Fanfic: The Trials Of An Arranged Marriage
Chapter-2
"Merlin!" Hunith called for the fifth time as she politely knocked on her son's door. Her son had not come out ever since breakfast in the morning where they broke the news to him and Hunith was worried.
"Go away Mom!" came the reply from inside the room and Hunith bit her lip and looked at the guards standing on either side of the door.
She instructed "Please make sure he doesn't run off somewhere." She left with quick steps second guessing her decision. She now wondered if it really was the wisest decision to unite their two kingdoms through marriage, her Merlin had never been as upset as to not want to talk to her.
On the other side of the door Merlin felt awful for having stood up his mother but he just wasn't ready to see her yet. He could not believe they'd go so far as to arrange a marriage for him and with the Prince of Camelot, his pratliness Arthur at that. He was only seventeen, he had no wish to get married so young without having lived his life some.
He sighed and rolled over on his king size bed to reach for the phone, he pressed dial and waited for his friends to pick up.
Gwen was the first to answer, "Hai Merlin, how have you been? Why weren't you at school today?"
Freya was next and she asked the same thing as well and Will was the last to pick up, "Mate, how's it that the teachers never bother to rip you a new one when you skive class?"
Typical Will, Merlin thought and grunted in reply to all of their questions.
"What's up Merlin? Are you sick?" asked Freya.
Merlin snorted and said "I wish!"
"Then what is the crisis now that you've called us all in….wait a minute….eleven in bloody in night!" asked Will knowing before Merlin said anything that he was probably in his scatter brained state.
"I'm dead!" Merlin stated with all the dramatics he could muster.
"Uh huh, Merlin, why don't you just tell us what's bothering you so we can go live in peace?" Gwen said frowning.
"No really, I'm dead!" moaned Merlin. "They want me to marryarthurpendragon" mumbled Merlin.
"What was that?" all three of them asked simultaneously.
Merlin let out a drawn out sigh as he intoned "Mom and dad want me to marry Arthur Pendragon!"
"Say what?"
"No way!"
"Merlin, don't be absurd!"
"Are you drunk mate?" asked Will.
"Ah Will! I wish I was, but no I'm not plastered. Old Uther proposed the marriage to unite kingdoms, bring peace, blah blah blah!"
"But that would be totally counter productive! You hate Arthur Pendragon!" exclaimed Freya.
"No he doesn't" both Will and Gwen protested knowing all about Merlin's big time crush on the golden haired Prince which he would never admit to or even acknowledge even to himself.
"Of course I do! I don't want to marry a self important asshole like him; I don't want to get married period! I'm only seventeen!"
"Well you are too young I suppose…but isn't it normal amongst people in your circle?" asked Gwen.
"Atleast he's hot mate, imagine if you ended up with Valiant!"
Merlin shuddered and groaned thinking of the brutal Prince Valiant of Cornwall, just the way Valiant looked at him whenever they were supposed to be in the same company in some gathering made him want to turn and run as fast as he could in the opposite direction.
"My life is ruined!"
"Oh stop being so dramatic Merlin, people can come to love each other even in arranged marriages you know?"
"Gwen please! Do you know Arthur Pendragon? He's insufferable!"
"I don't know, he seems really polite and courteous on tv" Freya butted in sounding unsure.
"Since when do you watch Pendragon's interviews?" asked Merlin annoyed that two of his female friends were refusing to understand his immense plight.
"Uhmm.." Freya sounded guilty and Gwen giggled saying "Since forever Merlin, say what you want about him but there's no denying that he's a blonde Adonis. Most of Britain's female and gay population would kill to be in your place."
"Ah Will, you're the only comrade I have now, the girls are turning on me!"
Gwen and Freya chuckled together at that before they said goodnight as it was late and they had school tomorrow.
As soon as they left, Merlin started to complain to his best friend in the whole wide world, "I can't believe I have to marry the prat Will, it's completely unfair. He'd old, he's arrogant, he sleeps with everything in sight, I hate this. Kidnap me out of here."
"Mate, if you don't want to marry him just say no, it's not like your parents are going to force you into this if you disagreed yeah? They're cool folks like that!"
"I know but I can't think about just myself you know, if the situation at the borders worsens even more then there's going to be war. A lot of people could get killed just because I couldn't see myself giving up my dreams and as a Prince it's my duty to think of the people first."
Will sighed, "You know for a bumbling fool, you really are noble sometimes!"
"Hey!" Merlin protested.
"Kidding, so…you're going to go through with this then?"
