Thankfully William's questions about Merlin's powers were hindered by the fact that they all needed to ride as much distance as they could during the daylight. As evening approached they reached a small cabin. Merlin and Lancelot dismounted and Lancelot walked up to Madelyn.

"Wait here." Madelyn nodded and smiled but bit her lip worried as the two she cared for the most entered the cabin.

"You truly love him don't you?" William's voice snapped Madelyn back and she turned and looked at the blond knight.

"Yes, I do. With all my heart." As she answered, William smiled.

"I'm glad. All the time he was away from you, all he talks about is you. And I'm not only talking about the last year, I mean before we even came to help you all get Camelot back." At Williams words, Madelyn couldn't help but blush. Thankfully Merlin walked out to tell them they would be staying here tonight before she had to find an answer to that.

Madelyn watched as William and Merlin seemed to have a genuine conversation by the fire. Even without hearing what they said she understood that she would be interrupting if she walked closer, so instead she stayed where she stood.

A loud whispering in her ear made her almost jump. "Don't tell me you're eavesdropping." Smiling she turned around.

"Me? I would never." As Madelyn met the eyes of her love she saw him raise an eyebrow. "I'm just... worried." Madelyn wrapped her arms around herself as she walked up to one of the small windows.

"Why?" Lancelot's warm arms pulled her away slightly from the threat outside the window and her back met his chest. Madelyn rested her head back in his shoulder.

"I know what Merlin is doing and what he thinks must be done." Her voice was low and weak and Lancelot wanted to pull her even closer if it what possible.

"And what is you think he thinks must be done?" His voice lowered itself aswell, equal to Madelyn's.

"Merlin wants to save Arthur who is sacrificing himself to seal the rift. Well... not save." Madelyn took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "Merlin wants to take Arthur's place. He knows that Arthur needs to come back."

Lancelot closed his eyes aswell when he heard the pain in Madelyn's voice. His heart cried with hers.

Quietly, Madelyn continued. "The worst part is... I know he's r-right." Madelyn's whispering voice broke at the end of the sentence and the tears left her eyes as she confessed what she feared but knew all along.

Gently Lancelot turned her around in his arms so her cheek rested on his chest and she cried. Her quiet crying made his own heart cry even more and he hugged her tighter.

"P-please don't leave me aswell..." Madelyn's plea made Lancelot's heart ache even more. She sounded like she was in pain and the fear was making his skin crawl. "Promise m-me...please." Madelyn pulled away slightly and looked up at him.

Her pained, tear stained face made his voice get stuck in his throat and all he could do was nod and kiss her. Pulling her back into his arms he wished he could hold that promise.

The first thing Madelyn noticed was how cold she suddenly got which made her wake up. Stirring slightly she looked around sleepy to see if Lancelot's cape had fallen off her but as she looked down she saw it over her. What would make her so cold? Looking up she noticed her brother sitting up on the other side of the room. Why was he awake-?

A loud scream filled the air and Madelyn realised all the fire and candles in the room was out. The Dorocha!

"Lancelot!"

"Will!"

The siblings yelled the others awake as they both saw the haunting shape appear in the cabin with them and soon they all ran outside to escape the Dorocha.

As they all ran through the trees, Merlin first, then Will, Madelyn and last Lancelot, Madelyn heard Merlin starting to chant loud words. His words sounded much deeper and richer than his normal voice, and if she hadn't been running from Dorochas she probably would've been smiling in awe of her brother's power.

Soon they all reached a clearing in the woods but all Madelyn could focus her mind on was the scream getting closer and closer from the Dorocha. Lancelot now grabbed Madelyn's hand and ran but Madelyn felt the cold air coming closer from behind them. Just as Madelyn thought she was done for, a huge warmth came from behind and the cold disappeared. But before Madelyn could realise what happened another Dorocha came from infront of them and Madelyn pulled Lancelot back as he didn't see it and all of a sudden the same warmth appeared and a huge fireball made the Dorocha disappear.

Slowly Madelyn moved her eyes from the spot where the fire hit the ground to where it came from. Madelyn felt her heart jump. That was- !

Madelyn barely had a second to look upon the Great Dragon before she was pulled behind Lancelo who didn't hesitate to face the new threat with courage.

"It's alright. It's alright." Merlin's voice sounded and stoped the two knights from attacking before he bowed to the dragon. "Thank you."

"Who are your friends?" The dragon sounded much less scary than Madelyn expected, but she understood his anger as the last time he faced knights of Camelot they were going to kill him. In their defence he was attacking Camelot to destroy it. And also she lost-...

Quickly blinking away her tears and memories she moved beside Lancelot and bowed her head respectfully. This was not missed by the dragon.

"Well, I can only assume this is the sister." The dragon got what Madelyn took as an amused look on his face as he probably saw the resemblance between her and Merlin. Smiling she nodded.

"Yes, my name is Madelyn. Thank you for saving us." As Madelyn spoke the dragon laughed out some smoke and looked towards Merlin.

