The Castle of Fyrien

"Rise and shine!" Marayna laughed as she shook Arthur awake.

Arthur groaned and rolled over, trying to bury his face under his pillows, though all it served to do was make Marayna laugh harder and him grin for managing to do that. It seemed that, forcing her and Merlin awake at the crack of dawn for years on end had made Marayna naturally awaken at that time…and then force him awake as well. Revenge, she said, for him never letting them have a lie in. It was...an odd manner in which to wake, one he was still getting used to. He was so used to her or Merlin bumbling in, throwing the curtains open, rousing him in the most irritating ways...but that wasn't what happened anymore. They'd tried Marayna's thought of 'taking care of each other,' really he thought her whole excuse and arguing for Merlin to be named a minor lord (at the very least) was just to get him out of servant duties. But...he could admit he rather liked the small routine they'd fallen into. There was something remarkably intimate about waking each other and taking the morning to help each other prepare, something so...deep about the simple act of dressing each other that wasn't the same as when he'd dress himself or force Merlin to do it. But he'd found that he didn't manservant any longer, in the mornings at least, and he was...VERY glad that there wouldn't be any male servant coming to the room at the wee hours of the morning to help him ready for the day, especially given the state he and Marayna were usually in after certain...nighttime activities.

"Can't you think of a better way to wake me?" he asked her softly, though there was a teasing note in his voice, reaching out to tuck a lock of her mussed hair behind her ears.

She smirked, "Oh I can think of quite a few," she scooted closer to him, something he hadn't thought possible given how close she already was to him, "How about...shake a leg?" she asked, her hand trailing up his leg, squeezing his calf, "Up," before she massaged his inner thigh, "And at 'em?" her hand ghosting over a very sensitive area, making him groan, before it lightly rested on his chest, "Let's have you lazy daisy..." she traced a small circle over his heart, "No?" her smirk widened, "You don't like any of them? Hmmm…" she eyed him, "How about this then," she leaned in and kissed him deeply, pulling slightly away every time he tried to deepen it, forcing him up and up till he was sitting, the sheets falling around his waist, revealing his bare chest, "Oh look," she smiled, "You're, uh…" she glanced down playfully, her eyes flickering back to his own, "Up."

She chuckled lightly as she got out of the bed, sans clothes, and walked to the wardrobe to select her outfit for the day, Gwen having taken to helping provide her, little by little, with more gowns much like the one she'd work after her wedding, in her simple (yet forcibly regal) style, winking at him as she moved behind the changing screen and disappearing from his view.

Arthur flopped back on the bed, his heart racing, his wife would be the death of him he was sure of it.

~8~

Marayna knew something was wrong given how on edge Merlin appeared to be as he sat at the table that morning for breakfast.

She had taken her case and pleas before Uther and Arthur, explaining how it would be unbefitting for Merlin to be treated as a servant given that his sister was the princess of Camelot, and the two royals had been forced to agree. And so, in a very private, small, and simple ceremony (just like the siblings preferred), Merlin HAD been made a lord! A minor lord, Uther could only be swayed so much, but it was a vast improvement from being a servant. While he wasn't Arthur's 'manservant' anymore, he'd more taken on a sort of...companionary role with Arthur. He still maintained most of his duties, though they were mostly the ones that focused on accompanying Arthur, like...a friend who tended to have to pick up after him at times. Merlin wouldn't be forced to wake at dawn and dress Arthur in the mornings or fetch his breakfast or make his bed, Marayna was quite pleased to do that, nor would he be forced to muck out the stables. But he did still tend to the Prince's armor, his horse, accompany him on missions and quests, and a few smaller things that most minor lords tended to do for their sovereigns. But Merlin was allowed more freedom and familiarity in court than he'd had before. He was HEARD now, without the law to defend servants in his corner, he could speak back (within reason) to other nobles without fear of being thrown in the dungeons, he was given a bit more in 'wages' and his clothes were only slightly better in material, yet he still maintained his classic look, with his colored shirts and neckerchief.

One rather...odd aspect, or more an aspect that made Merlin feel truly awkward, was that he was allowed to sit at the table and dine with the king, his ward, his son and 'daughter-in-law' now.

Marayna knew her brother wasn't quite so comfortable around Uther, didn't feel that familiar with the man to be able to break bread with him, neither was she if she had to be honest. They both knew that the man would turn on them in a heartbeat if he learned they had magic. And they couldn't bear to have Morgana and Arthur suffer that fate.

