A Marriage that Started a Legend

by IJustShowedUp

Follows canon but with my own arranged marriage spin on it. What happens when Hunith makes a mistake and is forced on the run with her infant son? What happens when Camelot knights find her twenty years later? What happens when Arthur learns he's betrothed to a peasant boy? Will Merlin be able to stand among royalty? Will these two different boys survive each other? Review!

15. Chapter 15

The wedding was over, it was official. Arthur was now a married man and Merlin was now a Pendragon. So why was Merlin still standing on the platform next to his new husband in front of the cheering crowd of onlooking nobles? He couldn't fathom why he hadn't been able to leave yet. All Merlin wanted to do was retreat to his room. Scratch that, all he wanted to do was retreat to Gaius' chambers. Just so he could have a moment alone and go over exactly what had just happened.

Like the fact that he couldn't wait to ditch these clothes. The rich fabric was making him itch and he would never be able to pay to get these repaired if he ripped it or spilled something on it. Or the fact that his finger felt funny, he'd never worn a ring before and right now, it was all he could notice. The cold metal that was starting to warm up against the heat of his flesh. It was something he was supposed to wear from now on, something that signified his marriage to Arthur.

Being that he didn't have much, he'd never really owned much, he was good at keeping track of his things. When you didn't have much, you learned to make sure the few things you did have were accounted for. He couldn't imagine how much a ring like this would cost to be replaced if he lost it. He'd be working off that debt for his lifetime. Hell, if he ever had kids, his grandkids would probably still be working to pay off that kind of debt.

But the most distracting part out of all of this was the way his lips burned. It hadn't been more than a press of the lips, so soft and quick that he'd barely had time to register it before it was over. That didn't stop the weird burning sensation that refused to leave his lips. Merlin poked his tongue out just to wet his lips, hoping it would ease the burning sensation that Arthur had left behind.

He was pretty sure that all he did was make it burn worse. Because of course it did, why wouldn't him trying to help make it worse? That was pretty much his entire life story in that single sentence right there.

Meanwhile, standing right beside him, Arthur was feeling pretty much the exact opposite. While Merlin was burning, Arthur was feeling cold, like ice. He stood so straight that it couldn't be natural. His face was like a work of marble. It was as if he was worried that even a twitch of a facial muscle would break the carefully crafted mask he wore.

All Arthur could feel was his new ring on his finger. He was no stranger to wearing rings and this ring felt no different than any other he'd worn. But it was different and that was the problem. It wasn't just a simple ring, it was a wedding ring on his left hand. The ring would have been just fine, comfortable, if Arthur didn't have it in his head that this ring bonded him to Merlin. It felt cold, like a chill working it's way up his hand, the cold metal biting into his finger in a way that it wasn't supposed to. It was all in his head of course but that didn't mean it felt any less real.

And don't even get him started on his lips. It had barely been a millisecond but he swore that he could taste something that he'd never tasted before. And he could only come to the conclusion that it was Merlin. At that thought, the only word he could think of to explain the taste was peasant. There had been no concoction that usually covered the lips of the girl's he had been with in the passed. It was dry and unpleasant. He wanted to lick his lips in an effort to get rid of the fleeting taste and replace it with his own but he didn't dare move a muscle. He was worried that all it might do was emphasize the lingering feel of lips against his own.

At this point, Arthur wasn't even sure if his heart was beating in his rib cage. It felt as if it was encased in ice, making it harder for him to breathe although he didn't dare show any discomfort on his face. He wouldn't allow himself to show any weakness before his people, his family, and especially his husband.

That word made a chill erupt down his spine, so cold and icy that Arthur had to physically force himself not to react to it. His husband, repeated like a mantra in his head, pounding against his skull. Arthur had it in his head that all he had to do was get through the wedding and everything would be over. That he could move on with his life as if this moment had never happened.

But now that it was over, now that he was married, he was starting to think that it wasn't over. Not by a long shot. Because he couldn't just send Merlin back to where ever he came from and then forget all about him. No, now he was stuck with him.

Across the room, the steward was standing on one of the benches trying to get everybody's attention. "Excuse me, may I have your attention...excuse me!" He tried calling over them a little bit louder.

But nobody looked up, to busy chattering among themselves about the wedding ceremony or gossiping over the new couple. It was actually getting louder and louder.

Merlin could hear a thumping in his ears because of how loud it was getting, making his head ache. Arthur didn't acknowledge it but his head was starting to pound as the worst headache he'd ever gotten emerged.

There was suddenly a sharp whistle that penetrated through the air. Everybody went deadly silent, trying to figure out where the sound had come from.

The steward standing on his bench glanced down to the knight standing on the ground beside him. "Em, thank you Daniel." The steward blustered, face red and sweating as he adjusted his glasses that had begun to slide down his nose.

"...It's Derrick." The knight corrected dryly. The steward never did seem to remember his name although he remembered others just fine. Derrick was convinced that he had the wrong type of glasses for his eyes because there was a knight named Daniel who looked similar enough to Derrick. If somebody couldn't see right, it would be easy to mix the two of them up, even if the other knight wasn't one of the few that were in the room at this moment.

"Er...right." The steward said awkwardly before turning to the crowd of nobles that were now staring at him. Most of them looked bored now, wanting to get back to their own conversations. The steward cleared his throat before pushing through, "Now that I've got your attention, if you would all go to the grand hall just down the hallway, we have refreshments and space for us all to celebrate the beautiful wedding that has just occurred. Dinner will be brought out momentarily."

Merlin winced as he heard the steward say 'beautiful wedding?' Was he at the same wedding Merlin was at because that definitely wouldn't have been how he would have described it. Maybe awkward or oddly disappointing, would have been better words.

Arthur was stoic although inside he was seething. That dumb steward just had to go and mention their 'beautiful wedding?' It had been anything but beautiful. More like a pain in his arse and something he had to force himself to get through.

The steward climbed down off of the bench and started leading people towards the door. Although they were taking their sweet time doing it. Most people were stopping to look at Arthur and Merlin standing next to each other on the platform, as if they were some kind of side show.

Merlin glanced over at Arthur and back to the dispersing crowd. He could see Gaius heading out with the others, although the physician flashed a concerned look his way before he disappeared out the door.

There were fewer people in the room now and still, they didn't move. "Ah," Merlin cleared his throat, "...should we be going?" He pointed his thumb over his shoulder towards the slowly departing crowd. They were going to the party, right? He wondered what parties were like in Camelot. It was being held at the castle so it was probably way different then the few parties they've thrown in Ealdor.

Arthur jolted back to attention at Merlin's question. And then he started down the stairs, leaving Merlin at the top without another word. His cape flared out behind him as he did. Merlin scowled down at his stupidly broad back. What he would give to throw something at his stupidly perfect blonde hair. At least that would crack the prince's stoic mask.

Arthur was already at the bottom of the platform and prepared to leave for the grand hall when Merlin finally took a step down. But both boys froze when their was the subtle clearing of a throat, easily getting their attention.

Merlin's head snapped around to look at King Uther and Morgana still standing where they had stood during the wedding. It was the first time he was seeing Uther since they first met. Had it been only a few days since Uther had sent him to his new room? Had it been only a few days since he'd heard Uther as he had someone executed for magic? Merlin felt his heart freeze in his chest at the reminder. This was it, this was the moment Uther recognized Merlin as a magic user. This was where Uther realized that Merlin had lied when the king asked him if he'd had magic. The part where the knights were called and Merlin was dragged to the pyre to be burned, all on his wedding day.

But none of that happened.

Morgana walked passed Arthur, paying him no attention. She hiked up the ends of her dress to meet Merlin at the top. Arthur didn't even glance up, just waiting for his father to say something. His father never could just let him leave without getting some kind of last word in.

"Merlin," Morgana smiled kindly, letting her dress fall to swirl around her ankles. "Welcome to the family."

Merlin startled, having not expected Morgana to welcome him. But he was glad because at least one member of the Pendragon household didn't seem to hate him on sight. "Thank yo-" he started.

He didn't get the chance before Morgana hugged him, wrapping her slim arms around his neck. Merlin felt himself relax into the hug. He hadn't realized that he'd missed this, being touched. Only his mother really touched him for long periods of time. It was nice to be hugged again, especially in such an unfamiliar place.

"Arthur-" Uther said sternly as Morgana finally stepped away.

But Morgana interrupted before Uther had the chance to finish his sentence. Morgana reached out and grabbed Merlin by his hands, "You are going to have so much fun at the party." She said with a cheeky grin. "I'm sure that they must be so different from the ones you have back home."

