Merlin rested until he needed to get ready for the feast. Then he got up and Freya once more helped him dress. Clearly Freya had heard the rumours of Sarrum's ways as she had got out Merlin's most severe outfit. That covered everything she added the customary cloth choker round the neck. The outfit had four layers so Merlin was well covered but still looked every inch the noble from Gangani. Freya gave Merlin a satisfied look once Merlin was ready especially when Merlin placed his dagger in the hidden compartment. "You give him what for if he dares to touch you!" the maidservant said.
Merlin laughed even tired as he was he realised Freya was being protective of him. "I can't stab him Freya he is a visiting King! Just don't give my brother ideas."
"No don't" came Arthur's voice from the doorway.
"Sire the servants who have set the tables said that King Uther has told them that Merlin will sit next to King Sarrum" Freya protested, she had said the visiting Kings name with disgust. "I have heard tales of him"
Arthur wasn't happy with the news he looked at Merlin. "Take care his hands wander if he discovers your secret…."
Merlin laughed "He won't even if he does manage to touch where he shouldn't I will use my magic to hide some bits of my body and add others. Not to mention I have you to defend my honour, but Arthur please leave him to me. I believe if he does try anything as a 'woman' I can show him up better than you can after all he can't challenge me or go to war on the words of a mere female." Merlin might be tired but was confident he could come out of the evening secret and honour intact.
Arthur looked at Merlin with pride in his eyes. "I trust you, but the thought of that man touching you…."
Merlin kissed Arthur "Jealous my dear? Just keep Gwaine under control, tell him I will turn his mead into water if he doesn't, either that or put lots of knots in his hair"
Freya chuckled "Do you remember when you did that? He was so upset when he had to have some of his hair cut when you couldn't reverse the spell"
"I was only six!" Merlin protested indignantly "And Mama smacked me!"
"Well behave tonight or I will" Arthur threatened, then he placed the coronet on Merlin's head once more. "At least you don't look so tired now. How is your shoulder?"
"Gaius tells me it's nearly healed, my magic makes me a quick healer, but he says I will need to keep wearing dressing for a while after it had healed. So many lies to tell" Merlin looked sad
"We will try to keep it to a minimum Merlin and one day you will be free I promise you. But I couldn't lose you now!" Arthur took her arm, turning to Freya "You will need to serve Merlin tonight at the table Freya. But keep back when not needed and leave when we do." He warned knowing it wasn't just Princess's that attracted Sarrum's attentions. "If you are unsure of anything ask George"
The group was once again met by Gwaine who was once again in his full regalia. "I am on the high table but far away from you tonight Merlin, but I will be there if you need me. Percy and Lance will be with Camelot's first knights." He winked
"Like I told Arthur, leave it to me tonight please. No more digs" Merlin warned or you will suffer I promise you."
Freya giggled and as Gwaine looked at the maidservant she indicated his hair. Gwaine looked at Merlin scandalised "You wouldn't!"
"I would" Merlin told him "and no mama to punish me this time"
Merlin became serious and more than a bit nervous as he entered the hall. This was one feast she was not looking forward to. The visiting King gave him the creeps.
The top table in the end from left to right was Gwaine, Morgana, Arthur, Uther, Sarrum, Merlin, Morgana. As they sat down Uther stood and spoke "This feast is in honour of our visitor King Sarrum of Amata, ally in our fight against the scourge of Magic. We hope in the following days that our two Kingdoms can become even closer. So a toast to the success of our talks" with that he raised his goblet and everyone drank a toast. Although some including Merlin didn't actually drink.
Sarrum turned to Merlin almost immediately putting his hand on his arm. "It is a pleasure to sit next to you my dear. Your King was kind enough to allow my request to get to know you better. I know so little about your land."
Merlin moved his hand and looked at the king "But Sire you said it was a primitive place so why would you wish to know more?"
