Part 4

The knights pushed their horses faster through the forest, The brambles and tree's flying past their visions in a blur as they kept their heads low and powered back towards Camelot. The mud track had turned into the dusty stone road which led to the citadel long ago, So they weren't as far away now as they had travelled. Gwaine remained determined as he rode with as much speed his horse could muster back towards the castle; Mordred assumed it was because of the worry which was slowly engulfing him about Merlin. Leon and Percival trailed behind, However they still held the same determination to get back to Camelot and find out about the servants whereabouts. Although Mordred suspected Leon's intentions were more for the King and Queens benefits than his own.

Either way no-one could deny the worry which was evident on the knights faces for their friend's wellbeing. A friend Mordred may have just condemned to a slow and painful death. Trailing even further at the back Mordred kept his head low as a numb feeling greeted his body. His eyes were glazed over as he stared into nothingness before him. Nothing but the cold eye's Merlin had glared at him within his last moments of consciousness.

The servant hadn't trusted him from the moment their eyes had met again; Warm blue on cold blue. Good on Evil. Or rather as Mordred preferred to be known as; 'misunderstood'. But however much the young druid boy argued about it, Mordred felt the same void separating the possibility of merlin and himself becoming friends. A void filled with both of their darkest memories; The warlocks deceit, deception and lies and his own betrayal to Emrys name and passion. But however much he tried to prove to Merlin that he had changed, the older man had turned him away.

"Were here!" Gwaine shouted ahead as he knocked Mordred away from his reverie, His eyes widening at the sight of the tall towers of Camelot. Instantly the feeling of dread and guilt passed over him in a wave once more. He was going to have to lie to Arthur.

"Ride faster- We must get to the king" Leon shouted back to Gwaine as the knight pushed his horse ever faster, Percival nodded as he joined the small group. Their horses powering off into the distance as they headed into Camelot. Mordred nodded as-well, pausing before he sent off his own horse after the men. Stopping it the young druid boy turned his horse to the side. His eyes staring back off into the forest and its emptiness; the same emptiness which had filled the warlock's eyes.

"I had to do it Merlin" Mordred stated as he bit the inside of his mouth, "I hope you'll understand". Sighing the young knight turned back to the road, spurring his horse once more as he headed into the centre of Camelot.

The road gradually gained stalls and shop's, filling with people as the druid knight was forced to slow his horse for the bustling streets. Crossing the wooden bridge into the courtyard the sounds of wood clattering filled the air, masking the whines of the small children who stared in awe at the passing knight. Smiling at his surroundings the young man trotted forwards, Watching as Gwaine and the other knights dismounted their horses and handed them to the stable hands. Bright veils of sunlight reflected off the stained glass windows, flittering over the chainmail of men as the pretence of magnificence smothered the kingdom. But before anyone could dare breathe a word, Gwaine had powered off up the stairs and towards the physician's chambers.

"What happened to you back there Mordred?" Leon asked as he smiled towards the young knight, Percival glanced over also as the dark haired boy dismounted alike his friends and handed over his reins,

"Did we ride too fast for you?" Percival teased as he hooked his thumbs over his leather belt and smirked, Mordred shrugged as he looked between the two men.

"A woman asked for help- She needed me to point her in the direction of the nearest village-"Mordred muttered as he stared at them. 'Lie'.

"Well its good you could catch up" Leon stated as he began to fiddle with the fastenings on his horse, His hands latching around his sword as he pulled it away from the animal and gestured for it to be taken away by a servant. "it would be better if we announced our findings to the king together-"

With that the three of them turned on their heel, marching up the stairs of Camelot slowly as they carried their belongings from the long patrols ride. "Any sign of Merlin?" Mordred questioned as he felt the silence which hung in the air between them begin to suffocate him.

