Morgana was fidgeting with her sleeve. She changed out of her nightgown and was now wearing her favorite lavender dress with blue lace and gold jewelry on her forehead. She wanted to look nice for Arthur as she waited for him near the large tree in the heart of the royal garden. As usual, Morgana was barefooted.
Her keen hearing, now that she knew came from her draconian heritage, picked up Arthur's speeding footsteps. The prince rushed over to his beloved, scooping her in his arms and kissing her. Morgana sensed something was off. The kiss was full of love and warmth, but also anxiety.
"What's wrong? What did Uther say?"
Arthur couldn't bare to look at her. This action was all the answer she needed.
"Arthur, it's going to be okay."
"I know. Because we're getting married."
"What?"
"By the lake. The one we used to play at when we were children."
"Does Uther know?"
"No."
Morgana released a half laugh, shaking her head in disbelief. "You're saying we elope, are you? He'll come for you, he'll come for both of us."
"No, he won't. Because we won't tell him."
Morgana took a step back. "So, your plan is to get married, and never tell him?"
"Well, okay maybe I haven't thought that far yet, but—"
"Arthur!"
"Hear me out!" Arthur took her hands in his, holding them close to his heart. "We both know that Father is stubborn as a mule. He won't bend no matter how much we plead. So, instead of waiting for his approval, I'm doing what my heart is telling me. And that is to marry you."
"But, more secrets?" Morgana had enough of secrets. First keeping her relationship with Arthur secret, and now her being a dragon. She couldn't take it anymore.
Arthur took a deep breath and a mental step back. "You're right. It's reckless and foolish."
"And also incredibly romantic." Morgana admitted with a smile blossoming on her face. Arthur smiled, his teeth gleaming. Morgana thought about it for a moment and realized…maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea.
To marry Arthur in secret, and maybe by that time reveal to him her own. Wait, what was she thinking? Reveal her true nature once they've said their vows? That wasn't fair to him. She had to tell him, and soon.
"Okay."
"What?"
"Let's do it." Morgana affirmed. "Let's get married. We'll, figure it out as we go. We've come this far already. And I for one am not going to sit around and wait for Uther to change his mind."
Arthur scooped her up, her feet hovering the ground and he kissed her full on the lips. "This afternoon. Don't worry about what to wear, you'll look beautiful either way."
"I'll have Guin whip up something. I'm thinking floral."
The two laughed and kissed again.
Hidden in the shadows, a pair of golden eyes watched the happy couple with a sinister grin.
(~)
"Are you insane?!" Merlin screamed so loud that the semblance of a roar could be hear erupting from his throat. Morgana held up her hands towards him, demanding he keep quiet.
"Quiet, do you want the entire castle to hear?!"
"Maybe that will make you come to your senses!"
"I know you don't like Arthur, but I love him. And I'm not going to let anything come between us again. Not Uther, and certainly not you."
"But why him?" Merlin asked, seemingly desperate for a cleat cut answer. "Of all the men in Camelot you could have fallen for, it had to be the son of Uther? I wouldn't have minded a human brother-in-law, but him! Come on!"
"Would stop whining? Besides, I need you to be there."
"Oh, I am not going."
"Yes you are. We need at least two witnesses, that's you and Guin. I certainly can't ask any of the nights to come, they'll tell Uther in a heartbeat."
"All the more reason why you shouldn't marry this guy."
Gaius entered his study, looking exhausted just by listening to them. "What's gotten you both ruffled now?"
Merlin pointed to Morgana, "She and princy boy are eloping later this afternoon."
"Come again?"
"See? Even he's against it."
"He never said that." Morgana turned to the physician. "Did you Gaius."
Gaius held up his hands, leading Morgana to sit on a nearby chair. "Now, slow down, child. Explain to me what's going on."
Morgana exhaled and told Gaius everything, from Uther betraying their marriage to Arthur proposing they marry by the lake. Merlin expected Gaius to say just how foolish this idea was.
"I think that is a splendid idea."
Merlin blinked. "I'm sorry, come again?"
"I would be honored to officiate your and Arthur's secret wedding, Morgana."
Morgana laughed victoriously and hugged Gaius, kissing his cheek. "Thank you, Gaius!"
"Wait, wait, wait, you're not serious, are you?" Merlin asked, frantically trying to figure out what Gaius's secret plan was here.
"Merlin, this is exactly what your grandfather wanted. Exactly what we need. The union between the future king of Camelot and a dragon princess." Gaius grinned from ear to ear. "I have always hoped I would live long enough to see you walk down the isle, my dear."
Merlin threw up his hands. "Am I the only one with any sense left around here?"
Gaius then pointed towards Merlin, "And you,"
"Me?" Merlin pointed to himself.
"You are going to help Arthur prepare for the wedding. You and Guinevere will be the witnesses."
As if this day couldn't get any worse.
(~)
"Merlin?" Arthur was surprised to see Gaius's assistance standing at the door, hands behind his back, smiling a very evidently false smile. Arthur slightly leaned to his side to try and look behind Merlin. "There's no dagger back there, is there?"
"You are not making this any easier." Merlin mumbled.
"Pardon."
"May I come in, My Lord? I have urgent news."
Arthur permitted him inside his chambers and closed the door. Merlin examined the room, which smelled of knight's sweat. This was to be his sister's future bedroom. He shuddered at the thought of her and Arthur consummating their union. He fought hard to keep the condiments of his breakfast down his throat. He tried breathing through his mouth to try and salvage his sanity from the smell.
"I've heard about your secret marriage to the Lady Morgana." Merlin said. He stopped Arthur from speaking, "Don't worry, I won't tell a soul. Gaius is to officiate and he requested I be one of the witnesses. I've always been a bit of a rebel, so I'm not judging."
Arthur released the breath he was holding. "Thank you, Merlin. I really appreciate this."
"Oh, I will hold you to that." Merlin said, taking delight in the brief confused look on the prince's dumb face. "Anyway, I was also requested to help you prepare for the wedding." He examined the prince from head to toe. "I'm going to assume those are you lady day clothes?"
Arthur examined his current attire. He wore a very expensive shirt made of the finest silk and equally regal pants and boots made of the finest leather.
"This my favorite shirt."
"Yeah, let's see what else we've got to work with." Merlin opened Arthur's closet without his permission. A choice he immediately regretted once he was bombarded by his scent again. He fought back the urge to gag. Truly his greatest challenge.
"Mmm. Let's see here." He started picking out cloths and tossing away the ones he didn't like, not caring where they landed. "Nope. No. Definitely not. You sure like red a lot, don't you?"
"Hey, careful with those! They're imported from overseas!" Arthur picked up his clothes from the floor, some landed on his head. "I could have you put in the stocks for this, you know." He said with a shirt still over his head.
"Oh, that's quite the story to tell your future wife. That you put her brother in the stocks."
Arthur yanked the shirt off his head. "Her what?"
Merlin froze. "Oops."
(~)
