Forbidden Love (Rewritten) | Arthur Pendragon

36 • LONG LIVE THE HIGH QUEEN

Arthur busied himself with state affairs, but instead of being solely to keep Camelot going, part of it was so he would not have to think about Eowyn's coronation. And it worked. The month passed like a flash and the coronation was now right around the corner. He knew how great an achievement it was for her and he wanted to be part of this so meaningful moment. Besides, Merlin kept pestering him about going. And it would have been bearable if it was not for Gaius, Gwen, Lancelot, Gwaine, and even Perceval who kept asking him about whenever they saw him. The issue was the Council who were not exactly supportive of his attendance. Be could understand why. Usad may be whole again, Camelot technically still had tutelage rights over East Usad. If the Crown Prince of Camelot who at the moment was acting as regent king due to his father's condition attended the coronation, it would be the equivalent of recognizing Usad as an independent state. Which goes against Uther's wishes.

And though Arthur did want to give Usad its independence back, his hands were tied. He was not truly king yet. His father's reign was not officially over yet.

"So." Merlin barged into the room, making Arthur flinch, as he set a plate full of cheese, a bit of charcuterie, and bread on his desk. "Have you decided yet?"

"Decided what?" Arthur asked as he refocused the attention he had been losing on the documents he was working on.

"Whether we go to Usad or not," Merlin said as if it was obvious and Arthur let out a heavy sigh, tossing his quil away. "The coronation is just two weeks away and we haven't sent confirmation yet. We have to do it now if we don't want to show up uninvited."

"The Council hasn't given his agreement yet."

"Does that matter? Aren't you the prince?"

"It doesn't mean the Council has no voice, Merlin. They are here to prevent kings from going tyrannical."

"They haven't really done a good job so far."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

Merlin waved off. "Nothing, nothing." He walked away to gather Arthur's armor. "I supposed we're not going then. It's too bad, Winnie sounded so excited when I told her you were coming."

Arthur froze. "What?"

"Yeah, I could feel it in her letter." Merlin let out a sigh and shook his head in a dramatic way, though Arthur was too caught up in his own feelings to notice. "She's gonna be so heartbroken."

"Why did you tell her I was coming?"

"Like I said, I could feel the expectation in her words. Did you expect me to lie to her? I couldn't!" He exclaimed. "Besides, I thought everything was fine between the two of you."

"Didn't exactly have the opportunity to talk about it. Or rather we both avoided it."

"But you love her, do you?"

"Of course, I do."

"Then what more do you need?"

Arthur sat back in his chair and sighed. "It's more complicated than that."

"Is it? Or are you making things more complicated?" Merlin argued back. Arthur remained. "At first you couldn't be with her because she was a commoner but now she's a princess. Heck, she's about to become High Queen. So what is it now? Does having magic really change everything?"

Arthur's lips pursed. It was never a good feeling, for him at least, to be lectured by Merlin. And it was a lot worse when Merlin actually had a point. He might be an idiot most of the time, but he could also be very wise. Though it was very inconsistent.

So Arthur grabbed a blank piece of parchment and dabbed his quill into the ink bottle. "Go fetch a messenger for me."

Immediately, a grin appeared on Merlin's lips and he let go of the armor which fall echoed in the room before dashing off.