The next month passed in what could be called bliss for Veronica. After his first botched attempt at poetry Balthazar had tried a different approach. Pages were meticulously, and extremely neatly, copied from books and placed with flowers in places she would find them. Well, sometimes it was flowers. Other times it was a ribbon or some sort of sweetmeat wrapped in parchment.

Her favorite was a simple silver necklace that he had put out for her. It was nothing fancy, just a thin chain that fit loosely around her throat. It was as though he had tried to get something that she'd like but to not look like he was flinging expensive gifts at her. Veronica took to wearing it constantly.

Overall it was, to be put quite simply, very sweet. She caught him looking at her whenever she pulled her hair back with a ribbon or put a flower in her hair. It was an anxious, hopeful sort of look and she reveled in it. However, the looks that Merlin was giving her were of a different sort. Horvath was looking at her oddly too, sometimes through narrowed eyes.

It made her somewhat embarrassed to see their obvious disapproval. From their expressions she could tell that she was making something of a fool of herself. However, she couldn't help it. Not only that, but she enjoyed giving Balthazar some form of obvious encouragement.

Part of her wondered how long it would take Balthazar to realize that she knew it was him though. Although it would be wrong to say she wasn't enjoying every moment of the courtship, she was waiting for him to declare himself. Towards the end of the month though, she decided that she was going to have to take matters into her own hands and tell him she knew.

On May Day she dressed carefully, making sure to put her favorite silver earrings in correctly. Veronica rehearsed her words carefully as well, as well as her timing. She had one shot to get this right and she wasn't about to waste it. The occasion was perfect, seeing as the normal May Day celebrations were already considered a day for lovers.

Unsuccessfully she tried to keep her jitters down as they entered the clearing that had been decorated for the ball. No less than a dozen times Horvath and Balthazar had asked her if something was wrong and she had been quick to insist that it wasn't. To rid herself of their suspicions she had to duck out of their company, at least for the time being. She considered complaining of a headache, but already Queen Guinevere had used that as an excuse and left earlier. Veronica doubted that it would work twice.

Luckily Queen Morgause was there on yet another diplomatic trip with her husband. She visited almost as often as King Arthur visited their kingdom. Ever since Lot's father had died there had existed a great friendship between the two kingdoms, and Veronica found herself being very thankful for that. However, Morgause noticed her jitters as well.

"Is something wrong?" she asked.

"Everyone keeps saying that," Veronica said, speaking fast, "I don't know what they're talking about."

Morgause raised an eyebrow.

"Who is he?"

"Pardon?" Veronica asked.

"Oh, don't give me that," Morgause said, smiling secretly at her, "I've been there and so have two of my sons. Now that Agravaine's married Lidia he talks of nothing else. I'm surprised you think that I don't recognize that tone by now. Now who is he?"

Veronica twisted her hands together and looked down.

"I can't say," she said, "He hasn't declared himself yet…"

"But you know who he is," Morgause said, putting her hand on Veronica's shoulder, "Otherwise you wouldn't be quite so excited I think. Now, come now, what's his name?"

Looking up Veronica cast a furtive glance around the clearing. Horvath and Balthazar were absorbed in a conversation with Gareth. Due to the fact that Letholdus had been feeling somewhat sick he hadn't come that night, and nor had Catherine since she was so busy with Albin these days. In other words; Balthazar was free because he wouldn't need to dodge him like he normally did at these functions.

She frowned as she thought about that. Come to think of it, she had seen his brother around the Keep more often. Veronica knew she would have to think of that later though. Morgause was looking at her with some impatience now. Clearing her throat Veronica looked back up at the older woman.

"Perhaps we could get out of the crowds?" she asked, "There are so many people here."

Winking slyly at her Morgause led her out into a secluded corner of the clearing. As she did Veronica saw a lock of gray hair peek beneath her veil. Only then did Veronica see the lines gathering at the corners of the woman's eyes. The knowledge that the dazzlingly beautiful and youthful Queen who had once given her dresses was now an old woman hit her hard.

She wasn't that old really, but the knowledge that Morgause was now a grandmother was strange. Veronica had never really thought of it before and quite frankly it made her feel odd. Over eleven years had passed since she had first met this woman and for the first time it felt like eleven years.

"Now what were you saying?" asked Morgause cheerfully.

Shaking her head to clear it Veronica focused on the situation at hand. She cleared her throat once before murmuring;

"Balthazar. It…It's Balthazar."

Morgause blinked at her. Veronica smiled sheepishly.

"Really…that's um…interesting," Morgause said slowly.

Feeling her heart fall Veronica asked;

"You…don't approve?"

"No, no, of course I do," said Morgause quickly, "No, I'm just surprised. You've never given so much as a…you're just…very good at keeping a secret."

"I've been trying to give him hints," she said, looking at the silver necklace, "But I'm getting tired of waiting for him to declare himself."

"Men can be awfully stubborn-" started Morgause.

A scream cut her off. Both women turned simultaneously to see a bright fire flare in the distance. Almost immediately two knights were half-supporting, half-dragging Mordred into the clearing. Veronica recognized the teleportation magic that was used to bring them there, as well as two other figures. She looked at Mordred, who was bleeding from the temple and smiling in a dazed way.

Another knight was dragging Guinevere into view, the identity of the other two figures revealed. She was in her night shift, but still seemed to retain a good deal of dignity. Without another word Morgause hurried forward, drawing level with Lot and Arthur who were already coming up to meet the small party. Lot looked confused, but Arthur looked downright furious.

"What's the meaning of this?" he demanded of Mordred.

Mordred smiled even broader.

"I went to inquire if the Queen was feeling better," he said simply, "But I wasn't the only one in the Queen's bedchamber."

