Hiding

Chapter 28

"Was that a proposal? Did you just ask me to marry you while I'm on the floor, tangled in bedsheets, and we're both in our sleeping clothes?"

"Uh, maybe?"

Merlin shook his head and freed himself, making his way over to Arthur. "You're the worst romantic ever, you know that?"

Arthur looked at the floor sheepishly, "Sorry..."

"I still love you, though." Merlin winked and kissed Arthur fiercely. He pushed them back toward the bed. When they landed heavily on top of it, Merlin pulled away. "And by the way, the answer's yes."

With that, he curled up and started trying to go to sleep. Arthur groaned. Merlin might be able to sleep right after being proposed to, but he wasn't tired anymore. He realized he hadn't given Merlin a ring. Jumping out of bed, Arthur made his way to one of his chests, unlocking it with the keys that were on his bedside table. He pulled an object out, relocked the chest, and climbed back in next to Merlin.

"What were you doing?" Merlin turned to face Arthur, sleep apparent in his face.

"Well, I might be terrible at proposals, but I'm not hopeless. Here," He grabbed Merlin's hand and thrust a ring onto it.

"You know rings are for girls, right Arthur?"

"Perfect for you, then," Arthur sobered slightly. "It was my mother's ring. I wanted to give it to someone I love. I'd always hoped I would be able to marry the person I gave it to. And I definitely will."

Merlin smiled. "Thank you, then. I'm glad you're enough of a romantic to remember basically the most essential item in a proposal."

"I thought you said rings were for girls!"

"Doesn't mean I can't appreciate that your proposal was absolutely wretched."

"Merlin?"

"Arthur?"

"Do shut up."

"Of course, sire."

Arthur hit him with a pillow.

X

True to her word, Morgana started planning the wedding immediately, despite the fact that no one told her they were actually engaged. Arthur made the announcement to the kingdom, who weren't as opposed to it as he thought they'd be. He also officially announced his magic, as he'd felt it was too soon to do it before that. One night, as they lay in bed, Arthur rambled about this and that.

"You know, I've been thinking, before we get married, why don't we give you an official title? One that isn't Queen or King-Consort. By the way, which one of those do you want to use?"

"King-Consort. Despite what your insistence to the contrary, I'm not actually a girl. And what title do you have in mind?"

"Not sure. Maybe...court sorcerer? Morgana can perform the duties the queen normally would that you aren't up for, and your main job can be to deal with everything magic."

"Court Sorcerer? Are you sure?"

Arthur nodded. "Absolutely."

"Well then, I accept."

And so, a few days later, Arthur made Merlin Court Sorcerer of Camelot. That day, Merlin got official chambers, but he never used them. Everything of his was in Arthur's room. That day also cemented Merek as the King's manservant, clearing up any confusion as to whether Merlin would return to his old job or not (but Merlin would dress and bathe Arthur, of course). It was shortly after this that the King and Court Sorcerer got into a yelling match about clothes, of all things.