A/N I'm surprised I actually managed to get another chapter out, and in such a short period of time as well. Although, life will be getting busy from here on out, so don't expect too many updates in the coming weeks. Also, do you know how hard it is to write in Gaius' POV? I think I spent most of this chapter just going back and editing and changing things, and again and again and again.

The room of the court physician was small. Once, in the days before the purge it had taken up an entire wing of the castle, filled with young mages, eager to study and learn from the best, bustling through the infirmary, potions flying through the air. But now, it was one of the smallest rooms in the castle, filled with an old man, only just keeping up with the steady stream of demand as curses and death swept throughout the land.

At the present moment though, Gaius was relaxing, relishing in the brief moment of peace and quiet that came in the brief period between magical attacks and plagues.

Then there was a knock at the door.

Gaius looked up, eyebrow raised in slight annoyance at any disturbance to what was going to be a peaceful day. With creaking joints he raised himself from the chair, and moved towards the multitudes of jars and bottles which filled the tables, cupboards, and if there was no other available space, the chairs.

"Come in," he called, his hand reaching to collect the most likely of remedies from the shelves, mind wandering slightly aimlessly in the lull of the afternoon warmth.

Turning around Gaius should of realised who it was. His sister's sons were competitive, always trying to outdo each other, whether it be in battle or reuniting with family before the other one. But there had always been one who always won, every single time.

Smiling, Gaius held out his arms to welcome his niece.

"I heard that the prince was coming to Camelot, and was rather hoping that you would accompany him, my dear. Tell me, how are your brothers?"

Nasyra threw her head back and laughed, "Disappointed that I managed to visit you before them once again, dear uncle."

Shaking her head with mirth, she pulled back from the embrace, and that was when Gaius saw the girl standing behind her.

"Gaius, I would like to introduce you to the crown princess of Deaestidria, Rayna. Rayna, this is my uncle and the court physician of Camelot. "

Inclining his head in deference to her, Gaius says, "It is a pleasure to meet you, your highness."

"And it is a pleasure to meet you as well, Gaius," Rayna could feel the intrigue building up around Lady Nasyra's family. She knew that she had an uncle, but hadn't been aware that he lived in Camelot.

I wonder why, she thought. But by then, the moment had passed and it was too late, for both niece and uncle had moved onto another conversation entirely.

"It has been too long Nassie, in fact it must have been at least twenty years since we last saw each other?" Gaius asked, hoping that unlike her mother she wouldn't shut out her family.

"Yes, it has," Nasyra knew what her uncle was hinting at, the nickname from years ago bringing up old memories from the past. "Last time we saw each other was at Hunith's funeral."

Wincing slightly, Gaius simply nodded, wondering how he was going to keep Nasyra from finding out about Hunith's existence, but not only that, but the existence of Merlin as well. Merlin will just have to spend most of his days with me, he thought to himself, already plotting which herbs would take the longest to collect for Merlin.

His train of thought was broken by the princess, "If you don't mind me asking, but who was Hunith?"

Rayna was confused. Nasyra spoke of this person as though she was well-known and loved, and yet, Rayna had never heard of a woman named Hunith before.

A soft smile adorned Nasyra's face as she responded to the question, "Hunith was my sister, and she died over twenty years ago. In face, of she had lived, she would be your aunt."

"My aunt?" Now Rayna was really confused. She had never had an aunt, and she was pretty sure she had heard the ladies call her uncle the 'bachelor of the court', so who was this strange woman?

The court physician must have seen the confusion on her face, for it was him who answered this time.

"Hunith was married to your uncle. Although I am quite surprised you haven't heard much about her. Your uncle loved her, as did the people of Deaestidria. It was a sad day for all when she was taken from the world."

Rayna felt confused, the way her father had made it seem like her uncle had no intention of marrying, but then, that voice echoed in her mind, why would he if he had already loved and lost?

"How did Balinor cope with Hunith's death?"

Rayna turned back to the conversation at hand, watching as the physician started to grind some foul smelling root into a paste.

"Not very well, I'm afraid" Lady Nasyra sighed. "In fact, I don't believe he has truly recovered from her death."

In the next moments, Rayna could not help but fell slightly jealous of the familial relationship that Gaius and Nasyra shared, as the physician placed a hand on top of Nasyra's arm in a comforting manner.

"None of us can ever truly recover from the death of a lost one. And Hunith was something very special."

"Yes," Nasyra said. "That is at least one thing we can all agree on. Now come, uncle. I believe that we have talked about the dismal happenings of the past for long enough. How are you? Still living in this dreary old place alone?"

Rayna couldn't help but smile at her words. Truly there was nothing dismal about this place at all. In honest opinion, these four walls of the physician's chamber held more life than any room at her own home, which in comparison to the well-lived in place that was Camelot was suddenly feeling like the dreary one.

Gaius let out a short chuckle in response, and shook his head.

"No, I do not 'still live in this dreary old place alone', as you so put it."

At this, Nasyra perked up, had her uncle finally found someone to share his life with? Well, this was news indeed.

"I took on a ward and apprentice by the name of Merlin about ten years ago."

"Merlin?" Rayna felt surprised by her sudden interruption, but hadn't she heard that name before?

And then it hit her.

"Isn't he King Arthur's manservant?"

At that, Gaius raised his eyebrow, and suddenly Rayna felt like she was five-years old again, and had been caught by the cook trying to steal food.

There was a pause.

"Wait, he was the one who tripped over his own feet, wasn't he?"

Thankfully, when Nasyra said this, Gaius turned towards her, his eyebrows rising up in a comical fashion underneath his fringe. Honestly, Rayna couldn't help but think, any further and they would be in danger of floating straight off his face.

But before Gaius could respond, there was a quick rapping at the door.

Gaius face suddenly sagged, showing the true age underneath the comical expressions of before.

"If you would excuse me, your highness, Nassie, I believe I have a job to do."