Pacey knocked hesitantly on the door of Merlin's chamber. The room was an offshoot of a larger room, with several chairs and a roaring fire in the hearth. Two other doors led to the much smaller rooms he and Dominic inhabited. "You may enter, Pacey." Merlin's deep timbre sounded from behind the door.

The younger pushed open the door, "How did you know it was I?"

"How does the sun know to rise?"

Pacey crossed the room, treading lightly on the expensive rugs the covered the stone floor. "Must you always be so cryptic?"

"I've taught you to be smarted than that, Pacey," he smiled, the wrinkles disappearing from his aged face. "One day you too shall feel the presence of others around you."

"Perhaps I already do." He replied plopping into the chair beside the fire opposite Merlin's.

"The Princess does not count." Merlin smiled knowingly.

"And why not?" He asked insolently. "I can feel when she is near."

"That is not magic, lad. That is something altogether different."

Pacey waited patiently for him to continue, then with a sigh he asked the question weighing on his mind. "Than what, milord, is it?"

"If you do not know, I shant tell you." The elder grinned, "You shall discover that bit of magic all on your own."

Pacey was quiet for a length of time, watching the flames lick at the air. "I feel like...like I should apologize, Merlin. I reacted out of gut instinct. You have raised me better than that. I apologize. I just cannot...I don't know how..."

Merlin looked on in through kind eyes, "I know, Pacey." He patted Pacey's young hand with his own. "But you are strong, I have faith in your abilities. After all, it was I who taught you."

He smiled wryly, "You also taught me your modesty." They fell into silence again, "What must I do?"

Merlin's eyes seemed to age before his eyes. "You must trust in yourself to overcome whatever looms on the horizon."

"And that I might save you?" He asked, trying to guard the hope in his voice.

"Perhaps." He shook his head, his long crinkled white hair resting on his shoulders, "but foremost, you must save the kingdom. Do not forget that Camelot means more than any individual within it's walls. 'Tis an enchanted land, the magic within cannot be corrupted."

"I will try."

"No, Pacey." Merlin leaned forward, his blue eyes boring into the young man's. "You must swear to protect the land. It above all else."

"Camelot above all else," he agreed.

"Joey, quit squirming," Jen commanded, tightening the ties on her friend's dress.

"I am not squirming."

"You are. I should think the meat had spoiled and you need to run to the privy."

Joey rolled her eyes and tried to stop squirming. "I will try to stay still then."

"No need. There, I am finished." She stepped back to admire her work. "I think it is time you acquired some ladies in waiting since you now take care with your appearance. Why is that? Have you taken an interest in Lord Leery finally?"

She shook her head. "No, of course not."

"Another then?"

"Now that Bessie is married, my father expects more of me," she answered evasively.

"I suppose that is true." Jen smiled, "Well, let us go visit with my grandmother. Perhaps she will give us something more interesting to do than embroidery."

"I cannot...I must do something for my father," she answered quickly.

"Than I shall go with you." She grinned, "Anything to put off going into the den of cross-stitching."

Joey frowned, hating to lie. With mock disappointment she turned to her friend, "My father wishes to meet me alone. I do not know why."

"Oh," she frowned. "I guess I should be on my way then." She backed away from her friend and made her way to the door.

"I will be sure to see you later," Joey offered hopefully.

"All right, Josephine," she smiled weakly and fell into a curtsy before leaving the room.

Joey exhaled a sharp breath while she straightened out her hair. That had been a close one. She felt terrible for lying to Jen but she didn't have much of a choice. She headed outside after she was sure there was no chance of running into Jen in the hallway and made her way to the garden to meet Pacey.

Minutes later, he lifted his head at the soft crunch of her slippers on the fallen leaves in the garden her father had built for his Queen. "Hello, my beauty," he smiled at her.

She blushed faintly and wished she didn't feel so nervous. "Hello."

He took her hand and threaded his fingers through hers, pulling her toward the bench he had just vacated. He sat and then drew her into his arms. He smiled into her face, content for the moment just to have her alone beside him.

A soft sigh left her lips. "I barely managed to escape Jen."

"You haven't told her?" He questioned, nuzzling her neck.

She suppressed a small shiver. "No, I have not."

"Do you plan to?"