'What is it?' she asked him silently as she sat across from him. She and Merlin usually sat at the end of the table, beside Arthur and Morgana, who sat on either side of Uther while he was at the head though Morgana wasn't there yet.

'Gwen never came to tend to Morgana this morning,' he told her. It wouldn't be so bad but...Gwen knew about his and Morgana's relationship, she usually managed to help sneak him out of Morgana's room before the other servants reached her hall, waking up earlier to get there in time to wake them, bless her heart. That hadn't been the case this time. And it worried them more that Gwen, faithful Gwen, hadn't shown, than that he'd almost gotten caught.

Before she could remark on that, Morgana entered, looking just as worried as Merlin though Uther didn't notice as he was talking to Arthur, "The building works in the Lower Town have been delayed. I want you to ensure it doesn't happen again."

"I'll see to it," Arthur nodded.

"Good morning, Morgana," Uther smiled at her, watching, just a bit...wary, as Merlin practically leapt up to pull Morgana's seat out for her, his ward smiling at the former servant as she sat, unsure if the boy's actions were a sign of nerves to be dining with him or a sign of affection for his ward. But, speaking of his ward, he finally noticed her tense smile, "Anything the matter?"

"It's Gwen," she said immediately, "She didn't turn up for work this morning."

"That's not like her," Arthur remarked.

"I know, it's strange. I hope nothing's wrong."

"You needn't worry, Morgana," Uther shook his head, "After all, if your maid can no longer be relied upon, we can easily replace her."

"I'm sure she'll turn up soon enough," Arthur said, seeing Morgana's frantic look at that.

"I'm sure she will," Marayna reached across the table to touch her hand. Arthur likely thought that it was just the friendship between Morgana and Gwen that had the noblewoman so frantic...and it was, it was a VERY large part of it...but it was also...Gwen was her confidant. Gwen was the only non-magic user in Camelot who knew about their magic, who Morgana could trust to practice her scrying around, to talk about her fears of magic and Uther, someone who offered a new perspective and just...someone she trusted. For Uther to talk so causally about replacing her alarmed them all.

Morgana smiled and squeezed it before putting it on her lap, Merlin subtly taking it under the table.

~8~

"Aya," Merlin caught up to his sister in the hall, "I'm going to go to Gwen's house and find out what's wrong," he told her, "Can you keep an eye on Arthur?"

She knew what that meant, see to his 'duties' while he was off, they weren't allowed to call them 'chores' anymore as Lords, even minor ones, did not do chores, but merely...attended to duties. She nodded, of course she would. Just because she was a princess in title did NOT mean she was a princess at heart by any stretch of the imagination. She just…had to act the part around Uther. She was just as content polishing armor and scrubbing a floor as she always had been.

"Thanks Aya," he leaned in and kissed her cheek.

"Of course," she told him, "Gwen's my friend too and I can only imagine how worried Morgana is."

He nodded and dashed off, Marayna nodding her head and rolling up her sleeves as she headed for the armory to fetch Arthur's armor and trying her best to remember not to smirk when she got the odd looks from servant and noble alike when they would see her carrying and polishing the armor just as she'd always done. She'd started to keep tabs on people, their reactions to the 'chores' she did at times, just to see how long it would take for them to realize...she really WAS just a servant in a pretty gown...who just happened to be married to the Crown Prince.

~8~

Not even an hour later Merlin returned, but to Morgana's chambers where he knew his sister and she were, "What's that?" Marayna asked, spotting a cloth in his hand.

"I found it at Gwen's," he told them, moving over to them, "Smell it."

"No thanks," Morgana crinkled her nose, able to smell something even from there.

"Aya?" he held it to her.

She reached out and took it, knowing there was a reason for it, and sniffed it deeply, only to pass out in her chair a second after, Merlin lunging forward to catch her so she wouldn't fall off it.

"Oh my God!" Morgana flew out of her own chair to kneel before Marayna as she started to come to, "Rayna, are you alright?"

"What the bloody hell is that?" she mumbled, Morgana smiling lightly at her language, most certainly NOT befitting a princess, but amusing nonetheless.

"Hogswart and phylarian," Morgana sniffed it lightly, making sure to be very careful about it, "Gaius told me about it, it's used to put patients that need operations or…heavy healing…asleep."

"You don't think…" Marayna began, stiffening, looking up at her brother in alarm.

