Here is the last chapter ... I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!

Your opinions about how this story should have ended were so mixed that it was impossible for me to please everyone. So I apologize to those who will be disappointed with the ending.

Thanks are in the ending notes.

Warning: This chapter is a sort of Crossover. In the sense that for some characters (Merthur children as adults) I was inspired by some characters from my favorite movies and TV shows (aka Harry Potter and Once Upon a Time).

If you do not know them, DON'T WORRY.. The chapter will be comprehensible nevertheless.

For security, I put the name of the actors I have imagined to be the characters at the end of the chapter... so you know what was going on in my head. (For example: Emma Pendragon is inspired by Emma Swan of Once Upon a Time)

ENJOY THE READING

The kings of Camelot, along with all the best and trusted knights of the kingdom, were in the Throne Room, looking down at the map of Albion.

For the first time, the Room was decorated with a Round Table in the middle, at which the men were sitting. The battle ahead of them was going to be dangerous and risky- many men would not return home- and that's why Arthur had decided that those men, who would follow him, deserved more than a pat on the back. They deserved to sit at the same height of the king, where no man had more importance than another. They deserved to sit at the Round Table.

"Sire, we have received news that after your declaration of war has reached Morgana, another wave of Saxons has moored on our shores. Now their number is equivalent to ours. It is likely that others will arrive in the coming months. You were right to declare war on Morgana now, my lords ... before their number would increase" Leon said, glancing with approval toward Merlin, who had been the one to decide to attack the witch as soon as possible.

"The question is: where will the battle take place?" Arthur asked, looking at the map, spread on the table.

"The best solution would be to wait for the witch to come here to Camelot. We can make our stand here. However great her army, the walls of Camelot will hold." Elyan proposed.

Arthur and Merlin exchanged a look of understanding. They had already discussed the matter the previous evening.

"Actually, King Merlin and I have decided to ride out and meet them. Man to man. Away from the city"

The knights gasped. "My Lord, I do not recommend it" Sir Leon said. "Here we have a great advantage. Not only we have the home court advantage, but also the fact that the Saxons, not having many castles on their lands, are not accustomed to lay siege to one. On the contrary, they are masters in the combat in an open field. We'd lose the advantage that the castle would give us"

"I know, Leon. However, we are kings. When we were crowned, we vowed that we would protect the people first... including before ourselves. In case of siege, we would not be able to give asylum to everyone, as my people has grown in recent years... some of them would remain outside the walls and you know as well as I do that, during a siege, everything that remains beyond the walls of the castle is destroyed: houses, fields ... people. And we cannot allow that. It would mean going against our oaths and my sister cannot and will not desecrate our noblest values. That would mean losing the battle even before it's begun. Furthermore, I will not be like my father. I will not stand by, behind these beautiful walls, and let our citizens be slaughtered!" Arthur was panting at the end of his speech, but he was proud of himself.

Merlin spoke up, taking advantage of the astonished silence of the Knights. "Moreover, this solution will give us the possibility to save as many people as possible in case of defeat. A guard will be placed near the battlefield and in case of defeat, he will come back to Camelot to warn everyone, so that the people would have time to run and Mithian to take all our children to safety to her kingdom or to the Druids"

"For me it will be an honor, Merlin. I will look after your children, Galahad and Rose ... they will be safe with me," Reassured the princess of Nemeth.

"Not to mention the fact that Gwen will give you a hand," said Lancelot.

"No, I will not," said his wife. "I'm coming with you. I will help Gaius with the wounded"

"No, Gwen. It is dangerous," Lancelot countered, worried.

She raised her head defiantly. "If you think that in what would probably be our last days, I will sit waiting for a man that I might never see again, you're wrong. If you wanted a weak damsel in distress locked in a tower as a wife, you have married the wrong person"

He smiled proudly and took her hand. "No, I haven't. I'm a knight. I was born for adventures and challenges. Therefore, you're perfect for me. Damsels in distress become boring after a while. Have you ever noticed that no one talks about what happens after the rescue of the princess from the tower?"

They smiled at each other, full of love.

Arthur coughed, "OK. Now that you understand, we have to decide where to face Morgana's army"

After long discussions, the group opted for the plain of Camlann.

