Merlin stared at the big parchment his eyes boring into every detail. When Gwen had suggested planning the dance, he had totally dreaded the idea. In the end he had felt as if he was bulldozed into taking responsibility. To begin with the thought terrified him, as he knew nothing about such events as these. But two weeks later, he had to admit to himself he was quite enjoying the challenge.

Gwen would often bring her young son Lachlan with her, and they would work together on the various details. Between entertaining the little one, and thinking about imaginative ways to make the evening more interesting, Merlin began to use another part of his talent, he had quite forgotten he possessed.

Merlin had never been interested in sports or games as a boy growing up. But he loved using the creative gifts he had. He liked nothing more than drawing a picture for his mother Hunith or writing a little story for her to read when he was tucked up in bed.

He smiled to himself as he remembered the little sighs of joy he would hear, whenever she discovered one hidden away somewhere in their hut. He would always leave them where he knew she would find them easily. It always gave him a warm, glowing feeling knowing he'd given her something back.

"You look miles away there Merlin." Gwen smiled putting her son onto her shoulder.

"Oh just remembering the past." Merlin smiled trying to get focused again.

"What? Tell me." Gwen replied intrigued as to what had made her friend seemingly so happy.

"This takes me back I suppose." Merlin explained before coming over to sit next to her. "I was never any good at physical activity when I was young. But I loved drawing and writing, I would do little pictures and leave them around for my mother to find."

"Ah that is so sweet. I always knew you would have a flair for this sort of thing." Gwen smiled, thrilled that she'd been proved right. "I swear you are seeing this as a personal challenge for yourself."

"I will not let a bunch of nobles get the better of me Gwen. I will make this evening the most spectacular one they have ever experienced. Isn't that right Lachlan?"

Lachlan gurgled in reply, as if understanding totally the question.

"Now Lachlan what do you think we should have decorating the state room. Is it to be red roses or white ones?" Merlin asked looking at the little boy.

Lachlan made a reply.

"I totally agree, red ones it is." Merlin laughed.

"At times I feel you two could arrange this event between you." Gwen said grinning.

"Do you think we should send your mother away Lachlan?" Merlin smiled.

"Hey!" Gwen said giving Merlin a playful slap with made Lachlan clap his hands.

"Lachlan you are suppose to be on my side." Merlin gasped in mock horror.

Gwen gathered her son towards her, and for a second she felt quite sad. Merlin seemed to have such a natural affinity with children, yet he was no closer to settling down. Gwen was happy to see him and Sefa becoming closer, and not for the first time she wondered if they would become a permanent couple. She decided to broach the subject with him as delicately as she could.

"It is lovely to see Sefa back I always thought you and her were getting along really well before." Gwen started carefully.

Merlin brought his head up from his work. "Gwen you are pushing again!"

"I'm sorry Merlin.." Gwen sighed. "But I just think you deserve someone after all this time. You are always putting others before yourself, it is about time you put yourself first for a change."

Merlin stopped his work and came over and sat by her. "You need to stop worrying about me. I am really happy now. Obviously as I am Court Sorcerer I have extra responsibilities, but this doesn't mean I don't have time to see Sefa. For your information things are progressing very nicely now."

Gwen grabbed his hand. "Really oh I'm so happy to know that. I knew from the start that you two suited each other."

"Yes well I do not want this all over the palace, you know how gossip spreads. It stays between us for the moment, yes?" Merlin said laughing at Gwen's excitement.

"Naturally, my lips are sealed." Gwen laughed back.

Merlin gave her a long look. "That includes Arthur you know what he's like."

"I wouldn't dream off it." she said raising her eyebrows.

Merlin returned to his work scribbling his latest note on the parchment. He brought his head back and after reading it again, nodded his head satisfactorily.

"You know I believe I've almost finished this. Now I just have to get everything arranged. I have a feeling the really hard work begins now." He remarked with a grimace.

"Well I will get everyone involved including the Knights." Gwen said looking over his shoulder at the plans with an expert eye. "Even Arthur can help."

"Arthur? Are you sure that's wise?" Merlin asked alarmed.

Gwen laughed kissing her son's head. "If he knows what is good for him, he will be very helpful. These plans look excellent Merlin. I know you can do this."

"I hope so my reputation is hanging on a thread." Merlin grinned. "There is also the little point about proving your husband wrong."

Gwen opened the door laughing. "I will go and arrange some extra help then. I'll give Sefa a few days holiday as well I'm sure she will give you a hand."

Merlin looked at Gwen's meaningful look with a sigh. "Remember what we agreed."

When he was left alone a few nerves developed inside him. This was certainly new territory for him. While he was pleased everything so far had worked out well, he knew it would only take one mistake to cause endless stress and trouble for him. But so far the venture had proved to be quite uplifting for him, so he decided to keep a positive frame of mind. He was determined he would make his mark on this and surprise everyone.

