I stumbled aimlessly towards the castle; cloak sodden with fresh blood and my hair matted with the warm liquid. All I knew was that I needed to reach Gaius' chambers. The darkness didn't help either, especially so soon after the Dragon attack. I tried my best to manoeuvre my way around bits of debris that had not yet been taken away to be reused to help rebuild the castle. Ignoring the throbbing sensation in my left arm that was causing me the most difficulty in moving.

I could see light up ahead, from the flamed torches; carried by the knights who were on guard this night. I sighed, praying that it was not Arthur. He had taken to staying up all night to make sure that no looters robbed the people sleeping in their houses, out of concern for the people. With each step I took, it seemed to get further away; the cold knights jovially laughing at a joke. It seemed I would never reach them, I was anxious too because it meant that I was halfway there. I fell to the floor 20 yards away.

"Gwen? Gwen are you alright? What happened?" A familiar voice said, walking towards me, from the direction of the knights had been gathered in. The place was starting to spin; I could only imagine what I looked like to him.

"I need to see Gaius, I know it's late; I can't wait until the morning," I managed to gasp out, between the withheld pain. He nodded to the Guards.

"Gwen I need you to stay awake for me," he said, pulling my right arm up, so that I could stand.

"I don't know if I can Leon," I stammered, he took this opportunity to lift me up into his arms, I closed my eyes slowly, looking up at his bearded face and he looked stressed to say the least. Leon and I got on okay was friendly to me and he was not like the other knights in Camelot, he was kind to me and treated me as his equal.

"I shall return soon; Owain you are in charge," he told the Knights as we passed them. I sighed, now fighting with my instincts to stare at the surroundings. The rebuilding of Camelot had been going on for the last few weeks, and many had pitched in, including me as I had nothing better to do now.

"Leon, I am sorry to inconvenience you," I apologized, my left arm stung slightly now, the bleeding still surfacing.

"It is fine Gwen, honestly. What happened to you? Where you attacked?" he asked as we entered the square where the dragon had almost killed me not three weeks ago.

"It is not important." I tried to smile but my cheeks hurt. "But may I ask one favour?" it suddenly dawned on me.

"Yes, what is your request?" he laughed, walking quicker towards the Physicians quarters.

"Do not tell anybody that you saw me tonight. I don't want people to know what happened to me." Really I didn't want Arthur to find out what had happened. I dreaded what he would think or say. Leon frowned.

"What did happen?" he questioned. Beginning the climb to Gaius' room.

"Please Leon, just don't tell anybody. I am begging you." I pleaded, noticing that we were outside the chambers. He just sighed, and then knocked on the door loudly. I heard a groan come from inside then the footsteps that headed towards the door. Before a very tired looking Gaius opened it.

"Gaius, I am sorry of the late hour, but-" Leon began, gripping my leg a little tighter.

"Gwen? What on earth happened to you?" he gasped, moving out of the way so that we could enter. "Put her on my bed, quickly," he snapped.

"I'm sorry Gaius," I said, stammering. Wincing as the injuries I had sustained came into contact with the mattress.

"It is fine child." He gasped, looking at me under the light. "Leon can you fetch Merlin from his room please?" he looked at Leon, who nodded before disappearing from my view. Gaius took this opportunity to begin loosening my cloak and looking me over quickly. He glared at my most obvious injury.

"Gwen are you aware that you have a dagger in your left arm?" he grimaced.

"I think I may have noticed it before Gaius," I smiled, trying to stay strong. He laughed sombrely. My gasps of pain were interrupted by a grumbling Merlin entering the room.

"What could you possibly want me to do at 2am Gaius?" he yawned, opening his eyes, he was suddenly wide awake; horror on his face.

"Gwen? " Was all he could say, before rushing to m bedside to help Gaius with my clothes.

"Merlin, I need you to get me a shirt and a pair of trousers for Gwen, it will make things easier." He told Merlin.

"I have one of Arthur's washed ones?" he muttered, before returning to his room. Gaius had my blood all over his hands, and some on his face. I saw the worried expression on his face.

"Leon you return to your duties," he said still focused on me.

"I want to help, what do you need to do?" he offered, I turned to him, smiling slightly.

"Go and fetch some water from the well please. Quickly," he added, Leon ran from the room. I gasped as Gaius ran his fingers over my dagger wound. I closed my eyes trying to think of something else. I heard Merlin enter again, and opened my eyes. He was undoing my corset, carefully avoiding the dagger that held my dress to my body. I shuddered as Merlin's hands pushed the trousers onto my body underneath my dress.