"No, thank you. If what I've heard is correct, you are the reason as to why Merlin is still alive." Madelyn blushed slightly as the dragon bowed to her and she bowed back again, not really sure about the etiquette for when meeting a Dragon.

The dragon continued " I like her. At least she has the manners to thank me when I'm helping you. You could learn a thing or two from your sister, young warlock."

Merlin opened his mouth to object when William who finally found his voice blurted out. "I'm William!" Thankfully Lancelot saved the embarrassment and continued to introduce himself aswell.

"And I'm Lancelot." And this caught the dragon's attention.

"Of course. Sir, Lancelot. The bravest and most noble of them all."

Of course, Lancelot beeing Lancelot, didn't agree. "I'm not sure that's true." As he did he glanced at William who simply shrugged smiling, still lost in awe from seeing the last dragon.

"We shall see. For now, there are more pressing things at hand. The Dorocha cannot be allowed to remain in this world. The sundered veil must be restored."

"We are on our way to the Isle of the Blessed to help Arthur heal it." Lancelot spoke up.

"Indeed. But at what price?" Kilgharrah spoke up. Madelyn grabbed Lancelot's hand tighter as Merlin spoke up.

"I know that the spirit world demands a sacrifice." Madelyn closed her eyes and drowned out the conversation the best she could. She didn't want to listen to what she already knew and feared. Lancelot wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his chest but he kept his eyes on the warlock, his eyes showing a new determination.

Unbeknownst to anyone was the eyes that belonged to the blond knight who watched everyone's reaction.

"It will be an empty world without you, young warlock."

Madelyn felt the tears fall down her cheeks as the Dragon spoke, but as Merlin was about to turn around she quickly whiped them away. She didn't want Merlin to see how much this pained her and so he would feel discouraged.

As daylight broke they found their horses unharmed and continued on their journey. Merlin and William rode side by side before them and spoke, as Madelyn and Lancelot rode behind them. Madelyn's eyes were glued to her brother as she thought of everything.

"What is on your mind?" Lancelot's soft voice made Madelyn snap her head towards him startled. As she saw his wondering and worried face she looked back to the back of her brother's head as she spoke.

"About how unfair and wrong this is. How wrong I am."

"Wrong? You? What do you mean?" As he spoke he reached over and took one of Madelyn's gripping hands from the reins and held it gently.

"I am riding with my brother, following him closer and closer to his ... death." Madelyn closed her eyes as she whispered out the last words, feeling the tears fall down her cheeks.

William had just started asking Merlin about if he really would be sacrificing himself.

"I look at you and wonder about myself. Would I knowingly give up my life for something?" William asked smiling.

As Merlin answered he looked at his blond friend. "You have to have a reason. Something or someone you care-..." As he spoke next he looked back over his shoulder and suddenly saw Madelyn's teary face. His heart cried out in pain. He knew how much this must pained her, and he wished with all his heart he didn't have to do this. He would miss the bright future between his sister and her knight. He would miss their wedding, their children but if he didn't do this they might never be able to even live to get married, much less have children. Feeling his throat tighten he coughed slightly and turned back. "...care about. Something that's more important than anything." He quickly exchanged a look with William before he kicked his horse to gallop. William held his reins as he watched the pained faces of Madelyn and Lancelot pass him before he galloped aswell. His mind filled with many confusing thoughts.

After riding for a couple of hours they came to a halt by the top of a hill . Ahead of them layed what surely was an abandoned fortress and it had smoke coming out of it.

"Looks like someone beat us to it." William spoke as they all watched the smoke rise.

"Bandits?" Merlin spoke making Lancelot tilt his head in a way of answering that it was possible.

"Think we'll make it by nightfall?" Madelyn spoke up as she saw how the sun was getting lower.

"There's only one way to find out. Ya!" Lancelot kicked his horse into a gallop and they all soon galloped with the last of their horses powers to reach the fortress before dark.

Madelyn smiled and relaxed as they reached some other horses which Merlin quickly recognised as the rest of the company. They all tied their horses together with the rest before walking towards where voices was heard. Merlin cringed slightly as the door Lancelot opened squeaked loud, warning everything and everyone about their approach.

Lancelot and William walked up in front, hiding Madelyn and Merlin behind them. They all still heard Arthur speak up as he noticed who was approaching.

"Lancelot? William? How's Merlin?" Madelyn smiled slightly as she heard the worry in his voice, he truly cared. Lancelot's answer made her smile even wider.

"Bad news...he's still alive." Merlin walked up and Madelyn followed. She knew Arthur wouldn't be to happy to see another person in danger on this quest.

Actually Arthur wasn't upset at all that Madelyn was among the others. As they all told him the story of how Gaius had sent her with what might have been a cure he was just grateful and complemented her on her courage to leave Camelot and risking her life. Madelyn, Merlin, Lancelot and William decided beforehand on this story. Madelyn was simply on her way to find the prince and his party when she was lucky and happened upon Lancelot and William with the sick Merlin and that's why Merlin looked so much better.

