Forbidden Magic and Desires

by theELFandWITCH

What would you do when you found yourself falling in love? Would you hide your deepest secrets, if those secrets meant your death? Magic is forbidden, but yet, magic is their only salvation. ArthurxOC & MerlinxOC

10. Episode Nine: The Beginning of the End

Rated M for graphic and lemon scenes. Arthur x OC and Merlin x OC.

We don't own BBC's Merlin, only our OCs and the ways the plot of the series is affected by their presence.

In a land of myth and a time of magic, the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young boy; his name: Merlin...

-x-

It had been two weeks since the incident at the lake, and all those in Camelot, except for the handful that were present, knew about Arthur's eloping with Sophia whether it be intentional or not. Each day since, Arthur had taken Kadian's advice and sent Azura a flower and apologized every chance he had; but Azura would not hear him.

The sky was navy with several orange hues faded on the shadowed horizon. The wind was chilly and the crickets chirped their wonderful lullaby within the walls of the grand city. Inside the majestic palace, Kadian sat in her chamber on Merlin's lap. The books of magic were before them, lying open with their aged-yellow pages filled with forbidden, magic spells. Things in Camelot had been quiet, surprisingly too quiet for their liking. Not once had a sorcerer or demonic spirit tried to break down the walls of Camelot or destroy the society from its roots.

"Look at this one," Kadian said and pointed to the top-most spell on the page. "It allows the user to see in the dark for a short period of time."

Merlin gazed over Kadian's shoulder and murmured the enchantment under his breath. "Would've come in handy with the afanc," he muttered, flipping the page to the next enchantment.

Kadian shivered and felt her chest to make sure it was not cut. "Don't remind me," she said grimly, resting her head back against his shoulder; he kissed the top of her head.

"Will you just stop and listen to me for just a second?" a voice shouted from the hallway; Kadian and Merlin looked up, recognizing the voice to belong to Arthur.

Quickly, Kadian sealed the books and slid them underneath the sheets. She rose to her feet and raced to the door with Merlin following; she pressed her ear to the door to this to the argument outside.

"I am listening. Doesn't mean I'm going to stop," Azura hissed; she was walking by Kadian's chamber. Exchanging glances with Merlin, Kadian moved closer to the door; they enjoyed eavesdropping on the two as they fought.

"I'm really sorry," Arthur said pleadingly; he was directly beside the door, his voice was clearer than Azura's. "I never meant to... I don't know what came over me. It'll never happen again, I promise. Please, Zu. I am sorry."

"Will you stop apologizing already!" Azura hissed angrily. By the faintness of her voice, she was at the far end of the hall.

Arthur sighed and slammed a fist into Kadian's door; Merlin and Kadian stumbled back at the impact with their ears ringing. "Stop eavesdropping," he snarled and chased after Azura, each footstep growing quieter.

Kadian turned to Merlin with a big smile. "Let's go," she grinned and slowly pulled the door open, making sure that Arthur was no where to be seen. The corridor was clear and she pulled Merlin after her.

"But Arthur said..." Merlin protested, forcing Kadian to stop in the middle of the hall.

"Since when do I listen to Arthur?" Kadian asked, staring at him curiously. She grabbed Merlin by the wrist and pulled him along.

-x-

Azura stormed into the courtyard enraged; two fists were clenched at her sides. She did not falter as Arthur shouted for her to stop. It was hard for her to hold back the urge to launch an arrow into his skull like she had Sophia, the sidhe who desired to trade Arthur's life for immortality.

"Azura, wait!" Arthur shouted as he emerged in the courtyard. Though the dim light, he could barely see the skirt of her ivory gown and the gold lace that glinted like tiny jewels in the dying light. She continued onward as if his voice was as silent as the cool wind.

Arthur sighed, not wanting to give in, and ran after her and into the shadows. He grabbed her wrist and forced her to turn to her. She tore her wrist from his grasp, shouting, "Let go of me." She punched him with her left and he stumbled back, his hand shooting to his aching face. "Who the hell do you think you are?"

He stared dumbfounded at her for she could punch harder than he initially thought. The fury in her eyes was hard to endure. "Please, give me another chance," he begged gently, rubbing his cheek.

"Why should I? You weren't there for me when I need you the most and you ran off with that pitiful excuse for a girl! And you expect me to let you waltz right back to where you were as if nothing happened? Well, you're dead wrong!" Azura hissed, stomping her foot on the ground angrily; she met his guilty, pleading stare.

"I'm sorry, Zu," Arthur said softly as he stepped toward her. As he moved, she turned away from him and crossed her arms at her chest.

"I don't care," Azura snarled, looking up at the sky as dark-grey clouds rolled over Camelot.

"I'm sorry for not believing you when you said that she had bewitched me." He ran a shaking hand through his hair; it was hard to admit his wrongs. "I'm sorry for..." Oh, there was so much for him to choose from; too much for him to count, "for everything I did. I didn't know what to do. I-I was afraid of what was happening to you."

"You were afraid of what was happening to me? Awe, how sweet. I was afraid of what was happening to me too!" Azura smiled; her voice had a hint of madness.

"You don't have to be sarcastic," Arthur grumbled.

"Sarcasm, bah. You thought I was mad, didn't you? Unlike everyone else in this godforsaken kingdom, I'm going to be complete honest with you," Azura sneered and stepped further from his reach. She knew that she needed to leave certain aspects out, but she spoke with all honesty, the cold hard truth. "Sophia did not continue on her merry way once you were taken back to Camelot, if you believe that stupid lie. I killed her, Arthur. I watched her bleed where she stood, with an arrow lodged in her throat. Before you ask, I will tell you this: I was cursed by a enchantress about a month or so ago."

"Cursed?" Arthur gasped; he knew her too well to think she was mad. "You never said..."

"I couldn't say. I had to sit back and let it torture me until it turned me into the thing I feared the most: a murderer, a cold-blooded killer! I watched and cowered as it toyed with me, poking and prying until finally, I lost. I fought it, tried to stop it from harming the people I cared about most, not caring that it meant another day of pure agony for myself! I went through hell, and for what? To be stabbed in the back by you!"

"I never meant to hurt you, Zu. Why don't you understand?" Arthur replied compassionately. A raindrop fell and trickled down his brow, followed by a second, and then a third until the clouds poured the sky tears. Thunder bellowed and a flash of lightening illuminated Camelot for a second, showing Arthur the face of pure hatred as Azura whipped around.

"No, you don't understand!" Azura hissed. She was drenched almost instantly, but she paid no mind and shivered unconsciously at the cold drops on her arms. "That... that nightmare did not end for me when the curse was broken. Every time I wake up, I think: I'm going home today, I'm going to see my family, my people; but after a few moments, it sinks in. I'm never going home! I'm never going to see my family ever again! Maybe I am going mad, but I know all too well that what I see is reality."

She turned away, her fiery wrath dying down as the cold rain cloaked her skin. Tears swam down her cheeks, merging with the rivers of rain that streamed down her face. "Why shouldn't I walk away right now and never come back?"

Kadian and Merlin watched from the shadows of the doorway leading into the palace. The sound of the rain beating against the stone echoed through the courtyard as the sound of their voices faded away as Azura waited for Arthur's answer. His answer would choose whether or not Azura would consider taking him back or leave him forever.

"I love you, Zu," Arthur stated. He wiped his soaked hair from his eyes and stared at her silhouette; his heart was beating furiously, he did not realize what he had said, but he felt relieved that he had said the three words. "And nothing in this kingdom, this entire world means more to me than you."

Azura slowly turned around. Her bright blue eyes fell upon his handsome face, seeing the truth for what it was. His words had startled her; it was the first time he had admitted it and it was probably the first time he really meant it. Kadian grinned as Arthur's words echoed through the air and she took Merlin by the hand and pulled him into the palace; this was their cue to leave.

"Please, Zu, don't make me get on my knees," Arthur pleaded, moving closer. "Don't go."

"I-I..." She was utterly speechless, unable to process a single thought into words. "Let's get out of this blasted rain," Azura replied shakily. She walked by Arthur and entered the palace, dripping wet, and rang out her hair, leaving a puddle of water that someone could slip on later.

Arthur followed her as she climbed the staircase to the level where her chamber lay, silent as a mouse. She shivered as she pushed the door open, walked inside, and turned to shut the door. "Goodnight, Arthur," she said softly as the door sealed away every thing but the paleness of her face and the flickering light of the torches lining the corridor. "We'll talk tomorrow."

Arthur nodded. "Goodnight," he replied with a gentle smile and watched as the door sealed her inside completely. He waited until he heard the soft click of the lock before he disappeared down the hall, down the staircase, and into his chamber where he collapsed onto the bed relieved.

-x-

Azura woke early that morning as a hand rasped against her chamber door. Moaning, she sat up and ran a dazed hand through her messy hair as she tossed the blankets off. The floor was cold against her feet as she stood, her nightgown touched the floor, and she went to the door slowly, pulling it open.

Kadian smiled as the door gradually open, revealing Azura to be standing half-asleep on the other side. "Sorry for waking you... Can we talk?" she wondered with a smile.

"What is there to talk about?" Azura replied and held the door open wide to let Kadian in. Letting the door shut on its own, she crossed the chamber and pulled open the blue curtains, letting the warm, lemon sunlight pool into the chamber.

"When you woke from the curse," Kadian began as she gazed around the chamber; the sheets were messy on the bed and the tabletops were cluttered with many packets of parchment, several of which were stained with ink, "you said that we would talk about certain things. I think that time is now."

"Kadian, what is there to talk about?" Azura replied as she pushed open the window. A soft breeze swept through the chamber and Azura turned to face Kadian, her hair falling in ruffled waves against her face. "I told you everything you wanted two weeks ago."

"That was the last time we talked since... you know..." Kadian stated as she inadvertently pulled the bed sheets up to the flat pillows and straightened them nicely before she sat. She recalled that Uther had appointed a maid for Azura, and she wondered where the maid was. "I'm sorry for breaking your mother's bow, but I don't think that calls for reason to be angry with me."

"I'm not angry with you," Azura replied hastily while she retrieved a gown from the trunk at the foot of the bed. After several days of being pampered by the appointed maid, she had relieved the poor girl from her duties. Azura did not feel like she needed someone to look after her, dress her, clean up after her, and so much more; she did not feel worthy enough to have someone labouring over her. Azura disappeared around the screen and quickly stripped and draped the gown over her head until it just touched the floor, tickling the top of her feet.

Kadian sighed. "Don't lie to me," the princess said gently and looked at the table where the fragments of the bow lay. "I know it was important to you."

Azura did not reply at first and reappeared from behind the screen. Tossing her nightgown into the open trunk, she took a seat in front of the desk where her jewellery boxes lay open and gemstones glistened in the radiant sunlight. "I've learned that I need to let go of my past and only concentrate on the present and future," Azura replied, as she took a comb and ran its tiny teeth through he knotted hair. "What is gone is gone, I cannot change the past."

Kadian was speechless. The words that escaped Azura's lips startled her beyond belief. Never before had she heard Azura speak in such a matter; her deceased family and demolished kingdom were the only things she cared about many weeks ago, besides Arthur; it was her entire means of living. Kadian always believed that it had been Azura's ambition to discover what happened to her home. The new Azura scared her. "How can you say that? You can't just forget about your family, your people as if they never existed!" Kadian replied appalled.

"I did not say that I forgot them," Azura replied in a low, mellow voice. "I just put them behind me. I cannot wallow away on false hopes, Kadian. I don't expect you to understand."

"Why? Because I'm not an elf?" Kadian sneered, getting to her feet.

"No, because you aren't stuck between two different lives," Azura replied as she placed the comb on the desk. She turned to Kadian. "I am only half-elf. If I dwell on my past, I will get myself killed, or worse, kill more people than I already have."

"You didn't kill Sophia, the cursed did." Kadian rolled her eyes. "I don't want us to fight..." She paused. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course," Azura smiled with a curt nod as she turned to gaze at her reflection in the mirror. Her hair was still wavy from the curls in obtained throughout the night. Sighing, Azura grabbed a handful of pins and tied her hair back into an intricate bun.

"Would you really have left Camelot?" Kadian asked wondering as she crossed the chamber to stand by her friend. She stared at their reflections in the mirror, how different they were than she remembered. Azura's hair was much darker than hers and though their eyes said the same thing, they varied in shade. Kadian could picture Azura with a pair of slanted, pointed ears instead of the rounded ones she had; she would have been the same, just as gorgeous. No, Kadian was not envious, just curious at the subtle differences that were between humans and elves, even half-elves.

"Yes," Azura admitted, shifting her gaze from the mirror as she rose to her feet and slid into her white ballet flats. "Please, let's leave it at that."

"Alright," Kadian nodded; the answer was not surprising.

"I'm heading into the town, care to join me?" Azura smiled, turning to look at herself in the mirror. She nodded approvingly.

Kadian shook her head. "I can't," she replied, "I actually have some things to attend to. Maybe next time."

"Alright, tell Merlin I said 'hello'," Azura smiled brightly and walked to the door. She held it open for Kadian and shut it once her skirt was out of the way. Bidding farewell, she departed down the corridor and out into the courtyard, toward the lower town.

-x-

The sun was warm against her skin as she stepped into the busy streets. On all sides, the street was lined with fruit, vegetable and merchant stands where shillings were exchanged across the tables and merchandise was placed in the customer's hands. It relaxed Azura to see the subtle smiles on each person's face as she went by, and even when she was not. Graciously declining the merchants who offered her things, she continued on her way with her hands folded behind her back and her gaze absently shifting from thing to thing.

