Allergies of Love: The Merlin and Arthur Story

The sneezes began as soon as I had taken hold of the man's sword. He called it a "claymore," something I did not understand, but it was a heavy blade, sharp on both edges and with a point like a needle. I could tell at once that he was an honorable man, one who would not use such a weapon to cut me down while I held his sword, so I let him take it back.

The sneezes were soft and delicate, like the flower petals in my hand, but by the time we sat for our meal, I had sneezed ten times. I sneezed every time he looked at me, every time he smiled at me.

"What is wrong with you?" Arthur asked me. He was sitting opposite me at the table, his own food untouched. Somehow he knew why I felt ill - or perhaps it was simply that he knew me so well. "Merlin," he said. "Are you..."

"Yes," I told him. "I am allergic to flowers." And then it all came pouring out: how long we had known each other, how close we had grown, how much we meant to each other - how deeply in love we were with one another. It was like a floodgate had been opened in my heart and soul; with every word that left my lips, more love flowed from my heart and into the world around me.

My words tugged at Arthur's heartstrings, and he reached across the table to take my hand in his. The moment our skin touched, there was an explosion of light that filled the whole room with joy and wonderment. The two of us were connected now; our love for each other poured out of us in waves of pure light, washing over our plates and chairs and cups until even the walls seemed to glow with a golden hue.

We fell into each other's arms - finally!

Then Arthur sneezed. A single sneeze that echoed through the room like thunder after lightning strikes. And I understood: It wasn't just flowers that made me sneeze! It was everything! Everything made me sneeze! Everyone! All of creation!

Even though our connection was strong enough to withstand my allergy to him, or perhaps because it was so strong...I couldn't bear it anymore! My nose started running uncontrollably; tears flooded my eyes as I stared into Arthur's deep blue eyes which now seemed duller somehow...less beautiful... less perfect...less magical...and above all else: less mine!