Author's Note: I uploaded the last two chapters at once, so make sure to read chapter 117, "Going Home," before this chapter.

Merlin supported Will by his arm, a little guilty that he'd used his old friend as an excuse to flee the courtyard. Geoffrey had flooded him with questions he couldn't fully answer, and most of the others stared at him with wonder, whispering under their breaths. He could guess at the councilors' thoughts—they weren't sure if everyone gifted magic boded good or ill. As for the servants, they kept their distance, and only nodded or curtsied when he got too close, deferring to him like he was some godlike being.

"Steps here," Merlin told Will when they reached the base of the spiral stair that would ascend to Gaius' chambers.

Will cautiously felt out each step before mounting it. Merlin hurt at his previously energetic friend turned half-blind. The eel creature had blasted the right side of Will's face with an acidic spray. Over time, his skin had reddened and scarred over, but his right eye remained fused closed, and he appeared for all intents and purposes as if he'd been burned in a fire.

Merlin recalled his mother's concerns about what would happen to him after the battle. Aiding Will, he echoed her fear. Will had hardly spoken while they traveled and taken little interest in proceedings. Lancelot advised patience. Healing took months, sometimes years. And even then, the sufferings and wounds could never be scrubbed away entirely.

Merlin settled Will on a cot when they reached Gaius' room. It wasn't long before others joined them, Gaius' new medical entourage, which now included Elyan and a host of others from Camelot, servants and soldiers alike, who had exhibited some form of healing magic.

Gaius entered behind them and began issuing orders. Alice continued straight through the room to the small set of stairs that ascended to what had once been Merlin's quarters. She was escorting Kara, whose face was drawn and eyes sunken, grief over Mordred taking a heavy toll. Merlin felt sorry for the girl, but couldn't muster much pity for Mordred. He'd chosen his way.

"My boy, what are you doing here?" Gaius said when he registered Merlin's presence. Merlin nodded at Will. "Ah. Yes." Gaius patted Merlin's back. "We'll take good care of him. Daegal?" The youth hurried over to Will, pouring liquid onto a cloth and crouching down to gingerly clear out Will's rheumy open eye. Gaius sighed heavily as he shucked off his heavy pack, then flipped it open to unload.

"I'll do that," Merlin insisted, prodding his old mentor with his elbow.

"You should be with Arthur."

"He doesn't need me."

"Did you ask?"

"No." Before Gaius could say anything more, Merlin rushed on. "I want to be here, Gaius. Please?"

Gaius's characteristic right-eyed raised expression lingered on him for one long moment before the physician backed away from his pack. Merlin relaxed. At least here, in Gaius' chambers, he could apply himself to mundane activities for a while.

As Gaius pulled down bowls and bottles from a shelf, Merlin withdrew the contents of his pack. Most of what the physician had carried were personal supplies and trinkets, and Merlin knew where to put them. He returned each item to its place until he came to a parchment Gaius had been scribbling on as they'd journeyed back home. Merlin unrolled it to discover a list of names and notations indicating those with new magical healing skills, starting with Elyan whom Gaius had figured out could cleanse blood. That's how he'd saved Gwaine, clearing out the poison from a scorpion's stinger. Merlin skimmed the other names. A few could close wounds. One could put the body in a state of deep slumber. Others could numb various parts of the body for suturing. But each and every name had only been assigned one skill.

"Gaius," Merlin said, speaking to the physician at a nearby table, "did I only give people one magic ability a piece?"

Gaius continued to arrange his equipment as he answered. "From what I have gathered, yes."

"So no one's like me or the Druids?"

"Not that I can tell."

Merlin ran a finger over the parchment. What had he really sensed in people? What were the doors he'd so easily opened? "What do you think I really did?"

Gaius grunted. "That, Merlin, will require years to puzzle out, though my current theory is you simply enhanced what people already possessed to begin with."

Merlin furrowed his brow, rolling up the parchment to set on the table. "You think Elyan could always cleanse blood?"

"Not, of course, with any degree of magic." Gaius looked up, scanning those who had been given instructions gathering items and hurrying out the door to make for the grand hall where their patients would be settled. When they left, the room quieted and Gaius laid a hand on the rolled parchment. "Think of Elyan, Merlin. For so long, he sought justice for those mistreated by noble blood, one might even say poisoned by it. He might have carried out his goals the wrong way at first, but they were worthy. Perhaps all along he was meant to cleanse the poisons that inhibited life."

