The forest. Early morning. Normally a place for camping, hunting game and training. Today and in this part, however, not quite so much. Today they were hunting an unknown beast. Thalia and Arthur were at the front of the party of knights, both quite eager and dressed in brown clothes. Merlin was behind them carrying Arthur's things.

They crouched down behind a bush when they heard an animal roar nearby.

'Merlin, spear.' Arthur held out his hand, only to have the spear dropped on him. He sighed. 'Do you have any natural gifts, Merlin?' he snatched the spear from the ground.

Thalia smirked.

'No. Well, let me think. I'm not naturally rude or insensitive.'

Now Thalia chuckled to herself.

Arthur shot Merlin a sneer. 'Just naturally irritating.'

They crept out from behind the bushes when they heard more growling noises. Arthur noticed Merlin's expression.

'It's probably more scared of you than you are of it.'

Thalia turned to also see Merlin's face and clamped a hand on his arm briefly while Arthur ordered the knights to position.

Then there was a noise and all but Arthur (who was looking the other way) stood gaping at the massive beast in front of them. The body of a leopard and the head of a lizard or a snake, Thalia didn't really have the time to look.

'Hey… Arthur…' Thalia was looking behind him.

'What?'

'You might want to rephrase that last sentence…'

Arthur meant to glance over his shoulder but he did a double take when he saw what she meant.

'… Run?'

'Yeah.' Arthur and everyone else dropped their weapons and ran.

Thalia leapt over a root and heard a thud. She turned her head and skidded on leaves as she turned back to Merlin who had tripped over the same root. Arthur and Sir Bedivere helped her pull him up and they ran again but Sir Bedivere fell, having lost his balance saving Merlin's life. Without a second thought, let alone hesitation, Thalia used all her weight to heave him up and pushed him away, not caring that had sent her horribly off balance.

'Run!'

'My lady!'

'Run! That's an order.'

He nodded and ran after the retreating party. Thalia, who was on the ground, looked back up to the beast as soon as she had seen that nod. A claw came down and she rolled on the ground, missing it by inches. The beast stuck its head under its body and tried to bite her but she kicked underneath its jaw with a grunt and as it recoiled with anger she rolled out from under it, heaved herself up and drew her sword. The beast turned to face her and snarled as it sniped at her with open jaws.

She leapt out of the way.

The party halted, all panting.

'Have we lost it?'

Arthur did a speedy headcount. 'Who's missi…' dread filled him as he double checked. 'THALIA!' Arthur screamed and turned wildly, looking for any sign of her.

Sir Bedivere looked down in sorrow. 'My Lord.'

Arthur spun to look at him desperately.

'When we went back for Merlin I fell. Lady Thalia pushed me up and ordered me to run. I'm so sorry.'

Arthur felt his world crashing around him, crumbling with thunderous and yet numb, mute noise. His eyes shone with their blue as he looked around, praying for anything. 'No…' he breathed and around him all the knights bowed their heads.

Merlin could almost see Arthur's world falling to ashes. The dread in his eyes outshone everything for a mile and he fixed them on Merlin, looking at him desperately.

'Arthur, I'm sorry, there's little hope.'

No one made a sound, they focused on listening for the slightest ruffle of leaves.

Arthur felt like he couldn't hear anything but when someone shifted slightly beside him he heard the cloth.

When Thalia missed the jaw of the angry beast she knew she had no choice but to go by one of its claws. It swiped at her furiously and it hit her in the stomach and limbs. The claw cut deeply in her arm, scraped her leg, a shallow very long cut ripped her side and there was a heavy gash on her back, all on her left side. She was thrown, winded, through the air to the right and hit a tree trunk.

She yelled in pain for only half a second before getting control of herself and ignoring her screaming back and cuts.

Arthur's head shot round to the left. He heard that. No one else but Merlin had but they followed the prince's lead and ran through the forest. His insides were burning with fear. Thalia had not yelled like that in a long time. And now everything was quiet again.

Good job she was left handed. She held her sword as the beast charged and bent her legs. When the timing was right she shot forward and tucked her legs into a roll straight under the beast. She then ran past trees and slowed enough to stand straight behind one. Her brain worked at a million miles as she tried to think of a spell that would kill the beast but before she could magic was forced from her mind once more as the beast appeared. She ran.

Arthur and the others had made it to the spot where Thalia had been thrown at the tree. Arthur took one look at the messed up leaves where there had clearly been a struggle and forced himself not to look away.

'Sire!'

He ran over to where a knight was pointing at a tree. At first Arthur was confused before he saw skid marks. His mind, much to his dismay, played it in his head.

