Summary: Merlin teases Arthur about you...

QOTP: If you had magic, what would you do?

Word Count: 1808

You are not of noble descent by any means - just a peasant from the city. Someone Uther certainly won't approve of for Arthur.

But, regardless, Arthur has fallen in love with you.

He met you when he went out into the city, just looking at the wares and wandering around. Maybe breaking up a fight or two.

You were walking, a basket in your arms containing some food. He was walking in the opposite direction, and you noticed and bowed.

When you straightened, he saw your face and was rendered speechless. You went to continue walking, but he came to his senses enough to stop you.

"Stop!" he half-shouted. A few people turned and you looked at him like a deer in headlights.

You pointed at yourself as if to ask, 'Me?'

"Yes, you," Arthur said.

You walked back towards him. "Ha-Have I done something wrong, sire?"

"No, not at all. I just... I, uh..." A blush tints his cheeks as he tries to figure out what to say. "Um, what- what is your name?"

"Y/N... sire."

"No need for the whole 'sire' thing. Um..."

"Is that all?" you asked, then immediately tried to apologize because you feared it sounded rude.

He interrupts you, "Not quite... um, where do you happen to be going?"

"My... my house?"

"Well, that's quite... that's nice..."

It was silent between you two, but you didn't leave because he hadn't dismissed you yet. Then, he ever-so-quietly said, "Would you like to... join me for a walk in the forest?"

"What?" you asked, confused.

Arthur blushed. "I-I mean, you don't have to. Really. Just... asking."

From his awkward demeanor and the blush he had adorned, you could tell he was genuine, but you weren't sure why. He looked crestfallen that you didn't reply, and started to say something, but you said, "Yes."

"Wait, really?" he asked.

You smile a little. "Yes."

"T-Tomorrow afternoon?" he suggested. "Meet me outside of the trees near the right side of the castle."

You agreed.

It was a lovely date, though you had some questions.

"What's this about exactly?" you had asked.

His brows furrowed. "What do you mean? We're... We're on a date - at least I thought so. I mean-"

"No, I-I thought that, too, but, why? You're the prince and I'm just a... peasant."

"A, uh, a pretty peasant, if you will."

"What?"

"You're... very beautiful. So I asked you to accompany me on this walk."

"You can't be serious," you argued, astounded that the prince himself would actually think you beautiful.

He looked confused as well. "Why wouldn't I be? There's no rule that says 'peasants' can't be attractive."

"No, but there's a rule that royalty and peasants shouldn't mix."

"... Rules can be changed."

////

Since that date, you and Arthur have been on many more. He tried to hide it, but Merlin figured it out.

When Arthur wakes up the morning after your fifth or sixth date, Merlin is setting his table, a smirk on his face. Arthur rubs his eyes. "What are you smirking at?" he asks.

Merlin grins. "Oh, nothing. Which reminds me, I was out in the city yesterday and I saw the most beautiful person I think I have ever laid eyes on."

"You couldn't have," Arthur replies. "I wasn't in the city yesterday."

"Very funny, sire, very funny, but I was referring to someone named Y/N."

Arthur bolts straight up in bed, then tries to play it off. "Oh really?" he asks.

Merlin nods, "Yes, sire, a beauty. Lovely Y/H/C hair, an amazing smile, beautiful Y/E/C eyes-"

"And?" Arthur interrupts.

"I'm thinking of having a little chat, maybe a date or two. Could go walking in the forest or something..."

"But you have so much work to do," Arthur replies.

Merlin shrugs. "I'll make time. Too beautiful not to. That is, unless you would rather I back off."

"And why would I rather that?"

Merlin smirks again. "Because you're in love."

"What?!" Arthur shouts. "Are you mad?! Me?! In love with a commoner?!"

"Well, it's just," Merlin says, "I've seen you out together more than once. Not to the mention the fact that you've been disappearing over the last week."

"These are wild accusations."

"Oh, just admit it! You're in love!"

"No," Arthur replies sassily, getting out of bed, "I am not."

"Oh, yeah, just remembered - you don't wear a shirt to bed. Does Y/N know?"

"No!"

"Really should be here, though. Missing out."

"Will you shut up!"

"Sire, this is wonderful!" Merlin continues. "You're in love! Maybe this'll help you to stop being a prat."

"I will throw you in the dungeon," Arthur replies.

Merlin smirks again. "Why? So you can have more time with Y/N?"

"Enough!"

"Just admit it!"

"If you don't stop, I will make you clean every corner of this castle."

"It'll be worth it if you just admit it."

"Okay, fine! Yes! Yes, I am in love! But that is a huge problem!"

Merlin seems confused. "But why? You're so cute together."

