Chapter 4- Cobra


Author's Note: Hello all! I've managed to update, sorry for the delay. But here's the new chapter where you'll find out the identity of the knocker. Meanwhile, Freya sees an unwelcome face from her past, before it turns out that none of that matters as they're all in danger.


FREYA

"I said, who's there?" Merlin demanded again, he began edging towards the door. Freya didn't know why but her arm reacted instinctively in pulling Merlin back, surprising not only him but herself.

"I just wanted to say thank you….." a voice answered. The accent was foreign, unlike anything Freya had heard before, almost songlike. "I don't want to intrude, I'm sorry…. But you two must be hungry….. I've left you some date bread."

Freya sensed herself breathing a sigh of relief, before looking at Merlin, who looked unsure of how to react. She had a hunch who it was on the other side of the door, she had been fearing another bounty hunter from Camelot or another associate of Halig- although this woman could be a bounty hunter, for some reason Freya didn't think she was.

"W-who are you?" the warlock repeated.

"Tamara," the woman replied. "My name is Tamara."

Merlin turned to Freya, almost asking her what to do next, but her mind also drew blanks. What were they supposed to do? Was it risky to see why two people on this ship had gone to some effort to help them?

"Let's see what she wants," Freya suggested.

"I'll do it, you stay here," Merlin said, before opening the door ever so slightly. Freya remained shielded by the door, like a parapet. Whatever was on the other side couldn't see her, but she couldn't see outside. However, she was close enough to hear.

"Yes?" Merlin asked, peering through the door.

"I have this bread that I think you, and the girl might like," Tamara offered. "I haven't poisoned it, I swear, I'll even take a bite."

"Right, OK, that's very kind of you," Merlin thanked. He took the bread and took a bite and Freya heard his voice warm up. "This is actually very good, where's it from."

"It's a secret recipe from Myr," Tamara said. "My family brought it over a long time ago."

"Where are they now?" Merlin asked. "If you don't mind me asking."

"In a better place."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be," Tamara said. "Death is a natural path, we must all cross it one day. But before death takes away what you are given, we should give what there is to give."

Merlin sighed. "Thank you, again, we appreciate that, we really do. But we would like to rest now, if that's all right."

"OK, that's absolutely all right," Tamara said. Freya could feel her mood sullen, as did the Druid's own; she understood logically why Merlin was being distant, why they could not risk it if this woman was a mole, but in her heart she was not comfortable. From what Merlin had described, Tamara was an outcast, thought cursed- exactly like her, except so far Tamara had not turned into any beast and hurt anyone. Yet the world seemed to either ignore her or take active part in her torment.

Merlin couldn't always protect them both in the same way, but was Freya really prepared to ask Merlin to protect only her and damn everyone else without even thinking this through?

"I'm sorry for what happened at the docks, I didn't mean to go that far….. I'll be leaving you two to rest now," Tamara said. Freya heard the woman turn on her heel, but Freya tapped Merlin on the arm.

"Invite her in," she said quietly.

"What? Freya, we can't risk it," Merlin whispered. "What if she sees you and goes and tells someone?"

"She's already seen me, if she was working for the people after me, we'd already be in chains by now. Besides, don't you want to know who she is and what she wants?" Freya argued.

Merlin exhaled and nodded. "Tamara! Come back. Come on in, we should talk properly. Will you share more of the date bread with us?"

The chunk that Merlin passed her was delicious. It was a soft bread, filled with milk and dried dates. Despite being small, they seemed to give Freya the sense of being replenished like water from an oasis in the desert.

Tamara entered their cabin for the first time- she was some inches shorter than Freya herself- who was short herself. For one moment Tamara smiled, her eyes lit up and as did her face, Freya could feel herself smiling back at her. Then the younger girl remembered the dead skin on Tamara's face and her left hand.

"You're wondering what this is?" she asked, after Merlin beckoned her to sit on the hay bed. He took the floor, while Freya sat on the hammock.

"I-I'm sorry," she said.

