Chapter twenty-six

Confessing to Uther

Arthur gripped Gwen's hand tight in his as they entered the throne room. His father turned around from where he was addressing a dignitary and his face froze. Then, the hard look settled upon his firm brow.

"Hold everything!" He bit out before walking up to them. "I ordered this kitchen wench out of the kingdom! Arrest her!"

Arthur spoke quickly. "You do so at your own peril!" His words caused his father to stop. "Guinevere is legally, the crowned princess of Dormin."

"You lie." His father spat. "You're lying."

Gwen looked around and nodded at a servant who approached carrying a small chest. "I've brought proof of my title if you now wish to look at it."

"I wouldn't dirty my hands! How did this come about? Where's the real princess? Princess Ariana?"

"Here!" Ariana said from behind them. "Was I missed?"

Ariana looked as if she'd fallen into a fountain, which, if Merlin's proposal had gone all right, probably meant he'd accidentally knocked her in the water. However, she was glowing with a brilliant radiance about her. He glanced at Merlin, he looked like his typically stupid self, but there was a light in his eyes that couldn't be diminished.

"You." Uther said. "You're the cause of all this."

She nodded. "Actually, my father and my fiancé are the cause of all this." She held up her hand, showing off a simple wedding band. "I expect to be his wife by the end of this week."

"How dare you!" Uther shouted. "Have you no sense of responsibility?"

"I do. That's why I gave the kingdom to Gwen. She's level headed, intelligent and can take care of the people in her kingdom. She has compassion and understanding. Dormin is flourishing under her care far better than it would have under mine."

"You, did this to spite me."

"As much as I'd like to say yes to that, I can't. No, I did it because I wasn't happy, I wanted a simpler life and I wanted to be allowed to marry the man I'm in love with."

"He must be a great man," Uther said sarcastically "if you're giving up your kingdom."

Ariana smiled. "Indeed he is."

"I demand to know who he is!" Uther said.

Arthur watched as Ariana and Merlin stood there for a few moments. But, then Merlin came up behind Ariana and wrapped his arms around her waist. Everyone gasped and began talking loudly amongst themselves.

"This is ridiculous!" Uther shouted. "This boy…is an idiot! He can't support you!"

"We can live a perfectly comfortable life." She said. "We've got everything worked out. And Merlin, isn't a boy, he's a man."

"This is insane! Are you aware that he spent four days in a row in the stocks?"

She nodded. "I am. And I am aware it was only to cover up some little messes Arthur made, and he can't deny it because I can see the past."

"You." He sneered at Merlin. "I don't know what you did to get her to say yes."

"Neither do I sire," he said. "I had to propose five-"

"Six."

"Six times." He tilted his head. "Thank you Ariana."

"Six?" Arthur asked. "He proposed to her, six times?"

"They didn't go to plan." She explained.

"And, I gave her six opportunities to say no but she said yes each time."

"And the whole time she was here, you've been seducing a princess behind my back!"

Arthur snorted. "Forgive me father, but I don't think Merlin is capable of seducing anyone."

His father frowned. "True, he doesn't have the brains to do that."

Ariana smirked flirtatiously before replying suggestively. "You'd be surprised."

As Merlin's ears went red, Uther exploded. "This is ridiculous. If it weren't for the promise to your father I'd have you jailed for this!"

"I don't doubt you. After all, you chained your own daughter in the dungeons once. Now, enough with the arguing, I'm just putting in an appearance here. Have the toasts been drunk?"

"And they won't be!" Uther said. "I forbid it!"

Arthur frowned at him. "Why? You said I couldn't marry a serving girl! I demand to know why I cannot marry her now!"

"Arthur, you listen to me-"

"No!" everyone looked up at his outburst. "I love Gwen! I have always loved her!" Gwen blushed as everyone looked at her. All were wondering how a simple servant girl could have captured Prince Arthur's heart. "I have never loved another and no matter…how hard I tried not to love her, I fall more and more in love with her."

"Ariana's an enchantress-"

"I've been in love with Gwen long before Ariana showed up!" He snapped. "I will not listen to anymore you have to say against Gwen. They are all weak and feeble excuses because you cannot swallow your pride!"

"You watch your-"

"I am not finished yet!" Arthur inhaled and spoke a little more calmly. "I am solemnly stating before all these witnesses that I'll not wed another."

Ariana clapped loudly. "Bravo Arthur!" Merlin grabbed her hands and shook his head slightly. She pouted. "Spoil sport."

His father shook his head in completely astonishment. "I don't understand you Arthur. You must be possessed. You've never spoken to me in such a manner before."

"I only speak so to try to make you understand. Because I love her, and need her like I need to breathe!" he exhaled. "Now, we shall go back to the feast and not speak another word. With or without your permission, I will marry Gwen tomorrow."

"You forget who's court you're in." Uther growled. "I've had you arrested once and thrown in jail, don't make me do so again."

Ariana cleared her throat. "I am offering my magical services to break Arthur out if you choose to do so."

"You and your magic," Uther spat. "I could have you executed!"

"Actually, according to the terms, my father didn't not state to take care of princess Ariana. He said, to take care of his daughter Ariana. You're stuck Uther, there will be magic in the heart of Camelot and you cannot do away with me. However, you will be needing my services tonight to talk to your wife, Ygraine."

Her words had the desired affect and he went pale. Arthur frowned. "Why?"

"It is during times like this that one should talk to ones departed spouse." She stared Uther in the eye. "It will do you good. Say things to her…that you'd wished that you'd been wanting to say for years. And I'm sure, Ygraine, has things to say to him as well. And I won't take no for an answer." With that, Ariana spun around on her heel and walked out of the banquet hall leaving everyone in shock.