ok i know i suck. i'd say i'm sorry but i feel my appologies are starting to sound instead i bring you the gift of a new cannon character! woohoo! i think the title of the chapter gives it away, also more charactor exploration. merlin still doesn't belong to me, this storyline does though. also, i sort of editied this in a rush so if you find any mistakes, um sorry? i guess? i really hope you like this chapter.


Uthur was stood looking out of the window of his ready room off the bridge; Morganna was stood next to him looking tired. The ship-king turned to his daughter. "How are you feeling after last nights events?" Morganna continued to look out of the window at the stars streaming past and the fleet of ships around them. She took a moment to sort her mind out, to decide what she would tell her father, because there were two things she knew he would not like. The first, that Merlin had magic, a lot of it. She had known he was hiding something but then when she and Arthur had been in danger she had felt a euphoric rise in the levels of magic in the room and it had come from Merlin, everyone else assumed Merlin's oddness his secret was that he knew how to fight, Morganna decided not to correct them. The second thing was something that worried her even more. She had teased her brother about his burgeoning feelings for Merlin, so it irked her that two seconds contact with his friend Will had sparked warmth in her heart, her heart that she tried to keep cool and detached. Damn farm boys showing up and turning things upside down. She frowned briefly and then finally answered her father.

"I was a little shaken but Will gave me something for the shock" uthur frowned at her answer. "Will? Surely Gaius should have treated you! You are the princess of this ship and the most important person in the fleet." Morganna tried not to be annoyed by her father; he was an old fashioned kind of man and didn't seam to understand that there were some cases where his subject's family came first. Morganna chose sarcasm. "Yes because it isn't like his only nephew had a stab wound in his shoulder. A wound he gained saving your sons life, no my being slightly panicked was far more important." Uthur actually laughed at her answer realising what she meant. The point was hammered home when she finished quietly "to him, Merlin is the most important person in the fleet. He's the son he will never have." The king looked out silently watching the fleet around and them, he turned slightly looking ahead, when the fleet had set off Camelot had been their first to leave many referred to it as the 'flagship' even thought there was no official flagship, it meant that other ship-kings were always trying to weasel their way into his position trying to claim Camelot for themselves, it meant that uthur had to be tough and forceful it meant that he couldn't afford to be to soft.

"The fighting thing, is that what you were having trouble pinpointing about the new arrivals?" Uthur asked finally bringing himself out of his thoughts. Morganna leant back against to wall so she was facing him. "I believe it could be yes. Merlin is hiding something more, well he thinks he is but it isn't anything of consequence." Uthur raised an eye brow intrigued to know now what else the enigmatic assistant might be hiding. He gave Morganna one of his more determined looks a look that told her to tell him anyway. "Like I said it is of little consequence, it's just that, he likes men. Will knows, I get the feeling Will protected Merlin from homophobes while Merlin protected will from people teasing him about his crippled father." Uthur nodded, Merlin's sexuality would only become a problem if the prince found out and got distracted from his duties. The ability to fight though, that could pose a problem if, "are they spies for Cenred?" uthur asked out loud. A new voice spoke from the doorway.

Gaius spoke as he stepped into the room. "I very much doubt it, Wills father wasn't crippled in a fight or a battle, he was cripple because he refused to kill my sister after she killed man in self defence, Cenred didn't like having his orders disobeyed so he slashed both of grahams Achilles tendons and pulverised his knee caps, he never ventures below Acetia's citadel, so it was quite easy for graham and Will to take refuge in ealdor. In short, neither boy has any love for their so called king, it is one of the reasons they came hear so readily, they know you to be a good but tough king." Uthur nodded at Gaius's words, his expression turned thoughtful briefly, he would never speak out against another king in public or out loud, but he had always found Cenred to be a repellent man, uthur could be cruel and heartless yes, he could admit that much but it was only ever towards the abominations and their sympathisers, but for Cenred to do that to one of his own knights? What sort of a man did that? The king's thoughts turned to Merlin's mother, Gaius hadn't had to say what she was defending herself against, a woman of her age, un married in the company of belittled horny older men, for Cenred to seek her execution after she had escaped being abused? What sort of man, did that. Not an honourable man.