She shrugged. "I am not sure."

He pressed his warm lips to the skin of her neck, "'Tis your choice, but I hardly think she shall care."

"Mmm, perhaps," she answered distractedly, unable to keep her mind on Jen. He smiled against her skin, pleased that she sounded so wistful. "Were you able to, uh, make amends with Merlin?"

"Mmm hmm," he murmured gathering her close in his arms.

She smiled. "That's good."

"I think he expected my apology." Pacey admitted. "Then promptly informed me I still had much to learn."

"I am glad that things are well between the both of you once more."

He sighed, "I worry for him."

"As do I," she said softly.

He brushed his lips against hers, "I worry for you too."

"Why?"

"I'm not sure, exactly," He frowned, his brow creasing. "I just am."

A frown crossed her lips. "I am sure it is nothing."

"Still, there is worry heavy in my heart. Made more frustrating at the fact I don't know it's source."

She leaned over and gave him a chaste kiss. "There is much to worry about."

"Such a proper kiss, my lady." He smiled, choosing to tease her instead of dwell on the future and the unimaginable. "'Tis the way you kiss your father."

She raised an eyebrow. "And how would you prefer I kiss you?"

He made a face, "Not as though I were your father, how is that?"

She smiled. "I'm not known to kiss men other then my father. How will I know how?"

He smirked tenderly, "Then you shall have to use your imagination, will you not?"

"I suppose."

He kissed the corner of her smooth lips, "You do not wish to kiss me, Princess?"

Her mouth curved into a soft smile. "I do."

"Well, then?" He arched an eyebrow, his blue eyes teasing.

She swallowed. "What?"

"I am waiting."

"What for?"

"A kiss from my lady, what else?"

"Oh."

"Have I made you nervous?"

"Perhaps, a little."

"You needn't be," He smiled, "I want for you to kiss me."

Her stomach twisted into knots. "What if you do not like the way I kiss?"

"That is simply not possible, Joey."

"Are you sure?"

He smiled, amused at her insecurity, "Completely certain."

She shifted uncomfortably. "Very well then..."

"I have nothing to compare to except a chaste kiss with Jen," He assured her.

"That does not assure me in the least," she muttered under her breath. He arched an eyebrow in challenge, waiting patiently for her to make her move. Joey exhaled sharply, trying to gather up courage and mentally counted to three before squeezing her eyes shut and pressing her lips firmly against his.

He smiled against her lips and pulled away, "Are you in pain, milady Princess?" He teased, focusing his eyes on her scrunched up features.

She opened her eyes in surprise. "No."

He grinned, "I was jesting, You looked as though you were tasting something sour."

She frowned. "Oh."

"Perhaps, Joey, you are the one worrying too much. I may love to kiss you, but I think I would love being kissed by you even more."

She folded her arms across her chest. "Fine."

"I've made you mad."

She glared at him. "Just find someone else to kiss you then."

"I want no other to kiss me. 'Twas my own fault. I made you tense." He tugged her across his lap, cradling her in his arms as the folds of her dress hung over the top of the bench. "I'm sorry."

She jutted her lower lip into a pout. "I knew you would not like the way I kiss."

He smiled, caressing her cheek, "Your kiss makes me forget all else, Jo. 'Tis my own folly for making you so nervous you wrinkle your nose in disgust."

"I did not mean to."

"Shall we just put this all behind us?" he wondered.

She shrugged, staring down at the pleats of her skirt and tried not to cry or die of embarrassment. He wanted to forget about them? "I suppose."

"Come now, my love," he brushed a strand of hair away from her face. "We shall just wait for you to kiss me when you're ready."

Her eyes watered. "But what if I cannot do it well."

He brushed his thumb over her cheek, almost awed at the tears that gathered in her lashes. "You and I have shared enough kisses already to know that your kiss is perfect. Just as you are."

She smiled faintly. "Really?"

He nodded his head once, "Really, Princess." He tilted her chin up to kiss her, slanting his lips over hers in a tender caress.

Her eyes fluttered shut causing the tears she had been holding to spill down her cheek and she smiled softly, whispering her words against his lips. "Thank you."