"That's where Gwaine has gone to find out about" Percival commented as he leaned over to the younger man, "We decided it would probably be best for us three to present our findings"

"Unless you would like to go with him Mordred?" Leon asked as he raised an eyebrow. Biting the inside of his lip the young man shook his head slowly before forcing a slightly cold smile onto his features.

"No-" Mordred paused as he sighed, The group turning into the corridors as they marched down past the bleach stone walls. "He's probably still in bed knowing Merlin-"

"Lets hope not" Percival murmured under his breath as they turned down another corridor and towards the kings council chambers, where a crowd was already brimming, "For Merlin's sake let alone the King's"

Laughing Mordred moved away as Leon clasped Percival on the shoulder and the group slowed as they waited behind the group of councillors which slowly filled into the room. The young druid stared at the elderly men as they hobbled forwards, their hands clasping books and pieces of parchment as they inclined their heads at the presence of the King. Slowly but surely the room filled, with the three knights being the last ones to enter the council chambers. Before wandering forwards Mordred ran his hands over his chainmail as he made himself presentable once last time. His hands checking his fastening of his cloak as he sighed slowly. Following Leon, the young knight stood beside his friends as they stepped forwards and through the large doors, His breathe wavering in awe as he held his head high, and stood before his king.

King Arthur sat before them; His head resting back against his throne as he leaned forwards in anticipation. Queen Guinevere was by his side as she smiled to herself; Her hands locked together and resting over the lap of her newly tailored dress. "Sire" Mordred and the Knights muttered as they inclined their heads slowly. Arthur waved away the gesture as his eyes met with Mordred's, A small proud smile filling his face as he nodded to the young man. Instantly dread filled the dark haired knights being, His mouth twitching slightly as he nodded back with his own heartless smile.

"Sir Leon, Percival-" Arthur paused, "Mordred, I hear the scout was eventful?"

Deciding he could not face the king, Mordred allowed his eyes to wander upwards to the stained glass windows. The light from outside filtering through and filling the room with colour from the images of long since gone king's. Uther's own image was among one of the windows, A dark, cold smile painted across his cold face as he looked down upon what was known as the great purge. Clenching his fists Mordred glanced away, His eyes slightly watered as he sighed slowly. Uther's legacy didn't matter any longer, As already Arthur was changing the way the kingdom stood. For already druids didn't have to live in the same fear as he had done for most of his life. Arthur was different, and destined to be the greatest King that had ever lived.

"Yes" Leon stated knocking Mordred from his reverie, Turning the dark haired knight nodded in agreement as he clasped his hands together and stood straighter. "We were scouting ahead when we heard a loud clash-"

"It was made by the use of sorcery" Percival added as he glanced around the room. Slowly the elders muttered as they exchanged scared glances, their head inclined forwards as some of them peered into books.

"Sorcery?" Gwen asked as she leaned forwards, Her eyes slightly widened as she looked concerned. "Did you find anyone?"

"No-" Mordred quickly cut through as he glanced across to the two knights before him, "N-No" He said again slowly. "We scouted but we saw nothing. Whoever it was had gone as quickly as they had come"

Gwen leaned backwards as she visibly relaxed, Her hands loosening on her fabric as she sighed aloud and for all to hear. "Well it is good that they did not find you then", Smiling the Queen glanced across to Arthur as she slipped her hands within his and the meeting continued.

"Was there no tracks?" Arthur questioned as he squeezed his wife's hand lightly,

"No Sire-" Percival muttered, "Not where I scouted that is-"

"It was too late to check for tracks sire-" Leon added to the explanation, "Instead we rode back for Camelot as quickly as possible"

"I am glad" Arthur stated as he sighed, His hands rubbing against his forehead slowly. "Thankyou- You may retire-"

Mordred smirked slightly as he sighed, some of the elders beginning to leave the room at the false notification. Relieved that the topic of Merlin was not mentioned the man turned to leave, However it was as he went to move that the one thing he had been trying to avoid was brought up once more.

