Fic: Changeling his Mind
Title: Changeling his Mind
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur (implied 'past' Arthur/Gwen)
Rating: G
Wordcount: 1553
Warnings/Spoilers: A lot for 3x06
Summary: A change of the last part of 3x06 Arthur makes a choice about who he wants to, and who he should, marry.
Author's Notes: Yay I have finally posted fic. This is total 3x06 related fluff.
Changeling his Mind
There were unsure murmurs going around the hall as Arthur called a halt to the marriage ceremony.
“Is there something you'd like to say, Arthur?” Geoffrey asked.
Arthur looked at the beautiful woman in front of him, then he glanced at his father. He glanced back at Elena and then looked toward the back of the hall where Merlin was lurking.
“Yes,” he said. “There is.” He took a quick breath before meeting Elena’s eyes. “Elena, you're a lovely woman and I'm sure if we had the chance to get to know each other we might develop feelings for each other but at the moment...” Arthur stopped.
Elena smiled. “You do not love me?”
“No. You see,” Arthur began, “my heart belongs to another. Something I've only just realised. This person has been a source of support and strength and I never realised that my feelings for them were of...a certain nature.”
Everyone began looking around. Arthur spared a quick glance to Gwen who looked puzzled and confused. He hated to do this to her but he had no choice. “Merlin,” he called.
Everyone turned to see Merlin huddled at the back of the hall. He looked puzzled. Arthur gestured him to come forward. Self consciously Merlin walked up to the front, avoiding the gazes of everyone looking at him. When he reached the front he didn't look up but kept his gaze fixed to the floor.
“Merlin,” Arthur said, getting down on one knee. “Would you do the honour of marrying me?”
“Arthur?” Merlin’s voice sounded a squeak.
“What is the meaning of this?” Uther asked, striding to the front and trying to pull Arthur up.
Arthur resisted and held firm. “No, father. I want Merlin's answer.”
For a moment it looked as if Arthur wouldn’t get it. Merlin looked up into the crowd and then back at Arthur. He looked conflicted but Arthur tried to reassure him. “Please, Merlin.”
Merlin nodded and began to smile. “Yes,” he said.
Uther roared in anger, Lord Godwin appeared dumbfounded but Elena smiled. “Isn't that lovely?” she said, clapping her hands.
Uther did not think it was lovely. He dragged Arthur to the council chambers leaving Merlin in the care of Elena who seemed to have struck up a sudden friendship with him.
“What do you think you are doing?” Uther yelled, not even bothering to wait until the door was closed.
“Following my heart,” Arthur said. “And my destiny.”
“Destiny? Your destiny is to be king of Camelot not to marry a serving boy!”
“How do you know, father? Merlin is loyal. He understands me and he understands Camelot.”
Uther went over to the small table and poured himself a goblet of wine. “You cannot love him.”
“I do,” Arthur said, meaning every word. “More than I ever knew.”
“Why now? If this is just to get out your marriage to Elena...” Uther took a gulp of wine.
Arthur smiled. “No, father. I had... an epiphany. I can't be the King Camelot needs without Merlin by my side. I can't explain it.”
“This is ridiculous,” Uther said. “We'll see what the law says about this.”
Geoffrey had been sent to consult the records. Soon enough he entered the council chambers with the answer.
“There is nothing in the laws to forbid a union between the Crown Prince and his manservant,” he said. “In fact there is a case some two hundred years ago of a king marrying his manservant and giving him the title Lord Retainer.”
“This cannot be,” Uther said. “I will not have my son marrying a servant, and a male one at that!”
Geoffrey coughed. “I am afraid the laws do indicate that the Crown Prince may choose his spouse and wed without the support of the King. He cannot be disinherited for the Crown Prince of Camelot holds the ultimate executive power of marriage in the kingdom, outranking even the King.”
“Who came up with these laws?” Uther demanded. “I am King. They can be changed.”
“To do so would risk the wrath of several nobles and at this delicate time that would not be advised,” Geoffrey said.
“You intend to continue with this...farce?” Uther asked, turning to Arthur.
“I do. I believe the wedding guests are waiting?” Arthur strode out of the council leaving his father spluttering objections. There was someone he had to see first.
