It hadn't been easy keeping it all quiet and secret from Alethea but somehow he had managed. You see, whilst Alethea had been bathing in preparation for the feast and thinking over things, Prince Arthur had been talking to his father. The King had returned Arthur's sword to him and Arthur couldn't help but smile when he noticed Alethea's pendant wrapped around the sword's hilt. The two were joined together and Arthur wondered if that could ever happen in real life. Could Alethea be with him for all eternity? Or would something else stop them from being together?

"Alethea is the one who saved you and your servant isn't she?" Uther asked, snapping Arthur from his thoughts.

"She is." Arthur nodded. "She is the one who saved us all and defeated Nimueh."

"You'll all be rewarded for that, but you love Alethea if I am not mistaken?"

"With all my heart." The Prince answered truthfully. In fact, Arthur loved her with all his heart, body and soul. He couldn't bare to think about a life without her and knew that if she left his heart would break never to be healed again.

"Well, you'll all be rewarded but how about I make Alethea a Lady of Camelot?"

"That is a very great reward."

"One that she deserves it would seem." The King smiled. "And I'd like to get to know her more. Ask her to join me for lunch tomorrow."

"Of course sire." Arthur was wondering where the man who had wanted Alethea's execution for being a sorceress a few months ago had disappeared, but part of him liked this Uther who wanted to know Alethea better.

"Now, I'll let you go. I am certain you have other things to do."

From his father's chambers, Arthur had headed straight to see Alethea and knocked on the door, not wishing to disturb her. Opening the door when he got no answer, he was a bit put out when she told him to stay there. However, he soon found out why he was to stay outside as when he walked inside, he found a soaked Alethea with only a towel wrapped around her to protect her modesty. Unable to stop himself, Arthur let a smile creep across his lips and looked at her with droplets of water trickling down her skin. Alethea quickly dived out of view and behind the screen, Arthur swearing that she made a noise which sounded like 'meep', whilst the Prince moved over to the fireplace. Stoking the fire, he wondered if Alethea would ever truly be his or if she was destined to be separate from him. It was then that Alethea came out from behind the screen and the Prince had to smile when he saw her stood in leggings and a tunic, suddenly reminded of seeing her alive in the battle after believing her to be dead. Talking with her, he was glad when she said yes to coming to the feast and laughed when she claimed that she had nothing to wear. He wouldn't have minded, but the rest of Camelot would have done. Deciding that he would soon sort it out, he remembered asking the newly recovered Gwen to alter one of Morgana's dresses for Alethea. He'd pick that up later. He then smiled even wider when she said she didn't have a necklace to wear with her dress. Making her close her eyes, Arthur brushed her hair back and did up the fastening on the chain but as she stood there, he couldn't help himself. Kissing her, he dearly wished that she would be completely his and he would be completely hers. He wished that one day they would stand side by side as husband and wife. Winding her up as she asked to open her eyes, he was glad to see her happy and hear her laugh for the first time in ages. Teasing her about the necklace, he was kissed and he knew that there was something between them. Letting her know that she was invited to dine with his father, he then excused himself.

He first went to check on the dress and gave it his approval before going to finalise the evening's arrangements, making sure hat no one would speak to Alethea about the evening's events beforehand. This taking up most of the afternoon, Arthur then went and got ready for the feast, dressing in his ceremonial robes which just so happened to be the same colour as Alethea's dress. Going down the corridor, he knocked on Alethea's door to find her waiting tentatively y the wardrobe. Wondering what she was looking at for just one moment, all other thoughts were soon forgotten as she turned around and faced him. She took his breath away and looked more beautiful than ever in her gown. She looked like a Princess and Arthur yearned to have her to himself. If she was his forever then she would have everything she wanted and every man in the Kingdom would be jealous of Arthur and his wife. Alethea Pendragon had a nice ring to it but Arthur knew that for the time being it was highly improbable. Leading her to the hall, he smiled at his father's speech and accepted his role as Protector of Camelot with Merlin before saying a few words of his own. Alethea was then made a Lady of Camelot and the joy in her eyes made Arthur very happy indeed.

Later, he persuaded Alethea to dance but was somewhat annoyed to be dragged away from her because the King wanted to see him.

"And?" Uther asked expectantly

"She'd be delighted to dine with you."

"Now a Lady of Camelot. She'll be a fine one too."

"You think so?" Arthur was surprised to be hearing this from his father.

"I know so." Uther paused. "Just be careful."

"Don't worry. I will be." The Prince said before going to find Alethea.

Arthur woke the next morning to find Alethea lying next to him, her head resting on his shoulder and an arm wrapped around him. Smiling slightly, the Prince just lay there, watching her sleep. What must she be dreaming about, he wondered as he watched her. She seemed so content as she slept, a smile on her lips and colour in her cheeks. Smiling slightly, he turned onto one side and brushed a curl from her face before tenderly kissing her forehead, noting that she looked cute when she was sleeping.

