Epilogue

Looking around at his now empty house, it was hard to believe that this was where his life had ended up. When he had been younger, everything had seemed dark and pointless. The only reason he carried on was that he wanted to help people who couldn't protect themselves, just like he had needed when his mother had been killed. Now he was packing up his belongings so he could move them to Camelot. He finally would have a place to call home.

"So you're really going then?" Morgana asked from where she stood and Merlin looked over his shoulder at her.

"Looks like it." Flicking his hand, Merlin made his final trunk open and his books began to fly in. "They don't need me to stay here. After almost six years, they've learnt how to look after themselves and if anything happens, I can always come back."

"And being in Camelot will make you happy? You've been through a lot Merlin. It's only been a few weeks since you got back and I don't want Arthur taking advantage of that. If you need rest, here is the best place to have it. He is King and that means-"

"He'll be busy a lot," Merlin interrupted her and smiled. "I know what I'm getting myself into Morgana. Believe it or not, I got to think a lot about what I wanted when I was away and all I imagined was being happy, with him. I've spent so long running away from my feelings that I've forgotten why people take the risk of falling in love. It's because you feel … on top of the world."

"But Merlin, he might hurt you. Arthur is one of my most trusted friends but even I can't ignore his reputation. Once he has someone, he gets bored and gets rid of them within the month. What if that happens to you?"

"Then at least I would have had some time with him." Turning on the spot, he walked over to her and gently grasped her shoulders. "He makes me happy Morgana, something I haven't been in a long time. Isn't that enough to give this a shot?"

"But-"

"But nothing. Thank you for worrying about me but I can look after myself," gently brushing her locks behind her ear, he smiled.

"I just don't want anything to happen to you. We've been through a lot together and the thought of anyone hurting you, after … that place. It wouldn't be fair." Morgana placed her hand over his heart and a small soft smile came to her lips, "You've been like a Father to me Merlin. If that guy hurts you, King or not, I'll hunt him down and kill him."

"Sweet," Merlin tapped her nose and then grasped her hand tightly. "Same goes for you. If Gwaine ever hurts you, let me know. I know some terrible curses that would make any man cry."

"Morgana! It's time to go." Gwaine yelled from downstairs and Morgana took a step away from Merlin.

"I'll see you back in Camelot," she said and quickly rushed down the stairs to greet her husband. Merlin laughed as he heard Gwaine complain that they might not make it back before sundown because of Morgana fussing and he was glad she had found someone to be with. Now it was his turn to have that. Finally.

Arthur woke up as he heard movement coming from the room next door and he got out of bed to go investigate. Picking up his sword, he crept alone the stone covered floor silently in his bare feet and after going down the hall, he pushed open the door with his shoulder so he could peer into the room. Instead of finding a thief, he found Merlin stood there with many of his belongings floating in the air around him, slipping into places when he flicked his hand at certain points.

Setting his sword on the table by the door, Arthur shut the door behind him quietly and took a step forward. "I thought you weren't coming here until tomorrow?" Arthur asked and Merlin's lips curled into a smile.

"I couldn't wait. Everything was packed and my bed was here, it made more sense to come here tonight rather then in the morning."

"Why are you unpacking in here then?" Arthur asked and ducked under some clothes as they flew over his head as he approached Merlin. "You are an idiot if you think we're sleeping in separate rooms. I've had to wait six years, I'm not wasting any time in taking it slow. Pack all this back up and move it into our chambers, Merlin."

Merlin dropped his hands to his side and his things went back into the trunks that hadn't been sorted yet, he then turned to face Arthur who was now a mere step away. "I was going to unpack my things in there. That was before I realised just how much stuff you own. There was nowhere to put all this. Besides, I like the idea of having a room filled with all my stuff. Means I can come in here to be myself-"

"You can't be yourself with me?" The King asked.

"I don't mean it like that," Merlin replied and took ahold of one of Arthur's hands. "I mean I can come in here and read up on spells, practice my magic and not have to worry about hurting anyone. If I did it in your chambers, then I might hurt you."

"Our chambers, and if that's what you want, fine. However all your clothes and little treasures that you had around your bedroom back in that village go in the other room. I want you to feel like it's home and not just a place you're sleeping in." Arthur tugged at his and pulled him up against his body, the warlock's cloak flowing out behind him from the sudden movement. "Not just sleeping either."