As he stood in front of her he hoped she'd understand.
“I'm sorry, Gwen,” he said.
She had been crying and was still sniffling a little. “It's all right, Arthur, but did you ever...?”
“Yes,” he said. “It wasn't our destiny. I think we both knew that.”
She smiled a little and nodded. “Why else would we keep telling ourselves it was impossible?”
Arthur came forward and gave her a hug. “I still care for you, Guinevere.”
“And I you,” she replied. “Take care of Merlin and let him take care of you.”
Arthur smiled. “I will. But I think Merlin needs more looking after than me.”
Gwen released herself from the hug and touched his cheek before leaving. It might take time but Arthur hoped they could become friends. Adjusting his crown Arthur stepped out into the hall for his wedding.
Whilst he was gone something had happened to Merlin. He seemed to be wearing a flower on his jacket.
“A gift from Elena,” he said, sheepishly.
“I'm glad you're marrying the right person. Arthur Pendragon,” she said, giving him a light kiss on the cheek.
“Thank you,” Arthur said, taken aback by her generosity.
Geoffrey cleared his throat. “If we may begin.”
Arthur stood before him and took Merlin's hands in his own. “Ready?” he asked.
Merlin squeezed his hands and nodded. “Yeah,” he smiled.
Geoffrey began. “We are here to today to witness the union of Arthur Pendragon of Camelot and...”
“Merlin of Ealdor,” Arthur whispered.
“And Merlin of Ealdor,” Geoffrey said. “Is it your wish, Arthur to become one with this man?”
This time there was no hesitation to Arthur's answer. “It is.”
“Is it your wish Merlin to become one with this man?”
“It is.”
Arthur got a little thrill and his heart jumped at Merlin's reply. Yes, he'd done the right thing.
“Do any say nay?”
Arthur glanced at his father who still had a face dark with anger but who kept silent. Arthur breathed a sigh of relief.
“Then with this garland,” Geoffrey said, wrapping it around their joined hands. “I do tie a knot and in doing so bind your hearts and souls for all eternity.”
There was a strange tug that Arthur felt then. For a moment he thought he saw a flash of gold in Merlin's eyes but then they were just blue again and Merlin smiled at him.
“I pronounce you married,” Geoffrey said. “You may now...”
Arthur didn't wait for Geoffrey to fluster further to get the words out. He leaned forward and kissed Merlin. It was a chaste kiss, they were, after-all, being watched by all of Camelot. He could barely hear the deafening applause.
Later in the courtyard it still hadn't quote sunk in.
“You'll come and visit?” Arthur asked, as he said goodbye to Elena.
“Of course,” she said, smiling, “I thought you might like me to beat you in another horse race.”
Arthur laughed. “It was good,” he said. “Meeting you. If you hadn't been here I might never have...”
Arthur glanced fondly at Merlin who was trying to say farewell to Lord Godwin without angering Uther. Lord Godwin had spoken at length about the whole thing and that had seemed to sooth Uther's nerves a little. Arthur knew Merlin's new father-in-law would not make it easy, for either of them.
“Thank you,” he said, turning back to Elena.
She offered a hand and Arthur took it, placing a kiss on it. Merlin raced over to say his farewells.
“You will return to Camelot?” Merlin asked.
Elena smiled. “Oh yes,” she said. “I'd really like to. Good luck,” she said.
“I'm sure you'll find your handsome Prince one day,” Merlin said.
“So you think I'm handsome?” Arthur asked, turning to his husband.
“Well...some of the time. Except when you're eating your breakfast.”
Elena giggled.
“Goodbye Elena,” Arthur said.
“Goodbye, Arthur, Merlin,” she said and went and mounted her horse.
“She was nice,” Merlin said, as they waved Elena off.
“She was,” Arthur replied.
“Having second thoughts?” Merlin asked, giving Arthur a nudge.
“Merlin, we've only just started.”
Merlin grinned. “Destiny?”
“Destiny,” Arthur agreed.
Hand in hand they went back into the castle. There were lots of things they had to sort out but at that moment the thing Arthur was most looking forward to was seeing what Merlin was like in bed when he wasn't making it. Besides he still owed him a pillow fight.
