Thanks for the extra follows, reviews and favourites. It's been a tough ride writing this story, as it has been writing everything else - including my own originals (those are on under the same username if anyone is interested. I'm sorry if some things aren't properly right but it's for the sake of the story. There will a prologue to this so this is the last main-ish chapter. Enjoy!
Following that Hunith now knew the news that her son was to marry Arthur on the Saturday, Arthur somehow managed to sneak out of the house to go shopping with Hunith and Merlin. Having now passed his driving test, he used Catrina's car to pick his to be mother-in-law and fiancé when he drove them into the town to go shopping, first starting out with BHS, where Arthur and Merlin continued bickering over the cost of the outfit - as if they were already married.
15th December
Meanwhile, the big day had come. It started out with Morgana waking up before 7am and popping into the shower and providing herself with some cereal, knowing she'd eat quite a bit at the buffet later on. Taking her beauty suitcase with her as well as her bridesmaid dress with her shoes, Morgana made her way out of the door, into her car and off to Merlin's.
Merlin was moaning as the alarm went off in his room that morning, but as soon as he glimpsed at the dress that was hanging up on his wardrobe, his complaints soon altered into a high spirit, happy go dancing mood. Merlin hopped down the stairs dancing away to the songs on the radio as Hunith got the flower bouquets together. The flowers - for Merlin's sake were artificial, as Merlin suffered from allergies. Having a light breakfast of some toast with a cup of tea, the doorbell rang. On the other side was Gwen and Morgana.
"Morning!"
"Someone's happy." Morgana muttered as they both made their way inside, greeting Hunith in the kitchen. Gwen noticed that Hunith could do with some help, and dropped her items on the sofa to give a helping hand.
"Are those artificial?"
"For Merlin's sake or he'll sneeze to death and then I'll have to find the antihistamines for him to take."
"I'm sorry if I suffer from allergies!"
"Don't worry about it. They're beautiful."
Morgana observed the flowers, consisting of a small bouquet of ivory roses for each of the bridesmaids and a big bunch of ivory roses for Merlin, Morgana giving a thumbs up in approval. "Elena's coming over at half 10 so you can do her hair and make up."
"Of course." Morgana then went back over to Merlin in the front room - the kitchen table being taken up, where he was continuing to eat breakfast." Merlin! Why aren't you already in the bath? It's 8:30 for crying out loud!"
"I was hungry."
Morgana took the plate from Merlin and placed it onto the table, flashing one of her creepy grins as she tugged Merlin up the stairs. "Food is later. Now it's bath time."
"Oh great." Entering the bathroom, she told Merlin to strip to half way so she could observe Merlin. Shirtless, she twisted Merlin around. "Hmm, thankfully the dark hairs on your back will be covered up by the dress. Since it's strapless and Uther will only be there up until the end of the ceremony, you'll get away with not doing your underarms. But your facial hair has got to go. And so has the man deodorant."
"Things I do eh."
"You're getting married. You need to smell all good." Morgana began running the bath, turning on the taps and putting the plug in. Then she went into the cupboards to see what things they had. Knowing that this was Hunith's things, she asked for permission first by shouting from the top of the stairs.
"Hunith!"
"Yeah."
"Can I use some of your lavender bubble bath and shower gel for Merlin? He's going to smell like a girl to pass this."
"Of course. Take what you need." Walking back in, Merlin checked the temperature of the water as Morgana grabbed whatever bottle she could to use, handing them to Merlin. "I'm not using Strawberry Kiss Bath Soak!"
"Oh yes you are." Morgana snatched the object from him and poured some of the liquid in, mixing it in the water. Lavender and rose also went in. Turning off the taps, she grabbed two other bottles, handing them over to Merlin. "This is your shampoo and this is your body wash. Under any circumstances do not use your own manly things. Got it?"
"Yes."
"Good, because if you don't smell all girly when you come out, the body spray is coming out."
"Ah!"
"In. Oh and use the rose talcum power on yourself when you're done drying. I'll get set up."
Over on the other side of the lands - as in Camelot, Arthur woke up to hearing "You're The Voice" on the radio, dancing around his room in his underwear. Uther walked in to find his son hysterically happy and coughed. "Arthur?"
Arthur immediately stopped, Uther not in the best of spirits. "Turn that bloody thing off!"
