Wow! Over a year and 50,000 words later, here is the final piece! It's very similar to the first chapter (if you remember back that far), but I'm hoping it wraps it up nicely. Thank you soooo much to everyone who has taken the time to read this fic! I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have! :)

•••

Guinevere was dreaming again. Arthur was standing in front of her, starting to fade as the portal resealed itself.

"I love you," she whispered, feeling rushed. If only they had been given a little more time...

He had faded too much to be heard, but his mouth formed the words: "And I you, Guinevere."

Her husband faded from view and Gwen's breath caught in her throat.

"My Lady? My Lady!"

Queen Guinevere woke with a start, realizing, somewhat self-consciously, that she had been fitfully dreaming again.

"My Lady, are you all right?" Aleesia looked concerned. She was crouched beside Gwen, gently squeezing her friend's hand. "Calm down. You're all right."

"Yes, ah, thank you." Gwen sat up straight and rubbed at her eyes. "Every year...I can't stop having dreams about him..."

"I should think it would be worse if you didn't," commented Aleesia. "You got to see him again- and you will always see him in your dreams. 'Tis nothing to be ashamed of."

"Of course," said Gwen absently. Her heart was back with Arthur, thrilled with the sight of him- if only for a moment.

"Do you have a preference on which gown you'd like?" Aleesia walked over to the wardrobe. "You have a council meeting this afternoon and then the remembrance ceremony tonight."

"No, you may choose. But I can dress myself." Gwen climbed out of bed and glanced at her crazy-haired reflection in the mirror above the wash table. "You can go double-check with Sir Leon that the patrols have been organized for tonight."

"You want me to give the message to Sir Leon? People are going to think we're getting married or something." Aleesia grinned as she picked up Gwen's brush and moved to comb out the queen's knotted hair.

"Imagine that." Gwen smiled wryly, remembering her friends' announcement several weeks ago. The first thing Aleesia had said after they had told the Privy council, was that she still wanted to keep her job as Gwen's maid. Even though she would become 'Lady Aleesia,' she had insisted she didn't care about the title; that working for Gwen was more fun than ambling through the castle halls mindlessly. Guinevere wasn't sure she believed her servant, but she certainly wasn't going to deny her a job because of a happy, long-awaited marriage.

The younger lady laughed, finished brushing Gwen's hair, and then ducked out of the room, off to the training grounds.

Gwen walked to the window as the door creaked shut. Seven years ago today, they had defeated Morgana's armies. Five years ago, Merlin had returned. She still missed Arthur- she told the window as much nearly every day. Yet Aleesia was right. She had gotten to see him once more. And one day she would see him again. But in the meantime, she had a wonderful kingdom and even more amazing friends.

She was going to be fine.

•••

Hunith stood in her garden, staring down the road with a smile spreading across her face.

"Merlin?" She called as her son pushed aside the garden gate and continued to walk toward her.

"Mother!" Merlin broke into a run and closed the remaining space between them.

She knew he was always very busy as Camelot's Court Sorcerer, so whenever he found time to travel to Elador it was a special occasion.

"Oh, my boy! How are you?" He certainly looked well. And he was even smiling. Hunith had missed his smile far too much. Seeing the light in her son's eyes brought a warm, contented feeling to Hunith's heart.

"Quite well. I have to be back in Camelot for the ceremony tonight, but I was running errands and collecting herbs in some of the outlying villages. I couldn't resist stopping here." Merlin pulled away from her hug and grinned down at her. "And how are you?"

"Wonderful- now that you're here." Hunith led him inside and put a kettle of soup on the fire. "How is life in Camelot?"

They both sat down at the table and Hunith listened with a smile as Merlin talked about Gaius and Gwen and the knights. He seemed more like himself every time she saw him. Of course, she doubted he would ever heal entirely, but his raw pain and grief was less evident as time passed. He would be fine.

"Thank you for stopping in to see me," said Hunith when they'd finally eaten. She didn't want Merlin to ever leave, but she knew he had to be starting back for Camelot. It was a long ride.

"I'll be back soon," Merlin promised, kissing her forehead.

