So I realized I accidently repasted the beginning of chapter 7 onto 8, forgive me?

When Merlin returned to the ruins of a lost kingdom, he was unsurprised to see the knights awaiting him. Gwaine and Percival smiled at him, holding no affection back. No matter what outsiders thought of their small group Merlin knew it was the meaning of family.

Elyan squeezed Merlin's back and went to join them as Arthur hesitantly made his way to Merlin's side.

"My Lord" Merlin bowed his head warily; he did not ignore Arthurs hand on the hilt of his blade.

"Merlin, I want you to get down on your knees." His words were quite meant just for the warlocks ears.

Was this a test?

Gwaine looked over noticing something was wrong, not breaking eye contact as Merlin got to his knees.

"Arthur?" Gwaine asked stepping forward.

"No" Merlin snapped holding up his hand. "Gwaine, it's alright." The cool tip of steel kissed the back of his neck, sucking away the natural heat his body held and drawing in the fall air around him. "If you kill me Arthur there is no going back, even I can't conquer death."

"But if I were to choose, if I took your head off right here Merlin."

"I would not make a move to stop you." Merlin answered before he asked. "I will take what fate you deem me worthy of in stride."

"If I throw you in the dungeon and never let you out?"

"I will grow quite lonely."

"If I banished you from the kingdom?"

"I would keep watch over you from Ealdor's border, using any means necessary at my disposal. I would have no choice."

"And if I, requested you had your magic bound?"

"….I would take my own life." Merlin whispered. "Without my magic I would be less than half a man Arthur, I would not be the friend you know now."

The weight of the blade was lifted and thrust into the ground at Arthur's feet and the king, for the first time in his life fell to his knees. The knights took their horses and gave them privacy as the quite sobs on Arthurs voice turned rough from his ache to breath. Tears splashed onto his hands and Merlin felt his own cheeks wet.

He rolled back to his heels, pleading Merlin to pull him through his shadows of doubt. To keep away the pain of betrayal a little longer so he could once more fall asleep in the peaceful bed ignorance had made for him.

"I'm sorry" Merlin whispered meeting Arthur's eyes. "I can never repay your kindness sire, thank you for sparing my life." Stars exploded across his eyes at the contact of Arthurs fist.

"YOU!...YOU! YOU CLOT POLE!" Arthur yelled grabbing the collar of Merlin's frayed shirt. "You show more humility than the entire court of Camelot and are as humble as any poor man that has earned the wealth of gold. You are a one of a kind friend Merlin that I doubt anyone in this world will ever know again. I will not deem you to any life less than I would onto a knight. You are more than a prized friend but a brother I would avenge with the same violence as I would to those who wish to harm Gwen, Gaius or any of my knights. Killing you would be the biggest mistake since banishing Gwen."

"Does this mean you forgive me?" Merlin asked grasping at the straws of hope Arthur seemed to hold before him like a cruel tease.

Arthur yanked Merlin's thin shoulders close and pulled him into a strong hug. "I forgive you." He held him at shoulders length and pulled him to his feet. "And I swear Merlin, I will hold you up in your times of darkness and strife just as you have my kingdom. I could never pay you back in gold for the services you have done for this land and I'm sure I will spend a lifetime trying."

Merlin smiled as Arthur sheathed his sword, knowing that this was the last time one of magic would kneel before knight in fear, and the first time they could stand of equals. Albion had been a hard fight, but well worth the wait.

Forgive me for taking so long, Im an awful human being I know. I'm playing with the idea of an epilogue to this thought.