Merlin's back and head still ached. How could she? What was Gwen thinking? I would have found a way to save Wesley. She didn't realize the extent of my power. Neither did I until I saw her battered body. My rage and pain finally caused me to focus my energies and use Edwin's and Freya's lessons. Suddenly, nature was in my control with a few words. My mind could open portals. My hand could throw magic balls from of deadly energy. Finally, I was in control. But I wasted so much time chasing Freya, running from my destiny, being blind to my true feelings.
Merlin looked at his younger self flailing haplessly around and wondered how he could ever be so young and naive. His younger self thought that they could just storm into the caves like Knights of Camelot and rescue their fair maiden. He had no idea just who are what they were dealing with. His thoughts drifted back to a small girl with mountains of curls chasing him around Camelot. Her face covered in tears swirled in his mind. He thought of her enchanting laughter. Gwen was the only stable in his life. He would kill to protect. Twigs creaked as Merlin stomped towards himself. He needed younger Merlin to help him. The boy had to learn to be sensible responsible. He couldn't fall for the first girl with a pretty smile. His magic was too potent. He needed to force himself to grow. He brushed away a wet tear as he went to face himself. His eyes focused on a lover's moon. His mind formed a barrier around his emotions for Freya. He couldn't allow a delusion of love to make his emotions waver.

"Would you stop it?"

His younger self was still furiously thrashing his body around, trying to physically break the holding spell that his older self had put on him.

"Will you let me go," he said, his anger clearly rising, "I need to get to Gwen."

The older Merlin walked around him. "You have no idea what we are going to be facing in there, if it's anything like last time…"

"Last time, you didn't have me to help! Now let me go so that I can help you do what you risked everything to come in the past to do."

Older Merlin eyed him cautiously. If Merlin would just do what he he'd be an advantage against Freya and Morded. He relented and let him go.

"I know you think you can handle things in there Merlin, but the only way that Gwen can survive is if you do what I say."

Merlin nodded grimly and they went in the cave.

"Oh," he said, putting a hand on his chest. "Things are going to get ugly in there, mo matter what happens you have to stay calm, for Gwen's sake.

The first thing that Older Merlin noticed was the quiet. Before when he was here the cave was full of Freya and Morded's evil laughter. Freya was taunting Gwen, torturing her with magic, filling her head with images that played on her worst fears as Morded egged her on and now…

Maybe things had changed. Maybe Gwen… and that's when he saw her lying in the corner, with Freya leaning over her.

Freya looked at Gwen and felt nothing. When she came back to this cave it was to get her revenge on Morded for treating her like she was nothing, a servant who was meant only to service the whims of her lord and master. That she had saved Gwen for his lust was just a lucky coincidence for the girl.

She walked over to Morded, his eyes bugged out in horror.

"Do you like what you're seeing Love? The images of your mother and father? The images of your precious Gwen with the great King Arthur? The images of people bowing and scraping to the young king while everyone ignores your lineage? Yes," she said, reveling in his pain. "Feel my wrath and know that this is just the beginning."

Her laugh filled the entire cave.

Both Merlins stopped when they saw Freya and Morded. Older Merlin ran his fingers through his hair. This was definitely not how things went before. He watched Morded screeching in pain and smiled. It was the least he deserved. His younger self however, seemed to be squirming.

"What is she doing to him?" he asked.

"Delivering a little justice."

Merlin shook his head. "Not like this. Magic shouldn't be used like this."

"Says who?" his older self said.

Freya turned around the moment that she sensed her guests. It would have taken a powerful essence to break her link with Morded and there was only one person who she knew was capable of it.

"Merlin," she purred tuning to look at him. She arched an eyebrow at the sight before her. "Merlins. Now things just got interesting."

Morded moaned loudly as she released him.

"Freya," both Merlins said.

Freya eyes the two and allowed her dark magic to flow through her body. "Hi," she said, as he unleashed a bolt of magic at them both.

Both Merlins hurled themselves out the way when they saw the bolt hurling towards them. Merlin looked at his older self who shook his head and said that he ok. Merlin watched Freya skip through another cavern, her laughter echoing through the cave walls. His older self got up to chase her, but Merlin's feet took him in the other direction. He crawled towards Gwen and gasped when he turned around and saw the extent of her injuries.

His older self was soon kneeling next to him.

"Is she… is she alive?" he asked his older self. His heart crumbling from unbearable agony of seeing Gwen's broken body.

His older self put his ear to her chest. "Barely."

"Oh Gods," he cried.

