Arthur was up early. He had washed and was looking out of the window waiting for Merlin to wake up. He wanted to break his fast with him if possible, but he wouldn't wake him up. Instead he was pondering the sentence for the witch finder. Much as he wanted to make the man suffer as much as possible he also knew he needed to be seen to be fair in his judgement. Yet how could he judge a fit punishment for a man who had not only tortured his omega and made him lose their child, but had also tortured maybe hundreds of others. Yesterday a group of townspeople had petitioned him to allow them to decide the sentence. They wanted to stone him to near death before burning him. Many of those who died had been innocent of any crime, even magic. Arthur understood their anger and grief, but he knew if he started his reign in that way he would find it all too easy to order the harsh punishments his father had used. He wanted a better system, he never wanted to hear the scream of those burning to death again. Justice must be done and seen to be done. Merlin continued to sleep so Arthur ate before heading down to the throne room where the trial would be heard. Although the full council would hear the evidence it would be Arthur, and Arthur alone, who had the final say on both the verdict and the punishment.

Arthur entered the throne room to find the council already in attendance. Morgana and the knights had taken their places, only Leon's seat was empty, he was already on his way to fetch Hunith. He would miss his friend's advice but knew he needed to get the trial over with. Arthur called for the prison to be brought before them. Aredian dirtier than he was used to being. Although he had been given clean clothing as his own had been covered with his own blood. He held himself proud only the faintest tremble giving his inner turmoil away. Lancelot and Elyan had escorted the prisoner, who glared at Gwaine and Percival. Arthur knew they would have verbally tormented him during the night, but he couldn't bring himself to care.

Geoffrey read the charges "You Adrian are before his court to face charges against you. The charges are as follows: That you tortured the Kings Omega and deliberately caused his child to abort. Also over the past twenty years you have knowingly tortured innocent people to gain confessions of witchcraft, even though in many cases you fabricated such evidence or knew it to be false. You paid others to give false evidence to back your claims. How do you plead?"

Aredian sneered as best he could, he would not go down without a fight "I am innocent and demand to be set free and the knight how did this to me punished" Aredian held up the bandaged stump where Gwaine had severed his hand. "All my actions were under orders of the Crowned and legitimate King of Camelot" Aredian looked round the council "As you gentlemen know it was my job to bring sorcerers to justice."

Arthur stiffened but forced himself to hold his temper. "Is that your answer to everything? Did you have no free will? All those hundreds of people how could you do that to women and children? We have witnesses from cases you dealt with in the villages, King Uther was not present then"

"I had orders from your father, is he on trial for giving the order, his word was law, if what I did was wrong so was he"

Arthur looked at the witch finder "He confessed his crimes and paid the price." Arthur turned to the guards "Bring in the witnesses"

Several villages came in to the room each was questioned and they all told a horrific tale of torture and burning, many saying that the witch finder had used damp wood so the pyres would burn all the more slowly. And of victims that had done no harm other than to save someone or use magic to feed their families. Many tales were told of innocent people being tortured and burnt.

"They turned them over to me, it was their evidence!" Aredian protested

Three different witnesses told how they had witnessed the accusers being paid for the evidence saying "Everyone knew if he was about they could get rid of their enemies or anyone that upset them"

Aredian put up the defence saying magic was illegal and everything he did was within the law and at the Kings command.

Arthur held up this hand for silence. "And the charge of torture of my omega and killing of a Royal child, what answer have you for that. Surely an unborn child is innocent" his voice hard and cold as he fought for control.

"I admit I was asked by King Uther to confirm his majesty's belief that the base born omega had magic, and had used it to enchant Prince Arthur. I was following orders! I did use hot iron on the omega it was the only way to break the enchantment and the soul bond without killing the Prince, I told the King that before I began. Anything else was not me, I found him like that when I arrived." Aredian looked at the council "You need to prove otherwise. These gentleman arrived as I had just started" he looked at Arthur "You cannot put me on trial for following the Kings orders nor for something you cannot prove I did and hard and difficult task but one that needed to be done. Magic after all corrupts the soul" he paused "What sort of King will you be if you start your reign in such a way"

Arthur bit the inside of his cheek before answering. "Magic is now legal in Camelot, I do not believe it corrupts the soul that is power and the darkest aspects of the mind. A fact that you seem to have embraced. You didn't do what you did other than for power and a disgusting enjoyment."

