Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.


Another round, another toast, and Arthur and the knights were well on their way to a merry night as they left sobriety behind. The alcohol had long since brought warmth to his belly as a pleasant buzz enveloped the king. Their day was far more entertaining than before, once they abandoned their silly 'quest'. The village had long since shown its friendly attitude to the strangers, leaving the childless, barren village they had first set foot in a long forgotten memory. There was no time for fear and worry, only fun as Brie brought another round.

Arthur couldn't even be irritated at Merlin for the blatant disobedience. How could he? The warlock rather large (perhaps too large) heart would not allow the younger man to ignore the women pleas. Besides, he was Emrys. There was no way some woodland creatures could best him, though Arthur had been proven wrong in such occasion. But then that was what Gwaine was for. Those two could easily watch out for each other as well as bring those children home.

The laughter that bubbled up from his chest, a response to a hilarious anecdote from Percival's childhood, was interrupted by the sudden slamming of the inn's heavy set doors. Arthur spared a glare towards the glum intruder to the merriments, only to deepen his scowl when he identified the newcomer. That old, wretched man was already receiving several ugly looks as Erwan made straight for him. Jorran was likely here to ruin all their fun, though by the determined way Brie's husband walked towards him, Arthur knew he didn't need to spare any more thought. Instead he reached for his mug, drinking it dry as the conversation continued around him.

Angry shouts followed by a yelp erupted behind him, which the king ignored. Not his problem. At least it wasn't until an old, but strong hand latched onto his arm.

"Hey—" Arthur growled, ready to turn onto the hand's owner. It was one thing for Jorran's irritating presence to appear before the king, it was another matter entirely to actually make an attempt to interact with him. But he didn't have time to gripe as the elder swung his hand and smacked him in the back of his head.

"Wh-what?" the king muttered, holding his head as dizziness rushed down on him. Around him, he heard more yelling as well as struggling. The hand that once grabbed his arm disappeared as his knights stood up to his aid. However, something stopped them from helping, and the blurring figures of his knights being grabbed and pulled away was all Arthur can discern.

Yet he couldn't bring himself to care.

As he sat there, holding his head, trying to keep from expelling his stomach of its contents, Arthur was struck by the utter wrongness of the day's events. The villagers. The children. Their attitudes.

All that swirled together, worrying, but not so much in light of a worse matter.

As Arthur was starting to get his bearings, one single thought motivating him to make his move, the mug he had drank from flew towards him, knocking him into the unconscious world.

His last thoughts was of Merlin, in the forest. Right where something wanted him to be.


Lameka approached him, those predatory eyes gleaming with excitement as Merlin frantically began to call up more, powerful spells.

"Æsc ábíete ámundae mec!" he shouted.

A loud sound of crackling announced the effects of the warlock's spell as a force stuck through the trunk of the tree next to him. It wobbled for a moment, trying to remain upright on the sliver that remained between its mass and roots before Merlin wrenched it completely free and threw it towards the child. For as large as it was, it flew fast, too fast for any normal person to stop. Unfortunately his opponent was anything but.

Again, his attack stopped, midair and quivering as Merlin's magic still fought to finish the spell's purpose. In spite of the power he poured into it, Lameka didn't even blink as she gave the tree a savage grin.

Fire erupted, swirling around the tree before converging onto it. It burned and consumed everything in its path, leaving behind nothing but ashes. Quick to cut off the enchantment, Merlin could only watch in horror as the fire whirled where the tree once was. Then it streamed straight for the monster child and into her too wide mouth.

"Ic ábíet" Merlin began to incant, determined to find at least one spell that worked.

However, he was interrupted when Lameka suddenly appeared before him. He had not even seen her move, nor was able to register her further movements as she grabbed ahold of his arm and slammed him into the ground. It knocked the breath from his lungs, his arm twinging in pain, as he rolled onto his back. Still, her incredible speed left him unprepared when she leaped atop of him and slammed her palm against her forehead.

