Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin! I only own my OC, and any other characters or plotlines I make up along the way!

AN: Ahhh we're almost at the finale!

Enjoy!

A few weeks later, Arthur called a special meeting in the council chamber. We still hadn't really been speaking to each other, but Merlin convinced me to come. I stood next to him and Gaius as we waited for Arthur to make his announcement.

"My lords, fellow Knights, gentlemen..." He began. "As you are all aware, Camelot's claim to the lands of Gedref has long been in dispute. Today I can announce that, after many months of confidential negotiations, the kingdoms of Nemeth and Camelot have reached an agreement."

Murmuring broke out amongst the court, because this was actually a really big deal. Nemeth and Camelot had been disputing for Gedref for years, going back to Uther's time.

"There's nothing to fear," Arthur assured. "It is a fair and honourable agreement that benefits two great kingdoms." He paused, then said, "Furthermore, our friendship will be cemented by a union that cannot be broken. My hand in marriage to Her Royal Highness, Princess Mithian."

My face dropped, and my jaw went slack. Marriage? Was he for real?

More murmuring amongst the court, but then applause followed. I looked over at Merlin who had the same gobsmacked expression that I did, and when I looked back at Arthur he was obviously avoiding my gaze.

"Smile," Gaius whispered to the both of us.

"He can't mean that," Merlin shook his head.

I nodded. "He has to be joking."

"And clap. Smile and clap," Gaius pressed.

Merlin immediately put on a big fake smile and clapped, but I refused. Once the court adjorned, I followed Arthur as he walked down the hall. He had just reached the end of the hall when I got to the front.

"How could you?!" I boomed, and Arthur stopped in his tracks. "You can't do this!"

"Of course I can," Arthur said immediately, still not turning around to look at me. "I am the king."

"You could do that to Gwen?" I demanded. "After everything you've put her through."

"Everything I've put her through?" he barked as he finally turned around to look at me. "Guinevere made her choice. She betrayed me. Now she must take the consequences."

I huffed in disbelief. "You're still letting your ego make decisions. Arthur, you can't live life like this. Everyone is going to get hurt."

Arthur simply glared at me before he turned around and walked away.

I growled as I tried to fit my hair into a bun at the top of my head. I was feeling frustratingly hot, despite the cooling breeze. Princess Mithian was arriving today, and Arthur sent a servant to demand that I be there when she arrived. I wasn't going to originally, but once again Merlin managed to convince me that it was for the best. I think I was more of a pushover when I was pregnant, which was why I couldn't wait for this pregnancy to be over.

I screamed as my hair fell out of its play and flopped onto my shoulders.

Merlin immediately came running over to me. "What happened? Is it the baby? Is the baby coming?!"

"What? No," I shook my head as I looked back at my reflection in the mirror. "Stupid Princess Mithian is arriving today and I'm going to be forced to look at her face and be reminded even more that my best friend is no longer here and I'm a billion years pregnant and look terrible and I'm so tired and I just-" I sighed, tipping my head back "I don't know what to do anymore."

Merlin gave me a sympathetic look before coming up to me. He grabbed the tie that I was using before making me face the mirror. He gathered my hair and began forming a neat bun at the top of my head. "There is one consolation," he pointed out as he tied my hair together. He placed a kiss to my cheek and said, "You look beautiful."

Despite thinking that I looked like crap, a smile graced my face and I turned my head to kiss him. "Thank you." I looked back at the mirror. "I suppose we should go down and be ready to greet Princess Mithian."

The court and knights awaited on the steps of the castle for the arrival of Princess Mithian. Merlin stood in the crowd while I stood with Arthur and Agravaine a little bit more in front. A crowd of knights paraded towards Camelot, with a woman dressed in white with a veil draped over her face riding in the middle of them. The party halted in front of our group.

"Knights of Nemeth, Camelot welcomes you and extends the hand of friendship," Arthur announced, his crown sitting proudly on top of his head.

The guards in front moved aside and allowed the princess to approach. Arthur stepped down from the stairs, taking a breath as he prepared to meet his future bride. Princess Mithian raised her veil, and it was like the world stopped spinning.

She was beautiful. Like, breath taking, immpecable, making me question my sexuality beautiful. She had dark hair that cascaded down her shoulders and innocent, doe brown eyes. Her porcelain skin was clear and smooth, her thin lips gracing into a smile.

It was so annoying.