Gwaine was under no such constraint to keep calm. "You had hung Omega Merlin by this wrists until his arms dislocated! Then you punched him in the belly until he lost his baby, King Arthur's child! And to pregnant omega of only sixteen! Then you burnt him with hot irons"

"I did not! I admit using hot iron at the Kings express order no more and as I said prove it, where is your witness?"

"I cut your hand of as it was holding the hot iron, what ore proof do you need" Gwaine spat out.

"Sire it seems much as we deplore this man's actions he was, as he said, following orders no more. It hardly seems right to punish him for his loyalty to the late King. As no one saw otherwise I feel we should caution you Sire to put aside you distress at losing your child, for justice"

Morgana spoke out "What would you know of losing a child?" she spat at the man "No one in the Kingdom would blame my brother for whatever he does"

Aredian seeing his chance spoke once more "Your father Sire he had already told me he would make sure no child of Satan was born with Royal blood, it must have been him that caused the omega to lose the child"

The council started muttering clearly wondering what to do one of the Lords spoke out "Sire if we find Aredian guilty are we all guilty for carrying out the Kings orders? The guards that arrested your omega, the guards that built the pyres? Where do we stop?"

Gwaine jumped up "You snivelling cowards you can't let this bast.."

At the same time Morgana also spoke "With your head…"

"Morgana, Sir Gwaine Silence!" Arthur shouted. He was just about to speak again when a small voice spoke.

"I was there, I know what happened"

Arthur turned round to find Merlin stood shaking Sir Lancelot by his side

"What are you doing here? You should be up and about" Arthur rushed to his omegas side.

"I was there I can tell you what happened" the slender omega squared his shoulders "The late King may have ordered what happened but he did it." Merlin pointed at Aredian, unable to say the man's name "He punched my belly over and over until I lost my baby, he laughed as he did it. He was the one who pulled on my body until my arms popped." Merlin's voice was shaking with anger and emotion "He enjoyed hurting me, he said it was a pleasure to hurt people. HE KILLED MY BABY! I begged him not to be HE KILLED MY BABY" Merlin was beside himself by now Arthur tried to comfort him and hold him but Merlin wasn't having it. "DO YOU KNOW HOW IT FELT! AS IF SOMETHING WAS TWISTING ME UP INSIDE. AS IF YOUR HANDS WERE PULLING MY BABY FROM ME!"

Merlin's eyes went gold and his hands went out as if he was gripping something and twisting it. Aredian grasped his abdomen and screamed "NOW YOU KNOW WHAT I FELT" Merlin's face screwed up in hatred and revenge.

Arthur stood in front of his Omega "STOP IT MERLIN, this is not you, please stop, please or you will destroy yourself. I will make sure he pays the price." He pulled Merlin into him and hugged his "Stop Little Hawk for me" tears were running down Merlin's face as he crumpled down in a heap. Morgana ran towards them and knelt at her brother's side. Gaius joined from the table and they took the sobbing omega away.

Arthur turned on Aredian who was clutching his middle whimpering as blood ran down his inner legs. Arthur felt nothing be hatred for the pitiful creature in front of him. "Different when it's you isn't it? Now deny it, my father's orders or not your enjoyed other pain and torment and for that I find you guilty of mass torture and murder and of murdering a Royal child and harming my Omega!." Arthur stepped back and looked at his council "Any objections!"

No one spoke up, their king was a force to be reckoned with, even without the Knights, and Gwaine looked as if he would kill anyone who objected. It was clear Aredian had no chance and no one was going down with him.

