On this particular winter's night in Camelot the frost was not as thick on the ground. It was warmer than it had been, a welcome relief from the bitterness which had set the kingdom but it was not without the breeze which floated throughout the castle walls, whistling through gaps and waving the curtains. Merlin could not sleep. He had tossed and turned but although this bed was far warmer than the one he had in Gaius' quarters, there was still something to be said for what felt like home. The walls were not the same, the decorations definitely weren't the same - if he'd wanted a portrait of the Pendragon family he would have painted one himself. No, Merlin much preferred the sanctuary he had been in before, where the safety of Gaius was next door rather than the cocksure idiot who liked to act as his torturer by getting him up before the cockrel crowed. Being next door to the Prince had some advantages but what it had in ease, it lacked in privacy.

Giving up on sleep Merlin finally rolled out of his bed, scuffling his feet along the floor as he fetched his jacket and exited the room. A brisk walk in the night air would probably give him a chance to calm his mind and settle him down. He couldn't understand why he was unable to drop off but perhaps it had something to do with the couple of drinks he'd managed to swift at the feast. It had, after all, been an eventful day and he had deserved them but he had expected them to send him to sleep not prevent him from doing so. He walked for a while, snaking through the corridors until he was almost at the ballroom. Everything seemed to be topsy turvy after that afternoon. Though his group of friends now fell back into their places - Arthur being the dutiful Prince, Uther not having to worry about his ward, Gwen attending to Morgana - Merlin still felt awkward. He had been shifted from Gaius' care until the threat of magic ceased but if Nimueh wasn't found soon he looked likely to be Arthur's shadow for many years to come. It was something he did not wish to deal with. Not using magic was already taking its toll, his agonizing thoughts about whether a particular use was right or wrong could not be confided in anyone without him taking a trip to see Gaius, and even then there was no guarantee he'd be alone. Uther's anger about Nimueh had quietened in the wake of Morgana leaving but now she was back surely he would once again be looking for the sorceress - Merlin's chances of practicing and perfecting his craft were slipping away with every moment. He had helped save Théa and Arthur from Nimueh in the woods but that had been a necessity, and influenced by chance. Without the advantage of his powers Merlin felt absolutely useless... if only he could feel the magic again, do a small spell anything to flex his abilities...

Just as he was about to try and produce torchlight to lead the way, something caught his attention. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a figure sat on the windowledge, silhouetted against the dim moonlight which filtered through the panes as they stared out into the grounds. Merlin approached them quietly, only recognising them when he was closer.

"What are you doing up?"

Théa glanced around on hearing Merlin's quiet voice and on seeing him she smiled wearily. "Couldn't sleep. And you?"

"Same. I didn't see you leave the feast..."

"Oh, I left when Gaius decided he would rather boil his mixtures than listen to more flute music. Which was actually quite early on in the evening..."

"That sounds like Gaius," nodded Merlin. Perching next to her Merlin ignored the view from the window in favour of looking at the girl infront of him. "What kept you awake?"

"Gaius' snoring for one. I think the mead relaxed his throat a bit too much..." Knowing all too well that this was true, Merlin laughed along with her before she added in a very shy manner - "That, and... I'm scared of the wind.."

Merlin gave an exaggerated stare, not quite believing her for a moment. "You've braved all the elements travelling through the lands and you're scared of wind?"

Théa grimaced. "It's silly I know, but my grandmother always used to say that whenever the wind howled it was the voices of spirits desperate to come back and be heard... to tell their secrets from the grave and that those who the message was meant for could actually hear their words. It terrified me... Now whenever I hear even a little tiny whistle I get the shivers."

Though he was amused Merlin didn't laugh. Instead he smiled warmly at her, wondering about her family as if Théa had just suggested he meet them. His village had no old wives tales of that ilk to tell - but he did have a fear he could confide in her. Leaning across as if it was a grave secret, Merlin whispered - "I used to be scared of reeds."

Théa was not as gracious as Merlin had been and snorted a laugh immediately. On seeing Merlin's expression she tried to tone it down before repeating: "Reeds?"

"Yes, reeds!" said Merlin, looking embarassed. "They always rustled outside my home. My mother always told me there was nothing I should worry about but seeing them swaying outside..."

"You do realise reeds can't harm you?"

"Ah! Just as much as the wind can!"

"That is different!"

"Oh of course..."

"It is! There's a spookiness attached to my fear yours is just silly."

"Was silly."

"Same difference."

