Enya rolled her eyes at the doors to the main hall and sighed. Another party. Not that she hated having a reason to celebrate, just she would rather be in her own room right now, or out on Snowfire. Merlin and Ginger grinned at each other.
"Come on Princess they're waiting for you," Merlin said, pushing her towards the door. She turned around and stuck her tongue out at him, but did as he directed and pushed open the doors. More stares, more awkward blushing. Enya moved to her seat as fast as possible, avoiding all eye contact.
"You look wonderful as always, Enya," Arthur murmured, leaning over from the seat next to her. She shot him a wistful smile.
"Thank you, Arthur, I just wish I didn't have to be here right now. I'd rather be outside…" her voice trailed off as Uther stood and clinked a spoon on his goblet. Arthur sat up straight in his seat, pretending to pay attention to the long, droning speech his father was giving about peace and unity and blah blah blah. A plan was forming in his mind as he mulled over what the princess had just said to him.
Soon everyone got up and started dancing, Enya was immediately taken by one of the knights. Arthur brooded as he watched her laughing at something the knight had said. But he slipped out of the main hall, unnoticed by anyone, even Merlin who was waiting for his chance to dance with the princess.
Despite her not wanting to attend another party, the night flew by. Enya kept returning to Merlin's side after every two or so dances, their magic had bonded them in a way that words never could have. They spent the night mostly together, giggling and telling stories in code words regaling their magic adventures. King Boromir couldn't help but notice how happy his daughter was.
Arthur finally returned after a couple of hours, making his way to the princess' side through the large crowd.
"Enya, come with me," he whispered, touching her wrist gently. She turned to him, eyes widened slightly with surprise, but she nodded and started to follow him. Merlin and Ginger both moved to follow, but Arthur shook his head quickly, just once, so they stepped back again. Arthur lead the princess out of the main hall and down a side hallway to a small, inconspicuous door leading out to the left side of the castle. What she saw made her gasp in amazement. Arthur had strung what seemed like hundreds of oil lanterns in the trees around the small garden. In the middle was a lovely tinkling fountain, water spurting out of a mermaid statue's mouth. Enya turned to Arthur, her eyes sparkling and she grabbed his hands while kicking off her shoes.
"Come on Arthur, please tell me you've played in a fountain before!" Arthur couldn't help but laugh and removed one of his hands to awkwardly remove his own shoes and socks. The princess jumped into the fountain, lifting up her long dress and splashing joyfully around. Arthur quickly joined her, which resulted in Enya splashing him eagerly. He was shocked at first, but quickly recovered to return the favour. She then retaliated by kneeling and pulling him down to not so gently push his head under the water. He surfaced, gasping for air between laughs and coughs. Enya's dress was starting to drag on her as it was now soaked most of the way up and Arthur's clothes were in even worse shape. She laid back in the water and looked at the stars above Camelot, Arthur copied her and they floated together, tips of their heads touching.
"Isn't it lovely to get away from responsibility sometimes?" Enya murmured quietly, "it's just nice to be… normal, on occasion. I know you and your father have a much bigger reputation and standard to live up to than my family does, but everyone needs a break every once in a while, don't you think?" Arthur was silent for a long while before replying.
"I never cared, you know? I never took time for myself, I did everything my father asked of me because my mother died when I was born, so he lost the person he loved more than anyone. More than me," his voice turned small at the end, so he cleared his throat before continuing, "so I try to make up for that loss by being everything he wants of me. Is that stupid?" He felt ripples of water as Enya shook her head.
"No, I understand. I… I thought it was my fault that my mother died, so I did the same. I tried and tried to make up for it, to be everything my mother was. It's not the same though, I know how much my Father loves me… I couldn't imagine what it would feel like, knowing differently." She got onto her knees, facing Arthur, who remained where he was. The stars were now blocked by her dripping wet red hair and even in just the lantern light, her eyes shone brighter than any of the stars in the sky, her lashes had droplets of water clinging to them… He almost forgot where he was as he sighed. Enya smiled down at the prince uncertainly.
"You're so much more than a typical prince, Arthur. Sure, you've been raised the way any other has, to be waited on hand and foot, to be listened to always… You've always known that life. But the heart you have, the way you care for your people, your servants… You're so much more than anyone gives you credit for, even your father." Her head was turned away as she said this, so that he couldn't see the tears in her eyes, though her voice gave her away as it wobbled slightly. Arthur got to his knees, copying the way she was sitting, and took her hands in his.
"I don't feel worthy of that praise, but thank you nonetheless, Lady Enya," he murmured, eyes on their intertwined fingers.
"Arthur! There you are! What are you doing out here?" Merlin called from the steps of the door they had entered the garden by. Arthur's head snapped around, eyes blazing. He'd almost had the courage to kiss her. Almost. But Merlin ruined it.
"I'm busy here, Merlin," he snapped. But Merlin just grinned in return.
"You'd better get inside before you give Boromir's daughter pneumonia," he laughed. Enya withdrew her hands from Arthur's and got to her feet, still graceful despite her layers of wet clothing.
"Goodnight My Lord," she said in a monotone voice, curtsying before making her way back inside, smiling thinly at Merlin on her way in. Ginger had appeared to help her mistress back to her room. Arthur was frozen with annoyance. Merlin approached him and thumped him on the back.
"Come on buddy we'd better get you back inside," he said cheerily. Arthur stood and pushed Merlin away from him.
"You're on polishing duty tomorrow Merlin," he said stiffly, "all of the knights' armour after practice and I'd better be able to see my face in the reflection when you're done."
"Aye aye captain," Merlin grinned. He'd had a feeling something was stirring between Enya and Arthur. He had no idea how to prevent it from happening, or how to get closer to the princess, but hopefully the bond they had from their magic was enough. Somehow.