TITLE: Wedding
AUTHOR: Angel Starbeam
SUMMARY: It would not do for Merlin to babble some half remembered sermon.
RATING: PG
CATEGORY: Arthur/Gwen

Merlin remembered only a couple of years ago, how he wished Arthur would acknowledge his worth and treat him with respect. Well, he gained the prince's trust and confidence but thinking back, Merlin should have considered what sort of recognition he truly desired. It was definitely not the sort to go up in front of a bunch of people and do a public speech.

But after learning of his being sanctioned to perform certain ceremonies, Arthur assigned Merlin to the task of marrying him and Gwen.

Merlin was stunned at this. Didn't King Leodogran offer to marry them at his castle, as thanks for helping save his kingdom? Why marry near the battlefield where they barely survived, when they could be in a nice chapel?

Well, Arthur decided to be sentimental and picked this particular spot, a forest clearing with blossoming flowers, because Gwen liked it so much. And he decided to give Merlin due honor by having him performing the ceremony.

Merlin really wished that Arthur went with Leodegrance's chapel and priest.

"Just don't muck it up," Were the only instructions Arthur gave him, before going off to clean up for his wedding day.

So as everyone did the quick and simple preparations, Merlin attempted to put together something nice and would not insult his best friends' day.

As the small party gathered, he started to panic a little. There was King Leodogran, his sons Arnel and Gwinhael and their families, a few of the Cameliard knights, and Camelot's knights Sir Dinadan and Sir Percival, and these were the few nobles he actually liked and respected. Wouldn't do for him to babble on a half remembered sermon from previous weddings he attended at his village.

Arthur and Gwen then came before him and stood side by side. Merlin had to admit, they made a quite a sight.

Gwen was free from the armor and grime of combat, and in a simple periwinkle blue gown procured by Arnel's wife and small white flowers were woven into her hair. She looked like a spirit from a celestial realm, though a formidable one since she kept her sword strapped securely at her hip. Arthur also kept his sword, along with sparse armor donning his shoulders and chest, but shaved off the beard he had been sporting for a while.

Seeing them together, his best friends, the future King and Queen of Camelot, and the gazes they only had for each other, Merlin found the words.

"We are here on this day to witness the marriage between this man and this woman. Who would have guessed that it would lead to this, them together? I didn't and I gather neither did they a lifetime ago."

Gwen let out a small laugh, remembering a statement she had made, as Merlin said, a lifetime ago.

"But together you came to be and it has done a world of good. For you two are so right for each other, so good for one another that it makes sense that you two would stay at each other's side, now and forever more."

Arthur smiled at this.

"So, with the authority granted to me, I pronounce you Arthur and you Guinevere, husband and wife. Arthur, kiss your bride."

Arthur obliged with vigor as Gwen responded in kind, with an embraced and lips clashing. Their guests clapped, sang praise and cried out joyfully.

Merlin himself broke into a face-breaking grin. Then he murmured an incantation, and after his eyes flashed gold, the flowers petals from the trees rained down in graceful twirls.

The End

AN: Just kidding :) I want to continue, but I'm running short on ideas. Any suggestions?