Perhaps that was why they bickered so much--because there was always a part of Merlin that Arthur could not understand, that he had to hide away. And yet-- "I am more fond of you than anyone I have ever met," Merlin admitted. "I thought you knew that." Everything I do is for you, he thought, wishing yet again that Arthur could read his mind. Wouldn't it all be easier if he just told him? Everything I am exists to protect you. He was fond of Arthur the way he was fond of the sun, of the air he breathed: it was not a choice. It was destiny.

The last time Merlin had seen Morgana, he had sent her away to meet with the Druids, hoping this might help her to better understand her magic. What he had not accounted for was that King Uther would declare her kidnapped and start threatening every magic user in the land until she was "returned" safely. He had planned to set out that night to find her, to beg her to come back--only he never made it that far. One second, he had been in his room, packing his things with Gaius, and the next, he was standing on a sunny beach in a land he'd never seen before, staring out over a strange city he'd never even heard of. And, when he'd finally found Morgana, she had not seemed overly pleased to see him. "Was this your doing?" he asked her. He placed his hands on his hips, looking curiously around the town square. "Quite a big spell, taking us both to--where are we, exactly? Did the druids teach you this?"

"Not bad accommodations this, is it?" Merlin laid back, folding his arms behind his head, as the heat of spring sunlight streamed down upon his face. "No pots to clean, no horses to ready, no Arthur barking for someone to tie his royal shoes. Freedom, as far as the eye can see. Peace and quiet." Despite the goofy grin on his face and his laid back attitude, the inside of Merlin's mind was far more tumultuous: where was Arthur, and how had he, Gwen, and Morgana come to this land in the first place? Where was Gaius? Merlin was sure he'd cast no teleporting spells, which could only mean there was another sorcerer hiding. Had they taken Arthur in the process? How was Merlin meant to fulfill his destiny if his destiny was not present? Yet, he couldn't deny he'd needed a day off work, and this mysterious place was far from punishing--so far.