"How is she?", asks a voice. It sounded as if my ears were just below the water, making it a strain to hear.

"As well as can be expected. Poor dear never knew what hit her." That sounded like Gaius. Slowly I began to remember being towed around by Arthur, bickering like two children. And the pain. The thought of it made me shiver. My eyes flutter open, finding myself back in my room, buried under several blankets. Gaius stood next to me, pressing a cool cloth to my forehead and Merlin at the foot of the bed.

"Ah, so you finally decided to join the world of the living.", Merlin jokes.

I groan and sit up, instantly regretting it. My head pounds from the sudden movement and I fall back onto my pillows again. "How long was I out?"

"Out?", Merlin asks. I had to start thinking about what I said, before I said it. Or I would just end up confusing people.

"Sleeping."

"Three days." Well, that was lovely. "It seems, my lady, that you have a great enemy.", Gaius says. I fight the urge to roll my eyes, not wanting to disrespect Gaius. No kidding!

"What happened?", I ask. All I remembered of it was pain. Nothing more.

"A curse. Set into one of the gems in your circlet. It was used as a focal point for a wizard to pour his dark magic into, and transfer it to the wearer making them become suddenly deathly ill. It is magic I have not seen since my youth."

So I had a magical enemy. And he obviously wanted me dead. This just kept getting better. "He got away, didn't he?", I ask, remembering the fleeing man on horseback. They both nod grimly.

"Uther is having troops search for him, but it is as if he disappeared.", Merlin tells me. That didn't comfort me much. He could obviously escape easily. I just wanted to go home. To wake up and realize this was only a dream. I wanted to be safe at home.

The door swings open loudly, revealing my least favorite fake uncle. Henry. "Thank God, dear girl. You gave me a heart attack!", He says, overly dramatic before turning to Gaius. "How is she?"

"Mending, My lord. But in need of rest. Don't worry, she should soon return to health."

"I slept for three days. I don't need to rest anymore.", I grumble. Only Merlin seems to hear and snickers while giving me a sympathetic look. Gaius excuses himself, and drags Merlin along with him. I was sad to see him go. Merlin was the closest thing I had to a friend here. Also, I didn't feel like being left alone with Henry. I just knew I was going to get a lecture. From the face he was giving me, I was right.

"You had me worried sick.", He says, pulling up a chair next to my bed. "How do you feel?"

I blinked in surprise. He seemed genuinely worried about me. "Fine. Just a bit sore is all."

He nods. "That man will pay, I promise you that. I've sent for your knights from Tahara. They should arrive within a few days. We set out for home in a month. You'll be safer there with your own men to guard you."

"Tahara is not my home.", I say sharply. I would never think of this place as my home. My home was with my parents. Besides I'd never even been to Tahara, much less belonged there.

"It is now sweetheart. Get used to it because it's all yours. You have an entire people to think of. A kingdom rests on your shoulders, kid."

"I never wanted any of this.", I say quietly. Was my old, boring life too much too ask for? I didn't think so. I was only sixteen. Too young to rule a country. But nobody seemed to think that here.

He shrugs. "And you think I did? It isn't too bad once you get used to it. You might even come to like it here, but whether you like it or not, you're stuck."

"How did we get into this mess anyway? Why did all of this happen?"

"An ancestor of yours pissed off a sorcerer. He cursed his sword and family. You know the rest."

He excuses himself after that, telling me to go to sleep. But there was no way I could. I throw aside my covers and carefully stand up. The dizziness passes and I go to the wardrobe, finding the simplest dress I could. What I wouldn't do for a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt. I tear off the frilly night gown before realizing I hadn't needed help to do it. I stare at my bare shoulder in disbelief, no bandages and no stitches. The only hint the skin had ever been wounded as a thin scar. Merlin must have used magic on it while I was unconscious. I was just thankful I wasn't awake while the stitches were being pulled out. I'd have to remember to thank Gaius and Merlin later. They probably took a big risk to heal me with magic.

I pull the dress on. It was basic, a solid grey color with long sleeves. The neckline was embroidered in a deep purple swirling pattern, but that was the only embellishment. A belt made it fit me better.

I found my boots that I arrived in tossed aside in a corner and tugged them on over a pair of thick woolen stockings. Some have bread and water was on the table, and I downed it all. I hadn't realized how hungry I was, and I could have eaten more.

Before leaving I catch sight of myself in the mirror. My face was gaunt and pale, my hair limp and ratted, and my eyes weren't their usual bright blue. Instead they were a dark grey color. I had pretty obviously lost some weight. I looked like death.

My hair was nearly impossible to pull a comb through, but somehow I managed. They really needed to invent some sort conditioner. Gwen would probably throw a fit about it not being properly done, but I didn't really care. I quickly braided it down my back, so it would be out of my face.

I opened to door slowly, half expecting to find someone standing outside and order me back to bed. but not a person was in sight. I practically skip down the hall, enjoying being alone. It probably wouldn't last, but I was going to thoroughly enjoy it.

I find myself in a field full men in full armor sparring swords or challenging each other in archery. Some of them fought so fiercely you couldn't tell it was only training. I noticed Arthur among them and groaned, turning to make my escape before he saw me and my alone time came to an end.

"Sarah!"

Too late. I turn around, trying to be pleasant. But our argument wasn't forgotten. "Arthur."

He comes running up to me, sheathing his sword and leaving behind his match. "I didn't know you were awake. How are you?" He actually seemed to care.

"I'm fine, thank you." That question was getting old quickly.

He nods. "I'm glad." Was he seriously trying to be nice to me? Or maybe he just felt sorry for me. That seemed likely enough to me. I didn't need his sympathy. And I didn't want it either.

I turn to go back inside, eager to get away from him. I found it strange that his attitude towards me had changed so quickly, and it probably wouldn't last much longer. "I'll let you get back to your training."

He simply follows me, matching his pace to mine and slipping his arm through mine. "Nonsense. I think I'll keep you company instead."

Okay, he was starting to creep me out. He seems to notice my discomfort and grins. I opened my mouth to say something when Uther comes running up to us. "Princess Sarah. Gaius informed me our very own sleeping beauty had awoken! You should be resting, my dear. You've been through a great deal." I noticed neither Arthur or Uther seemed keen on saying anything about our intruder.

"I'm fine, really. Thank you for your concern.", I say some what flatly. People could stop treating me like I was delicate. I was getting irritated.

"Well, be sure not to over tax yourself." He winks at Arthur. "Keep an eye on her." And with that he was gone. Off to handle some duty, I'm sure. And now I was stuck with Arthur as an assigned babysitter. This day couldn't get any better.

"It should seem I'm all yours.", He teases after Uther is out of sight and earshot. I knew the nice act wouldn't last long.

I roll my eyes and slip my arm from his. "You know what? I'm beginning to feel faint. I should go lie down for a while.", I hastily come up with an excuse. Being stuck in my room was better than being stuck with Arthur.

He simply takes my arm again with a smirk. "Nope. You aren't getting away from me that easily. We are going to have loads of fun."

"Lucky me.", I groan. He ignores me.

"Lucky you.", He agrees. This was going to be a long day.