After Morgana had left Arthur turned to Merlin "So you have decided and you have no doubts?" he asked the teenager.
"I never have, I was just frightened you would hate me, think me a monster" Merlin looked down "I had heard of Camelot and how it's King kills my kind and thinks all magic users are evil, but at the same time you would change all of that. You will free magic users. No I have no doubts about you Sire"
Arthur stepped forward and lifted Merlin's chin up and looked into his eyes "I will protect you Merlin, but you must promise me that no one must see your magic. You have to be more careful this isn't Gangani. It was fun this afternoon but you will be watched so it can't happen again. If my father had come to find you Percy and Lancelot would not have been able to stop him entering. As my 'wife' you will have less freedom than you have ever had. You will be the senior female at court."
Merlin nodded "I will be careful" he said, but Arthur could still see a twinkle in his eye.
"No Merlin you must promise me" Arthur smiled at Merlin "I can accept nothing less"
"Then I promise no one will see me do magic" the boy clearly wasn't happy
"Merlin you must not use your magic, that is the promise I require" Arthur said sternly
Merlin pulled away "I can't promise that, if I don't use magic I get ill! I am magic it flows in my blood. I used it before I could move myself!"
"Then if that's true, and I do need to ask your father, you must only use it in theses rooms when I am here and the door is locked" Arthur told him "Now promise me"
It was a petulant Merlin who after glaring at Arthur said "I promise, unless it is to save life. Then I be careful. But I can't believe you don't believe me!"
Arthur ruffled Merlin's wayward hair "I do…..mostly, but what I saw today has made me cautions. I think you are a handful young man" Arthur moved away "Now let's get ready or we will be late for the feast"
Under his breathe Arthur muttered "May the Gods help me, I hope I have made the right decision" Although most of the nobles and even poorer folk of Camelot were Christian, Arthur, like many, still had one eye on the previous Pagan faith. He had never been strongly religious either way but in the case of his new wife? husband? He knew the Christian faith would offer him no help so he called upon his lands ancestral faith for help. After all his Christian God would condemn him anyway for lying to his liege and father.
Arthur's musings were interrupted by a knock at the door "Come" Arthur shouted expecting it to be his manservant to help him get ready. But it was Queen Hunith's maid
"Your Majesty" she bowed timidly "My lady sent me to help Emrys to prepare for the feast"
Merlin smile and walked forward "Thank you Freya, All these layers are such a nuisance and the hair!" Then he grinned "Shall I ask Gwaine to help with that?"
"Emrys" Freya admonished gently she was clearly used too Emrys and his ways.
"Go ahead, use the Dressing room through there" Arthur pointed to an interior door. "My manservant will be here soon to assist me" Arthur assumed that this Freya knew Merlin's secret and that was why the Queen had sent her.
Arthur could soon hear the pair of them talking, Merlin wasn't getting everything his own way from the squawks he could hear. George can in an Arthur had a quick bath before putting on a new set of clothes. For the feast he was not wearing his full knight's regalia as he had for the wedding. For that he was grateful. He knew from experience just how uncomfortable that could get. But he still looked splendid in Camelot Red. Once ready he sent George off as he waited for Merlin to exit from the dressing room. He had just placed his new crown on his head when the door opened. He gasped in surprise as Merlin walked out.
Freya smiled "Emrys makes a beautiful Princess" then realising she wasn't speaking to her own Royal family who allowed her a degree of leniency she became more serious "Sorry Sire" she bowed her head.
"No that's fine" Arthur told her, not taking his eyes of Merlin. Merlin's outfit once again had the loose trousers but this time in an almost silvery material. The knee length tunic that was worn over it was a deep midnight blue but was covered in a sheer material that had gems sewn into it that caught the light. It was high at the neck. But was what Merlin head that had caused Arthur to gasp. Merlin's hair was worn down and was covered loosely in the same fine material that made up the over tunic. It was held in place but the same delicate circlet Merlin had worn for the wedding. Without the wimple and veil the effect was stunning.
Merlin looked at Arthur "As my husband I have a full veil of you prefer me to wear it, but it will make eating difficult." Arthur felt Merlin looked strangely unsure of himself.
Arthur looked at Merlin and tried to keep in mind that this was a male in front of him rather than a slender and stunning woman. "No you have no need to wear it, although I might have to fight off the other men" It was strange because Merlin's clothing would have still looked stunning had he been walking to the feast as a man, the design was perfect.
"Oh I won't look like this all the time, after all I will have to do lots myself or my secret will be out!" Merlin gave a small grin.
Freya's shy voice spoke "Emrys, my lady said if you wished, and if your husband allowed, I could stay with you."
"But you can't what will mama do?"
"She has three other maids Emrys, it would be an honour" Freya bowed her head.
