I've finally found my way back to this fic!

Writer's block is over for now!

And I am sorry for keeping you guys waiting for so long and making you think I've abandoned this fic! As I keep saying I will never abandon any of my fics despite the fact that I take a long time coming back to some of them.

CHAPTER – 10

Arthur was standing peering out of the painted glass windows of his room looking down at the castle's courtyard which was bustling with sorcerers making their way to and fro from the castle.

It had been a total of three weeks since they'd reached Banraven as esteemed guests of the King and as future in law in case of Arthur and despite their initial misunderstandings Arthur and Merlin had formed somewhat of a friendly relationship atleast to a point where they didn't find the idea of marrying each other totally intolerable.

Arthur was still baffled at every magical happenstance in the Kingdom, he was still missing his old clumsy idiotic naïve Merlin, he was still confused at how same sex marriage between two men was considered seriously and even welcomed but he was slowly, ever so slowly acclimatizing to the changes and he had come to the conclusion that maybe, just maybe this wasn't a total disaster as he'd thought it would be.

Ever since that mishap with the giants Camelot's retinue were not allowed to see Banraven's Knights train, the King had decreed them be kept out for their own safety and to not put the risk of a tentatively formed peace treaty at risk.

For all intents and purposes the King of Banraven truly did seem to want peace between Camelot and Banraven as they were treated with respect if not with genuine warmth from most of the nobles. Sure there was ill-concealed contempt and downright hostility at every turn but atleast no one had tried to kill them so far which Arthur considered was a general improvement.

With being forbidden to watch the training however meant that Arthur got to see very little of Merlin in the following weeks since an animated giant had almost smashed Arthur to bits.

If Merlin wasn't training he was attending council, if he wasn't doing that he was going hunting with his magically trained knights which Arthur wasn't invited to in lieu of possessing no magical skill whatsoever, if he wasn't hunting he was patrolling and if he wasn't doing that he was practicing healing spells, or divination with Morgana, or strolling through the town helping people when they were in need, or helping refugees settle into his kingdom, or tending to his pet dragons in the castle, or unicorns or whatever magical creature they kept as pets!

And Arthur missed him.

Especially after Merlin's dark promise and proclamation of Arthur belonging to him.

He was Merlin's betrothed was he not? And he had come all the way from Camelot to this foreign hostile Kingdom as nothing but a bartered ram about to be sacrificed for the sake of his people, he had his Knights but he felt lonely anyways and wasn't Merlin supposed to be courting him?

Merlin spent more time with Morgana than him! What atrocity? He hadn't even spoken to Merlin in a whole week now though they kept bumping into each other and seeing each other all the time.

Arthur couldn't help but feel Merlin was deliberately avoiding him and he would be damned if he would appear as if to want Merlin's attentions, he kept repeating to himself that if Merlin didn't want to see him then he didn't want to either.

The Knights of Camelot felt of course that the two men were being silly circling each other all the time when they both knew they were deeply attracted to each other but kept quiet rolling their eyes in exasperation as they knew both men were too stubborn and too prideful to be the first one to approach the other and it was entertaining as hell to watch them in their mating dance.

Today the courtyard of Baravne's castle was bustling with people because of the arrival of a very dear guest as Arthur had heard the King of Banraven proclaim two days ago to the entire court.

Apparently the Son of an Elven King whose name Arthur couldn't get after just hearing it one time was coming to honor the King Of Banraven on returning to their realm. If Arthur thought that it hardly merited praise he kept it to himself, he still considered the fact that the King ran to be an act of cowardice.

And so the courtyard was being decorated quite grandly with glass sculptures and baubles and flowers and a banner which sparkled silver in the sunlight had been hung yesterday with words Arthur couldn't discern written on them. Lancelot had asked one of the passing citizens who informed them that the words in Elven tongue meant "Welcome Laiqualassë, Prince of the Silvan Elves, Lord of Mirkwood, Son of High King Thandruil."

In addition to the banner, the floors of the courtyard were shimmering with some enchantment that made them reflect the sunlight as if they were glass and a lush blue carpet was rolled out from the castle's entrance to the castle's gates.

