Arthur guided Merlin out into the courtyard and to the stables, where Llamrei greeted them both with a happy wicker. The horse blew warm air across Merlin's cheeks as the dark haired man stroked a hand up his nose. The stables were warm, dust floating in the sun like tiny jewels, and smelled of fresh hay. There were other people in the stables, workers seeing to the horses, and Merlin gave Arthur a huge smile rather than risk talking. The prince seemed to understand, grinning back at Merlin and fishing an apple out of his jacket. Arthur leaned against the wooden walls of Llamrei's box and took out the dagger he kept in his boot to cut the fruit into pieces. The horse delicately plucked the apple wedges from Merlin's hand, soft lips dancing over his palm. Merlin laughed and ran his free hand through the long mane.

They left the stable under the eye of an impatient stable master and wandered back into the castle. They walked through the Royal Hall with its long tables and huge central fireplace. There was a single maid sweeping the floor as Arthur pointed up at the large flags hanging from the arched ceiling, naming the family crests of allies and extended portions of his family. Hanging on the wall above the table where the King and Prince sat was the flag with the red dragon that was the Pendragon crest and standard. Merlin had seen it on the tunic of the Knights the second day he'd been in Camelot. The tall narrow windows of the Royal Hall were capped with panes of colored glass and threw blocks of red across the floor.

The Throne Room was empty when they peeked in. Arthur showed Merlin the polished wooden floors and the two chairs where he and his Father sat when having Court. "We hear complaints and issues on the first Monday of every month," said Arthur, watching Merlin lay a finger on the carved wood of his chair. It had been worn smooth over time and was polished to a shine. "It's incredibly boring and I hear a lot about cows for some reason." Merlin laughed at Arthur's whining, unsympathetic with the prince.

They went down to the kitchen for some food, bouncing down the stairs past startled servants. The huge room had a low ceiling and was incredibly busy. The head cook was a round woman who wielded a spoon like a short sword. She scowled at a young worker that had just dropped some potatoes on the floor and then smiled at Arthur and Merlin, tutting over them. The woman gave them some crumbly honey cakes that had just come from the oven before ordering them out and Merlin was reminded horribly of Lettie. They escaped out into the vegetable patch and emerged onto the outer bailey as Merlin fought back tears and ate his cake.

The outer bailey was tucked up against the back of the castle and the outer most wall. Several men were practicing on the green grass and Merlin scanned them for familiar faces. He spotted Gawain on the green, swinging a mace around his head casually. The elder Knight swung at Percival and the curly haired man was forced to fall back on the ground to avoid the weapon. Arthur winced and groaned. "He's never going to be able to fight with a mace at this rate." Merlin laughed and both Knights looked up.

Percival waved from the ground, a sheepish grin on his face like he knew what Arthur was saying about him. Gawain grinned and swung the mace in their direction, even though they were yards away. "Away with you!" he yelled playfully. Arthur and Merlin ran across the gravel walkway and back into the castle with smiles on their faces. The prince turned into the door of a tower and Merlin followed him up the stairs breathlessly. They emerged at the top, startling a guard whose yell disappeared into the wind. Arthur grabbed Merlin's hand and raced down the battlements, running along the top of the wall.

Merlin clutched at the prince as the wind pulled at his hair and clothing. The people down in the town looked like toys from that high, as if a person could reach down and pick them up. The buildings of the town flowed to the protective wall around the city and then the sweeping green of the farms and meadows spread out around them until the edge of the forest. "Wow!" cried Merlin, the red flower he produced flying into the wind. They raced past another guard, who just cocked an eyebrow at the prince and dark haired man while leaning on his pike. They plunged through the doorway of another tower and collapsed on the stairs, laughing and ears ringing from the wind.