They would leave after one week.

….

The night before departing, all the knights and kings were in their rooms with their respective families to live together those last moments of absolute peace.

Merlin was sure that Gwaine and Percival were together that night. He knew that Percival had been in love with Gwaine since they were children. He also knew that the gentle giant knight had decided to stay in Camelot for the brown haired man and that he was going to confess his love that night... he did not want to have any regrets. The king was sure Gwaine would reciprocated, despite his feelings for Merlin being still slightly visible in his eyes.

Slowly, Gwaine was going on with his life and Merlin was happy that his friend had found someone who would love him as he deserved and that could give him what Merlin couldn't.

.

For their part, Merlin and Arthur were in the room of their children, who, since Mordred had left, had decided to sleep all together in the same room- Mary included- to console each other.

The royal family was sitting on the big four-poster bed, eating sweets. Despite the tension before a battle, Merlin and Arthur managed to leave the children in the dark about it, who alternated a game to a question about when their big brother would return.

Godric and Constantine were running around the room, chasing each other; Emma was dancing with Arthur, because she wanted to practice for when she would find her Prince Charming, while Mary applauded happily from Merlin's lap, watching her siblings. Their parents laughed with them. They loved those children with all their hearts.

When it was time to go to sleep, Arthur stood in the doorway, watching his husband singing a lullaby to the children, barely holding back his tears.

The next day, the army of Camelot marched toward Camlann. The spies had spotted Morgana and her Saxons nearby the plain. The battle would begin the next morning.

The plan was for Arthur and the Knights to attack the Saxons frontally, while Merlin and the other sorcerers would stand to the top of the cliff to attack the enemy with magic. However, since the other wizards were not as powerful as Merlin, they would have to stay close to the brunet king in order to "borrow" some of his magic, leaving a part of the plain unguarded.

.

That night, the kings were in their white tent. They had just finished making love and Arthur was sleeping on the bed. On the other hand, Merlin was restless ... he had a bad feeling. So, without hesitation, he took his scrying bowl and tried to look for Morgana.

What he saw froze him. Morgana had just finished saying to one of her men that they would attack that same night, while a part of her army was marching towards their camp to surround them, using a hidden path.

Merlin closed the vision and began to shake Arthur. "Arthur, wake up!"

The blond looked up, confused. "Merlin? What ..."

"Morgana is about to attack us on two fronts." Merlin screamed and told him everything.

Arthur rushed out of bed and left the tent, commanding his men to prepare for the battle. Then, he told Gwaine and Percival, who had emerged from their tent hand in hand, to take some men, find the hidden path and intercept the Saxons.

The two kings dressed quickly and reached the point where they would be going their separate ways. Arthur on the battlefield, Merlin on the cliff.

The blond stroked and kissed his husband, "Merlin, whatever happens ..."

"Don't talk. We'll be fine. We will soon be back home to our loves. We will teach the twins how to fight and ride. We'll talk with Emma, because she is definitely too spoiled. We'll teach Mary how to talk. And together, we will wait for Mordred's return. Believe in yourself, Arthur. Because I do."

Arthur nodded and smiled. He took Excalibur and went to his men.

"Arthur ..." Merlin called him at the last second. Arthur turned to him. "I've got your back"

Arthur smiled, "I know"

...

Arthur fought a Saxon. Then, he dispatched another, turning into another Saxon and disposing of him as well.

A group of Saxons charged at Arthur, but before they could strike a blast of lightning knocked them down. Arthur looked up at the top of the cliff and saw Merlin. They regarded each other for a second, nodding.

Arthur thought that from the top of that cliff, Merlin looked like a god. Under the force of his magic, it was as if nature itself had bowed at his feet. He was throwing lightning and creating air tornadoes, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. In Arthur's opinion, he was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen ... and was HIS.

Arthur turned to the knights behind and raised his sword. "For the love of Camelot!"

.

After saving Arthur, Merlin continued to attack Saxons after Saxons. At the same time, he kept trying to look for Morgana. However, the witch was clever and she was hiding herself well. He had to keep his eyes open.

.

