It was after this, after I cried into Percival's arms, filled with guilt as I explained why I couldn't be with him, why I couldn't kiss him, that my plan was set in stone. I knew exactly what I would be doing, and I also knew no one else could stop me from doing so. But I also knew better at that point than to be stupid about it. I stayed silent about it until after I was healed, but I knew it was inevitable.

"Ariella," I heard Mordred call as he entered my room. I hadn't been spending much time out and about. It'd been a bit of a journey getting back on my feet well enough to walk, especially after the exertion it went through during my escapade with Percival through the forest and through water. The arrow had damaged muscle, and though I could walk well enough, I had to be careful, take it slow. All the journeying I had done before getting treatment only further increased the damage done, and so it was almost two weeks before I really began to get better. I still had to take it slow, but that wasn't hard. I hadn't felt much like socializing.

"Mordred," I greeted, looking up to him as he walked to where I was sitting on the window sill, looking out.

"What happened?" he asked me gently, slowing to a stop and sitting by my feet. He looked heartbroken. "Ever since you returned, you've been different. Sad, unsociable... You're cutting yourself off from the world, daydreaming and staying almost silent... You've never been like this before..." I didn't know how to answer, so for a time I stayed silent, looking back out the window and biting my lip. Then Mordred took my hand and I looked to see tears of concern in his eyes, ready to spill over. "Please, Ariel... Was it... Was it Elyan? Did you..." He swallowed hard. "Did you love him?"

"No," I admitted, taking a deep breath. "No, I did not love him as anything other than a good friend." I didn't quite understand the look of relief on his face before he looked confused.

"Then what was it you spoke of with him the night before he died?"

"He..." I took a deep breath, looking back out the window to the sky. "He figured us out. Our magic, he figured it out..." Mordred stayed silent. "He promised never to tell, and... he didn't look the least bit scared..." I looked at him to see he was listening intently. "He respected it. Magic, I mean... He talked to me about the offer Gwen and Arthur gave me, about becoming their ward... He had so much faith that they'd accept me..." I looked back out the window again, getting lost in my own world again.

"Is this what has been plaguing your mind?" Mordred asked, his voice hushed, and I shook my head. "Then what is it?"

There was a very long silence before I finally answered.

"I feel... lost," I admitted, my voice almost a whisper. "Everything's just... so... uncertain... I know where my loyalties lie, I know whom I care for, but... I've spent so long focusing on everyone else, everything else... I've been so focused on everything else in the hopes of completing my destiny, that I do not know myself..." I felt tears spill onto my cheeks, and I wiped them away quickly with a finger and looked up to Mordred, who looked confused.

"But... you've always known who you were," Mordred insisted.

"When I was young, I knew what made me happy, and I knew where I needed to end up, but... now that I'm here?" I shook my head. "My destiny says that I must know myself inside and out, and... I just feel so confused... I don't know what I wish to do, or where I wish to go, how to help, I feel... Like I'm in the way, not like I am helping-"

"Ariel, no, that's not true, you've been so helpful with so many things-"

"Like what, writing up reports to tell the King how many men we've lost?" Mordred looked uncertain of what to say, and looked away. "I know I should be doing more, but... I don't even understand my own heart anymore, Mordred... I'm hurting about... so many things I just don't understand..." He squeezed my hand, and he rose his head to look me in the eyes.

"Everything you're doing here is helping more than you can imagine," Mordred insisted firmly, his eyes holding conviction over every word. "We all love you, Ariel, and your help is more than appreciated."

"It's not about being appreciated, Mordred," I laughed humorlessly. "I know it's appreciated, and even if it wasn't, nothing would change. I would still continue to feel this way, because it's not about being recognized... It's about understanding myself."

There was another silence.

"What are you trying to tell me?" Mordred asked, looking slightly confused.

"I'm leaving," I said, and his face turned to one of incredulous fear.

"What?"

"Not forever, I promise, I just need... time," I almost begged. "I need to figure myself out, understand what I want, who I am-"

"I'm going with you-"

"Please, Mordred," I began. "You need to understand. You have responsibilities not only to Camelot, but to Arthur. And I need time on my own. I won't go far, I've practically memorized all the maps I've poured over with the knights-"

"And what if you're attacked?"

