The negotiations continued for another three days. Each evening the two Royal families ate together but always without Emrys. The Crown Prince of Gangani continued to give off waves of hostility towards Arthur and the blonde was getting fed up with being the scape goat for something he didn't want in the first place.
As the negotiations were drawing to a close the Kings called a break for lunch Arthur found himself sitting next to the Crown Prince, the brunette moved closer to Arthur and whispered. "I don't care what our fathers agree, or for the treaty, I tell you this now hurt Emrys in anyway and I will kill you…very slowly"
Arthur glowered at Gwaine "Nothing has been decided as yet, but remember your father approached us, he started these negotiations. He wants us to marry. I have no intention of hurting your sister, but remember she is but a pawn in this power game that Kings constantly play" Arthur paused for effect "If you are so against the union tell your father, I'm sure a treaty can be made without the marriage. But don't threaten me"
The Gangani Prince pushed his chair back in anger and stood up and hissed "Know this Princess, Gangani men do not marry who their father's pick for them, no real man would. You're are a popinjay doing your father's bidding with no real thoughts of your own. My father knows my thoughts and my mistrust of the Priestess's and their prophesy's. Emrys should have the same choice as the rest of our people. The right to be loved not be the life partner of such as you!" putting his hands on the table before Arthur he leaned forward "I will not see Emrys dishonoured not while I live"
Arthur was taken aback by the verbal attack, after all it wasn't his choice either. But by the time he went to answer, the Gangani Prince had stormed out of the Great Hall. He heard a chuckle and glanced round "I believe that told you brother! I would watch him if I were you or you might find a knife in your back" Morgana was clearly enjoying her brothers discomfort.
"That I don't believe, the man is fiery and protective of his family. But he would attack a man to his face, unlike you dear sister" Arthur looked at his sister "I suggest you also take care. If he finds out you will do anything for the crown he may turn his anger towards you" Arthur found himself believing completely what he had said to his sister. Whilst the visiting Princes behaviour was a little extreme the man was clearly devoted to his sister so Arthur was willing to overlook the outburst, this once.
Balinor looked up as his son stormed out "Gwaine where do you think you are going!" he demanded
"To see Emrys" with that he was gone.
Hunith put her hand on her husband's arm, "Leave him Balinor, he is finding the separation from Emrys hard. He will come to terms with it"
Uther looked up "Your children are close, is there no conflict between them?"
Balinor threw back his head and laughed "Oh yes, but not over important things. They can fight like Cats and dogs. But cut one and they both bleed"
Uther looked at Balinor in amazement "Your grasp of our language is greater than we have been led to believe"
Balinor smirked "You think I would bring all my family here and be greatly outnumbered and not have at least one advantage." The shaggy haired King smiled "I also have very good hearing, I realise your nobles think we are savages that can be plucked dry, but we live in a far harsher landscape than you soft men. We are not to be underestimated"
Uther nodded, realising he had been outmanoeuvred "Then perhaps we can continue without the interpreters?"
As the men went back to the negotiating table. An hour into the talks and a guard came in and whispered to Gwaine who nodded and looked at his father and said something before leaving. Balinor looked at Uther. "It seems Emrys needs to see Gwaine we can continue"
It was an hour before Gwaine returned he nodded to his father and retook his seat. Then all the conditions were read through before the Kings signed the treaty. Afterwards Arthur spoke to Balinor "I know your son is against this marriage but I swear to you as I did to him that I will look after Emrys and keep her safe"
"We will see" The hirsute King said cynically "But rest assured any slight on the 'Pure one' will mean war regardless of any treaty. I am not a King who barters his family away then forgets them" he paused "I hope you do allow yourself to be happy together then both our peoples, as well as many others, will benefit. Remember it takes many different beliefs and ways to make a truly great society. No one person can have all the right answers. I have done this because I feel it is right but that doesn't mean I am happy" with that he walked away.
Uther clapped his son on the back "You have made me proud son, your marriage will be the day after tomorrow" He grinned then added "Followed immediately afterwards by the ceremony to make you Crown Prince. Balinor wants the ceremony in the morning so his daughter has all day to get to know you before you bed her. He has also insisted we do away with the custom of the court watching the consummation, he claims Emrys is too young to be put through such an ordeal. But make sure you do your duty."
Arthur looked at his father it was the first time in years he had said he was proud of him, then he had to spoil it with his last comment "Yes Sire"
Meanwhile Balinor took his son to his quarters "Did you find Emrys?"
