With All My Heart

Summary: "I will not let you die." She breathed. "Not again.." – Time Travel, Arthur/Guinevere.

…WAMH…

It was a clear night in Camelot.

The moon and the stars shone brightly above the vast clear skies.

Sounds of the grand celebration occurring in the castle could be heard permeating through the silence brought by the night. Laughter and chatter filled the air as the people of Camelot celebrated the twentieth anniversary of the Kingdom's peace and prosperity.

But one woman did not share their enthusiasm.

In one of the corridors leading to the Great Hall, a woman garbed in a beautifully sewn golden gown seemingly glided with grace that only a lady such as her can ever hope to possess.

The woman touched her wrist with her other hand, and a malicious smile spread through her face as she felt the dagger hidden in her sleeve.

"I will take your son Uther Pendragon." Lady Helen of Mora, or rather, Mary Collins the scorned witch hissed, her eyes glittered coldly. "As you did mine."

..

You will pay

..

A sworn promise was never to be taken lightly.

..

WAMH…

In one of the chambers in the castle, with their lives taken harshly by a scorned witch's magic, two women lay dead.

Or at least one of them did.

A woman stared unseeingly before her, her dark hair splayed around her head.

One would think her a statue with the stillness of her frame.

Suddenly, her lashes flickered as visions only she could see passed before her eyes.

..

'-decreed that such practices are banned-'

A King talking to his people, eyes cold and hard.

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'-A son for a son-'

A scorned mother cried in anguish.

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'-Help me-'

A boy pleaded, charcoal gray eyes alight with hopelessness and resignation.

..

'-You're not going to die-'

A gangly boy clutched at the steel bars of the prison, tears trailing down his face.

..

'-I wish there was something, anything, but so far the remedy is beyond what I can achieve-'

A weary old man averted his eyes, shoulders slumping due to the weight he carried.

..

'-It's my duty, Knight or not-'

A determined man uttered.

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'-After all you've done you can't give up now-'

A lady begged.

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'-I just wanted to make a better life for us, for you-'

A father whispered.

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'-I never loved another-'

A Prince confessed.

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'-For as long as I live, my feelings for you will never fade-'

A woman vowed.

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'-A life for a life-'

An old woman said, holding a golden dagger in her outstretched hand.

..

All of a sudden, the visions stopped.

..

"I see that you're enjoying yourself." A distorted voice of a woman spoke. Her voice seemed to come from all directions, warbled beyond recognition.

..

What?

..

"You are not ready yet." the woman mused.

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Who are you?

..

"You know who I am, Guinevere." the woman chuckled. "You have always known."

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I don't understand

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"Come to me once you're ready."

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But, I don't know where to find you

..

"Don't worry." The woman whispered. "You'll find the way."

..

How?

..

"Now, go."

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No! Wait, please!

..

"Wake up."

..

A white flash of blinding light covered her vision.

Her whole body arched as it inhaled the air it desperately needs. Her chest felt like it was on fire.

She can do nothing as her whole body convulsed in response to the excruciating pain coursing through her being. Her head felt like it was going to split apart.

Distantly, she could hear a woman screaming in agony; it took her a moment to realize that it was her who was doing it.

It felt like hours, days, or even years before the pain began to ebb away. Slowly, but surely, the pain receded until nothing but a tingle in her fingers could be felt. Her body felt stiff as she tried to move around. She can't control the sporadic jolt that was happening to her body.

She could feel liquid dripping down her face, she turned to her side, still lying on the ground, and saw tears mixed with blood pooling on the side of her head. She could taste the salty tears and the iron taste of blood on her lips. It seemed that her nose was bleeding profusely.

Jerkily, she did her best to control her hand to wipe at her face, her hand came away quite bloodied. Choking on her own blood, as her bleeding nose was yet to abate; she forced her body to lay on her front and did her best to cough out all of the blood that found its way down her throat.

She laid her head down again, not caring in the least that the ground beneath her head was wet with her own blood. Her vision swam from the ordeal that she had suffered. She relished the coldness that the ground emitted.

Absolutely exhausted, her eyes began to shut.

..

'Arthur Pendragon was the only one supposed to die.'

..

It felt like a downpour of cold water washed through her.

No!

She tried to get up, but she was just too weak. Tears of frustration began prickling at her eyes.

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No! There's no time to cry!

Go!

Now!

..

Guinevere began to drag her body towards the door, ignoring her protesting joints. She did not dare look at her dead friend for fear that she would lose her resolve. There was simply no time.

..

I will not let you die

..

A sworn promise was never to be broken.

..

