to call him an arse. "Excuse m—"

Arthur's voice caught in his throat.

Merlin stood on the edge of the training field, with a satchel over his good shoulder and cheeky smile on his face, looking every bit as he did the day he first came to Camelot.

A smile so big spread on Arthur's face until it hurt. "You still making friends with arses?"

"Apparently so," Merlin said.

Arthur barked a laugh, then trotted forward and pulled Merlin into a bear hug, Merlin returning it as best he could, while behind them Gwaine laughed, clapping his hands.

"So," Merlin said, pulling back. "That position for court sorcerer been filled yet?"

Arthur chuckled, clapping Merlin on the shoulder. "It is, now."

The End

A/N: And that's a wrap. I'd like to give all those who commented and enjoyed this story a big, warm thank you and virtual hugs, because a fanficcer's only payment is seeing their story enjoyed, and it's a wonderful payment indeed. Nothing makes me happier than seeing someone get a kick out of what I wrote :D

I don't have any more sequels planned, but I may revisit this verse now and then since I think there's plenty left to explore, so keep an eye out for the occasional one-shot.