Author's note

Apologies for the long delay – Christmas again! Hope you enjoy the last chapter

Chapter 13

Helma threw the feed down on to ground for the chickens, some of which cautiously approached the grains in the dirt before pecking them up hungrily. Others of the chickens were more hesitant whilst Tilly was still in the vicinity, as she had a habit of suddenly developing a desire to pick one of them up, which inevitably led to her madly chasing a somewhat distressed bird around until it could make good its escape from the over-enthusiastic young girl. Edric sat nearby on a stool outside their house, his head down as he worked on putting a new binding on the handle of one of his spades. And so it was Helma who first spotted Arthur as he strode back into the village, with Gwen at his side, and his knights and Merlin behind him – and she could immediately see the change in him. There was something in the way he held himself and the way that he walked – he wasn't so much walking ahead of the others as leading them. She turned to Edric and he could immediately hear the note of excitement in her voice as she said his name: "Edric! Look! I think a prince has just walked into the village!"

And as Edric stopped what he was doing and looked up, seeing in Arthur exactly the same change that his wife had seen, Tilly – who had also spotted him – began running excitedly towards him. As she reached him, however, she suddenly stopped and stared up at him with a look of curiosity, and exclaimed, "You're different!"

Arthur was by this time, largely due to force of habit, crouching down to be on her level. He raised his eyebrows at her as he asked, "Different good or different bad?"

Tilly paused to think about his question for a few moments, before exclaiming "Different wet…. And different happy!"

Arthur smiled and then looked at her mischievously: "And would you like to be different wet as well?" And with that, the still-soaking prince reached out his arms to her, causing her to scream with delight and to turn to run from him. But Arthur had his arms round her in a couple of strides and he lifted her up, as usual, into her arms, with her giggling uncontrollably.

It was at this point that Arthur, however, became very self-conscious. He had reverted, on seeing Tilly, to his normal behaviour as 'William', but as she squirmed happily in his arms, he suddenly became acutely aware of his knights walking behind him, and knew without looking the expressions that they would have on their faces. He reddened slightly and as he glanced around he caught the expected grins on their faces. "What?!"

They all continued grinning at him, as Lancelot answered casually, "Nothing, sire!"

Gwaine added, "Didn't say a word….."

Arthur turned to face forwards again, with an expression that showed that he was determined to ignore them. He continued walking towards the house carrying Tilly, who as she studied Arthur's companions asked him innocently, "Why are the nice men laughing?"

"Because they're idiots, Tilly."

Gwen was smiling, however, and looked over at Arthur with deep affection. She slipped her arm around one of his, and leaned her head against him as they walked together: "Take no notice of them, Arthur - I like it!" And Arthur smiled, thinking of how much he longed to have her as his wife. But Gwen was far beyond that in her mind, and was beginning to image Arthur as the father of their children, and she was filled with a happy anticipation and longing for the time when the deepest desires of both of their hearts would finally find fulfilment.

Gwaine, however, just grinned again at the couple, and directed a one-word question towards Elyan in a low voice that neither Arthur nor Gwen would hear: "Broody?"

"Definitely!"

Gwaine's next comment was spoken deliberately louder, so that the couple could hear it: "Uncle Elyan - I think that has a nice ring to it…..!" which earned from Arthur the words, "Shut up, Gwaine!" But as Arthur stayed facing forwards as he gave his response, Gwen could see there was still a smile on his face.

Arthur stopped and put Tilly down as he reached Edric and Helma, who were by this time both standing waiting for him. There was a moment's pause as Edric looked into Arthur's eyes: "You remember?"

"Everything! Let's just say…." - Arthur took a swift look around at the knights - "… that they jogged my memory."

Edric and Helma both smiled warmly at the young man who had become so dear to them, and neither questioned why he was soaking wet – as were his companions.

Arthur continued, "I will need to leave soon before the day is too far gone. My father is a hard and stubborn man " - he smiled at this point – "although he is maybe not the ogre his reputation would have you think. But he has not been well and he needs me. I fear that he has grieved me too long already, and I would not want him to face another dawn without me. And I am conscious of the fact that we are still in Odin's territory, and eight of us are slightly more conspicuous than one. I will need to change back into the clothes I came in, which are also….." – he smiled again – "….mercifully dry. Maybe you would give me a little while to do that and then join me inside – there are things I would like to say."