"However-" Leon stalled as Mordred stopped and turned once more, His eyes slightly widened. The elders continued to leave the throne room as they filled away slowly.

"What is it?" Arthur asked as he leaned forwards once more, Gwen also intrigued as her eyebrow rose slowly.

"Yes Sir Leon?" Gwen asked again as the knights glanced around at themselves, pleading one or the other to reveal what they had assumed.

Suddenly the oak doors had opened again and Gwaine came stumbling in, His breathe shortened and panicked as he glanced around the room in fear. Growling the man turned around on the spot in frustration, his fists clenched as Gaius slowly scurried in after him.

"I am sorry I am late sire-" Gaius apologised as he stumbled forwards, "Only Sir Gwaine came to see me-"

"Its fine" Arthur smiled, His face changed from concern to being amused as he raised a finger. "In-fact while you're here- do you have any idea where Merlin has bumbled off to, The idiot hasn't been in to work for days-"

"I told you-" Gwen stated sternly at the king as she crossed her arms and pulled away her hand, "He is probably out in the woods or something Arthur- Give Merlin a break-"

"No Sire-" Gaius paused as he cut off the Queen, His eyes filled with forgiveness and concern as he glanced across to Gwaine who's eyes had widened even more. "In-fact I had assumed Merlin had returned to work"

"No" Arthur stated, His eyes narrowing as concern also reflected across his own demeanour, In-fact Mordred sensed everyone within the room tense upwards at the worrying conversation. Everyone but the Queen. "Gwen and I had both assumed he was helping you-"

"I haven't seen Merlin since he left for the forest a few days ago sire-" Gaius muttered as his hands locked together and he began to fiddle with the rim of his tunic. Mordred bit the inside of his cheek as he turned his head towards Gwaine who had wandered forwards and closer to the oak table which was now empty from occupants.

"We found Merlin in the forest the other day" Gwaine stated as he turned from the king then to Mordred, "But he wandered off in the middle of the night after Mordred allowed him to"

All eyes turned to the knight as Mordred raised his hands upwards in defence, His eyes slightly widened, "Merlin said he had something important to do-"

"Was he on his own?" Gwen asked as she glanced between the men slowly,

"Yes" Percival confirmed emotionless as his head dipped slightly, Nodding Gwen turned her head away as a small smile swept across her features. Disappearing as soon as it had appeared.

"We were looking for him when the clash happened…" Leon trailed onwards as Arthur's eyes widened even more. "We were by what we thought was his camp when it happened, It must have been only a few metres away" Mordred sighed as he stepped slightly away. Standing upwards the King pushed back his throne as he glanced around the room slowly, Gwen also rising from her seat as she wrapped an arm around the kings shoulders and squeezed him reassuringly.

"And you're saying he still hasn't returned?" Arthur asked as he stared in the elder's direction. Gaius nodded slowly as he also stumbled forwards. Rolling his eyes Arthur pulled away from Gwen as he turned and began walking slowly towards the oak doors, "That's it- I'm going after him"

"Arthur!" Gwen exclaimed as she followed the king, "He is probably fine-" She exclaimed as her hands latched onto her dress, lifting it off the ground as he rushed forwards.

"No offence M'lady but if Merlin was fine he would have returned by now" Gwaine commented as he followed Arthur, A small determined smile on his face.

"He's probably at a tavern or something- You said so yourself" Gwen trailed again as she reached outwards and grabbed the king's hand. Spinning around Arthur stared at the woman before him as she moved forwards slowly, Her eyes wide and watering as she allowed her other hand to lace with his tightly. "Please Arthur- For all we know that sorcerer is still out there-"

"And so is Merlin" Arthur confirmed as he sighed as he stepped forwards, His hands rubbing over Gwen's arms as he leaned ever closer. "Merlin would do the same for both of us-"

"And I promise he wouldn't be going alone" Gwaine smirked with a wink as he walked forwards towards the couple, Percival and Leon doing the same as their hands rested on their hilts of their swords as they smirked in defiance. Standing behind them all Mordred wandered forwards slowly, His eyes on the ground as he slowly allowed them to meet Arthur's once more.