She journeyed into a shaded street of the market, curious to the new merchants that had set up shop there. Stopping, she gazed over at the nearest merchant where a steel-barred cage was resting on the cluttered table. Inside was a small animal whose short fur was blotched black and tan. There was a blotch of black across its beady, dark eyes.

"Aw! What a cute ferret!" Azura smiled as she went over.

The bald merchant looked up from his other merchandise at the sound of Azura's soft voice. "Ah, yes," he grinned, placing a hand on the ferret's cage; the creature flinched as the cage trembled. "Troublesome little bugger, he is. Ten shillings and he's yours."

"Oh, I haven't any money," Azura sighed, scratching the little animal's forehead through the bars with her finger.

The merchant stared passed her like she was a translucent spectre and his eyes grew wide with uncanny fright. Whipping his attention to the smiling Azura, who poked her finger through the narrow bars of the cage to pet the ferret, he saw that the ferret was fairly fond of her and opened the cage door hastily. His grasp was tight as he pulled the ferret from its cage and held it out toward her. "Here," he said hastily, glancing passed her again, "for such a pretty lady, no charge."

Azura's face glowed as she took the ferret from his grasp and held it to her chest; it nuzzled her playfully beneath her chin. "Thank you, sir," Azura smiled brightly. "I will make sure your kindness is…"

"Please, go," he whispered perturbed. A darkly cloaked man and a small boy approached the merchant, resting an impatient hand on the tabletop.

"Do you have my supplies?" the cloaked man asked as he rested his other hand on the boy's shoulder. The young boy, shrouded in the shadows of an emerald cloak, looked up at Azura and his dazzling green eyes grew wide at sight of her. He tugged on the man's brown cloak, but he paid no mind and murmured for him to remain silent.

The merchant glanced over at Azura, eyeing her curiously, and then stared beyond her; there was a group of marching soldiers holding pikes descending into the bustling street. His eyes travelled onto the man and the boy as he handed them a small, black bag. "I'm sorry," he said softly and let his gaze fall onto his guilty hands that rested agitatedly at the edge of the table.

Glancing down the street frantically, the cloaked man took the boy hastily by the wrist and pushed Azura out of his way as the two raced away; they pushed their way rudely through the traffic of commoners and vanished from sight.

Sitting up, her face smitten with her disgust, Azura frowned as ugly, brown mud slithered down her arms like slow snakes. Her dress was covered with the disgusting mud and sunk her shoulders, petting her ferret calmingly on the head; it, too, was drenched. She stared off in the direction of which the man and boy raced away in a hurry to escape the pursuing soldiers. The boy had looked up at her, bewitched by her presence, and she could not help but wonder if he knew who, or what, she was.

"My Lady! I apologize!" the merchant exclaimed and walked swiftly around his stand to see if she was unharmed; the king would have his head. He seemed to relax that the grimace on her face was from the stench of the mud that from injury.

"It is quite alright," Azura stated dismissively as she ran her fingers tenderly down the ferrets spine. "You did the right thing..." She left her voice drift away with the gentle gale and stood without aid. Without another sound, she turned sharply and stormed to the palace to change out of the dripping, ruined dress and change into a new one, and possibly bath in the process; but most off all, she wanted to introduce her new pet to its new home.

-x-

Merlin strolled leisurely through the palace corridors, gazing amuck for his day's work was nearly complete; all he had left was to clean Arthur's chambers. It was a shock that Arthur had left him very little to do for the day, he had Azura to thank for that.

Emrys! a struggling voice cried; Merlin stopped, glancing down each end of the corridor. He was alone, but where had the voice come from? He shook his head, figuring he was hearing things again, and continued onward.

Emerging in the busy square, he heard the voice cry that name again, Emrys!. He stopped in his trek and glanced about; there were soldiers swarming the square, asking the commoners about something, and undoubtedly seeking an unfortunately magician, or supposed magician, in the name of Uther Pendragon.

His gaze fell upon a young boy sitting in the shadows of an overturned wagon. The boy's face was shrouded by a emerald cloak, but Merlin could see the dire pain that swelled inside the boy's wide, petrified eyes. A hand was clasped against his arm, hiding a wound. Emrys, you have to help me!

Merlin raised an eyebrow as the child spoke without twitching his dry lips; it had to have been the boy, there eyes were lock and there was no one else nearby. Why are they after you? he wondered, watching the boy curiously; the soldiers stormed into a corridor to check for the boy.

Please! They're gonna kill me! the boy pleaded, shifting his position uncomfortably. The soldiers were shouting at each other from the area they were searching.

Nodding, Merlin casually strolled over to a narrow passage in the shadows of the staircase he had descended. This way, quickly, he thought, beckoning the boy toward him with a curt motion of his head.

Hesitantly, the child rose to his weary feet and raced across the courtyard to the vanishing Merlin. In the background, he could hear the soldiers shout for him to stop.

Taking the boy firmly by the hand, Merlin raced down the hall and around the corner. The soldiers were shouting orders to them as they were pursued. Panic surged through Merlin's veins as he pulled the child up a flight of stairs and down the adjacent and vacant hall.

He threw open the first door of the corridor the staircase lead to down and shit he swiftly after he pulled the boy inside.

"Merlin? I didn't expect you 'til later... what's…" Kadian looked up from the piece of parchment she was writing on. She set the quill into the inkwell as she shifted her gaze to the injured boy holding Merlin's hand tightly. The boy's eyes were pleading for her help, and she felt over powered by his angelic face and innocent charm.

"The guard is after him. I didn't know what else to do," Merlin explained, panting to capture his rapidly escaping breath. He stared at her, waiting for her to stay something, but her gaze was transfixed on the boy, studying him curiously like there was some recognition.

Their heart jerked and went silent as a metallic knock echoed off the wooden door. "My Lady?" a deep, masculine voice stated from the corridor.

"Over there, hurry." Kadian inadvertently pointed toward the curtain and swept her gaze from the boy, smiling weakly; there was a subtle feeling of caution in the depth of her stomach, what was she getting herself into? Taking a deep, calming breath, she crossed her chamber silent as a mouse and pulled back the door enough so only the gentle silhouette of her face could be seen. "Yes? What is it?"

"Sorry to disturb you, my lady," a soldier stated, dipping his head, and peered over the top of her head. He noticed her annoyance at his overlooking of her and turned his attention swiftly back to her eyes. "Are you with company?" His voice was tinted with suspicion.

"It is only myself," Kadian replied hastily, gripping the rough edge of the door. She stared curiously at the soldier and the several few who searched the long corridor. They were knocking furiously on the only other door of the corridor, receiving no answer; they kicked the door open and rushed inside. "Why do you ask?"

"A wanted boy was spotted heading this way, my lady. It would be best that you keep the door locked until he is found," the soldier explained with a curt nod; he could not help but ease his curiosity with another glance over her shoulder.

"I will. Thank you," Kadian nodded, smiling gratefully, and shut the door with a faint click! of the lock. She waited for the footsteps to fade into the distance before she went and drew back the curtain.

Merlin was holding the boy in his arms; he had fallen unconscious and half-stood with sweat dripping in large beads from his brow. The warlock met her worried gaze and he slowly lifted the cup of his hand from the bleeding wound on the boy's arm. His palm and fingers were coated in glistening scarlet blood, and he wiped them clean as Kadian handed him a towel.

There was nothing that she could do than stare at the boy sympathetically as Merlin tried his best to dress the wound to stop the bleeding. The thought of him waiting petrified for the execution's axe to strike his neck filled Kadian with hatred. She wished to know why Uther deemed magic evil in his kingdom. Was it for Uther to decide that she was evil? That Azura, a child of a human father and elven mother, was evil? That even Morgana who glimpsed the future in her nightmares was an enemy?

-x-

Azura held a cream-coloured towel to her chest as she bent down to rummage through her messy trunk, looking for a suitable gown to wear. Most of hers were taken by the servants to be cleaned, while the mud-caked gown hung over the screen with an empty bucket beneath it to collect raining drops of brown. She had not had the chance to move her clothing, or what was left, into the wardrobe and sighed in defeat for there was a knock on the door.

"One minute," Azura answered sharply as she fumbled through the various golden artefacts, books, and smaller cases.

"Zu, it's me." It was Arthur and Azura glanced over at the door swiftly.

"Wait a bloody minute!" Azura hissed as she triumphantly pulled a light-blue gown from the trunk's belly. Shrugging, she dropped the towel to the floor and, as her naked skin trembled with the chill of her chamber, she slipped the gown over her head. Once the skirt kissed the floor, she hastily tied the strings of the bodice and spun to face the mirror. Its deep aqua silk went well with her fair skin and was accented with gold curlicues along the bottom. Thin, golden spirals twisted across her waist, branching out to the skirt and bodice. The sheer sleeves were long and trailing, touching the floor softly.

Watching herself in the mirror, Azura could see her mother, tall and elegant, wearing the very dress. It was the last gown Azura saw her in. She shook her head and dried her eyes with the back of her hand.

The door swung inward viciously and slammed against the brick wall, shaking the items on the shelves. Azura had jumped, letting loose a soft yelp. She scoffed perturbed as Arthur walked in casually. "You know, Arthur, patience is a virtue that you've yet to acquire," she scolded and crossed her arms at her chest. "I said to wait a bloody minute. I wasn't dressed."

"Nothing I haven't seen before," Arthur grumbled with his hands guiltily folded behind his back. He took a quick measure of the chamber, seeing nothing out of the ordinary and stepped further into the room.

Dismissing his last comment for she did not want to remember that night or day following, and walked to push open the window. "Have your men caught that druid?" Azura asked with a glance as she sat on the edge of her bed. "He owes me a dress."

Eyeing the dripping gown over the screen, Arthur laughed and took a seat beside her. "I'll buy you a new one," he smiled promisingly. "Yes they did. He'll be executed by sunset." By the way his voice was, it seemed like he was uncomfortable talking to her about it.

The dark grin that stretched along Azura's chin frightened Arthur slightly, but the fright did not surpass the urge to have her in his arms again; his hand twitched slightly. Then, when his mind was on a distant memory, Azura bent over and lifted something small onto her lap.

"Is that a rat?" Arthur exclaimed as the furred creature peered around Azura's arm, setting two, beady black eyes on him.

"No, silly," Azura giggled, stroking the creature's small head. "Felipe is a ferret. A wonderful gentleman gave him to me earlier this day. Isn't he something?" Her smile was wide and caring as she let the ferret scamper off of her lap.

Felipe bounded over to her pillows where he sat and curled himself into a tight ball, resting his muzzle on his forepaws as he glance, or more so glared, at Arthur. After a long moment of staring at the prince, he tucked his snout underneath his belly fur and went to sleep.

"Certainly, something," Arthur commented with a deep grunt; he hated all rodents. They tended to gnaw through his boots when he was not looking and leave several piles of droppings at the side of his bed for him to step on.

"Oh, lighten up." Azura rolled her eyes and nudged him with her elbow.

Arthur chuckled amused at her weak attempt to push him off the edge of the bed. As he nudged her back, Azura collapsed onto her side jokingly with a bright smile. Like she had been wounded mortally, she rolled onto her back with her arms outstretched. "You've killed me," she laughed and letting her head fall to the side dramatically.

The prince, moving onto his hip, leaned over his fallen love and caressed her pink cheek with his hand. All of their previous problems melted away as Arthur gently turned her face to him and kissed her, soft and, perhaps, hesitantly. Oh, how long it had been since they had been this close, the memory was but a subtle glimpse. Rose pink flushed into her cheeks as the delicateness of his touch deepened to a once forgotten passion.

Azura wanted to pull her head away as Arthur kissed her like he used to, before Sophia, before the damned griffin; but she could not bring herself to and her lips curved into a smile. There was a heavy rataplan in her chest and she felt like she needed to take a breath, but still, she would not break their kiss.

Suddenly and with a start, Arthur pulled back like someone had torn him away. She sat up slowly, watching him curiously for he had clasped a hand over his over, wincing with pain.

"Arthur? What happened?" she asked sweetly, combing her fingers through her hair.

"He bit me," Arthur growled harshly as he examined the back of his hand; there was a small, red spot between his thumb and index finger. He rubbed the spot to ease the sting.

"You liar," Azura frowned, staring unsympathetically at his hand. "He couldn't have. He is over there, sleeping." She rose to her feet, beaming at her slumbering ferret; Felipe looked so innocent in his ball.

"I'm telling you, Azura, he bit me," Arthur argued and rose to his feet swiftly, like the ferret, or whatever had, was going to bite him again. Felipe's ear twitched and he tightened his ball, shielding his face from the cold.

"Wow," Azura sighed with false disbelief. She shook her head as she stared at Arthur. "The prince of Camelot is complaining about a tiny cut on his hand. I thought that you'd complain about that rotten bruise on your face." She had not noticed the large, purple mark on his left cheek, and now that she did, she grinned at her work.

Staring at her with a scowl, he grumbled, "That hurt." He brought a hand to his cheek and stroked the bruise gently, wincing at the soft pain there was.

"That's what you get when you won't sod off," she smiled and stepped close to him. She brushed his hand away and rose onto her toes to kiss his cheek softly. Falling onto her heels soundlessly, she asked, "All better?"

Heavy a low sigh, Arthur had no choice but to renounce his accusation that Felipe bit him. The ferret was too diabolical for him and was, from that moment on, Arthur's new arch nemesis. "Much," he smiled and lifted her onto her toes again as he returned the favour with a peck on the lips.

He let her fall onto her heels and watched as she walked to the closed door with long, elegant strides that took his breath away. "Shall we?" she stated as she pulled the door open slightly, holding her hand out for him to take.