"You and I both know if that were to happen, I have a very simple way of knocking them out and erasing their memories."

He looked unconvinced.

It took me hours, but eventually, I told him of my resolve, and he realized there was no convincing me otherwise. It hurt me to see him as distraught as he was about all this, but I also felt relief. Time away from everything seemed like the only solution. Ultimately, he only wanted me to be happy. Even if it meant agreeing to this.

But then I had to convince Merlin, Gaius, and... the King and Queen.

~:~:~:~:~

"Must you go?" Mordred asked as I tied on my cloak, tears in his eyes, and I walked to him, my eyes reflecting what his contained.

It was late. Arthur commanded that I stay in Camelot, but I knew what I needed. And I was not wavering. So the night time was my only option. I said my goodbyes, even to Arthur before he demanded I didn't. It was odd, though... Gwen seemed almost happy to see me go. I assumed it was because she was glad I was doing something for myself, but I couldn't help but feel something was wrong. I had shaken the feeling quickly, though. I was certain I was just reading into it.

"You know I must," I whispered, taking his hands in mine and holding them tightly. "But I swear to you that I will be careful. And I will return."

"You don't know how important you are to me, Ariella," Mordred whispered, still choking back tears, and I felt another pang of sadness go through my heart.

"Believe me, Mordred... I'm not the one who doesn't understand how important they are to the other," I said with a humorless laugh, a couple tears falling, and my heart just about jumped through my throat when he slowly leaned in, kissing my forehead and making my entire being feel alive. I closed my eyes, more tears falling at the feeling of his lips against my skin. He pulled away after a couple moments, and he looked at me strangely again. He was so close to me. His lips were only centimetres away.

"Ariella, I-"

That was when the door opened and Merlin peeked in.

"If you want any hope of leaving, you have to go now," he whisper-yelled hurriedly, and I nodded in acknowledgement, grabbing my last bag quickly, everything else I needed had already been strapped onto my horse.

I took off after Merlin, Mordred following closely as we passed the knights who were stationed at my door, and I spared one last glance behind myself, at the room in which I had lived for so long, before I left it all behind, ready to go wherever this journey took me. The warning bells had gone off just as I got to my horse, making my goodbyes to the two men almost nonexistent.

"Be safe," Merlin called as I hopped on my steed.

"Be careful," Mordred begged, and I nodded.

"I will be," I promised. "I'll be back soon enough."

I saw tears gather in Merlin's eyes, and I watched as Mordred's tears continued to fall as swiftly and as deeply as my own, before I nodded, and I got my steed to go as fast as he possibly could, passing by the guards easily, not stopping for a moment.

As I ran through the forest, I used magic to cover my tracks as best as I could at such a pace.

Before I knew it, I was completely on my own.

~:~:~:~:~

Three Weeks Later

~:~:~:~:~

I breathed in deeply, feeling refreshed after a full night's rest. I let myself wake slowly, laying there for a few moments before I bothered to sit up.

I had managed to lose my horse less than a week before when I had been ambushed by bandits, but it wasn't difficult with my magic to fight them until I could best the five men by knocking them out and erasing their memory of me. I had managed to grab the packs from my loyal steed, blessed him as he rested, said a little prayer, and I said my last goodbyes before was off once again.

I had been wandering for a time, and it was certainly healing to spend time on my own. Not to mention the learning experiences.

Not only had I managed to begin to understand who I was, but I was determined to learn weaponry as well. I was determined to become a physician like Gaius, and until I succeeded him, I wanted more than anything to be included with the knights. I didn't want to sit by idly as my friends went off to war and left me behind to worry incessantly, pacing. I couldn't do anything if I was constantly just sitting in my room biting my nails, and I was tired of doing so.

So if there was only one attacker, I would use my sword to best them. Once I had them - if I had them - I would once again use my magic to knock them out.

It was a slow process, but I was learning. Knowing how to use a sword was a necessity for a knight, and thus I would do my best, even if I wasn't the most talented with the weapon. I had only gotten to be good with a bow and arrow from practice, and I still was no expert with my dagger. It would take practice and strength. It was my job, out there, to work on my strength until I was ready to return to Camelot.

