Seeing what Helena was capable of, Merlin had made his decision almost instantly; he would step into her space and await his fate. Anything was better than helplessly watching your friends die slowly in front of you.

"Helena, my decision is to come in with and have a little 'talk' as you put it." Merlin spoke, confidence present in his voice.

"Merlin, Merlin, Merlin… Making the ever brave choice to free your friends, eh? Well, all you have to do is step towards me and the deal will be made. Do know that once you step into my dome there is no way out until you do what I command." Helena clarified.

"I understand" was Merlin's reply, and he turned round the look at each of his friends, their faces shone with utter confusion and dread at what was happening, and at what would happen next. Leon, Percival and Gwaine. Upon reaching Arthur, Merlin's eyes connected with his and seemed to relay a message- Merlin carried a face of one that was sorry for what he was doing but also one that knew that it was right. Dammit Merlin. When Arthur saw this he silently shook his head, imploring Merlin not to be the idiotic hero in this situation and just get himself out.

'Prat' Merlin mouthed as he understood Arthur's concern.

'Idiot' was the silent reply he got back.

Finished with his dramatic glances, Merlin swivelled round to face Helena, ready to walk into her trap.

Vwoommmppppp! As soon as he stepped inside, the purple outline shone again and its glow rippled over the entire surface of the new dome, containing only him and Helena. As soon as Merlin had stepped inside, the shields trapping the rest of the company had been disabled. Arthur, Leon, Gwaine and Percival were all free to go; it seemed the witch had no use of them anymore. All the knights grouped together, checking each other over for injuries before turning towards where Merlin was now being held.

"That stupid idiot" Arthur shouted, "is going to get himself killed!"

"We have to get him out." Gwaine agreed.

So each of the men began pummelling and kicking the shield but to no avail, it would not budge.

"What could she want from him?" Percival questioned which in turn caused all the knights to shift their view towards Helena who had a smug look aimed at Merlin.

"Alright Helena, I made my decision- now what exactly do you want from me?" Merlin had come straight out with the question, leaving no time for Helena to taunt him.

"Not so fast now Merlin, you see I've been waiting for this for a long, long time, and now that it's here I want to savour this." Helena had replied almost pausing between every drawn-out word.

"Just like you savoured your precious time with Will, huh? I don't want to play your game Helena. You were always straight to the point when we were friends; you were so honest… what happened?" Merlin had countered a look of concern flashing across his face.

"YOU have no right to ask me such a question- as if you would understand." She responded with a bitter laugh," I went through hell and back and I'm a better person because of it."

"I don't see that- you've become even worse, even cruller since when I last saw you."

"Oh yes, because you're so perfect, aren't you Merlin? Got the best friend in the world, the best Mummy. Perfect, pure little Merlin." Sarcasm dripped from her comment

"Why Helena? Where did this hate for me come from? I did nothing to you."

"YOU TOOK WILL AWAY FROM ME!" she screamed, screamed it so loud that a vibration rattled the dome and startled the knights outside, causing them to realise they still could not hear what was being said inside. Dammit.

"I took Will away? YOU ALMOST KILLED HIM, turned him into something he wasn't!"

"HE WANTED THAT, WANTED ME AND I COULDN'T LET YOU GET IN THE WAY!"

The knights were surprised by the sudden shouting match.

"Oh Helena, Will was crazy about you until you started trying to control his mind! You took him away from yourself." Merlin countered.

"And I almost succeeded, just as I almost did with someone else very close to you"

"My mother. But what did she ever do? Showed you sympathy and kindness? Welcomed you into her home? Oh no, you poor thing. That night haunts me Helena, to try to kill someone like my mother shows just how evil you really are"

"I HAD TO, YOU DIDN'T DESERVE HER!"

"I DIDN'T? Maybe not and maybe I never will, but why not just kill me then? I don't understand."

"I know you don't Merlin and that's why I must make you"

With that comment, Helena raised her hands upwards to the top of the dome. It started to shine with a bright orange hue, as her tone rose with the ever flowing words of magic coming from her mouth. Gradually, the orange drifted into her hand creating a ball of energy, aiming at one person.

Arthur could not believe what he was seeing, it was difficult to make out what was being said, but when Helena roared like that he knew this was something deep. Watching Merlin now he saw a mask come off, anger, betrayal and hurt shot out of Merlin and Arthur noticed that this was the most expressive he had seen Merlin in a long time. As the mute speaking went on, Arthur observed Merlin become more and more tense. Helena had said something that had prompted him to burst out and Merlin was standing there, alone, trying to keep strong.

Then Arthur had seen the way Helena raised her hands, watching the deadly but beautiful orange lining coat the dome until it was all collected back into her hands. He saw her eyes snap open and glower towards the person in front of her. With a sharp flick of her wrist she sent out the ball of energy, Arthur could only watch it increase in size, becoming as big as the dome which had so recently just held him, as It travelled before hitting and absorbing the one other person in there with her… Merlin.

"MERLIN!" Arthur shouted out.

Helena laughed maniacally.

Gwaine swore.

Percival kicked the shield.

Leon's eyes widened.

And Merlin yelled before falling onto his knees, the orange glow breaking into him, absorbing everything and keeping him in an orange bubble.