Arthur and his knights wondered at the importance of such a guest as they had not had the same grand reception that the King felt was owed to this Prince.

Then again Arthur and his knights and Camelot were loathed by the King and maybe this visitor was just too important or someone the King actually liked.

There was a knock on his door before Morgana entered wearing her white gown that had mirrors sewn into the fabric making her look all too bright and glittery just the like the glass baubles in the courtyard.

Arthur shielded his eyes as she moved closer unable to look at anything shiny for he was so tired of everything glittery and snapped "You couldn't have chosen another dress Morgana? Too keen to appease yourself to these people are you?"

Morgana raised an eyebrow at him, "You do know we are all required to wear white today to welcome the Elf Prince don't you?"

"Noo…" Arthur said slowly. Nobody had seen it fit to inform him that there was a code color for the morning.

"Well you know no, so change out of that tunic and come down to the courtyard, I gather our visitor will be arriving very soon."

"I will not" Arthur said obstinate and when Morgana raised her brows higher he said "They are the King's guests not mine, and I will not be forced into wearing white for some…some half human creature!"

"ARTHUR!" Morgana shouted, "You'd better mind that tongue! This is a very important guest Arthur and the King's guest is your guest by extension because you are his son in law."

Arthur just jumped down on his bed which bounced lightly and smiled infuriatingly at Morgana, "You can be their obedient little pet Morgana but I'm not going to follow your example, so let me be…" he enunciated each word making Morgana narrow her eyes and scowl before she turned around, gave her back to him and left his chambers slamming the door on her way out.

Arthur did not have even ten minutes of peace however as the Merlin came barging in through the door his tone impatient as he said "Get up Arthur!"

Arthur was belligerent however and sing songed "Whatever for?" from his place reclined against the bed.

Merlin's face was etched with impatience and not a little amount of irritation as he pinioned Arthur with a glare and Arthur felt smug and elated at the thought of finally having gotten Merlin's undivided attention.

"I don't have time for your petty games, get up of your own volition or so help me I will use magic and levitate you out of here."

"Figures magic is the answer to all your troubles Merlin, you can't just heft me out of here like a man!" Arthur goaded as he turned his sideways to face Merlin supporting his head on his elbows.

Merlin bristled taking the bait for a moment before he backtracked and folded his arms, "This is not the time for me to satisfy your womanly urges to be lifted and coddled, get up!"

Arthur was indignant at once "I DO NOT HAVE URGES TO BE CODDLED BY YOU!"

"Sure…" Merlin said chastising like an indulgent parent, "That's why you very obviously tried to goad me into carrying you in my arms bridal style…"

"I did not!"

Merlin threw his hands up in the air before his eyes burnished gold and Arthur was lifted out of the bedding and dumped on the floor unceremoniously.

Arthur landed on his rump hard and grimaced before he shot a glare at Merlin's smarmy little head.

Merlin waved his hands again and Arthur very red tunic turned very white and Arthur's glare got a lot more heated as he shouted "I will not be forced into welcoming your father's guests like some piteous slave!"

Merlin rolled his eyes as he intoned "Hardly slavery, you over exaggerating dramatic prat!"

"You just changed my tunic color without my permission! Change it back!"

"Arthur, stop being difficult!" Merlin said and simultaneously came forward and caught Arthur's hands in his and tried to lift him up without the aid of his magic.

What he didn't count on however was Arthur pulling his hand back and Merlin stumbled and fell right into Arthur's waiting lap and the momentum managed to knock Arthur back and Merlin went with him until they were both lying prostrate on the floor breathing heavily with nary an inch between their bodies.

Merlin was the first to recover and he looked into Arthur's blue eyes which were brimming with outrage and indignation and was about to no doubt spout some vitriol at Merlin just for the hell of it.

Merlin leaned down and kissed Arthur's lips effectively shutting him up for good and when Arthur tried to move his head away Merlin caught his jaw on both sides with his hands and kept him put as Arthur's muffled protests and squirms were replaced in the space of a second to content humming as Arthur started kissing him back in earnest and Merlin released his jaw running his hands up and down Arthur sides as he delved his tongue inside Arthur's mouth and made it all the more filthy as his tongue slithered along with Arthur's.