WAMH…

Merlin continued down the corridor, searching for Guinevere. Their earlier conversation unnerved him. Ever since he discovered that poppet, he knew that the Lady Helen was not what she appears to be. He didn't even know if she is the Lady Helen at all. But Guinevere, did she notice something amiss? If so, then he really needed to find her. The witch will target Guinevere if she knew that his friend suspects something.

And that was why he was here now, walking through every corridors and passageways in the castle, all the while looking for his missing friend. He could care less about the banquet at the moment.

A sigh of frustration escaped through his lips as he turned to gaze at an empty corridor once again. He grew anxious every minute that passed without seeing the sight of Gwen. He was just about to go up another flight of stairs when he heard a shuffling sound coming from the end of the hallway.

Curious, he slowly went to the source of the sound. The corridor he was in now was rather dark, but up ahead, he could see a form that was hunched on the ground.

Cautiously approaching the figure, he tried to discern who it was. The figure was moving ever so slightly, it seemed to be gravely hurt judging from the occasional jerks its body emitted. The figure continued to crawl forward, and as it did, the light of the moon that was let in through the window suddenly hit the figure, or the woman, as Merlin could now see.

"Gwen!" called Merlin, rushing to her side, and kneeling down beside his friend.

Merlin could feel his heart began to thud loudly in his chest as he took in the sight Guinevere made. He could see that she was rather beat up basing on the bruise at the side of her head. Dried blood also covered her face. She looked utterly exhausted judging on the way she seemed to fight her consciousness from shutting down.

"Gwen, are you alright?" asked Merlin, concerned. He helped Guinevere lean against the wall, and then proceeded to cradle her delicate face between his hands.

"Who did this to you?" Merlin continued, rage began to bubble inside of him.

"Merlin?" said Guinevere, weakly. Her eyes fluttered as she tried her best to fight her consciousness. "Merlin… Is that you?"

"Yes, Gwen." replied Merlin, one hand cupping her cheek, while the other began brushing her hair away from her face. "It's me, it's Merlin."

Guinevere could not help it anymore. Weakened from her earlier ordeal and grateful for Merlin's presence, she began to sob in earnest.

"Shh," consoled Merlin, cradling Guinevere against his chest. "It's alright, you're safe now."

Leaning against his chest, she tried her best to control herself. There was no time for this.

"Merlin, you must stop her!" exclaimed Guinevere, pulling away from Merlin, adrenaline once again rushing through her body.

"What?" said Merlin, brows furrowed. "Who?"

"Tha-that Lady Helen wa-was an impo-imposter." Rushed Guinevere, stumbling through her words as she did so.

"Guinevere, calm down." Consoled Merlin, placing his hands once again on her cheeks, as he looked intently at her.

"That Lady Helen wa-was an imposter!" repeated Guinevere, clutching at Merlin. "I saw her reflection on the mirror. She was a witch Merlin!"

"A witch?"

"Yes, she attacked me using magic." Guinevere nodded.

"We have to get you to Gaius." Stated Merlin, wrapping his arm around her, ready to lift her up.

"No!" Guinevere pushed Merlin away.

"Gwen, you need to be treated now." reasoned Merlin.

"No! You don't understand!" Guinevere clutched Merlin's hands with her own, as he tried to grab her again. "Listen to me. You must get to Arthur; the witch said that she will kill Arthur."

"What!" exclaimed Merlin, eyes widened.

"Please, Merlin." Begged Guinevere, tears steadily streaming down her face. "Get to Arthur now!"

"But-!"

"Don't worry about me." Said Guinevere, looking intently at Merlin's eyes. "Arthur needs you. Please, save him."

Merlin looked at her, conflicted on what he should do. Another moment had passed before he nodded to Guinevere.

"I understand." Acquiesced Merlin, brows furrowed. "But I will be back as soon as I can. I promise, Gwen."

Merlin quickly stood up and rushed towards the direction of the Great Hall.

Guinevere couldn't help but let out a relieved sob. If someone could save Arthur from the witch, she was sure Merlin could do the job. Merlin always had an air about him; he always made her feel protected. She hoped and prayed to the Gods that Merlin will get there in time.

Not long after Merlin's departure, Guinevere finally succumbed to the darkness.

WAMH…

Morgana was starting to get worried; Guinevere was still not in the banquet hall. She knew how Gwen loved feasts, always saying something about how it brings people together or something of the like. It was also a great way to unwind from work, or so she said. Guinevere wouldn't miss this for the world.

Determined to search for her friend, she excused herself from the group of women that had cornered her once again. She made her way across the hall, where Arthur and his Knights were conversing.

After all, two heads are better than one.

Even if that one was a bit of a dunderhead,.. Oh well, she had no choice at the matter.

