'My Lady!'

'Oh, what,' grumbled Arthur. He and Thalia were halfway back to the castle after early morning training with the knights by the lake. It was a nice day, and they all had stopped to watch birds.

'Uther requests your presence!'

Thalia nodded and kept walking. The messenger ran off in another direction, shouting after one of the Knights.

'I've learnt to get worried whenever someone sends for you over the years,' said Merlin hurrying to catch up to them and carrying Arthur's armour, 'what could it be?'

'Anything,' shrugged Arthur. 'Either someone saw a frog in a well again and thought it was a magic toad or we're about to be attacked by witches from the high seas of nowhere.'

Thalia and Merlin laughed.

'I'm a herder from the northern plains, Sire. Three nights back, we were camped beneath the walls of Idirsholas.'

'I'm not sure I would've chosen such a place,' remarked Uther.

'Good pasture is scarce at this time of year, Sire.'

'And what is it you have to tell me?' Uther sighed impatiently.

'While we were there we, we saw smoke rising from the citadel.'

Thalia, Gaius and Uther exchanged looks.

'And did you see anything else?' asked Gaius.

'No.'

'Did you go inside?' asked Uther.

'No. Nobody has stepped over that threshold for 300 years! You must know the legend, Sire.'

'When the fires of Idirsholas burn,' said Gaius, 'the knights of Medhir will ride again.'

Uther stood up. 'See to it this man is fed and has a bed for the night. Take a ride out there,' Uther told Arthur, after Thalia had already begun to walk out.

'Why?' he asked, glancing uncertainly at Thalia.

'So we can put people's minds at rest,' said Uther, watching Thalia also.

'Surely this is superstitious nonsense?' said Arthur, changing focus to his father.

'Gather the guard and do as I say,' said Uther firmly.

'No-ow, Arthur,' came Thalia's call.

'Alright, what's this about?' asked Arthur as they walked.

'The Knights of Medhir were once Knights of Camelot. As I'm sure Gaius could tell you,' Thalia continued as they walked, 'About 300 years ago they fell prey to a sorcerer's call. They fell to her power. At her command, they became a terrifying and brutal force that rode through the lands leaving death and destruction in their wake.'

'Why did they stop?'

'They had to kill the sorcerer before they stopped cutting people down.'

Arthur noticed they walked past her chambers.

'You're not going to change?'

'I'd rather not waste time.'

'You're not wearing armor.'

'Armor won't protect against the knights.'

'And if it's not them, if it's bandits?'

'Then a stab through the stomach won't kill me either way,' she said.

'You could lose an arm,' he reminded her.

'Then I'll just have to rely on you to protect me,' she quipped.

Arthur rolled his eyes.

Arthur glanced back at Merlin as they rode.

'What is it, Merlin?' he sighed, 'Don't tell me you've been listening to Gaius's bedtime stories again.'

'I just hope that's all they are,' said Merlin.

'Well Thalia doesn't think they are,' said Arthur, 'so you'd better take your thumb out of your mouth.'

'Is that Idirsholas?' asked Arthur, nodding at the citadel in the distance.

'Yes,' Thalia nodded. 'Once it was beautiful. And now it is falling to dust.'

Arthur noticed how sad she looked, and reached over to tap her shoulder. 'I'm sorry.'

She grinned at him lazily and nodded.

'Maybe one day we can restore it!' said Merlin happily.

'We might have to moves the Knights first,' said Thalia.

'If they're still sleeping in there,' mumbled Arthur, looking ahead again.

Thalia was right about the dust. The entrance courtyard was more rubble than floor, and as they crept across it with unsheathed swords and hunting eyes Merlin frowned.

'What's that noise?'

'What noise?' asked Thalia and Arthur.

'A sort of trembling sound.'

'That's your knees knocking together,' said Arthur with an eye roll.

'Just the rubble,' said Thalia.

They continued the search.

Thalia seemed the happiest, while Merlin looked the most uneasy.

'How is it you're enjoying this so much?' Merlin hissed as they walked through another cob-webbed room.

'Because until we come across certain death I'd like to appreciate the castle,' she replied.

The knights behind her chuckled.

They found the fires that sat in the chambers the farmer had described before long and Arthur held a hand over the dust-lacking ash, while Thalia strode around the room, squinting at the high ceiling.

'It seems part of Joseph's story was true. Probably just travellers passing through.'

'Or maybe not.' The sound of Merlin's quip-while-I'm-alive-which-I-might-not-be-in-two-minutes tone that she knew all too well made Thalia turn. At the door stood the seven knights.

A curse Arthur hadn't heard in a long time drifted over to him from the corner Thalia was walking over from.

The knights, in black hooded capes and plated armor drew their swords.

