Alright guys, finally an update! I know you guys must want to kill me or kiss me or both.

But I am sorry for not updating in so long ! I'm really very sorry, for what its worth my excuse is that I had my final year uni exams to pass and dentistry is really one hard course to pass. Oh yes, for those of you who don't know already I'm going to be a dentist, hopefully not a horrible one…

Anyways, after I finished my exams I was feeling a bit of Writer's block…I still am feeling it to an extent but I finally felt up to writing this, thankyou guys for all the reviews, love them and you guys dearly.

Almost 300 reviews, I'm floored! You guys have no idea how much confidence you give me, both as a writer and a person!

Chapter – 12

"Well don't you look dashing?" Hunith exclaimed as Merlin came out dressed in a crisp dark blue suit with a white shirt underneath.

Merlin blushed and said "You look great too mom."

Hunith was wearing a white knee length dress that was befitting of an outdoor garden party and since Balinor was still away, it was upto Hunith and Merlin to be solicitous hosts this time.

Usually host duties and greeting people was left to Balinor and Hunith while Merlin could happily sequester himself with his lot but this time he was required to meet and greet important dignitaries and the likes.

His mother had made sure he memorized all the people's names in the guest list along with their pictures. He just hoped his inner nervousness did not show. And as he'd been privy to seeing the guest list it seemed Arthur, Igraine, Morgana and Mithian were all included in it.

Merlin had taken Will's advice and invited Mordred because if nothing else he'd be good company. And he really didn't want to spend the entire day feeling depressed about Arthur and his date.

Merlin knew he had absolutely no right to feel this upset about it but he the matter of it was that he did feel upset. He did not examine the reasons why as it was too scary to think about reasons why.

As was customary Merlin and Hunith invited the guests as everyone slowly started trickling in. Hunith, Merlin observed knew everyone who was present and their relatives. She knew who was married to whom, whose grandfather was ill, who was whose cousin and Merlin felt amazed that his mother knew so much about Mercia's people. Merlin absorbed all the information and greeted people with their names, thankfully not making a mistake yet.

People seemed to like it when he talked to them and Hunith was looking on proudly as Merlin chatted with this person or that. Even Lady Eleanor who was a seventy year old woman who was downright grumpy seemed to take a liking to Merlin and Hunith breathed a sigh of relief, this was going as well as it can be expected.

She only hoped it all wouldn't go to hell when Arthur arrived with his Lady. She did not need anybody to tell her that Merlin was saddened by the recent happenings. He could deny it all he wanted to but Merlin it seemed had developed some feelings for Arthur after all.

But today would not go out of hand, she would make sure to keep a watchful eye on Merlin at all times and prevent him from doing something stupid, again. The consequences of another scandal between Merlin and Arthur just didn't bear thinking about.

It had been about an hour and all the families from Mercia had already arrived and it was only the other state guests who were yet to arrive.

The first to arrive was surprisingly Gwaine and Merlin smiled wide and genuine as Gwaine once again took Merlin's hand and kissed his knuckles after giving a similar greeting to Hunith, who was as usual charmed. Hunith watched with a contemplative look as Merlin blushed and said "Not a lady Gwaine, you should really stop greeting me in such a manner."

"Who said only ladies deserved such a greeting?" Gwaine said and Merlin laughed.

"So how has your life been?" asked Merlin tempted to just ditch his greeting duties for a while and talk with Gwaine.

"Less exiting than yours, is the Princess coming today?"

"He was on the guest list" replied Merlin not sure whether Arthur would turn up or not.

"I hope he does, I don't want to be here all by my lonesome."

"You didn't bring a date?"

Before Gwaine could answer there was another voice Merlin was altogether too familiar with by now.

"Gwaine is the sort of man who comes dateless and goes with multiple dates Mer-lin."

"Hey, I hate that implication Princess!" said Gwaine and Arthur smiled retorting "Can't bear the truth?"

Arthur was followed by three ladies, two of whom Merlin was very familiar with. Merlin felt a pang in his chest when he saw the lady in the photographs standing very close to Arthur and Arthur subconsciously leaning towards her in an almost protective manner. If the photographers outside were bearable up until than point it got crazy yet again as there was flash after flash from cameras and Merlin made sure to smile and not let his expression slip. Arthur shielded Mithian from the cameras with his body and took the lady's hands. Mithian as far as Merlin could tell was looking quite nervous with all the pap's attention.

