It was four weeks before Merlin left his rooms. All that time Gwaine and Sam had stayed with him. Merlin also received many visitors; Arthur and Gwen were in several times a day, as were the other first knights. Gwen bought the babies in to see their Uncle Merlin.

The first time Merlin left his tower it was to go down to the training grounds to watch the knights train. Gwaine joined in, he was stiff from all the sitting around. Merlin enjoyed the fresh air, but soon got tired and went back to his rooms. From then on he went down each day, gradually increase the time he stayed, until he had regained his strength and Gaius permitted him to return to normal.

Even then Arthur however insisted that Merlin join his family for a meal every evening he had been worried at what Merlin had done to himself. Gwaine ate with him every breakfast and noon. That way they could be sure he was eating well.

Arthur tried to talk to Merlin about exhausting himself, but Merlin said he would always do anything he could to protect Arthur and Camelot, it was his destiny. Anyway he hadn't got this far to give up now. There followed a great deal of shouting and the words idiot and prat were heard all over the castle. Many laughed saying it was just like old times. After all, the two of them had shouted at each other for years.

The next visit on Merlin's list was to see Aithusa, although he had been walking about it was a time before he felt he could manage to go down to the cave. Aithusa was pleased to see her dragonlord looking his normal self once more and after spending some time with him she flew off to get herself some food. Dragons could go a long time without eating but she was hungry now.

Gwaine hoped that they would get a period of peace so they could all recover. He wanted to try to work on Merlin so that he could do his job as a protector more efficiently. He couldn't stand the idea of Merlin endangering himself so much.

One day Princess Mithian called to visit Merlin. She was planning to return home soon, after all Arthur was back now and Gwen had her husband for support. Mithian had always liked Merlin, even in the days when he was Arthur's servant. Then she had liked the way he had stopped Arthur thinking to highly of his position. She also liked Merlin's loyalty to those he considered a friend. Mithian stayed and talked to Merlin for a couple of hours and by the end of their chat she looked Merlin straight in the eye.

"Merlin I came here today with one thought on my mind. My father had suggested I talk to you, he thought we might make a good match." She stopped as she saw the look of confusion and surprise on Merlin's face.

"Don't worry Merlin I'm not about to propose! Speaking to you I realise this is a surprise to you. Father was hoping for a powerful alliance with you, but I know you would not move from Camelot. But please give it a thought, the prospect doesn't displease me. But I do wonder if perhaps you have another in mind. You appear to have a strong attachment elsewhere. And I don't mean Arthur, I realise you and he have a different sort of love."

Merlin looked at Mithian, "I'm sorry Princess, you are right I couldn't leave Arthur and Camelot. I consider you a friend and would come to your aid should you need it. But in one thing you're wrong about. I have no attachments, at least not alive, I loved once but she died." Merlin thought of Freya and smiled "She was my only love."

"I think you need to have time to think my dear Warlock, it's time you thought of yourself for once. I will take my leave now as I depart tomorrow and may not get the chance to see you alone again. Take care Warlock, look after yourself better or let others care for you. Think of me kindly." With that she leaned forward and kissed the surprised man on the cheek and was gone. Merlin thought about what she said for awhile but had no idea who she was suggesting he might be attached too, he was amazed and astounded that she should think of him as a possible match. He was from peasant stock and she a Princess.

Mean while Gwaine had had an idea to help make Merlin behave himself. Arthur agreed so a plan was set in motion. Later that day Percy and Lancelot left the castle on a secret mission. That only the King and Queen and Gwaine knew off. It was to be kept that way so Merlin didn't find out.

Mithian's words kept playing on Merlin's mind so one day he decided to ask Gwen. They had been friends for so long she must know who the Princess had been talking about. He made his way down to the nursery one morning, Gwaine had gone to train with the others so he wouldn't be able to listen in and tease Merlin later. Gwen was playing with Gwydre and Llachue, she spent hours with her boys every day, she said she didn't care if they had nurse's, she was their mother and wanted to look after them as much as she could. Even if it did make some of the courtiers wives snigger.

"Gwen, can I ask you something private? Only I don't want Arthur or Gwaine to know." Merlin asked timidly.

"Of course Merlin anything that is as long as it isn't anything they should know." Gwen looked at her friend and marvelled about how he had kept his secret for so long.

"Well it's something Princess Mithian said; she thought I might have an attachment for someone. But I'm haven't, who do you think she meant?" Merlin blushed

"Oh Merlin! Really you must know, everyone else does, and we all think the other person feels the same as well." Gwen giggled. Sounding just like she did all those years before. Merlin was so glad she was his friend.

"Well who is it supposed to be? Because I'm not you know. I told Mithian I love Freya but no one since. Not like that anyway. I mean I love you and Arthur and the boys. Come on Gwen who is it?"

"Oh no Merlin, I'm not telling you, sooner or later you'll both realise it, if it is meant to be." Gwen laughed but refused to tell him anything, even when he threatened to turn her into a toad. "For a wise Warlock you are dense sometimes Merlin."

Merlin decided not to say anything about Mithian's feelings. It was all too much. He had never thought of himself as finding a person to love, let alone two.

….

Thoughts please who should Merlin love, as you can see I have two ways for this story to go and I can't decide.