A/N: Well, its been a long time coming- my muse decided to go on an extented holiday which is always a pain, but its back now and I'm cracking on!

Its a long chapter, but I hope you enjoy it!

Gaining control over her new power wasn't as difficult as Melody first thought. Of course, there had been times over the first few weeks where she had had to leave a room due to the overpowering emotions she was feeling from others; she would suddenly burst into tears after feeling someone else's sorrow, or begin laughing hysterically because someone in the vicinity was in high spirits.

But after a few months, Melody was able to resist acting upon the emotions of others. Not that she ignored them completely, but she was able to walk around Camelot without feeling overwhelmed by the constant bombardment of other people's feelings.

Everyone was different though, so she experienced their emotions differently. The feelings of those she knew most, like Merlin and Gaius, were easy to distinguish; she could pinpoint what they were feeling within an instant, even in a crowd. However, she didn't act upon every little flutter she felt- that would have been intrusive. But with others she didn't know, like the villagers around the Kingdom, it was a little more tricky to tell exactly what they were feeling; she just experienced general feelings, such as happiness or anger or sorrow. Then again, it also depended on the individual. Whenever Melody was in the presence of the King, she had no problem with feeling what he was. Because of his strong views (like those he had on magic) and bold personality, she felt his emotions emanating from him in powerful waves.

It had been almost seven months after Melody found out she had acquired her empathic powers, and the raven haired cook was in the castle kitchens. She was extinguishing the last of the fires used for the stoves and cleaning the surfaces of flour and crumbs.

A smile came to her lips before Merlin had even come through the door.

"Hey," he said cheerfully, a smile on face.

She turned and smiled back. "You're happy."

"I've got some good news," he told her. "We're going to the tavern and drinks are on Gwaine! He said he found a sack of gold whilst on patrol and no-ones come to claim it."

Melody raised her eyebrows. "He 'found' it?"

Merlin rolled his eyes. "Ok, he won it when he was gambling, but he won it fair and square," he added when Melody pulled a disapproving face.

She squinted, feigning suspicion. "I guess that's ok then."

Merlin rolled his eyes again. "Are you in?"

Melody thought about it for a second- she'd never been in a tavern before. "Ok, sounds like fun."

Her twin grinned. "Great, see you there in about an hour?"

She nodded. "I'll be there."

It was true that she'd never been to a tavern before; Ealdor wasn't really big enough to house such a building, not to mention Hunith frowned upon such behaviour- it wasn't befitting for a young lady. But that wasn't to say that she'd never tried alcohol before. Back in her home village, the few friends she had were clued up on how to make all sorts of drinks, cider being their speciality as there was an abundance of apple trees surrounding their homes. Will, especially, was able to make cider strong enough to surprise even Gwaine.

They'd sneak off every few weeks to have a few drinks and just generally joke around. It was an escape from the monotony of everyday life, even if they did end up paying for it in the morning.

So after finishing up in the kitchens, Melody popped back to her chambers for a hurried dinner before making her way to The Rising Sun in the lower parts of the town. She'd tried to persuade Elanna to accompany her, but her fellow servant wasn't much of a drinker, so politely declined. When she arrived, Merlin wasn't outside, so she popped her head inside to see if she could spot him.

He wasn't there, but there were plenty of other people that she recognised. There was the carpenter and his apprentice son sitting at the bar conversing with the farmer and his wife, all four of them drinking from small tankards. There were a few squires standing around the fire laughing loudly and they seemed to be catching the eye of a group of giggling maidservants, who kept glancing their way and whispering behind their hands. That atmosphere was one of relaxed jubilance; everyone was enjoying a few moments of freedom after a hard days work. Glancing around, she could see that there were many others dotted around the place, but Merlin was not there.

"Melody!" She looked around and spotted Gwaine, Percival, Lancelot and Elyan towards the back. It was Gwaine who had shouted. "Drinks are on me!" He gesticulated to the large tankard in his hand and the others that littered the table.

