Author's notes: Firstly, I want to thank you all for your interest in my story and for your best wishes for my trip. We all had a lovely time and actually got some decent summer weather.

It was very nice to get home and see the lovely reviews you'd left for me. I hope I managed to reply to all those I could and for any guests and readers who've chosen to follow or favourite this story, please accept my thanks now. I should also mention some readers who've chosen to follow me and my other stories. Your support means a great deal to me.

When I posted the last chapter, I was a little concerned about your opinions on how I'd handled Anna and was very happy to see that most people agreed that it wouldn't be good for her to remember at this moment in time. I hope you continue to enjoy Anna's story.

Thankfully, I'm not keeping you waiting for this post and I'd like to thank my ever reliable beta/editor for helping me get this out on time. Please enjoy!

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Chapter Thirty-six

In Dreams of Anna

All the house was quiet, still, though not unfriendly, the members of the household either working in the air-controlled cool of the conservatory, or dosing in comfortable chairs to replenish their energies which had been spent during a tempestuous night. One particular bedroom was shaded, keeping out the strong sunlight to allow the inhabitant to continue sleeping. But Arthur nor Merlin slept. Instead, they were quietly discussing future possibilities while waiting for Matthew to arrive with the results of his research into the topography of the west country.

Earlier, Dr Richard Grayson had checked on his patient, who he'd helped rescue the night before from a terrible and terrifying possession and, though his participation had been minor, he was happy to make it, knowing how badly he'd let this girl down in their previous lives.

Before he returned to his clinic at the hospital, he'd pronounced her in good health but suffering from total exhaustion. Ygraine had gone with him to visit her husband, though she was emotionally torn on how to divide her time between two much loved members of her family who needed her attention. Richard's pronouncement her daughter would probably sleep for most of the day and Arthur's promise to alert her if Anna did awake, persuaded her to make a quick trip to Benedict's bedside to assure him that all was well.

Indeed, it was a wise decision as she found him in a state of confusion and distress, wondering whether his daughter had visited him, or if he'd only imagined she'd been at his bedside. Thankfully, it hadn't registered in his damaged brain that Anna had tried to tamper with his IV drip, since he only wished to see her alive and well and teasing him as she normally did. At least, that was the gist of what Ygraine could determine from his faltering, jumbled speech.

Yet, it appeared some explanation was needed concerning Anna's absenteeism and Ygraine was grateful that Benedict wasn't aware of just how long his daughter had been missing. The elderly man had lost all track of time between the night of his seizure and the present day. Taking hold of her husband's rigid right hand, Ygraine traced the veins which stood out prominently on the back of a hand which had grown old and wrinkled almost overnight.

"You were right about Anna. She'd met someone in France... someone who has a slight acquaintance with Arthur and she got the scent of a story. You know how she gets when she's chasing down a scoop." Ygraine looked up into Benedict's face and was surprised to see his blue-grey eyes were awash, yet whether he was crying or his eyes were just watering, she couldn't be sure. In contrast, there seemed a ghost of a smile on his frozen lips. Benedict had always been proud of Anna's tenacity. Even as a young child she never gave up, while Benedict encouraged her to follow her dreams.

Ygraine squeezed her husband's hand again and repressed her disappointment when he couldn't reciprocate. "Only this time she hit a dead end. Not every lead pans out, which Anna is experienced enough to accept. Now she's home, feeling just a bit down and fairly tired, but she'll visit you tomorrow."

Again, Benedict's twisted mouth tried to form a grin and he mumbled something which could have been Anna's name. A dribble escaped from the corner of his lips, causing Ygraine to wipe away the liquid which ran down his chin. Her own eyes filled up and she quickly ducked her head. How could she endure Benedict's weakened state? He'd always been such a tower of strength, full of vital yet controlled energy. It broke her heart to see him this way.

Swallowing back the tears which threatened to fall, Ygraine gave a faint smile when she saw her husband drift back to sleep. At present, her eyes were like a bubbling brook! How she would have appreciated his help with their current problems... even as a listening board, but that, too, was totally out of the question. It was her turn to be Benedict's support and that of her family.

With a disparaging shake of her head at her shameless wobble, she rose from her chair, leaned over to kiss Benedict's cheek and returned to the fray.