"But dad it's 80s music."
"I know, I'm not bothered about that. I'm bothered that it's six in the morning and at the moment I'm trying to get some sleep before your big day." Arthur grinned even further. Turning the radio off, Uther went back to his own room, muffling as he got back into bed. Arthur continued getting himself prepared, whispering to himself as he showered, "I'm getting married to Merlin, I'm getting married to Merlin," and then giggled as if he were five, dancing around the shower cubicle and trying not to slip.
Leon went to the cake shop to make sure that it was delivered to the Camelot Hotel ballroom, where the reception would take place. They would have used the community hall, but for the amount of guests going, it wasn't big enough. Receiving phone calls from Will, Gwaine, Percival, Lancelot, Mordred and Elyan - he gave them the note to be at Arthur's house for 11 and for Gwaine to be with the car for 11:30, as the car for Merlin was coming at 11:30 to take them to the church.
During the remainder of the time that he had, he had prepared a speech to be delivered at the reception. Other things during the week that he had to sort was the catering and DJ for the music. Going back home to check he had got everything with him, including his suit, shoes and top hat with the rings, Leon drove up to Arthur's.
Once Merlin had got out of the bath, he dried himself off before dusting himself down in talcum powder. Rubbing the scented powder in, making his milky-white skin almost ghostly white, he grabbed his razor and shaving cream to wash and shave followed by brushing his teeth.
Once fully complete, the door unlocked and Merlin came out with a towel wrapped around his waist. Gwaine had dropped off the blonde wig - thankfully the same shade of blonde as Vivian's - and had left Morgana to do the work. Technically, Freya was meant to be the chief bridesmaid, but because she hadn't got a clue on what to do, Morgana took over the duties whilst Freya posed as Isabella.
Going into his underwear drawer, he grabbed a pair of boxers and showed them to Morgana.
"Yes, your underwear is lovely Merlin."
"Will they show?"
"They probably won't, but I suggest underpants." Fumbling through the drawer, Merlin found a pair and went to change. Coming back out a bit more decent, Merlin flopped onto his bed with towel dry hair.
"Hair dryer Merlin. I can't place the wig on until you've dried your hair." Grabbing his mother's hair dryer, he blow dried his hair, the mop now having more volume. "Good, now back to the bed. Nails time."
"I'm not having my nails painted."
"Do as you're told Merlin." Merlin lay on the bed as Morgana grabbed the polish bottle and began to paint Merlin's toes, Merlin scrunching his face whilst having it done, Gwen and Morgana loving every second of this. Gwen grabbed an identical bottle as she began to paint Merlin's fingernails, Merlin having to grow them for the past few weeks.
Leaving them to dry, Gwen got Merlin's heeled shoes out of the wardrobe, careful to not knock the dress. In a bag was some jewellery. A necklace with a matching bracelet. Because Merlin didn't have his ears pierced, Gwen had to get clip-on earrings, hopefully the wig hiding the lobe. Morgana heated up her hair curlers and curled the wig, making a complete replica. Once dried, Merlin was able to change into normal clothing for the time being and help the girls out. Elena and Freya had arrived with their dresses and shoes, where both went upstairs to have their hair done by Morgana. They would then get dressed and have their nails done by Gwen. Merlin helped them with their dresses until they were fully complete and ready to go, handbags containing a pack of tissues, lipstick and a box of confetti. Freya and Elena went to help Hunith with getting ready whilst Merlin got the post. Coming back up, Gwen and Morgana helped Merlin put the bra on, using the gel pads to make him look bigger and more like Vivian. Then went on the dress, Morgana zipping it up whilst Gwen did the buttons. Then came the jewellery, setting the wig in place and the shoes finalising with perfume and make up.
Walking Merlin over to the mirror, Morgana and Gwen felt proud of their work as Merlin twirled in his shoes - knowing how to walk in them from training sessions with Gwen during the week. From the mirror's view, Merlin wasn't the gymnast magic man of Ealdor, but a blushing very feminine bride. "I'm a bride."
"You are indeed."
"We've got 15 minutes."
"Come on, let's go and show your mother." Morgana followed Merlin down the stairs and into the front room. Carrying the veil, she set the veil into place, hair grips in hand just in case. Hunith came down the stairs dressed up when she saw her son. "Aww Merlin you look wonderful. Arthur's going to love it."
