Merlin walked slightly behind Arthur as they entered the palace once more. Morgana walked beside Arthur, arms entwined as they approached Uther's chambers. He seemed to be wide awake despite the late hour.

"Finally, you're all here." Uther said, standing, looking as stern as always. "Well, where is it?" Uther asked with a smile.

"Where's what, your majesty?" Morgana asked confused. Uther chuckled and approached slowly, making Merlin nervous.

"Where's the catch of this magnificent hunting trip?" Uther asked. "Sir Leon? Why don't you tell me what happened?"

Leon tensed but his mouth remained shut.

"We were ambushed father. Cenred's men attacked us." Arthur said and the humour vanished from Uther's face.

"They came into our border?"

"We were hunting far too close to the border. We heard there was a large herd of deer in the vicinity. I thought it would have been a good place to start for Morgana, since she'd never shown interest in hunting before." Arthur said.

"We managed to escape, thankfully." Morgana said with a deep sigh of relief and she smiled coming forward to take Uther's hands. "Oh sire, you have no idea how pleased I am to finally be back."

Uther stared at all of them, as if looking for the truth. Merlin looked down when the king looked at him, and kept his hand behind his back, where Ygrain's ring still glimmered with the candle light of the room. Uther finally sighed and smiled at Morgana.

"I'm glad you're both safe. I'll inform the council immediately. The peace treaty with Essetir is over." Uther said nodded. "You should all get some rest." They all turned to leave. Everyone let out a sigh of relief once they were out the door.

Mordred yawned and Merlin looked at him. "You ok?" Merlin asked.

"I'm tired." Mordred answered back, neither of their mouths moved. Merlin reached up and ruffled his hair.

"Go get some sleep." Merlin said. Mordred looked up at him with a smile filled with hope and Merlin frowned, wondering why.

"Goodnight." Mordred said, led away by Morgana.

"Arthur," Morgana called and Arthur turned to meet her eyes.

"Goodnight, sis—uh… Morgana." Arthur said and she smiled.

"Goodnight, Arthur."

"And goodnight to everyone too." Leon said suddenly, crossing their line of sight, marching straight away. Gwen smiled and gave them a small curtsy before following Leon into the depths of the night.

Merlin watched them go and followed Arthur to his rooms in silence. Once there, Arthur placed his sword and belt on the table and looked at some parchment with a pensive look on his face.

Merlin approached slowly, reaching to start undoing his armour. Arthur went still as Merlin did the normal task of undoing the clasps, placing the items on the table, taking the load off from his prince's shoulders. Like a normal servant. Except this was anything but normal. Merlin was slow but purposeful, being more careful with the armour than usual.

Arthur turned to look at him and Merlin kept his eyes locked onto his for as long as possible while still removing the armour. Soon all parts were assembled on the table and Merlin turned to Arthur.

"Shall I prepare a bath for you, my lord?" Merlin spoke Arthur's title in a way he'd never before and Arthur finally seemed to snap, storming over, pulling him into a hungry kiss.

Merlin shuddered and moaned against Arthur's mouth, wrapping his arms around him to hold him closer as they savoured each other. When they broke apart for air, they pressed their foreheads together.

"I don't want to rush us." Arthur whispered.

"You're not." Merlin said. "I love you." Arthur sighed as if hearing those words eased some kind of pain and leaned in to kiss him again. This time they were slow and took their time. When they pulled back once more, Merlin smiled at him and Arthur smiled back.

oOoOoOo

They spent a good hour relaxing in the bath water. It helped that Merlin could just reheat it when it got too cool. After that they both looked completely drained. Dressed in their sleeping clothes, they curled up in bed together and tried to calm their minds to let sleep reach them.

"Maybe things will calm down now." Merlin said softly, eyes half closed with sleep.

"I very much hope so." Arthur said and gave him a deep kiss on the mouth. "Goodnight, Merlin."