Merlin smiled weakly, already feeling nauseated at having to go to the party. Couldn't he just hide away in his uncle's chambers? It would be so much more fun to learn about whatever potion Uncle Gaius was making today. But he didn't say anything like that. Instead he said, "You have no idea." He didn't think Morgana really understood that his small farming village was as far removed from the castle and its grand city as could possibly be.

Uther cleared his throat again, giving his ward a stern look as to not interrupt him again. Morgana gave him a demure smile that had a little to much cheekiness in it to be real. Uther gave her another look before turning back to his son. "Arthur, don't you think you should escort your husband to the party? It is expected for you to attend together, as it is your party." He said sternly, clearly not giving his son much of a say in the matter.

Arthur forced back the wince he could feel trying to come forth. He finally turned to face them, "Yes, father." He agreed blandly. Merlin scowled. He didn't like this at all. Escorted? He wasn't a woman, he didn't have to be escorted. He could walk down to the party himself. Hell, he could be Morgana's escort to the party.

Arthur walked back over to the platform and standing at the bottom of the stairs, he held his arm out to Merlin for him to take. Merlin wanted to laugh at how ridiculous this all was. At how ridiculous Arthur was. Did he really expect Merlin to just grab his arm and allow the blonde to walk him around like some damsel.

And when Arthur kept standing there with that blank expression on his face, Merlin suddenly found it a lot less funny. Where was the boy that had stopped his punch? Where was the boy that had tried to take his head off with a mace? Merlin didn't exactly like that boy either but he much preferred it to this bland Arthur.

Merlin started down the stairs, followed by Morgana. "That's really not necessary." He said, ignoring Arthur's arm as he walked passed him. "I don't really need an escort."

Uther didn't look pleased by this, frowning. The Pendragon family was pretty much the only people still in the room at this point. Everybody else had no problem with going to the room down the hall and starting the party without the guests of honor. "I insist," Uther said, sounding firm and not taking no for an answer. "It's not proper for you to show up to your own party without your husband."

Merlin didn't know what the big deal was. So he was married now. Maybe Arthur should be the one to follow him instead of leading Merlin around like a pet on a leash.

Arthur felt his eyes narrow, a muscle in his jaw ticking. "Merlin," he hissed, storming up to the boy. "Take my arm." He practically shoved it into Merlin's face. Whatever ice Arthur was feeling in his veins, whatever chill he had been experiencing because of his marriage, it seemed to melt as fast as it had arrived. All he could see now was Merlin rebuffing him.

Merlin glared back, eyes flashing and practically shoved the arm out of his face. "I am not taking your arm." He hissed back. Like hell was he going to add being escorted onto the list of new experiences he'd had since he'd arrived in Camelot.

"The new couple are fighting already?" Morgana interrupted amused. "At least save that for when you're an old married couple."

Arthur shot her an annoyed glare and Merlin sighed heavily, bringing a hand up to rub down his hair, trying to smooth out that tuff that refused to lay still.

"We are not a couple." Arthur hissed. Uther was watching all of this with a foreboding feeling. This marriage was not going off to a good start at all.

"According to the vows we just took, we are."Merlin pointed out helpfully. He even held out his hand and pointed to the glittering silver ring on his finger. Although technically they were a couple, husbands, complete with wedding vows and all, that didn't mean anything in the long run. Not if they didn't act like husbands, hence the whole escorting business.

Arthur scowled again, heart jumping in his chest as his eyes caught onto the ring on the slim hand. Yeah no, he had to get out of here. And his father clearly wasn't going to allow them to leave without Arthur escorting his new husband. And Morgana was liable to spend the rest of the week teasing Arthur over this as well. Honestly? Morgana was way worst, Arthur would have preferred his father's stern gaze than having to listen to Morgana's mouth.

But he really had to get out of here. A party, overcrowded as it was, probably wasn't the best scenery to go to. Getting some air was probably better but then again, it would be considered rude to miss his own party. But then again, at least he could get lost in the crowd, let himself fall into old habits and have some fun with whoever was in attendance. And to do that, he needed to get passed the stubbornness that was known as Merlin.

So he did the only thing he could do. Already standing beside his husband, the word still gave him chills of discomfort and Arthur doubted that he would ever get used to it, he leaned against Merlin. He had to whisper in his ear as to not be overheard by his father or the nosy Morgana. "If you want to get out of here, then you need to take my arm. Unless you want to spend the night in here talking to my father."

Merlin tensed up as Arthur's breath hit the back of his neck, he could practically feel it going down the back of his shirt. Did he really have to stand so close just to tell him that? But he had to admit, Arthur had a point. There was only so much he could spend in the king's presence.

"Hell no." Merlin grudgingly admitted. He didn't even care if he offended Arthur by reacting like that about his father. The man would kill him if he knew the truth, he had every right to not want to be around him. Because every second spent was a second that Uther could potentially discover him.

Arthur winced at the cursing. Not that he was a stranger to it, he'd done his fair share of it over the years. But still, it was uncouth to speak that way when you were supposed to show decorum, poise, leadership, or any of the other words his tutor as a child had gone on about. But he supposed he shouldn't be surprised. With Merlin being as obviously peasant as he was, it was only to be expected.

"Now, if you don't mind." Arthur said bluntly, holding his arm out. Merlin shot him an annoyed look, hesitating for a moment. And then he slid his arm through the crook in Arthur's elbow. He really was feeling more awkward than he should be, holding onto Arthur's arm as he was. He ignored the thick bicep under his grasp, clutching a small fistful of Arthur's sleeve instead.

"Although maybe," Merlin started. "Next time, you can take my arm instead." Maybe they could take turns or something, be more equal. At least Merlin wouldn't be going around feeling less than, feeling as if Arthur was somehow above him because he took the more 'dominant' role.

Arthur didn't hold back a snort this time, trying to lean as far away from Merlin as he could with their arms still connected. He wanted the least bit of touching as they could possibly get. "As if they'll be a next time." After this party was over and done with, Arthur would be more than happy to never attend another event with the boy again. It couldn't be guaranteed of course. Obviously there would be some things that were just unavoidable and Arthur would be expected to attend with his husband. But still, that didn't mean he wouldn't be trying to get out of it as much as he could.

Arthur finally turned back to his father who had been watching the two boys hissing at each other, to quietly for him to hear. "If you'll excuse us father, I believe that I should be escorting my-" his tongue felt thick in his mouth on his next word. "-husband, to the party."

Then Arthur walked out, practically dragging Merlin with him. The boy nearly tripped over his own feet from the sudden pull, trying to catch up with him.

Morgana and Uther watched them go before looking to each other. "Well, that went well." Morgana said with an amused smirk. She almost couldn't wait to see what would happen next. She had a feeling that things would be a lot more louder around here with Merlin in the picture.

After everybody was gone from the room, a handful of servants waiting on standby would arrive to clean up and transform the throne room back into a throne room. The benches, platform and altar would be taken out along with all of the decorations and flowers. Anything that even resembled as something that could be had at a wedding would be set aside in some forgotten room of the castle.

It was moments later that Arthur and Merlin found themselves in the hallway outside the throne room. There was a small handful of people standing around talking, having not gone inside the grand hall yet where the party was mostly in full swing.

The only reason Arthur didn't wretch his arm free was because of those people he had to put on a good show for. It wouldn't do for discord and doubt to be placed into the minds of his subjects if they thought the marriage was already off to a bad start.

"Besides," Arthur continued, hissing under his breath at Merlin to prevent anybody from hearing. "I'm not the girl in this relationship." And he'd bring fury down on anyone who thought he was the one that got down on his knees for anybody.

Merlin's jaw dropped and his eyes narrowed dangerously, "Girl!" He demanded, making Arthur wince at the loud volume, suddenly a lot more worried that people would overhear their conversation.

Merlin was indignant and furious. Merlin had nothing against girl's of course but he was obviously anything but a girl. He may be slim and his features may have a strangely elfin quality to them but nobody could have mistaken him for a girl.

Arthur glanced around, already dreading the embarrassment that Merlin would bring with him. Then he leaned over to hiss in Merlin's ear, "You need to shut up. I don't know how peasants do it but you can't go around yelling like that."

Merlin glared at him, leaning away as far as he could. He didn't want to feel the heat of Arthur's breath against his neck. What he wanted was the shove the spoiled prat out of a window and just be done with all of this. "I'll yell all I want to." Merlin snapped, doing absolutely nothing to hide the volume in his voice. Although he wasn't yelling either, he was talking as he normally would.

