Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Merlin couldn’t remember what Arthur looked like.

He was aware his coping mechanisms weren’t particularly healthy, but ever since the day he’d realized the image of the King he had in his mind was blurred, he’d been numb to the world. He wasn’t even sure when that day was. It could have been a week ago, it could have been a hundred years ago. All he knew is that his faith in the prophecy was failing. Arthur was supposed to return in England’s darkest hour. This was definitely not that, but Merlin wasn’t sure how much longer he could wait.  That was all Merlin really did these days, sit and wait for Arthur.

In fact, that’s what Merlin was doing at that moment. Lying on his bed, in his small flat, staring up at the ceiling, trying desperately to make his memories of his time in Camelot stop fading.

With a sigh, Merlin decided it was no use, and that he’d rather do something better with his time. So, he got up and dressed himself in his coat, scarf, and hat, and made his way out the door.

~~~~~~~

Merlin avoided his reflection at all costs. He knew, from what he could see otherwise, that he was sporting a look similar in many ways to the warlock he’d once disguised himself as. Now, however, he could not help but peer at his reflection in the lake. The still water, so clearly magic to Merlin, served as a mirror. Merlin took in the wrinkles around his eyes, the creases and crevices of the face of someone who’d lived many lives.

This isn’t who you are. A voice spoke inside Merlin’s head. This isn’t who Arthur needs.

The voice was right. Merlin knew it was right. He’d spent so long wallowing in his own sadness, he’d never stopped to give his appearance any thought. He’d let himself take on the appearance of a sad old man, one that he knew wasn’t truly him.

Closing his eyes, Merlin tapped into his magic, whispering a few words. The long, white hair receded back to how he used to wear it, darkening to its usual black shade. His body grew, muscles reemerging from skin no longer wrinkled, but instead plump and youthful. Merlin felt all the aches and pains he’d learned to live with over the years disappear, and he breathed a sigh of relief.

When Merlin looked at himself again, he was young again. There was a twinkle in his eye that he hadn’t seen in…wait. That was no normal twinkle.

Merlin lifted his head, sitting back on his knees, and gawking at the water, now gleaming…golden? 

This has to be it. Merlin thought, waiting on bated breath. He was going to see Arthur again, he knew it. His Arthur was coming back, Merlin decided there was no other reason for the water he’d sent Arthur off in to be glowing.

Apparently, however, the water was glowing for some other reason, because Merlin waited and waited for…nothing.

With a disappointed sigh, Merlin got to his feet and walked home. He’d always known it was too good to be true. He just wasn’t destined for a happy ending, it seemed.

Chapter Text

Arthur opened his eyes, something that surprised him quite a bit, because he was pretty sure he had just been dead.

Is this Heaven? He wondered, looking around. As his eyes locked with the tower nearby, it clicked. No, this was not Heaven, this was Avalon. How he was sure of this, he didn’t know, but he felt it in his soul.

Another thing he felt was positively disgusting. His once Pendragon red surcoat was worn and tattered, and his armor was rusted and useless. His undergarments felt alright, so he began to wrangle his way out of the heavy metal pieces, discarding them on the ground, until he was just in a thin shirt and pants. Not ideal, but Excalibur was gleaming on the ground nearby, somehow unaffected by whatever’d rusted the armor. Also unaffected by all this was Arthur. In fact, he was even better than he’d been before, considering the massive wound in his abdomen had vanished without a trace. This all left Arthur with one main question:

Exactly how long had he been dead?

~~~~~~~

A long time. Arthur decided he had been dead a very long time.

He found himself stumbling through the streets of some sort of town, though it was clear a lot had changed. Magic must be legal here, because Arthur could see signs of it everywhere. Music, unlike any kind he’d heard before, was filtering through the air, though no musicians were in sight. People walked around holding glowing tablets of some sort, and those seemed to be capable of all kinds of wonderful things.

Another thing Arthur became aware of is that the way people dressed was unlike anything he’d ever seen before. Very few women in dresses, and everyone in very immodest clothing. Some people had pierced metal and jewels into their skin, not unlike bandits Arthur was used to confronting. And yet, no one was wearing any mail, and there was definitely no one else carrying a gleaming sword.

Arthur continued to survey the town, only succeeding in finding more odd things about it. These buildings were huge, the people were odd (Arthur saw one person with brightly colored green hair, clearly from magic), and there was absolutely no sign of a chapel!

Arthur decided he just needed to follow his gut. Whatever magic brought him back must be able to lead him where he needed to go, because this was decidedly not it. Arthur just hoped he’d be able to get to his destination without having to make conversation.

~~~~~~~

Miraculously, Arthur was able to make it out of the hustle and bustle of town without having to speak with anyone. This was good, because he barely understood them anyway.

Arthur now found himself standing outside a house, or, rather, something called an “apartment”, trying to figure out why he felt such an urge to knock on the door. It was like his hand was raising against his will, reaching up to knock on the wooden door, but stopping as said door swung open, and…

“Arthur?”

Chapter Text

How could Merlin ever have forgotten that face? 

Arthur was standing in his doorway, illuminated by the setting sun in a way that made him look like an angel. Merlin just stared, taking in the King's sharp blue eyes, that blonde hair that seemed permanently tousled, the way his smile looked, his physique, everything. 

Arthur just stared back at Merlin, seemingly doing something similar, as his eyes were tracing every line of Merlin's body, making him feel strangely...seen.

"Is it really you?" Merlin asked, voice small, tentative.

"It is." Arthur confirmed, taking a step closer. Merlin lifted a hand, still unsure if he was dreaming or not, and combed through Arthur's hair. His real hair. Because Arthur was alive.

Just like that, Merlin was enveloped in a crushing but welcomed hug, and he sank into Arthur, never wanting to let go. He inhaled, trying to memorize Arthur's scent. How had he ever forgotten it? He was asking himself that a lot, now that Arthur was back.

"Here, come in." Merlin said, once Arthur had (reluctantly) pulled away from the hug. "We shouldn't make a scene." He added, eyes flickering down to where Excalibur was sheathed at Arthur's hip.

"So, magic's been legalized." Arthur noted, nodding his head towards Merlin's television. 

Oh. Merlin hadn't thought about the fact that Arthur had no idea about any twenty-first century technology.

"Not exactly. People now...they don't tend to think it exists at all." Merlin winced. At some point, he'd have to explain Arthurian Legend, and how Merlin's perceived as an old, fictional wizard, but that could definitely wait.

"And when exactly would now be?" Was Arthur's follow-up question.

"Erm..." Merlin squirmed, afraid to tell Arthur how many years had passed.

"It's been a while, hasn't it." Arthur said, less of a question, more of a statement.

"Yes...Arthur, are you sure you want to know? I don't want to overwhelm you..."

"Please, Merlin." Arthur said, and his rare use of the word 'please' caused Merlin to cave.

"Alright." He sighed. "But sit down first."

~~~~~~~

Once he and Arthur were settled on Merlin's (rather shabby) couch, a blanket draped over their laps, Merlin sighed, and opened his mouth to speak.

"How much do you want to know?" He asked, unable to look Arthur in the eye.

"As much as you'll tell me. I can handle it." Arthur said firmly.

"Alright." Merlin swallowed. "Let's start with timing. It's currently the year two thousand and twenty-five, roughly fifteen hundred years since your passing." Arthur sucked in a breath, and Merlin paused.

"Continue." Arthur commanded, and Merlin was so happy that his King was back to boss him around, he barely hesitated.

"I stayed in Camelot, after your death. Technically, it doesn't exist anymore, but the land is still there. We're currently in a town near what would have been our village. When you died, Gwen stayed Queen, ruling Camelot until she died of old age. It was a long reign, too long for me to remember, and she did a lot of good. Gaius—" Merlin's voice broke as he found himself starting to get choked up. "Gaius didn't last very long after you left. His health started to decline very quickly, but I took good care of him until the day he passed.

"Time just continued to move around me, and I kept thinking you'd be back any day now, then everything was gone...but that doesn't matter. You're here now, and that's all I care about."

"Oh." Arthur said. "I'm so sorry you had to deal with all that, Merlin."

"Don't be." Merlin assured him, reaching out to grab Arthur's hand. It was a bold move, something he wouldn't have dared try back in Camelot, but now he held on without a second thought, and Arthur returned the gesture, giving Merlin's hand a reassuring squeeze. "Everything was worth it for this moment."

This is risky. Merlin thought. He knew he was getting awfully close to admitting the one secret he had left to keep from Arthur, which was his undying love for the King. Part of him wanted to just blurt it out, tired of keeping it to himself for centuries, but he couldn't drive Arthur away. Not when he'd just gotten him back.

"But, if magic doesn't exist—" Arthur started, snapping Merlin out of his thoughts.

"It does. That's just not common knowledge."

"Well, you know what I mean. My point is, how do you explain all the magic I witnessed just on the walk here?"

"That's going to probably have to do with electronics." Merlin smiled at Arthur's confused expression.

"Elec-what-nows?"

This was going to take some explaining.

Chapter Text

Being back was...overwhelming. There was suddenly a lot to learn, and Merlin seemed to have just as many questions for Arthur as Arthur did for Merlin.

"So, how are you able to understand me?" Merlin asked as he joined Arthur on the couch one morning, pushing a mug of tea into Arthur's hands. "I'm pretty sure I'm not speaking Old English."

"Old English?" Arthur asked, raising an eyebrow. As far as he knew, he was speaking the same as he always had.

"Yeah, you know 'Þu fæder ure ðe eart on heofonum'..." Merlin trailed off after reciting a line of prayer, noting the confused look on Arthur's face.

"This is all the same language." Arthur explained.

"Huh." Merlin tilted his head, reminding Arthur a bit of a confused puppy. "Must be a side effect of the magic, because English has changed a lot."

There was a pause, and then;

"Imagine someone as thick-headed as you being able to speak multiple languages."

"Oi!" Arthur shouted, setting his tea down so he could chuck a pillow across the couch at Merlin.

Merlin laughed, stopping the pillow midair with his magic, then turning it on Arthur, hitting him square in the face. Arthur didn't even care, because he was so distracted by Merlin's eyes. Oh, how Arthur had missed seeing them glow like that. Even when he was mad at Merlin for hiding his magic, he still found his manservant so beautiful when he...

Nope. 

Arthur had managed this long with ignoring his feelings, he surely wasn't going to start now. Merlin had given him a place to stay (even if Arthur was just sleeping on the couch, something he'd have to remedy soon), he wasn't going to drive away his best friend like that.

But Merlin was fully laughing now, and Arthur was beaming, because he loved the sound of Merlin's laughter more than he loved anything but Merlin himself. He was really and truly smitten when it came to his warlock, even if he knew it was wrong to think that.

Or was it, anymore?

Arthur had seen at least a few couples of the same sex on his way to Merlin's flat, and they surely weren't hiding anything. If that was okay, and Arthur wasn't King anymore, that meant he and Merlin could...

"So, are boys allowed to fancy boys, and girls fancy girls in this day?" Arthur asked, unsure how to approach the subject, so opting to dive right in.

"Oh! Erm, yeah. Yeah, they are." Merlin replied, cheeks flushing a pretty pink. He was so adorable when he—

"I see." Arthur said, now aware that his own cheeks were flushed. "I suppose that means I can ask you now—you and Gwaine...?" The question was selfish, Arthur knew, but he needed to know if Merlin liked men. 

Merlin let out a sudden, shocked laugh. "Me and Gwaine? No. Well, there was that one time...yeah, no. He's not really the kind of man I'm into." Merlin dared to wink, wink, at that last bit, causing Arthur to become what he could only describe as flustered.

That was a moment, Arthur knew, where if he'd really wanted to flirt he could have asked Merlin what the "kind of man" he's into is, but Arthur just wasn't sure, so the opportunity slipped away.

~~~~~~~

Arthur managed to mostly avoid thinking about his feelings towards Merlin. At least, until he ended up in Merlin's bed one night.

That really made it sound much more explicit than it was. What had really happened was that Arthur had found himself in the grips of a nightmare, and when he awoke he absolutely needed to be sure Merlin was still alive and well. Arthur had gotten up, and made his way to Merlin's room...

"Arthur?" Merlin's voice, still slurred from sleep, had echoed from inside the dark room. Arthur had seen Merlin, propped up on one elbow, squinting at the light Arthur had cast into the room. "'Re you alright?"

"I..." This was stupid.

"Hey, come here." Merlin had patted, slightly more awake. Arthur obliged, and found himself sitting on the bed next to Merlin. "Talk to me." The warlock had urged.

"Well, if you had any doubts I was real, it appears I'm still getting my nightmares." Arthur had muttered, laughing darkly. 

Merlin's brow had furrowed then, causing that little wrinkle to appear on his forehead. Arthur wanted to smooth it out, make the worry disappear—

"The same ones as before?" Merlin had asked.

"Yes." Arthur had admitted. "They always start the same. You're trailing me, like usual, when out-of-the-blue we're attacked, and you're killed. It's always brutal, and always realistic."

Merlin had reached for Arthur then, wrapping his arms around the King, and pulling him close. Merlin hadn't made fun of how childish the nightmares were, and Arthur had found his adrenaline wearing off. He'd realized how tired he was, then, and closed his eyes without thinking, snuggling up to Merlin like it was second nature. The last thing he remembered was noting that Merlin still slept on the right...

Arthur woke up, his arm draped over Merlin's waist, and Merlin facing him, legs intertwined with his, still sleeping soundly. Sunlight poured through the window, creating a halo behind Merlin's head. He looked exactly the same as before, Arthur noted. It appeared Merlin had stopped himself from aging entirely. The only difference was that Merlin had let his raven-colored hair grow out a bit, curling around his head. There was a bit of scruff on his chin as well, just dark enough to make Arthur's heart skip. Merlin's face was so close to Arthur's, all he'd have to do was shift just an inch or two, and they'd be—no. How many times would Arthur have to remind himself that he wasn't going there, before his traitorous brain got the message?

Apparently a lot more times, because Arthur subconsciously set about memorizing every detail of Merlin's lips, right up until the moment his warlock stirred.

"Arthur." Merlin smiled, eyes still closed. Arthur's heart skipped a beat as his warlock snuggled closer with a contented hum. "What time is it?"

"I have no idea." Arthur admitted, tightening his arm around Merlin. "But we have time." He smiled, and Merlin just hummed again, a perfect start to a perfect morning.

Chapter Text

Arthur was the same in so many ways, Merlin had already known this, but there was a lot that was...different.

It was like all Arthur had ever needed was to have the weight of the crown lifted. This Arthur barely had time to mourn the Camelot he had lost, because he spent his days asking Merlin questions. This Arthur treated Merlin like an equal, someone he could learn from. It was definitely not what Merlin had been used to, all those years ago, but he still found it nice. Endearing, even.

That was the main issue with this new Arthur, Merlin felt. Before, he'd been able to keep his feelings for the King in check, reminding himself that they were King and manservant, let alone two men, and it could never be. If he'd ever faltered, Arthur had been there to make him muck out the stables, or call him the stupidest manservant to walk the Earth, or just generally overwork the warlock. Now, however, Arthur shadowed Merlin as they went about their daily routine, only speaking to ask Merlin how certain appliances worked. The day Arthur had managed to work the oven for the first time, Merlin had come back from the grocery store to find a beaming Arthur holding a sheet of freshly baked cookies (from a ready-to-bake cookie dough pack, of course, because Arthur was definitely not ready to find and follow a recipe yet). Seeing how proud Arthur had been of himself made Merlin's heart swell, and he couldn't stop smiling as he and Arthur ate the cookies together. That was when Merlin had realized how truly overwhelming his love for Arthur was.