"It's OK, most people just stare, curse or spit," Tamara shrugged. "I've had this since I was young, it's called greyscale, it normally kills the victim by turning their body slowly into stone from the inside. With me, it left me with scars but spared me from death."

"It can't be easy, having to live with it," Merlin said.

Tamara opened her mouth to reply, but cleared her throat. "The Great Spirit works in mysterious ways, while we may think we are being punished or being made to suffer, in suffering there is hidden mercy. The Great Spirit thought to test me by inflicting this disease on me as part of His plan, but there are many other bounties that we take for granted, like the eyes that we see with, the lungs that we breath with and our touch, our hearts."

"When you said you were sorry about what happened at the docks, what did you mean?" Freya quizzed.

Tamara gave a small smile. "After years of practice, meditation and trying to cleanse my soul, I can sometimes see into the souls and hearts of others."

"You can read their thoughts?"

Tamara said sadly. "I can sense their hopes, desires, fears, their pain, even if they don't know about it. Sometimes it stops me from hating someone, when normally I would and should hate.

"Those boys, they are orphans- every single one of them, all of them eager to prove to their minder that they are grown up and they know what they are doing, afraid of being an oucast on their own."

"That's no justification to treat you like they did," Freya snapped. "We all suffer pain, loss and fear- but not everyone enjoys causing suffering to others!" People when they have a choice and are in control of themselves, they choose to hurt others! They choose to cause pain, they have no right to expect others to be gentle to them!

"You are right, but not everything is so simple," Tamara replied softly. "There are blacker hearts than those boys in this world, some sick hearts are best pitied, others are worth being fearful of."

"Is that what you were trying to do- see into my soul?" Merlin probed quietly.

Tamara gave a bashful smile. "I'm afraid so, I sometimes forget that not everyone welcomes it."

"What did you see?" Merlin pressed cautiously.

Tamara gave a sigh and looked over at Freya, who wondered whether she wanted to hear this. She could see that Merlin was nervous, he was scared, this was all new to him, this journey was taking a toll on him, for the past few days, he had been hyper alert and sleeping less. But she knew he was trying and she believed that if they worked together, things would work out. They had to, otherwise his sleeplessness would turn to irritation, which would turn to resentment.

"I have no secrets from her," Merlin said bluntly, which somehow filled Freya with relief, it couldn't be worse than what she already thought, could it?

"I know you're doing your best to protect your woman, I know you're worried about the ones you've left behind," Tamara pointed out. "Not just in Camelot, Merlin."

Freya could see the blood from Merlin's already pale face freeze. She knows too much! They had to be safe, if this woman was a danger, they would be dead by now, wouldn't they?

"What do you want?" Freya found herself asking.

"I don't want anything," Tamara said. "I know you don't trust me, and you shouldn't trust every stranger, but I mean you no harm- I swear it by Wakan Adhem- the Great Spirit. But you will have to trust someone eventually, if you two are to survive."

"And you think that should be you?" Merlin demanded.

"No, but I sincerely pray and hope that you find someone you can trust and they help you deal with her condition. It won't be easy on your own. I know you care for her deeply, Merlin, but over the years sacrificing for someone the way you have can make a man resentful."

"I would never be resentful towards Freya," Merlin said simply. "No matter what her condition." Freya could sense a cold fury burning in Merlin, she was flattered and scared at the same time- was this fire going to fade to embers one day? Even if it didn't would it change Merlin?

"I'm not saying you definitely will, but one day you will have to depend upon others to help you- for any friendship or union to work, one cannot feel they are giving their all and being taken for granted," Tamara defended. "All I'm saying is that one day, you will have to trust a few, even, to help you and you will have to be honest with them and when you are, they will not desert you. I will not pretend that I know who these people are and when you will have the fortune to meet them, but you have to find them for both your sakes, if you are to survive."

Freya had edged closer to where Merlin was sitting, she could sense his anger mellowing down. She looked into Tamara's eyes and decided that Tamara meant well, no matter what happened, she had to.

"Thank you, Tamara, for your words," Freya smiled.