Older Merlin ran his hands over her head. He wished he could cry, but he had seen this all before.

"I am sorry that I failed you again," his older self said, brushing his lips on Gwen's forehead. He got up. "By the Gods, he's gone."

"Who?" Merlin asked, holding Gwen's hand in his.

"Morded."

"What?" said Merlin looking up, "how?"

"He must have just slipped out. I'll…"

Gwen let out a yell that sent his older self back to his side. Merlin watched the look in his older self's eyes and began to wonder…His older self's expression hardened as he stood.

"Stay with Gwen in case Morded comes back."

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"To find Freya."

Freya looked at the cave wall and smiled when he entered.

"Freya," he said in a voice she never heard before, filled with so much anger that it sent a delicious chill up her spine.

"Merlin. I've been waiting for you."

His footsteps came closer. "Where's Morded?" he asked.

"I do not know."

"LIAR! You and he were in on this together. You know him. You know where he'd go."

She smiled. "And if I did?"

"Then you will tell me."

"Why? Why does it matter so much? Gwen is safe. It's over."

She heard him grunt. "It's not over. It won't be over until I kill him."

Freya whirled around. "When I met you, you were a silly boy. Now look at you strong, determined, I like to think that I was responsible for that."

"In a way you were."

"So, I'm dying to know the story on the other Merlin. It's funny, but I can feel his psychic energy, in a way that I can't feel yours."

"My younger self was closer to you."

"Younger self? You're from the future?"

"Yes, I am from the near future, a future in which I tapped into my ultimate power thanks to Edwin and you. This Merlin did not have the benefit of that training he was too busy getting other types."

She licked her lips, his meaning crystal clear. "You would have enjoyed that more."

His expression darkened. "I doubt it."

Freya laughed. "So, there are two of you running around, that explains a lot. Which one of you is real?"

"We are two halves of the same whole. He's the beginning and I'm the end."

"Which one of you was mine?"

"Both."

She smirked. "Lucky me."

"Did you really want me…us?"

She moved closer to him. "You didn't come here to talk to me about our brief love affair. You came here to make me pay for what I did your precious Gwen."

"That's right."

"Why is that some women engender such protective feelings while others are nothing barely afterthoughts, just trifles to be used when it's convenient?"

"But you're not a woman Freya. You're not even human, remember?"

Freya moved closer. "I'm a goddess Merlin; I was forged in the very heart of dark magic. You must know that you can't beat me."

Merlin unleashed a magic bolt right over Freya's head, she grinned as a few rocks fell at her feet.

"That's new," she said.

"You don't know me Freya. I'm a different man who has lived a different life and you have no idea just how powerful I've become."

"I know that I broke your heart Merlin, but don't you think that this reaction is a little extreme?"

"I am a big boy Freya, your betrayal was hurtful, but nothing I could not get over in time. No, I am going to kill you for what you did to Gwen."

"If I didn't know better, I'd say that was the look of a man in love, but it can't be you look at Gwen as a sister, right? And even if you didn't you have to know that there is no way that you can compete with the gorgeous, powerful, virile King Arthur. He's got Gwen in the palm of his hands.

"You will not distract me from the task at hand with such talk."

"Don't I even get a thank you for saving your precious Gwen from Morded having his way with her?"

"Considering she wouldn't have been anywhere near Morded if you hadn't helped, I'd say no."

"Fine. But killing me will solve nothing. Morded is still out there; ready to reclaim your precious Gwen at any moment."

"When I'm done with you, I'll deal with him. This ends tonight Freya."

"The Merlin I know would never hurt me," Freya said confidently.

"I'm not the Merlin you know," he said, unleashing a blast of magic on her.

Merlin tried hard to keep his panic from rising anymore than it already was but he didn't know what to do. None of his spells were working, she was still unconscious. He closed his eyes and tried to heal her. He had seen Edwin do it, but he just wasn't strong enough. Maybe he just needed an extra bit of Magical help. Maybe if he and the other Merlin combined powers….

"Merlin," he cried out to his other self. "Gwen needs us!"

Freya could not believe the power that Merlin seemed to have. She had seemed glimmers of this before, but like all untapped potential she never could imagine its true potential. She had been attracted to Morded because he exuded power, but Merlin was power.

"You're good," she said, rising two large stoned and throwing at him. "Very good."

Freya gasped when the stones stopped in midair and crumpled. Merlin had destroyed it with his mind.

"You have no idea how good I am."

