Camelot

September, 507 AD

For a second, Merlin found himself engaged in a bloody battle with his mind, fighting hard to hold back an eye-roll and a scoff. The reason? Princess Mithian had seemingly-out-of-nowhere appeared by his side as he walked down the corridor of the royal apartments.

She must have noticed the displeasure on his face, for she asked in an amicable tone, "You are not a fan of hunting?"

Realising that he's not going to get out of talking to her unless he wants to be rude – which he doesn't, lest he jeopardise the treaty – he stopped in his tracks and turned to her with the best poker face he could dress his features in. "What sport is it when one side has dogs and spears and crossbows, and the other nothing?" he questioned monotonously.

Mithian looked away for a moment, keeping her smile even as she considered the harsh reality of the so-called sport for a second. But she quickly moved on from that and sped up slightly to catch up with the King's servant once more, finding that he'd continued to walk without her.

"Not much of a fan of me, either, are you?" she asked, not masking the disappointment she felt as her forehead wrinkled slightly.

Merlin couldn't understand the motive of her question as he turned to her with a raised eyebrow. He's got nothing to do with the treaty she's here to negotiate – so why would she care about his opinion of her?

"Come on, Merlin, I would have to be a fool not to notice," the Princess pressed when she got no verbal response.

He shifted awkwardly. Obviously, she's just a very friendly woman. She's not actually trying to seduce Arthur, is she? "I am sorry if I caused offence," he finally replied with a barely visible apologetic grin.

"I am sure you have... good reasons," Mithian noted with a slightly uneasy look in her eyes.

Merlin didn't say anything to that, finding that it would probably be truly offensive if he tried to explain how he had thought that she was trying to woo the King.

"One thing I have learned since being here is that Arthur values your opinion above almost all others," she continued at the lack of an answer. That caused an involuntary smile to grow on the sorcerer's lips. "Even if he would be the last person to admit it," Mithian added with a knowing grin.

He chuckled under his breath and replied in a mumble, "You can say that again."

A truce was silently agreed upon as their eyes connected and they shared a smile. Merlin thought that, perhaps, he had wildly misjudged her. She is a Princess. She has been conditioned to be diplomatic and agreeable since birth. Of course, she is cosying up to Arthur in hopes of establishing a fellowship that might shine upon whatever agreement they eventually settle on regarding the disputed lands.

That train of thought promptly took a swan dive off the balcony when Mithian spoke again, "I like him, Merlin. I really do." His eyes widened at her words. "I did not expect to, but..." she tilted her head, brow furrowed deep in thought, brain not registering the bewildered look on her companion's face, "well, he is a lovable person, is he not? Underneath it all. All I ask is that you give me a chance." Her eyes finally met his with a pleading look, still not catching the horror in his expression. "Can you do that?"

The sorcerer gulped down the urge to yell at her and tell her that Arthur is only allowed to be with Astra. That would surely land him in a world of trouble. "To do what, exactly?" he questioned. Perhaps he is still reading into something that isn't there?

Mithian frowned, not quite understanding why he's asking. "To prove myself a worthy choice for a Queen, of course."

"Queen?! Who said anything about you becoming his Queen?!" Merlin blurted out, way more harshly than he might've if he'd had more time to process her words and come up with a more thoughtful response.

She recoiled as if his words had physically pushed her backwards. Then she collected herself and responded firmly, "Arthur, of course."

The sorcerer's jaw dropped and his lungs ceased to do their job for a moment. Could she be speaking the truth, or is this simply a trick up her sleeve that serves as a piece to a larger plan to push Astra out and plant herself on the throne?! Did Morgana put her up to this?! Is her sweet and kind behaviour simply an act masking a wicked reality?!

"When?!" he demanded, his voice turning halfway into the commanding tone he uses on Kilgharrah when he's being a cynical jerk. He is no longer the meek, goofy servant that everyone in the castle has gotten used to, but a fierce warrior ready to spill blood for the girl he considers a sister. He'd cut Arthur into pieces himself if he ever dares to break her heart, darn his supposed big destiny.