Those inhuman eyes met his own blues as they turned blindingly bright. The palm grew warm against his skin as her power dug greedily for his magic. His magic rushed against the assault, forcing it back as foreign magic aided it. It took seconds for the warlock to recognize the third force being the protection of the ring. However, not matter how effective it had been in his defense, he could feel its power waning. It wasn't meant to be lasting protection.

"Don't hurt him!" shrieked a feminine voice.

In her fierce attack, Lameka had failed to notice when the knight had reached them, throwing her off the warlock as Lillian scampered by Merlin's side. Face streaming with fresh tears, the girl grabbed the man's arm in an attempt to tug him back onto his feet. Unlike the creature, she lacked the strength to move him more than a budge, but the warlock got the message. Struggling to his feet, Merlin latched onto Lillian's hand as his other hand reached for the knight.

"We need to leave, now!" the warlock snapped as he turned the knight's shoulders away from the inhuman child. In the time it took for him to stand, Gwaine had positioned himself between his friend and the creature, sword drawn.

Gwaine nodded, though he did not sheath his sword. Instead, he turned away and sprinted for the boy, who watched with terror a small distance away. Behind him, Merlin was close behind, slowed somewhat by the girl's inability to match the two older men's speed. Lillian kept her eyes to the ground, relying on the warlock to keep her from running into anything.

"Did I hear her sou—" Gwaine began, realization struck him as he shot a quick confused glance at the innkeeper's daughter.

"We can talk about it later," Merlin responded, also glancing at the girl when he felt her grip tighten in his hand, "when we're not running for our lives."

After watching Gwaine grab Liam and throw him over his shoulders, Merlin took a moment to sweep Lillian into his own arms. Behind them, they heard a bestial shriek, announcing the creature's return to her hunt. Around them, the air warm and heavy, pressing down on them as they ran. Within seconds, they were sweating as the temperature grew uncomfortable.

Then Merlin felt it, the magic roaring towards them from behind. With a shout, his magic reacted instinctively as it shoved the knight and him apart with an explosive force. As Gwaine was thrown away from him, Merlin twisted and fell on his side, curling around the girl to shield her from the oncoming assault. Just in time too as a vortex of fire shot passed them, blasting the trees apart with a roar. He was uncomfortable close, feeling his exposed skin burn red from its proximity.

"Are you okay," Merlin panted as he looked down at the girl in his arms. His answer was a nod before she climbed out and onto his feet.

Back on his feet, he barely had time to examine the smoking remains of char black trees before he was met with another attack. Hoping the old man's ring would strengthen his spell enough to protect him and the girl, Merlin materialized a shield. The flames slammed into it, and the warlock watched hopelessly as it ate away the barrier like fire to paper. Merlin was quick to erect a second shield, but it was too late as he was hit with the full force.

He flew backwards, slamming into the trunk of the tree behind him before falling crumpled onto the ground. His skin stung, red from slight burns, but it seemed the ring's protection held enough to prevent the worst of it. However, he doubt the ring would hold much longer against the constant barrage, he could barely feel its diminishing power. At least he didn't need to worry about Lillian for the child remained unaffected by the creature' magic, still standing ahead of him from where he was attacked.

Merlin would have to think of something fast, something that would give him an advantage against the creature. Yet nothing came to mind even as Lameka emerged from the smoke strolling casually as embers blew around her. Her hair grew a life of its own, flickering about as fire would while sparks ignited about her head. Lilian remained frozen, eyes transfixed at the approaching threat. Just as the creature was about to pass her for the warlock behind, Lillian yelped and turned on her heels towards Merlin. She stretched out an arm, to grab him again so they may keep running.

"Do not interfere!"

The inhuman child's command rang out, loud and full of power. Even from where he laid, Merlin could feel the magic behind her words as it effected the human child immediately. The little girl had stopped from her sprint, rocking forward on the balls of her feet as her body tried to remain balanced. Her face morphed into despair as her shoulders drooped in surrender. Not matter how much she tried, Lameka had spoken, and there was nothing she could do.

