"I'm so glad Gaius allowed me to take this stroll," Guinevere says, holding Arthur's arm as they walk through the marketplace. She had to plead with the physician, telling him she could not bear staying indoors when it was so beautiful outside. He had relented, on the condition she not stay out too long.

"Yes, I remember how you enjoyed your walks through the market," Arthur says.

"The people have missed seeing you, my lady," Merlin points out, walking beside Percival behind the royal couple. Many people wave, bow, or otherwise greet their king and queen, and one little girl has given Guinevere a small bunch of wildflowers.

"I've missed seeing them," she says. "I assume I did not take my customary outings while I was..." she adds, her voice trailing off.

"No, my lady," Percival says. "You informed me you wouldn't be visiting the people as often." Percival had regularly accompanied Guinevere on her walks, because his size was a deterrent to anyone who might have been thinking of harming the queen as well as making him easily visible if anything did happen. Plus, he volunteered for the duty.

Guinevere looks back at Percival and frowns. "I'm sorry, Percival." She pauses thoughtfully. "That doesn't sound like me, does it?"

He shrugs. "It was not my place to question your actions, my lady."

"Please do so in the future," she says, smiling at him. He nods, shyly smiling back. When she turns around she notices Gelda Seward making her way down the road, struggling with a large basket. "Why is Mrs. Seward carrying that all by herself?" she asks. "Where is Tyr?"

Oh, no. All three men have the same thought.

"Um, Guinevere... Tyr died. It happened while you were enchanted," Arthur says. "He... it..." They stop walking.

"It's complicated," Merlin volunteers, stepping forward.

"Percival, would you please help Mrs. Seward?" Guinevere asks, touching the large knight's arm. "With anything she needs. Please," she says, immediately troubled.

"Of course, my lady," Percival answers and jogs over to the older woman, slowing when he is a few feet away so as not to alarm her. He politely and respectfully offers his services. She initially declines, but Percival gently convinces her, his open and earnest manner difficult to refuse.

"Right man for the job," Arthur observes.

"I'd like to go home, please," Guinevere says, her voice noticeably weaker.

"Are you all right, my love?" Arthur asks.

"I don't know," she answers. I have a bad feeling that I cannot shake.

Merlin exchanges a concerned look with Arthur. They turn around and head back to the castle.

xXx

Back in the royal chambers, Guinevere sits by the window, reading a volume about herbs. The sounds of swords clanging in the distance float up to her ears as the knights train. Occasionally, she can hear Arthur's steady commands or shouts from the men. Ella sits nearby, mending one of Arthur's shirts, keeping her mistress company.

"I don't know why I am attempting to read," Guinevere sighs. "I have been staring at this same page for God only knows how long."

"It is understandable, my lady," Ella says, pulling her needle through the fabric. "You've been through an ordeal. It's going to take a while – whoops!"

Her spool of thread has toppled from her lap and rolls across the floor, stopping when it bumps against Guinevere's foot. She bends down, picks it up, and stares at the wooden spool, at the red thread wound around it, one long end dangling.

Red thread.

"My lady?" Ella asks, her voice sounding strange and distant.

Suddenly, images are flying across Guinevere's vision faster than she can comprehend. She gasps and squeezes her eyes shut. The whirling images slow down to a crawl and she sees...

Arthur's saddle. The re-stitched girth. My hands, pulling the thread through the leather. Holding my breath as Arthur tumbles from his saddle. The weight of a dagger in my palm, hidden in my skirts as I spoke with Tyr. The fear and surprise in his eyes as I…

It was me. I did it.

It was me.

Guinevere begins to moan, a sad, mournful cry originating from somewhere deep inside of her, somewhere she cannot reach with her mind. "No..." she rasps, standing on shaky legs and staring at the spool now clutched in her trembling hand. She takes a deep, shuddering breath and tears begin to spill from her eyes as she takes an unsteady step forward.