Before Merlin could say hello to Arthur, Morgana was in the way and leaving all formalities aside she pulled Merlin into a crushing hug.

"You've grown so much you runt!" exclaimed Morgana as Merlin hugged back smelling her flowery perfume. Arthur scowled at her and Merlin, Mithian was also watching the interaction while Igraine was chatting with Hunith. Arthur was a bit stumped by the familiarity between Morgana and Merlin. He knew that they were close when they were young because Morgana was younger than him and often entertained Merlin when he was in Camelot for some reason or the other back when their families had been friends.

"Eww, you're boobs are crushing me Morgana!"

Morgana promptly slapped Merlin on the head saying "Do you have any idea how many men want my boobs to be crushing them Merlin?"

"Wish I was in your place now Merlin" said Gwaine and Morgana rolled her eyes at him.

Merlin gave a look of disgust and said "Probably many…"

"So consider yourself lucky"

"Ugh Morgana, you're like my sister, its downright creepy to feel your substantial assets on my person."

Morgana laughed "Well it's a good thing that feeling is mutual otherwise I would have usurped Arthur's position and married you. You look hot my dear!"

Merlin blushed and whined 'Morgana…stop embarrassing me,' the mention of the almost-marriage made him look up at Arthur for a second, Arthur was scowling at him and Merlin directed his eyes back to Morgana wondering if Arthur had been forced to come here out of obligation.

Morgana and Merlin had always been pretty close, back when their families were good friends Morgana had always indulged in a young Merlin wanting attention than Arthur who just considered him a menace in his way.

Merlin had looked up to Arthur for a time being as he was older and cooler among his mates. He remembered himself as a young boy going behind Arthur and following him around in naïve admiration and Arthur snapping at him to 'get out his way.' Morgana though still talked to him occasionally, sent him gifts for his birthday and was inordinately kinder to him than Arthur ever was.

"Son, I think we're blocking the way, why don't we go inside and get settled?" Igraine finally pushed them all to get a move on and Arthur was chagrined as he had not gotten to speak a single word to Merlin since he arrived. But as he looked back at the other guests who were arriving he realized that they were indeed blocking the way and grudgingly forced his feet to move.

He noticed Merlin was not coming with them, but what did he expect, Merlin was also a Prince and he had duties of his own to attend to here in his Kingdom.

When they reached their seats Arthur claimed the one that was facing the front where he had an unobstructed view of Merlin. Morgana smirked at him for some reason, probably for being so obvious about his attraction to the Mercian Prince and Mithian sat next to him while his mother sat on the other side.

Gwaine and Morgana were sat close to each other and as Gwaine was wont to do he had started flirting with Morgana. What was surprising to Arthur however was that Morgana seemed to welcome his advances, he was going to have to warn Gwaine off of ever seducing Morgana though.

All things about Gwaine trying to get into Morgana's pants flew out of his mind however when he saw Mordred greeting Hunith and then hugging Merlin close.

Merlin was smiling; showing all his teeth when they separated and the press went berserk clicking pictures of the both of them talking.

Arthur could imagine the headlines right this moment and glared at both Merlin and Mordred, how could Merlin do this to him after all that had happened.

"Arthur, stop glaring. Remember you refused to marry him, he's free to see Mordred or anyone else now." Igraine whispered in his ear after noticing the press take an interest in Arthur's very obvious eyes turning shades of green with jealousy and anger.

"I can't believe he asked Mordred to be his date for this, I mean what was he even thinking?"

Morgana who had noticed by now what the commotion was about said "Firstly you don't even know whether he's asked Mordred to be his date, secondly it's none of your business now."

"It is my business when this is probably going to make me look a fool again. It's not enough that the fiasco in Paris has made me look like the clown of the fucking circus, he's doing it again and I bet it's on purpose."

"That's not fair mate, you've brought a date this evening too you know," Gwaine said gently pointing at Mithian whom Arthur had ignored ever since he started 'Merlin-watching.'

