A/N: Gosh, this fic is going to be over. I feel like I should pop open some champagne or something (for me, 16 chapters is a lot. I plan these thingies as oneshots).

Disclaimer: No, I STILL don't own Merlin.

All of Camelot rejoiced when the army galloped back into the city. King Arthur rode victorious at the head, with Merlin on his right side. Besides Merlin rode a cloaked figure. Few took notice of it.

"It's the knights of the table!" cried one of the many wenches lining the streets. Gwaine grinned and waved at the crowds, blowing a kiss to the nearest wench. Leon bumped his arm.

"Do you have no shame?"

"It's exercising my knightly benefits!" Gwaine protested. Leon rolled his eyes. "Oh, and I suppose you aren't going to let the tavern owner buy you a pint tonight?" Leon laughed.

"Fair enough." He raised a hand and waved to children who had pushed their way to the front. Elyan was riding next to Lancelot, the two deep in discussion. As far as Gwaine could tell, it was something serious that had Lancelot looking anxious and Elyan scowling. "Is Percival to return soon?"

"I think so." Gwaine blew another kiss.

At the front of the column, Arthur was smiling and waving to the crowds. His brow furrowed. Were those children wearing…neckerchiefs? Arthur craned his neck to look at Merlin, who was grinning and also waving.

Yes. Those neckerchiefs were exactly like Merlin's.

That was it. He was getting Merlin a new wardrobe as soon as physically possible. The people could imitate some less hideous garment. Perhaps robes. Yes. Star-spangled robes, and a really big pointy hat. Arthur grinned.

"What's that look for?" Merlin asked. Merlin was looking at him warily. Arthur's grin grew wider.

"I was just thinking about you." Arthur nudged their horses a bit closer together and took Merlin's hand. Merlin blushed. Arthur caught a few of the peasants watching them fondly. Arthur flashed them an enormous grin, and was rewarded by all of them bursting into giggles.

They rode up to the castle among almost deafening cheers. Arthur dismounted and tossed the reigns to a servant. Merlin dismounted as well, looking somewhat startled to have another stablehand taking his horse's reigns.

"Lancelot!" Gwen rushed down the castle steps. Lancelot leapt off his horse and folded her into his arms. Arthur smiled slightly as Lancelot lifted her off the ground and spun her around.

"When did that happen?" Morgana murmured to Merlin. Merlin touched her elbow, guiding her up the steps.

"Awhile back. Don't tell me you're not pleased." Morgana smiled.

"I think they make a lovely couple." Merlin guided her up the palace steps. Arthur hurried up after them, pausing to turn and wave to the servants in the courtyard. It was heartening to see how cheerful everyone looked, as opposed to the last few months.

"It feels good to be back here." Morgana gazed out the window of her room, Merlin at her shoulder. "I forgot how much I loved this view of Camelot."

"I had Gwen get it ready. She can resume her normal duties as your maid, according to Arthur." Merlin said.

"Morgana?" Gwen froze at the threshold of the room. She dropped the vase she was holding, sending flowers and water all over the floor. Morgana hesitated.

"Gwen…Gwen, I am so sorry." Gwen rushed forward and embraced Morgana.

"You're back?" Gwen whispered. "Actually back? To stay?"

"Yes." Morgana smiled. "Merlin is going to teach me to use magic for good, not just to kill and curse, and I can stay and teach others. Oh Gwen, it's going to be amazing." Gwen blinked.

"Merlin is going to…" She turned to Merlin. He shrugged sheepishly and repaired the vase with a wave of his hand. "Merlin!"

"Arthur says he'll lift the ban on magic." Merlin said. Gwen took a deep breath.

"Well. That comes as quite a surprise, but I'm very happy for the both of you. But Morgana…" Gwen turned dismayed eyes to her friend. "Your hair. Oh dear, it's going to take hours to put it to rights, and I'll have to have the seamstresses take in your dresses because you're so thin…"

"There's supposed to be a banquet tonight." Merlin offered. "Arthur's holding court for the first time as King."

"Gwen!" Morgana put a hand to her mouth. "This is a perfect opportunity for you to finally borrow one of my dresses!"

"Oh, no." Gwen giggled nervously. "Lancelot did say he had something planned, but I'm still a maid, and I can just wear one some of my old things."