"She's right," Merlin assented. "I'm not at my most cordial, but you can understand why, can't you?"

"I can, Merlin," the older woman nodded. "Believe me, I can."

"What brings you on the ship, Tamara?" Freya asked, after a pause.

"I hope to live long enough to tell you the long version, but the short version is: I am heading home, back to Myr. I'm just traveling through what's in between, I know my eventual destination is Myr, just like I know that death is everyone's destination. What matters is how we travel through to that destination, and I want to see things, do things and help where I can before I reach Myr and death.

"Before death takes away what you are given, give what there is to give." Tamara repeated almost maternally.

Freya found herself wanting to cry silently, not realising it until she felt a tear trickle down her face. She tried to wipe it quickly, but Merlin and Tamara both saw.

"Freya, let me tell you something, there is a darkness inside everyone, me included. Hate and despair can make you prisoners to that darkness. But you are a good person, you both are, but remember that a heart full of true love is like a phoenix that no cage can imprison, don't forget that."

"I won't, I promise," Freya croaked. "Thank you."

"Not a problem, habia," Tamara responded twinkling. "That's a word of endearment from my mother tongue."

"That's beautiful."

The three took a moment, before Merlin asked about the people of Westeros and their stances on magic.

"Well, magic is not common, nor is it unheard of, those in the North are more likely to be fascinated by it, while those in the South, who follow the Faith of the Seven are more likely to be wary of those with magic. But, if I were you, I wouldn't tell everyone in the North about your gift either, people can be envious, you understand?"

Merlin nodded. "I understand, Tamara. Are you sure there is nothing we can do for you?"

"Try not to start any more fights, if you can help it," she grinned. "At least until we dock."

The three gave a soft chuckle, before Merlin's face became sombre. "Wait, do you think the Captain will be angry about the almost fight at the pantry?"

Tamara gave a smile that was suppressing a laugh, like she wanted to make a rude joke, but refrained. "I don't think so, Merlin."

"By the way, it's Balin while we're on this ship," Freya corrected. "And I'm Emily."

"Right, Balin and Emily, it is," Tamara said. "I'm still Tamara, I'm afraid." They all chuckled.


The next few days passed with some restlessness. Merlin would sneak out to the pantry for food, thankfully without a fight erupting, and sometimes Tamara would share some of her meals with her- the cooks quickly served her without any comment or lingering glance, wanting to be rid of looking at her for longer than necessary. That way, she could take the portion and sneak back to her shared cabin or to Merlin and Freya's.

However, Freya grew more and more impatient, after reading the books in the cabin and Merlin's map from cover to cover, she hated being couped up in the dark and damp room, it reminded her too much of her cage. She wanted and needed air, but Merlin had told her it was too risky. She knew deep down he was probably right, but he could not understand what it was like having to stay put and do nothing while others did everything for you. For the first few days, Freya had enjoyed snuggling with Merlin in their hammock or hay bed, but the impatience had made her more frigid and unresponsive.

"I can wear my hood, no one will see me!" Freya had protested. "I won't be couped up here doing nothing while you do everything."

"You can't know that for sure, if they do then it's all over for both of us" Merlin had replied. "You're staying put."

"What will they do, have the ship turned around back to Camelot from this far out?" Freya had snapped. "They've already seen you, and no one has recognised you, have they?"

"I'm not as notorious as you yet, I'm just a lowly kidnapped servant boy." Merlin had tried to lighten the mood. A few days ago, that had been funny and had made Freya laugh to think that the Prince and King of Camelot might think that she had either seduced or taken the manservant hostage. Today, however, the frustration and anger bared her heartstrings and Freya's face had drooped with hurt at that, as she turned her face away so he could not see her tears that wanted to fall.

"Freya, what's wrong, I was joking, you know." He had brought himself into a sitting position next to her with their backs against the wall. She put her head in her arms.

"Fine, I'll just stay put then," she muttered fighting back the tears.