Thalia, thrown against a tree and carried away unconscious as prey.

'Arthur, there's a lot of blood here.' Merlin surveyed the base of the tree and a particular patch of ruffled leaves.

Arthur took one look at it and turned away in anguish. The beast's footsteps that led away were easy enough to find.

'It looks like she was either killed or knocked out and carried away.' Sir Henivan said carefully.

They followed the Prince as he tracked the beast. If she was dead then they were not going to let her body become a meal.

'Ugh!'

Thalia crashed into a tree as her injured leg slipped on a damp root. Luckily the leg was only scratched and she could still run normally. The beast was faster than her but she could slip round trees and bushes a lot easier than it could and so it near balanced out, though the scratches she had on her arms, legs and face were a consequence. But it wasn't enough for her to lose it.

She stopped dead as a spell came to her mind in a flash. She turned.

'Gaaltor de-' she ducked a bite, 'fumeyea-!' she nearly finished but was swiped at by the beast's left hand claw and she was hit once more. It became clear to her as she rolled along the ground and stood up that losing it was her only option, it was too close for time for magic. But thanks to her rolling, she was now further ahead of the beast.

'Sire, there's still blood on these leaves.'

By now a muscle in Arthur's neck was jumping and his chest was so tight he couldn't breathe. His mind had reached the conclusion there was little hope. 'Keep going.'

Thalia tried to remember her way around the forest. When she saw an old tree she knew where she was. The closest large rock was to the left. She caught a low branch and flew round to her left. The rock came into view and she weaved a few corners to keep in front of the beast. When they got close enough Thalia stopped and waited only two seconds for the beast to catch up. It stayed charging and Thalia took a single breath and gripped her sword's handle. The instant the beast began to pounce Thalia let her left leg drop and threw her weight forward. She dove to the ground in a roll and skimmed under the beast. The forest to her right was incredibly thick and she knew it was her only chance to hide, especially as she smelt of blood. She stooped, no time to stand properly and staggered to the right, hearing the crash as the beast crashed into the rock. She ran, still not feeling tired as she didn't dare consider it in case she collapsed. She stopped her legs, skidded on leaves and slid to the ground, lying flat under a lot of shrubbery. The beast hadn't seen which was she went.

'Silah, mai getsu.' She hid the smell of her blood.

The beast turned and ran away in the opposite direction of Thalia. When it was out of sight she stood up, still ignoring her pain as best she could, sheathed her sword and tore shreds off the edge of her shirt. First tying her shoulder with her teeth and then her leg. There wasn't much she could do about her side. She then began walking back to Camelot, eyes and ears alert.

'There's still blood.'

'I don't think she's alive.'

'Oh come on, Jackk, we know how strong she is.'

'But look at the evidence. I'm not saying she is, I'm praying she isn't but this doesn't look good at all.'

'I know, but shh…'

Sir Jackk and Sir Dalin looked at their leader. Arthur hadn't moved anything but his arms and legs as they ran through the forest, trying their best to ignore the blood that was dripped on the ground.

Thalia paused as she heard twigs snapping ahead. It was too light for the beast by far but she pulled out her sword in case. Then she saw red from a knight's cloak and sighed. She changed course by a few steps and smiled. She could tell they were tracking her and she knew who would be at the front.

They halted once more when they noticed Arthur's legs had stopped moving.

'Sire.'

Merlin gently pushed Arthur who shook his head quickly and kept walking. He stopped and turned to them.

'Sorry, I know you all don't want to be here.' He was met with glares.

'Sire, we would not rest until we found her. We all know her.'

He nodded and they noticed his eyes were wet, though from crying or not blinking they couldn't tell.

'Sire, perhaps you should rest a while and catch us up, you look ill.'

'… I'm fine.'

Another knight spoke. 'Then perhaps we should split up and have half of us… run ahead… … to…' he trailed off in disbelief. Arthur looked at all the knight's faces.

Disbelief was the majority of the emotions. Also, impressed, wonder and pure shock.

Time slowed and he turned. 'What is it?'

Then the same emotions showed on his face. Wonder, pure shock, disbelief and impression.

With cuts all over her face, tied left arm and leg, pants a damp red down one side and a ripped shirt, sword in hand and smiling was Thalia.

The noise Arthur made was both a laugh and a sob. He threw the sword he was holding to the side and ran at her.

The knights and Merlin watched Arthur with smiles as he ran to Thalia. He stopped dead in front of her, causing leaves to blow everywhere and pulled her into a tight hug, one hand behind her head, the other wrapped around her back and kissing the top of her head.

