So here it is, the last chapter. I didn't even realize it would be until about halfway through. I'm glad so many of you enjoyed Kilgarah's appearance in the previous chapter. Thank for all the reviews and for reading the story.

"So let me get this straight," Arthur said, "You're a dragonlord?"

Merlin rolled his eyes. "I think that was established that fact outside."

Morgana and Morgause had fled as soon as they had gotten over their shock at the dragon not only not attacking Camelot, but in fact siding with the city's fiercest protectors. Of course after they were gone Arthur and the knights had nothing to focus on but the fact that A. the dragon was alive and well and B. Merlin knew it, apparently quite well. Merlin had quickly sent Kilgarah away but had heard the dragon's laughter in his head for quite some time as he flew away making it only too obvious that he was a dragonlord.

They were now in Gaius' chambers with all the knights as well as the addition of Gwen crowded around him while Arthur questioned him.

"But I thought that Balinor was the last dragonlord." Arthur said, trying to piece things together in his mind

Merlin dropped his eyes to the floor. "He was my father."

"I'm sorry." Arthur whispered, and he was. Now it made sense why Merlin had been so upset over the man's death. He had found his father and had almost immediately lost him again.

Gwen, who was sitting next to Merlin, reached out to take his hand and squeezed it. Merlin looked up and gave her a small smile. Arthur took it as a sign that it was okay to continue.

"How powerful are you?"

Merlin looked extremely uncomfortable and began studying the ground again. He wasn't sure how to answer. They all were his friends again against all odds, the last thing he needed to do was scare them.

"Are you really Emrys?" Percival suddenly asked.

Merlin glanced at Percival, wondering if he should admit it. Yes, there was no reason to lie anymore. "Yes, I am."

Percival's eyes widened a degree. And, much to Merlin's relief, the questioning turned on the knight.

"You mean he didn't make up that name?" Arthur asked.

"You have never heard the prophesies about Emrys and the Once and Future King?" Percival questioned.

Arthur shook his head. "My father banned…"

"OH! Ohohohohoh!" Gwaine shouted, jumping out of his seat and pointing at Merlin. "That's you?"

Merlin nodded. He supposed that such a reaction was only to be expected from Gwaine.

"Merlin, that's awesome! I need to remember to call you next time I get in a fight." He turned to look at Arthur and said quite seriously, "You should be nicer to him."

Arthur looked truly exasperated. "Would someone please tell me who Emrys is?" Gwaine raised a finger in the air and smirked, about to answer but Arthur said "Other than that he's Merlin," before he got the chance. Gwaine dropped his hand, looking dejected.

Percival sighed and began to explain. "In short, the prophesies say that Emrys is a sorcerer who will protect the Once and Future King-you- from threats until you become king and he will then be a close advisor. He is said to be the one who will bring magic back to Camelot and…" He paused and looked at Merlin. It was hard to miss the slight glimmer of fear in his eyes. He turned back to Arthur. "He is supposed to be the most powerful sorcerer who has ever been and will ever be born."

Everyone turned to look at Merlin but Merlin looked only at Arthur, trying to gauge his reaction. Just as in Percival's eyes there was a slight glimmer of fear but it faded and Arthur cracked a smile. "Well, let's just be happy that he is on our side." He punched Merlin in the arm.

"Prat."

Tension broken, they all started laughing and joking together, recalling the events of the day. Merlin still couldn't stop laughing at Morgana and Morgause summoning Kilgarah.

The door opened and Gaius stepped into the room. The volume dropped to zero as they all turned to face him. Gaius looked confused until his eyes found Merlin.

The man looked sheepish, expecting to be chewed out for not coming to see Gaius earlier. Gaius stomped up to his ward and, much to Merlin's surprise, hugged him fiercely. "Never leave like that again. Ever."

Merlin didn't know what to say so he settled on, "Okay."

Gaius released him and turned to face Arthur, his expression sad and sympathetic. "Your father isn't doing very well Arthur. He has perhaps a day left, maybe less."

Merlin expected Arthur to become angry but he merely said, "Thank you Gaius. I will go spend the time that is left with him." He stood up and began walking to the door but halfway there he turned back. "Merlin, could you come with me please?"

Without a word Merlin stood up and followed him out of the room.

They walked to Uther's room in silence. It wasn't until they were standing outside his door that Merlin finally spoke. "Are you alright?"

Arthur sighed and dropped his hand, which had been halfway to the door handle. "Yes. I have known this would be coming for some time now. I will make the most of these last hours with him."

Merlin nodded in understanding and Arthur pushed open the door to the room. Uther was awake and smiled as they walked in. "Ah, Tristan and…its Balinor isn't it? You're a friend of Gaius?"