"I did and no one was even aware that Emrys had gone out. Percy went in with refreshments and found the room empty" he smirked "I told you that would happen! Being the Pure doesn't mean Emrys has to be obedient"
"Obedient! If it weren't for the wedding I would use my belt!" Balinor roared
"No you wouldn't and you know it!" Gwaine grinned "Emrys has always had the upper hand with us all, it will be interesting to see how the Pendragon Prince can handle Emrys"
"You have three months here before you come home, bring Emrys out if you fear any threat to your sibling. A boat will be out at sea just set a beacon" Balinor looked unhappy "I do not trust Uther Pendragon. But his son… I hope his son well be a different matter, if he falls in love with Emrys then theirs will be a great match" Balinor looked at his son "I can only hope it happens quickly. Watch the daughter, she is ambitious and underhand and her husband is a toad"
With a chuckle Gwaine said "Shall I suggest that to Emrys?"
"Behave my son one child with childish tendency's is enough, come we have someone to talk to, for all the good it will do me"
Balinor took his son with him as Hunith was still out of the castle and he knew his temper could get out of hand. It was too close to the wedding to risk an incident. Storming past Percy and Lancelot, ,who he couldn't blame Balinor stormed into Emrys chambers to find Merlin stood by the window in breeches and a brown tunic looking nothing like the figure the Pendragons had ever seen.
Keeping his normally booming voice low Balinor demanded "What do you think you were doing? I told you not to leav this room, you know how high the stakes are. What if you had been discovered?"
Merlin's bottom lip come out in a pout and puppy eyes looked at Balinor "I was fed up with being a prisoner, I wanted to see Camelot! The real Camelot and its people, and not just the stuffed courtiers who hate me, but the people this is all to help" pausing Merlin looked at the King "Surely I earned that!"
Balinor felt his heart melting "How long were you out?"
"Only a couple of hours, I didn't need longer I just slowed down time."
"Of course you did!" said an exasperated King
"They are a good people father, I spoke to the druids, they knew who I was and of my coming"
Balinor went red with anger "You fool! How do you know you can trust them? Not all druids follow the same path"
"I was careful, I spoke to Iseldir who our own priests know" Merlin walked towards Balinor and hugged him "I am sorry Papa, but I had to get out"
Balinor hugged his youngest child "Just promise me no more trips! Your wedding is in two days and your Mama will want to spend time with you"
Gwaine grinned it was always good to see Merlin playing his father and winning, something he had always had trouble doing himself
The next two days were busy as the servant's got the castle ready for the two ceremonies. Morgana was in a strop realising that yet again she had lost her chance, if not to be Queen then at least Queen mother. She tried several times to visit Emrys in her rooms but was prevented by Lancelot and Percy. In the end she asked Balinor if she might visit her future sister in law. Having no real reason to say no he did however make sure his wife was also there at the time. Morgana couldn't believe that even with only women present she couldn't get a better look at the bride to be. Morgana pointedly asked "When you are married will you still have to be so covered? Wouldn't you like to wear different styles of dress? And have more freedom"
Hunith spoke to Emrys then translated back for Morgana "It will be something the married couple discuss together. Emrys is happy to wear the style of Gangani. As the Pure it is something one gets used to"
Morgana looked in disgust at the concealing garments "She could be a man for all I know!" then asked Hunith "Why the Pure anyway after all she won't be pure much longer her wedding night will cure her off that"
Hunith raised her eyebrows shocked at the crudity of the statement "You misunderstand Emrys does not need to be a virgin to be pure, that is but one facet. Emrys's purity is due more to the pureness of heart and wish to see good in all others, pureness of being. It is the title the priestesses gave Emrys when the unicorn came out of the forest and allowed Emrys to ride her. Never before had the unicorns allowed anyone to ride them. They felt it was because Emrys is not only a virgin but clear from any malice or greed. Emrys was used because it was clear from a few months old that the prophesy was starting, Emrys had come"
Morgana frowned "Emrys is not the Princess's name but title?"
