Author's Note: I hate giving you guys excuses for why I don't update quicker but can't help it, my life is extremely busy and some unexpected stuff came up these last couple weeks so… yea, not gonna give you the nice, long list, cause I'm sure you prefer a nice, long chapter, which this one is pretty long. Also, I was completely freaking out about whether or not the characters felt OOC in this. To me, I think they are OOC from what we are used to seeing in the show, but they fit for the story, so if you don't like the OOC, sorry. And if we haven't noticed yet, I'm kinda sorta completely moving away from the show's story lines, so things can fit into mine. So yea, please keep this in mind.

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.

The Nightmare Begins

After an extended visit with the Druids, The Chief High Priestess has now returned to the Isle of the Blessed. This night, she stands at her balcony, unable to sleep. Nimueh is tired – tired not only from her inability to rest, but because of the king of Camelot. Uther Pendragon, the reason that so many of her kind lost their lives, the reason for all her anger, all her spite, all her hate… and yet the Druids… she cannot fathom how they are willing to forgive the tyrant for his actions. Yes, they are a peaceful people, sorcerers who are only looking to find ways to heal, but Uther is the reason that countless of them are not alive today. He persecuted them over two decades ago and he continues to do so to this very day… well he did…

Over the last few months, Camelot has been relatively quiet, in regards to seeking out those with magic that is. Normally, the king sends out his son and knights to persecute any magic users in the land, regardless of who they are. However, it seems that the elder Pendragon has followed Nimueh's lead and pulled back his offense. He is most likely just waiting for her to strike again… if she ever did again.

While among her people, the priestess had had time to reflect. The weeks she spent sheltered by trees and greenery, surrounded by the essence of tranquility, and comforted by warmth and love, it was everything that the Isle of the Blessed used to be for her – for everyone who possessed magic, it was a safe haven. While it still acts as such, the Isle itself is only a shadow of what it was.

The castle walls used to be of white-gray, now smoldered charcoal from the ashes. The mist, which has always been thick and taunting no longer invites visitors, it oppresses trespassers, suffocates you if you are not an ally. The magical essence of life remains, but it only exists, it does not stand to offer life or peace any longer.

Nimueh sighs restlessly. Now, she has decided to pull back all her offenses completely; no longer will she take vengeance upon Uther Pendragon and his family. It is a shock even for herself that she made this decision, but when she was with the Druids, she found peace. Her hatred and anger remained at the back of her mind, but she was… content. The priestess cannot say that she was happy, but she is tired of opposing the king (and she senses that he grows tired of opposing her, as well). Yes, they will remain on opposite sides until Uther is willing to put aside his prejudice but she will never forgive him. She has lost too much. Her happiness died with her younger sister and the disappearance of her daughter.

She suppresses a sob. Nimueh had promised herself that she would let it go. That she would mourn her lost child in the weeks around her kidnapping and then would move on with her life, forgetting that she ever carried a child, forgetting that only three months after her birth, the daughter was taken from her. But as a mother always recognizes her child, how can she ever forget her child.

The priestess can see lightning and hear thunder in the distance. A storm is looming in the north, near Camelot from the looks of it. A particularly bright bolt strikes and the impact on the earth seems to implant a sear of pain to her temple. She puts two fingers to it to rub away the pain but the touch causes a vision to flash across her thoughts. Of course, this cannot be ignored. Nimueh immediately runs to the enchanted basin within the caverns of the small cave. After pouring the water, she only needs to cling to what she saw in her mind while passing a hand over the water to see the vision fully and completely.

Nimueh places her hands on either side of the stone to keep herself from leaning forward. The vision shows herself, holding a small bundle in her arms. It is one of her happy memories from the time of the Great Purge – the day her daughter was born. The tableau shifts and changes to her child cooing in her wooden crib, three months later. Nimueh had her back turned and when she turned around, all she saw was a stranger covered from head to toe in black, with the infant in their arms. Her magic did not affect the thief but whoever they were got away with her precious baby. Another shift and then there is a young girl of about eighteen in the reflection of the water. She has black hair falling about her shoulders and dark brown eyes filled with soft wonder. She is sitting amongst the grass picking flowers.

One long look at the young girl and Nimueh knows… she is her daughter. Varying degrees of shock, relief, and confusion go through her, but there is only one question in her head. "Where is she?" the priestess demands with a hiss.

