Willow raised an eyebrow at Arthur's password but bit her tongue and didn't ask any questions. She just nodded. Now wasn't the time. And she didn't know if he had a sense of humor. Arthur wasn't Merlin.
She prepared Arthur's horse, packing a bit of food, since she hadn't eaten anything and then mounted his battle stallion. She'd never been on such a large horse, but she rode as fast as the horse, Swift Frost, would go straight for Camelot. She rode with her hood tied close around her head and her hair tucked in. She wanted speed and no unnecessary attention.
The horse vexed her with how skittish he was. So she spoke to him. "Arthur has need of me to deliver a message fast. I will return you to him as soon as I can. He would go himself, but for his injury. Please serve me as you would him. It would please him to hear that you did your best to save Camelot." Then with magic, she made the horse understand her words. After that, the stallion was amazingly cooperative. She got the sense that Arthur's horse loved him immensely. The journey was just a few hour's ride.
As horse and healer approached a village, a large flock of geese tended by a goose girl crossed the road. Willow tried to steer Swift Frost around the flock, but he charged straight through. Geese flew up in every direction. Willow laid forward over Swift Frost's neck to keep from being pummeled by powerful wings flapping wildly all around me. Once out the other side, she found a few down feathers lodged in the bridle and saddle. She frowned uselessly at the headstrong horse.
As they got nearer to Camelot they passed more people on the road and in the fields. At one point there were many people on the road surrounding a broken-down cart. Willow tugged strongly on the reins to slow Swift Frost so they could proceed cautiously through the crowd without hurting anyone. Swift Frost again charged right at them. Realizing she couldn't control the horse Willow yelled, "Clear the road!" and "Urgent business, get out of the way!" People dived out of the way, but nearer to the cart they weren't fast enough. Swift Frost never faltered. He charged straight at the cart picking up speed. Willow realized what he planned with only just enough time to grab ahold of the saddle for dear life. She begged, "No, Swift Frost, don't–" then he was up and over the cart barely clearing one man's head. They landed with a jolt, but the horse never broke stride. Willow's hands clutching the saddle shook. After she stopped shaking enough to force words out, she said, "Horse, you're crazy!" He just kept running.
Through field and village, he only slowed as they approached the castle gate itself. The guard at the gate challenged her. "Who are you that ride with such urgency at the gates of Camelot?"
"I bear an urgent message from Prince Arthur to King Uther. The prince bid me tell you," she gestured one of the guards closer and whispered, "Wolf feathered in eiderdown."
The guard turned to the others beside him. "I'm escorting her to the king." He jumped into a ready saddle of a waiting brown horse. "Follow me, my lady." Then he charged up the cobbled streets yelling, "Make way. King's business. Make way." and "Can't you see she rides the prince's own horse! Make way for Swift Frost!"
Swift Frost followed, eager for faster speed. He kept up with the brown horse easily. In moments they were before the castle proper, then into the courtyard. Grooms rushed up to take their reins. One murmured, "Why does she ride Swift Frost? Where is Arthur?"
Willow was never so relieved to dismount a horse. Though she murmured, "Thank you, Swift Frost" as she left.
Her escort charged up the stairs. "Where is the king?" Willow followed.
He was informed that the king was in his study with Gaius. Willow's escort charged down a hall. Willow ran as fast as she could to keep up. As they came to a set a doors King Uther was opening them to look out. He was scowling. "What is all this commotion?"
The escort announced, "Urgent message from Prince Arthur, your majesty."
Line of worry etched Uther's forehead. "Arthur? Where is he?"
Willow stepped forward. "He is safe, your majesty. He is healing." She handed him the roll of parchment.
He glared at her and unrolled it. His face grew pale as he read it. "Where is my son?"
"He was on his way to Crab Tree in a wagon when I left him. In a day or two, he should be well enough to travel here to Camelot."
The King demanded. "What's happened to him?"
Willow swallowed. Giving a king bad news was never an easy task, but giving Uther news of his son getting injured made Swift Frost's breakneck ride seem like child's play. "He was in two skirmishes. All the men who traveled with him are dead. He nearly died himself from blood loss, but I treated his wound and he is mending. He dictated this letter to me but signed it himself. When Millicent of Crab Tree arrived to take over administrating his healing, he insisted I ride straight here to give you this message."
The dissatisfied king looked down his nose at Willow. "Who are you?"
She curtsied. "I am Willow, apprentice healer to Millicent of Crabtree."
Uther turned to Gaius. "Will you go to oversee his return to Camelot as quickly as possible? Take a squad of guards with you."
Gaius nodded. "Certainly, your majesty."
Uther turned to Willow's escort. "Gather my captains and advisers. We have preparations to make. We will be under attack imminently."
Uther walked away from Willow without so much as a dismissal. Merlin stepped forward and took Willow by the hand, glancing nervously at Uther's back. "Come with us to prepare to go to Arthur?"
She hadn't seen his face in the room. That wasn't surprising given how stressful delivering the message to Uther had been. Grateful for his guidance, she nodded and followed Merlin.
Once they were out in the hall Merlin let go of her hand and turned to her. "It's good to see you again." She nodded. He nodded back. He must have decided she wasn't well because he spoke gently. "I wish it was under better circumstances. How is Arthur? On second thought, you should tell Gaius, too."
He lead her through the maze of hallways to his and Gaius's quarters. Gaius was already there gathering supplies. "Willow, tell me everything you can about Arthur's injuries and your treatment."
They gathered supplies as they pumped her with questions. Merlin raised an eyebrow when Willow mentioned lying beside Arthur to keep him warm, but there were no other comments. Eventually, Merlin said, "Willow, you look ready to drop. I guess you didn't get much sleep laying beside a prince all night." She raised an eyebrow at him. He grinned at her. "Not bad for someone who wants to be a spinster."
She rolled her eyes as he lead her to a little room at the back. She spoke more defensively than she wanted. "I was shivering half the night and checking on his bleeding the other half." She rallied with a jibe of her own. "Are you jealous?"
He laughed. "Me? No. I've slept beside Arthur many a night. He's a restless sleeper."
Willow laughed at his twisting her meaning and at Arthur. "He most certainly is." She shook her head. Then with a tired sideways glance, she said, "He said your name in his sleep."
Merlin laughed. "He was probably thinking up more work for me to do even on death's doorstep." He smiled at her. "Come lay in my bed until we're ready to leave. It's not a prince's bed, but it will have to do." She narrowed her eyes at him and poked him in the ribs. He giggled and pulled away, "Only because you need rest. You'll be coming with us and will need to ride again."
A gigantic yawn escaped her.
Merlin smiled. "I think I saw the inside of your toes on that one." He drew back the covers and guided her down to his bed.
It was soft. She laughed. "As long as I don't have to ride Swift Frost. That horse is insane."
"You don't have to tell me. I muck that horse's stall. He's got a twisted sense of humor. Now, nighty-night." He kissed her on the top of her head. All she managed to register was that the pillow smelled like him.