Mithian almost cowered in the face of the shocking change in his demeanour, but she quickly reminded herself that she is a Princess and he is a servant. He has no right to talk to her like that!

"I do not think it is any of your business, Merlin," she replied sternly.

The fire in his eyes only grew and the Princess became only slightly scared of him, but she didn't let it show as she clenched her jaw.

"If you must know, he wrote it in a letter that he sent to my father," she added through gritted teeth, then she pushed past him and hurried towards the staircase.

Merlin was left standing with a flaming anger tearing through his veins. He was ready to rip the King's head off with his bare hands. But as the image of doing so became very vivid in his mind, he let go of his anger, if only slightly.

No. Arthur may be the biggest royal prat on Earth, but he would never hurt Astra in this (or any) way. What's more, he would never replace her with another woman. No matter who it may be. Only yesterday he threw a tantrum because he couldn't get a pillow out of her room so he could feel close to her, for crying out loud! If there is anything in this world that Merlin can be certain of, it's that Arthur loves his sister completely and unconditionally.

Besides, as he began to cool off, he reminded himself that there are a bunch of people lurking in the shadows who would absolutely tamper with certain things in order to drive a wedge between the recently-engaged couple. He just needs to find out what exactly is going on away from the light.

Not knowing who else to turn to in the absence of his sister (and not wanting to endanger Gaius or Gwen); Merlin enlisted George's help in searching Mithian's room while the hunt was underway. His fellow servant was resistant at first, but the sorcerer knew which buttons to push. "You will gain favour with the future Queen when she learns that you helped to save her marriage!" he said, and that was enough to get the upright guy to help.

Five hours later, the hunting party was back with empty hands. The forest seemed to have been devoid of animals that day. Except for a lone deer that had crossed the King's path. He'd been quick to draw his crossbow, but he had then paused when the animal had looked him right in the eyes and caused a dreadful thought to cross his mind: Astraea would be disappointed and even slightly hurt if she returned from Gawant to find that he killed such a majestic, yet defenceless, animal for sport! And so, shocking everyone present, he'd spared the creature's life.

George pulled Merlin to the side as soon as he was able to and he handed him the letter that he encountered atop the nightstand in Mithian's room. The servant had been extremely relieved to have found the item so easily, for he hadn't wanted to have to rummage through suitcases and drawers in search of it.

Merlin quickly perused the letter to find that it indeed talked of a marriage arrangement to settle the conflict between Nemeth and Camelot once and for all by uniting their lands. However, he instantly realised that the handwriting isn't Arthur's.

There is only one person in the castle who would dare to undermine the King's authority like this and attempt to throw out his relationship with Astra like a week-old dustbin: Agravaine. Merlin could only hope that Arthur would agree with his conclusion as he promptly brought the letter to his room, determination shining in his eyes as he sought to end whatever plot Morgana has in motion this time.

Arthur couldn't believe his eyes as he read the letter. It was almost identical to one he wrote when exchanging correspondence with King Rodor, except that some very important details were corrupted. So he read it once more, this time more carefully. And when his shock didn't die down, he read it a third time. Then he flung it out of the way as his heart began to violently pound against his chest.

Someone is trying to sabotage his relationship with Astraea! His Astraea!

Also, whoever did this is trying to sabotage the peace treaty between Nemeth and Camelot as well! What will the Princess say when she finds out she's been tricked? What will her father say?!

Merlin watched, only slightly amused, as Arthur went through all the stages of grief in half a minute before he grew still and seemingly stopped functioning.

"Arthur?" the sorcerer called out softly, feeling slightly concerned that he might have caused the King's brain to collapse inside his big head.

At the sound of his friend's – sorry, servant's – voice, Arthur collected himself and gulped down the troubling thoughts that were spiralling inside his mind before he made eye-contact with him. "Who would do this?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Merlin drew in a shaky breath. "There is one person I can think of," he braved out. Arthur raised an eyebrow, silently telling him to go on. "Your uncle has been against your relationship with Astra from the start." The King broke eye contact as his gaze fixed on the stolen Spider-Man pillow that lay on his bed, his soul finding a strange sense of comfort in it as he pondered the sorcerer's words. "And he has access to the letters you send out. He could have easily swiped the original one for an altered version."

