Sorry this one took so long to write; I wish I could say your patience will be rewarded with a super exciting, action-packed chapter, but alas, this one's more transitional. I needed to set up some things that will be important later on, plus I didn't want to dive into the next big crisis right after killing off Balinor.
The days seemed to fly past, as Merlin had noticed time often did when he was dreading something; he'd investigated the matter thoroughly when he was younger, reading every book he could find on the magical manipulation of time, but had never found a satisfactory explanation for the phenomenon. Of course, he tried to tell himself there was no reason to dread Princess Mithian's arrival - he was under no obligation to marry her if they didn't like each other, after all - but that reassurance did nothing to lessen his feelings of impending doom as he watched the delegation from Nemeth ride into his courtyard.
Gwaine seemed to share his misgivings. "What's with the veil?" he muttered when the knights parted to give them their first glimpse of the princess, who was clad in an overgown made of fluffy white fur and, as he'd observed, an embroidered muslin veil that obscured all but the outline of her face. "She's not a leper, is she?"
Arthur glared at him, and Freya hissed, "Gwaine! I'm sure she's only covered up because Nemeth is the northernmost kingdom in Albion, apart from Northumbria - now that autumn's begun, I imagine it's getting quite chilly up there."
The princess allowed one of her knights to help her off her horse, then lifted her veil, revealing (to Gwaine's chagrin) that she was completely free of leprosy...and Merlin forgot how to breathe. There was something strangely familiar about that striking combination of ivory skin and shining dark hair; for a second, he was almost positive he'd seen her before… Then Arthur dragged him forward for an introduction, and the sight of Mithian's brown eyes broke the spell. He didn't know what color he'd expected her eyes to be (green, perhaps?) but that wasn't it. Pushing such illogical thoughts aside, he forced himself to pay attention to what Arthur was saying.
"Allow me to introduce King Merlin of Dagon; Merlin, Princess Mithian of Nemeth." Placing his hand on Merlin's back, Arthur gave him a subtle shove that sent him stumbling closer to the princess.
"Pleased to meet you, King Merlin. Please accept my deepest condolences on the loss of your father." Decorum demanded that she say this, of course, yet she did so with genuine sympathy.
"Thank you, princess. I hope your journey here was a pleasant one?"
"Oh yes, it was lovely, especially as we came farther south. You're lucky that it's still so warm here."
"Is it already very cold in Nemeth?"
"Well, we haven't had our first snow yet, though I imagine it won't be long. In the meantime, we've been receiving a great deal of rain..."
Listening to them, Arthur could barely stop himself from groaning out loud. Honestly, it wasn't like he'd expected Merlin and Mithian to declare undying love for each other within five minutes of their first meeting, but he had at least hoped for some small sign of mutual interest; instead, they were talking about the weather. Cutting them off before they could move on to equally romantic topics such as foreign trade and tax revenue, he ushered them back to where the rest of the welcoming party was waiting. "Princess Mithian, perhaps you'd like to meet some of our friends? This is Guinevere, lady knight of Dagon - and my fiancée," he added proudly. Mithian's eyebrows rose slightly at the mention of Gwen's knighthood, but she didn't comment. "This is Sir Gwaine and his wife, the Lady Freya," Arthur continued, "and Sir Leon of Camelot."
They all bowed or curtsied to the princess in turn, and then Merlin summoned Sefa to escort Mithian to the guest chamber that had been prepared for her.
Two hours later, she reappeared, having traded her furry white outfit for a gown of pale gold, brushed out her hair, and dabbed on a little perfume - only to find that her prospective fiancé had vanished. Arthur apologized profusely for Merlin's absence, explaining that he'd been called away to deal with some issue his council simply couldn't handle without him.
"I understand," Mithian said graciously, doing her best to hide her disappointment at having to postpone getting to know the man she might very well spend the rest of her life with. "He must be under a great deal of pressure to prove himself after being thrust onto the throne so suddenly."
"One's first few weeks as a new king are the most difficult, but he's doing an excellent job."
"'Excellent'? You know, Arthur, I think that's the first time I've heard you use that word," Gwen remarked.
"Yes, well, I couldn't say it where he might hear me, could I? Since he's currently unavailable, perhaps the rest of us can show you around, princess?"