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Back at the house, Matthew had arrived, bringing with him his laptop, his tablet as well as old-fashioned paper maps and, indeed, a few ancient parchment ones. Wherever had he found those?

The three had moved indoors to the dining room where they had room to spread their research over the large table.

"I'm impressed, Matthew," Arthur said with a nod and a grin as he and Merlin unrolled an old and, therefore, crinkled and somewhat brittle chart between them. It crackled alarmingly as they spread it out. "How the hell did you get your hands on this?"

"With great difficulty." Matthew smiled, then his face settled into grave lines. "I've a friend who works in the Archive of the National Museum, so please be very careful with that one. It's the oldest. It shows the shires from the 10th century, so not as far back as your time and there isn't a lot of detail but, perhaps, we can match it up with later maps."

Very carefully - he was afraid to touch it by hand - Merlin uttered a spell which helped to keep the map flat and smooth. He received a smile of thanks from Arthur who leaned forward to study it more closely, pointing to the area around Somerset and the Bristol Channel, his finger hovering over the fragile surface. "Merlin and I think this is the area we're interested in."

"Mmm... Are you sure?" Matthew asked, checking the spot before frowning in concentration. "There's a suggestion Cadbury Castle might be what we're looking for. After all, it was once called Camalet, but it's nearer to Yeovil in the south east of Somerset."

Arthur looked thoughtful before shaking his head. "That doesn't tie in with Merlin's or my own calculations... or memories. From the things that happened... and the journeys we made, we believe it to be nearer the north coast and the Severn estuary."

"It's a pity that there aren't more archaeological facts about your reign..." Matthew said, but was interrupted by a bark of laughter from Arthur.

"Facts? You are joking. Bloody hell! I've been reduced to a legend... or a myth even. It doesn't say much for what we achieved over a thousand and a half years ago, since it all disappeared into the mists of time."

The younger man flushed red with embarrassment and shame. "That was probably my fault. If you'd lived your normal span perhaps you'd have left more tangible facts behind you."

Arthur gave his employee a stern look. "Matthew, Merlin and I've already decided that we need to forget about those days and past transgressions. At least, where they impact on the present. Apart from Merlin here, none of us are quite the same as we once were and we're not forced to follow those same paths. We have a chance to make new choices in this life and, so far, you've been nothing but helpful."

"I was that in Camelot too... until I betrayed you..."

"Doesn't mean to say you'll do that in this life," Merlin put in, quickly. "We've talked of this before. Back then, you felt you had your reasons and neither I nor Arthur listened to your pleas, or tried to understand your heart-breaking predicament. For differing reasons. Arthur believed you were stricken only with puppy-love and would see his point of view eventually... and I had been warned you would kill Arthur many times. I couldn't let myself like you or sympathise with you."

"We were both wrong," Arthur said, backing up his friend. "This time, neither of us have any intention of interfering with your love life. You're your own master."

"But if I ever do meet another Kara and she were in cahoots with dark magic, I would resist her attractions... and give you the heads up, at least."

"You know, Kara might be out there and there's no reason why she should be our enemy. After all, Arthur doesn't go around sentencing people to death these days." Merlin laid a friendly hand on the younger man's shoulder, who still seemed to be having difficulty getting past the fact that he'd killed King Arthur.

"Neither does my father, so the problem shouldn't arise..." Arthur stayed silent for a moment as the fact that Morgause still hated the Penderels occurred to him. "On the other hand, knowing our luck, she might have found a new gripe... and, Matthew, you can't always choose who you fall in love with. Just be careful and, whatever happens, we promise to be more reasonable this time around." Arthur gave Matthew a lopsided grin before getting back to business. "OK. Let's find Camelot."

Matthew nodded more positively and returned his attention to his laptop. "You know, I've been giving this problem more thought and, because we have so few clues about Camelot's whereabouts, I thought we could come at this from a different angle."

"Since we appear to be looking for a needle in a haystack, we're open to any suggestions," Arthur muttered, gazing at the many maps both paper and digital, while Merlin grimaced in agreement.

