Disclaimer: I only own Zane and my plot elements.

A/N: Chapters may be a bit short, but that's just b/c I'm trying to work off the season 5 episodes, or determine where I'm going with this. Maybe AU, maybe not. I'll see where the plot and Zane take me.

A/N 2: Also, I edited the prologue and the first chapter a bit to make it flow better and avoid OOCness.

R&R!

Chapter 2: Camelot at Last!

They all sat and stared at me. The rest of the knights seemed to be somewhat believing me, however still not all. King Arthur's eyes were harsh, but it was Merlin's icy pools of blue that froze me. I felt the world darken, my body could feel itself slowing; slowing like I was freezing to death.

"Why should we believe you?" Arthur asked, barely masking the suspicion in his voice. I watched as Merlin snapped his gaze to his Liege, releasing me and allowing warmth to pervade through my veins. The treatment made my hackles rise. Were I a wolf still, I'd be snarling.

"Oh, so just because I'm a shifter means I'm untrustworthy! I'm less than human. Is that it?" They didn't react. I felt my blood boil now, and fought the urge to spring at them. This was noticed and all the knights readied to drawn swords. I ignored them. "Well, I could give a rat's ass about your precious little kingdom, but I don't! I'm looking for Emrys!" I saw a flash of shock travel across Merlin's gaze, but I disregarded it in my fury, "I could care less about you lot! I only want to be free of that bitch and her dragon! Only Emrys can stop her! Not you tin heads!" My chest heaved as I glared at them. Then the rage was gone, drained. I slumped, and felt my body shift. There were shouts of alarm and steel drawn, but all I did was lay there.

I was a fox, an abnormally large one, yes, but apparently they still relaxed after seeing it. I suppose they viewed me less a threat in my smaller size than when I'd been a wolf. The day had only just started, but was already going horribly. I could feel eyes on me, and turned to meet Merlin's gaze. The blue iris' were no longer forboding, but rather were softening as he watched me. I felt myself whine slightly. He squinted a bit, then turned to Sir Mordred, who came up to speak with him. The duo moved off to the side, away from the main group, and whispered to each other. My ears perked forward as I followed them with my eyes to listen in.

"Did you know about her?" Merlin slowly asked the knight. The younger man shook his head.

"Never. She must be significant if Morgana didn't even share the plan with me. However, I believe she speaks nothing but the truth." He glanced my way, but I closed my eyes to feign ignorance. Relying on my hearing, I listened to them continue. "And, if she's looking for Emrys, then something has to be done. We need to take her with us to Camelot. She could give us an advantage over Morgana."

"Or it's a trap, waiting for us to do just that. If this girl can shift, what's to stop her from taking on a form that could destroy the kingdom? You know this is the sort of thing Morgana loves to plan." Merlin was cautious, and I could hear a strange power trying to overflow into his words. It was like lights exploding with every syllable, but it was contained behind a stonewall, as if fearing it would of set the world on fire. There was also something else in his tone. It was as if he were reluctantly speaking with the druid, like he didn't really trust him. Not that I'd hold it against him, the druid had been the closest thing to a friend Morgana had. So, what was he doing here, really? And why did it seem like Merlin knew him for what he was? Was Merlin hiding something too? Since the Great Purge, those with magic never casually counseled with those who didn't possess it. Thinking this made me wonder.

Maybe Merlin knows where Emrys is. Or can help me find him. I'd rather ask for his help over Mordred's any day. The thought comforted me. I liked having more favorable options at my disposal. I realized then that the two had stopped talking, and opened my eyes. They were rejoining the rest. Merlin spoke to Arthur.

"Sire, I believe we should have her travel with us the rest of the way. Or at least until we near the border, where we can decide if she's telling the truth." The other knights exchanged glances, generally agreeing with the proposition, but waited for their sovereign to decide. Arthur took a deep breath, looking at me, debating. I sat up onto my haunches. I tucked my tail to my side, keeping my head low and ears down, maintaining a pose of submission to the alpha male. He had to allow me to reach Camelot if I ever wanted to find Emrys.

