My usual thanks to those who took the time to review etc. I hope you all have had a wonderful start to your new year, may it continue throughout the rest of 2017 and beyond. Here goes….

I do not own Merlin or the characters.


The day that King Uther was buried, was a sad one for his only son and heir, Arthur.

He had awaken that morning after a comfortable few hours of sleep, with his beloved snuggled deep into his arms. It was the best sleep he'd had in ages, considering his loss.

He'd gone to the room specially designated for the late King's body to lay in repose, where he spent half the morning paying his last respects alone, as was the custom.

He emerged from the room, his eyes red and still full of tears, to find the two people he trusted most, sitting quietly and waiting patiently on him, until he had finished saying his last goodbyes. He softened at the sight. They both looked tired and worried.

"How long have the two of you been out here?" he kindly asked. Merlin turned to look at his other best friend, willing her to answer.

"Shortly after you went in," Gwen replied.

"We didn't want you to feel that you were alone," Merlin supplied.

Arthur melted further. These were two of the most loyal, trustworthy people in all of the five kingdoms, and he felt richer for having the two of them by his side.

"Thank you both. Since all of this has started, I've never felt alone.

I just have to look on my right or my left, and I'll see one of you, if not both.

Your support means everything to me and I look forward to it even more so...now. I can't do this without either of you," He sincerely said.

He held his arm out to Merlin, who took it in a firm clasp, silently sealing their destiny.

Next he turned to the woman he loved, where no words were needed and after looking deeply into her eyes, he lovingly kissed her, followed by a tight embrace.

Merlin had quietly disappeared, allowing the couple a few moments of privacy, as he headed to his master's chambers, to lay out his clothes for his impending coronation.


Later that day, with loud cheers from commoners and nobles alike, Arthur was installed as Camelot's new King.

He took it in stride, and stood proudly before his people as its protector and its greatest defender as he took the oath, saying as much.

His eyes travelled to the front of the cheering crowd, as they chanted, 'Long lives the King,' where they found and held those of his beloved's.

He smiled the way he always did for her, knowing that very soon, he would have not only the honour of making her his wife, but making her his queen, as he happily place the crown on her wise head. 'Soon,' he said internally.


The feast was everything it was supposed to be and more.

There were visiting dignitaries from every kingdom, who had come to usher in a new era, and they each congratulated him, whilst reassuring him of their continued support through their allied ties.

At his side, his future Queen Gwen, sat proudly, although a bit nervous, but also knowing that there is where he wanted her to be.

He had said as much, as they argued in the privacy of her chambers.

She wanted him to take his due, as it was rightfully his, she didn't want to take away from it, and he wanted her beside him, because she belonged there.

"I'm not going to sit and try to enjoy myself with other people, when my heart is elsewhere.

My place is with you, I've told you that before, and your place is with me. I need you Guinevere. I need you there," he'd finished.

She conceded after his short but heartfelt speech and was swiftly pulled into his muscular arms, where he proceeded to kiss her breathless.

They had both decided then and there, to put off announcing their engagement until a more suited time, but he insisted she wore her ring at all times.

Also sitting at the table with him and his future Queen, were Camelot's newest knights.

A few months prior, Arthur had actually knighted four commoners who had willingly put their lives in danger for him and Camelot, and they had become his most trusted knights, along with his second in command, Sir Leon.

There were, Sir Gwaine, Sir Lancelot, Sir Percival and Sir Elyan, who was Gwen's brother.

His trusted man-servant and friend, Merlin, stood proudly behind him, as his secret protector, magically scanning the feast for any unknown threats.

Gaius had taken his leave after welcoming his new King and sharing in a toast to him. He blamed his age for not staying on, and warned Merlin about his ale intake, just before he left the hall, to take a very deserving rest.


Much later, the feast began to thin out, as the visitors returned to their rooms to rest before leaving for their respective homes the next day.

Most of the nobility, had long since turned in, and the knights were wasted.

The servants, along with Merlin and their future sovereigns were the only ones who appeared to be sober and just before Arthur decided to call it a night, he told the servants help themselves to whatever was there, seeing as they worked hard to ensure that everything was in order.

He took his beloved's hand and just before they exited, he told Merlin,

"You should enjoy yourself too Merlin. You've certainly worked hard on getting everyone on track and seeing that all of my favourite foods were prepared.

I can look after myself tonight and in the morning.

I however expect to see you in the afternoon…sober and alert. I have some things to discuss with you."

At that, he bid a smiling Merlin goodnight and left.


On the way, ton their rooms, Arthur pulled Gwen into a nearby alcove and proceeded to kiss her.

Immediately she parted her lips and allowed him in.