They both nodded in agreement, but as Arthur turned back to the knights, he caught sight of Kay sitting under the oak tree, his head down. Even as he addressed his men, "If you could get the horses ready…," he glanced over at Kay again, a glance that was not lost on Merlin.

As the knights, Merlin and Gwen turned to leave to begin preparations for their journey back to Camelot, Arthur paused and then called his servant back: "Merlin!" He then motioned for them to walk away from the others, but before he could speak, Merlin looked at him and asked in the best matter-of-fact tone that he could muster, "Are you going to find leaving difficult?"

Arthur scoffed at his servant, "Don't be ridiculous Merlin, why should I?" but then found he had a lump in his throat and had to look away, although not before Merlin had caught the expression on his face. Merlin gave a little sigh - he really was back to his old self, unable or unwilling to acknowledge or express the feelings that were churning away just beneath the surface of the royal persona that he so often felt he had to keep up.

And Merlin launched into one of the rapid monologues that he was so fond of, barely stopping to breath as the words tumbled out: "Oh, I don't know, sire, it's just that it looked to me as if you might have become very fond of the family here, because it certainly looked as if Edric and the others have become very attached to you, which is a bit of a mystery given how you usually treat others, although I think maybe you forgot about being arrogant whilst you were here, but it does certainly look as if you really do care about the family, although I admit that I could be mistaken, but then again I really don't think I'm wrong about this because I saw the way you were looking at them, and if it were me, which it's clearly not, because it's you and so it could be different, then I could see myself getting…"

"Merlin…."

"…. very attached and close to people that I had lived with for the best part of….."

"MERLIN!" His servant finally came to an abrupt halt as Arthur finally conceded, "Alright, you've made your point," before looking away again, determined not to let Merlin see the emotion that was threatening to get the better of him.

"So, you'd like me to find another horse?"

Arthur turned back and stared at his servant dumbfounded, and although he opened his mouth to speak, he was lost for words for a moment. When he did finally find the words to say, there was a tone of mystification in his voice, "Merlin! How is it that you already know what I'm thinking?!"

Merlin grinned, "It's my job, sire – well, that and constantly bailing you out of trouble!"

Arthur continued to look at him in disbelief.

"…and I think there's something still wrong with your memory, sire. This is the point where you say, Shut up, Merlin!"

Arthur finally smiled, "Not this time!"

"Well, that's a first….."

"And probably a last." They were both grinning by this point, and Arthur continued, "If you take Gwaine and both go by horse to Berlund, you should be able to buy a half-decent horse from there, and be back within the hour. Do you have enough money between you for that?"

"Oh, it's fine, I've got loads of money."

Arthur stared at him with a questioning look, and so Merlin obliged with an explanation of sorts, "I borrowed quite a lot before we left."

"Who from?"

"You! You really shouldn't be leaving all that gold under your bed, my lord – you never know who might take it!"

Arthur paused and shook his head again, smiling: "How on earth could I ever have forgotten you?"

"Beats me!"

They both turned to go their separate ways, but suddenly Arthur wheeled round, as he remembered something: "And Merlin…."

Merlin turned back to face him, "Hmmm?"

"Speaking of beds…" A look of repugnance came to Arthur's face, and with suitable hand gestures the prince continued, "…. That whole….. checking…. tucking in… thing…. Just….. don't….. Ever!"

