This is my longest fic yet, wooo! I'm not to the end yet and it's over 101K words. Yikes! And now, review replies:
Lady Cougar-Trombone: Yeah, he'll get to use some magic on snake-lady. Bleh, she's so vile!
sjritts: Thanks! And what I meant with that awkward status is Merlin will be ennobled so no one can complain about his inequality in status with Morgana. :)
Guest: Why thank you! :) And I agree. Lamia is not an ep. I watch often.
MerlinMorgana1579: Aww, thanks! I hope your boo-boo is ok. ;) LOL wait until you see what Morgause says hahaha! Yes, Lamia's kiss drains the life out of her prey- Elyan's her first victim. Yeah, I suspect the writers kept the secret, secret just so they could beat up their title character. The knights will find out soon.
Patiku: LOL. I thought you'd like that; it just happened to work there (the scene with peeping Aggy). Thanks! Girl power next chappie. :)
CHARLES CHUKU: Morgana will be B.A. Dearest Aggy will use his info to impress Morgause; but will it work? ;)
Crazyaniknowit: Yeah, Lamia should've been torched. Hmm, there's an idea. :)
HoNiE DeMoN: Yeah, Aggy's a major doofus. Morgause does know about them, so you can probably guess her reaction. ;)
Back in Camelot the next morning, Arthur sat in council with Agravaine and Gaius. He noted that it had been two days since Merlin's group had left. Agravaine came up with several possible reasons, but since Arthur was now taking his uncle's advice with a grain of salt, he shot them all down.
His suggestion to send scouts gave Arthur an idea. He asked Gaius if he'd defeated the sweating sickness yet. When the physician answered in the affirmative, his plan was settled. Arthur would lead a party of knights (and Gaius) to Longstead, following the other group's trail. If they ran into them on the way home, great. If not, then they could track them from where they'd left the trail.
Agravaine had stood up to leave when Morgana burst into the room. He gave her a weird look before walking out. "You're going?" she asked Arthur, who nodded. "Good. I'm coming."
"Whoa there Morgana, you're staying here," Arthur tried.
She walked right up to her brother's face. "Arthur, I am coming. I had a vision just before I woke up—there's a strange girl involved somehow. I don't think she's a girl exactly."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"She hissed and her eyes changed color. Then I saw her kissing various men, only she held them for a long time. And when she let go, they slumped to the floor like they were dead. I saw a scene of your knights fighting each other and scenes of them lying on the ground."
"That sounds an awful lot like what Mary described." He turned to Gaius. "Does anything about that sound familiar Gaius?"
"It sounds somewhat like a lamia."
"A lamia?"
"A creature of magic. In their wars with the ancient kings, the High Priestesses of the Old Religion took the blood from a girl and mingled it with that of a serpent. The creatures they created had ferocious powers. They could control the mind of a man; suck the life from him with a single embrace. But it proved more deadly than their makers had ever imagined. They could transform at will and become hideous monsters. And they kept on killing, sire. They would not stop."
"And you sent Merlin and a group of knights out there. They have no idea . . ." Morgana started.
"How can they be killed? Will it require magic?" Arthur asked.
"I have no idea Sire."
"You have until first light to find out."
xxxXxxx
Gwen made breakfast for her group. Everyone ate, except Lamia. "Would you—" She tried to hand Lamia a bowl of food, but the girl flinched away from her; she'd refused dinner too. "I'll just put it here." She placed the bowl on the fire pit's rocks nearby and walked over to Merlin. "She still won't eat. No appetite at all. Poor girl."
After Leon finished, he stood. "Pack your bags. We ride east with the rising sun."
"Wait . . . east? Camelot lies west of here," Merlin said.
"Lamia has asked that we take her home," Elyan announced.
"No, we need to get Gaius," Merlin reiterated.
"Gaius can wait," Gwaine said.
"We were sent to help the people of Longstead. Their lives depend on us." Merlin was beginning to feel like the only voice of reason, besides Gwen.
