Arthur watched Gwen sleeping. She was so peaceful. Her face so calm. He twisted a tendril around his finger. Her chest rose and fell rhythmically. His thumb caressed her fingers that he held clutched in his large hand.

"I'll find them and bring them home, Guinevere. We'll talk, I promise." His lips brush her hand.

Vivi's dark wet hair clung to her like fur as she splashed in cool rushing water. Amhar jumped along rocks; Gwydre floated in blue shallow water near Camelot River's banks. He smiled brightly. It was great day to spend at the river. Father never searched Camelot River after one of their incidents.

'So, you come here when you get in trouble?"

Amhar shrugged. "Of course, we just wait. Then, Mother is frantic. She's really happy to see us. No punishment."

Vivi looked oddly at her cousins. "You manipulate your mother?"

"Don't you?"

"Have you met mine?"

Gwydre rolled over as he spit water from his mouth. "Uncle Merlin is the soft one. You have to get on his good side. Make him proud. He'll protect. Your mother and our father are cut from the same cloth."

Vivi put her hands on her little waist. "I know she uses magic, but I shouldn't."

Gwydre sat upright quickly. He waved a hand to silence Vivi and Amhar. His blue eyes scanned the clearing. He swam stealthily towards Amhar and Vivi.

"Something is out there."

Vivi felt a dark shiver along her spine. "Something evil. Hold my hands." She offered her hands to the boys. "I can make us invisible and silent." Vivi clasped their hands tightly.

Amhar's mouth dropped when Mulekia walked towards the edge of the river and lapped a mouthful of cool water. Gwydre shook his head in disbelief. Vivi sensed the creature's evil; she held tightly to her cousins.

Mulekia brushed water droplets from his mouth.

"Soon, I'll be at the castle. That pregnant noble lady with the dark curly hair is dessert. Going to use that hair to clean my teeth. That have baby is my started. Golden boy with green eyes is dinner." Mulekia clicked his claws as he happily crawled away.

The children listened in horror as Mulekia describe eating their mother and siblings. Vivi pulled Gwydre to her.

"He's not eating my Mother, Duran, and Rowan," he screamed.

"No, Gwydre," Vivi began. "We can't kill it. We need our parents." Gwydre rolled his eyes. "You're right."

Vivi offered her hand to Amhar. "I can take us to the castle."

"How?"

"Magic."

Duran pushed Rowan onto Gwen's bed. The baby climbed over Gwen's legs and settled on her mother's chest. Duran crawled on Gwen's other side and wrapped his fingers in her dark hair.

This is better. The nursery was lonely. I need to stay with Mother. She will make it right. Duran quietly laid watching the door as his mother and sister slept. Mother will not be happy that I took Rowan out of her bed. Have to stay together.

Arthur felt the ground. It was moist. He noticed broken grass and rabbit carcasses piled near a tree.

"It's moving in the direction of Camelot."

Arthur stuck his hands in his thick hair. "Goodness, Gwen is alone."

"Arthur," Gawain called, "I'll ride back to the castle." Gawain galloped rapidly north. His dark hair flowing in a summer breeze. Arthur prayed Gawain could hold off the beast by himself.

"Don't worry, Arthur."

Arthur waved his hands at Morgana. "My life revolves around Guinevere. I never told her. She thinks Camelot is more important than she is. I let her think that she comes after everything else. I can't do it without her."

"Arthur,"

"No, I would have give up Camelot for you. I would give it up for Guinevere. I can't lose my family."

Merlin watched Morgana jump from her horse. Gently, she placed her hands on Arthur's shoulders. "It's okay. We'll find them and slay the beast."

"How do you?"

"I'm the oldest evilest thing out here. Trust me?"

Merlin shook his head. Don't fall for her. She's going to hurt us.

Arthur pulled Morgana in his arms. "I've missed you."

Merlin felt an emotion that he decided to ignore. "Hello, missing children. Hungry Monster!"