Thalia engaged the first one, leaping in front of the party of Camelot knights.

As they duelled all around the room, Arthur and Thalia drew to become back to back.

'Their defences are strong!' Arthur said as metal clanged around them.

'They were among the best of the knights when they fell,' Thalia replied, with a grunt as she threw a particularly hard blow.

'If I stab one…?'

'You'll just lose your sword,' said Thalia. 'MERLIN, GET THEM OUT!' she yelled.

Merlin darted between fighters, pulling red capes back toward the door in vain.

Three more knights turned on Arthur and Thalia.

'Merlin, sword!' Thalia called.

Merlin grabbed one from a fallen knight of Camelot and tossed it to her. She caught it in her right hand.

'Thalia!' yelled Arthur and ducked to the side, making them spin 180 so she could block a blow Arthur was ill-positioned to.

'They're all dead!' yelled Merlin a second later. Thalia drew both of her swords down on an arm of the knight to her left. Its sword clattered to the ground and Arthur kicked it as far across the room as he could.

'You go,' she said.

'No arguments here,' he said and ducked down and ran for the door, past Merlin who stayed near Thalia.

'Acwele!' hissed Thalia. One of the knights erupted in flames, though continued to attack. She groaned and rolled her head. 'Throw Excalibur into the lake, the dragon said,' whined Thalia as she deflected blow after blow, 'it's for the best, he said.'

Merlin let out a panicked laugh at the remark as he contorted out of the way.

'Merlin!' yelled Arthur.

Merlin stepped back as Thalia threw her weight away from the door with two deflections and then ran to join them, she and Arthur backing out.

'Any time,' said Arthur.

Thalia looked up. 'Ahríes þæc!'

The roof caved in and Merlin pulled the two further back out of the way.

'There goes another bit of the place I liked,' huffed Thalia.

Arthur laughed and they turned and ran to the woods.

'What happened to your arm?' he asked Merlin as they stopped near the horses.

Merlin looked down to see a tear in his shirt on his upper left arm. 'Oh, I must have caught in on something.'

Arthur pointed at it. 'Let me see. Your first battle wound,' he said with a grin. 'Here.'

Thalia laughed as Arthur ripped the base of his shirt, Merlin groaning.

'Er, no. No, don't...You'll ruin it.'

'Don't worry. You can mend it.'

Thalia laughed again as Arthur passed her the piece of cloth to tie around Merlin's arm.

'Did anyone else escape?' Arthur asked.

Merlin shook his head.

'We need to get back to Camelot, gather reinforcements.'

'There won't be time,' Thalia said, leading them to the horses, 'they'll chase us. We need to hunt down the sorceress who commands them.'

They galloped back into Camelot not long later. Thalia was the first to notice everywhere was silent.

'Arthur…,'

'What?'

'Listen.'

He did so for a moment, then nodded at her. When they reached the gates they found the guards lying in a heap.

They dismounted and Arthur knelt down by one, Thalia standing guard.

'Are they dead?' asked Merlin.

'No,' Arthur replied, 'They're breathing.'

'What's happened to them?'

'I don't know.' Arthur's tone of voice was low. He set off again. Everywhere they ran people had just fallen to the ground.

'What's going on?'

They heard sounds for the first time, to see a horse walk into the square, the driver of the cart it was attached to asleep. Thalia and Arthur walked over and halted it, patting it soothingly.

'I'll get Gaius,' said Merlin.

'He'll be asleep,' Thalia said.

'Maybe not, maybe he protected himself. With a potion or… something,' Merlin finished by trailing off.

Thalia tilted her head in agreement. 'Come on, then.'

She and Merlin jogged into the palace, looking around. Arthur stayed with the horse until Merlin shouted after him.

'Arthur?!'

The griffin's staircase was littered with servants and guards, all asleep.

'They're all fast asleep. Must be some kind of sickness.'

Arthur looked around.

'Where's my father?'

They ran up the stairs.

'Is this an attack?' Merlin asked.

'It could be,' said Thalia.

'How powerful would a sorcerer have to be in order to put the whole of the citadel to sleep?' asked Arthur.

'It depends. They wouldn't have fallen asleep where they are if it was something in the water supply,' said Thalia, 'so it has to have been a spell.'

'But we can assume the answer is "quite",' Arthur said as they rounded a corner.

'Yes,' she sighed.

There was no one in the council chambers.

'Where is he?!' Arthur yelled in frustration.

They checked on Gaius. He was asleep at his table.

'Gaius!' he yelled.

'Merlin,' called Thalia. 'We have to find Uther.'

The next closest place was Morgana's chambers.

They went in and found Gwen asleep on the floor. Merlin and Thalia carried her to lie on Morgana's bed.

