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A strong kingdom had to go through hardships should it ever achieve greatness. The same could be said about people. A person could only truly be great if they have suffered, as horrible as that sounds. But Elyan knew it was true; suffering but coming out on top, it strengthens not only the heart but also the soul. "I'm sure you're wondering why I have asked you to meet me," Elyan's eyes perked up. "Yes," he smiled at Arthur. He was indeed curious, as he usually was. He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion however when Arthur spoke of documents and succession. When Arthur paused, Elyan tried to piece together what this had to do with him. He tried to an extent not to involve himself in politics, which to be honest had been becoming increasingly hard since becoming the queen's brother. Elyan still hadn't quite caught on to what Arthur was trying to say.

When Arthur continued to speak though, of anything happening to him and Gwen, it finally hit him. His mouth hung open slightly, and his eyebrows rose, when he finally realised what Arthur was saying. So that's why he had mentioned documents and succession. He let out a breath. Elyan dreaded to think of any harm coming to his sister, or to his king, or rather his brother in law, and sincerely hoped that such a thing would never happen. He still could not speak. "Then I would ask if you would allow us to list you as the successor." When Arthur finally said the words, Elyan could not say anything right away. He just stared at Arthur blankly for a few moments. "Wait," he paused. "Am I getting this correctly." Maybe he had heard Arthur wrong, or had just misunderstood him. "You want me," he pointed at his own chest for added effect. "To be the successor to the throne?"

“Well, it’s not the first time I’ve been called trouble.” He chuckled at that. "I'm almost certain it won't be the last," he smirked at her playfully. Looking at the heavily pregnant women before him he could hardly imagine her as a troublesome young lady, except for that playful glint in her eye. He'd recognise that anywhere. He chuckled at her next words. “But thank you.” He smiled warmly at her. "You're very welcome, and I'm sure your child will be great." He had genuinely meant what he said. If they needed him he'd help, even if her children did happen to be little hell raisers. He'd rather they weren't of course, but he was rarely lucky like that. "Of course if they are wild hellish children, I'll be running for the hills," he said in mock seriousness, before laughing.

Perfection could only really be interpreted. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as they say. Perfection is something one can only strive for, but never attain. It was better that way. He smiled at her when she spoke. "Well good, because I'm sure if I told the gardener that I didn't think the gardens were perfect, let’s just say I really don't like the look of that pointy rake." He laughed. The gardeners worked hard to keep the gardens up to a royal standard, so he imagined they wouldn't be particularly happy if Elyan ever criticised their hard work. They'd run after him with all sorts of weapons which had happened to Elyan once before after a complete misunderstanding. It wasn't fun.

He had every belief that both Caitrin and her child would be completely healthy after birth. But he would still keep them in his prayers if sheer hope and confidence was not enough. Plus she had a shooting star in her favour, so what could go wrong? He froze for a split second but not long enough for Caitrin to notice. Whenever he said or even thought that, something always went wrong. Then again things usually went wrong for Elyan, so he was probably just being overly paranoid. “Perhaps the spirits tell of good things to come for you as well my Lord?” He smiled at her suggestion. "Oh I don't know about that," he chuckled. "Anyway I'm pretty sure the light was looking at you," he said teasingly. He liked to believe in things like miricles and 'shooting stars' it made the world mysterious and spectacular, like there is always more to it than any one person can know. "Do you believe in this kind of stuff?" He waved his arm toward the sky where the shooting star had been.

"In a good way or a bad way?" He laughed at Merlin's expression. "I most definitely mean it in a good way." Merlin had a very unique and cheery personality which was something Elyan admired. He always had a sort of mystery about him, like there was something more and deeper, something beneath the cheery and happy surface. He was probably just over analysing things. He did that a lot and more often than not he'd just be wrong, which was probably the case now. Merlin didn't seem like the mysterious, sombre type, but as they say always look out for the ones you'd least expect. He smiled inwardly at the thought. "Besides, being ordinary is hardly good fun at all is it," he nudged him playfully while smiling with his eyebrows raised.

