Tabitha watched Nemeth's cavalcade steadfast movements as they strode in front of the castle.

Her mark began to vibrate but she ignored it.

Right now her only worry was to get close to Esmeralda.

Her mistress wouldn't be to happy with her if she failed her only task; Earn Esmeralda and Cordelia's trust.


When Merlin arrived in Gawant, he was a bit distracted.

Hengist was still alive and was a medium for Gaius- or he hopes- and his dead mistress.

So when he was greeted by Percival and Elena, they could tell he had something eating away at his mind.

"Merlin, what's wrong?" Elena asked rubbing his arm soothingly.

"It's nothing" He assured.

Percival furrowed his brow before crossing his arms, "Are you sure Merlin? If there's -" he began to say but Merlin shook his head.

"It's nothing, I'm fine, I promise. I'm just a little tired from my trip."

Percival and Elena gave unsure nods but perked up at the same time, which always creeped Merlin out. It was like they shared a head or something.

"Your mother has been dying to see you Merlin. We expected you yesterday, but here you are today. I told her we could all have wine and lunch today," Elena said excitedly.

Merlin couldn't but cheer up a little.

The way Percival was beaming at him and the way Elena was practically jumping up and down despite the guards and knights that had came out with them.

Plus he hadn't seen his mother in ages, "Lead the way" he smiled.


Esmeralda sat in her room at her vanity cheerfully chatting with Cordelia.

Cordelia had volunteered to comb Esmeralda's hair while the two girls caught up.

"What's wrong with Llacheu?" Cordelia finally asked, a humming Esmeralda who was tracking Cordelia's progress.

Esmeralda stopped for a moment, looking at Cordelia through her mirror, "Family problems."

Cordelia just nodded not wanting to get into their business.

Noticing the silence Esmeralda gave a mischievous grin, "When am I going to get invited to you and Llacheu's wedding?" She asked teasingly, knowing of Cordelia's crush.

Cordelia's eyes went wide and she abruptly stopped combing Esmeralda's hair.

"Stop it." She said threateningly.

Esmeralda's eyes glimmered in mischief, "Or else?" she challenged.

"Or else I'll tell Elliot you still like him." she threatened.

Esmeralda gasped, "You wouldn't"

Cordelia smirked, "I live with him, don't I?"

"I live with Llacheu" Esmeralda retorted.

With that each girl regarded each other for a moment before breaking out in a sprint and running to Llacheu's chambers.

They ran into his chambers to see Elliot and Llacheu sitting at Llacheu's desk, talking and writing on a piece of parchment.

"Elliot! Gwennie likes you!" Cordelia yelled the same time as Esmeralda yelled, "Llacheu, Cordelia said you two were getting married."

Elliot and Llacheu shared a look before nodding to each other in a silent agreement as the two girl stood in the middle of Llacheu's chambers and bickered.

Llacheu got up and lifted Esmeralda over his shoulder while Elliot got Cordelia.

They were put outside of Llacheu's chamber without a word.

"Your such a baby." Esmeralda sighed.

"Brat" Cordelia retorted.

With that the two girls smiled at each other and headed back to Esmeralda's room.


Gwen couldn't help but laugh as Mithian recounted some of her tales in Nemeth.

Gwen always enjoyed Mithian's company.

She was a sweetheart and easy to talk to.

Any sour feelings for her husband's ex-fiancé went away on Llacheu's first birthday feast, Mithian had made her laugh so much that wine came from her nose and her stomach began to hurt.

She knew it was unqueenly, but she couldn't help it.

"Ladies" the voice of her husband rang out.

Mithian and Gwen turned to see Arthur standing by the door and smiling.

"Arthur" the two queens said at the same time, causing the other to chuckle.

"Don't mind me i just came to grab my gloves and jacket." he said.

Gwen looked at the burgundy shirt he was wearing and the long brown leather jacket he put on with a strap going across his collarbone.

With his gloves and clothes, Gwen noticed how much Arthur was starting to dress like Uther.

He was only a few shades away.

She noticed he doesn't wear chainmail anymore and how ever so often he would wear his crown and a cape.

The soft eyes she use to gaze in all the time had hardened, after all these years of being king, Arthur was really beginning to look like his father's son.

"Where are you going, dear?" Gwen asked to distract herself from her epiphany.

Arthur froze, completely caught off guard by her question.

He looked dumbstruck, so Gwen knew the next words that came out of his mouth was going to be a lie, or close to it.

"If you don't mind, I was going to take Thomas riding very quickly, we'll be back before dinner is served." He promised.

Gwen eyed him warily before nodding, "Okay dear." She said.

Arthur nodded to Gwen then Mithian before leaving.

Gwen couldn't shake the feeling he was hiding something.


Merlin talked happily to his mother and Sir Victor, while Elena and Percival were laughing and eating.

"So how has Thomas been in class?" Hunith asked happy to talk about her 'babies' as she would call them.

Merlin gave a grimace, "He's been doing fine, but our last class was cut short because Arthur wanted to find books on botany." He explained, "I'm afraid he might make me plant an entire garden when I get back." he admitted.

Everyone gave out a laugh, "That's Arthur" Percival said.

Elena just playfully swatted at Percival's arm, "He's a virtuous man. I still remember how kind he was to me when we were to be married and I wasn't very appealing. If it weren't for him I'd be married to him." She said.

'Yeah, I remember when-" Hunith began but Merlin rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, yeah, Arthur is amazing." Merlin said.

"You two were going to get married?" Percival asked in disbelief.

This caused everyone to laugh.

"That' enough laughter for me. If you don't mind, I'll retire for the night." Victor said.

Hunith looked up to her husband and smiled, "I'll retire too. See you in the morning, love." She said squeezing Merlin's cheeks then kissing his head.

Merlin rubbed his face as his mother and stepfather left.

When they were out of the dining hall, Merlin turned to Percival and Elena.

"Does a Luther live here?" He finally asked.

Elena and Percival gave pensive faces as they regarded Merlin, "Why do you want to see him?"

A/n: Is Arthur hiding something? If so, what? What will happen when Gwen finds out? Arthur has changed during his reign

What about Luther?

And we can't forget about what happened to Uther's Journals and Camelot's records. Is there something in there Esmeralda won't like?

What about Tabitha?

Comment and tell me what you think will happen.