Life Outside of the Shadows

by TreeOfLife1997

Based at the end of series four. When Merlin reveals his magic to save the life of Isolde, has he just sacrificed Albion's golden future? Or has he just began the new age? Arthur and the knights must come to terms with Merlin's magic. So with a little help from Taliesin, they watch Merlin's adventures. And with a new form of dark magic rising, will all be learnt before all is lost?

50. Chapter 49

Disclaimer I not own Merlin.

Chapter forty-nine: The secret sharer and Lamia.

Isolde and Tristan shared a smile, as they sat beside each other, holding hands. Everyone else was still asleep, but Isolde knew they would wake soon.

"Hunith must be so proud," Isolde suddenly speaks. "Her son has saved camelot more times than any knight."

Tristan nodes. "But she must've worried... Her son lived in a kingdom where he would have been burnt, if anyone found out about his magic."

Isolde smiled sadly. "If he hadn't saved me, he would still be in Camelot... He wouldn't have been forced to leave. "

"If he hadn't saved you, you'd be dead Isolde." Tristan mutters, gripping Isolde hand. "The pain I felt... I could do nothing but watch as you lay dieing in my arms... I would have traded my own life to save yours."

"But if he had let me die, he'd still be in Camelot... Still be with his friends, the people he's risked his life to save time and time again."

"He'd still be living in fear of being executed and forever fighting a battle from the shadows," Tristan argues. "He'd still be hiding who he is and fearing what his friends would do if they ever found out who he truly is... By saving you, everyone knows who he is and they have accepted him."

"But what if that hooded person hadn't taken Merlin from Camelot... He could have been executed for saving my life, Tristan!"

"You saved Arthur's life!" Tristan answers. "You saved Arthur when Merlin could not... He was repaying a debt, the best way he could! He's saved your life before and I'm sure he'd save your life again."

"He could have been killed, Tristan!" Isolde answers.

"Merlin has gambled his own life from the moment he stepped foot in Camelot... He knew what would happen if he was ever caught. "

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In a time of myth and a land of magic, the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young man his name... Merlin.

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Agrivaine cooks some stew as he waits for Morgana to wake, after finding her in the woods unconscious. As he waits Morgana has a dream about Emrys and soon wakes up. Agrivaine quickly asks her what happened and Morgana explains Emrys was here in her hovel and destroyed her latest plan to kill Arthur. Agrivaine works out Gaius must me giving Emrys information. Morgana quickly comes up with a plan to make Gaius tell them where to find Emrys. Elsewhere in Camelot, Merlin drags Arthur out of bed and gives Arthur his breakfast. Agrivaine soon appears asking to speak to Arthur alone.

Elyan shakes his head. "We should have worked out Agrivaine was the tratior long before this."

Percival nodes. "We all should have seen where his true loyalties lay."

"I know Merlin would never kill in cold blood," Leon mutters. "But it would have saved so much blood shed if he had just killed her there..."

Gwen glanced at Arthur, after watching Merlin drag him out of bed. "You're the king, Arthur... You should know how to get out of bed by now!"

Gwaine grins. "And how to dress yourself!"

Arthur glares at Gwaine. "A servant helps you dress in the morning!"

"That's only because Gwaine is so hungover in the morning, he usually can't even think straight." Leon mutters.

"What do you mean?" Elyan jokes. "Gwaine can never think straight."

Elswhere Morgana has taken a horse and riden to a place she hopes to find someone who will help her in her quest to find out who Emrys is. Back in Camelot, Agrivaine convinces Arthur to question Gaius and find out whether he's the traitor. At first Arthur refuses to, but agrees with Agrivaine in the end. Elsewhere Morgana speaks with Alator of the Catha and after trading her healing bracelet, Morgana gets him to agree to help her find out who Emrys is. Back in Camelot Agrivaine helps Arthur question Gaius. After Gaius has left, Arthur challenges Agrivaine on the way he questioned Gaius and Agrivaine tells Arthur, Gaius was clearly lying. Arthur tells him they have no proof he's the tratior.

Gwaine snorts. "Yeah, there is someone plotting against you, Arthur and he was standing right next to you."

Arthur glares at Gwaine. "If I had known my uncle was the tratior, I would never have questioned Gaius."

