The next few days Arthur knew would be critical for Morgana. She was now awake and responding well with interaction between people and objects but she was still bed ridden and could only stay awake for a few hours before sheer exhaustion demanded her to rest.

Arthur had been with her most of the time when he was not training or on patrol. He still hadn't mustered up the courage to tell her his feelings yet but he knew he would soon. He had sat by her bedside whilst she slept and helped her to eat and drink and he could see the gratefulness deep within her emerald eyes. He could tell that something had definitely changed between the two of them as they had not once bickered or disagreed on anything since she had woken up and that fact alone showed that they were past the immature stage that they seemed to have been stuck in ever since they were children.

Last night had just been like any other night for the past few days. Arthur would visit Morgana after he got the evening report off of the guards and his father and then before he would turn in himself to his own chambers were Merlin would be waiting for him after doing his chores that he seemed to love so much. Arthur didn't understand this, he would give Merlin ridiculous amounts of chores to do just to see what reaction he could get out of his manservant and every time he had not been given one negative response. After a few days of this Arthur had put it down to his happiness.

He had spotted Merlin and Gwen a few times walking around the castle grounds or courtyard together, sometimes hand in hand and others Merlin would be wearing a small flower in his breast pocket which Gwen had picked for him. He had also seen Merlin escort Gwen home once as it had been a dark cold night. He was happy for Merlin, even though he would not admit it to his face, he really did consider him to be a friend. But he wouldn't tell him that otherwise he might just get a bit too cocky.

Today however Morgana had managed to join him in his chambers, although Arthur had had to come and get her and support her as they had made their way back to his chambers. He didn't mind as he could see the vast improvement in her health already. Telliym had said that it could take anything up to two weeks for her to be near to normal again and so far it had only been five or six days and she was already getting stronger with each passing day.

They sat at Arthurs large wooden table and sipped their soup as Morgana could not manage much else in the way of solid food at the moment but Arthur knew that in a matter of days she would be back to herself again as she was a fighter. She wouldn't let this illness drag her down for any longer than necessary.

After the warming broth, they had sat in his comfortable chairs draped in animal fur by the roaring fire and just let the heat wash over them. It was nearing the middle of winter and they both knew that soon villagers would be appealing to the king for help with food for themselves but most importantly for their children. Last winter had been one of the harshest Uther and the whole kingdom had dealt with in a long time.

Most of the crops from outlying villages had failed and many people had taken refuge within the town just beyond the castle gates as this was where many families of those in outer villages lived and also as the Prince had taken it upon himself to look after and try to feed the majority of the nearby villagers but there was not always enough food to be handed around everyone and his father had started frowning upon how much Arthur was willing to do to help the people.

Morgana had been pleasantly surprised at the action of the Prince as she had not often seen him sacrifice so little yet so much to her for others. She had even seen a change in the way he had treated Merlin when he had told Arthur that he was going back to Ealdor for just a few nights to visit his mother. Arthur had not mentioned anything to him about how he would cope only to have a safe journey and to look after his family.

This was the turning point for Morgana. She was starting to see the king in him that she and the people of Camelot would want. He was a much better man than his father. Even though Uther was a fair ruler, she always thought that somehow he didn't quite understand his people. Whereas Arthur was literally on the same page as them, he understood how they felt and what they need but Uther just simply gave the necessary. The bare minimum of feelings towards them and was not willing sacrifice enough in Morgana's eyes.

Since she had awoken, Morgana had been entirely grateful to Arthur. He had shown compassion and, she dare say it, but love.

As they stared into the blazing fire, Morgana could feel Arthur's intent stare on the side of her face. She glanced round slowly, presuming that he would quickly look away and then blush slightly for being caught staring but he didn't. In fact he didn't move a muscle. She looked deep into his oh so blue eyes but could not find one trace of doubt or nervousness in their depths.

Finally after this comfortable but long silence the Prince broke it.

"I've been so worried. Never do that to me again." He said this so calmly and sort of void of emotion that Morgana thought that they had reverted back to how things use to be.

"Well I'm sorry that my near death would have been such a disaster to you" she answered back, voice dripping with sarcasm. She thought that Arthur had changed, for the better. She thought that she was starting to reveal the true nature of the Prince. Maybe she was wrong.

"I mean it Morgana. Please don't ever frighten me like that again. I couldn't bare to lose you." He still hadn't taken his eyes off her and now as he said this Morgana was mentally taking back what she had just thought. The look in his eyes, the look of concern but longing took over her mind and she wanted nothing more than to collapse into his arms and whisper that everything was going to be ok. But she was still weak and she didn't know if she had the strength to do that.

"Arthur..." Was all she could think of. She didn't know how to reply to the sudden outburst of emotion from Arthur. She wasn't used to seeing him so unprotected.

All Arthur did to reply was to stand slowly and carefully from his chair by the fire and walk over to Morgana who only just realised that her eyes were fluttering closed with tiredness. She wanted nothing more than to complete the conversation even though she didn't know what to say but she thought that sleep was even better.

Arthur gently picked her up and carried her bridle style back to her chambers. Her head resting on his strong, muscular shoulder all the way. His quiet, shallow breathing on her neck lulling her further into a restful sleep. By the time they reached Morgana's chambers and Arthur had lain her down, she was fast asleep and Arthur couldn't help but think she looked like the most beautiful angel he had ever seen, the way her hair pooled around her head like an ebony halo. He gave a chaste kiss to her forehead and whispered, "Until tomorrow" and then fled from her room, only looking back for a few moments when he reached her large oak doors. Tomorrow, he decided, he was going to tell her what he had wanted to for a while. The way his heart yearned for her and he hoped that hers yearned for his in return.