Madelyn rode fast and hard. She had no idea exactly where Merlin was but she could feel how she got closer and closer.

Pain.

Cold.

Darkness.

Night and day mixing, what time was it? Merlin had a vague memory of Arthur's face, a smile and then cold. His body was shaking, why wouldn't it stop? Why was he laying on hard floor? Was it even floor, or was it ground? Why did his chest hurt? Merlin closed his eyes, or tried to. Did he succeed? He didn't know.

Wait...

Warmth.

Light.

A bright light suddenly appeared in his vision, it felt nice and warm. Someone suddenly appeared form it. Wait, that's...

"M-maddy?"

The whisper leaving her brothers lips was close to nothing, but Madelyn knew he was alive. She barely noticed a shocked William dropping his water skin as he saw her, all her focus was on her pale brother.

Dropping by his side, Madelyn felt William kneel beside her as she assessed Merlin's situation.

"He's fading."

William, quickly removed his own cloak and layed it on top of Merlin, over Lancelot's. "Please tell me you have something to help him." William spoke, not sounding to surprised that Madelyn showed up.

Madelyn stoped and looked up at the knight beside her. "I do." Standing up she ran to the saddle bag on her horse and picked up vial that she was given by the druids. As she turned around, she stumbled over some of the rocks by the side of the river and fear filled her as she fell forward.

As if time passed very slow, the vial flew out of her hand and as it hit the rocks by the waterside it broke into million pieces. Madelyn felt her heart freeze as she saw the few trickles of water of Avalon get washed away and mixing with the water from the river. Madelyn could nothing but stare at the rocks where the last hope for saving her brother washed away.

Strong, warm hands suddenly helped her up from her shocked state. A warm, kind and familiar voice spoke to her as tge warm embrace held her tight as they helped her closer to her brother again. A hand found it's way to her cheek and turned her face to meet the warm, dark eyes she loved.

"Madelyn." Lancelot's hand gently whiped away the tears that fell down her cheek. As he opened his mouth to speak again they were interrupted by a loud gasp.

"What is that?" The two quickly turned their eyes to where now William sat as if he fell down backwards, his sword pointed towards the water.

"Madelyn. Lancelot. William." A voice that sang their names seemed to put Madelyn in a calming state and she watched as some water rose from the river and formed round shapes above them in the air. The water in the river also seemed to shimmer and as Madelyn moved her eyes towards her brother she knew what was needed and she kneeled beside him and helped his hand reach out to the water. As Merlin's hand reached the water, the water seemed to make it's way up his hand and arm.

"Lancelot. Madelyn." As a face seemed to appear in the droplets from the water, William stood up with his hand raised in alarm.

"We bear you no harm. We wish only to help."

"What are you?" William spoke up.

"We are Vilia, spirits of the brooks and streams, called here by the water from the lake of Avalon to help you. The tear in the veil has upset the balance of the world. Good spirits as well as roam freely. But this perilous state cannot continue for long."

"Prince Arthur is riding to the Isle of the Blessed. He intends to heal the veil." Lancelot now spoke, his voice and body showing much more calm than his fellow knight.

"He will need help. From all of you." The spirits words made Madelyn turn and share a glance with Lancelot, but William spoke up again.

"My friend is sick. I need to get him to Camelot."

"Merlin is stronger than you give him credit for. The young warlock has great power and a future that has been written since the dawn of time. Do not worry. Even now, my sisters begin healing him." At the soft voice spoke, they all looked at Merlin and now all his body was shimmering, his body looking much less pale.

"Thank you." Madelyn spoke up as she moved so Merlin's head layed on her knees.

"You are all tired. You must rest." Lancelot smiled at Madelyn and Merlin, but as Vilia spoke, he looked around.

"We need to find shelter."

"You are all safe here."

"The Dorocha."

