Love Match- ch.5
Rating: PG
Genre: Humor/Romance
Length: 7 chapters, 12,993 words
Summary: Uther decides Arthur needs to get married, and this time he's got a game plan- a twisted mix of "Love Connection" and "The Bachelor." And poor Merlin has to make everything go right, of course. Who will really win here? Crack will definitely be involved! Arwen and light Mergana.
.............................................................................................................
The King himself dropped by Arthur’s chambers shortly before the scheduled dinner with Princess Mithian. When Arthur saw who Merlin had let in, he had to force himself not to roll his eyes. He could predict how this conversation would go. Heck, he’d heard it plenty of times before. Merlin played the dutiful servant and busied himself by tending to dinner preparations.
“Arthur,” the King started off, “I need not remind you how important this particular dinner is.”
“Of course Father. An alliance with Nemeth would be of great strategic value.”
“Indeed. I trust you will be on your most courtly behavior this evening.”
“Yes Father, I will woo the Princess through my charm and political knowledge.” Arthur wanted to bang his head on the wall.
“See that you do. And please attempt to find feelings for her. I know that’s how you young people prefer to make matches these days.” Uther started looking aimlessly around the room. That’s what he did when conversation went in an uncomfortable direction.
“I will do my best to let neither you nor Camelot’s future down Father,” Arthur lied. Mithian was probably a wonderful person, but Guinevere had already captured his heart. Even if they couldn’t be together he didn’t want to marry just for political gain.
“See that you do Arthur. Enjoy your evening.” And with that, Uther swept from the room through the door Merlin had opened only just in time.
“Can you believe him?” Arthur nearly yelled once the door had closed. “He practically ordered me to fall in love with the Princess, because that’s apparently what we ‘young people prefer.’ Gah!”
“Well apparently that’s the impression you’ve given him, even before you and Gwen . . . “
“Stop right there. We’re not discussing ‘the incident,’ remember?”
“Oh that’s right. You wanted to go on denying your feelings, even though . . .” A soft knock on the chamber door interrupted what Merlin was going to say next. He moved to open it then bowed when Princess Mithian appeared. “Your Highness, Sire,” he said, then bowed and left the room.
Arthur moved forward quickly to take the hand the Princess held out. He gave it a quick kiss and greeted her, “Princess Mithian, it’s a pleasure to meet you properly.”
“The pleasure is all mine, I’m sure. You’re more handsome in person than reports suggested, Prince Arthur,” she replied.
Arthur didn’t know what to make of that, “Uhh . . .”
“Are we to stand here hungry all night, Your Highness?”
“Oh, of course not,” Arthur said lamely. “Please, have a seat Princess.” He held her chair out for her while she sat, then moved to sit in his.
“You may call me ‘Mithian,’ Your Highness,” she stated.
“’Arthur,’ please,” he replied.
“Oh what a relief,” Mithian breathed. “All this standing on ceremony is annoying when one is among equals.”
“I totally agree. Now let’s eat this fabulously well-prepared steak before it gets too cold.” They proceeded to eat.
“So Mithian, you enjoy hunting? Any game in particular?” Arthur asked.
“Not really. I mainly enjoy the sheer thrill of it. I thrive on competition.” She arched an eyebrow.
“Indeed. I don’t know many women who enjoy hunting.” He took a quick sip from his goblet.
“Oh I enjoy being outdoors in general. Exercise and fresh air promote good health and sunlight is good for the complexion.”
Arthur opened his mouth to reply, but belched loudly instead. He flushed a bit and gave her an apologetic look. Mithian smiled and picked up her goblet. She took a large sip and swallowed quickly. She opened her mouth wide and emitted her own loud belch. They both broke down in laughter.
“And there go the rest of my nerves,” Arthur said after they’d calmed down.
“I would hope so!” Mithian replied.
“Mithian, I’ve never met a Princess who could keep up with men so well.”
“Well, there aren’t many women hanging around Nemeth’s court. Most tend to stay at their estates and perfect the domestic arts. So I’ve had to learn more masculine pursuits to keep entertained.”
“So you tend to speak your mind as well?”
“Yes. It goes along with my ‘masculine pursuits.’ Besides, who’s going to argue with the Princess?” They both chuckled at this.
“I like that. So that means I can be honest with you?”
“Please do.”
“This whole ‘Love Match’ idea was concocted by my Father to marry me off. I agreed to it mainly to get him off my back and because I’d have at least some choice in a bride.”
