Merlin looked at Arthur before saying "Can we go outside? I have been trapped in here to long"
Arthur found the accent fascinating, he would also have like to go outside he always thought better out in the fresh air. "I would love to be we can't. The court are expecting us to be getting to know one another. If we go out we will have them all following us"
The most beautiful smile burst across Merlin's face "We go and they never know, not even Percy and Lancelot. I did it before."
Arthur looked both intrigued and horrified "How?"
"You trust me?" Merlin bent his head and looked up at Arthur his puppy dog expression causing Arthur to laugh.
"I don't think I do, but tell me more"
Merlin went behind the screen and threw Arthur some pheasant clothing "Change" he demanded "Then I show you"
Arthur felt a small thrill at the thought of doing something completely against all he had been taught to do. So feeling like a naughty boy he changed. He had finished as Merlin come from behind the screen, he looked so different. Gone was the ethereal looks and stood in front of him was someone who looked like so many of the castles lower servants. Unless you looked at the eyes. The cheekbones would have been a giveaway but no one had seen them. Merlin reached forward and ran his hands through Arthur hair
"That better, to golden" he turned Arthur round to face the mirror, he now had mousy brown hair.
Arthur looked at Merlin "Did you just use magic on me!"
Merlin lifted up his hand and opposing his thumb and index finger grinned "Little tiny winy bit" once more using his puppy dog expression "We go now"
"How do we get past your guard?"
Merlin held out his hand "Magic!" he grinned as his eyes flashed golden. He opened the door and walked out holding Arthur hand firmly in his. Percy and Lancelot were like statues, further along the corridor a maidservant was in mid stride but never moved. As the moved through the castle the entire population was as if caught as statues. Merlin giggled and led Arthur to the kitchens where he grabbed a basket and filled it with food. Before taking Arthur out through a servants door into the courtyard and to the stables. As they got there Merlin's eyes flashed once more and two horses were saddled.
Arthur couldn't believe what was happening "Can I have my horse?"
"No Prat, we don't want them to know we have gone." Merlin jumped on one of the horses "Come on follow me"
Once they were out in the countryside Merlin stopped "Now where shall we go? This your kingdom"
"Merlin what did you just do?"
"I slow time, the first maid we saw her foot just touched the ground. No one hurt." Merlin looked like a small child excited by a trick he had played. In that moment Arthur knew without a doubt that his beliefs that his father's views on magic were wrong had been true and no matter what happened he would make sure Merlin didn't suffer. The youngster was far to childish and innocent to be evil.
Merlin smiled once more "I'm hungry" he pouted.
Arthur looked at the youngster fondly "I can see what you father meant, you are trouble aren't you? Come on"
Arthur led Merlin to a spot where he was sure they would be undisturbed. There was a small stream running through a clump of trees. As the got off the horses Arthur tied them up where they could get grass and water, before joining Merlin who had spread the food out. Arthur sat down near Merlin, the boy had been right it would be easier to talk out here. As Arthur watched Merlin dive into the food he asked "Just how old are you Merlin?"
Merlin stopped eating at looked in surprise at Arthur "You don't know? I know how old you are, twenty two. The king he know didn't he tell you?"
"He didn't specify, just said you were a couple of years younger, but I think you are younger than that, I'd say Gwaine is about my age." Arthur admitted "No more lies between us Merlin tell me"
"I no lie you my destiny. Gwaine year younger than you" Puffing out his slender chest and looking Arthur straight in the face Merlin said "I'm sixteen"
"Sixteen! Nothing more than a child!" Arthur was shocked.
"Many people marry at sixteen even in Camelot." Merlin looked hurt. Then he challenged Arthur "Are you a virgin?"
Arthur nearly chocked on his food. "What! Are you?"
Merlin looked pleased with himself "Yes I born for you, no one else touch. But are you? It will be good if one of us knows what to do, if you keep me" at those last words Merlin's face fell.
The innocence matched with the cheeky honesty made Arthur smile. "No, when I was seventeen my father sent a married noble woman to me. He told me he wanted me to learn safely without bastards. I later heard the husband had been granted lands for the loan of his wife. He had been stopped sleeping with her a couple of months before, to make sure she was not with child." Arthur looked ashamed. "She was a passionate woman and scared the hell out of me. Once father was happy with reports she was kept in Camelot and when found to be with child she was forced to lose it. My child!" I didn't know until years later when I saw her again. She complimented me on my virility as if I should be proud" Arthur felt the sadness brim forward when he thought of that innocent child. "When I challenged my father he laughed and admitted it had been a boy and couldn't live to challenge for the throne. I think that's when I started to question everything my father stood for."
