A/N: As I was writing, I noticed that it was incredibly confusing to have Will and William in the same room...so "Will" is Merlin's servant, and the fake knight is named Robert.

Two armored riders waited at opposite ends of the arena. A steward waved a flag, then moved out of the way. The riders lowered their lances and charged. One rider's lance shattered against his opponent, throwing the man backwards off his horse. The victor rode over to the side of the arena, where Merlin and Morgana were watching in the stands. Arthur lifted his visor.

"Yet another win for the infallible Prince Arthur," Merlin teased.

"You should join us," Arthur suggested.

Merlin put a hand over his heart in mock horror. "Oh no, I'm nowhere near good enough to defeat you, oh great and mighty warrior!"

Arthur rolled his eyes and called for a servant to pass him another lance. He rode back to the lists.

Morgana turned and gave Merlin an appraising look. "You could take him."

Merlin shrugged. "Not fairly."

Once again, Arthur and Sir Leon charged at each other. Before Arthur reached Leon, the sun hit his visor. He raised his lance and looked away, temporarily blinded. Leon also lifted his lance as he rode past, declining to take advantage of the opening. Once Leon reached Merlin and Morgana, he dismounted and removed his helmet.

On the opposite end of the field, Arthur also dismounted and removed his helmet, furious. He marched over to Leon. "Why did you pull out?! I was wide open, you could have unhorsed me!"

"I was fearful that I might injure you, Sire," Leon replied. Though his tone was polite, there was an undertone that suggested he thought his answer was obvious.

Arthur was unimpressed by Leon's response. "You had the advantage, you can't afford to hesitate!"

"I wouldn't have done if I were facing a different opponent," Leon explained, slightly testily. "You are the future king, my lord."

Arthur frowned, a horrible thought occurring to him. "You jousted against me in the tournament last year, are you saying you let me win?"

Leon hesitated. When he answered, he did not meet Arthur's eyes. "No, my lord."

Arthur turned around to look at the other knights. None of them would meet his gaze either. "It doesn't matter who I am," Arthur stated firmly. "I do not expect any special treatment from you, from any of you! Is that understood?"

The knights nodded, still avoiding Arthur's gaze. Arthur huffed and walked away.

Arthur opened the door to his chambers with rather more force than he normally would have done. Merlin and Morgana followed him in. Arthur began pulling off his armor and throwing it onto the table. "How am I going to prove myself if my opponents aren't trying their hardest?"

"I'm sure it's not happening all the time," Merlin assured, attempting to placate his brother.

Arthur whirled around. "So, it's happening some of the time?"

"None of them wants to be the one to damage your precious ego," Morgana suggested.

"So you agree!" Arthur exclaimed angrily. "Have I ever won a fair contest in my entire life?"

"I've never let you win," Merlin offered.

"Yeah, and when did you last joust? Three years ago, wasn't it?" Arthur snorted bitterly, pulled off his hauberk, and threw it onto the haphazard pile of armor. "You know, all my life I've been treated as if I'm special. People telling me what they think I want to hear instead of the actual truth. I just want to be treated like everyone else."

"When have we ever been shy about telling you what we really think of you?" Morgana demanded.

"You don't count, I don't outrank you," Arthur grumbled. "Not by much, anyway."

"Well, what can you do?" Merlin shrugged. "You're Prince Arthur. You can't change who you are."

Arthur broke into a thoughtful smile. "Oh really? Don't suppose you know any spells that could make me look like someone else?"

"Not unless you want to be eighty years old with realistically creaking joints."

Arthur's face fell. "Well, scratch that then."

"What exactly would you have done with a magical disguise, anyway?" Morgana asked.

"I was hoping to compete in the tournament as someone else so I'd know the knights weren't letting me win," Arthur explained.

"You don't need magic to do that," Morgana claimed. "You spend most of the tournament wearing a helmet with a visor anyway. Just get someone to swap with you whenever you have to take your helmet off to acknowledge the crowd."

"That's not a totally stupid idea," Arthur mused.

"I bet we could talk Will and Gwen into helping," Morgana added.

That evening, the three siblings dined with the king. "We've received reports that a beast has been sighted near the northern borders," Arthur stated.

"What's the nature of this beast?" Uther asked.