"My lady?" Ella prompts again, more urgently, as she stands and goes to the queen.

Guinevere remains frozen in place, swaying slightly. She's staring into space, her eyes wide and terrified.

"What is it, my lady? Pray allow me to help you!" Ella, truly frightened at seeing her mistress in such a state, reaches out to assist the queen.

Guinevere shakes her head. "Arthur... I need him..." she whispers, slightly trembling.

"Yes, my lady!" the handmaiden stammers and dashes out the door past the startled guards.

Ella runs as fast as she can, ignoring the pains in her shins as her thin shoes pound on the stones, ignoring the strange looks from the other servants as she makes her way to the training grounds. She doesn't know how she's going to get the king's attention or what she'll say. All she knows is her mistress needs him. Now.

She reaches the training grounds, gasping for air, and is met by Merlin.

"Ella? What's wrong?" he asks.

Her eyes lock on Arthur and she runs into the training field without thinking. Several knights shout in protest at the interruption, but she pays them no mind.

"My lord!" Ella yells, and Arthur immediately stops and looks at the maid, surprised. "The queen..." she gasps.

Arthur immediately drops his sword and bolts, catching up to and passing the already-running Merlin.

The knights are dumbstruck, each man staring in shock as their king sprints to the castle, troubled about what could be the matter with their queen. Leon is the first to recover, bending to retrieve Arthur's dropped sword. He clears his throat loudly. "I am sure King Arthur will call for assistance should he need any," he says, his voice quiet but carrying easily to all the men's ears. Then, he shakes his head slightly and taps the nearest knight's sword with his. "All right lads, don't stand there gaping," Leon announces. "I believe we were practicing defensive maneuvers..."

"Ella, you might want to move," Gwaine gently recommends, putting his arm around the girl's shoulders. He had been sparring with Leon when she arrived, and since he's now without a partner, he guides the frightened maid off of the training field. Gwaine catches Leon's eyes and the senior knight nods his consent. "Come, let's go see if the queen is all right."

"Thank you, sir," Ella answers, tears falling now as fear replaces the urgency she was feeling.

When Arthur reaches the royal chambers, Guinevere is in a heap on the floor, sobbing into her hands, still clutching the spool of thread.

Arthur rushes to her, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her against him, surrounding her with himself. "Guinevere, shh..." he hushes her. He doesn't know what's wrong, but he needs her to calm down. "It's all right, Love, I'm here," he whispers, stroking her hair. He glances up, giving Merlin a concerned look. Merlin is just as worried, but he's been worried about Guinevere since they saw Mrs. Seward in the marketplace earlier that morning.

"It was me," Guinevere whispers. "It was me."

"What was you?" Arthur asks, pulling away just enough to look at her. He gently wipes the tears from her cheeks, but they are steadily coursing down.

"I did it, Arthur. It was me..." she hoarsely says, falling to sobbing again, collapsing against him.

Merlin sees the spool clutched in her hand and realization hits him like a boulder. He grabs a nearby chair and sinks onto it. This is what I feared. I had suspected, but truly hoped I was wrong. "Arthur," he softly says, "in her hand."

Arthur takes Guinevere's hand and gently pries the spool out of her grasp. "Thread?" he asks, confused.

There is a soft knock at the door, left ajar in their haste. "Excuse me, Sire," Gwaine softly calls. "Is the queen all right?" His arm is still around Ella's shoulders. The girl is wide-eyed and pale, clearly very frightened.

"She will be fine," Merlin answers with more confidence than he feels.

Gwaine notices the disparity between Merlin's words and face, but says nothing, knowing his friend is protecting both the queen and her maid. "Let's see if we can find you a bite to eat," he says, nodding at Merlin as he escorts Ella away, taking care to close the door behind them. I don't know what's going on, but I have a feeling neither of us is needed at present.

