Author's Note: Sorry for the wait! I've been so busy, I haven't found time to write lately. Thank you for reading!

-83-

Ryll met Lancelot at the edge of the woods that night, leading Owl behind her. He smiled in greeting from where he sat on Gryphon, his black stallion. Arthur had given the knights free choice of the horses in the stables and, at the prince's insistence Lancelot had chosen a white stallion to ride when Gryphon needed a break. Tonight the dark horse blended into the shadows.

"Did you have trouble making up an excuse to Merlin?" he asked. He knew how much Ryll hated lying to Merlin, but, he had reminded her, she was the one who refused to tell him where they really went.

"No. I told him Arthur had asked us to investigate some rumors to the west. I told Arthur the same story, and he gave us permission to go and check them out. Sometimes the best lies are hidden in truth." She stopped before adding that she felt horrible for lying to both Merlin and Arthur; this was something she had to do.

"Ready?"

She nodded, mounting Owl and following as Lancelot headed Gryphon toward the west. As soon as they reached the main path through the woods they pushed their horses into a gallop, making good time through the night. Ryll's thoughts were distracted. She tried not to let herself hope too much. Rumors, she had found, were often just that, but if there was a small sliver of a chance that this wasn't just a rumor, she was going to take it. They didn't speak as they rode, pushing Owl and Gryphon to their physical limits and resting only for a few minutes at a time. As the night lengthened, they saw the outline of the mountains in the distance. They were bold against the night sky, outlined slightly as the very first signs of day struggled to break. The land dipped down into a valley that led up to the mountains, and they slowed their horses, Lancelot finally breaking the silence.

"I hope this isn't another ghost chase," he said, turning dark eyes to her. She could see worry there, worry that he'd let her down, gotten her hopes up for nothing but a myth.

She shook her head. "Whether it is or not, this is the way we find out the truth." After losing Morgana, finding another dead end in her quest for answers didn't seem so bad. She wasn't sure her heart would ever fully heal from Morgana's betrayal.

"Has it ever crossed your mind that…that Morgana or Morgause might know how to help you?" Lancelot asked.

Ryll looked up at him in surprise. "Even if they could, they wouldn't. Morgana must hate me. She knows I picked the other side. If it isn't her side then it's Uther's side in her eyes. She'll never forgive that."

Lancelot fell quiet. "She's hurt too, you know. Hurt that you, at least in her eyes, betrayed her. Her anger comes from a deep caring for you."

"Well she has her real sister now. A sister who wholly supports her vendetta against Uther," Ryll said bitterly. "I'm sure Morgause would no sooner let me speak with Morgana than help me."

"Maybe Merlin-"

"Merlin may be powerful, but I don't think even he can change this fate. I'm not sure I want it changed – I would give my life for Arthur, but I'm hoping to find some way we both live."

"That would be preferable." Lancelot gave her a small smile.

"Maybe I'm looking at this all wrong," Ryll said.

"How do you mean?"

"Well, I should be willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for Arthur, for our future king. It'd be a worthy death so is it selfish that I'm not ready to die? When I look into my future and see what I want I see myself growing old beside Merlin, finally telling Arthur about our magic together. Being happy."

"That's not selfish. It's never selfish to want to be happy."

"But at the cost of another's life? Arthur's life is so much more important than mine. He has a kingdom to rule, people to look after…"

"Your life is not less valuable than his," Lancelot said, giving Ryll a hard look. "You deserve to be happy. You have just as much a right as anyone to want a future."

Ryll smiled at Lancelot. She was truly lucky to have him as a friend. "I sometimes wonder if the Sidhe was just tricking me. Maybe he just made this up to frighten me, but it was as if I somehow knew his words were true the second he said them to me. I might not have much Sidhe blood in me, but somehow when he said those words to me, I knew they were true."

