Hey everyone. This is the last chapter. I hope it's a satisfactory conclusion to this tale. I've had fun writing it, I hope you've enjoyed reading it. Thank you to everyone who has favourited/alerted/reviewed/read this story. Your all amazing. Thank you.

Merlin stayed by Gaius' side at all times. First it was Gaius staying with Merlin while he hid inside the tent. Then, when Gaius returned to his duties around camp, Merlin followed. When surrounded by people Merlin shrunk into himself. They terrified him. Smiling faces, laughing children, but most of all Arthur and his knights. He was simply waiting for the moment they turned on him. He'd seen their hatred first hand for all things magical, Morgana…

Morgana. Merlin never loved her, but he grieved her. She'd freed him and now he'd locked himself away and Morgana was nowhere to be seen. He could've been happy with her. Didn't he deserve that? But now he'd betrayed her she'd never forgive him. That happiness was lost forever.

"Morning Merlin," Gwen smiled.

Merlin didn't reply.

Merlin sat at the window, watching the guards do their rounds. They had a circuit so precise that Merlin could count the rotations.

"One, two, three." And they were at their next post.

"One, two, three, four, five." At the next.

"One, two, three." And the next.

"Merlin! You're out of bed! I'm so glad," Morgana's voice floated from behind him.

Merlin forced himself to turn around. Morgana smiled at him, holding a tray of food in her hands, "I knew this would help, being home. Do you think you'll want to go for a walk outside today?"

Merlin shook his head and Morgana was back tracking, "That's fine. I understand. I don't have anywhere to be this morning, so why don't we stay together? I brought you something. A book on the history of magic. It's a good read…"

Merlin closed his eyes on the desperate girl and counted the seconds to the guards next shift.

As time wore on, things settled into a routine. Most learnt to avoid Merlin. A few tried to get a reaction from him. Merlin still had no response for anyone other than Gaius, and even then it was a shadow of what he used to be.

"It's been three months and he still barely speaks," Merlin overheard Arthur whisper to Gaius, "What if he never recovers?"

"Give him time."

Lost cause, that was what Merlin was. He knew that Arthur wouldn't hurt him. He could see everyone offering their friendship. He knew he was safe and yet he could bring himself to relax. Merlin had fallen into a hole so deep he feared he'd never see the light. Each day someone offered their friendship and every time Merlin couldn't help but reject it. He hated himself for it.

And each time he dug that little bit deeper down the hole.

"What new found knowledge do you have for me today?" Morgana asked as she slipped into Merlin's bedroom.

Merlin sat on the floor by the fire, a large book open on his lap. He was dressed in his night garments, a blanket wrapped around his thin frame for warmth.

"You have chairs you know."

"It's late. I didn't think you were coming."

Morgana sat down beside him, ignoring her beloved chairs. She smiled at him a moment and Merlin saw how tired she was.

"I'll always come for you."

"Merlin, are you okay? Answer me damn it!" Arthur shouted, "Did you get hurt?"

Merlin's head twitched from side to side and Arthur moved on. Morgana attacked the camp. Everyone scattered into the forest, but even though most escaped there were still casualties. Gaius was everywhere, treating the wounded. Gwen was doing her best to help.

Merlin stood to the side in shock. Morgana had been right in front of him. The hatred burned in her eyes when she looked at him. She didn't even look at Arthur with such loathing. The spell would've killed him if Leon hadn't pushed him out of the way.

She would've killed him.

Night had fallen. Most were a sleep but Merlin sat alone by a dying fire, trying to banish all thought. When Leon joined him it only served to spark those thoughts. They offered each other no greeting, though the silence they shared was comfortable. Usually Merlin would be glad that there was no talking, it was easier. But this time Merlin had something he needed to say.

"You shouldn't have done that."

If Leon was shocked at the sound of Merlin's voice, he didn't show it. Instead he continued to stare into the flames, "Done what?"

"Pushed me out of the way. She could've killed you."

"You mean to say I should've let you die?" Leon asked.

Merlin had no reply for that. It was a thought that had entered his head that afternoon. Merlin didn't want to die, yet in that moment when Morgana had stared him down, he had.

"You love her," Leon stated.

He thought about it, but came to the conclusion he always had. Merlin knew love and that wasn't it. Slowly he shook his head, "No. But I need her. I don't know how to live without her."

To say Merlin was surprised was an understatement; he hadn't even shared that thought with Gaius. He was afraid it would disappoint him. Leon didn't look disappointed, simply thoughtful.

"Yet this all started with her kidnapping you." Leon chuckled weakly then, "I'd say she's not worth it, but that's not the point. Is it?"

Merlin's lips pulled upwards into a small smile.

Merlin's heart pounded in his chest. They were taking Camelot back. Merlin knew Arthur would've rather not have him in the fighting. The King still viewed Merlin as fragile, but need won in the end. Still, he didn't have a large role. Getting them into the castle would be easy.

"Alright, let's go," Arthur stated.

The group went to follow orders but was stopped when Merlin threw his arm out, blocking them.

"Wait," he breathed.

Two seconds of silence then a guard walked into view. He walked directly in the path they needed to take. Merlin counted under his breath, waiting for the moment. Who knew that his boredom in his recovery days would come of use? When Merlin arrived at the correct shift he signalled Leon to shoot the guard.

They had seconds before a guard would come around the corner, so they ran together. Gwaine and Arthur pulled the dead guard out of sight. They'd made it.

"Good work Merlin," Gwaine whispered.

Merlin smiled a small smile in response.

They won. Morgana had fled, but her death wasn't the aim. They had Camelot, they were home. Merlin stood in his old room. It was trashed, all his beloved books ripped to a thousand pieces. He suspected Morgana's rage was responsible. That was okay, he didn't want them. This was Arthur's room and Merlin was just as happy going back to that tiny room at the back of Gaius' quarters.

It was good to be home.

"You have magic."

"And what are you going to do?"

"I'm going to save you."

If only it were that simple, Merlin thought, I'd save you too.