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur (implied 'past' Arthur/Gwen)
Rating: G
Wordcount: 1553
Warnings/Spoilers: A lot for 3x06
Summary: A change of the last part of 3x06 Arthur makes a choice about who he wants to, and who he should, marry.
Author's Notes: Yay I have finally posted fic. This is total 3x06 related fluff.
Changeling his Mind
There were unsure murmurs going around the hall as Arthur called a halt to the marriage ceremony.
“Is there something you'd like to say, Arthur?” Geoffrey asked.
Arthur looked at the beautiful woman in front of him, then he glanced at his father. He glanced back at Elena and then looked toward the back of the hall where Merlin was lurking.
“Yes,” he said. “There is.” He took a quick breath before meeting Elena’s eyes. “Elena, you're a lovely woman and I'm sure if we had the chance to get to know each other we might develop feelings for each other but at the moment...” Arthur stopped.
Elena smiled. “You do not love me?”
“No. You see,” Arthur began, “my heart belongs to another. Something I've only just realised. This person has been a source of support and strength and I never realised that my feelings for them were of...a certain nature.”
Everyone began looking around. Arthur spared a quick glance to Gwen who looked puzzled and confused. He hated to do this to her but he had no choice. “Merlin,” he called.
Everyone turned to see Merlin huddled at the back of the hall. He looked puzzled. Arthur gestured him to come forward. Self consciously Merlin walked up to the front, avoiding the gazes of everyone looking at him. When he reached the front he didn't look up but kept his gaze fixed to the floor.
“Merlin,” Arthur said, getting down on one knee. “Would you do the honour of marrying me?”
“Arthur?” Merlin’s voice sounded a squeak.
“What is the meaning of this?” Uther asked, striding to the front and trying to pull Arthur up.
Arthur resisted and held firm. “No, father. I want Merlin's answer.”
For a moment it looked as if Arthur wouldn’t get it. Merlin looked up into the crowd and then back at Arthur. He looked conflicted but Arthur tried to reassure him. “Please, Merlin.”
Merlin nodded and began to smile. “Yes,” he said.
Uther roared in anger, Lord Godwin appeared dumbfounded but Elena smiled. “Isn't that lovely?” she said, clapping her hands.
Uther did not think it was lovely. He dragged Arthur to the council chambers leaving Merlin in the care of Elena who seemed to have struck up a sudden friendship with him.
“What do you think you are doing?” Uther yelled, not even bothering to wait until the door was closed.
“Following my heart,” Arthur said. “And my destiny.”
“Destiny? Your destiny is to be king of Camelot not to marry a serving boy!”
“How do you know, father? Merlin is loyal. He understands me and he understands Camelot.”
Uther went over to the small table and poured himself a goblet of wine. “You cannot love him.”
“I do,” Arthur said, meaning every word. “More than I ever knew.”
“Why now? If this is just to get out your marriage to Elena...” Uther took a gulp of wine.
Arthur smiled. “No, father. I had... an epiphany. I can't be the King Camelot needs without Merlin by my side. I can't explain it.”
“This is ridiculous,” Uther said. “We'll see what the law says about this.”
Geoffrey had been sent to consult the records. Soon enough he entered the council chambers with the answer.
“There is nothing in the laws to forbid a union between the Crown Prince and his manservant,” he said. “In fact there is a case some two hundred years ago of a king marrying his manservant and giving him the title Lord Retainer.”
“This cannot be,” Uther said. “I will not have my son marrying a servant, and a male one at that!”
Geoffrey coughed. “I am afraid the laws do indicate that the Crown Prince may choose his spouse and wed without the support of the King. He cannot be disinherited for the Crown Prince of Camelot holds the ultimate executive power of marriage in the kingdom, outranking even the King.”
“Who came up with these laws?” Uther demanded. “I am King. They can be changed.”
“To do so would risk the wrath of several nobles and at this delicate time that would not be advised,” Geoffrey said.
“You intend to continue with this...farce?” Uther asked, turning to Arthur.
“I do. I believe the wedding guests are waiting?” Arthur strode out of the council leaving his father spluttering objections. There was someone he had to see first.
