Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin or any of it's characters.

A/N Sorry for the long wait, I just don't really like this story any more, I'm sorry again. Enjoy!

Chapter 6

The months for Anna passed dreadfully slowly- oh how the mighty have fallen. She was stick thin with a prominent bump which stuck out on her tiny frame. Her cheeks and eyes were sunken, her skin waxy. Anna dragged herself along the forest path. Her dress was torn and muddy stretched tightly over her large bump.

She had been wandering for three months without direction and had only recently found this path. She was living off berries and any dead animals she found along the way. Anna knew that she needed help, her body was weak and she couldn't remember the last time she had been warm. Using her magic she could at least protect herself from the rain but she just didn't have the knowledge of basic survival. Or know the spells. Heading down the path, tripping and stumbling in her ruined boots she eventually stumbled into a clearing where she sat down to rest. She quickly fell asleep, her tired body slumping against the tree.

It was dark; there was Uther and her mother, talking quietly. She turned, feeling as though she was a ghost floating through the scene. She drifted over to the wooden cot and peered in. The most beautiful child ever stared back up at her. The child's eyes were a beautiful piercing green and her hair as dark as the midnight sky. The child was holding a small toy and Anna lent closer trying to read the inscription.

'Morgana Le Fray.' As Anna stared at the child in the vision she felt the untapped power inside her. She would one day be a powerful sorceress. Anna knew instantly that this would be the sorcerer that would end Uther's long reign tyranny. She felt herself flying away, floating into the darkness, sucked away from her vision.

Anna woke to the sound of footsteps, loud and heavy and more than one set. Looking up she saw the figures of six people walking towards her, startled and scared she jumped to her feet and cowered into the tree behind her. She would use magic to get away but she didn't want to alert any of Camelot's knights that were close to this area. The figures were cloaked in heavy brown robes, their faces covered. The cloaks rustled against the floor as they moved.

"Do not fear child, we only wish to help you" Said the one of her furthest right, his voice was deep and calming. He slowly lowered his hood, and she saw his face. He was mid-forties with blonde hair that was greying slightly. His face was kind and open and he had a bushy blonde beard. He was smiling at her kindly.

"He is right, come with us my dear." Said a woman's voice she was tall for a woman with long flowing auburn hair. She couldn't have been that much older than Anna herself, but her eyes were wise beyond her years.

Anna found herself being led away by these people too shocked to be able to protest. There was a person on either side of her with a firm grip on her forearms. She didn't know whether it was to stop her from running away or if it was just simply to stop her falling. Anna thought it was silly that they would think she would fall. She was made of stronger stuff than that. Consciously straightening her back and raising her chin she shrugged off their arms as she walked, her pride would not be stopped by these people. As they walked the people shot worried looks in her direction, but she would not admit weakness not anymore. They entered a camp, with dozens of tents surrounding a large fire in the middle. They were children playing in the mouth of one of the tents, the smaller child's eyes flared gold and he made their toys dance around them, the other child clapping in glee their faces alight with childish amusement.

She was taken to the smallest tent towards the edge of the camp, walking past mothers scolding children and people laughing. The place was obviously one of the places her kin had escaped to avoid persecution. As she entered the tent, she was surprised by now much larger it was inside than it appeared to be. There was three beds lining the edge of the tent and an elderly woman was pottering around the tent mixing medicines. Anna realised that this must be the healer's tent. The man who had spoken indicated for her to sit on one of the beds. Only he and the woman who had talked had entered the tent with her. The man walked over to the older woman talking far too quietly for her to hear.

The healer walked over to her with a large smile. She was dressed in a long blue robe that swept the floor as she walked.

"My names Eleria and I'm the healer for this clan."

"I'm Anna" She replied daring Eleria to say something about the state she was in, but she didn't.

"I'm just going to have a quick look at you and then Markus will take you to where you will be staying" she looked over at the man and he gave a tiny nod of acknowledgement. Markus and the girl left the tent while Eleria examined her. It was short and over quicker than Anna had expected. "The baby seems to be in good health, we just need to take better care of you." Eleria went to tell them they could come back in.

The girl looked at Anna worriedly before turning to Eleria "Will she be all right?"

"She just needs some nourishment and she will be fine."

"The baby?"

"The baby will be fine, it's a strong one." It was annoying Anna the fact that they were talking like she wasn't here. It was her baby; it was her life and they could have at least talked to her.

"I'm sorry; I didn't get your name." Anna stated in mock politeness to the girl who answered her without a shred of guilt.

"Giovanna" She replied with a large smile, one that flashed her too-white teeth. "Come with me and Markus, Anna." With that she and Markus left the tent without turning check she was following them. Anna looked up at Eleria who just shrugged at her, so Anna gave a huff annoyance and stood up slowly, weary of falling over because of the large weight overbalancing her attached to her front. Anna headed out of the tent without saying thank you to Eleria. She quickly caught up with the other two and they gestured for her to enter a tent. Anna did so wearily. Inside was quite bare; a few beds and that were about it. She sat down on one of the four chairs heavily. Eyeing Markus and Giovanna she wondered what the two of them wanted.