Merlin nodded seriously, but as soon as his face was turned the other way, there was a big grin on it.

~~~ o ~~~

Arthur had just tightened his belt over his tunic as he finished dressing when there was a light tap on the door.

"Come in….."

Edric and Helma both lowered their heads slightly as they always had to, to come in through the small door into the one room of their humble dwelling. Arthur stood watching them, but then had to stare down at the ground for a few moments, to compose himself before looking up again as they reached him. He held their gaze for a few moments, and then smiled. "I do not have the words to thank both of you for your kindness to me. You took me into your home and have cared for me like one of your own, and I know that I would not be alive today if it hadn't have been for your open door and your open hearts. I am deeply indebted to you both, and don't know how I can ever repay you."

Edric, who was also smiling warmly by this time, answered simply, "Arthur - you already have."

Helma laid her hand gently on the young man's arm: "It's been our pleasure and delight, Arthur, to have you as part of our family for these weeks. We will miss you so much."

Suddenly, on impulse, Arthur blurted out, "Come to Camelot! Come and live under my protection. I have land, good land, that you could farm. You would want for nothing, and be free from Odin's grasp. Please come!"

Edric gave a little sigh, understanding perfectly the goodbye that Arthur didn't want to have to say. "Arthur, that is kind and generous of you, and a great part of me longs to accept your gracious offer, but our family has spent many generations here, and our little community needs us."

A look of sadness and disappointment came to Arthur's face, and once more he fixed his gaze on the dirt floor of the little house, but when Edric continued there was both kindness and humour in his voice: "And besides, we wouldn't all that excellent ploughing and sowing that you've done to go to waste…"

The remark was sufficient to bring a little smile back to Arthur's face, and he raised his head to look at them again with huge affection. "I've learned much here, and I pray that when I go back to being Prince of Camelot, I will never forget what it has been like to live the sort of life that most of my people lead. You will come to visit, though?"

Helma laughed: "You have left Tilly's head filled with princesses and pretty dresses – I think we are soon to be constantly plagued by her asking, not only to see you, but also Guinevere again!"

Arthur's smile widened at the mention of Guinevere - the one person who, more than any other, made Camelot so dear to his heart. He then nodded his head and laughed as he responded to Helma's comment: "I'm sure Guinevere would be absolutely delighted to hold her hand and show her around Camelot."

"And will there be a wedding soon?" Helma raised her eyebrows playfully at Arthur, causing him to suddenly look rather coy and her husband to chide her in a good-natured fashion.

"Hush, wife, you are making the young prince blush!"

They all laughed again, and Edric then stood looking steadily at Arthur for a few moments before continuing: "And who knows, Arthur - our lands are changing….. Nothing stays the same forever. Maybe we will yet one day find ourselves under your rule."

The two men held each other's gaze and then both reached out and shook the other's hand warmly, smiling and nodding to one another as they did so.

"Edric…."

"Your highness."

Arthur then turned towards Helma, and there was a moment's awkwardness as they faced each other, unsure of how to act. But then Helma smiled broadly, abandoned any sense of what was proper behaviour towards a prince, and kissed him on the cheek before embracing him. Arthur gladly returned the embrace, and they held each other tightly for several moments, expressing the unspoken understanding that she had been to him the mother he had never had. As they finally pulled away from each other, Helma sighed and said "Kay will miss you terribly – you have become like a brother to him."

Arthur smiled ruefully, "And he to me…. And I fear that I am now causing him to feel as if he is losing a brother all over again."

Edric shrugged his shoulders, "He will get over it in time."

Arthur paused as he took the courage to finally voice the idea that had come to him earlier: "But I would like to be bold, and ask one last thing of you, if you are able…."

~~~ o ~~~

The horses had finally been prepared, and packed with provisions for the journey home given by the villagers. They may have been poor by Camelot's standards, but the hospitality of the people of Esentor was generous and heart-felt. The small community had not only also taken Arthur to their hearts in the time he had been there, but they were by this time also fully aware of his true identity, and were eager to bestow upon him and his companions a parting blessing of sustenance for their journey back to Camelot. The knights and Merlin were all mounted, but Arthur and Gwen remained standing for the final farewells – but there was also a third rider-less horse whose reins Merlin held in his hands. Kay had remained seated by the oak all through the time that preparations were being made for the departure of the party from Camelot, hating the approach of the hour that he knew must inevitably come.

As Arthur and the others waited, Edric went over to his son to bring him back to the group, and as he did so, Arthur and Gwen both crouched down to say goodbye to Tilly, who was standing next to Helma and holding on to her mother's skirts.

Gwen smiled at the forlorn little face in front of her, "You will see us again, Tilly," and as Tilly nodded sadly, Gwen wrapped her in a warm embrace. It was then Arthur's turn to enfold her in a massive hug, and he kissed her affectionately on the top of her head as he did so. Helma gathered Tilly up into her arms as Arthur and Gwen both stood up again and went over to their horses. As Arthur helped Gwen up onto her white horse, she whispered to him, "If I make her a princess dress, do you think we could somehow get it back to her here?"

