As the sun rises on Camelot two figures ride in. Gwaine and Elaine reach the steps of Camelot swiftly. Gwaine helps Elaine off her horse as he hands the reins to two stable boys. Gwaine leads Elaine up the steps and into the castle.

Merlin is standing in the throne room, the King is having a meeting with the Knights discussing the many threats for Camelot. Merlin's mind was wondering when the doors open. All eyes turn towards them as Gwaine enters. Merlin's breath hitches as he sees her. Immediately he feels relaxed and calm. He can't help but notice how graceful her walk is, how proper she holds herself, proud but without an ego. Gwaine and the young lady head straight to Arthur who stands to greet her.

"Welcome to Camelot, I hope your trip was decent." Arthur shoots a look to Gwaine who gives a small nod.

"I understand my presence was requested here." Merlin felt she was almost singing more than she was speaking.

"Yes, well I didn't get to properly thank you for what you did yesterday."

"No thanks are required, I was merely doing what was right."

"Yes well thank you all the same. I also want to talk to you about your….er…talent." Merlin could swear the atmosphere did a 180 when Arthur said talent. The young woman visible tensed in front of him. Arthur didn't fail to notice. "Please don't be worried, I don't seek to punish you for helping us. Its just that magic is a touchy subject in Camelot and the kingdom would feel a little better if we could keep an…umm…an eye out on you. No offense, just a precaution."

Merlin watched as the young woman carefully studied Arthur. Arthur seemed slightly uncomfortable in her gaze…well slightly being an understatement. "If it would make the kingdom feel better I will stay, but understand this, I go were I want so if I wish to leave I will leave."

"Understood," With a nod of his head Arthur excused the rest of the meeting. Gwen stood up and walked over to the young woman, after saying a quick word, Gwen lead her out of the room.

"I'm sorry if Arthur seemed forceful, he's just use to having his way," Gwen explained to Elaine as she lead her out of the throne room. "I have picked out a selections of rooms for you to choose from. I didn't know your taste so I thought I would pick a variety. But do you prefer to be close to others or farther away where it is more private?"

"Perhaps a more private room will suit me."

"Okay perfect now we have three ready, one is in the wing opposite to where Arthur and my room is, that would be on the second floor. There is another room on the third floor in a deserted wing, or if you want there is a room in the tower."

"The room in the tower sounds perfect."

"Okay right this way." Gwen takes Elaine's hand and leads her down the hall. "Now Gaius, the towns physician, will be living under you. Don't worry he won't bother you, just in case you need some medicine or remedies." Gwen leads Elaine past Gaius room just as Merlin and Gaius are coming out. Merlin smiles to Elaine who returns it. Gaius notices Merlin's long stare and gives him a little shove to get him going.

Gwen continues to lead Elaine up the steps. "It's quite a walk up here, but I assure you the view is spectacular. I use to come up here, when I first became queen, it was nice to get away." Gwen reaches the top of the stairs were a door sits. She opens the door to a massive room. Elaine looks around in wonder. Gwen starts showing her around. "This is the living room, obviously, but you have some chairs a table for eating, if you wish to dine alone, otherwise you are welcomed to join Arthur and me. These steps lead to your bedroom, complete with bed and closet. May I ask where are your clothes?"

Elaine turns to looks at Gwen, confused. "My clothes?"

"Yes, were are they?"

"This is it." Gwen looks at Elaine's dress, torn and singed in some places. Her smile falters a little.

"If you would like I will send up the seamstress immediately." Elaine only nods her head, she has spotted the window. As Elaine walks slowly to the window she takes in the magnificent view of Camelot and beyond. Gwen smiles at Elaine's contentment and leaves her.

Elaine is still staring out the window when there is a knock at the door. She turns to answer only to see a pile of clothes on the other side. She smiles softly as she open the door wider, "Come in Merlin."

Merlin's head peaks out from the side of the clothes, smiling, "Hello m'lady. The Queen has sent some of her old clothes for you until we can get the seamstress here. Unfortunately she went off to visit her sick brother but she should be back, sometime next week."

"Oh this is more than enough." Elaine looks at all the dress, dresses fit for a Queen, once belonging to a Queen.

