Chapter 11: The Betrothal Reception

Merlin roamed in the reception hall, carrying a tray and offering drinks to the guests.

Everything was going so fast, while it still felt like they had met with Colgrin on that hill only the day before... Merlin couldn't believe the betrothal had already been celebrated, and that the wedding was now barely two weeks away. The whole castle and city were buzzing with activity, making sure everything would be ready in time for Autumn Feast.

As for today, after a rather quick but formal betrothal in front of the court, Arthur, Angharad and their fathers were entertaining their guests, offering them a sumptuous buffet while some musicians played the lyre, the flute and the zither in a corner. If this was meant as a foretaste of what was to come for the wedding itself, it was probably going to be quite memorable.

Guest after guest, Merlin soon found himself close to the hosts.

Morgana was in the middle of what seemed to be a passionate conversation with Angharad, while Peredur was standing next to them. Merlin was under the impression the young Saxon was never very far from the Princess, always checking their surroundings with a slightly paranoid look. The very few times Arthur had mentioned him to Merlin, the nicest word he'd used to describe Peredur was 'intrusive'. Apparently, having to make the right impression in front of Angharad and Colgrin at all times was already a strain, but having to put up with the bodyguard's constant presence made it worse.

He offered a cup to Peredur, who refused with a shake of the head. Then he moved to Morgana and Angharad, who both took one. The two ladies seemed to be on quite good terms. Angharad was even genuinely smiling, while the rare times Merlin had crossed her path, she never seemed very happy.

And Morgana seemed to have made a new friend too. Merlin knew she rarely associated with other ladies of the court, but who could blame her? Most of the ladies of the court were much older and, quite frankly, absolutely uninteresting. It must be great for Morgana to find another young woman like her she could relate to.

Merlin continued on his way until he was next to the hosts. Uther, Colgrin and Arthur were busy in a conversation. He lifted his tray towards them, but they seemed too concentrated to pay any attention to him. When he listened discreetly to what they were saying, he heard words like defence, troops and barbarians. It sounded serious, he had better not disturb them, he decided, and walked away.

Gaius caught up with him and took the last cup on his tray. "Ah, Merlin. I trust that when you're done working here, you'll return to the laboratory and to the task you left unfinished? Three days ago?" he reminded reproachfully.

"Oh, I don't know, there are so many things to do around here, because of the preparations," Merlin said, hoping to get out of that tedious chore he had conscientiously forgotten about.

"Hmm," Gaius muttered.

"So, what are your thoughts on our guests?" Merlin asked.

"I'm not sure yet," Gaius answered. "I took part to a few of the councils between Uther and Colgrin, and I find King Colgrin more accommodating than I expected, but also a little too... hurried. I wonder if it hides something..."

"What do you mean?"

Gaius hesitated. "I personally see no real need to rush this union... We're talking about Kings here, those are all people of their word. Everyone could have agreed to a tacit truce until this marriage was celebrated in a year, maybe two."

"From what I heard, Colgrin wasn't open to many options..."

"Well if I wanted to be critical, I'd say Colgrin doesn't want to give Uther and Arthur enough time to change their minds... But let's not talk about this," Gaius added with a worried look around. "And maybe I'm wrong. Maybe the time for peace with the Saxons has truly come... All of this is good for the people, they forget about their personal problems to be happy for the bride and groom..."

Merlin didn't want Gaius to drop the subject so easily, sensing there was something he wasn't telling him. "Why would Uther and Arthur want to change their mind? Is there anything wrong with Angharad?"

Gaius seemed surprised by this question. "Oh no, Angharad seems to be a nice young woman, a little shy and introverted maybe, but otherwise balanced and sound. Arthur should consider himself rather lucky. As far as arranged marriages go, I've seen much worse."

"Then what's wrong about the marriage?"

Gaius sighed. "It's not just a marriage, it's... a lifetime commitment between two Kingdoms. I don't expect you to understand the implications, but maybe Colgrin would rather rush things than let anyone find out the dirt he hid under the carpet..." Gaius paused. "Now, talking about hiding the dirt under the carpet..."

"Look at that, my tray is empty!" Merlin exclaimed hurriedly.

"Merlin..."

"I can't let all these guests get thirsty, can I?" he stated while slipping away swiftly.

He joined Gwen, who was arranging food at one of the tables, and started to load his tray with filled cups.

"Hey Gwen. Nice evening. How are things going for you?"

She sighed. "Merlin, you really have to stop asking me this question... I told you already, I'm fine. Everyone is," she added, and picked up a cup.