"Arthur," Guinevere whispers, her face still hidden in his shoulder, "it was me. I was the one who tampered with your saddle. I was the one who threatened poor Tyr with his mother's life. I was the one who... who ki..." Her voice fails again, unable to continue.

"No, Guinevere, no, no..." Arthur says, gathering her to him again, holding her closer. "You were doing Morgana's bidding. It wasn't you. You weren't in control of your actions, Love."

"It was my hand," she sobs, lifting her head. "My hand holding the knife. I saw it! I killed an innocent man deliberately and ruthlessly!" She collapses against him again.

"Merlin, get Gaius," Arthur looks up and says. Merlin nods once and exits immediately.

Guinevere is inconsolable, heaving great, silent sobs that shake Arthur to his core. All he can do is hold her and remind her she is not to blame, that she was under an enchantment. "Remember, Love, Morgana was controlling you," he says, but his own voice is shaky now as he struggles not to give in to the overwhelming sense of helplessness looming over him. Arthur swallows hard, striving to ride out Guinevere's remorse and grief with her. She needs you to stay strong for her, to maintain control. He reaches within, to his deep love for his wife, and rallies. "It may as well have been her holding the knife."

She continues crying against his shoulder, saying nothing. Arthur moves, shifting their positions on the floor so he can stand, lifting her in his arms. He carries her to the bed and gently places her on it. She clings to his shoulders, not willing to let him go.

"Guinevere, I'm not going anywhere," he whispers, and she loosens her grasp so he can sit beside her on the bed. He sets the spool of thread on the bedside table, then leans back against the pillows, holding her to his chest.

"I cannot believe..." she manages, wiping her eyes again. Arthur's shirt is becoming soaked through with her tears, and she rubs her hand over it. "Sorry..." she whispers.

"It's fine, Love. Just a shirt," he says. Her sobs have diminished, and occasionally her breath hitches, but she's starting to calm down.

There's a soft knock at the door and it opens a crack. Merlin's head pokes in, then he slowly enters, followed by Gaius.

"How is she?" Gaius asks, walking to the bedside, where Merlin is setting a chair for him.

"Shocked. Upset," Arthur says.

"Devastated," Guinevere whispers. "I can't... how can I live with myself knowing I...?"

"Gwen, it was Morgana, not you," Merlin says, echoing Arthur's sentiments.

"Yes, my lady, you must remember that," Gaius says. "When memories like this surface, you must remind yourself that you were not acting under your own control."

"That's what I've been telling her," Arthur softly says. He smoothes her hair away from her face, where a few tendrils have gotten loose and stuck to her damp cheeks.

"How could I... how could she...?" Guinevere gasps. "There's... there's nothing I can do to right this wrong... nothing I can say..."

"I know, Love, I know," Arthur says. "We all believe you would never harm anyone, let alone kill them. Well, only in self defense," he adds, remembering the times she has taken up a sword.

"Everyone is certain of that," Merlin agrees, perching at the foot of the bed. "Everyone knows there is no one kinder than Queen Guinevere."

"You are both very sweet, but... Mrs. Seward... she was friends with my mother," Guinevere says, sniffling. Merlin hands her a handkerchief. "Thank you," she absently says, sitting up a little. "I've known her, known her family, my whole life. How can I face her? I killed her son!"

"You don't have to face her, Gwen," Merlin says, but as soon as the words are out, he realizes she does. He knows his friend the queen, and he understands that she needs to go and see Mrs. Seward to try to atone for what she has done.

"No, I do," Guinevere says, picking at the edges of the handkerchief. "I... I have to speak with her. Confess what I've done... I must seek forgiveness from her." She dabs her eyes and returns to Arthur's embrace.

"What do you remember, my lady?" Gaius gently asks.

"Gaius, I am not sure if..." Arthur starts.

"No... I need to," Guinevere answers. She repositions herself so she is still in Arthur's arms, but more upright.

"Talking about it might help," Gaius recommends, and Arthur nods.

