Disclaimer - I do not own BBC's Merlin or any of its characters. I have no rights to any of its plots/storylines. I am only responsible for my OCs and any variations from the original storylines.

The two strangers stood quietly next to each other, considering what to do next when Amara noticed blood dripping from Gwaine's arm.

"You're injured"

"What?" He looked down at his arm to see a small rip in his sleeve and a harsh claw mark hidden beneath it. "Oh yeah, bloody beast must have caught my arm when it was swiping at me."

"Here, let me clean it," She said, gently taking his arm and leading him back towards the river. She sat him down next to the river and went to clean his wound before blushing and looking away.

"You may have to take off your shirt." Gwaine smirked and removed his shirt.

As Amara cleaned his wound she tried her best not to gaze upon Gwaine's chiselled chest. He was certainly handsome and extremely fit. What was wrong with her? She had cleaned many wounds before and had never reacted like this, but he was just so gorgeous. Mortified when she realised she was staring, she blushed and continued to tie off his wound.

Gwaine too found himself staring at her. She looked messy and unkempt but she had natural beauty that Gwaine had never seen before. He had seen many noblewomen when working in Cenred's castle but they were all dressed in such complex finery and make up that there was nothing natural about them. Amara was truly beautiful. She looked up to catch his eye before blushing deeply and staring down.

Gwaine cleared his throat as he looked around. "So um what was that beast anyway?"

Amara smiled softly, "It was a Blaidd. A creature of magic."

"Nasty piece of work I must say. Certainly had a set of teeth and claws." He replied glancing briefly down at his arm before putting his shirt over his head. "Why did you let it live? It obviously lowered its defences around you."

Amara angered slightly. "Why would I kill it? It may look vicious but a Blaidd is inherently a gentle creature that would do no harm to anyone. Killing it would be wrong."

Gwaine looked at her in shock. "No harm to anyone? You saw what it was going to do to me!"

"And yet I can bet it wasn't the first to attack!" Gwaine opened his mouth to reply, only to see the truth in her words.

"Exactly. It would only hurt those seeking to do it harm…" Amara paused looking down. "…or harm to its kin."

Gwaine looked down in understanding. "That's why you were so hesitant around me."

Amara looked into the river solemnly. "How could I trust someone who would so readily attack an innocent creature?"

They paused as Gwaine looked at Amara whose vision was focused on the river.

"So why did you?"

Amara seemed to blush faintly. "I – I just felt as though I could, that's all."

Gwaine gave her knowing glance. "And the magical gust of wind had nothing to do with it."

Frightened, Amara made to get up. She had hoped he hadn't made the link to her magical abilities, now she didn't know what he would do. As she tried to stand to run, he grabbed her arm.

"Whoa, whoa I said I wasn't going to hurt you and I meant it. I don't come from here, I don't care if you have magic or not. I only care what you do with it and so far you've used it to save my life so I'm not exactly inclined to hurt you. Ok?"

She nodded, smiling and sat back down again.

"Sorry for being so apprehensive. It's not exactly the safest place for my kind around here."

"It's ok, I understand."

Amara glanced around, nervous to ask about him. She knew his presence here meant something otherwise she wouldn't have had the vision, and then there had been what happened when they joined hands. Amara's ability for sight meant she had a strong connection with the spirits. Whenever she was unsure of someone she would listen to the spirits. She had never experienced such a response from them before. They had earnestly shown the importance of this man to her future but she didn't know what to do about it.

Suddenly full of energy, Gwaine jumped up clapping his hands.

"I suppose I owe you something for saving my life. I know how about I get you a drink? I could certainly use one. Where's the closest tavern."

Amara gave him a confused look. "Tavern?"

He looked at her smiling, "Yeah you know, the kind of place you go to, to get a drink. Know anywhere in town?"

"Oh. I don't go into town."

"What?"

"I've never really left the barrier before today."

"Why?"

She sighed, looking back over to the trees. "It's not safe."

Gwaine was troubled by this. Never left the barrier? He knew there must be a limit to its area. She had been in there her whole life? It seemed like such a trapped existence.

"But -"

He was interrupted by the faint sound of drums. He turned to Amara to see her standing suddenly.

"What is that?"

"The drums. They mean trouble. I shouldn't be here, I have to go back."

She started to run back towards the barrier. Amara knew her crossing the border would have caused some drama, a search party would be sent for her, but the drums meant there was far worse danger than her disappearance.

"No wait." He hadn't had the chance to warn her about the company. He certainly didn't want her risking her life for other men found in his position. They wouldn't care if she saved their life, they would cut her down the moment they learnt she had magic. Chasing after her, she crossed the barrier before he could reach her.

"Wait! There's something I must tell you."

His calls fell upon deaf ears as she disappeared into the woodland. He had to try to find a way to help her. He decided to return to camp and try and throw them off their trail. There was something about Amara. Something he had to protect.