A/n: Sorry for the delay you guys. I was testing and going to orientations all week. I've been so busy.

Arthur sat at the head of the table next to Guinevere.

Dinner was being prepared so the kingdoms could sit and congregate amongst each other.

The dining hall remained empty between them and a few servants and guards.

Arthur looked wistfully to Guinevere, who refused to look at him.

"Please Guinevere, I've apologized many times already, I'm sorry." He pleaded.

Gwen gave out a scoff before looking to him, "You question my loyalties for a man I've only known for one minute when I'm your wife and the mother of your children? Are you that insecure, Arthur?"

He regarded her for a moment before leaning back in his throne, "Perhaps"

Gwen glared at him before turning away, "You're a piece of work Arthur Pendragon."

"Guinevere" he said sincerely.

When she didn't turn around he gently grabbed her hand causing her to look over at him.

"I am truly sorry from the sincerest part of my heart. I never meant to hurt you, I promise you that." His blue eyes pierced into her brown ones.

"Arthur…" She began with uncertainty.

Arthur hopped out of his chair before giving a look to the servants and guards with wandering ears.

"I'd like to have everyone's attention!" He called out.

Gwen looked at him with questioning eyes.

"I want you all to know I'm an idiot. I hurt your queen's, my queen's feelings. I want you all to bear witness to my plea of forgiveness." He announced before dropping to his knees.

Knowing what he was about to do Gwen put a hand to her head in embarrassment.

"O' Queen Guinevere, please forgive me. I was a foolish man driven by pettiness." He began.

He then dramatically brang a hand to his head in distress, "What must a king do for the most beautiful queen in the realm to earn his forgiveness?"

Gwen gave out a laugh at her husband's antics. She knew his pride was too big to do such a thing, deliberately embarrassing himself in front of his people.

"You can stop for a start." She suggested while trying to mask her giggles.

Arthur smiled at her before getting up.

Llacheu sat at his desk scribbling on a piece of parchment.

Lady Brangaine weighing heavily on his mind.

Llacheu couldn't help but feel infatuated by her.

Her long flowing hair, her sparkling eyes and skin kissed by the angels.

She was perfect.

He was writing a letter of love, she'd surely love it. She might just leave King Marc for him. He was to be high king someday, surely that was better than being the king of Cornwall.

Thomas walking in snapped Llacheu out of his daze.

"What are you up to?" Thomas questioned looking at Llacheu writing something at his desk.

Llacheu never wrote unless mandatory.

Llacheu beamed at his younger brother, "Love, Queen Brangaine and I are going to run away and get married when she reads this" Llacheu said holding up the piece of parchment.

Thomas inwardly rolled his eyes, "You do know she's older than you right? I doubt she'd marry you, let alone run away."

Llacheu gave Thomas a small glare before he began writing on the parchment again, "You wouldn't understand, you haven't experienced a love like ours before."

Knowing there was no way through to him Thomas played along, "Okay then, let's suppose that Queen Brangaine agrees to your proposal, which is highly unlikely, don't you think King Marc would be rather upset?" He reasoned.

"All is fair in love in war, Thomas." Llacheu replied without looking up.

Thomas just sighed, "Well I'll be off; I reckon dinner will be ready soon."

"What are you going to do until then?" Llacheu murmured still in deep concentration.

Thomas just shrugged, "I suppose I'll stay in my room, maybe entertain a younger noble or so if I run into one."

"Have fun with that." Llacheu snorted.

He tended to find some of the noble children… strange.

Whenever he and his brother had to entertain them they didn't really talk, just stared, it was quite strange really.

Some of them were okay such as Victor and Elliott.

Thomas just rolled his eyes and walked towards the door, "I'll see you at dinner. Try not to drool when you see Brangaine again."

"Very funny" Llacheu said sarcastically.

Thomas jus smirked before walking out.

As he headed towards his room he saw Tabitha waddling down the corridors with two baskets of clothes in her hands.

Thomas thought she looked as if she were in some kind of struggle.

"Sire" she said as she almost passed him.

But Thomas stopped her with a kind smile, "Allow me" he said reaching for a basket.

Tabitha vigorously shook her head, "I couldn't, and its fine I have it, really." She insisted.

"Its fine Tabitha, I wasn't doing anything anyways, it's just going to the laundry room right?"

"Yes, but I assure you" she began but Thomas shook his head.

"I could use the company. Llacheu has nearly gone mad" He chuckled.