Nodding like he was in a trance, Arthur took her hand and accompanied her down the corridor. He glanced back at the ferret as he pulled the door shut slowly; Felipe was grinning at him with tiny, white teeth glinting in the sunlight.

-x-

Kadian leaned against the window alcove, watching as her father, brother and Azura stepped onto the balcony that extended from the throne chamber. Down below, in the square, knelt the druid who had entered the city to collect a mere sample of supplies for his journey with his son. The small druid boy that had accompanied the man was lying in her chamber, conscious now with a loose dressing on his wound. His alluring green eyes were glued to the window, at the sky that he could see from that angle.

Merlin stood behind Kadian, his arm wrapped around her waist. He, too, gazed out at the druid's execution, imagining himself, Kadian, Morgana and Azura in the man's place.

"People of Camelot," Uther bellowed to the gathered that stood around the chopping block, "the man before you is guilty of using enchantments and magic. Under our law, the sentence for this crime is death."

Arthur crossed his arms as Azura folded hers behind her back. She had the choice to not watch this, but there was something deep within her that brought her to keep her spot before Arthur, above the people of Camelot. It could have been her down there, staring up at the man who would give the order for her head to be removed, but luckily, it was not this time.

"We are still searching for his accomplice," the king continued with his eyes sweeping across the concerned faces. "Anyone found harbouring the boy will be found guilty of conspiracy and will be executed as a traitor."

Merlin exchanged worried glances with Kadian; if they were to get caught, it would be the end for the both of them and the druid boy. Surely, Uther may see reason to let his own flesh and blood live, but there would be no hope for a pardon on Merlin's behalf, nor the boy. Kadian's eyes fell upon her father again, her hatred bubbling up within her like vicious magma. Oh, how she wanted to cast a spell from the concealment of her window and smite him where he stood, or even send him a warning: his tyranny against magic would not last for much longer.

"Let this serve as a warning to your people," Uther stated sharply, staring at the druid below with sapphire eyes drenched in disgust.

"You let your fear of magic turn to hate," the druid man replied with a cocky grin curving his chapped lips. He gazed at the King with disappointment, feeling noting in his heart for the withered, old man. "I pity you."

"I-I can't watch this," Kadian stammered and turned from the window as her father's hand rose into the air with the executioner's axe mimicking the movement. She crossed her chamber and sat beside the boy, embracing him tightly in preparation for what was to happen. Through her embrace, she felt the burning anger inside of him as his breaths grew heated and rapid and his innocent eyes morphed into a gruesome, grey glare.

Uther's hand fell through the air until it was at his side once again.

Argh! The boy cried with his lips pressed firmly together. Magic surged from the boy, shattering the small mirror that sat on the top of her wardrobe, reflecting the image of Kadian holding the druid in her arms protectively. His eyes were overcast with dark shadows, glaring at the shattered pieces as they cascaded onto the floor with silent crashes. Merlin had jumped at the sound of the boy's cry and stared at him now with sorrow-filled eyes.

Azura's head turned away before the blade pierced the druid's flesh, spilling blood onto the stump as his head lobbed onto the platform. However, she gazed upward, hearing a furious cry on the wind. Her blue eyes slowly trailed across the stern faces of the people of Camelot until her sight was set upon the single open window on the east side of the palace, the one where Kadian and Merlin had been watching from. It was there that the cry came from, she was sure of it, but she kept her suspicions to herself and turned her attention back to the bloody scene. No one else in the square had heard the cry, not even Uther and Arthur who stood nearest her.

-x-

The fork in Merlin's hand restlessly twirled on the plate before the young warlock, he was not hungry. Merlin sat in the physician's chamber, thinking for the proper way to speak with Gaius about the matter of the two druids in Camelot; but Merlin knew Gaius very well. The silent was agonizing and Merlin had to speak before it drove him mad. "Do you know much about the druids?"

Gaius gazed up from his work, leaving his hands to fiddle with the flasks and other substances that were on his workbench. "Not much, only that they are peaceful people, even with Uther hunting them," the court physician replied wisely, placing down the flask in his hand. He scribbled something on to the piece of parchment before him and looked up suddenly, spinning around to face Merlin with the feather of his quill pointing accusingly at the warlock. "Please tell me you haven't gotten yourself mixed up in all this."

"Me? No. Mixed up in what?" Merlin grumbled as he avoided the physician's quizzical stare; Gaius' eyes were beating on him, harsher than a whip could lash his back.

"Merlin," Gaius sighed scolding as he stalked across his chamber to stand before his nephew. "With such a big secret, you are a terrible liar."

"Well, I haven't done anything," Merlin replied fiercely, if not defensively. He met Gaius' stare with an assuring Gaius. Being a miracle that Gaius did not see his bluff, or maybe overlooking it, Gaius continued to stare at Merlin as he turned back to his supper. It did not look appetising and he rearranged the portions to make a weird design that he ruined as he threw the fork down in frustration.

Gaius could see the secretive glint in his eye as he hastily messed with his dinner. "Merlin." he grumbled demandingly.

Merlin glanced up at his name, but let his sight fall upon his supper again. Sinking his shoulders, he turned to the physician and sighed. "I heard him calling out. He was nowhere to be seen, but yet I could hear him calling out," Merlin paused as Gaius stalked closer, cocking an intrigued, white eyebrow; the warlock tapped his skull with his finger. "It was like he was inside my mind."

"Yes, I've heard of this ability. The druids look for children with suck abilities to serve as apprentices," Gaius mused, staring up toward the open window and the darkening silhouette of Camelot. The warm horizon pooled into his chamber with a fiery glow. He turned to Merlin. "While they search for this boy, you must be especially careful, not only you, but Kadian as well and even Azura," Gaius warned, pointing a finger at Merlin's chest. "Otherwise it will be the lot of you on the chopping block."

Merlin held his head up, proudly. "I'm always careful, you know me," he said.

"Yes, Merlin, unfortunately, I do."

-x-

Kadian strolled casually down the hall, only a handful of paces away from her chamber; she made sure that she exited the door sealed when she left the druid boy alone. The boy was sleeping restlessly behind the curtain bundled in a couple of spare blankets she had lying around her chamber. She knew that it would be a long while before Merlin was able to escape Gaius' watching eye to come check on her.

Hesitantly, she stopped before Azura's shut door; she prayed that Azura was in and not running amuck in the streets of Camelot with Arthur. "Zu?" she whispered into the wood with a gentle knock. Azura would be able to hear her delicate voice even in the loudest of places.

The door pulled back suddenly and Azura stood before her with her hair draped on her shoulders in a mass of waves and Felipe in her arms. "Yes?" she asked startled and glanced cautiously down each end of the corridor.

The princess gazed down at the ferret in Azura's arms and raised a hand to scratch him behind the ears; the ferret seemed to grin and squirmed at her touch. "It's adorable," she smiled as the ferret stared up at her with its black eyes. "We need to talk."

"Sure, come in," Azura smiled and kicked the door open to give Kadian enough room to pass by her. Silently, the door shut behind them, blocking their conversation from the rest of Camelot's ears. "What is it?" She asked calmly, letting Felipe leap from her grasp and land on the bed.

Kadian sighed and combed a nervous hand through her hair, tucking the loose strands behind her ear. "I need your help." Her voice was shaking as she spoke.

Her eyes fell upon Kadian's concerned stare, studying the anxiety that maimed her face and thoughts. "I know that you are hiding the druid boy in your chamber," she whispered, pronouncing each syllable with care and precision; Kadian looked up with a start.

"He's injured. I fear that it is, or will become, infected. We can't bring Gaius into this; he would have our head," Kadian explained in a ramble that sounded to belong to Merlin when he babbled on and on. "I remembered that you've studied healing. I was hoping..." Kadian's voice drifted away as the wind rattled the glass window.

"You were hoping that I would put my life on the line for him? My god, Kadian, you and Merlin are terrible at staying out of magical affairs." Azura crossed her arms at her chest, shooing Felipe off her bed; he darted under the bed-skirt. Their gazes would not meet; they were eluding each other with great care. It was a long silence before Azura spoke again, filling her chamber with a delicate tone that was not received as such. "It's too risky for me. I can't get involved."

"No, you won't get involved." Kadian growled as her eyes rolled with annoyance. "He's no different than you or me. He's a child, born with the gift of magic. Uther has no right to execute him for what he had no choice in."

Azura sighed and turned away from Kadian where her gaze stared out the window and at the setting yellow orb. The sky was smeared with the warm colours of autumn that faded into the darkness as the sky approached the shadowed horizon. "You are right, Kadian. I won't help you." She said mercilessly. "I am sorry."

"Argh," Kadian groaned and went toward the door. "I liked the old Zu better."

The door shut heavily as Kadian stormed out, her skirt billowing in an angry cloud before it vanished. Azura had some nerve to refuse aiding an injured child Kadian thought. It was hard for Kadian to hear Azura refuse to help anyone; she always thought Azura believed everyone to be equal, but no. If it were weeks before, Azura would have eagerly helped, despite the consequences and dangers. And now, it seemed like Azura was like Uther and Arthur, sticking to laws when it came to magic and its affairs; Azura might as well turn herself in.

It doesn't make any sense, Kadian thought as she entered her chamber, locking the door once it was firmly shut.

The druid boy was lying unconscious behind the curtain with sweat beading at his brow. He had stirred slightly in his slumber; the blankets were ruffled and tossed about. Kadian sat beside him and brushed his chocolate hair from his face. "I'm sorry," she chimed, letting her hand caress his cheek, "she won't help you."

-x-

Dawn came and went quickly after Merlin left Kadian to care for the boy. He tended to his work that Arthur left him and, once he was satisfied with what he accomplished, he returned to her chamber. Kadian pulled him inside quickly the moment after his hand rasped against the door. They went over and drew back the curtain where the boy slept restlessly beneath a mountain of blankets. "He's gotten worse," she said softly, frowning at the sweat that streamed down the sides of his face. "His brow is on fire. I think the wound is infected."

"Have you talked to Azura?" Merlin asked lowly, leaning down to wipe the boy's sweat away.

"Yeah, I did. She isn't willing to get involved," Kadian sighed as she reached for a cloth and knelt beside the druid.

"Has he said anything?" Merlin wondered, holding the boy's hair back as Kadian dried his brow. It was undeniable that the wound had grown infected. The boy's face was colourless leaving his eyes sunken in their sockets, but what gave the infection away was the pungent scent the wound released when Merlin went to redress it. There was puss forming inside the inflamed gash, yellow and thick, and Merlin dabbed it with water. He paused as the boy flinched.

Kadian's head shook as she spared him a glance. "Nothing. I've tried to get his name, but he falls under so quickly..." she sighed softly, caressing the boy's cheek with the cloth. He was so pale; it hurt to see him in such a condition.

Merlin leaned back against the wall after he finished dressing the wound; he studied the way Kadian's eyes sparkled as the gazed upon the boy's face, full of protection and even love. "You know, you're taking a big risk, helping him," he stated suddenly, causing her to flinch.

"I know," she replied, shifting her gaze onto him as she sat back on her heels. Resting her hands on her hand, she sighed. "I won't see an innocent child executed, it's wrong."

"Uther thinks he's magic and therefore he's guilty," Merlin sighed, meeting her worried gaze; they battled every day to wake up the next morning without the stake beckoning for them. "He's wrong, you know that, pretty much everyone with half a brain knows it."

Slowly, Kadian rose to her feet and walked over to him, where he wrapped his arms around her and held her close. "You speak the truth, Merlin, because you see magic the way it should be used. My father, though I regret to say, only thinks that magic is a choice someone can make," Kadian said softly, kissing his cheek.

There was a long pause, they could hear the chamber door creak open, but neither of them moved to see who was there. Merlin's fingers combed through the back of Kadian's hair as he embraced her. The boy took a shrill breath, shaking slightly, and returned to his unconscious state.

"What if magic isn't something you choose? What if it chooses you?" a voice said from behind, tainted with sorrow and fear. "I-I thought that the two of you would shelter him."

They turned, stepping in front of the curtain and shielding the boy from view. Their rapid hearts relaxed as they set their sights on Morgana, who stood in the open door way with her hands folded behind her back. Her green eyes said the same thing that Kadian's had when she gazed upon the druid: fear for the boy. "I did not mean to startle you," Morgana said softly as she shut the door behind her royal blue skirt. "I thought now would have been a better time than most to help."

Kadian smiled. "Of course," she nodded and moved out of Morgana's sight. Morgana's eyes fell onto the boy instantly and she slowly approached him. "He's injured and has lost a lot of blood. I don't know what we should do with him."

"We should bring him back to his people, where he belongs." Her green eyes scanned the boy, eyeing the triple spiral tattoo on his chest and the loose white bandage on his arm; it was already stained with blood, even with the fresh change. "I'll stay with him, until you complete your rounds. If he gets any worse, I'll send for you."

It sounded more of a demand and Kadian nodded, stepping toward the door. She extended her hand toward Merlin and he took it, squeezing it gently as they vanished into the corridor. His gaze lingered on Morgana and the boy until his sight was impaired; there was something about the sight that made his insides churn uneasily.

If they were to successfully get the boy out of Camelot, they needed to remove any suspicions from them by increasing their presence around the palace and city and be sure to stray from any sort of conversation about the boy. Once the boy was well enough to travel, they would escort him back to the Druids: his home.

-x-

The corridors were strangely empty as Kadian strolled down the corridor with her hand clasped in Merlin's. Arthur's chamber waited scrubbing for the utmost time since Merlin was graciously awarded his manservant position. Ever since Azura had returned from her cursed insanity, Arthur wanted above all else was for his chamber to be spotless and rat-free. Merlin's job would be much simpler it Arthur was not such a slob.

