Thank you so much for all your reviews and story alerts, it really made my day and has given me such confidence in my writing. Therefore instead of researching for my final major project into charms, I wrote this chapter instead. Hopefully you all enjoy!

It had been said in the past that Arthur could handle many a tight situation with tact and calm, a fact that held him in great respect among other nobles and his citizens. However this wasn't the past and being faced with an older version of himself whilst surrounded by his own palace guard led Arthur into a new approach on negotiation.

"That's mine"

Arthur broke the silence, pointing up at the hourglass the king currently held. His tone slightly childish.

The king in response merely cocked an eyebrow and gazed down at the strange hourglass sat perched in his hand. Holding it up as if to appraise it further before speaking in a calm voice.

"I believe the fact that it is in my possession and I know far more about it then you gives me more of a claim, wouldn't you agree young king"

The gaze of the older man fell on Arthur making him feel slightly uncomfortable even if it held no ill will or malice. His knights behind him shuffling in place under its intensity before the older man flicked his gaze above their heads towards his guard.

"I believe our young visitors hold no ill intent therefore I suggest that we stop this stand off, lower our weapons and return to our posts. Guards"

The gaze once again falling on Arthur and his knights but holding a slight glint of amusement this time.

"Both of us"

Realising he had no other option as he was greatly outnumbered and obviously not in his Camelot, Arthur turned his head to face his knights for the first time. Apart from the addition of blue sand in parts of hair they all seemed unharmed if slightly confused. Gwaine however the usual exception to the group looked as if he was about to explode with excitement if the constant shuffling from foot to foot was anything to go on.

"Stand down" Arthur ordered, as if he hadn't just been told himself and was uttering his own decisions.

"But Sire..

"Leon…trust me"

Lowering his own weapon as a signal for the others to follow he sheathed his sword back in his scabbard. The guards previously encircling them withdraw their weapons as they saw Arthur's knights do the same. Then bowing before the king on the throne they exited back through the main throne room doors and resumed their early possessions just outside. Leaving just two to stand either side of the throne, the occasional eye flickering over to the straggles from the past just in case.

At the exit of the guards, Arthur relaxed realising that now him and his knights outnumbered the king opposite him and if things didn't turn out how he wanted then they could seize power through force. His favourite type of negotiation.

Letting out a breath he hadn't realised he had been holding, Arthur took the time to take in the appearance of the king in front of him. The composed, yet strong build of the man gave out an aurora of power and respect which going by the quick command of his guards, he held in great stead with his household. Strapped to his side was no doubt the most beautiful sword Arthur had every seen. It positively glowed with a golden colour yet seemed to at ease by the kings side. As if it had been made for the man personally.

This was a man to be feared yet his eyes held a soft warmness to them after you got past the strong exterior, Arthur wandered faintly who those eyes looked upon so fondly. Who where the lucky ones to be allowed a glimpse of that warmth.

However as quickly as the warmth was there, it vanished to be replaced with a seemingly knowing grin on the face of the man. It made Arthur grate his teeth together in annoyance, though he couldn't really fathom why.

By this point his knights had spread out so they stood by his side, each lost in their own analysis of the King sat in front of them. Say one.

"Queenie its you but much more masculine and you've got a shiner crown"

Gwaine practically shrieked.

Nobody could deny or confirm later that he was hopping up and down in a great mass of excitement as he pointed towards the two men.

Lancelot a man of ever growing manners quickly grabbed the accusing finger and lowered it back down, giving Gwaine a short reprimanding stare.

The message 'don't point its rude, especially at the king' being evident, without the need to speak.

Realisation meanwhile dawned on all faces present as glances where made between Arthur and the king sat opposite.

A king who was practically radiating amusement if the large grin was anything to go on. Arthur wondered really why he didn't just start laughing or maybe this supposed version of him had tough self control.

The throne room was suddenly filled with a loud laugh as the king lost all control and beat his hand once against the side of throne. Before returning his gaze to the group stood in front of him, tears threatening to break through.

Or maybe not.

"Of all present I didn't expect you Sir Gwaine to be the first to make the connection, however you do surprise me on many occasion, this I can say being one of those happier surprises"

The amused tone of the King, taking all their attention as a proud Gwaine crossed his arms over his chest, face full of pride.

"Wait..thats….your…me" Arthur practically squeaked in shock.

Of course being Arthur he didn't squeak, if just lost his voice for a second, the fault of the sorcery they had just encountered of course.

"How is that possible, I mean…. that would mean…we are in Camelot yes?"

The confused voice of Elyan voicing a question they all held.

"In answer to the first question yes I am King Arthur Pendragon, the same Arthur that now stands with you. Then in answer to Sir Elyan. Yes you are in Camelot but the future Camelot and in answer to how."

The king cut off to gesture to the hourglass once more.

"You were brought here by this hourglass, which last time I checked was in the quarters of a certain friend of mine, how it came into your hands I will never know, but it hardly surprises me."

