Hello you wonderful fandom :)

See how quick my updates can be when I'm free from pressure? :P

This chapter made me sad :( because it's the last one.

I don't own Merlin

I want to thank you all for your support, favourites, follows and reviews.

Merlinisamazing: Of course you can have a cookie ^.^ *gives cookie*

This chapter is dedicated to my 100th reviewer on this story: Ronja! Congrats :)

But also to Gembomz because she said it was her birthday :D So a HUGE happy birthday, this chapter is for you too :)

Enjoy ^.^

Merlin felt something inside of him. Like an itch, a niggle, a gentle tug. Something responded to that word. Destiny. What did it mean? More importantly, what did it mean to him? From what king Arthur and Gaius had said, he had lost something. Apparently something he needed back. But he had everything he needed. He had warm clothes, a full belly, a job. What else did he need? If it was that important then surely he would have noticed it missing. Wouldn't he? That word again. Destiny. What did it mean? The tug got more insistent, it was like there was a thread in his mind, fragile and delicate, and it was connecting him to something. Something far away. But what?

He frowned and shook his head, trying to clear it. He reached his hand up to his head and it brushed the scrap of material around his neck. He tore it off and stared at it. Why did he wear it? The king had asked him that, and had seemed disappointed with his answer, as if he had been expecting something else, as if he already knew. He clenched his fist around the fabric, the tug in his brain was beginning to become painful, that threat tethered him to something and he knew that if it broke away, he would be lost forever. Destiny. Something to do with a reason, a reason for being. What was his? He thought on the other words that had been said. Magic, he felt a warmth at that word, and a loss. A need.

Was that what the thread led to? Some kind of magic that would make him better? Warlock. Did that mean that he was a warlock? Dragonlord, the next word that linked that one was family, and Hunith and Blainor came together. Home, Ealdor. These words meant something too. Friendship. Faces flashed in his mind, Gaius, the king, his wife, the man who had interrupted, the large man with no sleeves, and others that he didn't remember but knew all the same, some brought with them feelings, connections to loss or anger, a beautiful woman with raven black hair and eyes that flashed gold, a dark, quiet young man who was the brother to the queen, and another face, brown hair, kind eyes, Lancelot. The word came of it's own accord and he started in shock. Freya. A girl in a tattered dress, reminded him of strawberries. He realised that he was crying but didn't know why. Arthur. Another word. The name of the king, something more. Destiny. Arthur. Love. Friendship. Protect. Albion. Camelot. Arthur. They were all linked somehow. Linked by loyalty, knights, a code, friendship, love, Arthur. Him?

His eyes shot open, he hadn't realised he'd closed them. A spark. A memory. A dragon in a cave, a troll, a blue fairy, cleaning boots, trading insults, snakes in a shield, a griffin, a blue stone, a unicorn, a bridge, a lake, trees and birds, carrying packs, sleeping in tents, laughter, joy, a boat on fire, grief, books, witches and warlocks, hiding, a special cup, a boy in a cloak. Destiny. Druids, adventures, creatures, drought, poison, hope, Camelot, Albion, Uther, Nimueh, enemies, trust.

They were all linked. Entwined with each other to form a life. His life. And they revolved around Arthur, and the word. Destiny.

Memories and emotions flooded him, he remembered faces, names, places, species. He remembered how to dress a wound and how Arthur liked his bath.

He took hold of that thread in his mind with both hands and pulled, fighting to get to the thing on the other side. The more he remembered and felt, the stronger and thicker the thread became and it was easier, shorter, closer.

Suddenly, the thread shortened and snapped, and the thing on the other end was sucked into his head.

He felt the tingle of magic under his skin, felt his eyes flash gold, felt.

He was Merlin again.

He looked up into the faced around him, peering at him nervously. Gaius looked gaunt and ill, Gwaine was pale but they were all looking at him with hope.

'Merlin?' Arthur ventured. Merlin looked at him

'Yes m'lord prattiness?' he replied, fighting a grin. Arthur had done it. For him. He had helped him find his way back. And by the looks of things, Gaius and Gwaine had been killing themselves trying too. Arthur laughed, rich and vibrant, full of relief. Gwaine jumped on him, knocking him out of the chair, Percival was next, and then Arthur, they were locked in a huge group hug of tangled limbs and laughter and tears and relief. Gaius stood patiently, waiting for a separate hug from his ward. He was too old to join in, plus it looked painful. When they all struggled to their feet again, Merlin walked over to his mentor and hugged him hard

'Thank you' he whispered 'for finding me a way back. I'll never be able to thank you enough. There were tears shining in both of their eyes when he pulled back. Gaius placed a hand on the warlock's shoulder

'Just live my boy' he said 'that brings me all the pride I could wish for', Merlin smiled and then turned away to thank his other friends in turn. He turned to Arthur last and rested a hand on his king's cheek. He didn't need to say anything, their bond was too deep, and Arthur hated all that girly feelings stuff anyway. Maybe one quiet day, when they were alone would Arthur admit how scared he was.

'Right' said Merlin, grinning at his friends 'I do believe there are some fancy kings and lords to please, now that magic's been legalised and all.' He met Arthur's eyes then, trying to convey his thanks, his pride, his hope for the future.

'I did it for you' Arthur said in return. 'Idiot'

Merlin laughed, his eyes flashed gold, and a shower of rainbow coloured sparks flew from his hands.

So there we are. The end of another story :)

I really hope you liked reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it

I know it's short, but I thought that was a good place to end

Please let me know your thoughts/feelings about it :)

Love you all

Love Tibbins xx