"We saw many years of peace under your father's reign. After his passing, rest his soul, we have born witness to a number of tragedies."

"Many of those tragedies, and the strife, began years before his passing. Yes, there was a time of peace before that, but who among us didn't fear what the late King Uther would have done if even a shadow of a doubt was cast."

"If there was nothing to doubt, we need not fear him."

"There were many years of turmoil before the Great Purge. Fear or not...he did bring about a time of calm and prosperity for the kingdom."

"My grandfather spoke of the years before Uther Pendragon took the throne. During his predecessor's rule, the kingdom was at peace as well, after he pushed the barbarian Saxons back. It appeared the turmoil truly began once King Uther took the throne. Whether it was his young age, or the transition of power, I can't say."

"The past always looks better to the elderly, as they age and times change."

The King kept his composure, while listening to the opinions of the nobles. They had gathered just after breakfast to begin discussions. Now, it was well after the lunch hour, and as yet it wasn't going as well as he had hoped. The conversation and arguments continued to go around in circles, just as it had with his trusted knights. Finally, Arthur stood. "...And that is precisely why I am bringing these matters to you all. I am not my father, and time always changes things, otherwise we would find ourselves stagnant in life.

"I am not speaking of completely rewriting history, many of the laws set forth are good and serve the best interest of us all. However, there are a few that need to be reexamined in light of new times and information.

"It seems many of those with magic who have attempted to bring down our great city in the past years, have done so solely out of vengeance for The Great Purge and Uther's intolerance of anything magical." Arthur was walking pointedly around the table of councilors and noblemen as he spoke. The guards suddenly opened the door and Elyan came into the room.

He bowed to the king. "Apologies, Your Majesty. We just escorted a man who claims to be a Lothian prince into the city. He says he has an urgent message for you."

Arthur nodded his acknowledgement. He wanted to jump for joy, as his head was beginning to reel from the rounds of seemingly pointless bickering. "I think this would be a good time to break. Please think over what all has been said. We can reconvene later to continue our business."

(*~*~*~*)

"Who is that?" Mordred stood by the main stairs leading into the castle and watched warily, as a small assembly of guards rode into the courtyard, escorting an unknown man. He was in the armory when he heard that Elyan rode back ahead of the patrol to alert King Arthur of a guest. Quickly, he donned his gear and now stood next to Leon, as the man dismounted.

"By the looks of him, he's one of Lot's men, probably a nobleman," the elder knight responded.

It was all Mordred could do, to keep his sudden apprehension from showing. The arrival of this man could either be a good thing...or very bad for his plans of vengeance. "What do you think he wants here? Do you think it could have something to do with…"

"Shh," Leon cautioned the lad.

As part of his training to become a true knight of Camelot, the boy had been shadowing Sir Leon. After Leon had begun asking the hypothetical questions concering magic, Mordred had proved to be more observant that the elder knight realized. Some of the words Mordred said had caught Leon off guard, although most he chalked it up to the curiosity of the young mind.

'Out of the mouths of babes,' as the saying went. What concerned Leon, however, was that Mordred had quickly figured out something more was going on with the departure of Gwaine and Merlin on their mission.

He loved Merlin like a little brother, though the man was well below him in station. It still didn't fit together in Leon's mind how Merlin could be a sorcerer and a well-meaning idiot at the same time. The man he saw rise to face the king in the small darkened room was completely different than the boy he had come to know. He just couldn't fathom, if Merlin was coercing the king, what his endgame might be. It certainly wasn't to usurp the throne; if what Leon had learned, was anything to judge by. The servant had too many missed chances for that. Unless, of course, Merlin truly was a simple, yet very lucky idiot, who didn't really have the power to take over a kingdom.

Somehow, the idea that Merlin was as bad of a magician as he was a servant seemed to fit better than anything else. Yet, it didn't explain things like the earth shaking in the tomb. Perhaps, though, each time was coincidence and luck.

...And then there was the time, he recalled, of finding Merlin in the armory...searching for a crossbow.

"Will that do the job?"

"Oh, yes. That will do the job nicely," Merlin practically giggled.

"Er...what is the job, exactly?"

"To kill Arthur." The younger man said bluntly, with a hint of glee sparkling in his eyes.

"He's driving you mad, is he?"

"Not for much longer..."*

If Merlin was so powerful, that he could make the earth shake, had truly wanted to kill Arthur...why would he use a crossbow? The manservant was an odd character, who lacked any sane definability for Leon. As a result, the knight commander only became more confused.

(*~*~*~*)

"Welcome to Camelot." Arthur stated evenly from his throne, as the man was escorted in. The room was crowded with people. Many of those from the earlier meeting stood around the edges of the room, and all the knights available had taken up defensive positions near their king. Gwen sat quietly next to Arthur, as they received the visitor.

"Thank you, Majesty. I am Prince Gareth, second son of King Lot." The prince bowed in respect, and proceeded to name his ties and titles as he was properly trained to do.

"What brings you my city, Prince Gareth?" Arthur asked, trying to keep suspicion from his voice. If Lot had captured Gwaine and Merlin, it wouldn't make sense to send one of his sons alone to convey the news, as he could be used as a hostage...which is what Uther would have done.

Gareth's eyes darted left and right taking in the gathered assemblage. "I believe it would be best to speak confidentially about this matter, Your Majesty." He tugged at his sleeve, revealing a corner of a red neckerchief, just enough so the king would see it. Merlin had explained, that it might be the best way to signal who the message was really from.