Arthur turned back to Aredian "I King Arthur Pendragon, find you guilty, as charged, and you will be the last person to face the pyre in the courtyard. A fitting end to someone who has sent so many others to such a death. I would have you tortured but I will not stoop to your level" He turned to Gwaine "Order a pyre constructed now, he will burn before the day is out. He can watch it being built. Tie him to a wagon so he can see every stick put in place. Let him contemplate his end." Arthur paused "Just make sure he is alive to feel the flames."

With that Arthur went after Merlin and the others. He had been shocked to see his gentle omega prepared to kill using his magic. He alloy hoped that Merlin hadn't been damaged. The Omega had always told him magic should only be used for good and to help people but he had been driven to do something in his right mind he would never have done. Arthur didn't blame him for what he did, he just wished he could have slowly killed the man himself.

Morgana, Gaius and Lancelot took Merlin back to his room, Lancelot gathered the slight form up in his arms to carry him back. "What were you thinking off" Gaius demanded "You knew he was to rest!"

Lancelot looked guilty "Of course I did, but Merlin used his magic to get past me. I had to follow when I could move, I think he wanted to face Aredian. I didn't know he could even do that! Stop a person moving I mean"

Gaius didn't look surprised "I don't know what he can do to be honest."

"Quite a bit, I think he is a lot stronger than even he knows" Morgana told them both. "What he did to Aredain….." she blanched "It was horrible but he deserved it"

"He did but Arthur was right, once he recovers he wouldn't have forgiven himself if he had used magic to kill" Gaius said softly as he looked at the boy on the bed. Melvin had passed out on their way back to the room.

Arthur soon arrived and he cornered Lancelot, he was clearly in full Alpha mode "I should kill you for that! You were supposed to be guarding him"

"I was Sire, but he used his magic on me I couldn't stop him. He was determined to face him" Lancelot spluttered

"Arthur leave him alone, it wasn't his fault he was supposed to guard Merlin against attack, not himself" Morgana told her brother. "Perhaps it was something Merlin felt he had to do. To get some sort of closure"

No one had noticed Merlin open his eyes "Leave him alone please Alpha it wasn't his fault" Merlin was in submissive mode as he could sense his Alphas anger.

Arthur whirled around "Merlin you idiot what do you think you were doing?"

"I wanted to face him, I couldn't let him beat me….I know I was bad and shouldn't have used my magic" Merlin cast his eyes down "I have proved your father right I am evil"

Arthur rushed to his omegas side "No Little one don't ever say that, you are not evil"

"But you had to stop me or I would have killed him….with magic" Merlin whispered, reaction to what he had tried to do hitting him.

"You would have stopped… I know you would have. What he did to you was evil you deserved revenge. He will die Merlin but not by your hand, he has faced judgement and will burn like he sent so many people to him and my father." He cupped Merlin's chin "Look at me Merlin, never ever think you are evil you are the kindest, gentlest person I have ever met" he bent and kissed his omega. The Arthur looked at Gaius "He hasn't done himself any harm has he?"

"No Sire, he will be tired that is all"

"Right them sleep, I will be back once I have finished, but promise me you will rest"

Merlin bowed his head again "I will alpha" with that he yawned.

Arthur went back to find most of the counsel still waiting for him "Judgement has been passed, and will be carried out as ordered" the king turned to Geoffrey. "Record it and Merlin's testimony. I have decided that I will be married and crowned in one week. Before we are inundated with the group from Mercia. Omega Merlin will be my Consort and have full protection as such. Anyone lays a hand on him or insults him I will consider it an attack on myself and treat it as such." He let that sink in "You will all be at the execution later"

Down in the courtyard Gwaine had had Aredian tied inside a cage, the same cage that the Witch Finder had used on any sorcerers he brought in for Uther. He felt it apt. As the pyre was being built it attracted attention. Gwaine was asked who was to be executed and when it got out that it was Aredian a crowd gathered. Insults were thrown at the caged man and rotten food. Gwaine stopped them when they started to throw stones.

