A/N: Second one today, and possibly the most important chapter in terms of plot ever. Also the final full chapter. Next one will be the epilogue.

"I'm coming home

I'm coming home

Tell the world that I'm coming home."

- Coming Home Part II by Skylar Grey

From their vantage point upon a tall hill, the citadel of Camelot gleamed in the setting sun. They all stopped to take in the view. Their great journey had come to end. They were home.

Gwaine urged Gringolet forward, first of all the company. Gareth and Galahad sped after him as Gwaine galloped to meet the nearby road. Tor and Morholt, Gaheris and Yvain, Percival and Leon, Tristan and Mordred all followed quickly. But Fira hesitated.

Elyan stood beside her atop his stallion. "You alright?"

"Yes." She smiled at him, tearing her eyes away from the castle. But her smile dropped as Elyan looked her in the eye. "I will be."

Gently he placed a hand on her shoulder. "Come on." He nodded to her and let his arm drop. Elyan nudged his horse forward.

As the sun set silently behind the horizon line, clouds formed above them. Fira and Elyan were quick to catch up with the group, and within the hour they reached it. Home.

A light drizzle fell about them. Fira had her hood up to save her hair. But as she pushed Aland forward, last of the line through the Gates of Camelot, she raised her face to the sky. Water droplets covered her fair skin. The misting water felt remarkably good, and it hid any stray tears.

Because they arrived so late, no townsfolk stood in the streets to meet them. They passed the bustling Rising Sun and heard the raucous inside. Fira saw little Thomas' house to the left. This was home.

As the company, now twelve strong, came riding into the square, Fira saw them. They stood on the steps beneath the balcony. The clip-clopping of the horse hooves and pitter-patter of the gentle rain became background noise as servants rushed to grab the horses from unseen dry spots and the king hailed them.

Fira dismounted and saw the smiles on their faces. Arthur tried to look as serious as ever, but even he grinned as Leon approached him and bowed. The Knights of the Round Table were all smiles. Merlin found Fira's gaze quickly. She nodded to him, almost a bow in and of itself, to let him know she was safe. But the trepidation in her eyes warned him not all had come out unscathed.

Fira turned back to see Gwen hugging Elyan tight. Leon was introducing Mordred and Yvain to the King. She tried to find Gwaine but he had disappeared. She wasn't surprised. Percival and Galahad offered to show Tor, Morholt, Gareth, and Gaheris to lodging. But Fira stood in the courtyard alone. The rain beat down in her back, growing steadily heavier until everything became soaked. Merlin walked out to her.

"Come on." He smiled at her. "Arthur will be busy with Leon for a while. Let's get you inside."

Fira nodded. As he guided her inside the citadel, he took her water-logged cloak from her shoulders. They took several hallways until she saw the door to her chambers. To her surprise, Gaius was still awake when they entered. He stood over the stove, warming plates of food. When she entered, he turned and the smile on his face grew.

"Welcome home, Fira," he said warmly. "Welcome home."

Fira smiled. "Thanks Gaius. It's good to be back."

She went to her side room and changed out of her wet clothes and into a plain blue dress. She took off her damp socks and went barefoot, joining the men in the main room. She sat on the patient's cot upon both Merlin's and Gaius' insistence.

"So, what happened?" Merlin started off with questions as he handed Fira a cup of hot tea that Gaius prepared. "You kept everyone alive! That's good."

"Merlin," Fira began quietly. "Merlin they know."

Merlin cocked his head. "Know what?"

"You." She felt her eyes watering. "They found out about you. And Leon says you have one week to tell Arthur."

Merlin backed up, fear written all over his face. He looked from Fira to Gaius. Gaius' own expression matched his, and Fira began to cry openly.

"How?" Merlin asked quickly, kneeling down in front of Fira.

She sighed and choked through her tears. "Leon accidentally saw the handwriting of the note you sent and addressed as Emrys."

"Maybe if I talk to him-"

"Merlin," Gaius shook his head. "You should talk to Arthur. It is time he knew, don't you think?"

"Merlin if he threatens you," Fira said, before a coughing fit interrupted her because of the tears. "If he threatens you, I'll leave Camelot with you. This is all my fault."

Merlin placed a hand on her knee. "One thing I've learned all these years listening to Kilgharrah is that Destiny has a hand in everything. Maybe this happened for a reason?"

He didn't look as sure as he sounded, but Fira nodded with him and tried to calm down. Merlin pulled up a chair for himself and Gaius joined them. Fira looked at them slowly and nodded appreciatively when their guardian poured some more tea into her hands. Merlin stoked the fire before sitting down once more.

