A/N: What's up guys? I'm back, with just a brief update for you. You will note this is the beginning of Part 5: Fate's Revenge, which I am pleased to announce will be the last part of Vision of Happiness. I have enjoyed this fanfiction so very much, and I hope you guys have as well. But as it draws to a close, I hope I've got just a few more surprises in store for you. So buckle up. I'd like to think this is going to be a crazy ride. ;)
MusicalsandMordred: I'm sorry it was during the middle of your bio class, but I'm so happy you liked it! Hope you like this one as well.
SantaClaws3: It's from Thor 2. ;P I hope you like this one as well!
NerdGirlAlert: And the virtual milkshake goes to you! Kudos! Thank you so much!
And now, without further ado...To Camelot.
The next year was one full of growth, changes, and healing for Camelot. It had taken Arthur nearly three months to fully heal from losing so much blood. His healing was only prolonged by constant trips back and forth between Camelot and Caerleon.
Slowly, Albion was coming alive. Many of Caerleon's soldiers remained in Camelot to help rebuild after Lot's defeat. Merlin and Leon had negotiated a treaty with Lot that had granted a third of Lot's lands to Camelot. New lords were put over the lands, but on the whole the change of government was welcomed.
Caerleon, however, was much slower to grow accustomed to their new leader. Arthur faced many challenges as he adjusted to a joint rule. Unfortunately, this required much of his time to be spent in Caerleon, while Camelot was left largely under Merlin's, and later Gwen's, rule.
A shaky, but growing peace had reached the kingdom when Merlin and Adrianne finally found time to unite in marriage. As the baby princess Nissa approached her first birthday, Camelot prepared for a wedding to rival all but Arthur and Gwen's union so many years before.
"Merlin, will you be still for just two seconds?" Arthur demanded, roughly wrestling his friend back in front of him. He was attempting to fasten the clasp of Merlin's cloak in a rare show of brotherly assistance.
"I'm nervous, alright?" Merlin blew out a breath. He had nearly cut himself shaving that morning his hands were shaking so much.
"Not having second thoughts are you?"
"Of course not. I've waited for this a long time. I just...I don't know."
"I understand."
Merlin gave him a look. "Really?"
"Come on, don't you remember me before my wedding?"
"Well yeah, but I thought you were just worried about what the people would think."
"That was part of it, of course. Still...it's a sobering thought, to fully give yourself to a woman with everything that you are."
"Aren't you supposed to be reassuring me?"
Arthur smiled a little. "Look, you love her, and she loves you. I think that's all you need."
"You're positive all the flowers were set up in the Great Hall?" Adri pressed.
"Yes, my lady." Raya's voice was full of forced patience.
"And my parents will be…"
"Up front, I instructed the guards specifically. I even told Sir Leon to ensure it."
"And I made sure to inform them of it when I spoke to them last night," Gwen chimed in. "They'll be next to Hunith."
"And Merlin has everything he needs?"
"The king is with him now." Raya tried to steer Adri in front of her vanity so she could begin doing her hair.
"Oh! Are you positive…"
"Yes, my lady."
"But I didn't…"
"Adri!" Gwen and Raya shouted simultaneously.
Adrianne looked up, eyes a little wide. Gwen smiled gently at her, taking her hand and leading her to the vanity.
"Everything is perfectly in order. You need to relax and let Raya turn you into the most beautiful bride Camelot has ever seen."
Adri smiled slightly. "I think that was you, my lady."
"Pish posh." Gwen slapped her shoulder lightly. "Raya, why don't you see to our bride's dress and jewelry while I do her hair?"
"Guinevere?" Adri looked up at her in surprise.
"Trust me, doing hair is my own special form of magic." Gwen picked up a brush, running it down Adri's long chestnut curls. Raya gave Gwen a knowing smile before moving to check on the bridal gown.
"Nervous?" Gwen asked softly.
"Very." Adri laughed shakily. "I suppose I shouldn't be. We've been planning this for ages. I'm sure everyone had almost given up on us ever getting married."