"Perhaps Guinevere is right" Mordred stalled as he looked around the knights, "If Merlin is out there then he wouldn't want you getting into trouble Arthur"

Arthur tilted his head to the side as Gwen nodded frantically, "He's right Arthur- It is too dangerous, By the time you get there it will be nightfall" The Queen paused as she allowed her hands to trail up his arm and to his cheek, where she stroked it slowly. "At-least wait until morning- For me"

Glancing between Gwen and Gaius the king sighed as he stepped backwards, His head dropping slowly as he nodded. "Okay-" Turning around he locked gazes with his knights, "Begin preparations- We ride at first light"

"But the tracks may be-" Gwaine began however Arthur cut him off as he raised his hand,

"Guinevere and Mordred are right- By the time we arrive it will be nightfall" Arthur stated, "We are no help to Merlin by being sitting targets"

Grumbling Gwaine shook his head as he stormed out of the chambers, Leon and Percival following as Mordred hung back, His feet shuffling away into the shadows slowly as he also made his way for the door more discreetly, The last thing he wished for was to be confronted by Arthur. Slowly Mordred moved, His eyes watching intently as Gaius hobbled towards the door himself. He was almost gone when Arthur turned and grabbed the older man by the arm, Bringing him closer as he smiled with a hopeful look.

"I promise I will bring him back Gaius"

"I know you will" Gaius smiled with the same reassurance, His eyes slowly dropping to Gwen's as they narrowed ever so slightly. "I know…"

Leaving Gaius hobbled off and away from the room, Mordred following the older man as he also left the king and queen alone to discuss what had just happened. Brimming in his thoughts the younger knight paced forwards; He needed a plan. If Arthur and the knights were to find the tracks then they would be led straight towards the trap made by Morgana, They would all be doomed to fate. If he hid the tracks and evidence then Merlin would have disappeared without a trace, Even though the servant would be left to Morgana at-least the King would be safe. There also wouldn't be suspicion upon himself as one of the causes of the predicament. Sighing he barged ahead with such pace that he abruptly overtook his elder, almost sending Gaius to his knees.

"Mordred" Gaius exclaimed as he smiled at the younger knight, "Id like to thankyou- For helping look for Merlin"

Mordred cursed to himself as he nodded slowly, turning to make his leave before the older man caught his elbow once more. "What is it my boy, You seem conflicted"

Mordred sighed as he shook his head slightly, "I am" He admitted suddenly as he allowed his head to dip.

"May I help?" Gaius pondered as he began to walk slowly, Mordred beside him as the younger knight shook his head once more, His stormy blue eyes locked ahead intently as he stared into the wall.

"No" He answered simply, "I wouldn't want to trouble you with my affliction"

"It is fine" Gaius smiled as he patted the younger man on the shoulder as they neared a split in the corridor, Two paths leading off in opposite directions. Stopping Gaius turned around to face the knight once more, "Merlin used to do exactly the same as you when he was your age, I trust your judgement Mordred, You have already proven yourself to have the kings best interests at heart. Whatever the problem is- I am sure you will make the right decision"

Smiling a heartless smile Mordred nodded his thanks, As Gaius smirked slowly to himself, His heal turning as he hobbled off down a brightly lit corridor, windows filling the walls as it allowed the days sunshine flitter across the bleach stone. Mordred brought a hand across his face as he turned and rested his head against the cool stone, "That is the thing" He muttered to himself, "Each decision has its own consequences"

Frustrated the man kicked away, His head turning as he took himself down the opposite more darker corridor. Its walls filled with no windows but the dark tapestries of the king's, Brackets of unlit torches clinging to the walls as the shadows wrapped around them. Slowly the young knight marched onwards, dissipating into the shadows as if he were night itself. He had made his choice.