''This is stupid'' Arthur complained as he entered the royal room together with his father and some guards.

''Garda is a strong and wealthy kingdom, we would be foolish not to offer them help in times like this'' Uther replied.

''But we are fighting their battle by letting them take shelter in Camelot'' Arthur snorted and Uther now turned to face his son.

''One day you will be king. I advise you to start taking notes on how to protect your people and your kingdom'' he hissed and Arthur looked stunned at him. An awkward silence laid across the room before Leon appeared at the threshold, he cleared his throat to get everybody's attention.

''I present to you, King David and his daughter; Princess Elena'' Leon announced and everybody turned against the entrance. In walked first the king, and then the princess right behind him followed by some guards dressed in black.

''David!'' Uther exclaimed as he opened his arms to collide with the other big man in a hug.

''Uther, how happy I am to see you'' David smiled as he hugged him back.

''This is my son, Arthur'' Uther continued as he now turned to introduce Arthur. Arthur however did not pay them any attention, his focus was locked on something else. Uther and David followed his gaze to see what he was looking at and David started to laugh when he saw that Arthur was staring at his daughter, who was whispering something to one of the guards, not noticing them.

''Elena dear, come say hi'' by the mention of her name, Elena looked up at her father and placed a smile on her face. She walked closer to her father before bowing in front of Uther.

''Aren't you a beauty'' Uther exhaled and Elena smiled with gratitude. Indeed she was, Arthur thought. He had never seen a more beautiful woman in his life. She had long brown hair, deep brown eyes, a body of a goddess, and a smile of an angel. She looked nothing like her father that was blond, blue-eyed, and rather round, making Arthur assume she must have gotten her beauty from her mother. By the look of the other men in the room - and Merlin -, he could tell he was not the only one enchanted by her.

''And this must be the famous Black Knights'' Uther spoke again and had now laid eyes on the men behind Elena. Every kingdom knew the reputation of the black knights, they are skilled as ninnies, kills in a blink of an eye, quiet as mice, light as feathers, quick as the speed of light, and trained since birth. Uther's eyes shimmered by such strength and power.

''You must be rather tired from your trip. Merlin, show our guests their rooms. Let them rest because tomorrow night we will welcome them with a feast'' Uther continued with a smile.

''We are forever grateful for this Uther, I will never forget it'' David said as a wispy young man who was dressed a little oddly appeared in front of them, he guessed this was Merlin.

''Your highness, my lady'' Merlin said and bowed his head as he extended his arm to point them in the right direction. They followed and left in the room were Arthur, his father, and his five knights.

''Let me make myself clear Arthur. Camelot needs this alliance, so whatever they want, whenever they want it; we are going to make sure they have it. We will treat and protect them as they were our own'' he said with a sharp tone and Arthur nodded.

Arthur walked up to the room where they had planned for their guests to stay and peeked inside. He found David looking at Merlin that helped him unpack his clothes and place them in the wardrobe.

''I see my servant is of use, hope he's not too slow of an understander'' Arthur said and met Marlin's gaze that showed his disapproval.

''Not at all, he's very helpful'' David replied and Merlin smiled at Arthur who gave him a glare back. Arthur looked around the room before turning his attention back to the king.

''I hope you will feel at home here'' he said and David nodded with gratitude.

''You are most kind Arthur, both you and your father. I'm very grateful'' he replied and Arthur could really feel that he was a good man.

''Of course, the pleasure is on our side. I will leave you to it and hope to see you tomorrow at the feast''

''Merlin'' Arthur added and his servant bowed in front of David before leaving with Arthur.

''So, witch room is hers?'' Arthur said, looking over at Merlin while they walked down the hallway.

''Two floors from yours'' Merlin replied as he straightened his back a little to show how proud he was.

''You see Merlin, sometimes, you use that little part of your brain that still works'' Arthur said and chuckled before placing his hand on Merlin's shoulder. Merlin curled back to normal again and just gave him a glare as a response.

x x x

''… and then he just fell and landed on his face'' Gwaine finished before they all started to laugh, except Leon who the story was about.

