Humming Gwen walked through the woods, plucking petals from various flowers as she journeyed towards the river. She needed fresh water to create a healing brew for a local farmer. Her eyes searched the area behind her when she detected broken twigs; she carefully inched towards the area and grinned when she spotted a shaking lilac bush. Folding her arms, she arched an eyebrow, "Come out," she ordered softly. Her head tilted when she spotted two pairs of big, dark eyes staring at her mournfully.

"Did you attempt stealing honey from the bees again?"

Gwen sucked her bottom lip into her mouth to muffle her laughter. She shook her head when a pitiful whining emerged form the bush.

"Come out," she ordered. "I can't help you, if you're hiding in the bush."

Branches ruffled, a pair of rough sharp claws crept out of the foliage.

"All of you."

Bear stumped from the bush, offering Gwen a soulful battered look. Tenderly, Gwen walked over to her injured friend. Bear was her fateful companion, they had much in common, and both were orphans. Gwen lost her parents at the hands of Uther Pendragon. He slaughtered them like animals for being magical. Bear lost his mother when a hunter slew her for sport. Together, they lived alone in the forest, in solitude and peace. Gwen was safely hidden from Uther's eyes on the edge of Cenred's kingdom. She hurt no one, and expected nothing from others. She provided assistance when asked, and the villagers hid her from Camelot's soldiers. Occasionally, Uther's soldiers snuck into Cenred's land searching for magical people.

"Oh yes, bear, her majesty sent thousands of her warriors to attack you. All you wanted was a bit of honey." Gwen touched his red welts tenderly. Her touch lessened Bear's pain as magical flowed from her hands. "Is that better?"

His sticky watery tongue lapped her face.

Gwen sighed. "Now, I most go to the river to freshen my face. Come along," Gwen requested. Gwen continued in the direction of the rushing water of the river. Bear trailed behind her slowly, his eyes searching for bees. Gwen inhaled deeply; she loved the smell of fresh water. Her eyes squinted when she spotted something golden reflecting in the river.

"Treasure, Bear," she crooned. Perhaps, it was a piece of mirror. Excitedly, Gwen hopped over rocks to collect her prize. Bear did not follow his friend; grabbing a few trout for his afternoon meal.

Gwen stopped suddenly when she spotted a man washed up the rocks. His body partially, submerged in the shallow edge of the river. His wet blonde hair speckled with blood resting on sandy bank; she could tell by the rhythmic fall of his chest that the man was alive. Gwen dropped to her knees to search of his pulse. His skin felt cold and clammy under her touch. She needed to get him to her cottage in the woods.

"Bear," she called over her shoulder. She ignored his loud roar. "I need your assistance."

Bear continued his afternoon meal. He never went near non magical humans. They were dangerous and cruel.

"You should help others. Come, you must carry him on your back."

Bear roared in displeasure, trout dropping from his mouth.

Frowning, Gwen turned form her friend as she rolled the man onto his back. She gasped when her eyes saw the perfection of his face. His eye fluttered opened briefly; revealing perfectly sapphire blue orbs.

"I'll help you," she murmured softly under her breath. "I'll make you better."

Water splashing, Bear approached Gwen. He sniffed the man's still body.

"I thought you would see it my way."

Gwen didn't notice the Pendragon insignia sinking under a clump of rocks as she pulled Arthur from the river.

Alice and Will watched Gwen and Bear carefully carrying Arthur's limp body into the dark forest. Frowning, Will turned to offer his sister a chilly glance. "We should not play with Fate." Alice waving her hand dismissively at her younger brother comment that they should stop this.

" She has lived in the woods alone for 10 years. He hates magical people."

Alice closed her weary eyes; she had grown tired of the Great War she realized that Cenred stood ready to unite with Morgause and her cronies to crush Camelot. A union between Gwen and Arthur would prevent a war. Arthur Pendragon could not hate his own true love. Besides, she was his destiny. It was charted in their stars. She merely gave a little push.

"It's destiny."

"It's meddling."

"Meddling or saving lives."

Will gritted his teeth. "This will end badly."

"Do you like using your name in sentences?" she joked, trying to lighten her brothers mood.

Uther sat stone faced on his throne; his gray eyes coolly rested on his last borne child, Merlin. His knights scoured the countryside searching for Arthur, to no avail.

"Any word, Merlin?"

"No, Father."

Merlin bore the brunt of Uther's frustrations along with every resident in Camelot. Arthur was his golden child, heir and prized possession; his reason for living in this realm.

"This is magic's fault. That kingdom caused this to happen."

Merlin wanted to disagree and point out that Uther sent Arthur and his knights into Cenred's lands to search for magical people. Often, residents from queen Morgause's lands sought refuge in Cenred's lands. He supported either side of the war. Even though, rumors spread across the land that he was enchanted with Morgause's golden beauty.

Things were different 17 years ago in Albion, back then magic was welcomed in Camelot. Uther had an affair with a young enchantress, Vivian, wife of King Gorlois. In her rage after Uther used her; she sent Queen Igraine a beautiful golden necklace, the neck was laced with hemlock and killed the Queen. She died in front of her two young sons and a kingdom lost a fair and beloved queen. Enraged Uther attacked Vivian and Gorlois' kingdom. His sword removed Vivian's heart as her husband and daughters watched in horror. He tortured and killed millions of magical people to avenge her death. Yet, he never accepted responsibility for his actions.

Gorlois lost his mind after Uther's attack. Morgause, Vivian and Gorlois' oldest daughter plotted her revenge. She attacked Camelot with curse, spells, and charms. Uther never realized that Merlin broke the charms, cured the plagues, and saved his kingdom. Merlin lived in fear, if his father realized that he was magical, he knew Uther would condemn him to death.