When they arrived at the boundary line to the kingdom Gwaine took his leave.

"Gwaine," Merlin said, "Where will you go now?"

"Well I'm still considering Mercia but then again I may go down to Cornwall for a while. Where ever the wind blows." He shrugged, licking a finger and holding it up to catch the wind.

"One day you will need to put down some roots."

"I know. Well one day his Lordship here will be King. Maybe then ay?"

"Thank you Gwaine for your help." said Arthur, "I am truly sorry I haven't been able to change my father mind. Safe journey."

"My liege." Gwaine replied a little cheekily, performing a half bow, whilst seated on his horse. "Merlin, try to keep out of trouble." He grinned and clapped the warlock on the back, before turning his horse and riding away.

As Arthur and Merlin reached the outlaying villages Arthur said, "Merlin. Take the long route home. You haven't seen me for days. Understand. You have been out collecting mushrooms or herbs or bark or whatever it is you do for Gaius. Do you understand?"

"Yes Arthur." Sighed Merlin theatrically. He eyed the Prince thoughtfully for a moment. "What do I get for my silence?"

"Get! What do you get?" crowed the blond, "How's not ending up in the stocks?"

"Pratt." Merlin pouted. "I was thinking more, me, you, your bath tub?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Merlin..." growled Arthur. "We will need to be careful."

"Your chambers can be locked."

"Idiot!" he snapped "Stop pouting! Fine, I have to agree it's a tempting idea. Now go away. I need to return..."

Merlin cut over him, "I know, I know, alone! I'm going."

The path forked and Merlin rode away taking the lane which would get him back to Camelot about an hour after Arthur.

Arthur spent the rest of the ride contemplating the unexpected turn his relationship with Merlin had taken. Gods. He loves me, he thought. I love him! And the sex. The whole situation was just beyond comprehension. Also kind of unexpected. He knew he had been fantasising about the brunette for some time but fantasising was one thing, actualising was another. He certainly had not even considered anything happening with Gwaine. Oh Gods it had been good. He groaned as he felt himself begin to stiffen at the reminiscence. He shifted in the saddle whishing his erection away. His mind drifted back to Merlin. His dark hair, his piercing eyes, his lean muscles and smooth skin. His tight... Arthur, he warned himself. He would be riding through the lower town shortly and needed to get rid of this. He sighed in frustration and shifted his weight again. He turned his thoughts to his father, to returning to Camelot. His father would be glad that he had succeeded and happy to have the Trident. Another prize for Uther's collection.

By now he was riding through the narrow streets of the lower town. Indignant chickens scurried out from under the hooves of his chestnut stallion causing a curse of clucks to follow his progress. The squat homes of the town's folk were well maintained and all around him they went about their busy lives, pausing to greet and bow to him as he rode by. He stopped to talk to several, enquiring about their health and that of their families.

They had made better time than he had anticipated and it was still light. He nodded to the guards on the main gate of the castle as he rode through into the court yard, his horse's hooves clattering on the cobbles. A groom rushed forward taking the reins of his horse as Arthur dismounted. He unbuckled the Trident, in its covering of un-dyed wool, from the saddle.

Walking rapidly he mounted the wide sweeping stone steps of the castle and continued on to the council chambers, greeting guards and Knights as he went.

The double doors of the chambers were opened for him and he strode into the large vaulted room. His father was seated at the head of the long wooden council table deep in conversation with several of his advisors. The late afternoon sun shone through the stained glass window behind his father casting multicoloured light over the King, the table and his attendants.

Looking up as Arthur entered Uther stood "Arthur!"

Arthur walked to the head of the table and went down on one knee before him.

"Father, my quest was successful. I have the Trident." He unwrapped the Trident and presented it to the King, then stood.

"Well done, Arthur! This is magnificent. Welcome home." He clapped his son on the shoulder and half turned to admire the artefact he held.

Satisfied he turned to Sir Leon, "Take this and lock it in the vaults."

"Yes Sire." Leon bowed and strode away.

"Dine with me Arthur. This council will be concluded soon and then I will eat."

"As you wish father." He took his seat at the table thinking that he should still be finished not long after Merlin returned.

The sun had almost set as Merlin rode sedately towards the stables. Whereas Arthur's horse was dealt with for him, Merlin was only afforded the same luxury if the situation was urgent or if he was lucky and Eban one of the younger stable lads was working. They got on well and Eban would often offer to help Merlin with his mare.

He was in luck. "Merlin!" called Eban, his voice, surprisingly deep for his age, carrying through the twilight. He stood in the lamp light falling through the stable door. Catching the gleam of light on red hair Merlin called back, "Eban. How are you?"

"Fine Merlin, thank you. Where have you been? Not seen you for a few days. The Prince is back from his quest. He succeeded. No surprise there though."

"I've been herb collecting for Gaius. So Prince Arth..." he didn't get to finish the sentence as he had ridden into the lamp light and offered Eban a look at his face which must have coloured to wonderful shades of purple, black and blue by now as Eban cut him off, "By the Gods Merlin! Do the herbs fight back these days?"

"What? Oh! Right. No. Err... Horse got spooked, bolted; I got a branch in the face." He knew his was blushing behind the bruises.

"Right." Eban said slowly looking dubiously at Merlin's sedate, dependable mare. But being Eban and kind of heart he left it at that. "I'll deal with her. You go on in."

"If you're sure you don't mind Eban, that would be great. Thank you."

He left the red head untacking the mare and talking to her gently in the comforting smells and warmth of the stables.

When he reached Gaius' chambers the Physician was just setting down his dinner bowl on the work bench-come-table. "Gaius!"

"Mer..." Looking up he took in the appearance of his young charge. "Oh, Merlin, what happened this time?"

"Bandits!" exclaimed Merlin, grinning, and then wincing as the grin hurt his nose.

Gaius served him a bowl of stew and bread, "Here, eat this. Then I'll look at your nose and you can tell me all about your adventure."

Gaius and Merlin were pondering the implications of the Fisher Kings Words. Merlin was full and had changed his clothes. After Gaius had checked the set of his nose he had taken the tincture Gaius gave his, which tasted like soap, but which was already reducing the pain and swelling.

There was a knock at the door. "Come in." Called Gaius.

A Page in the Royal livery entered. Merlin stifled a laugh at the ridiculous hat.

"His Highness, Prince Arthur, requires his manservant's attendance in his chambers immediately." He stated, before bowing and leaving them.

"Right. I better go and see what Arthur requires now." He said rolling his eyes and hoping Gaius hadn't noticed that his pulse beat faster at his throat or that a blush was growing along his high cheekbones.

"Off you go then." The Physician said, already moving towards some scrolls he had on the bench.

Merlin nearly fell over the stool in his haste to reach his Prince.