A/N so sorry for the long delay, it's been almost two months I realised! This term has been really busy, especially since it's the end of the year, but now that school is over (for now), I hope to get more done on this story. Anyway, a slightly longer than usual chapter to make up for my break

Balinor had once thought that telling Hunith's parents he wished to court their daughter was the most awkward thing he had to do, and, later on, asking for their permission to marry.

But this, this took the dragon.

Across the rickety table sat Merlin, watching him suspiciously over his bowl of food, which, judging by the smell coming from it, was not Gaius's cooking.

Trying to avoid the boy's gaze, Balinor couldn't help but study Gaius's quarters. It was still as messy as he remembered it, and he smiled when he recognised a dragon figurine for Gaius many years ago in a prime position on an old bookshelf.

"By Albion, this place hasn't changed much, has it?"

Musing to himself as he was, Balinor hadn't noticed that he had spoken out loud until Merlin responded.

"Pardon me?"

Blinking, Balinor looked up, and was surprised, instead of seeing suspicion and wariness on Merlin's face, a look of curiosity, his brow slightly furrowed, face more open and relaxed than he had looked since Balinor had shown up at the door.

"I was just commenting on how this place hasn't changed since I was last here," Balinor replied, seeing an opening to smooth things over with the young sorcerer.

Putting his spoon down, Merlin cocked his head slightly, "I wasn't aware that you and Gaius knew each other."

Balinor smiled. Which was suddenly struck from his face as a thought crossed his mind. Did Gaius know of Merlin? Perhaps that was why the boy was here. Could Gaius be teaching him?

"My brother was friends with Uther before the Purge, and when he came, I used to like to spend time here with Gaius."

Balinor's innocent mention of the Purge seemed to have the desired effect on Merlin. He immediately stiffened, and the smile which had started to appear on his face froze.

At Merlin's change in attitude, Balinor felt a pang in his heart. He had never felt this way before, and suddenly he felt really guilty.

There was… something, about this boy which reminded him of Hunith he realised, especially his mannerisms.

"Merlin," Balinor called the boy's name as softly as he could, wondering why he suddenly had a burning desire to offer the sorcerer his support, to offer him his guidance. To perhaps offer him a place in Deaestidria? Perhaps Balinor was getting melancholy in his older years, and the boy did so much remind him of his dead wife, that he was grasping at straws, the boy reminded him so much of her that he could have been her son.

"My lord," the boy's response was mechanical, tension quite clearly hidden underneath each syllable. The easy tone with which the boy had spoken to him before had disappeared to reveal the hidden fear underneath.

Deciding to just hit the wyvern on the head so to speak, Balinor began, "Merlin, I know you have magic. And I know you know I have magic."

"Yes," Merlin replied.

"I don't wish to put you in jeopardy," Balinor began carefully. "You and I, though not of the same blood, are kin. So in that respect I do not wish to harm you, as long as you hold no desire to harm others for selfish reasons."

Looking into the boy's blue eyes, which so reminded him of Hunith, he read the three emotions which quickly flashed through them; surprise, shock, before finally landing on further suspicion.

"Why?"

The question was forcibly torn from Merlin's lips, and seemed to surprise him as much as it surprised Balinor.

Balinor closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead with his palm.

"There has been enough death already," Balinor said. Was he really going to tell Merlin? He didn't even know him that well. "I, I lost my wife during the Purge."

The sorcerer closed his eyes, "I'm sorry, I know what that's like. To lose someone you love."

Balinor smiled sadly, they had all lost people to the Purge, and it saddened him to see someone so young lose someone close to them because of it.

"If it's alright to ask," Balinor began, "How did it happen?"

Merlin laughed, shaking his head, "It wasn't just one person, and not all of them are dead just yet."

"I -"

"Morgana," Merlin supplied, a sad smile crossing his face. "Her fear of being found and killed turned into hatred, and eventually, she just, stopped being Morgana anymore."

"Sometimes," Merlin mused, and Balinor realised that the boy wasn't really talking to him anymore, but instead staring into his hands, the words really only meant for Merlin. "I think it was harder watching her morph into something terrible than to watch Freya die. Sometimes, I think that dying would be a mercy. Once you're dead, you don't have to deal with anything anymore."

For the second time that night, Balinor's chest squeezed in pain. Here was someone, someone who had grown up in the aftermath of the Purge, and it hurt the prince, more than he could say, to hear Merlin talk like this. It made Balinor realise just how lucky he had it, yes, he had lost Hunith, but there were so many people, his people out there who could have benefited from his help. Like Merlin. Mind made up, Balinor reached over and touched the boy's hand, gently getting his attention.

"You know," he began, "if you ever want to, Deaestidria will always be open for you, if anything ever gets too much. I'm not saying that you have to take up my offer, but if you ever want to live in a place where magic is free, where you can live in freedom, Deaestidria is not too far by horse. Her doors would always be open to a young sorcerer seeking shelter."

"I, I can't," Merlin whispered back. "My life is here, I have good friends, Gaius has taken good care of me, and besides, Deaestidria would be a week's journey to my mother's village, compared to the two day journey from Camelot. I have to look after my mum and friends, they will always come first."

Balinor nodded. He really hadn't expected any other answer from the boy. Realising that he had probably overstayed his welcome, Balinor stood to exit.

"Well, if you ever change your mind, Deaestidria will still be here, otherwise, in the meantime, if you ever want to talk about magic, whilst I am here, my door will be open."

Merlin seemed to perk up at this, "I think I would enjoy speaking to a fellow mage, that is, one who isn't trying to blow my head off, or that isn't Gaius. Speaking of Gaius, weren't you going to wait for him?"

Balinor shook his head, "I have overstayed my welcome, perhaps I shall come back in the morning before the meetings begin. Goodnight, Merlin"

"Goodnight, your highness," Merlin replied.

Balinor turned from where he stood at the door, "Merlin, I wouldn't mind it at all if you called me Balinor when it is just us present."

Merlin looked shocked at this, before a wide grin spread across his features.

"Alright, then. Goodnight, Balinor."