First fanfiction!

Like many Merlin fans, I was left frustrated by the ending of the show. I recently rediscovered my love of the show when I stumbled on the wealth of Merlin fanfiction here. I've just rewatched the show (the whole damn show at the end of the semester; brilliant idea; would not recommend), and I'm going to attempt to write my own ending to the show. This picks up after Season 5 Episode 2 (Arthur's Bane Part II, which ends with Mordred being knighted).

Expect cannon romance, some character whump, magic reveal, angst, probably some hurt/comfort, and comedy. No non-cannon slash. I'll attempt to keep the age-appropriateness of the show but there may be a couple of chapters that get more graphically violent. I'll give ample warning at the beginning of the chapter if/when that happens.

I don't own Merlin, because obviously if I did, it would have gone like this.

Thanks for reading! Enjoy :)

Merek fiddled with the ring on his thumb as he waited to be announced before King Lot. The King had only just begun his rule but already he had proven himself to be a harsh and firm sovereign. It was only natural, Merek mused to himself, for only such a man could fill Cenred's shoes after the witch Morgause had killed Essetir's king and taken control of the army before being destroyed in Camelot. Such was the fate of meddling witches.

"Merek of Corith, you may approach the king!" The herald's cry interrupted Merek's reflections.

Straightening his shoulders, Merek brought himself before his king.

"Your highness," he bowed.

King Lot lounged in his throne and eyed the spy. "Speak, Merek. Tell me of what you have learned in Camelot."

"Yes, sire. As you remember, my lord, in my last report I spoke to you of King Arthur's manservant. I received instruction to learn all I could about him. I trust that you wish to exploit him as a weakness of the king's."

Lot frowned, "I know all this. Get on with it, then. Does this man have any use to us?"

Merek lifted his notes in a gesture, "I believe he may, my lord. He provided a most interesting study. The manservant, Merlin, was once a subject of your own lands, my lord. He hails from Ealdor where his mother still resides. Merlin has a unique relationship with King Arthur. My investigations revealed that he has served Arthur for nearly seven years, coming into his service during Uther's reign shortly before Arthur came of age. While a certain attachment is typical towards trusted servants, Arthur allows the manservant an unusual place at his side.

"I observed a great deal of teasing from both servant and master, the sort you would observed between friends, even brothers. The manservant is free to make jokes at the king's expense to his face and receive no serious reprimand beyond additional chores now and then. While Merlin does exhibit a generally subservient attitude towards the king and other nobles, he shows no inhibitions about speaking his mind. What is more interesting, is that Arthur listens to his counsel and gives it nearly the same consideration as any of the knights or counselors of his infamous round table. Merlin rarely leaves Arthur's side when he is not occupied with his duties, and attends to the king even on quests within the kingdom and beyond. I do not believe Arthur ever leaves the city without his manservant. Indeed, even as a prince embarking on the errant quests unapproved by Uther, Arthur brought Merlin with him."

King Lot interjected as Merek paused to shift his papers, "I take it that this Merlin is Arthur's secret companion, then? Such things are not unheard of. Exposing his affair would be a simple matter."

Merek shook his head. "I thought as much as well, my lord. But Merlin is the ward of the court physician and has rooms there. I have not observed him ever staying the night in the king's chambers. What's more, you'll remember that Arthur chose the girl that served Lady Morgana to be his queen. If his fancies lay elsewhere, he would have chosen a political match. No, my lord, I do not think that is the nature of Merlin's relationship with the king. Merlin exhibits a similar relationship with Arthur's most trusted knights. The brotherly kinship that is found in knighthood seems to partially extend to the manservant, though the boy is no warrior. He appears to be the target of most of their jokes and is frequently used when they train. He is incredibly clumsy and awkward, the ideal target of a knight's amusement. Their games appear to be good-natured, though. None show any true animosity towards the servant. Indeed, Merlin is well-liked in the palace and the town below."

Lot grumbled impatiently, "What use is this man then? You said he would be useful! I see no use from any of this."

