" Out of time, out of night.

Out of pain, out of sight.

In between, earth, sky and sea.

We shall bide.

Follow me, Follow me…"

Merlin awoke with a cry, covering his ears instinctively with his hands. He punched his pillow in irritation. Three nights. Three bloody, forsaken, nights he'd been kept from sleep by this voice in his head. He only heard it at night and it was no dream. Would that it were a dream, at least then he could get some sleep.

At first he had thought it no more than his imagination, but ones imagination does not persist and badger until it drives someone stark raving Mad. He ran to the window and threw it open, even though he knew all too well no one would be there. He'd checked dozens of times before to no avail. Besides, Camelot was under curfew. What woman in her right mind would risk her life to woo him? Arthur, maybe, but not him. The idea was ridiculous.

He glared at the sleeping city for a minute then shouted at the top of his lungs. "SHUT UP! YOU'RE DRIVING ME CRAZY!"

He was about to slam the window, when he heard a window open above from one of the castle towers. Then he heard Arthur's voice shouting, " MERLIN! SHUT UP! IT'S TWO IN THE BLASTED MORNING!"

Merlin made a frustrated face and slapped his forehead with the flat of his hand.

"SORRY! SORRY SIRE! IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN!"

" JUST SHUT UP!"

SLAM!

Merlin threw himself back down on his bed exhaustedly, in the other room he heard Gaius's smothering laughter. He glared and turned over onto his side. Someday, something terrible was going to come through the window and kill him and THEN Gaius would be sorry for not coming when he shouted. True, he'd been doing a lot of that lately.

He sighed. Just perfect, he was supposed to help Arthur at the tournament tomorrow and now he wasn't going to know whether to polish his horse or groom his armor. He turned onto his side.

" Follow me, Follow me…"

Damn, Damn, Damn, Damn. Merlin covered his ears with the pillow, this had no effect what so ever. " Get out of my head…" he thought fiercely, " Get out of my head. Get out. Get out. Get out."

Nothing silenced the voice, finally Merlin got up in a huff and remained awake until morning.

"Merling? Merlin!"

Merlin came to in a strange, warm, humid darkness. His eyes couldn't open and there was a strange smell in his nose. He could hear Gaius's voice above him.

"Merlin! Wake up!"

At the same Moment hands lifted his head out of the humid, sticky substance it had been submerged in and which still clung cloyingly to his face.

"Gaius? What happened?"

Gaius released his collar with a glower. "You fell asleep in your porridge again. Honestly Merlin, this has got to stop! You're going to do yourself a damage."

"Maybe I should start eating toast?"

" That is not what I meant and you know it!" Gaius waved a finger at him, " Merlin, was it the voice again?"

Merlin nodded. " Gaius, it's driving me insane! If I don't get some sleep soon I'm going to collapse or if I don't Arthur's going to kill me! Neither option is pleasant. Do you know what it could be?"

Gaius sighed, sitting back down in his chair to think. " You say it's a woman's voice and you only hear it at night?"

"Yes, only when I'm just about to fall asleep. She always sings the same thing. " Follow me, Follow me.."

" Follow me?" Gaius looked at him concerned, " Now, that does worry me…Merlin you must NOT follow this voice. Do you understand?"

" I figured that one out by myself, thanks. I'm not that stupid."

"I'm serious, Merlin! It might not always be this easy. If this is some kind of enchantment, someone with very powerful magic is causing it. Someone who wants you."

"Who would want me?"

Gaius pursed his lips looking away, Merlin saw a flicker of fear cross his face. But when he spoke it was calm. " I don't know."

Merlin sighed, " What can I do about it? I can't keep on like this, I'll go crazy!"

Gaius took a vial off the shelf, " Use this, it's a sleeping draft."

" No! No thank you! Anything like that would dull my powers, I need my powers Gaius. All of them, always. I can't do that I'm sorry."

" That is your decision, I agree with it. But Merlin there is nothing else I can do to help you."

Merlin nodded forlornly, " I understand. Maybe whoever it is will just give it up after a while."

" We can hope. Now get going, you don't want to keep Arthur waiting."

Merlin went to the door then Gaius stopped him.

"Merlin…"

Merlin turned, and Gaius gave him a wincing look, " Try not to get the prince killed will you? Stay awake!"

" Of course." Said Merlin with a smile, " I mean, how bad can it be?"

The door to Arthur's chambers flew open then slammed shut with a reverberating bang that doubtlessly could be heard throughout the castle. If not the sound of Arthur's helmet and Gauntlets hitting the wall would have. Arthur looked absolutely murderous, Merlin slunk beside him.

" Arthur…Sire…It really wasn't THAT bad!"

" Not that bad? Not that bad?! Merlin, you humiliated me in front of the entire kingdom! I might expect this of another page, but YOU Merlin? Where was your head today?"

" Arthur, I'm sorry!"

