Just addressing something quickly. I know that Merlin could write in the series but he must have learnt once he was in Camelot. Merlin grew up a peasant and wouldn't have learn when he was young. Gaius more than likely taught Merlin how to write but I doubt he would have much time with being Arthur's manservant and trying to fulfil his destiny.
The Decision of a Lifetime
Merlin paced the room before coming back on himself. He chewed on the skin around his thumb. He didn't really understand why he felt so nervous. He was only asking for advice on it. Not actually doing it. Realistically it wasn't a bad thing either.
But maybe the nerves were a good sign, not that he could see it.
"Arthur." Gwen said.
"Guinevere."
She tried to stop her heart flutter at the way his voice said her full name. It did it every single time and she really wished it would stop.
Times may have changed and Hunith may have been a queen with a common background, but she really doubted that they would have a chance together. Merlin would probably have to okay it through his council and when he was struggling to make Lancelot a knight, there was no hope in hell that they would be able to marry. It was a nice dream and that was all it could be, a dream.
"What do you think he wants us for?" He said as they walked towards Merlin's chambers.
"I have no idea. Do you think the council have said something again?"
"I hope not." Arthur grumbled. "Or if they have. Hopefully it is something good ...ish. I love him but he is really pathetic sometimes."
Gwen tried not to laugh, remembering the rumours that her and Morgana had started.
"What's so funny?" He asked.
"We know Arthur. You do not have to hide it from us about how much you love Merlin."
"You didn't."
Gwen just flashed him a smile.
"Merlin! Did you know that they were the ones to start the rumours about us?"
"What the ones about us being together?" He waited for Arthur to nod. "Morgana told me about her involvement in them ages ago. Didn't you hear them? I know I did."
Arthur scratched the back of his head. "No."
"It is probably best if you didn't. Some of them are … a bit colourful."
Gwen snorted as she tried to keep in her laughter. That was probably one of theirs.
"Any chance we could stop these rumours?"
"Maybe, and that's what I wanted to talk to you about." He paused for a second. "The council has asked when will I marry."
"Ah." Arthur said while Gwen gave him a wide smile.
She turned to him. "What do you mean ah?"
"What he means by that is, he knows my plan." Merlin explained. "He knows that I want to be able to know what type of king I am before I marry. I want to focus on this kingdom before I have to focus on anything else. I want to make this kingdom the way I want it so that later I can focus on my family. It does spoil my plan."
"Did you tell them that?" Arthur asked.
"Yes but then they argued the point that if I had a wife and queen, then she would be able to take on some of my workload. To be honest, I do think that if I marry, then maybe they will trust me more."
"Crying out loud Merlin. You are jumping through every hoop to get them to trust you. I think you just need to tell them that you are making Lancelot a knight and then you will think about marriage. Stick to your plan."
"But then again, you have been courting Morgana for nearly 2 years now. Not many courtships last that long. Maybe 6 months at the most." Gwen said.
"Gwen, I want to marry her. I want to be able to introduce her to everyone as my wife and queen. I cannot wait for the day that I stand in that chapel to turn around and see her. I cannot wait so much so I have even started to make a few plans and arrangements. And don't call me a girls petticoat Arthur."
Arthur opened his mouth before closing it again.
"I will marry her but I would rather in on my terms rather than because I was told to."
"We could throw tradition right out the window." Arthur said. "You could get engaged now and not get married straight away. Have a long engagement. You have had a long courtship. It will mean that you have thought about the council's proposal.
"You could take it one step further and say that you won't marry her until and then list everything you want done within reason. It will mean that hopefully you will be able to get the ball rolling on some of the things you want to change and then you and Morgana can get married when you feel like you are ready."
Merlin sighed. "Okay, so the marriage problem is stored. What about the Lancelot problem? I know that you have said it in the marriage problem but it is a separate problem."
Arthur was the one to answer. "Well I do agree with your mother. He doesn't need to convince us that he is worthy of a place among the knights. We know that he has proved himself. He needs to show the council what he can do."
"Aunty Hunith still feels foreign doesn't it?"
"Uncle Balinor felt foreign. You being my cousin still feels foreign. It is still taking a bit of time to get used to. It was just me and my father for a long time before I really had anyone that I would call family."
"He was in that tournament. He held himself against the assassin. Wasn't that enough?"
"He probably would be seen more as a 'hero' dead rather than alive. I would say try and think of everything as they would. Let me be the bridge here between what the council is more than likely thinking." Arthur clapped his hands together. "They think they are the voice of the people when they have no idea what the people want. Realistically just let them think that. It will be easier in the long run. You are in the best position Merlin. You know the world they don't. I understand where they are coming from when they argue that Lancelot should rise above his station but you need to go in there and argue that the test should change to be one about skill."
"I have already argued that point. I even went as far as saying that I knew that some of their sons had extra training."
"And they still just brushed you off."
"Maybe just get engaged and we can see where we can go from there." Gwen said.
Both boys looked at each other before nodding. It wasn't a bad plan.