Chapter 4

Gwen, Isolde, Freya and the Knights arrived at their resting place without any further dramas occurring. Everyone was relived to have reached it, feeling both hungry and tired.

"I'll get some firewood we can start a fire then and have something to eat, before getting some sleep." Leon suggested.

"Sounds like a good idea, being out in the fresh air has knocked me out. We will start some supper. Freya can you go and get some herbs for me?" Gwen asked.

"Yes of course, I saw some growing before when arrived." Freya replied happy to be doing something, rather than fretting about Merlin.

"I will go with her." Isolde said following Freya into the forest.

"Thank you Isolde."

Gwen began to unpack, they had brought some stew with them, she made herself busy trying to stir some consistency into it. Gwen needed to feel busy at a time like this. Her worry for Arthur was still paramount in her mind, where was he she wondered. Would they be able to track him down, what would happen if they couldn't. It suddenly hit her that she would be expected to take over the running of the Kingdom. She sighed heavily.

"That was a big sigh." Sir Leon said smiling, as he put the firewood down on the ground.

"I'm sorry." Gwen smiled.

"Is there anything I can help with?" he asked looking concerned.

"It's just suppose we can't find them, suppose they're already dead? I'll be expected to take over. I'm not sure if I'm ready for such a thing." she said quietly.

"First things first we will find them. I'm sure once we reach our destination we will learn what happened. As for you not being able to take over if we don't find them. I think you are doing yourself down, you will make a wonderful Queen. You will always have my and the Knight's support." he put his hand over hers.

There were tears in Gwen's eyes. "Thank you Leon you are very kind."

In the Forest

Isolde eventually found Freya picking some herbs quite a way down in the forest. She went over to her, and began to help picking some herbs.

"Here's were you are." Isolde said. "I've been looking everywhere." she said.

"Did Gwen send you?" Freya enquired suspiciously.

"I offered myself actually." Isolde said reaching for some herbs.

"Not those they've been eaten." Freya shouted. "Only pick the ones which have the fully formed leaves on them."

"Right!" Isolde said feeling suddenly stupid.

"I can look after myself you know." Freya remarked. "Everyone seems to think I'm a weakling but I can probably protect myself better than anyone of you can."

"You certainly have some power." Isolde admitted. "What's it like having power like that."

"All my family had magic, it's just a natural gift we have." Freya replied thinking hard. "I'm not sure I can explain enough for you to actually understand. It's just a natural part of me that is there."

"It must be useful." Isolde said studying her.

"Most of the time yes, but sometimes it can be scary too." Freya said. "I once killed a man with my powers you know."

Isolde stopped and looked at her interestingly . "Really you must have had a reason." she probed.

"He attacked me, I was defending myself but I was so scared that I could not control my powers. I killed him on the spot." Freya said turning away. Even now she found it hard to accept, that first incident.

"Now you understand no woman should have to live under fear. You don't have to feel guilty about it." Isolde said putting her hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry you are right you are far more grown up that I've given you credit for."

Freya smiled. "It's not like you're the only one, Merlin's as bad always wanting to protect me."

"That's men for you, they always like to think it's their job to protect their women. But I think we three can do a good job ourselves, don't you?" Isolde asked smiling.

"Yes I think we do pretty well. We'd best take these back, they'll be wondering where we are. Isolde only Merlin knows about what I've told you, please don't tell anyone else." Freya begged.

"If that's what you want. But you need to learn to stop hiding it, it's nothing to be ashamed about. You did what you had to do to save your life."

Freya nodded. "I know. Thanks Isolde, I'm grateful that you listened."

Isolde shrugged. "I can be a good listener believe it or not."

They walked back to the camp together, Freya suddenly feeling more vibrant. She felt good to have got it off her chest, it had always worn her down. She felt glad that having told Isolde that she was both understanding and more respectful of her as a result. She had seen how keeping secrets had damaged Merlin. It was something she always swore she wouldn't do. But she suddenly realised that some things were harder to admit to, that sometimes it was easier to hide things away. Even if it meant that it damaged you as a person.

By the time they got back to the camp, they could smell the aroma of stew cooking away on the fire. Both increased their steps entranced suddenly of the thought of eating. This had been a hard earned meal for them all.

"What a glorious smell." Isolde smiled as she sat down.

"Herbs for you." Freya said throwing them into the pot.

"Wonderful another five minutes it should be ready. I think we've all earned this meal." Gwen smiled.