Morgana was watching the battle from behind a large boulder. When she saw that the knights of Camelot were protected by Merlin's magic, more powerful than hers, she had decided to hide, in order to find the best way to kill Arthur unseen by the sorcerer.

She noticed that the other sorcerers were always relatively close to Merlin, leaving the final part of the plain uncovered. It was perfect. All she had to do was draw her dear brother there alone and KILL HIM.

She found the perfect opportunity when she saw that Arthur was fighting close to where she was and that Merlin was focused on another part of the battlefield.

Smirking, she stepped out of hiding, coming in front of Arthur, "Hello, dear brother," she spat.

The King turned sharply toward her. "Morgana!" He shouted, trying to hit her with his sword, but she created a magical shield.

"Not so fast, my dear. I want to enjoy myself" As she spoke, Morgana continued to retreat, while Arthur advanced, leading him to the desert zone, far from Merlin, where no one would disturb them.

.

Merlin and his fellow sorcerers had defeated more than half of the enemy soldiers.

The King looked down, searching for Arthur, but his husband wasn't anywhere.

Arthur, where are you?

He used his magic to 'see' the path ahead. He saw Morgana leading Arthur in the only part of the plain without magical protection or soldiers of Camelot.

The brunet turned around immediately to get off the cliff and reach Arthur.

"That Dollophead!"

.

The Pendragon siblings stopped. Arthur looked around and noticed that there weren't neither his men nor his sorcerers. He turned to Morgana, outraged. "You tricked me!"

She sneered, "you have never been very clever, Arthur. Did you really think you could outwit me? By the way, what happened to my Mordred? It has been a while since I was able to enter his mind"

"We found out about your mind games, Morgana. And I can assure you that you'll never find Mordred. He is somewhere safe. He will never be your puppet"

The witch was furious. How had dared them interfere with the creation of her perfect heir? "I certainly would not hold my breath on this issue... once you are dead, I will find Mordred and with Merlin we will be a happy family!"

"They are MY family!"

"Who would have thought that the worthy son of Uther Pendragon would believe himself to be a good father? ... Tell me, Arthur, at least our father had suffered when you killed him?" she asked with genuine curiosity and hope that the man she hated had had a painful death, as she had always imagined it to be.

Arthur grinned, "Do not worry. He has suffered more than you could ever imagine possible. His death was slow and painful. I buried him alive, after all. He has paid for what he did to me ... and to you"

For the first time in years, Morgana looked at Arthur happy. "Good ... if I didn't hate you so much, I would even be proud of you right now"

"And why do you hate me, Morgana? I thought we were friends."

"Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that you've locked me in a cell for more than a year?!"

"I'm not talking about that ... even before that fact, you had tried to kill me many times ... You wanted to conquer Camelot, kill me and father and become queen."

"Being Queen was my birthright ... you were only in my way and therefore, you had to be eliminated!"

"What happened to you, Morgana? Once, you were so kind and so compassionate. I remember a wonderful little girl, who used to follow me around everywhere to protect me... she was my heroin," Arthur said, with sad and wet eyes.

Morgana drew herself up at remembering those happy moments from long ago. "And I remember a little boy with the face of an angel, who used to curl up in my bed to hug me after one of my nightmares ... he was my knight in shining armor"

"What happened to those children, who loved each other more than anything else?" He asked.

Morgana's gaze turned cold. "They grew up... They learned the meaning of duty and understood that sometimes certain measures are necessary"

Arthur wiped a few tears and posed to attack with Excalibur unsheathed. "You're right, sister ..."

She chuckled sadistically, raising her hand toward her brother. "I'm going to enjoy killing you... Astrice!"

.

Merlin was running. He hoped to be in time. There was no one around him.

At some point, he heard Arthur's screams of pain and increased his speed.

He turned around the corner and came face to face with a scene that stopped him where he was. In front of him, Arthur was on the ground, leaning against a rock, obviously in pain. Blood was flowing from his temple and Excalibur was far from him. Morgana was standing beside him. She was looking down at him, smirking. "Look at you, not so tall and mighty now. But do not worry, my dear brother, I won't let you die alone. I will stay and watch over you, until the wolves gorge on your carcass and bathe in your blood"

"No, you won't…" Merlin said from behind her. When Morgana turned and faced him, he threw her against the rock.