"Oh, my Father is going to kill me," Arthur said between gulps of air. "That was decidedly un-prince like." Merlin giggled at Arthur's words, squeezing the prince's hand still in his. Arthur gave an answering laugh and leaned against the wall. He grinned at Merlin, excited from the run and laughing. Merlin's smile softened at the happy flush on Arthur's cheeks, thinking he'd never seen the blond looking so…well, young before. It suited him. "What?" asked Arthur. Merlin shook his head with a calmer smile, squeezing Arthur's hand again. The prince seemed to start and slipped his hand from Merlin's, gaze jumping around the stairway. "Do you want to see the gardens?" he asked, standing. Merlin nodded, following the blond down the tower stairs at a calmer pace than they had raced up.

A long arcade led out to the gardens, the archways cool and shady. The end of the arcade was wreathed in a creeping pale pink rose that hung above their heads in a heavy curtain. A few steps lead down to a wide gravel pathway that wandered into a low clipped hedge in square patterns, a splashing fountain in the center. A row of clipped topiaries edged the white pathway to the right, leading into a terraced landscape of roses in many colors. The fragrance of the flowers drifted on the air and birds sang in the tall trees along the wall. Arthur and Merlin crunched down the pathway through the roses, bees buzzing in the air and colorful butterflies floating above the blooms.

An arbor hung heavy with grape vine shaded a lane beneath and hid a pale marble statue of a woman. They walked through it and out onto a patio under a tall tree. Merlin sat on a stone bench, the seat cool to the touch, and thought it secluded enough to speak. "Your gardens are very nice," he said quietly. The coins and gems of the fairy gift fell to the ground and lay like colorful autumn leaves.

Arthur reached for a white lily growing on the other side of the patio but let his hand fall without touching it. "Thank you," he said, coming to sit beside Merlin. "Father never comes to the gardens but he has them maintained to keep up appearances."

Merlin's smile faltered a little at the mention of the King. "Do you not like them?" he asked.

Arthur looked around the little patio and shrugged. "I guess so. I never spent much time here before." Merlin thought about the garden back at Ealdor Manor and the many hours he'd spent reading there. It had been the only peace he'd ever had while living there. He must have looked sad because Arthur grabbed his hand and squeezed. "Now, what is that look for? What's wrong?"

Merlin's smile curled at the corner of his lips and he shook his head. "It's nothing." Arthur scowled at him, not liking the answer. "The gardens here are very colorful. I like them very much," said Merlin to distract the blond. They both ignored the coins and gems bouncing around their feet.

Arthur glanced around the patio at the bright red trumpet flowers hanging from a trellis. "I suppose so. There is a lot of red." Merlin laughed at this and Arthur grinned, pleased with himself for some reason he couldn't understand. Arthur squeezed the hand he was holding and Merlin sent him a fond smile.

Perhaps it was the seclusion of the small patio or perhaps it was some message sent between their fingertips but just like in Arthur's bedroom they swayed near each other. For a moment they hung there, suspended in the scent of flowers and the roar of a butterfly's wings. Then Arthur tilted his head just enough and Merlin's eyes slid closed and the world swung on a red string as their lips lightly touched. It was a soft touch, the memory, the dream of a kiss. The fingers of their hands laced and their palms pressed together. The kiss deepened, Arthur's other hand coming up to cup Merlin's cheek. They pressed together tightly, a sigh with the hesitant touch of tongues and the first stirrings of desire.

A screech of some annoying bird and the sound of running footsteps broke them apart. Arthur pulled away with a gasp, eyes flying toward the arbor. They jumped to their feet and kicked the coins and gems from Merlin speaking into the ferns. A messenger in Camelot livery appeared from the lane, eyes landing on the two young men. "My lords," said the page. He seemed not to notice the flushed faces of Arthur or Merlin. "Lady Nimueh from Ealdor has arrived and is requesting to see her son, Lord Merlin. King Uther is demanding the both of you come to the Throne Room at once."

Merlin's eyes widened and his face went white. Arthur grabbed his shoulder to keep him upright. "We'll be there in a moment," Arthur told the page tightly. The boy nodded before disappearing up the lane. Merlin swayed, looking around the patio in a blind panic. Arthur caught both shoulders and turned the dark haired man to face him. "Merlin! Merlin, listen to me! It will be alright. I won't let anything happen to you." Merlin looked at him with stunned eyes, trembling in shock. "Do you understand me? I'm here for you!" Merlin's mouth flopped open and closed and he nodded jerkily. Arthur pressed his lips to Merlin's pale cheek and then propelled the both of them through the arbor and back to the castle. They had to hurry before Nimueh said or did something they'd all regret.

