Arthur had told himself that today would be the day that he would put his mind at rest and find out if Alethea was really back in Camelot or if it was someone else who had taken her place, but this was not to be the case. After a hectic morning filled with making sure that all of Camelot was back in one piece, Arthur had turned to persuading the men from the tournament to stay and join the Knights of Camelot. Now that had taken some doing but a few actually agreed to stay and as noon came, a tired and thirsty Arthur headed towards his room, only to be ran into by Alethea. Arthur wondered what she was doing, until he realised that she was crying. Going to her room, he saw his servant lying on the floor looking very much worse for the wear. It seemed he had taken a bad fall. Almost instantly he sent for Gaius and then, as the physician tended to his servant, Arthur led Alethea away, persuading her that everything was going to be alright.

As they ended up in the forest, Arthur smiled as he reassured her that Merlin would be fine, even if he himself didn't believe it. He sensed that this wasn't the real reason why she was upset though. She must have been worrying about home, and so Arthur decided to let her know what he was thinking. He knew that their relationship had been doomed from the start, and he knew that there was nothing left to keep her here in Camelot. He understood that she would soon get frustrated with the lack of technology, even if she didn't, and that one day she would want to go home. She had been through so much here in this Kingdom, but Arthur knew that she would never survive. She was too different. She had grown up in a world that was very much different to this one, and Arthur knew that she would always yearn to go back. No matter how much he wanted her for his own, he knew that if he kept her here then she would be like a caged bird. She would be trapped and not have the ability to fly. Arthur knew deep down in his heart that he never wished to see her like this and so, he made one of the most difficult decisions that he had to make. He decided that eventually he would have to let her go. All too soon in fact, so why didn't they make the most of what time they had left?

Returning to the castle, they checked in on Merlin and Arthur found his servant to be fast asleep. What he didn't now was that Merlin had been muttering in his sleep, nor did he know that his injuries didn't fit the story. Arthur wouldn't discover these until it was much later, and when it would be just too late. Taking Alethea too his room for a chat, he let her sit on the bed as he poured out some drinks. When he turned back around, however, he found Alethea to be asleep. Smiling, Arthur wrapped a blanket around her and gently kissed her forehead before letting her sleep. He hadn't seen her sleep since before she had left, and even then he hadn't seen her sleep so peacefully. Mind you, having had a very sharp piece of metal shoved through her didn't exactly mean a peaceful sleep now, did it? Sighing, Arthur simply stayed where he was and watched as she slept.

A few hours or so must have passed by before Merlin appeared. Arthur had just been about to doze off when his servant arrived, looking very much worse for the wear. Arthur jumped to his feet and went over to Merlin, who was shaking and holding onto the door for support. He looked like he had only just woken up, so why was he here? Surely he wasn't that stupid? Or was he? Arthur waited for his servant to speak.

"Arthur…I need to tell you something…"

"What?"

"It's urgent."

"Then spit it out."

"It's…I don't know how to say it…"

"Merlin, just tell me what it is that is so important." Arthur snapped.

"Alethea…She isn't Alethea."

"What?" Arthur asked feeling rather confused.

"Alethea is actually Nimueh in disguise. I didn't fall. She used her magic against me."

"I don't know where you've got that from, but Alethea is here. She wouldn't harm a fly."

"You've got to trust me Arthur. She's Nimueh. She's back for revenge and has the real Alethea tied up. In fact, the real Alethea is dead."

"Merlin, Merlin, Merlin… You've had a knock to the head. I suggest you go and get some rest. Then you can report to me in the morning."

"But Arthur…"

"I don't know what you've been dreaming, but this Alethea" Arthur nodded to the sleeping figure lying on his bed "is the Alethea I rescued and said goodbye to. She's back. Nimueh has gone. Now go and get some rest."

"But…"

"Merlin." Arthur said sternly as he went to close the door. His servant sighed and began to head down the corridor whilst Arthur leant against the wooden door. Casting his eyes onto Alethea, he couldn't help but wonder if this girl was the one he had first met. She had certainly changed since he had first met her, even more so since she had returned. Surely one journey didn't do that much to a person, did it? Slouching to the floor, Arthur stayed sat where he was, his mind a bundle of thoughts. Was the girl who was currently sleeping on his bed actually his enemy? It would make sense, but why choose him? And if Merlin was right then… Then Alethea was dead. It was just as well that he could hold on to hope.

Arthur looked at Alethea. She seemed to be every bit the girl he first met, but could magic really be that powerful to transform one's form into another? Arthur didn't know. Getting to his feet, Arthur went to the door, wondering whether he should go and apologise for yelling at his servant. After all, it wasn't exactly Merlin's fault for getting a knock to the head and having some sense knocked out of him, although it should really have knocked some sense into him. Something held him back though. Something in his mind would not let him leave Alethea alone. He knew it was probably because of what he associated with her sleeping on his bed, but he didn't want to leave her. Going over to the mantle, he stoked the fire and put on another log, what Merlin should have done, keeping away from the sparks that came from it. He then went over to the table where he found her pendant. Picking it up, he looked at it. Crafted in the future, it looked like it had been made in his time. COuld dragons really have existed in her proper time? Or were they just the stuff of legends? He had never found out and she always liked to avoid the subject.

A little while later Alethea woke. Sitting up and stretching, she looked at Arthur with tired eyes.

"Sorry." she apologised, looking rather embarassed. Arthur just smiled.

