Thank you for reading. Hope you'll enjoy the next chapter.
I have added a link on my profile for the dress Morgana is wearing this chapter it is labeled blue dress . Below that is a link to Gwen's wedding dress, under orange gold dress.
I will be back to the updating every two week from now on. If I get the chance it might me more, but I don't want to over promise. I will have it finished by the end of the year, that is the goal.
The unseasonable warmth for early spring lasted into the next day. These was not a cloud in the sky and the sun shone its bright light down on the gathering in Camelot. The city slowly like the day before came to life, but with more noise and excitement than before. There was a buzzing energy that infected the whole city. The citizens ate a small breakfast and took their time dressing in their best clothes, just as those in the castle did. Then they made their way to the grounds behind the castle.
Walking through the castle they were meet by knights at various locations who directed them towards where the wedding was going to take place. The few paths that they could take, through the different doors into the castle that remained opened were lined with the roses and other flowers from the castle garden. Once the exited from the castle from whichever entrance they did the people of Camelot were greeted with an array of brightly colored tents along the edges of the grounds. The tents were all opened raveling tables quickly filling with glasses of wine or pints of ale. Small kitchen set ups to finish cooking and preparing the feast. One yellow tent was filled with bright roses. Made into floral crowns for the young girls corsages for the women and button holes for the men and boys that wished them. As well as bouquet to decorate their homes and small bags of lose petals to throw into the air later. The majority of tents housed games and amusements to entertain the younger guests. Against the walls of the castle were the tables and benches that would be pulled out during the feast. Hidden now under a blanket of flowers. The large spaces were they were to stand where marked by a line of flowers that also marked the path Gwen would walk from the castle to the floral arch that she and Arthur would stand under to be married.
The crowed mingled, enjoying the festive atmosphere. The lords and ladies of the court and visiting guest began to make their way out of the castle to join the crowed. Arthur's chambers looked out over the courtyard, he watched his people make their was through the city and into the castle to exit from the other side. Gwen's chambers that she had only lived in for about fives years, that she had already packed up her belongings from and had them moved in boxes to Arthur's over the last few days. Looked out over the grounds to the back of the castle. She watched the people she would soon rule over arriving and could hear their shook and surprise at what greeted them.
Once not very long ago she had been one of them. Always would be. Now she stood above them in a dress made of the most expensive and extravagant fabric she had ever worn. She had felt so confident and beautiful in the dress when she tried it on while making it. Now she felt uncomfortable and self-conscious. Like a little girl playing dress up in her mothers clothes. Years ago when she had only been working as Morgana's maid for a few mouths she had once tried on one of Morgana's dress while she was out horse riding with Arthur and Uther. It had been a beautiful blue velvet winter dress with a hood. It fit her perfectly and she felt so grown up and pretty. When she looked in the mirror however she felt all wrong. The color was to dark for her first of all and secondly her beautiful dark curly hair that reached down to her waist didn't match with the grey details on the dress. She didn't need such detail to stand out she learned. Her features were striking enough on their own. With such a dress they diminished the other. Morgana with her straight hair, pale skin and sunken eyes could wear such a thing, but Gwen could not. It was a valuable lesson that she learned that day, but it hurt a little too.
The bold orange and gold of her wedding dress gave her a warm glow. The print was large but the stitching was of such a similar that it was not overwhelming. The long flowing sleeves were made of a thin shear like fabric. Her hair now as long as it had been as a child hung half down the top pulled back off her face with the help of a ribbon of gold and the floral crown Morgana had gifted her. The turquoise of the flowers being a much cooler, yet bright balanced well with her dress. She wore no jewelry save for the simple gold band on her right hand. She had worn it for years on a cord around her neck. Only in the last year had she been able to wear it proudly for the world to see as it was meant to be worn. Holding her arm out into the pool of sunlight Gwen watched as the ring caught the light and reflected onto the floor.
So distracted by the reflected light and making it move along the floor as well as the gentle muttering coming from the crowd below, Gwen didn't hear a gentle knock at her door.
Morgana not getting a reply after she knocked a second time, slowly opened the door peaking her head in the room first before she entered. When she was half way across the room Gwen finally noticed her.
