Mary has left the castle early. It is a sunny spring day and she enjoys the warmth that the sun's rays leave on her face. In front of Gwen's house she stops and knocks. When no one answers, she opens the door. Gwen doesn't seem to be here. Strange, Mary thinks, actually they had arranged to meet. But probably Gwen has to work at Morgana's on short notice.

Mary is a little disappointed. She had been looking forward talking to Gwen, hoping it would distract her a bit.

A little girl approaches her. "Here, a present for you! Daddy's all better!" she says joyfully. She holds out a small bouquet of flowers to Mary.

Mary smiles and accepts the bouquet. She continues walking towards the forest. At her favorite place near the waterfall, she sits down on a stone. She puts the bouquet in the water and watches the flowers float away. "I'm thinking of you dad! How wonderful it would be, if we could celebrate today together, just as we have done long ago." Sobbing, Mary puts her face in her hands.

After an hour, Mary makes her way back. She has some herbs in her basket and hopes Gaius won't ask too many questions. When she passes Gwen's house again, she knocks again. She is surprised when Merlin opens to her. "Merlin? Is Gwen there?"

"No, I'm looking for her! She didn't show up for work, and Arthur and Morgana are worried. Though I'm not so sure about the latter."

Mary goes into the cottage and looks around. Gwen's cloak is on the bed and a scouring hoe lies across the table. Lost in thought, Mary picks it up. Merlin picks up a linen cloth from de floor. It's soaked in a liquid. Mary takes it from him, frowning, and smells it lightly. Mary knows the smell and immediately feels dizzy. She tries to hold on to the table but her legs give out. Merlin has been watching her and grabs her arm. He helps her sit down on the bench. Mary takes two deep breaths in and out to clear her head. Then she looks at Merlin and says, "I think Gwen's been kidnapped!"

Merlin nods, "We have to tell Arthur."

Together they enter the prince's chambers. Merlin holds the piece of cloth in his hand and Arthur asks, "What is this?"

"We found it at Gwen's house."

"It's a piece of cloth!"

"I know."

"She's a dressmaker. Why would that matter?"

"Smell it."

Merlin holds out the cloth to the prince. He takes it and smells it.

Mary calls out, "Just a moment, Sire!" But it is already too late.

Arthur rolls his eyes and threatens to fall down, if it weren't for Merlin and his magic. He quickly moves a chair behind Arthur, whereupon he falls down, dazed.

It takes Arthur a moment to regain full consciousness. "What is it?"

Mary answers the question, "It's a mixture of hogweed and valerian."

"You could take a man out with it." Arthur rubs his head.

Merlin nods, "Yes, or a woman?"

Realization shows on Arthur's face. Immediately he goes to his father and Morgana and tells them of his suspicions. "The guards saw her leave the castle at the usual time. Nothing more."

Uther asks, "Why are you telling me this?"

"I think Gwen has been kidnapped. I want to organize a search party."

"That would not be appropriate."

"Father?"

"She's just a maid."

"She's your ward's maid!"

"All right, send some guards to search the lower town."

"And the surrounding area?"

"You have until dawn."

"I don't know if I can do that..."

"I have a kingdom to protect. I can't waste valuable resources searching for a servant, whatever happened."

Arthur bows and leaves the hall. Mary thinks she sees a smile on Morgana's lips.

When Mary is in her room that evening, she tries to distract herself with some more reading. She has taken a thick anatomy book from Gaius with her. But her thoughts keep returning to Gwen. She is worried about her friend.

Suddenly there is a light knock at the door. Mary is no longer expecting anyone, "Who is it?"

"It's Merlin. May I come in for a moment?"

"Of course!"

Merlin opens the door and comes to Mary, who is sitting up in bed. He sits down on the edge of the bed. "Sorry to bother you."

"That's all right. I can't sleep anyway."

"Gwen?"

"Yes. I'm so worried about her!"

"So am I. Arthur and his men couldn't find her anywhere nearby."

Mary looks at the open book on her knees. Merlin clears his throat and hands her a rose. Mary takes it in surprise, "What's it for?"

"You were particularly sad again today. I thought it might cheer you up a bit."