Arthur didn't fail to note the hint of a smile on both the kings and guards faces as if there was a hidden joke before the king continued.

"As to why you're here, that I do not know, yet I am sure the answer will come to light with time. Also before you ask, no I do not know how to return you to your own time. Though I'm sure my friend, the owner of this trinket, might have more of an idea than me. Questions"

The king cut an end to his short speech gesturing to the group to welcome any queries they might have.

The knights and Arthur finding however that he had answered their questions remained silent, brains processing the new details they had been gifted. Lancelot however stepped forward and after giving a slight bow posed a question they had all managed to overlook.

" Excuse me Sire but when might we be able to speak to the owner of the hourglass, so as we can return to our own time aft.."

"You cant" The king promptly cut of the knight before he could continue.

" Lancelot the only owner of such an item of sorcery must belong to a sorcerer, therefore making it an illegal act and followed by an immediate execution, yet….you called him your friend"

Glancing up at the King in confusion after offering what he thought was the answer to Lancelot's question, Arthur was shocked to see a look of anger being directed at him by the king.

"No that's not why, my friend, who yes does posses magic, is currently unavailable until further notice and is not to be disturbed for the safety of everyone. You might also find this a shock Young Arthur but the use of magic is no longer banned and is actually permitted now in Camelot so you would do well to hold your tongue on matters you, are no longer knowledgably to."

The king's voice fell silent but the steel in his eyes that remained caused Arthur to lower his head slightly to avoid the mans further anger.

Clearly the king was not one to enrage, he himself just learning this. But magic allowed in the kingdom, what has possessed him to allow such an act to happen. How and why?

"Why is it a matter of safety that he not be disturbed this sorcery friend of yours"

Arthur's head shot back up at the sound of the ever elusive voice of Percival. The man never spoke at length however when he did he had the amazing ability to be heard and resolve the most unsightly situations.

The king steeled his gaze away from his glaring at Arthur to look upon the young knight. Easing his face into the more calm position it had taken upon their surprising arrival before speaking. The early anger dissolved if slightly

"He is currently in state that renders him dangerous to anyone that might accidentally come into contact with him unprepared and until this state has passed no one but…."

The king was interrupted as the throne room doors opened and a small maid rushed into the room bowing before reeling back in shock as her eyes happened upon the visitors from the past. Catching the strange looks she received she quickly straightened up a slight blush on her face clearly indicating her slight embarrassment before she spoke.

"Excuse me Sire, but the Queen bids your immediate attention. Apparently the kitchen staff spotted one of the knights setting up some sort of contraption in the lower corridors on the east of the castle and word has reached the Queen."

The king sighed loudly, rubbing his temple as his eyes knotted together in frustration.

"Thank you Mary I will come at once. Guards!"

The two guards by the throne snapped to attention.

"Keep our guests in the throne room don't let them leave until my return, I will alert the guards outside the door aswell. We will speak more later for now stay here."

Directing the last part at Arthur and his knights the king descended from his throne and departed out the throne room doors, the hourglass still in hand, the maid Mary following behind him. The guards promptly shutting the door after she passed. Leaving Arthur and his knights alone with the two remaining guards, stationed by the throne.

A few awkward moments of silence passed as each of the group looked for something to say out of all the madness that had befallen them in the last few moments of their lives. There were so many questions. Such as the lifting on the ban of magic and how they were going to get back, if they were ever going to get back, yet no one knew the right thing to say in those moments.

"Arthur, were you wearing a different crown?"

Everyone let out a nosily breath as Gwaine chose to break the silence.

His question proving no point but serving as an icebreaker.

"Well I suppose this being the future, I'm allowed some room to make adjustments to my head wardrobe so yes I suppose I was Gwaine" Arthur bit back rhetorically. Rising a snigger from Leon and Elyan.

"Well I suppose after all those years you'd need a bigger crown what with all those Sir's and your highnesses, not to mention all those feasts"

Gwaine threw back, an evil smile playing on his lips as he fiddled carelessly with a piece of curtain cord.

"Are you saying Im fat?" Came the growled reply.

"Well maybe Merlin has a bit of a poi…"

Gwaine ducked as Arthur threw a candlestick at his head. A candlestick being the only available ammo in the throne room in reach of Arthur at that time.

"Hey you…"

The guards were cut off before they could start as the curtain rail holding the drapes behind the throne came crashing down, knocking both guards out cold with a single hit.

"Opps"

The small voice of Gwaine broke through the looks of annoyance thrown at him as he stood, still twirling the piece of curtain cord from earlier, the difference being it now was unattached after its hard yank from Gwaine's early ducking skills.

"Gwaine what have we said about you fiddling and touching things that aren't yours" The sigh of Lancelot's voice causing Gwaine to throw an arm round the knight and give him a slight shoulder buff.

"That I should do it at all costs"

Came the cheeky reply.

The others not even bothering to groan in annoyance, becoming slowly used to the knights terror when left even for a second unsupervised.