Arthur flipped them so that he was on top and Merlin retaliated and grabbed Arthur's full round arse in both his hands and pinched making Arthur startle and yelp as he broke the kiss to look down shockingly at Merlin.

Merlin smirked and groped again for good measure as he thought of how those cheeks would feel without Arthur's trousers hindering the way and that was how Gwaine, Morgana and Queen Esmeralda found them, Arthur on top of Merlin, Merlin's one hand tangled in Arthur's blond hair and another hand grabbing his arse as they were interrupted just when they were about to kiss again.

All three of them looked stunned for a whole second before Gwaine smirked at Arthur, Morgana shook her head in fond exasperation and the Queen's cheeks flushed in embarrassment as much as Merlin and Arthur's were red at being caught red handed in a compromising position.

"Merlin!" The Queen's tone was chastising as she said "I sent you to get your betrothed to greet our guests!"

'And not to frolic in the middle of the day!' was added mentally so that only Merlin might hear, sparring him the embarrassment.

Merlin and Arthur had sprang apart as soon as the door opened and neither of them looked at each other as Merlin got up and Arthur followed not making a scene in front of the Queen.

The Queen turned away only to turn back and say "And for heaven's sake make yourselves presentable before you come!"

Gwaine and Morgana chuckled quietly as they left Arthur and Merlin alone to follow the Queen.

'Do not be late Emrys!'

Merlin heard the mental voice of his mother once again and finally snapped himself out of the daze to get on with making himself presentable.

Finally the two erstwhile Princes along with both Camelot and Banraven's men were gathered in the front courtyard all dressed immaculately in white.

The King had adorned a long flowing white fur trimmed cape and a silver crown sat upon his head and his Queen was wearing an equally sparkling white gown that looked like it had been made from spun silver, diamonds and pearls were sewn into the gown and a silver circlet was sitting atop her head.

Arthur noticed from his vantage point near Lancelot, he didn't dare go near Gwaine right now that Merlin was the only one who was dressed humbly in dark charcoal trousers and a white tunic, he was also not wearing a crown and on closer inspection Arthur found Merlin to be nervous, he wasn't fidgeting but it was only just and Arthur knew Merlin his manservant would have gone on rabbiting a million words and fidgeting in his nervousness.

Merlin the Prince however put a lid on all that nervousness and the only sign that he was agitated at all was in the way his eyes crinkled and that set to his jaw that belayed that he was bothered.

Arthur along with the rest of the gathered nobility heard the cantering of horse hooves on cobblestone and everyone visibly straightened themselves up to greet their guest.

Arthur was as curious as the rest of them, not that he would admit that on the pain of his death and he looked squinting into the bright sunlight as a group of pure white unicorns came galloping into the city, their white hairs looked like cotton wisps in the sun light and the creatures sitting on top of them looked paler and smoother by comparison.

Arthur noticed the Elvine ears first before he noticed the rest of the creatures' bodies, they looked entirely human and yet ethereal in the way only magical beings could be. The bestiary in Camelot's dusty bookshelves cautioned that Elves like other magical creatures were all evil and considered humans to be a blight upon the Earth, the bestiary also failed to mention the fact that elves were for the most part very very beautiful creatures.

Arthur eyes after having scanned the group landed on who he assumed was the Prince as he lead the party and had a silver circlet adorning his head.

It was only due to years of training that Arthur didn't gasp like Lancelot did beside him.

The Prince was beautiful, the most beautiful among the party.

He had long blond hair which was braided and left loose down his shoulders, he wore some kind of armor that looked very sleek and shiny unlike the heavy chainmail Arthur was used to seeing, broad shoulders, a straight nose, thin but shapely lips, eyes whose color Arthur couldn't discern from this far but which were alert and sharp, and the shadow of an arrow peeping out from his back.

Arthur had to admit atleast inside his own mind, the Prince made a very pretty picture indeed.

Arthur turned to look at Merlin again wondering what he'd find but Merlin looked impassive and Arthur couldn't the read the expression in his eyes from where he was standing.

