Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin or any of its characters. I only own the ones that I've made up myself.

A/N- And here we have the last post of this story ever! After this is over and I won't post anything more :( The epilogue isn't that long but I hope you all enjoy it nonetheless.

- x Milou Lilly

Epilogue

Lyanna wrapped her yellow scarf tighter around her neck. It was a rather chilly morning and the chill had gotten through some drafts in the castle walls. Lyanna had lit a fire in the hearth in the physician chambers, but it still wasn't a that pleasant temperature.

Unfortunately two years ago Gaius had passed away peacefully due to old age. Lyanna had been devastated when that had happened cause she had lost the most important parental figure in her life. She had hoped that he would always be there for her, but it was hard to not have him around anymore. For months Lyanna doubted that she wouldn't be good enough to function as a court physician by herself. She thought she needed Gaius to guide her and support her. But after a while she realized that she had learned more from Gaius than she had thought and for that she was grateful. It felt as if he was still with her in some way.

The entire morning Lyanna had ran through the lower town visiting patients, with Lucy at her aid. The young girl enjoyed helping Lyanna next to doing her servant duties and didn't mind the extra work at all. Lyanna now had sent her home so that she could spend more time with her one year old son.

Bang! The door of the room swung open loudly and Lyanna nearly jumped out of her skin as she saw her two children running into the chambers.

"Mom! Ari is being mean," Balinor complained, crossing his arms.

Arinya huffed, glaring at her brother. "No, I'm not."

"You so are," Balinor countered fiercely.

"Ho, wait up. What happened now?" Lyanna interfered before they would start calling each other names. Arinya was seven and a half years old now and Balinor had just turned six years old last month. They were quite spirited for their age, but Lyanna enjoyed it. "Tell me now."

"We're having our first training within two hours and Ari stole the sword that uncle Arthur gave me yesterday," Balinor explained. Arthur had made a deal with the children that they would be allowed to get a special training from him and some other knights to see if they were great and made to fight with a sword.

Lyanna looked at her daughter who was looking more like a younger version of herself with every passing day. "Why did you steal his sword? Arthur did give you one as well."

"Because I don't see the point of sword fighting and he was showing off," Arinya clarified stubbornly. "I hid his sword."

Lyanna bit her lip. "I perfectly understand it if you don't want to go to the training later, but if your brother does want to go, you won't hinder him. You will give Balinor back his sword, do I make myself clear?" Her voice was quite strict.

Arinya nodded. "Yes, mother."

"You know what," Lyanna began, placing down a vial. "I want you to go to the training with Arthur later. That way if you don't enjoy it, you know that sword fighting isn't for you and that's fine, love. I do promise you that after the training you two can go practice some magic with your father. How does that sound?" she suggested.

Both her children were grinning now. Balinor had been two years old when he had gotten his magic and Merlin had helped him develop it in the best way that he could, just like he had done with Arinya. "Are you sure that's fine?" Balinor hesitated.

"Of course, sweetheart. Your father loves teaching you two and you both like it. Just because he's the Court Sorcerer, that doesn't mean that he doesn't have time for you. He's always looking forward to spending time with both of you." She looked at Arinya. "Do we have a deal, Arinya Ambrosius?"

Arinya nodded. "Yes, I'd like that."

"Good. Then I'll help you two prepare for training," Lyanna said. "I'll accompany you during the training too to make sure it all goes well."

Lyanna went to make lunch for the three of them in the small kitchen. Normally she would make for Merlin as well, but he had told her this morning that he couldn't make it because he was quite busy today and that Morgana and Hunith were helping him with different things. She would see him later.

After they had eaten a quick lunch they went to their chambers. At first Lyanna had feared that Balinor and Arinya wanted a spare room now that they were older and no longer wanted to share a room, but that was not the case. Balinor and Arinya were very close and they didn't want to move rooms yet, and get their own room down the hall which would still be close to their room. Lyanna hoped that they would stay here for a long while.

Lyanna searched through their wardrobes and handed the right clothes to her children. They put on a red tunic, some chainmail and brown breeches with matching boots. She had the clothes made especially for today because she wanted to do this properly. When Lyanna had braided Arinya's hair the girl went to grab Balinor's sword from where she had hidden it and gave it back to her brother.

"Is dad coming to watch us?" Arinya asked curiously.

"He said that he would. We best go get him then," Lyanna replied, which awoke Balinor and Arinya's excitement.

The three of them left their chambers and went down the corridors. Ever since Merlin had been made Court Sorcerer five years ago he had been given a room where he could do all his work and his classes peacefully. It was a bit similar to the physician chambers and wasn't that far away from it on the lower ground.