"He's going to tease me about it."
"Yeah but you know you love him for it."
Gwaine had driven over in the wedding car first to Arthur's to collect his final garments for his attire. Each of them wore a ivory rose on their blazer jackets. Inside Elyan, Will and Percival were upstairs getting changed. Lancelot was already dressed and was making sure the equipment was ready to use. Leon was preparing Arthur, Arthur doing up his hair and trying to shake the nerves off. Uther was outside starting up his car, where Arthur's now long list of groomsmen would be travelling.
"Arthur? Everything all right?"
"Just got the jitters that's all. He'll be fine."
"Hey mate. There's no need to panic. Everything is going to go fine."
Arthur went to a sharp whisper, knowing that his father was nearby. "What if I accidentally marry Vivian and something happens to Merlin? What if I can't go through with it because I know I'm a disappointment."
"You're not disappointing anyone. You're going to marry Merlin. You know, gorgeous sexy Merlin that you're dying to see in his big white fluffy dress." Thoughts ran into Arthur's mind as he pictured Merlin, giggling some more.
"He's had giggles all morning apparently."
"The Merlin who you're going to say your vows to and then snog in front of everyone. You're going to dance with him tonight and drink and then probably shag senseless tonight, and then have your whole lives together."
"It feels weird leaving all of you behind after what you've done for me."
"Hey, don't worry about us. If it meant getting your deserved freedom with the man you love it's well worth it. And we'll all meet up in the holidays and go nuts. We'll all even try and go to the same university."
"Thank you Gwaine." Gwaine hugged Arthur, budging Arthur over so he could do his hair up. "Sorry mate, but my hair needs to look flawless as well."
"Oh please, don't flatter yourself."
"Cheeky sod. Well, I better be off. Destination, cathedral. I'll be up there for 11:50 so I can run down and take my seat."
"Good. Have her run after the car if it comes to it."
"That should be fun."
Gwaine got into the car, now having the details of the house from Leon and drove up to Vivian's house, recognising the house instantly from the action plan of spying not so long ago. Inside the house, the parents had locked the windows and were getting into their car, Catrina in the back. Vivian and Isabella were running over lines and checking hair and stuff when Gwaine beeped the horn.
Having everything, Isabella lifted the veil for Vivian to walk down the driveway and into the car. Gwaine got out of the driver's seat, checking that Vivian's attire matched or near enough matched Merlin's. The only thing that was different was the flowers and jewellery, being pink roses.
Opening the door for the bride to get in, Isabella following, Gwaine closed the door and got in his own seat, driving the group to the Cathedral. Inside the car, because Gwaine wasn't going to live with a headache, his listened to his iPod on the journey.
Arriving at the cathedral ten minutes later, the parents also parking in the car park, Gwaine opened the door for Vivian and Isabella to get out, the two following Vivian's parents around the cathedral to the entrance at the front. Some citizens stopped to admire Vivian's dress, complementing the lady. Following the four had gone out of sight, Catrina jumped into the back of the wedding car, Gwaine quickly getting in the front and driving out of the car park towards St Peter's, where the rest of the party were or were to be.
Noticing an empty church, Vivian screamed that she had been jilted and ran after Gwaine. "Come back you moron! It's the wrong church!" Some more civilians walked past, noticing what had gone on. Getting out of the car at St Peter's, Catrina and Gwaine high-fived each other.
Uther, Will, Elyan, Percival and Lancelot got into Uther's car and drove up to St Peter's, where they were expected to meet up with everyone else, Leon driving himself, Mordred and Arthur to the church. Parking, Leon followed Arthur into the church.
Arthur first walked in and took his seat at the front, Leon following him. Leon got the call from Morgana that they were all on their way. The other groomsmen walked in, Uther to find that Vivian's parents hadn't arrived.
"Where are Rupert and Una?"
Leon walked up to the top to meet the other groomsmen "On their way."
"Good." What Uther didn't know was that all of Vivian's family hadn't actually been told of the changes in venue. So that initially, the only person who was attending to see Arthur be hitched to Vivian was Uther. Merlin didn't have many relatives so his cousins Daegal and George had arrived with their parents as Merlin's family. Gaius and Alice also counted as Merlin's family. Because of Merlin's deceased father, Hunith would be walking him up the aisle instead. Mordred was performing the role of Wedding Usher, whilst Percival and Elyan remained outside, waiting for Gwaine to join them.