Merlin tried to yank his arm free from Arthur's, his annoyance with the prat growing. But Arthur felt him jerk on his arm and reacted, immediately putting his other hand on top of Merlin's that was in the crook of his hand. Merlin shot him a glare, feeling the rough pads of Arthur's fingers holding his hand into place, not allowing him to budge an inch. Not that it could have stopped him if he was allowed to use his magic. It was clear that Arthur was physically stronger than him. Merlin cast a glance at Arthur's biceps before dragging his eyes away.

"Let me go." Merlin hissed, trying to yank his arm again.

Arthur cast a glance over his shoulder where his father and Morgana were just now exiting out of the throne room, following after Arthur and Merlin to the grand hall for the party. He tightened his hand on Merlin's, refusing to allow the boy to budge at all. Not when they had an audience, several people still in the hallway casting them glances as they passed them by.

"I can't do that," Arthur hissed at Merlin, keeping his voice so low that Merlin had to strain to hear him. "Not if you're going to be acting like a child."

Merlin scoffed, raising an eyebrow at the blonde haired prat. "And pray tell me, how exactly am I acting like a child?" He demanded.

"For one, you don't know how to lower your voice." Arthur shot back, casting glances around. Even though nobody in the hall was looking at them specifically except for the occasional glance, Arthur was positive that everybody was staring daggers at him and the man on his arm.

Merlin finally stopped yanking his arm but only because it was a futile escape plan. At least at the moment. There was no way that Merlin was going to let this prat drag him around. He wanted to go check out the party by himself, maybe talk with one of the servants. They were probably a better conversationist than one of these stuffy nobles. By the way Arthur was acting, the nobles would probably be clutching at their pearls if Merlin talked at all. "Well I would lower my voice if I had a reason to." Merlin said bluntly. "And if I was in the presence of more..." he gave Arthur an obvious look. "Pleasant company."

Arthur felt his jaw loosen to gap just a bit. Had Merlin just said that Arthur wasn't pleasant company? Not a soul would have said they preferred the company of someone else when compared to the prince himself. "What is that supposed to mean?" Arthur demanded, his own voice raising just an octave higher. "I'll have you know, I'm the most pleasant company you'll find here." Many years from now, Arthur would look on this moment fondly and think that it was no surprise that Merlin had been the one to break his carefully constructed stone mask.

Merlin didn't look impressed by Arthur though. In fact, he looked so unimpressed that Arthur felt the need to throttle him. "And I'll have you know," Merlin drawled. "That my company is a lot more desired than yours." He doubted it would be for long. The people would be curious about Merlin for quite some time but as soon as they realized that there was nothing special about him, surely they would go on with their own lives.

In Merlin's eyes, the only thing special about him was his magic, the one thing that made him different from everybody else. But as nobody could know that about him, hopefully the people would move on to the next big thing. Surely Arthur and him being married couldn't be a huge thing for long...right?

Arthur snorted at Merlin's words. Because he doubted that anybody would prefer Merlin's company over his own. Who would be dumb enough to prefer the company of a commoner over the company of a prince? Not anybody that Arthur had ever met.

"Let's just get through this night." Arthur decided bluntly. "Then we can go our separate ways. You stick to your side of the castle and I'll stick to mine." Merlin scowled, ignoring the pang in his heart. It was just Arthur being a prat again but it still hurt that his own husband was so eager to get rid of him. It wasn't exactly how he wanted his marriage to go but what could he do. Arthur was making his own feelings abundantly clear, that he wasn't interested in having Merlin around. Not even as a new friend. Arthur glanced around again and lowered his voice, as if there was anybody that was actually listening in on them. "Just don't embarrass me." He hissed. Arthur wanted to make that clear. There was a lot that he could put up with but he wasn't going to have his own husband going around making a fool out of him.

Merlin's eyes flashed in his annoyance, watching Arthur reach for the door to the grand hall to pull it open for them. He tilted his chin slightly, voice drawled as he started talking. "Don't worry Arthur, I won't embarrass you. As long as you don't embarrass me." And then when Arthur was distracted, Merlin was able to slide his arm free.

Then Merlin strutted forward, grabbing the door handle himself and opening it just far enough for him to slide through, letting the door slam shut in Arthur's face. Because he wasn't a girl like Arthur had tried to insult him with earlier, he wasn't some damsel or whatever you wanted to call it. He could open a damn door himself and he didn't need to be 'escorted' anywhere.

Arthur was to busy gaping at the now closed door to do more than watch his husband disappear through the crack. Like full on gaping, jaw dropped as far as it could humanly go without unlocking his jaw. Had he just insinuated that Arthur was the embarrassing one between them? The blonde couldn't fathom what had just happened. He wasn't sure if he should burst out laughing at how ridiculous that was or just go ahead and throttle the boy. He had a feeling he would be spending the rest of his life asking himself that question. To laugh or to throttle.

He wasn't sure if he liked it or not...

There was a snort from behind him, forcing Arthur to remember himself. "Well Arthur dear," Morgana said amused, walking passed him. "I believe your husband has spoken. Do try not to be an embarrassment."

Arthur spluttered as Morgana headed into the party, trying to figure out when everybody decided to gang up on him. It was probably about the same time Merlin arrived. "Father!" Arthur finally turned to Uther as he stepped up to his son.

"Chin up," Uther said heavily. "And let's go in there before your husband causes any problems." He should probably have it mentioned to Merlin that it wasn't proper to be seen teasing his husband in public.

At that reminder, Arthur didn't need any further prompting to head inside after his wayward husband. The party was in full swing. There were clusters of nobles in every spot of the room, easily filling up the large grand hall. Each cluster was having their own conversation, filling the room with noise and chatter. Many of them had taken seats at the tables, the conversation never stopping as they did so. The two long tables that stretched out across the room was overfilling with food. The chandeliers were lit as was every candle and torch in the room, lighting the vast room up easily.

Servants were walking through gaps in the people still standing, holding serving trays with either bite sized finger foods or passing out glasses of the finest wine the castle had to offer.

It wasn't to hard to find Merlin, he hadn't gone very far. All Arthur had to do was find the peasant dressed in finery. After that, it wasn't to hard to find him standing by one of the food tables.

Arthur left his father, making a beeline towards his husband who had his back to him. He was stopped once or twice on the way there by a noble that wished to wish him congratulations on his marriage. He would stop just long enough to smile and thank them before continuing on. Nobody noticed how fake the smile had gotten the more somebody stopped him. But he never did let his eyes wander very far from his husband's back. That was why he saw it when it happened.

It felt like it was in slow motion. All Merlin wanted to do was pluck a grape out of one of the bowls to nibble on. There was just so much food and he hadn't ate much today so how could he resist when there was so much being offered. How was he to realize that the bowl was very precariously balanced on the edge of the table. All it took was his arm brushing the edge of the bowl as he pulled his hand back for the golden bowl of grapes to wobble and start tipping over the edge.

Merlin dropped the grape he had been about to snack on, not noticing as it went bouncing under the table. He was to busy scrambling with the bowl to get it back on the table, but he couldn't get a good grip on it. A few grapes rolled over the edge, landing with a splat on the ground and rolled off somewhere. Many people in the surrounding area glanced over at the sounds of the ruckus Merlin was causing that broke through the chatter.

That was when a broad arm came from behind him, catching the other side of the bowl and dragging it back up onto the table. "You really do cause a scene everywhere that you go, don't you?" Arthur said dryly, looking down at the handful of grapes that were somewhere at their feet.

Merlin scowled, "I do not!" He protested vehemently. Of course he could go places and not cause a scene.

Arthur raised an unimpressed eyebrow, "You tried to punch me the first time we met." He said dryly. As much as he didn't like Merlin, it would be pretty hard to forget that particular meeting.

Merlin felt himself flush at the reminder and tilted his chin up, refusing to back down. "That was your fault!" He said, louder than his normal talking voice, making Arthur wince as the volume struck his ears. "You were being a prat!"

Arthur rolled his eyes at the other boy's words, watching the red in Merlin's face grow darker under his stare. He smirked, seeing the red spreading down his neck. It was almost amusing to watch the boy get flustered, angry. For a second, Arthur had forgotten that he was married to the boy, that he was supposed to be pissed that Merlin was even here. So he kept talking, "And let's not forget about when you tried to fight me with a mace."

