Once the two older dragons had left Aithusa found Merlin, and refused to leave his side. Merlin though she was probably a bit over awed with the number of humans about, so he introduced he once again to Freya, and Aithusa seemed happier to have two humans to make a fuss of her. Merlin couldn't help but think in many ways dragon hatchlings were much like human toddlers in their need for company. Freya was only too willing to help look after the young dragon and secretly hoped Ffion and Kilgarrah produced an egg soon. Another hatchling would be good company for Aithusa.

As soon as all the arrangements were made the group set off for Wales and the first wedding ceremony. The two kings and princess were well guarded, as well as the knights from Powys the sentinel knights and a dozen others including Leon from Camelot travelled with them. They would travel back with the newlyweds when they returned home. Lancelot stayed at Camelot in charge of the Knights there, the Queen Mother Hunith was also staying at Camelot. Percival and Eylan were at Essetir with Gaius. On the return journey they would travel back to Camelot with the group to attend the wedding and coronation of the new Queen.

As the group travelled through the countryside Merlin was reminded of his quest for the dragon scale. He loved the high mountains, even if it did make travel more difficult. They had been give permission from the other kingdoms to pass through, most considered the match between Merlin and Garwyn's daughter a good one for the area. Once they reached Garwyn's kingdom they saw more and more people, as the local villages came out to see the group as they travelled through. It seemed a poorer kingdom that Camelot, and mostly relied on hunting and sheep for food. There was some arable crops grown but the soil was rocky and hard to work. But the people were happy and seemed to love their King.

As they approached the castle at Matricafal, Merlin was struck by the differences between his home and this castle. Garwyn's castle was a fortress with none of the embellishments of Camelot. It was built purely for defence and was a square block built round an inner courtyard. It had a small town built up around it. Inside it was well enough presented, and the royal and guest chambers were well furnished. The lower floor was clearly used to house livestock in times of attack or harsh winters. Merlin felt from the landscape that the winters would be hard here.

Once settled in Freya showed Merlin around, and explained that often in the winter the snow became six foot deep and the people would move into the square for protection from the worse of the weather. Merlin was impressed with the castles defences, and fully believed his intended when she said the castle had never been taken. He gained several ideas to improve Camelot's defences. There was a feast to welcome the King home, and to show off Merlin to the people. The match was considered a good one and the people were pleased.

The wedding was to take place three days after their return. Messages had been sent ahead and so the preparations were well underway. Freya admitted that as she had seen her wedding, in her dreams, she had already had her dress started before she left for Camelot.

The dragons had already flown over the castle on their journey into the mountains, and the mating of the two was seen as a good omen for times to come. The day before the wedding Merlin was not permitted to see Freya and was left with his knights for company. He was clearly nervous about the whole thing. He loved Freya but the thought of marriage suddenly seemed so permanent. Arthur and Gwaine did their best to help their King, although Gwaine's comments about the wedding night didn't help. But Merlin knew what to expect from the knights and vowed to return the favour in the run up to their weddings. He was sure Queen Annis and her son would help him to plot Gwaine's bachelor night.

The wedding was well planned and was attended by all the couriers and Lords of Powys as well as the Kings from the neighbouring Kingdoms. The invited guests and King Garwyn and his Queen were in the Great Hall as the couple entered. First to enter was Merlin, flanked by his Sentinel knights, all in full Camelot regalia, Merlin wearing his dragon scale over his clothing as respect to the dragons, his crown on his head sparkling in the lights against his black hair. As he reached the front he turned to back to face the door, as the Princess Freya walked down the centre aisle, flanked by her two best friends. Merlin gazed at his soon to be queen. Her gown was exquisite and embroidered with red Dragon of Powys and the golden Dragon of Camelot, her veil covering her face. Merlin didn't even realise he had been holding his breath, until she stood beside him and her father started to speak. As the highest ranking person there King Garwyn stood by the Chief druid as the druid performed the hand fasting ceremony. Neither Freya nor Merlin was in any state to do anything other than answer the questions as asked. But once the chief Druid proclaimed them hand fasted before the gods Merlin moved and kissed his new wife.

The two Kingdoms were now joined; the couple went down to the courtyard to allow the gathered crowds a look at the newlyweds. Not only was there a feast for the nobility, but the King had arranged a feast for the townspeople. The celebrations went on well into the night. As Powys was also a kingdom where Magic was fully embraced there were many shows of magic happening during the celebrations', but the one that got the most attention was the spontaneous show by Merlin, as he not only made a heart shape of rose petals appear in the air in front of Freya, but he also presented her a basket of wild strawberries from thin air. During the feast Aithusa was supposed to sit with the knights, but she crept up to Merlin and ended up sat on his lap at one point, much to everyone's delight. A white dragon was considered a sign of good luck and prosperity in both kingdoms.

Long before the feast finished Merlin and Freya dance the dance expected of them, before leaving the rest to celebrate alone as they went to their chambers. As the couple had not yet married in Camelot they had previously decided they would not consummate their new state, but that wouldn't stop them spending the time together. Freya was very shy, and by sleeping together without the pressure of intercourse, gave her time to get used to her husband. Merlin so wanted to make love to his wife, but the true gentleman he was accepted her wishes and spent the night holding her and peppering her face and neck with kisses. Once the second ceremony had taken place they would truly become husband and wife.

Freya was grateful for her husband's patience. When he mother had told her what to expect on her wedding night she had been terrified. After all she had only known Merlin a matter of weeks. She told Merlin that she was scared and that was when he suggested the delay to allow them to get to know one another better. He knew that many would consider him a fool, but he loved Freya and the fear in her eyes had made him make the suggestion to her. Being held in his arms was a wonderful experience and she was sure when the time came she would be able to face her deflowering.