~~~~~~~

Merlin was still reeling from waking up next to Arthur that morning as he pulled on his pajamas, readying himself for bed. It had been nearly twenty-four hours since he'd been woken by Arthur in his doorway, fear twisting his King's features. What had initially worried Merlin had turned into one of the best nights of his life, but he'd found himself feeling guilty about it. Arthur didn't know that Merlin loved him, at least not in that way. It felt like allowing Arthur into the bed was taking advantage of him, somehow.

So, when Merlin's door creaked open, right as he was crawling under the covers, something sank in his stomach.

"Merls?" Arthur asked, and Merlin's traitorous heart skipped at the nickname. 

"What's up?" Merlin asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

"Erm...do you think it would be alright if I stay in here again? It's childish, I know, but I'm worried the nightmares will come back. It was always helpful to have another person in my chambers, and it remained helpful last night..."

Merlin felt guilty, sure, but faced with Arthur's worried expression, he found himself unable to say no. Especially after one part of Arthur's request.

"It was always helpful to have another person in my chambers"...

~~~Camelot, Arthurian Times~~~

"Good night, sire." Merlin bowed his head, making his way to the doors of Arthur's chambers. He stopped, however, when he heard Arthur's voice echo out behind him.

"Merlin, wait." Arthur called, his voice almost a sigh, as though he had been trying not to call Merlin back.

"Yes?" Merlin asked, turning back around, and moving towards where Arthur sat, ready for bed.

"You remember my nightmares, right? The ones Gaius has been treating?" Arthur asked, to which Merlin raised an eyebrow.

"Of course I do. I'm responsible for giving you a sleeping drought most nights." The warlock reminded him.

"Yes, yes. My point is...well, this may sound foolish, but when I was small, and the nightmares first started, my Nanny would stay in my chambers, and they'd be much better. I've come to the conclusion that anyone could have this effect, so if you would please stay in here tonight."

"People will talk, you know. Wouldn't want to cause a scandal."

"I really don't care right now. I'm tired."

"If you insist, sire."

"Please, just call me Arthur. I don't want to be the King right now."

"If you insist, Arthur."

~~~Present Day~~~

Merlin tried to stay on his side of the bed. Really, he did. It wasn't his fault that his subconscious had taken over in his sleep, and he'd woken up intertwined with Arthur once again. And it definitely wasn't his fault when he'd leaned over and whispered "I love you" into the sleeping King's hair. He was obviously still half asleep. Realistically, though, Merlin knew that he wouldn't be able to keep his secret from Arthur forever. He just hoped he wouldn't lose his King when it eventually came to light.

Chapter Text

Some days, Arthur really was sure Merlin loved him too. 

It was all in the way Merlin looked at him, really. All in the way his eyes followed Arthur around the house, in the way they looked when Arthur would catch him in the act. That heavy lidded, deep look, the kind that takes Arthur's breath away—that was how Merlin would stare at Arthur. It made the King want to drop everything and kiss Merlin senseless, but he wouldn't.

The truth is, Arthur was scared. Scared to mess things up, make a fool of himself. Most things, he could play off, but not a kiss. Definitely not a love confession. If he was reading Merlin's eyes wrong, then he'd ruin everything he'd worked so hard to protect.

But oh, Merlin's eyes. Arthur could barely look away for a moment. Even when Merlin wasn't staring at Arthur, fixing him with that almost hungry look, those eyes were mesmerizing. Just when Arthur would think Merlin's eyes couldn't get any more gorgeous, the warlock would use his magic, and they'd flare with golden light. Arthur could drown in that light.

~~~~~~~

One day, Merlin's staring was particularly loaded. Arthur could feel the emotions washing over him, waves of love and want and hesitation hitting Arthur's back as the King washed the dishes, testing his self-control.

"Take a picture, it'll last longer." Arthur winked over his shoulder, at where Merlin was sitting at the dining table.

Test failed.

Merlin flushed beet-red, and Arthur silently cursed himself for saying that.

"Relax, Merls. I jest. What's on your mind?" Arthur recovered, fixing his eyes on the plates he was trying to wash.

"I just can't believe you're really back." Merlin said, voice quiet.

"Yeah, same here." Arthur admitted. "It doesn't feel real."

"It doesn't." Merlin agreed.

Arthur noticed he'd been washing one plate much longer than he needed to, so he quickly stuck it on the drying rack, trying not to seem too suspicious.

"I'm just confused." Arthur said.

"Oh?" Merlin encouraged him.

"This really doesn't seem like England's darkest hour. Are you sure you remembered the prophecy correctly?" Arthur asked.

"Of course I did! I'm not nearly as dumb as you think I am." Merlin huffed, and Arthur smiled to himself, not having to turn around to know that Merlin was pouting.

"Oh really? Explain the last...well however many years I've known you, then." Arthur challenged. When Merlin didn't say anything, Arthur feigned coughing, slipping in an "idiot" in the middle.

"Prat." Merlin retaliated between coughs of his own.

Arthur just ignored him, continuing to work his way through the dishes.

~~~~~~~

Arthur needed to tell Merlin how he felt.

He'd been staying in Merlin's bed every night, and each morning he woke up snuggled into Merlin's chest, he found himself feeling more and more overwhelmed by emotions. He just wished that he had someone to run his confession by before he had to actually tell Merlin, but it really was just the two of them.

That was how Arthur found himself sitting in front of the mirror hanging on Merlin's bedroom wall, confessing to his reflection.

"...I'm in love with you, and it's not right for me to hide it any longer. I just hope you're able to forgive me, and I'll still be able to stay here. I'll go back to sleeping on the couch, if that's easier, just please allow me to stay." Arthur practically begged himself. He knew the confession didn't sound very royal, like how he normally sounded, but maybe that was better. He needed Merlin to know he meant it.

"Alright, let me try this again." Arthur muttered, before locking eyes with himself again. "Merlin, you've been so kind in welcoming me into your home, showing me electronics, and giving me a bed to sleep in. But I have a secret, and I fear I must share it with you..."

Chapter Text

When Merlin walked into his room, to find Arthur sitting on his chair, in front of his mirror, looking at him with so much adoration in his eyes, the last crack was added to Merlin's bottled up emotions, and the dam broke. 

"I need to tell you something." Merlin said in one quick breath. He didn't even wait for Arthur to answer before he magicked up a matching chair, sitting down opposite Arthur. "I've been trying to ignore it, trying to keep it in, but I just can't anymore. Just...promise you won't leave."

"I—I promise." Arthur said, eyes wide but still filled with adoration and something else Merlin couldn't quite name.

"Good. It really all started back when we first met, but what I didn't realize then was that it was just the beginning. Arthur, you're a royal pain in my ass, I've never pretended that you aren't, but underneath all that, you're...well, endearing, I guess. At first, I just noticed you were attra—you know what? Screw that. You remember when you asked if I'd ever been with Gwaine?"

Arthur nodded, and Merlin continued.

"...And how I'd said he's not the kind of man I'm into?"

Another nod.

"That's because you're the type of man I'm into. I thought I could keep those feelings in, but I was so wrong. Arthur, I've been in love with you for longer than I can remember, and I know you don't feel the same way, but I had to tell you. It was wrong to keep that hidden, especially now, when it's just us. I'm truly sorry that I'm putting you in this position, and if you're okay with it, I'd love to have you keep staying here, and we can pretend I never said anything about this. I just don't want to lose you again."

Arthur was silent, a stunned look on his face. He was silent for far too long, and any barely-there hope Merlin had felt flickered out as he stood.

"I'll let you think." Merlin excused himself, voice quiet and low as he left the room.

Chapter Text

Oh.

Oh no.

Arthur was on his feet before Merlin had even shut the door all the way, but the warlock had vanished from the flat.

"Merlin!" Arthur called. No response.

Arthur ran to the front door, ripping it open and emerging into the stairway. His heavy breathing echoed off the stone walls as he made his way to the stairs, where a familiar raven-haired warlock was sitting, knees tucked into his chest.

"Merlin, I need to—"

"Don't bother." Merlin raised a hand up, waving Arthur off, but not lifting his head to look at the King. "I understand."

"No, you definitely don't." Arthur said, and Merlin just chuckled darkly.

"I really don't want to talk about it, Arthur." 

Normally, when Merlin said his name, butterflies exploded in Arthur's stomach. This time, though, it just soured. Had Arthur lost his chance?

"Merlin, please—"

"What did I just say?" Merlin asked, standing up, finally facing Arthur. The statement had been laughed out, but not in a humorous way, but a shocked one. Merlin had clearly been crying, and Arthur felt his heart shatter. "Can't you learn to listen to me for once? I. Don't. Want. To. Talk."

"I'm in love with you too!" Arthur blurted, unable to take it any longer. "I was just trying to figure out how to tell you when you came in and told me! That's why I was quiet, not because I don't love you, but because you stole the words out of my mouth, you bloody idiot!"

"Oh." Merlin said, defeated.

"Yeah. 'Oh'." 

"You really love me?" Merlin whispered, hope filling his eyes once more.

"I have since I first saw you." Arthur admitted, voice as quiet as Merlin's.

Then, Merlin was marching up the stairs, grabbing Arthur's arm, and pulling the King inside the flat.

"Merl—what?" Arthur protested. "Can't we just talk—" Arthur cut off, suddenly aware that Merlin's face was very close to his, and he was currently pressed up against their front door.

"Can I kiss you?" Merlin asked, breathless and hurried.

Arthur nodded, and Merlin's lips were on his in a fraction of a second. Arthur moved his hands to Merlin's hair, and Merlin moved his hands to Arthur's waist, holding on tight. It was all Arthur had imagined and more, and he melted into the kiss, leaning against the door the only thing keeping him upright as Merlin kissed him with fifteen thousand years of bottled up love.

It was perfect, and it was theirs.

Chapter Text

~~~Camelot, Arthurian Times~~~

Merlin stared deep into Arthur's eyes. Those eyes...he'd taken them for granted. He'd never realized how much he'd miss their sharp, piercing color until they were staring up at him, struggling to keep focus.

"Just, just...hold me." Arthur murmured, and Merlin clung tighter to him. He'd always imagined Arthur saying those words to him, but never like this. Never like this. Then, Arthur added the smallest "Please", and Merlin's heart shattered into a million tiny pieces. Too many to ever try to puzzle them back together again.

Merlin clung to Arthur, fingernails digging into chainmail, wrapping an arm around Arthur as if he could hold the dying King's soul in his body. What was the point of being magic itself if Merlin couldn't even save the man he loved?

There. He'd finally allowed himself to think it, truly accept the truth.

Arthur was his one true love.

Of course, Merlin had always known this to be true, but he'd never really allowed the words to echo in his mind. He'd always treated this like some sort of silly crush, ignoring that it was so much more. Now, though, Arthur was slipping away, the sparkle leaving his eyes. Merlin's eyes traced Arthur's face, determined to memorize every line. He was so young, too young to be dying. He needed to live, Merlin would make him live...

"There's...something I want to say." Arthur's voice snapped Merlin out of his head, and he focused only on the whispers.

"You're not going to say goodbye." Merlin ordered.

"No..." Arthur insisted, voice slightly louder. "Merlin..."

Merlin was in love with the way Arthur said his name.

"...Everything you've done..." Arthur continued. "I know now. For me, for Camelot...for the kingdom you helped me build."

"You'd have done it without me." Merlin insisted, trying to memorize Arthur's voice.

Arthur laughed, laughed, and the pieces of Merlin's heart twisted painfully. He needed to memorize that smile, memorize everything about Arthur.

"Maybe..." The King admitted. "...I want to say something...I've never said to you."

Arthur managed to turn his head to make eye contact with Merlin, though it was obviously painful. Merlin wanted with every fibre of his being to stop Arthur's pain. 

"...Thank you." Arthur whispered, and Merlin wanted to lean down, close the small distance between them, make sure that Arthur knew how he really felt, but he didn't. Instead, he stared down at Arthur, trying to convey how much he loved the King through his eyes. 

Arthur's gloved hand reached up, twining through Merlin's hair, and Merlin tried to memorize the way his touch felt. He tried to memorize exactly how Arthur's expression had changed when he looked at Merlin, almost like he was at peace. Before, he'd looked pained, scared, staring at something Merlin couldn't see. Now, he looked calm, happy, ready.

Arthur's hand fell away from his head, and his eyelids slid shut.

"Hey..." Merlin said, his grip on Arthur tightening. "Hey...Arthur..."

Desperate, Merlin laid Arthur down, one hand reaching up to cup his cheek. His skin was already so cold...

"Arthur!" Merlin yelled now. Arthur wasn't breathing. He needed to breathe.

For a moment Arthur's eyes opened the tiniest bit, and Merlin filled with hope, only to be crushed by the way those eyes, once so full of life, now stared at nothing. 

"No. No, stay with me." Merlin pleaded, gently shaking Arthur's head. "Arthur..."

The King's eyes were fully shut now. Merlin was frantic, heart racing, trying desperately to get Arthur up. He was alive, he had to be.

"Arthur!" Merlin screamed, then everything was a blur. Merlin remembered crying out, full of anguish, unable to feel anything but a grief so immense it was eating him from the inside out, drowning him in waves that made it hard to breathe, to think, to live. 

He'd watched the light drain from Arthur's eyes without ever confessing how he'd felt. Something that had seemed terrifying before now seemed simple, easy. Stupid that he hadn't said something earlier. He pled to every god he could think of, begging someone, anyone, to spare Arthur. At least if he was being rejected, it would mean Arthur was alive to reject him. All Merlin wanted was for Arthur to wake up...please...

