AN: Just a quick transition chapter. Next 2 are already written so hold tight!

CHAPTER 5: Triumphant Entry

I found out later that my first trip into the fabled city of Camelot was in the back of the donkey cart, on top of some of the bags of goods. Very heroic, huh? I didn't really rejoin the land of the living until I was being laid on a cot by my rescuer. "You back with us?" he asked in his Irish brogue. I nodded. And winced. This business of getting knocked out was already getting old. An older man pushed Mr. Handsome aside.

"Gwaine, flirt later. The lady is in pain." He gave me a gentle smile. "I'm Gaius. Where are you hurt, my lady? Can you tell us what happened?"

My body felt like a giant bruise, so I went through everything that hurt and allowed Gaius to kick out Gwaine and help me. At some point, while Gaius was cleaning a small cut on my jaw that must have opened when halitosis Harry hit me, another young man came in. He had dark hair and wore a red shirt, blue neckerchief, and stained brown jacket. "I'm Merlin," he said with an easy smile. "I assist Gaius. Do you mind if I stay and help?"

His easy manner was very relaxing, and I found myself smiling back, ignoring the pain it caused in my poor jaw. "Fine with me. I'm..." I felt the smile slide off my face. How could I not know my own name? "I'm..." my mouth moved without my permission, no sound coming out. For whatever reason, this was scarier than waking up in the middle of stinking bandits.

"It's all right, my dear," said Gaius with that smile that all doctors seem to have to reassure patients. He set a hand gently on her shoulder, and I decided to forgive him for nickname. I could live with it until I knew my actual name. I suppose. "With a head injury, it is not uncommon to have some memory loss. The bump on your head is very large, but I have no doubt that your memories will return as you heal." Merlin also gave me a smile, and it was so familiar that I was temporarily distracted from my distress.

"Until you remember your name, we could call you Samena, maybe," he offered with a shrug. "It means mystery." He gave a sheepish smile.

I did my best to smile back. "Okay. Mina."

"You need rest more than anything else." Interjected Gaius. "The king will want to hear what happened, but that can wait until tomorrow. Are you comfortable sleeping here where we can keep an eye on you? Or would you feel better if we put you in a room in the castle proper with a maid to help you?"

I was feeling extremely tired, and truly didn't feel like moving any further than I had to. Besides, despite my recent experiences, I felt absolute faith in these two. "I'll just stay here."

"You can have my bed; it will give you a little privacy," offered Merlin. He shook his head when I started to protest. "I do it all the time when we have someone who needs help. Let me help you up the stairs."

"Yes, I have a tea for you to drink that will help you sleep."

"I don't think that will be a problem," I admitted. I couldn't believe I was going to sleep more, but there you have it. I hardly made it up the stairs and into the bed, and swallowed down the bitter tea before I fell into a deep, restful sleep. Tomorrow would have to handle my problems, because I was seriously over today.