Arthur just smiled warmly, leant in to Gwen, and whispered back to her, "I love you."

The prince then stood waiting as Edric returned with Kay. The younger man glanced up at Arthur, but quickly looked down at the ground again as he and Edric stopped in front of the prince.

Arthur laid his hand on his friend's shoulder, as he began: "Kay, I want to thank you. You saved my life today, and I am in your debt not only because of that, but because of the kindness you have shown me here. But I would at least like to try to give something to you in return. So….. " - he paused, and as he did so, a little smile came to his face – "…are you coming?"

Kay suddenly looked up in response to Arthur's question, an expression of confusion and incomprehension on his face. He looked at Arthur who by this time was grinning back at him, and then looked over at the knights, who were also smiling at him. He then saw the empty horse and the penny finally dropped. A look of utter delight, excitement and wonder came to his face as he looked back at Arthur as the prince continued: "I've seen you at work, Kay – you're strong and your hands are skilful, and you have a heart that is good and true….. and noble. You have taught me many things, and I would now like to teach you to be a knight of Camelot."

Kay's expression, if it was possible, became even more delighted and over-awed and he could scarcely believe his ears as Arthur went on. "Most of my knights here have had, like you, humble beginnings, but I know that you can – and will - become like them. Join us, Kay!"

Kay looked once again at the party from Camelot who were all still smiling back at him and giving him encouraging nods. But his expression suddenly faded, and he hesitated as he looked over at his mother and father.

"But…. I'm needed here…."

Edric and Helma, however, were also both smiling back at him and his father assured him, "We'll manage fine! Especially as now there'll be two less ravenous mouths to feed!"

Helma held out a bundle of Kay's belongings to him, "Here, I've already packed up your things….."

Kay was quite simply overwhelmed by the utterly unexpected turn of events, which had suddenly transformed a dreaded farewell into an adventure beyond his wildest dreams. He went over to his mother first and she hugged him and kissed him on his cheek - tearful but happy – before going over to tie his bundle on the horse for him. Kay then bent down, gave Tilly another hug and her head a little rub of affection. Last of all, Edric embraced his son and kissed him on the forehead. "Go, son – I know you will make us proud."

Kay mounted the horse that had been bought by the prince for him, with the look of delight still on his face. He turned to Arthur, his eyes shining, "Thank you!" but then was struck by a sudden thought: "So what do I call you now?"

Merlin had just enough time to open his mouth, but not enough time to share any of his suggestions before Arthur interjected, "Shut up, Merlin!"

Merlin grinned as Arthur answered Kay, "Well probably anything except William….."

They all laughed, and the prince added, "Arthur will do just fine!"

Arthur wheeled his horse around and then took one last look at Edric, Helma and Tilly, nodding to them. Edric nodded back: "Until we meet again, Arthur Pendragon."

And Arthur smiled back at the little family, "Until we meet again…..," and with that, they all turned their horses around to start the journey home.

Author's longer note (WARNING - slight spoilers for the end of Series 5)

Hoped you liked the story – please leave a review if you have time.

Well, here we are – post 5.13. I, for one, thought it was a great – if heart-breaking – ending, and could discuss it for hours. If anyone wants a happier ending, however, you could try "The End of the Beginning"(if you haven't read it already) which I wrote early on in Series 5 to express how I would have loved it all to end. I was gratified to see a few elements in it which DID actually happen in 5.13. Anyway, now that it's all over, please - fellow-writers - keep on writing to fill the gap there will now be! I have two scripts still to be turned into stories plus one fairly well fleshed out new idea (set between series 4 and 5) to be written, and maybe some time in the future I would LOVE to write the story that would go with 5.13, filling in some of the gaps that I felt that there were in an otherwise brilliant, heart-rending ending.

And am now having to add the note that I forgot to add when I first posted this chapter (I got carried away with the above comments on 5.13!). This story was, of course, an attempt to give a nod to the traditional version of the legend, where Arthur grows up in obscurity, oblivious of his true identity. And his "brother" as he grows up is, of course, Kay who also becomes one of his knights. If this was in the series, Kay would (of course) have had to become one of Arthur's inner circle of knights, so the story does go slightly AU at the end. But I hope it does still manage to sit alongside the existing BBC Merlin as "an episode that got left out"!