Can I Keep You?

Chapter 16

"Your highness, Lady Merlin is here to see you..."

Arthur looked up bright-eyed yet curious at the attendant knocking at his study. The young king was more than thrilled to have the man invite her in, but had to admit he was curious as to why she was there. She had said the sins were going to be using the library for some time and looking out the window, he could see that it was only late afternoon...

The attendant left and returned quickly, waving in the tall sultry mage with his hand before closing the door securely behind him to ensure their privacy. She approached unceremoniously as she was known to do, but didn't seem herself. For anyone else, she would have looked thoughtful. Arthur knew her better than that. He had spent the better of the last ten years under her instruction, and that decade had been long enough for him to pick up on the subtle cues.

The way her mouth quirked downwards into the slightest hint of a frown, eyes that usually shone with mischief (most times at his expense) tinted a shade darker... something was troubling her.

"Merlin, were the sins able to find the information you were looking for?" he asked casually, pressing to open her up about whatever made her look so anxious. Some small part of him hoping that he could help them in any way.

Those golden eyes met his, and for a second it looked like she was trying to choose her words carefully before speaking, "Yes... but that isn't why I'm here. Arthur, would you mind too terribly if the sins stayed here at the castle for the night?"

Was this what she was so worried about?

A smile stretched across his face as he outstretched his arms as if to include the entire kingdom, "Of course! My home is your home! I will have separate bed chambers made for all of you!" Arthur's face fell a moment as he thought about the request, "May I ask what happened to your usual arrangement? The tavern?"

Merlin gave him a soft grin that seemed to hide some deeper meaning that Arthur couldn't guess at, "It's otherwise occupied for the evening. We'll only need two rooms. Please do not trouble yourself-"

Arthur cut her off with a wave of his hand and his usual smile, "Nonsense. I will make you all comfortable as my honored guests."

The raven-haired mage rolled her cat-like eyes and turned on her black thigh-high boots to leave and Arthur noted that she seemed more herself now. Perhaps she had been worried about their lodging for the night. It was then that Merlin turned and called over her shoulder with a wave before leaving the study, "Oh and, by the way, the library has a new entrance."

"A new... entrance?" Arthur asked to the emptiness that was left by the mage exiting.

Merlin walked thoughtfully down the long hallway leading away from Arthur's study and towards where she had left the others, listening to the sound that her heels made as she stepped on marbled floors. Those clacks allowed her a tempo at which to organize her thoughts, as there was PLENTY to consider.

First and foremost, the state of the grand library. She had done what she could with her magic, but even that was not enough to repair some of the damage that had been done. She would have to explain further to Arthur later... right now wasn't the time to bring up THAT point to the young king.

But, it was time for her to consider it for herself...

Despite her many warnings, the captain of the sins had lost control... luckily for them it was in reaction to Ban. She wasn't sure anyone else could have survived that blow. But it begged the question: who would be next? Who would be unfortunate enough to light his short fuse?

Ban's point had been fair. All of the sins, including herself – believe it or not, wanted the princess to remember her past. The princess was a valued member of their group – a friend. The only one who could keep them from dying at any given point. She had been instrumental in the fight against not only the wayward Holy Knights but the Ten Commandments as well.