Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin, sadly.

Chapter 1

Gwen walked through the halls of the castle. It was late but she had to find Arthur. She didn't know if Arthur would want her there but when her father died all she wanted was someone to hold her while she cried.

The castle always seemed scary at night and she raced as fast as possible until she came to Arthur's bedroom. She knocked but received no reply. She decided she would wait for him if he was still with his father's body.

She opened the door and was shocked to see Arthur sitting on his bed with his head in his hands. The sorrow was rolling of him in waves. She couldn't stand to see him like this anymore so she walked over and wrapped her arms around him.

"Oh, Arthur…" She ran her fingers through his hair hoping to give him any comfort she could. Arthur held on tight to her but soon looked in her eyes with a mixture of guilt and anger.

"I just don't understand how I could have been so stupid to believe magic could help my father. He always said it was evil and now it has killed him. It is my fault," Arthur pulled away not able to contain his anger at himself and walked to the other side of the bed. Gwen followed knowing it wasn't his fault and trying to help.

"You know that is not true, you did what you could for your father. Gaius said nothing could cure him and he would have been lucky if even magic could help. You are not to blame for your father's death." She cupped his cheeks in her hand. Knowing how much the gesture soothes him.

He sighed, "Guinevere, I can't believe he is gone. I just feel so alone. No one understands what it means to lose a father."

"I know perfectly well how that feels, sire" he winced at her formalness. She only calls him sire when she is upset.

"Gwen, I know your father died but it is still not the same. My father died while I still need him. I can't run this kingdom on my own." Gwen quickly moved away from him to the other side of the bed not believing what Arthur just said to her.

"Oh, and my father was at the end of his life to just go away. It was not his time either and I still need him today. He was killed because of magic as well. He was killed for being accused of dealing with sorcery. I still don't hate magic even though my father died. I also took care of the man who had him executed and am in love with his son. While your father was alone, I helped him, fed him, and talked to him to recover his sanity. That man who has the blood of my father on his hands. So do not talk to me about not understanding the situation, your highness."

Arthur felt like a complete ass. He was always told to think before he speaks even with Merlin. She was right, as she always is. He didn't even truly help her overcome her father's death, and here she was doing everything for the man who killed her father all to make him happy. She even tried to make him realize he wasn't alone but he opened old wounds by speaking his anger. God, he loved her and doesn't deserve her but he won't let her go until she refuses him.

"Guinevere, I'm sorry. Please come back here," He opened his arms for her to return to them. She walked over and buried her face in his chest letting the silent tears fall. She didn't mean to become so upset but it still hurts thinking of her father's death even after years have passed.

"I'm sorry, you are the one who is hurting and I'm bringing up old issues. I should be holding you, Arthur, not the other way around," She felt like such a damsel in distress. She never feels this way except for when Arthur invokes any type of emotion in her, "You know it is ok to cry, right? I won't think you're any less of man for it. I love you," She said with a kiss on his chest and with that they both cried holding onto each other. They ended up sitting on the bed and holding each other tight until the last tear fell. They looked in each other's eyes and wiped the tears away.

"Thank you for being here. It means a lot to me and I love you too," Arthur brushed her cheek and leaned down for a kiss. They have only ever had sweet, soft kisses. However, Gwen was not expecting Arthur's tongue to try and join in. She touched it with her tongue lightly and Arthur made the most delicious noise when she did that she wanted more. They continued to deepen the kiss and tongues battle for the treasure in the other's mouth. He tasted like cinnamon, spice with a bit of sweetness.

There was no fruit as sweet as her lips, Arthur thought. He found their position become tiresome and tried to shift her beneath him for them to both be comfortable. Gwen automatically panicked. She had no idea what was happening.

"W-what are you doing?" her words were riddled with pants and she didn't realize her need for breathe until they broke apart.

Arthur stilled not wanting to make her uneasy but he wanted to enjoy her body. He wanted to forget about what was happening and what will happen outside his room in the next few days. He loved her and now there was no reason for him to hold back anymore. He didn't know how to tell her but being blunt about everything usually worked for him.

"I want you right now," He said kissing on her neck so he wouldn't have to look her in the eyes just yet.

"We can't Arthur. It is just not how it is done, what will people say or what if something happens?" She tried reasoning with him. She never expected to do anything tonight with Arthur and she would not want to do it just because of his father's death. Though, she has imagined doing this with Arthur for quite some time and has always wanted to touch his soft skin when not taking care of his wounds.

"It doesn't matter what happens. As future king, no one but my Queen's opinion matters to me," He looked at her with the first smile he has had since early tonight. He even gave a chuckle when her eyes grew as wide as if she had seen a dragon, "What? I told you as soon as I became king you would be by my side for all eternity. I hope the days you counted weren't too high of a number."

Gwen could barely speak. She didn't know what to think or even how to respond to any of what he said. She finally had time to form a coherent sentence, though knew it could end badly.

"I…you can't just propose because your father died. I don't want to have your proposal filled with sad emotions and grieving for your loss," She stumbled at first but it was hard when his tempting lips were just inches above hers.

"I did not say what I said because my father died but I would rather find something to be happy about and give hope in a bad situation. Whether I proposed today or a year from now, my feelings for you will not change. I would rather just begin the rest of my life with you as soon as possible," He waited to hear her response but was attacked by lips on his that he couldn't help but smirk into the kiss.

She couldn't believe it, here they were crying not 15 minutes ago and now he was saying he wanted to marry her soon. All of a sudden Arthur jumped up and she shivered from the lack of his body's warmth over her.

"What's wrong?" she looked over at the door in case Merlin had walked in, since the poor boy doesn't know how to knock on a door to save his life. She soon squealed when Arthur grabbed her legs and pulled her to the edge of the bed and had her sitting up.

Arthur went on one knee and his beautiful, blue eyes shined with so much excitement. "Guinevere, I know I can be an outright prat. Besides my amazing good looks, wealth, and heir to a whole kingdom, I may not seem like quite the man of choice. But I would give away all those things if only to spend even a day with you, let alone the rest of my life. I want to be with you forever, after everything we have gone through I know you are the only one who can be my love and queen. So tonight I am asking you, Guinevere, to marry me and be the queen Camelot deserves and the wife I don't."

Gwen couldn't help but chuckle at Arthur's proposal but also had tears in her eyes as it came to a close. Merlin must be helping Arthur learn how to public speak because this was the most beautiful thing she has ever heard. How could she ever deny him anything, especially the one thing she wants most out of the world?

"Yes, Oh yes Arthur, I will marry you!" He pounced on her, kissing her with as much passion as possible.

Tonight started out so sad and with absolute horror. In the end he is now the happiest he has ever been. He may still have to mourn his father properly, but at least he won't be alone when he does. This is his thoughts in the early morning. He still couldn't believe Gwen wouldn't consummate their relationship. She said she needs to be ready and if she will be queen he should treat her as a noble not a rover. Obviously she only said that once he was as hard as possible, she was a tease but the tease that will have no excuse in a few months. He couldn't wait for it and felt a lot lighter and more accepting of his father's death.

He walked through a door and saw Merlin sitting near the stair case. He must have been there all night and asked to make sure. Merlin said he stayed so he wouldn't be alone. Arthur had never felt more loved. Not only would he have his wife with him through the tough times, but a best friend.