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Chapter Text

Court Sorcerer,

            I understand why you had to leave so early this morning, though I would have preferred to see you off properly. Ever since the repeal of my father’s ban on magic, there have been rumblings and opposition from many quarters. As Court Sorcerer, you are charged with investigating and responding to these disturbances. Still, as they have become more numerous and your absences have become both longer and more frequent, I have written this letter to keep us connected. I trust that Sirs Lancelot and Percival will keep you safe, though goodness knows, I wish I could send an entire detachment of knights. You routinely face dangers that would terrify lesser men, but you are also more than capable of defending yourself and others.

            I owe my life to you many times over, as I’ve learned in recent months.

            Sometimes, I am still stunned by the rapid unfolding of recent events. Just three months ago, I knew that magic corrupted its users. Just three months ago, I knew that my father’s legacy should remain intact, especially considering the magic that ended his life. Just three months ago, I discovered my manservant and closest confidant… completing his chores with magic.

            It was so ordinary that, looking back, it was almost comical.

            “Arthur, I can explain!” you desperately shouted at the time.

            I felt betrayed. Bereft. Broken. As the guards came to take you away, you did not resist. You did not lash out. You knelt at my feet and begged me to remember our friendship — and then you were gone. Accepting your fate under the laws of Camelot. I can only imagine your despair during your next four days alone in the dungeons.

I didn’t sleep while you were gone.

            Your service to Camelot weighed heavily on my mind. The depth of your personal devotion. Our many trials and adventures in a world of injustice and pain. I eventually realized that I couldn’t bear to lose you. I’m sure you remember my arrival in the dungeon all too clearly.

            “Was it all a lie?” I asked before I even knew what I was saying.

            “Never,” you answered quietly. “My magic is only for you, Arthur. It always has been, and it always will be. You are the greatest king Albion has ever known. My destiny is at your side.”

            Your confidence was astounding. You looked me right in the eye, unwavering and unimaginably strong in the face of uncertainty and possible death.

            “You really are a ridiculous fool, Merlin,” I said. “Using magic so openly in the royal apartments.”

            “Are polishing boots and scrubbing floors works of evil?”

            Always so cheeky, Merlin. I couldn’t help but laugh.

            “No, I suppose not.”

            “Have you decided what to do with me?”

            Drawing myself up to my full height — and don’t argue, Merlin, I really am taller than you, I’m sure of it — I answered, “Yes. You’re going to tell me everything. Every single act of treason you committed for the sake of the greater good. I have to know.”            The shock on your face was clear. I think you truly believed that I would have you killed.

            I could no more kill you than I could sever my own arm from my body. Dismemberment, I think, would be easier and less painful. How did a mere servant become so close a friend? I suppose it was inevitable. You would probably say it was destiny. I think it is your unfailing good heart and your relentless loyalty to Camelot — no, it’s more than that, isn’t it? You are loyal to me. You’ve come to love Camelot in your time here, but I sometimes think you love her for my sake.

            You are utterly remarkable, Merlin. Your only subterfuge was concealing your magic so that you could stay by my side to protect me. I can hardly fault a man for wanting to stay alive. Apart from this, though, you have no agenda. No plot. No intrigue. You only want to keep me alive and see our friendship grow deeper and stronger.

            The next few days were both the longest and swiftest of my life. Time and again, what I had thought were strokes of good luck were your direct intervention. I had fought courageously, I still believe, but you were why I lived. Hearing this was long and hard, but the hours flew by somehow. Servants came and went, bringing food and drink. Lords sent messages, asking me whether Council would be postponed yet another day.

            The outside world vanished for me, Merlin, as my dearest friend pled guilty to crime after crime. As your first story ended, I knew that the ban was unjust, but I had to know more. I was ashamed in the moment, but now I do not regret my tears as your heart broke in front of me. You are consistently amazing and have changed a king’s heart for the better.

            Of course, the Council was blindsided by the announcement a few days later that I would lift the ban on magic in consultation with my newly minted Court Sorcerer. I knew there would be an uproar, but I underestimated the effects of my father’s decades of persecution and ruthless subjugation of his citizens.

            Wisely, you suggested that I bring Gaius on board to vouch for my mental state. The lords were convinced that I had been ensorcelled. Bringing out text after text — which had somehow survived the Purge in Geoffrey’s library — Gaius calmly and methodically proved that he had undertaken every possible test to determine whether I was enchanted. The definitive answer was no. I was fully in my right mind and fully appreciated the ramifications of my actions.

            Well, I say that, but that’s not quite right, is it? I did not foresee the backlash of the magical community. Surely, I had thought, they would rejoice to know that their existence is no longer threatened. How wrong I was. My announcement was widely regarded as a deceptive ploy to draw out any remaining magic users so that I could imprison and execute them. It didn’t help that many lords, as I later learned, spread this rumor themselves. Unfortunately, my father had often resorted to such tactics early in the Purge, so many thought that history was repeating itself.

            The knights were steadfast, though, in supporting lifting the ban. In truth, I think they were wiser than I had been. There had never been any reason to doubt their loyalty to Camelot, but somehow, they had also become fiercely loyal to you. Again, my friend, you are utterly remarkable. Don’t expect to hear it again from me, but you really are charming and engaging, and I can’t imagine Camelot without you. And, clearly, neither could my knights.

            “You’ll have to go through me to get to him,” Gwaine muttered, drawing his sword and interposing himself between us. The other knights stood up at his words and came alongside him.

            “He had his reasons, I’m sure,” Percival said. A man of few words, but his meaning was unmistakably clear.

            “Surely, you cannot end or banish him,” Lancelot said quietly. I think, Merlin, he was trembling. Perhaps he was restraining his anger. Perhaps he feared royal reprisal for standing up for his friend. Whatever the reason, his manner was taut and even brittle. One wrong word could have resulted in disaster.

            And then, Merlin, you had the audacity to laugh. You laughed, Merlin.

            Of course, the knights were nonplussed, but you soon allayed their fears. You told them how we had reached a rapprochement and how you knew in your heart that I would never deceive my kingdom as my father had often done.

            The tension slowly seeped out of the room, and then the knights were concerned first and foremost with keeping you safe while we worked through the laws to ensure true justice for sorcerers.

            It took them mere minutes to arrive at the conclusion, which took me four days to reach. You’re you, Merlin. Whatever your faults (I don’t think you’re constitutionally capable of rising on time in the morning to attend me), you are hopelessly genuine and deeply devoted to your friends. And they match your devotion with their own.

            I hope you know how rare that is in this world. Having suffered many betrayals and reversals, I know too well the true value of uncompromising friendship. Somehow, they intuitively understood that if you of all people used magic, then magic was not the great sin my father had so long proclaimed to be anathema. You were their Merlin, their funny little attendant, their warm and clumsy and insanely faithful friend.

            Their nearly instantaneous verdict both chastised me and strengthened me. I felt chastised because they demonstrated how simple the matter truly was. I had been a fool to spend four days sorting out the question of your loyalty. In the knights’ estimation, you had only and always been faithful. If you were a criminal, then the law was wrong.

But I also felt strengthened because I realized I would not be alone in reversing my father’s grievously unjust laws.       My heart has rarely felt so full. The men I trust most stood at your side, and the one man I trust above all others looked on me as though I was worthy of the deepest respect.

I knew at that moment that a new era had begun.

As you race off to face new threats, I remain here at the castle to wrangle my lords and to bend the courts to the will of the new law. You, Geoffrey, and Gaius have made invaluable contributions to new legislation to bring freedom to a class of my citizens who have suffered for far too long. The days ahead are mostly uncertain, but I know deep in my heart that you will never leave me. And I will never leave your side either, Merlin. We will face the world together.

Always yours in the service of the Kingdom,

Arthur, King of Camelot

Chapter Text

To His Exalted Majesty of Camelot, His Undeniable Greatness, His Most Excellent Prat-ness,

            I’ll admit your letter caught me by surprise. Receiving something so candid from you was completely unexpected. In my absence, I can only hope that George does not wax eloquent on brass-related humor, as he is wont to do. He means well, the poor sod, so I don’t fully resent him. Just mostly. He’s doing my job, after all.

            You’ve mentioned several times in recent weeks that it’s unseemly for the Court Sorcerer to tend the King’s socks. I’ll have you know that I’m not comfortable letting others so close to you. Too many assassination attempts, both magical and ordinary. My heart can’t take it. You draw trouble like a flame draws moths, and I hate leaving you to your own devices for any length of time at all. I’ve taken the liberty of installing quite a complicated network of wards and charms around your chambers while I’m away. They are tied to Gaius, so he will respond if they warn of danger.

            The Court Physician is uncomfortable staying in the chambers of the Court Sorcerer (something about precedence or rank, which frankly irritates me), but my quarters are only two doors down from you. It’s the best possible place for him to be. Gwaine, Elyan, and (Goddess help me) Mordred are on high alert while I’m gone. I’ve arranged for only Gwen to bring you food from the kitchen and for Morgana to magically test every meal. Let that be a lesson in how many people it takes to replace me! I jest. But only slightly.

            I had wondered when you might bring up Those Four Days again. It wasn’t fun being in a dungeon. Again. But I never expected you to discover my secret in such a very ordinary way. I had feared (half hoped?) that some grand emergency would reveal my magic and that at least the extraordinary circumstances might get me off the hook. As it turns out, basic chores were my (almost) undoing. I had been feeling particularly tired, so I thought a little magic couldn’t hurt, but it nearly wrecked everything.

            I had no idea where we would stand when your mind was finally made up. I have always believed that you are fundamentally fair-minded, which gave me hope while awaiting your decision. I’ll admit, though, that those were some of the most difficult days of my life. I could have lost my best friend. And what then of destiny? The Golden Age of Albion would never arrive. My faith in the prophecy held me together. For once. That dreadful lizard usually bangs on about two sides of the same coin and gives me a proper headache.