"So this is where you can stay." Giovanna said brightly.

"Where exactly am I?"

"The border of Camelot's lands" Markus said bluntly before adding "What were you doing here anyway? You're emaciated."

"That is none of your business." Anna replied coldly, her eyes like steel. Giovanna seemed shocked at how harsh she was and didn't seem to know what to say so she looked at Markus for reassurance.

"I suppose it is not. This here is a druid camp; everyone here has had to flee Camelot in fear of persecution. We are all here for peace, are you?"

"I want magic to be restored and if anyone wants to kill Uther, I won't stop them." Anna sneered her lip curling back.

"We are waiting for the time of Emrys." Giovanna added quietly.

"I do not believe in such fairy tales."

"You would be wise to start believing." Giovanna hissed "Emrys will be the saviour of us all, he will lead us to a shining new golden age."

"I do not believe in waiting for others. Why wait?"

"Because that is what the prophecies say." Giovanna said knowledgably glaring at Anna. Markus however stared at Anna in shock and horror, as though she had insulted all of his ideals. She probably had. But Anna had never been one to suffer fools gladly.

"That is all well and good but how many will die in your inaction."

"Less than Emrys will save."

"And is that all that matters?" Anna challenged "You could die, this whole camp could die. My baby could die. All because we sit here and do nothing. Who does that help, please inform me- I am dying to know."

"We could, but rather I'd rather die than become a murderer." Giovanna snarled.

"You would do well to remember that those you fight against will not hold up your ideals."

"Then we avoid fights."

"Yes, run and hide like pathetic little cowards. I will wait for our saviour but it will not be Emrys."

"Then you do that, but you are not welcome here. You can stay and rest for a few days but then I want you gone." Markus said sharply, ending the argument.

"Is that how you druids are? Preach peace and then kick out all those who disagree with you? Who feel the anger of their kind? Who want vengeance for the death of our kin?" Anna questioned, her voice alight with malice. The stony faces that answered her question gave her a sick sense of satisfaction. She had won.

"I am sorry Anna." Said Giovanna she didn't sound sorry at all.

"Am I the first you've kicked out, or one of many?"

"We do not kick anyone out; we simply suggest that they leave. Another sorceress left our camp not long ago; she was Camelot's court sorcerer- Nimueh."

"Nimueh?" Anna said excitedly "Do you know where she was heading?"

"I believe she was heading towards the isle of the blessed but she could have moved on by now" said Markus, sending a sidelong to Giovanna to share their confusion.

"Nimueh will help me. She will, I know she will." Anna spoke, looking into the distance. Markus believed she was speaking to herself now and not to them. Anna's attention snapped back to them "Thank you for your help so far, I require rest for a couple of days and provisions for the journey." Anna said politely a complete turnaround from her behaviour earlier, leaving Giovanna confused. "If that will be okay with you, Markus?" Anna added as she rubbed her stomach. Markus nodded, he would not leave a pregnant woman with no way of caring for herself. It was not in his nature. Staring at the bump brought back memories of his own wife and baby that were cruelly taken from him. Markus shook those thoughts away before speaking again.

"I shall send someone to escort you."

"That will not be necessary." Although Anna's voice was bright and cheery, it was not reflected in her eyes which were hard and unforgiving.

"Good night then Anna, Giovanna will bring you some supper later." With that Markus and Giovanna hastily left the tent.

Anna pottered around the tent for a while, picking up some of the odd magical artefacts and turning them in her hand as she observed them. It was then during her search of the tent that Anna found a thick tome, a book of magic. Anna greedily grabbed it off the shelf and hefted it into her arms, carrying it to one of the beds. Once she had sunk down comfortably she opened it randomly, taking in the ancient runes and language as she devoured the magical knowledge. She had wanted to do this for so long. The book was old, and contained some old magic Anna herself had never even heard of. It was a fantastic find, with incantations on everything from how to control magical beasts to how to make someone fall in love with you. There were more spells than she had been taught and more than she had ever read about. Anna's head snapped up as she heard someone approaching the tent, Anna hastily shoved the book under the covers of the bed and stood up. The flap to the tent opened and as promised it was Giovanna with her food. Giovanna strode over and slapped it into Anna's hands. Anna nodded a thanks and Giovanna stormed out, her hair swishing as she left.

Anna dove hungrily into her supper, while she was on her own there was need for things such as manners and after months of starvation she was going to eat all she could. They had given her a simple broth and some bread- which was probably about all her stomach could handle at the moment. Anna ate quickly but soon regretted it when she finished as her stomach revolted and she barely made it to the bucket in the corner before she emptied her stomach.

"You will have to take it easy" Giovanna said, Anna jumped she hadn't even realised she had come back in. "Your stomach is not used to food anymore."