Merlin bit his lip and slumped further into his bed, "I don't know…he's such a player, he's never treated me right, and he's impossible and rude!"
"Merlin, last time you saw him was five years ago…maybe he's changed now?"
"I don't think so Will, anyway it's getting late. We'll talk more in school tomorrow."
"Yeah alright and Merlin, if he ever messes with you I'll smash his pretty face until he looks like Shrek."
Merlin chuckled and then said "Thanks Will, good night!"
Merlin stood up and retrieved a few treats for his white Scottish fold which was in her cage purring softly in demand for attention. After having fed her he climbed back on the bed and closed his eyes and unknown to him his thoughts were all of one Arthur Pendragon.
Gwaine still hadn't stopped laughing and Arthur fumed silently waiting for him to be finished but then his patience ran thin and he screeched "OH! Shut up Gwaine!"
"You…you do have to admit its funny!"
"Really? Because I don't find a single thing that's amusing about my predicament!"
"You just swore to us that you wouldn't get married and now here you are!"
Arthur huffed as Lance and Leon asked the million dollar question, "Well, who is it Arthur?"
"Yeah, do tell Arthur, is she some insanely rich old Gertrude for whom you're going to play boy toy?"
Arthur was not appreciating Gwaine's cavalier quips and said "It's a he, not a she!"
"Well then you must be happy, right?" asked Leon knowing Arthur's partiality for the rougher sex.
"Excuse me, which part am I supposed to be happy about? That I'm going to be tied down to someone against my will because of my parents or because I have to marry a kid who's clingier than my golden retriever?"
"A kid you say? What your parents are supporting pedophelia now? I know your old man must have been one but then he expects you to follow as well?" asked Gwaine in reference to Igraine and Uther's marriage.
"Gwaine!" warned Arthur not liking it if someone insulted his parents.
"Alright, alright, come on then, who is it?"
"Merlin Emrys, Prince of Mercia."
"Wow, that I didn't expect mate."
"Merlin? How on earth did King Balinor agree to that?" Lance wondered aloud as he knew the fierce animosity and rivalry between the two families and their kingdoms.
Arthur snorted, "He must be desperate if he's willing to trade his precious son."
Leon said "Arthur, why don't you just say no?"
Gwaine interrupted with his booming voice then making the other three men wince, "Are you mad? Why would you say no? I just googled him and he's drop dead gorgeous in a cute way too!"
"My parent's want me to marry a barely street legal brat Gwaine! I don't care if he looks cute, he could look as cute as Justin Beiber and I still wouldn't care."
"You hate Justin Beiber" said Leon.
"Comparing this hot stuff to Beiber is an injustice Princess."
"I am not going to marry him, hell even if I get disowned and thrown out! Morgana could take the throne for all I care."
"You don't mean that Arthur" said Lance.
"Just how serious are your parents about this anyway?"
"Uther said and I quote 'You don't exactly have a choice Arthur, it's either you accept or we force you to the altar'"
"Hmm, you must have really pissed him off with your libertine tendencies" mused Leon.
"Shit! It's my mother, I'll call you guys later!" said Arthur just as Igraine entered his room.
Mother and son just stared at each other for awhile taking in each others countenance before Igraine said "Are you going to run away this time too? Perhaps to Spain this time?"
Arthur looked away from his mother's piercing look before he answered "Mother, I can't believe you're siding with father on this!"
"Oh Arthur, we've tolerated your philandering for long enough! It's time for you to grow up!"
"And you think marriage is the way to discipline me?" asked Arthur defiant and vying for a fight.
"I think its time you learned to love again, I know you're not really happy with the way you lead your life, just because Nim.."
"Don't say her name!" Arthur said in a deadly calm voice and Igraine sighed.
She chose a different approach then, "You'll like him Arthur. He's kind, passionate and very handsome; you won't believe the amount of love he's earned from people all over Britain."
Arthur chuckled without any humor in it, "You're asking me to be chained to a kid for the rest of my life, I can't do this mom! I really can't."
Igraine was angry at the immense irresponsibility Arthur showed and barked "Can you only think of yourself? What about Camelot's people? It's high time you let go of the past Arthur." The last part was said with equal softness and firmness.
Arthur was stunned and he was looking at his mother with wide eyes, not having experienced the brunt of her anger in a long time.
"I've invited Hunith and Merlin to tea tomorrow evening, and I expect you to be civil. Don't even think of escaping past the guards." Igraine said and then swiftly walked out of the room leaving Arthur to stew in his boiling fury.
