The boys and I were ridding up a hill overlooking a small village after a long hunt. I'd insisted on coming with them even though I was now showing my pregnancy, though only slightly. I was less likely to fall asleep so I had wanted out of the castle and this was the only way I thought I could. My stomach was less active, another reason to leave the castle, and Gaius had informed me that I might feel slight pain but all of that was normal with how pregnant I was.

"You know what you need after a hard day's hunt?" Arthur asked us.

"Sleep." Merlin suggested and I smiled at him.

"On a bed." I agreed.

"A nice cold tankard of mead." Arthur said before ridding a head of us.

"Mead?" Merlin asked unimpressed.

"Come on. We have to make sure he doesn't get into any trouble." I said following my husband.

"You're not going to drink are you?" Merlin asked me.

"Just water if they have it but either way I'll be okay." I said.

"If we stop him from getting into trouble who stops us from getting into trouble?" Merlin asked and I laughed at him. We weren't wearing anything that would signify us as being from Camelot let alone being royal so it made everything easier. We dismounted and tied our horses up in the small village in front of the local tavern.

"No better place to measure the mood of your people than the local tavern." Arthur told us taking my hand in his.

"This is one of those moments where I tell you something isn't a good idea and you ignore me, isn't it?" Merlin asked him.

"You're learning, Merlin. Slowly, but you're learning. Now, remember, in here you're not our servant, we're just simple peasants like everyone else." Arthur told him.

"Simple part's right for you." I heard Merlin mutter making me laugh.

"What?" Arthur asked him.

"I said, the sun is very bright." Merlin lied making me laugh lightly again.

"Yeah. Yeah, it is." Arthur said looking into the sky before we walked in. We walked inside the tavern and sat at a relatively clean table.

"Afternoon. What'll it be?" the barmaid asked us.

"Er..." Arthur started ordering but she started talking again.

"Mmm... You're an handsome fellow." She said.

"Well, you wouldn't be the first to say it." He told her and I gave him a look.

"Oh, no, sorry. I was talking about your friend here." She told him and I held back my laughter at their surprised faces.

"Him?" Arthur asked her.

"Thank you." Merlin said pleased.

"Two tankards of mead, please!" Arthur asked her and she left.

"I was wrong, coming here was a great idea." Merlin said and I laughed as she gave them their tankards. Suddenly the tavern went quiet as someone walked inside. I looked to watch the man throw the dishes a waitress was holding before walking to the woman who had given the boys their drinks.

"Afternoon, Mary. Business looks good." The man said to her.

"We have our better days." Mary told him.

"I don't suppose you'd begrudge me my share, then." The man said. She pulled out some coins and threw them on the counter. "And the rest?" he asked her.

"That's all we got." She told him. He obviously didn't like the answer since he bragged her top and put a small dagger near her chest.

"I'll not ask again!" the man shouted at her.

"Take your hands off her." Arthur said standing up. The man attacked him but Arthur managed to dodge him and threw him into a shelf.

"I'm gonna make you pay for that." The man told him.

"I'd like to see you try." Merlin chuckled and I gave him a look.

"Talk about famous last words." I said. The man whistled and a large group of tough looking men entered the tavern.

"You had to open your big mouth, didn't you Merlin?" Arthur asked him.

"You three have got yourselves in a bit of a pickle, haven't you?" a brunette man asked us.

"You should get out of here while you have the chance." Arthur told him.

"You're probably right." The man agreed. He took a swig from his drink and handed it the man attacking the tavern before punching starting a brawl. Men were throwing out of the tavern by some of the customers as we all fought them.

"Arthur!" Merlin called out and I looked to see Arthur being thrown onto one of the tables. I was about to rush to him when one of the men jumped in front of me and tried to grab me. I dodged him punched him in the gut forcing him to bend over before I shoved him to the ground.

"Merlin! Behind you!" Arthur called out. Merlin ducked as a man threw a chair at him. I joined Merlin as we avoided being grabbed and hit. He saw two men coming our way and we looked in a corner to see a bench.

