Chapter 9-To marry or not to marry that is the Question

Hey guys, I know I said I would start writing more frequently and I am sorry it hasn't happened. Life just kind of went crazy for a while and I got a little lost in my own head, but I'm back now, just finished my 2nd year of uni and currently looking for a summer job but that does mean I have time, lots of time to spend getting this story finally finished for you guys. So without further ado, I don't own Merlin but Laudine, Kay and Elizabeth are my three angels sitting on my shoulder and nagging me about my writing :D Enjoy.

It was late next morning when I finally managed to escape the dress maker and get back to Gaius' chamber. With only a day to go before my wedding the pressure was on to get everything perfect, or at least that was what they kept telling me, in my opinion as long as I got to say 'I do' it was a good run.

When I entered Gaius' chamber Merlin was sitting there alone, "So what is going on?"

Merlin looked up at me "Catrina a troll."

I paused before sitting down, "Well that's a new one. I guess it makes sense through you can't get much more powerful than marrying the king. What Jonas then?"

Merlin snorted, "No idea. So you know about trolls?"

"Only a little from books. Never actually met one before," I explained.

"Gaius has gone to try and talk to the King," Merlin continued.

This time it was my turn to snort, "And tell him what? The woman his courting is green, smells and has horns?"

"I don't think he's putting it like that," Merlin laughed, "More about the leg and seeing if we can go from there."

Before I could reply Gaius came back into the room looking defeated, "Please don't say anything, Merlin."

"I wasn't going to say anything!" Merlin said innocently.

"You were going to say 'I told you so'," Gaius said not fooling for the look Merlin gave him.

I rolled my eyes and changed the subject slightly before Merlin could reply, "Take it the conversation didn't go well."

"No he didn't take it well," Gaius said.

"Augh, you see? I told you…" Merlin began before remembering and looking away, "Sorry."

"But I know him, Merlin. Hes a proud man, but hes not stupid. He will reflect on what I said, Im sure he will," Gaius said certainly.

"Lets hope you're right," Merlin agreed.

"But if he doesn't we need a backup plan. There is a spell that will relieve her true form to the world," I explained.

"Well why don't we use that now?" Merlin asked me.

"Because you have to be close, and Catrina never leaves Uther side, hence why this is a backup plan and a last resort. I would do it but you stand a better chance of getting away with it Merlin."

Before Merlin could reply there was a knock at the door and someone walked in, "If this is about my wedding dress then you can tell that woman if she sticks one more needle into me…"

"My lady," Laudine interrupted before I could finish my threat. I turned to see Arthur and her standing in the doorway, "The King and Lady Catrina wish to see you."

I nodded before turning back to Merlin, "Laudine will give you the book you need to find that herb Gaius I will see you soon."

Arthur took my hand outside of Gaius chamber as we made our way to the council chambers, "There is an herb that Gaius doesn't know about?"

"He's books werent detailed enough on the subject and he wanted a second pair of eyes. Laudine has studied medicine most of her life she knows a thing or two."

"I didn't think she would have been allowed to," Arthur said.

"My kingdom differs to yours in the way that women can work as physicians if they have the talent for it. I could never study it, there were too many adventures to be had. Sitting down and reading was never my thing," I explained laughing at the memories of me hiding from my tutors, "Laudine showed a talent for being a healer from a young age, by becoming my lady maid she could keep studying after her mother died."

Before the conversation could continue we reached the door, separating our hands we walked inside. Uther was sat on his throne and next to him on the throne where Arthur was usually placed sat Catrina, "Good of you to come," she said after we had bowed.

I chose not to speak not wanting to give away the fact I knew the truth about her, "Is there something you need father?" Arthur asked instead.

"I have been thinking," Uther said before holding out his hand for Catrina to take, "Well we have been thinking. I have offer Catrina the chance to be my queen and she has accepted."

"Congratulations," I said softly and politely.

"We want to be married as soon as possible so we were thinking tomorrow," Catrina said smirking as she did.