"I think that's what most people thought about Arthur and myself. Our courtship was so long. Our engagement was very short, though." Gwen's expression darkened for a moment, recalling all that had happened just before Arthur and she had finally had their nuptials.
"So much has changed for me, so fast. A little under two years, and I have a whole new family." Adri drew a deep breath.
"And soon a husband." Gwen's smile was gentle as she began to plait Adri's hair.
"And soon a husband." She let out her breath. "I want to be a good wife. He's everything I've ever hoped for. I want...I want to be what he needs, too."
"You already are." Gwen laid a hand on her shoulder comfortingly. "Believe me. You already are."
Merlin forced himself to take deep breaths. Arthur had already entered the filled Great Hall with Guinevere. He knew Arthur would be standing on the platform as Gwen sat on her throne beside him. Pippa and Rowan would be seated next to Gwen, while Nissa napped in the nursery with Poppy.
The doors swung open, and Merlin made sure to look straight ahead as he strode forward. He knelt briefly in front of Arthur before rising and standing to the left side of the stairs. Arthur gave him a small smirk. Merlin grinned shakily back at him, blowing out a breath.
The trumpets blew. Merlin closed his eyes as the sound reverberated through the hall. When he opened them, his face went lax at the sight before him.
Adri glided in with all the stately grace of a queen. Her dress was a pure white, a silky light fabric making up the skirt, swirling around her legs as she walked like a mist. The tight white bodice was embroidered with silver. The sleeves came off her shoulders, leaving them bare and flowing from embroidered straps down to sheer white material that rippled over her arms. Her feet were shod in white slippers, the tips of which barely peeked out from her swishing skirt.
She carried a bouquet of lilies. A broad, happy, but shy smile was on her face. The guests bowed to her as she passed, but she only had eyes for Merlin. Part of her hair was twisted in a bun at the top of her head. Braids woven with silver ribbon ran back to meet the bun. The rest of her hair was left loose and flowing over her shoulders. A simple, silver pendant set with a single sapphire hung around her neck.
Merlin felt tears rising to his eyes. This beautiful, wonderful, beloved creature was to be his for all eternity. He bit his lip, laughing softly, shakily, as the first tear fell.
Adri's eyes shone as she reached Merlin's side. She handed her bouquet off to Raya who stood waiting for that purpose. She took Merlin's hand and together they bowed to Arthur.
The king smiled down at them, stepping down the platform to stand just above them. "My lords, ladies, and gentlemen of the joined kingdoms of Camelot and Caerleon." He cleared his throat, looking out at the crowd. "We are gathered here today to celebrate, by the ancient rite of handfasting, the union of Lord Merlin Emrys and Lady Adrianne Teagan. Is it your wish Merlin, to become one with this woman?"
Merlin swallowed back tears. "It is."
"Is it your wish, Adrianne, to become one with this man?"
Adri smiled widely. "It is."
"Do any say nay?"
Merlin and Adri both let out a barely audible sigh of relief as silence reigned. Arthur smiled slightly. He turned, motioning to a page who stood with a flowered garland waiting on a pillow. He took the garland, wrapping it around Merlin and Adri's clasped hands.
"With this garland I do tie a knot and by doing so bind your hands and your hearts for all eternity. You may now repeat your vows. Lord Merlin."
Merlin let out a breath, laughing slightly before sobering as he met Adri's eyes. "I, Merlin, take thee Adrianne, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward. I shall love and cherish you till death do us part. I shall not seek to change thee in anyway. I shall respect thee as I respect myself."
"Lady Adrianne?"
Adri smiled tenderly at Merlin. "I, Adrianne, take thee Merlin, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward. I shall love and cherish you till death do us part. I shall not seek to change thee in anyway. I shall respect thee as I respect myself."
Arthur untied and removed the garland, handing it back to the waiting page. "And now, for the rings."
Merlin pulled a gold ring from his pocket. It was the same as Adrianne's engagement ring, by his own family's tradition.
