By time they arrived back at the border Merlin and Arthur had decided to tell the waiting Knights half of the truth. Their tale would be that whilst searching for Gwen on the first morning they had come across the Druids who had subsequently helped them in their (unfruitful) search and had made them welcome at their encampment. Thus, reasoned Arthur, they would have a justification for dealings with the Druids in the future.

The Knights were relieved and happy to see them. They had made a makeshift camp about a mile into Camelot's territory and had taken it in turns to stand watch close to where they had parted ways with Merlin and Arthur three days earlier. Gwaine had been the one to meet them as they slipped back over the border and he took them straight away to meet up with the others. After relieved and enthusiastic greetings, the Knights - particularly Leon - quizzed the King and his manservant on their three day absence. Merlin let Arthur do most of the talking, curious to hear how much he would actually be comfortable to relate of the time they had spent amongst the magic users. It warmed his heart to hear Arthur speaking so openly and enthusiastically about all that he had seen and learnt. The reaction of the Knights was mixed. Gwaine and Leon were at first a little skeptical and cautious, but became more enthusiastic as Arthur spoke on. From the outset Mordred beamed with pride and happiness to hear his King give such praise to his own kindred.

Arthur bent the truth just a little as he gave his account. Merlin was amused that he left out the whole episode of falling into a gully and breaking his ankle (and would make a point to tease him about it later on). He was taken aback somewhat when Arthur concluded his tale by saying, "On our last evening there were visitors from another Druid clan that actually live on the Northern Borders of Camelot"

"Oh?", said Leon questioningly.

"Yes", continued Arthur, "I was surprised to learn of their existence too! They were a timid bunch. They told me that they live in the deepest parts of the woods and have their homes in the treetops and for that reason we have never detected them."

"Well I'll be damned", said Gwaine shaking his head in wonder.

"Anyway", continued Arthur, "Once we had made our aquaintance, they told me that they had sighted Gueneviere alone and heading into the Northern Forest."

"Then we should tarry here no longer", said Leon standing up decisively. "If we ride hard then we could be there by nightfall."

"No, Leon", said Arthur calmly, "I think that it would be much wiser to return to Camelot first."

"But...", began Leon.

"I am less concerned for Guenivere's welfare if she is back within Camelot's borders", interrupted Arthur. "There is every chance that a patrol might find her and bring her back to the Castle before we even get to the Northern Border, and our journey would be wasted."

"Even so, my Lord", pressed Leon.

"..and", interjected Arthur again, "As welcome as the Druids made us, they had no hot water to spare and I am absolutely dying for a bath and a change of clothes. I would rather not go hunting for my wife smelling like a goat." He stood up and added, "Come on - let us head back to Camelot without delay."

Everyone saddled their horses and mounted up. They headed off at a fast trot back toward Camelot. They stopped to rest up at the same spot that they had done so en route to Essitir. Merlin took Arthur aside as the Knights filled their water bottles.

"What was that about the sighting of Gwen?" he asked in a low voice, I don't remember any such visitors coming into camp?"

"That's because there weren't", said Arthur quietly whilst checking to see that nobody was listening in on them.

"So why...?", Merlin began to ask.

"So we will have a valid reason to head up North to visit the Dolma again, idiot." said Arthur, looking smug.

"A - ahh!", said Merlin catching on, he was surprised and impressed by his master's forward thinking, "You know, despite appearances, you're not always a complete dollop head..."

He gave an outraged squawk the next moment as Arthur got him in a headlock and dunked his head into the freezing water of the stream.

With some hard riding, they arrived back in Camelot by mid-afternoon and, true to his word, Arthur took a long hot bath. Once refreshed, he called together his council at the Round Table for an evening sitting.

"As some of you already know", he began once everyone was seated, "The Druids of our Northern Forest sighted the Queen close to the Border yesterday afternoon. I propose to travel in search of her on the morrow."

"Very good Sire", said Leon. "How many Knights do you require to accompany you?"

"I shall make the journey with just Merlin", said Arthur after a few moments. As once the Knights and Gaius raised thier voices in objection. Arthur held up his hand for silence.

"I have thought this through", he said. "The Queen is - allegedly - safely back within our borders. I do not fear for her wellbeing at the hands of bandits."

"But your Majesty, if she is accompanied by Morgana then you will be in great danger", objected Gaius.

"True", agreed the King, "However the Druids did not see Morgana with her so I believe she is travelling alone. As with our search in the Forest of Essitir, I feel that the chance of success is greater if just myself and Merlin go...if there is a large group of Camelot Knights she is more likely to go to ground."

There were grumbles from all those present around the table apart from Merlin who stood quietly behind Arthur.

"I know you are all concerned for the safety of myself and of the Queen, and I thank you for it", said Arthur to quieten down the grumblings. "However, there are duties here in Camelot for you all to attend to and I am loathe to take you away from it for something which is, fundamentally a personal matter. Myself and Merlin shall leave at dawn and will be back in the Citadel before dark. If we have not returned by the appearance of the first stars, then you are free to come and find us."

"Very well", mumbled Leon after exchanging looks and nods with the other Knights. Gaius said nothing, but looked steadfastly at Merlin with a stern expression and an eyebrow raised so high that it had disappeared into his hair line.

As luck would have it, Gaius had been called to tend to Sir Bors who had taken a bad fall during jousting practice and had broken his hip. The physician was attending to him down at the jousting ground. Merlin had offered to come and help, but his mentor waved him off, telling him that his time may be better spent bathing and resting before his early trip to the Northern Border on the morrow.

