Chapter 2

"Of course, I understand completely. Your father was wise to send you with a companion. I would do the same thing." Arthur spoke to lady Guinevere with a polite smile before turning his attention to the young man. "Thank you for delivering the lady safely."

"My pleasure, your Majesty." Merlin bowed his head to the king.

Arthur forced himself to focus on the situation at hand and bent to whisper in his daughter's ear, "Remember what we discussed. Introduce yourself properly." Before standing tall, looking down at his daughter with adoration.

Isolde squared her shoulders before looking directly at Guinevere. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Guinevere and mister Merlin. It is good of you to join us." She quickly looked up at her father. "Like that daddy?" A soft chuckle came from across the room causing a confusing warmth to spread through Arthur.

Grinning at his daughter, Arthur said "Yes, my love. That was perfect. Very good." Arthur turned to the guests and gestured to the table. "Shall we have a seat discuss details?" Guinevere bowed her head and pulled out a chair, taking her seat. Merlin took a seat beside her while Arthur helped the small princess into the chair across from her would be governess before taking his place beside her.

"As I explained when we met previously, my lady, Princess Isolde here has reached the age where she needs to begin learning how to act like a proper lady. Being the only heir to the throne, she will need become a strong princess to prepare to one day become queen. I want her to have her own mind and think for herself but it is also important that she has a full understanding of proper court etiquette, the behaviors and expected knowledge for a lady. Her mother was a proper lady, graceful and kind. A truly wonderful queen. But she also loved to horseback ride and could rival many of my knights with a crossbow. She belonged in the court with the nobles but also felt at ease around the fire after a hunt with my knights. I think she would expect Isolde to be raised in the exact same way. Is that the type of education you think you would be able and willing to provide the princess, Lady Guinevere?" King Arthur looked expectantly at the lady across the table.

"Queen Elaina sounds to have been a wonderful woman, sire." Arthur nodded his head and squeezed his daughter's hand. "I truly believe I can give the princess everything she needs to prepare her to become a proper lady. I am trained in literature, mathematics and history so I can assure you the princess will be well informed and educated. I am well versed in court etiquette and the arts that ladies are expected to know and am more than capable in training her in such. And my father made sure I was raised with the knowledge of how to care for and ride horses, he felt it was an important skill for every young lady to have. He even allowed me to join him on the hunt occasionally. I am positive I can provide princess Isolde a proper, well-rounded education and training." When Guinevere was finished speaking, she folded her hands silently in her lap and patiently waited for the King to speak.

The king looked at his daughter who looked up at him with her big blue eyes full of curiosity and expectation. He loved that little girl so much. If she asked him for the moon, he swore he'd find a way to make it happen. He looked back across the table. "What you have to offer my little princess here sounds wonderful. The members of my council put together a list of candidates they felt would be suitable for her governess, your name was one of the top so that must mean that they recommend you. What say you, Merlin? Do you recommend Lady Guinevere? Has she worked for you and your wife with your children?" Guinevere stifled a laugh behind her hand as Merlin's eyes popped open so wide they almost bugged out of his head.

"No sire, I have no wife or children nor do I have any plans to marry ever." He looked at Guinevere with pleading eyes and she grinned at him, unable to hide how entertained she was with his discomfort. "Guin is a wonderful woman though. She is very intelligent, compassionate, creative, adventurous, and nurturing." Merlin had a panicked look in his eye and didn't seem to be able to force his brain and mouth to connect.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I assumed that the lady's father would not send a young, single man to travel with his daughter alone." Arthur answered with his brows knit together.

"Oh, ah um that's a story I would prefer not to discuss with the princess around sire. I fear it is of the private nature but I assure you, Lady Guinevere is perfectly safe with me." Merlin was clearly uncomfortable in this conversation and Arthur was clearly intrigued to understand what he was speaking of. However, he steered the conversation away from Merlin and back to the task at hand.

"Well, my love, how do you feel about the situation? Your governess will be spending more time with you than even I and I want you to feel comfortable and happy in the relationship. Would you be interested in having Lady Guinevere as your governess?" Arthur looked at his daughter patiently waiting as she looked back and forth between her father and her would be governess.

When her tiny voice spoke, it was with grace and confidence, doing her best to be the princess she was expected to be even at this young age. "It would be a pleasure to have Lady Guinevere be my governess. With your permission, father, I would like to give her a tour of the castle." She looked up at him expectantly and he gave her a warm lopsided smile then looked at Guinevere.

"I suppose that settles things. Lady Guinevere, we would like to officially offer you employment as Princess Isolde's governess. If you will accept the position, we can arrange to have your things sent for and I will arrange a room and a lady's maid for you." The king looked at her, patiently waiting for her answer.

"It would be an honor to accept the position, Your Majesty. And I would love a tour, Your Highness." Guinevere replied with a smile.

"Listen here, little lady," Arthur crouched down in front of his daughter, "you keep to the approved areas of the castle. I know that you know where they are. Make sure you include your chambers and the dining chambers. You can show her to the emerald chamber, the one down the hall from yours. That is where she will stay." He pulled her close to him and planted light kisses across her face causing her to burst in to giggles.

