thank you for all you comments and reviews


Merlin led their way through the town out onto the well-trodden paths to the forest. Mithian gave him a shrewd look when he pulled back a branch of the trees, gesturing for her to go in first, but lead forward wordlessly, taking his offered hand in support.

Once the branch had fallen back into place, and they were alone in the un-pathed greenery of the trees, Merlin let their hands twine together and forced himself not to think anything past the fact that he liked it, that Mithian's hand felt so tiny and fragile in his, he was just supporting her, in case she should fall.

They talked, about mundane things, important things, all things, until the soft hum of music and voices drifted toward them.

Merlin grinned, giving Mithian's hand a tug, spurring her along. "We're here."

They emerged in a clearing and it was like being transported to another world. A burning fire sat at the centre and people, throngs of people danced around it. There were smaller fires off to the side, a boar was roasting on a spit, and a man poking and turning it every now and again with a large stick. A gaggle of children ran past giggling, causing Merlin and Mithian to take a step back.

Merlin watched Mithian stare wide-eyed around the scene and couldn't help but mirror her delighted jubilation.

"This is the real Camelot," Merlin announced, watching Mithian as she watched the people. "These are the people who live and work and die within the walls. They've lived through Uther and now Arthur, and some may live to see whoever comes next. Without them there would be no Camelot."

"What are they doing?"

"Celebrating."

"Celebrating what?" Mithian asked, her mind obviously going back to the carnage and loss of the week previous.

"As hard as Uther may have tried, he couldn't wipe out years of traditions. They're celebrating their own lives and the lives of the ones they've lost. They come out to the forest to be closer to nature and to the earth where their family's spirits rest."

"This is…" Mithian trailed off but her smile and the watery sheen to her eyes said enough.

"They've gone through a lot, lost loved ones and homes, but they're still here, and they will be here long after we've all gone."

Mithian looked at Merlin now, a bemused look on her face like she was seeing him for the first time. Merlin quickly gave it a surreptitious wipe just to make sure he hadn't left breakfast on there when a chorus of little voices called out.

"Merlin! Merlin! Merlin!" He turned to see a huddle of little girls, their hair trailing out behind them as they ran towards him. "Merlin! Merlin! Will you do a trick for us! Please! Please!"

Merlin paused to give Mithian a small apologetic shrug before going to his knee. Annabelle the cook's daughter, as well as Mary and Charlotte made up the little group, and their eyes lit up excitedly as he cupped his hands one over the other.

With a flourish he opened them; leaving three perfect daisies sitting in his palm. As expected they all squealed and ran off as one, their flowers clutched tightly in hand.

He glanced at Mithian, rising and brushing the dirt from his knees to find her watching him with a sweet smile on her face.

"So you can conjure flowers now?" she asked, an amused eyebrow raised.

Merlin chortled. "It's amazing what you can get away with when people are looking in the wrong direction."

He held one hand out in a flourish in front of him, as expected Mithian's eyes focused on the hand, not noticing how his eyes flared gold. And with a twist of a wrist, he produced a perfect rose between his thumb and forefinger.

Mithian nodded but he could see her trying to hide the wonderment on her face. "A man of many talents."

"I am the King of misdirection." He leant forward, placing his flower carefully behind Mithian's ear, she turned her head obligingly and Merlin tucked it into her locks, trailing his fingers down her hair once it had fallen into place.

They were close again. That seemed to be happening a lot, and Merlin wished it wouldn't because he never knew where to look and it made his hands sweat and his heart race and his skin tingle with the need to reach out. He looked down, her lips were right there, so red and soft looking. Every cell in his body was screaming at him to lean down, lean in just a few inches and her lips would be against his. He had only kissed a handful of girls but he knew that Mithian's lips would be wonderful, and she would fit so snug and safe against his body.

He pulled back hastily, realising that he was leaning, and that he was a servant and she a princess and they were in a field full of over-excited people.

Mithian's face dropped slightly but she tugged a smile back on her face quickly enough for Merlin to pretend he hadn't seen it. There was an awkward pause that Merlin was desperately trying to remember how to fill when the music changed and Mithian's face changed again, her eyes crinkling in mischief.