Merlin felt his annoyance spike, eyes flashing. "That was your fault as well! You were the one that came after me." He stopped to lean forward, getting into Arthur's space. Arthur felt himself leaning back, feeling an uncomfortable unease when the boy suddenly came closer. "Or did you forget that you practically chased me around the marketplace..." Merlin grinned cheekily. "Trying to get my attention."

It was amusing, that thought that came to him. That the reason Arthur had come after him with a mace was to get his attention. He almost snorted at the thought. It reminded him of that time when he and Will was six, Will's mom had explained to Will that it's not nice to pull a girl's pigtail, no matter how much you liked them. Merlin didn't understand then how pulling a girl's pigtail was supposed to get her to like you and he still didn't understand today. He almost broke out laughing, lost in his thoughts about Arthur 'pulling his pigtail' so to speak. Yeah right, as if that was why Arthur had chased him across the marketplace. The prince had just been being a prat like usual and trying to show off.

Arthur felt his eyes widened as he looked at the boy in disbelief. Was Merlin flirting with him? Was this flirting? Arthur didn't know if he wanted to laugh or cry. Please tell him that Merlin wasn't trying to flirt with him. He would find that Arthur would shut that down quick. He wasn't interested in a peasant's flirtations. He was even less interested in a male peasant's flirtations.

Merlin didn't seem to notice what was going on in Arthur's head. He still had that cheeky grin on his face. Even as he reached passed Arthur to pick a grape from the bowl to place in his mouth.

Arthur's eyes dropped down to Merlin's pink lips. More specifically to the droplet of juice clinging to it from the grape. Arthur swallowed hard, feeling his heart stutter in his chest for the briefest of moments before it hardened.

And not a moment to soon either because that was when Arthur's friends found them. "No way!" The loud voice from a few feet away suddenly called out to them. Both Merlin and Arthur's heads snapped to the side to see who had suddenly yelled as they did. Merlin had a look of confusion on his face, his cheeky grin dimming as he saw who was approaching them. Arthur was just thankful to see them, having to practically drag his eye's away from the juice that clung to Merlin's lips. He kept his jaw lock, ignoring whatever it was that made his heart stutter. It was disgust, that was all there was to it, that was what it had to be. Disgust that he was married to a peasant. Disgust that he was married to a man. And even more disgust over the fact that the man didn't know how to use a napkin, as he watched Merlin's pink tongue dart out to lick the juice away. "It is that idiot from the market." The knight continued. Arthur felt his resolve harden and he forced himself to turn away from Merlin. Before the boy got any more ideas like trying to flirt with him.

"Markus!" Arthur forced a grin onto his face as his long time best friend joined him and his new husband at the food table. "Glad for you to join us." He reached forward and the two boys hugged, doing a pat on the shoulder for a brief moment as guys did.

"Are you kidding me?" Markus asked with a smirk. "I wouldn't have missed this for the world." As if he would have missed his best friend getting married. The fact over who the prince was marrying still rolling around in his mind. He turned to give Merlin a smirk with just the barest hint of concealed cruelty on his face.

Merlin scowled, seeing the cruelty in that smirk. Arthur was the only one that didn't seem to notice. But Merlin stepped up to Arthur's side. Not behind him like where a peasant or somebody less than a prince would stand as was proper. But beside him as an equal. Arthur felt the barely hint of a curl of disgust on his lips when he felt Merlin's shoulder brush against his.

"I am not an idiot." Merlin told Markus in regards to the comment that Markus had just made about him. He had his eyes narrowed and his lips were pressed tightly together with his annoyance.

But Markus didn't even look at him. It was like Merlin had never spoken a word. Markus didn't acknowledge him because he felt like he didn't have to. It didn't matter that Merlin was married to the prince, that he now held the title of consort. All Markus saw was the scrawny peasant that tried to pick a fight with the prince and got his arse handed to him, just like he should have.

Standing beside Markus was one of the lackey's that had been there when they were supposed to take Merlin to the dungeons. He had a stupid grin on his face, shoving at Marku's shoulder, "I told you it was him! Didn't I tell you!"

Markus hadn't believed it at first when the lackey had exclaimed loudly when he finally recognized where they had seen the boy. But when they had seen the boy talking to Arthur, it had been hard to deny it. Even in his new clothes, he was obviously still a peasant.

"Yeah, yeah, you were right." Markus grudgingly admitted, rubbing at his shoulder. "It was the idiot." He never once acknowledged Merlin's actual presence.

Merlin looked away but only so he could look at the other people in the room. He was trying to see a familiar face, find someone that was more pleasant company. But as he'd only been there for a few days, most of the faces were complete strangers. But he couldn't stand being around Arthur's friends. Hell, he wasn't going to sit here and be insulted all night long.

Arthur didn't say one word about his friend's insulting his new husband. He didn't say a word of defense or even a gentle reprehend that they shouldn't be talking about the Prince's consort as they were. He just moved along the conversation, talking about something meaningless. But that was only because Arthur wanted to get his mind away from Merlin. He'd do practically anything to ignore the boy standing at his side.

Merlin finally turned to Arthur, reaching up to put a hand on his arm. Arthur immediately tensed up when he felt the hand with surprisingly long fingers grasp his sleeve. Merlin leaned over so that Arthur could hear him over the chatter of his friend's talking. "Hey, let's go find something else to do." As grand and beautiful as this party was, Merlin wasn't interested in a party thrown for him and Arthur. And it was kind of stuffy in here. A walk outside would be a more exciting experience. Somewhere he could actually hear himself think. And if he wanted to get to know his husband when the other boy wasn't throwing a mace at his head, well, nobody had to know that.

But Arthur didn't budge. He didn't even acknowledge the warmth of his husband against his side. He actually jerked his arm out of his husband's hold and kept talking to Markus. Merlin nearly stumbled over in his surprise. He had to catch himself before he hit the ground. Merlin shot Arthur a glare but the prince never looked back at him.

"Hey guys, we're over here." Markus suddenly called out, waving at a handful of other guys about their age who stood nearby.

Merlin felt a long sigh escape him, looking away but he still couldn't see anybody that he knew. Merlin was actually considering just going off by himself and trying some of the other food. There were some bowls of fruit and meat dishes that he could see that he'd never tried before.

There was suddenly a body leaned up against his back, making him stiffen in surprise. "You better not be sighing as if you're bored." Arthur hissed at him. The sigh of boredom Merlin had just did had definitely gotten his attention. He wouldn't have his husband embarrassing him. These people joining them were semi-friends of his. People he knew that were the son's of the more important noble families that had attended.

Merlin didn't give Arthur a look, his eyes moving around the room, hoping that he could find something else that would be more interesting than a bunch of rich people trying to one up each other. "How can I not be?" He at least answered Arthur. As elaborate and beautifully done up that the room was, it was a complete bore. All of these people with their stuffy clothes, noses in the air and holier than thou air was really starting to get to him.

Arthur felt his eye twitch in annoyance, eyes narrowed on his husband. "The most important people in Camelot are here." He said through clenched teeth. "If you weren't my husband than you would never get to see the inside of this party." His lips curled into a self-centered sneer. "Not unless you were working it, of course."

Merlin scoffed, trying to figure out if that was an insult. Because he would rather be working it then being the guest of honor. At least he wouldn't be 'playing nice' like Arthur seemed to think that he should. "Just go back to your friends, I'm sure they want your company more than I do."

"You shouldn't talk to your new husband like that." The blonde hissed, feeling his eye twitch, something that had never happened before in his life. He just couldn't believe how absolutely infuriating this boy could be. Didn't he know how lucky he was? He was at the most important party of the year, married to the most important person in the kingdom, and he couldn't even pretend to be excited about it?

Merlin waved a dismissive hand, finally turning to look over his shoulder. "Can't you just-" he was about to say, go back to your friends stop bothering me. Because the group of boys that had joined them were having a grand old conversation with Markus and his lackey. But his voice got lost somewhere in his throat. Had Arthur been that close this whole time. There was only a few inches between their faces. Arthur didn't seem to notice their close proximity, his eyes narrowed on him with annoyance clear on his face. Merlin could have sworn his heart stuttered for a minute, he'd never been so close to another guy before.

And speaking of close, Merlin's eyes dropped down to Arthur's lips. The lips that had kissed his own barely an hour before. His own mouth felt dry at the moment and he was finding it hard to swallow all of a sudden. Yeah, Arthur's kiss had been disappointing but maybe...maybe he just needed another try. Maybe it had lacked anything special because Merlin had been caught off guard-surprised...startled, over suddenly having his first kiss taken as it was.