"Goodnight, husband." Merlin said once more and smiled, amused at Arthur's rose-tinted cheeks.

oOoOoOo

The following days indeed were met with calm. Arthur could enjoy the days of rest from training while the snows remained high, which meant that Merlin and Arthur could get used to the fact that they couldn't stand to be apart from each other for more than a minute. They would if they had to, but they never strayed too far if they could help it.

No one else noticed it, except for those that already knew they'd married.

Leon joked to Merlin about it. "Still enjoying the honeymoon, I see." He said one particular day that Merlin had just been staring at Arthur with admiration as he gave a speech in court on order of his father. Something about encouraging the nobles through the harsh winter.

"I am not." Merlin laughed quiet enough not to disturb the speech.

"Oh, Merlin. You most certainly are. Both of you. Still high in that blissful cloud of the first weeks of marriage. I admit I was sceptical at first when you both got married, but now I can see why." Leon said.

"I bet you don't have the courage to say the same to Arthur." Merlin teased.

"Absolutely not." Leon chuckled and Merlin smiled. He was pleased he still had Leon as a friend because everyone else had resorted to the old ways of ignoring him. Serving him like any other Lord but not talking to him. Somehow, with every day that passed, it mattered less and less to Merlin.

When Arthur was done and everyone was done clapping, Uther stood. "I would like to make an announcement." He said, drawing everyone's attention. "Lord Godwyn, our long standing ally will be visiting as soon as the snows melt. I'm sure everyone understands how his arrival is cause for celebration. We will have a great banquet in his honour when he arrives!" Uther said and everyone cheered.

Merlin smiled as Arthur politely clapped, while Morgana, ever the better actress, somehow managed to convey genuine joy as she clapped her hands together and smiled at Uther's declaration. Nonetheless he caught the brief glance they shared, showing nothing but contempt toward Uther for a second far too short for anyone to catch.

oOoOoOo

Merlin stood at the front row, looking uncomfortable. "Merlin, stop fidgeting. Lord Godwyn will be here any moment." Gwen whispered next to him.

"I can't help it, Gwen. People are looking at me strangely. Just look at what Arthur has me wearing!" Merlin whispered.

"I think you look rather nice." Gwen said.

"Not for a servant." Merlin replied.

"I think you're a little underdressed as the prince's wife." Morgana whispered as she walked past.

"Shht!" Merlin and Gwen hissed. Leon, who'd been guarding her, stared at her with wide eyes, glancing around to see if anyone had heard. Luckily, no one did.

Merlin looked at his fine new trousers, his bright blue shirt that felt softer than anything Merlin had ever worn, the fine leather jacket lined with a short fur for inside the palace walls and a new bright red neckerchief to replace his old one.

With the knowledge of being Arthur's manservant in and out of bed already spread through the entire palace and court, the extravagant gifts Arthur gave him simply did not help Merlin's case. Not that he had the heart to refuse whenever Arthur searched his face to see if he liked the gifts. Or when Arthur would stare at him like that. Merlin shook his head, motioning for the prince to pay attention to the moment at hand.

oOoOoOo

Arthur chuckled as he looked away from Merlin. But how could he resist? He couldn't stop staring at him as he dressed so nicely. Not as nice as Arthur would like to dress him, but all in due course.

He glanced at his father, who seemed very excited at the arrival of Lord Godwyn. Arthur hadn't seen him smile like that for a long time.

"You seem happy, father." Arthur pointed out.

"Well, it is an exciting day, Arthur."

"Well, like you said, the arrival of Lord Godwyn is always a cause for celebration." He said, facing the door. He knew they were already in the palace, it was only a matter of seconds before they arrived at court.

"And Princess Elena." Uther added. Arthur was a little surprised since his father hadn't mentioned her until now.

"…Yes."

"I hear she's something of a beauty." He said. At that, Arthur's eyes settled on the one person that currently fit that description in his mind.

"Really." Arthur added, while Merlin again looked at little annoyed at catching Arthur making eyes at him. If only Merlin knew how much joy and laughter the warlock brought to his heart.

