This was the point that I hated myself for having father and son with the same name. Note to self, Never ever do it again. You won't just confuse your readers but yourself as well.

Enjoy :)

The New Tactics

Nimueh didn't know whether to admire him or pity him. She growled as Merlin once again managed to ruin on of her plans to get Uther off the throne. Didn't he understand that they were on the same side?

She had tried to kill him and Arthur seemed very determined to save him. She had no idea that the Pendragon house could be so loyal. Not after what Uther did.

But then again there was something different about the younger Pendragon and Nimueh would almost say that he had Ygraine's character.

Arthur, although arrogant, was kind, thoughtful and does care about the people of Camelot. He has all the makings to be a very good king. A pity he would never make it.

Nimeuh was still thinking of a way that she could get Balinor on her side. It was more difficult than she imagined. She couldn't go into Camelot and see what the rules said about legacy and tradition but she hoped there was something in there that would strengthen Balinor's claim, which she prayed he still had. He never directly told her whether he still had it or not.

But it seemed she had a little manservant to remove first.

She still had no clue how he managed to defeat Regan. She remembers when Regan held Arthur's title of the best warrior in the five kingdoms. A simple manservant wouldn't be able to defeat him, especially not one as clumsy as he is. Nimueh was quite impressed that he managed to stay upright for most of it.

There was a part of her that swears that she recognises him but she cannot place where she has seen him before. There is a familiarity about him and Nimueh wished she knew where it was from. It had been bugging her for weeks.

Then she had a thought.

What if he didn't realise the attacks where on Uther? What if he was just trying to protect Arthur? What if she could get him to join her?

He was skilled in magic and would make an excellent addition to the team. Plus it would mean that she could get inside information.

Nimueh leant back in her chair.

It was the perfect solution as trying to kill him was getting her nowhere. It was a win-win situation.

Uther tapped at his desk in his study. He had not been happy with Gaius for drugging him and that a mystery knight had managed to defeat Regan. It had been Uther's ambition to beat Regan and he hadn't had the chance when he stormed the castle. By the time he had run halfway across the castle to kill him, he was pale and cold.

He tried to be like Regan as much as possible when he was younger. Regan was the best warrior in the five kingdoms. Regan was the hero of the day always. Regan was just so perfect. Regan could do nothing wrong in anyone's eyes. Even Uther's own father's eyes.

Uther had tried not to be like his father. He always hoped to be the better man. But he knew that he was turning into him. He knew it every time Arthur disobeyed him.

His father was strict but fair. Even though he was good friends with Balinor II, their parenting techniques differed. Balinor would give his children all the time in the world whereas his father would try and sort any problem out as quickly as he could so that he could go back to his 'important' paper work. Balinor listened, his father ignored.

Sometimes Uther would wish that he was born an Eorðdraca than a Pendragon.

Not that it mattered now anyway. Balinor had been dead for 30 years and he hadn't heard a word from his father in the same amount of time. Mainly because the whole family had disowned him.

He was only able to keep his name because he was widely known in Camelot. He was a Pendragon whether his family liked it or not.

Uther was glad that Gorlois stayed by his side. It was nice to have one friend that understood him. But then again Gorlois had always been closer to Balinor.

He leant back in his chair and closed his eyes.

He was thinking about this and going down memory lane because of Regan being raised and Arthur's manservant looking like Balinor. He was stressed because of all the things that were happening. He hadn't slept well for days and it was taking its toll.

There had been some funny things going on but Uther could let them go for now. The next time someone tried to attack Camelot, they would be ready.

They would soon find out who was behind it all. They would go back to peace soon. The Eorðdracas would no longer haunt him.

Everything will turn out fine.

Balinor watched as the flames licked at the logs.

He had been thinking about what his mother had said ever since he left. She was right. She was always right. Nimueh was wrong. It isn't time for revenge. It had already been mapped out in destiny and the stars. Balinor could feel that it wasn't time.

He shouldn't have left his mother but he was sure that he would never have realised that if he hadn't. He wouldn't lie and say that he wasn't tempted by Nimueh's offer. Yes he never wanted the throne but there was a part of him that couldn't allow the history of Camelot to end with the Pendragons. It wouldn't have felt right.

But then again the way Uther took Camelot was completely legal. He won Camelot fair and square. There was something in the back of Balinor's mind that told him that he would be … well the real king.

There was no way of knowing for certain until Balinor walked back through the gates but he hoped that the people would accept him. He would want to rule like his father did.

But Balinor knew that if Nimueh came back, he would refuse her again. He would tell her to be patience. Good things come to those who wait.