(kilgarrah. that's a truly terrible apology. just sayin'.)

lovely to have merlin admit that kilgarrah doesn't have the purest of motives. that he's not even, studiously neutral. that he has pretty serious/deep character flaws himself...

'i wasn't aware that too much thinking was one of your problems'... hee, hee. but, yeah.

this is also something i wished would have happened at some point - a conversation between arthur and the dragon. and without merlin present...

(that's a point i never considered, though... that kilgarrah's obtuseness meant merlin was pushed to think for himself. hm. what does that say about kilgarrah's claims regarding morgana and mordred?...)

see, the thing is. maybe there /is/ nothing merlin can do - but you shouldn't stop someone like that from /trying/. it's like making a member of the family stop doing CPR on a loved one. you just shouldn't. let them realize it's over, and surrender the attempt... but til they're ready to give up and admit defeat, bystanders or friends should help that person do their utmost to try.

i wanted to read this as kilgarrah deliberately provoking merlin so that he's in a state of mind to be able to do the necessary magic! but, kinda too bad that merlin is out cold for the dragon's conversation with the goddess...

That would have been a more satisfying ending to the series...

Can't wait for more!

Awesome!

Love this story!

After that comment about Arthur being a bee-stung bear, I can just see Merlin offering him a Snickers bar...
Arthur: "What the **** is this, Merlin?"
Merlin: "It's a new delicacy, Arthur. It's good!" *Nodding archedly*
"It looks disgusting, Merlin!" *Arthur grimacing*
"Don't be a dollophead, Arthur, just try it!"
...
...
"Better?" Merlin asks.
"Better."
... Oh, don't look so smug about it, Merlin..."

LOL!
I liked the interaction between Merlin and Arthur there at the end. And Merlin freely using his magic in front of and helping Arthur. Thanks for giving us a little more of that! :)
Anyway... I took into consideration your last PM and decided to help you out and send some carrots and celery over this time! *please don't be allergic, please don't be allergic!*

Absolutely love this. Why, oh why couldn't we have gotten this in the show!? None of what was promised came to be on the show, so thanks for making my day. And I agree with Vread, an epilogue with the joyous return to Camelot would be lovely!

Loved this ending :) Merlin gave a very insightful explanation as to why Kilgharrah acted as he did and Arthur & Merlin are back to their comfortable banter :) Thanks

Must say I am a little sad to see Kilgharrah go. He finally is able to talk straight to Merlin and it is really too late.
So wonderful to see a restored Aithusa though.
A lovely ending for season five. Just as it should have been.
Many thanks.

Hilarious ending. Excellent fic.

Fun and wonderful! I loved the camaraderie in this chapter.

Great story, congrats!
Suggestion because I want to read more: an epilogue with the return to Camelot

I’m loving this and looking forward to seeing where it goes! However, if you’re not already aware, chapter 2 seemed to be from another one of your stories (and a very abrupt transition/jump in time so I doubt it was posted on purpose). I’m not sure if this “chapter 3” is meant to be chapter two of this story and the chapter from The Endilif snuck in somehow during posting causing a double post, or if chapter two needs replacing...but somethings not quite right ;)) Anyway, thanks for sharing your hard work and I hope you’re inspired to update soon!