A Marriage that Started a Legend

by IJustShowedUp

Follows canon but with my own arranged marriage spin on it. What happens when Hunith makes a mistake and is forced on the run with her infant son? What happens when Camelot knights find her twenty years later? What happens when Arthur learns he's betrothed to a peasant boy? Will Merlin be able to stand among royalty? Will these two different boys survive each other? Review!

180. Chapter 182

This chapter is dedicated to Seiramallipop, who wanted to see Arthur making a very public statement in order to stop the rumors about Merlin being a whore, I hope they like how I went about it ;p

X

Arthur Pendragon felt as if he was a caged tiger, unhinged and dangerous and ready to sharpen his claws along the throat of the first man who would try and accost him. He paced back and forth in an uneven line, the torches hanging off the walls flickering and causing his shadow to bounce from floor to wall, trying in vain to follow his steps. Arthur hadn't felt this untethered since…since…well, since that night. The night that everything started shifting into perspective for the prince. The night his father had locked him in a jail cell beneath the castle to prevent him from bringing the flower that would heal Merlin from his poison to Gaius. So many weeks had passed since then, so much stuff had happened since that day, and yet, Arthur still found himself in the exact same position he had been in…prowling like a beast in heat. Though there was one difference to now when compared with that night…

Arthur wasn't caged.

He had complete, and unfettered access to do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted, and however he wanted. He was free to leave this hall whenever he damn well pleased, to storm through the dozens of people that would stand in the way between him and Merlin, and then…and then WHAT, was the extremely familiar conundrum that Arthur was facing. He never really knew for sure how he was meant to behave with Merlin, and today was no different. He could only imagine Merlin looking up at him with annoyance etched into his every feature the second Arthur approached him, and Arthur would have to fight the urge to cup Merlin around his chin, his thumb grazing along the curve of his jawline, to get his attention. And Merlin would shiver under his touch as he floundered on what he was supposed to say to him.

What was he supposed to say to him, thought the prince as he fought the urge to start ripping his own hair out of his head…fuck! Merlin wasn't going to start shivering because Arthur was touching him, because Arthur was the FIRST to touch him so intimately…no. Not the Merlin he knew. The Merlin he knew was going to spew hatred from his pink lips and try to slug Arthur in the face even before the first whispered apology came from him. It was unbecoming of him, yes, but Arthur could feel a half-mad grin spreading across his face. Yeah, his lovely little consort was most likely going to hit him again. But it was a pain he would gladly endure, a gift from the gods, to have Merlin bestowing any kind of attention onto him…

A fucking virgin!

Merlin was an untouched flower, more pure than the driven snow, never seen by unworthy eyes in the throes of his passion. Bloody nineteen years old and more innocent than a teenager just discovering how to pleasure themselves. It was as if, just knowing that Lancelot hadn't touched his consort, that rumor he had been clinging onto so tightly, had fallen before his very eyes. Shattered in a million, thousand different pieces. If Lancelot, who Arthur had been so sure was on the brink of running away with his consort, hadn't touched Merlin, then what would make Arthur think that anybody else had? No…if Lancelot was just a misunderstanding of some sort, then Arthur was willing to bet every gold ounce in the royal treasury, that everything he believed was also a misunderstanding. All the 'facts' Arthur had treated as proof of Merlin's infidelity…there was more to their stories. Arthur taking things out of context. The woolen blindfold he'd had over his eyes…wasn't there any longer.

VIRGIN!

Innocence…virginal…pure.

Arthur stopped his pacing only long enough to throw his head back and let out a bark of laughter…he was stunned. But so…so…fucking happy. He didn't think he had felt this happy in so long. There was something about KNOWING…that no man had seen the flush of arousal spreading across Merlin's cheeks, made Arthur more confident with himself. Knowing Merlin had never gotten down on his knees for another man and wrapped his lips around them…because Merlin didn't know what a bloody blowjob was! Fuck, knowing Merlin had never sat on another man's lap, and allowed that man to defile him like a whore…made the prince almost giddy with relief. He could have…he could have…he could have jumped his way up a bloody mountain! Could have climbed to the rooftops of the castle itself, by climbing the stone towers and not running the stairs, just so he could scream into the heavens over the wonderful gift it had given him today. His heart felt as if it was overflowing, too strong and too much for one mortal man's body to take.

FUCKING VIRGIN!

Arthur would repeat this fact in his head as many times as he could count, till that one word repeated a thousand times started to bleed together. Until it felt as if it was real, and not just another strange dream that would have him begin freaking out the second that he awoke. Arthur could bloody well grope Merlin, and the boy wouldn't even understand the sexual components about it! Merlin would just hit him because Arthur had grabbed his arse! Because he was this bloody clueless, nineteen year old married, VIRGIN! Who wouldn't even know if somebody was trying to talk him into bed with him! Because just as Leon said to him, many moons ago when he had first brought Merlin to the kingdom, his consort didn't understand anything! Merlin didn't understand what sex was! So obviously, he hadn't been having sex this entire time! Because Merlin wouldn't have any bloody clue what the hole in his backside could do, besides pushing out his bodily waste! Merlin didn't have a clue what his own cock could do, as nobody had ever touched it before! Fuck, he probably didn't even know there were pleasure points in his nipples, if he was sensitive that way, because not a single man had ever touched them!

VIRGIN!

INNOCENT!

PURE!

"So, what you mean to tell me, is that there is absolutely nothing going on with you and Merlin? You're absolutely one hundred percent…straight? And haven't even ONCE considered doing anything untoward with my consort? Because I'd understand…Merlin's an odd looking fella and I know that some people may've liked it." Arthur asked Lancelot for what had to be the millionth time…he's done this every few minutes. Just stop whatever thought he'd been on, just to check that Lancelot's answer hadn't changed in the last few moments. But Lancelot's been consistent, and at this point, Arthur didn't even wait for an answer before he returned to his pacing. He just liked reassuring himself that he really hadn't fallen back into the strange world that was his dreams. Arthur's pacing grew a bit more restless, ignoring Lancelot watching him even as he continued talking to him, "And that favor? The blue one that you were wearing that very first day you approached me…you do realize I only punched you because I thought that Merlin liked you a little too much…are you telling me that really was just given to you from Gwen? Merlin really gave it to her because she wanted to give you something nice?"

Lancelot's entire face lit up at the sound of Gwen's name, and it was sickening as it was sweet, like a puppy who'd imprinted on the first person they saw and decided to follow them around always. Lancelot's hand fluttered somewhere around his chest, and Arthur had a feeling Lancelot was probably wearing that favor on his person right now. A little piece of Gwen to carry with him during a great accomplishment…Arthur hadn't needed to see Lancelot's face to realize how obsessed Lancelot was with the handmaiden. Obsessed, might not be the word for it…Arthur was obsessed with Merlin and knew what that looked like. It was different with Lancelot though…he had more 'puppy adoration' and Arthur didn't need a verbal answer to know the warrior had never looked at his Merlin like that. Which Arthur couldn't really understand, he should be offended that anybody would choose a HANDMAIDEN over Merlin. But to each their own, and if Lancelot liked Gwen, well…at least that meant he wasn't sniffing around their consort. Lancelot could ask Gwen to dance, and they could be happy, maybe even make a dozen babies together, and Arthur wouldn't need to punch him in the face for it. Because Merlin, if he was orchestrating favors, had approved of the match! Merlin wasn't going to lock himself in his room for days and cry till he was sick with it because Lancelot had broken his heart or something.

Arthur turned back away from Lancelot and paced down the length of the hall before coming back…this was great! Perfect! Absolutely beautiful! Nothing in the world could get in the way of Merlin and Arthur doing…what? Arthur didn't know 'what' they would be doing now that this blockage no longer stood in the way. But it was gone now. Gone and disappeared as if it had never bloody well existed! Arthur would be free to walk around without the weight of jealousy on his chest, without the weight of anger and humiliation following him each and every place he went to. Merlin was free to…marvel at the flowers or whatever girly thing the boy liked to do, without Arthur jumping to conclusions. Arthur no longer needed to believe Merlin was looking for something to bring to his suitor or lover. Arthur no longer had to wonder if Merlin was taking dates or if he was just letting strangers roll around with him in a hayloft somewhere. Fuck it, this was going to free up so much of Arthur's time! So much STRESS he did not have to go through just…gone. Like a wind that could be felt but not quite caught.

"Wait-" Arthur stopped, and he spun around sharply on his heels to face the other man as a sudden thought struck him, Lancelot's eyes went wide when faced with Arthur's sternness. But Arthur's future happiness was resting on what Lancelot's answer was going to be. "Back when we were on the fields…when I first told you about Merlin being the Consort. Merlin got angry about it and at one point, he told me everything he gave you had been 'willingly and knowingly'. I trust that you must know what he meant by that. Because it was clearly not what I was thinking it was."