Merek bowed swiftly, "My lord, if you would indulge me a little longer. There is an air of mystery about Merlin that I noticed only after I had observed him for several weeks. The boy has a secret, I am sure of it. At first, I thought perhaps that the comical, clumsy persona was merely an ruse, that the servant was secretly a trained bodyguard for the king. Three times, I have observed him sneaking about the citadel at night. Each time, he sought information about guests in the palace and uncovered some plot against the king. Afterwards, the conspiracy was publicly revealed through some indirect means of Merlin. I noted one of your own spies was discovered as well, though he was thwarted without the king's knowledge of him. I did not observe the incident myself, but I am sure of Merlin's involvement. I do not doubt that he had a hand in any number of other unusual occurrences during my stay in Camelot."

"He is bodyguard, then? Your earlier reports described him as thin and weak. It hardly seems possible."

Once again, Merek shook his head. "No, my lord. He is not. At least, not from what I can tell. When I observed Merlin when he thought he was alone, his persona was unchanged. In fact, the boy is one of the most incompetent spies I have ever seen. He seems to rely on luck to sneak about he palace and has only barely escaped detection many times. When he is caught lurking where he should not be, he comes up with the most preposterous excuses. From what I can tell, the only reason he remains in the king's confidences is because of the undying loyalty he has shown him.

"Even still, there is something that eludes me about this strange manservant. I have a hunch, my lord. A suspicion that I ask your permission to voice. I have no proof, my lord, other than instinct." Merek chanced a glance into the king's eyes and saw a glint of curiosity.

"Go on, Merek." King Lot inclined his head to the spy. "Your expertise grants you a right to voice the musings of your instincts."

"Thank you, my lord. I suspect that the boy may be hiding the only thing that could turn the king against him: magic."

Merek hid his satisfaction at seeing King Lot's shock. "Magic, Merek? So close to Arthur? How could this man, incompetent as you say he is, be practicing magic under the king's very nose? Explain yourself."

Merek nodded. "As I said, my lord, it is only a suspicion, but the boy is a ward of Gaius, the same that was physician to Uther and helped him during the Great Purge. The court physician was one a sorcerer himself, and is knowledgeable about the magic. Merlin looks to him as a father and shows a fascination with the subject that is unbecoming of a manservant to a king that claims a war against all such practices. I have seen Merlin express sympathies to sorcerers and druids alike. The boy's unlikely luck could be explained by magic, though I have not heard him incant any spells myself. Still, I have seen the abilities of others to conceal their magic in the past. Self-preservation is a powerful motivator, enough even for someone like Merlin to keep hidden."

"And Arthur? You are sure he does not know?"

"Quite, my lord. Arthur would find the idea of Merlin with magic laughable."

King Lot considered the revelation quietly for several minutes. Merek busied himself with folding his papers and returning them to inside of his jerkin, painfully aware of the king's eyes on him. As the minutes drew on, Merek found himself fiddling with his ring again. Did the king expect him to say more? Was he waiting for him to something else? Merek pressed his lips together, ready to speak up, although unsure of what he could say.

Before he could decide, though, King Lot broke the silence. "You have done well, Merek. I have one final question for you, however, before you are rewarded. Then I will have another task for you. If Merlin's secret were revealed to Arthur, how do predict the betrayal affect the young king? If what you say is true, Morgause and the Lady Morgana's failures to acquire the throne are easily explained. With a sorcerer at the heart of Camelot, practically standing behind the throne itself, and in the guise of such an easily overlooked servant, Arthur's hold on the throne is unshakable. This Merlin must be disposed of if I am to take Camelot. We cannot make the same mistakes as the witches, however. We cannot underestimate this sorcerer. He must be powerful to hold off the joined efforts of Morgause and Morgana. Rather than test that power, I would rather have Arthur remove himself from the sorcerer's shield of protection."

Lot locked eyes with Merek. "You say the bond between Arthur and Merlin is close. Is there any chance Arthur would be accepting of Merlin's magic?"

Merek hesitated, considering the question. "It is possible, sire. If there is anyone who could alter Arthur's mind on magic, it would be his manservant. Especially if he knew the degree of involvement that I suspect Merlin has had in protecting the king."

Lot nodded. "As I thought. Merek, you will be rewarded for your work thus far. That reward will be doubled, however, if you can bring me undeniable proof that this Merlin does indeed have magic. Be cautious, Merek. If Merlin becomes aware that you have learned his secret, I will see that your life is short and painful, if the sorcerer does not end it first."

Merek bowed stiffly as a knot formed in his stomach. "As you wish, your highness."

"Dismissed."

Thanks for reading! Next chapter should be up soon.

Please review and let me know what you think. :)