When she got closer, her hair began to flicker and diminish in its intensity. While the fire-like nature remained in a few strands as wisps, the rest of her hair returned to normal. Lemeka climbed on top of him, kneeling on his lap as amusement flickered in her eyes. Merlin raised a shaken arm, hands splayed as he mustered the strength to defend himself. With a scoff, Lameka easily batted the hand away and took ahold of his neck. Tilting her head to the side, her eyes narrowed onto him as she gripped tight enough to make breathing difficult.

"Damn you," she snarled.

Merlin choked at a laugh as he rasped, "Damn me? Funny, coming from someone who uses children."

She pulled back her arm and slammed his head against the tree.

"They are mine. My perfect children."

"And I assumed you made them perfect, besides their fears," Merlin growled back, ignoring the pain as he nodded his head to Lillian. "All to suite your needs."

"Serving me is an honor suited for few," Lameka grinned, flashing her too sharp teeth as her golden eyes began to brighten. "Their parents should be proud, especially for bringing such delicious prey,"

She placed her other palm against her forehead again. As before, heat emitted from her, burning a little hotter than before. Whatever she was attempting, it seemed the ring was still holding out. If he got out of this encounter alive, Merlin would have to thank Jorran.

"That damned old man. He's protecting you from the ritual," Lameka hissed, as she clenched her nails into his skin. Then she sighed, anger releasing in favor for glee "No matter, I will just have to wait until the wards dissipated. Your magic remains yours for now, I suppose, though some discouragement for future escape attempts are in order, hmm? Don't want too much of a fuss when I prepare you."

She stared at him, pondering her next move as the warlock began to struggle out of her grasp. In response, Lameka tightened her grip, slightly shaking the man until he was choking. Then her eyes widened in excitement,

"Oh I know! How about those lovely blue eyes," she murmured as she reached her other hand towards him, her finger tracing the skin beneath his lids. "Shame since they really are lovely, but you are powerful enough to beyond the nuisance of normal prey."

She eagerly pressed her hand against his face, obstructing his sight as they began to burn once more. Her hold on his neck loosened, though it didn't matter since Merlin could feel the heat grow to near unbearable levels. It wouldn't be long before it Lameka got what she wanted. Then suddenly it stopped, the hand dropping from his face though his skin still burned.

Opening his eyes, he saw Gwaine holding the girl against himself, using his bulk and arms to keep her pinned as her legs dangled in the air. Though it did not matter, for it took only a second for the girl to narrow her eyes in annoyance at the knight before she easily overpowered and threw him off. Landing back onto her feet, she strode back to the warlock, hand held with menacing potential as anger lined her once calm face. Close, she drew back her hand, ready to slam it into his face when another hand appeared at her shoulder, grabbing her to turn her away from the warlock.

"Enough of your foolish intervention, human."

"Please, Lameka, no more. Leave hi—" the plea was cut off by a scream when Lameka whipped her hand around and slammed it at the nearest target.

To Merlin's horror, it was not Gwaine but Silas who had stopped her.

And it was already too late.

Agony in the form of a scream ripped out of his throat as Silas took the brunt of the attack. As soon as it started, it was offer, with the boy crumpling into unconsciousness as the pain was too great for his body to handle.

Lameka stared at the limp body, and for the first time pure horror colored her face. She dropped to the ground, her hand reaching for the boy's destroyed eyes as she was unable to process what she had done. Her hand hesitated, scared of causing further damage as she began to choke out a sob with genuine remorse that would have surprised Merlin had he not been more concerned for Silas.

"No… NO!" Lameka screamed before turning to the warlock, snarling. "This isn't over, Emrys. You will pay for maiming my child. You. Will. Suffer."

Then her fist went flying, slamming hard against his face with the full force of her inhuman strength and knocking him out cold.


"Release us," Arthur snarled, glaring at the many frightened, yet determined faces that surrounded them in the tavern.