He kissed away each of the drops with the utmost care before returning to claim her mouth. She could taste the salt of her tears on his lips and felt her heart catch in her throat. He cupped the back of her neck with his callused hands as they continued to kiss in the sanctity of the garden.

"Ladies, mind your stitches," Lady Ryan, Jen's grandmother, commanded as they sat in the solar working on embroidery. "I shall be back in a while. The King wishes to speak with me over your suitors." She huffed, "'Tis remarkable you have both passed into womanhood unmarried. Why, I was wedded and with child by thirteen." She shook her head, gray streaking her hair, "but then, dear Bessie was nearing her twenty-first birthday before she was wed. I suppose we've made progress since then."

She bustled out of the room, not waiting for the two girls to reply. Jen sighed, dropping her embroidery to her lap, "I wonder who the King is considering for me?" At the death of both her parents, the King was given charge of the young Lady Lindley.

"I am sure my father will allow you some say in who you wed," Joey answered helpfully as she glanced up from her work.

"I am not so sure." She sighed again and bit down on her lip.

"I am," Joey said simply. "He allowed me to turn down Lord Leery."

"You are his youngest daughter. I am merely his charge, not even a relation."

"You are like a sister to me, Jen. My father is very much aware of that."

The blonde nodded, still not believing the King would allow her to marry who she wished. "I hope so."

"I am sure he will."

Jen forced her friend a shaky smile. Nothing would convince her until it happened. There was very little choice when it came to marriage in their lives, it would be far too much for Jen to hope to choose her groom. Joey might get that luxury, but she knew she would not.

"Let us discuss something else," Joey said in order to lighten her friend's mood.

"Aye." Jen nodded, "Do you have anything in particular to speak of?"

Joey paused inwardly debating with herself before speaking. "I have been rather curious about a certain matter..." She offered casually as she focused on her stitching.

Jen shot her friend a speculative look, having rarely known her to shy away from any topic of conversation. "Hmm?"

"I was wondering..." She couldn't think of a polite way to ask so she just posed the question bluntly. "How is one supposed to kiss?"

Jen blinked, "Supposed to kiss?" She repeated dumbly. "Lips to lips is the traditional method I believe."

"Oh..."

"Why?"

She shrugged it off quickly. "Merely curious."

Jen seemed to accept that. "Do you wish to learn for your future husband?"

She nodded. "Oh, yes. Of course."

Jen smiled, "To please him best, you should kiss him before he has a chance to kiss you himself. Any man will love that. It shows you cannot wait to be wrapped in his arms." She let her needlework fall to her lap, forgotten, as her eyes lost focus. "You should wrap your arms around his strong neck as though you need him to survive. Smile coyly into his face before putting your lips to his, be careful not to bump noses," she blushed lightly, obviously remembering just such an incident. "Part your lips just slightly so you may taste him, and if you feel particularly amorous, you should touch your tongue to his lips." She sighed, "Kiss him as though you never want to leave his arms and hug him to you and never let go..."

Joey grinned happily at the information, too caught up to notice Jen's preoccupation. "Are you sure he will like it?"

"Aye," she sighed, a secretive smile on her heart-shaped lips, "he will pledge his undying love to you."

Joey glanced back down at her stitching, her face flushed with excitement. "Good."

"Your husband shall be a very satiated man," Jen said, finally returning to reality.

Joey nodded, her smile fading. "Yes, thank you."

They were quiet a moment, caught in their own thoughts. "You don't suppose the King would choose Lord Winchester for my suitor?" She asked with dread, breaking the silence.

The brunette's scrunched her nose in disapproval. "Even my father is aware of how dreadful he is. You have nothing to worry about."

"Could you imagine him on his knees proclaiming his love?" Jen giggled. "The dogs would attack him!"

Joey began to giggle herself. "You are horrible!"

"No, it’s just that he is that horrible. He has the face of a sniveling rat."

She laughed. "You are right. He does."

"I have changed my mind." Jen declared, "Even the dogs would not dare touch him."

She stifled another giggle before turning serious. "Then who would you like to wed, Jen?"

She turned serious herself, "I would like to marry--I would like to marry a man who is tender and strong, who would steal me away and protect me from pain. I would like a man who is rich and beautiful but does not care." She smiled weakly, "I would like a man who loves me."

Joey cast her a look from the corner of her eye. "Do you still wish to marry Pacey, then?"

