Part 17: link

    “Dinner will be served momentarily. I hope 당신 like roast duck,” 퀸 Annis greets them in the hall where 공식 만찬, 저녁 식사 has been set for them.
    “Oh—” Arthur starts, about to give away that it is not one of Gwen’s favorites when she squeezes his arm hard and interrupts.
    “It sounds lovely, thank you,” she says with a smile. Arthur looks down at her and she shoots him a look that says I’m being polite; shut up.
    “Please, Arthur,” Annis motions to a chair to the right of her own at the head of the table.
    “Thank you,” Arthur says, pulling out the chair beside his for Guinevere, holding his hand out. She smiles and sits as Merlin pulls out Arthur’s chair for him while another servant does the same for Annis. Arthur waits until Annis is seated before he takes his chair.
    Queen Annis watches him with interest, smiling to herself at his deference to his wife and his hostess. The boy has been taught manners, though undoubtedly not from his father, she thinks.
    Two young men stride into the room. The one with dark hair is not very tall but sturdily built. The 초 is taller and leaner with auburn hair. They appear to be about the same age as Arthur, the dark one perhaps older. They immediately walk to the queen, who holds both her hands out to them.
    “Mother,” the dark-haired one greets her, 키싱 her hands before he sits beside her. His brother does the same, sitting in the 다음 chair.
    “Are we late?” Gwaine asks as they enter.
    “Not at all. Please, sit,” Annis motions to some chairs and the two knights sit.
    “Arthur, this is my eldest son, Crown Prince Allard,” Annis says indicating the dark-haired man, “and my 다음 eldest, Prince Garret.”
    “It is an honor,” Arthur nods.
    Allard and Garret nod, but say nothing. They glance at their mother and she gives them a stern look.
    Arthur notices this exchange and frowns slightly. I should have expected this. He clears his throat. “Um, my lords, I do owe 당신 an apology. Quite a large one, in fact,” he says quietly.
    Gwen places her hand over his and he continues. “If I could go back to that 일 and change my actions, not listen to my treacherous uncle, please know that I would. A thousand times over. I was guided that 일 의해 fear. Inexperience. Ignorance. Pride. My uncle saw all these things and used them to sway me, used my grief over my own father’s death to manipulate the situation.”
    He looks up and the two princes are looking at him. He has their attention, but their faces betray nothing of their feelings.
    “Believe me, I am not trying to pass blame on to my uncle. I didn’t listen to those that I should have trusted, those that advised me to be merciful. The ultimate decision was mine to make, and I take responsibility for it. I can only ask, humbly, that 당신 grant me your forgiveness for one of the greatest mistakes I have made. I do not deserve it, but I ask it of 당신 nevertheless, knight to knight.”
    The princes regard him for a moment. Arthur waits. No one breathes. Guinevere squeezes his hand. Merlin watches the princes carefully. Gwaine and Elyan watch, helpless. They know this is something Arthur must handle on his own, though it pains them greatly to stand 의해 and watch.
    Annis looks to her sons, and says softly, “Allard, Garret; I have forgiven the young king. He is a worthy man, and what he says is from his heart.”
    Garret speaks first. “I accept your apology, King Arthur. I credit 당신 for having stomach enough to face us and say the words. I have mourned for my father and it is time to 옮기기 forward. 당신 have my forgiveness, my lord.”
    “Thank you, Garret.”
    Allard stands and draws his sword, holding the tip unwaveringly, inches from Arthur’s throat.
    “Allard…” Annis starts.
    Arthur does not move; he does not even flinch. Merlin takes a step forward, and Gwen grabs for his hand.
    “You are indeed brave, King. But can I trust your words, 또는 are they just empty words spoken?”
    Arthur stands, slowly, hands raised. Allard’s blade stays with him, tracking upwards with his body. Arthur slowly draws his own sword and sets it on the 표, 테이블 in front of him.
    “You may run me through if 당신 think it will ease your heart, Prince Allard. I assure you, though, it will not.”
    Allard re-sheaths his sword. “There has been enough bloodshed. This visit is about peace and mending that which is broken. Spilling your blood on my mother’s 표, 테이블 will not help that cause.”
    “Thank you, Prince Allard,” Arthur says, lifting his own sword from the 표, 테이블 and replacing it. I notice he did not exactly accept the apology.