But the water does not give her the answer she wants. It shows her a dark room, where a young woman is flinching in her sleep. Despite the absence of light, Nimueh sees that it is Vivienne's daughter, Morgana. The vision shifts to another room, showing another Le Fay, this one tossing and turning – Estella. Yet again, the scene changes and this time she sees her daughter again, her hair is damp and her face has smudges of dirt, but she is smiling and the source of the grin is…Merlin? The water stills and shows Nimueh her own reflection in the cave.

Nimueh is breathless as she sinks to the ground and leans against the basin with her hand in a fist against her rapidly beating heart. "Freya," she whispers to the darkness, "you are alive."

Arthur is having the dream again. He sees the girl surrounded by twirling petals, he sees the other approaching the boy, and he sees through the boy's eyes. However, everything is crystal clear and the girl is now in front of him and he knows her… she is his cousin, ten years ago, Estella.

Estella smiles softly at him, "Come on, Art," she says holding out her hand. He lifts his hand up, but hesitates. "You said you aren't afraid."

Shaking his head he says simply, "I don't understand."

"Take my hand and you will see," she tells him. Slowly, he does so, and then he is engulfed and blinded by light.

The images he sees cause him to thrash in his sleep. He feels as though he is stretching towards the edges of his sanity as he sees things that he half deems impossible. And yet he knows, in the darkest corners of his mind, he knows what he sees is no figment of his imagination or someone magically invading his mind. What he sees are old memories that have somehow escaped his recollection and are now coming back to him. The last thing he sees is darkness before shooting up from his bed.

Arthur runs a hand through his damp golden locks. His entire body is covered in sweat, his breathing rough, and his blue eyes wildly wide.

Merlin looks up from the door as he enters with the prince's breakfast. Observing his master's appearance with a crinkled forehead, he asks, "Are you alright, Sire?" Arthur's answer is an unintelligible grunt. The servant smirks jokingly saying, "Have a nightmare, Sire? You must be spending too much time with Morgana."

"Get out," the prince demands irritably. Usually he is not as brash, but he cannot deal with his servant's quirky humor right now. His dreams… memories… whatever they are, still unsettle him.

Merlin brow knits, "But I have to-"

"Do it later," the prince tells him, "Leave my breakfast and go." He then does so without another word, but he shakes his head at his master's strange behavior before he shuts the door behind him.

Arthur paces around his bedchambers, while constantly running a hand through his hair. He contemplates on what the best course of action is. He cannot deny that what he 'dreamed' was real. But what to do, he is not sure at all. Confronting his cousin would be a good start he supposes and then Morgana or maybe if he can catch them both at the same time…

And it appears that Morgana always seems to have an uncanny ability of knowing when he is thinking about her, for right at that moment she enters his chambers. She is garbed in a silver gown made of light velvet. The style of it reminds him of what Estella would typically wear, but that is not unusual, the two always exchange dress styles and such. In fact the fabric itself looks like one of the many that Estella had given to her younger cousin for her most recent birthday. She walks toward him with a soft smile, appraising his pacing, "You look like a lion brooding in his cage."

"Umm…" the prince could only stare at her, unable to decide between blurting out what he just dreamt or saving the conversation for later.

Her brow furrows, "Are you alright? You seem out of sorts." Morgana puts the back of her hand to his forehead while scrutinizing his face. "You did drink quite a bit last night."

Arthur rubs his face tiredly, "Morgana, don't worry, I'm fine." She gives him a skeptical look. "Really, I am fine, Morgana."

The Lady then moves her arms and links them around his neck, "So you were pacing because…?"

"Wanted to make sure that I am still sane after all the wine and ale," he shrugs, it is only a half lie and even if Morgana saw through it (and she did), she lets it slip.

"Hmm…" she purses her lips, "I swear you develop some of the strangest habits. Is Merlin rubbing off on you?" she teases.

The prince gives her a mock sneer, "Haha, you are extremely witty," he places his hands on her waist, "But no matter how 'strange' you presume me to be, you love me anyway."

Surprise flickers into her sea green gaze as he stiffens. This falls under the subject of their 'we both know it, let's not voice it, yet' deal – the unspoken depth of their feelings that the both of them are not really ready to bring up and yet it continues to creep upon them.

