Chap 12 - Sweet ending

The King was alone in the throne room, having had the guards remain outside of the double doors. He sat upon his throne, eyes closed; his hand placed on his forehead. Confused with all the thoughts that were running through his troubled mind.

His troubles however were going to be made worse as the doors to the throne room opened and in walked in his ward.

She went and sat by her King and sympathetically laid her hand on his.

'How are you Uther?'

'In one word: shocked.'

'He's still your son you know, he still loves you.'

'Are you so sure about that?' the King looked up from the floor to look at her.

'Yes. If anything he will more since you allowed Merlin to live.'

The King huffed, a scowl slowly appearing on his face.

'Not all magic is evil Uther, let Merlin show you that. Let the love your son has for him show you that.'

'Igraine died because of magic. In the end magic turns against you, consumes you.'

'That will not happen to Arthur, he is strong, like you. Besides you've seen Merlin about the castle, how devoted he is to Arthur. You let your past ruin your vision of the present and possible future.'

Uther knew what Morgana was saying was true, so young she was yet the wisdom she held was so beyond her years.

'In time you will see you have done the right thing Uther, for not just Arthur's sake but for Camelot as well. May I ask, what exactly made you not carry on with the execution?'

'Igraine. I could her voice in my head, telling me to let the boy live. That she would never forgive me for breaking her son's heart.' He laughed shortly before his stern nature revealed itself again. 'I wish she were here. Magic took her away from me. I will not let magic kill my son too.'

'Merlin wont, he will help your son live.' Morgana stood up, kissing her Kings hand before walking to the doors. She stopped in her steps as Uther spoke again.

'The sorcerer can have today, maybe even tomorrow, maybe even a whole year. But I give my word if he steps out of place in my eye, he will be killed. No matter what you or Arthur say, I will have his body back on that stake and burning!' the King raised his voice as he progressed into his declaration, standing up, full of hate.

His last words sent a chill down Morgana's spine, though she held her strong facade. Facing away from him at the doors. 'You let your hate rule you, I hope one day that will change.' She spoke strongly before leaving. Uther still standing, his mind still in a mess.

A few hours after Merlin had entered the Prince's bedroom and had made love to him, the young men were snuggled up closely under the sheets, lying on their sides; back to chest. Arthur wrapped in Merlin's arms without a care in the world, still buzzing.

Merlin was leaning up on his elbow now, arms till enveloped tightly around Arthur. He was staring lovingly at the back of the sleeping Prince. Morgana had said that he had feelings for Arthur but Merlin had denied it, he had no idea what love felt like; he did now.

'I love you Arthur.' Merlin whispered to the sleeping Arthur, however Arthur wasn't asleep.

Hearing Merlin say he loved him brought a vast smile to the Prince that spread across his whole face. 'I love you to Merlin' Arthur said to himself, sighing inside at the most wonderful moment he will ever experience. The experience of love, of loving, and of being loved.