Chapter Text
Arthur,
It is now just over a month until our wedding when this letter arrives.
Like you, waiting or the days to pass is maddening. It’s doesn’t help that not long before your letter arrive, I was relieved of my training duties. Not for a bad reason, the sorcery instructor returned from their mission. So I’ve been back to my own training, court duties, and keeping myself busy in my free time.
I never thought I’d say this, but I actually wish I was still training the new sorcerers. At least then, I would be doing something that made time go by faster.
The beginning of your last letter did not help my impatience at all, so thanks a lot.
I’m curious to see if you really meant what you wrote about making me think twice about not doing what I’m told. I still remember the first and only time you managed to shut me up, but that was also a little less than a year ago. I wonder if things have changed since then. Have you lost your touch at all?
Or did all that time training and hacking away at poor wooden dummies make you stronger and more apt at throwing your weight around?
I suppose we’ll have to wait and see, won’t we?
In other topics, I had to go to the final fitting for my wedding outfit today. I have to admit, I didn’t know what to expect, especially since I didn’t get a lot of say in what it looked like (and by a lot, I mean any). But I didn’t expect it to look as good as it does. I won’t spoil it for you, since I want it to be a surprise for our wedding, but it definitely has white and gold in it. It’s certainly not a traditional outfit, but honestly, I love the way it looks. I think you’ll love it too.
Mum also gave me an idea of the guests that will be there, but it was more told to me in passing. She told me that our allies will be there, which we both knew, but that some of the high ranking Druids will be there as well. Because of the connection with magic I have and how important it is in both kingdoms, my parents wanted the Druids to attend our ceremony and have their blessings in our marriage.
I also was told that we’d be leaving a week before the wedding date so we can arrive a few days ahead of time. I hope we can possibly get there early, but with everything we’ll be traveling with for the wedding, I don’t have much hope for that.
I cannot wait to be with you, Arthur. It sounds so silly to say, especially when I hardly wanted to meet you when I was first invited to Camelot, but I feel like you’ve become a part of me.
Back around winter, you asked if I believed in destiny, but I never answered. My answer for that is that I do. I believe that we all have a destiny and whether we like it or not, it’s our job to follow whatever destiny has in store for us.
I fully believe now that my destiny is to be by your side, as your husband, as your friend, as your lover.
My destiny is you,
Merlin
Merlin,
I made sure this letter arrived before you left Essetir, because I wanted to write to you one last time.
I have also been waiting rather impatiently for the days to pass until your arrival and there’s only so much training and so many council meetings I can attend before there is nothing left to do, and I’m left to fill my time in other ways. None of them help time speed up, unfortunately.
I also had the final fitting for my outfit for our wedding. Thankfully, I don’t have to wear an elaborate outfit since I’m just a prince and not a king, but it will still be “up to royal standards,” as my father said. Since you are not telling me what your outfit looks like, I’ll keep mine a secret as well. I will tell you that it involves Pendragon Red (of course) and might involve a weapon.
Everyone is starting to really prepare for the wedding now. Cook is already planning how much she’ll have to make, since the food that will be at the feast afterwards was agreed upon before. People are already starting to make sure that the area where our wedding will take place is ready for decorating and even the servants are preparing all of the guest rooms in the castle in anticipation of everyone’s arrival.
I think we may be able to sneak you out of your guest room into my chambers, however. You’re to be my husband, after all, so they really can’t deny us that.
The last part of your letter, when you talked about how I am your destiny, really struck me, and made me realize that you’re mine too.
I know that in my letter to you before your assassination attempt, I told you that I was not one to let destiny tell me what I should and shouldn’t do. But she did that anyway, didn’t she? Without me knowing, she led me down the path that would lead me straight to loving you, starting with us getting to know each other over these letters, then me worrying about you over winter when you didn’t respond. From there, it just took far too long for me to realize I love you.
You’re my destiny as much as I am yours, Merlin. I want to be by your side in any way you’ll have me, be it as your husband, your friend, your lover, or your protector.
I love you. And I cannot wait to see you.
Be safe on the road. It would be very inconvenient if you were to fall into another season long sleep.
Waiting for you,
Arthur
The weather was beautiful in Camelot. The sun was shining, with hardly a cloud in the sky. The breeze was comfortable and despite it being just the beginning of summer, it wasn’t hot at all.
A messenger from Essetir’s traveling party had arrived the previous day and informed the Pendragons that the Emerysons would arrive on the morrow, which would be right on schedule with when they had originally planned on arriving. That was according to his father, but it still didn’t make Arthur any less impatient for their arrival.
Sure, he had waited this long to see Merlin, but that didn’t mean he wanted to wait any longer than was necessary. Arthur just wanted Merlin in his arms already!
But, as much as he wanted to ride out and escort the royal family into the main square, Arthur was told to stay at the citadel, that he was needed here to help with any additional preparations, to greet other guests that may arrive today and to overall “do his duty as crown prince,” as his father said. So, here he was, standing in the front hall with his parents and waiting for people to arrive.
Well, mostly waiting for Merlin to arrive, but waiting for other guests to arrive was fine too.
Arthur was taking to a couple of knights who had recently arrived back from a neighboring kingdom while waiting for Merlin to arrive, just something to do to pass the time. He was so deep into their conversation that he didn’t register the echoes of hoofs coming into the main square.
But he did pay attention when he heard someone shouting “Merlin!” from outside. Arthur jerked his head up and immediately turned towards the front doors, taking a couple of steps forward. Could it be…?
Before he could think further, the front doors burst open seemingly by themselves and Arthur saw a familiar figure taking some hurried steps forward while quickly looking around.
Merlin.
Without a second thought, ignoring his mother shouting his name, Arthur rushed forward just as Merlin saw him and gave him a grin that looked like it could light the entire hall on its own.
The two of them met in the middle, almost crashing into each other had Arthur not slowed down in time, and caught Merlin in his arms. He wrapped his arms tightly around the other’s waist and hugged Merlin, hiding half of his face in the other’s shoulder, while he felt Merlin hug his middle and felt breath in the crook of his neck.
After a moment or two of hugging each other, Arthur pulled away and gently took Merlin’s shoulders, kissing him lovingly.
He felt Merlin’s arms tighten around him as they kissed, but beyond feeling that and the way his heart was beating faster than a horse in a jousting tournament, Arthur didn’t notice anything else. He didn’t hear the announcement that the Emerysons had arrived, he didn’t see his parents or Morgana pass them. All he knew were Merlin’s lips on his and his own heartbeat.
They both pulled away almost at the same time, but Merlin leaned his forehead against Arthur’s before he got too far, cupping his cheek. They were both breathing heavily, but neither seemed to mind.
“Welcome to Camelot,” Arthur greeted with a soft smile, earning a chuckle from Merlin.
“I think you mean ‘welcome home’,” Merlin corrected and at Arthur’s confused look, he gave a small smile. “My home is wherever you are.”
All Arthur did in response was smile lovingly, even as he whispered, “Sap,” and gave his fiancé a sweet kiss.