Merlin and his mother got down as the chopper landed in the wide grass field stretching out amidst the Pendragon Manor. His hair was in disarray and he was dressed sharply in his best Armani suit courtesy of his mother.
Hunith extended her hand and asked sweetly "Shall we go now?"
Merlin promptly scowled at which his mother chuckled before dropping her hand and saying "Oh darling! Don't look so glum, you don't want to make a bad impression on Camelot's Queen and Prince, do you?"
Merlin only gave a close mouthed grin as his mother walked ahead of him and once her back was turned he let a devious smirk stretch his lips, 'Oh yeah, I'm planning exactly for that!'
Arthur was of the same frame of mind, after having thought long and hard about his predicament he had come to the conclusion that he couldn't be held accountable if Merlin refused the marriage and he was going to do everything in his power to send the little brat sniveling in tears back to his mummy. He smiled at his reflection in the mirror.
Igraine greeted them at the frontyard and then lead them back through the halls of the grand Pendragon mansion. Merlin found himself casually inspecting the various paintings and artifacts of the manor. It had been a long time since he'd been here last and he had a vague sense of discomfort and blew out a breath. At the entrance of a room Hunith signaled for the body guards to wait outside as Igraine, Merlin and Hunith entered.
There were four comfortable looking armchairs all placed around a single table and the room itself was bright and airy with tall Venetian doors filtering in the dimming sunlight of the evening. Merlin took the armchair closer to Igraine, leaving his mother to sit opposite to Igraine so that he wouldn't have to sit close to Arthur, if the prat ever arrived, figures he wouldn't be punctual.
Igraine and Hunith made polite conversation and soon they were sharing anecdotes about their countries, husbands and then their children's lives. Igraine was also particularly warm to Merlin in a way none of the other foreign delegates were and Merlin found himself talking more openly with her about his studies and his future plans and goals.
After about half an hour had passed and they were all well acquainted with each other the door opened to reveal Arthur Pendragon who was all smiles as he mimicked a shy tone saying "I'm sorry I'm late, I just couldn't decide on appropriate attire." Merlin refrained from snorting as he saw that Arthur was dressed in casual jeans and a red sweatshirt, his blonde hair carefully styled to look windswept. Merlin had to admit that his friends were right about the notorious playboy prince's looks, even in casual wear he looked like a blond devil of seduction.
Hunith as Merlin predicted was completely charmed anyway and said "Oh it's quite alright Arthur! My! Haven't you grown into a handsome man!" while Igraine Merlin observed was staring at her son in a mix of exasperation and disapproval.
Arthur like Merlin was surprised at the warmth in Hunith's voice and then he directed his gaze to the source of all his problem, his eyes widened though he concealed it in the nick of a second, Gwaine wasn't kidding when he said the Mercian prince looked hot. The dark grey suit emphasized his lean body; he had cheekbones that could cut glass, dark blue eyes that were regarding him with curiosity, raven messy hair that looked soft from where Arthur sat and lastly a set of perfect pink pouting lips that begged to be kissed.
Arthur reluctantly admitted atleast to himself that Merlin had a rare kind of ethereal beauty that he hadn't seen in a long time.
Merlin then started to put his plan into action, he would be sorry for embarrassing Igraine as she was a kind person and in royalty it was pretty rare to see someone like her but nevertheless he couldn't just marry Prince Arthur and the best way to refute would be if Arthur refused himself, "Prince Arthur, it's a pleasure to meet you at last." Merlin had a bright adoring smile on his face which was as flake as a snowflake in summer could be.
Arthur had just sat down and at seeing the smile on Merlin's face he relaxed back into his chair wondering why he liked the look of that smile, he remembered his manners and said "Likewise Prince Merlin." In his mind he was already moaning about the headache of having to deal with a person who adored the ground he walked on and liked him for his riches and glory, another one of his fanboys and a kid at that.
Hunith was looking at Merlin in ill concealed worry as she wondered what Merlin was planning to spout as she knew her son very well and that mischievous smile didn't bode well for anyone. Igraine just looked on in amusement as Merlin continued "Now that we've been introduced and are purported to be married I ask that you do me the justice of taking a full batch of tests for STI's and STD's and put my mind at rest before we proceed any further."
"MERLIN!" exclaimed Hunith looking at Merlin in disbelief and shock to which Merlin just shrugged.