Ever so slowly, she runs the tips of her fingers from his neck to his shoulders, her nails slightly grazing his bare skin, causing him to shiver. The conflict in her eyes reveals her debate over what is the best thing to say. Finally she settles with, "I'm glad you know it." There is only a hint of amusement, but the brilliant truth of it all glowing in her features and radiating from her touch causes a smile to grace on both their lips until they meet in a sweet kiss. She nips at his bottom lip and he returns the gesture while slowly inching her towards the bed. Morgana does not realize what Arthur is doing until she feels his sheets brush against the back of her dress.

She abruptly breaks the kiss and just before he pushes her onto his bed, she turns the tables on him and he ends up with his back against the mattress. The prince has a wicked remark on his tongue, but that dies down when he sees the look on his Lady's face that clearly says 'not going to happen.' He almost feels inclined to protest, but he throws away that idea too. Arthur then resigns to laying on his bed and giving his best puppy dog eyes to Morgana.

Her stern expression crumbles and she almost whines when she says, "Don't look at me like that."

He does not play innocent and simply asks, "Well, I am a man who was just denied something he wants, so what do you expect me to look like?"

"It is not like you have any conjugal rights when it comes to me, Arthur," she jokingly scoffs, but then stiffens and avoids his eyes.

Another topic that they are putting away until they must discuss it – the subject of their union; it is not really something his father has raised as an issue for them. They personally did not really think or ask about it… yet. But since Arthur had given Morgana the victory garland, the gossips have been newly lit afire within the court of Camelot. Many expect a wedding soon, others predict one later, and a few even reject the idea, calling it preposterous given the current relationship – one of bickering rivals – of the prince and the ward. And Uther is in a place of no public opinion on the matter while the two involved hold their tongues and say nothing on the subject. What is between them is just for them to know (for now), aside from outsiders they deem worthy to know and the simpering courtiers of Camelot are not part of that group.

"Go back to sleep," she leans down and he is almost fearful that she will tease him then slap him. However, she simply hovers over him, allowing him to be engulfed by her warm presence and her rose scent until he relaxes and closes his eyes. Morgana kisses him, whispering against his lips, "I'll see you later," and she then leaves his chambers.

Arthur exhales, "I guess confronting Estella is what I'm doing first," he says softly, still a little lightheaded, while looking up at the drapes on his bed.

Merlin fidgets uncomfortably in the corridor with the large bunch of wildflowers in his hands. How in the world he has been convinced that this is a good idea, he cannot understand. Sure he remembers though.

Last night had been the feast for the Autumn Equinox. Duchess Estella apparently was on a drinking overindulgence. Merlin had been in charge of serving the wine and as she had been downing every refill, the servant spent the night at her side, pouring when necessary. That is until she left the feast early to retire for the night. Lancelot – hiding in a dim corner – called Merlin over and confronted him on his attentions toward his mistress. Merlin denied it all but the knight saw through his friend and encouraged the servant to act.

Alright, this is how the warlock has ended up here, standing outside Estella de Bois' chambers, looking like an utter fool. He has almost turns around to hide away in his chamber, but unconsciously he knocks on the door.

Hefina is the one who answers, "Merlin," she greets with surprise coloring her voice.

"Umm…" he is dumbstruck, he had not really thought up an excuse for being there with flowers.

The maid brow furrows with confusion, but she points the bouquet in the boy's hands, "Beautiful flowers."

Merlin slightly jumps at that, "Uhh, yeah, they are… they are for D-D-Duchess Estella."

Smiling at his stuttering, she says, "Unfortunately she cannot come to receive them herself, still sleeping off the wine from last night."

"It's alright," the boy says immediately, almost throwing the flowers into Hefina's arms, "I j-just wanted to give her something to make her feel better. I've noticed she seems quite… uh not… well."

She chuckles lightly as Merlin flushes, "I'll let her know who they're from." The warlock nods quickly and almost scurries away while almost tripping over his feet.

...

Merlin sighs heavily as he reaches the bottom of the stairs without injuring himself. The most frightening feat of his day is over now. He will just have to face the results of his actions later on.

"This has to stop," the deep voice of the prince proclaims as he walks up to his servant. He has been observing Merlin for awhile now and while he tolerated his servant's faraway interest in his cousin, acting upon his feelings is the last straw, "The king would have your head if he found out, so there's no point denying it."

Though he thinks he knows what his master is speaking of, he is going to play innocent, "Denying what?"

