Merlin sat in the armoury, polishing Arthur's helmet. It had been a week since everything had happened and things were finally starting to return normal. Well if you called a bewitched queen still roaming around the castle normal.

Merlin, himself, was still recovering from his wounds. Gaius didn't want him going back to work just yet, since he could only put a little weight on his leg. The warlock knew that if he remained in the shared chambers any longer, then he would definitely die of boredom.

Just as Merlin was finishing the clotpole's helmet, Mordred walked in.

"How are you feeling?" Mordred asked, striking up a conversation as he put his sword on the rack.

"Sore, but better," Merlin replied as he got up to put the helmet away. "Is the Hollow Queen currently plotting anything?"

"Not that I'm aware of," Mordred said. "Listen, I was wondering if you could help me with something?"

"Sure. What do you need help with?" Merlin asked.

"Spells," the Druid answered. "I know a few, but not enough to help me in the future."

"I could lend you my spell books," Merlin suggested. "I hardly look at them anymore, since I've memorized pretty much every single spell."

"Thanks," Mordred said, with a small smile.

"Come by later and I'll give them to you," Merlin planned.

"Why don't we go get them right now?" Mordred asked.

"I have to go and get the prat's lunch," Merlin answered.

"Oh," Mordred replied. Given the king's mood for the last week, he knew that if Merlin was late, things would be thrown.

Mordred leaned against the closed door as he watched Merlin gather all the spell books in his possession.

"How many do you have?" the knight asked.

"Eight. All of them are gifts, so take good care of them," Merlin warned as he handed one to Mordred.

"I will," Mordred promised as he took the book. "Who gave you this one?"

"Alator of the Catha. He once was in league with Morgana, but switched sides when he heard about the world Arthur and I are destined to create. He had one of his many servants hand it to me, as he was in hiding," Merlin explained. "It's a book of Catha spells."

"Aren't they illegal?" Mordred asked. "You know because Cathas usually specialize in torture."

"Don't let Arthur see the book then," Merlin said as he stacked the other seven spell books onto the one Mordred was holding. "And Cathas' also specialize on how not to give in to torture. That book can give you a general training on how to separate your mind from your body."

"How do you know so much?" Mordred asked.

"I've had some great teachers," Merlin said as he opened the door. "Now get out of here, before Gaius sees you with all my books."

Mordred balanced the eight huge books and left. Once the Druid knight was gone, Merlin got down on the floor and pulled out a book from under his bed. As he opened the book he smiled. It was his very first spell book. The one Gaius gave him after he saved Arthur's life and became the prat's manservant.

Just then the clotpole himself charged into Merlin's room interrupting his thoughts. "Sorry to ruin your you time, but Percival just saw Gwen leaving the castle through one of the tunnels."

The warlock put the book back under his bed and stood up. Time to get to work.