"Hey, I'm sorry, OK?" Merlin said, putting his arm around her. He moved to kiss her on the shoulder. He had just gone to her neck, when she pushed him away. He looked taken aback, he stood up and walked away, with his hands up, as if he was resigning himself to something.

Freya cursed herself, wondering what was the matter with her. She had never thought she would get this upset and now Merlin had just walked out. She pondered just putting on her cloak and walking out. But what if he was right? What if there was someone up on deck that would recognise her and put them all in danger? Would Merlin hold a gudge against her?

She ended up pacing the cabin for a few minutes going over these questions and doubts before he came back. She let out a sigh of relief and stood to attention on her feet.

"Merlin, are you…..?" she began.

Merlin looked like he had come from a battle. "I'm fine, I'm all right," he said. "The Captain has just pulled some shipwrecked survivors, three men and two women, who have barely said a word."

"What happened, do you know?"

"No, but….. listen, I'm sorry I'm being a bit off with you," Merlin sighed, sitting next to her on the hay bed.

"I know you're trying to protect me, I know if one wrong person recognises me it could be over for both of us," Freya admitted.

"I suppose we can take precautions," Merlin smiled. "How about we take you up on deck when it's dusk?"

Freya's eyes lit up. "I'd like that!"

"I don't think you should get stuff from the pantry yet, but when we dock, then there'll be plenty of chances to make yourself do something you think is useful," he said.

"Thank you, Merlin." She squeezed his hand and kissed him on the cheek. "I can't wait until we reach Blazewater Bay. We can both find ourselves a home and work…."

"I know, I really want that too," he whispered. He cleared his throat, as if he wanted to say something.

"What's wrong?" Freya pressed.

"I've been speaking with Metros, the Red Priest," Merlin began. "He told me about the legend of the Azor Ahai. He was a warrior with a magic sword that saved the world from these evil men made of ice, who would bring the cold with them on every place they conquered.

"Metros thinks that these Ice Men, who he calls White Walkers, are coming again and I will ride a dragon to help defeat them, or something like that."

"That's good, isn't it?" Freya asked. "Did he say anything about the near future or how it would be like when we dock, or where we should go, or who we can trust?"

"No, Metros says he doesn't choose what the flames show him," Merlin admitted.

"So, have you ever seen a dragon?" Freya said intrigued. "I've read a few legends about dragons from the land we're going to- apparently they were bred by the old kings and queens- the Targaryens. Apparently, Aegon the Conqueror used a dragon to conquer the Seven Kingdoms.

"I don't think dragons are invincible," Merlin said sadly. "If they were, then Uther would not have been able to kill them and imprison the last one."

The thought of the last ever dragon being imprisoned made Freya's heart break a little.

"He was chained deep in the caverns of Camelot, he could speak, and he would often give me counsel….." His voice trailed off.

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing," Merlin shook his head. "I've never been a dragon lord or master, whatever that means."

"Maybe we can learn more about it in Westeros, maybe being a dragon lord is or was very common?" Freya suggested cheekily. Merlin looked at her sadly and nodded.

Dusk fell and Freya excitedly donned her cloak, cast her hood and wandered out of the cabin with Merlin by her side. She had to keep hold of Merlin and the railing on the side of the ship to avoid falling and risking a broken ankle.

They ascended onto the deck and the darkening blue sky and the roar of the waves greeted them. Freya closed her eyes and smiled to herself, feeling the salty air on her face, a stark contrast from the smell of damp hay. She opened them and found it to be a mistake; the sea was vast and majestic and was playing with their ship, causing it to shake and jump on its waves. Suddenly, Freya felt nausea creeping on her and fear, as she held on to the handle that was fastened to one of the rear mast.

Merlin saw this and stepped behind to steady her with his arms, she leaned back as he also secured a grip on the nearest thing, which was a rope. "Do you want to go back inside?" he asked after a few leaps by the ship, with a steady grin.

"No chance!" Freya laughed. She spied First Mate Teague and Victor the Navigator at the helm of the ship, braving the waves, scouting ahead with their telescopes.

