Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin

Epilogue

The white walls of Camelot came into view two days later and Arthur's heart swelled with happiness and joy at seeing his beloved city. It was his first love, a place where his soul felt safe and whole. It was home. He smiled and had to rein in the urge to spur his horse into a full out run, so eager was he to get behind those protective walls.

"It's been a long time," Merlin whispered nervously behind him. "Maybe I shouldn't go with you."

"Merlin, I didn't scour the entire countryside and part of Essetir only to have you stay in the woods after finding you. There's nothing to be scared of. Everyone knows you have magic and, while there may be some who are bigoted like my father, most have accepted you as I have. Now, come on; let's go home."

When the gates came into view the posted guards let out a shout and sent a runner to the citadel after spotting them. Arthur heard Merlin let out a nervous breath as they came through the gates and part of the king sorrowed over his friend's fear. He could only pray that those who opposed magic wouldn't lash out at the sight of him. He wanted Merlin's return to be a positive experience.

He needn't have worried, for the streets were lined with friends and confidants, many cheering over the return of their king and his success. When they reached the citadel the courtyard was filled with knights, servants, and soldiers. All of them shouted for joy and called Merlin's name, welcoming smiles on their faces. The nobles and councilmen waiting on the steps, however, held a mixture of both pleasure and distaste over seeing the warlock seated behind the king. Arthur knew the biggest opposition they would face would be within those of the nobility but he was willing to fight for Merlin until his dying breath. The man would do the same for him, after all.

The greatest reward for the king, however, had to be watching Gaius and Guinevere as they rushed over and crushed Merlin in tear-filled embraces the moment he'd slipped down from the horse. Merlin laughed and cried over their antics, reassuring them over and over again that he was alright and promising to tell them where he'd been at a later time. Both noticed the brands but before they could fully vocalize their distress Merlin muttered that he'd explain everything later.

Arthur had just finished handing the reins of his horse to a stable boy when his attention was suddenly seized by his bride-to-be. Guinevere completely surprised him by throwing her arms around his neck and delivering a kiss that honestly left him speechless. The aroma of lavender hovered around her like a moth to flame, enriching his senses and leaving him desirous to whisk her away from prying eyes. The king looked down at her in a daze, completely unaware of the cheers of approval coming from most of the people in the courtyard.

Guinevere's smile was warm and welcoming, pride radiating from her lovely brown eyes. "You brought him home," she whispered, her thumb gently gliding across his jaw line.

"Just as I promised," he grinned. "And now we can focus on what's most important – besides fulfilling destiny, that is."

"And what is that?"

"You and me," he stated, this time instigating the kiss himself.

"Save it for the wedding night, you two!"

"Shut up, Gwaine!" Arthur called over his shoulder as he took Guinevere's hand and started up the steps into the citadel. He paused however, glancing back to see Merlin still standing at the base of the steps. "Come on then, you idiot," he called. "There's work to be done."

Merlin's grin was large as he mounted the steps. "I'm not even back for five minutes and you already have things for me to do? Geez, you really are a heartless prat."

Arthur flicked his ear. "Of course I have things for you to do, Merlin. As First Advisor to the King you're going to be just as busy as I am planning for the wedding. Not to mention the duties you'll have to take on once we legalize magic and make you Court Sorcerer."

Merlin tripped on the stairs and Arthur had to grab his arm to prevent him from falling and breaking his nose.

"Good heavens, you weren't kidding about the clumsiness, were you?" Arthur said cheerfully, enjoying Merlin's astonishment way too much.

Guinevere swatted his arm. "I thought you would have told him already," she chastened.

"And ruin a moment like this?" Arthur laughed as they entered the castle. "I've been waiting for years to make Merlin speechless!"

The warlock's jaw finally started working at the sound of his king's jeering triumph.

"I can't be your First Advisor or your Court Sorcerer!"

Arthur stopped in the hallway, turning to face his friend with an amused smirk. "You don't have a say, Merlin."

"But – what about being your manservant?"

"I've had a new manservant for eight months, Merlin," Arthur said, rolling his eyes, "and no, you're not going to turn him into a stoat – as much as I would enjoy the spectacle. George may be the most efficient manservant I've ever had but he is quite dull compared to you."

"Then fire him and rehire me!"

Arthur pretended to debate over it before shaking his head. "Sorry, nope, I think I prefer you as First Advisor. Court Sorcerer later yes, but, like I said, we have to legalize magic first. Don't you agree, Guinevere?"

