"MERLIN!"

Merlin ran to the source of Arthur's shout immediately, leaping over several barrells which had been thrown on the floor. Arthur stood over a guard who had been savagely attacked; his clothes were iced, his face was almost blue and his breaths were shallow. Arthur's brow was furrowed in concern. "Do what you can to warm this man until Théa gets to him... I am going to see what supplies are left."

After sleeping for three hours the company had once again set off for the west hold, arriving just after daybreak. The fog lifted as they travelled allowing them to see the extent of the damage before they got there: the wood was smouldering and a large hole in one of the walls showed something had crashed with great impact into the side. Overlooking the green and frosted valleys below, once everyone had tethered their horses outside they had begun to assess the damage. The Prince had developed a cough during the night which disturbed Merlin: not just because it had woken him up during their minimal slumber but because it sounded wrong. He would never allow himself to be the subject of treatment, though - the men came first, he would be seen to once the guards were safe and that did nothing to calm Merlin's sleepy worries. Théa on the other hand, had awoken bright and more determined than ever. She was now fleeting around the wounded guards and giving orders to those who had travelled with them for various needs. It fascinated Merlin to watch her work, only having ever seen Gaius in his workroom concocting various potions and cures in a hope it would help. Théa had a far more hands-on approach which had not gone unmissed by Arthur. The change from the polite, demure newcomer to self-confident professional was fast and quite strange, at least to Merlin, who had found this transition a surprise to say the least. In a way it endeared her more to him: she wasn't just the polite face who spoke whe spoken to, but more the woman he had chatted with the day before this mess began.

Whenever Théa saw that she was out of the eyeline of the two men's sight she chanced a quick fix of her own unique brand of medicine before they turned back. Three men were now considerably better and warmer from her help, leaving five more to be treated. Whatever had attacked them the previous day had certainly not wanted to take any prisoners. The housing needed extensive repair and though the supplies were untouched the guards inhabiting the area were in no fit state to begin righting their quarters.

Arthur went to see Théa again when he had assessed the other men's conditions. "How is he?" he asked of the man she was currently attending.

"He will be fine," was all he got in return, the guard appearing to rouse and blink up at the Prince. Though his nose was blue, his face was becoming redder by the minute as Théa capped a small bottle and put it in the pocket of her robes. "Thank you.. thank you for your help, my lord..."

"It is not my doing but Théa's, Rhiad.. Get yourself well."

Théa had already moved on to the next guard who was lucid and speaking to Merlin but clutching his left arm. Arthur followed the apprentice's movements and began to speak to the man as she tended him. "Who attacked you?"

"We did not see them, sire... the fog covered the land, we only realised we were under attack until it was too LATE!...."

Théa had twisted the guard's arm so the shoulder was back in its socket. He hissed through his teeth and, looking satisfied, Théa moved on yet again. "Could you fetch some blankets for this man, my Lord...?"

"Call me Arthur, it saves time..." the Prince replied but headed off to do as she asked. Théa didn't allow herself to dwell on the fact she was now on personal terms with the King's son - instead she focused on the man who was the worst of the others whilst Merlin gave those he was responsible for some warm water. Both were choosing to ignore Arthur's cough which was growing steadily worse. No doubt the smoke which rose from the small fire in the corner was not helping matters and irritating his chest. Merlin doubted whether he would ever listen to them.

Another half an hour settled most of the men down - another twenty after that and the defenses were once again stable enough to run. Bar a few severe casualties which would take more time to heal, Arthur was pleased with the outcome. Théa was now returning to those she helped and offering to massage them for a better chance of healing, something Arthur had never heard of before but he was intrigued to see the effects. Merlin was scanning the horizon from the window, the view fresh to him. There was the borer of Albion's west regions, across it - an unknown land. He was not the best geographer in the world and he wasn't about to pretend he knew who lived on the outskirts.

"We set out again in an hour." Arthur appeared behind him, Théa having asked for privacy. "I want to see that these men are capable of continuing with their duty before I return home."

"Will the King send more aid after we get back?" asked Merlin but it was met with a dull blink from the Prince.

"I can't say for certain. My only hope is they last the night."