Merlin nodded, "It was in Gwen's."

And that could only mean one thing...Gwen had been kidnapped.

~8~

They had, of course, told Arthur what happened and presented the evidence, which was why he was now standing before the court that had been called, standing on either side of Arthur as he gave his report/request to the king, "The guards saw her leave the palace at the usual time. After that, nothing."

"Why are you telling me this?" Uther shook his head, genuinely seeming confused and rather...unconcerned...with what his son was prattling on about.

"Sire, I have reason to believe that Guinevere has been kidnapped."

"Kidnapped?"

Arthur nodded, glancing at Morgana as she sat on her small throne beside and a little behind Uther's, knowing how important Gwen was to her, "I'd like to organize a search party."

"I hardly think that would be appropriate," Uther scoffed.

"Father?" Arthur frowned.

"She's just a serving girl."

"With all due respect, your majesty," Marayna stepped up, her tone implying that she really didn't care if her words sounded respectful or not, "But I was 'just a serving girl' and, by that logic, my life is no more important than hers is, is it?"

Uther was cornered there, to say no meant he had to send them out to rescue Gwen as he would be implying the girl was equally as important as the princess of Camelot. To say yes meant he did not consider her life worth more than Gwen's nor did he consider her a true princess, which would cause all sorts of trouble in the future.

"Sire," Merlin added hesitantly, taking a small step up as well, still not used to actually having a say, "She's the maid to the King's ward, perhaps, whoever took her wanted information?"

Uther stiffened at that, relieved he had an out and a bit surprised he hadn't thought of that himself, why else would someone take a servant? That made sense, "Very well. Send a squad of guards to search the Lower Town."

"And the countryside?" Arthur asked.

Uther considered it, "They have until nightfall."

"Father," Arthur frowned, "I'm not sure I can achieve..."

"Arthur, I have a kingdom to protect. I cannot waste precious resources on a servant," he looked at Marayna meaningfully, reminding her that she was NOT a servant any longer.

~8~

Arthur had been very downcast when, after last night, he and the knights hadn't turned up anything on Gwen, and he knew his father, no matter what, wouldn't let him expand the search the next morning…which was why it was such a shock when Gwen woke Merlin and Morgana the next morning, Merlin having fallen asleep comforting Morgana as she fretted about her friend. She'd tried to scry for Gwen, but she'd been so worried she couldn't seem to focus and the images in her crystal weren't clear.

"Gwen!" Morgana gasped, practically flying out of bed to hug her friend, "Where have you been?"

"Are you alright?" Merlin asked, getting up as well to look her over.

"I'm sorry," Gwen smiled hesitantly, tensely, "I was...unwell."

Merlin and Morgana exchanged a look, clearly not believing her but knowing not to press her. So Morgana turned to her, "Are you better now?"

"Much better, thank you."

"Well, don't tire yourself out. Whatever you need to do, I'm sure it can wait."

Gwen nodded and went about her duties.

'Keep an eye on her?' Morgan asked Merlin silently.

He nodded, knowing that his role as a partial 'servant' would still earn him access to their corridors and passageways, time to talk to Gwen in private.

~8~

Merlin had waited all morning for his chance, finally managing to 'bump' into Gwen in the process of walking down a corridor, making her drop the laundry she'd been carrying, "Sorry!" he called, moving to help her. He looked at her closely before leaning into, "I went to your house, Gwen, you weren't there."

"Oh," she stuttered, caught, "No, erm...I, er...was just..."

He frowned, spotting bruises on her wrists, peeking out of her sleeve as she tried to gather the cloth she'd dropped, "Who did that to you?"

"No one," she said quickly, too quickly, "It was an accident!"

"Gwen," he reached out and placed a hand on her arm, "Look at me."

"It's fine. I'm fine," but her lip trembled and soon enough she started crying, Merlin gathering her in his arms and hugging her tightly, sending out a mental call to his sister for help.

~8~

They sat in Morgana's rooms, Marayna there as well as Gwen told them what happened, how she'd been captured and led to Cenred, how her brother had been held captive as well and would remain a prisoner unless she returned…with Arthur. Apparently Cenred and Morgause knew Gwen's friendship with not just Morgana, but Marayna and Arthur and Merlin as well and assumed that the shared friendship would bait Arthur to come rescue her brother. He would never want to disappoint his sister and wife by allowing harm to come to their friend. And they also knew that, keeping Gwen's brother prisoner and at her mercy, Morgause was insuring the three magic users couldn't interfere.

