A/N: Thank you all so much for your reviews – hee hee, and nearly every one of you caught the Monty Python reference LOL. "It's only a flesh wound!" ;) This is the last chapter, guys... o.O Please continue to review… enjoy! :)

As Luck Would Have It

Chapter Eighteen

As quickly as the unbeatable warriors had appeared, they vanished into thin air, leaving Merlin and Arthur alone in the middle of the strange, ominous wood. Arthur was staring at his servant, mouth gaping open, and if it had not been such a tense situation, Merlin would have commented on how his master looked not unlike a large mouthed bass. As it was, Merlin's breath had caught in his throat and he was trembling slightly. He could barely think. He knows… Arthur knew.

Merlin couldn't quite bring himself to look the prince in the eyes just yet, terrified at what he would find there. Hatred, hurt, betrayal, murder… he could imagine any of these flickering in Arthur's accusing gaze. But was it accusing? Did Merlin really expect his master – his friend, who had just risked everything for him again – to kill him for his magic? In the time that Merlin had been in Camelot, Arthur had most definitely changed. He was more mature now, a better man, more prone to make his own decisions and decide how he felt about things than he had been before. Arthur was a better man. Surely…

Still, Merlin found it hard to raise his eyes. He wasn't ashamed of what he had done and certainly not of who he was, but he wasn't quite ready to face the truth yet – the truth that Arthur knew about his magic. Arthur knew.

"Congratulations." Merlin's heart jolted and he saw Arthur jump slightly out of the corner of his eye as an all-too-familiar voice wafted through the trees. Something was different, though – the voice was lighter, happier, livelier. The dryad walked into view but she now seemed to be more of a spirit than a human, skin tinged green, no longer wrinkled. In fact, Merlin gaped, and he was sure Arthur was staring, flabbergasted, as well, she looked at least fifty years younger, vibrant and healthy. She was beautiful. Magical. She no longer stooped but almost glided and the earth seemed more alive wherever she stepped. "You have proved yourself worthy of having the curse lifted, Merlin, and the earth has restored her blessing on you – and on me."

"You mean, when the charm broke, it made you like that?"

The dryad smiled. "No, my appearance is for me to decide. My Mother's broken gift had nothing to do with it. I just presented myself in the form of an old crone because I know how humans are, especially the men. I didn't want to distract you."

Merlin cleared his throat uncomfortably and jumped as Arthur spoke, his voice tight and unreadable. Merlin winced, hoping that the edge to the prince's voice wasn't because of him, although he figured there was a fairly good chance it was. Merlin had just used magic in front of Arthur, after all.

"Fine. Magic aside," Arthur's tone didn't suggest whether he was irritated, angry, or still in shock. It was almost too calm. "How exactly did attacking us with unbeatable warriors prove Merlin's worth?"

"It was to see how far I'd go for you," Merlin said softly, finally meeting Arthur's eyes, which had snapped in his direction the moment his servant had started speaking. The blue orbs were filled with disbelief, confusion, and maybe a little – dare he think it? – awe as he regarded the seemingly powerless man in front of him.

"What?" Arthur said flatly and Merlin resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Honestly, Arthur could be so thick at times. He supposed he should cut the prince a little slack, though, because not only had he just found out that his servant possessed the most illegal thing in Camelot but he also effectively held said servant's life in his hands. Merlin figured he should probably give the jokes a rest until Arthur made his decision on how he was going to deal with this new information.

Merlin kept his eyes locked on Arthur's – it was much easier now to meet and hold his gaze now that he had actually worked up the nerve to just do it – and said patiently, "Arthur, you have to understand that I've only kept my secret to keep you safe."

Arthur raised an eyebrow, looking exasperated and more than a little dubious. The dryad, meanwhile, simply watched the exchange, unmoving and silent. "Excuse me?" the prince retorted. "You kept your…" he hesitated, "…magic secret to protect me? How does that work, exactly? Normally sorcerers hide their powers to save their own skin!"

Merlin felt his face heat up but remained calm, uttering only one correction in response. "Warlock."

Arthur glared at him. "What?"

"War. Lock," Merlin enunciated. "I'm not a sorcerer. I'm a warlock. There is a difference, you know." He crossed his arms across his skinny torso, not wanting to further agitate Arthur but not exactly fancying the idea of lying down and letting the prince tromp all over him, either. Besides, Arthur needed to understand.

Arthur frowned. "What would that be?"

"Warlocks are born with their magic, Arthur. It is a part of them."

"That's not possible." Even as he said it, Arthur looked like he might be second guessing his own words. Merlin could almost hear Arthur's thoughts. Or is it? the prince was probably thinking.