"Thankyou anyway," He grinned at Merlin and laughed at his next words. "Aww, come on," he nudged him. "You are much more than Arthur's dogsbody. In fact I'm pretty sure you're his best friend," he smiled. "A best friend that does his laundry, polishes his armour, dresses him, mucks out his stables," he let the list trail off and replaced it with laughter. They had an odd relationship, but hey it worked. Who was he to judge? "Now then, I'm going to ask you a very serious question Merlin," he said in mock seriousness. "In one word, I've described you as extraordinary. So, how would you describe me in one word?" He tried to keep up the serious approach, but the idea sort of shattered as soon as a grin stretched across his face. He was genuinely curious, and awaited Merlin's answer.

Elyan couldn't help but laugh at Merlin's words. Of course Merlin spoke of interesting things, he did call him wise after all. But that's not to say Merlin doesn't speak about interesting things...a lot. He continued to chuckle when Merlin asked who he'd rather be stuck in a cell with, him or Gwaine. He already knew the answer to that and couldn't agree with Merlin more. "If I was stuck in a cell with Gwaine for any amount of time, I'm not very sure I'd be able to bear it." Gwaine talked even more than Merlin did, and most of it was hardly interesting or even relevant at all. It was like he talked merely for the sake of talking. He'd probably have the worst luck imaginable if for any reason he would be stuck in a cell with Gwaine. He might even turn suicidal, he thought over dramatically. He hoped they weren't jinxing it. Elyan smiled weakly at Merlin's words about Gwen. He knew Merlin was right and nodded in agreement. "Yeah I know," he sighed. "I just really wish she didn't have to." He hated the idea of his little sister having to defend herself for any reason. It was supposed to be his job to protect her and he wasn't really doing a good job of that.

As they spoke of secrets Elyan awaited Merlin's answer. He wasn't really sure what he was expecting Merlin to say. He had no idea of the nature of the secrets that Merlin could keep in that strange mind of his. But he had made the offer for a reason. Although he didn't really have any huge secrets he knew what a burden they could be. Sometimes, he would notice small moments when Merlin was looking elsewhere; he'd have a look on his face so beyond his years, like he held the responsibility of the whole world on his shoulders. He'd always wondered about that, but had chosen not to pry too much, although he was pretty curious. Elyan narrowed his eyes slightly at his words but just nodded. "but that's all there is really, nothing else. Just me...little old Merlin..." He chuckled in disbelief. "I don't think you could ever be 'just little old Merlin,'" he began. "There is a reason you are such a friend to Arthur and to all of us really. You may not be a knight, but there is nothing ordinary about you, Merlin." If he had to describe Merlin, ordinary is word that wouldn't for a second even cross his mind. "In fact if I had to describe you, I'm pretty sure I'd say...extraordinary," he smiled.

Elyan laughed at her words about what she must have been like in her days at court. He decided there was no need to pry any longer because he had a pretty good idea about what she meant. "If I ever have children," he mused. "I would most definitely not want them to take after my amazing ability to attract trouble," he chuckled. He only escaped most of the impossible situations he had constantly landed himself into, by pure and utter luck. Either that or his sister Gwen would help him out. Maybe that was reason enough that Elyan should steer clear of having his own children. “If I do my job they won’t need a push.” He chuckled. "I'm sure you'll be an excellent mother, you'll do your job amazingly" he said sincerely. He didn't doubt his words at all. "And if you and your husband ever need help, don't hesitate to ask." He meant that genuinely.

He was staring at a couple of forget me not's. They were one of Gwen's favourite flowers if he remembered correctly. He'd have to ask her about that in the morning, or the next time he saw her. “Then what would you suggest my Lord, to make it completely perfect?” He smiled at her words and had to think for a moment. "Nothing in this world is truly perfect," he began. "But I think that is the beauty of it." Nothing is perfect because nothing should be perfect. Elyan believed it was better that way. The garden was not perfect which just resulted in making it more spectacular. It gave it a more rural and natural feeling. "If it was perfect," he began. "Then I don't think it would be quite as beautiful," he sighed. "What do you think?"

