"Where is he!" Morgause's question came out more of a screech and Alvarr flinched. Man, how he hated working with this sorceress! If it weren't for the facts that she was paying very handsomely and that it was the only way to get revenge, he would have left her service long ago.

"We searched every village in the area and he is nowhere to be found." He tried to hide his irritation behind a mask of indifference. He was relieved to see that he had fooled Morgause but discomforted to find that Morgana had seen through his pretense as she smiled wryly at him. Thankfully she remained silent.

"You've brought all these villagers with you?" Morgause demanded. Alvarr sighed and nodded. "Let me see them. Where are they?"

"Outside. My men are guarding them."

Morgause snorted in derision and disgust. "We'll see about that. I trust your men just as much as trust you: very little."

Alvarr rolled his eyes as Morgause swept past him. Morgana noticed the gesture and smiled at him. "She can be rather annoying at times, can't she?" she whispered to him before she turned and followed her half-sister outside. Alvarr merely nodded and then followed her out.

Morgause looked at the villagers with an air of disdain. "My, they sure are a rather poor and run down group, aren't they, Morgana?"

"Yes. They are." Alvarr sent her a quickly glance, noticing that her tone didn't entirely match her words. She pities these people, he realized.

Morgause gestured to the nearest guard. "Bring them before me. One at a time." she ordered. He nodded.

Each villager was brought before Morgause. She studied them each closely and once she was done with one, he/she was put into a different group. This took a long time and finally there were only two villagers left.

The first was a woman and as she was brought before Morgause, Morgana gasped. Morgause turned to her with a questioning look in her eyes. "This is Hunith." Morgana told her. "Merlin's mother."

"Really?" Morgause looked at Hunith with interest. "Then she will be of great use to us. Take her to the dungeon."

"You traitor!" Hunith spat at Morgana, as two of the guards began to lead her away. "You were the king's ward! He trusted you, Merlin trusted you. He was a friend to you!"

"Then, why," asked Morgana, her voice suddenly as cold as steel, "did he try to kill me?"

"You lie."

"I am telling the truth. Take her away." Hunith struggled and managed to kick one in the shin, causing the remaining guards to come to their help. Only Hunith noticed the last villager slipping into the nearby forest and she instantly calmed. Go, sire, run!

She was greatly relieved when her captors seemed to have forgotten that there had been another villager.

Arthur watched from behind a tree as Hunith and the rest of the villagers were lead into Morgause and Morgana's dark castle. He shivered to think what would happen to them.

Every impulse of his was telling him to go in there and rescue them, but he knew better. To do so would be suicide. The only way that he could help them would be to return to Camelot.

It would be a long journey, but that didn't matter. With a sigh of disappointment, he turned and wondered through the forest. He hadn't gotten far, when he heard the sound of hoof-beats. He followed the sound and soon came upon a path. He ducked behind another tree as an army of riders came thundering on horses.

He glanced at them and gasped with delight. He recognized the knights of Camelot, but more over he recognized who was leading them. Sir Leon! He smiled and was just about to step out and reveal himself, when he spotted another man. He froze.

Lancelot. To say that Arthur was surprised to see him, would be an understatement. At first he thought that his mind was playing tricks, but no. Lancelot was really there. How could he be there?

Arthur wasn't sure how he felt about this new development. The last time he had seen him, Lancelot had been in love with Guinevere and he had left her. The thought made Arthur angry and the anger gave him courage. "Hello, there!" he shouted. Knights of Camelot!"

The knights, Sir Leon, and Lancelot all pulled their horses to a halt. Every man drew his sword. "Who's there?" Sir Leon demanded. "Reveal yourself!"

Arthur stepped out from behind the tree and couldn't but smile when he saw all the shocked looks on their faces. "Hello."

Sir Leon was the first to recover. "Prince Arthur." he whispered the name in absolute disbelief, yet hope. "I must be dreaming."

Arthur laughed. "It is no dream, I assure you. I am as real as you all are." Sir Leon dismounted and went over to the prince. He slowly raised his arm and touched Arthur's shoulder, assuring himself that Arthur was indeed real.

He fell to the ground. "Sire!" The rest of the knights dismounted and followed his example. "Sire!" Arthur noticed that Lancelot did this reluctantly.

"Arise, knights of Camelot!" And ex-knights. They all slowly rose to their feet. Sir Leon stared at Arthur in silence for a few seconds, then threw his arms around him in an embrace.

Arthur started and Sir Leon quickly pulled away. "Forgive me, sire! It's...it's just...it is wonderful to see you...alive."

Arthur smiled. "There is nothing to forgive, and I too am delighted to see you, though surprised." As he spoke this last word his eyes fell on Lancelot, who shifted uncomfortably under his gaze.

"But how, sire," said Sir Leon, "may I ask are you still alive? We were told that no one survived. We even found your body. We buried you, sire."

Arthur shook his head. "Magic. They used it make one of the enemy's bodies look like mine."

"They, sire?"

"Morgause...and Morgana."

"Morgana?" Sir Leon stepped back in surprise. "But...we thought she was dead too...so, she isn't? She's a sorceress?"

Arthur nodded. "Unfortunately, yes. She and Morgause are planning on getting vengeance."

"But your father lifted the ban on magic!"

"So, I've heard, but they don't care. They want him to pay for all those who were already killed before he lifted the ban."

Sir Leon sighed. "This is grim news, my lord. Come, we must get you back to Camelot."

Arthur shook his head. "I would like nothing more, honest, but I can't. Not yet. Morgause and Morgana's castle is nearby and they have taken prisoners from several villagers. One of them is Merlin's mother. We must rescue them."

Sir Leon nodded. "Very well. As my lord commands."