The media storm after Merlin's hearing was overwhelming and it forced Merlin and Arthur to retreat into seclusion while Arthur and Gaius had a chance to plan a strategy on how to handle it. Meanwhile, the judge issued an official retraction of all charges against Arthur, along with a public apology.
The next several months went by swiftly after the media began to lose interest in their story. Merlin busied himself with planning the wedding while Arthur and Gaius tried to repair the damage to the Pendragon name from the witch hunt against Arthur. Despite his name being cleared, certain conservative elements were still trying to brand Arthur as some sort of sexual predator.
Merlin was really enjoying planning the wedding and thought perhaps he might have a knack for it. While he may never need a career, being married to a billionaire, Merlin thought he might enjoy having something else to do other than warming Arthur's cock every afternoon.
The only part of the planning Arthur wasn't allowing Merlin to do was the honeymoon. Arthur said he wanted to surprise Merlin, and so the younger man happily took that part of the planning off his list.
By the time the wedding date was near, Arthur and Merlin were once again media darlings and they laughed off the ridiculous adventures they'd had dealing with a very overzealous detective and social worker.
Unfortunately, Merlin had nightmares from his confinement in that so-called group home. Arthur often had to calm him down in the middle of the night when he would awaken, screaming.
Arthur seriously thought about suing the city in regards to Merlin's continued distress, but Merlin begged him not to. So instead Arthur paid for Merlin to seek therapy instead. Arthur just wanted his sweet, content Merlin back.
About a month before the wedding, Merlin's therapist thought it would be a good idea for him to have a supervised confrontation with those who were responsible for his confinement. That included Cenred, Gwen, Alice and Percival.
Merlin agreed only if Arthur could be there, along with a couple of personal body guards as Merlin didn't trust that they wouldn't just try and grab him yet again.
The meeting took place at the Pendragon Industries headquarters and they met in one of Arthur's private conference rooms. When Merlin and Arthur arrived, the four in question were already there, along with Merlin's therapist.
They sat down and Merlin looked a bit nervous until his therapist nodded and Arthur held his hand in support. Merlin looked all four of them in the eye.
"Alright," Merlin began. "I need to get this off my chest or I may never get another good night's sleep again."
"Merlin," Gwen interrupted.
"NO!" Merlin gritted out. "You are here to listen to me this time, not the other way around. So you sit there, shut up and listen. Is that clear?"
Gwen nodded.
"Cenred," Merlin looked at the detective warily. "I know you did this because of what happened to your parents. I'm sorry that Uther did that. I'm sorry Uther was that sort of man. However, Arthur is not his father. He's tried everything to reverse all the bad things his father did. Yeah he's a kinky bastard, but so am I. He wasn't abusing me and what you did ended up hurting me far more than it ever hurt him."
Cenred was going to open his mouth to speak but Arthur pointedly shook his head and Cenred sat back.
"Gwen," Merlin continued. "I know you meant well. I know you saw a possible abusive situation. However, you never once listened to what I had to say. You didn't listen and Cenred continued to push his investigation and I ended up needing therapy because of the trauma I suffered. Because of you, I ended up being practically kidnapped and confined by the state. You did to me what you were accusing Arthur of doing. Remember that we could have pressed charges against you for that and that we didn't."
Gwen took a deep shuddering breath and her eyes were brimming with unfallen tears.
Merlin took a deep breath then and looked at Alice and Percival. "As for you two. I know you were just following orders based upon the investigation from those two, but did either of you for even one moment consider what you might be doing to the state of my mental health by confining me like that? Even for just a week? I still wake up with nightmares from that place!"
Merlin was finally finished and they all sat in silence for a moment. Alice was the first to speak up. "I am truly sorry, my dear. Had I known the truth behind all the allegations I would have never recommended to put you through all that. I was working with false assumptions based on false information. I know now that every word you told me was the sincere truth and I do apologize for not believing you."
"Yeah, man," Percival interceded. "We were told you could have Stockholm Syndrome and that you could be a danger to yourself, which is why we put you in an isolated room like that. I'm sorry, I really didn't know."
Cenred and Gwen were looking sheepish as the other two apologized to Merlin.
"Look," Gwen took a deep breath. "The thing is, after what your friend and that maid told us, I will admit I was convinced you were being harmed and I refused to believe anything you said. I have seen real victims with Stockholm Syndrome before, and they absolutely loved their kidnappers by the time we'd rescued them. You had been with Arthur for a year so it was difficult to believe he hadn't affected you in that way."