"It's very rare," Merlin admitted, his eyes finding the ground again, not one to boast about how powerful he really was. Heck, even he wasn't sure exactly how powerful he was yet, and he was him (Merlin blinked a few times as he tried to figure that one out)! "But I didn't choose my magic, Arthur. It chose me." He paused, either for dramatic effect or to let the words sink in.

"Alright," Arthur said slowly, eyes narrowing. "Suppose what you're saying is true—"

"It is," Merlin cut in emphatically, Arthur shooting him his signature "shut-up-before-I-make-you" look.

"If it's true, it doesn't explain how keeping that a secret kept me safe, rather than you!"

Merlin couldn't refrain from rolling his eyes this time. "Okay, fine – staying alive is a definite bonus." Arthur smirked in triumph and Merlin really wanted to call him a prat or a dollop head or even a dollop headed prat but he wasn't sure if this was the right time so he just kept quiet. "But I just… didn't want you to have to choose… between your father and me. I wouldn't want to put you in that position. It wouldn't be fair. And… if you did choose to keep my secret (and don't look at me like that; despite what you say, I know you care), you would be in danger as well. Your father might not execute you for harboring a warlock, but he sure as heck wouldn't let it go, either."

Arthur's face softened and he sighed. "You're right about that." He ran a hand down his face. "Wow. This is just… wow." Merlin wasn't sure if Arthur's reaction was a good or bad thing. He started to ask but Arthur held up a hand and shut him up. "Give me a second," the prince ordered. He closed his eyes, probably gathering his thoughts, and then opened them, back to business.

"So what was this about seeing how 'far' you'd go for me?"

Merlin heard the teasing lilt to his master's voice and couldn't help but grin, realizing that while Arthur still hadn't come to terms with all he had just learned, he was going to hear his servant out. Merlin wondered if it was just a flicker of the light or if there really was a thankful gleam in Arthur's eye as he regarded Merlin.

"The first test," the dryad interrupted now that the moment was over, "was to see how much Merlin cared about those he loves, what he works for. Given a chance to reside somewhere with no pain, no suffering, and no heartbreak, just peace and tranquility, he had to choose what was most important to him: his own comfort or his friends, family, and destiny." Merlin's eyes widened at the mention of destiny but Arthur hadn't even seemed to notice the dryad's last word. His gaze was still fixed on her, waiting to hear more. "Merlin passed the first test when he willingly left the Silent Wood and returned to a world where he would once again feel pain and suffering.

"The second test was to see if Merlin could overcome his guilt, his fears, and his failures." Merlin winced, memories of the terrible things he had seen and the horrific guilt that had torn through him during the second test. He was faced with his deepest, darkest terrors and everything that he's ever done that he has questioned. He was held captive in his own mind, forced to live his worst nightmares over and over…"

Arthur, who had apparently noticed the blood draining from his servant's face as the magical being wore on about the emotional turmoil he had been forced into, intervened, stepping forward protectively and snapping, "I think we get the picture." The dryad glanced at Merlin, then at Arthur, and nodded, a small smirk playing at her lips. Merlin sent Arthur a quick, grateful look but wasn't sure if the prince interpreted it or even noticed it. His eyes were back on the woman, fury in them. "Was that really necessary? Making Merlin suffer like that?"

"The second test was to measure his heart, to see if he had the capacity to work through his fears and weaknesses."

"But I didn't," Merlin said sadly, eyes cast down, ashamed. Arthur gazed at him, sympathy welling up inside of him. The prince didn't know what sort of turmoil the witch – er, dryad – was going on about, but it still infuriated him that Merlin had gone through that. Now he realized what had been happening when he found Merlin twitching on the ground, muttering and sweating and looking like he was in the midst of a feverish nightmare – because he had been in the midst of a feverish nightmare, ensnared in the uncertainty of his own mind. Arthur hated seeing Merlin like this, so scared and ashamed when he didn't have anything to be ashamed of – and Arthur realized something because of this.

Sorcerer – warlock, rather – or not, there was one thing Arthur knew, and that was that Merlin was his friend. He still hadn't fully comprehended all that had just happened, but he wasn't about to condemn his friend for something he was born with. Sure, their relationship had changed and some mending would have to take place, but they could do it. But Merlin didn't need to be going through this alone – and that was why the prince was trying to stick up for his servant, to show that he was willing to make an effort to heal the rift if Merlin was. He almost snorted, realizing what a girlish turn his thoughts had taken.

Shaking the thought, Arthur reached out hesitantly before putting a strong hand on Merlin's shoulder. The young man – really, he was the same Merlin that Arthur had known all along, wasn't he? – blinked up at him, face tormented. "That's not true, Merlin – you did work through the fear and uncertainty."

Merlin scowled. "Only because you snapped me out of it," he groused almost accusingly.

Arthur blinked before growling, "And bloody lucky you were that I was there, too – it looks like we both need each other more than we realize."