"How could you have even believed Gaius was a tratior?" Tristan asks. "From what we have seen, he's been nothing but loyal to you and Camelot. "

Arthur turns to Gaius. "I'm sorry, I should have believed you would never betray Camelot."

"You need to trust those around you," Gaius speaks. "You, like your father, need to trust those who are loyal to you and always will be... You see foes where there are friends and friends where there are foes."

Isolde frowns, as she looks at Alator. "Is it just me or have we seen him before?"

"He is familiar." Tristan agrees.

Leon thinks for a moment. "He's the sorcerer who took Merlin from Camelot after he healed Isolde."

"What!" Gwen exclaimed. "But he's in league with Morgana!"

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later that night, Alator and his body guards enter Camelot and elsewhere Agrivaine has has summoned Merlin to his chamber and given him a dagger to give to Arthur as a gift. Elswhere Alator and his body guard have entered the stables and released a horse. Agrivaine is waiting for them at a side door and they quickly enter the castle. Gaius is working in his chamber, when Alator grabs him from behind and knocks him out with a spell. As Gaius is taken from Camelot, Agrivaine plants books about sorcery in Gaius's things and packs some of his clothing before quickly leaving. Elsewhere Merlin is placing the knife on the side beside Arthur's bed when the alarm bell sounds.

Gaius shakes his head slightly. "Merlin had warned me about the lengths Morgana would go to... But me and Merlin alike were unprepared for what happened that night."

"You had no reason to believe you'd be taken from the castle," Elyan mutters. "Even Morgana doesn't risk entering the city, that often."

Percival nodes. "You had ever right to feel safe, there are not many who can kidnap someone from the heart of the Camelot."

"We shouldn't have been so quick to trust Agrivaine, when he was the only one who believed you'd betray Camelot." Leon speaks up.

Gaius shakes his head. "All the evidence you found, would have found me guilty before the court... You had ever right to believe Agrivaine."

"We should have trusted your loyalty, " Gwen speaks. "We all should have believed Merlin... Even I didn't believe what Merlin said about Agrivaine."

Not long after the bell sounds, Merlin, Arthur and Agrivaine watch as the guards search Gaius's room. Agrivaine tells Arthur Gaius was seen leaving the city and Leon soon appears to tell them a horse is missing from the stables. Elsewhere Alator, his body guard and Gaius are still riding away from Camelot. The following day, Merlin stands with his back to a pillar as Arthur and Agrivaine talk about Gaius's betrayal, how it wasn't just the years of betrayal, but the lies. Agrivaine convinces Arthur, Gaius is the tratior ane Arthur refuses to send people after him. After Agrivaine leaves, Merlin tries to convince Arthur, Agrivaine is wrong and Gaius is innocent.

"Well," Gwaine grins slightly. "I think we all know know now, why Merlin never told you about his magic... If you believed Gaius guilty on the word of one man, what chance would he have had?"

"I could never kill-" Arthur begins, before being cut off.

"You wouldn't what? Kill him?" Gwaine snaps. "You believed Gaius guilty even though in your heart of hearts you knew it could never be true! You killed the king of Caerleon because your uncle told you to! There is no way in hell Agrivaine would have let Merlin live, if he had told you he was Emrys and all he had done to stop Morgana."

Elyan nodes his agreement and speaks up before Arthur has a chqnce to. "When you first learnt of Merlin's magic you ordered him to be bought back to Camelot where he would never use magic again or be killed! Your uncle would have had him killed as soon as he was found out!"

"I..." Arthur starts. "I don't believe I could ever kill Merlin... Even if he had been bought back to Camelot, I don't think I could have killed him."

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Elsewhere Alator leads his body guard, who is carrying Gaius, deep into a network of tunnels. When they reach a large cave, Gaius is placed on the stone altar. Morgana soon appears and wakes Gaius up, they exchange some words and Morgana leaves. As soon as Morgana is gone, Alator begins to try and make Gaius tell him who Emrys is. Back in Camelot, Merlin is reading through some of Gaius's papers, when Gwen enters. Gwen agrees to help Merlin in anyway she can, but Arthur trusts Agrivaine more than anyone else. Elsewhere Alator surrounds Gaius in a ring of fire, but Gaius uses his own magic to put it out, which only angers Alator.