Lancelot shook his head and got up to greet her. "Come and join us," he said, "Merlin should be here soon."

"Thanks," she said as they made their way to where they were sitting.

"Gwaine's already well on his way to being drunk," Lancelot told her as they sat down.

"You insult me," Gwaine said, putting a hand over his heart and hitching a hurt expression his face. "I could go through at least another…" He looked at his tankard and weighed up how drunk he really was. "At least another dozen."

"You're going to scare the poor girl," Percival said.

Melody laughed. "I've seen worse, I've been worse."

They all stared at her, shocked.

"…What?"

"I don't believe that," Elyan said.

"Believe what?" Merlin had arrived.

"Your lovely sister here, was just telling us how she can out drink me," Gwaine said sceptically.

Merlin frowned. "Really?" He looked at Melody. "What did you get up to when I came here?"

She could feel the disbelief and slight surprise coming from him. She shrugged. "Will is a dab hand at making cider."

Merlin rolled his eyes and sat down next to her. "He's a bad influence."

"He's fun," Melody corrected.

Gwaine laughed. "I like you. How about trying the house cider here then?"

"That stuffs lethal," Merlin warned.

"Yeah, for a lightweight," scoffed Gwaine.

"I'm serious," Merlin said, a little sulkily.

"I'll be the judge of how 'lethal' it is," Melody told him, smirking.

Gwaine nodded and shouted called for a large tankard of the strongest cider that the barkeep had. He brought it to the table and looked surprised when Melody took it. He walked away shaking his head.

"This will be interesting," Elyan muttered, sipping from his own cup.

Melody raised the flagon to her lips, but, feeling Merlin's anxiety, said, "Relax."

She took a large swig while five pairs of eyes watched her with a mix of interest, unease and amusement. The amber coloured liquid was sweet on her tongue and had a tang to it as she swallowed. It had a kick, but nothing compared to Will's homemade scrumpy.

"Well?" Gwaine asked, no doubt expecting her to cough and comment on how strong it was.

"It's nice," she admitted with an approving nod of her head, "but I've had stronger."

Gwaine whooped while Lancelot, Elyan and Percival looked nonplussed.

"I've just found my new drinking partner!" Gwaine cheered, saluting Melody with his tankard, signalling for her to take a drink. She nodded and obliged.

"Melody isn't that stupid," Merlin said to him.

"You're right, Merlin," she said and Gwaine pouted. Then she winked at him. "I'm fun."

"That's what I want to hear," he said, winking back.

Merlin frowned, which earned him a dig in the ribs from his sister. "Don't be such a spoilsport, Merlin. Lighten up."

"Melody certainly has," Lancelot chuckled. He smiled, but frowned. "You don't strike me as the type to drink like… well, Gwaine."

"There isn't much to do in Ealdor- I got bored easily," she shrugged. "Once in a while, we'd get together for a drink. It was fun."

"So you became an alcoholic," muttered Merlin.

"No," she assured him. "I'm not an idiot."

He looked at her and the sincerity in her eyes seemed to help him relax. "Make sure it stays that way."

Melody laughed. "Don't worry, once in a while isn't going to kill me."

"Although it might feel that way in the morning," Gwaine said warningly. He was speaking from years of experience.

"Maybe, but tomorrow can wait," she told him, to a chorus of cheers.

The night was unforgettable, filled with laughter and copious amounts of alcohol. Merlin began to loosen up and even joined in when Gwaine and Elyan started singing, although Melody wished he hadn't. A talented warlock her twin may have been, but his singing sounded like the wailing of a cat with a trapped tail.

As the evening was drawing to a close, Lancelot and Elyan bade the rest of the goodnight and stumbled outside, making their way to the castle.

"We should follow," Gwaine said to Percival. "But not before a nightcap." He got up and made his way to the bar for one final drink.

"I should be getting to bed too," Merlin slurred. "Gaius will be wondering why I'm- I'm not where I… bed."

