Chapter Thirteen, Date

A lot has happened in the last few months that Gwaine has decided to take his Merlyn bird out on a picnic; just the two of them. He was glad to say that their relationship has come on in leaps and bounds and they're closer than ever. But he also knew she had been under a lot of stress. It just seemed one thing after another with the Crystal Cave and Morgana, until a few weeks ago where a Princess who was set to marry Arthur turned out to be possessed by a Changeling. Luckily Merlyn had once again stopped it and freed the girl from being taken over with the help of Gaius. Then in a turn of events she and Arthur decided to forge an alliance through friendship instead of through marriage.

The day of his date with his Merlyn bird, Gwaine woke up early and quickly dressed before he headed down to the market to pick some flowers for his love only to bump into Arthur on the way down.
"Gwaine, where are you off to, so early?" Arthur asked, confused and slightly suspicious.
"I'm taking Merlyn out for the day, remember Princess? I spoke to you yesterday about it and I need some flowers." Gwaine teased lightly.
"I remember but stop calling me Princess." Arthur snapped, glaring lightly at the man who only laughed at him.
"Anyway, I think it would be good for her. She's been so stressed lately." Arthur sighed, wondering what could be troubling his sister.
"Of course she is. She has to save your royal backside constantly." Gwaine said seriously, the pair walked down to the market at a leisurely pace, browsing the stalls until Gwaine came across a stall that held the most beautiful flowers.

There was a bouquet full of blue Iris, pink-white stargazer Lily, red tulips and some lilacs. He only knew the different types of flowers thanks to his sisters who would take him out when he was younger, and tell him all the different types of flowers and their meanings. He used to hate it but he couldn't be more thankful for it now.
"What can I do for you today, Sire, Sir Gwaine?" The elderly man running the stall asked kindly.
"Hello Harry." Gwaine smiled kindly, Merlyn had told him the names of pretty much everyone on his second day here. "I'd like the bouquet of Iris, tulip, stargazer Lily and lilac please?" He asked, pointing to said bouquet.

"You know your flowers, huh?" Harry was impressed, as he carefully grabbed the bouquet and wrapped it in a sheer cloth. "For Merlyn? She's one lucky lady."
"I'm the lucky one." Gwaine refuted. "You can thank my sisters for that knowledge." Gwaine laughed, Harry joining him.
"I know what you mean. It was the same with me and my sister and then my wife, she tells me what flowers to get and only ones with meanings. The trick to a happy life is a happy wife, I say to myself and just endure it. Here ya go, that'll be one gold piece and two silver pieces, Sir Gwaine."
"Thank you." Gwaine smiled, accepting the flowers and handing over two gold pieces and two silver pieces.
"My Lord you've given me more-" Harry spluttered, trying to hand it back but Gwaine just folded Harry's fingers over the coins.
"Keep it." Gwaine assured.

Harry smiled, tears springing up in his eyes as he looked at the kind Knight.
"Thank you." He breathed gratefully, slipping the coins into his money bag. "Anything for you Sire?" Harry asked Arthur, who had remained silent the whole time.
"No thank you. But if you ever need help send a word to me and I'll do what I can." Arthur vowed, shocking the elderly man. He knew Arthur's ways had changed since Merlyn arrived a few years ago, which everyone was thankful for but to actually see it and have it done to him was another thing entirely.
"Thank you, Sire. Thank you." Harry said gratefully, Arthur nodded bidding the two farewells as he went off to find Sir Leon to discuss some important matters. Bidding Harry farewell, Gwaine headed off to Gaius's chambers where he knew a rather confused Merlyn would be waiting.

Upon entering the chambers the breath was knocked out of Gwaine as if a mace had struck him in the stomach. Why had his breath been taken away? By Merlyn of course. She was standing besides her uncle and Gwen looking thoroughly confused on why she was dressed up and not at work. But by god did she look beautiful. She was wearing a deep purple linen dress that had a black and golden belt around the waist, bringing out her cerulean eyes. Brown flats covered her feet rather than her usual boots and her hair was in a half-up, half-down style with a braid wrapped around her crown with the remaining curls cascading down her back in a dark waterfall, and her lips had a dark rose colour upon them.
"Gwaine." Merlyn exclaimed happily, upon spotting her soulmate in the doorway.
"Hello Merlyn." Gwaine smiled, taking her hand and kissing her knuckles once he reached her, causing a blush to appear on her porcelain skin. "These are for you." He added, pulling the bouquet out from behind his back.

"Gwaine! They're beautiful." Merlyn gasped, taking the flowers, her eyes closed as she breathed in the wonderful aroma. A wide beaming smile spread across his face as he watched her, while Gwen and Gaius smiled happily at the pair. It was clear to see how much Gwaine loved Merlyn already.
"Thank you." Merlyn said gratefully, a happy smile lighting up her eyes.
"I'll put these in water for you." Gwen said, taking the flowers and carefully placing them in a vase. "You better get going." She teased.
"Going? Where are we going?" Merlyn asked, confused.
"You'll see." Gwen teased, pulling her friend into a hug. "Have fun but don't do anything I wouldn't do." She teased, laughing as Merlyn gently slapped her arm with a small glare on her face as her cheeks heated up. "You look beautiful Merlyn. I'll see you later. Bye Gaius, bye Gwaine." She bid, as she left the room to attend to Morgana.

