Merlin had waited and waited and then waited some more for Katie's return. Every day his feeling of guilt and anxiety rose and he wanted to go and look for her but Gaius forbade it.

"She'll come back in her own time." The old man told the boy sympathetically, even though he was possibly even more worried about the woman than Merlin was.

What was making it worse was that Arthur would be leaving soon to go on a quest to find the Fisher King's Trident. Merlin knew that somehow he would have to follow Arthur and keep him safe even if this was a quest for the prince to do alone. The thought of leaving and missing Katie if she returned was killing him inside and was the only reason he didn't want to help Arthur (the prince's demands that Merlin stay at home were going straight over the servants head).

On the day Arthur left Merlin could see the prince search the crowds for someone, the servant's guess was that it was the same person he searched for at every event. Arthur missed Kathryn almost as much as Merlin, even though he was very much in love with Gwen he still wanted his oldest friend and ex-fiancé around.

When Merlin left he knew he wouldn't see his beloved and rode on furiously. Trying to think only of Arthur's safety.

00000

Katie rushed through the forest towards Camelot, she wasn't sure how happy Uther would be to see her after she had left again. Looking over her old home in the moonlight Katie almost retreated to go and stay with an old friend.

You need to go back, maybe I can find out more about the sword in Camelot.

What's so special about this sword?

The voice sighed, The main reason I want it is because it is the only one of it's kind. It can kill the dead.

Hm, maybe I should ask Merlin. She thought, not even realising she had thought it.

Why?

Well, when we were in Camelot before, Arthur's troops were battling an army of the dead, Merlin was the one destroying them. I don't really know how but-

You tell me NOW?

You didn't tell me what we were searching for. You could have searched my memories.

I may be invasive but your lovey dovey rubbish with Merlin makes me feel physically ill so I don't intrude on those memories. He replied angrily.

Katie started to ride on again, hoping to find Gaius before anyone else so she could explain herself, by lying obviously.

She pulled her hood up as she dismounted her horse, so that no one could see her face. She placed her horse in the stables and entered the castle, trying to keep out of sight. Katie found her old tutors room and knocked softly. She heard someone grumble and feet padding on stone floor.

The door opened slowy and before her was the very tired looking and grumpy Gaius. He looked at her oddly and did a double take before pulling her into the room and hugging her tightly. "I never thought I'd see you again." He whispered.

Katie hugged the old man back and pulled down her hood, "It's good to see you Gaius."

"You're exhausted." He stated.

"I haven't slept for days, I wanted to get back and see you." She smiled.

"Why don't you go and sleep in Merlin's bed? He won't be back for a few days."

"Where is he?"

"Helping Arthur on his quest. Now go on." He smiled, but something felt wrong to Katie.

She lay down and fell asleep instantly taking in Merlin's scent and smiling to herself as she did.

Gaius sat on his bed, What do I do? She's still possessed, I just know it. The rest of that night he spent searching for spells that could release her but found nothing in the books he had read, he needed Merlin's help.

Katie awoke and found one of her dresses laid out on the bed next to her. She dressed and walking into the other room. "Good morning."

"Afternoon, you mean."

"I've been asleep all day?"

"I didn't want to wake you. Here." He gave her a bowl of porridge and sat opposite her. He paused before asking, "Did you find what you were looking for?" He knew she couldn't answer many questions so he would make them as vague as possible.

"No, but I have a feeling someone in Camelot might know where it is." She replied, staring at her food.

"May I ask what the item is?"

"That would ruin the surprise." She forcefully chuckled.

Gaius stopped himself from asking more questions about the item and thought it best not to ask about her adventure. "Merlin will be pleased you're back. He's missed you."

Katie smiled, "I've missed him too."

"Are you going to talk to Uther today?"

"What would I say? I'm sorry I left again but I'll be back for a while but don't let me get settled in. Where have I been? Here and there. I can't answer any questions and I can't" Careful. "promise I'll be staying." She finished quicker than she had meant to when she realised what the voice had said.

"Why can't you?"

"My business is my own." She replied frostily. She sighed, "I'm sorry. I just don't what to say to him to make this right. I don't know what to say to any of them."

"He loves you. They all do. Uther will forgive you and maybe you can stay a bit longer this time." He edged around the subject.

"I'll try and I'll try to talk to him later. I just really need this object." She stared at the bowl again.

"Take your time, no one is going to rush you." Gaius wanted to help her but felt completely helpless. "Merlin and Arthur should be back soon. They've been gone for a while now. At least I have one less person to worry about." Katie smiled and looked at Gaius.