Hey guys,

I'm afraid this is going to have to be the last update for a little while as I'm going away on holiday for a few (read as three) weeks and there's no access to a computer or the internet as far as i'm aware (alas how will I cope?). Even if there is, i doubt i'll have time to type DX

But, as always I hope you enjoy and please r&r

This one's for my sis,

Fey of the forest

"Wooooooooooooooooo!

YAY!"

The castle was generally quiet at this time of the morning considering everyone was usually asleep bar the few guards unlucky enough to be on night duty. Today however was not one of those quiet days. In fact, most people were woken by the inane shouting and screaming of a half naked, shirtless boy. The inhabitants of the castle were not at all happy, what with having their sleep disturbed, and so had gone to their doors to find out what was going on. Ready to shout at the young boy, they found that he didn't give them the chance to as he quickly ran past and so there would be a number of grouchy people that day.

"Merlin!" Arthur shouted rather disgruntedly. He had also been woken by his servant's shouting and so had gone chasing after him wearing just his breeches. The young ladies of the court who had been woken weren't complaining though.

"Yes?" The warlock asked with a massive grin plastered on his face and doing some sort of dance at the same time.

"Just what exactly do you think you are doing? And at this time?"

"That's his happy dance." A tired Ingrid explained from her own doorway. The rest of the nobles had closed their doors now, knowing that it was all being sorted. Ingrid herself had been sound asleep until Merlin had woken her and she was of a mind to turn him into a frog or a mouse for it. Wearing just a thin nightgown that revealed more flesh than was probably proper, she glared at the over enthusiastic warlock and sighed.

"Can you not shut him up?" Alethea asked as she caught up with them. She herself was in her nightgown, but had found time to throw on a dressing gown.

"No, unfortunately, but I haven't a clue as to why he's so happy."

"You said yes." Merlin said happily, looking at her with pure adoration in his eyes. Ingrid moved a little bit behind her door to try to escape him.

"What? When?"

"Thirty minutes ago."

"Merlin, I've been asleep for hours and you've just woken me. You must have dreamt it."

"But... Oh." Merlin's shoulders slumped and he looked crestfallen as he realised what had just happened.

"Now, if you don't mind, I'm going back to bed." Ingrid de Ravenscar said, watching the two tired monarchs lead an upset Merlin away, before closing her door.

It came as no surprise to her that she was waking up closer to lunch than breakfast after last night's disturbance. It hadn't taken her very long to drop back off but she was still annoyed at being woken in the middle of the night by a screaming warlock, especially considering the dream that he had described. But at least she wouldn't have to face a hyperactive Merlin today. Instead she'd be facing... Oh god, he'd be moping again, and that wasn't good. In fact, it was infinitely worse. She could deal with an overexcited Merlin, but when he was upset she couldn't.

Getting dressed, Ingrid finally left her room at noon to find that she was one of the last few people to actually wake up. Smiling as she walked down the corridor, she began to work out what she was going to do for the remainder of the day and found herself wandering towards the archives. Some reading then, she decided. Being careful not to disturb the working Geoffrey of Monmouth, she looked through the shelves of books but was disappointed when nothing caught her attention. Sighing, she knew that Gaius would probably have something for her but that meant there was a distinct possibility of seeing Merlin. Ah well, the warlock was probably with Arthur now anyway. Heading to the physician's chambers, she knocked on the door and waited for it to be opened.

"Ingrid, I'm afraid that Merlin isn't here." Gaius said as he answered.

"I'm not looking for Merlin. In fact, I was wondering if I could borrow something to read?"

"Of course." He moved aside to let her in. "So, are you after anything in particular?"

"Surprise me." She shrugged, letting the physician pick out something for her as she leaned on the table. "So where is the warlock?"

"His room I think... Either that or he's been thrown in the stocks for disturbing everyone last night."

"Not with Arthur then?"

"Well, there's that too. It's one or the other." He explained, picking up a small red leather bound book from one of his shelves and handing it to her. "Try that one."

"Thanks." Ingrid smiled, flicking through and knowing that she would probably have it returned by the end of the day.

"Gaius..." came a voice from the door and both Gaius and the raven haired lady looked to find a pale and tired Alethea walking in with Gwen trailing behind her.

"Alethea? What's the matter?"

"Have you got something for a stomach ache?" the young Queen asked.

"Sure." As Gaius looked for one of his potions, Alethea took note of the book that her friend was holding.

"That's one of my favourites. I'm sure you'll enjoy it."

"Oh. Well, anyway, I'd best be going." She said, heading towards the door.

"Have you told Merlin your decision yet?"

"You've decided?" asked the hopeful wizard from the doorway, a bundle of dirty clothes under one arm and a sack of armour thrown over one shoulder. It looked like he had been thrown in the stocks after all. Ingrid stared at him blankly before ducking past him and running down the stairs. Hearing the clang of metal as it hit the floor and footsteps behind her, she dived into the nearest room and hid behind the door. The plan was to wait until Merlin had gone and then move, but that plan was very quickly abandoned when she realised just whose room she had gone into.

"Ingrid?" came a very high pitched, shocked voice belonging to a certain blonde. The raven haired beauty inwardly cringed.

"Sire." She greeted, noting his state of undress as he was only wearing a towel, a bath of hot water at the ready for him.

"Is there any explanation as to why you have just burst into my chambers?"

"I um... I..." she stuttered, thankful that she hadn't ran here a few minutes later. "I'm avoiding Merlin."

"Then surely you must realise that here isn't the best place to hide? He does work for me you know."

"Yes but..."

"Why are you avoiding him anyway? Because of last night or...?"

"I... Well, I just don't want to see him."

"Well, whatever it is, you two had best sort it out soon. I don't think I can cope with a moping servant much longer."

