Dinner

I hesitated. "I should head back to see Edger, you can go on without me."

Merlin gave me a reassuring smile. "It's getting dark outside, Edgar can wait. Don't worry, I promise Aurelius won't be a bother to you."

I looked down at my bare feet, which were coated with dirt. I just didn't know how to feel about everything that happened. It may be that I'm experiencing everything so vividly because I'm new to this human life, but all of these emotions are tiring me out.

"It really bothers you, doesn't it?" Merlin asked, folding his arms across his chest.

Looking up at my brother I saw great concern in his eyes. I nodded. "He just changed so quickly... it was frightening, Merlin." I took a deep breath and let it out. "Is he really like that with all the girls?"

Merlin was quiet for a moment, thinking. "I can't say that he's much different, but the coldness you thought you saw in him was a protective wall. He and his brother have been through a lot, sometimes I have noticed he just shuts down. It's hard to explain, maybe with time you will understand."

I had no idea what Merlin was speaking about, most of the stories I knew were about Arthur, and I know a little about Uther as king, but I'm not sure Aurelius was put into my mind when I came here. I sighed, looking out the window. It was almost completely dark now. "I'm worried that Edger will be worried." I told Merlin. "He seemed sad to see me go after we had been reunited."

Merlin smiled. "Don't worry your little head about that, sister." He walked over to the window, which was still open, and placed both hands down on the stone. The wrist with which he wore his bracelet began to glow faintly, casting a mesmerizing green tint to it. Shortly after a sparrow came and fluttered down next to his right hand, looking up at him eagerly. Merlin muttered to the bird and then the sparrow took off. He closed the window then looked back to me. "Edger will get your message of safety and a long awaited greeting from myself, all is well." Picking up the candle from the table, Merlin walked back over to me. "Shall we go eat the royalty's delectable food?"

I nodded and walked with Merlin. "Will I be able to do things as you did someday?" I asked in amazement, still astonished by the way he easily communicated with the sparrow.

"You mean with the sparrow?" He asked.

I nodded.

"Oh, sister. I will teach you so much more. We have far to go to save home." He chuckled.

We finally entered a long dining room with the family crest hanging above a long table. At the head of the table sat Aurelius, clothed in the traditional king garb, unlike before, and a king's crown resting upon his head. To the left was Uther, wearing nice clothes as well, and a smaller crown upon his head. Uther was taking a role of a prince, since Aurelius had seniority, but Aurelius listened well to Uther's ideals, at least that's what Merlin had told me.

"Glad you could join us." Aurelius stated, seeming less cold, but far from pleasant.

"We lost time catching up, sorry, sire." Merlin took his seat across from Uther, and I sat next to Merlin. The table was full of food, several plates were coated with fruits, loaves of bread, and some kind of cooked bird. I think it is a chicken.

"Now, Merlin, you don't need to address me in such a way, you know you can do me no wrong." Aurelius said, seeming to lighten up a bit. "Let us eat."

A few servants would flutter in and out, filling our cups with water or wine. We ate mostly in silence, with the exception of a few stories Uther felt he must tell, with which most were about funny things people had said or embarrassing stories of Aurelius. It's a wonder that Aurelius has not snapped with Uther, if he could hardly put up with for one day, I huffed to myself. The food was delicious, every bite I took sent my taste buds on a flooded ride of flavor. I wonder why our people did not give in to the tastes of these delicious foods more often.

"Merlin," Uther began, after a short silence. "I need your opinion on something, would you care to walk me back to my chambers?"

"Of course, Uther." Merlin stood up, heading out with Uther, and I felt everything I had just eaten was about to come back again all too soon. Surely Merlin wouldn't leave me...

Yet, I was now with Aurelius, alone.