Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Me: *grinning like an idiot* Hello my wonderful readers! The scars in my eyes have finally healed enough for me to be able to finally see without any fuzziness around the edges and finish this chapter. The surgery went fine thank the Gods and in about 6 months the scar tissue should be completely healed!

Me: *spins around* I'm just so happy to be glassless! *mutters* however, since I've had them for most of my life I now find myself raising and fixing a pair of imaginary glasses upon my nose… Annoying little quirk I managed to gain…

In any case my computer time will be limited and updates will be even longer than they are now sooooo…. *bows* My apologies my dear kingdom.

Merlin: *grinning like a fool and placing his arms around me* Hey, look on the bright side!

Me: *weary eyed* And that would be?

Merlin: You'll have time to rest!

Me: *glares* You know very well I won't be able to rest until after the convention… and the fact that you've popped up in my head while I was in remission didn't help either.

Merlin: *grinning and addressing the readers* You will all benefit from this! Since she was practically sightless the first 2 weeks after her surgery, she now has up to 5 new premises to write about us!

Arthur: *whispers* And why are you so damned happy about that? She practically tortures you in every one!

Merlin: *smiles mischievously* The fact that she receives almost as much punishment from her people and her knights when she takes too long brings a sort of justice to the whole thing.

Arthur: *blinks*

Merlin: Plus her villagers are very possessive of us. *grins wider* Me in particular!

Me: *mutters* Which I don't get… *looks over shoulder at his puppy eyes and mop hair* *turns around and shakes head* NOT at all!

Enjoy!

As the next day arrived, Merlin had gone to collect the rest of the Knights of the Round Table to a conference at the meeting hall per his request. Merlin found it funny that Arthur was trying to fight the name Gwaine gave the knights when deep down he found it quite appropriate. Arthur would never concede to admitting Gwaine had a good idea. However, Merlin continued with his task and

Inside the meeting hall, the stone round table which Arthur had brought a month after they retook the kingdom was perched imposingly in the middle of the room. Once the guards left the room, the knights quickly took their place around the table while Merlin took his place at Arthur's right and Guinevere took his left. With a brief smile of familiarity, Arthur began addressing them in the matters of the court.

While Arthur began speaking, Merlin couldn't help but get lost in his thoughts, and idiotic grin never leaving his face at the events of last night. He still couldn't believe it. She agreed to marry him! Him! A mere servant of the court. What could he possibly offer such a wonderful and ethereal angel? But he knew that the least he will do is make this so call destiny of his come true. She at least deserves to walk free of worry for her life. Merlin gave a deep sigh of content and let his eyes close as he began to imagine how their life would be after their wedding. How he would wake up and marvel at her beauty, thanking all the Gods for returning her back to him. The knights only watched in amusement as they noticed the faraway look Merlin had on his face, essentially ignoring everything their regent prince was saying and him none the wiser.

"Alright then, I believe that will be all for today." Hearing Arthur say this snapped Merlin from his daydream and he immediately shot out of his chair, not believing himself that he almost forgot to tell them.

"Wait!" They heard Merlin shout frantically even before they began to stand up. Curious and concerned eyes shifted towards the raven haired man, before they heard Arthur grumble.

"What is it Merlin?" Completely ignoring the annoyed tone in his voice, Merlin simply began to pace back and forth, one hand fondling the hidden amulet beneath his neckerchief. Immediately, a wave of calm filled his insides and he managed to gain enough courage to begin.

"I need to tell you all something…" But before he could continue, his worry began to surface once again and he continued to pace.

"Well," They heard him continue. "actually I would also like to ask you all something but you don't have to if you don't want or don't have the time. I mean, your knights so of course you're going to be busy at training and other knightly things and- -"

"Merlin!" Merlin heard Arthur say his name in that certain way that told him he was babbling. He stopped and saw that everyone was giving him amused but worried look. As his eyes fell on his prince, Arthur simply rolled his eyes and gestured with a hand. "Get on with it!"

Not being able to contain his enthusiasm and elation any longer, Merlin's face broke into a giant grin and shouted to the people in the room.