Merlin looked very sad "That only one?"
Arthur smirked "Want all my secrets do you? No, it wasn't but I would never risk a pregnancy again. I few years ago I had a brief affair with a man. But it was sex no more and didn't last long. A fling after a gruelling campaign to block the things I had done." Arthur looked at Merlin "I am not a good man. I have done many things I am ashamed of, things I knew I shouldn't do but I wasn't brave enough to stand up to my father" Arthur looked into the distance "As the Pure one you should leave, you deserve better than me, your Priestess's have got it wrong, you are full of goodness and life, an innocent"
Arthur was lost in shameful memories and hadn't seen or heard Merlin move closer. The first he knew was when Merlin put his hand either side of Arthur face and looking him straight in the eyes said "You will make your people happy, you will be the Greatest King ever to live and be remembered for ever in legends"
Arthur brought his hands up to Merlin's shoulders "You my boy believe in fairy tales. I think your priestess's are using you like my father uses me."
Merlin looked outraged "You don't believe in fairies!"
"I will if you show me one, a real one not a fancy trick" Arthur said with grin.
Merlin looked at the stream "That easy" Merlin spoke into the stream and spoke in his own language. As he did bubbles appeared on the surface and in each bubble was a fairy face. Merlin pulled Arthur closer and pointed "These are the spirits of the rivers and streams, the Vilia's"
A small face looked up at Arthur and the blonde swore he saw it bow "Your majesty it is good to see you with Emrys, soon we will all be free once more. Look after him. He is very powerful but will always look after others first. You are each other's balance"
There was a pop and the bubbles disappeared "They won't stop long, not until magic is free" Merlin told Arthur "Now you believe?"
"I suppose I shall have to" Arthur smiled at the incorrigible and seemingly unstoppable young man. Arthur wondered what it would have been like for Gwaine growing up with Merlin as a younger brother.
Merlin continued to ask questions and tell Arthur about himself as they ate. Then he led down on the grass by the water. "Wake me in an hour and we will go back" then he fell asleep without a care in the world, as if the whole situation was normal and not a problem.
Arthur looked down at the youngster and thought through his options. The first thing was Merlin's magic, Uther must never know of that, treaty or not he would burn Merlin at the pyre. As to the rest. If he told his father he had married his Crown Prince to a man his father would either, ignore it and tell Arthur to take a mistress to have children, make Merlin's position as Consort and give him another bride, or send Merlin back with his father and risk war. Telling Uther that Merlin could bear children would be as good as admitting Merlin had magic. So the alternative was to keep the secret and make Merlin continue to present himself as a woman. Could they keep that up? Was it right to ask Merlin to do it?
Arthur had been thinking for about half an hour when he heard hoof beats approaching the woods. His natural caution and training had meant his brain had never switched off completely. Carefully getting u and drawing his sword he saw a figure riding through the trees.
"Gwaine over here" he called the brunette turned and rode towards Arthur "I figured you'd be in this direction."
"Who knows we are gone?" Arthur demanded
"Keep your hair on Princess, no one. Not even Percy and Lancelot. I just knew the little scamp would be able to resist showing off." Gwaine dismounted and walked towards his brother. "He can sleep though anything if his magic feels safe. If I had been a bandit he would have been awake. Have you two come to a decision?"
Arthur looked at the other Prince and wished their Kingdoms were closer he was sure they could have been friends. "Not yet, Gwaine what is your honest opinion of the destiny business? It seems your brother has been brainwashed into the whole thing, I don't want to hurt him, but it all seems rather farfetched to me"
Gwaine gave his characteristic grin "Well Princess, I know the druids believe in it, now the Priestesses I wouldn't trust, power hungry lot, but the druids are a good people. I know their leader didn't want Merlin to be told, saying that fate would do what was necessary but no one listened. So Merl has lived with the expectation all his life. But then I think he finds it a comfort to know his power is for a reason, his power would be frightening in anyone else but he is to kind to allow it to control him. I just thank the goddesses they didn't give it to me."
Gwaine jumped up from where he had slouched against a tree and walked towards his brother Before Arthur could stop Gwaine he used his foot and pushed his brother into the water. Merlin woke up spluttering.
"Gwaine!" Merlin whined petulantly. "What did you do that for?"
"Because you are nothing but trouble. Stop whining and use your magic to dry yourself" Gwaine turned to Arthur. "At least you know what you are letting yourself in for." Then without turning his head "Don't Merlin, not if you want to see Aithusa anytime soon"
"Sorry Arthur but he would have either turned my hair some stupid colour or got the stream to divert over me. You'd best head back now anyway" he said nonchalantly. "In many ways I hope you keep him here, life will be more peaceful"
"Call me an idiot but I think I would like him to stay, but whether as a male or female is up to him, he has to live the life. As a man my father will probably give him a title as consort and marry me off again, we can't admit he can have children or he will be executed. But I can't say how long he will have to be female for, my father is a healthy man it will be many years before I take the throne."