"Will Merlin's mother be ok on her own?" Morganna asked clearly having had a similar through process to her father's. Gaius smiled ruefully, "whoever said she was alone? After what she did for will's father, taking care of him nursing him back to a semblance of health and the success she has made of the farm? The entire hab-deck loves her dearly, they see her as a sister, in some cases a mother, I know she was the mother will never had, when they arrived the boys told me that Hunith and graham were going to check up on each other and look after each other." Morganna laughed loudly causing both of her companions to look at her like she was mad finally she calmed down enough to speak. "So do the boys know that their parents are thinking of marrying each other?" Gaius's eyebrows shot up and uthur coughed uncomfortably.

"Sorry I assumed you had come to that conclusion yourself."

"Well yes, it isn't set in stone though so don't mention it near the boy's"

"Why not?"

Gaius sighed and paced back and forth for a moment before he spoke again. "Hunith never divorced Merlin's father, they were married on earth, he went on a different ship. They haven't seen each other since, I fear she is still holding onto the hope he will return one day." Morganna listened to the explanation and decided not to comment on the fact that a lot had been left out, Gaius was the only one who knew of her magic, it was he who taught her how to hide it, and disguise it for intuition. But her magic gave her free reign of everyone's emotions and through processes, even when focusing on not reading minds she could sense if someone was lying or holding something back, and Gaius was leaving a pretty important fact out, she didn't bother pushing her luck to take a peek inside his head, she and long ago learned that Gaius thought entirely in Latin, and backwards, even if she did try and take his secrets by force all she would get is gibberish.

"Why did her husband go on a different ship to them? What is his job" uthur asked sounding more accusatory than he had intended. "Benedict worked with fire. he was also an expert in energy forces. He was needed to head up the furnace team on a different ship. I can't remember which one it was now." Gaius answered, avoiding Morganna's eyes, he had practically delivered her another of Merlin's secrets unintentionally if her paid attention, Morganna gasped and her father faced her with an inquisitive expression. she covered it up by turning the gasp into a sound of sadness. "It must have been so hard in those days, having to go where you were needed even if It meant leaving your wife and unborn child" uthur hugged his daughter locking his eyes on Gaius. "How is Merlin? Will he be healed enough to return to his duties tomorrow?" Gaius nodded. "Yes I should think so, I hope so. The boy is tougher than he looks. Judging by the scars he has I'd say it's a theory he has tested repeatedly, either that or he really is just very clumsy" they all smiled at that before Gaius turned and left the room leaving the king and princess alone again.


There was a long silence before uthur spoke up.

"I'm not entirely blind you know, I can tell Arthur is struggling against his feelings and I saw the way you looked at William, I can't say I'm ecstatic at your choices but if they prove themselves worthy and I can't find a suitable lord for you and lady for Arthur I may consider the possibility of them maybe courting the two of you. A marriage of convenience would be more prosperous though." Morganna laughed at her fathers words. apparently he was aware of the little things, he evidently just chose to bulldoze over them. "don't worry father, Arthur and I both know our duty is to the ship first, but please keep in mind how much you loved your queen's would you rob your own children of the chance to find that?" with those gentle words she kissed his cheek and left the king to his thoughts.

as she left the room she was greeted by Gwen who was skipping from foot to foot. Morganna slung her arm round her assistant and friend and the two of them set off down the corridor gossiping about a lot of things, but some how the conversation was always steered back to the same point by Gwen. "Have you heard about the new potential knight? All the courtiers have been talking about him apparently his swordsmanship rivals even Arthur! Can you imagine such a thing?" Gwen said excitedly. Morganna laughed well naturedly.