''He cheated'' Leon said, causing everybody to laugh even more. It was the day after and the feast had begun. There was music, food, drinks, and entertainment going on as Uther, David, and Morgana sat at the big royal table and enjoyed the party.

''Where's Merlin?'' Lancelot asked.

''Helping Gaius with something'' Arthur shook his head, Merlin was always late.

''Or he's with Princess Elena'' Elyan said and Arthur snorted.

''Don't be stupid, I would know if he was with her'' he said cocky and Elyan smirked.

''Is that so?'' he nodded towards the entrance and they all turned towards that direction. He was right, there stood both Merlin and Elena.

''Wow'' Lancelot said and they all knew he was referring to Elena. She was dressed in a navy blue dress that fitted her like a glove, Arthur could feel how his heart dropped by her beauty. She stayed beside Merlin and he could tell she felt uncomfortable with all the unfamiliar faces across the room. Merlin said something to her and then pointed towards where Arthur and the knights were sitting. Her response was a nod and with that, she followed him. Gwaine who was sitting on the table now rose to his feet to show manners.

''Hi'' Merlin said as they approached them.

''I thought you were with Gaius?'' Arthur said, trying to act normal in front of the princess.

''Yes sorry, Uther wanted me to escort Princess Elena''

''You have a very lovely servant, you should cherish him more'' Elena now spoke with a light voice. Arthur locked eyes with her and she smiled back at him.

''I'm happy that you are pleased with him'' Arthur replied and Elena gave away a nod, still smiling.

''You look amazing, princess'' Lancelot spoke and they all nodded in agreement.

''Thank you'' Elena blushed in response.

''Yes, beautiful'' Arthur agreed and Elena now looked back at him.

''Thank you, Arthur'' she replied and he could feel how his friends grinned at him. He just prayed that his face wasn't visibly red.

''Princess Elena!'' Uther shouted from the end of the room, he had spotted the princess.

''You are a delight to the eye'' he said and places his right hand over his chest.

''You are too kind, your highness'' she replied and bowed. Uther extended his hand towards her and she walked up to him, leaving Arthur, Merlin, and the knights behind. They watched as Uther started to introduce her to Morgana and the two women started to chat.

''So, that went well'' Merlin said and laughed at Arthur.

''Shut up Merlin'' he groaned as he tilted his head backward.

''Did she at least say anything about me as you walked her here?'' Arthur asked.

''No, we talked mostly about me for a change'' Merlin said and Arthur now looked at him.

''Merlin. Remember that small part of your brain I was talking about earlier? Yes… remember it'' he said and they all laughed.

It was a successful feast, everybody seemed to enjoy it. The food was amazing, the drinks had started to kick in and people were dancing and clapping. When the clock struck midnight, people started to head home and Arthur and his knights were ready to do the same.

''Arthur, will you walk Elena to her chamber?'' Uther's voice was heard and Arthur turned to face his father.

''Of course'' he said as he looked at the girl that already was standing by the entrance. They walked in silence, all that was heard was Elena's heels echoing in the hallway.

''Are you okay?'' Arthur asked eventually when he sensed a heaviness in the air. She looked over at him and placed a smile across her face, but he could tell it was a sad smile.

''Yes, thank you'' she replied softly.

''Did you enjoy the feast?'' Arthur continued and Elena nodded.

''Very much, it was wonderful''

''Good, that pleases me'' he said, causing her to giggle lightly. They walked up to the entrance of her room and were now standing in front of her door.

''Well, this is me'' she said and he gave away a nod.

''Thank you for walking me to my room'' she added.

''My pleasure, I hope you'll sleep well and if you need anything just let me know. My room is just two floors down'' he said. She now gave him a real smile which made his heart warm.

''I'll gladly show you around tomorrow if you'd like. Seems like you'll be staying for a while'' he continued.

''I would love that'' she replied.

''Good. Goodnight, princess'' he said and started to move his body away from her, still looking at her.

''Goodnight, Arthur'' she said softly and entered her room. When the door closed he created a fist with his hand and mumbled a YES before walking away with a big smile across his face.