"My pardon, Lady Keeper. I do definitely not seek to make thy life any harder." Merlin bowed to her in full court style, eyes alight, without spilling his drink. And then he grinned in return.

"Aye, milady. New to thy place, and yet oh so old, in too many ways." His eyes danced, amused, curious, and glad to see her. "Prithee, milady, may I know thy name, and the name of thus is place?"