Inside Passage between Ketchikan and Skagway, Alaska, USA

"Mordred," Arthur stated, leaning back in the swivel chair until it bumped the edge of the desk. He propped his feet up on the foot of the bed, earning him a scowl from Merlin. He responded with a knowing smirk.

Even off duty, Merlin was protective of the state of Arthur's cabin. He pushed Arthur's feet off the bed, sitting himself down in their place. "Yeah, he was on my list at first too."

Arthur perked up at that. "At first?"

Merlin shrugged. "Well, I couldn't really have a list if I wasn't supposed to be looking into anything, now could I?"

Arthur nodded, conceding to Merlin's point. His mind was still reeling over everything that Merlin had told him yesterday in the cafe. He had wanted to discuss it further but Merlin had said he needed to get back to work on the ship and that he would come to see him when next he could.

"But lay low," he had said as he made to leave. "Stop asking the crew so many questions. They are getting suspicious."

Arthur didn't want to, even after the stories Merlin had told him of the threats and assault. He wanted to be doing something, actively trying to find clues or hear statements, not waiting around for Merlin at the cabin steward's next convenience.

But Merlin had pestered him, refusing to leave until Arthur agreed. "Promise me. You won't do anything until we meet again?"

"How do I know you aren't just going to get my promise and avoid me the rest of the trip?"

Merlin chuckled, the sound going straight to Arthur's heart and setting it aflame. Shit, he had it bad. "If you don't hear from me by the end of tomorrow, you can consider this promise null and void."

Arthur had nodded and watched as Merlin dashed out of the cafe, to be swallowed up in the Alaskan misty rain, coat flapping behind him in the wind.

That night Arthur had found a note under the snout of the expertly folded towel dolphin. He smiled at Merlin's handiwork. Though he knew the man left towel animals in all the guests rooms, he couldn't help but feel that he put time and thought into his. The note, scribbled out in long elegant handwriting, had said that Merlin would be by his room at eleven the following morning to "clean" it.

Arthur had to admit, he was greatly anticipating their next meeting. While this whole business was serious and risky as Merlin would say, Arthur couldn't help but find the smallest bit of thrill in it. Was this what it felt like to have a secret affair? Sneaking around, planning times and places to meet, leaving notes for one another. He would not have opposed to Merlin being his secret lover, that was for sure.

But this wasn't a love story. A murder mystery more like it, with death and danger and he should not be able to feel like this in the middle of it. It was breaking some sort of genre code, he was sure of it. And moral code. He should be focusing on his sister, on justice for her and not his own sad desire for a love life. Morgana would always come first. He owed her that much.

Merlin continued, bringing Arthur back to the present, "Why do you suspect Mordred?"

Arthur thought back to the conversation he had with the bartender. "He was the one who served her, he said so himself. I looked at her bill, she had one drink that night, just one. And then all of a sudden she is stumbling and drunk?" He shook his head, feeling his anger rising. "No, I think she was drugged and who better to have an opportunity but the bartender. Plus he just seemed….off. Cold."

Merlin nodded. "That I can definitely agree with. I'm almost positive she was drugged, even more now that you confirmed my suspicions about the amount she drank. But what I can't figure out is his motive."

And that was where Arthur too was getting hung up. Why would Mordred drug Morgana if he wasn't about to take advantage of her? Arthur shuddered at the thought of Morgana helpless and drugged, laid out at the mercy of the bartender.

"Do you know if he left the bar at all after she stumbled off?" He asked.

"Shortly after she left, Mordred ducked into the back to get more supplies. I wasn't able to see the video surveillance myself but Gwen told me." Arthur opened his mouth but Merlin anticipated his question and held up a finger. "Yes, I trust her, at least enough to tell me the truth. She said he was not seen anywhere on any tapes for five whole minutes until he came back with more limes."