All those days ago, when Merlin had been spitting fire at him after Arthur had told the boy's biggest secret to the stranger, Arthur had assumed the consort meant sex. That he had willingly and knowingly given his body over to Lancelot and was trying to rub that fact in Arthur's face, forcing salt into a wound, but…Merlin hadn't even known the wound was there! Merlin was bloody innocent! It never would have occurred to him that Arthur had misconstructed anything he said as sex! Because Merlin, as Arthur had originally believed, didn't know that it was even possible for two men to have sex! He didn't know…a sudden breath escaped the prince's throat. A sliver of dread creeping through the relief he'd been feeling all this time. He hardly even heard Lancelot's answer, after having already moved onto something…much more disturbing.

"Oh, of course…Merlin simply meant by armor and my gear. You see, most of my belongings had gotten destroyed during my fight with the creature when I first arrived in the city. So it left me with practically nothing more than what I had on my back. Merlin felt guilty about it, I suppose, especially when I started telling him why I had came to Camelot in the first place." Lancelot explained in a slow and careful tone…he was leaving bits of information out. His eyes falling off to the side so he wasn't looking at Arthur. All signs of somebody lying, but Arthur only nodded absentmindedly. Yes…that made sense with what he knew about Merlin. Always wanting to correct things, to get involved…of course he'd help out Lancelot during a time of need. "He simply got me more things that I could use. He didn't want me to be behind any of the other recruits for helping him. Wanted me to have my best chance at succeeding, and all that…"

Arthur once again nodded absentmindedly, his stomach twisting into horrible knots that had him pressing his hand against it in order to relieve some of the aching…Merlin didn't know. That thought kept returning to Arthur's mind over and over again…Merlin didn't fucking know! All those times that Arthur spit his cruelty at him, all those times Arthur had fussed at him for looking like he was too interested in somebody, all those times Arthur had gotten himself worked up for nothing…Merlin hadn't understood. He hadn't understood what Arthur had been sayin, had been fussing about, he didn't know Arthur had assumed he had been opening his legs every night for even the most grotesque of men to seek their pleasure. Arthur had been, essentially, kicking down a puppy with all the force that one would use on a hunting dog attacking.

Arthur remembered all the times he had accused Merlin of something, how his consort had referred to his sexual appetite as…dates. Because Arthur, just like with Lancelot, had never actually used the word 'sex.' Merlin, not knowing the adult content Arthur was ranting about, had filled in his own blanks. And had wrongfully assumed everybody thought he was 'dating' other men…god! How did somebody so bloody innocent truly survive in this world! How had a grown man survived this past month without figuring out what everybody was talking about! Had nobody really mentioned sex to him? Had nobody made any awful, off-colored joke about Merlin's loose morals, or had Merlin just taken it all out of context? Arthur's stomach was lurching…why hadn't he been there? How'd he not see Merlin's confusion and his ignorance and…fuck! This had been the kind of something Arthur should've been protecting Merlin from! He knew full well how rumors could get twisted or started, he'd been the victim of it more times than he could count. And yet, the second Merlin had became the latest victim, instead of doing damage control and squashing the rumor flat, he had allowed it to fester and grew. Until the entire kingdom thought Merlin out as a slut, until random girls dressed in orange thought she could call Merlin out as a whore right to his face without fear…

Arthur had called Merlin a whore.

When he first confronted Merlin about the rumors…

"You don't seem to be all that upset about me thinking you were sleeping with my consort. I would've thought, considering it's not true, that you would have been freaking out a bit more than you are. But you seem strangely calm for a man just accused of having a homosexual relationship with a married man." He spoke numbly, needing something to distract himself as he pressed his hands against his stomach harder, adding pressure as if it would stop him before he threw up all over his shoes. His tongue felt thick in his mouth, but talking with Lancelot had to stop him from reliving that dreadful day. The day he screamed about his whore consort in front of the entire kingdom…trying to not remember how strongly Merlin had reacted when that orange girl had called him such. "I don't believe other men would still be standing here with me if I accused them of touching my consort. Most men would probably accuse me of speaking out with blasphemy for even suggesting such a thing…"

Arthur knew, without a doubt, that he would have been freaking out if any had accused him of…touching a man. Sleeping with a man. Liking that he slept with a man. He had already freaked out more times than he could count…when he'd first heard of his marriage to Merlin. When he had first started getting close to Merlin before sharply pulling back. All those times he thought somebody must be talking about him, or looking at him, just because he was standing with his own consort. When his own father had asked him if he had consummated their marriage. When his dream woke him, his own hard cock tenting the sheets this horrid reminder about what he had been doing in said dream. All those times Merlin had announced he was gay and liked men without shame or fear holding him down…Lancelot wasn't acting like that at all. Other than his initial surprise when Arthur accused him, the warrior and him could've been talking about the weather. Why wasn't he freaking out more? Why wasn't he worrying himself to death about what other people thought…surely Arthur hadn't been the only to notice his closeness with Merlin. Surely Lancelot understood that others were probably thinking the same thing Arthur had been…that he was SODOMIZING Merlin.

"I don't really rule myself with things that are out of my control. I find that the people are going to think what they are going to think, and yes, I can try and change their mindsets if it's a worthy cause. But people thinking I'm gay isn't exactly my top concern. In fact, I don't really care at all." Lancelot said, with a half hearted shrug that caught Arthur's fascination almost immediately…he did not care? Lancelot didn't care if people were whispering about him, accusing him of committing sins that, just a generation or two ago, could've gotten him stoned in the middle of the courtyard. How…Arthur didn't understand. "As long as Guinevere knows I'm not trying to court her best friend instead of her, then I'm not worried about it. I'm pretty confident with my sexuality. And it's nobody else's business but my own, and the woman that I'm with."

…Confident in his sexuality….Lancelot was confident with his sexuality! He was so confident, he didn't even flinch with Arthur accusing him of being gay. That didn't make any sense either though! Because Arthur was confident about his own sexuality! He had always liked women. For as long as he could remember, he had never once thought of a man the same way he had thought about any woman, except for…well…Merlin was an oddity! The strange thoughts Arthur's had towards Merlin had always been for one reason or the other. Even when it had first started happening, it had only been because Arthur had wanted to be the one to punish him in the most humiliating way he could think of. To punish him for being married off to him. And even now that those thoughts had grown into his dreams, evolving past his waking hours….he had his reasons. And not a single one of them had to do with 'questioning his sexuality.' And yet, Arthur still felt nauseated by people assuming he slept with Merlin…didn't he? Maybe not as much as he had anymore. But it surely wasn't an appeasing thought for him either…he needed to stop this whole having a crisis thing. Arthur had one problem at a time to face. One problem to stress himself over. One problem to deal with…

"Besides, Merlin doesn't like me like that. He's practically playing Cupid just to help me and Gwen get together. He's really the best, you know, and I'm sorry it isn't something you can see. Merlin goes out of his way when he doesn't have to…it's why I trust him so much. He KNOWS what hardship is, and is still willing to help even when it's something like romance. Which isn't exactly something I would expect a consort to get his hands in, when he has much bigger things to worry about." Lancelot lectured, the sheer confidence in Merlin and his ability almost stumping Arthur…not because Arthur didn't think Merlin was capable of doing great things, he had already seen the great things Merlin's been willing to do. But it was still surprising to hear a stranger speak with so much faith in Merlin, and for the first time…Arthur didn't feel hatred when he heard passion in Lancelot's voice. It wasn't the heated passion that came when somebody's caught feeling. It was…something else… "I have great respect for the Consort, you have absolutely no idea. And it's amazing to think for even a second that I would turn his head like that. But honestly…Merlin's like a brother. A little, tiny brother that needs all the help that he can get. Help that I'm willing to offer to him, especially now that I'm a knight."

There was a lump in Arthur's throat after he caught the way Lancelot had been giving him a pointed look…clearly pointing out how Merlin needed help due to ARTHUR. Maybe…maybe Arthur hadn't exactly been off. Maybe Lancelot and Merlin did actually plan to run away together one of these days. But it was not because they were in love with each other. No…it was because Lancelot cared for Merlin. Not as a lover. But far more than one would care for somebody who was essentially their boss. Lancelot was claiming Merlin as family, a powerful thing indeed in their society. Merlin might bear the Pendragon name, but it was no laughing matter if the Eldred Family latched themselves onto Merlin. Those feelings had to be sincere though, after all Lancelot's done, in order to protect Merlin from him. Protect Merlin from him because Arthur couldn't be trusted to not hurt him. To not shatter him down to size because of a stupid rumor…shit…Arthur should've known better. But he hadn't. And now he was lost, and Merlin was a virgin, and he had a protector that wasn't Arthur…

"I only hit him because I thought he was cheating on me."