"Hey, this is meant for the guests," Merlin protested, but Gwen ignored him. After a second of hesitation, he took a drink himself – well, who cared, anyway. "Gwen, I'm serious, you're obviously upset," he insisted, and paused. "People like them, they don't always do what they want, and we have to accept it," he finally stated.

"I know... Look, I had prepared for this sort of eventuality. I've always known this might happen. But he chose to marry her, right?"

Merlin nodded without a word. He didn't want to interrupt her. Judging from the sound of her voice, it felt like something that had been bottled up for a while was finally getting released.

"Right. He chose to marry her. Not Uther, he. And then a few days ago, he comes to my house, at night, and says he wants to talk to me!"

"So?"

"Merlin, he's betrothed! He's getting married in ten days, and nothing is going to change that!" she exclaimed. "So why does he come talk to me? What does he expect from me? That I become some sort of... royal mistress? I have my pride."

Merlin choked on his drink. "I'm... sure that's not what he had in mind..."

"And come on, look at her..." Gwen continued, observing Angharad. "Why would anyone give me a second look after seeing her...?"

"Gwen, don't say that, this is ridiculous!"

"Why would anyone want to be friends with me when they can be friends with her instead?"

Merlin frowned. He followed Gwen's gaze, and saw Morgana and Angharad, talking, laughing together.

This was no longer about Arthur, he realised. Gwen was of course hurt because of the upcoming wedding. But she was also jealous of the budding friendship between Morgana and Angharad.

"Gwen, there's no -"

"I have to go, I have... work over there," Gwen suddenly said hurriedly before leaving him.

Merlin turned round when he heard a sigh behind him, and saw Arthur heading towards him but watching Gwen walk away with a disappointed look on his face.

"I had only doubts, but now I'm certain of it. She's avoiding me," Arthur stated sadly. "Every time I meet her in a hallway, she just walks past me without a single look..."

"She pretends to be fine with what's going on, but we both know she's not," Merlin confirmed.

"I saw the two of you talking, she seemed quite upset," Arthur pointed out. "I keep... trying to talk to her, hoping to find the right words, but she won't let me."

"Arthur, you will not believe this!" Morgana shouted out as she suddenly joined them.

Arthur sighed. "Believe what, Morgana?"

"I was just talking with Angharad. Did you know that she practised magic? Nothing serious though, she says she has no real talent for it. But I can't wait to see Uther's face when he finds out he's going to have such a gifted daughter-in-law!" she exclaimed with a short laugh.

Arthur was glaring at her. "What are you trying to do, Morgana? We're hoping to build an alliance through this marriage, do you want to spoil everything? Because that's all you'll manage to do by spreading this sort of rumour."

"No, of course not! I love your fiancée!" she declared joyfully with a quick pat on Arthur's shoulder, then turned on her heels.

"Well at least one of us does..." Arthur muttered once she was gone.

Merlin was growing worried about Morgana. She seemed to have no discussion topic other than magic. Every time she spoke, it was about magic. Every time she had a demand, it was about magic. She was like obsessed with it. She had to be more careful than that, because otherwise it would get her into trouble.

"Merlin, about Gwen..." Arthur picked up the conversation right where he had left it. "This is killing me," he confessed. "She's hurting, and it's my fault, and there's nothing I can do. But she's listening to you. Will you talk to her on my behalf?"

Merlin shook his head. "It's not my place. Just give her more time," he suggested, "she'll come to terms with it, eventually."

Arthur turned a little away from him when his father cleared his throat, apparently about to make an announcement.

"Ah, at last, he's going to announce it... I've pushed for this, you know?" Arthur told him. "At least this should take my mind off all these concerns, I'm really looking forward to it..."

"My Lords, my Ladies," Uther began loud and clear to get everyone's attention. "As part of the celebrations of the betrothal between Prince Arthur and Princess Angharad, we have decided to hold a sword tournament. The contestants will be the best swordsmen from both Camelot and Saxony, which will give them an opportunity to measure themselves against each other in good comradeship. This tournament will follow the Knights Code of Chivalry and there shall be no fight to the death."

"So looking forward to it..." Arthur repeated in a whisper.

From the corner of his eyes, Merlin noticed Arthur was looking towards Peredur with a satisfied smile. Peredur would probably be one of the Saxons contestants, he assumed, and Arthur was apparently quite eager to settle a few things with him...

Coming next: Chapter 12 "The Tournament, part 1"