"I know that place," Leon mutters. "We used to pass it on patrol, but then the route was changed."

Elyan nodes. "Smugglers used to use the caves to hide goods and bandits also used the area to hide from patrols."

"We're never used that area for smuggling," Isolde speaks. "The cliffs and ground is too unstable in wet weather."

Tristan nodes. "I've heard a tale or two of the landslides and the people lost in them."

Arthur glanced at Gwen. "Did you believe what Merlin said about Agrivaine?"

"No," Gwen answers. "But I didn't trust Agrivaine, not after the meeting i had in his chambers... But I never believed he'd betray you."

Gwaine looks at Gaius. "Why didn't you use magic to escape?... You could have used one of those whirlwinds."

"Transportation spells," Gaius answers, choosing not to comment on Gwaine lack of knowledge. "Require a lot of energy and magic, of which I had neither."

Back in Camelot, Merlin is looking through Agrivaine's room, he soon discovers a book full of magic books under his bed. Merlin notices a mud trail on the floor and quickly takes a sample of the mud, noticing its not from the local area. But is quickly forced to hide, when Agrivaine returns from seeing Morgana. As Merlin leaves, Agrivaine notices him and quickly works out Merlin has a sample of mud from his boots. Merlin returns to the phyicians chamber, to find Gwaine waiting for him. Gwaine helps Merlin work out the soil on Agrivaine's boots is iron ore and can only be found in one place within Camelot's borders. The two of them quickly ride out, unaware Agrivaine is watching them go.

"Do you think Merlin will ever get caught?" Gwaine grins.

"Agrivaine did see him leave." Elyan points out.

"But he wasn't caught," Gwaine replies. "Agrivaine saw him leave, but he didn't know for sure what Merlin was doing."

Leon raises an eyebrow at Gwaine. "Playing soldiers?"

"What can I say," Gwaine grins. "It gets boring after a while."

Percival glanced at Gwaine. "You and Merlin shouldn't have gone on your own."

"No one else was willing to believe him," Gwaine replies. "I trust Merlin."

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Elsewhere Gaius is still refusing to tell Alator who Emrys is. Agrivaine quickly leaves Camelot and rides to Morgana's hovel, where he quickly informs Morgana Merlin and Gwaine are on there way to where Gaius is being held. Merlin and Gwaine are just entering the network of caves and tunnels where Gaius is begin held. Deeper in the network of caves and tunnels, Gaius finally tells Alator who Emrys is. Not far from where Gaius is Gwaine and Merlin are attacked by Alator's body guard and Merlin is forced to use magic to stop the guard from killing Gwaine. The two of them then split up in hope of finding Gaius quicker and Merlin tells Gwaine, if he finds Gaius just leave and don't wait for him.

"You're stronger than you look," Tristan mutters. "The Catha are well known for their methods of getting information. "

Gaius sadly shakes his head. "I made an oath I would never betray Merlin, yet I gave away his greatest secret... I can only thank the gods Morgana never found out who Merlin truly is."

"Trust Agrivaine to go running to Morgana at the first sign of trouble." Elyan mutters.

"How did you not cross paths with Morgana and Agrivaine?" Leon asks, glancing at Gwaine.

"When I got to Gaius, Agrivaine was already there," Gwaine answers. "But I didn't see Morgana or even know she was there."

Morgana and Agrivaine arrive and quickly enter the network of tunnels and caves. Morgana warns Agrivaine if Gaius remains alive, Agrivaine place in Camelot could be exposed and Agrivaine promises Morgana, Gaius wil not breath another word. Merlin hides as Alator passes before continuing. Elsewhere Agrivaine finds Gaius and goes to cut his throat just as Gwaine appears, he quickly lies and tells Gwaine he was checking to see if Gaius was breathing, after following him and Merlin. Gwaine and Agrivaine quickky leave taking Gaius back to Camelot, leaving Merlin behind. Elsewhere Merlin runs into Morgana, Alator appears and Morgana tells him, he's Merlin. And asks Alator if he found out who Emrys is and Alator answers he does, whilst staring at Merlin.