Arthur's lowly murmured confession to Lancelot seemed to confuse him, lifting an eyebrow up at the prince. But Arthur couldn't bear to look at him for even a second longer…his legs felt as if they were turning to jelly and he was only two seconds away from dropping to his knees and screaming into the ground to be forgiven when he didn't deserve forgiveness…he had HIT MERLIN. He swore to keep Merlin safe. Swore, after Valiant had attacked him, that he'd never live in fear beneath his roof. But Merlin had lived in fear. Day in and day out, enemies spreading across the castle because Arthur had basically denounced him in a public setting. Arthur had set the curve, and his men had followed it. He took a hand to Merlin, when he never should have touched him. Even if Merlin really had been cheating on him, Arthur should've walked away instead of letting his temper rule him. Merlin was smaller and weaker and more defenseless than he was, up against a man twice his weight in muscle who had been trained to kill practically before he knew how to talk. Merlin hadn't stood a chance. And so what had Merlin done…he'd both starved and mutilated himself. And the blond still hadn't been smart enough to realize how…dreadfully wrong he had been regarding this…he was a horrible protector.

"I…I need to do something about this…I need to do something about this right now-"

Arthur's voice came out rushed, a sudden burst of pure panic shooting along every nerve ending, every cell, every drop of blood that ran through his veins until it was the only thing he could feel. Nearly paralyzing him with it, his eyes darting back and forth as if he didn't already know where the door that would lead him back to the party was. He was slow, but he needed to be much faster. Arthur nearly raced to the door, throwing himself past Lancelot, scrambling at the door handle as if his very life depended on it, and cursing himself when his clumsy hands took too long to open it. Every second suddenly counted, every second suddenly felt like a second wasted. His people thought Merlin a whore, and it was Arthur's job to correct that. He needed to try cleaning away Merlin's reputation. Maybe if he fixed this, maybe if he could bloody well get this damn door open-he thought as he rattled the door violently enough for it to shake in its frame-then he could fix everything.

X

"Merlin, will you just relax. You've been anxious for hours. There's no need for all of that. It's a party, you're supposed to be having a good time and having a bit of fun. Not worrying yourself over things you shouldn't even be bothering with. Gwen's not anxious, and it's her boyfriend we're talking about." Said the Lady Morgana, shaking her head as Merlin Pendragon gave her this pout of a scowl. It was almost funny, the lady thought. But they were already past this being funny. Maybe Morgana had been exaggerating about it being hours, it had only been a few minutes at most, but Merlin looked as if he had drunken something with far too much sugar in it. Jittering all over the place, tapping his shoe against the floor in a beat that had nothing to do with the calming music the harpist was playing on the sidelines. Gwen was blushing furiously, and the lady shook her head in fond exasperation. "Come, Gwen. We haven't exactly been in here all that long, and I've seen your knight glance at you at least a dozen times or so. I think it's safe to say he's got eyes for you and only you. It is more than I can say for Merlin though, who's been PANICKING ever since both he and Arthur disappeared. I can assure you, Arthur hasn't taken off with the man to cut him into a thousand tiny pieces in the back yard. I'm sure they will be back momentarily."

Morgana casually took a long sip of her wine, eyeing Merlin from over the lip of her goblet…he had been doing so well. Talking with them, and laughing about the ridiculousness of the evening. Lady Marigold had literal golden feathers in her hair, and it only made her look washed out. Lady Nieve had spent the night holding onto her belly, while denying she was pregnant…Morgana suspected it wasn't her husband's. There had been rumors in the past that the man had this old battle injury that left him infertile. Or cursed by a witch, some of the more crazier people had suggested. There were a few more laughs here and there to spice up their evening, or at least it had been…until Merlin had noticed Arthur and Lancelot were missing from the bench they had been sitting on. Morgana hadn't even known they'd been sitting there until Merlin had brought it up in a panic! Morgana had just barely managed to stop the boy from darting off to try and commence his own search and rescue operation, absolutely convinced the prince must be doing something he heinous to Lancelot. But Morgana doubted Arthur had gone through the trouble of making Lancelot a knight, only to force himself through the trouble of disposing him afterwards. It had settled Merlin down some, but the fun had clearly been sapped out of them. And she wanted to get it back, the lady thought as she pressed her lips together to think of the one thing that could make their spirits rise. Perhaps the one thing that would stop Merlin from looking around the room as if Lancelot and Arthur were going to jump out of a hiding spot somewhere and take him by surprise. The thought came to Morgana, a golden thought, and her dark lips spread wide into a real saucy grin, her eyes landing on Gwen.

"So, Guinevere. I've been hearing so much talk lately about this new man that has taken Camelot by storm…you must imagine my surprise when you started telling me all about him during your work, I'm sure you are much more familiar with him then the other noble ladies hoping to catch his eye." Morgana said in a teasing way, it wasn't often that the lady got to tease her friend about a new man in her life. Gwen didn't really get the chance often, to seek out any kind of relationship for herself, which had to be a true shame. Gwen was such a lovely and beautiful girl, it was great that a noble was able to see past Gwen being a servant. Often, nobles that consorted with servants only wanted to use them for pleasure before discarding them like trash. But Morgana hadn't gotten that kind of vibe from Lancelot in their short interactions. "Tell me, has he tried and do anything romantic with you? Has he taken you out someplace? Please tell me he's going to make it official and ask you if he has permission to court you. Or does he plan to keep his longing puppy dog eyes across the room because he's too shy to ask you?"

With each word Morgana spewed out, Gwen only seemed to grow steadily and steadily darker, her face flushing redder and redder until Morgana started truly fearing she might have popped a blood vessel. But Morgana hid her smile right behind her goblet, as the other girl started to stumble and fumble her words in embarrassment…it only made Gwen more amused. There were plenty of things that tripped over her shy and clumsy friend, but it was nice to know Gwen was stumbling over a romantic interest. Perhaps Morgana should set aside a bit of time to…have a talk, with this Lancelot. If he could make Gwen so flustered by just bringing up his name then Morgana wanted to…make sure that her women intuition was right about Lancelot. She didn't want Gwen heartbroken over the stranger if he turned out to be a creep, as she didn't have much experience on men and wouldn't be able to see any red flags as clearly as Morgana could see them. But…Morgana glanced over to her second friend, frowning after she saw Merlin still hadn't stopped looking around the room…Merlin seemed to like the man well enough. But then again, Merlin had even less experience with a man wanting only one thing from him, then Gwen did. So either Lancelot had them both fooled, or he really was as good as he seemed to be.

"Don't be silly. Lancelot's not shy. He's just being…really sweet about things and taking his time. I find that quite admirable in a man. Not trying to rush in things before we know whether or not something's going to be happening at all." Gwen finally managed to say, a polite and thin lipped smile being flashed in Morgana's direction. Morgana arched a high eyebrow up at her, not buying Gwen's little act for even a second. There was a man being generous enough to not pressure a woman into something she didn't want, and then there was a man who wanted the woman the same as she wanted him and wasting time by not coming forward. Personally, Morgana would prefer a man that wouldn't be a waste of her time. Somebody who'd come forward before Morgana decided he had waited too long and another suitor would be a better fit for her. "…Fine. I get it. You know that I like him. And he knows that I like him. I even confessed to him not that long ago. But…I don't know. We haven't really had any time for a conversation since then. The survivors from that village arrived, and then he had to get ready for his test, and now we're here and…I don't know."

Gwen shrugged helplessly, and Morgana ruefully shook her head before she took a long sip of her wine. She would definitely have to have a talk with that man if he didn't approach Gwen before the night ended. She didn't want her friend standing around and waiting in some kind of…limbo….for a man who did not bother making time to get his affairs into order. There was a small handful of lesser nobles Morgana knew, who weren't pigs, and might be interested in courting a serving girl. Perhaps she could introduce Gwen to some of them to see if any caught her fancy. Should Lancelot not get his head out of his arse to tell the handmaiden what they were doing. If Gwen was looking for romance, it was something Morgana could definitely help with. She knew which of the men weren't radiating red flags that shouldn't be overlooked. But Merlin, which was to her surprise, spoke up.

