A/N:

Hello, writers and readers! I'm sorry to say that MerlinStar has decided to stop writing fanfiction, but has given me permission to carry on her account for her. You may, however, know of me if you have read 'Window to the Past' and 'The Warlock's Calling' as MerlinStar kindly posted them for me. I will however continue to use the alias of MerlinStar. Again, apologies for the change but I will continue to write as much fanfiction as possible, though updates may be few and far in between. Further warning- I am rubbish at one-shots so you'll have to bare with me for most of my stuff. Anyway, here is the promised sequel to 'The Warlock's Calling', so I hope you enjoy it.

Disclaimer for all chapters:- The BBC own all Merlin characters and no infringement of copyright is meant.

Prologue

She walked through the neglected grass, her footsteps muffled, and her dress flaring out behind her. The sky was pitch black and cloudy, a perfect reflection of her mood. Her usually beautiful face was hidden by a mask of anger, which gently began to show traces of sadness as she stared at the crystal-like cocoon that encased another, only just hanging onto life. The cocoon was the only thing that could save the encased woman, along with very powerful magic.

Muttering a spell, she turned away from it and paced around the stretch of wild garden, surrounded by crumbling pillars. Schemes of vengeance formed in her head as she walked, each as satisfying as the next, and each as seemingly impossible. She knew that there was only one person to blame for this and she had recently become wary of them.

At that moment, she sensed something inside her stir and at the same time felt it reverberate in everything around her and beyond. Staring at the sky, she wondered at its meaning. What could create such a disturbance that could touch her and somehow fill her with a few seconds of joy?

Miles away, in another kingdom, another person, not exactly human, had felt the same disturbance. She knew that it had touched the entire world and she understood what was happening. Her family's insight gave her the knowledge. She smiled at that piece of wisdom for it would shape the future of the earth. Far away but in the same kingdom, powerful magic was being created.

Please, please comment. Virtual hugs will be given out and I welcome any comment/constructive criticism.

MerlinStar