I have no excuse as to why I have I haven't written anything in apparently about 2 years. I honestly just had little time to work on it and the time I did have, I was lazy and didn't. Really, you can thank my best friend that I'm getting this chapter posted. I've introduced her to the show and through my re-watch with her, I've found my love for the show all over again and decided to pick up the story.

I'm not going to make a promise of when the next chapter will be. I'm getting ready to finish a degree, so I'm going to be pretty busy with school. But, that being said, I do have every intention of finishing this story and at least completing the second. Hopefully the third too, one day.

So again, I'm so so sorry for all of you who have waited for this chapter. It was not my intention to leave you hanging as I hate to do that to my readers who are so kind to take their time to read and review. So, please accept my apology and know that I did not mean to leave you all hanging.

I hope you guys enjoy this chapter and I promise I will try to work on chapter 5 here soon during my break.

God bless!

It was by the early rays of daybreak that Arthur and the knights saddled their horses and prepared for their journey. It would take just over a day's travel to reach the village and they did not have much time to spare; the sooner they left, the better the chances they would return in time.

After speaking with his knights the night before, he had went in search of Guinevere to inform her of his plans. Of course, he had not been quite so blunt with her as her had been with the knights. He had considered not even telling her their true intentions with this mission at all, at least not until they had returned. The last thing she needed was to worry even more over their safe return. But as soon as he pulled her aside to speak with her, he knew he couldn't lie. So he told her everything. Told her what Gaius had said and what this could mean for Merlin, that this was their only hope for the young servant and that the knights has already agreed to back him up on this mission. He peppered this with assurances, trying to still her fears, because yes, it was dangerous and he was consulting an uncertain force, but he had the support of his knights and he would be careful and be sure to return to her.

She had been silent, shocked (if her expression was anything to go by), but ever silent through his tale. And when had finished, silent still for several long moments before she simply leaned near to caress his left cheek with her gentle touch as she pecked a kiss to the other. She had told him it was alright. That she trusted him and knew that if this was the only way he had no choice. And as he pulled her into an embrace, she assured him still that she knew what this meant to him and that she understood he had to go. And that he only needed to promise her to do everything in his power to bring himself back safe as well as, hopefully, whoever would be able to help save Merlin.

So with her assurances and some quickly packed provisions he and the knights at set out on their way towards village and, hopefully, the sorceress.

They traveled in silence from morning until dusk, stopping only occasionally to eat and give rest to their horses. There was a tension in the air that was thick enough to choke even Gwaine's chattiness into silence. And Arthur couldn't help but wish that Merlin were here to keep up a running commentary of complaints, nonsensical comments, and whatever popped into his head. Merlin always did have a knack for breaking the silence.

He cast a cautious glance at the surrounding wilderness. There were not far from Camelot's borders now and the uneasiness was starting to settle into his stomach. Something about this part of the wilderness was…disturbing. Almost…

"Creepy." A little voice that sounded much like Merlin filled in for him.

Arthur blinked and shook himself a bit. Great, that's just what he needed. Merlin keeping up a commentary in his head now.

"You just can't stand the silence. I told you it wasn't good to leave you to your thoughts."

Arthur rolled his eyes and urged his horse on into the dusk of the evening.

"This isn't a good idea, you know. It's dangerous."

Arthur stubbornly ignored the voice.

"You know, I'm right. It's not safe."

But it's the only way, Arthur's own thoughts persisted. And wasn't this just great, now he was arguing with himself.

"No, it's not and you know it. It's too dangerous. And the woman may not even be there. You could be risking your life for a fool's errand."

It's this or Merlin's death, Arthur thought, it has to be done.

"No, it doesn't. Your life is worth ten of mine, Arthur. This is too dangerous, it's best to just turn back now."

"Shut up!" Arthur quietly hissed at the voice.

"Sire?" Leon questioned from his right, his gaze concerned.

"Nothing." He assured hastily, "It's just…We should probably set up camp. It's getting dark."

Leon nodded, looking to the horizon where the last of the sun's rays were falling behind the mountains. "Agreed. It looks like there's some even ground ahead and we should be able to find plenty of firewood."