Igraine laughed throwing her head back and Arthur felt the hot itch of a blush staining his cheeks, he'd never been so embarrassed and so angry in his entire life and it showed in his murderous expression as Merlin sank back into his seat subtly wondering if he'd gone too far.
"Why you little!" Arthur started but Igraine clutched his hands tight giving him a warning look, Arthur pulled his hands away and glared fiercely at Merlin who just smirked in victory.
"I am so sorry for his lack of manners!" Hunith said embarrassed at the way her son acted out.
Igraine then controlled herself and stopped chuckling as she said "You've quite a talent Merlin, I've never seen Arthur blush like that in a long time!"
"Mom!" Arthur snapped and Merlin looked on at the exchange with fondness.
To make matters worse and to make Arthur loose his carefully guarded composure Merlin said "Well, can you blame me for being worried Prince Arthur? Your reputation as a playboy precedes you."
"Merlin! Apologize to Prince Arthur, now!" said Hunith looking expectantly at Merlin.
"WHAT?" Merlin turned to look at Hunith and then at Arthur who was now leaning back in his chair and looking at Merlin in smug expectancy, "NO!" he scowled and shot back when Arthur's countenance turned incredulous.
"Oh boys! Why don't we leave them alone so that they could get to know each other without our interference?" asked Igraine and Arthur looked unsure for a moment before his gaze snapped to Merlin and he gave a leery grin, looking completely predatory.
Before leaving Igraine whispered "Don't you dare try anything with the sweet boy Arthur!" and Arthur refrained from snorting at the word 'sweet'.
Merlin was worried now and he looked at his mother with pleading eyes begging her not to leave him alone with the prat prince. Hunith only gave him a shrug as if to tell him it was his mistake which landed him here in the first place before the two ladies disappeared out of the room.
Arthur saw Merlin's trapped and scared expression as the doors shut behind them with a bang before he stood up and slowly approached his prey.
Merlin looked defiant and unrelenting even though he was just a tiny bit scared of the cold look on Arthur's face.
"Your posing as the alpha male is not going to work on me you know!" Merlin let the first thing that came to his mind slip out of his mouth like he always did when he was nervous.
"Isn't it?" asked Arthur softly but Merlin could feel the skeptic undertone in his thick voice.
"Of course it isn't! Your royal, rich bad boy charm might work for bimbo's and floosies but not on me!"
Arthur hummed before saying "From the moment I entered you've been insulting me Prince Merlin, shouldn't you be asking sorry and not offending me more by lying to my face?"
All of Merlin's nervousness disappeared as he stood up asking "Excuse me? Lying? You think I'm attracted to you?"
Arthur looked confused for a minute before he confidently asked "Well, aren't you? Isn't that one of the reasons you're pushing for this marriage? So you could be the spouse of the rich and handsome Prince of Camelot?" Arthur bitterness at the last part surprised him, he'd always been bitter of never being seen for who he was but rather his image but he'd never actually expressed his frustration at it.
If Merlin noticed his tone he didn't show it and tilted his head slightly before he mimicked an innocent tone and asked "What do you expect me to find attractive in you? Your loose morals? The cess pool of STD germs you come into contact with, with how many ever people you shagged or the possibility of an illegitimate child with your genes?"
Arthur frowned being taken aback by what this boy stated, he always knew his whoring ways were disapproved but for the first time he felt ashamed of what he was doing with his life and he was angered that this mere kid had managed to make him feel something he'd never felt before.
"And for your information I don't want to be married to you and I guess you don't want to be married to me either so why don't you put us both out of misery by refusing the proposal?"
"Why don't you refuse if your so against it? You think I want to marry an impertinent and ill mannered brat like you?" Arthur fired back.
"You think I didn't try?"
"You think I didn't?" asked Arthur and they were both back to glaring at each other.
Merlin was the one to look away first and Arthur sighed when he saw the defeated slump of Merlin's shoulders. It was clear that neither of them was thrilled about their marriage and Arthur could not believe the irony of having to marry the one person in all of Britain who genuinely seemed to hate his guts aside from Morgana but they both knew it was just Morgana's twisted way of showing affection.
There was a knock on the door and Merlin and Arthur looked up as the butler entered saying "Your Highness, Queen Igraine is waiting for you at the dining hall."
Arthur nodded to let him know they were coming before he turned to Merlin and said "Let's go' and just as Merlin opened the door and went outside Arthur held his wrist in a tight grip as he said 'don't ever embarrass me like that again, I don't take kindly to being made a fool off." He released Merlin's hand and started walking towards the dining hall in swift steps ignoring Merlin who wisely held his tongue for now.
