A/N

I half contemplated skipping these 2 episodes as I am not a fan of them. But I've decided to do them anyway.

(A Remedy to Cure all Ills) Catie's POV

Morgana is very unwell and hasn't woken up in days. Gaius believes it's an inflammation on the brain and has been treating her for it. But so far nothing has changed. I've been helping Gaius as Arthur gave me permission to be his apprentice. So I have been studying under him for the last couple of weeks.

We're in Morgana's chambers. "I cannot preserve her life for much longer. She has hours, maybe less" Gaius tells Uther.

"We cannot let her die!" Arthur exclaims.

"Arthur, please" Uther says.

"There's a man, he came to the castle yesterday. He claims he can cure her" Arthur states.

"That's ridiculous. He doesn't know what's wrong with her" Uther tells him.

"He says he has a remedy that can cure all ills" Arthur tells him.

"Impossible" Gaius states.

"Well, for Morgana's sake, surely we should at least hear him out. I mean, what've we got to lose? Please, Father" Arthur pleads.

"Probably some charlatan hoping for a quick shilling" Gaius tells us.

"I don't care! If she's about to die, what harm can it do? Give him his shilling! If there's one chance in a million he can save her, then why not?" he demands.

"Send for him" Uther relents.

"Catalina, go. He said he'd be at the inn. His name is Edwin" Arthur tells me. I bow and leave. I head to the inn and head over to the inn keeper.

"I'm looking for a man named Edwin" I tell him.

"Over there" he says gesturing to a man in a grey cloak.

"Thank you" I say and head over to the man. "Excuse me, are you Edwin?" I ask and he looks at me. I silently gasp at the scars on his face.

"Yes, can I help you?" he asks me.

"I've been sent to escort you to the castle" I tell him.

"Let me get my medical bag" he states. He grabs it from his room and I lead the way to the castle. "And who are you?" he asks.

"Catalina, a maid to Prince Arthur" I state. We arrive at the castle and I take him to the council chambers. Arthur soon appears with his father and Edwin kneels. "I have brought the man you asked for, my lord" I say bowing my head.

"Thank you Catalina, please go tend to your chores" Arthur tells me. As Uther greets Edwin. I nod and leave the room. I do my morning chores and then go down to the kitchen for a bite to eat. And to get Arthur his lunch. I take it to his room, only to see him not there. Strange, must be with Morgana. I leave the food and head to her chambers.

I smile relieved to see Morgana awake. "My lord, I am sorry to interrupt but your food is in your room" I tell Arthur with my head bowed.

"Oh of course" he says. "I'm glad you're ok Morgana" he tells her and we leave.

"I've done all my morning chores" I tell him.

"What else needs doing?" he asks.

"I still have to fold your clothes and put them away. Run you a bath if you wish for one. Bring you dinner" I list.

"I'll skip a bath tonight and will have one tomorrow morning" he states. "You may retire for the day and go see Gaius. I'll have Merlin or another servant do your other chores" he tells me. I thank him and leave. I head to Gaius chambers, to see it empty. So I grab a book on anatomy and start to read it as I wait for Gaius.

He soon appears. "Oh Catie, I didn't know we had a lesson today" he states.

"Arthur gave me the rest of the day off and I thought I would come for a session. Is that ok?" I ask him. He nods his head. "It's great that Morgana is well again, though I do wonder what caused her to be ill and how Edwin actually healed her" I state.

"So do I" he states. He sits down and begins to write on a piece of parchment. I let him do it focusing back on the book I am reading. Soon Geoffrey appeared with a book.

"Gaius, you've been a good friend to me over the years, and you've done me many kindnesses. I can't deny you this one request" he states. Handing the book to Gaius.

"The records?" he asks.

"I know you wouldn't ask unless it was important" Geoffrey states.

"You must believe me, there's a great deal at stake" Gaius states.

"If Uther were to discover this, he would kill us both" Geoffrey whispers looking at me.

"I won't say anything" I assure him.

"It is for Uther's sake that I make the request. Trust me, please" Gaius says and Geoffrey nods his head. "Thank you, old friend" he says and Geoffrey left.

"What records are they?" I ask Gaius.

"The less you know the better my dear, I don't want you in trouble" he tells me.

"Is it about Edwin?" I ask him.

"I fear the past has come back to haunt us, again nothing for you to worry about. Just continue with your studies" he tells me. I nod and he begins to read the records as I return to my book.