Melody giggled. She'd never seen her brother drunk before. "Go to bed," she told him, managing not to slur her own words as she did so.

He nodded. "Bed. That's where my needs to be." He stood up and wobbled then steadied himself. "I'm ok."

Melody shook her head and stood up. She led him to the door and watched him turn left. She sighed. "Wrong way, Merlin."

He turned and nearly fell. "… I knew that." He made his way unsteadily back to the castle.

Melody shook her head again and went back inside. She saw Gwaine was draining the last few drops of his nightcap. He set the tankard on the table.

"Well, I should be getting to bed, but we have to do this again sometime," he smiled.

"Indeed we do," Melody agreed. "But I think you need a few weeks to recover first."

Gwaine laughed. "Come on," he said to Percival, "we've got training tomorrow."

"I'll follow in a minute," came the reply.

"My Lady," Gwaine said to Melody. He stooped and lifted her hand to his lips. "I bid thee goodnight." He bowed, which was impressive considering he was seeing triple.

She blushed. "Farewell, brave Sir Gwaine."

He winked and left the tavern, humming a few lines of the song they'd been singing earlier.

Percival looked into his tankard before setting it down. "I should be getting to bed too."

Melody frowned. She knew something wasn't right. "What's wrong?"

He gave her a small smile. "It doesn't matter."

Her frown deepened. "It matters to you." Even though her ability to think straight was impaired by the amount of cider she'd consumed, the worry coming from the young Knight in front of her made her thoughts sharper. She sat down next to him.

Percival looked at her and sighed. "About a week ago, I received word from my mother that my sister…" He cleared his throat and sniffed. "She's sick, and my mother doesn't know how long she has left."

"I'm so sorry to hear that," Melody said in a small voice. She placed one of her hands on top of his, which made it look tiny in comparison and as soon as she made contact with his skin, the true force of Percival's worry and grief hit her.

He was terrified. His face may have been a mask, but underneath he was just… so scared.

"I though coming out tonight would have been a good way to take my mind off things, but…" He sighed again. "It didn't really work."

Melody squeezed his hand gently. "I know this must be hard."

"She's my baby sister," Percival said quietly. "I've always been there for her, but now I…"

"Why don't you go to her?" Melody asked. She could feel how much he was battling with himself internally.

He grimaced. "I can't abandon Arthur and the others… I'm needed here."

Melody squeezed his arm again, fighting the urge to weep as the surge of his emotions enveloped her.

I wish there was something I could do to help him, she thought sadly. Then a flash of inspiration hit her.

"Where do your mother and sister live?"

Percival's lips cured upwards as he gave a small smile. "It's a tiny place, a good days ride away, maybe more. It's just outside the valley of Juste Fraise. We were sheltered in the winter by the high valley walls, and the sun never shone too harsh in the summer."

Melody smiled. "It sounds beautiful."

"It is."

"Have you thought about asking Gaius to go and see your sister?"

Percival shook his head slowly. "He is the Kingdoms only physician. I cannot ask him to take such a journey."

"Isn't there anyone in your village who knows the ways of medicine?"

"… There's an elderly woman who knows of some herbal remedies, but my mother said nothing was working… my sisters symptoms were not getting any better."

"What are her symptoms? If you don't mind me asking?"

"Um… she isn't eating or drinking properly and when she does, she just throws it all back up again. She has a high fever, yet shivers and complains of being cold."

Melody nodded, noting the symptoms. "I know it's hard, but… at times like this, all you can do is hope, even when it seems all is lost."

He looked into her eyes and smiled. "Thank you," he said quietly.

"What for?"

He laughed softly. "For listening to me."

She smiled. "You're welcome. I guess the others wouldn't understand."

He laughed again. "They think all problems will go away if you hit a training dummy enough times with a sword… or a mace… or any destructive weapon really."

"Sounds about right," she said, recalling all the drilling sessions she'd witnessed since coming to Camelot.

"Well, we'd better get to bed."

