A/N: Here is the final chapter/epilogue. Thank you for all your support as I've struggled through this and especially for your patience! I hope you enjoy this last installment.

Three years later…

Sunlight streamed over the castle and streets. Summer was at its peak and all of Camelot was alive with smells and sights, flowers spilling from baskets and people dancing in the streets.

Merlin breathed in deep and let the smallest of smiles curl his lips. Part of him had believed he would never see the castle again.

"Great place, Camelot," Gwaine said as they made their way up the main street. "Taverns, women, fighting. Can't imagine why you wouldn't want to come here, unless of course you were a sorcerer that is." He side-eyed Merlin meaningfully. "Then you'd have to be more insane than me."

Merlin ducked his head to hide the flicker of worry. Lancelot on the other side of Gwaine reached out and knocked Gwaine lightly on the back of his head.

"If Merlin's ready, then he's ready." Lancelot said calmly.

"I'm not doubting that he's ready, I'm just saying you'd have to have a death wish to be a sorcerer and come here." Gwaine spread his hands. "But I see no sorcerers, so all is well."

Something of a knot was loosening in Merlin's chest as they carried on through the lower town. The people here didn't shrink away in fear like they had before. They greeted him with smiles.

Gwaine, in his own sort of way, was right, because Merlin had changed, and people no longer saw a sorcerer when they saw him.

His face had filled out and he'd become physically stronger after months of manual labour back in Ealdor. His home hadn't changed, excepting the fact his mother was dead, but Merlin had found a strange sort of peace in the village. He'd learned to live again.

He had exchanged black cloaks and clothing for brightly coloured shirts and neckerchiefs. When people saw him now, they didn't recognise him as the sorcerer-king. He was just another peasant boy.

They reached the portcullis at the entrance to the castle courtyard and Merlin stopped in his tracks, strange chills running up and down his spine.

"Merlin? Are you ok?" Lancelot asked.

Merlin bit his lip and nodded.

"It's just strange, that's all," he replied.

"Look, if you're not ready-" Gwaine began.

"No. I need to do this."

The courtyard was quiet, only a few guards moving on patrol. Merlin stopped just before the doors to the keep. He couldn't exactly just walk in and find Arthur, could he? He wondered if Arthur would even want to see him.

"Merlin?"

He spun to find Gaius a short way behind them. Both Gwaine and Lancelot had gone for their swords but Merlin waved them down.

"Gaius."

"Oh … my boy," Gaius pulled him into a hug and after a moment, Merlin reciprocated. It felt foreign – this fondness and care.

"You look … you look well," Gaius said as they broke apart.

Merlin didn't know how to respond, so simply shrugged.

"Merlin," Lancelot said quietly, "if Gaius can recognise you, surely this isn't wise? What if Uther realises-"

"Uther won't know him," Gaius said quickly. "He barely saw you … and I guess I'd always hoped you would come back." The smallest of smiles lifted Merlin's lips at that.

"Come up to my chambers," Gaius continued. "We need to talk."

During his time as king, Merlin had never entered Gaius' chambers. He had avoided them for fear of what the memories of his mother and his childhood might do.

Upon entering them now, he was greeted with a great collection of sights and smells. Books and vials and herbs littered every surface the windows were flung wide to let in the summer air.

Gaius dumped a bag of medicines on a table and then held Merlin at arms reach.

"Let's have a proper look at you then," he said. He seemed content with what he saw even as Merlin ducked shyly away.

Gwaine and Lancelot were observing the room, and Gwaine knocking over a pile of books provided a distraction, Merlin able to escape Gaius' attentions as he scolded a sheepish Gwaine.

They talked briefly about what had happened since Merlin had left. Uther's health was failing, Morgana was liaising with the druids. Noticeably, they both avoided the topic of Arthur.

Eventually, however, it couldn't be unsaid any longer.

"And what about … Arthur?" Merlin bit his lip as something of a knowing look crossed Gaius' face.

"The Prince is safe and well. He's taken a lot of responsibility on his shoulders since you were last here. And he'll be a fine king."

"But what about …" Merlin trailed off.

Gaius bowed his head a little.

"He will be a king of legend, with you at his side. It's your destiny, Merlin."

Merlin couldn't find the words to respond.

"He's been out on patrol today, but he's returning for tonight. There's a feast being held. Lady Helen is going to perform, she's a well-renowned singer. You'll be able to speak to Arthur after, I'm sure."

Merlin nodded his thanks, and tried to ignore the butterflies which had broken out in his stomach. After so long, he didn't know how Arthur would react. Would he even recognise Merlin? Would he still … still love him?

"Ladies and gentlemen," Uther said, a pleased look on his face as he surveyed the guests. "We have enjoyed three years now since the downfall of the sorcerers Morgause and Emrys. We have come to a time of peace and prosperity and it has brought the kingdom and myself many pleasures, but few can compare with the honour of introducing Lady Helen of Mora."

Merlin felt a blow to his stomach at the mention of Emrys. Across the hall, Gwaine and Lancelot glanced at him, but Merlin managed to control his emotions.

If he hadn't known Uther was ill, he wouldn't have noticed. He still seemed as cold and forbidding as he had three years ago, but there was a slight shaking of his hand, a slight greyness to his skin which gave away his failing condition.

Arthur on the other hand … He looked … Merlin couldn't find words to describe how he looked. He still had that golden blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, still held himself with honour and pride. But there was something more, something Merlin couldn't put his finger on.

He wasn't sure, but he thought he saw a shadow cross Arthur's face at the mention of Emrys.

Arthur hadn't seen him yet, and although Merlin had planned to approach after the feast, he couldn't help but inch closer, standing back in an alcove near Arthur's chair as Lady Helen began to sing.

Her voice was like nothing Merlin had ever heard before, strong and full, yet somehow eerie at the same time. It made shivers run down his spine, and his magic crackled in warning.

The banquet hall was falling dark and silent, except for the shrill tones of Lady Helen, and cobwebs grew out of nothing over the sleeping guests.

Clapping his hands over his ears, Merlin watched in horror as the witch strode down the hall, her eyes fixed on Arthur.

It was over in a split second as Merlin's magic lashed out to protect and brought the chandelier crashing down on Lady Helen.

Very slowly, the hall returned to life, Uther rising from his chair in shock to see not Lady Helen, but an old woman, who at that moment rose in a shriek and threw a dagger at Arthur.

Time slowed down and with the drums of destiny echoing in Merlin's ears, he dragged Arthur out of the way.

A warmth filled Merlin's belly as Arthur rose to get up, looking down to see who his saviour was.

" Merlin … " He mouthed Merlin's name in surprise, eyes widening in disbelief.

Merlin gave the smallest of nods.

Somehow, it seemed like this was always meant to have happened as Uther came to thank Merlin, who ducked his head … but there was no need to hide. Uther did not recognise him.

Inexplicably, Merlin suddenly knew that everything was going to be alright.

Arthur reached out to trace the line of Merlin's jaw as they sat near the fire in Arthur's chambers later that night.

"You came back," Arthur murmured, still seeming somewhat in shock.

"You waited," Merlin replied, taking Arthur's hand - the hand he had healed with magic … the first time Arthur had trusted him - and kissing gently along Arthur's knuckles.

"And you won't leave now?" Arthur asked, his free hand clasping the other side of Merlin's face.

"Never."

Merlin wasn't sure who moved in first for the kiss, but they met in a clash of lips which quickly softened as they drew each other closer.

Merlin collapsed into the embrace, visions of Camelot, Arthur, and the promise of the future burning bright in his mind.

But that moment by the fire, hearts alight with hope and love, was theirs.

The dawning of their destiny.