Matthew paced a few steps away before turning, gripping his hands at his sides nervously. "You mentioned on the phone that you needed to find Sigan's tomb which is below The Citadel."

"That's so," Merlin answered, looking a little askance at Matthew. He hadn't realised that Arthur had divulged that part.

"Who is this Sigan... and..." Matthew paused again, gathering his thoughts, then plunged on, "Is there any connection to this modern day very hostile rivals to Camelot Industries, Sigan Fuels?"

Arthur and Merlin exchanged rueful glances. "See! I always said he was my most promising of young knights." Arthur grinned as he turned back to address Matthew. "You'd be right in your assumption. I do know who he is and I was there when he almost succeeded in destroying Camelot. In fact, in my completely unmindful way, you could say I helped him."

"Not helped him!" Merlin objected. "You weren't to know Cedric was possessed."

"But you did and I completely ignored your warnings - I always did - and gave Cedric a place of trust which enabled him to threaten Camelot."

"Well, I did have inside information, which I wasn't brave enough to tell you about."

"Much good that would have done you. I'd probably have denounced you to my father and you'd have been executed."

"Would you really?" Merlin demanded, squaring up to Arthur, engaging his friend's honest blue eyes while his own had darkened.

There was another pause as Arthur thought over his feelings from long ago. Finally, he shrugged. "Probably not. From the very first days, I always knew there was something about you, Merlin, only I couldn't quite fathom out what. Magic wouldn't have been the first thing that leapt into my mind... but you'd already wormed your way into my friendship. I doubt I could have seen you killed... exiled maybe, but I hate to admit I would've missed you."

"Even in those early days?" Merlin asked doubtfully.

"You were such a bad servant you amused me... and you were the only one who answered me back. That was a refreshing change. God, I'd have been saddled with a yes man like George!"

The two friends shared a wide grin, the cobalt blue of Arthur's eyes deepening, while Merlin's twinkled and the corners creased with genuine laughter.

Looking on, their little confrontation informed Matthew that he wasn't the only one who was allowing the past to interfere with the present, but it appeared that both Arthur and Merlin looked backwards with kindness and even joy. Perhaps it was time that he allowed himself to do the same. Matthew was snatched from his reverie by Arthur continuing to talk.

"But getting back to Cornelius Sigan, I'll let Merlin explain as he understands much more about him than I do."

"Sigan had been a very talented sorcerer way back in the day when the Citadel was built, but he'd become too powerful, wanted much more than the ancient kings were willing to offer." Merlin took a deep breath before continuing. "The long and short of the story was that he fought them, was defeated and his corpse was buried in a vault under Camelot. I've no idea why the powers that be decided that was a good thing."

"Perhaps his followers did that in secret. I'm sure Sigan would have given them orders..."

"Possibly," Merlin acceded. "Anyway, none of that's important. Come our time in Camelot and Sigan managed to possess a greedy sneak thief..."

"Cedric?" Matthew put in, following the tale with a great deal of interest. If it hadn't been for the urgency and the danger of their present situation, he would have been enthralled listening to all these reminiscences.

"Exactly! Cedric heard of the riches that had been uncovered and he wanted some of them for himself..."

"Only he got more than he bargained for," Arthur interrupted, unable to keep quiet.

"He did. He saw the huge heart-shaped sapphire on the sarcophagus and thought to steal it..."

"Only, he didn't realise he was releasing Sigan's spirit..."

Merlin set his hands on his hips and threw Arthur another look of protest. "Who's telling this story?"

Arthur's head bent slightly to the side in apology. "You are!" Though he couldn't resist adding with a smirk. "Go on!"

"Thanks a bunch!" Merlin bowed his head in mock humility. "Sigan's spirit was encased in that stone and when it was extracted, his life-force flowed into Cedric, leaving behind a colourless heart of glass." Merlin paused, wondering how deeply he should go into detail, and coming to the conclusion to be brief. "In the sake of getting to the point, I won't elaborate on the fight, but I did defeat Sigan and sent him back to the other world. Uther had the tomb blocked up with the strict decree that it never be opened again."

"And Camelot was repaired and life went on," Arthur finished, but suddenly another question came to mind, which had completely alluded him back in the day. "What happened to Cedric? Was he killed?"