"Right." Arthur agreed before raising his voice to make sure all of the other knights heard. "We'll set up camp up ahead. Get some rest for tonight and continue first thing in the morning."

The knights silently followed his heed and he directed his steed toward the small clearing in the patch of trees. They silently obeyed the king's orders as they dismounted and proceeded to set up camp. The tension was thick, but no one dared mention their friend's absence as the night carried on. The silence grated on Arthur's nerves and never had he felt quite so on edge. Not having his manservant made something feel…off. He could hardly remember a time when Merlin had not traveled with him and the knights and something about this just felt wrong.

They all hastily ate in silence before most of the knights settled in for a night's rest, Arthur offering to take the first watch. They would need to leave at the beginning of daybreak if they were going to travel to the village and back to Camelot in such a short amount of time and they needed to be well rested.

Leon, Percival and Elyan were asleep quick enough, leaving only Gwaine at Arthur's side, prodding at the embers of their fire.

"You should get some sleep, Sir Gwaine, we have a long journey ahead of us tomorrow." Arthur reminded him, settling down against the log he and the knights had pulled over earlier to use as a makeshift seat.

The knight waved him off, "I'll be fine." He insisted.

"Suit yourself. But you're still on guard duty in a few hours."

Gwaine said nothing, but continued to prod at the fire, silently watching as Arthur shifted into a more comfortable position, near to the heat, and began his watch. If he were being truthful, Arthur would admit to the night that he was not likely to sleep much himself tonight either. His nerves were more than slightly frayed from their journey and he was not likely to be at rest until they had returned to Camelot and the sorceress had healed Merlin and things were back to normal. That was if they even found her. And if she agreed to heal Merlin.

From his experience, sorcerers were not the kindest of individuals and, that aside, why would this woman return to Camelot of all places to heal a man she did not even know. Arthur would admit that those like the druids were a peaceful people, but even still he was not used to trusting magic and his experience taught him that magic was rarely, if ever, trust worthy. Especially in cases of healing, if the sorcerer who he had trusted to heal his father was an example.

Arthur could see Gwaine out of the corner of his eye, casting glances his way every so often and Arthur really wished he would stop. His scrutinizing was not helping in the least.

With a sigh, Arthur briefly closed his eyes, this was not the first time he had questioned the goal of this journey. As a matter of fact, had it been for most anyone else, he probably would have already ordered his knights to turn around and go home. But the thought of Merlin – poor, clumsy, loyal, always at Arthur's right side, Merlin – laying back in Gaius' chambers, slowly dying was a thought Arthur could not bear. He was partially responsible for his friend's current state after all. How many royals had their manservants follow along for hunting excursions? None of his fellow royals brought more than their knights on hunting trips as far as Arthur knew. Yet every time they left the gates, there Merlin was, his horse trailing just behind Arthur's.
He could not doom his friend for his own mistake. He would never be able to live with himself for it.

"You know you're doing the right thing, don't you?" Gwaine's voice suddenly broke through the silence into Arthur's thoughts.

Slowly opening his eyes, and silently wondering how long he had been lost in thoughts, he looked to his knight.

"Am I?" Arthur asked, his tone disinterested, hoping the knight would let it drop; this was not really a subject he wanted to discuss with Gwaine tonight.

Gwaine apparently didn't notice Arthur's tone or even if he did, he ignored. Arthur would be willing to bet his crown and kingdom that he was just ignoring it.

"Yeah, I mean, I know it can't be easy for you, considering. What with Camelot's seen of magic before and then Morgana's special brand of magical crazy and then you're father—"

"Gwaine." Arthur warned.

"I'm just saying," Gwaine continued, "that it can't be easy for you. But you're still here, aren't you?"

"Your point, Gwaine?" Arthur asked with an exasperated cry.

Gwaine sent him a look and there was the briefest twitch of his lips into a smile; "Do I really need one?"

"Gwaine!"

With a small chuckle before he turned serious again, he said, "I guess what I'm saying is that…personally… I've never been prouder to serve in your court."

Arthur raised an eyebrow at him, surprised, and with genuine curiosity, asked, "Really?"

