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Prince Arthur was anything but courageous and just, but sometimes he would be very dim-witted. For example, one night while celebrating a successful fight against a group of bandits that have been terrorizing a small village in the south of Camelot. Sir Gwaine one of Camelot’s finest knights had a little too much to drink, (but when was that never true.) had heard of a quest that a traveler ‘ Friend’ had told him about. A princess, stunning and humble, has been locked away in a tower guarded by a dragon. A Dragon. A creature of magic that breathed out fire and are known to have a fiery temper to go along with it.
When he was younger his mother would tell him stories of these creatures and how sometimes they stole princess and locked them up in a tower. He would love those stories and when he was feeling sick or overly exhausted after a very long quest and injured, his mother would help bring him back to health and tell him stories.
So when he heard of this trapped princess, quickly sobered up and made a mental note of what to pack for this quest.
His father disapproved of the quest immediately after her mentioned the dragon, his mother was also concerned but was supportive of her son. “What if we agree to marry?” He didn’t want to pull that card but it was life changing but this was a life changing quest.
His father and mother have growing older now and are both concerned that they will leave this world without seeing their only son marry. His father wants him to marry for the kingdom, since he is heir to the throne. His mother on the other hand, like him, wants him to marry for love. Hopefully the princess is stunning and humble as they say she is.
The very next morning prince arthur was on was on his way to save his damsel in destress from the firesome dragon. Off he went, through the valley of fallen kings, where he defeated a group of bandits. Luckily it was only three and was able to defeat them quickly.
Then three days later, he passed by a very dark tower in a very dried up land, but that wasn’t the tower looking for. He knew that by the lack of fire breathing dragons and lack of screaming for help.
A couple of days later he was met with a large plainsland, that his knight Sir Percival has pointed out, was called Camlann. He felt unsettled was filled with dread when passing through it. He pushed his mighty horse, llamrei through.
Two days later, he made it to the lake he was looking for and in the middle of the lake was a very tall tower. Surrounding as expected was a very big, golden, fire-breathing dragon. He was going to take a moment to examine the majestic creature, and was a little sad that he would have to slay it.
As he was entering a conventent boat on shore, he heard yelling and screaming from the top of the tower and like magic the boat went faster. Immediately when the boat hit the small island he rushed off with his mighty sword and ran up the tower.
When he got to the very top he pushed the door open and was surprised that not only was the princess yelling at the dragon like it was a child but the princess wasn’t a princess at all. She or he should say he was a prince, and said prince had the beauty of a princess if not more.
Now Prince Arthur thought he was straight until the very sight of the other prince made him question some feelings he was feeling in his heart and body. Just as Arthur was about say something the other prince turned around, “Who the hell are you? And what the fuck are you doing in my tower?!” Arthur was in shock no one has ever spoken to him that way before.
“You can’t speak to me that way, I am a prince. A prince that is here to rescue you.” The other prince looked at him in confusion, “Rescue me from what? I don’t need rescuing.” he turns to the dragon who has been looking through the window. “What is he talking about? I don’t feel like i need rescuing, am I danger?” Then the dragon did something that Arthur never thought they could do.
It talked. “I think the knight is here to rescue you from me, sire. I am assuming that he thinks that I have chosen you as my hoard and have captured you and trapped you in this tower.” This prince took a second to process what the dragon had said and laughed. The prince turns to Arthur with a smirk. “You think I am trapped in a tower guarded by a dragon.”
“Well they said you were a princess, but yes.” The prince chuckled, “Well whoever told you that obviously lied, I am Prince Merlin of Dracos, I come here to practice my magic, Kilgharah is here to protect me and guide me. He wouldn’t be able to hurt me, we are kin.”
“You’re a sorcerer?” Prince Merlin’s eyebrows came together, “Is that a problem? And I am not a sorcerer, I am a Warlock.” Arthur shakes his head, “no no no, my mother and half sister practice magic. And I must admit i tried to learn but turns out just because you were born of magic, doesn’t mean you are able to use magic. Is there a difference between a sorcerer and a warlock?”
Merlin looks at him slightly shocked but quickly snaps out of it, “um a sorcerer has to learn to use magic, a warlock is born able to use magic out of instinct.” he says a bit shy and surprised that Arthur was genuine curious.