"What I don't understand is how they knew," Gwen muttered.

"About what?" Merlin looked at her.

"About how close we all are," she said.

"Gwen," Marayna reached out to touch her hand, "It's no secret Arthur would gladly give his life for his people. Anyone could have been taken, it's...it's OUR fault she took Elyan," Marayna sighed, "She's probably done it to keep US from doing anything."

"But you're back home, safe with your friends," Morgana put an arm around her, "You don't have to face this alone."

"Yes I do," Gwen shook her head, "This is my problem. I can't involve Arthur. I won't."

"Then we won't," Marayna nodded, "IF you don't want to Gwen, then we won't."

Gwen was quiet a moment, "He's got my brother."

Merlin nodded, "Then we make sure Arthur is well aware of the trap so we can set one of our own."

Morgana smiled at her beau, kissing his cheek, "Brilliant."

~8~

"The Castle of Fyrien," Arthur nodded as he stood in Morgana's rooms, Gwen recounting what she remembered of the castle she'd been held in, "I'm sure of it."

"Never even heard of it," Merlin shook his head.

"Fyrien was a merchant," Morgana recalled, now recognizing the castle as well.

Arthur nodded, "He built a castle on the sea of Marador as an outpost for trade routes to the east, but when war broke out with Caerleon, the trade dried up. The castle was abandoned."

"Is it in ruins?" Marayna frowned.

"No. It was built to withstand anything. For Cenred, it's the perfect hideout."

"Doesn't sound like an easy place to get into," Merlin sighed, though he smirked at Morgana and Marayna, not easy for those without magic that is. They were NOT about to sit aside and let Morgause keep Elyan, they...just had to be careful how they proceeded.

"It isn't," Arthur agreed, "It will be well defended."

"I'm sorry," Gwen sighed, "I shouldn't've brought this to you."

"You did the right thing. Your brother will come to no harm, I promise."

"How can you be so sure?" Gwen looked at him, scarcely daring to hope.

"Because we're going to rescue him," Arthur determined.

"We?" Marayna challenged him, standing with her arms crossed, waiting to see just who the 'we' would be.

He smiled, seeing her determination, "The five of us."

She smiled as well and ran to him, putting her arms around him as she hugged him close, "Right answer."

"Cenred wants you dead," Gwen reminded him, "That's why he's doing this."

"I know," he nodded, "Cenred's wanted Camelot's throne for as long as I can remember. Which is why there is strength in numbers."

The group grinned at each other, their hope for a safe return for Elyan growing with every second they planned.

~8~

"You ready Gana?" Merlin asked Morgana as he stood before the small quartz crystal that she'd kept well hidden in a drawer, only to be placed before her in her rooms for times like this and for practice in scrying.

She nodded, leaning over to stare into the crystal, concentrating and...slowly...an image appeared in it, of Morgause speaking to Cenred as they stood in a castle room.

"Is everything in place?" Cenred was asking her.

Morgause smiled, "Arthur's taken the bait."

Morgana gasped, "She's been watching us as well," she told Merlin.

"So he means to rescue her brother?" Cenred inquired.

"Just as we thought," Morgause smirked "There is nothing he would not do for his people."

"Excellent. And he comes alone, I take it?"

Morgana held her breath, watching the emotions on Morgause's face carefully, seeing her seeming unsure, she hadn't seen THAT far or that much it appeared, "Uther would never sanction an army for such a task," Morgause determined, "He rides with just the servants, his bastard bride, and…"

"Your traitorous sister," Cenred laughed, seeing the ire in Morgause's eyes at his mention of Morgana herself.

"He is as good as ours," Morgause determined.

"Is he?" Cenred leaned forward, "You taught Morgana yourself."

"She refused to listen half the time," she spat, "I know now why. She will not be a match against me."

Morgana's eyes narrowed, she'd see about that. Just because she didn't appear to be listening, didn't mean she wasn't. Morgause had taught her many things, most of it dark, but for every dark spell she could recognize the foundations that good magic used as well. She would guess she knew more than Morgause thought she did.

"And once he is dead?" Cenred continued.

Morgause smiled, "Then Uther will only have one child left, and when the time is right, we will force Morgana on the throne and Camelot will be ours."

