"Merlin!" Arthur called in the half-commanding, half-whining tone which always seemed to accompany calls for his manservant. Merlin raced down the halls of the palace wondering what Arthur might demand of him this time. Every day, it seemed, his list of chores grew. Either that or performing his servant duties coupled with constantly (at least that's how it felt) saving Camelot from some threat without revealing his powers increased his exhaustion by daily degrees.

Merlin rounded the corner and paused just before opening Arthur's chamber door, taking in a deep breath. He burst through the door mustering as much cheerfulness as his tired facial muscles allowed, however he did not have to fake exuding cheeriness for long. Upon entering Arthur's chambers, Merlin noted Arthur was not alone. The lady Amelia stood about five paces behind Arthur and though her stance did not change as Merlin entered, her eyes lit up as soon as he glanced at her.

He addressed her with a bow and gallant, "My lady," before turning to also bow to Arthur.

"Sire," he piped. "What can I do for you?"

"Much as I might like to give you an extensive list of everything I need done for Camelot's anniversary celebration next week, I called you here to assist the Lady Amelia."

Merlin glanced to Amelia before turning his attention back to Arthur. He dared not seem too keen, and tried to ignore the small, sweet smile she offered when he stole a look at her. Merlin cleared his throat. "Of course. What is it she needs?"

"I am standing right here, Arthur," Amelia chimed in with not-so-thinly disguised frustration as she took a few steps forward.

Arthur turned back to her with a glare. "He could just not do it," Arthur chided.

"And you could explain to your father why you sent me off on my own so you could stay here and play-"

"All right," Arthur clipped.

Merlin's puzzled expression hid his excitement at the prospect of spending time with the lady, alone. As Arthur turned back to him, Merlin tilted his head to one side with a half-smile, his non-verbal way of asking what his duties were, with a dash of cheek.

"The lady Amelia," Arthur sighed, "needs an escort to some hovel in the mountains-"

"It is not a hovel," Amelia interjected. "It's a country house. Being raised in this place I know you don't see the appeal of country life, but you could at least respect it."

Arthur clenched his jaw before continuing. "It's a pilgrimage to her ancestors' retreat home. Unfortunately, myself and all the knights are preoccupied with preparations for the celebration. My father won't allow Gwen or Morgana or any of the maids to accompany her, but it appears he finds you expendable, even though you are my servant."

Merlin's smirk broadened as he found Arthur's sudden possessiveness amusing. "Whatever the lady needs, I am glad to provide," Merlin grinned, hoping his pleasure at this projected as simply getting out of his duties to Arthur and belied his true reason for happiness.

Arthur smacked Merlin hard on the shoulder. He leaned in speaking as though, once again, he forgot Amelia was in the room. "Now listen, Merlin, you are responsible for her safety. If anything happens to her, you will be held entirely responsible and I daresay the current joy you have over getting out of your duties to me for four days might be tempered by this knowledge... if you had enough sense to regard it."

Merlin's smile faded and an expression of grave responsibility took its place. He took a small step back from Arthur to address both him and Mia. "I do not take the lady's protection lightly. I swear I will protect her as well as any of the knights would do."

"Well," Arthur mused as he rolled his eyes and turned to face Mia. "Let us hope your journey is as uneventful as you have convinced my father it is. If something happens, you understand-"

"That the only person, besides myself, responsible for my safety is Merlin. Yes, Arthur. We've been over this." She stepped closer to both of them, adopting a more regal, almost challenging, stance. "You yourself said I was almost an equal match for any of your knights in combat. I don't really need protection, but I am content to have Merlin accompany me."

She turned to Merlin, offering a coy smile.

"At least with him I won't feel as though I'm a burdensome infant you have to protect." She glared back at Arthur and his eyes narrowed, though he proffered her a courtesy smile.

"Fine, then. Merlin," Arthur asserted, turning back to his servant. "You leave tomorrow and before then I need my armor polished, my chain-mail fixed, my jackets brushed, my horse brushed..."

