Merlin shifted on the mattress, feeling the softness of the pillow on his face as he buried his head further into it, trying to block out the light that was seeping in between the cracks of the curtains. The sheets that wrapped around him felt heavy and weighed on his back curling around his body, making him feel warm and peaceful, and the last thing he wanted to do was move from this position and get up.

Arthur's hand moved from the bottom of Merlin's back and curled around his waist, pulling him closer into his chest still sleeping, and he mumbled something as he nuzzled his nose into Merlin's hair. Now Merlin definitely didn't want to move, feeling the heat from Arthur's body mix with his own, and the softness of the sheets encase them together on the mattress.

He smiled as he peeked his eyes open letting them adjust to the light, and looked out over Arthur's chambers. It felt like so long since he had been able to wake up in this room with him. It had been almost a year since Morgana had attacked Camelot and tried to take the throne, since Arthur had found out that she is actually his sister, and the king had disintegrated on himself from the betrayal of her, and it had been all go since then. Arthur had been filling in on the king's throne, and the whole of Camelot was focused on finding Morgana, which left little room for anything else.

But the last couple of weeks Merlin had felt things settling down a little, at least as much as they could, and he had notice Arthur had started smiling again, which is why he stayed at his chambers the night before now. They had not had any long amount of time to themselves over the past months, so to be able to wake up in Arthur's arms felt like heaven to Merlin.

He twisted his head around resting his face in Arthur's neck and taking in the smell of sleep on him, he missed that quality when waking up on his own, it was an odd thing to miss but he did miss it all the same. He had not missed out on Arthur much though over the year, after all he was still his servant and he still saw him every day, and Arthur made sure to make some alone time for Merlin when he could, and when Arthur did get Merlin alone he definitely made up for their lost time.

Yes, considering they were not in the happiest of times in Camelot, Merlin was as happy as he had ever been. He twisted in further and lifted his hand over Arthur's stomach, pushing his face into the crook of Arthur's neck and gently placing kisses on the warm skin, while he cuddled himself into his chest. He felt the grip of Arthur's arms tighten around him and the low grumble come from Arthur's lips as he kept his slow kisses against his collar and neck.

"Mmm… Merlin?" Arthur murmured sleepily, "Go back to sleep."

But Merlin heard the smile in his voice and kept his lips pressed against his skin as he said, "How can I sleep now when you're awake."

"I'm not." Arthur replied with a hoarse voice, "Besides, I really don't want to get up yet."

"I never said I wanted to get out of bed." Merlin replied planting another kiss against Arthur's collar.

"Oh really" Arthur said as he moved his hand up Merlin's side, "Well that changes things." He continued as he pushed Merlin on to his back and then sleepily pulled himself above him as he connected their lips.

Arthur let his thumbs move in slow circles over Merlin's sides as he kissed him, the sheets now tangled around them and drowning their frames.

"I thought it might." Merlin said after the long pause of their kiss against Arthur's lips. Arthur continued his kisses on Merlin's cheek and jaw, as he moved himself locking his legs with Merlin's and feeling his chest rise beneath him. He kissed the corner of Merlin's mouth before joining back with his lips, feeling Merlin's fingers brush into his hair and grip the shorter strands on the back of his neck.

"What are you doing today?" Merlin mumbled through Arthur's lips, as he felt Arthur's hand move down his body.

"Nothing important." Arthur replied against Merlin's jaw as he bit on the soft skin, and stroked his fingers over Merlin's thigh.

"Maybe we could go somewhere." Merlin said hazily feeling Arthur's lips move down his throat.

Arthur paused for a second and brought his eyes back up to look at Merlin, as he said, "Well… I was actually thinking of taking Gwen somewhere today."

Merlin could hear the difference in Arthur's voice, and unconsciously felt himself pull slightly away from him, "Right."

"It's just it been months since I've spent more than ten minutes with her." Arthur said feeling like he should explain himself and watched Merlin turn his head to look at something far off in the distance of the room, "And with my father the way he is I should…"

"I know." Merlin interjected, a tinge of annoyance in his voice. It's not that he didn't know Arthur would have to see Gwen sooner or later, but he was just annoyed it had to be on the day he finally had him to himself. Besides he had not been in Gwen's good books lately, he didn't know what was on her mind when she would talk to him but something was different about her.