~~~A While Later~~~

Merlin jolted awake, gripping the sheets of his little bed, trying to ground himself. This had happened every night since Arthur's death. Every time Merlin managed to fall asleep at all, really. He'd be back in that clearing, cradling Arthur's limp, lifeless form. The image of Arthur's pale face was seared into Merlin's mind, staying longer than anything else. He was already starting to doubt if his memories of Arthur were accurate, and it was twisting the knife that had been through Merlin's heart for weeks. 

That night, the images wouldn't leave.

"I'm awake." Merlin said, trying to shut out the memories, but only managing to make them more vivid.

"Thank you..." Arthur's last words rang through Merlin's mind, repeating over and over and over until that was all Merlin could hear, and his breath was coming out in short bursts.

It was all too much.

Digging out his grimoire, Merlin flipped to a page he'd visited many times in the last weeks. It had never been this bad, so he'd never gone through with it. That night, though, Merlin would do anything to make it stop.

Partial Memory Erasure, the page title read.

After making sure he fully understood the spell, Merlin closed his eyes, whispering the incantation...

~~~Present Day~~~

Merlin remembered. 

He was sitting bolt upright, harshly awoken by his own memories. He'd erased everything but the sight of Arthur's boat, sailing off towards Avalon. It was the only way for him to continue to remember that Arthur was dead, without suffering total amnesia surrounding the subject, thus forcing his loved ones to constantly remind him what had happened. As easy as it would be to erase everything, Merlin refused to do that to anyone, so he stayed with the knowledge of what had happened to his King. 

Now, however, Merlin was bombarded with every detail of Arthur's death, in high definition. Every detail flooded Merlin's mind, and he was reminded why he'd erased the memories to begin with. He could even smell Arthur's blood, as though he was really there.

A single tear slipped down Merlin's cheek as he relived the moment Arthur had uttered those final words to him, the way Arthur had smiled as he had stroked Merlin's hair, the last time his eyes closed. Everything seemed so real. Merlin remembered the last time he'd woken up to those images. It was another thing he'd forgotten, pulling out the grimoire, desperate to forget that Arthur had...

Merlin turned to stare at where Arthur was sleeping soundly next to him. But was he sleeping? He seemed so still...

Frantic, but trying not to wake Arthur, Merlin reached out and placed his hand on Arthur's chest, feeling the steady rise and fall, the even heartbeats. Relief washed over him, and he found himself light headed, so he laid back down. His hand was still pressed to Arthur's chest, though, and he couldn't tear his eyes away.

"Mmph." Arthur grunted, eyes flickering open. Because he was alive. "Merls?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you." Merlin whispered, hand moving up to cup Arthur's face, just like how he had that night.

"What's wrong?" Arthur asked, registering Merlin's tear-stained face.

"Nothing, just go back to sleep." Merlin told him, trying his best to give a comforting smile as his thumb caressed Arthur's cheek.

"No, not until I'm sure you're okay." Arthur insisted, more lucid now. He'd always been like this, and as annoyed as it used to make Merlin, now he was just happy Arthur was alive to pester him.

"I just had a nightmare." Merlin said, not sure if he should tell Arthur the full extent of the panic he'd just been in.

Arthur's hand moved to Merlin's chest, now feeling his heartbeat.

"Merls. Your heart is still racing, and you were clearly crying. I know you better than that, now spill." Arthur raised an eyebrow, accentuated by the moonlight shining into the room.

"Fine. I...I remembered something. Something I'd tried to forget." Merlin admitted, still hesitant to reveal what all was bothering him. Arthur's eyebrow raised higher, though, and he knew that there was no avoiding it. "Do you..." He started. "Do you remember the day you died?"

"Bits and pieces." Arthur said. "Why?"

"That's...that's what I remembered." Merlin told him. "It was one of those things that I felt would never leave my mind. I couldn't sleep, couldn't function. The memories just kept coming back, over and over again, until one night I couldn't take it any longer, so I...I erased the memories. Everything except for the moment I sent you to Avalon. I'd never remembered any of it. Not until tonight. That spell must have a time limit, I guess. I didn't remember casting it, so I didn't remember that if the memories ever came back, I'd have to relive them, in a way. So...yeah."

Arthur was staring at Merlin, pain etched in his eyes.

"Merlin." He whispered. "I had no idea..."

"Same here." Merlin tried to joke, but it just made him seem so pitiful.

"C'mere." Arthur said, reaching over to pull Merlin close.

Arthur's strong arms wrapped around Merlin, holding the warlock close to his chest. Merlin put his head down, so his ear was right over Arthur's heart. 

"I'm here." Arthur whispered. "It's okay now."

The King continued to repeat that, and the reassurances seeped into Merlin's soul, becoming his new mantra, slowing his heartrate, keeping him calm.

As the two men drifted back to sleep, Merlin's heart began to pick itself up, putting its pieces back together. 

Chapter Text

"I'm running to the store, do you want to come with?"

Arthur pulled his eyes away from the television screen, where he was watching some horribly inaccurate movie (he couldn't remember how to change channels, but was far too proud to admit it, so he was stuck with whatever mockery this was). Merlin was watching him expectantly, coat and keys in hand.

"Do you think I'm ready to be unleashed on the modern world?" Arthur asked, in lieu of an actual response.

"Well, you definitely look the part." Merlin shrugged. 

The warlock was definitely right; Arthur was currently wearing a red pullover sweater, a pair of beige pants, and fuzzy socks decorated with little crowns. He'd managed to get used to not having Excalibur at his side, after Merlin insisted they mount it on the bedroom wall (it looked very pretty there, and was easy to get down in case of an emergency, so Arthur had allowed it). Arthur had also grown more accustomed to twenty-first century technology, and found that it didn't feel very much like magic anymore. He supposed he was ready to go out, and if he ever wanted to reclaim his throne, he'd have to get used to human interaction outside of Merlin.

"Come on, Arthur, we'll make a date of it." Merlin pleaded, reminding Arthur that he hadn't actually answered yet.

"Yeah, I'll come. Let me just get my shoes on." Arthur nodded, turning off the television, and making his way to the front door. He didn't miss the way Merlin visibly relaxed once Arthur agreed to go, and secretly wondered if it had anything to do with the night before. They hadn't talked about it, and Arthur didn't want to push, but Merlin's recovered memories had clearly made the warlock anxious.

~~~~~~~

The two men walked down the street. It was a nice fall day, crisp but not too cold to walk around town. Merlin insisted they pop into a little shop on the way, and Arthur left said shop wearing a brand new hat and scarf, both in the same shade of blue as Merlin's neckerchief. Then, they had a coffee date in a little cafe downtown, finally landing at the grocery store (which was very boring, in Arthur's opinion).

After their successful grocery shopping, Merlin said they should probably head back to the flat, so they could put away the food. They took a bag of goods each, and started off back towards home. On the way, Arthur noticed Merlin shooting worried glances at Arthur every few seconds. This wasn't entirely unusual for Merlin, but that was back when someone was trying to kill Arthur every other day. Now, Merlin's skittishness just made Arthur certain that they needed to discuss the matter of Merlin's memories.

"Hey, Merls?" Arthur asked as they walked. They still had a ways to go, and Arthur hoped they could get this conversation over with before they got home.

Merlin hummed, showing he was listening, so Arthur continued. 

"You know last night?"

Merlin grimaced. "Yeah, I do."

"You remembered more than just me dying, didn't you?" Arthur asked, getting straight to the point.

Merlin let out a sigh, one that sounded like it had been pent up for the last fifteen hundred years. Knowing Merlin, it probably had. "Yes and no. It was...an ordeal, your death."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, after you died, there was the matter of cleaning your body, then setting you afloat. I had to enlist Kilgarrah's help, it was awful." Merlin admitted. "But then there were the sleepless nights. Hours of what happened last night, memories that wouldn't leave me alone. As painful as it was, that's why I had to wipe them in the first place."

"Oh." Was all Arthur could think to say.

"Yeah. Oh."

The rest of the walk back was spent in silence.

~~~~~~~

Arthur wanted to help Merlin feel better. It was clear that the warlock was still deeply bothered, despite insisting that he was 'just fine', and that 'Arthur, you're going to burn yourself if you try to cook eggs like that'. Both statements, Arthur was sure, were incorrect, even as he iced the red mark on his thumb (he was learning, okay?).

As Arthur sat on the couch, pondering how he was to possibly distract Merlin from his memories, he noticed something. Merlin's favorite mug, featuring the Pendragon crest (Arthur still found it odd how many modern items were made in relation to his family, even so many years later), had been replaced by a different mug. This mug was just...plain white? 

Arthur wondered if something had happened to the Pendragon mug, so he got up to peek at this new one. He picked up the cup, and as he turned it over in his hands, he noticed that it was actually printed with a logo.

Luke's

The logo seemed familiar, and Arthur felt like he'd seen it on the television at some point. He thought back, remembering Merlin watching said television. But what show was it?

Arthur crossed over to where a computer was sitting on a small table. Merlin had taught him how to search things, so he plugged the name on the logo into the engine. After finding what he needed, he raced back to the living room.

~~~~~~~

Arthur silently thanked all the gods that Merlin was a strong sleeper. The warlock had gone to his room nearly two hours ago, declaring that he was going to 'catch up' on some sleep. Arthur had used most of that time turning the living room into the perfect cozy nook, and figuring out how to navigate to Netflix. Normally, he'd just get Merlin's help, but he wanted this to be a surprise.

The last thing Arthur did was brew some tea, making his in a plain green mug, and Merlin's in the special Luke's one. As he set both steaming drinks on the coffee table, he admired his work. The couch was piled with blankets and pillows, candles were carefully placed on the tables around the room, casting a warm glow over everything. A bowl of popcorn sat on between the mugs on the coffee table, and the show was cued up, ready for Merlin. It was a pretty good setup, Arthur decided, especially for someone who had barely lived in this century.

Arthur was not a superstitious man, but he still found himself crossing his fingers as he turned off all the lights but the living room lamp (and the candles, of course), letting the windows light his way to Merlin's room. He really hoped his warlock liked it.

~~~~~~~

Arthur crept into the bedroom, sliding into bed next to Merlin, who was starting to stir. Arthur reached out, rubbing gentle circles on Merlin's back.

"Merls." He called softly, as the warlock came to. "I have a surprise for you."

"Mmm?" Merlin hummed, curling closer to Arthur.

"How would you like to watch a show with me?"

"Th't's not that much 'f a surprise, we do th't anyway." Merlin mumbled, still waking up fully.

"Oh, but there's more to it than that." Arthur smiled. "Come on, up you get!"

Arthur led Merlin to the living room, insisting Merlin keep his eyes closed until Arthur had him in the exact right spot.

Once he was sure Merlin would be able to see everything Arthur had set up upon opening his eyes, he gave Merlin's hand a squeeze. "Alright, open your eyes!" He exclaimed, and Merlin gasped.

"Oh, Arthur..." He said, taking in the room. "This is wonderful. How did you know I liked this show in the fall?"

"I'm not as stupid as you seem to think, Merlin." Arthur replied. "I used the...the...damn."

Merlin snorted. "The computer?" 

"Right! The computer!" Arthur snapped his fingers, smiling with pride. "I looked up the show your coffee mug was from." 

Merlin didn't say anything, instead opting to wrap Arthur in a hug, holding the King tightly.

~~~~~~~

Arthur and Merlin were snuggled close, blanket draped over their laps, pillows surrounding them, and popcorn bowl half empty. Merlin was watching the show, and Arthur was watching the worry fade from Merlin's features. He had his arm around the warlock, and he rubbed circles on Merlin's shoulder with his thumb, enjoying the way it made Merlin curl even closer.

"Thank you for this." Merlin said, looking away from the show just long enough to give Arthur a quick kiss.

"Of course. Whenever you're feeling upset, just tell me, and we can do this again." Arthur assured him, planting a kiss of his own on the top of Merlin's head. 

