Three weeks later, the wedding was almost here. On the eve of the next day, Gwen and Lancelot would be married. Only one problem: Merlin didn't have a date.
Merlin would be best man (well he still was a man) and bridesmaid (Gwen really didn't have that many girlfriends) so it was essential to bring a date. Gwen had chewed him out earlier on it:
"Merlin, this is my wedding and I want you to have someone to dance with. You are bringing a date."
"But Gwen-"
"No, you are bringing someone."
"Should I bring a man or a woman?"
That question haunted him. The man he was on the inside told him to bring a woman, but his woman on the outside demanded she bring a man. So men it was. But who?
Wait, thought Merlin, I know who would be perfect. He's kind, nice, funny, and strong. And we would just go as friends, right? And he doesn't have a date. Perfect.
After cleaning Arthur's chambers (with magic, of course) she hurried off to find her would-be date.
Meanwhile, Arthur was trying to find the best way to ask Merlin to be his date. He thought flowers, but that didn't seem right. Poetry? Hell, no. Music? Why'd he even think that? In the end, he decided to come right out and ask her.
"MerlinwillyoubemydatetoGwen'sandLancelot'swedding?" Arthur asked as he entered his chambers, which Merlin was supposed to be cleaning without magic. She wasn't there. Dammit, thought the king.
He walked tried to find her everywhere, but it wasn't until he neared the armory until he heard her voice. "So, you will?" she said. "Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!"
Arthur could practically hear her throw herself at someone. His heart sank. She had a date. And it wasn't him. And she sounded excited about it. It was probably Gwaine. He walked down the hall to go mope in his room.
While that had been happening, Gwaine had been eating an apple, pondering whether or not he should ask Merlin to be his date. Then he thought sadly, Princess probably got to her first. It kinda hurt. Good thing he had apples to eat, or he might have gotten extremely depressed by the fact that he would never get out of the friendzone.
The next day, everything was in an uproar, trying to prepare. Gwen and Merlin locked themselves in a room to 'beautify' themselves and the men really had no idea what to do. They just played strange games that involved drinking and occasionally swung swords at each other. Just an hour before the wedding, they all bathed and put on their good clothes. When it was time, Lancelot stood at the altar and waited. Guests started to mill in. The girls weren't there yet, according to Elyan, so that caused for worry. In time Merlin appeared next to Lancelot, as role as best man, and assured him Gwen was ready.
Music started to play the wedding march and all the guests silenced and stood up. They watched as Elyan led Gwen down the aisle, then as he gave his little sister away.
"Dearly beloved," started Geoffrey of Monmouth, who was preforming the ceremony, "We are gathered here to today….."
The ceremony turned out fine. When Gwen was supposed to say "I do" she said "I would do those things, even if you hadn't asked me. So, of course, I do." There was much cheering at that.
The reception was a hit. Everyone turned up and all agreed it to be a fine party. After Arthur danced with a few towns girls (which made them swoon), he escaped the crowd and headed to the back. He was surprised to find someone else there.
"Princess," said Gwaine, looking equally surprised, "What brings you here?"
"I could ask you the same question," replied Arthur. "Shouldn't you be dancing with Merlin?"
"Umm….no. I thought she was going with you," shrugged Gwaine.
"Really?" Arthur raised an eyebrow. "I heard her ask someone earlier, and I guess it was you."
"I wish," said the knight and Arthur nodded. Suddenly the crowd parted, revealing two people doing an intricate dance. The one person, the man, they recognized as Percival. The woman, they didn't. Her black hair was waist-length, shiny, and flowing. Her dress was a pale blue that gripped her curves perfectly. When she turned, Gwaine and Arthur saw her face was pale, with full red, smiling lips. Her cheekbones where high, be they added to the affect. Her eyes, oh her eyes, were a startling blue that sparkled as she laughed. They realized it was Merlin.
Yet, it wasn't. There was no neck chief, no typical Merlin grin, and no aura of clumsiness. It wasn't Merlin. After dancing, she bowed to Percival and surprisingly came over to Gwaine and Arthur.
"Hey, guys," she beamed at them. "One of you want to dance?"
"Won't Percival get offended?" Arthur somehow managed out. This was not Merlin, or at least his Merlin.
She laughed. "Oh, no. We just came as friends. And I think he's preoccupied at the moment." She nodded to where the tall knight was trying to dance with a cute redhead.
"I'll take your offer," said Gwaine, stunned at her beauty. She grabbed his hand and pulled him to the dance floor. Arthur watched, unable to keep his eyes away, as they twirled around, locked in each other's arms. It should be Arthur out there, he felt. Envy rippled through him and worsened as he saw her place a kiss on Gwaine's cheek.
Merlin bowed as the dance ended to Gwaine and they broke apart. His hand went to the place where she had kissed him. They walked back over to Arthur.
"So-" started Merlin, before Arthur grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards the exit. Gwaine tried to follow, but Gwen and Lancelot decided that the knight should meet some people he would probably not remember or care about the next day.
"Arthur, where are you taking me?!" demanded Merlin, anger swelling up inside. They were in the street now.
"Home," said Arthur, not looking at her.
"Why? I'm not even drunk."
"I didn't like the way some of the men were looking at you," he said, focusing ahead.
"So what? I can handle them," Merlin shrugged. His grip on her wrist tightened. "Oww, Arthur, you're hurting me."
He did not let go, but faced her. "Merlin, you can't walk a straight line without falling over, I doubt it would be that hard to take advantage of you."
"I doubt any of them would try. They're all nice people."
"See, Merlin!? You're too trusting. You're easy prey." He gripped her shoulders, now. Really hard, as if he didn't want her to get away.
"Please, Arthur I-"
"You didn't even notice that Gwaine was practically planning to undress you later!"
"Gwaine's my friend, he wouldn't do that!"
"Oh, yes he would! Half the men there were too, I bet!"
"Really, Arthur? I think I could've have handled it."
"No you couldn't have, you too stupid to."
"Oh, so I'm stupid, now?!"
"Yes-no-I mean..those man would have taken advantage of you. I forbid you to be with any men."
"Excuse me, but I'm not your property. You can't tell me what to do."
"You're my servant; you'll do as I say."
"No," she stepped out of his grasp, "I think I'll head back now, and maybe dance with a few men. Maybe go home with one…." She said that to spite him.
"You'll not dare…."
"Watch me."
She took a step before he turned her around. Arthur raised his hand. She felt a searing pain slash across her face.
Arthur had just hit her.
Arthur's an asshole sometimes, right? Thank you to Book-girl-fan, Don-V, Luka-Knight, and jwolf8791 for reviewing! You rock!