Mithian agreed, and the three of them set off to explore the castle along with Freya, Gwaine, and Leon; since she and the knight from Camelot were the only ones in the group who weren't already paired off, he gallantly offered her his arm. "I fear I'll be a poor guide, as I've spent the least time of everyone present here in Dagon, but I'll do my best."
"Well, I shall appreciate your efforts. How have you found Dagon during your visits, Sir Leon?"
"It's quite pleasant, though I shall leave it to you to judge how it compares to the fabled splendor of Nemeth."
The compliment to her homeland brought a smile to Mithian's face, although as the tour progressed, she admitted that Dagon's royal palace more than matched her standards. Eventually they made their way out to the gardens, and as they approached a small stand of flowering trees, Merlin's voice reached their ears from around a bend in the path.
"Sounds like Merlin managed to escape the council," Gwaine remarked.
Then he stopped talking and another voice answered him - a mellifluous female voice.
"And came out here to meet someone else," Mithian finished with more than a touch of annoyance. It was bad enough that he hadn't come back after concluding his business with the council, but to find him taking a stroll in the gardens with another woman! Intent on giving him a piece of her mind, she strode forward, ignoring Arthur and Gwen's attempts at holding her back...and froze once she turned the corner and saw exactly who he was talking to.
He turned around as she approached, greeting her with a polite nod. "Ah, Princess Mithian - we were just talking about you."
"Is that a real dragon?" she blurted out in response, unable to take her eyes off Merlin's companion.
"Of course she's real; we don't have any artificial dragons here," he replied with a hint of amusement. "Princess Mithian, meet Aithusa."
"So this is your potential mate?" Aithusa asked Merlin, studying Mithian as if she were a work of art on display in a gallery. The one whose arrival displeases you so?
She doesn't displease me; it isn't her fault I'm not in the best frame of mind for romance right now. Be nice. Out loud, he said, "Yes, and as I was saying, she seems lovely-"
"I'll be the judge of that," Aithusa said brusquely. She circled Mithian slowly, inspecting her from every angle before coming to a stop in front of her, sticking her snout into the princess' face, and roaring, though not at full volume - after all, Merlin had told her to be nice. Mithian flinched as the resulting blast of hot air blew her hair back from her face, but to her credit, she didn't scream, run away, or faint. Aithusa backed off, looking mildly impressed. "I suppose she'll do."
"I'm sorry about that, princess," Merlin said as Aithusa meandered off down the garden path. "She's usually quite congenial..."
"It's all right," Mithian replied breathlessly. "I've never seen such a magnificent creature."
That remark brought the ghost of a smile to his face. "Don't let her hear you say that - like most dragons, she thinks highly enough of herself as it is." He offered her his arm. "Shall we continue your tour?"
He spent the rest of the afternoon showing her anything and everything that struck her fancy, answered all her questions, and showed her every courtesy; all in all, he was a perfect host, yet Mithian couldn't help noticing that he didn't seem to be enjoying himself. Despite her best efforts to break the ice between them, his manner remained formal and detached, and she caught herself wishing Leon was still escorting her instead.
###
She came down to breakfast the next morning filled with a renewed sense of purpose and determination. After thinking about it long into the night, she had decided Merlin's distant attitude was probably just due to grief over his father's passing - she had even reminded herself to expect something like this before meeting him, although she had still hoped (foolishly, she now realized) that he would be so taken with her that he would instantly warm up to her anyway. Obviously that hadn't happened, but she was confident that she could win him over if she just kept at it. Unfortunately, her plans immediately hit a snag when she discovered that he wasn't in the dining hall.
"Don't worry, it's not you," Gwen assured her when she wondered out loud (mostly succeeding at making it sound like a jest) if he was really that desperate to avoid her. "Merlin's skipping meals has become something of a regular occurrence lately."
"Will mentioned that he's been spending a great deal of time in the library," Freya offered. "Even more than usual, that is. Will's been taking his food to him there."
That, Mithian decided, simply would not do, so she set out to intercept the manservant, catching him just as he left the kitchens. "Good morning, Will," she said pleasantly.
He blinked at her, obviously surprised to see her there. "Morning, princess. What are you doing down here? Shouldn't you be in the dining hall, getting waited on with all the other nobles?"
