Waking the Sorceress Within (BBC Merlin Story)

Chapter 72: Epilogue Part Two

A/N: Italics are flashbacks

Thank you to everyone who has voted on chapters, commented and added this story to their reading lists. I can't believe I've made it to the end of this story. It is the first fan fiction that I published and it's been with me for so long (7 years!!!). Reading this story, you can probably see my evolution as a writer. I am so grateful to have shared this journey with you. It'll be strange now it's over, but the fan fiction bug has bitten me, so this won't be the end of my writing.

——

Anne's POV

Arthur moves back and forth near the windows in the Council Chambers. Anne, Percival, Gwen and Merlin watch him.

After a long silence, Arthur stops. "We've kept this from her long enough." He says. "The question is whether we tell Amelia the truth about Odin."

Percival answers immediately. "Yes. She deserves to know."

Anne nods. "Every day we wait, we risk her learning it another way. She's earned honesty."

Arthur turns toward them, his jaw tight. "And what good will it do? She's his only child because of..."

...because Odin's son is dead. He challenged Arthur to a duel, refused to step back, and Arthur killed him. That death started the enmity between Odin and Camelot. Odin grieved, sought revenge, and tried to have Arthur killed, one time actually mortally wounding Uther instead of Arthur.

Arthur exhales. "I just don't know if it will help."

Gwen stands, steps closer and rests a hand on his arm. "You can't delay Odin forever." She says. "She deserves to know her family."

She adds, "And being his daughter makes her his heir. His only living child. That affects her future."

Merlin shifts by the fire. "She's not well." He says quietly. "She's barely speaking to anyone. If we tell her now, it could break her."

Anne turns to Arthur. "Fragile doesn't mean she can't be trusted."

Percival nods. "It could show her that we do trust her."

Anne speaks again, calm but firm. "She isn't Morgana. She's Amelia. And she's already proven herself."

Arthur looks at her.

"Yes, she was with Morgana," Anne says. "But she never said who Merlin is. She never named me for who I am."

Merlin looks away. After a moment, he adds, "Odin is our ally now. We have to think about the future. Amelia's position matters."

Arthur finally stops pacing. Gwen's hand stays on his arm.

"Not yet," Arthur says. "But soon. She'll hear it from us. Not from Odin. Not from anyone else."

——

Amelia's POV

Now that she has begun to mend her relationships with Arthur, Percival, and Anne, Amelia knows the next challenge isn't in her Chambers. It's out there, with the people who still whisper her name. Winning them over feels daunting.

"They still hate me, Anne," Amelia says, her voice low. Her arms cross tightly over her chest. "I can just sense it. They keep glaring at me."

Anne sits across from her, calm as ever, hands folded in her lap. "They don't hate you, Amelia." She says. "It's natural they're cautious. They know Morgana caused the most hurt, but you did join her at first. It's hard to understand, but it will fade. They'll see you want to make amends."