Lancelot regarded her seriously. "Just because you've been told you have a certain fate doesn't mean you can't change it. There were many times I thought my life was going to end, or that I would find no happiness, but that changed. Now I am a knight of Camelot like I'd always dreamed of being. Because of you and Merlin and Arthur. Even a Sidhe cannot see all possibilities."

"I hope you're right."

When they reached the edge of the mountains, they left Owl and Gryphon to graze proceeding on foot. Ryll's sword was a comfort against her hip. Her bow lay across her back. She didn't know what to expect, but she felt prepared for anything. She put a hand to the amulet around her neck. It was warm to the touch, and she felt the thrumming of power at her fingertips, ready to be of use. The foothills were mere slopes compared to the rest of the mountains, but they forged upward toward where the man Lancelot had spoken to swore the caverns were. As a merchant, he would have seen a fair bit of the world, but Ryll couldn't help but wonder just what he had been doing in these mountains. Her foot slipped and gravel showered down behind her. She felt Lancelot's hand on her back, steadying her. Up above them the stars and moon shed some light to guide them, but soon the tip of the mountain had blocked most of the light. Ryll summoned her powers and a ball of light blossomed before their eyes, drifting upward to lead the way. She loved being able to use her powers in front of Lancelot. It grew tiring always hiding them in Camelot. Magic was something she needed to use, not just something she could keep hidden away and suppressed. Merlin understood that better than anyone. She supposed Morgana did too in her own way.

The light drifted up until it reached a dark hole on the face of the cliff. From where Lancelot and Ryll now stood, the mountain turned rockier. They would have to proceed carefully. Ryll reached up to find a place to hold onto and pulled herself up, struggling to find niches in the rock wall for her feet. Lancelot followed closely behind. They were both silent, concentrating on climbing. The only sound in the night was the skittering of pebbles as they broke away from the cliffs and tumbled down the mountain. By the time they reached the small ledge in front of the entrance to the cavern, Ryll was out of breath. Lancelot pulled himself up next to her and they stood peering into the darkness. The light Ryll had created did not illuminate more than a few feet of the cave. Ryll turned to look at Lancelot.

"Ready?" she asked. He nodded.

"Ready."

They entered together, the tunnel wide enough to walk side-by-side. The light hovered before them, illuminating the jagged stones along the walls of the tunnel. Ryll kept close to Lancelot, avoiding the sharp bite of the stones as the tunnel narrowed. Eventually they were forced to walk one at a time. Lancelot insisted on going first, leading them further into the mountain. At one point the ground dipped and their path turned downward. Ryll lost track of time, feeling the mountain pressing in around her. Lancelot's presence and the magic light that led them downward were the only things that kept her from giving into the anxiety that loomed in the back of her mind. She didn't know what to expect – perhaps they would find nothing at all. Perhaps they would find the answer to all her questions. Perhaps they would meet their deaths. She shook the last thought from her head. It would do no good to think of that. Just as the tunnel narrowed even more, it ended abruptly and the light soared into the middle of a wide cavern. A small pool covered part of the cavern's rocky floor. Ryll peered ahead, strengthening the light so that they could see every bit of the cavern. Something shifted in the corner, receding into a dark hole that tunneled deeper into the mountain above their heads.

"What was that?" Lancelot asked quietly confirming that it hadn't just been Ryll's overactive imagination playing tricks on her.

"The creature?"

"Should we call out to it?" Lancelot asked, looking uncertain.

"I suppose. I'll do it." Ryll took a step forward so that she was fully in the cavern. "Hello?" she called out. "We mean you no harm. I'm looking for a creature who has the gift of regeneration. I've heard that this gift can be passed on."

There was further movement above their heads, but the creature stayed carefully out of the light. Ryll resisted the urge to brighten the light even more. This was the creature's home. She had no right to intrude anymore than she had done already. "Can you help us?" Ryll called out again. A sort of slithering sound came closer and closer, and she realized she was unconsciously pulling back the light as if she didn't really want to see the creature after all. She stopped herself, pulling the light around her and Lancelot.