Tabitha gave out a laugh, "If I get in trouble I'm blaming you" She teased beginning to feel comfortable.

"That's what I like to hear." He said smiling

With that they fell in stride and began their trip to the laundry room.

They walked in a comfortable silence as they walked down one corridor to another. A loud crash from one of the rooms caught their attention.

Tabitha and Thomas looked to each other before walking towards the door, "You blasted potion!" They heard a voice say.

"It's a knight," Tabitha whispered.

"How do you know" He whispered back.

"This is the knight quarters" She replied.

"Oh," Thomas said dumbly.

Tabitha gave out a quiet laugh.

"Do you suppose we should check on him?" Thomas questioned.

But the sound of his angry roar caused her to shake her.

"Not the best idea, he's probably drunk." She said.

"What are we to do, I don't think father would appreciate the destruction of a room despite who beds it." Thomas said.

Tabitha began pondering his statement before an idea popped into her head, "Stay here until I call you."

Before he could object Tabitha sat down her laundry basket and knocked on his door.

"Are you mad?" Thomas whisper shouted but Tabitha just put a finger to her lip in reply.

A drunken knight then made his way to the door.

His eyes were bloodshot and he was slumped over in nothing but a pair of pants and boots, "Hey, I know you. You're Teala's sister aren't you?" He slurred.

Tabitha shuddered at the thought of Teala knowing this man.

"Sir, you're making quite a ruckus and the royal family is beginning to become concerned." Tabitha said calmly.

The man let out a loud laugh before stooping down to her height, a hand on each knee.

He tilted his head mockingly, "'The royal family is becoming concerned'" he said in a squeaky voice.

Tabitha glared at him, "I'll inform you one last time, sir. There are visitors here and-"but he cut her off again.

"Visitors are here." He mocked.

Tabitha had enough she placed an index finger to the middle of his head causing him to faint.

She turned to give a look at Thomas indicating he could come out.

Thomas came behind the corner wide-eyed.

"I forgot you had magic." He said before looking at the snoring man.

"I've been wearing long-sleeves lately." She shrugged.

"But how'd you do that? You put him to sleep without saying a spell." He asked.

Tabitha shrugged, "I learned from my sister. Our mis-"Tabitha began but cut herself off.

She was about to talk about her mistress, they couldn't know, not now.

"Let's just see what he has in here" She said.

Owain stood in front of his vanity. He admired himself for a moment before smirking.

He did look handsome tonight.

There was a dinner to be held tonight in honor of the visiting kingdoms, and he was a visiting kingdom.

He could already picture him and Guinevere together. Him wielding Excalibur and her next to him.

A knock on his door snapped him out of his daydream.

"Enter" He called.

Merlin walked in wearing a stoic look, "King Owain"

Owain looked at him through his mirror before giving him a smirk.

Merlin visibly winced, his smirk reminded him of Morgana. It was like a sick desire shining in his eyes mixed with dark humor.

"Yes, what is it Merlin?"

Merlin looked to him and clenched his jaw, "Dinner is almost ready, King Arthur wanted me to inform you personally, but as I can see you already got yourself ready."

"Yes, tell your king that I'm much obliged for the… courtesy." He said.

Merlin felt his stomach churn. Their resemblance was uncanny.

The way he talked was silky and rich, like Morgana's. Merlin could tell he was a seducer like his mother.

Their voices were too luring and he could now see that, knowing the truth.

"Yes sire," Merlin gritted out.

Owain turned to Merlin and smiled. His eyes flashed amber and his crown gently floated and nestled itself on his head, "Is there something on your mind Merlin?" He asked noticing the royal advisor's sore look.

Merlin was about say no but thought better of it, "I just find it strange that Camelot didn't even know your father died."

Owain noticeably tensed before turning to face Merlin, "He didn't know Uther died until the ten year anniversary of his death, you could say it was, for a lack of a better word, poetic justice."

"What of your mother? Where was she?" Merlin had to know if he knew his true lineage.

Owain glared murderously at him.

A wave of nostalgia washed over him.

He remembered when he was a servant and having to watch her silently plot Camelot's fall with nothing he could do about.

He had seen her few times. She often visited him as he slept, when his father wasn't around.

She was a good, compassionate woman. She never said much about herself, but she still loved and cared for him ways his father never could. She gave him advice, often sung him lullabies.

Her smile engrossed him. Sometimes when she snuck to see him she'd laugh with him.

