Sorry it took a little longer than I would have liked. I am on vacation and haven't had time enough to do much of anything. Hope one of everyones favorite character will make up for it. He gets pulled around a bit, but I hope you enjoy it!

Chapter Ten

Arthur awoke the next morning and realized with a heavy heart that this was the last day of peace. The future was completely hidden from him. All he knew would happen for sure was death and destruction. He didn't know who would survive, and whether he could win this fight or not. He didn't know if any of those with magic would betray him and he didn't know if he could stand to see his kingdom lose to Morgana again. He looked over at a still sleeping Gwen. He would keep her safe if it was the last thing he did. He jumped out of bed and began to search for the one person he hoped could help him keep his wife safe through whatever happened. He found who he was looking for staring serenely over the battlements as the sun rose.

"Emrys," he called softly. The sorcerer slowly looked his way as Arthur neared to stand beside him. "I have a favor to ask of you," he said looking out at Camelot. His home.

"Another? My you are a needy one aren't you." Emrys said with a smile. "What is it you need this time?"

"It's Gwen, I need someone to keep her safe. I was wondering if you knew who could be trusted with her."

Emrys thought for a moment. "I know several people including myself who could do such a task. I won't do it myself of course. I will be too busy protecting you, but tell me what exactly would you like this person to be like?"

"What do you mean?" Arthur asked, unsure of what qualities he was referring to.

"Do you want to take someone very powerful away from the battle to protect one person or do you want someone trustworthy? Cunning? Talented? Noble? What quality would you want this person to have most?"

"I suppose I would like them to be very powerful. Gwen is everything to me. I would have a few knights protect her, but magic is more powerful. It could protect her better. Is it too much to ask that they be powerful, trustworthy, and wise?"

"Those kinds of people are a little harder to come by..." Emrys said stroking his beard.

"Is there anyone? If not, I suppose I could settle for two sorcerers, though I want as many as possible out on the field with us..." Arthur started rambling but stopped with a gesture from Emrys.

"I know someone who could do this job. He is entering the city as we speak," Emrys said looking seriously at the king.

"I need to meet with him first. I can't have only your approval. I must agree with your choice," Arthur said hopefully.

"Then follow me," Emrys said walking off to find an old friend.

Arthur followed Emrys without a second thought as he led him through his city. They stopped at the northern gate and waited.

"He will be here in just a minute," Emrys said as Arthur stared across the short field that led into the forest.

"Who is he? Why do you think he can be trusted with this?" Arthur asked.

"I met him a couple of years ago, here in Camelot actually. We didn't start off well, but eventually we became good friends. He is very talented and powerful, though when I met him he was a little inexperienced still as well as a bit stupid, he has come a long way. Ah, here he is," Emrys said as a figure emerged from the trees.

"What is his story?" Arthur asked, trying to glean more information.

"I don't know much to be completely honest. I know his father also had magic, but refused to use it."

"Why?"

"My friend used to believed it was because his father feared magic, but he realized it was more fear of the power of magic to corrupt,"

"I thought magic wasn't good or evil," Arthur said briskly.

"It isn't, but the temptation is still there to use it for personal gain and glory. Just like with any other form of power, like a sword or being born with nobility, it is tempting. Don't tell me you've never abused your power as king?"

"I haven't," Arthur said offended.

Emrys just looked at him with a raised eyebrow and Arthur knew he was right. It was hard to keep yourself in check.

"Alright, so I've...made a few mistakes," Arthur admitted.

"Most people with some power have something that keeps them in check. What is it that keeps you from overstepping your boundaries?" Emrys asked curiously.

Arthur thought for a moment. "My wife for starters and...Merlin," he replied easily. Merlin was shocked. "Merlin and Gwen are always there to put me in my place when I do something wrong. I wouldn't be who I am today without them." Arthur finished. Arthur eyed Emrys, the most powerful sorcerer he had ever met, and wondered. "What is it that keeps you in check?"

Emrys was surprised by this question judging from the look on his face. Arthur saw the man's face scrunch up with thought. Arthur almost thought he wouldn't answer, but finally he opened his mouth. "I suppose Gaius, and my m-" Merlin quickly stopped there. He was about to say his mother, but being as old as he was in Arthur's eyes, that wouldn't make sense. "and my friends," he corrected. "The ones that live in Camelot, and uh well, I suppose you as well."

"Me?" Arthur said incredulous.

"You above all," Merlin said quietly.

"I don't understand..." Arthur tried to say, but that was when the man walking across the field finally reached them.

"Gilli!" Emrys cried hugging the young man familiarly.

Arthur didn't notice the look of confusion on Gilli's face at being hugged by a strange old man. While embracing, Merlin explained quickly who he was and why he looked that way.

"Emrys!" Gilli said uncertainly. "Good to see you again," he said trying to sound a little more normal.

"I'd like you to meet someone," Emrys said pulling away from the young man. "This is Arthur, king of Camelot."

Gilli bowed respectfully.

"Don't I recognize you from somewhere..." Arthur commented at seeing the man's face. "I know I've seen you..."

