Sir Donalt had left the next morning and Merlin felt a mix of dred and uncertainty. He was sure something was going to happen. After all there had to be a reason King Olaf had wanted it confirmed that he was Lady Vivian's soulmate, but he couldn't think of anything good that could come of it and it had him on edge.

The weeks passed and Arthur hadn't bugged him too much about Lady Vivian and didn't seem to know what to make of the whole situation.

Merlin had just returned from walking Arthur's dog's when saw Gwen hurrying towards him.

"Hey Gwen." He greeted her. "How are you?"

"I'm doing well. Thank you." She smiled. "Arthur is looking for you. He seemed worried."

"Worried?" Merlin asked. "Has something happened?"

"I don't know. He wouldn't say." Gwen said as they headed up the palace steps. "But I've heard King Uther had a letter from King Olaf of Norge and with the visit from Sir Donalt a few weeks ago, I think it might have to do with that. Merlin are you alright? You look pale" This last part she added when she realized Merlin had stopped suddenly.

"How worried did Arthur look?" Merlin asked, when he had regained his voice.

"Not too worried." Gwen assured. "Just like he has something on his mind that he's unsure about."

"So not like he's afraid someone's going to die, right?" Merlin asked. Even though Sir Donalt had implied that King Olaf would allow Merlin to marry Lady Vivian if they were soulmates. Merlin was not convinced that King Olaf wouldn't just decide he wanted Merlin's head and be done with the whole thing. After all he had seen the King's reaction to Lady Vivian and Aruthr and he knew he was not even close to a match in a duel if it came down to it. Because as much as Aruthr tried to train him, he had never made much progress with the sword.

"Not all." Gwen said, alarmed. "Why would someone be going to die?"

"Uh, no reason." Merlin said hurrying past her. "I'm probably just overreacting. It will be fine. I hope." this last bit he muttered under his breath and Gwen didn't catch it.

"Merlin, are you sure you're alright?" Gwen asked as she caught up with him, grabbing his arm to turn him towards where Arthur was waiting.

"No, but it's fine." Merlin said and Gwen let it go at least for now.

Arthur stood up as they entered the small office room.

"Gwen said there was a letter from Norge." Merlin said before Aruthr could open his mouth. "How bad is it?"

The questioning look Arthur gave him before glancing at Gwen, confirmed that it was about what he thought it was about as Arthur silently asked him if he wanted to have this conversion in front of Gwen.

"It's alright." Merlin said. "I'm sure she'll find out soon enough."

"Well alright then." Arthur said. "It's not as bad as I'm sure you feared."

"So King Olaf doesn't want to kill me?"

"I'm sure he does, but he won't." Arthur said. "He will be arriving next week with Lady Vivian and she will be staying for the foreseeable future under the care of Sir Donalt."

"That's it? She's just going to be staying here?" Merlin asked. "That's not too bad then. It's not like she wants anything to do with me."

"I wouldn't be so sure." Arthur said, holding out a letter to him. "This was enclosed in the letter to my father."

Merlin quickly scanned the contents. In short it said that King Olaf was granting his permission for Merlin to court Lady Vivian, but that if he hurt her in any way, he would end him.

"I don't even want to court her." Merlin said. "If he doesn't want his daughter with a servant, why is he even allowing this?"

"I don't know." Arthur said, sighing. "But at least it's your mess and not mine."

Merlin glared at him. "You're no help."

"What's going on?" Gwen asked, very confused.