Merlin sets down all the dress on the table as Elaine watches him. As she goes to look through the dress it is his turn to observe her. He watches as she carefully pilfers through the dress, holding them carefully. He searches out every detail but finds her to be a complete mystery, much like Gaius warned, only, to Merlin the mystery wasn't bad, it was curiosity. No Gaius must be wrong, she can't be evil.

Elaine turns to look at Merlin, who looks away, red in the face at being caught. She smiles at him as he looks back up. "Can I help you with anything else?" she asks.

"I'm Merlin, well you already knew that but I wanted to do a proper introduction," Merlin rambles as Elaine gives a small smile. " And I just wanted to personally thank you. As I understand I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."

Elaine laughs at Merlin, not rudely but amused. "It's nice to properly meet you Merlin, I am Elaine. And the pleasure was all mine, to save the great manservant of the King." Elaine teases as Merlin chuckles.

"Yes well still, thank you."

Elaine moves back towards the window, but instead of looking out she looks up. Have you ever studied the stars from the roof?"

The question completely caught Merlin off guard as it takes a second for him to process what she just asked. "The roof, no, though I imagine it would be amazing."

"Do you want to?" Elaine asks with a mischievous grin.

"Now? No I can't, I have to get back to Arthur and I don't think it is dark enough." Merlin looks out the window at the sun finally setting.

"Not now tonight, if you would like to join me come back tonight around midnight." Elaine said.

"Okay, I'll be here." With that Merlin turned and left.

Merlin thought the day couldn't get anymore worse, having already down Arthur's laundry, polished his armor, cleaned his room, prepared his bath, cleaned out the stables, but no Arthur had more plans for him. The only thing he had to look forward to was tonight with Elaine, he was starting to believe Gaius, there was some spell she had over him, but he didn't think it was something in her control. He had just brought the lunch for Gwen and Arthur when Gwen asked Merlin what he though of Elaine. Merlin was caught off guard by this question as Arthur snorts into his glass. "Merlin, and Elaine, sorry mate she is much too good for you."

"Now I don't think that, Merlin is a very nice man, anyone would be lucky to have you?" Gwen says embarrassing Merlin further.

"Merlin have you ever even have a girlfriend? Do you even know how to talk to women?"

Merlin wanted nothing but to leave grabs Arthur's boots and goes out the door. He geos to the castle's steps sits and starts scrubbing the boots. Soon he feels a presence sit next to him assuming it to be Gwaine or a knight Merlin doesn't turn, but when his anger and embarrassment slowly disappear and he becomes calm, Merlin knows who is sitting next to him.

"Who is she?" Merlin turns stares at Elaine, not knowing what to say. "I can tell you think about her a lot. You have a far away look in your eye with a slight smile on your face. It can't be your parents because I have heard you talk about your mother and you don't share the same look. It is no one here because why would your thought be so far away if they were in the same room. So who is she?"

"Her name is Freya, she was a druid. She was beautiful and kind and sweet. I was going to give up everything for her." Merlin smiles at the memory as Elaine watches him closely.

"Was?"

A pained expression passes on Merlin's face. As he looks down Elaine puts a comforting hand on his. Merlin stares at her hand before answering, "She died."

"I'm so sorry," Elaine is truly softly as she observes Merlin. "But that's not it is it? You still see her, every once in awhile. The Lady of the Lake."

Merlin head shoots to Elaine as she says this, how could anyone know? "How do you know?"

"I knew her, and I knew of her death."

"You knew her?"

"She was my friend, I tried helping her with her…problem. We almost had it under control but then one night I was…preoccupied… and she was caught by the bounty hunter. I blame myself for her death. But it brings me joy to think that in her last moments she had someone as caring as you looking after her." Elaine smiles at Merlin who returns it.

"Thank you," Merlin feels better knowing he wasn't the only friend Freya had in the world, that she wasn't alone before she met him.

Merlin stands to go back to Arthur as Elaine gives him a hug. Merlin is at first shocked by her actions but smiles and gives her one in return. "You are truly a remarkable person. Emrys, I have heard of your greatness but not your compassion." With that Elaine heads back into the castle leaving Merlin dumbfounded. Somehow she knew, she knew, but he was okay with it. in fact he was better than okay he was great. With a huge smile on his face Merlin leaves to go back to Arthur's aid.

Unbeknownst to Merlin a figure in the shadows was watching him. With a look of despair Gaius heads back to his house.