As he stood in front of her he hoped she'd understand.
“I'm sorry, Gwen,” he said.
She had been crying and was still sniffling a little. “It's all right, Arthur, but did you ever...?”
“Yes,” he said. “It wasn't our destiny. I think we both knew that.”
She smiled a little and nodded. “Why else would we keep telling ourselves it was impossible?”
Arthur came forward and gave her a hug. “I still care for you, Guinevere.”
“And I you,” she replied. “Take care of Merlin and let him take care of you.”
Arthur smiled. “I will. But I think Merlin needs more looking after than me.”
Gwen released herself from the hug and touched his cheek before leaving. It might take time but Arthur hoped they could become friends. Adjusting his crown Arthur stepped out into the hall for his wedding.
Whilst he was gone something had happened to Merlin. He seemed to be wearing a flower on his jacket.
“A gift from Elena,” he said, sheepishly.
“I'm glad you're marrying the right person. Arthur Pendragon,” she said, giving him a light kiss on the cheek.
“Thank you,” Arthur said, taken aback by her generosity.
Geoffrey cleared his throat. “If we may begin.”
Arthur stood before him and took Merlin's hands in his own. “Ready?” he asked.
Merlin squeezed his hands and nodded. “Yeah,” he smiled.
Geoffrey began. “We are here to today to witness the union of Arthur Pendragon of Camelot and...”
“Merlin of Ealdor,” Arthur whispered.
“And Merlin of Ealdor,” Geoffrey said. “Is it your wish, Arthur to become one with this man?”
This time there was no hesitation to Arthur's answer. “It is.”
“Is it your wish Merlin to become one with this man?”
“It is.”
Arthur got a little thrill and his heart jumped at Merlin's reply. Yes, he'd done the right thing.
“Do any say nay?”
Arthur glanced at his father who still had a face dark with anger but who kept silent. Arthur breathed a sigh of relief.
“Then with this garland,” Geoffrey said, wrapping it around their joined hands. “I do tie a knot and in doing so bind your hearts and souls for all eternity.”
There was a strange tug that Arthur felt then. For a moment he thought he saw a flash of gold in Merlin's eyes but then they were just blue again and Merlin smiled at him.
“I pronounce you married,” Geoffrey said. “You may now...”
Arthur didn't wait for Geoffrey to fluster further to get the words out. He leaned forward and kissed Merlin. It was a chaste kiss, they were, after-all, being watched by all of Camelot. He could barely hear the deafening applause.
Later in the courtyard it still hadn't quote sunk in.
“You'll come and visit?” Arthur asked, as he said goodbye to Elena.
“Of course,” she said, smiling, “I thought you might like me to beat you in another horse race.”
Arthur laughed. “It was good,” he said. “Meeting you. If you hadn't been here I might never have...”
Arthur glanced fondly at Merlin who was trying to say farewell to Lord Godwin without angering Uther. Lord Godwin had spoken at length about the whole thing and that had seemed to sooth Uther's nerves a little. Arthur knew Merlin's new father-in-law would not make it easy, for either of them.
“Thank you,” he said, turning back to Elena.
She offered a hand and Arthur took it, placing a kiss on it. Merlin raced over to say his farewells.
“You will return to Camelot?” Merlin asked.
Elena smiled. “Oh yes,” she said. “I'd really like to. Good luck,” she said.
“I'm sure you'll find your handsome Prince one day,” Merlin said.
“So you think I'm handsome?” Arthur asked, turning to his husband.
“Well...some of the time. Except when you're eating your breakfast.”
Elena giggled.
“Goodbye Elena,” Arthur said.
“Goodbye, Arthur, Merlin,” she said and went and mounted her horse.
“She was nice,” Merlin said, as they waved Elena off.
“She was,” Arthur replied.
“Having second thoughts?” Merlin asked, giving Arthur a nudge.
“Merlin, we've only just started.”
Merlin grinned. “Destiny?”
“Destiny,” Arthur agreed.
Hand in hand they went back into the castle. There were lots of things they had to sort out but at that moment the thing Arthur was most looking forward to was seeing what Merlin was like in bed when he wasn't making it. Besides he still owed him a pillow fight.