Warnings: None at the moment that i know of.

Disclaimer: Dont own Merlin, nor Arthur, all rights belong to the bbc and the involving crew and actor. OOoohh! Though i do own Sarina (sarah) and Cassandra (Cassie) My creations :D

Thanks to DementedViper for all the help she gives me along the way and advice!
Oh and this un'beta'd so all the mistakes our mine :(

Ok, i got a rather rude review on my last chap from someone that didnt have the guts to leave their name. I know i have no beta, and i state that all the mistakes are there, i know they should be fixed but there is no need to be bitchy about. A simple concrit would work, not an attack. Also, it had a lot of complaintsa bout the content of my story. Firstly, i checked my names, i always do my research. Sarah and Cassie might not be right for that time but i already stated their names are Cassandra and Sarina, names that i looked up and were on a list for that time period, names get shorted as nicknames as such, proven by Guinivere going to Gwen. Next, the fact that the girls are mouthy and talk out of line and how that would be excepted back then and anyone doing that to the Prince would be killed? Hello, Merlin anyone! He does it all the time, the first time he see's Arthur! I'm doing nothing the show doesnt. I know im not hundred percent accurate but i would appreciate the flames being left. If you want to comment then keep it polite and constructive, and not a blatant dig.

Sorry for my rant, but any writer will understand how fustrating that is. Especially when the reviewer withholds their name just so they dont have to get a reply from you!

Enjoy those who stuck with this)

The next few days were tough for Cassie and Sarah, each reluctant to let the other out of their sight. They soon worked out that it was ridiculous though, that they could not carry on like this forever. Their had been no sign of any other men coming after them, no suspicious activity and like Cassie had thought originally, no one could really get into Camelot and harm them anyway. It took over a week but eventually they started going their separate ways again, though always telling each other to be on the look out.

Cassie walked solemnly across the grounds as she headed towards the training area. This would be the first day that she would be returning to work. She was mildly surprised that Arthur had not called for her or had her arrested for not attending her duties, but so far he had left her alone. She would never admit that she was grateful. Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the training area, spotting Arthur in an instance. He was training predictably with his sword and did not notice her as she perched herself on the fence. This was sure to be fun.

The night in the forest had shook her and she would admit that, though right now it was the least of her concerns. Arthur had kissed her. kissed her! What exactly was she supposed to say to that? Was she even expected to say anything. At the end of the day, she just wanted to forget. She hadn't even told Sarah it had happened because it was quite simply, a mistake. It was nothing more than a adrenaline fuelled decision that meant nothing, because she certainly did not like him.

Arthur smiled despite himself as he caught sight of Cassie at the edge of the field. He had not expected her to be here today, since she had not shown up for over a week. He know that as Prince he had every right to be mad that his staff were lacking of their duties, but he had seen how fearful she had been in the forest, he could grant her some leave if only to remove that look from her. Still, that didn't mean he was going to let her know how lenient he was feeling.

"Finally decided to join did you?" He said mockingly as he strode over to her, glad to see she seemed well enough to glare at him like usual.

"Yes Sire." Cassie answered through pursed lips, hopping down to stand up properly.

"Well, lets get started then shall we." Arthur said without room for argument. Cassie prayed to the lords that she could find a way to get through this.

…

Sarah's hands trembled slightly with nerves as she searched through the shelves of the library. Every few seconds she would look over her shoulder, even though she knew that Jeffery would be gone for the next couple of hours at the least. Ever since the incident with Cassie she had been running over and over in her mind a way that she could better be sure that Cassie was safe. They couldn't follow each other around for the rest of their lives.

Biting down on the corner of her lip, her eyes trailed over to the restricted section of the library. She had been told on her very first day that she was never to go into there. The books contained in that set were from the time before the Great Purge, Uther had banned anyone from reading them ever again. Not even Jeffery was allowed to look at the pages contained.

