A/N: Happy New Year everyone! I hope that 2011 is even better than 2010 was! Thank you for all the hits guys, I have even more than I did for my Sherlock Holmes story. And thank you to iloveashandquinn for reviewing every chapter and thank you to the six people who have story alerted and the one person who has even favourited my story after only two chapters. The only thing that could make it better was if all these people reading the story could review. Sure I would love it if I recieved detailed criticism but even an "Update soon!" or "I enjoyed this chapter!" would do. I'm only asking because I would like to know what is good and bad about the story so that I can improve as a writer. I can't review if I don't know what people like and don't like it. But I'm still very grateful to all you people. Okay, Im done rambling now so here's chapter 3! Hope you enjoy and please read and review!

Disclaimer: I own nothing apart from the obvious.

Chapter 2:

There was silence for a while as the four men seemed to digest this newly divulged information. King Uther, was of course, the first to recover and said indignantly:

"And what proof do you have that what you say is true?"

Mairead paused as she realised that she hadn't really thought that far ahead. She berated herself for being less prepared as she should have realised that of course he wasn't just going to take her word for it. The only proof she had would condemn her to the chopping block unless she could change it without him knowing. It would be risky and if she failed then she would die anyways. But the arrogant look on Uther's face as he thought he had succeeded was enough to convince her that the risk was worth it. Reaching into the hidden pocket of her dress she withdrew a document that would prove that she was of noble blood. She offered the letter to Uther by stretching her body forward. She gasped, as if the movement had caused her great pain, and closed her eyes for a fraction of a second. Gaius hovered over her in case she needed assistance but she smiled and assured him that she was fine. Offering the letter to Uther once more, she waited with baited breath as he read the letter. She could only hope that it had worked.

Eventually, Uther looked up from the letter and smiled at her. Mairead smiled back, though hers was one of relief. It had worked and therefore forestalled her appointment with the executioner.

"Apologies my lady." Uther said with a respectful bow of his head. Then, he turned to Gaius. "At the nearest opportunity she is to be moved to one of our guest rooms. We must make sure that the lady is comfortable."

She smiled back at him and relaxed back into her bed. The king and prince left with another small bow and so she was left in the shocked company of Gaius and Merlin.

"A lady?" Gaius inquired with a slightly raised eyebrow.

Mairead nodded. "Lady Mairead Carthach of Theradan at your service." She said with a regal tone though she matched it with a playful grin.

Merlin simply nodded and hummed his assent, though there was a look in his eyes that Mairead recognised. A look of suspicion as he looked her over. But he said nothing and merely continued his duties as normal. However, Mairead was not fooled. He knew something and from now on Mairead was going to have to be careful with her actions around him if she wasn't going to be caught.

They moved her to a guest room the next day. Though Gaius was not at all happy with any unnecessary movement, he allowed Arthur to carry her to her new abode. It was a beautiful room, full of artwork and tasteful décor. Mairead found it a shame that she could not yet enjoy it to its fullest, confined to the bed as she was. She also hardly received any visitors. Gaius was always busy with his work, Merlin was too busy being bullied by Arthur and Arthur was too busy bullying Merlin, amongst other things of course.

Later that day however, her prayers had been answered and a servant girl entered with a tray stacked full of food. The girl curtseyed before her and inquired whether she would like to eat now or if she would prefer her to leave the tray on her bedside table. She gazed incredulously at the silver plate; there was enough food there to feed an army.

"I couldn't possibly eat all of that in one sitting." She commented and then glanced at the girl. "Would you like some?"

The girl seemed surprised. She probably wasn't used to such kindness, especially under Uther's roof.

"No thank you my lady." She declined politefully, followed by another curtsey.

"Well if you're sure. But if you ever feel peckish I can guarantee that there will always be leftovers here." She grinned, hoping that humour would loosen the girl up.

She half-succeeded as the girl smiled at her and placed the tray on her bedside table. Mairead watched her do this and was amused when she continued to stand by her side, waiting to be dismissed.

"What is your name?" Mairead asked.

"Guinevere." The girl replied.

"Well thank you Guinevere." And still the girl continued to stand there. "You may leave whenever you wish."

Guinevere blushed as Mairead grinned at her, probably only now realising that she had been playing with her. The girl left almost hastily, prompting Mairead to chuckle under her breath.

Not hungry enough at the moment to even contemplate eating the feast that was set out before her, she continued to lay there. Although not hungry, however, she did find that she was quite thirsty and glanced over to the goblet on her bedside table. Just as she was about to reach for it, she realised that it was on the wrong side for her injured arm. She tried reaching for it anyways but couldn't stretch far enough without hurting herself. Frustrated with herself she huffed. A thought struck her and she checked that no one was nearby and stared hard at the goblet.