"Arthur." Called Morgana, effectively cutting the conversation of the men. "I need to speak with you."

The Knights immediately bowed to her in greeting, while she inclined her head in response.

"What is it?" asked Arthur, once they got away from the Knights.

"I'm worried about Gwen." Said Morgana, straight to the point. "She had always loved feasts such as this. And it's also not like her to just disappear for times on end without telling me." She added, upon seeing Arthur's confused look.

"Perhaps, she's just busy about something?" offered Arthur, though now, he was also quite worried about Guinevere. He found it quite odd that she was not attending the feast.

Not that he was looking around the hall searching for the young woman every other minute since the banquet started.

..

No

Not at all

..

Or so he liked to believe.

"Even so." Argued Morgana, defiant in her point. "Gwen always tells me if she needed to do something. She won't just disappear like this. I know her too well."

Arthur looked at her for a moment, before he nodded in assent. He gazed around the hall once again in search of Guinevere.

"What do you propose we do?" asked Arthur, looking again at Morgana. "Father is going to let the Lady Helen perform soon. I doubt he will be pleased with our absence."

"Don't worry," replied Morgana, waving her hand. "Gwen can't be too far, we'll find her within minutes at most."

"In that case, let's get going then." stated Arthur, already striding out of the door. "We better hurry; or else I fear that the King will be breathing fire through his nostrils once again."

"I didn't know that you're such a wimp." Morgana raised her brows, smiling in merriment.

"I am not!" scowled Arthur, halting in his stride to fix Morgana with an incredulous stare.

"You certainly do act like it." Morgana mockingly smiled, as she passed by him.

"Well, you wouldn't know, would you?" griped Arthur, walking alongside Morgana. "Father always gives me the brunt of his anger, even if you're the one at fault."

"Oh yeah?" Morgana started. "Well-"

And once again, the Prince and the King's ward began to bicker again. It was such a common sight that no one paid them any heed as they walked out of the Great Hall.

WAMH…

The Lady Helen arrived at the Great Hall.

Nobles and servants alike gazed at her with admiration. They were all equally excited to hear the lady sing, for her voice had been rumored to sound like an angel's whisper.

The lady in question was excited too, very much so actually, but for another reason entirely.

She paid them no heed as her gaze flittered around the room, searching for the poor Prince that will die at her hands this very night. The very same day when the King, his father, began his conquest to rid the lands of Camelot from sorcery.

The genocide that he had brought upon those very people who had once served him faithfully.

..

How fitting

..

She thought, sarcastically.

"Lady Helen." greeted King Uther, kissing the back of her hand. "It is nice for you to join us. I dare say that the people here are very much keyed up in seeing you perform."

"Thank you, My Lord." Smiled Lady Helen, bringing one hand to her chest in modesty. "You are too kind."

"Nonsense." Said King Uther, taking the lady's hand and leading her to the royal table. "It will be an honor to hear you sing at our celebration."

Lady Helen just smiled in response, though inwardly, she sneered in disgust. She wanted nothing more but to take the dagger in her hand and plunge it through the King's heart.

..

But no, Uther Pendragon.

I will let you suffer as much as I have

..

"My Lord." Lady Helen began, upon seeing the royal table empty of occupants. "May I ask where the Prince might be?"

"That boy." grumbled King Uther, face tightening in irritation. "He had done nothing but displease me for awhile. It seemed that he had ran off again to god knows where."

"I see." Lady Helen tried very hard to mask her grimace.

..

This would not do at all

..

"Perhaps, you would like to perform now?" offered Uther. "Arthur may be gone for a good while."

"Oh no, Sire." She immediately disagreed, shaking her head. "It is fine; I would gladly wait for the Prince."

"Are you sure?"

"Why yes, certainly." She smiled in pleasure, not bothering to hide her anticipation. "I promise you, it will be worth the wait."

WAMH…

Merlin gasped hard as he ran all the way towards the Great Hall in a full sprint. His legs felt like it was burning from the exhaustion it was currently undergoing. But he did not care, Arthur was in danger. No matter how much of a prat he is, Merlin didn't fancy seeing him dead.

From the distance, he could now see the open doors of the Great Hall, the chattering and laughter of the occupants filled his ears. With a last burst of speed, he reached the entrance, and not minding the shouts of the guards, he quickly went inside in search of Arthur.

Desperately looking around the hall, dread quickly filled him as he saw no sign of the Prince.

"You!" said a guard, restraining Merlin by grabbing his arms. "Who do you think you are bargin' here, aye?"

"No-! wait-!"

The commotion had caught the attention of the guests that was near them.

"I need to see the Prince-!"

"The Prince huh?" another guard sarcastically said. "All you will be seein' is the rodents in the dungeons!"