Arthur can see through the act, "Your affections for Duchess Estella." The prince continues before Merlin can refute the issue further, "She will never accept someone such as you." The servant flinches at that, "I don't mean to sound harsh, but it is the truth. Estella holds a large group of followers and allies, but a small number of friends and even less of them are men and from my perspective, she has no intentions of wedding. So, for your own safety, stick to girls who are more... on your level," he advises, "Because she can't be her friend, let alone anything else."

Of course, Merlin knows all this… at least he believes he does. But he just… feels that he must pursue this woman. Nonetheless, he is not going to tell her cousin this. So dejectedly, he says, "Yeah, I know, I just..."

"Can't help yourself," Arthur interjects for him, "That is usually how it is, but remember what I said. I don't want a brokenhearted manservant." The prince then moves to the stairs and quickly walks up them. Merlin almost protests, since Estella is still asleep, but decides against it and turns to go to Gaius' chambers.

...

Estella groans as Hefina pulls back her covers and shakes her shoulders. "Come now, my Lady, you must wake. It is past midday."

"But I have no duties here, so there is no point for me to leave my bed," the duchess points out while burying her head into her pillows.

"Oh, I must have misheard, Estella Le Fay dismissing duty?" the maid declares in mock disbelief.

Her voice is muffled by the pillows, "It is not dismissing if you have none."

The younger girl smirks but her face falls when she notices that her mistress is wearing a fading, royal blue with silver embroidery, male tunic that used to be too big for her. "You still wear it," she observes.

Estella roughly throws her head up, sighing, "Yes…"

Hefina twists the pink fabric of her dress, admitting, "I'm… I'm torn between telling you to hold on and telling you to let go."

"Me too," the duchess tells her. Oh, she has been trying to convince herself that letting him go is best, that clinging onto the memories and traditions and hurts will only cause her pain and in turn, others as well, but… his hold on her is stronger than she cares to admit.

And as always the maid is the one who defuses the tension when it comes to this, "Well it is a good thing you always do most things halfway."

The older woman laughs humorlessly, "Well, it has kept me alive so far." She moves off of her bed but her landing results with her on the floor. Hefina chuckles at the sight. "Simply laughing at me, instead of helping me, what kind of friend are you?"

Hefina smirks at this; it is a constant joke between them. Yes, they have the relationship of that of a mistress and maid as well as a friendship now, but do they actually label it as such, not at all. It leaves room for amusing jests such as these. "Well, we are not friends now, are we? So there is no need to help you since you want the aid of a friend."

Whipping her raven curls out of her face she remarks, "You are right, what was I thinking?" The maid then moves to help the duchess into a chair anyway and gives her an elixir for the after effects of the alcohol and then watered down wine to eliminate the taste of the concoction.

Before Hefina can mention Merlin's flowers that she put in the corner of the chamber, the door is slammed open and the prince suddenly enters. "I need to speak with you," Arthur proclaims to the raven-haired woman and glancing at Hefina, adds, "In private." The maid bows to the cousins and then leaves the room.

Leaning her head against her hand she drawls, "So… to what do I owe this pleasure?" Arthur begins to pace without answering her. Eyeing his action, "You know I do not want a hole in my floor because of all that."

"It is stone," he tells her irately, "I doubt I can actually even dent them by pacing." The prince then stops and stares down his cousin. She sits unaffected by his stern expression. "You practice magic," he states bluntly without preamble.

She nods and then shrugs, "So does Morgana, but then again, I think you know that."

He scoffs in frustration and then goes to her wine, taking a large gulp from a goblet. "How can you treat this conversation so lightly?"

"The rest of me is feeling heavy today," she answers, "Why add to the load?"Her cousin glares at her. "Fine," she concedes, "I will be serious, but let us talk about how you found this out."

Slowly, Arthur sinks into a chair at the table. Sighing he starts, "I've been having a dream. It starts with the day that you, Morgana, and I are playing in the meadows just outside of the city and I was injured after falling out of a tree. But I know now the falling part was a trick. I see flashing lights and the next thing I know, Morgana's eyes glow amber and some flower petals start to dance around her. Then everything turns black. You appear to me, saying that I will understand what was going on if I took your hand. I did and then a light swallows us. Then I see myself and Owain lying on the floor in one of the guest chambers that we would all play in, two women cast some sort of spells on us and then that's it," he concludes abruptly.

"That is not all of it," she surmises.

"But you already know all of it," he accuses. "And I want an explanation."

