A day or so later since Merlin had dropped off the two books, Alethea closed the one lent to her by Gaius. She'd finished reading it and felt a bit more enlightened as to the creatures that supposedly lived in the kingdom and those that did not, although she knew that she would only believe it when she saw it with her own eyes. She knew that dragon's existed but the others… Well, she wasn't so sure. Arthur had been keeping Merlin busy and away from her whilst the Prince himself was beginning to look tired. It must have been the burdens of duty. Every time he returned to his room, he seemed too tired to even speak and as a result Alethea still had no clue as to whether the dragon had been defeated or not.

Looking around the room that had been her gilded cage for the past few weeks, Alethea sighed. She had gotten so far in her writing but had hit a brick wall when it came to remembering what happened next, and besides, she'd ran out of ink. She knew she wasn't that strong enough to walk just yet but she was fed up of being confined to a bed in the clothes she'd been wearing for an age. The temptation to try and get changed was beginning to overwhelm her, especially since there was a dress placed on the end of the bed. Placing the book to one side and clutching a hand to her chest, she reached over, her fingertips just skimming the fabric.

"Come on…Just a little bit further…"

She sighed before bringing the sheet closer with her feet. Grabbing the sleeve, she smiled triumphantly and held it in her arms as if it was the most precious gift anyone had given her. Carefully moving the bedcovers back, she brought her legs out of bed and looked at the state of them. One thing she definitely knew was that she could do with a bath…Or at least a wash. Very carefully, she removed her tunic and looked at the scar that was beginning to heal down one side. How on Earth would she explain how she'd gotten it to her family? She didn't know. Running a finger down the stitches, she winced slightly in pain before starting to pull on the dress. Feeling the soft fabric on her skin, Alethea smiled before getting back into bed.

Gaius popped in later that day to check up on her and just have a general chat. Alethea smiled at their conversation and handed him his book back before enquiring after Merlin. It seemed that Arthur was being a little unkind on him recently and Alethea had a feeling she knew why. Deciding she'd never find out off Arthur, she then asked Gaius about the welfare of the dragon.

"Dragon? Locked up and captured. Chained up safely in the foundations."

"But magic can break the chains…"

"No it can't."

"But, how?"

"Merlin."

"Oh…So everything is near enough back to normal?"

"Well, as normal as it can be with a sorceress on the loose and the kingdom being partially destroyed."

"And I played a big part in that…"

"Well, I've heard news that you are to be…" Gaius was about to tell her what he'd heard but stopped when he heard a cough from the doorway. Turning around, he faltered slightly. "Well, I must go. I have other patients to tend to."

"Alright then. I'll see you soon." Seeing Gaius leave, she looked curiously at the doorway and immediately tensed as she saw who it was.

"What may I do for you sire?" she asked, feeling her nerves begin to shake. This was the man with the power of life and death in his hands and Alethea certainly did not want to antagonise him any more than she had done so already.

"Alethea… Well, there is nothing you can do except get better for the sake of my son."

"That is something that I will try my best to do sire." she said, a small smile tweaking at her lips.

"He loves you, you know."

"He does?"

"Yes. But there is one thing I wish to know."

"Sire?"

"Do you love him?"

"I…Sire, I barely know him. I like him but I do not know as of yet if I do have the same feelings for him which he has for me." The King smiled slightly.

"You do not know?"

"Sire, what would you do if you were in my position? I'm not anything like anyone in this kingdom, I have knowledge of times very far into your future and I am desperate to get home. I've not had chance to actually get to know everyone because of certain…incidents…and I don't know who, if anyone, I love. I mean, it's not that Prince Arthur isn't handsome or attractive, just that I do not know exactly where I stand. After all, I did nearly kill him." She sighed, avoiding the King's gaze and staring down at the covers.

"But you didn't. You were working with Nimueh though…And weren't you supposed to be dead?"

"I…I was. Twice over. Nimueh" she saw Uther flinch at the name and understood partly why. "Sort of resurrected me with magic and I became under her spell, sort of. It was as we were putting her plan into action that I felt her grip on me relax and it was lost completely when I was fighting your son. I am actually surprised I survived the attack." She smiled slightly. "But about that… Can I ask you something sire?"

