Darkness

Love and Support

"Oh gods. I think I'm gonna be sick." Merlin mumbled, leaning his hands on his knees and closing his eyes.

"Merlin, relax. You've gone into battle without armor before, you've fought griffons and trolls and dragons. You drank poison, for god's sake." Arthur said teasingly. Seeing he hadn't eased Merlin's anxiety any he rolled his eyes and pulled Merlin up straight to talk to him eye to eye. "Alright, you asked for this." Arthur pulled Merlin close and hugged him. Merlin tensed at the action, unsure of how to respond. Arthur rubbed circles on his back until he felt Merlin start to relax. When Merlin wrapped his arms around Arthur and huffed out a laugh, Arthur smiled. "That's better. Now if you tell anyone I did this, I'll simply deny it."

"Wouldn't dream of it." Merlin said with a smile. "Sorry. Just nervous. Can't believe it's time already, you know?"

"It's been a few months, Merlin. You've had time to warm up to this. Besides, nothing is really changing." Arthur assured him.

"I know. Nothing is. And everything is." Merlin said with a sigh, shoulders relaxing.

"It's time!" Hunith said with a smile as she walked in on the pair. "They are ready for you." She reached up and kissed her son on the cheek before turning and leaving them alone again.

"Ready?" Arthur asked, with a smirk.

"Ready." Merlin answered with a smile. Arthur led Merlin out of the pavilion they were in and down a walkway that had been cleared. The Druids had insisted that the ceremony take place outside. Arthur walked with Merlin and waited patiently while Merlin worked through his panic and anxiety. Of course, once he caught sight of Gwaine standing ahead of them, he was doing his best to keep Merlin from sprinting forward. Leon stood to the side of Gwaine, while Arthur went to stand beside Merlin as the pair faced each other. Arthur had expected magic would play a prominent part of the ceremony, but he hadn't expected that a mark would be placed on each man. He watched as Merlin drew the symbol over Gwaine's heart with care, and then Gwaine did the same to Merlin. Their hands were fastened together with a vine that bloomed when it was set, Merlin's eyes shining a bright gold. When they kissed, the crowd erupted in applause and cheering, flower petals drifted lazily from nowhere, and little colorful lights twinkled and bobbed around.

It was an impressive display of everything beautiful that magic could represent. And Arthur was grateful to have been able to be a part of it. In letting his best friend be free. The Druids doted on William and each person that encountered him handed him a flower until he had quite a massive bouquet. Before he could take a bite out of it, which he was poised to do, Merlin was there, exchanging the flowers for actual food. Once he had the flowers, he tied a ribbon around them. Gwen, having seen this, dragged him in front of a crowd of onlookers and forced him to turn around and toss it over his shoulder for good luck. Merlin rolled his eyes, but never stopped smiling. A young Druid girl caught them and the others fawned over her while the men snickered.

All of King Arthur's council were present and had seen the Druids bowing to Merlin and treating him with reverence. Arthur knew this was going to be another topic that they wanted to discuss. When the music started, and dancing broke out, Arthur only had eyes for Gwen. He smiled softly at her and they danced slow and close, remembering their own wedding. It hadn't been that long ago, but felt like forever at the same time. Arthur lost track of the crowd and only saw his wife. His Guinevere. Of course he was broken from his reverie when a very tired, very grumpy William grabbed onto Gwen's skirts. She picked him up gently and cuddled him on her shoulder while still swaying enough to dance with Arthur. They'd found out quite recently that she was pregnant, but it was still so early, they were afraid to share the news with anyone. Merlin knew, because his magic sensed it. Or so he'd told them, while trying to keep from grinning madly at them. They had agreed to keep William with them for the evening so that Merlin and Gwaine could enjoy their wedding night uninterrupted. Merlin had blushed, while Gwaine thanked them profusely.