"WHAT?" shouted Arthur, as Gaius sit there, glaring at the both of them, like they were by far, the two most stupid people on Earth, and perhaps they were. "How could we get married? I think I would recognize a wedding, and that wasn't one!"

"At any point did you or Merlin say the words 'I do'?"

"Son of a bi-"

"Gaius," Merlin cut off Arthur's swear, and he found it hard not to continue swearing. "What does this mean exactly? If we're...we're married?"

"I have no idea, Merlin," said Gaius now, as he continued to read. "I must read, to figure out the laws, if it holds up."

"How could I have not realized it was a wedding..?" said Arthur now, he couldn't take it. He just couldn't, how could either of them been so stupid? He couldn't dare tell his Father about this either, Arthur wasn't sure how he would react, either angry, because Arthur was meant to marry for Camelot, or pleased, because he had fawned over their pretend relationship for months now. And a rogue marriage was just the sort of romantic courting his Father was talking about. 'Be spontaneous Arthur, surprise him...woo him!' Well, Arthur hoped he was happy now...

"I've never been to a wedding before, all of the people in my village either move when they come of age or are already married," explained Merlin now, to Arthur's question, which he had forgotten he had asked, at this point. Arthur frowned. "I didn't know...if I had known, Arthur..."

"I know," said Arthur, and let out a deep sigh. "I have only ever been to royal ones, and there is no ribbons or anything like that. Just vows mostly, and the exchange of rings, and some sort of crowning, sometimes, depending on who it is. I know there are other types of weddings, but I have never seen them."

"Luckily, for the pair of you," said Gaius suddenly, from deep within his book, and they both looked up at once, over at him. "I do not think it was a marriage, more a handfasting. Which, more of less, depending on the hands used, is a promise of marriage, an engagement, if you will..."

"So...we promised ourselves to marry each other...?" asked Arthur, face done up, in distaste. "We're not married now though?"

"Not legally," said Gaius, closing his book, with a snap. "Handfasting could be considered marriage, in some religions, or a promise to wed, in most. But as there was no one there from the royal household, to bear witness, it will not stand as legal in the eyes of the Court. Therefore...it is invalid."

"Oh...thank God!" said Arthur, all at once, feeling like a weight had been lifted from him. "No offence, Merlin, but I would rather not have to spend the rest of m life with you."

Merlin looked at him, his cheeks still a little pink from worry, he let out a breathy sort of laugh. "I'm not complaining, you already drive me mad now, and I'm just your servant...what if I were your husband? I would never get a break..."

Just as he said this though, suddenly, Gwen was bursting through the door. She looked at them all, with wide eyes, and made her best move to curtsy toward Arthur, as she ran in and grabbed Merlin's arm. "We need your help...now," she said to Merlin. "There was a fire in the kitchens, and two of the serving girls left because the Cook scared them! We need someone to make bread for the feast!" Merlin listened at once, with a nod, allowing her to drag him toward the door, with one last look in Arthur's direction, they were heading out of the room. "Merlin...what's that on your head?"

"Oh, it's a long story..." Arthur heard Merlin say, as they left. Arthur stood there now, knowing very well that Gaius' eyes were on him. He looked back and smiled, Gaius' eyes narrowed.

"You should be more careful, the things you do, Arthur," said Gaius, and Arthur was reminded of his Father suddenly, he nodded. "Your Father might be alright with your current relationship with Merlin, but he will not approve of a marriage."

"I know that," said Arthur, and hated the way he suddenly felt like a small boy. He might as well be Johnathan, being scolded for acting up. "It isn't as if I meant to do it...I'm not some fool in love..."

"Perhaps not," retorted Gaius, coldly. "But you must remember, something like marriage is no joking matter, and the King is no fool either. Your mistake could have cost Merlin his life, if the King were to find out."

"My Father would not kill Merlin, Gaius...not over something like that," Arthur said, but he knew Gaius had a very good point. "I am not going to tell him, and I would hope you wouldn't either."

"I have no need to tell the King of the foolish things his Son gets up to," retorted Gaius and Arthur frowned. "He might worry for the throne, and just whose hands he's putting it in."

Gaius walked off, heading out of the chambers, leaving Arthur alone in them. He found that to be a bit too far, maybe Arthur still had learning to do, but he was not stupid either. He understood Gaius cared for Merlin, but he must know Arthur wouldn't let Uther do anything to Merlin. Arthur shook his head, and headed out of the rooms himself, having no need to be there anymore. Arthur walked down the halls, not sure where to go, he thought of going back to his chambers, but there was nothing to do there. He thought of going to see Morgana, but that seemed like the worst idea he's ever had. Either she would insult him, or berate him about Merlin and he had already gotten enough berating from Gaius, he didn't need more.

