Rose, Gwen, Merlin and the knights were in one of the outlying villages Longstead, a sickness had been plaguing the village and they needed help. Merlin and Gwen were in the hut with sick, while Rose helped the knights pack up as they were going to go back to Camelot to get help from Gaius. It had been a few weeks since the incident with Gaius and Mordred getting banished. She noticed that Gwaine had been off with her. Usually he'd make an excuse to have a conversation but now he barely spoke to her.
"You alright, you seem quiet" said Elyan.
"Yeah, just thinking" said Rose. They were all finally packed up and ready.

They all got their horses and left the village to go back to Camelot. Not long into their journey they found a camp of bandits wondering about, they looked down into it with interest. Leon put his hand out in a halt. They all stopped and waited for the next order.
"Dismount and muzzle your horses, do not make a sound" whispered Leon. They did as they were told went on foot towards the camp. Rose was along side Merlin.
"Bandits" said Rose and Merlin at the same time quietly.
"Looks like it" said Elyan to them.
"We'll skirt their camp, with any luck, we'll reach the plain unnoticed" said Leon. Rose nodded and they all started to slowly walk towards the other side however a scream distracted them all, it sounded really creature like.
"Over there!" shouted Gwaine. He ran into the bandit camp and everyone didn't have a choice they ran after Gwaine and started to fight the bandits. Rose and the knights killed a few before the rest of the bandits ran away screaming.

Rose laughed and looked around to make sure everything was okay. She then felt an evil magic in the air, something wasn't right.
"Over here" called Percival. They went over to him to see he had a creature in his arms. Her jaw dropped, it was horrible looking it looked like a snake with a load of legs and it looked like it either teeth or spikes on their legs.
"I fear we are too late" said Percival. Let it be dead, please let it be dead however as Merlin goes to check on her the eyes of the creature opened revealing a horrible yellow colour and it started screaming loudly. Gwen came over to the group keeping her voice soothing and untied the things while Percival held it. The thing settled down as Percival looked in its yellow eyes.
"Don't touch it" said Rose. Two of its many legs were tied up, leave it tied up. She noticed the fact everyone else was looking at the creature in pity.

They were seeing something else; Rose was the only one to see the creature and it was terrible. Gwen came over to the group keeping her voice soothing.
"It's okay, I'm Gwen, what's your name" said Gwen. She bent forward to untie her, but Rose put her arm out.
"Don't Gwen, it's dangerous" said Rose suddenly as she attempted to stop Gwen touching the creature. Leon pulled her back as she struggled. She couldn't be allowed to move; she was evil, and it was emitting evil magic around the place.
"Lamia, my name is Lamia" said the thing. The voice that came out of the creature was girl like. Not the horrible growl she had expected.

The voice didn't match the body. Lamia, Lamia she had heard of that before. Merlin left to go get medical supplies. She was aware that the group were talking as she tried to remember where she had heard of a Lamia before.
"Your hand" said Merlin attempting to help but she started screaming again. Leon put a hand on his shoulder to stop him before drawing her attention to the creature.
"Don't touch it Merlin, we need to tie it up again, she's evil" said Rose suddenly not caring how mad she sounded. She got the ropes of the ground and approached the thing again.

It screamed and shouted. Elyan and Gwaine both got either side of her and held her still. Merlin and Gwen staring at her in amazement.
"Enough! Are you fit to ride?" asked Leon. The creature nodded. Rose was repulsed as it sat there in Percival's arms. Before anyone could move, Rose interjected.
"No, she is not coming with us, she is evil" shouted Rose breaking free of Gwaine and Elyan, she got hold of the ropes again. She knelt and attempted again to get the flailing creature tied up, it let out a terrible scream "you are a magical creature! And you will not get to harm my friends!".
"Someone shut her up!" shouted Percival attempting to push her away and comfort the screeching thing. Crack! And there was a blinding pain in her head. She looked around to see Leon was holding a thick branch.
"Ouch" mumbled Rose before everything turned black.

Merlin looked at Leon with shock as he caught Rose before, she hit the floor. He checked her head and was shocked to see blood pouring from a wound on her head.
"Was that necessary" argued Merlin.
"Let's go before they return" said Leon. Everyone nodded as they stood up, Merlin carrying Rose while Percival carried Lamia. Merlin laid her gently on the horse he was leading. He looked at the girl on Percival's horse with a lot of suspicion, Rose had always been able to see through enchantments like this. They stopped not that far away from the bandits.
"We'll stop here for the night" said Leon. Merlin nodded and walked further.