She staggered to her feet, while Merlin took Excalibur and pointed it at the witch, who began to laugh hysterically.

"Merlin, Merlin, put that down. I know you. You will never have the courage to stab me with that sword. You are a savior, not a murderer"

The brunet put down the weapon, "you're right, Morgana ..." she had a triumphant smile on her face, while Arthur felt betrayed, "... however, things have changed." He lifted the sword again, "Once I would have never killed someone in cold blood, especially if I believed that person had some good in her, but YOU have dared to even think about hurting my SON ... and that I cannot forgive, Morgana. The day you touched my baby, you condemned yourself to death." Merlin said, cold and ruthless.

Morgana's eyes widened with fear for a moment. Then, she returned to her usual arrogant and evil self. "You're bluffing, love. Moreover, it would be useless ... No mortal blade can kill me!"

Merlin stabbed her without hesitation, making her gasp in pain and surprise. She grasped his shoulders and looked up at him in disbelief.

"This is no mortal blade. It was forged in a dragon's breath….. This is for Mordred" Merlin stabbed her again, deeper.

She screamed and closed her eyes. He lowered her to the ground and withdrew the sword.

Now that the warlock was sure that nothing, not even the most powerful magic could save the dying witch, he decided not to be even crueler to her. He knelt beside her on the ground and took her in his arms, moving a strand of hair from her face.

Morgana was breathing heavily. Silent tears were running down her face. She looked at Merlin and sweetly smiled at him. She raised a bloody hand and stroked his cheek gently and loving, as only a lover could do.

"My light..." she said hoarsely.

"My darkness," he said sadly.

"My love," she whispered.

"My hatred" he whispered in turn.

She laughed, but this caused blood to flown from her mouth. With a trembling and weak hand, she stroked his lips.

"Merlin, I lo ..." Her hand fell on her side. Her heart had stopped beating and her eyes were empty.

Morgana Pendragon was dead.

Immediately, before it was too late, Merlin placed a hand on her forehead and started chanting a spell, "Grið fæstne mid þisse tintregian sawle!"

His eyes glowed and Morgana breathed sharply in, as she woke.

Arthur was shocked. Wasn't she dead?

Merlin looked at Morgana: now her face was no longer pale and marked by dark circles under her eyes; it was rosy and healthy. Her hair was no longer disheveled and dirty; it was clean and combed. Her eyes were no longer cold and empty, but they were bright and full of life.

The dawn light was starting to caress her face.

Morgana looked at him and smiled brightly… She looked like an angel, "Merlin…Thank you." She closed her eyes and breathed her last breath.

The brunet king smiled, pleased, and wiped away some tears.

For his part, Arthur was still shocked. He sat better against the rock, still sore, "What happened? What did you do to her?"

"Simply I made sure she could rest in peace"

"Why?"

"Because I think she has suffered enough in this life ... it is useless to make her suffer in the other one too. And as you know, the evil souls that climb on the boat to cross the Lake of Avalon make it sink, due to the weight of their sins. These souls are forced to suffer in the cold waters of the lake for eternity. Therefore, I used a spell to purify Morgana's soul and to make it lighter, so that she can cross the lake without fear. I hope that in Avalon she can finally find peace and the love and compassion which used to fill her heart"

Arthur did not know what to say, but looking at Morgana's serene, peaceful and smiling expression in that moment, he realized that Merlin had done the right thing. "Why didn't you also use this spell to free Mordred from the darkness?"

The brunet sighed, sad, "Because unfortunately darkness doesn't like it when goodness wins. Therefore, before being extinguished by a person, it kills the host in most cases, before disappearing. I could not take that risk with our son, but Morgana had already died, so there was nothing to lose by trying"

The blond nodded. "The battle should be over. Let's go home. I'll send someone to take Morgana's body and to bury her next to her father Gorlois, perhaps the only person who had really loved her"

Merlin placed a kiss on the witch's forehead, "Goodbye, Morgana. I really tried to save you". Then, he helped Arthur up to return to the Knights.