"Pardon?" I asked confused.

"Your wedding tomorrow is to become ours," Catrina said to me her teeth gleaming in the light. I felt my body go slightly cold, for all my complaining about the wedding and the effort it took to plan, it was Arthurs and mine and something I didn't think anyone would have had the guts to take away from us.

"Forgive me father but is it not too soon…" Arthur began to argue.

"No, I am happy for the first time since your mother and I want to be able to make Catrina my Queen. Do I have your approval?" Uther questioned.

I looked on waiting to see what Arthur would do praying he would fight for us, stick up for us.

"Of course father, whatever you wish."

We walked back to Arthur's chambers in complete silence, once we entered I took a seat at the desk just waiting for him to speak, but before Arthur could say anything to me to try and make it better Merlin ran into the room, "What have I said about knocking?" Arthur yelled at him.

Merlin looked between us before taking a step back, "I can go."

"No," I replied immediately, "You need to tell him the truth."

Merlin looked at me in disbelief nodding his head once I signaled, "Tell me what?" Arthur asked.

"Lady Catrina a troll," Merlin explained.

Arthur laughed without humor, "She's not that bad."

"I'm serious. She is, she's an actual troll," Merlin argued.

"Merlin, I know what you're trying to do, and I appreciate it. You're a true friend. But it's not about whether I like her or not, it's about what makes my father happy," Arthur paused looking away from Merlin and at me, "And when they announced the wedding today, I realised that Lady Catrina does just that. She makes him happy."

"There is no point Merlin he doesn't trust us," I said harshly trying not to take my anger out on Merlin.

"But…" Merlin began.

"She's the future queen of Camelot whether you like it or not. So you better get used to it," Arthur snapped at us.

"I don't care if she's going to rule the whole of Albion right at this second," I snapped back, "I want to know why the hell you just let our wedding be taken over without a word to stand up for us. Am I really worth that little to you that you won't fight for our right to get married?" I questioned quietly, tears running down my face.

"I didn't…" Arthur began to say but stopped when someone knocked on the door.

I opened it to see one of the guards standing there, "The King wishes to see you."

I wiped away my tears angrily as I moved down the corridor, I could hear Arthur walking just behind me but didn't turn around worried if I did I would say something I would regret. By the time we reached the council chambers I was shaking with a mixture of anger and fear.

Uther walked into the council chambers with Catrina on his arm, before stepping up in front of everyone, "Thank you all for coming. You are, no doubt, wondering why I have gathered you here today. Though we live in dark times, today I bring you light, and love. It gives me greatest pleasure to inform you that the Houses of Tregor and Pendragon are to be united in the closest bond of all. I am to marry Lady Catrina of Tregor. I am to marry Lady Catrina tomorrow, in place of the previous wedding planned. This union heralds a new dawn for the kingdom, a new beginning and a new queen for all here in Camelot. I could not hope to have made a better match. I hope you will all share in our joy," the people around me applauded but I couldn't bring myself to do it, "Thank you."

I watched in silence at the sidelines as my wedding fell apart. I could see the complete look of fear on Merlin's face and knew that it wasn't working. Uther was going to marry a troll.

We were excused a few moments after the announcement, I walked out of the room slowly not really sure what to do anymore. I ignored the calls from Merlin, Laudine and Kay behind me and walked out into the courtyard. It had just started to rain, the drops ran down my face, but it was almost like I couldn't feel them. Most people had run for shelter inside their houses'.

I walked over to the stables and grabbed the first horse I saw which happened to be Merlin's and pulled it out. Jumping on it as I did. As I turned to look back at the castle I could just about see Arthur standing in the doorway through the rain staring at me as I kicked the horse and rode out of Camelot.

I know you guys will probably hate me for this, but I really don't like making things easy for Arthur and Elizabeth. I promise you that it will be okay between them in the end.

Until next time

Artistic-Blue-Eyes

xxx