Gwaine growls. "I knew it! He was trying to kill Gaius!"

"Gaius..." Arthur begins. "I truly am sorry for what happened to you."

"I know," Gaius speaks. "But that does not change the fact it happened and everyone, but Merlin, believed I would betray Camelot. "

Gwen grips Gaius's arm. "We all know you'd never betray Camelot."

Percival shakes his head. "That must have been hard for Merlin, being told the reason Gaius was taken was because Morgana wanted to know his none druidic name."

"What would Morgana have done, if she found out Merlin was Emrys?" Isolde asks. "I mean Merlin is quite clearly stronger than Morgana, if they were to fight openly, Merlin would win."

Gwen puts her hands over her mouth as she gasps. "He's going to tell her Merlin Emrys, isn't he?"

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As Morgana demands to know who Emrys is, Alator uses his staff to knock her out and then pledges alliance to Merlin. Elsewhere Agrivaine and Gwaine have made it back to Camelot and quickly carry Gaius back to his chamber, Arthur having been inforned is waiting for them and Agrivaine knows he could be exposed as the tratior he is. Gwen takes care of Gaius until he awakes, as Gwen cares for Gaius, Agrivaine tells Arthur they both owe Gaius and Merlin an apology. Elsewhere Morgana regains consciousness, to find Alator has left her healing bracelet and Morgana finally understands where Alator's true loyalties lie.

Gwen sighs with relief. "I fear to think what would have happened if Alator had told Morgana, Merlin is Emrys. "

"Morgana could have worked out Merlin was Emrys, " Gwaine points out. "He went straight over to Merlin and pretty much said he was Emrys. "

"Says the man he walked in on Agrivaine about to slice Gaius throat and believed he was checking for breath. " Tristan points out.

Arthur glances at Gaius, feeling ashamed. "If Merlin hadn't believed in your innocence you would died... Alator would have left you there wouldn't he?"

"I know not, what Alator would have done," Gaius speaks. "But I do not believe he would have left me at the mercy of Morgana... He knew I was close to Merlin and for that fact alone I do not believe he would have left me to die."

Isolde shakes her head. "Agrivaine would have killed you, if Gwen wasn't there. Weren't you worried about what Agrivaine could do or try and do?"

"Agrivaine knew I wouldn't tell Arthur," Gaius answers. "He knew if he tried to harm me, he could get exposed."

Back in Camelot Merlin sits with Gaius, who is still recovering. Gaius tells Merlin he's ashamed, he betrayed Merlin, he told a secret he thought he'd keep with his life and he told Alator. As a result Morgana nearly found out who he truly is and Merlin reminds Gaius he almost died and Morgana didn't count on Alator's true loyalties. Gaius tells Merlin they cannot tell Arthur about Agrivaine, they still have no proof. Not long after Arthur knocks on the door and apologies to Gaius, who warns him a wide range of people with different beliefs and skills, who seek to protect him and the kingdom and one day he'll know how much they have done to protect him.

Percival glances at Gaius. "You had no reason to feel ashamed, you were tortured into giving that information... Morgana herself said the Catha were once known through out the land for their methods of torture."

"I always believed I would die before relieving Merlin's secret," Gaius answers. "If Morgana had found out Merlin's secret... I fear what would have befallen Merlin."

Gwaine grins. "Merlin's right, you really do know how to apologise."

"I didn't even think you knew the meaning of the word sorry." Elyan mutters.

"One of those words Merlin made up." Leon agrees.

"Shut up." Arthur mutters, with a small smile.

"Merlin has done so much for this kingdom," Gwen smiles. "We'll always be in his debt."

Arthur turns to Gaius. "You could have told me about Agrivaine."

"You wouldn't have believed me," Gaius answers. "Your uncle as to dear to you."

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In a time of myth and a land of magic, the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young man his name... Merlin.

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In a village far from Camelot, a couple of thirty years are preparing for bed when the sounds of a young mans screams echo through the air. Mary begs her husband, John, not to go, but he must, he's the village elder and it is his duty to protect the village from harm. He goes out into the village and looks for the source of the scream and finds a young man, he's alive but appears dead, his eyes are unseeing and he's unresponsive. Something hisses and moves in the bushes as John calls for them to show themselves. Some time later in Camelot, Mary arrives on Gwen's door step seaking help.