    Allard sits, and Arthur follows.
    “Allard,” Annis says, “You have 더 많이 to say?”
    Gwen watches the queen. A question, yet not a question. She is crafty.
    “For the good of the alliance between our kingdoms, I accept your apology, my lord,” Allard says coolly.
    Probably the best I’m going to get at this point, Arthur thinks, and he takes a deep breath. “You have my most heartfelt thanks, Prince Allard, and I do hope to gain your trust and perhaps even friendship, with time.”
    “We shall see,” Allard replies, reaching for his goblet.
    Annis motions to the servants, and plates are deposited in front of the diners, Annis and Guinevere first.
    “Arthur, will 당신 make introductions?” Annis asks.
    “Yes, forgive me,” Arthur says. He turns toward Gwen. “Prince Allard, Prince Garret, may I present my wife, 퀸 Guinevere.”
    “Pleased to meet you, my lady,” Garret says.
    “It is an honor, my lady,” Allard says, actually smiling in her direction.
    Keep an eye on that one, Arthur thinks, he is indeed a puzzle.
    She smiles and says, “Gwen, if 당신 please, Sir Knights. And the honor is mine, I assure you.”
    Garret smiles. “The rumors of your beauty do not do 당신 justice, my lady. Gwen.”
    “Thank you,” she says with a shy smile. Are there really rumors about me?
    “And two of my 상단, 맨 위로 knights, Sir Gwaine and Sir Elyan,” Arthur points to the knights. They nod respectfully to the princes.
    “Welcome, Knights,” Garret says, while Allard nods his agreement.
    They finally turn their attention to their dinners, and Gwen cannot help but think that they do actually smell good. I must be hungry again, if that greasy 오리 smells good, she thinks, but then she remembers her discomfort dressing, and sighs, thinking she really should take better care.
    There is an awkward silence for a few moments, the only sounds being those of cutlery scraping against plates and goblets hitting the tabletop. No one quite knows how to 옮기기 past the tension Allard has created with Arthur.
    Annis, as hostess, takes the lead. “Did 당신 have a pleasant journey?”
    “Well, mostly,” Arthur says between bites. “Very good duck, my lady.”
    “Thank you. Did 당신 encounter some trouble on the way? Bandits?” she asks, glancing at Gwen for a moment.
    “Not exactly. We were, ah, ambushed 의해 someone who I hope is a common enemy.”
    “Morgana Pendragon,” the 퀸 guesses.
    “Agents of hers, we believe.”
    “So she does yet live,” Allard muses quietly, his expression still dark.
    “We, ah… we believe so,” Arthur says, going on to explain some of the recent events without going into too much detail, of course, ending with the attack at lunchtime.
    “This Lord Roderick appears to be an imbecile of the worst kind,” 퀸 Annis observes, and Arthur hears Merlin choke back a snicker behind him.
    “Indeed,” Guinevere says, chuckling herself.
    “And none of 당신 were injured in this attack?” Garret asks.
    “None. These men posing as Odin’s were undisciplined hired thugs, nothing more,” Gwaine chimes in.
    “Gwen, have 당신 any training in combat?” Annis asks her.
    “Not yet, my lady,” she looks pointedly at Arthur, “but I’m finding that I am becoming very adept with my little dagger here.” She pats it.
    “Yes, Gwen was brilliant, the way she stabbed that slimy Bertrand in the hand to get him to release her,” Elyan says. Annis gives him a puzzled look and then looks at Gwen as if to say you let your knights address 당신 so familiarly?
    Elyan notices this and catches himself. “Sorry… I mean…”
    “It’s all right, Elyan,” Gwen says, then turns to Annis. “Annis, Sir Elyan is my brother. Occasionally he forgets himself, and I cannot say that I blame him. He’s been my brother much longer than I have been queen, 당신 know,” she smiles.
    Annis looks from Gwen’s face to Elyan’s, and back. “Yes. 당신 have the same eyes.”
    “Our mother’s eyes, my lady,” Gwen says. “It is the only thing we have in common,” she chuckles.
    “We both have Father’s stubbornness, my lady,” Elyan says, raising his goblet to his sister, and she laughs.
    “Your father must be very proud of 당신 both,” Annis says. “His son a knight and his daughter now queen.”
    “I’m sure he would be, my lady, if he were yet living,” Gwen says quietly.
