Chapter 2 – Gwen and Arthur getting ready for the wedding! There'll be links to the dresses at the end of the chapter I describe them in. Might be this one. Might be the next one. Who knows? Such fun!

Their Day

Chapter 2

Gwen left Merlin at the kitchens, where she grabbed an apple and a piece of bread and hurried back up to her rooms, where Anna was pouring hot water into the bathtub. She looked up as Gwen entered and smiled at her.

'Morning, Gwen.'

Gwen smiled. 'Morning, Anna.' It had taken Anna some getting used to, but eventually it became second nature for her to address her mistress as 'Gwen' when they were alone – Gwen insisted that she was not a lady; she was Anna's friend.

'Do you want your bath now, or would you like something to eat first?'

'No, I'm good thanks, Anna. I'll have my bath now, and then we can start on my hair. It could take a while.' She said whilst gesturing to the mass of curls piled on top of her head, pointing in all directions.

Anna laughed. 'It's not that bad, Gwen.'

Gwen smiled mockingly and stepped behind the screen to prepare for her bath.

Meanwhile, Arthur was sat in his chambers, with his head in his hands. He sat up smartly when there was a knock on the door as it opened. Merlin walked briskly into his chambers and sat down opposite Arthur at the table. Arthur looked up at him expectantly. Merlin smiled brightly.

'So. How're you feeling?'

'Fine.'

'Really? You don't look fine.'

Arthur sighed. 'I'm just a bit, erm… uneasy.'

'Nervous?'

'No.'

They sat in silence for a few moments.

'Look, it's ok that you're nervous. You're about to get married. No matter how much you love her, and how happy you're going to be – it's a daunting affair.'

Arthur sighed. 'You're right of course. I'll be fine.'

'Course you will.'

Arthur visibly relaxed in his chair. 'How's Gwen doing?'

Merlin frowned. 'What makes you think I've seen Gwen this morning?'

Arthur laughed. 'I saw you dragging her away from the castle a while ago.'

Merlin frowned. 'What the hell where you doing up at that time?'

'It's my wedding day, Merlin, I couldn't sleep.'

'Ha! You must be nervous – I've never known you not to sleep through anything before!'

Arthur frowned mockingly. 'Yes, well… how is she?'

'Good. She seems fine –very excited, but she's just as nervous as you are. She just hides it better than you do.'

Arthur smiled. 'She's always been better at doing things than I have. Where did you take her anyway?'

'I took her to meet…' Merlin stopped, 'the gardens.'

'Meet the gardens?'

'Yes.'

'She's seen them.'

Merlin paused.

'Merlin, who did you take her to meet?'

'Nobody.'

'Merlin.' He said warningly.

'You know it's bad luck for the groom to see the bride on the morning of the wedding.'

'Merlin, where did you go?'

Merlin took a deep breath. 'I took her to meet the dragons. I bumped into her on my way.'

'Merlin!' Arthur exclaimed. 'What if they'd hurt her? What kind of best man puts the bride in danger on the morning of her wedding?'

Merlin threw his hands up defensively.

'Hey, she wasn't in any danger! I'm a Dragonlord, remember? I know what I'm doing!'

'Well, I still don't like it.'

'Oh, lighten up. What would Gwen say if she heard you carrying on like this?'

'Shut up, Merlin. Listen – you're the best man.'

'As far as I'm aware, yes.'

'Take this to Gwen for me.' Said Arthur and he went to his desk and picked up a parcel and a note that was lying there and gave it to Merlin.

'Alright – what is it?'

'Not yours.'

Merlin laughed. 'Alright, I get the picture. I'll take it to her.'

'Tell her to read the note first!' he yelled after Merlin's retreating figure.