Hi! Here's the next chapter!

Thank You Susie 666 for editing and helping me!

And Thank You to all who reviewed, I have read them and all the constructive criticism is greatly appreciated for I am trying to improve – p.s I am in an exam period (reason why this took a week) so the more reviews I get the quicker I update! You get to choose on how big a priority this is to me.

Oh and be warned that near the end (Merlin's bit) it maybe a bit graphic - sorry if anyone gets offended or something (skip it to Arthur's bit if you really don't like it).

Enjoy! :D

Gaius woke with a shock, the scream still echoing off of the castle's stone walls. He sat up, trying to think of where the yell had originated; he had felt the terror and misery that had filled it, the pure desperation.

When the door suddenly opened with force, he jumped, astonished to see Merlin run through. He was dripping wet, his bones shaking and Gaius was sure that it wasn't from just the cold – Merlin was the one that had screamed.

The old man quickly got over to his ward, before the boy could exit, and put a hand on his shoulder to stop him.

The jolt was immediate, a force that rippled through the physician, and when Merlin turned Gaius psychically gasped and recoiled. Merlin's eyes were red rimmed, sore from crying, but it was the golden burn that created the fear, because it bore the man's very soul – and that soul had never been so tormented and for one moment Gaius saw the power that this warlock truly held and in that one moment he was more terrified then he had ever been before in his.

The second passed and then Gaius' world went black.

He awoke to shaking, someone was calling his name. Gaius drew enough strength to open his eyes and focused on a very blurry Gwen and Prince Arthur.

They both sighed in relief at seeing him awake and Arthur was the first one to speak.

"Thank goodness, what happened, Gaius?" There was panic and concern in his voice and when the physician looked around the room, he could see why.

The tables and chairs were overturned, bottles lying precariously all over the place and many of them were broken, oozing their medicine everywhere. The room was a mess, as if an explosion had happened, and he himself was slouched on the ground, head resting awkwardly against the stone wall.

"I don't re-" then it all came swiftly back; the heart-rending cry, Merlin's shaking form, how Merlin's magic had flatten everything, including him. "Nothing to worry about, sire"

Arthur and Gwen faces showed clearly that neither of them believed him.

"Where's Merlin?" anxiety etched into the maid's voice.

"Oh...nowhere, he...um...is probably out in the castle, running around."

The look was still firmly set, however.

"Look, Gaius, we know about Merlin's magic, remember? And that scream was from him, I felt it, so will you just tell us the truth." Arthur was getting agitated, knowing something was terribly wrong, so Gaius just sighed and told them what he knew.

When he described how tormented Merlin was, his emotions ruling his mind, his audience had turned white. He explained that Merlin must have lost his control on his power to cause the chaos, but that he no longer knew where the boy was. There was a pause as they all tried to think of what to do now, until the prince finally spoke.

"I'll find him," and there was determination in his voice that made Gaius both proud and worried at the same time, "I can easily track him, he'll be obvious enough."

"We don't know what state he'll be in, my lord." Gaius was deeply worried for Merlin, however he would not send the prince, only heir to the throne, or so everyone thinks, into danger, especially the danger that could be caused by Merlin if he had not gained back his control.

"What other chose do we have? I will not leave him out there alone!" Anger was twisting Arthur and he turned to leave, Gwen closely following until he stopped her, "No, stay. Help Gaius and keep an eye on things. Tell my father that I have gone out riding with Merlin and will be back in a few days."

She pursued her lips and gave a small nod, knowing Arthur was set on finding his friend and would not put her in any unnecessary danger, as he left.

The mist was settled thickly on the ground but Merlin could still see the carnage staining the dead grass. It was so quiet, as if all living creatures had disserted the massacre or been cut down mercilessly themselves.

Every step the warlock took led him closer to the dread that was filling him; he had tried to block out nausea that had seemed to have gotten more persistent. His feet moved forward unconsciously, one step then another, when a crunch sounded beneath he flinched and recoiled, as if physically hit. His gazed eyes focused upon a charred body, the skeletal mouth still open with silent cries.

Merlin wondered whether he knew the victim - how much pain did he suffer because of me?

He slowly backed up; questioning that if he ran and never looked back would the pain stop? Would he be free?

...No...

For he could never forget the faces, never rid his guilt.

He stumbled, feet as clumsy as ever, falling on to the sodden mud.