"Ætslide bencþel." Merlin's spell threw the bench at the two large men marching toward us. I smiled at him before another large man tried to attack us. We slid under the bar and Mary helped us knock out our attacker. Merlin then magically threw plates at another attacker and the brunette from before approaches the counter as he knocked out the man he had in a headlock.

"Pass the jug, heh?" he said. Merlin handed him the jug and he took a swig before punching the attacker behind him. "What do they call you, then?"

"Merlin and this is Elizabeth, my sister." Merlin introduced us.

"Gwaine. Pleasure to meet you." He told us before smashing the jug on another attacker's head. "Such a waste, heh?" We turned to see Arthur fight the man who'd originally caused the fight only to watch as he was pushed down. The man pulled a knife and Gwaine lunged at the man saving Arthur but taking the knife to his thigh. Gwaine tried to get up but fell over and knocked himself out on a bench. Merlin and I rushed over to the two men and Merlin examined the wound.

"How is he?" Arthur asked Merlin as he bandaged Gwaine's leg.

"Not good. He's losing a lot of blood." Merlin told us.

"We should take him back with us." I told Arthur. We locked up the man who attacked us in the stocks and placed Gwaine on Arthur's horse before mounting our horses. The people were throwing food at him outside the tavern.

"If this man ever troubles you again, word is to be sent to Camelot. Soldiers will be here within a day." Arthur promised them.

"How can you make a promise like that?" Mary asked him.

"Because I'm the King's son, Prince Arthur." Arthur said as he passed by them.

"Prince Arthur? Prince Arthur in my tavern?" Mary said shocked by the news.


We made it back to the castle after nightfall and immediately took Gwaine to see Gaius. The boys set him on Merlin's bed.

"Merlin, fetch me some fresh water, towels, a needle, and silk thread." Gaius ordered.

"And honey?" Merlin asked him.

"You're learning." Gaius said and Merlin left for the requested items as Arthur looked at Gaius for an explanation. "Helps fight the infection."

"Will he be alright?" Arthur asked him.

"Providing he's strong." Gaius told him.

"He's that, alright. The man saved my life, Gaius. He's to be given anything he needs." Arthur ordered before he and I left for our own chambers.


The next morning I walked with Merlin into his chambers with a breakfast tray.

"What am I doing in this bed?" Gwaine asked us.

"You were wounded. Arthur wanted to make sure you were treated by his physician." Merlin told him.

"Arthur?" Gwaine asked.

"Prince Arthur. You saved his life." I said with a smile.

"If I'd known who he was, I probably wouldn't have." Gwaine told us fixing the pillow so he could sit up easier as we gave him curious looks. "He's a noble."

"Yeah, but he's a good man." Merlin told him and he snorted.

"If you say so." Gwaine said as Merlin placed his breakfast on the side table.

"You're a hero. The King wants to thank you in person." I told him sitting in a relatively clean chair. Gwaine nearly choked on what he was drinking and quickly put it down.

"Please, no. I've met a few kings. Once you've met one, you've...you've met them all." He said moving to the food.

"He'll probably give you a reward." Merlin told him.

"I'm not interested. Besides, I've got everything I need right here." He said patting the bag.

"Why did you help us?" I asked him.

"Your chances looked between slim and none. I, er...I guess I just kind of like the look of those odds." He told us and I laughed lightly. "There's the smile I was hoping for. You're beauty could out shine even the great Princess Elizabeth herself." He told me and I smiled again, holding back my laughter.

"Oh really?" I asked him. "And what if I told you I was a noble? Would you hate me as well?"

"Never." He answered and I smiled before standing.

"I have things I must attend to. I only came by to see if my husband's rescuer was doing well. Good day Gwaine." I nodded my head to him and left with Merlin behind me.


In our chambers, Arthur was stretching, I was writing and Merlin was opening the curtains.

"How's Gwaine?" Arthur asked him.

"Recovering." Merlin replied before looking out the window. "Who's that?" Arthur and I went to the window to see a knight riding into the Square.

