The Secret Kingdom

Letting Go

The entire court had gathered outside early the next morning to send off the company of elves. Merlin stood next to Arthur on the steps of the castle, trying not to look at Elia, for just the sight of her was enough to cause pain.

"I look forward to moving forward in our alliance," Elia said, smiling at Arthur as she bowed.

"May you have a safe journey home," he replied.

Elia nodded and turned, walking to her horse. She then mounted and shouted out instructions before leading the company out of the courtyard and towards the gates, not once meeting Merlin's eyes.

As soon as they had left, everyone moved back into the palace with Merlin following Arthur. As he passed by Alrich, he couldn't help but overhear the old man grumbling to himself.

"Nothing will make him happy," Arthur said with a slight roll of his eyes.

"Seems that way," Merlin said halfheartedly.

Arthur glanced at him, looking as though he were concerned though Merlin wasn't sure why. The two continued walking until they reached Arthur's chambers and Merlin began moving around, gathering up the various clothing items that he had left the night before to take to the washing.

Arthur moved over to the table and sat, still watching Merlin closely.

"What is it?" Arthur asked with a heavy sigh.

Merlin stopped his work and looked over at his friend.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"You're obviously out of sorts. Did something happen?" Arthur asked, glancing down at the documents spread out around the table.

Merlin thought for a moment, wondering what he should say. He very well couldn't admit to Arthur that he had feelings for Elia. Nor that she had rebuffed him. Though he still had thoughts about that.

First of all, he wasn't even sure if Arthur would believe him. Then if he did, Merlin wasn't sure he could handle a lecture at the moment. Add his embarrassment on top of that and he just wanted to put the whole damn thing behind him.

"It's nothing... just... seems a bit boring with the elves gone," he replied, returning to his work.

Arthur continued to study him.

"They were only here but a short time," he replied. "Unless... you did have a secret meeting with a young elf maiden..."

Merlin froze and then looked over at Arthur again, who was smiling slightly.

"That's not it at all," Merlin said quickly. "When would I have time for that?"

"Oh, I don't know, probably whenever you were supposed to be working. Or when you said you were in your rooms with Gaius, but you weren't," Arthur said, returning his attention to the documents. "Was it that lady's maid? The one with the dark hair? Fianna? Noticed you seemed to get on with her."

"I... no," Merlin said, frowning slightly before returning to his work.

"There's absolutely nothing wrong with fancying her," Arthur said.

"But I don't-"

"And it's not like we'll never see them again, Merlin. Now that we've opened trade and relations with their kingdom, we'll likely see them a lot," Arthur said.

"I know," Merlin replied again, stopping to look around the rooms for anything he might have missed. He could feel the king watching him and needed to appear busy. "Anything else to be washed?"

"No, that's all," Arthur said.

"Very well, I'll just take these down and get started," Merlin replied with a brief smile before he turned and walked out of the room.