A/N - Wow, I didn't realise how short this chapter was. It's the second last one (and maybe an epilogue after that), so I hope you enjoy. A huge thanks to those who reviewed, you guys really do make my day :D.

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Chapter 7

Camelot

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A week later, Arthur stood in the ranks of knight's ready to compete in the King's Tournament, all of Camelot cheering around them.

He couldn't help but smile when his eyes met Merlin's, the memory of their kiss on the balcony keeping him warm over the past week, his heart racing as he thought about what more he and Merlin could be.

"Beautiful, isn't he?"

Freezing, feeling his insides turn to ice, Arthur felt his jaw clench, his eyes turning hard as he turned to see Valiant standing next to him.

"All that beauty, all that power," Valiant continued. "He's quite the trophy. And I plan to have him."

"Merlin isn't a trophy," he growled quietly, turning back to the young man they were talking about, seeing Merlin frowning at them.

"It doesn't matter what he is," Valiant said. "I will have him, the King has agreed to his betrothal. And that's not all that is going to change."

Clenching his fists, Arthur walked away quickly when they were dismissed, knowing that if he stayed he would do something stupid like punch the other knight.

"Arthur?"

Taking a deep breath, Arthur turned to face Merlin, trying to forget the man he had just been speaking to, and wondering how Merlin had gotten down out of the stands so quickly.

"What is it?" Merlin asked, stepping closer, hand coming to rest on his arm, pulling him under one of the stands, eyes searching his.

"Nothing," Arthur said, running a hand through his hair. "I … nothing."

"Arthur," Merlin said, moving closer to him, his warmth immediately warming Arthur. "What did Valiant say?"

"He wants you," Arthur murmured, his hands pulling Merlin closer, his arms going around the other man.

"I know," Merlin replied, hands running soothingly up and down his chest.

"No," Arthur said, tightening his grip. "He went to the King and asked for your hand."

Merlin stiffened in his grip, his eyes widening, before a smile crossed his face.

"He's lying, Arthur," Merlin murmured.

"You didn't hear him," Arthur said, shaking his head.

"He's lying, Arthur," Merlin said again, his lips so close to his that they brushed softly. "Uther wouldn't have agreed to that, not without speaking to me … or Morgana."

Relaxing a little, Arthur couldn't help but smile, it quickly falling from his face when Merlin pushed closer into him, their mouths coming together, Arthur feeling like everything had been set right.

Running his hands up and down Merlin's back, he groaned when Merlin pulled his mouth away, kissing along his jaw and to his ear.

"You need to go," Merlin whispered, his breaths wafting over Arthur's ear, sending shivers down Arthur's spine.

"I'll see you after?" Arthur asked, warmth spreading through him at Merlin's lust filled gaze, the warlock nodding and stepping away.

"After," Merlin said in agreement.

Walking out from under the stands, Arthur felt light as he walked over to his tent, the feeling leaving as he saw the look on Lance's face.

"What is it?" he asked.

"We have to go," Lance said, gripping his arm and pulling him into the tent where Leon was packing their things.

"Why?" he asked, grabbing some of the things that Leon had packed and putting them back where they were.

"They know the patents aren't real, Arthur," Leon said, grabbing the things back and shoving them in the bag. "And if you want to keep your head, we need to leave now."

Shaking his head, Arthur grabbed the bag.

"I didn't come all this way just to give everything up now," he said stubbornly, putting the bag down and walking out of the tent.

"Arthur," Lance said grabbing his arm. "They will kill you. Impersonating a noble isn't something the King will forgive."

Arthur stopped when his way was blocked by the Palace guards, his eyes meeting those of Sir Valiant's, knowing the other man was responsible for all the trouble.

"Come with us," one of the guards said, stepping forward and grabbing his arm tightly, Arthur knowing it was pointless to fight.

Giving a nod, Arthur let them lead him away, casting Leon and Lance a sympathetic glance.

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A/N - Dun! LOL. As always let me know what you thought :D.