A/N: No, this isn't a dream, and yes, I am updating again! So, without further ado: here's the chapter:

Chapter 12: The Nightmare begins – part 4

"How long will this take?" Morgana asked. I could tell that she was trying not to whine, but the Lady was used to comfort after all.

"It's not exactly the next village over, Morgana. These people live in constant fear. But we're lucky, they usually don't stay in one place for very long, so as not to get caught. They're half a day's hike from here."

"But we've already walked for an entire day," Morgana tried – and failed – to say as neutrally as possible.

I stopped and looked at my friend. "Morgana, you want to be able to control it, don't you?" I asked. When the Lady nodded, I continued. "Then be patient. Patience is one of the most important things a learner of magic must have. There have been so many times when I–" I cut myself off abruptly.

"When you what?" the Lady asked curiously, cocking her head to the side inquiringly.

"When I watched Will struggle with that, but he learned in the end," I corrected myself hastily. "Come one, let's keep going."

The rest of the walk was spent in a comfortable silence. Or, at least, Morgana looked comfortable. I was still beating myself up about almost letting my secret slip. Morgana couldn't know, it would only endanger her, I convinced myself.

Before long, we walked into a clearing and I shivered. Magic tingled under my skin, letting me know we were in the right place. Slowly I became aware of people in woods surrounding us. I wasn't afraid, having been warned by my magic, but Morgana gasped and grabbed my hand. "It's okay," I whispered. "They're here to help you."

Morgana didn't let go, but seemed fascinated at the simple amount magic users now surrounding us. A man stepped forward, hands up with the palms facing forward, in an effort to look unintimidating. He was old, but I had the feeling that in this case, appearances were deceiving.

"Welcome, Lady Morgana," the man said, his voice barely above a whisper, but commanding all the same. I really hoped he could teach me that trick. He continued to speak to her, but I was no longer paying attention. Emrys, a whispery voice sounded in my head. It took me a moment to realize that it was the same man who was still speaking to Morgana. You should not have come, Emrys…

I snapped out of my daze when Morgana released my hand. A couple of younger druids, maybe a few years older than me, guided Morgana towards what I could now see was a rudimentary campsite. I took a hesitant step towards her, but the old man stopped me with a look and gestured for me to follow him instead. I bit my lip and glanced back at my friend, who was already relaxed and smiling in the presence of so many others like her. Deciding they wouldn't let anything happen to her, I jogged over to the old man. He'd started walking towards the other side of the clearing at a much faster pace than I would have thought for someone of his age.

We walked in tense silence for a while. I was fairly sure that I should wait for him to address me, but patience had never been one of my strong suits. "What did you mean 'we shouldn't have come here'?" I asked urgently.

The man kept his eyes ahead of him, but I had the feeling that he was studying me intently. It made me more than a little bit uncomfortable. "You know who she is supposed to become," he said, his voice sending a cold shiver down my back.

I didn't have to ask who she was. "She needs help," I said defensively. "She's my friend. And I don't care what some dusty old prophesy says, she won't turn evil, I won't let her." My vehemence shocked me a little, but I schooled my features. He didn't need to know how I felt.

"You cannot change destiny," he scolded, finally turning to face me.

I glared. "Prophesies can be interpreted in many ways," I countered angrily. "You're a fool if you think that your answer is the only right one." The man narrowed his eyes, and I got that feeling that he was studying me again. "Look, please just give her the benefit of the doubt. Even if the prophesy will come true like you think it will, at least we'll have done everything in our power to try to help her. Maybe we've even delayed the darkness from claiming her, and in doing so, saved lives. No one can know the future for sure, but we can try to make the best of what we've got, can't we? Please. Help her," I begged. I didn't know where all his profound wisdom was coming from, but I was more than willing to use it to help a friend.

"We will help guide her," he finally replied after a lengthy pause, "in the hopes that she may use her powers for good instead of for evil. But know this, Emrys, whatever she learns will only give her greater control of her powers, if she ever strays from the path, none shall be spared."

I shivered again, but nodded. I understood the risk I was taking. "You must also understand your destiny," the man said, resuming our walk.

I frowned. "I do understand. I have to protect Arthur and help him be the king he is destined to be."

The man gave me an enigmatic smile. "There is more to your destiny than just that, Lady Emrys."

