Hopefully she's up for quite the challenge, as Merlin's spent a long, long time indeed avoiding getting close to most people. And naturally has trouble truly relating in the first place, to boot.

"Do you, now? Then I wish you l--"

Remember how that cabbit-bird was sneaking and stalking around Merlin earlier? After spending some time pouncing and batting at his hair and robes, it suddenly leaps up and, grabbing a large bunch of hair in its beak, clamps down and yanks.

"Cath Palug II, you cut that out right now!!" Merlin whirls around at the critter, which promptly zooms away. Then stops once safely out of reach to turn around and hunker down, watching, clearly enjoying this 'game' it's playing.