"Fine." He announced, "We might as well. If there is yet a sorcerer in Camelot powerful enough to cause such fear in Morgana, then I want to know about them. Their rivalry cannot be allowed to cause harm. Her hatred for me causes enough pain." With those hard words, he strode up to me. "You will immediately resume human form, whereupon we will proceed to the border." I bobbed my head in reply, and began to shift, but stopped. I remembered I lost clothes when I shifted. Expelling a sound that sounded like a mewl, I ran abruptly behind a tree, and stuck my head out to look at them. Their hands were once more on the hilts of their swords, but I ignored that. Realizing, and thanking the gods, that they would remain back for the moment I shifted.

"Um…" I muttered, keeping behind the tree. "Could someone lend me clothes again. Whenever I shift, if I'm wearing any, they disappear." My blush flamed, matching the color of my hair. "Unless you allow me to shift back into a wolf? Or, even a bunny rabbit, if you're really so worried about me attacking." I bit my lip in embarrassment, trying to ignore the cold air breezing over my bare skin. The men startled, except Sir Gwaine, who opened his mouth to say something, only to have Sir Elyan whack him upside the head before he could.

Arthur shook his head, "No. You must remain human." He turned to Merlin.

"Well, you heard her. Find her some clothes." The manservant rolled his eyes, and went to the packs lying around the campfire, grabbing some long bandages, boots, tunic, and pants. Ignoring Gwaine's snickering, he walked back to me, proffering the clothing at arm's length. His ears were bright red.

"Here you go. Try not to lose these too." He coughed uncomfortably. I gave a small smile of thanks and snaked out a hand to snatch them. Disappearing from view. Thankful for his inspiration to give me the bandages I could bind my chest with, I quickly dressed. Trying on the boots, and finding them just right, as I'd always had abnormally large feet for a woman, I strode out from behind my cover.

The men had spent my time changing by finishing packing up the campsite; and were securing the packs onto the horses. I realized I'd have to ride with someone, and tried not to groan out of annoyance. Why couldn't they just let me run along side them? Sir Gwaine stepped away from his horse upon seeing me, and winked.

"Well, how are the boots and tunic. Merlin stole them from me, so don't loose them, or you owe me." I rolled my eyes at him, ignoring the flirting.

"Do you make it a habit to flirt with all prisoners, or is it just anything that happens to be female and moves?" he gaped at me and I turned away grumbling at the bizarre treatment. Can't these men just make up their minds! Am I a threat or not? Uhg.

King Arthur caught my attention. "Zane," he commanded, "You will ride with Sir Percival." The knight grunted in reply to his King, and helped me onto the horse, before bringing himself up to sit behind me. Even at 5'6", I was small, my head reaching just below his chin. His muscular arms flexed as they grasped the reins. I tried to ignore the feel of his chest meeting my back, even through the armor and chainmail. We didn't speak. Once everyone was mounted Arthur took the lead with Merlin, "Alright. We should reach the city by nightfall. Fall out, into formation."

The horse lurched forward, and we galloped into the forest.

Just as the sun began setting, a great Castle and wall met my vision as we crested a hill. Camelot shone majestically in the fading rays, and I felt my blood quicken. Emrys was there. It was as if I could feel his presence in my bones. I realized I must've gasped out loud, when a deep chuckle vibrated from behind. Sir Percival and I had spent much of the ride making small talk, as we both hated awkward silences, and he knew how anxious I'd been to see the city.

"Nothing else I've ever seen in all of Albion, is as glorious as Camelot." He spoke reverently. I could only nod mutely in awe. I was one step closer to my goal, and the relief left me unable to resist looking back to meet his gaze with a huge smile.

"Indeed. Nothing else could possibly compare." I agreed. The giant blushed slightly and broke into another boat of chuckling. The moment was broken by a call from Arthur.

"Hurry men. We may make it in time for dinner with the rest of the Castle." And spurred his steed ahead once more, Merlin ever at his heels like a living, protective shadow. Sir Percival prompted his own horse forward, and I resisted squirming with anticipation, as the city grew ever closer on the horizon.

R&R please!