The light in the sky was unlike anything he had ever seen before. Another may call it magic, but Elyan did not think sorcery was part of it. He had heard of something like it described to him before. A shooting star, they called it, to be seen at least once in one's lifetime. But hearing about it and seeing it were two very different things indeed. He grinned at Caitrin when she said she saw it too. So, it was not just some trick of the eyes. He was relieved that it was in fact real and not just proof that he should sleep. “What do you think it means?” He paused for a moment in thought. The smile on his face after seeing such a thing had not yet subsided. "I think it may be a sign from the spirits." What a pleasant thought that was. "Even those beyond the stars themselves believe in Camelot and its prosperity," he chuckled incredulously. "And the stars must think that your baby will be strong and healthy," he smiled warmly at her. "A story you can tell the little one when they're older."

"Arthur is capable of of having that wisdom without asking me" Elyan nodded slightly. That was partially true. Arthur was after all king now, although a particularly young one he still had to be wise. But there are something's Arthur does not know and he needs friends like Merlin to tell him. Elyan listened intently as Merlin continued and couldn't help but laugh with him at the look of mock annoyance on his face. "Merlin I have travelled to many places for many years," he began with mock seriousness. "I can honestly tell I have never met anyone who talks like you," he ended with a chuckle, although it was actually true. He'd never met anyone like Merlin, he was unique in his own way which was refreshing. "Gwen is better at giving advice than me, I hope that she'll be able to offer that again to Arthur soon." Elyan smiled weakly. "She's not better at giving advice, she's just...different." He nudged Merlin's shoulder playfully. "Hey, she'll be back soon enough. I just know it." He had to believe that.

He felt relieved that Merlin was alright with his questions. He certainly had been worried that he'd mindlessly caused him some sort of pain. Elyan knew how hard it was to talk of people that have passed on. He was glad to hear that Merlin thought his father was a good man. "In the end I guess it does not matter what people think, but what you think," he smiled. It didn't matter if others didn't like his father, as long as Merlin did. He supposed parents who have passed away was also a particularly sore subject for Arthur, which is probably why he wouldn't talk about it much. "It helps to actually get things off my mind - I don't mind people asking questions like that." Elyan smiled warmly at Merlin. "Well, if there's anything else, any secrets or anything you need to get off your chest, don't hesitate to tell me." Elyan knew what it was like to bottle things up, and it did not feel good, because eventually you just explode.

He hoped that since he'd be the uncle to Arthur and Gwen's children, maybe he could give them a nudge towards Caitrin's children. That would be only if they didn't find their way by themselves. How hard could it be to miss red hair? He sincerely hoped that their first meeting wouldn't be as humiliating as their uncle's with Caitrin. He doubted that he could ever forget that he had thought the Lady Caitrin had been a hallucination. He sighed inwardly. “I’m sure seeing them all in the courts will liven the place up a little bit.” He smiled at her. "Oh I don't doubt it," he chuckled. "I'm sure their mother livened up the place too," he said smiling. Before she was married, Caitrin must have worked the courts. If not in Camelot, then in Mercia probably.

Flowers weren't really Elyan's thing. Gwen was always the one that loved flowers. He expected she got that from their mother; she always used to leave flowers around the house when she had been alive. Gwen was so much like their mother, not that she'd really remember of course, but Elyan did and always would. He was glad Gwen now had her own personal supply of the best grown flowers in all of Camelot. She deserved that much of course. “Yes, that sounds perfect.” He smiled at Caitrin and felt glad that he had suggested it. It was a particularly tranquil place, so it would be perfect for a mother with child.