"Much as I would like it to happen the King has asked he be alive for the pyre" he said philosophically.

"Then you won't mind if we make the wood wet?" he was asked "Make him burn slow"

Gwaine grinned and turned to his prisoner "What do you say to that?" he shook the bars to make the man inside listen "Wet timbers suit you?"

"Better not, if they're to wet he won't burn, and the smoke will kill him" Gwaine pointed out. Just let the men do their job"

Arthur meanwhile went to see his step mother. It was the final matter he wanted sorted. Much as he would have liked to have taken harsher measures against the woman he knew it would cause to many complications. She was after all King Cenred's cousin. Opening the door to her chambers he walked in.

Catrina looked up and reluctantly stood. She gave the smallest bow of her head she felt she could get away with. "How much longer am I going to be stuck in here?" she demanded.

"You are in mourning are you not, you need to keep up appearances even though we both know you married my father for position and not love" Arthur told her scathingly.

"All in our position do the same! But I did become close to Uther, yet you his own son killed him!" Catrina clearly hoped to rattle Arthur

"Yes and I don't regret it. I just regret you cannot go the same way. I know you paid for my omega to be kidnapped and taken to your cousin, you should be thankful they failed, or you would never have left here. However I have decided to allow you to return to your cousin's castle, I'm sure he will be pleased to see you, without your dowry of course. You may take your personal possessions but not the jewels belonging to the Crown. The servant will pack for you. I will send a messenger to inform King Cenred to expect you."

"You cannot keep my dowry! That is mine!" Catrina spat out "You cannot, my cousin will never accept that"

"Your cousin signed the agreement so I assume he read it. Your marriage was part of a treaty, as no lands were exchanged King Cenred agreed that in the event of death the rights to your dowry died. Your husband was always careful, you should know that, no mention was made of whose death. You have done well from your marriage I know you made sure of that. Camelot is too strong for your cousin to make too much of a fuss and I am sure he will find someone willing to take you without your dowry. I understand he has several 'older' Lords who he wants to keep sweet. You will leave in the morning a guard will escort you" Arthur gave his step mother a satisfied look "Your dowry will find a good home I intend to settle it on my future mother in law. As for the jewels well I'm sure Morgana will enjoy them."

Catrina gave a snarl of disbelief "You won't get away with this, I will see you suffer if it's the last thing I do"

"Threatening a King is treason in any language. I would think carefully if I were you. I have suggested to your cousin he needs to watch you and your magpie ways, and your love of intrigue and plotting. But them he knows that doesn't he? After all he didn't get Merlin like you promised, and he was so looking forward to showing of MY omega. I understand he is less than pleased with you for letting him down. If there is one thing I know about King Cenred is he is a poor loser, and he hates people who can't keep their promises. Goodbye mother dear" he finished sarcastically as he turned and walked out of the door, once outside he opened the door and added "Oh he is aware that I know of his plans for Merlin, I told him you confessed"

Arthur called for George "Supervisee the Dowager Queens packing. No jewels or valuables are to be packed only personal items. And arrange a wagon to leave in the morning I will arrange a guard"

Later when the pyre was ready Arthur came to the balcony and gave the order. The Witch finder struggled and pleaded as he was tied to the stack but Arthur remained impassive, for the first time at a burning he felt no pity or sorrow. Without saying a work he lowered his arm and the pyre was lit to a cheer from the townsfolk. It wasn't until Aredian's screams stopped that Arthur turned and went inside and back to Merlin. He silently vowed that was the last burning he would order, in future hanging or the block would be the method used, no one else would suffer the horrors of burning to death.

It was midday the very next day when Leon returned with Hunith. Arthur looked at Merlin's mother, he could see her son in the eyes. After Leon had helped her off her horse Arthur welcomed her and said "My Lady, thank you for coming, your son will take great comfort from you I'm sure. I have arranged a suit of rooms for you to use as long as you are with us. I hope you will consider staying permanently, if you do I will make sure your village gets another healer."