Arthur nodded, not completely satisfied but finding himself not doubting Merlin's word. In fact, now that he thought about it, he hadn't doubted Merlin since he came back to amend his lies. Not once had he thought Merlin deceiving or distrustful. There was just something about him that Arthur automatically trusted. Well, after their second meeting that is. They got off to a rocky start, that's for sure.

"Is there a back door?" Arthur asked. "Could he have followed her?"

Merlin didn't answer for a moment, his face scrunched up in thought. Arthur tried not to notice how adorable it was. "Yes, he could have followed her," Merlin said finally. "In fact, I think he could have pushed her overboard and gotten back to the bar with time to spare." He shook his head, running his hands over his face, frustrated. "But I just can't figure out why. Why drug her just to throw her overboard? Why kill her?"

Arthur winced at Merlin's words. It was a reminder that Morgana was dead, and that her last few moments were spent in fear or in pain. Without a body, without proof that she was dead, it just felt like she was still out there, just missing or on vacation. Her death hadn't entirely sunk in yet and he was sure it would take some time for him to fully come to terms with it. For now, the little offhanded mentions and reminders seemed only like speculation. It wasn't though, and he knew that at the back on his mind.

"It makes no sense," Merlin whispered.

Arthur shook his head, at a loss himself. For Mordred to go through the trouble of sneaking Morgana a drug and then leaving his post to follow her just in order to kill her. Why? He had never seen Mordred before in his life and he knew most of Morgana's past loves and friendly acquaintances. They worked together, dined together, even lived together. Not once did she ever mention a Mordred. So no, they couldn't have had history. There had to be another reason.

"Even without a motive, Mordred is still a viable suspect," Arthur concluded. "He's definitely on the top of my list."

"Yeah, mine too," Merlin nodded, hands running over the bedspread trying to smooth out invisible wrinkles. "I also thought Cenred could have had a hand in it."

Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Who's Cenred?" Merlin had never mentioned a Cenred before. Or was Arthur just not paying attention?

"Cenred King, the Chief Cabin Steward. My boss." Merlin scrunched his nose up in disgust and added, "He's a dick."

Amusement pulled at Arthur lips as he shook his head at Merlin's antics. "That's not enough of a reason Merlin."

"It should be," Merlin growled. Then he sobered up, his blue eyes locking on Arthur's with all seriousness. "But no, he's just….shady. He sleeps with nearly all of the female cabin stewards and has openly bragged about his various," Merlin waved his hand through the air, "…exploits."

Arthur did let out a chuckle then. "That basically describes my entire university football team."

Merlin sighed, running a hand through his dark hair, making a few strands stick up. "I know, it's weak reasoning but I just can't help feel suspicious about him. He gives me the creeps." He gave a shudder as if just thinking about the man was enough to creep him out. Which that very well could be. Perhaps Arthur should track down this Cenred and talk to him, see what he has to say for himself.

"We'll add him to the list, but I think for now, we should focus on Mordred."

Merlin nodded. "Agreed." He paused for a beat then sat up straight, his face morphing into one of revelation. Arthur cocked an eyebrow at him, intrigued as the cabin steward spoke. "If he did indeed spike Morgana's drink, he'd have to have a stash of drugs right?"

"I guess," Arthur said with a shrug. "Unless he used all he had."

Merlin face alight with mischief glee. "Still, it's worth a try isn't it?"

"What are you talking about?"

Merlin jumped up off the bed. "I could sneak into his cabin and have a look around. See if there's any evidence."

Arthur sat up straight, shaking his head unsure how Merlin could possibly think this was in any way a good idea. "No, absolutely not. Merlin, you are not a detective. It's much too dangerous, especially for you. If Mordred had a hand in Morgana's disappearance—"

"I'll be careful," Merlin aid, his face earnest and determined. A determination Arthur himself felt in finding justice but not at the expense of Merlin's life. "If I play it right, he won't even know I was there."

"And if you don't?" Arthur countered.

Merlin shrugged and if that wasn't a good enough indication that this was a horrible idea, Arthur didn't know what was. "Then I'll make something up. Pretend I was playing a practical joke or….I'll figure it out. He won't catch me."