"Yes indeed." Leon agreed. "Especially you three."

The women laughed. "I think everyone has played their part today Leon." Gwen said. "We've all stuck together which is how it should be."

Within a few minutes they were all tucking in. Few things were said as everyone savoured the food. To Gwen it tasted like the best stew ever and as she watched everyone else round the camp fire she guessed they were thinking the same. It was amazing what a day out in the fresh air did to people.

She suspected this was what Arthur felt like every time he went out on a quest. Suddenly she could understand the camaraderie that Knights felt. As she looked at everyone around the fire, she knew she would do anything to keep them save. As she settled down to sleep, she hoped that Arthur, Merlin and the Knights were also safe.

The Dungeons

Upon waking Merlin felt a little brighter at least. He had at least managed to snatch bits of sleep throughout the night. It was amazing how much more at ease he suddenly felt. Not that is meant he could get them out of their predicament. He was still mightily confused about why his powers were so redundant. He just wished he could remember more of their journey here.

Before he could think anymore Arthur arrived by his side.

"Merlin are you okay?" he asked worriedly.

"You were the one who told me to sleep." Merlin said rolling his eyes at Arthur.

"You had a confrontation with a woman sorcerer last night." Arthur said his face etched with worry.

"What sorcerer? Arthur what are you talking about?" Merlin asked confused and suddenly getting irritated.

Suddenly Merlin saw the other Knights looking at him strangely. It was as if they felt as if he was making no sense, he couldn't get away from the worry that seemed to be on each face. Something was very wrong here, he realised.

"Arthur tell me what happened."

"Just as I told you to get some sleep, someone came to the cell door. It was a woman, a sorcerer. She called you Emrys, and well she mocked you. You seemed totally unable to react to her. She kept throwing you around the cell, we could do nothing to stop her. Doesn't your head ache, you fell onto it last night. It knocked you out." he whispered.

"Arthur I don't remember a thing. When I woke up as far as I was concerned I'd just been sleeping."

"You certainly did sleep." Arthur said. "You were knocked out cold!"

Merlin rolled his eyes, his mind suddenly in turmoil. Who was she? What did she want with them? How come she had enough power to virtually take over his mind and leave it with no memories? What on earth was happening to him? Once again he felt totally defeated, would he ever get back to normal?

"You said she called me Emrys?" Merlin enquired nervously.

"Yes. She seemed to know a lot about you."

"What do you mean?" Merlin asked quickly.

"Your proper name, where you came from, you mother and father's name, all about Gaius as well." Arthur explained slowly. "She knew about your entire life."

Merlin didn't say anything. He knew that while he fought by Arthur's side that he had made many enemies whom possessed magic. It had always been his biggest dilemma through all his service to Camelot, over the years. While some people understood it was for the common good, others did not. They considered him a traitor to magic users, and despised him as much as they did the Pendragons.

He didn't doubt that this woman came from such stock. Not for the first time he wondered what her motivation with him actually was. Also if her main problem was with him, why keep the Knights as well? Most would of tried to have killed them by now. All of a sudden he became conscious of just how much his head did ache. How he wished he had Gaius with him. He would of at least had ideas. All Merlin saw at this moment was a big abyss that he was staring into.

"Oh another thing." Arthur whispered.

Merlin groaned inwardly, what on earth else was there.

"She mentioned Morgana."

"What about Morgana?" Merlin asked quickly.

"She knew everything about her as well. It was almost as if she spoke of her being with her." Arthur said a horrified look on his face.

"Morgana can't be with her Arthur. You saw me kill her remember?" Merlin asked.

"I know, but she seemed so real somehow as if."

"As if what?" Merlin asked cautiously.

"I don't know." Arthur said. "As is she was a part of her."

Merlin shook his head, the more he heard about this the less it was making sense. All he knew was he needed to desperately get everyone out of here, and his magic was still not working. He needed to think, to seriously think and come up with something as fast as possible. Just as he began to concentrate, light hit the passage again, and he suddenly heard footsteps again.

This time he saw her, and something in her eyes made him question his own sanity, as he she stood there staring at him.

Landine

They had arrived in Landine in the early morning, and were met by the town elder Peter.

"Welcome we've been awaiting you're arrival my lady." he said bowing to Gwen.

"Thank you." she smiled. "It's good to reach here. We hope you have some information for us?"