"My God, do they take humans as lovers?" Gwaine asked predictably as Arthur rolled his eyes.

"Only if they want to eat your internal organs and drain you of your life!" said Percy and when all of them turned to him he shrugged saying "I've heard some tales….they use humans as vessels for their pleasure!"

"Well I'd be very happy to be their vessel for pleasure!" Gwaine said still gawping at the arriving dignitaries.

"Where did you hear that ridiculous tale anyway? Your confusing Elves with Incubus'!" Elyan muttered before they all quieted observing in hushed murmurs as their guests finally halted and jumped down from their unicorns landing as gracefully as they looked.

The King as was his due was the first to address the Prince who was taller than all of them and easily towered over the King.

"Prince Legolas Greenleaf of Mirkwood, Son of King Thandruil, I welcome you to Banraven." King Phineas said extending his arms which the elf took before he addressed the king in Elvish tongue and the King responded.

Only the subjects of Banraven seemed to understand their exchange and Arthur glanced at Merlin again to find his face was as impassive as before.

And then for everyone's benefit the King finally spoke in English "May I present my son Prince Merlin Emrys…"

The elf Prince turned to Merlin greeting him with a small smile that failed to reach his eyes as he exclaimed "Ah, the Great Emrys…it is a pleasure to see you again after so long."

Merlin bowed to the Elven Prince respectfully saying nothing as he looked back up.

Arthur was so focused on Merlin that a nudge from Gwaine was the only thing that brought him to focus on the foreign Prince who was now staring rather intently at him.

Arthur's eyes widened a fraction as the Elven Prince asked the King "And who might this vanya onna be…"

The King's tone was dismissive as he said casting a flippant hand in Arthur's direction "Oh this is Prince Arthur of Camelot, Uther Pendragon's son."

Arthur didn't miss it that the King had failed to address his father as King of Camelot.

The Elven Prince turned to him the intensity of his stare making Arthur feel a twinge of discomfort before the Prince came forward and with nary a say took Arthur's hands in his as if he were some fair maiden that had caught the Elves' eyes.

Gwaine coughed thought Arthur could bet the bastard was laughing raucously on the inside, oh the amount of teasing he'd have to endure from his Knights for this!

"Prince Arthur of Camelot, you are the most beautiful mortal I have ever laid my eyes on!"

The Elven Prince declared like it was very normal to randomly grab an unknown person's hands and tell them that they were beautiful, never mind the fact that Arthur was very much a man and as such he was not beautiful in anyway, he was handsome, fair whatever but he was not pretty or beautiful or whatever girly adjectives one wanted to use.

Arthur was about to reply tartly gathering his indignity around him like a cloak when there was the sound of a throat being cleared and Arthur turned to find it was Merlin.

"Yes, Prince Arthur is very beautiful and I am a lucky man indeed to be betrothed to him." Merlin said pointedly looking at the hands that had yet to release Arthur's.

Arthur's heart rejoiced as his mind did a tap dance, there was green in Merlin's eyes if Arthur read right and Arthur turned around to the Elven Prince who was still holding his hand despite Merlin's obvious displeasure and Arthur smiled in that lopsided way that people told him looked charming before he simpered "Oh my beauty is nothing when compared to an otherworldly magnificent creature like you Prince…" Arthur paused having forgotten the name when the Elven Prince smiled lightly and said "Legolas"

"Prince Legolas!" Arthur exclaimed and Legolas brought Arthur's hands up and laid a kiss on his hands and a tingle ran up Arthur's arms at the contact making him flush despite himself as his knights quietly snickered around him too amused to contain their giggling any longer.

They were never going to let him live this down! Arthur thought despondently before Legolas dropped his hands and turned away from him with a mischievous smile etched on his lips.

Arthur observed from the corner of his eye that Merlin had a scowl etched on his face and he gave his back to Merlin as he turned around with his Knights and went back into the castle.

Hope you guys enjoy the chapter, happy reading! I was just in the mood for some Orlando Bloom…so excuse my indulgence!

GREEN EYED MONSTER…Merlin's feelin it folks!

REVIEWS ARE MUCH APPRECIATED, tata!