"His body was never found. He certainly wasn't amongst the dead or injured." Merlin contemplated with a slight lift of his shoulders. "I assume he woke up without any memories of being possessed and decided he should make himself scarce. At least, we never saw him in Camelot again."

Another silence stretched out for a few moments as each deliberated over the ancient story until Matthew enquired again. "So we're really looking for this heart-shaped sapphire?"

"We are, only it will just be clear glass at present because Sigan has taken over another body," Merlin said, his lips twisting anxiously.

"OK. It's a fantastic story and I wouldn't believe half of it if I didn't already know the truth," Matthew admitted ruefully. "But you've omitted to tell me one thing. Who has Sigan possessed this time?"

Exchanging another glance of approval at Matthew's intellect - clearly, he was a quick study - Arthur chose to answer.

"Mark Cornwallis. The CEO of Sigan Fuels."

Matthew nodded, a slight gleam beginning to light his eyes. "Am I right in saying that they're a fairly new business?"

"You are. In fact, from what I've learned of Cornwallis, he was a fairly nondescript employee of an investment bank who suddenly developed some business acumen around five years ago. He left the bank and bought into a very small energy firm. Since then, he's led it to be one of our main competitors... and no one quite understands why."

"You seem to know a lot about Cornwallis," Merlin said with some grudging admiration.

"Hey, I'm not that idiot King Arthur who expected everything to drop into his lap. I do work for Camelot Industries and part of my job is to keep an eye on the competition, especially ones who appear to have a meteoric rise."

"Could something have happened to Cornwallis five years ago?" Matthew pushed the discussion on.

Merlin's eyes were twinkling again. "Like finding an old tomb and being possessed by Sigan."

"It would certainly explain the quick change in his character," Arthur agreed, pouting, his hands straying over the old map, unconsciously hovering over Exmoor and the mark of a small incline. "And the very unusual speed of Sigan Fuels' success in the market.

"Then, instead of looking for Camelot, perhaps we should be looking into what Cornwallis was doing five years ago before he changed personalities... and where he was doing it," Merlin suggested, his long fingers stroking his chin.

"That's a walk in the park. Consider it done!" Matthew grinned broadly as the two others joined in. Strangely, an air of optimism had crept into their emerging comradeship.

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Upstairs, in her shaded bedroom, Anna slumbered on, pale of face with her dark hair coiled about her, stark on the white pillow case. The crisp cotton sheet was pulled up to her neck while a light quilt lay bundled close to the bottom of the bed and partly draped on the floor, testament to the heat of the day.

Her heavy-lashed lids fluttered haphazardly on her cheeks as the eyes behind moved frantically back and forth. Dreams filled her sleep... vivid, colourful, disturbing pictures spooled through her unconscious mind.

Anna forced herself awake, clawed her way back to awareness, back to the well-recognised, peaceful setting of her bedroom; a safe haven for all the formative years of her life. As she did so, the confusing images faded until they were lost in the deepest paths of her mind, unable to be recalled except in nightmares... perhaps.

Holding herself upright on shaking arms, Anna panted until her breathing slowed and she was able to look about her, at last. Waiting by her side, she spotted an anxious Gwen sitting in her favourite wicker chair.

"Are you OK?" Gwen asked, a worried frown drawing her brows together.

Anna gave herself a few more seconds before she answered. "Yes. I am now. I think I had a horrible dream, only I can't even remember what I was dreaming about." As she became more cognizant, she noticed her friend's skin had blanched and Gwen's hands gripped the arms of the chair. "Was I talking in my sleep or something. You look really upset."

"No! No. I was just a bit concerned about you. I mean, you've been through a lot recently, being kidnapped and all. Are you sure you're fine? You don't remember anything? Anything at all of your dream... or anything else?" Gwen couldn't resist fishing.

Again, Anna examined her memory before she answered, "Definitely not. My mind's a complete blank. I doubt it could've been anything too important though..."

"Being abducted isn't exactly a small thing!" Gwen cut in, her voice sharper than her normal dulcet tone.

"Perhaps not. But this was just a stupid dream." She smiled brightly to reassure Gwen she was feeling better and stretched her arms above her head. "What time is it? I feel I've been asleep for ages. In fact, I've hardly done anything else since I came home."