"I fought in the tournament. The one open to anyone and everyone," Gilli said helpfully.

"Oh yes! You nearly won too! I remember because no one thought that someone so..." Arthur trailed off. "Don't tell me you used magic," Arthur said realizing that he probably had.

Gilli panicked a little and looked to Emrys for help.

"He did," Merlin said cautiously. "But he didn't try to kill your father," he lied. "You're father won against him, remember?"

Arthur glared at Emrys for a moment, not totally believing him, but he let it go. He instead turned his attention to Gilli and looked him over. He didn't look very powerful, he doubted his capabilities.

"Are you sure he's right for the job?" Arthur questioned.

"Job? What job?" Gilli asked worriedly.

"Of course he's right for the job. I wouldn't have said he was if he wasn't," Merlin said addressing Arthur first. "The King wants you to protect his Queen, Guinevere," Merlin explained to the nervous man.

"What?" Gilli exclaimed. "I don't know if I can-" Gilli started protesting, but Merlin glared at him, making him promptly shut up.

"See, even he doesn't think he's up to it," Arthur argued.

"He's just tired, long journey and all that," Emrys said laughing it off. "He really will be quite perfect. He's powerful, and resourceful, what more could you want?" Gilli stood a little straighter at the compliments he was given. Arthur looked at the two men skeptically. "Just one moment please," Merlin said dragging Gilli a little ways away. Arthur looked on as they exchanged some words before returning back to him. "He'll do it," Emrys assured. Gilli didn't look that happy.

"You're asking me to trust the person I care most about in the hands of someone who may or may not be competent enough and who doesn't even really want to protect her?"

Emrys stared at him incredulously. "Yes!" he said exasperated. "Honestly, you are thick."

Gilli stepped forward. "I'm sorry," he said timidly as ever. "I would be honored to do whatever Emrys, and yourself of course, deem me worthy of. I came to help fight Morgana, but it would be a great privilege to protect someone as important as the Queen."

Arthur looked him over. "Alright," he said. "You'll need to show me what you can do first, but we can wait until you get settled in. come along," he said walking off towards the castle. Gilli let out the breath he had been holding. He hadn't expected to meet the King of Camelot that quickly.

"You have a lot of explaining to do," he whispered harshly to Merlin before following the King. He turned around once more. "And you look ridiculous!" he half whispered.

Merlin muttered to himself as he tailed behind feeling the old age in his bones. "Stupid Arthur and this spell!"

After showing Gilli to his own room, Arthur and Emrys headed to the dining hall for breakfast where Gwen was already waiting for them.

"Emrys," Arthur started as they walked down a long and empty hall. "Is Merlin on his way?" he asked hoping he was.

Merlin nearly tripped on the hem of his robe as he struggled to find an answer. "Uh, why yes, he is on his way," to breakfast with you, he finished in his head. "Safe and sound."

"Good," was his sharp reply. "When do you think we should expect him?"

Merlin rolled his eyes, luckily the King walked in front of him and didn't see. For a prat, he sure does worry about me a lot, he thought with annoyance to himself. His concern was touching, but annoying in his situation. "It's hard to say. It depends if everything goes smoothly or not I suppose."

Arthur didn't reply, no doubt worrying that Merlin would run into some sort of trouble.

"What's the matter my lord," Merlin said using his formal voice for a change. "You look so troubled."

Arthur sighed. "I guess I just worry about the idiot too much. I keep thinking he's going to trip and hurt himself, or move too slowly and get caught by Morgana, or eaten by wolves... He gets into a lot of trouble." Arthur realized he was opening up to a sorcerer and put on his manly king face. "Not that it matters. I have a war to deal with tomorrow."

Emrys smiled. "Of course."

Without another word, they went off for breakfast.

Later on that day, Arthur gathered several of his knights, his wife, Emrys, Alator, and Gilli around the training field.

"Come Gilli," he said motioning him into the middle of the circle the group had made.

"Wh-what?" Gilli said stumbling into the center with a shove from Merlin.

"You're going to show me what you can do," Arthur said handing a practice sword to the young man. It still looked out of place even with the years that had made him look a little older.

"B-but," he protested.

"Gwen," he addressed his wife. "This is potentially the man I will be assigning to protect you if you so agree," he announced to everyone there. "We shall all judge whether he is worthy enough to protect her." He turned back to Gilli. "Choose your opponent. Each man here is talented with all sorts of fighting and would put you to the test." Gilli glanced around the field with wide eyes. "You may have faced all sorts of men in that tournament all those years ago, but none of them could defeat me, or my father. You must prove yourself against a man I know to be as strong as any you might meet tomorrow."

Gilli still looked a bit nervous, but he sized up every man on the field. "And who would you say is the strongest?" he asked. All the knights stood a little straighter with the hope that their king might call their name in reply.

Arthur looked around. "That is a difficult question to answer, for there are two men on this field who I would consider the most challenging."

"Who might those people be?" Gilli asked. "Whoever they are I would like to fight either one of them."

