She sprang into action, her legs going as fast as they could just as the arrow flew across the courtyard. It was a wonder she didn't trip as these dresses, she noted, were not particularly easy to run in. Running towards him, she knocked him to the ground just in time. Instantly realising that she'd just knocked down one of her captors, she wondered whether this would count against her later on.

"What the…?" He asked, trying to push her off him. She smiled and wouldn't let him move. It wasn't yet safe. But when the arrow landed just inches away, she let him move. After all, she couldn't have stayed there all day now, could she? Apologising to him, she smiled slightly as she realised that she had just probably saved the future King's life. Well, she'd never classed herself as that brave but obviously this proved she was braver than she had originally thought. As she got to her feet, she found that Arthur was holding out his hand for her to take and she hesitated for a moment. Should she take it? Mind you, he may find offence if she didn't, so she took it and smiled her thanks as she was helped to her feet.

"Good, good. And you've gained your voice back I see?"

"Only just. Is there something you wish to tell me sire?" Alethea asked, trying to hide the amusement in her voice. After all, surely he should be chasing after his potential killer, not standing there talking with a girl of no consequence. Yet he had stayed. Why?

"Why do you ask?"

"Because otherwise you'd be finding that man with your men." she said.

"Ah, good point. There is actually. Your trial is to be tomorrow. At noon."

"Where will it be?" she asked quietly, for she knew that this had been coming but she hadn't thought it would be so soon. Her heart sank as she realised that for her trial to be the next day then she would probably be signing her own death sentence.

"The Great Hall. Merlin will show you the way. Now, I'm afraid I'm going to have to leave you now. Are you alright?"

"Why wouldn't I be sire?" she smiled, wondering why he would concern himself with her. After all, was she not a criminal? A sorceress who practised dangerous magic? But there had been something in his manner. He hadn't stood to attention or in authority like he had done when she had first met him. No, he had seemed somewhat more relaxed, but why? She had saved his life, yes, but surely there was something else in his manner. She gave up as she watched him run to join his men whilst she quickly caught up with Gaius and Merlin who had seen the whole thing.

"You have your voice back?"

"It would seem so Gaius. Now I can thank you properly for looking after me. And also to Merlin for getting me those dresses. In fact, thank you both, for everything."

"You're welcome. Now, what did Arthur say to you?"

"I…I am to be trialled tomorrow." she sighed, looking away as they continued to walk along the endless corridors of Camelot castle. They all looked the same in Alethea's opinion and she decided that it was probably very easy to get lost in.

"So soon?" she simply nodded and nothing more was said as they walked up the stairs to the physician's quarters. It was here that Alethea took to the seat by the window and took a look at the grazes on her hands. Smiling slightly at the reminder of what had just happened, she wondered if it would count in favour of her in her trial. Staring blankly at the sky, she saw the dark clouds in the distance and wondered whether it was a sign of things to come.

The sun was beginning to set and turned the pale blue sky into an artist's palette of reds, oranges and golds. The sun set cast a warm glow over the kingdom of Camelot and Alethea wondered if she would see another beautiful sight such as this again or if she would survive to see another. Then, as the sun fell beneath the horizon, the full moon rose, shining bright against a background of a soft black. The stars seemed to shine like diamonds and Alethea marvelled at the sight. To the inhabitants of Camelot it was just the night sky, to her it was a sight to look at. That was the thing with living in the modern day town. The street lights took away the beauty and brightness of the stars.

She only left her seat for a simple meal and didn't talk much, just listened to her two hosts talk about things of little consequence. Thing was, as she sat there, her mind wandered to that of her trial the next day and she wondered just exactly what it would entail. She was about to ask when she was interrupted by a knock on the door. Wondering who it would be at this time of night, although it was only mid evening (the candles seemed to make it feel a lot later) Alethea watched Merlin open the door and couldn't believe her eyes when she saw their visitor. Averting her eyes almost instantly, she moved back to the window, her back to the rest of the room.

"What can we do for you sire?"

"A word with the girl. Have you explained about the trial to her?"

"No sire."

"Oh" There was something in the way that Arthur said that, Alethea thought, that suggested he had been expecting that answer. It was almost as if he wanted to explain the trial to her himself. She wasn't going to complain though. She wanted to know if he was alright after the earlier incident considering she had knocked him to the ground with full force. "Where is she?"

"By the window sire."

Alethea only turned around when she felt his presence near her and smiled slightly as she noticed his ruffled hair and general dishevelled appearance. It was almost as if he'd just come from chasing criminals and yet he somehow remained his majesty and kept his handsomeness (not that he was handsome in Alethea's eyes, just… good to look at. Kind on the eyes shall we say.).

"Did you manage to catch him sire?" It took Arthur a minute to register the question.

"We did."

"What will happen to him?"

"He's dead."

"Oh." There was an awkward silence for a moment or two.

"So, anyway, your trial tomorrow. This is how it's going to work. You'll be brought before the court where your charges will be read and evidence given. You'll be asked some questions and we want to be told the truth."

"Of course sire."

"Then, court will decide your fate and punishment if you are found guilty. Whilst the court reaches the decision you'll be taken out of the room but brought back in to hear your sentence."

"And then?"

"You will be freed if innocent but if guilty you will await punishment in the dungeons."

"And what are the charges against me sire?" she asked, still not daring to meet his gaze for she feared what she might see. Contempt? Hatred? Pity? Whatever it was, she didn't want to know.

"Sorcery and practising magic."

"Then I am more than likely going to be found guilty." she murmured but Arthur heard her.

"It will be a fair trial."

"Sire, the evidence is against me. This is an age where sorcerers are executed and I am but a girl. Do you really think that I will be listened to? And even if anyone does listen, they won't believe me. Sire, I am a girl from another place and I am surrounded by strange things and yet to you and your people I am strange and new. I am out of my depth and yet… Yet because of it I am probably going to die." she sighed, looking away and feeling her eyes water.

"Have hope. There is a chance you'll be found innocent."

"Yes, but it's a very small chance."

"Have faith."

"How can I, sire? How can I have faith when I have heard what this kingdom does to someone who is even slightly associated with a person who practises magic? Surely you know that the evidence is against me. In fact, tonight is probably my last night of freedom, and I so wished I could have done all the things I'd said I'd do." she sighed. She didn't know why she was pouring all of this out to Arthur but perhaps it was the fact that she needed some comfort and some hope. Perhaps if he saw she was just another person with feelings and saw how scared she was…

"Alethea, the truth will out, you'll see. But, I may not know what will happen tomorrow but I need to tell you something…" She looked up at him as he took one of her hands, wincing a little as he touched one of the grazes. "I need to thank you for saving my life earlier. I can assure you that that is one thing I won't forget."

"Thank you sire. But there is one thing I need to ask you… Did I hurt you earlier?"

"No. In fact, I think you knocked some sense into me." the Prince smiled before turning and leaving but not before Alethea had caught the look of sadness on his face. It was obvious that he knew what would happen the next day and Alethea knew she was right not to have much hope or faith. One gaze told her all she needed to know. Turning back to the window, head leaning against the glass, she closed her weary eyes, telling herself it was only for a moment.