"No! I'm saving his life! Neither of you understand!" Elaine got up again, putting space between herself and them. "He hasn't asked me to do anything- which is the problem! I need him back! I have to help him! Don't you see? Don't you see?" Looking at Merlin again, she willed him to understand her, but he just looked back at her, a little confused, a little concerned.
"Mim... are you alright? Have you been struggling at all?" he asked, trying to be gentle about the question, but Elaine waved a hand dismissively.
"I am fine. I am free. There are warnings, symbols of danger, and I cannot ignore them. Will you help me find the Sheriff, or not?"
There was a long pause, the two of them holding eye contact, until at last Merlin lowered his gaze and looked away. "I will not. I will not risk the hard work you have done on yourself. There must be other ways to seek Little John out, if that is what you want to do."
Elaine clenched her jaw angrily, and smoothed out her skirt with a sharp flick. "Fine. If you will not help me, I will seek out someone who will. Good evening to you both." She turned on her heel and marched towards the front door, snatching her cloak from the hook, her cat clinging to her shoulder for balance.
Merlin took a few steps after her. "I didn't say I wouldn't help, I just said not like this-" he began, until he was cut off by the front door slamming shut behind her. Pursing his lips, he sucked in a breath through his nose, and closed his eyes for a moment, centring himself.
"I am sorry, my dear," he said gently to Luna, with a shake of his head. "Sorry you had to see that. Mim is an old friend, but she can be... passionate." He gestured in the direction she'd gone in, and came to sit down again.