Carelessness, that was the only way he could describe the reason they reason they were stuck in this situation, pure carelessness. They knew that there was something strange going on in this village, they should have been on guard the moment they stepped foot in Assirith. Instead, they allowed some strange magic to enchant them and cloud their eyes from cruel intentions. By the time Arthur came back into awareness, he, the knights, and Jorran had been tied to chairs, ropes tightened as a circle of drawn swords surrounded them. Few of them seemed to have experience with the blade, while others could be heard whimpering and whispering in unease. Had Arthur and his knights been prepared, he was confident they could easily fight back, outnumbered as they were. But they were unprepared, and now they were trapped as Merlin and Gwaine were on their own in the forest, likely fighting for their lives.

"This is a bad idea," grumbled Erwan.

"What else are we supposed to do?" spat another villager, his sword wavering as he glared at the innkeeper.

"We can't just keep them here."

"We should just let them go."

"And allow more bloodshed. They go, their deaths are on our hands."

"Like all the others, why have mercy now?"

"Yeah, as long as we are safe, why care for the life of outsiders?"

"I just want my Peter back."

"He's fine, she won't hurt them."

"When will we release them, now or later?"

"What's to stop them from going to the forest?"

"Or they turn and attack us? This was foolish from the start."

"Enough!" Arthur roared, irate from the barrage as the villagers descended into an argument. His shout was quick to silence them, bring their attention back to the bound king as he glared at each one of them. "I believe now is the time for some explanation."

The villagers glanced at each other again, nervous eyes filled with uncertainty before Erwan spoke up, "The only thing you need to know is you must leave at sunrise."

"Why should I."

"Because we can't promise you the safety of your men here."

"Say do we do as told," Leon added, "we are still missing two of our own."

"The one who likes to drink a lot, he'll turn up before the sun's up, though no promises on how well he'll be," Brie shrugged, trying to take a nonchalance appearance even as she wrung her hands.

"And Merlin?" Percival asked, quiet but not unheard.

"The sorcerer? Forget about him," a villager muttered.

"How dare you—" the king began.

"He's dead. If not now, he will be," Erwan said, his gaze even.

"What have you done," Arthur snarled, flickering his eyes to Gilli. The moment one of his men got threatened, the moment Merlin was threatened, the king no longer cared to play nice.

Gilli gave him a small nod before focusing. None here had realize he was a sorcerer, as weak as he was with magic, so none knew to remove his father's ring. With it wrapped around his finger, he drew upon his power and concentrated on sending into the gem, feeling as the magic grew tenfold. When the energy had sufficiently grown to allow for his chosen incantation, Gilli released it.

"Snæde þá ancorbendas!" he commanded. He wasn't strong enough to release everyone, but he needn't worry.

The ropes around Arthur and him snapped, freeing them from the chair. They took little time too as Gilli pulled a dagger from his boot and turned to cut through Leon, Percival, and Jorran's bounds as Arthur drew his sword to level it against the villagers. A few yelped, others backed way while some stepped forward, wondering how they may stop the escape. Outnumbered yes, but it seemed they made the same assumptions as Arthur had. None of them wanted to approach and risk their lives.

"You had a sorcerer, oh gods, help us," a woman shrieked, collapsing to the ground as she held her head in her hands. "She's going to think we hid him—she-she, oh what are we going to do?"

"Let them go, to the forest," another man cried, his wide eyes stared, horrified, at Gilli before turning to Arthur. "Your men will be there, just leave us out of this. It's not in our place to interfere."

"Not until I get some answers first," the king growled.

"We don't have to fight," Leon added, his voice calm in a sea of anger and fear. "Tell us what we want and we'll be on our way."

"No, no," another cried from their left, "we can't get in her way anymore, she'll hurt the children!"

"She won't hurt them, they'll be fine."

"She'll make them into orphans, oh gods, she'll kill us!"

"We should bring her the sorcerer, she won't harm us if we do."

"This is not the way, we shouldn't interfere."

"We need to sto—"

"Let them go—"

"Calm down every—"

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The entrance shuddered from the force, freezing everyone in their place. By the looks of fear on the villagers face, Arthur had a moment to doubt whether he should be relieved for the interruption. However there was no time to think as someone continued to pound on the door accompanied by a hoarse shout demanding entrance. Whoever was on the other side couldn't enter due to the wooden beam slid into place across the door. When no one moved and Arthur recognized that voice, the king was quick to run to the door and remove the beam. Any who tried to stop him were kept back by his knights. Even the threat of Gilli's magic kept the rest in place. Dropping the wooden block, the king swung the door open with a grunt, revealing the thin frame of his Court Sorcerer.