Arinya and Balinor immediately barged and ran inside while Lyanna quietly followed. She saw that there were several people present in the room. Morgana was in a corner teaching some younger kids. Since her return Merlin had asked her for her assistance she knew a lot about magic. Morgana enjoyed teaching some children and now she did it pretty much every day. She was great at it and the kids liked her and Merlin's lesson's.

Morgana dismissed her class as Balinor and Arinya approached her and engulfed her into a warm embrace. Lyanna turned her attention to Merlin who was writing something down on a piece of parchment. He looked up when he saw her approaching and addressed her a warm smile.

"Did you have a busy morning?" Lyanna asked with twinkling eyes as Merlin placed his hands on her waist. Lyanna's arms went around Merlin's neck and her hand went into his raven hair.

Merlin laughed briskly. "It was quite stressful. There were a lot of people there who came here to ask for my opinion or help. I was just glad that my mother and Morgana were here to help out and keep things running." He leaned forwards to kiss her on the lips and he felt her smiling. "How did your morning go then, love?"

"It was rather busy as well, but Lucy aided me which was nice," Lyanna replied. "Anyway the children wanted to come here to ask you if you wanted to go to their first training with us. Also I suggested that you would practice some magic with them later for which they were were incredibly excited."

Merlin's eyes lit up at that mention. He loved practicing magic with his children. "Of course I will," Merlin responded excitedly. "I'm done here anyway now. All I need is some quality time with my family." He kissed his wife again, but this one was different. After all those years of being together this was still making them act like youngsters experiencing love for the first time. That was something that would never change. And they didn't mind.

Their moment ended when Morgana cleared her throat and they turned their heads to her. "I will watch over everything here in your absence should there be other people later," she offered humbly.

"Thank you," Merlin said. He let go off Lyanna and kissed his children. "And are you too ready for your first training?"

Balinor nodded. "Will I be just as good as mom and uncle Arthur?"

Merlin proudly looked at Lyanna before looking back at his son again. "I know you'll be just as great as them with a lot of practice, little man. You can do whatever you put your mind to. Both of you can. Believe in that."

"Can we go?" Arinya asked impatiently. "We're going to be late."

"Yes, we're leaving," Lyanna said. "Come on then." Arinya and Balinor immediately hurried away with Merlin and Lyanna right behind them. Merlin was holding Lyanna's hand and squeezed into it.

They went down the various corridors until they left the castle behind them. As they reached the training ground they saw that most of Arthur's entrusted knights were already there waiting for them. Beside Arthur, Gwen was there too with her two twin sons Rowan and Gavin. Rowan was the oldest by an half hour and one day would become the King of Camelot. They had named him after the child that Lyanna and Merlin had lost due to a miscarriage all those years ago. It had been their way to keep the memory of Rowan alive, and Lyanna had been incredibly emotional and happy when Arthur had announced the name. The young princes were almost three years old now. Beside that Gwen was holding her three month old daughter Adelaide, who everyone called Adie for short. Arthur was incredibly smitten with his daughter and it was clear how protective he was going to be over her.

"Ah, you've finally made it," Arthur said, stepping away from Gwen to approach Balinor and Arinya. "Are you two ready for your first practice?"

"Yes," Balinor firmly replied while Arinya said, "I guess." at the same time.

Arthur smiled. "Well, we'll see today if this is what you like shame if you don't. Come, and we will learn you some basic moves."

Arthur was joined by Gwaine and Leon who showed the children some basic movement while the others watched from a close distance. Lyanna was a bit anxious about it all. Her children were younger now than she was when she had her first practice, but she had loved every second of it. Still she hoped that they wouldn't get injured or anything.

"Are you alright, love?" Merlin asked, noticing the troubled look in her eyes.

Lyanna gazed up at him. "Just a bit worried that they'll get hurt."

Merlin smiled at her. "I doubt that they will. They're your children and you were basically born with a sword in your hand. They must've inherited something of that. They'll be fine," he soothed, brushing a strand of her golden hair from her face and kissed her temple.

"I hope so, Merlin. Still they're so young," Lyanna said doubtfully.

"Are you being the overprotective parent now?" Merlin questioned amusingly, slightly bumping his shoulder against Lyanna's. "I thought that was me."

Lyanna chuckled. "Just this once."

They watched how Arinya and Balinor copied the moves that Leon and Arthur demonstrated slowly. At first they were a bit stiff, trying to copy the move properly. Once they had practised it a few times they became better in it and it went smoother.