Merlin tuned out Arthur's list. Arthur turned about the room while giving his orders, all of which Merlin could predict based on his over two years of serving the prince, so Merlin risked a glance at Mia. Her eyes had been following Arthur around the room with a bemused smirk, but as though she sensed Merlin looking at her, she shifted her gaze to him. He flashed her a brief smile, which she returned with a wink. Merlin's smile grew until Arthur turned back toward him. In an instant Merlin's smile vanished, replaced with a humble nod as Arthur wrapped up his list of chores.

"And finally," Arthur declared, "you'll need to prepare your horse and the lady's for the journey in the morning."

"Anything else?" Merlin inquired, trying to keep the sarcasm out of his voice.

"Yes," Arthur remarked as he turned to Mia with a sly look. "You can escort the lady back to her chambers, seeing as how she'll have to get used to having a keeper the next few days and I am unable to provide the service myself."

Mia smiled and breezed past Arthur. Merlin held the door open for her, and as she exited she turned back to Arthur. "Your loss," she clipped and sailed into the corridor.

Merlin glanced back at Arthur as he started closing the door.

"Go," Arthur responded in a gruff tone.

Merlin jogged the few paces to catch up to Mia. He remained a respectful step behind her as he whispered to her. "What was that all about? Arthur's not upset that he can't accompany you... is he?"

"No. I wounded his pride," Mia murmured.

"You mean the comments about him babysitting you and you being able to best him? He was off before that."

"He was," she assented.

"I'm sure the comments didn't help."

"No, I doubt they did."

They rounded a corner, walking down a deserted corridor on the way to Mia's chamber. Merlin reached forward and took her left hand in his for a second before releasing it. "Are you going to tell me?"

Mia turned abruptly, startling Merlin, and he narrowly caught his balance as he took a step back. Her eyes looked pained but she smiled at him. "I'll tell you tomorrow." She glanced around to make sure they were alone then leaned up and kissed his cheek. "I can get on from here. You should start in on your chores."

Without waiting for a response, Mia spun on her heels and walked away, leaving Merlin in a stupor.

That evening Merlin stumbled, exhausted, into Gaius' chambers. He'd worked with unusual diligence all day to complete Arthur's extensive task list and ready the horses for the journey. All the while contemplating what occurred between Mia and Arthur to cause their mutual discord. He released a heavy sigh as he placed the wash bowl on a table and began cleaning his face and hands.

"Long day, Merlin?" Gaius mused from his balcony of scrolls, books and parchments.

Merlin started at the voice, not realising Gaius was present, before resuming washing. "Yes," he mumbled.

"I should think," Gaius commented as he began descending the rickety ladder to the floor. "You would be in a decent mood considering your new assignment."

Merlin looked up at his mentor. That Gaius should be aware of his journey didn't strike him until now. It had been a long day and Merlin's thoughts were overwhelmed by the attitudes of his master and Amelia. He shrugged, trying to see if he could nonchalant his way out of a talk with Gaius.

"It's fine." Then his mouth got the better of him, as it sometimes did. "Better than staying here and having Arthur order me to polish every pair of his boots three times over while brushing all his clothes and his horses and doing eight hundred other tasks to prepare for the celebration while he stands back and admires his hair."

Gaius chuckled. Merlin's occasional outbursts of frustration were understandable, and as Merlin could not truly be himself with anyone except Amelia and Gaius, he allowed these rants without much chiding.

"Honestly, Gaius," Merlin continued, "I don't know how anyone takes being a servant to someone like him. The tragic bit is there are people worse than him."

"Merlin," Gaius interceded. "What has you so riled up today?"

Merlin splashed more water on his face and shook his head. "I'm sorry. It's just been a long day and-" Merlin didn't know how to continue, or if he should. He looked up and Gaius stared at him with the inquisitive eye that always got Merlin talking.

"I just don't understand him today. He seemed so, I don't know, upset, or frustrated, that Amelia was leaving. I felt like I walked into the middle of an argument, but I have no idea what they could be fighting about. When I asked her about it..." He trailed off, not knowing how to describe her reaction properly.

