Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin, it is owned by BBC, SyFy and the creators of Merlin, I own Anne and Faston.
I climbed into bed and was instantly asleep. I woke six hours later, hoping I had not kept the king waiting and quickly slipped on a blue riding gown and riding boots to go with it. I fastened the black cloak around me and pulled it close to ward off the chill of the room. Knowing there was a good chance the king was already waiting I brushed quickly through my hair, leaving it loose and curly then headed for the courtyard.
When I arrived my horse was already saddled, with another horse, one that I assumed was the king's waiting nearby. I reached up and stroked my horse's nose. "Good morning." I whipped around and saw the king standing within a foot of me, "Here let me help you get on." He set his hands lightly on each side of my waist, and as he lifted I jumped slightly, and found myself situated on my horse.
I reached down and arranged the hem of my dress into proper position while he was given a boost up on to his horse, which he did gracefully. With a motion of his hand, he invited me to ride next to him, as the two guards followed at a discreet distance. "I apologize for my tardiness."
He shook his head at me, "There is no need for an apology I actually arrived a few seconds after you did. However I will accept it any way, and say you are forgiven." He smiled at me, and as we broke through the edge of the town, spurred his horse into a trot that I matched.
We were soon riding through the forest surrounding Camelot, talking and once and a while stopping to point out some forest creature we had seen. Uther smiled and laughed quite a lot, looking completely relaxed, just as I felt. A hour later we turned in the direction of Camelot, and with a slight glance at each other we prodded our horses into a full out run, jumping over the occasional fallen tree. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Uther's face lit up and he was laughing, I suddenly realized I was laughing too.
As we grew closer to the lower town, Uther sobered up, and I rearranged my face in to a pleasant look, but I could see the smile hovering at the corners of Uther's mouth, and he slowed the horse to a dignified walk. When we arrived at the castle steps Uther swung off his horse and moved toward my horse. He reached up, and rested his hands on my waist, and I leaned down putting my hands on his shoulders. He lifted me up slightly, and lightly set me on the ground, holding on long enough for me to get a firm stance, then slowly withdrew his hands. He took my hand in the crook of his arm, just as he had the night before and escorted me to the dining hall.
Uther hated to admit it but he hoped that no one was awake yet, he found himself wanting Anne to himself for just a bit longer. They were discussing the differences between the forests in her kingdom compared to the forests of Camelot when they entered the dining hall. Uther looked around and mentally heaved a sigh of relief. Arthur, Morgana and Faston were nowhere to be seen, and from the food's condition, they had not eaten yet either. He guided her to the seat to the right of his, and helped her get seated. He then walked around her chair and sat down in his chair. She waited until he began serving himself and then she worked on getting some breakfast as well.
For the first bit they ate in companionable silence, their ride having given both of them an appetite, but soon enough they were talking, questioning each other on policies in each other's kingdoms and other information. They were still discussing the holidays that both kingdoms had when Morgana slipped in, a few minutes later Arthur came in, followed by Faston a little while later.
Uther watched as Morgana and Arthur carried on a silent conversation with each other, he could see they were partly amused and partly concerned about his, and he forced himself to admit it, noticeable regard for Anne. After all he reminded himself Anne was around their age and had become Morgana's friend a few years ago when Anne was last in Camelot.
While the men began talking about tournaments in the two kingdoms Uther watched Faston's face to gage how his friend felt about his regard for Anne. Every so often Faston paused and looked at Anne worriedly, as she kept her gaze for the most part on her plate or directed toward Morgana while talking. Every so often Uther felt her side glances cast his way, and Faston watched them. Uther knew it was the age difference that was worrying all of them, yet Faston also seemed to be encouraging the match.
Uther and Faston had been friends and allies since Uther had become King and Uther knew Faston was not to be trifled with as a king and most especially as a father. Uther knew he would soon enough need to ask his friend for permission to spend time with Anne. That alone worried him more than he could say one wrong step and Camelot could end up in a war, while he lost a close friend and ally.
A hour later we began to split up. Morgana had things to attend to in her chambers, Arthur had training sessions with the knights, and Uther and father were heading to the council chambers to focus on the treaty they were adding some points to. Before they walked out though Uther turned to me, "You are welcome to join us, if you would like and your father permits." I looked over at my father, who nodded his assent, and stood up following them out the door.
I watched as father and Uther politely talked and even exchanged a barbed joke at each other's expense. I was glad to see such an easy camaraderie between the two men, especially having felt Uther's anxiety during breakfast and the questioning calculation my father had given off when I had glanced at Uther during the meal. Their friendship was strong and essential to their alliance, and I wanted no part in making matters difficult for the two kingdoms.
