The rain rattled against Thalia's window as the night rolled on. She was asleep under two blankets and a sheet, eyes closed peacefully. After the windows rattled more the voice of the druid boy Mordred rang through her head.

'Take the north door straight ahead. Keep going.'

Her eyes flew open. She sprang up from the bed, threw a cloak over her nightgown and picked up her sword by the sheath, jumping out her chamber doors.

The first place she went was next door to Arthur's chambers, sticking her head around the door. His usual mess of sheets and blankets rose and fell as he slept. After establishing he was safe, she was wary of Mordred, she stepped back out fully into the corridor and closed her eyes, concentrating.

'My Lady?' asked a knight on the way past, noting her sword in her hand.

'Sound the warning bells; there's an intruder,' she ordered as she stormed past in a billow of dark cotton.

'Keep going. Hurry!'

She spun around a couple of times before hurrying down the corridor, holding her sword level to the ground.

'Keep going. It's not much further now.'

Her eyes narrowed as she traced the corridor, her talents as a High Priestess leading her along the stone corridors.

'Be careful. At the end of the corridor. Morgana's Chamber is next.'

Thalia, at this point, darted last minute to her left to take a shortcut. A moment later the bells sounded and she ran all the way back to Arthur's chambers. He emerged, pulling a red shirt on and holding his sword.

'Thalia. What's happening?' he yawned.

'Intruders in the citadel. Come on.' She waved a hand, beckoning him to follow. Footsteps echoed down the corridor toward them as a group of guards approached.

'Where to?' asked Arthur.

Thalia turned right again. As they walked a figure ran past them. In a flash Arthur pinned them against a wall by the throat.

It was of course his manservant.

'Merlin?' asked Arthur and Thalia, Arthur frowning and Thalia unsurprised.

'Morgana's… cha... do you mind?!' wheezed Merlin, pointing a finger feebly.

'Oh. Sorry,' said Arthur, stepping back. Merlin dropped to the ground.

'Morgana's...they're... in Morgana's chambers,' he said, continuing to wheeze.

Arthur bolted away, Thalia by his side. Merlin managed to find the strength to stand up and run after them, the guards in tow.

They ran up the steps and slowed as they neared Morgana's door.

'Are you sure about this?' Arthur asked Merlin.

'Definitely. I...saw them with my own eyes.' Merlin glanced at Arthur for a moment, then to the guards behind them.

'What were you doing down there?' Arthur asked, a slight frown on his face.

'I heard voices in my...' Merlin trailed off a moment.

Thalia kept walking ahead of them, drawing her sword as they advanced.

'In your...' said Arthur.

'In my chambers,' Merlin decided, 'and I thought I should investigate.'

'Frankly, Merlin, it's hard to believe.'

Thalia glanced at Arthur and Merlin, amused as Merlin began to panic.

'I...' he said.

'For once, you've shown some real initiative.' Arthur kept walking, putting a hand on Merlin's shoulder briefly.

Merlin smiled as they walked.

Arthur, instead of opening the door after listening for a moment, kicked it in.

On her bed Morgana sat upright suddenly as guards poured in.

'What on earth do you think you're doing?!' she asked.

'We...' Arthur looked around. Morgana's chambers were clear and tidy as always. 'We'd reason to believe that there was an intruder in here.'

'Right now, Arthur, Thalia, the only intruders are you,' she said, looking with wide eyes at them.

Thalia frowned, noting Morgana's hostility. This was highly out of character.

Arthur frowned also. 'Camelot has been infiltrated. Did you not hear the warning bell?'

'Of course I did! I was hoping I'd be safe in my chambers,' she replied, looking slightly around.

'Well, if you'd just permit me to search your room...'

'You'll do no such thing!' she snapped, making Arthur turn around and frown at her. 'Arthur, do you think that if there was someone in my room I wouldn't know about it?'

As Arthur opened his mouth to apologize, Thalia spoke. 'You were asleep,' she said.

Morgana had no response. Her eyes widened, fear guards and Arthur saw as the realization an intruder may be in her room. But Merlin and Thalia saw it for what it was; fear of Thalia herself.

'I…' she fumbled for a moment. 'I'm a light sleeper. They would have woken me.' Her voice returned to commanding and harsh suddenly, as an idea came to her. 'And why would they leave me if they were in here?'

Arthur frowned, sensing something odd as the two women looked each other in the eye.

Morgana's heart was pounding in her ears as the Crowned Warrior looked on. She had no idea Thalia had heard Mordred, but was scared of Thalia in general; right now mainly wary of her perceptiveness. She had foiled one excuse already.

After a very long moment, Thalia spoke.

'Very well.' She turned and walked out.

'I don't understand,' said Merlin as Arthur shut the door.

'Oh, I'm sorry, Merlin. Which bit didn't you understand? The making a fool out of me-,' began Arthur, riling his anger at the warlock.

'Arthur,' said Thalia.

He stopped to look at her, then dropped it as she glanced at the guards.

'Keep searching toward the council chambers,' she ordered.

