Arthur's POV

I watch the snow dance down onto the courtyard below from my chamber window. A thin layer of white now blankets the whole castle. I can see a merchant pull his cloak tighter around himself as he makes his way back down into the lower town. A few servants scurry into the citadel quickly, desperate to escape the cold. The sun was missing from the sky, obscured by a thick layer of clouds.

I let out a sigh and turn away from the window. A roaring fire burns in the hearth in my chambers. The crackling flame does little to soothe my racing mind. Ideas and plans circle around in my brain as I try to consider the best course of action. Should I continue trying to convince my father that I'm not enchanted? The attempts thus far have proved futile. It seems useless to try again.

I let out a deep sigh again. I rub at my forehead, trying to rid the headache that had decided to surface. A knock on the door irritates the throb of my head further. I groan, "enter," I call.

A servant, whom I had never seen before, enters my chambers. He's dressed in the typical attire for a servant of Camelot. His hair is short and brown. His eyes are the same colour and there seems to be a wise glint in them. I raise my eyebrow at the man who stands by the door. He has nothing in his hands, no dinner tray or laundry basket. If he's not here for chores then a message perhaps?

"Did you need something?" I question.

"Indeed I do, Arthur Pendragon. I need you," the man says.

I give him a strange look. "What do you mean?"

"The Disir are becoming impatient. They have waited long enough. They wish to see you by today."

"I currently have more pressing matters to attend to. These 'Disir' can wait."

The man shakes his head. "I warned you before did I not? This is your last chance to change your fate, my lord."

"Before? I don't believe I've ever met you. Besides, even if I wanted to go my father has me under lockdown. I can't exactly leave."

The man smirks. "But you have met me and escaping is no problem." The man lifts up his hand and a flame begins to burn on his palm. "Your father will never know you were gone."

"Magic..."

"Quite useful at times."

"This still doesn't mean that I should see these Disir."

The man sighs loudly, he snuffs the flame from his palm. "The king is planning an attack. An attack against the Resistance and you know full well what will happen if he goes through with this plan. The choice you make with the Disir can stop all this. That is, if you make the right choice."

Father's planning an attack?! The Resistance lands don't only consist of sorcerers! There are innocents there as well! Is he planning on letting them all die?! To kill all those people because I might be enchanted?! How does he even know they did it? I curse and kick the wall beside me. How can he hate magic so much to warrant an all out war.

"Alright, fine. I'll go."

The man smiles. He raises a hand and I can hear a door swinging open. I turn towards the sound in time to see my cloak fly out from my wardrobe and towards me. I catch it in my arms rather clumsily. "It's quite chilly out, sire, wouldn't want you to freeze," the man says.

He grabs my shoulder and shuts his eyes. He begins to mumble a spell under his breath. Suddenly, I feel a chill run down my spine. My hair stands on end and I can see swirls of dust spinning around me, getting closer and closer. My clothes ripple from the gusts of wind, a tingling sensation travels down my shoulder from the point that the man is touching. It spreads through my body until I can no longer feel the wind rippling around me. The scenery around me begins to melt away. I start to tremble as I watch my chambers dissolve into darkness. I'm about to change my mind, I want to scream at the man to stop, to shake him off and hide in my wardrobe, but before I can say anything the darkness disappears.

I look around to find myself in the outskirts of the forest. Two horses are tethered to a nearby tree. Over the horizon, the snow capped roofs of Camelot's citadel can be seen.

I turn to the man, who, for some reason, looks different. Familiar. "Osgard..." I say the name while pointing at the man. He smiles. "A simple glamour spell. Hides my appearance from the king," he says as he mounts his horse.

I nod and mount the other. The horse neighs and skitters about under me. I stroke its mane gently to calm it down. "So where are we headed?" I ask.

"You'll see. Follow me." The man clicks his tongue, prompting his horse to move.

I follow suit, trailing behind the man silently. I wrap my cloak tighter around myself. With nothing to do I decide to watch the snow fall from the sky. I catch a flake on my palm, examining the intricate pattern before it melts away. No two snowflakes are alike. Isn't that what people say? Each one is unique in its own way, special, they are all different but that doesn't make them any less of a snowflake. So why can't people be the same? Why persecute a group of people because of a special trait they posses? It doesn't make them any less of a human being. Especially when, at times, it is something they can't control. Why is it so difficult for my father see that? Magic is not wrong. It is the hearts of men.

"We are here," Osgard say, shaking me from my reverie.

I look around to find that we have stopped at the mouth of a large cavern. Moss grows on the rocks surrounding the area, almost boxing us in. I swallow the lump that has formed in my throat. I can feel the power radiating out from the cave. A strong thrum of energy that would have made even my father freeze in place.