Before going, Arthur turned and said, "Goodbye, sister"

Ten years had passed since the victorious end of the battle of Camlann and the beginning of the Golden Age of the United kingdoms.

Under the leadership of King Arthur and King Merlin, Albion was experiencing a period of peace and prosperity. There were no more wars, except a few small and insignificant problems with bandits; the people forgot what it meant to starve, to freeze and to live in misery... their kings were taking very good care of them.

The people were so happy that they decided to celebrate every year the anniversary of their beloved kings' marriage, since it marked the beginning of the Peace Era.

Over the years since the Great War, the kings who Camelot had conquered died, leaving room for the new generation of princes and princesses, who were more than happy to swear allegiance to the kings of Albion.

.

Even in Camelot, life had gone on in the past ten years.

The city had become one of the most beautiful of Albion, full of merchants, colors and magic.

Gwen and Lancelot had a daughter, besides Galahad, who they called Morgana, in memory of the extraordinary woman that Gwen had considered a sister and that had been very kind to her, despite their status difference.

Leon and Mithian had other children too, besides Rose. The couple had a triplet of red haired boys. The fact that Leon had fainted like a little girl when they told him was still one of Camelot worst kept secrets.

A year after Camlann, Percival and Gwaine got married and three months later, they adopted three orphaned siblings, about 5 years old, that Percival had rescued from a house on fire in a small village that had been attacked by one of the rare groups of bandits. Gwaine always repeated that the moment he saw his husband getting out of the flames with those three children in his arms, he knew that from then on, they would be a family.

On the other hand, Merlin and Arthur were content to have had no more children. Actually, they did not want Mordred, wherever he was, to think they wanted to replace him. Therefore, the two kings had been relieved when Gaius told them that those they had thought to be symptoms of a sixth pregnancy, in fact were due to food poisoning.

The two kings were pleased with the children they had, who were growing strong and healthy, each of them with a strong personality.

Obviously, they never forgot about their first child, and although they could not have contact with him, they sent birthday gifts and letters to the druids every year, to be delivered to Mordred as soon as the situation would allow it.

...

Merlin and Arthur found themselves in the throne room one afternoon to hold audiences. There were also their children with them.

The twins Constantine and Godric, age 15, were old enough to sit next to their parents to listen to the problems of their subjects and to understand how the managing of a kingdom worked. Emma and Mary, respectively 13 and 10 years old, were sitting at a table near the thrones, doing their homework. Merlin had always took care himself of his children's educational progresses.

.

After the last farmer of the day had gone, the royal family was ready to retire, but suddenly a guard came in and announced that a couple wanted an audience with the kings.

Arthur and Merlin sighed, but they'd better listen to them now, rather than send them back to return next week. So, they all reseated.

A few seconds later, two hooded figures came into the room. You could not see their faces, but they were evidently a man and a woman. They were dressed as druids.

The couple stopped in front of the thrones and bowed. "Thank you, King Arthur and King Merlin for allowing us the opportunity to speak." The boy said.

"It is an honor for us. What can we do for you? Druids are our friends," said Arthur, as Merlin felt a strange bond with this stranger.

"We heard so much about the great kings of Albion. We were looking forward to see you" Both Druids lowered the hood, revealing a boy and a girl, about 18 years old. The girl had blue eyes and curly brown hair. The boy had black hair and icy blue eyes. He was looking intently from Arthur to Merlin, especially at Merlin. "You don't remember me, do you? You saved my life once, many years ago…not to mention the fact that you gave me life"

Merlin gasped; his eyes wide. "Mordred?"

The boy smirked, "Hello, fathers"

Before the kings could do or say anything else, Constantine, Godric and Emma stood to their feet and ran to Mordred. "BIG BROTHER!"

They threw themselves in his arms and the older boy smiled, laughing and hugging them. "I have missed you so much, guys." He looked up and saw Mary, who was hiding behind Merlin's throne. The little girl was very shy and did not know how to deal her older brother's presence… after all, she had been only a few weeks old when he had gone away, even though everyone had always told her about who Mordred was.

"Hello, Mary ... you have grown up so much, princess" Mordred said lovingly. He brought his fist to his lips and uttered a spell. He opened his hand and a blue butterfly started flying toward the child. When it land on Mary's nose, she laughed delightfully and ran toward her big brother, "Welcome back, brother." She hugged him tightly.