When they arrived Uther gave Anne the seat to his left, while her father sat on his right. They began discussing the treaty, Anne nodding when they asked if she understood what they were discussing. Once in a while Anne interjected an observation or worked out a diplomatic way to say something that helped them to compromise on a point both were having trouble conceding.
As the day progressed Uther found himself admiring Anne even more, her years of study and training as a member of the royal family were serving her, her father and Uther well. She never spoke up unless she had something useful to say and she offered her opinion, not growing angry if her suggestion was ignored or changed slightly. She was behaving as if she just wanted to help both men reach a satisfying agreement.
As they broke for lunch, Uther motioned for Gaius, whom he had sent for on a question of medical supplies between the two kingdoms that Anne admitted to not knowing about. After getting the answer, and breaking up the meeting Gaius followed Uther to an alcove where Uther had directed him. Uther leaned down and whispered, "Gaius, there is no magic or enchantments surrounding the Lady Anne that you have noticed are there?"
Gaius looked at him puzzled, "No, sire. Gwen has cleaned the room and she would come and let us know if there was such a thing. I also remember Anne from two years ago and she is a lot like she was then though older and more mature. May I ask why? Did she do something that worries you?"
"No. No. I just…Anne is…," Uther stopped trying to keep the embarrassment he was feeling at his inability to speak what he wanted hidden, and the fact that he did not want to have this conversation, even with someone he trusted like Gaius.
Gaius smiled at his friend's fumbling, "You have a high regard for her." His puzzlement slipped from his face, and a serene approving look replaced it.
"Yes. I just want to be sure there is no magic being practiced on her or myself." Uther muttered, always worried about dangers to his kingdom, knowing that certain incidents had happened in the past, and hoping that what he felt for her was truly just him, and that what she seemed to feel for him was truly just her.
Gaius smiled, and looked at Anne, who happened to look up at that moment, and seeing them both led to an unconscious smile forming on her face. Then she looked back down and finished getting the rest of her food. Gaius weighed his words and then admitted, "Sire, there is no enchantment or magic in use, just mutual attraction." The King's eyebrows shot up, and Gaius quickly hurried on before Uther tried to deny it, "As your friend I would tell you that if she is the one you wish to marry then marry her. As your physician I would say so as well, you have been more healthy mentally and more relaxed with her than I have seen you in sometime. However, as an advisor I must also advise caution your friendship and alliance with Faston could shatter if he is displeased with the match."
Uther shot a glower at Gaius, and muttered, "We shall see." As he walked away Gaius staring nonplussed at him, Uther began formulating a plan on how to make her father an offer of marriage, and how to woo Anne in to wanting the marriage as well, though if he was reading the smile and look she had just given him, the last part would not be hard.
A few days later Uther was standing on the walkway, watching as Anne walked across the courtyard, eating an apple, and being followed by one of his hunting dogs. She stopped suddenly, and the dog ran into her from the back, causing her to work on regaining her balance. Uther barked out a laugh, as he watched Anne glare at the dog, scratch its ear, looking around, until her eyes landed on the stables and she smiled.
Uther looked in that direction and saw his horse being led out for its daily run. Anne walked toward the stable hand and the horse, stopping to talk to the lad, while petting Uther's horse that was trying to get around Anne's body to the apple she had been eating. As she fought to keep her apple, and the horse fought to claim it, Anne's laughter echoed throughout the courtyard and Uther chuckled, his smile growing brighter.
He noticed a servant walking by and registered that it was Merlin, turning he looked directly at Merlin, who stopped and bowed to the king. "Go down to the kitchens and have a basket of food prepared I will be riding out in a hour."
"Yes your majesty." Merlin turned around and headed back in the direction he had come to the kitchens to obey the king, who merely turned back and continued to watch the scene unfold in front of him. Anne had finally given up and held the apple out in her flat palm as the horse lipped it out of her hand, and munched on it contentedly. Anne continued to pet him, kissing the horse's check as she did so, and Uther groaned aloud when he realized he was beginning to feel jealous of his horse. The horse in turn was sniffing Anne for signs of another hidden apple, his nuzzling causing a girlish squeal to erupt as his breathing and velvet nose tickled her. Unable to remain apart Uther turned and walked toward the stairs leading out into the courtyard.