"She said yes!" The others were waiting for him to explain but Merlin simply stood there smiling and almost wanting to jump with joy but all besides Lancelot didn't seem to understand what he was saying. Worried, Gwen stood from her chair and approached him placing a petite hand upon his lanky shoulders.

"Merlin, you aren't making any sense." She said with a brief slime at his ramblings but underneath he could see that she was worried for him. "Have you had any rest? You look awfully pale." His grin increased as he patted her hand.

"I'm fine Gwen. Better than fine really!" He stated as his eyes landed on Lancelot and Gwaine. "And I completely forgot that most of you don't know who I'm talking about." He finished sheepishly as he stared out into the air with a look of pure bliss and euphoria that made them worry for a second until Merlin finally snapped out of it and gave them the biggest grin that they've ever seen on his face.

"I asked Freya to marry me last night and she said yes!" At this, the entire meeting hall fell into stunned silence, not really noticing the way Merlin's hand reached towards his neck and embraced the gem hidden from the rest. However, only a few second passed before all the knights and Gwen approached him with great smiles and words of praise and congratulations.

Elyan and Leon both patted his shoulders and gave words of encouragements and congratulations as Percival grabbed him from behind and pulled him in for a hug. He had a smile that rivaled that of Merlin as he bellowed with laughter of joy at the happiness of his surrogated little brother. Gwaine simply rescued him from Percival's clutches only to have him taken away from him and into the hands of Guinevere and Lancelot. Gwen simply gave him a big hug and started asking many questions about his bride to be and how he came to be with her while Lancelot simply stood behind her and sent him a look of happiness for him. Once again, Gwaine managed to drag Merlin towards him and patted his back proudly, the merry drunk happy to see his friend gain some sense of happiness for all that he has done for them. Hooking his arm around his neck, Gwaine merrily began announcing loudly to the others.

"That's great mate!" He announced with a sly grin upon his face. "This calls for a celebration!" The others simply scoffed at the mischievous look on his face but still happy for their young friend news. However, there was still one stunned royal that had yet to move after Merlin's announcements.

Arthur's mind was reeling at the news. Not because he didn't wish the younger man happiness. But the soul fact that he hadn't known. He wasn't aware that his manservant had found someone to love or that he was dating. That Arthur hadn't been privy of the man's happiness that was a part of his life was a great blow to his heart. He knew he sometimes treated Merlin wrongly and sometimes even forcefully but he honestly thought that he had made a connection with the younger man. Was he not worthy of Merlin's trust? It seems to him that the more time passed, he finds himself even more apart from his friendship with the raven-haired man. The fact that a few nights ago he had witness what seemed to be another side of Merlin and that he would've remained oblivious if he hadn't followed his knights was another blow to his heart.

But he couldn't find himself to blame him. After all, even if Merlin has always treated him like any regular bloke his rank and title would always set him apart from others. Why would he expect Merlin to be any differently? But however chasm it is in front of them preventing Merlin from trusting him, Arthur would make sure to make an effort to show him he cares for him. His eyes became slightly softer as he approached the group. The others became silent as they noticed Merlin staring at their prince. The two men simply faced one another as Arthur placed a congratulatory hand upon Merlin's shoulder and gave him a great smile.

"I say this merits a trip to the pub then." He noticed Merlin's eyes widened slightly at his offer as behind them; Arthur could've sworn he saw Gwaine swoon at the prospect of him buying. Immediately however, Merlin snapped out of his stupor and returned the smile tenfold.

"Thank you."

"I honestly don't know why I keep you Merlin…" Arthur grumbled with annoyance as he once again placed his hands around the body beside him to keep guiding it to his room. When he had announced his little celebration for his friend, he knew it was a bad idea to continue when he saw Gwaine with that look. When they got to the tavern, Gwaine announced their plans for celebration, quite loudly and cheerful, while he dragged the man of honor to a nearby table with the rest just following behind snickering at the look of worry on the younger man's face. As the night continued and more tankards of mead made their way to their table, the group found out how… lose their young friend could become when he drank enough. Another thing that had surprised them was the amount of mead Merlin had been able to drink before beginning to lose his faculties.

