A warm smile is the universal language of Kindness.

-William Arthur Ward

Merlin was weird. It wasn't an insult or a compliment, it was simply a fact. Everyone who met Merlin knew. There was just something about him. For some, it was apparent in the fact that he always stopped to help those in need, regardless of his own personal problems. Or that he somehow memorized the names of all of his co-workers, the rather large number of people that Merlin called friends ever growing in size. It was his cheeky, insubordinate attitude whenever he was in Arthurs presence or his ridiculous choice of attire that allowed anyone to recognize him from a courtyard away. It was his strange sense of humor and the way he made all the children laugh whenever they saw him.

But most importantly, In Arthurs opinion at least, it was his smile.

Merlins smile was one of the most amazing things Arthur had ever seen. Just one flash of that smile and crying children were placated, stressed servants went merrily on their way, and grumpy nobles hurried along, hiding their heads in order to disguise their laughter. Truly, Merlin's smile worked miracles. It embodied that something that Arthur had seen the day they met.

Arthur remembered clearly the surprise he had felt the first time he met Merlin. A cheeky, smiling peasant willing to stand up to a prince? It was unheard of. And as Arthur had walked away that first day, having just sent Merlin to the dungeons for insubordination, he couldn't seem to stop smiling at that goofy grin Merlin had given the guards as he'd been dragged away.

It was moments like those that made life worth living. Arthur thought decidedly, shaking his head slightly and laughing as he looked through his window to see Merlin bump into a kitchen maid, help her pick up her basket of apples, and then flash her one of those smiles as he hurried back on his way.

Leaving a blushing maid staring after him.