Somehow Arthur found himself in front of the Kitchens, and he honestly didn't know why, he never really came here. Only twice, in his whole life. Once; Because he chased a bandit in there, who was trying to steal from the King, and the other time, when he was hiding from Knights, when he was trying to sneak out of the Castle. That was it, he had no real reason to be here now either, except for the fact that Merlin was here, and he really needed to tell him that he ought to speak to Gaius about not talking to Arthur like he were five years old...but then, a lot of the time, Merlin also spoke to Arthur like he were five years old. Now, Arthur supposed, as he pushed open the door, to the kitchen, which smelled like dirty boots, that must be where Merlin get's it...

He walked inside, and a few of the Serving Girls stopped what they were doing, and stare at him. He smile over at them, and the one with dirt of her cheeks blushed deeply, he ignored this and pressed on. Merlin was standing further away from everyone else, in a corner, beating some sort of dough on a table, his back was turned to Arthur, which gave Arthur a great idea of coming up behind him, as quietly as he could and slowly reached out and poked him in the ribs.

"I'd ask you for your gold...but I know you don't have any."

Merlin jumped, very high in the air, and let out a scream, the bowl the dough would otherwise be in, if it was not being beaten on the table, suddenly smashed and Arthur stare at it. Merlin must have hit it, in his fright. Arthur grinned now, as Merlin looked back and glare at him.

"Arthur," he said, in a loud whisper. "What are you doing in here?"

"I thought I was the Prince, can I not go where I please?" retorted Arthur, and walked nearer to Merlin, leaning angst the wall the table was next to. Merlin watched him, with narrowed eyes. "I had no where else to go...you haven't even cleaned my chambers yet today. If I wanted to go there I might as well go join the pigs, their pen would be just as clean."

"You were the one that wanted to go to the festival," Merlin retorted and pointed a floured finger at Arthur. "I said I had work to do..."

"Don't pretend you didn't have a nice time," said Arthur, with a grin, and Merlin rolled his eyes. "What was your favorite part? When we got married...?"

"Don't say that out loud!" said Merlin, in that whisper shouting thing he did sometimes. Arthur still grinned, even if he knew he was right. Merlin stare at him for a moment. "Really, why are you here, to complain about your chambers?"

"No," said Arthur, and truthfully he had no idea why he was here, he just...came here, he hadn't thought about it and he didn't really want to think about the reason now either, so he chose to ignore it. "I just figure...since I'm your husband now, I ought to stay close, so you don't go run off, marrying someone else by accident. You are very clueless like that."

"So are you!" retorted Merlin, and it was then Arthur realized he was still wearing the flower grown, he grinned again. Merlin still stare at him, and now pulled a face, trying to figure out where his eyes were looking, and then he pulled the crown off his head suddenly, with floury hands. "I forgot to take it off..."

"Why did you?" said Arthur. "I told you before, it suits you..."

"If you like it so much, why don't you wear it then?" said Merlin, and it sounded a bit like an order, if Arthur really thought about it. And Merlin didn't give him time to say anything on the subject, before reaching over and pushing the thing onto Arthur's head.

"Watch it," said Arthur, seriously, but really not, all at the same time. "You better not get flour in my hair!"

"Flour or flower?" retorted Merlin, with a stupid, stupid grin and Arthur rolled his eyes.

"You really shouldn't try to be funny..."

Merlin still continue to grin at him, stupidly, and then...all of a sudden, Gwen was coming toward them, looking completely shocked to see Arthur there. "Sire!" she greeted him. "What brings you here?" She looked up and noted the flower crown on his head and covered her mouth with her hand quickly, for what reason, Arthur had no idea. But he quickly plucked it from his head and held it instead. "I see..."

"He was just here to bother me, as usual," said Merlin now, and Gwen smiled at the two of them. "He wanted to complain about his chambers to me because he's too big of a prat to clean them himself!"

"That's hardly my job!" retorted Arthur and Merlin rolled his eyes.

"Oh yes...your job is to protect us, right?"

"Precisely," commented Arthur. He came just a little closer, no longer leaning on the wall. He picked up a handful of flour, and rubbed it, quite suddenly, and rather harshly, into Merlin's face, "You do feel...protected, don't you Merlin?" he said, darkly. Merlin now more white than he had been before, looked over at him and glared.

"Not in the slightest..."

Gwen cleared her thought, looking between them like she had never seen anything like them before, in her whole life. He looked at her, and he raised an eyebrow at her, not exactly threatening her, because he would never threaten a woman, even with flour, but more of a challenge, go on and say something, I dare you....she did not. "I will leave you two alone," she said then, and Arthur wasn't sure if that was what he wanted, exactly, but he was alright with it, nonetheless.

"No, you don't have to go," said Merlin, quickly. Glancing at Arthur, with side eyes, before looking back at her. "Don't leave me alone with him..."