"It is said to have the body of a lion, the wings of an eagle, and the face of…a bear," Arthur finished awkwardly. Merlin choked on his wine, trying not to laugh, and Morgana kicked him under the table. Arthur stoically ignored their antics. "I believe it has been conjured by sorcery."

"Then we must destroy it," Uther concluded.

Arthur nodded. "I leave for the northern borders in the morning."

"But you'll miss the tournament!" Uther protested.

"It's conjured by sorcery, Father!" Merlin said, eyes wide. "Arthur's got to destroy it!"

Arthur also kicked Merlin under the table. "As much as I want to compete, my duty to Camelot comes first."

"You're right, of course," Uther conceded.

"Don't worry, Arthur," Morgana said consolingly. "We'll tell you all about the tournament when you get back."

In the morning, Arthur rode out with a patrol headed to the northern borders. He ordered a halt just out of sight of the castle. He dismounted and tied his horse to that of another knight.

"I'll meet you here in four days," Arthur instructed. "You must tell no one that I have returned to Camelot."

The patrol rode away. Once they were out of sight, Will emerged from behind a tree, carrying a satchel. He handed the satchel to Arthur.

"You're actually doing this," Will commented, sounding impressed. "…My lord."

"It seems that pretending to be somebody else is the only way to get people to be honest with me," Arthur replied. He removed his chain mail, pulled a shirt out of the satchel and put it on. "What is that smell?" he complained. "Whose clothes are these?"

"Mine," Will said stiffly. "I washed them specially."

Arthur sniffed disdainfully as he put on a cloak. "Grab my bag, will you?"

Will sighed as he obeyed. How had he ever let Merlin talk him into this?

Merlin and Morgana sat in the throne room while Uther held an audience with a man from Cornwall. The visitor, Kelda, was a member of King Odin's court.

"I was there in person," Kelda announced. "Odin has put a price on Prince Arthur's head." Merlin and Morgana shared a worried glance.

"Surely he wouldn't dare," Uther objected.

"He's blinded by grief, my lord," Kelda explained. "The assassin Myror has accepted the bounty. I believe he's heading for Camelot as we speak." Kelda paused, shooting a sly look at Uther. "I bring you this information at great risk to myself." Uther nodded at a knight, who tossed a sack of coins to Kelda. Kelda bowed and exited the throne room.

"Double the guard," Uther ordered. "I want this assassin intercepted before he reaches Camelot."

Merlin and Morgana quickly excused themselves and made their way into the hallway. Once they were outside the throne room, Merlin took a deep, shuddering breath. "Well, on the bright side, Arthur couldn't have picked a better time to go incognito."

"We'd better warn him," Morgana agreed.

Down in the lower town, Will led a cloaked Arthur to Gwen's house. Once she let them in, Arthur finally lowered his hood. Gwen curtsied. "My lord."

Arthur smiled at her. "Guinevere. It's good of you to let me stay in your home."

Gwen smiled back. "I'm happy to help. I'll prepare some food for you." Arthur nodded and looked around the house, less than impressed by the humble abode. Gwen leaned over to whisper to Will. "I can't believe Morgana talked me into this!"

"Right there with you," Will muttered.

Gwen went into her kitchen. Arthur walked over to Will and spoke in an undertone. "Am I really expected to stay here?"

Will gritted his teeth. "This is how the common people live, Sire. If you don't like it, I suggest you go back to your big bed and your soft pillows."

Arthur stiffened. He had said he wanted to be treated like everyone else, and he was determined to hold himself to that. "This will be fine." He raised his voice back to a normal speaking volume. "How are the preparations coming along? Have you found someone to play our knight in the tournament?"

"Yes," Will replied. "He's a farmer from one of the outlying villages and no one will recognize him."

"But does he look the part?" Arthur worried.

Half an hour later, the farmer stood before them in Gwen's house. He most definitely did not look the part. His clothing was shabby and his hair was so messy that there were bits of grain stuck in it.

"Great," Arthur muttered.

Will fetched a bucket of water, and he and Gwen set about giving the farmer a major makeover. By the time they were done, the farmer's hair had been washed and trimmed and he was outfitted as a knight, complete with tabard and shield.