"I see." Arthur nodded his understanding. "Let us adjourn to someplace a bit more private than, shall we." The king stood and offered his hand to Guinevere. "Sir Leon, Sir Elyan. If you would join us." Percival was out leading a patrol to the south, unaware of the visitor; and Gaius was nowhere to be seen...possibly out on his daily round in the city. It had been difficult on the elderly man since Merlin had left. Arthur reminded himself, that he needed to appoint a real apprentice to the physician, one of these days.

The crowd began to murmur, as the ones named followed the king from the throne room. Mordred started to follow Leon, who shook his head, signaling the boy stay put.

Once in the private antechamber, Arthur closed the door. "You have news from Merlin and Gwaine?" He asked, not bothering with the political beating around the bush.

Gareth raised an eyebrow, realizing how alike the King of Camelot and his servant were in their straightforward mannerisms. He pulled the piece of the scarf out and handed it to Arthur. "He asked that I give you this...to prove the communication is from him."

Nodding, Arthur took the cloth and motioned for Gareth to continue.

"A woman came to my father recently. She told him of your men traveling north. Normally, he wouldn't be bothered by it, but he has a personal stake with one of them."

Elyan rolled his eyes. "Great. Gwaine probably owes coin to every tavern in the kingdom."

Gareth looked at the dark-skinned knight incredulously, his mouth open slightly as he tried to find the best way to respond. It was an interesting little tidbit to know about his nephew. "Not that I am aware of, however, I will look into that when I return home."

Arthur pinched the bridge of his nose and muttered under his breath.

Gwen poured wine for them all, before taking the red cloth from her husband. She wondered what had befallen her friends, as she sat down to listen.

"As I was saying...my father was informed of their travels. He set out patrols and they were apprehended. Then, we received news of a large host of Saxon's ravaging the lands north of us. The likes of which have not been seen since High King Ambrosius came into power. I admit, I played a part in helping your men to escape, while my father was distracted. They feared the woman my father took as consort, had a spy in your midst." Gareth watched the reactions of all four in the room. "My…Sir Gwaine...said he believed it was someone close to 'the princess.'"

Gwen sucked in her lips and tried to mask a very un-queenly snort of amusement. "Forgive me. There is no princess in Camelot. It is a nickname Sir Gwaine has seen fit to call my husband, since nearly the time they first met."

Gareth nodded slowly. He was astounded by the casualness of King Arthur's people, compared to the court of his father. He could see now why, after years of playing the rogue throughout all the kingdoms, Gwaine had finally decided to settle and become a Knight of Camelot.

"Does this woman of your father's have a name?" Sir Leon asked, thinking they all knew who was behind this.

Gareth looked at the king. "They believe she is called Morgana...and I fear she might have made off with the map they had been carrying."

Arthur's cup flew out of his hand to crash against a wall. He clenched his fists, struggling to maintain his self-control. The queen suddenly looked exhausted, while Elyan's eyes widened, with a hint of fear.

Even Leon appeared ready to burst. "Arthur, this must end soon, for the sake of us all!"

"Did they say anything about who the spy could be?" Guinevere asked softly. After the treachery of her maid, she didn't want to believe anyone else in their close circle could be a part of Morgana's plots.

"They don't need to." Arthur responded, his voice cold. He turned his back to others, not wanting them to witness the heartbreak in his eyes, from the confirmation of yet another betrayal.

"You know who it is? Why haven't you done anything about it, Arthur?" His wife looked surprised.

"I have my reasons...leave it at that." His tone left no room for argument. Blinking slowly, he turned back to Gareth and changed the subject. "If I may ask, why did you decide to assist them?"

Gareth studied the floor between his feet for a few moments, before speaking. He did not want to drag his family's past out in front of a foreign king. "When I was young, my sister was…injured. A woman passing through the area saved her. I offered to take her to my father so she might receive a reward. Instead, she told me to be vigilant and to look for certain signs that would bring a coming change. When I saw them, I was to help two men on their journey, as they followed the same path she took.

"As you can imagine, I waited for years throughout my childhood, searching for any indication that it was time for me to repay her. I had nearly forgotten all about it...until they showed up. The woman was a seer, a priestess of the Old Religion, fleeing from Camelot at the time of your father's Great Purge to seek the aid of King Uther's brother. After they were captured, I happened to see their map, while my father was studying it. I knew my debt to her, could finally be squared."

They all listened quietly to the prince's story.

"Arthur...if Morgana knows where they are going, we need to do something." Elyan implored, not wishing to leave his friends to face the witch alone.

The King nodded, his eyes gazed off at the far wall, in thought. "We'll never catch up to them on horses, and I doubt if your father would be lenient enough to allow myself and my knights through his lands...especially, with the Saxons pressing him from the north."

"We could send word to Caerleon, asking Queen Annis if we could borrow a ship and sail to the north," Leon suggested.

It was a sound idea and Arthur quickly agreed. "Elyan. Ride out immediately to Queen Annis and bring her our request. Sir Leon. See that the knights are prepared. Also send someone out to bring the news to Percival. I want him with us. We leave by midday tomorrow. Guinevere," he paused as she stood up on her tiptoes and leaned in to kiss his cheek.

"I'll go inform Gaius and do what I can to ready things for you, my love."

He smiled at her, relieved in knowing she was the perfect regent for the kingdom, while he was away. "Will you join us, Prince Gareth?" Arthur inquired.

Gareth bowed, "As long as what you do does not go against my father, I will gladly aide you."

Arthur smiled and dismissed them all. After summoning a servant to see to the prince's needs, he sat down in the quiet of the anteroom. He still had a traitor to deal with and he realized this would be the first time he didn't have Merlin at his side taking care of it for him in the quiet shadows of the kingdom.


AN: *- transcript from episode 4.06 "A Servant of Two Masters" is not mine, simply borrowed for use in my plotting.