The maiden shook her head in amusement. "You know how I feel about the matter, Arthur. Merlin, no one else can fill these positions but you. You have to take up the role as First Advisor or the councilors might start a war amongst themselves over the position."

"And we can't have that," Arthur stated. "It looks like once again you'll have to make sacrifices and become a nobleman, Merlin. I don't think it'll be too hard. You already have a talent of speaking your mind even when others might not like what you say."

"I – you –"

Ignoring his spluttering best friend, Arthur turned to Guinevere. "Did you do as I asked?"

"Everything should be ready," she said in the affirmative. "The staff was rather enthusiastic when I enlisted their help. Rachel made up several outfits – all which will need to be tried on and mended for size, of course – and George took it upon himself to direct the others on organizing the tower. There were a few things we were afraid to move down in the vaults, however. Gaius said it would be best to wait until Merlin could inspect them so we left them alone."

Arthur hummed, excited as well as pleased by the news. "Excellent. I knew I could count on you, Guinevere."

"What on earth are you two going on about?" Merlin demanded, exasperated, as he followed them down the hall. "What's ready? What outfits has Rachel made? What things in the vaults are you saying I need to inspect? What is going on?"

They reached the end of the corridor and turned into a hallway that led to what Arthur had always grown up knowing to be a dead end. Now a doorway stood plain to their view, a small set of steps leading up to a handsome wooden door.

"Hang on," Merlin paused, "this wasn't here before."

"You're right," Arthur agreed. "My father had the hallway sealed off when the Purge began. You're looking at the entrance to your new chambers."

The king pointed to the plaque on the wall which read in simple letters Court Sorcerer.

Merlin looked faint. "W-What?"

"You'll find every bit of magical artifacts Camelot has collected over the years inside, Merlin," said Guinevere with a large smile. "Lord Geoffrey had a lot of fun organizing the books he's been hoarding and Gaius made sure to give suggestions on where to keep the magical things in the antechamber."

"I… I think I need to sit down," Merlin muttered, his knees knocking together unsteadily.

"Then let's do so in your new quarters," Arthur grinned, taking his best friend by the arm and marching him up the steps.

The room was huge. To the left was something of a work station, a table standing in front of a long counter lined with jars of herbs, magical instruments Arthur couldn't identify, and a variety of tools. Along the wall was a bookshelf partially filled with what the king could only assume were spell books that the record keeper had hidden under Uther's reign. The right side of the room was more like a living area, a table and chairs standing near a large open window. A staircase lined the walls leading up to the Court Sorcerer's private living space. Large tapestries sporting Camelot's colors and forested areas decorated the walls. Arthur approved of everything he saw and could definitely see Merlin settling in quite nicely within such an environment.

Merlin himself looked around the room, completely and utterly speechless. Arthur, sensing that the idiot was about to fall over, guided him over to a chair.

"What do you think, Merlin?" Guinevere asked a little nervously.

The warlock remained silent for the longest time and then a faint grin lit his face. "There's magic in this room."

"Of course there is," Arthur said, rolling his eyes. "It is the Court Sorcerer's chambers after all. Do you like it?"

Merlin's grin grew even more as he came out of his previous shock. "I love it!" he cried enthusiastically.

"Good." Arthur clapped the warlock on the shoulder and smiled. "Welcome home, then."

Merlin let out a few deep breaths to steady his emotions. "This is going to take a while to get used to."

"I'm willing to exercise patience," Arthur offered.

The warlock snorted before standing up and beginning to pace.

"I'm not going to make things easy," he said, pausing to glance over his shoulder at the king.

"When have you ever?" Arthur retorted, the same wicked glint entering his eye that was already shining within the warlock's.

"There may be times I experiment in here that might damage the castle."

"Then I'll make you clean up the mess."

"And I'm not just going to do whatever you say."

"There's nothing new."

Both king and warlock shared a grin before Arthur held out his forearm. Merlin clasped it at once and something passed between them.

It was a new dawn and Albion was on the horizon.

It would take a lot of work but Arthur knew that together they could do it. He stared down at the mark on Merlin's hand and smiled. Right then and there he made a vow that no matter what it took he'd spend the rest of his life striving to be the man Merlin expected him to be – for that was the only way for him to unite Albion and truly become the Once and Future King.

The king worthy of Emrys.

What can I say? I'm a sucker for happy endings. This was always meant to be a short story so I hope you all enjoyed the journey. Thank you for your previous comments and for taking the time to read this. If it's not too much trouble, please leave me with one last review. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the ending and the story as a whole. Until another time, another story. Happy reading! -Pumpkinmoose22