"You're doing very well," Arthur complimented them, which made them grin. "The most important thing about fighting with a sword is footwork, balance and your stance. I know that you can master that. But lets see how you two are with a sword."

The swords that Arthur had given them were wooden sword so they wouldn't injure another, much to Lyanna's relief.

As the time passed it seemed that Balinor was quite good with a sword in his hands. He managed to copy the moves that were being shown without much hassle, which was very impressive for a five year old and he seemed to like it. Lyanna's heart swell at that. Arinya wasn't that bad either, but it seemed like she wasn't exactly interested into what was going on. She had other things on her mind.

Since this was only their first time the training wasn't that long and Arthur ended it after about thirty minutes of showing and explaining the basics to them. The King of Camelot guided the children to his parents. "And did you two enjoy it?" Lyanna asked as Arinya took place at her side.

Balinor nodded repeatedly as Arthur ruffled through his dark blonde hair. "I did."

"And how about you then, dear?" Merlin questioned, looking at his daughter who had remained silent.

Arinya bit her lip. "I liked it. Only -" she paused again, trying to find the right words to say.

"You like using magic more," Arthur figured. Arinya nodded slowly. "There's nothing wrong with that. You are quite good with a sword, I can see that. But if you prefer magic more than you should definitely get more lessons from that wonderful father of yours. Your happiness is important to all of us and you can do anything that you like."

Both Merlin and Lyanna smiled warmly as they watched Arthur act so affectionately around his niece. Even though he had three children of his own he was completely smitten with Arinya and Balinor and didn't try to hide that.

Arinya stared up at her father with big eyes. "Arthur is right," Merlin quickly replied. "If that's where your heart truly lies then that's perfectly fine. We'll definitely try and practice more in the future." Merlin looked at Balinor. "Same goes for you. If you like the sword fighting more or you enjoyed both, its all good. We will support you both no matter what you choose. We want you to be happy. That's what most important."

Arinya flashed a huge grin before she wrapped her tiny arms around Merlin, who lifted her against his chest and held her tightly. Balinor meanwhile was clinging onto Lyanna's leg. "We're proud of you two," she comforted them. Lyanna looked at Arthur. "Looks like you'll be getting some competition."

Arthur barked out a laugh. "Well, I could do with a new sparring future in the future. I wonder if my children will share my passion for swordfighting."

Lyanna kissed Arthur's cheek. "I'm sure that they will. They already look up to you and I know they'll follow in your footsteps."

"Are we going?" Arinya asked rather impatient.

Merlin chuckled. "Yes, we'll go somewhere special."

They said their farewell to Arthur, Gwen and their children and went on their way. Merlin had promised to help them with practicing their magic and he would keep his word. He just wanted to do it somewhere else instead of behind the walls of Camelot. He wanted Arinya and Balinor to see some things first. They were ready for it.

Together the family left Camelot behind them and headed for the covers of the forest. Both Arinya and Balinor were confused as to where their parents were taking them. "Where are we going?" Balinor asked. "Can't we practice in the castle?"

"We could," Merlin replied, grinning. "I want to show you two something special and I'm sure that you'll like it. Isn't that more fun than staying in Camelot?"

They stayed quiet and Merlin exchanged a look with Lyanna, who was smiling at him. Merlin leaded them deeper into the forest, but it wasn't a long walk. They reached a large open clearing and came to a halt. Arinya and Balinor didn't understand what was going on.

"What are we doing here?" Balinor asked.

"Your father is going to show you two something special, but you two have to be quiet and calm. No matter what happens. You'll see what I'm talking about really soon," Lyanna clarified soothingly, kissing her son's cheek. Her gaze lingered to Merlin. "It's time, love."

Merlin nodded understandingly, taking a deep breath as his children waited in anticipation to see what was going to happen.

Then Merlin's low, baritone voice echoed across the clearing as he spoke in that language that no one else understood. "O drakon, e male so ftengometta tesd'hup'anankes!" Arinya and Balinor only got more confused when he stopped talking and nothing happened. Lyanna was only smirking.

For a minute there was only silence, but then the distant sound of wings flapping came closer. They all gazed up at the clear blue sky. At the sight of the dragon coming this way both Arinya and Balinor gasped. Lyanna felt how Balinor stepped behind her, holding onto her leg. It was only a logical reaction to a dragon. Arinya was just standing next to Merlin, her big blue eyes transfixed upon the dragon.

As Lyanna observed the dragon she noticed that age hadn't been kind to him. His wings had gotten more damaged and he wasn't looking that great. She wondered how long the dragon would still be around before he too would succumb to old age.