Merlin stumbled along with Arthur, clutching the prince's arm as his head swam. His mother was here, bringing with her the memory of fear and sadness. What if she told the King about the fairy gift? What would King Uther do to him if he found out that coins and gems fell from his mouth when he spoke? Merlin felt bile rise in his throat and swallowed it down. What if she demanded he return with her to Ealdor Manor? He didn't want to leave, this was his home now. Spots began to dance around the edges of his vision.

Arthur led Merlin to the Throne Room. The room was crowded with Court members, their low whispers filling the corners where they stood. His father sat in the large chair at the front of the room and Arthur bowed to him, grabbing Merlin's elbow and guiding him through a similar motion. "Father," he greeted. The prince's eyes flew to where Lancelot and Kay stood tense nearby, a worried Gaius next to them, and then landed on the two people standing in the center of the room. The woman, Nimueh, was lovely and stood calmly. Arthur noted the dark hair and blue eyes, so like Merlin's own. Another young man stood slightly behind her, dark head bowed and staring at the floor. He was pale and wane and Arthur assumed this was the elder brother. "Lady Nimueh," he greeted, feeling Merlin begin to tremble harder

"The Lady Nimueh has given me a strange tale, Arthur," said Uther casually. Arthur felt his shoulders tighten. "She claims that Lord Merlin ran away from her house after a regrettable incidence with a maid." Merlin froze, his heart burning cold. He doubted that the story his mother had told was the truth and wondered what awful thing the King now thought he'd done. "She's come to take him back home," the King said blandly.

Now Nimueh threw her arms wide and strode up to Merlin. "Son!" she cried happily. The woman grabbed Merlin's hands and yanked him forward, away from Arthur. "I've missed you so! I'm so happy you're safe. We must really thank His Majesty for taking such good care of you." Nimueh glanced at Uther with a smile and the King waved a benevolent hand. Among the onlookers, Kay laid a hand on his sword and Gareth muttered something unseemly. Merlin stared at his mother like a rabbit stares at a fox. Nimueh kept smiling, a gleam in her eyes. "Aren't you going to greet me, Merlin?" she asked. Merlin helplessly shook his head, trying to step back. Nimueh pressed her nails into the soft flesh of Merlin's wrists, making him flinch.

"He is merely overcome, milady. Merlin will recover soon," said Arthur, taking a step nearer to the pair.

Nimueh shook her head, reaching up to cup Merlin's cheek. She dug her nails into the skin below his hair. "Nonsense!" she cried. "The least he can do it say hello. Say hello, Merlin." The dark haired man remained silent, leaning away from her. Nimueh's face darkened and to everyone's surprise she suddenly slapped Merlin. A mutter rippled through the Court, the people shifting. "Say something!" yelled Nimueh, jerking Merlin forward.

"Lady Nimueh," barked Uther in warning.

Another slap rang through the room, turning Merlin's cheek bright red. "Speak!" screamed Nimueh. Several people strode forward to intervene, including Arthur. Nimueh screamed in anger, grabbing Merlin's hair and jerking his head back. She shook him, blood dripping from where her nails dug into his wrist and gouged the skin.

"Let go! You're hurting me!" Both Nimueh and Merlin froze as the words flew from his lips. They stared at each other and then Nimueh looked down at the floor. There were no gold or silver coins. She saw no sparkling gem or gleaming crystal on the ground. No beautiful bloom lay on the wood.

Nimueh shook her head. "No! What have you done?" she screamed. "Where are the coins? The gems! Where are they?"

The woman shook Merlin again, hand tight in his hair. "Let me go!" he cried. Again, nothing fell from his lips but sound. No evidence of the fairy gift fell to the floor. Nimueh screamed, the sound of a crazed beast, and then there was the flash of a blade in her hand. Arthur flew forward, knocking aside Nimueh's arm and deflecting the dagger.