Arthur shook his head. "The idea is preposterous!" he raised his voice, causing Merlin to flinch – almost unnoticeably. "I have known my uncle since I was a child! I refuse to believe that he would ever betray Camelot!"

However, as much as the suggestion tormented him, Arthur couldn't deny that his servant's theory didn't sound far-fetched at all. So, contradicting his own words, he rose from his desk chair and stormed over to his uncle's room, determined to find out if Merlin's detective skills are worth anything.

The sorcerer followed as Arthur bursted into the room to find it empty. In an act of desperation, the King walked towards the small wooden desk that stands against a wall and opened a drawer, searching for anything that has Agravaine's handwriting on it. A quick comparison of the penmanship will settle the verdict.

It didn't take Arthur more than a minute until he found something he could use – a small note with an address written on it – and he held the two paper parchments side by side, analysing the writing styles.

A big wave of relief came over him as he realised that the writing isn't the same. So, just like that, he decided to take his uncle off the list of suspects. A list that is now empty, by the way.

Unexpected to both boys, Agravaine appeared at the doorway. Guilt flashed through the blond's eyes as he felt ashamed that he'd doubted his uncle's loyalty; while pure hatred flashed through Merlin's.

(Obviously, the man is behind the letter. He had been smart enough to cover his tracks by getting someone else to write it... whom he killed afterwards).

"Is there a problem, my Lord?" Agravaine asked, his well-mastered fake look of innocence ever-present on his face.

"No, Uncle, not at all. I am sorry for the intrusion," Arthur responded before casting a stern look towards Merlin, not having missed the absolute frustration on his face.

The sorcerer stammered, "C-can we please–"

"One more word out of you and I swear I will send you into exile," the King snarled before leaving the room the same way he'd come in – stomping furiously. Merlin felt slightly hurt by his words, even if he doubted that he would really dare to send him into exile. Astra would never allow it.

A wind of murderous rage blew past the sorcerer and Agravaine as they locked eyes for a second before the former followed after Arthur. They still need to figure out how to deal with Princess Mithian before a war can be born out of undiplomatic actions.

Arthur raised his hand and placed two swift raps on the door to Mithian's room before he could chicken out. Then he took a step backwards and his shoulder bumped Merlin's, causing the pair to exchange a look.

The sorcerer could see the trouble in the King's cerulean eyes clear as day. Obviously, the arrived-upon peace offering is very far from ideal from Camelot's perspective, but it's what they were able to come up with in such a short amount of time.

Merlin patted the King's arm and gave him a nod of reassurance when the Princess opened the door. Then he walked away, allowing the royal to deal with the other royal.

"Arthur!" the woman said joyfully as a big grin formed on her lips.

He did not meet her gaze as he lowered his head slightly. "Forgive me, Princess. I fear there has been a big misunderstanding," he said promptly. She tilted her head in confusion. "May we speak?"

Mithian allowed him to enter the room and he began to pace the length of it while she watched quietly as she rested her back against the closed door, her stomach churning at the sight of the handsome blond looking so upset for no apparent reason.

Arthur scratched the back of his neck and took in a deep breath before explaining everything to the Princess: how someone tampered with his letters to Nemeth, and how he never meant for her to come to Camelot under false pretences. He made sure to convey how deeply mortified he felt by the whole debacle; and, most importantly, he revealed that he's actually engaged to another woman whom he loves more than anything.

Mithian looked away from him when he was finished, suddenly feeling nauseated. No wonder he hasn't been returning her advances! No wonder Merlin acted so wildly! No wonder she got constant weird looks from the knights and courtiers! She was disappointed by the revelations, of course; but she was also kind of glad that everything she has experienced since arriving in Camelot now makes sense.

"I understand how big of a conflict this poses," Arthur continued when the Princess remained silent for one to many moments, "and it is for this reason that I hereby offer you and your descendants all the disputed lands of Gedref."