"And how do you intend to get her to cooperate?" Cenred's smirk widened, seeming to enjoy irritating Morgause, "Last I saw, she hated you."

Morgause glowered, "I have my ways."

Morgana pulled away with a gasp, turning to hug Merlin, afraid of what Morgause would do to see her under the woman's control…she could only think of one thing that would truly make her follow, Merlin…

Morgause was going to hurt Merlin.

~8~

Luckily, Morgana and Arthur came up with a story for Uther to get Arthur out of the castle for a few days, something about a bet and cloth for dresses that Morgana won as a wager. Uther had chuckled at that and given them both his blessing to head out and find the won fabrics. Apparently he thought the dresses she planned to have made were for Morgana and Marayna, that Gwen would be making them, and so they had to go as well with him to find fabrics they liked, Merlin going too, accompanying the prince and princess.

"Morgana are you certain?" Gaius asked as the four of them gathered in the physician's chambers that night.

She nodded, "Morgause has been watching us like I have her," she told him, "I don't know how much she's seen…"

"What if she's watching us now?" Gwen gasped.

"She can't," Merlin told her.

"I warded the chambers against scrying," Marayna told them.

"That's it!" Gaius cheered, "Marayna do you remember the protective amulet you made me," he held it up, showing her he still wore it.

"Yes…" she said slowly.

Merlin though caught on, "What if we make the same, but protected against scrying, it'll make us invisible to her!"

"That's perfect!" Morgana cheered, "It could be something small, like a necklace or a scrap of fabric or something."

"Something no one would notice, like your neckerchief Merlin," Gwen pointed out.

Marayna nodded, "I'll get on it," she ran to their old rooms and took out the spell book to begin.

~8~

Success!

Marayna was brilliant at warding it seemed, or at least laying the foundation, Merlin was the best at reinforcing the charm so that it really was like a protective amulet. She'd managed to charm a handkerchief of Gwen's, Merlin's neckerchief, a ring Morgana always wore, and the necklace Arthur had given her, as well as managed to get her hand on Arthur's wedding ring, which he only took off for training with the knights, so that he wouldn't be caught unawares either.

And so they were off the next morning, feeling much better prepared and in higher spirits as they trotted through the woods with Arthur.

"I used to be afraid of these woods," Arthur remarked absently to Marayna as they took the lead, Morgana and Merlin behind them, Gwen coming up last.

Marayna scoffed, "Did you just admit to being afraid?"

He looked at her, "I'm afraid of only a few things," he determined, looking at her meaningfully, a concern in his eyes that let her know he feared for her safety.

"Me too," she reached out to take his hand, squeezing it, the same look in her eye, "So go on, what's got you all shakey about trees?"

Arthur chuckled at that, "My father would bring me here when I was a boy, and it seemed every falling leaf was a bandit, every puff of wind was a ghost."

"It's probably not so bad once you get used to it though," Marayna remarked.

Arthur looked at her tenderly, all too reminded of her time as a servant and all the things she'd gotten used to during that time, "You don't have to anymore," he whispered, squeezing her hand, "You've got me now."

She smiled back at him, "And you've got me."

"And us!" Merlin cheered from behind them, reminding Arthur they weren't alone.

"I've got your back too," Morgana smiled.

"And Gwen, you'll look after Merlin, won't you?" Arthur teased as Gwen laughed for the first time in a while.

~8~

That night they made camp, Gwen tending to the horses while Merlin and Arthur offered to get firewood, leaving the girls along e moment.

"Gwen, please," Morgana called, seeing her trying to ready the packs, "Sit for a moment. You're wearing me out just watching you."

"It's good to keep busy," Gwen shook her head, "Stops me thinking too much."

"Because you're worried about Elyan?" Marayna guessed, "I know the feeling."

"I'm always worried about Elyan," she sighed, sitting.

"Yup, definitely know the feeling," she reached out to take Gwen's hand as did Morgana.

"He's just one of those people, never settled down, never thinks about the future, just follows his heart wherever it leads him."

"That doesn't sound so bad," Morgana smiled.

"Well, it wouldn't be," Gwen agreed, "Except he always manages to be in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"Can't exactly blame him this time," Marayna nudged her.

"No," Gwen agreed, "But even if I could, I'd still be there for him."

"It's what you do when you love someone," Morgana shrugged.

Gwen smiled and nodded, looking at them with tears in her eyes, these women, they weren't just her friends but her family, "If anything happens to you, I won't forgive myself."