He then got Rose off the horse and walked forward with her in his arms. Lamia screamed as Rose was walked past her, Percival pushed Merlin back.
"Stay away, and keep her away" snapped Percival he then picked Lamia and carried her away.
"Merlin leave her and deal with the horses" said Leon.
"She needs help" said Merlin. Walking her into the camping spot, he laid her down before going to sort the horses so that they were safe. He got back to the camp and got on to his knees next Rose to check on her.
"Can you hear me, open your eyes if you can hear me" said Merlin.
"Don't wake her up she scares me" said Lamia.
"Yeah leave her and do something useful" said Percival.
"No, I will not just leave her, she is the kings ward and your fellow knight," said Merlin. Gwen came over with some herbs and a bandage from Merlin's medical bag "thanks Gwen". They patched her up to the best of their ability.

The next morning, they all woke up except Rose who was laying pale, Gwen made breakfast as Merlin checked over Rose. Once the food was ready, she gave the bowls out to people. Lamia flinched and shook her head. Gwen put the bowl down in front her before walking across to Merlin and Rose.
"She still won't eat, she's got no appetite poor girl" said Gwen, she looked across at the still unconscious Rose next to Merlin "has she still not woken up, why do you think she was scared of Lamia". Merlin shook his head and was shrugged. What was he meant to say because she is a high priestess? He was about change her bandage when Leon spoke.
"Pack your bags we ride east with the rising sun" said Leon. Merlin looked around in shock, that was not the way home.
"Wait, East, Camelot is West from here" said Merlin.
"Lamia has asked that we take her home" said Elyan.

A flash happened and a tree branch fell not far from them. Merlin looked down at his sister her eyes were twitching slightly.
"No, we need to get Gaius, she's not regained consciousness yet and I fear she is getting worse" said Merlin.
"Gaius and Rose can wait" said Gwaine angrily.
"We were sent to help the people of Longstead. Their lives depend on it, well if Leon hadn't knocked her out, she wouldn't be unconscious," said Merlin. He looked down at Rose again her black hair made her look even paler.
"You dare to question our judgment? You are not a knight! You're not even a physician! You're nothing but a servant! Come on" shouted Leon. Another branch snapped near by as it fell from a tree. "Can I at least sort her bandage out" asked Merlin feeling confused.
"No! We go now" shouted Leon.
"Please! Listen! Merlin's right, we have to get back to" said Gwen.
"Shut up Gwen this is nothing to do with you" shouted Elyan. They packed up camp and Rose was laid on the front of Merlin's horse. They started their journey quickly.

Rose came to with a groan; her head was killing her, and she was on a horse laid across the front of a horse and it was highly uncomfortable. Nausea was swirling around in her stomach. She stayed still hoping she could regain control.
"Rose can you hear me" asked Merlin's voice from above her. She nodded and shut her eyes to avoid the blurred vision.
"You guys really didn't need to knock her out" said Gwen.
"She was upsetting our guest" said Gwaine.
"Can we stop, I am going to be sick!" said Rose as her stomach lurched and she supressed a gag. The horse was suddenly stopped, and she was helped down. She was then directed to the nearest bush. Where she immediately threw up.
"It's okay, breathe" said Gwen's voice in her ear as she choked on a bit. She breathed deeply the sick feeling horrible.

She then felt a hand rub her back. She straightened up and looked around both Gwen and Merlin were by her side, she was surprised, they were heading east, how long had she been out for.
"Stop that! Set up camp!" ordered Leon pulling Merlin from Rose. Gwen was sat with her now but after a few minutes Gwen was dragged away from her to. Rose got up and followed the group, they were in a circle of trees.
"Why are we heading East?" questioned Rose.
"We are taking Lamia home" said Elyan.
"I want to go home" said Rose holding her head as she sat down against the tree. There was a blur of shouting. Which didn't make a lot of sense. Leon and Gwaine were arguing. She looked across to see the creature standing there, looking ready to poise, it seemed to get energy from their fighting. She wished everything was sorted, they all went to sleep except Elyan who was taking the first watch.

There was a noise which woke up Rose, she looked around and saw Lamia go into the woods. She followed her until they were in a clearing.
"I can see who you are" said Rose into the creature's head.
"I gathered that earlier, threatening to tie me up, is that anyway to treat another high priestess, I know everything, I can see into your head, Morgana, Mordred, you call to them whilst unconscious, your magic is advanced, however I now know who Kara is, once I have finished here I can pay Ealdor a visit" said Lamia into her head. Rose punched her in the head and got her sword.
"You will stay away!" shouted Rose out loud by accident.
"Get away from her" said Elyan she turned around quickly to see that Elyan was standing behind her. Before she could say anything, he punched her in the face which knocked her over.
"Ouch, stop, help" shouted Rose. He carried on hitting her until everything went black.