"That's...complex," Merlin said, wondering if Gaius' theory was too cerebral.

Gaius smiled at him. "And you, my boy, have exhibited layers upon layers, so why be surprised to find them in the magic you bestowed?"

Before Merlin could say more, Alice appeared, moving down the steps to join Gaius at his worktable. "Kara's settled. What do you need?"

Gaius glanced at her, but even in that short look, his gaze exuded love. "I must prepare some more potions." He nodded at Merlin. "And I have an aid. They'll need you in the hall to direct them and to help with the worst cases." Gaius looked over at Will's cot. "Take Daegal as well." Will had apparently fallen asleep on the cot.

Alice nodded crisply, then leaned over to nip Gaius on the cheek before commanding Daegel and leaving the room with the assistant.

Merlin couldn't help but tease. "When's the wedding?"

Gaius slid a bowl towards him and shoved a passel of dried herbs in his hands. "Get working."

Merlin grinned as he set the herbs in a bowl and fell into the familiar rhythm of a grinding pestle.

Arthur's long day faded into a long night. He'd spent almost the entire time after their arrival in discussion with his councilors and elites, determining what had to be seen to now that the main crisis was over. Much of the towns were still in need of rebuilding from Cenred and Alined's attack more than a month ago. Then there was the disposing of bodies, funerals to be held for so many dead friends and subjects. He'd managed to table any discussion concerning magic for the time being.

When he'd finally gotten away, he tracked down Guinevere in the grand hall sitting on a stool next to a slumbering Druid woman, holding her hand and singing lowly and softly. He crept up behind her and laid his hands on her shoulders. When she jumped slightly and scowled up at him, he kissed her right temple and whispered into her ear. "Did anyone ever tell you you'd make a good queen?"

Gwen smiled softly and mirrored his tone. "Someone once did."

"Gaius and Alice can handle these overnight. Go to bed."

Gwen smiled coyly. "Which one?"

Arthur squeezed her shoulders. He would like nothing better than to hold her next to him this night, but it would be better for her to sleep soundly. "Yours for tonight. You don't need distraction; you need rest."

She extracted her hand from the sleeping woman's and stood up to face him. She cradled his chin in her slender, soft hands, then pushed up on her toes to press her lips to his. "You're the best man I know, Arthur Pendragon."

"Sire," Gaius addressed Arthur. Arthur turned round from Gwen to face the physician. "You might want to stop by my chambers. I believe Merlin is still there."

Arthur nodded, catching Gaius' concern. Merlin hadn't showed all day, which wasn't surprising. Whenever the youth hurt or felt out of sorts, he had a habit of hiding away until someone found him.

"It's a hard time for Merlin," Gwen murmured.

"Yes," Arthur answered with a sigh. He took her arm and they exited the hall. After he saw her to her own room, leaving her with a promise of more attention on the morrow, he made his way to the other side of the castle and the spiral staircase that led to Gaius' chamber.

Arthur pushed open the door. The room flickered with the reflection of firelight crackling in the hearth. A cot had been set up before it and Arthur knew the patient—Will. His gaze stayed on the lad for a moment. Lancelot had regaled him with Will's heroic exploit. He intended to honor the squire and award him when the time was right. He hoped such recognition would lift the lad's spirits, though he assumed healing would be a long time in coming regardless. He couldn't imagine how hard life would have been for him if he had been so wounded as a youth himself.

Arthur skimmed the room. Ah. His ward was sitting on a stool, back propped up against a wall, chin resting on his chest, snoring softly. He looked so young and innocent that Arthur could almost pretend he was twelve again, except for the light growth of hair on his upper lip and gangling limbs indicating a height already overtaking Arthur's.

Arthur shook Merlin's shoulder. "Hey, Merlin. You're snoozing on the job."

Merlin didn't open his eyes, but shifted and murmured, "Arthur?"

Arthur sighed as he knelt down to grasp the boy under one arm and around his shoulders. "Up. Come on." He lifted the youth to his feet. Merlin roused a little, walking as directed. When they got to his chambers, Arthur had to pull off his boots after Merlin tumbled into bed fully clothed. Then he pulled the coverlet up to Merlin's chin.

Arthur hesitated before exiting, slowly and carefully laying a hand on Merlin's head. All these years, Camelot's fate and trajectory had laid in the hands of this boy...youth...man, and there couldn't have been any better. Arthur tousled Merlin's hair as he used to, then quietly left the room.