"Don't worry about us," Marayna smirked, glancing the fire pit as her eyes glowed, lighting it.

"We just need to worry about protecting YOU," Morgana nodded.

Gwen smiled, just as the boys returned with more wood.

~8~

"Cenred's chosen his hideout well," Arthur remarked as they sat around the fire, eating what Merlin, Marayna, and Gwen had prepared for dinner, "Now, the Castle of Fyrien backs onto the sea, we will be vastly outnumbered, and his lookouts will spot us well before we've reached the gates. So, we can't go that way."

"Is there no other way?" Morgana frowned.

"Yes, there is," Arthur smirked, "When Caerleon was defeated by my father at the Battle of Danaria, he retreated to the Castle of Fyrien and it seemed a victory would be denied us, but my father knew of a secret labyrinth beneath the castle."

"A labyrinth?" Gwen shook her head, not liking the sound of that, especially not one beneath a castle, that was just asking for trouble.

"Fyrien was greedy. So, to avoid Camelot's levies, he dug tunnels from the castle to the sea. That way he could smuggle goods into the kingdom without anyone knowing."

"Let me guess, Uther ambushed him in the tunnels?" Marayna guessed.

"He never saw us coming," Arthur nodded.

"And neither will Cenred," Merlin realized as they all smiled, this...just might work!

~8~

Morgana was hesitant as they reached the shoreline of the castle, she just couldn't help the sense of unease about the secret entrance Arthur had spoken of. At first she'd been thrilled but...the closer they got to it, the more apprehensive she felt about it, "Are you sure we shouldn't try to sneak into the castle itself?" she asked as they stared at it the next morning.

"No," Arthur shook his head, "The tunnels are a better bet. That way the element of surprise is guaranteed."

"But…"

"What?"

Morgana sighed, "If YOU knew about the tunnels because of the battle fought here…"

"What's to stop Cenred from knowing as well," Marayna realized.

"What if it's a trap?" Gwen frowned, thinking on that as well, oh they knew it was but...to know that Morgause might be prepared for just such a surprise attack was alarming, "What if he means for you to think the tunnels are unknown to him?"

"I'm willing to bet my life he doesn't know about them," Arthur smirked, heading on.

Merlin looked the women, all of them shaking their heads. This never ended well when Arthur was confident and cocky about something.

"Here we are," Arthur led them to the entrance, "Stay close."

They wandered in, Merlin running into thick cobwebs, "Blech, augh!"

"Stop worrying about your hair, Merlin."

"Oi!" Marayna whacked him as he came to look at Merlin, her trying to help him get the webs out of his hair, "Leave my brother alone!"

"It's a good sign," Arthur had to concede, "Means that no one's been down here."

Gwen tried to get some cobwebs off an entrance way when a skeleton popped out at her, making her scream. They all ran to her side, torches lit, to reveal armed skeletons littering the ground.

"Caerleon's last stand?" Marayna guessed.

Arthur sighed, "Stick together, everyone. We need to keep moving…" he tailed off, hearing footsteps approach, "Quiet. Quick, this way," he led them to another tunnel, but more footsteps sounded from there as well, "We're trapped."

"How did they know we were here?" Merlin asked.

"It was probably my scream," Gwen closed her eyes, "I'm sorry."

They turned, hearing men behind them, and began to fight as Cenred's men swarmed. All it took was for one of them to grab Marayna and put a dagger to her throat for Arthur to instantly throw down his sword to protect her. The guard shoved her off, into Arthur's arms, before they cathere and dragged the five of them off into the castle, to the throne room where Cenred sat upon the throne.

"Well, well, Arthur Pendragon. How kind of you to pay me a visit," he chuckled, "As though I wouldn't know every inch of my castle," he shook his head, tsking as he stood, "And look, you brought some friends with you. Oh," he stepped closer, examining them, "The Lady Morgana, and the Peasant Princess no less."

"Don't so much as breathe on me, you pig," Morgana glared at him as he got a little too close to her.

"Well, the more the merrier, I say," he chuckled.

"I'm the one you want, Cenred," Arthur glared, seeing the man moving onto Marayna and NOT about to let that happen, "Let them go."

"You're right," Cenred sighed, "That would only be fair. But fair's for fools. Take them away!"

"I won't let you harm them! They're innocent!" Arthur struggled as the guards pulled them back.