"Don't worry about it. Have a nice sleep?"

"I did." she said, getting to her feet and going over to him. "How long have i been gone for?"

"About an hour, two hours... Not too long."

"Don't worry. It wasn't your conversation, it was just..."

"It's alright. You were tired."

"Oh…" There was silence for a few minutes before Arthur finally spoke.

"Anyway, I've got something for you."

"You have?" She asked, surprised. Arthur smiled as he stepped closer to her.

"Don't sound too surprised will you?" He laughed as he looked into her eyes. They had been green but now… They were more blue than green. How was that so? Unless Arthur's memory was faulty... Hmm.

"Sorry."

"Close your eyes." She smiled slightly and did so. "And hold out your hand." Arthur smiled as he placed the pendant on her palm. Time to find out the truth.

"You found it?" She asked surprised but with a wide smile on her lips.

"I did. It was in the clearing once you'd gone."

"I thought I'd lost it forever. Thank you Arthur. What would I do without you?" Arthur didn't know that she had known about the necklace. She had known that Alethea had lost it and so wasn't too puzzled when he handed it over. Arthur physically relaxed. Merlin had been wrong after all. He did have the real Alethea back after all and Nimueh was still far away.

"I don't know." he smiled, not daring to let himself finish that sentence by saying 'but you'll have to soon.' She still held it in her palm, smiling slightly. She seemed genuinely happy to have been given it back. Moving her hair out of the way, she took either end of the chain and tried to do it up, but she struggled to do so.

"Here, let me." The Prince said, taking the chain and pendant and doing up the fastening around her neck. His hands then moved from her neck and down her waist to meet her own hands. Unable to resist, his lips met her skin and soon found her lips as she turned around. Alethea seemed to tense at first but soon softened. It didn't go unnoticed, but Arthur decided that he'd taken her by surprise. Of course it would be her natural reaction. Breaking off, Alethea smiled at Arthur whilst Arthur refused to let go of her.

"Let me go..."

"No." He said playfully, a smirk forming on his lips.

"Arthur..." Alethea said, one eyebrow raised.

"No."

"Am I your prisoner now?"

"No."

"Is that all you can say?"

"No." Alethea laughed whilst Arthur just smiled.

"Shall I stay then?"

"Yes."

"Very well. How can I refuse? You have me, my Prince." Arthur just smiled.

They ate food in Arthur's room that evening, spending most of the time chatting and happily getting to know each other more properly. Arthur had no idea if he was finding out about the real Alethea or not, but decided not to worry him too much. He'd find out soon enough. Escorting her back to her chambers later that evening, Arthur wished her a good night before returning to his room. Unable to sleep, he wondered just exactly what was going on. Was the girl he'd spent this evening with the same girl who had landed in the middle of the courtyard a few months ago? Or was she the self same person who wanted nothing but Camelot's demise? He was still unsure and knew that he probably would not find out until it was too late.

It was early the next morning when he went to see Merlin to give him the day off. There would be no way that he could work well in his state. Going as quickly as he could, Arthur found his servant in the physicians quarters. Gaius seemed to have been expecting him.

"Where's Merlin?"

"Resting. Is there anything I can help you with?"

"No. At least, I don't think so. Has Merlin said anything about Alethea?"

"You won't like it."

"Why?"

"He reckons that she is Nimueh in disguise."

"Does he say how long has she been like that?"

"No." Arthur sighed. Could he really have fallen in love with a sorceress in disguise?

"Since she returned." said Merlin, appearing in the doorway. "A few days, that is all. She showed me the real Alethea though. I'm so sorry Arthur."

"No… Alethea is alive. She has to be."

"I… Arthur, why are you here?"

"Because you told me that Nimueh has taken over Alethea. If that is so then Camelot is in danger."

"You want to know of the threat?"

"Yes…. No. I want to know if the girl that is currently sleeping in her room is the Alethea I first met or the sorceress intent on my destruction."

"Then I'm afraid that there's nothing we can do to help you." said Gaius, clapping his hands together.

"Nothing?" Arthur asked, a bit put out. He'd thought that if there was anyone in the kingdom who could help him put his mind at rest that they would be Gaius and Merlin. It would seem that they couldn't.

"No."

"Then can you tell me just this one thing…"

"Yes?"

"Is it possible for sorcerors to change their shape?" Arthur asked, more to the physician than to Merlin.

"I do not know... I think that if their magic is powerful enough then yes, but I'm not too sure."

"Could you have a look for me?"

"Of course, but it will take time."

"Then let me know if you find anything. Meanwhile, Merlin you are to take the day off and rest. I can't have you doing yourself any more injury. Rest up and I'll see you at work tomorrow." Merlin looked at Arthur as if the Prince had something stuck to him. "What?"

"Who are you and what have you done with the Prince?" Arthur looked at him and then laughed at the same time as Merlin.

"I'll see you tomorrow."

"Be careful."

"And you." And with that, Arthur left the physicians quarters and headed to the courtyard. His mind buzzed with thoughts still. He hadn't managed to settle his mind and it rather unnerved him. He could do with finding out whether it was Nimueh in the castle sooner rather than later. Could Merlin really be right? Was Alethea really Nimueh? And if so, was the Alethea he fell in love with actually dead? Unable to push these from his mind, he settled down to challenging one of his men to a quick sword fight for a bit of fun and to let himself forget the more pressing thoughts.