He walked up behind her, as she held both hands out to the horse, which was pushing its nose into her trying to find an apple. When he was about a foot behind her, Uther stopped and reached from behind, and stroked the horse's nose before lightly pushing it away. "My apologies, he can be a bit overbearing at times, he was trained to be that way in battle but not here. I think his weakness for apples is causing him to forget the difference."
I had felt his presence behind me, but was shocked at how close he had to have been to be able to reach over my shoulder and push the horse away. I knew father had gone to take a nap, having been up late into the night going over news from home and the papers that were needed for the new treaty with Camelot. I had expected Uther to be in meetings all day, Morgana was being fitted for a new wardrobe, and Arthur was on the training grounds with his knights. This had given me sometime to wander around the citadel on my own, enjoying the solitude allowed as most left me alone due to my position as a visiting royal. My heart contracted and then burst with his voice so near to my ear, I could feel his breath ruffling my hair. "Well, I guess I will just have to remember to keep all apples inside the castle so I won't have to share with him."
Uther chuckled, and backed up so I would be able to turn around without either of us being placed in a jeopardizing, or at least more jeopardizing position. He took my hand and brought it up to his lips, kissing the knuckles, as I bowed, "I was wondering if you would join me for a ride and some food."
"I wouldn't miss it for the world." I replied, and then blushed furiously. A smug smile came across Uther's face, and I ducked my head trying to bring some decorum back to my face.
"I will see you in a hour then," he said a smile in his voice. He bowed slightly and walked off toward the castle. I turned back to the horse, and leaned my head on his neck, until I was positive the blush was gone. The stable hand having heard the conversation turned him back toward the stables to be readied, and to get my horse readied as well. I turned around and headed for the castle knowing that a change of dress was in order.
I arrived at the courtyard ten minutes before the scheduled rendezvous not wanting to keep Uther waiting, I was wearing a pale blue dress, and my hair was pulled back out of the way. Uther strode toward me wearing black, loose leather breeches, boots, a red shirt, black vest, and red cape. His sword slapped his thigh as he walked toward me, a servant walked behind him carrying a saddle bag of food, and I moved forward taking it from him with a thank you. I slipped the saddle bag over my horse, and accepted Uther's help in getting on the horse.
We rode off at a walk, and reached a small creek in the forest. I slid off before Uther could get off his horse, pulling the saddle bags off the horse and on to my shoulder. I slipped the bit out of the horse's mouth and cinched the halter up around his neck allowing him to feed and drink freely. I walked toward a patch of grass near the river, and spread out the blanket and the food. After caring for his horse, Uther sat down next to me and began helping himself to the food. I put some food on my plate, and we sat in companionable silence for a moment, before Uther began talking about his love of nature.
I listened finding myself more surprised by this man with every passing moment, he was a surprising combination of gentleness and hardness that kept me guessing as to what he was going to say or do next. He then asked about my childhood, and I opened up keeping him laughing at the various antics I had managed in my childhood, much to the distress of my father and the servants. I even told him some of the more embarrassing things that had caused my father to laugh in disbelief at the positions I had sometimes found myself in both literally and metaphorically. By the time the stories were finished, Uther and I had eaten our fill of the food.
Uther looked over at the woman next to him, the muscles in his mouth were sore from laughing so much, and he could feel the tears from laughing so long and hard trailing down his face. His ribs ached and he was having trouble controlling his facial reactions. He blew out a breath, and sucked it back in, before looking at her right when she looked at him and they both broke into laughter again. His starting with a snort, that had her slamming her hand over her mouth before her laugh erupted louder and harder, tears streaming down her face again. He finally calmed down, and moved toward her, brushing his lips against hers, then pulled his head back slowly.
He looked at her face and contemplated her eyes as he watched the emotions flicker in them, they had gone from startled, to confused, and slowly he saw a bright hope in them, as he watched her read the gentle pleasure he knew his own eyes were showing. Uther reached his hand forward and caressed her cheek with the back of two fingers on his left hand. Her eyes closed and she leaned into his caress, then her eyes flew open, widened, and she jerked away. "Excuse me, my lord." She moved to start packing up the food and Uther caught a glimpse of a tear rolling down her face.
When she stopped he looked at her and followed her gaze to his hand encircling her right wrist, and he unconsciously pulled her gently toward him. She kept her gaze down to where their skin was in contact, while he reached over and out crooking his left index finger under her chin lifting her eyes to meet his. He found himself partly afraid of what he might see, and hoping she would respond favorably to what she would see on his face. Uther felt foolish, he was the king of Camelot, afraid of very little, but this young woman held such power over him that whatever she thought of him and whatever he would see in her eyes would either destroy him or build him up, and that frightened him.