"Guards! Restrain her!" roared Uther as the Throne Room erupted in noise. Court members rushed for the door as several guards dragged Nimueh away from her son and the prince. The woman screamed and raved, writhing in their grip. She yelled repeatedly that coins and gems fell from her son's mouth. She screamed that they were hers and nobody had better touch them. Nimueh demanded Merlin stop hiding the fairy gift and speak. People muttered about insanity as the guards dragged her away. The screaming echoed around the castle and Merlin put his hands over his ears as Arthur guided him out of the Throne Room. No one noticed the other dark haired man Nimueh arrived with fall to his knees and start to sob quietly.

Arthur burst into a parlor room and Merlin fell onto a couch, face white except for where Nimueh had struck him. "What happened?" exclaimed Arthur.

"I don't know!" cried Merlin. He looked down on the cushions but nothing appeared.

Gaius hurried into the room, Lancelot and Kay hot on his heels. "When did you figure out a way to stop the fairy gift?" asked the physician.

"We didn't!" shouted Arthur.

"We've been wandering around the castle all day and the last time I spoke I still had the fairy gift," said Merlin, touching his lips and feeling nothing but air from his words. Arthur dropped onto the couch next to him and Merlin grabbed his hands, a huge grin on his face. "It's gone, Arthur! It's really gone!" In his excitement, Merlin leaned forward and pressed his lips to Arthur's mouth. They broke apart with a start and blinked at each other. "Oh," muttered Merlin, embarrassed.

There was a musical laugh in the room that startled everyone. Merlin stood with a gasp and spun toward the window. The fairy stood in front of the balcony doors, warm breeze drifting inside with the scent of flowers. She wore the green dress that lay like spring grass on the carpet and her wings arched high above her head, the light catching and sparkling around the edges. The room bent around her, as if making space for her to stand there without her actually being a part of the room. Lancelot and Kay went to draw their swords but found their hands stilled midair. "That will not be necessary, gentlemen," said the fairy softly, as if amused.

Gaius bowed his head. "Lady Morgana," he muttered.

The fairy bowed her head in acknowledgement. "Correct," she said. Morgana smiled at an astonished Merlin, Arthur hovering protectively next to him. "I am pleased you have found your reward, Merlin."

"My reward?" echoed Merlin. "But your gift is gone. Nothing falls from my mouth when I talk."

Morgana smiled and shook her head. "That was never my true gift, Merlin. As you found out before, the coins and gems were only a means to an end. They disappeared when you shared your first kiss with Prince Arthur."

"Oh, the garden," muttered Merlin, glancing at Arthur and blushing.

"You do not know this, Merlin, but you and Arthur are connected. Your destinies are bound together," Morgana said gently. "You belong together. When you helped a little old lady get a drink of water it was my opportunity to make sure you met in this lifetime as well." She smiled. "Sometimes you need a little help." The fairy began to fade away, her dress bleeding away into the green trees and dark hair into the shadow behind the door. "I must go. I wish you nothing but happiness. Goodbye." With that whisper, she was gone.

Merlin sank down onto the couch again. "I don't believe it," he muttered.

"I can't believe Arthur is your reward," grouched Kay. Lancelot whacked him in the shoulder as Arthur glared at him.

"Come on. Let's tell the others what happened," said Lancelot, leaving with a wink at the couch. He dragged Kay out with him.

Gaius smiled and laid a hand on Merlin's shoulder. "I'm pleased for you," he said sincerely. With that, the physician left the room, closing the door behind him.

Merlin shook his head and chuckled a little, still amazed. Arthur sat next to him and pulled his chin up, smiling. "Want to kiss me again? Make sure it sticks?" he asked. Merlin smiling back and wrapped his arms around the blond's neck, falling into the kiss. The balcony door where the fairy had stood softly closed on a gust of warm wind.

Note: Oh, fail upon me. I'm sorry this took so long. It fought me something awful. I'm still obsessing over it.