Here is another chapter done and ready to read.

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin, only my OCs and this storyline.

Hope you enjoy.

Not Quite Right, Not Quite Real

I was swept further into my mind. In the world of my memories a few days had passed. Edwin and I had been running and hiding constantly. We'd loose the hunters for a while but then they would pick up our trail again and we would be forced to move. For some reason these last few days had been harder on us then before.

Maybe it was because they had Nadira on their side. She knew us. She knew us too well. We wouldn't be able to keep this up forever. We no longer had any idea where we were going, just away. Just any place but here and now.

The trees worked to our advantage, most of the time. They'd grow thick when we needed to disappear and thin out when we needed to gain speed. Our feet flew across the forest floor as if it were on fire. We had to be at least a couple of hours ahead of them now but that wasn't enough. The more distance there was between us the better chance we had of getting out of this forest alive.

We never ran in a straight line, we'd bob and weave our way through this forest in an unpredictable pattern. I could hear Edwin's breathing becoming heavy and labored. We were going to have to rest soon.

Suddenly the trees began to change. As we moved farther and farther through the forest the kind of trees we saw were different to any I had ever seen before. Their bark was dark like charcoal and there were no leaves growing on their drooping branches. Their trunks were thin and they twisted and bent in odd directions. The branches looked like claws reaching out to grab us.

Soon, these strange trees were all that surrounded us. The ground was empty of fallen leaves and the roots jutted out like the hands of the dead when they came back to life, trying to crawl further and further into the world of the living. I never knew this part of the woods existed.

For a moment I thought I saw a strange house poking out between the trees but when I looked back it was gone. This distraction caused me to stumble across the roots, forcing me to lean against a tree for stability. I hadn't noticed before but my heart was racing and my lungs were burning.

"We have to keep moving." Edwin came to stand next to me.

"Just one moment." I panted. "For a breather."

"Make it short." He put his hands on his knees and tried to get his breath back.

I leant further onto the tree. My legs were shaking from the strain of the constant running. If only we could stop here, stop running and hiding. That's all I ever seemed to be doing lately, running and hiding.

"Strange place." Edwin pointed out.

"Yeah, strange." I looked around, my hand still resting on the tree. "I've never seen trees like this."

"Now that I think of it I have heard stories about a place in the woods not far from anywhere. A place that's not quite right, not quite real. Where the trees look like they've been sucked of all life. If they ever actually had any life in them." The temperature around us dropped. "She is said to sleep in a place like this. They say she covers herself in furs from the magical beasts she's killed and when she awakes she will go on the hunt again. Searching for souls to make into puppets before she devours them along with the life they once led. When she's done with them it will be as if they never lived."

"Who's she?" A shiver went up my spine and I almost regretted asking.

"The Old Mother. That's what they call her." It looked like even he was spooked by his own ghost story. "But it's just a myth."

"Even myths and legends can turn out to have an inkling of truth." The trees looked more menacing then before. "We shouldn't linger."

"I agree." He began to walk away and I tried to follow him.

But suddenly a rush of pain ran through me and I clutched at my heart. I fell to my knees, sliding down the side of the tree.

"Joone!" Edwin turned to see me. "What's wrong?"

"I can't breathe." I wheezed. "My heart."

Heart problems, now I remember, but they had never been this bad. This was different. It felt like I was being crushed from the inside. Someone had their hand around my heart and they were slowly squeezing the life out of me. I couldn't move.

I felt Edwin grab me under my arms and swiftly pull me away. The relief was immediate. "Don't touch the trees, Joone." Edwin warned.

I could stand but I still felt nauseous. I looked at the tree and for a moment it looked as though the bark were swirling around like a thick fog. "The trees." I almost whispered.

"It's magic. I can smell it." He had always had a sensitive nose. Good thing those cloaked people hadn't snatched him or he would have sniffed us out by now.

Then I smelt something burning. I looked at the tree and some of the bark was beginning to peel away. Lights shone through. Lights like fire, hissing and crackling.

"Get down." I grabbed Edwin and pulled him down just as the tree exploded overhead, bark flying everywhere. Ash began to fall from the sky.

"I thought we were ahead of them." Edwin gasped.

"Damn their magic. They must have used it to increase their speed." I spat.

The burning smell came again and I heard the crackling of the fire coming from a tree close by. "Move!" I yelled.

We fought past the pain we were feeling in our legs as we dashed away from the tree right before it exploded. The cackle of laughter echoed around us. The forest seemed to tilt in front of me as the magic being used started to affect me. Edwin saw me struggling; he placed my arm over his shoulder to support me. It slowed us down though.

One of the trees in front of us began to crackle with fire and we were both forced to jump in opposite directions to avoid the falling debris. This tree seemed to set off a quick succession of exploding trees. Edwin was getting to his feet close by. He didn't see the tree hissing behind him.