It was then that he saw her, the corpse was barely recognisable. Twisted and mutilated in ways that made sure he would still be haunted till the next life. He was so close, and before he could think, he was crawling over to the woman. Her eyes were glazed, staring at the sky. Agony was twisted in the features and her skin was a deafly white, but it was her. And now he knew - his mother was dead.

A moment later he lost the battle and started retching on the icy earth. Every heave as painful as the last, but he welcomed the pain, anything was better than the numbness that he was slowly entering.

Retreating hastily to the nearest wall, he leant against it, eyes locked on his mother's shell. As he drew up his knees, hugging them to his body, he wept. Silent tears feel down his cheeks and he no longer cared what happened, all he wanted was to wake up.

He could feel himself breaking and there was nothing he could do to stop it. As each piece fell, his magic grew stronger, encasing every part of his body and mind. It was a strange feeling, getting weaker and yet stronger at the same time. As if his mental barriers were crumbling, allowing his magic to have free reign claim.

And finally it snapped. Merlin's cries stopped and he became stock still. His golden eyes burned with such force that it lit the darkness that had surrounded Ealdor, his skin glittering, seeming as if the magic was in his veins, turning scarlet to gold.

Only one thing was on Merlin's mind...

...Morgause would be begging for death by the time was done with her, as would anyone who got in his way.

Soon after Arthur had set off on horse, he had discovered the hove marks from the horse that Merlin had taken from the stables. They were hurried and not once did they stop. He followed his friend, without question, to save him. It was the least he could do and he would do it again and again. So he rode hard, never stopping either, and soon he recognised the route – they were heading to Ealdor.

When he arrived, he quickly spotted a midnight coated horse, tied hastily to a tree, that he recognised was from the stables. Arthur dismounted and tied his stallion next to the other animal, as hope swelled in his stomach that Merlin was still here. However, that hope was quickly flattened, when he saw the small village.

Ealdor was in ruins, as if the fist of God himself had decided to bring its wrath upon them. Nothing was left standing and Arthur feared where Merlin was, scared of his servant's devastation.

He drew his sword and once he was able to tear his eyes from the massacre, he saw the lone figure, still as rock, staring at what was once there, their back facing him. Arthur moved briskly to the person, thinking it was Merlin, however halted when he saw that it was in fact a woman.

She had long, black hair, falling in waves. Her dress was violet; a second layer of indigo sheer covered the dress and her arms. Her fingertips were seemingly dripping water however the rest of her body was dry. He couldn't see her face and nearly jumped when she spoke.

"I've been waiting for you, my lord" She said in a bare whisper and yet he could hear her clearly.

"Do I know you?" Arthur asked cautiously, betting that she had magic.

"Once" She said simply, there was a pause as she turned to him. Her skin was pale, eyes dark brown, nearly black. There was a single tear falling down her cheek and he was shocked to see her so distressed. "You must stop him before it's too late."

"What are you talking about?" And even though he had an inclining, Arthur decided to play dumb and play it out.

"Morgause had no idea of what she unleashed." The woman's face was turned back toward Ealdor and the prince slowly and warily came to stand by her.

"Her ignorance has put everything in danger. No one can stop him but you; your connection must be used to make him see sense." The plea in her voice was unmistakeable as another tear fell.

"I don't understand."

"Morgause wanted to teach him a lesson, show that he should keep his mouth shut. She thought that he had told you, and thinking he was as any other servant, decided there was no risk in him losing his mother and his village."

Arthur squeezed his eyes shut, trying helplessly to stop the grief that filled him. So Hunith hadn't managed to survive and his best friend was now an orphan.

"Merlin's thirst for revenge his poisoning him; the emotions have been intensified by his magic. I fear that if he is not saved, he will be consumed by evil and hatred - his destiny and yours, destroyed...You have to save him."

"How?" Arthur asked, his voice sounding rather pleading as he tried to digest it all.

"I do not know. However, if he succeeds in destroying Morgause then it will be too late."

Arthur moved to leave, sensing that the conversation was over; however he stopped to ask one more question.

"You never said your name." He said, wondering who she was.

"No...I am known as the Lady of the Lake."

And then she was gone, and Arthur was left to save his friend.

Plez plez review! I really do LOVE feedback! And did anyone else totally love the last episode? Especially the old!Merlin and Arthur scenes!