MERLIN

"Are you sure these are safe to eat?" I ask Gaius.

"Quiet safe. They say they taste like chicken," He tells me.

'What the hell are you two fools doing?' Raven asks. I look over at her.

"Gaius wants to see if these beetles are safe to eat," I explain to her. She shakes her head, and disappears into my room. I can feel the powerful magic she uses, and a few seconds later she comes out as herself and carrying her bag.

"If you are hungry you should tell me, so I can get my bag of food. Now will you please put those nasty bugs down andeat normal food?" She asks. I gladly drop the beetle, and she sits next to me. She hands out portions that seem bigger than the last ones.

"I thought you needed to ration out the food?" I ask. Gaius is eating the soft bread she gave to him.

"The curse shall be lifted soon. I do not fear we will run out before than. Merlin what you need to do is seek out Anhora, and ask him to give Arthur another chance to save his people. I will take care of Arthur tonight, so once you finish eating you need to go," she explains to me.

"Is that really a good idea though? What if he screws up again?" she glares at me and smacks the back of my head.

"If you continue to doubt that he has what it takes, than he will continue to fail. You need to have faith in him at all times. He needs to know that at least one person in his life will never stop believing in him. Do you think you can be that person?" shae asks me. I think about it, before smiling at her.

"Yes, I think I can do that. Thank you Raven for talking some sense into me," I grab the bread and leave.

RAVEN

"Do you think he will keep that pep talk in ind from now on?" Gaius asks.

"He better or he will get more than a slap to the head," I tell him. He chuckles, and I hand him a lovely red apple.

"Does that bag of yours actually have a bottom?" he asks.

"Yes, it does, but it takes a while to find it," I smile at him.

"How are you going to take care of Arthur? I do not think he would allow a woman to prepare him for bed," Gaius questions.

"Tell him that Merlin is else where, and I will simply bring him food as my canine alter ego," I tell him. I take my bag back into Merlin's room, and hide it again, before shifting. I put together a basket, and carry it to Arthur's room. Gaius knocks on the door, and when the prince calls for him to come in, we both enter the opulant room.

"Hello Gaius, where is Merlin?"He asks immediatley.

"I am truly sorry, but I needed him to run an errand for me,so we have brought your dinner," the physician tells him. he sits up a little straighter in his seat.

"I do not deserve food," he grumbles, but his eyes still travel to the covered basket in my mouth.

Merlin bursts into the room, and hurries over to Arthur. He winks at me as he walks past me. "Arthur, I went to the woods and talked to Anhora. He is willingto give you another chance if you go to the Lbyrinth of Gedref. There you will face another challenge," He tells the prince eagerly. Arthur jumps into action immediatly.

"Than I have to go now," He reaches for his armor, and I pace the basket on the floor. I growl and bark at him angrily. He looks at me, and I pick up the basket again. I whine, and wag my tail as I place the basket on the table.

"Sire, you should eat first. Otherwise you will not have the strength to complete the test," Merlin reasons outloud to the prince.

"Alright, but what could a dog bring me that I would like?" he removes the cloth that was covering the food, and looks at me startled. It is a plump juicy rabbit, that the kitchens skinned and cooked for me. They also boiled some potatoes and smeared them with butter. al in all it is a small feast fir for a prince. It is simple and easy, yet at the same time healthy and filling. Just what he needs when he heads out to face a test. he digs in and savors every bite. Almost as an afterthought he pulls a strip of meat off the bones, and holds it out for me. I take it gently and lick his hand as thanks for the treat. he smiles at me happily, and continues eating.

"Arthur, I think I should go with you," Merlin suggests. I look around the room. When did Gaius leave?

"No Merlin, I need to do this by myself. It is my fault that this curse has been brought down upon Camelot. I will do this or die trying," he says stubbornly. Judging by the look on Merlin's face he does not plan on listening to Arthur. I shake my head at his antics.

MERLIN

"Arthur, please let me go with you," I plead with him. "You don't know what form the test might take, and I might be able to help," I try to persued him.

"No, Merlin," he says. Once he has his armor on he storms out of his rooms. I watch him leave, before following after him. As long as he does not know I am following him, than he can't send me back. I make sure that I stay back several hundred feet. I have to stay back far enough to see Arthur, but still be able to hide before Arthur sees him.

I watch from afar as Arthur enters the Labyrinth, and I race i after him. Unlucky for me, I do not take the same path that he took. "You know Merlin this is a very bad idea. You should not be here at all," Raven says behind me. I jump, and turn to look at her.

"What are you doing here as you?" I ask her.

"I am here because I know for a fact that you are going to be stupid and risk your life for Arthur's. I need to make absolutely certain that you survive this ordeal," She says with irritation. "Now follow me, and I will get you to Arthur," She takes the lead, and we move at a very brisk pace. After a few minutes, we reach the center of the maze, and see Anhora standing there with a sword.

"You said that Arthur would face a test, yet here you are setting a trap for him," I yell at him. How could e betray us like this?

"The trap is not for Arthur, but for you Warlock,"Anhora says, and vines start to wind their way up my legs.

"Raven, help me," I plead. I look up at her, and see she and Anhora are talking about something.

RAVEN

"Don't lie to me Anhora. Is he going to be safe no matter what happens?" I ask him softly. Merlin is starting to panic, but I need to make sure he is not in any lasting danger.

"Yes shifter, even if Arthur fails, your warlock will survive this test," he promises me. I study his eyes, and nod, before turning back to Merlin. He is totally wrapped in vines now.

"Sorry Merlin, but Anhora needs your help to give Arthur his final test," I tell him.

"What if I die?" He asks me.

"I will not let that happen Merlin. As it stands right now your lifeis not in any danger. So there is no need to worry. I will talk to you again after Arthur passes the test. Remember that you need to have faith in him at all times," I shift back into a wolf, and pad in the direction of the exit. I eventually find Arthur, and helphim find the way out as well.

"Thank goodness. I am glad to see a familiar face. Just don't tell Merlin how scared I was al right?" He asks. I look up at him and show off all of my lovely sharp teeth. He smiles as well. "If I die Raven, I want you to know, even if you don't understand a word I am saying, that the meal you brought to me was the best I have ever had. Thank you verymuch for it," He kneels next to me and wraps his arms around my neck. I lick his cheeck as he pulls away, and lead him to the beach. It doesn't take long to find Merlin sitting at a table waiting for us. He glares a little at me, but it does not reach his eyes.