Mary tries to smile, but instead thick tears roll down her cheeks. Merlin looks startled, "Mary, no! I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make it worse!"

"I know...I'm happy about the rose, I really am! What you don't know...it's my birthday."

"What, why didn't you tell me? Why didn't Gaius tell me?"

"He doesn't know."

"Why?" Merlin frowns.

"My father's birthday was on the same day. We celebrated it together every year. So I celebrated my last birthday when I was 15. Since then, never again! I miss him on those days even more than I already do."

Merlin hands her a piece of cloth to dry her tears. After she does that, she looks at Merlin and says, "Thank you for the rose. I'm very happy about it."

Merlin squeezes her hand and stands up. But instead of letting him go, she pulls him down to her and gives him a fleeting kiss on the cheek. Only then does she let him go. Confused and with his heart pounding, Merlin goes back to Gaius. He goes straight to his room and lies down in bed as well. The place where her lips touched his skin tingles and feels warm. With a smile on his lips, he falls asleep.

When Mary comes out of the room the next morning, she bumps into someone unjuiced. It is Gwen, who was carrying a basket full of laundry, which now lies overturned on the floor.

"Gwen!" Mary says happily and immediately helps to gather up the laundry.

Merlin also just comes out of the physicians chambers and is just as happy to see Gwen. He quickly kneels down as well and helps gather the clothes up. "Gwen. Mary and I have been looking all over town for you. Arthur, too! He's been worried sick."

"That's sweet of him. I just had a cold, that's all."

Gwen doesn't look either of them in the eye.

Mary looks at her friend seriously and says, "We went to your house, Gwen. You weren't there!"

"No, I...was..."

Mary catches sight of abrasions on her friend's wrists. Concerned, she points, "Who did this to you?" Merlin looks at her with concern as well.

Gwen says defensively, "No one. It was an accident."

"Gwen, look at us!"

She looks up with tears in her eyes, "It's okay. I'm fine..." Her voice breaks and she can't hold back her tears.

"Oh Gwen!" Mary pulls her into her arms and looks at Merlin.

A little later, all three of them are sitting at the table in Mary's room and Mary puts a mug of tea in front of her friend. Gwen has told them that she had been taken by Cenred's men, to a castle right by the sea, and had met her brother there, who had also been captured. Cenred said that he would let her brother go if she brought him Arthur. If not, she would have to watch her brother die.

Gwen now says, "What I don't understand is how they knew."

Merlin asks, "Knew what? Arthur's feelings for you? It is known that Arthur would give his life for any of his subjects. Cenred could have taken anyone."

"Do you really believe that?" Gwen looks at him uncertainly.

"I know you're back home with your friends and safe. You don't have to go through this alone!" Mary nods.

But Gwen says, "Yes, I do. It's my problem. I'm not going to get Arthur involved."

"Arthur's already involved."

"Not if I keep quiet."

"Gwen," Merlin turns her to face him; "if Arthur was in trouble, wouldn't you want to hear it from him?"

"You know I would want to," Gwen replies resignedly.

A short time later, Mary, Merlin and Gwen are sitting in Arthur's room. Arthur angrily bangs his fist on the table, "It must have been Fyrien's castle, I'm sure of it."

Merlin says, "I've never heard of it."

"Fyrien was a merchant. He built the castle as an outpost in the Sea of Meredor, near the trade routes to the east. When war broke out with Carleon, the trade ended and the castle was abandoned."

"Has it since fallen into disrepair?" asks Mary.

"It was built to last forever. For Cenred, it's the perfect hiding place."

"I don't suppose it's easily accessible."

"No. It will be well defended."

Gwen says, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have spoken."

"You did the right thing. Nothing will happen to your brother, I promise you."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because we're going to save him."

"What do you mean we?" asks Merlin cautiously.

"The four of us."

"Cenred wants you dead. That's why he's doing this!" intervenes Mary.

"I know. Cenred has wanted Camelot's throne for as long as I can remember."

"Then we'll be walking into a trap."

"Not necessarily!" grins Arthur. As if he knows more than he's saying. They agree to ride out at daybreak the next day. So that Uther can't forbid anything, Arthur tells him that for a losing bet, he needs to get clothes in the north. Clothes for Morgana, against whom he had lost the supposed bet. Uther just grins and lets his son go without further ado.