She saw the Wen family of seven brothers, sisters and their spouses viewing the scenery on her left side, before one of them said something in a language she did not understand and after mutual murmuring they agreed to go inside. The women seemed to have intricate hair designs with needles sticking in to the buns on their heads. They also fanned themselves with a paper shield in the shape of a semi-circle.

"Thank you!" Freya said turning back to Merlin. "It feels really nice to be out."

"It's OK," Merlin shrugged. He jolted slightly and let out a yell as a wave splashed on to them both, throwing off Freya's hood and submerging her hair in water.

Freya began to laugh hysterically, forgetting where they were and that they were two runaways. She recalled that there was a time that she, Lanny, Hannah and Daegal used to splash each other in the lake near her home during the summer months. She was about to fall into a gradual brood, but shook the thought from her mind.

"Merlin, was that you screaming like a girl?" she teased.

"You know, Emily, I can make you regret that," Merlin said.

"Oh right, sorry!" Freya remembered her alias, but Merlin didn't sound too stern as he scooped up some water from the deck floor and flicked it at her clothes. Freya yelped and gave him a furiously funny look.

"I think that's our cue to go back inside now," Merlin said.

Hand in hand, they pulled their way back to the stairs leading below, with Merlin leading the way, checking that each step had something they could reach to ground themselves if the turbulence increased.

They were halfway through one of the halls, where people were lounging around eating, smoking, drinking and playing board games, when Merlin motioned for Freya to cast her hood, although her wet hair was doing a good job of concealing her face- the lower two tails were close together and could even be mistaken for a beard! Freya told him her opinion. "Besides, suddenly drawing it now would attract attention, wouldn't it?"

Merlin sighed. "All right but let's get out of here quickly."

Freya was inclined to agree but then looked ahead to a boy with a mop of sandy blond hair, who seemed to be around her age. He wore a dark cloak and a catatonic expression as if he was trying to drown his sorrows with the jug of rum in his hand.

Suddenly, Freya's blood froze and her heart jumped out of her chest. Her inner voice commanded her to move away now, but her legs would not listen. Move, you stupid cow, don't just stand there! Merlin noticed and pulled her away, then her legs seemed to get the message, and were shaking, prompting her to break into a run. She pulled the hood over her head and dashed through the corridors with Merlin by her side, back to the sanctuary of their cabin.

"Hey, you!" a voice called behind them, just as they reached their door.

"Keep walking!" Freya whispered to Merlin, begging him not to touch the cabin door.

Merlin shook his head and put hand to steady her. "Don't look back," he muttered. He turned around and marched a few steps towards the source of the voice. "Yes?"

"Not you, her," the dreaded voice said.

"Leave it, little brother!" a second voice said tiringly. "It's not going to achieve anything."

"Don't do this, Benhim," the younger voice retorted.

"Look, I don't know who you are," Merlin said non-chalantly. "But I think we should both just get on our way."

"I want to know why she's keeping her face hidden."

"And I want to be king, but it's never going to happen," Merlin said darkly.

"Carroth, we have been incredibly lucky to be picked up by this crew; do not mess this up for us again!" Benhim snapped.

Freya caught Tamara appearing from the corner and giving her a warm smile. Freya nodded at the older woman and attempted a weak smile, but breathed shallow as if making too much noise would expose her to a monstrous beast.

"Is there a reason you are bothering my daughter and my son by law?" Tamara demanded, putting her hands to her hips.

"No, we're just-" the one called Carroth began, before apparently seeing Tamara's face.

"We were just getting on our way, turns out my brother made a mistake. He's always doing that. Sorry, my lady." Benhim chuckled. "Come on, little brother, don't worry there's hope even for a face like you, don't you see?"

Freya seethed at the mockery, yet was thankful for Benhim's influence. "Thank you, Tamara," she whispered, once she was sure the brothers had gone.

"No problem, are you two all right?" the older woman asked.

"Yeah, we will be," Merlin asked. "Some idiot just saw a girl and thought he would try something."

"Wouldn't understand I'm already spoken for," Freya chuckled nervously. Tamara gave her a studious glance before nodding.

