Author's Note:

Hi everyone:)
There you go, the famous epilogue we've all been waiting for. The chapter that might potentially change everything.
I just want to say another huge thank you to everyone who has reviewed, favourited or followed this story - even those who've just read along in silence. I'd be a worse hypocrite than Uther if I was angry at someone for not reviewing xD. Though of course I need to send an extra huge THANK YOU to those who did review, because your words are amazing and I appreciate all of them. There are even people who leave me wonderful, encouraging notes after pretty much every chapter - you know who you are. You are one of the reasons I finished this fic, so this epilogue is dedicated to you :).
This story was an amazing journey, despite the long breaks in between some chapters. I already miss this particular universe... *sigh* maybe I'll go back sometime and write another chapter, e.g. about Morgana's future. Who knows. Would you like that?
So, thank you everyone... and one last time, enjoy and please R&R! :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin, only this story. The title of this chapter was taken once again from the song "This is War" by Thirty Seconds to Mars.

Epilogue: A Brave New World

Life returned back to normal in Camelot.

Uther had actually kept his promise, letting the druids leave with Merlin's body and not pursuing them further than to the border. Though Arthur knew it was most likely less because of his promise (after all, promises given to something as evil as magic didn't count) and more because of Merlin's threat that he had messaged the other countries and that they would immediately attack a weakened Camelot. They simply couldn't afford a war with the surviving druids.

The only thing that had changed was that the border patrols had increased to prevent the druids from sneaking back into the country, even if Arthur severely doubted that it would actually keep them from doing so if they really wanted to. After all, the more powerful druids could all teleport.

The druids had kept their promise as well, taking Merlin and leaving almost immediately after the fight, a row of dark cloaks and hoods drawn deep into their faces. No one had tried to take revenge, not even Will. In fact, Arthur hadn't heard from any of them since the combat, which was now exactly six weeks ago. Morgana had accompanied them back into the forest before Iseldir had taken her back to Camelot, arguing that she had already stayed away for far too long as it was, especially with the army getting ready to return. They hadn't really talked ever since.

Arthur sighed, toying absent-mindedly with the quill he should use right now to write his speech for the celebrations on the occasion of the twenty-years-anniversary since Uther had officially wiped out all magic in Camelot by killing the last dragon. In reality, all he did was staring out into the court without really seeing anything, his mind in the past with the druids.

At least no one had noticed Morgana's absence - or rather, no one had told Uther if they had. The servants did love their lives too much to confront their King and what Uther didn't know wouldn't hurt him. When Arthur and Uther had returned with the army she had already been back in the castle, a little paler and quieter than usually, but nothing that couldn't be blamed on the illness that had allegedly forced her to stay in her chambers for the whole time.

The door to Arthur's chambers opened abruptly, forcefully enough to hit the wall with a loud bang, and the Prince startled. He span round, ready to wipe the floor with whatever servant had dared to tear him from his musings, when the words suddenly left him. Arthur could feel his mouth open and close again once, then twice, without any words coming out as he kept staring at the man who had just entered his chambers and was now grinning at him as if there was nothing unusual going on at all.

"You would do better to close your mouth again before you choke on a fly and get me into trouble for killing Camelot's Prince after all," his guest advised, the grin only widening.

"But- you-" Arthur took a deep breath, forcing himself to stop stammering. "Close the bloody door! What are you doing here? Do you want to die?"

The dark-haired held up his hands in a gesture of surrender, both palms facing towards Arthur, and the Prince had to suppress a flinch at how painfully familiar the gesture was. "Relax. No one actually saw my face, you know? All they saw was a cloak. And since I'm not wearing it today, no one will recognize me. Well, no one except for Gaius and Morgana, but they're kind of on our side, sooo..." He paused, drawing the last letter out. "You know, a simple 'nice to see you again, Merlin' would have been enough."

Arthur huffed, unable to keep the smile from his face any longer as he strode across the room to engulf the warlock in a bone-crushing hug. For a moment, Merlin was completely frozen, unsure how to react, but then he slowly started to hug Arthur back.

"I have missed you, you idiot" the Prince told him once they had finally let go of each other. "I didn't think I would ever see you again."

"Neither did I," Merlin admitted with a small but honest smile and a shake of his head. "Our ploy worked out perfectly. I must say, you are a great actor, Pendragon."

"I could say the same about you," Arthur answered, his expression quickly turning serious again. "Plus, you only told me the bare necessities. 'Make your father suggest a single combat and use this dagger to kill me' isn't very reassuring once your friend is lying next to you with aforementioned dagger in his chest. And I bet most of the druids didn't even know that much."

"I'm sorry. You're right, I couldn't risk everyone knowing. I'm sorry you had to go through this." Merlin grimaced, reminding Arthur once again of those terrible few seconds when their eyes had locked and he had suddenly started wondering. What if it hadn't worked? What if whatever magic they had cast to make the dagger's blade pass right through Merlin's skin without actually cutting him - similar to his shields that also felt unyielding and hard to everyone else - had failed somehow, if he had made a mistake by aiming right for the heart? What if he had actually killed Merlin?

