Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin

This story starts during season 4 and starts during "The Darkest Hour" while Lancelot is bringing Merlin back to Camelot. This is only my second fanfic but I found that my first Merlin Fanfic was very….one sided. Everyone quickly accepted the new OC and I decided I wanted one where they probably wouldn't. This should switch things up a bit.

Chapter One: Sacrifice

Lancelot sat back against the tree and watched as the Vilia healed his best friend while others hovered in the air protectively lighting the area around the knight and the warlock. The sun had long ago set and as the knight was thinking he heard the faint sounds of the Dorocha. After a few minutes the sounds grew closer and the knight got to his feet while placing a hand on his sword. He knew the sword was useless against the spirits but after glancing at his unconscious companion even gripping the hilt of his blade made him feel a little better as he stared out into the darkness. As the Dorocha grew louder Lancelot drew his sword and stepped protectively in front of Merlin, knowing there was little he could do if the ghosts managed to break through the Vilia's protection.

"Are you sure you can protect us?" Lancelot frowned at the Vilia but their response surprised him.

"Yes," the same one spoke gently while hovering near his face, "A friend approaches Lancelot, please let her come to safety." Sure enough the sound of the dead spirits grew even closer and a figure burst through the trees, jumped across the stream and rolled to her feet, spinning to face the white, shrieking ghost. Her pale aqua blue eyes flared gold as she thrust out a hand and a burst of light shot from her hand into the creature. Even as it vanished she let out a hiss and shook her hand as if it stung.

"Are you alright?" Lancelot asked as he knelt next to her in concern. All he could see of her was a strip of pale flesh around those icy eyes while the rest of her was covered in midnight blue-black armour. The hood and mask covering her head, face and hair were mostly fabric area around and on her face had carefully molding plates that held the fabric in place when she moved so that her face stayed hidden. The rest of her attire was similar with most of it being black fabric with carefully placed plates of the blue-black armour in areas to protect her but allow her greater flexibility and without any chainmail she seemed to move far more quietly than any of the knights, almost silently even in the darkness of the forest. She was small he noticed as well. Petite but with a definitely female body that while curvy also seemed lithe and definitely had some muscle tone that most young women didn't have. His observations took only moments but as she gave one steady nod her eyes scanned the area lit up by the Vilia and landed on Merlin. He saw her eyes widen and she quickly scrambled across the area to kneel next to Merlin. Her hands fluttered above him without actually touching the warlock even as that same Vilia floated closer.

"Peace Shadow Child," the Vilia said gently, "The young warlock is healing well and will be just fine." The young woman nodded and turned her eyes questioningly on the knight while, Lancelot noted, she placed her body between him and Merlin much the same way he had only minutes ago.

"I'm a friend," the knight smiled at her, glad she seemed so protective of his friend. Merlin didn't look out for himself properly and the knight was glad he wasn't the only on besides Gaius who knew about Merlin and watched out for him. "My name is Lancelot," he bowed slightly while she blinked and slowly stood. His thinking that she was petite was right, the woman barely reached his shoulder.

"How did this happen?" Her voice was muffled by the mask but he could tell that it was sensuous and husky; the kind of voice that sent shivers down a man's spine and didn't carry far in the darkness. The knight absently noted that when she spoke the Vilia around her seemed to glow a little brighter for a moment, almost as if expressing something unspoken or responding to that voice.

"He jumped into a Dorocha," Lancelot answered slowly and those eyes widened before she flicked the young man behind her a look that held annoyance, anger, concern and exasperation.

"That sounds like him," she nodded slowly and looked back at him. "Protecting someone I take it?"

"Arthur," Lancelot stated but noted her slight flinch at the name. "He's not like his father you know," the knight said gently and she gave him a calm, knowing look.

"While not as brutal as his sire the younger Pendragon is still not someone I'm likely to trust any time soon," she lowered herself slowly to the ground against a fallen log and let out a slow breath. Lancelot frowned as she closed her eyes and they seemed to tighten around the corners as if under the mask she was wincing.