"Sorry," he apologized quickly. He moved on to taking my right arm out of my dress and pushing Arthur's blue top over my head, then threading my right arm through the arm of the shirt. Had I cared about dying, I would have been embarrassed about being so exposed in the presence of three men; now that Leon had entered.

"Thank you Leon. Now go back to the guard, and please remember what I asked?" I pleaded with him. He smiled, and then left. I gasped; Gaius was fretting over the dagger in my arm. I was just focusing on staying awake. Merlin had lifted me up slightly and sat on the bed, so that I was resting on his body.

"Gwen, I can't do anything until this thing is out," Gaius explained, gesturing to the dagger.

"Then take it out," I sobbed, he exchanged a look with Merlin, I realised. "I could die, right? Then do what you can, I do not care," I pleaded. Merlin tightened his grip on me.

"On the count of 3 I shall remove the dagger. Merlin get ready to take her arm, ready?" he asked.

"1," Merlin started, I closed my eyes, breathing deep.

"2!" Gaius growled, suddenly pulling out the dagger in one swift movement. I cried out in pain, Merlin pulled out my arm and Gaius started applying pressure to it. Stopping the bleeding, but not my tears.

"You said three?" I growled. Gaius was bandaging up my war wound and Merlin had already threaded it through Arthurs blue shirt. Gaius pulled my dress off so that I was wearing men's clothes. I think I was wearing Merlin's brown trousers, but I felt cold. I could not believe what had happened to me. What people would say about me? I grimaced. Gaius had dealt with the main problem but what about all the minor injuries.

"Gaius," Merlin whispered. And I fell back into his lap.

AGAGAGAGAG

Arthur's POV

The sun was rising steadily over Camelot this morning; the birds were singing and all was right with the world. Apart from one thing. Why Merlin had not woke me up already. He was never usually late, or at least he would blunder in with some pitiful excuse. But I had been awake for an hour now and he still had not come in yet. I was starving too. I grumbled my way out of bed and towards the window. I saw many of the artisans bustling around the square, with many flowers and summer fruits laden in their arms. I frowned; I noticed that the three guards that were on duty last night returning to the throne room for the now daily returns of information. It must be that time of the day, and I was still in my night clothes.

I stormed over to my wardrobe and pulled out my brown top, one that I often wear and a pair of my brown trousers. I sighed, I was perfectly capable of dressing myself but I liked Merlin to do it. Wouldn't want him to forget his place. Whilst pulling out a pair of socks a flimsy piece of white material flitted down to the floor. I sighed and picked it up slowly. Guinevere's token often reminded me of the way that I felt about her, and it often filled me with hope and love. But for some reason it did not do that today; instead it filled me with dread and anxiety, though I don't know why. I would change my route on my way to the Throne room, to see if I could see her in the square, helping out the rebuilding on Camelot. Not something that I was especially pleased about but if that is what she wanted to do who was I too judge?

I sighed and lightly placed the token back in its original place. Hidden between two pairs of socks. Feeling remotely calmer I walked out of my chambers and down the stairs. I saw the usual people helping to build Camelot back to its original glory, the baker's son, the apothecary's daughter. But no Gwen. I frowned and entered the throne room. I was late. Leon was in an address with father. Father frowned and gestured for me to come up and sit on his right. I quickly scanned the room for any sign of Guinevere, but she was nowhere to be found. I glared at my shoes and threw myself into my seat, resting my head on my hand.

"Was there any trouble last night?" Father asked, looking at me then at the three soldiers. Leon, Owain and Galahad. I now noticed that where as Owain and Galahad were near enough spotless, Leon was covered in blood. And not his own by the looks of it.

"Everything was clear until about 2am. A young lady approached us, battered and bruised. She was near enough at death's door," Galahad relayed to the King. My ears pricked up at that No...It was a coincidence. What would Guinevere be doing out at 2am.

"And what did she say had happened to her?" Father asked, intrigued.

"She wouldn't tell us, for fear of what people would think of her. She also seemed quite delirious." Owain boomed out of his voice. No, that was too coincidental; there are plenty of women besides Gwen who would not want to make a scene.

"Do you think she was attacked? Raped even?" Father pressed. Which was unusual, but I suppose losing Morgana made him a lot more aware of young ladies in Camelot. There was a silence. Galahad and Owain looked at Leon. "Leon you have been awfully quiet this meeting," Leon sighed.

"I am just tired Milord." He explained. He looked to the floor. "I took the girl to Gaius that is all."

"And what did Gaius think of being woken up at 2am?" Father laughed.

"He was fine. As far as I am aware he is still nursing the girl right now." Leon answered.

"And who was this girl?" Father asked, crossing his legs. Leon exchanged a glance with Galahad.