Arthur had to take a moment to collect himself before stepping forward as a guard helped her dismount. "Princess Mithian, you are most welcome," he greeted.

"Thank you, Your Highness," she replied in a musical voice, which pissed me off even more. She was like Snow White come to life. I never liked Snow White. "I have heard much about you, and you are more handsome in person than reports suggested."

I almost gagged, and it looked like Arthur didn't know how to handle the compliment. He kind of just stood there for a second before Princess Mithian asked, "Are we to stay in this chill all day?"

As if he was in a trace (was Princess Mithian an enchantress? It would give me a real reason not to like her), Arthur said, "Forgive me." He took her hand and turned to face us, his welcoming committee. "Tomorrow there will be a great feast to welcome our worthy friends."

Everyone burst into applause, and I cared too much about the reputation of Camelot not to clap as well. I looked over my shoulder, and Merlin and I shared worried looks.

Arthur might actually be serious this time.

Later in our chambers while we enjoyed breakfast, Merlin and I were both quiet. Arthur took Princess Mithian on a tour of the castle, and I declined going with them by lying and saying that I wasn't feeling well. Arthur wanted some alone time with the princess, so he gave Merlin some time off as well.

"I just don't understand," I mused as I poked at my food. "In my dream, Gwen was being crowned Arthur's queen. How can that happen if he marries Princess Mithian?"

He sighed. "I don't know. It is Arthur's fate to marry Gwen. "But are we supposed to do anything about it?"

"Gaius would berate us for trying to interfere," I pointed out. "And Arthur would throw us both out of Camelot if we tried as well. Besides, I can say whatever I want to Arthur and he won't change his mind."

He blew air out of his lips. "So what should we do?"

"Honestly?" I started. "I don't know."

Later that night was the feast, and I sat with Arthur and Princess Mithian at the head of the table. There was conversation, laughter, and music, but I couldn't enjoy myself. For one, the baby was kicking me relentlessly and I felt like there was a bruise growing on my stomach. Second, I couldn't stand watching Arthur and Princess Mithian flirt. It just made me think of Gwen and how she wasn't here...

Merlin strolled over to Arthur, a jug cradled in his hand. "Would you like more soup, sire?"

"No, thanks," Arthur said before turning back to Princess Mithian.

"You sure?" Merlin pressed.

Arthur leaned forward and harshly whispered, "Merlin, you've asked me that three times now. Will you just..." He made a frustrated face, telling him to "go away."

Merlin's gaze flickered over to me, and I shot him a look that told him to just leave it alone. He nodded and walked away.

Princess Mithian put a hand on Arthur's arm, regaining his attention. "You were saying?"

They continued their conversation (I wasn't paying attetnion to whatever they were saying, I was really just stuffing my face with chicken) but all of a sudden Arthur's hand flipped a spoonful of soup onto his chainmail.

I stiffled a laugh, and I looked over at Merlin. The twinkle in his eye confirmed that he used his magic to make Arthur do that in hopes that it would make him look like a fool in front of Princess Mithian.

"Er...sorry, I, erm..." Arthur stammered as he tried to clean himself up. Princess Mithian put her goblet down and wiped Arthur's chainmail with her napkin.

"No harm done," she said, a sweet smile on her face.

I refrained from rolling my eyes as I took a swig of my water. Just as I lowered my goblet, Princess Mithian turned her attention to me. "Lizzie, I just wanted to offer my belated congratulations on your marriage and your child. I am sure you must be very excited."

I was contemplating just not answering, but the look on Arthur's face told me that he would kill me if I didn't. I offered a tight smile as I said, "Thank you. I am very excited."

I then looked way, suggesting the end of the conversation. Princess Mithian had opened her mouth to say something else when Agravaine walked in. He came over to Arthur, leaned forward, and whispered, "The vaults are secure, my lord, and, er...there were no plans missing."

"Thank you for performing your duties with such haste, Uncle," Arthur said, and once again I had to keep myself from rolling my eyes. "Now you have to make up for lost time. We're to have dancing and I hear that your jig used to be something to behold."

"Er...'used' is the word, sire," Agravaine mumbled. "A-alas I am not as nimble as I once was."

"Nonsense!" Arthur protested.

"I do feel that dancing is best performed in youth and appreciated in age," Agravaine said, causing Arthur and Princess Mithian to chuckle but made me scoff quietly.

When was it an appropriate time to leave?