Hunith curtsied "I am no lady your Majesty, I am but a simple country woman, but I think you for allowing me to see my son, I thought never to see him again"

Arthur took her hand and smiled "From now on you are a lady of the Court, I intend to marry Merlin within the week and make him my Consort, come I haven't told him you are coming, so it will be a nice surprise for him"

Hunith looked at Arthur tears of happiness in her eyes "You would do that for my son, you would make him your consort?"

"I love him very much, I want him by my side forever" Arthur was shocked when he found himself with his arms full of Merlin's mother as she hugged him.

Moving away she blushed "I'm so sorry your majesty I forgot myself"

Arthur laughed "No problem and please call me Arthur. I was concerned you would not approve as I am so much older than your son" Arthur was very conscious of the ten year age gap.

"I understand from Sir Leon that you are soulmates so how can I disapproved, anyway my son has the Prime Alpha of Camelot, I know he will be well looked after."

"He will. I have given all omega's full rights, they are equal citizens now. They might still need extra care to protect them but they are no longer shut in their rooms." Arthur said as they walked. He stopped outside his chamber doors. "He is inside come"

Arthur opened the door and Merlin looked up sleepily and gave his alpha a small smile, then he saw his mother and screamed in delight. "Mother! You're here!"

The couple hugged each other until Arthur felt sure they would never stop. Merlin caught sight of his alpha over his mother's shoulder "Thank you, thank you" she said her eyes full of tears of joy.

"She is your mother Merlin, you need her now, and as we are to be wed in a few days I thought you would want her here for that"

Merlin's eyes went as big as saucers as what Arthur said sunk in. Hunith looked at her son "My boy consort to the King of Camelot" she said proudly "I knew you were destined for good things" Letting go of her son she turned to the King "You had better look after him and make him happy or King or not I will come after you"

Arthur saw the fire and love in her eyes "I will do my best, although I haven't done a good job so far"

Hunith gave Arthur a smile "I know you did all you could, and will continue to do so, I see how you look at each other"

"I will leave you to catch up and see you both later over a meal"

After Arthur had gone Hunith looked at her son "Oh my boy I am so sorry to hear your news but I am here now and I will help you. Your alpha he is good to you?"

"He is mama but I feel so guilty, I lost his child I am unworthy" Merlins face dropped

"You are not and I know the king does not blame you! Now what about your …talent.. does he know?" Hunith had been so worried that Arthur didn't know and might react badly if he found out.

"He knows, we are soulmates I couldn't hide it even if I wanted to. He even hid it from his father, don't worry his sister the Princess also has magic and Arthur has made it legal! I am free mama to use it! I am working with the Princess to learn how to control it. Arthur says he will ask one of the druids to teach us" Merlin looked at his mother his voice dropped "He put a collar on me that's why I couldn't save my babe" tears started to roll down his face

"Merlin it is right you should grieve, but you also have the right to be happy" with that she hugged her son "I am pleased you no longer have to hide yourself. You have a good alpha to care for you"

When Arthur left the room he went to see Leon "All went well?"

"Yes the Lady Hunith recognised me and agreed immediately, she didn't expect to see her son again. I took time coming back I don't believe she had been on a horse before" Leon smiled "You can see where your omega gets his kindness from"

Arthur looked puzzled "But she is not an omega? I know Merlin never knew his father, did Hunith say anything"

"I didn't question her Sire" Leon admitted "He must have been a powerful alpha to have breed an omega with a beta"

Morgana was by the side of her husband "Does it matter?"

"Only that I would like to know who he was, Merlin might like to know his father" Arthur admitted. "Morgana can you help the Lady Hunith settle, Merlin will want her to stay I'm sure, but she will be unused to the court"

"Leave her to me, I will also arrange your wedding and coronation with Geoffrey, leave it to him and who knows what it will be like. Pity we haven't more time we could have invited all the bordering Kings" Morgana was clearly in her element

"That's just why I chose a week" Arthur looked at his sister "Merlin is new to all this I will not have him overwhelmed"

"True, but he will have to deal with Bayard soon enough"

The preparations for the ceremony and feast were soon underway. The castle was heaving with activity as was the town. There was to be a celebration there with Arthur providing deer and other game for a feast there for the ordinary folk. A seamstress arrived to make Merlin's clothing, which brought streams of protest from the Omega "I have lots of new clothes I do not need more!"