"You're thinking about this too much, Gwen. Lancelot's practically in love with you already. You clearly haven't seen the way he's been looking at you if you're doubting his intentions. You should just hear the way he talks about you when we're alone. He's probably dying right now to just be in your company." Merlin hadn't even looked at the handmaiden, still glancing around the room to see if Lancelot or Arthur would pop out of the woodwork. He hardly seemed to even notice how he admitted Lancelot had been talking about Gwen, Morgana was pretty sure that violated some kind of 'guy rule'. Or at least that's what Arthur explained to her once many years ago, when she had been ranting about how complicated guys were after one of her suitors, Knight Colass, had pretended she didn't exist the day after she kissed him…they had been thirteen. She has gotten over it, but it was still annoying. "Just you wait for it. Lancelot probably wants to do things right and court you proper. I bet you he'll approach before the night is over and ask you to dance or something."

Gwen started stuttering helplessly, tugging on the waistline of her dress with a subconscious air about her. Glancing over to the small area people had already taken over as a dance floor…gentlemen and ladies with long gowns that made swishes around their ankles. Wearing ornate hair pieces that could've fed any peasant family for a year or more with just the gemstones embedded into the golden frame. It was most definitely not the place for a handmaiden to be, but Morgana thought Gwen's presence on that floor would most certainty liven the place up. Even though she would be turned away the second she tried walking onto that floor by herself…nobles wouldn't take too kindly to a servant trying to mingle with them. She would need Lancelot to bring her to keep the others quiet.

"Hmmm, dancing does sound nice. It's been quite a while since I've managed to have an interesting dance with somebody. And it DOES sound like it would be the perfect first step to starting courtship. Something romantic that you'll actually remember later on down the line." Morgana said with a teasing smirk, glancing around the room herself to try and find…interesting company for her own. But she knew most of the men here. And let's just say…her options were much slimmer than Gwen. Oh, there was no doubt that any knight here would love to be the one to escort her. But Morgana was picky, and liked keeping her options open more often than not. "Unless you don't think dancing is for you…but surely you must have some idea on what you'd like involved if a courtship develops between you and Lancelot…spill, Gwen. What would your ideal date be with your young gentlemen, if it isn't for a night on the dance floor?"

There was an endless moment of silence, where Gwen started twisting around her fingers in the sleeves of her dress, and Morgana had to wonder if she had pushed the girl too hard to speak about this. Oh, it wasn't strange for her and Gwen to talk about boys, they were young women, after all. With a healthy eye on their male counterparts. But it was usually Morgana, either interested in or making fun of, the latest man who thought he could win her hand with nothing more than a few pretty words. As if she hadn't heard it all a thousand different times before. Gwen wasn't used to this kind of attention though, and it wasn't going to surprise Morgana if the handmaiden made some kind of excuse to not talk about this anymore. So, Morgana was pleasantly surprised when the other girl blurted out an answer before she could swallow it back down.

"A picnic in the woods might be nice!" And the girl immediately went red along her face all over again, as if there was something scandalous about eating out of a basket on a blanket in the middle of the woods. Morgana actually thought it was…quite sweet. And would probably fit Gwen perfectly. So unlike the other nobles that had tried courting Morgana, only to insist they dine with Uther as a chaperone…more like an excuse for themselves to catch the king's eye. Being way more interested in impressing the man who looked after her since her own parents had died, instead of her. There was a reason Morgana didn't accept a man's offer very often these days. "I just mean, I think it would be really nice if Lancelot and I could…get away from all this. Like you said, there are many who will want to catch his eye now that he's so well known. And I wouldn't want any distractions. I mean…I would like the quiet, where it could be just the two of us getting to know each other better. I mean-"

Gwen stopped herself abruptly, squeaking a little when she saw the surprising, wicked grin upon her ladies face…she looked promptly horrified with herself as she seemed to realize the inappropriate direction Morgana's mind had turned toward. There were only so many reasons a young woman would want to be all alone with a young man…only so many reasons why she was so eager to leave before some other poor soul snatched him up from her grip. And Morgana had yet to hear anything about a proper chaperone being put into place to have as a witness that nothing…untoward…happened. Then again, peasants were a bit looser with things like that. Nobles were strict though, and Lancelot would be, obviously, following the laws of the land. One wouldn't want a handmaiden to get pregnant out of wedlock, and then accuse a noblemen of being the one to impregnate her. There were reasons as to why chaperones were included with a proper courtship, it was less messy for everybody involved if somebody else could claim nothing happened and the nobleman hadn't touched her. Not that she thought Gwen would do something so…scandalous…on a first outing with her crush. But it was fun teasing her, the other girl looked as if she'd gone and actually popped that blood vessel in her head.

"I think a picnic in the woods sounds like a lovely idea. Maybe I'll suggest it to Lancelot should Arthur make him miss the rest of the celebrations and he does not get his chance to take you out onto the dance floor. I bet it'd be something he'd enjoy, especially if it makes you happy, Gwen." Merlin rejoined himself into their conversation, and Morgana straightened up with a pleased expression on her face. Merlin was still glancing around for where the two men had wondered off too, but at least he was focusing on them now. Even if he didn't know why Gwen had been stuttering under Morgana's silent teasing. "Besides, Lancelot is this whole…rough, tough, save the world kind of man, don't you think. That sounds exactly like your type. So I don't know why you're worrying. I've got it on good authority that you're just his type as well."

Merlin leaned his shoulder against Gwen's bumping against her with a more playful smile as he joined in on the trading, albeit a more innocent kind than the one Morgana had been subjecting her too. Morgana still enjoyed it either way…having her friends here. Feeling as if there was nothing in the world that could tear them apart. Not weeks of depression, not the blooms of a first love, and…Morgana arched her eyebrow high above her head. A…real, rough, tough, save the world kind of man? She hadn't known that was Gwen's type of man, it felt like something that she should know. But there was clearly a story behind that, as Gwen shyly shoved back at Merlin with a growing grin, the heat in her cheeks started to lessen, to Morgana's disappointment. She would need to be hearing that story another time though.

"And what about you, Merlin? We've been so busy teasing Gwen all about her new beau, that we've yet to ask you what your ideal first date in any courtship would be? I'm sure that you've got something in mind about what you would like to do?" Morgana asked the consort, wanting him to join in on their fun by revealing his innermost desire. Merlin blinked at her, looking honestly stunned by Morgana suggesting he would…ever have a courtship. Morgana''s teasing grin slipped slightly…had Merlin honestly not thought about it? Or had Arthur beaten him down so much, that he had dismissed such things completely…not on her watch, Morgana decided. Shaking out her dark locks and plastering on an encouraging smile, "Come on. I mean, if you weren't married to Arthur right now, if one of the young gentlemen here tonight took a sign to you and wanted to take you out for an evening. Where would you want him to bring you?"

There was a moment of silence where Merlin glanced around the room, taking in the knights milling around them, knights that had both hurt him and had not touched him, as if he was just now noticing he was in a room filled with eligible bachelors. Merlin turned back away from them, and screwed his face up so he could think, and Morgana had to wonder…what WOULD his choice be. It was a curiosity that almost killed her. What would a peasant, turned into a consort, if he no longer had a husband watching his every mood, decide to do if he had a chance to find love. Would he go along with whatever noble activity the other man wanted…horseback riding, or playing croquet while Merlin sat in the back watching, or…a dinner with the king. Or would he want something much more subtle…something from his peasant heritage, perhaps? Morgana knew those of…lesser backgrounds, had their own way of doing things to compensate for the lack of money to do…proper activities. So..Merlin finally seemed to get hit with an idea. His head whipping around to give her a cheeky grin.

"I think I would want to go and watch the stars." And Morgana blinked with the admission, a lightly colored pink filling out Merlin's cheeks as if he'd gone and gotten embarrassed by his own admission. But looking at the stars…that was a surprise for Morgana. It certainly seemed tame, compared to how lively Merlin usually was. She would have expected something that was a bit more…well…a bit more. Morgana had never considered looking up at the stars…they were all just there. Filling out the night sky like little diamonds littering the way for any lost traveler that knew how to use them to guide them. Not that Morgana ever needed to resort to such methods to find her way around. A date dedicated to just…star watching…sounded dreadfully boring to her. But Merlin didn't seem to think so at all, his eyes lighting up in a way she didn't usually get to see as he explained his reasoning's. "There's this large field back home that not many people go to. It's full of wildflowers that keep popping up, so we can't even get the land prepped for farming, so it's usually left alone. But anyway, whenever I was little and couldn't sleep, I used to sneak out in the middle of the night just to lay there for hours on end. It was…soothing…in a way. Knowing that even if I was changing, if my life was changing…the stars never did. My mom would end up finding me there, always. But instead of getting mad at me for sneaking out the house, she would lay down with me. And tell me little stories she had made up about the constellations. It's…it's something really personal. And if there is a guy out there for me, if I can ever escape Arthur as unlikely as that is…I think I would want to share that with somebody. Somebody who wouldn't mind it if I rambled on about it for hours."