"Yes, Yes you are…VERY sorry!" Arthur poured himself a glass of wine and threw himself, still in full armor into his chair.

" Shall I undress you, my lord?"

" Dear God in heaven, no. You are not touching me today! I'll do it myself. Merlin, do you think if I hung myself my father might have a chance of naming another heir?"

" Arthur…don't say that. You're over reacting. It was one little mistake!"

Arthur's eyes burned fire into Merlin's, " One little mistake? Merlin, the entire lower part of my armor fell down! I practically exposed myself to several high ranking members of the court and then as if that weren't bad enough, you had to come running with my shield to cover me."

Merlin sighed, " Is there anything else I can do for you my lord?"

"Yes, get out."

Merlin turned rubbing his eyes, then Arthur called after him. " Oh and Merlin, for heaven's sake take the rest of the day off and get some sleep."

"Yes, my lord."

Merlin did not rest however, as if he could have even if he wanted to. He spent the time instead rummaging through magic books trying to figure out who or what was calling him and how to make it shut up.

"Gaius! Gaius look at this! This sounds EXACTLY like what's been happening to me. A song that once heard haunts a man until he follows usually to his…doom. Maybe I better hope this isn't what's calling me.."

Gaius came over peering owlishly over Merlin's shoulder with his round glasses. "Let me see that." There was a long silence, then a sigh. " Merlin, that's a Siren. Their mermaids, they only haunt sailors. Unless you're planning a trip you're safe."

"You're sure they don't have any sisters on land?"

Gaius glared at him, "Merlin, my boy…no beast on earth can mimic the sound of a human voice, little own sing in human words. You are dealing with magic..human magic and I'm afraid you can only wait it out."

"Or find whoever's causing it and cut their tongue out."

"MERLIN! I am warning you now, if you follow that voice and if …if mind you..you make it back alive I will punish you so badly you'll wish you didn't."

Merlin put his head in his hands. " Gaius, I…"

Silence followed, Gaius calked his head curiously. " Merlin?"

Soft snoring was heard. Gaius approached and gently lowered Merlin's head to the counter and throwing a blanket over him, blew out the candle and retired to bed himself.

"Sorry, my boy." He said , replacing the small vial on the shelf as he passed, " But better a sleeping draft, then an execution."

Gaius had meant well. He had hoped drugging Merlin would result not only in him getting a good night's sleep for once, but also prevent any unwanted wanderings on Merlin's behalf. It didn't quite work out that way.

No sooner had Gaius left, then through his wall of sleep Merlin heard the voice.

"Follow me, Follow me,"

Half asleep Merlin nodded, lulled by the melody and the gentleness of the woman's voice, he passed out the door and in a sort of trance followed the gentle melody to the gate of the city where a cloaked figure stood. The figure holding a lantern to light the way, turned silently singing on:

"In a cave by a sapphire shore.

We shall walk through an emerald door.

And with a thousand whispered ever mores my life you shall be."

Somewhere, far away, Merlin's heart warned him of the dangers of his actions. But his mind was full of beauty and peace, he genuinely felt as though he were following the one woman who could make him happy, ease whatever pained him. Through the forest paths and through hill and dale he followed the shadow woman. He followed until they reached the broad lake that lay on the out skirts of Camelot. Here Merlin's senses began to return to him.

"Where am I?" he asked the figure, confusedly, " Why did you bring me here?"

The figure only sang on, stupidly Merlin followed her, his head still in a fog, made more intense by the woman's unearthly voice:

"Out of pain, out of time.

Life farewell, world goodbye.

In between, earth and sea we shall bide.

Follow me, Follow me."

Merlin did follow, the figure led him to the face of one of the mountains that surrounded the lake. Merlin watched, his vision clearing, as the hooded figure waved a hand over the wall and a cave appeared. The woman disappeared within still singing. "Follow me, Follow me…" Merlin tried to fight the urge but it was too much. He followed her deep into the cave. He touched the figure on the shoulder, " Who are you?"

Instantly the figure vanished . Merlin looked around puzzled then a laugh resounded from the cave mouth. Merlin turned to find Nimue laughing over at him. "Merliiin.." she mocked, " So disappointing, Merlin. All it took was just a little song, like a baby to its lullaby and now I have you." Merlin glared.

"No you don't, I'm leaving …" he turned to walk towards her but Nimue raised her hand and with one word Merlin could see a large boulder beginning to roll in front of the cave mouth. He ran forward, but the entrance was already half closed. "Nimue!" he cried as the entrance closed entirely. He heard Nimue laugh again then her song a mockery of the last:

Now the pain, for all time.

Life farwell, World goodbye.

….and with a thousand whispered ever mores you shall die and I be free.

Follow me…follow me.

Then there was silence. Merlin banged uselessly on the door then sunk down in frustration. What a fool he was he only hoped it wasn't too late to undo what he'd allowed to happen.

