Chapter 5

It was early next morning when Gwen met with Leon, Isolde and Freya about a plan to get into Tergin's castle.

"We need as much stealth as possible, there are two routes it maybe an idea to split into two groups. We will have the use of some more men who can cause a diversion to enable us to get into the castle."

"Has Peter agreed to this Leon?" Gwen enquired, wanting to check that the men were readily available. "Do we know how well trained they are?"

"I've been assured that quite a few are seasoned warriors." Leon assured her. "They seem only too happy to play their part. It seems that people are fed up with the constant threat that has been inflicted on them recently."

Gwen nodded satisfied. "Now we just need a plan to get into the castle itself. What is the set up inside?"

"There is a secret entrance at the back of the castle. The path that leads to it is overrun by weeds and bushes apparently. That would seem to be the best way in."

"I can blow any door away remember." Freya pointed out. "If we're able to get in without being spotted."

"It would mean a little climb before we get to the path. That is the biggest risk we have being caught."

"Which is where the diversion comes in I take it?" Isolde asked with a smile.

"Yes indeed." confirmed Leon. "If Peter's men can keep them busily occupied over the other side, we can then sneak in."

Gwen nodded. "Once in do we know the layout inside, and where they are being kept?"

"The entrance leads to a passage, you have to go down the stairs on the right and they lead down to the dungeons, we think they are being kept there."

"Presumably they will be under heavy guard?" Gwen asked.

"Actually according to the man I spoke to who has experience in there, the answer is no. It seems they are quite lax about their security. The danger will be trying to get out of the castle I think that will be our biggest challenge."

There was a pause while everyone took the information in. Everyone appeared lost on their own thoughts until Isolde pointed out.

"They've already been prisoner for a few days, we need to get in as fast as possible."

"I agree." Gwen confirmed. "I say if the men can be ready we go in tomorrow."

Leon nodded. "I will personally see to it that the men are ready and prepared."

"Thank you Leon."

Leon bowed and left the room, rolling up the map as he went.

"I suggest we all get an early night." Gwen said. "We all need to be at our best tomorrow."

Isolde agreed. "I just hope Tristan doesn't do anything stupid in the meantime."

Gwen smiled. "I'm sure Arthur will stop him from doing anything daft."

"You don't know Tristan." Isolde grimaced. "He is worse than me when it comes to being locked up."

"Then I hope I never get to see it." Gwen grinned.

Isolde laughed. "I'll see you both tomorrow then. A big day ahead a chance to prove our worth to the men again."

"Indeed." Gwen smiled as she watched Isolde leave.

Freya had remained seated at the table, she was feeling both impatient and apprehensive as she thought of tomorrow. She was worried about the state she may find Merlin in. Would he be okay, would he be well enough to work with her or would the spell of rendered him useless? Somehow she couldn't lift the gloom she felt, as she sat there she felt as if she was in a world suspended from everyone else. Only when Gwen's voice interrupted her thoughts did she come round.

"Are you okay Freya, you seem very quiet." Gwen said.

"I'm okay thank you." Freya smiled. She wondered if she should tell Gwen about what the woman had told her.

"You're worried about Merlin aren't you?" Gwen asked kindly.

"Yes I am I wonder what state he'll be in." Freya admitted.

"What do you mean?" Gwen asked.

There was a pause as Freya pondered how much to tell her. She was so unsure as to how she would react to it. She wasn't sure if she'd understand the implications of the information.

"I get the feeling you're not telling me everything." Gwen said coming over and sitting next to her.

Freya laughed. "There's no fooling you is there? I'm going to tell you something that I have found out. I met a woman in the village she is a healer, a sorceress."

Gwen didn't say anything, deciding to let Freya tell her everything she knew.

"She explained a little bit of what had happened here, and also about the enchanted wood and how it affects people with magic. The spell she has put on the wood can takeover a sorcerer's mind. I fear that she may already have taken over at least part of Merlin's magic. The woman has given me a stone, if Merlin and I channel our magic through the stone, it can help us overcome the magic there. I'm just worried about my magic, will it be strong enough to make the difference?"

