The smithy was closed and the blacksmith was out of town. Neighbors had assured Arthur and Merlin that the craftsman's return was imminent, and thus, the two had agreed that the best plan would be to lodge at the local inn and wait.

The inn was smallish, with six rooms upstairs and a kitchen and great room below. While it was not a palace, it was uncommonly clean – a fact that both Arthur and Merlin appreciated. The innkeeper had shown his guests to their room and informed them that a luncheon of ham and bread would be served downstairs soon. Arthur and Merlin needed no further coaxing, and within minutes had descended to seat themselves at a table in the great room.

"Merlin," said Arthur, an hour later.

"Yes, said Merlin, whose belly was full and whose eyelids were beginning to droop.

"Do you see that little serving wench?"

"The one who brought the food? Yes, what about her?"

"Watch what she's doing."

Merlin watched as the girl went about her work. "She seems a bit distracted, I suppose."

"Distracted by what?" asked Arthur, as if he were Socrates.

"I don't know," said Merlin.

"Watch her," said Arthur.

Merlin watched for a while. "Ah," he said. "She has eyes for the musician."

"Now take a look at the innkeeper," said Arthur.

"Youngest innkeeper I ever saw. He couldn't be any older than you."

"Watch him."

Merlin watched for a few moments. "Do you think the innkeeper is in love with the serving girl?"

"Exactly!" Arthur was pleased with his pupil. "And what do you think of the musician?"

Merlin appraised him. "Not my type," he said.

Arthur socked Merlin in the head.

"Ow."

"The musician is a pompous idiot," said Arthur. "Look at him. He's got that little circle of followers about him. The girls almost all seem to be vying for his attention, but he just toys with them. See how he keeps checking his reflection in the mirror?"

"Arthur, since when did you become such a keen observer of the human condition? Your sensitivity surprises me."

"Shut up, Merlin."

Merlin laughed and continued watching the little drama playing out in front of them.

The serving girl, a sweet, smiling, rosy-cheeked young woman who answered to the name "Heather", took pains to see that the musician's glass remained full. The musician, a man called Seamus, would smile and wink at the girl whenever she appeared at his side. He once even stroked her cheek, making the girl blush prettily.

Something Heather obviously did not know, but which Arthur and Merlin picked up on rather quickly, was that aside from making serving girls blush, Seamus had other ambitions. The flirtatious cad was maneuvering feverishly to get his hand onto the knee of the haughty, well-endowed blonde seated at his right. The man had not yet succeeded, but his determination was unmistakable.

The Innkeeper was fixing a broken chair just a few yards from where Merlin and Arthur were seated. "Heather," the young man called, "Will you please help me for a moment?"

The girl dutifully appeared in front of him and held two pieces of wood together while the innkeeper lashed them. He tried to catch her eye. "It was market day. Do you need me to help you carry your things home tonight?"

"Thanks Janus, that's kind of you. But no, I can carry it all just fine. Besides, Seamus asked me to come hear him play tonight, and it may be late when I head home. Thanks for offering, though." Within moments the girl had returned to the customers.

The innkeeper's face remained steady, but his eyes spoke volumes to the men who stealthily watched him. It was quite honestly a bit heartbreaking.

"The chap is going about this all wrong," said Arthur.

"And you know this because...?" asked Merlin.

"I think the results speak for themselves," Arthur said, gesturing toward the Innkeeper.

"This would also be my point," said Merlin, thinking of Gwen. Arthur looked at him dismissively, not understanding, and then stood up.

"What are you doing?" Merlin asked.

"I'm going to give our clueless friend here a few pointers, so he can rescue his lady from that idiotic musician."

"I'm not sure that's wise," said Merlin.

Arthur, as usual, ignored him.