"Yes of course." Peter said. "Maybe first you would all like some refreshment, and we will tell you what we know."

"Yes." Gwen said. "Thank you."

"Follow me." Peter said.

Gwen, Isolde, Freya and Leon followed Peter into a hut. There they met his wife Elsa, who prepared them some food and drink, which they took thankfully. Once they'd finished Peter began explaining what he knew.

"We waited for the King and his party to arrive a few days ago, but they never did. We had sent a map to your husband." Peter explained. "We told him to come a certain way, to avoid the wood. It seemed as if they disregarded our advice."

"What wood?" Leon enquired.

"The wood that lies to the east of here." Peter replied as if surprised they'd not heard of the place. "I hope you didn't go through it."

"No we passed through the valley. We were chased by bandits which forced us off our intended path." Leon explained.

"I don't understand what is it about this forest?" Gwen asked suddenly getting frustrated.

"It is an evil place my lady. A place of nightmares, a place where things happen, bad things. They say it is enchanted." Peter explained his voice ending in a whisper.

"Enchanted?" Gwen questioned.

"Yes my lady. I don't know how much you know about magic. It is said that magic is the fabric of the earth, it is everywhere, everywhere we go, all around us."

Gwen nodded she remembered Merlin trying to explain it to Arthur and her once they'd found out about him. She had vaguely remembered him using the same words to explain where magic was. She still found it hard to understand, but she knew better than to totally dismiss what Peter was saying to her.

"There is a woman who lives on the edge of the wood. It is said she has used the power of another sorcerer to enchant the forest. Even though the forest looks alive, in actual fact it is dead. No birds sing, the trees have died even though they still look green. It is the power of the witch Demonia who has done this. We always tell people to avoid this, I warned your husband before he left. To go through the forest means you get here quicker, but I would never advise anyone to do that."

Gwen nodded. She could just imagine Arthur dismissing such advice. He would want to get there quickly, and still being too quick to dismiss advice, would go tearing in there. She sighed wishing her husband would sometimes show more discretion. But they still didn't know where they where.

"So what happened to them, do you even know that?" Gwen asked suddenly worried.

"Up to a day ago no. But we've just had word that there is some movement around the castle belonging to Tergin. The messenger I spoke to is sure that it where they have taken your husband and his party."

"Tergin who is he?" Isolde asked. Munching on a apple.

"He is a bully and someone who controls the passes around here. He and his bandits sometimes work with the witch Demonia."

"It must have been Tergin's bandits that attacked us on the way here." remarked Leon.

"Very possible, he is always on the look out." Peter admitted.

"I have not heard of Demonia." Freya said curiously. "what do you know about her?"

"She is a not someone to trifle with I can assure you. There is badness in her very soul, god help me." he said. "to begin with she was not that powerful, just someone to avoid. But then suddenly her power grew hugely, in a way that none of us can explain. Suddenly she could do things that defied belief. It didn't make any sense to us."

"Like enchant a wood." Freya remarked.

"Exactly before the spell that wood was something we all relied on for our living. Now no one dares to go near it."

"If you do go through it what actually happens?" Freya asked suddenly.

"I am not sure, I've not been through it." Peter said looking horrified.

"You must have some idea." prompted Freya. "Surely someone knows."

"They do say it can take your who sanity away." Peter said quietly as if afraid of someone hearing. "But I really couldn't say."

Isolde looked at him and exchanged a look with Freya. At times it seemed as if Peter wasn't being entirely honest with them.

Gwen thanked him anyway, and he showed them to their resting quarters, she suggested they had a quick rest, before meeting again and making a plan. While they went their separate ways, Freya sill intrigued about what she'd heard decided to do more investigating herself.

The Dungeon

"Hello there Emrys." the woman smiled at him, yet as she did so, Merlin could feel a pain in his temple.

"Who are you and what do you want?" he commanded, determined to show no fear to her, even if he did indeed feel a little scared.

She had long blond hair, her mouth was narrow, which quite often ended up in a scowl. She was dressed in a long black dress. It was her eyes that made Merlin interested though. Although green they had a power in them he could sense from where he stood. Something about her eyes drew him in, making him feel weak and not in control of his thoughts.

"Why are you in such a hurry, I really wouldn't be if I was you." she purred bringing her face close to his. He could smell her perfume, making him feel hazy.

"I warn you to let us go." Merlin said stronger than he actually felt in that moment.