After a pause Gwen replied. "First things first, let's not worry about something we don't yet know. First we have to get into the castle, then we can establish how Merlin is once we're there. I'm sure the pair of you working together can overcome anything I have total faith in both of you."

Freya smiled. "Thank you, it means a lot to hear you say that. You are probably right I'm could be worrying about nothing."

"I'm sure Gaius said that Merlin is the most powerful sorcerer in the world." Gwen pointed out.

"Yes I know, I just hate not knowing that is all." Freya said simply.

"I think we all feel that way." Gwen admitted. "I constantly worry about Arthur when he is away. But he has always come back to me, as has Merlin. In the meantime we must be strong, we have an important role to play tomorrow. I suggest you get some sleep and try not to worry. We'll all be there for you, and I will make sure that you and Merlin have the chance to do whatever you have to."

"Thank you Gwen, I feel better having told you." Freya smiled.

"Some things are always best said that much I do know. Have a good sleep." Gwen smiled watching her go.

**********
Gwen sighed and continued to take in what Freya had just told her. She didn't doubt it would not be easy tomorrow. When Freya had first told her she had initially felt relief when she realised the spell only affected those with magic. But now having thought it over again she suddenly felt selfish, and began to fret about Merlin. The boy always took so much on, and she knew if anything had happened to him, he would be putting himself through enormous pressure to protect Arthur and everyone else.

She was so glad that Merlin had met Freya, as bit by bit he was learning to share his burden. But having spent so much of his life keeping things secret, she knew he still had a tendency to do it even now despite Freya being there with him. She was determined that he would cooperate with Freya, and she would give them the opportunity to do what they needed to do.

As she made herself ready for bed her final thoughts were for her husband Arthur. She hoped he was okay as she knew how he hated putting his men at risk, and he too would be feeling the pressure to protect them. As she began to close her eyes she smiled at the thought that tomorrow she would once again be by his side.

The Dungeons

Merlin slowly opened his eyes grateful that at least his pounding headache had died down somewhat. He yawned and stretched noticing that his whole body seemed to feel both tired and aching not helped by the fact that they were all cramped inside the dungeon. Not wanting to entertain to the others that he was awake, Merlin tried to keep as still as possible. He could hear that Gwaine was still in his slumbers thankfully no longer falling on top of him. He also guessed that most of the others seemed asleep as well.

He decided to try and think logically over what was happening to him. He tested his magic satisfied that it still burned inside of him. While he knew the dungeon bars were blocked to his magic, he decided to test the rest of it. He reached a coin out of his pocket, and whispered quietly and waited. To his delight the coin floated in the air in front of his eyes. For a second he wanted to yell out in his happiness.

He had felt so slugged before, that it hadn't even occurred to him test his magic in this way. Worse than that there had been an underlying fear of the fact that his magic was no longer his to command. The fear had stopped him even trying until this moment. Now at least he knew it was not entirely redundant to him. This opened up all sorts of possibilities he realised if only the sleeping beauties woke up!

He hunted around for something to eat, all of a sudden feeling energised, he reached over and snatched a piece of bread. He was enjoying the taste of it so much he went flying over Arthur's outstretched leg. Suddenly his friend was awake hair in every direction and looking none too pleased.

"Even here you can't stop falling over your clodhopping feet!" Arthur grumbled.

"Actually it was your outstretched leg." Merlin argued back smirking. "Nice to see your treating the place as you would your chambers."

"Merlin!" Arthur said. "Would it be so much for you once in your life to treat me with respect?"

Merlin thought for a second his head to the side. "No what would I do that for?" he asked.

Arthur rolled his eyes to Merlin's answer.

"Anyway never mind that. I've made a discovery." Merlin said smiling.

"That you're a clot pole." Arthur retorted, struggling to get up on his feet, feeling as if his whole body had been squashed.

Merlin waited until Arthur was sitting by him. "I don't know why it didn't occur to me before. Well I think I was too afraid to put it to the test."

"Put what to the test?" Arthur asked still fighting his sleep.

"Watch." Merlin took out the coin and repeated his spell for his friend.

"Yes very good Merlin." Arthur said sarcastically. "I'm really glad you've disturbed my sleep to show me this!"

"Whose being a clot pole now?" Merlin said rolling his eyes.
Suddenly the dawn of realisation caught on Arthur's face.

