The two guards prepared themselves to guard an empty room. Gaius had managed to escape from Camelot without been detected by the guards or anybody because of the robe he was wearing. He rode to Ealdor without stopping to rest or eat. He was tired, but he still rode on to Ealdor because he knew lives of people were involved.
Lancelot and Merlin who had gone to hunt heard the sound of a horse approaching.
"Do you hear that Merlin?" Lancelot asked.
"Yes, I can, it sounds like someone is after us," he answered.
Lancelot silently motioned to Merlin and they hid behind some grass and were alert to see who was coming at such speed. They were so surprised to see Gaius. Merlin hurried out of where he was hiding. "Gaius," he shouted waving for him to stop. "Gaius, Gaius, Gaius. It's me Merlin!" Gaius saw Merlin and managed to stop the horse, by then, Lancelot was by his side the both hurried to a tired Gaius and helped him off the horse.
"Gaius," Merlin said still surprised to see Gaius, "what are you doing here? You look so tired and worn out," Merlin said, concern in his eyes.
"You have to leave Ealdor," Gaius mumbled.
"Why? We are having fun here in Ealdor," Merlin said.
"And we are happy here," Lancelot added.
"You have to warn Arthur, Uther is on his
way, he knows you are here, you have to leave."
"What?" Merlin exclaimed his hands still on Gaius.
"Merlin you don't have time, you have to leave."
Merlin and Lancelot helped Gaius onto the horse. "The two of you have to go ahead, Uther is closing in on us as we speak," Gaius warned.
"I won't leave you here Gaius, Lancelot can go ahead of us to warn them," Merlin said, preparing to climb on the horse behind Gaius.
"Don't be ridiculous Merlin. You have a great destiny ahead of you, and me, I am just an old man."
"Gaius, without you there is no future for me, you are my guardian, you are like the father I never knew, I won't give up on you!"
Gaius was moved to tears. "Lancelot, you go ahead and warn Arthur," he managed to say to Lancelot. Lancelot thought of helping Merlin with Gaius but he knew that if he delayed more than this, Gaius risking his life to flee Camelot would have been in vain and many people's lives would be at stake.
"I will come back for you and Gaius," he told Merlin and turned to leave. Lancelot rode straight into the village. He stopped and hurried off the horse. Arthur, Gwen, Gabriella and Morgana were inside the house talking.
"I can't believe I am discussing with ladies," Arthur was saying, "where the hell are Lancelot and Merlin!" The three ladies were laughing. Arthur heard the noise of the horse come to a stop outside.
"Thank God I've got men to talk with." Then he stood up and started
going outside.
"Arthur! Arthur!" Lancelot called, his voice higher than normal. Hunith who
was just checking out her farm produce turned to listen to what Lancelot had to tell Arthur. "Sire, your father is on his way here, we have to leave right away."
Arthur wasn't surprised because he knew his father would find out their whereabouts sooner or later. But he couldn't keep the grim expression off his face. "Where is Merlin?"
"He will be fine," Lancelot said to Arthur .
"What do you mean he'll be fine," Arthur exclaimed, his anger rising.
"Where is my son?" Hunith said moving closer to Lancelot.
"He said he couldn't leave Gaius." Seeing the worry on her face, he went on. "Please, do not fear. I'll go and get them when everyone is safe."
"Lancelot," Arthur called, "get everyone to safety, I will fetch them myself."
"Don't worry son, I've got them for you," Arthur turned in shock to see his father. Morgana, Gwen and Gabriella, who had heard the sound of horses, went outside.
"Father?" Arthur managed to say.
Guinevere almost had a heart attack. "Morgana, this is my end," she whispered, fear written all over her.
"Father, let go of them," Arthur said.
"They are traitors of Camelot and you all have been enchanted by her," he said pointing an accusing finger at Gwen.
"Sire, I beg you, I am not a sorcerer," Gwen pleaded.
"You do not speak unless you are spoken to, you witch," Uther said in anger.
"Father, Gwen is no witch," Arthur said unable to control his anger, his fists clenching.
"You will understand what I am talking about when she has been burnt and the enchantment is gone from your eyes." Uther said.
Morgana could hold her tongue no longer. "I curse the day my father placed me in your care," she began. "You are a tyrant and you will come to an untimely death!"
"Arrest them all and bind them all, we are leaving for Camelot immediately."
Arthur was helpless because his sword wasn't with him. They had no choice but to go with them. He turned to Gwen. "I am sorry. I failed you again," he said. Gwen forced a smile of encouragement onto her face.
"I will always love you."
The guard that went to get Gwen was dragging her roughly, without caring she was pregnant. This provoked Arthur and Morgana, but Arthur was the first to speak. "You idiot, cant you recognise a pregnant woman when you see one?"
"I bet he hasn't," Morgana backed Arthur .
Uther looked at them, then at Gwen and he turned to leave.