Kingly – Chapter 3 – Elaine and the trip
I don't own or have any rights to characters from merlin.
"No I am not going to some unknown destination with you!"
Arthur smiled at the tall blonde girl as she glared up at him, knowing he could change her mind.
"Come on sister it will be fun and it's only unknown to you," he responded.
"But it could be dangerous," she replied. Through they were twins she was the sensible one of them, but like now, he choose to ignore her, choosing to be rebellious like always.
Arthur shrugged. "Fine then sister you stay here than. You can do your embroidery with Morgana and listen about her upcoming vows to Mordred," he answered carelessly hiding a grin. She hated embroidery with a passion. She had gone to one lesson when she was nine and lasted ten minutes before she started throwing everything around because she was that bored. Arthur, Merlin, Percival and Gwaine had to remove her from the room because Uther was afraid she would destroy everyone else's embroidery work, which of course she did anyway before they could stop her.
She glared at him. "I don't do embroidery not matter what father wishes to tell everyone," she snapped at him causing him to hold up his hands in front of him.
"Then come with us Elaine, and prove it. Merlin is coming," he added with a knowing smirk, stepping to one side as she tried to punch him.
"Shut up," she hissed at him, looking around the empty room nervously.
Merlin had been courting her in private for the last three and a half years much to Uther's displeasure but nothing he could do, short of banishing or killing Merlin was going to keep Elaine from seeing him. He had tried to banish Merlin five times but each time Arthur stepped in, using the fact he was the only male heir to the throne to make Uther change his mind and the fact he had promised sanctuary to them.
"Oh relax no one is around to hear," he said, going over to the table and pouring them both a drink then handed one glass to his sister. "Will you come with sister, please?"
"Only if you never mention embroidery again or anything father tries to make me do."
Arthur allowed his grin to show. "Brilliant, we leave tomorrow at sunrise. Merlin got one of the serving girls to pack for you earlier."
"You planned this didn't you? You know that I would eventually agree to go. You tricked me." Once again Elaine glared at her twin. Arthur didn't flinch, it had creased to scare him some time ago.
Arthur nodded. "Of course but if it makes you feel better Merlin, Gwen, Gwaine and Percival all gave me the idea to mention embroidery. Besides we both knew I would talk you into coming. Don't I always sister?" he replied, but she choose to ignore him. She knew at the beginning of the conversation she would no doubt she would end up agreeing because Arthur had a way of convincing people to do anything. She knew that was one of the many reasons he would make a great king one day.
Quietly a group of eight people rode single file down a track in the forest. Arthur in the lead, with Merlin bringing up the rear with Gwen and Elaine in the middle.
Silently they went downhill to a small waterfall that was surrounded by trees and bushes in full bloom, where Arthur decided would be a perfect place to set up camp.
Quietly Elaine and Gwen went to get firewood as Arthur set up sentry duty, setting Gwaine and Tristan to do the first shift, then Gwen and Kay, then Percival and Elaine than Merlin and himself taking the last shift.
"So do you even know what you are doing?" Merlin asked Arthur as they feed and watered the horses that were tied up for the night.
Arthur grinned. "Of course not. I was told by one of my sisters to ride to a certain spot because they have some surprise for Elaine, Guinevere, you and I. Do not ask me what it is because I do not know." He looked over to where Percival and Kay where sitting, having successfully started a fire which Elaine and Gwen where using to cook dinner on, with Merlin's supplies, then over at Gwaine and Tristan who were barely visible at the top of the water fall.
"You think that they know something that we don't," Merlin said, voicing Arthur's thoughts out loud. The two had a knack of voicing the other's thoughts, something that was a gift and a curse at times.
Arthur nodded. "I know they know something Merlin. One of my sisters told them all what was happening. I walked in on them all huddled around a table whispering yesterday and they went quiet the moment they heard the door opening and saw it was me."
Merlin finished feeding the last horse, and then he turned around to face Arthur, a thoughtful expression on his face.
"Well I suppose that we will find out eventually I suppose."
Arthur looked at him in disbelief. "Don't you what to know where we are heading?"
"I was never going to know and anyway you hardly ever tell me where we are heading to begin with on any trip we take so I am actually used to it," Merlin shot back as they slowly walked back.
Arthur snorted. "Rubbish. I tell you all the time."
"Name once when you actually did."
"Last month when we went to visit my sister and her husband."
"Only because Elaine insisted."
Arthur looked at him sidewards. "When we went to the wedding last year."
"Already knew about it before hand."
Arthur remained quiet, unable to think of any times when he had actually told Merlin where they were going when someone had not told him to tell Merlin or when Merlin already knew where they were heading.
"Arthur and Merlin I need the two of you take over for Gwaine and Tristan so they can come and eat dinner," Elaine ordered not looking up at the two of them as they grabbed their own bowls of stew and a slice of bread off her.
"What if we decided not to?" Merlin enquired.