It was moments like this, Arthur decided, that he wished he could freeze forever. Here, curled up with the man he loved, drinking tea he loved, in a house he loved, watching a show he was quickly growing to love. As people seemed to say, love is in the air.

Chapter Text

"...Reports surfacing of some sort of disturbance..."

Merlin was only half-listening to the news report. He'd always had the morning reports playing, since the news as we know it first came about, but it was less to hear the stories, more to keep himself grounded. At this point, it was purely habit, left over from the years he'd spent floating.

"...Some believe the island to be the final resting place of the legendary King Arthur..."

Merlin's head snapped up from his dishwashing. 

"...Archaeologists arrived at the scene just hours earlier, where a long-standing tower collapsed early this morning, revealing ancient relics..." 

The screen cut away from the anchorwoman, showing drone-shots of people trekking around the island. They were digging through rubble, roping off dig sites, loading in equipment.

"Arthur!" Merlin called, and the King poked his head out of the bedroom, looking rather groggy.

"I've just woken up, what on Earth have you managed to do this bloody early?" Arthur asked, just as grumpy as he normally was in the morning.

"I didn't do anything, you clotpole, just listen!" Merlin replied, gesturing at the television.

"...It appears to be a sigil of some sort, a lion and a bear are etched into the metal..." The anchorwoman continued.

"That's...that's mine." Arthur gaped.

Arthur stumbled into the living room, sinking onto the couch, eyes fixed on the screen. Merlin dried his hands off, then went over and joined him.

"...As digging continues, any artifacts found will be sent off to be dated." 

"No need." Merlin joked. 

~~~~~~~

News continued to pour in from the island, little discoveries, all things Merlin had set adrift with Arthur. Coins, scraps of fabric, and...rusted armor.

"Arthur..." Merlin said one morning, watching as the news covered the 'fantastic armor discovery'. "When you came here, you didn't have any armor on. But when I sent you to Avalon..."

Arthur flushed, and Merlin put his head in his hands.

"Please tell me you weren't that careless." Merlin said, muffled by his hands.

"I wasn't." Arthur lied. Merlin glared at him, and he sighed. "I was. But in my defense, it was all rusted! I couldn't move with it on."

Merlin didn't say anything for a moment, watching the news continue to speculate about the findings. 

"I just don't understand it." Merlin pondered aloud. "Nobody noticed any of this for fifteen hundred years, but now that the tower's fallen down...oh Gods."

"What?" Arthur asked, a worried expression on his face.

"Arthur, I think your return may have unraveled the magic around Avalon. Or the magic unraveling made you return...either way...that explains the gold...oh, Gods."

Merlin stood, needing to move. He paced back and forth in front of the television, ignoring Arthur's confusion.

"They're about to find everything. It's not hidden or protected by magic anymore." Merlin muttered.

"What do you mean 'everything'?" Arthur demanded.

"Lance, Elyan, Freya...It's all there." Merlin continued to talk to himself.

"I—What?" Arthur asked, standing up. "Merlin, what are you talking about?" He asked, grabbing Merlin's shoulders, forcing him to stop pacing.

Merlin locked eyes with Arthur, looking deep into those worried blue depths. "If Avalon's no longer protected...if it fully joins this realm...that means that everything and everyone sent there after death can now be discovered. This is going to be a giant mess."

Chapter Text

"I have to come forward." Arthur announced one morning, after yet another long day of people debating if he had actually existed. Ever since they'd gotten a definitive answer that the sigil and armor had come from Arthur's time, it had been like this.

"Absolutely not." Merlin said. "Nobody will believe you."

"Oh, come on, Merlin! I'm still me, there's got to be some sort of test they can do, some trial to prove who I am!" Arthur insisted. 

"That's not how things work now, I've tried to explain it to you—"

Arthur and Merlin's bickering was cut off by a now-familiar news jingle.

"Just in, yet another artifact has been uncovered at the Avalon site." The anchorwoman read. "This piece of fabric, that's been surprisingly well-preserved..."

The screen flashed to a picture of a tattered triangle of red fabric, in the same canvas-y material as the blue one Merlin had around his neck at that moment. Arthur glanced pointedly at Merlin's neck, at the picture, then back to Merlin. The warlock flushed, and a smirk spread across Arthur's face.

"'Please tell me you weren't that careless'!" Arthur mocked. "Now who's causing a mess, hm? Who did you even bury with a neckerchief anyway?" Arthur laughed when Merlin's blush darkened.

"You." The warlock mumbled.

"Wait, me?" Arthur asked, rather stunned. He'd assumed it had been Freya. Merlin had already admitted that he'd stolen one of Morgana's gowns for the girl, when said gown had been uncovered a few days earlier (it appeared even things that were burned ended up restored and on that island).

"Yes." Merlin admitted, avoiding eye contact. "I knew you were meant to return, so I tied it around your arm, as a sort of...well, favor, I guess."

Arthur fell in love with Merlin all over again. "I never noticed it when I woke up."

"I guess it must have fallen off." Merlin shrugged. "Really, it's not that big a deal, just forget about it."

"Forget about it I will not!" Arthur declared, before cupping Merlin's face, tilting it so that Merlin was forced to make eye contact. His voice grew quiet as he said. "It's the most wonderful thing I've ever heard." 

And then Merlin smiled and kissed him, and all the problems with Avalon melted away, until just Merlin and Arthur were left.

Chapter Text

~~~Some Time Later~~~

"...Amidst rumors that Arthur Pendragon, a centerpiece of historical debates, may have in fact been a real person..." The local newscaster might as well move in with Merlin and Arthur at this point. It seemed like her monotone voice was always filtering through the flat, updating them on the latest developments with the island.

"The news drops soon." Merlin said, expression grim. 

Though Merlin had tried to get Arthur to hide his identity, there seemed to be no winning against Arthur's freakishly strong will. The King had written to several people involved with the Avalon recovery, and explained who he was, telling them to "run any tests they needed". At first, Arthur's claims were dismissed completely, but that just made him more and more set on getting people to believe him. Merlin had watched as he'd pushed back against the skepticism, finally getting one historian to listen to him. Her name was Anne Clarke, and Merlin highly suspected she'd only entertained Arthur's claims for "shits and giggles".

That is, until she'd shown Arthur a transcript written in Old English, which he'd read aloud, then translated perfectly. This had been over a video call, so Merlin had lurked in the corner, watching Anne's face pale and her eyes widen.

Then came the questions. Questions upon questions upon questions, all of which Arthur answered correctly. 

After that, Arthur and Anne started meeting in-person. Arthur would answer all her questions, and even showed her where the castle used to stand. Merlin honestly wasn't sure how Arthur was able to find the spot so perfectly, with how much the land had changed, but he figured it had to do with magic. 

Magic was the one thing Anne just couldn't seem to wrap her head around. Merlin definitely hadn't helped, considering that he never showed Anne his true capabilities. In fact, the historian didn't even know his true name, with Merlin opting to introduce himself as 'Emery'.

After months of the questions and the meetings, it had finally come time for Merlin's least-favorite part of all of this: the tests. Merlin despised the tests, because he couldn't properly accompany Arthur to all of them. It worried him, sitting in those drab waiting rooms, while Arthur was off with Gods-know-who, doing Gods-know-what. It drove Merlin mad.

There were DNA tests, fitness tests, cognitive tests, brain scans, blood tests, some sort of carbon dating...even a test to see if Arthur's armor was really his (it fit perfectly, go figure). By the time Arthur had finally completed all the tests, Merlin was at his wits end—but they still. Weren't. Done.

The tests all came back showing that Arthur was really who he said he was, which only launched Arthur into the next part of the process: the implications. Arthur had come back from the dead, which meant magic was real, which meant the fabled prophecy was real, which meant that Arthur was technically the rightful King of England. 

Merlin just wanted a nap.

~~~~~~~

"Merlin, you have to reveal yourself." Arthur pleaded. This had been an ongoing argument between him and Merlin, and the warlock had nearly hit his limit.

"Arthur, for the last time, no." 

"But Merlin! How am I to be expected to lead without you by my side?" Arthur whined.

"There are other ways for me to be by your side, perfectly good ways that don't involve me being Emrys." Merlin shot back.

"If you think I would ever re-hire you as my manservant, you're mistaken." Arthur informed him. "You were a lousy manservant then, and I'm sure fifteen hundred years of moping haven't brought much improvement."

"Hey!"

"Hay is for horses." 

"I never should've let you watch TV."

And around and around they went.

~~~~~~~

When the news dropped, the  Pendragon-Emrys residence was immediately swarmed by a combination of press and paparazzi. Merlin tried his best to get Arthur to avoid the crowd, but the King hadn't changed much, and was apparently still someone who loved a bit of attention. 

"Prat." Merlin grumbled, as Arthur adjusted his Pendragon-red sweater. He was getting ready to go give statements. Again.

Arthur, having either not heard Merlin, or chosen to ignore him (not likely), had stepped out onto the porch, beaming at the flashing cameras. Merlin watched from the window as the King was bombarded with questions, and he maintained that stupid level of calm the whole time. Stupid calm Arthur and his stupid perfect smile. Merlin thought.

~~~~~~~

Just when it seemed things had finally calmed down a bit, until correspondence was started between Arthur and the Royal Family. With a groan, Merlin slumped down onto the countertop.

"Oh, come off it, Merls!" Arthur grinned. "This is great news! I've missed this."

"What happened to the farm?" Merlin asked, his desperate voice muffled by his sweater.

"What?" Arthur asked.

"You used to say you wished you weren't King, and that you'd like to go live on a farm where nobody knew who you were. Can't we go back to that?" Merlin begged, lifting his head to look at Arthur.

"Merlin, you're the one who was always so stuck on destiny. I'm the one who's supposed to take the throne!" Arthur argued.

"Do you even know how being King works anymore?" Merlin asked. "It's not the same as it was, you know."

"Sure it is!" Arthur smiled.

"Is not!" Merlin exclaimed. "It's totally different! The King doesn't manage half as much as you think, there aren't class systems like there used to be, no more villeins, none of it!"

"Oh." Arthur said.

"Yeah, oh!" Merlin shouted, all the pent up emotions he'd been harboring spilling out. "You don't even know the first thing about modern affairs, that's why I wanted you to keep yourself hidden! Just be a normal man, living in a normal house, with his normal boyfriend, and we could just be normal! But apparently that's too much to ask, and now it's tests, and meetings, and press, and more meetings, and appearances, and there's not a single moment of peace!" 

Arthur sank down into a chair. "I didn't realize everything was weighing on you like this, Merlin." He said.

"It is." Merlin replied. "It always has been, and I was stupid for thinking we might be able to finally live a normal life together. This stupid destiny thing just keeps getting in the way."

"I can take it back, we can go back to how things were—"

"No, we can't. There's no denying it, not after all the tests. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have freaked out like that. It's not your fault." Merlin sighed. "It's just a lot, but we'll work on it."

"Don't you...don't you think it might be easier, if you didn't have to hide?" Arthur asked. Merlin felt his anger start to swell again, rising from his stomach, but he bit his tongue. He needed to let Arthur say his piece, so that they could talk it out normally. "I mean, that way we can be in this together. As Arthur and Merlin, not Arthur and The Guy Who's Driving Him Places."

Part of Merlin wanted to just say screw it, let's tell them, but he knew there was so much more to it. His heart longed to be able to just be himself wherever he went, but the world seemed too cruel for that.

"It's not that easy, Arthur. Being different is dangerous, even now." He said, eyes cast downward. 

"I understand." Arthur sighed. "I just didn't want to have to do this alone. I wanted you by my side, but not as my manservant, and not just as my partner. I wanted you to be what you should've been back then, when you were forced to hide."

"And what was that?" Merlin asked, tears brimming in his eyes.

"Court Sorcerer." Arthur said, voice quiet. He was leaning forward, elbows on his knees, and head facing the floor. "I'd started drafting it up and everything. I just needed you to agree."

"Oh." Was all Merlin could think to say.

"Yeah. Oh." Arthur replied.

Merlin had nothing else to say, all the fight draining from him as he and Arthur sat at the kitchen counter in silence.

Chapter Text

Arthur had royally messed up (in more ways than one). As he sat in the kitchen, staring at Merlin, it hit him just how much Merlin continued to do for him, never complaining, holding it in until he breaks, just for Arthur. 

"I'm sorry, Merlin." Arthur said, breaking the silence. 

When the warlock looked up at him, his face was tear-stained. "I should be the one apologizing, I don't know what came over me—"

"Stress." Arthur said, cutting him off. "You were stressed because I asked too much of you, slipped back into my old ways. For that, I'm sorry. You deserve to be able to make your own choices, and if you want to be able to live in peace and privacy, that's how you should be able to live."

"Arthur, what...?"

"There's no way for me to erase what's already been done, but there is a way for this place to become a nice, calm home again."

"No—"

"I'll simply have to find my own place."

"Arthur, that's the last thing I want, please—"

"Merlin, I won't take advantage of your generosity any longer. There's not much for me to pack, so I should be on my way quickly—"

"Arthur, please." Merlin interrupted, reaching across the table to grab Arthur's hand. "I didn't wait for you for hundreds of years, just to have you leave again. We can figure out another solution, I just can't—I mean, you can't—this won't..." He trailed off, and Arthur could see him battling off sobs. "Please, stay." He said, voice small.

"Okay, if you're sure that's what you want—"

"Yes!" Merlin exclaimed, then covered his mouth. "Sorry. Just—yes. Stay here with me. That's what I want."

"Okay."

"I just need...Gods, I don't know what I need. I guess..." 

Arthur watched as Merlin's eyes flared that stunning shade of gold, and all the lights turned off, and the drapes pulled themselves shut. 

"Let them think we're not home. Just for a bit." Merlin said. 

"Do you want to go have a nap?" Arthur suggested, standing up.

Merlin nodded, and Arthur could see how tired his warlock really was, so he shook off Merlin's hand, walking over to Merlin's chair, and scooping him up. Arthur adjusted Merlin in his arms, so he was held like a princess. Merlin wrapped his arms around Arthur's neck, small smile playing at his features. 

"Thank you." He murmured, as Arthur began to walk towards their bedroom.

"Always." Arthur replied.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

It wasn't until Merlin had already drifted off, and Arthur was about to follow, that the King realized that in the midst of Merlin's rant, he'd called Arthur his boyfriend for the first time.

The King fell asleep with a small smile on his lips.

Chapter Text

Sometimes, Merlin could still hear Kilgharrah's voice in his head. 

You really want to leave your destiny behind? The Great Dragon's voice would weave between Merlin's thoughts. You really want to betray all of Albion? 

"You're not real." Merlin would whisper to himself. "You're dead."

My body may be gone, but I am not. Kilgharrah would argue, though taunt may be a better word.

"Leave me alone." Merlin would plead, knowing it would never work.