'Oh my god.' His voice was hoarse and barely worked. 'Oh my god. Thalia.'

Her voice was like it always was and Arthur cried out in the same laugh/sob when he heard it. He thought he'd never hear it again. 'I'm fine, Arthur.' He put his head on her shoulder.

'Fine?! We thought you were dead.' Arthur's shouted reply was a little muffled.

She pulled him even closer and returned his tight hug. 'Sorry for scaring you.'

'Don't ever do that again.'

'I can't make any promises.'

A shaking, breathy laugh came from Arthur as his tears finally flowed.

'…, you're actually crying.' Thalia chuckled.

'Of course I am! I thought I'd lost you!' he shouted.

'I'm not going anywhere.'

Arthur tightened his hug further as if he'd never let go, almost like a small child.

The knights had walked over. 'How did you make it out alive?!'

'Instinct, I suppose.'

'We thought you'd been knocked out at that tree.'

'Oh that was when I yelled, yes.'

'You've lost so much blood!'

At the last comment Arthur released his death grip and immediately set about examining her face, then arm, then side, leg and pulled her back into a hug in under five seconds.

's…sire we should get back to the city.'

Arthur was shaking from the shock and his body's reaction over the last minutes since he had noticed she was missing. 'Yes, we should.' He let Thalia go and held her arm. 'You alright?'

'Yeah, of course. Are you?'

The knights laughed at Arthur as someone else crushed Thalia in a hug.

'Not you too, Merlin.'

When they were walking back through the forest to the city all the knights wanted to speak to her and say how relieved they were.

Sir Bedivere was the last to speak to her.

'Lady Thalia…'

'Sir Bedivere.'

'You saved my life by putting yours at extreme risk. I am eternally grateful and owe you a debt.'

'Nonsense. You know it wasn't that bad.'

'It was hell for us, my lady.'

'Sounds like you were worse off, then. It wasn't bad for me, just a fight like any other.'

'You screamed.' Arthur's face was set. 'You never do that.'

Her smile became wider. 'Only for a second. I ignored the pain after that.'

'Where did it get you?'

'Arthur…'

'Where?'

'It got me with its claw and cut my side, arm, leg and a deep one on my back.'

'Oh that's how you got those.' Arthur walked behind her for three steps, spotting the very dark and damp patch on the back of her shirt.

'Mmhm. And then from the same swipe I was thrown at that tree.'

Arthur winced, imagining the pain. 'No wonder you screamed.'

'That sent you into panic, didn't it?'

'Yes.'

'Sorry, I know I never yell. You must have been terrified.'

'I must have been terrified, you were the one who was facing a man eating beast!'

'And yet I wasn't the one that looked like death when you nearly suffocated me.'

Arthur pulled her close to him and hugged her happily as they walked. 'You are amazing.'

'Thalia! Are you alright?'

'I'm fine, sire.'

'Good.'

'The creature you describe has all the characteristics of the Questing Beast.' Gaius looked up from one of Thalia's books. Both of them were leaning on the table, looking through it.

'Surely that's a myth.'

'Apparently not.' Thalia pointed to her arm.

'According to the old books, the appearance of the Questing Beast is supposed to foreshadow a time of great upheaval.' Gaius had has dramatic face on.

'Gaius, it's an old wives' tale.'

'Sire, it's really not. I was close to it for some time. It is a Questing Beast.'

Arthur had spent the last half hour glancing at Thalia to make sure she was alright. 'Look, whatever it is, it's spreading panic. The people fear it will enter the city.'

'Then we must kill it. Arthur, gather the guard together. You ride at dawn. Thalia you don't have to go with them, you are injured.'

'Rubbish. I'm going.'

Uther nodded. 'Very well.'

They filed out of the room, Gaius passing Thalia her book and staying behind.

'You really believe it to be a Questing Beast?' Arthur walked beside Thalia.

'I do, yes.'

'Anything you can tell me?'

'One drop of its venom and you're dead.'

Arthur stopped walking with startled eyes. 'What?!'

'…what?'

'Imagine if you had got bitten!'

'Arthur, calm down. I wasn't, that's an end to it.'

'How do we kill it?' They kept walking.

Thalia opened her book and flipped a page. 'Well the good news is it can be killed by mortal means.'

'The bad news?'

'Very strong mortal means.'

'Ah.'

'Sums it up.'

'But we've got you!'

'Yes and you can see how I emerged from that fight.'

'Did you get your back seen to?'

'Huh?'

'Your shirt was soaking, you had a deep cut.'