"Leave your sword out here," Osgard says, strolling to the entrance of the cave as if the energy didn't faze him.

I look at the man skeptically. What if this was an ambush? He seems to notice my discontent and gives a long sigh. "This is a sacred place. You do not wish to anger the Disir before you have even met them, do you?"

I shake my head. "Then leave your sword here. I promise no harm will come to you. Also, do not touch anything." With that he turns and heads into the cave.

I unsheathe my blade and place it by my horse before following the man inside.

------

Merlin's POV

I stretch my arms in the air, letting out a long yawn at the same time. Nothing of interest seems to be happening today. Just training and council meetings. I doubt Arthur will be at the waterfall today. As far as I know he's still locked in his chambers.

I grab a sword from the weapons rack, since I had given Arthur Excalibur I no longer have one of my own. I weigh it in my hand. The balance is off, but it will have to do. I head over to a dummy and start hacking away. The air is chilly, making my movements slow compared to before. Gwaine approaches me a few moments later, a cheeky grin on his face.

"How about a quick spar, mate?" he says, "A training dummy isn't gonna do you any good."

I stop and give him a grin. "I think the training dummy is more of a challenge then you," I tease.

"I'll show you. Lance has been helping me. I'll beat you this time."

"We'll see about that."

We move to the centre of the field. A few of the trainees start to form a circle around us. I can see the eagerness on their faces as their eyes dart between Gwaine and I.

"Ready?" I ask.

"I'm always ready," he replies and with that he charges.

I sidestep his first blow easily. Gwaine stumbles for a few steps before spinning on is heel to aim a slash at my head. I duck and swipe my foot under him. He manages to jump away in the last moment. He grins at me, blowing the hair from his face. He twirls his sword once in his hand before standing at the ready. He charges again, moving faster this time then before. He aims a downward slash at my chest. I raise my own blade and they collide in the air, locking in place. Gwaine's face is only inches from my own, our two swords are the only things between us. He starts to push his blade forward, attempting to knock me down but I push back just as hard. I hear him give a low chuckle, his breathing turning heavy.

"Give up Merlin, I'm finally going to win today," he says cheerfully.

I laugh, "In your dreams Gwaine."

I start to push forward harder then before, shoving the edge of Gwaine's blade closer and closer to his chest. It seems as though I'm about to win when suddenly my arms feel heavy. The sword seems to weigh a hundred pounds in my hands. My strength begins to diminish, allowing Gwaine a chance to knock me back. I stumble but stand my ground. I can hear a small gasp from the crowd around us. Gwaine gives a smile in triumph at his small victory. He levels his sword and charges again. This time my vision begins to blur, Gwaine seems to be coming at me from all directions. A throbbing pain pulses through my head but I somehow manage to stumble out of the way of Gwaine's blow.

My breathing turns ragged and erratic. Sweat trickles down my brow. The fight hasn't been going on for that long, I shouldn't be tired, yet the corners of my vision start darkening. My eyelids threaten to flutter shut. I can barely make out Gwaine charging again. I can see the glimmer of his sword aiming straight at my chest. I shut my eyes, bracing myself for the blow but none comes. I force my eyes open to see a worried face looking back at me. Gwaine's blade left forgotten in the snow.

"Merlin? Are you alright?" He asks, the concern rising with each word. He steps closer, resting a hand on my shoulder.

I glance around, everyone is watching with worry. Lancelot has broken forward from the crowd. He's beside me, keeping me steady. "I-I'm alright," I manage to say over the pounding in my skull. I stand up straighter only to feel my head start to hurt even more.

"You don't look alright. You looked ready to fall over during that fight," Lancelot says, still keeping a hand on my back.

"Em-s...." A voice whispers.

I cock my head to the side, trying to discern what the voice is saying. Who was that?

"Merlin? Are you alright?" Lancelot asks again, looking even more worried then before.

"I-I just need some re-" I collapse, feeling Lancelot catch me just before I hit the snow.

"Merlin!" I can hear Gwaine shouting, "Somebody get Gaius!"

-----

Gwaine's POV

I pace around Gaius's chambers. Merlin's lying on the patients cot, eyes closed and breath hitching in his throat. He's paler then usual, if that was even possible. I'm mentally kicking myself over and over. Was this my fault? Did I hit him on the head by accident?

Morgana and Mordred bursts into the chamber in the middle of my musings, faces ashen. "I heard Merlin collapsed," Morgana says.

I glance over to the bed. Gaius is seated beside him, using magic to examine him. I swallow the lump in my throat. "Yes, he collapsed while we were sparring," I reply.

Lancelot rises from Merlin's bedside and walks over. "Gaius says he has no clue what's wrong with him. He said this isn't some illness," he explains.

"Then what is it?"