After the feast was over, I was making my way back to my bedchambers when Arthur stopped me in the hall. "What is it, your Majesty?" I asked, returning to using his official title. "It has been a very long day and I wish to retire."

"I saw the way that you were speaking with Princess Mithian tonight," he began. "I do not like it."

"That sounds like a 'you' problem," I said, and turned to keep walking.

Arthur followed after me, grabbing my arm and forcing me to stop. "I realize that you are upset with me, Elizabeth. I know that, and I know I do not deserve to be forgiven for what I did to you. But Princess Mithian is our guest here, and I would expect that you would at least be cordial with her."

I frowned at him. "You turned your back on me, thought I could be a traitor, chose everybody over me at any given opportunity, banished my best friend, didn't let me say goodbye to her and you want me to be cordial, Arthur?" I thundered. I shook my head at him. "I cannot believe you."

I turned to leave when his voice stopped me. "Will we ever get over this?"

I looked over my shoulder at him. "I don't know."

This time when I when I walked away, he didn't stop me.

The next day was the Festival of Ostara. I didn't really know what it was for, but it was tradition to host a hunt on that day. I didn't like hunting much anyways, but Gaius was kind enough to give me an excuse. He thought that I was too close to birth and the hunt might bring on early labour.

I had my weekly checkup from Gaius that morning and was on my way back to my chambers when I heard my name being called behind me, "Lizzie! Lizzie!"

I frowned, but stopped and turned to see Princess Mithian running after me. "Good morning. Will you be joining us on the hunt this morning?"

"No," I deadpanned as I kept walking. Princess Mithian struggled to catch up with me. "I do not particularly enjoy hunting, and the court physician advised me not to go. He believes I am too close to delivering the baby and should be on bedrest."

"Oh," Princess Mithian said. "Lizzie, I-"

I cut her off. "I would prefer you not to call me by my pet name, Princess. I only permit those who are close to me to call me Lizzie. You may call me Lady Elizabeth as I will call you Princess Mithian, your Highness."

She stopped in her tracks and so did I. "I apologize for being so forward, Lady Elizabeth. I have noticed that everyone calls you Lizzie, so I thought that I might be able to do as well." She hesitated. "If I may, can I ask you something?"

"If you must," I replied.

"Why do you not like me?" she asked, genuine curiosity in her tone. At the surprised look on my face, Princess Mithian sighed. "Come on, Lady Elizabeth. I'd have been a fool not to notice."

I huffed. "I apologize if I made you feel unwelcome, your Highness. It is not you whom I have a quarrel with."

"Arthur," she filled in, and my silence was all the answer she needed. "I do not know the nature of this quarrel and whatever it is is between the two of you, but your opinion matters so much to him." She continued despite my scoff. "You matter so much to him. I have heard of the special place that Arthur holds you in ever since Morgana betrayed you all, so imagine my surprise when I see the hostility between you two when I arrived." She drew a breath. "It is not my place to interfere with your relationship to Arthur, but he values your opinion more than you really know." She twiddled with her fingers. "I like him, Lady Elizabeth. I really do. I didn't expect to, but...well, he's a lovable person, isn't he? Underneath it all. All I ask is that you give me a chance. I cannot bear for someone who I consider to be a future sister-in-law to hate me. Can you do that?"

I still wanted to hate her but the truth was, it wasn't her I was mad at. It was the situation that we had been dealt that was pissing me off. And Princess Mithian was a nice enough person, I suppose. If Arthur was truly adamant about leaving Gwen in the past forever, Princess Mithian wasn't a bad second choice. I sighed. "You may call me Elizabeth. We shall see if I like you enough to call me Lizzie."

She grinned. "Then I insist that you call me Mithian."

I offered a small smile. "Alright, Mithian. You better hurry or you'll be late to the hunting party."

Mithian reached over and took my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I look forward to being your friend, Elizabeth."

Seriously, it was like the girl radiated kindness. My answer was even a bit genuine as I said, "As do I, Mithian."

When Merlin came back from the hunt, he revealed something that shocked me to the core. Gwen was in Camelot, but for some reason, she was a deer. Like the animal. And they came across her during a hunt.

I immediately plunged into a flurry of questions if Gwen was okay, but Merlin assured that he was going to go back tonight to try and find her and make sure she was okay. I wanted to go with him, but as soon as I stood up, I felt a twinge in my side that made me cry out in pain. Merlin immediately laid me back down and promised to give me a full report when he came back with Gwen.

