AN: Merlin is not mine. Get it? Got it? Good.

So this is the LAST CHAPTER! I hope you all enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it. Thank you to everyone who reviewed/favorited/followed, everyone who encouraged me to keep going.

The last few chapters haven't been my favorite, but I actually like this chapter. I had to edit the last one, which made it even shorter :P

I will be closing my poll soon, but it looks like the magic reveal is ahead. So be looking out for that, I will be starting it soon

Arthur sat at his desk, his head in his hands. He was supposed to be filling out paperwork, but every time he started to write, he heard Morgana's voice again.

"I know something you don't know!"

He had tried. He really had. But he just could not ignore those words. He had stared down into her eyes as she spoke them, and he was certain she had not been lying.

Could she have been talking about Merlin? After all, she didn't know that he knew his servant had been sneaking around and foiling her plans. Maybe she just meant she knew how many times he had almost died, and Arthur didn't?

The door opened and the man he had just been thinking about walked in.

"Hello, sire," Merlin said brightly. He was clearly in a good mood. It was slightly morbid, but everyone had been feeling a bit better after the deaths of the kingdom's biggest threat and her traitor.

"Merlin. I see you've left my laundry 'till the last minute...again."

The servant looked down in fake surprise at the basket in his arms. "What do you mean, sire? I finished washing all of these!"

Arthur smirked as Merlin went about putting his clothes away. He knew Merlin well enough to see that the servant was hoping that with their banter and the excitement of the last few days, Arthur would forget what lead to catching Agravaine and Morgana in the first place.

"Merlin," he called.

"Hmm?"

"Come over here a moment."

The servant stuck his head out from behind the wardrobe door, looking wary.

"I..have to finish putting your clothes away,or you'll yell at me again."

The king rolled his eyes. "Merlin, come here," he repeated, his tone making it clear not to argue.
Slowly, Merlin walked over to Arthur's desk.

"Sit."

Feeling a slight sense of deja vu, Merlin sat at the other side of the table.

"Now," Arthur began, "you are going to tell me everything. Every time you got hurt or stopped Morgana, I want to know. No point in protesting," he added as Merlin opened his mouth to do just that.

Merlin swallowed. How would he explain the times he'd escaped by magic? He sighed. He would have to alter those parts, or just leave them out.

Arthur was looking at him expectantly. Merlin really didn't want to talk. He realized how ironic it was, how when he'd first arrived in Camelot he'd wanted to let everyone know how he'd saved their necks, and now he didn't want to tell Arthur any of it.

But Arthur was making it clear that he wanted answers. Merlin sighed, and began to talk. He tried to water it down some, but he could tell Arthur wasn't fooled. He talked about skeleton armies, enchanted bracelets, the fomorroh(making it sound like Gaius had found a way to kill it), and mandrake roots. He dredged up all the memories thathad been shoved aside to make room for the new, painful ones that kept replacing them.

When he told Arthur about getting stung by the serkets, Arthur didn't believe him. In response, Merlin turned around and pulled his shirt up, revealing the scar that was still there, snickering at Arthur's dumbfounded expression. "You should see your face."

"How can you laugh at that?" the king said hoarsely.

"What, your face? I find it quite easy, sire."

Arthur shot him a withering glare. "You. Getting hurt, all the time."

Merlin shrugged. "Honestly, I'm used to it now. No one ever asks questions when I'm gone, and when they do, Gaius tells them I'm in the tavern." He scowled at that last part.

Arthur swallowed. "Merlin, I'm sorry. I should have paid more attention. It's my fault you got hurt-"

"No, it was Morgana's," Merlin said firmly. "And she's dead now."

Their eyes met, and they were both thinking the same thing. Morgana would not be the last to attack Camelot. Eventually, someone else would come and take her place."

"Merlin, the next time something happens, you are to let me know. Is that clear?"

"Is that an order, sire?"

Arthur didn't even blink. "Yes."

Merlin sighed. "Fine, fine. If it makes you feel better."

"Thank you," Arthur said, feeling somewhat relieved.

Merlin stood up. "I have a pile of your armor waiting, sire, and I just can't wait to get started."
He reached the door, paused, and then turned.

"You know, sire, you were right, you should pay more attention," he said seriously, but while fighting a smile.

Confused, Arthur looked around. He finally realized Merlin had eaten half his lunch while they had been talking.

Out in the hall, Merlin saw a maid passing him. He waved to her.

"'Three, two, one..."

"MERLIN!"

Arthur's shout echoed into the hallway. Merlin grinned at the maid and she grinned back.

"Impressive," she laughed.

0o0

Hours later, Merlin stood triumphantly, the armor he had just finished polishing at his feet. He picked it up and started hauling it down to the armory.

He walked in and froze. The knights were all standing in front of him, their arms crossed.

"Er," Merlin started. Something was going on here. "Can I help you?"

"No, we're here to help you," Gwaine said.

"Here, let me get that for you," Percival added, taking the armor from Merlin.

"Um." Merlin stared at them. "Thanks?"

The knights looked at each other. "We've been hearing some... things about you," Elyan told the servant.

Merlin groaned. Of course.

"Let me guess - from Arthur?" he said sarcastically.

"That's right," Leon said. "And we think you've deserved a break."

Merlin snorted. "Try telling that to Arthur."

"We have," Gwaine said, putting an arm around his friend and steering him out of the armory.

"Where are we going?" Merlin asked apprehensively.

"Isn't it obvious?" the drunk grinned.

"If you mean the tavern-"

"Of course I mean the tavern! You deserve a day off, mate."

And, ignoring Merlin's protests, the knights led their friend away from his chores, determined to give him at least something in return for what he had done.