"And the papers were all about 'Prince Merlin left hearbroken by Prince Arthur dating Mithian,' how do you that would make him feel? I bet he's just tired of all the press people hounding him because you've certainly not made a statement about you're relationship with Mithian" stated Morgana and Mithian looked nervous as Arthur looked flabbergasted, as if this had never occurred to him.

Gwaine who assessed that the situation was only going to get worse if left to fester brightly interrupted, "Arthur mate, do you want to go get some drinks?"

Arthur shot Gwaine a thankful look, squeezed Mithian's hands once before he fled the scene, anger simmering hot under the surface of his skin.

It seemed everyone had arrived and Arthur was watching as Merlin finally relieved of playing host was now with his group of friends from school and Mordred. Mordred's hand was encircling Merlin's waist and Merlin seemed to be blissfully unaware of it as he leaned into Mordred and talked with his group of friends. Why was it that Merlin was so comfortable around everyone except Arthur?

Gwaine noticed where Arthur was looking and said "You should really stop the hostile staring Arthur."

Arthur turned his glare on Gwaine who was unimpressed and he slumped ever so slightly. "Mate, if you liked him this much then why didn't you marry him?" asked Gwaine not unkindly.

Unfortunately Arthur had been haunted with the same question in his mind ever since he'd let Merlin leave from his flat in Camelot that seemed to have occurred years ago in his mind, he'd missed Merlin as ridiculous as that sounded. How did you miss a person you'd only been with for a period of weeks? Not to mention that said person hated his guts and thought him all manner of vile things.

The only reason he'd been persuaded to come here today was the fact that he'd get to see Merlin in the flesh and talk to him.

And then he hadn't gotten a word in to Merlin what with Morgana monopolizing Merlin's attention and then Mordred had arrived and was stuck to Merlin like a particularly persistent gnat and all Arthur wanted to do was pry Merlin away from Mordred like he was six and somebody had stolen his favorite toy.

Merlin was free to date whomever he wanted to date, although the fact that Merlin had chosen Mordred had pissed him off to no end Arthur doubted he'd have been happy for Merlin if Merlin had chosen a different man.

"I don't know Gwaine…" Arthur answered honestly, "He hates me anyway, it's best that we didn't."

Gwaine was alarmed at this ungainly and uncommon expression of what almost sounded life grief from Arthur. Now he was really concerned, this thing Arthur had for Merlin seemed to run a lot deeper than a momentary attraction. And Gwaine was concerned as he knew what Arthur was like when he was in love.

It wasn't a pretty sight, they both enjoyed chasing skirts and pants alike when they were out on the prowl but Arthur was loyal to the core to anyone he loved and Gwaine doubted Arthur had realized it at all yet.

"Say mate, when was the last time you got laid?" asked Gwaine casually.

Arthur blinked at the diversion of the topic before he thought hard, now that he thought about it, his last shag had been right after he came to Camelot before all the debacle with Merlin had started.

"Now that you remind me, it's been a long while, why'd you ask?"

Gwaine was even more concerned now and asked "So you've not…' Gwaine made a frankly rude hand gesture which made the older members of the party give a disapproving glare as he said 'been doing it with Mithian?"

Arthur looked at him like he thought Gwaine was absurd for saying it and said "What? No, no, Mithian and I aren't like before now."

"Oh…why's that?" asked Gwaine trying to guide Arthur to think why this might be, after all Mithian was a very hot woman and Arthur and her used to get on like a house on fire when they were dating.

"I don't know Gwaine…I just don't feel the same way anymore I suppose." Arthur answered in a distracted manner as he was once again staring at Merlin and Mordred with ill concealed resentment.

Arthur's carefully contained temper came to a head however when Mordred grabbed Merlin and kissed him full on the mouth, Merlin responding in kind not a care in the world for who would see.

Unknown to Arthur and Merlin though there was a reporter who was observing them very keenly from his vantage point that hid him well from the others who might interfere.

Arthur's hands clenched into tight fists and he was just about ready to go and intervene while Igraine came and laid a restricting hand on her son's arm.

"Don't you dare Arthur! You're already causing enough of a spectacle as it is. For Christ's sake get a hold of yourself."

