The balloon was a stripy yellow and red one with a roaring fire above them. When they stepped in, the bottom of the basket was covered in rose petals. They climbed into the air. Arthur kept his gaze on Merlin. The wonder filled smile was much prettier than the view in his opinion. Arthur noticed that they were coming to the part of their journey that he needed them to pause on. So he tilted the direction leaver to stop them from going so fast.
"Merlin? Will you love me for the rest of my life? Until the day I die?" Arthur asked as he reached for the bottle of Campaign at the bottom of the basket.
"No Arthur," Merlin stated without turning around, "I'll love you for the rest of my life, until the day I die!"
Arthur smiled widely. He took a deep breath, and began to feel a little nervous. But he was more excited than he ever had been for anything before!
Arthur popped open some Campaign and Merlin jumped a little. He turned to see Arthur's stupid grin and couldn't help but smile. Arthur poured the clear yellow liquid into two glass flutes. Merlin reached for one, but Arthur pulled it back. "First, look over there!" he smiled.
Merlin's eyebrows dipped in curiosity, and he smiled as he turned. There in a field of rose bushes, grew blue forget-me-nots. They were Merlin favourite flower for many reasons.
they matched his eye colour
they matched Arthur's eye colour
they were the majority of flowers that Merlin saw alone with Arthur in Camelot
They reminded him of Arthur so merlin could forget him not!
They meant true love
The blue flowers curled around the red roses in such a way that they had to be man-made. Merlin's heart stopped and he really couldn't believe his eyes this time! The forget-me-nots spelled out:
Marry me?
Merlin felt Arthur gently push the flute into Merlin's hand. There was a clink as he brought it to his lips. Merlin looked in it, and sparkling at the bottom, was a beautiful diamond studded engagement ring! Merlin covered his mouth with his hand in surprise. He turned around to see Arthur down on one knee!
"Merlin, I love you. You're gorgeous, hilarious, intelligent, beautiful, ridiculous, fun, cheeky, and all I want in life. You waited for me for so many hundreds for years. Now, will you do me the honor, of being by my side forever?!" he asked.
Merlin covered his mouth with both hands as his eyes filled with joyful tears. "Yes! Yes Arthur I will!" he said, his voice breaking! He flung his arms around Arthur's neck and kissed him hard. Arthur smiled delighted. He brushed his head against Merlin's and reached for his hand. "Well then Merlin! together for ever!" he smiled kissing Merlin's hand, "i cant wait!"
Arthur put his arms around Merlin as Merlin leaned on his chest looking down at the flowers. He looked at the glinting ring on his finger, and the message in the flowers, and in the sky. He touched the rose. He thought of the cottage, and the wood. He'd put in so much effort in this holiday. Merlin let a smile curl on his lips. Idiot or not, Arthur was the best boyfriend in the world. Merlin new he would never want another!