Pushing open the large door to Arthur's chamber, Merlin peered inside the cluttered room to see that no one was present. Even with the floor messier than a hog pen, Kadian lead Merlin inside. They sighed heavily, seeing the mountains of tunics that were scattered to and fro and the tower of dirty plates that were on the table; flies buzzed harmoniously above the table and Kadian scoffed.

"How can someone live in such filth?" Kadian grumbled as she stepped over a pile of clothing; no wonder Merlin had the faint scent of dirty laundry in the evening. "He does this on purpose, doesn't he?"

"Probably," Merlin grunted and bent down to lift the prince's clothes into his arms. Swaying to keep everything in his arms, he successfully placed the tunics and trousers onto a bigger pile he would have washed by the morning; thank heavens he had magic to aid in his multitasking. "You don't have to stay with me. I know you've got work to do."

"Nonsense," Kadian laughed; she was straightening the sheets on Arthur's bed. They were recently cleaned so it spared Merlin some time. Happy with her accomplishment, she ironed out the ruffles on the silk bedcover and sat down. "There hasn't been a change in the town's circulation in years; it can wait. Besides, Merlin, I would not get to see you 'til later today."

"I kinda like the suspense," Merlin grinned and nearly tripped over an overturned chair.

Unable to control her laughter, she threw one of Arthur's pillows at Merlin and hit him square in the face. She smiled darkly as he shook the impact off; her grin made him shiver. Merlin dropped the clothing in his hands and jumped in front of Kadian, pulling her to him and crushing his lips onto hers. She fell back as his arm wrapped around her waist and she pulled him with her as she collapsed onto Arthur's bed.

They did not know how much time had passed, but Kadian's fingers stopped dead in the mess of Merlin's shaggy hair she created. A voice, low and slightly amused, filled the chamber with sarcasm as the door creaked on its hinges.

"You know, I'd tell you to get a room, but it seems like you've taken mine," Arthur grumbled from the doorway with his arms crossed at his chest. To their luck, he did not look as annoyed as his voice was, but still, his eyebrow was raised with his typical, disbelieving expression.

Merlin was on his feet within a second, the fastest Arthur had seen since Merlin turned tail and ran from a battle. "Er... sorry?" he mumbled, folding his hands uneasily behind his back; his palms were sweating like mad and he tried to hide them as he wiped them on the back of his trousers.

"Well, don't stop of my part, just as long as this room is spotless by this evening," Arthur shrugged, avoiding the dark glare from his sister who was rising to her feet and straightening her hair hastily. "Just came by for a thing or two. I swear, you make this place look worse than it had this morning, Merlin."

Shaking his head, Arthur walked through the mob of his belongings on the floor like he knew the proper path to avoid stepping on anything. He pulled open the drawer of his night table and retrieved a small coin purse; he counted the shillings inside quickly and tied the bag to his belt.

With one last aggravated glance at his sister and servant, Arthur exited his chamber swiftly; he tried not to think of what they would do to his chamber by the time sunset crawled onto the sky.

-x-

Later that day, once Kadian had returned to her chamber to care for the druid boy, Morgana joined Uther for an early dinner. She had dressed in a luxurious purple gown with translucent blue sleeves; she was accustomed to receiving an invitation to join the King for a meal. Guilt swam through her veins as she watched the king who sat on the opposite end of the table; he might as well have been across the kingdom's border for there was such a gap between them. Between them, in the delectable no-man's land, sat a nicely cooked bird and a bowl of vibrant fruit. Morgana stared down at her nearly cleared plate, she had little appetite.

"You seem troubled, Morgana. Is something wrong?" Uther asked concerned for her noticed her subtle glances between him and her barren plate. He set down the bone he held and wiped his chin clean with his napkin.

"No, my lord," Morgana replied quickly, looking up with a start. She smiled weakly, but convincingly nonetheless. "I'm sorry that I'm not better company."

"I'm only concerned for your welfare, that's all," Uther stated with a gentle smile. He lifted his wine goblet to his lips and took a small sip, grinning with pleasure as the liquid trickled down his throat.

"Thank you, my lord," Morgana smiled with a curt nod. Her hands were folded tightly on her lap and grew tighter as she fought to keep an unwavering expression. "All is well."

Uther smiled, happy to hear that his ward was fine, and took a long swig of his wine. He reached forward and plucked a plump grape off the vine displayed on the plate before him. Plopping the round fruit into his mouth, he turned his attention toward the oak doors as the stationed guards pushed them inward.

Prince Arthur walked into the chamber swiftly, boots silent as mice against the floor. He met his father's concerned and intrigued gaze as he stopped before the chair to the King's left, resting his arms on the top.

"How goes the hunt for the druid boy?" Uther wondered as he set his wine goblet onto the table; the liquid swirled violently until it settled with gentle ripples lapping against the silver cup.

"We've conducted an intensive search. The boy is nowhere to be found," Arthur sighed regrettably, leaning onto his arms to shift his weight off his aching feet. He glanced at Morgana who tilted her head to the side, interested.

"You mean you've failed to find him," Uther stated with a dark chuckle and leaned back in his chair. Resting his elbow on the chair's wide arm, the King moved his stare onto Morgana who quickly glanced away; he smiled faintly.

"Perhaps he has already left the city," Arthur suggested, shrugging. He flexed his fingers, cracking his knuckles, and shifted restlessly in his stance.

Uther lifted the goblet to his lips, took a sip of the remaining wine, and placed the goblet firmly on the table. "You're telling me that an injured child was able to avoid the guard and escape the city? Nonsense," Uther dismissed with a shake of his head.; only he could sire a son who was inept to complete a simple task, he thought. "Someone's hiding him. I want him found."

"He's just a boy, what harm could he do?" Arthur asked, rolling his eyes. Hearing his father insult his subtly made his patience wane.

"He's a druid and that makes him dangerous," Uther answered harshly, his voice low with annoyance and hatred toward the use of the word druid. .

"The druids would see your father's kingdom destroyed," Morgana added from her solitary place at the opposite end at the table; she spoke sweetly and utterly out-of-place.

Arthur shot her a dark glare and snarled, "I had know idea you were such an authority on druids."

"Morgana's right," Uther grumbled as he sipped his wine again; he ignored his son's temper toward Morgana, seeing it as a sign of avoidance of the issue at hand, and stated, "Double your efforts."

"Yes, father," Arthur mumbled, and pushed off the chair. Dipping his head slightly, he stalked toward the door with a low sigh.

"Don't worry, Arthur," Morgana said softly as he approached her, slowly trudging toward the door. There was a smirk curving her crimson lips as she stated teasing, "I'm sure Azura would forgive you, just this once."

Arthur stopped dead in his trek and glared at her from an angle, not wanting to see the humorous glint in her chaste eyes. "Oh, shut up," he sneered and went to continue onward, but stopped when he heard his father speak from behind..

Uther glanced up from the wine spiralling in his glass. "So, she's speaking to you I have it?" he asked and cocked an eyebrow.

The sudden rage that built up inside the prince at Morgana's comment fluttered away as he became flustered, cheeks burning red even with his attempts to hide the heat. "Yes," he replied as he spun to face his father.. "I had promised to take her to the river this evening to light a candle in memory of her people."

"Ah," Uther acknowledged, nodding his head understandingly as he thought. Then, a thin grin stretched his lips as he went to speak. "Triple the efforts until you return, and when you do, have Azura accompany you. After all, it was she who found that poultice. Don't stop searching until your find him."

"Yes, father," Arthur replied and bowed gratefully before exiting the chamber. Half the time he did not know whether his father was trying to punish him or help him in his love life, either way, he had to do as he was told.

-x-

Felipe was standing to her right, watching as she wrote frantically on a blank page of her journal. Many of the pages were filled and it was nearly time for her to dig out another from her the depths of her trunk. Azura looked up from her journal. There was a knock on her door and she knew it was Arthur; she smiled, right on time. She closed her journal and placed her white-feathered quill back into the ink well.

Grabbing her silver cloak and a small bag that she slung over her shoulder, she opened the door and kissing Arthur on the lips when she saw him. He was stunned at how forward she was, kissing him instantly, and was too flustered to speak.

"Thank you, again," she said softly, voice high and sweet, and waved goodbye to Felipe as she pulled the door shut. It took a minute, but she smiled when Arthur was able to muster the strength and sanity to speak.

"You don't have to thank me," Arthur smiled with flustered cheeks. He slowly lifted her cloak until it rested nicely on her shoulders. Then, as he reached over her shoulders and fastened the cloak with her brooch, he said, "However, I'll need your help after... with the druid boy search, if you would be so kind."

"Of course. You couldn't spot magic if it stood right in front of you," she grinned, brushing the back of her hand across his cheek as a tease. There was a subtle spark in his eyes that intrigued Azura slightly; maybe she needed to choose her words better.

Arthur sighed through a smile while he stretched his arm across her back and placed his hand on her hip. "Shall we?" he smiled, pulling her close to him as they started down the corridor, passed Kadian's chamber where Azura's eyes trailed across for longer than expected, but Arthur paid no notice. If he had the sight that she had, he would have seen the magic aura that radiated from the room. Luckily for Kadian, he did not share her magical abilities.

-x-

A horse waited for them in the palace courtyard, saddled and ready to venture out and into the wood surrounding Camelot. Arthur mounted the horse first, taking hold of the reins to hold the horse back from speeding off. He held his arm out for Azura to take and his eyes met hers, the grateful, brilliant blue that they were. Her smooth fingers curled around his hand and he pulled her onto the saddle behind him.

Her chest was pressed against his back as her arms embraced his waist. Arthur flicked the reins and the horse trotted off, toward the gates. He could feel her short, warm breaths through his jacket, and he could tell that there was some, small part of her that wished to remain in Camelot and not go through with this. No matter how much she tried to hide her sadness, Arthur knew that there was a hole in her heart that would never be filled where her people and family had been. That hole was a place where his love could not reach.

The river was spilled out before them in a magnificent twilight gleam. The sun had recently set and the moon now fought for control of the darkening blanket of stars above them. Faded outlines of trees lined their way as the horse trotted through the wood. There was a slight chill on the wind as it swept across the river's calm surface, rippling the water to where the tiny waves curled over on the bank.

Azura slid her feet out of her flat shoes and stepped into the cool water, grinning slightly at the fresh, cold feeling between her toes. In her hand was a paper lantern, constructed of alice-blue parchment; there were dark, intricate designs decorating each side of the lantern.. Inside, a baby flame flickered against the wind, spreading the alice-blue colour and black designs into the twilight.

Arthur stood a few feet behind her, watching her take this step toward the final steps of grief. She bent down and placed the lantern into the slow current of the river. "You will never be forgotten and I promise that one day, I will take revenge," she whispered to the fire,. Her lips were trembling as she held back the tears that welled in her eyes.

With that, she released her attachment to the paper, one thin finger after another. It floated down stream, the blue light painting the water as it swam away, sheering from the stones that peered above the surface.

The prince stepped forward now, following her heartbroken gaze as it traced the lantern's path down the river. He took her hand in his and waited until she turned to him to pull her close and embrace her. His free hand combed slowly through her hair as the wind carried it into the air with its breath, the same breath that carried away her farewell.

-x-

"How long has he been like this?" Merlin asked concerned as he felt the druid boy's brow; it was scalding. The boy's chest rose and fell rapidly, glossed with sweat.

"Since early this morning, his wound is infected. I'm sure of it now," Kadian replied with her voice shaky. She could not bare to see the boy suffer any longer, but she kept her eyes on him, wishing that he gaze could cure him. "I know that he'll have our heads mounted before the fireplace, but we need Gaius, before it gets any worse."

"No, we can't involve Gaius, you know that," Merlin objected, wiping the sweat off his hand. "I'll starve for the next two weeks if he founds out I lied to him."

"Merlin," Kadian pressed, tugging on his sleeve. "We can't smuggle him out of Camelot while he's sick. We need a physician; Azura won't help and Gaius, well, is all we have."

Merlin looked between Kadian and the boy and sighed defeated. She was right, if they wished to get the boy out of Camelot, the boy needed to be well and able to run if they were to get caught. "I'll treat him," he decided with a curt nod.

"Oh, I think he feels loads better already," Kadian joked, rolling her eyes. He gaze her a look and she smiled teasingly. "Do you even know how to treat an infected wound, Merlin?"

"Sadly, no, but I'm a fast learner," Merlin stated with a proud nod as he met her trouble stare; it was not the answer she was looking for..

"I'd rather use magic than have you treat him," she sighed, breaking away from his sight.

Merlin shook his head. "We have even practised anything relatively close to healing," he protested, bringing his voice to a whisper.

"But, Merlin..." Kadian started.

There was a knock on the door and they both flinched as the hollow thuds filled the chamber. Kadian glanced at Merlin while she rose to her feet. She gave him an assuring nod as she drew the curtains to conceal him and the boy and walked with gentle steps to the door.

"Arthur," she groaned as she held the door open, "is the circus in town? You never bother me here."

"Oh, don't get all excited," Arthur grumbled as he pushed passed his sister and allowed Azura access to the chamber. They glanced about, sweeping their gazes across each of the idle objects on the various table tops.

"This isn't a social visit," Azura said grimly as she spun in a circle to take measure of the chamber. "We are searching for the druid boy."

"And you thought searching my chamber would help you accomplish that?" Kadian sneered with a weak laugh; she sent Azura a warning glare as she passed.

"Don't take it personally," Arthur stated, "we've been searching the entire castle. It'll only take a few moments." He walked around his sister and began to poke around, moving the objects on the table tops and raising dust into the air to where he began to sneeze..