Hunith smiled once more. "I'll look forward to it, my son."

He turned around to wave at her as he left, and nearly tripped over his feet, before quickly righting himself with an embarrassed laugh.

He was Camelot's hero- many times over. Yet Hunith had never been prouder just to hear Merlin laugh.

•••

"Come on! Finish up already, Perci! 'Tis been ten minutes!" Lady Mary was calling out to her knight as if it were a jousting tournament. Beside her stood her year-old twins, one holding each of her hands.

"Good morning, my lady." Aleesia waved happily to both of the children as she moved to stand beside her friend.

"They're at it again," Mary said by way of greeting. "Always showing off in front of the younger knights. They've been fighting for ten minutes! One can only watch them hit each other so many times before it gets old."

"Don't worry, Mary." Sir Percival gasped out between swings. Apparently he had been close enough to hear his lady's rant. "I'll finish this."

"No, I don't believe so." Sir Leon dodged his friend's sword and attempted a jab of his own- which was sequentially blocked. Both men looked very much out of breath, but the other knights were still cheering and making bets- as usual.

"The twins and I were going to have breakfast with their father," Lady Mary glanced up at Aleesia and shook her head. "Now though, I'm thinking it shall be lunch by the time they quit."

"Quite possibly." Aleesia laughed and crouched by the kids. Both had Mary's dark hair and tanned skin. They would be little heartbreakers before long.

Lady Mary smiled down at her children as well. The fight continued on in the background and Aleesia thought that Lady Mary was passively trying to interest her children in sword-fighting already. Aleesia could easily imagine both Mary and Percival spending countless hours practicing with both the kids. By the time they were grown, they would be the best in Camelot.

"What are you up to this morning?" Lady Mary asked Aleesia as the younger girl made faces at the twins.

Aleesia straightened up and smiled. "Just chores for Gwen. This evening before the ceremony Leon and I are having supper with my aunt. She really seems to enjoy Camelot."

"Who wouldn't?!" Lady Mary glanced back at the knights. "All right, I'm calling this a draw." She nodded in Aleesia's direction. "I've got children attached to my hands. You finish this." She wore a cocky grin as Aleesia sighed and trudged to the weapons rack. Lady Mary's fencing lessons with Guinevere had resumed a few weeks ago, and though Aleesia enjoyed them immensely, she didn't care to be put on the spot. At least, not as much as Lady Mary.

Aleesia selected a sword and darted into the middle of the fight, where Sir Leon was almost managing to trap Sir Percival into a corner.

"All right, Lady Mary says that's enough." Aleesia swung her sword toward her fiancé and he easily blocked it, looking more surprised than anything else. In his distraction, Sir Percival darted away, a hand on his side as he stood catching his breath.

"We were almost done," Leon grinned sheepishly. "Sorry, Ladies."

"Aye, you're sorry." Mary rolled her eyes and gazed at Percival, who had immediately walked to the sidelines and picked up the twins. Aleesia set her sword down and offered Leon a casual shrug.

"I am also a bit hungry. What say you to a quick meal while you plan out tonight's patrols?"

Sir Leon smiled as he sheathed his sword and watched Percival, Mary, and their children head toward the castle. "You know I won't argue with that."

He offered Aleesia his arm and they followed their friends, both grinning the whole way.

•••

It was evening and Gaius thought the city looked exceptionally nice. The citadel's walls had lantern lights strung along the edges and Camelot's flags seemed to glow in the light of the full moon. Currently, he was standing on the balcony overlooking the courtyard where the crowd had gathered below. It was really the prime spot to observe the candle lighting ceremony, done in honor of all those who had been slain in order to protect Camelot over the years.

The queen was waiting at the doorway, preparing to walk out to the front of the balcony and deliver a moving speech to the people gathered below. Merlin stood by Gaius. Lady Mary and Sir Percival stood on the opposite side of the balcony. Sir Leon and Aleesia waited inside, behind Gwen.

Gaius peered over the railing, down at the crowd, and then nodded once in the queen's direction.

"You'll do fantastic, my lady!" Aleesia was quick to whisper.