Will held up a seal of nobility that Merlin had forged the night before. "From now on, you're Sir Robert of Deira." Arthur sighed, still not convinced that this "Sir Robert" would fool anyone.

Robert began to pace. "Okay, how do I act like a knight?" he asked.

"A knight must behave with honor and nobility," Arthur began. Robert straightened and lifted his chin. His walk became a strut. Arthur furrowed his brow, not sure this was an improvement. "That's…better. You must convince everyone that you were born into a noble family."

Robert halted his pacing and looked down his nose at Will. "Polish my armor, boy." Will snapped his head up, startled.

Arthur laughed. "Now you're getting the hang of it!" Robert laughed with him. Arthur turned serious and looked at Will. "That's a good point, though, you do need to polish our armor."

"Yeah," Robert added snottily. He laughed again.

The door burst open before Will could come up with a response. "Arthur, there's an assassin after you!" Morgana exclaimed, Merlin right behind her. Everyone's eyes widened.

It took a few moments for Arthur to recover from the shock. "Is there anything to suggest he knows I'm here?"

"No, but you'd better be careful," Merlin warned.

Arthur looked pensive for a few moments. "I'm already in disguise," he finally reasoned. "There's no reason I can't continue the tournament as planned. I will be careful, I promise."

Merlin and Morgana nodded and headed back out of the house, followed by Will. "Merlin, am I seriously expected to be both your servants while this is happening?" Will hissed.

Merlin looked around and lowered his voice. "Any chores Arthur gives you, just bring them to me. I'll…take care of them. I'm not trying to work you to death."

Will let out a sigh of relief. "Thanks."

That night, Gwen swept the floor while Arthur ate his dinner. Once he drained his goblet, he stood up. "It's been a long day. I think I'll turn in for the night." He looked at the bed behind him, then sat on it. It was nowhere near as soft as his own. "Is this my bed?"

There was a moment's pause before Gwen replied. "Of course. I hope you'll be comfortable."

Arthur smiled at her. "I'm sure I will be."

Gwen took a deep breath and put down her broom. She walked over to a screen and pulled a curtain so that it blocked her corner from view. Arthur laid down in the bed and tried unsuccessfully to get comfortable. He tried doubling over the pillow, but it still wasn't the same.

"Good night, Guinevere," he called.

"Good night, my lord," she called back.

The next day, Merlin and Morgana sat in the royal box to watch the tournament. The knights mounted up and formed a line facing the king. They did not wear their helmets for this, so "Sir Robert" partook in the lineup. Robert was clearly having difficulty controlling his horse.

Uther stood up. "Knights of the realm, welcome to Camelot. You've trained for this day for many years. Today, you will put your bravery, your strength and your skill to the test. Today, you will fight for glory and for honor. For this is the ultimate test of courage and it will be the measure of you as men. For only the most skillful, the most fearless among you will emerge as a worthy champion."

The crowd burst into applause. Merlin and Morgana stifled giggles as Robert's horse continued to openly fidget. Merlin leaned over to whisper to Morgana. "Well, he hasn't fallen off his horse."

"I'm impressed he's lasted this long," Morgana whispered back.

Both of them eyed Robert as he made his way into his tent. Moments later, a slightly more heavyset figure emerged wearing a helmet with the visor down. Arthur mounted his horse and rode up to the lists. Throughout the day, he won his jousts just as easily as he had in practice.

Morgana cheered somewhat loudly after Arthur won yet another fight. Uther looked curiously at her. "You seem quite enthusiastic about this Sir Robert, Morgana."

"I found him rather handsome," Morgana covered quickly.

"Hmm." Uther looked back at the arena. "If he stays in Camelot, I could make arrangements. He certainly has skill."

Morgana blushed furiously red. She did not need to be offered a betrothal to her foster brother, of all people! Fortunately, she knew there was no possibility of "Sir Robert" staying in Camelot, so she tried to feign excitement. "I am pleased to hear that, my lord." She glared at Merlin when she noticed that he was shaking with suppressed laughter.

"I am definitely going to remember this moment forever," Merlin promised quietly.

Arthur walked back into his tent at the end of the day's events. He tossed his helmet to Robert. "You must go and acknowledge the crowd."

"How do I do that?" Robert asked, bewildered.

"You wave, they cheer, it's not difficult," Arthur answered, pouring himself a goblet of water.

