They rode on for a while, each pair of eyes scanning the trees.
'Stop!' Genevieve yelled back, pulling her horse's reins until it stood still. 'We will make our stand here.' She dismounted, helping the druid boy from the back of her horse. They exchanged a few words, and the druid boy went to stand with the two mysterious soldiers from Camelot. 'You can all rest for a while the reaper is not close, Mordred will tell you when she is.'
Merlin shrugged, stretching his stiff legs before he sat on a fallen log. He studied the surrounding trees and scrub, watching the leaves sway with the breeze. The young warlock checked his armour was fastened correctly, touching his sword hilt for reassurance. The cold steel felt strong in his grip, but he only worried he wasn't strong enough to see this to the end.
After a few moments Arthur sat beside him, 'Whatever happens today, I don't want you to do anything stupid. I know you're my servant, but none of that self sacrifice stuff, I still can't forget what happened in Ealdor.'
'My best friend gave me some great advice, he said No need to be a hero Merlin, it really doesn't suit you.'
Arthur laughed, 'For a sorcerer, Will was a good man.'
Merlin bit his lip, 'He was, but he wasn't the one who said it.'
Arthur frowned, 'I thought you said your best friend…'
'I did, but it was you that said it.' Merlin smiled. He saw Arthur's look of surprise turn to his classic smile as he turned his head away.
'She's here!' Genevieve called, Mordred huddled close to her. 'Lancelot, Galahad, Ironside, protect Arthur, the rest of you with Mordred, she's mine!' The red cloaked huntress called, sweeping to the front of the group, her gleaming sword in one hand, and a lethal dagger clasped tightly in the other.
Merlin drew his sword, massing in the clearing with the others. He stood between Arthur and Mordred; unsure of who he should defend. His body shivered as the air around him clutched him in an icy fist.
'Hold!' Genevieve ordered, going into a half-crouch stance. The air grew colder. The light dimmed, and then they saw it. Like a flicker the shadow darted from the distance. It weaved towards them silently. A mere figure in the distance to them, but each knew it was not to be taken lightly. The heavy breathing around Merlin made his blood run faster, the cold closing in. His hand gripped the sword so tightly his fingers felt numb, and still it came for them. In seconds it was in the clearing. Merlin could see clearly now it was wrapped in a black shroud, its face non existent save for a swirling mass of blackness. But the eyes, burning with the hate he knew belonged to Nimueh. Its head rose and fell as if it was panting, but he saw the fire in her eyes staring right at Arthur, readying for its attack.
Genevieve didn't look to see what the creature was eyeing voraciously as it approached Arthur. She took her sword and dagger and charged for the creature's throat, leaping between itself and Arthur. Merlin watched the woman pounce on the beast, her blade heading straight for its neck. Suddenly his attention was whipped to the side. At first it was a blur, but once it landed on Ironside he could see the enormous wolf clearly as it clawed into the red armour. One of the disguised women, Merlin couldn't tell who, slashed at the gargantuan animal their blade ripping into the flesh and sinew of the beast's neck. It howled in agony, but Merlin ignored it, seeing three more of the ragged wolves stalk towards them.