[A/N: Thanks go out to the readers who responded last night. I really appreciate it. Still you might want to brace yourselves. This is going to get prickly. And no, I not blaming Arthur for all of it either. Read and see….]

Chapter 24 [Two Hours Later—River Severn]

Day brightened the woods. The breeze had lessened to a hair ruffling puff. Sol played hide and seek with the various cloud formations. Birds sang or did so before flying off in a hurry.

At the border, the Severn flowed gently following its course from source to the bigger water beyond. Its currents frothing with swelled water flows from recent melt offs. It had no idea of the groups about to take stands on both sides.

No idea at all…..

[Camelot Side]

Gaius hobbled slowly over to the river's edge. Against Master Wyngate's better judgment, the elderly physician had stretched his legs. Numbness stole feeling from his fingers, his forehead and the tips of his toes. Fire burned in his chest. He gasped for air. Despite the most cheerful outlooks, both he and his counterpart knew what was coming….

…Death herself stalked him….

He rubbed his chest. He'd hoped the tincture of fish oil, garlic and flax seed would improve his blood flow. For several months, his productivity returned to normal. Thankfully he could cure several plague victims and keep other issues from Arthur's doorstep. He still worried about how Camelot seemed to be losing its best and brightest minds and swords all at once. In particular one mind bothered him. Merlin. What are you doing? He dipped his hands in the cold rushing waters. With a single motion, he splashed his face; the chilled liquid fully snapping his senses to alert.

Across the rushing waters, he saw Gedref seeming so green and peaceful. Its budding trees awaited a few days' warmth. The people, he understood, would welcome a sorcerer or at least tolerate that person. Whitgate, while smaller, did offer some of the same services. While not on Camelot's scale (or even close), Tolerance and Amor sang at that point.

Recalling the difficulty a generation earlier, he sighed deeply. Pushing Alice away (even for her own safety) proved almost impossible for him. He'd barely kept from following her knowing that Uther would've pursued them both. Yet he'd followed Duty all of the way…

Duty, it's a heavy proposition. Why do I feel empty? He shivered. "What in…?"

"Perhaps because you delude yourself, Gaius?" Nimue strutted into view. Malice and Venom spark in her eyes. Sarcasm curled her mouth into a cold smile. "What you did was treason not duty! And your payment is just about due."

"You have blood on your hands…as well." He rasped and coughed. The breath caught in his throat. "I had Camelot…to consider."

"You mean you were afraid of Uther! You stood by and watched our people die! You watched our order wither and be ground under the boot! Well I can assure you. Merlin will know better." Her smile widened. Satisfaction lit up her entire face.

The Eyebrow efforted its way up toward his hairline. "Mer…Merlin, what have you…done?"

"I haven't done anything, Gaius. I haven't had to do anything. It seems the boy's own sense of justice has finally discovered its true calling. The goddess has opened his eyes. Kilgarrah and I can speak to past experiences. Merlin is coming into his own. He will rule beside Mithian one day. The Old Religion will return despite the Pendragons' hatred." She flexed her hands. "Oh how'd I love to make an example of you right now!"

Nimue, the time is not yet. I wish for Gaius to see what is to come, the goddess instructed.

I understand, Nimue relented.

"I hear but….?" Gaius looked about the clearing.

I am in your mind, Gaius. You should remember me. I am your scorned mistress. I am the one you allowed to be dishonored in so many ways. I do have a mind of old accounts. You saved your own skin. YOU STOOD BY! AND YOU CALL THAT DUTY? HOW DARE YOU? the goddess clarified. Anger raised her tone to a thunderous crescendo in his brain. She appeared in a flash of light beside Nimue.

"What good would that have done? I would have died too," he whispered.

Nay. Even if you poisoned Emrys' mind against me, you kept him safe. You taught him to survive. I have had to correct his mindset though. He learns how Arthur truly thinks of him. He discovers his true allegiance. You'd have him crawl in the shadows. He has a DESTINY! The goddess glared at him.

"His destiny…protect Arthur," he protested. He grabbed harder at his chest.

And he still can protect the Young Pendragon. Still can't he better do so as a fellow ruler? As a sorcerer? As the first of a reborn order of Dragon Lords? I'd say he can do much better than as a servant. It is time for him to be free of Ignorance's chains. Responsibility beckons now. Unlike you, Gaius, Emrys heeds the call. As of today, it is over. The goddess sniffed. I won't even bother to make you kneel. Even if you did, you would only do so for Appearance's sake. Nay. Soon your façade will come apart. Soon your self-serving agenda will fail. You will meet your reward. She turned to Nimue. Leave him. It is almost time. I do not wish for Arthur's knights to see or have a chance to capture you, Nimue.