Robert walked out of the tent, practicing his wave with a look of concentration. Arthur took a large gulp of water. "I do all the work, someone else gets all the praise," he griped.

"How do you think your brother feels every time he saves Camelot with magic, Sire?" Will challenged.

"One day, his deeds will be known," Arthur promised. He took another sip of water. "When I win this tournament, I'll reveal my true identity. Get the credit I deserve."

"Of course you will," Will muttered quietly.

Unfortunately for Will, Arthur heard him. "Well don't just stand there. Help me off with my armor. And remember to polish it before tomorrow, the horse needs grooming, and don't forget to repair the broken lances."

Will gritted his teeth. At least Merlin would help with the polishing and the lances.

After dinner that evening, Gwen cleared the table. She looked over her shoulder as she washed the dishes. "From what I hear, the ladies of the court are quite impressed with Sir Robert. They think he's very handsome. Your father is even considering offering him Morgana's hand in marriage."

Arthur choked on his tea. "He what?"

"Well, she did express interest, although I presume it was to cover her enthusiastic cheering," Gwen replied, stifling a giggle.

Arthur sighed and set down his teacup. "Typical."

Gwen put down the plate she'd been washing and turned to face Arthur properly. "Why are you doing this?"

Arthur was silent for a moment before responding. "I fear that people respect me just because of my title."

Gwen shook her head. "I don't believe that's true of everyone."

Arthur rolled his eyes. "Would you tell me if it were?"

"No," Gwen admitted.

Arthur looked up and met her gaze, grateful for that small bit of honesty. "When I'm competing as Robert, my title doesn't matter. Nobody gives me any special treatment. So when I win this tournament…if I win this tournament, it will be because I deserve it, not because I'm Prince Arthur." He held Gwen's gaze a moment longer, then he stood up. "I think I'll take a bath."

"That might be difficult, seeing as I don't have a bathtub," Gwen warned.

"Really?" Arthur asked, surprised. Gwen shook her head. "Uh…perhaps you could prepare me a bowl of hot water. I take it you have a bowl?"

"I think I can manage a bowl," Gwen replied stiffly. She walked over to the door, grabbed her shawl and wrapped it around her shoulders. "I'll just walk all the way down to the well and fetch some water, shall I?"

Arthur did not reply, busy stretching his battered muscles. Gwen gritted her teeth and left for the well.

The next day in the tournament, Arthur continued his winning streak. A knight named Alynor also rose up through the ranks, and eventually he advanced to the final. Next up, Arthur would face Leon to see who would advance opposite Alynor.

"Well, this is it," Merlin murmured quietly to Morgana.

"The moment of truth," Morgana agreed.

Arthur and Leon rode up to the lists. Leon lowered his visor and accepted a lance. On the other end of the arena, Arthur also accepted a lance. The two knights charged and Arthur's lance made contact. Leon fell backwards, still caught in his stirrups, and his horse dragged him to the end of the lists.

Merlin rose out of his seat and cheered, which Uther noted with interest. Merlin shrugged at his father. "What? I'm cheering for my future almost-brother-in-law."

Morgana pulled Merlin back into his seat. "Merlin, I am so going to murder you," she hissed quietly.

Out in Arthur's tent, Will closed the tent flaps and turned back to Robert. "Congratulations. You are in the final."

Arthur walked in and handed the helmet to Robert. "Go on, then. Your people await you." Robert grinned, took the helmet and left to acknowledge the crowd again.

Arthur turned to Will, a huge smile on his face. "No one can say Sir Leon let me win this time!"

Outside, the sound of cheering grew louder. "Sounds like the crowd are really taking to Robert," Will commented.

"That will change when I reveal my identity," Arthur said casually.

"Are you missing the attention, my lord?" Will asked cheekily.

"Just…go and water the horse, will you?"

Will took the horse to a nearby watering trough. While the horse drank his fill, a man approached. He had dark skin, he was bald except for a goatee, and he wore a pair of silver earrings.

"He's a fine horse," the man commented.

Will nodded and patted the horse's neck.

"I see your master has advanced to the final. He's extremely skilled with a lance."

"Yep," Will agreed noncommittally. "Just one more match to go."

"Tell me, what is he like to work for?"

