Hey guys, this is my first fanfic, so I hope you enjoy it. :)

Since the Lady Morgana's most recent assault on Camelot, the kingdom had been in disarray. Her shriek of 'Emyrs!' when she caught a glimpse of a certain white-bearded warlock bending over the bright green stone she'd used to poison the nobles' food (rendering all the knights hopelessly ill) had rung through the castle, creating yet another piece of idle gossip that the palace servants would use to brighten their otherwise boring days. Much to Merlin's disdain, the stories had spread like wildfire. Who was this Emrys, who had singlehandedly defeated the witch Morgana and then disappeared without a trace? Why was a sorcerer, whose kind were deemed by the King himself evil, daring to help Camelot? Most dismissed them as being sensationalized fiction, however the King, as he sat at the head of the great wooden table in the council room, wasn't so sure. He had been woozy and unconscious at the time, and had no recollection of hearing his sister shriek in fear. He only remembered waking up to Merlin's grinning face as he told his master how he again missed the expelling of another threat to Camelot, because he was out cold.

It was becoming quite a common occurance, and Arthur began to wonder whether he was as physically strong as he claimed to be, or a bit more of a 'princess' than he felt comfortable with. He dismissed these thoughts in a second, deciding that it was ongoing bad luck in battle that continued to cause him to black out at crucial moments. But who was this sorcerer, if he did show up, and why did he save those who hate him most?

He was just contemplating these serious thoughts when his servant/friend (although neither of them would admit it) Merlin crashed into the council room, mumbling something about Giaus, herbs and a hung-over Gwaine, whilst hastily throwing the maps of the five kingdoms that Arthur had requested earlier that day onto the table. Merlin then resumed being his normal too-curious self, and began to inquire about the meaning of Arthur's sudden desire to know more of the geographical features of the lands he claimed to know 'so well'.

' The knights - well you as well for they are going to need someone to carry all the equipment - are going on a hunt'

Arthur could almost hear Merlin's inward groan as he sighed. Arthur knew how much Merlin hated hunting and smirked, still not fathoming how any man could not relish in the feeling of victory as the game was slung over awaiting horses.

'It is to be no ordinary hunt. You will be searching for the man who calls himself Emrys, a sorcerer that I believe has been living in Camelot. I wish to know why our sworn enemy Morgana fears him so, and to bring justice to those he has harmed, if he has brought devastation on any of Camelot's people.'

Arthur had felt his manservant freeze at the mention of Emrys, and glanced up briefly, shocked to see Merlin had gone frighteningly pale.

'Don't look so shocked and scared Merlin, you must have expected this, with all the gossip and stories. With any luck, he might be one of those good magic users that different people keep not so subtly hinting may have been helping me'

'Do you really believe that?' his manservant replied, in a quiet tone, sounding not dissimilar to the 'wise' Merlin whom Arthur was only beginning to accept.

'I don't know. I honestly don't. I hope we can use him in our fight against Morgana, though a person powerful enough to make her quiver in fear does not inspire confidence. But, let's hope for your sake, and about six knight's, he is.'

Merlin continued to stare, unmoving, at the floor, a thousand possibilities running through his head. Was Arthur seriously considering fighting fire with fire, magic with magic? And, what was he going to do, once he was on this pointless venture, searching for himself?

Gods, he wished Lancelot was here. He would know exactly what to do, how to help the situation. He considered telling Arthur right then and there, regardless of any grudges his King still held, but wrote it off as quickly as the thought had come. Arthur might very well kill him then and there purely out of misplaced betrayal and hurt, not because of his use of magic.

'Merlin, you idiot, WAKE UP! I have been saying your name for the past five minutes and still you continue in this dumb manner. Why are you acting like the village simpleton? You have proved enough already that you are capable of stringing two thoughts together, so cease with this nonsense and fetch me the other knights'

Merlin, surprised at Arthur's ranting, glanced quizzically at his King before falling into his surly habit of back chatting.

'Not everyone has oh, half a castle's worth of servants thinking for them, Arthur Pendragon, so I suggest..'

'NOW!'

Merlin bit his lip as he ran out, forcing back the swell of magic that rose as the King threw a string of insults at him. It seemed it was his magic wish too, to just throw the prat across the room. Merlin promised himself with a grin that a time would come when he could do that, without fear of being tossed into a dingy cell, and executed without a thought.

A small smile crept up on Morgana's face as she viewed the scene between Arthur and Merlin. It was a handy type of magic, scrying, allowing her to view and hear those whom she wishes to spy on. They would lead her straight to him. Her mortal enemy. The one who continues to foil her plans, intent on destroying her and everything she has worked for. But now, she would stop him. She stood up, and hastily began to gather what little she owned. One with such magic as she needed very little, and within an hour, she set off for Camelot for the second time that fortnight.

Arianna felt the fabric of time shift around her, bringing visions of devastated druid families, and thousands more lost to the man who morphed into his father, Arthur Pendragon. These visions were haunted by the Emrys of legend, who became lost to grief and sadness, when the witch Morgana slaughtered his friend Giaus.

She grimaced. These were just more possibilities that flooded her mind each day, as the spirits of the Lake of Avalon poured their thoughts into her head. Arianna was an akra'she. A seer born near the Lake of Avalon, her core magic infused with its water, giving her dominion over what was, is and will be.

She ran outside her cottage and fell into the water of a lake, surrounded by trees and mountains, whose edge was dotted by wildflowers. Arianna wept, for the possibilities of the future of Camelot. She didn't notice a beautiful woman rise and approach through the water. She wore a deep purple dress, her mahogany hair falling in thick waves.

'I am Freya' the girl murmured, as she knelt and placed her hand on Arianna's shoulder.

'Would you do something for me?'

If you think I should keep going, please review :) Any ideas or constructive criticism are appreciated :)