"Yes, but so should your master. I understand he's recently taken to eating alone in the library?"
"So? I take care of him just fine, at least as much as he'll let me. Can't make him do anything now that he's the bloody king, can I? As for where he eats, I say that's his business."
"Well, I don't think it's healthy. I'm going to get him to come eat with everyone else, or if he won't do that, I'll at least keep him company - and I'll take that, if you please." She tried to take the breakfast tray out of Will's hands, but he wouldn't let go of it.
"I don't think he'll like that," he said warningly, tugging the tray back toward himself. "Nothing comes between Merlin and his books."
"Maybe that's the problem," Mithian shot back, pulling the tray away from Will again. "It seems he's been left alone with his books far too long, but that will have to change if I'm to be his wife. I'm sure a little patience and understanding is all it'll take to bring him out of his shell."
"If you say so, princess," Will sighed, finally relinquishing the tray. He didn't want to crush her optimism by telling her that everyone had been patient with Merlin for years, and as for understanding... Will didn't even know if it was possible to truly understand someone like Merlin. Someone like Merlin? That's the problem, isn't it? he reflected. There isn't anyone like Merlin.
As Mithian triumphantly walked off with her prize, he muttered, "Good luck with that."
###
Yesterday's tour had included a stop in the library, but Mithian hadn't wanted to tarry there for long; the cavernous room - or perhaps 'rooms' would be more accurate, since there were two floors - with its secluded reading tables hidden amongst the labyrinth of shelves and its oddly muffled acoustics had made her feel like she was in a mausoleum, and she couldn't comprehend Merlin's desire to spend countless hours every day shut up in it.
"Just set it over there," Merlin directed without even looking up from whatever he was reading, gesturing vaguely at the single corner of his table that wasn't completely covered in books and papers. "Thanks, Will."
"I think you'd do better to move some of these other things and put the food where you can actually reach it."
At the sound of her voice, Merlin finally tore his nose out of his book. "Oh... I'm sorry, princess."
"It's all right," Mithian said kindly. "I know you weren't expecting me."
"I should've known you weren't Will, though; he's always a great deal noisier, no matter how many times I ask him to at least try to be quiet in here. He also doesn't wear high heels - not usually, anyway," he added with a faint grin.
Mithian was so pleased to see a hint of humor in him at last that her answering laugh was perhaps a little more enthusiastic than the joke warranted. "You know, you wouldn't have to worry about him making noise if you ate with your friends in the dining hall. I don't suppose I could persuade you to join them, could I?"
Merlin's grin vanished instantly. "I'm sorry - I wish I could, but I have so many things to do these days that this is the only time I have for my research."
"Can you not assign this task to someone else? Surely you can't be expected to be both a king and scholar at once."
"Well, we used to have someone who helped out with this kind of thing, Fredrick, but he left two years ago to care for his aging parents, and we never got around to replacing him." Which was odd, Merlin thought, because he really shouldn't be doing the work of two people, yet he had never felt overburdened or had trouble managing the many demands on his time - not until now, at any rate. Of course, he was much busier now that he was king.
"Why not?"
"I...I don't know." He'd never really thought about it before, but now that he did, he realized doing so would have felt wrong...almost disloyal, like he was trying to replace someone who was simply irreplaceable...which was ridiculous. Fredrick had been a competent scholar and sorcerer, but they were never particularly close. "Anyway, I don't mind doing it myself; it's more interesting than council meetings and paperwork."
"Then perhaps I can assist you," Mithian offered, doing her best to hide how dreary she found the prospect - not that she hated reading, it was just that she preferred to spend her time on more active pursuits. She glanced down at the nearest volume, hoping it might provide some clue as to what she might be in for, but she only managed to pick out a few words before the book slammed itself shut.
"I don't think so; this particular project is more of a personal matter."
"I see," she said softly. Judging by what little she'd seen of it, the book appeared to be about magic-related sleep disorders, and the discolored skin under Merlin's eyes made the reason for his interest in that particular topic obvious. She certainly understood why he didn't want to share something so private with a woman he'd only met yesterday, yet still she lingered, not wanting their conversation to end.
"You could come along when I hold court later, if you'd like," he suggested when it became clear she wasn't leaving. "I'd appreciate your insight."