"No, Merlin don't. Please." Arthur wasn't usually one to beg, his father had raised him to think it below him, but he had never been in a situation like this. Someone willing to go into the lion's den per say to help him out. At least, not of their own volition. He definitely didn't want that, especially from Merlin. "It's too risky. We'll find another way to weed him out. Don't put yourself in that position."

The cabin steward frowned, an argument on his lips. "I—"

But Arthur cut him off before he could get very far, hoping to make Merlin see sense. "Please Merlin. Don't. Promise me."

He stared at the man pleadingly. It was one thing to swap information and suspicions in relative privacy, it was another to actively search for evidence. Especially for Merlin, who was already on someone radar. Merlin would be putting himself in danger, risking his life for a hunch.

"I...I can't promise anything."

Arthur growled. "Goddamnit. Merlin."

"I'm feeling slightly useless here," Merlin said, throwing his hands up. "Going about my day as usual while you search for clues, talk to suspects and witnesses and being proactive."

Arthur rolled his eyes. "You have to work, Merlin. This is the only reason I'm here."

Merlin leveled Arthur with a look, half pleading, half determined. "Still, I want to be doing more." He ran his hands through his hair once more. Arthur tracked his hands movement, unable to stop himself. Merlin was a mystery to him, but his drive and desire to help were shining qualities that Arthur couldn't help but be drawn to. And he was easy on the eyes, all lean muscle and sharp features that Arthur never knew he could find attractive until he met Merlin.

Arthur stared at the cabin steward for another beat, his heart softening. "And you have. You've done your part and now it's my turn."

Merlin sat back down on the edge of the bed with a sigh. Silence filled the cabin, heavy and weighted with decisions and stubbornness. Arthur watched Merlin's face, the drawn lines of his brow, eyes trained on the carpet as he lost himself to his own thoughts. Had it been anyone else, Arthur might have taken the slumped posture and downturned face to be a signal of defeat, of resignation. But even after just the few hours on the cruise that Arthur had spent with Merlin, he could see right through the charade. Merlin wasn't deterred at all. The slight tension in his shoulders and fidgeting of his fingers told Arthur that the cabin steward had not given up on his plan.

"Why do you still work here?" Arthur asked, the question startling himself as much as it did Merlin.

"What?" Merlin eyes were drawn in confusion as he looked over at Arthur.

"They've threatened to fire you, silenced you, and someone has even threatened your life. Why are you still here?" He met Merlin's gaze, unflinching. He was probably overstepping a bit but he didn't really care at that moment. He wanted to understand, truly. There had to be some reason why Merlin hadn't quit the minute his life had been threatened.

Merlin sighed and flopped back to lay on the bed, legs dangling over the foot. "I need the job. I never went to college, couldn't afford it, and I just," he shrugged as if that explained it all. "I have nowhere else to go. I thought it would be fun to work on a cruise. Get to travel the world, have room and board and food provided. But it's...it's exhausting. I haven't slept a full six hours in over three months. And the pay is shit."

"What about family or friends?"

Merlin shook his head, staring up at the ceiling, lost in his own memories. "Never knew my dad. He left before I was born and my mother moved us to the states not long after. She died when I was eighteen. I didn't...I couldn't deal with it. Ended up pushing my friends away, ignoring them, until they all just disappeared from my life. They went off to college while I buried my mother. Got odd jobs here and there, all menial, all falling through for one reason or another. Money dried up, couldn't afford rent and lived on the streets for a bit before I finally landed a job as a housekeeper at a motel. But with rent and bills and all, the money seemed to disappear as fast as I could earn it. So when a coworker talked about how his cousin worked on cruise ships, everything included, I jumped on it." Merlin sighed, sounding exhausted with every word. "It's hard work, long hours and not the best pay but I've got a place to sleep and food to eat and I get to travel."