            I am sorry if I have seemed withdrawn lately. I am determined to prove myself worthy of the trust you have invested in me. The old lords of Camelot are waiting for even the slightest error on my part. The pressure is immense, but I gladly bear it for you. The truth of the matter is that I do not really care what some old, nearsighted lord has to say about me. I do, however, care about how much trouble they can give you because of me.

            These are dangerous times, to say the very least, and we must thank Morgana for giving quiet warning of dark times ahead. Her dreams, much better controlled than before, revealed a conspiracy of a fringe element of Druids. Mostly, the Druids are peaceful, but some have decided that two and half decades of Uther’s rule would repeat themselves in your reign. They have banded together to cause havoc throughout Albion. They aim to replace the current political order with one in which magic users dominate non-magical folk. Their numbers are too few, I think, for their grandest boasts to be taken seriously, but they fully intend to kill those in power who have suppressed them. Unfortunately, Morgana’s dreams do not clearly reveal their location. (Dreams are tricky things, even at the best of times.)

            I rode out in haste this morning to learn whatever we could about the looming threats. The nomadic lifestyle of the Druids makes them very hard to locate. With any luck, I’ll find Iseldir, and he can advise us on our next moves. I have high hopes of him since he provided the magical guidance that Morgana had sorely lacked and mistakenly sought from Morgause for a time. I’ve asked Morgana several times what happens in her conversations with Iseldir, but she has only said that she will tell me when the time is right. Her recent sacrifices and earnest efforts to protect you have done much to quiet my fears about possible betrayal from her.

            Maybe it was Gwen’s heart that finally won her back. They’re once again beautiful together.

            Can I finally admit that I am exhausted? We have fought so long and hard, and the dangers keep rising. I find myself hoping for some time for you and me to live without having to look over our shoulders constantly. Just to exist. Together.

            You’ll probably think I’m soppy and a girl’s petticoat and whatever else, but being apart from you weighs heavily on me. I’m supposed to be at your side, and we’re supposed to see one great, united Albion.

            If you can be so candid with me, then perhaps I can speak openly as well. When I first began serving you, I couldn’t wait for my chores to be done so that I could run away to Gaius’ chambers and be done with you. I thought you were little more than an overbearing prat who delighted in tormenting staff. But then your decency and humanity revealed themselves. I was astonished. You were not perfect, but then again, none of us are. What you did, though, was care for those you had a responsibility for. In your own slightly oafish, very knight-ish way.

            How many times have we risked our lives for each other? I make little marks inside one of Gaius’ old magic books every time we save each other. Without a record, there’s no way to know. And this is a precious record to me. It uplifts me when yet another threat appears. We’ve come so far and overcome so much. We’ll survive. We always do.

            It is a record of our uncommon dedication to each other.

            I’m a lousy servant at times, I’ll admit it just this once. I wasn’t raised to serve in the way that many of the castle staff have been trained in their duties from childhood. My younger years, if I’m honest, had their share of turmoil and pain. I learned early on to conceal myself as best I could. So, diversion became my greatest skill. Charm. Buffoonery. Quick wit. All so I could hide.

            Until you saw through me.

            You said you thought I loved Camelot for your sake. You were right. (Don’t let my words go to your head. That big bonce of yours hardly fits in the throne room as it is.)

            So many things I want to say. Need to say. But how to say them? Once I have said them, especially in writing, I cannot take them back.

            Is there a limit of devotion that a Court Sorcerer should feel for his King? I would ignore such an absurd limit, obviously.

            Percival has just arrived to tell me that an encampment of Druids has been found nearby. Unfortunately, I must end this letter quickly, or else we may lose our chance to connect with them.

            Whatever happens, my Lord, you will still be every day’s first and last thought.

Merlin, Court Sorcerer for Arthur

Chapter Text

Merlin, my closest friend,

            When this letter finds its way to you, I hope you will have already found the answers you seek among the Druids. Obviously, I’m not deeply familiar with their ways, but you mentioned being Someone of Interest to them. Emrys, I believe they call you? Hopefully, this will give you enough stature in their community to achieve some of the good promised by our ongoing reforms.

            What am I saying? I hope, first and foremost, that you are safe. Per Morgana’s dreams, if a secret, violent faction is rising among the Druids, then you must be very careful indeed. I would hate to think that you walked into an enemy camp unawares. That said, you chose your companions well. Percival knows of the Druids, and Lancelot knew (and kept) your secret long before I did. Trust their instincts as much as they trust yours.

            Every knight swears an oath of allegiance to Camelot and her King. When I knew that you would likely leave at daybreak, I pulled Percival and Lancelot aside. With Geoffrey as witness and record, I asked them to take a special oath of loyalty to you, which they did without any hesitation. They really are your knights now. You have your ways of looking after me while you are gone, and I have my ways of looking after you.

            Apropos of nothing at all, I know how much you love those dreadful neckerchiefs. If Morgana did her work well, then you will find that your satchel now contains a purple one. And that personal gift of mine contains its own surprise. I know for a fact that you will use it well.

            A few comments in your letter drew my attention. Two sides of the same coin, eh? You didn’t specifically say so in the letter, but I certainly hope that’s you and me. I rather like the idea, even if the dragon who minted the phrase annoys you. You and I are united in ways that are hard to describe. I know — and sometimes fear — that you see me for who I truly am.

           As King, I must wear many masks, play political games, and closely track how I am perceived. Many lords on the Council are powerful in their own rights, and so pragmatically, I must care about their opinions. Appearance and reality blur at times, but I know I can always rely on you to keep me grounded in the truth. The lords know me as King, but you see me as a man.

           I hope every day that I am a man you can be proud of.

          You mentioned feeling withdrawn recently. I’ve noticed that recent days have seen fewer of your smiles, and I feel at least partly responsible for this. I put new responsibilities on you and raised your profile in the Council, which exposes you to new levels of intrigue. Some of the old guard, as it were, resent your lowborn status and hope to resist the repeal of the ban on magic. I haven’t told you this, but when you initially resisted appointment as Court Sorcerer, I approached Morgana with the offer instead. She was stunned that you had refused. She counseled me to give it time and to ask you again. When I asked why she was refusing, she quietly stated that she had a different role to play in the story.

          As a side note, in a few days, I plan to elevate her status as well. She and I have decided that she must permanently join the Council because she is, after all, a Pendragon. The revelation of her parentage was another harsh truth for me to deal with, but I refuse to let my family completely disintegrate. In the past, she felt excluded. No longer. She has proven herself to be trustworthy. Although I did not discuss this with you due to our time apart, I hope that you will approve of this change for the Council.

          I am trying to govern very differently from my father. Consequently, the people I care most about must shoulder great responsibilities and harsh scrutiny. I am truly sorry that this is the case. I don’t see how to avoid it. Being close to the King means being part of the intrigue of royal life. I need to find a way to make you happy. I need you to be happy even more than I desire happiness for myself. I cannot adequately express how much you mean to me.

          On a more positive note, I’m thrilled to report that Morgana officially began courting Gwen as of this morning!

          “I owe so much to her,” Morgana said to me as she explained her plans. “Her love pulled me back from a precipice. I was about to do truly terrible things in blind ambition for power. She saved me, Arthur, and I love her for it.”

          Gwen, as it turns out, overheard Morgana’s comments and rushed into the room. They embraced for a long time with many tears of joy. I couldn’t be happier for them, and I wish them all the best as they develop their relationship and find solace and strength in each other.

          Once again, the damned Council will be scandalized by Gwen’s lowborn status. I’ve had just about enough of their outdated perspective. This is a new era, and I will ensure that every person is treated with the respect that their character deserves and not merely because of the circumstances of their birth. None of us can control who brings us into the world, but we can control how we comport ourselves. The Council will learn a new perspective about honor and dignity, and I will not back down from this. We must welcome quality people into our lives whenever and wherever possible.

          Merlin, you mentioned wanting to express certain things but being unsure and possibly unwilling to do so. Please, my dearest friend, let there be no more secrets between us. The secret of your magic nearly destroyed you. And me. You have borne far too much for far too long. You are not alone anymore. I know that you love and respect Gaius, but I’ve inferred from your stories (and his) that he has not always been the supportive mentor that you needed. Although he may have meant well, his constant advice to conceal yourself only added to your self-doubt and loss of self-worth. In our conversations after Those Four Days, one of the most heartbreaking moments was when you voiced aloud your worry that you were truly a monster. Nothing could be further from the truth! You are good and kind and loyal to a fault. To think that your circumstances led you to question the value of your humanity — again, heartbreaking to hear.

          You deserved so much more. And on my honor, I will see that the rest of your days are better than all the days you’ve seen thus far. You possess a tremendous sense of fairness. You are exactly who I need by my side to usher in a new era of equality for my people. You care about people. You put them at ease and brighten their days. And you’re utterly beautiful. There. Now I’ve said something I can’t take back (unless, of course, you find this comment unwelcome and out of line). Literally everything about you enriches my life. I need you to know that. I know you don’t always see or believe it, but I’ll keep repeating it until you believe it as surely as the sun rises in the morning. I don’t care what those wrinkly old men in the castle have to say about it. Their comments and subterfuge are irritating, but it’s all worth it to make you happy again.

          So, please. No more secrets. As you open your heart to me, I will open mine to you. Ours is an uncommon bond. I can see that now. We’re in this together; if I have any say in it, we will stand together for the rest of our lives. If future generations remember the story of my life, they will have to extol your virtues as well, for you helped create the man I have become.