“I completely understand. I’ve had to parade before numerous suitors myself.”
“Mithian, I really like you. We have many of the same interests and are getting on well so far?” She nodded. “My Father is really pushing me to choose you, mostly to strengthen Camelot’s political standing.”
She rolled her eyes. “I understand that too. Mine desires the same.”
“If I had to please only my Father, I would acquiesce to his wish, but . . .”
“You’re not falling in love with me. You have feelings for another.”
He nodded slowly, “Yes.”
Mithian dabbed at her lips with her napkin. “Well Arthur, we might as well skip to dessert. It’s the best part of dinner, and I could use a little pick-me-up after this conversation.”
Arthur gave her a look of disbelief, which morphed quickly into apologetic. “Mithian, I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings by implying you’re not good enough for me.”
“Arthur, stop right there. I know you didn’t intend that. I can tell you’re a kind, thoughtful and generous man, unlike many of my suitors. I take no offense. Really.” She smiled and took his hand. “Tell me . . . who is it that trumps a princess?”
“No one.” He thought for a moment. “And everyone.”
“What great family is she from?”
“None. She's the daughter of a blacksmith.”
“And for her you would risk your relationship with your father? Camelot?” She quirked an eyebrow, amused.
“Without her, they're worth nothing to me.”
“Hm.” She appeared thoughtful, then nodded. “I would give up my own kingdom to be so loved.” She reached for her dessert. He reached for his and they dug in.
“Someday you’ll find true love Mithian.”
“I believe that too. That’s what keeps me going.” A mischievous twinkle came into her eye. “I just hope it’s among the many noblemen who knock at my door. What can you tell me about that really tall knight of yours? I believe I heard him called ‘Sir Leon?’”
“Leon huh? Well let me tell you . . .” They discussed the knight while finishing their desserts. When she finished, Mithian made to stand and
Arthur helped her.
“Thank you for a lovely evening Arthur. Even if it didn’t end as either of our fathers hoped, I still had a nice time.”
“You’re welcome Princess. Keep the faith.” He moved to open the door for her, and she lifted her hand for the expected kiss. He did so, and flashed her a smile.
“Farewell, Arthur.”
“Farewell, Princess.” He closed the door softly behind her then flopped down into a chair at the table. He put his head in his hands and groaned. What will Father think?
Genre: Humor/Romance
Length: 7 chapters, 12,993 words
Summary: Uther decides Arthur needs to get married, and this time he's got a game plan- a twisted mix of "Love Connection" and "The Bachelor." And poor Merlin has to make everything go right, of course. Who will really win here? Crack will definitely be involved! Arwen and light Mergana.
.............................................................................................................
The King himself dropped by Arthur’s chambers shortly before the scheduled dinner with Princess Mithian. When Arthur saw who Merlin had let in, he had to force himself not to roll his eyes. He could predict how this conversation would go. Heck, he’d heard it plenty of times before. Merlin played the dutiful servant and busied himself by tending to dinner preparations.
“Arthur,” the King started off, “I need not remind you how important this particular dinner is.”
“Of course Father. An alliance with Nemeth would be of great strategic value.”
“Indeed. I trust you will be on your most courtly behavior this evening.”
“Yes Father, I will woo the Princess through my charm and political knowledge.” Arthur wanted to bang his head on the wall.
“See that you do. And please attempt to find feelings for her. I know that’s how you young people prefer to make matches these days.” Uther started looking aimlessly around the room. That’s what he did when conversation went in an uncomfortable direction.
“I will do my best to let neither you nor Camelot’s future down Father,” Arthur lied. Mithian was probably a wonderful person, but Guinevere had already captured his heart. Even if they couldn’t be together he didn’t want to marry just for political gain.
“See that you do Arthur. Enjoy your evening.” And with that, Uther swept from the room through the door Merlin had opened only just in time.
“Can you believe him?” Arthur nearly yelled once the door had closed. “He practically ordered me to fall in love with the Princess, because that’s apparently what we ‘young people prefer.’ Gah!”
“Well apparently that’s the impression you’ve given him, even before you and Gwen . . . “
“Stop right there. We’re not discussing ‘the incident,’ remember?”
“Oh that’s right. You wanted to go on denying your feelings, even though . . .” A soft knock on the chamber door interrupted what Merlin was going to say next. He moved to open it then bowed when Princess Mithian appeared. “Your Highness, Sire,” he said, then bowed and left the room.
Arthur moved forward quickly to take the hand the Princess held out. He gave it a quick kiss and greeted her, “Princess Mithian, it’s a pleasure to meet you properly.”