"He is not rich, is he? Nor is he a lord." She explained as though those meant everything.

Joey bit the inside of her cheek and dropped her gaze. "Oh."

"And I do not believe he loves me."

"Oh," she repeated again not sure of what to say.

"It is of no matter anyhow, Pacey will probably wed a serving wench and live forever in the castle as Merlin has."

Joey bristled, serving wench, indeed. She'd see about that. "Do you really think so?"

"Aye. Pacey doesn't seem the type to live a life of loneliness as Merlin has. He will find himself a buxom and willing girl and toss her skirts up. 'Tis surprising he hasn't yet."

"What?"

"Mayhap you've forgotten, Joey. He is not nobility, he cannot marry a woman of breeding. There is nothing stopping him from having his way with any girl within the castle. There is none that would refuse him, they whisper all the time of his handsome looks. I am not the only who has watched him practice with a sword at dawn."

Joey frowned. "Pacey would never do that."

"You may be right, Pacey has more honor than many of the knights at your father's round table."

She continued to frown, whether Pacey would or not, it did not matter. She made a mental note to discuss this with the servants.

"Who knows, he may love magic more than any woman and never seek a wife or lover. 'Tis hard to predict," Jen continued.

"Hmm..." Joey mused silently before setting her stitching down. "I grow bored of this."

"I was bored of this hours ago," Jen agreed.

Joey smiled. "Let us do something different then."

"Do you have some mischief in mind?" Jen leaned forward eagerly.

She looked at her friend innocently. "Really Jen, what kind of girl do you take me for?"

"The kind that used to play tricks on the cook with me when we were younger."

"We are much too old for such things now." Jen arched her perfectly plucked eyebrow. "We need to move onto someone much more important. The cook was child's play."

"And you have someone else in mind, milady?"

"I might."

"And might you share the name with me?" Her eyes glimmered in excitement.

Her eyes slid over to the door. "We must hurry before your grandmother returns."

"Then let us go!" Jen stood with a playful grin and pushed aside her embroidery. An afternoon spent pretending they were children and not grown women was exactly what they both needed to keep their minds from the future.

Pacey and Joey climbed the circular staircase leading to Merlin's solar holding hands. Despite the spell they had cast to keep people from noticing, they had to take care when they met with Merlin for fear that the enemy, whomever that may be, would take notice of Joey's tutelage. He smiled back at her as he pushed the door open, "Merlin?"

The room was empty and he dropped Joey's hand to move to the hearth. A mere moment later, he had a fire roaring and warmth heating the room.

Joey smiled teasingly. "Show off."

He shrugged a shoulder, a playful smile on his face. "There's no sense in doing it he hard way, it would take too long. I wouldn't want you to freeze, Princess."

"How thoughtful."

"That's what you love about me," he smiled advancing on her.

She stepped back and arched an eyebrow. "Is it?"

"It isn't?" He tossed back.

"I thought you would know."

"Hate to break it to you, Jo, but I haven't a clue why you're wasting time with me."

"Not a one?"

He shook his head, "Aside from my stunning good looks, no."

She laughed. "Modest, aren't you."

"Another of my not so attractive qualities."

She grinned and beckoned him toward her. "Come over here, Pacey."

He smiled softly and approached her, "Is there something you wish of me, Princess?"

She nodded, wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled shyly. "I wish to kiss you," she said softly. She brushed her lips lightly against his and brought her lips to his once more, parting them slightly so she could taste him.

He sighed low in his throat, and wrapped his arms tightly around her waist. He opened his mouth deeper to her, allowing her to control their kiss, taking all that she would give. She tentatively slipped her tongue past his lips and shivered, this was a different kind of warm heat that melted her bones and she wondered why Jen didn't warn her of this.

His hand moved into her hair, tilting her head back he met her tongue with his own. Her soft moan was lost in her throat and all she could do was cling onto him tightly. Desire, swift and foreign, flooded her system.

The door to the room opened. "I should have known." Merlin's familiar voice sounded almost winded. "You two must learn not to do this where you can be interrupted."

Joey pulled away swiftly with a remorseful blush. "I am sorry."

"On second thought," Merlin regarded them with wizened eyes, "Perhaps you should stay where others might find you."