"Magic," Gaius speaks up suddenly. He rises from the stool and turns to face us. "this is some form of powerful magic."

"Magic? Why would someone with magic hurt Merlin?" Mordred asks.

"I'm not sure, but whoever it is they are highly skilled. I can't even discern what type of spell this is. It might be a curse or some form of enchantment."

"So you can't help him?" I ask.

Gaius sighs, "I'll try, but I can't say for certain."

-----

Arthur's POV

Charms hang down from the ceiling of the cavern. I'm careful to heed Osgards warning and avoid touching any of them, which proves to be quite difficult. They're hanging almost everywhere.

The narrow passage we had been travelling through soon opens up to a wide area. The first thing I notice is the three figures clothed in black that stand on the ledge that overlooks the exit of the passage. They all hold wooden staffs in their hands. Their hoods are pulled so low that I can only see their pale lips.

Osgard bows low to the three figures. "This is Arthur Pendragon, the Once and Future King, and Crown Prince of Camelot," he says.

None move. They continue to stare down at me. I hold the coin out in my hands. "I've come to know the meaning of this," I say, "what right have you to judge me?"

"We do not judge," a woman's voice replies, the one in the centre.

"We do not condem," the women to her left says.

"We are but the internuncio of the one who presides over all," the last says.

"Who sees all."

"Who knows all."

"The Triple Goddess," they say in unison.

"And your family, the Pendragon's, have angered her."

"Because of what my father has done?" I ask.

"Yes,"

"For slaughtering our kind,"

"And denying the Old Religion,"

"We give you the choice, Arthur Pendragon,"

"Embrace the Old Religion, or let bloodshed rain down on all of Camelot."

I shiver at the words. Bloodshed... so a war. "What are you asking of me? I will gladly allow magic back into the land but as you know I am not yet king," I say.

"Then take the throne,"

"Seize it from the tyrant king,"

"And bring magic back to this land."

I stare at the three women. I let the words sink in. To seize the throne... "You want me to kill my father?!"

The three woman all nod in unison. "Everything comes with a price,"

"And either you will pay it,"

"Or someone else will."

"And the price I have to pay is murdering my own father?" I ask, still stunned at their words.

"No,"

"That is only a part,"

"The price you pay,"

"Are the people you love,"

"And in exchange,"

"Peace shall come to the land."

The first person to appear in my mind is Merlin. The thought of him getting hurt, or even dying, because of these Disir send shivers down my spine. I shake my head. "No, I will not allow the people I care about get hurt because of me. I will gladly give my life but the people I love shall have no part in this," I say, chin held high.

"Magic shall return to this land,"

"Either through peace or bloodshed,"

"With or without you,"

"Your choice here shall determine what fate has in store,"

"Choose wisely, Arthur Pendragon,"

"For this is your last chance,"

I grit my teeth. "I refuse. I will find another way, without killing my father, and without causing war."

"Then your fate is sealed,"

"Know that whatever happens,"

"You have brought it upon yourself,"

"Now leave."

Osgard shoots me a look of pity. I see him shake his head in disapproval before turning and disappearing into the darkness. I glare at the three woman. I will stop my father from waging war without killing him. I'll show them what a Pendragon can do.

I turn and stalk out of the cavern, my hands clenched into fists at my side.

-----

Merlin's POV

Darkness. That's all I see. Everywhere I look there is darkness. I try to move my body, to lift my arm or curl a finger, but the moment I do pain flares through my whole body. I give up trying after awhile. I mumble a spell under my breath, one that would ease the pain but its no use. I can feel the magic thrum to life under my skin but something always forces it back down. Smothers it.

I'm dead. That must be it. I must have died somehow. Then again, if so, why does it hurt so much?

"Emrys..."

I'm surprised by the sudden voice that rips through the silence. I look around. There's still nothing there. Did I imagine it?

"Emrys..."

No, that was real. The last person to call me by that name was Aglain but it can't be him. This voice is female, and there seems to be more then one

"Who are-"I begin.

"We are the Disir."

My heart almost stops. "Why are you here?"

"The decision has been made,"

"He refused to pay the price,"

"So you shall instead."

"What are you talking about?" I shout into the void, frustrated with all the riddles, "Who is this 'he'?"

"He was to either become your destiny,"

"Or your doom,"

"Depending on the choice he made,"

"And now that he has chosen,"

"Your fates are sealed."

"My destiny or my doom? Who is this person? Why do we have to fight?!" I ask.

"Goodbye, Emrys, and we apologize for the pain. There was no other way to speak with you."

The voice disappears.

------

A/N- Well, this one took awhile. I'm sorry about that. >.< But there is quite a bit of foreshadowing in this chapter and I would love to hear your predictions on what you think will happen! =D I won't say if your right or wrong, just curious. Anyone want to cater a guess?