Being polite even in the face of an advancing army is something Merlin tends to pride himself on. Of course then he'd either be retreating or using his varied abilities to cause confusion and/or delay. It really hasn't been that long since PatternFall.

"Yes, so many it's hard to pick just one." But he doesn, with a twinkle in his eye. "Tell me, from your perspective, about my aunts and uncles."

Forewarned is forearmed, after all.