Of Chores and Crowns (A Merlin Fanfiction) ✔

Chapter Fifty

"Arthur! Where are we going?!" I called up to him, my voice ringing with laughter.

He glanced at me over his shoulder, a grin lighting up his face as he caught my eye. I clicked my tongue so Abatos would move next to Arthur's horse.

"It's a secret." Arthur whispered playfully.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Merlin trailed behind us on foot. I had offered for us to walk with him, but I was still weak from the battle half a month ago.

I had taken off my bandages permanently last night, seeing the scar for the first time. It was still inflamed, but Gaius told me it wouldn't be that red forever, but for now I just had to deal with it.

I hated it. I often covered the scar up so no one would see it. The only person who has seen it is Gaius. I haven't even shown Arthur, even though he had asked. I've been wearing long sleeves even though it was the beginning of summer.

"Ta-da!" Arthur exclaimed as we pulled into a clearing.

A thick blanket was laid down across the ground, a small basket next to it. A smile grew on my face as he slid off his horse and moved to help me off of mine.

He stood there, looking down at me, his eyes sparkling and his hands at my hips. I leaned against him, smiling.

"What is this?" I asked, looking over his shoulder at the place.

"I wanted to celebrate!" He told me, pulling away and pulling me towards the blanket.

"Celebrate what?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Our love?" It sounded like a question.

I smirked, propping my hands on my hips. He didn't remember. Arthur frowned, seeing my expression.

"What?" He asked, hesitantly, "What did I do?"

"This is where you took Fayelinn on your first outing together." I giggled.

He immediately started cursing, his cheeks flushing bright red. He was obviously flustered and I couldn't help but giggle at him. I saw Merlin out of the corner of my eye and he winked, completely amused at the situation.

I grabbed Arthur's hand tugging him towards me. I started walking back towards the horses.

"Come on." I said, smiling, "It's my turn for a surprise."

He gave me a suspicious smile, but didn't say anything as we climbed back on the horses. I led him back through the forest at a steady beat. Neither one of us were impatient, we just wanted to spend time with each other -- especially, since for so long we had been apart.

He walked his horse right next to mine, close enough for my skirts to brush his leg. He had a content smile on his face and I couldn't help but feel proud of the fact that I was the one who put it there.

Finally we arrived at the destination.

Arthur's face twisted into one of confusion and I couldn't help but laugh. I slid off my horse, landing in front of the tavern. He swung off his horse and came over to grab my hand.

"What is this?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I thought maybe we could go to where we had our first outing." I said, winking at him with a cheeky grin on my face.

He lets out a laugh, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me against his side. He kissed the side of my head, rolling his eyes.

"I can't believe you some days." He announced, leading me into the pub.

"Hey, you're the one who decided to drink those five extra rounds!" I protested, reminding him of that night we had snuck out to the tavern together. That had been the same day I had met Gwaine.

"It's not my fault." He announced, "If there hadn't been such a beautiful girl sitting in front of me, I would have left before I was even in risk of a hangover!"

I laughed, nudging him slightly, and said, "Whatever you say, dear."

Arthur moved to grab us a table as I went to the bar. It was just past midday, so the pub was practically empty, save for one lone drunk in the corner.

I leaned up against the counter, getting the attention of the barmaid. It was Rose, the one who usually worked the night shift. She saw me and her face lit up.

"Dawn!" She exclaimed, "I haven't seen you for so long! Where have you been hiding yourself?"

I opened my mouth to respond, but at that moment, she caught sight of Arthur and her jaw dropped.

"Are you here with the King?!" She hissed, her eyes wide.

I smiled slightly at her reaction and said, "Yes, I am. Can I have two ales?"

She was distracted by Arthur's presence and it took her longer than usual to poor the drinks. She slowly loaded them onto a tray and passed it over the counter to me.

"I hope you know what you're doing." She whispered, giving me a pointed look.

I flashed a smile at her, but didn't respond. I whirled around and hurried over to the table Arthur was sitting at. I sat down across from him, passing over one of the ales.

Instead of taking it like I thought he would, he shoved it off to the side slightly. I frowned, my brow furrowing. It wasn't like him to reject a drink.

"Are you okay?" I asked, "Are you feeling sick?"

His eyes were shifting nervously and a sense of unease settled within me. I reached out to grab his hands, but he pulled away before I could touch him.

"Arthur?" I asked.

He didn't say anything.

"Arthur--"

"I love you." He suddenly announced, interrupting me.

A small smile flitted across my face, but it quickly disappeared as I watched him rub the back of his neck nervously. He was anxious over something.

"I love you too." I said, "But what--"

"I love you, Dawn, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you." He said.

I froze, realization coming over me. It all made so much sense now; the picnic, the nervouness, even the slight irritated tone he had tossed in Merlin's direction this morning.

"You already have the ring." He said, reaching over the table to take my hand in his, playing slightly with the ring on my finger. "So, please, put me out of my misery and agree to spend the rest of your life with me. I can't promise that I'll always make you happy and I can't promise that I'll always be around, but I can promise that I will love you for the rest of my life."

I was smiling so hard, I had to reach up and hide my expression.

"Dawn, will you agree to be my wife? Will you agree to love me until the end of time?"

I had so much emotion filling me, I couldn't find the words to answer him. Instead, I leaned across the table and kissed him deeply. He reciprocated, a smile breaking out across his face.

"I am just a servent." I said when we had pulled away.

"No," He disagreed, "You're a Queen."