"See, that's the thing," Merlin said in frustration. "I wasn't kidnapped. I was only a victim of the foster care system and my own circumstances. I was about to jump off a bloody bridge before Arthur came along. He saved me."
"Yes, and I am sorry," Gwen finally apologized. "I thought I was protecting you from a monster, but I guess it turned out that I was the monster instead."
Finally, all eyes were on Cenred. "Don't look at me. Pendragon's father had my parents murdered and I will not rest until he and his entire empire are in shambles."
Arthur studied the man for a moment. "Do you know what I did after my father died?"
Cenred huffed. "Took up where he left off, I suspect. You're just so much better at hiding it."
"No, actually," Arthur said calmly. "I sold or shut down every illicit part of Pendragon Industries. I then donated every penny of his ill-gotten gains to a variety of charities. By the time my father had died, I had amassed my own wealth, and I didn't need his to sustain the company. I then invested in legitimate business opportunities. Some failed, but most succeeded. Not a single penny that I have now came from my father."
"I don't believe that," Cenred sneered.
"You don't have to believe it. It's all on public record. If you're such a good detective it shouldn't be difficult for you to find that information," Arthur said coolly.
Alice cleared her throat then and drew everyone's attention. "Cenred you are the one in the wrong now. I did quite a bit of checking already and everything Arthur just said is the truth. You traumatized a young man for no good reason. You must let this go."
"But…my parents," Cenred began again with a small sob in his voice.
"The loss of your parents was a tragic thing, and you have my sincerest apologies for what my father did," Arthur said. "But I had nothing to do with it. I was away at boarding school in Switzerland at the time. I didn't even learn about it until after Uther died, and by then it was too late to bring him to justice."
"Do you know?" Cenred began asking. "Do you know why he had them killed? They were good, honest, hardworking people."
"I'm not certain," Arthur replied. "I think they got caught on the bad end of a business deal and Uther made an example of them. That's about all I know. My father was very good at covering his tracks."
Cenred slumped into his chair, finally defeated. "Alright, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been taking my anger out on either one of you. If it makes either of you feel any better, my disciplinary hearing is next week. I may get drummed out of the force entirely for what I did."
"No, it doesn't make me feel better," Merlin said. "In the long run, we're all just indirect victims of Uther. It would make me feel better if we can just all finally put this behind us. Hopefully confronting you today will help me finally get some sleep or I'll make a horrible looking bride on my wedding day!"
Everyone chuckled a little at that and the tension finally cleared. After that everyone cleared the room, leaving Merlin and Arthur alone.
Arthur smiled at Merlin. "I'm very proud of you. You faced them bravely."
Merlin blushed. "Thanks. Honestly I think that helped. It's like a weight's been lifted."
Arthur pulled Merlin into a warm embrace. "Good."
...
The morning of the wedding dawned bright and clear. They were holding it on Arthur's estate, and were prepared for any kind of weather. Since no rain clouds threatened the servants were already busy setting up on the grounds in the back of the estate.
Merlin stretched, lovingly running his hands along the golden collar he still wore. Arthur had told him he could take it off anytime he wanted to, but it had been Arthur's first gift to him and removing would be permanent and he didn't want that.
He looked over at the empty side of the bed where Arthur normally slept and Merlin sighed. Arthur had insisted that they sleep separately for a week before the wedding. He'd even gone so far as to lock Merlin into a cock cage for the week, saying something about wanting Merlin to be hard and aching on their wedding night.
Merlin smirked as he looked down at the chastity device still locked around his genitals before he slowly crawled out of bed and headed towards the bathroom. Peeing with the cage on was a little trickier than normal, but he'd managed to deal with it all week and was quite practiced at it by now.
Afterwards he treated himself to an extra-long shower, making sure to shave everywhere as he always did. He wanted to be perfect for Arthur today.
Merlin then dressed in simple sweats before heading downstairs for breakfast.
"Good morning, Love," Arthur beamed at him from his usual spot in the kitchen. "Sleep well?"
Merlin gave Arthur a quick kiss before seating himself in front of a plate with a lovely looking omelette and reached for the steaming cup of coffee. "Well enough, but I have been missing you something awful."
"Yeah I miss having you in my arms at night," Arthur agreed. "Thankfully our wait is over. Are you ready to become Mr. Pendragon today?"
Merlin blushed. "Oh no. I may become Merlin Pendragon today, but you will always be Mr. Pendragon."
Arthur chuckled. "Hmm you know I might prefer you calling me that over Master," Arthur teased.