Always holding you close in my thoughts,

Arthur

Chapter Text

My dear Arthur,

            Your signet! The official royal signet! That’s the surprise you concealed in my new purple neckerchief?? Have you any idea how reckless and dangerous this was, you dollop head! This seal grants royal legitimacy for any document it is put to. And now you’ve left it my hands? I know that you sent me out to conclude treaties with the Druids, but I had no way to anticipate this. I keep staring at the thing in my hand, stupefied. Either you’ve taken leave of your senses or you believe so deeply in justice for the Druids that you are willing to run enormous risks for them. Certainly, we will discuss your gift-giving strategies when I return, but in the meantime, I promise to be a constantly watchful custodian of this new expression of trust in my work.

Unfortunately, I must move forward in this letter to relay heavy news. Informants from among the peaceful Druids have revealed that Camelot is the revolutionary faction's primary target. (Apparently, they call themselves The Order of the Raven.) The reason is straightforward. Although Uther persuaded other kingdoms to follow his example in banning magic, Uther’s ban was the bloodiest and most destructive. In the minds of the Black Wings (how members of The Order refer to one another), Camelot stands for everything that motivates their violence. If they can take down the House of Pendragon, this will send an unmistakable and powerful message to the rest of Albion. Terror will be their most potent weapon.

            Interestingly, the informants have not been able to ascertain the identity of the Black Wings’ highest leader. There are rumors that this leader is in league with Cenred, whose bloodthirsty ways are well-known. He is cunning and calculating. He will bide his time until he knows for certain when to strike. Sadly, some of our spies have been found out. The Black Wings, therefore, are purging their ranks of suspected traitors to their cause. It is unclear whether their ideological purity purge will be successful. Several double agents are deeply embedded in their ranks, though these agents have not yet reached the upper echelons. With any luck, the remaining informants will remain secret and safe so that we can continue to receive intelligence about the plans and whereabouts of the revolutionaries.

            Although there is little evidence to support my speculation, I wonder whether Morgause is the ultimate leader of the Ravens. She has been missing for quite some time and has often acted on her profound hatred of Camelot. This raises several concerns. According to Morgana, Morgause is the last living High Priestess of the Old Religion. If this is true, her power exceeds our past expectations. There are rumors that she cannot be killed by a mortal blade. The High Priestesses clearly were not immortals, so the ravages of time, if nothing else, will eventually end her life. One might hope, though, that we can hobble her political power and then break her magical power as well. I faced and destroyed Nimueh, so I have faced down one High Priestess before. However, if Morgause’s power exceeds Nimueh’s, the contest may prove more difficult.

            It occurs to me that I have not yet spoken to you about my fight with Nimueh. When I return to Camelot, I will tell you the story. Please know that I am not trying to conceal more secrets. The problem is that I have hidden so many secrets over time and buried them deep inside that I could not remember them all when we spoke after Those Four Days. You are opening your heart to me, and I will also open mine to you. As circumstances prompt my memory, I will reveal what I have done in the past so that you can know me fully. Your safety has always been my highest priority. I will not withhold information but may not remember everything in one go.

            That said, we should focus our efforts on leading other kingdoms to lift their versions of the magic ban. Some of them imposed bans like Uther’s, though, as I have said, his ban was certainly the most violent. Others’ bans were bans in name only: they either did not enforce their ban or did so in a very lax and haphazard manner. The point is that Camelot should be seen as leading Albion into a new era of accepting magic and recreating its place among our people.

            Percival raises an interesting issue: the lands to the north of Hadrian’s Wall. The Five Kingdoms have traded and otherwise interacted with each other for quite some time, but apart from these internal actions, we have largely ignored the outside world. It should not be forgotten that the northern lands were so fierce that even the might of Rome could not overcome them. We know virtually nothing about their religion or their hierarchies, both spiritual and temporal. Whatever the Romans may have known has been lost. After we overcome The Order of the Raven (because we absolutely will), perhaps we should send a delegation north to see whether we can learn more about the mysterious people living there.

            Moving forward, I also think that we should rely on Gaius for guidance in creating further legislation regarding magic. Magic is not inherently evil, but as we have seen too many times, it can be used for nefarious purposes. There must be a code of justice that acknowledges magic’s power while also setting firm but fair limits on its practice. In conversations with Gaius, I have learned that many past “laws” regarding magic were nothing more than unwritten traditions that had sprung up over the course of centuries. True, a handful of laws were written down, but these either echoed living tradition or (more often) misunderstood the purpose and power of magic.

          Because Gaius predates the Purge, he will be enormously helpful in recalling those days and their traditions. Another thought occurs to me. Despite Uther’s Purge, Gaius retained a book of magic that I used to study in secret. This book gave me insight into how to protect you and overcome the many challenges that threatened the kingdom. Gaius knows where I have hidden the book. Ask him about it. Having done so, you should speak with Geoffrey. Yes, Uther ordered the royal library to be emptied of magical tomes. I think we can agree, however, that librarians are not the sort to stand idly by while their beautiful and valuable books succumb to the flames. If Gaius successfully hid an important book from Uther, despite vows to abandon the practice of magic, it would not surprise me if Geoffrey also concealed important books or other documents. These resources, if they exist, could prove unspeakably valuable.

          I cannot help but chuckle as I write this. So much has changed since I was the insolent anti-royalist who took up a job for the Crown Prince. You changed my low opinion of you, and gradually, you have listened more and more to my advice. Now, I offer advice without being asked for it and trust that you will consider my words closely. Other recommendations come to mind, and I will offer those as well, though I know that they are not binding. I try to offer prudent counsel, but you are King, after all, and get to decide which recommendations to heed and which to disregard. I hope you know that it warms my heart to know you trust my words implicitly.

          With that, I feel that I must offer at least one more recommendation in this letter. The knights of Camelot have long been a symbol of the Purge for the Druids and the enforcers of Uther’s implacable hatred. Fear of the scarlet capes is all too real in the outlying communities of magic users. Can we change this? For now, instead of a fighting force, maybe the knights could become a diplomatic corps of sorts. Rather than ruthlessness, they could stand for reason and opportunities for negotiation among the Five Kingdoms. No longer mere enforcers in the model of your father’s reign, they could use their noble-born status to curry favor with nobles in other lands. As we both know, conversations and relationships are the keys to changing hearts and minds. Nobles respond to nobles. Though I continue to have Feelings about this, I must acknowledge its truth and work within its bounds.

          If nothing else, this newly forged diplomatic corps can undercut the treacherous meddling of the lords who oppose lifting the ban. Indeed, this could unexpectedly help to heal emerging divisions within the Druid communities. Many Druids want to embrace the news of your reforms, but the Black Wings raise distressing counterarguments. If the rebellious lords are right and this is a royal ploy to bring the Druids to their final end, then the King of Camelot is duplicitous and cannot be trusted under any circumstances. On the other hand, if the rebellious lords are wrong and are themselves deceitful, then the King of Camelot may be too weak to enforce his will among the nobility. Either way, your reforms are feared to be either deadly or ineffective.

          In addition to reforming the knights, perhaps you should talk to Morgana again. I was very much surprised to learn that she declined the position of Court Sorcerer. From what I understand from Iseldir, her sorcerous talents run deep and offer promise for enormous advancement. Thus far, we have not disclosed her powers to the Court partly because lifting the ban is still a new measure in the kingdom. However, her powers also remain unknown because she is uncertain of their extent and fears them. Although her daily manner suggests that she is a supremely confident woman, we both know that Uther’s… parenting methods left unfortunate marks. She does not fully trust herself yet, but your expressions of confidence might help undo past damage.

          What if we revealed the existence of a powerful sorceress, not only at the heart of Camelot but in the royal family itself? This could confound the rumors that presently divide the Druid communities because it would underscore the sincerity of your reforms. If she leads the knights in their diplomatic efforts, she will become the public face of your reform efforts and allay the fears and concerns of those who have not decided how to respond to the new era you are creating.

          You are doing many new and unexpected things. Though I have stood close to you for a long time, I have paradoxically felt that I longed for you from afar. Tamping down on my feelings seemed to be the reasonable course of action because your station is so much higher than mine. I must pragmatically admit that the prospect of your future marriage holds important implications for the future of Albion. So, you said that you think I am beautiful. Lancelot can tell you how deeply I blushed as I read your words. I hope you will not mind that I told him what prompted my reaction. He laughed in his good-natured way and urged me to pursue what my heart desires.

          I do desire you. I cannot say when or where affection for you finally manifested in my heart. There were innumerable little interactions and countless moments of your justice and humanity. Though I have admired your martial prowess and strength (sometimes grudgingly in the early days), at some unknown time, that admiration turned into attraction, and attraction turned into affection. I cannot — and will not — imagine my life without you in it. My heart races as I commit these words to the page. Can I taste what it must be like to receive your attentions? I know that one day, you must marry for the good of your kingdom and provide heirs for your bloodline. Maybe for a season or two, though, I could know the touch of your hand and maybe even the feeling of your lips against mine. This would bring me happiness that would sustain me until the end of my days.

          If I have misread things, of course, do not trouble yourself. It will be hard to go back to our older ways of interacting with each other, but I will make a valiant effort if that is the only way for us to maintain our friendship. I care deeply about you, and I cannot lose you. I desire your happiness, and if that leads you to other loves, then I must release you in my heart and earnestly work to support your relationships and eventual marriage.

          Never doubt my loyalty both to Arthur as King and Arthur as man. I have said more in the short space of this letter than I have said in all the years of my service to you. I have meant every word, and, as I have said before, it is my privilege to serve you until the day I die.