From all he could tell from her, he noticed she was a sad woman, very young.

He loved his mother and now she was gone. No one to care for him after being attacked by his father.

No one to listen to him talk all night and no one to sing him to sleep. It was all because of Excalibur.

"That's a very personal question Merlin, but I never knew my mother" Owain lied.

Merlin looked at him thoughtfully before nodding, "I'm sorry," He said.

"It'd be best if you go now." Owain said calmly.

"Yes" Merlin said before nodding his head a little and leaving.

Owain clenched his jaw before looking at his mirror. The intensity of his stare caused it to shatter.

He was no longer going to take his time. The sooner he got Excalibur, the better.

Esmeralda was awoken from her slumber from the quiet knocking on her door.

Esmeralda sat up lazily before stretching her limbs and carefully stepping out of her bed.

It was probably someone to help her prepare for the dinner tonight.

"Enter!" She called sleepily.

To her surprise Cordelia walked in already in her dress for tonight with her blonde ringlets falling down her shoulders.

"What do I owe the pleasure?" She asked.

"I was bored in my own room, I could use the company." Cordelia said.

Esmeralda regarded her reluctant friend for a moment before nodding.

Cordelia took a seat at Esmeralda's dining table before looking to her expectantly.

"How've you been?" Esmeralda asked.

"I've been fine. Bored really, nothing but lectures from Lady Sophia and sitting in the library." She admitted, "You?"

Cordelia shrugged, "Same as you really but Elliot has been a thorn in my spine lately,"

"Perhaps he likes you." Esmeralda said.

Cordelia gave a small laugh, "That's unlikely."

Esmeralda was about to interject when a knock on her door caught her attention.

"Enter!" She called.

"I'm sorry I'm late, Gwendolyn, I had to stop and-"A servant said holding a light purple bejeweled dress but stopped short when she saw Cordelia.

"Princess Cordelia" She said bowing her head.

Cordelia gave a small smile before standing up, "I'll leave you to get dressed. Mother must be expecting me."

With that she left.

Esmeralda stared after her before turning to smile at the servant, "Shall we?" She asked.

Thomas and Tabitha walked around the knight's room. It wasn't anything extravagant compared to the royal family's room but it was roomy.

Thomas' eyes landed on a table full of small vials. Thomas walked to the table before picking up one filled with a purplish color.

"What do you suppose this is?" Thomas asked Tabitha.

Tabitha turned to his direction before raising a curious brow.

"I don't know. But I do know there isn't any ale in here. How do you suppose guards would let a drunk knight into the castle on a day like today?" She questioned.

Thomas shrugged before putting down the vial, "I don't know, perhaps they were afraid of him."

Tabitha scrunched her nose, "Trust me, they'd be more afraid of your father."

Thomas raised a brow. No one has ever described his father as scary. What was scary about him? Thomas never depicted his father as such.

"You see my father as a frightening man?" Thomas questioned.

Tabitha blushed in embarrassment, "Well… not all the time."

Thomas let the subject go.

"Merlin has been teaching me a spell. It helps me find out a potions true identity." He said.

Tabitha couldn't help but think of the potion she gave the whole royal family, even Merlin, so they'd forget about Llacheu and the King's fall out.

Tabitha even went as far as taking the documents and putting away in her and Teala's shared hut, "Okay, then try it." She encouraged.

Thomas gave a small nod before looking to the vial "Ostende tuam veram identitatem" He murmured, his eyes glowing amber.

The vial began to glow a pinkish color before returning to how it looked before.

Thomas carefully picked up the bottle and closed his eyes. "It's a –" Thomas started but was cut off by the man looking up at them and, "You pesky kids." He murmured trying to stand up.

Before Tabitha or Thomas could respond a bright white light blinded them and they were transported into the corridor, neither sure of what they were doing there.

"How did we get here?" Thomas asked.

Tabitha looked to him equally confused, "I have no idea." She then noticed her basket of laundry on the floor on the floor and frowned.

"We were going to the laundry room I suppose." She said before picking it up.

"Prince Thomas!" A guard yelled.

Thomas and Tabitha looked to each other and gulped.

"The king and queen have been looking for you everywhere. It is time for you and your brother and sister to come to the dining hall." He said.

He then cast an accusing glare towards Tabitha, "What were you two doing?"

"Laundry" they both replied quickly.

The guard grabbed Thomas by the ear, "Courtesy of your mother," He explained he then looked to Tabitha, "You are needed in the kitchen."

