Note: Arthur and Morgana are not siblings in this fanfic (:
Pairings: Mergana, Armor
"Arthur." Uther's clear voice rang throughout the room teeming with authority. Arthur came out from behind the pillar he was leaning against to face his father. His manservant Merlin stood behind him dutifully. Morgana sat next to Uther passing a secret smile on to Merlin. He flushed red briefly then looked away he caught Gaius's disapproving gaze and shrugged. Arthur didn't notice any of this as all his attention was on his father, the king. "It is time that you were married."
Arthur stood in stunned silence. The silence was broken by Merlin chuckling to himself. Arthur turned to face him "What is so funny Merlin?" he inquired frowning.
"You can't even look after yourself how will you look after a wife?" Merlin smiled to himself.
"That is why I have you Merlin. You would look after her as well as me." Arthur grinned as Merlin opened his mouth in protest.
Uther clapped his son on the back. "It's settled then. I will prepare the arrangements for a wedding." He sat back down in his throne and flicked through some papers.
"Wait a minute father, who am I marrying?"
"I will pick a neighbouring kingdoms princess and inform you when It is sorted." Uther waved his hand about casually.
"I will get married if it is your wish father. But I would like to request that I choose the woman I am to marry."
Uther sighed heavily. "I suppose that is fair enough. It has never worked out before when I have tried marrying you to a Princess you do not know. Try and choose within a week. But choose someone within your station Arthur that is my request.
Arthur bowed his head to the king "as you wish father."
Everyone cleared out of the throne room abuzz with the news that Prince Arthur was going to choose his future queen within a week. Ladies of the court filed out gossiping whilst a lot of the men were adamant to capture the heart of the ladies they were interested in before Arthur chose one of them. Arthur bumped into a servant on the way out knocking the cloths she was carrying all over the floor.
He apologised to the young maid before hastily making his way to his room. Merlin stopped to help her pick the material up. "Sorry Gwen, Arthur is in a hurry today" He gave her an apologetic smile. "That's fine, it was my fault anyway. I stacked them too high."
"Would you like some help?" He offered
"No it is fine I am nearly there anyway" she stood up as he passed her back the stuff she was carrying. "What was all the commotion in the throne room?"
"Arthur is getting married."
"That is wonderful! Who is the woman he is marrying?"
"Well he hasn't decided yet. He has to choose before the week is up."
"I suppose that is better than marrying a complete stranger."
"Definitely, I better go find him before I get in trouble." Merlin swerved round her waving his hand in farewell. "Good luck Merlin" Gwen laughed before rounding the corner.
Merlin thought he would need luck as the woman Arthur marries he would have to serve as well and if she was as obnoxious and proud as him then he would be in for a treat.
A hand came out from one of the dark corridors and snatched him into the darkness. His eyes turned gold in the middle of an incantation but he stopped when he could see in the dim light that it was Morgana.
"What do you think you are doing out so late Merlin?" she asked teasingly.
He checked the corridor looking in both directions before softly brushing his lips against hers.
"I missed you." He whispered.
"We were in the same room just a minute ago." She laughed.
"I know." It had been two months since they had started their romance. When Morgana found out about his magic he had begun helping her with her magic.
Their love had grown from the times that they spent together teaching each other new spells from Merlin's spell book. Merlin knew that he could not be with her publicly as he would be executed if there love were revealed. He just had to be content with the time they shared alone secretly.
"I don't want to hide our relationship anymore Merlin."
"What do you mean? We have no choice."
"There is always a choice. I want to run away."
"That would never work. Uther would try and find you."
"Not if we faked our deaths."
"With magic."
"yes." She nodded.
"You would really want to do that? Leave everything you know behind." Merlin thought for a second "I can't leave Arthur."
"I know, which is why only my death will be faked you would buy a house near the castle and you could still get to Arthur but we could be together." She paused after hearing footsteps echoing down the corridor "meet me in my room this afternoon and we can discuss it further." She whispered before hugging him briefly and disappearing down the corridor.
She was expecting the silent knock on her door but she did not expect the visitor to be Arthur.
"Arthur. What are you doing here so late?" she asked trying to hide the annoyance in her voice as she closed the door behind him.
"I couldn't sleep. I have been trying to make a big decision." He replied rubbing his eyes wearily.
"So you have chosen her then." Morgana grinned at him.
"Kind of." He paced the room biting his nails.
"Who is she then? Is she someone I know?"
Arthur met her gaze and hesitated before hastily getting on one knee before her.
"Arthur, what are you doing?" She backed up against the wall "If it is what I think it is then I am not staying." She reached for the handle of the door. He swiftly grabbed her hand before it reached the handle. "Morgana, you are the one I want. No one else knows me better than myself." He kissed her hand "Will you marry me?"
She looked around the room for an escape. Through the crack of the door she saw someone standing there. The man she was supposed to meet. The one she had made plans to run away with. The man she loved. Merlin.