"Innocent? No friend of Camelot is innocent!" Cenred glared as the doors shut, the five of them led out.

~8~

Arthur and Merlin were stuck in a prison cell, across from Morgana and Marayna, Gwen having been taken off down the way to where her brother must have been.

"I don't understand why we're not dead already," Merlin remarked.

"Because Cenred will want to torture me first," Arthur deadpanned, "Find out what I know."

"Aren't you afraid?" Merlin eyed him.

"No. Not in the slightest."

"Sorry, I don't understand," Merlin shook his head with a frown, "How, how can you not be afraid of pain?"

"I am afraid of pain, Merlin, but...not my own," he said, his gaze on Marayna as it had been since they were thrown into the cells.

Merlin smiled at that.

"Lucky for you," Marayna remarked as her and Morgana listened in, "There's not going to be any."

Arthur grinned, "Because we are going to escape from this filthy cell and rescue the others."

"You have a plan?" Morgana looked at him.

"Not as such."

"Great," Marayna sighed, "Leave it to the women then."

"Now, Mara..." Arthur began.

"Tut tut," Marayna cut in, smirking, "We're discussing the plan Artie," she smirked, gesturing between her and Morgana, "Give us two minutes."

~8~

"Help!" Merlin shouted, "Quick!" he pointed on the bars till a guard moved over, "The Prince is ill," he gestured at Arthur, who lay face down on the ground by the back wall, "I'm so sorry. I...I wish I knew what it was, but I..."

The guard ran in, knowing that the boy had to be alive to be useful. He ran to Arthur's side, only for Arthur to roll over, grab his arm and punch him in the face, knocking him out.

"Well?" Marayna called with a smirk.

Arthur just grabbed the keys off the guard and ran across the hall to her cell, unlocking it and pulling her into his arms, "My wife is a genius."

"My husband's not too dim either if he realizes that," she smirked, kissing him quickly, pulling away to see Merlin and Morgana hugging before they ran down the hall, peeking around the corner to where Gwen and her brother, Elyan's, cell was.

"Any ideas for this?" Arthur asked the girls, nodding at the locked cell and the guard watching it, slowly making his rounds.

"Just this one," Morgana smiled, pushing him out around the corner.

"Hello again," Arthur called as the guard spotted him, rushing to him and fighting him.

Arthur did his best but ended up pinned against a wall, "I'm going to enjoy this," the guard sneered, readying a final attack…only to keel over, face first.

Arthur looked up to see Morgana behind the man with an unlit torch in her hand, having knocked the man out…with a lump of wood basically. He grabbed the man's keys and they ran to Gwen's cell, "Gwen!" Morgana cheered, "Are you alright?"

"Yes," Gwen stood, running to hug her lady the moment the cell was opened.

"We need to get out of here," Marayna remarked.

They nodded and turned to run, hearing, "I think they went that way!" from the guards behind them, their cells discovered.

"Gwen, Elyan," Marayna turned to them, "You both need to get out to the horses and go back to Camelot…"

"We can't just leave you!" Gwen called.

"So that Uther will send an army," Marayna reminded her, not even acting like housewvies were typicallly portrayed as."

"But…"

"Go!" Morgana shouted, cutting in, ushering Gwen off, the girl knowing that it would be easier for them to use magic around and protect 1 person than 3, and so she took her brother's hand and ran.

They split up, the four of them rushing off, leading the guards so the Gwen and Elyan would be safe. Unfortunately, their running led them straight to the throne room, where Cenred was waiting.

As soon as they were into the room, they were blasted back by Morgause, the guards rushing straight for Marayna, knowing she would be the one to target to truly control the men, and dragging her over to Cenred who pulled his sword on her, holding it at her neck as Arthur jumped to his feet, "That's close enough!" Cenred snarled at Arthur as the man stopped, seeing his wife in danger.

"Let go of me!" Marayna struggled, not seeming afraid at all. And why would she be? Worst case...she used her magic, but she was in no true danger at the moment. She knew Morgause wouldn't risk killing her and losing her leverage against Arthur and Merlin.

"One more step and she dies."

"You're a coward, Cenred," Arthur glared, "You always were."

"Ha ha. It's cowards that survive, Arthur. Now put down your sword."

"Do as he says," Morgause smirked, seeing Morgana step closer to Merlin, "Surprised?"

"Hardly," Morgana glared, "I know what you're capable of."