Hunith looked at her son "You are to marry the King! You cannot be seen to let him down, it would reflect badly on him if you were dressed inappropriately, now behave and cooperate or I will put you over my knee"

"Thank you my Lady" the seamstress said relieved that she would not have to fight the omega "I will measure you after wards"

Hunith looked horrified "Me! Why me?"

Merlin gave the first giggle his mother had heard since she had arrived "You are going to be the Kings mother in law, you cannot allow yourself to let him down it would reflect badly"

Hunith grimaced "Out done by my own son" What Hunith didn't know was that she was to have a whole new wardrobe made by order of the Princess.

Morgana was enjoying her new found freedom. Leon made her have a beta guard to protect her, but at least she was able to walk around the castle. She was working on the new laws to help the other omegas. Those in the den were easy. They were given more freedom and allowed visits from their families. If the families wanted they could take them home, but many wanted their omega children to be protected and in small villages that would be hard. None wanted the bandits to take them. There would be a beta guard and if they wanted the omegas could go out in the town in small groups. The old matriarchs were replaced with more friendly and sympathetic people. Those omegas already bond to alphas with wives were given the choice to stay with their alphas or leave. If they stayed the alphas and their beta wives' were to treat them as equals and allow them freedoms and also to care for their own children. If they wanted to leave than they were to be housed and also allowed to visit their children. It was clear both women had rights and the situation was not ideal. Any disputes were to be heard by Morgana who would mediate and make the final decision if agreement could not be met. Most groups decided to stay together and work through their issues, the two women becoming friends. In a few cases it was the beta wife who left the marital home. Morgana thrived with her new duties and was popular and well liked.

Morgana did find time to stand by Arthur as Elyan and a group of six alpha knights left with Catrina. The woman had done her best to take more than she was supposed to but George as ever was conscientious and did as he was asked. Catrina had never been popular with the servants and they took great delight in discovering her hidden contraband. "That's her gone, she was such a troll" Morgana sneered "What Uther ever saw I her I will never know"

"A treaty" Arthur said as he turned to go back into the castle "Thank goodness we were not forced to marry for such a reason"

"I would have killed anyone I was forced to marry!" Morgana said. Her brother wasn't sure if she was joking or not and decided not to press the issue.

Hunith was spending nearly all her time with her son, the rooms she had been give intimidated her, she was not used to such luxury. She even had a maidservant allocated to her. The girl had the easiest job in the castle. After three days Hunith found she had an entire wardrobe of clothes, her maid gently insisted she wear them. Apart from that she spent her time helping Merlin overcome his grief and nerves about the upcoming wedding. But she made sure to make herself absent when Arthur was around. The couple clearly needed to grieve together and rebuild their lives. But she soon found her time taken up with Morgana who loved having someone she could talk to and confide in. Hunith was quickly becoming the mother that neither of the Royals had ever had.

The night before the wedding and coronation Morgana insisted that Arthur not spend the night with Merlin and the knights took him down to the Rising Sun. Although Arthur refused to get drunk. But he stayed long enough to have a few drinks. Then he returned to a room Morgana had found for him. It was the first time since the miscarriage that he had spent the night away from Merlin and he hated it.

In theor chambers Merlin wasn't faring any better. After tossing and turning he decided to go and find Arthur. Putting the guard at the door asleep he crept out and felt for his alpha. Their connection worked and he soon found Arthur. As he entered the room Arthur looked up "Little Hawk what are you doing here? Are you alright?"

