She was frightened.

Arthur could see that. Who could not? Her screams proved the assumption even more so as she transformed into the winged beast. The knights stood back in horror, but not Helig. He had a sick sadistic grin on his face; finally he had caught his prey. And as soon as this realization hit him, he also realized that she was no longer a girl but a monster, and that was when the beast struck.

As the bastet tore the bounty hunter limb from limb, Arthur shouted his men to retreat. He couldn't knowingly harm this girl even if she was a monster. Her terrified face, her pleading to let her go, they had stuck in Arthur's mind. Maybe she could just leave Camelot and never return. But if she did chase after them, by God he would have his men fight. They ran to the main square and huddled in a group, just as the beast was flying overhead.

Merlin ran into the square shortly after Arthur and his men. He wouldn't let Freya die. He skidded to a halt ten feet away from the huddled mass. Looking up, he saw the winged panther flying above, heading for the city walls. He set off again at a sprint after the bastet.

Arthur, kept a careful aim on the creature, lest it decided to attack. Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Merlin running towards them.

"Merlin! What do you think you're doing?" he shouted, but that seemed the wrong thing to do. The bastet heard him and changed its course. It was now heading for the knights. It appeared that the beast had decided to attack. Arthur ran after the winged cat and his men followed. Soon the panther was cornered and the group of men were huddled infront of it, armed in a defense stance.

Merlin stopped shortly in the middle of the square, watching Arthur and his knights corner his love. It wasn't fair. He wouldn't, couldn't watch her die. The bastet growled at the small army posed to attack. Then she looked up and saw Merlin. She stopped and gazed into his pure blue eyes. Eyes filled with hurt, and love.

Looking up, Merlin saw a gargoyle poised on the rooftop that was positioned ideally between the knights and Freya. Without hesitation, his eyes flashed gold and the gargoyle's head tumbled over, just as Arthur was prepared to strike.

The cascade of rubble caused the men to draw back several steps. When the dust had cleared they saw the beast flying away. Merlin ran out of the square, following it. Arthur looked back to see the fleeting figure of his manservant. What was the idiot thinking running after a murderous creature?

Merlin followed the bastet towards the tunnels where he had visited Freya many times before. He hoped and prayed that he would find her. He needed to see her, needed to comfort her.

Racing towards the entrance, Merlin grabbed the torch guarding the entrance and headed inside. He walked into the deep recesses of the tunnels, and ahead he saw two glowing green eyes peering from around the corner. Merlin slowed and held out his hand. Precariously, he continued to step closer to the big cat.

"You're alright," he muttered. "You're safe now." He rested his hand on the brow of the beast. She leaned into his touch, slightly purring at the contact. Merlin sighed and gently pet her. But then the panther shook her head, causing Merlin to step back slightly and she stalked away, deeper into the tunnels.

Merlin continued to follow, determined not to loose her. Climbing down the staircase, and rounding a corner, he saw her human feet, poking out from an alcove, and heard gentle, steady sobs echoing from the place.

Setting down the torch he had brought in, he removed his jacket and proceeded forward towards the alcove. He slipped behind Freya and wrapped the coat around her bare shoulder as he held her close.

"You must hate me." She sobbed.

"No." Merlin replied, desperate to stop Freya's tears. He couldn't bear to hear her crying.

"I'm a monster." She argued. "I tried to tell you." She sobbed some more and Merlin shushed her.

"I know." He soothed.

"I wasn't always like this," she sobbed. "There was a man, he attacked me. I didn't mean to hurt him but I thought he was going to kill me."

Merlin held her closer. "It was an accident." He told her, trying to take away her pain.

"His mother was a sorceress," she continued. "When she found out—that I killed her son," she looked into Merlin's sad eyes. "She cursed me to kill forevermore." She sobbed harder, laying her head into his shoulder. He clutched her tight and moved them both into a sitting position, her head still rested against his shoulder. His sad eyes looked up towards the ceiling as he listened to Freya's muffled sobs.

"I'm going to make you better, Freya." He whispered, and kissed the top of her head. He continued to hold her until the bells tolled out the morning.