Author's Note: Wow, once I get going again, I can't stop writing. I just needed a little break between part two and three. Enjoy!

-44-

When Ryll finally returned to the cave, she found Byron sitting by the fire sharpening a knife. He didn't look up when she sat down next to him, and she realized that she needed to earn his trust. She'd been hurt by Uther too, but she had clemency for her crimes. He'd been much fairer to her than many of the people in Camelot. She was luckier than she realized. Of course if Uther knew she had magic, she would be executed in an instant. Never mind the fact that she had saved Morgana and Arthur's lives.

"I'm sorry for not answering straight away earlier," Ryll told Byron. "I wouldn't fight for Uther. I just can't fight against my friends."

"Even if they're on the wrong side?"

"Arthur can't help that Uther's his father. He's a good person even if Uther isn't. But I would never fight against magic."

"You're on two different sides, Amaryllis," Byron said finally looking up at her with his liquid green eyes. "Eventually you're going to have to choose one."

"I know. But does it have to be right now?" she asked softly.

He sighed. "I suppose not. Just remember who took you in when you needed help." He stood, sheathing his knife.

"I wouldn't forget that," Ryll told him. He smiled briefly before leaving. Ryll watched him go. Why did she feel such an intense need to gain his trust and approval? She went to tend Owl, finding her well fed and watered and resting with the other horses. "Why can't everything just be clear?" she asked the horse. Owl looked up at her with intelligent eyes and nickered. "I always feel torn in two. I know my mother would have told me to follow my heart. But where is my heart?" She thought of Merlin and how happy she was in Camelot and she thought of the druid camp and how safe she felt here. She could finally be herself without fear. Which did she want more? Right now that wasn't a question she could answer.

…

Byron woke her the next morning at dawn. "Ready to practice your magic?" he asked.

"Yes, of course." Their discussion the day before seemed to have been forgotten. Byron was just as chatty and friendly as he had been before and Ryll tried her best not to be a disappointment. She practiced controlling the wind and then the water. She stopped the waterfall for a minute before sending it crashing back into the riverbed. With every bit of magic she used, she felt herself growing stronger and more confident with herself. Before she'd never known what was really her, but this was different. She confided in Byron that she was descended from the Sidhe and that she had visited Avalon to seek healing.

"That must be why you have elementia powers. The Sidhe do."

"The Sidhe elder said I didn't have special power because of being descended from the Sidhe."

"The Sidhe are a proud people. Those who are banished are not held in high regard. He probably didn't want to admit that you might share some of their powers. Did you know that the Brotherhood are descended from banished Sidhe?"

"No! I didn't realize that. Does that mean they're related to me?" Ryll was disguised with the thought.

"Not necessarily."

"When they had me cornered, they knew something that I had learned in Avalon. Something that they couldn't have known unless they had an inside informant. They said they had eyes and ears everywhere. Do you think they could have a spy in Avalon?"

"It is possible that one of the Sidhe went rogue, I suppose," Byron conceded.

"That's not a comforting thought. The Brotherhood are still out there. I only knocked them unconscious. What if the come looking for me again?"

"I'm not going to let anything happen to you," Byron said. "And you're more than capable of looking after yourself."

"That's true," Ryll admitted.

Byron laughed. "They wouldn't stand a chance. Their paltry skills at elemental power wouldn't come close to matching yours."

"They had this inked design on their forearms – at least the one who was about to stab me. It was a cross with the four symbols for earth, fire, water, and air between the lines. Does all of the Brotherhood have that ink?"

"I believe so. It's how they differentiate themselves whereas druids have this symbol." He pulled on the neckline of his shirt, showing the ink symbol. Three lines curled away from the center.

"Does it do anything?" Ryll asked, brushing a finger over the symbol. She felt Byron shiver under her touch and stepped back. "Sorry."

"It's called a Triskel," Byron said, covering it up again. "It differentiates a druid from other kinds of magical people."

"Will I get a marking?" Ryll asked.

"Let's see." Byron pushed her sleeve up on both her arms but there was no marking there. "Perhaps not." He looked down on her, and Ryll realized how close they were. She stepped back, rolling her sleeves back down.

"Well, I don't mind not having the same symbol as the Brotherhood inked into my flesh," she said with some relief. "Did yours just appear?"

"When my magic came to me, yes."

"Do you have any family here?" Ryll asked.

"My family died."

"I'm sorry. Mine too."

"They were passing through a village and someone saw my mum healing a little girl who had been trampled by a loose horse. They were burned at the stake. My dad, my mum, my little brother and sister. Even the little girl my mum had saved – tainted by magic, they said. The only reason I survived was because I had stayed behind with my aunt with the flu. My aunt died shortly after that. Now it's just me, but I wouldn't say that I lack family. My people are my family."

Ryll felt a longing to have a family too. What would it be like to have people around that accepted you and loved you for who you were?