Kadian ignored her brother's comment and stepped toward Azura, noticing the guards that stood outside her doorway. "I don't want the two of you messing up my stuff," she whispered, glancing at the curtain twice so Azura got the hint. "Please."

Azura walked passed her, into the depths of Kadian's chamber, gazing around the room.

"Perhaps you should search your own chamber," Kadian snarled at Arthur as he moved some of her belongings on the top of her bureau. "That place is such a mess, you'd never know. There must be things living in there that you don't even know the names of."

"It's hardly my fault that I have such a lazy idiot for a servant; you'd know that," Arthur replied with a faint grin as he avoided his sister's gaze. He moved away from the bureau and examined the morsels of the food that lay on the table; nothing delectable to snatch.

Kadian crossed her arms against her chest and stared, annoyed, at her brother. "If you can't even find your own servant, what makes you think you can find the druid?"

A sudden movement caught Azura eye across the floor and she glanced over at the curtain where she saw Merlin quickly close the gap he made. "Well Kadian, you may underestimate Arthur's skills, you shouldn't degrade mine," she said, turning her attention away from the curtain and walking in the opposite direction, near Kadian's bed. She checked under the bed-skirt and shrugged when she saw nothing.

"Then, allow me to help," Kadian grinned, shaking Azura's comment from her mind. She walked up behind her brother with her arms still crossed at her chest. "Merlin and the boy are behind the screen."

Arthur's head perked up at the strange words that came from Kadian's lips and he glanced over at Azura who had the same puzzled look on her face.

"I'm sure our father would love to hear how you wasted your time rifling through my things," Kadian sassed as she stood directly in front of Arthur; she knew he did not doubt Merlin was behind the screen. Their rival stares met as the tension in the room grew. "Go on."

"So you can have the satisfaction of making me look like a fool?" Arthur replied.

"You don't need any help with that, Arthur. You could be the court's jester if you put the hat on," Kadian smirked, tilting her head to the side as her sight on Arthur deepened. "Go on, take a look."

Scowling at her, Arthur glanced at the screen and grumbled, "Why don't you go back to your... whatever it is you you do all day?" Arthur sneered and sulked as he went to the door, bumping into his sister's shoulder. "Court's jester..." he mumbled.

"Bye, Arthur," she grinned letting her eyes trail after him as he stalked toward the door.

As Azura passed by Kadian, she slipped a piece of parchment into the princess' hand with a bright smile. The door shut softly behind her white skirt, which Kadian realized was brand new; the gown, though she did not pay much attention, flattered her very well (no wonder Arthur chose it). There were words scribbled on its age-yellow surface: you are welcome and I advise that you get that wound healed soon, anyone with a sensitive nose can smell the infection.

Merlin sighed in relief as he rose onto his feet and stretched his cramping back; the boy had relaxed while Arthur and Azura were in the chamber and slept soundly underneath the blankets. "That was close."

"Too close," Kadian grumbled and tossed the parchment onto the tabletop.

-x-

The guards followed from behind as Arthur and Azura searched the palace after Kadian kicked them out. Arthur did not speak often, other than a few commands to search "that corner" or "over there". Azura was beginning to see the punishment that Uther had awarded Arthur for not finding the boy by yesterday evening. She knew that the druid boy was behind the screen like Kadian had said, along with her accomplice, Merlin. Perhaps she should have turned them in and make Arthur's job a hell of a lot easier than search the entire city for no apparent reason; however, she knew how he felt about executing a child and the way she felt about the entire thing. Like the boy, she did not choose magic; it chose her through birth.

"We've been at this for hours, Arthur," Azura said finally breaking the agonizing silence between them. "Why don't we take a small break? These well-trained guards can continue searching and we could meet up with them in, I don't know... an hour, perhaps?"

Arthur stopped and turned to face her, catching her hopeful eyes square in the face. They were too alluring to refuse and he gave the three guards their orders to continue with the sweep through the palace and that in an hour, they would join them again. The guards nodded and scurried off to the next idle chamber to be sifted through. "You're just dying to give my father an excuse to kill me, aren't you?" Arthur joked, taking her hand in his and leading her down the hallway, opposite the guards.

"No, why would I do that? My feet hurt, that's all," Azura smiled.

Arthur stared down at her and chuckled slightly. "Your feet hurt?" he laughed. "Then, allow me." He scooped her up into his arms and she laughed gayly.

"Loads better," she smiled, folding her arms around his neck. "Thank you."

"Anything, for you," Arthur sighed, half-joking as he carried her down the hall.

The door to his chamber swung open with a gentle push of his foot and the prince carried Azura inside, lying her gently on his already made bed. She rested her head back against the pillows, feeling the tenseness in her muscles grow and then seep away without a care in the world. She could have fallen asleep and that moment, but she chose not to as Arthur sat by her feet, slipping off her flats and tossing them to the floor.

His hands were rough at first as they massaged her aching feet, but the sensation turned to pleasure as they knots constricting her muscles vanished. She pulled at the second pillow and held it tightly in her arms as she sat up slightly on her elbows.

"Are you going to rub my feet next?" Arthur asked.

"No." Azura grinned, rolling her neck.

"Why not?" Arthur replied, pathetically as if it was a stake through the heart.

"Your feet smell," Azura said, keeping as straight of a face as she could as his massaging grew rougher.

Arthur could not help but laugh. "My feet smell?" he chuckled, running his fingers up the bottom of her foot.

Azura jerked slightly, her lips curving into a smile when he did it again.

"Are you ticklish?" Arthur asked his fingers dancing on the sole of her foot frantically.

"Arthur... stop... it," Azura pleaded through her gasps between her laughs. "I'll... kick... you."

"Go ahead, I'd like to see you try," Arthur smirked, watching her twist and turn, laughing. Her leg lifted up and her foot nearly collided with his face; however, his hand shot up and caught it before she could inflict another injury to his face. "Now you've done it," he grinned, pushing her foot down and sliding his fingers onto her stomach.

Azura burst out laughing, turning onto her side in means to avoid more torture. He leaned over her, trapping her between him and the bed. She gazed up at him, through thin strands of her blonde hair, as her breaths gradually steadied to normal. With a caring hand, Arthur brushed her hair from her blue eyes and slowly lifted her lips to his. He kissed her tenderly, letting her taste fill his mouth like the many times before. It was sweet and unreal, similar to his belief on the touch of magic.

"Arthur, are you in there?" A stern voice questioned from behind the sealed door.

The prince pulled away and rose to his feet quietly. He recognized his father's voice. "I'm dead," he mouthed to Azura, looking between her and the door.

"Get under the bed," Azura whispered, replacing the pillow she held captive against the head board and sitting up with her feet cross.

"What?" he whispered back.

"Trust me," she hissed softly as the doorknob turned. Arthur took a deep breath and scrambled under his bed. It was a miracle that he was able to fit; his nose just skimmed the frame.

Arthur could hear the door squeak open, followed by the ominous sound of his father's footsteps. Uther's boots stopped at the edge of the bed, inches away from Arthur's hand.

"It's only me, sire," Azura said with a smile, looking up at the king with innocent eyes. "My feet were getting sore so I decided to take a break. We were close by so I came in here instead of my own chamber. I hope that's not a problem, my lord."

"No, of course not," Uther sighed, falling for the tiny white lie that the gleam of her bright eyes masked so brilliantly. "In that case... may I have a word?"

"Of course, my lord," Azura nodded, sitting up all the way and bending her legs back to give the king room to sit beside her.

Uther sat, crossing one leg over the other. "I heard that it has been months since... the incident in which you came to live with us, here in Camelot," he said, his voice calm. "How have you been handling this bothersome news?"

"Better than I should, my lord," Azura sighed, running a hand through her hair, and paused, collecting her thoughts to find a way to change the subject. "I know that several weeks passed, I had acted out of line, and I ask your forgiveness. My actions were unforgivable... and my mind was far from calm. Please, sire, forgive me."

Uther stiffened at her sudden change of subject; it had occurred to him that it was a sensitive one and let it slide by. "I forgive you," he replied, holding out his arms and embracing her as she leaned forward, about to cry.

Oh, don't cry... Arthur thought, fighting the urge to crawl out from under his bed which he figured would be very difficult since he could barely move his arm out of reach of Uther's boot.

After a few moments of shedding tears, Azura sat straight, wiping her face rid of the tiny droplets, and gaze up at Uther. "Thank you, for everything," she smiled, weakly.

"It is not necessary for you to thank me," Uther smiled, rising to his feet and missing Arthur's fingers by a mere inch. "Get some rest. With luck, we will find this druid and Camelot can be at peace once again." The King exited the chamber silently, pulling the door shut with a shrill creeeaak.

Azura stared after the King; she wondered what he really wished to talk to her about Luthrembel. Knowing Uther, he was probably just after the deed to the land which would double the size of his kingdom in a flash. "You can come out now," Azura said, stretching her arms into the air like she just woke up.

"I can't..." Arthur groaned from underneath. "I'm stuck."

"Sucks to be you," Azura grinned hoping to her feet. She began to jump on the bed before landing on the ground soundlessly. "How do you expect me to get you out? Magic?"

"Funny," he sighed reaching toward her with his semi-free arm. "Pull."

"No, I think I'll just leave you there," Azura nodded taking a step away from the bed and slipping her feet into her shoes.

"Azura, don't you dare!" Arthur snarled.

All she did was laugh as her fingers curled around his wrist like the coils of a snake. It took a few tries, but she managed to pull him out and collapse on the floor when she did. The prince stood up and swept the dust and dirt of his trousers and lifted Azura back onto her feet, pulling her into a deep kiss.

-x-

The sun began to set for a third time since the little druid and his father stumbled into the clutches of Uther Pendragon and his hate of magic. Kadian jumped when the door swung open and Merlin came in with the supplies he would, hopefully, need to cure the child of his infected wound. "Where have you been, Merlin?" Kadian hissed, leading him over to where the druid slept uneasily.

"Sorry, once Gaius gets started on anatomy there's no stopping him," Merlin said, opening the white sack he had smuggled some of the physician's supplies out in. He pulled out several phials as Kadian gazed at the boy with the same, worried look she always did. She watched as Merlin mixed the different ingredients in a small bowl until they were a thick paste.

He knelt down beside the wounded boy and began to apply the medicine onto the puss-filled wound on his arm. Thank you, Emrys... a voice whispered in his mind as he spread the paste evenly around the cut.

"I'll get you some more water," Kadian said, relieved when the boy's eyes fluttered open. She turned and left the chamber, making sure the door was shut before proceeding.

Emrys? Why do you call me that? Merlin thought as Kadian departed from her chamber.

The druid set his green eyes upon Merlin's concerned face. Among my person, that is your name, he replied.

You know who I am? Merlin asked, startled. He placed the bowl down at his side. How?

The small amount of energy he had drifted away and the druid's eyes began to steadily close, hiding the green orbs. "Speak to me," Merlin said aloud as the child's eyelids covered his tired green eyes.

"Did he speak to you through telepathy again?" Kadian sighed, handing Merlin the decanter of water that she had collected.

"Yeah," Merlin nodded, pouring water into the bowl at his side. "He won't tell me why he calls me Emrys. Has he spoken to you?"

"No," Kadian sighed, wiping away the sweat on the boy's face with a cloth. "Dragon would have answers, wouldn't he?"

"Possibly," Merlin nodded, adding one more layer of paste onto the boy's wound. "That should do it. And I stress, should."

"You're doing your best," Kadian smiled, kissing his cheek. "Go, speak to Great Dragon, I'll stay with him."

Merlin kissed her lips gently as he rose to his feet and bid farewell for the evening.

-x-

He proceeded down the dimly lit corridors of the palace, avoiding the search parties that looked for the druid boy, whom he had just aided. There was hope in his mind that his face did not scream guilt into the air as he slipped passed. He retrieved a blazing torch from the wall as he entered the dungeons. His footsteps were soft against the stone floor, only a faint ring echoed through the hall.

There were guards rifling through a cell as he passed by, ever so silently. Merlin quickly descended down the flight of stairs, leading into the lowest level of the palace: the place where Uther had chained up the last dragon in all of Albion. The torchlight danced along the walls as the young warlock walked through the cave to the open cavern.

"Hello?" he called into the seemingly empty cavern. Merlin glanced around, waving the torch before his eyes to shed light onto the pasty, grey stones.

A roar bellowed through the cavern from the top, causing Merlin to flinch as the sound reached his ears. Great Dragon clawed a large, jagged stone that hung over head. His teeth glinting off the firelight as he roared.

"Do you have to do that? You scared the life out of me," Merlin said, shaking his head.

The dragon leapt off the stone and glided over to the pile of rocks that sat idle before the ledge that Merlin stood on. "The young warlock. You are, no doubt, here about the druid boy," the dragon spoke in a stern, wise voice.

"How do you know?" Merlin asked, beaming at the golden-scaled face.

"I, like you, hear him speak," Great Dragon explained, folding his massive wings against his thin flank.

"He called me... Emrys," Merlin stated, puzzled as he struggled to find his own answer why.

"Because, that is your name," the dragon replied with a courteous nod.

"I'm pretty sure my name is Merlin, always has been," Merlin said, nodding his head to assure himself that he was not mad.

"Oh, you have many names," Great Dragon explained, blinking as he spoke; his jewel stare reflected Merlin's puzzled expression.

"How... how does the boy know who I am?" Merlin wondered. "I've never met any druids."

"There is much written about you that you have yet to read. You should not protect this boy."

"Why? He's magic, just like me, just like Kadian."

"You and the boy are as different as day and night, the fair princess as well."

"What do you mean?"

"Heed my words, Merlin," Great Dragon urged, unfolding his golden wings, and leapt into the air. With a massive thrust of his wings, he soared into the higher parts of the cavern, ignoring Merlin's question for another explanation.