"I'm turning into Cassie more and more everyday." Sarah sighed as she walked as quietly as she could into the section, careful not to touch anything that was nessrcary. She didn't want to give away that she had been there. Her eyes scanned the shelves until she came to the section she wanted. Protection. She needed a way to keep the safe. Careful as not to damage anything, Sarah slid the biggest book she could find from the shelf, resting it on the nearest table. Flipping through the pages, she saw descriptions on plants and herbs that she had never even heard of, some of which didn't look particularly safe. A passage on a protective wreath caught her eye, but she discarded it one she saw how long it would take to make.

Closing the book sharply she huffed. What use were plants really going to do anyway? They were not more useful than common grass in matters like this. Pinching the bridge of her nose, her gaze wandered to the furthest back shelf in the section. She know this was dangerous, but somehow she couldn't bring herself to care. She pulled down the closet book she could reach, she needed something stronger and maybe magic held the answer.

…

Merlin was deep in thought as he set about cleaning Arthur's chambers, glad that the Prince was out training so as no one was there to distract him. He found himself in thought a lot these days and he couldn't help but notice it always revolved around the new girls. It was odd how well they had settled in, especially since Camelot did not like strangers, but then, it had been the Prince that given them jobs. That was basically a rule now that no one was to question their presence here. He chuckled as he thought about the way Cassie got to talk to him, it would not of been so odd if he didn't already know that he got away with the same. His first week there he had had more run in with Arthur that what was considered safe. It seemed Arthur liked having these sort of people around him.

Merlin sighed as he tucked Arthur's covers over his bed, fluffing up the pillows. What did bother him though was that it seemed the girls were hiding something. He didn't think it was anything particularly malicious, he didn't get that vibe about them. No, it was just something they did not want to share. He could relate, nearly everyone had a past these days, life was just that hard.

Plopping himself down on the nearest stall, Merlin pulled the Prince's armour towards him, running the cloth over the metal to get rid of the grime. Surprisingly, he never got bored of shining the armour everyday, it was nice to do something normal, especially with the activities he usually got up to.

Later that day he was going to have to go and talk to Arthur, most likely after he had finished his practice. He was, curious, to what had actually happened in the forest with Cassie. Both girl had out right refused to talk about with him or Gaius. Merlin was sure that Arthur knew more than he had told them. Somehow Merlin thought that if he knew, he could be one step closer to working them out. He didn't know why, but something he could explain made him want to try.

…

Cassie smiled as she dipped her toes into the water, it shallow enough where she stood that there was still a little warmth to it. She wiggled her toes experimentally and giggled at the rippled that spread out across the water.

"You always did like the water." Sarah comment with her own soft smile, watching Cassie from where she was sitting on a boulder on the bank. Cassie grinned at her over her shoulder.

"I remember that you used to hate it." She said back, flicking her feet and splashing Sarah. Sarah squeaked and through her hands up in a vain attempt to protect herself, glaring playfully at the other girl.

"We cant all like everything." She laughed. "I remember the time that village we stayed in got its fields flooded by the rain, and you just had to go and try swimming in it." She chuckled. "You were covered in mud from head to toe."

Cassie pouted. "Well how was I to know it wouldn't be clean water."

"Asking." Sarah suggested, tilting her head with a chuckle. Cassie laughed and flicked water again, before walking over and hauling herself up onto the rock beside her.

"What village was that?" She asked, leaning her head against Sarah's shoulder.

"Murthador." Sarah answered easily, running a hand through Cassie's hair.

"I remember there, that was when we stayed with that family, Keira and her daughters." Cassie smiled, thinking back on them. She had enjoyed staying with them. They had been kind to them, lending them what they needed and providing a place for them to stay. The daughters had been wonderful girls, bit of gossips but delightful all the same. They had all been quite good friends, that was until they had to leave. Cassie sighed.

"It was nice there, it was a shame we had to leave." She said sadly.

