Arthur watched his daughter studies with a smile. She was born after all this mess in the past. Arthur wanted to create the world, where his daughter didn't have to be in a situation like he had to. Fighting with his own sister during dark times of evil magic. Now, times were different, he made sure of it. He was standing in the shadow of the library and listening, how Merlin was teaching his daughter basement of alchemy, she wanted to know basic things, at least that was what she was saying. Arthur thought that she wanted to spend more time with "uncle Merlin". Who was difficult to find somewhere else than the library, he had a nose in the books all the time.

Merlin.

This impossible man.

Few years in the past, who would think that Arthur's daughter would call him uncle, that Arthur would make him the most important person in the court. Who would believe in such things? But now it was reality. Arthur smiled, remembering times when Merlin was his servant. It seemed to be so long ago like it was in other life. But moments with him and his wife were lighting points in the dark times. He was brought back to earth from his mind when he heard the question of his daughter.

- Uncle, can I ask you a question? - she asked. Merlin raised his brow, but on his lips was a kind smile.

- Sure. What is on your mind, my dear? - He asked gently.

- Do you love somebody? Like papa loves mommy? - She shocked them both. It was so easy to question, typical from the child, who could ask about everything. Merlin in love? In the old times, he couldn't imagine such thing, such woman who would want such clumsy and lazy man, but now, who knows? He was quite intrigued and wanted to know the answer.

After the first shock, Merlin smile changed, it was sad... it looked so unnatural to him. Arthur knew that Merlin had been through a lot, but seeing him sad was always strange. What was behind this?

- I did... once. - he answered. - I still do... I suppose. - he added after a short while.

- Have I auntie? - She asked with a smile, making Merlin snort with a sad laugh.

- No... She's gone. - Merlin answered with a heavy voice.

- Gone? Where? - Yvette asked with a smile, child was so innocent.

Arthur knew what was going on. He had so many questions on his mind. How? When? Who? If she had magic... No, Arthur didn't kill her. Merlin would tell him. Would hate him! So, she had to die in another way, no by his or his father hand. Maybe it was back in Ealdor? Nah... back then Merlin was such a grown-up child.

- Somewhere where I can't follow her. - He didn't give her straight answer.

- Will she come back? - Princess asked.

- I don't know. - Merlin said and looked somewhere. Thinking about his Freya, his Lady of the Lake. Maybe there was a way to see her again, he couldn't admit to her, that he was madly looking for such way. Seeing everybody from the roundtable married was terrible to him. It was a horrible pain, knowing that such thing wasn't his destiny. He will be always separated from her.

- I hope she will come back! When papa's knights' don't come back on time, he sends scouts... maybe you should do it too? - she proposed. Merlin smiled, but he said nothing.

- It's high time to come back to your studies, My lady. - He said, changing the subject. Arthur left the library unnoticed, he thought about that what he learned. He needed to ask his wife about his, maybe she knew something more.

What kind of friend he was, if he didn't know about such important even in Merlin's life, like the death of his beloved?