"Merlin!" Hunith called for the fifth time as she politely knocked on her son's door. Her son had not come out ever since breakfast in the morning where they broke the news to him and Hunith was worried.
"Go away Mom!" came the reply from inside the room and Hunith bit her lip and looked at the guards standing on either side of the door.
She instructed "Please make sure he doesn't run off somewhere." She left with quick steps second guessing her decision. She now wondered if it really was the wisest decision to unite their two kingdoms through marriage, her Merlin had never been as upset as to not want to talk to her.
On the other side of the door Merlin felt awful for having stood up his mother but he just wasn't ready to see her yet. He could not believe they'd go so far as to arrange a marriage for him and with the Prince of Camelot, his pratliness Arthur at that. He was only seventeen, he had no wish to get married so young without having lived his life some.
He sighed and rolled over on his king size bed to reach for the phone, he pressed dial and waited for his friends to pick up.
Gwen was the first to answer, "Hai Merlin, how have you been? Why weren't you at school today?"
Freya was next and she asked the same thing as well and Will was the last to pick up, "Mate, how's it that the teachers never bother to rip you a new one when you skive class?"
Typical Will, Merlin thought and grunted in reply to all of their questions.
"What's up Merlin? Are you sick?" asked Freya.
Merlin snorted and said "I wish!"
"Then what is the crisis now that you've called us all in….wait a minute….eleven in bloody in night!" asked Will knowing before Merlin said anything that he was probably in his scatter brained state.
"I'm dead!" Merlin stated with all the dramatics he could muster.
"Uh huh, Merlin, why don't you just tell us what's bothering you so we can go live in peace?" Gwen said frowning.
"No really, I'm dead!" moaned Merlin. "They want me to marryarthurpendragon" mumbled Merlin.
"What was that?" all three of them asked simultaneously.
Merlin let out a drawn out sigh as he intoned "Mom and dad want me to marry Arthur Pendragon!"
"Say what?"
"No way!"
"Merlin, don't be absurd!"
"Are you drunk mate?" asked Will.
"Ah Will! I wish I was, but no I'm not plastered. Old Uther proposed the marriage to unite kingdoms, bring peace, blah blah blah!"
"But that would be totally counter productive! You hate Arthur Pendragon!" exclaimed Freya.
"No he doesn't" both Will and Gwen protested knowing all about Merlin's big time crush on the golden haired Prince which he would never admit to or even acknowledge even to himself.
"Of course I do! I don't want to marry a self important asshole like him; I don't want to get married period! I'm only seventeen!"
"Well you are too young I suppose…but isn't it normal amongst people in your circle?" asked Gwen.
"Atleast he's hot mate, imagine if you ended up with Valiant!"
Merlin shuddered and groaned thinking of the brutal Prince Valiant of Cornwall, just the way Valiant looked at him whenever they were supposed to be in the same company in some gathering made him want to turn and run as fast as he could in the opposite direction.
"My life is ruined!"
"Oh stop being so dramatic Merlin, people can come to love each other even in arranged marriages you know?"
"Gwen please! Do you know Arthur Pendragon? He's insufferable!"
"I don't know, he seems really polite and courteous on tv" Freya butted in sounding unsure.
"Since when do you watch Pendragon's interviews?" asked Merlin annoyed that two of his female friends were refusing to understand his immense plight.
"Uhmm.." Freya sounded guilty and Gwen giggled saying "Since forever Merlin, say what you want about him but there's no denying that he's a blonde Adonis. Most of Britain's female and gay population would kill to be in your place."
"Ah Will, you're the only comrade I have now, the girls are turning on me!"
Gwen and Freya chuckled together at that before they said goodnight as it was late and they had school tomorrow.
As soon as they left, Merlin started to complain to his best friend in the whole wide world, "I can't believe I have to marry the prat Will, it's completely unfair. He'd old, he's arrogant, he sleeps with everything in sight, I hate this. Kidnap me out of here."
"Mate, if you don't want to marry him just say no, it's not like your parents are going to force you into this if you disagreed yeah? They're cool folks like that!"
"I know but I can't think about just myself you know, if the situation at the borders worsens even more then there's going to be war. A lot of people could get killed just because I couldn't see myself giving up my dreams and as a Prince it's my duty to think of the people first."
Will sighed, "You know for a bumbling fool, you really are noble sometimes!"
"Hey!" Merlin protested.
"Kidding, so…you're going to go through with this then?"