To say he looked like hell was an understatement. Even with the dim light of the tavern, Arthur still noted the angry red that marked his flesh. The skin around his eyes suffered even worse burns, with a few blisters bubbling beneath his furious, cerulean eyes and across the bridge of his nose. A vicious bruise formed around his left temple, still fresh and beginning to turn mottle colors of blue and purple. His clothes were ragged from multiple tears and burnt edges, few cuts beneath shedding some blood. An arm slung across his shoulder as he supported a barely conscious Silas. The burns over his own eyes even more vicious than the one on Merlin, large blisters deforming the upper portion of his face as it swelled into grotesque mask. Behind his legs clung Lillian and another boy, tears marking their faces as they clutched desperately to Merlin's pants leg.

"Merlin!"

"Not now, Arthur. He's running a fever," Merlin said as he forced his way inside. "Someone clear the table, Gilli get my pack, you know which one."

As Gilli scrambled for the stairs, Merlin went straight to a table, villagers frantic to clear it as he laid the boy down, as gentle as he could. Other converged to help get Silas' lanky body straighten as a couple the warlock identified as his parents whimpered and watched. With wide eyes, they were glued to the body as if unable to comprehend that it was their son. Behind him, Lillian and Liam went straight to their parents, who checked them for injuries and found none with relief.

"W-what happened to him," the mother whimpered, clutching at Merlin's arm.

The father was quick to get in his face, grabbing Merlin's opposite shoulder as he snarled, "What did you do to my boy."

Arthur was quick to interfere, pulling the man off the warlock as Merlin answered back, his tone even though the king could still see the anxiety etched in his face, "I did nothing. Now stand aside, else you put his life endanger."

The man relented, his limbs going limp as he hung his head, "She said she wouldn't hurt them."

"I'm sorry," the warlock mumbled, watching for a second as a sob escaped the mother's lips as she forfeited her hold of the warlock to embrace her husband.

Then the warlock turned back to the boy, noticing the angry reds lines that spread out from the burned and bubbled flesh. The lines travelled down ward, jagged and branched on either side of his face. It sickened Merlin, showing the warlock that the creature's attack was more than fire but a poison that seemed to spread through the boy's body. Determined to stop it, Merlin pressed his hand over Silas' eyes, even as the boy whimpered.

His lips moved as he spoke incantation after incantation his voice too soft for anyone to hear as his eyes flickered between molten gold and deep blue.

Arthur watched as Merlin's spells reduced the magic and even heal most of the blisters, leaving behind shiny, taut red skin. Scars formed, giving the skin a warped look as finally the warlock released a sigh after incanting his last spell. Throughout the process, the boy's whimpers slowed.

"Where's Gilli," the warlock mumbled, his tired blue eyes searching in time to spot the other sorcerer striding back with the bag.

Taking the bag, Merlin was silent as he worked, grinding herbs and pulling out various vials. After combining several ingredients to mix into a goop, the warlock took the poultice and applied it to the boy's still closed eyes, eliciting a sigh of relief from his young patient. Then he gestured for Gilli to help him, having the knight hold up the boy as he wrapped bandages around his eyes.

Satisfied that he done the best he could, the warlock stepped back, allowing the parents to fall in and comfort the boy. While Silas hadn't completely woken, the warlock knew such comfort would be appreciated even in that state. Which left Merlin to turn around and stand before a room of people, many of which were villagers who stared at him in confusion, fear, concern, and even anger.

Before anyone could speak up, the warlock spoke, his tone even, "I suggest anyone who shouldn't be here to leave, this inn is closed."

"How dare you ord—" one of them began.

"No," Merlin interrupted, glaring though he didn't shout, "How dare you. How dare you threaten your king. Now, leave or else I make you. I'm too tired to play to your foolishness."