"Ahh, Sir Darien. He's here for the mêlée." Arthur said.

"Is it that time already?" I asked him and he nodded.

"Oh, yeah. The tournament where the knights ride around hitting each other with blunt weapons for no good reason." Merlin said walking away from the window.

"A little more to it than that." Arthur told him as I went back to my writing and Arthur moved away from the window.

"Really? All I've ever seen is people getting the seven bells knocked out of them so that the last man standing can be called the winner." Merlin said.

"The mêlée is the ultimate test of strength and courage." Arthur told him while putting his belt on.

"Are you sure we're talking about the same thing?" Merlin asked him.

"Well, I wouldn't expect you to understand. You're not a knight." Arthur told him.

"Oh, well if it means I don't get clobbered 'round the head, I'm glad of it." Merlin said walking away from him.

"I'm afraid it doesn't." Arthur told him before he threw a cup at the back of Merlin's head.

"Ow!" Merlin said turning to look at Arthur with a confused look on his face. Arthur just looked at him as he tucked his shirt in and nodded towards the armor sitting on the table.

"I need that lot cleaned by noon." He told him as he rubbed his neck.

"Agh." I got up and checked on his neck before rubbing it a little.

"That better?" I asked him.

"If your husband would stop hitting me with things yes, it would be." He said before walking away.


Later that day I was walking in the lower town talking and laughing the Gwen when Gwaine made his way to us.

"I believe this belongs to you." Gwaine said before presenting us each with a flower.

"I don't think so. It's not our color." Gwen told him.

"Ah, well...let us see." Gwaine said putting the flowers in our hair.

"Thank you Gwaine." I said with a kind smile.

"I bet you've got a whole bunch of those to hand out." Gwen said to him.

"No. Yours are the only ones." He said showing us his hands. Gwen scoffed and we both tried to move past him. "I'm Gwaine, as the princess mentioned." He told Gwen holding out his hand. Gwen shook his hand and we kept walking but he didn't let go and grabbed my hand as well before pulling us both back to him.

"You haven't told me your name. I already know the beautiful Elizabeth, but you… You look like a princess to me. So it's probably something like Sophia or...or Esmeralda. That's it. Princess Esmeralda." Gwaine said bowing to Gwen and me.

"Stop it. People are staring." I told him.

"Not until your beautiful friend tells me her name." Gwaine said.

"It's Gwen." She told him.

"There. That wasn't so hard now, was it?" he asked her and she tried to move past him once more. "Let me carry that. A princess shouldn't have to lump her washing around." He said trying to take the washing from Gwen.

"Unfortunately I'm not a princess." Gwen told him.

"Ah, but you see...you are to me." Gwaine told her and we laughed at him. "This isn't working, is it?" he asked.

"No, not really. But I like that you tried, and that you know when to give up." She told him. I took the flower from my hair and handed bit back to Gwaine.

"You'd better have this, in case someone else takes your fancy." I told him and we continued down the street.

"I've only eyes for the two of you." Gwaine called after us.

"I'm sure." Gwen said before pulling out the flower he'd given her. We laughed as we walked down the street.


Later in the day, I was standing with Arthur and Merlin as two knights rode into the square.

"Sir Oswald! Didn't think you'd be brave enough to show up." Arthur greeted him with a large smile.

"And miss the chance of putting you on your backside?" Sir Oswald asked as they clasped arms and hugged.

"Ha-ha. You've never managed it before." Arthur reminded him.

"That was then. This is now." Sir Oswald said. Arthur gave him a friendly punch and turned to the unfamiliar knight.

"Sir Ethan." Arthur and Sir Eathan grasped arms. Arthur held out his hand for mine and I took it, stepping up to the men.

"May I introduce my wife, Princess Elizabeth."

"An honor, my lady. Much more beautiful than the rumors suggest." Sir Oswald said taking my free hand amd kissing the back of it.

"Thank you sir." I said with a smile.

"This is my servant, Merlin. He loves hard work so, anything you need, just give him a call." Arthur told them and I gave him a small look.

