Arthur and Merlin rode down the worn path to Arthur's favorite hunting grounds. He was glad it wasn't too far from the city. Hunting had never been his favorite pass time, but as Arthur's manservant, he always had to accompany him on these trips. Never mind they were supposed to be solo trips.
They stopped by the brook and continued the rest of the way by foot. Knowing Arthur would skin him alive if he scared off any more prey, Merlin took extra care to tread quietly and keep aware of his surroundings. For some strange reason he felt he was being watched. Shadows moved but there was nothing there. Sticks crunched but there was no one there to step on them. He would have thought he was going mad, but Arthur noticed it too.
"Merlin that had better not be you!" He rage whispered.
"It's not, sire," Merlin whispered back. "It sounds like it's coming from the left." But he shot his eyes to the right. It was a tactic used to ambush bandits, and he knew Arthur would recognize it.
"Okay on three," They quickly ran in the direction of the noises. But what they found was not a group of bandits but a girl. She was obviously a few years older than Arthur was. She had midnight black hair and soft brown eyes. She reminded Merlin of someone, but he couldn't think of who. She was clearly frightened by the sudden appearance of the two boys; her eyes were a big as saucers.
Not wanting to scare her any more Merlin lowered his sword and Arthur soon followed suit. She seemed to relax a little but her guard was still up. Merlin decided it was best to figure out who she was. "Hello, I'm Merlin. Who are you?"
"Kenna," she squeaked.
"Well, Kenna what are you doing out here," Arthur asked. He left off a silent 'stalking us'.
"You two are the first people I've seen in weeks. The bandit that grabbed me wasn't very competent, but before I could escape he moved me so far away from my home that I don't have a clue how to get back. I've just been wandering ever since. Where am I by the way?" She looked very confused. Merlin looked to Arthur. They knew they couldn't just leave her here alone and confused.
"You're in Camelot," Arthur said gently, "and I'm Prince Arthur. This is Merlin, my manservant. We could take you to the castle and find a way to get you home."
"Really!" she said excitedly. "I would love that."
"Okay, let's get going. Gaius should be back from his rounds by now right?" Arthur asked Merlin.
"Yes, sire. He should be working of making potions and things like that right about now," He answered.
"Excellent," Arthur said and they started on their way.
Merlin led Kenna to the old physician's room. Arthur went to inform his father that he was back and what happened in the woods. They would probably try to hunt down the bandit to prevent him from causing any trouble in Camelot.
Kenna was quiet on the way home. Merlin assumed she was just shy, but he had a feeling there was more to it than that. She had a familiar look about her, yet he couldn't figure out just why that was. He was certain he had never met her before. He couldn't help but wonder where she was from. Maybe he had been there with Arthur and he had seen her in a crowd or something. That was the only reason that he could think of, that made since.
They walked into Gaius's chambers to find the old man staring out the window. He had a troubled look on his face. Merlin walked up behind him but the Physician didn't seem to notice. He looked like he had seen a ghost. "Gaius, are you okay?"
Gaius jumped. He just realized there were people in his room. "Oh, Merlin, My boy you startled me." He looked quickly at the girl standing in the doorway. "Who is your friend?"
"This is Kenna. We found her in the woods. She was abducted by a bandit and escaped. Arthur wanted you to look at her and make sure she was completely fine."
"Of course, I'll get on that immediately" He responded, shuffling to clear the bench so she could sit down.
"Okay, well I have to get back to Arthur. He wants to see if we can track down the bandit." He walked out the door in search the prince.
"I never did expect to see you again! How have you been dear?" Gaius couldn't believe his eyes. The girl before him should be long dead. She would be if it weren't for the promise he made her father. He might not have been able to protect her parents, but he could at least he could keep her safe.
"Good enough. After I completed my training, I went to Mercia. It was there I heard the rumors about my father. I couldn't find him, but I did hear about my little brother. I had to see if it was true. I'm pleased to say I was pleasantly surprised." Kenna smiled thinking of the clumsy servant that looked so similar to her. "Is it true? Everything the druids say about him?"
"Yes and so much more! He is defiantly incredibly powerful, but he lacks control. Have you heard of his battle with Nimueh?" Gaius found it weird to talk to someone like this about his ward, but it was nice to have someone else to discuss their secret with. He knew Merlin would agree.
"Yes, I and Morgause both have. We felt the shift of power when he took control of the power of life and death. It's part of the reason I'm here. Morgause doesn't know about him and its better she didn't. As much as I hate to admit it she has become corrupt in her hatred and power lust. If she were to gain control of any amount of his power, she would become unstoppable. Cenred's kingdom wouldn't be the only one under her control." Kenna shook her head she couldn't bear the thought of what her old friend had become.
"So it is true, what they say about Cenred being manipulated?" Gaius could only guess what that meant for Camelot and Merlin.
"Yes, I'm afraid so," She sighed. Then she smiled, "Is my old friend still where we had to leave him?"
Gaius chuckled, "Yes, he hasn't really had a chance to move from there have he? It will be a few hours before the boys get back if you want to see him."
She was already sprinting out the door.
The Dragon could feel the power in the air. He knew a High Priestess when he smelt one. He couldn't see what was happening up in the castle, though. If Uther had one on trial, he should be able to see what was going on. His Dragon Sight always allowed him to see those things, but his entire sight was blurred even Arthur and Merlin's destiny was out of focus. It disturbed him greatly.
That is until he saw the raven-haired witch leaning against the wall of his cavern. "You know Kilgharrah, this is not how I pictured seeing you again." She chuckled and walked closer to the edge. "I always thought you would have tricked someone into letting you out by now. You were never the most patient dragon."
"Kenna, what are you doing here? You should know better than anyone that the castle of Camelot is no place for a High Priestess!" he scolded.
"It seems to be the perfect place to hide my little brother, though." she looked him in the eye. She knew how he worked. There was no way he hadn't tricked him into doing something that would ultimately lead to him being let free. The Dragon, despite wanting the best for the fate of magic, was incredibly greedy.
"He has a great destiny ahead of him. I have only guided him in that direction as best I could." He defended himself.
"Did that direction include exposing him to the magical world? You and I both know how disastrous that could be. Especially if Morgause got to him before I did. You are lucky she hasn't come for her sister yet! He wouldn't stand a chance! What happened with Nimueh put everything at stake! He was not ready for that kind of power, and now Morgause knows there's another powerful sorcerer out there. She could very well think it was Morgana and come looking for her. She will stop at nothing for her quest for power and revenge. I know you want Uther dead, but neither my brother nor Arthur are ready for that. Merlin probably doesn't even understand the severity of his destiny, yet!" She took a breath. She hadn't meant to come down here to yell at him, but, honestly, with no one to keep an eye on him for twenty years, he had caused a lot trouble, and he deserved it.
"Are you done yet, Little Witch?" Her father often scolded him in a similar manner. It was better to let her get it all out in fatal swoop.
She growled. She hated when he called her that. It drove her nuts. Even as a child when her father would bring her to visit the dragons. They knew it to. She knows he does it because he thinks it's funny. "No, but I'm almost out of time. They're almost back. I need to be in Gaius's chambers when they get there." She was right. Kilgharrah could feel the presence of the warlock approaching. She bolted down the corridor.
