Gwaine rides through the forests not entirely sure where to start looking for the young woman, who he was in debt for. A debt he is sure he would have to repay in the future. He comes across a clearing. He is about to start back into the forest when something caught his eye, a small hole. As Gwaine approached it he noticed the hole increase in size. Pulling out his sword Gwaine enters the hole.
Arthur, Merlin, Gwen, and the Knights enter Camelot around dusk. Stable boys come running forward to grab the horses as all dismounts. Arthur, Merlin, and Gwen head straight for Gaius' chambers.
When they reach Gaius' chambers Arthur knocks as Merlin just opens the door. Merlin walks in leaving Arthur to gape at him. Gwen gives a small chuckle before following Merlin who is smirking. All enter the room as Gaius turns surprised to see the King and Queen in his company. "What can I do for you?" Gaius asks cautiously looking them up and down for any sign of illness.
"We are here for Merlin." Gwen says coming forward. Gaius looks surprised as he turns to his ward. Merlin is sitting on a chair just about to take a bite into an apple as he looks around at all the eyes staring at him.
"I'm fine, honestly." Merlin says, tired of all the stares.
"What happened?" asked Gaius.
"A poisonous arrow," answered Arthur, "Hit him in the back right shoulder."
Gaius move over to Merlin and made him show him where the arrow hit. Gwen excused herself as Merlin pulled his shirt above his head. His right shoulder only contained a small red spot, hardly bigger than a bee sting. "Are you sure it was an arrow?" Gaius asked unbelieving.
"Yes, Gwen saw it. The thing is…" Arthur turns towards the door to make sure no one was listening and that it was closed. "The thing is Merlin has already been healed."
Both Merlin and Gaius look at Arthur. No one had talked to Merlin about the exact events of his recovery except it was some mysterious girl who disappeared as quickly as she had appeared.
"This girl, or young woman, I don't know, she couldn't have been more than twenty. But she came out of nowhere and saved Gwen and Merlin from the bandits. This is according to Gwen whose word I believe and fully trust. Anyway, by the time the Knights and I got there the bandits were already down and the only ones standing were Gwen and the girl. She said she could help Merlin, but at first we were apprehensive, I mean it was magic. But there was no other choice and so she said a spell, or at least I think it was a spell, and Merlin was healed."
"So where is this sorcerer?" Gaius asked looking around expecting her to appear suddenly.
"I don't know her current whereabouts but that's the other thing, she said she wasn't a sorcerer, nor a warlock." Gaius is surprised to hear this news as he looks at Merlin who is confused. "My question is, Gaius, if a human practices magic but is not a sorcerer or warlock, then what is she?"
Before Gaius could answer the door opened to show Leon on the other side. "Sorry to bother you my Lord, but we must have a meeting to discuss the bandit attack."
Arthur nods to Leon before turning to Gaius and Merlin and nodding farewell to them. "Feel better." Arthur tells Merlin before he leaves.
As soon as Arthur is gone Merlin turns to Gaius, "What is a human who practices magic but isn't a warlock or sorcerer, I never heard of such a thing."
Gaius thinks for a minute before going to his bookshelf. He studies the books looking for the right one. When he finds it he pulls it out, dust blows off of it. "There are a few possibilities I can think of," says Gaius as he opens the book.
"Which are?"
"The first is she is lying. Just made it up to sound more important than she actually is. The second is that she is a nymph, though I have a hard time believing this one because they haven't been seen in over thousands of years."
Gaius shows Merlin the page containing the nymphs; Merlin looks over it before turning to Gaius. "Are there any other things she could possibly be?"
"The one I believe the most is the Dziwożona."
"What is the Dziwożona?"
"They are also known as Mamuna, but they are female swamp demons. They are known to be dangerous and malicious, which it sounds like she was to the bandits. They are known to attract men with their looks only to attack and murder them. Can you tell me anything about her? Describe her to me."
Merlin looks around thinking about what to say. "She seemed like an angel to me, I know that sounds crazy but I swore I was dead and she was an angel to lead me to where I needed to go. Her voice was like music, sort of singsong. When it called me I knew I had to listen. And when I opened my eyes and saw her, I felt calm and relaxed, like with her I could do anything. I can't see her as a murderer."
Gaius stared at Merlin taking in his words. He sighs not knowing what to tell Merlin. "Merlin I fear you are going under her spell. Dziwożona are very dangerous, you must take precaution with them." Merlin only nods though not believing in what Gaius is saying.
Using the day as an excuse Merlin heads off to bed to be alone with his thoughts. Could the girl who saved his life, the one he could have sworn was an angel really be a cold hearted killer. Merlin's thoughts flittered to Freya. Oh how he missed her. Nights like these Merlin longed for Freya's touch, her comfort. Merlin dozed off into a peaceful dream with Freya.
Gwaine slowly entered into the hole only to see the back of the young woman. "That sword is not needed here." The young woman spoke without turning her head. "Only those who seek good may find the entrance to the cave." The young woman turned and handed Gwaine a mug. He takes it cautiously; looking at it she smiles at him. "If I have heard correct you enjoy a nice cup of mead every now and then." The young woman smiles as she takes a sip of her own cup, Gwaine slowly brings the cups to his lips only to taste the most wondrous mead he could remember.
When Gwaine finally puts his cup down the young woman spoke again, "so Sir Gwaine, what is it I may assist you with?"
Gwaine puts down his cup, "King Arthur requests your presence in Camelot."
If the young woman is surprised at hearing this she does not show it. "King Arthur requests my presence? Am I correct to understand that it is illegal for the practice of magic in Camelot?"
"That is correct."
"So am I correct to assume that the only reason my presence is requested is to arrest me?"
"No, I don't believe that at all."
The young lady smiles at Gwaine, "so Sir Gwaine do I have your word that I will not be arrest for the use of magic?"
Gwaine hesitates for a minute before answering, "King Arthur is a right and fair king. Today you saved his wife, a woman he loves dearly, and his manservant, a man he respects and loves dearly. I don't believe he will charge you for the use of magic, so yes you have my word."
"In the end all a man has left is his word. I will go with you to Camelot Sir Gwaine and I take with me your word."
The young woman stands and make for the entrance of the cave when Gwaine calls out to her. "Wait, I see it unfair that you know my name, yet yours remain unknown."
The young woman smiles, "I have many names but you may call me Elaine."