Joey blushed some more, unable to meet his eyes.

Pacey gave her a gentle kiss on the corner of her mouth, not as self-conscious in Merlin's presence as Joey was. "Good eve, Merlin." He moved to help his elder to the comfortable chair by the fire.

Joey regained herself and smiled weakly. "Yes, good eve."

"You children must be careful," he warned, "There are eyes all over the castle."

"We are not children," Pacey retorted, rolling his eyes.

Joey sighed. "We will be careful."

"There is much at risk for you both, in and outside your relationship." He smiled, "Protect it, for it makes you both stronger."

She smiled and reached for Pacey's hand, giving it a soft squeeze. He returned the smile, "We have been very careful, Merlin." He turned to Merlin, "And you? Have you been resting?"

"Yes," he smiled.

The corners of Joey's mouth turned up into a pleased smile. "Good."

He smiled at their concern for him. "You two act like I haven't survived ninety-four years without you."

"We care."

"I know, but I am capable of tending to myself."

"What of this mysterious danger, Merlin? We have had no hint of the cause."

He shook his head tiredly, "I have been able to divine nothing. We have no choice but to wait."

Joey frowned. "The waiting and not knowing is terrible."

"Your father grows impatient, Joey. He has already chosen a groom for Lady Jen. I have put him off as long as possible, but without a tangible threat of danger, he is less willing to allow you to practice magic."

Pacey's hand tightened around her own, as he stared into the flames of the fire. "Do you know who he has chosen for Jen?" she asked more concerned for her friend than herself.

"I did not think to ask. You shall have to ask the Lady, I am sure she has heard by now."

Joey nibbled on her lower lip worriedly, right now Jen was either brimming with excitement, or wallowing in terrible misery. She hoped it was the former rather than the latter.

"Tell me, Princess, have you felt anything peculiar as of late?" Merlin hoped.

She shook her head after a moment. "No, I do not think so..."

Pacey slipped his hand from hers, as Merlin continued to question her. "We must work on your sensory searching, Joey. I know you have it with in you and there is no time it is needed more. I find mine has grown weaker."

She nodded compliantly. "When will we begin?"

"Now."

Pacey rose, "Than you shall not need me."

Joey's eyes widened in surprise and she looked to Merlin expectantly.

Pacey moved toward the door, "I shall see you later this evening, Merlin."

Joey rung her hands in her lap apprehensively. "I am sure you don't have to go, Pacey."

"There is no reason to stay," he forced a smile, and left, the door clicking shut behind him.

Joey frowned. "That was not good."

"You needn’t worry over much, he simply worries over the future." Merlin lapsed into thought, "Perhaps, we may be able to use his distress."

Joey eyed him curiously. "How?"

"I want you to search for him, Joey. Close your eyes and use your heart to reach out and find him. Sense the emotion he feels."

Joey did as she was told and shut her eyes. She tried to concentrate on Pacey, her mind bringing forth a brilliant image of him. She almost smiled, but instead focused like Merlin had told her to. She was just about to tell Merlin it had not worked, when she was overcome with a flood of emotions so strong she nearly lost her breath.

Worry and concern seem to war violently with despair and frustration. She could feel the throb in his heart as he moved through the castle. His turmoil made her own heart ache...and underneath it all, was the warm constant of love. She longed to reach out to him and offer some kind of comfort. It was unbearable and she had never felt so helpless.

Merlin watched her face, as she stared into space, "Do you feel him?"

"I--I can." She said, a far away look in her eyes. "I just feel him. He's so...distressed." She reached out to him in her mind, trying to send what comfort and love she could, desperate to soothe him.

He seemed to respond as she sensed his serenity. She felt him grow strong and confident again, just as she'd always known him. She smiled, "He feels me, Merlin. I--" She paused as a warmth cascaded over her senses. A heart-stoppingly tender caress touched her cheek, bringing tears to her eyes. "I can feel him, too," she whispered, awed that he was so far away and yet still with her.

Merlin nodded, grinning beneath his beard. He could feel the magic humming in the very air. Their connection was strong. Together, there was no one who wielded such power. They needed only to learn to harness it completely. There was no doubt in Merlin's mind. His two children would be the victors in this fight against a faceless evil.