"As you wish, Milady." Nimue curtseyed to her. She glared once more at him. Then she disappeared in a dark flash of light.

He braced himself against a tree. His eyes went wide at the congregating parties across the river. "We…we're here for…peace. Why is Rodor marching with knights?"

Given the Pendragon insolence, should you ask, Gaius? You've seen Arthur deny Emrys over and over again. This time it will not happen! Go on. Let Arthur Pendragon know. It seems others know his lack of honor in certain regards as well. The goddess noted the rustling in the brush. It seems we have company.

"There you are, Gaius! Where…?" Master Wyngate stopped short. He stared at her. "Who are you?"

I am the triple goddess, you pathetic mortal! I am aware of your treason as well. I will allow your King to deal with you. He and your fellow castellans wait on the other shore. Tell Arthur Pendragon to keep his word and follow his own laws. If he does so, all will be well. If not…if he tries to take the boy back, I cannot stop what will come next. It is time for the farce to end. Her eyes glowed at the newcomer. KNEEL BEFORE ME!

Wyngate felt his knees buckle. He fell face first into the mud.

And so you both are in your proper state. I remember and will repay both of you. Pray for peace. With that, she disappeared into the morning's brightening light.

"The goddess? As in the Old Religion?" Wyngate gasped. He spat mud and wiped his face. He ignored the burning in his legs to stand. "I told you not to get up." He shook his head.

"Had to. We have to let Arthur know." Gaius considered the building presence on the river's far side. "They're treating this like war."

Wyngate shook his head. "Come." He helped Gaius back toward the camp.

Gwen bit her lip. She paced about the area. Excitement bubbled up in her. She couldn't wait to see Arthur free Merlin from his service. Then she could watch Rodor ennoble Merlin. She imagined that Rodor would order his staff to prepare an immediate feast to celebrate. She so wanted to see Mithian's expression.

Instinct however whispered a different notion in her ear. Dread for some reason chilled her heart.

She glanced toward the saddlebag. She knew the vital rolled parchment sat there. She glanced toward the west. Another day's ride past the rushing river, their surprise should pick a city's mood up. She saw her King come from meeting with his knights. "Arthur! How much longer?"

He smiled. "Gwen, you are so impatient. Why the excitement? It's almost like you're trying to get rid of Merlin. So?"

She looked strangely at him. "Arthur, you know that's not it. I'm looking forward to seeing him ennobled and free. I can't wait to see what he wants to do in Nemeth."

"In Nemeth? Gwen, Merlin's still coming back to Camelot. Even if he is a noble, I am tying him to my service," Arthur told her. "I'll more than reimburse that servant girl's master for her. They can both come back to Camelot."

"Arthur, you can't do that! Please!" She rubbed her forehead. "How is it you can do that for the other knights? Merlin has served you better than them and longer. But you can't treat him equally?"

"Guinevere, are you all right? Merlin can play with his flowers, be a girl and carouse the taverns all day if he wants. Would that make you happy?" he wondered.

"NO! That's not what Merlin wants! That's what you want, Arthur!" she insisted.

Just then, Wyngate helped Gaius through the brush and into the camp. They huffed and puffed from the effort despite the relatively short distance.

"Master Wyngate? Gaius? What happened?" she inquired.

"King Rodor…brought an armed patrol with him. They…wait across the Severn in Gedref," Gaius gasped. He fell to his knees. He rasped and sucked in deep breaths.

"Rodor brought knights with him?" Incredulity blew all thought from Arthur's mind. Confusion muddled his thinking.

"Perhaps he and Mithian have figured out your intentions, Arthur." She shot another look at the saddlebag. "You almost caused a war over me. Are you willing to do so over Merlin? Think about that." She turned toward Gaius. "What happened to you?"

"Nimue…she's back." Gaius gasped. "The triple goddess herself warned me."

"Triple goddess?" Arthur scoffed. "The Old Religion's dead, Gaius. She has no authority in Camelot." He sniffed. "For Merlin's sake, he'd best not be allying himself with sorcerers and their kind!" He shook his head and stalked back toward the camp. While he had no interest in a battle, he'd tell the others to prepare just in case.

"I hope you're proud of yourself, Master Wyngate. Your treason could start a war," she admonished. Then she helped Gaius back toward a good place to lie down.

Wyngate exhaled sharply. Princess, Your Highness, please see sense!

Obviously Mithian didn't agree…