His cousin wastes no time to give him that, "One day when we were children, you caught Morgana and me sneaking out of the city. You followed us and caught us using our magic. Morgana begged you to not tell your father and your adolescent naivety allowed for you to hear us out. For weeks afterward we explained the art of magic to you, its uses, its potency, its true nature – everything you heard refuted almost everything the king taught you." Her gray gaze is icy as she continues with her brutally honest manner. "You were willing to overlook what your father said and to almost accept that what we told you is truly right.

"That day, when we were leaving the castle, Owain caught us as you did weeks before. He was not so accepting of our craft and threatened to tell Uther. Mine and Morgana's mother learned of this and of the fact that you knew our secret and they could not allow for it. A spell was cast on you and Owain to forget what you saw and for you to forget what we taught you about magic, but Aunt Vivienne was fearful that fragments of memories would come back to you, so Morgana was made part of the spell, her memories being locked away and the spells staying in place by harvesting on her own magic. I was allowed to remember as I would be her guardian and yours when – and in your case if – the memories returned." She briefly pauses, "Owain forgot, but your recollections were stored away as Morgana were because of your connection," his cousin does not specify on this, "Morgana's memories returned as did her magic and then your memories followed as her magic's potency grew," she concludes.

Arthur is silent as he takes this all in. He is not sure how he should feel about all this. His cousin and Morgana both possess magic and furthermore they have kept this secret from him, because they live under the roof of a man who would condemn them for sorcery. "Estella, you are the niece of the king, the cousin of the crowned prince, Morgana is the king's ward and the two of you are sorceresses living in a kingdom where magic is outlawed. Does that not sound… unsettling to you."

"Are you planning on turning us in?" she questions casually.

"Of course not," he answers immediately, although he does shift a bit uncomfortably in the chair and averts his eyes.

"But you are still unsure of what to think or feel about this, since we usually do not have secrets, cousin."

Arthur looks back up at the older woman, "Are there any other secrets?"

"The ones of my personal life," she grins wryly at him, "But I don't think you want know those."

He grimaces slightly and though there is so much more to ask, he has already been told so much that he must mull over. "Very good assumption," he says and gets up from the chair.

Estella does as well, "Well, it is also nice to know that we can still discuss anything as we always did and no immediate judgment is passed on any side."

This the way they – Arthur, Morgana, and Estella – are. Whatever comes up in their lives, they will lay it all out and then leave it on the sides for their own personal contemplations while living on as they usually do, until the time comes for decisions to be made or something is to be done, but nothing changes, not right away.

Arthur pauses before leaving, "You are like a sister to me and no matter what you do or keep from me, I will always have some trust in you and your judgment, because more often than not, you know better than me," he promises.

The duchess gratefully smiles, but it falters for a bit, "That does apply to Morgana as well, right? - The trust part?"

The prince grins, "Why wouldn't it?"

Smiling, "Well that is good to hear," Estella then flops back onto her bed, "Now you are going to leave while I continue to sleep off the flagons of wine I drank."

Arthur chuckles while drawing the covers over his cousin, "I love you, 'Stella."

"Love you too, Art," her words muffled by the covers and pillows, "Remember to speak with Morgana, too. Now get out," She finishes good-naturedly.

He does so, but not before noticing Merlin's bunch of flowers in the corner. Estella seems oblivious to them, but her cousin takes note as to mention them to her later.

Arthur is just entering his chambers to prepare for his hunt when Morgana once again struts in. She does not give him a chance to speak first though, "You know about Estella and me." The prince can only nod numbly once he registers her quick statement. Silence settles between them as Morgana looks at him anxiously and he stares at a spot just past her right shoulder. "Say something," she half-commands, "Anything."

He heaves a heavy sigh, "I am not sure what to say or feel…" she waits, he then decides to ask, "Were you ever going to tell me, yourself?" the prince knows that his cousin would have eventually, but Morgana, he is slightly uncertain of the answer.

She nods slowly, "If I had to, then yes."

Hurt flickers into the prince's eyes, "If you had to?"

"Arthur," the Lady moves closer to him, "You may act like an idiot, hell, sometimes you are an idiot, but you are not stupid or a fool – you would have learned of it for yourself."

This makes him smile, but noticing her downcast expression, his lightened one falters, "What is it?"

"Magic isn't something you choose, Arthur," she emphasizes to him, "Magic chooses you. It is passed down in the family – through every generation there is at least one for those who possess it."

