Merlin burst into his bedroom a few minutes later, Guinevere at his tail.

"Ah, Gwen," Gaius greeted warmly, not showing the panic he truly felt inside. "I shall need you to get this girl into a shirt and pants... it shall be quite difficult to heal her wounds while she is in a dress."

Guinevere nodded, and the two men exited the room, Merlin closing the door softly behind him.

"Do you suppose she'll be all right?" Merlin questioned, thoroughly concerned.

Gaius nodded solemnly, but then said, "Merlin, she has magic."

Merlin was in shock. "Magic?" he repeated, unbelieving.

"Yes. While you were out to fetch Gwen, I stayed with the girl. She opened her eyes once, and they glowed gold. Seconds later, the vase on your window sill shattered."

Merlin sank onto a bench, his eyes wide. "S-she's like me," he almost whispered.

Gaius nodded. Suddenly Gwen opened the door and beckoned them to come back in.

"I hope you don't mind, but I had to use some of your clothes Merlin. I did not come prepared with any myself." Gwen explained as they crossed the threshold.

Merlin nodded, standing on one side of the bed where Serella, now wearing a brown pair of trousers and a red shirt, lay. He placed a hand on her forehead gingerly, but drew it back almost instantly. What was he doing? But he contradicted that thought immediately. He knew exactly what he was doing. This girl was just like him-- he had to protect her.

Gaius was preparing to turn Serella over onto her stomach. "Help me Merlin," he said. The boy did as he was told, and she was flipped gently over. Merlin stood back and allowed Gaius to work, knowing that asking questions would only create a distraction for his mentor. Gwen, however, stood by Merlin casually and asked, "Who is she?"

"Her name is Serella. She is a maid for the Lady Lydia of Cambria."

"Ah!" Gwen said, seeming to recognize the mistress' name. "Not a very pleasant person, the Lady Lydia, is she?"

Merlin shook his head, his eyes never leaving Serella's seemingly lifeless body. Gaius was rolling up her (or rather, Merlin's shirt) and gasped. Merlin rushed over and gazed at the bloody mess before him. Mixed feelings began to swell inside him, and he felt an overwhelming sense of anger towards whomever did this.

"Merlin, fetch me the salve on the nightstand," Gaius ordered. Merlin did as he was told, and his mentor began to spread the gel-like substance over Serella's back gently.

When she was covered, Gaius pulled the shirt back down and left the room, Gwen following him. Merlin, however, stayed protectively next to Serella, pulling up a chair and sitting down. He would make sure nothing more could hurt her tonight-- nothing.

---------------------------------------------

Serella woke on her stomach. She groaned groggily and tried to push herself up, but a numb throbbing in her back made her collapse again. She finally settled on turning her head around to see where she was. She knew she obviously wasn't in the servant's quarters, there were no other noises besides her own shallow breathing and another's.

Wait... another's ?

Serella looked to her left and saw the boy she had met at the banquet, Merlin. His shaggy dark hair was falling in his face, and he slept quietly. His arms were folded on the bed, and his head rested atop them, the rest of his body on a nearby chair.

Serella smiled. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but having him near made her feel... safe, somehow. Something she hasn't felt for a long time. Suddenly, he stirred and his blue eyes fluttered open.

"Morning," Serella greeted warmly, though her voice was a bit scratchy yet.

"Good morning," Merlin replied, returning the smile. "How do you feel?"

"Much better, thank you." Serella answered. "Where am I?"

"In Camelot's physician's quarters." he answered simply.

She nodded, but suddenly her eyes clouded and she tried to sit up, only resulting in Merlin carefully guiding her back down. "No, no. You cannot get up yet." he said as she laid back.

"You don't understand! I have to go!" Serella cried desperately.

"Go where?" Merlin asked, puzzled.

"To my family! She's going to d-destroy them!" Serella cried, and broke down sobbing.

Merlin was dumbstruck. Without thinking, he wrapped his arms around her and gently rocked her back and forth until she calmed. "It will be all right," he soothed.

"No, it won't," she argued softly. "You don't understand."

"Perhaps I could, if you would tell me." Merlin urged. And so Serella told him everything about the evening before, not leaving out a single detail.