(Time skip)

Uther, Gaius, Arthur and I are in the throne room. "I'll give you a generous allowance, make sure you're looked after" Uther tells Gaius.

"You're retiring me?" Gaius asks shocked.

"I don't want you to worry. I'll allow you to continue living in your chambers until more suitable accommodation can be found" Uther assures him.

"Because I made one mistake? Although in truth, Sire, it was not a mistake" Gaius tells him. He goes to say more, but stops at the sight of Edwin.

"It was unfortunate, I accept that" Uther tells him.

"May I ask who is to be the next court physician? Who will continue teaching Catie?" Gaius asks.

"None of this was Edwin's idea. Initially, he turned down the offer" Uther states.

"I'm sure" Gaisu mutters.

"I'm sure he'll be happy to teach Catie" Uther adds. "It's not been an easy decision, but .... the younger man, new ideas" he states.

"Yes" Gaius says.

"You're hesitant. Is there a reason you oppose his appointment?" Uther asks.

"Sire..." Gaius goes to say.

"If you have anything to say, then say it now, Gaius" Edwin tells him.

"This is difficult for both of us" Uther tells Gaius.

"I thank you for your patronage. It has been an honour and a pleasure to serve your family, for all these years" Gaius tells him and leaves.

"Catalina, I expect to see you tomorrow after breakfast to test your knowledge" Edwin tells me. I nod and leave. I can't believe Uther fired Gaius. That they believe Edwin, a stranger over Gaius. Who had served as court physician for twenty years.

When I went home, I heard from Gwen that Gaius had left Camelot. I can't believe he left without saying goodbye to me. I'm his apprentice. I go to bed early, so that I wouldn't be late meeting Edwin for whatever test he wished me to take.

But when I arrived at the castle. I find out that he is dead, that he had tried to kill the king. Gaius is back. "I, my family, and my kingdom are deeply indebted to you. And in honour of this, I not only reinstate you as court physician, but henceforth, you are a free man of Camelot" Uther declares. Uther hands Gaius a roll of parchment and the court applauds. I smile proudly, glad my mentor is back and is free.

(Gates of Avalon) Catie's POV

Arthur and Merlin went hunting again. Leaving me to do most of the chores. But I didn't mind. The returned with an elder man and his daughter. Uther allowed Sofia and her father Aulfric to stay as long as they need. As they are apart of a noble family apparently. Arthur had Merlin and I put Sofia in the room next door to his.

The next day Arthur skipped patrol with his father to hang out with Sofia. He had Merlin cover for him and Merlin ended up in the stocks. Which I found hilarious. Gwen told me of Morgana's dream about Sofia killing Arthur. I pray she's wrong. But according to Gaius' journal on her some of her dreams have come true. I may have read it without permission, I was curious.

This time Arthur skipped a knighting ceremony to go on a picnic with Sofia. I was studying healing herbs with Gaius when Merlin appears covered in rotten fruit. "Not again Merlin, surely?" he asks him.

"You would think that the appeal of pelting the same person with fruit would wear off after a while, but, oh, no" Merlin states as he heads over to a barrel of water.

"Catie told me Arthur wasn't at the knighting ceremony" Gaius states.

"Yeah, he wanted to make the most of his time left with Sophia" Merlin tells us.

"So you helped him?" Gaius asks Merlin as he starts to wash his hair.

"I'm his servant, I had to" Merlin tells him.

"True, I've had to lie for Arthur on occasion. Though I am smart enough to avoid the stocks" I state smiling teasingly at Merlin.

"You lie for him next time then" he tells me.

"Sure, anyway I'll go get the herbs you've told me about Gaius. Then you can show me how to prepare them" I tell him. He nods his head and I leave. When I return Merlin was no longer present. Gaius shows me how to wash and prepare the herbs for human use.

Later I am in the throne room with the others. Arthur had asked for an audience with his father. "I request this audience, Father, to discuss a matter of great importance. It cannot have escaped your attention that I and Lady Sophia Tír-Mòr have grown very close" Arthur states.

"Not too close, I hope" Uther states as he exams the papers in his hand.

"We're in love. Which is why I come before you today to ask your permission to marry" Arthur tells him.

"I assume you're joking" Uther says with a laugh.

"No. I'm going to marry her" Arthur declares.

"But you only met two days ago" Uther reminds him.

"We're in love" Arthur says again.

