Arthur was so bored he was falling asleep. He was trying hard to stay away but he had entered this hall three hours ago. They hadn't stopped with speeches. He didn't know what was worst, the speeches, the kings, their daughters or the fact he was being forced to marry one. Plus he was sure the only reason anyone had turned up to this thing was because of what he was and not because of who he was. Everyone was just there because he was the lone prince of mighty Camelot. His title and upbringing got in the way again.

Sometimes the young Pendragon wished he could just get up and leave Camelot for good. Not that he'd told anyone that. Anyway after 20 years he wasn't getting away easily.

"And now the princesses may enjoy the party. From tomorrow on, they shall each have one day with the young prince!" Uther called out. The music started and Arthur sat up abruptly. "For god's sake try and look interested!" Uther said to Arthur.

"In what and indeed who?!" Arthur said.

One princess approached them so they paused. But she turned at the last second to talk to a knight from another kingdom. "In any one of them. They could all be perpetual suitors!" Uther said.

"But I don't know them! I don't love them!"

"What does love matter?!"

"One should marry for love!"

"Don't be preposterous Arthur!"

"Didn't you and mother marry for love?"

Uther went quiet. Out of the blue he stood up. "We shall dance!" He announced. There was a cheer. "You will dance and you will enjoy yourself!" Uther said. He walked away before Arthur could object.

"Well this is an utterly stupid idea so you shall have your first dance with me Arthur!" Morgana said. She stood and took his hand. He sighed and stood to let her lead him into the dance.

Arthur placed his hand on his sister's waist. Her silk dress made his hand slip so he had to grip her side slightly. She slid her arms around his neck. "Remind me Arthur, why do you have to be married?" she asked.

Arthur sighed. "It is because princes must be married by their twenty first birthday so they are still able to provide an heir!" he said.

"Well, I'd say you'd find that special someone here but-" Morgana broke off to watch one recoil away from a knight of Camelot who asked her for a dance, and practically spat in his eye, "Good luck!" She said.

"Morgana out of everyone I see here tonight, you and anyone of the knights are the only ones I would like to be seen with!" he said.

"Well maybe you should wait for the right person and damn the consequences!" morgana as aid.

"If only I could morgana! If only I could!" he said.

"The Arthur I know would!" she said.

"The Arthur you know is stuck in a room of Princesses being forced to marry one!" he said

Uther tapped Arthur on the shoulder. "May I?" he asked. Arthur let he take Morgana to dance. "Maybe choose someone other than your sister to dance with!" Uther said.

Arthur sighed. He looked around the room. Gwen danced with Leon, Elyan danced with a princess, Gwaine danced with anyone and everyone, Percival was eating and chatting, and Lancelot sat alone on a table drinking his mead. Arthur took a cup and went to sit beside him.

"Tell me Lancelot, are any of the girls here tonight actually beautiful?" Arthur asked looking around for one that actually was.

"Oh course Sire. Every girl here is beautiful. All be it not on the outside per say!" he said. However he didn't look away from where Gwen danced so he couldn't be sure.

"Are you sure?" Arthur said. Lancelot nodded. "I don't think I believe-" he stopped. He saw a black haired blue eyed gorgeous man walk in grinning and uncaring that he was late. "Who…is…that?!" he said.

Lancelot turned around. He shook his head, "no idea sire. Perhaps Morgana will know!" he said. She didn't. No one did.

The only one who Arthur really looked at was this boy. He danced with a few princesses to try and identify him. None of them knew who this mysterious boy was. Arthur grew evermore intrigued.

He made his was as casually as possible to where Merlin leaned back on a table. "So who are you?" he asked.

Merlin smiled. "No one. I don't even know where I am! I just sort of-am!" he chuckled slightly.

"So you don't know where you are? Or what's going on or…..who I am?" Arthur asked slightly hopefully. Merlin wrinkled his nose and shook his head.

"No. sorry. Should I?!" he said. A smile spread over Arthur's face.

"No! No not at all!" he said a little enthusiastically. Merlin laughed slightly confused.

"Good then! Because I really don't!" he said. Then he placed down his drink. "Hey this party sucks let run!" Merlin said.

Arthur glanced at his father greeting a fellow king. He knew he was the guest of honour at this party but he didn't want to be. And looking into the eyes of this boy it was like looking into the ocean.

Deep, dark, mysterious, dangerous, the most amazing blue you could ever image and just waiting to be explored.

So Arthur smiled slightly. He allowed the boy to lead him out with a little people noticing as possible. In response, no one did!