"One of many, one's personal name is only used among the family, among the Gangani ones family name is considered private until after a marriage, only the Crown Prince's name is used before that. Emrys has many names but is loved by them all" Hunith smiled clearly very proud of her youngest child. "I will miss Emrys so much"
Hunith looked at Morgana "I realise your ambitions for your son have been stopped by this marriage, I hope you can find it within yourself to find happiness for your brother. It is bad when families cannot stick together"
Morgana was shocked by the Queens candid comment "It is wrong that a woman cannot be considered a ruler in her own right! I am eldest the honour should have been mine. Look how your second child is treated just because she is female"
Hunith smiled "Emrys's sex has nothing to do with anything, as the Pure and as Emrys the same protection would be given male or female. It has allowed Emrys to travel among the people and learn all that was needed without recognition. This clothing is to be sure that as no one knows the identity of Emrys, That way a true picture can be understood, and without the pressure Emrys would have otherwise been under"
Morgana looked amazed "Are you saying that even if the Princess had been born male she would still have been under such restrictions, that is extreme. I'm sorry but I do not believe it"
"But it has allowed Emrys identity to remain known only to a few, and has allowed a normal childhood. You shouldn't judge other cultures by your own my dear" Hunith smiled to take the edge off her remarks. "In two days you will be able see Emrys in the flesh so to speak. I hope you will be friends, you will have much to learn from each other" Hunith continued "I myself was married at a young age to a man I never knew, but I found love, I could see myself nowhere else, the customs of a strange Kingdom can be hard to come to terms with but they have developed within the Kingdom for a reason"
Morgana left soon after deciding that she would have to wait until after the wedding, once Emrys's family had left she would have plenty of time to make up her mind up what to do. She wanted the King and Crown Prince gone, they were clearly hard men, used to a hard life and more than capable of being dangerous. She assumed it was their seafaring nature that had developed their strength and cunning. Agravaine had told her of the negotiations and it was clear Uther hadn't got all his own way. Both Arthur and Uther were excellent politicians and fighters and she had met no one who could beat her brother in strategy, but Gwaine scared Morgana more than her brother ever had. He had a hard edge to him and a way of looking through her barriers as if to strip her thoughts from her mind. Although he had been nothing but kind to her son Mordred when they met.
The Great Hall as cleaned and decorated new rushes on the floor and the room bedecked with greenery and flowers. The throne room was much the same. The wedding would take place in the throne room and the evening feast in the Hall. There were four thrones on the dais. Uther's, one for Arthur and one each for Balinor and Hunith and well as a smaller chair for Emrys to watch the Crowning of her new husband after the wedding. To Morgana's disgust she and her husband were relegated to the front row. Not to be outdone her gown was of the most beautiful fabric and design she could find. She was determined to outshine the bride.
The ceremony was not the normal one, as Balinor had insisted on several changes, the most noticeable was the timing. An early morning wedding to give the couple time to get to know one another afterward before they slept together. Uther personal thought that was ridiculous all the girl had to do was spread her legs. His son was clearly a virile man. The Princess would have to get used to a new regime, no more of the papering she was clearly used to. They would also be married twice once in the language and customs of Camelot then in the ways of Gangani so neither side could claim it was illegal afterwards.
As the Rulers sat on their thrones Arthur was stood before his father, but looking back towards the door for his bride to be to enter. He couldn't believe he was to be married he had spent hours the night before talking to Leon and wondering if he was doing the right thing and why he had allowed his father to force this wedding on him.. As the Heralds signalled the arrival off the bride the doors opened and Emrys walked in with the Crown Prince Gwaine proudly at his sibling's side. There was a gasp as Emrys entered, whilst Gwaine was dressed in the midnight blue and gold they had got used to, Emrys was dressing in a multi layered outfit that hid all but the blue eyes. What had shocked the courtiers of Camelot was the fact that the bride was clearly wearing very loose leg coverings much like trousers under a multi layered tunic all in pure white. The only colour was a circlet of gold. Very masculine but delicate at the same time with a Unicorn as a centre piece. The effect was to make it look like the bride was floating like a cloud up the central aisle. Morgana's plan to upstage the bride had clearly failed as she looked overdressed as a result.
The ceremony commenced, first the traditional hand fasting then the Gangani ceremony where the left palm of Arthur was cut and Emrys's right palm the hands bound together so the blood could mingle. They would stay tied until the ceremonies were complete. After swearing oaths to each other and Camelot they were finally married. Throughout Arthur had had to strain to catch to voice of the bride, she sounded hoarse and he hoped she had not spent the night crying. Arthur lent forwards and carefully lifting the veil kissed his bride chastely. More would have to wait until they were alone. It was the first time, besides when he kissed her hand that they had touched. All the way thorough Emrys had whispered, to show deference to the Prince who was now her husband. Or that was what Uther understood, he approved feeling it was wise to keep women in their place, he was overjoyed that he had not had to carry out his threat to make Mordred Crown Prince. He knew if he had his daughter would have been to power behind the throne. Glancing across at Morgana, Agravaine and Mordred Uther could see the disappointment on their faces. The minute the wedding was over Uther crowned his son and declared him Crown Price and Heir to Camelot. They were cheered by the court before going out to the balcony to be seen by the public. After allowing the people to see them Arthur took his bride back to his chamber so they could spend some time together before the feast that night.
