The months flew by and the big day soon arrived. Merlin had spent the night at Gwaine's and had had his bachelor party two days prior; he refused to turn up drunk for his wedding. Hunith was staying with Will in his flat. Arthur had also had his bachelor party earlier, the day before Merlin's as nearly everyone wanted to go to bath. So the morning of the ceremony both men where sober and had slept well, although both were nervous. They arrived at the venue in their tuxedos and hardly noticed what was happening. They literally only had eyes for each other.

The first dance at the reception was a done deal it could only be one thing. 'The Wonder of You' by Elvis. Everyone admitted it was a better version that Arthur's except for Merlin who was bias.

As predicted Arthur's father didn't turn up although when asked by the press about his son's wedding he said he had a prior engagement as a government minister so had been unable to go. He did stop short of congratulating the couple. His stance on Gay marriage was well known so no one was surprised. Although some of the press made an issue of the possible rift in the family no statements were issued on either side and it soon died down.

The Honeymoon came as a total surprise to Merlin, Arthur had made sure Merlin had a passport, and told him they were going to Paris. When in fact they had their own private villa in the Maldives for the first two weeks. The villa was on stilts in the water, and was the height of luxury. Merlin complained that he hadn't packed for a hot climate, only to find out that Arthur had packed for him. Even though the blond told his husband he had no intention of seeing him in any clothes at all, for most of the time. Then afterwards they spent a week in a suite in a top hotel in Paris before going home, where Arthur showed Merlin all the sites. Merlin got a real insight in how the other half lived and decided there and then it wasn't for him. Merlin didn't say anything to Arthur and in the end enjoyed himself. Although, as Arthur had said, they had spent most of the time alone, and in bed.

Once they got back to work things got very busy for awhile. Arthur started his new job as a fully fledged Barrister and was putting in long hours as was Leon. Morgana and Merlin commiserated with each other but were both very pleased for their husbands. They still managed to go out on Friday nights but otherwise things were pretty quiet.

Merlin had started doing most of the cooking for the pair, although his range was fairly limited. Arthur did some of the cooking at the weekends but much preferred going out for meals. It did cause a few mild disagreements between the couple, as did the cleaner. Merlin hadn't realised Arthur paid someone to clean and do the washing of him. Merlin tried to stop this but was outgunned by Arthur, who pointed out he would be putting someone out of work. A few months later when the cleaner announced she was retiring, Merlin insisted they do their own cleaning. Arthur's work load was such that Merlin ended up doing most of the work. Arthur then teased him saying that Merlin was becoming quite the housewife. This resulted in no sex for a couple of days, and the comment was not repeated.

Due to his new position Arthur employed a secretary and when Merlin found out it was a man he became slightly jealous. The man would spend more time with Arthur than he did. He soon calmed down when he found out it was Lance, the secretary Arthur and Leon had shared for the past two years. It helped that Lance was happily married to Gwen. The couple sometimes came to the Friday night pub meetings and they were all soon firm friends. Lance told Merlin that Arthur had become a far better boss once he had met Merlin and was easier to work for.

The couple settled down well as a couple, they had arguments, they were both to stubborn not to but on the whole their love for each other grew and ensured they soon made up.

Their biggest row occurred two weeks before their first anniversary. Merlin found out that Arthur planned a holiday and had booked Merlin's time off without telling him. He only found out when the agency that was supplying his temporary replacement ran him instead of Morgana. It seemed he was having two weeks off. He first confronted Morgana who said her brother had wanted to surprise him as a present. Merlin was so angry he did something he had never done before. He left work and went across the park to Arthur's office and without waiting walked past Lance and straight into Arthur's office.

Luckily Arthur was alone and when he looked up and saw a livid Merlin coming through the door he knew immediately that Merlin had found out about his surprise.

"You bastard, you can't just run my life and arrange things without telling me! When would you have said? Don't I get a say in anything." Merlin was red in the face with anger.

"Merlin it was a surprise, you're supposed to be pleased." Arthur looked at Merlin in amazement "Why the anger"

"Don't you think I might have liked to have been involved on something like choosing a holiday!" Merlin paused for breath "I don't suppose it occurred to you that I might have had my own ideas."

"I'm sorry Merlin, you didn't say anything." Before Arthur could say more Merlin continued.

"Well I had it planned for tonight, I was going to ask you if we could have a weekend away together, I wanted to show you the places I grew up. We hardly ever get to Wales. But no, I suppose were off to somewhere expensive and that has no meaning to me at all. Just because you've got money doesn't give you the right to arrange things without telling me. Well you can cancel or go alone because I'm not going." With that Merlin turned and walked out.

Arthur stood there stunned. That wasn't the reaction he had been expecting at all.