The guards hurried past and they waited a moment before walking away from Morgana's door.

'Merlin was right,' she said, 'they were in there.'

'How do you know?' asked Arthur.

'They're druids,' she said quietly, 'they were using telepathy to communicate. I heard them.'

'So why didn't we search her room?'

'Because she's right. She's a light sleeper and anyone meaning her harm would have done so by now. She wanted us out. They were hiding in there. With her help.'

Arthur's eyes widened. 'So what do we do?' he asked.

'She'll throw a fit if we search her room,' Thalia shrugged. 'We're just going to have to wait and see what happens. But she's safe.'

Arthur nodded. 'Why would Morgana protect druids?'

'It was the voice of Mordred,' said Thalia as they began to walk again, 'the boy you and she rescued some time ago.'

'He's destined to kill me,' said Arthur suddenly, remembering.

'Morgana may not know that. All we know is she's protecting him now.'

'Whenever I fall down, I lose my momentum,' Arthur was saying, lying down on the ground under the grey cloudy sky. A head popped into his vision against the backdrop of the grey.

'When you fall, try rolling before you've hit the ground,' said Thalia. 'You've been doing this all your life, you fall into shock that you've been overpowered.'

Near them knights were training in the grass, servants sharpening swords and a small crowd of various people near Arthur and Thalia as usual, watching with interest.

'Mm,' Arthur nodded, holding his arm out.

Thalia pulled him up. As he stood, she slipped a foot under his legs and kicked upward, sending Arthur straight to the ground. Immediately he rolled out of the way, kicking out at her.

She grinned. 'Not bad.'

Arthur grinned back and held out his hand again.

She grabbed his arm and pulled him up.

'How is it you barely get knocked to the ground?' he asked, straightening his shirt.

'I don't know,' she said thoughtfully, 'perhaps you focus on the sword too much. In arenas, against knights it's obvious you all follow the rules. Remember Morgause? She didn't fight like a knight which is why she got the drop on you.'

Arthur nodded. 'Once more?' he smiled, clapping her on the shoulder and flicking his wrist around, his sword catching the light.

Thalia nodded, doing the same. They stood back from each other, held their swords steady then in unison strode forward and swung. Their swords rang out as they met. Arthur intended to pull his sword back, but Thalia kept pushing forward.

'Stalemate already?' he asked.

She grinned and leant back, still pushing with her sword. Using the change in her position, she stretched her leg to sweep Arthur's feet toward her. He fell backward, but before she could arc her sword around his defensive strike to hold it to his neck, he rolled and deflected it away from himself as he stood.

Thalia laughed and swung down, sword in upheld arms, hilt by her face and tip swinging over Arthur's chest, who dropped to the ground to avoid it. She lunged at him as he heaved himself up. Arthur used an attack strike to move Thalia's sword out of his way and then leant toward her. Her guard hadn't slipped; he wasn't able to do much as he put more of his weight into the lean. He crashed into her side as around them Knights recoiled, going "oooooh…" But she and Arthur were unfazed and went for the other's back, making for a very hasty disengage from both of them. Arthur twirled his sword round again, lunging forward and low for her feet, then immediately sending his sword above his head as he pulled back upright, clanging making his ears ring slightly as Thalia swiped for him.

She grunted as she threw a power-packed swing for him.

Arthur's eyes flew wide as his balance caught up with his mind and he blocked her swing, stepping back from the momentum of the blow. Another one came for him from the same direction the momentum was pushing him. He blocked that one in an arc with two hands on his sword, and then almost squeaked as a blow he hadn't seen came flying for his side. Barely moving, and swiveling awkwardly on the spot, he managed to block. Thalia's blows usually came from a lot of different angles so he pivoted to face her as their swords rang again.

Thalia had just sat down to eat her soup and bread when the warning bells sounded.

She leapt up. Merlin and Arthur met her halfway between their doors. Guards came running.

'Sire, My Lady! Someone's stolen from the vaults!'

Thalia was ahead of Arthur, something he took note of.

'Is it the druids?'

'I hope not,' she said as they thundered down.

'Why, what's wrong?' Arthur jumped four steps.

'If it was them, what on Earth would they want to steal?'

'Something taken from the Great Purge?' asked Merlin from behind them.

'Exactly,' Thalia nodded, exchanging glances with Merlin.

'Can you think of anything down there?' asked Arthur.

'Hundreds,' she replied.

They reached the hold and found a dusty cushion with a patch of no dust; something had been resting on it.

'The Crystal…' Thalia realised.

'Of Neahtid? What exactly does it do?' said Arthur, tone a mix of concern and a groan.

'A lot of things. I promise I'll tell you later. Now we've got to seal the castle and town.'

'Seal Camelot!' relayed the guards.

'No one goes out,' she called.

'The locks are not damaged,' Arthur noted.

'What does that tell you?' asked Merlin.

'It tells me that somebody stole my keys,' said Arthur.

'Or Thalia's,' Merlin realised.

