164AUTHOR'S NOTE:
This is the epilogue. Which means that it's over. I have mixed feelings about that.
The journey back to the tower was uneventful, although Morgana did try to fry Tony with a fireball and Nimueh tried to take control of Arthur's mind. Merlin and Loki remained unconscious. Merlin was the only one fussed over, though.
Arthur stayed near Merlin for the whole trip, leaning against the wall, and clutching Merlin's hand.
Wanda's hypothesis was found to be correct. Three hours after being locked into the vibranium holding cell, Morgana and Nimueh simply faded away. FRIDAY monitored the whole thing to make sure that there was no funny business.
The rest of the team, Vision, Cap, Sam, Tony, and Wanda reappeared at the tower in the late afternoon. Without a guiding force, most of the draugr had turned on each other, destroying the majority of the armies.
Thor took Loki back to Asgard to see how he had escaped from his cell, and to make sure that it wouldn't happen again.
Merlin remained unconscious for only a day and a half, hooked up to IVs and heart monitors.
When he woke, Merlin found himself surrounded by the Avengers, with Arthur near his head. "Have you all just been watching me while I slept?"
"We were present while you were unconscious," Tony said, "But no, not really. I had FRIDAY keeping an eye on you."
Steve dragged Tony away, motioning to the rest of the Avengers. "We'll talk later," Steve told Merlin. "Good to see you awake, soldier."
"Thanks," Merlin said. The Avengers trooped out the door, waving and smiling over their shoulders. Merlin grinned tiredly at Arthur, who grinned back, blue eyes bright and happy. "The world truly is an amazing place," Arthur said, leaning forward. "Your team of friends showed me what a movie is. We watched an epic about a war in space."
"That's nice," Merlin chuckled. "Did you like it?"
"It was... strange," Arthur mused. "But I enjoyed it."
Merlin smiled. "Yeah, the modern day has a lot of strange, but exciting, things." Merlin watched Arthur for a minute. His smile faded. "You have to leave, don't you?"
Arthur nodded.
Merlin sighed. "I'm actually a bit surprised that you managed to stay so long."
"I couldn't just leave without saying goodbye," Arthur smiled. Then his expression turned serious. "I can't believe you could do something so stupid." Arthur hissed. "Going on a potentially dangerous quest on your own!" Arthur whacked the back of Merlin's head, and it felt like old times. "That was the most idiotic thing I've ever seen you do. And then you nearly kill yourself trying to save the world."
Merlin shrugged. "It had to be done," he muttered resolutely. Merlin met Arthur's eyes. "But I am sorry."
Arthur softened. "I am glad to see you again, my friend," Arthur said, kneeling and clasping Merlin's hand in his. "But your time to come to Avalon is not yet. The world still needs you." Arthur saddened. "And Avalon needs me. I have to make sure that Gwaine hasn't managed to flood the lake again."
Merlin smiled sadly. He wished that the time had been longer, and it had been fantastic to see Arthur again, but Merlin could feel that Arthur was right. The world still needed him. For how much longer, Merlin couldn't say. But he would know when the time was right.
Merlin leaned forward and wrapped Arthur in a hug. "Thank you, sire."
Arthur winked. "Everyone misses you in Avalon," he said. Then he simply faded away.
Merlin was confined to bedrest for three weeks. Traces of the vibranium were left, but with Merlin's treatment for heavy metal poisoning going well, he was starting to feel better.
The Avengers teased him, the world celebrated the Avenger's heroics, attributing the victory to them. The Avengers said nothing about it, only let the world assume, and let Merlin fade into the background once more. Three months after saving the world, Merlin moved back to Europe.
All in all, things were back to normal.
Although, of course, there were the weekly "training" meetings at the tower.
Those never failed to be exciting.
Short, I know, but I feel satisfied with it. And this story in general. I probably won't continue this, but if any of you want to, I would be totally fine with it, as long as you asked me first!
Thanks for sticking through this with me. I hope you enjoyed it! I know I did.
-Indigene Syke