"Yes, my lord. I look forward to it." It wasn't quite what she'd hoped for, but at least he was making some effort to spend time with her, and the invitation to participate in court proceedings seemed like a good indication that he would treat her as an equal if she became his queen. She left the library feeling that she had finally made some headway; even if she didn't have his friendship or his trust yet, at least she had his respect, which seemed like a good place to start.
As she wandered through the corridors in search of something to occupy her until court began, she came across Leon, who asked if she was lost.
"Lost? Why would you assume I'm lost, sir?"
"Begging your pardon, your highness, but you appeared uncertain of where you were going. Were you searching for the armory, perhaps? I'm on my way there myself, to collect my weapons for a session in the training yard."
"Will Gwen be there? I recall King Arthur saying that she's a knight of Dagon?"
Leon nodded.
"I can't help wondering how that came about; I've never heard of a woman being knighted before."
"Well, Gwen's always been skilled with weapons - her father was a blacksmith, you know, so she grew up around them - but she earned her knighthood by singlehandedly rescuing Merlin when he was captured and enchanted by the sorceress Morgause five years ago. His father offered her any reward she desired, but she didn't want riches or a title, so Merlin suggested making her a knight instead."
This tale raised Mithian's esteem for Gwen by several notches - and for Merlin as well, since he hadn't let her gender or her status as a blacksmith's daughter stop him from giving her the recognition she deserved. "That's very progressive of him, and it seems like a wise decision; she must have been very brave and resourceful to have saved him all on her own."
"Indeed. You're welcome to watch us spar, if you aren't otherwise engaged."
Mithian happily agreed and followed him out to the yard, where Gwen, Arthur, and Gwaine were already warming up. "Good luck!" she called out to Leon as she went to join Freya on the sidelines.
"So, did you have any luck with Merlin?"
"He asked me to sit in while he holds court later."
"He must be giving this match serious consideration, then, if he wants to see how you handle queenly duties." Freya paused to shout encouragement to her husband as he squared off against Arthur, then turned her uncannily perceptive gaze back to Mithian. "You don't seem pleased, though."
"I am," she said a little too quickly. "...I only wish he would show some interest in me as a woman, not just as a queen."
Freya smiled sympathetically and gave her a reassuring pat on the arm. "Just give him time. I've known Merlin for many years, and he's always been...reserved. Once you get to know him, though, he really is the kindest, most generous, open-minded person you could ever hope to meet. Neither Gwaine nor I would be where we are today if not for him; in fact, I'd probably be dead."
Mithian's eyes widened in surprise, but Freya didn't elaborate.
"Unfortunately, getting to know Merlin isn't the easiest thing to do," she continued, "but don't get discouraged. I think he just needs the right woman to bring down the walls he's built around himself."
"And do you think I might be that woman?"
After a barely noticeable pause, Freya replied, "I hope so."
The sound of clashing blades ceased, drawing their attention back to the field, where the four combatants had finished their sparring. As they exchanged their swords for bows and arrows, Leon asked, "Would you care to join us, Princess Mithian? I recall you mentioning yesterday that you enjoy archery."
"Did I? I'm surprised you remember...but yes, I believe I will, thank you." Her interest in archery was mainly due to the fact that it was an essential part of hunting, but a little extra practice never hurt.
"You can borrow my bow," Gwen offered. "I think it'll suit you."
Mithian took the proffered weapon, testing the supple wood in her hands and finding it to be just the right size for her. Fixing her eyes on the target, she let her arrow fly, hitting her mark with deadly accuracy.
"Excellent shooting, princess."
She whirled around, wondering how on earth Merlin had managed to sneak up on her. "Pardon me, my lord, I didn't know you were there."
"I apologize for the interruption, but we really should go now - unless you'd rather stay here, of course."
"Where are you going?" Arthur inquired as Mithian returned Gwen's bow. "I didn't know you had plans together."
"It was more of a last-minute thing, actually; she came to see me in the library earlier, and I asked if she'd like to help me out in court today."
Arthur's hopeful expression turned to one of disgust. "Merlin, I know they sound similar, but court and courting are two very different things. Tomorrow you're going to take her on a proper outing."
"I have work-" Merlin started to protest, but Arthur cut him off.