Her lips parted slightly in surprise. "You would give up your ancient claims?"

Arthur drew another deep breath and nodded. "I have no desire for war. Or to grieve you any more than I already have."

"Such an offer cannot be rushed into," Mithian noted, taken aback by his unwavering determination.

"I have drawn up an agreement," Arthur responded as he took a scroll out of the back pocket of his trousers and he handed it to the woman. "If you are happy with the terms, I will sign forthwith."

Mithian quirked an eyebrow as she hesitantly took the scroll. "And if I refuse?"

"It is all I can offer. I do so most humbly," he replied with a slight bow of his head.

She regarded him for a few moments with a look of admiration in her eyes while he shifted in his spot, obviously unhappy with the situation at hand. She can't blame him. She can't be mad at him. It is clear to her that the story he told regarding the letter is truthful. So, with a somewhat disappointed sigh, she moved to sit at the desk, upon which she extended the scroll so that she could read it.

Arthur moved towards the window, which overlooks the courtyard. Even amidst the clouds that gave the sky a greyish tone, the sun refused to stop shining as its powerful rays broke through the vaporous barrier, illuminating the cobblestone below.

He frowned when Merlin walked out into the light with a skip in his step as he accelerated towards the archway. Curious as to what has his servant so excited, he let his gaze travel beyond the square and to the dirt path that leads from the outer walls into it.

A big smile broke onto his lips when he saw the party that had gone to Gawant entering the space. Astra is back! He squinted his eyes in an attempt to get a better look at her, then he recoiled slightly when he noticed what she was doing, a worried frown instantly taking over his features. She will be the death of him one day!

"Tell me – who is it that trumps a princess?" Mithian asked as she suddenly appeared beside him, causing him to startle.

Arthur smiled again and he decided to overlook his beloved's shenanigans when he returned his attention to the figures on horseback passing below the archway, responding, "She is everything."

Mithian was deeply touched by the look of absolute adoration in his eyes. She followed his line of sight, finding that there were two girls entering the courtyard – a petite brunette on a tall cream-coloured horse, and a dark-skinned one on a chestnut pony. "Which one is she?" she wondered.

"The crazy one, of course," he replied with an amused snort.

The Princess chuckled as she fixed her sight on the petite brunette who was – for some reason – standing on the saddle of her horse, her knees slightly bent for balance, instead of sitting on it like a normal person. She was laughing as she talked to a man who rode beside her, a brunet knight with an air of mischief to him.

"What great family is she from?" Mithian inquired, feeling intrigued by the younger girl's behaviour... and the strange clothes she was wearing (a Captain America sweatshirt and grey riding leggings)... and the fact that her enchanting horse wasn't wearing a bridle, just a strap around its neck.

Arthur breathed out a chuckle before responding, "I do not know much about Astraea's family, if I am honest. She simply showed up one day out of nowhere along with Merlin."

His body itched to run downstairs, and to envelop Astra into his arms, and to kiss her until he suffocates. A wave of jealousy filled him when she eagerly leaped off Dallas to hug his servant. But he knows that the Princess deserves answers, so he will have to keep his urges in check for a bit longer.

"And for her you would risk your kingship? Your kingdom?" Mithian asked.

Arthur watched with a dancing heart as Astra and Gwaine conversed animatedly with Merlin. Gwen shook her head in disapproval at something the younger brunette said, though she fought a smile; while Leon seemed incredibly shocked as Merlin turned to him with an amused expression on his features. Astra bursted out laughing, her body shaking slightly as she showed off her great smile.

"Without her, they are worth nothing to me," the King replied after a few moments.

Mithian hummed as she observed the scene below them. She can see the appeal in 'Astraea'. She seems like a breath of fresh air in the midst of upright courtiers and proud knights. Her demeanour seemed anything but stately as she laughed freely and leaned against the knight beside her for support. There is something almost wild about her. Untamed. Unbroken. The Princess couldn't help but feel jealous, wishing that she could feel that liberty. But the burden of royalty was loaded onto her shoulders from the moment she was born, and she will never know what it is like to have such apparent lightness in her heart.