"You sound excited Gwen, we best go and see what all the fuss is about, besides I'll need to asses him sooner or later anyway." Gwen smiled brightly and tugged on her friend's arm pulling the princess down t he corridor towards the gymnasium where the new knight was rumoured to be training. Gwen laughed as the princess complained about having to run in high heals and how "this dress was not designed for running" eventually they reached the doorway to the gym and paused to catch their breath.


Lancelot was in the corner of the gym focused entirely on the punch bag he was using, He'd developed a rhythm, Punch, punch, knee, punch, and kick, then repeat. He knew people were watching him, new potential knights were a rare thing at the moment, the way the colony had grown meant there were not many young men of his age, and those there were often were more needed working as labour or engineers in the ships vast engine rooms. So anyone who had reached a stage where they would be considered was already a talking point. A large man stepped forwards and spoke in a gruff voice. "Hey if you want a real challenge, I'll spar with you." Lancelot stopped the punch bag from spinning and looked at the man. "That's very kind of you sir, but I wouldn't want to harm one of Camelot's finest." He smiled politely and turned back towards his punch bag but the new arrival placed a heavy hand on his shoulder and spun him around roughly, gritting his teeth the man spoke again. "Listen pretty boy, I am I knight of Camelot and I require a living punch bag, you are just some commoner with delusions of grandeur, if you spar with me perhaps you might learn something." Lancelot smiled again, finally noticing the gathered crowd he spoke up. "But of course I can not refuse the polite request of a knight of Camelot, but once again sire I apologise for any accidental harm that comes to you, in the course of our sparing." The knight walked out onto the sparing mat and Lancelot followed. The two men bowed out of respect before the taller bulkier one ran forward and threw out a punch, Lancelot stayed perfectly still until the last moment before moving slightly to his side and snapping out a short precise punch to the mans ribs.

"That was a lucky shot." The broader man said as he flicked a kick to Lancelot's side. Lancelot used the momentum of the impact to spin round and deliver a kick of his own. the two men circled for a bit before Lancelot sighed and just said, "enough" suddenly he ran forward and spun round kicking the man in the stomach, the taller man bent over slightly and received a punch to the side of his face he fell down on one knee, Lancelot delivered a simple chop to the back of his neck, his opponent fell to the floor in a heap. But instead of gloating or revelling in his success Lancelot picked his opponent up and checked he was alright. "sorry sir, I'm not used to fighting in a controlled arena I'm used to fighting for survival, I hope I haven't done lasting damage" he said humbly, the knight he had fought looked at him with unfocussed eyes and let out a pained chuckle. "None that I didn't need I'm sure." Lancelot laughed at that and helped the man to his feet. "There's something about you Mr. DuLac, I can't quite put my finger on it, Callum, sir callum. I look forward to working with you if you pass the prince's test." Lancelot nodded at the knight's words moving him towards the door. "Thank you sir, that means a lot, but I go by lake, dulac is the name my adoptive father gave me and it always sounds kind of ponsey to me." Sir callum laughed at that and pushed the door open "Lancelot lake it is then," he said with a smile. as they left the room the new comer supporting the limping knight, lancelot glanced to the side and locked eyes briefly with the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, her hair fell in dark curls and her brown eyes held a kindness in them, he felt his breath stick and left the room before she stole his breath entirely.

Gwen looked at the new arrival briefly and felt the universe pause. In that brief moment she knew. Clearing her throat she turned to Morganna and spoke in a purposefully steady tone. "So what is your initial analysis?" Morganna laughed lightly before answering.

"born to a regular 'common family, his underlying accent is of the boarders, his family were killed in a raid or an outside attack, he was taken in by an eccentric lord, he wasn't loved though, he was an experiment, his fighting style is that of a brawler, but it is significantly crisper and more precise. Analysis initially is he is a tailor made knight." Morganna noticed that Gwen was trying not to laugh. "All of that from a brief glance? Anything else?" Gwen said jovially as her friend laughed with her.

