I did say that the story wouldn't be slash but Gwaine kind of crept up on me last chapter. Although that will probably be as far as he gets.

For the journey Arthur's fears were unfounded. He managed to easily avoid Gorlois, especially when, two days later they met up with the druids. Arthur remained busy keeping everything tidy, and working around the small group of people that gathered around Merlin.

One the morning of the third day he got up, easing his way out of his own little tent. Arthur got the feeling that Merlin didn't entirely approve of it, but since he knew Arthur liked it Merlin left it alone. Arthur carefully reignited the fire and gathered items together to start the breakfast. Just as he rummaged for the bucket, to go and gather some water, a familiar little figure came running up to him. Aaliah slithered to a halt in front of him.

"Hello," Arthur said smiling down at her. It faded as he registered her wide eyes, glistering with tears. "What's happened?"

"I let Smudge out of her basket, only for a minute! She's climbed a tree, and she can't get down!"

Aaliah bit down on her lip, staring up at him with pleading eyes. Arthur looked around, pausing indecisively for a moment. Maybe he should tell Merlin before he went wandering off.

"Arthur! What if she falls?"

It was Aaliah's tone of voice that made Arthur drop the bucket and let Aaliah take his hand, dragging him a short distance through the trees to the large oak that Smudge had scrambled up. Arthur looked upwards, seeing the tiny kitten on a high branch mewling in fear and confusion. Looking at the spread of branches Arthur had the feeling the little creature had scrabbled up the rough bark and couldn't do the same to get down. Arthur chewed on his lower lip, hesitating for a moment. He eyed the branches apprehensively, seeing the places where he could get a foothold to get up to the little kitten. Aaliah whimpered as Smudge mewled again.

Glancing down Arthur made up his mind. He couldn't say no to her distressed face. Going to find someone else to help would be the most logical option, but if the kitten slipped in the meantime she would end up hurt. Arthur didn't want anything happening to the little creature. Stepping forward he assessed the best hand holds and taking as firm a grip as he could he planted his foot against the trunk and hoisted himself up.

As he clambered he didn't dare look down. Arthur felt amazed that the kitten had managed to get up there, even he had to stretch to reach the strongest branches and footholds to get up. Smudge, tiny in comparison, had somehow managed it. Mind you, Arthur told himself, as he struggled to grip onto the handhold he had found, she had claws.

Eventually he managed to latch on, and hoist up, looping his arm over the branch where the little kitten sat. Exhaling heavily Arthur eased up onto the branch, sitting down and taking several deep breaths. He felt hot and winded after the exertion. Once he was on fairly level ground the various aches and pains decided to make themselves known. His shoulders throbbed, still not recovered from the weapons training that Percival and Lancelot had put him through. And the wounds on his back started to sting as sweat dribbled down between his shoulder blades. Arthur pushed his damp hair back off his forehead and looked at Smudge.

The kitten stared at him with wide eyes, her little claws extended, gripping tightly to the branch. She looked rigid with tension. Arthur held out his hand and the kitten's ears flattened back on her head and she gave a little hiss.

"Don't be like that. I've just come up here to get you."

Smudge's ears lifted, and the claws released their death grip on the tree. Moving very slowly Smudge tottered towards him.

"Ow! That's the thanks I get!" Arthur exclaimed as Smudge reached him and latched her claws into his thigh instead. Reaching down he put a hand around her torso and attempted to remove her. Smudge mewled again, not happy with that idea.

"Arthur!" Aaliah called from the ground.

"We're all right, I just have to find a way to keep hold of her while I climb down."

He still had to get down. Arthur mentally backtracked the pathway he had taken up. He could probably manage it, even one handed, his left hand devoted to keeping hold of Smudge. There was one sticky point in the journey, he would probably have to hang onto the trunk and slither down to reach the branch he needed to get onto. Along the way he would probably get a little grazed on the chest, and he would have to say goodbye to the cream shirt he currently wore. He might have time to do some washing when they reached their destination. From what he had heard from Merlin that would be mid afternoon today, when they would reach the lake where the Isle Of The Blessed lay.

"Right, latch on there."

