A/N: First of all I'd love to say a massive thanks to every follower/favourite of this story. I've had over 5,700 views! This is fantastic so a massive thank you to everyone who's keeping with this story, it means the world to me. I will probably wrap this up soon as I don't want this to stretch longer than it should. However I will be writing a sequel based on the Queen of Hearts. I am considering calling it The King of Merthur, but ideas for names would be welcome. It will simply be the same storyline with Merthur, but I might add a few twists and turns.

"Merlin," Arthur yelled, storming in to his chambers and seeing his man servant polishing armour.

"Yes sire?" Merlin said getting up and bowing.

"Why did you say that there was a sighting of a beast? I just went and asked my father, interrupting one of the last peace talks going on, anyway he said that he had no idea what I was talking about. Do you know how embarrassing it was?"

"I'm sorry sire." Merlin replied not looking up from the armour.

"What is it Merlin? Look, I know, I remind you of Freya don't I?"

"No, it's just that…"

"What. I understand how you feel. Look you won't ever have to see me again,"

"But Arthur…"

"I release you from my service. You may go; I will make sure you still earn enough money and everything. But this way then neither of us will have to go through any pain."

"Arthur, will you let me speak?"

"Please don't. If I'm honest I'm in enough pain as it is, please just leave." Arthur begged in such a way that Merlin did just leave.

Arthur had a lot of thinking to do. He was considering to propose to Vivian. It was true that he absolutely hated her, well he didn't love her. But his father had been talking about how an alliance between Camelot and Odin's kingdom would be incredibly powerful.

After all that's what Arthur's marriage would come down to, whether it was sooner or later. The only problem was that Arthur didn't love her. He loved Merlin. As much as he wished it wasn't true (I mean their lives would be so much simpler) it was.

Even if Merlin did love him back, which he didn't, it would never be able to happen. For starters it was against the law, his father would never approve, Merlin was a servant and the people and neighbouring Kingdoms wouldn't approve.

"That decides it." He said and couldn't help sigh a little. Arthur then got up and went to find his father and Odin to ask for there approval.

Uther's reaction was delighted, "I couldn't think of a better Queen. The alliance will be tremendous. Well done Arthur, I'm proud of you. Just make sure Odin is happy, we really don't want war."

Odin's reaction was also delighted, although a bit hesitant at first, "Arthur I have to tell you that I have always been a bit worried about letting my daughter marry. The last thing I want her to do is to have a broken heart. However I know that she is constantly talking about you, if anyone is worthy of my daughter's hand then it is you Arthur Pendragon. You have my blessing."

Arthur then asked Morgana's maid Gwen about a ring Vivian would like. Gwen as always was happy to help and so the two set off towards Camelot's market.

Because Gwen had been working for Vivian she knew what kind of things Vivian liked. Within 2 minutes Gwen had shown him all the highly expensive and ugly rings that she knew Vivian would like.

"I'd have thought you'd have given her your mothers engagement ring, I understand Uth… I mean the King has that locked up somewhere."

"He does. My father actually offered for me to give it to her…"

"Why don't you?"

"This will sound crazy and probably stupid, but I don't want her to have it. It is my mothers and one of the few things that are part of her. I feel that Vivian would just spoil it."

"Do you not trust her?"

"To be honest with you this is a marriage based on alliances, not love."

"Well that's just silly, why would you marry someone who you don't love? You're going to spend the rest of your life with her, if you don't think it will make you happy then what is the point of doing it?"

"Because the person I love is taken."It just slipped from Arthur's lips.

"Oh…"

"I'm sorry Gwen, just ignore that."

"Of course sire."

"What do you think Vivian will like the most?"

"This one, it has the largest price on it and the whole appearance is very, err… elaborate. Lady Vivian will love it."

"Elaborate, I just think it looks over the top." Arthur chuckled.

"Likewise." Gwen agreed, "But not Vivian. "

When the ring was bought, Arthur headed back to the castle where he got one of the servants to dress him. He then called everyone important in to the hall.

When everyone was there he called Vivian out to stand in front of him. Then Arthur did it.

"Lady Vivian." He stammered, "Will you become my… Wife?" He whispered the last word.

At first Vivian let out a high pitched shriek. Then she kissed Arthur fully on the lips and moaned in to his mouth.

"Yes"

So they were to be married. Merlin went to Arthur's chambers (he still had the key from when he was Arthur's manservant). He then sat on the seat and waited calmly for Arthur to return.

After he proposed, Arthur escorted Vivian to her chambers and then returned to his room.

"Merlin? What are you doing here?"

"Arthur…"Merlin spoke calmly, "We need to talk."

A/N: Not long left. Again a massive thank you to everyone who's bothered to read this. Thank you soooooooo much!