Isolde frowns slightly. "That screams was the scream of someone young... The scream of a young man. Was something attacking the village?"

Gaius nodes. "A creature that was half human, half serpent."

"Half human, half serpent?" Tristan asks.

"Yes," Gaius answers. "The high priestesses would mix the blood of a young girl and that of a serpent or snake, the resulting creature would drain the life out of their enemies."

"Talk about draining the life out of people." Tristan mutters, as he sees the young man John finds.

"But he wasn't dead." Gwaine poits out.

Arthur glances at Gwen. "How did you know Mary and John?"

Gwen smiles. "They used to live in the lower town, next door to us... When my father was working, Mary would look after Elyan and I, before Elyan started working with our father."

Gwen helps Mary get a private audience with Arthur and Mary explains there village has been struck with a sickness, it has taken three men already and with out a physician, they can do nothing to stop it. Later Arthur goes and speaks with Gaius, while Merlin treats a man, who has the sweating sickness. Gaius explains, Merlin will have to be sent in his place, much to the surprise of Merlin and Arthur alike. Later that night, Gaius reassures Merlin he is more than capable of doing this. He also reminds Merlin, the whole of Camelot places their lives in his hands ever day, for he alone keeps the fate of the kingdom in the balance.

"I remember going to the village," Leon mutters. "Then leaving, rescuing the girl from those bandits... Then I remember waking up back in the village... We got the illness didn't we?"

"It wasn't an illness," Gaius explains. "It was the work of a Lamia."

"Lamia... That was the name of the girl we rescued from the bandits." Elyan exclaimed.

Gwaine looks at Gwen. "What happened?"

Gwen shakes her head. "You'll see."

To be honest Gwen didn't know how Arthur would react... She and Merlin had agreed to only tell Arthur, that the knights had been enchanted and nothing else.

"No," Percival mutters. "Something happened... Something to do with Merlin."

Tristan frowns. "What happened?"

"I don't remember... But Merlin wasn't himself for a while after we got back."

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The following morning, as Merlin packs his things, Gaius appears and gives him his medicine bag. A first Merlin refuses to take it, but Gaius finally convinces him to take it. Merlin, Gwen, Mary, Gwaine, Elyan, Leon and Percival ride out to help Mary's village. After traveling for much of the day, they arrive at the village and Merlin is not greeted too kindly. Elyan is quick to stick up for Merlin. Merlin quickly sets about checking the young men effected, as Gwen and John watch. Once Gwen and John have gone, Merlin tries to heal the young men with magic, but it doesn't work and Merlin knows this is no normal illness. Later that night, Merlin hears a noise out side his hut and almost kills Gwaine with a fishing rod.

Gaius smiles with pride. "Merlin is destined for great things, but he will always have the heart, courage and compassion of a healer... He will always try and save as many people as he can, even if it endangers his life."

"You need to put more faith in Merlin," Isolde speaks. "He has more knowledge than you give him credit for."

Arthur nodes. "I should have listened to him about a great many things... It's almost like he has an instinct for who to trust and who not to trust."

"Merlin knew it was more than just a normal illness because he couldn't heal them with magic, didn't he?" Percival asks.

Gaius nodes. "The spell Merlin cast, would heal any basic non-magical illness... But the only way to save those effect by the Lamia, is to kill the Lamia."

"The mightly Gwaine slain by a fishing rod," Elyan laughs. "Now that would be tale!"

Gwaine grins. "I have no doubt Merlin could kill me... But if I ever do get killed by a fishing rod, don't tell anyone, I have a reputation to uphold, you know."

Leon shakes his head. "The jokes you and Merlin come up with..."

"I think it's the adventures you have to be more worried about." Percival grins.

The following morning, Merlin checks the young men but there is no change. He informs John there is no change and tells him there is something at work here that he doesn't understand. John asks if it could be sorcery, Merlin agrees that it could be and John tell him and Gwen he feared as much. The night John found the third young man, he felt a presence and sort of evil in the air. Merlin tells Gwen they have to get back to Gaius, only he'd have the knowledge to tell what was doing this. Merlin, Gwen and the knights quickly head back to Camelot. As they make their way through the woods, Leon spots smoke through the trees and every quickly dismounts and sneak closer. Gwaine spots the bandits tormenting a young women and he and the other knights quick rush to help.