Elyan didn't visit the royal gardens regularly, so he was very relieved that she had decided to lead the way. As they entered the gardens, Elyan couldn't help but smile at the beauty. He didn't even care if that sounded girly anymore because it truly was a wonderful sight. There were so many different types of flowers with names he wouldn't know. But the colour, even in under nothing but the moonlight, was spectacular. Maybe he should visit the gardens more often. He began to walk over to a bench for Caitrin to sit on; she was pregnant after all. He bent down to pick up a single pink rose before offering it to her. "For you, my lady," he said smiling and stepping aside so that she could sit if she wanted to.

"Sir Merlin..." Elyan chuckled and nodded slightly in approval. "It certainly has a ring to it." He couldn't really imagine Merlin as a knight though. Not just because of his different build, but because Elyan had never seen the man kill anyone. It was yet another thing about Merlin that he was curious about. He kept his mouth shut for now though, but the thought was planted into his mind. Elyan continued to laugh as Merlin spoke of how Arthur's socks needed him. "I'm sure it's more than just Arthur's socks that need you," he began. "Other than Gwen," he paused for a moment, "you are his closest advisor." Merlin was Arthur's best friend and everyone saw that. Now that Gwen had been banished, Merlin was left to be Arthur's closest confidante. "Despite the fact that you talk a lot sometimes, you are very capable of wisdom; wisdom that Arthur needs as a new king."

The topic had shifted to fathers. Not only Elyan's, but Merlin's too. He hadn't really meant to ask the way he did; so forward and brash. It had just sort of blurted out with the topic of their conversation now. He didn't want to make Merlin talk about something he didn't want to and he probably shouldn't have asked. He had just been a little too curious, that was all. But it was too late now, the question was out there. It had already left his lips and now, he merely awaited Merlin's response.

When Merlin said that his father had died and he never really knew him, Elyan instantly felt horrible for asking the question. "I'm so sorry Merlin." He knew how painful losing a father was. "But I'm sure he was a good man, like you." He smiled weakly. He felt horrid though, because although he had lost his father, at least he knew him. They may have been at odds with each other more often than Elyan was proud of, but he loved his father with all of his heart and he knew his father loved him, despite everything. Merlin hadn't even gotten to know his father. Hearing that he had died meant that Merlin no longer had the chance too, which Elyan was sure must hurt. Maybe Merlin's pain was stronger than Elyan's then. "I didn't mean to ask the question like that, I shouldn't have." His stupid curiosity was always problematic. It seemed now was no different.

Elyan was relieved that Iwan hadn't taken his forwardness too badly. He certainly hadn't intended to be quite so blunt; it had just come out that way. He had been slightly frustrated with the mini debate that had gone on between the two of them and he expected that was probably what came out in his previous assertive words. Elyan had seen the slight surprise on the other man's face when he had spoken, but thankfully nothing more to show any sort of distress. Quite frankly he had been pretty surprised too; he wasn't usually so brash. But he was usually impatient, which was a trait the new knight wasn't particularly proud of, and knew he probably needed to work on.

He watched the other knight thinking, and waited patiently. He was probably thinking of all the places he was going to show Elyan, which had something to do with knights. Elyan secretly hoped there weren't too many knightly places in Camelot; he had hoped to get back to the castle, at least before sunset. He had some work related to the forge to finish off. Just some paperwork, but he had hoped to be at least a little awake so he could easily calculate the inventory. But he would not to show any distress of course, that would just be impolite. This was all for his benefit after all, and Elyan may be many things but he wasn't outwardly rude. At least not all the time, or he hoped not...

"Is there anything else you wish to ask before we move on?" He knew he probably shouldn't say anything and just move this little tour along. He was the one that wanted to get back early after all. But his curiosity got the better of him, which it usually did, despite all the problems it would land him in. Also, judging by the chance that their relationship would only deteriorate, then this could be his only chance to comfortably ask. "I was wondering, how long have you been a knight?" He didn't mean it offensively or as a way to see how much experience or qualifications he had. He was just genuinely curious.