"Lady?" I questioned. "And what do you mean 'there's more to it'?" I vaguely remembered the dragon telling me something similar. As for your other destiny, well… you'll just have to figure that one out yourself* was what he had said…

The man nodded, almost absently. "According to our culture, and the laws of King Uther in the time before the Great Purge, a sorceress of your powers and lineage would be considered a noblewoman."

"Lineage?" I asked, getting more confused by the minute. I touched the man's – I really would have to ask his name – arm to make him stop and look me in the eye. "Do you know who my father is?"

There was a glint in the man's eyes that could almost be described as amusement. "My name is Alahir, milady, and I only know of your father. I neither know his name nor his location, but there is one close to you who does."

I was a little disturbed that the man had read my thoughts, but I brushed it aside in favour of more important matters. "Gaius," I stated, rather than asked.

The man – Alahir – nodded in agreement and continued walking. "As for your destiny… It is a prophesy even more obscure than the one about the Once And Future King that hold the answers. It is said that the ones to unite Albion will bring about the rebirth of magic and will rule the lands together."

"By rule together, you mean that I'll be by his side, right? Not…" When Alahir merely raised an eyebrow, I had to stop myself from letting my jaw drop. "You can't be serious! I can't be his queen!"

"No one knows what it means exactly, it was translated a few times and the scripture has faded, but yes, that is the popular opinion," he acquiesced. "The prophesy does warn of dangers on this path, though. It is written that should you and the young prince make this choice, the dangers shall be grave."

I remained silent for a few moments. "Can I still fulfil my destiny without becoming his queen?"

Alahir considered. "There are no warnings of taking a different path, so I cannot say."

I considered this. If the danger to Camelot, and subsequently, to Arthur would be greater if I stayed by his side… Would it not be best to sever any relations now, rather than risk everything in the future? "Thank you for your counsel, Alahir, I shall bear it in mind," I said finally, as we neared the campsite again.

The old man favoured me with a scolding look. "Do not make hasty decisions, Emrys, none of us can know the future for sure," he said wisely, throwing my own words back at me.

I smiled wryly. "I shall heed your advice, Alahir, I promise. And I won't make a decision until we are safely back in Camelot."

"Good," he replied resolutely. "Then we can begin your training."

"What?" I exclaimed. "Training? But we came here for Morgana!" I protested, looking around for the lady in question. Luckily, she was nowhere to be seen.

Alahir raised an eyebrow, and I got that feeling again, that his old countenance was deceiving. "You did not think you would spend two days with us, just waiting for the Lady Morgana to learn some control, did you?"

I shrugged. It had been what I had planned to do, maybe learn something about the druid culture in the meantime. I guess I was wrong. Alahir lead me to a screened off area, where another older man sat, crosslegged, next to a young boy that I definitely recognised. "Mordred!"

A sense of both dread and elation that the boy had made it, filled me at the sight of him. I remembered the words of the Dragon all too well: You should not protect this boy. If the boy lives, you cannot fulfil your destiny. If Mordred survived, Arthur would die….

"Hello Emrys."

/*/

Arthur POV

He really hated it when his father made him lead the counsel. The King was seated on his throne, following the meeting, but not interrupting, as Arthur attempted to make the old Lords listen and make a decision. He wished Merlin was here, she would've been able to get this lot to shut up and stop arguing for a minute. Of course, his father would have her thrown in jail for such insolence, but it would have been entertaining, at least.

He sighed, not for the first time wishing that she'd been born a noblewoman. He would've been able to court her in the traditional sense. With a grin, he imagined asking Gaius for her hand… or would he have to go to Ealdor to ask her mother? He shook his head to clear it from those thoughts, as he tuned back into the heated argument going on before him.

Arthur was about to shout for the Lords's attention again when a messenger ran into the hall. That effectively shut the counsel up.

The prince watched with suspicion as the messenger ran right up to the King's throne, bowed briefly and whispered his message into the King's ear. "You're certain?" the King asked, aloud.

The man nodded, not bothering to whisper anymore. "Yes, Sire, I waited half a day, there was no sign of them or anyone else."

"Father?" Arthur asked, dread pooling in the pit of his stomach.

"Assemble your men, Arthur, Morgana has been kidnapped."

A/N: Tell me what you think!