Even Gwaine was impressed!

As they got through the night, they had asked countless questions about the mysterious girl and Merlin was all too happy to respond. They got to see Merlin dance over the tables, sing an array of songs with a surprisingly soft voice but most importantly, they saw him relax. Those who weren't privy to the man's deepest secret were stunned to realize the mask their young friend puts up in front of others and felt slightly ashamed to not have figured it out sooner. But as the moon began it's decent and make way to the new morning, Arthur had deemed the celebrations over. When he said that, all eyes fell upon the giggling figure of the raven haired man as his eyes stared into his mead with a look of love and his hand clenched his neckerchief slightly. Knowing that Merlin was in no condition to walk on his own, Arthur simply sighed and announced that he would help Merlin to his chambers. He glared at the group when faced with the looks of surprise and astonishment on the others at his proposition. Rolling his eyes, he stepped forward and began to coax the drunken servant into submission, earning a few snickers when said servant gave their prince a… loving embrace.

Now, the Prince Regent of Camelot found himself dragging the sluggish frame of his manservant through the coble stone streets. While he wonder how on earth did he end up with such a task, said servant keep giggling and mumbling lyrics as the two made their way back inside the castle.

"Beacus we'rrr friends yo silly head!"

"Right." Arthur stated bluntly as he once again got ahold of his friend when he tried to slider out of his grasp. "Is this the same friend who didn't know you were in love with this Freya?" He hoped that Merlin didn't notice the sound of defeat and jealousy in his voice but the prince saw that the airy smile on Merlin's face fell anyway.

"M sssorry…" Merlin slurred "It's compl- compliqu-" Merlin's eyes narrowed in confusion as he tried to say the word but in the end he decided to change it. "It was hard to talk 'bout her…." Hearing his saddened voice and now knowing that Freya had to serve a family in a kingdom on the far north to pay for her family's debt brought Arthur back to thinking about the raven-haired man under his arms. Knowing that his friend had to go without seeing the one he loves for almost four years, not knowing if she was safe or not, if she was healthy or happy, he was surprised that Merlin didn't just leave everything in Camelot and follow her. But for some miracle, Merlin stayed at his side. Out of loyalty or that misplaced sense of sacrifice the boy had for him Merlin had stayed. Arthur couldn't imagine being that far appar for that long from his Guineviere.

He gave thanks to every God in the heaves for allowing the girl to pay the lord her family owed to and gotten back to Camelot to Merlin.

"I know… I'm sorry you two had to go through that." Arthur answered as he tried to comfort his friend. "But you know… I am here, if you, want to talk about things that bother you..." He winced at the awkwardness of his statement. He swore to himself that he was going to try harder to make Merlin trust him but he was once again surprised when Merlin's face broke into a big grin. They really shoudn't have let Merlin drink so much...

"I'ts ok! I wanted to tell you." Merlin replied as he tried once again to embrace the prince into a hug. Arthur's eye widened in horror and thankfully was fast enough to pull Merlin away from him without them falling to the floor. Once he got them stable again, Arthur simply glared at him half-heartedly while Merlin gave him his goofiest grin. "We'rrr friends after all!" Arthur's eyes widened at the declaration and even though Merlin probably wouldn't remember the event's from the night, it warmth his heart to heart such thing coming from him. Once they continued on their way, Arthur noticed that they were almost half way to Gaius's chambers.

"I suppose you're right." He said with a brief smile. "I certainly wouldn't be carrying your drunken arse back to your chambers if I wasn't!"

"Then you'll doooouit?" Arthur tried to keep up with his friend's train of thought but it was hard enough when he wasn't drunk.

"Do what?" Arthur asked with curiosity before noticing that the younger man was beginning to fall into unconsciousness. "Merlin don't you dare fall asleep now!" Shaking the slender frame harshly, Arthur was gave a sigh of relief when he saw pale eyes widened in surprised at his rude awakening. However, azure eyes soon found themselves to Arthurs own and he was surprised to find them almost sober in their resolve.

"Would you…" Merlin began to ask and Arthur became more attentive at his tone. He had started to listen subconsciously whenever he heard Merlin speak in that tone of voice, it usually lead to him being completly serious. "be my Groomsman?"