"All right then, have a good night, my darlings," she bid.

The couple returned the wish and retired into their cabin and breathed a massive sigh of relief.

"Who was that?" Merlin asked, with a touch of irritation in his voice.

Freya sat on the bed and took a deep breath. "That was Carroth….. he…. What's he doing here?"

"He was one of the shipwrecked pulled over," Merlin said. "But how do you know him?"

"He was one of the Druids, that initially took me in," Freya said. "He…."

"He knows about your condition?" Merlin asked with a touch of alarm.

Freya nodded. "I'm sorry, you were right, I shouldn't have left the cabin…"

"No, no, it's not your fault, I should have seen this quicker," Merlin waved off. "Listen, maybe we've dodged the arrow, maybe he didn't recognise you, maybe Tamara threw him off track, he knows Freya as the lone girl, not a married woman with a mother, right?"

"Right."

"So, maybe as his brother… did his family see you when you were with the Druids?"

"Not as far as I know. It was just him, a handful of other Druids and the matriarch Nirva. But it sounded like Carroth and his family have been banished from their commune."

"Sounded like it, but maybe his brother doesn't want to risk messing things with this ship, so he'll keep quiet.

"I'll ask him casually where he's going, and I'll make sure we go as far away from there as possible," Merlin suggested.

Freya smiled wistfully. He was always full of ideas and enthusiasm, he always had a plan for her and was doing his best to keep her safe. For her. But all plans could have a fatal flaw.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"I think we shouldn't risk it at all, I think we should get off the minute we hit any land, the minute the ship anchors for a rest, let's not tell anyone- Tamara will be fine, she has her own journey. We need to get out before Carroth or anyone else catches on."

Merlin thought for a while, before nodding in agreement.

"This is becoming an awfully big adventure isn't it?" Freya sighed.

"It is, my darling," Merlin chuckled. "Who would have thought it, that I'd be running across the other side of the sea for this Druid girl I met?" His response was met with a chuckle and flush from the Druid girl.

Merlin pulled out his map and flattened it for Freya to see. "OK, we can get off at the Channel Islands, that seems to be the next natural rest stop, miles away from….. the Stony Shore. We'll just craft a boat from there and make our own way to the Shore. What do you think?"

"How are we going to craft a boat?" Merlin gave her a look and held out his hands. "Oh, stop showing off!" she scolded.

"I'll have a chat with Carroth, to see where he's headed and make sure to avoid that place….. that should be all right." Merlin looked into her eyes, as if asking her to contradict him. Before she could assent or disagree, there was a sharp banging on their door.

"Captain's orders, all passengers and crew members to report to deck, immediately, that means now!" barked a voice. "That means you all too!"

There was further commotion and the couple peered out to see a dark blond haired man ushering everyone out, next to him stood Josep, one of the crew members that had directed Merlin to the pantry.

"Move your arses!" the other man ordered.

"Edric!" Josep said sharply, prompting a dirty look from his comrade.

"All passengers are asked to report to deck before the Captain for their own safety, I repeat, for their own safety and the safety of their loved ones!" Josep announced, at this Freya could year many more doors opening and the footsteps of the passengers stampeding out willingly. Her heart skipped a beat. "We can't be blown can we?" she hissed, reaching for a falchion and her bag.

Before Merlin could answer, Josep was shouting out to them. "That means you two lovebirds as well, now is not the time for that shit, come on, your lives depend on it!"

"What's the issue?" Merlin asked.

"Balin, come up on deck and the Captain will share everything. Can you fight, by the way, what about your woman?"

"What?" Merlin said startled.

"Look at him, Josep, he's just a scrawny kid, he doesn't even know how to hold a sword!" Edric scoffed. "That red priest fella and those Wens with their crazy stuff from Nappon, I think, would do better."

"Can you hold a spear?" Josep ignored his comrade.

"I-yes- I think so, yes!" Merlin replied.

