He flashed a quick grin at the two serving girls who stood at the edge of the training ground and let his dagger fly. It hit the shield Pete was carrying with a satisfying thwack. The girls squealed and his knights laughed and hooted. Pete cowed behind the shield, face as white as sheet.

"Come on! You're barely moving. I said to run the length of the field! Don't make me make you train for this tonight."

"Sire!"

It was Leon again, probably about to remind him sternly that he was supposed to be training with the knights. With a wave of his arm, he dismissed Pete and sauntered to Leon.

"Don't you get tired of acting the fool? You are supposed to be sparring with your knights."

"Did my father send you to check on me?"

Leon ignored his question. "I don't understand why you are acting this way Sire."

"Maybe you should ask my father," snapped Arthur as memories of his father berating him in front of the council rose in his mind. "He's the one who said that servants were not worth our time or effort. And don't forget he pointed out that aside from wielding a sword fairly competently, I don't have any of the attributes of a good ruler."

"You know he didn't mean all that. He was just upset that -"

Arthur stabbed his sword into the ground. "I don't want to talk about it. I know I'm not good enough. Why even try? Tell my father I've gone to the tavern to relax. That's something I'm good at, as he pointed out."

Arthur didn't make it to the tavern, not that he expected to. He knew his father would get the knights to haul him back to the castle. Despite his bravado in front of Leon, as he stood facing his angry father in the throne room, fear threatened to choke him. He loved his father but recently, nothing he did was enough and he was tired of constantly being put down in front of the council. If his father thought he was a good-for-nothing, then that is what he would be.

"I am tired of your nonsense, Arthur."

Arthur said nothing and stared sullenly at his father.

"I have something I want you to do. There have been reports of bandit activity at the borders of Camelot and Essetir. I want you to ride to the borders to see what is happening. Talk to the villagers. I fear that Cenred might be using bandit attacks as a cover for something more."

"Why not send Leon and his men? I'm sure they are more than capable -"

"Are you questioning your king, Arthur?" The cold edge in Uther's voice shut Arthur up and he bowed his head. "I want you to go so you will go. Leon and Rowan will accompany you."

Arthur nodded, annoyance churning in him. This was clearly a punishment for his behaviour over the past week. It didn't matter. He would visit all these border villages and enjoy being away from his father and Camelot for a few weeks. How difficult could this be?

"Gwen! I tore my shirt. Can you fix it?" Little Annie ran into Gwen's house and shoved her shirt at her. Smiling, Gwen ruffled her hair and took the shirt.

"Of course Annie. Come back and get it tomorrow?" Annie nodded then scampered off. Probably to play with the other children since the sun was up and the weather mild, thought Gwen as she dropped the shirt into the basket full of clothes to mend.

Passing her a mug of tea, Merlin sighed as he settled down next to her. "Really Gwen. You can't keep doing all these repairs for free. How will you earn your keep?"

"Thank you. I don't need much anyway and it's only for the children. I do charge the adults."

"Right," said Merlin knowingly. Gwen just smiled. Living in a small village which only barely managed to produce just enough food to sustain them meant that money was hard to come by. As long as she had enough to eat, Gwen was perfectly willing to work for free.

"Your mom doesn't disapprove."

"That's because she's as soft a touch as you. It's amazes me that she's the leader of Ealdor."

Gwen shoved Merlin affectionately. "Stop complaining about your mother. She's been a great leader."

He chuckled. "I've been ordered by our great leader to pick some herbs. Want to keep me company?"

With the morning sun shining warmly on their backs, they chatted happily, arm in arm, as they walked through the forest. This was home and she loved it. Many of her friends had ambitions to move to Camelot, where, she was told, everything was exciting and the roads were paved with gold. Occasionally Gwen would wonder what it would be like to live in Camelot, amongst the nobles, but then she'd remember Merlin, the forest she grew up playing in and the various people who took care of her after her parents' death and she'd ask herself how she could ever think of leaving this place.

"I heard, from a very reputable source, that Simon has plans to court you." Merlin bumped her shoulder with affection. "It's about time you think about settling down, as my mother would say."

"I have a house and a job. I think I'm quite settled." Still, she couldn't help the blush that stained her cheeks. Simon was a lovely man, kind and sweet, and she was flattered that he was interested in her. On days when she had less chores to do, she imagined building a life with him. She would be happy she thought. Perhaps she should invite him over for dinner one evening.

Merlin was the first one to notice something wrong. Grabbing her hand, he pulled her up from her where she was sitting, the flowers in her hand spilling to the ground. "Fire," he said as he started to run. Her heart in her mouth, her mind whirling, she stumbled behind Merlin.

Fire could only mean one thing - Ealdor was under attack.