Merlin bit his lip and slumped further into his bed, "I don't know…he's such a player, he's never treated me right, and he's impossible and rude!"
"Merlin, last time you saw him was five years ago…maybe he's changed now?"
"I don't think so Will, anyway it's getting late. We'll talk more in school tomorrow."
"Yeah alright and Merlin, if he ever messes with you I'll smash his pretty face until he looks like Shrek."
Merlin chuckled and then said "Thanks Will, good night!"
Merlin stood up and retrieved a few treats for his white Scottish fold which was in her cage purring softly in demand for attention. After having fed her he climbed back on the bed and closed his eyes and unknown to him his thoughts were all of one Arthur Pendragon.
Gwaine still hadn't stopped laughing and Arthur fumed silently waiting for him to be finished but then his patience ran thin and he screeched "OH! Shut up Gwaine!"
"You…you do have to admit its funny!"
"Really? Because I don't find a single thing that's amusing about my predicament!"
"You just swore to us that you wouldn't get married and now here you are!"
Arthur huffed as Lance and Leon asked the million dollar question, "Well, who is it Arthur?"
"Yeah, do tell Arthur, is she some insanely rich old Gertrude for whom you're going to play boy toy?"
Arthur was not appreciating Gwaine's cavalier quips and said "It's a he, not a she!"
"Well then you must be happy, right?" asked Leon knowing Arthur's partiality for the rougher sex.
"Excuse me, which part am I supposed to be happy about? That I'm going to be tied down to someone against my will because of my parents or because I have to marry a kid who's clingier than my golden retriever?"
"A kid you say? What your parents are supporting pedophelia now? I know your old man must have been one but then he expects you to follow as well?" asked Gwaine in reference to Igraine and Uther's marriage.
"Gwaine!" warned Arthur not liking it if someone insulted his parents.
"Alright, alright, come on then, who is it?"
"Merlin Emrys, Prince of Mercia."
"Wow, that I didn't expect mate."
"Merlin? How on earth did King Balinor agree to that?" Lance wondered aloud as he knew the fierce animosity and rivalry between the two families and their kingdoms.
Arthur snorted, "He must be desperate if he's willing to trade his precious son."
Leon said "Arthur, why don't you just say no?"
Gwaine interrupted with his booming voice then making the other three men wince, "Are you mad? Why would you say no? I just googled him and he's drop dead gorgeous in a cute way too!"
"My parent's want me to marry a barely street legal brat Gwaine! I don't care if he looks cute, he could look as cute as Justin Beiber and I still wouldn't care."
"You hate Justin Beiber" said Leon.
"Comparing this hot stuff to Beiber is an injustice Princess."
"I am not going to marry him, hell even if I get disowned and thrown out! Morgana could take the throne for all I care."
"You don't mean that Arthur" said Lance.
"Just how serious are your parents about this anyway?"
"Uther said and I quote 'You don't exactly have a choice Arthur, it's either you accept or we force you to the altar'"
"Hmm, you must have really pissed him off with your libertine tendencies" mused Leon.
"Shit! It's my mother, I'll call you guys later!" said Arthur just as Igraine entered his room.
Mother and son just stared at each other for awhile taking in each others countenance before Igraine said "Are you going to run away this time too? Perhaps to Spain this time?"
Arthur looked away from his mother's piercing look before he answered "Mother, I can't believe you're siding with father on this!"
"Oh Arthur, we've tolerated your philandering for long enough! It's time for you to grow up!"
"And you think marriage is the way to discipline me?" asked Arthur defiant and vying for a fight.
"I think its time you learned to love again, I know you're not really happy with the way you lead your life, just because Nim.."
"Don't say her name!" Arthur said in a deadly calm voice and Igraine sighed.
She chose a different approach then, "You'll like him Arthur. He's kind, passionate and very handsome; you won't believe the amount of love he's earned from people all over Britain."
Arthur chuckled without any humor in it, "You're asking me to be chained to a kid for the rest of my life, I can't do this mom! I really can't."
Igraine was angry at the immense irresponsibility Arthur showed and barked "Can you only think of yourself? What about Camelot's people? It's high time you let go of the past Arthur." The last part was said with equal softness and firmness.
Arthur was stunned and he was looking at his mother with wide eyes, not having experienced the brunt of her anger in a long time.
"I've invited Hunith and Merlin to tea tomorrow evening, and I expect you to be civil. Don't even think of escaping past the guards." Igraine said and then swiftly walked out of the room leaving Arthur to stew in his boiling fury.
