Day Twenty Six: Marriage:
Merlin's hands shook as he tried to flatten his hair. His fingers worked delicately around the dark locks, begging them to stay down. After a few moments of this, he growled in frustration and settled on rustling it up.
His hands dropped down by his sides and his shoulder's slumped in defeat. He only wanted perfection, was that too much to ask?
He gave a startled jump when he heard a knock at the door. "Come in," he said. He looked over his shoulder and grinned half-heartedly at his guest. Castiel's head peaked around the corner, his smile disappearing when he saw Merlin's miserable expression.
"What's wrong? I thought weddings were supposed to be happy?" Castiel walked over to Merlin, his head tilted to the right; Merlin chuckled.
"Yes, they are, but it's gotta be perfect and so far that is not the case. My hair won't cooperate, my hands keep shaking, I keep forgetting my vows and I'm worried I'll disappoint Arthur and…It's just, a mess." Merlin's frantic hand gestures ceased immediately, and fell back down to his sides, slapping his thighs.
Cas chewed the inside of his cheek as he examined the flustered boy in front of him. He reached out and straightened Merlin's tie. His hands moved up to Merlin's hair, flattening the fly-aways, before finally settling on Merlin's shoulders.
Castiel looked Merlin in the eyes and squeezed his shoulders, "Arthur will be happy to be marrying you no matter what. He'll steady your hands, he'll be your reminder when you forget your words, and he will be far from disappointed when he sees you in this suit."
Merlin chuckled as tears formed in his eyes, "This is really happening, huh?" Cas nodded. "Well then, better get on with it, Arthur'll think I pulled a Julia Roberts' on him." Cas squinted in confusion. Merlin laughed and shook his head, "Come on, best man." He slapped Cas on the back as they exited the room.
Arthur and Dean were already at St. Mary's Chapel. They both wanted to get married at sundown in the Abbey ruins. It was something different, something unique, and for Merlin, it held a deeper meaning. He couldn't really explain it to Arthur, but once he saw pictures of the chapel by Glastonbury Tor, he knew that it was special and he knew that it was meant to happen.
Merlin's nerves crept up on him again as he was driving to the chapel. It was hard to get a good grasp on the steering wheel with his sweaty palms. "This is a good place, right, Cas? It's not clichéd or…stupid….right?" Merlin looked to Cas, keeping one eye on the road.
"No, I think it's a great idea! I mean, do people usually get married in the ruins by an old church?" Castiel asked seriously.
This made Merlin chuckle, "No, they don't." Merlin took a deep breath as his gaze looked up to the abandoned tower on top of the hill. The sunset was perfect, all gold and pink and orange, silhouetting the little town. This calmed Merlin's nerves a bit. He had been afraid that it would be cloudy or that it would rain, but the weather was on his side today. The sky had been blue, the sun shone brightly, and now the sunset created a calming, romantic mood for the night.
When they pulled up to the chapel, Dean's car was already out front. There was no sign of Arthur and his best man. All was still and silent.
Cas nudged Merlin, "You ready?" Merlin nodded and Cas gestured for him to follow. "Breathe Merlin, you look fine, the chapel looks stunning against the sky; Arthur is one lucky man."
Cas was right; the setting sun cast eerie shadows over the crumpled stones and archways. Overgrown flowers and grass covered fallen pieces of wall. A startled bird took off, disappearing into the radiance of the sunset. The sweet, warm smell of honeysuckle was overpowering and soothing.
No outside noise could be heard in the ruins. No sound of cars or children playing; just their footsteps stepping softy onto the springy grass.
As they neared the alter Merlin's heart pounded against his chest. All he could hear was the rushing of blood and his heartbeat. He took a few deep breaths, clenched and unclenched his fists, and looked for Arthur. He knew if he could just catch Arthur's eye he would calm down. Arthur made him feel happy, safe.
Once he did catch Arthur's eye, he couldn't peel his gaze away from his sky blue eyes. Merlin had a glimpse at Arthur in his suit, pressed and looking extravagant as usual, but Merlin was more interested in the affectionate look upon Arthur's face.
His smile was bright and warm and his eyes sparkled. Merlin could feel his cheeks blush and was thankful for the dim lighting. He tried to say "You look good", but all that came out was a breathy "Hi", like he was a shy schoolboy. He regretted even opening his mouth. His throat tightened and nervous tears threatened to pour down his cheeks. Merlin glanced down at his feet and squeezed his eyes shut, forcing the tears back.
