A/N: I don't want the rest of the chapters to seem hurried but I notice that the story doesn't update when I add a chapter. I can take a hint Fanfiction. I just feel the need to finish the story even if Fanfiction doesn't feel the need to update it.


Chapter 8

There was some time after Prince Leon's 'execution' before another challenger came. During this time the princesses continued to sneak out of the castle dance. No one could figure out how they even gave the messages to the cobbler to order new shoes. Uther refused to pay but they cobbler continued making those blasted slippers.

Little did Uther know that his most loyal supporter, his great defender and companion-Ygraine, his loving Queen, was the one helping his daughters. Uther, being so far into his madness, did not see or recognize the treachery in his wife. And even though Ygraine felt the guilt of keeping things from her husband; Uther was far too mad to see reason. So knowing that he was beyond reason, Ygraine followed her heart and helped her daughters when she could.

The royal family, including Arthur, Guinevere and their new daughter was gathering in the throne room with the members of the court and some of Camelot's population. The King and Queen were sitting regally in their thrones waiting in quiet anticipation for this moment. Arthur and Guinevere were going to introduce the new princess to the people of Camelot. Everyone was happily waiting for the Crown Prince to make the announcement.

Arthur took his daughter from Guinevere and presented her (officially) to the king and queen. He bowed and turned to the people gathered in the throne room. "People of Camelot; I present to you: Princess Aldora." Everyone clapped and cheered and a nurse removed the baby from Arthur's arms and left the room.

After many minutes of congratulations and the king hearing Camelot's people seeking an audience for whatever reason, a herald announced that the last visitor was a man wishing to have an audience with the king about the mystery of the princesses. His Majesty agreed to the audience and in walked the biggest man many have ever seen.

The whispers in the audience brought Mithian's attention to the new challenger. He looked over to her and smiled. She caught her breath; it was him- her prince from the boat. Now that there was no mist to hide him, she could look at him and take in all the details of his appearance. He was a tall as he appeared in the boat and just as muscular. He wore a long dark leather tunic (sleeveless, of course) that brushed over his hips covering part of his buckskin leggings. His hair was a dark blond and very close to his head to the point that it looked fuzzy. The coloring of his facial hair made it hard to see when it was as short as it was. None of characteristics took away from his youthful appearance. When he spoke, instead of the booming volume to his voice that most men half his size project, he was soft spoken and gave the impression that he was rather shy.

"Your Majesty," he spoke, "My name is Percival and I would like to solve the mystery of the princesses."

Uther answered in a bored voice, "Fine. You have three days and on the third day you'll be executed if you fail. Understand?"

"Yes, Sire." He answered.

"Good please join us for supper and then you can try." With that Uther dismissed everyone in the room. Uther always allowed the men to eat with them but he had stopped with the entertaining and extravagant feasts long ago.

Mithian was scared. She already felt guilty and wanted to stop but Morgause reminded her of, 'the plan'. They couldn't tell the men because they might accidently reveal it and that would be disastrous.

All through supper Mithian monopolized his company. The other princesses didn't really mind because they didn't want any more guilt on them if this plan ever failed. Besides; Mithian and Percival looked good together. She wasn't that small but Percival dwarfed her. They both had that shy but playful sense of humor and it was obvious that they were made for each other. They discreetly held hands when they walked and found many reasons to touch each other.

When supper was over Mithian was allowed to walk in the gardens with him. Uther didn't mind that his daughters would entertain these men before he executed the men. It kept them from complaining all the time and they were safe. After all, the princesses all had four guards now guarding them. The guards were just hoping that this particular man was as nice as he appeared because if he chose to do harm, they doubted they would be able stop him.

~0o0~

Uther didn't seem to realize that Isolde was not showing up. It was reported that she was ill and decided to stay in her chambers and he never questioned it or the amount of time this 'illness' was taking place even when men were coming all the time now and then get executed for not being able to catch them leaving the castle.

Four days after Percival's 'execution', another man sought and audience with the king. He was a lot more brash than the others had been lately. His demeanor was one of someone who didn't care much for royals or the proprieties of Court.

Vivianne felt like swooning when she saw him. He. Was. Gorgeous! Slightly taller than herself, he had wavy brown hair down to his shoulders. His facial hair was the same dark brown color and slightly longer than was the custom in Camelot's Court. Warm dark eyes spoke of mischief; and a muscular body that spoke of his fighting spirit.

He looked over at her and winked. She blushed and lowered her eyes. Good thing too, because when he spoke to Uther she was sure her face was the color of Camelot Red.

"Your, Majesty, my name Gwaine and I wish to try to answer the mystery of the princesses."

Uther nodded and reminded him what would happen in three days if he didn't find out how they left the castle. Gwaine agreed. Then Uther did something that he hadn't done for a long time. He gave Gwaine a closer look and studied his appearance.

"You look familiar," Uther stated. "Have been to Camelot before?"

"No, Sire." Answered Gwaine. He took a deep breath, "I'm Lot's Grandson…" The people gasped at this information but Uther waved it off and took it all in stride.

"Don't expect favors or mercy, boy." Uther warned, "I didn't spare his nephew, Cenred so I won't spare you."

Morgause was shocked and knew her sisters felt it too. No wonder this man looked familiar. His looks were similar to Cenred and they came from the same kingdom. They were both part of Lot's royal family. How could Uther be so stupid? Lot's kingdom was not to be trifled with. He could be ruthless. And now Camelot is committing acts of war by killing Lot's family? All the princesses hope this nightmare would end before another war broke out. A war they were sure they couldn't win.

~0o0~

Vivianne stuck to Gwaine like glue. Literally. The guards had to keep peeling her off from him; every time they turned around the couple was in a deep lip-lock that shocked her sisters. It was like Vivianne was under some kind of love spell. Gwaine of course didn't mind. When he found out that he was to sleep in the ante-chamber in the princesses' Tower, he was making plans on how to sneak Vivianne into his room.

Morgause and Helen were very concerned about those two and their behavior. They couldn't let them foil their plans and ruin everything they were about to accomplish. So they came up with a plan. Gwaine liked this plan; Vivianne brought him a huge jug of wine when they retired to the tower and they almost had the whole thing consumed before the sleeping drought took effect.

Morgause and Helen grabbed Vivianne and carried her to her bed and covered her up. There was no need for her to go dancing; her prince was snoring peacefully in the other room. This was how it was with them for the three days that Gwaine was in the castle. Both acted like they were enchanted with a love spell. Both were drugged to sleep at night so there wouldn't be any problems. And at the end of Gwaine's three days; Vivianne gave the most dramatic show than any of the princesses when a suitor had been executed for not finding out their secret. She gave a loud cry and fell to her knees in bereavement and distress: the exact appearance of someone who could not be consoled. She was escorted to her chambers, where she was getting ready for their night of dancing.

Ygraine was sad to her daughter in such a state. Not Uther. When Uther seen Vivianne's reaction: his smug smile was plastered all over his face. He felt that there was definitely going to be a breakthrough in finding the answers he wanted.

Little did he realize that it was not the breakthrough that he expected. Or wanted.

TBC