Arthur's family, include Tristan and Agravaine had arrived and Mordred directed them to their places. Morgause, Cenred and their children had also come to the ceremony, taking their places. Alongside the scouts and guides, Arthur's sports studies friends known as Gareth, Kay, Bors, Galahad, Tor, Pellinor and Geraint had arrived, taking their positions. With Catrina arriving and taking her place next to Uther, Uther began to question what was going on.
"Where is all of Vivian's lot?"
"Stop worrying. You've just got a bit of a headache that's all."
Outside of the church was Merlin, Freya, Hunith, the three bridesmaids and the three groomsmen. Freya called everyone's attention before the traditional "Here comes the bride started playing." Places people. Gwaine, you're with Morgana. Percival you're with me, Mordred with Elena and Elyan with Gwen."
Freya pulled Merlin's veil down and made sure his hair was in place. "Perfect. Hopefully this will work."
"Thanks a lot Frey."
"No worries. Lipstick's in check."
"I hate this stuff."
Mordred arrived and got into position, Hunith nudged them to get into place. "Shh, it's starting." Hearing the traditional music, Uther thought that all must have been saved, and looked straight ahead as the congregation stood up, Arthur getting excited, as was Merlin. Merlin and Hunith moved out of the way so that Freya and Percival could lead the adults down the aisle arm in arm and then join the congregation, the bridesmaids in their strapless cream dresses and the men in their black three-piece suits with cream ties.
Hunith turns to Merlin as they're about to walk down the aisle.
"Mum! I'm so excited!"
"Ready?"
"Ready."
Merlin and Hunith began the slow walk down the aisle, friends and family happy to see the blushing bride. The priest knew that Hunith would be walking him down due to the deceased father - thanks to Leon for that. Arthur and Leon turned to watch the blushing bride walk down.
Merlin was greeting Arthur in a three-piece suit in grey, wearing a cream tie and an ivory rose, coming complete with top hat. His hair was partly sticking out in different directions, which made Merlin smile even brighter. Leon was the same, only wearing black instead of grey. Arthur's eyes followed Merlin's movements as he stared in awe and wonder, proud to have Merlin as his future bride-husband. Being greeted with a huge grin from Arthur, Uther completely oblivious to what was going on, thinking that Freya was Isabella and Merlin was Vivian, and also Hunith was Una, he never bothered questioning over the appearance of Rupert, and so it continued. Hunith placed Merlin's gloved hand into Arthur's. Merlin handed his bouquet to Freya. Hunith took her seat at the front, allowing the service to start.
The minister starts by saying a few words of marriage itself, and asks if anyone should the two shouldn't be married. No objections. Merlin and Arthur grin even more once the minister continues, even if Arthur is worried that Vivian and her family might turn up in the end.
The minister turns to Arthur to begin with, who knows what is coming and murmurs "Good luck on this one dad" before he begins his vows, repeating after the minister. Thankfully since the legality of same-sex marriage was now in place, the minister had agreed for Merlin and Arthur to get married, and so he knew exactly what was to be said.
"I Arthur Pendragon, take thee Merlin Emrys..." Uther was outraged and was about to speak but Catrina shut up him up by hitting him with her handbag, whispering, "You didn't object. You can't stop this now and to be honest, even if Arthur had of married Vivian, he'd of soon divorced her anyway and married Merlin, so you lose anyway. Just accept the fact that right now other than Merlin he's the most happiest man in the world."
Arthur continued over Catrina's words "... to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse; for richer for poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish; till death to us part; according to God's holy law; and thereto I give thee my troth" Morgana and Morgause shed a few tears during Arthur's words, passing the packs of tissues to Gwen, Freya and Hunith. Catrina shed a tears herself.
The minister turned to Merlin, who done the same. "I Merlin Emrys, take thee Arthur Pendragon to be my wedded husband..."
Once the vows had been completed, Leon handed the rings to the minister who gave Arthur Merlin's ring, Arthur continuing from where Merlin left off. "With this ring I thee wed; with my body I thee honour; and my worldly goods with thee I share. In the name of the father, the son and the Holy Ghost."