"Oh, you have no idea," Morgause sneered, summoning a pillar of fire and pushing it at Arthur.

Merlin looked over and caught his sister's eye as she nodded, murmuring a spell of her own. Merlin took Morgana's hand, the two of them casting their own spell…the fire exploded before it hit Arthur, blowing everyone back at the same time the ceiling above Cenred and Morgause collapsed, thoroughly distracting them. Oh the wonders of magic.

"Mara!" Arthur yelled, dashing towards it, fearing the worst.

"Over here!" Marayna called, having managed to transport herself to the side of the room, making it look, to Arthur, that she had used the distraction to pull away from the guards and jump away.

"Oh thank god," he gathered her in his arms only a moment, "Come on!" he pulled her up and they ran out of the room with Merlin and Morgana.

~8~

They slowly made their way to the woods, careful that they left no trail, well the magical ones were, Arthur was too preoccupied with checking Marayna over than to worry about that so Merlin and Morgana took care of it. They stopped though when they spotted Gwen and Elyan waiting by the horses.

"I thought I told you to get back to Camelot," Marayna laughed, moving to hug Gwen, "You're disobeying your princess."

"You might be a princess," Gwen hugged her back, "But YOU don't even listen to you."

"Touché."

"Gwen," Morgana moved to hug her.

Just then Cenred's men jumped out of the bush and attacked, having followed Gwen and Elyan, but Elyan and Arthur took quick care of them.

"Not bad," Arthur looked at Elyan as he killed the last man.

"Well, practice makes perfect, I guess," Elyan smirked, his father HAD been a blacksmith, what else was there to do in his spare time but play with the weapons he'd made?

~8~

Later that day, in Arthur's chambers, he was smiling down at Marayna as she napped on their bed, it had been quite the experience hadn't it? He sat on the edge of the bed and brushed a lock of hair from her face when someone knocked at the door. He got up quickly and moved to open it, seeing Gwen there. He let her in but motioned for her to be quiet.

She simply held out a lovely, light blue dress to him, "What's that?" he asked.

"A silk dress," she told him quietly, "Morgana has the other, in case your father asks any questions. Morgana had fabric bought just in case."

"How's Elyan settling in?"

"Really well," she smiled, clearly pleased to have her brother back, "He's got the forge up and running and a place to live. He really appreciates all the help you've given him."

He nodded, glancing back at Marayna as she stirred bit but slept on, "Was there anything else?" he asked, eager to get back to his wife.

"I just wanted to say thank you for bringing my brother back. It means more to me than I can say."

"I can empathize," he admitted, "Since meeting Mara…Merlin, he's…" he struggled to find the words, to actually SAY it...

Gwen smiled, "Become like a brother to you?"

He nodded, "And if anything happened to him, I'd do all I could to save him...for Mara of course," he added quickly.

"Of course," she laughed.

"I would have to do the same for you, Gwen," she smiled as he used her nickname, he often called her Guinevere as he was just formal with everyone...except Marayna, now that she thought about it. She was the only one he'd ever given and used a nickname with, "You've always been there, as long as I can remember, you're as much my sister as Morgana is."

"I'm pleased," she nodded, "You've always reminded me of Elyan you know."

"I'm glad," he nodded as she turned an left. He smiled, moving to the bed and lying down, pulling Marayna into his arms as he settled.

"I'm so telling Merlin that," she murmured lightly, having woken at the knock and eavesdropped.

Arthur just laughed and held her closer, the two of them drifting off together.

A/N: Aww, Arthur thinks of Merlin as a brother :') Lol, little bit of innuendo in the beginning ;) I wonder what Captain Jack would say }:)

Some notes on reviews...

It would be amazing if Marayna could have a child :') But Uther's definitely got a back up in Morgana, which actually is almost sort of like if Arthur and Marayna could have a child...a child of Uther and a child of Hunith/Balinor coming together to have a baby...with Morgana and Arthur being one side and Merlin and Marayna being the other :) I JUST realized that lol :) It could happen, but I can say here Gaius is right, the baby wouldn't survive the early moments of conception :(

True, and Hope would be a very good thing to have when paired with the Doctor :)

Oh Family and equality between siblings will be a BIG theme with Marayna ;) We'll see more of that coming into play more around Series 4, but it starts here :)

Lol, I honestly didn't even realize I'd used Marian (like in Robin Hood and with Leena) till like an hour after I posted the chapter :) I love it when that happens though :)