The next morning everyone in the camp were waking up slowly except Lamia who had already been awake.
"Elyan, Rose!" called Leon.
"He was supposed to be on guard, he should have woken us up long before now, Elyan" called Gwen.
"Rose" called Merlin out loud and then he did the telepathic message as well to no answer.
"Gwen stay with Lamia, the rest of you come with me" said Leon. They all went into the woods except Gwen and Lamia.
"Don't worry, they'll find your ward and your brother soon enough" said Lamia. Gwen looked at her in surprise.

It didn't take long for Percival, Gwaine and Leon to find them both. Both Leon and Percival carried Elyan as Gwaine picked up Rose over the shoulder. When they got back to camp.
"Oh, God, Elyan" shouted Gwen running over to her brother. Gwaine bought Rose further into the clearing.
"Rose!" said Merlin. Lamia looked across to Gwaine, he immediately put her on the ground without warning she landed hard on the ground. Merlin ran over to her and knelt next to her.
"What happened" demanded Gwen.
"We don't know, we found them together" said Leon. Gwen went over to Merlin, knelt next to him.
"Merlin, it was her, I know it was" said Gwen desperately.

He looked down at his sister to see her eye was bruised shut and she looked unwell. He put a hand to her head and felt it raging with fever. He then stood up and faced the knights.
"We need to get them back to Gaius" said Merlin.
"The girl had it coming, worming her way into the royal household through a witch" said Gwaine. Lamia stood up and looked at the group of men that were obsessed with her.
"I know this area. There is a castle not far from here. We could take shelter there. you could tend to your friends" said Lamia.
"Lead the way" said Leon.

Rose groaned as she came around again her whole body was sore as she opened her eye that wasn't fused shut. She gagged and, in a shot, Merlin was helping her roll onto her side to throw up. She finished and rolled on to her other side. Her magic was sending out a distress signal now she could sense it.
"We don't need shelter, thank you. We need Gaius" said Merlin.
"He's right" said Gwen.
"It's her, it's the Lamia she has enchanted them all, she is a magical creature from the old religion half woman half snake" said Rose getting up slowly and she swayed as she stood.
"You liar!" shouted Percival all off the enchanted men circled around her, they were all standing over her. One of them slapped her hard so she fell to the ground.
"Stop it!" shouted Gwen standing in front of her defensively.

They pushed her out of the way and to the ground.
"Silence! All of you! You have no say in these matters! You come with us, or you stay here. It's up to you. Let's go," shouted Leon.
"No, I don't want her to come!" shrieked Lamia pointing at Rose.
"Okay, let's leave her" said Leon simply.
"No, we can't" said Gwen and Merlin.
"Shut up and learn your place" said Leon. She hated hearing him say this, it was horrible. It was really bad; they had done a lot for Camelot. Rose looked at Merlin.
"Leave me, I'll find Arthur, or he'll find me" said Rose into his head. He looked at her nodded.
"Gwaine doesn't like you very much already thinks you're a traitor, Ealdor will be next after I have killed your precious once and future queen, before that I will pay a visit to Morgana" said the creature into her head.
"Morgana could take you on any day" said Rose into her head.
"What about your precious Kara do you think she is a match for me, I have been in your head and I know who you cannot stand to lose" said the creature into her head.

Rose got up again and got her sword. She went into the last of her energy and ran towards the creature ready to run her through with her sword, threatening the people in her life was not going to happen. She dodged past people as they attempted to get her. Lamia screamed and Percival got in front of her. She dodged him but didn't manage to dodge Gwaine who hit her dead in the nose. She fell backwards and the energy dwindled, and she passed out.
"Let's go! We are leaving the girl!" shouted Leon. They carried off Elyan, Merlin place Rose on her side before he was dragged away by Gwaine.

Rose came around a sometime later her head was feeling worse than before. She got up slowly and touched her nose. The dickhead has broken her nose. She felt dizzy and sick, but she needed to find Arthur. She couldn't do the Aswindan spell in case she passed out mid journey. She felt hot and cold at the same time. She probably had a fever, well isn't that great. She looked down at herself, she was covered in blood and mud. She heard hoofbeats coming from somewhere it was close. Rose moved back into the woods and hid behind a tree. What if it was the knights come to finish her off? She knew they were enchanted but it hurt, she was now wondering through the woods with a gash in her head, a broken nose and a black eye because of them.
"It's impossible. They can't have just disappeared" said Arthur.