The minister gave Merlin Arthur's ring and he performed the same actions, returning back to the minister. "I now pronounce you husband and husband, you may kiss the husband." Grinning like an oaf, Arthur lifted the veil up from Merlin's face and let it flow behind him and kissed Merlin - trying to keep his hat on, all but one of the audience clapping, some of the 'knights' chanting "Freedom!".
Following the smooch, the minister finished his words and Merlin and Arthur went to sign the register. Hunith and Freya followed and signed, as well as Leon. Uther was next. In disgust, he took the pen and signed the document. Following the signing, Merlin and Arthur walked out of the church, Leon and Freya following behind as everyone left, the organist playing some more music.
Outside, Lancelot managed to get in front of the happy couple - Merlin now having his bouquet back as he filmed the departing pair. Outside they met with confetti downpours as they continued into the church gardens to take photos. Coming around the back, they found Vivian running out of Rupert's car where she saw Arthur leave with Merlin.
"Arthur! Arthur! Look at me!" Arthur and Merlin turned around to find a weeping Vivian, mascara all over the place and her earrings out. Arthur noticed Vivian's dress, which he thought suited Merlin better (remembering to repay Morgana back for that) even if he were male and she a female. "Oh, you're getting married. Congratulations!"
"Arthur! Who the hell is this?"
"Now Vivian, not allowed to say hell at church." Arthur grinned and Merlin giggled. "Hello Vivian."
"Merlin! You can't marry in church! They forbid you, even if the law of same-sex marriage was passed."
"With permission accepted you can, and the permission was granted. As we..." Merlin and Arthur held their left hands up "... are now officially married."
"Goodbye Vivian." Vivian howled and stomped around as everyone continued on to the gardens, breaking her heels at the same time as she lifted by her father, feet kicking in the air as they left.
Now in the gardens, Lancelot switched from video camera to camera, and took the first shots by the tree. Snow was beginning to fall as Merlin shivered a little from the cold, Arthur wanting to take his blazer jacket off to warm his husband, but Lancelot told them a few minutes and they can get in the car. Merlin and Arthur stood by the tree as the shots were taken. The first one hugging and smiling at the camera, the next one of them standing side-by-side with their hands knitted and the final one of them together was of them snogging. Next was one of Merlin and Freya, followed by Merlin and Hunith. The girls then joined Merlin and had their photo done. Morgana took over the camera for Arthur and the lads to have theirs done. Then one of Arthur, Morgana, Morgause, Catrina and Uther together. One of Arthur and Uther together and then Arthur with Leon, finalising the family and main shots with the two families together - Arthur and Uther with Hunith and Merlin. Lancelot asked somoeone if they could do the group photo of the scouts and guides together as well as the entire congregation. Then all of the other photo's took place.
Now into the afternoon, and with the snow properly coming down, all of the photos had been taken when Gwaine led Arthur and Merlin up to the car. Merlin still had the bouquet in hand when he told all of the ladies to gather together and to try and catch the flowers. He warned them that he's rubbish at throwing. Throwing them high, they all jumped to catch, where they were caught by Gwen. Morgana jumped for joy and kissed Gwen, Uther even more repulsed. He'd agreed to stay for the wedding but wouldn't come to the reception. Gwaine chucked a sign on the back of the car which said "Just married." With Arthur allowing Merlin to get in, him following, Gwaine drove them up to the Camelot Hotel for the party, Arthur and Merlin sharing a good long continuation of smooching as Gwaine drove, listening to his iPod to block out the sound.
Arriving at the Camelot Hotel, a member of staff greeted them and led them to the ballroom, where they were spending their first night together there, leaving England two days after on the Monday morning. The seats had been arranged out and the DJ was due for four, where the clock read 3pm. Taking their seats at the main table, and everyone else gradually following in, Lancelot turned the video camera back on for the speeches. The first was the best man.
"Leon! Leon!"
"All right, all right settle down. As everyone knows I'm rubbish at doing speeches but it's a best man's job so I've tried. How do we start is. I might Arthur a while back, and when I met him he was a right prat."
"Oi!"