A soft touch on his shoulder tore him from his thoughts and he looked up abruptly, grasping Merlin's arm in return as the other pulled it back again."No, I'm the one who should be sorry. After all, I stabbed you." He hesitated. "Why are you here, Merlin? Is everyone alright? Freya... Will?"

The warlock nodded immediately, smiling reassuringly. "They are all fine, enjoying their life in our new camp. Freya actually wanted to come, but since we deemed it too dangerous she sends her greetings."

"Then why are you here?"

Merlin huffed. "Can't I just visit you simply to visit you? I heard that Camelot is preparing for a big feast. I do like feasts."

"Yeah, well, probably not this one. It's to celebrate 20 magic-free years and my father wants to hold an execution," Arthur explained, grimacing. "Some poor lad called Thomas. And I have to write a speech for the occasion."

"All the more reason to come visit you," Merlin said and for a moment Arthur saw the powerful druid leader again, his opponent in battle, before Merlin's face brightened again. "Gaius said I could stay with him however long I wanted, as long as I run small errands for him and help out with a few things." The warlock grimaced. "I think he was talking about the leech tank. I'm just glad I have my... powers to help me."

The Prince snorted as he imagined Merlin in the middle of Gaius' rooms, on his knees in front of the leech tank. He had cleaned the thing himself once before, after he had run into the physician's chambers and broken a few vials, ruining a very important and time-costly experiment in the process. Morgana had come by to watch and had spent the whole time laughing.

"Just be careful. If Gaius sees you use your magic he will make you clean the tank for the next ten years without your powers to help you. And if anyone else finds out-"

"...I'll take poor Thomas' place at the celebration," Merlin finished the sentence, "I got it. But you know me, Arthur, I'm careful enough. And one day I won't have to hide anymore and I can just live here the way I am."

A fond smile crossed Arthur's face at Merlin's longing expression. "I can't say I hope it will be soon, though."

The warlock only nodded in understanding. Arthur had already signed the treaty the very evening before their combat and Merlin's fake death, promising to let magic return to Camelot as soon as he was King. It was the only way to convince the druids who had followed James, even if not the man himself, that a war wasn't the right way to bring magic back. They had agreed to wait until Uther was dead, though Arthur suspected it was less because of the treaty and more because of their faith in Merlin. The warlock might never fully comprehend how much the druids admired him.

"Until then, however soon or late it might be, I can spend at least some time in Camelot. After all, someone has to take care so you don't let yourself be kidnapped by renegade druids again, right?"

Arthur raised both eye brows in amusement. "You want to become my bodyguard?"

"I'm only sorry for the poor renegade druids," Merlin explained, a smile playing across his lips. "They don't know how much of a prat you are."

"Idiot."

Merlin acted completely shocked, putting his hand on his heart. "My, my, you can't go around insulting the dead, Arthur! Where are your good manners?"

"Out in the wilderness, searching for your sanity," the Prince answered easily, making Merlin laugh.

"Oh well, until they have found each other and return to Camelot, let's focus on the things we can do instead," the warlock said, turning a little more serious. "Like breaking Thomas out."

"It would be very frustrating indeed for the King to have to miss out on the execution for the celebration," Arthur mused. Merlin snorted.

"So you are with me?"

"Of course I am." The Prince hesitated. "You know, maybe the dragon was right about our destiny."

Merlin frowned, then it dawned on him and his eyes widened. "He told you that?"

"The whole thing with the two sides of the same coin and everything," Arthur confirmed. The warlock rolled his eyes.

"Of course he did. He does love the riddles." Merlin shrugged, cocking his head to one side. "But just this once he might actually be right. Though of course I would be the more shiny half of the coin."

"Of course," Arthur agreed, a smile tugging at his lips, "But let's just wait until you have cleaned the leech tank, right?"

His only response was a pained groan and a hit to his shoulder, but Arthur simply continued to laugh until Merlin joined in. Maybe the dragon was right and they would become the Once and Future King and his trusted advisor one day, working together to unite the lands of Albion. But until then, they would simply be Merlin and Arthur, an idiot and a prat who were trying to do the right thing. And that was perfectly fine with Arthur.

So... that's it. *sniff* OF COURSE Arthur didn't really betray Merlin. Duh. :P

In case you didn't notice/remember, Thomas is the guy who Uther has executed in episode one of the series, causing his mother (Mary) to go after Arthur. And so we've come full circle, even if everything from that episode would logically be a little different with Merlin and Arthur breaking Thomas out before he can be killed.

I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I did writing it - and I repeat my question from the start, would you be interested in additional short chapters e.g. about Morgana's future? There's this little plot bunny hopping around about her meeting Merlin again... I can't promise that I'll ever write it, but if enough people would like to read sth like this, I just might :). In the meantime, you could also check out my other stories or my tumblr "sternenfaengerlied". Or how about you write a quick review? ;)