So imagine my surprise when he came home without Gwen a few hours later.

"Where is she?!" I demanded.

"She would not come back," he answered.

"Then you should've dragged her here!"

"Lizzie, I couldn't force her to do something that she didn't want to do," he explained.

I sighed. "You're right, I'm sorry. I just worry so much about her. Is she okay? She's not hurt, is she?"

"She was, but I healed her," he replied. "But that's not the important bit. She saw Morgana. She said that she, the Southrons and Helios are planning to attack Camelot."

"Well, that's stupid," I commented. "They'd never succeed. They'd never get close enough, let alone get in."

"Gwen said that Agravaine gave them plans of the siege tunnels under the citadel," Merlin reported, a dark look crossing his face.

"Oh my God," I breathed, putting a hand to my stomach. "Agravaine's done a lot to thwart Camelot but nothing extreme like this." I covered my mouth with my hand. "Helios and the Southrons have the plans of the siege tunnels. They'll overtake us within less than an hour."

"That's why I have to go warn Arthur," he said. "I just thought you'd want to come with me."

I rolled my eyes. "Arthur's not going to believe it if it's coming from me, not after the way I've been going after Agravaine all year. But you he might listen to." I gave him a little push. "Go. Warn him."

Arthur, of course, didn't believe Merlin. The plans seemed to still be there, so Arthur was going to take that as not believing Merlin. But according to Merlin, Arthur had been brooding in his chambers all night. He practically begged me to go talk to him, and even though I didn't want to, I had to clear the air with Arthur eventually.

I knocked on his door, and when there was no answer I contemplated just leaving, but I pushed the door open and walked in. Arthur was sitting on the end of his bed, fully dressed in his chainmail. In his hands was Gwen's engagement ring. He must've found it on the hunt yesterday.

I clicked my tongue, causing him to look over at me. "Now this is a sorry sight," I said as I approached him. "You look absolutely terrible. Mithian might not find you attractive anymore."

Arthur didn't answer. I stopped beside him, putting my hands behind my back. "Merlin said that you weren't talking to him, and I've been told that I am someone who is very important to you so I have come to see if I could help with anything." He was still avoiding my gaze, so I leaned to the side a little to get him to look at me. "Do you need my help with anything?"

"How can I love someone who's betrayed me?" Arthur asked in a small voice. "It doesn't make any sense. And how can I make myself love another?" He finally looked at me. "Tell me that."

I sighed, sitting down next to him. "I can't tell you what to do or how to feel," I began. "People come and go in our lives. They're all important to us, and when they leave, it hurts. But we are the ones who get to choose if we want them back in our lives. If you truly love Gwen and think that you can get past this, then you should be with her. But if you have any doubts about her, there can be no relationship between the two of you. And Mithian is a wonderful woman who cares about you. But if you don't love Gwen and if you don't love Mithian, then you need to tell Mithian that. It's not fair to condemn her to a relationship where she thinks that love will grow when you know it never will." I reached over and took his hand in mine. "You have to listen to your heart, Arthur. It may lead you down the wrong path sometimes, but when it comes to love, it knows exactly what it's doing. If you are Gwen are meant to be, you'll find each other."

Arthur looked back down at the ring and slipped his hand out of mine, only to lean forward and pull me into a hug. "I'm so sorry for what I did that day," he mumbled into my shoulder. "I am sorry that I didn't let you say goodbye to Guinevere. I was hurt and angry and I took that out on you. I will not be able to atone for that for the rest of my life, and I do not expect you to forgive me either."

I didn't say anything as I simply hugged him back. When he pulled away, he said, "You're right. I've put you through so much this year, when you didn't deserve any of it. I did not expect you to forgive me for anything that I've done this year, but you have a good enough heart that you have. But this... this I will accept never receiving your forgiveness."

I offered him a small smile as I squeezed his shoulder. "You've made a lot of mistakes and said things you didn't mean. I have a few things that I wish I hadn't said as well. But we are family, and family is something that you can never let go of." I punched him on the shoulder. "But that doesn't mean that I'm gonna forgive you every time, so you better get your act together."

Arthur rubbed his arm. "Noted."

We both chuckled, and it was silent for a moment before I said, "You're a good king, Arthur, and a good man. And whatever decision you make I know will be the right one."