Merlin gave him a devilish grin "I missed you, can I sleep with you here, After all you aren't sleeping in your chambers. Morgana didn't say I couldn't sleep here"

"She did say we couldn't sleep together" Arthur pointed out

"But you are the King!" Merlin said as he slipped into the bed and curled up at Arthurs side

"That I am! But so we don't get nagged we must make sure you are back in our bed by morning" Arthur pulled Merlin closer to him. "I missed you to my omega and no one will ever part us again" kissing Merlin they settled down to sleep happy in each other's arms.

Arthur woke early and made Merlin go back to their rooms "Go, let's keep Morgana happy, she has does so much for us and I don't want to be turned into a toad."

Merlin smirked "Don't worry she can't not yet, anyway I am more powerful than her and she knows it, so whatever she does I can fix"

"My own little warlock, what would I do without you, tomorrow I need to take you to meet someone. You have seen him before but you may not remember. He says we are two halves of a whole, he is right. I could not exist without you and today we shall be married. Now go and get yourself all dressed up"

As Merlin got out of the bed Arthur slapped his arse gently "GO"

Merlin used a glamour to pass all the servants who were already busy. He got into his own bed just as Morgana and his mother arrived. Merlin looked at them sleepily and got up, hoping they didn't notice his sheets were still cold. He was soon eating his breakfast then in a bath. After that he faced the indignity of the two women helping him dress before finally they left him to get ready themselves. "Don't move" his mother told him "If we come back and you are dirty…." The threat was left open.

Arthur was prepared by George and as he was finally ready Arthur went to the door and walked down to the throne room with his sister at his side. The room was packed as he walked in, everyone but Merlin was already there. The wedding was to be first so once he was sat on his throne the doors opened and Merlin walked in a knight guard on either side, Gwaine and Leon. He was very nervous as all the eyes looked at him, but he did as his mother told him and looked straight into his alphas eyes as he walked down the aisle between all the courtiers. His Royal blue clothing making the most of his slender figure. He stopped in front of Arthur his head bowed. He had filled out a bit since his arrival at Camelot but he was still slender but taller than he had been. Like all omegas her would never be muscular. Arthur stood and stepped down beside Merlin and took his hands in his. Neither man would remember afterwards the words spoken but they remembered the exchanging of rings and the kiss. Then Merlin sat beside his mother as Arthur took his vows at King once more and had the crown placed on his head. All the lords present swore fealty as the cheers went up and cries of Long Live the King echoed Arthur held out his hand for Merlin once more.

Merlin walked to Arthur and knelt at his feet and swore his fealty to both Arthur and Camelot. He had been practicing and to his immense relief got it word perfect. Geoffrey came forward with a cushion and Arthur picked up the smaller crown and placed it on Merlin's head "I name you as Consort Merlin Pendragon of Camelot, you will rule beside me and be my advisor, companion, ruler in my absence and my heir until such time as a child of our union is born."

Merlin stood and kissed Arthur seal ring as they made their way out to the balcony so the people could see them. The people cheered and the shouts went on long after the men had returned inside. After talking to a few people the men retired to their room until the feast later in the day. When they were alone once more Arthur kissed Merlin "At last mine all mine"

Merlin looked at his now husband "I didn't know you were going to name me heir and ruler in your absence. Surely that should be Morgana not me, I am but a peasant boy"

"You Merlin are my consort and I will have you take your full place at my side. Morgana understands and will support you. But it is your due and I would have nothing else" he looked at Merlin "I like that colour on you it brings out your eyes. As to the crown I think you should wear it always" there was a glint in Arthur's eyes.

Before they knew it they were getting ready to go to the feast. Sitting next to Arthur Merlin found himself being fed tip bits all evening, despite his protests that he could feed himself. After a couple of hours Arthur stood up and excused them both and took his omega to their rooms. Arthur had long since decided he did not want to move into his father's old chambers. Once inside the doors were closed and locked. A new part of their lives were just beginning. Tomorrow Arthur would take Merlin to see Kilgarrah and Arthur would let the dragon have his freedom. A new chapter was opening in the history of Camelot

Part two starting soon 'Arthur Pendragon and his Consort'