Chapter Eight: In The House of The Rising Sun

The heat of the summer had finally broken in the Kingdom of Camelot. Its citizens were visibly relieved. It would seem, however, that the excessive heat was replaced by a constant shower of rain. It had been raining for the past three nights and it looked as if the whole Lower Town would soon be washed away. The spirits had of Knights had yet to be damped as they were all pleased to be training in the heat no longer. They spent their nights in the Rising Sun Tavern, celebrating nothing in particular. Even Arthur had become partial to such celebrations as of late. On one night in particular, Merlin had finally given into his inner demon (and the peer pressure of the knights around him) and attempted to drink as much mead as the others. The result, as to be expected, was Merlin falling over drunk upon finishing the first tankard, while the others weren't even jolly yet.

He was sitting next to Arthur and couldn't help but lean into his warmth. Merlin wanted to use Arthur as a pillow and fall into a drunken haze while buried within him. It had been matter of weeks since Merlin had welcomed Arthur into himself that he ached for it. Even drunk, his thoughts were consumed with images of Arthur lips trailing kisses down to his hard member. Arthur's favourite way of torturing Merlin as of late was worshipping every other aspect of his body. But not where he needed it most.

In his inebriated state, Merlin made a promise to himself that he would bed the Prince tonight.

Arthur, of course, was well aware of Merlin's drunken intensions as his hand (conveniently hidden by the circular table they all sat around) drew nearer to the apex of his thighs. Not that he was complaining about the teasing. Arthur joined in on the game and began to trace an invisible pattern into the tender skin at the base of Merlin's neck, knowing it was he weak spot.

The other knights knew of this relationship, just like they knew of the one between Gwaine and Percy, and Leon and Elyan. These such romantic dalliances made the knights stronger and created a bond between them that was unbreakable – well almost.

Sir Gwaine and Lady Marlow were at each other's throats for the third time that night. It would seem that all they did was bicker with each other like old crows.

"I speak the truth, runt, I won. Fair is fair. There is no need to act like a child, when I clearly am able to surpass you in every way," Marlow said with a coy smile decorating her mouth as she took another swig of mead.

"And I, old toad, am saying that I let you win. Your ego is so frail, I'd hate to destroy your confidence in yourself," Gwaine responded with just as much sarcasm as Marlow. The other knights were laughing at the current exchange going on between the siblings – all but Arthur. He could never understand why these two were so close. Arthur believed they were courting each other, despite Gwaine's obvious affection for Percival.

"You know," Arthur introjected into the conversation, his voice calm and steady, "I'd be happy to give you two my blessing – just give me the word."

There was a deep pause. Both Marlow and Gwaine were flushed with surprise.

"YOUR BLESSING?!" All the knights broke into a ring of hysterical laughter, including Merlin, and Arthur was left feeling confused. Many of them spit out their drink onto the table. Sir Leon had mead running out of his nose from laughter.

"I'm sorry for laughing Little Prince," Marlow could barely breath between her words, "But I love Gwaine like a brother because that's what he is – my baby brother." Marlow made a grab for Gwaine's cheek, but he dodge the outward stretched hand easily.

Arthur was so utterly confused. Then – it clicked. He looked at both Gwaine and Marlow, who were sitting beside one another and finally understood.

"You, Your Highness, are oblivious." Gwaine chuckled.

Arthur turned to Merlin for some support, but found none. "You knew?" he looked to his knights, "How am I just learning about this now?!"

"Because you're oblivious," the twins said together, the laughter creeping up again in their voices.

Arthurs hand raked his hands through his hair, his mind numb with this development. Yet, all he could do was join in in the laughter, "This explains why Gwaine looks an uglier version of Marlow."

"Cheers," Gwaine took a deep swig of mead at that compliment. Marlow seemed pleased with the Prince's comparison.

"Explain one thing to me – why the pet names?" Arthur was still in a state of utter confusion.

"Gwaine here, was the runt of the litter and -" Marlow explained.

"Making Marlow, an old toad," Gwaine interrupted Marlow, she made a rude hand gesture in return.

"And my adorably small baby brother, a runt," Marlow teased Gwaine in return and patted his head like a well behaved child.

"Not so small anymore," Percy added quietly from other end of the table. The group erupted in laughter as another round of drinks was passed around. Merlin had finally given into his drunkenness and had slumped against Arthurs shoulder in a peaceful, alcohol induced sleep.