Gwaine

Gwaine's feet sloshed into what was knee-deep mud. A God damn swamp that's what it was. He groaned in frustration as he forced himself to trudge forward. Seriously, thought Gwaine angrily to himself, had the Princess gone mad? What was this quest for again? Some stupid Gauntlet? He wanted what, to add to his prized collection? Was this Arthur without Merlin around?

Merlin had left for Ealdor to see his ill mother and for the three weeks that he was gone, King Arthur had slowly become more like his father. It was rather astounding on how arrogant the King had become, and while at first it was annoying, it had become rather unsettling as well.

There had been a part of him that would stare at Arthur at his orders, trying to figure out if really, that was what he really meant. But he could see nothing but resolve in the man's eyes. Gwaine had thought perhaps the strain of all the treaty negotiations was making the man seemed more colder than usual. But regardless of the strain he may have felt, to disband his Knights of the Round table and have them fetch what he called, "Prized Articles of Camelot," made so little sense that all of the Knights had protested.

This in turn had led Arthur to turn angry and the reminder of the Knight's code.

Damn that Knight's code, thought Gwaine. To him, he'd never wanted to be become a Knight of any Round Table. But in the end he had sworn into it, at first it was because of Merlin. That boy had managed to get under his skin, reminded him of loyalty and chivalry, something he had thought had long died in him. And it was through Merlin that he saw that the princess of a crown prince then, was worthy to be a friend as well as the future ruler of Camelot.

And then it became second nature to protect Arthur, for he was righteous, so much more than Uther ever was. There was hope in him, Merlin could see it then, and with his nudging, Gwaine saw it as well. Protect the King, protect the future of Camelot.

But that was that King. That then was the Arthur Gwaine recognized, the one that would prattle on with Merlin and joke with the Knights. It was not this new Arthur, one who looked to increase his vaults with rare items from across Kingdoms, risking even war. Did it even make sense? Treaties were made to refrain from war. Yet here they were, setting out, stowing into the night to steal something back to Camelot that was not theirs to begin with.

Gwaine seriously had doubts about the King and if at all he was in his right mind. So much to a point where he had started a letter to deliver to Merlin and Gaius, stating his concerns about the state of mind of the King. As arrogant as the Princess was on a normal basis, this was taken a bit too far. He'd been meaning to deliver it, but ironically it was a night at the Tavern that had led him to miss sending the letter. He'd woken up at the Tavern still, though he'd not remembered drinking all that much. Despite it all, his greatest regret of course he had missed his chance to figure out what the hell was wrong with their King. The very next day, Arthur had ordered them to lead these quests.

At least Gwaine wasn't suffering the ridiculous trek alone, he had his mate Leon to chat with. Though at the moment, the man was anything but chatty. The normally stoic and impassive Sir Leon was cursing as he pulled through the swampish gook they were walking through. His fellow comrade looked worn and more so, he was anguished as well. Sir Leon had been the closest Knight to Arthur for the longest of times. It must have stung to have to see his Lord and friend turn this way, like a reflection of King Uther.

No, Gwaine decided, this wasn't possible. Whatever they had to do to finish this 'quest', they would do, but then they would return, and he would find out exactly what was going on with Arthur. He'd talk to Merlin and Gaius and find a solution. They had to. This was not the path of Camelot.

"Let's get a move on this!" Called Gwaine to the remaining three Knights behind him. There was a grumble but the movement was swifter. Now he only hoped whatever was happening back in Camelot wasn't anymore crazier then this and that his two fellow Knights, Percival and Elyan were successful with their dangerous assignment.

Percival

By the Gods, this was insane. Percival looked to Elyan who nodded in affirmation, not that it was insane, but that he was ready. To literally lunge from where he was to the third tower. Missing it would mean a fall of nearly 12 feet below. This was their third try in scaling the tower. While one could simply have just attached a rope and anchored upwards, this 3rd tower was particularly fickle, the tower's bricks tended to crack in multiple parts when any attempt to insert a nail or anchor to it. They'd discovered it the hard way when Sir Hedwig had fallen after attempting it. Thankfully he wasn't too injured, but he wouldn't be doing much climbing for the next while. The only solution they could do was to use the leap from the 2nd tower to the third.

The two of them, along with three other Knights below them acting as spotters, had been sent through Lots Kingdom to bring back a prized armor that Arthur wanted to add to his vaults. Percival had shaken his head at his King's words. Adding artifacts? Risking war by going through their territories and stealing from them? And right after signing a new treaty?

It made no sense. None whatsoever. But they had little chance to argue the point with Arthur because he had already made the arrangements. And even split the Knights up. Percival just wanted the task done and to return to Camelot. There was something ailing their King, something on his mind perhaps. It was not like him to act so rashfully, and so much like his father, Uther.

"Elyan, make to grab that brick jutting out 1 o'clock to the right. You can do this."

Elyan nodded, too concentrated to speak.

His friend made the leap. There was a gripping moment Percival could see Elyan loose his balance, but it was only a moment and then he had a solid hold on the other tower. Yes. They were close now. Well,closer. Elyan moved upwards a few more paces before he gave Percival the signal. Now it was his turn.

Percival took the leap without a moments hesitation. His last thoughts on his mind were that that his fellow Knights Gwaine and Leon were doing well on their quest.