Arthur was surprised but not concerned when Percy and Lancelot followed discretely behind and guarded the corridor leading to Arthur's chambers. Close enough to keep an eye but far enough away to give the couple privacy. He knew from the negotiations that Uther had had to agree with the knights staying with Emrys.
As Arthur closed the door behind then he took Emrys's hands and looked into her eyes. After all she was as much a victim in this as he was, at least he kept his home. "Alone at last, I was an honour to marry you and I hope we can be the best of friends." He was surprised to see fear in the eyes of his wife "You have nothing to fear, we will take our time and get to know one another. Can I remove your veil?"
Emrys turned away and went to the window shoulders dropped and her body shrunk into herself. Arthur walked up and place his hands very gently onto his wife's waist. "What is the matter Emrys?
"My name is Merlin" came a quiet voice almost too quiet to hear.
Arthur smiled and said the name elongating the sound of the first three letters "I like it. Please what is the matter?"
"You are going to hate me!" the accent was difficult to understand and Arthur had to concentrate hard to pick up the words.
"I will not!" he exclaimed
"You will be disappointed in me, disgusted with me" Merlin said refusing to turn round "I am sorry, so very sorry"
Alarm bells sounded in Arthur's mind, was his bride horribly disfigured? Was that why she had been so covered. It was true Arthur had never found any of the beauties paraded before him desirable, but he had hoped that his bride would at least be easy on the eye. If he needed to sire a son he would have to be able to at least look at his wife. He had always thought when he had met his soul mate he would want her and she would want him. Then he realised that Merlin had spoken in the language of Camelot all be it heavily accented.
"You can speak our tongue!"
"The Queen teach me" Merlin told him.
Arthur pulled Merlin round to face him and carefully removed the veil he found an unscarred face, with the large blue eyes and long eyelashes he had already seen, and very high and prominent cheekbones and a full mouth all set in very pale skin. Not a classic beauty and slightly masculine but not unpleasant. Arthur smiled he wondered what the addition of failing hair would make to the picture "Merlin I am not disappoint in you nor disgusted."
With that Merlin removed the wimple to expose hair down to the shoulders and black as a raven's wing against the pale skin it was a strong contrast and bought the face alight. Arthur noted her over large ears but they somehow complimented the face. Then the long fingers started to untie the outer jacket of the outfit. Arthur moved forward to help not sure what his spouse was expecting. Once the jacket was removed Arthur realised that Merlin appeared to be almost flat chested. Perhaps this is what was concerning her. But she might well develop more after children he knew some women did she was barely out of childhood herself. Merlin looked him in the face the expression one of challenge almost. "You are my husband you may touch me"
Unexpectedly Arthur liked the challenge in the husky voice, he felt a twitch of interest. "We have all day, would you like to talk first" he asked hoping to put Merlin more at ease rather than the anxious mood she was in.
Merlin's head shook "No, you have to know!"
Arthur moved closer to find that his wife was actually very slightly taller than he was, something that her normal bowed head had hidden. Arthur carefully placed his hands once more on Merlin's waist and pulled her forward until she was pressed against his chest. He could feel no trace of breasts against him but he bent forward to kiss the red lips before carefully and slowly moved his hands up Merlin's sides. All the time prepared to stop should she wish it. Carefully he started to undo the next layer of clothing then placed his hands under the material to find his hands on a distinctly male chest with muscle definition, even if he could feel ribs in places on the slender body. Looking down he closed his eyes briefly before stepping back and looking at the body he had uncovered. There was a small trail of black hair leading to the top of the waistband. Without saying anything he undid the ties and slid the trousers down to find something he hadn't expected. Stepping back Arthur looked at Merlin completely confused.
"You are a man!"
"I never said I wasn't" the challenge was back in the voice. Merlin pulled the clothing back into place
"But our fathers have been talking about heirs, we have all referred to you as a Princess!" Arthur had no idea where this left his marriage, it was clear the Gangani had fooled them.
Merlin glared at Arthur "You are a Pratt we no lie, I can have children I Emrys! You think I a woman we never tell you that" he pulled his clothing round his slender frame and sat on the chair by the fire "I tell you that you hate me! Disgusted with me!" he looked incredibly sad.
Arthur tried to collect his thoughts and think where this left him. Balinor was clear to say once married there could be no annulment. The ceremony of mixing blood was considered unbreakable. It was true not once that he could remember did the Gangani delegation claim Merlin was female. Then what Merlin had said sunk in "You can carry children! What sort of man are you?"
A look of sadness and resignation crossed Merlin's face. "I am Emrys" he said simply. "No one like me"
Now Arthur knew the truth he could see that Merlin was clearly male and the signs were always there if they had wanted to see it. They had been fooled. Now he wanted to know why and before his father found out. Arthur strode to the door and looked at Percy "Please ask King Balinor to visit my chambers"
"He is expecting your call Sire" Percy said with a knowing look.
