Actually, you're making perfect sense. That's pretty much exactly what I was aiming for: I wasn't sure at first what would have happened to Merlin (when I wrote Shadow I didn't imagine that I would have to explain his long absence, really thought no-one would be interested!) but the more time went on, the more I knew it would have to be something that allowed Merlin to still be Merlin, but make him act in a non-Merlinish way.

I also knew Arthur would have to act in a way that was Arthurish, so he would still want the Merlin that was underneath all the sadness, and medication, and fear, but he was going to have to be an exceptional sort of man to see past the not-Merlin stuff. I think that came across? I hope so anyway.

As for friending me, that's absolutely fine; I have returned the compliment. =D

(More in this verse will follow: probably in a week or so!)