AN: Sorry this took a bit longer but insomnia's a witch! Anyway I hope you like this chapter... you can even tell me so if you like...

Lancelot's POV

The letter was gripped tightly in my hand as I walked through the town I was staying in. Merlin's words troubled me and I was scared for my friend and I was going to see him immediately but I didn't want to go alone.

A few hours later two horses were saddled and we were ready to go, nobody watched us go and it pained me when I thought of the woman I loved not being there. She filled my thoughts constantly but I never saw her, she haunted my every step but never did I meet her, I heard her sweet voice whispering in the background but never did it address me. I couldn't say her name for fear that she would kill me to speak such unattainable riches- I am as unworthy now as I was then.

My companion noticed my silence and spoke in his deep clear voice. "You must care for this Merlin very much."

I smiled at the thought of our adventure together. "Yes we met in Camelot and he risked his life to help me fulfil my dream."

"To become a knight of Camelot?" I nodded and grinned at the memory of my short time as a knight. "Then why aren't you still a knight?"

"He forged papers saying that I was of royal blood and when it was discovered I was not I was banished."

"He's a criminal?"

"No." I laughed at the idea of Merlin being a criminal although one day he may just murder Prince Arthur! "He's magic."

"In Camelot? He must be suicidal!" He was frowning deeply and I didn't blame him, I didn't understand why Merlin stayed in Camelot myself if I'm honest.

"I don't know why he stays but he's loyal to Prince Arthur and apparently something's happened and he has been put to death and the Prince banished!"

My friend whistled. "That sounds like quite a tale!"

"Indeed it does, Percival, and I'm worried for my friend." He nodded sadly and we galloped on towards the Darkling woods where Merlin said they were staying with the druids.

Elaine's POV

I liked the new comers, the others seemed wary, but Merlin and Freya seemed perfectly friendly and nice. The High Priestess was a bit intimidating and the men with them a bit distant but Freya and Merlin we're soon becoming my friends. So that's why I was walking alone with only Freya for company in the woods. "I love being with your people!" Freya twirled a huge smile on her face.

I laughed at her antics. "It's a good environment to raise Galahad in."

"Yes everybody helps you and knows you. Arthur seems quite taken with your young Galahad and I'd be worried if I were you that he doesn't spirit him away."

"Well if he can put up with the endless moaning he's more than welcome!"

Freya laughed as she continued to twirl. "They can moan together! "

"Although from what I can see he won't need to steal my child for much longer."

Freya stopped twirling and looked at me curiously. "What do you mean?"

"Oh sorry...was I presuming too much between him and your sister?"

"Yes well no well hopefully soon I can expect some nieces and nephews... But at the moment they are being annoyingly blind to how cute they would be together!" Freya sighed dramatically.

I laughed and realised I had been rather reminisce. I was supposed to be educating Freya about the forest plants but so far had neglected to teach her anything so I knelt down and plucked some fungi from beside the path. " These little beauties are the most delicious mushroom you shall ever find in the five kingdoms you can tell which ones are safe to eat from the pale brown colour- if they are any darker they may be poisonous." Freya nodded eagerly and we continued through the forest with me pointing out significant plants as we went.

Lancelot's POV

Ok I was big enough to admit we were hopelessly lost and that in my haste to leave had forgotten to get a proper map. Percival had never traveled in this area and I was struggling to remember a safe route through the woods and there was no way I was leading my friend into danger. All we could hope for was some kind of settlement where we could ask for directions and lo and behold as if summoned by magic as soon as we broached the crest of the hill there was a small town on the horizon. With new vigour we spurred our horses faster until we reached the town.

The tavern seemed like a good place to ask around and so we tied up our horses outside and wandered into the establishment. Inside there was some kind of fight. There was a man caught in a circle of people and for a moment I couldn't tell who he was supposed to be fighting until I realised he was fighting all of them. Nether the less he didn't look scared and had a carefree grin spread on his face and was in a strong fighting stance. "All right lads? Are you really sure you want to take me on?" I had to admire his courage but the thugs seemed unconcerned, part of me wanted to leap in and help. It was hardly honourable to attack one man with so many especially when most of those men were huge but Percival held me back.