She nodded. "Yes, that sounds like a good idea." She stood up and stumbled. Her cheeks grew red. "That's a little embarrassing."

"Here," he said with a smile, offering her his arm. "I'll help you back to your chambers."

She returned his smile. "Why, thank you, good Sir Knight."

They left the tavern and made their way back to the castle, Percival steadying Melody when she needed it. While they walked, the cogs in her head were turning…

They had almost reached her chambers when Melody clapped a hand to her head. "Oh! I've just remembered," she said, "there's something I need to ask Gaius before I go to bed."

"Will he still be awake?"

She gave a small laugh. "With Merlin as drunk as he was, I'm sure he stayed up to make him something for his hangover."

"Fair enough. I'll escort you."

"There's no need," she told him with a smile, laying a hand on his arm. "It's only around the corner."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

He didn't look convinced, but with a reassuring look from Melody, he obliged. He let go of her arm and stooped to kiss her hand as Gwaine had done. "Thank you." He smiled.

"My thoughts are with you and your family," she said, squeezing his hand.

He smiled again and continued down the corridor. Once he was out of sight, Melody turned and made her way to the physicians chambers as quickly as she was able.

"Ah, Melody," Gaius said when she entered, "I suppose you're here for some of this?" He held up a small vial of milky looking liquid. She knew, from what Merlin had told her, that it helped cure a hangover, but tasted foul.

"No," she said briskly. "Although it'd be nice, that's not why I'm here."

"Oh?" Gaius looked surprised. "What is it?"

"It's Elanna," she said. "She's not well at all."

He nodded. "Bring her to me and I'll see what I can do."

"I can't," she said. Melody forced herself to keep calm. "She's not able to get out of bed. I checked on her when I got back from the tavern and she has such a high fever."

"I shall go and see her myself then," Gaius said, turning to the many medicine bottles he had, no doubt deciding what he may need.

"She's not dressed to receive anyone," Melody said quickly. "But I've seen this kind of sickness before."

"What are her symptoms?"

"She has a high fever, but complains of being cold," Melody, recalling everything Percival had told her. "She isn't eating or drinking properly either, and when she does, she just throws it back up."

"Hmm," Gaius muttered. "It would seem she is suffering from the Fluenza Fever."

"It isn't dangerous is it?"

"Not usually, but those with weakened immune systems, especially the young and the old, can become seriously ill."

"Have you got anything that will cure it?"

He nodded. "Of course, my dear. Fortunately, this is one of the more common fevers, so I keep a few vials at hand in case of an outbreak." He walked to his medicine cabinet and rummaged for a few moments until he found the remedy he had been looking for. He turned round and handed it to Melody.

She gave a small sigh of relief. "Thank you, Gaius." She pocketed the vial and kissed him on the cheek. "I'll get this to her right away."

Gaius nodded. "Give her my best and make sure she tries to keep her fluid levels as high as possible."

"I will," she said, smiling. "Thanks, Gaius." She kissed him again and turned to leave.

"Melody?"

She turned. "Yes?"

"Here." He handed her the vial he'd shown her earlier. "You might as well take this."

She smiled sheepishly. "Thanks." She uncorked the vial and swallowed the concoction, shuddering as the foul taste assaulted her taste buds. "I think."

The old physician chuckled. "You took it better than Merlin."

"Well, we both know that Merlin isn't the strongest of drinkers. He only needs to walk into the tavern and he starts singing like a sailor… although I wish he wouldn't."

"Drink?"

"No, sing."

Gaius laughed. "I can imagine. Anyway you'd better be off."

"Yes, thanks again, Gaius."

"Not at all my dear."

She smiled at him before leaving his chambers. Once the door was closed she hurried to the chambers she shared with Elanna. But not to give her the potion. After all, it was not Elanna who was suffering.