"Oh yes." Arthur looked at his father, sensing how he was desperate to say something. "Beautiful, charming, witty… strategic."

Arthur frowned in confusion. "Strategic?"

"I have always thought so… that is, we have always thought so… Lord Godwyn and myself." His father was stammering. That made Arthur's stomach twist very unpleasantly. "That is he finds you strategic… not… Princess Elena."

Arthur turned to face him fully now. "He finds me… strategic?"

"Oh yes." Uther nodded.

"And beautiful?" Uther opened his mouth to that but had no response. Luckily for him, the doors opened and Lord Godwyn entered the court, followed closely by a pretty if… messy looking young woman. "Father, what are you trying to say?" Arthur insisted.

"Lord Godwyn is a serious ally. The strength of such a match cannot be underestimated." He whispered.

Arthur almost knew what he was trying to say, but didn't want to say it out loud, lest he give his father ideas. "Please tell me you mean a jousting match."

"I mean a love match."

Arthur's eyes widened slightly. "Love?!" He hissed under his breath.

"Not love, love has nothing to do with it. I mean the other bit." Arthur still didn't understand. "You know… a permanent union." Then it clicked.

"Marriage?!"

Uther smiled and patted him on the shoulder. "I knew you'd understand—Godwyn!" He called, stepping down from the stairs to go and hug his friend and ally. Arthur looked at Elena and then at Merlin who looked at him confused and back at his father.

Arthur was speechless as he stepped closer, which meant he was standing beside Merlin. One small comfort in this very uncomfortable situation for him. As the two royals hugged and greeted each other, Arthur felt Merlin's knuckles brush against his intentionally and Arthur responded by placing his hand in Merlin's, threading their fingers together, their hands hidden from anyone's sight by their position and clothes.

"Princess Elena," Uther said fondly. "You are most welcome."

Arthur watched the young woman smile and step closer to greet the king, when she stumbled and crashed flat on the ground. Arthur watched in fascination at someone being even clumsier than Merlin.

oOoOoOo

That night, as they prepared for bed, Merlin kept glancing over at Arthur, who kept staring at the distance with a frown on his face. As Merlin climbed on top of the covers, stomach down and using his arm to support his head, he nudged the quiet prince.

"Go on, out with it." Merlin said.

Arthur scoffed and shook his head. "My um… father, had some very interesting news for me." Merlin waited for Arthur to find his words. "He expects me to marry Princess Elena."

Merlin's eyes widened, his heart clenching with a sour sensation. Was that jealousy? "Marry?" So that's what Gaius had been tiptoeing around for weeks! Merlin knew he was hiding something. Ever since they came back.

"Well don't look so worried. Of course I'm not going to marry her." Arthur said.

Merlin looked at him. "You're going to have to… at some point." Merlin said. "Marry a princess, that is."

"I've got something better already." Arthur said, kissing the back of Merlin's free hand. Merlin smiled and leaned in to kiss him, savouring the feel of his lips. Arthur made a pleasant sound and pushed Merlin back on the bed, moving so he was on top as they continued to kiss.

The door slammed open and both of them turned to see Uther pause his grand entrance as he saw them both in bed. "Ah! Practicing I see. Excellent." Uther clapped his hands and rubbed them together. Merlin felt his face burn with embarrassment as both of them moved to stand by the side of the bed. "A word Arthur." Merlin made to leave but Uther stopped him. "No, no. You may stay."

Arthur waited for his father to speak, though by the hesitant steps he took, it was clear what he wanted to talk about. "I need to talk to you about Elena." Arthur rolled his eyes and moved to sit himself down on the trunk by the end of the bed. "I realise that this is a delicate situation." He continued.

Merlin remembered to keep his ringed hand behind his back. Uther had no idea. Merlin looked between Arthur and his father and almost wondered why the king had wanted him to stay.

Arthur scoffed. "There's nothing delicate about it."

"Lord Godwyn, as you know, is not only a very good friend of mine, but also a long standing ally of Camelot."