Morgana had sought out a place to ponder alone, so when footsteps sounded behind her, she snapped round in irritation, but the sight of her brother disarmed her.

Arthur paused. "I didn't expect anyone to be here."

"I didn't either." They shared a smile. "But you can join me." She turned back to the battlement railing and view of the towns below.

Arthur moved up to her side, leaning a hip against the railing. "Where's Lancelot?"

"Sleeping."

"How is he?"

Happy, Morgana thought to herself, as far as our family, but… "He lost more than half of the squires."

"I know," Arthur whispered.

"He'll need time."

"We all will."

Morgana rested her hands on the battlement railing. Lights glimmered down in the towns. Cloths attached to doorways and windows flapped in the breeze. "They hung red from their homes."

"Celebrating our victory."

Music also wafted up from below, a flute and a lute accompanying one another with a playfully syncopated rhythm.

"Their resilience is hard to fathom," Morgana said. "They've suffered so much in so short a time and still they rejoice."

"Life goes on, whether we want it to or not."

Morgana peered up at her brother, his distant eyes glistening with reflected moonlight.

"I think Merlin's gifts are helping. They're a distraction from the grief."

"What magic did Merlin give you?"

"I'm still thinking on that."

"I think I know what he did to me. May I hold your hand?"

Arthur lifted his palm. She slid her smaller hand over his larger and warmer one. Arthur changed, growing older, stronger, and wiser. He sported shining golden armor and a golden crown glittering with rubies. A child giggled and Arthur crouched down, extending his arms. The vision ceased.

"You saw something," Arthur intuited.

"Since the battle, sometimes when I touch people, I see a future version of them. It's not like before. I don't think I see things that will happen, but who people can become."

"Their potential?"

"Something like that." Morgana let go his hand, and he turned to the side, wrapping his arm around her waist. She leaned into his shoulder. "You can be a great king. Wise and fair and just." The laughter of the child she'd heard still rang in her ears. "And..." She laid her hand on her belly. "There will be children. I'm with child."

Arthur dropped his arm and gripped her by the shoulders, glancing between her belly and her face. "You didn't say anything? And you went into battle?" Morgana stuck out her chin, daring him to lecture her. He backed off, shaking his head. "Dear Morgana." He pulled her forward to kiss the crown of her head. "Does Lancelot know?"

"I told him after the battle. He's delighted."

"So am I." He pulled her closer and she wrapped her arms around his waist this time, laying her head on his chest. She felt safe and protected and...home. "The Druids say a better time is to come. A Golden Age."

"It can be true."

"I pray it is. That this land will be an example of goodness, a kingdom known for sacrifice and humility. That we leave a better age for those who follow us." He gently stroked her long hair. "You see what people can be… I think I see what they were."

Morgana looked up at him.

"Just now, I saw you after your father's death, so broken and hurt. Morgana, I'm sorry."

"Why do you think this is the magic you have?"

"To make me what you've seen. So I can know what pasts burden my people and make right decisions concerning them."

"Merlin did an amazing thing."

"Yes," Arthur concurred. "He did."

Merlin trailed behind Arthur and Gwen, all trussed up in his formal noble clothes again—long red coat, stiff black trousers, and high kneed boots. He despised the get-up. Still, he supposed he could suffer it for the newly-wedded lovers striding down Camelot's main lane. Twice wedded, actually, though very few had been let in on that secret. Arthur was bedecked in his armor and red cape, his bronze crown perched on his head. Gwen wore lavender, and a bronze crown as well, though it had been hammered into a wreath of flowers whose centers were embellished with various colored gems. Arthur had set the crown that had once been his mother's on his bride himself.

Citizens cheered as they passed, waving flags and throwing flower petals. Merlin hadn't been sure of Arthur's decision to marry Gwen publicly within a week of their return, especially after all the biers burned and corpses buried; now he thought the people had needed this, something joyous to proclaim better days to come. The wedding ceremony had been simple, and the wedding feast banished from the grand hall to the city streets where citizens had decorated their own homes with red banners, painted dragons, and a multitude of wildflowers. They'd also been encouraged to share treats within their households and with their neighbors. Many offered the king and queen pastries and sweets as they passed. Servants collected the refreshments in baskets.

Merlin took great joy in the expressed love between his friends, but even more in those crowding the sides of the road. Nobles, Druids, and commoners had intermixed, celebrating together. He wondered how long such barriers would remain broken. Forever, he hoped, please let it be for forever.

