A Prince from Another World Epilogue
Epilogue:
One Month Later
Merlin marched down the steps and moved across the courtyard. He glanced up at the castle, its red flags lay limp against their posts, the wind barely offering any relief from the heat. It was well into the afternoon. He quickly made his way towards the main gate. He cut through the lower towns, barely side stepping a moving cart.
He tightened his hold on the bag he carried and swirled around an elderly woman who smiled at him through her crooked teeth. A man bumped into him, stepping on his toes, and Merlin was quickly reminded why he tended to avoid busy days like today. There was to be a week-long celebration in honor of the prince’s birthday.
Merlin quickly made his way out the castle, down the main trail, and straight for the woods. He took out a small pamphlet containing the descriptions and notes on the herbs he was to gather for Gaius, Camelot’s court physician. A week into his stay in the castle King Uther had taken it upon himself to assign Merlin another job as Gaius’ new assistant.
He spotted the last few herbs on the list and gathered them up into the bag. Just as he was about to head back to the castle, the wind picked up and Merlin looked up to see Kilgharrah hovering above the trees. He ran deeper into the woods and stopped when he reached a great clearing in the woods.
In one gracious movement, the dragon landed in front of him. “It has been too long since we last met young warlock.” Kilgharrah spoke.
“I’ve just been busy attending to Arthur and helping Gaius.” Merlin replied.
“Ah, yes the prince.” Kilgharrah laughed.
“It’s not so bad, really.” Merlin shrugged and titled his head further to get a better view.
The great dragon chuckled a few more times, before placing a claw in front of Merlin and then removing it, the golden amulet resting neatly on the grass. “Balinor wanted to tell you that not everything is set in stone. Just because your adventure ended doesn’t mean you can’t start a new one.” Kilgharrah said.
“What does that even mean?” Merlin called out as the great dragon rose into the air and flew off.
“You’ll figure it out young warlock.”
Merlin picked up the amulet and turned it over in his hands. An idea crossed his mind and he ran back to Gaius’ chambers, an empty chamber was all that greeted him. He set the bag down and made his way to Arthur’s chambers.
“Absolutely not,” Arthur fumed.
Merlin dodged a gobbled Arthur had sent flying in his direction, a frown on his delicate face showing he was not happy at all with the prince’s answer. “I don’t see why I can’t, I am your manservant not your slave.” He argued; ready to step out of the prince’s chambers.
A hand on his arm stopped him and Merlin could feel the prince’s chest on his back. He turned to face Arthur and forced the knot at the back of his throat down. Arthur gave him a “you wouldn’t dare” look placing his hand on the door behind him shutting it.
“You’re also my partner.”
“It’s not like I don’t plan on coming back, just a few days is all I am asking for.” His sad eyes making Arthur’s serious face soften and give in to a much gentler look.
“Besides you can look at it as giving me time off.” Merlin offered. “Well deserved if I may add, you should see what I have to eat and don’t get me started on the chores.” That one earned him a smack on the back of the head by the prince in question.
“Merlin, shut up.”
Laura reread Merlin’s letter for the millionth time and wiped her eyes with a tissue. She curled her toes further into the couch cushion in an effort to make herself more comfortable. Her eyes were bloodshot. Merlin had returned to his real home over a month ago and though Will dropped by as much as he could, the house still felt very lonely.
A knock on her door brought her to her feet. Laura hurriedly moved to answer it, wondering who it could be at such a late hour. Will hadn’t called to let her know he was stopping by. The letter fell to the floor near her bare feet, her face full of shock.
Merlin and Arthur stood in the doorway. The young warlock wore a sheepish grin on his face, his eyes even more blue then she remembered.