Author's note : I am so sorry for the late update. I was just being lazy and playing Skyrim. But I will try my best not to be this late again. And also sorry for this short chapter. I promise the next chapter is going to be huge.

This story now has 100+ favorites , 175+ followers and there's only 6 more reviews to go to hit the 200 reviews milestone. ( Hint! Hint! ) You people are awesome.

Anyway, enjoy this short chapter. And I apologize in advance for any kind of grammatical mistakes.

Chapter 18

All I ever wanted

" You never said that this wedding would be this complex. " Merlin whined in exasperation.

He had been sitting on a throne in the Throne courtyard for one hour while his male friends were continually rubbing some yellowish paste on his face, hand and shoulder.

" Shut up, Merlin. We are trying to make you radiant as the sun. It is an essential part of the wedding. The ladies are trying to do the same to your bride. They won't spare us if they see that we've slackened in our sacred duty as the companions of bridegroom. " Gilli said with fake solemness.

" Huh ! Sacred Duty ! Really ? All you're doing for this one hour is torturing me. Mark my word, Gilli. I will have my revenge on you in our wedding. And where did you get this yellowish substance. I have never seen such thing in South? "

Gilli didn't even bat an eyelash hearing Merlin's threat. He just took some paste in his hand and rubbed it viciously on Merlin's face while Daegal gave Merlin's answer.

" This is paste of Turmeric. It was imported from Bharatbarsha during King Pelegius' reign. It is used in cooking as a spice. But it is also used in Bharat as an ingredient for beautification. "

" And Pelegius Ignotus first introduced the use of Turmeric in wedding in Elmet. He was really fascinated by the culture of Orient. "

Merlin looked around to see who said the last words as Gilli was not the one who said them. He saw Uriel was coming towards him. The former king was holding some paste in his hand. He rubbed it gently on Merlin's forehead.

" You look as golden as the High Elves of fairy tales, Merlin. Your friends really did their job well. "

Gilli, Daegal and Nayem gave a proud smile hearing Uriel's praise.

" Too well for my liking. They were literally torturing me for one hour. It's a wonder that my skin has not come off due to the rubbing. " Merlin sent an accusing glare towards his friends who were trying their hard not to laugh but failing miserably.

Uriel also gave a chuckle. " Alright. Alright. No need to get so worked up. It's your wedding day. Be cheerful. "

" Cheerful ? Are you serious ? I am terrified. What if I mess up the whole thing ? "

Merlin really sounded afraid but before Uriel could say something Nayem laughed out loud. " Oooooh ! The Great Emrys is afraid of our gentle alteration master. "

" We will see how brave you will act on your wedding day, Nayem. " Merlin said grudgingly.

Uriel saw that he needed to take charge otherwise they would fall behind schedule. So, he cleared his throat and said, " I believe Merlin is enough radiant to marry . " Merlin scoffed at Uriel's comment.

" Now go and take a bath. I have sent your wedding clothes in your chambers. Hurry now. We want to finish the wedding before sundown.

Merlin didn't have to be told twice. He almost ran out of the courtyard leaving his sniggering friends behind.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Surprisingly, the wedding outfit was simple contrary to what Merlin feared. In fact the only thing he had to wear over his tunic was a knee-long blue robe. A golden dragon was embroidered at left side of the robe just above the heart. And a golden phoenix was embroidered at the back.

Merlin had to admit that the robe was gorgeous. The leather pant he wore was not very different from his usual ones. After dressing himself and placing the crown on his head, he went towards the door of his chamber. Before opening the door , he took a deep breath.

" Right then. Into battle. "

Opening the door, he found Uriel standing outside waiting for him. Uriel smiled warmly after seeing Merlin.

" So, you're ready ? "

" As ready as I can ever be. "

Uriel sensed Merlin's nervousness in his voice. So, he said,

" Don't worry, young king. We all feel jittery in our wedding day. I had it too in my wedding day. But believe me , it all gets better after the ceremony. " Uriel winked at Merlin and Merlin blushed a little and gave a nervous smile.

The two of them began walking through the city. People were cheering seeing their king and Merlin was waving his hand in reply.

" Where the wedding will be? You people never told me anything about it. And where the hell is my mother ? " Merlin asked. He was a little annoyed that he didn't even see his mother's face today.

" Hunith is with Freya preparing her for the wedding. As for the location, just wait a little longer. " Uriel said.

Merlin groaned again but said nothing as he knew he wouldn't be able to coax out the information from Uriel.

They walked silently for a while but then Merlin spoke up when he saw they were going out of the city.

" Hang on. Where are we going ? "

" Out of the city. We're going to the venue of your wedding. You'll love it. A Druid named Andrea proposed it first and the council agreed with it. "

Merlin just nodded and followed Uriel.

When they came out of the inner city, they were greeted by a dense fog.

" What the hell is this ? I can't see a thing. " Merlin said with a growing sense of foreboding.

" It's for not ruining the surprise. Just take my hand and you won't get lost. "

Merlin did as Uriel said.

They continued walking through the fog. Merlin didn't have a clue of where they were going. But soon his confusion was erased when they came out of the fog. The king of Elmet found himself in a beautiful- no, in a breathtaking place. Before him was a magnificent and a gigantic waterfall. Radiant sunlight was falling on it's water and a beautiful rainbow was formed. At the foot of the waterfall was a lake which looked very much similar to the lake of Arcaenia. There was an island at the center of the lake. A path made of lily pads began from the shore and went towards the island. All in all, the place looked other worldly.

" What is this place ? " Merlin asked.

" The lake of Arcaenia. " Uriel said as a matter of factly.

" I never knew there was any mountain near the lake, let alone a waterfall and another island. "

" Vendrick's illusions. " Uriel gave the short answer.