While Kilgarrah landed with a plop on the ground of the middle of the clearing a screech was hearable. Another dragon was soaring the sky. Since the incidents with Morgana, Aithusa had been under Kilgarrah's care. The young dragon was looking rather fearful and had grown quite a lot in all those years. Merlin had made it his job to also make Aithusa more kinder to others and since he was a dragonlord she couldn't obey his words. She was acting like an oversized dog these days.

The first time that Arthur had been introduced to these dragons was still clear in Lyanna's mind. Her brother had been scared at first when the dragons appeared from the sky, but when he saw that they didn't mean to attack him he came around. Since then he had seen the dragons countless of times, since they couldn't stay at Camelot. He had gotten to like them quite much.

Aithusa landed next to Kilgarrah. She bounced a bit up and down as she made her way towards Merlin, who she allowed to pet her snout. The white dragon made a content growl.

"It's good to see you both again," Merlin said.

Kilgarrah tilted his head. "Likewise, young warlock. I see that you've brought your whole family with you."

"Mom, why is this dragon talking?" Balinor asked, his voice trembling.

Aithusa now got aware of Arinya and Balinor's presence and became curious of these people she hadn't seen before. The dragon immediately approached Lyanna, who she liked a lot. Lyanna laughed as she petted Aithusa. The dragon had gotten so large that her snout no longer fitted in her hand. She was too large to stay at Camelot, which saddened Lyanna because she only got to see her whenever Merlin called her.

"I thought all dragons had died," Arinya said quietly.

"These are the last two dragons in the world, sweethearts," Lyanna explained to them. "And your father is the last dragonlord."

"Dragonlord?" Balinor repeated with raised eyebrows. "What's that?"

"That means, young boy, that your father can command dragon's. We can only heed his commands. He is the last of his kind and a very powerful warlock. You should be proud of him," Kilgarrah answered.

"I am," Balinor said firmly. Merlin smiled at that. "He's the best."

Aithusa curiously looked at Balinor, making a purring noise as she slowly got closer. Balinor raised his trembling hand carefully and Aithusa halted for a moment, but then closed the distance and pressed her snout against his hand.

"She likes you," Merlin said cheerfully. Balinor stared at his father in confusion. "She can't talk like Kilgarrah can, but since I'm a dragonlord I'm able to hear her thoughts."

"Merlin," Kilgarrah began. Merlin gazed at the large dragon who had been there at his aid in so many situation's. "There is some news that I wish to share with you. It turns out that we're not the last dragons in this world."

"What do you mean?" Merlin asked, frowning.

"I mean that I've came across some more dragon eggs in a different kingdom. There were three of them at least. There might be more," Kilgarrah explained.

A huge grin broke on Merlin's face. "And you could take me to them?"

"Of course I can, young warlock," Kilgarrah said. "It would be my honour to help you out once more."

"Why does daddy have to go to the eggs?" Arinya asked, petting Aithusa enthusiastically.

"Because only a dragonlord has the power to make a dragon hatch and can bring them into this world," Lyanna clarified. "Your father has done so before when we found Aithusa's egg all those years ago."

"So its good news that there will be more dragons?" Balinor wondered curiously.

"It's wonderful news," Merlin answered happily. "Because this time people will no longer fear dragons and we can all live together in peace. The time of fear is over. As it should be."

Shortly after that Kilgarrah took off with the promise that they would meet again. Aithusa stayed behind, trying to get to know Arinya and Balinor better. She was very curious and excited about these new people and it was obvious that she had already grown attached to them. Aithusia was playing with them on the large field and chased them cheerfully, making lots of growl noises as she did so.

Merlin and Lyanna were sitting down and watched them from a distance with a content smile on their faces. By now the sky was darkening and the day was fading. Merlin had his arms protectively circled around Lyanna's waist and was kissing her temple repeatingly.

"Do you remember when we first met?" Lyanna asked him after a while, cupping his cheeks.

Merlin's bright blue eyes gazes into hers, drinking in those green depths. "How could I ever forget such a thing. You almost shot me," he replied, a smile touching his lips.

Lyanna smirked, stroking his lower lip. "Well, let's not forget that you appeared out of nowhere and startled me. I could've shot you, but I'm glad that I missed. Do you still think about that moment often?"