"She does not want to be identified. She begged me not to tell anybody what happened to her, not that she told me what happened to her in the first place." Leon replied dazed. I scanned the room again, indeed Gaius was not there, nor was Merlin. Perhaps he was helping with the girl?

"Fair enough. If she recovers then let me know and get her to tell you what happened," Father said. The three knights nodded. "Now if there is no other business then I think that that is all for today. Dismissed,"

Father got up and I followed him dazed. No Guinevere was stronger than most of the women I knew. She wouldn't put herself in that position. No, she was much too sensible. I hadn't seen her merely because she was working in the kitchens today. Gwen was fine. I told myself. I actually made myself a whole lot happier knowing that she was fine.

Now that I knew that she was fine, I have to go and deal with that ignorant servant of mine. I headed towards Gaius' chambers. The first place I was going to look. I smiled, thinking of all the extra chores I would give him. Mucking out the stables, polishing all of my left boots before my right boots. Dusting my wardrobe, oh what fun I would have. Watching him squirm.

I knew something was wrong as soon as I approached the staircase. There were fresh bloodstains on the stone floor. Along with bloodied footprints that belonged to Leon, I frowned; he was always a noble man, not caring about helping those who needed to be helped. I smiled; he is one of my best knights. I knocked on the door, waiting for it to be answered. I heard frantic voices come from the other side of the wood.

"Gaius is busy I am afraid," Merlin answered the door. I recoiled. His lap was covered in blood as well as his face.

"I didn't come here for him. You know I was late for the council meeting because of you!" I glared at him.

"Well then I am sorry, but I am currently helping a very sick woman." He tried to close the door, but I jammed it with my foot.

"Then I shall come in," I proclaimed.

"Who is it?" I heard Gaius bellow.

"Arthur," Merlin answered not looking around.

"Arthur? What's he doing here?"

"To scold me." He glowered at me. I crossed my arms.

"Well maybe you could do it somewhere else."

"You know I am just going to come in,"

"No!" both Gaius and Merlin yelled. I raised an eyebrow.

"Trust me, don't go in there. You won't be able to come back out again," Merlin warned. I rolled my eyes.

"I think I shall manage," I said sarcastically. And pushed Merlin out of the way. I looked around the room. It was a mess. Water was on the floor and surfaces. Also blood was on the floor. There was also a lot of glass. I frowned. Gaius was guarding the girls face by standing over her, bandaging something. "How long have you two been up?" I asked.

"2are," they both answered. I nodded, it was now 10am, Gaius had been working over the girl for 8 hours, and her injuries must have been extensive. But then Gaius made the mistake of moving down to the other end of her body, near her feet. I gasped.

"Guinevere?" I choked. I nearly didn't recognise her. Her beautiful hair was hidden by a large white bandage; her right eye was yellow from some kind of collision. Her lip was cut and had swollen to twice its usual size. Her knuckles bloody from where she had fought back? I hadn't noticed, but I had found myself next to her bedside, with tears in my eyes. I took her right hand into mine and squeezed it tightly. "What happened to her? What is wrong?" I whispered. Gaius sighed then answered.

"She was hit on the head with a blunt object, has a black eye forming, some scratches on her cheek, some marks on her neck, her left shoulder is dislocated, also two broken ribs; one on either side, marks on her knuckles, sprained right ankle and of course her stab wound," Gaius read off of a piece of paper.

"Stab wound?" I gagged. "She got stabbed?"

"Upper left arm, lost a lot of blood," Merlin explained.

"How long has she been asleep?" I stroked her forehead, hoping she was going to be fine even though it was burning up, I frowned to myself.

"She has been restless. Tossing and turning, waking and such." Gaius whispered.

"Is she going to be ok?" I asked, Gaius and Merlin looked at one another. I nodded. "Merlin, is she wearing my shirt?" Merlin suddenly smiled to himself.

"Um, it was 2 in the morning, I couldn't see what I was getting?" he lied.

"Liar." I laughed. I noticed her blood stained dress on the back of one of the chairs. "Go and wash those for her." I told him.

"Ar-Ar-Arthur?" I turned to the source of the noise. Guinevere was still asleep, if not halfway between.

"Guinevere I'm here. I'm not going anywhere." I kissed her hand gently. She smiled.

"Good. I need to tell you-" she whispered

"Shh, Guinevere just rest. I'll still be here when you wake up." I smiled, ignoring the fact that we were not alone in the room. She sighed before I heard her light snoozing. I reached down to the bucket, that half the wet cloth and began to dab it lightly across her forehead. She looked so peaceful, so small.

"You are good for her Arthur," Gaius smiled. "She hasn't been that calm all night," he explained.

"Today is not a day to say goodbye," I stated, stroking her face with my little finger, "I am not ready to,"