Then…

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When Bran entered the study he met, for the first time, Camelot's new young king. Arthur stood behind his desk, smiling lightly.

"Welcome to Camelot, your royal highness." Arthur bowed. Bran's bow was deeper, as he greeted his host. "I'm glad that your majesty accepted my request to meet you."

"Please, sit. How can I help you in your quest?" Arthur was curious.

"I've tried to gain some information, sire. And I have heard of your magnificent library. I ask permission to find some answers from there." Bran said looking straight into king's eyes. Arthur leaned forward and opened his mouth when all of sudden the door was thrown open and a lanky young man rammed himself into the room.

"Arthur, I… "He started, but noticed the situation and it seemed as if he had only just figured out where he really was.

"Oh, I… sorry, I was just… it can wait… sorry…" the man tried to retreat but the king stopped him.

"God's sake Merlin, try to learn to knock, will you? Especially in this room! Now, what it is?" Arthur didn't sound angry, just annoyed.

"Oh, just, Gwaine and I… Mainly Gwaine…" the man glanced at Bran.

"Is this what you two spoke about yesterday?" Arthur asked suspiciously.

"Um… yes." Bran watched the man shift nervously between one foot to the other.

"All right. Tell Sir Gwaine that he'll just have to go there and ask if he can use it. He has my permission." Arthur sighed.

"Um… okay. And, sorry again." The man started to retreat toward the door but Arthur stopped him again.

"Merlin, you know the way to the library. Before you go with Sir Gwaine…"

The man winched.

"… Escort Prince Bran to the library. And make sure that he has a room to stay comfortably in."

"Yes sire. Your Highness." The man bowed to Bran who stood up and looked at the king.

"Thank you, sire."

"I'm sure that Geoffrey of Monmouth, our genealogist and records keeper can help you to find whatever information you seek. And, you are welcome to dine with me tonight. I want to hear more, but I'm afraid that I have some other duties now." Arthur smiled apologetically.

Bran thanked and bowed again promising to come to dinner. Then he followed the man out into the hallway.

"I'll… lead the way, sire." The man turned around once like he was identifying where he was and where to go. Then he took a wrong step to the right and almost tripped over his own foot, but found his balance quickly. "This way."

"Can I ask something?" Bran asked when he followed the man who nodded in affirmative.

"You name?"

"Ah, Merlin, sire."

"Are you a servant of the royal household?" Bran couldn't match this man with any normal servant's standard.

The man grinned. "The king's personal manservant, yes, sire. Hard to believe?"

Bran grinned too and nodded. He liked this man. There was something about him.

"You don't act like a mere servant."

Merlin looked away from him. "Mere servant, maybe not." He mumbled. They walked in silence for a while and Bran watched Merlin greeted the guards and other servants, smiling and remembering everybody's name. He managed to organize Bran's room and other things with just a couple of kind words here and there.

"Can I ask, sire." Merlin abruptly turned to look at the prince. Bran blinked.

"Yes, go ahead."

"What information you are seeking?"

"The knowledge about certain compass and where is might be." Bran answered before he even knew why he answered for the servant.

"Oh?" Merlin sounded surprised.

"It's… it's called the Golden Compass. It shows… like…what you want… most." Bran stammered.

Merlin tilted his head side to side and nodded.

"Sound great. I hope you find it. Oh, here we are. The royal library." Merlin voice sounded longing when he stared at the doors and he sighed deep. "I have to go. Gwaine is waiting. Good luck, sire."

"Thank you." Bran watched Merlin jogged away.

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Now….

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It reminded her of Uther. How he was just sitting there. Still. The atmosphere was depressing. Just as if everything was already lost. But now, there was nothing. Absolutely nothing. Merlin sat there, not moving, his face toward the window. Gwen sat beside him.

"It was kind of Arthur to give you this room. The view over Camelot, it's magnificent. Do you like it?"

No answer.

"Bran is going to be here soon. He sent a message."

Gwen put her hand over Merlin's motionless hand. How cold his skin was. Like he was dead. But she felt the heartbeat even though it was a weak.

"I… I hope you get well soon." Gwen stood up and leaned forward and placed a kiss on his forehead. But she received no reply. She could not prevent the tears anymore.

"Merlin… come back. Wherever you are. Come back to us." She begged quietly.

But there was no answer from Merlin.

Only the silence and Gwen's sobbing.

Merlin's empty eyes watched the sky behind the window.

Oh, in this chap, hint of Supernatural, Golden compass and Pirates of the Carribean LOL.