"I would give up my own kingdom to be so loved," she reflected in a whisper.

The King let out a heavy exhale, unsure of how to respond to that statement.

"Will she be angry about what happened?" Mithian asked, slightly fearing that the peculiar girl would think poorly of her.

Arthur chuckled and shook his head. "I wish," he answered with a playful eye-roll. "I am going to have to hear jokes about it for the rest of my life."

The Princess laughed, liking Astraea more and more. "Go on, then. I am sure you are dying to reunite with her," she prompted with a knowing look.

She didn't get a reply as Arthur dashed out of the room.

"What about you?" Merlin asked once the laughter from hearing about Arthur's unfortunate situation with the Princess Mithian died down. "Did anything interesting happen in Gawant?"

Gwaine and I instantly glanced at each other and broke down laughing again. My brother turned towards Leon and Gwen with a questioning look, a small grin playing on his lips. Gwen looked away, an aggrieved expression forming onn her features as she bit her bottom lip, while Leon dropped his head in defeat.

"Hey! You had fun n' you know it!" I scolded them for their self-reproached behaviour.

Merlin's curious eyes fell on me and I collected myself with a deep breath before answering with a mischievous grin, "Let's just say that we turned Gawant into a bit of a Casino."

"You placed gambles?" he asked.

"Yep!"

"Against the Princes and their friends," Gwaine added.

"And we owned their butts!" I exclaimed before sharing a high-five with the knight.

Merlin chuckled and shook his head.

"Be warned that we agreed not to say a word to Arthur," Leon cut in while shooting me a stern look.

My brother laughed harder. "Oh, no! What did you do?!"

I giggled at the memories that flashed through my mind. "Well, Lee and Ben threw wedding cake at each other, Gwainester broke the nose of a statue with a plum, I accidentally broke a window when I–"

My words were abruptly halted when I spotted Arthur atop the staircase to the main entrance of the castle and my heart began to race with joy.

"Artie!" I exclaimed as I rushed towards him.

Then I tripped over the first step, but his strong arms caught me before I could break something and he lifted me off the ground. I wrapped my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist, clinging tightly onto him as he held me firmly against his body. He let out a long exhale as his face hid in the crook of my neck, causing shivers to run down my spine as the expelled air hit my exposed skin.

"I missed you so much," he whispered.

"I missed you, too, Peaches."

He lifted his head and pressed his lips against mine in an almost urgent manner, his hands fisting the back of my bomber jacket as he tightened his hold on my body.

"Have some shame, you two!" Gwaine shouted, causing us to break the kiss and share an alarmed look.

Whoops! There are other people here!

Arthur set me down carefully and he kept an arm around my waist as he turned to face the rest of the party, his face reddening slightly as he gave them an acknowledging nod. "It is great to have you all back."

"It is all right. We know that you only care about Trae," Gwaine responded in a teasing manner a moment before his smile faded and his lips parted, his hazel gaze travelling to something behind Arthur and I.

I turned my head to find a stunning woman who appeared to be about the King's age. Her chestnut hair is hidden underneath a veil, her pale skin is unblemished, and she has kind brown eyes that complement the amicable grin on her plump, pink lips.

Is this the Princess that Arthur passed up on for plain little ol' me?! He must be blind and way dumber than I thought!

Swallowing the sudden self-consciousness that began to raise doubts within me, I gave the woman a small wave.

Arthur chuckled under his breath and his arm tightened around my waist as he turned us around to fully face her. "Princess, this is my future queen, the Lady-Knight Astraea," he told her, then he turned to look down at me. "Darling, this is the Princess Mithian of Nemeth."

"Nice to meet ya'. Call me Astra," I greeted with a small smile, feeling almost shy under her regal gaze as my body instinctively cowered.

"The pleasure is all mine, Astra," she responded in a sweet tone. "I have heard much about you."

I raised an eyebrow as I looked up to Arthur, and a smirk formed on my lips. "Really?"