I made a breakfast of oats and berries before I was off again, gathering food for a bit and just thinking, singing to myself as I walked, thinking hard about everything.

I heard a caw, and I looked up to see a raven swoop down to me, a note tied to its leg. I furrowed my brow, hesitantly removing the note from the creature's leg.

Ariel,

I'm on my way with Arthur and Gwen to the Cauldron of Arianrhod, and I need your help. Gwen has been enchanted by Morgana to attempt to kill Arthur. I can not do this alone. Please, meet us there. We're leaving tonight.

I will bring a disguise for the both of us.

Please don't respond, I can not risk it arriving when we are on the road.

Merlin

It wasn't a moment before I thought hard, figuring out where exactly I was. Two day's ride from the Cauldron, but I had no steed. Which meant I would rest very little. But I could not fail him.

So, I was off.

I really hoped these disguises were up to snuff.

~:~:~:~:~

I was resting, exhausted after the almost never-ending travel. My eyes were heavy, as was my sore body. I had pushed hard, resting as little as possible. But I had time now to sleep, so that's what I did.

"Ariel!" I was awakened by Merlin's whisper-yell, and I blinked blearily, yawning wide. "Ariel, we have to hurry!"

"Well hello to you too," I joked slightly, and he handed me a vial.

"Drink this."

"What does it do?"

"It's an aging potion." He took a few dresses from his bag along with another vial.

"What's..."

"Gaius said we were a pair of women," Merlin grumbled, and I couldn't stop all the giggles as I pulled one of the dresses on over myself. I couldn't stop giggling even as I drank the aging potion and wrinkled my nose.

"I'm not so sure I like this," I said, and I looked up at Merlin before bursting out into giggles again. "You look ridiculous!" I laughed as he put on some powder to make himself look more like an old lady.

"How is it that I'm all wrinkly and droopy, and you still look alright?" He asked, a bit whiny, and I rolled my eyes in good humor before helping him with the powder. "Oh and I told Arthur I was paying the warlocks in clothes. And we're the Dolma and the Teíd."

"What?" I asked, trying not to laugh again.

"Alright, get your giggles out now," Merlin snapped. "You can't be this giggly when we get out there."

I giggled incessantly as we got our things together, but I couldn't stop until I saw Mordred was standing there as well.

"You said it was you, Arthur, and Gwen," I hissed to Merlin angrily.

"He followed us, he wasn't supposed to be here," Merlin admitted, and I nodded, suddenly a bit more sober. "Are you angry?"

"No," I admitted. "I just wasn't expecting it, I wasn't prepared."

"We've all been very worried about you," Merlin told me.

I looked down and saw the dress I was wearing for the first time. "This is very ill-fitting... and ugly."

"Well, you still look better than me, so come on." We walked out, and I couldn't help but snigger at the look on Arthur's face as he looked at Merlin, obviously thinking the worst about him. My knees hurt, as did my back. As did everything else. Not to mention my heart. Mordred was the last person I was expecting to see, and seeing his face again made me weak. His eyes were trained on me in mild recognition.

"Now it makes sense. Merlin said they had trouble getting clothes," Arthur said, and I had to hold back more amusement.

"Who are you?" Merlin asked, and I nearly choked at the voice he was using. "What business have you in this sacred place?"

"Are you the Dolma and the Teíd, the ancient sorceresses of the Cauldron of Arianrhod?"

"Who else would we be?" Merlin asked, holding his hands out in a funny manner.

"We're certainly ancient enough," I added in jokingly, trying terribly hard not to laugh.

I saw them whisper to one another, and we walked further forward.

"What say you? Why do you mutter?" Merlin demanded.

"You look familiar," Arthur offered, and I turned to Merlin, who looked uncertain before I giggled, smoothing my white curls and shooting Merlin a wink.

"Is that so?" I asked, pretending to be flattered, and Merlin joined in with my fake giggles.

"My lord, where is Merlin?" Mordred asked Arthur, and I felt my heart race in my chest at the sound.

"What have you done with my servant?" Arthur demanded, placing his hand on the hilt of his sword.