Then the curtain behind them flickered with a noise and immediately all three rounded on it. Arthur edged closer to it, sword drawn and ready. Thalia gently grabbed it and flung it open, as Arthur dove forward.

Then he yelled in surprise and haste to drop his sword, and Morgana screamed as she backed into the curtain.

'It's me! It's me, Morgana! What's happened?' Arthur pulled her out of the curtain.

Immediately Thalia and Merlin were blinking at her in alarm.

Arthur was staring at her intently as she tried to pull away from Arthur's grip.

'I didn't know it was you!'

'Calm down, Morgana. Just tell me what happened.'

'People were complaining, saying they weren't feeling well.'

'And what then?'

'They started falling asleep. Everyone, everywhere I went.'

'Was someone here?'

Morgana shook her head.

Finally, now that she had calmed, Arthur glanced up at Merlin and Thalia, who were standing side by side and watching with blank, curious and wary expressions. He never could have forgotten what Thalia had said when the crystal of Neathid was stolen.

'Then why were you hiding?' asked Arthur, voice lowering by the minute.

'I told you, I didn't know who you were.'

'Where's my father?'

'I don't know.'

'Arthur, she's distressed,' said Merlin, as Morgana's voice didn't stop wavering.

'If she was awake then she must have seen something.'

'I didn't see anything.'

'You saw people getting sick, what did you do?'

'What could I do?'

'Morgana, I don't understand. Why is it that you're the only person awake?'

'Arthur, you're going to make her faint in a minute if you're not careful,' Thalia warned.

Arthur nodded and finally let go. Morgana fell back and Thalia caught her.

'Gaius gives her sleeping potions,' said Thalia, rubbing Morgana's back. 'It's possible they interfere with the spell.'

Arthur hummed, agreeing. 'Sorry, Morgana.'

Morgana nodded and followed him out.

They found Uther in his chambers, slumped at his desk.

'Father.' Arthur pushed him upright.

'See,' said Merlin, 'he's all right.'

'He is not "all right"!' said Arthur furiously, holding Uther's head.

'He's just asleep. All we have to do is find the cure. A way to wake them.'

'Who could have done this?' Arthur asked.

'The same sorcerer who awoke the knights,' said Thalia. 'They're coming here.'

Arthur's eyes widened. 'Then they're coming for my father. We need to move him out of here, somewhere he can't be found.'

'They'll also be coming for you,' Thalia warned.

'Merlin, go and see if you can find the potion Morgana takes. I'll search for signs of life in the lower town. Morgana, you stay here. You look after my father. Keep him safe. Here.' He passed her a sword. 'Protect him with your life, you understand?'

Morgana nodded and watched as they left.

'Thalia!' she called after them.

Thalia nodded at Arthur to go ahead without her, then doubled back.

'Is it really the potions?'

'No,' said Thalia, 'it must be your magic. I'm impressed,' she said with a warm smile, 'you must be very strong to withstand such a spell.'

Morgana smiled back.

'Are you alright now?' Thalia asked.

Morgana nodded. 'Thank you.'

Suddenly filled with regret at who she was, at why she could never be a complete comfort to Morgana, Thalia leant forward and hugged the woman. 'Never see me as someone you can't believe in, Morgana.'

In the embrace, Morgana felt herself waver slightly.

'Thank you,' she said.

Thalia took her hand as she moved back. 'Find me if you need me, okay?'

Morgana nodded, a tear uncontrollably spilling down her face.

Thalia then headed for Gaius' chambers, knowing Merlin would be there.

Merlin had just destroyed Gaius' chair when she walked in.

'Okay..,' said Merlin.

'Merlin,' she said as she walked in, 'what are you doing?'

'I'm trying to wake Gaius up,' he replied.

'Have you tried the water method?' she asked.

'No, not yet.'

'Here. Brimstréam! '

Arthur ran in just as water fell on Gaius' face from nowhere. He stopped only a moment to witness the scene before yelling.

'Thalia! Merlin!'

'What?'

'They're here.' He was already running out again.

Merlin and Thalia bolted after him.

They ran to the battlements. Riding for Camelot in formation were the seven knights, with an extra in the middle.

'According to the legend there were only seven nights of Medhir,' Merlin sighed.

'Then who's the extra rider?' asked Arthur with a clenched jaw. 'The sorcerer?'

'It must be,' said Thalia.

Arthur turned sharply to her, fear beginning to creep through him. Thalia's eyes were unwavering, tracking the movements of the eighth rider with narrowed eyes, already addressing them.

Merlin watched her, too, suddenly feeling like a child standing behind an adult protecting them.

She looked like the queen at the top of the tower, daring the challenger to come any closer.

