Realised I never put a disclaimer on the previous chapter, so here it is - I don't own Merlin, the BBC does!

Thank you for reviewing, all will be revealed! Oh, and update days will be the weekend (today is the exception as its a Bank Holiday!)

Eventually, March arrived, bringing many things with it. For starters, the Queen recovered. One day, whilst Sir Leon was on looking after Amhar duty, Gwen managed to get out of bed and find a maid. After having been bedridden for the past few months, Gwen hadn't walked or washed for months, so decided that the reason for her walk would be to find the maid to run her a bath. The first maid that Gwen came across was startled to see her, so Gwen had to spend a long time comforting the girl.

"It's okay, I'm sorry I startled you, can you possibly find my usual maid, Ruth? It's just that I would like to bathe before I go out to see the people." The maid nodded and scurried off. Gwen returned to her chambers and sat on the bed, waiting for Ruth's arrival. Eventually, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in." Gwen called. Ruth walked in and gasped.

"My Lady, you're much better!" Gwen smiled and nodded.

"Yes, I feel as though I haven't been ill at all, although I could do with being freshly cleansed!" Ruth laughed and went off to fetch some hot water whilst Gwen went to get changed and choose one of the dresses that she owned but hadn't worn for months. The relationship that she had with Ruth was similar to the one she'd had with Morgana; except Gwen wasn't planning to kidnap Ruth and lock her in a dark tower with evil ghosts as companions. Gwen shut her eyes and tried to block out the memories. She had a vague recollection of the aftermath, her constantly trying to kill Arthur, and apparently Merlin! She was lucky they had both forgiven her. Gwen missed Merlin, but was careful not to bring the subject up in front of Hunith and Gaius. She knew she would hate it if Amhar, when old enough, just left not saying where he was going or if he would ever return. Gwen could only live in hope.

####

Much later in March something else happened. Merlin returned. Gwen had been out walking with Hunith and Amhar, all three of them wrapped up against the cold wind that should have disappeared by now.

"You know, Gwen, you're almost like my daughter! Since that time when Merlin brought you, Arthur and Morgana to Ealdor. It's just such a shame that Morgana turned into what she did." Gwen agreed. If Morgana had still been king hearted then everything would be completely different. Arthur might have known his son; then again, Uther probably would still be alive. After all, it was Morgana's betrayal that had turned him into what he was at the end. Uther was one person that Gwen did not miss. Just as she was sharing this information with Hunith, Gwen spotted someone coming out of the woods and towards them. Someone familiar. Gwen grabbed Hunith's arm to make sure she wasn't imaging the whole thing.

"Merlin?" Gwen asked, startled. Merlin smiled.

"Hi Gwen, and … mum?" He looked and sounded confused, but Gwen decided it wasn't the time for her to explaining herself.

"Where the hell have you been?" Hunith asked crossly. There was a pause before he answered.

"Here and there. I didn't settle down anywhere. Plus, I visited Freya a lot."

"Freya?" Gwen asked, her eyebrows raised; Merlin shook his head.

"Doesn't matter. Sorry I haven't been here Gwen. I just couldn't face coming back so soon."

"Why are you back now?"

"I heard you were ill. I wanted to make sure you were okay."

"I'm fine now. But it's not just me, Merlin. What about your mother and Gaius? They've missed you, severely." Merlin knew what Gwen was doing, but accepted her words anyway. There was another reason why Merlin was back. Freya had told him that Arthur had now returned, but Merlin wasn't daft enough to just ask if Arthur was back yet. If he hadn't returned, it would lead to many awkward questions. Instead he asked:

"Who's the baby?" Gwen frowned slightly.

"No idea, just found him one day on the dining table." Merlin sighed. Gwen's voice was full of sarcasm. Merlin supposed it had been a stupid question. He had heard about Prince Amhar, son of Queen Guinevere and the late King Arthur. Amhar was now six months old, having been born on 15th September, the date was now 29th March, showing how long it had been since Merlin was now in Camelot. The truth was he'd partitioned his time between the Lake of Avalon and the Cave that his Father had lived in.

"Am I allowed back in Camelot?" He asked his voice completely serious. Whilst he and Gwen had been friends, it was no longer a secret that Merlin had magic, meaning he was an enemy of a Camelot. Gwen smiled.

"Of course you are, Merlin. We were best friends only a year and a bit ago, and still are. You knew me before everything."

####

Merlin found that being in Camelot was now different. Leon and Percival greeted him well, they had been friends for a long time, but Merlin was trying to put off one certain visit, Gaius'. According to Gwen, Gaius had been upset upon Merlin's departure and probably still was. Eventually, Merlin decided he couldn't delay any longer and headed to Gaius' Chambers. On his way over, he bumped into someone.

"Sorry." Merlin apologised, offering his hand to the person who was wearing a blue cloak with the hood up. Gwen had informed him on these new arrivals in Camelot. All of them wore a cloak and had never shown their face. The cloaks were blue, green or brown. The figure turned to Merlin (who couldn't help but wonder why he felt a sense of familiarity with this stranger) and walked away.

"Oh, bye then!" Merlin said to himself. He then continued his journey until he reached his former home. Merlin knocked on the door until he heard Gaius' voice.

"Come in." Slowly, Merlin opened the door. Gaius had his back to Merlin and by the look of things was finishing a potion he had just brewed.

"Hello Gaius." Merlin said, his voice only just audible. Whatever the potion was, it dropped to the floor and his old mentor turned to face him.

"Merlin? Why are you only back now? Where have you been this last year? Oh, and how are you?" Merlin sighed.

"I'm doing okay, I've spent my time near the lake of Avalon and I'm back now because, well, I can't really say why." Gaius looked curious but did not press for anymore answers.

"I suppose you want that meal I promised you." Gaius said, causing Merlin to smile.

"Thanks, but no thanks. I should tell you, Gwen's asked if I want to do some sort of Court Sorcerer job. What do you think?" Gaius grinned.

"I think it would do you and Camelot well. The last Court Sorcerer was Nimueh." Merlin shuddered. He was definitely not Nimueh.

"Thanks Gaius. I'm sorry it has been so long, but I just couldn't face coming back so soon." Gaius nodded.

"I understand, Merlin. So does your mother, and Gwen. She may be the Queen but she's also one of your best friends." Merlin nodded, and after a long conversation walked out of the room.

As he walked away, Merlin could see another one of the hooded figures. This one was in brown. Merlin decided to try something.

"Who are you?" Merlin thought. The figure turned around and looked at him, causing Merlin to hold his breathe. Whoever this person was, they possessed magic. Merlin asked the question again, this time aloud, but the person just walked away. Merlin sighed, whatever these people wanted, Merlin knew he would protect Gwen, Amhar and the whole of Camelot.