"You dare to question our judgment? You are not a knight! You're not even a physician! You're nothing but a servant!" Leon snarled. To everyone else, he said, "Come on."
Gwen tried. "Please! Listen! Merlin's right, we have to get back to—"
Elyan cut his sister off. "Stay out of this, Gwen. It's none of your business."
Gwen was completely surprised and confused. While they journeyed, every single knight helped Lamia in some way. It's like they're competing for her attention. Gwen just scoffed in disbelief. Merlin shared the feeling, and his suspicion heightened.
xxxXxxx
On their way to Longstead, Arthur's party came upon a strange sight in the woods. They found a Southron camp with corpses lying on the forest floor. The King and Gaius noticed that none of the bodies had a single mark on them—no wounds, not even a scratch.
One of the knights examined a wagon and called the King over. He guessed the Southrons had been slave traders, but there was some question as to their cargo. Gaius examined scratch marks on the wood, concluding that very desperate humans made them. But what had made them so anxious to escape?
One of the Southrons moaned then; Arthur and Gaius turned to check on him. Arthur asked the physician if he could treat the injured man, and Gaius said he could if he had time and workspace. The King ordered a pair of knights to bring the Southron with them so Gaius could treat him when they reached Longstead.
xxxXxxx
Merlin's group had stopped in a clearing for a rest. Leon started over to Lamia, bringing his water flask. Gwaine intercepted him mid-way. "Why don't you watch what you're doing?" Leon snarled.
"Why don't you watch your damn tongue?" Gwaine spat back.
"You'd do well to learn some manners."
"Nothing I can learn from you, Leon." Gwaine shoved him; Merlin and Gwen looked over.
"We'll see about that." Leon shoved Gwaine back. Lamia watched and twirled her hair, pleased with their quarrelling. No one noticed.
Merlin decided to step in, verbally. "Enough! What's got into you?" he asked Gwaine.
Leon rammed his chest into Gwaine as he walked past him and Gwaine drew his sword. Leon did the same and they fought, exchanging vicious blows. Gwen simply stared in shock. Percival and Elyan exchanged a glance then pulled the fighters apart. Leon had a deep cut on his arm; blood seeped through his chainmail. Lamia kept twirling her hair with a smirk, watching their verbal jabs.
"Great!" Merlin yelled, out of patience. He went to check Leon's arm; he was still struggling against Percival.
"I'll get the medicine bag," Gwen said, and went after it.
Merlin led Leon away. "Come on."
No one noticed Lamia still smirking and twirling her hair as if she was getting satisfaction from the fight.
xxxXxxx
Arthur and his group reached Longstead just after nightfall. He directed his knights to spread out and speak to all the villagers about Merlin's group and the Southrons. Agravaine had spoken to John while Arthur spoke. The other group had left yesterday morning, headed to Camelot. Arthur concluded that something must have happened, but they couldn't go after them until dawn. With that decided, he arranged lodging for his group.
While the knights were interviewing the villagers, Gaius and Morgana went to the home where the ill men still lay. John confirmed that they'd been in their present state for four days, growing weaker every day. Gaius concluded that Merlin had been right about this "illness" being caused by sorcery.
After Gaius quizzed the Southron, he visited Arthur in his temporary quarters. He thought the King might want to know how the prisoner was faring. The physician told him about the man's condition, then launched into what the man was able to tell him.
His group were slave traders and had been traveling south with a girl. Then everyone in the group seemed to fall under some kind of spell, quarreling and fighting amongst themselves. They began to suspect the girl was bewitching them and they'd been right. The girl escaped and killed everyone but the man they'd found.
"So she is a lamia then," Arthur asked.
"Apparently."
"And she's still out there somewhere."
Gaius nodded. "I'm afraid so, sire."