"Don't be ridiculous." Morgana tossed her hair. "If I am to be the Princess of Camelot again, and student of the Wizard Consort, I must make sure that my maid is dressed in nothing short of the best."

"You two have fun with that." Merlin began backing away. "I think Arthur wants to see me."

"Of course he does. But the entire point of having a man at your beck and call is that you can make him wait." Morgana crossed her arms. "Arthur was mentioning that he wanted a new hat for you, and frankly, we need to dress you in something that will get that idea right out of his head."

Merlin nervously looked between Gwen and Morgana.

Arthur paced his chambers. Where was Merlin? He needed someone to help him dress!

There was a click. Arthur spun around, opening his mouth to berate Merlin. He closed his mouth with a snap. Merlin looked…good. Very good.

"Where did you get that?" Merlin shrugged and twitched the jacket uncomfortably. It was dark blue, with silver thread embroidered into it and the bottom falling around his legs. The fabric was as rich as he'd ever seen.

At least they'd let him keep his neckerchief.

"Morgana." That didn't surprise Arthur in the least. "So, what's the plan for tonight?"

"Hold court." Arthur felt Merlin's fingers brush his shoulders as Merlin tugged off his shirt. "Make many toasts to the round table, reintroduce Morgana. Oh…" Arthur turned and smiled at Merlin. "There are a few declarations I'll need to make. People should know as soon as possible that I'm lifting the ban on magic."

"Thank you." Arthur tugged on the new shirt Merlin handed him.

"I'm not just doing it for you, stupid. The druids will make great allies. And of course, this means I can actually use all those strange little things we have in the vaults." Merlin laughed. "What?"

"Your face. You always get the same expression when you're in denial." Arthur sniffed. Merlin tipped his head to the side and kissed him. When they broke away, Arthur looked a bit less stiff. "And stop looking so nervous."

"I'm not nervous!" Merlin nodded in a very unconvinced way. "I'm not!"

"Good. The people adore you, and you did just win us a war in a single battle." Merlin stepped back to grab Arthur's cape.

"One other thing." Arthur rolled his shoulders slightly. "You'll be seated next to me."

"Eh?" Merlin picked the crown off the table, where it sat on it's cushion.

"You're next to me. I'm hardly going to have my lover waiting on the table." Arthur said in an exasperated tone of voice. "Honestly Merlin, you are supposed to be my Wizard Consort."

"Right." Merlin picked up the crown. "Now, my lord, if you'll allow me the honor?"

Arthur took a deep breath and straightened his shoulders. This was ridiculous. He was standing outside his own damn banquet hall, and he had to wait for Geoffrey to announce him to the court.

Was he the only nervous one? Gwaine looked quite tickled with himself and his shiny new chain mail, and Leon was obviously enormously pleased that the seamstresses had salvaged his old cloak. Arthur personally thought that suggested they had an enchantress amongst the seamstresses. Elyan was looking grumpy, but not nervous.

Ah, good. Lancelot was tense. Well not good, but it made Arthur feel like less of a girl. And Morgana, standing towards the back in a particularly stunning white gown with Gwen, looked faintly anxious.

"Stop worrying Morgana, it makes you look like a moth." Arthur said. Morgana folded her arms across her chest and cast him an icy look. Merlin covered his mouth with a hand to stifle a laugh.

"And now, King Arthur Pendragon!" Arthur nodded to Merlin. Merlin flashed him a grin as the guards opened the door to the hall, letting the cheering of his nobles ring in his ears. Arthur walked up to the high table with Merlin at his shoulder, smiling and nodding to the various nobles. He reached his place and gestured to Merlin to take the place next to him.

Arthur raised a hand. The tables full of nobles fell silent.

"I thank you, for that welcome. But I am hardly the only one here you need applaud." Arthur held his hand out towards the doors. "My knights of the round table. Sir Gwaine, Sir Lancelot, Sir Leon, Sir Elyan."

The knights entered. Arthur smiled slightly. They certainly looked a sight, with swirling red cloaks and shining mail that really was unnecessary at a banquet but looked very impressive. They took their seats. Arthur remained standing.