    “Oh, I am terribly sorry,” Annis says.
    “It’s all right. 당신 did not know. He’s been gone just over five years now.”
    “And your mother?”
    “She died when we were both little 더 많이 than children,” Gwen says.
    “What did your father do?” Annis steers the conversation in a different direction. She finds she is curious about this young woman. I’ve heard snatches of information, but who is to say what is rumor and what is truth?
    “My father was a blacksmith, as was my brother before he became a knight.” She nods in Elyan’s direction. “Mother was a maid in the family 집 of one of our knights, Sir Leon.”
    “Very interesting,” Annis says, her 심장 going out to the young woman. She has led a fascinating life already for one so young, she thinks.
    “Perhaps if 당신 inform Odin that Morgana and Lord Roderick tried to sully his name 의해 having thugs pose as his men, we can collect another ally against the witch,” Garret suggests.
    “The thought had occurred to me, yes,” Arthur says, taking a drink from his goblet. Beside him he notices Guinevere stifle another yawn. He looks at her and she smiles. I’m fine.
    “First we must make peace with the man, then we can try and sway him on more… tactical matters,” Gwen suggests.
    “Indeed, my lady,” Allard nods in her direction, impressed.
    He is cold to me, but quite kind to Guinevere. Definitely have to watch this one.
    Annis continues to watch Gwen. And wise besides. No wonder the young king made her his queen, she thinks.
    They eat silently for a few moments. Servants wait upon them, refilling goblets and clearing away bones.
    “It seems you’ll be doing a lot of apologizing during your visit to Caerleon, my lord,” Allard finally speaks directly to Arthur.
    “Hmm?” Arthur asks, taken off guard 의해 the cold prince.
    “King Odin. Isn’t his dislike of 당신 based on the fact that 당신 killed his son?”
    Arthur sighs. “Yes, but there is 더 많이 to the story than that.”
    “Allard, tomorrow is the time for that discussion, my son. Tonight we make polite conversation and make our guests feel welcome,” Annis says pointedly.

    They have finished their meals and Annis motions to the servants to bring dessert, poached pears in honey syrup. Gwaine and Elyan both look like little boys given a prize, and Gwen chuckles at them as she digs her spoon in, the soft flesh of the 배 yielding easily to its blunt edge.
    “This is excellent, Annis, your cooks are to be commended,” Arthur says after one bite.
    “Thank you, Arthur. I have always been somewhat particular about my food, so I keep a close watch on what happens in my kitchens,” she admits, smiling.
    Gwen stifles another yawn, embarrassed.
    “Did 당신 not get an opportunity to rest, my dear?” Annis asks.
    “I did, actually. Forgive me, I’m terribly embarrassed,” she says.
    “Do not concern yourself with it, we are not that exciting, I’m afraid,” Garret jokes.
    “Well, I can perhaps lend a hand in—” Gwaine starts with a smirk.
    “Gwaine…” Arthur interrupts, trying not to smile.
    Gwaine holds his hands up in surrender, spoon clutched in one hand. “Just thought I’d offer.”
    Gwen only finishes half of her pear. Had I known there was 디저트 I wouldn’t have eaten so much of that blasted duck. Elyan and Gwaine are eyeing her leftovers, and Gwen pushes her plate to her brother, who cuts the remainder in half and splits it with his fellow knight.
    “Thanks,” Elyan says.
    “You men are so transparent,” she says, leaning back in her chair.
    Arthur glances at her. He is enjoying the conversation, but he wants his wife to get the sleep she clearly needs.
    “Gwen, if 당신 wish to retire, 당신 need not stay up on our account,” Annis suggests helpfully. “In fact, I was thinking of retiring as well. I’m an old woman; I cannot stay up as late as I once could,” she says with a smile.
    “You are not so old, mother,” Allard flatters.
    “And 당신 are not so clever as 당신 believe,” she stands, and her sons stand respectfully as well. Arthur and the knights follow suit.
    “You do not mind?” Gwen stands and asks Arthur.
    “I can come, too,” he says.
    “No, 당신 are enjoying yourself. Stay and get to know the princes. Their support and friendship is important to us.” She leans in close. “Try to mend this rift with Allard,” she says quietly.
    “You are too wise, my love,” he leans over to 키스 her briefly on the lips, then raises her fingers to his lips. “Goodnight, I’ll be along shortly.”