"It will only be for a couple of hours, I promise." Arthur said kissing Merlin's cheek, hoping to get that smile back on his face.

"Yeah." Merlin said turning his face back to his, more trying to convince himself than agree with Arthur, "And then, I get you to myself."

Arthur smirked down at Merlin when his eyes connected back with his, and he pressed his lips tightly against his mumbling through the kiss, "All to you."

Merlin smiled as he felt rather than heard the words, and then urgently pushed Arthur from his chest and swung his legs out of the bed saying, "Good. But first, nature calls."

Arthur groaned as he fell on his back irritated, and watched Merlin disappear into the other room.

…

Meanwhile in the kitchens bellow the castle, Gwen was unconsciously washing the dishes in the sink in front of her. She had come down here hoping to get the kings breakfast ready before the other servants got to work, and the kitchen was peaceful while she worked, but her head kept drifting off as she continued slowly scrubbing the plate in her grasp in small circles.

"I think it's clean." She heard the low soft voice from beside her, and almost dropped the dish into the sink as it startled her from her day dreaming.

She spun her head around and saw the man leaning against the counters at her side, "Lancelot. Don't scare me like that."

"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to startle you." He replied his face turning into worry as he saw the burden on hers, "Is everything okay, you look troubled."

Gwen placed the dish on to the side and grabbed a small towel from the counter to dry her hands, saying, "No. I'm fine."

"Guinevere?" Lancelot said as he took her hands in his holding the towel between their palms, "You can tell me if something is bothering you."

Gwen looked up at the tall handsome man in front of her, Lancelot had been back in Camelot for almost a year now and she had only been in his company for short amounts of time, but she still felt that familiar tingle run through her as his hand touched hers.

"It's just, a long time ago I saw something that at the time seemed so big." Gwen spoke as she looked up at him, "But that was before Morgana changed everything, and since then I've been putting it out of my mind not wanting to believe it, but now I just don't know if what I saw was real, and if it was I don't know what I should do about it."

Lancelot looked down at her and didn't have any idea what she was talking about, but he couldn't stand to see her face so distressed, "Whatever it was that you saw, if its bothering you this much you have to find out the truth and put your mind at rest." He lifted his hand and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and continued, "And then I can finally see that smile back on your face."

Gwen smiled hearing Lancelot's sweet words, and she felt the words melt her heart, there was always a way he could fix everything in one breath, and he was right she did have to confront her problems once and for all.

…

Back in Arthur's chambers Merlin came walking from the room, tiptoeing as he walked back over to Arthur, who was still laying arms stretched out on the bed.

"The floor is freezing." Merlin said as he crawled back on the bed.

"Well if you didn't drink a gallon of water before bed you wouldn't have to get up would you?" Arthur said feeling Merlin crawl over his body and straddle his hips.

"It's thirsty work in bed with you." Merlin replied, smiling down at him, feeling Arthur's hands slide onto his hips and under the shirt he had put on as he had jumped out of bed.

Arthur nodded in agreement at Merlin's retort, and played with the hem on the red shirt Merlin was wearing, he said quizzically, "Is this mine?"

"Yes." Merlin answered.

"It's way too big for you." Arthur replied stroking his hands under the material on Merlin's waist, pulling him down to him.

Merlin leant down and kissed Arthur's lips before saying jokingly, "Well you do eat a lot."

"Are you saying I'm fat?" Arthur replied smiling and feigning offence.

"No!" Merlin replied, placing his hands on either side of Arthur's head, and kissing him again before saying again teasingly, "But the shirt doesn't lie."

Arthur scoffed and quickly pushed Merlin from above him, and pinned him against the bed, saying against his mouth, "I'll have you know I'm still as fit as the day we met."

Merlin smiled in agreement saying, "I know" when he locked eyes with Arthur staring down at him, and felt Arthur's weight holding him down, he loved winding Arthur up, especially when he'd reply like this.

Arthur saw the smile on Merlin's lips, and linked his own lips back with them, feeling the heat from Merlin's mouth as he felt his tongue brush against his.