Gaius is more cautious about it. "You're sure Morgana is behind this?"

Merlin pauses in his packing, "She sent information to Cenred. How else would he have known Arthur's feelings for Gwen?"

"I suppose you're right."

"I could tell Arthur what I know..."

"You can't. It would be your word against Morgana, and she is the king's daughter."

"I know. But she has discovered Arthur's sore spot."

"Arthur can't sacrifice himself for Gwen's brother."

"No, of course he can't. We'll save him instead."

"You want to snatch this boy from under Cenred's nose? Morgana knows nothing of this?"

"No."

"Do you both have to go then?" Gaius looks anxiously from Merlin to Mary.

"You know Uther wants me to accompany Arthur wherever possible," Mary says.

Gaius nods sadly. "Take care!"

Mary and Merlin are surprised when Morgana is also standing by the horses outside. "Didn't Arthur inform you? I'll come with you!" she says with a sugary smile, then mounts her horse. Mary and Merlin realize that their whole mission just got complicated.

Mary rides with Gwen right behind Arthur. Merlin and Morgana are the last. Towards evening, they find a resting place, close to the water. Morgana and Merlin look for firewood and Mary looks for wild herbs and mushrooms. Arthur and Gwen set up the sleeping place.

Morgana asks Merlin, "What do you want Merlin? I can find firewood myself!"

"Arthur sent me along. He wants to make sure you're all right."

"How thoughtful of him."

"Well, he cares about you. So does Gwen. They're your friends. They've always been sincere with you."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because I don't understand why anyone would want to hurt their friends."

"No, you're just poisoning them. You'd better stay out of things that don't concern you."

"But they are my business because they are my friends too. And I'll do everything I can, to protect them."

Morgana stands in front of him and says, "I expect nothing less from you."

Her gaze wanders past him deeper into the forest. As Merlin follows her gaze, he sees Mary crouching among the trees, searching for herbs and roots. Morgana says crossly, "But don't forget the powers I have. I know what she means to you. I promise you, if you get in my way, you won't be able to protect her."

She drops her collected wood at his feet and goes back to the campsite.

Meanwhile, Gwen has unloaded all the horses and Arthur tries to build a fire. After some time he says, "Sit down, it tires me to watch you."

"Occupation is good. It takes my mind off brooding."

"You're worried about Elyan."

"I'm always worried about Elyan. He's a person who never settles, never thinks about the future, just follows his heart wherever his heart takes him."

"Doesn't sound so bad."

"But he always manages to be in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"I don't think it's his fault this time."

"No. But even if it was, I'd still be there for him. That's what you do for people you love, isn't it?"

Gwen and Arthur look deeply into each other's eyes, and he nods. Gwen looks away and says, "If anything happens to you, I'll never forgive myself."

"Don't worry. Nothing will happen to me."

Just as they are about to kiss, Morgana returns from the forest. Followed closely by Merlin. Gwen and Arthur drive apart and get busy again with something else.

Morgana smiles in satisfaction.

As the soup simmers and everyone sits around the warming fire, Arthur explains his plan to them. "Cenred has chosen his hiding place well. The castle of Fyrien borders the sea behind. We will be far outnumbered and also sighted before we even reach the gates. We cannot take the road."

Morgana asks, "Is there no other?"

"Yes, there is. When Carleon was defeated by my father at the battle of Denaria, he retreated to the castle of Fyria. It seemed that victory was denied us. But my father knew about a hidden labyrinth under the castle. Fyria was greedy and to avoid Camelot's taxes, he had tunnels built from the castle to the sea. Thus he could secretly smuggle goods into the kingdom."

"And you waylaid Carleon at the end of the tunnel?" says Morgana.

"He never saw us coming. Neither will Cenred."

Mary and Merlin exchange a look. Now Morgana knows of Arthur's plan, too. They probably won't come as much of a surprise to Cenred.

As everyone sleeps, Morgana sneaks away and meets Morgause in the forest. She tells her about the plan. Morgause gives her an enchanted ring to deposit in front of the entrance to the passages to indicate the path Arthur will take. Confident of victory, the sisters separate again.