"You were kept in a drugged state for a few days," Gwen pointed out, clasping her hands together to prevent them from shredding the wicker seat. They felt unusually clammy. She'd been where Anna was now, but she'd committed more wicked crimes. Thankfully, even if Anna did remember the happenings of the last few days, she hadn't killed anyone. "It's no wonder you're sleepy."

This time, Anna frowned. She wasn't a journalist for nothing. "But why would Eloise Blessed capture me and drug me? She didn't want or need a ransom. I checked her out before I went to meet her - I always do perspective clients - her balance sheets are more than healthy."

Biting at her lips, this time Gwen took a few seconds to answer. Just how much could she tell Anna without alerting her to the long distance past? "Arthur's theory is probably the most promising." Anna's eyebrows rose in question causing Gwen to swallow, offer Arthur a silent apology if he should decide she'd acted in error, and plunge into an explanation. "He believes Eloise has an accomplice, someone who wants to bring Camelot Industries down. You were targeted to keep us off balance."

There was another lengthy pause as Anna pushed back the covers and slid over to the edge of the bed, her bare feet sinking into the plush carpet. She leaned forward to take Gwen's hands, surprised to find them trembling slightly. "I'm sorry, Gwen. I know this has probably been told to me before, but these last few days since I've been home seem a bit of a haze to me. You say I was drugged, so I expect that's why." She gave a tiny tremulous laugh. "I mean, part of me still thinks Eloise wanted to hire me as a journalist, but I guess that's totally untrue." She looked at their linked hands. Once again, she felt the closeness which had grown between herself and Gwen since Arthur had introduced them when they were students. Somehow the ties had loosened in the hectic bustle of their professional lives. Glancing up, she was happy to see that same deep bond reflected in Gwen's brown eyes. "Arthur's theory? Will you explain that again?"

Here, at least, Gwen felt on solid ground. Telling Anna about Sigan Fuels was probably a safe topic. It would only be when the subject turned to Sigan himself that she might risk triggering Anna's memory. Gwen decided to leave that part of the story to Merlin, Arthur, or perhaps Ygraine.

"Camelot Industries has come under attack by a new competitor, who's not above using devious, complex and downright lies to gain an advantage..."

"They didn't hurt my father?" Anna's question came at Gwen like quicksilver, sharp, uneasy and not totally devoid of fear.

"No! Definitely not." Actually, Gwen and the others had wondered about that, but neither Merlin nor Richard could find any proof that Benedict's illness was triggered by magic. She was able to speak with some conviction. "Anna, your father had a massive stroke. In this house. No one provoked it."

Anna stood up and walked to her dressing table where she stared into the mirror. "Thank God for that... though that's hardly an appropriate response. I'd prefer it had never happened, but I guess we can't order our lives. Fate always takes a hand... and Mum's been telling him for ages now that he works too hard... that he ought to slow down and hand some more responsibility over to Arthur." She toyed with the jewellery box on the table. "But that's not Daddy."

"I think he'll have to hand over the reins of Camelot now." Gwen rose and walked closer to her friend. "Anna, I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, but your father's prognosis isn't great... but he will live and you'll all have a chance to spoil him and make him happy."

Anna's laugh was a little hysterical. "Oh, he'll hate that. He likes to be in charge... even when it comes to giving gifts. He never lets Mum choose, which is why I end up with something totally ridiculous like this. Look. Is this something you'd see me pick? But he does mean well. Oh, Daddy. I did actually wear it once, just for his sake..." Tears glittered in her eyes as a heavily ornate diamond pendant trickled through her fingers before she turned, giving herself a mental shake. "But you're right. We should be grateful he's alive. Now tell me all about this unscrupulous rival. I'm a reporter... and I'm home. I want to help save my family."

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Once more, I'd love to hear from any of you who have time to comment. Please let me know if this story is still holding your interest. I know it's a much longer story than I'd first thought of and I do hope I'm not just rambling on. I always think a story knows when it should end, and I don't feel I've reached that stage yet. There is still the odd villain to confront and a few loose ends to tie up. Looking forward to reading your reviews... if there are any!