Will looked around and leaned in closer. "Between you and me? He's an arrogant pig."

The man chuckled. "So you are no longer working for Prince Merlin?"

"No, I am. But Merlin never competes in these tournaments, and Sir Robert didn't bring a servant. So, I'm helping out."

The man inclined his head slightly. "Well, I wish your master luck in the final." He walked away.

"Guinevere?" Arthur called, entering her house.

"Just a minute!" she called back, setting down her broom and ducking behind her screen.

"Have you got a needle and thread? My shirt needs mending…" Arthur trailed off as he walked around the screen. He had assumed that Gwen's bed was behind it, but all he saw was a pile of sacks. "Is this where you sleep? Where's your bed?"

Gwen hesitated. "You're sleeping in it."

Arthur felt a pang of guilt at that. "Why didn't you say something?"

"How could I? You're Prince Arthur. Besides, you didn't give me the chance, you just assumed the bed was yours."

"Well how am I supposed to know if you don't tell me?" Arthur protested.

"You shouldn't need to be told to think of someone other than yourself, you're not a child."

Arthur looked at her with interest. For a long moment, there was silence as he digested that comment. "Is there anything else you'd like to tell me? Please, I'd like to hear it. If there's something you want to say to me, don't let me stop you."

Gwen hesitated, then lifted her chin and looked him in the eye. "You don't have any idea, do you?"

"About what?"

"About how rude and arrogant you can be!" Now that Gwen had gotten started, she couldn't seem to stop. "This is my home, and you are my guest in it! I know you are used to more luxurious quarters but that is not an excuse to be so rude! You claim titles don't matter to you but you behave like a prince and expect me to wait on you like a servant! Saying it means nothing if your actions betray you. Would it kill you to say 'please' and 'thank you' once in a while?" Arthur stared at her, and after a few moments she remembered who she was talking to. "…my lord."

"Is there anything else you'd like to add?" Arthur finally asked.

"No, I think that's it," Gwen replied, determinedly staring at her feet.

Pleased to have finally gotten some honesty, Arthur reflected on his behavior over the last few days. Now that he thought about it, he was amazed that Gwen hadn't snapped sooner. "You're right. You have invited me into your home and I have behaved appallingly."

"I didn't mean to make you feel bad," Gwen muttered.

"Oh, really?" Arthur said skeptically.

"Well, perhaps a little."

"There's no excuse. I'll make it up to you. Tonight, I will make dinner for you." Arthur took Gwen by the shoulders and began steering her to the door.

"You're going to cook me dinner?" Gwen asked disbelievingly.

"I most certainly am, now go for a walk or do whatever it is that girls do at this time of the evening, your dinner will be ready when you return!"

Arthur pushed her out the door and closed it. He then walked over to her kitchen, where a raw chicken sat out on a plate. Ah. He'd forgotten that he had no idea how to cook.

Merlin insisted that Will go check on Arthur, so Will reluctantly headed to the lower town. He passed Gwen in the street. She had a rather bemused expression on her face.

"Where's Arthur?" Will asked.

"He's cooking me dinner," Gwen replied, sounding as if she could hardly believe her own words.

Will blinked, hardly believing it either. "Arthur's cooking?"

Gwen shrugged, smiled and continued her stroll. Will raised an eyebrow and hurried to Gwen's house. Inside, he found Arthur experimentally prodding at the raw chicken. Arthur stood up and turned around, and an expression of profound relief came over his face. "Will! Thank god."

Try as he might, Will couldn't think of any words that would sum up his total disbelief of this situation. "Gwen says you're cooking."

"I need you to fetch me two dinners from the palace kitchens," Arthur ordered.

"Ah," Will replied, relieved that he hadn't gone completely mad. "That I can believe…Sire."

"Shut up," Arthur snapped. He scratched at his torso. "And get me one of my shirts, yours are making me itch all over! It's like having fleas!"

Will sighed as he left the house again. This tournament couldn't end soon enough.

Nearly an hour later, Will brought back two palace dinners and a shirt from Arthur's wardrobe. Arthur shooed him out (throwing the raw chicken at him) as Gwen approached. She walked through the front door mere moments after Will had closed the back door.

"Guinevere," Arthur smiled. "Perfect timing." He pulled out her stool for her.