"Yes father, I will be good, I promise." She grinned and hopped up, taking Guinevere's hand and leading her out of the council chamber. She immediately began chatting with Guin as if they had known each other for years. Arthur had a feeling that this would work out just fine. He turned to Merlin who stood awkwardly looking at his feet.

"Merlin, I have time before my next council meeting if you would like a tour of the castle and the grounds?" Arthur didn't know why he felt so hopeful that he would say yes. He was bound to be returning home soon and there wasn't really any need for him to know his way around the castle.

Merlin blushed and smiled shyly. "Yes sire, that would be lovely. Thank you." Arthur smiled and nodded before leading the way out of the council chamber. They were both fairly quiet through most of the tour, Arthur pointing out the different areas of the castle and grounds and Merlin asking quick questions. They were walking past the tower entrance when Merlin suddenly stopped and inhaled deeply. "It smells like someone is making lavender oil. It brings back so many childhood memories." Before Arthur could reply, an old man's voice rang out from inside the tower.

"You have a great sense of smell, young man." Merlin turned toward the voice just in time to see an old man with shoulder length white hair in a long red robe walk out of the tower entrance.

"Merlin, this is..." Arthur began but was cut off by Merlin.

"Gaius?! It's been so long; I was beginning to think I'd never see you again!" Merlin walked straight into Gaius's open arms and the two embraced with wide grins. Arthur was confused and just stood there staring at them.

"Oh Merlin, my boy! I have missed you. Look at you, you have grown into such a handsome young man. You look so much like your father." Gaius spoke the last with his hand cupping Merlin's cheek and Arthur had more confusion than he could take.

"Excuse me, how do you two know each other?" Arthur asked, eyebrows raised at the two men who still stood with their arms around one another.

"Oh, your majesty, I apologize for our rudeness. I've known Merlin here since he was born and I've not seen him in more than ten years." Gaius explained to the king.

"Gaius was a friend of my father who died when I was very young. He helped my mother out frequently when I was a child and a complete handful." Merlin explained with a grin. Arthur nodded as it was working out in his head.

"Tell me son, what have you been doing with your life now that you are a grown man? Do you have a wife and a family of your own? What do you do for work?" Merlin looked uncomfortable by the old man's first question.

"Um no, no family of my own. Mom is still my only family. I actually up until a month ago was apprenticing with the court physician in Nemeth until a couple months ago when mom fell ill. I left to be closer to her in Ealedor. I came here to accompany Lady Guinevere, Princess Isolde's new governess. Her family is one I became close friends with while living in Nemeth and I healed Guinevere's brother from a terrible illness." Merlin explained with pride.

"Truly? You decided to follow in my footsteps?" Gaius asked in surprise and pride.

"Of course, Gaius. I've always looked up to you. Admired you." Merlin told Gaius, gripping the man's shoulder. Gaius beamed at the young man with unshed tears welled up in his eyes. This touched Arthur. The King didn't understand why he felt so drawn to Merlin but he felt like he would be making a tremendous mistake if he let this man leave his kingdom.

Without much more thought to the matter, Arthur blurted out "Gaius, weren't you telling me just last week how you were going to be needing an apprentice soon to help bare your patient load?"

Gaius stared wide eyed at his king and his sudden outburst. "Yes sire, I was telling you that. Do you think that is a position I might be able to offer young Merlin here?" He turned to Merlin and continued, "Oh Merlin, I would so love to work with you, my boy. There is so much I could teach you, and maybe there are a few things you might be able to teach me as well. If this were to work well, King Arthur might just be willing to replace me with you when I retire."

"What say you, Merlin? Would you like to stay in Camelot and be Gaius's apprentice, training to take over as court physician when he is ready to retire?" Arthur asked the young man. He felt ridiculously nervous that he would say no. What was going on with him, Arthur thought. He didn't even know this man. Why would he care if he went back home.

"I'm flattered to be asked, thank you sire. While my mother is doing well now, I don't know when she will fall ill again and need me. Camelot is closer to Ealedor than Nemith was but I would need to be able to go to her if she needs me. Is that a possibility?" Merlin bit his lip waiting for the king's answer. It was a big ask when being offered a job by someone who just met you for the first time.

"I think that is something we can work with." Arthur said with a smile and turned to Gaius. "Gaius, you still have that room available in the tower or do I need to have my servant find Merlin a room?"

"I have a room off of mine that is available for him, sire." Gaius said. "It would be my pleasure to have you share my space, Merlin." Gaius told him with a smile.

"Well, that's settled." Arthur had begun but was interrupted by his servant.

"Sire, the council is gathering in the council chambers. And Sir Leon and Sir Lancelot have returned from patrol and are ready to give their report." The servant told Arthur with a small bow.

"Inform them I will be along shortly, George."

"Yes, my Lord." The servant said and was quickly on his way.

"Merlin, welcome to Camelot. If there is anything more you need, tell a servant and they will take care of you or relay the message to me." Merlin nodded and smiled then Arthur turned to Gaius. "Gaius, you have my permission to skip this council meeting, I will send for you if anything important comes up and I need you. I think we should have a small feast this evening to welcome the new members of the household, you will both attend?"

"Thank you sire, we would be honored." Gaius said and Arthur turned and strode off toward the council chambers feeling far more optimistic than he had when he began the day.