~~~~~~~

You must reveal yourself. Kilgharrah's voice rang through Merlin's mind. The warlock ignored him, focusing instead on his dusting.

You must show them who you are. Only then can you complete your destiny.

Arthur was nearby, loudly making fun of The Once and Future King. He'd just found it on Merlin's bookshelf, and his new favorite pastime was picking apart the story. Merlin tried to listen to Arthur's boisterous commentary, instead of the imaginary dragon.

"...This bloke couldn't even get the boring stuff right!" Arthur was laughing.

Listen to me, Merlin. Kilgharrah demanded.

Merlin squeezed his eyes shut. He couldn't start talking to himself, not with Arthur right there. Merlin began to think very hard at Kilgharrah.

You're not real. Merlin thought, turning the phrase into a mantra. You're not real, you're not real, you're not real...

Ah, but I am, young warlock. I very much am.

It was all too much. Merlin set down his duster, and headed towards the bathroom, kissing the top of Arthur's head as he passed where the King was sitting. After he locked the bathroom door behind him, Merlin sat on the toilet lid, whispering aloud now.

"Go away." He demanded. "I don't need you anymore."

You clearly do. Kilgharrah protested. I am the only one who can help you fulfill your destiny. Isn't that what you want, Merlin? To be able to live the rest of your life in peace?

"Of course that's what I want." Merlin insisted, exasperated. "But I'm perfectly capable of accomplishing that on my own, thanks."

You'd be surprised, young warlock. Destiny has a way of making itself heard. It will stop at nothing to complete its journey. 

This is stupid.

~~~~~~~

Weeks passed, and Kilgharrah's voice didn't fade. Normally, if Merlin ignored him long enough, the dragon's voice would vanish after a day or two, leaving Merlin's mind in blissful silence. Now, however, Merlin thought he was losing his mind.

Of course Merlin wanted to be free to be himself. Ever since Arthur's arrival, he'd felt the tug of destiny, pulling his heart. It was instinctual, the urge to follow what his destiny demanded, go along with it. But he'd learned his lesson, and that's how he'd lost Arthur the first time. He'd vowed to ignore destiny from then on. He knew that Arthur hadn't had all those years of practice built up, so he was just a marionette on destiny's strings. Merlin had to be honest, it was all weighing on him. 

Tell them. Tell them all. Kilgharrah ordered, for what felt like the millionth time that day. 

"No." Merlin muttered. 

Arthur shot him a worried glance. He'd been doing that a lot lately. Merlin ignored it. 

Be who you are. Wouldn't that just be so freeing?

Merlin ignored that, too. Every fibre of his being was dying to just listen to Kilgharrah, give in to the magic that was tugging him. It was like a string tied around his chest, pulling him towards the end goal of destiny. For every day that the pull got stronger, the string tying him and Arthur together wore more and more thin, wasting away. 

Would you really sacrifice your relationship with Arthur, just to be stubborn?

No. Merlin would rather die. At the same time, though, he didn't know what was supposed to happen after Arthur's prophesized return. What if giving in resulted in losing Arthur anyway?

You'll never know if you don't try.

"Go away." Merlin murmured.

~~~~~~~

Kilgharrah didn't leave, it seemed like he never would. Arthur wasn't speaking much anymore, but Merlin could see the gears turning in the King's mind, as he strategized how to approach the situation. Merlin wished he could just explain to Arthur what was going on, but he knew it would just sound crazy. Merlin figured he was crazy. Otherwise, how was he hearing voices in his head? He would sound like madman, Arthur would get worried, and before he knew it, he'd either be shipped off to some sort of mental asylum, or he'd have to spend his days assuring Arthur he was fine, all while his sanity slipped away.

Tell them! Kilgharrah yelled. That was the Great Dragon's new tactic. Screaming.

I will be killed if I tell them. Merlin thought. I will be hunted. I'll be sent to hospitals, submitted to tests. I won't be accepted. I've seen how the world works, I've lost the hope that people can allow change.

~~~~~~~

Merlin wasn't sleeping. Arthur knew it, and Merlin knew that. Countless nights, he rolled over to face Arthur, taking in the King's concerned expression. Merlin would put on his best comforting smile, reach out to hold Arthur's face, and tell him that it was okay, and to just go back to sleep. Arthur rarely did. Merlin knew that, but they never spoke about it.

This would all be better if you'd just give in! Kilgharrah shouted.

Merlin just ignored him. 

Tell them. Tell the truth. Expose Albion to magic once more! 

The tugging intensified, impossible to ignore.

~~~~~~~

Merlin couldn't take it anymore. He'd tried magicking Kilgharrah's voice away, but that had just made the tugging worse. That seemed to happen any time Merlin used his magic. At that moment, Merlin was curled up on the bedroom floor, having foolishly tried to fold the laundry with magic. The pulling had sent him to the hard ground, where he'd just accepted his fate, and curled into a fetal position. Every time he tried to stand, the ever-present string had made spots dance across his vision, and he'd been forced to lay down, to not pass out.

"Merlin?" Arthur's worried voice rang out, sounding so close to Merlin, and yet like it was coming from miles away. "Merlin, are you alright?"

Merlin couldn't say anything. He felt like he was drowning in the magic, the compulsion to just give in. 

"Merlin, I think you need to go to a doctor."

"No." Merlin choked out, voice strained. His vision was hazy, and he could barely make out Arthur moving above him.

Tell him. Kilgharrah ordered, voice now a whisper. Merlin was so tired. Tell him you want to share your magic with the world.

Merlin tried to fight it, he really did. He didn't want all those days of agony to be for naught.

Arthur pulled Merlin into his arms, cradling him gently. "What hurts, Merlin?" He asked, fear lacing his voice.

You can stop this, Merlin. Just say the word, and it will all go away. Kilgharrah promised, the voice warped by sickly sweet tones, barely sounding like the dragon anymore. 

"Merlin, please." Arthur begged.

Just tell him!

"Arthur..."

"Yes, it's me, talk to me, you can do it. What hurts?"

Tell them all!

"I—I need to tell..." Merlin knew he was on the verge of losing consciousness. 

"Tell what?"

Do it! Kilgharrah roared.

"I need to tell them—tell them all who I am. Really." Merlin forced out, succumbing to the magic of fate.

The words finally out of his mouth, the tugging abruptly stopped, throwing Merlin into the depths of his subconscious.

Chapter Text

Merlin had finally explained it all to Arthur, once he'd woke up. It made Arthur mad, how much Merlin had hidden. he wished the warlock would just let him in. He'd told Merlin as much, to which he'd responded.

"I thought it would go away, and you wouldn't have to think I was crazy."

"Did you really think I'd doubt you?" Arthur had asked, unable to keep all the traces of hurt from his voice.

"I don't know what thought." Merlin had admitted, and it had shattered Arthur's heart.

~~~~~~~

"You don't have to tell her if you really don't want to, Merls." Arthur said. They were sitting on a park bench, waiting for Anne to arrive.

"It's not my choice anymore, Arthur." Merlin said, voice resigned. 

There was nothing else for Arthur to say, so he just nodded, and they sat in silence.

~~~~~~~

"...The mythological magician, Merlin, also confirmed to be real..." The newscaster said. Merlin had proved his magic beyond a shadow of a doubt, as Arthur had known he would. Now the world knew, and Merlin still seemed...bleak.

"Please tell me what you're thinking." Arthur said.

"I'm thinking that the tugging's gone." Merlin told him, voice annoyingly monotone.

"And?" Arthur urged.

"And I'm thinking we should add an extra lock to the door." Merlin added, and Arthur's heart shattered into even smaller pieces. 

~~~~~~~

That weekend, Arthur and Merlin reinforced the front door and windows.

~~~~~~~

"Do you really think people will be that...harsh?" Arthur asked, one day.

"People feed their anger, allow it to control them." Merlin said. "I don't know how they'll react."

~~~~~~~

Someone shouted mean things at Merlin, as he and Arthur were out grocery shopping. They weren't even out doing anything big, nothing to spark outrage. Just a normal couple, trying to get food. 

Arthur had yelled at the person, lashing out until Merlin had pulled him back. He would've kept yelling, but Merlin's hand on his upper arm had taken all the fight out of him, and he'd settled for just glaring at the person, until they left.

~~~~~~~

"People are cruel." Arthur said, as yet another news report flashed the screen, calling Merlin "dangerous".

"I know." Merlin said, holding Arthur's hand. 

"I'm so sorry." Arthur apologized.

"It's not your fault." Merlin assured him.

~~~~~~~

Arthur punched a man, at the tavern. 

He'd gone out for a few drinks. Merlin had decided not to join him, instead staying home to rest.

The man had asked for it. Arthur was tipsy, and the man was fully drunk. He'd called him a name, then started to insult Merlin. Arthur's already weakened impulse control had vanished entirely, and he'd snapped.

Arthur walked home that night with a black eye.

~~~~~~~

"These things take time." Merlin had said. Arthur was tired of waiting.

"Merlin is just as kind and loving as anyone else." He'd addressed the cameras. "He's a human being, with empathy, just like you. He can't help who he is, just as you can't help who you are. What you can help, however, is how you treat people. You were quick to accept me, so I ask you to show Merlin the same love. Things go wrong when you stop people from being who they are. Trust me, I would know."

~~~~~~~

The press conference had only sort of helped. But Merlin had smiled at Arthur's joke over breakfast, so Arthur counted it as a win.

~~~~~~~

"I just feel so alone." Merlin cried. Arthur was holding him, both men wrapped in blankets, bedroom lit only by one dim lamp. "I miss my friends."

Arthur had vowed to continue to make changes. Destiny may have gotten them into this mess, but it was what could get them out.

~~~~~~~

Arthur had met with Parliament, practically begging them to protect magic, and magic users. He prayed it would work. After all, what was the point of having the power to persuade people, if he couldn't help his love?

~~~~~~~

Arthur sat in the dimly lit living room, late at night. Merlin had long gone to bed, but Arthur had a pile of letters and an inbox full of emails, and they all needed to be read. He decided to start with the letters.

Dear Mr. Pendragon, one read, 

My name is Emilia. I've been practicing a form of magic in secret for many years. I'm writing to thank you for everything you've done. Though it's very different than what it was, know that the magical community is standing behind you and Merlin.

You're the change we needed.

~Emilia

Then, there was a letter addressed to Merlin.

Merlin,

You're an inspiration. Seeing you choose to show the world who you are helped me feel comfortable in who I am. I'm so grateful, I don't even know how to tell you how much it means to me.

Thank you forever,

~James

~~~~~~~

Merlin had cried when he'd read the mail for him. Arthur had weeded through the messages, compiling them all for Merlin. 

"There are people out there who are on your side." Arthur had told him, wrapping an arm around his shaking shoulders.

~~~~~~~

On Christmas day, a law protecting the use of magic was passed. Arthur and Merlin had been exchanging presents, when they'd gotten a message from Anne.

Turn on the news.

"This just in," the newscaster announced. "A new law has been passed, protecting the use of magic. Officially called the Merlin Act, it's a monumental step towards a more accepting world, many believe..."

Merlin and Arthur hugged for what seemed like hours, happy tears streaming down their faces.

Chapter Text

Arthur was in talks about creating a new kingdom. More like bringing back an old kingdom, but Merlin didn't care. He'd been slowly rising out of the funk revealing himself had sent him into, and his love for Arthur was the lifeline pulling him out. He loved watching Arthur step into his element, loved seeing the way people hung off his every word. Merlin may be magic itself, but it seemed truly magical to see Arthur immediately command respect.

"You're sure this is what you want?" Merlin asked, adjusting the shoulders of Arthur's new suit. It was a rich shade of red, with an added waistcoat. It was all tailored perfectly, highlighting Arthur's build. 

"I'm sure. I wouldn't be pushing so hard if I couldn't handle it." Arthur promised, looking straight into Merlin's eyes. 

"You're amazing." Merlin said, smiling.

"I know." Arthur smirked, and Merlin melted. 

"Go get 'em." Merlin beamed, and Arthur walked through a pair of fancy wooden doors, leaving Merlin to sit and wait. 

~~~~~~~

It took quite some time (significantly less than it would take if they didn't have magic and destiny on their side, Merlin noted), but Camelot was a kingdom again. It was now merged with Avalon in a way, with the decision being that the new Camelot castle would sit where the island's tower once did. Many an architect had offered their services in building the new castle, but Arthur had approached Merlin instead.

"I want you to make the new castle. If your magic can handle it, of course." Arthur had said.

"I think I can manage it." Merlin had told him. "Any specifics?"

"I think you know what I want it to be."

