Thanks for waiting, and sticking with me for so long! I originally intended this to be three chapters. I never could have imagined I would get so far. Thank you to all of you who followed, left feedback, and stuck by till the end!

I would love to hear your feedback on the ending. I know some of you may be disappointed Morgana didn't make a reappearance. I did want her to, but she was hiding so well, I couldn't find her!

Keep in mind, however, that she's still out there...biding her time...waiting for the chance to strike at Camelot, and make her claim to the throne. She's already plotting for her return…

Hope to write some more stories soon, as long as school doesn't get in the way :)

Chapter 25

The throne room was packed. The lords and Parliament members stood at attention.

Merlin fidgeted impatiently as the page announced Arthur's arrival, and stated the reasons for gathering. They knew all this already. Couldn't they just get to the point?

Gaius, sensing the boy's frustration, squeezed his shoulder reassuringly. Merlin smiled sheepishly, and tried to stay still.

Hushed murmurs swept over the crowd as the king entered the room, and walked to the polished wood table in the center, where a sheaf of parchment lay waiting, a quill and ink beside it. When he reached the table, the whispers ceased.

Arthur bent over the parchment, examining it carefully. He uncapped the quill and held it above the edict. Merlin's eyes were fixed on the king. He stopped breathing.

"Wait." Arthur said abruptly, hand raised. Merlin groaned silently. He'd known it was too good to be true. Arthur had changed his mind.

"There is someone missing," said Arthur, frowning. Merlin and Gaius exchanged a look of confusion. All the lawmakers were present at the table, as was the king. Who-? Merlin stopped his musing as Arthur continued speaking.

"Someone's missing." he repeated. "I cannot sign this law into being without him at my side. He is responsible for this edict coming to pass."

He looked around the throne room, searching. His eyes landed on his servant.

"Merlin?"

Merlin realized his mouth was hanging open, and closed it quickly. He stared at Arthur disbelievingly. Arthur nodded, smiling. "Come on," he said kindly. "I need you up here."

Slowly, as though in a dream, Merlin made his way to the front, the crowd parting to make way for him as he passed. Arthur waved him over to his right hand side.

"I'd like you to look this over, and see if it meets your approval," said Arthur. Merlin nodded mutely. He gazed down at the document.

It was perfect. Arthur had accounted for everything. Even the ink had been painstakingly chosen, ensuring no smudges or blots would mar the parchment. Merlin stared down at the parchment, lost in thought. Could this really be happening, after all this time? Had he actually succeeded in bringing magic back to Camelot?

"Well?" Arthur prompted, when Merlin didn't look up. Merlin blinked, startled. He bowed his head. "I believe this encompasses all areas, Sire. Thank you."

"It is I who should be thanking you," said Arthur quietly. In a louder voice, he addressed the crowd.

"This edict, as many of you know, allows for the practice of magic in Camelot once more. No longer will people be shunned for the gifts they were born with, or the crafts they practiced. Instead, they will be given the opportunity to use their talents to better the kingdom." Arthur clapped Merlin on the shoulder.

"This man standing here," he continued, "is the one to thank for the reversal of my father's previous banishment of magic." He took a breath. "Merlin was born with magic." He paused, allowing the shocked whispers to subside, then went on.

"According to my father, this would have classified him as evil, simply by existing. But Merlin is not evil. Far from it." He looked at his friend fondly. "For many years, Merlin took it upon himself to be Camelot's protector. He faced discovery and subsequent death every day, but still chose to use his skills to protect the people of Camelot, myself included. Time and time again, he laid down his life for the rest of us, with no thought for his own safety, nor desire for recognition. He showed me what it means to be a hero. And now, I wish to give him what he justly deserves."

By now, Merlin was beet red. Arthur motioned to the page, who hurried over, carrying a satin pillow. Something on it gleamed. Before Merlin could get a closer look, Arthur had picked it up in his left hand. With his right hand, he unsheathed his sword.

"Kneel, Merlin."

His heart thudded in his chest. He knelt obediently, and bowed his head once more. With Excalibur, Arthur tapped Merlin lightly on the right shoulder, the left, and the right again, saying as he did so, "I dub thee Sir Merlin of Ealdor...Protector of Camelot. Stand, Sir Merlin."

Merlin got to his feet. Arthur raised the object from the pillow (which he now realized was a medal), over Merlin's head. Merlin bent his head and allowed Arthur to place the medal around his neck. He looked at the gold medallion in awe. A dragon, Arthur's crest, was engraved upon it, surrounded by white diamonds, made to resemble stars.

"Turn it over." Arthur mouthed at him. Merlin complied. A small figure was etched there, hands raised. Clusters of tiny gems of all different colors, which Merlin knew were meant to symbolize magic (his magic, he realized),were scattered all around. Then he noticed the words below the figure. His breath caught.

Merlin: Protector of Camelot.

He stared at Arthur, stunned. Arthur grinned, and began to applaud. He was quickly joined by Gaius, Gwen, and the knights. The whole throne room was soon thundering with applause. For him. For Merlin.

Arthur held a hand up, and the applause died down. "Much as I'd like to continue this," he began, "We do have an edict to sign. And many have been waiting a long time for this to pass. So let's not make them wait any longer, shall we?" With a flourish, he scrawled his signature at the bottom of the parchment, then pressed his seal ring down, making it official.

The people cheered. Merlin blinked back tears. Arthur noticed. "Don't be such a girl, Merlin," he said gruffly out of the corner of his mouth. Merlin chuckled. "I learned from the best, Sire."

Arthur rolled his eyes. "I can still put you in the stocks," he said warningly. He mock-glared at Merlin. Merlin gazed innocently back. Then Gwaine's voice cut through.

"Long live the King!" he roared. The rest were quick to take up the cry.

"Long live the King! Long live the King! Long live the King!"

Arthur and Merlin smiled at each other, then faced the crowd together, reveling in the birth of a new Albion.

The End