Always yours in whatever capacity you will have me,

Merlin

Chapter Text

Dearest Merlin,

          Your thoughts are… insightful and sophisticated. Who would’ve thought that a bumbling, sorcerous manservant could one day become a true statesman? Your encouragement for Morgana to reveal herself was particularly helpful. Having recently done so much on my own without the knowledge or will of the Council, I thought it best in this instance to work with them. Fortunately, Morgana has already gained a formidable reputation on the Council as both outspoken and thoughtful. When her powers were revealed, the Council clearly saw that those closest to the Crown are committed to lifting the ban.

          Although there are holdouts, the Council has largely approved the pieces of legislation we crafted with Gaius’ anonymous input. He has repeatedly stated that he is merely a physician, but we all know he means so much more to the kingdom. His determination to serve is admirable. In any case, after the revelation of Morgana’s powers and the passage of several pro-magic laws, I nominated Morgana to become Chief Ambassador of Camelot. Amazingly, there were few opponents to the idea. As a member of the royal family, she is fully expected to take on senior roles. Some were surprised that it has taken this long to find a role for her. There were opponents initially, but they all abstained from the Council’s vote.

          I’m not done, though. Simply being Uther’s daughter does not give enough diplomatic cachet, and we know it. Therefore, I have decided to surprise her on the day of her inauguration as Chief Ambassador by also granting her letters patent so that she can be acknowledged as Princess Royal. As such, she will be the highest-ranking woman currently in the kingdom. She has only ever been the Ward of the House of Pendragon (a role that has persisted after our father’s death). No more. She will be Princess Royal, and I already know that she will be truly and utterly brilliant in her sparkling new role. (As a side note, I should add that her courtship of Gwen is going splendidly and has drawn attention, but the Council so far has wisely said nothing. Any attacks on Gwen, even implicit ones, will no doubt provoke a painfully sharp response from Her Soon-To-Be Royal Highness.)

          Although Morgana has not officially become Ambassador, she nonetheless has issued several documents that have restructured the kingdom's diplomatic corps. I have happily given them my stamp of approval. Morgana is absolutely delighted with your idea that the knights be at least temporarily repurposed as a peaceful force. Given the dangers of travel, they will retain their chain mail and armor in transit, but upon arrival at their respective destinations, they will change into a diplomatic uniform that was brilliantly designed by none other than Gwen. They will appear as true gentlemen of State, and they will lean into their noble origins. My choice to elevate Morgana to the rank of Princess Royal will ensure that she receives precedence over the knights regarding Court etiquette.

          Happily, she and I have started to take our dinners together. For a long time, I think she regarded me as little more than my father’s son. As she accepts new responsibilities, however, I think that she sees how I intend to govern by consensus rather than fiat, as was my father’s preference. We laugh together and tease each other again like we used to do in the old days. This has eased some of my loneliness as well. For a long time, I thought I would be the only member of my House after the death of my father. Now, however, I have a sibling who can help bear my burdens and empathize with royal life’s endless rounds of intrigue.

          It will be difficult to lead Albion to reverse course and bring back magic. My father’s relentless campaign was conducted over the course of many years, and he used Camelot’s considerable resources to garner support for his genocidal madness — or if not support, then at least the promise not to interfere. Once again, Camelot must lead the way, first by redressing her wrongdoings. Geoffrey and some of the Law Lords are carefully reviewing my father’s judicial documents. Several noble families were made penniless when my father seized their lands and assets on grounds that they either supported sorcerers or were sorcerers themselves. Not all of these accusations were true, of course, but they were a convenient way to take whatever he wanted. All of that property will be returned to the heads of the surviving families.

           There are many other reforms I wish to enact, but I can hardly contain them all in this letter. Morgana, Gwen, Leon, and the other knights are brimming with ideas. This is not a race, though, so each idea will receive careful attention. The best ones will be further developed into fully-fledged plans, and these will be presented to the Council. Boldly and deliberately, we will confront Camelot’s shameful past and bring about true justice and healing. Naturally, as these efforts move forward, I will discuss them with you in detail.

          There continue to be rumors of disloyalty among the nobles. Personal differences, I can accept. Outright betrayal of the magical reforms cannot be tolerated. There will be no genocide under my reign. Given the rising dangers of The Order of the Raven, I have chosen to take the rare step to compel the lords of the kingdom to reside at the citadel until the crisis has passed. Many have resisted me on this, but the law is clear: in times of distress, the King reserves the right to call upon the lords to assemble and confer with the Council. They do not know what will hit them.

          You see, Gaius and Mordred suggested that I make this decision so that they could lead a “conspiracy” against me. In this pseudo-conspiracy, we hope to flush out the opposition. This will take utmost skill and bravery, and I commend my friends for their genius. Already, they are laying the groundwork that will “legitimize the conspiracy.” Rumors. Passing comments. Skillful acts of misdirection. Winks and nods. A campaign that plays to the insecurities of those we most suspect. We will not entrap them, per se, but we will certainly give them all the proverbial rope they need to hang themselves. We will draw them out, but we will not punish whole families like my father would have done. Instead, we will imprison the guilty and ensure the successors of the guilty will prove loyal to Camelot and her magical interests.

          One major concern in all this is Essetir and Cenred. It is well-known that his father did not follow Camelot’s example when the Purge began. Instead, Essetir’s royal house decided to track down sorcerers and enslave them. Unknown numbers of sorcerers have been forced into menial labor and even dangerous, clandestine operations to further Essetir’s interests. Reports suggest that virtually all of them have been brainwashed in some way or other. They are almost husks of themselves, barely recognizable by their own family members. I am all too mindful of your origins. Your mother risked so much in raising you there, but Camelot would not have offered any better options. I promise you, Merlin, that we will someday free these sorcerers from Cenred’s bloody hand. We will rehabilitate them to the best of our ability and restore them to their families. For now, our diplomatic resources are stretched thin. Once there is a strong consensus among four of the kingdoms, we will present a united front against the fifth kingdom. We will prevail.

          In the meantime, I have secretly given Gwaine and Elyan the task of discovering the hidden prison camps of Essetir. Occasionally, we may be able to free a few sorcerers here and there, but our main objective will be to collect the intelligence we need to create a decisive plan to free Cenred’s magical slaves. Of course, on your return, I know that you will gladly help them. I can almost hear you demanding a role in these operations. All in good time, Merlin, all in good time.

          For now, you must bear my seal well and forge whatever agreements are necessary to bring about peace with the Druids. We will return lands and assets. We will ensure safe passage. We will guarantee the right to do business and the right to be left in peace. I know you were aghast to discover the official royal seal in your satchel. To you, it was a massive security risk. To me, it is an expression of absolute, unwavering faith in you. I know for a fact that you would never negotiate anything that would harm Camelot. As you forge alliances, let it be done with the King’s backing. Let them see that I trust the most powerful sorcerer ever to walk the earth.

          Do not be afraid, Merlin. You are dear to me, and none of your comments were out of line or unwelcome. In fact, your affectionate words have made me happier now than I’ve been in many years. I feel… giddy and yet calm. To think that the man closest to my heart might also hold me close to his! So many things are changing rapidly around us, but our connection to each other creates a place of calm refuge that we can seek at any time. Over time, we can grow stronger and closer than we already are. There is always room for growth! When you return, and if you will accept it, I promise to offer you public courtship so that the world may know that your place is at my side. This will not, however, be a courtship like any Camelot has known. I will be respectful of your wishes, and you will have the opportunity to redefine courtship for the future.

          Feelings are difficult for me. As I once said, I have been trained to kill from birth. My father always taught me that affection signaled weakness. As with so much else in my father’s reign, he was wrong about this as well. Personally, I am glad that we’ve discovered and disclosed our feelings in these letters. I think that whole ages of the earth would have passed before I would have ever uttered a single word to your face about how much I thought of you. Now that I’m embracing a core truth of who I am, though, I am free and happy. With you, I can be at ease despite life’s turmoil. With you, I may someday learn to be vulnerable and open as Morgana is with Gwen. They are beautiful role models for me, and I promise to learn from their courtship.

          This is a new era, Merlin, and we are taking our first steps into the world as we remake it. Trust me. Give me time and space to open up to you so that I can overcome my father’s deeply misguided legacy. There is real pain that needs healing, but I know that we can find it together.

Yours,

Arthur

Chapter Text

My dearest Arthur,

          Your words mean more to me than I can say. Every day is a privilege to stand beside you and help you build a kingdom to be proud of. Feelings are hard for you to communicate, but they’re not all that easy for me either. I’ve spent years hiding myself, and that takes a toll. I’ve learned all my life to keep quiet and not to say or hope for too much. You mentioned that Morgana is helping you escape loneliness. Now that my big secret is out in the open, I can finally put my relationships with you and the knights and the girls on solid footing. (Don’t tell Morgana I called her one of the girls, or she might disembowel me! Maybe Gwen would defend me...)

          In the spirit of self-revelation, I will admit the depth of feeling I have for you — and have had for a long time.  All our sacrifices for each other, all our years of planning together to overcome challenges and adversities, all of it was an exercise in devotion. When I’m away from you, my thoughts constantly stray to returning to your side. When I’m with you, honestly, I just keep hoping to be with you for a few minutes longer. It’s no exaggeration to say that you feel like you’re my other half. For most of my life, I assumed that I would be alone, but against all odds, you are dear to me. I am glad for any time that we can spend together in the days ahead.

          I’ll admit that I fear losing those I care about most, and this drives me at times to take terrible risks. I see that now. The days ahead will bring danger to our doorstep again, particularly if we begin clandestine operations against Cenred. If you intend to court me when I return, can I ask that you please ensure my mother’s safety first? She would easily become a target that could be used against us in a hostage situation. Please quietly arrange for her to be brought to live in Camelot. She and Gaius have not seen each other in years, so I’m sure they will enjoy one another’s company again. She may resist your offer at first, but once the logistics are explained, she will come along. This is probably the most important courting gesture you could offer me at the outset. I know you will take it to heart, so I’ll say no more.

