Merlin woke up as on all other days. Gaius was calling from the front room, and Merlin knew that he was late, as usual. He jumped out of bed and threw on a clean shirt, neckerchief, pants and jacket then ran down the stairs.

"Merlin, it's nearly three hours after sunrise. At the tavern late last night?"

Merlin shook his head. "No."

"You weren't home when I went to sleep; I know that for sure."

"I was picking up a package in King Olaf's kingdom," Merlin mumbled.

"King Olaf's kingdom? What in Heaven's Name for?"

"Something special for Cal," Merlin said softly.

Gaius's eyes widened. "For Calia! But, Merlin, you can't mean…"

Merlin nodded. "Yes. I'm going to ask her today."

"Good luck, my boy." Gaius grinned, patting Merlin on the back. "I have full faith that it will turn out as you wish it to."

Merlin smiled and began eating his porridge. "Thanks. I'm nervous as anything, though."

"That's only natural. I'm very proud of you and very happy. Calia is a good woman and an excellent midwife. I cannot imagine a better woman for you."

"Neither can I." Merlin grinned, finishing his porridge. "I told her to be here just around now."

"Then I will leave so you can have some privacy."

"Thanks, Gaius."

"Any time, Merlin." Gaius then turned and walked out the door, quietly shutting it behind himself.

Merlin stood and placed his bowl in a basin to be washed then began pacing, fingering the small object in his pocket. He had never been more nervous in his life, but he knew today was going to be the day. He would not put it off any longer. Calia would be meeting him in Gaius's chambers any moment, and he needed to be ready for her. He had been going over and over in his mind what he was going to say to her for weeks now, but he was still having trouble coming up with the perfect words. This was going to be the most important moment in his life, and he did not want to mess it up.

For several minutes Merlin paced the floor of the chambers before being startled out of his reverie by a sharp knock at the door. He looked up and stared at the door a moment before moving closer, calling out "Who's there?"

"It's Calia!"

"Oh! Cal, it's you!" Merlin opened the door quickly, ushering Calia inside and closing the door behind her.

"Well of course it's me! You said you had something very important to talk to me about, so here I am. What's the matter?"

"Nothing's wrong. Everything's just fine." Merlin forced a smile, trying not to betray his nervousness.

Calia laughed lightly. "And if I believe that, then there's also a forest in Cenred's kingdom for sale, isn't there?"

This brought a true smile to Merlin's lips. "And a cave," he replied.

Both Calia and Merlin burst out laughing at this, helping Merlin to relax ever so slightly. "Okay, fine. I will tell you, though I was being truthful. There is absolutely nothing wrong. I just – " Merlin paused.

"You just what?"

Without another word, Merlin led Calia over to one of the benches and motioned for her to sit.

"Now you really are scaring me, Merlin. Having me sit down? What, are you leaving Camelot or something? Are you leaving me?" Calia gasped, burying her face in her hands and trying to force back tears. "Oh no! You are leaving me! That's what this is, the dreaded 'we need to talk' end-of-relationship chat. Can't say I didn't see this coming. I knew something this perfect could never last…especially not for me."

"Cal, stop. Please stop, before you work yourself up over nothing." Merlin squatted down to Calia's level and took both of her hands in his. "I am not breaking up with you. Not now and not ever."

"Then what is this about? Please tell me before I explode!"

Merlin stood up slightly then sat down next to Calia on the bench, squeezing her hands gently and gazing into her impossibly blue eyes. "Cal, you are the love of my life. I cannot imagine going a day without you! I've realized over the past year just how much I care about you."

Calia smiled and squeezed Merlin's hand. "I love you, too. I never thought I would find someone who suits me so well, but what does this have to do with our important talk?"

"Everything."

"Go on, then," Calia encouraged.

Merlin nodded then reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. He took a deep breath and got down on one knee, opening the box slowly. Calia watched in wonder, letting out a small gasp when she glimpsed the ring inside the box.

"Cal…you are my everything. You are the first thing I think about in the morning and the last thing I think about before bed. I want to spend the rest of my life loving you, caring for you and building a family with you. Since the day that we met I dreamed of making you my wife and now I hope to do just that."

Merlin took a deep breath, noticing the tears in Calia's eyes, before continuing. "Calia, will you marry me?"

"Oh Merlin!" Calia threw her arms around Merlin, sniffing and wiping away tears. "Yes! Of course I will marry you!"