"Oh... The gangly boy. Hmm." Arthur drew his sword and began making his way over to us.

"If you kill us, you have no hope of seeing him again," I spoke up, and he froze. "We are old, and we possess magic. You can not expect us to have the ability to defend ourselves. Is it not natural for us to seek surety? When we are finished, he will be returned--unharmed."

"You know why we're here."

"Nothing is hidden from the Dolma," Merlin said dramatically.

"Except that there were four people, and you foretold there'd be three," I insisted, and Merlin gave me a look.

"Well then almost nothing is hidden from the Dolma."

"I'm certain that's untrue."

"Well nobody asked you, now did they?" he was only slightly joking, but I couldn't suppress my snicker. I heard Arthur clear his throat, and we turned back to him. "Set her by the pool," Merlin instructed dramatically and we walked to the edge where he placed Gwen.

Merlin knelt by her head, and I stayed standing for the moment. My knees were old now, and they were aching terribly. I'd get down if or when I needed to.

"Great King," Merlin began. "The magic which has ensnared your Queen is strong indeed. It can be fought. It can be broken, but it may also prevail. Do you understand this?"

"I do," Arthur agreed determinedly.

"What we are going to attempt will not be easy," I warned. "If we fail... Your Queen will be lost forever."

"I understand."

"Very well... When I awaken Guinevere from her sleep, she must walk into the Cauldron of Arianrhod of her own will. Only then will the spell be broken. But be warned, all the magic that binds her will fight against it," Merlin told him seriously.

"How then, can we succeed?"

"You must reach her," I spoke up. "You must speak to the one part of Guinevere that has not been touched by Morgana's sorcery."

"Is there such a part?" He asked me, his voice concerned.

"You must believe there is," I told him. "Do not doubt the strength of her heart."

"Prepare," Merlin told him, standing and moving to a better spot by her. "When she wakes, you will have but a few moments." He knelt once again and held a hand over her and said the enchantment before Arthur helped him stand.

Gwen awoke, and immediately, she looked frightened.

"Where am I? What have you done to me!?" she demanded.

"You've been asleep for a long time-"

"Get away from me!" she demanded, standing and trying to run away, but I watched as Arthur caught her by the arm and held them both, speaking to her.

"Guinevere. My Guinevere," he begged

"Your Guinevere? You stupid, foolish man. I was never yours and never will be!"

"You must reach her, Arthur," Merlin called. "Reach out or all is lost."

"Who are these old crones?" Gwen demanded.

"You loved me once," Arthur said in a tone that broke my heart. Watching them fight was so hard to do. Watching their love fight against this horrid enchantment... It broke my heart.

"You are easily fooled, Arthur."

"And still do."

"It was a trick." I couldn't imagine the pain he felt at hearing her say that, even if we all knew it wasn't true. "Nothing more. A subterfuge to pass Camelot to its rightful Queen."

"I don't believe that," Arthur's tone was breaking my heart.

"Believe what you like, the fact still remains," she insisted as Arthur tried to drag her back to the water.

"No!" I called, my heart racing in my chest in fear. "It must be of her own will!"

"Look at me," Arthur demanded, pulling her closer, and I was certain my heart would shatter any moment. "Tell me you don't love me."

"Let me go!"

"Arthur!" Merlin insisted, and I nudged him to stop talking.

"Do you remember when I asked you to marry me?" Arthur begged her. "Do you remember what you said?" Gwen didn't answer. "You said, 'with all my heart.' That's what you said, Guinevere." My heart broke then, and I felt flames in my chest. Oh, to love in such a way... It was truly beautiful. Gwen stopped struggling. "That was no subterfuge. No trickery..." They looked at one another for a moment, and I saw Gwen's love beginning to peek through. "With all my heart," Arthur repeated, letting go of her and walking backward into the pool. "With all my heart..."

"With all my heart," Gwen whispered, her expression filled with love.

"Come," Arthur begged, and she slowly walked forward to him, taking his hand and walking into the pool as this time, I was the one who spoke the incantation. For a moment, there was only light, and then I watched, my heart burning in my chest as Arthur and Gwen held each other tightly. It was truly beautiful.