'My Lord?'

'Ah, Thalia. Worrying news.'

'What is it?'

'There is a very dangerous sorcerer in the outer regions.'

'Evil? By my standards, that is. What have they done?'

'They have killed half a village and taken all the possessions worth anything.'

'Evil then.'

'Indeed. I trust only you to deal with this and make it out alive. If you think you can do it I want you to take them out.'

'Of course, My Lord. Do I have your blessing to use magic?'

'Yes, of course. But be careful not to be noticed.'

'As always. When would you have me leave?'

Uther looked out of the window at the setting sun. 'Tomorrow after breakfast. We can't have you running off without food.'

'Very well. Leave it to me.'

Arthur was walking back to his chambers when he saw someone he could recognise a mile off ahead of him in the corridor.

'Thalia!'

'Arthur.'

'I hear you were leaving for the outer regions tomorrow. Is this true?'

'It is, yes. There's a dangerous sorcerer there.'

'Well… please be careful.' Arthur looked down.

Thalia smiled and put a hand on his shoulder. 'Arthur, I always am.'

He smiled at her deeply. 'No you're not, you're reckless.'

Merlin walked round the corner but stopped dead in his tracks and stepped into the shadows when he saw Thalia and Arthur talking. With a cheeky grin he noticed she had a hand on his shoulder and strained to hear what they were saying.

'And you're not?'

'Eeeeehh… True. Just don't go dying on me, will you?'

'Why on Earth would I do that?'

'I don't know; you're a mystery to me.'

Thalia laughed softly. 'No I'm not, stop being such a romantic.'

Merlin's grin grew wider.

'I am not!'

'Yeees you are.'

'I'm not!'

'Arthur.'

He looked at her cheeky and entertained expression. 'Oh, fine. … But what if I am?'

'Hmm, I don't know. It is strange for you though. Perhaps you are tired. Have you eaten this evening?'

'Would you stop teasing me?' he laughed.

She laughed as well. 'Now, now, my dear Arthur. Why would I do that?'

'What, tease me?'

'No, stop.'

They laughed more and Merlin couldn't help but let a giggle out. This was borderline flirting, though perhaps they couldn't see it.

'Well at least with you away I will be able to be free of such teasing.'

'Hmm, perhaps. Or I could simply pass my honourable duties to Merlin.'

'Ugh, no thanks. He's as cheeky as it is already.'

Thalia hummed. 'Mm, true. Now I'm off to pack. Good evening, Arthur.'

They both inclined their heads. 'Good evening, Thalia.'

Merlin prayed Thalia wouldn't see him hiding in a tapestry but as she went past she of course did.

'Merlin?'

'Hi!'

Arthur paused, hearing them. Was Merlin there? He turned and crept back to them.

She rolled her eyes. 'What are you doing?'

'Going to Arthur's chambers.'

'So why are you hiding in a tapestry?'

'… … … um… … ahh… hmm…'

'Yes?'

Merlin shook his head. 'Nope, I've got nothing.'

Another eye roll. 'Right.' She continued walking and Merlin saw an opportunity. He leapt to her side and walked with her.

'So you know Arthur quite well, then?'

'Yes.'

'For… how long?'

'Since we were 15.'

'Ah, I see. And were you ever in love?'

'What?'

'Well you two seem pretty happy.'

'Mm.'

'Well…?'

'What do you mean "in love"?'

Merlin's face lit up. 'So you are!'

'I never said that.' They stopped outside her door. Arthur hid in a crevice in the wall with a confused frown on his face. How the hell did this conversation even start?

'Well did you ever kiss him?'

'No…' Thalia tilted her head to tell Merlin she found his mood very strange.

'Did you want to?'

Arthur raised his eyebrows.

'Merlin…' The look she had on her face was so much like the one Arthur often wore when dealing with him startled Merlin. 'What do you want?'

'Oh my god, that's so much like Arthur.'

'Yes, I know. Now answer my question.'

'I want to know if you love Arthur.'

'Of course I do.'

Merlin blinked before getting her meaning. 'No! I mean, I know you're close but do you love him in a romantic way?'

Thalia gave Merlin a look and Merlin lifted his head in a silent; 'Oooooooooooooohhhh…' Then Thalia raised an eyebrow and shook her head slowly, marvelling at the

warlock.

Merlin laughed.

Arthur couldn't see the look she gave him but Merlin laughed sheepishly. For some reason he couldn't place, the corners of his mouth twitched up for a moment