His anger cooled as his mother's words penetrated the fog of jealousy and fury and what was left in place was hurt. Arthur looked at his mother with a profoundly sad expression; it seemed as though he was lost and Igraine whispered "Oh Arthur!" and held his hands tightly in her grasp directing him away from the scene of Merlin and Mordred and their merry making.

Arthur was brooding and drinking too much after that and Mithian who was observing all this with a faraway look in her eyes stated after a while "You're in love with him, aren't you?"

Arthur snapped his head up and glared for all he was worth but like Gwaine, his glare didn't work on Mithian either.

"I've never seen you so bereft Arthur, stop moping and go win him back. I'd bet all my cards the duke of Essex' son will not stand a chance."

A sober Arthur would not have done what he did at the moment, he went in search of Merlin and since nobody was around to supervise him he found himself following his quarry who was going into the palace rather quickly. Unknown to him the reporter who'd been observing them for all this time followed Arthur knowing this was going to be the big scoop that would boost his carrier. The reporter was smartly dressed so that he could blend in with the blue bloods and when the guards in the palace questioned him about who he was he said "I'm with Prince Arthur, he's a mate." The guards seemed to believe him and didn't question him after that, he was just glad for technology and miniature cameras.

Hunith was searching for her erstwhile son asking Will, Gwen, and Freya if they'd seen him. They all said they hadn't and then she saw Mordred standing alone without Merlin anywhere in sight and rushed to him asking "Mordred, where is Merlin?"

"I haven't seen him since he left to get drinks Hunith."

Hunith mumbled "Oh no, How could I have let him out of my sight?"

Mordred frowned wondering why Hunith seemed to be so anxious, "I'm sure he's just gone inside to use the rest room or something Hunith."

Hunith was unconvinced though, "Oh Mordred, those boys always get into trouble when they are in each other's presence. Can you look around here and try to find him? I'll send the bodyguards to check inside the palace.."

"Sure Hunith, you don't have to be so worried, I'm sure he's fine."

Morgana and Igraine were in a similar situation as Arthur had been missing too, "Gwaine you were supposed to have kept an eye on him!" snapped Morgana.

"He was with Mithian when I left them in search of drinks."

"You trusted Mithian of all people?"

"Come now, Arthur's a grown man, its not like he's going to be kidnapped or shit."

"Did it ever occur to you that Arthur might have gone off and murdered Mordred? Or atleast give him a good pummeling? He was drunk and miserable; you know how he can get!"

Gwaine did know and looked down guilty as charged for not having kept the wits about himself and taken care of his mate.

"Never mind, we'll search for him now, I'll look here, you guys look inside the castle."

Merlin finally stopped at a guest room, he threw open the door and went inside the bathroom not noticing Arthur who had followed in, in his urgency to get to the rest room. Arthur took notice of his surroundings and observed with a sort of detached admiration that Mercia did seem to have a palace that was as grand as the one in Camelot's itself.

The room was opulent with French doors decorated in fine drapes, a king sized four poster bed in the middle of the room and a sturdy desk and chair towards the right corner, a fireplace and four arm chairs placed close to it. Along with the almost age old furniture there was a tv, a computer and a phone.

Finally the door to the rest room opened and Merlin stepped out sans jacket with his white shirt rolled up to his elbows. He seemed surprised to see Arthur in the room and blurted "Christ Arthur, you gave me a scare there!"

Arthur wanted to shout and rage in fury at Merlin for frolicking with Mordred but when Merlin softly asked "Are you alright? You look a bit sick…" with a concerned look Arthur broke down. He couldn't stand this any longer, first Merlin doesn't give a wick about Arthur's presence when all Arthur wanted was for Merlin to atleast talk to him and now he acts all concerned and it confuses Arthur to no end.

Does Merlin care about him at all or not? If he did then why did he always find ways to stab Arthur right in his heart, why did he have to kiss Mordred of all people and like it. He couldn't stand it when Arthur kissed him, kept complaining about it the whole day after their kiss in Paris that Arthur had no right to molest him so.

"Arthur…are you sick? Did you follow me in here?" Merlin came forward when no response was coming forth and Arthur was staring at him as though he were in a trance. Merlin touched Arthur's forehead and when he went to withdraw his hand Arthur held it in his hands and leaned into the touch.