Arthur ultimately canceled the wedding. Mithian decided to leave the very next day, and I honestly did not blame her. I decided to see her off after breakfast. I waited with Arthur outside in the square for Mithian. She emerged from the castle and descended down the stairs.

She stopped beside me, completely ignoring Arthur. She took my hand. "It was a pleasure to make your aquaintance, Elizabeth, and I do hope you come to visit me in Nemeth with your little one once it arrives."

I gave her hand a squeeze. "Of course I will. And you may call me Lizzie, Mithian."

Mithian gave me a bright smile, but it died a little as her gaze flickered over to Arthur. She looked back at me and said, "I look forward to your visit. Goodbye."

I said goodbye back, and she let go of my hand and began to make her way over to her horse. I looked over at Arthur, who was looking torn as he looked after Mithian, and I nudged him to go after her and say what he wanted to.

He ran after her. "Princess!"

She didn't stop, but that didn't stop him from trying. "Forgive me."

Mithian finally turned around to face him. "The time for words is over, sire."

"I understand. And it is for this reason that I hereby offer you and your descendents all the disputed lands of Gedref," he revealed.

Mithian's face dropped. "You would give up your ancient claims?"

"I have no desire for war," Arthur answered. "Or to grieve you any more than I already have."

Mithian gave him a look. "Such an offer cannot be rushed into."

"I've had my scribes draw up an agreement." Arthur pulled out a scroll. "If you're happy with the terms, I'll sign forthwith."

She raised an eyebrow. "And if I refuse?"

"It's all I can offer. I do so most humbly." Arthur bowed his head and looked down, then looked her in the eye and held out the scroll, waiting for her response. She considered him a moment, then took the scroll from his hands.

"Tell me...who is it that trumps a princess?" she wondered.

"No one," Arthur answered quickly, but he changed his statement. "And everyone."

Mithian's mood seemed to lighten a bit. "What great family is she from?"

"None," he replied. "She's the daughter of a blacksmith."

"And for her you would risk your kingship? Your kingdom?" Mithian wondered.

Arthur paused, then said, "Without her, they're worth nothing to me."

Mithian considered what he said, and a smile crossed her face. "I would give up my own kingdom to be so loved." She nodded gracefully at him. "Farewell, Arthur."

Arthur smiled as well. "Farewell, Princess."

That night, Merlin was preparing Arthur's bed for him to sleep in while Arthur stared out the window, lost in deep thought. All of a sudden the king turned to face his servant. "Have I been a fool? To give up so much for a woman who betrayed me? A woman who I might not even see again?"

Merlin, however, wasn't worried. "You will see her again." He went back to preparing the bed. "You did the right thing, my lord. As I knew you would."

"And how could you be so sure?" Arthur prompted.

"Because...you're Arthur," Merlin supplied. "You're noble. You're the once and future king."

Arthur scoffed. "Doomed to be a bachelor," he finished. He looked back over to Merlin. "What's the point of loving someone who cannot be found?"

"Gwen will be found," Merlin said immediately. "You will find each other."

Arthur half laughed half scoffed as he thought back to those same words that Elizabeth had said to him. "As strange as it is, you and Elizabeth are really meant for each other." He shook his head. "Sometimes I cannot believe that you are married and expecting a child before me. How did you manage that?"

This time, any traces of jest was gone from Merlin's tone. "Because I never let her go."

Arthur stared at his servant in disbelief as he considered his words. "Are you really wise, Merlin, or just a pratting fool? I can no longer tell."

Merlin shrugged a little. He took a couple of steps but lost his footing as he knocked over Arthur's chamber pot. It made a loud splashing and banging sound as the contents spilled everywhere, and Merlin hesitantly looked over at Arthur.

Arthur shook his head. "As if there was ever any doubt."

TBC...

We're at the finale! THE FINALE AHHHH

I can confirm that Elizabeth will be going into labour in the finale! Place your bets! Boy or girl?

REVIEW! FOLLOW! FAVOURITE! THANKS! STAY TUNED!

THE ADVENTURES OF ELIZABETH MALINOR CONTINUES...

"It's time," Princess Morgana Pendragon declares.

Merlin runs through the hall.

Morgana walks in behind her army as they invade Camelot.

Arthur fights the Southrons as he runs in the hall.

Merlin, Arthur, and Elizabeth make a break for it in the forest.

UNTIL NEXT TIME!