"I have nothing against Lord Godwyn, father. Or against Elena. But I will not marry her." He said simply.

"Arthur, when we talk about your future, we are not just talking about your happiness, but about the strength and safety of the entire kingdom. You may one day be a husband, but more importantly, you will one day be King." Uther looked at him sternly. "Unless there's any other reason why you wont marry her?" He asked slowly.

Merlin's breath caught at the back of his throat, his heart racing wildly. That sounded too much like an accusation.

"No." Arthur said.

"Then it's settled. You will marry Elena."

"But father, I have no feelings for her. Whatsoever."

"Then I would encourage you to find some." He then turned to Merlin, pointing at him. "I expect you to make sure he's ready for when he takes his new bride."

Uh Oh.

"Don't speak to him like that! He's saved my life more times than you know!" Arthur yelled.

"I am king! I will speak to a useless servant like him in whatever way I see fit!" Uther sneered at Merlin. "At least we managed to find something he was useful at. Perhaps you've finally found your true calling, boy."

Merlin looked down, that familiar humiliation returning when he'd thought it long gone. Merlin felt bile at the back of his throat hearing Uther say that, when all he could do was incline his head in acceptance.

"Merlin is not useless! He's the most loyal servant in all of Camelot! I won't have you mocking him like that!" There was no holding Arthur back in this state.

"Enjoy him while you can." Uther said as he started to make his way out.

"What on earth is that supposed to mean?" Arthur demanded.

"Hah! You don't expect him to remain after you're married, do you?" Uther said, turning to face him. Merlin felt a chill go down his spine. Be separated from Arthur? He remembered what those horrid kitchen maids had said to him. There was only one place for a servant like him after getting fired.

Arthur's eyes widened with realisation and a fury he couldn't contain seemed to shine on his face. "You are not sending him there. He's mine! You gave him to me!"

"Honestly, Arthur. You're behaving ridiculous. He's just a servant."

"Not to me." Arthur practically roared and everything went very still.

There it was, the secret was out. Uther would probably have him executed by morning, thinking he'd somehow enchanted Arthur into falling in love with him.

"No more discussion. Take Elena to a nice picnic tomorrow and find yourself some feelings toward her because you will propose to her the following day or you relinquish your claim to the throne." Uther said. Well, it seemed like that wasn't enough of a clue for Uther.

"But father, I'm your sole heir." The way Arthur said it was clearly hinting at Uther that he was not.

Uther looked at him confused for a second and then he cleared his throat. "You will propose!"

"Your father's right, Arthur." Merlin finally said. Arthur turned to glare at him. "You should at least give princess Elena a chance." He said, not looking at Arthur in the eye.

"There, at least someone still remembers their place." Uther said and stormed out of the room, not even giving them a second glance.

"Why would you agree with him?" Arthur hissed.

"Because you were this close to revealing everything to him before you even have a plan on how to take over." Merlin hissed right back.

"I am not marrying Elena. I am already married, in case you forgot." Arthur hissed.

"In case you forgot, we only got married to contain my magic!" Merlin yelled.

"What does it matter?!" Arthur yelled.

"You said you wouldn't hold me to any marriage requirements. That we'd take things slow." Merlin said.

"We won't be taking things anywhere if father has his way!" Arthur yelled and Merlin held himself, looking away. He couldn't get Uther's humiliating words out of his head.

"I don't think you should marry Elena if you don't have feelings for her, but you have to at least try to find some."

Arthur scoffed. "Fine. Because you say so." He said and stepped very close to him. "Let's see how long you can stand watching me flirt with another person… smiling at them, kissing them, holding them." Arthur pulled his hips close up against his. "Think you'll be able to handle that?" Arthur whispered.

Merlin felt warm all over at Arthur's anger and lust mingled into one. "I can handle it." Merlin said.

"Look me in the eyes and say that again." Arthur whispered and Merlin looked up, opening his mouth and loosing his voice.

"Arthur…" He whispered and pulled him close, kissing him like a desperate man that didn't want to lose what he held at the end of his fingers.