Freya focused her magic and sent it coursing through her veins, her hands became as powerful as any weapon and her punched sent him flying. "And you are in over your head."

She hunched over him and looked him in the eye and sent images flying at him, horrible images -the death of his mother, the loss of Gaius, the look on Gwen's face when they buried her parents, the look on Bernadette's face when he so callously broke it off…"

"You are so quick to judge me and to want to stone me for my sins but you are no innocent."

Bernadette's face looked at him accusingly.

"Don't like that image? How about this one?"

He turned his head and saw Gwen smiling.

"Gwen?" he croaked.

She came close to him, but she didn't stop, she walked right passed him into Arthur's waiting arms. They kissed passionately. "I love you Arthur," she said. "Only you forever."

Arthur smiled and scooped her up in his arms. "You belong to me Guinevere. Now and forever."

"Gwen!" Merlin said reaching for her.

Freya laughed. "Pathetic."

She got up and turned her back.

That was a mistake.

Merlin took the opportunity to zap her. She turned in surprised and when he zapped her again she barely managed to stop herself from falling back. The blows kept coming. She grabbed her ribs. His blows hurt and she wasn't sure how long she could withstand them.

"Merlin, Gwen needs us!"

The voice, his voice but not his voice, came barreling in through the cave. Merlin whipped his head around and Freya knew that she had the advantage. He turned to leave and Freya said an incantation and smiled as she watched Merlin fall back into the wall. Her spell had made him unable to move.

He was right; this was going to end tonight.

Merlin laid Gwen gently down on the ground. He was concerned that she hadn't opened her eyes yet, but she was breathing, that was something.

"You'll be safe her. I have to find Merlin." No, I have to find me. He shook his head. This whole other Merlin thing was always going to be weird. I came to the Druid village to become myself. Now, I have two of me.

Merlin looked at Freya without a hint of fear as she walked over to him.

"You know for a second there I actually thought that you were going to beat me."

Merlin laughed. "I already have Freya, the moment you chose to give into Morded and make yourself my enemy was the moment that you lost it all. Gave into Morded? You're as shortsighted as he is. Yes, I liked him, yes I was furious at the way he treated me because I thought that we had an understanding, but he was only a means to an end. There is a war coming Merlin, a war that is being lead by a man that you might have heard of -Balinor."

"Balinor? My father?"

"Yes. You know nothing about him, but I do. I know him well." She moved closer. "He left you alone because he wanted you to come to him, but he's tired of waiting. He's coming back Merlin and he won't stop this time until he wiped everything that you hold dear off the face of the earth. I know that you don't understand, but you will, oh you will." Freya ran a finger over his cheeks. "For one brief brilliant moment you were the center of my world. I loved you."

"I know. But you didn't want my love. You can't understand love."

She stepped back. "Maybe you're right. Maybe we were doomed from the start." Her eyes softened. "I'm really sorry about this," she said, unleashing a blast that made him feel as if his insides were burning.

Merlin screamed in horror as he saw his other self fall. He ran to him instantly.

"You're going to be ok," he said, cradling his older self.

"I know. We both are. I have done what I came here to do. Gwen is safe. Now it is time for the last part of my mission. Take my hand, repeat these words, and become who you were born to be."

Merlin touched his older self's hand and said the incantation. The hand in his began to feel less firm, almost like it was becoming energy and he bolted up when his body received a jolt.

Merlin stood still as the power of the universe swirled around him. His whole life and the memories of the other Merlin combined until there was just one past, one present, and one future. There was no younger Merlin or older Merlin, there was just Merlin. As he soaked in the energies around him, Merlin felt a stronger then he ever had in his life. He wasn't of magic, he was magic. He looked at Freya who had stepped back.

"I am Emery's," said Merlin, delivering a powerful blow of magic that knocked Freya to the ground. Merlin walked over to Freya and stood over her. He knew what he had to do and willed himself to overlook the fear in her eyes.

"You are destruction, chaos incarnate and you can no longer be allowed to wreck havoc."

"Merlin please."

"I'm sorry Freya," he said, lifting his arms. He was surprised to feel a tear as he felt the power of death flow through him.

"Merlin if you kill me you will be killing your child as well."

Merlin paled at the horror of her words.

Arthur hoped his face did not give away his utter shock when he saw Lenore crying at his mother's table.

"Isn't it a little late for tea?"

Lenore hid her face.

"Oh Arthur," said his mother, moving away from Lenore. You remember the Lady Oliander."

"Of course. It is nice to see you again Lenore."