Gwaine soon praised her even more when he realised she still had lots of food in her saddlebags, and soon they all ate and rested by the huge fire together. Thankful for the rest and tired from all the worry, Madelyn quickly fell asleep in the arms of the one she loved. The couple looked so cute not even Gwaine wanted to wake them up from their sleep to watch the fire, waiting until morning broke and he had to wake them.

They rode early and in silence, everyone tense and not sure about what would be waiting for them.

Madelyn looked around as she sat between Merlin and Lancelot in the boat towards the Isle of the Blessed. The dark fog sending shivers down her spine, the silence only disturbed by the few gloomy cries from creatures no one knew what they were.

Soon they all walked through the ruins when one cry sounded very close to them, making everyone draw their weapons as Madelyn and Merlin was pushed towards the middle of the group for safety.

"What is that?" Leon spoke up and Gwaine answered.

"I really hope I'm wrong..."

They all stood in an open area as the sound of wings was heard.

"Wyvern!" Arthur called out as the creature was sighted. It flied closer and attacked, luckily no one was injured but as soon as one flied of, another wyvern attacked and Percival was hit.

Suddenly Madelyn heard a deep whispering voice beside her, and she realised Merlin was using his powers as a Dragonlord to make them go away. Madelyn stood slightly infront of him so she hid him the best she could and soon the wyverns flew away, but as Madelyn looked at Merlin she knew it was only a matter of time until they attacked again.

"We need to keep moving!" Arthur called out again and Madelyn was pushed to continue. As they all entered a new part of the castle, Elyan, Leon and Percival offered to stay back to fend them off as the rest continued. Madelyn held tightly onto her brother as she ran with the rest to continue.

Soon the six walked through a huge door which lead them to an area, darker than any other part of the Isle and Madelyn couldn't take her eyes of the huge mass of darkness that filled most of the room. She knew in her heart that this was the tear they needed to mend, and she squeezed Merlin's hand tighter by instinct as they all walked towards the stone monument infront of the tear.

The voice that spoke next was truly cold and scared Madelyn to the core.

"It is not often we have visitors."

"Put an end to this. I demand you to heal the tear between the two worlds." Arthur spoke up, seemingly not faced by the cold woman that stood before them.

"It was not I who created this horror. Why should it be I who stops it?" The woman who Madelyn knew to be the Cailleach answered Arthur.

"Because innocent people are dying." Merlin spoke up beside Madelyn.

"Indeed." The Cailleach laughed maniacally making Madelyn grip Merlin's hand even tighter, now in both fear but also anger at her words. Apparently her words angered others aswell and Gwaine called out in rage as he tried to attack the Cailleach but soon fell down on the floor, unconscious by the powerful Cailleach. "Is that the best you can do?"

Arthur walked up and spoke to the Cailleach but Madelyn was slightly distracted as she noticed Lancelot walk closer to her and Merlin.

Just as Arthur spoke up the words "I'm prepared to pay whatever price is necessary." Madelyn's fear kicked in. As Merlin slightly walked forward and casted a spell making Arthur fly backwards and fall unconscious, Madelyn opened her mouth to start to beg Merlin to stay. Just as her hands reached out to grab her brother again, she felt a cloth over her mouth making her words die down. Merlin turned around with a sad, apologetic face as Madelyn felt her knees and body get weak as she was moved by familiar arms to the ground. Her eyelids felt heavy as she looked up at the pained face of her fiance. Her love. Her heart. Her all.

She saw his mouth move, apologizing as small tears fell down his cheeks. As he kissed her forhead she realised why he was so sad. He was not just apologizing, he was saying goodbye.

With the last of her powers, Madelyn reached up and weakly grabbed his chainmill and managed to croak out a weak whisper. "Y-you ... promised." As she did, Lancelot closed his eyes, shameful as he let her down, laying her completely on the cold, stone ground before he stood up. Madelyn felt her head tilt slightly and she watched as her brother stood by the Cailleach, clearly ready to give his life. She also watched as the man she loved walked towards the veil, his steps so slow it seemed like hours. Madelyn had to blink once as the tears the escaped her eyes almost made her blind.

She tried to move her legs, arms and fingers but she was helpless as she had to watch everything before her. Helpless as the tears fell down onto the hard, cold stone under her. Helpless as her heart broke into million pieces.

As Madelyn fought the darkness and heaviness of her eyelids, she think she saw a figure appear behind Lancelot but that was all. Then her world went dark.

Lancelot walked with heavy steps. Nothing had even been so hard as to see Her eyes and face as she realised what he intended to do. Not only did he betray her when he took the cloth given to him by Merlin, to her mouth, but he broke the promise he made her.

His whole beeing felt shattered. His mind and heart screamed to him turn back to look at the one he no longer deserved.

Suddenly he found himself on the floor, his head pounding as if he was hit. Turning his head he met the eyes of his friend.

"You're truly an idiot for even trying to leave her, Lance." Shocked, Lancelot watched his blonde friend smile before turning toward the veil and enter it.

"William!"

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