"Good Morning, Sire." Merlin set the breakfast tray down and opened the windows, letting the King's room fill with light.
"Good morning..." King Arthur mumbled a sleepy greeting from under the pillow he had moved to shade his eyes.
Merlin laid out a clean shirt and suit of clothes on the foot of the bed, and then sat down in a chair at Arthur's table. The king was not yet moving out of bed.
"Arthur," Merlin said, "I have made a decision. You won't like it, but it is what it is, and I've made up my mind."
Arthur's face remained under the pillow. "What are you talking about, Merlin?"
"I'm leaving Camelot today. I regret that I won't be able to act as your manservant any longer. ...I'm sorry, Arthur. I'm going somewhere."
Arthur sat up. "Merlin, what in the world are you talking about?"
"I have to leave. There are things I need to take care of. Things that need my ...attention."
"Is it your mother? Is something wrong? What happened?" The king got out of bed. "Why haven't you mentioned this before?" He sounded irritated, but this was no surprise. Any awkward or uncomfortable conversation automatically triggered Arthur's ire.
Merlin did not answer any of the king's predictable questions. He simply smiled and waited until his friend had ceased boiling over with indignation. At last Arthur sat down in his chair and Merlin sat accross the table from him, meeting the king's concerned glare.
"I will tell you two things," said Merlin. "The first is a confession. Although not a very thorough one." He took a deep breath, and then smiled wryly. "There are a few things you do not know about me. Things I ought to have told you." Merlin laughed suddenly, in a way that made Arthur uneasy. "But I have not told you, and I do not intend to tell you now. I'm sorry Arthur. I hope you can forgive me."
"Merlin, what in heaven's name are you talking about?" Arthur's customary anger suddenly rang hollow. The young monarch had known far more than his fair share of disloyalty. Perhaps he was steeling himself.
"The second thing I will tell you is this:" Merlin's voice was low and firm. "I have never betrayed you. And I never will. I swear it, Arthur. You have to remember that. You have my solemn word."
"Your 'solemn word'? Don't talk that way Merlin - it sounds absolutely idiotic coming from you. You've spent yet another night in the pub, haven't you?" Merlin laughed at Arthur's brave (though lame) attempt to lighten the conversation with humor. "Please, Merlin. What are you talking about?"
"I'm leaving today. This morning. I'm am going. Please don't try to stop me." Merlin stood, turned, and took three steps toward the door.
Arthur's next question was surprisingly calm and serious. "Will you be coming back?"
Merlin turned to face him. "I don't know," he said.
There was an uncomfortable silence.
Then Arthur stood up. "Wait a moment," he said. The king opened his cupboard and pulled out a little leather pouch. "Take this. It might come in handy." He tossed it to Merlin, who caught it, making the coins smack loudly in his hands. "And take this too, because the one you have simply isn't decent..." He pulled his best gray woolen cloak out of the cupboard and handed it to Merlin.
Merlin was suddenly preoccupied with the necessity of holding back tears. So he did his best to laugh. "You never liked that color, did you?"
"Merlin," said Arthur, the customary supercilliousness returning to his voice. "This is completely confusing. I have no idea what you're up to." But then he dropped the facade and said sincerely, "There must be some way I can help you."
"Not this time." And something about Merlin's tone prevented further argument.
There was nothing more to say. They shook hands.
"Good luck," said Arthur, as Merlin opened the door and stepped through it.
"Stay out of trouble," commanded Merlin. And then he closed the door.