Merlin had taken a very swift bath and was currently surrounded by bottles and powders on Gaius's workbench. He consulted his spell book and followed instructions to mix up a new batch of transformation potion. He was slightly concerned at how long it was taking to mix and brew and he worried that at any minute Gaius might return and ask him why he needed more of the potion. Thankfully he had managed to complete the task and had just finished tidying away all the ingredients and cooking tools when Gaius made an appearance. He sniffed the air suspiciously.

"What is that smell?", he said distastefully, "You haven't finally cleaned out all the old socks from under your bed have you?"

"Something like that", said Merlin. He quickly changed the subject, "How is Bors?"

"Oh - he'll live" said Gaius, putting down his bag of medicines on the workbench and quickly glancing at the Spellbook which was still open there. "He won't be jousting - or indeed walking - for a month or so."

"Oh dear", said Merlin.

"Actually, whilst I think of it, could you please run some laudenham down to his squire to give to him when he goes to bed." said Gaius, walking over and selecting a vail of medicine from the shelf as he spoke.

"Certainly", said Merlin, walking forward and taking the bottle from his mentor before heading out of the door. "I need to attend to Arthur soon anyway, so I shall drop it off on my way."

When he got to Arthur's chambers with his evening meal, he was surprised to see the King already in his sleeping shirt and breeches and sprawled out across his bed.

"Are you feeling well, Sire?", he said looking askance at the King after he'd put the tray and pitcher of wine onto the table.

"You know, I had a splendid time with the Druids, and I am very happy that we spent three days with them", replied Arthur, not taking his gaze from the canopy over his bed, "But there is absolutely nothing as grand as being back in my very own bed."

Merlin rolled his eyes and looked out of the window, "The sun hasn't even gone down yet!" he exclaimed, "Isn't it a bit early to be sleeping?"

"Not sleeping", said Arthur, stretching himself like a great cat and revealing a slither of abdomen as he did so, "Just...enjoying."

Merlin swiftly looked away and coughed. "Yes, well" he said walking over to the table, "There's some lovely pork pie and half a pitcher of mulled wine here waiting for you if you can bear to get up again."

As fast and as gracefully as a lion, Arthur leapt up and stood by his side.

"I take it you have made contact?", he said as he sat down and began to pull the crust off of the pork pie and eat the meat inside.

"Eh?" said Merlin, pouring a flagon of wine and handing it to him.

"The Dolma, tomorrow, remember?" said Arthur taking the wine from him.

"Oh! Ah...yes, yes I have", blustered Merlin. "Though it wasn't easy, what with having so many chores to do once we returned this afternoon."

"Good man", said the King, not looking up. Merlin stood and watched him eat for a while until Arthur began to feel a little uncomfortable.

"We've got a long day tomorrow Merlin", he said, "I've already bathed today, and you don't need to attend me whilst I eat. You can head off now and get an early night."

"Thanks", said Merlin beaming gratefully. He stood and continued to watch Arthur eat. Arthur stopped chewing and looked up at him a little puzzled.

"The crust and the meat-jelly", explained Merlin nodding down at Arthur's plate.

"What of them?", asked the King frowning.

"They're everso fattening", said Merlin with wide eyes, "Perhaps I should take them away so that you're not tempted to nibble on them...I know how much you value your athletic figure."

"Oh for pity's sake", said Arthur rolling his eyes and shoving the plate towards Merlin, "If you want to eat them, why not just say so!"

"Great!" said Merlin picking up the crust and shoving it into his mouth before the King had a change of heart. Arthur stared at him in disbelief as he chewed and made slightly obscene moans of appreciation. "Phanks", he spluttered around a mouthful of food.

Arthur shook his head and wondered why he put up with such an insolent individual as his manservant. "Goodnight, idiot." he said when Merlin eventually headed off. "See you at dawn, in the stables."

Merlin did not fact go straight back to his rooms but instead went up to sit on the North Tower to watch a magnificent full moon rise over the forest. He reflected on the time he and Arthur had spent amongst the Druids and how surprised he had been by the King's enthusiasm and acceptance of their ways. It would never have happened if the Dolma had not requested it of the King. He pondered on what might happen the following day when he was once again disguised as The Dolma. He wondered how far he should let this ruse play out before he ended it. On the one hand when he was in disguise as the Dolma he could say all of the things that he had been aching to say to Arthur for the last ten years. He was able to be completely open about magic, and to show affection...and the Dolma seemed to be the only person with whom Arthur was willing to open up and share his emotions. But...it was evident that Arthur was developing a deep fondness for the Sorceress. Merlin knew that he was playing with fire and that the whole thing would have to finish before he was discovered or - heaven forbid - Arthur's heart was broken again.

He sighed deeply as he stood up and walked slowly back to his room. He wasn't so sure that he could make a complete break tomorrow, but he would begin to make Arthur understand that nothing could happen between the King and the Sorceress.

Gaius was already asleep and snoring gently when Merlin arrived so he lit a candle and tiptoed gently to his own room. He was a little puzzled to see his spell book open and on his bed rather than on the workbench where he had left it. He put the candle down by his bed and went to close the book. A handwritten note from Gaius on the opened page stopped him. The note said, "It is important that you read and understand this page." Merlin lifted it and curiously read the chapter heading on the open page. It said, "Warning - Side effects caused by prolonged use of transformation potions."