Merlin took a deep breath of the clear air about him. Here, on the shore of the Lake of Avalon, all was peaceful and serene. The water lapped the shore, the birds sang, the leaves rustled in the wind. It was good to be out of Camelot, away from the Kings' endless spats, the dull roar of five armies encamped around the town.

Merlin sat down on the shore and wrapped his arms around his knees. He slowed his breathing and gazed out at the insects buzzing above the lake, the light reflecting on the ripples in the water. Concentrating, he slowed the insects, slowed the ripples, until everything moved like a stately dance. Freya, he called.

He blinked once, and there she was, approaching him over the water between the dancing insects, clothed in purple silk. The sun was behind her, and even her dark hair glowed with a golden halo of light. Merlin, she answered, smiling. It is good to see you.

And you, he responded, climbing to his feet with a smile. You look amazing.

You look older. She laughed, a sound like gurgling water. To what do I owe the pleasure?

Morgana again, Merlin answered grimly. We are going into battle against her, and I don't think we can win.

You are stronger than her.

But not stronger than her entire army. Merlin shook his head. She could throw our men backward with a flash of her eyes, or freeze them where they stand. And I have no way to protect them.

Then let me. She extended her hand to him, and in it was a crystal phial, full of water that sparkled in the sunlight. Anoint their armor with this, and my power will protect them.

Merlin walked forward and took the phial. Thank you, Freya, he said, looking up at her. She smiled at him and he dropped his gaze. I—I don't know how to say this…

You don't need to. He looked up to see her smiling down at him. For a moment she reminded him of his mother. I am happy now, Merlin. And you should be happy, too—with someone else. She caressed his cheek with an amused smile as he stared at her in surprise. A water spirit would make a poor wife.

But a wonderful friend, he answered with a smile of his own. Thank you. He reached up his hand to touch her—

—and she was gone. The insects buzzed happily as they had before, and Merlin was standing up to his knees in cold water—but there was a crystal phial in his hand. Smiling down at it, he waded out of the water and jogged off in the direction of Camelot.

000

It took Merlin two full days to go through all the armies around Camelot, company by company, and anoint the shoulders of each man's hauberk with a drop of water from the lake. Despite the great number of men, the phial never seemed to empty. The Kings had been convinced of the water's potency when Arthur asked Mordred to throw an anointed Sir Gwaine. Gwaine squinted his eyes shut in preparation as Mordred raised his hand. His eyes flashed—but nothing happened.

Gwaine opened one cautious eye. "Did you do it?" he asked Mordred.

Mordred grinned. "Yes. You can relax now."

"I didn't feel a thing!" Gwaine told Arthur excitedly.

Arthur smiled. "I don't know who that friend of yours is," he said quietly, putting his arm around Merlin's shoulder as the Kings spoke with Mordred and Gwaine, "but thank him for me."

Merlin smiled. "Already done."

000

"What news from Camelot?"

"My lady." The spy bowed, letting the flap of Morgana's tent fall closed behind him. "The Kings of Albion continue encamped around the town. There is no longer much trade with the outside, and Camelot grows wary of strangers, so I cannot come as close as I did before. But rumors have wings to fly over castle walls. It is said that all the soldiers that gather at Camelot carry the sign of a divine power on their shoulders."

Morgana raised one eyebrow. "Can you be more specific."

The man shrugged. "Unfortunately not, my lady. There are many rumors, but there seems to be little agreement. It is said that the Kings have found some way to protect their men against all magic, and that Arthur's servants have given this protective spell to each soldier in the army."

Morgana frowned. "Surely there is no spell in the world that could protect one against all magic," she said.

"Even if the spell comes from Emrys?"

Morgana was out of her chair and had a knife at the man's throat before he could even react. She gripped his hair with her other hand, pressing the blade against his skin. "You will never mention that name in my hearing again," she hissed, "unless you are coming to tell me of his imminent death."

The man licked his dry lips. "Yes, my lady," he croaked.

She let go. "Have you any more news, or is it all idle rumor?"

He swallowed, rubbing at his throat as if he could still feel her blade. "There is one other thing," he admitted nervously. "And this has better authority. Camelot is running low on supplies, and the Kings have begun to argue amongst themselves about it—Annis claims that Gaheris has been given a greater share of the supplies, and Gaheris charges Annis with the same. Arthur is having great trouble keeping the peace."

Morgana smiled. "Just as we thought. You may go."

The man bowed again and beat a hasty retreat.

"Now if only there were some sign of that dragon."

Morgana jumped and spun around. "How long have you been there?" she growled.

"Long enough to hear the good news—and the bad," Elïavrés answered, examining his nails. "And is there any sign of the dragon?"

"Her name is Aithusa," Morgana said impatiently. She dropped her head and picked at her dress. "And no. No one has seen her in weeks."

"I thought you said she was devoted to you."

"She is!" Morgana answered angrily, her head snapping up. "I don't know why she would disappear like this."

"Almost as if she were summoned by a dragonlord," Elïavrés suggested, walking over to the door of the tent.

"Impossible. The last dragonlord died while I still lived in Camelot—and as far as is known, he had no children."

"As far as is known," the Gaul repeated, and was gone. Morgana frowned after him.

TBC


AN: The Annales Cambriae mentions "The Battle of Badon, in which Arthur carried the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ for three days and three nights upon his shoulders [or shield] and the Britons were the victors." Since Christianity doesn't really make an appearance in the series, I altered the details a little.