You could have a family too, Byron sent through his mind as if reading her thoughts. Ryll smiled but did not reply. It's time you chose a home, he continued. Your friends will be missing you if you stay much longer. Ryll knew he spoke the truth but part of her – a big part of her – did not want to go. Just don't go yet, Byron said. He brushed a hand over her shoulder before turning to leave her. She stood in the center of the clearing for a long while. She clenched her fists, trying to fight back the sadness that crept into her heart along with confusion. She felt a cool drop hit her head and then another as it began to rain. Was she causing this? She looked up and let the rain soak her through.

…

Later Byron found her still standing in the clearing. "What are you doing?" he asked her. "You'll catch cold."

Ryll looked at him through the rain. "Can I catch cold from rain I created?" she asked.

"I don't know." He took a step closer to her. "Why are you making it rain?"

"I don't know," she echoed. She felt him put a hand on her arm. She looked up at him. "I don't know where I belong, Byron."

"Where do you feel safe?" he asked.

"Here. There, with my friends. I don't know"

"Where do you want to be?"

"How can I answer that? I care deeply for my friends in Camelot. I can't just abandon them."

"What can I say to convince you to stay?" Byron asked, taking a step closer. Ryll watched him cautiously.

"Nothing. This is my choice."

"You would always be safe here. You would always be accepted. We can work together to strengthen your magic. We can work together to fight for our freedom." He put his other hand on her arm.

"What if I need to be in Camelot? That's where it will all start."

"What if I need you here?" Byron asked boldly. Ryll looked up at him in surprise.

"Why would you-" Her words were cut off when he kissed her. His lips were wet from the rain, and Ryll didn't pull away at first, too surprised by his action. Then she placed a hand on his chest and gently pushed him back.

"Byron, I-"

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that." Byron stepped back, brushing a hand through his dark hair, now soaked with rainwater.

"It's alright, you don't have to apologize. It's just, there's someone in Camelot…"

"I should have known." Byron smiled ruefully. "He's a lucky fellow."

Ryll smiled. "I'm the lucky one. I can't just leave him. I have a life there. But I'm not going to stop fighting for people like you. You are a good person, Byron, and I am lucky to know you and your family. I can't stay here, but I won't forget you or stop fighting for your cause." The rain had stopped and Ryll pushed damp strands of hair out of her face. "I really am thankful for all the help you've given me. If there is ever anything I can do to help you, you know where I'll be."

"Of course. And if you ever need a place to feel safe, you're always welcome here."

"I know. I'll leave tomorrow at first light. I've been away from home too long. There are things changing, and I need to be there."

"If you're sure, then that's the place you need to be. Now come on, let's get dry before we both catch cold."

They left the clearing together, Byron keeping a respectful distance from her. Ryll felt so much lighter now that she knew she was going home to Camelot. This little sanctuary was a wonderful place and she felt safer than she had in a long time, but her place was in Camelot. It was a moment of weakness, she realized, that had made her want to stay. A moment when she wanted to throw away her responsibilities to be safe and hidden away from the troubles of the world. Who could blame someone who had been through as much as she had? The thought of leaving Merlin was unthinkable. She loved him. Why would she leave him? He understood her and would keep her safe when she could not look out for herself. That was all she needed. He was her family now. The thought of leaving him…fulfilling her destiny, her fate…that was more than she could handle. She pushed the thought aside. She would have to worry about that one day but it was not now, not for a long time. She didn't have time to waste though. It was time to return to Camelot. She did not realize that the Camelot she knew was already falling apart and that already her enemy was gaining power. A time of betrayal was coming, and even Ryll would not be prepared for it when it happened.

…

Merlin took to standing on the parapet that overlooked the front gates of Camelot in the morning. He was waiting for the day a familiar figure would ride up to Camelot's gates and back into his life. He missed Ryll. She had left so abruptly and he wasn't quite clear why she had left. It killed him to not know if she was all right. He had enough to worry about with Morgana's hatred for Uther and his ever-present worry over Arthur.

Another five days had passed since the episode with Alvarr and the stolen Crystal. It wasn't just Morgana's changing allegiance that was bothering Merlin, it was what he had seen in the Crystal itself. He shouldn't have looked – it was a great burden to hold the knowledge of the future on his shoulders and the future had been wreathed in flame. What had he done in promising to free the great dragon? Every night Kilgharrah was calling him in his mind. He grew restless and distrustful of Merlin's word.

The whinny of a horse disrupted Merlin from his thoughts. He looked up but it was only an early morning patrol returning. He pushed aside his disappointment. Then he saw a rider trailing after the knights. A chestnut horse with a small rider. Ryll.

Merlin sprinted down to the front gates, panting by the time he got there. Arthur, who was heading the patrol, looked down at him with confusion. "What on earth are you doing, Merlin?" he asked.

"I was just really excited that you're back," Merlin said, gasping for breath. "Welcome home."

"I was gone for an hour."

"Really? I think it was pushing two. It really seemed a lot longer," he babbled.

"Well since you're so excited to see me, you must also be excited to see my horse. He'd like to be brushed and watered." He dismounted and handed the reins off to Merlin.

"Great. Thank you," he said. He led the horse off toward the stables. He had unsaddled the horse and was getting a brush when he heard Arthur greet Ryll outside. He couldn't make out their conversation, but hearing Ryll's voice made him ache to see her. He brushed down the horse as quickly as he could and was just pouring a bucket of water into his trough when he heard someone enter the stables. Hoof beats echoed on the cobblestones and he turned to see Ryll before she threw herself in his arms, hugging him tightly.

