Hope you enjoyed the sixth Chapter.

Feel free to review, I would love to know what you think.


Chapter 7- Cabin Fever.

The court physician was a well respected and well loved man. Gaius treated everyone from the King's ward, Lady Morgana, to the people in the lower town. No matter who he was treating he made sure they understood what was going on and that he was friendly and comforting. There was no one in Camelot that would have anyone else treat them.

Today Gaius was having a lucky day. He had no one to attend to medically meaning he could focus his attention on the beast that plagued the outer villages. He was currently flicking through several open books at once.

So many books were laid out upon the table in his chambers. Normally the table was covered in different potions and strange contraptions to make said potions and tonics. Gaius was sat at the one end of the table with his head resting in his hand. With his other hand he brushed his silver hair out of his face, his tired eyes scanning the book in front of him.

The candles on the table had melted down to the very bottom. The sun outside barely touched Gaius' chamber so in order not strain his already ageing eyes Gaius used many candles.

As Gaius yawned the creaky door opened slowly. Alaya poked her head around the door to make sure that someone was in. Gaius turned to see only her head peeking around the door and her brown plaited hair flowing down.

"Hey, do you mind if I come in?" asked Alaya, with a sheepish smile on her face.

Gaius smiled at her "Of course not Alaya."

Alaya sat across from Gaius, gazing down at the books on the table of various quality. Even now, when she was welcome in Camelot, Alaya wasn't wearing a dress. She was in a pair of brown leather trousers and a blue tight first thing she noticed was that all of the books were about various beasts and creatures as well as many vials of different shapes and sizes place neatly on the shelving behind.

"Have you gotten anywhere?" she asked picking up one of the books after realising what he was doing.

Gaius rubbed his eyes in frustration and shook his head. Seeing that Gaius was getting tired of looking at the same books over and over again Alaya offered her help. Gaius gladly accepted, thankful for the help and company.

They spent a good hour or so reading the books trying to getting any information that they could, even if it was the slightest thing. They even found the time to talk about how many scuffles Alaya had gotten into when they were children. As she read through the book she had picked up she became more interested and silence filled the room. There were so many creatures that she had never heard off before. So many weird and wonderful creatures that she could hunt. After a while Gaius broke the silence.

"I take it you were bored then Alaya."

Alaya looked up at him with a half smile on her face. It had been a long time since she was last in Camelot but Gaius still knew her well. Honestly over the years she hadn't really changed that much. She often got bored quickly and constantly needed something to do.

"Yeah. Uther said I wasn't to go anywhere although he didn't say why. I hate being in one place. I've gotten used to traveling."

Gaius laughed and looked back down at his book.

"That never stopped you before. You always told Uther what you thought and I think he respected you for it." he flicked over a page in the book he was holding, "Surely it's good to see Arthur again. You two were as thick as thieves when you were children."

Alaya's smile dropped and her brows furrowed.

"I don't think he recognises me Gaius. He used to be so nice to the aids but now..."

Gaius looked up at her with an eyebrow raised, "But now.."

Before Alaya could continue the door opened again and in walked Merlin closely followed by the very man they were speaking of. Arthur didn't look very happy.

"Gaius there is a young man who has been brought into the courtyard. He is gravely injured. Guinevere is already with him."

Gaius bowed low before picking up his bag, filling it with supplies and heading out of the room leaving everyone in silence.

Arthur slumped down onto the bench across from Alaya who was merrily reading the book in her hands, desperately trying to avoid Arthur's gaze. She had found a very interesting part describing a creature named Yale. It was a horse like creature that had two horns on it's head. One horn was used for defence and the other offence. If one of the horns were damaged it would move the other to attack. She was imagining what the fight between her and the creature would be like.

Alaya had completely zoned out and was now reading about a Harpy when Arthur began to whine, loudly.

"Why is she here?" he moaned, grumpily putting his head in his hand.

"Ask her, she's right in front of you." said Merlin slightly confused.

"Not her Merlin, Queen of suck the fun out of everything."

"That's not very nice."

"Neither is Queen Linella. Seriously, fancy coming to Camelot when there is a ferocious beast on the loose."

Now that got Alaya's attention. At first she thought she had misheard the Prince but as he continued to grumble it confirmed her thoughts. She looked around the room for where Arthur had gone. He was stood lent against the bookshelf that Merlin was organising for Gaius. Alaya marched over to him as he continued to mumble.

"Where is Linella?" she demanded, grabbing his tunic and forcing him to look at her.

Arthur had a confused look etched onto his face.

"What is it to you?" he asked a tad snappier than he had intended, prying her hands off of him.

Alaya could handle Arthur not recognising her while they fought or when she had a hood on but now, when she was stood clear as day in front of him, no. But that wasn't the only thing that had annoyed her.

"Oh how about that she is my mother Arthur. And it's just smashing to see you again. Nice to know you still remember me."

With her emotions getting the best of her Alaya stormed out of the room slamming the old door behind her. She left that fast there may as well have been a cloud of smoke where she was stood. Arthur was just simply stood there with no emotion on his face, his body numb. That had explained everything. The mysterious feeling he had when he saw her. The note on his bedside table. It was her. It was rare that he ever beat Alaya when they were children and she constantly reminded him of it.

Merlin had faced the bookshelf through that little outburst but on his face was a wide smile. He lent into Arthur's blurred gaze to get his attention, his black hair falling in front of his face.

"So, is she an old flame?" he asked cheekily.

Arthur turned very slowly, his face gradually tensing as he did so. By the time Arthur and Merlin had locked eyes Merlin had known he had pushed a button. He silently went back to sorting out the bookshelf, attempting to hide the grin on his face. A few moments later, and a few sighs later, Arthur stormed out of the room. Merlin looked at the door when Arthur had left.

"I like her."

He chuckled to himself before continuing his chores.