AN: Primrose's POV
As it turned out, those horses Arthur referred to weren't far off. They had wondered over to a river in the forest. That's where we find them at least, getting themselves a drink of water.
I stop short when I see them. They're large, about the size of buck deer, with shiny brown short fur coats and mains. They're gorgeous animals, and I'm a little in awe.
"They don't have horses in Panem?" Merlin whispered in my ear, seeing my reactions.
"They do, but I haven't been around that many," I say, "They're...they're beautiful."
The horses go still at the sound of my voice.
"They also spook very easily," Merlin says. Then he quietly starts to approach them. He takes hold of the rains on one and it moves its head in protest. "It's alright," Merlin says stroking the side. The horse clams down, and Merlin climbs on, then he looks over at me. "You can ride with me."
I slowly approach the animal. "It's alright," Merlin says, this time to me, "I got him under control."
I still go slow. When I finally get close enough Merlin takes my hand and helps me onto the horse. "Just keep hold of me, you'll be find." He instructs me. I grab onto his waist tightly. By that time Arthur was on his horse, and we head out. The movement on the horse startles me and I grab onto Merlin's waist even tighter.
It's half a day's ride to Camelot. The first thing I see is the large, snow white fortress of a castle. Then the rest of the city. As we go through every turns to look at us, and quickly bow. When we get to the castle, a pack of at least six men clad in sliver metal chainmail and red cloth, run up to us. They're followed by a woman in a following blue dress. Her skin is the color of cinnamon and her hair his the color of raven's wings and she looks rather happy to see us. So this must be Guinevere.
She walks right up to us as we get off the horses. "We've had search parties out looking everywhere for you," She says, "Where were you two? And who is that?"
"This is Primrose," Merlin answers putting his arm around me. I smile nervously and wave at her.
She waves back.
"Gwen," Arthur cuts in, "Perhaps we should have this conversation in private."
We wind up in some drawing room and each in takes turns explaining what happened. When we finished, Gwen asks, "So they've stopped the project?"
"Each of us talked to Dr. Gunian," I say, "He's dismantling the project. Or rather he will be. Or..."
"I know what you mean," Gwen says.
I'm still embarrassed. I don't know why. I also don't know why I'm so nervous. Yes, I do. Because these are Merlin friends and I want them to like me. What if they don't like me?
"Merlin," I suddenly hears Arthur's voice say, "Maybe you should take Primrose home. She looks like she's about to faint."
I've never been more grateful to him then in that moment.
"Good idea," Merlin says, gently taking my forearm and leading me out of the room. "Come on love."
We walk through the town together, Merlin pointing out everything to me. I feel better, now that it's just him and me in this fascinating place. I'm actually happy.
We finally stop in front of a small wooden house. "This is us." He says, beginning to open the door, but someone opens in from the other side. The other side reveals an older man with long grey hair.
"Gaius!" Merlin exclaims, "You have no idea how good it is to see you!"
"It's good to see you as well," Gaius said, then turning to me, "And who is this young woman?"
Suddenly my stomach is in knots all over again and I feel like deer, being stalked by a wild cat. "Pr-Pr-" I manage to get out.
"This is Primrose," Merlin says gesturing towards me, "We're...betrothed."
"Betrothed?" Gaius repeats, raising an eyebrow, "You've only been gone two days. You two barely know each other."
"Actually, for us," Merlin begins, "It's been a little longer than that."
It's actually getting tiring, telling the story over and over again. But still we go through the motions of it.
"So then I went to my brother and my parents' graves," I finish, "Then I came back. They put us in the device this morning and-well, I think you can figure out what happened next."
Gaius nods thoughtfully. "And you actually proposed to him?"
"Yes," I answer, "Is that important?"
"No, just," Gaius begins, "When did that change?"
"Um," I begin, laughing a little and pushing back a strand of hair that fallen in my face, "Actually it didn't, I just didn't want to wait anymore."
Gaius smirks a little. "Merlin, it appears you have quit the character on your hands with this one."
"I know," Merlin says, looking at me and slipping his hand in mine beneath the table, "But that's one of the thing I love about her."
And suddenly the future seems so bright I think I might have to turn away. Brighter than the sun.