"Thank you," Gwen said as she sat down. She tried a bite. "This is delicious."

"I'm glad you like it."

Merlin was walking through the castle when a terrified-looking maid hurried up to him and curtsied. "Sire! In the linen chest—it was horrible—"

"Calm down, you're safe here," Merlin soothed. "What happened? Can you show me this chest?"

The maid led him down the hallway, passing Sir Leon on the way. At a nod from Merlin, Leon joined them. In the next corridor, a chest had been opened to reveal the dead body of a guard.

Merlin caught his breath and turned to Leon. "Go fetch Gaius. I'll bring my father."

Leon bowed. "Yes, Sire."

Ten minutes later, Leon returned with Gaius and Merlin returned with Uther. Gaius bent to examine the body.

"Can you determine a cause of death?" Uther asked.

"His neck's been broken," Gaius replied. "There's scarcely a mark on the flesh. Whoever killed him knew exactly what he was doing."

"Earlier this evening, an intruder was spotted in the lower town," Leon spoke up.

"Then I fear it's true," Uther said grimly. "Odin has sent an assassin to kill Arthur." He turned to Merlin. "Have you any word from Arthur since he left for the northern borders?"

Merlin shook his head. "No. None."

Uther sighed, though whether it was out of relief or concern Merlin couldn't tell. "With this assassin in Camelot, we must be thankful Arthur isn't here. Search the entire town. I want the assassin found before Arthur returns."

"Yes, my lord," Leon replied with a small bow. Merlin excused himself and hurried out of the castle.

Meanwhile, Arthur and Gwen were obliviously enjoying their dinner. "So, do I have any other annoying habits you wish to tell me about?" Arthur asked.

Gwen contemplated this for a moment, then averted her gaze. "No. None."

"There's something else, isn't there," Arthur said shrewdly. "What is it?"

"Well…the truth is, you snore."

Arthur widened his eyes in mock offense. "I do not snore!"

Gwen laughed. "You do! The first night you were here, I thought a pig had got into the house."

"So now I'm a pig, thank you Guinevere."

"I just meant you sound like a pig," Gwen clarified. Arthur made a face at this, and she laughed again. "I think I'd better stop talking." She began to pick up her empty plate, but Arthur grabbed it out of her hands.

"I'll do that," Arthur said gallantly.

As Arthur lifted the plates over her head, Gwen caught sight of something on the underside. "Where did you get those plates?"

"From…the cupboard."

Gwen walked over to the wash basin and snatched up the plate. A bite entered her tone. "They have the royal seal. They're from the palace kitchens. I've washed enough of them to know. I take it that's where our food also came from?"

Arthur turned away. "Look, I can kill a chicken from a thousand paces, just don't ask me to cook it. That's what servants are for…" Too late, he realized who he was talking to. He turned back around, lowering his eyes. "I didn't mean it like that."

"I'm not ashamed to be a servant," Gwen stated, a hint of sadness in her voice. "At least I'm not a liar."

"We had a nice meal together, what does it matter where it came from?" Arthur argued.

"Because I thought you had shown some humility!" Gwen burst out. "You had done something kind for me even though I'm just a servant. A good king should respect his people no matter who they are." She turned away in disgust, but Arthur grabbed her arm.

"Guinevere. I know I have much to learn. There are some things that I am terrible at, cooking being one of them…but also, knowing what to say to someone I care about."

Arthur stared into Gwen's eyes. After a few moments, she moved closer to him, but then the door burst open and Merlin came in. Arthur and Gwen jumped and pulled away from each other.

"Arthur! Odin's assassin is in Camelot. He's already killed a guard, and he was spotted in the lower town earlier."

"Odin?" Gwen repeated, surprised. "Why would he want you dead?"

Arthur walked away from them. He stared out a window, lost in memories. After a few moments, he turned back around, a look of sadness and regret on his face. "Because I killed his son. Odin's son challenged me to a fight. I had no quarrel with him, I asked him to withdraw. Perhaps he felt he had to prove himself." Arthur stared into the distance, remembering the poor boy's final moments. "I still see his face. He looked so scared."

"You cannot blame yourself," Gwen said earnestly.

Arthur finally pulled himself back to the present. "May I continue to stay here?"