Arthur smiled at the guts this boy had. He opened his mouth to reply but was beat to it.

"One is me," said Emrys stepping forward, "and the other I would guess is the king himself. Arrogant self-important toad.." he muttered that last part so only Arthur and Gilli could hear.

Arthur stared at Emrys angrily for a moment before confirming. "Yes, thank you," he said not sounding grateful at all. "So pick your man."

Gilli gulped, having to choose between a king and a powerful warlock. It wasn't an easy choice. "I choose...you, sire," he decided.

"I was hoping you would say that," Arthur smiled. Gilli began regretting his decision.

"A-am I allowed to use magic?" he asked quietly.

"Of course. You'll be using magic during the actual battle I hope. I want to see your best."

Gilli nodded and raised his sword as Arthur unsheathed his. Arthur flipped his sword playfully through the air and went in for the first attack. Gilli only just managed to block before jumping out of the way. Gilli waited for the next attack which came swiftly to his left. He blocked that too but another swing quickly headed for him from his right. He couldn't believe how quickly Arthur could move. Without time to bring up his sword, he muttered a quick spell that sent the sword veering into the ground where it became stuck. Arthur vainly tried to pull the sword out of the ground, thoughts running through his head about how much easier it had been when it was stuck fast in stone. Gilli didn't wait for him to retrieve his sword. That had been the purpose of that spell, and swung at the king. Arthur jumped out of the way just in time making his way to the nearby weapons rack to retrieve another sword. Gilli pursued and swung just as Arthur acquired a weapon. Arthur swung round and blocked, pushing the weaker man away from him. Gilli fell to the ground and had Arthur coming at him before he could get his feet underneath him again. He muttered another spell that tripped Arthur. Gilli had learned spells that weren't quite so subtle, but he had been trying to be subtle for so long it was what he was best at. Although since everyone knew he already had magic, they could guess what he was doing with it since none of the knights had ever seen Arthur so clumsy.

Gilli managed to get up just a little before Arthur and tried to swing at him again, but Arthur blocked again. They exchanged a few more blows before Arthur managed to knock Gilli's sword from his hands. It went flying far across the field, Arthur standing in between him and the rack of weapons. Arthur smiled a little triumphantly. Gilli looked around and saw Arthur's previous sword still stuck in the ground. With a flash of his eyes it flew into his hand just in time to block another blow from Arthur. Another couple of blows were exchanged and Arthur began to look frustrated. Gilli decided to try one of his more noticeable spells, though still couldn't help but whisper it. Arthur suddenly flew across the field to land heavily on his back. Gilli rushed up and pointed the sword at Athur's exposed neck. Slowly a smile crept onto his face before he backed away and helped the prince up. They were both breathing heavily as they brushed dirt off their clothes.

"Very good, you are at least competent," Arthur complimented as he dismissed the other knights with a wave of his hand. "Although if I had been fighting at my best, you would have lost," Arthur added.

"Oh come off it," Emrys said walking up to them. "He's just better than you."

"He has magic!" Arthur defended.

"Yes, yes, and you have a pointy stick. How lovely...So does he get the job?" Emrys asked clasping a hand on Gilli's shoulder.

"I suppose he is up to the job, that is if Gwen agree's," he said turning to his wife.

"Honestly Arthur, I don't need a protector. I'm going to be helping Gaius with the injured anyway, I don't think-"

"Actually you won't be assisting Gaius," Arthur announced.

"Is that so?" Gwen said angrily. "So what will I be doing?"

"You..." Arthur started, suddenly looking uncomfortable under his wife's glare. "Will be leaving Camelot.

"I'm what?!" Gwen exclaimed. Merlin too was surprised by this new development. "If you think I'm abandoning Camelot now, you are sorely mistaken Arthur Pendragon."

Arthur winced at the use of his full name. "Listen. I need you to be safe. If Camelot falls, you must be safe," he said, nearly begging.

"No," Gwen defied. "I will either help Gaius, or fight along side you as I always have. I will not run. Not even if it would give you great relief."

Arthur weighed his options of either trying to convince her or find another avenue.

"Sire," Emrys cut in. "Gilli is perfectly able to protect her Highness. I see no reason for her to leave."

Arthur glared at the sorcerer for a moment. "Fine, you can stay, but I don't want you leaving the castle unless it is being taken, at which point it is your job Gilli to keep her safe no matter what. Is that understood?"

Gilli nodded and Gwen smiled a little. "Thank you Arthur," she said sincerely.

Gwen walked off towards the castle while Arthur shook his head, defeated. Suddenly he turned to Gilli again.

"Don't let her out of your sight," he said. He turned to Emrys. "If he fails, it will be your head," Arthur said stomping off.

Gilli gulped and Merlin scoffed. "As if," he said to himself. "Don't worry Gilli. You'll do just fine," he assured.

Gilli nodded slowly. "Would you mind explaining to me exactly what is going on?!" He finally yelled.

There you go. I really enjoyed that chapter. Hope you stick around for the next one!