The next few days were spent site seeing and in meetings, the King and the Prime Minister did their best to influence Merlin to see the benefit of as they called it 'a modern society' but Merlin refused to budge. On their last day before going back to Essetir Morgana took the Queen out and Merlin once more went with Arthur. Arthur took him out into the countryside so they could talk without being overheard. The protection officers, including Percy, keeping a respectful distance.

Arthur turned to Merlin "Have you enjoyed your stay?"

Merlin grinned "Do you want the diplomatic answer?"

"The true one" Arthur said with a grin "I've been on enough of these things to know the difference and this was supposed to be a holiday"

Merlin sighed "So of it has been lovely but my father warned me I would be put under pressure and he was right. The Government here is very keen to use me to get my father to change his mind"

"And will he?"

"No, but if I was King I wouldn't either, what they can't or won't understand is how different we are in our beliefs. Do you think they will try to force us?" Merlin sounded worried "After that trip to Salisbury plain to see your armed forces in action I realised we have nothing to compare. We don't have armed forces so to speak"

"I won't think so it wouldn't be tolerated. Look Merlin I want to be honest with you. I like you, and your mother and your home sounds very nice. I want you to hear me out as I explain." He paused thinking about what his mother had advised "On your very first day here my father, the King, made a suggestion to me that I had no intention of complying to." He hesitated before plunging on." I would appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone else. But the King wished me to seduce you into agreeing to marry me"

He held up his hand to stop Merlin speaking. "One I do like you, there is something about you that attracts me, I am gay, although my father likes to ignore the fact. But I will not use you that way. Before we were born the law was changed so the first born regardless of gender would inherit the crown. He was devastated when Morgana was first. It has always upset him that I wouldn't inherit. Also he envies very much the power your father has, King Uther is figurehead only. He felt that if I married you I would be a King and be able to influence you to allow the UK to drill for oil. I know I couldn't nor would I, I think you are right, we have to face the challenges and sort things out. The world has enough trouble spots due to our greed for resources already"

"I'm not silly Arthur, I may be younger than you, but I could see what your father was hoping for. But thank you for being honest. I will marry for love and it is clear you don't love me" Merlin said blushing but looking directly at Arthur.

Arthur smiled "I think I could, I like you a lot and respect you, I would like us to remain friends and maybe one day, but on our terms not anyone else's" Arthur admitted "You are young yet and I'm not that much older."

"That suits me" Merlin grinned "But I warn you now, I would never be influenced to harm my country or its people. Now your father is a scary man do you want me to show some interest so he doesn't take it out on you?" Merlin gave a small chuckle. Which made Arthur realise he had done the right thing. Maybe one day they could start a relationship, it wouldn't be hard for him at least.

"I don't think that's necessary but thank you" Arthur smiled "Just invite me to stay in a year or two"

After that the couple walked talking and laughing. They then headed back to Buckingham Palace where there was to be a garden party in honour of Queen Hunith and Prince Merlin later that afternoon for a couple of hundred guests followed by a banquet that evening. As they walked round the gardens Merlin felt very uncomfortable in his suit and escorting his mother. He hated formal occasions and was glad he didn't have to attend too many. He knew his father and a similar hatred so didn't have many at home. After a while Arthur rescued him.

Bowing to Hunith he said "Your majesty may I borrow Prince Merlin my cousins would love to meet him again before he goes back, they saw him at the polo match"

Hunith smiled "Of course" looking at Uther at her side she said "If you have no objection of course"

Uther smiled thinking that perhaps his plan was seeing some result "Of course go ahead. You youngsters don't want to hang around us"

Merlin bowed and followed Arthur. Percy following discretely leaving Isolde with the Queen. Merlin whispered "Thank you, if I had to shake hands with one more self-important person…"

There was a chuckle from his side "Instead you get Gwaine and Leon"

"Any day" Merlin countered with a smile.

He was soon laughing at one of Gwaine's exaggerated stories as Arthur warned "Don't you dare get drunk on the Champaign Gwaine, father will never forgive you"

The men soon started to discuss polo and after a while a young pretty blonde woman approached the group. She walked up to Arthur "Arthur I haven't seen much of you lately I had hoped with you being on leave we could have gone out." It was clear she liked to be the centre of attention.

Arthur gave her disinterested glance but politely he said "Sophia, I have been otherwise engaged"

"Yes I heard, traipsing around with some Prince from a backward country that is refusing to let us have oil, I heard he was following you like a lapdog and looks like one as well, all ears clearly the country hasn't heard of plastic surgery" can the sarcastic retort. "Surely you could dump him and come out in the evenings"

Merlin looked uncomfortable but kept silent as Arthur relied his voice hard and uncompromising "Prince Merlin is my guest and I expect him to be treated with respect and curtesy, as to his country's stance on its natural resources they have the right to do as they will. Now apologise to the Prince now!"

Merlin decided he didn't like the woman at all and as everyone was looking at the other Prince his eyes flashed gold and Sophia's glass of wine tipped and the red liquid poured down her dress. It was childish he knew but worth it. Sophia squealed and immediately looked round to see who had nudged her.

She was about to speak when Merlin stepped forwards "That is alright Prince Arthur, clearly the young lady has had too much to drink or some of the citizens of your more advanced country have lost their manners along the way. Luckily they seem to be few and far between" he turned to Sophia "I see no reason to have unnecessary surgery after all character is more prized than vanity"

In the background Gwaine looked speculatively at Merlin he was sure the younger man's eyes had changed colour then he grinned "You tell her Merlin" he could be heard to mutter.

Sophia looked Merlin up and down, clearly not liking what she saw and angry that her drink had ruined her dress. "And what would you know, you are a child!"

Arthur signalled to one of the protection officers "Remove Lady Sophia from the premises and see that she is not allowed back in." he turned to the woman and coldly said "I do not expect to see you around again, your manners are appalling even if you have imbibed to much"

Sophia glared at Merlin then at Arthur "So that's how it is?" looking back at Merlin she snarled "How does it feel to be interesting only for your countries oil, because without that you wouldn't be seen in this company" with that she was escorted away.

Merlin couldn't resist one last piece of comeback and his eyes flashed once more and one of Sophia's high heels snapped causing her to stumble and almost fall, this adding to her embarrassment. Percy stepped forward and whispered "Sire! Your father would be most displeased"

Merlin grinned and whispered back "Then don't tell him, don't worry no one saw anything" But he was wrong.

Arthur turned to Merlin "I apologise for that Prince Merlin, the woman was clearly out of order"

Uther, Morgana and Ygraine approached to enquire about what happened Merlin headed off any fuss "No problem Your Majesty, one of the guests had had too much wine in this hot weather, I believe she is being looked after"

With that the matter was forgotten except Isolde also approached Merlin "Your highness, I saw" was all she said looking at him with disapproval"

Merlin blushed "Ok sorry but…." he shrugged and whispered.

In the background Gwaine took it all in but said nothing