"We will stay with you and protect you through the night." And just as the Vilia had spoken the promise, the air felt warmed and lit up in a warm, yellow light. The tiny water droplets seemed to form a sort of protecting, warming barrier from the Dorocha. Smiling in relief and gratitude, Madelyn turned her head down to look at her brother. Gently she caressed his cheek. Lancelot soon kneeled beside her and smiled as he found Merlin asleep, looking much better.

"Wait... warlock?"

William and patiently listened as Lancelot spoke about Merlin, explaining and defending his best friend. But it was soon very obvoius that there was no need to defend anyone as William seemed more happy and excited than anything. And also he had already suspected it some time now. When Madelyn asked what he felt about it he shrugged and smiled, "It's still Merlin we're talking about." And soon after that they all fell asleep, Madelyn resting by Lancelot's side.

Lancelot slowly opened his eyes, blinking at the bright daylight. Turning his head he looked but didn't find the woman that fell asleep in his arms. Thinking it might have been a dream he turned his head to where Merlin would be resting but he wasn't there!

Hurrying up to find the ones missing, Lancelot yelled out Merlin's name but failed to notice his fellow knight sleeping on the ground and suddenly Lancelot's face met the ground, and a newly awakened William looked at him confused.

"Sch!" Before either of the knights could speak up they were schushed by a familiar voice, making them look up to see the young warlock balancing on stones in the water. A few second they stared at the young man fishing but they were interrupted by a small chuckle.

"You two should see your own faces." Simultaneously the two knights looked behind them to see the smiling face of Madelyn who had her arms full of firewood. "Besides, what are you two doing on the ground?" Lancelot opened his mouth to speak.

"Breakfast!" Merlin yelled as he made his way back and interrupted his best friend.

Madelyn watched smiling as the brownhaired knight stood up, facing her brother with a surprised face.

"Merlin! What...? Why are you...?"

Madelyn saw her brother smirk as he approached the still stunned knight. "What?"

"You're meant to be dying." Madelyn smiled and shook her head as Lancelot scolded Merlin. She knew he wasn't angry that Merlin wasn't dead but still, it did sound like Lancelot was upset and scolded Merlin for being up and alive.

"Sorry." Merlin shrugged his shoulders then handed Lancelot the pointed spear he used for fishing. "Here."

Lancelot, still confused, looked at the stick in his hand. "What's that for?"

"You look like you're going to fall over." William laughed as Lancelot pretend to swing the spear to hit Merlin, but luckily Merlin ducked in time. "Yeah, not as quick as Arthur."

"Oh yeah?" Shaking her head, Madelyn moved towards the horses. She knew Merlin was eager to continue the quest.

"Come on. We need to catch up to the others." Merlin walked behind his sister to the horses.

"No. You're going back to Camelot." Madelyn heard on Lancelot's voice that he was not being playful any longer. She looked over her shoulder and watched the exchange.

"You might be." Merlin kept walking and reached the horses.

"Merlin."

"Say hello to Gaius for me." Madelyn saw how Lancelot tensed up.

"Merlin!" As Lancelot yelled out, everyone stopped and looked at him. Madelyn watched him take a deep breath before he reached down and picked up his sword and cloak and walked towards them. Behind him William smiled and did the same.

"Arthur can't finish this without us." Merlin spoke up as the knights walked up to them.

"Arthur is right about you. You don't ever do as you're told." Madelyn smiled wide as her brother shook his head and greed.

"Nope."

Madelyn mounted her horse and looked down as Lancelot walked up with his horse beside her.

"I guess you're not going back either?" Madelyn shook her head and smiled as she watched her betrothed mount his horse.

"Not without everyone of you." They shared a smile and soon they were all on their way towards the others when William decided to speak up.

"So, Merlin... am I the only one wondering why you didn't use your magic to catch that fish? "

"You told him!?"

So sorry for how long it took to update! I was struggling with trying to write everything into one last chapter but I've decided I wanted to split it again and so there will be a part three aswell. Thank you everyone who comments and likes, it gives me a huge boost to continue write!

Almandra