"What happened?"

Fira launched into the tale of their journey. She explained in detail about their time in Somerset, about the beautiful Winter Solstice. She launched into an account of their encounter with Mordred, at which point Merlin's face grew grave but she didn't ask about it. Fira finally came to the revelation of who the Emerald Lady was.

"His mother?" Merlin gasped. "And you're saying he's Arthur's cousin."

"Crazy, right?" She chuckled for a moment. Then she grew grave. "When Morgana killed Morcades, Gwaine became sullen, but it was our return to Somerset City that ended up all the worse."

"What could be worse than losing a mother?" Gaius looked in concern at the door, as if willing Sir Gwaine to enter.

"Lorie." She had explained Gwaine's love to them earlier, how kind and funny and adored she was. "Lorie was summoned home to Roche Florie."

Merlin knew what it was like to lose a love. Freya occupied a special place in his heart. He wondered if Lorie and Freya would know each other in the Otherworld? He'd come to understand that Freya had been made guardian of Avalon, the Lady of the Lake. Maybe… maybe they would meet.

"Is he alright?" Merlin watched in concern as Fira's face fell.

"I- I think so." She shrugged. "After the night she left, we found him sprawled on the floor completely passed out from alcohol. He continued to drink heavily for several days on our way home. But… I think the worst is past."

Gaius changed the subject after several minutes of peaceful silence. "Mordred stabbed Morgana, you say?"

"Yes," she said, perking up. "He used my enchanted dagger to do more damage."

Merlin nodded. "Good."

"What more than good do you wish to say?" She cocked her head in confusion. "What is on your mind, Merlin?"

"There is a prophecy." Merlin rubbed the back of his head. He stood and paced a bit. "One that pertains to Arthur's death. That he will die by a druid's hand."

"Yes, I know."

Merlin sighed and turned to her. "I believe that druid to be Mordred."

She stared at him, open mouthed. After a moment she set her mouth straight and glared at him. "I know Mordred better than anyone here in Camelot. He is a good man. A friend. Incapable of doing as you say."

"He's dangerous," argued Merlin.

"To his enemies, yes!" Fira stood and dropped the blanket that Gaius had placed on her shoulders. "We are not they. Not anymore. He is my friend."

Merlin frowned but nodded. He sat down in his chair again. "Very well."

Fira nodded and sat herself down as well. A huge yawn escaped her. Merlin gave a short laugh. They were interrupted by a quiet knock on the door. Gaius shuffled over and opened the door.

The servant standing at the door was Jetta. "Fira is requested to see the king." The girl glared at Fira before nodding and walking away.

"Well, the prat awaits us," Merlin joked, pushing Fira lightly as she stood up. "I'm going too, I'm sure Arthur would appreciate it if you're still standing when you get there. You should probably put some shoes on, too."

"Nope," Fira smirked. "I don't want too."

Laughing lightly, the two warlocks wandered down the passages of the Citadel. The stone was cold beneath them, and Fira felt it. Her damp hair had yet to dry fully, but she had brushed it as straight as her messy hair would go. Merlin knocked lightly on King Arthur's chamber doors. Gwen opened it up for them.

"Come in." She smiled, giving Fira a huge hug. She teared up a little. "Thank you so much."

Fira blinked in confusion. "For?"

"Bringing us through safely."

She and Merlin turned and found the knights standing near Arthur at the side near his table desk. Leon was the one who had spoken. He nodded at her.

Fira laughed lightly but nodded. "I helped. I seem to remember Gwaine challenging the knight, Leon guarding the rear against three wyvern, Percival leading us out, Elyan and Galahad rushing to defend us from the Green Knight." She shrugged. "I was actually pretty useless."

Gwaine laughed. "You kept us together. As much as I'm loathe to admit it, it wasn't my natural charm."

Arthur nodded. "They, for perhaps the first time ever, agree that you were a huge asset." He looked at Merlin. "See, even a girl does more than you to help around here."

"Ah," Merlin grinned. "Good one! Very clever for you, sire."

Arthur rolled his eyes and turned back to Fira. "I want to personally thank you for your help. And I want you to know that your friend Mordred is going to be knighted."

She beamed. "Thank you, my lord."

"I'm thankful, to all of you, for the effort, the blood, the tears you put forth to protect this kingdom." Arthur launched into one of his heartfelt kingly speeches. "I could not be the king I am today which out each and every one of you in this room. Tomorrow we will feast after the knighting ceremony to celebrate your return."

"Will Fira be honored?" Galahad asked quietly. "As she should?"

The room fell hushed. Arthur looked at Fira in solemn sadness. He shook his head.