Arthur moved his lips to kiss the corner of Merlin mouth and jaw, saying against his skin, "Do you remember that day? You were so confident, standing up to me."

"And you were so arrogant." Merlin replied feeling Arthur's lips on his neck.

Arthur chuckled against Merlin's skin saying, "Well, I had to be, this gorgeous man had just threatened me in front of all those people."

Arthur moved his hand under the fabric of his own shirt on Merlin's stomach, stroking his fingers over his servants ribs, while he continued, "You looked so good with that self-assured smirk on your face. I said then there was something about you, Merlin, and I wasn't wrong."

"No?" Merlin whispered his hands ghosting over Arthur's back as he pushed his thigh between his legs.

"No, you had me hooked the first time you smiled at me." Arthur said his fingers drifting down the sorcerers chest and abdomen to where he curled his hand around Merlin's shaft, clasping him lightly, and making his eyes shut.

Arthur nipped at Merlin's neck, saying hushed, "I was lost to you then." Merlin clasped Arthur's back, lost in the loose strokes of the prince's hand, as he kept repeating his words into Merlin's neck.

Merlin followed Arthur's actions and slid his hand between their bodies, copying Arthur's movements and wrapped around the blonde's cock, with Arthur almost hissing feeling Merlin's hand on him. The prince's eyes locked back with his, and he joined their lips together feeling Merlin start to get hot and hard underneath him.

He moved, settling above him, rolling his hips down on him, feeling their dicks brush together in a slow motion, with Arthur's hand clasping them. Merlin brought his hands to the blonde's hair, pulling his mouth to his and gasping at the slow fuck of Arthur's hand.

Arthur moved sleepily with Merlin, the slow roll of the warlock's hips pushing up to him and they moved lazily together feeling the sheets tangle around them. Merlin's hand roamed over Arthur's chest and abdomen, feeling the heat from him, and the feeling of his own body get tight and warm.

Arthur leant his head to kiss Merlin's cheek and mouth, feeling the gasps against his lips, as he stroked over their dicks, the slickness of the pre-come making every push of Arthur's hips a smooth stroke against Merlin's cock.

The warlock gripped Arthur's spare hand, his fingers entwining with his to where Arthur pinned it beside his head, with the prince dragging his other hand over them slowly, agonizingly slow, and it was almost unbearable. Merlin bit at Arthur's lip above him, and Arthur pulled them tighter, fingers squeezing around their dicks, causing Merlin to gasp.

"You look amazing," Arthur kissed the corner of Merlin's mouth, and the servants hips jerked forward. "Incredible," he smiled, panting softly against Merlin's skin.

Merlin rolled his hips forward, fucking himself into Arthur's hand and against him, gasping again. Arthur mouthed along Merlin's jawline with just a hint of teeth, and the sorcerer wrapped his free fingers around the nape of Arthur's neck, fingers curling in the short hairs there.

"Kiss me." he mouthed and Arthur complied, connecting their lips messily.

The prince loosened his grip on them, stroking in a slow, steady rhythm against each other. Merlin's cheeks flushed and body heated, as Arthur pressed his hips down, fingers squeezing gently; then Merlin was coming, mouth falling open in a gasp. He squeezed his eyes shut, back arching off of the bed, nails biting into Arthur's neck, as Arthur stroked him through his orgasm, hushing him and kissing along his neck.

Seconds later, Arthur followed, pressing his face into the crook of Merlin's neck with a groan, with his hips stilling.

"God I love you, Merlin."

He could feel Arthur's smile against his skin, lips grazing over his neck, and a breath of laughter as Arthur nuzzled the side of his collar.

…

In the lower floors of the castle, in another chamber room, Percival sat on the edge of the bottom of his bed, he rubbed his head staring at the closed door across the room, "We can't keep doing this."

"You say that all the time." Gwaine said sitting up on the bed behind him, feeling the sheets drop down his chest and pool around his waist.

"This time I mean it." Percival replied over his shoulder, still feeling the sweat on his skin from not five minutes ago, when he was thrusting into the man he was speaking to.