“So you’re not in danger?” Merlin shakes his head, “nope,”
Arthur’s mother has spoken of Dracos and has been trying to convince his father for a alliance conference. And he did promise he would marry the person in this tower, and his father could look over the fact that merlin is a man, since he is a prince and is desperate for him to marry. And merlin seems like a person who he thinks he can grow to love.
“And you are a prince?” Merlin laughs, “last I checked yes.”
“So you have no problem with coming with me to become my betrothed?” Merlin gasps, “HOW DARE YOU! We know nothing of each other other than the fact that we are princes and each other names. And my father and mother would have to be informed if I am to consider you proposal. My father and mother are very dear to me and I would like to marry for love not whatever this is. You have some nerve-”
“As I said before I am a Prince Arthur of Camelot. My father and mother, more so my father, is desperate for me to marry, and I did promise that I would marry the person in this tower. Even though we just met i am very enamored by you and I feel as though I have became whole when i set my sight on you.” Merlin turned red from his words starting at his little too big ears to his long neck.
“You may be a prat and a bit rude, I feel the same. Like two sides of the same coin.” Arthur takes Merlin’s hand and kisses it, “is this you accepting my proposal?” “How far is Camelot, i have heard my father and mother speak of her queen?” Arthur mentally counts the days he has been away from his home. “About five days journey, but if you like we can take it as slow as you like.” merlin laughs.”are you sure you are speaking of the journey to your Kingdom.” Arthur smiles, “I speaking of what you think I am speaking about.” Merlin smiles back, “Oh you are quite clever.”
he takes a second to think, “Very well I hope we can take the longer route so that we can get to know each other properly. And if it doesn’t work out i’m sure our parents can settle a meeting for them to speak of alliance.”
Arthur nods in agreement, “Very well, Prince Merlin of Dracos would you do my the honor of joining me back to my kingdom and get to know each other along the way, and I hopefully your parents do not think I kidnapped you and start war against Camelot.” Merlin smiles, “I don’t think that would be a problem.” Merlin was going to say something to Kilgharah when he interrupts him, “I will tell Balinor and Hunith of what has occurred here.” “Thank you, friend and be sure to least scare my father.” Kilgharah laugh as he flies away.
Merlin turns back to Arthur, “Now help me pack for this great journey of getting to know each other.”
As they packed they talked about their kingdoms and their people.
As they went past the unsettling plains of camlann they talked about their parents as comfort since merlin also felt the sense of dread.
They talked about themselves when they got lost in a magical forest, past the dark tower, where they met some druids who kept calling Merlin Emrys and Arthur the once and future king. They didn’t stay very long there since they kept talking of a union of Emrys and the once and future king. And they both agreed if they are these people that the druids are speaking of, then they wanted it to be because of what they learn of each other, not because of some destiny they was told.
They spent some time in a village helping the people where they can, at nights they slept side by side, already used to the warmth of another, and spoke of their fears, their deepest desires and their future together.
At this point, they have both fallen in love with each other, and both have started to take notice in their feelings.
By the time they reached the valley of fallen kings, they were so in tune with each other that the group bandits didn’t have a chance at winning the fight. They fought together as though they were dancing. They only needed to speak with looks to understand each other.
It has been two weeks when they met each other and now they finally made it to camelot, before they entered the meeting room, arthur turned to merlin. “Are you sure you want to do this? You know almost everything about me and I know almost everything about you, and I want to know if you will be happy with me.” Merlin smiles, “Arthur, you prat, the fact you are more concerned about my happiness and how I feel makes me want agree to this even more.” Arthur was going to say something else but was interrupted by merlin kissing him. It took Arthur a second to register what they were doing but son melted int the kiss.
“Hey you two! We have been waiting for your arrival for weeks. Merlin you parents have been here a day after they learned of your plans. And I had to be here alone with those knights of yours, that they kept asking me to scry for them on where you were at.” Morgana said as she makes her way to them and pushes them inside.
There was some concern yelling and worried mothers scolding their sons for taking so long, but at the end of the day they had already agreed on a wedding date and wedding guests.
And they lived happily ever after because no one became evil and no one that people cared for died.