"Merlin…" Arthur said soft and hushed and with an almost reverent tone that made Merlin flush and try to extricate his hand with more force. But Arthur was stubborn and held tight until Merlin had no choice but to roll his eyes and slap him with his hand attached to Arthur's.

Arthur's senses seemed to come alive at that and he looked at Merlin both incensed and shocked and Merlin snapped "Good to know you're still in the land of the conscious, do you mind telling me what you're doing here? Are you drunk?"

"You were with Mordred today…."

"Excellent observation of the obvious Arthur…"

Arthur released his hand but still loomed over him in a frankly creepy way, "What do you see in Mordred?"

Merlin put his hands up in surrender and huffed "Oh not this again Arthur, I am not having this conversation with you alright. In fact I'm not having any conversation with you period."

"Why do you do this to me?" asked Arthur wrestling Merlin into his arms and laying his forehead on Merlin's.

"I'm not the one doing anything here Arthur; you are the one who's holding me against my will, after ignoring my texts for weeks I'd add."

"So that's why you were ignoring me today? Because I didn't text back?"

"Hey, you're not the all important person everywhere you know, I can't afford to chit chat with you all the time when I have important people to greet."

"You were chit chatting with Mordred though…positively fornicating with him in fact…" Arthur said and his grip just got a tad too tight on Merlin.

"And this again, get off of me Arthur, you're drunk and out of it. And you have no right to say anything about my relationship with Mordred or anyone else for that matter."

Arthur held Merlin still and Merlin sighed wondering if he'd have to hit Arthur to let him go before Arthur said in a quiet voice, "I wish I had the right….I wish I'd married you."

It was only because it was so quiet and only the two of them present in the room that Merlin heard this and he let out a gasp when Arthur's eyes met his, there was a vulnerability there that Merlin had hardly ever seen when Arthur was sober.

Merlin chuckled to dispel the awkwardness but even that sounded awkward to his ears and when Arthur looked like he'd been gutted Merlin hastened to reassure Arthur saying "Alright, we both know you're only saying this because you're drunk. You'll be all sober tomorrow and remember we hate each other."

Arthur shook his head minutely, "No…you hate me, I….I want to kiss you."

"God, I know you're maudlin when you're drunk Arthur but really…"

"I want you so much Merlin." Arthur said meeting Merlin's eyes completely real and he didn't appear drunk at all and Merlin felt suspicious but then Arthur planted his mouth right on Merlin's and Merlin forgot he was supposed to push Arthur away.

Arthur kissed Merlin leaving light little pecks on Merlin's lips before he sidled his hands up and tilted Merlin's head and then licked and bit Merlin's lips with his own, when Merlin gasped with a need for air Arthur plunged his tongue inside Merlin's mouth and the kiss soon turned filthy as he thrust his tongue in and out of Merlin's mouth, tasting the roof of his mouth, running his tongue over Merlin's teeth and then rubbing it with Merlin's tongue which seeked Arthur's out shyly.

Arthur tangled his tongue with Merlin's and he was in heaven as he had everything he'd wanted for months right here in his arms and Merlin was not inclined to push Arthur away. Arthur's mind rejoiced and he let his hands roam freely feeling the sides of Merlin's body and resting his hands on Merlin's ass cupping them in his hands and squeezing.

Merlin's eyes lit with wonder at the feelings Arthur's touches seemed to evoke in him and somewhere deep in his mind Merlin remembered that he was supposed to be pushing Arthur away but his plans were thwarted when Arthur left open mouthed kisses along his neck and sucked his ear lobe into his mouth all the while removing Merlin's shirt buttons as if he were perfectly co-ordinated and not drunk at all.

Merlin was alarmed at all of this and started to come to his senses but just then Arthur started to lower himself and sucked one of Merlin's pink flat nipples into his mouth and Merlin was lost again and let out a long moan as the suction seemed to go straight to his cock and Merlin was painfully hard.

Arthur felt Merlin's moan reverberate through his body and he picked Merlin up bridal style and threw him on the massive king sized bed. Arthur stripped himself of his shirt and did the same to Merlin's before he was lying on top of Merlin, sobriety was returning to him but he was as drunk now as he'd ever been before, drunk on Merlin. He wanted to taste, touch, suck and map out every inch of Merlin's pale flushed flesh and not even his good sense was going to stop him, he needed Merlin, his cock ached for Merlin and he'd been denying this to himself for so long.