"You've just used magic!" Arthur said, his voice transformed.

"At long last." Merlin grinned.

"Why didn't this occur to you to try before?" Arthur asked curiously.

"I think with everything that happened, I was too afraid too. I was so scared my magic was no longer mine to use, that someone else had it, that I lost my nerve." Merlin admitted looking embarrassed.

Arthur put his hand on Merlin's shoulder, "Well my friend it seems you do still have it."

"We need to make a plan." Merlin said eagerly. "With all the Knights here, we must be able to overpower the guards."

"Just one problem with that Merlin, have you seen any guards while we've been here?" Arthur asked raising his eyebrow.

Merlin thought for a second and suddenly he realised that they had seen no guards at all.

"The only people we've seen is that woman, what's her name?"

"Anna." Merlin said.

"Yes Anna and that lunatic sorceress." Arthur pointed out.

"Yes." Merlin said thoughtfully. "There is something about Anna, I actually think she's not in her own mind."

"What do you mean by that?" Arthur asked a doubtful look on his face.

"Some thing about her manner. I knew her well in Camelot she lost her parents I took her to the Druids and they brought her up. The last time I saw her she was a happy and contented person. Not like the person we've seen so far."

Arthur looked at Merlin a look of scepticism on his face. Merlin stared him out determined to stick to his opinion.

"I know it sounds unlikely Arthur." Merlin confessed. "But there is so many strange things happening here, that I don't think we can discount anything."

Arthur after a pause, nodded. "I think you're right Merlin. Do you think you can talk to this Anna?"

"I can certainly try." Merlin said. "She should be in shortly."

"I'll wake the rest of the Knights up. If any opportunity presents itself we must take it."

Arthur went away and informed the Knights on Merlin's news. He vaguely heard the delight of them all, on being told. But he continued to watch the door waiting for the sharp flash of light that usually occurred. After a few minutes the familiar ray of light hit the wall, and Merlin watched Anna bring a tray over.

She stopped before him, suddenly conscious of a lot of eyes on her. Merlin sensing her nervousness, gave a sharp glance to Arthur who straight away understanding encouraged the Knights to stay where they were.

"It's okay Anna." Merlin said watching her carefully.

"No it's not okay. I have betrayed you and that is a terrible thing." she said her voice soft.

Merlin grabbed hold of her hand. "What ever has happened we can sort out. Just tell me what the set up is here. How did you come to be here?"

"Demonia tricked me. She made no mention of dark magic that time I met her. I had just left the Druid camp, I had no where to go. She has a kind of charisma, she fools people into thinking she is something she is not. I've been working with her for six months now. I have been forced to hide all my worries about what I'm doing. But when I saw you and remembered everything that you'd done for me, I couldn't kid myself anymore. It is wrong. I'm so sorry Merlin. I will help you escape."

"That will put you in a lot of danger." Merlin said concerned. "You need to be careful."

"I cannot let you die in here, leave it with me. I know where the keys are I will bring them to you tonight."

Merlin looked at her neck suddenly realising the necklace was missing today. "Anna can I ask you where the necklace is?"

"It keeps me in her power, it's the one my father gave me. You found it when I thought I had lost it, if you remember."

"I knew it was familiar. I also thought I sensed a power on it" Merlin said.

"I will not wear it again, it doesn't mean anything to me after what she has done to it."

"Anna that can be put right, once I'm out of here, bring it with you."

"Merlin I cannot come with you." Anna whispered.

"I'm not leaving you to face her alone." Merlin insisted.

"Take it as me repaying a debt, for what you did for me. Tell your friends to be ready tonight. I must go, she'll get suspicious if I'm any longer."

Merlin watched her go, concern on his face presently Arthur came over. "Well?"

"She is going to help us escape" Merlin said.

"Are you sure?" Arthur said not sure what to think. "Why the sudden change of heart?"

"I trust her Arthur, just this once you trust me with this." Merlin said simply.

After a second of studying Merlin, Arthur slapped his shoulder.

"I always trust you Merlin, tonight it is then."

Merlin nodded wishing the nerves in his stomach would settle today was going to be a long day for them all.

To Be Continued