"As you all know, we have won a great battle." More applause. "Some days ago we triumphed over the combined forces of King Lot and the Saxons. Since then, the Northern Chieftains have surrendered themselves to Camelot. King Lot's heir has handed over Orkney." Arthur took a deep breath. "What you may not know is that I was kidnapped after that battle by the sorceress Morgaine. Sir Leon, Sir Gwaine, and Sir Lancelot fought in the swamps of the north against her minions, and they triumphed as well. However, they did not do it alone. My sister, the princess Morgana, aided them and helped turn the tide of the battle. Without her, they would surely be dead."

A shocked murmur ran through the hall. Arthur made another gesture at the door.

"And so it is my pleasure to welcome Princess Morgana back to court." Morgana entered. The only noise was her heels clicking against the flagstones, and the rustle of Gwen's dress behind her.

The clapping began with Gwaine. Leon and Lancelot followed barely a second behind. It spread, turning to a roar of approval that Camelot's daughter was with them again.

Arthur glanced at Merlin, who grinned back at him. Morgana took her place next to him, a relieved smile on her face.

"But Morgana is not the only person who helped to save me. I owe my life to magic." The hall at once dropped back into silence. "My father saw magic as a blight, something that cursed our lands and could be used for nothing but evil, something people chose to practice. I see that magic is no choice, nor an instrument of death. It is something people are born with. Hunting down those with this gift only pushes them into a path of darkness."

Morgana looked down. Merlin watched Arthur, and the way he had captivated everyone in the hall.

"I am allowing magic back into the Kingdom of Camelot. No longer shall those with magic be persecuted. Instead they may come here, to learn. And should any take this acceptance as a sign of weakness, and a sign that they may use magic for harm…" Arthur gestured to Merlin. "Merlin, our own wizard, will take care of them."

Arthur watched as quite a few of the nobles started choking on their own spit. Heh. He forgot how infamous Merlin was.

"If anyone has any magical woes, you can bother him about them." Arthur managed, just barely, to not crack an evil grin. "Court is now in session."

Lancelot got to his feet. Arthur raised his eyebrows.

"My liege, I have served beneath you for years now. I come before you now to ask for permission to wed." Lancelot took a deep breath and looked over at Gwen. "To wed Guinevere, a maid of your court."

Arthur turned to look at Merlin. Merlin was smiling at Gwen (who had been bullied into taking one of Morgana's gowns, and looked truly stunning), who was blushing. Morgana had a hand over her heart.

"You two have my blessing." Arthur said, warmth spreading through him.

Gwen let out a breathless little giggle as Lancelot turned toward her. Gwaine and Leon burst into applause. Morgana joined them. Gareth bounded to his feet and began cheering. Arthur, watching Lancelot embrace her with a feeling of contentment, wondered whether he would actually be deaf by the time this evening was over.

There were more business like things to sort through, of course. Gwaine formally ceded Orkney to Camelot, with one of his brothers left to look after it as the steward.

Kai was appointed seneschal.

The oaths of fealty were formally sworn.

Emissaries from various border countries came to offer Arthur their lands. Peasants came with requests for soldiers to help repair their homes after the harsh winters. Somehow, the benches outside of the hall filled with common people, and Arthur instructed the servants to bring food to them as well. This celebration was meant to be for all.

Then, finally, there was only the feasting.

"This is fun." Merlin said. "I'm not even sure what this meat is."

"You know, me neither." Morgana leaned over and sniffed discreetly. "No never mind, that's ostrich."

"How did we get ostrich meat?"

"I think one of the visiting dignitaries brought it." Morgana shrugged. "Honestly, it's a bit like gamey chicken."

"I love this." Merlin grinned. "People just bring you food, I don't even have to get up!"

"Good point." Arthur turned to Merlin. "You're going to get lazy just sitting here doing nothing. Entertain us Merlin!" Some of the nobles looked over. Merlin rolled his eyes. "Well, get to it."

"Prat." Merlin's eyes flashed gold.

The smoke from the torches changed, merging together and forming a picture of a courtier, waltzing with a lady. Merlin moved a hand, coloring the smoke and changing into a flock of doves that flew around the hall, diving and gliding between the nobles and the ladies. They soared into the halls outside, coasting through the streets of Camelot, darting between giggling children before flying upwards, exploding into strangely colored fires that lit up the sky above Camelot.

There were gasps and applause.