Arthur finally managed to extract Smudge off his leg and he lifted her to his chest. The little kitten snagged her claws into his shirt, scraping against his skin, and his already sore nipple. Rather than try and move her, Arthur shifted the material of his shirt about to settle her on his breastbone. Smudge looked up at him giving another feeble meow.

"I know," Arthur said reassuringly, rubbing the thick fluffy fur on her back. Smudge stretched up to lick his chin. "We'll be all right, you just hang on."

In response Smudge tucked her little pink nose against his chest, her claws flexing. Arthur kept her steady with his left hand as he used his right to hold the branch and ease himself off. He winced as his right shoulder muscles strained, and he got his feet onto the branch below. Keeping his right arm around the trunk he lowered himself to the second branch. Now came the hard part.

He took a more careful grip of Smudge, who, amazingly, had started to purr.

"Nice to know someone has faith in me. Hang on there," Arthur advised her as he shifted, lowering himself again and looping his arm around the trunk to slowly slide down. He grunted as his chest scratched against the bark, his thin shirt offering no protection. There was the sound of material ripping and he knew he had probably ruined it. He supposed that at least it was in a good cause. Dropping his leg a little further he searched out the next branch, wincing as the rough bark snagged against his chest. Arthur gasped in relief as his toes touched the branch. He lowered himself down, slowly easing his weight onto it. As he did so his eyes widened, a sickening creaking sound rippled through the air. He felt the branch tilt underneath him and he desperately grabbed upwards to try and reach the support above.

However he was too far away. Even as he tried he knew he had no hope of getting a grip. Instead the precarious balance he held tilted and he knew he was going to fall. He tried to look around for something else he could grab, but by the time he reached out, he was too far gone. Somewhere at the back of his mind he heard Aaliah's scream of panic. Arthur went airborne and he tucked Smudge tighter to his chest. Pain slammed through his shoulder as he connected with something, and he tried to grab, but the impact rendered his arm useless. He flipped in the air and for a few seconds he saw the ground rushing to meet him. But he couldn't land face down, he was protecting Smudge, he couldn't let her get hurt. Arthur shifted in the air, running on instinct as he turned, so as he landed, he crashed onto his side, slamming his already bashed shoulder. He flopped into a limp heap, Aaliah's frantic screams ringing in his ears.

The sound brought people from all directions. Merlin included, flanked by his usual entourage. They all watched in shock as Arthur, shaking his head as if dazed, slowly rise up. He made it to one knee, his shoulders hunched over. Aaliah's screams reduced to whimpers as a woman ran up to wrap an arm around the girl. Arthur shook his head again. His right arm hung limply at his side, but the other, tucked against his chest slowly moved. Arthur straightened up, easing his shoulders back. The colour of his face had turned white, almost to a sickly green, his eyes dulled with pain. Yet, Arthur held himself steady, even though he shook from head to foot, and had trouble balancing.

All of them watched, stunned, as Arthur, wobbling a little as he held his position, slowly curled his good arm, taking a couple of tugs before he did so. In the end he offered out a stunned, but unharmed, Smudge. The little kitten looked around with the same dazed expression Arthur did, staying still in his grip, her claws latched into his skin. Aaliah carefully reached out to take possession of the kitten. Her eyes swam with tears, and they cascaded down her cheeks. Arthur gave a slight smile as Smudge retracted her claws and flailed her front paws. Aaliah took the kitten off him, then he wobbled even more, only saved from falling by Lancelot running in to steady him. Merlin closely followed.

Gwaine waited a moment. Every instinct told him to rush in, Arthur was injured and he didn't know how severely. But he couldn't give away his feelings, however painful it was to stand back and wait. He needed to take a minute to compose himself, recovering from the shock of seeing Arthur's dramatic tumble.

Because of that, it was him that caught the subtle movement in the shadows as the figure turned. All he could clearly see was a silhouette, the face hidden by a hood and the body concealed in the folds of the cloak. However, what he also saw was a length of thick, dark, braided hair pulled over one shoulder, hanging within the folds of material.

He watched Morgana turn away. For a moment he almost followed, curious as to what she was doing, but then he heard Arthur gasp and Gwaine rearranged his face, making sure it was neutral enough as he went towards the group of people gathered around Arthur.