He looked over at Guinevere and nodded.

"Sir Lancelot was there as well."

There was a ripple of conversation. Veronica felt rather than saw Horvath and Balthazar come up beside her. Merlin stepped forward quickly, pushing several people out of the way. Veronica caught him glare over at Morgana, who was watching the scene with a surreal amount of apathy.

"These…accusations…" Arthur said slowly, one hand fisted by his side, "Are best saved for morning…"

"They're not accusations," snapped Mordred, shaking off the help of his companions, "I have three witnesses. Well, three surviving witnesses."

"Surviving?" asked Arthur, his eyes darting around.

"When we found them," said Mordred calmly, "there was a scuffle, and he killed the others. After that he ran off with several of his fellow knights."

Another ripple of shocked whispers washed throughout the crowd. Merlin came forward.

"The King is right, this shall have to wait until the morning," he said.

"He shouldn't wait too long," Mordred said, "I believe the fire is spreading."

"How was there a fire!" demanded Arthur.

Mordred shrugged carelessly.

"I had to defend myself, and I didn't bring a sword. Fire's very easy magic."

Looking like he was barely able to control himself Arthur said;

"Sir Percival and Bedivere, bring the Queen to the outer keep and confine her to her chambers. Lord Merlin, with me."

With a curt nod Merlin gestured at his apprentices.

"Attend to the fire."

The two male apprentices quickly dashed off. Veronica went to join them before Merlin put a restraining hand on her shoulder.

"Not this time. I'm going to need you with me," he said, "I need you to help with the Lothainese nobles."

Veronica cast one longing look after Balthazar and Horvath.

"Veronica," Merlin said sharply.

Biting her lip she nodded and fell into step behind him.

.

.

.

"He set it on fire on purpose," growled Horvath.

Balthazar shrugged at him, his stride lengthening.

"Yes, he said he did."

"No," Horvath insisted, "he's trying to cover something up."

"Why would he need to cover anything up?" asked Balthazar impatiently.

"I don't know, but I don't trust that bastard after what he did to Veronica."

"Neither do I," agreed Balthazar, "But we can speculate on that later. Right now we need to concentrate on the fire, okay?"

Horvath nodded and not another word was said until they reached the quarter of the castle where the fire raged. The two of them quickly placed containment spells around it, but the magical fire was powerful. It would take some time to extinguish entirely, and some of the spells had to be cast from within.

Placing a shield around himself Balthazar went in with Horvath close on his heels. He moved around inside, setting up several more containment spells to starve the fire of oxygen. Balthazar worked methodically and quickly with Horvath close behind. The fire had been burning for a long time though, and it had already started to destroy the structure of the building.

"This place is going to go down," Horvath said, "There's no saving this quarter. The others will be fine from the other spells, but we need to get out of here."

Balthazar looked around. Horvath was right; the building was going to go down. There was just too much damage for them to fix. He motioned to Horvath that he was going to leave. He was walking past one room when a sixth sense told him to investigate. Knowing enough by now to trust his instincts, he ducked inside.

The heat was intense in there, but Balthazar felt like his veins were flooded with ice and pain. The shield around him dropped and he sank to his knees. There was a splashing noise as he sank into the thick, dark, liquid that drenched the floor. Soon he fell forward, his outspread hands the only thing that kept him from sinking face down into it.

"Balthazar?" called Horvath as he came, "What are you doing? We need to-oh God."

The bodies of Letholdus, Catherine, and Albin were scattered around the room. The fire blazed around them and the smell of burning flesh pierced the room. Their throats had been slit and he could see cuts on Letholdus' arms where he had struggled. Unlike the others he had been stabbed several times before the final blow was delivered.

Tentatively Balthazar reached over to his brother's body. Letholdus' eyes were wide, staring, and unseeing. The family signet ring was hanging on a thread around his neck. Many times Letholdus had mentioned it in passing, something that he had been bequeathed from his father and insisted that Balthazar would inherit. As if in a dream Balthazar picked it up and turned it over in his hand.

The metal was white-hot in his hand and a large blister was rapidly forming. He watched it do so in total apathy. Fire crackled around them and he was starting to feel fire lick his arms through the cotton of his shirt. Swallowing hard Horvath leaned over and whispered to Balthazar;

"We've got to get out of here."

Numbly Balthazar shook his head.

"He did this," Balthazar murmured, "He hated him. He did this. He did this, that bastard, and we can't…we can't…we can't do a damned thing…not with the Queen…he did this and then he walked away…"

Horvath looked with growing horror at the fire that his friend was allowing to burn him.

"We've got to get out of here!" Horvath insisted.

Once more Balthazar shook his head, dully looking at the bodies of his family. It felt like he couldn't move, as though it was impossible for him to move. There wasn't a thought in his head except that he needed to stay put. Horvath however, was looking around at the rapidly declining state of the building. Taking a deep breath he grabbed him under the arms and started to drag him out.

It was then that Balthazar found he could move. Frantically he struggled against the restraining arms of his friend, inadvertently putting out the flames that had sprung up on his arms. Horvath held fast onto him though, and with great difficulty dragged him out of the room. Soon after they got out of the quarters they collapsed. An odd screaming filled the air, and Balthazar was chillingly aware that he was making that inhuman sound.

"It's going to be fine, It's going to be fine," Horvath repeated over and over, "It's going to be fine, it's going to be fine…"

Balthazar wouldn't stop screaming though. It was then that Horvath noticed the extent of the burns that covered his fellow apprentice. He was scared now. He didn't have the power to heal him, not after all they had expended in the fire. Muttering under his breath he quietly put his friend to sleep. Casting one last look at the now ruined quarters Horvath started his long task of dragging Balthazar back to Merlin.