AN: Slight revisions applied on 3/17/16 to change the story from a one-shot to a chapter story. Originally written to feed ExcaliburMaiden's Merthian addiction, continued due to numerous requests. IDOM. Proofread by Nance. Any remaining mistakes are all my own. Hope you all enjoy it! Please Review!

So Loved...

Mithian has a secret admirer and Arthur suspects his servant, but Rodor's knowledge of Merlin's family could change everything.

Nearly a month had passed since Odin and Morgana had nearly destroyed Nemeth. Despite the recent siege of Nemeth, King Rodor insisted on hosting a feast for the King of Camelot and his knights to thank them for their help in restoring his throne. The white marble gleamed in the candlelight and cast a warm glow over the guests. A tentative peace treaty had been signed with Odin before he had departed back to his own kingdom. A sense of relief and camaraderie had fallen over everyone in the Great Hall.

Arthur shifted and held his cup out for a refill. He was instantly rewarded by the sound of the wine spilling into the vessel. Confused by the immediate response, he looked up at the servant and was momentarily caught by surprise that it wasn't Merlin.

Outrageous laughter broke through his confusion, and he glanced over at the table where his knights sat. Merlin was tucked in between Gwaine and Percival at the lower table. It was King Rodor's insistence that put Merlin, normally a servant, into a place of honor at the feast.

For this one night, Merlin's diligence in protecting Princess Mithian was being rewarded. Arthur couldn't recall a recent time when Merlin had seemed so carefree and happy. Lately, there always seemed to be a bit of a dark cloud following the young man, especially since the troubles they had faced in Ismere at Morgana's hands. He wished he knew what was going through his servant's head, but his position as king held his tongue. Berating himself silently, he wondered why, if he could take a servant as a wife, why couldn't he actually acknowledge Merlin as a real friend? His deeply ingrained adherence to station kept him from taking that next step.

Merlin understood...didn't he? Sometimes Arthur wasn't entirely sure.

For a brief moment, the blond monarch thought he'd caught Merlin's eye, but then he realized the servant wasn't looking at him. Instead, the servant's longing gaze fell to the place beside Arthur. Princess Mithian was glorious in her golden gown. Dark waves of freshly washed hair fell softly around her shoulders. She was trying to listen to her father's discussion, but Arthur could tell that recent events still had her shaken. Long sleeves barely covered the red mark left by the magic Morgana had used on the bracelet. The princess' hands were clasped tightly together under the table.

"...I don't suppose you could offer any suggestions, Arthur?" Rodor's voice shook Arthur from his reverie.

He smiled politely and shook his head. "I'm sorry, I must have drifted off there for a moment."

Nemeth's king chuckled, "Yes, I think we are all still recovering from our recent trials. I can appreciate how difficult it must be to leave your own kingdom at this time, with your sister still on the loose."

Opening his mouth, Arthur tried to find a way around his lack of attentiveness to the conversation. He closed it and nodded once. "Indeed. Please, what was your question again?"

"I was simply asking if you had any suggestions about a possible suitor for my daughter." The older king chuckled and took a sip of his wine. "After what happened, I need to find someone who can take care of her and our kingdom should anything happen to me."

"Father, please..." Mithian tried to protest. Her voice trembled with emotion and her eyes glistened with unshed tears.

"Now, daughter, I know you have your heart set on someone, but it can never be."

Arthur's curiosity piqued. He had no idea that Mithian was in love with someone. "Why, who is this suitor?"

Rodor sighed in exasperation. "It isn't a suitor. At least, not by any normal means. For years now, my daughter has been receiving occasional letters and trinkets from an unknown source. The author claims to be in love with her, yet has never signed his name nor made his presence known. We don't even know where these are coming from."

"A secret admirer? How intriguing is that?" He noticed the hint of a smile that crept onto the princess' face. "I remember when I first began courting Guinevere. My father most certainly did not approve. So, I tried to send her secret notes and gifts, but she always knew who they were from. Merlin was never very subtle in his delivery." The moment the words came out of his mouth, his eyes turned toward his servant.

Although it was subtle, Arthur could see the way Merlin's gaze kept fluttering back to Mithian when he thought no one was looking. "Tell me, when did this suitor begin sending you notes?"

"Please, King Arthur, do not play into my daughter's flight of fancy. I have sent countless men out trying to track down the sender over the years, to no avail."

"Years?" The mystery of Princess Mithian's admirer deepened. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, and implored them to continue. "How many years?"

"Oh, four... five, perhaps. As a matter of fact, they started arriving not long after her journey to Camelot."

"Ah." Steepling his hands in front of his face, Arthur nodded as he began to understand what Rodor was implying. "You think it could be someone from Camelot? One of my knights, perhaps?"

Rodor held out his hands to indicate he couldn't say.

"Princess Mithian." Arthur's sudden attention caused her jump. "Do you, by chance, have any of the letters you were sent?"

She looked at her father nervously. After being unable to locate the sender, Rodor had implored his daughter to be rid of all the messages and trinkets. Nothing sent to her was of any real value. A few pieces of poorly crafted jewelry, an occasional vial of perfume...nothing of real splendor to note. The king nodded his consent and Mithian carefully withdrew a crumpled parchment from her belt.

She reluctantly handed it to Arthur. Unfolding the paper carefully, he noticed how worn it seemed...as if she had kept it with her constantly; pulling it out often to read it and refold it, and then hide it again. The contents of the message were simple: "You are so loved."

Arthur had to pause. He remembered when he had said goodbye to her years before. "I would give up my own kingdom to be so loved." Mithian had said to him on the steps of Camelot. "Hmm... that is a very sweet message."

For a second his eyes narrowed, but he was quick to school his face back to ignorance as he returned the parchment. "I can't say I recognize the writing. Were the other notes just as elusive?"

"They were."

"I will look into it when I return to Camelot, if you like." Mithian's eyes sparkled with hope for the first time since her father had mentioned her needing a proper suitor.

"Don't bother yourself too much with it, Arthur. I know you have duties that take precedence over one anonymous admirer."

He had to agree with Rodor on that. Although, his mind was already churning over the implications of what he had seen in the note. For the time being, he wasn't going to tell them that he actually suspected who the author was. Lifting his cup to his lips, his eyes once again sought out the dark haired servant sitting with his knights.