Two horses waited for the king and queen when they reached the end of the lane and the city gates, Arthur's black steed, Brenner, and a pure white mare for Gwen. Knights helped aid the queen's mount. Arthur swung up in Brenner's saddle himself. He caught Merlin's eye a moment and smiled and winked before directing Brenner through the gates. The elites on their own horses trotted after the couple, Lancelot at the front, the appropriate place for the man named the newest first knight. Arms ringed round Merlin's shoulders from behind and lips kissed his cheek.

Morgana spoke in his ear. "Heaven bless you for all you've done for us." Then she, too, departed to ride next to her husband. The king, queen, and their entourage would make their traditional circuit round the outer villages. Arthur had released Merlin from the activity, encouraging him to spend the time with his mother and father.

Merlin retreated down a side alley to avoid scrutiny. He still engendered expressions of awe or wariness. If people only knew how close he'd come to ruining everything. Without Morgana, without Arthur, he could have ruled them all as a tyrant worse than Uther.

Merlin reached the backdoor of his parents' home. Voices filtered through from inside, their friends come to join them. He was immediately accosted when he crossed the threshold by Freya who was all grins. She grasped his hand and pulled him to the table crowded with people he loved—his mother and father; Gaius and Alice along with Kara, their own family of three now that the couple had officially declared Kara their adopted daughter; Gwaine—who'd begged off his elite duties for the sake of his wife, Sefa, who smiled contentedly next to him. Will was present, too, though he sat apart on a bed with an overstuffed mattress. Daegal was holding a plate and spoon to help him eat.

"Merlin!" most of them shouted, and he was greeted and hugged and patted on the back before he took his own place next to Freya and across from his father, who smiled from ear to ear and mouthed, "I'm so proud of you." Merlin nodded, then turned his attention to his meal. He should have been happy. He was happy, but even so, something weighed heavily in his soul.

After the meal, Merlin wandered outside into the garden his mother had started, taking long breaths of fresh air and listening to other voices to his left and right, other celebrations of the subjects of Camelot. Something tapped the back of his thigh and he found Aithusa at his heels. He reached down to scratch her chin. "Where's your counterpart?" he asked. Aithusa twittered. Merlin scanned the blue, cloudless sky. He spotted the red dot far above, Grenned, who was probably accompanied by Nero. For some reason, ever since he'd regained his sight, Nero had taken to the red dragon, and they were practically inseparable.

Soft footfalls exited the house. The tender and familiar hands of his mother lay on his shoulders. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong."

Hunith gently turned him round and fixed him with a "mother look."

Merlin sighed. "Things don't feel wrong so much as...different." His mother embraced him, and he returned the gesture, resting his chin on the top of her head. "You were afraid what would happen to me after the battle. Something has happened."

"What is it?" she asked at his shoulder.

"I feel like I've lost something."

"What?"

He shrugged. Her hand reached up to push back his fringe. "You aren't my carefree little boy anymore. You've seen so much and done so much. You're changed."

Merlin swallowed thickly, absorbing truths he hadn't yet put words to.

"Peace came with a heavy price—your happiness. There's a melancholy that comes with it now that you can't escape."

Merlin closed his eyes. "You felt the same after father was tortured. After he left you." He felt her nod.

"You always wonder if the good times won't last. If they'll be taken from you like so much else has. But, Merlin..." She pulled back and he met her gaze. "This doesn't mean the good times aren't good. You have permission to enjoy them while you can." She let him go. "Come back inside with me?"

Merlin hooked his arm round hers, letting her draw him inside with Aithusa at his heels.

After a long and tedious ride, Arthur and Gwen made it back to the citadel. They bid farewell to the knights and traversed halls and stairs until they came to the bedchamber that was now officially theirs together. Arthur grasped Gwen's hand to prevent her from opening the doors. He answered her quizzical look by sweeping her off her feet. She giggled as he kicked open the door with one foot and transported her over the threshold. Then they both gasped.

Every surface of the room had been adorned with spinning, glittery globes of light spraying rainbows of color. Arthur set Gwen down and approached the dining table.

"How..." Gwen stammered.

Arthur ran a hand through one of the globes and his fingers tingled with lightning warmth. "Merlin."

"That boy," Gwen said with a smile.

"That man," Arthur corrected. He shut the door, picked her up again, and carried her to the bed.

Arthur shared a wrist grip with Leon, then Gwaine, each standing as if at attention in the middle of the citadel courtyard. "I'm going to miss you both."

"Likewise, sire," Leon returned.