"Hush hush, now, he was a sod but he was a leader, and he knew how to lead his life. Meeting Merlin, Arthur changed. Still the leader he is today, Arthur became not just nicer and more open, not afraid to be who he was - even with all of the drama - but he became a man. He properly found love, and he wouldn't allow anything to come between them. Heck we're here today so that says everything. So what I say to you Arthur is, as your best man, your best friend and a human being, congratulations and well done, and to Merlin, well done." Leon bowed as they cheered, turning on the next candidate.
"Hunith! Hunith!"
"Come on mum!"
"Well, when we knew of the wedding of Vivian, my lovely Merlin was initially going to destroy it himself, Arthur getting involved and bringing everyone into it of course. My son for many years had been alone and always felt unwanted, suffering from depression and self-harming and well as being bullied for being himself. Meeting Arthur, he became a changed man. He was social and never shut up about him, and life was so joyful at home. Hearing about Merlin actually getting married, I had a week so this is spontaneous. To my son, you couldn't have made me any prouder than you have done today and you look so wonderful." Tears flowing down her face, she continued. "And to Arthur, who I'm proud to call my son-in-law, thank you for saving him and showing him that he is loved and congratulations."
Because Uther weren't there, Morgana took his place.
"This is short so don't moan. To Arthur, my sod of a brother, and to Merlin, my wonderful friend, thank god we got rid of her! Operation Blonde Destruction proved successful. And congrats!"
Finally, Merlin and Arthur stood and done one together. "To Merlin, my wonderful, charming, talented, handsome, sexy man of a husband, which I'm proud to finally call you that, this has been day of my life, and we've some drama since we met. To think that we started off not even knowing each other at college to meeting at scouts, almost hating each other back in May, to when I first held you when you got hurt..."
"...To Arthur, my clotpole, dollophead..."
"Oi!"
"...Wonderful, amazing, goregous and ridiculously sexy man of a husband, the times we've had as you've said, from then to Glastonbury in July, our first kiss in the fields when it was raining when Lancelot and Gwaine set us up on a date..."
"Sorry!"
"... to camp, the first time you undressed me and told me how beautiful I really was and then shagged me for the first time, to the festival and talent show, through departure and up to now, it's been a heck of a ride, and I am proud to call you my husband, for now..."
"... and always." The audience cheered as they kissed. The DJ arrived and began to set up the booth as Merlin and Arthur cut the cake. Before eating, Merlin and Arthur would have the first dance, followed by Merlin, Arthur and the mum's dancing with Morgana and Morgause. Leon and Freya dancing with everyone joining in as they grabbed food.
Arthur and Merlin decided upon a song - something really cheesy as Arthur requested it to the DJ and played the track. So they played "Amazed" by Lonestar. Arthur held out his hand and wiggled his forefinger for Merlin to join him, the crowd cheering as Merlin joined Arthur, hand sliding down to his arse and staying put as they slow danced through the entire song.
"We Are Family" was played when the family danced together followed a bunch of dance and love songs as everyone went to get food, Lancelot turning off the camera as people danced and ate, Arthur pinching mainly the chicken. Holding up his glass of wine at the table, Merlin, Freya, Morgana, Catrina, Hunith, Gwen, Leon and Will joined them, the other tables doing the same as Arthur toasted. "To destiny... and chicken!"
Merlin snorted with laughter and they all repeated after Arthur, Arthur and Merlin managing to down the entire glass. Through more dancing as the night progressed, Hunith said goodnight as she went home, Catrina going to collect clothes for them both and their toiletries. Gradually it was just a few as Arthur and Merlin were a little tipsy from the booze, departing and having all the leftovers - minus the cake - going to the food shelter to feed the hungry.
Opening the key to their hotel room, Catrina brought their things in and bid them goodnight as they were left alone. Arthur helped to undo Merlin's dress and take the veil off as they were hung up, Arthur removing his suit, leaving them near enough naked. Finishing preparing for bed and turning off the bathroom light, Arthur grabbed Merlin and pulled him close, leaving open-mouthed kisses everywhere as Merlin came into contact and sealed their lips together.
Arthur breathed hot air into Merlin's ear. "What would you say, husband? Shall we?"
"Let's do it." Arthur lifted Merlin and they tumbled onto the bed together, Arthur disposing the rest of Merlin's clothing as they kissed, rubbed and shagged each other senseless, sleeping together in each other's arms, finally free.