"With this ring, I thee wed," Merlin slipped it onto Adri's thumb, "and with my body I thee honor," he moved it to her index finger, "and with all my worldly goods I thee endow." He moved the ring finally to her ring finger. "From now until the end of eternity."
Raya stepped forward, handing Adrianne a simple ring. "With this ring, I thee wed, and with my body I thee honor, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow, from now until the end of eternity." She repeated the movement of the rings until finally slipping it on his ring finger.*
"I now pronounce you man and wife." Applause rang out as Merlin swept his wife into his arms, kissing her. She giggled against him.
"Now you're mine," he whispered.
"Mmm, and you're mine," she replied softly. They were both smiling as they turned to face the crowd. Adri slipped her arm through his as the doors at the back of the hall flew open.**
"Merlin Emrys!" A heavyset man strode through the doors. His arms were bare, revealing the mark of a Druid. The guards had drawn their swords, moving forward.
"Stand down!" Arthur called quickly. "Sir, may I ask what your business is here at this sacred occasion?"
"I come bearing a message for Merlin Emrys," the Druid replied, his low, gravelly voice almost a growl. There was a soft gasp off to the side. Pippa had pressed a hand over her mouth, eyes filled with terror. Gwen rose, moving to lay a hand protectively on her daughter's shoulder.
Merlin stepped forward slightly, his hand still grasping Adri's. "I am Merlin Emrys."
"This I know." The Druid strode forward. Merlin's eyes narrowed and Arthur's hand found the hilt of his sword, but otherwise no one moved.
"Heed my words and the heed them well, my lord. Prophecy and Fate have sent me to warn you of your coming destruction. The path that you have chosen will lead you to ruin and destruction. Your Fate is sealed. Do not try to escape it again, Emrys, for it will only bring you greater pain. This is your warning Emrys. You must let destiny have its way."
"And who," Merlin's voice was dangerously low, "are you to make such a claim?"
"The Seer of return. The Watcher of the destruction of men." Pippa's voice was watery, a terrified awe as the small voice echoed in the chamber. Heads swiveled towards the princess, Guinevere, Arthur, Merlin, and Adri's eyes filled with concern and shock.
"The Princess Sorceress speaks the truth, for Prophecy has shown her this as well. You have twisted destiny, Emrys. You have challenged Fate." the Druid sneered at him now. "You in your arrogance have changed what was meant to be!*** Fate does not look kindly upon you now, Magic."
"Then Fate is wrong," Merlin growled.
"Arrogant fool! You know nothing of the world****. Fate did all she could for you, Emrys. She was kind, as tender as she could be. But you were greedy! You demanded more, and in your ignorance you have chosen a new path. One that will send you down realms of misery. Magic will be stripped from this world, till the Albion that you know is no more. Destiny will have its course restored. You have played with the balance of Life and Death. Now Destiny will do the same. You have proven one thing, Emrys: the dead do not always stay dead."
Merlin's heart stopped. "What did you say?"
"You will rue the day you wrest Destiny from its course, Emrys. This is no longer Arthur's story. It is yours. Destiny brings your bane to punish you for your arrogance. And if you wish to spare those you love more pain, you will submit to its judgement."
"My bane? What is my bane?" Merlin demanded. "Morgana?"
"Why isn't it obvious, Emrys?" The Druid met his gaze, anger and disgust rolling from him in waves just as his eyes softened with a strange pity. "It's the Once and Future king. Your bane is Arthur Pendragon."
A/N: Yeah, okay, short, dramatic, and ominous. Hopefully the next one will be longer/better. But! I hope you enjoyed this one all the same.
*The marriage ceremony is based on the ones in Merlin, as well as a medieval/celtic ceremony I found (a.k.a the rings) that I thought was really cool.
**Yeah okay, I realize this is corny, but give me a break.
***Ironic...this is what fanfiction writers do with screenwriters' work. :P
****Let's play guess that quote! My personal kudos and virtual ice cream cones to anyone who gets it right.
