the lost prince

chapter 5

 Merlin rolled over in bed, eyes slowly opening as sunlight filtered into the room. He blinked wearily, feeling a smile form on his face as he remembered where he was. He sat up slightly, pulling Jade into his arms, her head pillowed on his chest.

He leaned over, kissing the nape of her neck and running his fingers through her dark hair, which almost reflected his. She snuggled in closer to Merlin, making quiet noises in her sleep as Merlin began to kiss her awake.

Her skin was so beautiful in the sunlight, Merlin thought, smiling as her eyes flickered open to look up at him. He had almost forgotten how much he missed her beautiful green eyes. 

"Good morning, my love," He began, but she silenced him with a kiss, rolling Merlin over so she was laying on his chest. 

"I have missed you very much, my darling," She said, her hair pooling across his stomach and covering her bare chest. He smiled at her, once again encompassing her in a tight hug.

"I love you, Jade," Merlin whispered, and she buried her head in his chest. Merlin didn't need her to say it back; he already knew they loved each other more than life.  

She sat up in bed, turning her palm towards the closet. Her eyes glowing a bright silvery green, and clothes flew from the dresser and into their bed. "Time to get up, my king." She smiled and stood up running her fingers through her hair and walking toward her private chambers, presumably to wash up. Merlin smiled as he watched her walk away, completely nude but totally comfortable with his presence. 

He stood up, putting on a pair of casual pants, and pulled his royal seal off of his neck, eyeing the ring between his fingers. 

If he didn't do it now, he may never get the chance to do it, Merlin thought.  He heard the door to her chambers open and he hid the ring behind his back, deciding then and there that he couldn't wait any longer. She stepped out of her chambers in her formal leather armor, frowning when she saw that he wasn't in his armor, simply wear threadbare pants.

"Merlin, what's happening, I"

Then Merlin dropped to one knee, taking her hand in his. "Merlin, what are you doing?" she exclaimed, but there was a hesitant smile etched on her face. 

"Jade, I... I can't tell you how many times I dreamed that I would do this, that I would come home to you and finally we could be happy. I know that we are still young, but I don't need to be older to know that I'm going to love you for the rest of our lives. When I was in Camelot, every day was hell without you. If I had it my way, we'd have been married years ago, with you ruling by my side. You are the most stunning, fierce, and powerful woman I have ever known, and I would go to the ends of the earth for you, Jade. So I just want to ask you, will you be my wife?"

Just as he finished, Jade tackled him to the floor, laughing and screaming in delight. 

"Yes yes yes! Of course I'll marry you, you buffoon! I've been waiting for you to propose for years now."

She kissed him more passionately than she ever had, and in that moment, Merlin knew that as long as he had Jade fighting beside him, he would be just fine.

a/n: Short, but I finally updated! I love you all and thank you for reading!