Chapter 10: Wedding

Once the excitement of the engagement of Prince Arthur and Princess Elena died down, the preparations for the impending marriage begun. The whole castle went into a frenzy to prepare for the wedding. The only people who could not be found were the bride and groom. Both Arthur and Elena had taken to their rooms to hide from the barrage of questions from the people who were organising their marriage ceremony. It was obvious to some people that the two royals did not want to get married and that they were only doing it to please their fathers, which was the truth.

The day of the marriage was soon upon the Kingdom of Camelot. Elaine knocked on Arthur's chamber door and she entered the room. "Arthur?" She moved further inside and she saw her cousin's figure standing by the window. She moved further inside the room and stood close behind him. "Are you ready?"

Arthur turned to face his cousin, he wore his full Prince outfit. He gave a smile at the sight of his cousin; who wore a lilac dress with long white sleeves. "Wow! You look beautiful."

"Thank you cousin. You don't look too bad yourself." She winked cheekily. "Are you ready?" Giving him a small smile.

Arthur's smile dropped. "I am not but I have to be." A heavy sigh fell from his lips as he brushed away an imaginary piece of dust from his right shoulder. Elaine stepped forward and brushed his shoulders for him. "Thank you."

"You look handsome." She stood on her toes and kissed his cheek. "You are to go to the antechamber and I, to the front." Smiling gently to her cousin.

Arthur chuckled softly and held out his hand to her. "Well, my Lady. Let us leave." Elaine nodded and moved to stand next to her cousin with her hand resting on top of her cousin's. The two left Arthur's chambers and through the castle to the Great Hall. Arthur gave Elaine a kiss on the cheek once they had reached the main doors. "Thank you Elaine."

"You're welcome." She kissed his cheek and turned to go through the double doors and made her way to the front of the Great Hall to stand between her uncle and Morgana. She gave her uncle a small smile which did not mirror her uncle's; which was broad. It wasn't long before the double doors opened to reveal Arthur, who looked even more nervous than ever.

Once he reached the head of the Great Hall and they waited patiently for the arrival of Princess Elena and Lord Godwyn. Geoffrey of Monmouth waited patiently to preside over the marriage of Camelot's son.

The doors opened again and the bride and bride's father entered the grand room. There was something different about the Princess but majority of the guests could not work it out. She looked beautiful in her beautiful wedding gown and being led up the aisle. Once they reached Prince Arthur, the marriage ceremony began. Geoffrey of Monmouth stepped forward. "My lords, ladies, and gentlemen of Camelot, we are gathered here today to celebrate the ancient rite of hand-fasting, the union of Arthur Pendragon and Princess Elena of Gawant. Is it your wish, Arthur, to become one with this woman?"

Arthur spoke gently, "It is."

Geoffrey continued on by turning to Princess Elena. "Is it your wish, Elena, to become one with this man?"

Elena looks at her father and then at the floor before replying. "It is."

"Do any say nay? Then as we gather here today, we are all witness to this rite..." Geoffrey continued but was cut off by Arthur.

"Wait." Arthur spoke confidently.

"There's something you would like to say, Arthur?" Geoffrey asked in confusion, this was something that did not happen during the ceremony.

Arthur began to speak confidently and without hesitation and without looking towards his father. "Something I should have said a long time ago. Something from the heart I dare not speak." He faced Elena and held her hands tightly. "Elena, you are a wonderful woman, and a beautiful bride, but I cannot deny my feelings."

"You do not love me." Elena finished for him with a small grin.

Arthur shakes his head. "And I think, if you are honest, you do not love me either."

"No." Elena smiled sweetly towards the Prince.

"Then we are both here out of duty. Can you forgive me?" Arthur returned her smile.

"I agree with all you have said. Thank you, Arthur." Elena smiled brightly and in relief. The ceremony ended at that point, allowing Princess Elena and her father to leave the hall to allow them to prepare for their journey home.

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Uther had tried to persuade Arthur to reconsider but the Prince was adamant not to marry a woman he did not love. After some persuasion, Uther agreed. It was after a small talk with Lord Godwyn that changed King Uther's mind completely. He had learned that if his son was happy, then his kingdom would be happy. Upon leaving, Godwyn and Uther spoke as they made their way to the courtyard. "Can't imagine what's happened to Grunhilda." Godwyn mentioned as he and Uther made their way along the long corridor to the courtyard, where Lord Godwyn's men were waiting. Along with Prince Arthur, Princess Elaine and Merlin.

"No. I'm sure she'll turn up." Uther answered.

"I hope so. It's most unlike her." Godwyn sighed heavily and glancing around as if she would appear from one of the doorways.

"There's something different about her." Arthur spoke as Elena walked down the stone stairs. Elaine chuckled as she moved to the bottom of the stone steps to greet the guest. The two women greeted each other warmly with promises of correspondence.

"You're not changing your mind, are you?" Merlin joked.

"Goodness." Arthur shakes his head, considers Elena as she walks down the steps, and shakes his head again. "No." Smiling as Elaine and Elena parted.

Elena approached the Prince with a smile. "I wish you well, Arthur Pendragon. I hope one day we both find the love we deserve. " Elena offers Arthur her hand and he kisses it. "In the meantime, if you ever want to be beaten in a horse-race, you know where to find me." The two chuckled softly.

"He did the right thing, you know. You mustn't punish him. They were neither of them in love." Godwyn announced gently.

"That's not the point. It's not the way things are done." Uther sighed as his niece stood next to him.

"Maybe it's time things changed. I think he has the makings of a great king. You should be proud of him." Godwym sighed heavily with a nod and the two embraced in a brotherly hug. The guests left with Camelot's royal family watching.

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A/N: Wanted to get this chapter out today as it the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton! Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge!

Sorry it's short. What did you think of the chapter? Please review! :)

What did you think of the Royal wedding too? Us British know how to celebrate a wedding!

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Responses from Chapter 10

Obsessed_With_Vampires: I'm hoping to have the Series 3 finale at around chapter 18 – 20. I am not sure yet. Hopefully around that point. Thank you for reviewing again.