At some point during Merlin's explanation, Morgana felt herself starting to get soft. It was…sweet…what Merlin had said. Something that should've filled her mouth with the sticky sweetness that she hated, clinging to the underside of her teeth with a never ending vice. But there's something that was…strangely enduring about Merlin. He had this far away look in his eye, as if he was trying to imagine leading someone out to a field in the middle of nowhere just to look at the stars. Most of the men Morgana knew would prefer showing off during some kind of…jousting ceremony, but Merlin had painted a really pretty picture for her. And as unlikely as it was for Merlin to find somebody while he's already tied to Arthur…she truly wished he would get to live out his fantasy. Out of any Morgana knew, Merlin deserved to have that one special night that would end up following him for the rest of his life. Not many people got to have a special night like that…call Morgana cynical, but she had all but given up on anything genuine. Marriages were nothing but transactions and agreements, with their courtship being nothing more than a show. Merlin was living proof of that.

"So, we've already heard about Gwen and Lancelot, and I've already told you what I wanted for my first outing. But I don't think we've asked 'you' any sort of question, Morgana. Give me a second here to think of a really good one," he suddenly said, flashing Morgana a teasing grin before he started thinking hard on his question. Morgana straightened up, grin widening, feeling as if she was rising up to the challenge. She had a feeling that she should be weary on what Merlin would come up with, the boy could seriously think outside the box and ask the hard questions nobody wanted to answer. But Merlin was also so…he's innocent, alright. So Morgana figured she would be safe from giving him a very detailed play-by-play description on how she lost her maiden hood. "…Alright, I've got one! Okay, we know Gwen's hoping to get something with Lancelot, we all know that I'm stuck with Arthur. But what about you, Morgana. For the sake of argument, which one would you prefer being with: Arthur or Lancelot."

There was a moment of stunned silence…such a scandalous question. Asking a lady like her, the First Lady of the court, whether or not she'd want to have a courtship with either her friend's husband or her other friend's future prospect to be. It wasn't the kind of question one would ask in polite society, but there's a wicked gleam in Merlin's eye that had sorely been lacking all these months. It was clear he knew that, and it was clear he didn't care, and even as Gwen was slapping Merlin's shoulder with a flushed 'Merlin!' Morgana couldn't help to do more than throw her head back and release a bark of laughter. She wasn't very ladylike about it, and if only Uther was watching her now, but there was a huge bubble of amusement coursing through her belly that couldn't be contained. It was freeing, in a way. And she cockily placed a hand on her dainty hip before arching an eyebrow at him.

"Hmmm, should I go with the slim blonde that likes to throw his weight around and bark orders at everybody as if they're his slaves? Or should I go after the beefy warrior that apparently has a flair for saving those who need somebody to save them. I think Lancelot would be a clear winner with this one." Said the lady, grin widening as Gwen choked a little beside them. Morgana'd been very careful not to mention…certain aspects that would only bring Merlin's mood to the ground once again. But he seemed to actually be enjoying himself, and not looking around nearly as much as he had been for Lancelot and Arthur, as he got drawn into the conversation. He was even handing his empty goblet to one of the servants that had approached them, and taking another goblet offered to him with a murmured 'my consort.' "But don't worry, Gwen. You can be rest assured that I'm not going to try stealing your man from you. I somehow think any woman throwing themselves at him would be a complete turn off. Which is a nice change from the usual lug-heads around here."

Morgana raised her goblet up a little to the handmaiden, as if she was trying to silently toast her for possibly picking out a good one, though she still reserved the right to pass judgement till she knew the man a bit better. And Gwen drew herself up, her eyes brightening up because…yeah. As far as the handmaiden was concerned about, she had probably ended up picking out the most decent one of the lot. She couldn't IMAGINE Gwen having a crush or feelings toward a man like Arthur Pendragon. But Lancelot…definitely seemed as if he had been cut from a completely different cloth than the prince. Forget the cloth. It was almost as if the warrior had been cut from a completely different planet when compared to the prince. As different as night and day the two seemed to be, all the way from the coloring of their features to the way they would portray themselves, to the decisions they made in this life. She almost couldn't wait to see what the next inevitable clash between the two would look, and which of the knights would come out on top that time.

"Well, I for one am just glad that I would never have to make any kind of awful decisions. Being interested in Arthur isn't exactly on my life agenda. I think I'll stick with Lancelot. For as long as I'm able too." Gwen said, still a bit of doubt and concern lingering in the color of her eyes…Morgana wanted to remind the girl that she was a beautiful thing. And Lancelot would be an idiot if he turned out to be like all the other men around here, turned around by a pretty face at the drop of a hat. But Gwen had already moved on, her features growing bright as she pushed down her self-doubt to flash her friends a wider grin. "Perhaps I should even be the one to ask him to accompany me for a date, and fix him up a picnic of my very own. I know there are…certain steps that will be needed to be completed now that Lancelot's a knight, if things become serious. To make it all official. And one of those things, I believe, would be having the chaperone for at least the first three months of our courtship. So, Merlin, would you want to be my chaperone?"

Merlin whipped around to look at her in surprise and confusion…Morgana lifted her goblet up to her lips and took a casual drink from the cup. Perhaps Merlin was confused about the whole…chaperone for three months thing. Growing up the way he did, he probably didn't know how courtships generally ran around the noble families of Camelot. Gwen only knew the little things that made it all official because she had stood behind Morgana many times when she had her childhood tutors lecturing her on 'propriety' and how things should be done, in order for her character to not be stained. Morgana had hardly paid attention if she could get away with it, but Gwen had a romanized ideal on what it'd be like to be properly courted. She had never been courted by people who thought it a chore, or a stepping stone to rise their rank, using their possible marriage as his leverage to get closer to the crown. Such things usually sucked out all the romance it should've had.

"You would want me to go…on your date…with you and Lancelot. But I mean…I would go, of course I would. Chaperoning. That's…very important, I'm sure. It's obvious Lancelot wouldn't try to do anything to hurt you, Gwen. But…yes. That is something I would do for you." Merlin fumbled and stumbled over himself as if he couldn't believe GWEN had asked him over somebody else like…her own father? The only other male Gwen had in her life that she could probably ask a thing like this. But Morgana shuddered at the mere thought of trying to form a bond with a man while her father was looming over her shoulder. It was hardly going to count as a relaxing evening. And Merlin looked as if he didn't exactly understand what he would need to 'chaperone' for. But Morgana figured they had a little bit longer, in which she could teach him what to look out for before Gwen asked Lancelot on this date of hers-a genius and bold idea, by the way. It was refreshing, seeing Gwen taking charge instead of waiting around for the man to do the asking. And Morgana only needed to do make sure Merlin knew Gwen or Lancelot shouldn't have any wandering hands at any point during this picnic. That was going to be a THRILLING conversation, but she was sure she was up to the challenge. "Oh, but just so we understand each other, I think I'd prefer chaperoning a date with you and Lancelot, than even being in the same room as Arthur…Lancelot's far cuter to look at than that blonde prat."

Morgana released another bark of laughter, her laughter only evolving into the loudest of chortles when Gwen slapped Merlin against his arm with a flushed, 'Merlin! That's your husband!' But it only took the three of them looking at the other before all three of them burst into fits of laughter that probably made the lot of them look like loons. Morgana's chest was feeling tight, she couldn't, for the life of her, remember the last time she had a proper laugh like this. And as she looked across from her to Merlin and Gwen, who looked identical with their own amusement, she couldn't help but hope that all future parties would end as good as this one was starting. It was almost a marvel, to be attending any sort of party or celebration in which there wasn't some kind of underlying bit of drama hovering in the background. Waiting to devour her sweet Merlin up whole.

Morgana shouldn't have let her guard down, so she wouldn't be as surprised as she was when three loud bangs suddenly echoed throughout the chambers. One bang after another, each one striking through her chest as if it was a sign for somebody's impending death warrant. And then Arthur was there…he's the one that had slammed an empty goblet against the table hard enough to catch the people's attention, the entire hall going silent as Arthur clambered onto his bench in order to stand over everybody. Morgana's lips thinned in distaste…it's a pretty good bet that Arthur was just showing off again. It was probably time for him to make a little, pretty speech about how 'pleased' he was to be having Knight Lancelot joining their ranks. Nothing out of the ordinary for the seeking attention prince. But she still didn't have to like it, she thought as she caught sight of Merlin's white face. His entire face had gone hard, his body growing tense now that Arthur was in his sights.