"You are injured," the same Vilia who seemed to be the spokesperson for the others floated over the young woman.

"I am fine my friend," the woman replied calmly, "A few bruises and possibly a cracked rib. Nothing I can't handle," she opened her eyes and they sparkled with mirth, "I'm not as fragile as my counterpart."

"You mean Merlin," Lancelot smiled and sat down a few feet away. She nodded and he grinned, "You have magic as well?" She blinked and the knight kept talking, "It won't be dawn for a few hours so why don't we get some rest and we can talk in the morning?" She merely blinked again and the knight once more looked over to check on Merlin, who appeared to be breathing easier than before. Looking back at the newcomer he was surprised to find her already asleep and with a smile he too was soon fast asleep leaning against a tree, waiting for the dawn.

When the knight woke it took a few minutes to note that not only was the stranger gone but so was Merlin. Standing up he called for the warlock only for the young man to respond while fishing. The knight sighed and watched the warlock walk over. He seemed to be feeling better and even joked around his best friend before heading for their horses. As they rode the knight and the warlock talked quietly but for some reason the older man didn't mention the young woman from the previous night and he assumed by Merlin not mentioning her that she had probably left before the manservant had woken. He wondered if there was a reason she hadn't wanted the young man to know she'd been there. He also realised that he had never asked or learned her name during the night. As they rode he kept an eye out but saw no one and nothing strange, though it was quiet but he blamed that on the Dorocha. Their day went by quickly and then the night went by equally quickly as they fell asleep in the cabin, got chased by Dorocha, were saved by the great dragon, and then continued on their way.

"Hey," Merlin grinned when he spotted the other knight's horses outside the ruins, "I have an idea!" The knight grinned and nodded, agreeing with the plan. Quietly he slipped inside with Merlin a few feet behind him and as he approached the others he noted another shadow moving silently along the edge of his vision but he didn't stop to look. The figure had slipped through a single beam of light as the fire reflected off a sword and Lancelot smiled as he realised the young woman from the other night had been following them most likely the whole time. Merlin and the knight played their prank on the group and enjoyed the surprised expressions on their faces but as Lancelot listened to his prince and best friend talking about sacrifice he too made a choice. To protect his best friend, his prince, his home everyone he cared about the knight decided to take the warlock's place when he took their prince's place. The knight glanced over to the shadow that hadn't moved and wondered what the woman was doing here. Silently he stood and glanced at the prince and manservant who had turned to look at him.

"Not going far, just have to go," he grinned and walked away but instead of relieving himself the knight walked over to stand in front of the shadow. "What are you doing here?" His question was curious instead of accusing and softly spoken so as not to be overheard.

"Same as you," she replied with equal quiet, "Protecting those I care about. When the time comes no one need sacrifice their lives. Let Merlin knock out the others and then knock him out in return. I will deal with the Cailleach," she said softly. "It is best if you live Lancelot. Merlin will need you in the days to come," he nodded just the slightest amount and headed back to the fire, pleased that the stranger had a way to stop this mess without anyone dying. The night passed and as they headed into the ruins towards the rift Lancelot glanced around, noting that the woman (whose names he had still not learned) was nowhere to be seen. As Percival, Leon and Elyan stayed behind to fend off the wyvern's Lancelot, Arthur, Merlin and Gwaine headed inside. The knight thought he caught a glimpse of her as they entered the main room but couldn't be sure. The rift held everyone's attention as the Cailleach entered their line of sight. While she spoke with the others Lancelot noted that their shadowy companion had moved to stand between their group and the rift as if blocking them from entering. He watched as Gwaine was tossed back and couldn't help but wince while at the same time being glad that it had happened, the knight tended to be rather troublesome about some things and Lancelot had a feeling the knight could cause them problems if he was conscious. He watched Arthur approach the Cailleach only to be knocked out by the warlock. As Merlin and the Cailleach spoke Lancelot approached from the back. He glanced at the rift wondering but noticed again that persistent shadow and nodded.