"Yes, I know."

"I was only saying." Giovanna pottered round the tent whilst wringing her hands, Anna knew that she wanted to say something but Anna wasn't going to help her. "So when we found you, were you having a seer dream?" Giovanna blurted out.

"Yes, why do you ask?" Anna asked suspiciously.

"It's just I've been practicing some healing magic and I haven't had the chance to test it out yet." Giovanna said excitedly.

"And what do you want from me?"

"Can I have your bracelet, I promise not to break it." Anna frowned at the request and then stared down at the gold bangle that was sitting innocently on her wrist. She never took it off. Reluctantly Anna slid it off her wrist and gave it to Giovanna who plucked it happily out of her hands. Giovanna set it down on the table and took a deep breath. "gehælednesswefecung" She muttered, her eyes flared gold for just a second and the bracelet glowed bright gold before fading back to its original colour, when Giovanna handed it back to her though she was surprised that it was warm to the touch "If you wear that while you sleep, it should block all seer dreams. It will give you an undisturbed nights rest." Anna put the bracelet back on her wrist and nodded in gratitude to Giovanna.

"Why are you helping me?"

"I only want to help you. Sometimes those dreams are enough to turn anyone mad. But take heed Anna that the dreams you see only come true if you allow them to, the future is not set in stone. The future is but a series of choices, make a different choice and the future is changed. Don't let the future determine the present. I won't see you again, good luck Anna." She walked towards the door before turning back "He will be strong you know, stronger than most. He will be key in leading Albion into a new age" With that Giovanna left, she was a mystery that one. Anna wondered what exactly the girl knew that she did not, but all druids were like that. Secretive by nature.

Anna left the next day, with a bag full of food and a map. It was only a day's walk away and Anna found herself unable to wait to find Nimueh. Nimueh always had the answers; she was that sort of person. She would care for Anna; she would tell her exactly what she should do. Anna wanted to be independent but she needed a teacher, she needed a guide.

The silent air was suddenly disrupted and Anna found herself surrounded by seven armed men, their swords all pointing at her. Anna was in shock, how dare they attack an unarmed woman.

"To use our path you must first pay a fee." The leader said, his wide grin displaying several blackened teeth.

"Your path?" She asked haughtily, the men around her shuffled in annoyance.

"Aye, has been for years." Another said.

"Yalea will you please be quite" The leader boomed.

"Sorry Rilam." Yalea said meekly.

"We're just trying to earn a decent living." The smallest piped up.

"By holding swords to people's throats?" Anna said angrily.

"Well not that honest" he admitted.

"Shut it you lot. I expect payment now."

"If I don't?"

"They you shall pay with something else…" He and the others chuckled darkly, Anna supposed it was in an attempt to intimidate her. It hadn't worked.

"Well I'm going now." Anna said pushing the sword away from her chest and stepping forward to leave.

"Not so fast" Rilem said gripping the back of her dress.

"I would advise you to let go." Anna warned.

"Yeah? What's a little woman like yourself going to do?" Anna rolled her eyes, thrust out her palm and they all went flying.

"Enjoy your payment boys." Anna left them eating dirt as she continued on her journey.

The walk wasn't too strenuous but Anna was still weak from the previous months and so the journey was slow to start with. Anna tried to keep to the woods and away from the main tracks, she didn't want to risk coming across any knights or bandits. A woman in her condition would be easy pickings, although her magic might even the odds slightly.

She was nearly there now; she could sense she was drawing closer. The isle of the blessed was one of the most powerful places in the known world. It radiated power for anyone trained to sense it. Anna now longer needed her map; instead she followed her senses following the slight pulling sensation down through the thick woods.

The sense of magic was thick in the air, hovering around like a faint mist. The spells that were cast here in the past were both beautiful and horrible. Only the most powerful dared reside here and this was where Nimueh was. She could sense her, she could sense Nimueh. Walking to the bottom of the slope she found herself on the bank of a lake, there was a small jetty with a boat tied to it. Anna walked carefully down the jetty, nervous at how rotted it appeared to be and fearing falling through. Anna climbed into the boat and flung her hand out to set it moving. The air was cold and blowing into her face as the boat travelled, Anna pulled up the hood of her blue cloak. The boat was now nearing the beautiful ruins of an old castle at the centre of the lake. The castle that once stood here must have been majestic in its beauty. The boat bumped up alongside an archway door. She climbed out, lifting her dress and cloak to stop them getting wet. She then strode into the centre of the ruins. In the middle was an alter and beside it stood a beautiful young woman with dark brown hair and blue eyes- Nimueh. Anna moved to stand opposite her, giving her a small curtsey. Nimueh appeared to have been waiting for her and simply inclined her head.

"Hello again Nimueh" Anna said breathlessly throwing her hood down.

"It's nice to see you again, Morgause."

A/N DUN DUN DERRRRRR! Did any of you guess? Please say no! Please review people, it keeps away the boogey men!