She began to laugh, a mad demonic laughter. "Oh my dear Emrys what on earth do you think you can do to me?" she asked "It is I who have the power of you, not you." she touched his shoulder.

Merlin took a step back and prepared to throw his magic out of him into her, but before he even had the chance her eyes flashed orange, and he was bent over in agony clutching his chest as he fell down to his knees. The pain was overwhelming it was as if it was squeezing the life out of him. She left him there for a couple of seconds.

Suddenly Gwaine came flying at her, but she saw him and merely turned her eyes on to him, and he fell to the floor knocked out cold.

"Please don't try anything else, you will live to regret it if you do." Demonia said, turning to leave.

"What do you want with me why is it necessary to imprison my friends, release them and I'll stay." he offered.

Demonia turned back and before Merlin could do anything about it, she put her hand through the bars and stroked his hair, the change in demeanour taking him by surprise.

"Oh Emrys you are always so considerate, Morgana told me you'd be this way." she purred, this time turning and walking away.

"What do you know about Morgana?" Merlin called suddenly panicking.

Demonia turned back and smiled. "That is for me to know Emrys not you."

As Demonia left Merlin suddenly saw another figure who had been standing behind her, Anna. For a second they stared at one another, as Merlin looked at her he could see a glint of compassion in her eyes. But as he prepared to speak to her she had followed Demonia out, and suddenly he felt exhausted and fell to the floor.

Landine

Freya looked around the village in determined fashion. She was looking for a woman she had noticed the moment she arrived there. Their eyes had connected and Freya instantly knew she possessed magic. Freya was sure she maybe able to give them more information. She suddenly felt worried, feeling she needed to know more than she presently did.

She walked down another row of huts, and suddenly an aroma caught her nostrils, smiling she knew she'd at last found her. She prepared to go in suddenly she came face to face with the woman.

"You found me." she said simply inviting her inside.

"Yes." Freya smiled "I have."

"Please sit down." the woman said.

Freya looked around her, the place reminded her of Gaius's chambers back in Camelot. There were bottles and potions everywhere, herbs all around them. Freya recognised the aroma she smiled at the woman.

"You're a healer." Freya said.

"Yes." the woman said. "It's the only way I'd be allowed to ply my trade, by doing this. A lot of people here are very suspicious of magic."

"Because of this Demonia?" Freya enquired.

"Not just her, but of what magic can do, even with a person who does good."

Freya closed her eyes for a second, recalling the incident that had occurred in her own childhood, knowing only too well the truth of the woman's words.

"Of course." Freya said quietly.

"What is it you want to know?" the woman asked her.

"I got the impression that we did not get all the information of Peter. I need to know as much as I can about Demonia and what she has done here. I believe you maybe able to help me?" Freya asked hopefully.

The woman nodded. "Of course I will tell you, if you have magic it's important to know what not to do."

"What do you mean?" Freya asked alarmed.

"The witch has put a certain spell on the wood, they say it's enchanted which it is. But there is also something else. It is not just enchanted there is a spell that can capture anyone who has any magic. They say it can take control of the mind and influence that person's magic."

Freya looked horrified, she suddenly thought of Merlin and his magic under someone else's control. She couldn't bear to think about it, he would be mortified to be used in that way.

"No." she whispered. "Can anything be done about it? Surely I can do something?"

"It is a very difficult spell to unlock." the woman said. "But if you work with the other person and channel you're magic together, it can be done."

Freya looked at her doubt lining her face. "My magic is not that powerful." she said.

The woman gave her a bright shiny stone, and put it in her hand. "This has extra power inside it. You must find a way of harnessing your power with your friend. Remember work at it together and you can overcome this. But you must keep this well hidden, if she gets her hand on it, it could be the end for both of you." the woman closed Freya's
hand over the stone.

Freya could sense the power in the stone, it made her feel strange inside, but not in an unpleasant way.

Freya paused her mind in a tumble of so many emotions, it seemed that Merlin's future was dependant on her now. Forcing herself to move, she smiled at the woman.

"Thank you for this." she said.

"Remember child harness your power together, don't let your mind wander the power is with you if you let it do its work."

Freya nodded, and moved back out into the fresh air, suddenly she needed sleep and lots of it. She wondered what to tell Gwen and the others, but her eyes began to close she searched for her friends, eventually finding them in a hut. Seeing an empty bed she went over to it and collapsed onto it finding sleep straight away, the stone still clutched in her hand.

To be Continued