          Although I see the wisdom in recalling the lords to the citadel, my fear of loss surfaces again. The “conspiracy” sounds like a good idea, but there’s an aspect to the prophecy about you that you should know: according to Kilgarrah, you are destined to die by Mordred’s hand. I can’t shake the thought that this faux conspiracy may be all it takes to tip him against you and turn the conspiracy all too real. Gaius is no match for him, and the knights trust him implicitly. When he was a youth, I had the opportunity to end his life, but I couldn’t leave a boy to his death. Against every instinct in me to protect you, I spared him. Perhaps the prophecy has used me against you. The very notion shatters my heart, and I cannot convey the overwhelming sadness that now grips me. Please exercise all possible caution, my love, and do not trust Mordred with any great task.

          I know all too well the dangers of having to hide. Cenred’s father nearly caught me in Ealdor when I was a boy. I was playing on the banks of a nearby stream. Being bored and naïve, I began magically forming shapes in the water. But for some careless rustling by Essetir’s finest, I would have been caught and whisked away to Goddess knows where. Perhaps this is where my general distrust of authority began. I have seldom known authority to be on my side. Always my mother and me adrift in a lonely world.

          She cared for me as best she could, but as you might imagine, I was quite a handful. Neighbors were distrustful because of the “strange things” that happened around our house. Apparently, I was floating toys around my crib when I was just a baby. Somehow, though, she trained me to restrain my magic not only for our sake but for the village's sake as well. Essetir’s general opinion was that if a village produced one sorcerer, others were probably nearby as well. Ealdor would have suffered under the scrutiny of a tyrannical royal house that cared little for the havoc it spread in the lives of those who should have been free to depend on them for protection.

          I know that you are with me in all this. For my sake, let’s slowly develop our relationship into courtship. A sudden announcement, however gratifying it may be, will draw attention to me in a way that I greatly dislike. I’m used to working in the shadows, behind the scenes. For once in my life, I want to be selfish and keep you to myself for a while. Eventually, the Court will know about us, and at that point, I will no longer be able to hide as your favorite. There will be scrutiny and intrigue. I’d think I’m clever enough to see through ploys that would attempt to manipulate you through me, but I will have to keep my wits about me in a different way than I’m used to.

          When it comes time for you to take a wife, we will figure out our next steps. The thought fills me with disappointment and hurt, but I must give way for the greater good of the kingdom. Many kings and other nobles have their favorites, but I could never do that to your wife. Our courtship will be the most beautiful time in my life, and I will give you every possible happiness while we are together. At the end of it all, I will know that the Goddess has blessed me, and I will carry on, as always, protecting you, the knights, and the kingdom.

          Enough of these sad thoughts. For now, I must pivot to news I’ve heard regarding The Order of the Raven. Rumors are emerging that they are building or creating some secret weapon to use against Camelot. Even our informants are unsure of the details, but the highest reaches of The Order and the most powerful of the Black Wings are working tirelessly in complex rituals. Unfortunately, they are further north than I expected. There is no choice, though, but to follow them and discover their secret. Please send word if any of Morgana’s dreams provide any clues. There is a sense of urgency to the rumors as well, as though their objective has nearly been met.

          Again, there is the threat of loss — this time, an entire kingdom. Protect yourself amidst your self-generated conspiracy. Look after my mother. Above all, stay true to your heart. You have shown yourself to be wiser than I had ever expected. Please, my love, take care.

Always yours,

Merlin

Chapter Text

My dearest Merlin,
I think you misunderstand my intentions, which I have somehow failed to convey adequately. I do not want you merely to be my favorite for a time. I want to court and hopefully marry you one day. You anticipate that I would marry for political purposes, which, while common for kings, is not my plan for life. I will marry only for love. You are everything I need. Years ago, I would never have imagined writing these words to you, but fortunately, I became a stronger and better man precisely because of you. You challenged my assumptions, you supported me when I opposed my father’s outrageous decisions, and you are helping me build a more just and equitable kingdom. You have protected me countless times, and I have nearly offered my own life for yours many times over. Nothing makes me happier than knowing you are happy and safe. We are bound together, you see, and I want the world to know what you mean to me.

As I write these words, a secret team has been dispatched to bring your mother from Ealdor to Camelot. You were all too right: if you and I begin courtship, enemies could have too easily seized her and made demands. She and I have met before, of course, but this meeting will be different because I want to court her son. It is strange that I have faced enemies on many battlefields, but the prospect of meeting your mother again makes me feel more nervous than any battle. I want her to like me and to approve our courtship, and I fervently hope she understands my sincere love for you. I have ordered chambers to be prepared for her so that she can live in the royal household permanently. She will be safe and lack for nothing for the rest of her life.

I can’t help wondering what kind of embarrassing stories about you she can tell. Fear not, Court Sorcerer, for I will bravely make the relevant inquiries.

You revealed details of a prophecy about me in your previous letter. It does make me wonder just how many more secrets will come to light as you gradually recall them, but I am glad you told me what you did. As always, you strive to protect me. That said, I see no reason to distrust Mordred. I have spoken with Morgana at length about the prophecy, and we agree that destiny has shifted. Morgana’s power as a seer has grown much stronger, and she confirms that Mordred would have killed me only by her command and equipped with an evil weapon she had created. Moreover, she would have given that order only if we had not reconciled. A key moment in that reconciliation was my promise and eventual follow-through to lift the ban on magic. We are redressing the injustices that would have fueled hatred and jealousy.

I think there is a certain irony here. There are stories about heroes who explicitly tried to subvert prophecies and ended up bringing those prophecies about precisely because of those actions. This time, however, we did not set out to change a prophecy. Rather, we changed the world in which the prophecy arose. The prophecy failed, not because we deliberately overcame it but because we altered the world that would have made it possible. I know that you strongly believe in destiny, but I urge you to consider the possibility that we are masters of our own fate. Although the prophecy knew that you and I would work together to build the kingdom, I do not think the prophecy foresaw that we would fall in love. We did that on our own.

Forget the prophecy. Do what is right, build and safeguard relationships, and right the wrongs of the past. Rather than wrapping ourselves in layer after layer of secrecy that, by your own admission, has previously forced hard choices that made things worse, we have dispensed with secrecy. Morgana, Gaius, and I all approached Mordred and revealed the details of the prophecy to him. He was shaken and nearly came to tears. He loves Camelot and everything she is becoming. He offered to leave Camelot to keep me safe, but I won’t hear of it. He is loyal, he is happy, and his secret of magic is now out in the open as well. Of course, when Iseldir returns to Camelot to offer more instruction to Morgana, we will confer with him. Still, we feel that the prophecy relied on multiple shrouds of injustice and secrecy. Again, the circumstances have changed, and the prophecy has failed, at least partially.

Will I bring about a Golden Age? I cannot possibly know. In any case, would I achieve such a thing by acknowledging the prophecy and sitting back to watch it happen on its own? Of course not. With such a passive king, Camelot would quickly fall into ruin. Effort is essential. Appraisal of a Golden Age, I think, can only happen in retrospect. It is not for us but for future generations to judge our efforts and see whether we have been found worthy of respect. Again, do not worry about the prophecy. Have faith in us, not in the words of seers whose words may have been motivated by hatred for my father’s house because of his monstrous actions.

Now that Morgana knows about the pseudo-conspiracy, she will help achieve its aims. Mordred and Gaius, of course, already have magic, but having a seer on our side only strengthens our position. Merlin, my love, we are safer and stronger than ever before. We are united. We will overcome. We will forge our own futures together. Our destiny is our own.

You are concerned about the need for a political marriage. Have you overlooked the irony that marrying you could be just such a marriage precisely because of your incredibly high status among the Druids? Although the Druids are not centralized by any means, they are bound by a common culture. All their communities utter your name with profound reverence. By marrying you, I send the clearest possible signal that magic belongs in my life. The Old Religion will not die out, at least not during my reign. In fact, Camelot will help bring about its revival in no small part because of you and your unrelenting courage.

You are concerned about Camelot’s need for my heirs. Have you forgotten that heirs can be adopted or that a nephew or niece could ascend the throne? Once again, I fear that your obsession with the prophecy has distorted your view of what is possible. I am delighted to report that in addition to growing closer to Gwen, Morgana has grown much closer to Leon as well. The three of them are unspeakably happy even though their relationship is unconventional. It is entirely possible that Leon’s children will one day sit on the throne of Camelot. (Both Morgana and Gwen want to carry children, and now it seems that that is completely within reach.)

I hope you do not feel that this letter has been a long argument against you. Rather, I hope that you can read these words and feel relieved. You no longer bear burdens alone. Please try to understand this. We are all creating a new and previously unimaginable future. I beg you to open yourself fully to our love and know that we can achieve whatever our hearts desire. We will discuss all these developments at length when you return triumphant from your mission in the north — because I know you will succeed. Percival and Lancelot have written their own letters to me, confirming their devotion to you and your work. The three of you will not fail.

My love, my dearest, heart of my own heart, please know the depths of my love for you. Ours will be a memorable courtship. I promise you that. For the rest of our days, we will grow together, and that thought fills me with joy.

Know that you are loved. Embrace a bright future. Feel free for once in your life.

Loving you now and always,
Arthur

Chapter Text

My dearest Merlin,

            Although I sent you a letter only last week, I find it necessary to write to you again. The efforts of Gaius, Mordred, and Morgana paid off. The pseudo-conspiracy would have lasted longer, but these lords shifted from merely undermining my agenda to planning outright assassination. The charms and wards you placed around my chambers were incredibly helpful in alerting us to the final stroke of the conspiracy: an assassin tried to gain entrance into the royal chambers. He was apprehended but not killed. Subsequently, he was interrogated, and he revealed who had sent him. Three lords were seized and sent to the dungeons to await trial. In the interest of fairness, I will not preside over their trial or sentence them. I believe that the courts will do justice.

