The Promise of a Future
Summary: Guinevere falls ill a day before her wedding to Arthur. After she dies, Arthur begins to realize he has feelings for Merlin. Merlin has always known he was in love with Arthur, but content to see him happy with Gwen. When a young woman, a princess, makes her way to Camelot after her own kingdom is destroyed, but dies shortly after her arrival, her infant daughter has no one. Will Arthur realize that he needs Merlin by his side as more than just a servant, to help him take care of the special child who is now his ward?
AN: I got some very nice reviews to the last chapter and it made me get of my lazy backside to update quite quickly. Okay, so maybe it wasn't as quick as I meant it to be. I'm sorry, I got distracted, plus I have my uni exams. But today is my last exam, so plenty of time to write soon. And please don't be mad at me about this chapter, yes it very much like the way Arthur proposes to Gwen, but trust me that was completely unintentional! Please don't hurt me! But now, on with the story! Please, read, review and enjoy!
Chapter 2: A Funeral, a Question and an Announcement
A cold, beautiful body was laid out on a bed of flowers. In the courtyard of Camelot, knights, nobles and servants gathered before the funeral pyre on which lay the Princess Amina of Verlith. Directly before the pyre stood Arthur, with Merlin beside him, holding the Princess Ariadne.
"We will honour Princess Amina in the manner of her people." Arthur told the people gathered in front of him, and turned to hold a torch to the pyre. The flowers smelled sweet as they burned. Merlin, holding Ariadne tight to him, stepped a few paces back from the flames, concerned that the sudden heat would upset the young girl. But the girl was as calm as always in Merlin's arms.
Slowly, the people filtered away. Merlin could not help but remember the last time they had stood in this courtyard for a funeral. It had been for Guinevere. Her body had also lain on a bed of flowers, but it had not been burned. Arthur had ordered her be buried on the crest of a hill that overlooked Camelot. Merlin glanced over to Arthur, wondering if he was thinking the same thing. But it seemed Arthur was already looking at him. The look in the King's eyes as he gazed at the young warlock seemed to indicate that Gwen was the farthest thing from his mind. Arthur gave Merlin a small sad smile when he saw the man look at him, which Merlin could not help but return.
At last no one remained but Arthur, Merlin and Ariadne. Arthur moved closer to the young warlock as they watched the flames, and pulled him into his arms.
"We'll tell Ariadne how brave her mother was. We'll tell her how beautiful she was and how strong." He smiled down at the baby cradled contently between them.
\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
A few weeks of bliss. That's what it felt like to Merlin. Arthur did everything he could to show Merlin he loved him. They went on picnics, shared plenty of kisses, and Arthur was always whispering words of love to Merlin.
One night, Merlin entered Arthur's chambers to find it candlelit, with rose petals on the floor and a feast laid out on the table, with two place settings. Arthur stood beside the table and beamed at Merlin.
"Come here, Merlin." Arthur said, and pulled out one of the chairs. Merlin walked forward slowly, reaching up to give Arthur a chaste kiss on the lips before sitting in the chair. Arthur carefully pushed the chair in and kissed the top of the warlock's head. Merlin blushed at that. Arthur sat in the other chair and faced Merlin, "Eat, Merlin, it's for you." Arthur told him.
Once the food was all but gone, Arthur began to speak.
"Merlin, I love you more than I have ever loved anyone else. I couldn't imagine life without you, ever. You always know how to make me laugh, and you look adorable with Ariadne. Just seeing you makes me happy." He told the once again blushing young warlock. He paused and took a deep breath again before continuing, "Merlin, will you do me the honor of becoming my husband?" he asked, taking Merlin's hands in his own. Merlin's face lit up and he grinned broadly then leapt into Arthur's lap. Before Arthur could react, Merlin was kissing him.
When the finally broke apart, Arthur asked, "Is that a yes?" Merlin laughed.
"Yes! Of course I'll marry you, you clotpole!" He said, snuggling into the King's chest. Arthur wrapped his arms tight around the young warlock.
"Good." Arthur murmured, capturing Merlin's lips in another kiss. He pulled back slightly and slid a ring onto Merlin's finger. Then he swept the young man up bridal style and carried him to the bed.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Merlin was incredibly nervous as he stood next to Arthur on the balcony overlooking the courtyard. He held baby Ariadne tightly in an attempt to abate his nervousness. Arthur glanced at him with concern and reached out to him. Merlin shifted Ariadne to one arm and took hold of Arthur's hand. Arthur smiled at him.
"I would like to announce that I intend to marry Merlin in three days' time. Tomorrow, however, we shall have a tournament in his honor." The King announced to the gathered crowd. The knights, Gwaine, Percival and Elyan in particular, started a cheer. Merlin turned bright red as they hooted and cat-called.
"You know I don't like tournaments." Merlin muttered to Arthur, who just smirked at him.
"Shut up, Merlin, its tradition."
"I think it's a stupid tradition. I don't want to watch people beat each other half to death supposedly in my honor."
"Don't worry, we'll just do jousting." Arthur said. Merlin rolled his eyes.
"Oh yes, that is very reassuring." He muttered sarcastically. Arthur just continued to smirk at him.
"Well, you do get to preside over the tournament and accept flowers from all the knights."
"Oh great, Gwaine is never going to let me live this down." Merlin muttered with a sigh as they went back into the palace.
"Nobody gets to tease you except me. If Gwaine even so much as laughs at you during the tournament, I will knock him flat on his arse."
"Overprotective, much?" Merlin said with a small laugh. Arthur smirked at him.
"Yes. You are mine, and nobody laughs at you except me." Arthur told the young warlock, pulling him and Ariadne close to him. Merlin just rolled his eyes and rested his head on Arthur's shoulder.
"Well, if I'm supposed to preside over a tournament tomorrow, I'd best get some sleep. Can you put Ariadne to bed?"
"Yes, but you, my love, are not sleeping anywhere but my bed. There is no way I am going to let you sleep anywhere else now." Arthur held Merlin securely in his grasp.
"Arthur! We can't sleep in the same bed before our wedding!"
"I am the King, I make the rules, and I say we can." Arthur raised an eyebrow at Merlin, as if daring him to argue.
"Fine. I'm too tired to argue anyway."
"Good."
AN: Next is the tournament. And one very funny Gwaine, who will indeed get dumped on his arse by Arthur. Sorry, I always picture Gwaine as the one who would tease them the most. Of course, there will be plenty of Leon, Percival and Elyan in the next chapter, too! After all it is a tournament! By the way, I actually know how to joust, so I'll probably go into great detail about the jousts. And remember how in the tournament to honor Gwen, the knights all gave her those flower rings? Well, the same thing is going to happen for Merlin, but trust me, it'll be way funnier, especially when it comes to Gwaine.