Merlin's room in the physician's quarters was situated at the front so, when he was looking out of the window that evening, he could see the courtyard. More specifically though, he could see anyone entering the castle through the main door from the courtyard. One such person, that evening – which was surprisingly light for the time of year – was the king's ward. Presumably returning from her earlier visit to the forest with the other woman – for Merlin had now figured out it was a woman due to her figure and the jewelled cloak – she was scurrying under the cover of the shadows back to the castle.

The young warlock immediately jumped down from the window, preparing to rush to Morgana's room to ask her where she'd been but then remembered his promise to himself: he wouldn't interfere with things that had nothing to do with him and this had nothing to do with him; getting involved wouldn't lead anywhere good.

He felt a pang in his heart despite himself; he cared for Camelot's ward dearly and hoped she wasn't getting herself into anything bad. Deep down he just wanted to protect her, help her as much as he could but he wasn't stupid. He wasn't naïve anymore; he knew it wasn't possible for two people of such different social classes to be friends the way they had been. It was, to be honest, illogical. No, he'd have to just leave her be.

XXX

The manservant was out in the market the next day with a list of herbs to find for Gaius. He walked around for a bit afterwards, just to see if there was anything he needed, or wanted, to get for himself. He was just debating purchasing a small bit of fabric to make a new neckerchief from when, in his peripheral vision, he spotted something. It was a cloak; the same jewelled cloak belonging to whoever Morgana had been with yesterday. His curious instincts kicking in once again, he watched the person from behind. He had been right – it was a woman – for down the back of the cloak trailed locks of blonde, wavy hair, far too well looked after to belong to a male.

The person moved surprisingly gracefully for someone whom Merlin knew to sneak about at night. He cocked his head to the side, paying her every move a great deal of attention. Instinctively, and almost without noticing what he was doing, the boy found himself trailing the woman, although he did have enough sense to stay behind stalls where he could, to avoid being seen. In fact, he followed her from the market, up the castle steps, through the corridors, up a flight of stairs, all the way to one of the guest wings within the Camelot's fortress.

The only person he knew of staying as a guest was a woman called Morgause. He'd heard the knights talking about her in training and, from what they were saying, she was more than slightly attractive; a proper lady. Now, it did not become a lady to sneak about the castle at night, so there was very little chance it could be the same person. However, he was now more determined to get to the bottom of this than ever. So much for not interfering; it would appear that was well and truly out of the window, as it were.

XXX

There was a feast in the Great Hall that night to mark the merging of the autumn and winter seasons. Merlin could see Morgause sat among some of the knights and he had absolutely made it his mission to find out more about her.

'Who's she?' he asked Arthur as he poured the prince more wine, trying hard to sound casual.

'The blonde woman sitting with Percival and Leon? Oh that's Morgause,' he replied, picking up his refilled goblet.

'Any particular house?'

'Not as far as I know. Why, are you fancying your chances, Merlin?' Arthur smirked, unable to stop himself eyeing the woman in question appreciatively. Not for long though. Gwen walked past the high table with an empty jug of wine, probably off to the kitchen to refill it, and gave Arthur an extremely big smile, far too big to be 'just friendly'. Merlin's reply of denial was completely lost on the prince as he quickly turned his attentions from Morgause to Morgana's maidservant. He returned her smile all too eagerly and did not hear a word his own servant said.

Merlin made some sort of 'tutting' noise and tried to turn his attentions to Morgause. He was now almost one hundred per cent certain she was the same woman he'd seen entering the forest ahead of Morgana. As for what was going on between the two of them, on the other hand, he had no idea. He didn't like it though; he had a bad feeling about it. True, Morgana was having to be more secretive than usual what with her magic but that didn't explain her secret voyage into the forest and it certainly didn't explain her surreptitious relationship with Morgause.

'Merlin!' A clap on the back from Arthur bought him out of his ponderings. 'My plate?' he pointed towards his cleared plate, indicating Merlin remove it from in front of him.

'Of course, sorry Sire,' he mumbled, taking the plate from him as quickly as possible without dropping it – he'd done that before and it was beyond embarrassing – and heading off towards the kitchen with it, passing Gwen on her way back.

XXX

'What do you know about Morgause?' Merlin asked Gaius later on that evening when they were back in their quarters.

'Morgause? Um, not a lot, why?' Gaius answered slowly.

'No reason. She's just become very popular with the knights, that's all. I was wondering if you knew anything about her, where she might come from, etc. It doesn't matter,' he added when he noticed Gaius looking at him suspiciously. 'And she's been hanging around Morgana a lot,' he informed him, wondering what he'd think of it but not wanting another lecture on the dangers of being friends with the Lady.

Gaius snapped his head up, far faster than the old man should have been able to. 'Morgana?' he asked. 'Why?'

Now it was Merlin's turn to look suspicious. While it was true he'd been worried about Morgause and Morgana's relationship, it was clearly a much larger concern to the physician. 'I don't know,' he replied, eyeing the white-haired man closely as though this would gain him more information. 'Is there a problem?' he asked when Gaius began to frown hard.

'No,' he replied distractedly, 'I just need to see the King. I won't be long.'

'Oh.' That was a quick turn-around. 'Do you want me to come with-'

'No. You stay here, Merlin.'

'Okay,' Merlin responded, holding his palms up. What was wrong with Gaius? He rarely ever snapped at Merlin, even when he thought he was being stupid.

Gaius left swiftly and Merlin did debate following him but thought better of it. Whatever was wrong, if he'd wanted Merlin to know, Gaius would have told him. It was more than obvious something wasn't right though and it had something to do with Morgana and Morgause. Drat, Merlin hated his curious streak sometimes.

AN… Gosh Merlin and his curious streak! It gets him into some sticky situations, eh? Okay, I'd really like you guys to help me with something: I'm not sure whether or not to bring Freya into the equation or not. I never originally intended on doing so, but some people expressed their interest in me bringing her in. I understand that she was a big part of Merlin's life in the series and it is the series I'm basing my fic on, only I've been researching the actual legend and she never existed. In fact, Nimueh was recorded to be the Lady of the Lake. Anyway, please let me know what you think, whether you'd like me to include her not. Like I said, I never originally planned on doing so because I never particularly liked her and Merlin as a couple (I know I'm probably the only person who thinks that way) but, if enough people really, really want me to then I'll think about it. I'm not going to write another chapter until I'm sure about whether or not she's going to be included because, if she is, then it'll be round about nowish. Anyway, sorry for such a long author's note but some feedback on this issue would be helpful. As usual, I hope you're enjoying the story!