'It would have had to be mine, Thalia keeps hers in a locked chest. And the key to that is always on her.'

'Can't magic open locks?' asked Merlin.

'Would the druids risk using magic, though?' Thalia asked in the form of a reply. 'Only those with magic can use the crystal,' she sighed, leaning on the gate.

Merlin sighed, looking around. 'Was it precious, this crystal?'

'Of course it was precious. It wouldn't be down here otherwise, would it?' Arthur snapped.

'There's spider webs down here, in case you haven't noticed,' said Thalia.

Merlin chuckled. Arthur let out a breath and began pacing.

'Right,' said Merlin.

'Whoever it was knew exactly what they were looking for,' Arthur said.

'Apparently,' said Merlin.

'Apparently? That's all you've got to say?! Tell me, Merlin? Whose job is it to ensure that my chambers are locked at all times?'

'Arthur-,' said Thalia.

'Whose job is it to ensure that something like this never happens?!'

'Arthur-,'

'Sorry,' murmured Merlin.

'Sorry doesn't help!'

'ARTHUR!'

He fell silent and stopped pacing, brash eyes fixing onto her.

'Merlin's not in your chambers all day, and it's not his fault you keep them unlocked. Anyone could have gone in there.'

Arthur looked at them a moment before nodding. 'You're right. Sorry, Merlin. Did you see anyone?'

'Morgana was in there, wanting to apologize for last night. She seemed a bit weird,' Merlin added, frowning. 'She knows you always train in the afternoon. But she said she was looking for you.'

The prince and Crowned Warrior frowned. Arthur glanced unhappily at her, while Thalia's face looked dark and heavy.

Thalia stood up. 'We need to tell Uther, in the meantime I'm going to lead the search on the north side.' They began walking back up into the castle. 'Arthur, you take the south side, Merlin, you check where Morgana is, make up something about how we were concerned for her safety. Then go and see if Arthur's key has mysteriously reappeared.'

Merlin nodded and ran ahead of them.

'Why would Morgana do this?' frowned Arthur.

Thalia knew what he was worried about. 'I don't think she's trying to help evil,' she said, 'if the druids want the crystal then they want it for purposes beyond petty feuds. They have always had respect for the artifacts of the old religion. Also she shares a bond with the boy.'

Arthur sighed. 'Why would she get caught up in this? If my father finds out, then…'

'Maybe that bond with the boy runs deeper than we thought.'

'Thalia, Arthur, what news?'

They were stood in the council chambers, Merlin behind them.

Thalia spoke first. 'Someone broke into the dungeons and stole the Crystal of Neahtid.'

'So it's true…' Uther trailed off a moment, looking away. 'When was this?'

'Late yesterday.'

'I'm sorry, father,' said Arthur. He frowned slightly when he saw Thalia's hand moving to the signal to tell him to be quiet.

'You're sorry? That's not good enough. Did they force their way in?'

'No, Sire,' said Thalia.

'Then how did they gain access to the vault?'

'It seems,' she said, drawing in breath, 'that someone stole the keys.'

'How is that possible?!' Uther asked in shock.

'Someone snuck into Arthur's chambers,' she said.

Uther's eyes moved to his son. 'This is a grievous loss, Arthur. The Crystal of Neahtid was locked away for good reason.' Uther looked around the room, then back at Arthur.

'Why is it so important?' Arthur asked.

'It is an instrument of magic. In the days of the Purge a great many sorcerers died trying to protect it. Whatever it is, it's important to them.'

Thalia said nothing. Arthur noticed this, frowning slightly at Uther. 'I'll search the town, find out what I can.'

'Arthur, this crystal cannot fall into enemy hands.'

Arthur noted Uther was speaking only to him, sparing tiny glances at Thalia. 'Yes, Sire.'

They left the chambers a moment later. Uther was looking to the floor slightly guiltily.

'I'm sorry if my father offended you,' said Arthur as they walked. 'Sometimes I think he forgets who you are. When he spoke about the crystal, saying how important it was and he doesn't even know what it's for… I'm sorry.'

'Thank you, Arthur,' she replied. 'I didn't expect him to know what it's used for.'

'But to be so insensitive… it's hard to understand,' he sighed.

She nodded and turned to the silent warlock behind them. 'Merlin, can you go ask for advice? I know what the crystal does, but I need an opinion.'

Arthur frowned but said nothing as Merlin seemed to know what Arthur was talking about.

'I need your help,' Merlin said to the dragon.

'I'm sure you do, young warlock, but first you must honour your promise.'

'We said we would set you free, and we will,' he nodded.

The dragon nodded as well. 'What is wrong, young warlock? Is Thalia alright?'

'She's fine,' said Merlin, then he frowned. 'Why do you ask?'

Kilgharrah said nothing more and Merlin gave it up, assuming the dragon was just being polite.

'What is the Crystal of Neahtid? Thalia hasn't had the opportunity to tell me.'

'To those who know how to use it, the Crystal holds great knowledge.'

