it wasn’t about destiny, magic or the power behind the crown, it was about him.
#remember when Morgause asked Merlin why he risked his life for Arthur? and Merlin replied with ‘I believe in a fair and just land’ #Morgause didn’t buy it… she was sure there was something more #it wasn’t because Arthur was going to be king there was something else Merlin didn’t tell her #this was it #when they met Merlin n1 priority was their destiny #after a couple of years it was still his destiny but he started to care about Arthur’s well being #by season 4 all Merlin wanted was Arthur to be happy #this is why my headcanon is that their destiny was never about bringing magic back or Merlin being a court sorcerer #it was about /them/ #side by side #and it fulfilled even if they had to wait a thousand years for Arthur’s return #’none of us can choose our destiny’ #’and none of us can escape it’