"Edwin!" I screamed but it was too late. The tree burst, sending him flying and smacking into another twisted tree.

I crawled towards him as best I could. Things seemed to move slower. The tree he had smacked into irrupted and I threw myself over him to protect him. The debris rolled over me, burning my back. I gasped in pain but didn't move until it grew quiet again. In fact it was too quiet.

I looked around disoriented. Another tree went off some long feet away from us but I heard nothing. That last one had defined me for the time. I felt Edwin move under me, regaining consciousness. As quickly as I could I pulled him to his feet and we supported each other as we ran away from the destruction.

Eventually the fires faded into the distance behind us. Normal trees came into view in front of us and we staggered towards them until we were hidden by the long shadows they cast. I felt the skin on my back sizzle. The trees grew close together, creating a circle. We slipped inside.

"Water." I breathed a sigh of relief. We had come to the side of a small lake with trees growing all around it and a view of the mountains in the distance.

I let go of Edwin and ran for the water, driving my hands into its depths. I splashed some of the water over my back. It stung the burn but it was cool and banished some of the burning.

"Joone." A small voice said behind me.

I stood and turned. "Edwin?"

He stood so still, his back arched. I took a few steps toward him, not sure what to make of this. Then he looked up and stared into my eyes. He looked so tired and that's when I noticed his hands clutching his side. He pulled one away, revealing the piece of wood that had pierced him. It must have happened when the force from the tree had thrown him. How could I not have noticed? He tried to take a step but his legs wobbled.

"I…" Then he fell forward.

"Edwin!" I screamed and ran toward him. He fell into my arms. His head rested against my shoulder.

"You must protect the future, Joone." I felt him slip something into my pocket. "You are the first piece to the puzzle, the first stepping stone towards a bright Albion."

"Albion?" I had heard the name somewhere before.

"I saw it Joone." He whispered in my ear. "It was so peaceful, so free."

"You saw it in the crystal." I concluded. "What else did you see?"

"I saw two men standing side by side, a man of courage and a man of magic. Only they can bring about this new world. They must be protected, Joone." His voice was getting softer. "You must protect them, even if they never know you're there."

"That's the best kind of protection." I told him. "Because then you never even know that you're in danger."

"Am I in danger?" I heard fear in his voice. For a moment I was silent. I didn't know what to say. I couldn't bear lying to Edwin but then I didn't want to tell him the truth.

"No matter what happens, Edwin, remember that you were loved." I spoke softly in his ear as he leant against me with his weak legs. "You were loved and you always will be loved."

"I loved too." He added. "I loved, I mean love, all of you." The trouble with the tenses tugged at my heartstrings.

"We know." I didn't want him to go, believing no one knew how he felt. "Nadira knew most of all. You're my best friends and you will always be just that and nothing less."

"Nadira." He breathed her name. "If you see her again, tell her I'm sorry."

"I will." Tears came to my eyes and my voice cracked. "Don't forget us Edwin."

"The future can be interpreted in all different sorts of ways." He sounded calm. "I promise to you now Joone. I will never forget."

"No matter what happens." I repeated myself. "I vow on this day that I will protect the future and I will never forget. Not you. Not Nadira. Not even the tears I shed now."

"I'm glad I got to meet you."

"It will be an empty world without you." I could feel him getting weaker and I could only imagine the pain he was going through. He wasn't going to make it.

"Edwin. I'm so sorry." Then I took hold of the shard of wood in his side and rammed it in further. He only felt pain for a second more before going limp in my arms. I gently let him down until I was kneeling with his cold body in my arms.

I brushed some of his wild hair out of his face then slid my hands over his eyes, closing them. He looked so peaceful, as if he were already a part of the world he had spoken of. But he would never see it, not with these eyes. I screamed to the high heavens.

"Look what you've made of me." I cried. "How am I supposed to protect the future if I can't even protect my friends?"

Storm clouds rolled in and it began to rain. It washed away Edwin's blood but my white blouse was still stained with it. A mark I would wear forever.

I got onto my feet and looked to the skies, spreading my arms out on either side of me. "You have the wrong person!" Thunder boomed in response, disagreeing. "Look what magic has done to us. How can it save the world if it can also cause such destruction?"

My hatred for magic burned in my heart. Thunder boomed again. The lightning streaked across the sky, blinding me.

It was a short storm, blowing over in only a few minutes. The dark clouds remained, setting the mood. A sliver of sunlight peaked out from behind the darkness. "Maybe there is a future after all."

I looked back to Edwin, lying still on the grass. Kneeling down beside him, I scooped him up into my arms. Only then did I realize how small he really was. He had always been shorter then me but I had never given it much thought. We are all so small. Legends pass us on the way to their destinies but they don't notice us.

With Edwin in my arms, I made my way to the edge of the lake. I stood there for a moment, taking in the beauty of my surroundings. Then I stepped into the water. I waded in until I was up to my waste. Edwin was so still in my arms.

