Soon the entourage meant to retrieve the wounded Arthur reached Crab Tree. When they arrived at Granny Mill's house she came out yelling. "What is all of this commotion?" She spotted Willow. "Willow girl, you know injured people need their rest."

Gaius came out of the carriage. "Millicent, we've come to take the prince back to Camelot. The king is worried about him."

Granny exclaimed. "Well if it isn't little Gaius of Springfield. You've gone and growed all up."

Gaius blushed. "Milly, stop fooling around. I want to see Arthur."

Granny laughed. "Oh, Gaius. You've grown a bit tubby in your old age. You used to be such a dashing young man."

Gaius blustered. "I am not tubby."

Merlin grinned to watch the exchange. He whispered to Willow, "How old is your mistress? I didn't think anybody could be older than Gaius?"

"I heard that, Merlin." Gaius called.

Everyone laughed.

Willow called as she dismounted. "Granny, how did the journey from the forest go?"

Granny shook her head. "It was rough for the lad. He's been asleep since we arrived. And sleep is the best thing for him." She eyed Gaius.

Willow slipped inside to check on Arthur herself. He was in her bed. The guest room being occupied by an elderly patient with a wrapped and elevated leg. When Willow cracked open the door to peek, Arthur called, "Who's there? Tell me what's going on outside."

Willow rolled her eyes. So much for just peeking in. Well, she'd be better able to evaluate his condition this way. She went in and closed the door behind her. "It's alright, Prince Arthur. It's just a carriage from Camelot to take you back. I delivered your message. The king is making preparations but he wants you back in Camelot."

Arthur groaned. "Not more bumpy wheels. I'm staying here until I can ride Swift Frost back." He looked at her. "You did bring him back didn't you?"

Willow smiled. "Yes. He was a delight to ride."

Arthur smiled at her sleepily. "I'm surprised he didn't give you any trouble. He's a spirited beast."

"I'm good with animals. How are you feeling?" She laid a hand on his forehead. It was quite warm to the touch.

She must have tsked because Arthur asked, "Is it a fever?"

"Just a bit of one. I'll let Granny know." She turned to leave.

"Willow," Arthur called softly from behind her. She looked over her shoulder. His eyes were opening and closing slowly. "Thank you for carrying the message to my father." Willow thought he'd fallen asleep so she tiptoed out. Before she could close the door, he called again, this time with his eyes closed, "And thank you for laying beside me in the woods to keep me warm and alive. I owe you my life."

He said life so softly Willow was sure he was asleep this time. She whispered, "And I, you, my prince. And I, you."

She went to find Granny. She was still outside occupying Gaius to protect the prince's sleep. Merlin and the guards had all dismounted. Willow directed them to the village spring to water their horses. A crowd of villagers had begun to gather. Willow asked a middle-aged mother to organize some food for the guards. Then she found Granny. Gaius had managed to talk her inside at least. They were in the kitchen. Merlin was discretely snooping around looking for Arthur.

Willow announced quietly, "I checked on Arthur. He was awake and wanted to know what all of the noise was. I told him. He wasn't thrilled at the prospect of more bumpy wheels and vowed to stay until he could ride Swift Frost back to Camelot."

Gaius groaned. Merlin grinned.

"I felt his forehead. He's running a bit of a fever, Granny, The stomach wound is deep. That was my concern last night, that it could have punctured an internal organ. If his intestine is punctured, he might turn septic. That could kill him." Gaius and Merlin turned to go find him. Willow said in a firm voice, "He fell back asleep. You should wait to check on him."

Granny tsked. "See now, Gaius. It's what I've been telling you. He should stay put."

Gaius shook his head. "The king is worried. With trouble with our neighbors, he wants Arthur back safe in Camelot. Not in a village on the border of our lands. You know how the king is."

Granny harrumphed. "That king can go hang himself if he thinks I'm letting a septic patient be carted away in a carriage to leak infection all over his innards. Does he want to kill his own son just to have his dead body safely behind Camelot's walls? No. I won't have it."