Merlin dragged his eyes away from Arthur's surprisingly soft looking lips to meet eyes with the blonde. The blonde who was giving him a confused look, having not a clue as to why the peasant boy had stopped talking. Arthur whose impatience was starting to show. Merlin felt the sudden urge to tug the collar of his cape loose some. Was it him or did it feel stuffier than it did before...he wondered what Arthur would do if Merlin did try to kiss him again. Purely for educational purposes of course...he'd never had a kiss, it would be for purely experimentation of course.

"Can't I what?" Arthur finally snapped, jolting Merlin out of his stupor. The prince was irritated, scowling, the annoyance running deep in his veins. He was so distracted by trying not to let anyone hear their conversation that he hadn't realized just how close he had drew himself to Merlin, almost like a magnet.

"W-what?" Merlin stuttered, stumped. He had forgotten all about what he was going to say, caught up in the blue of Arthur's eyes. His really annoyed looking eyes...it was almost reliving that they looked so annoyed, even when that annoyance was directed at him. It was better than that blank mask Arthur had been wearing throughout their wedding ceremony.

Arthur couldn't even resist from rolling his eyes, despite knowing that his etiquette teacher had drilled into him how unbecoming it was for a young prince to do so. "Absolute moron." He muttered under his breath, drawing away.

That felt like Merlin had been doused in cold water and it was suddenly a lot easier to breathe now that Arthur wasn't all up in his space. And had the prince just call him a moron? Merlin was suddenly a lot less interested in trying to kiss him and a lot more interested in wanting to punch him.

"Pra-" Merlin started to shoot back as Arthur turned away from him.

That was when one of the boy's that had just joined their group seem to realize that neither Arthur or Merlin had joined in on their conversation. "A peasant, Arthur, really? You couldn't have done better?" The brown haired boy asking, giving Merlin a self-righteous smirk.

Merlin bristled, eyes now narrowed in on the brown haired boy. The way he had said peasant made it sound like a joke, like there was something amusing about being born not rich. Merlin decided right then and there that Arthur had no idea how to make friends. Sure, Merlin only had one friend back home but at least he wasn't an arsehole. Well...Will kind of was an arsehole. But a funny one who knew when things had gone to far. Arthur seemed to have several friends but Merlin doubted any of them, including Arthur, had ever been told before when enough was enough.

Arthur just gave his friends a very weak smile even though none of them really noticed. Because they were right. Even if his father had made a contract to marry him off to a boy, couldn't it have been with a more influential family. Someone with some kind of power and knew how things in high society worked. Someone who wouldn't make him feel like a fool.

Merlin opened his mouth to tell the brown haired boy exactly what he thought about being called a peasant, as if it was the only thing that defined him. As if he wasn't more than just the station and status that he had been born into.

He didn't get the chance to though before Markus interrupted, not even noticing that Merlin had been prepared to say something. "Hey, Arthur, I was just telling the boys here how you and the peasant met." Markus said, laughing as he clapped a hand onto the brown haired boy's shoulder. "But I think it'll sound funnier coming from you."

Arthur felt himself relax some, letting an easy grin spread across his lips. Right, this was exactly where he belonged. Right in the thick of things, making jokes and amusing himself with what had happened. And that was a story that was worth telling, of the time where Merlin had tried to punch him. "You will never believe it." Arthur exclaimed, laughing about it. He turned his back firmly on Merlin, practically shutting him out and forgetting all about him as he started retelling the story, over exaggerating it as he went alone.

Merlin scowled when he was suddenly faced with Arthur's broad back. Merlin wondered if there was something seriously wrong with his husband. The prince got close to him one minute and then seem to just freeze him out. He was getting whiplash from it all.

He wondered what the prince would do if he just shoved him out of the way and took control of the story.

"...That was when he actually tried to throw a punch but you should have seen it. It was obvious that he'd never thrown a punch in his life." Arthur was saying, throwing a fake punch in mockery to Merlin's, not even stopping to consider that it probably wasn't 'proper' to make fun of his husband in such a way.

Merlin felt his face flush as a new wave of anger washed through him. He clenched his fists as his side and his jaw locked, glaring daggers at his husband's back. "Why don't you tell your friends about when I almost had you with your own mace, honey?" He asked in a sugar sweet voice, the last word slipping off his tongue without him meaning to. The word itself was practically coated with a mocking undertone.

Arthur flinched at the sudden sound of Merlin's voice. His eyes flashed as he glared over his shoulder at the boy standing behind him. But all Merlin did was smirk, a teasing little twitch of his lips. What had he just called him? He knows this boy couldn't be dumb enough to call him honey? As if they were actually some couple and had been happily married for years. He felt his irritation spike, Merlin having ruined the best part of the story. With all of his friends watching, Arthur forced a wide grin on his face. The kind that showed all of his teeth, the look in his eyes promising retribution for this later. Merlin just raised his chin up a little higher, giving him a stubborn look. "Well, honey," Arthur said slowly, practically forcing the words out of his throat. There was no hiding the mocking sneer in his voice. "You just gave me the best idea. Now, I can tell them about how I beat you with that broom." And then he turned his back to Merlin, intent on doing exactly that.

"Well then I can just tell them I only got the mace because you couldn't stay on your own feet." Merlin muttered to himself. Or at least he tried to but he didn't really do much to lower his voice. Merlin literally saw Arthur hunch his shoulders, saw the wince he gave off at the reminder of his own clumsy attempts.

Arthur turned back to Merlin to tell him exactly what he thought of that comment. Merlin tilted his chin up a little, giving the blonde an 'I dare you' look, hands planted firmly on his hips.

Arthur barely got a word out before his eyes slid straight pass Merlin and locked onto something behind him. He felt his face slacken, looking like he'd just been hit over the head with something heavy. Merlin frowned, not knowing why Arthur had stopped talking before he even really started. It took him an embarrassingly long moment to realize that Arthur wasn't looking at him, but instead to something just behind him.

And he only realized that when Arthur muttered a low, "God have mercy." Getting the attention of all his friends who had been watching Merlin and Arthur's argument as if it were a tournament.

Merlin frowned and finally turned himself to see what everyone was staring at. Only for his heart to drop when he saw Morgana standing across the room. She had a wide smile on her face and was talking to one of the younger nobles. She was wearing the clothes and jewelry that Merlin had helped her pick out. She was actually very beautiful, the way the candlelight glittered off of her dark hair. She had taken off her wrap, showing more cleavage than was probably socially acceptable at such a high party like this.

But the reason Merlin's heart had dropped like a stone was because of Arthur's expression. He was looking at Morgana as if it was for the first time. As if rain clouds had parted for the sun to shine through, the light landing directly on Morgana herself.

Merlin glanced between Arthur and Morgana several times, feeling an uneasiness in the pit of his gut. He swallowed hard, the disgust curling in his belly, was this how it begun? Would he be forced to stand in the background, subjected to watching Arthur checking out others. Sure, he knew about the possibility, knew that Arthur would probably want others even though they were married but seriously? On their wedding day? The prat couldn't have at least waited till after the wedding day to stomp all over Merlin.

Merlin was the one that had to leave everything he knew and for what? Sure, he got to live in a castle, eat good food, and even meet his uncle and some new friends. But he would rather be back home with all of the problems that a poor village faced. At least he wouldn't be with a cheating husband.

Merlin dragged his eyes away from the ogling Arthur and the obvious Morgana and let his eyes wonder somewhere else. At least he wouldn't be forced to watch his husband clearly interested in someone else while he was right in front of him.

That was when he finally saw her. Gwen. She was standing on the far end of the food table by herself. She had her arms folded over her stomach, Morgana's wrap carefully folded over her arms to minimize the wrinkling. She had her eyes watching her mistress in case she was needed.

Gwen was Morgana's personal handmaiden. She didn't have to work the party by walking around with offered trays. Her only job was to wait till Morgana requested something of her.

Merlin glanced back at Arthur who had yet to take his eyes off of Morgana. He felt his jaw lock and his eyes narrowed in on the prince. "You know, you could have just married her instead." Merlin snapped, the annoyance clear to hear in his voice.

"Hmmm?" Arthur asked, clearly not hearing a word he said. Merlin wanted to take the grape bowl Arthur had stopped him from dropping all over the floor, and bring it down on top of his head. Merlin glanced temptingly over to the bowl of grapes. He wondered if he could get away with dropping a handful down Arthur's shirt.