Merlin and his mother got down as the chopper landed in the wide grass field stretching out amidst the Pendragon Manor. His hair was in disarray and he was dressed sharply in his best Armani suit courtesy of his mother.
Hunith extended her hand and asked sweetly "Shall we go now?"
Merlin promptly scowled at which his mother chuckled before dropping her hand and saying "Oh darling! Don't look so glum, you don't want to make a bad impression on Camelot's Queen and Prince, do you?"
Merlin only gave a close mouthed grin as his mother walked ahead of him and once her back was turned he let a devious smirk stretch his lips, 'Oh yeah, I'm planning exactly for that!'
Arthur was of the same frame of mind, after having thought long and hard about his predicament he had come to the conclusion that he couldn't be held accountable if Merlin refused the marriage and he was going to do everything in his power to send the little brat sniveling in tears back to his mummy. He smiled at his reflection in the mirror.
Igraine greeted them at the frontyard and then lead them back through the halls of the grand Pendragon mansion. Merlin found himself casually inspecting the various paintings and artifacts of the manor. It had been a long time since he'd been here last and he had a vague sense of discomfort and blew out a breath. At the entrance of a room Hunith signaled for the body guards to wait outside as Igraine, Merlin and Hunith entered.
There were four comfortable looking armchairs all placed around a single table and the room itself was bright and airy with tall Venetian doors filtering in the dimming sunlight of the evening. Merlin took the armchair closer to Igraine, leaving his mother to sit opposite to Igraine so that he wouldn't have to sit close to Arthur, if the prat ever arrived, figures he wouldn't be punctual.
Igraine and Hunith made polite conversation and soon they were sharing anecdotes about their countries, husbands and then their children's lives. Igraine was also particularly warm to Merlin in a way none of the other foreign delegates were and Merlin found himself talking more openly with her about his studies and his future plans and goals.
After about half an hour had passed and they were all well acquainted with each other the door opened to reveal Arthur Pendragon who was all smiles as he mimicked a shy tone saying "I'm sorry I'm late, I just couldn't decide on appropriate attire." Merlin refrained from snorting as he saw that Arthur was dressed in casual jeans and a red sweatshirt, his blonde hair carefully styled to look windswept. Merlin had to admit that his friends were right about the notorious playboy prince's looks, even in casual wear he looked like a blond devil of seduction.
Hunith as Merlin predicted was completely charmed anyway and said "Oh it's quite alright Arthur! My! Haven't you grown into a handsome man!" while Igraine Merlin observed was staring at her son in a mix of exasperation and disapproval.
Arthur like Merlin was surprised at the warmth in Hunith's voice and then he directed his gaze to the source of all his problem, his eyes widened though he concealed it in the nick of a second, Gwaine wasn't kidding when he said the Mercian prince looked hot. The dark grey suit emphasized his lean body; he had cheekbones that could cut glass, dark blue eyes that were regarding him with curiosity, raven messy hair that looked soft from where Arthur sat and lastly a set of perfect pink pouting lips that begged to be kissed.
Arthur reluctantly admitted atleast to himself that Merlin had a rare kind of ethereal beauty that he hadn't seen in a long time.
Merlin then started to put his plan into action, he would be sorry for embarrassing Igraine as she was a kind person and in royalty it was pretty rare to see someone like her but nevertheless he couldn't just marry Prince Arthur and the best way to refute would be if Arthur refused himself, "Prince Arthur, it's a pleasure to meet you at last." Merlin had a bright adoring smile on his face which was as flake as a snowflake in summer could be.
Arthur had just sat down and at seeing the smile on Merlin's face he relaxed back into his chair wondering why he liked the look of that smile, he remembered his manners and said "Likewise Prince Merlin." In his mind he was already moaning about the headache of having to deal with a person who adored the ground he walked on and liked him for his riches and glory, another one of his fanboys and a kid at that.
Hunith was looking at Merlin in ill concealed worry as she wondered what Merlin was planning to spout as she knew her son very well and that mischievous smile didn't bode well for anyone. Igraine just looked on in amusement as Merlin continued "Now that we've been introduced and are purported to be married I ask that you do me the justice of taking a full batch of tests for STI's and STD's and put my mind at rest before we proceed any further."
"MERLIN!" exclaimed Hunith looking at Merlin in disbelief and shock to which Merlin just shrugged.
Igraine laughed throwing her head back and Arthur felt the hot itch of a blush staining his cheeks, he'd never been so embarrassed and so angry in his entire life and it showed in his murderous expression as Merlin sank back into his seat subtly wondering if he'd gone too far.