"I wish we could leave now."
xxxXxxx
Merlin's group hadn't moved from where Leon and Gwaine had fought, so they stayed there that night. It had taken a very long time to convince Leon that he needed treatment and even longer to perform the treatment. Leon was atypically acting like a small, spoiled child. "That needle's the size of a spear," the big knight whined.
Merlin finished sewing Leon's arm and Gwen wrapped it. "I'm sorry, it's all I have," Merlin said, just barely holding on to the last shred of patience he had left.
"There. Done," Gwen announced.
"Thank you," Leon said, barely civil. He got up in a huff and put his shirt back on. Gwen sat in his place after he left.
Merlin looked around and spoke quietly to Gwen, "Leon and Gwaine, I've never known them to act like this."
"Elyan's the same. I hardly recognize him," she whispered back.
"I think it's something to do with her." He nodded over at Lamia.
Gwen was surprised. "Lamia?"
"The knights are like brothers. Yet they fight and quarrel like foes?" They watched Gwaine drape a blanket over Lamia's shoulders. "It started the moment we found her."
"But look at her. She's just a girl. How could she affect them this way?"
"I don't know." But I wish I did.
xxxXxxx
That night Elyan took watch while the others slept. He heard a hiss and left the fire to investigate. After a few paces, he heard rustling and drew his sword but found only Lamia. She held up her hands in a submissive gesture. "Forgive me," she said. Elyan lowered his sword. "I didn't mean to frighten you. Couldn't sleep."
"Nor could I. Then again, it is my job to stay awake," Elyan replied.
Lamia walked closer. "Don't be afraid. I won't hurt you." She took his face in her hands and kissed him. She hissed and Elyan began convulsing. He dropped to the ground as Lamia's eyes flashed green.
Morning came; everyone woke at about the same time. Percival noticed the missing knight. "Elyan!?" he yelled.
"He was supposed to be on guard. He should've woken us long before now," Gwen said. "Elyan!"
Leon took up the cry, "Elyan! Elyan!" He turned to Gwen, "Stay with Lamia. The rest of you, come with me. Spread out."
The knights drew their swords and headed off. Merlin looked at Gwen to see if she was okay and she nodded for him to go with them.
Gwen could hear various knights calling out before Lamia spoke. "Don't worry. They'll find your brother soon enough." Her words were reassuring but still somehow gave Gwen chills.
A short time later, the knights found Elyan and carried him back to the camp. "Oh no, Elyan! What happened to him?" Gwen was shocked.
"I don't know. We found him like this," Leon stated.
Gwen rushed over to Merlin, who'd returned with the knights. "Merlin! She did this. I know she did," she whispered to him.
Merlin turned to the knights. "We need to get him back to Camelot now."
"He's right," Gwen added.
"Silence! Both of you! You have no say in these matters! You come with us, or you stay here. It's up to you. Let's go," Leon yelled at them angrily.
Merlin grabbed Percival's arm to get his attention. "This is madness, Percival. Elyan needs help. You know nothing about this girl. You have no idea where she's taking you."
Percival glowered at Merlin. "You heard Sir Leon. We've no interest in your opinion. So keep your mouth shut, or I'll shut it for you."
Lamia suddenly said, "I'm going to be sick!" She took off into the bushes despite protests from all the knights.
After several minutes, the knights became concerned. "Where's Lamia? Lamia!" Leon called. They listened for a few minutes but heard nothing. "We need to find Lamia. She could be in danger."
"We're the ones in danger, Leon," Merlin said.
"That's a lie!" Percival shouted.
"She's poisoned your minds and you can't see—"
"Enough!" Leon yelled.
"It was Lamia that attacked Elyan!" Merlin countered.
Leon grabbed Merlin. "I said ENOUGH!" He shoved the servant to the ground.
"Please! My brother's hurt!" Gwen pleaded.
"Percival and I will search for Lamia," Leon decided. He walked right up to Merlin's face. "You will stay here and you will do as Gwaine says. Do I make myself clear?" The two knights left.