Merlin notices Morgana returning to the resting place.

The next morning, everyone saddles their horses. Merlin asks Morgana, "Couldn't you sleep?"

She looks at him full of hate, "If you have a problem, why don't you talk to Arthur about it? No? Then keep your mouth shut!"

As they ride on through the thicket, Merlin discovers a snake. He makes it attack Morgana, with his magic, when no one is watching. Her horse shies away and throws her off. Quickly, everyone gets off their horses to help Morgana. "Are you all right?"

"My leg!" says Morgana with a pained face.

Arthur asks, "Can you walk?" Morgana bites her teeth.

Merlin says, "It's her ankle. We have to leave her behind. She can't go on like this."

Arthur sighs, „We don't have that kind of time."

Morgana shakes off his hands vigorously, "I can go on."

Arthur helps her onto the horse, "Mary will treat your ankle later, but for now we must go on!" The castle can already be seen in the distance. Morgana glares angrily at Merlin.

Arthur and Merlin go ahead to assess the situation. Mary at this time bandages Morgana's foot, which is badly swollen. Mary is surprised that she can still walk with it, but says nothing. Together they wait for the men to return.

Merlin and Arthur have arrived in front of the entrances to the tunnels. Merlin asks, "Don't you think it would be easier to sneak into the castle?"

"No, the tunnels are better. They provide an element of surprise."

"No!"

"Are you questioning my decisions?"

"No. It's just a feeling."

"Oh, well, if you got a feeling, we should ignore my lifetime of military experience."

"What if Cenred knows something about the tunnels?"

"I could bet he doesn't know! Come on, don't be such a coward. Let's get the girls."

The five of them sneak toward the tunnels a short time later. Morgana stays to the back of the group. Mary realizes she's in pain.

"Stay close together!" Arthur says, before heading into the dark passage.

Morgana waits until everyone is inside. Then she places the ring Morgause gave her in front of the entrance to the cave and follows the others.

There are skeletons in chainmail everywhere. Arthur bends down and says, "Carleon's last stand."

Merlin looks around: "Where's Morgana?"

"I'm here!" She calls out and joins them.

"Stay together. We need to keep moving." says Arthur, leading the way.

Mary and Gwen follow him, followed by Merlin and then Morgana.

Arthur suddenly stops, "Quiet!" They can hear footsteps ahead of them. Arthur wants to turn around, but sees that they are also coming from behind. They are trapped. "We're surrounded!"

Merlin says, "How did they know we were here?" He glares at Morgana. But she does not react to his glances. All five of them draw a sword. The men come from all sides. Arthur and his friends try to fight them as best they can. Suddenly, one of the men grabs Gwen and holds a sword to her neck. Arthur, Merlin, Mary and Morgana lower their weapons and surrender. As they are led through the tunnel to Cenred, Morgana suddenly trips Mary, who is walking beside her, so that she stumbles and falls. Since her hands are tied behind her back, she cannot intercept her fall with them and turns onto her side, so she wont fall on her face. In the process, she lands on a rock with her chest. The sharp pain leaves her breathless for a moment and her vision goes black.

Merlin, who walks behind Morgana, could observe everything. Morgana turns to him and smiles wickedly. Merlin glares at her and then looks worriedly at Mary, who is lying unconscious on the floor. There is nothing he can do for her in the current situation.

Cenred's men lift Mary up and everyone moves on.

Arthur and the rest are brought before Cenred, who sits on the throne. "Very well, Arthur Pendragon. How kind of you to visit me! And look, you've brought friends with you. Oh, even Lady Morgana."

"Don't come near me, you pig."

The guards drop Mary ungently on the floor next to Arthur. Merlin sees that she is slowly regaining consciousness, but is unable to sit up.

Cenred looks at her dismissively, "The more the merrier."

Arthur replies, "You want me. Let the others go."

"You're right, that would only be fair. But fair's for fools. Take them away!"

Arthur rises angrily, "I won't let you harm them! They're innocent!"

"Innocent? No friend of Camelot is innocent!"

Gwen is taken to Elyan's cell. Discouraged, she sits sinks down on the floor. Her brother looks at her, "You shouldn't have come back. What were you thinking?"