Unlike the dark blue of the dress that Gwen had tried on of hers years ago, Morgana's dress now was on a bright blue. More alike to the flowers in the future queens crown. The skirt and long flowing sleeves like Gwen's were made of a thin shear fabric. Unlike Gwen's Morgana skirt and sleeves were adorned with gem stitched into the fabric. Morgana had more color to her face than Gwen had ever seen her have before, but her pale skin skill needed to glint off the gems to come to life. Her hair that had grown like Gwen's to now almost reach her waist was pulled off her face and held up with numerous pins.
"You look stunning Gwen."
Gwen shrugged a little as she turned to fully face Morgana. Sensing the insecurity building up in her friend Morgana quickly crossed the distance between them and took Gwen's hands in hers.
"No, don't doubt now. You and Arthur have waited to long for this day." Gwen couldn't help but nod slightly in agreement. "That is all that matters today. All the rest of it, the spectacle, the titles none of that matters."
Wishing to shrug of the momentary insecurity and the conversation, Gwen literally shrugged, then gave Morgana's hands a squeeze before letting them go. She complemented Morgana's dress. Before Morgana could say anything in return there was a light knock at the door as it was pushed all the way open. A rather nervous looking maid with tight blond curls that Gwen and Morgana had both none their wholes lives informed her future queen that the ceremony was ready to begin whenever she herself was. With Morgana's gentle, yet supporting hand on her shoulder Gwen moved to leave the room that had been her own private space for the last few years, to join her life and share all of it with another.
Arthur had not been able to sleep. He was not nervous, but he could not get his mind to shut off, to let him rest. The night before he was crowned king he had slept peaceful from almost the second his head touched his pillow. The young king did not get nervous, at least not in such a way that he lost the ability to think rationally. This fact didn't change the fact that he had found no sleep. Giving up in the early hours of the morning, long before the sun a begin to rise. Arthur had heard the sound of his own heartbeat pulsing in his ear. It came and went in its severity, but it was a background noise for him the whole morning. The sound was unnerving, it did however have the benefit of drowning out the voices of those that pestered him with questions and small talk through out the morning. He knew they meant well, but he just wanted a little silence and peace to quite his head.
The ever changing moods of the king, how to read them, see them coming and how best to manage them was all understood by Merlin. He had had to learn quickly to save himself further problems. He could see that Arthur was not paying any attention to what he was telling him. He didn't care at all what time the pre feast drinks and appetizers should be given out. He cared even less when the musicians should start playing. What kind of music they should begin with. After he had gotten answers to the most pressing questions and helped Arthur put on his new suit of chainmail that was made of a light bronze, Merlin choice to leave his friend in peace before he had to face the flurry of activity, that he would not be able to escape from once he entered.
With nothing else to do until events were underway Merlin returned to his room to change for the wedding. He pulled out the deep burgundy jacket that he had worn when Arthur was crowned king. It had been a gift from Arthur. He did insist that it was for appearances sake and not out of generosity that he gifted his man servant clothing that he would never have been able to afford himself. A king couldn't have those closest to him, those that represented him looking shabby and unkept. He of course used much harsher langue, but it all added up to the same thing. Arthur did a thoughtful and generous thing and covered it up with a insult. It was good that Merlin could see through the act or he might have been offended.
Though a cool breeze blow, the jacket Merlin wore was very thick and therefore warm. It was the main reason he didn't wear it very often. That and its length got a little in the way. He honestly didn't know how Morgana and Gwen were able to ride and just get around in the situations that they seemed to find themselves in, dressed in the full length dresses that they did. He weaved through the crowd as he made his way towards the floral arch growing warmer as he did, looking for Gaius. Who was standing a little to the right of the focal point, looking as uncomfortable in the heat as Merlin. Dressed too in his best, least old tunic of deep navy. The older man caught his eye and Merlin gave him a nod. Returning the gesture Gaius moved to stand behind the arch in its center as he waited for the king to make his entrance.