Guinevere takes a deep breath. "I remember sneaking out of the castle and slipping into the stables to tamper with your saddle and... Tyr was there, sleeping."

"One of the horses was ill," Merlin adds. "He does that. Did that, I mean. He would stay if a horse was ailing, to care for it throughout the night."

Guinevere nods, remembering the sweet, caring stablehand who would only hurt a fly if it was bothering a horse. "He saw me... I had to..." she pinches her eyes shut, trying to remember, "ensure his silence by threatening his mother." Her breath hitches as guilty sobs start again.

Gaius reaches into his robes and withdraws a vial. He offers it to Guinevere. "Here, drink this, my lady."

"It's not a sleeping draught, is it?" she asks, not wishing to go to sleep right now.

"Merely a nerve tonic," Gaius explains. "It will calm you."

She hesitates, uncertain. "No," she refuses, "I… I deserve this anguish… I killed an innocent man and I shouldn't find solace until I have Mrs. Seward's forgiveness," she whispers.

"Guinevere," Arthur softly urges, "please take it. You may not be able to remember everything unless you are calm. Please."

She looks at Arthur, bites her lip, and takes the vial.

"Remember, my lady, it wasn't really you," Merlin softly advises.

Guinevere hesitantly nods, slowly drinks it, then hands it back to Gaius, murmuring her thanks. "Tyr promised me he wouldn't say anything. He... was so frightened... and confused," she continues. "Understandably so." She stops abruptly, looking at Gaius. "At times, Mrs. Seward would look after Elyan and me when we were children. She was always so kind to us…" she adds, faltering. Guinevere takes a deep breath and continues. "Later..." she looks up at Arthur. "I convinced you not to go talk to him," she says, furrowing her brows.

Arthur nods, frowning. "After Merlin reported that Tyr was being framed."

"That is when I began to suspect something was wrong," Merlin says. "I mentioned it to Gaius, and he assured me your strange behavior was a result of your ordeal and Elyan's subsequent death."

"I was wrong," Gaius sighs.

"I wasn't convinced anyway," Merlin says. "Sorry, Gwen. Please, continue."

"After Arthur was asleep, I slipped away... again... to talk to Tyr. I drugged the guards to put them to sleep?" Guinevere asks, unsure. The men nod, and she frowns. "I spoke to Tyr. I... he... he told me he didn't say anything... but I couldn't... I..." she breaks off squeezing her eyes shut again. "I stabbed him. I said something about... him talking, giving me away... and I just... stabbed him. I can still see his face. The fear in his eyes, the... surprise... no, shock..." She breaks down again, weeping into her hands. Arthur pulls her into his arms again. "He was completely innocent and I killed him without a thought!" she wails, her voice raspy.

"That's Morgana," Arthur softly says. "Ruthless. Heartless. She had a heart, once..."

Guinevere nods against his shoulder. "She did," she whispers, calming more quickly this time, possibly aided by Gaius' tonic.

"She's turned her back on everything good," Merlin says. "Which is why this enchantment is so difficult for you. She took the kindest person, you, Gwen, and turned you into a soulless assassin. I don't know anyone who has more goodness in them than you, and she robbed you of it. She made you everything you are not."

Guinevere nods. "I'm sorry, Merlin. For placing the blame on you for poisoning Arthur."

"It wasn't you, Gwen. It was Morgana. Please try to remember that," Merlin says. He reaches his hand out to her, and she places her hand in his, squeezing it gently.

"How did you find out for certain it was me?" she asks, wiping her eyes with the handkerchief, which has now grown quite damp.

"Your silk cloak. The bluish-gray one. It tore while you were in the forest, probably meeting with Morgana, and Gaius and I found the scrap."

"I was wondering how it got torn," she whispers absently. Then, she looks at her husband. "Arthur, I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry," she says, collapsing against his chest and wrapping her arms around him.