He was afraid to open his eyes, the tears were persistent. He didn't want to cry, not yet. This was it; this was the moment his life would change forever. He was finally going to marry Arthur. His lip trembled as Arthur slipped his hand into Merlin's.
Merlin slowly opened his eyes and looked to Arthur. He was relieved to see that he wasn't the only one fighting back tears. Arthur whispered back, "Hi." Merlin let out a watery laugh and pressed the side of his body to Arthur. The heat radiating off of Arthur calmed Merlin's shaking hands and shallow breathing.
Cas stood on Merlin's left and Dean on Arthur's right. They were both smiling like idiots. This'll be you one day, just you wait. Merlin thought.
Merlin's attention was brought back to the alter when he heard someone clearing their throat. Lancelot stood behind the disintegrating stone, smiling at two of his best friends.
"Ready?" He whispers.
Arthur squeezes Merlin's hand, "Ready as I'll ever be." He looks to Merlin, a small smile playing on his lips. Merlin returns the smile and nods.
"Well let's get started. This evening we gather to celebrate the unity of Arthur Pendragon and Merlin Emrys."
Merlin gripped Arthur's hand, holding it so tight, his hands shook. Arthur rubbed his thumb over the back of Merlin's hand, soothing him. Merlin took a deep breath and smiled. Lance continued, not noticing the subtle exchange between the two.
"I was told that you have both prepared vows for each other?" Merlin and Arthur nodded. "If you would turn to face each other, grasp each other's hands, I will bind them, and then you may recite your vows."
Lance wrapped a red ribbon around their hands, uniting them, binding them together. When he was finished, Lance rested his hand upon theirs for a brief second, praying to which ever God was listening. He removed his hand and spoke, "Arthur, if you would look to Merlin and recite your vows." He swept his hand from Arthur to Merlin, but Arthur was already looking at Merlin, his sapphire eyes never left Merlin's.
Arthur cleared his throat and began, "Merlin, I…I don't even know where to begin, to sum up what it means to be with you." Arthur's voice began to crack. "You taught me how to stand up to my father and make my own choices. You laugh at my stupid jokes, even when they are terribly delivered and make no sense at all. You-you've picked me up when I was down and never once, have you given up on me." Arthur's eyes brimmed with tears and Merlin just wanted to hold him close and tell him how much he loved him, but he had to wait his turn. "You've brought light into my life. You've brought happiness, joy, and laughter. Merlin Emrys, I vow to never give up on you, to honor and cherish you, to respect and trust you. I promise these things until we both take our last breaths. I vow to love you forever and always." Arthur bit his bottom lip, holding back the tears that threatened to surface.
Merlin on the other hand, had let the dam of tears go. He gave Arthur a watery smile and looked at Lance, who nodded for him to start. He looked to Arthur and taking a deep breath, he began, "Have you ever heard the saying 'You can meet someone for the first time, but feel in your heart that you've known them forever'? Every day since I've met you, I couldn't shake this feeling. Every little thing you did sparked a new memory in me, almost like déjà vu. Like how you always ask me to tie your tie, even though you are perfectly capable of doing so. Or how you come to me for advice no matter what the situation is." Merlin squeezed Arthur's hand. His legs trembled and his throat closed up. Arthur returned the pressure, willing him to go on. "Arthur, we were destined to be together, lifetime after lifetime, Merlin and Arthur, forever. You have shown me love and kindness, even though I was different. I vow to show you the same love and kindness that you've shown me. I vow to honor, respect, and cherish you today, tomorrow, forever, and even in the next lifetime."
The tears had started rolling down Arthur's cheeks, but he did nothing to stop them. They were a blubbering mess. Lance unwound the ribbon and placed a tiny pillow with two golden rings on the edge of the alter.
"The wedding ring is a symbol of eternity. It is an outward sign of an inward and spiritual bond which unites two hearts in endless love. And now as a token of your love and of your deep desire to be forever united in heart and soul, you may now exchange your rings," Lance said, gesturing at the little pillow.
Arthur reached out and picked up Merlin's ring, "Merlin, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness to you." With shaky hands, Arthur slid the ring on Merlin's finger.
Merlin took Arthur's ring off the pillow and held Arthur's hand, "Arthur, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness to you." Merlin slid the ring on Arthur's finger and instead of pulling his hand away, Merlin entwined their fingers together.
"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you spouses for life."
Merlin pulled Arthur closer and kissed him, slowly and passionately. He could faintly hear Cas, Dean, and Lance clapping and hollering in the background, but nothing else mattered to Merlin in that moment. Right now, it was Merlin and Arthur, only them, forever and always.