Lenore dried her eyes. "Forgive me Sire I must look a mess."

"Nonsense," said his mother. "Lenore and I had a date for tea earlier, but she was detained."

Arthur coughed uncomfortably.

"Honey are you alright, you look a bit flushed?"

"I'm fine, it's just…"

His mother raised her arms. "You don't have to explain."

Arthur nodded. "Lenore."I hope all is well with you."

"Of course, Your Majesty."

Arthur nodded.

"I should go," she said, getting up.

"But you just got here."

"I'm sure the King has come here to see his mother and not me."

"That is correct," Arthur said bluntly. The last thing he wanted to see was her. He did not want to reminded of the mistake he made just a few hours ago.

"Arthur!"

"No, it is fine Your Majesty. It is a king's prerogative to treat his subjects anyway that he desires. Good evening."

Lenore bowed very low and left, brushing her hand against Arthur's. He clinched his jaw.

When he returned his mother was eying him suspiciously.

"Poor girl she has suffered a lot since Robert's death."

"Save your pity for someone who deserves it Mother. Lenore is nothing if not resourceful. "

"True it is a miracle that she has managed to survive so long without a husband. Robert was a good man but he made so many bad choices. I still remember the look on Lenore's face when the creditors came for her things. If I recall correctly you stepped in and help."

"No I didn't."

"Yes you did I remember it, she came by to thank you, she had on that beautiful green dress, it looked newly made, which I found strange given her money woos and the way she looked at you…"

'I said I do not know what you are talking about."

The blood drained out of his mother's face. "Come to think of it Lenore has been well looked after by someone all these years, she once joked to me that she had a secret benefactor or maybe she was not joking."

"Careful Mother."

"Oh Arthur, tell me that you haven't done what I think you have."

Arthur opened his mouth to speak, but stopped when he heard a noise. He looked at the corner. "I will speak no more about this, especially when we are being listened to by Glorios," he whirled the curtain open and pointed his sword- at a shivering young girl."

"Bernadette," said The Queen shocked. "What are you doing in these rooms?"

"Isn't that obvious?" Arthur spat, "She's spying, and the only question is for whom."

"No, Your Majesties I swear. I am not spying for anyone. I was lost."

"Lost. You really expect me to believe that?"

"Yes, I was looking for a friend of mine, we were supposed to walk home, I thought that I saw her come into this room and when I came in and realized that I was in The Queen Mother's chambers I was going to leave immediately, but I heard her and The Lady Oliander enter. I panicked. I know that being in a Royals room without permission means. I feared that you'd flog me."

"I still might."

"So I thought I'd just hide. I meant no harm."

"Whether you meant harm or not you inflicted it. You eavesdropped on your Queen. The punishment for that must be severe."

"Please Your Majesty, Please have mercy on me."

"Bea?"

Arthur turned to see his idiot manservant coming his way.

"You know this girl?"

"Yes sir. She is my sister," Harry said.

"This is your sister? You a member of the royal household have allowed your sister to invade my mother's rooms? I should have her jailed and dismiss you immediately."

"Please don't sir," shrieked the girl. "Do with me what you will but my brother is innocent." She threw herself at his feet.

He looked down and was shocked to see a pair of beautiful ribbons in her hair. He knew those ribbons. They had haunted his dreams for weeks.

"Where did you get these from?" he asked, snatching of off her hair and shoving them in her face. His anger at the thought of someone stealing something of hers was threatening to overtake him.

"From Gwen Your Majesty," she said in terror. "She gave them to me before she left."

"Bea and Gwen are good friends, Sire," said Harry.

Arthur felt his mother's hand on his arm. "Have mercy on the young girl. For Gwen's sake, they are friends. She would not forgive your cruelty."

Arthur took a deep breath and clutched Gwen's ribbons in his hand. "If you ever enter The Royal Chambers again without permission you will be severely punished do you understand me? Now go."

"Go where?" Harry asked.

"Out of my sight!"

"Thank you Sire, thank you, thank you."

Arthur's face remained in a scowl as they thanked and bowed their way out the door.

Harry stared at his sister with a mixture of disappointment and anger. What could she be thinking sneaking into The Queen Mother's chambers like that? She's lucky that the King didn't order her flogged, jailed, or worse put in the stocks for a week.

"I can't believe you, humiliating me in front of my master like that."

"I'm sorry Harry, really I am."

"Sorry? What if he would have dismissed me? You know how close we came to starving last winter and with the new winter slowly making its way upon us…"

"I know, I know."

