CHAPTER ONE THE PLAN

The second year after Arthur's death, Camelot had begun to blossom again. It was as if a blanket of darkness, had begun to crack. Gwen noticed it whenever she had one of her regular walks into the market. Every Wednesday afternoon she would walk there, her maid Isa at her side, smiling and shaking people's hands.

When she had first started the ritual, it had given her as much heartache, as pleasure. Everyone wanted to pass on their condolences to their much loved Queen. She would grip people's hands, say thank you, while her emotions played all over her face. For all the heartache though, it also gave her strength. She knew she had to walk tall, for the sake of her beloved kingdom. Hiding herself away in the castle was not the way to do it. Instead she wanted to be out on the streets, meeting her people, finding strength from their love, and giving out her own to them. When she had tried to explain it to the Council, some had been very doubtful. But Gwen was determined to push ahead with it, regardless. She had received support from Gaius, who had watched proudly as Gwen, talked around the descenters.

After each session, Gwen would walk with Gaius, and they would talk. The hurt she felt from Arthur's death was still evident, but with being Queen, it kept her busy, stopping her mind from too much sadness. Gaius though, she thought sadly, was struggling quite a bit. The last couple of years had aged him a lot. At first Gwen had wanted him to be her court advisor, but though he had done it, and performed in the role well, in his usual meticulous way, Gwen knew he was hurting. Not just missing Merlin, but also Arthur, and his old life.

Gwen had suggested to Gaius that he get in touch with Alice, his old flame. Gwen had been surprised, when he opened up to her about Alice. She remembered with a smile, how as he spoke about her, the years had fallen away from his face, and suddenly he looked a completely different man. Gwen had made a mental note, to track Alice down, and persuade her to come to Camelot, to be with Gaius. Now that magic was flourishing in Camelot, there was no need for her exile any longer. But even having Alice back, would not stop Gaius fretting about Merlin, as she did herself.

Oh Merlin where are you, she wondered, feeling suddenly sad. She had learnt much from Gaius about the great warlock. Some didn't surprise her, hadn't she always known that there was something different about him, and yet she wasn't able to pinpoint what, but his devotion to Arthur had always been so clear. The more she had learnt from Gaius, the more in awe she became of him. She realised the debt Camelot, Arthur and herself owed to him. While it had made her proud of him, it had also made her sad. How lonely it must have been for him, she thought, if only I had known, I could have been there for him more often. There had to be a way of tracking him down, she thought desperately, she had to somehow find him, and bring him back home.

It was during a meeting with Sir Leon, that she suddenly hit upon an idea. She loved her sessions with him, always so supportive of her, in ways that reminded her of Arthur. So determined to do the right thing, Arthur's death had hit all the Knights hard, none more so then Leon. But despite this, he was always ready to do what was expected of him. With Arthur's death Leon had stood up, and been counted, he was someone she knew she could always rely on. They had weekly talks together. To begin with both had gained a comfort from it. Gwen knew she could not off got through it without his love and support. As well as that, she also began to understand, the spirit that existed between the Knights of Camelot. Leon was the person who acted as a link between them and the Council. Gwen made sure that any discord or unhappiness, was immediately reported to her, so she could discuss it with Leon. She was determined to remind the Knights that they still had an important role to play inside the Camelot community. It was at such a meeting that she suggested her idea.

"Leon, I feel I need to get out into the outer villages a bit more." Gwen started, noting that a look of concern had passed Leon's face. "being in Camelot is all very well, but I don't feel that I know enough about the Kingdom as a whole."

"Well that's not a problem," he smiled, "I'm sure one of the Lords would only be too happy to advise you on such matters."

"Yes I've no doubt they could," Gwen replied "But you only learn so much, by reading a report. You don't get any sort of feel for the people, I feel I need to attempt to know those people outside Camelot, as well as those here. Besides which I have a couple of other ideas that I would like to put into operation." She gave him a quizzical look.

"Right," Leon, regarded her closely, "What might they be?" he asked curiously.

"I'm worried about Gaius, he is looking so worn down." Gwen pulled out a sheet of paper." In one of our conversations he mentioned a woman named Alice, they were engaged about twenty years ago." Gwen laughed at Leon's expression, "Yes I know it took me by surprise too. Alice was a healer, but sadly she fell victim, to the magic ban, and was forced to leave Camelot, suddenly."

"I had no idea. Do you know where she is now?" Leon asked, suddenly very interested.

"All I know is she made for one of the outer villages north of Camelot. I would love to track her down, and bring her back here."

Leon smiled at Gwen's sudden enthusiasm. "Are you intending in telling Gaius about this?" he asked smiling.

"I'm not too sure, about how to deal with that." She admitted. "On the other hand, if we just get a message to Alice, then we can leave it up to her, as to what she does."

"Well as luck has it, we're due to go on patrol in that area pretty soon. I will make some enquiries, discreetly of course," he winked.

"I was just about to suggest that." Gwen replied grinning.

"Oh what was the second idea you had?" Leon asked

Gwen sighed "Ah this, will be a lot more difficult I fear. I want to track down Merlin. This Kingdom owes such a debt to him Leon, and well I get the feeling, he isn't too far away. I hate the idea of him, being on his own, blaming himself. I would like to head this myself, I'm determined to find him, if he doesn't want to come back, well that's fine. But I just want to know he is okay. Arthur would of wanted that. I thought the place to start might be Ealdor. I get the feeling he won't be too far away from Hunith."

"It would be nice to see him," Leon admitted. When Leon had learnt about Merlin's magic, it had shook him quite a bit. Of all the Knights he was the most distrustful of magic. Many years of fighting sorcerer's and other magic people had led him to being wary. But as time had gone by, he remembered the Druids saving his life, but also of how devoted to Arthur, Merlin had been. He had slowly come to realise, that not all sorcerer's used their skills for bad deeds. Indeed some used it only for good. He had suddenly seen Merlin in a new light. He had laughed at how he'd never been much good with a sword, or any other weapon. Yet he also remembered, that no matter how dangerous the quest, Merlin was always by Arthur's side, protecting him. He knew the Queen was right, they did all owe Merlin a debt, but how easy would it be to find him, he wondered.

"What would you like to do then?"

"Well I could accompany you to some of the outer villages, and maybe on the way back, we could drop off at Ealdor. I haven't seen Hunith for years, though she sometimes writes still, I would love to see her again." Gwen smiled, a pleading look on her face.

"We'll have to mention this at the next Council meeting, there maybe some opposition too." Leon remarked.

"Well leave that to me." Gwen smiled.