'What kind of knowledge?' Merlin asked, wondering why the dragon seemed troubled.

'The knowledge of what is, what has been, and what is yet to come.'

'Do you mean it can show you the future?' Merlin became alarmed.

'Amongst other things, yes.'

'The Crystal has been stolen.'

The dragon frowned. 'By who?'

'The Lady Morgana.'

Kilgharrah laughed, which made Merlin confused. 'That witch does not have the power to wield the Crystal.'

'D… Does the druid boy?' Merlin suggested, not wanting to know the answer.

'Mordred? It is possible. Why do you ask?' Kilgharrah still had his mirth.

'I believe that they're involved in this together.'

Kilgharrah's mirth died instantly like death by an assassin. 'Once before I warned you of the druid boy. It was once his destiny to bring about Arthur's doom. That destiny was changed, but what lies ahead of us is still unknown. It may be that the time to find out is upon you.'

'What do you mean?'

'The ancient prophecies speak of an alliance of Mordred and Morgana united in evil, and this union must be stopped, whatever the cost.'

'But if Arthur is to be saved, can the alliance really pose such a threat?'

'It is not only Arthur who is destined to wear the crown of Camelot's golden dawn,' replied Kilgharrah sadly.

Merlin frowned, noting the tone of the great dragon, though he didn't know what his remark meant. 'Thalia wants your opinion.'

The dragon heaved a great sigh, weight lowering. 'I believe this is not yet the time the alliance is secured, you may still have leeway. But I cannot ignore the feeling I have. What they could hope to use the crystal for is beyond me. I do not think they are druids. And know this, young warlock. To kill an ordinary man you do not need unordinary methods.'

'You think they're going for someone important…' nodded Merlin, looking down. 'Uther?' he looked up again.

'That, I fear, is only the best case.'

'He thinks they're coming for all of us,' Thalia said, letting her hand fall down the outside of her armchair. 'I agree with him; I don't think they're druids. How they came across Mordred is worrying.'

Merlin nodded, the fire in Thalia's chambers not helping his worried heart. 'I'm going to watch Morgana tonight.'

Thalia looked to the fire. 'I'll come with you,' she said in a light tone that didn't match her heavy expression.

'What is it?' Merlin asked.

'I'm worried we won't get a chance to get the boy,' she said, 'and we'll be worrying about when he will return again. Kilgharrah is right; we're running out of time. The time we are to face Mordred may still be far off, but the alliance could form at any moment. Morgana will fall too easily, Merlin, she veers to the edge of becoming our enemy too easily. She's tried to kill Uther in the past.'

'But surely with you here she doesn't feel that she's alone?'

'She hasn't seen or done the things I have, Morgana is protected. Day in and out she sees Uther killing our kind without a second thought. People I've most likely caught. Do you really think she feels she can even trust me?'

Merlin sat heavily.

They sat for a while longer in the dark light, the deep flames of the fire dancing in the fireplace. A Warlock charged by destiny to protect King Arthur, and a young High Priestess with the soul of a warrior.

Merlin was wary of Thalia, not in an uneasy way, but wary of how he felt when he thought too long about her. She was young, the same age as he and Arthur and yet seemed older whenever the times grew cold. She was right; she spent her life sending her own kind to Uther to be burnt. And while it was the same as a man capturing a criminal, Uther wanted them dead for the wrong reasons. He didn't know how that played on her conscience, nor did he know why Kilgharrah seemed sad and asked after her.

'She's moving.' It was Thalia's turn to watch the window and she saw the light change in Morgana's chambers.

Merlin stood up, stretching. Thalia passed him a spare sword and picked up her own, pulling on her dark tight cloak.

They left the castle, tracing Morgana into the forest. Merlin was glad Thalia was with him. She was a master hunter, and so they didn't have to stay within eyesight of Morgana as she unsteadily turned around, anxious and breathing heavily.

She led them to a camp of men in a small opening of trees, where they thinned.

They heard a male voice. 'It's my hope that with time Mordred will master the Crystal. And when he does, we will strike Uther down. Uther and all who serve him.'

Merlin found he was relieved that their target was Uther, though he was still worried for Arthur and Thalia.

'All who serve him?' Morgana asked.

'If we are to win this war, there can be no half-measures. I see this troubles you.'

Thalia swore under her breath and Merlin knew why. Morgana was easily swayed. Those words would stay with her.

'Yes. Yes, it does,' Morgana said.

'My Lady, we fight for our very survival, as do you. The boy. He told me you have magic. You need not be afraid.'

Another curse left Thalia.

'I know. I'm sorry. I've become so used to concealing the truth.'

'Believe me, I understand what that feels like.'

By this point, Merlin was holding in his own curses.

'Every day I must look Uther in the eye knowing that if he were to discover who I really am, he'd have me killed. I live in fear of Thalia. They call her the Huntress. I couldn't outrun her, I wouldn't stand a chance.'

'You have been very brave.'

'I don't want to be brave. I just want to be myself. I don't want to be alone anymore.'

