Relief flooded through the castle on hearing Arthur's fever had broken: no-one felt this more than Merlin, both for himself and due to the fact he was sensitive to the court's emotions. He was not allowed to see Arthur until later in the evening when he would be taking him his meal, if the Prince called for it. The amount of pacing he had done in waiting for the news, any news. All he wanted to do was go in and use his magic and that would be that, Arthur would be healed. Gaius would be the only one to know, nobody had to find out. One word was all it would take. Still, on hearing that Arthur was to make a full recovery Merlin seemed to feel the anxiety leave him in a flood through his veins. He had been requested at the King's side apparently for a familiar face, probably as he knew Merlin was as concerned for Arthur as he was. When the news came that Arthur was well, Uther stopped barking orders for ten minute updates from his confidantes and simply became quiet on the matter, probably drained from his worry.

Gaius had paid him a visit with some calming draught and left Théa in charge of the Prince once again. Arthur was lucid and highly confused about how he had managed to faint himself into his bedroom. Once Théa had explained what went on, conveniently missing out the detail that she helped his recovery, Arthur had settled and the two appeared to be on friendly terms. Théa had readied a special mix for him, a combination of fruit and herbs which had been known to fend off fevers and aid a speedy recovery. Arthur looked highly doubtful that this might work but the girl had been good to him: out of sheer politeness he sampled the drink only to find that it was quite pleasant.

"I feel like someone has bashed in my skull...." he said with a grimace, having praised Théa for the mixture. Théa was not sure what to say to this - was it a lead for conversation? A simple observation? Sick of second-guessing herself Théa replied anyway and be damned what he thought.

"That will be the after-effects of the fever," she told him, cleaning out the water basin at his side. "You still have quite a temperature and the cold is still within you. With bed-rest and hot broth it should see you right within a week."

Arthur nodded, remaining quiet until he saw fit to speak again. The tightness of his muscles during his fever had taken hold of his throat and he was paying the price. "Has my father been alerted to Nimueh's return?"

Théa paused. "Not that I know of. The guards have not said a word to him, and I certainly never mentioned her during his questions." Satisfied with this answer Arthur lay back his head against the pillow but it did not seem that Théa was quite as easy to accept. "Who is Nimueh?"

The Prince looked at her in surprise but it didn't come across in his voice. "She is a very powerful sorceress - she has been an enemy of Camelot and my father for years." And then he remembered. "What did she do to you?"

His question was said in great concern but Théa knew there was also an underlying interest in his query. The trauma of it did not sit well with Théa, and she had been keen to forget the incident ever happened - and yet with Arthur beside her, so keen to know what happened, she could not refuse to answer. He did not know how deep her pride ran, her refusal to allow such things to shake her - but her encounter with Nimueh had done just that. Arthur had been hurt too, and as he observed her she knew she owed him an explanation. "I do not know what spell she used or what her aim was... but I felt my life leaving me." Still he watched her, and Théa avoided his eye, admitting meekly - "I was terrified."

The Prince was touched by her confiding this in him, and so he returned her gesture quietly. "So was I."

Neither would have thought such an experience would unite or bond the two in such a small amount of time; as Théa finally raised her gaze to look at him, she and Arthur appeared to have gained a mutual respect for each other stretching beyond that of Prince and servant. Naturally neither of them voiced this realisation, but their small smiles said all they needed to.

"You're awake!"

Merlin appeared at the door with a bright smile and a tray of food. Though he disturbed their bonding moment they didn't seem to mind and Théa wrapped up the towel for the basin ready to leave whilst Merlin approached the bed. "I bring gifts from the kitchen. They're all really pleased your fever broke so quick..."

Arthur shifted on his pillows. "That was pure luck. My Uncle succumbed to fever, there was an equal chance I would too..."

"Let's not think about that, shall we? Here, eat... it'll get your strength up," he said, and placed the tray on Arthur's lap expectantly.

Théa observed their exchange with a chuckle and spoke when there was a gap. "Gaius will be back shortly. I'd eat everything you can and don't forget to finish that tonic..." Théa shot him a small smile and gave the same to Merlin as she left. "I wish you would do similar for me. Gaius' food leaves a lot to be desired."

Merlin smiled in acknowledgement and bid her farewell then turned his attention to Arthur who was eyeing the platter with a curious stare. He still looked flushed and under the weather but anything better than at death's door would sit well with Merlin. Though he started off quite bright his thoughts soon turned serious. "Your father says he will visit you later on. Are you going to tell him about Nimueh?"

Arthur played with the soup infront of him, stirring the broth with his spoon. "It seems inevitable that I will. I have to. I cannot keep it from him it is my duty to alert him to any dangers which may befall Camelot."

As Merlin hummed in understanding he still looked sceptical. Arthur's original concerns were still resonating in his head and they certainly still stood - Uther may be sent into an uncontrollable spiral if he realised Nimueh was back yet Arthur may leave the city vulnerable to attack if he witheld the information. It seemed that Arthur's train of thought was veering along different lines.

"You were there, Merlin - why did Nimueh stop? What sent her away?"

"Can't tell you," replied the warlock with a shrug, hoping to seem genuinely at a loss. Arthur didn't press it though he obviously suspected something was amiss.

"Can't or won't?"

Caught off guard by this Merlin had to steady his reactions. "All I know is that when I opened the door she saw me and left. I don't know why she stopped. She could have thrown me across the room and carried on."

Arthur gave a small guffaw then turned quite grave as he finally raised his spoon to eat. "That's what worries me," he said thoughtfully, causing Merlin to fall quiet once more.