'We have to get back to my father,' said Arthur, leading the way back.

They burst into the doors, making Morgana jump.

'This will be one of the first places they look. We have to get him somewhere else.'

'What's going on?' Morgana asked.

'We're under attack. No time to explain. Grab his legs, carry him.' Uther's coat dragged along the ground as they began to move. 'You're not meant to be sweeping the floor with him! Pick his feet up!'

'He can sweep the entire castle for all I care,' hissed Thalia, standing ahead of them, sword already unsheathed, 'we'd get there faster and the floors will get wiped.'

'His feet… aren't the problem,' remarked Merlin.

'Morgana, give him a hand,' Arthur sighed, still holding Uther's arms.

Thalia began to walk.

As they did, Uther let out little snorts.

'It is not funny, Merlin!' warned Arthur. 'Did you find the potion Morgana takes?'

'Er...no.'

'It won't do much good now, anyway,' sighed Thalia.

When they reached Arthur's chambers Morgana and Thalia let go of his legs.

'We can't leave him here! We have to lift him onto the bed.'

'Why?' moaned Merlin, 'He's asleep. He's not going to know.'

'Merlin!' Arthur yelled.

'Well...I'll get him a pillow.' Merlin ran to the bed.

'He's the King!' Arthur shouted after him.

'All right. Two pillows!' Merlin declared and caught two in his hands.

Thalia laughed, wiping her head.

Arthur glanced at her as Merlin put the pillows under Uther's head.

Thalia, meanwhile, was watching Morgana. She noticed that even now she was getting sick, but still Morgana was not.

Arthur staggered slightly as he stood up properly.

'You alright?' breathed Merlin.

'Are you feeling the same?' Arthur asked.

'We're getting sick,' nodded Merlin.

'We can't let that happen. We must keep my father hidden.'

'Why don't we disguise him?' said Merlin, taking Thalia's attention from Morgana.

'That might just work,' replied Arthur, pointing a finger.

'We could dress him as a woman.'

'…That, on the other hand...'

'Have you ever seen a woman?' said Thalia.

Arthur sent an annoyed glance at her remark.

'We could dress him as a servant,' Merlin changed.

'That's better.'

'I'll get him some clothes.'

'Are you alright, Morgana? You seem quiet.' Arthur had turned to her as Merlin ran away.

'I'm fine,' she said, jumping from one foot to the other.

'You sure? I can always tell when you're lying. Don't worry. I won't let any harm come to him.'

Morgana could only try to smile in response, becoming aware of Thalia's changing breaths.

Before long, Arthur went looking for Merlin out of worry. Thalia had rolled her eyes fondly and sat down, sword in hand.

Morgana continued to nervously walk around. 'Thalia?'

'Yes, Morgana?'

'What happens if we're attacked?'

Thalia, panting, looked at her for a moment. 'Then I will protect you, Morgana. I promise. I could never let anything happen to you. If only Uther shared your kindness and gentle nature, then maybe he wouldn't fall prey as the target of our kind.'

She knew Morgana was the source. But she wanted to try changing Morgana's mind before she had to do anything else.

'I will always protect Camelot. This is where I belong. And, as you are part of Camelot, I love and care for you, too.'

Morgana began to cry again and Thalia felt a gut wrenching remorse at what she was doing. It couldn't be easy for her.

'You're not fighting the sickness like they are,' said Morgana to keep conversation.

'They're going to run around now, but when the time comes to fight I will need the energy they've lost now to protect them.'

Morgana's eyes continued to water.

Merlin and Arthur burst in a moment later.

'We have to move my father before Morgause gets here.'

'Morgause?' said Thalia sharply.

'Morgause!' Morgana's exclamation did not go unnoticed.

'Come on! Let's go!'

'You're not surprised?' asked Merlin.

'No, I am.'

They reached the servant's quarters shortly after, and Merlin and Arthur sat on the beds, panting.

'Should be safe in here for a while,' breathed Arthur. He reached up and grabbed Thalia's hand, still looking down as he breathed heavily.

Morgana was standing at the window, fine.

'Must be the potion Gaius gave her,' said Arthur.

'Yeah, must be the potion,' echoed Merlin.

'We can't keep this up much longer.'

'I know. Wait. We're in a servant's quarters. If we leave him here, they'll just think he's a servant,' Merlin said, glancing up at Thalia and Arthur.

Arthur shook his head. 'Not if Morgause sees him. We need to get him out of Camelot.'

Merlin sighed, then looked up again. 'When we arrived there was a cart in the main square, remember?'

'You… are full of good ideas today, Merlin. You go and look.' Arthur dragged Thalia over to start tying blankets around Uther.