            Their plan hit a snag only in its final stages, which is worrying. The pseudo-conspiracy highlighted security gaps that are now being addressed. Interestingly, all three were older lords — their heirs are of age and can step into their fathers’ roles depending on the trial's outcome. Their sons are being brought to the castle for questioning. I have no intention of replacing three murderous lords with three equally disloyal heirs. If necessary, the Crown will redistribute their lands. Treason cannot be tolerated. High crimes require harsh punishments.

            Our victory is marred, however. Leon has been kidnapped by The Order of the Raven. Two days after his disappearance, a ransom note arrived. The demands were predictably outrageous: vast sums of money, huge tracts of land, and (of course) my abdication. I have no intention of giving in to any of their demands, but I will “negotiate” to buy time. It took Gwen, Gaius, and me together to convince Morgana not to run out into the countryside and begin dealing out death and destruction in response to the kidnapping. In a sense, I cannot blame her. If you had been kidnapped, I would have burned down the world to find you again.

            Fortunately, Morgana’s dreams have hinted at Leon’s location, and I am enclosing a map that may be helpful. So many secrets. Such is the life of a king, I suppose, though the secrecy is a hard burden to bear. These circumstances give me some measure of insight into how difficult your years of hiding must have been. I know I have said it before, but I am sorry that you went through all that. You and all magic users deserved ever so much better. I will spend the rest of my life ensuring that such genocidal measures will never happen again.

            I feel partly responsible for Leon’s kidnapping. There were many distractions, though, as I tried to manage the intrigue that inevitably followed the arrival of the lords at the citadel. I can almost hear your voice reminding me that I cannot do everything myself. If the kidnappers had not seized Leon, they would have captured someone else. Even so, we are restructuring the patrol system to reduce the chances of any guards being left alone. So many changes in Camelot in recent weeks and months. All of them are necessary, though, to ensure a safe and just future.

            I am happy to report good news on another front, though. Your mother has successfully arrived in Camelot. You were right: she initially resisted the idea of leaving her home. However, when the team explained that her son would soon begin courtship with the King, she quickly changed her mind. She immediately saw that her safety could not be guaranteed in a remote village and that Cenred would likely act as soon as our courtship was announced. She brought only a few things with her. According to the team who brought her to Camelot, she was tearful about leaving but also spoke of how happy she would be to see Gaius again.

            I see where you get so many of your character traits. Your mother is absolutely wonderful. She moved into her chambers and almost immediately began agitating for a working position within the household. I have tried to explain that she will occupy a relatively high role insofar as she will be the mother of (one day, I hope) my consort. She insisted on being able to do something, though, and so I commended her to Morgana and Gwen’s care. The three of them eventually decided that Hunith would oversee efforts to create a new wardrobe for you. My someday consort will need to look the part, of course, and your mother is delighted with the opportunity to make clothes for you once again. The seamstresses adore her, and the work continues apace.

            I wish I could recall you to the castle immediately. I know that is impossible, but I fear daily for your safety. You mean everything to me. I find it hard to bear the thought of the dangers you now face on behalf of the kingdom. Please write soon. In addition to the words themselves, the simple existence of your letters gives me some assurance about your status. If necessary, I will commit more knights to your mission. I know that a small group best assures secrecy, but recent security lapses here have made me worry about you more than usual. Please be safe.

Always yours,

Arthur

Chapter Text

My dearest Arthur,

            I hardly know what to say! (“Speechless for once, Merlin?” I can almost hear you saying.) Mostly, I had resigned myself to never having you at all, and then it suddenly became possible to have you for a while. Now, though, I am ecstatic knowing you want to have me forever! This is ever so much more than I had let myself hope for. I love you, Arthur, and happily accept your offer of courtship. It will be challenging, I’m sure. The lords and ladies will have their Opinions about us, but they’re hardly the worst dangers we’ve faced together.

          Oh sweet Goddess, I just had a horrific thought. Does this mean people will start bowing to me?? I don’t know that I’m ready for that. I am deeply relieved to hear that my mother is safe in Camelot! The fact that she has been set in charge of making my new wardrobe, though… are we entirely sure that’s wise? (I’m only teasing. I’m sure the results will be splendid.) I do want them to know that I will not give up my neckerchiefs, so they had better plan accordingly. You tease me endlessly about them, but I love them. Surely there’s a way to make them fancy enough.

          I have thought long and hard about your words regarding the prophecy of your death. So many of my decisions have been motivated by thoughts of the prophecy: how to respond to it, what it means for any given conflict, and whether it would mean losing you forever. What you’ve said, though, makes sense: we’ve changed the world that produced the prophecy. I cannot yet promise to fully accept Mordred. I have long regarded him as a potential enemy, the potential source of the deepest possible sorrow in my life, and I will continue to be somewhat nervous around him.

          As time passes, perhaps, I will grow to accept the truth of his loyalty and faithfulness. Bear with me, my love. My mistrust of him has been on your behalf, in a way, and knowing that I can truly have you for myself makes me even more concerned. In the past, I’ve lost those I’ve loved (remind me to tell you the story of Freya someday), and the thought of losing you shakes me to my core. Give me time. You learned to accept magic, so I can eventually learn to accept Mordred. He really does want to befriend me, and I’ll admit I’ve treated the poor sod badly. I will do better.

          In fact, after receiving your first letter, I also received a letter from Mordred himself. He relayed many of the same things that you did regarding the prophecy and the possibility that our destinies can be our own to decide. Unexpectedly, I found myself greatly moved by the depth of his devotion to you personally. By the time my letter reaches you, you might have already noticed, but I will say that Mordred has struck out on his own to discover the identity of the Black Wings’ leader. (He strongly suspects Morgause.) I believe that he is being reckless, but his military training in combination with his magical abilities probably means that he’s the ideal candidate for such a dangerous mission. He is relying on Morgana’s dreams to guide his steps. He assures me, though, that he will not take action alone. His is simply a fact-finding mission. Once he has learned all that he needs to know, he will return to Camelot. Together, you can plan your next steps from there.

          As you might imagine, I’m still wary. I will ask Kilgarrah about the prophecy when I see him again, just to have his input. It’s not that I distrust your judgment or Morgana’s, but that prophecy has been such a presence in my life for so long. It’s hard to believe that I might have escaped its clutches. The point you raised about the possible bias of the priestesses who gave us the words of the prophecy rings true. They naturally resented Uther for his horrendous actions. Prophecies are tricky things at the best of times, and their hatred might have influenced how and what they saw. If this is the case, then the prophecy simply cannot be taken at face value.

          Speaking of Kilgarrah, he actually alerted me to Leon’s kidnapping before your letter arrived. Having promised never to harm Camelot again, Kilgarrah has taken the further step of desiring to protect it alongside me. Of course, I was horrified to learn of Leon’s capture, but the dragon pointed out that “the witch” (as he calls Morgana) would provide insight regarding Leon’s location. Kilgarrah believes that Cenred is behind the kidnapping since the other kingdoms are in a state of relative peace with Camelot. He is probably right. This complicates things, of course, because it means that The Order has found someone powerful to back them. Cenred is treacherous, so the Black Wings are foolish to trust him. Then again, it is entirely possible that they think they will use and discard him at their leisure. Honestly, I could see things going either way.

          Although I sincerely appreciate your offer to send more knights, I counsel against that at this time. For one thing, as you note, smaller groups are more agile and can pass undetected where larger groups become more noticeable. For another thing, though, you may need the additional support of your knights as you sort through palace intrigue at home. I am relieved to learn of the success of the pseudo-conspiracy, but I would remain vigilant. In our years together, conspiracy after conspiracy has come for us. Taking down three lords at the same time, though, is significant. It confirms the strength of your reign and your sense of justice. Even as you urge me to be careful and to be safe, so I ask you to do the same.

          Do not lose faith in yourself or blame yourself needlessly for Leon’s kidnapping. I know that you take your knights’ security very seriously. In proof of this, you’re taking appropriate actions to prevent these bad things from happening again. Remember, though, that danger is on all sides. Secrets swirl around us, and our enemies strike from the shadows. This does not mean that you are a bad leader or that you have somehow failed Leon. As First Knight, we might have known that the Black Wings would target him, but this would be true regardless of security measures. Think for a moment of just how many near misses there have been with regard to your person. Many, many would-be assassins have been taken down at the last possible moment. In our line of work, danger cannot be avoided. Leon knows this and continues to serve admirably.

          As I write these words, an emissary from Queen Annis has been intercepted. We gave the man a terrible fright, but we quickly showed that we’re on a mission for Camelot. This brought him immediate relief because he was on his way to you to deliver secret news about the locations of the primary encampments of the Black Wings. Annis desires to work alongside us to bring down The Order of the Raven. Although the other royal houses are concerned about the possibility of Druidic violence, they are unwilling to act until they know the full objectives of The Order. Annis sensibly thinks this would mean waiting until it was too late to counteract their intentions.

          I am enclosing the map that the emissary was carrying. This will no doubt validate Morgana’s visions and help us plan our next steps carefully. Lancelot, Percival, and I have committed the emissary’s map to memory so that we will not needlessly expose ourselves to danger. With any luck, we will encounter Mordred in our search for Leon. The four of us will be unstoppable. Leon will be freed, and he will return to Camelot. And when he arrives, he will bring the news we need to strike out alongside Annis to bring The Order to its knees. Events are accelerating rapidly, and I believe that the end of this ordeal is nearer than we think.