'You are not alone. You're here with us. You need never be alone again.'

There was a brief silence, during which Merlin and Thalia looked at each other with troubled eyes. They didn't like what they were saying, or their soft tones of voice.

'I must be heading back. The castle will be waking soon.'

'Farewell then, My Lady Morgana.'

Morgana's footsteps trailed away, and then they heard Mordred. 'Where's Morgana?'

'She could not stay.'

'Will we be seeing her again?'

Thalia moved her head just for a moment to see into the clearing. Merlin knew she was counting them. Her head moved back again.

'Yes, Mordred. You can be sure of that.'

'Nicely done,' said the voice of a woman.

'You played her well.'

'It was not hard. She is very beautiful, after all.'

They heard the sound of kissing.

While Merlin grimaced childishly, and Thalia laughed, they snuck further back.

'You're not going for it?' he asked.

'I can't. I'd have to use magic against them and it'd raise too many questions.'

Merlin nodded. 'Is there anything we can do? What do we do about Morgana if they're captured?'

'Capture the woman,' Thalia said, making Merlin glance at her, 'perhaps her existence will keep Morgana from defending them.'

Merlin nodded. 'Do you know who Alvarr is?'

Thalia nodded. 'He's a sorcerer, a leader of renegades. Many times they've threatened to overthrow Uther. I've fought them a few times now. They'll attack me on sight, company permitting.'

'He sounded pretty determined.'

'He's the only one of the lot, the rest follow him because of his charismatic demeanor. You saw Morgana, she's wrapped around his finger. If we can get Mordred away from them, then maybe…'

'What?' Merlin tripped over a branch, Thalia catching him.

'Well either the alliance is damaged because they don't believe the same things Alvarr does, or it doesn't form at all.'

'So what do we do now?'

'We go to Uther, we warn him of Alvarr. We can't mention Morgana, she may yet turn her back on them. She's also in danger if Uther suspects her.'

'Would Uther even listen to you if you accused her?'

'Uther would believe me about anything if it came to sorcery. We've got to kill Alvarr, for Uther's sake, for Morgana's sake… for Mordred's sake, for Albion's sake, I could go on.'

'Please don't,' said Merlin, 'I'm worried enough already.'

Thalia laughed.

The following morning they marched into the council chambers. Arthur was in his chair, as was Morgana. Uther looked up, face brightening.

'Thalia! Any news?'

'I know where it is. It was stolen by Alvarr, sire, I found their camp last night.'

'Excellent,' Uther nodded, admiring her skill. 'I trust you want to deal with this in your own way?'

'Only if it doesn't worry you,' she replied, smiling at him.

Behind, in her own chair, Morgana looked terrified.

'It would do quite the opposite,' said Uther.

Thalia nodded. 'Consider it done.'

Morgana trembled as she looked at the Crowned Warrior.

Arthur stood as Thalia and Merlin turned, walking with them out.

'Where is he?' he asked.

'In the Valley of Chemray.'

Thalia was about to say more when they heard hurried footsteps behind them. She steered them into a more secreted corridor, the one that opened to the outside air and looked over the courtyard.

'We'll deal with this,' she murmured to Merlin as they stopped and Morgana reached them.

'Thalia, Arthur, you're not seriously thinking of going on this mission, are you?'

'No, we're not thinking of going on this mission. We are going on this mission,' said Arthur, leaning against the stone, elbow on the top of the bannister.

'But you're chasing nothing but a rumour.'

'A rumour?!' echoed Arthur, looked pointedly at Thalia.

'You can't know it was him! Did you see the crystal?'

'Whether or not he had the crystal,' said Thalia in a lecturing tone, 'is beside the point. Alvarr is an enemy to Camelot, Morgana. Why don't you want us to go?' she frowned, pretending to be concerned.

'I…' Morgana realised the trap surrounding her. 'I'm concerned, that's all. This man is dangerous.'

Thalia was going to thank her for her concern in an attempt to make Morgana less wary of her, but Arthur spoke before she did.

'Well, not for Thalia,' he grinned, turning away and walking once more, leaving Morgana to her worries. When they were out of earshot, he spoke again. 'She really doesn't want us to go, does she?'

'No.'

'Do you think the boy is with them, Mordred?'

Thalia wrestled with herself a long time. The longer she thought, the more hurt Arthur became.

'Look, if there's somethings you don't want me to know, then that's alrigh-,'

'Yes, he's with them. Morgana is in league with Alvarr. This is the second time she's plotted to kill Uther.'

Arthur said nothing for only a moment, then hugged her as they walked. He could worry about Morgana later, but right now… 'Thank you for telling me.'

She smiled slightly as he let her go. 'Ready the knights, Merlin.'

'Not the guards?' asked Arthur.

'That patrol that went missing a few days ago…'

'You think it was Alvarr,' Arthur nodded.

'It has to be. And even if it isn't, something that way destroyed a patrol. I'd hate to get there and realise we're short all but 5 men.'

'You're right,' agreed Arthur, 'We'll have them ready by sunrise.'