Merlin ran back in. 'They're closing in! We won't make it to the cart, not carrying Uther.'

'That's why we've made this. We're gonna pull him!' Arthur declared. He peeked out of the door for a moment. 'Get down. Keep quiet.'

Merlin and Morgana hid.

Thalia finally shook her head and tried to straighten her mind.

A knight swung in and Arthur yelled as he engaged. 'Protect the King! Get him out of here!'

Merlin and Morgana dragged Uther out and Arthur fought to a stalemate, pushing against the sword of the knight. When he won the contest and pushed the knight back, a shout came from next to him.

'Atres!' The knight was blown backward against the wall. Thalia grabbed him. 'Go!' she shoved him out of the door, running behind.

They caught up to Morgana in time for Thalia to pull her out of the way of a knight and block Merlin from another. They swung into the council chambers and barred the door.

'Morgana, we need the remedy that Gaius gave you. Morgana.' Arthur waved a hand.

'I don't have it.'

'I know that, but you must remember what it was, what was in it? Come on, Morgana! We can't keep going much longer! Think!'

'I'm sorry! I...'

'It doesn't matter. We can't get it now anyway, we're trapped,' Merlin huffed.

'There has to be something we can do!' Arthur insisted. Merlin started whispering to Morgana.

'Unless we can rid ourselves of this sickness, then I don't see how we're going to hold out.' Arthur glanced worriedly at Thalia, who once again wasn't fighting it, slumping on the doors, barely listening.

'We have to destroy the source of the magic,' panted Merlin.

'Which is?' Arthur pressed.

'I don't know.'

'Then our only chance is to get out of Camelot. Help me with my father. You cut the blanket up. We'll tie it to my father, and we'll lower him onto the cart.'

'Arthur...' began Morgana, in a fearful, upset tone.

'Morgana, please just do as I say. I'll fetch the cart 'round to the window.' Arthur leant on the door.

Thalia's head fell back onto the door.

'You're going out there? I'll come with you,' said Merlin.

'No. No, you stay. You protect my father.'

'You won't reach the cart alone. It's suicide!' Merlin growled.

'We have no choice.'

'How you feeling?' asked Merlin.

'Not bad.'

'You sure?'

Arthur's tone became light and sleepy. 'Yeah, you?'

Morgana watched in horror as Thalia didn't even move and Arthur's eyes closed.

'Never better,' Merlin replied.

'Couldn't get me a pillow, could you?' asked Arthur.

Merlin rolled his eyes. 'Don't mess around. Arthur you... Arthur? You need to stay awake.'

Arthur didn't reply, so Merlin slapped him.

'Merlin!' he yelled, pushing off of the door.

'That's better!' Merlin hissed.

Arthur pointed a hazy finger at him. 'If you ever do that again...'

'Well, don't fall asleep, then!' Merlin retorted as Arthur angrily snatched his water skin from him and emptied it over his face.

'Thalia?' Arthur asked.

'Mm?' her eyes were closed.

'You coming?'

She lazily held a hand out. 'Of course. I've got you, Arthur,' she panted, 'you'll make it to the cart, you can get Uther out, I promise.'

The way she was talking implied she wouldn't, which made Arthur second guess everything since when he woke up that morning.

Slowly her head rose from the door beside Merlin, and she stood forward, shaking her head. Her eyes reverted to how they were on the battlements, all her stored energy finally kicking in as she began to fight the spell.

Arthur watched in amazement as she flicked the sword round in her hands, looking almost completely normal and deadly.

'Morgana, take care,' she said.

Morgana was beyond panic and uncertainty.

Then Thalia turned around.

Merlin,

I know. I will.

Thank you.

'Be careful,' he said aloud.

She nodded, and grabbed Arthur's hand.

The breathing of the knights sounded through the door. Thalia's eyes narrowed.

'That your knees again?' Arthur asked Merlin.

The men unbarred the door as Thalia bent her legs, ready to dart out first.

'If I need a servant in the next life...,' panted Arthur, ready.

'Don't ask me,' Merlin shook his head.

'Ha-ha!' Thalia and Arthur laughed the same laugh, a laugh that dug a strong well of emotions in Merlin. The two really were prepared to go down fighting, and he knew that of all the people in the world, the ones he would do anything for, it was them. He grew very sad as he watched them, hands still held by the other.

When they dropped them, determination filled Merlin to make sure that they could hold hands again, alive.

Arthur pushed the door open and Thalia leapt forward with a yell. Arthur darted behind her and the doors closed.

'Atres!' yelled Thalia, and the first one blew back into the second.

They didn't talk to each other, they didn't need to. They fought tooth and nail to win ground.