-x-

"Whatever you did yesterday hasn't worked," Morgana said as she knelt beside the druid boy. She pressed a cloth against his forehead. His fever was raging like a provoked flame. Kadian was out, completing her rounds to keep her father off her tail as the search for the boy continued. "We need Gaius before it gets any worse. Don't give me that look, Merlin! He needs treatment, or he will die."

Merlin sighed, titling his head from side to side as he debated his options. Finally, he succumbed to Morgana's, and most likely Kadian's, wishes, and returned to the physician's chamber.

-x-

Gaius was there, collecting his supplies to start his rounds. He rambled on about the extra security that Uther had stationed around the castle, which inflicted delays in his rounds. As he went to walk out of his chamber, Merlin spoke, "Kadian's hiding the boy in her chamber."

The court physician wiped around with a look of pure suspicion and disappointment on his face. "And by you know this, I can assume that you are helping her," he sighed, stalking toward his nephew.

"And Morgana..." Merlin admitted, enduring the full death stare the physician's eyes set on him.

"You promised me that neither of you would get involved," Gaius stated, placing his supplies back on his bench.

"I know, I'm sorry," Merlin sighed, dropping his gaze from Gaius. "I had no choice." He rose to his feet and approached his uncle.

"Every guard in Camelot is searching for this boy and you're harbouring him, right under their noses," Gaius said, shaking his head in complete disappointment. "Can't you see how dangerous that is? What were you thinking, Merlin?"

"I'm supposed to hand him over to the guards?" Merlin stated protectively.

"You think you can help this boy?" Gaius interrogated. "And if you're caught, who's going to save the both of you?"

"Are you saying it's wrong to harbour a young magician?" Merlin replied, setting his own stare on Gaius now.

A silence broke out between them and Merlin walked to stand on the opposite of the bench, gazing down at the many phials and parchment that was scattered across it. Gaius followed his steps and continued to look at him. "The difference is, Merlin, that your magic is still secret," he said. "And it is a wonder how, considering how careless you are, and Kadian too."

"The boy's hurt. He's really sick," Merlin stated, hearing the dragon's words in the back of his mind for the previous night. "I've tried to treat him, but it's done no good." He set his concerned blue eyes on Gaius. "We need your help."

"So, now you want me to risk my neck too?" Gaius said softly with a heavy sigh that rippled his wrinkled cheeks.

"That's the same thing Azura said," Merlin noted, lifting his stare.

"Then at least one of the four of you has a brain," Gaius replied with an eye roll. "I wish the boy no harm, but it's too dangerous."

"If you don't, you might as well hand him over to the guards because he's going to die," Merlin said, locking gazed with Gaius again. "You didn't turn your back on any of us, don't turn your back on him."

-x-

Gaius examined the small druid boy, lifting up an eyelid to see the pupil's reaction to the light. His fever was high, that was obvious to anyone, even without a brain. "I will treat the boy," he said, turning to Merlin and Morgana who were to his right, watching as he did his work.

Kadian came into her chamber, her rounds were complete. "Gaius?" she asked, startled to see the physician kneeling on his chamber floor. "Thank you," she smiled, approaching them and gazing over at the boy.

The physician looked up at her with the same disappointed stare that he had given Merlin back in his chamber. "Once he is well, you must get him out of Camelot," he said. "I will not be tied to anyone helping him." He turned back to the boy and lifted off the bandages that Kadian had gently wrapped around the infected wound. An aggravated sigh escaped the physician's lips as he turned back to the three. "Well, we know one thing for certain."

"What's that?" Kadian asked.

"Merlin's no physician," Gaius informed and returned to caring for the wounded child. In the back of his mind, he wondered why they all decided to aid this child, even with the risk of loosing their heads. He noticed the way Morgana and Kadian stared at the boy with a maternal bliss and worry. It was possible that Merlin felt the same way toward the boy, more of a paternal emotion, but Gaius figured that each felt that Uther's punishment for such a young boy was harsh, cruel, and utterly wrong.

-x-

The three left Gaius to his work, at the physician's own request, and entered the courtyard, watching as the guards shifted through each wagon that came to dropped of supplies to the castle. They stood by a shady alcove, watching curiously at the way the guards inspected each citizen. "There's another way out," Merlin stated, turning away from the guards. "There's a secret passage in the armoury, leads to the lower tower. I'll take the boy out through there."

"No, it's too dangerous, I'll do it," Kadian said, turning her gaze on Merlin.

"I'm good with secret doors and things..." Merlin protested.

"If you're caught, you're the one executed. I'll do it," Kadian pressed. "He's my responsibility, I'll smuggling him out of the castle."

"Neither of you two will," Morgana snapped, looking between the two. "The boy is just as much my responsibility as yours. I'll do it. Ah, end of discussion."

Merlin and Kadian set their blue eyes on Morgana; it was equally as risky for her as them. Kadian tilted her head slightly. "We'll need the key, Merlin, do you know who has it?" she asked.

The warlock hesitated. "Arthur," he stated, shifting his sight back onto the guards who were rifling through a cart full of twigs and sticks for the palace fires.

"Oh, that's wonderful," Kadian sighed. "It'd be soo much easier if Zu was on our side..."

Morgana chuckled; they knew Azura could think of thousands of ways to take one of Arthur's keys. "Good luck, Merlin."

-x-

That evening, Merlin stood in Arthur's chamber, watching as the prince and Azura ate their supper unknowing of his plan to steal the keys that dangled on Arthur's belt. They were laughing and discussing things that went right over Merlin's head, he was concentrating too hard on finding a way to snag the keys without Azura seeing, which was highly unlikely. "And what did you say after that?" Arthur asked, leaning in close enough that their lips were barely parted.

"Never," Azura grinned, treating him to a soft kiss.

He laughing a pulled her face to his, remaining deaf to the soft enchantment that escaped Merlin's moving lips. Cautiously, the keys on Arthur's belt began to rise of their ring, lifting into the air over his head; however, they were not as silent as the warlock would have hoped. Arthur sat back, hearing a soft clash of metal and Azura's eyes glanced over at Merlin with a glare that he saw only once before, when she almost killed him with an arrow.

"Did you hear that?" Arthur asked aloud.

"What?" Merlin replied while Azura shook her head.

"There was a sound," he stated, glancing about his chamber.

"Was there?" Merlin asked, moving the keys to avert Arthur's eyes.

Arthur rose to his feet, hearing the clanging again. "What is that?" he asked, looking around more frantic.

"Maybe you're hearing things," Azura smiled, leaning back in her seat.

Arthur eyes swept across her concerned stare as he turned to Merlin. "Can't you hear that?"

"I don't hear anything," Merlin shrugged.

"Are you deaf?" Arthur scowled. "It's like a... a jangling sound." His hand fluttered in the air as he described the sound.

"Like bells, perhaps?" Azura asked, tilting her head to the side and resting it in her palm. She gazed up at him, batting her eyelashes playfully.

"No. More like, er..." Arthur struggled and glanced upward.

Azura jumped to her feet. "There," she said, pointing in the direction opposite that Arthur was stalking. "I thought I saw something. I wasn't paying attention before, but I swore I heard it this time."

Arthur crossed his chamber, following her finger in hopes of calming his rattled mind. Azura walked around the table and caught the keys in her hand, shielding them behind her back as Arthur turned at the soft sound. Aggravated, Arthur walked passed Azura and pushed Merlin out of his way as he walked out, into the hallway to test his ears on different, more realistic sounds.

Azura turned quickly to Merlin, her eyes in a thin glare. "You just ruined my evening," she hissed, placing the keys in his hand. "Now, scram before I push you out a window."

"I... er... I..." Merlin stuttered, frozen where she cornered him.

"Sod off," she hissed, pushing him toward the door. "I mean it, Merlin."

Shivering at her harsh tone, Merlin ran from the chamber not wanting to get strangled to death.

-x-

The warlock walked through the castle, avoiding the positioned guards at each of the lower corridors; he was getting very crafty when it came to sneaking around the palace, he could do it blindfolded soon. Torches painted the halls with light, illuminating the path that was most clear to Morgana's, where she and Kadian were preparing the young druid for the journey home. His hand rasped against the door. "It's Merlin," he said with his face close to the door and his eye on the far corner of the hallway.

Kadian pulled the door back and pulled Merlin inside. "Did you get them?" she asked, kissing his cheek softly as she shut the door behind him.

"Yeah, but let's not cross Azura for a little while..." he said, running a hand down her back as they walked over to Morgana and Guinevere, who was tying a scarlet cloak around Morgana's neck. The druid sat by Morgana's feet, watching her through the mirror as she prepared to take him out of Camelot at her own risk. His wound had healed quickly, thanks to Gaius who had Kadian enhance the second draft with magic before it was administered to the boy.

Kadian left Merlin's comforting side and knelt beside the druid. "We're going to get you home, alright?" she smiled.

He looked up at her with dazzling, regenerated green eyes and nodded.

Morgana turned to Guinevere, saying that she was sorry for dragging her into this with even asking her opinion. Gwen knew what it was like to face the chopping block; it was not a fate that she would ever wish on any soul. Now, the king's ward turned to Merlin and Kadian, feeling the suspicion they had for letting her go through with this. However, Morgana knew that it had to be her since Kadian was an enchantress and Kadian would lock herself away if she watched Merlin be executed for aiding the boy.

"We will meet you at Gwen's house," Kadian said and embraced Morgana as if she was riding out to her death, which she may just be doing. "No one should be in the corridors and the guards are all searching by the lower town. Be safe."

"I will be fine," Morgana assured her, wrapping her arms around Kadian's back. There was a sisterly bond between them that had strengthened even more since the druid boy came to be in their responsibility. She released the princess and retrieved the small, green cloak that hung on the wall.

The druid rose to his feet as she draped the cloak over his shoulders and securing it tightly around his neck. He reached back and curtained his face with the shadows cast by the sage fabric. Morgana's hand folded around his as Guinevere pulled open the door, examining the clarity of the adjacent hallway.

Morgana stepped out, into the torch-lit corridor, pulling the red hood over her dark hair. With one last look at her friends and maidservant, she started down the hall with the boy beside her.

Kadian watched them go, longing for the child to be able to stay in Camelot with her. Good-bye, Cara-Emrys, a voice whispered in her mind, causing her eyes to widen. The boy and Morgana had turned the corner before she could give the druid a reply; his voice was so angelic, soft and soothing.

Merlin came up beside her and asked in a whisper if she had heard the boy too. He received a small nod as Guinevere walked by. The maidservant beckoned for them to follow, they had to prepare some food for Morgana and the boy when they reached her home in the town.

-x-

She peered around the corner; the adjacent hall was clear. She squeezed the druid's hand tightly and pulled him along. They had made it this far unseen; all they had to do was hope that their luck stayed with them. Inside their chests, their hearts beat rapidly and jumped at each sudden creak and moan they caused the floor beneath them. She pushed the boy in front of her as they scaled down a flight of stairs, hidden in the shadows.

The Armoury was not much further; maybe several yards across patrolled ground. Morgana stepped in front of the druid again, pulling him along with her, unaware of the silent maid tilting her head curiously as she glimpsed the red and green cloaks.

-x-

Azura straddled Arthur, her lips moving with Arthur's as he pulled her down onto him. His fingers danced up her silk gown, skimmed across her neck, and pulled the pins that held her hair; it tumbled onto her shoulders like a series of golden waves. She dug her fingers into his mane and messed it to the point where the strands stood erect. His warm hands touched her cool skin, sending shivers up and down her spine. Their kiss deepened as their tongues greeted each other in a fatedly.

There was a knock on the door and Azura's forehead fell against his shoulder while his fell back as far as it could on the pillow. "Please tell me we're hearing things again," she said through short breaths.

The same hand rasped against the door again and Arthur lifted Azura off him, placing her softly on the bed as he rose to his feet. Annoyed, he made his way toward the door, straightening his hair as much as he could before he pulled the open. "What is it?" he asked in haste.

"I am sorry to disturb you, sire," a guard said, dipping his head respectively. "A maid spotted two people hurrying towards the Armoury. One fit the description of the druid boy."

Arthur turned and disappeared into the depths of his chamber, grabbing his belt that was sprawled on the table and his red jacket. He looked over at Azura who was sighing as she reached down for her flats, which had been kicked underneath the bed. "I don't have my cloak," she said, sliding off the bed as she saw her shoes went further than she expected.

Once successfully retrieving her shoes, she slipped her feet in and stood up straight, turning toward Arthur with a smile. Her hands glided through her wavy hair and pulled it back up with the pins she found on Arthur's bed. The prince crossed the room and slid her arms through the sleeves of his red jacket, letting if rest loosely on her shoulders. "Come on," he smiled, kissing the top of her head.

"Let's catch us a druid," she said and followed him from the chamber, ignoring the questioning stares of the guards that waited there.

The party headed for the Armoury and to the secret passage that was behind the farthest shield along the right wall. Arthur pulled the yellow and red shield aside, revealing the small passage it concealed. He reached down for his keys as Azura examined the lock. "Arthur, this lock wasn't forcibly opened," she informed and turned to him.

His blue eyes were slowly raised from the key loop on his belt and his head shook. "Sound the warning bell," he commanded the guards: the key to the passage was not there.

-x-

Kadian gazed up. The warning bell towering in the tower blared through Camelot, alerting everyone that was still awake or slumbering in his or her comfy beds. "Morgana," she said to Merlin and Guinevere who were busy preparing three days' worth of meals. The princess ran to the door, peering through the little peep-hole, hoping to see her friend and the boy heading their way. There was not a single person in the street, only shadows that stretched across each house wall.

