Destiny

I'm sorry it's taken so long! Not going to bother making excuses (mocks, broken laptop, and serious bunny abandonment.)

So, here it is! The final chapter. Thank you to everyone who has stuck around to read this story; you guys are so amazing! And thank you especially to my wonderful Beta's Arthursmol and Hollyblue2!

The sun was setting over Camelot, bathing the castle in a warm, orange light. King Arthur leant against the battlements, watching his people, as the first day of his reign came to an end.

His father stood next to him, his gaze flicking between his son and the citadel.

'How does it feel?'

Arthur smiled. 'I'm not sure yet. As Merlin so eloquently put it, "I'll get there in my own prattish time".'

Uther chuckled. 'He certainly has a way with words.'

'That he does.'

They watched as the man himself rode back into the courtyard, with Gilli by his side.

'I'm proud of you, Arthur.' The King turned to look to his father, who was still gazing out over the kingdom. 'You'll be a much better King than I ever was.'

'Father...'

'It's true,' Uther smiled at his son. 'All this time I was trying to protect you from the only thing keeping you alive. I realised, too late, that I only wanted revenge for Ygraine... for you mother's death.'

'An eye for an eye?' Arthur raised his eyebrow. Uther nodded. 'That just leaves everyone blind. A wise man taught me that.'

'A wise man who doesn't like me very much,' Uther sighed.

'He's just seeing how far he can push it before I tell him to back off,' Arthur smirked. 'It's what he does. Merlin's had a long time to think about where he stands when it comes to your hatred of magic.'

'And?'

'Merlin doesn't know how to hate. To be honest, father, I think he's still a bit frightened of you. Not that he'll ever say that out loud.' Arthur tapped his hand against the stone as he stood back up. 'Come have breakfast with Guinevere and myself tomorrow morning.'

Uther looked slightly startled. 'I do not wish to impose on you and your wife.'

'You wouldn't be imposing; I insist.'

Uther smiled. 'Then I would be delighted.'

Arthur nodded. 'I will see you then, father. Good night.'

He smiled, and turned back to the tower. In the doorway, hidden by shadows, he could see his wife waiting for him. She took his hand, and placed a gentle kiss on his lips.

'No one is more proud of you than I, Arthur,' she whispered.

He leant his forehead against hers, and sighed lovingly. 'You are not the first to say that to me today, my lady.'

'And I certainly won't be the last. So many people are hopeful of the era of peace you shall bring. You and Merlin.'

'So no pressure,' he joked, and was pleased to see her laugh. 'Why did I get lumped with Merlin anyway?'

'Because the dragon said so.'

They both laughed, and made their way back into the castle, heading towards Merlin's chambers to dine with him and his beautiful fiancée.

XxX

Uther slid into his son's chambers the next morning, to find Guinevere sat at their table, eating a light breakfast.

'Good morning, My Lady.'

Guinevere nodded to him, and turned back to the book she was reading. Arthur was still asleep, spread out across the bed, his arm dangling off the side.
Uther frowned, and glanced at the Queen, who smiled, putting a finger to her lips, before standing up and sidling over to her father-in-law.

'Arthur's had this coming for weeks.'

As if on cue, Merlin slipped into the room. He hesitated when he caught the Uther's eye, but Gwen gave him an encouraging nod, and Merlin grinned at her, before moving over to the curtains.

'Rise and Shine!'

The reaction was instantaneous. Arthur pulled a pillow over his head with one hand, whilst reaching for his goblet with the other. The goblet shattered by the side of Merlin's head a moment later, and Arthur rolled over, his head still under the pillow.

'Oh come on, Arthur. Don't be like that. You've got such an exciting day ahead of you!'

'Really?' Arthur's muffled voice didn't sound reassured, and, next to him, Guinevere giggled.

'Of course! You've got to make a speech to the Council, then King Bayard's envoy will be arriving.' Arthur groaned, and pulled the pillow tighter over his head. Merlin was beaming as he continued to read off of the list in his hand.

'Then you need to inspect the latest batch of Squire's, then you have your own training to attend, reports to read...'

'I swear you're making this up, Merlin.'

'Now why would I do that?' Merlin sighed dramatically, throwing the list down on the desk, and striding over to the bed. He stood for a moment, with his arms folded in front of him, trying to catch a glimpse of his King, before, much to Uther's surprise, launching himself across the bed, grabbing Arthur under the arms, and pulling him backwards.

'Get off!'

'Nope! Come on now, Arthur!'

And, just like that, Merlin dumped the new king on the floor. (1)

It ended, rather dramatically, with Merlin in a headlock, whilst Arthur rubbed his knuckles viscously against his friend's head.

The Queen of Camelot had to lean against a chair, she was laughing so hard, and Uther just watched the scene before him with a raised eyebrow and a slight smile.

XxX

In the end, it hadn't mattered that it was forbidden. Some even argued that it had made the friendship stronger.

Arthur Pendragon and Merlin Emrys; two sides of the same coin. Completely opposite; completely the same.

Under their leadership, the kingdom of Camelot thrived, with magic and non-magic alike working towards a common goal. Uther had never been prouder than he was the day that final treaty was signed, and all of Albion rejoiced as they were united under a single banner; Queen Guinevere stood the side holding Arthur's new born son, with nothing but pride and love on her face as Arthur and Merlin stood, side by side, as the people of Camelot cheered.

Sometimes, Uther wondered if things would have turned out the same if he hadn'tbanned magic all those years ago; if it hadn't been against the rules to promote commoners, or to befriend a servant.

Would Arthur still have become the King he was now?

As he watched Arthur and Merlin wrestling back and forth on the training fields, Uther couldn't help but smile.

It didn't matter what could've happened; what only mattered was what they had chosen. Arthur had chosen to go against his father, and, in doing so, had built a better future for himself and his kingdom.

Some rules are just made to be broken.

(1) One of my favourite scenes from Season 4. Couldn't help adding it in.

And that's it!
I'm really sad to see this story finish, BUT I already have a S4 AU in mind! Hopefully, the first couple of chapter will be up by Christmas!

Thank you again to everyone who's reviewed favourited and alerted!

TTFN
Valkyriexx