"How would we take care of Mother with no wages?"

His sister hung her head. "I did not mean to bring shame to you or to endanger our family."

"What did you think you were doing eavesdropping on The King and Queen Mother like that?"

"I wasn't …. I had come to find Belua. She said that her mistress had news about Sir Leon."

Harry shook his head. Sir Leon, for as long as he could remember, his sister had been in love with one bloke after another. Now she thought she was in love with the tall, blonde knight. Well at least he was better than that idiot Merlin.

"I hear that Gwen is in The Druid Camp. It's a place full of danger and magic. Who knows what they have run into or if they really will return?"

"But he will! I can feel it."

Harry rolled his eyes. She can feel it? Really! His lithe sister was full of mischief and nonsensical ramblings tonight.

"Sir Leon," he said in disgust. "When are you going to get it through your head that Leon Du Nobley doesn't like you? He doesn't even know that you're alive."

His sister looked at him with sad eyes. "Don't you think I know that? But just because he doesn't care about me, doesn't mean that I can't care about him."

Harry put his hand on his sister's shoulder. He hated to be so harsh with her, but he was the man of the house now and it was his job to look out for his mother and sisters. "Let's go home. Mother needs us."

"You're not mad anymore?"

"Who can stay mad at you? Let's go before The King changes his mind."

Merlin didn't believe what he was hearing. Freya was pregnant with his child? No, it was another lie to trick him into sparing her miserable life. It doesn't matter. She's evil, the world would be better without Freya. Did she hesitant to kill me?

"It's true Merlin. There is life growing inside me. I can feel it."

"If there is life inside you then how do I know that I put it there? It's not afraid of you?"

Freya laughed. "I guess you'll just have to take my word for it."

Merlin's eyes glowed with power. "That will be the day," he said, raising his hands to end this.

"I know that you don't trust me, but what if I am telling the truth. Can you really take that chance?"

Merlin lowered his hands. He couldn't.

Freya smiled. "Your daughter and I will be waiting for you when you are ready," she said.

Merlin stood in shock as she murmured an incantation underneath her breath and vanished in a puff of black smoke.

Lancelot followed Edwin as he led him, Leon and Morgana into a very large cave. At first when they ran into this mysterious man t hey did not trust him. But he claimed to be the wife of The Druid Priestess that they met earlier and he claimed that he had gotten a "psychic scent" of Gwen that he was following.

"It's no wonder that Morded was able to hide here for so long. These caves are in the forbidden woods, no one with any sense would dare enter here. There are things here that no one, man or magic should encounter gateways to worlds that should never be open."

Lancelot stopped listening. He didn't care about all this magic crap, all he cared about was finding his sister safe and sound and making Morded pay. They rounded a corner and Lancelot saw something that horrified him. He yelled out his sister's name as he saw her lying, still on the ground. He turned her over and was horrified by what he saw.

Morgana moved to comfort him, but he pushed her away, clutching his sister to him. Leon stood there saying nothing. He looked up as he saw Merlin coming towards him.

"What happened here?" he demanded.

"Morded." Merlin's lifeless eyes mirrored Lancelot's devastation.

Lancelot shook with anger. "I will kill him."

Leon put a hand on his shoulder. "Stand in line."

Edwin kneeled down toward Gwen and closed his eyes; he mumbled something as he took her hand. "Her spirit is strong."

"Will, she awakened?" Lancelot murmured softly as he cradled Gwen's lifeless body in his arms, his hands brushing her curls from her damp brow. "Merlin, will she make up? Is she gone?"

"She'll awaken. She's strong." Edwin turned a somber gaze on Leon. "She belongs in Camelot. She can heal there."

"Yes, Arthur will take care of her," Merlin reluctantly admitted," I couldn't see past my own needs to protect her. With all of my gifts, my eyes remained closed to evil lurking around us."

Lancelot gently transferred Gwen to Leon's waiting arms. He bit in his lip in frustration as he struggled to not shut his eyes to visualize the damage committed against Gwen. Gently, Leon cradled Gwen like a newborn infant in his arms.

Merlin led everyone out of the cave and into the forest. Very little was said. Everyone's thoughts were with Gwen, his included although he was also consumed with the things that Freya said to him. Could his father really be alive? Is Freya really carrying his child?"

He watched as Morgause, Edwin and the newly healed Wesley exchanged hugs.