Then, she saw them; Morgana in the lead, pulling the druid behind her. Kadian pulled open the door and shut it once the tail of the emerald cloak had cleared the archway. "I'm taking him from here," she stated, prying the druid's hand from Morgana's protective grasp as she reached for the cloak dangling over the edge of a chair. She pulled it on and tied it with one hand, not caring for the protests that erupted from Merlin and Morgana's mouths. "I don't care what either of you think," she snarled, reaching for the food that Gwen and Merlin had prepared, "I'm going. I would never forgive myself if I let anything happen to you, Morgana. And besides, I have a second plan if things turn out for the worst."

Averting Merlin's fretful eyes, she dragged the druid with her, out of Guinevere's house, leaving the prepared food on the table. Good-bye, Emrys, the boy said as he passed by the distraught Merlin.

The streets were screeching with the warning bell like the cries of a Siren. Kadian knew that it would only be minutes before Arthur and Azura were on her trail, and this time, Azura would not cover for her. Horses whinnied from the stables against the howling bell and Kadian hugged the boy to her as he flinch. Pulling him along, she raced down the street but at the far end, emerging from the ominous shadows, was an approaching torchlight. It may have been far enough away to conceal her identity, but it did not shield her brother's face and Azura's bright eyes that said for her to run, run faster than she ever had.

This way, she thought, more to the child than to herself. She led the boy into a storehouse that was nearby and to their right. The boy followed at her heels, his breath rapid as they ran to kneel behind an overturned chair, cloaked with a ragged black sheet. Kadian peered through the shadows casted by her navy blue cloak, seeing firelight lick the walls and rusted objects that were scattered around.

She looked away, toward the second door leading from the storehouse. In a quick flash, her eyes glowed silver and pushed open the door, revealing an exit to them. The druid stared at her in awe as she glanced over at her brother as he gave orders for the guards to fan out. Azura had left his side and disappeared from view, no doubt in means to give Kadian more time to escape.

Hesitantly, Kadian rose to her feet, pulling the druid to his and dashed for the door, but it was too late. Two guards stalked from within the shadows to the door's right, pointing their pikes forward once they saw their faint silhouettes in the dim firelight. Kadian walked backwards, pulling the boy closer to her as she did.

A point of a sword dug into her back, sharp and partially painful between her shoulder blades. "Halt. Or I'll run you through," Arthur snarled as Azura approached his side. "Show yourself."

Kadian took a step back and steadily turned to face her brother. Her blonde hair fell before the edges of the navy cloak and soon her eyes fell upon his startled face, filled with fright. She was lost for words, shaking her head from side to side hoping to rattle some sounds. "Let him go, please," she pleaded.

Arthur gazed down, into the boy's terrified greens eyes that stared back up at him and the torch he held in his grasp. His eyes moved away as he glanced over at the guards that watched, knowing that he could not succumb to her wishes because she was aiding a druid, a crime of treason against the King. "Restrain them," he ordered, hiding the sorrowed guilt in his voice.

"No!" Kadian shrieked as she pulled the boy toward her as she heard him scream through his telepathy. Then, the boy pulled away from her grasp and ran forward like he was going to escape; but instead, his scrawny arms wrapped around Azura's waist and he buried his weeping eyes into her gown.

Don't let them hurt me, álfr, the boy begged, squeezing her tightly as he feared for his life.

Azura held her arms up, taken back by his actions. Her gaze rose from the boy, slow as a snail, and fell upon Kadian's face, then across Arthur's. "I-I..." she stuttered, trembling as the sounds escaped her lips. Her lips pressed firmly together as she lower her arms to embrace the child; it was too late to convince any of them that she had nothing to do with this. Arthur had already pieced the night's events together and it fell upon Azura heavily as the guards escorted her, Kadian and the boy back to the palace to the awaiting Uther.

Merlin ran out of Guinevere's house, followed by the ward and her maidservant. Their eyes fell upon the scene of the guards marching Kadian and the druid toward the palace, but they felt even more remorse when they saw Azura with her arms held behind her back. Azura sent them a scared glance.

-x-

Kadian and Azura stood before Uther in his dining hall, hands folded guiltily behind their backs and their gazes to the floor. The king was distraught as he fought for the proper terms to scold them with; he paced to and fro, biting his tongue when he tried to speak. He placed a hand against the table and his eyes were shut, trying to wake him from this unbearable nightmare. Arthur leaned against the right wall, his arms crossed against his chest as he too wished to wake up from this dream.

"All this time, you have been hiding the boy in my own palace," Uther growled with his tone rising as his anger bubbled. "How could you betray me like this?" He stared up at them now, looking between them for some sort of answer.

"I would not see him executed," Kadian replied lifting her hot gaze off the floor; she would not let him intimidate her even with the hate-filled eyes that cascaded upon her face. At her side, Azura remained with her blue eyes to the floor, nearly on the verge of bursting into tears.

"You are my daughter and this is how you behave," he snarled, face red with fury; the word daughter rolled hastily off his tongue as if it was cursed. "And you," he sneered, glaring at Azura now who dared not to move her gaze, "I have treated you as my own ever since you came to my doors. How do you explain yourself for this… this treachery?"

"Daughter?" Kadian cackled, shaking her head like she misheard. "I did what I thought was right," she replied in haste, wishing that Azura would answer the king, but she stayed silent. "How could this child be your enemy? He's so young!"

"He's a druid!" Uther bellowed, stalking closer and closer which each heavy footstep.

"And being born is a crime?" Kadian hissed, flustered.

"His kind would see me destroyed and return this kingdom to anarchy," Uther growled annoyed at her tone. He was before her; his nose was only inches from hers as he glowered at her. "And you would help them! Is that what you want, to watch my kingdom fall into chaos? Do you!"

"Punish me then! Go on, do it," Kadian shouted and took a short step toward the King, who responded with a swift step backward. "I do not care about the blood that we share; I would rather be burned than share any resemblance to you! Azura did nothing; she wanted nothing to do with him! I take full blame because I will not tremble before your hatred for magic!"

Uther stared at his daughter, examining the raging inferno that blazed in her eyes. Oh, they were Ygraine's eyes, soft and serene but yet so cold. He turned away. "Make arrangements for the boy to be executed first thing in the morning," he ordered his son as he stalked away.

"NO! He's done nothing!" Kadian cried storming after her father.

"Let this be a lesson to you," Uther snarled in a low, dark voice, spinning to her with a hand raised; he let his hand fall when he saw the subtle shock in her eyes.

"You don't have to do this," the princess replied lowering her voice to a compassionate whisper; she was nearly pleading, ready to fall onto her knees and crawl until her pleas were answered.

"Do you hear me? I want him executed at dawn." Uther repeated angrily at Arthur as he turned to continue to the opposite side of the chamber.

Arthur nodded his head. "Yes, father," he sighed, the image of the boy embracing Azura flashing before his eyes in an endless loop.

"WHAT HAVE THESE PEOPLE DONE TO YOU!" Kadian screamed, storming after her father with two clenched fists at her side. It did matter to her if she blew her entire secret, at least then her father would see what he has created, not only a fear for magic, but also an enchantress of his own blood. "WHY ARE YOU SO ANGRY!"

Uther whipped around and caught Kadian by the throat and pushed her back, against the head chair that sat before the grand table. He would have suffocated her too if something had not touched his wrist and distracted him from his natural, disturbing impulse.

"Get your hand... off of her," Azura hissed, prying the King's hand off Kadian's throat as her face began to burn red. No one had seen her cross the chamber; no one had been watching. Sharply, she pulled her tight fingers off Uther's wrist and let her arm dangle at her side.

Uther stared at Kadian as she gasped for air to fill her deprived lungs; the petrified glint in her eyes could not falter his anger this time, not matter how much they resembled his wife's. "I will not hear another word from you," he growled at his daughter and took Azura forcibly by the wrist. Pulling her from the chamber, through the rear door, he growled harshly, "You, come with me."

Arthur watched his father take Azura from the room, wondering whether he should follow or exit through the other door. Kadian looked over at him, knowing that the pain he felt was entirely her fault. "Arthur, I can explain..." she said, but he held up his hand for her to be quiet.

"I don't want to hear it," he said as he turned to exit the chamber; he did not want to be the person to tell the executioner is services were needed at dawn to slay an innocent boy who happened to stumble into the wrong marketplace.

-x-

"I took you in, when you had nowhere else to go," Uther began, releasing Azura's wrist that had turned a bright red at his grasp. His pace slowed. "I sat at your bedside while you were on the verge of death. What am I suppose to think of this?" he stepped in front of her, his face noticeably much calmer than it had been.

"Think what you want, sire," Azura replied, rubbing her wrist with her opposite fingers to massage feeling back into it. "I wanted nothing to do with the child. I will admit that I used to have friends within the Druids, back when my kingdom ruled its lands, but since then, I have never spoken a word to them. Magic no doubt destroyed the things I hold dear, my lord, I trust that you know that."

"I do," Uther replied, "but it does not excuse your actions."

"What do you want from me?" Azura said in haste.

There was a flash in Uther's eyes at her question. "You know what I desire," he grinned cockily. "There are seldom things that are keeping me from executing you alongside the boy, I trust you know that."

Azura took a sharp breath as she took one step back. "Gi-give me time to get things in order, sire," she said, dipping her head.

Uther nodded and turned away. "Very well," he said and walked away, leaving her standing in the middle of a deserted corridor.

-x-

Kadian pushed open the door to her chambers with tears streaming down her eyes. She found Merlin's waiting arms and they embraced her strongly. His fingers slipped through her blonde hair as he told her that everything was going to be all right. In the depths of her chamber sat Morgana and Guinevere who jumped to their feet as Merlin led her over to her bed and had her sit and put her feet up.

"I-I promised him nothing bad would ever happen to him," Kadian said, wiping her face rid of the tiny droplets that fell.

Merlin sat to her side, pulling her close, and rested his cheek against her temple, still sliding his fingers through her hair. "He's in jail now, there's nothing we can do," he replied.

"I won't see him executed," Kadian snapped, rising to her feet. Her eyes fell upon each of their worried faces which screamed for her to tell of the night's happenings. It had been hours since they had last seen her, being marched back to the castle. It was passed dawn, and the larks had already began to sing their pieces through the air.

"What's happened to Azura?" Morgana asked, stepping forward to give Kadian a sympathetic embrace. "We saw her... we saw them take her."

"I don't know," Kadian shrugged, turning away from the three of them and pulling out of Morgana's grasp. "The boy ran to her, it was like he knew. She had no choice; Arthur blamed her for taking his keys to help me. She didn't turn anyone in. Uther took her to speak in private. I hope she doesn't meet a fate because of what we did."

"Why would she…" Guinevere said, drifting off when the three set stares on her.

"Because she is a good person," Morgana replied before turning to Kadian and Merlin. "I must go. I'm sorry." She embraced Kadian once more and led Gwen from the chamber, back to her own quarters to wait out the boy's execution that lingered over the next morning.

When the door shut, Merlin turned Kadian to him and brushed her hair back. "Who did this to you?" he asked, gently tracing the red marks that grasped her thin neck. His eyes locked with hers as he spoke, overflowing with concern.

Kadian turned her head away, pressing her lips together to form a line.

"Answer me," Merlin said, taking a tender hand and moving her chin to set her eyes on him again.

"Uther," she mumbled under her breath, rubbing her hand around her throbbing neck.

The pigment in his eyes would have turned red if they could, but his face took their colour instead. His hands trembled as they returned to his side, where they clenched two tight fists by his hips. Merlin turned around and stalked toward the door without another word to Kadian. He reached for the doorknob but froze where he stood, with a hand extended toward the door. "Merlin," Kadian said, letting her eyes fall to the floor. "I can't let you go."

"He nearly killed you, Kadian. I will make it so he could never lay a hand on you again," Merlin growled in a low tone that sent frights up and down her spine.

She had never heard him talk with such hatred in his voice, no one had. "No matter how much I want you to, Merlin," she said, forcing him to turn around to face her with a spark of silver in her eye, "I can't let you risk your head. I'm breathing, that's all that matters."

"No, there are many more things that matter," Merlin protested, trying to move his frozen muscles. "He won't get away with this."

"He already has," Kadian said, walking up to him and draping her arms around his shoulders before thawing his muscles. "But, revealing ourselves will do no good for the boy. Merlin, we must set him free before dawn, before Uther can kill him."

Warmth flooded back into his body and, for a moment, he nearly turned back to the door and stormed out to find Uther, but her arms were his captor. Slowly, his arms embraced her, allowing his fingers to skim across the pale blue fabric that concealed her from him. "What is your plan?" he whispered in her ears as he rest rested gently on her shoulder.

"You're just going to have to trust me, Merlin," Kadian said, stepping around him. Her hand trailed across his torso as she reached for the door and pulled it open.

-x-

Arthur walked into his chamber, running a confused hand through his hair. The night's events put his mind far from ease. He took a seat on the chair closest to the open window and rested his head in his hand, trying to figure out were he had lost his sense and when Azura stole his keys and handed them to Kadian. After informing the executioner of his morning deed, Arthur had tried, yet again to get a lighter sentence for the boy, like life imprisonment. However, Camelot's king would not hear reason and snapped when Arthur said that he would never get Kadian's forgiveness, which Uther made clear that he did not care about at all. Also, Uther told Arthur that he needed "to keep a tighter leash" on Azura, because there was nothing left keeping her from being killed the next time she stepped a foot out of line.

There was a soft knock on his door and he looked up, grasping the goblet of water that was within reach. "Enter," he said before taking a sip.