"I don't remember much after this." Elyan mutters.

Leon nodes. "The last thing I remember was Merlin setting up camp that night."

"The last thing I remember was finding the girl," Percival speaks up. "She didn't like Merlin, she seemed incredibly scared of him."

Gwaine thinks for a moment. "The last thing I remember is Merlin saying Camelot was west not east... Everything after that is a burl, like I was really, really, really drunk."

"You were enchanted," Arthur speaks up. "The creature controlled you... I'm sure nothing too bad happened."

Gwen shifts slightly, she hoped Arthur reaction to Merlin's treatment didn't cause too much trouble.

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After the knights defeat the bandits, with the help of Merlin who makes a bandit knock themselves out with ttheir own club, Percival holds the girl the bandits had caught in his arms. As Merlin kneels beside her to look at her injuries, she screams as Merlin reaches towards her and tries to back away. After Leon decides they should ride on, they find a place to stop for the night. Merlin offers Lamia some help getting down from the horse, she almost hisses at him and knocks his hand away. Percival shoves Merlin back and tells him to leave her alone. Gwen who witnesses it, tells Merlin he didn't mean it, he's just tied. That night, Percival checks on Lamia to find he crying, as he comforts her, her eyes glow green. As she goes to make her move on Percival, a twig snaps and Percival grabs his sword and turns, only to find Merlin standing there.

"Merlin really has to teach me that," Gwaine grins, as Merlin makes a bandit knock themselves out with there own weapon. "It would be so useful."

Leon rolls his eyes. "If Merlin teaches you half the spells you want to know, god help us all."

Elyan shakes his head. "Think of all the pranks Gwaine would come up with Merlin's help."

"Did the Lamia know who Merlin is?" Isolde asks.

Gaius nodes. "All creatures of magic will feel Merlin's power."

"So why did she fear him?" Tristan asks.

"Emrys," Taliesin answers. "Is her enemy... High priest were the only men Lamis's could not enchant, but that was not the only reason she was unable to enchant Merlin."

Arthur glares at Percival. "I swear if he was harmed..."

Percival stares at the screen in horror. "I don't remember doing that."

Back in Camelot, Arthur is speaking with Agrivaine and Gaius and tells them, Gwen, Merlin and the knights should be back by now. Arthur asks Gaius if his work in Camelot is done and Gaius tells him it is, Arthur quickly informs them they leave at first light. The following morning, Arthur, Gaius, Agrivaine and a patrol of knights leave to find Gwen, Merlin and the knights. Elsewhere, Gwen tries to give some food to Lamia, but she just turns away, Gwen leaves the bowl of food near Lamia before going over and sitting by Merlin. As Gwen and Merlin talk Leon tells everyone they are traveling east, Merlin questions this saying Camelot is west. Leon yells at Merlin and tells him he's nothing but a servant, Gwen quickly agrees with Merlin and Elyan just tells her it has nothing to do with her.

"Agrivaine didn't seem to supportive of the idea of us being in trouble." Gwaine mutters.

Leon thinks for a moment. "Lamia's are created by the high priestesses... Morgana was a high priestess."

"If Morgana had created it, Agrivaine would have known," Elyan mutters. "And would want to stop Arthur saving us."

Percival shakes his head. "No, if it had been Morgana, she would have wanted Arthur to go after, with the hope it would kill him."

Arthur turns and glares at Leon. "You had no right to speak to Merlin like that."

"He has ever right," Tristan mutters. "Many nobles would speak to a servant like that if they spoke out of turn, some would do far worse than just yell."

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Elsewhere in the forest, Arthur and the others have found the a slave traders camp. Everyone is dead but no body has a mark on them, as they look round they find a survivor and take them with them to be treated. Elsewhere, Gwaine and Leon have a disagreement and Merlin yells at them. But the two soon get into a fight and Percival and Elyan are forced to brake them apart. Leon is injuried much to Merlin annoyance and Lamia just watches on with a smile. Back at the village, Arthur orders his men to speak to everyone to try and work out where Gwen, Merlin and the knights have gone. Gaius informs John Merlin was right, this illness was caused by sorcery.