Merlin allowed a small smile to appear. "Well, you need me, that's for sure."

Arthur grimaced. "Uh-huh. Whatever boosts your self-confidence."

"Ahem." Both men looked back at the dryad, who was watching them, an expression of part amusement and mostly exasperation on her face. "Yes, Merlin, Arthur helped you overcome your fear and darkness, but that is because he is meant to. You are like—"

"—two sides of the same coin, yeah, I know," Merlin muttered, "We've heard this before."

Her brow wrinkled, violet eyes suddenly confused. "I was going to say that you are like brothers – connected by the common bond every living thing on the earth shares. Prince, commoner, magic, mortal, tree, beast… we all have bonds, and some are stronger than others."

"Oh," was all Merlin could think to say.

"And finally, the third test was to see just how far Merlin would go for his friends," the dryad concluded. "He was willing to – literally – place his life in your hands, Arthur Pendragon, to save your life. He did not have to do it; he could have chosen to keep his secret and save himself, but he willingly chose to reveal his magic to save you.

"And now," she went on, eyes looking between the two of them, "you have a choice." Both Merlin and Arthur stared at her. "Seeing as how you have passed the three tests and the Earth has restored her blessings upon her children, you can choose to either allow the prince to know about your magic… or not."

Merlin looked at Arthur and the prince looked back at him. The dryad watched them both coolly, eyebrows raised expectantly as she awaited the decision. "Arthur…?" Merlin asked, his stomach tying itself in knots. He wasn't sure which Arthur would prefer but if he said he wanted to forget, then that might mean that he just couldn't accept Merlin and his magic right now and that he wanted to put the whole incident out of mind. On the other hand, if he said he wanted to remember, that could either indicate that he wanted to work this out and maybe even eventually come to terms with Merlin's magic or that he yearned to see justice served and was planning on hauling Merlin back to Camelot to see him executed. Somehow, though, especially with the thoughtful concern the prince was radiating in his servant's general direction, Merlin had a hard time believing that the latter was the case.

Finally Arthur said, "I think you should decide, Merlin."

Oh, how much those words meant to the warlock! Arthur trusted him enough that he was going to let him decide, how to handle this odd situation they found themselves in. To know that Arthur wasn't condemning him for what he was born with was more than the warlock could have asked for. He thought about how wonderful it would be to finally have no secrets, to be able to be open and honest with Arthur. He opened his mouth to say he wanted the memory to stay when he stopped.

"I… I think…" He closed his eyes, opened them, and then said with resolve that he didn't feel, "I think it should remain a secret… for now."

He actually saw a flash of hurt enter the prince's eyes and it did nothing to quell the slice of uncertainty in his own chest. He didn't want Arthur to forget; he wanted Arthur to be his friend, someone he could talk to about anything… even magic. But…

"It's not that I don't trust you, Arthur," he said. "I do – more than any man I know." He felt that he was getting a little too 'girly' and quickly added, "Even if you are a prat." Arthur chuckled. "But like I said earlier, I don't want to put you in that position. I kept my secret for a reason. Besides, the more people that know about me, the harder it will be to keep my powers a secret – and I need to keep my head on my shoulders so I can keep saving your ungrateful backside."

Arthur blinked at him before snorting. "Right," he said.

Merlin's mouth flew open. "Did you not just see what I did with the bandits?" he spluttered indignantly. "I saved your life!"

"Yeah, yeah," Arthur grinned, and seeing that the prince was joking, Merlin, too, smiled.

"Besides, even if to you it never happened, at least I know that I'll have nothing to worry about when the time comes… right?"

Arthur crossed his arms over his chest. "We'll see."

Merlin chuckled weakly.

"You will remember everything else," the woman informed them. "And when the time is right, when the secret is revealed in its time, when it was meant to be, you will recall this moment with full clarity… and realize that continuing to keep Merlin's magic a secret was a mutual decision."

Merlin smiled, not wanting to forget how wonderfully it felt to have Arthur know but realizing that a mutual decision would be the best to seal their friendship in the future. He nodded. "Right."

"This is the Mother's gift to both of you for passing the tests and restoring her gift."

"Thank you," Merlin said.

"Yes," Arthur agreed, his eyes a bit troubled.

"Are you sure, Arthur?" Merlin asked quickly. "I mean, it is your memory… it's not really my place to—"

"Shut up, Merlin," Arthur griped, causing Merlin to grin. "You're right – it's for the best… for now." He smirked. "But when the time comes for revelation part two… you had better believe that you will have more chores than stars in the sky for lying to me all this time, even if it was for, as you say, my benefit."

Merlin laughed. "Wouldn't have it any other way." He turned to the dryad. "I'll admit I wasn't too fond of you when the curse was upon me but you've grown on me."