Gwaine didn't say anything, opening his mouth and shutting it twice before he settled on a curt nod.

"We'll be back to visit, of course," Mithian said from Leon's side.

"You better," Arthur said. "And don't work him too hard."

"We'll see," Mithian said, her eyes sparkling. Her arm was still bound in a sling, but she could walk once more. She clasped hands with Gwen and they hugged. Leon held out his arm. Mithian clutched it with her good hand, and they made for their horses. The queen of Nemeth had, unsurprisingly, insisted she could ride one-handed.

"We'll visit when the baby's been born," Sefa spoke from aside Gwaine.

Arthur smiled. "Something tells me several children will be gracing the citadel soon."

Gwen flushed and playfully slapped his arm. "Cousins and friends. Just think of it, Arthur. More than half the kingdoms in Albion are loyal to you now."

"And led by good friends," Arthur added, nodding to Gaheris who had approached behind Gwaine. "Take care of him," Arthur said, clasping Gwaine's shoulder.

Gaheris chuckled. "I think it's more me you should worry about." He slapped Gwaine on the back. "Come along, brother."

"I will," Gwaine said quietly, though he didn't budge. Gaheris took Sefa's arm to escort her to a carriage. Gwaine cleared his throat. "Arthur…Erm...I...Blast it! I'm terrible at good-byes."

"You don't need to say anything. I know what you mean. Thank you. And I'm grateful. And I'll miss you."

"Yeah," Gwaine said, flushing.

"You said good-bye to Merlin?"

"At breakfast. Look. He's not the same."

"I'm aware. I plan to see to him."

"Well, then, keep up the good work, mate." The words tumbled out of Gwaine's mouth as he smacked Arthur's shoulder, then hurried over to the carriage where Elyan waited to bid his own farewell.

Arthur marched over to the others departing on this bright, clear morning. He bowed low in front of Annis.

"I wish to see more of you, Arthur Pendragon," the queen of Caerleon said from her height.

"I hope you will, your majesty," Arthur replied, straightening.

"Your warlock as well. Both of you, Arthur Pendragon, give me hope for us all." She held her sword to her forehead in farewell and turned to her horse.

Finally, Bayard stepped forward to vigorously shake Arthur's hand. "In truth, the treaty I made with your father was founded in fear. Camelot was stronger than us, and your father unpredictable. I felt it wise to keep Uther happy with me and my kingdom. But you, King Arthur, have earned both my respect and the alliance of my kingdom."

"I'm honored, King Bayard."

Bayard grinned. "Not to mention you embroiled me in a battle that will grate on King Olaf when I regale him of what he missed. I warn you, he will insist on being the hero in the next one."

"If the future blesses us," Arthur said, "there won't be a next one."

"We can only hope. Farewell." Bayard marched away to his own steed.

Gwen slid her arm around Arthur as Elyan paced back to them, downcast. "I'm going to miss that rogue," he mumbled, watching Gwaine enter the Cornwall carriage.

Gwen squeezed her brother's hand. "I suppose you'll have to make due with your brother-in-law.

Elyan eyed Arthur. "I think I can do that."

All three watched as their friends, old and new, departed through the gates. Once they'd moved out of sight, Gwen tugged at Arthur's arm. "Now Merlin."

Arthur drew in a breath. "Now Merlin."

"What the devil, Merlin?!"

Merlin's eyelids fluttered open to bright sunlight. He must have dozed off. He pushed up on the citadel's roof tile. "Arthur." He scooched down the sloped roof, eyes going golden to lift Arthur up enough to catch his hand. Merlin hauled him up, and Arthur sidled next to him, knees steepled and palms braced at his sides for balance.

"Don't tell me you've never been up here," Merlin commented.

"On the roof?" Arthur replied incredulously. "No."

"Not even as a boy?"

"If I'd dared attempt it, my father would have made certain my backside was too sore to ride for a week, maybe a month."

"Thought you said you'd been thrashed lots of times."

"I didn't say I tried to get thrashed." Arthur peered warily down at the world below, then out at the expansive view. "It is a sight, though, from up here."

Merlin nodded.

"You didn't want to see Gwaine off?"

"I said good-bye earlier."

"He said. Too hard to see them go?"

"Yeah."

"What are you doing up here anyway?"

Merlin pointed to a dark speck high in the sky along with two smaller ones. "Freya."

"Why aren't you with her?"

"Sometimes I just like to watch her."

Arthur choked down a chuckle and Merlin's cheeks pinkened.