A switch flipped the second Arthur made his appearance…

Lancelot standing at the foot of the bench…

Well, Morgana thought as she bit back a sigh. At least Merlin would no longer be worrying himself half to death over where Arthur had taken the warrior off to. As far as she could see, Lancelot was unharmed and had most definitely not been cut into a thousand different pieces by the prince. Which was almost a…disappointment. She would love to see what excuses Uther would have put into motion if his heir did something that was so…gruesome to their newest of members. She only hoped Arthur got through his little speech quicker than he had others. So she can get back to work on making Merlin forget about him…

Arthur really loved making her job harder than it needed to be.

X

Arthur Pendragon felt like a fool, after nearly tripping over his own feet to get up on this one bench…he wasn't even entirely sure it was sturdy beneath him. It was starting to wobble some, which didn't give him much confidence that he would not fall off the damn thing. But the wobbling of the bench was only one footnote in the back of his mind, his eyes darting over the people who'd gone quiet to hear what he had to say. Dozens and dozens of partygoers that forced him to press his lips into a tight line…how many of them had partaken with the same rumors Arthur had? How many of them had spread the lies about Merlin as if it was the gospel truth? Dozens and dozens of eyes on him, and probably a good bit of them had been spitting his consort's name. Fire licked the blond somewhere deep in his gut, knowing that he had also been one of the many…a sightless fool that refused to look any deeper than what he'd been told. Arthur really was a fool…a prince of fools. The king of fools. Whatever one wanted to call him, it made no difference to him.

Not after Merlin had been hurt by all of this.

By him.

By the people.

But mostly by him.

Arthur had this whole grand speech running through his head, faster than he'd been able to keep up with it. He had been chanting key notes around inside of his head as he finally managed to wretch that stupid door open. He had came up with a few strong points that he knew needed to be said as he grabbed at a goblet, left behind unattended and not caring to ask before he used it to bash the table. He had his speech literally brimming on his tongue as he climbed on the bench, prepared to address his people and give them their tongue lashing, one they all properly deserved. Him, most of all. But now that he was standing here, now that he was looking out amongst the crowd…Arthur faltered. He did not even know why. Arthur, as uncomfortable as he had been with giving grand speeches since he felt as if they were never any good, had always managed to stand in front of a crowd easily enough. He couldn't even go down to see what was going on in the market without every eye latching onto him. So this should have been easy. This one thing, so insanely important and so necessary that it could not be ignored or pushed aside for a single second, and he…

Faltered.

Arthur darted his eyes from left to right, he must have met eyes with each and every person within a fifty feet radius. He knew who they were, if not by name then by face, and yet somehow, his brain wasn't recognizing their presence or who they were. They could have been invisible for all Arthur cared, seeking his eyes desperately across the room. Trying to find Merlin in the crowd, trying his damn hardest to find him anywhere. Merlin should be here, he needed to be in this room…needed to hear Arthur putting things to right. And yet, Merlin didn't seem to be anywhere. Or perhaps he had simply been swallowed up by all the people that had been squeezed into this one room. Or perhaps he had already left Arthur behind, left while Arthur was panicking in the back hallway, trying in vain to make things make sense in his mind.

To make his entire world fall back into line…

A bloody virgin.

Arthur swallowed hard, his fingers going tight around the stolen goblet as he got his with a wave of anxiety. But he was already up here, and he couldn't get back down without feeling as if he…failed Merlin all over again. No…the fire the prince knew lived beneath his skin made his blood start to boil. Too much and too long had Arthur disappointed Merlin. Hurt him. Failed him. Mocked him for things not his fault. He had been torn asunder, kept struggling to make things right only to find out he hadn't even begun chipping the surface on what he'd done to Merlin. Too many times had Merlin been left to wallow while the prince had been living 'the good life' in comparison. Well…no more. It didn't matter if Merlin wasn't here to see this. Arthur wasn't doing it to get Merlin's attention, not this time. He was doing it because it needed to be done, both for his own sake and for Merlin's.

And if Merlin actually was out there, well….

He hoped he wasn't massively embarrassing himself.

"Citizens of Camelot. There is something that I would like to say while we are all gathered here today. I would like to address this to both the nobility and the servants who work for us. And I hope, that you'll tell your friends and help with spreading the word amongst the rest of the kingdom." Arthur spoke, the words falling off his lips causing the people to share confused looks…it wasn't usual for nobles to address servants when giving their speeches. Their lesser half's were usually just…there. They didn't get a special mention. But Arthur forced himself to square his shoulders…everybody needed to hear this. Arthur didn't care if it was the weakest of squires or the highest of bloodlines…he wanted to have this ingrained into the head of every creature here tonight. Those people who carried power, and those who had never had power. He wouldn't settle for anything less. Not even a single peep was being said…just like he liked it. "I am sure that many of you are…probably expecting me to give some sort of speech in regards to our…newest warrior-" Arthur glanced down at the knight standing beside his bench, and Arthur clasped the man on the shoulder…their was this silent connection between the two knights. Lancelot was wary, and the prince squeezed his shoulder before letting go and turning back to the crowd. "But I am sure whatever I have to say would pale in comparison to the…loyalty he has shown to certain members of this kingdom in such a short amount of time. The loyalty he has, is actually why I am standing before you now. Lancelot needs to not have any special mention, I am sure you can agree with me that his actions have spoken for themselves."

Many people were nodding along to him, as if they knew ANYTHING the other warrior had actually done. Oh, sure, they heard a few stories and many had to have heard of the violent spats between the two of them. But they didn't know anything. It was as if, after learning the truth, the violent anger Arthur's been carrying for Lancelot all this time had vanished. Lancelot had saved the life of his consort, and that right there should be enough for Arthur to show the man a bit of grace. But Lancelot hadn't stopped there…he had taken up a space in his consort's life that should've been Arthur's to fill. He had guarded him and protected him while Arthur had been too caught up in 'proving himself' rather than actually dealing with the problem. The warrior had fought Arthur with his teeth bared like a raging lion defending its pack, had been willing to throw his future away in a heartbeat, for Merlin. It was more than what Arthur's done for his consort. And that right there, as strange as it sounded after the pure hate this man had brought out in him, deserved just a tiny sliver of respect from the prince. There weren't many people out there who could say they had managed to earn such a thing from Arthur.

"But as I said before, I'm not standing here before you just to speak about the accomplishments from our newest knights. It's much more important than that is….I am sure that many of you know of my Consort? Consort Merlin has been with us for almost five months now, and if you haven't managed to talk to him, you've at least heard of him or seen him in action." Arthur started, words came off his tongue much easier than he had thought they were. It was nothing like the grand speech he had been preparing, but it somehow felt more…right then his piss poor original version would've been. "And I am sure, on a more serious note…many of you have heard the rumors that have spread across the entirety of the city about my Consort. Now, I'm aware there are many talks going about with Consort Merlin's name the topic of conversation. But the one I'm referring to specifically, is the one that started just over a month ago. The one that said my consort has forsaken me, and decided other lovers were better than him…staying faithful to our marriage."

Arthur glanced over the crowd, watching as many of them bowed their heads together in groups, whispering and hissing among themselves…the nobles looked to be quite disgruntled about such an….inappropriate topic being brought up during a moment of celebration. It made Arthur's lip curl higher in disgust…how grand it would be if Arthur could stick it to them all. How grand would it be if he had the chance to show them the one they mocked and ridiculed in all his glory…it was more clearer than ever to the prince. Merlin was worth at least a hundred more than anybody in this entire room. More than Arthur. More than even King Uther. Them, with their petty gossip….after tonight. It wouldn't be a problem any longer. Arthur was cutting this out. Right here. Right now. Even if he had to get these men and women arrested for treason if they tried claiming Merlin unfit to be his consort in any way, shape, or form.

"Well those rumors are WRONG."

The deep guttural sound erupted from Arthur's throat, putting a stop to any of his people muttering under their breath. Arthur met rounded eyes stares head on, noted the servants along the walls straightening up with their hands folded in front of them, noted a few of the knights frowning confused, noticed exactly how Morgana was scowling at him….Morgana. Arthur's eyes latched onto Lady Morgana, his eyes landing on her unexpectedly. Morgana was standing by the food table on the far side of the room, and her scowl felt potent enough for it to pin him where he stood. His heart leaped into his throat…Morgana already knew Merlin's innocence was present. She had been the one to scream at him before the banquet last month had started, the one that had scoffed and then asked him if this rumor even 'sounded' like Merlin. Arthur breathed in a deep and ragged breath…he should've listened. Arthur had been so caught up, the denial refusing to relent…WHY! Why hadn't he, for once in his damn life, listened to the other girl when she spoke? She KNEW Merlin. Knew him in ways Arthur never could, knew him in ways Arthur never would if he didn't shape up…but his people were still staring at him. And Arthur couldn't leave this job only half finished…he was going all the way. Even if he had to drill it into the skulls until there was nothing left, if any in the crowd proved to be as stubborn as Arthur's been.