"I know that," his brow furrows, Estella explained this to him when he first found out about their magic and since he now remembers and things have been explained, there is clarity to his jumbled thoughts, "Why are you telling me what I already know?"

Vulnerability and fear shines in her crystal green gaze, "I… I don't want you to forget it… or think any less of me or look at me differently."

"I won't," he tells her certainty firm in his tone, "On all accounts." Putting a hand to gently touch her cheek, "You are still Morgana, what you are is what you are, it is how you were born. I can't change that nor do I want or wish to."

She laughs softly and smiles at his words, "Is that how you look at everyone else?"

"I judge a person by their character and actions," he grins, "As I have learned from you."

The Lady returns his beaming expression. "Well," she starts, "I shall let you prepare for your hunt now. Estella is… giving me a lesson," of course, this means she about to practice her magic.

She starts to leave, but he stops her. "Morgana… be careful… both of you," he precautions softly.

Morgana smiles walking back to him and giving him a lingering kiss, "You too," she whispers and then leaves him.

Morgana looks around at the trees of the Forest of Balor. She, Estella, and Lancelot have been summoned here by Nimueh. For what, they do not know, but because of this venture, the Le Fays had to reveal some secrets to a select few of people.

First, Lancelot, since he is in their company while coming to meet the Chief High Priestess of the Old Religion, was informed of the identities of Morgana and Estella as Le Fays. He was spared the details of it all and he graciously did not ask or question, continuing on as if things did not change. Thankfully he has such a noble character as to do such. And since he knows about Merlin and still is his friend, he gives the same blessing to the duchess and her cousin.

Gaius was then told about Morgana's magical training since he was not privy to that knowledge (nor about the storing away memories part, but he doesn't need to know that). He may have been a friend to the Old Religion but that position of his dissipated when he chose Uther's side during the Purge, (it is only the Le Fays who know why he did that). The Le Fays still keep secrets from him though, he may be a trustworthy person, but some things must remain with just the family. However, his part of being able to know about the training and the journey is so he can keep up the ruse of Estella being under the weather.

The duchess sees no one but Gaius, Morgana, and the maids when she is ill, so this deception is kept up so that the king does not know what his niece and ward are really doing. Merlin overheard their planning and he was let in on it. Thankfully, he had to go with Arthur for the hunt, so he had no part to play, unless Arthur's party returned before they did.

The trio reaches a clearing where there is a large boulder in the center. The women feel the presence of magic around them, so they dismount their horses to look around, Lancelot close by them.

"Do you know what used to be here?" questions the voice of the High Priestess as she steps out from the surrounding trees. She is different from the last time Estella encountered her. Her stormy blue eyes seemed calm. She is dressed in a rose red robe with the hood up and a gold belt around her waist, her once wildly curled and kinked hair is softly wavy. The image reminds Estella of a painting of the twin Le Fays and Nimueh in their younger years. The current Chief High Priestess looks exactly the same, but a nobility and maturity is there that was not present in the painting or the woman disguised as a maid.

After the three dip their heads out of propriety, Morgana speaks first, "What is it that you want?"

The priestess looks the younger woman up and down, "Such bold words from you second daughter of Vivienne," her eyes shift to the other woman, "And yet it is your cousin who has the greater fire in her eyes. But of course, as much as she is faerie, she is phoenix," there is a glint of a hidden secret in Nimueh's eye, but Estella ignores it, waiting for more words to be said, but the only sounds are those of the forest.

The duchess is treading carefully with this, while her cousin is following her lead. Nimueh is quietly watching the three. Lancelot then decides to speak up, "The village of Benwick," he then feels an utter fool for speaking, but he felt that that is what the priestess wants before continuing, "T-The answer," he clarifies, "To your question."

The priestess smiles softly, "Yes, Sir Lancelot, you are correct. Forgive me, if this stirs up old memories." The Le Fays look between them in confusion. "Perhaps I should begin my tale, so that you three can know why I have summoned you here."

They wait as Nimueh actually seems to lower her superior demeanor and starts speaking again. "When Uther started the Great Purge, no one with magic was safe in his kingdom or any of his allies'. We all were scattered. A group of knights were pursuing me in this forest when a man pulled me behind a large thicket of trees and shrubs. He saw my Druidic pendant and immediately realized why the knights were chasing me but instead of handing me over to them, he took me to his village Benwick, which had become one of the few sanctuaries for those with magic at the time. But a few months later, Uther caught wind of what the villagers were doing. He sent a party over here and would have razed it to the ground had me and my companions not fled before they arrived. I had to leave my widowed savior named Ban and his young son…" she pauses while her blue eyes land on the knight.

