I'd love Igraine to appear in Merlin again, I'd love her to only speak to Merlin to hold him and reassure him that Arthur cares for him and that she is so grateful that Merlin has looked after her son all these years and that the future will be better for both of them. I want Merlin to cry and I want it to be heartbreakingly amazing.

'Thank you Merlin, thank you for looking after my son.' Igraine whispered into his ear, her arms rapped around him in a hug.

'Well someone's got to do it.' Merlin chuckled softly as he leaned further into the hug breathing her in, she smelt sickly sweet like roses dipped in honey it was intoxicating.

'He loves you.'

Taking a step back from the ghost of Igraine Queen of Camelot he stared into her eyes searching for laughter but all that shone back was truth, the honest to goddess truth.

'N-n-no he doesn't' He resisted, letting go of her hands as he looked down shaking his head only to be stilled by her cool delicate palms that rested on either side of his face, she placed a soft kiss to his cheek as she leaned into his ear to whisper.

'But he will…' as she began to fade away. Merlin stood and watched until all that was left was the smell of roses in the air. He turned to walk out of the cave tears running down his cheek. Somehow the absence of Igraine was like physical pain, pain deep in his chest for someone lost, even though he had never known her…

'Ah Merlin there you are! Where have you been this whole time?'

'Just thinking.' He answered his back to Arthur.

'Right then come on we could probably make it back to Camelot before nightfall if we leave now.'

'I suppose…'

'Merlin are you alright?'

'Yes Arthur never better.' Merlin sniffed as he turned round, wiping his face dry with the sleeve of his jacket, as he saw the concern in Arthur's face.

'Are you sure because if-' Arthur to a step towards Merlin.

'I'm sure Arthur.'

'Are you?' Merlin could practically taste Arthur on his lips he was so close.

'Arthur-'

'You don't look alright.' Arthur cradled Merlin's face in his strong hands, lifting Merlin's chin up Arthur sighed as he took in Merlin's wet eyes and red nose.

'Please don't stare I'll be alright in a-' Merlin stopped as Arthur leaned in and lightly kissed him.

The king wrapped his arms around his manservant holding him as tears rolled in streams down Merlin's cheeks.

'It's alright, I'm here. Your alright…' his fingers stroking the back of Merlin's head, his lips placing soft kisses to Merlin's temple.

'Arthur why are you being so nice to me?' Merlin mumbled from against Arthur's chest.

Arthur almost said because I love you! But he didn't instead he said simply 'Because you're my best friend Merlin' and I love you…

It wasn't really how I was going to leave it but I thought the L word might have freaked Merlin out again, maybe next time?

R&R Please?