Their yells filled the corridors as Arthur shoved Thalia out of the way, only to be pulled back a moment later. They were beginning to miss strokes.

'Atres!' Thalia yelled again. 'Wáce ierlic!' She slumped against a wall and waved a hand as Arthur's defence fell. 'Oferswing!' She yelled and the knight fell back incredibly far.

Arthur's head turned for a moment in shock to look at Thalia. She pushed herself off the wall and battled forward again.

She pushed and pushed and Arthur threw himself upright and switched places with her.

Deflecting two blows going for Arthur's side, Thalia coughed and narrowly missed the point of a blade by an inch.

She blocked another swing with her unprotected forearm, sending it just a little too high to hit Arthur.

She yelled in pain, staring at the swords with wider eyes.

'What is it?'

'They're infused with magic,' she explained.

Suddenly, Arthur pushed her behind him, realising the swords posed a threat to her.

She stepped forward to just the off-side to him and swung her sword around her wrist, before planting the tip on the floor as she shouted.

'Wáce ierlic!'

All of the knights were blown back against the wall, one went sailing out of a window.

Her eyes flashed with the storm and a strong wind blew from nowhere, pressing hard against them to keep them against the wall.

'Run!' she yelled.

Arthur wanted to hesitate, but he couldn't. Looking only behind him, at Thalia who was crouching slightly, eyes darting from one knight to the next, the wind soaring around her.

He saw them move again as her energy failed her. He stopped running for a moment.

They circled Thalia, as her eyes began to lose their focus and hard edge.

He watched for only a moment, the corridor seeming to stretch and put them further and further apart.

Then he ran back.

Thalia was still graceful as she fought, and he attracted the attention of three of the remaining six knights in the corridor. Then they moved, and only one stood in the very centre of the corridor, while the other five circled Thalia, who spun around in every direction, the arcs of her sword stretching the limits of enough.

'Thalia!' yelled Arthur, wiping his forehead as he fought furiously.

Finally, her foot slipped. Her sword moved at the last second away from a perfect parry, and the sword of a knight sunk into her side.

She let out a gasp of pain and, a true credit to her, did what most could not. She kept moving, she jumped back off of the sword, ignored the wound and kept fighting.

Arthur tried to reach her, but they changed to put three on him, leaving the weakened Thalia still with her own three.

As Arthur could focus on nothing but staying awake and Thalia swayed as she fought, the knights stopped and fell to the floor.

'Merlin!' Thalia yelled. They ran back into the chambers.

'What have you done with my father?' Arthur yelled as soon as they entered. Thalia shut the door before the guards could enter. Morgause was lying on the ground, holding Morgana. Merlin was standing near them.

'He's safe!' Merlin said immediately.

Arthur and Thalia looked at him as Uther sat up behind his throne.

'Morgana!' Arthur called.

'Keep away from her!' Morgause shouted.

Thalia was silent, and walked forward without a word, sword in left hand, right hanging down. 'I thought better of you, Morgause.'

'Who are you to tell me that?' she scoffed.

Thalia looked at her for a loaded moment. 'When you once visited Camelot we had many happy conversations. You could have helped bring peace. You could have helped all of us. But instead you were too focused on your own revenge. You betrayed us.' She continued shuffling forward, pain and sorrow in her eyes as the last two High Priestesses spoke. She was clearly very upset, and an air of loneliness crept around her that made even Merlin feel like he was watching from far away. 'Go. Leave. And know that when you return, I will hold no respect for you. You are the one who tried to end the lives of this place. And I will not forget you.'

Morgause meant to ask Morgana about Thalia later, but when she noticed how Thalia walked even with the wound from the Undead Knight's sword her eyes widened just a little as she already began to guess. 'Bedyrne ús! Astýre ús þanonweard!'

Wind filled the chamber as she and Morgana disappeared, loose pages whipping around the room.

Uther watched with wide eyes as his ward disappeared.

When the wind faded and the last page had dropped back to the floor Thalia swayed and held her side, hitting the ground.

Arthur threw his sword away and ran, dropping to his knees beside her, picking her torso up and bringing it to rest on his legs.

As he cleared the hair from her unconscious face, Merlin dropped to her other side, before hurriedly crawling over the floor to get one of the un-ripped blankets that lay strewn around.

He returned and wrapped it over Thalia, eyes wide with shaky worry.

'Arthur,' said Uther, asking him to explain.

Arthur glanced at Merlin, telling him to.

'Uh,' said Merlin, forcing his attention elsewhere with a start, 'Morgause cast a spell that made the whole of Camelot fall asleep. She'd resurrected the Knights of Medhir.'

'And Thalia?' nodded Uther, concern evident in his eyes.

'She was injured fighting the Knights,' Merlin answered.