"What is going on here?" said a familiar voice.

"Gaius!" exclaimed Merlin, in relief.

"Well, unhand him." demanded Gaius, scowling at the guards. "I know this boy."

"But, he just came bargin' in," hesitated the guard. "Needed to see the Prince, he says."

"Yes, because I have asked him to do so." Said Gaius, crossing his arms, eyebrow raised. "Prince Arthur needed his tonic this instant, and Merlin here is to deliver it to him. Or are you refusing the Prince his tonic?" he added, upon seeing the still hesitating form of the guard.

"No! Definitely not!" the guards immediately let go of Merlin, in fear of retribution.

"Good." stated Gaius, grabbing Merlin's arm and proceeded to lead him to the corner of the hall to give them privacy.

"Are you out of your mind?" Gaius scowled at him, voice lowered. "I have told you, time and again, not to draw attention to yourself! You will definitely lose your head if you keep this up." He warned, pointing a finger at Merlin.

"There is no time for this Gaius." Said Merlin, grabbing the physician's arms. "I fear that Arthur is in grave danger."

"What? What do you mean?"

"The Lady Helen is an imposter." Rushed Merlin, relaying the facts to Gaius. "She's a witch Gaius. I saw a poppet in her belongings when I delivered her tonic earlier this morning. And now she attacked Gwen-"

"Gwen?!"

"She's badly injured, she needs treatment now" continued Merlin, still breathing hard to catch his breath. "I was supposed to bring her to you but she insisted that I need to get to Arthur. She said that the witch intends to kill Arthur."

"Kill the Prince?" Gaius's eyes widened in shock, glancing around to make sure no one was listening in their conversation.

"Yes!" said Merlin, quite agitated, scanning the hall once again in search of the Prince. "Do you know where Arthur is?"

"I have seen him earlier leaving the hall with Morgana."

"What?! Shite!" exclaimed Merlin, grabbing his head in exasperation.

"But you don't have to worry yet." whispered Gaius, grabbing Merlin's shoulder. "Lady Helen, or the imposter I suppose, is just sitting there in the… royal… table…" Gaius slowly said, as he looked at the royal table and found the woman in question missing.

Dread filled their being.

"Damn it all!" Merlin can't help but let out, as he noticed the woman was missing as well. He turned immediately to the old man. "Gaius, we need to alert the King, or even the Knights about this."

"We can't."

"Why not?!" said Merlin, waving his hands. "They can already be in danger even as we speak."

"We have no evidence Merlin." Stated Gaius. "We will only waste more time trying to convict the imposter."

"Then we have to go." Resolved Merlin, already striding out of the hall once again, followed closely behind by Gaius. "We need to get to them before the witch does."

"We need to reach them before it's too late."

WAMH…

Guinevere shivered against the coldness of the stone walls, huddling closer to the corner; she tried to gather as much warmth that she could get. She must have dozed off by the time Merlin left her. Confused, she gazed around to observe her surroundings. She was in a deserted corridor, probably off to the side of the main hallways. Darkness surrounded her as there were no torch lights in sight. Even the windows shown no light as the moon momentarily hid behind the heavy clouds.

She felt weak; the stiffness in her body had lessened, but not by much. Despite her brief rest, she was still exhausted. It would not hurt for her to rest a little while longer. Her eyes began to flutter close again.

That was before she realized something.

..

Something had woken her up.

..

Footsteps can be heard echoing in the distance.

..

Someone was walking towards her direction.

..

In some part of the castle, a beautiful humming voice of a woman can be heard.

..

A/N: Another fast update again, and it's all thanks to all of your wonderful reviews. I really enjoyed writing this chapter because of the twists and turns. Did you notice that every action that they make has its own consequences?

I know that majority of you guys wanted both Arthur and Morgana to find Gwen, but I guess I dashed your hopes when I decided on Merlin instead. It's just, I came to a realization that I'm writing a Merlin fic, but there's no Merlin scenes at all, LOL! :D

So yeah, that's the reason why I decided to let Merlin find Gwen instead. But never fear, Arwen will return next chapter, and I am asking your forgiveness in advance for the incredibly cheesy moment I had planned for them. I hope you guys will stay tuned and read the rest of the story.

Hints on some scenes for the next chapter: I feel like I'm writing a horror fic or something…

Also, I did not misspell the word 'Shite', it's the old form or other form of 'Shit', you can google it. :)

Many thanks to the following wonderful individuals:

Birdy21, whitecrossgirl, KshMckenzie08, blissfulbeauty84, somegirlinthisworld, Arthurlover7, WhoNewbie, larasmith, Guest#1, ABVM, Anaisnine, myra, and loves to read books