"Ah... Anyway, I'm going to go now and leave you to your kingly duties and...stuff."

"I think that would be for the best." Leaving the room after double checking that the coast was clear, Ingrid found her favourite window ledge and sat on it before beginning to read...

It was early evening when Gerard walked past. The knight seemed quite happy, whistling and with a spring in his step, and he had a smile on his face. This grew even bigger when he saw his sister.

"What you reading?"

"A book." she stated, matter of factly.

"I can see that. What book?"

"It's one of Gaius'."

"Any good?"

"I've read worse." She shrugged.

"Ingrid..."

"Yes?"

"Last night's disturbance... Did you give an answer to Merlin?"

"Answer? What answer?" Gerard glared at her.

"I know that Merlin has proposed. He even came and asked me for my permission."

"And you gave it to him?" Ingrid asked, shocked, as she closed her book. "But I thought..."

"I'm your brother Ingrid. I'm allowed to be protective of my little sister and sure, I didn't like the idea at first, but he makes you happy and, well... I don't want you making the wrong decision because of me. I didn't like Merlin at first, alright, because you're too good for him, and you still are, but..."

"I didn't realise you..." she began, but Gerard interrupted.

"I suppose I was jealous. It's my job to look after you and I didn't want someone else to do that."

"But you are happy with whatever I decide?"

"Whatever makes you happy sis." Ingrid looked at her brother with a bemused smile before getting to her feet and giving him a quick hug. "Woah, what's the occasion? You never give hugs."

"Thank you."

"What for?"

"Everything." She said, before heading to her room.

Since talking to her brother yesterday afternoon, Ingrid de Ravenscar had made up her kind. She definitely knew what her answer was and she had her family's blessing too. She had weighed up her options carefully, but she had always known deep down what her answer was. All she had to do now was let Merlin know, and in true Ingrid form, she wasn't going to let it be just a simple word.

Spending most of the day getting ready, Ingrid placed the raven feathers on the end of her bed and arranged them to spell out her answer. She then straightened out the creases in her second favourite dress and checked her appearance in the mirror. She would have worn her favourite dress, the black one, but she had a feeling that she wouldn't have been able to get a coherent sentence out of him if she did, so she had opted for her favourite red one. After making sure that she looked perfect, she then went in search of the young warlock who, she knew, could only be in one of two places.

Heading to the physician's quarters, Ingrid knocked on the door and handed the book back to Gaius before enquiring after the dark haired servant. Finding that he was in his room, the raven haired beauty lightly knocked on the door before walking inside. Merlin was indeed there, but he was lying face down on his bed with his arms cuddling the pillow, obviously upset. Ingrid sighed quietly. This wasn't going to be easy.

"Merlin..." she said softly, but received no reply, so she stepped forwards and knelt by his bed, making sure that he was facing her. She found however that the warlock was asleep and that was no good. "Merlin..." she said, slightly louder. The warlock moaned softly, his eyelids flickering. Ingrid knew that she would have to get him to her room somehow but she hadn't a clue as to how she was going to manage that. That was until she saw the blue scarf around his neck and she knew just exactly what she was going to do. "Oh come on Merlin, wake up!"

"Huh?" he blinked, running a hand through his tousled hair and looking at her with tired eyes. "Ingrid?" he asked, confused, as he sat up. "What are you..."

"I came to say hello, and do this..." she said quietly, wrapping her arms around his shoulders seductively and letting him lean in for a kiss whilst she removed his scarf. Then, grinning from ear to ear, she got to her feet before Merlin's lips even touched hers, and ran from the room. Pausing by the stairs to make sure that he was following her, Ingrid then continued running to her room, picking up her skirts in order to give a good chase.

"Ingrid, give it back!" Merlin called.

"No." She giggled. His scarf would all but be forgotten soon.

"Have you got an answer for me yet?"

"Maybe." She said mischievously.

"Ingrid..."

"You'll have to catch me first!" she called. Merlin sped up and it wasn't long before they were both stood outside her room, Ingrid letting him catch her.

"So, my lady, your answer?" he asked, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"What answer?" she asked, all sweetness and innocence.

"The answer to my question."

"What question?" Merlin smiled as Ingrid opened her door.

"You know very well what question."

"Remind me."

"Will you, Lady Ingrid de Ravenscar, my raven haired beauty, marry me?"

"See for yourself." She told him, pointing to her bed. Merlin was confused for a moment, and blushed as he tried to work out just what Ingrid was playing at, before he looked at the sheets to find a few raven feathers crossed over the bed in a random pattern.

"What?"

"The raven feathers." She said, smiling.

"They don't spell anything out." It was at that moment that Jinx decided to run across the room with a feather in his mouth. Ingrid rolled her eyes before going over to him.

"Fair enough. My answer is yes."

"Yes?"

"Yes." She nodded.

"Brilliant!" he grinned, jumping up and punching the air. Ingrid laughed.

"You aren't going to go running about the castle screaming and shouting now are you?"

"Nope... But, yes? You really mean it?"

"Would I say it otherwise?" She could see Merlin work it over and the warlock went to say something before thinking better of it.

"Alright then... I can hardly believe it but... We're going to get married."

"I know." Ingrid smiled. "So, next question is, when do we want the wedding?"

"Tomorrow?" Merlin suggested. Ingrid laughed as she closed the gap between them and managed to calm him down.

"Too soon." She smiled.

"The day after then"

Before Ingrid could make any reply Merlin had dropped to his knees and gently took hold of her hand.

"My raven haired beauty, I love you with all my being and so I give you this ring to show not only my love but also my commitment to you." With that he placed the ring he had bought for her on to her finger and kissed her hand.

"Merlin... "

Ingrid took hold of his hands and pulled him into loving embrace.

"I love you too"