"Some have sought me out," a voice came from above their heads. A few bits of rock trickled down around them. Ryll forced her hand to stay away from the hilt of her sword not wanting to appear as a threat.

"Tell me, how would you use this power were I to give it to you?" the creature asked, its voice echoing from across the cavern now. Something about it made chills run down Ryll's spine. They'd come too far to leave now though.

"I would use it to heal a friend."

"Is this friend dying?" the creature asked.

"No, but it's been foretold that he will die and I will give my life to save him." Ryll's eyes hopelessly tried to find the shifting creature.

"And you wondered if my powers might grant you the power to save both his life and yours?" the voice asked. It sounded as if it was right in front of them now. Ryll took a deep breath and let the light drift forward a little. The first thing illuminated were twelve-inch claws that dug into the cavern floor, rounding up into reptilian feet. A long snout and round, amber eyes were next. The eyes seemed to swill as they took in both Ryll and Lancelot, the narrow slits of pupils dark rivers in liquid amber. Ryll repressed a shiver. The creature took a step forward, walking on four feet. A long body and tail followed. It was a giant lizard but its eyes showed clear intelligence. It cocked its head at them.

"I had hoped, but I've only heard rumors of your existence. I thought it was worth a try," Ryll continued, forcing her voice to stay strong.

"And if I grant you this power, what do I get in return?" the creature asked.

"What do you want?" Ryll returned, an ominous feeling creeping into her heart.

"It's not often a traveller passes this way let alone two," the creature said, pacing in front of them. There was something hungry in its eyes, and Ryll felt herself tensing. "This friend of yours must mean a lot to you." Its eyes flitted toward Lancelot. "Is it him?"

"Not him. Another friend."

"Are there more of you here?"

"No, just us," Ryll said, narrowing her eyes. "Can you help us?"

The giant lizard flicked its tongue out as if tasting the air. Ryll felt Lancelot tense beside her and realized she wasn't the only one getting nervous. "Maybe this was a mistake," Lancelot said softly. If the lizard heard, it gave no indication.

"Just wait," Ryll whispered back.

"Even if I had a way to give you my regenerative powers, why would I? The affairs of humans mean nothing to me."

"But this isn't just any human, it's – wait, you said 'even if I had a way.' You can't pass on your powers?" Even though it had been a ghost of a chance, she still felt a rush of disappointment.

"Did I say that?" The lizard took a step toward them just as Ryll and Lancelot took a step back in unison.

"If you can't help then we'll leave you," Ryll said. "We've intruded long enough."

"It's been far too long since someone has passed this way, since someone has come looking for me."

"We won't intrude any longer." Ryll's hand itched to go to her sword.

"Prey that walks straight into my home is never intruding," the lizard said, its tongue flitting out of its mouth again.

This time Ryll allowed her hand to go to the hilt of her sword. Lancelot drew his. "Back off now and you will keep your life," he told the creature as he and Ryll backed away.

"I really don't think you understand," the creature hissed. "I have no intention of letting you leave. I'm very hungry, and you walked straight into my home. I imagine you came on horses too. They'll make a fine dessert."

That was too much for Ryll. She drew her sword in a fluid motion and jabbed at the creature. It hissed, rearing back to avoid the bite of the sword. "And you don't understand that we are knights of Camelot. We are not threatened by your words. Let us leave or you will regret it."

"I care not for knights or kingdoms. I care only for the hunt, and I do love prey that makes it a challenge." With a flick of its long reptilian tail, the creature disappeared into the darkness. Ryll's light wavered, but she sent a surge of magic forward and the orb grew larger and brighter until it illuminated every corner of the cavern. She heard the creature hiss and saw the tip of its tail disappear into a hole in the side of the cavern.

"Magic. That's cheating," it hissed angrily from the depths of its tunnel.

"We didn't come here to die. Come any closer, and I will kill you," Ryll said in warning.

"This is my home. I have many secret ways. Leave if you think you can."