Arthur was lying on top of him pressed chest to chest and Merlin felt Arthur's erection rub against his own and moaned for all he was worth. Gods being with Arthur in reality was so much better than his dreams, he wanted Arthur to keep stringing his body like this forever, he locked his legs on either side of Arthur's waist keeping him there as they rocked back and forth, their hard cocks rubbing each other through the fabric and making obscenities spill from Arthur's mouth.

Arthur started kissing Merlin again, his mouth, his cheeks, his neck anywhere he could reach while his fingers rubbed Merlin's nipples and squeezed them.

Arthur was almost languid in the way he came back again and again and rubbed against Merlin wanting the torturous sliding of their bodies to last, wanting to feel Merlin like this forever, eyes blown with lust, hair askew and burning for Arthur's touch, and only Arthur's touch.

Arthur growled when Merlin let out a long moan and gripped his arse and brought Merlin forward to rub up against him every time, he took Merlin's ear lobe in his mouth and sucked as he thrust hard now knowing he won't be able to hold on much longer and wanting Merlin to come first, "If we'd been married Merlin,…if we'd been married…I'd have taken you to bed the first day….opened…ahh…you up with my fingers…and fucked you're delectable arse….till you feel sore for days after."

Merlin shuddered in his arms and came with a loud moan and Arthur kissed Merlin to drown out his own obscene moans as he came in his pants like a bloody teenager. As he came down from the high of his orgasm Arthur realized what he'd done and all at once shame and guilt flooded him and at the worst possible moment there was a flash and Arthur and Merlin whipped their heads to see a reporter holding a camera and laughing at them both.

"Great show lads, you guys made my day!"

Before either of them could move the reporter had all but fled and Arthur was too paralyzed by what happened to even think of moving.

"WHAT THE FUCK?" Merlin screamed and shoved Arthur away before pointing his fingers at Arthur and saying "You planned this didn't you?"

Arthur who was as dumbfounded as Merlin and was developing a huge headache thanks to the drinks and Merlin's shouting just said "What?"

And that was the scene Hunith, Igraine and Morgana walked in on. Merlin and Arthur were both shirtless and Merlin's hair was askew, lips swollen red, and had hickeys on various places on his person.

Hunith screamed "You stupid boy! What did I tell you? Can't you keep yourself out of trouble for one day Merlin?"

Arthur jumped in to defend Merlin, "Hunith, it wasn't his fault; I was the one who coerced him."

Hunith directed her glare to Arthur then and Igraine and Morgana looked at Arthur with ill concealed disapproval. "I expected better from you Arthur" said Hunith before she bodily dragged Merlin away from the bed and barked at him to put on his shirt.

Merlin who was red faced in both embarrassment and anger refused to meet anyone's eyes as he put on his shirt and gave Arthur a hateful glare before leaving the room not heading his mother's calls for him to come back and explain himself.

Arthur put his head in his hands and wondered at the mess he'd made up of everything, Igraine handed him his shirt and he took it and put it on wondering why his mother was not shouting at him as Hunith had at Merlin.

God, this scandal was going to be the end of him, he just knew it.

The next day their illicit activities as the press liked to call them was slapped all over the news papers with Arthur and Merlin entwined with each other in a passionate embrace. The news ranged from speculations of Merlin cheating on Mordred, to Arthur seducing Merlin away from Mordred, and then Arthur and Merlin secretly dating each other and pretending to be with others and other loads of bullshit Arthur really didn't want to think about.

Arthur often didn't get visited by his father in his flat but Uther had deemed this an occasion worthy of a visit.

As soon as Uther stepped in Arthur knew he was in a towering temper and he was so glad when his mother came with him and Arthur felt like there was atleast going to be a buffer between him and his father.

Arthur stood leaning on the fireplace as his father paced and his mother sat in one of the armchairs looking weary.

"How irresponsible could you be Arthur?"

"Father, I'm…"

He didn't get a chance to continue as Uther's roared, "I told you to be discrete if you wanted the boy but now you've made it public scandal."

