A/N – So, there appears to be a little confusion regarding the flower situation, which I will let Merlin take care of explaining.

Thanks again for the reviews

Disclaimer in Chapter 1

On we go.....

Chapter 7 Flowers

Arthur, Tristan and Merlin returned to Gaius' chambers when Gwen came to get them. Arthur moved quickly to Tayla's side. "May I, Princess, have the pleasure of carrying you to your room...please?" Arthur asked her formally, with a smile.

"I would be honored, my Lord," Tayla replied, before looking over at Tristan with a smile. "My usual knight has taken a rather nasty blow to the head and I would not wish to burden him."

"You are never a burden my Lady, but yes, it would be much better if the Prince were to take you. My head is starting to hurt," Tristan said. Arthur saw a frown cross Tayla's face as she turned her head to look at Gaius, "Is he alright Gaius? Can you give him something?" she asked, before she looked back at Tristan. Tayla knew that he must be in a great deal of pain for him to admit it, especially to her.

"I will organise some pain relief for both of you Princess, and have it delivered to your quarters shortly. Princess, I am afraid you will need to be on bed rest for the next few days, if not longer. Your injury is quite severe, though thanks to your early medical intervention, you will recover much quicker than normal." Arthur groaned, remembering a time when she had been sick when they were children and had been confined to bed. She had driven him crazy whilst he was trying to keep her entertained.

"I understand Gaius and I promise you I will be on my best behaviour and be a delightful patient," Tayla replied shooting Arthur a glare, though she couldn't keep the smile from showing in her eyes, obviously remembering too.

"That is good to hear. I will see you shortly after you are settled," Gaius replied. Gaius looked at Arthur and nodded, indicating he could take the Princess to her chambers now.

"Are you ready?" Arthur asked Tayla. She nodded to him and he gently picked her up. She slipped her arms around his neck, a slight catching of her breath the only indication of her pain.

"You know you do not have to be brave, you can admit to being in pain," Arthur said as he walked out of Gaius' chambers and toward hers, along with Tristan, Merlin and Gwen.

"Me? Brave? Trust me Arthur, the pain is completely bearable at present. Gaius appears to have done a marvelous job." She winced as he shifted her slightly in his arms to stop her slipping.

"Liar," Arthur said sofly, as he noticed the look of pain cross her face.

"Maybe, but since you do not believe me, can it really be classed as lying?" Tristan looked over at them at her words, a concerned frown on his face.

"It is alright Tristan, I am just teasing Arthur. I am fine," Tayla said to him.

Tayla looked back at Arthur, shaking her head. "He worries too much about me," she said quietly.

"He cares for you," said Arthur, "It's only natural that he would worry as well." He felt the same way.

"Know any way I can stop that?" Tayla asked him as her head settled on his shoulder.

"Him caring or worrying?" asked Arthur, thinking that was about as likely as him not caring or worrying about her. Not a chance.

"Either, both, oh I do not know," Tayla replied, sounding confused.

"Tayla?"

"What?"

"Do you care for him?" Arthur asked her quietly.

"I wish I did not," Tayla replied quietly so he was the only one who heard her response. Arthur now understood.

"So he is the one then," Arthur said just as softly so she was the only one to hear him. He knew there was someone she cared about from her letters, though she hadn't mentioned him by name.

"Yes. So you do read my letters?" Tayla teased, knowing full well that he did.

"At least twice, sometimes more depending on how eloquent they are," Arthur replied smiling. She did write the most interesting letters.

"What about you? How many times do you read mine?" Arthur asked.

"At least three, depending on how many training session descriptions you put in," Tayla replied. "What about my last one, has that arrived yet?" she asked.

"This morning, haven't had a chance to read it yet."

"Really, have you had a busy day?" Tayla asked cheekily. He smiled, it was good to hear her voice getting stronger.

"Well I was going hunting but ended up getting involved in a fight with raiders and had to save a Princess. That has taken up most of the day. We're here," Arthur said as they walked through the door into her chambers. Tayla raised her head and a gasp slipped from her lips as she looked and saw the room was filled with flowers of all different colours.

"Oh Arthur, it is beautiful," Tayla said smiling back at him, delight filling her face and obscuring any pain that was on it. She really had grown into a beautiful woman over the last three years since he had seen her last.

"Wasn't me, Merlin did it," Arthur replied, though agreeing whole heartedly with her. Merlin had done an outstanding job, though how he had managed it so quickly he wasn't sure.

"Merlin, thank you," Tayla said to Merlin as they passed by him.

"Can't take all the credit, it was Arthur's idea and Sir Tristan told me you like different colours," said Merlin, obviously pleased that she had like it so much, as Arthur noted a huge smile on his face and, well, was that a blush?

Arthur laid Tayla gently on the bed and covered her with the blankets. She smiled her thanks as she tried to get comfortable without causing herself too much pain.

"Do you need anything?" Arthur asked her, standing next to the bed.

"Actually Arthur, I am quite hungry and I am sure Tristan is too," Tayla replied, looking over at Tristan who nodded his agreement.

"Merlin, would you mind getting them something to eat please," Arthur asked Merlin, who left immediately to see to it, still unsettled about this polite version of Arthur that the Princess seemed to bring out.

Tristan moved over to be beside Tayla, and Arthur moved to give them a few moments of privacy, whilst he had a word to Gwen.

"Guinevere, any ideas how Merlin pulled this off so fast?" Arthur asked her, looking around at all the flowers. A smile came across Gwen's face as she replied, "I believe that one of the gardener's daughters has a crush on Merlin. Perhaps he might have used that to his advantage."

"I must remember that," Arthur replied looking at her. She looked back at him and for a brief moment, they both forgot everything else. There was a knock on the door. Gwen walked over to open it and Morgana walked past her into the room.

"Tayla, I am sorry I could not wait for you to call, but I was so worried," Morgana said as she walked over to Tayla's bedside. Tristan stepped back to allow Morgana to reach down and gently hug Tayla.

"Morgana, it is so wonderful to see you again. I was going to send for you shortly. Merlin is just getting Tristan and I something to eat. Oh, I am sorry. Tristan, this is the Lady Morgana, Morgana this is Sir Tristan." Tayla said, introducing them. Morgana smiled at the handsome knight.

"Sir Tristan, a pleasure to meet you." Morgana held out her hand.

"Lady Morgana, the pleasure is all mine," Tristan replied, taking her hand and gently kissing it. He released it and stepped back, walking over to the table and taking a seat, giving Morgana and Tayla some space.

"He is cute," Arthur heard Morgana whisper to Tayla as Morgana sat down gently on the bed. He saw Tayla smile and blush, and he looked at Gwen, wondering if she thought the same thing.

"Yes, my Lord?" Gwen said, looking at him. Arthur shook his head and wondered for a moment if he had actually asked her that rather than just thought it. No, he hadn't. She was looking at him confused, not as if she was answering a question.

"Nothing Gunievere. I am sorry, it has been a busy day," Arthur said as he moved over to Tayla's bed.

"Will you be alright for a little while if I leave?" Arthur asked her.

"Of course, is everything okay Arthur?" Tayla asked him.

"Of course, I just think perhaps I should go and get cleaned up and changed, have something to eat as well."

"Will you come back and join us for some food then? If I remember correctly, the helpings from Camelot kitchens are most generous."

"I would be delighted Princess. I will see you soon." Arthur smiled at her, Morgana and Gwen and nodded to Tristan before leaving the room.