Ella laughed as Merlin told her the story of the goblin and how Arthur had been braying like a donkey because of the magic menace. They were heading back to Camelot. "Stop flirting, Merlin," Arthur said, irritated.
"What? I'm not flirting," Merlin argued.
"Yes you are."
"So what is your definition of flirting?"
"Spending an excessive amount of time with someone, talking excessively to them..."
"You always say I talk excessively."
"That's not my point. Just, shut up."
Ella grinned at their arguing then stopped. She looked around, a worried expression on her face.
"Ella, is something wrong?" Merlin asked as he intently looked at her.
"I think so," she replied, absent-minded.
"What is it?"
"That." She pointed in the direction where men were running towards them.
Merlin looked at the direction and shouted for everyone to run. All of them fled, but Ella suddenly stopped and turned back.
"Ella, what are you doing?!" Merlin exclaimed as he noticed her absence.
"Go, Merlin!" She ordered, and looked at him, trying to assure him, "I'll be fine."
Merlin sighed and headed back to the king as Ella's eyes flashed orange. As a result, an invisible pulse threw all the men onto the ground. She closed her eyes, and time froze as she searched for the leader, then her blue eyes snapped open as she found him. As she descended from her horse, the man stayed still ; the others scrambled away, in fear of their lives. She came up to the leader of the group of bandits, and pulled her sword from its ornate sheath. It was the one Branwen had given to her. She had never wielded a sword before, but it almost felt natural. She pointed its sharp end at the man's neck. "What are you doing here?!" She asked, an unknown power in her voice. It was wise and ancient and new. "We heard rumours," the man tried to explain.
"I know that isn't the truth," Ella said, "Who sent you?"
"I don't know what you mean."
"Who?!"
"I shall die if I tell you!"
"And you will if you don't! I will not harm you in any way unless you give me a name."
"Is that a promise?"
"Of course."
The man hesitated, trying to be able to get the word out. "The man I take orders from works for Morgana."
"Thank you." She put the sword back into its sheath that hung from a belt. "Sire!" She called.
Soon, the king, Merlin and the others returned. Arthur laughed at the result. "Thank you, Ella!" He said, praising her.
Ella smiled and her eyes glowed orange. Before the bandit could get away, Percival grabbed him by his arm – his strong grip almost paralysing the man once more. They headed back to the horses whilst Ella and Merlin trailed behind.
"That was brilliant," Merlin praised, giving Ella a smile.
She returned it and said thank you, but the bad feeling came again. She turned around, then looked back at the king's servant and grabbed his hand. Something hit them both on the back of the head. The bright colours of the forest faded into darkness in front of their eyes as they lay unconscious on the grass covered ground.