His power wrapped around her, shielding her from those disturbing dreams, those emotions, those thoughts. And Merlin, Merlin sat up, remembering, feeling them, seeing and hearing it as if he had lived it himself. His eyes were dark and he sipped tea as he stood vanguard all the night, his power a gentle warmth, a calming zone, wrapping around the mind that he had sword to shield, and letting her have this night without harm, without pain.

Merlin would remember what he had seen, and felt, all his long life, and would remember the strength that it had taken to live it, and survive it. It would only add to his admiration of her. He resolved to do this for her as often as he could, and find ways to free her of having to rely on only his strength to keep her from this nightmare.

When morning came, She would find tea nearby, still steaming, with crumpets, and jam, and nothing else to remark on the night.