After helping Gaius tend to Mithian for a good hour, Merlin left to inform Arthur about the princess.
As he walked he thought about what horrors Mithian and Hilda must have faced to ride through the night to reach Camelot.
The young sorcerer soon reached Arthur's chambers and knocked.
"Yes," came a muffled reply. Merlin pushed the door open and found Arthur sitting, twirling a quill.
"How is she?" the king asked.
"She's weak and she's clearly exhausted, but she will live," Merlin informed.
Arthur stood, tossing the quill to the side. "Good. I'll speak to her at once.
Merlin blocked his path. "Actually no."
"Excuse me?" Arthur asked, a bit taken back.
"She's not to be disturbed until morning," Merlin explained.
"This is important," Arthur stated, trying to push past Merlin.
Merlin continued to block his path. "And so is the heath of the princess."
Arthur stepped backed, resigned in the fact that he will not won the argument. "Did you just give me an order?"
"Yes Sire," Merlin answered.
"Feels good doesn't it?" Arthur asked with a small smile.
"I could get used to it," Merlin shrugged.
"Well don't. I'm still your king and I can make you my servant again in a heartbeat," Arthur retorted as he walked back to his seat.
"Arthur?" Merlin asked concerned for his best friend.
"To ride all through the night," Arthur said not hearing Merlin, "something must've happened."
"We'll no more in the morning, Sire," Merlin assured before leaving.
"Merlin," Arthur called out, stopping Merlin.
The warlock turned around. "Yes, Arthur?"
"While Mithian is here, don't let her know about your role. Just let her think that you are still my servant," Arthur said.
"Of course," Merlin agreed as he turned to leave once again.
The man, then headed to Gaius'. It was there were he would stay while Mithian used his chambers.
When he arrived at his uncle's chambers, he found the elderly man sitting at one of the many tables. "You mind having a guest for a few nights?"
Gaius gave him a small smile. "Your bed is as you left it all those months ago. Now sit and eat."
Merlin sat across from his uncle. It didn't take long for it feel like nothing had changed.
Merlin and Gwaine showed up at the warlock's chambers in the early morning to help Mithian and Hilda to the throne room to discuss what happened at Nemeth with Arthur.
Mithian clung to Merlin's unused arm. Their pace was slow due to Merlin's cane and Hilda's age.
Mithian took notice of the cane the night before when she awoke briefly after fainting, but never spoke of it. She just figured Merlin was injured and he currently needed to use a cane to help him along. She also decided that now was not the time to be asking such things. There were more important things to worry about, then the man who was escorting her to the throne room.
The princess looked over at Hilda, who was actually Morgana in disguised. She had to think of a way to alert someone about what was happening. Was Merlin the person to tell? Would he understand any of the clues she could try to leave?
Her mind then wondered back to the man's cane. Was he in any shape to to take action, if action was needed? She needed to know.
"So, Merlin," Mithian said getting her escorts attention. "Why are you walking with a cane?"
"Bandits," Merlin said a little to quickly. "The damage they did, has left me unable to walk on my own two feet, without something to help support my weight, for the time being. Gaius says that I should be walking on my own within a year."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Mithian apologized. "Forgive me for asking."
"No need for forgiveness, Princess Mithian," Merlin replied breezily.
Not yet, Mithian thought.
Merlin eased Mithian into the chair that had been offered to her, after she said she was starting to feel dizzy from standing. She had barely finished telling that she and Hilda had been traveling no stop for three days.
"They came at night without warning," Mithian explained. "We were unprepared. We could not hold them."
"This was three days ago, you say?" Arthur asked
Mithian nodded. "His men, they showed no mercy. Cut us down like corn."
"Odin has no care for the suffering he causes," Arthur comforted.
"And your father?" Gwen spoke up.
"He was badly wounded, but we managed to escape," the princess answered.
"Where is he now?" Arthur asked.
"We made it almost as far as the border, but he could not continue any further," Mithian informed. "Odin's men will be searching for us. It's only a matter of time before they find him."
Arthur nodded. "I see."
"My father is an old man. He cannot fend for himself. I have no one else to turn to, but you, Arthur. You're my only hope," Mithian pleaded.
"Mithian, I understand how you must be feeling and I will do everything in my power to help you," Arthur agreed
"Thank you, my Lord," Mithian thanked.