Merlin didn't retort but under his half frown/half smile he relented the argument by simply studying Théa's amused yet defiant expression. Their gazes connected for several moments, emotions shifting from amusement to something else as they shared the same thought. This was something which Merlin didn't recognise as being even remotely familiar. As a result he was left unsure of what to say, what to do, or even if he should be thinking of either. Before they could settle on how to break the silence it was broken for them, by the stifled yawns of a worse-for-wear Prince who was staggering back to his chambers. He spotted them right on cue, blinking wearily at the couple who he had only just spotted. Merlin inwardly cursed him.

"What are you two doing up?"

"Nothing." They said in unison, which made Arthur practically stop in his tracks.

"That is far too suspicious - come on Merlin, I need you in bed - we have a busy day tomorrow, all sorts of duties to be done... things.... stuff... get some sleep..."

Merlin got up from his place besides Théa and went to follow Arthur but not without turning to say farewell. "I'll see you tomorrow. I hope you manage to get some rest."

"You too."

Watching Merlin run off after his master Théa gave a sigh and looked back out of the window, watching the night roll by, continuing to shudder whenever the whistles of the wind passed her way.

_____________________________________________________________________

The visions were hazy at first, nothing that Morgana could understand. A large ball of light hovered over a casm of darkness, waiting - waiting until the darkness flooded through it and burst over the land. Someone raised their head and laughed. A man in robes hung his head and suddenly Camelot was burning... Uther lay crying, desperately clinging to the turrets of his broken castle, bloodied hand oustretched - Arthur was motionless on the ground and the people were fleeing. Though injured, Merlin crawled along the floor to a coughing Gwen, blood coming from her mouth as she was hunched over a stool for support....

It was now Morgana shot up in her bed, a loud cry echoing the emptiness of her room: except it wasn't quite empty. Standing in the shadows of the door was the figure of Nimueh, watching the other woman closely. The trademark smirk was on her face and her eyes narrowed as Morgana saw her, her panic dwindling.

"You saw Camelot destroyed."

Less of a question, more of a statement. Morgana had no idea how she knew, but her mouth was too dry to form an answer. The nod she received was all Nimueh needed as confirmation. "How intriguing. Was the healer alive?"

The ward tried to lick her lips. "I did not see her." Nimueh said nothing but continued to stand. Morgana was growing increasingly unnerved by her presence and wanted her to leave but the longer she was staying there the more Morgana's questions mounted. "Why am I dreaming of Camelot burning? With Uther dead you leave this Kingdom alone, arson wasn't part of the deal..."

"I do not have any intention of sending a fire across Camelot - my only wish is to purify the land and that begins with Uther's death, the fire is a mystery to me."

"As you keep saying - but Théa is the first to die, isn't she? How many more afterwards? How many more lives do we need to take before Uther is killed"

"As many as it takes." It was clear Nimueh grew impatient and she stepped forwards towards Morgana's bed. "You knew the price when you agreed to the bargain - Camelot's prosperity comes when Uther is dead and any who would keep him alive must perish for the cause. I think being back in the castle has made you weaker..." Still the sorceress moved steadily forwards, Morgana shrinking away. "Your will amongst your friends is diminishing. How could you possibly betray them now, when they are so glad to see you return?"

"You know nothing of my friends..." spat Morgana but with a gesture of Nimueh's hand the ward was silenced against her will.

"I know the effect they have on you. I also know that what you see is true, that you are strong and that if you were to tell your loved ones of your visions they would tell you you were mad or send you to Uther. The gift you possess is more than they could understand. They have shunned you in the past, said it's just a dream, and have made no mention when it has come to pass. They would not believe you - and they would certainly not agree with your plight to save the Kingdom. What happened to that fire they quell in you now? What happened to your will to battle for your people? Uther may have been happy to see you, ward, but your reunion will be short lived. If purging the land of magic means destroying even the slightest chance of sorcery, be it with a man, woman, child, even you he will do it without a second thought for its greater consequence - yet here you lie, questioning whether the sacrifice of one healer's life, a healer who could be the undoing of our success, is a just one?"

Morgana was at last released from her silence, the invisible vice on her mouth having lifted when Nimueh finished. "You are here now - why don't you just go kill Uther yourself?"

"I am not as solid as I may look," said Nimueh, and her image wavered to emphasize this. "I am also restricted in what I might do. There is a bigger task for me to complete. That is why you are key to this, Morgana..."

The heat rising in Morgana's chest was almost unbearable. What Nimueh had said was right and the absolute terror at what her task was to be was now ebbing away. Morgana was almost resigned to the fact she would have to take risks - but perhaps she could bend the rules. "I will get rid of Théa," she agreed, "but not by murder."

Nimueh began to stalk away, her mission completed. "Do it however you please. Just make sure she is out of the city before she and the Prince realise just how close their paths lie together..."

And with that the image of Nimueh was gone, leaving Morgana in the darkness of her room.