A/N: I really hope you like this! Please review!

Real

Merlin watched as Arthur eyed the sword the warlock had retrieved from Freya earlier that day.

Excalibur. Forged in a dragon's breath.

Arthur approached the sword in the stone slowly. He looked up at the crowd with hesitation, and then tried to pull the sword out.

It didn't budge.

"You have to believe, Arthur," Merlin said.

Arthur glanced his way, and then tried again, but the sword still wouldn't come out.

Merlin continued. "You're destined to be Albion's greatest king."

Arthur let go of the sword, his expression bemused. He listened as his manservant said:

"Nothing, not even this stone can stand in your way."

Arthur grabbed the hilt of the sword again and closed his eyes.

"Have faith," Merlin said.

And Arthur did. Because he knew, deep inside, that Merlin was always right.

If Merlin said that it was time to believe, then it was.

Arthur breathed in deeply, and pulled.

The people of Camelot watched in awe as their rightful king rose the sword high, the air around him shimmering with greatness and power.

Everyone cheered "LONG LOVE THE KING! LONG LIVE THE KING!"

All eyes were on Arthur, the rightful king of Camelot.

Except Merlin's.

Merlin's eyes were focused on the ethereal figure standing a few meters into the woods.

She was there, but not completely.

She smiled at Merlin with an expression full of pride, love, and longing.

They stood still, looking into each other's eyes for the time that destiny permitted them to.

And then, with a wave of her hand, a smile, and a tear falling down her cheek, Freya was gone in a mist.

While she disappeared, Merlin felt pain once again. But this time, however, he also felt hope.

And a happiness so great that it almost made his chest burst.

"LONG LIVE THE KING! LONG LIVE THE KING!"

And for the first time in a while, Merlin's smile was real.

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