"How bad is it?" Elyan whispered.
"Not as bad as that time with Gaius," Percival answered.
"Nothing was as bad as that time," Leon said dully. "I thought they might call it quits for good."
Gwaine glanced over at where Arthur was speaking to Princess Mithian. "He's hid the hickeys Merlin gave him quite well. What d'you suppose he's using to cover them up?"
The other knights stared at him.
"What?" Gwaine shrugged.
Arthur glanced over at Merlin. "I don't think staring at the clothes will get them to fold, Merlin."
Merlin didn't respond, but he began folding said clothes and putting them away in the wardrobe. Arthur frowned. "No comment? Not even a muttered retort?"
When Merlin still didn't reply, Arthur marched over to him, taking a shirt out of Merlin's hands and replacing it with his own. "You're angry with me."
"I'm not sure that's the right word," Merlin replied, not meeting Arthur's eyes, "But it'll do for now."
"I have to marry her, Merlin. It's politics."
Merlin mumbled something.
"What?"
"I said, you wouldn't have to marry her if Gwen was your heir."
Arthur released Merlin's hands and walked over to the window. "You know that is no longer possible."
"So what, then?" Merlin demanded. "We're going to just keep hiding all of our lives?"
Arthur turned slightly, looking back at Merlin.
"At first it was, until Uther's dead," Merlin said. "Then it was, as soon as the line of succession was secure. Now, it's never?" Arthur could see Merlin's body shaking slightly in his effort to remain calm and in control. "Am I not good enough?"
"What? No!" Arthur protested.
"What other conclusion can I draw, Arthur?" Merlin demanded. "I'm good enough to share your bed but you won't announce our relationship? I'm not good enough to take a bit of risk for? I'm not good enough to trust that I can help you figure things out?" Merlin's hands were clenched into fists at his side, and he was legitimately shaking now. "What am I, your bed warmer?"
"Merlin," Arthur said warningly. He took a few strides forward, placing them only inches apart. "I wouldn't do that to you. What kind of man do you take me for?"
"The kind who's still too scared to follow his heart and trust that the people will follow him in turn," Merlin shot back.
Arthur's eyes widened slightly and he took a deep breath, as if sucking in the weight of Merlin's words. Merlin relaxed his hands and turned away, going back to folding the laundry.
"I know you love me," he said softly. "I don't doubt that, Arthur. But are you proud of me? Do you think me worthy to stand beside you?"
Something cracked inside of Arthur's chest and he pulled Merlin away from the clothes, turning him and holding his face in his hands.
"You," he said, pronouncing each word with weight and care, "Are my husband. You are my council, my rock, and my love. And there is no one I want to stand beside me, no one more worthy, than you."
He sealed his declaration with a kiss.
"Tell me," Princess Mithian asked, "Who is it that trumps a princess?"
"No one," Arthur said. "And everyone."
Mithian brightened. "What great family is she from?"
"None," Arthur replied. "He comes from a village of farmers."
A knowing gleam crept into Mithian's eyes. "And for him you would risk your kingship? Your kingdom?"
Merlin couldn't breathe.
"Without him, they're worth nothing to me."
Mithian considered this, looking down. Abruptly she looked up and gazed straight at Merlin, sudden understanding written on her face. Merlin fidgeted. He hadn't exactly been polite to her. She looked back at Arthur. "I would give up my own kingdom to be so loved. Farewell, Arthur."
"Farewell, Princess."
As Mithian mounted her horse and rode out, Arthur turned to Merlin and smiled. "I think we have an announcement to plan."
Giddily, Merlin smiled back.
Off to the side where the knights stood, several small bags of coins exchanged hands.