~~~~~~~

Merlin sat in front of a carbon copy of the castle he used to inhabit. He'd rested for two weeks straight, before trying to magic it into existence, preserving all his power. Part of him couldn't believe he'd managed it, but the castle was real, and standing sturdy. He felt his eyes tear up at the sight of it, a place he never thought he'd see again. Across the water, crowds of people cheered for him. 

Arthur crouched down next to Merlin, checking on the warlock.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

"More than alright." Merlin beamed. "I'm home."

Arthur smiled, pulling Merlin up and into a hug. 

"It's been too long since I've seen you smile like that." Arthur said into Merlin's shoulder.

"I know. I'm sorry." 

"Never apologize. I'm just happy to have you back."

Merlin hugged Arthur tighter, and when he released the King, his smile had grown even bigger. 

"Do you want to go inside?" Merlin asked, eyes fixed on the castle.

"There's...one thing I need to do first." Arthur said, and a gasp from the crowd had Merlin tearing his eyes from the castle, turning to where Arthur had been standing. The King wasn't there. Merlin's heart dropped for a moment, before he thought to look down. 

Merlin's gasp echoed the crowds, and a hand flew to his mouth. Arthur was down on one knee, ring box in hand. 

Chapter Text

Arthur looked up into the blue eyes that had come to define his entire life.

"I never thought I'd be doing this." He admitted. "I suppose I should've known, though. That day in the market, when we first met, it felt like I'd known you forever. It must've been fate, but I was too young to realize it then."

Merlin stared at Arthur with so much love in his eyes, and Arthur wanted nothing more than to lose himself in their depths, but he forced himself to keep going with his speech.

"I still remember the moment I knew you meant more to me than others. You'd drank poison for me, and it felt like my world was crashing down around me. We'd barely known each other then, but I already knew I couldn't ever lose you.

"You were different, than anyone else I'd known. You never treated me as Prince Arthur, nor as King Arthur. I was just Arthur with you, and you made that feel so special. I always loved you, even when I didn't realize it. I just wished I hadn't waited so long to even thank you. That wasn't just for everything you did, it was a thank you for everything you are.

"All this to say, I waited long enough last time, and by some miracle, the universe gave us another chance. I won't waste this one." Arthur opened the ring box, displaying the glimmering silver band, inlaid with gorgeous blue and gold crystals, the same shade as Merlin's eyes. 

"Merlin Emrys, will you marry me?"

Merlin grabbed Arthur's hands, pulling the King to his feet. "Yes, a million times, yes!" Merlin said, before pulling Arthur's lips to his.

Arthur melted into the kiss, wrapping his arms around Merlin's waist, and pulling the warlock closer. The crowd across the lake erupted into cheers, and Merlin just tilted his head, deepening the kiss. Arthur's legs started to turn to jelly, and he pulled away, taking Merlin's hand. The ring fit perfectly, shining in the sunlight, and looking so right on Merlin, like it was always meant to be there.

"I love you." Arthur murmured.

"I love you more." Merlin smiled.

Chapter Text

Merlin stared at his ring again, admiring the way that the light caught on the tiny crystals. This was a part of his routine now. He knew Arthur had noticed, often catching his fiancée smiling to himself after walking in on Merlin admiring the engagement band. Reality didn't feel real, but at the same time it felt so right.

They'd finally been able to move into the castle after a whole lot of paperwork was completed (a little magic did speed up the process, if Merlin was being honest, but nobody needed to know about that). It felt nice, to be back in a familiar place, standing at Arthur's side, but so much was different. They were still finding people to serve on Camelot's court, along with hiring staff to help maintain the castle, so the stone halls felt empty and dead most of the time, a reminder that it wasn't exactly the same as it had been. 

Merlin hadn't exactly meant to, but much of the castle was frozen in time, exactly how it used to be. Really, the only difference was that Merlin had added electricity, a modern kitchen, and some regular bathrooms. Otherwise, things were eerily similar to their original state. Arthur's chambers were perfectly recreated, the library had many of its original works (with the ones from Merlin's flat shelved throughout the room), Arthur's famous roundtable was still intact, Morgana's chambers were perfect...

There was only one place that Merlin hadn't gone. He knew in his heart that it was there, waiting for him, exactly the same as the day the castle had been overtaken, and Merlin felt like it would be too much, too big of a reminder of all that he'd lost.

Still, Merlin's feet had absentmindedly carried him down the familiar hallways, until he was standing in front of the wooden door that he'd always gotten in trouble for slamming. He stared at the door, willing himself to turn around, walk away, forget it was even there. Curse his magic for being so accurate, even after all this time. Every line of the door was there, perfectly brought to life. There was even the little chip near the floor, from where Arthur had kicked the door in carrying Merlin once. 

Merlin reached out, pushing the door open. He sucked in a breath when he was met with Gaius' chambers, every detail in place. Merlin gave the countertop a sad smile, noting that the ingredients for the last potion Gaius made were still out, right where his mentor had left them, and where Merlin had kept them for many years. 

The warlock moved through the room, tracing the path to the little room, up a small flight of stairs. He opened his old door, stepping through. His old cot was messy (Merlin had never remembered to fold the blankets back in the morning, especially considering he was often running late). The small wardrobe, upon being opened, was revealed to have Merlin's old tunics and neckerchiefs, freshly washed and ready for the workweek. Merlin got down on his hands and knees, peeking underneath the cot. There was a stack of paper, and Merlin pulled it out. He'd honestly forgotten what most of the pages were (which confused him, because how on Earth had his magic known to put them there?), so he began to read. 

The first few pages were drafts of Arthur's speeches, ones that Merlin had thought were good enough to keep, even when Arthur turned them down. There were a few pages about magic, likely having fallen out of Merlin's grimoire, but at the bottom of the stack, one piece of paper stood out. It was small, looking like it had been ripped from a larger piece of parchment. Merlin took one look at the loopy handwriting, and remembered it immediately.

Merlin felt his eyes water, as he remembered how he'd gotten the paper.

~~~Camelot, Arthurian Times~~~

Arthur was in a mood. He had given Merlin three times his usual workload, and proceeded to tell Merlin that he was doing every task wrong. He'd also been harsher on the knights that day, making them practice with a 'moving target'. That, of course, was Merlin with a giant piece of wood strapped to his back, trying and failing to zig-zag through the training fields.

At the end of training, Arthur had berated Merlin for a good fifteen minutes, going on and on about how useless Merlin was, how he should've been fired a long time ago, how Arthur only kept him around for the sake of convenience, on and on and on...Merlin knew it wasn't true, that Arthur was just taking out his stress and anger on Merlin, but hearing those words without their regular playful tone? It stung. A lot.

As Merlin was cleaning up the grounds, and the knights were leaving, Gwaine patted his shoulder. When Merlin looked his way, he subtly slipped a piece of paper in Merlin's palm.

Merls, 

Don't let the princess get you down! We're all on your side.

Don't forget that!

Love,

-Gwaine (and the other knights)

Merlin had cherished the note, slipping it under the stack of papers he'd accumulated in his room, hoping it'd stay safe there. He'd pulled it back out and read it a lot after that, pretty much every time Arthur snapped at him. It was nice to have people on his side.

~~~Present Day~~~

Merlin hadn't realized he was crying until he had to move the paper away to avoid it getting wet. He missed everyone so much it hurt. He tried his best not to let it get to him, and fifteen hundred years of practice had helped him learn to school his emotions. Even then, seeing the tiny sheet of paper, something he'd clung to as a physical reminder that he was loved, and knowing that the person who'd written it was long gone...it was almost too much to bear.

"Merlin?" 

Arthur entered the room, wrapping Merlin in a hug, no questions asked.

"It's all here..." Merlin said, by way of explanation. 

If it had taken Merlin so long to cope with the grief of all those he'd lost, he couldn't even imagine how Arthur must feel.

It was then that Arthur noticed the note, picking it up to read what it said. His eyes smiled with familiarity as he read it, but the rest of him frowned.

"When was this from?" He asked.

"I'm not entirely sure when. All I know is that you were in one of your moods, practically running me into the ground. If I didn't have my magic...I don't know how I'd have managed. Gwaine slipped this to me after training, and I held onto it."

"Oh." Arthur said, lost in memories. "I remember that day."

"You do?" Merlin replied, surprised.

"Yes. I thought I'd witnessed you do magic, and I was in a right state over it." Arthur admitted. "I managed to talk myself out of it, though. After all, how could my clumsy, stupid manservant, with no skill for lying, manage to pull off being a sorcerer? If only I had known..." The King chuckled to himself, before handing the paper back to Merlin. "You should make a frame for that."

So Merlin did, closing his eyes and conjuring a small wooden frame around the note. 

"I miss them, you know." Arthur said, a fond smile growing on his face. "I wonder if...no. Never mind that."

"What?" Merlin asked, trying to tell what Arthur was thinking.

"Nothing, really." Arthur assured him. "How about we go find somewhere to hang that note up, hmm?"

"That sounds nice." Merlin said.

And so they did.

Chapter Text

Merlin had always had a secretive nature about him. Arthur knew this, of course, he recognized how Merlin could seemingly pour his entire heart out, but still hide his soul from the world. It was something Arthur would like to think they'd moved past, but lately, Merlin had been rather...withdrawn. He was obviously keeping something from Arthur, but the King found himself unable to devote as much time as he'd like to the issue, because he had found himself saddled with more work than he'd ever even dreamt of touching when he was King the first time. Starting a kingdom was a lot harder than it looked.

”I need an advisor.” Arthur complained over breakfast one morning. They’d finally managed to hire a chef, but with that ticked off the to do list, ten more problems appeared. 

“Mhm.” Merlin nodded, head buried in papers. Arthur sighed as he realized another issue he had to fix.

”See, this is why!” He exclaimed, lightly hitting said papers. “I need someone with modern knowledge, so we can get the castle on the line!”

”Online.” Merlin corrected. “And I’m right here, you know. I happen to have both modern knowledge and the unique position that I understand exactly what you’re used to. Just hire me.”

”But you’re busy with being Court Sorcerer, and my fiancée!” Arthur argued. “I can’t possibly put more work on your shoulders.”

”You never seemed to have a problem with it before.” Merlin shrugged. 

Arthur knew there was no point in arguing that, so he simply chose to agree with Merlin—at least until someone else suited for the advisor job appeared, in which case Merlin would get a much lighter workload.

~~~~~~~

”I want to get married on Yule.” Merlin announced one day, startling Arthur out of the silence he was starting to grow accustomed to.

”What? Yule’s only in a few months!” Arthur reminded him.

”I know. It just…it needs to happen then.” Merlin said, and Arthur recognized the shift in his eyes.

”You’re planning something.” Arthur said. Not a question, a statement.

”No! Erm…I mean…yes, I’m planning our wedding.” Merlin may be secretive, but he wasn’t fantastic under pressure.

”Hm.” Arthur replied, skeptical. He’d simply have to wait until Merlin came clean.

~~~~~~~

The castle was slowly filling up. Arthur was surprised to find out how many people would beg for a chance to work in the castle. Not that anyone needed to beg, though. Arthur was practically hiring everyone who walked through the door, so long as they got Merlin's approval. Even with Arthur and Merlin having so much less to do, Merlin was still around less and less.

One day, Arthur decided he'd had enough. He ditched his daily duties, and quietly followed Merlin to the library instead. All the staff was aware that Arthur wasn't to be disturbed, lest he blow his cover. 

"...Come on, Merlin," Arthur heard the warlock mutter to himself, just out of Arthur's view. "If you can conjure up a whole castle, surely this won't be too much effort."

At that moment, Arthur accidentally knocked a book off the shelf, forcing him to leave the library, so Merlin didn't discover him. Back to the drawing board for Operation: Spy on Merlin, it seemed.

~~~~~~~

Being honest, Arthur actually had his own surprise up his sleeve. He'd been having some secret meetings with the curators of the museum that currently held the Avalon Artifacts, looking to see if he could borrow them for a day. He'd also spent several hours snooping around the castle, looking for any other items Merlin may have accidentally conjured up from their old life. So far, he hadn't found much, but it would hopefully be enough. 

Either way, Arthur figured, whatever Merlin was doing had to be much more intensive, which annoyed Arthur. He just wanted in on what his fiancée was planning. Operation: Spy on Merlin wasn't yielding the results he wanted, despite numerous attempts to figure out what Merlin was hiding. Really, all Arthur knew was that Merlin was doing something with magic. That was just his average Tuesday, though, so it hadn't narrowed down many options.

"Merlin, I know you're hiding something." Arthur said one night, trying the blunt approach. "Just come out with it."

"Nope." Merlin said, never lifting his gaze from the book he was reading. 

"Come on." Arthur whined.

"No." Merlin said, voice firm. "You'll find out when the time is right."

"Can we at least work on planning the wedding, then?" Arthur asked. "I never see you anymore." 

"Yeah, of course." Merlin promised, looking at Arthur now. "How about we set up a time tomorrow? You don't have any meetings in the afternoon."

"That sounds perfect." Arthur said. It wasn't really the outcome he wanted, but it would have to do for the time being.

Chapter Text

~~~Camelot, Arthurian Times~~~

Yule was approaching fast, and Merlin was extremely busy. According to Arthur, it was 'helpful' and 'fun' to help set up the feast, but Merlin knew that it was just a plot to give Merlin the most entertaining jobs for Arthur to watch.

"It's my job to oversee the festivities this year, Merlin." Arthur had told him. "I just trust you the most." It was a blatant act of teasing, but there was nothing Merlin could do to push back.

...Which is how Merlin found himself in his current predicament: High up on a ladder, leaning precariously over the side so that the garland was 'just right', while Arthur laughed, determined to get his manservant to fall off the ladder, or something.