'No,' said Thalia. 'Morgana will be halfway out of Camelot by now.'

'As soon as they're ready, then.'

'Yes. Tell them to saddle their own damn horses if it holds them up.'

Arthur smiled at her, laughing. 'Well, Merlin, you finally get to see Thalia in action.'

'I don't know why I bring you on these expeditions. You spend the whole time terrified.' Arthur glanced at Merlin as they rode toward the camp in the dusk.

'I'm not terrified.'

'Yes, you are. I can tell you are.'

'No you can't.'

'If you weren't scared, you'd be talking rubbish as usual.'

'Well, I am talking rubbish as usual. I mean, I am talking as usual, so clearly I'm not scared.'

'Both of you, quiet,' Thalia said as they approached a fork in the road.

'Where now?' asked Arthur.

'I said quiet.' Thalia swung off Leroy and crouched down, side on to the knights, Arthur and Merlin. She looked at the mud on both paths and saw nothing.

'Anything?' asked Arthur.

She glanced back at him, and then turned fully away.

Arthur squirmed uncomfortably, making sure everyone else was still on their horse.

Thalia looked down like she was studying the ground. But in reality, she closed her eyes and listened. She concentrated and heard Mordred's voice in her head, Morgana talking to Alvarr, the trees in the dusk wind.

'We can hold them back, they will not win, Morgana, do not fear.'

'No! You don't know them. You don't know who's coming.'

'What are you so scared about?'

'You have to run! Please, listen to me. You cannot win.'

'And why not?'

'She's coming. The Huntress.'

'Thalia? Thalia is coming?'

She opened her eyes, gesturing down the left path. 'Come on. It's this way.'

Arthur smiled at her as she mounted her horse and they rode on.

They reached the camp a few minutes later, the outlines of tents standing against the brown trees. It was still light, but only just.

'We can't waste time,' said Thalia, 'Merlin, stay here, make sure they don't get to the horses.'

Merlin nodded. 'What about Mordred?'

'What happens will happen,' she said, walking away and crouching down behind a bush.

Merlin gave a single nod once more and Arthur crouched beside Thalia. 'What now?'

'Now? We storm the camp.'

'You want to storm it?' he asked.

'Yes,' she said, 'wait until the fire re-ignites itself and then charge.'

Arthur nodded. 'We'll be ready.'

She clapped him on his closest upper arm, his left, and moved forward, hand resting on the hilt of her sword.

Arthur moved back as the knights readied themselves. Merlin watched next to Arthur at the front as Thalia crept closer and closer.

'There's no one there,' said Merlin, 'I can't see anyone.'

'If she says they're there, they're there,' Arthur said, squinting to the other side of the camp.

They watched as she found someone and silently snapped their neck. Merlin's eyes widened when he saw the outline of a small boy moving further away. Thalia had clearly seen it too, her head twisted to follow him. The Knights winced, pitying whoever he was when Thalia saw him. But she didn't go for him, because between them was another man. She did the same and after sneaking around and disposing of most of the renegades from behind she crouched behind a tree, with the camp between her and Arthur and Merlin.

Then out walked Alvarr, into the middle of the camp. He had clearly realised his men had been killed.

'You think you can best us? Cowards! Weaklings! Face me if you dare!'

Thalia's eyes flashed with the storm and she shot forward as Alvarr looked away from her location, her sword suddenly unsheathed.

He saw her at the last second, diving away and his sword rang, deflecting the sword that shone in the evening light.

His eyes widened in fear when he saw who it was. He began to fight on the offensive, but his technique slipped and he found himself fending for his life against perfect arcs and twists of the shining blade.

From afar, Arthur smiled. Thalia's fighting was an art form. He loved how her sword always seemed to glow; it always was clean and polished so it caught the light. In the golden light from the sunset it looked like a tongue of flame and as he watched it looked more surreal as Alvarr was forced to the ground, bending back to try and save himself.

Her sword finished at his throat. Then the remaining men appeared from behind trees she had no choice but to avoid earlier.

'Light the fire,' she said, pointing her sword further toward his throat.

'What?' he asked as his men closed in.

'Do it!' her blade drew blood and he grimaced. A moment later the fire ignited in a puff of orange flames.

'GO!' yelled Arthur and the knights ran to engage.

Thalia deflected only two blows using the armor brace on her right arm before Arthur reached her.

'Leave the woman!' she yelled when she saw her, 'knock her out!'

Merlin did just that from afar with quick use of his magic, while happily stroking his horse's nose.

Soon the knights had easily taken them all down. Mordred was nowhere to be seen.

'Give us the Crystal,' said Arthur.

'Why should you care?' spat Alvarr.

Thalia kicked him over, sword perfectly tracing his movements to stay at his throat.

'What use is it to you?'

Arthur made to search him but Thalia pointed her sword further upright, until he could see barely anything but the shining metal.

'I can search your dead body if you'd prefer.'

'You'll only burn me at Camelot,' he said, glaring at her, 'what difference does it make?'

