The furore caused by Arthur's faint was not worse than expected - though Merlin had instantly dismounted his horse to see to the Prince the palace officials emerged from the gates in a rush. Merlin was practically thrown to one side as Arthur was scooped up in one of the guard's arms and taken into the castle, avoiding the stares of the citizens who had gathered around. Uther's face looked white as he came out to meet them, the sight of his son carried limply towards him being one of his worst nightmares. As he spoke his voice shook despite his best efforts.

"Take him to his chambers.... keep him warm, send for Gaius immediately..." As Merlin went to follow on Uther grabbed his arm and prevented him from moving. "How did this happen?"

Merlin opened his mouth a few times before he answered. "It was the fog - it was a terribly cold night, my Lord, he refused Théa's help."

"Théa...?" Uther turned just as the woman in queston was scurrying through the front doors. Her cheeks were flushed and she looked panicked, hair falling over her face. "Go with Gaius immediately," ordered the King. "Make sure you do everything that is possible to help him... you do not stop until he is well, you understand?"

Théa nodded and sped off at once, Uther turning and barking orders at the knights who did as he wished. The fear which gripped Uther at this moment was unparalelled by anything he had felt before: it was the possibility of losing his son, the heir of Camelot, and to what? A fever which had crept upon him... Merlin sensed the King's distress but could do nothing for him. There seemed to be a pattern emerging as he stood alongside Uther, feeling as hopeless as ever.

Gaius placed a hand on Arthur's head as the Prince battled the fever in his sleep. Having been placed in bed to rest Arthur was showing no signs of improvement. His temperature was the highest it had been since he arrived and it concerned Gaius immensely that he had taken such a turn in a small amount of time. Théa stood at the opposite side of the bed, wringing out a cloth placed in warm water and casting the Prince the occasional worried look. This was her fault - she could have seen the signs earlier, helped him despite his insistance to refuse. If she had just chanced a quick tonic, anything, he might have been spared this illness.

Gaius at least had been kind enough to assure her she was not to blame. He knew all too well of Arthur's pride and insistance to serve others before himself. The door to the room opened and Morgana flew in like a whisp to Arthur's bedside the moment she saw him. Gwen was not far behind and the presence of the two women caused Théa to shrink back and allow them room.

"Arthur... how bad is he?"

With a sigh Gaius shrugged. "It is too early to tell but... he is not in a good way. I am doing my best but it is too soon for my attempts to take effect."

Though Morgana and Arthur had not been on the best of terms when he left to help the west borders, she put those quarrells aside for the sake of his wellbeing. There was no mistaking that she cared for his safety and no matter what words were exchanged between them. Gwen placed a hand on her arm in comfort. "He is a strong man, all he needs is quiet and rest and he will pull through this..."

"He'd better," said Morgana in a resolute tone, yet cast a nervous glance at Arthur's fretful condition in bed. "With a King like Uther Camelot needs all the help it can get..."

Without another word Morgana turned and left: in truth she could not bear to watch the Prince in such a state. Gwen remained at Gaius' side, watching Arthur with a sigh. Though Théa had barely been acknowledged until now, Gwen looked and offered her a smile. "This isn't a very good way to settle in, is it?" Théa didn't answer but quietly returned the smile and nodded. "You're doing a wonderful job." Gwen turned and left after Morgana before Théa could reply, and Gaius was secretly thankful. Once he had Théa's attention again he spoke quietly and discreetly, as if the walls were listening.

"If there is anything you can do for Arthur... as little as it may be... now might be the time to do it," he suggested airily, exchanging a significant glance before he placed a tonic bottle on the dressing table. "I do not expect him to instantly recover but he needs something to aid him before it is too late."

Though it may have seemed simple to anyone overhearing his instructions Théa understood the deeper meaning behind his words. Glancing at the Prince so helpless on the bed the responsibility was suddenly resting on her shoulders. A moment's pause and Théa nodded her head slowly. "I will do my best, Gaius."

The physician smiled. "That is all any of us can do. I will be back within the hour."

As soon as Gaius shut the Prince's bedroom door Théa felt terribly nervous. An incredible duty now rested upon her and though she could not fulfill it to the full, the little she had to do was still risky to undertake. While Arthur continued to fret in his uneasy slumber Théa built her courage and simply placed her hand on his forehead, hoping the action alone would help soothe his state.