"Thank you! Are you all right?" Aaliah sobbed.

"I'll be fine."

Arthur hissed in pain as Merlin carefully checked over Arthur's battered shoulder.

"You've dislocated it. We need to put it back in."

"Maybe we should get him back to the tent first," Lancelot suggested, carefully steadying Arthur on his good side.

"What's the point of making him walk that distance, we can do it here. Someone fetch some bandages, we'll need to secure it."

"We can help," a calm voice announced from the cluster of druids.

"Let me reset it first," Merlin advised. Arthur looked up at him apprehensively, especially as Merlin unfastened the leather belt from around his waist. He folded it up and held it out, level with Arthur's face.

"You'll probably want to bite on that."

Arthur felt even less secure at that point, but opening his mouth he let Merlin put the leather into his mouth and he gripped it with his teeth. Lancelot tightened his grip on Arthur and Arthur closed his eyes as Merlin gripped his arm.

He howled with pain as fire surged up through the joint, his mind burning with the sensation. Arthur felt his eyes rolling in his head and he didn't register the hands touching him until the heat seemed to cool, as if a gentle breeze moved through his entire body. Arthur struggled for breath, he couldn't move. Lancelot still seemed to be holding him still, and there was something else. People had clustered around him, voices talking in a low murmur, all saying the same thing. Arthur didn't know what going on as it happened for a minute or so more, and then stopped, and the clustered group stepped back.

Merlin released his arm and Arthur moved it gingerly, turning to look in shock as it didn't hurt. He rolled the joint, giving a murmur of surprise as there wasn't a flicker of pain, even the strain in his muscles seemed to have gone. Reaching out he pulled the neck of his shirt out and peered at his chest. He could see a trace of dried blood around his nipple, where it had rubbed against the tree, but all trace of the wound had gone. It had healed.

"We dealt with a few other minor things," the druid announced. Merlin looked up, turning his gaze from Arthur.

"Thank you, Aglain."

"A good deed should be rewarded."

Arthur lowered his gaze as the man looked down at him benignly. Aaliah wriggled through the crowd again, holding tightly to Smudge, who purred loudly as Aaliah rested her cheek on the top of Smudge's head. The little kitten closed her eyes in contentment.

"Smudge says thank you."

Arthur smiled at her. "That's all right, I wouldn't want anything to happen to her."

Aaliah smiled.

"And perhaps you'd better go and put her in her basket, so she doesn't do it again."

"She won't. It was only because the dog scared her."

"What dog?" Lancelot asked. "No one's brought a dog."

Merlin looked at his second-in-command and with that look, told him to wait to have the discussion. Merlin reached down to pull Arthur up onto his feet. Arthur struggled up, still unsteady but he stayed upright without assistance.

"Come on, we'd better get you back."

XxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Arthur found the best distraction to be in work. As they went back to the tent he gathered up the bucket to get some water and he started to make breakfast for the group. Arthur couldn't believe how much better he felt. After breakfast he had removed his shirt and washed off the grime and blood, looking himself over to confirm that everything had been healed. He couldn't really check on the state of his back but he guessed, from the lack of pain, that the lash and knife marks had been healed. How that had been done he wasn't entirely sure, but he presumed they had used some kind of magic.

"Are you all right?" Merlin asked. Arthur's head jerked round and he almost fell into the water. Merlin smirked, rolling his eyes.

"Try not to fall again, once is quite enough."

"Sorry My Lord," Arthur said drying himself off and swiftly sliding into a fresh shirt to cover himself. Merlin had seen most of it anyway but Arthur didn't particularly like showing off any part of his body. Not willingly anyway. He wrapped his belt around his waist fastening it and fiddling with the material until he was happy with it.

"As you are well enough you can tack up the chestnut pony and ride, and we'll use the pack horse."

"Yes, My Lord. I'll see to that."

"Why the hell didn't you get some help before scrabbling up that damn tree?" Merlin snapped before Arthur could make his escape. He shifted uncomfortably, tugging on the material of his clothes again.

"I didn't want to leave in case Smudge slipped."

"So you could have sent Aaliah. You nearly got yourself killed!"