'Then you will die without ever seeing Uther, and he will think of you as nothing more than a nuisance.'

Alvarr looked down, except Thalia cut his skin lightly again.

'Very well, if that's how you want it-,'

'Fine!' Alvarr pulled out a bag, in which the crystal's shape could be seen. 'You're fools. How many lives have been lost this day? And for what? You cannot wield the Crystal.' In his attempts to keep his neck as far away from the tip of Thalia's blade as he could, he grabbed the wrong end of the bag and the crystal fell into his hands. He gasped when it did and screamed. His head spun as the knights watched on.

'Get away!' Thalia yelled, and they retreated to the horses, taking the woman with them.

Alvarr looked up and screamed further when he saw Arthur, who looked unnerved and glanced at Thalia for help.

'Seems you're the one who cannot wield it,' she said, frowning as she studied him.

Alvarr's senses seemed to return to him and he looked up at Thalia in shock, though he looked to be in a trance. 'You…'

Arthur stepped forward again until he stood beside her protectively.

'But you are the Huntress,' he said, eyes flat and drawn back. 'But you are so much more than that. She who wields the power of the old religion. …. … … The Warrior who wore a crown.'

Arthur frowned now, too.

'Whom nature bends to, the horror of Albion's enemies, the nightmare of the wayward daughter.'

Arthur looked at Thalia, swallowing. She was no longer frowning, her face was calm and unreadable.

'I know who you are.' Alvarr laughed fearfully as the crystal began to glow brighter. 'I know you… Darkslayer.'

He fell out of the trance and looked at the crystal in his hands.

Thalia sighed and pulled the crystal from his hands.

'You don't have the power, My Lady,' he grinned, looking her up and down. Arthur wanted to kill him.

But then nothing happened as she held it and his eyes widened.

She bent down lower. 'Is that so?' she asked in a threatening voice.

Arthur swung a fist to his temple and Alvarr was knocked out.

'What… what was all that?' he asked.

'Not that you should tell your father,' said Thalia, dropping the crystal into the bag, 'but the crystal can be used to see the past, present and future. For starters.'

'So did he see the future?'

Thalia looked down at the man in the leaves. 'Maybe.'

'Did you see Mordred?' Thalia asked, stopping by Merlin for a moment.

'No,' he said, throwing his arms out. 'What happened with the crystal?'

'He couldn't wield it, he fell into a trance.'

Merlin nodded. 'Who's got it now?'

'I have.'

Merlin nodded. 'Good.'

Thalia continued past to her horse and Arthur sat down next to Merlin. Immediately Merlin saw the signs that something big was nagging at Arthur.

'What's wrong?'

Arthur looked around a moment before leaning in closer to Merlin. 'When Alvarr touched the crystal, something happened and… well he looked at Thalia and called her all these titles. "She who wields the power of the old religion," "Whom nature bends to," "the horror of Albion's enemies," "the nightmare of the wayward daughter." I know that she is capable of earning titles such as that, but what circumstances would give her the opportunity? "The Warrior who wore a crown." That was another.'

'That one's easy,' said Merlin.

'Well that's just it,' said Arthur, 'He didn't seem to be talking about the Crowned Warrior title. What on Earth did that crystal show him? There was one more… at the end, it seemed like another name almost.'

'What was it?' asked Merlin, worry and wonder mixing through his mind.

'Darkslayer,' said Arthur, in a shrugging voice, 'whatever that means.'

'What?' asked Merlin sharply.

'Have you heard it before?' asked Arthur.

'No,' Merlin said, looking down. 'It's just… that has such an impact on me.'

Arthur voice dropped to a calm, thoughtful tone, 'I know how you feel, Merlin.'

In front of Uther, Arthur, Thalia and Morgana the guards pushed Alvarr to his knees.

Morgana looked horrified, but her whole body trembled when she saw Alvarr spare a terrified look at Thalia, who sat next to Arthur. Then she looked sick as the woman was dragged in and pushed to her knees beside Alvarr.

'So, you admit to stealing the Crystal of Neahtid?' demanded Uther.

'I do,' he said.

'You admit to plotting against your King?'

'I do.'

'And you acted alone? You were not aided or abetted by any citizen of Camelot?'

Morgana sucked in her breath.

'I acted alone.'

Thalia noticed he didn't deny the second part.

'Then I find you guilty of treason. You are an enemy of Camelot, Alvarr. You are sentenced to death.'

'Then I die with honour. To be an enemy of Camelot is no crime.'

Uther waved a hand. 'Take him away.'

'You, Uther, you are the criminal.'

'Silence!' yelled Thalia, standing, and Alvarr said nothing.

She and Arthur left with everyone else. Morgana stayed behind.

'What's going to happen?' asked Arthur.

'She'll plead for his life,' Thalia murmured. 'Though it's no use. Stealing from the citadel alone is punishable by death.'

As night fell, Thalia felt uneasy. She knew Morgana would make a move, and it was only a matter of time. Arthur and Merlin seemed to know it as well. Both were sat with swords in her chambers, eating and sitting by the fire to pass the time.