"That's pretty much it, apart form the fact that he is already struggling not to propose to you." Gwen's eyebrow rose dramatically and her eyes grew huge with surprise.

"That's ridiculous what makes you say that?" Gwen said her voice several octaves higher than usual.

"Please, he looked at the both of us, you, and me in this stunning dress, and I might as well have been a piece of hull plating. Where as you, his world stopped his breath left him and he nearly walked into the door frame. I'd say, a reaction like that is what we call love at first sight dear." Gwen was silent for a few moments. "Well this is different. I'm not sure how I feel about this, I'm used to teasing you about your ability to make men walk into walls and trip over themselves."

Morganna laughed at her friend's words taking her by the arm. "I think that's what intrigues me about William, he likes me, and I know he does but he isn't going to fall over himself to be near me or to impress me. And he is happy to take his time and keep a respectful distance." Gwen laughed at that. "Also he's already swept you off your feet so there really isn't any rush for him. How does the king feel about the situation?"

"I can tell he isn't impressed, he's picked up on the fact that I might like him, but in some ways I think in time, if anything were to happen he would be ok, because a physician especially one trained by Gaius, well that is quite impressive, and If I'm not to date and wed a lords son then the future chief physician isn't a bad back up plan." Gwen was about to answer when she noticed they were stood outside the med centre. "Oh look where we've ended up, just as well."

"What? Why? I don't" Gwen tripped over herself and bumped her head against the wall.

"tah dah. Come along Gwenevire."

"One day you'll have to tell me how you do that, predict things so accurately"

"oh ok, so the assistant is the one giving the orders now?"

"oh, oh no, no that isn't. that's not what I. your making fun of me. One of these days I'll leave you alone to sort out your stuff and you will fall apart." Gwen said with the hint of a smile, Morganna laughed and opened the door. "you know I wouldn't survive two seconds with out your help old friend."


When they stepped through the door sir callum was sat on one of the beds with his leg wrapped In a blue bandage he had a similar bandage on his hand, lancelot was sat on another bed. He was looking over at the knight slightly worried occasionally his gaze would shift over towards another corner of the large room where will was busy redressing Merlin's shoulder. Morganna walked over to Merlin smiling at will. "Merlin? do you have a problem with wearing tops?" Merlin sent a brief glare at will, before answering. "No milady, will just has a problem with waiting." Will stifle a laugh.

"He was taking for ever to remove his top so I could re dress the wound."

"I have a stab wound in my shoulder! Of course I was talking my time"

"Well that wound won't heal itself mate."

"All you had to do was wait a few more seconds"

"Dull."

"Normal."

"Dull"

"Normal, when you're a proper doctor you won't be allowed to cut peoples clothes off willy-nilly mate."

Gwen started to laugh at the two friend's interaction. Morganna, being a princess managed to control herself slightly better. "William, I'm lead to believe Merlin can be quite spatially vague, leading to him being on the clumsy side. At this rate if you don't learn a little patience he will have run out of shirts by the end of next week, and will be forced to walk around with out a top, that would not do." Merlin fought not to blush while Lancelot finally joined in the conversation.

"I'm sorry to interrupt but what exactly happened to Sir Merlin?" he asked innocently, Morganna and Will both burst out laughing while Gwen gave Merlin a sympathetic smile, Merlin answered the question with a small smile.

"I'm not a knight. I am the prince's assistant."

"oh, forgive me, I just assumed. You have a soldiers wound."

Merlin smiled at the potential knight. "that was gained in my capacity as his assistant. I assisted him out of the way of a dagger, and sort of maybe impaled myself on it in the process."