"Guinevere, it's all right. I'm still alive, despite Morgana's best efforts," he says, intentionally emphasizing his half-sister's name to stress that he considers the attempts to be solely Morgana's doing and not Guinevere's. "I'm alive, you're freed from your enchantment, and we can move on with our lives."

"I want to talk to Mrs. Seward," Guinevere says, lifting her head again. "Today."

"Are you sure you want to do this today?" Arthur asks, glancing at Gaius, who is frowning.

"Yes. I want to speak with her as soon as possible."

"Why don't you wait until the afternoon?" Gaius suggests.

"Yes, Love, rest now. Gather your thoughts. Then, this afternoon we will visit Mrs. Seward," Arthur says.

"You don't have to come with if you have things you should be doing here," Guinevere says.

"There is nothing here that can't wait," Arthur declares. "I want to go with you."

"I'll come, too," Merlin offers. "If it's all right, I mean."

Guinevere nods. "Thank you," she softly says. She settles back in against Arthur. He bends down and kisses her forehead.

"Get some rest. You don't have to sleep, but please rest," Arthur whispers.

"Can you stay here with me?" she asks.

"Of course," he immediately answers.

xXx

Guinevere takes a deep breath and knocks on Gelda Seward's front door in the early afternoon. Merlin and Arthur are standing behind her, letting her take the lead.

"Just a moment," Mrs. Seward's voice softly sounds from behind the door. A moment later, the door opens. "Oh!" she exclaims, immediately dropping into a curtsey.

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Seward," Guinevere softly says. "May we come in?"

"Of course, of course..." she answers, a bit bewildered. She steps aside and welcomes the king and queen into her home. "Forgive me, I wasn't expecting visitors," she fusses, wiping nonexistent dust from a chair and straightening an already-straight candlestick. "Please, sit," she motions toward the chair.

"You know Merlin, of course," Guinevere says, almost as an afterthought since she is so distracted.

"Yes, my lady, everyone knows Merlin," the older woman smiles at the servant. He returns the smile, standing beside Arthur, staying in the background. "May I offer you something to drink?" Mrs. Seward asks, wishing to be a good hostess.

"No, thank you," Guinevere answers, smiling kindly. "Please, will you sit with me?" she asks, taking the offered seat. Arthur and Merlin hover in the background, leaving the only other chair vacant.

"Please," Arthur nods towards the chair, indicating he wishes her to take the seat.

"Thank you, Sire," the older woman answers, sitting.

"That's the last of the wood split and piled, Missus," Percival ducks into the small house, not realizing she has visitors. "Oh, excuse me, my lady, my lord," he says, adding a nod towards Merlin as he stands, slightly stooped, in the small house.

"Quite all right, Percival. We were counting on your presence here during our visit," Arthur says.

The large knight nods, understanding the king's intent. He turns back to Mrs. Seward. "I've filled your water barrels, too, since I saw they were low."

"Thank you, sir," Mrs. Seward says. "Percival," she corrects herself, as Percival has obviously asked her to call him by his given name.

"You're very welcome, Missus." He smiles wistfully. "I enjoyed it. It reminded me of helping around the house when I was a lad."

"Your mother must be very proud of you," Mrs. Seward says.

"Yes, ma'am," Percival simply answers, not having the heart to tell her that his family is gone, slaughtered by Cenred's men years ago. "I'll stand guard outside," he concludes, nodding at Arthur, Guinevere, and Merlin before exiting.

"Thank you, Percival," Arthur responds, clapping the knight on his shoulder as he passes.

"He's a dear young man," Mrs. Seward says. "So helpful and kind. He reminds me of…" Her voice fails and she presses her lips together, overcome with memories of her lovable youngest son.

Arthur, Merlin, and Guinevere all exchange a sad look, realizing while the gentle knight stationed outside looks nothing like Tyr, both men have amiable and caring natures.

