Chapter 2

Thank you to everyone who reviewed my first chapter your, opinions and honesty is always welcomed and appreciated. Thank you also to all of you who have added this to your subscription list. Sorry that this has taken so long, my teaches seem to think that it is already exam time! So here it is please review.

Silently, Selene pushed the door to her room open. It was late, well past midnight and she was exhausted, she had only been home for a few minutes in the late afternoon and that had been to check up on her sister. Seeing her sister sleeping so peacefully on the single cot, Selene could not stop the small smile coming to her lips. Taking off her thin shawl she joined her sister on the cot, placing an arm protectively around her sister's shoulders. She fell asleep almost instantly.

...…

Gwaine was at the tavern. He had snuck out the castle earlier that day he was now on his twelft…no thirteenth cup of ale but as hard as he tried he could not get the image of that damn delivery girl out of his head, the way she ran off, the unusual colouring of her hair it had all seemed so damn familiar but he was too drunk to figure it out now he reasoned. Getting up and paying for his bill he went back to his courters, he should really mention to Arthur how easy it was too sneak in and out of the castle even when you were drunk.

He could hear the sound of laughter echoing off the walls. How could anyone laugh in such a cruel place he mused angrily to himself? The sound continued o float around him, mocking him, goading him, suddenly he saw the source to girls, one around his age and the other about seven or eight years younger. They were clearly sisters they both had shocking orange coloured hair which seemed to glow gold in the sunlight, seeing him the laughter seemed to die in the older girl's throat.

"I am sorry about your father" she whispered, "but the king will come around, you will see. My family is not even from Carleon and he King has given us refuge."

"Really?"

"Yipp," she gave him a big grin and suddenly grabbed his hand, dragging him to his feet, "by the way I am Aldora and this is my sister Lodema" he saw the little girls mouth quirk at the name.

"Don't like your name much hey, Lodema?" the little girl shook her head "OK then we are going to have to find you a new name!"

With a big grin she giggled showing off a gap between her front two teeth, "that's not allowed!"

"really? Well I am a son of a knight and therefore decree it is allowed"

Next second Lodema was running around the coart yard singing" you can't catch me, you can't catch me!" smiling Gwaine and Aldora ran after her.

It took them nearly three weeks to find a 'new' name of Lodema, it almost took the same amount of time for the king to turn down his Mothers plea for help.

Gwaine woke with a start, trying fight off a feeling that old scars were about to be reopened. Not being able to go back to sleep, with the dream still fresh in his mind he decided to go outside and practice some sword play, until the kitchens opened and he could go find some wine.

…...

Waking up at first light Selene put her on her shawl and set out some cloths and a small breakfast for her sister, hoping that her she would be strong enough to get out of bed today. She harried out the room to work after pressing a quick kiss goodbye to her sleeping sister's forehead.

…...

Gaius was harrying to his chambers, a lone knight had come with a message from the prince, apparently there had been some series injuries on their trip and Gaius must be ready as soon as they arrived.

The rain had started up again, it seemed to pour down every crack, leak; roof and step in Camelot. When the knights finally arrived they were not spotted until they were almost at the palace gates, slowing down just enough for the gates to open they flew in.

…...

Merlin was exhausted. He could feel every muscle in his body begging for rest; it had been a week since he had gotten proper sleep, a week since they had been attacked. He could feel the heat radiating off Sir. John as he burnt with fever. Sir John had been injured the day before last and Merlin had to ride with him as everyone else was assisting the other injured knights or they were too weak to have someone else relay on them. As they arrived at Gaius's chambers Merlin could not miss the look of relief that passed the physician's face as he saw an apparently unharmed Merlin and Arthur. Standing next to Gaius was a young girl, whom Merlin had occasionally seen delivering parcels for the merchant Hugo. Quickly setting down the injured knight Merlin began to help Gaius by telling him about everyone's injuries and how they were obtained.

Quite suddenly the girl stepped forward; Merlin had almost forgotten her…..almost

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

Gaius appraised her for a moment "Help Merlin with bandages and the honey, he will explain what to do," he ordered.

"Yes sir"

…...

They were working late into the night when Gwaine walked in looking like he had seen a ghost, looking around, he finally saw Merlin bending over a patient, he gave a huge sigh of relief and walked up to the man and gave him a bear hug.

"What happened?" he demanded in a very series, unlike Gwaine tone, "When I heard that there had been trouble I was so worried-"

"I am fine really but Sir John is gravely injured, as are Roland and Edger and….."

"Where are Lance, Elyan and Percival?"

"They are fine Gwaine, just getting some rest and thank you for your concern about your Prince" Prince Arthur cut in, he had a sling around his arm but seemed otherwise unharmed.

"Well of course I knew you were alright princess, the whole of Camelot would have been in a panic if you weren't, anyway whose the girl" he said spotting the delivery girl whom had stayed to help.

"She is a delivery girl for Hugo and was here when we arrived and offered to help; she has a surprisingly extensive knowledge on herbs and battle wounds"

Suddenly the girl looked up as if she sensed that they were talking about her.

"Selene…" Gwaine gasped and then he did something very unknightly-

He fainted.

Thanks for reading again, I am not sure when I will be able to update again but I will try my hardest to update in exactly a week, within a month it is my holidays! So I will be able to achieve my 2-3 a week goal.