"Good, now move it!" Josep urged. "Or do you want me to help you? We really don't have all day!" His impatience prompted the couple to march outside and join the endless horde of passengers making for the deck.

"Draw your hood," Merlin whispered.

"Do you think there's going to be a fight, have we met pirates?" Freya asked, casting her hood over her face, while using a hand to prevent it from obscuring too much of her vision. She lowered her voice. "Your magic can keep us safe, right?"

"I won't let anything happen to you, Freya," Merlin said after a moment and nodded, but there was an uncomfortable touch of uncertainty in his nod. He took Freya's hand as the passengers ascended on deck, with the dozens of people. Several of the ship's crew stood ominously by the mast, alongside Captain Albert, who wore the sullen face of an embalmer. Even the mighty sea seemed subdued and calm- too calm, the wind appeared to hiss in anticipation, as the darkness of the night slowly dropped over them. The ship was anchored next to a crude and shallow reef, almost as if a ship of stone had been wrecked and the remnants of this wreckage were what allowed other seafarers to anchor and rethink their journey.

The crowd was chattering nervously, as the Captain raised a hand to silence them.

"If I didn't know better, I would think he enjoys the drama," a man in red robes, who Freya assumed was Metros, whispered, as he appeared next to Merlin.

"You might wonder why I've brought you all here," Albert announced. "We are not that far from land, we are nearly at our journey's end. However, I won't lie to you: the safe voyage of everyone here depends on what every man, woman and even child is prepared to do."

First Mate Teague stepped forwards. "We have reason to believe that a group of pirates calling themselves Iron Islanders operate here. They pillage, rape, steal and kidnap travelers who are unprepared."

The rest of the crew gave him a look, as the crowd erupted into a panic once more. Freya's hand tightened around Merlin's and the other around the hilt of her falchion to make sure it was still there.

"Quiet!" the Captain snapped.

"I would really make less noise If I were them," a youth in a dark blue turban who had been hanging with the Wen family said. He was gripping the side of the ship, almost like he was non-chalant in the face of their upcoming danger. Somehow that made Freya more suspicious of him, as if he knew, or acted as if he knew, more than the Captain. He had a copper complexion, as illuminated by the moonlight, a short to medium height, a lamellar shirt and navy cloak.

"If you are all prepared to do your bit to defend this ship and follow orders, then we will deal with every halfwit of a pirate who dares to cross out paths. Raise your hands, how many of you can fight with a spear, sword or any weapon?"

There was a moment of hesitation, broken by Phillip Panner stepping forwards; the Captain visibly grimaced, but turned this into a smile.

"Aye, Captain, me and my boys are good with the sword!" As if to demonstrate, Panner drew his rapier. "We kill pirates for a living!"

"Anyone else?" Teague asked.

The youth in the turban stepped forwards and gave a slight nod, prompting a number of the Wens, male and female, to step forwards behind him. Next was the Red Priest Metros and Septon Fenech. A number of the other passengers also raised a hand in the affirmative, but Freya could sense a number of these hands shaking hesitantly.

"That's very good! The rest can make themselves useful some way or another," the Captain commented. "I am very thankful. I hope we never have to rely on you all, but if the time comes, if you all can follow orders, we will make it to land safely!"

"Aye!" Panner and his boys shouted, prompting an echo from some of the other passengers; however, the crew looked at each other in horror, and the Captain silenced them with a cutting motion with his hand. "People, I understand your enthusiasm, we need to keep quiet, otherwise we risk the Iron Islanders finding us like this, without our glad rags and our hair a royal mess!" A few painful chuckles came, but the Captain shook his head apologetically. "Forgive me, just trying to make a little light of the situation."

"Ship in the North!" Victor yelled from the main mast.

"How far?" Albert asked. "Does it fly any colours or banner?" The deck held its breath and there was no response. "Victor, tell me if there's a banner!"

"It's a gold squid, I think, on black!"

"Greyjoy!" Septon Fenech gasped, his terror spread through the rest of the deck.

"Silence!" barked Teague, causing the crowd to fall silent. "Captain, what are your orders?"