Sarah lowered her head and nodded in agreement. It had been nice there. They had only been able to stay there for roughly four months before they had had to move on. It was an unfortunate event that happened throughout their lives. Sarah hoped this time would be different.

"Do you think it will be different here?" Cassie asked, unaware she was voicing Sarah's thoughts.

"I hope so." Sarah replied, knowing she didn't trust to commit to an answer. Cassie tutted.

"You don't know do you? If we really are safe."

Sarah snapped her head round sharply. "We are safe Cassie." She said with certainty. "I'm going to keep us safe."

Cassie sighed but dropped her head back against Sarah's shoulder all the same. She wanted to believe that, but Sarah was only one person.

"How did we get here." Cassie all but whispered sadly. Sarah chuckled even though it was the last thing she felt like doing.

"Well you see, we follow the path from the castle…"

Cassie whacked her and across the girls arm, glaring playfully at her. "That's not what I meant." She laughed, though the joke did help her feel less tense.

"Well what did you mean then?" Sarah asked shifting to wrap an arm around the girl.

"I meant, how did we get here doing this, running all the time." Cassie noted how Sarah went rigid against her side but didn't take back her question, she was stubborn like that.

"You know how Cass." Sarah said stiffly, she hated it when Cassie started this conversation.

"Some days it feels like I'm less and less sure on the answer." Cassie said truthfully. "We run too much that I don't even remember what it's for."

Sarah sighed and pulled Cassie closer to her, wrapping both arms round her in a hug. Cassie sighed as well, recognising the traits that she wasn't going to be answered and hugged back all the same. The last few weeks had been hard, but at least they were still here. Cassie thought Sarah would say no more, so was a little surprised when Sarah spoke again, her tone low.

"It doesn't matter what we know Cassie and it doesn't matter that she knows we know it. She wont find us, not here and not while we stick together. We were left alive to a reason, I'm not going to let her ruin that."

Cassie felt a glow in her chest at those words, Sarah always had a way of making everything seem better. Still, the warmth she felt was always second to a cold feeling of dread.

"That is easy to say." She said reluctantly. "But Nimueh is not one to give up."

…

Arthur chucked his gear on the table as he entered his chambers, weary after all the training he had been through that day. If he didn't enjoy it so much he would swear it wasn't worth the pain it often caused.

"Merlin, warm the fire." He ordered though is tone wasn't as harsh as it usually was, tiredness dulling his usual royal air. Merlin complied without question, stoking the fire into life.

"Rough training?" He ventured, moving to remove the last remnants of Arthur's armour.

"I swear, sometimes I wonder where we pick these Knights up from." Arthur vented. "They couldn't hit the broad side of a barn if the arrow top was a millimetre from the wood."

Merlin resisted the urge to laugh at the imagery, knowing it wouldn't improve Arthur's mood. He settled for just stepping back and awaiting his orders.

"You've been acting off the last few days." Arthur said out of the blue, taking Merlin by surprise.

"Sire?" Merlin replied confused.

"Granted, you aren't the brightest servant, but you seem more distracted than usual." Arthur carried on, his voice sounded bored though.

Merlin didn't know whether to find it touching that Arthur cared enough to notice his mood, or disturbed that he was being watched that closely. He opted to go somewhere in between the two.

"It is not intentional." He settled for replying.

"Oh I have no doubt, I know exactly what the cause is." Arthur said, a little but of smugness in his voice as he turned to look at Merlin. "It's those girls."

Merlin felt his face heat up half a dozen degrees. "What?" He spluttered.

Arthur chuckled and shook his head. "Don't get so flustered Merlin, I know they intrigue you just as much as they do me."

"They don't-wait, they intrigue you?" Merlin frowned.

"I know you are not idiotic enough to miss that they are hiding something, that event in the forest last week was evident enough of that."

"What are you going to do?"

Arthur grinned. "We are going to find out what they are hiding."

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