"What on earth is going on in here?" A familiar voice said. Percival walked in, looking just a tad bewildered. "You wouldn't believe what the people are saying…"

"Sir Percival, welcome back to court." Arthur gestured to the table, where all of his knights were clearing bursting with the desire to tell Percival what, exactly, had been going on. "Tell us your tale."

"Thank you, sire." Percival began to recount how he found Lady Conduiramour and her people in the woods, and won back her castle for her. Arthur sat back in his throne and sipped his wine. Whenever it got near the bottom of the beaker, Merlin's eyes would flash gold and it would fill to the brim.

He was starting to love magic.

Toward the end of the night, Morgana called for dancing. Percival swept Lady Coinduiramour up almost instantly. Lancelot had Gwen on his arm in moments. Morgana hadn't quite the crowd of suitors she had once had - no one was quite that eager to forget - but one more courageous young man had her on the floor soon enough.

Gwaine on the other hand, was back to plotting, still somewhat ineptly.

"Oof!" That ineptness was shown quite well in his immediate bumping into a lady.

"I beg your pardon, my Lady." Gwaine bowed. "But I'm afraid that I'm laying claim to the musicians."

"Oh really?" She smiled. "I was hoping to bribe them to keep playing this song."

"I was going to do the same." Gwaine tossed a bag of gold to the harpist. "You there, keep this going will you? No breaks. I'm Sir Gwaine, by the way."

"Everyone knows who you are. My name is Lady Elena." She curtsied. "Why were you attempting to keep this spell going?"

Gwaine nodded to the couples dancing. Arthur had claimed Merlin and was moving slowly to the music, his eyes closed and a soft smile on his face.

"I have lost a ridiculous amount of sleep worrying over those two. It's my duty as a knight to keep their moments going as long as I can." Gwaine grinned. Elena chuckled. "And yourself?"

"The same. I told Arthur once that I hoped we would both find one we truly loved." She cast a fond look at them. "If that time has come at last for Arthur, I owe it to our King to do all I can to keep them dancing like that."

"Would you like to dance?" Gwaine held out a hand. His eyes danced. "It seems a shame that one who believes so in love should be without a partner."

"It would be my pleasure to dance with you until the music ends." Elena took his hand.

"Do you ever wonder how in the world they pulled this off?" Leon waved his goblet at the couples dancing. "I mean really, look at it. Even Gaius is waltzing with his healer friend."

"No idea." Elyan took a draught from his goblet. "But the decorations are impressive."

"Do you think we actually have to stay until everyone else has left?" Leon asked. Elyan glanced around.

"No, let's run. I bet the tavern dropped it's prices for the day." They grinned at each other and ducked out. Merry lights lit up the streets, products of Merlin's magic. Elyan and Leon entered the tavern, where the proprietor had, in a never before seen burst of generosity, declared that the ale was flowing for free. There they began spreading legends.

The banquet wound down slowly, as the lights in the sky grew dimmer and the nobles slowly migrated back to their chambers. The common folks left to fall asleep in their own beds, places that had never before felt to safe.

"They're all going to want my hangover spell tomorrow." Merlin muttered. He looked down from Arthur's chamber window, where he could see the hearth fires of most of Camelot.

"You can do that?" Arthur wrapped an arm around Merlin's waist and looked from over his shoulder.

"Yes. I'm guessing you'll be needing it as well." Arthur nuzzled into Merlin's neck.

"Not at all. I'm sober." Merlin sighed and leaned back against Arthur's chest.

"Me too. I think using magic that much enhances my senses enough to cancel out the wine." Arthur slipped a hand beneath Merlin's shirt, brushing against his skin. Merlin turned around, wrapping an arm around Arthur's neck. "I think I've healed from all those wounds."

"Me too." Arthur murmured.

"Your bed is only a few steps away." Arthur pulled Merlin with him, backing onto the bed.

"Our bed." Merlin smiled, and twitched the curtains shut.

A/N: Seriously, GwainexElena is love. Now I am going to go watch all of s4 that I can possibly cram into one night. Thanks so much to all of you who read and reviewed this fic until the end! There is absolutely no way I'd have finished without you all.

Ps: It's probably a bad sign that I already have an idea for my next fic. Rentboy!Merlin anyone? There would be explicit sex rather than just tasteful implied sex! *shameless self promotion*

Pps: Hey, if it's years and years from when I actually uploaded this chapter and you just read this whole fic in one go, it would rock if you reviewed anyway.