"Then Guinevere and I will go back to the castle and Arthur's surprise will be ruined."
Arthur and Merlin shared a look, no words needed to be spoken the bond that strong between the two best friends.
"Let's go," Arthur replied to Merlin's unasked question.
Together the two of them relieved Gwaine and Tristan.
"So Merlin how are you and my sister going?"
"Fine," Merlin answered slowly. "Why what did she say?"
"Nothing, but there is something I should tell you."
Merlin just looked at him, knowing that eventually Arthur would tell him more.
"Well my father's feast he is throwing a feast in two months' time he is, well, he is going to use is it as a chance to get Elaine and I engaged. Whether we agree with it or not."
Merlin stared at Arthur in shock. "How long have you know about this? Does Elaine know?"
Arthur grimaced at the pain in his friend's voice. He didn't want to be the one to cause Merlin, who was like a brother to him, pain but he hadn't been able to stop his father once he got this idea in his head. "I have known since the day Guinevere came back. He planned in that night and no Elaine has no idea."
Merlin was silence for a while trying to get to terms with this.
"How could you not tell me Arthur? I thought we are friends, family even," he said at a length.
"We are friends Merlin and you are more of a brother to me than Mordred. I have been trying my best to make this not happen but my father had rebuffed almost all my attempts."
"Almost?" Merlin was suddenly hopeful through he tried to be.
"I think I have a way around it for Elaine at least but I will need to talk to her about it. I fear she will not like it very much."
"Thank you Arthur," Merlin replied thoughtfully.
Both remained lost in thought until Gwaine and Tristan relieved them again.
As they walked back Arthur spoke.
"Have you anything to give my sister for her birthday?" he asked casually.
Merlin stopped in his tracks hitting his head with his palm. "No I left her present at the castle with Owain."
Arthur grinned. "Well I might be able to help with that," and he held out a gold ring engraved with tiny rubies and diamonds.
Merlin stared at it in the dim light. "How did you get this?" he asked, picking it up out of Arthur's out stretched hand.
"Guinevere gave it to me. She told me about it in a letter she sent me ages ago. She convinced Owain to not give you the present you entrusted to him. Instead we thought this would be more appropriate seeing as I know the two of you have talked of marriage in the past."
"How is that going to help? Uther won't let us," Merlin retorted bitterly. Through Merlin was a knight of Camelot, he was still treated like was a member of the household by Uther.
"Well first let us see if my plan shall work. Propose to her Merlin." He held out a golden necklace with a large rose pendant that was also covered in tiny rubies and diamonds. He turned it over to open a small compartment, big enough for the ring to go in.
"She can place the ring in here and can wear it always, which will not seem all that odd once people see me give it to her for her birthday at your father's palace. She can wear the ring until we met up with my father and my plan falls together. Only until then will it have to remain hidden."
Merlin stared in wonder. "You really have thought of everything haven't you?"
Arthur grinned. "Of course, but to be fair Guinevere helped me."
"Thank you Arthur," Merlin replied holding out his hand which Arthur grasped.
"Anytime. I know that is the situation was reversed that you would do the same for me."
"In a heartbeat through it would depend on the girl of course." Merlin grinned. "You are my future king after all."
He laughed as Arthur groaned at the thought of one day being king.
Being prince was bad enough. People expected him to be just, noble, well-mannered and a whole list of things that he Arthur just did not want to be, now anyway. This was a time for him to rebel, to find who he was so he wouldn't become lost in who he was meant to become; his father much to his horror. Uther was blinded by his hatred, for what Arthur was never sure of but knew it had spread to almost every aspect of his life, even affecting his relationships with his children and his people. That would not be Arthur, so he tried to be himself and show the people he cared about them, cared about Camelot. Luckily he had his knights backing him up. Something they would always do no matter what because, dispute Arthur's ignorance on the matter, they would follow him to hell and back if he asked, something he would realise in the years to come.
As they all went to sleep Arthur smiled as he thought of the fact that his best friend and sister where getting engaged.
SpiritFeather19524 – well I hope everyone likes this chapter kind of nervous about everyone reading it.
Gwen – its fine I'm sure everyone will love it.
Elaine – WHAT? ARTHUR WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME ABOUT FATHERS PLANS?
Arthur- because I have an idea of how to get around it, a brilliant idea might I add.
Merlin - *coughs* sure Arthur, whatever you need to tell yourself to get asleep at night.*coughs prat*
Elaine – SpiritFeather19524 you better fix this *glares*
Arthur – I heard that Merlin.
SpiritFeather19524 – getting right on with that your highness.
Gwen - *sighs* ignore them you are doing fine.
SpiritFeather19524 – Thanks Gwen
Arthur, Elaine, Merlin – GET ON WITH IT!
SpiritFeather19524 – on it now *coughs prats*
Arthur, Elaine, Merlin – WE HEARD THAT!
SpiritFeather19524 - *screams and runs away*