"Morgause, Edwin, and Wesley, I will need you in Camelot. If Freya is right about Balinor it will take our combined strength to defeat him. "

Edwin clasped his wife and son's hand as he nodded in acknowledgement of Merlin's request. Merlin watched cautiously as Leon walked carefully, clutching Gwen in his arms. Morgause trailed behind holding Wesley close to her heart. Edwin hesitant for a moment, his brown eyes searched Merlin's face.

"Today, you became Emrys, Merlin. Gaius and Hunith would be proud."

Tears dripped down Merlin's face. "I would give it all up to keep her safe."

Edwin's eyes softened as he realized the depth of Merlin's feelings for Gwen and the possible complications that could arise from those feelings. Quietly, he walked a few steps forward." Morded and Freya may have escaped us today, but we will have are revenge Merlin."

"Yes," Merlin spat. "We will."

Morgana shivered as hate flicked in Merlin's eyes. She expected tears of horror from Merlin, instead she found a dangerously controlled young man. Hate swirled around his trim form. Merlin was not a lanky boy any longer. His figure was defined by muscle, his features defined in a lean angular face. His eyes were so cold. Leon was cool, steady, and calm Never, had she seen Leon so controlled of his emotions, but Lancelot, her love filled her with disappointed. She doubted her eyes for a moment when Lancelot fell to his knees. Tears falling like a river as he viewed Gwen's broken body. Really, he's killed men without hesitation, but his sister bruised body brought him to tears.

"This is where I opened the portal up before, it should work," Merlin said.

Edwin nodded. "Morgause and I will say the words Merlin."

Morgana watched in awe as the three mouthed incantations and a large portal appeared before them.

"Lancelot and I will stay behind," said Morgana. Leon eyed them skeptically. "To find Morded."

Lancelot nodded.

"It is time," said Merlin, ushering Leon and the others towards his portal of fire and magic. Morgana watched everyone walk through the portal. Leon stopped to wish them luck.

"We will be home soon with news that the monster is burning in hell," said Lancelot, his voice full of emotion as he pulled Morgana to him. Morgana looked straight and quickly extracted herself from Lancelot's touch. Morgana hated weakness, especially in men. Disdain was born in her heart for Lancelot as a lover's moon glowed on them.

Arthur did not want to be having this conversation, but his mother was insistent. She stood in front of him, hands on her hips, scolding him like he was a child in his bedroom and not a king in his throne room.

"Tell me that there is nothing between you and that woman."

Arthur didn't respond.

"I had heard rumors, but I never imagined they were true."

"Mother, don't excite yourself over nothing."

"You are just like your father. He had mistresses too."

"Considering how cold your bed must have been I am not surprised."

Igraine walked towards her son. She would not be disrespected in this manner by him.

"Your father had a cold bed for a reason!" she spat.

"Like what?'

Igraine was so angry with Arthur; it was on the tip of her tongue to tell him about his conception. Her son needed to relearn compassion and understanding.

"Igraine, don't do it.," said a voice, gentle and strangely familiar. Her blue eyes looked around the chamber for Gorlois, but she did not see him.

She refocused her attention on her son. "Mother, I'm waiting. What did father do?"

"Have you forgotten the abuse that you suffered at his hands? Slaps for spilling milk or bad posture? He had slaps for everyone." she spat.

"Father was not the warmest of men, but he was raising a prince, a king of Albion."

"Arthur, adultery hurts every one that is involved," she said. Her mind floated to a warm night filled with blooming rose, a full moon shining on his golden skin as her fingers dug in his back. She remembered his lips suckling her nipples, the moans that slipped from her lips. "Gorlois", a soft sign from her lips as she felt pleasure building.

"Be careful Arthur. You are playing with fire. It is one thing for her to imagine you with a slattern or if she knew of these dalliances beforehand, but Gwen has no idea about Lenore. It will be a terrible shock. If she were to find out…"

"Enough Mother!" her son yelled.

But it wasn't enough. Arthur had to know that.

Their fight was halted as a large humming noise began to ring in the room. Arthur stood rooted in his spot as a bright light began to grow larger in the room. The ground shook and to Arthur's disbelief, five figures stepped out. He did not get a good look at any of them, save one, who was coming towards him, carrying the most precious of treasures in his arms, wrapped in a blanket. Her chest rose quietly as Leon held her tenderly. Leon moved closer and placed his Guinevere in his arms. He closed his eyes in thanksgiving, which quickly gave way to fear as he looked at her still form. His blue eyes harden as he saw the results of Morded's treachery. Carefully, he shield Gwen in his arms and for the first time in months he exhaled.