"Well, I do," he huffed.

Arthur patted his knee. "I know, Merlin. I know."

"Why are you here anyway?"

"I wanted to talk to you."

Merlin groaned. "Let me guess. Wardship stuff. Tutors and training and all that."

"Actually, I wanted to talk about our bond."

"Oh."

"You used magic to help me up here."

"Ye-s," Merlin spoke slowly, not following.

"I didn't feel it."

"You didn't?"

"I haven't felt you using magic ever since Camlann." Arthur rubbed at his shirt where he usually felt the double heartbeat.

Merlin's own heart plummeted into a pit in his stomach. "We broke it?"

"I think we completed it."

"So it's just gone." Merlin turned aside to cough and blink away the stupid tears that always materialized too quickly.

"The magical bond, maybe, but not every bond. We haven't lost friendship or brotherhood." Arthur spoke so vehemently, Merlin turned back to contemplate his determined visage. "If you ask me, those are more solid anyway." Arthur reached behind his back to pull out a folded parchment from his trousers. "You know what this is?"

"The wardship agreement."

"Yep." He unfolded the paper, held it up, and tore it in two right down the middle.

"Arthur!"

Arthur ignored Merlin's shock, tearing the document into smaller and smaller pieces until he tossed them into the air. They caught the wind and fluttered away across the roof. "We don't need that anymore." Arthur reached behind his back a second time and retrieved a second parchment. "This is for you, and you don't even have to sign this one."

Merlin accepted the parchment, stomach still tangled up in knots by Arthur's action. He unrolled the parchment, read a few lines, and jerked his gaze back to Arthur. "What is this?"

"You're not my ward. You're not my warlock. You're my equal."

"Arthur," Merlin breathed, and returned to reading the document that declared Merlin an individual independent of the crown. A whole paragraph had been dedicated to restating this fact in various ways to make it perfectly clear Arthur possessed no power over him. Merlin was free to do whatever he wanted whenever he wanted however he wanted. Further, he had been given lands and a home, also considered outside the control of any authority. The bottom of the parchment was scrawled with Arthur's signature and stamped with his seal.

"I'd still like you to visit here often, if you wish. Stay sometimes. Advise me. Sit on the council. But only if you want to."

"I...I..."

"Someone needs to be able to take me to task if he has to and have the legal right to do it, too."

"Arthur." Now Merlin's eyes did betray him, brimming with tears. He had Arthur's complete trust, not just between them, but officially and forever. The Dragon Man had been more than worth every torment, every worry, every pain, every scar, every tear.

Arthur reached out, using the back of his hand to brush a tear from Merlin's cheek. When he spoke, his voice was husky. "I remember when I flicked tears out of your eyes when you first came to the citadel. I told you the man executed was just a sorcerer. And to think, you didn't flee right then in terror. Thank you, Merlin. For thinking someone like me worthy enough to sacrifice your entire world for."

Merlin couldn't speak, and so suddenly even he hadn't expected it, he enveloped Arthur in a tight hug.

Arthur allowed the close contact for a time, then firmly pushed him back. "All right. Come now. Don't get too girly on me." He punched Merlin in the shoulder.

"Ow."

"Seriously? After all the wounds you've taken? Ow? You're right. We should train."

Merlin waved the parchment in front of Arthur's face. "You can't make me anymore."

"Right," Arthur muttered.

"But okay. I'll do it anyway."

Arthur grinned. Then he looked up at the sky. Freya was still there, flying carefree. "I did take the liberty of asking for another document to be drawn up."

"Another one?"

"Courtship papers. You'll need to sign those. Someone else will, too."

Merlin peered up at Freya, his heart skipping a beat as he imagined her in his arms, in his bed, so close, their lips locking, their bodies entwining, and…

"Merlin! How dare you think such thoughts about a lady."

Merlin snapped his eyes back to Arthur grinning from ear to ear. "I'm not."

Arthur laughed long and loud.

"I'm not!" But the fire roaring in his cheeks proved otherwise.

Author's Note: That's a wrap! Two years, four months, twenty-nine days. Wow. Never in a million years would I have guessed I'd have been writing this fic for so long nor that it would turn out to be 118 chapters! An absolutely hearty thanks to everyone who has read this fic, PMed me, favorited, or followed. Kudos to all of you for making it all the way to the end. I've been encouraged and honored by so many of your encouraging words. Thanks for taking a chance on a story that isn't perfect, but I am so glad turned out to be a good enough yarn to entertain so many readers.