Merlin was about to get up to go to his son, but Arthur's hand on his arm stopped him. He turned to the blond, who shook his head.

Arthur had to be sure of his son's intentions before allowing Merlin to approach him.

The blond called back his children, telling them to return to their seats. Then, he turned to his heir. "Welcome back, Mordred. We have missed you. As you can imagine, we want to know what happened to you in the last few years and ... who is your friend?"

Mordred smiled patiently, "I will gladly tell you my story. I know that, under these circumstances, you cannot trust me completely until I do. However, first of all, she's not my friend ... This is Kara, my wife," He said, flushing.

Merlin put his hand to his mouth in surprise, "Oh, honey, congratulations. I'm so happy for you! ... Wait, Kara?" The king gave his attention to the girl, "you were Morgana's servant, when she invaded Camelot for the first time, weren't you? I remember that Morgana told me that she had enchanted you, using a Fomorroh to control your mind. How can you be still almost as young as you were then? It happened 18 years ago!"

The girl was evidently uneasy at the thought of that time, but she answered nevertheless, "You are right, my lord. Morgana had used a Fomorroh on me. Her orders were clear: I had to serve and obey her without hesitation. So when you defeated her and she escaped from Camelot, the spell forced me to escape from the palace to look for her and continue to obey her. Unfortunately, I could not find her and I wandered through the forest to the point where I was almost starving ... My only thought was to find my mistress. When I was about to die, a group of Druids found me and among them, there was my father, Iseldir, who had never stopped looking for me since Morgana kidnapped me.

Since I was both physically and mentally weak and since the druids could not find the mother creature to destroy the fomorroh in me, they decided to make me fall into a deep sleep in the Crystal Cave, the place where magic was born and where it is more pure. They hoped that the magic of that cave could heal me from Morgana's influence. Inside of the cave, there is no time, so I had remained fifteen year old for a long time. Then, three years ago, I woke up, healed. I went back to my father's druid camp, where I met Mordred and I started to age again. The rest is history" Kara finished, looking at Mordred with love.

"I'm sorry for what my sister had done to you, Kara. I'm glad you're all right now. And what happened to you, son?" Arthur asked.

Mordred swallowed, uncomfortable to talk about that period of his life. "At first, everything was fine: the druids welcomed me with open arms; they taught me to control my mind and my magic, linking it to nature. When Morgana died, I felt my darkness awaking and I fell into a coma. When I woke up, a constant struggle between darkness and goodness began in me. A moment, I was good, the other evil ... I think that the evil would have taken over if it was not for your gifts, fathers. The crystal with your magic, daddy, and grandmother Ygraine's sigil, Papa, helped me to find the light in me… Your love had helped me. However, over the years, that situation was destroying me... I did many evil things under the influence of the darkness ... I killed a lot of people ... I and my bandits did..."

The boy looked down, sad, before continuing. "... So, when I was about 14, I was about to give up ... I was tired of suffering whenever my goodness triumphed and I remembered the bad things I had done. Besides, no one could understand me ... I just wanted it to end. But when I was about to give up and give myself to the darkness completely, a beautiful girl, Kara, arrived at the camp. I saw my own pain in her eyes... she had suffered because of the darkness within herself too... finally someone could understand me and together we have learned to accept our darkness as part of us and to walk in the light. Alone we were lost, but together we are invincible ... and now, we will not be alone ever again" Mordred finished, smiling at his wife, and put a hand on her slightly rounded belly.

This time, Merlin could not help himself and ran to his son, hugging him tightly. "Congratulation, my love ... I'm so proud of you!"

Then he put his hand on Kara's belly and felt the baby with his magic. He beamed and turned to Arthur, "Arthur, we are going to be grandparents!"

At that news, even the blond didn't manage to restrain himself and went to embrace his son. "Good job, son. Even if I'm too young to be a grandfather, I'm happy"

"Not so young" Merlin said immediately to his husband, grinning.

"Are you saying I'm old, Merlin?!"

"I have never say that"

"I'm not OLD!"

