It was too late to start off immediately. It would have been nightfall by the time they arrived. So Arthur and Merlin took the other room, which was quite cosy. Two single beds which, Arthur conceded, where very comfortable. Arthur, though comfortable, had trouble sleeping. Merlin snored. But that was not what was keeping Arthur awake.

He was helping a sorcerer. Not just helping; but sleeping in a sorcerer's house. His father would not be impressed. Arthur couldn't help but think that maybe Mim had lied to get a reaction. As Arthur thought this he grimaced; those eyes. He had never felt so confused. Sorcerers were evil, they took lives and … and… Arthur sighed. He had not seen Mim perform any evil enchantments, or any magic for that matter. No, she was a sorcerer. Could his father be wrong and just bitter? Arthur rolled onto his side and tried to sleep.

He didn't know when he fell asleep; but when he did his dreams were filled with images.

Fire and water, Mim's voice echoing words which Arthur couldn't make out and Merlin. In his dream Merlin's eyes flashed gold and a dragon rose behind him breathing fire.

"Arthur?"

Who was calling his name? The Merlin in his dream had not opened his mouth.

"Arthur?" came a more distinct call.

Mim? Arthur opened his eyes slowly. There was Mim. He gave a sigh and shook his head. A concerned look spread across Mim's face.

"You alright?" Arthur looked around trying to get his bearings, then nodded. Mim stood up allowing Arthur a better view of things. Merlin was still asleep. He didn't look well. A thin film of sweat coated his forehead. Mim had returned to her previous job before she had woken Arthur. Arthur watched as Mim removed the dressing and cleaned the wound.

"You looked like you were having a nightmare." Mim said glancing up. Her eyes were brown now and clouded with tiredness. In fact, all of Mim looked darker. Her hair which seemed to have a glow about it before seemed dark and lank. "I thought it best to wake you, do you mind?" Mim continued.

"No." Arthur croaked. "I was having a very strange dream. It seemed so real." Arthur glanced at Merlin. Mim watched Arthur as he gazed at the sleeping man.

"Sometimes," Mim began slowly. "when there is a certain amount of magical energy near by, a portion of it can affect other people. I remember once," Mim continued a little faster, "One time I had this massive grudge against this girl that I grew up with, she did something… that I won't get into. Anyway, I hadn't meant to, but, one night when she staying because she was ill, er... she had a vision of something which came true. My sister said it was because I had such a strong feeling toward her that I created a bridge with my own mind, which allowed her to catch a glimpse of something that could have happened."

God Mim talked a lot!

"So… erm, what?" Was all Arthur could manage. Mim only smiled. Then put a hand over Merlin's wound then muttered something under her breathe, causing her eyes to sear golden for the briefest time. Arthur instinctively knew that Mim had healed whatever was causing merlin's fever. Arthur still could not help feeling uneasy. He had been brought up believing magic was evil. A part of him, a very large part, wanted to draw his sword and slay her right then. But Mim had not done anything but help. Even Arthur could not bring himself to despise someone who only helps. Confusion once again took over. In order to hide this from Mim, he rolled back over to sleep. Although he did try, sleep did not come. He dosed lightly, listening to Mim taking care of Merlin. Sometimes she would hum a little tune while she was. Arthur found that soothing. Maybe she was bewitching him! Arthur felt panic rise within him, but it soon died. She could have harmed them long ago, but she hadn't, Arthur had to try and be less suspicious. Yet, Morguese had bewitched him with his mother. Arthur was wide awake. How could he have forgotten morguese. A quick half glance toward merlin reminded him of merlin's words.

'It was a trick!'

Arthur could barely think. His mind seemed so foggy. His mind played back every moment of what he had believed was his mother speaking to him.

Was it even his mother? Was that what she looked like? He hoped so, she was very beautiful and had had an amazing voice. Trick!

Fire and Water! A giant cat with wings, Merlin stroking the purring beast. Tears, sadness and then nothing. Words echoing from a lake beneath snow capped mountains.

'It is a selfish act to keep someone here who should live; He did not act selfishly toward you and this is how he is repaid!'

Mim burning bright like the sun, screaming in agony. Merlin dousing the light and a dragon rising above them all with a word: Destiny.

Arthur woke with the sun falling on his face. After a moment trying to reflect on his dream, he turned to face Merlin. Mim was still there holding a still fevered Merlin's hand. Both were asleep; Mim a little more peacefully than Merlin, whose forehead was stilled coated in sweat. Arthur sat up quickly. Mim hadn't cured him. He grabbed his scabbard and considered running Mim through when a small cough from the main room reminded him of the boy, Thomas. He couldn't remove the one person left who could look after the boy.

Arthur glanced back at Mim. Her eyes were open and yellow. Her eyes were studying Arthur's, which made him twitch involuntary with the feeling of nervousness that flooded him. Then her eyes went to Merlin. Shock filled them. Starting up, Mim's hands were checking his wounds and checking his temperature.

"What's wrong?" Arthur demanded. Mim gave him a look which only Guias had given him when something hasn't worked.

"I have no idea" she admitted. "That incantation has never once failed. It's like something is trying to drag him into death." Her eyes flashed. "Who is Freya?"

"The cursed druid? What's she got to do with it, she's dead!" The look Mim gave him stunned him into silence. Merlin and Freya? No way! Mim sighed and gently shook her head.

"It is a selfish thing to keep someone on the brink of death when they could live." Mim stated. The memory of his dream flashed through Arthur's mind. Could it be…

"I had a dream about the druid and a lake with mountains round it. I think it was the druid, she was in the cursed form." Arthur made eye contact with Mim and felt a jolt as her eyes flashed. Memories flashed briefly through his mind; the dream and his mother.

"Why do you think of your mother?" Mim asked, genuinely concerned. "I only wished to see the dream but your mind threw me that image. I didn't think you knew what she looked like."

Arthur shifted uncomfortably. He didn't want to admit that he had been tricked by a sorcerer In case it gave Mim ideas. Understanding that Arthur didn't want to talk about it, she continued.

"I know where that lake is." She began, "We won't make it there today, not if we go to see Sir Ector, but I think I can detach the connection for a short while."

Mim took Merlin's hands in hers and began muttering strange words under her breath. The air in the room seemed to tingle with magic. If Arthur hadn't been so wary of magic, it would have filled him with awe. Mim suddenly began to glow brightly. The dream once again made it to the fore front of his mind. When she returned to a normal level of … brightness, Arthur noted the deep calm breathing from Merlin and a small cough from him. The film of sweat had left him as well.

"I shall prepare a small breakfast then we should leave to visit Sir Ector." Mim explained to Arthur before leaving. Arthur stared at the door. Only a loud groan from Merlin shook him from the blank stare.

"Freya?" Merlin muttered before opening his eyes. He slowly took in his surroundings and was close to tears when he realised Freya was not there. "Where am I?" He asked himself.

"Think carefully, Merlin and then it will come to you." was Arthur's half sarcastic remark. Merlin thought carefully and one name came to his head: Mim.