Thanks to everyone who has helped contribute to make this my most popular story! –grins- I hope you like the epilogue!

I'm so sad that this is ending…but life goes on! You all are AWESOME, and I hope to hear from you in my other stories!

I've tried adding as many Merlin quotes in here as I can. Can you identify all of them?

Review?

Arthur threw a stick down angrily, letting out a curse about stupid magical servants and how they never listen. The Prince of Camelot had been trying to get the fire going for the past fifteen minutes and still no success.

Stomping away from the unlit campfire spot, Arthur sat on the ground with his back resting against a tree. It had been five days since he sent his reply to Merlin and still no word. It seemed as if Merlin had finally gotten tired of writing to Arthur and had moved on with his life. Probably stuffing himself with pickled eggs.

"Poor arrogant fat prince can't light his own fire." A familiar voice said behind some trees. Arthur's head whipped up.

"Merlin?"

"Forbearnan," And the campfire was magically lit, literally, "The one and only!" The jolly voice said, observing his best friend, "You know, if you didn't sit around all day you would be in better shape."

"I'm fighting fit!"

"And we want to keep you that way."

The Prince of Camelot stood abruptly stood up, "You bumpkin! I've been running around looking for you for weeks! In that time I haven't had a proper bed, a proper bath, ate or drank clean water, and I haven't even see Guinevere! Do have any idea how hard that was?"

Merlin bit his lip and looked away, "Very hard, I suppose, sire."

"Merlin, are you laughing at me?"

The young warlock's red face turned away out of Arthur's view, "N-no."

"You are! You think this is funny!"

Facing Arthur, Merlin grinned, "Maybe just a little."

"Merlin!"

"Whoa, somebody hasn't had their breakfast yet."

"I'll have you for breakfast! You've been gone for weeks, ignoring your destiny, not to mention your servant duties!" With that Arthur charged at Merlin.

"Wait! I have a peace offering!" With that Merlin revealed a jar and Arthur froze.

"Is that…?"

"Pickled eggs."

For a moment Arthur just stared in silence, but then he became elated, "Gimme!"

The servant willingly handed over the pickled eggs, and watched as his master began to munch down the delicious food.

"When was the last time you've eaten?"

"A decent meal? Before I left Camelot." Arthur mumbled in between bites.

"And you still haven't lost that much weight? I really think you should see Gaius about this."

"Shut up, Merlin."

The boys settled down by the campfire. Arthur finished up the jar of pickled eggs, and turned his focus to Merlin.

"So you're a sorcerer?"

"Warlock."

"What?"

"Warlock. It's different from a sorcerer."

"Ok…well, thanks for coming back."

Merlin grinned.

"Don't look so pleased with yourself. Just because you have magic doesn't mean I've forgotten your lazy insolent ways or the fact that you called me a clot pole, dollop head, and 'The Once and Future Prat'. I will say, however, that I have….missed you."

The young warlock, not sorcerer mind you, studied the prince intently. All he could come up with, "You've ruined your clothes!"

"Don't worry, you can mend it."

Rolling his eyes at Arthur, Merlin began to concentrate on making the embers of the fire turn into a dragon.

"You're a riddle, Merlin. I never have been able to figure you out."

"Oh, but I had you figured out the first time I met you. You're supercilious, condescending, patronizing, and overbearing. Very overbearing."

"I'm beginning to think that I should've never asked you to come back."

Merlin stood up and brushed leaves off his pants, "Guess I'll be going then."

"Sit down, Merlin." And the sorcerer did as he was told. Suddenly Arthur looked terribly uncomfortable.

"I just…wanted…to..um…say…um…thank you…for um…saving my life so many times."

Whilst Arthur had been stuttering this out, a very serious look was on Merlin's face. But when the statement was finished, the most euphoric grin crossed his face.

"You still going to buy me a new neckerchief?"

"Yes, I'll buy you a red baby bib. Color suits you, Merlin."

"It does not look like a baby bib!"

Arthur smirked, "Whatever you say, Merlin."

"I still have your letters." Merlin commented, patting the brown satchel beside him. Arthur raised his eyebrows.

"Ah…and what are you…planning to do with these letters?"

A wicked grin crossed Merlin's face, "Oh, nothing. I'm not going to tell anybody that you wrote these, or tell them that you admitted I was your best friend."

"Merlin, if you dare tell anyone about this, I promise I will make your life a living hell."

"You mean more than you already do?"

Arthur nodded, "Yeah."

"What will you tell your father about all of…this?"

"What does my father matter?"

"Well, that's one way of approaching things."

"So, are you going to fulfill your destiny and help me become a great king of Camelot?"

Silence.

"Merlin."

"Nah, I don't really fancy it."

"You don't have a choice, Merlin."

The dark haired boy grinned, "Alright, fine. It's going to be quite difficult, though. I wonder if anybody else has to transform 'The Once and Future Prat' into 'The Once and Future King'. It's very difficult."

Before Arthur could respond, there was a screeching roar in the distance. Both of the boys recognized it, and the blue eyes connected.

"What that…a wildren?" Arthur questioned.

"Time to find some gileberries."