"Keep telling yourself that, grandpa" Merlin finished and everyone laughed. Their parents had not changed at all.

Arthur narrowed his eyes at his husband, promising a sweet revenge later in their bed. Then, he returned his attention to his son. "Then, you have destroyed your darkness?"

"Unfortunately, that is impossible, papa. But I can swear to you that as long as I have something to fight for and to love, darkness will NEVER win!" He turned to Merlin, "A very wise man once told me that the love that binds us is more important than the power we wield."

The kings smiled and Arthur said, "Then, we'd better go resting ... tonight, there will be a banquet in honor of the crown prince of Camelot's return"

"About that, papa. I'm also here to give you another news ... I would like to renounce my right to the throne"

Merlin and Arthur's shock was great. "Are you sure of what you're asking, son?"

The boy nodded, "yes ..." He took Kara's hand, "I know now what I want from my life. I have chosen my path. I want to stay with the druids and live in peace with Kara and our son ... although I will help my siblings whenever they'd need me..."

"If you're sure. I accept your choice. Nevertheless, we'll celebrate your return and announce the fact that from now on, Constantine will be the next king of Camelot" Arthur said.

This change was unexpected, but it would not cause problems. Merlin and Arthur had raised all their children to be leaders and had taught them how rule and fight. Therefore, Constantine was perfectly ready for his new role.

While Arthur watched his children accompanying Mordred and Kara towards their rooms, laughing and joking, he asked Merlin whether Mordred had told the truth or if it had been all a trick.

So, Merlin used his magic to see inside Mordred, as he had done years before. He noticed that the spot of darkness was still close to his son's heart. However, this time, his darkness was surrounded by a white light, which was acting as a shield between the heart and the darkness. A light full of hope and love.

The brunet smiled; Kilgharrah was right: love is the greatest magic of all. "Don't worry, Arthur. Everything will be fine"

In the years that followed, Arthur and Merlin's fame grew and their story became a legend.

People began to forget, or did not know, how the two kings had really met. Romantic stories had born of how they must have fallen in love with each other ... because, of course, soul mates as the kings of Albion must have met only in the most romantic way possible! Strange theories began to circulate about how the handsome prince of Camelot had fallen in love at first sight with the ethereal prince of a faraway kingdom… About how the great Arthur Pendragon had saved Prince Merlin from the clutches of a Lady, who had enchanted him into falling in love with her, and of an oppressive father, who did not want the two princes to be together...

No one knew how wrong they were.

But no one cared for the truth. For the people it was enough to know that Arthur Pendragon, the Once and Future King, and King Merlin, the great sorcerer Emrys, had started the Golden Age, united the lands of Albion and brought magic back in these lands ... like an old prophecy, lost in history and remembered only by an old dragon, had predicted.

...

The day of his twenty-first birthday, Constantine Cador Pendragon officially became the crown prince of Camelot and, at his parents' death, became a just and beloved king.

Of course, Mordred, called the Druid Prince, would help him whenever he could and if he was not busy with his duties as a family man or as the leader of the druids.

.

That same day, Godric Balinor Pendragon, second prince of Camelot, nicknamed Gryffindor after defeating a griffin alongside his uncle Lancelot and by using his magic, inherited the Emrys Castle in Drakaria. With three other sorcerer-friends of his, he turned it into a School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There, he taught the magical arts and the collaboration between them and the non-magic users to the young wizards and witches in a safe way.

Merlin was proud of his son's idea and was very happy that his birthplace would be filled again with laughter and magic ... after all, it was the most magical place in the world.

.

Merlin and Arthur's daughters became beautiful and fierce princesses. The brunet king found himself often laughing when he saw rows of knights ready to defend his daughters, because he knew that beneath their beautiful dresses, Emma and Mary were armed to the teeth: daggers hidden in the neckline between the breasts; poisoned needles hidden in the hair and swords ready to be used under their long skirts. They were Amazons.

.

Emma Ygraine Pendragon, with her blond hair and blue eyes, was the best swordswoman of the kingdom. She was often alongside her father during patrols. She had a strong and stubborn personality, like Arthur. For example, she had promised herself never to submit to a man and to live a thousand adventures.

