Willow told Gaius everything about Vincent's treatment under Granny Mill. Gaius guessed at Granny's magical treatments as well. He whispered that he'd tried a couple of them, also. Willow was thrilled to learn that Gaius used magic right here in Camelot right under King Uther's nose. She wondered if Merlin knew Gaius had magic. And if he knew Gaius used that magic and how dangerous it was. If Gauis were ever caught would Merlin also be implicated? Gaius endangering an innocent didn't sit well with Willow, but she held her tongue. She didn't know Gaius well enough to criticize his healing methods.

They ate a good midday meal, just the two of them and then discussed Gaius's treatment, making a plan of action for treating Vincent in the future that would help him curb his craving for pain relief. A long while after, Merlin finally came back. He was covered in dirt and starving. The three of them sat down to a pleasant dinner Gaius had brought up from the kitchen.

Gaius asked, "Merlin, how was your time with Arthur?"

Merlin smirked. "The usual. I was the target in tournament preparation and–"

"What's does that mean," Willow asked, "to be the target?"

Merlin smiled and raised an eyebrow. "Just what it sounds like. I carry the target around while they shoot arrows at me so that they can have a moving target."

Willow frowned. "But that means–"

"Yup." Merlin sighed. "Only three times today. Gaius will you take a look at the one on my leg. It was rather deep."

"That's barbaric!" Willow protested.

Merlin smirked. "No, actually Gaius is rather gentle when treating a wound. Now his surgery..."

Willow and Gaius both harrumphed.

"Merlin, you'll have to heal it yourself," Gaius said. "And quickly. You'll need to escort Willow home. Her journey was delayed too long for her to get back to Crab Tree before dark and a girl traveling alone after dark is far too dangerous."

Willow protested. "He must have his wound seen to and he would have to travel alone much later than me if he escorts me first."

"He can heal himself fine and take care of himself." Gaius said, with one raised eyebrow indicating further implications.

Was Gauis implying what Willow thought he was implying, but dared not say aloud? Does Merlin also have magic? That seemed unlikely. He was far too open and friendly for someone hiding that big of a secret. Willow looked at Merlin with a raised eyebrow.

He smirked and nodded. Her mouth dropped open. He was an accident waiting to happen. How could such a happy-go-lucky boy keep such a big secret hidden for long? Especially right under King Uther's nose. Especially as Prince Arthur's servant. She smiled back nervously. This journey home promised to have some very interesting conversations.

Merlin said to Gaius, "The deep one will need a few stitches. If I heal the wounds up too well Arthur will get suspicious." Willow approved of his forethought. Maybe he was a little smarter than he seemed.

As they walked close to dusk and far from Camelot, Willow asked, "How long have you been able to do magic?"

Merlin smiled. "For as long as I can remember. What about you?"

"I didn't learn to use magic until after Granny Mill took me in. My parents both had magic, but they were far too afraid to use it hardly at all. Their caution didn't matter, though. Soldiers came anyway. King Uther had heard echoes of rumors of them using magic long ago. The soldiers came and burned our cottage down; with my parents and two little brothers in it.

"I only survived because I was out collecting herbs for my mother, the village healer. She hadn't used her magic to heal since before I was born for fear of it getting out to the king."

"That's terrible." Merlin took Willow's hand and gave it a squeeze. When she didn't pull it away, he kept holding it.

"I hid alone in the woods terrified for months afraid the soldiers would come to find me to finish the job. I was only seven. Eventually, one of the villagers discovered me and took me to Granny."

Merlin gave her hand another squeeze. "How long ago was that?"

Enough of this mush. Willow flashed him a sad smile and pulled her hand away. "Almost 10 years. Since then I've decided to remain unmarried so I can devote my full attention to my work."

Merlin nodded. Willow rushed through that awkwardness by asking, "How did you get to be Gaius's apprentice?" It was a relief to change the subject.

"I'm afraid I was reckless with my magic growing up. My mother and I lived in a village far away from Camelot so the fear of Uther's laws was much fainter. But I used my magic so often for tricks and… displays, that the other villagers were uncomfortable with it and began complaining to Mum. She knew Gaius from way back and sent me to him for help and guidance. She wasn't magical and had no idea how to teach me self control."

Willow laughed to picture Merlin as a large boy showing off with his magic. "I'm sure you were a holy terror."

Merlin laughed and scratched his neck. "I was, I'm ashamed to say." He shook his head. "Then I was sent to Camelot where magic is only talked about in whispers and those as rarely as possible. Before I even found Gaius to present myself to him I had a run-in with Arthur."

"Oh no." Willow's eyes grew large. "What kind of run in?"

"Suffice it to say that I called him a royal prat to his face and barely escaped with my life." He laughed.

Willow shook her head. "Oh no. Tell me the whole story. Please. I have goosebumps just thinking about it."

When they reached Crab Tree, Granny Mill wasn't hearing of Merlin returning home alone that night. She insisted he spend the night. Willow offered him her bed, she would sleep in the barn with the sheep. Merlin laughed. "I couldn't possibly displace you to the barn. I would be a cad to do such a thing. Though picturing you sleeping with sheep is quite amusing."

Willow gave him a mock scowl. "But you're a fancy apprentice from the castle," she protested with a laugh. "And a guest to boot. We can't allow you to soil your fine clothes among sheep."

Merlin laughed. "I'm Arthur's moving target and muck out his stalls. I'm hardly worried about a little sheep dung."

Granny tutted. "Enough noise from both of you. Granny Tock finally went home today. Willow will freshen up that extra room for you, Merlin, my lad. Nobody needs to fight over who gets to sleep with sheep. Now, mind you, no canoodling. You must each mind yourselves and stay in your rooms. I'm far too old and tired to be chaperoning two young people so obviously fond of each other."

Willow blushed scarlet. She'd get Granny back for that.

Merlin grinned. "I'm sure we'll behave ourselves." He winked at Willow whose blush had begun to fade but went livid again. She excused herself quickly to go freshen up the guest room. Needless to say, they did behave themselves and come morning Merlin was soon on his way back to Camelot with a message for Gaius from Granny Mill. As they said their goodbyes, Merlin said with a smile, "I promise to come this way as often as I can manage. I hear the herbs around here are exceptionally healthy and beautiful."

Willow blushed and smiled back. "I'd like that. And I'm sure Granny will find some reason to send me to Camelot. She's a hopeless romantic and is bound and determined to undermine my decision to not marry."

Merlin smiled, "Ah, the wisdom of age. Secretly, I'm hoping she's successful. You're far to pretty to be a spinster."

Willow raised an eyebrow. "Beauty is irrelevant to a spinster."

Merlin waved as he walked away. "But it's not to the rest of us who look at the spinster, now is it?" Willow shook her head. Merlin was such a pleasant flirt he shook her resolve to avoid romance, but she would just have to double down on her resolve. It was great to have him as a friend. They shared so much in common and he was delightful company full of humorous stories and quirks. But she would see to it that their relationship would end there. There was far too much at stake, too many lives to save, to let herself get distracted by frivolity.