The physician was like a older father to Arthur and Gwen as much as he was to Merlin. He had been deeply touched when the young couple asked him if he would officiate the wedding. Looking out over the city gathered in front of him as they separated into the marked areas on either side of the aisle, He couldn't help but be confronted with the passage of many years. The knights that he had watched grow from young boys that couldn't yet fill out their armour, now stood before him as fully grown men. They stood in their full armour, that they would be able to remove most of after the formal ceremony, at specific spots to help gather the crowd in the right place. Some even helped hand out the bags of rose petals to the crowd, so they could throw the contents up into the air after the ceremony.
Making his way towards the floral arch behind the tents, as not to be spotted to early, Arthur still heard the pulsing in his head. Not even the chatter of nearly all the city and many guests could drown it out. As the king appeared before the crowd and took his place in front of the arch, the crowd feel silent. Something was about to begin. Something important and momentous.
Gwen waited a couple of minutes in the faint darkness and cool of the castle after Morgana left the through the main door to the grounds. From here she could crane her neck a little and watch the mostly silent crowd without being seen. A few people she recognized, but it took a second to register as they were dressed in their finniest clothes. Their faces normally covered with dirt or other marks of their daily work were clean, pink and warm in the sun. To her relief the sun was still the only thing in the sky.
There had been a back up plan if the weather was not cooperative. Larger sheets would be used as a canapé that would cover the floral arch and the majority of the crowd. This would block a lot of the light, so torches would be placed into the ground later in the day. There was even a back up plan for the back up plan. In case the weather was more extreme. Having all of the wedding take place in the castle. Meaning the vast majority of the city would not be able to be a part of it. As Morgana was told all of this over dinner the night she and Merlin returned to the city, she simply stated that if the weather was not agreeable she would be able to redirect the worst of the clods.
As she said this she tried to share a quick look with Merlin. Letting him now that she wanted his help with this. It was how quickly he avoided meeting her eyes that let her know that something was wrong. That he was avoiding her. She had confronted him about it since then and not been satisfied with his answer. There was more it that what he said, she just didn't understand. She believed that he was not jealous that she was chosen and that he trusted her. That left her with the unknown answer she couldn't find.
Many different possibilities for the sudden change in Merlin ran through her mind as she made her way out of the castle and joined the crowd. A few eyes lifted to look in her direction. Nearly all of them swiftly turned from her when he realized she was not the bride. Looking over the top of the crowd that separated to form the aisle she saw Arthur standing in front of the arch, Gaius half blocked from view behind him. Slipping into the crowd she began to make her way towards the front of the crowd as the entire crowd turned to watch Gwen make her entrance. Morgana had already seen how radiant her very soon to be sister looked. She was more interested in seeing the look on her brothers face when he first caught sight of his bride.
The look on the grooms face when he saw his brides emerge form the darkness and into the light did not disappoint. It was not often that the young king was left at a loss for words. The gold thread in Gwen's dress caught the light of the midday sun making many lift their hand to shield their eyes.
Normally Gwen would feel rude for not returning the looks of well wishers, feel uncomfortable being the focus of so much direct attention. When her eyes met Arthurs though all of that faded away. All she could see was him getting closer as she walked towards him.
To Arthur she was the sun. The sun come to life and walking towards him. The pulsing in his ears stopped as a feeling of utter calm came over him.
Morgana reached the front of the crowd a little before Gwen. She watched Arthur, smiling at him. He didn't turn towards her or anyone else. He only had eyes for Gwen.
By chance Morgana had emerged from the crowd to found herself standing near to Lancelot. The thoughtful knight that had made sure she was able to make it to the front of the crowd that last time Camelot had held a formal celebration just a few days ago. He didn't notice her, he was to busy looking somewhere else. Following his line of sight she couldn't help the smile that tugged at her lip. The princess Mithian in a pale green dress and a few white roses in her hair stood on the other side of the crowd with the small group of ladies that seemed to be her friends. She did her best to hide it, but Morgana caught the princess giving quick glances towards the knight herself. The pink clear in her cheeks. If she looked more closely at Lancelot she would see the same color tinting his cheek and she was sure nether was feeling the heat from the sun.