"No. The kingdom is not yet ready to know the truth." The King bowed his head for a moment. "One day, perhaps."

Gwen rubbed Fira's hand and sent her a sympathetic frown. "Just know that we are proud of you."

"Of course." She nodded. "I never assumed otherwise."

Suddenly Merlin stepped forward, making eye contact with Sir Leon. "Sire, may I speak?"

Arthur, thrown off by the politeness and suddenness of the request, nodded his consent without saying anything.

Fira took Merlin's hand unnoticed. She saw Gwaine warily make his way over to Merlin's other side. Slowly the servant spoke.

"Arthur I have always only ever done what you asked of me," he began. He saw the knights nod in understanding of what was about to happen. Merlin looked back at Arthur. He figured his best chance of surviving the experience was if everyone was present. "Everything I do, everything I have done has been in protection of you and Camelot."

Arthur snorted. "Aren't you exaggerating a little bit, Merlin?" But his face was wary.

"There should be no secrets between friends," Merlin replied, shaking his head. "And it has come to my attention that it's time you know this."

Fira could feel Merlin actively shaking where he stood. Her grasp on his hand got tighter. She saw Gwen move slowly over to Arthur in confusion.

"Well spit it out," Arthur demanded.

Merlin whispered. "I have magic."

"What?" Arthur stood as if punched in the gut. "You what?"

"I was born with it," Merlin pleaded. "I didn't practice it by choice!"

Gwen's face twisted from shock to understanding. She glanced from Fira to Merlin to Arthur. "This would actually be quite funny if it weren't so incredibly sad."

"Merlin is Emrys, my lord," Fira revealed when it became clear that Merlin could say nothing further. "Merlin is the reason I can do my job."

Gwen nodded and took Merlin's other hand. "It makes sense now. All of it." She caressed his trembling hand. "All these years, by Arthur's side. So afraid he would give you death, forced to hide your nature from everyone."

"You have magic," Arthur shouted in anger, over his wife's soft tone.

Gwen shot him a glare. "This is Merlin, Arthur."

"And you all knew?" He glared furiously at his knights. "All of you, and you never told me this?"

"Leon and Elyan only found out on the journey, and by accident," Fira explained carefully. "Percival, Galahad, and Gwaine figured it out on their own."

"Gwaine, Percival, I can believe that," Arthur snarled. "But Galahad? How did you find out?"

He shuffled his feet warily. "I am descended from druids on my mother's side. I can sense magic."

Merlin still stood unmoving, eyes lowered to the ground. His countenance, like a kicked puppy, betrayed the fear deep in his heart.

"Fira," Arthur began slowly and carefully. "He is like you, then? Unable to function without magic."

"Merlin is beyond my power, sire," Fira tried. "Merlin is made of magic, he is Emrys. His destiny is to protect you as I protect the knights."

Arthur finally met Merlin's gaze again. He sighed. "What kind of King would I be if I spare one sorcerer with inborn magic, and not another."

Merlin's eyes went wide. "You mean?"

"Your magic must remain as secret, as Fira's does," Arthur declared without hesitation. "Your role will not change. I need a manservant after all."

Gwaine's grip on his knife hilt loosened. "Good."

"Glad you approve, Sir Gwaine." Arthur rolled his eyes. "I have seen first hand with Fira that not all magic is evil. The fact that you thought I would have you executed is a bigger issue."

Merlin protested, "It's the law-"

"Damn the law," Arthur exploded. "I'm the king. I can do what I want!"

"And what he wants right now is to sleep," Gwen stressed quickly. "Come on, all of you. The ceremony is at noon tomorrow. It's far past midnight."

They were ushered out the door by Gwen and split into different directions. Leon and Merlin spoke quietly in a corner of the hallway. They parted with a handshake.

"That went remarkably well," Fira chipped in as she and Merlin made their way to the Physician's Chambers.

"I dread to think how that would've gone if you had never come to Camelot." Merlin shook his head. "It made it much easier."

Fira chuckled. "Then I have accomplished something at least."

They laughed together when Merlin finally opened the door to Gaius' chambers. He was still up, likely waiting to hear what Fira had been called for. Fira left Merlin to give Gaius the good news while she herself went to bed.

Tomorrow would be a good day, she knew it. The knighting of Gaheris, Gareth, Tor, Morholt, and Mordred seemed a fitting end to the quest to vanquish the Green Knight and his lady. Besides, she was exhausted and eager for bed.

"Good night, Fira." Merlin said peeking his head into her small side room. "Sleep well."

With a wide smile she responded. "And you also."