Will had long ago given up any hope of ever seeing a familiar face in the castle. While others had seen friends and family come and go, Will had stayed silent and comforted himself with his duty and with the knowledge that no one could have come for him. Even if they had wanted to.

And so seeing Merriman standing in the courtyard this morning was the last thing Will would have ever expected. He just stands and stares for a moment, almost not daring to believe this was real.

"Merriman?"