'Oh. Yeah I used magic.'

'Good.'

'Now don't oversleep for goodness sake.'

'I won't.'

'Well then, I'll see you in the morning.'

'Likewise. Oh and Thalia?'

'Yes?'

Arthur hugged her once more. 'I'm very, very glad you're alright.'

She smiled. 'I know.'

They weren't in clothes the colour of the forest now. They were in armour. Thalia stood beside Arthur as they addressed the knights.

'You've seen the foe we face. It's a creature of nightmare, but you are the best knights in the realm. We can, and we will, kill it before it harms another citizen of our kingdom.'

They drew their swords.

'For the love of Camelot!'

The knights drew theirs.

'For the love of Camelot!'

'Arthur!'

Thalia, Merlin and Arthur turned to see a distressed Morgana running down the steps, still in her nightgown.

'Morgana, what are you doing?'

'You cannot face this!'

Morgana tried to grab Arthur and he struggled with her.

'Morgana, go back to bed. There is nothing to be afraid of.'

'Please, Arthur. I have seen terrible things! You cannot go!'

Merlin murmured in their ears. 'She probably had a bad dream, Sire. I'll take her to see Gaius.'

'No! I will not let you go!' Morgana yelled and struggled.

'Please, Merlin, get her inside.' Arthur passed the still yelling Morgana to Merlin.

'No!'

Arthur beckoned the guards at the door to come down and Thalia took Morgana by the arms.

'Morgana. Morgana! Listen to me. Whatever happens, I will not let things end badly, I promise.'

'But Arthur, he- he was bitten and-' Morgana was hysterical.

'I promise. Whatever happens, however bad, I will fix things.'

Morgana, though thoroughly upset, nodded.

'I will make sure he's safe, My Lady. I promise.' Merlin said the same.

'No!'

The guards escorted Morgana back inside. She cast one last look to Thalia before walking fearfully back.

'Let's follow the trail.'

'That won't be too hard.' Thalia looked at the big footprints and broken branches.

They walked for a little.

'You shouldn't be here,' Arthur murmured to Thalia.

'On the contrary, I have faced it. I should be here.'

'You're still injured.'

'Ha! I am not.'

Arthur rolled his eyes fondly.

They got a little further along before they heard heavy footsteps and growling.

Arthur whispered. 'Is that it?'

'Yeah, that's it.' Thalia squinted through the trees.

Arthur glanced at the scared Merlin. 'Keep close.'

Thalia and Arthur walked ahead and they soon came across a cave.

'Looks fun.' Thalia's neck and jaw went rigid.

'Very.' Arthur took a breath and marched in, Thalia falling into step beside him.

Everyone split up without a word. Thalia left Arthur with Merlin and went to the right.

She was examining a wall when she heard Merlin's shout.

'Somebody help me!'

In a flash she was there and slid down the rocks, noting the dead beast nearby. 'Merlin?'

'Arthur's been bitten.'

'Right. Put pressure on the bite, stop the bleeding. KNIGHTS!'

All of them came rushing in.

'He's been bitten. Carry him back to Camelot.'

'Yes, my lady.'

In one sweep Merlin cleared the table in Gaius' chambers as Thalia and a guard ran in with Arthur on a stretcher.

'What's happened?' Gaius examined the wound on Arthur's chest.

'He's been bitten.' Thalia's voice was rushed but not panicky. She immediately unbuckled Arthur's belt and pulled his chain mail over his head. His shirt underneath was ripped around the bite and his neck was sweating.

'I tried to save him.' Merlin was panting.

'You did your best, Merlin.' Thalia was already racking her brain for a solution.

'You must tell the King.' Gaius sent the guard out.

'There must be something you can do.' Merlin looked around.

'I wish there was. It's up to Thalia now.'

Merlin watched as she inspected the cuts, practically seeing her mind ticking over in a blur as it worked. 'I'll find a cure.'

'Merlin!' Gaius sent him a stern look.

'Trust me!' Merlin bolted to his room.

'Can you hear me, Sire?' Gaius leant over the prince.

'He can't at the moment, Gaius, his body's in shock.' Thalia rubbed his forehead with her thumb for a moment.

'Here.' Merlin came back down with his magic book.

'The King'll be here any moment!'

'He can't die. It is my destiny to protect him. We haven't done all the things we're meant to do.'

'That is a lament of all men.'

'Gaius, he's my friend.'

Gaius nodded. 'Then save him.'

While Merlin looked or spells Thalia held Arthur's hand and took his pulse.

'Gestathole.' Merlin tried another. 'Thurhhaele.' Still nothing happened. 'Maybe the spells need time to take effect.'

