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So, this is where things really begin to get intense! Enjoy!

Merlin was mucking out the stables when it happened. The headache was sharp and sudden, like a knife to his skull. He dropped the rake, bringing both his hands up to clutch his head as his ears rang with a high-pitched scream.

'Help us!'

He gasped as the pain disappeared as suddenly as it came. He could hear the girls quiet sobbing. The stables had disappeared; he could only focus on her voice.

'Where are you?'

'Emrys? Emrys, help us! He took my Mum; I don't know where she is!'

'It's OK; listen to me. I'm coming. Tell me where you are!'

'In a clearing, just outside Camelot. Please, help us!'

The stables came sharply back into focus, and Merlin took a deep breath. He shook his head, and stacked the cleaning equipment in the corner with a wave of his hand. He didn't stop to think; he didn't have time. Merlin simply saddled his horse with magic, and head for the city gates.

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It didn't take him long to find the child; she was huddled at the base of a tree on the edge of the clearing. The space was small but open. There was no sign of her parents.

Merlin approached her carefully, crouching down next to her. She jumped and tried to scramble away.

'It's OK; it's OK. It's me.'

She stared at him for a moment, before flinging her arms around his neck. 'Emrys!'

'Shh,' he whispered, patting her back gently.

She let go of him, wiping her eyes. Her brown cloak identified her as a druid, as did the black mark on her wrist. Her long, dark hair flowed down to her back and she couldn't have been more than seven years old. The very innocence of it all made Merlin feel sick. How could someone hurt this innocent child's family?

'Can you tell me what happened?'

'He… he took her. I don't know why,' she sobbed.

'Where did he take her?'

She pointed across the clearing. In the centre, Merlin could see a woman, bound and gagged. He cursed silently. It was too dangerous for him to use magic to free her from this distance; she would still be left vulnerable to an attack. He'd have to go to her.

'Stay here,' he whispered. 'If anything happens, get your mother, and get out of here. I'll protect you as best I can.'

She nodded, silent tears still streaming down her face. He took a deep breath, before stepping from the cover of the trees. He peered cautiously through the misty clearing, and took another step towards the bound woman.

Something wasn't right; he could feel it. But he couldn't leave her. Another step, and he was half way across the clearing.

And then it happened.

'I must say, I never expected this!'

Merlin whipped round, holding his hand out in front of him. Agravaine strode out of the tree line, stopping before he was within Merlin's reach. The Warlock narrowed his eyes.

'These are innocent people.'

'There's nothing innocent about what you're planning to do, Emrys,' Agravaine smirked.

Merlin took a step back, making sure he was moving away from the girl and her mother.

'You won't get away with it. Just because you've found me doesn't mean you're going to succeed!'

'I already have.'

Merlin glared at the Lord, already making his decision.
Agravaine would hurt the girl and her mother. He had to lead him away from them. And there was only one way to do that.

'Astrice!'

Agravaine dived out of the way, as Merlin turned on his heel and ran. He burst through the trees, putting as much distance between the clearing and himself as he possibly could. He could hear Agravaine crashing through the undergrowth behind him, but he kept running, ignoring the calls of his druid name.

His heart was pounding but he kept running. He used his magic to slam tree roots out of his way, but he couldn't afford to stop. They were still too close to the clearing; if Agravaine caught Merlin, he could still go back for the druids.

Merlin skid to a halt, his feet sliding out from underneath him as he scrambled back from the cliff face.

'No-where to run, Emrys.'

Merlin gulped and turned to face Agravaine. 'Why are you doing this? You know what will happen if you kill me!'

Agravaine laughed. 'That's the whole point! With you gone, nothing will stand in my Lady's way.'

'This isn't the end, Agravaine. You cannot stop destiny; believe me. I've tried.'

The greasy lord looked surprised, but shrugged it off, smirking. 'How does it feel, Emrys? To know that you're best friend is hunting you like a common criminal?'

Merlin gulped and took a step back as Agravaine drew his sword.

'You would kill your own nephew?'

'Why not? I killed my brother-in-law,' he shrugged. 'The only thing that matters to me is Morgana taking her rightful place on the throne of Camelot. And now, Emrys, you will no longer stand in her way.'

'Morgana will never be Queen!'

'And who's going to stop her?' Agravaine laughed. 'You? By the time Arthur realises anything is wrong, it will be too late.'

'Arthur will be the greatest King to ever live!'

He sighed and rolled his eyes. 'Not if Morgana has her way. You're words mean nothing to me! Without you around to protect him, it will not be long before King Arthur's reign comes to an end.' The Lord pointed his sword at Merlin's chest. 'Prepare to die, Emrys.'

Merlin's eyes flashed gold, and Agravaine was thrown back. He tried to run, drawing a dagger from his belt, the one he'd carried since Morgana kidnapped him, but Agravaine grabbed his ankle, wrestling him to the ground.

There was no time for magic. He had to fight back.
Agravaine pinned his wrist, slamming it to the ground causing Merlin to cry out and release the dagger. He kicked out at Agravaine, forcing him off of himself, and grabbed the dagger, staggering to his feet.

'Merlin!'

Merlin turned towards the voice, and felt a sharp pain in his side. He screamed as he fell to the side, hitting the ground.
A roar of anger, the sound of metal hitting metal, a scream… and then silence.

A warm hand touched his face, as the world swam in and out of focus. Somebody was crouching beside him, whispering his name.

Merlin tried to raise his head, but his vision was blurring, and he collapsed against the ground. The last thing he saw was a pair of bright, blue eyes, before the darkness claimed him, and he fell into unconsciousness.

Ooh, cliffie! No worries, the next chapter will be up in a jiffy!
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