"Why did she leave him alive?" Isolde asks.

"I think," Gaius answers. "That she didn't have chance to drain all his life force... I think something made her leave."

"The bandits?" Elyan suggests.

Gaius nodes. "Possibly."

Gwaine and Leon glance at each other, they had never acted like that towards each other before.

"Well," Arthur mutters. "Least Merlin and Gwen were there to try and talk sense into you."

Back in the wood, Merlin has just stitched up Leon's arm. After Leon walked off, Gwen and Merlin talk and Merlin works out Lamia must be affecting the knights behaviour. Back in the village, Gaius tells Arthur and Agrivaine about what the survivor told him and who their prisoner was. Gaius explains what a Lamia is and Arthur fears what the creature will do if its not killed. Elsewhere Elyan falls prey to the Lamia. The following morning Merlin, Gwen and the knights are woken by the light of the late morning sun and find Elyan missing. Elsewhere Arthur has found their tracks leading east and is quick to follow them, much to the displeasure of Agrivaine.

"A first," Gwen explains. "I didn't believe it was the girl... But after what she said when Elyan went missing, I knew Merlin was right."

"Merlin's always right." Gwaine grins.

Leon traces the scar on his arm. "I don't even remember having the injury after we returned to Camelot. "

Gaius frowns. "I removed the stitches, the day after we returned to Camelot."

"I really don't remember." Leon mutters.

"How is it, a group of slave traders can notice the Lamia has enchanted them, when a group of knights cannot?" Tristan asks. "Your supposed to be as close as brothers, slave trader working together because their boss tells them to."

Elyan shakes his head. "I don't remember being on watch..."

"Your lucky to be alive." Gaius speaks.

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Elyan is found and bought back to camp. Gwen quickly tells Merlin it was Lamia who did it, she was sure of it. Merlin tells the knights they have to go back to Camelot and get Gaius's help, but Lamia tells the knights there is a castle not far from where they are and Leon agrees to go there. Merlin and Gwen have little choice but to go with them. As they ride to the castle Lamia spoke of, Merlin and Gwen ride at the back and talk. Merlin tells Gwen Arthur is their only hope now, he must have realised something is wrong, they had been gone too long. Gwen tells Merlin there in the middle of nowhere, Arthur would never find them, so Merlin tells her to give Arthur some help. Elsewhere, Arthur has lost Gwen, Merlin and the knights tracks.

"How long could Elyan have survived in that state?" Arthur asks.

"Until he died of hunger or of dehydration." Gaius answers.

Gwen shakes her head. "If you hadn't found us Arthur..."

"I'm sure Merlin could have killed her." Tristan mutters.

Arthur smiles slightly. "Merlin not a complete idiot, I taught him to leave a trail if he ever got caught and was able to."

"Merlin has never been a idiot," Percival answers. "He just acts like one."

Back with the knights, Gwen has torn part of her top and ties it around a tree branch to help lead Arthur to them. The castle comes into view and Merlin knows they're running out of time. Elsewhere Arthur is still looking for their tracks, Agrivaine finds some tracks but quickly covers them. The knights with Lamia enter the castle, as they do so Merlin tries to convince Percival something is wrong, but he just forces Merlin back into a wall and threatens him. As they enter the castle, the torches are blown out, Merlin re lights his torch with magic and they find Lamia gone. They walk deeper into the castle to find the place full of bones. Merlin tries to convince the knights Lamia has led them into a trap, but Percival tells him he's lying, Leon shoves Merlin to the ground and looks ready to kill him.

"I should have known Agrivaine hide the tracks." Arthur mutters. "His betrayal knows no bounds."

"But how were we so easily enchanted?" Leon asks.

"The group of slave traders were triple your number, " Gaius explains. "And by enchanting them all, the enchanment was weaker and easier for them to brake free of."

Arthur turns and glares at Percival. "You better prey threatening Merlin was the worst you did."

"I don't remember doing that." Percival defends himself.

Isolde gasps as she sees the bones. "How did you not work out it was a trap then."