"A little to the left, Merlin." Arthur chuckled.

"If I go any more left, sire, you won't have a manservant." Merlin grunted, straining to hang the decoration.

"Just stretch!" Arthur called, then doubled over with laughter. 

As Merlin tried to 'just stretch', however, his eye caught on someone in the doorway. A man, with hair black like Merlin's, but a bit longer and curlier. The man kept his face angled away from Merlin's view, but he knew the man wasn't supposed to be there. The man's distraction proved to be quite a dangerous one, and as Merlin craned his neck to try to see the stranger, the ladder slipped out from under him, and he was plummeting towards the floor of the Great Hall. 

Merlin flailed, trying desperately to come up with a spell that could slow his fall, when suddenly he was wrapped in two very strong arms. He slowly looked around, processing that not only had he not hit the hard floor, he was in Arthur's arms. 

As much as Merlin wanted to bask in the sensation of bein held by Arthur, he knew he couldn't stay in those arms forever. 

"Sorry." He mumbled, slipping out of Arthur's hold. 

Merlin noticed as he stood, that his entire body was shaking. The fall had fazed him more than he thought. 

"No, I am." Arthur said, and Merlin noted the Prince's wide eyed stare. "I shouldn't have assumed you'd have common sense enough to move the ladder." 

Merlin could tell Arthur was shaken as well, so he brushed off the insult, trying to stick to what was important: "There's an intruder. I saw him right before I fell." 

Arthur snapped into his knight mode, then, scanning the room. "Where was he?" Arthur asked, and Merlin pointed in the direction of the stranger, watching as the guards leapt into action.

Something about the stranger had given Merlin a different funny feeling than he usually got, but he couldn't place what it meant. Feeling pretty certain that Arthur wasn't in any danger at the moment, he dove back into his decorating, hoping to distract himself from the whole situation.

Chapter Text

Arthur managed to push Merlin's secret out of his mind, for the sake of the wedding planning, but it weighed on him every time he passed the library and heard Merlin swear to himself. He was honestly starting to feel thankful for Merlin's Yule wedding idea, because as the weeks ticked by and planning picked up, Arthur had far less time available to work on Operation: Spy on Merlin.

~~~~~~~

"And then the main question is: red or blue flowers?" Merlin asked, as he and Arthur stared at the florist's pamphlet. 

"I don't know!" Arthur whined. "I wish Gwen was here, she always had an eye for these things."

Something unrecognizable flickered across Merlin's face, and Arthur kicked himself for his mistake. 

"Oh, not like that—I meant as a friend—I don't—I never really did, I..." Arthur trailed off, slumping over onto the desk. Merlin just laughed, which honestly made Arthur feel more stupid.

"I know, Arthur, I just miss her is all." Merlin chuckled. Arthur knew it that wasn't all, but he let it go.

"I suppose red is traditional..." Arthur said, head buried in his arms. 

"Alright, then we'll go with red." Merlin said, and Arthur heard him set down the pamphlet. "Now, let's see..."

There was a rustling noise, then, and Arthur recognized it as Merlin shifting through the many pamphlets and pitches from people volunteering their services for the wedding, It seemed people were very eager to get involved with royal matters, these days.

"Do we want a DJ?" Merlin asked, and Arthur's head snapped up.

"A what?" The King asked, befuddled. 

"Oh..." Merlin said, clearly trying to think of how to explain the "deejay" to Arthur. "It's like, a person who...mixes songs? Let me just show you a video..."

Chapter Text

~~~Camelot, Arthurian Times~~~

Merlin was sleeping when he felt something strange in the air. It was a presence he couldn't describe, unlike any magic he'd felt before. It charged the air, seeping into his bones, begging him to seek out the source. As much as he wanted to answer the magic's call, he had that gut feeling that it would be targeting Arthur, as such things usually were.

So, Merlin leapt out of his bed, dashing through the cold hallways of the sleeping castle, and making it to the Prince's chambers in record time. He slipped through the door, trying not to wake Arthur over what was possibly a false alarm, only to find Arthur already awake, and sitting in the window. The Prince was staring out at the falling snow, face serene, (and in Merlin's opinion, stunning). 

Arthur turned when he heard Merlin walking through the room, calm as though he already knew it was the warlock who had entered his chambers.

"Sire?" Merlin asked, concerned that the magic had already gotten to Arthur. "Why are you up?"

"It's the night before Yule, Merlin." Arthur said. "I can never sleep the night before Yule."

"Oh." Merlin replied.

"Why are you awake?" Arthur asked.

"I got a feeling." Merlin said, using his favorite excuse.

Arthur just hummed, turning back to the window. "How about you light the fire, Merlin?"

Merlin did as he was told, wondering where Arthur was going with this. When the Prince came to sit down in one of his plush armchairs facing the fireplace, and gestured for Merlin to join him in the other chair, the warlock decided Arthur had officially lost his mind.

"Are you sure you're feeling well, sire?" Merlin asked.

"Arthur." Arthur corrected. 

"Arthur." Merlin repeated.

The two sat in silence for a while, just staring at the burning fire, until Arthur spoke again.

"Take the night off tomorrow." 

"What?" Merlin asked, sure he'd heard Arthur wrong.

"Come to the feast with me. You'll be my guest."

"Arthur, I can't. Your father—"

"I don't care what my father thinks."

Arthur was staring a t Merlin, eyes sincere, something deep behind those blue irises that Merlin couldn't name, but recognized as the way he felt, too.

"Arthur..."

Merlin knew what the right thing to do was. He needed to tell Arthur no, remind the Prince that he was just a servant, that he couldn't attend feasts like that, especially not as Arthur's guest. He knew he needed to say that. But Gods, he wanted to say yes. He wanted to say yes more than he'd wanted anything before, wanted to pretend it was real, that Arthur felt the same way...

"Please, Merlin. I want to give this to you. A gift, for Yule." Arthur never said please.

Merlin reached out, leaning in and placing a palm on Arthur's forehead, as if checking for a temperature. Maybe if he played it off, made it a joke, Arthur wouldn't make him deny or accept the request.

"Merlin, what are you doing?" Arthur asked, eyebrow raised. 

"Checking to see if you're ill." Merlin explained. "You never say 'please', especially not to me."

"Well, I am tonight." Arthur doubled down. "I can't tell you to say you'll go, because I know that you're indebted to me, and I don't want to make you feel forced to give me any one answer. Just know that I'm serious about my offer."

Arthur had leaned in as well, and Merlin's hand traced down the side of Arthur's face, feeling the contours of his cheekbone, relishing in what little touch he had. He was so close to Arthur now, he could feel the Prince's breath on his face...

"I can't. I'm so sorry, Arthur." Merlin said, forcing himself to pull away. The magic sensation had also vanished, leaving Merlin feeling cold and empty.

"I should go back to my own room." Merlin forced a small smile, standing to put out the fire. "Try to get some sleep, and I'll be back here bright and early tomorrow morning." Merlin walked over to the door, pausing before he left Arthur's chambers, effectively ruining anything that might have been. "Goodnight, Arthur."

"Goodnight, Merls." Arthur said, so quiet Merlin almost missed the nickname entirely. 

Chapter Text

It was getting closer and closer to Yule. The date Merlin and Arthur had agreed on was December 25th, Christmas Day. As they got closer and closer to said date, Arthur noticed Merlin growing more and more happy, smiling and laughing at everything. He seemed totally back to normal, and Arthur had almost forgotten about the secret. Almost.

"Are you going to tell me what it was you were planning, a few months back?" Arthur asked, as they laid in bed one night.

"You'll see." Merlin smirked. 

"I've waited months, Merlin!" 

"And you'll wait just a bit longer." 

Arthur felt his eye begin to twitch, so he took a deep, calming breath. Then, Merlin's lips were on his, and he decided that prying about the secret could wait.

~~~~~~

"When are you going to tell me what you're planning?" Arthur asked as he awoke the next morning. He had abandoned Operation: Spy on Merlin, and had now switched to Operation: Pester the Living Daylights out of Merlin. So far, it wasn't working.

"Good morning to you too, then." Merlin teased.

Blast it.

~~~~~~~

"So, about your mysterious plans..." Arthur started, right as Merlin got out of a meeting.

"Gods above, don't you know how to be patient?" Merlin asked.

~~~~~~~

"Before you ask, no, I'm not telling you what I was planning." Merlin said, noticing Arthur's determined face at dinner. "You'll find out when the time is right."

"I'm afraid I'm not going to last that long." Arthur warned.

"That's too bad." Merlin shrugged. "I'd hate for you to miss our wedding."

~~~~~~~

"If I give you a reason why you can't know yet, will you be satisfied?" Merlin asked one day, after Arthur had questioned him about his secret for the millionth time.

"Yes." Arthur decided.

"Fine. I want it to be a surprise, and it's very time sensitive. I also don't know if I can pull it off more than once, so you're going to have to wait for it."

Somehow, that just made Arthur more confused.

Chapter Text

~~~Camelot, Arthurian Times~~~

"Arthur, you're drunk." Merlin said, trying (and failing) to pull the slouching Prince towards the stairs. "You're beyond drunk, actually. You're some secret thing that comes after being just plain drunk.

"'M not!" Arthur slurred, eyes half-lidded and glassy.

"Fine, sure, alright—either way, you need to go to bed." Merlin said, grabbing the Prince's arm and trying again to get him to move.

"But th' party's not 'ver yet!" Arthur whined, pouting at Merlin. "Come on, dance wi' me!"

"Absolutely not. Come on, bed." 

"Please, Merl'n." Arthur begged, puppy dog eyes on full display. 

"If I dance with you for a song, will you go to bed?" Merlin asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes!" Arthur nodded, then stumbled a bit. "Yes, I w'll."

"Okay, then you get one dance. That's it. When it's over, you're going straight to your chambers."

"Yes, sire." Arthur giggled, finding himself hilarious.

That's how Merlin ended up being led to the dance floor by one very drunk Arthur Pendragon. Suddenly, the Prince's hand was on his waist, and the other was holding his hand, and they were spinning around.

Arthur stared at Merlin, gaze deep, and Merlin stared right back, allowing himself to enjoy this, just once, when everyone around him would be too drunk to remember anything. This would be only Merlin's to remember, no matter how selfish it was.

Towards the end of the song, the melody slowed, and Arthur leaned in more. It reminded Merlin a bit of the night before, but he pushed the thought away, choosing instead to memorize Arthur's face when it was this close to his, droopy-eyed and staring at Merlin almost reverently.

"You're beautiful." Arthur whispered, and Merlin almost kissed him, but Arthur was too drunk to tell Merlin yes or no, so he pulled away instead.

"That's one dance." Merlin said, trying not to let himself cry at what he almost had. "Up to your chambers we go."

As they walked, Merlin felt that magic feeling return, just for a moment, but he brushed it off, too tired to care.

Chapter Text

Arthur stared at the snow falling gracefully outside his window. He was just straightening his tie, when Merlin walked in.

"Merlin! You're not supposed to see me until you walk down the aisle!" He exclaimed, but he didn't really mean it.

"I still don't know why I'm to be the one walking." Merlin grumbled. "You're the princess, after all."

"Oi!" Arthur pushed Merlin's shoulder. "I am not."

"You are, but we can argue about that later." Merlin smiled. "For right now, are you ready to hear about my secret?"

Finally.

"Yes, of course I am! I've been waiting for months!" Arthur beamed, excited to finally have an end to the secrets.

Merlin gestured to the armchairs, and Arthur rushed over, sitting like an overexcited puppy.

"Okay." Merlin said, once he'd joined Arthur. "Firstly, I want to remind you that I don't know if this can happen again, so it's only for today."

"Perfect, got that." Arthur nodded, trying to hurry Merlin to the reveal.

"Slow your roll, Arthur, there's a lot to cover!" Merlin laughed, before continuing. "When I made the castle, I was honestly surprised. I didn't realize that my magic was powerful enough for that. It made me wonder what else I was capable of, and then I found that note from Gwaine, and it gave me an idea. 

"Ever since that day, I've been researching time travel. There was a book on it in the library, and after a while, I started trying to send myself back to Camelot."

"And?" Arthur asked, shocked at what Merlin was implying.

"And, it worked. I've been able to go back a few times, but only today did I trust myself enough to try what it had all been leading up to. I couldn't handle the fact that people so close to us would have to miss the wedding, so I rested up, and spent this morning bringing people here."

Arthur was stunned. He knew he must look a fool: eyes blown wide, mouth agape, the whole package.

"Really?" He asked, voice feather light. "They're all here? Even...?"

"I got my mother, Gaius, Gwen, the Knights..."

"Is Morgana here?" Arthur asked. Morgana was the one person he'd wished to make things right with before everything...well, everything happened.

"She is. I managed to get her from before things went awry." Merlin nodded.

"How did you explain...?" Arthur asked, overwhelmed by questions.

"I managed to be as vague as possible, and anyone that I got from before your death has agreed to have their memories wiped before they go home. I wouldn't normally do that, you understand, but I can't risk this changing the future." Merlin explained. 

"Thank you." Was all Arthur could say, as he wrapped Merlin in a hug.

"Thank me later." Merlin smiled. "For now, let's go get married."

Chapter Text

Merlin allowed Hunith to adjust his deep blue suit, making sure the velvet was perfectly laid, and his waistcoat wasn't crooked. There were tears in his mother's eyes as she reached out for Merlin to take her arm. She was going to be walking him down the aisle, and Gaius would be waiting at the altar with Arthur, ready to officiate. 

"I'm so proud of you." Hunith said, reaching up to kiss Merlin's forehead. "I'm so proud of everything you've done."

"I love you, mom." Merlin smiled, and Hunith smiled back.

"I love you too, my Merlin."