Merlin leaned against a tree while Gwen sat on the ground, holding her brother's head in her lap. After a few minutes, Gwaine grumbled, "We need more wood."
"I'll go and get some," Merlin offered.
Gwaine laughed humorlessly. "No. You stay where you are. I'll go get it myself. You're not going anywhere."
"Gwaine, please listen to me. It's not safe for us out here."
"You trying to tell me my business?"
"No, I'm just saying that . . ."
"What?"
"Nothing."
Gwaine stalked off. Merlin turned to Gwen, who was crying. "If Elyan doesn't get some help soon, he's not going to make it."
xxxXxxx
Gwaine searched the woods, a hand on his sword hilt. He heard something and drew his sword, but it was just tree branches scraping against each other. Meanwhile, Leon and Percival heard a hiss.
"That was her. I'm sure of it," Percival said.
"Lamia," Leon said with excitement. He looked behind a copse of trees. "It's nothing." He continued in that direction, but Percival heard the hiss again and walked toward it, away from Leon.
The hissing noise faded as the closer he got to it. The sound of a girl weeping took its place and Percival crept toward it. He pushed a couple of tall bushes aside and found Lamia curled up on the ground, crying. "Lamia," he said gently. He crouched down next to her and turned her to face him. "You all right? I've been looking everywhere for you."
"I thought you might never find me. Thank you, Percival. Thank you," Lamia stuttered pitifully. She kissed Percival in apparent gratitude. He didn't see her eyes glow green; his life force was being drained. He fell to the ground unconscious just before Leon burst into the small clearing from the other side.
"No. No. No! No!" Leon yelled. He charged at her with his sword drawn. Lamia threw him back magically, knocking him out.
xxxXxxx
"I don't understand it. Why have only the knights been enchanted? Why not us as well?" Gwen asked.
"You're a woman," Merlin guessed.
"So?"
"All the victims have been men."
"So why haven't you fallen under her spell? There must be a reason."
"Maybe it's because I'm smarter than a knight."
Gwen chuckled then shook her head. "It's something about you, Merlin. It's the way she looks at you as if you were the enemy."
"What makes me different? What do I have that the knights don't?" The answer struck them at the same time. "Magic." They heard a yell in the distance and looked in that direction, then back at each other. Gwen saw a look of resolve settle on his face. "Whatever you do, don't leave the fire." He darted into the trees, while Gwen watched and prayed behind him.
Merlin followed the path Gwaine had taken into the woods. He heard a hiss and turned in that direction to investigate. After a few minutes, he saw a knight with long hair. "Gwaine?" he whispered. His friend was leaning up against a tree; Merlin walked toward him. "Gwaine?" he whispered again. He touched Gwaine's shoulder and the knight fell back onto him, slack-jawed.
He gasped in shock and his arms went out to catch his friend, who looked to be in the same state as Elyan—catatonic. He eased Gwaine onto the ground, leaning his back against the tree. Leon's shout startled him; he jumped into action and ran off in the direction it had come from.
Merlin arrived in the small clearing to find Lamia crouched over, kissing Sir Leon. "You won't find me such easy prey," he snarled.
"Your magic holds no fear for me. I could've killed you anytime I wished," she taunted.
"Then . . . what are you waiting for?" She leaped at Merlin, pushing him backwards. She hissed menacingly. "Þurhdrif hie ecg!" he yelled. One of the knights' swords flew into Lamia's torso.
Merlin got up and checked Percival's pulse. Lamia hissed from somewhere in the woods behind him. He searched for her in the shadows and was smacked by a tentacle. She- or rather, it -slithered after him. He glanced around quickly, deciding to act. "Feall áccynn." A massive oak tree crashed down on top of her and she appeared to be dead.
Gwen heard the tree's fall. She picked up Elyan's sword and took off into the woods, following Merlin's path.
Thanks for reading! Wow, there were a lot of scene changes and necessary filler there. Next time I'll have girl power, Arwen romance and more. :)