Over the next few days as Gwen had promised the volunteers swung into action. Merlin coordinated everyone's efforts having written down methodically what everyone's job would be. By his side Sefa had almost become his assistant. He was grateful too, as problems had occurred and it was Sefa who would help calm his jagged nerves down whenever anything went wrong.

By now the State Room had been decorated beautifully with just the finishing touches needed. Gwen had enlisted everyone the Knights and even Arthur. It had given Merlin endless pleasure to be the one handing out the orders for once. The Court Sorcerer made the most of it, as he had Arthur travelling from one side of the castle to the other. As he sent him on yet another trip, Sefa couldn't help but make the observation that was obvious to everyone.

"I do believe you are enjoying ordering Arthur around." she said with a smile.

"Whatever gives you that idea?" Merlin asked with a look of innocence on his face.

"Oh maybe the fact that you are sending him from one side to the other." she remarked. "Personally you could have planned that a bit better like you did everything else."

"Okay I admit it. I am rather enjoying it. Mind you he will get his own back soon enough." Merlin pointed out ticking another completed task from his list.

Almost upon cue a breathless Arthur arrived with a huge box that was precariously balanced on his shoulder. Arthur carefully put it on the floor in by Merlin's feet, and regarded his friend with a suspicious look on his face.

"I swear Merlin you are sending me to the most awkward places on purpose. I could have picked this up a day ago, along with the other boxes you sent for!" Arthur pointed out.

"Now, now Arthur I feel you are getting a little paranoid somewhat. I can assure you I have planned your jobs just the same as everyone else's." Merlin smiled a look of mischief lingering in his eyes.

"Um." Arthur said doubtfully. "What else do you require?"

"Oh if you could just go to the East Wing and bring me the box I showed you the other day please." Merlin smiled making sure he wasn't looking at the King, knowing full what how he'd react.

"The East Wing?" Arthur said with disdain. "You said I wouldn't have to go all the way over there again!"

"Ah yes sorry." Merlin apologised having to fight a grin. "I forgot about it I must admit, you know I have so much to remember you wouldn't believe it!"

"Merlin!" Arthur snorted failing to see the joke. He was about to become more sarcastic when Gwen walked over.

"Arthur is there a problem?" she asked him.

"No my sweet, not at all." Arthur said a warm smile for his wife,

"Go on then." Gwen called.

Arthur left though not before giving Merlin a right good glare. Merlin, Sefa and Gwen could barely keep their faces straight.

"Merlin you are taking this to extremes." Gwen laughed.

"Well you did say that I was too make sure that Arthur knew I was leading this venture." Merlin smiled. "I am just following your advice."

"Yes of course Merlin." Gwen remarked. "Just remember though I am the one who has to put up with all his moaning when he is tucked up in bed."

"Ooh too much information Gwen. Anyway like I said before he will find a way to get back at me."

"Oh he will." Gwen said. "If I was you I wouldn't have your back to him!"

Merlin and Sefa giggled as they watched Gwen move away to supervise the Knights who were helping to decorate the walls.

"Yes I am glad I gave Gwen that job." Merlin remarked as he watched Gwaine mess with the ladder that Percival was using.

"I'm thinking that Gwaine is actually a hindrance rather than a help." Sefa said as she observed the fall out between the two Knights."

"Gwaine is Gwaine, Sefa as you will learn." Merlin laughed. "Come on let's go and check the food."

By the time Merlin and Sefa had checked the kitchens, an feeling of calm had begun to take over the citadel. Merlin found a quiet corner to double check that everything had been done. Once he'd completed the task he took a moment to look over the room. He had to admit to feeling good about it, the room was certainly looking the part. A shadow loomed over him without looking up he remarked.

"You completed the job I gave you Arthur?"

"How did you know it was me?" Arthur asked suspiciously.

"I think it was the breathlessness that gave you away." Merlin grinned. "I think you know that today you have done a real job of work!"

"I sincerely hope you are not implying that I don't usually work." Arthur feigned hurt. "I always work hard."

"No I think you'll find you get others to do the work for you." Merlin asserted, ticking the final job and getting up.

"You can talk the way you've been ordering everyone around today. I have seen a new side to you Merlin." Arthur remarked. "And I'm not too keen on it!"

"Well you could say." Merlin replied. "I have learnt from the master. Also I think a few changes could be made to the way this place is run."

"Before you start to get too big for your boots Merlin, there is a pile of work for you that I have. Once this nonsense is over tomorrow night it will be back to normal for you." Arthur grinned.

Merlin rolled his eyes at Arthur's departing back as he sat down again suddenly nervous. Tomorrow he would know if all the job he'd done had been successful or not. Either his reputation would be added to it or it would be in shatters. He just hoped it would be the former, as anything else would be unthinkable to him. Suddenly feeling tired he decided an early night in bed would be the way to stop any nerves from taking over him.

As he walked to his room he couldn't help but accept that it would it indeed be back to normality. For some strange reason it actually saddened him.