"You could I'm sure teach me otherwise" he smiled in a suggestive manner. "I look forward to the next days when I hope to get to know you better"
"But Sire, the talks I'm sure will keep you busy as will my duties. Far better I suggest that ask my husband he has spent time learning about my homeland and will be able to inform you of your interests better than I" Merlin drank from the goblet to calm his nerves.
Sarrum's hand went up and he touched the coronet on Merlin's head "This is a product of your land is it not, a fine piece of work."
Merlin's eyes flashed in anger but keeping his voice calm "It is Sire, my people are fine craftspeople as I'm sure you know."
Morgana grinned at Merlin's discomfort and couldn't help but say "Did you know Sire that in Gangani the Princess is known as the Pure one or Emrys"
Sarrum threw back his head and laughed then her looked Merlin up and down "Surely not now, I'm sure the Prince had removed that purity!"
Merlin went bright red, not expecting such a course comment. Arthur glared at the King and said coldly "The Pure is a title due to Emrys's pureness of thought and deed. I thank you not to be so course as to suggest otherwise."
"I mean no offense" Sarrum said then turned to Uther "You must be pleased to have both your children married Uther. My son and his wife have just given me a second grandson."
Merlin gave an unlady like sort. "Why didn't they want it?"
Uther glared at Merlin as Arthur, hearing what was said, leapt to Merlin's defence. "You must forgive Merlin this is not the language she is familiar with and still sometimes misunderstands"
Sarrum didn't look convinced but instead turned to Arthur "I am sure you will plant your seed soon enough, that should keep your wife busy." He then turned to Merlin his hand finding Merlin's knee under the table "Enjoy the food my dear." With that his hand crept up Merlin's leg. Merlin quickly closed his eyes and made sure the King would not feel anything he ought not to, then with a smile said quietly but sweetly
"I am unfamiliar with the customs of the mainland Sire but is it normal for a man to touch another's wife in such a place?"
Merlin looked Sarrum straight in the eye "As in Gangani such a thing would permit me to use my dagger to castrate him to protect my honour and that of my husband." with that Merlin carefully exposed his hidden dagger.
Sarrum removed his hand and replied equally as quietly "I like a woman with fight"
"Sire I believe you just like women, beware both my husband and my brother take my honour seriously as do I. Touch me again and you will find out how seriously" Merlin smiled and waved to Freya to fill the goblet.
Sarrum turned back to Uther to answer a question and as he did Morgana spoke. "Take care Merlin, you will make an enemy of him, whilst you need to protect your honour you need to take care not to insult him to much"
Merlin grinned "That's why I whispered otherwise I would have spoken my words out loud for all to hear."
Morgana smiled back "I could get to like you"
"Good I would like us to be friends." Merlin said, he knew he needed to make the effort to get on with the Princess.
Sarrum had not finished and later in the meal he turned to Merlin once again. "Perhaps you can tell me, your people follow the old religion I understand does that mean Magic is rife in your Kingdom?"
Merlin lowered his head "Magic is in the land Sire as it is here, that is our belief."
"You have sorcerers?" the question was said with an edge of hardness the Kings voice rising enough to carry.
"You are asking the wrong person" Boomed Gwaine's voice "The Pure One has led a sheltered life even though well-travelled. If you wish to discuss our Kingdom I am more than willing to do so. The fact we do not share such views is well known to our host and has been part of our own treaty talks"
Uther sensing that if he was not careful would have to deal with things in public that he would rather keep to private meetings, interrupted. "My Lords let us have some entertainment and leave business for another time." With that he called for the entertainers. They was a singer as well as jugglers. After that the conversation stayed on safer grounds.
As soon as polite Arthur spoke to his father "I ask your permission to take my wife to rest Sire, she is still recovering"
"You may" Uther consented. With that Arthur stood and went to Merlin and offered his arm
"Come my love, you need to rest" he turned to Freya "My lady will need your services" with that he walked out. As they left Percival and Lancelot stood and followed.