"Merlin, has Amelia ever withheld something you've inquired about before?"

Merlin shook his head, "No."

"Then I'm sure she will tell you when she's ready. You have several days with her; do not waste them worrying about what she is or is not telling you. She has always been honest with you, but it can take a person some time to work out for themselves what is happening before telling anyone else."

Merlin nodded his assent. "I know you're right. I just don't like to see her upset, or even Arthur for that matter."

Gaius smiled. "You have a good heart, and they both know it. When they are ready I am certain they will tell you."

As Merlin was about to affirm once again that Gaius was likely right, a knock came at the door. Merlin went and opened it to find Sir Elomere. The young knight nodded with polite gallantry at Merlin before speaking. "The prince requests your presence in his chambers."

Merlin turned back to cast Gaius a wary look, then turned back to the knight. "Of course," he replied, and followed Sir Elomere into the corridor.

When they reached Arthur's chambers, Sir Elomere entered first. Merlin already pondered why the knight accompanied him all this way, and his ponderance increased when he entered the room. Both Arthur and his father, Uther, stood at Arthur's dining table. Sir Elomere and Merlin bowed and offered humble, "My lords" to the royalty.

"Merlin," Uther heralded in the tone he used which approached friendly but never managed much past arrogant and commanding. Merlin nodded in prostrate assent to the king. "The lady Amelia has expressed to me her gratefulness in your obedience to accompany her on her pilgrimage."

After an awkward silence of Merlin expecting the king to expound on this with no reply, he offered, "I am happy to serve her, especially at prince Arthur's request."

Uther moved toward the door and Merlin stepped aside to allow the king's exit. Uther paused in front of Merlin. "Yes," he mused, and Merlin sensed far more in that 'yes' than he would get explanation for. Uther's eyes drifted to Arthur for a moment, then back to Merlin. "Have a safe journey. I expect to see you both back here in time for the celebrations."

"Of course, sire," Merlin replied as Uther nodded to Sir Elomere and the two of them left Merlin stranded in Arthur's room with him, now more confused than ever. Merlin blinked with a distracted expression for a moment before turning to Arthur. Seeing the prince's face did little to allay Merlin's confusion. Arthur also appeared bewildered, and a little morose.

"Arthur?" Merlin attempted, "Is there anything I can do for you?"

"I just don't understand, Merlin," Arthur remarked, still staring straight ahead toward his fireplace.

"Understand what?"

"Her."

Merlin swallowed. Whatever direction this conversation now headed didn't bode well. Still, his curiosity and inability to see Arthur under undue stress won out. "What do you mean?"

Arthur sighed and bowed his head. After a moment he seemed to regain himself. He shook his head as though brushing off his current attitude, then turned to Merlin serious in a masterful way as opposed to the open, emotional manner Merlin expected. "Mia expects to leave just after dawn. Have you prepared everything?"

"Yes," Merlin replied, trying to keep the astonishment out of his voice. "Everything is arranged as you requested and I will be prepared to leave whenever she is ready."

Arthur nodded and pursed his lips as he often did when his thoughts began moving deeper beyond the current conversation. "Good," he replied as he began pacing the room. Merlin watched, perplexed, for a moment until Arthur turned back to him with a look that seemed to state he was surprised Merlin still stood in the room. "That will be all."

Merlin fish-mouthed, trying to form a reply, but in his confusion he could think of nothing coherent to ask. He moved toward the door. "I'll, um, I'll just be going then. I hope everything goes well with the preparations for the celebration."

"Mmmm..." Arthur murmured, no longer paying attention.

"I'll see you in a few days, then." Merlin continued and began closing the door on his way out.

"Merlin," Arthur called back. Merlin popped his head back inside, hoping to gain some clarity from Arthur. "Watch out for her."

"Of course," Merlin promised, his eyes narrowing in perplexity as he waited to see if Arthur would respond further. However, Arthur simply nodded to Merlin - an assertive, dismissive gesture - so Merlin departed with fewer answers and more questions than when he'd entered.