"Cause my echo, echo

is the only voice coming back.

Shadow, shadow

is the only friend that I have."

I let go of the man who felt wonderful to touch. I moved forward to my only son. Sadly, the only child I will ever have.

"Father? Why do you kiss Merlin like that?" My innocent son asked.

I got down on one knee, eye-level with Amr. "That is because I am attracted to him. Merlin is a very lovely man." I have never been so honest with my son-or anyone- before. "Merlin is..." I struggled to find a way to describe him, "something I've never asked myself before. I've never asked myself if I could ever love another man before." I looked into my son's eyes, about to cry. "And I think I can, I really believe I can love another man more than I ever did your mother."

"Merlin Father's other side of the coin?" My small prince said, trying to grasp the concept of my feelings for my manservant.

I bite my lower lip, treading on water. "Maybe, maybe not. But I have to figure it out for myself. Only time can tell.

A smile crept on my son's adorable face. "Merlin new father. Merlin new king."

I chuckled, wondering if my son would ever be correct. Would Merlin ever become one with the king of Camelot under holy matrimony?

Why would any sane person marry someone who was twenty-four, divorced, and had a five year-old son? If I were in Merlin's shoes, would I be interested in someone like that? Or would I shun the person?

"Listen, Listen.

I would take a whisper if that's all you had to give.

But it isn't, is it?

You could come and save me and try to chase the crazy right out of my head."

After a month of hiding behind closed doors about Merlin and my relationship, today was the day we were going to go completely public. I am not ashamed to say that he is my boyfriend to my kingdom, but I am afraid that my subjects are going to treat me differently and unjustly so.

"Arthur?" I heard my boyfriend's voice calling out to me.

"Yes?" I said as I turned around, buttoning the last button on my shirt. He looked beautiful, the way his blue eyes sparkled in the natural lighting.

"Are you sure this is the way you want to do this?...Wouldn't you like something a lot less sudden? Something more modest?" He was as nervous as I was. It was as adorable as my so-OUR son- is. I had truly fallen in love with my manservant over the very short month of which we had been dating, but it didn't matter. It felt as if to me that we had been dating so much longer. Like we were not only meant for each other in this life, but we are meant to be together in all of our previous and future lives as well.

"Merlin," I spun him around so we could lock eyes. "I have never been more sure of anything in my life. I want you. If my subjects cannot handle that, then I will denounce myself as king of Camelot. I will not rule for a kingdom that cannot support its ruler no matter what." I held his cheeks between my palms. "Merlin, you are ruling my heart and I wouldn't want it any other way. You are the other side of my coin. I need you in darkness and in light, in sickness and in health, so Merlin," I dropped to one knee. "Will you make me the happiest man in Camelot and marry me?" I said, so nervous that I almost fell over. Merlin stared at my one bent knee for a while, mouth hanging wide ope, shocked-I assumed. "Merlin, my love, can you please speak? Flies are coming in and out of your mouth."

He shut his mouth finally, then swallowed so he could say with conviction. "Yes, yes, of course, Arthur. I will marry you." He smiled as I slid the ring on his finger. Once the ring was on, he put my cheeks in between his hands and kissed me with more love than I've ever felt.

_Six months later_

I watched as Amr walked down the aisle, bearing the rings my groom and I would soon be wearing forever. I was so nervous that I vomitted this morning. What if he walked halfway down the aisle, realized who he was going to get married to, turned around, and became a runaway groom?

What if he didn't show up at all?

I began to pace as the doors flew open, signaling another being entering the very large room. The room was full of my citizens. Our citizens. The room -which was once famous for my father's notorious yelling matches- was uncharacteristically silent. I slowly looked up to see him, my Merlin, taking tiny steps towards me. He was dressed in a snow white shirt and trousers, accessorized with a red rose pinned to his shirt. The rose was enough color to bring out the flush on his pale cheeks. It also brought out the color of his bright blue eyes. Three, two, one more step until I would be able to feel Merlin's warm hand in my cold one.

His hand was finally linked with mine. We turned around to face the elderly librarian. He was a good subject and loyal friend.

"We gather here today to bring Arthur Pendragon and Merlin together in holy matrimony. Is there anyone with us that objects?"

I turned around, worried that someone objected to our happiness. No one said anything, so we proceeded with the ceremony. After a short time that seemed like forever, the librarian finally said:

"I now pronounce you man and man. You may kiss the groom."

I pressed my lips onto my husband's lips passionately, eager to start our amazing journey of forever.

"I just don't wanna be an island.

I just want to feel alive and

get to see your face again.

But until then,

just my echo, my shadow,

you're my only friend."

I laid a single flower on his grave, a tear rolling down my cheek. "I miss you, Emrys. You were supposed to still be here, with our sons. You were supposed to survive. You shouldn't've jumped in front of me when Morgana tried to kill me. My life is now worthless. The only reason I am still alive is because of our children- Lohot, Amr, and Gwydre. I know they need me, but it's really hard for me to wake up and not see your smiling face, fingers already combing through my blonde locks." My tears were now flowing freely down my cheeks. "I miss you so much, Emrys Pendragon." I kissed the stone and walked home, trying to look presentable to my kingdom once again.