"I think the kingdom can survive you taking one day off. If it makes you feel better, I'll keep an eye on things."
"Oh gods, we're doomed."
"Don't worry, Merlin," Gwen said soothingly, "I'll make sure the castle is still standing when you come back."
###
That was how, the following afternoon, Merlin found himself riding out into the countryside with Mithian. They were alone; she hadn't even seen fit to bring along one of her knights as a chaperone because, much to her dismay, she highly doubted Merlin was going to do anything that might jeopardize her honor even a little bit. Her assumption was proven correct when they stopped for lunch - he was careful not to let his hands linger on her waist a moment longer than necessary as he helped her down from her saddle. Turning away to hide her disappointment, she began rummaging in her saddlebag for their picnic blanket.
"There's no need for you to do that, princess. Watch this." A flash of gold illuminated his eyes, and the blanket, dishes, and food flew out of their containers and arranged themselves neatly on the ground.
"You know, this is the first time I've seen you do magic," Mithian commented as she settled herself across from him on the blanket.
"Does it bother you?"
She peered at him over the rim of her wine goblet, meeting his eyes without a trace of fear or hesitation. "No, my lord. Nemeth does not actively encourage the practice of magic, but neither do we forbid it; I've even met a sorcerer or two. They all seemed to rely on the aid of some artifact or magic words in their spellcasting, though."
"Nimueh taught me to use incantations to focus my magic, because it used to get away from me when I was a child and cause all sorts of trouble, but I don't seem to need them much anymore."
"Your magic caused trouble when you were a child? I thought magicians weren't able to begin summoning power until adolescence."
"I didn't have to summon my magic," Merlin said quietly. "I was born with it."
"But that's impossible," Mithian blurted out; then, realizing that she had essentially called him a liar, quickly backtracked. "I'm sorry, my lord, I didn't mean to imply you were being untruthful-"
"No, you're right, it's supposed to be impossible. I've never met anyone else with innate magic."
Her eyes grew rather wide at that. "You must be incredibly powerful, then."
"So they say."
She couldn't help noticing that he did not seem particularly happy about it. The conversation stalled as they nibbled on their smoked turkey and cheese, before she gave in to her curiosity and asked the question that was practically burning on the tip of her tongue. "What is it like, having magic? I've always wondered about it, but I've never known a sorcerer well enough to ask before."
Merlin didn't answer right away, appearing to consider his response carefully before speaking. "I'm not sure how to describe it to you. What would you say if I asked what it's like to have brown eyes?"
"I don't know; I suppose I've never really thought about it. They're just a part of me - they've always been there, so I have no idea if it would feel different to have blue eyes instead."
"It's the same with my magic. I mean, I know the difference between sorcerers and people like you in theory, but as for how it would actually feel to not have magic... Arthur and Gwen are like family to me, but still, there are times when I think I must not be seeing the world quite the way they do."
He didn't say this like he was hoping to elicit sympathy; it was a simple statement of fact, yet it made the bottom drop out of Mithian's stomach. If even the people closest to Merlin couldn't fully connect with him, what chance did she have?
Something of her despair must have shown on her face despite her best efforts, because he asked, "Are you all right, princess?"
"Oh yes, I'm fine."
A few seconds passed in an awkward silence, during which he stared uncertainly at her and she doggedly refused to look at him, and then: "You've barely touched your food."
Mithian glanced down at her plate; it was more than half full, as was his, yet she didn't think she could take another bite. "This cheese is a bit strong for my taste."
"Do you want something else? I think Will and Sefa gave us apple pie..."
"No thank you, my lord, I'm afraid I don't have much of an appetite today."
"Neither do I. Shall we just head back, then?"
As they rode toward the city, they met Arthur, Gwaine, Leon, and a handful of other knights riding in the opposite direction. Merlin maneuvered his horse in front of Arthur's, cutting him off. "What are you doing out here? I thought you were supposed to be keeping an eye on things?"
"Guinevere and Freya seemed to have everything under control, so we decided to see if there's any game about."
"Would you mind if we joined you?" Mithian asked eagerly. "It's been far too long since I've had a good hunt."
"Well...if Merlin doesn't mind..."