With that he dragged Thomas all the way to the dining hall.

Guinevere and Arthur were sitting at the head of the table with Llacheu on the side of Arthur and Esmeralda on the side of Gwen.

"Thomas, we were worried sick." Gwen glared.

"He was with Gwendolyn's serving girl, Tabitha." The guard said.

Everyone raised a brow causing Thomas to blush and glumly take his seat next to Llacheu. He'd never hear the end of it.

"Don't you think you're too young to be courting anyone?" Arthur teased.

"We're just friends, I was just helping her bring some laundry to the washroom." He insisted.

"Obviously," Llacheu said smirking.

"Shut up" Thomas said.

Ither stood in his father's room with Graham and Roland standing on either side of him.

Owain looked to his son and his men with a scowl.

"Change of plans. We get Excalibur as soon as possible. And to pour salt on King Arthur's wound, we will steal his queen."

"Sire" Ither began, "Are you sure, we should just take Excalibur when the tournaments are over so it does not bring suspicion towards us."

Owain smirk was sinister, he walked towards his son and clasped his shoulders beneath his leather cladded hands, "You're going to get rid of Merlin. It's the only way I can succeed."

"How do I do that?" Ither asked.

"Figure it out." He ordered, "If you need some… assistance. You know where to find me." He said referring to his magic.

Ither clenched his jaw then nodded, "Yes father."

"Twenty-four hours, starting mow." Owain said, "Now let us come, we have a dinner to attend."

With that they left.

"I suppose we have a dinner to host." Arthur said before lazily beckoning over a guard.

"You can announce the feast is ready."

"Yes, but sire, we have a shortage of, um, seating and-"but Arthur waved him off.

"Of course. Llacheu would you?" Arthur said more than asked while pointing to the table sitting next to them.

"Yes father." Llacheu said standing up to sit at the head of the other table.

"You two follow your brother's lead." Arthur said to Esmeralda and Thomas.

They got up and sat on either side of Llacheu, "Tell them we are ready." Arthur said.

After about three minutes the kingdoms began piling in the dining hall.

Somehow Owain ended up sitting next to Guinevere to Arthur's dismay.

When Arthur saw everyone was settled he stood up with Guinevere, a cup in his hands, "May the rest of your stays be pleasurable, and the tournaments be entertaining. A toast to Albion." He announced.

A loud cheer echoed through the dining hall.

Arthur then sat down and the food was served.

"Duck, my favorite." Owain said smiling at Guinevere.

Gwen sweetly smiled back trying not to be rude and Arthur's grip on her hand tightened.

"Tell me again why you decided to visit?" Arthur asked through clenched teeth.

"My son, Ither, he was tired of staying in a castle all day so we decided to come here for your famous tournaments." He explained.

"Does he have a mother? Your son I mean." Arthur said.

"Arthur!" Gwen said nearly appalled.

"It is fine Queen Guinevere, she died in childbirth. My father said he was an abomination since he was conceived before we were ever married." Owain explained.

"I'm so sorry to hear that" Gwen said sadly.

"You needn't apologize, I love my son more than anything in this world." Owain said sincerely.

Guinevere smiled at him, "That is so beautiful."

Arthur glared at Owain before nodding, "Indeed."

''Speaking of beautiful, you remind me much of a beautiful queen my father used to tell me stories about." Owain said causing Guinevere to blush.

Arthur clenched his jaw and glared. "Really? Which one?" He asked.

"The hunter and the doe." Owain said.

"I've never heard of it." Arthur sneered.

Gwen glared at Arthur's tone.

"Surprising, I've always listened to the story with a heavy heart. A virtuous king and his soon to be bride were torn apart because she betrayed him with one of his knights. He then banished her from his city and she was left alone to starve. As his bride tries to survive a mutual enemy turns his bride into a doe and one day as he hunts, as usual, he shoots her. He nearly killed his true love without knowing it. And guess what? She thought she deserved it." Owain said picking up his goblet to hide his smirk.

The dime has been dropped and he could practically feel the tension.

Arthur's glare was murderous and Gwen noticeably went pale.

"What's wrong?" Owain asked innocently, "Was it something I said?"

Gwen's hand loosend from Arthur's.

"Not at all." She muttered.

A/n: How does Owain know so much about Arthur and Gwen?

Will it cause a rift in there relationship? How is Ither going to dispose of Merlin?