Arthur didn't know how to respond to that. He had never knew hardships like those Merlin had endured. His family had always been well off, his father the CEO of a highly successful cyber tech company. His mother died before he even knew her and his father had provided him with everything he needed. The best grade schools, the best university, and when he graduated, the best position at the family company working just below his father. He could sympathize with Merlin's plight in life, but he could never truly empathize and understand.

But he could see that what Merlin's childhood lacked in financial support, it made up for in love and emotional support. Something Arthur envied.

"So, what did you do in Ketchikan?" Merlin asked, breaking the silence that had fallen over the room. He turned onto his side, resting his head in his hand as his eyes found Arthur's.

It took Arthur a moment to answer, lost as he was in Merlin's gaze. "Explored the city." He leaned back in the chair once more, moving to rest his feet back on the bed but a glare from Merlin had him aborting the action. "Morgana told me how she had wandered around town and seen the various totem poles the town is known for and I...I wanted to be where she had been. Just...I don't know."

"To feel close to her," Merlin finished.

"Yeah." Arthur nodded, suddenly solemn, his heart heavy. It had been a nice day, though the weather was less than ideal. He had followed a series of texts Morgana had sent him, pictures of totem poles and comments about the stylistic choices to them. Walking the route she took, seeing the sights she had, it was like she was right there with him. He had seen her in his mind's eye, heard her snarky comments, striding alongside him with confidence in heeled boots that she somehow made work in these small cities of Alaska.

God, how he missed her.

The bed sighed as Merlin leaned forward, his hand coming to lay on Arthur's knee in a gesture of comfort. "I'm sorry, Arthur."

Without conscious thought, Arthur covered Merlin's hand with his own, the cabin steward turning his palm up in order to meet the grasp. He gave Arthur's hand a squeeze and Arthur returned to pressure, a lump forming in his throat as all that had happened so far came crashing down on him.

Morgana was gone.

Dead.

She wasn't coming back.

The dam broke with an almighty heave of breath. Tears swelled and cascaded over before Arthur could even draw in another lung-full of air, sobs escaping past drawn lips. He buried his face in his hands, too overwhelmed with sorrow and pain to feel embarrassed at showing emotions in front of a man he barely knew. Honestly he didn't care. He hadn't realized how much he had been holding back, how much he had been denying or ignoring until just then.

When they had first gotten news, he and his father had so vehemently refused to believe it that none of the true meaning had gotten through their thick walls of denial. Leon had broken down almost immediately, but Arthur had refused, ignoring the fact that his sister was dead in favor of focusing on the injustice. Disputing the rumors and accusations had seemed more important, so much so that Arthur hadn't even realized he didn't believe her gone.

Merlin had brought it to the foreground, coaxing the realization out until Arthur had no choice but to accept it.

Arms wrapped around Arthur, one across his back, the other across his chest, bent up to reach to his face. He immediately leaning into the warmth of Merlin's body, relishing in the comfort he provided.

Merlin didn't say a word, just remained a strong and silent presence Arthur could cling to amidst the sea of overwhelming emotions.

A/N: Fun Fact: Dolphins represent trust, loyalty, and the spirit of friendship.

We'll see how long that friendship stays a friendship ;)

So yes, for this fic, I have taken the liberty of having Merlin grow up in the US. Though frankly, it wouldn't really matter either way because this is where I took some liberties with this story. It's true that some Americans and British and other first world people can get jobs on cruiselines but for the most part, and especially for someone in a lower position such as Merlin's, cruiselines tend to avoid hiring from those countries. The truth is that we are expensive for them. Our rights demand we get paid fair wages and there are rules that need to be followed that other countries just don't have. It's also why most cruiselines are actually based out of other countries. US cruiselines would have way too many rules and regulations they would need to follow and would cost more to maintain than they would earn.

And it's all about money, isn't it.

So why not cut that out and get people from poorer countries who will work for sh*t wages and not complain about unfair and unsafe conditions? Why not base out of other countries where there are very little rules and regulations to abide by? Yeah, sounds moral and safe to me

You starting to hate the cruise business yet? Well get ready, there's more...