"Merlin? MerLIN!" Arthur still in his night clothes stuck his head out of his chamber door. " Where is that idiot?" he muttered to himself. At just that moment Morganna happened to be walking by. " Lost yourself again, have you?"

Arthur made a bow. " Once again, your grace enchants me Morganna. Have you seen Merlin?"

" He's not with you?"

"Obviously not! If you see him, tell him to get his…to come to me at once."

Morganna was observing him with her dark, mischievous eyes. " Why My lord, what is the matter?"

Arthur colored. " That's none of your concern."

"My Lord, you are my brother! If you are in need I am more than willing to assist you!"

Arthur stuck his long arm out the door and pointed at her. " Morganna, if you say one word about this to anyone I swear! Now find Merlin will you? Ask Gaius or Gwen they must know."

" So, will you be standing there in your underpants ALL day or can you manage?"

Arthur made to reach for her but Morganna swirled away with a laugh. Arthur couldn't help but smile, of course his sister could smile. She had Gwen for a servant, he had stupid Merlin. Arthur sighed and pulled his shirt over his head. There came knock on the door.

"FINALLY!" Arthur announced as he threw open the door in just his shirt and long under wear. " WHERE have you been, numb skull?"

There was Gwen, looking wide eyed and red from collar bone to nose tip.

"M-my Lord…I..I'm sorry. I was just.." She pointed up the hall, not sure where to put her eyes.

Arthur was staring stupidly at her in horror, suddenly he shut the door and poking his head out spoke to her as calmly as he could.

"Forgive me, Gwen..you see I was expecting Merlin.." No wait, that didn't sound right either, " You see, he's usually here in the morning so.." ARGH! Stop talking idiot, stop talking. Arthur hung his head. " What do you want Gwen?"

Gwen was choking on laughter, "I was wondering if you'd seen Merlin, but I suppose this answers my question. I'll just be going then, shall I?"

"No, wait." Arthur shut the door and threw on his trousers opening the door again he came out into the hall. " You haven't seen him either? Have you spoken to Gaius?"

" Perhaps, he's just avoiding you, my lord. After…um..yesterday."

"GweniVERE, yesterday is never, never to be spoken of again, do you understand? As to our mutual friend, he had better be bleeding or dead or once I find him he will be!"

" I'll speak to Gaius, my lord." But as she turned, Gwen suddenly turned to him again, " Arthur, if you see him before I do, find a way to let me know, will you?"

Arthur nodded and she disappeared down the hallway. Arthur watched her go, suddenly he felt a strange feeling in his chest. It wasn't pain exactly, more discomfort. It felt like cold water trickling through his veins or cold fingers threatening to squeeze his heart. Suddenly he realized, it was worry. It was not a feeling he was used to, future kings didn't worry. Future kings couldn't worry, they had to be certain, doubt was deadly both for a knight and for a ruler. Very few things made Arthur worry and he never would have guessed Merlin would make the muster. He stood staring at the door, furrowing his brow. Then just as quickly as it had come, the feeling faded. Arthur cast it from his mind and with a shake of his head continued dressing. After all, how far could Merlin have gone? He was like a falcon on a harness, he was allowed to fly free because Arthur knew he would always come back. Good old loyal Merlin. So why hadn't he flown home this time? Arthur set his shoulders and tried not to think about it, surely Gaius could explain everything.

" What do you mean Gaius hasn't seen him either? Gaius LIVES with him! Gwen, what is going on?"

Gwen stood before Arthur biting her lip with worry. Arthur couldn't help but notice the cat like M that formed on her forehead when she fretted. It was charming, at least it would have been any other time.

"Arthur, I honestly don't know. Gaius said he went to wake up Merlin today and he wasn't there."

Arthur slapped the wall, " What is it with that, pratt and sneaking away? I wonder what he's up to this time." Arthur saw Gwen's anxious look and he forced himself to smile. " Oh well, no worries. He'll come back, he always does. One thing about Merlin, he's predictable."

" He wasn't this time, was he?" said Gwen with a significant look, " Good day, my lord." With that she walked off, leaving Arthur frowning after her. He turned back to his business nonchalantly. But deep inside, the cold fingers of doubt gave a squeeze.

Back in the cave, Merlin sat his legs curled against his chest, his head resting on his knees. He was the very picture of defeat, no magic had worked in fact it seemed the more he stayed in the cave the weaker he got . Not just his powers, but himself, he shivered at the thought of dying alone in this place never to be found. What would the people back in Camelot think? Uther wouldn't care of course. But what of Gwen? Gaius? Morganna and Arthur…what would Arthur do?

He knew somehow that Arthur would come to his aid if he could only some how know. But that seemed impossible. Suddenly fear and desperation filled him and he cried out. "Arthur!" he called, making the stones ring, " ARTHUR!" Then too tired to continue he resumed his former position. "I'm sorry," he thought, " I am so,so, sorry."