"Risan." She whispered, the words of power turning her eyes gold for a moment, and the goblet floated towards her good hand. Proud of herself, she was just about to take a sip when the clatter of silverware echoed outside her slightly open door. Whirling her head in the direction of the noise, she caught a glimpse of a blue shirt and red scarf as the person in them scampered off.

Weeks passed since that incident and whilst her arm had fully healed, her leg showed no sign of improvement. Gaius had even warned her that she may never walk again. The news had silently shattered her world as she thought of all things that she would no longer be able to and she related them to Merlin as he sat by her bedside.

"I won't be able to horse ride, or dance." She said wistfully as she saw herself spinning around a room with her partner in blissful partnership. "And I'll never be able to find my father." This last part was barely a whisper as the reality of it hit her.

"You don't know that." He said distantly. He had been this way ever since she knew he had witnessed her use magic. She honestly didn't know why he hadn't reported her to the king yet. Not that she wasn't grateful to him, but she had illegally used magic in Uther's own home. For all Merlin knew, this could be a ruse to get closer to the king in order to kill him for his crimes, which in itself was a tempting thought.

She laughed mirthlessly. "Oh I do. I am lost in a foreign kingdom with no hope of ever seeing my family and friends again." The thought saddened her and Merlin embraced her as she cried into his shoulder again.

"You never know, maybe a miracle will happen."

Mairead laughed again. "What have I ever done to deserve a miracle." She said spitefully. "I doubt even the strongest of magic would be able to save me now." She said with a side-long glance at Merlin's reaction, hoping her comment would prompt him to reveal what he knew.

But instead he nodded and left in a hurry with the excuse that he still had to polish Arthur's armour. But Mairead was no fool. Arthur may be very hard on the boy but she doubted he would make him repeat the same task that he had only finished the day before.

She sighed and rested her head on the plump pillow, glancing sorrowfully at her lame leg. In vain she tried to move it, but the bones were so heavily misaligned that she couldn't even wiggle her toes. She continued to try for the remainder of the day, refusing to admit that she may never be able to use her leg again. Becoming more and more frustrated as she tried and failed, her body grew tired and she felt the need for sleep and only then did she give up and cry into the night.

The first thing she tried the next morning was to move her leg. She strained until sweat ran down her forehead and her breath changed into pants. But she was rewarded for her efforts as on her final push, her toes curled. She stared in disbelief as she clenched and unclenched her toes. And then she laughed with complete and utter joy as all of her doubt was erased. She could move! It was a miracle after all.

Gaius found her like this, laughing till there was no breath to laugh with, as he arrived with her morning potion. "What on earth has gotten into you my dear?" He asked, though he too laughed along with her as her delight infected him.

And so she demonstrated for him, displaying the full movement of her toes like a proud parent would show off their child's latest achievement. Gaius too seemed to be at loss as to how this was possible and called for Merlin.

It was early in the morning and yet Merlin seemed more tired than ever as he dragged his feet into her room and yawned, asking what was the matter. Gaius told him what had transpired and he too seemed to be quite shocked though his next comment aroused Mairead's suspicions.

"I suppose miracles really do happen." He told her with a tired smile.

Mairead nodded. "I suppose so."

Gaius then left to tell the king the happy news, leaving Merlin and Mairead alone together. Watching him suspiciously, she finally decided that it had been long enough.

"You know don't you?" She said matter-of-factly.

"Sorry?" He replied innocently but no where near convincingly enough.

"I'm not stupid Merlin. You saw what I did to the goblet and I suppose you also know what I did to the document I gave Uther." She continued to stare at him, making him squirm under her gaze.

"Yes." He nodded.

"And you were the one that fixed my leg." For the first time, he stared back looking deeply shocked which only served to confirm her suspicions. "Don't look at me like that. Like I said I'm not stupid. It was far too much of a coincidence that the day after I'm told that I'll never be able to walk again I regain full mobility of my leg."

Still he remained silent and only nodded. Mairead was unsure whether this was because of the amount of energy it had taken to cast such a spell or whether he was just avoiding her.

"You took a great risk you know. For all you know this could all be part of my plan. Gain the trust of those closest to him and then murder the king in his sleep in retaliation of all that he's done to us."

He shook his head and laughed at how absurd she made it sound. "You're not like that." He said softly.

Mairead stared at him tenderly, deeply touched by his words. He barely knew her and yet he was willing to trust his king's life on her words. No one had ever really said such a thing to her before and she was forever grateful for this new chance at life. She reached over and laid her hand on his arm whilst looking deep into his eyes.

"Thank you."