now this chappie really has gone through some editing and it is considerably shorter than it was before but thats because I didnt really want to split what was going to happen in the next chapter.. so please do

ENJOY!..

Chapter Five

They reached Gaius' chambers and Arthur knocked firmly on the wood.

"Come in!" the Physician's voice rang through the door.

Arthur held the door open for Freya and she stepped through.

A look of surprise flashed across Gaius' face. The Druid girl? Here? With Arthur? Oh dear, what was going on?

Did Arthur know?

"Gaius," Arthur greeted. "This is Freya."

The old man acknowledged her. Freya returned the acknowledgement, however, she wondered; wasn't this the man who was with Merlin the night he rescued her?

"Where is he?" Arthur looked slightly panicked. His eyes searched the room but found no form of life other than Gaius and Freya.

"He's in his room." Gaius' reply was quiet and forlorn. "He hasn't improved."

"Has he woken yet?"

"A little while ago, but only for a short time...his breathing is getting worse and he started to panic so I gave him something to help him sleep." The old Physician sighed sadly. "I've treated all his wounds, I know there's no use because he will... but I can't simply stand by and watch him...leave."

"I know Gaius."

The three stood in silence, then Arthur made his way to Merlin's room, Freya followed him. The door was cracked open and he nudged it with his toe, revealing the bruised and battered form that was Merlin. Sleeping, breathing heavily, almost wheezing.

Freya's heart stopped. The blood in her veins froze. All she could hear was the horrible, horrible sound of Merlin wheezing in gasps of air. Filling her ears, echoing and resounding through her head, consuming her whole.

Arthur noticed her reaction and was obviously confused. "Freya? Freya, are you alright?"

"Merlin," she whispered.

Arthur frowned, how would she...oh. And sudden realisation dawned on him.

The girl dashed to Merlin's side. She took his cold, clammy hand in hers and stroked the tendrils of brown hair off his forehead with her other.

She sobbed. "Merlin?" She squeezed his hand and, after a minute, felt the slightest compression back. Merlin's eyes fluttered beneath his lids and he moaned softly. "Merlin?"

"...hmm...F-Freya..."

"Shh. Don't speak, it's ok. Everything is going to be alright," the girl whispered, hoping more than she ever had that what she spoke would prove to be true. She leant forward and placed a soft kiss on his lips and was frightened when there was little reply. She held her head directly above Merlin's and spoke. "This is my fault," she stated quietly.

Through half-lidded eyes Merlin made the slightest movement with his head. A shake. "No... 's not...love you..."

"I love you too, Merlin," she sobbed as he fell back into darkness. "God knows, I love you."

Arthur probably should have been shocked, surprised, flabbergasted. But on a certain level, he wasn't. Merlin was the kindest person he knew, not that he would ever let that fact be known, but for him to see a scared, young girl locked up in a cage would have tugged on his heart strings until he did something about it. But who knew they would fall in love, and in such a short time...

Freya fell to her knees and put her head right beside Merlin on the bed. Arthur plonked himself next to her, sitting cross-legged on the floor. "I take it Merlin was the one who rescued you from Halig?"

Freya raised her head, still clutching Merlin's hand, and nodded silently.

Arthur smiled to himself.

"What is it?" Freya asked.

"Nothing," the Prince shook his head, "it's just, this is not exactly the first time Merlin has done this."

Freya cocked her head sideways in question.

"It was last year, only a few months after he arrived in Camelot... A Druid man and his son had gone into the market to collect come supplies and they were found out by guards. The father was caught and executed but the little boy got away. Merlin found him hiding from the guards, injured and took care of him. He hid in Morgana's chambers and eventually I was involved as well. We managed to get him out of the city and back to his people."

"You helped him?"

"Yes, why so surprised?" he raised an eyebrow in a smug way.

"You're the King's son, the Prince of Camelot."

"And? Does that mean I can't have my own opinions?"

"I just didn't expect it."

"Well, I helped him, and I plan to help you get back to your people too."

Freya lowered her eyes. "I don't think so..." she mumbled.

"Why not?"

"Thank you for the thought, really, it's just, I doubt the Druids will show me any kindness, no one tends to."

Arthur wanted to know more but he could tell that now was not the time to be talking about it. "Merlin showed you kindness...and love," he added.

"And now look at him."

Arthur was taken aback by her bluntness.

"Everyone who gets close to me gets hurt. It seems I'm cursed in more than one way."

"Cursed? How are you cursed?" He had wanted to know if what Halig said about her was true since Arthur found her.

so a little bit of a cliffie but meh.

the next chapter has a LOT of dialogue and we find out MY version of Freya's background and whatnot. it is a little dark but the worst isnt said just implied.

love you all..

passion.