Mrs. Seward looks at Guinevere again, almost forgetting that the young woman sitting before her is the queen and not the sweet little girl she knew so long ago. "Oh, forgive me, my lady, I..."

"It's fine, Mrs. Seward. Really. And you're right, Percival is an excellent knight and a very good man," Guinevere says. She takes a deep breath. "I am sure you're wondering why we've called on you this afternoon," she begins.

"Yes," Mrs. Seward says. "I will admit I am very curious. It's not every day the king and queen pay a call on a simple old widow like me."

Guinevere sits quietly a moment, ordering her thoughts, trying to maintain her composure. "We have come to apologize. I owe you quite a large apology, I'm afraid, and... I fear there is nothing I can do to make amends for how I have wronged you."

The old woman's brow furrows. "I'm sorry, my lady... I don't understand..."

"Mrs. Seward, I have known you my entire life. You were my mother's friend, and I remember how you looked after my brother and me when she died. I remember the food you sent over even though you really couldn't spare it," Guinevere softly says, tears welling in her eyes. "I remember playing with Hyde... catching frogs... gathering twigs for kindling." She looks straight at Mrs. Seward. "Those memories are what makes this even more difficult to say. Forgive me for not reaching my point, but..." She sighs. "For approximately the past two weeks, I was under an enchantment. The Lady Morgana had control over me. Over every word I said, every move I made. I said and did things I would never have done had I been myself." A tear slips from her eye now. "I... I killed Tyr," she whispers. Mrs. Seward gasps, her hands flying to her mouth. "Under Morgana's enchantment, I killed your son. Your only remaining child. Words cannot express how sorry I am." Tears are flowing down her cheeks and dropping onto her skirt, leaving small, dark spots on the silk.

Gelda Seward says nothing, her eyes wide with shock. Stunned, she looks over at Arthur, her eyes questioning.

He gravely nods. "Guinevere would never tell you the details, but she was abducted, tortured, and finally, enchanted by Morgana." He pauses and takes a deep breath. "We realize knowing this does not return Tyr to you and we are so, so sorry."

Mrs. Seward hangs her head, weeping silently as she processes this information. "Tyr..." she whispers after a minute. "He was such a good boy... never did anything to anyone..."

"I know," Guinevere answers. She reaches out to touch the other woman's hand, but withdraws it, not sure if her gesture of comfort will be welcomed. Mrs. Seward's silence causes Guinevere to hesitate, yet she feels compelled to try to ease this dear woman's pain somehow. "I know..." she softly repeats. "I remember he was a sweet little boy. Gentle, honest. He was so good with the horses. He's missed in the... I miss seeing him." The queen moves forward, falling to her knees in front of the distraught woman. Her voice is quiet and slightly hoarse from crying. "Please, Mrs. Seward... I know there are no words, and... saying that I was under Morgana's control sounds like a feeble excuse..." she trails off, taking another deep, shuddering breath. "But, it is all I have. I cannot apologize enough. There aren't words in any language that... that can convey how deeply, deeply sorry..."

Mrs. Seward's sobs increase, and Guinevere lifts up and wraps her arms around the older woman's shoulders, embracing her as they mourn together.

Guinevere gently releases her after a minute, and Mrs. Seward finally speaks. "Morgana Pendragon has taken everything from me." She presses her handkerchief to her eyes, sniffles, and continues. "First, my Durwin, shot in the courtyard when she tried to take the throne." She looks at Arthur, who nods understandingly, his face sympathetic. "My husband was in the crowd when she ordered arrows shot into the townspeople. She made me a widow with no means to support myself. Hyde helped where he could, but he had a new wife to look after... Tyr was too young..."

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Seward," Arthur softly answers. He realizes the truth in Guinevere's earlier words. It isn't adequate at all.

"When she attacked again at Beltane... that's when I lost Hyde, my oldest. He... he was just trying to protect his home... his wife... she was... expecting, and..." she falls to sobbing, and they know the lonely widow lost more than just a son and daughter-in-law that night.