"I missed you so much," she said, her voice muffled by his tunic.

"I missed you too," he said, all the frustration he had felt at her absence disappeared. With her wrapped in his arms the last few weeks seemed as if they had never occurred. "Are you alright? Did you find the Sidhe?"

"I did." She pulled away, but kept her hands on his back. "And they healed me, yes. We should go somewhere we can talk. I don't want to be overheard. Just let me put Owl away. She's had a long journey."

"Of course." Merlin unsaddled Owl while Ryll filled the food and water troughs in her stall. They groomed her together and then put her away. "Gaius is out in the village, we can speak freely in the physician's quarters," Merlin told her. They headed that way, Merlin itching to take Ryll's hand, but there were too many knights in sight, and he felt shy about being so open.

When he shut the door behind them, Ryll reached up and kissed him, knotting her fingers in his hair. He kissed her back, holding her as if she'd disappear if he let go. When they finally broke apart, he could see that Ryll was excited to tell him something. Her eyes danced and she couldn't seem to hold still.

"I went to Avalon," she told him. "I was able to set foot on the island in the middle of the lake because apparently I have Sidhe blood in me. A Sidhe princess was once banished from Avalon because she gave up her immortality in order to save the human she loved. Somehow I'm related to her and that's the only way I was able to set foot there."

"I knew there was something special about you."

Ryll smiled. "Well I'm not about to sprout wings or anything," she said ruefully. He laughed. He'd missed her sense of humor.

"So they healed you?"

"Apparently the magic left in me was from the ring. I guess even though you destroyed it there were still some remnants of magic clinging to me. The magic was still tainted though and so if I took away someone's injury, it would have hurt me in turn. In order to get rid of this magic, I used it all up by healing an ailing Sidhe. It was so painful, but it was also like having something horrible drain out of you. The Sidhe elder healed whatever pain I took on."

"That sounds dangerous," Merlin said. He had not dealt with Sidhe very often, but he had known them to be cruel before.

"I'm alright. But Merlin, I have my own magic now. I discovered it when I was in the woods coming home. I was set upon by this Brotherhood – they meant to kill me but I lashed out with magic. I have elemental magic. Apparently it comes from the Sidhe blood in me."

Merlin's head reeled as he tried to take all the information in. Somehow he was still stuck on 'they meant to kill me.' "Wait, slow down. Who tried to kill you?" he asked.

"They're called the Brotherhood of the Elements. I guess they believe they have some divine right to change fate. They aren't very powerful but seem to think that they are the ones who should be powerful not the druids or people like me. They found me in the woods and surrounded me. They were going to kill me."

"I've never heard of them. So you lashed out with magic? How?"

"I don't know. Byron said it was an emotional reaction. I was angry and afraid and it just came out of me."

"Who's Byron?" Merlin asked, even more confused.

"Oh, he's a druid boy I met," Ryll said. "Owl ran off after the Brotherhood's crows came after us. I was out in the woods without any provisions and the druids rescued me. Byron helped show me how to control my power. He's the one who realized I could control the elements. Watch." Ryll closed her eyes and concentrated. At first nothing happened but then a wind started howling outside the window. The window opened with a bang and a gust of wind blew through the room, scattering papers. "Oops, sorry," Ryll said. The wind died down and she bent to pick up the fallen papers. "I'm still practicing at it. I can control water too. I haven't tried fire or earth. I can send out a sort of force that can knock out my enemies though."

"I had no idea… I've never met anyone with elemental magic before."

"Well, it's not something anyone would brag about in Camelot. I plan on keeping my powers locked away." Her words were tinged with regret, and Merlin wished he could confide in her. She had enough on her mind though without his own troubles.

"I'm sorry you have to hide your powers," he said, taking her hands. "If you like, we could go into the forest to practice. I'll make sure no one follows."

"I'd like that. Thank you."

"Of course. You know I'd do anything for you."

A shadow passed over Ryll's face for a moment but then it was gone. "I know," she said, squeezing his hands. "I'd do the same for you. What's happened while I've been gone?" she asked. "I didn't mean to be away for so long, but I didn't expect to discover I had magic of my own."

Merlin took a deep breath, not wanting to ruin their moment of happiness. "A lot has been happening," he said. "I'm sorry Ryll but Morgana's changed. Her anger for Uther has changed her. She stole a very important Crystal from the vaults in order to help a criminal who also happened to be a warlock. When he was later caught, she set him free. She believed she was doing the right thing. Anything that goes against Uther anymore is the right thing to her. Also, she was helping Mordred, the druid boy she once helped save."

"I remember hearing that story," Ryll said.

"I was warned that he could be dangerous," Merlin told her.

"But isn't he just a boy?"

"He's a very powerful druid."

"So? Druids aren't bad people." Ryll frowned.

"No, of course not. Never mind."

"I'll speak with her," Ryll said. "I'm sure she just needs someone to talk to."

"Maybe," Merlin said, feeling doubtful. "Hopefully."