Sweat was dripping from Morgana as she sat bolt upright in her makeshift bed, gasping as the visions from her nightmares continued to play in her mind. Her breaths came in short sharp movements and for a moment she forgot that she was not at home. Her limbs ached from sleeping on stone, her skin was pale and her hair stuck to her shoulders. Clinging at the covers which were the only thing saving her from the cold she took a moment to calm herself and survey her surroundings - only to find Nimueh standing in the corner, observing her with a particular glint in her eye.

"What did you see?"

Morgana instantly shrank back but her voice was strong. "I don't know what you mean..."

Nimueh was unperturbed. "You may not realise the full benefit of your gift Morgana, but I do. What did you see?"

Inwardly recoiling, Morgana knew the best thing to do was tell the truth... but not in its entireity. "It was just a dream... Camelot was on its knees... Uther was sick..." Morgana paused. "I saw a woman die..."

Nimueh seemed satisfied and smirked, sitting up from the perch in the corner and moving towards the door. "You prove yourself more useful by the day, my lady. Try and get some more sleep. I am not done with you yet." And with that, Morgana was once again left alone.

Camelot had been an uneasy place to live in recent weeks. The King's decisions had not only begun a rift within the kingdom but the threat of Nimueh hanging over everyone's heads was beginning to take its toll. Though they were doing their best to keep up their spirits, Morgana's disappearance had filtered through to the commoners of Camelot. Several days had passed since she'd gone. Many were thinking her decision to leave was the right thing to do. Others believed it was Uther's doing, and some radicals suggested he had done away with her himself. Uther paid no attention to these remarks, but Arthur was unfortunately all ears where the voices of his people were concerned. He could no longer stand the shady looks, conspiratorial glances and sad gazes from those he passed in the city. He did not even know what to tell them to ease their worries, or clarify the dangers. With no explanation from the King Camelot was now unprepared, uninformed and in a limbo with no clear idea of what to do, and the weather was becoming worse in the deepening winter. Morgana had really chosen her time well, if her aim was to bring more dismay to the Castle's morale.

Merlin saw the immediate effects of Arthur's worry; having lived in the room beside the Prince's for several weeks now Merlin had begun to get more of a hold on his moods and reactions. His behaviour towards is manservant hadn't really changed but what he said had definitely become more personal. With what they'd been through together Merlin only supposed it was natural, but it had taken almost living together to get the full benefit from the friendship. Without seeing Gaius all the time anymore, Merlin had to confide in someone. Though it was true Arthur didn't always want to hear what Merlin had to say, when he did allow him to voice his thoughts it was always helpful. When Arthur did not, under any circumstances, want to associate with Merlin it was then the warlock turned to Gwen - who, in the wake of Morgana's leaving, needed a friend - and Théa, who was also alone being so new to the castle. All three were under strain, Gwen having nobody to tend to, Théa being a simple apprentice and Merlin still seen as the dimwitted dogsbody. Things were not improving - the arrival of a wounded guard on the Castle's doorstep was not a welcome omen and nobody seemed to know what had harmed him. He was in such a bad way that Uther did not see any point in administering treatment, as Gaius was simply asked to make him comfortable - a request which did not sit well with Théa.

As Arthur approached Gaius' workshop it was with a heavy heart: he meandered aimlessly towards the doors but the sound of voices prevented him from making his presence known at first.

"We have to help him, Gaius..!"

"It is too dangerous. You must do as Uther asked, he would grow suspicious if the guard suddenly improved..."

"I don't care."

"Théa..."

"I would rather endanger my own life and save his, than let him die knowing I could have helped him."

Gaius sighed as Arthur edged into the room. "You remind me so much of Merlin..."

"Is everything alright?"

The entrance of the Prince during their discussion caused Théa to change behaviour instantly. Gaius, on the other hand, did not seem too fussed that Arthur had interrupted. "Everything is fine, just teacher student issues...." Théa glared at him. "What can I do for you, Arthur?"

Not completely buying Gaius' explanation Arthur still proceeded without queston. "My father wanted to know how he is doing - to see if we have to make arrangements."

The three turned their attention to the guard who was lying bleeding on the sofa in the corner of the room. He was incredibly quiet and not voicing his pain though he was clearly suffering. His skin was pale - the only motion he had was his breathing. Gaius seemed rather sad and even Théa's temper quelled somewhat.

"He is still alive, is all I can tell you," Gaius replied ruefully, but it was clearly too much for Théa who picked up a bundle of cloths and went to make a sharp exit.

"I should go and wash these. Please excuse me, my Lord..." she said breezily, rushing past him looking set to burst she was so upset. Arthur turned as she left, frowning slightly. Rather than comment on her behaviour, the Prince seemed perplexed about something else.

"I keep telling her to call me Arthur," he said with a frown.

Gaius shrugged with a small smile. "Théa is not one to forget her social position... she does not want to seem over familiar in case she is not welcome. Such is the life of a traveller, I suppose."

"She proved she was welcome when she saved my life. I cannot argue with that," said Arthur, and moved further into the room. Gaius was quick to perceive that something was not right about the young man though he was clearly reluctant to confide in the physician. Finally, after a long pause, Gaius approached the subject.

"Is there anything more troubling you, Arthur?" he asked, watching him closely. When Arthur checked himself a few times he eventually confessed what he was really there for.

"I... would like to request a sleeping draught - the cold in my room is preventing me from sleeping."
"Of course," Gaius nodded, and went to fetch a bottle full without further questions. Arthur, however, seemed to want to answer those that went unasked.

"I think I might be getting a chill... it's giving me these... I keep having these strange dreams, like a warning. I feel like..." he paused with a sheepish look, "I feel like Camelot is talking to me... it's like the fever's coming back."

Gaius merely blinked. "Have you told anyone else of this?"

"No..."

"Not even Merlin?"

Arthur laughed. "Merlin? Lord, no, he would have a field day with me. I would never hear the end of it and he'd throw me straight back in bed just in case.."

Handing him the bottle of sleeping draught Gaius nodded. "Well... to help I suggest you take two drops of this before you go to sleep.... but perhaps you should also try and talk to Merlin. He may be more understanding than you think."

Accepting the bottle quietly Arthur appeared to consider Gaius' words; of course being the Prince he did not show any weakness of will for long. In a matter of moments he had blinked and was once again the strong man who had entered the room. Giving a nod to Gaius he coughed slightly. "Thank you for this. If anything changes with him inform me immediately."

As soon as Gaius agreed Arthur left the workshop, leaving the physician with even more worries than he'd had before.