Gwen nodded. "Of course, for as long as you need."

"Thank you." Arthur walked toward the screen. "I'll sleep on the floor tonight."

"No, have my bed, you need to be well-rested for the tournament tomorrow," Gwen protested.

"I will not hear of it. Good night, Guinevere."

"Good night." Gwen walked over to her bed.

"Uh, I think that's my cue to leave," Merlin said, somewhat awkwardly. He hurried out.

Arthur picked up Gwen's blanket and lay down on the sacks. He'd thought the bed was uncomfortable, but this was like trying to sleep on a pile of rocks. He thought longingly of his mattress back in the castle.

In the morning, Arthur put on his cloak once more. "One more match, and the tournament will be over," he commented, not entirely happily.

"You can go back to being Prince Arthur," Gwen added with a somewhat sad smile. She held out a white handkerchief. "Um…I thought you might wear it. For luck."

Arthur took it, his fingertips brushing hers. "Thank you."

Arthur looked up at her face again. The sun was hitting her brown curls through the window. Her dark skin almost glowed in the early morning light. And her eyes…how had he never noticed how beautiful they were?

Before he knew what he was doing, he had pressed his lips against Guinevere's. She did not resist, returning the kiss with equal enthusiasm. After what seemed like an eternity, Arthur pulled away, reality sinking in. He had kissed a servant. A wonderful, beautiful, amazing servant—but a servant nonetheless. This could never be.

"I must go."

Morgana was the last to file into the royal box. "Not one word, Merlin," she growled.

"Or what?" Merlin asked innocently.

"Or I'll tell Uther that I saw you flirting with Lady Vivian last time she was in Camelot," Morgana threatened quietly.

Merlin stiffened. "You wouldn't."

"Try me."

"She was flirting with me!" Merlin hissed.

"Semantics," Morgana replied breezily.

"Everything all right over there?" Uther asked, concerned.

"Oh yes, everything's fine," Morgana said cheerfully. "Wonderful morning for a joust, isn't it?"

At that moment, Arthur and Sir Alynor rode out to the lists and the crowd broke into loud applause. The steward waved the flag for the joust to start, then moved out of the way. The two knights lowered their lances and charged.

Alynor's lance struck Arthur full-square. Arthur kept his seat, but hunched forward and clutched his chest in obvious pain. Morgana clutched Merlin's sleeve in worry. Gwen hurried out of the stands and over to Arthur's tent.

Will, on the other hand, stayed outside. He had an excellent view of Alynor as the knight approached, and Will could see that something was off about his lance. It had a silver tip—almost certainly not standard issue. As Alynor rode closer, Will saw that the silver tip was in fact a small metal fist. He was positive that he saw a sharp silver point retracting into the lance as Alynor trotted to a halt.

Will took another look at Arthur, obviously injured, and decided that Alynor's fixed lance deserved further investigation. He carefully followed Alynor back to his tent. He peeked through a crack and watched the knight remove his helmet.

The man underneath was not Sir Alynor. It was the man who had approached Will at the water trough the previous day. He took a few moments to catch his breath, face entirely impassive, then donned his helmet once more and walked back out of the tent. Will looked around the tent and caught a glimpse of a hand poking out from under a pile of furs. He suspected that the hand belonged to the real Alynor. And as for the man in the armor…that must be the assassin. Oh no.

Meanwhile in Arthur's tent, Arthur collapsed onto a stool. "His lance pierced my armor," Arthur explained, panting.

Gwen pushed aside the armor for a closer look. Arthur's wound was far more severe than it ought to be for something sustained in a mere tournament. "You're losing too much blood," she worriedly informed Arthur.

"Do what you can," Arthur gasped out. Gwen took back her favor and began dabbing at the wound. "I have to be back on the course in five minutes, or I forfeit the match."

"You can't possibly joust, you're too badly injured!" Gwen protested frantically.

Arthur barked out a short, humorless laugh. "I have never withdrawn from a match, I do not intend to start now."

"You would risk your life to protect your pride?" Gwen asked disbelievingly. "You have nothing to prove, least of all to me."

Arthur panted for a few moments before replying. "I have everything to prove, to myself." He accepted his helmet from Robert, forced himself back to his feet and made his way out of the tent. Gwen followed, worried out of her mind. Arthur somehow mounted his horse and then held his arm out to her. "You'll have to pass me my lance."