Five minutes later the King and Queen arrived to find their son sitting by the fire looking very unhappy and a confused Arthur stood the other side of the room.
"Ahh you know" Balinor gave a rueful smile
Arthur turned on the King "WHY! It is clear to me you have used your son, he is clearly unhappy. What do you hope to gain from this?"
Merlin jumped up "He not use me, it is my destiny to be by your side"
Balinor put a hand on his sons shoulder "I would never do such a thing to my son, he consented to this, he has known all his life he would marry you. Merlin didn't want to deceive you its true, he isn't called The Pure One for nothing. We knew when he was two months old what his destiny was. But I knew your father would never consent to you marrying a male, even one who can bear children."
Arthur looked at the King "What other deceit have you done on your hosts?"
"My wife was from Essetir of course we learnt your language. We are not the only one deceiving people, do you not think I knew what your father was doing. He wants us to fight his battles for him and provide his arms. All he thought he was giving was your hand. His flowery talk did not deceive us. He was so sure he didn't bother to read the treaty before he signed it! He had no intention of keeping his side of the trade deal. I did read what was written so I know what I signed." Balinor looked at Arthur. "Merlin is very dear to me, there is no reason you cannot love him. The fact that he is a man should make no difference."
"No difference! You are right in thinking my father will not agree too me being married to a man, even one who you say can bear children. What proof do you have?"
Balinor went red "You doubt my word? Your physician will confirm it. As to your father he will have to accept it. But do you? Whatever the priestesses say I will not leave my son where he isn't wanted."
Hunith looked at the two men "Please sit and talk, Balinor tell Arthur about the prophesy explain it to him. Arthur listen please. I don't think you are repelled by Merlin. You are after all two sides of the same coin."
Two hours later Arthur knew about his destiny with Merlin and what it was said they would achieve and the lives they would share. He also know Merlin's other secret, his magic. That was something Uther must never know about. Arthur was even more confused he had never agreed with his fathers' fight against magic users but the fact that he was married to the greatest Warlock ever to live scared him.
"We have told you everything because you have sworn to protect our son, and we trust you to keep that oath" Balinor told the Crown Prince. "Your father is a selfish man who isn't fit to rule his people in time you will be the greatest ruler Albion has ever seen. If you wish it there is no reason not to continue the deceit. Merlin can wear androgynous clothing, in our language there is not the same distinction between the sexes. Merlin will not lie, he is incapable of it but he is an expert at misdirection if he isn't hurting anyone by it, if that's what you want or we will tell you father and see what he says." Balinor grinned "He makes a pretty girl if I do say so".
"I can't ask Merlin to live a lie, he would hate it. I don't know about anything else. I have never considered a man as a partner. Not even on long patrols" Arthur admitted
"Be honest Arthur have you ever considered a woman as a life partner." Balinor asked him "Destiny has a way of working out. Spend some time together then we will meet with your father if you wish in the morning before we leave, Merlin can come with us, although as we have said the union cannot be revoked." He paused "If you decide on Merlin staying here, but as a woman be warned, he has years of experience of leaving castle's unknown. He may be pure of heart but that does not stop him living a full life. All be it a different one than us."
"But to live a lie!" Arthur protested
"It is no lie to not correct others assumptions. People see what they want to see" Hunith said with a twinkle in her eye "Now perhaps you understand why you had to marry in the morning"
Balinor looked at Arthur "Think long and hard we leave in the morning we would like you to be settled in your mind by then. However Gwaine will still be here you can trust him to get Merlin out safely if needed" Balinor looked at Arthur "Do not consummate unless you stay together. We will leave now or it will cause gossip"
Once everyone else had left Arthur walked towards the young man, who was clearly as confused as he was. "I am sorry I see you were a pawn as much as me"
Merlin shook his head "I knew what I was doing! Do not think me a fool. I want to save my people and together we can do that! Not the Gangani, no one can touch them but the rest of the magical community" Then he looked at Arthur and asked "Did you know your father has ordered the Unicorn killed so he can place its horn on his wall?"
"He wouldn't do that, he agreed it could stay here I heard him promise, someone is lying to you" Arthur was shocked he had been there when the unicorn had been discussed.
Merlin snorted "We are not the only ones to misdirect. Your father said she could stay, he never promise that it would be alive"
"I won't let him hurt such a beautiful creature" Arthur said hoping he could keep his promise.
"She has gone, he will never find her" Merlin stood up a knowing smirk on his face.