          As I prepare to set down my pen, my thoughts are only of you and everything you mean to me. Even amidst our many troubles, I am most at peace when I am with you. You ground me and shelter me with your love in ways that I once believed I would never enjoy. Think of me and imagine my arms around you, pulling you close and keeping you safe. I am with you always.

With all my love,

Merlin

Chapter Text

My beloved Arthur,

            So many things have happened so rapidly since I last dispatched a letter to you that I must write again before receiving your response. As I had hoped, we encountered Mordred. Unawares, we had been noticed by peaceful Druids, and so Mordred had been able to find us without much difficulty. The Druids seem to have been quietly keeping us safe from a distance. On reflection, I had wondered why our mission was proceeding without much hindrance, and now I know the answer. Camelot owes them a debt of gratitude. By relating this to the recalcitrant lords, I hope we can prove that lifting the magic ban has vitally protected Camelot’s interests.

            However, the greatest surprises were yet to come. In the first place, Mordred brought with him a stone that he had discovered and stolen from a nearby Black Wing camp. This stone was called the Dragon Stone and resulted from many months of intensive magical work. Apparently, the work had just been completed. The purpose of the stone was to give its wielder the power to command dragons as if they were a Dragonlord!

            Mordred discovered this by overhearing a conversation that revealed that Morgause was not only the leader of the Black Wings (confirming Mordred’s suspicions), but that she had personally arrived to take possession of a great artifact. Mordred was horrified to think that Morgause could achieve such incredible power. Acting quickly, he killed key guards and confiscated one of their uniforms. Thus concealed, he gained access to the resting place of the Dragon Stone and attempted to destroy it. Unfortunately, the Stone resisted his powers and remained intact. Fearing that he would soon be discovered, he chose to steal the Stone. Using both sword and magic to escape, Mordred made for the nearest peaceful Druid community.

            While moving through the Black Wing encampment, he witnessed the arrival of five great carts. Roars could be heard throughout the camp, and flames flashed from between bars built into the windows of the carts. Against all expectations, five dragons had been brought to Morgause! I was stunned to hear Mordred’s report and initially dismissed it. After all, Uther had slain nearly all the dragons, leaving only Kilgarrah and Aithusa alive. As it turns out, however, Uther’s reach was not as great as he thought, and his conquest was far less complete than he imagined. Away to the north, far beyond Hadrian’s famous Wall and at the utter extremes of the lands of the Picts, numerous dragon colonies remained untouched. The Black Wings had lured five dragons into traps and absconded with them to the south.

            Although I had feared that Morgause would have commanded Kilgarrah to attack Camelot, the danger of the conspiracy was far worse than I could have guessed. Under the combined and coordinated assault of five dragons, Camelot would have fallen or at least been grievously weakened. Apparently, the base in which Mordred discovered the Stone was the most secret base of the entire Order. Not only had Morgause come to the camp, but Cenred himself rode in to observe the power of the Dragon Stone himself. Between his troops, the Black Wings, and the dragons, they had secretly raised a formidable force to attempt to conquer the Five Kingdoms.

            It is no exaggeration to say that Mordred has saved us all. Perhaps the old prophecy has indeed foundered at last.

            Although the Stone resisted Mordred’s magic, I knew that it would not resist mine. I shattered the Dragon Stone with a word. However, I was unprepared for the shockwave that would burst from the Stone upon its destruction. It created enough of a disturbance to attract attention, and everyone but myself was captured shortly thereafter. (I had been flung into a nearby copse of trees and knocked out, thus avoiding capture myself.) When I awoke, I approached the camp stealthily. The carts had been emptied into a massive holding pen with netting for a cover.

            I decided to reveal myself and demand an audience with Morgause. She came forward, as did Cenred. I demanded the release of the knights, and they laughed.

            “You have no power here,” Morgause called out. She signaled for nearby Black Wings to converge on me and take me captive as well. “Your friends are at my mercy. You have no leverage.”

            “One last chance to release the knights!” I answered.

            When she rejected my command, the Black Wings seized me and brought me to my knees. Looking up into the heavens, I called out for my dragonkin. Immediately, the five dragons began assaulting their pen, seeking a way out. Within moments, they had destroyed the enclosure and took to the skies. With a flash of my eyes, the Black Wings around me were flung to the side, and I raised my voice again, this time commanding the dragons to destroy the camp.

            “With pleasure,” the largest of them answered, a great hulking, dark blue dragon. Flames poured through the camp. Black Wings scattered. I began searching for the knights. Running from burning wreck to burning wreck, I sought them out. Eventually, I heard their cries for help. Finding their location, I entered the burning structure and undid their shackles. We fled the structure moments before dragon fire engulfed it. Taking weapons off the bodies of the fallen Black Wings, we soon had to fight our way through the decimated camp.

            We discovered Morgause and Cenred preparing to flee. With a simple spell, I reduced Cenred to unconsciousness, but Morgause proved to be a greater challenge. We began a sorcerer’s duel, each of us trying to overpower the other while the knights engaged the remainder of Cenred’s forces. My head throbbed from my injury after the blast that destroyed the Dragon Stone, and my body ached from my exertions. Thus, I was unprepared to confront a High Priestess in the fullness of her power. As she prepared to deliver a killing blow, a dragon alighted on her and utterly destroyed her. (I’ll spare you the grisly details, but her end was not pretty.)

            Meanwhile, Cenred had regained consciousness and crawled towards the edge of the wrecked camp. One of the last remaining Black Wings, however, jumped on his back, produced a knife, and buried it in him. Lancelot dispatched the Black Wing with a single swipe. At last, the ordeal was over. Most likely, a few Black Wings managed to escape, but their great secret had been turned against them, and their leaders were dead.

            The dragons landed before us, and the knights positioned themselves between me and my kin. I ordered them to lower their weapons, however, and I strode forward to greet our saviors.

            “After our captivity, I never expected to hear the voice of a Dragonlord again,” said Pwerus, the great blue dragon. “But I am glad that our powers could achieve some good here.”

            “We are indebted to you,” I answered, “but I have one more request. In the far reaches of the north where you live, I take it that there are Dragonlords still?”

            “There are, my lord,” he answered.

            “Please return to your homeland,” I replied, “and ask one of them to make the journey to Camelot. I am the last Dragonlord in my land, and my father could not train me before his death.”

            The five of them bowed their heads in sorrow at my words. “The loss of our kin is hard to bear, young sorcerer,” said Glo, another dragon, this one a rich, black color. “We will speak to our lords in the north. When they hear of your need, I am sure they will respond.”

            I thanked them and bid them a safe journey home. Within moments, they had all taken to the skies and departed.

            I turned and looked at the four knights. Lancelot and Mordred were beaming with pride, but Leon and Percival stood there speechless.

            “Emrys,” Mordred breathed reverently.

            “We need to find our way home,” I said, trying to prod the group into action again. As we left the site, questions poured forth. They had known my sorcerous powers but were astonished to learn that I could speak with and command dragons. If anything, Mordred’s respect for me verged on worshipfulness, which I found to be awkward, but the other knights did nothing to stop him.

            Retracing our steps through the forest, we encountered a Druid standing in our path. He greeted the group and bowed down before me. I urged him to rise. Blinking in surprise, he rose. No doubt, he had been prepared to offer further gestures of respect. Mordred, off to the side, engaged in meaningful looks with him as they spoke to one another mentally.

            “My name is Carwyn, my lord,” the Druid said after a moment. “It would be my honor to accompany you to a nearby council of elders. We await the great Emrys.”

            Following him, we soon found ourselves in the midst of a new encampment filled with Druids who were rejoicing over recent events. Their scouts had already returned with news of the dragons’ feats and my presence among the knights.

            After begging them not to bother with reverence, I asked for their purpose in calling me to them. In what followed, I set the record straight. The lords’ rumors were laid to rest. I convinced them that the lords who had spoken against the ban were likely the same ones who had been brought down for conspiring against the King. I assured them that your intentions were sincere and that I wholeheartedly supported the ongoing reform efforts. Their relief was palpable.

            I enjoined the elders to accompany us to Camelot so that they could meet with you and provide further insight into legalizing magic. They declined for the time being, citing their need to consider the matter carefully so that they could make the best possible recommendations. I accepted this and told them to contact me soon. We spent the night with them, and they gave us food and supplies for our journey home.

            In passing, I feel that I should report that I have been using the signet you entrusted to me. While meeting with this first encampment of Druids, I have written a proclamation in your name and put your seal to it. In that proclamation, I clarify that the rumors against the Druids are false and that Camelot will bring about a new era of magic and peace. I will repeat this procedure as often as necessary in my upcoming travels to allay fears and gain allies. I hope that this use of your signet pleases you and that your trust in me has been well placed.

            Once I finish this letter, one of their scouts will take it to you. While he sets out ahead of us, I have promised to make my way to other Druid camps along the way and to repeat my assurances in those places as well. There is so much damage to undo. Because Camelot scarlet is still frightening for the Druids, the knights have agreed to wear Druid-style cloaks and set aside their capes during our journey home. We do not wish to cause alarm. I estimate that it will be two to three weeks before we arrive home.

            These tumultuous events, while positive, have also been exhausting. In addition to feasting with us to celebrate the defeat of the Black Wings and the end of the magic ban, the Druids have used their healing magic to tend to our injuries. One of their elders specializing in healing magic has promised to come to Camelot to teach me how to heal. Despite my power, I have always struggled with healing magic for unclear reasons. Perhaps his tutelage will help.

            I never thought that events would unfold as they did. It is unclear how many more Black Wings there are or whether they have engaged in other conspiracies against us. We must be vigilant in the days ahead, but the Druids have promised to take a more active role in reporting the whereabouts of The Order so that we can end this threat permanently.

