Chapter 36 [Kilgarrah's Cave—Twenty minutes earlier]

Mithian sighed as she stared toward the cavern's ceiling. Her head swam with all of the details both within and outside of the refuge. She worried about her father and brother. She hoped that Arthur and Gwen were okay. She still couldn't believe that she had these abilities (even if she couldn't control them).

And Merlin? The fact that he was Emrys, the sorcerer of legend, blew her mind.

Life was so much easier before that bloody bracelet! That's for sure! She peered over anxiously toward her love. She listened for his gentle breathing. Through their link, she allowed his heartbeat to soothe her anxiety. She stood slowly and ambled across the craggy granite floor toward the spring along the cave's left wall. I feel like I'll never get used to this new life.

You're getting to be as impulsive as Merlin, Young Witch. Calm yourself and be patient.

She rolled her eyes imagining how Merlin must have felt to be lectured in this fashion. Kilgarrah, please! This is so overwhelming. She drank a handful of water and wiped her mouth off with her sleeve. I wish I understood.

The Great Dragon nodded. Wisdom comes with time and experience, Mithian. I am grateful you have caution. He glanced toward the sleeping Merlin. He was much more rash.

Such as he was talking about with Morgana? She bit her lip not understanding how Merlin could ever be that reckless or unfeeling as he described toward the High Priestess.

As you deduced previously, Mithian, Merlin tried to serve the Greater Good and keep his friendships. He let emotion blind him. I believe that experience has made him more steadfast although in your regard…well…

She rolled her eyes. He took long enough to stage that rescue.

He needed to be rescued first. Then he and the others came up with a proper plan. That is what I speak of. Be rational. Think first, Kilgarrah urged.

I will try. I…. She grimaced and grabbed the sides of her head. "AHHH!"

More pain? Now what? Kilgarrah queried.

She sucked in pained breaths while forcing herself to focus. I…I'm trying to find the source. She turned to the slumbering warlock. "How can he sleep at a time like this?" She stormed over to his side and shook him. "Merlin? Get up please."

"Uhh…Mithian? I…" Merlin blinked drowsily while looking with uncertainty at her. Then the pain slammed into him hard. "What is this?"

"I…don't know! I just feel pain. Somebody's…" Mithian grimaced. "Hold me?"

Without hesitation, he embraced her tightly. It's okay. We're going to figure this out.

"It seems, Emrys, that she is tuned to those around us," Talesin noted as he and Mordred approached. "Perhaps if we all worked together?"

"Stronger together than alone, right?" Mordred suggested while giving Merlin a pointed look.

"I would agree, Merlin," Kilgarrah chimed in.

Merlin rolled his eyes at the younger sorcerer. At the moment, he was more focused on helping her control her abilities than getting into a sewing circle type discussion. "Then what can we do? We need to come up with a plan. Now!"

"I think I'm the one with the deciding vote since it's my ability here," Mithian declared. She shuddered as the emotional energy built up inside of herself. "I think…I…know."

"Milady!" Britomart rushed into the picture. "Are you hurt?" She glared at the wizards and dragon around them.

"I appreciate your…concern. I'm trying to focus…on this pain. I…." Mithian's eyes went wide and her vision went white. She swayed on her feet. "G…Gawain? GAWAIN!" She slumped in his arms.

"Mithian! MITHIAN!" Merlin panicked while trying to get more information. "What about Gawain? What's going on?"

But she had already blacked out again.

"What the bloody blazes?" Britomart demanded while examining her friend.

"She…has this ability, we think. Mithian's tied into people's emotions and…" Merlin stopped his statement. "I can use the link to find her."

Talesin nodded. "With assistance, you can do so." He grabbed onto Merlin's hand. "Once more, a synergy's in order."

"Thanks." Merlin gazed desperately upon the former Princess' spasming features. Don't worry. You're not alone in there! He jerked as the shared energies rushed into him.

Focus on your link with Mithian, Merlin! Channel our energy through yourself! Use it to find that dreamscape! Kilgarrah instructed.

As he opened up to the dreamscape, Merlin's mind expanded. His eyes went wide as the scope of multiple dream universes crashed across his consciousness. His brain burned with the energies bombarding it.

Focus, Merlin! FOCUS! Kilgarrah reiterated purposefully.

Merlin ground his teeth. He forced himself to look at his suffering counterpart who desperately needed his assistance. Determined not to fail her, he summoned up his strength in addition to Talesin's boost and pushed through the dimensional wall. Mithian! Where are you?

Merlin! Will you come on? I NEED SOME HELP HERE ALREADY! Just go under! You trust me? Mithian directed pointedly.

Okay. Here goes… Merlin sighed and reclined beside the former Princess. "Found her. She just told me that she needs help. Find Gawain and you'll find the answer." With that he closed his eyes and forced himself into a state of relaxed concentration. His mind jumped from his body, through the dimensional wall recently penetrated by the link and toward wherever Mithian's consciousness currently was.

"I presume we need to find Sir Gawain?" Britomart suggested.

"That is the general idea," Talesin noted evenly. "Sir Mordred, perhaps you and I can assist them? If Morgana Pendragon is behind this situation, we can deal with the situation together."

"But what about them?" Britomart demanded. "Master Talesin, aren't you like linked into Merlin right now?"

"He needed my assistance to get through the dimensional barrier. Now he and Mithian are on their own," Talesin replied frankly. He chanted for almost ten seconds before his eyes glowed. Then he grabbed onto Mordred and made them both disappear in a flash of light.

Britomart shook her head in wonder and frustration. "If there's a battle, why aren't we involved? We should be doing something!"

"Something? MERLIN! MITHIAN!" Hunith ran toward the group surrounding the two sorcerers.

"We can pray to whatever deity you hold dear," Kilgarrah advised pointedly. He forced himself to keep his emotions in check. Like the others, he did not like feeling helpless or left out.

This time though, none of them had a choice…..