" Of course. How stupid of me! " Merlin said smilingly.

" You liked it ? " Uriel asked.

Merlin looked at Uriel and saw he was expecting for his answer eagerly.

" Of course. I have never seen such beautiful pla... err.. illusion in my entire life. Thank you. "

" You deserve it. Now let's go. We're going to be late. "

Uriel stepped on the pads and began to walk towards the island. Merlin began to follow.

The path was way long. They had to walk for at least ten minutes until they reached the island.

Hundreds of people were gathered on the island. All of them cheered when Merlin arrived.

" The groom has arrived. " The people said in unison.

Suddenly some strong pairs of hands grabbed him and before Merlin could understand what was happening, he was up in the air. He yelped in surprise and shouted to let him down. But none heeded his words. He was carried at the center of the island and was placed on a golden throne and a huge curtain was hanging in the air magically before the throne blocking the view in front of the throne.

" What the hell was that ? " Merlin yelled.

" Calm down, your kingliness. It is just a tradition that the groom has to be carried partly by his friends on his way to his wedding place. And now we have arrived. "

Daegal's voice came into Merlin's ears. Merlin looked at his right and saw his friend giving him an amusing look.

" Is there any more traditional thing that has to be done before the real wedding ? I am getting a little frustrated. "

" Ooooh! The king can't wait to see our queen. " A girl said while giggling.

Merlin blushed a little hearing the comment and to hide his embarrassment, he looked at his left and right but didn't see any sign of Freya. But he did see his mother. She came towards him and stood right beside the throne after pressing a soft kiss on Merlin's forehead.

Iseldir who was standing among the crowds understood who was Merlin looking for and said, " She's right before you. "

" At the other side ? "

" Yes. "

" Why ? "

" It is inappropriate for the groom to see the bride before the vowing. "

Merlin rolled his eyes but didn't get the chance to say anything as someone coughed to get everyone's attention. Merlin craned his neck to see who it was. It was Alator who was going to be the priest to conduct the wedding.

' So it begins. ' Merlin thought.

Alator began. " We have all gathered here to witness the union of two hearts and souls. And it is my honour to be the priest of this wedding. Is there who doesn't agree with this reunion ? "

" No. " Hundreds of voices roared.

" Then we can begin. Merlin, please stand up. " Alator looked at the curtain and said. " The same thing goes for you, Freya.

Merlin stood up. Though he was a little nervous, he was ready for this. He was waiting for this day for almost seven years and today his dream was coming true.

Merlin's thought was disrupted by Alator's voice.

" Let the curtain fall. In three, two, one. "

The hanging curtain vanished.

Merlin imagined many things what he might saw at the other side but he was never prepared to see what he saw.

There before him stood his dream girl, his partner, the love of his life, Freya Linorien.

But she looked different. She was radiant like the sun. White light was emitting from her long sleeved white dress. Her dark brown hair was loose and was flowing wildly behind her in the light breeze. She was smiling and her smile made Merlin's heart flutter. Her brown eyes were twinkling with joy which gave Merlin a sense of peace which he never felt before.

" Ahem. " Merlin and Freya both almost jumped when Alator coughed.

Alator began the ceremony.

" Do you, Merlin Ambrosius wish to be one with this woman standing before you. ? "

" I do. "

" Do you promise that you will stand by her in will and woe ? "

" I do. "

" Do you promise that you will try your utmost to protect her from every danger that might fall upon her ? "

" I do. "

" And do you promise that you will respect her and love her ? "

" I do. Now and forever. "

Alator asked the same questions to Freya and she gave the same answers. For Merlin, it seemed the ceremony was taking too long. He couldn't wait any more and by the look of Freya's face, he could bet that she was feeling same as him.

" Anatano kamini okoga. " Alator chanted in the language of the ancient religion. A golden light engulfed Merlin and Freya. They understood that it was the blessing given by Alator.

" By the name of The One, I Alator of the Catha pronounce you, Merlin Ambrosius and Freya Ambrosius, husband and wife. You may kiss now. "

They didn't have to be told twice. Soon, their lips crashed against one another.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

When Merlin was young, all he ever wanted was to be free. He wanted to be free from fear. He wanted to use magic freely without the fear of losing his head. He wanted to live peacefully.

When he met Freya, there was one more thing that was added to his wish list. He wanted to be one with her. To live side by side with the one he loved. Now as he was kissing Freya, he felt that he got all he ever wanted, all his dreams had come true.

He thanked the heavens that he had come to Elmet. Elmet had given him everything that he wanted and he was grateful for that.

But now it was time to look forward. It was time for the people of Elmet to crown their new queen.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOO

When Freya got cursed by the witch, she thought that she had no reason to live anymore. Her own clan abandoned her. Then, she got captured by that bounty hunter , Halig and she became sure that she would die soon. In a way, she felt relieved. She didn't have to live and kill innocent people anymore. But then she met Merlin. A boy whose soul was bright. A boy who cured her of the curse. But more importantly, a boy who made her feel loved.

That young boy gave her back the will to live again. She promised herself that she would live. She would live for Merlin so that one day she could be one with whom she loved.

Yes, she fell in love with Merlin on that day when he freed her from the curse and from that day, all she ever wanted was to be Merlin's partner, his wife, his love forever.

Now that she was kissing the man who she loved, she felt happy. She felt complete.

She got all she ever wanted.

OOOOOOOOOOOOO

Sorry to those who thought that the wedding was going to be long. In our country, the vowing is very short. I am not a specialist in romance. But the good news is we're going back to Camelot the next chapter and two certain kings are going to meet each other face to face. Please leave a review. I would very much appreciate them.

Happy reading.

-Assassin of Syria.