"What does that mean?" Lancelot said quietly as he and Ryll backed out of the cavern.

"It means we need to get out of here. Now."

They turned, taking the passage at a run, Ryll's light guiding them once more. She led, going as quickly as she could over the uneven stone. She thought she heard something scrabbling overhead, but she kept going until she saw the light of dawn on the other side of the tunnel. "Almost there," she said, glancing back at Lancelot. That's when she saw the creature. "Look out!"

Lancelot turned just as the lizard dropped out of an upper tunnel that ran above them. He threw himself out of the way, but in the small space, the lizard overwhelmed them. It snapped its jaw at Lancelot who slashed his sword at it. The lizard screeched as the metal bit into its hard skin. Lancelot forced its head away from him and backed up. Ryll sent a blast of light at its face, temporarily blinding it. She grabbed Lancelot's arm and they ran together toward the light. Ryll could hear the lizard flailing around behind them, sending down showers of rock and dirt, then the heavy beat of footfalls as it ran blindly after them. She and Lancelot tripped out of the cave, stopping short on the small landing right outside the cave.

"Quick, we need to-" It was too late though, as Ryll tried to find a place to escape to, the lizard burst from the cave, sending both her and Lancelot flying through the air. Ryll landed hard several feet below. Her leg jolted below her and, when she tried to move, pain surged through it. Lancelot had faired better, grabbing the rocks below the ledge and dropping down beside her. The lizard reared up, shaking its head and then looking straight down at them, amber eyes swirling with hunger and anger. It hurled itself at them. Ryll rolled out of the way, and Lancelot swung his sword up at it. The lizard's tough skin deflected the blade, sending Lancelot backwards. He tumbled down the slope before regaining his balance. The lizard was on him though, nimble-footed on the rocky mountainside. Ryll sent a surge of magic out at it, and it stumbled back away from Lancelot. He took advantage of the distraction and lunged at the creature with his sword. The tip hardly penetrated the thick skin, and the lizard flung itself to the side sending Lancelot and the sword flying. Lancelot hit the rock wall and fell, unconscious, to the ground. Ryll pulled herself up, forcing her way through the pain. She lunged at the lizard with her own sword, aiming for the head. Before she could strike, it slashed at her already injured leg with its long claws. She screamed in pain, collapsing on the ground. She managed to roll out of the way as the creature tried to strike again. It chuckled, the sound low and unnatural.

"I told you I would not let you leave," it said, standing over her. "You should have listened."

Ryll saw Lancelot stir to her left, behind the lizard. "And you should have listened when I said we were knights of Camelot," she said, fighting back her fear. "You cannot kill us." She sent out ball of fire which hit the creature straight in the chest. It reared up, howling in pain. Lancelot struck, swinging his sword down on its tail and chopping it straight off. Ryll sent another fireball and another until the creature began to move back. It roared in pain and then, with a deadly look at Lancelot and Ryll, it turned on its claws and leapt back into the dark cave where it had come from.

"Are you alright?" Lancelot asked, dropping down next to Ryll. His sword gleamed black from the lizard's blood.

"It scratched my leg," Ryll said. It was bleeding badly, her pant leg shredded.

"Can you heal yourself?" Lancelot asked.

"I'm not sure." Ryll tried to summon her powers, but the pain did not ease. Her vision was beginning to blur. "I don't think so. There must have been some sort of venom in its claws. Take a bit of its tail and its blood," she managed as black spots burst across her vision. "Take it to Merlin and Gaius. I'm not sure how long I have."

"You are not dying today!" Lancelot insisted. He did as she asked and then sheathed his sword, scooping her up. He began the descent down the mountain. "This is my fault. We shouldn't have come."

"It's not your fault," Ryll said sleepily. "It was a chance we had to take."

"I'll get you back to Camelot."

"Don't tell Merlin why we were really here," Ryll said as her vision blackened. "Promise me." She lost consciousness before she could hear Lancelot's reply.