Gwaine sat up on his knees and moved behind Percival, gliding his hands over his shoulders and down his chest, hearing the sigh come from his lips as he pressed his own against his shoulder.

"Gwaine?" He mouthed, his eyes closing and head falling back as Gwaine nipped at his neck.

"You know this won't be the last time we do this." Was Gwaine's only answer into the heat of Percival's skin.

Percival lifted his head and turned to see Gwaine's sly smile staring back at him, he looked him up and down, did he have to be so attractive, and Percival couldn't keep his wits and gave in again, pouncing back on him, and pinning him to the mattress, as he kissed over his tanned skin, "You're the devil, Gwaine."

"I know." He smiled as Percival's hands claimed his body, again.

…

"I could go back to sleep after that." Arthur said sleepily, feeling Merlin kiss his chest from where he was lying on him, and Arthur's arms tightened around his lower back.

"I couldn't sleep now if I tried." Merlin replied smiling.

"I could read you a bedtime story would that help." Arthur replied jokingly.

Merlin leaned up on his elbows and smirked down at him, "Do you know any?"

"Tons." He replied confidently.

"You don't know any stories." Merlin said back inquisitively.

"I do." Arthur said, seeing Merlin bite his lip and smile, "I know the one about the great Prince."

"Oh really?" Merlin replied seeing where this was going.

"Yes. He was the strongest and most handsome prince that the world had ever seen."

"And what was his name?" Merlin asked smiling down at him.

"Uhm… it was, Archer." Arthur said smirking.

"Archer? Are you serious?" Merlin said laughing.

"Yes, and he was great." Arthur replied liking the smiling on Merlin's face.

"I bet he was." Merlin said still smiling and lying back down on Arthur's chest, drawing circles with his fingers, "And what happened to 'Archer'?"

"Well, in the beginning the prince was lost, he didn't know what it meant to be a king or run a kingdom, and he was scared of when that time came and what he would be like. But one day he met someone who changed his life."

"And who was that?" Merlin asked watching his own hand on Arthur's chest.

"A stable boy." Arthur said smirking.

"A stable boy?" Merlin laughed, "And how did this stable boy change his life?"

"The prince fell in love with him." Arthur answered his tone falling to a lower level, and felt the soft circles being drawn on his chest slow down. "You see, the prince and the stable boy were made for each other. So when the prince met him, he couldn't help but fall crazily and madly in love with him."

Merlin lifted his head and looked at Arthur with a soft smile on his lips and then his eyes saddened as he asked, "What happened to them?"

Arthur lifted a hand to Merlin's face stroked a thumb over his cheek, saying, "In the beginning, things were hard for them, but time passed and soon people grew to accept that the prince would only ever love the stable boy, so they let them be happy, and then, they lived happily ever after."

Merlin smiled a sad smile and said, "But fairy tales never do come true, do they?"

Arthur hated that look on Merlin's face, he hated him being sad and it always broke his heart when he saw that frown on his face, "But this one will." He said adamantly. "I'll make sure of it. In fact…" he then rolled Merlin off of him onto the mattress and crawled to his bedside table.

Arthur pulled something from the draw and sat back on the bed on his knees, where Merlin sat up to him confused at what he was doing, and watched him hold something in his hand on his lap.

"Arthur?" Merlin questioned, he looked nervous about what he was holding.

"Merlin," he said pulling Merlin's hand into his as Merlin sat up cross legged on the bed in front of him, "I love you more than I ever thought it was possible to love another, you make my life worth living and I hope I give you the same feeling in return." He found it nerve-racking to admit everything in his heart but he wanted to give Merlin this.

"You do." Merlin replied smiling, feeling almost jumpy at what Arthur was saying.

"And one day I will make you so happy." He continued, while he smiled at the man staring back at him, "I will give you everything you have ever dreamed of, and tell you every single day what you mean to me." He leaned closer and brushed his hand against Merlin's cheek, letting the object drop on his knees, but Merlin didn't take his eyes off of Arthur's as he spoke, "I know I can be a big-headed tormenter sometimes, and sometimes I wonder what I have done to deserve someone as perfect as you, but never doubt how much I love you Merlin, and how much I would do for you."