Arthur looked up, eyes wide as he stared at Merlin in surprise, shocked by the angry and concerned tone of voice. Seconds later Arthur dropped his head again.

"I'm sorry, My Lord."

Merlin glared at Arthur, trying to work out if he was really that angry, or simply rattled by Arthur putting himself in danger. Arthur just stood there and waited for whatever Merlin would say or do next. Because of that Merlin rolled his eyes.

"Go on, Percival has already started getting the horses ready, go and help him."

"Yes, My Lord."

Arthur gathered up the discarded shirt and his towel and headed off, walking swiftly, and probably glad to get away. Merlin didn't want to get angry with Arthur, but he somehow had a habit of irritating him. It wasn't even Arthur's fault, it was just the way he had been trained.

"Merlin?"

Merlin calmly turned to look at Gwaine. "Sire."

Gwaine glared at him. "It's just Gwaine."

"Sorry, Gwaine."

"I asked around. Lancelot was right, no one does have a dog."

"It could have been a stray."

"Then don't you think we would have seen it again. A stray dog would realise this would be somewhere it could find food. Scaring the cat up a tree is the only time it's been seen."

"What are you saying? Somebody tried to attack the cat deliberately."

Gwaine glared at Merlin in irritation. "Or they used the cat to put someone else in danger. There is no way that branch should have given way."

"What makes you so sure of that?"

"The wood looked healthy enough to me, and as someone who did a good deal of tree climbing in my youth I know that branch could take Arthur's weight."

"Maybe, but what would be the point?" Merlin turned away. He didn't feel prepared to have this conversation.

"I saw Lady Morgana. She stayed in the shadows, watching. She could have been there the whole time."

Merlin spun on his heel, eyes blazing with anger. Gwaine gritted his teeth.

"What the hell are you saying?" Merlin growled, his voice low with menace. Gwaine raised his chin, staring back at Merlin, jaw clenched.

"I'm saying she watched the whole thing. And she was the only person that didn't come running when a little girl started screaming."

"Watch what you are implying," Merlin warned.

"I don't think I implied anything. I just told you what I saw."

"You've told me now."

Merlin turned on his heel again to stalk away. Then Gwaine's voice stilled him again, although he didn't turn around.

"You know that Gorlois almost beat Arthur to death once."

"No," Merlin said, over his shoulder, but he stayed where he was.

"Arthur was eight years old. He was carrying Bayard's armour at the time and accidentally bumped into Morgana and knocked her on her backside."

Merlin turned around, eyebrows raised.

"Gorlois laid into him, and everyone in the vicinity stood and watched. The guards only pulled Arthur away when they realised that Gorlois probably had ever intention of killing him. He could hardly move for weeks. Mind you Bayard didn't mind keeping Arthur bedridden."

Merlin winced at the savage tone of voice.

"How do you know this?"

"Because Arthur told me. Ask the right questions in the right way and you can get the answers."

"I know that. Since I asked your father why he removed Arthur from you and your brothers care and gave him to Olaf when he was seventeen. He claimed all of you were getting a little too fond of him. Maybe it was just one of you getting a little too fond."

He watched Gwaine's jaw tense, eyes hardening. The expression made it quite clear that Gwaine was not in the least bit happy that Merlin had that information.

"That wasn't Arthur's fault."

"I never said it was," Merlin told him. "So, you didn't invite yourself along on this with the intention of gaining ownership."

"I just want to make sure he's all right. Which means keeping him clear of any member of the House of Gorlois."

"I'm aware Lord Gorlois doesn't like him. Morgana I cannot speak for."

"Which means I'll keep a careful eye on him as well."

Merlin's eyes narrowed and he stepped back down the track until he was nose to nose with Gwaine.

"So will I, and I do not want to find anyone as close as you were the morning we left Camelot. Is that clear?"

Gwaine looked Merlin directly in the eye, he didn't look happy, but nor did he look particularly unhappy either.