"This is madness!" Gwen protested as she obeyed. Arthur ignored her and rode away.

Will ran up behind her. "Gwen! Where's Arthur?"

"He's about to joust," Gwen replied, pointing at the arena.

"He's jousting against the assassin!" Will revealed, out of breath.

Gwen's jaw dropped in horror, and both servants raced into the stands. Arthur visibly swayed on his horse, but stayed in the saddle. Will continued pushing his way through the stands, determined to reach Merlin before the joust started.

The steward waved the flag again. Myror's horse reared before charging. For a few moments, Arthur faltered at the start line, but then he kicked his horse. He leaned heavily to the side as his horse galloped down the lists.

Will finally came up behind Merlin and leaned forward to hiss into his friend's ear. "Arthur's jousting against the assassin. Do something now!"

Merlin caught his breath in horror, then whispered a spell to snap the girth on Myror's saddle. Myror slid to the side. His lance went wide while Arthur's hit home. Myror was thrown backwards off his horse. He landed on his head and lay still where he fell.

Merlin heaved a huge sigh of relief when Arthur made it to the other end of the lists without falling. Morgana finally let go of Merlin.

Will returned to help Arthur off his horse. Arthur leaned heavily on Will as they made their way back to the tent. Gwen joined them.

Once inside, Arthur sank onto a stool. Will, Gwen and Robert all gathered around him. "You were jousting against the assassin," Will explained. "He killed Sir Alynor and took his place."

Arthur sat in silence, contemplating this. After a few moments, Gwen spoke up. "The people are waiting for their champion. It's time to reveal yourself."

Arthur stared into space for a few moments longer, then nodded at Robert. "You must go and collect the trophy."

Gwen furrowed her brow. "I thought this was going to be your moment of glory?"

"Perhaps this is a time for humility," Arthur suggested. He locked gazes with Gwen, and she knew that he had taken her every word to heart. Arthur nodded again at Robert, who walked out to face the adoring crowd.

Once the cheering died down, Will spotted a pair of guards carrying the assassin on a stretcher, followed by Gaius. He caught up with his guardian just as the stretcher reached Alynor's tent.

"His neck is broken. He was killed instantly," Gaius stated. He pushed back the visor, revealing the assassin's face. Gaius gave his ward a suspicious look. "Who is this man? Where's Sir Alynor?"

Will rubbed his forehead. "Long story."

The next day, Arthur stood before the court in armor and a bloody bandage, the decoy patrol standing behind him. "The assassin attacked us as we returned to Camelot," Arthur stated. "I was injured whilst killing him."

Uther leaned forward on his throne. "Odin must be made to pay for his actions. We must strike back at him."

"Surely you understand the grief he feels for the loss of his son?" Arthur said quietly, glancing at Guinevere. "We should try to make peace with him. There's been enough bloodshed."

"Perhaps you're right," Uther conceded thoughtfully. "How was the rest of your trip? Fruitful?"

"Very." Arthur glanced again at Guinevere. "I learned a great deal. How was the tournament?"

"Excellent," Uther declared. "We have a new champion, Sir Robert of Deira. It's a shame he didn't stay in Camelot, we had hoped he would make a fine suitor for Morgana." Morgana turned red again.

Arthur laughed. "I'm sorry I missed all the excitement." He glanced once more at Guinevere, then bowed and departed.

Out in the corridor, Arthur heard a now-familiar set of footsteps behind him. He turned around. "Guinevere."

Gwen halted, then walked over to Arthur and looked at him expectantly.

Arthur tried to think of the right words, but there was no easy way to say this. He awkwardly cleared his throat. "What happened, while I was staying with you…I'm afraid my father would never understand."

"You don't have to explain," Gwen said softly. "Perhaps, when you are king, things will be different."

For a long moment, they held each other's gaze, but then Uther called to Arthur. He reluctantly turned to join his father, casting longing glances over his shoulder as he went. He knew that he would savor the memory of his and Guinevere's kiss for a long time—perhaps even for the rest of his life.

A/N: In case any of you are wondering, yes, The Nightmare Begins will happen in this universe—with some changes, obviously.