Chapter One:

Merlin stared at the protective shield he'd apparently created whilst he was asleep. He thought back to his dream and that moment when he'd pushed the cold away, but couldn't remember saying any words at the time. He thought he knew the spell he'd cast and, if he was correct, it was quite an advanced one. However, now that he'd formed it, it didn't seem to be taking much effort to maintain – which was a relief.

He was shocked out of his contemplation by the sudden question as to why his magic had been needed at all. He found it difficult to get out of bed initially as the sheets were stiff with ice but, once he had managed that, he put his feet into his boots, only to find that they were frozen onto the floor and he couldn't move at all. More annoyed than concerned, he put his hand towards his shoes and muttered a warming spell. At the same time he adjusted his shield, hugging it close to his body whilst allowing it to intrude a little into the world so that his clothes wouldn't freeze. It was a strange sensation. He could sense the cold around him but felt perfectly warm himself.

Merlin started to run out of the room but, just as quickly ended up on his backside, slipping on the icy floor of his chambers. With a grumble and a few choice swear words he'd picked up from being around a certain couple knights, he got up and proceeded more cautiously, allowing his shielded boots to melt the ice at every step. He pushed open his door, which creaked even more than usual; splinters of ice falling onto the floor, and saw the still form of the physician huddled under the covers of his little bed. Merlin abandoned all caution and moved faster, fear suddenly creating a different type of chill in his bones.

"Gaius," he cried with a low moan. He allowed himself to slide to a halt on the icy floor and knelt down in front of his mentor's face. He looked like Arthur had in his dream; hair, face and eyelashes caked in sparkling white ice, his face screwed up and frozen blankets pushed up against his chin. Without thinking Merlin put a hand out and started to form the words of the warming spell.

Then he stopped.

He remembered the time of the magical plague when Gaius had told him that there was no point just curing one person, and that it was no good using magic until he knew what was causing it. He had ignored him then, cured Gwen's father and ... look how badly that had turned out. If the ice was going to kill Gaius, then he was already dead and warming him up would not help. As this was quite obviously a magical frost then it was possible that his mentor was still alive and, if that were the case, might he just be safer by remaining frozen?

Merlin stood up and walked towards a wall, his eyes searching the cobwebs that he'd noticed yesterday. There in the centre of the largest one was a small, still spider - frozen solid. The boy pulled a face as he contemplated his plan. "Sorry if this doesn't work," he said to the creature and, raising a hand towards the web and said the words of the warming spell. The spider suddenly came alive and moved quickly along the line of the web and then, just as quickly, slowed. A few moments later it was stationary and obviously frozen again. Merlin repeated the warming spell but the creature didn't move – now quite obviously dead.

Thank goodness he hadn't tried that on Gaius. It seemed the spell was indeed keeping him alive and if he woke up to this cold he would quickly die of exposure.

Unless, of course, Merlin could protect the old man with a shield. He thought that would be possible but, right now, there were more important things to consider. He had to find out just how far this curse had spread, how many people were affected, who or what had caused it and why it had been cast in the first place.

He reluctantly left Gaius and went in search of answers. Every part of the palace was ice. Snow drifted down the corridors, icicles hung from the ceilings and statues. The stone walls glistened and sparkled. Merlin opened the door to Arthur's chambers with effort and was now not at all surprised by the sight that greeted him. Because of his dream he had half expect to see the prince standing by the fire, but instead, he was in his bed as if asleep and had curled himself up into a ball, trying to stay warm as the cold had seeped into his body. Merlin gently reached out to touch the prince's blond hair which first crackled and then started to melt as Merlin's shielded fingers warmed it. The young sorcerer jumped and quickly pulled his hand back, remembering that spider and worrying that he might harm his friend in some way.

He stood there unable to move or think for several minutes until he snapped himself out of it. There was no time for uncertainty. This spell was no doubt a means to an end – a way to ensure that Camelot was helpless and easy to attack. It had happened before and now he was on his own and had to make sure he was ready for it. At least, with everyone else out of the picture, he could use his full magical power without fear of being seen.

What was his full power though? He was so used to only using what was absolutely necessary to achieve his aims that he had rarely been required to push himself. Most of the really powerful spells he'd unleashed had been gifted to him by Kilgharrah and most of his recent practice had focused on how to cast spells with the minimal amount of gesturing and as little vocalisation as possible.

He'd reached the battlements as a pale dawn struggled through the winter clouds. With relief Merlin realised that the view before him was basically empty, that no army stood there, no resurrected knights rode towards him and all appeared peaceful.

The view also appeared to be green.

Alright, so perhaps a little frost hugged the corner of the fields, and lightly dusted a couple of the village roofs but, overall, it was a fairly mild winter's day in the lower town and surrounding area. Apparently it was only the castle that had been affected by the enchantment.

There were so many things he needed to do and Merlin's mind raced as he struggled to decide on his priorities. "Check my magic book, create a shield for Gaius or Arthur, check the rest of the palace, check the town, try to undo the magic, summon Kilgharrah, try to protect the castle with magic …"

The spell book was indeed very important but, of all the thoughts that had flicked through his mind, the last one seemed the most sensible. He headed out of the palace, down the flight of stairs that lead to the courtyard fully intending to head towards the gatehouse. There appeared to be a wall of mist shimmering at the entrance and numerous people were staring at it and the two guards that were literally frozen solid in front of them. That audience would seriously complicated Merlin's plans.

He moved out of sight and observed the scene. Was that mist real; a result of the extreme cold hitting the milder air, or was it some sort of magical shield preventing people from entering or leaving? Seeing how cold it was in here, he doubted anyone out there would be able to come into the castle grounds anyway, even if they could walk though it. What about him? How could he just walk out into the square wearing his normal clothes, when it would be obvious to everyone that he should be completely frozen?

~o~0~o~

A/N So, now I've dipped my toe in the water, it's time for my first multi-parter. This story is now far enough along for me to feel more confident about sharing the early chapters with you, and the current weather we're having in the UK has been a helpful inspiration!

Please R&R and speculate. I'd love to know what you think is going to happen next. Dec '10

E/N Another change I'm making is putting the A/N at the end not the start as I soon realised that they were less intrusive here. 19/5/12