Arthur's eyes widened, stunned to hear this from the younger man and he felt his breath leave his body.

"M-me?" Merlin simply rolled his eyes at the stutter and poked him on his chest. "Yesh, you! Who elsss would I ask?"

"What about Gwaine or Lancelot?" Arthur wasn't so sure that Merlin was aware what he was asking him for, perhaps the mead got to his head. But when Merlin almost fell when he rolled his eyes at his question he began to feel hope.

"Nu offens to Gwein but I dun want him forgeing the rings in a pub…" Merlin explained as Arthur try to get a better grip on him. "and it just wouldt feel right with Lance at my side. They bouth are my very dear friends, my bruthers in mischief and protection." Merlin replied with a drunken smile as he raised his voice at the last part but then shifted slightly so he could pat his stunned Prince's cheek as a show of affection.

"Prat. You'rr my best friend!" Hearing this, Arthur almost lost his grip on the younger man, bringing both of them to the ground. Grumbling in annoyance about his hurt back, his head quickly turned to stare at Merlin head on, not really believing what he had heard. Merlin seemed to realize his surprise and hesitation and simply sent him a mock glare. "However weird and unbelievable that sounds like, the'res a bond between uss…" As he continued, his voice began to get louder and louder as well as uttering a few giggles in between. "My obliviusss destiny! The other half of my coin!"

"Alright, I need to get you to bed." Said Arthur while rolling his eyes at the drunken antics of his friend. But as he coninued to drag his friend, he coudn't help but smile at his friend's words. He had always felt something between them. And unbreakable bond that seemed to only get stronger with each passing day. Someday's it even surprised him that it even surparsed the bond of brothers he felt for his knights. He has never being able to ascertained what the younger man trully meant to him, whether it be best friend, brother or even something more. But try as he might, he sometimes thought he would never figure out who 'Merlin' was.

A few minutes passed before they found themselves in front of Gaius's chambers and a giggling servant was trying as hard as he could not to giggle to what was most likely a slumbering Gaius. As Arthur opened the door, he sent a glare at the giggling man beside him not wanting to be discovered by the physician. He still had nightmares about the one time he had to face the physicians wrath.

"Shut up dollop-head!" As Merlin heard his prince whisper this harshly, he decided to put him straight.

"Oi! Th's my word!" Arthur merely resorted in clamping a hand over Merlin's mouth and continued to walk to his room, expertly evading the sleeping elder in the cot and managing to keep the drunken idiot's hands from slapping away the many potions to the floor. Once inside, Arthur was quick to place his friend none too gently upon his bed and straightened his aching back. Seeing Merlin sprawled on his bed and wasn't going to move any time soon, Arthur had a look of brotherly affection at the sight and simply walked forward and began to take off his shoes and jacket. As he was doing this, he heard the younger man speak.

"So," Arthur heard him utter slightly sheepish as he fought down slumber. "will you do it?" Arthur's eyes softened once more to hear that his friend really wanted him by his side in such a special occasion.

"Of course I will…" With this, Merlin seemed content and immediately fell asleep. Arthur couldn't help the small laugh that fell from his mouth and simply shook his head. He could only imagine the kind of hangover he would have in the morning. But as he went to close the door he once again felt the warmth of Merlin's friendship envelop his heart. He would do his friend proud on the altar. He would finally have the chance of being there for Merlin as much as he had for him all these years. And he would hopefully gain the right to know all of Merlin's secrets. If not today, or a week or a year from this night, Arthur vowed to be worthy of being called his best friend, enough that Merlin would feel comfortable in confiding in him all his secrets.

"I promise you, old friend..." Arthur whispered into the room as he closed the door and made his way to his chambers "I will show I can be worthy of your trust."

Me: *Grins evilly* Sooooo…. Who else likes a drunken warlock? Cuz I sure do! :D

I had so much fun writing Merlin drunk! And a caring Arthur to drag said warlock to his room even MORE!

I hope I didn't miss anything. My Beta is busy and since she's said I've improved a lot I want to try going solo!

Until next time my friends!