Rohan recognized the direction in which they were going. When they were younger, him and Angus had walked up here in a game of dare. However, they hadn't come much further then where Rohan, Ivar and Deirdre were right now. Their ominous surroundings had the young boys changing their minds, and they quickly returned to play another game. Today Rohan could still feel a certain sense of evil that reminded him a lot of the Banshee Woods where Garrett had retreived his armour.

Automatically the knights had walked closely together in single file, continuesly looking over their shoulders for any possible attack.

Ivar, who was far less familiair with the island as Rohan was, had also sensed the threatening atmoshphere around them. The treebranches seemed to be shaped more crooked than usual and the leaves over their heads grew thick and prevented most of the light to reach the ground.

"Do you have any idea where we are?" The dark prince asked Draganta, while remaining his hand on his Trident.

"We're in the Forest of Mhaith, and I think we're heading toward the Northern shores."

"I was afraid of that," Deirdre sighed. Ivar shot a surprised look at the princess, when she continued: "Before we continue, I think Ivar has to know what might be in store for us."

oOo

Maeve knew by the way Angus looked at her with his dark fiery eyes, that Garrett had told him. She could sense a profound anger and hatred in his gaze, as well as fear and a hint of despair. Maeve had always enjoyed looking at Angus, being the open book that he was. The raw emotions he displayed, combined with his child-like innocence, his sharp, handsome features and tendency to lie, cheat and steal, had interested and intreaged her.

If only he were her son, she could have easilly shaped and molded him into someone quite different. She smirked at the irony.

Still unbeknownst to her two passengers she already had two sons, who had both disappointed her deeply. One had a pure heart, she could tell from the moment he was born. The good that was inside him as well as his angelic appearance had nauseated her, and she grew a profound hatred against the little boy. He was still just an infant when she had ordered one of her servants to bring him to Kells, far out of her sight. Her second son was equally disappointing, but mostly for his hideous disfigurements. His mind was slow, and she knew that he could never be her heir to the throne. She would have to appoint someone when the time came, and after today that wouldn't be very soon.

The carriage suddenly halted.

They had arrived.

oOo

Ivar, Deirdre and Rohan had sat themselves on a large treetrunk to rest a little before they would set out to leave the forest.

"Dubh Bhinn" Rohan started. "I think it's only half a day's walk from here, but we should quicken our pace to get there sooner. Maeve must have arrived there by now."

Ivar sat bend forward, his head resting in his hands. "Have you been there before?"

Rohan shook his head. "No, I think I should be grateful that I haven't. It is said that the place is so dark, it eliminates your spirits and blackens your heart."

Ivar frowned and the shocked look on his face made Rohan regret what he had just said. He continued, faking a smile.

"But that is only what some have said about it. I don't believe I have ever met anyone who has actually been there."

The blue clad prince looked slightly relieved at that.

"Dubh Bhinn is a place that people like to tell stories about, usually around Samhain. Centuries ago druids and sorcerers would appoint a few young men or women and they would travel to the Northern shores. There they would sacrifice for protection against death, like plagues or wars. The magical creatures would always return, but never the young men and women. We know nothing about the rituals that would take place in there, but I think you can guess.."

Ivar nodded. "But as you said, that happened centuries ago? Why would Maeve decide to visit there now? Especially since we just celebrated Beltaine."

"That I'm not sure off.." Rohan said.

"Ah, but I do." Deirdre said, almost triumphantly. "And you should have known, Rohan, being Cathbad's apprentice!" Rohan blushed at that, but Deirdre continued quickly.

"You might remember Ivar, that Beltaine is a feast about light and life, opposite to death and darkness when Samhain is held. There is another legend that tells of sorcery of the darkest kind." Deirdre paused dramatically, and both men automatically held their breath. "Around the feast of Beltaine it is believed that anyone strong enough in the arts of magic can optain eternal youth at the Cave of Dubh Bhinn. Cathbad told me that eternal youth would be too long a time indeed, but he did think that a prolongued life could be gained at the caves."

"Cathbad also said that he didn't know about the actual ritual that would have to be performed. I was years younger, but I was deeply interested. After all, who doens't want to be young forever?" the princess grinned. "So I asked him if he could find out, so we could go there together. Cathbad laughed at my foolishness and told me it would never be worth it. The Cave should be left alone. I begged him to tell me more, but he shrugged and remained silent."

The princess bit her lip and narrowed her eyes. "I remember.. that Angus was there too. I think you must've been out on an errand for Cathbad, Rohan. Anyway, Angus persuaded me to wait for Cathbad to leave and then rummage through his scrolls. He was very convincing in making me believe that 'the old goat' was holding the key to eternal life, and that the answer was somewhere to be found in his chambers. We found nothing, and we were caught when Cathbad returned a little sooner than we expected. Angus spend that night in the dungeons, while I was confined to my chambers for the remainders of the following two days."

Rohan smiled listening to his best friend and the princess's shared mischief.

He also realised that if Angus knew about the Cave, it would hopefully give him some advantage.

Deirdre softly added: "I think.. Maeve will want to try to live forever.. and she needs Angus and Garrett in order to do so.."

The three knights were quiet for a moment, as Rohan and Deirdre's words sank in. Sorcery.. darkness and light.. death and life.. eternal youth.. sacrifice..

"If only Cathbad knew where we were now.." the princess finally whispered.

oOo

Garrett was still unsure about their destination, but the moment the dark cave had revealed itself behind the trees, his hands had started to tremble. The look on Angus's face when he had revealed their destination kept hovering in his mind. That same look of fright Garrett had understood the moment they arrived.

Even though it was midday, the sky had turned a shade of grey that suggested sundown. The air was cold but clammy, and a thin veil of mist crawled around their feet, close to the ground. When they had traveled through the forest they had still heard some animal-noises, or the cracking of branches or rustling of the leaves. Now there was complete silence. The cave itself towered above their heads, a large black hole in the steep rock in front of them. The path toward the entrance of the cave was covered with small sharp stones and shaped a threaterous path.

Death.

The word sprang to Garrett's mind and echoed in his heart.

TBC

Sorry about the delay everyone, went on holiday and experienced another writer's block. This story will be finished, I promise, it just may need a little time..

On a sidenote: has anyone been watching Camelot and Game of thrones? Very inspirational shows .