A/N- I hope your Christmas was as fun as mine .

Arthur scanned the crowded ballroom, everyone seemed to be having a good time. They were laughing. Dancing and talking. "Arthur can I talk to you," he heard Amber say form behind.

The king turned to see Amber in a green dress and a look that said that something was brewing. "Yes Amber what can I do for you?"

Amber stepped closer and put her hands on her hips, "what do you think about maybe you and Gwen going on a carriage ride later?"

Arthur crossed his arms, "well I actually wanted to do that in the first place but I don't have four white horses or snow."

The young queen cocked an eyebrow, "since when do you need all of that to have a nice ride with your wife?"

Arthur fidgeted, "I don't know, I guess that was what I had envisioned and it's not going to happen."

Amber sighed, "Well too bad because you're going on a carriage ride whether you like it or not." She replied and with that she turned and was of talking to someone else.

Arthur was left standing there blinking in surprise.

Gwen appeared at his side, "well everyone seems happy." She said in relief.

Arthur smiled, she looked beautiful in her red and black dress, he was a lucky man indeed. He wrapped an arm around her and smiled, "you did a wonderful job sweetheart. Everyone is having a wonderful time." He placed a kiss on her forehead.

Gwen frowned, "I haven't seen Merlin, where is he?"

Arthur shook his head, "I don't know."

"Aren't you worried?" she asked, concerned.

Arthur shrugged, "maybe."

Gwen grinned, "You are, aren't you?"

He smiled, "yeah maybe a little."

"Come on,' Gwen urged. "Let's go dance."

After dancing for a little while everyone sat down to a large feast. There were many toasts from the knights and then finally Amber stood. "I would like to make a toast to the king and his beautiful wife." She raised a goblet to the couple at the head of the tables. Everyone drank to the king and queens health, but Amber wasn't finished. "Now the king and queen are going to go on a carriage ride together."

Everyone looked at each other no quite sure what was going on, but they didn't call Amber Wild Cat for nothing- she was always doing the unexpected.

Gwen grinned, now she could give Arthur her gift in private. Next to her Arthur smiled, he was going to get his romantic ride with Gwen. It wasn't going to be exactly perfect but at least he would be able to give her to her gift in private.

Just as the guests were starting to begin mingling again and Gwen and Arthur were going to go on their carriage ride when Merlin and Gwaine burst into the ballroom.

"Gwaine, Merlin?" Arthur exclaimed in surprise. "You made it!"

Gwaine grinned, "Yes." He exclaimed in excitement. "We made it just in time for some dancing," he grinned as he and Arthur shook hands.

"Merlin where have you been?" Arthur demanded.

"Um, well you see I had a little bit of a hold up with this- thing and well-"

"Merlin met a girl," Gwaine interrupted.

Arthur raised his eyebrows, "Merlin," He growled.

"It wasn't like that," Merlin held up his hands. "She needed my help."

"Merlin are you telling me that you completely disregarded my orders to help some girl!"

Merlin nodded bracing himself for what was to come next.

Only instead of a beating, Arthur clapped a hand on Merlin's shoulder. "That's very chivalrous of you."

Merlin frowned, Arthur was very calm for someone who had been so frazzled a few days ago.

Taking Gwen by the hand the couple headed out the door.

Merlin and Gwaine just shrugged at each other, Gwaine went off with some young courtier while Merlin spotting Amber headed in her direction.

"Oh Merlin there you are, I was wondering where you've been." She smiled, "merry Christmas."

"Thank you, you too. I've been busy trying to find a white horse."

Amber laughed, "Yes I heard about that. I take it you were not successful?"

Merlin shook his head, "no but I did save a girl from being taken back to slavery."

Amber raised her eyebrows, "oh, well that's something."

A/N- I was hoping to finish this in 25 chapters but I am not so sure that's going to happen now. We'll be together for a few more chapters (yay!)