"Arthur…" she moaned softly as her eyelids flickered.

"Good morning Alethea." he whispered softly before brushing his lips against hers.

"Certainly is now." She smiled. "What time is it?"

"About an hour before noon." The Prince answered, judging the time on the amount of sunlight coming through the window. She sat bolt upright.

"But… Your father…"

"You've time yet." He laughed.

Letting her get ready, Arthur told her he'd see her later before leaving. Heading to the courtyard, he went to the stables where he saddled up a horse and went for a ride through the valley near Camelot just to clear his head. His mind was fuzzy from all the wine he had drank and so he figured that the fresh air might help him think more clearly. As he rode on, his thoughts were on Alethea. Now he had the real one and not a sorceress' copy, and she loved him as much as he loved her. He'd discovered last night that she had regretted leaving Camelot the moment she had stepped through the portal and that it was him that she wished to return for. It was him that had kept her clinging onto life and hope whilst she'd been trapped. In fact, words just couldn't describe just how heartbroken she had been when she had thought him dead. Arthur knew that they ought to be together, that it was meant to be. He could see Alethea as his Queen, helping and guiding him in ruling the kingdom of Camelot. He could see them living out their lives together, surrounded by their handsome and intelligent children in the comfort of the castle. He could see Alethea and him living together and making a home of their own. He could see all of it happening and the two of them enjoying themselves together but he knew that there was one all important question he would have to ask and that there was one factor that would affect this. Would Alethea want to stay or go? Deciding he'd ask her the next time he saw her, Arthur rode to the end of the valley. It never occured to him that all of his imaginings may remain imaginings and remain real, but he was happy for once, and still just a little bit drunk from the night before.

Reaching the top of the hill, he looked down across Camelot, seeing it lit by the winter sun. Snow covered the fields and from here the devastation of the past few weeks couldn't be seen. He could see the castle in the distance with the small houses clinging onto the walls whilst villages around and about were dotted here and there. It was a beautiful sight and Arthur knew that one day it would all be his. One day he would need a Queen to rule the kingdom with him and Arthur knew that he had probably already met her. He just needed to ask one all important question and that would decide it. Turning his horse around, Arthur sped back to Camelot, his cloak billowing behind him as he rode along the forest paths, enjoying the feel of the wind through his hair. The turrets of Camelot were soon towering above him as Arthur rode across the drawbridge, his mind made up on what to ask. Wanting to see Alethea, he walked towards her room through the castle and knocked on the door. Walking in, he found the room empty. Turning back, Arthur then headed to the Great Hall, thinking that perhaps she hadn't finished lunching with the King but there was no sign of her nor Uther. Annoyed and somewhat puzzled, he asked if anyone had seen them and was pointed in the direction of the King's chambers.

Wondering what on Earth Alethea could be doing there, he knocked on the door and waited.

"Come in." The Prince did exactly that. "Arthur, there you are."

"Where's Alethea?" He asked, noticing that there was a distinct lack of her presence in the room.

"I think she's gone to see Morgana about her duties as a Lady. Why?"

"I just wondered. That's all."

"Don't worry Arthur. She isn't going to run away on you again. In fact, I sincerely doubt she'd want to leave voluntarily."

"Oh. But how?"

"She told me. She's a good one Arthur. I'd hold onto her if I were you."

"That I will do." Arthur told him. Father and son sat and talked together for a while but one question still weighed heavy on Arthur's mind.

"Would it be possible for Alethea and me to have our duties suspended tomorrow?"

"I think so. Why?"

"I want to take Alethea riding and ask her something." The King guessed what Arthur was thinking and smiled.

"Of course it would be possible. Go on. You have my permission. Ask her."

After leaving his father's room, Arthur headed to Morgana's room to find Alethea just coming out of the room, a few dresses draped over her arms and a smile on her face. Laughing with Morgana, she then turned to find Arthur stood there.

"Let me help you." The Prince offered, taking a few of the gowns and carrying them towards Alethea's room.

"Thanks."

"How was lunch?"

"Better than I thought it would be." The student told him. "And very much enlightening. I didn't know you were such troublemaker when you were younger."

"He didn't…"

"Oh yes. All of your baby stories." Alethea laughed. "But it's alright. I won't tell anyone. Honest."

"Alright then."

"And Morgana has been very helpful. I'm going to stay here for a bit longer than I thought." Alethea said, answering one of Arthur's questions without him even having to ask.

"But your family?"

"What harm is a few more weeks going to do? I can see them anytime when I get home. I won't be able to see you."

"Alethea?"

"Hmm."

"Fancy coming on a ride with me tomorrow?"

"I'd be delighted." Arthur smiled as they arrived at Alethea's room and placed the dresses on the bed. Knowing that they were going to go riding tomorrow, Arthur knew just where and when he'd ask her the question that was weighing heavily on his mind. He just hoped that she would say yes.