"If you are both happy I will be more than pleased" Arthur said "It will make our lives much easier." Arthur nodded to Freya "Go ahead to your place at the feast." Then he held out his hand to Merlin. "Shall we, I think we have a feast to attend"
Before she left Freya helped Merlin pull the thin material from the top of his head over his upper face as a half veil "I can remove it once we are sat if you wish, but my parents will wish I arrive with it." Merlin told him. The truth was Merlin wanted to wear it down, it would at least keep him partially hidden.
As Merlin took his hand Arthur was surprised to find it shaking and clammy. He thought the cocky youngster could have coped with anything, but it was clear he was terrified.
Arthur turned to face Merlin and very carefully lifted the veil slightly to look Merlin in the eyes "Merlin I will keep you safe, just trust me. We won't stay a minute longer than necessary. Believe me no one will have any idea. I am proud of you"
Merlin looked at Arthur "I don't want to shame you or my family, I don't know if I am ready for this"
"Your parents clearly believe you are, or they would have waited longer. Come on delay will make it worse. You coped with the wedding after all" Arthur reminded himself that Merlin was barely sixteen.
"That was just following a plan, this is different I have to be what people expect"
"Then surprise them, Merlin you won't have to say anything just nod politely"
Arthur started to move toward the chamber door a reluctant Merlin with him, as they went into the corridor Percy and Lancelot fell in behind them. As far as Merlin was concerned they were all too soon at the main doors to the Great Hall. The doors were opened and Arthur and Merlin entered to cheers. Percy and Lancelot peeled off and sat with the other knights as the newlyweds walked up to the large top table. A custom they stopped before Uther Arthur bowed his head and Merlin did a curious curtsy they were familiar with from the Gangani Court Customs. The Arthur bowed at his in laws as Merlin stood before them and lowered his head.
"I do honour to you as my parents and thank you for all you have done for me to prepare me for my new life. May I never bring shame to you or my new husband"
Balinor stood and touched Merlin's shoulder "We accept your last gesture as your true family, you go to a new family with our blessings and know you will do your duty as you always have. The pride of the Gangani go with you, you are now Merlin Pendragon but will remain to our people Emrys the Pure one" As Merlin looked up Balinor smiled and said something in their native language before looking at Arthur ""Look after my youngest, Merlin has and always will be precious to us"
"I will Sire" Arthur had been told of the simple ceremony that in Gangani culture freed the newly wed of the vow of loyalty to their people and allowed the transfer to the new allegiance of the husband. He led Merlin to their seats. As Merlin sat down Arthur raised the veil so he could see Merlin's eyes.
Merlin looked uncomfortable to find himself sandwiched between Uther and Arthur, he had never been that close to the King. As was custom in Camelot for the wedding feast of a Crown Prince the bride sat next to the king and on Arthur other side was Balinor. It was the only time the King gave up his central position for anyone. Hunith was sat at the other side of Uther with the rest of the Royal families interspersed around them. After the toasts the feast was started, Merlin and the Gangani had never seem such an array of food. Uther was out to impress. Uther turned to Merlin "Welcome to the family Merlin"
"It is a pleasure Sire" came the polite reply then Merlin seemed to shrink intp himself
After a while Morgana turned to Hunith "I offered to have a dress in our fashion for tonight but I understand you made her outfit yourself is it a customary bridal outfit?"
Hunith smiled, she was aware that Uther was listening as she answered "It is, but I fear you may not ever get Merlin to change the style of clothes, you see to Merlin it is not a matter of fashion but practicality. And they are very comfortable"
Moraga smirked "Surely as a young woman Merlin wishes to impress, to look beautiful? Being comfortable is good for an older woman."
Merlin's eyes narrowed at the barely concealed insult to his mother, Arthur put his hand on the young man's arm and whispered "Don't Merlin your mother is well able to look after herself"
Hunith smiled "You think Merlin does not look beautiful?"
"I do your Majesty, the outfit suits Merlin perfectly" Arthur added
"I agree with my son, Morgana you may like to shock the court with your style but it would not be becoming for one as young as Merlin" Uther added "Modesty make a refreshing change" He had been scandalised by his daughters attempt to upstage the bride at the wedding and again for the feast. His daughter needed to learn her place. He had hoped that once she saw her ambitions where no more she would get behind her brother and his new wife.
Hunith smile at Morgana like Uther she hoped that the Princess would be a friend to Merlin in this strange land, "Gangani is a harsh environment we have nothing between us and the end of the world besides the roaring sea. Also it is a warrior race in the truest sense. We have attacks from the Norsemen from the sea and other Kingdoms inland. The women oft join their men in fighting or in defence. The loose fitting clothing has several purposes. Its layers keep us warm, the breeches allow fast mounting of horses if required and also are suitable for sea travel. Your gowns my dear are beautiful but are restrictive. I know you feel our woman are kept low, but that is far from the truth. Our men protect us and this can be seen as controlling, but I have more freedom now than I did when I lived in Essetir all those years ago. They are incredibly comfortable as well."