    “Goodnight, Arthur,” she says quietly. “I bid 당신 all goodnight, and thank 당신 for an enjoyable meal,” she says to the rest of the room.
    Annis kisses her sons’ cheeks and the two queens exit the hall together.
    “I’m sure Garret will call for 에일, 에 일 now that it is just the men,” Annis 코멘트 as they walk down the corridor. The sound of laughter floats from the hall.
    “In that case he will find a strong friend in Sir Gwaine,” Gwen chuckles.
    “Likes his drink?” Annis raises an eyebrow.
    “Well, nothing like I made it sound. He’s a bit of a… good-hearted scoundrel, if that makes any sense. He’s an excellent knight and his 심장 is true. But he is…”
    “A naughty child?” Annis supplies.
    Gwen laughs. “Yes,” she nods, “that’s about correct, yes.”
    They walk towards Gwen and Arthur’s room, quiet for a few moments.
    “So, exactly how far along are you, dear?” Annis asks suddenly.
    “Far along with what?”
    They stop walking. “You are with child, are 당신 not?” Annis looks down at Gwen kindly.
    The younger queen’s eyes widen. Wait. When was my last… Heavens. It was… before we found out about the bracelet. She remembers that conversation with Arthur. Surely it hasn’t been that long… Oh my. It has. “I… I guess I must be…” she finally says, her eyes darting as if they are searching for an explanation written on the walls around them.
    “Oh! I am sorry; I didn’t realize 당신 were unaware! I did not intend to alarm you,” 퀸 Annis says, taking Gwen’s hand in hers once again.
    They are close to Gwen’s door, and head that way. “Please, will 당신 come in and talk for a few minutes?” Gwen asks, still looking a little spooked 의해 her revelation.
    “Of course,” Annis says, not surprised at all 의해 the request.
    “In all the uproar of preparing for this meeting and this journey, I 로스트 track of the weeks,” Gwen says, sitting heavily in a chair.
    “That does happen,” Annis says. Happened to me on 더 많이 than one occasion.
    “Annis?”
    “Yes?”
    “How… how did 당신 know? That I was with child?”
    Annis smiles. “You are inexplicably tired, yes?”
    Gwen nods.
    “Have 당신 been ill at all, particularly in the morning?”
    “No. I have been… rather hungrier than usual, though,” she says, furrowing her brow.
    “Sometimes it goes that way. Your child is hungry, and that is good,” she smiles again. “And I assume your 몸통 부분, 보 디스 is not usually so… snug?”
    Gwen looks down. “Oh, goodness!” she says, clapping her hands over her cleavage, which is heaving a bit 더 많이 than usual.
    Annis laughs. “I’m afraid my sons may have noticed that little detail. I caught them looking once 또는 twice, sorry.”
    Gwen blushes and brings her hand do her face.
    “Gwen, I am mother to four strong sons and two beautiful daughters. I am also grandmother of four. I’ve been there.”
    Gwen smiles, recovering from her embarrassment. “Only two were at dinner, where are the other four? If I may ask.”
    “Wymer and Harding are out questing, trying to prove their worth. I do not expect them back for several 더 많이 weeks,” she says, a brief look of motherly worry crossing her face. “My daughters, Daralis and Rhoswen, are with their husbands in their new homes. They visit when they can, and that’s when I get to see my precious grandchildren,” she smiles.
    “I am sorry we did not get to meet them all.”
    “Perhaps another time,” she says. “I hope to visit Camelot some day, and I do hope that 당신 and Arthur will not be strangers to Caerleon.”
    “Well, 당신 must come visit once the child is born,” Gwen says with a smile. The smile fades quickly, though, as the full realization of her condition hits her and her eyes again grow wide. She bites her lower lip slightly.
    “Do not be worried, my dear. This is a happy occasion, after all,” Annis tells her, patting her hand.
    “It’s just the surprise of it… and I feel foolish because I usually keep better track of my courses. Not to mention the ambush this noon…”
    “Would 당신 like me to have my court physician attend you?” she asks.
    “That’s very thoughtful, but… um, I think it would probably be better if Arthur not know about this right now. He doesn’t need the distraction, nor does he need the worry as we travel back to Camelot.”
    “And what 당신 mean 의해 that is you don’t need him smothering 당신 with his concern while 당신 travel back to Camelot,” Annis laughs.