"Will you give yourself to the spirits to save your prince?" The Cailleach asked almost mockingly and Lancelot winced.

"It is my destiny," Merlin answered calmly and the knight fought back another wince as he walked up behind his friend on surprisingly silent footsteps.

"Perhaps," she agreed softly but then smiled slightly, "but your time among men is not yet over Emrys, even if you want it to be." Before Merlin could turn around Lancelot knocked him out and then turned to the Cailleach. "I had a feeling it would be you," she smiled maniacally but Lancelot just stood there calmly.

"It is not him you must deal with," another voice spoke firmly and both Lancelot and the Cailleach turned as one shadow stepped out from the others, "It is me." The Cailleach frowned in confusion until the young woman walked closer and those aqua eyes became visible. To Lancelot's surprise the Cailleach looked shocked and almost afraid. "You have broken your oath old one," the young woman said softly.

"I have not. A blood sacrifice was made to open the portal and one must be made to close it," the Cailleach answered quickly.

"Perhaps," the woman nodded but her eyes narrowed, "However it is not your place to interfere in their destiny. You are forbidden from taking sides in this," the Cailleach almost seemed to pale but Lancelot stayed absolutely still and silent, watching the woman talk to the Cailleach.

"I have not taken a side," the Cailleach answered softly.

"Oh?" The shadowy figures head tilted slightly to the side. "Am I mistaken in that you treated Morgana gently but caused Merlin to collapse? In that Morgana made it safely to her hovel while Merlin and his party were attacked relentlessly? Have the Dorocha's attacks on Camelot not been fiercer than anywhere else? Tell me old one," the woman stepped closer, "Have you not taken a side?" The Cailleach froze for a long minute before lowering her head to stare at the floor. "The Triple Goddess came to a seer among my people and spoke of this. She is displeased and as such has lessened the sacrifice required for the closing of the rift. Not a life," the woman said softly, "But a blood sacrifice none the less." The Cailleach looked up in surprise before understanding filtered through and she nodded in acceptance.

"I understand," the older woman nodded, "I will accept this for what it is." Lancelot frowned in confusion but the Cailleach continued, "You will be giving the sacrifice than?"

"No," Lancelot frowned but the younger woman waved a hand calmly.

"This sacrifice must come from one with magic Lancelot," she said softly. "Meaning myself or Merlin. This has happened before and should Arthur look into it upon your return will know that whomever makes this sacrifice has magic. He is not ready for the truth yet nor do I trust him with Merlin's life. It is best if it is myself," Lancelot's frown stayed in place and the Cailleach watched silently but the knight slowly nodded.

"Alright," he said with a firm nod.

She turned to the Cailleach and nodded firmly, "It is decided."

The Cailleach's saddened, "Are you sure child of shadows? There will be much pain involved and you will be quite weak. While the king might learn of Merlin's sacrifice he cares for the boy and would probably not harm him willingly. You on the other hand," the older woman stopped but the shadowed woman spoke firmly.

"I can protect myself. If he kills me so be it but Merlin must survive and stay close to him," Lancelot straightened as he understood the potential sacrifice she was making. While the Cailleach wouldn't kill her the results still could.

"I will protect her," Lancelot stated firmly. "I believe Merlin will stand by you as well since you seem to know each other." Both women seemed surprised but nodded and turned to face each other.

"This will hurt," The Cailleach warned as she drew a knife from the folds of her robes. The armour clad woman didn't move and Lancelot winced as the knife slid into the young woman. A soft sound of pain emanated from the shadow clad woman but she did not cry out. The Cailleach seemed impressed by the silence and pulled the blade free before walking over and throwing the blade into the torn veil. It slowly closed and the Cailleach vanished after nodding towards them. Lancelot sighed in relief but his relief was short lived. In that exact moment the young woman sucked in a harsh breath and sank to the ground.

Alright so I know I said this would be up last night but I encountered a small problem uploading and had to wait. In the meantime I wrote up a few more chapters. They should be posted along with this one. Enjoy! Read and Review my lovelies!