"You might be right. I should know better than that. I hope Arthur can think of something."

"Arthur?" Elyan raises his eyebrow questioningly.

"Prince Arthur. I came with him, his servant Merlin, my friend Mary, and Lady Morgana."

"Prince Arthur of Camelot?" Elyan can't believe what he's hearing.

"Yes Elyan, Prince Arthur of Camelot."

"Why would he help you?"

"Why not?"

"Because he's a prince and you're a servant?"

"He doesn't care about that. He's, you know, chivalrous."

"Right. Is he that to all the maids in Camelot?"

"No...yes...I mean..."

Elyan smiles incredulously at his sister, "It looks like your life has changed, Guinevere."

"Yes, it seems so."

"I'm glad."

Gwen looks worried, "I wonder where the others are. And I hope Mary is all right. She's been hurt."

Morgana is not put in a cell, but meets with Cenred and Morgause in the throne room. "What have you done with Arthur?"

"He's safely under lock and key."

"Why don't we kill him now?"

"How cold-hearted you have become!" Says Cenred to Morgana.

Morgause says, "The prince is still of use. He knows more about Camelot's defenses than anyone."

"Arthur will tell you nothing."

"Cenred has his ways!" Morgause smiles wickedly.

Merlin helps Mary sit up. The two of them and Arthur are in a cell together. Mary is pale and Arthur asks concerned, "Are you all right?"

Mary breathes strained, "I'm pretty sure I bruised a rib, if not even broke it. But I'm fine!"

Merlin isn't so sure about that and doesn't take his eyes off her. To Arthur, he says, "I don't understand why we're not dead already."

"Because Cenred wants to torture me first. To find out what I know."

"Aren't you afraid?"

"No. Not the slightest."

"I don't understand how you can't be afraid of pain."

"Oh, I'm afraid of pain. There won't be any, though." Merlin looks at Arthur uncomprehendingly. "There won't be any pain because we're going to break out of this cell and save the others."

"You have a plan?"

"Not as such."

Arthur stands up and takes a closer look at the cell walls and door. Merlin turns to Mary, who is sitting next to him. She is cold sweaty and pale. She tries to smile at him, "Don't look at me so worried. I'll be fine."

"If we get out of here, I don't know how we're going to take you with us, in your current state!"

"I'll be okay. I could swear Morgana brought me down. But then again, maybe I tripped over my own feet."

Merlin shakes his head and whispers, "I've been watching everything. If Arthur is busy right now, I could try to take some of the pain away from you...although I'm not that good with healing spells. What do you think?"

Mary looks to Arthur, who is looking very closely at the door. She nods to Merlin. He holds his hand to her injured torso. She bites her lips to keep from screaming and claws her fingers in his arm. Merlin whispers some unintelligible words and his eyes glow golden. Mary instantly feels that her breathing is easier and the pain decreases a bit.

Relieved, she looks at Merlin, "Thank you!" she whispers.

"It's only for now, but I hope it lasts a little."

Behind Merlin, Arthur clears his throat and looks at the two of them. Merlin still has his hand at Mary's side, which he now, quickly withdraws.

Arthur asks, "Mary, do you think you can walk? Maybe run a little?" Mary nods. "Good, then I'll explain my plan!"

Elyan and Gwen sit silently in their cell. Elyan finaly says, "You're mad at me, aren't you?"

Gwen looks up, "A little! Where have you been, Elyan?"

"Here and there."

"Four years ago you left us. And never a word since. You could have been dead."

"I wanted to get in touch. But no suitable time could be found."

"When our father died, it wasn't a suitable time?"

"I'm sorry." Elyan sits down in the straw next to Gwen, "I wasn't very helpful, was I?"

A few cells further, Merlin pounds on the cell door, calling for help. Mary leans against the wall next to him. When a guard finally looks in, Merlin says, "The prince has escaped!"

The guard opens the door and rushes into the cell. Mary sneaks out behind him, into the hallway. Arthur has been holding onto chains on the ceiling and now lets himself fall. The guard is quickly put out of action.

Arthur takes Mary by the hand and together they search for the others.