            My beloved Arthur, I yearn to be with you again. You are my home. We have been separated for far too long. I sincerely hope that when we are reunited, we will not be parted again for a long time. With any luck, I will convince some Druids to accompany us back to Camelot. Perhaps I will not have to leave your side so often. I will be able to delegate tasks and responsibilities to them, allowing me to remain in Camelot for longer periods of time. Certainly, I will have to travel in the future, but perhaps such ventures away from you will be less frequent. I look forward to beginning our courtship and deepening our burgeoning relationship. You have brought me more joy than I have known in many years, and I am perpetually grateful for your presence in my life.

With all my love and affection,

Merlin

Chapter Text

My incredible and beautiful Court Sorcerer,

            I suppose I should have long since stopped being surprised by your feats, but I continue to be astonished anyway. You had mentioned inheriting powers from your father that allowed you to speak to Kilgarrah, but I did not expect to hear that you commanded five dragons in battle! I think of this as more of a surprise than a secret. After all, with only two dragons left in Camelot, you had few opportunities to use the full extent of your powers. In this battle, however, you have proven that you deserve to stand with the Dragonlords of old.

          With Geoffrey’s help, I have found records indicating that the Dragonlords were part of the nobility of Camelot before the Purge. As it turns out, my father confiscated the lands and property of your father before trying to lure him into a trap to kill him. Those lands continue to be in royal hands. Therefore, as part of my reforms, I intend to restore your family to its previous status. When you return, we will complete the necessary paperwork and decrees for you to resume control of your father’s lands and to receive his titles. The lords of the Council can no longer look on you as a lowborn peasant: you are one of the peers of the realm. Indeed, the Law Lords, responsible for recording and interpreting the laws, agree that your birth can be retroactively legitimized and your inheritance made secure.

          I know that you will resist receiving these lands and houses, so I urge you to consider your mother’s status. Income from these lands can support her for life. Although she accepted accusations of being an unmarried mother, she did so only to provide cover for her husband as he sought to evade my father’s forces. Your mother and father’s marriage certificate is on my desk even as I write these words. Once my father deprived your parents of their lands and titles, she fled to Ealdor, beyond the reach of Camelot, so that she could raise her child in relative peace. You see, your mother was part of the nobility once, which is why she could read and write despite her appearance as a peasant woman. And this, in turn, is why she was able to teach you before you went to Camelot. The point here is that she can actively manage lands that were once hers anyway. She can help provide for the families who once depended on her leadership and household management for sustenance and protection.

          She will not be obliged to live in the royal household looking for work to do. Her hands will be full, as will yours, with your responsibilities as Court Sorcerer. Please consider this carefully and let me know your response.

          I am greatly relieved that you and the knights have been healed from your injuries. Please give my thanks to the Druids you meet along the way. Their noble actions have advanced Camelot's cause and protected the man I love more than anything else in this world. I am truly in their debt. The Druid messenger who bore your last letter to me has agreed to stay in Camelot to help manage future visits from Druid leaders. Bran, as you know, is highly capable. Our conversations have greatly advanced my understanding of and appreciation for his people even without the elders. He will be an important intermediary for us.

          I am also pleased that you are putting my signet to good use, as I knew that you would. Give whatever assurances are needed to convince them of my good intentions. Although their nomadic lifestyle means that there are no lands to restore to them, we will create a new and fairer taxation scheme for them. Additionally, we will grant pardons for any Druids whom my father may have accused and convicted of crimes in absentia. Please use my signet accordingly. I also want you to consider recruiting Druids to create a school of magic for any of Camelot’s citizens who share your talents. We need them now more than ever, and I think it is only appropriate to ensure that they are taught well and receive formation that will guide them to serve the kingdom honorably.

          I have good news to report concerning Morgana. Her efforts as the Chief Ambassador of Camelot have paid off amazingly well. Through her diplomacy, the other kingdoms have pledged to lift their own magic bans and follow my lead in restoring justice for sorcerers and Druids alike. Morgana has been writing extensively and has begun traveling throughout Albion to promote these and other causes that are dear to Camelot. For example, she also leads trade negotiations and has gained many important concessions. She is formidable and has found a secure and lasting role in the annals of our kingdom. Gwen continues to support Morgana admirably, and they both eagerly await the return of their beloved Leon.

          Another tremendous opportunity has presented itself for Morgana. A letter from Iseldir has invited her to undergo training to become a High Priestess. (Gwen will be deputized as Ambassador while Morgana is away.) Seers and dreamwalkers among the Druids have reported that the spirits of past High Priestesses will converge on the Isle of Avalon and offer instruction in their ways to Morgana and eight other candidates. I heartily support this restoration of the line of High Priestesses. The Old Religion will undergo long overdue renewal. Once the new nine are trained, they can determine which traditions to retain and which ones to alter so that the Old Religion remains relevant throughout the land.

          On the topic of the Old Religion, I think it is worth relating a conversation I recently had with Kilgarrah. He flew back to Camelot to deliver the messages you entrusted to him, and I have spoken at length with him about the prophecy that brought you and me together. As it turns out, the greatest threat to me has always been… myself. Without challenging my father’s horrible legacy, I would have created the very forces that would have undone my kingdom and brought an end to my life. In Kilgarrah’s estimation, I have subverted the old prophecy by lifting the ban and committing myself to you. Moreover, Mordred will not kill me because my changes have taken away the potential reasons for betrayal. In short, we no longer need to live in fear of the prophecy.

          Also, Kilgarrah reports that there is a new prophecy about you, me, and Camelot. Ours will not only be a Golden Age, but it will also be an exceptionally long era. I have discovered that you are immortal, and by marrying you, my own lifetime will be greatly extended. I have ordered the rest of the prophecy to be written down so that you can review it when you return. Honestly, after it talks about your immortality, the prophecy meanders through very confusing and vague imagery. It all sounds very important, but once again, I doubt its relevance and accuracy. If one prophecy can fail, why not others as well? I am willing to consider the words of the new prophecy, but I refuse to base my decisions on it. We already know how to create a new future for the kingdom. Let us focus on doing good and let the prophecy see to its own interests.

          Now that the crisis has passed, the lords of Camelot will (for the most part) return to their own houses. The strain in the castle has been significant, but the overall effect has been good. We brought down a conspiracy and consolidated control over the lords. Some negotiations brought changes to Council membership; some older lords returned to their ancestral manors while younger lords took their place. The Council has seen that the House of Pendragon is as strong as ever, despite misgivings about my reign in light of my relative youth. You are a critical part of that strength, Merlin. Through your efforts, Camelot is safer now than she has been in many years.

          In closing, I must tell you how much my heart rejoices to know that you have accepted my offer of courtship. I am already making arrangements to welcome you as the hero you are when your footsteps bring you back to Camelot. Furthermore, as you requested, we will take time to enjoy one another before formally announcing our courtship to the Council. It seems that our announcement may be less of a surprise than we might have thought. In my excitement, I showed your letters to Gwaine, who has been a very close and loyal friend to both of us. He immediately shared my excitement, but he also said that it was high time for you and me to act on our feelings. He gleefully reports that he has won an ongoing bet among the knights that we would get together someday! (I’m sure his winnings will be spent at the Rising Sun…)

          Maybe others have long seen what our hearts secretly knew but were afraid to acknowledge. We belong together, Merlin, and our hearts will remain committed to each other throughout my reign and across the ages. Ours is an unusual and precious bond, and I will do everything possible to nurture and strengthen it. Whatever our titles may say, we are equals, you and I. With my sister and her lovers, I have a family again. With you, I have the promise of all the happiness I could ever desire. I can hardly wait for your triumphant return so that we can finally hold one another in true love’s embrace. Emotions have been hard for me to express, but I look forward to the growth that you and I will experience while we build a life and a kingdom together. I have not said this before, but thank you for all you have done for me and my people. You are truly my greatest treasure.

All my love always,

Arthur

Chapter Text

Love of my life,

            Today is our wedding day! It is hard to believe that a year has passed since the adventures that brought us together as a couple. Of course, we cannot see each other before the ceremony, but Gwen reports that you are feeling especially nervous, so I am writing in an effort to bring you calm.

            So many things have changed for the better in our lives. My mother has been restored to the life that should have always been hers. Morgana and Leon have already married so that their children will be legitimate in the eyes of the Council, and their relationship with one another and with Gwen brings joy to all of us in the household. I have one more secret to reveal, but you must promise to act surprised when the time comes: Morgana is expecting her first child! The High Priestess is ecstatic and foresees a great and powerful future for her as your future heir.

            Dragonlords from the far north have given me priceless training for my role among dragonkin. The great healers of the Druids have also helped me learn to channel my magic for the purpose of healing. Even Gaius has learned from them, greatly enhancing his services to Camelot and her people as Court Physician. The training has been intense, but I am grateful for it.

            You know these things, of course, so why am I writing these words to you? I am writing because I want you to remember how far we’ve come and how much we’ve overcome to get to this wonderful day. There is no need to be nervous. You are beautiful, and your heart is true. As you have said, we belong together. Yes, today is important. And yes, the ceremony will be a bit more complicated than we originally intended, what with court traditions to appease and so forth. What is most important, though, is that we are formally committing ourselves to one another in the eyes of the kingdom.

            You see, this is only a formality. We’ve already done the hard work of learning from each other, fixing our mistakes, and growing even closer together than we first hoped when our courtship began. Today, therefore, is a celebration of all we have accomplished. Soon, we will be husbands. A new era is about to begin. Focus on the union of our hearts and the depth of our love for one another. Everything else is just details. Even this glorious wedding.

Loving you now and always,

Merlin