Uther raised an eyebrow "You were from Essetir?"
"Indeed your majesty, my husband visited these isles when he was Crown Prince at the request of the present Kings father. He had hoped the Balinor would wed his daughter. But traveling through the land Balinor visited my village and stayed the night. The rest as they say is history" Hunith smiled across at her husband.
Balinor turned to the other King "Indeed once I had met Hunith I knew she was the woman for me. I do believe the King couldn't believe I chose a humble woman over his daughter. But we Gangani men marry for love not advantage. It is very rare for marriage to be part of a treaty for us"
Morgana's husband, Agravaine spoke for the first time, "Then why is your daughter marrying in such a way?"
"Because she wanted to" Balinor answered "Our Priestess's saw it the be destined and Emrys agreed"
Clearly Merlin was finding all this talk embarrassing. Gwaine seeing this stood up and walked to a position in front of the table and after receiving a nod from his father spoke.
"Sibling since you were four years old I have tutored you in the use of the knife, as you are now leaving us I think it time you had a new one." He handed Merlin a box which Merlin took and opened inside was a clearly well balance and exquisitely made blade, the handle was short and etched with a dragon curling round. The raised surface to aid grip.
Merlin handled it with care then looking at his brother "I will accept but you must take my old one and give to your first born to use"
Gwaine grinned and grabbed an apple off the table "That I will, but only if you send it to me across the room" with that he walked to the back of the hall and immediate made the people sitting on the back table stand up. The with Percy's help put the bench up on end and stood before it. Then tossing the apple he placed it on his head as he faced his brother.
Merlin gave a shy smile and stood up then before hardly anyone realised what was happening or could follow it Merlin's hand went to his side and as he raised it they could see a knife in his hand. Seconds later there was the thud and the apple on Gwaine head had been pierced. Gwaine bent his knees and stepped away before pulling out the knife and apple and taking a bit from the pierced fruit. After a momentary silence there was applause. Arthur turned to Merlin as the younger man take the new knife and he saw it disappear into the folds of clothing. He couldn't believe what he had seen.
"What if you had missed?" he asked shocked
"Emrys hasn't missed a target for nine years!" Gwaine told him. "No one better with a throwing knife, good teacher you see"
Uther asked "Do all your woman carry such items?"
"Of course" Hunith said "I am not good at throwing but I'm sure if I needed to I could use it, another reason for are style of dress. But all children male or female learn from an early age"
The display had given everyone something else to focus on. Arthur and Merlin stayed for a further hour then Arthur spoke to his father "We will retire now father" Uther nodded and Arthur stood and helped Merlin to his feet, the raven haired man had hardly eaten he hadn't relaxed all evening except for when he was involved in the knife throwing. Arthur knew his sisters comments had upset Merlin as he clearly thought his mother had been upset by them. But Arthur thought that Hunith had used it as her chance to put a very clear case forward and it had been Morgana who had been wrong footed in the end.
As Arthur and Merlin started to walk along the back on the head table Agravaine stood, he held the post as one of Uther's top councillors. Clearly intending to follow the couple Uther spoke up "Lord Agravaine you forget yourself, there will be no witnesses"
Agravaine looked scandalised "Then what proof that the Princess is a virgin and the marriage consummated?"
Arthur turned "My word" he snarled angry that Merlin had to hear such things. With that they left the room. Percy and Lancelot followed
Lancelot spoke to the Prince "We will guard the end of the corridor until after the feast, none shall disturb you"
Arthur was pleased he didn't have to worry that some overzealous member of the council would not interrupt them. As the entered the chambers and shut the door. Arthur noticed that fire had been started and the bed turned down. He had told both George and Freya to stay away until the morning. He noticed that someone had left a snack on the table, probably Freya as she would have noticed that Merlin only picked at the food downstairs.
Merlin had walked to the window and was looking out through the gap. "Let the curtains do their job Merlin or you will feel the cold later" Arthur closed the small gap Merlin had opened. "Are you hungry?"
"No"
"That was quite a stunt with the knife, tell me where is it? Even now I can't see an outline"
Merlin showed Arthur an opening the in the side seam of the tunic and the knife in a leather scabbard on his hip. The looseness of the clothing hiding all trace.
"I need to know, it looks sharp I don't want to lose fingers" Arthur grinned trying to lighten the atmosphere.
"You won't the scabbard is good, or I would be cut" Merlin gave Arthur the smallest of grins. "Gwaine was right I haven't missed since I was seven."
"Do you use magic to help?"
"That would defeat the point, no for that I use no magic, just hard work" Merlin told him.
"Then we will train together sometime" Arthur moved forward and put his hands on Merlin's waist, he felt the young man tense up. "Merlin nothing will happen unless you wish it to, I am in no hurry. I meant it when I said I would protect you, that includes from myself"
.