"Of course." Gwaine said as he leaned forward towards the heat of the fire and bracing his elbows on his knees he added, "Arthur, you're risking your life, you're tossing all the rules out of the window, and riding out to find someone you would usually toss into a dungeon to aid a friend…That's the kind of king I want to serve."

With a small smile, Arthur silently nodded his thanks.

They fell into a few moments of silence before Gwaine spoke again.

"He'll really appreciate this, you know…Merlin, I mean." Gwaine continued into the silence as he gently prodded the fire with the one of the spare branches, watching as sparks danced into the dark blue sky. "That you went to such great lengths for him."

"Oh hell, he's going to cry like a girl, isn't he?"

The knight huffed out a laugh as he grinned and even Arthur felt a smile spread across his face.

With a sigh, the king shifted in his seat on the forest on the forest floor as the knight prodded at the fire once again, riling up the embers and stoking the fire, before tossing the branch aside and adjusting into a more comfortable positions and settling in for the night ahead.

"How does he always manage to get himself into these situations?" Arthur queried the rhetorical question, not truly expecting an answer.

"Because it's Merlin." Gwaine said simply, his eyes never wavering from the fire. "And he has the worst luck of anyone I know."

Arthur snorted at the truth of the knight's words and they settled into a comfortable silence for a few more seconds before Arthur, only partially joking, added, "From now on, he's wearing armor."

Gwaine barked out a true laugh and Arthur couldn't stop the grin that came to his face.

So with a little more lightheartedness than he'd began the night with, Arthur settled in for the night, hopeful that tomorrow would prove fruitful.

It only took them another half day's journey to pass the borders of Camelot and a couple hours past that to reach what was, according to what Gaius had pointed out on the map, the village where they could find the sorceress.

Arthur looked down over the expanding valley, watching as the villagers milled about amongst the houses and shops. It wasn't a large village – certainly not as big as Camelot – but it would take them a while to cover the ground of the entire village, especially while looking for one individual in particular.

Arthur sighed. "Alright then, it looks like we have a lot of ground to cover so I think it's best if we split up. Leon you head east, Percival I want you headed to the direction of the west. Gwaine you and Elyan go forward into town and once there you can split up. I'll start by covering the perimeter. If—"

"Sire," Elyan interrupted, "are you sure that's best? We are no longer in Camelot's borders…it may be dangerous."

"I am well aware, Elyan. But I am also well aware that we are running out of time." Arthur pointed out, "I'm not comfortable with the idea either, but Merlin is depending on us to be as quick as possible. This is the quickest way."

Elyan nodded silently.

"Now, if you find her, do what you can to convince her. Assure her she is not to be persecuted…it will not be easy. She is not likely to trust any from Camelot." Arthur sighed, realizing just how unlikely it would be for any of them to convince her of their true intentions, "Do your best. Hopefully, she will listen to us. If she does, go to the center of town and wait. We will meet up there."

The knights nodded their assent.

"Good luck. And be careful, all of you."

With that the men parted and headed off in their search.

Arthur directed his steed through the trees; he could hear the occasional sound from the village in the valley below, but beyond that he traveled in silence.

He had only been traveling for nearly half an hour when suddenly the rustle of leaves ahead caught his attention. Slowing his horse's gait, he pressed it to move forward quietly. Shortly he was forced to draw the reigns tight when he caught sight of a figure up ahead.

It was a woman, the hem of her blue dress was splayed around her as she knelt by the edge of stream; she had pushed the sleeves of her dress up and was leaning forward, plucking the leaves from one of the plants – it looked like something Gaius had used before.

His heart pounding a bit faster, Arthur encouraged his horse to move forward a bit closer. If this woman was collecting herbs, then perhaps she was a healer. Which meant there was a good chance she could be the sorceress they were looking for. She looked to be about the right age – early forties perhaps. And, though Arthur certainly couldn't confirm what he was seeing from this far a distance, he was fairly confident he could distinguish a mark on the inner side of the woman's wrist.

Arthur hesitated, not sure how to approach. He didn't want to startle her and, truth be told, he wasn't exactly comfortable walking up to a sorceress.

Before Arthur could make up his mind, the cry of what was undoubtedly a child's voice cut through the air, making the both of them jolt as they turned to look for the source of the cry.