Stepping back fully, she held out a hand, leaning down in a formal bow. "May a Lady have this dance?"

Merlin laughed, glancing round at the men and women racing around the clearing to the upbeat tempo. "Do you not remember what I told you about me and dancing?"

"I am sure I can whip you into shape."

"Oh I'm sure you can." Merlin chortled.

Mithian's smile turned deadly wicked and she grabbed Merlin's hand, pulling him into her and turning them into a spin before he had chance to do little more than let out a surprised yelp.

Their bodies pressed together and Mithian led them around the fire, spinning and laughing, breathless after the first minute but they kept going. Merlin could feel very inch of their bodies that touched from their hands to where their legs were slotted together; he quickly pulled back, his cheeks blushing, careful not to let her feel how his body was enjoying this. Mithian shot him a confused looked so he slipped his hand down to the bottom of her back, holding them steady in place against each other and skipped them into another song.

When they finally returned to Camelot it was late afternoon and Mithian couldn't wipe the, no doubt unladylike, grin from her face. They had detangled hands once they'd left the forest but Merlin was still close by her side, so that their shoulders brushed with every step.

This closeness without touching made her tremble inside, her body itching to get closer. But soon the walls of Camelot curled around them and she was aware of Merlin furthering their distance when everything inside Mithian screamed for exactly the opposite.

They had just entered the courtyard when Merlin stiffened beside her. "Uh oh," he mumbled.

Suddenly Merlin was nowhere in sight and a red faced King Arthur was marching towards her. His eyes scanned the immediate area rather wildly and Mithian had a small moment to be worried about the mental health of Camelot's ruler before he spoke in a low tone.

"Where is he?"

"Pardon?"

"Merlin! Where is he? I saw him, he was right here!"

Mithian gave the Merlin-less cobbles around her a significant look. "Well I don't see him now. Perhaps you were mistaken my Lord."

"No." Arthur scowled, peering over her shoulder as if his manservant were hiding behind her skirts. "I definitely…" He trailed off, scanning the mostly empty courtyard before focussing back on Mithian. "Um – you have…" He gestured around his head. Mithian automatically lifted a hand to her hair, coming away with Merlin's rose from behind her ear.

She pressed her lips together to smother her smile at the crisp red rose twisting between her fingers. But thankfully King Arthur was already distracted again, scowling suspiciously at all the dark shadows around the courtyard.

"No matter, I will find him soon. And when I do he is IN BIG TROUBLE!" Arthur shouted, staring around him, perhaps hoping that the threat would scare his manservant out from wherever he'd disappeared to.

Soon the king left with a growl, his red cape trailing behind him. As quickly as he disappeared Merlin was suddenly at her elbow again making her startle.

"How did you do that?"

Merlin gave her a mysterious grin. "I told you - misdirection."

Mithian opened her mouth but was cut off by an angry holler across the stones. "MERLIN!"

"Oh dear" Merlin intoned, watching as the red-faced king now fought his way back across the courtyard towards them. "Run!"

He grabbed her hand and then they were flying through the castle walkways, servants and nobles jumping from their way, some with exasperated grins and some with tuts, but Mithian felt as she were going too fast to be recognised, just a blur against the masonry.

They came to a halt, panting in a narrow dark corridor, its entrance partly hidden by a suit of armour. Distantly she could still hear Arthur's yells and threats floating through the walls. "What did you do?" she chuckled, clutching her side.

"I may not have expressly asked his permission for the day off." Merlin shrugged sheepishly.

Mithian rolled her eyes and gave Merlin's arm a swat, making him chuckle. He continued to mumble about physical violence among royalty when Mithian heard a familiar voice marching towards them.

She pressed forward, cupping her hand over Merlin's mouth just in time to stop his drivel before Arthur passed them by.

The king paused for a minute looking left and right before continuing on. She sagged against her leaning surface as soon as the threat had passed; only belatedly realising that the surface she was resting on was Merlin.

He looked back at her with wide eyes, his chest moving fast beneath her where her breasts had pushed against him. She stared back, her skin feeling too tight on its small frame.

"Come on," she said, pulling her hand back from Merlin's lips to clutch at his hand. "I know where you can hide where the King will not find you."