"Right… um…...Have they seen us?"

"No idea!" Victor shouted back. "No wait, they're turning!"

"Does this mean we fight?" the youth in the turban asked, moving a hand to a strange looking sword with a disk like guard.

"Captain, there's a lighthouse east from here, the Bear Lights I think, it may be a docking yard with other ships!" a raven haired crew member shouted, with a scope in his hand. "I recommend we move there now!"

"It could be trap, Ronan!" Josep argued.

"Gentlemen, we don't time to argue!" Albert exclaimed. "I want all passengers- men, women and children old enough to even hold a club to go with Margus to the armoury and arm yourself with something if you haven't got one already!

"First Mate Teague, I want you to direct Winter Winds towards the beacon that Ronan speaks of, I think it's worth the risk if we can avoid this fight with this Greyjoy ship.

"Josep and Edric, ready the catapults and harpoons!"

"Aye, Captain!" A group of passengers rushed to give the two a hand with their task.

Freya turned to Merlin, who was looking pale faced. "Merlin, are you all right?" The ship jolted as the anchor was pulled up. The oarsmen pushed their oars out and began to row the ship off the reef.

"Yeah, I'm fine, we need to find a safe place- let's go to the lounge and keep a look out," Merlin suggested, but he ended up tumbling to the deck floor as the ship jolted again, as it swerved to escape from the Greyjoy ship that was chasing them like a predator to a prey.

"Merlin!" Freya cried, sinking to a sitting position to help him up. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, I'm fine!" the warlock rubbed his knee and grabbed hold of the edge of the deck to support himself.

A trapdoor flew open, with Josep and Edric hauling some catapults and crates up into position.

"We'll have to fight them, won't we?" Freya asked. "It'll be fine, won't it, you can use your magic?"

Merlin pulled himself up to his feet, as Freya helped him, he gave her a smile. "I'll use my magic if I have to. I am not going to risk them taking you captive again." He suddenly looked up front and pulled Freya by the hand the helm of the ship.

"What is that?"

"That's a lighthouse?" Freya asked uncertainly. It was a strange looking one, which was a little small, the light that it emitted was a glow like a firefly but it seemed to pulse hypnotically. There was no land nearby, as such, but it seemed like another reef just behind this lighthouse. The base seemed to be very wide, maybe it was some sort of port.

Freya looked over to the navigator, the first mate and Ronan to find them simply gawking ahead, as if in some sort of trance. Her heart skipped a beat. "Merlin, something's not right!"

Merlin glanced at the three crew members and rushed up to them. "First Mate!" he waved his hand in front of Teague. Only then did Teague snap awake and almost drew his sword at Merlin, a flash of anger and panic sweeping across both their faces. "What do you want?"

"You're not steering!" Merlin yelled, as Freya spied Winter Wind's catapults flinging crates at the Greyjoy ship, which seemed to be edging closer- a war horn sounding from its deck.

The crates exploded into fireworks in mid air, as harpoons from the Greyjoy ship collided into them, prompting laughter from the pirate ship.

"Reload!" Albert ordered. "Defensive positions, prepare to be boarded, spears at front, archers in support!"

Josep came dashing towards the front deck. "Captain requests that you hurry the hell up!"

"We're trying!" Ronan barked.

"What the seven hells is that?" Teague cried out.

Freya glanced ahead to see the lighthouse fragment into two and crash into the sea causing a thunder like crack. Then the volume seemed to fall to mute as the centre beacon where the light was supposed to have been faded away, and a flag pulled up. She borrowed Ronan's scope, which he gave without protest, but not before she saw his breeches turn wet and a trembling hand giving it over.

The flag was blood red, with a golden cobra snake grinning at the stupidity of the Winter Winds. It was a trap. A trap they had rowed right into.


Author's Note: Well now the real action is about to begin! We are firmly in Thrones/Song territory. Any idea who, in particular, we might find on the Greyjoy or Cobra ship? One of them will be from the Merlin fandom. ;)

Please let me know what you think of the plot and characters so far. ;)