"Because Y/N is a commoner, Merlin. My father will never allow this," Arthur replies.

And, of course, Merlin has a simple solution. "Just go behind his back until you're king."

"It'll be suspicious if I keep leaving the castle constantly."

"Hire Y/N as a servant."

"Merlin, I- Wait. That's not a bad idea."

////

"You're crazy," you say as Arthur walks you to the castle.

Arthur smiles. "Crazy about you."

"Very funny," you reply, making him frown, "but this will never work. Just showing up out of the blue, telling your father to hire me as a servant? I could be thrown in the dungeon!"

Arthur stops and grabs your hands. "I will never let that happen. I'll take all the blame if it fails. Trust me."

You hesitate. "... Fine. But I am never going to stop nagging you about this if it doesn't work."

"Noted."

////

"I told you so!"

"Yes, you did."

"I told you so!"

"Okay, Arthur, I get it."

Yes, my dear friends, it worked. Arthur went in, told Uther they were short on servants and needed more help around the castle, then presented you. Uther asked you general questions - where you lived, what you did, who your father was - and ultimately said okay.

You have never been more shocked in your life - at least, besides when Arthur asked you out in the first place.

"Would you look at that?" he says. "I was right."

"Okay, Arthur! I know. You were right, I was wrong, but I promise you, your Royal Idiotness, it will be the last time that this ever happens. Ever."

"That was very disrespectful," he says, "and I am your prince. Apologize, or I shall throw you in the dungeon."

"No."

"The audacity!"

You roll your eyes. "You are the biggest dork known to Camelot."

"Have you met Merlin?" he asks incredulously.

"No, actually, I haven't."

"Well... this will certainly be fun."

////

After you're hired as a servant, you and Arthur have been able to see each other a lot more. Of course, you actually have a job, but when you've finished chores, you get to be with Arthur (unless he's busy, of course).

Merlin has often entered Arthur's room to find you both in there, usually talking or just laying on his bed. Nothing more than that, and it almost made him smile.

He sees the way Arthur looks at you, and it's an expression he thought that the bratty prince would never wear unless he was looking at his own reflection.

You've also become good friends with Merlin, and you being there has allowed him to help Gauis more, which is a plus.

You told Gauis about you and Arthur as well, mainly because you had to. One day, he'd knocked on Arthur's door, so you quickly hid behind a curtain while Gauis talked with Arthur.

Then, Gauis wondered why one curtain looked different than the other, and he found you hiding there.

Yeah.

After that, you were much more careful, and you managed to get away with it.

Until Uther inevitably finds out.

////

"I can't believe you!" Uther shouts. You're standing in the corner of Arthur's room, scared out of your mind while Arthur argues with his father.

"A peasant?! Really?!" Uther booms.

Arthur tries to stay calm. "It's not that bad! I-I mean, I'm in love, Father. Really. I am."

"I don't care! You're supposed to marry a princess from another kingdom for the sake of Camelot!"

"But why?!"

"FOR THE SAKE OF CAMELOT! Are you deaf as well as stupid?!"

"Father, please-"

"No! I want this peasant out of my sight! Banished!"

Arthur's heart stops. "NO! NO! YOU CAN'T!"

"I just did," Uther replies angrily.

Arthur goes as far to get on his knees. "Please, Father, please. It was my fault. Don't banish Y/N. Please. I'll-I'll take whatever punishment you wish to give."

You rush forward. "Arthur, don't. I'll go."

"No, you won't," Arthur says, standing and putting a hand on your shoulder. "This is my fault. It was my idea. I was the one to start this. If anyone is to be punished, it's me."

Arthur looks back at his father. Uther sighs. "The peasant may stay in the kingdom, but is never to enter the castle again. Understood?"

"Yes, Father. Completely."

////

That night, Arthur snuck out and came to your house. He said to wait for him to become king, and then he would marry you. You said you'd wait.

The next year was filled with late night visits from Arthur. It wasn't ideal, but it was the best you could do.

Then, Arthur became king.

He immediately sent for you, and you found him in his bedroom crying. Uther may have been... Uther, but he was still his dad.

You stayed with him that night, and comforted him as best as you could. Arthur had you living in the castle in Morgana's old room for the time being, then, a month later, he proposed to you at a feast. A week later, you were married.

"Well, it only took a year or so, but I think the wait was worth it," he said, looking at you with a smile at the feast after the wedding.

You smile back at him. "I think it was."

"Of course, in a few years, you may realize I'm not all I'm cracked up to be and get tired of me, but, well, it's too late to back out now." He was laughing as he spoke.

You rolled your eyes and kissed him. "Very funny. But I don't think that's ever going to happen."

And it never did.