500 Days of Freya (Merlin)

Dance

Chapter 23

Warning/s: None.

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.

A/N: I'm off to Norfolk today for a week wooo

Prompt: Kiki1770: "a Canon Universe one where Arthur and Gwen are watching a peasent's celebration (the knights standing on guard) when all of a sudden they see Merlin with his illustrious and mysterious date (Freya, duh lol)"

"I remember doing this last year," Gwen said, with a touch of wistfulness in her voice. "I mean, I'm so happy with you and I wouldn't swap any of this for the world, but – it was so much fun."

"I know it was," Arthur murmured, kissing her hair. They were both on their balcony outside their shared room, watching the traditional peasant's dance beneath them. Ever since Arthur had been made king, he had decided that it would be held in the courtyard so that it would be safer for those who came to dance. He had guards stationed everywhere and a few daring citizens had called out to their king to join them, all of which he had declined with a smile and a wave. He wanted this festival to be for them.

"Me and Merlin always used to come together, you know," Gwen said, leaning her head on Arthur's chest. "Just a friends, of course. It was always a bit of fun to dance and get dressed up."

"I wonder if he'll be coming back this year," Arthur replied, scanning the courtyard beneath them to see if he could spot the manservant anywhere.

They were silent together for a few minutes, watch the men and women dance together. Then Gwen let out a squeal and pointed down excitedly. "Look! There's Merlin!"

Arthur leaned over the balcony and caught sight of a dark-haired man – along with a dark-haired woman. "Who's he with?" he asked curiously.

"I don't know," Gwen frowned. "I've never seen her before."

Merlin took Freya's hand and led her into the courtyard via one of the many secret passageways he knew of. "Remind me again why I'm squeezing through here?" she asked jokingly.

"Because I know if we go through the main entrance, we'll be bound to run into Gwaine or Leon or someone I know, who will want to know all about you – and I want this night to be just about us."

Freya grinned and kissed Merlin's cheek affectionately. "All three of us," she smiled, patting her stomach.

"Of course," Merlin replied, winding his arm around her waist when they stepped out of the narrow passage-way. Little did she know about the small gift he had secreted in his pocket.

"Wow," Freya breathed when they stepped out into the large area. There were candles lit all around, and Arthur had even hired Camelot's best musicians to play tonight. There was a reason why Arthur was their favourite King so far.

"It's nearly as beautiful as you," Merlin said into her ear, smiling when a blush crept onto her face.

"Are we going to dance?" she asked, grasping hold of his free hand eagerly. She had never come before, having always been far too shy to show her face in public before. This was the only year she had found enough confidence to come with him.

"Of course," Merlin said, guiding her to the edge of the area where people were dancing. He wasn't particularly keen on the idea of Arthur or Gwen seeing him, especially with what he had planned.

"I don't know who she is but she's really pretty, and she looks really sweet!" Gwen said happily. "I hope they're going to get married, Merlin really does deserve some happiness, you know."

"I know he does," Arthur began, and he was going to add something else, but then he saw something in Merlin's hand flicker in the dim candlelight. "Gwen, I think your dream might come true."

"What?" she asked in confusion, and then she gasped when she caught sight of the glimmer of gold as well. "Oh!" She clutched Arthur's arm. "Do you think...?"

Merlin slipped his hand into his pocket and withdrew the golden ring. He had gone to Elyan in secret and had it made, saying it was for a friend back in Ealdor because they didn't have any blacksmiths back there. Elyan had refused any payment from merlin and had carved the most beautiful ring that Merlin had ever seen. It was exactly the kind of thing that Freya would love.

Their first dance came to an end; Freya was resting on Merlin's chest, their hands intertwined and his breath fluttering her hair. "Can I ask you something?" he asked nervously.

"Of course," Freya said softly, breaking apart from their embrace reluctantly. She looked up with her soft, brown eyes and Merlin fell in love with her all over again.

He pulled the ring from his pocket and held it up to Freya. Her eyes widened and she blurted, "Yes, yes, so much yes!"

"I didn't ask yet!" Merlin exclaimed, his head buzzing. She had said yes.

"You don't need to," Freya whispered, her eyes shining with tears. She leant in and kissed Merlin gently, giggling. "I love you."

"I love you too, so so much," Merlin whispered back. He tugged Freya back into the dancing area, where they began their first dance as a betrothed couple.

"I don't care if they're not royal, we're getting them a proper wedding."

"And chambers in the castle."

"Agreed."

A/N: I actually just stretched so hard that I sprained a muscle in my back