Lancelot gave the young warlock a puzzled but amused look at that answer. "well I hope he gave you a bonus." He commented at last causing Gwen to giggle again, Merlin held in a smirk at the slight blush that Gwen's reaction brought to the young mans face, Morganna was the one to answer and explain. "My brother would never dream of giving 'the help' a bonus for saving his life. After all he and his knights spend most of their lives prepared to save each other and the rest of us. Oh in fact Merlin, he took some money off your wages to pay for getting his tunic cleaned of your blood, you really did make a wonderful mess of his favourite shirt, it was delightful." Merlin raised an eyebrow at her. "Well I'll try and bleed over his stuff more often if it amuses you that much princess." Morganna winked at him letting him know she knew he was being sarcastic. Amazingly despite being the other side of the large room and seemingly not heard most of the conversation Gaius still managed to turn around and shout

"you will do no such thing Merlin. You are already in enough trouble as it is. And William must I keep reminding you that you don't just cut a patients clothes off, next time you do that to your blood brother I will cut your top off and make you parade around the citadel reciting the words 'one must remember to respect the patients wishes' oh and don't roll your eyes and smirk at me young man you know fully well It is not an idol threat."

Morganna walked over to Gaius, laying a hand on his shoulder she spoke quietly. "Knowing you, and already having seen how stubborn Merlin can be none of us have any doubt you would do as you said. But don't worry, Gwen will keep an eye on Merlin and keep him out of trouble, or try to." Merlin and Gwen nodded before Will tapped his best friend on the un injured shoulder. "your shoulder should be fully healed by this time tomorrow but your mobility in the shoulder will be lacking for another two days while the medicine wears off." Merlin smiled at his friend before leaning over and hugging Will. "Thanks mate, see mum told you you'd be good at this, you just have to learn to have a longer attention span and not be a prat." Will laughed at his friend pushing him towards the door gently. Gaius raised an eyebrow at Will who sighed and took his own t shirt off handing it to Merlin before he donned a medical coat over his bare torso. Getting bemused looks form sir Callum, Lancelot and Gwen and an appreciative one from Morganna will explained. "Gaius laid down a rule that stated every time I destroyed a piece of Merlin's clothing I had to give Merlin my own. Luckily he was stabbed in the shoulder and not the leg or that would have been awkward for all of us. Morganna smirked at the young apprentice physician. "yes, indeed, come along Gwen, I found the headache medicine we were after, Lancelot, we hope your test goes well and that we will see much more of you in future. Sir Callum I hope your injuries heal quickly, Merlin, try, at least try, to stay out of trouble. You are the first of my brother's assistants father has found amusing instead of despicable. Good night gentlemen."

With that the princess and Gwen swept out of the room while Merlin continued to struggle with putting will's top on, when he finally managed it he stifled a laugh, will was slightly taller than him and broader the result was his top made Merlin look even slimmer than he actually was.

"Great, I look even less impressive than usual now, also, have you gotten fatter recently?" the warlock asked his friend. Will smiled and shrugged.

"Its quite possible yes, but you have always been a bit on the puny side"

"Slim"

"Puny"

"Athletic"

"Wimpy"

"Lithe"

'"Scrawny"

"Toned"

The two of them dissolved into fits of laughter as sir Callum found himself smiling at the exchange from the other end of the room, it was nice to see the princes assistant relaxed and care free he had only ever seen Merlin when the young man was running after Arthur as the prince gave him a lecture about something. He loved his prince greatly, Arthur was a fine man and a good leader, but the knight had to admit that the prince could be arrogant sometimes and short of temper. But Merlin seamed to know how to handle that, he laughed it off and got on with it, and for that he had the knights respect. Lancelot watched the interaction with a small smile on his face, he liked these people, if he was accepted into the knights, he was certain he'd like living here.


LANCELOT! TAHDAH! i hope i've got him right. he's so dreadful to write because he's so bloody good and lovely yet needs to have a bit of umph. nice people can be boring so easily.

also, yes, Will and Merlin bicker like little kids. :D because they basically are hehe.

i will update this i honestly dont know but the next chapter will be up at some point soon(ish). my definition of soon is pretty loose,

review? if you feel like it? if you do then prehaps people will have something to read while i sort out the next chapter lol

you are all awesome, never forget that.