"This is one too many misgivings Arthur! You're a crown Prince and you act like a common skirt chaser."

"Father, I'm sorry. I am in the wrong here and I'm sorry."

"Well sorry is not going to fix this scandal now, is it? What do you plan on doing now that the entire nation thinks the Pendragons are a group of low born Lotharios who can't keep it in their pants long enough to think of the consequences?"

"You will remedy this Arthur or so help me I will denounce you as my heir and have that Merlin boy thrown into a jail cell as war spoils!"

"Father, this was not Merlin's fault, don't you dare bring him into this!"

"How dare you defend him to me? How dare you defend anything of either of your actions after all the shame it has caused me and Camelot?"

"That's enough Uther," Igraine stood from where she'd been quietly sitting and said "I'm sure Arthur will take responsibility for his actions and so will Merlin, so let it rest."

Uther gave Arthur a menacing glare and said "You better do" before he walked out swiftly leaving Igraine to tell Arthur the news.

"So what am I going to be deported to some far off naval base so you can train Morgana to be queen?" asked Arthur with a small smile to Igraine.

Igraine groaned and shook her head saying, "No, you're going to marry Merlin."

Arthur sighed and rubbed his temples with his hands.

"I thought you were going to put up some resistance…" said Igraine and Arthur looked at her and said "It's not much of a surprise, after this I think there's no other way but for me to marry him."

Igraine looked at Arthur and gave him a shrewd look, "That is not the only reason you're alright with this, you like Merlin."

Arthur smirked and said "Well obviously mum, I'd have thought you'd have picked that up after seeing the photos in the papers."

Igraine laughed and said "You're father doesn't know this is not going to be much of a punishment for you so be sure to act put upon when he mentions marriage."

"Oh it is going to be punishment Mum, Merlin thinks I orchestrated this entire scheme in order to get him to marry me, I'm pretty sure he must absolutely loath me right now."

Igraine was surprised; she'd heard Merlin was less than thrilled when Hunith called to inform them that the marriage plans were back on but she never assumed this to be the reason.

"How did he get that impression?"

Arthur flushed in embarrassment, "I might have said some things to him which didn't exactly argue my case of innocence on the matter."

"You said you wanted to marry him?" Igraine was shocked, though she knew Arthur had developed feelings for Merlin it was not exactly like Arthur to be so open about the matter either.

"Not in quite the same words…" said Arthur clearing his throat and attempting to sound nonchalant but Igraine knew it couldn't have been easy for Arthur to reveal his feelings to Merlin, he was so guarded when it came to his heart and there was a time Igraine had feared he'd never love another again.

"But to be fair I was a bit drunk and that lowered my inhibitions significantly…"

"Mmmm, you must convince Merlin of your innocence, we'll find the reporter who took those goddamned pictures and make him pay."

"Already on it, I'm going to give whoever it is a sound pummeling."

"I'll second that, in the meantime I have to warn you about wedding planners, place, decorations, cake tasting, dress fitting, choosing best man's and all that jazz, you're life is going to get crazy for a while."

Arthur shook his head, "Don't worry, this time I'm actually up for it."

Merlin was resolutely ignoring Arthur's calls and when it became too much he just switched his phone off and resolved to get himself a new number.

He was stunned and shocked by what had transpired just a few days ago. He couldn't believe he'd landed himself right where he didn't want to right from the beginning.

He had fucked everything up so thoroughly and fallen into Arthur's trap so easily, he felt like an utter fool. How could he have let Arthur do this to him? So he was insanely attracted to the man but Merlin should have known to be careful around Arthur.

When Arthur had told him he wanted Merlin so much with that kind of vulnerability that he'd never shown to Merlin before Merlin was not able to refuse him. But he'd never dreamed that Arthur, noble incredible Arthur who had more ladies and gents after him than any bachelor in the country and could choose from their pick had played such an underhanded trick to get Merlin to marry him.

How else could he explain the fact that the reporter knew just where to be? As far as he'd seen no reporters were allowed inside the palace, guards were posted to ensure this didn't happen and Merlin was sure after seeing the tapes that Arthur had had a reporter following him into the guest room.

Sure the reporter was following a little ways away but Arthur wasn't that much of a fool to let the man whoever it was walk side by side to him.