Arthur pulled Merlin's head to his, resting their foreheads together, he knew what he was about to ask him, and he also knew what Merlin's answer would be, but he still couldn't help the feeling of fear that ran through him, "I would give my life for you, Merlin, because my life wouldn't be worth living if you were not in it. One day I will tell the world what you mean to me, but the only persons whose opinions matter to me are yours, and I want to know if you will you marry me?"

Merlin felt the slow smile form on his face, as well as the suprises, as he felt Arthur's hand on the side if his head, the words spread through him like magic, and they made his body almost shiver, "…Of course I will you clot pole."

Arthur pulled back looking Merlin in the eye, almost surprised at Merlin's answer, "Really?"

"Yes. Of course yes." Merlin said crashing his lips against his. Merlin wrapped his arms around Arthur's neck, sitting in his lap, hearing all that admittance of love come from Arthur made his head spin, he never did doubt that Arthur loved him, but to hear it come from his lips made it all the sweeter.

Arthur smiled against Merlin's lips, holding his arms tight around Merlin's waist, even though he had known almost instantly the day he met him that one day he would marry this man, the feeling of Merlin saying yes to his proposal was immense.

You see the proposal wasn't about a wedding, or the prospect of marriage, it was about two people admitting that until the end of days they wanted to spend it with each other. Arthur would always believe that that quiet, unexpected, no fanfare proposal was more important than any other instant in his life, because that second was the moment he tied himself to Merlin, there was no need of vows or bindings or an enormous royal audience to show their love too, it was a simple yes to a short question that changed his life. A simple kiss from his beloved to let him know that he would never be alone.

"Here." Arthur said, pulling away slightly from Merlin's kiss and holding the chain in his hand that he had pulled from the draw earlier. Merlin looked at the necklace and the piece that was hanging on it, it was beautiful, he had seen Arthur wear it before, and he remembered it because the gold jewel had always caught his eye and reminded him of his own eyes when the magic took over him, Arthur always said the colour reminded him of Merlin but he didn't know why.

"I know it's not much, but it's a promise." Arthur said as he watched Merlin stare at the chain in his hand.

"It's more than enough." Merlin said staring back at him, Arthur took the chain and placed it over Merlin's head, feeling the jewel as it rested against his chest, and smiling at it when he saw it on him for the first time.

Merlin's eyes were locked on Arthur, and he couldn't wipe the smile off of his face if he tried. Arthur lifted his head and looked at Merlin sat on his lap, the smile he was wearing so infectious, "Forever."

"Always." Merlin replied, kissing Arthur, his hands holding on either side of his head.

Arthur felt the cool metal of the necklace push against his chest as Merlin pressed against him, and he smiled against Merlin's lips.

They never did end up leaving the bedroom that day.

A/N Thank you guys again for the amazing reviews, I love hearing your feedback, and you're hilarious I love reading them, they make my day. Now for some replies.

OCDdegrassi – I love Gwaine too, I'm so glad I get to play around with his character now, and yeah I think if Arthur was going to be jealous of anyone, it would be Gwaine. And I don't think it was in your mind, Gwaine and Arthur were definitely fighting for Merlin in Jarl's castle, I think Gwaine loves love and I wouldn't put it past him to want Merlin too. As for Lancelot, I will definitely write him some love, I'm not killing him off like they did in the show, he's too good to throw away now.

Jordan – I know, I think Arthur and Merlin really do suck at keeping secrets, but I guess that's what love does to you, I'm just glad Gwaine was the one who found out. I'm glad people are starting to see what's happening between them, with Gwaine and Gwen, I just want everyone to know. Hopefully Gwen will finally be putting her mind to rest in the next chapter and telling someone.

Meegan – I agree I just wonder what he was doing while he was watching, I guess that's down to the imagination lol.

Merthur Dreamer – Your review was amazing. I got it half way through writing this chapter and I was blown away by it. I'm so happy you reviewed each chapter and saw the emotional build there. And yes I have seen it, and I can totally see the comparison, and you are completely right that is what I wanted to give the impression of, I wanted people to feel the romance budding with them. I feel like you explained everything better than me xD, I'm so happy that I got across some form of what I was seeing in my head as I wrote it. Thank you so much for that. x