But in the end, he sighed heavily. There were to many people watching him, to many people watching Arthur looking at someone else. He felt the embarrassment, knowing that somebody would realize that Arthur was to busy looking at a girl to pay any attention to the husband at his side.

"Bye, arsehole." Merlin said, just loud enough for Arthur to hear. Arthur may not see a problem with looking at other girl's but Merlin would be damned if he sat here and be made a fool of.

Arthur finally dragged his eyes away from Morgana to lock eyes on Merlin as the boy stomped away. "Hey! Merlin! Get back here!" He called after the boy but Merlin had already been sucked up by a passing crowd of people. Arthur felt his annoyance spike. He didn't exactly want Merlin around but he knew his father would come after him if he did anything to jeopardize the people's perspective of 'the happy couple.' And he didn't know why Merlin had called him an arsehole and then just walked away. It was like their meeting all over again and Arthur was prepared to drag Merlin back by his stupidly large ears just to demand some answers.

He'd only taken a few steps in the direction the other boy had disappeared in when his friend's called out to him. And just like that, Arthur forgot all about Merlin, to busy enjoying his time goofing off with his friends. Almost as if it wasn't his wedding and his husband hadn't just stormed off in anger.

Merlin, meanwhile, was having to ease his way around people, trying to get to Gwen. At least she was a familiar face, at least he could bitch to her about Arthur.

And he had to duck away several times when he heard someone call out 'Consort Merlin!' He didn't know what these people wanted or why they were calling him that instead of just Merlin but he did know that he didn't want to be stuck talking to them.

It took a little longer than he thought because he kept having to duck through some people to avoid someone calling out to him, nearly crashing into several people on the way. It was weird and unsettling and all he really wanted to do was go upstairs and curl up in his bed with his new book. He wondered if anybody would notice if he snuck out to go do exactly that. But just as he was making it to Gwen, he tripped over his own boots. With a startled yelp, he had to grab the edge of the table to stop himself from face planting. He made Gwen jolt back startled, having not seen him coming. Her eyes hadn't left her mistress in case she needed her.

"Hey Gwe-" Merlin started before he was interrupted.

Gwen practically threw herself down at the waist, bowing lowly before him. "Consort Merlin!" She said formerly. "It is an honor to be in your presence. I wish to...apologize for my ill treatment of you the last time that we met." Gwen was trying to do damage control. Usually apologizing, groveling, even when you didn't do anything, worked wonders on the nobles that wouldn't have you thrown in the stocks or flogged at the slightest slight.

But this was the last thing that Merlin wanted. He'd just ducked aside several people that had tried to approach him. It was awkward and uncomfortable, seeing Gwen behaving like...like a servant, instead of a friend. "Don't you start to." Merlin said heavily, leaning against the food table beside them. "I think I've already had my fill for the noble life."

Gwen straightened up, a surprised smile growing across her face. "Oh, is that so? Most people would have been happy to take your place." She winced, immediately expecting some kind of reprimand if not outright demanding her mistress have her punished for insulting him.

Merlin just scoffed though, "Well I would be more than happy to trade places with them." He'd trade places with anybody at this point, as long as he didn't have to waste his time on a husband who couldn't even make it through the wedding party without spending his time looking at others. Sure, from what Morris had told him, Arthur wouldn't even be interested in him because he was a guy but come on! Wasn't the dude a prince, weren't they supposed to be trained in manners and decorum or something. Wasn't there something in the weird rules that nobles seem to live by be against checking out other people at your own wedding celebration.

Gwen felt herself relax marginally. It was just starting to occur to her that maybe, just maybe, Merlin was exactly like how he had been in the stocks. The boy may now be a noble but it was starting to become clear that the boy was a peasant in heart. "Is there trouble in paradise?" She asked, brushing an erect curl out of her face. "Why isn't your new husband with you?" It was a little strange, seeing a new couple not beside each other. Usually, nobles who just married didn't leave each other's side during the wedding party. Something about trying to convince others that their arranged marriage was really about love but all it did was look like they were trying to hard.

Merlin just scoffed, looking and sounding both bitter and annoyed. "He's busy, checking out your mistress." He nodded across the hall to where they could see Morgana standing. She had moved on to another one of the younger nobles, putting a hand on his forearm. At least Morgana was having some kind of fun tonight, way more than Merlin would be.

Gwen winced. She knew Arthur could be well...an arse, as Merlin had called him. But to really be looking at someone else at your own wedding. Gwen drew her eyes away from Merlin's long face and over to Morgana. "I heard that you helped pick out her dress. It's really quite beautiful."

Merlin felt his lips quirk up for only a second, "Yeah, she does look great. To bad Arthur thinks so to." He didn't blame Morgana, not in the least. He blamed it all on Arthur. Arthur who couldn't keep his eyes to himself. He should have expected it really. It wasn't like he could expect anything else, not with his husband being Arthur of all people. But it still hurt, more than he had actually thought it would.

Gwen sighed, her mouth running away from her to continue their conversation before she thought her words through. "You know, some people used to say that Morgana and Arthur would marry someday. That Morgana was practically groomed to become Queen since the king took her in."

Well that made Merlin feel loads better now-not. "...O...k..." he said slowly. There Gwen goes, confusing him again. Was there something in there that was suppose to make him feel better? If there was, he couldn't figure it out.

"Oh!" Gwen seemed to remember who exactly it was that she was talking to. "I mean, not that you won't be a great king yourself. You know, when Arthur becomes king that kind of makes you a king to. Or at least you'll have the ear of the king on your side. I mean, I'm sure you'll be great for the people. Especially with your background."

"My background?" Merlin asked startled, completely stumped. He would have thought his background would have been more of a deterrent than an access. What did a peasant know about running a kingdom? He could already tell you, absolutely nothing.

"I just mean," Gwen tried again. "You're a peasant!" As if he didn't already know that. "So you know what's going on. Most nobles never bother talking to a peasant, yet alone being able to help make our city a better place. But you've actually lived among us, you are one of us. So I just mean, having a peasant so close to the throne...it gives some of us hope. Hope that having one of us so close to the king...that you'll be looking out for us in a way. I mean-"

"Thank you." Merlin interrupted quickly, before she could put her foot in it even more. Her words hadn't exactly helped much. All it did was give him anxiety. To have so many people what, depending on him? To be their voice among the nobles who brushed their concern aside as peasants whining. The peasants of Camelot couldn't really believe that he could help? He doubted the king would listen to anything he had to say. He doubted Arthur would care even less.

Gwen kept talking, "I'm only sorry you had to marry Arthur for your voice to count." As if she really thought he had some kind of sway with Camelot's royalty just because he was married to their prince. "I'm sure you have your reasons for doing it but honestly, you don't seem to be the kind of person that would marry Arthur."

Merlin gave a cheeky grin, "You mean like someone who just wants his crown?" Merlin couldn't imagine someone who would marry Arthur for his personality. Arthur's personality made him want to smack him more than anything else, with some hope that it'll knock some sense into him.

"Exactly like that." Gwen agreed. Most people that vied for Arthur's attention only did so because of the crown. It didn't hurt that the prince was actually attractive although looks hardly mattered among the nobles. Arthur could have been the ugliest person alive, he could have been crueler than he already was, a real tyrant, people still would have been after him. And all because he was born with a crown.

Merlin's cheeky grin dimmed down some, "It's a...long, long story. I don't feel like getting into it right now." He would have to explain the contract and then his parents relationship with Uther. It was just one big and complicated mess that he didn't want to start. Because once he started, he doubted he would stop anytime soon.

Gwen nodded, not pushing him any on it. She knew when some things were better off unsaid. Who knows, maybe Merlin would tell her someday how a male peasant ended up married to a prince. It would definitely be a question for many until some other new scandal took it's place. "Well," she started. "I do believe that you will make a better partner for Arthur than one of those many flighty daughters of noblemen who try to win his favor. You're completely different than any of them, much more ordinary."

She left Merlin wondering once against if she'd just somehow insulted him. But it also made Merlin snort, a snort that would give him many looks of disdain among the noble society. "Believe me Gwen, I'm anything but ordinary." He was looking across the hall, this time towards Arthur. Arthur who still hadn't bothered to even glance around to see where he was. Arthur who was just having a swell old time laughing with his friends. And from the way he was moving, it was obvious that he was regaling his boy's with what he'd done to Merlin with the broom.