"Of course I do. I remember it well. From the moment that I lay my eyes on you I was intrigued by your beauty, compassion and your bold spirit and you've became the most important woman in my life. Although I had never dared to imagine that you would ever return my affection for you because I was just a simple servant and you were royalty, but that didn't change anything about how I felt. You were the first person who ever treated me normally and who made me feel loved. I'm grateful every day that you stepped into my life and made me the happiest man in this world, even more by gifting me with two beautiful children." Merlin had tears in his eyes.

Lyanna was in a similar state. "You've no idea how much I love you, you silly and adorable man. To me you were the first person who didn't treat me as royalty and just felt accepted by you. Merlin, you accepted me for the person that I was and that definitely made me a stronger woman. I have to be honest I had never dared to imagine that I would one day be married to you and have children with you when we first met, but I'm forever thankful that we did. You're a wonderful, loving husband and our children love you and look up to you. You keep promising that you would do anything that's in your powers to keep us happy and I can guarantee you that were are and that you kept your word," she replied, smiling.

And then Merlin kissed her firm and determined, full of love and compassion. And Lyanna fell into it, letting herself drown until everything else was washed away and there was only Merlin, holding her close.

Many years from now Arthur would die of old age, just like any mortal person would, and Merlin and Lyanna would be there to witness that without ever getting older themselves. Kilgarrah had told them that when Albion's time is needed, Arthur will rise again. That meant that they would wait just as long until Arthur had returned.

"We'll write our own ending," Merlin promised against Lyanna's lips and he meant every word of it.

The end.

And that is the end of this fanfiction! I can't believe that we've reached this moment. It feels like such a long time ago since I've started writing this fanfic and I had never imagined that so many people would like this story and it only encouraged me to keep writing and to keep you all satisfied and I hope that I did just that. I want to thank all of you for reading this story, commenting on it and for going on this awesome journey with me. It was challenging, long, but such a blast. I only ever wanted to write a fanfic where Merlin got the happy ending that he deserved with someone he loved and I can't believe that after 700k of words we've reached the end of that fanfic! It's so long and loved writing every word of it. I still think that the tv show should've gotten a happier ending like this, but I'm glad we've got one now! Thank you all again for the amazing support. I'm still incredibly overwhelmed by your sweet words! Thank you! Thank you!

I've read all the reviews of the previous chapter and I'm so flabbergasted by all the positive reviews on it! Wow it honestly means the world that you all liked the ending of this story more than the ending of the tv show. I just wanted to give everyone the happy ending that they deserved and I hope I did it all justice.

MiaR: Awh I'm so glad that you think that. I wanted to write a story about the tv show but then with some big twists in it :) Of course I had to save Arthur! I cared far too much for him to let him die, plus he had too much to live for in this story. Also Morgana! I didn't want her to die like a baddy like she did in the show, she was far more than that and I always believed that her choices weren't her own. I was tearing up myself during the banquet scene because we were living up to this moment since the beginning and it felt so surreal, but also right. Ah you poor thing. I do feel flattered that you cried though, even though it wasn't my intention. Tears are a good thing right? ;) I'm glad that you like it so much. I hope you like the epilogue just as much! Thank you so much for the reviews!

Charles Ceaser: Yes, the time of bloodshed is over now. Well you read a bit more about how people have accepted Morgana again in this epilogue, but then again 5 years have passed since the last chapter. They all care for her :) Thanks for the review!

HPuni101: Thank you so much! I'm really glad that you liked the ending and may have cried a little bit. Awh did it now? I wanted to save as many people as I possibly could in the best way. Arthur and Morgana still had so much to do and I couldn't kill them off! I hope you like the epilogue as well! Oh yes the end. It's very heartbreaking indeed to post the last chapter of this story, but it has to end someday. Thank you so much for always reviewing! I'm seriously overwhelmed by it and that's very sweet of you!

RevanKnight25: Awh thank you! Me too because they're all way too dear to me. Did you like the ending with Aithusa? :) Hope you do! I like the white dragon too much and I wanted to give the dragon a better storyline! Thanks for the review!

Rosemary: Awh I'm so glad that you loved the ending of this story! There's no need to thank me. Hope you like the little epilogue I've written as well ^^ Nope I don't plan to write another story at all. Maybe in the nearby future I've found some inspiration to write a story, but for now there won't be anything at all. I do like Sherlock as well haha. Thank you for the review!

Lady Ravanna: It's super close! Now it has officially ended and it hurts. But it was a very long and wonderful journey right? :) Thanks for the review and the support!

Lbunny: Awh thank you for saying that. That's so sweet of you! :) Thank you for your reviews! And no I won't write a sequel, but I do hope that this epilogue will cheer you up. Thanks again.

And that's it! From now on this story will officially be complete. Thank you all so much again!