She reached her room within minutes, managing not to stumble along the way. She opened the door as quietly as possible, not wanting to disturb her friend and reached for her cloak; the night was fairly cold. Once Melody had closed the door, donned her cloak and lifted its hood, she hurried for the stables, ducking out of sight of the guards that blocked her way.

She reached the quiet of the stables without detection and breathed a sigh of relief when she was safely inside. She lowered her hood and shook the hair from her eyes. The horses seemed to pay her no heed.

Apart from one.

She was a young mare, her coat a gleaming chestnut with a streak of white down her nose and a glossy black mane and tail. She looked at Melody with her large brown eyes and snorted. The horse walked toward her as far as her tether would allow.

Melody smiled and made her way to the animal. She reached out her hand and stroked the horses nose. "I need your help," she whispered. The mare threw her head back as if nodding her consent. Melody's smile widened. "Thank you."

She took a saddle and fitted it to the young horse and then led her out of the stable and mounted her, fitting her feet firmly into the stirrups. She lifted her hood once more and put her heels softly into the horses sides and she set off at a trot. They reached the main gate and passed through with little trouble.

Once clear of the gate, Melody stopped the horse and reached out with her minds eye to find the route they needed to take in order to get them to Percival's home village. With the path set firmly in her mind, she leaned forward so her head was nearer the horses.

"We have a long way to go," she told the animal, petting her neck. "I'm going to give you some help."

She straightened up and placed both hands on the base of the beasts neck and muttered the words of magic that would ensure the horse was swift and sure of foot. The horse whickered as Melody's magic entered her, strengthening her body and mind.

When she had finished, Melody grasped the reigns and kicked hard and the horse set off like a hound after a hare, speeding them toward their destination. The wind whipped at Melody's face, pulling the hood from her head and causing her hair to fly wildly behind her.

Wow! she thought as the air slapped her cheeks with hands like ice, I should do this every time I go to the tavern- cold air is incredibly sobering!

Melody kept a close eye on her mount, noting when her breathing got heavier and when her pace slowed, no matter how slight, so she could adjust her pace accordingly.

They cleared the distance between Camelot and Juste Fraise in a matter of hours. Melody slowed the young horse gradually and led her to a stream, where she could graze. She left her with a little magic; removing it all would have sapped the poor creature of nearly all her strength and Melody still needed to get home. She dismounted.

"Thank you," she said quietly, stroking her nose. " You have been so helpful, so swift."

The horse whickered as if in agreement and Melody mused over the name 'Swift' for her chestnut companion.

Melody turned and made her way toward the lights of Percival's village in the distance, covering her face with her hood as she went. Once there, she proceeded to walk between the small houses, trying to determine which one belonged to the worried Knights family. She noticed that not many windows remained illuminated.

They must be nearby.

"Who are you?"

Melody turned to see a bedraggled looking woman standing behind a roughly erected fence. She seemed to be wearing nightclothes.

"Who are you?" She wasn't demanding or angry… she seemed tired.

"I'm…" Melody paused, then removed her hood from her face. "I'm just passing through."

The woman looked t her and sighed softly. "I'm sorry if I seem suspicious- it's a habit. Not many people pass through this place."

Melody took a few steps closer and as she did, she saw that the woman was more than tired; she was exhausted. "Are you alright?"

The woman just stared for a moment before bursting into tears. "No," she sobbed quietly, "I'm not."

Melody put her hand on her shoulder. "What's wrong?"

The woman sniffed. "It's my daughter. She's dreadfully ill."

Percival's sister.

"I've tried everything I can think of," the woman continued. "Nothing has worked."

"What is your name?" Melody asked gently.

"Catiana," she replied. She sniffed. "I'm sorry. I must look like such a fool."

Melody smiled reassuringly. "Not at all." She waited for the poor woman in front of her to calm down a little. "What is it that ails your daughter?"

"She has a terrible fever, but insists she needs a blanket to stop the chills, and every mouthful of food she eats, she just brings it back up." She sniffed again and a few fresh tears fell down her cheeks.

"Catiana, I think I may something that will help your daughter."

