Merlin's hope that they would make it back to his quarters before the skies opened up were dashed as he felt the first drops of water brush across his skin. Luckily by now they weren't too far away from the castle.

Viktir wrapped his cloak tighter around him, almost forgetting that the new scarf was wrapped around his neck. He unwound it and handed it behind him to Drea, who snatched it from him with a glare.

"Oh come now Drea. He isn't that bad," her father whispered to her with a frown.

"Yes Drea-I'm not that bad." Merlin called back over his shoulder with a smirk, making it evident that he had heard Viktir.

The sudden rumble of thunder crashed across the sky, and almost as if a door had been opened in the skies, the rain began to pound upon Camelot viciously.

Most of the people in the streets were moving about frantically, closing up their stalls and trying to shield themselves from the raging downpour. They screamed to be heard, throwing their less fragile wares into wagons loeaded with hay. A few of the more determined merchants weren't going to be deterred by what they deemed was "a little rain", refusing to go home for the day.

Merlin turned back, about to say that they were almost there, when he saw that Drea was shivering. Her cloak was drenched and clinging to her, and even though her hood was up her hair was slicked to her face, much like his own.

He slipped his rain-slicked coat off, taking a step behind him to hold it over her head. It wasn't much, but it was sturdier than that old cloth cloak would ever be. Before she had a chance to protest, he said, "Just accept it-you can complain about me later."

"Oh Merlin you know me too well." It was meant to come out as a sarcastic retort, but instead it held just a bit of kindess-as much as kindness as she could must for the moment, anyway. "Thank you."

Merlin nodded, trying to conceal the smile that had stolen onto his face as they walked underneath another rather large entryway. A stone courtyard spilled out in front of them, with massive stone steps that lead up to the castle doors.

But Merlin didn't lead them up these stairs-instead he skirted around them to another entryway cut into the stone on an opposite wall, where two guards were standing.

Upon seeing the two men, clad in chain male that deflected the water that poured from the sky, holding sharp tipped spears, Drea stiffened. It was a sharp reminder of where they were, where the dangers here were so real. The fear snaked through her body, seeming to crush her for a moment.

"It's alright Drea," Merlin whispered to her. He had felt her body become rigid. He dropped his hand and brushed it against hers, not trying to grasp it but letting it linger for only a second on her skin. Drea's first reaction was to jerk back, but strangely enough his touch was comforting.

"They're here to see Gaius." Merlin had to yell to be heard over the pounding rain. Drea wasn't sure what would happen now-would they give them any trouble or deman to know who the two strangers were?

Fortunately, they only moved to the side, giving them enough room to pass. They walked past the guards, but Drea couldn't help but let her eye pass over the spears again, and ended up tripping as they walked up the stone staircase.

"Careful-", Merlin grasped her arms, thinking that perhaps she had stumbled over her cloak. But as he gripped her arms to help her up, he could feel that she was trembling. She jerked her head up, meeting his eyes with her own.

The eyes of a frightened young girl.

At once she gathered the bottom of her cloak in her hands and jerked her arms from his hands, the same hand that only a few moments ago she allowed to comfort her with a touch. "I don't need your help, Merlin. Just take us to Gaius."

From behind her, her father cleared his throat, but she ignored him. She was sick of this place, of its people and the chaos. She wanted to go back to the forests, to the trees and the mountains and the rivers that she considered her home, not this stone hell that made her freeze with fear.

Merlin took a step back, her tone catching him off guard for a moment. He thought about saying something, perhaps apologize, but he knew that nothing he said would make any difference. He did the only thing he could do-he nodded and turned, leading them the rest of the way up the spiraling, stone stairs, to a wooden door.


When Merlin swung that wooden door open, he expected to see Gaius' face light up with surprise and come swallow Vik and Drea up in a hug. He didn't mention any relatives coming to visit, after all, so Merlin just assumed this was a surprise visit.

There was no hug, however, and Gaius' face did everything but light up with surprise as he turned to see who was coming through the door.

The old man's face contorted with what Merlin could only guess was absolute horror. At first he said nothing, though he stood to his feet so rapidly his chair nearly toppled over.

"It's good to see you well-"

"What are you doing here? Have you gone absolutely mad?" Gaius cut Vik's greeting off as he moved with such speed as Merlin had never seen from the old man. He grabbed Vik's shoulders, looking at him with anger that utterly confounded Merlin-shouldn't he be happy to see them?