The man gaped, still considering lunging for the warlock, but one of the others steadied him with a hand and whisper. Grumbling, the man turned away and followed the rest out. All that was left in the room was the innkeepers, their daughter, Jorran, and Arthur and the knights as well as Silas and his parents for Merlin to deal with. Jorran watched them all quietly, choosing to remain silent to watch. When Silas' parents looked up at him, scared they were going to be kicked out, Merlin gave them a reassuring smile.

"Merlin, what happened," Arthur demanded, then added quickly as he noticed someone missing, "and where's Gwaine? I thought he was with you?"

With that Merlin groaned, gesturing as his magic summoned a chair for him to collapse in, "Gone to the damned creature they got hidden in the woods."

"What creature?"

"Not by our choice!"

Arthur glanced at Brie at her words, but was unable to question her further as the warlock continued.

"Answer me Brie," Merlin started, his blue eyes staring straight at the innkeeper, "when you first introduced me to your daughter, what was it that you said?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Brie muttered, shifting her weight as she shared a glance with her husband.

"Lillian," Merlin spoke gently to the little girl, who stood frozen next to her mother, "don't be afraid, but can you do me a favor?"

The girl looked around, nervous by all the attention directed to her. She nodded.

"What did your mother say," he asked, giving her a smile of encouragement. "It's okay to speak, I won't let anyone else get hurt."

Lillian bit her lip, tears swelling in her eyes as she gripped the fabric of her skirt. For a moment it seemed she was about to remain silent, until she choked out, "She said I have the loveliest voice."

The people of Assirith were silent, already used to the girl's voice. However the others, aside from Merlin, reacted with widen eyes. Until she spoke, they weren't sure on the importance of Merlin's question. Lillian was a five year old girl, too young for that voice. No, that voice sounded to be from a full grown woman, perfectly able to enunciate each words while lacking the high tones usually accompanied with a child. It sound simply too old to come from a child.

"Gwaine questioned it, just before she took him," Merlin whispered, staring down between his legs at the floor as he recalled the fresh memories.

"What happened," the king tried again, keeping his tone light as he noticed the warlock's clasped hands trembling. "What did you see?"

"Something that shouldn't have been released," Jorran said for the first time since. Gathering everyone's attention. "I suppose it's time of explanation, before Lameka comes to kill us all."

"Lameka?" Arthur asked with furrow brows.

"Shall I tell them form the start?" Brie asked, receiving a nod from both Jorran and Erwan.

"It started because of one foolish sorcerer," woman began, pulling up and chair as well to sit beside Merlin. She place her elbows on her knees as she held her head. "He came by with his tricks and magic, entertaining the children and brightening our day. Living is tough here, but we make do. Who are we to deny ourselves of the occasional entertainment? We even did well to warn him of Jorran, the hermit who hates anything considered sorcery. How I wished we did more to keep him away."

"Jorran isn't a threat to sorcerers, right?" Gilli asked as Jorran harrumphed.

"Nothing as simple as that, though I wish it were," Brie laughed, humorlessly while eliciting another annoyed huff. "No, he was searching for something, something he never understood. Apparently, he heard a rumor, or some myth, of a family guarding a great treasure. It was said that a creature of untold power resided in it, and those who released it would gain unimaginable power.

"So that night, he broke into Jorran's home, attacked and tied him up before he ransacked the place. When we woke up the next morning, we found him in the village square holding some amulet as he began laughing and telling tales of his powers. When we heard it came from Jorran, we laughed. Why would a sorcery hating hermit have something like that in his home, but we watched in amusement as the sorcerer began his show. Oh, if we had known what had happened we would have run him out the moment we saw him."

"So he release a creature?" Gilli asked, knowing the full potential artifacts of sorcery held; especially one that held a gem or crystal.

"Yes, and it was awful. W-we w-wa-watched as she turned on him an-and—"

"You don't have to go on," Merlin interrupted, watching as the woman began to shake from her memories. "She called herself Lameka."

"It's safe to assume she's a creature of magic then," Arthur said.

