"Defend! Defend!"

Arthur's advice to Merlin fell on deaf ears as the dark haired man swung his sword wildly around him, the sound of the metal swirling in mid-air. He managed to get in a few good knocks on Arthur's armour which resonated throughout the grounds with a clink - that was the only way Merlin realised he had hit anything - but he was not seeing to his own safety at all. Arthur caught Merlin in the chest a fair few times without him knowing, leaving the servant with half his armour hanging limply off his shoulders and making it extremely difficult for him to do anything apart from growl in annoyance. The Prince, cursing beneath his helmet at his challenger's idiocy, lunged to finish Merlin off - in his haste and panic to avoid Arthur's blade Merlin brought his own sword up harder than expected. One unplanned flash of the warlock's eyes and Arthur's sword flew into the air landing several hundred yards behind him, leaving the Prince to stand helplessly, annoyed and miffed at what had just happened. Now came the panic Merlin had become used to, watching Arthur take off his helmet and searching for the feared reaction of realisation, horror and loathing... but once again it didn't come.

"Either you just grew a bicep or that was an incredible fluke."

No suspicions over magic, that was a nice sign. Breathing a sigh of relief Merlin took off his own helmet and grinned at his friend. "Maybe I'm just that good."

Arthur gave a small laugh and shook his head. "I wouldn't try your luck, Merlin. But whilst you're celebrating your one - and only - victory, why don't you go and fetch my weapon? And try to be back before sunset, I'll miss my father's birthday otherwise..."

"W...." Unable to argue, Merlin again met this order with dignity and strolled off to do his bidding. Sometimes it seemed the world liked to laugh at him: oh, use your magic in a fluke, Merlin, beat your master... now create more work for yourself by walking half the length of the castle whilst the Poncy Prince folds his arms and watches your every move with his smug.... smugness. Not that he minded a great deal. He was used to playing fetch, this was his job, and he could have been doing something worse. Going over anatomy with Gaius again sprang to mind, along with the slight resentment which came with it. He had been living in the room besides Arthur's for three nights now, and though the daily routine remained the same he missed the times where he could escape and moan about the Prince without the danger of him overhearing. At least Gwen was around more often to chat to, and Morgana passed his way when she was retiring to her quarters. He hadn't realised how many guards there were lurking in those corridors, it was a wonder Arthur needed him at all....

The sword was buried deep within the thicket, cast upon a holly bush which had seemed to ensnare the metal and keep it for its own. Braving a few cuts and snags from the leaves, Merlin managed to retrieve it without much fuss but as he drew himself upright the horrid feeling of something watching him was suddenly upon him. Sensing it wasn't Arthur, Merlin grasped the sword's handle and turned as sharply as he could - there stood Théa, all green robes and dark hair which was still neatly pinned back, allowing the remaining tresses to fall down her shoulders. She didn't startle as he spun around. Instead she offered a laugh.

"How did you know I was here? I was quiet as a mouse."

Merlin thought this an obvious question. "I felt you... "

Théa's tiny smile wavered a little. "Sorry... I didn't mean to creep up but I was picking some flowers for Gaius and I saw you here. I wanted to speak to you, if you have a moment..."

Merlin tried to appear indifferent and looked towards Arthur who had obviously noticed his servant had been gone a long time. Merlin gestured at the approaching Prince with an apologetic shrug. "Ohh sorry, I am kind of in the middle of sparring with Arthur... he has to practice today, we've been out of combat for a while..."

"Oh... of course."

Théa's look of disappointment was so crushing Merlin felt his insides pang that he'd made her look like that. She obviously suspected - and quite rightly so - that Merlin was making excuses not to spend time with her. In her mind she thought it natural, but Merlin instantly felt bad about it.

"Y... you know - I'm sure I can spare a minute," he said, hoping he didn't regret it. "What can I do for you?"

With the atmosphere lifted Théa smiled brighter then looked rather sincerely at him. "It's more a matter of what I can do for you... I am so sorry that you had to move... if I'd had any idea I'd be usurping you from your position I would have not asked for such a rich request. I would really like to try and make it up to you..."

Her apology was unexpected and though Merlin had been ready to brush it off he found himself more touched than he ought to have been. "Think nothing of it," he replied, waving his hand as if it meant little to him, quoting Gaius in his head. Théa went to reply but Merlin cut her off. "Truly, it was probably for the best. I was not learning anything about science or healing from Gaius, I was probably the worst student in the world, all that reading. It was enough for me."

Looking sceptical, Théa narrowed her eyes at him from behind her suspicious smile. "Are you sure? I wouldn't want there to be any animosity beteween us so early on. From what I can tell Gaius is very fond of you, I'd hate to - "

"Honestly." Merlin seemed to calm her concerns. Théa seemed pleased and so did the warlock. Perhaps he had judged her too quickly? She seemed friendly enough, she was cheerful but not overly eager and she was sincere in her apologies - plus, her smile seemed to have this way of soothing your insides.... "How are you settling in to Camelot?"

Having obviously not been asked this question before Théa took her time while answering. "It's different. I keep expecting to wake up in some strange field with my company's tents nearby... but I suppose I'm just finding my feet. I haven't really explored the city, nor talked to anyone. Gaius is wonderful but there are times when I need to speak to..."

"People your own age?"

Théa laughed. "Yes. And people who don't go on about the mysteries of the elbow for quite so long..."

"Merlin!"

Arthur's call echoed through the thicket and through his laughter Merlin looked to the Prince who was gesturing for him to get a move on. Disappointed that their little time together was coming to an end Théa gave Merlin a rueful look. "Sorry. I've kept you far too long."

"No, it's fine..." After a moment Merlin braved a spur of the moment suggestion before he headed back to Arthur. "There's a feast in honour of the King tonight. Are you going?"

"I wouldn't want to intrude on such a personal event - "

"Nonsense. Gaius is going just tag along with him. We'd love to have you there, you can't be left out. If anyone says anything about it just blame me... that seems to work quite well."

Théa's eyes brightened and though Arthur insisted on calling after Merlin it wasn't until she nodded in agreement that his manservant began to walk back. "I'll see you there then!"

Merlin made his way up the hill towards the Prince with extra bounce. Arthur had watched the exchange in the thicket in a mixture of confusion and agitation. Here was Merlin, speaking to the woman who he had sworn to hate forever, whilst he was supposed to be doing his job. With his hands on his hips as the man approached, Arthur instantly took to questioning him.

"What were you speaking with her for? I thought you didn't like her."

Merlin simply beamed. "I invited her to the feast tonight..."

"Why?" The look of confusion on the Prince's face was quite amusing but Merlin ignored him with a shrug.

"She's new. It's only fair."

Taking his sword from Merlin Arthur rolled his eyes and promptly bonked the hilt of it on Merlin's head. "Put your eyeballs back in, we've got training to do."

Cutting off the time for any form of retort Arthur stepped away to restart their practice whilst Merlin was left to grumble to himself.