"Now that I've become a beautiful specter?" she asked, frowning.

"No, now that I realize that with allowing Arthur to follow and giving me another chance, that you were helping me all along. You've been a real friend, even if it didn't seem like it at times…uh…?"

"Gaia," she responded, purplish eyes, still ancient and knowing despite her now young appearance. She smiled warmly. "Well… I may have intervened a few times… directing Arthur in your direction and allowing him to follow you when normally you would face the tests alone… but I couldn't very well let Emrys die before his time because of his own clumsy actions, could I?"

Arthur snorted, then asked, "Wait, who's Emrys?"

Gaia and Merlin looked at one another before saying before Merlin smiled sheepishly and answered, "That's a long story… and, well, you'd just forget it anyway, you know, until my secret is out again and we both remember this moment… you know…"

He grimaced, knowing he sounded stupid but he was so relieved and at peace, despite the constant ache in his head and ribs from his injuries, but he didn't really care. When the time came, Arthur would accept him. Because, in a way, he already had.

Arthur huffed. "One day, Merlin, we are going to sit down and you are going to tell me all your secrets."

Merlin made a face. "That might take a while," he admitted.

"Somehow," Arthur decided, "that doesn't make me feel any better." He rolled his eyes, smiled at his servant, and said, "Now, let's get you back to Camelot so Gaius can patch you up, eh? Unless…?" He looked imploringly at Gaia, who laughed but shook her head.

"I'm sorry, I've interfered enough. Besides, healing magic isn't my forte – that's more of a nymph thing. You'll have heal on your own, Merlin." She looked at them both. "Are you ready?"

Merlin and Arthur looked at each other, knowing that a tiny piece – or not so tiny, depending on how you looked at it – of this adventure would be missing, just until the time came for their destiny to unfold the way it was meant to, and yet having comfort in the knowledge that no matter what, their friendship would withstand the storms. Arthur's reaction to Merlin's magic had been proof of that.

"Okay, let's go," said Arthur, "and get this idiot home."

"Prat," said Merlin.

"Smart-mouth," Arthur shot back.

"Dollop head," Merlin retorted.

"Men," Gaia the dryad grumbled in exasperation, rolling her eyes as she used her magic to send them on their way. Even though she hadn't particularly enjoyed her time in the form of an old, wrinkled, bitter lady, she was glad of it. The tree spirit sighed contentedly, her forest, her home, now free of playful bickering and witty banter, and realized that she had quite grown to like Merlin and Arthur, despite her bitter, even stoic, appearance as the old witch lady.

"Someday," she said softly before quite literally melting into the forest, her voice becoming thought, my people and the nymphs and dwarves and elves and warlocks will be free to roam… but until then, at least I know that Emrys and the Once and Future King are strong and brave and loyal enough to save the world that once was… She laughed quietly to herself, remembering the tumble that had started all of this in the first place.

That is, if Emrys hadn't managed to get himself killed by tripping over a stick and falling in a hole before destiny began its course, anyway…

THE END

A/N: *stares* Dude… is it… is it really over? Wow, what a great ride! I've enjoyed this story more than I can say. LOL, that last line was supposed to be funny, commenting on Merlin's inherent and adorable klutziness, so hopefully it came off that way. XD A few things, before I officially conclude As Luck Would Have It.

1) THANK YOU ALL for your reviews and support and favorites and alerts and EVERYTHING! This never could have happened without you!

2) The above was my attempt at compromising, since I wanted Arthur to find out but not really, so there you have it – we know how Arthur will react when destiny says it's time, but to keep both himself and Merlin safe, they've made a mutual decision to lock the reveal away in Arthur's mind until the time is right. This idea was actually spawned because of something Kitty O said in one of her reviews, about how Arthur could find out and then forget, and I was like… hmmm… LOL! Hopefully you guys are down with that… And there may possibly be a one-shot sequel to this where the actual reveal takes place in the future… if you'd like… Just a possibility, but I'm seriously considering it.

3) As for Gaia, I jacked her name from Greek mythology. She is literally the earth in Greek mythology, and together with the sky, she birthed the titans, who then birthed (and in Kronos's case ate) their children… She was a real nasty, but I decided to make her good. After all, Emrys is the stuff of legend, and even though she couldn't let him off the hook, she did 'bend the rules' a bit because of the destiny Arthur and Merlin share.

4) Here's hoping that the story and its final chapter was enjoyable and that you all had as much of a blast reading as I did writing it. PLEASE send me one last review and let me know your thoughts. Thanks so much for being the greatest bunch of readers in the world – seriously! ;)

Thanks for everything! Have a great day and hopefully see you soon with a new (or currently ongoing) fic! xD Please review; you guys rock out loud! ;)

~Emachinescat ^..^