'The bite of the Questing Beast is a death sentence that no magic can overturn.'

'That's not strictly true, Gaius, there is a way out of this.'

Before Gaius could question her words they heard Uther shouting.

'Where is the Prince?! Where is my son?!' Uther ran through the door and stopped at the sight of his son lying on the table. 'Arthur!' He stood by his side. 'Do something, Gaius!'

'I am trying, your majesty.'

'Gaius will find a cure. He will not let him die.' Merlin sounded so sure.

'I will do everything in my power.'

Uther picked Arthur up. 'I'll bear him to his chamber.' He took a deep breath and walked out. Thalia went behind him and Gaius and Merlin followed.

In the square people turned as Uther walked through carrying Arthur. He slowed suddenly and collapsed with grief. Without a word Thalia gripped the King's shoulder and crouched in front of him. When knights rushed over to help she calmly waved them away and took Arthur in her arms and carried him like Uther had done only with a hard expression. Without his chain mail she could carry him. And she did, all the way to his chambers.

When she reached there she placed Arthur on his bed, pulled the sheets back on placed his head on a pillow.

Uther walked in. 'Thalia. Anything?'

'Yes, sire. I'm going to the Isle of the Blessed.'

'The… … very well. I trust you, Thalia. Can you save him?'

'I can.'

Uther nodded and took the chair Thalia had risen from only moments before he walked in.

'Good luck.'

'And to you here, sire. I'll be as quick as I can.'

Thalia had her horse saddled and ready when she noticed Merlin was the same. Gaius passed him a rabbit's foot and a map.

'Merlin?'

'The Great Dragon told me to go to the Isle of the Blessed.'

'That's where I'm going as well.'

Thalia mounted her horse.

'You be careful, Merlin!' Gaius warned, 'the high priests are not to be taken lightly. They are dangerous and may not listen.'

'Only there's one right here.'

Gaius and Merlin looked at Thalia. 'True. Be careful, both of you.'

'Yes, Gaius.'

They rode through the day and stopped only to rest the horses at night.

When they went to sleep, Thalia knew she should probably talk to Uther. So she cast a spell and let herself drift to sleep. She woke up in her chambers. The first thing she did was sneak out and into Arthur's to find a sleeping Gaius.

Gwen walked in.

'Gaius? You should get some rest.'

'He must not be left alone.'

'I will nurse him.'

Gaius stood to leave but noticed Thalia.

'My dear, what are you doing here?'

Thalia glanced at Gwen who was busy with the towel from Arthur's forehead. 'I'm not, I'm here in dream form.'

'I see. Are you alright?'

'Yes, we've just stopped to rest the horses. We're not far now.'

'Good.'

'How's Arthur?'

'Slowly declining but much the same.'

'Good. Get some rest.'

Thalia sighed and sat on Arthur's left on the edge of the bed.

Gwen glanced at Thalia who was watching Arthur's face. 'You're not going to die, Arthur. I'm telling you. Because I know that one day you will be King. A greater king than you father could ever be. It's what keeps me going. You are going to live to be the man I've seen inside you, Arthur. I can see a Camelot that is fair and just. I can see a king that the people will love and be proud to call their sovereign. For the love of Camelot, you have to live.'

'Failing that, get up you lazy prat.' Thalia smiled at Gwen. 'That's very heartfelt, Gwen.'

'I have to believe, My Lady.'

'I see.'

'Have you found any hope?'

'I have, yes.'

Gwen sighed. 'Then I am relieved.' She studied Thalia's face as the warrior watched Arthur. 'You love him, don't you?'

Thalia simply hummed and Gwen wasn't sure how to interpret that. She watched as Thalia stood up, straightened her clothes and leant over Arthur to kiss his forehead. 'I'll be saving your backside as usual if you need me.'

She walked out, leaving a bemused Gwen to tend to Arthur.

Thalia walked through the castle and saw Uther by the Griffin Statue, looking out of the window.

'Sire.'

Uther jumped. 'I thought you were Gaius again.'

'No, sire.'

'Aren't you travelling?'

'I am. I'm using my magic to speak to you.'

'I see.' Uther gestured out of the window. 'People have begun saying goodbye.'

'I won't say that until I have done everything I can.'

Uther met her eyes. 'I believe in you, Thalia.'

'That's all I could ever ask.'

When Uther nodded and turned back to watch the people in The Square she murmured a few words and let herself fade back. Her eyes opened and she was in the forest. They slept for an hour or so before waking up and riding once more. Soon they saw the boat with the bell. Merlin followed Thalia's lead and tied up his horse before joining her in the boat.