"Amilla! 'Milla!"

The woman quickly shot to her feet, turning in the direction of the young voice, just as a young boy came crashing through the trees toward her.

"Amilla!" The young boy yelled again, eyes landing on the woman in blue.

She crouched down in to meet the boy as he rushed to her, grabbing his shoulders to brace him as he skidded to halt in front of her.

"Anthony, what's wrong?" Her voice was calm and sweet, her eyes concerned as she noticed the way the child cradled his arm to his chest, his tunic slightly bloodied.

"I fell." The little boy, Anthony apparently, stuck out his chin and sucked in his lower lip, trying to be brave despite the tear tracks. "Kay and I were climbing the big Elm and I fell and I cut my arm, see?" He held out the appendage, showing her the open slice down his forearm and the blood that now covered it.

The woman gently took his arm and turned it slightly to get a better look.

"Can you fix it, miss 'Milla? Please? It really hurts."

The woman gave him a reassuring smile. "Of course. Hold out your arm for me, Anthony, please."

Arthur tensed. There was no doubting who the woman was now and if the boy was asking her to heal him, then that most likely meant she would be doing so with magic. He swallowed thickly, fighting the urge to draw his sword.

He watched as the woman placed a hand over the boy's injury, whispering a few words Arthur could not hear and most likely would not make sense to him anyway. Her eyes glowed and almost instantly the cut disappeared, his skin appearing as if it had never been injured.

Arthur watched in awe. The only magic he had seen had been used in anger and hate, never healing. And, though the thought terrified him to the core, he had to admit that this magic seemed…different.

Amilla removed her hand and soon, as the gold began to fade, the boy's face eased into a relieved smile.

"Thank you, miss 'Milla!"

The woman smiled kindly and watched as the boy took off at a run, no doubt back to join his friends.

Arthur watched her silence a moment longer as she stared after the boy, mouth suddenly dry.

"It is not kind to spy." The woman suddenly spoke and Arthur startled, tightening his grip on the reins.

After another moment of silence, Arthur gathered his courage and, dismounting his horse, he catiously made his way to her.

She remained with her back to him until he paused, several feet from her still, before she turned.

Her green eyes bored into him as if she was reading into his very thoughts; her long brown hair pulled back in a braid that traveled the full length of her back – the loose wisps twirling in the breeze as, likewise, the sleeves of her elegant blue dress furled and flapped about.

Only the lines around her mouth and creases near her eyes speaking of her true age.

"Arthur Pendragon." She greeted, her expression was not quite cold, but it certainly was not friendly.

"You know who I am." Arthur said, surprised.

"Of course. One of my kind cannot forget a Pendragon."

He swallowed thickly, this was already not looking promising.

"So," she raised her chin, giving him an appraising look, "have you come to arrest me? Take me to the pyre? Because I assure you if that is your plan, I do not intend to go quietly."

"No." He assured her quickly, "No, that is not why I am here. You have no reason to fear me."

She laughed a humorless chuckle, "Is that so? Then why are you?"

"I…I need your help."

Whatever Amilla had been expecting him to say, that was far from it. She looked shocked as she spoke, "You? You need my help?"

"Yes."

"You? Arthur Pendragon? King of Camelot, destroyer of magic, are here asking me for my help?"

"Yes," Arthur assured her quickly, "I know this may be hard to believe, but I am here to ask for your help. I…My manservant, Merlin…he was gravely injured. He's dying. Our court physican…there is nothing left for him to do. I need you to return with me to Camelot, he needs help that is beyond out strength now. I came here in the hopes that you would help us."

Her shock had quickly turned to skeptism. "You want me to return with you to Camelot to help heal your servant? You must be joking."

"I understand your wariness, but I assure you I am not trying to trick you." He could see he was quickly losing her and he rushed to explain, "Gaius sent me, he said you were the only one who had the power to help. He said there was an… incantation that you may be able to perform that would save Merlin."

At the mention of Gaius' name she paused. "Yes, I remember Gaius fondly. I remember him as a kind man."

"So you'll help us?" Arthur prompted, unable to bite back the question that had been on the tip of his tongue.

She paused for a moment before replying. "No."

