Page 35 of Kings and Monsters

"You'd miss me if I were gone," Merlin said, pushing her out of the way so he could give Bleddyn a forced hug. "Don't be mad at me for teasing you, Father. I'm going to the Underworld and will probably piss off a god. You can't be mad at me before a journey like that."

"If that is how you truly feel, stop doing all that you can to aggravate me." Bleddyn gave Merlin's shoulders a hard squeeze. "Don't get yourself killed."

"Ha! If only it were that easy."

"If you make me mourn for you again, Merlin, I will resurrect you so that you live to regret it," Bleddyn said sternly.

"Don't be so dramatic," Merlin replied. "I'll make sure I get Rosa back to you."

"And what about me?" Arthur asked.

"You're on your own. Christ, I've saved you enough over the years."

Arthur pulled a face as they headed for the doors. "Sounds to me like your memory spell hasn't completely worn off."

Bleddyn walked with them out of the palace and through the city. A few curious Unseelie stared at them openly, and Rosa tried to smile pleasantly back at them. It wasn't long after dawn, and thankfully, nearly everyone had gone to their beds, making the streets bare in comparison to when they had first come in.

"So much for being able to sneak out quietly," Merlin said. "Couldn't you have stayed inside, Bleddyn? They're out here to see you after all."

"You'll live," came Bleddyn's calm reply.

Rosa had a not so sneaking suspicion he was doing it on purpose to pay Merlin back for his comments about Eirianwen.

Rosa glanced about, hoping to see her so she could say goodbye, but without any luck. Ever since the night Eirianwen helped get rid of the thorns, Rosa had begun to warm up to her. Being amongst her own people again had helped Eirianwen relax, and seeing the way she interacted with Bleddyn last night had made Rosa like her even more.

Finally clear of the massive tree, Bleddyn pointed them towards a road heading south. "There's your path, children. Follow Eirianwen's map. I'm sure she won't lead you astray."

Rosa gave his hand a squeeze. "We'll be back as soon as we can. I expect you to give the Autumn Queen absolute hell while I'm gone. Make her remember why she used to fear the Seren Du."

"I promise. Be careful of Gwyn. Don't promise him anything you can't deliver on. The fae are literal in their agreements, so try not to jest," he said. "Look after the boys."

"Ha! Maybe. I might just feed Merlin to Dormach and be done with it."

"You can try, Rhosyn," Merlin said. He lit a cigarette and waved at her. "Come on, Bleddyn can look after himself. If he doesn't, I'm sure Eirianwen will."

"Unlikely," Bleddyn said softly under his breath.

When they reached the cover of the forest and out of Bleddyn's eyesight, Rosa turned and punched Merlin hard in the shoulder.

"What was that for?" he complained.

"For being an absolute dick this morning. What has gotten into you?" Rosa demanded.

"I had to be sure."

"Of what? That you're a bastard?" Arthur asked. "Aye, we all know."

"Are you two daft? I wanted to see if Bleddyn had started courting Eirianwen yet. Or if he was interested in it at least. Now we know," Merlin replied, his smile wide.

"I don't see how provoking him to rip your throat out proves anything," Rosa said.

"Oh, my sweet, Rhosyn," he slung an arm about her shoulders, "remind me to explain to you the complexities of faerie mating and courtship one day."

"If it involves decoding Bleddyn's sex life, I'd prefer to remain ignorant," Rosa replied. "I hope you weren't that rude to Eirianwen this morning."

"I wouldn't dream of it. Bleddyn would hesitate before hitting me, but I know she wouldn't."

"If I had a piece of gold for every time Merlin was hit in the face for being an ass, I'd be Midas," Arthur said.

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