Suddenly a loud distant crash was heard from outside the throne room causing them all to turn round and rush to the doors, pulling out swords just in case of a sudden appreance of attackers.

"What was that!" Arthur called as they opened the doors only to see a slightly hazy corridor with no sign of their supposed guard.

"Might I suggest we investigate Sire, after all its your castle even in the future"

Leon came to his side, gazing at Arthur in readiness for orders.

"Well future you did say to stay here but did he specify what 'here' meant?"

Gwaine joined them on Arthurs side. The knight for once making a very good point.

"I believe we might follow Gwaine's advice on this one occasion, besides I don't want to explain why two of the guards are unconscious under a curtain rail"

Gwaine smiled in triumph at Arthur's words, before wincing as Lancelot gave him a dig to the ribs.

With that said Arthur set off down the corridor his knights in close pursuit. The corridors were surprising empty, the loud noise from early obviously attracting the majority of the staff to that location. Palace gossip after all ran on the servant network. Negating there way through the castle until they reached the lower levels Arthur paused in the doorway of one of the older rooms.

"I don't think I've been down this side of the castle before"

Came the mutter of Lancelot as they drew together, leaning against the wall next to Arthur.

"It's the quieter part of the castle, more used for storage of old furniture than as room accommodation, most of them stand empty due to the fact there further away from the palace entrance then most nobles like. Further to walk."

Arthur replied steadily, preparing to move out again when the sight of guards came into view. Not to mention a very familiar looking King dragging a knight though as of yet he couldn't tell who it was.

Looking at the guards who had paused to stare at them Arthur made one quick head indication to his knights before yelling.

"Run"

With that said and with the guards in hot pursuit they ran down the length of the corridor before coming face to face with a dead end, that being a set of double doors. Running inside the knights and Arthur missed the shouts of warning as they slammed the doors shut behind them and moved out of the way as Leon and Percival shoved a nearby table up against the door barricading it from entrance.

The sound of pounding on the door soon faded as their chasers realised the follyness of the action.

"Well that was fun"

Came the gaspy laugh of Elyan as he perched himself on the end of the table.

"Did you hear them yelling and screaming for us to stop"

Came a similar giggle from Gwaine joining his fellow knight on the table top.

"Like I was going back to the throne room to be babysat by my own guards"

Joined in Arthur as they all erupted into giggles, hardy the sight of trained to kill knights but more like a group of small children.

Arthur, too caught up in his giggling, didn't mention the fact that the room they were in resembled more of a small library then an abandoned room, the light furnishings and plush chairs showing more of a lived in look than a storage room. Stranger still was the odd collection of artwork displayed on the walls.

Arthur swore he saw what appeared to one of the stocks bolted to the wall. Maybe the chase had let to much oxygen escape his brain and now the blood pumping back in was making him slightly hallucinate.

"Maybe they were yelling for a reason"

Came the voice of Percival who hadn't joined in with the laughter but was staring straight ahead, sword held in front. Ready to strike.

The laughter stopped immediately as they all turned round to see what Percival meant.

"Did...did…those globes on that fireplace mantle just swivel round?"

Came the stuttered response from Leon as they all raised their weapons once more in caution.

"Never mind that, was that fire even alight when we came in because I could of sworn…."

Gwaine never got to swore.

*Meanwhile outside the door*

"Sire we tried to warn them but they …"

"Don't worry about it just stay here in case they come out again. But whatever you do don't go in there"

Dismissing his guards and walking back towards the knight he had caught early after Gwen's summon he sighed deeply.

"Of all the places to run and hide they chose that place, I still remember what trouble happened in there to this day. How about you"

Despite the knight being in trouble for terrorising the castle yet again the King couldn't help but smile at the comment.

"With all the trouble you and Merlin give me."

The knight returned the smile heartfully, leaning up against the wall hands crossed over his chest, as his amused gaze met the kings.

"Call it keeping you on your toes"

Despite the situation the king laughed heartily at the words, clasping the shoulder of not only one of his personal knights but personal friends aswell.

"I wouldn't have it any other way. But yes I do still remember what happened in there, after all it was pretty important"

Pulling away from the knight the king stared into his friends eyes.

"So are you going to show me or am I going to have to barge that door down there open"

The knight merely stepped off the wall and made to walk past the king. But stopped to whisper quietly.

"Just this once"

With that said the knight carried on walking, the king in stride next to him, as they left the guards waiting outside the double doors on duty and disappeared down the corridor.

It seemed that the use of a nameplate was wasted on the castle as it remained unread situated above the double doors, the candle light causing it to twinkle. The guards glancing up at it, then casting worrying looks at the door, then back at the name plate. Of all the times to enter 'there' this wasn't one of them.

The candle light again reflecting off the fine lettering of the nameplate.

Court Sorcerer Chambers

So anyone have a clue on the name of the knight hmmm?

Please leave a review I thrive off feedback. Suggestions, ideas, random comments anything is appreciated =)

So what awaits in the Court sorcerer's chambers hm?

Unicornkatt

x-x