'Astyre.' Merlin sat down and watched uneasily as the fortress came into view.

'It's not the best looking thing from the outside, I'll grant you that.'

'You don't say. You've been here before?'

'I'm a high priestess, Merlin. What do you think?'

The boat stopped and they walked through the fortress, Thalia leading the way.

'Where are we going?'

'To the middle.'

They reached the grassy area and Thalia looked around happily. She loved the Isle of the Blessed. But what she didn't love was who she saw standing by the smooth stone table.

'Nimueh.'

'Thalia. What can I do for you?'

'The Cup of Life and the exchange of a life.'

'Merlin's?'

'Or Myn.'

'Hang on, her?! She tried to kill me.' Merlin stared at the High Priestess dressed in pink.

'Before I understood your importance.'

'And Arthur.'

'Arthur was never destined to die at my hand, and now it seems I will be his salvation.'

'I don't need you, Nimueh. I can easily do this by myself.' Thalia sounded tetchy.

'And yet here I am, willing.' Nimueh stepped forward.

'Then let's get on with it.' Thalia stepped forward.

'So impatient.' Another step.

'So irritating.' Another.

'Ummm…' Merlin glanced between them. 'What do we do?'

With a wicked smile Nimueh spoke, showing Merlin. 'The Cup of Life, blessed by centuries of powerful sorcerers so that it contains the very secret of life itself. If Arthur drinks water from the Cup, he will live.'

Merlin took it from Nimueh and stood back once more. Thalia also held the cup.

'Tídrénas.' Nimueh raised her head and arms to the sky.

As rain fell from the sky Thalia watched it filling up the cup. After a few moments when the rain stopped the cup was full. Nimueh took it from them and poured the water from the cup into a bottle.

'The bargain is struck.' As Merlin took it from Nimueh the witch caught both his and Thalia's wrists. 'I hope it pleases you.'

They left, aware of Nimueh watching them.

'Do you think she tricked us or has done some evil?'

'She always has that expression. We'll have to wait and see.'

The next day they arrived back in Camelot. Leaving servants to untack both horses they ran to Gaius' chambers and Merlin explained.

'Merlin! Thalia!'

'We need to give this to Arthur.' Merlin passed him the bottle.

'What is it?'

'Water drawn from the Cup of Life. If Arthur drinks from it, he will recover. Please hurry.'

Gaius began to walk out but stopped and faced them once more.

'What are you waiting for?'

'What price did you pay to redeem his life? Whose life did you bargain?!'

'We don't have time.'

'Merlin!'

'We don't know.' Thalia stepped in. 'Everything's going to be alright, trust us.' She took the strange bottle from Gaius and went to Arthur herself.

As Gaius gave Arthur the water Uther walked in.

'What are you doing, physician? What are you giving him?'

'It's a... It's a…'

'Water from the cup of life from the Isle of the Blessed, sire.'

While Merlin and Gaius looked at her in shock Uther nodded. 'Very well. A cure?'

'Indefinitely.'

'You've done well, Thalia.' Uther watched his son.

'Sire, perhaps you should get some rest.' Gaius saw once more the tired look in Uther's eyes.

'I will not leave him.'

Gaius and Merlin bowed and walked out. Thalia made to leave but Uther stopped her.

'You don't have to go on my account, Thalia.'

She nodded and pulled a chair up on the other side of Arthur.

Arthur woke up with a deep breath. The pain in his shoulder wasn't very welcome. His eyes opened and he lifted his head to see he was in his bed. Then he remembered. The Questing Beast had bitten him. Well that's embarrassing. But Thalia had said there was no cure. Then he remembered something he'd heard in his sleep. "Water from the cup of life from the Isle of the Blessed." Thalia had said that. Arthur's mouth turned up slightly. Don't tell me she's gone and saved my life again. He looked to his right to see his father waking up by his side. Things must have been bad for his father to be here like this. Arthur watched his father, still in dazed confusion, as he woke up.

'Arthur!'

Arthur looked at his father then let his head fall weakly back once more.

'I thought we'd lost you.' Uther held his son's shoulder.

'Don't worry father, I'm not going to die. I think there's someone watching over me, keeping me from harm.'

Uther smiled as he began to leave. 'Maybe you're right. On your long journey to become King, you will need a guardian angel. And I think I know who yours is.'

Arthur frowned at his father, a puzzled look on his face. Uther looked to Arthur's left side and he followed his father's gaze. Thalia was sleeping with her head resting on her arm on the bed.