"Indeed," Gaius added with a glance at Merlin. Two years ago Gaius had gotten his apprentice back. And not only his apprentice...Gaius' best friend.

"Good people of Camelot," started Gwen, after she reached the front of the balcony and the crowd instantly quieted. "Tonight we come together, as one kingdom -one family- who owes much to the lives of our fallen comrades. Our loved ones. Let us not forget their sacrifice, their courage, their determination. As we stand here now..."

Gaius momentarily toned out her words as he noticed Merlin's hands shaking. After returning from his visit with his mother, Merlin had seemed fine. More cheerful than usual. Yet Gaius figured the ceremony was bound to dredge up memories- some of them not as pleasant as others.

"Camelot would not be the place it is today without the love of the ones who have gone before us," Gwen's voice was strong and confident. Each passing year she continued to prove she was the best queen the five kingdoms had ever seen. "This love compelled our family and friends to lay down their own lives to protect us, so that we may be free. We all carry on with our lives, without them, but we do not forget them. Not a day passes when we don't miss them." For a brief second, her voice cracked and Gwen paused to compose herself. Gaius glanced back at Merlin. Tears were streaming down his face quietly. It made Gaius want to cry as well.

The queen resumed her speech. "We miss them, but we will not be broken by grief. Let us instead celebrate our love." She reached for a candle stationed on the balcony and in the presence of all Camelot, started the flame.

The seconds that followed were always ethereal: as every citizen in the courtyard below copied Gwen's example, filling the area with enough light it seemed it was still early evening. Gaius lit his own candle, and saw Merlin doing the same beside him, a solemn but blazing look in the young sorcerer's eyes.

"Camelot will never forget those we've lost," said Gwen. "Thank you all for remembering."

Merlin sniffed loudly and Gaius swallowed a lump in his throat. Until the end of their lives, they would feel the pain of loss. He glanced at the beautiful candles illuminating the courtyard and brushed away a tear of his own. Perhaps grief wasn't the worse thing though -because with the pain came beauty.

And joyous memories to last a lifetime.

•••

Merlin watched as Gaius pulled out a knife from a drawer and began chopping herbs. "Do you need help? What are you making?"

Gaius dumped a handful of vegetables into a kettle. "Your favorite. You can set the table though." Gaius placed the soup pot over the fire while Merlin hurried to gather plates and cups.

"You really don't have to make my favorite soup every year. I mean, I love it," Merlin clarified, "but I'm not going anywhere." He walked closer to Gaius. "Camelot will always be my home. The ceremony tonight only further proved that."

Gaius glanced up at Merlin warily. "You seemed quite upset during Gwen's speech. You know I worry over you."

"As does everyone, apparently." Merlin shook his head and smiled. "Remembering is painful for everyone, but like the rest, I will be fine." Merlin nodded to himself as Gaius continued to watch him.

He had loved getting to see Arthur again- Merlin wished he could see him every day. But then again, he already did- in his memories. Like Gwen had said during her speech, they would never forget the times they had shared, as long as they lived. And as sorrowful as remembering was, it also felt good. Merlin's memories of Arthur were also joyous memories. The best times of his life.

"Soup's on." Gaius placed two bowls on their little wooden table- the same table Merlin had sat at to pour over spell books and solve Camelot's biggest challenges. They both sat down and Merlin resumed their earlier conversation.

"I don't think I could ever leave Camelot again, Gaius. Not while you or Gwen or the rest of our friends are here."

Gaius stared at him evenly, then smiled. "I am glad to hear it. When you left, I...I felt like my son had been lost."

Merlin rested his hands on the back of his head and tried not to cry. "You're family to me, Gaius." He nodded to himself, thinking of all the times Gaius had given him advice and comforted him. Merlin pushed away the urge to bawl and instead focused on the many occasions Gaius had been forced to cover for him when Merlin had been using magic. He rubbed his hair, causing it to stick up in the back more than usual.

"Besides, Camelot still has use of me- who else besides the Court Sorcerer is going to stir up excitement every now and then?"

Gaius laughed and Merlin smiled as they both started filling their bowls with soup.

It was delicious, Merlin decided, as always.