"Only the bad stuff, I am afraid," he replied, mirroring my expression as our eyes locked. I gasped in mock offence and held the pretend shock for a few moments, then I quickly thought of a way to get back at him and turned to face the Princess again.

"I'm sorry about the whole thing with the letter. But I really think you dodged a bull–" I tripped over the word 'bullet', "a-an arrow there, Princess." Her eyes widened and she gave a laugh that seemed almost nervous. "It's too late for me, but you can still run!" I added dramatically.

"You really think you are funny, huh?" Arthur questioned as he hovered over me on his bed, one of his hands pinning mine above my head as the other mercilessly tickled my ribs.

I writhed like a dying worm in his grasp, helplessly trying to escape the attack as tears streamed down my face from how hard he was making me laugh.

"I think I'm adorable!" I shot back.

He continued to torture me while hysterically laughing at my misery.

"Stop! I'm gonna pee myself!" Surely that will make him reconsider his actions, right?

But stop he did not.

"Arthur – please!" I tried to sound serious, but the incessant chuckles that left me did not allow for that.

"Say you are lucky to have me!" he demanded.

"You are lucky to have me," I said and shot him a wink in the midst of my anguish.

He gasped in mock offence and, without warning, he slid his tickling hand under the two layers of clothing I wore. His touch sent fiery beams up my spine – and I feared I would turn into ash for a moment – as the direct contact with my skin made me laugh harder.

The audacity of this man!

"Fine!" I relented before I could really pee myself. "I'm the luckiest girl in the world 'cause I have you!"

"Now say you love me!"

"I love you three-thousand!"

The attack finally stopped and we were both left panting slightly. Our eyes met as he lowered his face towards mine. His tickling hand slid out from under my shirt and hoodie, and slowly skimmed the side of my torso as it travelled up to my cheek, against which his fingers brushed gently and I leaned into his touch. His other hand loosened its grip on mine, allowing my arms to be free, and I moved my hands to let them rest between our almost-touching chests, where I began to play with the neckline of his white v-neck tunic – the one that makes him look like an angel, despite his wicked actions.

"Say you will be mine forever," he demanded, this time in a whisper as he let his lips graze against mine.

My insides melted like cheap wax under the summer Texas sun.

"I'm yours for as long as you want me."

Arthur let out a heavy exhale before finally kissing me fully. One of his arms slid under my back and around my torso while the other hand remained pressed gently against my cheek, seemingly holding me in place as he deepened the kiss with a small swipe of his tongue against my bottom lip.

I never wanna leave his side again.

A loud knock on the door caused us to jump apart with a violent jolt and we scrambled to make ourselves look presentable following the one-sided tickling war; then Arthur called for whoever it was to come inside.

In shuffled Leon and Gwaine, the former hiding something behind his back as they both gave sheepish smiles.

"What did ya' do now?" I asked as I raised an eyebrow, a smirk forming on my lips.

"Nothing," Leon responded with a stern look. "We brought you a gift," he stated as he revealed whatever was behind his back – a brown pouch that looked like it was about to burst – and he set it down on the King's dining table.

"That is everything we got in Gawant," Gwaine explained briefly.

With widening eyes (and ignoring the very confused look on Arthur's face), I skipped closer to the knights and opened the bag to inspect it. Sure enough, it was filled with gold coins.

"There should be about two-hundred coins in there," Leon continued. "We want you to use it to pay for the wedding arrangements so that you do not have to take from the people's taxes."

A huff of disbelief left me and I quickly moved to hug Leon, then Gwaine.

"I don't know what to say. This is awesome!" I chirped.

"We figured we owed it to you, since a lot of it was earned thanks to you," Gwaine noted with a chuckle.

I snorted and gave them each another hug, thanking them deeply. Then they left the room after bowing to the King and I turned to face him, noticing that he was still very much puzzled.

"What the hell did you do in Gawant?" he inquired.

"Sorry, Peaches. What happens in Gawant, stays in Gawant."

"Astraea–"

"Hey! Why is Spider-Man on your bed?!"