"… Really?"

Melody smiled. "I think she may have the Fluenza Fever."

Catiana's breath hitched. "Is it serious?"

"Not usually, but it can cause the young and old to become rather ill."

"I don't know what else to do," Catiana whispered. "I've done everything I can think of."

Melody reached into the folds of her cloak and showed her the vial Gaius had given her. "Then let me give her this."

Catiana stared at the vial and then at Melody, unsure of whether this was an offer that was too good to be true. But before long, she sighed and turned to go back into her house. She left the door open and Melody took that as her cue to follow.

Inside it was hot and cramped. There was a fire in the hearth, crackling heartily. Now that Melody could see better, she saw that Catiana had blonde hair that was in a state of dishevelment and green eyes that seemed so hollow. At the back of the house, there was a small bed containing an even smaller figure. The little girl was asleep, but seemed restless. Catiana walked over to her daughter and stroked her hair.

"I wish my son was here," she sighed.

"Your son?"

"Yes… but he's a Knight. He is needed to protect the realm."

"Who does he serve?"

"He is a Knight of Camelot." Even though she was weary, her tone was proud. "Sir Percival." Melody smiled. Catiana felt her daughters brows. "She still has a fever."

Melody nodded. "Could you try and wake her?"

She nodded and turned to the small child. She placed a hand on her shoulder. "Rose? Wake up, my little flower."

Rose moaned and tossed her head a little before opening her eyes. "Mother?" Now here eyes were open, Melody could see that Rose was her mother in miniature, with the same fair blonde hair and green eyes.

Catiana smiled, blinking back tears. "I'm here, my sweet. I've brought someone to heal you." She looked at Melody, anxiety etched into her features.

"That's right, Rose," Melody said. "I've brought you a special drink."

Rose turned to look at Melody. "Are you a physician?"

Melody laughed softly. "Yes, I've come to heal you." She made her way to the side of the bed. Before she uncorked the vial, the raven haired sorceress closed her eyes and sent a wave of magic through the potion to increase the cures potency. She opened her eyes and opened the tiny bottle. "Here," she said, tilting it to Rose's lips.

The little girl swallowed the liquid and made a face at its taste, sticking her tongue out and screwing up her eyes. "That tastes like toad water," Rose grumbled softly.

Melody smiled apologetically. "But it will help you to get better."

Rose smiled. "Thank you," she muttered sleepily. Catiana stroked her little girls hair as she drifted off to sleep.

They stayed that way for quite a while, no-one saying a word. Melody prayed that the magic had been enough to speed Rose on her way to recovery.

Just as Melody thought she had better be on her way, she saw Catiana frown. She placed her hand on Rose's brow and let out a sigh of relief. She smiled and looked at Melody. "Her fever. Its gone… I don't know what you did, but thank you!"

She smiled. "It was my pleasure."

"No, truly- thank you!" Catiana threw her arms around Melody's neck. "You didn't have to stop. You could have continued on your way, but you chose to stay… you saved my daughters life when I had given up all hope…"

Melody broke their embrace to look into her eyes to see they were once again glistening with tears. "You should never give up hope," Melody told her softly, "even when it seems all is lost. Hope is what keeps us going." She smiled and turned to leave.

"Wait! Who are you?" Catiana asked.

Melody turned. "I'm just a friend. Passing through."

"She's and Angel." Rose was awake once again, this time with a large smile on her face.

Her mother beamed. "Rose, my dear, how are you feeling?"

"Much better, mother. The Angel made me all better."

Catiana burst into tears and embraced her little girl. Melody took that as her cue to leave.

A grin spread across her face as she walked back to where she'd left her mount.

I can't wait until Percival finds out.

She mounted Swift, after deciding to name her after all, and refuelled her with magic so that they could return home.

The journey back was just as invigorating; the cold wind stinging her eyes, whipping her hair and cloak out wildly behind her. As they approached the main gates of the castle, the sun was beginning to rise. Melody trotted Swift back to the stables, where she unsaddled her and gave her fresh water.