'Their blades were infused with old magic,' Arthur added suddenly, looking up.

'Take her to Gaius,' Uther said immediately.

Arthur picked her up and Merlin ran to get the door. They walked quickly to Thalia's chambers, and Merlin opened the door before running for Gaius.

Arthur laid her down on the bed, putting a cloth under the wound on the other side to stop it from staining, before worriedly checking for her pulse. It was there, and he held her hand as the sound of two people came toward them. Merlin and Gaius bustled into the room.

'… -said the swords were infused with magic of the old religion,' Merlin was saying.

'It shouldn't be enough to harm a High Priestess,' Gaius said as they walked over, 'it's most probably just complicating her healing.'

Arthur sighed in relief. He made to get off of the bed when Gaius set to work, but the Physician simply waved a hand in his direction. 'Don't bother, Arthur,' he said, not looking up from the bottles he was carrying, 'she'll be perfectly fine soon.'

He dabbed a weird smelling cloth over the wound, not bothering to move the fabric away from it. Merlin noticed that some of the thick green cloth had plastered itself into the wound and carefully, wordlessly taking Gaius' tweezers, pulled it out. Arthur watched on, impressed and happy. He could see how much Merlin cared for Thalia, as did Gaius.

The three glanced at her face, which hadn't moved the entire time and they were glad she wasn't about to yell at them for causing her more pain.

'She will wake soon, Sire,' nodded Gaius.

Arthur nodded. 'Thank you, Gaius.'

The physician left and Merlin walked around to the other side of Thalia's bed, laying down next to her with an exhausted sigh, resting his arms behind her head.

Arthur looked like he went to say something, but thought better of it as he knew Thalia wouldn't have cared. Merlin stared at the cloth above him the entire time the sun moved silently. Arthur would watch Merlin in concern for a moment, seeing the weight on the servant's mind, rub Thalia's hand with his thumb, study her face, check her wound or look out of the window, occasionally sighing.

He hadn't had a chance to recover since they had leapt from the council chambers, and so it hadn't yet sunk in, especially as Thalia was still unconscious, that the day was over.

He decided after a while to go speak to his father. Nodding to Merlin, confident the servant could watch over her, he left, wishing he could somehow keep holding her hand.

Uther was in Morgana's chambers looking at her jewellery when Arthur finally walked in.

'I couldn't find you. Are you alright?'

'Is there still no sign of her?'

'They've looked, Father,' Arthur said patiently.

'Morgause must not be allowed to get away with this.'

'Yes, Father,' said Arthur and turned to leave.

'Arthur.'

He turned back.

'I haven't had a chance to say thank you. To either of you.'

'I failed, Father. I should have protected Morgana.'

'No. That was my duty. Her loss will forever be on my conscience, not yours.' Uther spoke calmly yet firmly, a sadness had long since crept over him. 'And Thalia?'

'She's still recovering.'

'Has she woken?'

'… no,' said Arthur heavily, 'not yet.'

'She will,' nodded Uther, looking around. 'You must have faced all hell today, Arthur. I can't bear the thought of you fighting in a desolate Camelot by yourself.'

'You don't need to,' said Arthur, raising his eyebrows, impressed as he thought back. 'I would have made it out, Thalia saw to that.'

'I meant the both of you,' said Uther, making Arthur look up.

He nodded and walked out, leaving Uther alone.

He returned straight to Thalia's side. By then her wound had healed a lot more and Merlin had resorted to staring at her without blinking, hoping to annoy her into waking up.

Arthur rolled his eyes when he entered.

'It's not working,' said Merlin.

Arthur sat down again. 'For your sake it better remain that way.'

'You're right,' realised Merlin and put his head down again.

Another 15 minutes passed and Thalia drew in her first breath out of rhythm and her eyes opened in one smooth motion.

Arthur and Merlin smiled. Merlin immediately sat up, kneeling beside her.

'Merlin,' she said, 'are you alright?'

'I'm fine,' he promised.

You did well. Thank you.

I want to speak to you.

I promise.

Thank you.

'I'll get you some food,' he said and ran out.

Arthur finally felt the day was done. 'You really scared me for a moment or two. But you looked pretty amazing when you spoke to Morgause.'

'Traitor,' said Thalia, with more of an eye-roll tone than a hostile one.

'I don't understand,' Arthur said, 'if she wanted to reveal the truth about my mother and she was so kind to me, why attack us?'

'When she told you the truth she wanted you to kill Uther for her,' Thalia said, shifting her legs, 'and in her mind she blames Uther for your mother's death. They knew each other, remember.'

Arthur nodded. 'So that's what you meant when you said that she could have helped.'

'Yes,' Thalia nodded. 'It's a pity.'