"You promised never to forget Edwin." I spoke to him knowing he couldn't hear me. "But you will. Death is only the beginning my friend."

Then I let go of him, letting him sink bellow the waves. Something above caught my eye so I looked up. There was a small ball of swirling blue light falling from the sky. It landed with the smallest of splashes, sending a ripple of light across the lake. It passed through me but the magic did not burn me as it usually did. It had a feel of protection to it, and understanding.

When I looked down again Edwin was gone, swept away to Avalon, and only the waves remained. I was alone in the middle of the lake. Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out the crystal. Edwin had slipped it in before. I put the chain over my head and hid the small crystal under my shirt. It burned slightly as it emanated its power.

When the water around me became still I saw my reflection. It was the first time I had seen myself after the night the camp burned. I didn't look like myself with my wild hair. The tears I had shed left tracks through the soot that covered my face. My eyes were red and swollen from crying. My cloths were ripped and disheveled. The cut behind my ear had opened again and there was blood dripping down my neck. Realization came over me. I would never be the Joone I had been before ever again. Everything had changed. The game had changed and I had to adapt to play by these new rules.

Slowly I waded out of the lake. The last run was about to begin. I left that lake behind and never returned. I had been wrong before. None of us would leave this forest, at least not as ourselves.

/

Then I woke up. My eyes shot open and I sat up with a start. I was in my room, lying in my bed. I was back to the present. A tear fell from my eye. I had broken my promise, I realized. I had forgotten, but never again.

"Joone?" Someone said as they opened the door to my room. "You're finally awake."

"Hunith." I looked up at my friend. "How long was I asleep?"

"A few days." She explained. "Don't worry. Everything's been fine around here. We've all just been worried about you. Even Merlin." She gestured to her son who had come waddling around the corner and into the room.

"I'm sorry to have worried you all."

"What happened?" Hunith asked, sitting on the bed beside me.

I did the only thing I could do. I told her the truth. "I remembered."

"Remembered?"

"I've never told you but before we met I didn't have any memories. I couldn't remember anything except my name. The people you believe to be my family aren't." I explained. "They just found me washed up on some beach with no clue as to what happened. I remember now."

Hunith was silent for a moment, taking in all of this new information.

"Joone!" I heard two yells from the hallway. Jasper and Aida came running into the room, wrapping their arms around me.

"You're back." Aida cried.

"We were so worried." Jasper exclaimed.

I gave Hunith a look. She nodded. She would not ask any more questions about my past but she understood. Finally some answers about me had come to the surface and it was enough for her.

/

A week later Hunith and Merlin packed for home, leaving with the early rays of sunlight. I was there to see them off, Aida and Jasper watched from the window, making sure no one saw them.

At first Hunith was torn about leaving, knowing that she had been away for far too long and also worrying for my mental state. She wondered if it was safe to leave me here without care. I assured her that Jasper and Aida were enough to keep me sane and I urged her on her way. I sensed danger when I touched the crystal and I didn't want either of them around when that happened.

"Keep safe." I said as I pulled the shawl further around my friend. "Stay out of trouble, for Merlin's sake."

"I will. I know he has a future and that makes me happy." We both smiled and I hugged her one last time.

"Goodbye Merlin." I looked down at him and he grabbed onto my finger with his small hand. "We will meet again someday, then we'll have a proper chat."

"Don't forget to write." Hunith reminded me. "I want to know how you and the others are getting on."

"I may not be able to say it outright in case the letter is intercepted and falls into the wrong hands." I told her. "They still have a list with their names on it."

"Make sure your name doesn't end up there as well." Hunith took my hands in hers, squeezing them tightly. "You need to keep safe as well."

"I know." Tears came to both of our eyes. It was always hard to say goodbye. "I'll miss you."

"And I you." She wiped the tears from her eyes with the back of her hand.

"You best be off." I let go of her hands. "You want to get back before dark and it's a long walk."

"Of course." She swung her pack over her back.

"Oh before you go there's something I want to give Merlin." I untied the red neckerchief from my wrist and tied it around his small neck. "To keep him warm."

"Promise you'll visit." Hunith looked at me with her big eyes.

"One day." I told her, making no promises.

"Goodbye Joone." She turned to leave.

"Goodbye Hunith." I waved after her.

She looked back only once before she was out of sight. My arm fell limply by my side.

"Be safe." I whispered to the wind.

I didn't know but in the not so distant future the other half of destiny would come running into my life and more of my past would be revealed.

Thank you for reading and please REVIEW!

In case anyone was confused my OC Edwin is not the same as the Edwin that is already in the show Merlin. Sorry if there was any problems.

If any of you don't know, Part 4 of a teaser for my upcoming story "The Old Mother" will be posted after the last chapter of this story.

Hope you all keep following because there is still more to Joone's past that you won't be expecting and a young prince will soon be riding into the picture.

See you next time.