"Yet Another Storm" (Rose)

Shivers run through my body as I utter his name to Merlin. My mind is in a million places. So many questions circling it which I cannot make sense of to answer. Merlin continues to hold me close, and any other moment I would perhaps enjoy this. Right now, I need it. I am frazzled enough to lean into his hug. I am close enough to feel his racing heart. I remain and then draw back and take a good look at his face. You would never know that he was alarmed at all. My admiration of Merlin exceeds any I have ever had for anyone outside of family and with the exception of Gaius. This admiration, like this mystery of a man before me, is unlike any other.

Now I realize, I've simply been eying him this whole time, so I interject a small smile.

"I promise, I will protect you, whatever the cost," he says with firmness in his voice that makes me believe every word. "He will not lay one finger on you."

I merely hug him again in response. He begins to stroke my hair when I hear the chamber door creak open. Both of our gazes shoot in the direction of the noise to see Arthur standing there, mouth agape, eyes wide.

"I am sorry," he says, appearing extremely baffled, "I would say I'll leave you two alone, but I do believe one of you has a job to do," he shoots a sharp look at Merlin.

"Right," Merlin lets me go, "Sorry, Sire."

As he leads me out of the room, his voice fills my head, 'We'll talk about this later.'

I nod, whether he sees me or not, I know a full response isn't necessary. He was simply informing me that we would not tackle yet another storm without talking things through first.

"Business as Usual..." (Merlin)

Given no verbal response to the telepathic message I sent her, I can still feel Rose's shock radiating from her presence. It's not going to be a simple task to carry on with business as usual, but I shall try my best.

"Come on," I gently grab hold of her arm, "Let's go polish his royal pratness's armor."

Again, without a word, her arm quite limp in my large hand, I release my grip and move my hand to the spot between her shoulder blades. The silence still lingering, she allows me to guide her through the castle halls and into the armory. "Go ahead and have a seat on the bench... I'll ready the things we need." She sits and remains quiet. All the while, I am busying myself, purposefully trying to make noise to fill the void- clatters, clanks, all with nothing in reply. I bring her Arthur's helmet and a brush to spruce it up. I place myself at the other end of the bench, and try to occupy myself with my duty, even though I know why I'm really here.

After a couple moments of working that seemed to last an eternity each, I break the silence. "Alright," I drop my work, "I give up. Your lack of communication is eating at me, and I fear that I may crumble into a pile of magical Merlin dust if you don't say something soon." She merely, briefly stops the swift movements of her hand that holds the brush.

"I don't know what to say," she barely mutters and proceeds to do my job.

"At this point, I'd even settle for a 'Hello'," I lean forward, mentally trying to bring her gaze to meet mine. Although she doesn't look back at me, I see a small grin appear and disappear just as quick. "What that a smile I just saw?" I tease.

She scoffs in light jest, "Please, Merlin ... It was a half-hearted smirk at best."

"Yay!" I cheer childishly, "Words! Words are good!" To this, I finally get a laugh or two out of her. "You even mustered a giggle," I poorly attempt to encourage some sort of banter.

"I'm sorry, Merlin," her eyes flicker up to me, and then to her fiddling fingers, "My loss of speech is not of your doing."

"So I didn't embarrass you back there?"

"Heavens, no! Not at all," she reaches out and touches my knee for but a second, "You did nothing wrong," she assures me as she returns to her original position.

"What is it then?" I ask, knowing the coming answer. I simply want her to be able to talk about it. I want to help... more than anything.

"It's just-" she shakes her head, "Seeing him again ... Everything hit me all at once- the moments we shared, the things we'd say ... and the possibilities."

"Which possibilties?"

"Millions of things flooded through my head, mostly questions having to do with his sudden appearance. Starting and ending with 'Why in the world is he here?'"

"That question," I point forward, "I'd also like to know the answer to."

"I don't know, Merlin," she seems to drift away with her words, "I don't know."