This is the first chapter in a series that blends characters and story lines from BBC's Merlin and HBO's Game of Thrones. Inspired by Lady of the North (watch?v=FS56U9Eh9vY)

The council grew quiet, the king surveyed their faces. He saw old faces, old faces that counselled his father, that helped build Camelot; now they will help him make her great. Their silence was not unexpected but Arthur was worried he had spoke too soon. He wondered if he should have waited until his knights' return. He knew some of his advisers would be weary of these plans that they would not to want to risk another war but he needed to be ambitious! He needed to to make Camelot the greatest kingdom in all the land, he no longer wanted to be a good king; he needed to be a great king one that would be remembered through all the ages, and this move was necessary to achieve his goals.

"Have we had any word from Sir Leon and Sir Gwaine, sire?" Asked the old physician.

"Not yet but by now they have crossed the boarder."

"And what do we hope to find there?"

"A kingdom in disarray. Civil war. Chaos."

"Sire?"

"In battle, its easy to defeat a disorganized army, if small factions of milk maids and sheep farmers are fighting each other that will make it all the more easier for us."

Laughter erupted from the council chamber.

"And what of Cendred's line? Do we know if he had an heir?"

"I had asked Geoffrey to look into it before the knights' departure and it seems Cendred had no known heirs."

"I see..." the physicians eyes dropped

"Yes Gaius, speak up. I will take your counsel to heart. If there is something you wish to say-"

"Well, sire I'm not sure, now is the time for expansion. Camelot and his majesty has been through quite a lot these past few years. Our farmers have only just begun to grow healthy crops again, our alliance with King Bayard and Queen Annis is shaky and-"

"Go on"

"Had I known about your plans, Sire, I would have informed you earlier. There have been reports that Lot has made himself king of Essetir. Sir Leon and Sir Gwaine's presence, if discovered will be seen as an act of war."

Arthur leaned back, maybe he should have been upfront about his plans, Lot was no more than a barbaric warlord but not any enemy any king should wish to have.

"I'll have to trust my knights. They are traveling as peasants but-"

"castle forged steel is easy to spot as is the skill of a trained knight, especially when one knows what to look for."

His manservant leaned over to fill his cup, the king's hand caressed his as they both went to steady it. His manservant smiled shyly and backed away, once it was full.

"Yes but I suppose there is not much to do until their return. I had thought hard about this before I sent them on this quest. I knew there would be dangers, I knew that I would not be the only king eying Essetir, its fertile land and many ports make it very valuable. If Lot is truly king then we will have to revisit my plans for expansion."

"Re-vist?"

"I am quite serious about claiming Essetir for Camelot, make no mistake. Whether its through war or politics that land will be ours!"

And before there were any protests the king dismissed his council. They collected their papers and shuffled out of the room leaving the king and his manservant alone.

"And what do you think Merlin?"

"About what, Sire?"

"Me becoming the ruler of your home. I think I shall erect a statue of myself in Elador," he joked

"Well that's one way to get the people to turn on you."

The king laughed "but honestly Merlin, what do you think about Camelot's expansion?"

"Well, Sire, I believe if anyone can unite the lands that would be you."

"You always know what to say," he said has he moved closer to his manservant. He pulled him in and ran his fingers through his thick black hair. He saw the clear blue of Merlin's eyes, the dark stubble that grew above his lip. Tasting the sweetness of his breath he drew him in for a kiss, everything was still for a moment, until Merlin pulled away.

"Sire! Do not forget yourself!"

"Oh don't give me that, how long has it been?"

"Yes but we have always been careful! Anyone could have walked in here just now!"

"I don't know why you're the one who's so worried, I'm the one who's king."

"I just- I just wouldn't know how to explain it to Gaius. He's been dropping hints about girls and marriage."

"Well maybe someday but at this moment your king needs you and your multiple talents!"

"Someday?"

"Multiple talents like mucking out the stables."

"Oh. Stables! Yes, I suppose I better get right on that."

"You suppose right, Merlin."

Merlin quickly turned and left the room, Arthur bellowed after him

"Don't forget to bring my dinner promptly at eight!"

He heard a "yes Sire" in the distance of the hallway.

"He'll probably be late as usual," he thought. Merlin had been a great comfort these past few months. With his father's death, Morgana's betrayal, and Guinevere- he needed someone to fall into, someone to help him forget. He never thought that person would be Merlin. It could have been anyone, Arthur wagered but that night when he nearly lost his mind with grief and pain, Merlin was there, talking, hugging, kissing...Arthur didn't know what this all meant, if it meant anything at all but it was what he needed. Merlin was what he needed. He needed him to fetch his meals he needed him to warm his bed. Arthur could scarcely believe that the clumsy boy from Elador is what he needed, that he was all he needed.

Arthur stared at the empty council table, his chair, the biggest, at its head. His father held so much responsibility, and now that responsibility was his. The first and most important was the well being of Camelot, expanding his kingdom was the key to that. Essetir would be Camelot's and he would be the most powerful king in all the five kingdoms!