“The pleasure is all mine, I’m sure. You’re more handsome in person than reports suggested, Prince Arthur,” she replied.
Arthur didn’t know what to make of that, “Uhh . . .”
“Are we to stand here hungry all night, Your Highness?”
“Oh, of course not,” Arthur said lamely. “Please, have a seat Princess.” He held her chair out for her while she sat, then moved to sit in his.
“You may call me ‘Mithian,’ Your Highness,” she stated.
“’Arthur,’ please,” he replied.
“Oh what a relief,” Mithian breathed. “All this standing on ceremony is annoying when one is among equals.”
“I totally agree. Now let’s eat this fabulously well-prepared steak before it gets too cold.” They proceeded to eat.
“So Mithian, you enjoy hunting? Any game in particular?” Arthur asked.
“Not really. I mainly enjoy the sheer thrill of it. I thrive on competition.” She arched an eyebrow.
“Indeed. I don’t know many women who enjoy hunting.” He took a quick sip from his goblet.
“Oh I enjoy being outdoors in general. Exercise and fresh air promote good health and sunlight is good for the complexion.”
Arthur opened his mouth to reply, but belched loudly instead. He flushed a bit and gave her an apologetic look. Mithian smiled and picked up her goblet. She took a large sip and swallowed quickly. She opened her mouth wide and emitted her own loud belch. They both broke down in laughter.
“And there go the rest of my nerves,” Arthur said after they’d calmed down.
“I would hope so!” Mithian replied.
“Mithian, I’ve never met a Princess who could keep up with men so well.”
“Well, there aren’t many women hanging around Nemeth’s court. Most tend to stay at their estates and perfect the domestic arts. So I’ve had to learn more masculine pursuits to keep entertained.”
“So you tend to speak your mind as well?”
“Yes. It goes along with my ‘masculine pursuits.’ Besides, who’s going to argue with the Princess?” They both chuckled at this.
“I like that. So that means I can be honest with you?”
“Please do.”
“This whole ‘Love Match’ idea was concocted by my Father to marry me off. I agreed to it mainly to get him off my back and because I’d have at least some choice in a bride.”
“I completely understand. I’ve had to parade before numerous suitors myself.”
“Mithian, I really like you. We have many of the same interests and are getting on well so far?” She nodded. “My Father is really pushing me to choose you, mostly to strengthen Camelot’s political standing.”
She rolled her eyes. “I understand that too. Mine desires the same.”
“If I had to please only my Father, I would acquiesce to his wish, but . . .”
“You’re not falling in love with me. You have feelings for another.”
He nodded slowly, “Yes.”
Mithian dabbed at her lips with her napkin. “Well Arthur, we might as well skip to dessert. It’s the best part of dinner, and I could use a little pick-me-up after this conversation.”
Arthur gave her a look of disbelief, which morphed quickly into apologetic. “Mithian, I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings by implying you’re not good enough for me.”
“Arthur, stop right there. I know you didn’t intend that. I can tell you’re a kind, thoughtful and generous man, unlike many of my suitors. I take no offense. Really.” She smiled and took his hand. “Tell me . . . who is it that trumps a princess?”
“No one.” He thought for a moment. “And everyone.”
“What great family is she from?”
“None. She's the daughter of a blacksmith.”
“And for her you would risk your relationship with your father? Camelot?” She quirked an eyebrow, amused.
“Without her, they're worth nothing to me.”
“Hm.” She appeared thoughtful, then nodded. “I would give up my own kingdom to be so loved.” She reached for her dessert. He reached for his and they dug in.
“Someday you’ll find true love Mithian.”
“I believe that too. That’s what keeps me going.” A mischievous twinkle came into her eye. “I just hope it’s among the many noblemen who knock at my door. What can you tell me about that really tall knight of yours? I believe I heard him called ‘Sir Leon?’”
“Leon huh? Well let me tell you . . .” They discussed the knight while finishing their desserts. When she finished, Mithian made to stand and
Arthur helped her.
“Thank you for a lovely evening Arthur. Even if it didn’t end as either of our fathers hoped, I still had a nice time.”
“You’re welcome Princess. Keep the faith.” He moved to open the door for her, and she lifted her hand for the expected kiss. He did so, and flashed her a smile.
“Farewell, Arthur.”
“Farewell, Princess.” He closed the door softly behind her then flopped down into a chair at the table. He put his head in his hands and groaned. What will Father think?