"You may."

"I played a major apart in the destruction of this Kingdom. I know I am supposed to be punished. Just…Well, can I know what it will be?"

"Punishment… Ah yes, of course. Well, under ordinary circumstances it would be death but you've already died once under law, so we can't kill you again. I think…"

"Sire?" There was a knock on the door and a young serving boy entered. He looked all of about twelve years old and Alethea felt sorry for him. His legs were shaking and he looked nervous, almost as if this was his first day.

"What is it Alfred?"

"Your presence is required in the Main Hall. Apparently it's something to do with the tournament."

"What about it?"

"The order. It can't be worked out without your help."

"Is it urgent?"

"Yes sire." Uther sighed and Alethea caught him rolling his eyes.

"I'm sorry Alethea. I'll have to tell you some other time."

"That is fine with me sire." Alethea smiled and watched as Uther left the room.

Another week passed by and Alethea was now getting very bored and fed up of being confined to one room. In fact, considering everyone was leaving her alone for the time being, and she didn't fell very much in pain, she decided to get up out of bed, tidy herself up and go for a walk. That was the plan at least. It didn't work out as much as she hoped. It took her a good few minutes to actually get out of the bed, and she then looked at herself in the reflection of a helmet left in the room. She looked an absolute state. Her legs shook like a newborn baby deer and she really wanted a bath. Looking around the room, she sighed as she couldn't find a single thing she was after. Leaning on the table, her shoulders slumped, she didn't notice anyone coming in.

"Alethea?"

"Oh, it's only you Gwen." She smiled.

"What's the matter?"

"I'm fed up… I could do with a nice warm bath, a good book and some chocolate…"

"Chocolate?"

"Oh, it's just… Forget it." Alethea said, realising her mistake.

"Shouldn't you be resting though?"

"I'm sick to death of resting. I need to spread my wings, so to speak."

"Fresh air… I know what you mean. Very well Alethea, I shall see what I can do."

"Thank you Gwen. If it isn't any trouble?"

"No trouble at all."

So, later that day, after having bathed and changed, a refreshed Alethea went for a walk around the castle. She was heading towards Gaius' chambers for some unknown reason and she didn't realise where she was heading until she reached the door. Knocking on it, she was met by a tired looking Merlin.

"Alethea? But you should be…"

"Resting. I know, I know. There's only so long a girl can stay confined to one place though. May I come in?" She asked, all too aware that she was still stood in the corridor.

"Yes, yes, of course." She smiled as she walked into the room. Nothing had changed. It was still the same way as she had found it on her first visit. Seeing her bag in the corner, she went over to it and looked inside, smiling when she found what she was looking for.

"So how are you Merlin?"

"I'm fine." He answered as she turned back to face him.

"You don't sound it…nor do you look it. What's the matter?"

"Nothing."

"Is it Arthur?"

"No." But Alethea could tell he was lying.

"He's keeping you very busy. I've not seen you in ages."

"Well…" Merlin hadn't the heart to tell her the real reason. "How's your book coming along?"

"I've got writers block. I can't remember what actually happens next."

"Oh…"

"And I've ran out of ink."

"I can soon remedy that." Merlin smiled, rummaging through the various bottles stacked on a shelf before finding the one he was looking for. "There we go."

"Thanks."

"There's going to be a tournament on in a few days…"

"Really? Arthur had mentioned something of one but…"

"And I was wondering if you'd like to see it with me." Alethea couldn't hide the smile on her face.

"Merlin, I would be delighted to join you."

"So it's a date then. I'll meet you here in the morning in two days time?"

"I'll look forward to it. Now, how's your search going?"

"I'm almost there. Just one more book to look through."

"Merlin…"

"Yes?"

"Has anyone ever told you how brilliant you are?"

"Not yet."

"Then you have now. You are absolutely brilliant." Alethea smiled. "Now I'd best get going before it's realised that I've gone…"

"Alright then. I shall see you later."

"Until then, I bid thee farewell kind Merlin." Alethea laughed as she walked around the castle. She was feeling better and brighter, and she couldn't wait for two days time. She'd get to see a real tournament and there was a good chance that Merlin had found her a way home. Life was good.