    Gwen laughs with her, surprised at the queen’s quick wit and warm personality. The imposing 퀸 is just a persona she wears. “Is his protective nature that obvious?” she asks.
    “Plain as day, Gwen,” she says, then sighs. “Very well, I will keep your secret, as it is yours to share with your husband. However,” she adds, “if 당신 are feeling unwell in any way, I’m sure we could arrange a meeting with my physician without Arthur’s knowledge if that is what 당신 wish.”
    “I will keep that in mind, my lady, thank you.”
    “You know, I did think it curious that Arthur would allow 당신 to travel,” Annis says.
    “Oh, goodness, if he even suspected, I would still be back in Camelot with a half-dozen maids hovering over me,” she laughs. “I had to argue to get to come anyway. He wasn’t sure I should.”
    “I’m glad 당신 won that argument, Gwen. I was in earnest when I wrote that I was looking 앞으로 to meeting you. I was quite curious to see what kind of woman it was that could make the young king toss aside years of tradition in favor of following his heart.”
    “Just a simple maid, nothing more,” Gwen says with a shrug.
    “Guinevere, do not sell yourself short. 당신 may have been a maid, but it is clear to me that 당신 are anything but simple. Humble, yes, but simple? Never. 당신 have the makings of greatness within you. Being 퀸 is 더 많이 than just being a decoration on the king’s arm.”
    Gwen nods; Arthur has said much the same thing on several occasions now.
    “And 당신 are in the very fortunate position of having been one of ‘the people.’ Be their champion, Gwen. Look after them; they are your children as well, 당신 know.”
    Gwen’s hand strays to her stomach and she nods again, soaking in Annis’ words like nourishment.
    “I do see that 당신 are already quite adept at, shall we say, reining in Arthur’s more… arrogant qualities?”
    Gwen chuckles at this. “I’ve been doing that for many years now, my lady.”
    “One 일 I should like to hear all about your history with Arthur, Gwen. I’m sure it is quite the story. But as I was saying, one of the lesser-known responsibilities of the 퀸 is to keep the king in line. Men are little 더 많이 than large children, 당신 know,” Annis smiles again. “They need a gentle hand guiding them while they run about conquering the world. A subtle hand. I see this quality in you, my dear. 당신 have the rare fortune of marrying a king who chose 당신 for love, not for strategy 또는 politics. 당신 do not have to try and gain his 사랑 또는 earn his respect. He wears his 사랑 and respect for 당신 like a garment; all can see it. This gives 당신 power, Gwen. Use it wisely.”
    “Thank you, Annis, for your counsel. I was hoping that I could learn from you, and I am not disappointed. Thank you.”
    “I have been 퀸 a very long time, and now I rule alone over a kingdom that was a fledgling when I first arrived. All I can do is make certain that Allard is prepared to rule once I am gone. And if I can help pave the way for him 의해 forging strong alliances and friendships, I will,” she says proudly. Then she adds, almost a joking afterthought, “You don’t know of any Ladies in Camelot looking for husbands, do you?”
    “I will keep my eyes open, my lady,” Gwen laughs.
    “Good. I’ve got four eligible princes, 당신 know,” she sighs.
    Gwen’s mind drifts to the Princesses Elana, Vivian, and Mithian, and she wonders what’s become of them. Perhaps not Vivian… She decides to keep her mouth closed on the issue for now, and smiles at Annis.
    “But 당신 are still tired,” Annis remembers. “I will send in Norah to attend you.” She stands.
    “Thank you, but that isn’t necessary. Honest. I just want to crawl into bed, the sooner, the better.”
    Annis angles her head at Gwen.
    “Really. I’ll be fine.”
    Annis sighs. “Very well. I’ll let it slide just this once,” she smiles and takes Gwen’s hand.
    “Thank 당신 again, Annis. Your counsel means a lot to me. Good motherly 조언 is not something I receive often, so when I do, I treasure it.”
    “I like you, Gwen. 당신 are, as Arthur said, wise with a good heart. Do not let that change and 당신 will be a fine queen.”
    “Goodnight,” Annis says, opening the door and stepping out.
    “Goodnight, Annis.”
    Gwen closes the door, quickly undoes her hair and undresses, slipping on a linen nightdress in the hopes that Arthur will let her sleep whenever he returns. Not that I don’t enjoy my wifely responsibilities; I’m simply exhausted.