Everyone in the room smiled at her bluster.

Willow said, "Let him sleep for now. Gaius, you can evaluate his condition in a few hours."

They got everyone settled for a few hours. The small village of Crab Tree came together to feed 10 extra people. There was discussion of what to do if they didn't return to Camelot today. Given Arthur's condition, Willow didn't think setting out today very likely.

The guards were divvied up among the houses. The young people of the village paid especial attention to the guards. The young women flirted with them. The young men competed with them in various friendly ways.

Several hours later, Arthur woke again. Gaius and Merlin went into Willow's room to evaluate his condition. Merlin stayed with Arthur to get him caught up on everything when Gaius came out to talk to Granny and Willow. "The wound is very deep. I'm impressed you were able to treat it so well alone in the forest."

Granny tutted. "I've taught her well. Do you doubt my training, Gaius? It was good enough for you once upon a time." She sniffed.

Gaius rolled his eyes. "You know what I mean, Milli." He dropped his voice to a whisper. "There are signs of special healing."

Willow nodded. "I'm effective in that area."

Granny beamed proudly. "She's got a strong talent for healing of all kinds. She just has to remember that, you only live once and a healer lives a long time alone. Too long to not smell the roses a little along the way."

Willow snorted.

Gaius raised an eyebrow. "Milli, are you up to your old game of matchmaking again? Didn't you learn your lesson with Ygerne?"

"That wasn't my fault. Gaius, you can't blame that one on me."

Gaius smiled. "I'm not blaming anything on you, Milli dear. You just must be careful you don't put your foot in something you'll regret."

"Oh, poo, Gaius. What good is being an old woman if you can't be a busy body along with it?"

Willow cleared her throat. "Gaius, do you agree with our assessment? Should the prince travel?"

Gaius shook his head. "Perhaps tomorrow if we can get his fever to break. I'm not convinced he's septic. The fever may be due to many things."

"Perhaps it's due to having a pretty, young healer attending him," Merlin said as he entered the room. Willow blushed. Gaius and Granny laughed, but Merlin didn't. He went on dryly, "He's very impressed with you and your healing abilities, Willow. He mentioned owing you his life several times."

Willow chewed on her lip. "I owe him my life as well."

Merlin nodded. "Many owe him their lives. Arthur's more than used to that. What he's not used to owing his life to someone else as well." Then in a bit of a mutter, "At least to his knowledge." There was a little bit of bitterness in Merlin's tone.

Willow stood next to him and smiled gently. "Don't worry. He'll soon forget I exist once he's back in Camelot. I'm quite forgettable and there are so many beautiful princesses vying for his attentions."

Merlin smiled wanly back at her. "But will Willow forget Arthur. He's far from forgettable."

She laughed. "Fear not. Spinsters don't trifle with such small matters as romantic affections."

Gaius shook his head. "The king would never let Arthur get romantically involved with someone below his station. No offense meant to you, Willow. But royalty must be careful with their affections."

Willow smiled. "No offense taken." She nodded. "I know my station and the danger Camelot presents for me. I don't pretend to have yours and Merlin's gifts for subterfuge."

Granny tsked. "The affections born of gratitude to your healer are not obedient to royal decrees, whatever Uther would or wouldn't allow. I fear you must tread carefully here, Willow girl."

Willow nodded.

Gaius raised an eyebrow. "You would be an authority on that subject, Milli. How many hearts have you broken?"

Granny smiled. "Only one that mattered, Gaius dear."

Merlin perked up. "Wait a second. Were you two romantically involved?" His grin was huge and incredulous.

Granny smiled. "It's not for a gentlewoman to kiss and tell."

At the same time Gaius said, "Mind your own business, Merlin."

Merlin looked at Willow and they both laughed at their elders' poorly concealed guilt. He gave her hand a squeeze as his eyes filled with mirth.