"Oh!" Gwen seemed to realize she may have said something wrong, forcing Merlin to drag his eyes away from Arthur. "I didn't mean to insult you or anything. I just meant that...Arthur usually goes for the miss popularity type of girl. The richest and most beautiful at the party. I mean, I don't really know you that well, we did just meet. But I think that you're just a lot more...down to earth? I guess I'm trying to say." Merlin thinks he just found somebody who actually talked more than he did. "Maybe Arthur could use some of that in his life." Gwen finished weakly, starting to fidget with the sleeve of her dress.

Merlin was trying to catch up on what she said, the words flying by that it was almost to fast for him to comprehend. "...I'm sure Arthur could use a good whack with a mace to his head before he could use my 'down to earthness.'" Merlin said dryly.

Gwen tried not to laugh, she really did, even though it didn't go well for her. She had never heard anybody so bluntly disrespecting Prince Arthur. The few servants who dared to complain about it only did so in whispers as to not get caught. Maybe Merlin didn't know how things were around here, or maybe that was just his personality. But either way, Gwen doubted she would ever be used to somebody who had no problem with insulting the prince of their kingdom.

Merlin's eyebrow came together as he shot Gwen a look, "So...he gets a lot of girls, does he?"

"Well, I mean," Gwen stuttered, a lot more uncomfortable suddenly. Maybe it hadn't been the best idea to point out Arthur's tendencies to his new husband. "A lot of girl's do flirt with him, he is a prince after all. But I don't think there's...a lot, he's actually flirted back with. Although there are rumors but those can hardly be counted on. And he is attractive...look wise." She trailed off awkwardly, face flushing.

Merlin cast another glance in Arthur's direction. He saw the way the candlelight glittered off the blonde of his hair. The wide grin that showed all of his ever so slightly crooked teeth, he wondered what Arthur would do if he pointed out that they weren't one hundred percent perfect. The way his blue eyes were lit with laughter, even as he was clearly reenacting a story that involved Merlin and his humiliating lost.

"Yeah," Merlin agreed quietly, talking more to himself than anything. He couldn't blame a girl for trying her luck with Arthur. If there was a guy back in Ealdor that had looked like that, Merlin would have probably tried his luck as well. Why did all of the cute ones have to be the worst?

Merlin was only forced to drag his eyes away when another person suddenly found their way in front of them. "Gwen, Consort Merlin." Mary said, breathing a little breathless as she butted into their conversation. She was carrying a tray with so many wine glasses, that it amazed Merlin that she hadn't dropped any. "Have any of you seen Browen? She was supposed to be helping me out with these but I can't find her anywhere." She stopped to look at Gwen. "And you know how much she loves parties. She wouldn't have missed this for the world."

"Who?" Merlin asked, pushing Arthur and his stupid blonde locks of hair out of his head. Any distraction right now would be a good distraction.

"She's one of the serving girl's." Gwen explained before turning back to Mary. "And no, I haven't seen her. But you know Browen, I'm sure she'll show up sooner or later. Probably upset that she missed the main event." God, Merlin hoped his wedding was the main event. That meant that this whole evening was almost over and he could retreat back to his room.

"You're right," Mary said heavily. "But she agreed to be my partner. We were going to pass these drinks out together."

"Oh, I can help you." Merlin said, almost to eager as he pushed away from the table. He'd do almost anything to give his hands something to do. Just so he'd have something to occupy himself with and his stupid eyes wouldn't stupidly keep darting over to stupid Arthur with his stupidly blonde hair.

Mary felt her face flush at the idea of a royal helping her out. "No! I couldn't possibly!" She stuttered out. How humiliating would it be once word spread that Mary had the audacity to be putting the prince's new husband to work.

"Sire! Sire!" A loud and very out there voice suddenly said. That was when a noblewoman practically shoved her way in between Merlin, Gwen, and Mary. The woman was clearly very drunk, the smell of wine practically waving off of her. Her silk green dress barely clung to her form.

Mary nearly dropped her wine glasses from the sudden appearance of the noble and no doubt she would have been to blame if the tray had dropped and the glasses had shattered. Merlin couldn't even say something to Mary, the noblewoman planted herself directly between them, and he watched as the serving girl easily melted through a crowd of nobles. She was making her escape while she still could.

"It is an honor to meet you!" The woman said brightly, hiccuping slightly. How many glasses had she had already? Merlin didn't think that the party had been going on for that long. "A peasant!" She squealed, her dark eyes looking hazy. "Marrying into the royal family!" Merlin wondered if she was about to start insulting him. But then she continued, "It is such a radical idea! I can't believe nobody's thought of it before." Merlin thought that nobody had thought of it before because it was ridiculous. And he was very tempted to say that he would rather be home in his little hut than be here in this huge castle with all of its luxuries. "Is it strange?" She asked, hiccuping again. "To be such a trend setter! To be the first same gendered couple in the royal family! The Pendragon's might be the start of something, eh, Sir Marvin?" She asked, giving a low bow even as she wobbled in her heels. Her thick brown hair was practically all over her head and her makeup was heavily smudged.

Gwen and Merlin shared a look of disbelief over her head, trying to figure out if she had drunk an entire serving tray to be that heavily inebriated already.

"Sylvia!" A strong voice suddenly said as a male hurried over. He practically threw himself into a bow at Merlin's feet, making the boy step back startled. "I am so sorry, Sir Consort! Please forgive my wife! She's just had one to many drinks." He explained urgently, as to explain his wife's mishap.

"Uh, no, it's fine." Merlin said confused, completely stumped by this whole situation. Then the man was bowing again, the awkwardness Merlin felt at being the one being bowed to returning full force. Then the man had a strong arm wrapped around his still giggling wife and practically dragged her away. The woman nearly fell over her own shoes several times.

Finally, he couldn't take it anymore. Merlin looked at Gwen and that was all they both needed before they were crackling with laughter. The two had to lean against each other to not fall over and still, the two wobbled dangerously several times.

"Did that really just happen?" Merlin asked, wiping at the tears that were starting to leak from his eyes. After the week he'd had, he'd been overdue for something fun and that lady had really reminded Merlin of just how much he needed it.

"I guess some nobles just can't hold their liquor." Gwen said, still giggling. It was amusing, the nobles thinking that they were the best at everything. But she knew several peasants that could drink straight up pure alcohol instead of a watered down glass of wine and still get up and get to work. Those people were still able to complete their duties even while fighting the massive hangover that they had gotten.

Gwen had a hand gripping onto Merlin's arm as a way to keep herself balanced. The bright grin on Merlin's face, the way his eyes lit up with unrestrained amusement, it was almost hard to imagine someone like this being so close to the throne. Unimaginable almost.

"And the bowing." Merlin continued, leaning heavily against Gwen as to keep his own balance. "Please tell me that something like that goes away and they're only doing it because I'm new."

Gwen snorted at the thought. As if a noble would dare speak to the royal family without practically groveling. Anything to receive favors from the crown and one up the other nobles by showing it off. "You're just gonna have to get used to it, Sir Consort 'Marvin'." Gwen teased with an over exaggerated bow of her own. It almost sent them both into peels of laughter again.

"Don't you start to." Merlin said, feeling his muscles relaxing in a way that they hadn't since he'd arrived. This was nice, just being with a friend. Not constantly thinking about what's-his-name. Merlin gave Gwen a curious look. "What is a consort anyway?"

Gwen looked startled by this, "You don't know?" She asked surprised. Had nobody explained anything to him, done anything to help him adjust to the new world that he was now a part of.

"That's what they called me but I've never heard the term before." Merlin said, shrugging helplessly. It wasn't like they studied the different types of nobles. He knew the basics. Knights were usually some kind of noble blood, then there were the king and his royal offspring that will take the throne when he was ready to step down. But that was pretty much it.

Gwen took Merlin's shrug as her cue to help him out. She was just a servant but nobles had always underestimated servants. They acted as if they weren't there, as if their cups were magically filling up on their own. Nobody realized just how easy it was for a servant to find things out. They were the unseen of the castle, able to flint around without anyone other than another servant noticing. And as she was Morgana's personal handmaiden, Gwen had often found herself listening in on conversations when lesser servants wouldn't have even been allowed in the room. But that was few and far between because even Morgana had rarely been allowed to partake in such things, being that she was a woman.

"It's basically just the fancy word for partner." Gwen explained. "Like a spouse, a husband or wife. They use the word consort instead to signify your place in the hierarchy of royalty. You're the prince's husband but not an actual prince yourself. You haven't been crowned or anything but then again, Arthur isn't even the crowned prince yet. It's the law, he won't be recognized as the next in line for the throne until he reaches twenty one."