Guinevere reaches for Mrs. Seward's hand again, this time gently placing it over hers. The older woman turns her hand and grasps Guinevere's, squeezing.

"Morgana Pendragon has taken everyone and everything from me," Mrs. Seward repeats, her voice shaky, but strong. She looks at Guinevere and sees only a scared girl, Anna and Tom's sweet daughter, not the Queen of Camelot. "I don't hold you responsible, Gwen," she says, forgetting titles and formalities. "If you say you were under an enchantment, I believe you. I know you as well as one of my... own..." Her voice falters on this last word, but she recovers. "You could never... would never murder anyone. I know this." She pauses, wiping her eyes with her free hand. "It was Morgana... it's always Morgana," she says bitterly. Then, her eyes soften and she looks at Guinevere. "I forgive you, child."

Guinevere exhales, her shoulders slumping in relief. "Thank you, Mrs. Seward. I cannot express how much this means to me. Once I realized... I could not bear the thought of… I… It was just this morning when I discovered... remembered… what happened..."

"You've had no memory of it before now?"

"Not really, no," she answers. "The enchantment was lifted the day before yesterday. I've only had… flashes of memories since then, but what I do remember is... horrifying. I want to know what happened... but, I don't..."

"Thank you for telling me, dear. It was... it was hard for me to hear," Mrs. Seward sighs. "I won't lie, it was awful. But, I know it was just as difficult for you to tell me. To come here and face me and tell me what you did, not knowing how I'd react. I thank you for... for respecting me enough to let me know, even though you're the queen and I'm just... I'm just me."

"A good queen respects her people, no matter who they are," Arthur says, his eyes locked on Guinevere.

"As does a good king," Guinevere says, turning to look at her husband, amazed he remembers those words from so long ago. She turns back to Mrs. Seward. "A good queen also tries to make amends for her wrongs. I know there is nothing I can do that will bring Tyr back to you, but if there's anything you need, anything at all, please tell us. Food, wood, candles... assistance. I can send Percival over twice a week, or more if you wish," she says, smiling as she recalls the older woman's growing fondness for the knight. "Of course, you'll be exempted from paying taxes... but if there's anything," she adds. "All you need to do is ask."

"No," Arthur softly speaks up. Guinevere and Mrs. Seward turn to look at him, confused. "She doesn't need to ask. We can do better."

"My lord?" Mrs. Seward asks.

"We will see that your needs are met. Food, water, firewood... whatever you require. We will make sure you have it," Arthur says. "Anything."

"Sire, that is too..."

"No, Arthur's right," Guinevere agrees. "I know it won't fill the holes in your heart, but... let us remove what hardships we can."

"Thank you, my lady. Thank you, my lord," Mrs. Seward says, squeezing Guinevere's hand as tears of gratitude slip from her eyes.

"You are most welcome, Mrs. Seward," Guinevere answers. Behind her, Arthur nods in acknowledgment.

Mrs. Seward looks down for a moment, and when she looks back up at the queen, her face is troubled. "My lady, when is this going to end?" she quietly asks. "When will Morgana stop?" she falls to tears again, and Guinevere wraps her arms around the older woman once more, letting her cry on her shoulder, absorbing her pain and loss. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but... How many more innocent people must lose their lives at her hand?" she hoarsely whispers.

Guinevere looks up at Arthur to see him exchanging a troubled look with Merlin. He turns his gaze on his wife, his face disturbed and thoughtful, his eyes reflecting his deep concern for his people and the weight of responsibility to protect them from this persistent threat to their safety and well-being. Elyan. My people. My knights. Countless others throughout the years...

As their eyes lock, a silent understanding passes between them.

Guinevere feels a shift in the air as she watches the expression on her husband's face slowly transform from concerned and sympathetic to steely and resolute as Mrs. Seward's words sink in.