"Perfectly," he replied.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Arthur had to gawp at the size of the castle on the island. He had seen most of the castles around the kingdom, passed around as he was. The structure on the island didn't seem much bigger than most, it looked a little smaller. But the tall turrets rising out of the mist that appeared to shroud the lake gave it a subtle magnificence. Although he felt a little apprehensive about getting into the ferry that took people over. He gathered up all the supplies people wanted, taking most of the burden but Percival look another set of bags since Arthur simply couldn't carry everything.

He watched the rest of them climb into the boat, quite naturally expecting to get in last, and he watched the rocking of the small craft nervously.

"Put the saddlebags in before you do anything else, boy," Balinor advised him.

"Yes, My Lord," Arthur said obeying Balinor immediately. Merlin turned to look at his father, who avoided the gaze for a moment, before glancing at his son. They didn't look long enough to interpret each others expressions as Arthur followed the bags into the boat in an ungainly fashion, causing it to rock, diverting their attention.

"Sorry," Arthur apologised immediately.

"You've been on boats even less than you have ridden?" Percival mused, causing a few smiles. Arthur kept his head down and tried to appear inconspicuous, while still raising his eyes to catch glimpses of the Isle.

As they reached the jetty on the other side Percival clambered out, retrieved the bags and took Arthur by the scruff of the neck to hoist him out with minimal problems. Gathering up the luggage Arthur wandered along at the back of the group with Percival and Lancelot. The mist seemed to have disappeared, and the island seemed to shimmer with something, although Arthur wasn't sure what the feeling was.

"Sister!"

Morgana rushed ahead of the others, jogging towards a blonde woman who appeared to have been waiting for them. Merlin and Balinor led the others at a more sedate pace as another woman, this time dark haired, came to meet them smiling in welcome.

"Merlin."

"Nimueh."

"You've been gone a long time. I hear you've been busy."

"The situation seems to be getting worse not better," Merlin said to her. Nimueh just smiled at him.

"That is not something to think about now, with the Equinox tomorrow."

Arthur followed behind Merlin as they walked into the castle. People greeted Merlin, and they paused occasionally for him to talk to them. Arthur used those moments to glance at his surrounding, although he looked away swiftly as he saw Morgana and her sister staring at him. Soon after the two sisters quickly walked away into a quiet area of the castle.

"He has had the gall to bring the boy here!" Morgause hissed as they walked. Morgana said nothing, instead she looked around at the tall, solid structure of the castle.

"Has the dream returned, sister?" Morgause asked.

"Yes, clearer in some ways."

Morgause linked her arm with Morgana's as they walked and waited for her sister to elaborate.

"I see the golden dragon hatching now. Merlin has not said if they know of a dragon egg."

"The Dragonlords may not, any that do exist they will guard with their lives." Morgause paused and shook her head. "No, I do not believe that means a dragon in such a simple context. The golden dragon was Uther's, and Camelot's, symbol."

"But Camelot is no more. Merlin uses a dragon as his symbol. It could mean him," Morgana reasoned. "Why are we bothering about Arthur, he's only a slave."

"You know the stories of what his father did to our kind. What nearly happened to me. Even you thought so. The first dream came just before you met Arthur. You told father of it, and he believed you. Are you losing faith in your gift Morgana?"

"Of course not, I just think that maybe things are not always so simple. Arthur has no power, he's harmless."

"You are too soft-hearted sister, you try to see good in everyone."

"Not always. I followed your plan. Arthur was injured, although not severely. The druids healed him, over a kitten."

"You did well, even if Arthur did recover. The druids know the ancient stories as well as we do, and they possess almost romantic notions over them. I just wish your dreams would become clearer, is there any more to them, what do you see?"

"Just the egg, I can't see where it is, but there is light from somewhere. As I watch the egg cracks and the dragon hatches, breaking out of the shell." Morgana slowed her walk as she thought through the details. "There is someone else there, I think. Sometimes I have seen that, the dragon goes to them."

"But you do not know who that is?" Morgause asked.

"It's never clear," Morgana said. "I cannot truly interpret the vision. Normally it would reveal itself, this is so strange. It's like..."

She paused, her eyes drifting off into the middle distance. Morgause watched her before prompting her.

"Sister?"

"It feel like..." she paused again before vocalising her opinion.

"It's like the vision itself doesn't even know what it's trying to tell me."