"I'm going to be a bigamist," Arthur moaned, burying his face in a pillow.

"Shut up and stop whining," Merlin replied. "You're not going to be a bigamist."

"Yes, I am," Arthur countered dramatically. "I'm going to have to marry someone I don't even love, and then I'm going to have to figure out how to keep her from finding out about us, and if someone does find out her father will start a war, or somebody else will because everyone around here wants to start a war, and oh yes let's not forget the whole breaking sacred law by marrying more than one person thing!"

"And you tell me I'm the girl in this relationship," Merlin said, organizing the papers on Arthur's desk. "Wait a minute, I think I wrote more than half of these." He waved a paper at Arthur. "When you become king I expect full compensation."

"How's Royal Mistress sound, because that's what you'll be when I marry this girl."

Merlin rolled his eyes so hard he thought he'd strain something. "You are not going to be a bigamist."

Arthur just groaned into his pillow.

"I brought you your ceremonial sword."

"Is that for me to fall on?"

"Hopefully not," Merlin replied. He'd been so caught up with taking care of the Sidhe that he hadn't really thought about the whole marriage thing, but now it hit him full force. Arthur was being forced to marry Elena. They couldn't share a chamber anymore after this. They'd have to go from being subtle to outright hiding. Arthur would have to wear a new wedding ring, might not be able to wear the one that Merlin had given him.

But he shoved such thoughts aside. Arthur was panicking, and Merlin had to help him through it like he always did.

"You don't understand, Merlin," Arthur sighed. "You have no idea what it's like to have a destiny you can't escape."

"Destinies are troublesome things," Merlin agreed. Arthur took the sword from him and sheathed it. Merlin went on. "You feel trapped, like your whole life is being planned out for you and you've got no control over anything, and sometimes you don't even know if what destiny decided is really the best thing at all."

Arthur looked up at him. "How come you're so knowledgable?"

"Hmm?" Merlin hummed, adjusting the straps on Arthur's cape. "Oh, I read a book."

"What did this book tell you?" Arthur asked, turning. He placed his arms at Merlin's elbows and drew their bodies together. Merlin placed his hands on Arthur's chest, trying to soothe him. "Should I marry her?"

It wasn't a question of wanting, Merlin knew that. It was a question of politics, of ethics, of how much they could risk or sacrifice for their personal happiness.

"That's not really my place to say so," he said, trying to dodge the question.

"First of all, you're my husband, it's your place to say whatever you want. Second of all, I asked you, so it's your job to answer."

Merlin sighed. "If you really want to know what I think…"

Arthur gently knocked their foreheads together in a go on gesture. Merlin took a deep breath. "I think you're mad, I think you're all mad. People should marry for love, not convenience. And if Uther thinks an unhappy king makes for a stronger kingdom, then he's wrong. 'Cause you may be destined to rule Camelot, but you have a choice as to how you do it."

Arthur tightened his grip on Merlin, sliding his hands around so that they were pressed against Merlin's back, and closed his eyes. Merlin brushed his lips against Arthur's cheek. "Know that however you choose to do it, I will always be by your side."

Arthur nodded tightly, his eyes still closed.

One kiss for good luck, and then he was walking down the aisle.

"Do any say nay?"

Merlin wanted desperately to say nay, but he knew he couldn't. He pressed his lips together, forcing them to stay shut just in case they developed a mind of their own and blurted something out. It wouldn't be the first time. His vision was blurry and he couldn't bring himself to look directly at the altar, where Arthur stood.

"Then as we gather here today, we are all witness to this rite…"

"Wait."

Merlin blinked, his vision clearing. Everyone was staring at Arthur in varying degrees of shock.

"There's something you would like to say, Arthur?"

To the rest of the room Arthur probably looked determined and calm as could be, but Merlin could see the slight twitch of fear in his face. "Something I should've said a long time ago. Something from the heart I dare not speak. Elena, you are a wonderful woman, and a beautiful bride, but I cannot deny my feelings."

Merlin's heart couldn't seem to decide if it wanted to stop or beat at a breakneck pace.

Princess Elena gave a small smile. "You do not love me."

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

"No."

"Then we are both here out of duty," Arthur announced. "Can you forgive me?"

"I agree with all you have said," Elena replied. "Thank you, Arthur." She did look truly grateful.

Merlin found himself blinking desperately to keep back tears.

"I told you that you wouldn't be a bigamist."

Arthur ran his thumb over his wedding ring, the corner of his mouth tugging upward slightly. "Say whatever you like, Merlin, but I saw you standing there. You were crying."

Merlin sat bolt upright. "I was not crying!"

"It's not good to lie to your husband, Merlin."

Merlin lay back down, snuggling up against Arthur's side. He pressed his palm to Arthur's heart, and Arthur lay his hand over it, their rings clinking together.

"Exactly. You're mine."

Arthur huffed out a laugh. "Yes. And you're mine."

They fell asleep with their fingers intertwined.