Arthur could not tell if he were joking or not. Gwen smiled and stood there still, instead of walking away, like she was supposed to do. Arthur frowned. It was a very strange moment, where no one spoke, and then Gwen looked down at the flower crown, still clutched in Arthur's hands. "May I...?" she asked, and he didn't see why not, and handed it to her. He didn't know what she was going to do with it, but then suddenly she shoved it back onto Merlin's head. "There..." she said, and then smiled over at Arthur, for maybe approval, he smirked at her. "I told you, Merlin," she said then. "It brings out your eyes, you should wear it to the feast..."

"YES!" Arthur said for him, grinning at Gwen, she grinned back.

"No," said Merlin now, having long since stopped doing anything with the bread, the Cook would surely not be happy. "I already told both of you...it's meant for girls, I look stupid."

"You always look stupid," commented Arthur, quickly. Merlin frowned.

"It doesn't matter what they think, Merlin, it only matters if you're happy," said Gwen, wisely, and Arthur nodded along, even if he didn't completely agree with that. It was very important, at least for him, to look at least half way alright. But Merlin, it really did hardly matter what he may look like. Merlin smiled at her.

"Alright...I'll wear it."

"Oh sure," Arthur said then, in fake annoyance, he really didn't mind all that much, he knew they were close. "You agree to anything when she says it, but ignore me when I say the same thing..."

Merlin stare at him, for a long moment, probably to see if he was being serious or not, Arthur tried to make his face as stone as possible, so he couldn't tell. "That's because when you say something, it normally starts off with an insult, and then I stop listening after that."

"See, he doesn't listen to me, he admits it," said Arthur, and he tried to hide his smirk, but he knew Merlin saw it show, for a second or two. "Can you believe that, Guinevere?"

Gwen looked a bit stressed she had been mentioned and made a loud breathing sound, before shaking her head. "Um..." she mumbled and then looked down at the bread. "You had better finish, Merlin, before the Cook comes back and sees nothings done."

Merlin seemed to remember himself, all of a sudden, and started beating the dough once again. Arthur sort of wondered, now, if Merlin might be thinking it was Arthur's head he was beating, at how hard he was hitting it, this idea made Arthur smile for some reason, and he leaned, once more, against the wall, to watch. Before long Arthur had to go to ready himself for the feast, and Merlin couldn't come with him, which was a tad annoying, but the feast was about to start and the Kitchen was still very behind on the food, they needed much more for all the guests they would be serving this night. So, once again, Arthur had to go off and ready himself. alone Which he did, as quickly as he could, but it still took him a good hour, trying to figure out which red tunic looked better. When he was finally ready, he headed out, but was imminently met with his Father, standing at his door.

"Father...?" said Arthur, in a surprise, as he nearly walked right into the King. Who just stare at him, with a raised eyebrow. "How often do you just stand outside of my Chambers...?"

"Enough to know all I need to," retorted Uther, and that made Arthur feel rather unsettled. He sighed, as he walked around him and started to head down the hall, toward the stairs, and ultimately, the feast. Uther followed after him. "I hear congratulations are in order..."

"For what?" asked Arthur, not paying very much mind to what the King was saying. Honestly, he did say a lot of rubbish anymore.

"Your recent marriage..."

Arthur froze at that, turning back to look at his Father, in a mix of horror and surprise. "How did you know about that?"

"Morgana told me."

"How did Morgana know?" retorted Arthur, face done up, in both anger and distaste.

"I have come to find...Morgana knows most things," said Uther, and grinned at Arthur, like a damn fool. "I do wish I had been there to see it...did you cry?"

"Father," Arthur rolled his eyes. Uther continued to look amused.

"It is exactly the sort of romancing I was telling you to do," said Uther now, and Arthur noted the proud sort of gleam in Uther's eyes. It was confusing, because Arthur was meant for a royal marriage, not marrying a male servant, in the middle of a festival, done by a shady old lady, with no teeth. "Of course, it is a complete farce, there was no one there to witness this marriage and I hardly find a little, old woman to be qualified. You will still have to marry for the Kingdom, of course, but for the time being..."

Arthur threw up his hands, shaking his head. "HOW DID SHE KNOW ANY OF THIS?!" he shouted, keeping his focus on Morgana, as he already knew the wedding was a farce anyway, not that he wanted it to be real, by any means. But how could Morgana have known? Known about the old lady who married them, or that it had happened at all? "I haven't seen Morgana all day, and I wouldn't tell her what happened, even if I did..."

Uther laughed. "Perhaps she had a dream about it..."

Uther continued to laugh, but Arthur did not, not only because he knew of Morgana's horrible dreams and how they bothered her, but also because, he hardly thought she had dreamed that Arthur and Merlin would get married...

(A/N: Yep! I'm back at it again! So...I was watching Merlin today, I had to watch an EP for writing purposes. Basically, I need to see about some stuff for this story, and it just struck me...how much nicer I make Arthur than Arthur actually is in the show sometimes. I was like wow...I prefer mine. ANYWAY, Arthur is low key obsessed with Merlin. Just thought you should know!)