"In love? We had no idea that you were such a romantic had we, Morgana?" Uther asks.

"No, he's full of surprises" she states.

"I'm going to marry her. I don't care what either of you think about it" Arthur tells them.

"I thought you'd come to ask my permission?" Uther asks him.

"Out of courtesy, nothing more" Arthur tells him. Arthur turns back, takes Sophia's hand and they walk toward the door. Uther has his guards block the door and stands up from his throne handing me the papers.

"You've forgotten whose court you're standing in" he tells Arthur.

"You won't stop me. If I want to marry her, I will" Arthur tells him.

"Arrest Sophia and Aulfric Tír-Mòr" Uther orders the guards. They restrain them. "Catalina, inform the executioner his services will be required tomorrow morning" he tells me. I nod my head.

"You can't do this" Arthur says desparately.

"Yes! I can! And unless you show me some respect, I will!" Uther snaps. Arthur bows his head in submission. "Release them. You've got your whole life ahead of you. Sophia is no doubt your first love, but she certainly won't be the only one. Enjoy yourself while you can" he says in a calmer tone. As Sofia and her father are released.

(Time skip)

I enter Arthur's chambers to light a fire as it's a bit chilly tonight to find. Merlin unconscious. "Merlin!" I exclaim and race over checking his pulse. It was there. "Wake up" I say shaking him. He wakes. "Who did this?" I ask him.

"Where's Arthur?" he asks.

"Not here" I tell him as I help him to his feet.

"I have got to go after him. What's that buzzing noise?" he asks me.

"Perhaps you should rest" I suggest.

"I have to go" he tells me.

"Ok, but be careful" I tell him. He nods and heads for the window. "Ah Merlin" I say and he looks at me. "This way" I say pointing to the door.

"Just testing" he tells me and runs off. Guess I have to lie to the king. I leave the room and head for his chambers. I knock and enter once he gave permission.

"Catalina, what brings you here so late?" he asks me.

"I've come to tell you Arthur and Merlin have gone hunting. And won't be back until late morning" I tell him. He looks surprised "Merlin was supposed to tell you, but obviously forgot. Luckily I saw Prince Arthur before he left to meet up with Merlin at the stables. And he told me, he knows how forgetful Merlin has been lately" I state.

"Thank you for informing me" he states. "Inform Arthur on his return I wish to see him and Merlin" he tells me. I bow my head and leave.

(Next day)

We're in the council room again. "When you failed to show up for patrol this morning, I feared you'd eloped with Sophia in a fit of passion" Uther states.

"I...I wish he had. Because then I wouldn't be stood in front of you feeling like an idiot... again" Merlin tells him.

"This is becoming a near daily occurrence for you" Uther states.

"But there was a mistake. And I would not say it was anyone's fault. Not...not really. Erm,..you...you could say it was mine" Merlin tells him.

"Could somebody tell me what happened?" Uther asks. Pretending not to know what I told him last night. I suppress a smile. Who knew the king has a sense of humor. "Someone with a brain" he states when Merlin goes to answer.

"After Sophia left, I wanted to take my mind off her so I went for a hunt" Arthur states.

"And killing things mends a broken heart?" Morgana asks him.

"No, but it's good fun. Merlin was meant to inform you that I wouldn't be back till later today" Arthur explains.

"Have you some kind of mental affliction?" Uther asks Merlin.

"I'm looking into it, Sire" Gaius tells him.

"Well, I hope for our sake you find a cure. Or we'll find ourselves with a food shortage on our hands" Uther states.

"Food shortage" Merlin chuckles. Then stops when he realized what that meant. He was put in the stocks for the third say in a row.

"You know it's good I told your father about the hunting trip" I tell Arthur as we watch Merlin from the castle wall.

"You did?" he asks surprised.

"Yep, who knew he had a sense of humor" I say giggling gesturing to Merlin. Arthur laughs. "Lets not tell Merlin" I tell him and he nods his head in agreement. "Hungry?" I ask him and he nods. "I shall go get you some food my lord" I tell him and leave. He said he'd be in his room. I dropped his food off and stripe his bed. Putting on fresh sheets. Then take the others to wash them and do my chores.

Wondering what will happen next in Camelot? Another magical creature attack? A sorcerer or sorceress threatening the kingdom? Or will we finally have peace? Guess only time will tell.

A/N

Picture above of Edwin and picture on the external link of Sofia with her father.