'I thought you'd be more upset. You were quite friendly with her before.'

'She's not the first to have done this,' Thalia reminded him. 'It takes too much for most people to be able to swallow their thirst for revenge and their hatred.'

'Not their resentment?'

'Resentment will always be there. You can't change past events. But you can control how you react to what you resent.'

Arthur looked at her closely, admiring her. 'Don't ever throw yourself into fire like that for me again.'

'No,' she huffed. 'Because you wouldn't stop if I asked you to.'

Arthur pulled her torso upright to give her a long kiss, hugging her close.

'You were incredible today,' he said as he hugged her, heads side by side.

'So were you.'

'Thalia I-,'

Merlin burst through the doors. 'I got your favorite!'

Arthur became distracted immediately. 'Luckily that's also my favorite!'

'Hands off,' laughed Thalia.

Merlin was carrying a whole tray.

'I was worried when you two walked out of that door,' Merlin said, passing them bowls and balancing the tray on the bed.

Thalia pulled herself higher up the bed to lean against the headboard, Arthur pulled his legs up and Merlin sat on the other side.

'I'm too scared to let you out of my sight again,' he added.

Thalia winced as she leant forward and hissed in pain.

Arthur ignored it, used to wounds, and passed her the bowl he'd filled for himself.

Merlin watched her more closely, and made a small decision that he would demand of the great dragon later.

Thalia cast a spell to mend her clothes and clear the stains of blood before eating.

'Can't you heal yourself?' Arthur asked.

'No, they were unusual swords,' she explained. 'I'll still heal overnight, though.'

As they ate, his thought returned to Arthur. 'Thalia, I wanted to ask.'

'M?'

'Was Morgana the source of the sleeping spell?'

Thalia nodded sadly. 'I can't tell if she knew or not. It would explain why she was so distressed. But Morgause, holding her gently, taking her with her… She and Morgana formed a bond along the way it seems.'

'How far does the bond stretch?' Merlin asked.

'I don't know. Morgana looked horrified the whole day. And I think she didn't know what to do so many times. Remember her face when Arthur declared we were going to get the cart?'

Arthur and Merlin nodded.

'Only time will tell, for once,' Arthur said.

'Mm,' nodded Thalia. 'Until then, I'm going to eat and sleep the night away.'

'That sounds like a brilliant idea,' laughed Merlin.

'You will make me this promise.'

'And what promise is that?' challenged the dragon.

'Whatever you do,' said Merlin, 'do nothing tonight.'

'Why should I?'

'Thalia has shown you nothing but kindness and understanding and has been a friend to you always.'

'I know, warlock,' said the dragon, 'what does this have to do with here and now?'

'She was injured today. She lies in her bed in pain. Don't make her get up. Please. If you only intend to fly away, keep out of sight. If you intend to hunt sheep, keep out of sight. She was prepared to give away her life for everything today. Let her rest.'

The dragon nodded. 'You are right, Merlin. I find that I wish to speak to her before I leave. As a final promise tonight, you have my word I will remain here until she comes.'

'Thank you,' said Merlin, and began to walk.

'Kilgharrah,' said Thalia, walking down. 'It's midday, just so you know.'

'Hello, Thalia.'

'No chains suits you. I'm glad you are free.'

'I wanted to thank you, my dear. For all these long years since you first arrived. I thought I was destined to live until I was forgotten by even myself down here in this cavern, until no more than 15 years had passed and you walked down here. I was sorry when your mother passed.'

Thalia bowed her head. 'Where will you go now?'

'Far off,' said the dragon in a lofty voice.

'And you plan to attack before you do, do you not?'

'You know me too well, I fear,' said the dragon sadly.

'Kilgharrah. Camelot is home to the most beautiful people. You have helped me work toward Albion ever since we met. I know you wish ill toward Uther. And as you are the last of your kind, and a trophy for him, I can understand why you do. But do not stretch your wrath to the town. Arthur will one day bring the world you wish for, I promise. But he can't do that if he's burnt to a crisp.'

The dragon nodded. 'I had hoped you would convince me away from attacking all of Camelot,' he said. 'I do not wish to fight you. But I know you must fight for Uther.'

'It's where I can save the most of our people,' she said. 'I'll aim to miss, on the condition you acknowledge if I spare you.'

The dragon laughed. 'Thank you. You are too kind, considering.'

'No. It is you who are too kind. Look at what Uther has done, and yet you agree to befriend me.'

He finally stretched his wings. 'Farewell, my friend.'

'Farewell, Kilgharrah.'

She turned away, before turning back to add, 'I wish you all the best. In whatever you do. And know that freedom is not found in hatred.'

'I too wish you the best.'