The knights were ready and waiting by the horses and just as surprised to see Merlin as Arthur had been.

"Merlin?" Percival queried, not sure if his eyes were deceiving him.

The knights were all looking at him for an explanation. He decided to just be straightforward about it this time, no beating about the bush. "Yes, you see I'm really a sorcerer. I have been masquerading as Dragoon when I needed to visible, so I wouldn't be caught. I got stuck in my old man form for awhile, but as you can see I've undid it. I hope you can forgive me for not telling you sooner, but the ban on magic made me nervous for my life even with those who've proven themselves friends."

"You have magic?" Elyan said, summing up his speech in a nutshell.

Merlin nodded.

Elyan, Percival, and Leon gathered around him and slapped him on the back in a sign that they weren't holding it against him. Merlin was most worried about Gwaine's reaction. He looked in his direction and saw that Gwaine was still standing in the same place as before but looking very thoughtful.

"So you can do a lot with that magic of yours then?" Gwaine said at last. "Could you say conjure some ale at a moment's notice?"

"Yes, I could theoretically."

"That settles it," Gwaine said. "We can never go anywhere without this man."

Merlin smiled in relief as Gwaine came over also with a welcoming grin on his face.

"So you could conjure our meals at a moment's notice too?" Arthur asked.

"Yes," Merlin said slowly, not liking where this was going.

"I reinstate Merlin as our camp cook. Leon you're fired."

Leon didn't look too brokenhearted at the loss of his position and there were cheers from the others at Arthur's decision with cries of long live the king. They all got up on their horses.

Merlin shook his head. If he had expected to be raised up to a level of awe then he was mistaken, but he was glad of it that meant they were not afraid of him and were still his friends. He also knew that he and his opinions would be more valued when there was a serious situation to deal with.

"Should we track down the dragon and finish it off before it takes out another village?" Leon asked before they rode off.

"No," Merlin said. "It was being controlled by Morgana. Dragons are not horrible creatures on their own. If left in peace, there won't be any more damage."

Arthur nodded, proving he trusted Merlin in his new role. "That settles it then."

A day and a half later, they rode into Camelot where the queen and most of the court stood on the stairs to welcome them back.

"We have a surprise for you," Arthur said as he dismounted. He gestured toward Merlin, "Merlin has magic."

"I think I knew it," Gwen said. "Yes, I definitely knew it."

"Oh, come on," Arthur said. "You did not."

She laughed, "I did. I never could put my finger on it exactly, but I knew there was something special about Merlin. Was that really you then as Dragoon?"

"It was," Merlin agreed.

"You took the fall for that love potion that was planted," Gwen said as she began connecting all the pieces. "You wanted to be caught."

"I wanted to escape. I got stuck in my disguise then too until Gaius helped me out just in the nick of time."

She kissed his cheek. "You are as much a hero as any knight in Camelot."

"Is that the first or the only time you've saved one of our lives like that?" Arthur asked.

"Well…" Merlin began, starting to feel a little embarrassed at all the attention.

"I didn't think so," Arthur said. "I suppose we've had a court sorcerer all along."

Merlin had passed many an hour imagining what his friends would say if they knew about his magic. He'd never imagined it going this well.

Gaius smiled the smile of a proud father as he announced, "You could have no better sorcerer or advisor in matters of magic. Merlin is the most powerful sorcerer there's ever been."

Arthur looked momentarily stunned and impressed at this information, but then a self-satisfied look developed on his face. "Of course he is, he is my court sorcerer after all. I don't believe we've ever had a feast honoring our new court sorcerer. I declare that we have one tonight."

That night after the feast, Merlin walked just outside of Camelot and called for Kilgharrah.

"How's Aithusa?" Merlin asked.

"He is no longer under the witch's control."

"I could have let Mordred die, but he and Morgan were defeated at least. Does that mean the danger has passed and Mordred is no longer a threat?"

"No," Kilgharrah answered simply.

"So then Mordred will be Arthur's end?"

"Eventually yes, but enjoy the time you have, young warlock. For yours is a story that poets and bards will tell of for a long time to come, a story of nobility, justice, magic, and loyalty. It will inspire countless generations. All things in this world must come to an end, yes, as the age of dragons has about reached its end, but what is important is that you live in the now for a glorious new age has dawned."

Merlin looked back at the outline of Camelot. He could almost feel all the great stories of Camelot that had yet to be born. Kilgharrah was right. It was time to enjoy the present.

The End