Disclaimer: Sadly I don't own the show Merlin, the BBC does.

The Tablet of Melkor

Chapter 10

When Merlin finally awoke, he realized right away that he was in his own bed again. Faint sunlight streamed through his window with the promise of a beautiful day. He sat up quickly ad winced as he noticed that his head hurt. Apparently he bumped his head when he fainted. Then he remembered his other injury and looked at his leg seeing that it was freshly bandaged. It still hurt, but not nearly as much as it had before, and when he tried to stand Merlin found that he could walk without a limp now.

He walked down the steps into Gaius' quarters and was happy to see his mentor puttering around, making some potion of some kind. "Gaius!" Merlin explained as he rushed forward to embrace his friend.

"Merlin, you gave me a start," Gaius said, but then smiled. "I'm glad to see you."

"Me too," Merlin replied. "It has been a long couple of days."

Suddenly Gaius wore an expression of disapproval that Merlin knew well. "Your wound was infected, and I almost didn't treat you in time!"

Merlin winced. "I knew it was bad, but I didn't think it was that bad."

"What happened?" Gaius said. "Arthur never told me the story."

Merlin smiled and started to tell his tale.

"Merlin, it is about time," Arthur grumbled when Merlin entered the prince's chambers later that day.

"Sorry I was too sick to clean your socks," Merlin muttered sarcastically.

"You should be," Arthur said jokingly. "It was too quiet around here."

"So what happened after I passed out?" Merlin asked.

"Everyone woke up pretty quickly, I want to hear your story," Arthur countered. "What happened after I fell under that spell."

"Kilgharrah came and killed the sorcerer and I ended the curse," Merlin replied simply.

"Being a Dragonlord sure seems to come in handy," Arthur observed.

Merlin grinned, "you can say that again."

Suddenly Arthur rolled his eyes. "Stop acting so pleased with yourself! Its—"

"Obnoxious?" Merlin asked.

"Yes."

"Irritating?"

"Yes."

"Annoying?"

"Yes!"

"Now you know how I feel," Merlin joked.

"Merlin!" Arthur exclaimed. "Shut-"

"Arrest him!" said one of the guards as they burst into Arthur's chambers and grabbed Merlin. Two of them started to drag him away.

"What is the meaning of this?" Arthur demanded.

"Sire, we have orders from the King," one said. A furious followed the guards as they took Merlin to the throne room.

Uther sat on his throne, glaring down at Merlin. "What do you have to say for yourself, sorcerer?"

"Um, I just saved Camelot," Merlin said meekly, not looking in Uther's eyes.

"Camelot was only in danger FROM sorcery," Uther pointed out. "Magic has no place in my kingdom!"

"Father," Arthur protested. "We would all be dead if it wasn't for Merlin; he has saved my life countless times!"

"Nevertheless, he has broken the law and he must be punished," Uther retorted.

"If I hadn't broken the law then Arthur would have died from Lady Helen's dagger, Valiant's shield, in the Caves of Balor, from the Griffin, from the Questing Beast-need I go on?" Merlin said sternly. "I assure you Sire, that is only the beginning."

"Who do you serve?" Uther demanded.

"I only serve Arthur," Merlin replied. "It is my destiny to protect him."

"Destiny," Uther scoffed.

"If you don't believe me, then there is nothing I can do to change your mind," Merlin said.

"Tell me one good reason I should let you live," Uther said.

"I have given you several good reasons Sire," Merlin said. "But if you execute me today, who would be able to save Camelot from the next magical threat? Because I assure you that the only way to fight magic is to use magic. If it is used for the right reasons, magic can be a wonderful thing."

Uther frowned and turned to look at his son questioningly.

Arthur must have guessed what Uther was going to say, because when he spoke it was in earnest. "Father, Merlin is a loyal servant and despite everything he is my best friend. He doesn't deserve to die because of something he was born with."

Uther sat brooding for several moments after this before he finally gave his verdict.

"I will let him live," Uther said to Arthur. "But I have a couple conditions. He is to never use his magic or speak about it openly. If the public were to find out I was soft on a sorcerer-," he left the threat hanging.

"So basically nothing changes," Merlin said grinning.

"I will be watching you. And if you harm me or my son, I will not be held responsible for my actions!" Uther threatened, before glancing at the guards still holding Merlin. "Release him."

Merlin almost couldn't believe his good luck. For Uther to turn a blind eye to his magic was a dream come true. Never would he have to fear his magic being discovered, it was going to make his life so much simpler. And as an added bonus Arthur had admitted before the whole court that Merlin was his best friend. Which was something the prince would've never admitted out loud, though he and Merlin both knew it was the truth. From such an auspicious beginning, they had formed a fast friendship despite all their differences.

"Hello best friend," Merlin said when he returned to Arthur's chambers that evening.

"Shut up Merlin," Arthur grumbled.

"Nice to know you regard me so high," Merlin said, grinning.

"I don't," Arthur snapped.

"Don't lie," Merlin said. "I know the truth."

"You're delusional," Arthur replied. "I think that magic of yours has addled your brain."

Merlin only smiled widely which made Arthur frown deeper before speaking. "I need you to clean my tunics, muck out my stables, sharpen my sword, and polish my armor."

"What a reward for saving Camelot—again," Merlin said sarcastically.

"Yeah well, you ARE my servant," Arthur defended himself.

"And you are a prat," Merlin replied, before starting to leave to do his chores. But just before he reached the door, he heard Arthur speak again.

"Thank you Merlin."

Merlin smiled, taking in praise for his actions for the one of the first times since he came to Camelot. As far as rewards went it was enough.

THE END

AN: Well we've reached the end at last! I want to thank all of you amazing people who have helped make writing this story so much fun! I hope you have enjoyed the end, and I'm grateful for any feedback!