Gwaine gave an evil grin "I can speed it up for you?"
"That is my father you are talking about! While I don't agree with all of his decisions I am loyal to him, even in this it seems wrong to hide things" Arthur glanced at Merlin "But there is something about your brother, I don't know what."
Gwaine snorted "Mother says he's a puzzle wrapped up in a conundrum. Me I'd say he's just Merlin. One of a kind"
"You love me I know you do, and you will miss me loads" Merlin told his brother
"That I will, you are my best friend. Now come on back to Camelot. And Merlin think on the way back….seriously for once but the feast you need your answer. I am not about to let you sleep with Arthur unless you stay here" Merlin often exasperated his brother but there was no way he would ever allow anyone to take advantage of him.
As soon as they got back to Camelot Merlin slowed down time once more and they were soon back in Arthur's chamber's. Merlin and Arthur changed then Merlin ran his hands though the Princes hair and changed it back to its normal colour.
"Tell me Merlin did you need to touch my hair to change its colour?"
The impish grin was back "No, but it is such nice hair"
"And what have you decided we need to get ready soon for the feast. If you stay I will protect you with my life, but male or female your life will not be normal" Arthur wanted to be sure the younger man knew what he was doing.
"Arthur my life has never been 'normal' I am not 'normal' stop worrying. I will be the woman of this relationship. I couldn't bear to be your consort and see you sleep with another. But I will not wear clothes like your sister! I could magic breasts but I like my own style better"
"Are you sure, this is no laughing matter, we do not love each other and I always swore I would marry for love and you deserve nothing less" Arthur tried to get Merlin to understand. He still worried that Merlin had been fed a dream all his life.
Merlin smiled "But I am. And you will come to love me, Kilgarrah says one half the coin cannot fail to love his other half and that is us"
Arthur thought this Kilgarrah character sounded very cryptic, but realising that this was the only choice that would defiantly not end in war and all the others had a heavy chance of doing so Arthur felt it was for the best. He couldn't see his people suffer and Merlin was a very likeable and cheery companion. He could do a lot worse. He had just finished his musings when he heard an uproar at the door, it seemed his sister was trying to gain entry. Arthur strode to the door and opened it and Morgana swanned in followed by her maidservant and another seamstress.
"What do we owe the honour Morgana? We were just about to get ready for the feast. This is our wedding day" Arthur said "so if you will leave"
"Don't be silly Arthur we have worked all day getting these dresses ready, I have had to guess the size due to the appalling clothes your wife's people have. At least she can wear something decent to the feast." Morgana looked at Merlin who was once again wearing what she had for the wedding, except for the outer layer and the wimple and veil. "Come here dear" she ordered and was amazed when Arthur moved between them.
"No Morgana, you will not, take those gowns and leave, how dare you insult our guests and my wife's taste"
Morgana snorted "I'm sorry Arthur but I don't think your mouse of a wife has any choice in what she wears, well she can now, she can be seen and look beautiful."
Merlin put his hand on Arthur arm and in the heavily accented voice Arthur was beginning to grow fond of said "Princess Morgana, I am not a mouse, I wear the clothes of my people because I like them, whilst I thank you for your kind thoughts I do not require your gifts. Unwed woman in our society are much protected but we are not as down beaten as you clearly think we are. I honour my parents and our customs because I wish to. Now I am married I will of course bow to my husband in the future, but for tonight I wear the garments my mother made with love in every stitch."
Arthur was amazed by just altering to softness Merlin made his male voice much softer and believably female. He also smiled at his sister shocked face
"It talks!" Morgana tone was thick with sarcasm. Her anger palatable, her plan to make sure that unlike the wedding itself she would shine was now in tatters.
"Morgana please leave I will not have you insult my wife, remember Merlin is above you in rank now, so if for no other reason you will give respect" Arthur said angrily
Merlin spoke once more "I hope we can be friends but I can't upset my mother on the last day I will see her, perhaps forever, you understand?"
Merlin's tone was still quiet and inoffensive, but Arthur had the feeling it wouldn't stay that way of long. So he waved his hand at the door. "Thank you Morgana now if you don't mind"
Morgana swallowed her anger "Of course I am sure we can sort your wardrobe another day. Your mother's feelings are important. But I'm sure in time you will come to love our more fashionable clothing." With that she left with the two servants in her wake.