~~~~~~~

When Merlin laid eyed on Arthur, standing nervous at the end of the aisle, he felt his breath catch in his chest. Arthur's suit matched his own, the only difference is that his was Pendragon red. The sun shone through the windows of the hall, making Arthur's golden hair glow around his head like a halo. He was fidgeting with the hem of his sleeve, beaming at Merlin, and the warlock smiled right back as he slowly made his way towards his King. Despite having the space to host a very extravagant wedding, they'd opted to keep it intimate, inviting all their staff (who got the day off), Anne Clarke, a few other historians that they'd grown close with, and, of course, all their friends and family, who were seated front row. There had been a brief conversation about whether or not to have them standing at the front, as groomsmen, but a fight between the knights on who got to be on whose side ended that idea very quickly. Off to the side of the altar, there was a piano player, filling the room with a wonderful melody. All around, red flowers were arranged, making the room feel like a secret garden.

Merlin reached the end of the aisle, and took a step onto the altar as Hunith took her seat, giving his arm one last squeeze. Merlin faced Arthur, grabbing the King's hands, and tried to calm his nerves. Merlin missed the first part of what Gaius had said, due to the pounding of his heartbeat, but he snapped back into focus when it was time for vows. 

Merlin was first, so he took a deep breath and focused on Arthur, intent on tuning out the small crowd watching them. "Arthur..." He began, swallowing his nerves. Just focus on what you've memorized. It's perfect. "Ever since the day I saw you in the market, I was smitten. I tried to ignore it, at first, but it never went away, only growing stronger as I got to know you. Still, I didn't realize just how deep my love for you went, until you were gone, and I had to try and live without you. I realized then that I never could. I waited fifteen hundred years, and I would wait another fifteen hundred as long as it means I'd get to be here with you.

"I love the way you smile, and you tease, and the way you always forget to turn off the stove when you're done cooking. I love movie nights with you, and I love how brave you are, how loyal you are. Honestly, I could keep listing things for days, so I'll just summarize: I love everything that you are, and I promise that I'll always be by your side. Forever. I love you."

Chapter Text

Arthur wasn't one to shed many tears. He'd never been. Standing there, looking at Merlin, so stunning in his velvet suit, and listening to the man he'd always loved say the things he'd spent so many nights longing to hear? He was tearing up. It was his turn to say his vows, however, so he managed to pull himself together enough to recite them, giving Merlin's hands a gentle squeeze before beginning.

"I remember," He started, "back when I'd first returned, sitting in your flat while you explained everything to me. I remember one thing that you said to me so vividly—you said that we were two sides of the same coin. That was the moment I knew that I was going to marry you. It was in that moment that everything clicked for me...I understood why I was so willing to give my life for yours, even though we'd just met. I understood why I never wanted you to leave my side, despite the fact that you were a horrid manservant." Merlin huffed at that, but there was a grin on the warlock's face. Arthur smiled at that, then continued.

"I suppose my heart had always known, it was just my brain that was slow to catch up. The moment I returned, I felt this tugging to find you. I was scared, walking through a place so foreign, but I felt comfort the moment you opened the door. Ever since then, it's felt like I was living a dream. I love the way you taught me about modern life without judgement, and that you always let me pick what we're going to watch. I love waking up next to you every morning, and I love spending every meal with you. I love building our kingdom together, and I love the knowledge that I'll always have you. And you'll always have me.

"In life and in death, there was always one thing I was sure of—I love you forever."

With that, rings were exchanged, and when Gaius announced that he may kiss the groom, Arthur grabbed Merlin, and dipped him into a kiss. He felt Merlin gasp against his mouth at the sudden movement, but then he relaxed into it. The crowd erupted into cheers, Gwaine wolf whistling as loud as he could, and everything felt perfect in that moment.

~~~~~~~

During the reception, Arthur made his rounds, spending a while with his knights, minus Lancelot, who he'd noticed had slipped off with Gwen. Good. Arthur thought. He'd always felt like Gwen and Lance had belonged together, and Gwen had always known that Arthur and Merlin were in love, even though she'd never told Arthur as such. According to Merlin, though, this Gwen was from right after Arthur's death, and Merlin had been nervous to explain everything to her, but was relieved to find her reaction was shouting "finally!", and wrapping Merlin in a hug. 

Across the room, Arthur saw Merlin talking to Hunith and Gaius, and he felt a pain in his chest. He hadn't wanted Uther there, and Merlin knew that, but he wished he could've had his mother. Ignoring the pangs of jealousy, Arthur made his way over to Morgana, who gave him a kind hug. 

"Congratulations, Arthur." She smiled, and Arthur had to bite his tongue to not tell Morgana that she was his last living relative, in that moment. HE knew that this Morgana wasn't aware of that information yet, and he refused to ruin the night by dropping that bomb.

"Thank you." He said, "I've missed you, you know."

Morgana just wrapped an arm around his shoulder, smiling. They chatted for a while, Morgana asking a lot of questions about Arthur's life here, and Arthur gladly answering. He'd missed this, just being able to talk to Morgana, without a fight breaking loose.

After a while, Arthur found himself pulled over to Hunith by a smiling Merlin, and then he was wrapped in a crushing hug from his new mother in law. It nearly made him break down, but he just took a deep breath, leaning into the motherly comfort. 

"I know you don't have your parents here right now..." Hunith said gently, just between her and Arthur, "and I know that you won't have me for long either, but as long as I'm here, I'll be your mother, if that's what you want."

And it was what Arthur wanted. He held on tighter, whispering a tentative "Thanks, mom." For the first time in his life.

~~~~~~~

"Come on, there's one more surprise!" Merlin giggled, leading Arthur down a hallway. "It took a lot of magic to hide this one, but I wanted it to be your wedding gift."

"What on Earth are you going on about—" Arthur was cut off by Merlin opening a door, and there stood Arthur's mother. His biological mother, who had died when he was born. 

Ygraine stood, rather nervous, in the middle of the guest chambers. She opened her arms, silently asking if Arthur wanted a hug. The tears the King had been holding in all night finally spilled, as he crossed the room in two strides, falling into his mom's arms. 

"I never thought..." He started, chest shaking, and Ygraine gently shushed him, one hand stroking his hair, calming. 

"I know." She said, voice soft and comforting. "But I'm here now. It's alright."

All these years, only having seen his mother once, as a ghostly apparition summoned by Morgause, to finally be able to hug her properly was more than Arthur ever could've dreamed of. His mom was there, in the flesh, and she wouldn't evaporate after a few short moments. When he pulled back from the hug, Ygraine cupped his face in her hand, staring at him with pride.

"I'm so happy for you, my dear." She smiled. "I'm sorry I wasn't there to see you grow up."

"No, don't—don't apologize. It's not your fault." Arthur choked out. "I'm just happy you're here now."

"I am." Ygraine confirmed, somehow knowing exactly what Arthur needed to hear. "You've grown into a wonderful young man, and you found someone perfect. I'm happy, knowing that you have someone who will take care of you, and I'm so immensely proud of everything you've done."

"I love you, mom." Arthur said, voice thick. 

"I love you too." Ygraine smiled. "Now, would you like to go back to the party? I hear there's cake to be had."

~~~~~~~

Merlin needed to rest before he took anyone back to their respective times, especially after secretly using cloaking magic the entire ceremony to have Ygraine watch her son be married, so it was decided that everyone would stay in the castle overnight, and then Merlin would take them home after a good night's rest. Morgana returned to her old chambers, Gwen and Lance were put in one of the guest rooms tonight, Ygraine took Uther's chambers, Gaius insisted on his old shabby bed, even though Merlin had tried to insist on a guest bed, Hunith had chosen her own room, and all the other knights had decided to share a room, digging out some old bedrolls, and declaring it a sleepover. Merlin, of course, headed off to bed early, but Arthur decided to stay up, filling in his mom about everything that had happened in his life, and getting to know her in return. 

Even though he knew that most of the people there would lose their memories of the night, his mother included, Arthur did his very best to forget that fact, and cherished the moments he had.

Chapter Text

The next morning was filled with teary goodbyes as Merlin took their guests back to their proper times. It pained Merlin every time he had to erase someone's memory, but he reminded himself it was for the good of everyone's future. Morgana hurt the most, he decided, seeing as Merlin regretted not telling her about his magic every day. Even before he'd taken her to the wedding and he'd had to explain, he felt guilt sweep over him. She deserved to know, so right before he erased her memory, he told her the whole truth, explaining why he felt like he needed to, and apologizing on behalf of his past self. 

The last person Merlin took back was Ygraine, and he could see the solemn expression on Arthur's face as they stepped through the portal. 

When they arrived in the past, just a moment after Merlin had grabbed Ygraine for the wedding, the warlock made a choice.

"I know I said that I was going to erase everyone's memories, if I took them from before a certain point..." He started, deciding then that he was really doing this. "But I saw how much it meant to you and Arthur both, and I can't bring myself to take that from you, unless that's what you really want." 

Ygraine thought for a moment, fidgeting with her sleeve, much like Arthur does, before looking Merlin in the eye. "I want to keep my memories. I know my time left is limited, and I want to be able to remember my little boy."

Merlin nodded. "Then make sure to keep it a secret. Don't tell a soul what you know."

"I will take it to the grave." Ygraine promised. Then, "Thank you, Merlin. For everything you've done for him. He's lucky to have you."

~~~~~~~

Lunch was a quiet affair, and Arthur picked at his food more than he actually ate it.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Merlin asked.

"I just...I never thought I'd have a chance to really spend time with her." Arthur said, eyes fixed on the plate. "I miss her every day, and I know she doesn't remember, but I'm going to keep missing her..."

"Actually..." Merlin said, smiling slightly. "There's something I forgot to tell you."

"What?" Arthur asked, head snapping up. 

"Ygraine kept her memories intact." Merlin admitted. "I couldn't take that from either of you. Again, I'm not sure if I can continue to get away with this, but I wanted her to be able to know you, and I wanted you to be able to know that, even if you can't see each other face to face again."

"Oh, Merls..." Arthur exhaled, before crossing over to Merlin's chair, and wrapping him in a hug. "Thank you, thank you a million times over."

Merlin smiled. "Anything for you, my King."

Chapter Text

~~~Epilogue~~~

As the years passed, Arthur and Merlin continued to build their life together. They got two cats (named Aithusa and Kilgharrah, respectively), and started going out more, making a close group of friends, people who didn't care about their past, and just saw them as people. Things got even more perfect when, after several years, Arthur and Merlin adopted a perfect baby boy, named Alaric. With the adoption, they moved out of the castle, and into a small cottage near where Ealdor once was, and raised their son there, making visits to the castle as needed. They trained Alaric to someday take the throne, of course, but they kept him out of the public eye, giving him the privacy Arthur had never had.

More than a few times, when Merlin knew it was needed, he managed to pull some of their friends out of the past, but never for longer than a day. It was something Arthur had requested when Alaric was three, claiming he needed to know his family (that trip resulted in Gwen, Gaius, and Hunith visiting the cottage), and once more many years later, when Alaric turned twenty-one (that, of course, was Gwaine swooping in to get the boy as drunk as possible). Any other time they had visitors, it was all Merlin's idea, and often came as a surprise to Arthur.

As soon as he and Arthur were married, Merlin had noticed himself start to age more normally, though he was still growing old much slower than his human friends. Arthur as well seemed to have unnaturally slow aging, but neither of them minded, as it meant they'd have even more time together, and even more time with their son. And, as Merlin always said "anything's better than being twenty forever".

The Kingdom of New Camelot continued to flourish gracefully under Arthur's reign, leading all of what was once Albion into an era of peace and light. Kilgharrah's voice never invaded Merlin's mind again, and as Gaius had told him, his destiny was completed. His life was fully his again, as was Arthur's, and they decided to never even think about the word 'destiny' again. 

Another thing that came to inhabit the world over the years of Arthur and Merlin's Camelot was magic. Real magic, growing back into everyday life. It was something only people who practiced forms of witchcraft noticed at first, but soon more and more children were being born with magic, and people were discovering gifts that had lain dormant for many years. The Merlin Act, still in place, allowed the practicing of magic to flourish without fear, and as people started to flock to Camelot, it became a sanctuary of sorts. Merlin himself, never quite able to fully grasp that he was technically a King as well, operated much like a normal person, and hosted free classes on magic at the neighboring town's rec center. If anyone tried to refer to him by a title, he'd simply arch his eyebrow (in true Gaius fashion), and tell them that he was just Merlin, nothing more.

Arthur also stepped away from the norms of being King, hosting his own classes on Old English, along with other aspects of history. When Alaric was a teenager, he'd convinced Arthur and Merlin to take their teachings to YouTube, something that Arthur hadn't realized one could do ("you mean anyone can put the moving pictures on here?"). They were immediately a hit, with people from all over flocking to their channel. 

New Camelot lasted many years, even after Arthur and Merlin had stepped away, leaving Alaric in charge. The boy, having magic of his own, often used the same methods Merlin had to seek advice, and Queen Guinevere was always happy to give the time traveling King advice, as silly as the situation often was.

When they were quite old, Arthur and Merlin decided to post one last YouTube video, telling their story as a whole. It was hours long, and millions of people watched it air live, excited to hear the unedited story of the Kings who had captured the world's heart. Arthur and Merlin had planned it all out, deciding that Merlin should have the last words, because he was the one that had started it all, in Arthur's mind.

"So, from the day I was born, there were many hardships we had to face." Merlin had said, smiling through his bushy white beard. "But I've never been happier to say that we made it through all the challenges thrown our way. As the storybooks I used to read my son always said..."

And they all lived happily ever after. The End.