"Really?" Merlin asked confused, eyes darting over to where he last saw the prat. But he was swallowed up by his friends and Merlin couldn't get a good look because that jerk Markus was standing in the way. "But I thought he was next in line for the throne. I mean, he's the king's only son, right?"

"Yeah," Gwen nodded, looking in Arthur's direction although it was clear that she wasn't having any luck spotting him either through the crowd of muscle men surrounding him. "I don't really get it myself. Everybody knows that Arthur is Uther's only child. As long as no long lost child that nobody knows existed shows up before Arthur becomes king, he'll be the one to take Uther's place after he steps down. If one did then they could contest to have the throne themselves. It's happened once or twice, never in Camelot though fortunately."

Across the hall, there was a sudden burst of laughter, causing Merlin and Gwen to look towards Morgana, who was laughing at some poor joke a Knight had just told her.

Merlin shook his head and turned back to Gwen. At least Morgana was having fun tonight. "So nobody's contested for the throne, huh?"

Gwen jolted back to attention, dragging her eyes away from Morgana. "No." She agreed quietly. "Arthur's the only one with the bloodline of the Pendragon's, other than his father that is, it's literally his destiny, some of the more fanatical servants say, to be the next king."

Merlin winced at the mention of destiny and whatnot. That word brought an uncomfortable feeling in the back of his throat, leaving a sour taste in his mouth. The word destiny had brought back what the dragon in the cave had told him. About how it was only through his help that Arthur become some great king over all of Albion. And wasn't there something about how Merlin could change Arthur from being an idiot.

He cast a glance over towards Arthur where he could now somewhat see the boy, throwing an obvious weak punch, clearly still imitating Merlin.

Nah, there were a lot of things that Merlin could do but he drew the line at the impossible.

Merlin found it easier to pull his eyes away from Arthur, not wanting to waste his time on the prat that didn't even seem to notice that he had gone. He let his eyes wonder over the rest of the guests, trying to see how anybody could get joy from such an event. Yeah, it was fancy and beautiful and enjoyable, especially for a peasant who had never before seen such finery, but still. It was painfully dull. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if he had some actual friends to be with. But he was with Gwen and Merlin liked to think that she was a new friend. Not someone he just said hi to in the halls before continuing on.

"So, this is a party at the castle." Merlin said heavily, leaning against the table behind him. He would have thought it would have been bigger but maybe that was just him. Hell, maybe it wasn't bigger because it was his party, his wedding ceremony. Why waste anything more elaborate on a peasant?

Merlin thought he would have preferred having a party in a clearing somewhere in the forest. Just relaxing as the wind made the trees rustle around him. "Is it always so boring?" He blurted out.

Gwen giggled behind the back of her hand, trying not to drag attention to themselves. They had gotten a few looks from some of the nearer nobles. The only reason they weren't approached and told to act like the servants they were was because of the obvious finery that Merlin wore. The one thing nobles could recognize was money and there was no doubt about how expensively done up Merlin's clothing was.

"Hopefully It won't be so boring later on." Gwen said when her giggles subsided. "Lady Helena is somewhere getting her voice ready. She should be here soon though, to play your wedding song."

Merlin groaned, letting his head fall back so that he could look towards the vaulted ceilings. The chandeliers above then, lit with dozens and dozens of candles, seemed surprisingly sturdy attached to the ceiling as it was. At least he hoped it was attached good considering it was above all of their heads and looked like it weighed a ton. Although it did bring the question, how were the servants even able to get up there to light the candles.

He couldn't help but remember Lady Helena and how standoffish she had been, the rude way she had acted. He wondered if she would act any different now that she knew he was the one married to the prince. He doubted she would act like that in front of them, the Lady wouldn't be so popular if she was also mean to the people paying her.

As Arthur once again crossed his mind, Merlin rubbed the fingers of his left hand together, feeling the metal of his ring around his finger. It was strange, wearing jewelry. It was even stranger knowing what this ring meant. He wondered if Arthur also felt strange about it or if it was just him.

As his thoughts wondered from Lady Helena, then to Arthur, and then to Lady Helena again, another thought crossed his mind. It was so startling that he jolted upright from the table, clearly surprising Gwen as well when she jumped back. "Oh god," Merlin blurted out. "Lady Helena is the wedding singer!"

"...Yeah..." Gwen said slowly, sounding uncertain. "But I hear that she's very good at what she does..."

"No, no, no," Merlin said quickly, shaking his head. "If there's a wedding singer than doesn't that mean there's a wedding dance. Please tell me that I don't have to dance with Arthur." Merlin had two left feet. He could barely walk in a straight line without tripping. He couldn't even begin to imagine the humiliation that would follow knowing that he stepped all over Arthur's feet. There was also the whole, he didn't know the first thing about dancing. He doubted he could follow along with a noble's version of dancing.

Gwen grinned at the thought of Merlin and Arthur dancing together. She couldn't imagine that the prince would have been very pleased to do it. "Nobles don't do wedding dances or anything like that." Gwen said helpfully.

Merlin looked at her baffled. They didn't dance at their weddings? Not that Merlin wanted to dance with Arthur of all people but at least it would be a familiar tradition. Something he could latch on to that he at least recognized.

Seeing the baffled expression that he was wearing, Gwen explained. "Most of their marriages are arranged." Nobles were always vying for any extra power that they could latch on to. It left them competing for their children's hand, all trying to find the best match to give them the most power. Gwen couldn't imagine that Arthur would be getting any extra power being that he had married a peasant. But then again, the prince didn't really need anything more. He was already the highest their kingdom had, the only exception being his own father. "There's no need to pretend more than they have to." Gwen kept explaining. "They know it's an arrangement, there's know reason to pretend more than they have to that they love each other. Besides, it's more of a commoner tradition anyway. You're not gonna see nobles dance at their wedding's like commoners do."

Merlin looked at her in disbelief before shaking his head and turning away. This whole new world, it was so confusing. He had expected things to be different, how could it not be? But still, even something as simple as this that Merlin knew was commonplace at weddings...literally were commonplace.

"We really do come from two different worlds." Merlin said quietly, talking to himself more than anything. He was staring off into space, a far away look in his eyes as he took in that newfound knowledge. It was strange. He knew that all weddings were different but he thought they all had some key factors. Example: something like a wedding dance. He had always thought the main difference between a noble wedding and a commoner one was really how much everything cost. He hadn't considered that there would be more major differences. And now he's starting to wonder if Camelot's nobility doesn't have something as small as a wedding dance, what other differences would he find in the day-to-day lifestyle.

Across the grand hall, Markus snorted as Arthur finished regaling the boy's about his encounter with Merlin. What could be more amusing than watching a mouthy peasant get his arse handed to him?

Markus felt like it was his turn now to throw out a joke, something else that would make his friends roar with laughter at something he said instead of Arthur. He was really starting to feel the lack of attention. But to get attention, he needed some more material. Arthur had already gone through his encounters with the peasant so what else could he do? He needed something new to bring their amusement up a notch.

At that thought, Markus let his eyes scan the crowd. He was looking for something, anything, that would be considered embarrassing for someone else. Something that would be humiliating to be noticed by somebody else.

And that was when he caught sight of Merlin. Markus had barely registered that the gnat was no longer at their side, clinging to Arthur's arm like some kind of cheap whore. The boy was leaning against a food table, looking like he was growing quite fond of his new rich lifestyle.

It made Markus disgusted. Knowing that the boy had literally not worked at all to have what was now his. To know that the boy had literally just showed up out of nowhere and claimed a piece of the throne.

But there was something else that disgusted him even more.

That was when he spotted Merlin talking to someone, a serving girl. He recognized her instantly just because she was Morgana's handmaiden but for the life of him, he couldn't remember her name. She was just a serving girl so she wasn't really on his radar.

Who did this Merlin think he was? Talking to servants as if they were his friends and not just the help. Was he trying to actively humiliate Arthur? Was he trying to cause a scene! Or did he think that just because he was now technically a noble, he could do whatever the hell he wanted with no concern at all for Arthur's reputation.

Honestly! Consorting with servants!

The disgust was written all over Markus' face for all to see. But he did try to keep this quiet as he nudged Arthur to get his attention but not to draw the attention of their friends. When Arthur turned to him, Markus hissed under his breath and nodded his head behind Arthur.

"You might want to rein in your 'consort' there Arthur. Before he does something that ruins your reputation."