Merlin looked to Arthur in confusion. Arthur sighed. "He thinks it's before the Great Purge again. It's pretty common of late. Apparently I look quite a bit like my uncle." Arthur studied Merlin for a minute. "You know, with your new look and taking some thirty years and all the grime off his face, you do look a bit like Balinor."

Merlin hadn't realized this but he supposed it was possible. Of course if it was before the Great Purge, using magic in front of Uther would be safe. He decided to play along and bowed to Uther. "My lord."

Arthur walked over to Uther's side. "So how is my sister doing, Uther?" he asked genially. Apparently he played along with Uther's version of reality as well.

Arthur and Merlin seated themselves in chairs on either side of Uther's bed. "Oh, she is splendid. The pregnancy is just beginning to show. We have Nimueh to thank for that," he said, smiling warmly.

Arthur's eyes darkened. How much does he know? Merlin worried.

Uther, seeing this, tried to comfort 'Tristan'. "Oh do not worry, Tristan. Remember, soon enough you will have a nephew."

Arthur smiled, although it now didn't reach his eyes. "Of course, Uther."

Uther smiled and quickly fell asleep. Once it was clear he was sound asleep Arthur looked to Merlin.

"Don't worry Merlin, I already know about how I was conceived and how my mother died. I also know why you told me Morgause was lying when she told me the truth of it. I thank you for stopping me from killing my father."

Merlin sighed in relief and nodded. "Good. I was a bit worried about that."

They sat in silence for a few minutes. Arthur looked at his best friend; he had to admit it that that was what Merlin was to him, and asked, "So you have been protecting me all this time?"

Merlin nodded. "Ever since I came to Camelot."

Arthur looked thoughtful. "Thank you." He said. "I'm not sure how many times you deserved for me to at least say that and I had no idea, but that you."

Merlin smiled. "It has been my pleasure." His smile widened. "When you weren't being a prat at least."

Arthur smiled in return. "Idiot."

"Dollophead."

"Sorcerer."

They both began laughing but Uther began to stir lightly. Arthur became very serious. "There is no way of knowing where he will think he is when he wakes up," he explained. "So be careful, at least until we figure it out."

Uther woke up and looked around the room. His eyes locked onto Merlin. "Sorcerer." He spat.

Merlin stood up and began backing away, realizing that this wasn't going to end well. Uther leaped from the bed with astounding speed considering his condition. He reached over and grabbed a knife from Arthur's belt and before Arthur had time to react, he threw the blade at Merlin with impressive accuracy.

Arthur watched in shock as the blade stopped in its tracks mere inches from Merlin's face. His friend's eyes were glowing a brilliant gold which faded as the blade dropped to the floor. He now directed his gaze away from the blade and back to Uther. His eyes flared gold again and Uther crumpled. Arthur just barely managed to catch him as he fell. He laid his father back on the bed, trusting that Merlin had merely made the man fall asleep.

He turned his attention back to Merlin as he walked over and retook his seat next to the bed. "You didn't use any spells." Arthur said.

Merlin shook his head. "When I'm doing simple things such as that I rarely need to."

This is going to take some getting used to. Arthur thought.

"I have an idea." Merlin said suddenly. Arthur watched as he stood up and moved so he was standing right next to Uther's head. He placed one hand under the king's head, supporting it. Merlin's eyes glowed and Uther woke up. Merlin kept his hand on the king's head as he sat up.

"Arthur." Uther exclaimed, smiling. "It's so good to see you son."

"You are doing this?" Arthur asked.

Uther's brow furrowed in confusion. "Doing what, my boy?"

"I have brought him back to the present but he does not know I'm here." Merlin explained. His voice became sympathetic as he said, "You had better hurry. I sense that he doesn't have long."

"Nothing, never mind." Arthur answered his father. "I just wanted to tell you that I love you father. For all your faults, you have always cared about me."

A solitary tear ran down Uther's cheek. "I love you too Arthur. You have grown into a better man than I could possibly have hoped. Just follow your heart and you will be a great king."

"Thank you, Father. I will."

The king laid down and fell back to sleep. Merlin withdrew his hand and sat back down once more. The two friends sat in silence as their king drew his last breath and died peacefully in his sleep, having settled things in the best way possible with his son before he passed on.

The two stood up and left the room. Merlin dispatched the two guards to fetch the people who would take care of preparing the body for burial.

"So what now, my King?" Merlin said, mockingly.

Arthur shook his head. "When will you realize that you need to treat me with respect?"

Merlin smiled. "When will you realize that I can turn you into a toad with just a thought?"

Arthur punched him in the arm. "Idiot." He threw one arm around Merlin's shoulder and they walked off down the hall.

The End…For Now

Yes, it is the end but only for now. Due to the fact that my mind is working at a thousand miles per hour on story lines coming off this one I will be writing a sequel. The first chapter will be up within the next few days. I hope I ended the story on a good note. Please review! This was my first ever fanfic and I would love feedback be it good, bad, or indifferent!