"I told him that we shouldn't have come here, Uncle Gaius." Gaius gasped at Drea-he hadn't even seen her standing there-he was so focused on her father.

"And you dared to bring Deirdre here?" Gaius wanted nothing more than to shout at his foolish nephew, but he knew better than to raise his voice. "Take her and leave here-now!" He spoke savagely, nearly pushing them out of the door.

Merlin was a bit shocked-did she just call him Uncle Gaius? Gaius had never mentioned anything about his family before, and Merlin had just assumed that he didn't have any left.

Merlin held his hand out to Gaius, trying to calm him. "What's wrong, Gaius? I thought you'd be happy to see them."

"I'd be happier to see them leave-far away from here!" Though Gaius's words were harsh, his tone didn't hold the same harshness. There was a bit of fear intermingled that made Merlin wonder, when it suddenly hit him like a sack of potatoes...

Drea's magic. Gaius feared for their safety because of Drea's magic.

"And I promise we'll leave here, but there is a favor I must ask of you." Vik's voice was nearly pleading with the old man now. "Please-you know I wouldn't have risked our lives here unless it was important."

Gaius stopped his attack as he listened to his nephew's words-though it was a stupid thing for him to have come here, Gaius knew he was right. He knew it the second he turned to see him that something drastically important had arisen.

Gaius took a deep breath, taking a step back. Although he knew of the danger of them being here and didn't like it, he couldn't help but smile. He did love them dearly, and he wished he could see them more often, though he knew that was impossible.

He reached up and put his arms around Viktir's neck, huggin him tightly. Then came Drea's turn, except after her hug, Gaius held her out at arms' length, looking her over. "Deirdrea, you grow more beautiful every time I see you."

Drea grinned sheepishly and looked down at the ground, whispering, "Thank you, Uncle Gaius." All the fear and brashness seemed to melt from her face as she spoke to Gaius, being replaced by a certain brightness and joy.

But through the hugs and the expressions of love, the three of them knew they were there for a reason. Gaius cleared his throat and pushed his books and papers to the other side of the table, motioning for them to come and sit. Viktir however, gave Gaius a knowing glance-one that Gaius knew immediately.

Gaius looked over at Merlin, a serious look swimming in his eyes. "Merlin, I see that you have met our visitors."

Merlin nodded with a smile. "Yes-relatives of yours. Why didn't you tell me you had a nephew and a niece?"

Gaius took a few steps closer, reaching out his hand to rest on Merlin's shoulder. "Merlin-these two people I hold very dear to me. That is why I have never spoken of them to you," Gaius spoke slowly to Merlin, stopping so that Merlin could let every crucial word sink in. "Under no circumstances is anyone outside of this room to know who they are."

"Of course Gaius-you know I'd never betray you." Merlin could see the fear in his mentor'e eyes as he spoke of Vik and Drea. He understood the severity of the situation-not only was Drea in danger if found, but Gaius would be in danger as well for associating with a sorceress.

"Thank you, Merlin. I've only come to your kingdom to ask a favor of Gaius, then I promise we will be out of your way." Vik's voice cut the brief silence as he met the eyes of the young boy with a smile of gratitude.

"And what exactly is this favor you keep asking of me, Viktir?"

Another glance-another silent exchange between Gaius and Viktir. Merlin caught it, but he wasn't so sure that Drea had seen it.

Gaius put a bit of a smile on his face as he looked to Merlin. "Why don't you show Drea around Camelot Merlin-only be careful."

A flash of anger passed throug her green eyes as she grabbed her father's arm as he was moving to seat himself across from Gaius. "I don't want to leave here-"

Her father suddenly slammed his hand on the table with such a loud thump that it made the other three jump. "Deirdre you will learn to do what your elders ask of you-now go with the boy!" He turned his eyes to her, with a look so fiercet that she ripped her hand away from like she had been burned. It was the second moment of anger her father had displayed today-something so uncharacteristic of him.

Even Merlin could feel it-a tense, palpable feeling that hung in the air. He saw Drea's face crumple-it was evident she wasn't used to such a harsh tone from her father. "Come on Drea-it's alright..." Merlin wrapped his arm around her shoulders, grateful that she allowed the contact, and lead her to the door.

Before he left he looked over his shoulder, and let his eyes drop. Viktir was now seated across from Gaius, holding his hands in his face. Gaius waved him off, but not without giving Merlin his own look-one whose meaning was crystal clear.

Take care of her, and be careful.