"Why you little!" Arthur started but Igraine clutched his hands tight giving him a warning look, Arthur pulled his hands away and glared fiercely at Merlin who just smirked in victory.
"I am so sorry for his lack of manners!" Hunith said embarrassed at the way her son acted out.
Igraine then controlled herself and stopped chuckling as she said "You've quite a talent Merlin, I've never seen Arthur blush like that in a long time!"
"Mom!" Arthur snapped and Merlin looked on at the exchange with fondness.
To make matters worse and to make Arthur loose his carefully guarded composure Merlin said "Well, can you blame me for being worried Prince Arthur? Your reputation as a playboy precedes you."
"Merlin! Apologize to Prince Arthur, now!" said Hunith looking expectantly at Merlin.
"WHAT?" Merlin turned to look at Hunith and then at Arthur who was now leaning back in his chair and looking at Merlin in smug expectancy, "NO!" he scowled and shot back when Arthur's countenance turned incredulous.
"Oh boys! Why don't we leave them alone so that they could get to know each other without our interference?" asked Igraine and Arthur looked unsure for a moment before his gaze snapped to Merlin and he gave a leery grin, looking completely predatory.
Before leaving Igraine whispered "Don't you dare try anything with the sweet boy Arthur!" and Arthur refrained from snorting at the word 'sweet'.
Merlin was worried now and he looked at his mother with pleading eyes begging her not to leave him alone with the prat prince. Hunith only gave him a shrug as if to tell him it was his mistake which landed him here in the first place before the two ladies disappeared out of the room.
Arthur saw Merlin's trapped and scared expression as the doors shut behind them with a bang before he stood up and slowly approached his prey.
Merlin looked defiant and unrelenting even though he was just a tiny bit scared of the cold look on Arthur's face.
"Your posing as the alpha male is not going to work on me you know!" Merlin let the first thing that came to his mind slip out of his mouth like he always did when he was nervous.
"Isn't it?" asked Arthur softly but Merlin could feel the skeptic undertone in his thick voice.
"Of course it isn't! Your royal, rich bad boy charm might work for bimbo's and floosies but not on me!"
Arthur hummed before saying "From the moment I entered you've been insulting me Prince Merlin, shouldn't you be asking sorry and not offending me more by lying to my face?"
All of Merlin's nervousness disappeared as he stood up asking "Excuse me? Lying? You think I'm attracted to you?"
Arthur looked confused for a minute before he confidently asked "Well, aren't you? Isn't that one of the reasons you're pushing for this marriage? So you could be the spouse of the rich and handsome Prince of Camelot?" Arthur bitterness at the last part surprised him, he'd always been bitter of never being seen for who he was but rather his image but he'd never actually expressed his frustration at it.
If Merlin noticed his tone he didn't show it and tilted his head slightly before he mimicked an innocent tone and asked "What do you expect me to find attractive in you? Your loose morals? The cess pool of STD germs you come into contact with, with how many ever people you shagged or the possibility of an illegitimate child with your genes?"
Arthur frowned being taken aback by what this boy stated, he always knew his whoring ways were disapproved but for the first time he felt ashamed of what he was doing with his life and he was angered that this mere kid had managed to make him feel something he'd never felt before.
"And for your information I don't want to be married to you and I guess you don't want to be married to me either so why don't you put us both out of misery by refusing the proposal?"
"Why don't you refuse if your so against it? You think I want to marry an impertinent and ill mannered brat like you?" Arthur fired back.
"You think I didn't try?"
"You think I didn't?" asked Arthur and they were both back to glaring at each other.
Merlin was the one to look away first and Arthur sighed when he saw the defeated slump of Merlin's shoulders. It was clear that neither of them was thrilled about their marriage and Arthur could not believe the irony of having to marry the one person in all of Britain who genuinely seemed to hate his guts aside from Morgana but they both knew it was just Morgana's twisted way of showing affection.
There was a knock on the door and Merlin and Arthur looked up as the butler entered saying "Your Highness, Queen Igraine is waiting for you at the dining hall."
Arthur nodded to let him know they were coming before he turned to Merlin and said "Let's go' and just as Merlin opened the door and went outside Arthur held his wrist in a tight grip as he said 'don't ever embarrass me like that again, I don't take kindly to being made a fool off." He released Merlin's hand and started walking towards the dining hall in swift steps ignoring Merlin who wisely held his tongue for now.