Stubbornness…it was Arthur's worse trait.

But he would bend, if it meant protecting Merlin from such unseemly things.

"I have been informed only recently by…a most trusted individual, who knows the source of where such a rumor came from. And I've managed to commence my own little…investigation on how much truth there was to them. And it's as I dug more and more into the truth, I realized there were many inconsistencies I had previously ignored. It was…hot headed and rash of me to think without the proper information." It should've stung Arthur, should have humiliated him all the way down to his bones, to admit his shortcomings in front of a crowd like this. A prince wasn't supposed to have short comings, wasn't even supposed to admit they'd been wrong. His father was probably going to come after him the second Arthur stepped off this bench, but somehow…that only made him so much more determined to see this through. "I know now what the truth has been all along, and I implore you to put these rumors to rest and allow them to die. I do not think anybody here will like the consequences if they do not. Even a hint of these rumors still lingering isn't acceptable. It's a direct insult toward my consort, and I will see it as a direct insult against myself, and the crown of Camelot-"

Arthur's voice died off in his throat…he should've known. Should've known his consort wouldn't be very far from Morgana's side…he was supposed to be with Gaius, but it shouldn't be a surprise that he wasn't. And yet, Arthur felt as if he had lost his ability to speak, eyes locking with Merlin across the crowd. Sweet, sweet Merlin. Sweet and innocent and pure and far too good to be with Arthur, of all people…Arthur didn't know how exactly, he was meant to react with him in his sights. But he was sure he wasn't supposed to stand there and gawk at him as if he was a damn fool. To drink in the sight of him as if he hadn't already seen him only an hour before. But everything was different now, so different…it almost looked as if Merlin was an entirely different person. Or maybe it wasn't Merlin that was different…maybe it was Arthur.

Arthur's eyes drifted over Merlin's face as if he wasn't quite seeing it…drifting eyes down to where he was covered with thick robes. Shielding his form from wondering eyes…god. Other than his hands and his face, Merlin hadn't shown much skin. He NEVER, showed much skin…the most Arthur had ever seen had been his neck whenever he didn't wear his neckerchief. Just like now…Arthur's able to see the miles and miles of white skin that had never been kissed on or sucked on by another man. That had never been marked and claimed by some beast trying to possess him. HOW had Arthur thought Merlin…sweet, innocent Merlin…was anything other than innocence personified. Arthur wanted to beg the boy for forgiveness, to drop down onto his knee and grab Merlin along his hand and kiss the back of his knuckles, pleading with Merlin to accept Arthur's apologies for the WORSE mistake he had made in all his life.

But…

Merlin was innocence wrapped in dark silks, and Arthur was sin incarnated, but felt like nothing better than a pauper. His hands on Merlin would only dirty him up, ruin him, cast a stain Arthur knew would never go away. And god…having a dream like the one he'd had the night before! It brought an entire new layer to the prince's life…the consort spread about his bedsheets. Not looking at him in lust or devotion, but curiosity as Arthur touched him in places unseen by even the sun itself. Asking Arthur in breathy whispers to help him to his completion, but entirely unsure what completion he was begging for. Arthur had gone and lived through his shock and horror for the entire day, but this new information only seemed to DRILL the guilt into Arthur. He shouldn't be curious about how a virgin would react if Arthur touched him in just the right places, he shouldn't be imagining what Merlin would say or react if Arthur touched him in-between his cheeks, unaware of that being where he would get most of his pleasure. He shouldn't be wondering these things about MERLIN, at all. But he was, and the prince felt dirty for it. Merlin was…he was…he was no better than a child when it came to such things. He should be treated as such, and Arthur would never DARE think of a child the way he thought of Merlin. Or anybody, really..

God…

What was Arthur going to do…

Merlin was killing him, and he hadn't even lifted a damn finger on him

"…I warn you not to test me on this."

Arthur's voice had dropped low, loud enough only for the people to hear and understand how severe the consequences would be if they were caught trying to badmouth his consort. But the silken tone of Arthur's voice could've gotten mistaken for something else…the kind of voice one might use when in the bed with the most wondrous of partners. And Arthur carefully stepped back down from his perch, only disappointed when he was no longer tall enough to catch sight of Merlin through all the people who had started dispersing and speaking about what had just happened. But any whispers went in one ear and went out the other one…the crowd was still too thick for him to make out his consort. He wanted to go over there, but he wasn't sure what Merlin's reaction toward him would be. But he did know he wanted to be there. Even if he received a punch straight to the nose. Arthur would deserve it, and so much worse, for daring to EVER question Merlin's innocence. The glowing of the sun and the brightness of the moon could not compared to the purity of Merlin…

Lancelot was still standing there when Arthur turned back around, and Arthur studied him for a moment. Taking in the olive skin tone and the dark brown of his eyes and his hair and clad in his knightly apparel…Arthur didn't feel a need to punch this man in the face. For so long, only a week but it could've felt as if it was eons, Arthur had wanted to do nothing more than bash this man's head onto the ground. To punch him in his smug face until he felt his nose cracking under the force of the blow. And yet…things were incredibly different now, and not just with Merlin. Merlin's innocence had caused Arthur to look around with a different perspective, to take notice of things he would've dismissed before he was told. And Arthur didn't entirely dislike what he saw. Not if Lancelot was just as serious about keeping Merlin safe like he's been all this time…keeping a man like this close might not be as bad as Arthur thought it would. Not when it was Lancelot who already had an IN with Merlin, and could protect him should another sniff out the same innocence in Merlin that Arthur could see now, and try taking advantage of it.

It wouldn't be so bad…

"I hope you understand that Guinevere, despite her status as a handmaiden, is a very classy girl. And considering she's set her eyes on you and you on her, I do hope you are prepared to deal with the fallout of such a match. She's been good friends with my consort since his arrival here in the city, and I won't have you pulling the two of them apart." Arthur said, in a clipped tone that had the warrior blinking in confusion. And Arthur sniffed at him haughtily, it wasn't his fault that society-by social construct and not with any actual laws-held these kinds of matches in contempt. It would be a difficult road for them both should Lancelot devote himself to the dark skinned girl who had once defiled his own husband with her lips. But this was also Arthur forming some kind of odd claim on the handmaiden and her time. Merlin would be sad, if Guinevere started to spend more and more time away from him just so she could spend it all on her new boyfriend. "I suggest that you go and ask her to dance like you planned to do originally. But do promptly return her to my consort's side so they can start …giggling or whatever they do after one of them has an interesting night out."

Arthur didn't wait for Lancelot to answer, before sharply turning on his heels to stride away from the warrior…it was the closest Arthur was willing to get to him saying he accepted Lancelot's presence in their lives now. Lancelot starting up a relationship with Guinevere would only put stronger roots down in the city, it was something extra that would give Lancelot a reason to stay. If him swearing himself a knight wasn't strong enough to keep the man put. For so long, Arthur had wanted to shove the man out of his kingdom and be done with it, that this whole exchange felt strange. But it was also a strangeness that Arthur couldn't say he entirely disliked. And with Lancelot distracted with being both a knight and a protector of Merlin and a lover of Gwen…it was less likely for Lancelot to reevaluate his feelings and decide he wasn't as straight as he claimed.

But considering the way Lancelot talked about Gwen…he didn't think he had a single thing to worry about with how close Lancelot was to Merlin.

And speaking of Merlin…

He had a consort to track down.

X

Merlin Pendragon stood, frozen, on the pentacle of tipping over an edge that he hadn't known he'd been standing on. The surface of a cliff appearing under his feet and only seconds away from crumbling away…his mind was clouded in confusion and twisted with anger…what had the prince thought he'd done just now? Was he trying to humiliate Merlin even more than he already had been by bringing that rumor back to the forefront of everybody's mind? Merlin had just been getting ahead of that, had felt as if it was something he could put behind him and never look at again. And then Arthur went and did…did this…he had all but verbally threatened these people into silence. As if threatening people was something that actually WORKED when they looked at you with knowing eyes that said too much. People were probably looking at him right now, they were probably trying to figure out how Merlin had managed to convince the Prince to pull off such an act. How Merlin had managed to convince Arthur to…to…to do something like this!

