As darkness fell over the marshes and the maidens made their way to the main halls, Vivian stood on the balcony of her quarters staring into the sunset. The day was ending, with it the pain that came with loosing a loved one, but also the uncertainty of what tomorrows new day would bring. For all the years she had been the Lady of Avalon, Vivian had never expected her own demise to come about the way it had. The events that had unfolded during the past month, the battle between Uther, the King, and Vortigan's invading armies, the reappearance of the Druids to Avalons shores, the dreaded Christian monks on the neighboring islands and of course – Morgan. No one, not even the Lady herself had foreseen the darkness that followed that woman on her every path through life.

A soft tap on the door brought Viviane back from her visions. "Enter", she called softly, closing the shutters and drawing the curtains across, blocking the dying sunlights red rays. Anya – a young novice and one of Vivians house attendants came in and placed a tray on the small table in front of the fireplace.

"I've brought you some supper My Lady," she said softly, curtsying briefly to the Lady. "Thank you my dear, Viviane replied, taking a seat on a low stool by the fire. "Would you please return those books by the window to the library, and see to my horse? I shall be leaving with Merlin in the morning." She sipped at the herb tea on the tray.

"Yes Milady, shall I have Gianna pack for the journey?" Anya asked collecting the books before heading to the door.

"That won't be necessary, I shall do it myself, I have many things I need to prepare before leaving. No more interruptions if you please, I will need some solitude." Viviane was gazing out the window, again at the last of the dying rays of sun.

"Certainly, good night Lady." Anya quietly slipped out the door, closing it softly behind her. As the echoes of her footsteps down the staircase faded, Vivian finished her tea and began pacing the small room, reciting a mental list of things she needed to collect before leaving in the morning.

Merlin lay in the darkness on a bed of straw and animal hides, eyes closed but not yet sleeping. Like Viviane, he possessed the gift of foresight and the ability to read the future. However, this was not a power he readily used. The world should be left to follow its course, not interrupted by the misconceptions and fears of man – one of the many philosophies developed over generations of existence. Throughout his many manifestations, not all of which are notable, Merlin had had a constant desire in life – to fulfill the Prophecy and bring order from the chaos that had taken over the world. The origins of this and the direction his search for the answer however, has been something of a mystery to those who follow his ways. Except for Viviane.

Cullum