One man unsheathed a sword and stalked menacingly towards him but the man in the centre swiftly disarmed him in one movement and picked up the sword for himself. The now sword less man looked uncertain but still approached. With his newly acquired sword the centre man slashed lightly across the man's middle causing his trousers to fall to his ankles. The man squealed comically and picking up his trousers ran to the edge of the circle. The others angered and obviously not seeing the superior swordsmanship of this man all leapt into the fray with him. Even though it was a dozen on one the man never seemed to be outnumbered and I watched in awe as he utilized both his fists and his stolen blade to defeat the men who were attacking.

When in the end all the men were either unconscious or had left, the man in the middle lowered his sword and walked over to a table. Taking a deep swig of whatever liquid was inside he picked up a pack and another sword throwing the other one distastefully to the floor, then he headed towards us to the door, acting on instinct I addressed him. "Sorry but can you give us directions to the Darkling woods?"

"Do I look like a map?" He grunted in reply and I noticed he didn't seem at all breathless after having just taken on twelve thugs.

"No but you look like a traveller and we really need to get to the Darkling Woods as soon as possible."

"Why would you want to? It's in Camelot's borders. That place is as retched as they come."

"We have friends in danger there. Can you please give us directions?"

The man paused for a second and then an odd look came to his eye. "You're not Knights of Camelot are you?"

"No, why?" From his tone I didn't add that I used to be.

"I'd never help one of those arses if I could help it. But if you're not I'll show you where to go. I'm heading in that direction anyway."

"Great. My names Lancelot and this is Percival, what do they call you?"

"Bastard mostly but Gwaine is just fine." He smirked and Percival chuckled a bit.

"Nice to meet you Gwaine."

"You to Lancelot."

Balinor's POV

We'd been trekking around the borders of Camelot for a few weeks now and I didn't know much about my companion. I'd been talking a lot about everything under the sun especially Ambrosia but she had remained silent unless she was shushing me. In the end I gave up trying to get her to converse with me so instead observed her.

She was beautiful like her mother, but instead of pale skin and dark hair, she was lightly tanned and had dark blonde hair. Her eyes seemed to take in her surroundings in an instant and all her movements were very concise and placed as if she was calculating every move. I could sense her magic but she hadn't used it yet, defeating any foe we came across with the blade in her belt. All in all Morgause was a very cool person who liked to be in control which was so different from her mother it scared me. At first I'd thought I would get along well with her and relate to her through Ambrosia but I was soon seeing that this woman was unpredictable and to underestimate her would be a very bad move.

Even with a silent and slightly suspicious travelling companion I can't help the butterflies in my stomach at the thought of seeing Ambrosia again after all this time. Even if her beauty has diminished and her magic weaker my love for her would still be strong and when following her magic it was almost as if answering her faraway call for me. This felt like the right path for my feet to be on.

"What is she like really?" I nearly fell in shock when I heard Morgause's voice, calm and controlled but with something else there (longing maybe?). Her brown eyes were fixed on me demanding an answer.

"Who?"

"Ambrosia." I noticed she didn't acknowledge their relation.

"She's beautiful, sweet and kind. When magic was free she used her own to ensure the happiness of everybody around her. Always smiling, the only time before the purge I remember it not so was the day she gave you and your brother over to the Old religion. She didn't smile for months after that."

"I don't remember her that well and my brother never scrys for her."

I frowned. "Surely a Priestess of the Old Religion is taught to scry."

She laughed hollowly and the sound sent chills through me. "I was not deemed worthy of such knowledge and my brother refuses to teach me."

"Well I'm sure when we find Ambrosia she will be more than happy to teach you the art."

After that she returned to stony silence and our trek continued as we neared the border of the Darkling woods when he her snapped up from the ground. "I sense her presence in there!" She pointed into the trees and a smile escaped her.

"Well what are we waiting for?" I grinned and followed the priestess as she lead the way through the thick trees.

AN: Gwaine!