The kiss was full of passion, and he took his time exploring every corner of her mouth. After a few minutes, he pulled back slightly, and said to her,

"I don't think that I have told you how beautiful you look tonight, but you do.

Your hair looks lovely, your skin…beautiful! And certainly the way that you are dressed. I'm a very lucky man."

Gwen was wearing a purple wide-neck dress, which exposed her beautiful collar bone and chest, stopping at the top of her bust. It was cinched at the waist, long sleeved, with gold embellishments around the neckline, the cuffs of the sleeves and a gold belt which was draped loosely around her tiny waist. Her wild curls were held back from her face with gold combs and was made to hang loosely down her back.

Blushing, she ducked her head and smile.

"Thank you Arthur. You look very handsome," she quietly said. Arthur stood taller. He lifted her chin and sweetly kissed her lips.

"Thank you my love," he said after a few seconds.

They exited the alcove shortly after, and headed in the direction of their separate chambers.


Next morning, Gwen awoke to the sound of light snoring in her ears.

At first she didn't remember where she was, but looking around the room, she spotted Arthur's hunting trophies on the wall and then it came to her.

Her thoughts drifted to the night before when they left his coronation feast.

After they had arrived at the door to her chambers, she had invited him in. They had sat and talked about their future amongst other things, for a few hours, and he had reluctantly stood to leave, with a dejected look on his handsome face.

She remember kissing him goodnight, and seeing a flash of sadness in his blue eyes.

Cupping his cheek then, she softly asked him if he wanted her to sleep with him, all the while blushing at the double entendre.

His face had lit up the room then, as he barely controlled the loud

"Yes" that escaped his lips.

She smiled to herself as she remembered how excited he was to have her sleeping beside him again.

As her thoughts faded on the night before, she realized that his soft snoring had subsided. She felt herself being drawn even closer to his warm body, and she knew he was awake.


Arthur awoke to the feel of his betrothed wrapped tightly in his arms for the second time.

He drew her onto his sturdy chest and nosed his way into her mass of curls, to kiss her neck.

"Good morning my love, how did you sleep?" he asked.

Gwen found it hard concentrate after he had kissed her neck so delicately. She gathered her wits and replied,

"Very good. How about you?"

He nosed his way in again, placing a series of kisses onto her warm neck and shoulder, just before he replied,

"Fantastic!" She tried to turn in his arms, but he wouldn't allow her, he just continued raining kisses all over her neck and shoulder.

Breathily she said,

"Arthur…we can't keep…doing this…or," she finished, as her train of thought shifted to the feeling of his erection prodding her soft bum.

"Arthur," she tried again, and he responded with,

"Yes Guinevere."

At the sound of his seductive tone, Gwen lost it. She wiggled her small body so that her bum was rubbing on his hard member, causing him to groan long and low.

He stopped his ministrations for a few seconds and hissed.

"You can't do that Guinevere. I already want you more than anything," he softly said.

Gwen chuckled at their predicament, and when she heard him sigh, she became serious.

"I'm sorry Arthur. I didn't mean to laugh, and especially not at you.

You affect me the same way, and the moment you started kissing my neck and shoulder, that was it for me, I wanted you.

That is what I was trying to tell you.

We can't keep sleeping together like this unless we are married…or unless…you want to…" she was cut off by Arthur asking,

"How soon can we get married?"

She turned then and he allowed her. She looked into his blue eyes to see if there was any jest, but he was serious. As if reading her mind, he said,

"I'm very serious Guinevere. If you say today, I'll make it happen.

I know we almost committed our bodies to each other before, and we said if the need arrived we would never back down, or rather you said that, doesn't matter, because I want you so much it hurts.

But...you deserve the honourable thing, which is to wait until our wedding night, and that is what I want to do. So, tell me, when can we get married?"


For the next two days, the whole palace was abuzz with wedding plans.

Orders were given and executed without a hitch.

There was nervousness in the air as well as excitement, and the only two people who seemed calm, was the betrothed couple.

Arthur went about his day to day business as usual. He led training, went to council meetings, and even held court, where he listened to the concerns of the people, imparting whatever judgement was required.

Gwen also went about her business as usual.

She had taken on the very important task of keeping records of the palace stores and allotting whatever wasn't needed to the most vulnerable in the Kingdom.

This was something very dear to her, seeing as she was born a commoner.

She knew exactly who were in need of basic items or food, and she had personally asked Arthur to be the one to deal with it, so that there was a measure of fairness when it came to distributing the items.

Her days were sometimes very long, especially those days where she travelled from house to house, assuring the people that their needs would be taken care of and that they were not forgotten.

She had her own band of knights, Arthur's most trusted, who often traversed with her, but sometimes her best friend Merlin, would accompany her.