Unfortunately, judging by his expression, it appeared that Merlin did mind. "I'd rather not."
"Come now, my lord, a little sport never hurt anyone."
"Sport? What kind of sport is it when one side has dogs and spears and crossbows and the other nothing?" As Mithian's face fell, he added, "But don't let me spoil your fun, princess. I'll see you back at the palace." Guiding his horse around the hunting party, he urged it into a gallop and soon left them behind.
###
After seeing that his horse was properly groomed and watered, Merlin sneaked up to his chambers with the aid of a little magic to ensure that no one noticed him, locked himself in, and flopped down on his bed, pressing his hands over his face as if blocking out external stimuli would help him think more clearly. What was he going to do about Mithian?
She was nice - in a rather pushy way - and her performance in court yesterday had demonstrated that they could rule quite effectively together, and yet, the more he got to know her, the more certain he felt that they would not be happy as husband and wife. It didn't bother him that she wasn't a sorceress; as he'd told her, he had never found anyone like himself even among his own kind, and at least she didn't seem to regard him as a monster. Their apparent lack of any common interests, on the other hand, was definitely a problem - one that could be overcome, perhaps, but doing so would take a great deal of work, and Merlin didn't think he could muster the effort. Try as he might to talk himself into it, he simply had no romantic interest in Princess Mithian.
There was more at stake than their personal happiness, though; their betrothal was the key to ending Camelot's longstanding dispute with Nemeth, which was a crucial step toward achieving peace and unity throughout Albion. Could he really put the future of the realm at risk over something as trivial as his feelings? Some Once and Future King I am! But how can I ask Mithian to spend the rest of her life with me when I know I don't love her, and probably never will? How can it be right to do that to her? Is there any right answer in a situation like this?
###
He didn't know how long he lay there, wishing Balinor was there to help him figure out what to do, missing him so much it made his insides hurt, until a new voice intruded on his increasingly miserable musings. Merlin! Merlin, come here, I think you need to see this!
He sat up, feeling disoriented as he realized how dark the room was, the sky outside his window having turned from bright blue to the deep indigo of twilight. Aithusa? What are you shouting at me for?
Just come out to the gardens, she snapped impatiently. This is important!
Knowing he wouldn't get any peace until he saw whatever it was the young dragon wanted to show him, he transported himself to the location from whence her thought-speak originated. "All right, what-" She cuffed him with her tail and hissed at him to be quiet. All right, what is it?
Aithusa used her talons to part a nearby hedge, creating a hole big enough for both of them to peer through. Isn't that your prospective mate over there, with the warrior from Camelot?
The stone bench where the two figures sat was several yards away, and the splashing of a marble fountain muffled their voices, but by using magic to sharpen his senses, Merlin was able to see and hear them clearly. Yes, that's Mithian and Leon. So what?
Since I've been staying here in the gardens, I've noticed that this particular area is popular among human couples seeking a private place to engage in amorous activities. Arthur and Guinevere come here quite frequently, she added offhandedly.
Merlin gave her a reproving look. Please tell me you haven't been spying on them.
Not very often, although I did jump out at them once. Arthur squealed like a female hatchling...
She blithely chattered on, but Merlin didn't hear any more, having turned his attention back to Leon and Mithian.
"No, I'm not saying I don't like Merlin, but love? It's hard to love someone who seems to be miles away even when he's sitting right beside you. I've tried everything I can think of to get through to him, but honestly, I don't think he wants me to. I don't think he wants...me." Mithian lowered her head, her dark hair falling over her face as she blinked back tears.
Leon hesitated, then slowly reached out and tucked the curtain of hair behind her ear. "I'm sorry, princess..."
"Please don't call me that; it sounds so cold and impersonal. I kept waiting for him to say my name, just once, but he never did..."
"...Mithian. Merlin is my friend, a man I like and respect...but in this case, if I may be so bold, I believe he is making a grave mistake. You deserve much better."
"It's not a question of what I deserve. My duty is to Nemeth, and the benefits of a union with Dagon and improved relations with Camelot are too great to ignore...so if he asks me to be his queen - and I expect he will, since he takes his duties as seriously as I do - I'm going to say yes. But first, I would ask a favor of you, Leon."
"Name it - if it is within my power to grant, I will."