Had Arthur been defending him…

Or just making fun of him again, dressing it up with pretty words.

"On behalf of the entire Pendragon namesake, I do have to apologize for how brainless Arthur is. He's only going to make things worse, and explode around us if he starts putting nobles in the dungeons. That's hardly going to quell the rumor about you, Merlin." Morgana said, with her lips frowning in disapproval…At least Merlin wasn't the only one who thought Arthur had gone over the line just now. Addressing the ever-strong issue without even bothering to discuss it with Merlin first. Maybe Merlin didn't want the added attention that would be coming with Arthur's actions. Maybe Merlin just wanted some decent respect and be considered before Arthur made such a boneheaded move that affected him most of all. Maybe Merlin hadn't planned on being the center of attention on Lancelot's big night, had Arthur even thought of that…no! He hadn't! Arthur had just taken the attention entirely from Lancelot, and now Merlin was going to bear the brunt of everything! "Personally, I would have started a whole other rumor to combat the first. Just say the right words to the worst gossips within the city, and everybody would've known the truth about you and your…dates…within the day. No threats, no violence, no getting the nobles up in arms about what they can and can't say among their own. It's like he WANTS to have you alienated from society!"

The white sheen of Merlin's skin only seemed to turn chalky…alienating him…it was such an Arthur thing to do. And perhaps it even had something to do with how crazy possessive he was. Arthur had upped his game recently, admitting his obsession with Merlin was more than what Arthur would've been willing to do even a month ago. And now…now he apparently couldn't stand the thought of Merlin dating somebody. Had Arthur heard others talking about seeing him on one of his 'dates' and decided to make people stop talking about it. Was it why Arthur had gone up there in the first place? To silently mark Merlin as his territory, refusing to acknowledge how Merlin might have an interest in looking outside their marriage for what he needed. He didn't, have an interest…he had to focus on himself and heal before even contemplating adding a second man into the mix. His brief crush on Lancelot had only proved he wasn't ready for a real search for somebody who could catch his eye. But Arthur had taken these choices out of his hand…again.

"Haha, alienated from society? Is that really what you're going to call such a thing? Oh, it was definitely a show. But I think if the prince really wanted to cut Consort Merlin off from society, he would've done it by kicking him away so all of us wouldn't have to see his face anymore." The familiar accented voice that came from behind their small group of three, had Merlin thinning his lips until it was nothing more than a white line…bloody Clarissa. As if he wanted to deal with the blond haired girl stepping in front of them, wearing another one of her lilac colored monstrosities, looking so fucking smug about these sudden turn of events. Or as if she thought it funny, imagining Merlin locked away in a cell as his life passed him by without his influence. "But I truly do hope, that you, Consort Merlin, are aware enough to know that Arthur wasn't being kind doing what he did just now. There's nothing like sharks in the water when a drop of blood has just been added to it. All he did was stir up the frenzy…I'm sure that rumor will be on the forefront of everybody's mind from now on. Even if there's nobody willing to speak of it."

A shark in the water, Merlin thought as he squeezed his eyes shut and forced the tension in his shoulders to relax…was that what Arthur was? A shark lying in wait to devour him in the blink of an eye. Merlin had never seen a shark in all his life, they were water creatures and Merlin had never lived close enough by the waters to see the dark shape slicing just beneath the surface. But he had heard of them, creatures with more teeth than they knew what to do with, and one bite could rip a man entirely in shreds. Beast little soulless eyes, who only had one goal in mind…devour. Eat. But if Arthur was the shark, then what did it make Merlin? Did it make Merlin the minnow? Another creature just swimming around in a pond much too big for its small body, waiting until it was caught in the jaws-finally-of the predator that had been hunting him? But…what if Merlin didn't want to be a minnow. Whose very blood sent a beacon out to any and all predators within fifty feet of him. What if Merlin wanted to be the shark, to be the one nobody challenged or trifled with. Because they knew Merlin was a far more dangerous threat than they could ever hope to be on their own…

"Don't you have anything better to do with your time, Clarissa? Or are you still so desperately trying to clean up your own reputation after those dreadful bits of rumor spread about you! Something quite similar, wasn't it? Sneaking into a married man or two's bedchambers?" Morgana immediately clapped back with a huff of superiority, wrapping a protective arm around Merlin's shoulders as if she hadn't been the one to start those rumors after Clarissa had decided to be a hissy and sneak into the prince's bedchambers. "If I am remembering my bits of gossip right, you haven't been invited to a social gathering, outside of those like this one where every society person is invited, in months. Not even invited to any of the luncheons with any of the other girls, have you? But don't worry, I haven't heard anything when I was there that you would've missed. But boy, do they sure not like you! Lady Kleren doesn't even want to mention your name as she fears you might try the same thing with her husband. And the same is also going for Lady Baylor and Lady Raid. Even Ladies Chelsea and Dorris refuses to accept an invitation to any of your activities because they don't want you to smear their reputation and prevent them from finding good match's if they are associated with you. Sounds like you should be worrying a bit more about that, than anything else. If not even your little friend has joined you for the evening."

Morgana purposely looked down her nose at Clarissa, obviously pointing out how she was standing there alone. Merlin hadn't noticed before, but…yeah…it seemed as if Clarissa was attending the evening alone. The last time they had an event, the banquet for King Bayard, Clarissa had attended the party with a young orange clad female. At some point, it had came out that the orange clad girl was the only one willing to be seen in society with Clarissa after the many problems she's had with her own rumors. And only because the girl had been way too young, too young to realize the damage she'd been doing to her own name by associating with the much older girl. Clarissa could've been the girl's escort, rather than somebody accompanying her, due to their age difference. It seemed though, as if the orange clad girl had wised up over the last weeks, as she was nowhere to be seen. And the red flush of anger working its way up Clarissa's tanned cheeks only confirmed that.

"Oh, don't you worry about me, Lady Morgana. I am sure my name will be very little consequence when compared to Consort Merlin. I suspect my problems to slip away in the coming days, thanks to Arthur renewing strong interest in our dear Merlin here." Clarissa said, with that tight smile that noble ladies had practiced from birth. Pretending with ease that they weren't upset about what was being thrown back in their face, but whose eyes looked scornful and cold as she turned her gave back onto Merlin. Sadistic and sure of herself, that she would get the last word in and be seen as the superior one. "Now, if you would excuse me, Consort Merlin. I believe I would like to see the prince for myself…I am sure I will need to offer my gratitude for what he's done for me. But I don't think you should worry your pretty little head off, I know how to be discreet as I get the things that I want."

Lady Clarissa was patronizing Merlin, straightening herself up and fluffing up her hair as if she was something else, looking down her nose at Merlin…he felt almost scruffy when compared to her. Despite the fancy clothes he wore…he's still a peasant beneath it all. Dirty and unclean, and the scars on his wrists had started to itch something fierce as she spun around and strode off into the big crowd of people to find her prize. Like a black widow spider hoping to cast her sticky web at the prince and entrap him in her silken webs, seemingly unaware that she was about to bite off far more than she could chew. And he didn't do anything more than watch her go…more power to her. If she wanted to be seen flirting with a married man, even after the devastation and setback Morgana seems to think she's suffered, then Merlin was hardly going to stop her. This might even be the perfect distraction for Merlin to slip away before the prince did something else to cast attention in his direction, when he'd been wanting to do nothing more than slip through the crowd unnoticed.

Invisible.

Happy.

"Can you honestly believe the cheek on her! The absolute gall she has to try to start stirring up problems this time! God, why she doesn't just go home so she can leave the rest of us alone! I will never understand how somebody can want so much attention on them, they'll even accept the attention if it's bad!" Spoke Lady Morgana, ranting violently under her breath as she glared in the direction Clarissa had disappeared off too. "I mean, somebody told me Arthur went and told her off already for bothering him! Are you telling me she seriously did not get the message? She's just going to embarrass herself, and probably the rest of us associated with the Pendragon's! And all because she refuses to go and give the rest of us some peace and quiet!

Merlin only listened to Morgana's rant with half an ear, gazing down into his still full goblet of wine…he swished the liquid around inside of it, the taste he had taken earlier still clinging onto the back of his tongue. His hand clutched at the goblet as if it was the only thing that would keep him steady…it would be so easy for him to slip up. To dig his nails back into his wrists and allow his blood to flow free from his scars…and after a moment of strong deliberation…he tilted his head back and chugged what was left in his goblet straight down his gullet. He could already fill the burn of the rich liquid settling in his veins…if he wasn't going to abuse himself to gain a sense of control. Then he sure as hell was going to go in the opposite direction, and loose his control…

Let's see what Arthur thinks now, with a drunkard for a husband.