He had half-expected Azura to walk in, but his sister came in instead with her soft hands folded together behind her back. "You can't let him execute the boy," she said, approaching her brother with soft steps.

"You're lucky he's not executing you," Arthur grumbled, covering his tone with the goblet. "Are you telling me that he really was behind the screen when I came to search your chambers?"

Kadian nodded as she took a seat, combing her hair in front of her neck to conceal the marks that were beginning to turn purple. "I know that you think its wrong to execute him."

"That's what I believe, but it doesn't matter," he grumbled, placing the goblet firmly on the table as he rose to his feet. "Father's made up his mind and cannot be talked out of it. I tried."

"You're just going to give up?" Kadian asked following her brother with her eyes. "The time for talking is over. It won't help us and it certainly wouldn't have helped Azura. You honestly think that she was behind this alongside me, don't you? Of all people, she was the most against it and even attempted to stop us."

"Us? Of course that idiot servant is with you on this," Arthur grumbled.

"I can't believe you will let an innocent child die," Kadian stated, rising to her feet and approaching her brother.

"It's too late. He's already been caught. I have no choice," the prince replied, turning away to look out the window.

"So, this is how you're going to rule when your king? Guilty until proven innocent?" Kadian asked, placing her hands on her waist. "We're not like him, you're nothing like our father."

"I won't betray him," Arthur stated, gazing at his sister with a fierce stare.

"Do what you will, but I won't stand by and let it happen," Kadian replied as he turned away. "Please, if you won't do it for the boy, then at least do it for me, for Azura even. Please, Arthur, I wouldn't beg you to do this unless I had no choice."

Arthur sighed and turned around, scooping the goblet of water into his hand as he sat down. "Get Merlin in here, I know he's nearby," he grumbled and ignored the brightness that shown in his sister's eyes as he agreed to betray his father.

Kadian retrieved Merlin from down the hall and remerged in her brother's chambers with her hands wrapped in Merlin's. "We're going to break the boy out of prison," she smiled, proud of her triumph over Arthur.

Merlin unwrapped her arm and stepped away. "It's too dangerous," he protested. "Uther already caught you once. If the king catches you again, he'll do worse than strangle you."

"But, we have to!" Kadian protested, shooting him a dark stare. He was supposed to be on her side, not on Uther's.

"Merlin's right. Once he hears that the boy has escaped, he'll suspect you immediately," Arthur said, thinking with his head against the palm of his hand.

"It is suicide," Merlin pointed out, still receiving the glare would scare the Great Dragon himself.

Arthur picked his head up as an idea jumped into his mind. "Go to him, and apologize, dine with him," he said, gazing up at his sister who shifted a softer stare on him which morphed into a pleading anything-but-that look. "He cannot hold you responsible if you're with him when the boy escapes."

"You need me for this to work. The boy only trusts certain people," Kadian protested even though she saw the logic in his words.

"He trusts Merlin," Arthur pointed out rising to his feet and setting the goblet back on the table since it was now empty. He approached Merlin. "I'm going to bring the boy out through the burial vaults, there's a tunnel that leads beyond the city. Get my horse from the stables and meet me there. There's a grate that covers the entrance to the vault. Bring a rope and a grappling hook to pull it off."

"Merlin, if you're not there to get them, they will surely be caught," Kadian said as she placed another glare on him once he tried to refuse to participate.

He remembered the dragon's words that it was unwise for him to aid the child. This boy had already brought Kadian close to death, but does that call for his murder? "Alright," Merlin sighed, relaxing the dark stare on Kadian's face.

Arthur walked toward the door and stopped. "And will one of you please find Azura?" he asked, not turning around. "Can't have her getting roped into this." The prince left his chamber to get ready to carry out their diabolical plan that could very well be the end of his life.

-x-

The doors to Uther's dining hall were pushed inward by the stationed guards. Kadian came in, wearing a light blue corset gown. White pearls fringed the elegantly embroidered corset, matching the pigment of the seams. She had tied her hair up into a curled bun, letting several strands of her white-blonde hair curtain her apologetic face. Her silver-gloved hands were resting idly at the sides of the silk, blue skirt, trembling from her efforts to not attack her father where he sat, pigging out on his dinner. Kadian was unable to find Azura and it raised fear into her eyes.

Uther gazed up from his delightful meal and frowned when he saw that it was his daughter that interrupted him. Swiftly, the doors shut behind her. It was only she and her father now, staring directly at each other like the other did not exist. "I have come to apologize, my lord," Kadian began with a deep sigh. "You are a kind, generous, and fair man," she continued letting tears well up in her eyes for a more dramatic effect. "You brought me into this world and I owe you for much more than you think. I have come to realize that I had not thought of the consequences for my actions and that my mind was in a far away land. My behaviour was unforgivable and punishable by death. I beg for your forgiveness as a person of your kingdom, and as your d-daughter."

The king gazed up at Kadian and his eyes seem to water when he saw someone different standing before him in the pale blue gown: Ygraine. "I am glad that you have seen sense," he said, straightening himself from leaning on the arm of his chair. "Dine with me, and let us put this unfortunate event behind us."

A maidservant jumped into action by the king's words and retrieved another serving of food and a dish for the princess. Kadian took a seat on the opposite end of the table and smiled gratefully as the maid placed the dish before her and two more placed plates of food on the table within her reach. They dipped their heads, respectively, and departed from the chamber without another sound.

Kadian, still shaken by the easy forgiveness from her father, reached for one of the slices of ham that was on the plate one maid placed down. She exchanged glances with her father as they dined, not knowing whether to make conversation or keep quiet. The hand that held her fork trembled as time went passed with no echo of the warning bell ringing through the kingdom.

She jumped when the door swung open again behind. "I am sorry to disturb you, sire," a soft voice said by Kadian's right.

"Nonsense," Uther said, his face lighting up as if he set his eyes upon a treasure trove. "Come in, come in."

Azura walked by Kadian with a piece of parchment rolled up in her right grasp. The tail of her white, silk gown brushed against Kadian's arm, causing the princess to follow her with her eyes. Below Azura' chest was a large, gold piece of fabric that wrapped around her entire torso, holding glisten jewels that branched out onto the white in the shape of a S. Her hair tumbled onto her shoulders in waves like honey. "My lord," she said, extended the hand that clasped the parchment with her fingers, "I present this to you with my deepest apologies for my behaviour. I ask one thing in return, my lord, that you leave my home city where it stands, in the darkness of its ashes."

Her fingers released the rolled parchment. It fell into Uther's waiting hand. "Please, join us," he said, nodding to her single request.

Azura dipped her hand and took a seat where Uther motioned with his arm, the chair to his right.

The warning bell sounded through the palace and city, startling them all as they ate. Azura gazed around, her blue eyes sweeping across Kadian's scared face: the boy had escaped.

-x-

Merlin sat in his chambers, gazing at his boots. If the boy lives, you cannot fulfil your destiny, the Great Dragon's voice echoed in his ears. He had not told Kadian of the dragon's words to leave the boy alone, and he regretted not speaking up before. His fingers dug through his dark hair as this dilemma deepened.

You're telling me, that little boy is going to kill Arthur? He had replied to the dragon. Night and day, different like the two sides of the same coin. Arthur would be in the burial vaults by now, with the boy, waiting for him to spring them from the tunnel.

He could hear the warning bell chime through the night air, drowning out the voice of the dragon.

Emrys! The boy's voice cried in his mind, pleading.

Merlin gazed up at the beamed ceiling, wishing that he could block the boy's voice from his mind; it was a different kind of magic, one that was foreign to him.

Emrys. Where are you Emrys? The boy asked from the burial vaults. Emrys, help us, please. They're coming... ... I'm scared, Emrys. They will kill me... don't do this.

Merlin placed his hands over his ears, not wanting to hear any more. It was like he was with them, seeing the shadows of the guards against the illuminated wall.

Don't ignore me; I know you can hear me, the druid said darkly. I thought you were my friend. I don't want to die, Emrys. EMRYS!

Merlin rose to his feet, aggravated by the voice that swam through his head, drowning out his own thoughts. He left his chamber and passed by the physician, not caring that he received a dark, curious stare.

-x-

Arthur held his sword before him, preparing to use it to buy Merlin more time or make a second way to escape the tunnel. The boy was at his side, undoubtedly petrified that his doom was just on the other end of the corridor, resting with the guards that searched for him and his new accomplice. There was a sound behind him and Arthur turned, relieved to see his manservant on the other side. "Where the hell have you been?" he growled, sheathing his sword.

"I had trouble getting out of the castle," Merlin replied, gazing at the boy who stared at him.

"Well, get this grate off. They're coming," Arthur whispered as the voices of the guards echoed from behind.

Merlin disappeared and took hold of the grappling hook he retrieved on his way. The hook grasped the grate in its claw, and with one quick, strong pull the bars came loose, spilling Arthur and the boy into the wood surrounding Camelot.

The prince mounted his horse with the druid boy before him, concealed in his green cloak. "If my father asks where I am, tell him I have gone on a hunting trip," Arthur stated, grasping the reins. "Make yourself scarce, or they'll execute you in his place." He flicked the reins and dug his heels into the horses flank, sending the animal forward.

Good-bye, Emrys. I know that one day, we will meet again, the boy said, setting his eyes upon the warlock as the house carried him and the prince into the depths of the wood. There was a hint of darkness in the boy's voice that raised Merlin's eyebrow suspiciously.

-x-

The doors to the dining hall swung open and the guard Uther sent to see why the warning bell was ringing came in. "My lord, I regret to inform that the druid boy has escaped the dungeons," he spoke, dipping his head quickly.

The king jumped to his feet, exclaiming, "What? How?" He stalked toward his guards.

"My lord, he was assisted by some accomplices. The guards are searching Camelot as we speak," the guard replied Uther's frantic questions.

"Find him and his accomplices and kill them all," Uther growled.

"Yes, my lord," the guard replied, bowing his head, and departing from the room.

The king's stare swept across his daughter, then to Azura who placed a luscious, green grape into her mouth and bit into it, smiling as its juices poured into her mouth. "If I discover that somehow you were involved in freeing this boy, the consequences will be severe," he growled like a ravenous dog.

"My lord, you know we respect you too much to do something like that," Kadian replied, setting a straight gaze on her father's face.

Uther took no meaning from his daughter's words and stalked from the room, to his chamber where he would await the news of the boy's death. When the door shut behind the king and his footsteps were mere whispers in the wind, Azura rose to her feet and stood before Kadian in a flash. "You really are the most daring person I have ever met," she said. "Let's just hope that they make it before the search parties get to them."

"How did you..." Kadian asked, getting to her feet.

"I always could hear the boys cries, even if they were not for me to hear," she replied sofly. "Never, ever ask for my help with anything like this again, or I will not hesitate to turn you and Merlin in."

"What did you give my father?" Kadian asked.

"The last bit of my kingdom that I controlled; though, I have really done much with it anyways," Azura answered and walked from the hall, leaving Kadian to think on her words.

-x-

Arthur and the druid travelled through the woods until the dawn light seeped through the roof of trees in a blue-green glow. The echoes of the warning bell had finally faded as they proceeded deeper and deeper into the trees. The prince pulled back on the reins, ceasing the horse's forward trot. He helped the boy down and then dismounted the horse, eyeing the cloaked beings that stood several feet in front of them.

He led the druid across the land between the two parties until the boy's hand was taken. "We are forever indebted to you, Arthur Pendragon, for returning the boy to us," the druid man said as he rested a hand on the boy's shoulder; the boy smiled, happy to be among people he could trust.

"You must not let it be known that it was I that had brought him to you," Arthur stated, shifting uneasy glances between the druids he faced.

"We will tell no one, you have my word," the elder druid nodded. He and the other druids turned away and walked toward the darkened trees.

Arthur watched them going, seeing the boy be last to turn. "Wait, I don't even know your name," he called, watching the boy and meeting his startled gaze when he turned. "At least tell me your name."

The druid child gazed up at the man who held his shoulder, who said that it was all right. "My name is Mordred," he replied, setting his bright, green eyes on Arthur.

"Good luck, Mordred," Arthur said, staring into the abyss behind the boy's green gaze. Their gazes locked for a prolonged time and Arthur began to suspect that there was something being withheld from him, something that was very bad. He watched the four druids take their leave before slowly turning back to his horse.

When he mounted and gazed off in the direction they were walking, they had disappeared like smoke in the wind.

-x-

By sunset the next day, the search had been called off; it was inevitable that the child was still within the walls of Uther's grand city. The king did not speak to Kadian or Azura again, but addressed his people that morning. In his hand was the piece of parchment that Azura had given him the day that the boy escaped from the dungeons.

He read it aloud, his voice full of pride and triumph,

"I, the rightful heir to the throne of Luthrembel, hereby present Uther Pendragon, patriarch of the kingdom of Camelot, the lands of which my ancestors before me had governed for a great many years. The villages and provinces from the west edge of the Forest of Balor to the raging seas of the Channel shall hereby be part of the grand kingdom of the Uther Pendragon and those who rule thereafter. I willingly hand over the right to these lands now, and forever.

"Signed, the Lady Azura Lightwing, formerly of Luthrembel."

-x-

This chapter's translations:

Cara-Emrys (Cara chan Emrys) means love of Emyrs (aka. Merlin) inWelsh.

Next time on Forbidden Magic and Desires:

Darkness befalls Camelot, shrouding two of the most fearsome creatures in thick, heavy shadows. The lust to perform an ancient ritual leads to the kidnapping of the Lady Azura and the threat to take another. "Two unique bloods shall give a new life," a dark face sneers through thick, steel bars with eyes a bright, ravenous red. High in the sky, the full moon glowers, casting the cathedral in violet.