"Be careful my dear girl and Gwaine you best look after her. If not, remember I have access to all manner of poisons." Gaius threatened, a finger pointing at Gwaine as he glared at him lightly.
"I'll protect her with my life, Gaius." Gwaine promised.
"Good." He stated, before turning to his niece/daughter. "I'll see you later Merlyn and we'll finish your studying when you get back. But for now go relax."
"Bye Gaius." Merlyn said, kissing his cheek and linking arms with Gwaine.
"You look beautiful Merlyn." Gwaine complimented kissing her cheek.
"Thank you." Merlyn blushed. "I like you better like this than in your armour." She teased, looking over the outfit he was wearing that was similar to what he was wearing when they first met.
"Oh, you do, do you?" Gwaine asked, eyebrows raised before they both delved into laughter.

Once they entered the courtyard Gwaine helped Merlyn on to her horse before climbing on to his.
"Where are we going?" Merlyn asked Gwaine, a little while into their journey.
"Now that would ruin the surprise my Merlyn bird." Gwaine scolded teasingly, laughing at the pout she gave him. "We're almost there." He added that was when Merlyn started to recognise her surroundings; they were heading towards the river that was near the Lake of Avalon.
"We're near the Lake of Avalon." Merlyn whispered, her eyes watering slightly.
"I'm sorry. I thought we could pay respects to Frey and have our picnic at the river, we can go somewhere else if you want? I'm sorry I didn't think!" Gwaine apologised quickly, slapping his head. He couldn't believe he'd been so stupid!

"No!" Merlyn exclaimed loudly before she cleared her throat. "No. No, it's fine. Thank you Gwaine, that's really sweet of you." She leaned out of her saddle and kissed his cheek, Gwaine's hand automatically went to her back to support her.
"If you're sure?" Gwaine asked, once Merlyn was safely back on her horse. "Okay." He added with a smile once Merlyn nodded.
"Race you." Merlyn giggled, taking off at breakneck speed as she knew where she was going now, her giggles echoing amongst the trees and carried back to Gwaine on the breeze.
"Hey!" Gwaine exclaimed, laughing as he took off after her, his own laughs echoing on the breeze.
"I win!" Merlyn exclaimed excitedly, throwing her arms into the air the moment she arrived by the river where a red blanket was held down by some pebbles so it didn't blow away with the cool breeze.

"You cheated!" Gwaine exclaimed, jumping from his horse and pulling Merlyn from hers, making scream with laughter as he held her close and spun them around. Laughter tumbling from both their lips as they fell upon the blanket, Gwaine taking the brunt of the fall.
"Oof." Gwaine said, as they landed. Both of them were still giggling.
"Are you alright?" Merlyn asked, turning in his arms so she was practically laying on top of him.
"I'm perfect." Gwaine replied, his smile so wide it looked like it hurt but he didn't seem to care.

Both their eyes darted to the others lips then back to their eyes. Gwaine felt he could get lost in Merlyn's eyes and he simply didn't care.
"I'm perfect -" Gwaine repeated, before he darted forwards and kissed her passionately causing a moan to fall from Merlyn's lips as she returned the favour, her arms around his neck as her fingers tangled in his hair. They seemed to kiss for an age; both pouring their love into the kiss as the bond and Merlyn's magic seemed to hum around them. Almost as if they were vibrating in the air above them and in the ground beneath them.

When the need to breathe became too great they pulled back, both of them panting as Merlyn now lied on the blanket with Gwaine above her staring into his hazel eyes while he stared into her blue-blue eyes.
"How about that picnic?" Gwaine asked, an eyebrow raised as he reluctantly got up off of Merlyn as she giggled at his expression. Although her heart beat rapidly in her chest.
"That would be lovely." She agreed, starting to get up from the blanket when Gwaine stopped her.
"Stay. It's my turn to wait on you. Just sit there relax and look beautiful. But there's no trouble in that department." Gwaine said wiggling his eyebrows as he stooped to steal another kiss from her sweet lips, while Merlyn rolled her eyes at him but she had a smile on her face.

As he walked over to the horses to collect the bags that held the pillows, food and drinks; he subtly adjusted his trousers and thought of something that successfully calmed him down. He would not do his womanising ways anymore. He was going to treat Merlyn like a Princess, which was exactly what she deserved. He loved her more than anything and he would take his time and not rush her, he would not let the bond force them to do anything they were not ready for. After all Merlyn deserved way more than that. Loading up his arms he gathered everything after tying the horses to a nearby tree and set up the pillows, food and drink. The pair of them just enjoyed wonderful food with wonderful company; after they had eaten their fill they laid on their sides facing each other. They talked about anything and everything, sharing their pasts, their fears and their laughter. They felt they could share everything with each other and they did just that as they shared kisses in between.

As they talked Gwaine's hand rested on her hip in a loving, comforting manner while her hand rested on his waist. They were in their own little world as they became closer with each other, but the closer they became the more demanding the bond and Merlyn's magic became. Demanding for them to consummate and complete the bond. It became more demanding with each passing day until they could resist no more and gave into their love a few weeks later after a lovely meal in Gwaine's quarters. All that could be heard from within his chambers were the sounds of passion, moans and declarations of love. If only they knew the consequences this would bring.

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Flower meaning in case anyone's interested:

* red tulips = love
* lilac = new or young love
* pink and white stargazer Lily = wealth and prosperity
* blue Iris = hope and faith. Iris is also the Greek goddess of love.