drip... drip... drip... Maera's eyes followed each drop of liquid as it fell from the apparatus that Gaius was working with "so... " she said slowly "what exactly is it that you are trying to make again?" the older man sighed and set down the tools he was using as he turned to her where she was on the bench. "I was conducting an experiment here in this book" he said pointing to the aforementioned book sitting on the side table. Maera's face fell, "oh sorry I didn't mean to interrupt, I've just gotten so curious about everything since I can't remember anything..." her brow formed small wrinkles, "although sometimes there are some things that feel familiar but I can't make out why"

Gaius watched the girl as she slowly picked up a book off of the table and thumbed through the pages, "its almost like I'm listening to a story that I've heard a long time ago but there's pieces missing…" she looked up and looked like she was going to say something more when the door burst open and merlin came in half carrying an unconscious man with someone else who left as soon as the unconscious stranger was laid on the bed. "Merlin, who is this and what the devil happened?" she said instead as soon as the flurry of movement stopped.

Merlin explained about how he was out collecting mushrooms when the strange beast attacked him and the stranger, whose name was Lancelot, saved him but was wounded in the process.

Gaius looked over the young man's wounds while Maera grabbed a bucket of water from the corner and a rag off of one of the tables. "well lucky for him the wound looks purely superficial, he should be fine after a bit of rest" Gaius took the water and rags "go and fetch me some bandages Maera, so I can wrap the wound" she went and did as she was told. Soon Lancelot was bandaged up and laying in Merlin's bed while merlin got to sleep on the floor.

The next day Maera got up early and started getting ready for the day, "Gwen is going to have me help her today so that I have something to do and I feel useful" she told Gaius as she rushed to get out the door, "I'll be back later, let me know how our friend is doing when I get back?" she said as she let the door swing behind her leaving Gaius shaking his head and stirring whatever it was he was making that early in the morning.

"Good Morning Gwen!" the short brunette said as she practically plowed into the slightly taller girl. "omfh… Maera! Good heavens you really shouldn't go running into people like that" the frown on her face was enough to send Maera into giggles, "oh Gwen lighten up, I haven't been out of that workshop for days! It was getting terribly stuffy" she fanned her hand in front of her face for emphasis.

"all right, but you need to be on your best behavior for My Lady, and do whatever she asks." Maera rolled her eyes, "yes, I know I shouldn't be flippant or rude, I'll be good promise." she locked arms with Gwen and the made their way up the steps towards the chambers that belonged to Gwen's, and now Maera's Mistress, Morgana.

Later in the week she was shaking out a set of sheets to hang up to dry when there was a noise from the courtyard below, apparently Lancelot was trying for knighthood, Maera leaned over to look just as the Prince assigned him to cleaning the stables.. She smiled and laughed then went about her business….

Throughout the week talk of the strange beast grew more and more, it was apparently moving south straight for Camelot.

Maera sat in a windowsill mending the seam in an old dress when she heard something almost inaudible. It was the barest whisper of sound coming from outside the window, she almost dismissed it as a draft but then strained to hear it better. What she realized was that the sound was coming not from outside but from inside her own mind, her eyes widened in shock but she said nothing glancing over towards the dresser where morgana and Gwen stood talking while Gwen did up Morgana's hair.

Maera closed her eyes fascinated and tried harder to hear what it was, slowly it grew louder and she realized it was a song, in a strange haunting tone… "oh misty eye of the mountain below…" she almost started when she realized she could understand the words but then listened intently "keep careful watch of my brother's souls, And should the sky be filled with fire and smoke, keep watching over Durin's sons.."

As the song started to fade she wondered about it and sat with a frown on her face staring out the window, 'but what does it mean?' she wondered to herself and made a mental note to ask Gaius about it later.

"do you have any idea what it could mean?" she finished telling Gaius of her strange afternoon. He seemed as perplexed as she was though.

"well I'm sure if it is important it will come in its own time we can only hope," he sighed then looked her in the face, "although you should probably keep this to yourself as much as possible, seeing visions is too close to magic as far as the king is concerned"

She nodded "I know Gaius, its just this could be a part of my past trying to resurface…" she thought about the lines again, "what if I have brothers somewhere? What if Durin is some sort of family name or something." and there was something about a mountain as well… she thought but didn't mention it.

She was out at the market getting some fresh flowers for Morgana's rooms when the refugee's started flooding in.

She immediately dropped her basket and ran for Gaius, she only made it halfway through the market when she found him and Merlin in the croud and told them what she had seen "they need help Gaius" she said as she steered the two males through the crowd to get to the refugee's who needed help.

Prince Arthur and Lancelot arrived shortly after while they helped refugees inside. "what happened?" they asked and she looked over from helping a child find its mother. "they were attacked by that monster, the one that's been attacking villages." she said as she walked over to the Prince giving him a small bow as she helped a woman sit on a bench. "they say it has the wings of an eagle and the body of a lion." she said then looked at Lancelot who looked troubled.

"I have seen it on my way into town when I met merlin, we were chased by it." he said when she looked. She nodded and turned back to helping the others while Arthur and Lancelot turned and started back up towards the castle.

They were at the castle celebrating Lancelot's knighthood and Maera was all smiles on the outside, but inside she was troubled. She had heard more of the song that day whispering to her it didn't stop now it was just a constant buzz in her ears that cleared when she strained to listen. "I see fire, blood in the trees, I see fire, hollowing souls, I see fire, blood in the breeze… and I hope you remember me…" she furrowed her brow and then smoothed it out as Morgana came up to her "are you feeling well Maera?" she asked with a concerned look, Maera smiled "its nothing my lady" she turned and glanced at Arthur and Lancelot where they sat at a bench. "they do look quite merry and hansom don't they?" she said to Morgana who snorted, "Lancelot maybe but Arthur?" she shook her head, "no I've known him for too long to find him attractive" she glanced over at where merlin and Gwen were and smiled "what about poor merlin are you going to leave him out?" Maera smiled "nah, he's so gawky and awkward but sure he could be called cute in a way I guess" she giggled and then realized that the music had stilled and she couldn't hear it for the first time all day, "thanks, my lady" she said as Morgana looked at her questioningly "whatever for?" she questioned.

"oh nothing, you just seem to cheer up the room that's all" she smiled and then went to look for something to eat.

first half of this episode.

I am SOOOO sorry that I completely abandoned this for so long O_O I promise I'll do better! I have such big plans for this story If you will just stick with me on it!

As before read and Review!