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They think Merlin does not notice. They think he is stupid. It is actually quite obvious how hopelessly in love they are with each other.
Those glances when Gwen pours Arthur’s drink or passes him in the hallway. Arthur always going to Morgana’s chambers, just to see her. Gwen drifting toward the training fields, but only when Arthur trained. The ‘secret’ gifts Arthur leaves in Gwen’s house. The latter extremely telling since Merlin must get these gifts. He is pretty sure all of Camelot knows about them.
So, one day Merlin decided enough was enough. He was going to get them to admit their feelings.
Merlin spent all night planning. He decided on his simplest plan, which only required four things. Arthur, Gwen, a convenient excuse to get them in the same room and mistletoe. Merlin figured that kissing would be the easiest way to get them to realise the feelings they both have for each other.
He had multiple ways to get them together and a last resort which he desperately hoped he would not have to use. It would be quite embarrassing.
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Since Arthur never wakes up early and Gwen is such a kind person, Merlin figured that he could trick Gwen into bringing Arthur's breakfast. This would bring them close enough to complete his plan. Then Merlin would point out the mistletoe he conjured over their heads, and they would kiss. The end.
But of course, nothing could ever be so simple.
That day was the only day Arthur had ever woken up by himself. He had sent George to the kitchen to get his breakfast and dress him in his armour. Merlin and Gwen had arrived just as Arthur was leaving to go to an early Knighting ceremony. Arthur just thanked Gwen for bringing his breakfast, took an apple, told them to sit and eat the food and left.
As soon as he left, Merlin banged his head on the table in frustration.
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After the Knighting ceremony Merlin remembered Arthur was going to train the new recruits. He decided that this was a convenient way to attempt his plan again. Merlin had to be careful though. Gwen was getting suspicious.
"Gwen, would you like to come to the training fields with me?" Merlin asked, trying to sound nonchalant. "It's so boring without someone there and then we can ogle the 'rough, tough save-the-world kind of men'." He attempted to say the last part seriously but could not help smirking a little.
"Of course, Merlin" she replied. Her kindness and selflessness would not have allowed her to refuse. As well as the added bonus of watching Arthur.
Merlin almost felt guilty that he had to keep tricking her.
It turns out that Gwen had been caught up with helping in the laundry due to the feast that evening. She narrowly missed Arthur finishing his training, he left a few minutes before her arrival.
But she did not miss Merlin taking down the mistletoe.
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It was getting ridiculous how unsuccessful Merlin's plan was. It was time to bring in his secret weapon.
Gwaine.
It was quite easy to get him to help. All Merlin had to do was mention 'irritating the princess' and Gwaine was immediately on board with the plan.
"Gwaine, this is the new plan" Merlin whispered to Gwaine as he had his break during training "I will stall Arthur and keep him in the armoury while you get Gwen."
"Okie dokie" chimed Gwaine. He was getting sick of Arthur and Gwen too.
"Use whatever means are necessary to get her there at the same time as Arthur" Merlin commanded. This was a very important task, and he was running out of ideas to get them together. "Then I will use my magic to discreetly summon mistletoe above them. You will then point it out and then they will kiss."
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"Merlin!" Arthur shouted clearly exasperated from Merlin's obvious stalling. "You know I have to prepare for the feast tonight, so why are we just standing in the armoury". "You'll see" Merlin said, slightly distracted waiting for a sign that Gwen was coming. He had miscalculated and forgot about the second door to exit the armoury, so while Merlin was distracted, Arthur left, his hands thrown up in frustration.
Soon after Gwaine arrived.
He must have made an extremely weird or bad excuse to get Gwen here. She was being dragged along reluctantly towards the armoury, but her curiosity must have gotten better of her. Just as they arrived Merlin could hear Gwen and Gwaine arguing outside the door.
"Gwaine! Why did you waste my time showing me this clearly not destroyed armoury?" Gwen "Also, Merlin why are you just standing in the armoury?" her tone slightly softer when addressing one of her oldest friends.
"Ummm" stuttered Merlin, trying to come up with a reasonable explanation. He could not so he just shrugged. Gwen threw her hands up into the air in frustration, very similar to Arthur moments ago, and left the armoury.
Merlin did not miss the way Gwen looked at him as she left. She definitely knew something was up.
✧ ✧ ✧
Merlin strolled into the throne room in his Dragoon form where the feast was being held just as Gwen poured wine into Arthur's goblet. How perfect.
“I,” Merlin proclaimed, “am Dragoon the Great.” He waved his hand and a sprig of mistletoe appeared above their heads. Another flash of gold trapped the two inside a golden circle, preventing them from leaving.
"Sorcerer!" cried Arthur. "Seize him!" A quick blast of magic disarmed the guards surrounding him, allowing him to continue his plan.
"Now as I was saying before someone" Merlin glared at Arthur and the newly disarmed guards "... interrupted me, I have trapped you inside a rune circle which I will not release until you demonstrate your clearly reciprocated feelings." Gwaine rolled his eyes at Merlin and then asked everyone to leave except the Knights of the Round Table. They both knew it would be easier to fulfil the plan if it was only people Gwen and Arthur truly trusted.
“Shall we get this over with then?” Arthur asks.
Gwen leans in and stops with her lips a hairs breadth from his.
“Is that a yes?” Arthur breathes, suddenly exhilarated at the prospect of finally kissing her.
Gwen just closes the gap between them, giving Arthur a short peck on the lips before pulling away. The ward circle faded away, dissolving into golden dust.
“Noooooo” Merlin protests, throwing his hands up in the air in frustration. “This wasn’t what was supposed to happen. I have been trying all day to get you to finally admit your feelings.”
“Merlin?” Gwen asks, clearly confused. It was then Merlin realised he should have probably not said that. Not with Gwen's suspicions of him trying to get them together. Gwaine stood in the corner of the hall watching the exchange, his shoulders shaking from barely suppressed laughter.
“No, I am not Merlin. Who is Merlin?" Merlin stuttered trying not to jeopardise his identity any further. "I am Dragoon the Great!” At that moment, the aging spell started to fade. It seemed that destiny was ready and knew Magic would be accepted. Arthur and the rest of the knight's reactions would be more important another day. All that was important was that Arthur and Gwen kissed.