[ Kurt finds himself wondering if there's something he can do to make Merlin feel less anxious. There's very little he can do about wherever they've ended up or the fact that he has recognised him, so he settles on tucking his tail behind him and trying to present a pleasant expression.

He's happy to accept Merlin's assumption that it's a coincidence, although the fact that the boy has mentioned Arthur makes Kurt doubt it's so far from the truth. Still, if it's what he needs to reassure himself and enable them to get out of this maze, it's enough.

Kurt blinks briefly at Merlin's question, mentally rewinding the conversation for a second in case he had mentioned Brian, before he realises that Merlin means the other wizard. He laughs softly. ]

Oh, he wasn't my friend. More of a.. facilitator, I suppose. A great sorcerer. He brought together some friends and myself to fight a great evil, which we did not realise at the time was his old rival. [ He looks away from Merlin, his expression going distant with the memory. They had all been so angry at being manipulated. So young, so passionate. ] He put us in harm's way, used us like playing pieces on a chess board.

But in doing so, in bringing us together, he gave me some of the best years of my life. [ Kurt shrugs as he looks back at Merlin. ] So, you see, some things are not so simple.