All in all, it gave her a sense of satisfaction and it made Arthur very proud of her.


The day of the wedding arrived and everyone was on high alert.

For every person who was in attendance, knights, nobles, commoners-inclusive of the servants, even courtiers, this is the day they have been waiting for.

The Throne Room was almost un-recognizable. There were beautiful flowers and ribbons mostly of red and purple everywhere.

Arthur was already there, standing and looking very relaxed, with his man-servant next to him, fussing like a mother-hen. He was there for all of fifteen minutes, with his eyes flicking casually, but expectantly to the doors of the Throne Room, hoping to get the first glimpse of his wife to be.

A few minutes before the doors open, Merlin softly whispered,

"Not long now Sire," and Arthur responded by slightly nodding his head in the affirmative.


Gwen walked the distance from her dressing room to the Throne Room on the arm of her brother, Sir Elyan.

As they walked, they chatted quietly and comfortably to each other. Sir Elyan was saying,

"Our Father would be so proud of you Gwen. I know I am.

Sometimes I can't believe it myself. My sister, the daughter of a blacksmith, is going to marry the King of Camelot and be its next Queen."

Gwen chuckled at her brother and replied,

"Well, when you put it that way, I suppose it sounds rather far-fetched and unusual, but Arthur and I, although from different worlds, fell in love long before he was King. Our love knew no barriers then and certainly not now. Only the nobility and the late King saw those barriers, or rather, they were responsible for those barriers. Since Arthur became King, they have become non-existent, because he changed the law." They reached the doors and Elyan asked,

"Are you ready?" She replied,

"Have been for a while."


As the doors open, all eyes turned to look at the future Queen of Camelot.

Merlin had long since returned to his place at the front of the crowd, along with Arthur's most trusted knights and Gaius.

As Gwen made her way to the front where Arthur was standing and waiting patiently, his eyes never left her.

He was in complete awe of his beautiful bride. She looked breathtaking in her white and gold gown, with its long flowing sleeves, close fitting top, flared and flowing bottom, with a long gold sash around her tiny waist and crossed at the back, as it flowed to the ground.

Her beautiful mocha curls were parted and half of it was piled on top of her head, whilst the other half, was left to hang loosely down her back. Lovely white flowers, with a single red rose, as a tribute to Arthur were beautifully woven into her hair, highlighting her sweet face. She was wearing a gold chain and earring set, gifted to her by Arthur, which had previously belonged to his mother Ygraine, the late Queen of Camelot.


Finally, Gwen and Elyan reached the young King and with a warm squeeze followed by a kiss, he handed his sister over to him, and took his place beside his fellow knights at the front.

The moment that Arthur took Gwen's small hands in his, he was lost, and from the looks of it, she was lost too.

They stood facing each other, holding hands and looking deeply into each others eyes, in a world of their own, as they barely remember to say the right words and follow Geoffrey's instructions.

The ceremony ended and laughter, mostly from Merlin and Gwaine, brought the happy couple back to reality, where they realised that Geoffrey was waiting patiently on them to carry out his final instruction. He calmly repeated,

"You may kiss your bride," and blushing, Arthur leaned in and claimed Gwen's lips.

They broke the kiss quickly, for propriety sake and to thunderous applause, they made their way up the aisle and exited the room.


The wedding feast was a bountiful affair.

Food and wine were plentiful, and the conversations were both congratulatory and enlightening.

The happy couple took in everything as they chatted with anyone and everyone.

As the night wore on and fewer people approached them, they seem to retreat back into their own world, as they sit and stare lovingly at each other, or sometimes share small kisses and sensual touches.


The nobility were the first to depart, heading to their respective rooms or homes.

The knights, the ones who were not yet fully drunk, like Gwaine, became rowdy ad boisterous as the drinks continued to flow freely among them.

As usual, Gaius had long since retired, opting for a rest and leaving Merlin once again, with a warning about his ale intake.

Merlin spies his master and Gwen smiling at each other, and quietly exited the room, heading for their new shared chambers.

He entered just as quietly and uttered a couple of strange words, 'fore bearnum,' and the fire lit magically.

He was so into carrying out his last chores for the night that he doesn't see the shocked faces of his sovereigns, as they bear witness to him using magic.

Expertly, he turned the covers back, blushing all the while, as thoughts of what his master and his new wife will be doing very soon on the bed, crossed his mind.

As he turned to leave, he was greeted with the sight of Arthur and Gwen holding hands with blank expressions on their faces.


I know, another cliff-hanger type ending, but the next chapter will start off where this one ended. Also, I'm not quite sure that I have the correct spelling for the magic words. As usual, I hope this was good enough.