"Yes, Mr. Pendragon," Merlin deadpanned before bursting into giggles.
...
Several hours later and Merlin was up in the master bedroom getting dressed for the ceremony. He opted for a silver-grey three-piece suit, and he knew Arthur would be wearing a slate-grey three-piece suit. They were both wearing ties and handkerchiefs in Pendragon red, as Merlin liked to call it.
Merlin was just giving his hair one last comb through when a knock came at the door. "It's time, Mr. Emrys," George announced.
"Thank you, George," Merlin nodded striding towards the door. He paused at where George was holding open the door for him. "I mean that. Thank you. You've really been a big help to both of us and I know Arthur relies on you for literally everything."
"Just doing my job," George nodded and then produced a rare smile. "but…you're welcome. It is nice to be appreciated."
Merlin made his way downstairs and towards the large double French doors leading out towards where the ceremony had been set up. Arthur stood there, waiting for him. They had opted to escort each other down the aisle for their ceremony.
Arthur smiled and held out his arm and Merlin took it as the music began and they started their walk towards where all their guests were seated. They reached the end of the aisle they were to walk down and Merlin sought the only guest he'd invited, and saw her eyes already brimming with tears. Merlin mouthed to her "I love you mum!" and she sniffled as she shot him a smile.
Most of the other guests were business acquaintances and old family friends of the Pendragons. Besides a professional wedding photographer, the same Paparazzi that had been allowed to document their proposal were on-hand as well. Arthur figured if he gave some of them exclusive access, he might avoid the intrusion of helicopters hovering over the proceedings.
The music stopped as they reached the floral arch where Gaius waited. They had asked him to officiate the ceremony and he was grinning like a proud father at both of them.
"Welcome one and all. We are gathered here today to celebrate love. We celebrate the love and devotion that these two fine young gentlemen have for one another and their determination to make a lifetime commitment to each other through marriage," Gaius began.
Gaius took a moment before continuing. "In marriage, two people turn to each other in search of a greater fulfillment than either can achieve alone. Marriage is a bold step, taken together, into an unknown future. It is risking who we are for the sake of who we can be. Only in giving of ourselves fully, and sharing our lives with another, can the mysterious process of growth take place. Only in loyalty and devotion bestowed upon another can that which is eternal in life emerge and be known. Two among us, who have stood apart, come together now, to declare their love and to be united in marriage."
By now Merlin was vibrating with nervous excitement as the moment of saying their vows was upon them. He had agonized for weeks as to what to say to Arthur.
"I believe they both have prepared their own vows," Gaius told the crowd. "Gentlemen?"
Arthur was to go first, and he cleared his voice and looked at Merlin for a moment before taking his hands. "Merlin, ever since the first moment I saw you, your dazzling eyes and bright smile had me enchanted. The way we met may have been unorthodox, but I fell in love with you so deeply and so completely. I cannot imagine spending even a day without you at my side. You are the light of my life. I promise to show you how much I love you every day for the rest of our lives."
Merlin was emotionally swept away by Arthur's sincere words of love. Tears streamed down his face and he tried to compose himself before reciting his own vows. "Arthur, on the day we met you literally saved my life. Since that day you have shown me that there is more to life and opened up opportunities I would never have imagined. You also showed me how kind and patient you can be. As I got to know you better, I saw the man you are, not the man you present to the world. I fell in love with that man. To the rest of the world your just some spoiled prat born with a silver spoon in your mouth. To me, I know you truly are a prince among men and you were my knight in shining armor. I promise to love, honor and obey you for the rest of our lives."
Merlin added a little wink to Arthur when he said the word obey and Arthur blushed a bit at the meaning behind it.
Next they completed the traditional exchange of rings and finally Gaius allowed them to kiss. "May I present to you Mr. Arthur Pendragon and Mr. Merlin Pendragon."
Hand in hand they ran back down the aisle together, laughing as they were showered by rice.
Afterwards they had a tasteful reception on the large back patio of the estate, complete with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. It was fairly low key and all the guests were finally gone by dinner time. Merlin's mum was the last to go and they hugged and cried.
They were heading on their secret honeymoon the next day, but Arthur wanted his new husband all to himself for the evening. Once they were alone Arthur led Merlin up to their bedroom, closing and locking the door behind him.
"So, you promised to obey me," Arthur smirked.
"That I did, dear husband," Merlin grinned.
"Good, because my boy," Arthur grinned. "Now you truly belong to me."