Arthur spins to face Leon. "How could you do that?"

"I'm sorry." Leon mutters. "I don't even remember doing it."

"You looked like you were about to kill him!" Arthur explains.

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Elsewhere, Arthur finds the trail Gwen and Merlin left. Back at the castle, Leon and Percival leave to try and find Lamia while Gwaine makes a fire. Gwaine goes off to find more fire wood, but not before almost setting fire to Merlin as he swings the torch past his face. Gwaine searches for fire wood, but elsewhere Leon and Percival get separated. Gwen knows if they don't get help soon Elyan will die and Merlin knows he must do something or they'll all die. Gwen then works out Lamia doesn't like Merlin and looks at him like he's the enemy. As a scream echoes through the castle, Merlin goes to investigate.

"So that's why Agrivaine didn't want you to find us," Gwen mutters. "It was because I was with you."

Arthur nodes. "It's possible."

"I believe it may have been to do with Merlin also," Gaius speaks up. "Agrivaine knew Merlin knew he was the tratior."

Arthur turns to face Gwaine. "If he had been hurt..."

Gwaine nodes. "I have to say, I have never seen Merlin back down so fast."

Arthur glares at Gwaine, before turning to Gaius. "I'm sure, even though he ducked back, the fire caught him."

"It's possible it did," Gaius answers. "But non-magical flames won't harm Merlin, his magic and his abilities as a dragon lord stop him from beging burnt or harmed."

Tristan thinks for a moment. "Why wasn't it just his magic that protected him? John didn't fall under her spell and he was a man."

"Love." Gaius answers.

"What?" Isolde asks.

"John loves his wife more than the world itself," Gaius answers. "Lamia's can not enchant men who's hearts belong to another... Merlin has and always will love Freya."

Merlin makes his way through the castle and finds Gwaine, but the Lamia had got to him first. Elsewhere Arthur finds Gwen and Merlin's trail and quickly follows it. Back in the castle Merlin is still looking for Leon and Percival. Arthur finally spots the castle. Back at the castle Percival falls victim to the Lamia, but Leon sees her and finally works out Merlin was right. As Leon charges at her, he's knocked out. Merlin appears and quickly challenges the Lamia, hoping to get it away from Leon and Percival. Merlin is thrown back by the Lamia, but he quickly uses magic to send her flying backwards and checks on Percival and Leon. But as he does the Lamia rises in serpent form.

"It's a miracle you all survived," Gaius speaks. "You are incredibly lucky."

"I'm glad you found the trail Arthur." Gwen smiles. "Merlin thought we started it too late... For a while I thought we had."

"I promise I'll always find you." Arthur grips Gwen's hand.

"Merlin shouldn't have done that," Gwen mutters. "He shouldn't have challenged her like that."

"He had no choice," Leon mutters. "If he didn't, we would have all been killed."

"I killed it." Arthur points out.

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Merlin quickly traps the Lamia in the room, by collapsing the ceiling, before running to find Gwen. The two of them quicly run, but the Lamia grabs Merlin's leg. Gwen charges at the Lamia with Elyans sword and the two of them move back across the floor on their backs. Suddenly Arthur appears behind it and kills it. Gwen runs and embraces Arthur, who after hugging Gwen helps Merlin to his feet. Back in the village, the knights are recovering and Arthur teases Merlin about being saved by a girl, but as always Merlin has the last laugh. Back in Camelot Arthur and Gwen have a close moment.

Isolde shakes her head. "How you survive these things..."

Gwaine grins. "I like to think it's down to our awesome skills as knights."

"And Merlin's magic." Tristan mutters.

"You did well Gwen," Elyan mutters. "Not many women would be that brave."

"Merlin would have done the same for me," Gwen answers. "And Merlin is my friend."

Elyan smiles slightly. "Everyone seems to forget about Merlin."

"I think it's becuase everyone knows Merlin is always okay." Percival mutters. "I never seen him hurt after fight or in pain."

Gwaine grins at Arthur. "Merlin's right, don't think too hard, you might hurt yourself."

"Shut up, Gwaine."

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Hey, hoped you liked that chapter.

Blessed be,

TreeOfLife1997.