Merlin GOLDEN AGE AU Part 1 - You have magic (for SecretHeart20 and fireicewriter42)

Dedicated to SecretHeart20 because she was one of the first who inspired my editing skill. I have admired her voiceover Merlin stories since 2009. Now I feel that I have improved to the point that I can make my Merlin Ending approaching her level. Thank you so much for your inspiration!!

The Sidhe part is partly inspired by the amazing fanfiction "Vision of Happiness" by fireicewriter42: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12219352...

The part of Gwen and Arthur talking is inprired by this video by TheiLame:    • HOW MERLIN SHOULD HAVE ENDED [Funny] ...  


PLOT:
At the shores of Avalon Merlin gets Arthur in the boat and drags him before the Sidhe King. He is not willing to help a Pendragon, but Emrys forces him to restore the balance and the Sidhe give Merlin a spell to heal arthur and leave with a grin.

Anxiously Merlin waits and suddenly arthur starts to breath. He is confused to be on the isle and Merlin tells him he saved Arthur, which he begrudgingly thanks him for. Merlin decides to let Arthur know the whole truth and leads him in the forest.
Arthur is impatient and wants to get back to Gwen and Camelot, but Merlin convinces him. They go to the Crystal Cave and Merlin shows arthur visions of what he did for Camelot in the past. Arthur feels conflicted and regrets how he treated Merlin.
When they camp around a fire Arthur asks Merlin what it is like and Merlin opens up about his loneliness. Arthur thanks Merlin for saving his life, but he is still unsure how to treat Merlin when they get back. He goes to sleep and Merlin watches him anxiously.

Back at Camelot Gwen is overjoyed to see him. Arthur tells her that Merlin is a sorcerer and is a bit offended to hear that she knew it already (although only for a day).
Gwen knows Merlin is loyal to them and tells arthur to trust his instincts. There's a knock at the door and Merlin appears.

Nervously the sorcerer begs for arthur's mercy, but Arthur quickly reassures him. In his own way he tells him that he will be rewarded for saving his life. (the knighthood is actually the Court Sorcerer, which is the same rank and Arthur used knighthood as a substitute because there had been no Court Sorcerer before. They would come up with the position a few days later.)
The next day the Council and the Round Table are called for a meeting (Gwaine and Elyan survived) and Arthur talks about what sorcery has done to Camelot. Gwen thinks of her enchantment when he talks about Morgana.
But then he surprises everyone by pointing out that Merlin is a sorcerer and has done no harm. Magic is accepted again.

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the knighthood part is from way back when I wathed the first season in 2009. When arthur said he had a knighthood to bestow I actually thought he meant Merlin and was dissappointed when he continued with "and none to polish my armour".