"Yes, and a dangerous one at that," Jorran added. "Her power's beyond imaginable."

Merlin shivered, remembering just how helpless he felt earlier that night, "I barely could stand my own against her, even after using that ring of yours. I can't even figure out the extent of her powers."

"Care to tell me what in Camelot's name happened?" Arthur growled.

"As long as you don't interrupt, prat," Merlin nodded, ignoring the king scowl.

"I had given up on reading the book at the time," the warlock continued, "I had some headache I couldn't concentrate around when they—" he gestured to the innkeepers "—came around asking for help. They told me their children were lost in the woods, and thinking nothing of it, I left with Silas to go find them. On the way out we ran into Gwaine and Gilli, and I ordered Gilli behind to explain to you what happened.

"Something was wrong, or at least I knew something was wrong. But whatever it was, I didn't realize it, or at least not fully. The only precaution I took against it was to make Silas wait outside the forest edge. We," Merlin paused, clenching his hand, "we found a path. I—Arthur, it smelled just like it did in Camelot, just like the times when your father burned them."

"Merlin…: Arthur began, but the warlock lifted his hand in a gesture to stop.

"No interrupting, remember?" Merlin smiled, though it did not reach his eyes. "Anyways, it was the smell that finally help me recognize the strange enchantment that had taken ahold of me. My magic fought it off with the help of Jorran's ring, but it was too late. We were already too deep into the forest and it wasn't as if I was ready to abandon the children.

"After we left the path, we found them with her. She looked like any other child. I tried attacking, but everything I threw at her was burned and eaten. We tried to run away, but I could only go so far against something as inhuman as she. She even had me pinned, ready to blind and imprison me cause she get passed the ring's protection to start some ritual. But Silas didn't wait as I told him, and he tried to stop her. That wound was supposed to be for me, but he got in her way. I ended up being knocked out and by the time I woke up she was gone and so was Gwaine."

"I don't get it," Erwan mumbled, watching as Brie combed her fingers through Lillian's hair, "she doesn't do anything to folks who don't have magic unless they get in her way."

"That's because she wants Emrys to suffer," Jorran said. "Not only was she unable to capture you for the ritual, but you caused her to injure one of her children. She took your friend to ensure you came back and likely torture him."

"What is this ritual exactly?" the warlock asked.

"The she consumes her victims. While she can feed off of people's enchantments, it's not enough to sustain her. When she captures sorcerers, she puts them through this ritual that serves to remove a person's magic. It's a cruel process that kills the victim."

"So what now?" Gilli asked after the moment of grim silence.

"We fight back," the warlock growled. "There's no way I'm going to leave Gwaine in her hands."

"But how? Your magic would just be eaten in the end. Going against her would be suicide," Arthur growled.

"Wait, you're a sorcerer," Gilli said as he turned to the old man. "You used a spell to take us out of the enchantment placed on us by the children and gave Merlin that ring."

"Yes, but my power's insignificant. What I used tonight were small spells capable of deflecting poorly controlled enchantments. The children brought those enchantments onto you, but unless you're in the forest and close to Lameka, it's not entirely strong. Most of its strength comes from when its victims are unaware of it. As for the ring, I transferred wards created from decades of built up enchantments from the past generations of my family that serve to protect the household. I can only transfer a sliver of that power, since it's rooted so deeply in my family's land."

"Then what can we do," Brie mumbled, holding her daughter close.

"I will stop her," Merlin said.

"But it's too dangerous," Arthur argued back. "If you died—"

"If I died, then I did my best to protect the kingdom. I will always protect the kingdom," the warlock said as he stared at his king with determination.

"And if you do die," Erwan mumbled as he watched his wife comfort her daughter, "where would that leave all of us?"

None offered an answer.


AN: I can't even remember the last time I had a fast update o,O Anyways, Happy Halloween folks (for those who celebrate)! Hope enjoyed this early update.

Next update estimated around November 14, 2014.

Thanks to everyone who has reviewed, favorited, and followed so far!

As always, reviews and constructive criticisms are greatly appreciated!