When Lancelot was able to take his eyes from Mithian he saw Merlin a little further back from her at the front of the crowd. He was directly in Arthur's line of sight. If he ever took his eyes from Gwen. Like the knight Merlin was not looking at the couple. He to was also distracted by a pretty face. He was both more subtle and more direct than Lancelot and Mithian. Merlin didn't steal quick glance at Morgana he kept of eye on her and the other on his friends.
Merlin didn't know what made him so bold. Maybe it was being part of such a large crowd. The joyous nature of the event. Most likely it was the feeling that things were going to change. For the better, but still it was a change and that is always bittersweet. Morgana was going to leave and rule Avalon he was sure of that. He was also very sure that he was going to stay. Because as much as things were going to change that much, they would not change that much. Not for him and Morgana. They had changed drastically, but he felt sure that they having arrived at a precarious place were they spoke to and trusted each other, could easily fall back into an antagonistic relationship. He didn't want that, not again. As Lancelot said there was a chance, there was always a chance. Especially when magic was involved. He couldn't risk it though. He wanted to protect what they had. No matter how fragile.
So he allowed himself to take her in freely for possibly that last time. Take in the way her skin shinned reflecting the gems on her dress. How sharp her face and features looked with her hair pulled back. That while her hair looked as black as normal there was a hint of a copper ting to it in the direct sunlight. Even her eyes seemed wider and greener than normal. Her cheeks had a healthy pink color that he wasn't sure he had ever seen her have before. She watched her brother marry her closest friend with a small but deep smile. Reluctantly Merlin took his eye of Morgana and looked to his king and queen.
Arthur and Gwen only had eyes for each other. The crowd seemed miles away. Even Gaius's voice as he conducted the ceremony sounded like to them like it was miles away. The only words they really took in, that they didn't automatically answer to, was when they were pronounced man and wife. Arthur had held Gwen's hands tight. She could feel how clammy they were. When they were married he didn't waste a second. now that after so very long he was able to hold her, kiss her, love her as he wished. As he always sound have. As she deserved. Letting her hand go he wrapped on arm around her waist and placed the other hand on the back of her neck as he pulled them together. She didn't move, let him make the first move and let herself melted into his arms. They sealed their union with a kiss in front of their loved ones and their kingdom, their people.
When Arthur reluctantly let his hands slip from their hold on his wife, he looked for the first time to the crowd, to someone other than Gwen, to Merlin. Their friends stepping forward and pulled from his pocket a red velvet bag. He handed it to Arthur and the king pulled from it a elegant, bold gold crown. Gwen smiled at Merlin as he took a step towards them. When the bag was taken from his hand he placed a hand on her shoulder. He had time to give her a real hug later. Instinctively Gwen lowered her head slightly as she turned back to face Arthur.
In his loud and clear voice he proclaimed her Guinevere. His wife and queen and Camelot's too.
The crown fitted together with her floral crown. Once it rested on her head they turned to face their people. Who threw rose petals into the air as they cheered a clapped the golden couple, who ran down the length of the aisle hands joined.
They ran towards the castle where they could have a few moments to themselves. Just them, before they returned to the celebrations of the most joyous day in their lives so far.
I hope that you liked the newest chapter. That I did the wedding alright. As I've said I don't feel I have a good handle of Arthur and Gwen as characters, but they are important. I'm also sorry if the distribution of everything was boring, I wanted to try and write more like a real book with less dialog. Focusing on the same event from different points of view.
I also would like to think what you think of the Lancelot and Mithian relationship. I know there is no hint in the show, but I didn't want to do the traditional love triangle of Lancelot, Gwen and Arthur. I found myself liking Lancelot more as I've been rewriting and finishing the story. Mostly due I think to seeing the actor in other shows and liking him a lot. So I wanted to do more with him in this story. This relationship won't be that important but it will be in the background. I've tried to be subtle about it, but I hope its come across clearly.
Something else I don't think I made very clear is the references to Gwen glowing, and the sun and Morgana shinning. My idea was that they are like Arthur and Merlin two half of the same coin. Morgana is the moon that reflects light and Gwen is the sun that gives light and warmth.
As always any feedback, comments or idea are very, very welcome. They really help a lot with the writing of the story.