"Before I consign myself to a loveless marriage...just once, I'd like to kiss a man who actually cares for me."
"Mithian..." Leon started to pull away, but she grabbed his hand.
"I am not his fiancée yet, so there will be no stain on your honor, or mine. Please, I just..." Her voice faltered, the frantic torrent of words trailing off into a tense silence. When she spoke again, she sounded as if she was on the verge of breaking down. "I imagine I have a great many lonely years ahead, and I...I just want one real kiss to look back on... Even if all you feel for me is friendship, can you not allow me to pretend, for one moment, that it might have been more?"
"You needn't pretend, Mithian," Leon said quietly. "I enjoy your company very much; if only we had met under different circumstances..."
Smiling sadly, she curled a hand around the back of his neck as she leaned in and...
Merlin quickly turned away from the opening in the hedge and pressed his back against the wall of greenery, his mind reeling as he tried to figure out what to do with this new information. Aithusa watched him apprehensively, obviously worried about how he would react to such a betrayal by his potential 'mate', but far from being hurt or angry, all he felt was relief. Mithian wasn't in love with him either - for which he fervently thanked the Goddess, because as the gears continued turning in his head, Merlin began to think he just might have found a way to avoid marrying her after all.
###
"What's going on?" Gwaine asked as he and Freya entered the throne room. "Did Merlin tell you anything, Gwen?"
She shook her head. "I was just told to come here after lunch, same as you."
"Honestly, you two, it's obvious why he summoned us," Arthur said impatiently. "He and Mithian are going to announce their engagement. Introducing them was one of my more brilliant ideas, if I do say so myself."
Gwen and Freya exchanged dubious looks behind Arthur's back; based on what they'd seen of Merlin and Mithian's interactions, 'brilliant' wasn't the first word that popped into their heads. They just hoped their friend knew what he was doing, was doing it for the right reasons, and wouldn't come to regret it later.
They took their places among the courtiers, and a few minutes later Merlin and Mithian came in through a door at the front of the room and stood before the dais, facing their audience. Merlin glanced sideways at his companion; when she nodded encouragingly, he cleared his throat and began speaking. "Thank you all for coming. Princess Mithian and I have an important announcement to make; while we look forward to forming closer ties of friendship between our kingdoms - and Camelot, of course - after discussing the matter at great length, we've decided that marriage is not the best way to achieve this."
"But what about the treaty?" Arthur demanded, his voice rising over the courtiers' bewildered murmurings. "You can't expect King Rodor to give up Gedref without getting a husband for his daughter in exchange!"
"And I've found one," Mithian informed him. "I've grown quite fond of your knight, Sir Leon, and he has agreed to be my husband - with your permission, of course, sire."
The shocked murmurs grew louder, while Freya hid a grin behind her hand, Leon looked as if he would very much like to sink through the floor, and Arthur looked as if he'd been clubbed over the head. When he was able to speak again, he asked, "Leon...are you sure about this?"
"Yes, your majesty. I'm quite fond of Princess Mithian too, and I have no doubt that in time, we will come to love one another. Besides, it's time I found a wife and settled down - as my aunt is kind enough to remind me in every letter she writes," he added ruefully.
"Well, if this is what you both want, I won't stand in your way. Now, if you'll all excuse us, I'd like a private word with Merlin."
At Merlin's assenting nod, everyone slowly filtered out. Freya hesitated, but Gwaine took her arm and urged her toward the door. "Come on - we agreed to stay out of this business with arranged marriages and politics, remember?"
Gwen also lingered, silently beseeching her fiancé not to let his temper get the better of him. Feeling her gaze boring into him, he sighed and said, "Look, Guinevere, I really do just want to talk to him. Just give us a moment, all right?"
"Very well, if you promise to behave yourself."
The guards stationed outside the throne room shut the door behind her, leaving Merlin alone with a very unhappy Arthur.
And this is why Arthur shouldn't quit his day job as king to run a dating service. I'd intended to put his and Merlin's conversation about why Merthian didn't happen in this chapter until I realized how long it was getting, and then I decided to push it back, which is too bad, because I think having it in here might've helped reduce the possibly fillerish feel of this chapter. On the other hand, it also would've prolonged the writing time, and I didn't want to keep you guys waiting another week.