Arthur smiled and rolled his head. 'Of course.'

'She and your manservant rode past the white mountains and back in two days to save your life.'

Arthur rested a hand on her head.

'I shall inform the court that their Prince lives.' Uther smiled triumphantly and walked out.

The sound of footsteps woke Thalia. She looked up to see Gwen walking in with towels and sheets and Arthur watching her warmly.

'Evening.'

'Hello, Thalia.'

'Still tremendously alive, then?'

'Thanks to you.'

'I knew it.' They both turned their heads to see Gwen. 'I said you'd be alright.' She turned and started fiddling with cloth.

'I can remember you talking to me.' Arthur pointed at her.

Gwen paused. 'You can?'

'You stroked my forehead.'

'I was tending to your fever.'

'You never lost faith.'

'I was just talking.'

Arthur was enjoying this. 'Tell me again what you said?'

'I don't remember.'

'Yes, you do.'

'No, I don't.'

'Come on. Something about "the man I am inside."'

Gwen turned in horror and smiled. 'No, I never said that.'

'Arthur, leave her alone,' groaned Thalia.

Gwen looked to her gratefully. 'I have to get these washed, Sire, My Lady.' She hurried out.

'And you spoke to me too. How did you do that?'

'Yes, I came to see how you were doing and to make sure Uther was alright. I was here in dream form.'

'What did you say again…? Something… ummm…'

'After Gwen said her inspirational thing I said "failing that, get up you lazy prat." And then, "I'll be saving your backside if you need me." Can you remember that?'

'I can, yes. Gwen asked if you love me and then you kissed my forehead. Oh, and you carried me.'

'Ohoh! Spying on the world, were you?'

'Mmm… perhaps, in a way.'

Thalia fell silent and Arthur knew something was wrong. 'What is it?'

'Nothing.'

'What is it?'

'Nothing!'

'Tell me!'

'You don't want to know.'

He waited until her eyes shifted to him. 'I do.'

Thalia heaved a great sigh. 'To save a life when there is no other means a life must be taken.'

It took Arthur a few seconds to process this. 'So whose life did you give?'

Arthur, with sudden adrenaline, sat up. 'Whose. Life?'

'… I don't know. Well… Merlin's or mine.'

Before Arthur could reply to that she cast a spell and made Arthur sleep.

Arthur woke to a light bedroom. It was late afternoon. Thalia had made him sleep. With a jolt Arthur remembered why. He forced himself to sit up and shook her.

'Thalia! THALIA!'

'SHUSH!'

Arthur gasped. 'You're alive.'

Before Arthur realised what had happened Thalia threw herself off the chair and ran out of his chambers screaming; 'MERLIN!'

Thalia ran through the castle and arrived at Gaius' chambers she burst through the door to see both he and Merlin talking. She stopped.

'What?'

'Thalia, Nimueh took my mother's life.'

'NO!'

'She's upstairs sleeping. I'm going back. I'm saying goodbye to Arthur then I'm going.'

If anything happened in that room Thalia didn't see it. She was running to her chambers. Having not changed in two sweaty days and nights she threw off her clothes and cast a spell on herself. Water crashed down from nowhere like a powerful waterfall. She stopped it, cast another spell to make herself and the room dry, threw on clothes and ran out again.

'THALIA!' the cry came as she ran past Arthur's room. She skidded to a halt, turned round, burst through his doors and caught her breath.

'Arthur?'

'What's happening?'

'Nothing to concern yourself with. Merlin's mother's been taken, not him. If I don't come back take good care of Merlin and Gaius.'

She ran out, ignoring Arthur's startled shouts.

A few minutes later Merlin came in.

'Ah, Merlin.'

'How are you?'

'Good.'

'I'm pleased.'

'Yes. I owe it all to Thalia. She told me about your mother. I'm sorry.'

'I need to talk to you.'

Arthur sat down. 'You still haven't got it yet, have you? I decide when we need to talk.'

'Not today.'

Instead of snapping at him and being worried about Thalia Arthur kept his head level. 'I sometimes wonder if you know who I am.'

'Oh, I know who you are.'

'Good.'

'You're a prat. And a royal one.'

Arthur rolled his eyes before remembering. "And how long have been training to be a prat, my lord?" "Look, I've told you you're an ass. I just didn't realise you were a royal one." 'Are you ever going to change, Merlin?'

'No, you'd get bored. But promise me this, if you get another servant, don't get a bootlicker.'

'If this is you trying to leave your job...'

'No. I'm happy to be your servant. Till the day I die.'

