Day 14 – February 14th

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Merlin didn't know who the rose came from, didn't know who had slipped into his room in the night and left the solitary flower on his bedside table. The only clue he had, was the note that was tied to its thorny stem.

Love will come to those who wait, who ignore all else, and linger for fate, my heart is yours, ready to take, I just pray that when you know, you will not hate.

Merlin examined the note closely, hoping to see something in the handwriting that might give his admirer away. However it soon became apparent that whoever left him the rose, had not written the note in their regular handwriting.

"Merlin breakfast is ready," Gaius called from the other room. Merlin sighed, pulled on his jacket and slipped out the door. (But not before placing the rose in some water)

"Gaius did anyone come into your chambers after I went to bed last night?" he asked casually, helping himself to an apple as he did so. Gaius, who wasn't really paying attention, simply shook his head. "Are you sure?" Merlin persisted. Gaius raised an eyebrow and turned to face his young apprentice.

"Merlin did something happen in the night?" Gaius questioned with a frown. Merlin shook his head.

"No! I mean... no.... must have just been a nightmare," Merlin said, bumbling over his words as he tried to cover up his secret. Gaius shook his head sympathetically as he patted Merlin on the shoulder.

"Would you like me to make you a tonic?" He asked. Merlin shook his head.

"No... I'm sure it was just a one-off," Merlin sighed . "I better be off, Arthur will be mad if I'm late again,"

--

"Ah Merlin!" Arthur cried as his young manservant entered. Merlin was shocked to see that Arthur was up, dressed and... holding a bunch of freshly picked violets. Flowers that often grew outside Guinevere's front door. "They're from Gwen!" he beamed. "Now we just have to pretend they are from Morgana, or my father will make certain that they are thrown out,"

"Of course sire," he said, unable to hide his own smile. He was so glad that something was working out between the two of them. "Would you like me to send something back to her?" Arthur shook his head.

"Already taken care of Merlin," he said as he tucked the card that came with the flowers into a pocket on the chest of his shirt. "Oh and Merlin?" Arthur questioned before Merlin could even begin to clean his chambers.

"Yes sire?" Merlin asked.

"Tell no one," Arthur said, hitting Merlin round the back of his head as he did so, as if he were trying to knock the answer permanently into Merlin's mind.

"Of course sire," he said as he rubbed the back of his head. "Tell them what?" he grinned. Arthur simply smiled at him.

Merlin pondered as he cleaned Arthur's room. Who had sent him that rose? WHO? It could not have been Gwen. She had sent violet's to Arthur. And it could not have been Arthur, for he had sent Lily's to Gwen. He was rather pleased that Gwen and Arthur were secretly trying to make a go of things. They deserved to be happy together! And to be truthful, he wasn't attracted to either of them. Not really. (Ok, so maybe he'd had a few dreams about marrying Guinevere, and a few about making love to Arthur, but they didn't mean anything! Did they..?)

--

"My Lady, who do you think sent those tulips?" Guinevere questioned her mistress as they watched Arthur and the knights train. Merlin perked his ears up, and listened closely for Morgana's reply.

"Surely it would have been obvious to you Gwen," she said with a laugh. "You off all people know who slips into my room in the dead of night,"

"I was certain my lady, that Sir Leon's intentions were not entirely honourable," Gwen said, sounding shocked.

"They are very honourable Gwen, we only ever talk. He was simply scared of Uther's reaction is all. Seems he finally realised that he is a suitable match in Uther's eyes," Morgana beamed. Sir Leon must have felt his ears burning, for he turned to smile at the Lady Morgana – earning himself a telling off from Arthur for doing so.

So it wasn't Morgana, and it wasn't Sir Leon! Merlin was at a loss. There was no one else it could be! There was no one else he was close to... unless?

"Gaius?" Merlin cried as he stormed into the Physicians room in a lost mix of fury and disgust.

"Whatever is the matter Merlin?" Gaius said, looking up at Merlin from... a bunch of flowers.

"I... er... who are they from?" Merlin questioned, his anger melting away in a second. Gaius beamed.

"They are from Elizabeth, the castle cook," he said proudly. "I have been trying to woo her for a while, and it seems my efforts have paid off,"

"That's... great..." Merlin said, trying to hide his obvious disgust. Surely Gaius was too old to date...

"Clearly you think so," said Gaius, his eyes sparkling in amusement. "Now, if you excuse me, I have to thank Elizabeth," Merlin groaned as Gaius left. Now there was no one left in Camelot that could have possibly left him that rose! No one! Merlin sighed and decided to have an early night. He had developed quite a headache from trying to work out who could have sent him that rose. He yawned, stretched and closed his eyes as he pushed open his chamber doors, not seeing who was sat atop of his bed, swirling the rose in between their fingers.

"Merlin, I take it you were unable to work out that it was I that sent you that rose," came a familiar voice. Merlin froze and snapped his eyes wide open. Could it be? Not in his wildest dreams did he ever think that this person could ever like him.

"My lord," Merlin said, with a bow to his King. Uther smiled and waved his hand.

"There is no need for that Merlin," he said. "Now, what I need to know is, do you feel the same?"

Merlin didn't respond; he simply shut his door...