On the other hand he kept asking himself if Arthur was innocent, why would he do this to Merlin? Even if he was desperate and wanted to marry him Merlin could not concede the image of the Arthur in his mind to the one who'd manipulated him so fraudulently.

He'd questioned the guards and they'd all told him they'd only let the reporter in because he proclaimed to be Arthur's friend. And Arthur had deliberately followed him in to his palace and deliberately seduced him into bed. He didn't know what he was supposed to think and he wasn't willing to hear Arthur's explanation either way.

He couldn't pawn off the entire blame on Arthur either, he'd been sober and he'd also welcomed Arthur's advances. That had been Hunith's clinching point; he had to take responsibility for his actions. He should have pushed Arthur away as soon as the prats hands started roaming, instead he'd let himself be seduced like countless others and look where it landed him.

Hunith was insistent that Arthur could not have had anything to do with the reporter, Arthur was not such a person. Even when she was angry with Arthur Hunith had insisted on his innocence, he couldn't have known about the reporter being there.

And after all this time he still had to end up getting married to Arthur, he screamed and threw the book he was reading on the floor in a rage.

His cell phone rang and Merlin saw on the caller id that it was Arthur again. He picked up and answered "What? What more do you want? Isn't it enough that you've ruined my life already?"

Arthur rolled his eyes and said "Merlin calm down! I had no part in this; I didn't set up the reporter to take photos of us while we were doing that Merlin! You know I wouldn't stoop so low, you know that!" The conviction in Arthur's voice made Merlin believe in him if only for a second, he did not want to imagine it if Arthur was only fibbing.

"Even if you didn't Arthur the fact remains that you still ruined my life and I still have to marry you!"

"Would it be so terrible Merlin? You seemed to be enjoying yourself that day…you didn't seem at all repulsed if I remember right…"

"Shut up Arthur, shut up! I am a teenager, what did you expect me to do? I would have made out with a couch if I was strung up enough."

Arthur sighed, "I don't want us to fight this Merlin, I like you alright, very much…I think we can make this work."

"I'm eighteen Arthur….I'm not…" Merlin had to struggle to speak past the lump in his throat. "And I don't Arthur….I don't think I'll fall in love with you one day because of being forced to be married, I don't want this, I never wanted this."

"And neither did I…"

"But you want to now…" Merlin felt betrayed by that mostly, Arthur was supposed to share the same thought as Merlin about their marriage.

"I do, God knows why because you're the most exasperating person I've ever met but I do Merlin."

"You just want to have sex with me…"

"It doesn't have to be just sex…."

"And who says I want to have sex with you?"

"Mer-lin, you were a willing participant that day…."

"I only put up with it because you were drunk and pathetic" Merlin's jest was half hearted at best and Arthur smiled on the side of his line.

"Tell you what; I can be even better when I'm sober."

Merlin flushed and was glad Arthur couldn't see him now, "I'm not interested" he said flippantly.

"Except when I'm drunk and pathetic…"

"Shut up prat!"

"So you're convinced of my innocence now? You don't believe I orchestrated this entire scheme to steal your virginity?"

"I'm not a virgin."

"That lie again Merlin?"

"Just because I didn't sleep with Mordred doesn't mean I didn't sleep with anybody else!"

"Really? You seemed very inexperienced."

"You're judgments were skewered, you were drunk you oaf!"

"You didn't answer my question…"

"I…I don't know what to believe, I want to believe you…"

"That's enough for me Merlin, I'll prove my innocence to you once I get a hold of the reporter responsible for all this."

"So…."

"So we're getting married"

"Any chance we could escape it this time?"

"Not unless you want to be de-throned"

Merlin huffed and sank into his bed, "Does this mean you'll be exporting to Mercia again?"

"Depends on whether your father lets us use your ports Merlin…"

"I'm going to sleep."

"Alright, I'll see you tomorrow."

"What for?"

"You do realize this is a wedding Merlin….there's going to be wedding planners…"

Merlin groaned and cut the line not wanting to hear anymore of it. How had he landed himself in this most bizarre situation?

All is not sunshine and merry for Arthur and Merlin yet though, writer's block is horrible, please review guys? I know I have no right to ask but please leave your comments.