The first boy Ariane declares she is in love with is a stable hand called Red. He's a year older, quiet and tends to Ariane's horse. The first person she tells is Elaine and for weeks, Elaine runs interference with Arthur and Gwen so Ariane is able to spend time alone with him.
She also tells Merlin which is why he receives a very special visit from his favourite Queen early one morning.
"I understand you know something about my daughter that I don't," Gwen says almost casually as she sits in the chair in the corner of his room.
"If you don't know it, how do you know I know it?" Merlin asks, a smile curling his lips.
Gwen merely raises her eyebrows. "Are you going to tell me?"
"I was told it in confidence!"
"So you do know!"
Merlin sighs and puts down the potion he's mixing. He needs all his wits to deal with Gwen. "Perhaps. We could be talking at cross purposes."
"I was at training today and I noticed that our young stable hand was watching Ariane very closely."
"Ariane is a beautiful girl. I'm sure he's not the only one." Merlin smiles at Gwen, knowing his flippant answer isn't going to stop her.
"I don't think Ariane smiles and blushes at every person who watches her."
"Ah."
"Oh Merlin." Gwen rises from the chair and walks over to him. "She fancies herself in love, doesn't she?"
He bites back a grin. "She fancies she will marry him and they will rule over Camelot together. It's all very innocent. They are kids playing in love."
"It's hard not to worry," says Gwen.
Merlin knows that. He's been worrying the moment Ariane excitedly confided in him. Yet he is also cautious about being too negative about her budding romance lest she stops talking to him. "I know," he says to Gwen, placing his hand on her shoulder. "You wonder if he's interested in her because she's a wonderful girl or because she's the heir to the throne. You wonder if he wants more than she's prepared to give. You wonder if she's using her position to procure love."
Gwen sighs and covers his hand with hers. "And I wonder how Arthur will react when he inevitably finds out."
"He'll try to sack Red, lock Ariane in her room forever and ever and make a declaration that any man wanting to marry Ariane will have to defeat him in a combat to the death." Merlin grins as Gwen laughs, the worry fading from her face. Cupping her face, he continues, "But he won't because he has you."
Arthur doesn't do any of those. Instead, he takes out his frustration on Merlin, ordering him around as if he is a servant again.
As Merlin delivers Arthur's latest demand, he flings himself into the plush chair in the royal chambers. "Abusing me isn't going to change how the two of them feel for each other."
"It makes me feel better," huffs Arthur. Then he throws his quill down. "She's growing up so fast. Gwen says all they are doing is holding hands but my little girl touching a boy?"
Laughing, then ducking as a cup flies his way, Merlin says, "Ariane is sensible –"
"Sensible? Ariane is stubborn, a natural swordswoman, outspoken, brave and strong. She is not sensible. If she was sensible, she wouldn't be going around with Red."
"Didn't know sensible meant doing everything her father wants."
"Shut up, Merlin."
"You should be sensible, Arthur," Merlin says before he slips out of the room. Something thuds against the door.
The next day, he sees Arthur conversing, quite sensibly, with a very nervous Red and Ariane. The conversation ends with Red bowing deeply and Ariane flinging her arms around Arthur's neck.
"Remember what I said," yells Arthur as the happy couple leave the throne room.
"Good work," Merlin whispers to Arthur who rewards him with a scowl.