Her life changed when she fell in love with prince Killian, after almost defeating him in a tournament.

Arthur was ready to kill him, after the prince had asked the hand of his daughter in marriage, but he had to give in when his beloved Emma gave him her best puppy Eyes - Arthur's weakness.

The blond calmed down considerably when the day of her marriage his little girl dragged him across the floor for the Father-daughter dance. Merlin had wet eyes and a sweet smile, while he looked at Arthur tightening Emma in his arms, lifting her up bridal-style and spinning her around. Both of them laughed toothy, like when Emma was a child, and did not seem royals in that moment, but really father and daughter.

After the wedding, Emma and Killian left for a great adventure around the world on his ship.

.

Mary Margaret Hunith Pendragon was the kings' daughter that looked the most like her aunt Morgana in appearance, with her black hair and green eyes. She became a great archer and hunter.

It was during a hunting trip that she met her future husband, Prince David. He had fallen in the net she had placed in the forest to catch a prey, but ended up capturing a handsome prince.

The two of them got married shortly after that and Merlin seriously thought that this time Arthur would have a heart attack.

But in the end, the happiness of their little girl was more important than anything else.

..O...

Merlin was watching his children -with their partners- and grandchildren (who made sure to return to Camelot at least once a month to visit their parents and grandparents) from the balcony, while they were playing in the garden that belonged to Queen Ygraine, when he felt two strong arms tightening around his waist from behind.

Despite his age, Arthur was still a strong and virile man and, as always, was very affectionate with his husband. He put his nose to Merlin's neck and sniffed deeply, never tired of his smell.

"They are perfect, aren't they?" the blond asked, as they watched their family. All their children had had at least one son or daughter, who were now old enough to run carefree around the garden under the watchful eyes of their parents and grandparents.

Merlin leaned against his husband's chest and touched his hands. "Yes, they are. I have always dreamed to have a family like this ... but I didn't believe it would have ever happened ... until you came along"

Merlin could no longer deny the obvious. The only reason he had that wonderful family and lived that wonderful life was thanks to Arthur and his stubbornness. Even if sometimes in the wrong way, the blond had taken what he wanted and had given Merlin a fantastic new life ... as he had promised to do.

The brunet could not imagine how his life would have been without Arthur. Over the years, he had forgotten Freya's face (maybe she was not as important to him as he had thought) and had even forgotten what his father Balinor used to warn him about the Pendragons ... but surely, he must have been wrong, because Arthur was a great king and a devoted husband, father and grandfather.

Arthur smiled evilly. After years and a lot of patience, the prey had finally decided to be caught by the wolf of his own free will. He gently kissed Merlin's neck, cuddling him, "I love you, Merlin. Always"

And for the first time, the brunet had no doubts, "I love you too, Arthur. Thank you for not giving up on me ... or Mordred. I owe you everything I have"

"Of course I didn't give up. I was willing to wait for you all my life, my love. The day I met you, I knew without a doubt that you were meant to belong to me. You were mine; you're mine and you will always be MINE!"

Yes, Merlin was his. His love. His destiny. His life. His soul mate. His husband. His sorcerer. His air. His everything ... His obsession.

THE END

HOW I HAVE IMAGINED THE CHARACTERS:

Merlin (Colin Morgan)

Arthur (Bradley James)

Morgana (Kate Mcgrath)

Mordred and Kara (Alexander Vlaos and Alexandra Dowling)

Constantine (tom Welling)

Godric "Gryffindor" (Chris Hemsworth- Thor)

Emma (Jennifer Morrison) Emma and Killian (Jennifer Morrison and Colin O'Donoghue)

Mary (Ginnifer Goodwin) Mary and David (Ginnifer Goodwin and Josh Dallas)

Percival and Gwaine's children (episode 4x01)

Emma and Arthur's dance inspired by the song "Cinderella" by Steven Curtis Chapman

I would like to thank all the readers for commenting or simply reading my story. You were fantastic and you gave me the strength to continue writing. Without you, I would have deleted the story a long ago for fear of having written something awful.

Therefore, all this is thanks to you.

THANKS A LOT. I LOVE YOU!

PS: next time, would you like female!Merlin or not? (Of course always Merthur)