Morgana's brow furrows at the action, "Lancelot?"

"Yes," the older woman nods while staring at the shocked man, "It was your father, Lancelot, who saved me and it was he who became the sire of my own child."

"You have a child?" Estella exclaims expressing not only her surprise but that of her companions.

Again, the priestess nods, "A daughter… who was taken from me three months after her birth." Nimueh breaths deeply to steel her composure, "After her abduction, I had to retreat back to the Isle of the Blessed where I was named Chief High Priestess and Lady of the Lake by Vera Le Fay before she died. Her daughter, Vivienne turned down the position because she saw it fit to always be her twin sister's equal and not her superior. But after my ascension, I searched far and wide for my little girl," her voice begins to crack, "After many years, I had to accept the fact that she was gone… until a few nights ago, when the Goddess showed me that my daughter is, in fact, alive." Nimueh walks closer to the trio, "And now, this is my chance to find her, but I cannot be the one to do it, for fear of her abductors learning of my quest and doing more to prevent me from taking my child back. So I need… relative strangers whom I trust to help me."

"And that is us?" Morgana asks, referring to her cousin and herself.

"You may not be my acquaintances, but you are the daughters of my friends and so I put my faith in you to find my daughter," Nimueh has an almost desperate look on her face. "Will you help me?" she then questions with a slight note of fear, fear that they would not give her any aid.

Lancelot and Morgana turn to the duchess, who – after a moment's thought – steps toward the High Priestess and nods her head once, "Family first, Duty second, and then Honor. You were raised by a Le Fay and you have lived among Le Fays, you are, in essence, family."

Nimueh smiles gratefully and then moves to explain her plan. She pulls out her Druidic pendant which she says they will use to track her daughter named Freya (they are not sure if this is still her name, but to know it is helpful). A spell will be cast with a sample of blood from both paternal and maternal sides of Freya to track her with the necklace. Placing it on the boulder Nimueh instructs Morgana and Estella to start the spell. The cousins hold hands to ensure their control of the spell. The priestess joins in the chanting as she takes a dagger and pricks her finger, letting the blood drop onto the jewels and then does the same for Lancelot.

When the spell is finished the priestess gives the three her thanks for accepting the task of helping her and returns to the Isle of the Blessed.

The young Le Fays walk through the Druid camp with the Druid leader, Aglain, at their side. They entrust the Druid king with the information of Nimueh and Freya and they offer a sketch of Freya's face while questioning him on her possible whereabouts. Although they have the pendant, they want to use other methods of searching, as well; in case the spell was faulty (the fact that it has not shown any reaction whatsoever makes Estella suspicious). Aglain, however, knows nothing and says he has never even seen Freya before, but he promises to keep an eye open for her.

"Are you the Le Fays?" asks a young male voice before the two women reach the edge of the campgrounds.

Morgana kneels down to smile and speak to the young boy of about six while Estella tries to hide her shock. The boy is short for his age with a round face, lightly tanned skin, cobalt eyes, and an off-shade of brown hair. With the bare features, it is no doubt whose child he is. "You are Elaine's son," the duchess states plainly.

The other Lady is stunned with this revelation and the boy appears proud, "Her one and only child, actually."

Estella would have snorted at that response, but it brought about another realization. If this boy is Elaine's son, her one and only child, then he is also… Abruptly, the duchess grasps her cousin's arm, "Well, we should be getting home," Ruffling the boy's hair with her left hand to disguise her unease she tells him, "It was nice to meet you…"

"Amhar," he reveals his name.

The raven-haired woman nods and quickly walks away with Morgana. "What was that?"

"Nothing," the elder cousin answers, "You know I am not very comfortable with children."

The response is accepted as the two join Lancelot and the trio mount their horses and makes their way back to Camelot.

It is just as they leave the canopy of trees that Estella notices the dark brown smudges of what appears to be ink on her left hand.

Author's Note: Yea, you're probably might tell me, someone is missing here, since there was an opportunity for him to appear, but there kinda wasn't because well… he doesn't exist yet… take from that what you will :). And sorry if I confused anyone with this mess of a chapter.

Thanks for reading and please review. Questions, concerns, and other comments are acceptable, as well :).