"No?" Arthur laughed unpleasantly. He got up to his feet and paced toward the door. Pausing when he reached the handle and then only because he needed to see if Merlin had anything intelligent to say.
"I've spoken to Guinevere about this," he said off-hand. "If we were in Camelot it would be years before you'd say anything to me. Aren't you glad someone took that obligation from you."