Arthur faltered, unable to speak as she turned and started to make her way back through the woods.

Finally finding his voice, he yelled after her, "What do you mean you won't help?"

She stopped and turned to look back at him. "Do you really expect me to believe you? After all you and your kingdom is known for? You expect me to believe you are coming to me now and asking me to use magic?"

"But Gaius—"

"How do I know you were truly sent here by Gaius? And even if you were how I am to know if his intentions were pure? He was a good friend, yes, but it has been many years and I am not laying my life down for a man I used to know who may or not have suggested you come to seek my help."

"But my manservant, he needs your help! He will die if you do not help him!"

"You surely don't expect me to believe that? To just walk into Camelot?" She shook her head and turned to walk away once more, "Goodbye, Pendragon."

Arthur faltered, his heart rising to a panic as he watched his only hope of saving Merlin walk away from him. He couldn't let this happen, not when he had actually come so far as to find her. He couldn't let her walk away now. For her to walk away now meant Merlin would die and that was an ending he couldn't imagine. Life without Merlin. Life without the stupid, clumsy, funny, wise, naïve, loyal friend he had come to depend so much on.

"Wait, don't go!" Arthur yelled as he jogged to catch up to her, "Wait! Please!"

The sorceress paused and though she didn't turn to face him, Arthur took it as a good sign.

"I understand why you wouldn't trust me; Camelot has not been friend to you or your people. But you are truly our last hope…if you don't help him, he will die."

"And why do you care, Arthur Pendragon?" She asked as she turned, eyes raking him with a measuring gaze. "You would come all this way? For a servant? You expect me to believe that someone like you, king of Camelot, would ride out and consult someone like me, a sorceress, for a manservant?" She gave a huff of incredulous laughter.

Arthur winced; she had a point. Who would be believe that the king of Camelot would risk so much for someone of Merlin's position? Especially after the example his father had set before him; Uther would certainly never have risked so much for a knight, much less a servant.

"I thought so." Amilla said, taking his silence for conformation. "Nice try, Pendragon."

"You're right," He sighed, shaking his head, "I wouldn't expect you to believe I would come all this way for a servant…but I would for a friend."

She raised a delicate eyebrow and Arthur took that as an invitation to continue.

"He is my friend and I…I do not know what else to do. I have given you no reason to trust me and if you were to walk away, I would not blame you. I did not come here expecting it would be easy, but I had no other choice. I could not just leave him to die." He said, hating the way his voice cracked on the last word. "I am asking you…please. Help him. He is a good man…an even better friend and he does not deserve to die like this. Do not seal his fate because of me, I beg of you."

Arthur looked up to meet her eyes and was surprised to find her hard gaze had softened into something kinder.

They locked eyes, keeping each other's gaze for a long moment before Amilla finally sighed and looked away.

"I will need to fetch a few things from the village…Meet me at the edge of the village and I will return within the hour."

Arthur nodded quickly, before she could change her mind. "Of course."

Looking back to level him with a hard stare, she added, "Do not betray my trust, Pendragon. I am choosing to trust that you speak the truth. If I discover you are lying to me, I will not be kind. Do you understand?"

"Yes." He answered with sincerity. "You have my word, my lady. No harm will befall you, I swear it."

She nodded silently and turned to make her way back to the village.

Arthur hesitated for a moment, a question dying to be asked, before he spoke up. "My lady?"

She paused and turned, raising a brow in question.

"I just…I have to ask. What did I say that convinced you? Why did you decide to help?"

Her eyes softened again and Arthur was certain her heart was much kinder than the person she portrayed to him.

"If you truly are telling me the truth and your friend is in the peril you say he is…I could not in good conscience leave him to die." After a moment where she seemed to be deciding if it was wise to continue, she added, "Especially for one who has obviously inspired such friendship in a Pendragon."

Arthur, not quite sure how to respond to that for fear of sticking his foot his mouth and making her change her mind again, only nodded silently.

She offered him an encouraging smile before adding, "Remember, I'll meet you at the edge of the village shortly. Do not be late." She turned on heel and quickly strode back towards the village, leaving the king of Camelot in her wake.

Hope you guys enjoyed this one. Please leave a review! Reviews brighten my day