"What are you doing?"

Melody looked round and saw a stable boy in the doorway, a bale of hay under each arm. She smiled. "I was taking an early morning walk when I heard a commotion. She seemed a tad restless," she said, stroking the horse on the nose, "so I took her out for a ride. You should let her rest for a while." She smiled. "She's ever so swift." And with that, she pattered the horse one last time and left the stable, leaving the young man staring after her.

Once in her chambers, Melody took off her cloak and lay down on her bed and closed her eyes. She smiled as she though back on what she'd done. Helping out a in need is one of the best feelings in the world…

"Morning!"

… Apart from getting enough sleep.

Epilogue

The day after Melody had helped Percivals family passed by in a sleepy blur for the raven haired young woman. Although she did recall Gaius remarking about how Elanna had made a miraculous recovery, as well as Merlin complaining about how he had a hangover and she didn't.

"You should take a ride- fresh air works wonders," she told him, yawning.

Her brother moaned and mumbled something about needing to use the privy.

Melody also remembered watching the Knights during their training and smiling at a forlorn looking Percival.

"Remember," she told him during a break, "hope is what keeps us going."

He smiled. "Thank you," he whispered.

Melody put a comforting hand on his forearm and felt how hard he was trying to keep himself from falling apart.

About a week after the night in the tavern and the events that followed, Melody was walking in the castle grounds when she was greeted by a most welcome sight. Percival and a handful of other Knights were laughing and joking on the training field.

She smiled. He knows.

"What're you smiling for?"

Melody looked round and saw Merlin carrying a large crossbow and a quiver full of bolts for the days session. She smiled again. "Percivals had some good news."

"Yeah," Merlin said, smiling also, "how did you-?" But he stopped his rather obvious question mid-sentence.

"You can see by the look on his face," Melody laughed. " You don't need to be an empath to tell that."

Her twin rolled his eyes and she knew he was dying to say 'know-it-all', but he made his way forward, weapon in hand without a word.

Melody turned and was about to head to the kitchens when the sound of footsteps made her turn back. Before she knew it, she was being lifted from the ground and swung in a circle.

"I've received a letter from my mother!" It was Percival. He set her down.

"Well, I assume its good news, judging by your mood?" Melody said, her head swimming slightly.

The large Knight was grinning from ear to ear. "My sister made a full recovery!"

"That's amazing!" Melody gasped, feigning surprise. "I'm so happy for you." She put a hand on his and squeezed.

"Thank you," he said. "But it was a little strange."

"Oh?"

"My mother said that a complete stranger came and gave my sister a healing potion that seemed to cure her fever within the hour and she was back to herself within a day."

"Well," Melody said, "it worked and that's all that matters."

"I suppose," he said, grinning. "My sister said it was an Angel that saved her. With ebony hair and eyes of sapphire." Melody felt her cheeks redden. "Well, I'd better get back."

"I'll see you soon," she told him.

He took her hand off his arm and kissed it gently. "Thank you."

"What for?"

"For being a true friend."

She smiled. "I'll always be here to help, in anyway I can."

He bowed. "My Lady."

Melody felt her cheeks grow hotter. Percival caught her eyes and smiled before heading back to the training grounds. She watched him walk away and smiled when he stopped and turned to look at her, his expression confused. She waved and headed back to the kitchens.

Whether he realises it was me or not, she thought as she walked away from the training ground, the sound of Gwaines wolf whistles following her, at least Percival knows I'm here for him. No matter what.

Well, I hope you're still with me and I hope you enjoyed it.

Also, I would just like to say I am no expert on illnesses or viruses so don't read too much into it.

And Juste Fraise roughly translates to Fair Strawberry in French- I wanted something that sounded pretty :p

I do have further plans for Melodys character, so this fic was mainly about seting the scene for her personality, how she is as a person and how her powers prgress.

Let me know waht you think.