"My Lord - " Arthur turned to a small but authoritive guard whose formerly stiff and bandaged arm was now free to move as he wished. "There is another fog approaching. I would suggest his highness ready the horses and leave as soon as possible."

Arthur frowned. "I will leave when I say we are ready to leave. And you are obviously not as injured as you professed to be before, why did you -"

"Arthur?" The Prince turned in answer to Théa's voice who was beckoning from the door of another room. "I need your help - he's gone worse."

As Arthur left, Merlin stood without purpose. He couldn't go and help, not wanted for this task and he simply surveyed the room aimlessly searching for something to do. The difference between this slight warlock and the large-framed, stocky guards was obvious and he felt quite inferior in their presence. Théa was helping people, Arthur was being his authoritive self - perhaps he had been right. Merlin wasn't needed, he should not have come.... but it wasn't long before he found purpose - the door to the other room suddenly slammed shut with a loud bang and a terrified scream immediately emitted from inside. Quick to act Merlin ran to the source of the cry as did the other men: a scuffle sounded from the other side of the door, panicking Merlin to the core. The room was completely cut off from the rest, but as they worked on prising the locks Merlin could hear someone speaking on the other side. "Move it faster, come on!" he cried, but it was in vain. Annoyed at the situation Merlin searched for another route, any way he could discover and help Arthur and his healer... a small hatch to the side of the room was where he went first, practically throwing himself into it and finding himself on the other side, within the enclosed four walls....

"Alach gremoridon ladaeama ethai..."

The words met him before the sight did: Arthur's annoyed shouts faded before him as Merlin set his feet on the floor, eyes on the woman pinning Théa to the wall by sheer force of mind. Arthur lay motionless, hopefully simply unconcious on the floor. Nimueh's hand was outstretched infront of her, gaze focused on her prey as the invisible binds which tied Théa to the wall seemed to tighten and her eyes were beginning to close. Bursts of violet energy were being extracted from Théa's mouth like her last breath and Merlin almost froze himself: the sight of the sorceress at such an unexpected moment doing such an inexplicable thing... He blocked Arthur's body from his vision, concentrated on the scene - a second before he spoke his words Nimueh's eyes shot to the warlock at her side in realisation but she was too slow to react to Merlin's instinct...

"Namirea!"

It was over in a flash. Nimueh was thrown to the wall, her own spell breaking sending Théa to the floor alongside the Prince. In shock and anger at the warlock's momentary victory the sorceress growled, prepared to strike once more - then disappeared in a swirl of her robes. The air in the room lifted, the guards burst through the door and Merlin finally exhaled the breath he had held so tightly in his lungs.

Both Théa and Arthur recovered from their ordeal without much harm. The guards found no trace of the sorceress and though they were all shaken by the appearance of Nimueh Arthur refused to dwell on this for too long. "She was obviously here for a reason we will not understand," he deduced, and ignored any further questions. This did nothing to help Merlin's worries: Arthur had taken a turn and he could tell by his eyes that he was not well. The Prince was unnaturally quiet and dismissive and Merlin couldn't stand not to know what he was thinking. Although Théa was too weak to aid the injured any further she remained high-spirited and refused to allow Merlin or anyone else to fuss around her. Arthur had personally made sure that she was not terribly hurt and once he had been satisfied he had once again disappeared into himself. They had accomplished their task of stablizing the hold until further help could be organised by the King. Arthur did not know what he would tell his father - the mere mention of Nimueh could send out an ongoing effect worse than before and it was all he could think about as the company rode back to Camelot. Of course he felt bad that he had not spoken to Merlin about what happened - in truth he was more curious as to how Nimueh had been thwarted but none of the men seemed to have a proper answer for him. . The fog which had threatened to hamper their return journey did not return yet Arthur's cough remained. Plaguing thoughts gave way to the heat which began to encompass his body. Keeping a close eye on his master Merlin only grew increasingly concerned for his health - concerns which proved to be founded a few hours later when, as the seven tired figures arrived Camelot, Arthur finally succumbed to the fever with overswept him and fainted, falling abruptly from his horse before the castle gates.