Okay, so, this fic might be a bit OOC on both Arthur and Merlin's character, especially Merlin's, so you're warned now and it's your wish to continue reading or not!

And that AN is going to remain for thick headed people who might not want to understand and start submitting stupid reviews! I'll bash you in a PM if I get one more review about you not liking bottom Arthur, seriously get out and sod off if you can't stomach it!

For people who reviewed and showed your support, I cannot thank you enough, I love you all! Butterfly kisses! Keep the reviews coming! :)

CHAPTER -6

Arthur felt shaken and ashamed when he was released from the spell after what seemed like an eternity had passed, in the time he was bound against the bed with nothing to do but stare at the ceiling his anger had cooled and he had thought upon Merlin's words and despite his valiant attempts to not think of it the kiss kept replaying in his mind over and over again, Arthur was a warrior by blood, being under Uther's demanding presence he had made sure that he was the best fighter in all of Albion, being under someone else's power, bound and unable to do anything gave him an all new prospect of sorcery and people who practiced it. He had been kissed before, by noble women who visited the court, by passing maids, by tavern wenches but all those had never been as passionate and brutal with him being unable to do anything but lie there and take it, he was always in charge of his own life and to not be in control for once was supposed to leave him feeling disturbed but somehow, someway he had liked Merlin's kiss and that left him reeling more than anything.

He slowly started to realize that Morgana's words may have some truth in them after all, 'he is the most powerful sorcerer of the age' her voice rang in his head as he stretched his sore muscles which had been stuck in the same position for far too long. What left him most unbalanced was the fact that sweet, bumbling, innocent Merlin could be so ruthless with the power he possessed. Arthur simply could not believe that Merlin could have been all that innocent in the first place, he idly wondered just how many times Merlin had saved his life, how many life's he had taken with his power for Arthur, it made him shudder as he realized that Merlin must have made tough decisions and Arthur had been oblivious to it all because he couldn't ever associate Merlin with power.

But now after having a first hand experience of Merlin's power Arthur realized he could be in real danger if he did not mind his words and actions in front of the Banraven's. Arthur knew Merlin wasn't as cruel to hurt someone without good reason but he could make Arthur's life miserable and hard, and King Phineas didn't strike him as a man who had any qualms with being cruel, after all he had all but erased Merlin's identity and made him into a new man almost unrecognizable from the old one.

Morgana suddenly entered his room without knocking and Arthur threw her a sour look before turning away, "What do you want Morgana?"

Morgana frowned before saying "Uther wants to speak with you! Arthur I think this is about the marriage! You should tell Uther than you will not do it!"

Arthur sighed before getting up and out of his bed where he'd been reclining, "I can't Morgana, you know what is at stake here!"

Morgana sighed before saying "I wish that were not true, I really do Arthur, even you don't deserve this fate."

Arthur accepted Morgana's silent presence by his side as comfort while he stood in front of Uther. His father looked worse for wear and he did not meet Arthur's eyes as he said "I have spoken to King Phineas about dropping the marriage clause Arthur but he will not be swayed."

Arthur nodded his head before saying "I understand sire" solemnly, Arthur knew Uther would have tried to the best of his ability to persuade the Banraven king otherwise.

Uther sighed before he stood up from his seat and came closer to Arthur giving his shoulder a squeeze before saying "You cannot imagine how sorry I am for having to ask you to do this my son."

Arthur looked up in surprise at that, Uther rarely ever apologized to Arthur especially about Arthur's duties to Camelot. Arthur could not face the guilt in his father's eyes and directed his eyes elsewhere as he said "I will marry Prince Merlin father, it's my duty to Camelot."

Uther squeezed his shoulders again and Morgana who had been quiet for so long let out an audible sigh. "King Phineas wanted you both to be married within the month but I managed to persuade him to wait for a period of six months, you will be engaged in tomorrow night's banquet of course but the marriage can wait until later."

"Thankyou father!" Arthur said with relief in his voice.

Uther waved his hand to show it did not matter before he continued, "The Banraven's will be leaving Camelot after the engagement but Phineas wants for a retinue of Camelot to visit his kingdom, you will lead the retinue of Camelot's knights and servants, you may come back after a month or so, King Phineas and the prince has promised me Camelot's soldiers will be treated fairly in their land."

"I will go with Arthur and the knights." Morgana interrupted which caused them both to look at her, Uther with a surprised eyebrow and Arthur with a grateful expression.

"It could be dangerous for you Morgana, I am not willing to trust two of my wards with people who practice sorcery, letting Arthur go is hard enough!"

"It would be less dangerous than it is for Arthur and I am tired of staying in Camelot for so long, we haven't visited another kingdom in ages!"

Uther frowned but when Morgana looked at him with imploring eyes he said "I will consider it" which made Morgana smile and Uther frown harder.

