Chapter 10: Meeting

She stood there, looking out the window down into the court yard of the castle as the sun was getting low on the horizon. A slight chill had begun to creep into her bones; from the temperature or recent events, she did not know. Too many people that she cared about had been taken away from her this last year. As she stared at that spot in the courtyard, she shuddered, closed her eyes and turned away from the window.

Guinevere pulled her shawl tighter around her shoulders. She looked across the room to where Arthur stood, hunched over his desk. George, Arthur's new man servant, was explaining something, but she couldn't hear what it was, nor did she care. Her only concern was for Arthur. To look at him now, he seemed normal, going about business as usual, but she knew better, and so did most of the castle unfortunately. With all the rumors going around she didn't know what to believe. When he had found her earlier, she had been so relieved that he was okay, that she hadn't pushed to find out the truth. Part of her wasn't sure she wanted to. She wanted to remain there, in that moment, where everything seemed right, but deep down she knew she could not avoid it for long. He had promised that he would explain everything, and that she needn't worry.

'If only it were that simple.' She thought. A sudden loud knock, more like banging, on the door startled her out of her thoughts. "Enter," Arthur said in a raised voice, not looking away from the papers on the table in front of him. Gwen turned to see Sir Leon, enter the room followed by Gwaine, Percival and her brother, Elyan. She met his eyes, smiled slightly and nodded a hello. Arthur had told her that he was going to hold a meeting with the knights, where he would explain everything. She didn't know what "everything" was, but she hoped that it would help to put her mind at ease.

Arthur acknowledged the knights and most of them headed towards him, but Elyan headed towards Gwen. When their eyes met, his expression changed, and Gwen suspected that he had not expected her to be there. This was confirmed as he got close, he said quietly, "What are you doing here?" His voice laden with worry.

She straightened her shoulders and said confidently, "Arthur said he had something to tell me." She tried to control her thoughts and not get too defensive, but sometimes the little "boys club" mentality annoyed her. She understood it, but it still got under her skin. "Something to tell all of us." She added in a softer tone. Elyan started to say something but was cut off by Arthur calling him and Gwen to join them at the table.

Arthur finished a hushed conversation with George as everyone gathered nervously around the table. All remained standing. When Arthur turned his attention back to the group, Gwen noticed George had grabbed a few papers off the table and locked them in a cabinet on the other side of the room before departing. She didn't have very long to wonder about it, as Arthur was addressing them.

"Thank you all for joining me at such a late hour. Please, please be seated." His tone was casual, as if this was just a friendly gathering, but Gwen could see the anxiety in his eyes. As always he was trying to be strong, but she knew whatever it was that he had to tell them, was not good news. She took a place adjacent to him, and as she sat put her hand over his. A soft smile appeared on his face and he put his other hand on top of hers as if to say, 'I'm alright.' Aware of the others at the table waiting, Arthur pulled away and switched to a more formal posture.

"I am sure that you have many questions. I must apologize if my behavior as of late has been cause for concern." Arthur stood and pushed his chair back. "As you all know, the raid at the Valley of the Fallen Kings revealed that there is a traitor inside Camelot." The knights exchanged worried looks. "Until now, I have been somewhat distracted and have not pursued the matter outright." He paused and looked towards the window behind him. "I know that the past two weeks have been difficult," he turned back towards the group. "For us all. However, some new information has been brought to my attention, in regards to the matter at hand." Arthur placed his hands on the table, looking down and took a deep breath.

"After the ambush, I looked into everyone who could have given us away. In the end, there was only one person left who had the opportunity to betray us." Though he raised his head, he avoided making eye contact with anyone. "Until now, I was inclined to take his word that it couldn't have been him, but," he paused.

Gwen could see the pain on Arthur's face, the inner struggle to say the name. To know it and to admit it out loud were two different things. The question of 'who?' hung silently on the lips of the knights. They wanted to know who it was, but they were all, surprisingly even Gwaine, remaining silent in respect for their King's obvious difficulty. Once again Gwen reached out and placed her hand over Arthur's. A slight gesture that said volumes. 'It's okay. I'm here. You're not alone.' He met her eyes, and she saw the tension in his body relax a little.

Arthur straightened up and faced the knights. In a matter of fact tone he said, "New information has been brought to my attention, confirming my earlier suspicions that the traitor, is none other than my uncle, Agravaine."