"You've become horny in your old age," Merlin teased.

"No, just deprived. You'd think being King meant I could have what I wanted, but no, you had to go and get trapped in another world. Talk about selfish," Arthur replied quietly and fiddled with the strings holding the cloak around Merlin's neck.

"However will I make it up to you?"

"I can think of one way," the King muttered and they both closed the small distance between their lips. Arthur had already managed to untie the string that he'd been fiddling with and the cloak fell around their feet, neither really paying attention to it. Merlin on the other hand didn't make any movement to remove any of Arthur's clothing and that was enough to make the King hesitate. "Don't you-"

"Unlike you, I'm not restricted to just using my hands." Merlin whispered against his lips and suddenly a cold breeze hit his bare skin. Looking down, he found that he was already half undressed and Merlin hadn't moved his hands from his waist. It seemed there were other uses to Merlin's magic then just saving people. "I think it's about time we moved into our chambers and get into our bed."

"I couldn't agree with you more." Arthur pressed a light kiss to Merlin's lips and then turned to leave the room, except a firm hold on his hand stopped him. Turning his head, a small wave of dizziness overcame him and he suddenly saw that they had somehow managed to change rooms without so much as moving. "Neat trick."

"Oh you won't believe what else I can do," Merlin teased and pushed him back onto the bed so he wouldn't fall down. "There's a reason why sorcerer's are rumored to be fantastic in bed," he commented as he climbed onto the bed to straddle Arthur's waist, "and I'm about to show you why."

Merlin gently traced Arthur's lips with his finger as he lay on top of him, his eyes in a trance as his thoughts took him back to his time away, how night after night he had imagined being exactly like this. He didn't dare close his eyes incase it was all a dream. "You look sad," Arthur commented and brushed the hair from his face.

"I'm not sad," he replied and gave a small smile in return. "Just … I keep expecting to open my eyes and find myself back in that place. Without you. What if I'm still there Arthur? What if you're just a figment of my imagination and I've become so weak, that I'm just making this all up to make myself feel better. The amount of times I imagined you by my side was uncountable, this could just be another time."

"It's not. You're here, with me, in our bed. We've just had amazing sex and have many more nights to come like this. You'll never wake up alone again. I promise," Arthur lifted his head from his pillow and tenderly kissed his lips. Suddenly he reached sideways and opened up his drawer, however his arm wasn't flexible enough to reach inside with Merlin on top of him. "Do you mind getting me a small box that's in there?"

With a curious look on his face, Merlin summoned the box with a mere thought and Arthur grasped it in his outstretched hand. Something was going on here and Merlin didn't like being clueless. "What's that?" Merlin asked without hesitation.

"It's a gift, for you." He opened the box whilst it faced him and pried something from the cushion. Arthur then chucked the box onto the floor and held up a gold ring that was shaped like a dragon. One end was the dragons head and it looked like it was eating its own tail by the way it was designed. Two small red gems were where the eyes should be and Merlin stared at it in fascination. He'd never seen anything more beautiful in his entire life. "Do you like it?"

"Like it? Arthur, I love it. What's this for though? I haven't got anything to give you in return."

"I have everything I want right here," the arm around Merlin's waist tightened and the warlock smiled happily. "This is a welcome home present. I want the whole of Camelot to know you're mine and I want you to have a constant reminder that you have someone who cares about you. Loves you." Arthur unwrapped his arm from around him and grasped his hand, pulling it up between them so he could slip the finger onto one of his fingers. "There. Now it's official."

"You didn't have to do this …" Merlin said as he stared at the ring.

"No, I didn't, but I wanted too." Merlin's hand was wrapped in Arthur's strong one and brought to the King's lips. "If you really want to make it up to me, you can show me what else you can do with that magic of yours. I have a feeling the best is yet to come."

A few people said they wanted an epilogue and so wala, here you go. I don't expect any reviews for this since the last chapter was for that. So just enjoy this chapter and bask in the glow of our two boys finally being together.

If anyone wants to help me with story ideas, message me ;) I have a couple of ideas but I don't think anyone would like them.

Thanks again for reading and for all the reviews. It's been great hearing your views! sorry for the double upload, forgot to edit chapter before uploading first time