"She had a vision," Pacey explained, pacing Merlin's tower room that evening. Merlin lay across his bed, his face ghostly but his eyes still light from within. "It obviously disturbed her, she was shaking when I found her. She says she saw him. Whoever he is." He cast a worried glance at Merlin. "She slept until we met up with her father. I haven't had a chance to talk with her since."

"She will arrive soon enough, Pacey. Worrying solves nothing," Merlin said wisely.

He was quiet for a moment, "She is to marry in a few days."

"I have heard." Merlin replied slowly.

He groaned, "What do you expect me to do?"

"Only you will know the answer to that."

Joey lifted her skirts so she would not trip on the hem as she pushed open the door. An apologetic smile crossed her lips. "I am sorry. I was just now able to get a few moments of my own."

"'Tis no matter to us, my dear." Merlin struggled to sit up. "We've nothing better to do."

Joey frowned and hurried to his side. "Please do not trouble yourself."

He waved her off, rising of his own stubborn will. "Tell me of this vision."

She wrung her hands nervously. "It was different than any others."

Pacey approached her and slid an arm around her waist, drawing her to lean against his side. Without pause, Joey told Merlin what she had seen.

Pacey listened silently to her descriptions, frowning as he felt her tremble. When she had finished silence reigned in the room, heavy and oppressive. "You say you know where he is?" He asked her, his voice seriously calm.

She nodded. "To the west of here, no more than a few days by horse."

"Then there is nothing left to be done but seek him out and destroy him." He rose from the padded bench he and Joey sat upon. "I ride out tomorrow."

"You cannot go on your own," Joey said worriedly.

"I can and I shall."

"Pacey, she may be right." Merlin interjected. "You know not what you face."

"You've taught me well. Magic is the only weapon I need."

Joey frowned. "Do not be foolish about this."

"What would you have me do then, Princess?" He questioned, his eyes hard.

She was quiet for a moment. "Take me with you."

"I cannot." He shook his head, "You have responsibilities here. And I will not stay to watch you wed that--that..." Words seemed to fail him.

"I must go with you," she added softly.

"No. You must marry your Lord and keep your father's kingdom in tact. We cannot afford for there to be strife from Winchester in addition to this evil in the west. You know that what I say is true!"

She winced faintly. "Perhaps I can delay the wedding."

"If you leave, Winchester will not rest until he has found you." Merlin spoke up, his tone neutral.

"It cannot be helped."

"It can. You will stay here and start your life with him." Pacey insisted. He knew it would be best to end this swiftly, the longer he allowed himself to think of them married, the worse he ached inside. Eventually, he both hoped and feared, he would forget about her.

She lifted her chin defiantly. "I wish to go with you."

"'Tis too dangerous." That was true as well.

"I am as skilled in magic as you are," she countered.

"And what of your father's alliance?" He shot Merlin a look, "Convince her."

Merlin shook his head, his white hair shimmering in the fire light, "I cannot. There is no right answer."

"We are much stronger together, Pacey," she reminded him.

He frowned, "There is no way for us to make an escape, you are the Princess. They wont allow us to just ride through the gates, Joey."

"I will think of something."

"I wont allow you to go." He shook his head, folding his arms across his chest in defiance.

"I am going," she repeated firmly.

"No."

"I am far more stubborn than you are and I will not stay here like some helpless female."

"You are a helpless female."

"I am not!"

"You do not think straight. What will happen when you run away, Joey? With me, no less?"

"What choice do I have?"

"Stay where you belong!"

"I belong with you!"

He pursed his lips, "Will you not listen to reason? I cannot put you in danger!"

"I will be safe with you," she persisted. "Would you rather leave me to Lord Winchester?"

A muscled jumped in his jaw, "You know I would not."

"Then take me with you."

He shot a pleading look to Merlin. The elder simply shook his head and smiled helplessly.

A smile flirted across Joey's lips as she noticed Pacey's wavering and she threw her arms around him. "Oh please Pacey, take me with you. I cannot stay here without you. I would worry so. My father will not force my marriage to Winchester once there's no longer a threat to Camelot. I am sure of it."

"You really think so?" He questioned studying the familiar beauty of her eyes, his hands resting possessively on her hips.

She nodded. "My father has only offered my hand to Winchester in favor of an alliance."

He sighed heavily, "Command it." His honor would not allow him to take her into danger, but were she to demand he take her with him, he would be obligated to obey her..

She bit her lip and tipped her head. "Very well; I command you take me with you. I will not allow you to leave otherwise."

He tilted his head and caught her lip in his mouth, soothing the bite mark. "Very well, Princess."

She smiled. "Thank you."

"Now, how are we to smuggle you from the castle amid wedding planning?"

"Leave that to me."

"Are you sure of this?" She nodded.

"We will wait a few more days, you can make up your mind." He couldn't help but smile. "I think perhaps it would be easiest to slip away during the confusion just before the wedding."

"Okay."

Merlin cleared his throat, interrupting their moment. "We must plan now. There will be little time between now and your departure in which we three shall be in contact. Lady Ryan shall keep you quite busy in the days to come, Joey."

Joey shifted uncomfortably. "I know."

"Come, let us plan." He gestured to the bench where they had sat before. They obeyed, and began to plan their escape.