    She leaves a couple candles burning for him to see 의해 and crawls into the bed, snuggling deep down into the blankets. She falls asleep almost immediately.

    “She did what?” Allard asks, aghast. The 에일, 에 일 has been flowing freely, and his attitude has loosened somewhat. Arthur has taken advantage of Allard’s interest in Guinevere to get into the man’s good graces: he plies him with tales of her courage.
    “She threatened to cut off his manhood,” Arthur 답변 calmly, taking a drink.
    The other four men fall about laughing at this, impressed at the petite queen’s fortitude.
    “At least that’s what she told me,” Arthur adds with a shrug.
    “Oh, I’m sure she spoke the truth,” Elyan says. “She’s a spitfire when she’s mad, believe me.”
    “Oh yeah, Elyan here would know 더 많이 than anyone!” Gwaine slaps him on the back.
    “Now, now, we don’t need to air old family secrets,” Garret says. “Disrespectful to your queen, that is.”
    “Thank you, my lord,” Elyan says gratefully.
    “I have two older sisters, Elyan,” he nods understanding.
    “Do you?” Gwaine asks, suddenly interested.
    “Yes, there are two sisters between Garret and myself,” Allard explains, “and two 더 많이 brothers after him.”
    “Tell me about the sisters,” Gwaine leans forward.
    Allard leans 앞으로 as well. “Well, for starters, they’re both married.”
    “Ah. Yes. Well. Never mind, then,” Gwaine says, and they all laugh.
    “Oh— and then at the ambush today she stabbed the very same man in the hand,” Arthur continues, since the topic of princesses has been dropped.
    “Good for her,” Garret commends, hoisting his mug in a toast.
    “Yeah, then when he let her go she turned around and thrust her knee into his soft parts,” Gwaine adds, proud of his friend the queen.
    Allard chokes on his ale, spraying it across the table. Arthur is hit squarely with a 샤워 of lukewarm liquid.
    The room falls silent as the two men stare at each other. Merlin steps forward, ready to intercept anything.
    Arthur suddenly bursts forth laughing, wiping the moisture from his face. He leans back in his chair and clutches his hand to his ribs as the rest of the men 가입하기 the merriment. Merlin heaves a sigh of relief and hands Arthur a napkin.
    “Thank you, Merlin,” he says. Then he spins around in his 좌석 and looks at his servant. “Merlin, would 당신 sit down? I hate 당신 hovering back there like… like a…”
    “Yes?” Merlin asks politely.
    “Like a great… hovering thing,” Arthur finishes weakly, waving his hand in the air vaguely before taking another swig of ale.
    “Yes, Merlin, sit,” Elyan adds. “You’ve been standing all night.”
    Allard and Garret exchange a puzzled glance at their kind treatment of the king’s servant, but shrug it off and lift their mugs.
    You had better hope Gwen is asleep when 당신 get back to your room, Merlin thinks. He sits, but drinks nothing. He pretends not to notice Gwaine sneak a look in his direction.
    “You have two 더 많이 brothers, then?” Arthur asks. “Where are they?”
    “Questing,” Garret says, sitting up straight and announcing the word with a flourish.
    “Together?”
    “No, just at the same time. Mother isn’t pleased about that,” he chuckles.
    “For what do they quest?” Arthur asks.
    “Wymer is looking for the Cup of Life,” Allard says, rolling his eyes, “if it even exists.”
    Merlin and Arthur exchange a glance, but say nothing.
    “And Harding is searching for a white dragon.”
    “A white dragon? Is he mad?” Arthur asks.
    Merlin keeps his face carefully passive. It is a skill he has learned to master over the years.
    “Think so, yeah,” Garret replies. “He heard tales of sightings of a white dragon, small, near the mountains.”
    “What will he do with it if he finds it?” Merlin asks.
    “I think he plans to capture it. What he plans to do with it if he succeeds is beyond me.”
    “If there even are any 용 left in the world, somehow I don’t think they would take kindly to being detained. Just a thought,” Merlin says, picking at his fingernails casually.
    “Well, he’s not going to find anything anyway, so it doesn’t matter, does it?” Allard says, laughing and slapping Merlin on the shoulder.
    Merlin attempts a weak laugh, “Right.”

Part 19: link