King Phineas stood amongst his council members Queen Esme as she was lovingly called by the people by his side as he announced, "Tonight we are here to celebrate the dawn of a new age of prosperity and peace, the light of a new age and the beginning of a golden era where Camelot and Banraven kingdom will be united in the most noble of all unions! Marriage between my son Emrys and Prince Arthur!"

Everyone cheered although some of the members of Camelot's court eyed King Uther with barely veiled disapproval. Gwaine, Elyan, Leon, Lancelot and Gwen were all directing Arthur various looks of sympathy while Brom and Ulric who were Merlin's closest knights threw Merlin an uneasy look. Morgana had a frown ever etched on her face showing her displeasure for the proceedings openly to anyone who cared to look at her.

Arthur stood and moved around the table to stand in front of it by his fathers side while Merlin did the same along with King Phineas. Arthur scowled when Merlin had the audacity to smirk at him for a moment before he stepped forward turning to his side to fetch a box which a servant had brought, he opened it to reveal a diamond encrusted ring with the Banraven's insignia etched on the inside and some other script Arthur couldn't decipher and Arthur stepped forward as well as Merlin said "I hope you will accept my proposal of marriage Prince Arthur."

The short but to the point request which was not really a request made Arthur want to moan about how unfair his life was in front of all the important delegates of Camelot and Banraven kingdom but all that came out of his mouth was, "I accept Prince Merlin."

Merlin took Arthur's left hand and slid the ring on to his finger, Arthur felt a tingling sensation where the ring touched his fingers and gave it a curious look to see it glowing golden, he gave Merlin a pointed look to which the prince only shrugged before he stepped back and Arthur heard King Phineas cheering in the background for the feast to begin.

Morgana sat next to Arthur at the feast and began to converse quietly with him, "How are you feeling?"

Arthur snorted before saying, "How do you think?"

"Well, if its any consolation Merlin doesn't seem to be too happy either."

Arthur licked his lips and looked at Merlin who was sat close to the Queen, "He disagrees with his father on the marriage clause as well Morgana, so I'd hardly expect him to be exuberant!"

Morgana gave him a contemplative look before she asked "How do you know that?"

It was then that Arthur remembered he had not had time to tell Morgana of the incident in his chambers last night and he flushed before saying "He came to my chambers last night and told me straight out how displeased he was about the situation."

Morgana didn't look placated by his answer and he waited with bated breath before Morgana said "That's strange, he's been avoiding you like the plague ever since he came here...thats not all what happened though, is it Arthur?"

Arthur took a large gulp of his wine and tried to surreptiously hide the fact that he was blushing by bringing his goblet to the side of his face.

"What did you do Arthur? Did he do something to you? I told you to be careful with him!" Morgana berated and then with a no nonsense tone demanded, "Tell me everything! Now!"

And Arthur quietly relegated the events of last night to her making particular emphasis on his indignation and telling Morgana that Merlin was a brute who did not know propriety and how to treat a prince and his future husband. Morgana was stifling giggles by the time he was finished, "Well, atleast you don't find each other totally repulsive, that's something atleast!"

Arthur scowled and turned to a servant for more wine as he saw Merlin laughing at some joke one of his knights said at the opposite table and the Queen gently chastised them both. Arthur wished he had a mother, he was almost jealous of Merlin, he had two mothers, both equally caring and protective of him and started to wonder what had happened to Hunith.

"Lady Freya, it's been a long time."

"Ambrosius" Freya intoned from the water, "Indeed it has been a long time."

"I trust you met the Prince!"

Freya smirked and said "Yes I did, and I have enchanted him, he will do as I ask when the time comes!"

Ambrosius gave her a smile in return, "We must act fast, the Prince of Camelot cannot be allowed to marry Prince Emrys! Uther cannot be forgiven for his crimes against sorcery!"

Freya nodded her head and disappeared below the water again.

"I will be expecting you in our court soon Lady Freya" said Ambrosius to which Freya laughed before saying "Oh, you certainly will Master Ambrosius!"

"Happy to be returning home Emrys?" asked the Queen as she entered Merlin's chambers in Camelot to find him packing for the return journey.

"Couldn't be happier" said Emrys turning to give the Queen a bright smile, he really was relieved to be heading back home, he couldn't imagine having to go on without practicing his magic for so long, it was itching to be released out of his skin.

The Queen smiled and took her son's arm in hers as she said "Emrys, I know your father forced this marriage on you but he would not have done so were it not necessary, I do not expect you to understand now but you will when the time comes! I only ask that you treat Camelot's retinue and the Prince with respect."

Merlin smiled unflappably at her before saying "Of course I will, mother."

The Queen looked skeptical however and said "I know you and the Prince are not on the best terms Emrys! And you should observe propriety in your relationships with the Prince though he is your fiance, it does not do for you to be seen entering your betrothed's bedchambers in the middle of the night!"

Merlin blushed bright red upto the tips of his ears but his mother only ruffled his hair fondly before she swept away with a "Be in the courtyard soon, we have a long journey ahead of us."

R&R