Rose was so happy to hear his voice, she let a tear fall down her face. She walked closer to the path but was moving too slowly.
"Could be that we're following the wrong tracks, my lord. Any number of people pass through these woods" said Agravaine. Rose was closer but she was in the trees so they couldn't see her, but she could see them.
"It was them, I know it" said Arthur.
"Maybe we should go back to Longstead, try again in the morning" said Agravaine.
"By morning they could all be dead" said Arthur irritably.
"They are knights of Camelot, my lord, more than capable of looking after themselves" said Agravaine. Rose couldn't risk them going without her being found. She needed to tell them what was happening.
"You are forgetting something; Rose and Gwen are with them" said Arthur. Rose finally made it on to the path.
"One out of two isn't bad" said Rose her voice slurring. Arthur got off his horse quickly and ran over to her she fell into him he caught her now she was safe the adrenaline that she had been running on was starting to ebb away, she needed to tell them it came out in small bursts "Lamia enchanted knights, a castle nearby, a castle nearby, Elyan unconscious, in danger, hurts". He scooped her up and carried her to the horses.
"It's okay, you'll be okay, Agravaine will take you to Gaius" said Arthur soothingly he held her up as Agravaine got her into position on the horse. She flopped forward however Agravaine pulled her back and leant her against him she shut her eyes and passed out.

Rose awoke sometime later; she was being held in someone's arms still. She felt better than she had done before. She could hear voices around her, she groaned and opened her eyes as she was taken off the horse and into Agravaine's arms again.
"Come on, bring her here" said Gaius's voice. She was carried into a house and was laid down on a bed. She had been propped her on some cushions, so she was half sat up. She was struggling to think straight.
"Lamia, knights" said Rose quietly.
"It's alright Arthur has gone to get them, just relax" said Agravaine.
"Lord Agravaine, I need space to work, please wait outside" said Gaius. Agravaine gave Gaius a dirty look before leaving the house "lets look at you then".

He did some checks on Rose, looking at her from head to toe asking permission every time he had to examine more personal places. After he was done, he looked at her.
"So, will I live" asked Rose.
"Yes, I need to set some of your ribs because they are broken, wrap up your head which is infected, you do have a slight fever" said Gaius he put his hand on her shoulder and she put her head on his hand "what happened?". Rose explained to him what happened with the knights and Merlin.
"Gwaine can't think I am a traitor, does he?" said Rose.
"Hey, don't worry about this" said Gaius. He got a cloth and put a potion on the cloth "I need to knock you out, to set your ribs back to normal" He put the cloth to Rose's face with one hand and with the other hand he stroked his fingers through her hair "breathe it in, don't fight it".

Rose passed out as she let the drug take effect. She awoke not long later still in the house but this time it was Agravaine sitting next to her. She sat up so she was sat up against the wall.
"Do you need anything?" asked Agravaine.
"No thank you, is there any news on the Lamia, it was making threats against everyone including Morgana" said Rose.
"Morgana would be more than a match for the Lamia, anyway it has taken a lot persuading to not have her come and track you, Arthur killed it with Gwen's help, Gaius is checking on the knights, was it the Lamia that did all the bruises" asked Agravaine.

Arthur came in then and came across to the bed. He sat down at the end of the bed.
"No, nothing was the Lamia, let me pinpoint who gave me what bruises and wounds" said Rose both men nodded, she pointed to the gash on the back of her head "this one is Leon knocking me out with a a large branch" she pointed to her ribs and the black eyes "this was Elyan after I dared confront the Lamia, oh my nose got broken by Gwaine".
"I'll kill them" said Arthur angrily.
"Don't they didn't mean to" said Rose.
"They didn't mean to raise their hand to you" questioned Arthur.
"They weren't in control of their actions, the Lamia enchanted them" said Rose she looked at him and smiled. He smiled back before pulling her into a hug.

Later, that day they headed back to Camelot and once they arrived back. Rose went to her chambers straight away giving Gwen the afternoon off, and immediately ran herself a bath. She had a long bath before getting into casual clothes. There was a knock at the door, she answered the door.
"Prince Arthur requests your presence in his chambers" said Gwaine. She nodded and wrapped a shawl around her shoulders before going to her guardian's chambers.

Gwaine walked with her looking sheepish.
"The Lamia mentioned to me that you thought I was a traitor, is this true?" asked Rose, she needed to know.
"I wouldn't say a traitor, I was suspicious how did you know Gaius was captured" said Gwaine.
"I was hunting nearby Ealdor and I saw a traveller who told me, so we went straight there" said Rose. Gwaine looked at her and gave her an apologetic smile.
"Sorry, come here" said Gwaine putting his arms out, she hugged him, and he hugged her back tightly, they broke apart and carried on walking "to make up for it, I'll escort you to Ealdor".

Rose nodded happily. They arrived at Arthur's chambers, and she knocked and entered the room. Arthur was in there with Gwen.
"You wanted to see me?" asked Rose.
"Yes, are you alright?" said Arthur.
"I am thanks to Gwen and Merlin, they both really saved me back there" said Rose. Gwen wrapped her arm around Rose's shoulder.
"I was happy to protect you, sorry about the knights hurting you, I did try to stop it" said Gwen.
"It's alright, it's no one fault except Lamia" said Rose. Arthur came over them both and pulled them both into a hug.

The end