Arthur frowned. He was speaking like Thalia had. 'Sometimes I think I know you, Merlin. Other times...' he shook his head.

'Well, I know you. And you're a great warrior. One day, you'll be a great king.'

'…That's very kind of you.'

'But you must learn to listen as well as you fight.'

Arthur rolled his eyes. 'Any other pointers?'

'No. That's it. Just...don't be a prat.'

'Are you going with Thalia?'

'Thalia?'

'Mm, she had the same tone did just then. Told me to look after you and Gaius if she didn't come back.'

Merlin's eyes widened. 'NO!' he ran out.

Arthur began to feel more uneasy.

Thalia heard a horse behind her. She looked round and slowed while she waited for Merlin to catch up. They galloped along shouting at each other.

'What are you doing here?!'

'I thought you and Gaius were both going to give your lives for my mother's!'

'Not my plan!'

'So what is your plan?!'

'Stop, Gaius, restore balance and save your mother's life!'

'How?! We have to give a life! Who's are we going to give?!'

Thalia grinned. 'Nimueh's!'

They made it to the boat and vaulted in. As it drew toward the ancient fortress they could hear Nimueh chanting.

'Ic, séo héahsácerd, þe ácwile strengþe ealdan æwfæstnesse!'

They ran onto the island and Merlin shouted; 'Stop!'

'Back again so soon, warlock?

'What have you done?'

'Your mother is safe. Isn't that what you wanted?'

'You!' Thalia shouted. Nimueh's gaze turned to her. 'You took his mother's life. You will pay.'

'We bid one of our lives for Arthur's, not my mother's, not Gaius'!' Merlin shouted.

'The Old Religion does not care who lives and who dies! Only that the balance of the world is restored. To save a life, a life must be taken. Gaius knew this.'

'It is not the Old Religion that has done this. It is you.' Merlin glared at her.

'Come now. We are too valuable to each other to be enemies.'

'No! I share nothing with you!'

'With my help, Arthur will become King.'

'We will make Arthur King. But you will never see that day. Ástríce!'

'Merlin!'

Nimueh absorbed Merlin's fiery attack.

'Your childish tricks are useless against me, Merlin. I am a priestess of the Old Religion.'

'And so am I.' Thalia stepped in front of Merlin.

'Forbærne!' Nimueh began to fight. A fireball flew toward them but Thalia with a wave of her hand deflected it into a nearby wall. 'Ácwele!'

Thalia absorbed this attack. 'You have caused far too much harm.'

'It is Uther's fault. He was the one who created the Great Purge, he is the one that killed so many of the people I loved. Does he know about your magic, Crowned Warrior?'

'He does. What you have done now is not excused by Uther's past.'

'Perhaps I should just take Arthur's life back.'

'You will never take him. Eorthe, lyft, fyr, waeter, hiersumie me!' With the elements now at her command Thalia raised her hand to the sky. Lightning shot down to her hand and rain fell to the sky. She directed it toward the still grinning Nimueh who shot fire against the lightning.

Both woman's eyes widened; the other was stronger than they thought.

Merlin stood back. While he had been scared of Nimueh for some time, Thalia's teeth were bared and she was the definition of terrifying.

'You cannot hope to defeat me! You are new to this world, Thalia Brightsword. You know nothing of the Old Religion.'

'I know what you said is true. It doesn't care who dies. So it won't miss you!' Their magic was pushing against the other's moving back and forth but virtually in the middle. Their hair was flying and lightning and fire was being blown everywhere.

'Merlin, protect Gaius!'

Merlin ran around them and stood by Gaius, conjuring a shield.

'I have already taken Gaius' life, there is nothing you can do!'

'No. Merlin!'

Merlin stood up, angered by Nimueh's remark. 'You should not have killed my friend.' Like Thalia had done he raised his hand, his eyes glowed and lightning fell from the sky, striking Nimueh who dispersed into dust.

'Good work.' Thalia ran to Gaius.

'He's fine.'

Gaius murmured faintly; 'Merlin.'

'Gaius. Gaius. Gaius, you're alive!'

'What did you do?'

'Nimueh's dead. The balance of the world has been restored.'

'You amaze me. You've mastered the power of life and death itself. We'll make a great warlock of you yet.'

'…Most of it was Thalia. So you believe in me now?'

'Well, I would do if...if you could stop this blasted rain.'

They laughed and Thalia looked up to the sky. Her eyes changed and flashed and the rain cleared.

'Ah, thank you, Thalia.'

'Gaius, what were you thinking? Just leave things to me.'

'I probably should have. I'm so glad you're both here.'

They smiled and hugged him.