Of Chores and Crowns (A Merlin Fanfiction) ✔

Chapter Eighteen

When we walked into the bar, I couldn't help but smile. It was loud and reeked of ale, but it was warm and there was happiness in the air. I grinned when I saw Gwaine and the others at a table in the center.

"So this is it?" Arthur asked, looking around from underneath the hood of my cloak.

"Sorry it doesn't meet your expectations." I said through gritted teeth.

"I didn't mean it like th--"

"Go sit in that table in the corner. I'm going to go say Hello and get some drinks. I'll be there in a bit." I interrupted.

I left before he could respond. I knew I would regret snapping at him, but it felt personal when he looked around with disgust at the pub.

I approached the table in the middle, a grin growing on my face as I came closer. When Gwaine caught sight of me, he smiled and climbed to his feet.

"My Queen!" He exclaimed loudly. It was obvious he had already had a couple of drinks. I laughed and held out my hand as if he had to kiss it.

He smirked and bent over, pressing a chaste kiss to my knuckles. I rolled my eyes, pushing him backwards.

"I just came to say hello!" I shouted over the sound of the band. "I have a friend here that I'm going to be with!"

Gwaine followed my pointed finger and raised an eyebrow at the cloaked prince. I could tell Arthur was watching us, but there was no chance of him being recognized from this vantage point.

"He looks pretty sketchy!" Gwaine announced, "Are you sure you wouldn't rather climb in bed with a handsome, honorable knight?"

I pretended to look around, acting as if I was confused, "Now, where would I be able to find one of those?"

He rolled his eyes and nudged me gently, and I couldn't help but laugh again.

The band quieted down before picking up another, fast paced song. I recognized it, and couldn't help but smile. Gwaine seemed to notice and grinned.

"No!" I protested, knowing exactly what he would suggest.

"Sing!" He requested anyway.

I shook my head, laughing loudly. Gwaine started chanting, gathering the rest of the support of the customers in the pub. I glanced over at Arthur to see him watching curiously.

Finally, I consented, and Gwaine cheered, wrapping his arms around me to swing me up on top of the table. I blushed, but began to sing.

"Now we drink to captive, then
Drink a third to living men."

People cheered at the sound of the lyrics, and I smiled, growing more comfortable on top of the table.

"Fourth to Christians truly bred,
Fifth to cheer the faithful dead."

I stomped my foot to the beat of the music, getting into the song. I sang as loud as I could, and Gwaine grinned before joining in. Soon, the whole pub was singing along with the exception of Arthur who sat in the corner.

"Sixth, vain woman when she errs,
What hundreds, nay, what thousands think!
Drink, drink, drink, drink..."

We chanted the word louder and louder until we were shouting. Finally we finished the song with a loud cheer. The shouts and singing subsided into laughter.

I climbed down off the table, a huge grin on my face. I rolled my eyes when Gwaine smirked at me.

"Just for that, you can buy my friend and I our first round!" I told him, laughing.

"For that, my queen, I'll buy you and your friend the next five rounds!"

I rolled my eyes and we went up to the bar together. He bought me two mugs of ale and I grinned at him when I had them on the tray, balanced in my right hand.

"Thanks for inviting me tonight, Gwaine!" I said, leaning over to kiss him on the cheek.

When I pulled away, he was grinning. "I'm pretty sure you are in love with me, Dawn."

I snorted, "How'd you find out, Gwaine?!"

"Call it woman's intuition." He joked, making me laugh.

"Seriously though, thank you."

"Anytime, my lovely queen."

He smiled and hugged me from the side before shoving me gently in the direction of the table in the corner. I balanced the tray of drinks expertly on my hand as I wound around the many tables and customers.

Finally, I reached the table. I set down the drinks before climbing into the chair across from Arthur. I smiled up at him.

"There's your ale, your highness." I said, nudging the drink towards him.

He looked up at me and paused before he finally said, "You have no need to call me that."

I looked at him, confused. He looked awkwardly away, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Call me Arthur, I mean." He said, "At least in private."

I blushed. I knew I should protest and refuse, but I couldn't help but nod silently.

"Yes...Arthur." I agreed, bowing my head to look at the table.

We both let loose after that moment. I'm not sure how many ales we had between the two of us, but it was probably enough to fill a barrel. Arthur was completely out of it, and I was a little tipsy by the time the bartender finally said last call.

Arthur was giggling as we left the bar -- something I had never thought I would see. He started leaning too far to one side, so I moved to support him, keeping him upright.

"You're going to have hell to pay for this in the morning, sire." I told him, smirking.

"Arthur!" He corrected, his voice sounding as if he had suddenly found his tongue to be too heavy.

I smiled and led him slowly up the street towards the castle. It was dark, but I knew I would still have to sneak him in. I'd probably have to get Merlin's help.

"You're so heavy." I groaned, as Arthur moved to lean more on me.

"Yeah, well you're pretty!" He pouted, as if that was an insult.

I blushed, making sure to look straight ahead.

"And you're drunk."