Arthur had listened to Merlin rabbit on about various aspects of the castle for five minutes now. It seemed like five years but he had no idea how to stop him and approach the subject he had wanted to begin in the first place. It had started with a simple "how are you today?" and after the shock of being asked this by his master Merlin had more than happily obliged and gone on... and on.. to do his best to answer. Athur had considered Gaius' words carefully from the previous day and having agreed that it was worth a try he was now paying the price. He sat, staring into the space infront of him with the occasional glance at Merlin in the hope he was going to catch his breath. He bit his lip as he mulled over the best way to shut him up.

"Of course Gwen told him not to do it - he's such an idiot, I don't know why he wanted to take that horse in the first place. He's got a horrid knee now. I am sorry about that guard as well. Théa didn't seem too happy about it either, I think she thought she could have done more..."

A pause! "Yes, well..."

"Come to think of it I don't know how she could have done anything more... if Gaius couldn't heal him then.."

"Merlin...." Merlin snapped his mouth closed and Arthur had his full attention. "Whilst I appreciate your enthusiasm to bore me to death, I wanted to speak to you about something else."

Merlin nodded. "Anything..."

God, this was humiliating. Arthur did not want to continue now he had finally got somewhere but nevertheless he knew it would help in the long run. Taking a breath he finally began. "Since Morgana left you probably know how strenuous the atmosphere in Camelot has been. I've been under a lot of pressure from my father to find her, and the people are looking to me for answers I cannot give them. I have not been sleeping too well, just yesterday I asked Gaius for a draught to help me but he told me to confide in you..." Merlin did not say anything but looked rather touched that Arthur had taken Gaius' advice. Arthur continued. "When I manage to sleep I've been having dreams... very strange ones, as if Camelot is screaming at me. It's like the fever is coming back, but I feel no illness. I am, in myself, fine and fit but the way in which these dreams come to me - it is like I am drowning in a sea of heat and these images just..." He stopped, looking at Merlin who was, apparently, hanging on his every word. Arthur realised he had shown weakness and tried to distract. "What do you think? I know you are into these mystical things and as much as I hate to admit it you are mostly right..."

Merlin looked perplexed - about the fact that Arthur was seeing things in his sleep and that he'd sort of paid him a compliment. He took a moment to mull it over before answering him, stepping forwards with a shrug. "It might be that someone's trying to communicate with you? Give you a warning.... I don't know who or why but it's a possibility."

Arthur stood from his chair with a great sigh and began to walk to the window. After thinking it through he shook his head. "That makes no sense. Someone wants to communicate with me? I do not reign this Kingdom. I can have little effect on the way things are..."

"But you will run the Kingdom, and then you will have more influence than ever," countered Merlin, walking to where the Prince stood peering out of the panes. "Perhaps it is someone trying to give you warning, to show you something. Uther would not be so open as to receive such things but perhaps they know you would listen."

Though Arthur knew this to be plausible it was still too much for him to conceive. A person of magic would have little use for him, surely - and the dreams did not feel like Merlin described. "As much as this would not surprise me with the way things are today, I do not think that is our answer."

Merlin seemed disappointed that he hadn't helped, but voiced his other thoughts refusing to give up. "Well it might simply be because you care so much about Camelot that your worries are manifesting this way." A curious glance from Arthur told him to continue, which he did quickly. "Everything is obviously on your mind, you have the weight of the world on your shoulders. Finding Morgana, defending your father, riding out every day to search for Nimueh... I don't claim to be an expert, but if you haven't been sleeping you're going to feel the effects eventually. Maybe this is one of them. If it is then all you need is room to breathe and a moment to yourself."

It was a moment before Merlin's words sunk in. Arthur looked at him with an unreadable expression then began to nod ever so slightly. Incredibly, what he said made sense. Arthur had felt like he was failing his Kingdom - so much so he had not been able to sleep. Now - now it all seemed to click into place. "Thank you, Merlin," he said quietly, with genuine warmth, but he could not resist adding something with a sideways glance: "You're not as dumb as you look."

With a good-natured laugh Merlin shrugged and started speaking but something seemed to have caught Arthur's attention in the grounds. "I have my moments, I'll admit. I'm glad I could help you, though. It was nice that you thought of..."

"Morgana?"

Merlin blinked. "I was going to say me... but.."

Without warning Arthur spun from the window and practically raced out of his room leaving Merlin quite surprised and very much alone. Voices began to raise from the castle and from the court below and as Merlin turned to spy on what Arthur had seen himself his eyes widened. Dressed in red and walking slowly through the castle gates was Morgana, the same as the day she left with no sign she had been out in the cold winter months. Her head was held high in pride and she paid no attention to the eyes which were watching her every move. It was Merlin's turn to utter her name and rush out of the room in shock, following in Arthur's footsteps down through the castle and out to meet her. Her greeting from the Prince was far from welcome as he stormed down the steps past Gwen, who had been incredibly happy to see her friend once more.

"Where have you been?" Arthur demanded. "Have you any idea the hell you've put us through?"

Morgana gave him a sneer. "Nice to see you too, Arthur..."

"I have searched every day for you, my men have spent every waking hour looking in the forests and you expect to return without challenge?"

"Arthur!" Gwen pleaded but Morgana interrupted.

"I have realised the error of my ways and come to ask Uther's forgiveness."

Arthur laughed coldly. "That makes a change! What a surprise that you find life isn't as nice outside in the cold. What a surprise that you come back here expecting us to greet you with open arms...!"

"That will do, Arthur."

Uther stood at the top of the steps, watching their exchange. Arthur fell silent instantly and stepped back so the King had a path to his ward, giving Morgana an icy glare. As Uther descended towards her Merlin appeared behind, skidding to a halt. The crowd which had gathered in the wake of her return hushed their voices in anticipation of their reunion. Morgana herself appeared to be nervous but Merlin suspected it was not only for the unpredictability of the King's actions. Once stood infront of her, Morgana watched him with a clenched jaw. She prepared herself for anything he might do to her... but not this...

"I am glad you are safe," Uther said softly, placing his hands on her arms in a loving gesture and even smiled at her. Relief flooded through those gathered around but Arthur was clearly not as impressed as the others. Raising his head to address those close by, Uther called; "Tonight we will feast in celebration of Lady Morgana's return to Camelot!" As the crowd cheered in approval he once again lowered his voice to speak to her. "Come with me."

With one hand now placed around her back Uther began to lead her back into the castle, Gwen grinning at her ladyship and curtseying in politeness as they passed. Merlin made way for them to walk by and he was smiling but something did not sit well with him. Morgana smelt different, appeared different though to everyone else she was just the same. Arthur had given up and had refused to follow his father, instead marching to the stables to see to his horse so Merlin couldn't share his thoughts with anyone.