A/N: Okay, so I honestly intended to just write whatever most people asked for (and there was a clear 'winner'), but instead my brain just kind of mushed things together and spit this out. It's... almost what you wanted... kind of... okay, so it's more like an inverse sort of thing but hopefully you'll enjoy it anyway? (Or at least not be horrified)

Nance: I forgot to thank you last chapter for those nice reviews you left! Thank you :) I'll put that on my CV: "Should have been hired to write Merlin" ^_~

Of course he knew that would never be enough for Arthur; but he had absolutely no idea how to explain this. He hadn't even known what to think himself when Freya told him her power had grown to the point where she could be reincarnated – never mind his reaction when she had emerged from the lake as a toddler.

She didn't properly remember her previous life and might never be able to, but it was clear she felt an attachment to Merlin. The sodden girl had promptly latched onto his legs and demanded he give her a new name.

"Zoe" he had called her; "life".

At first he had secreted her in Gwen's old house, knowing no one used it aside from the queen's rare visits. A couple days later he had called in a couple favors and obtained a small home recently vacated by the innkeeper's daughter. He would have to talk Gwaine into paying his tab at the Rising Sun, but it was a small price to pay. Well, not for Gwaine...

Merlin cut a corner too close, clipping his elbow on the wall and barely managing to keep hold of the dishes.

Right; focus on the matter at hand.

What to tell Arthur?

"So she's not yours."

Merlin frowned, hugging Zoe closer.

"Of course she is."

"No, I mean – you know what I mean!" The king blushed slightly, looking away. "Leave it to you to take in some stray infant abandoned in the forest. You know, you really should have told me – we could have found some suitable place for her."

"This is a suitable place."

Child and surrogate father looked at the king with fierce eyes, Merlin having shifted as if to protect Zoe from anyone who dared try to take her.

"Well, I can see you've bonded..." and the two really looked like family despite the short time they had spent together, "but don't think this will earn you that time off you're always on about."

"I wouldn't expect it," the servant agreed, relaxing his grip as Zoe squirmed, working her way down to the floor before walking over to the king and hugging his leg.

"She is rather... sweet." Arthur patted the little girl's head.

Merlin smiled brilliantly.

"That she is."