Then the bells rang.

They sprang up.

'FETCH MORGANA!' yelled Thalia to the guards outside the doors, 'I don't care what she tells you, abduct her if you have to. Take to the council chambers. Then get Uther and bring him there.'

'Yes, My Lady!'

'Where are we going?' asked Merlin.

'The council chambers,' said Arthur, 'but first we have to check on the secret passages.

None of them had been opened, Thalia checked with magic.

'Guards!' Arthur yelled as they resurfaced into the clean corridors. 'Search the outside walls.'

They marched into the council chambers. Uther was talking but turned around the moment they entered.

'Well?'

'No outside grates, drains or doors tampered with, he's still here,' said Thalia.

'It appears that the guards were drugged,' added Arthur as they came to a halt.

Uther circled on the spot as he thought. 'That means he had help. Someone...' his eyes rested on Morgana, '...here in Camelot.'

'Afraid it looks that way,' said Arthur, trying not to also look at her.

Uther addressed the room. 'Let this be understood, whoever has done this, they have betrayed me. They have betrayed the kingdom. If I ever discover who it was, they will rue the day they were born. And now they will regret their actions.'

Morgana began to panic as Uther turned back toward the Prince, Merlin and The Crowned Warrior.

'Thalia.'

'Sire.'

'Find him. Kill him.'

She said nothing and turned around.

Morgana wanted to scream, but she didn't dare. Instead she sat on her chair, trembling.

Thalia walked out of the hall, coat flowing behind her. Arthur and Merlin went with her.

'Where to?'

'Morgana's Chambers,' she said, 'it's a good a place as any. He'll need somewhere to hide until the alert goes down where he won't get shrieked at if he's found.'

Behind them they heard her running.

'I want to help!' she said. She looked frightened and lost, breathing in and out too deeply and too frantically.

They turned back to look at each other.

'Alright then,' shrugged Arthur.

Morgana was about to ask why they were going to her chambers, or pretend not to know, when Thalia stopped dead. Her eyes narrowed. Merlin took a step back from whatever he was in front of, to see it was a tapestry. She didn't turn to look at it, rather kept facing forward as she eyed it. Then they kept moving past, where Morgana's door curved into sight.

Arthur was walking at the front and Thalia was walking at the back of the group, walking with her back pressed against Merlin's as he walked forwards, making sure she couldn't back into anything. Then the tapestry moved. Thalia leant forward away from Merlin.

'Get Morgana, keep walking forwards away. Stop outside her door.'

Merlin said nothing and tapped Arthur on his shoulder he turned around and went to join Thalia. In unison they crouched and Morgana didn't know what to do. She walked backwards, dragged by Merlin. She wanted to scream to warn him, but that would give her away.

But she didn't have the time to make her choice. Thalia, the quieter of the two, crept right past the tapestry. Arthur stopped right next to it, sword in hand. Then he pulled it back, already deflecting the blow that came his way. Alvarr run out from the other side, straight for Thalia. He spun on the spot to see Arthur charging him. He ducked the blow and Arthur skidded past. At first, he looked smug, thinking he'd outsmarted the prince, when really, Arthur had returned the lead to Thalia. Once again, Alvarr fought her. And once again, he lasted seconds before she had overpowered him. This time he did not kneel.

He thought he could look smart and confident, and that once more his charisma could win.

'Oh, My Lady,' he sighed, 'it is an honor to be bested by you.' He smiled at her, a winning smile.

Her face remained the same. 'You saw who I am. Do you expect to live?'

Then he remembered his trance.

Thalia's sword shone one last time as she swung and struck him through the heart.

Merlin and Arthur noticed that she went for the heart, rather than the much quicker neck. They glanced at each other as Alvarr fell to the floor.

Morgana ran into her chambers. They didn't think anything of it.

Arthur stood beside Thalia, looking down at him. 'How on earth did you spot that?' he asked.

'It moved,' she said.

Arthur and Merlin laughed, amazed she'd seen it.

'Ah,' said the great dragon, 'how did you fare?'

'We did it,' said Merlin, 'but something happened. Alvarr picked up the crystal and went into a trance. Arthur said he looked terrified of Thalia, and called her a name.'

'What was it?' asked the dragon as Merlin looked uneasy.

'Darkslayer.'

Kilgharrah was silent for a moment. 'A name fitting for one so unique. I always wondered if she was the one, since the day I met her.'

'The one to be called "Darkslayer"?' asked Merlin, nodding a couple of times and moving his arm around uncomfortably.

'Yes. She has the most incredible destiny ahead of her, Merlin,' said Kilgharrah.

'I know,' said Merlin, looking down. 'And there is no one more worthy of such a destiny. But I can't help but worry… with all the titles, so dark and heavy,' he looked back up at the old, wise dragon. 'What is that destiny going to do to her?'

'That, Merlin,' said Kilgharrah, 'is exactly what I fear.'