The guard in front of Gwen and Elyan's cell is quickly defeated by Arthur and he breaks open the cell door. Gwen and Elyan beam at him and his companions. Mary stands next to Merlin. She notices that the pain is getting worse again. Gwen goes to her friend with concern writen all over her face. Arthur looks around the cell and says, "Where's Morgana?"

Gwen replies, "I thought she was with you!"

"They're holding her somewhere. Let's go. Merlin, can you help Mary?"

Merlin nods and puts his arm around Mary. She moans softly in pain.

Just before they reach the passage to the tunnels, Arthur, holds Merlin back, "Take Gwen, Mary and Elyan with you. Protect them with your life."

"And you?"

"I'll find Morgana."

"No, it's too dangerous."

"Sorry, I'm not leaving without her!" Gwen and Elyan turn around as well. Arthur says, "When you get to the horses, ride straight to Camelot. Don't wait for me! Promise Gwen!"

"But I..."

"Promise!"

Gwen looks pleadingly at Arthur but says the words he wants to hear, "I promise!"

Arthur turns and walks in the opposite direction.

Merlin looks at Mary, who has her head leaning against his shoulder. She returns his gaze and says, "It's okay Merlin, go after him."

Gently, he lets go of her. "Elyan! Here, please help Mary. Keep an eye on these two! I'll follow Arthur."

Elyan picks Mary up in his arms and nods to Merlin. They disappear into the corridors just as the warning bells start to sound.

Morgana hears the warning bells and says, "You should have killed him when you could."

"He won't get far. My men will finish him off."

"Cenred, if he gets away..."

Morgause intervenes, "Calm down sister. You are like family to our brave prince. He will not leave without you. And when he comes, I will be waiting for him."

Cenred says, "And then, Lady Morgana, you must play your part well."

"Don't I always?"

When Arthur storms into the hall a few minutes later, Cenred holds Morgana down and threatens her with a sword. Morgana looks helpless and pleads for him to leave her alone. "One more step and she dies," Cenred threatens.

"You're a coward, Cenred. You always have been!"

"Cowards survive, Arthur. Put down your sword."

Morgause comes out from behind a pillar, "Do as he says! You seem surprised."

"Hardly. I know what you're capable of."

"You have no idea."

Morgause causes a pillar of fire to appear, which heads straight for Arthur. The prince takes a few steps backward until he is against the wall. Merlin, who is watching the action through the door, holds out his hand and explodes the pillar with his magic. The force sends everyone to the floor. A part of the ceiling comes loose and pelts down on Morgause and Cenred. They remain motionless.

Arthur gets up, slightly dazed, knocks the dust off his clothes, and helps Morgana stand. "Are you all right?" She nods, but looks startled at Morgause, who is lying on the ground. Merlin rushes into the hall. "Merlin! What the hell are you doing here?" shouts Arthur angrily.

"I thought you might need some help."

"Get out."

Morgana has trouble walking, so Arthur unceremoniously picks her up over his shoulder. Her rant leaving him cold.

They finally get some fresh air and reach the nearby forest, where they left the horses. Gwen and Elyan come out to meet them. Arthur says, "I told you to ride back to Camelot."

Gwen looks at him and replies, "You may be a prince, but I don't always listen to you."

Arthur can't help smiling, "Very well then, let's ride home together now. Where's Mary?"

Gwen points to a nearby tree. "She is not well. She needs to get to Gaius, but we're one horse short."

Arthur nods, "Merlin, take Mary with you on your horse. Then Elyan can have Mary's."

Arthur kneels down in front of Mary and looks at her with concern: "How are you? Can you ride?" Mary bites her lips at the thought, but nods bravely.

Straining, she says, "I have something...for...the pain...with my herbs...in the saddle...bag."

Merlin already comes to her with it. She shows him what she needs and he gives it to her.

As the herbs begin to take effect, the six make their way home. Merlin has Mary in front of him in the saddle. He realizes that every movement is painful for her. But not a sound passes her lips. She leans against him, trying to breathe in a relaxed way.

Arthur asks Morgana, "What did Cenred want from you?"

"He wanted information. I didn't tell him anything."

Arthur smiles proud, "Men like Cenred will never understand that. Camelot was built on trust and loyalty. We will never be defeated as long as we count on those ideals."