"Believe me, I will." Sir Oswald said before he and Sir Ethan followed us into the castle.


That night we were served our meal by someone other than Merlin after I convinced Arthur to give him the night off.

"I still can't believe I let you talk me into giving Merlin the night off." He told me and I smiled at him.

"Sometimes it is good for him to have some time to himself. Don't forget he's also serving Sir Oswald and Sir Ethan until they leave." I reminded him.

"He's' a servant. How hard can it be for him to take care of three men?" he asked me.

"First, he's my brother not just any other servant. Arthur, don't forget he also helps Gaius and he has to take care of himself as well. So he's taking care of five men, not three." I told him and he smiled at me before shaking his head.

"If I didn't know you any better I'd say you were going soft on servants in your pregnancy." He said taking my hand.

"And because you do know me?" I asked him.

"I know you are just being the woman I married." He told me making me smile at him. He raised my hand and kissed the back of it before continuing his meal.

"You can be very sweet when you want to be." I said.

"And when am I not?" he asked me.

"I have a list." I told him.

"Oh do you? And where is this list?" he asked me sounding serious.

"Are you cross with me for some reason?" I asked him.

"Not at all, my love. I just want to burn that list." He said and I laughed with him joining in soon after.

"How was the rest of your day after I left you?" I asked him taking a drink from my water. Gaius had told us that until after the baby was born I wasn't allowed any wine.

"Same as usual. Camelot is peaceful and everyone is excited for the melee." Arthur told me with a smile.

"Well, some people are." I corrected.

"Are you not excited for it?" he asked confused.

"I worry about you. That's all. Anything can happen, even with blunt weapons." I reminded him. He took my hand in his and smiled at me.

"You have no reason to worry so much." He tried assuring me. "I'll be fine."

"I'm your wife. It's my job to worry." I told him. "Soon you just might know what it's like." I place my free hand on my growing abdomen.

"I already know what it's like to worry. I worry about you all the time." He told me before pulling me closer to him for a small kiss. We finished dinner with more small talk before retiring for the evening.


The next morning after we had dressed Arthur started going through the papers on his desk finally and I was writing in my journal when Merlin entered with the breakfast tray.

"Sorry. I know, I'm late." Merlin apologized as he held the door open for Amanda to leave with some washing.

"Not at all." Arthur told him and I smiled at him as Merlin placed the tray before Arthur.

"Good." Merlin said as he started his own work.

"Sure you're alright? You're not sick, unsteady, about to burst into song?" Arthur asked him as I finished my writing for the morning and joined him at his desk.

"No, why?" Merlin asked looking to him confused. Arthur picked up a piece a paper and began to read from it.

"Fourteen quarts of mead, three flagons of wine, five quarts of cider..." he read off and Merlin suddenly understood what he was talking about.

"I can explain." Merlin told him with a smile.

"Four dozen pickled eggs." Arthur finished reading.

"That was Gwaine. He went to the tavern and, er..he couldn't pay for it." Merlin explained.

"So you said I would." Arthur said and Merlin nodded.

"Mm. You know, if I hadn't, that inn keeper...he, he would've strung us both up." Merlin told him.

"I fail to see the downside." Arthur told him annoyed.

"Arthur." I said with a smile on my face, trying not to laugh at the situation.

"You said he should be given anything he needs." Merlin said as he turned away to continue working.

"Four dozen pickled eggs?!" Arthur shouted.

"I'm sorry...I'll pay for it." Merlin said turning to him.

"You most certainly will." Arthur told him tossing the bill lightly into the air letting it land in breakfast.


"You should have gone easier on them." I told Arthur as we walked down to the training ground.

"I thought I was going easy on them." He said and I smiled at him.

"Making them clean the boots of the entire army? That's what you think going easy on them means?" I asked him.

"Well I thought it was fair." He told me. "Did you see that bill?"

"No," I said. "I did not. But we did meet him in a tavern."

"What's that mean?" he asked me.

"Nothing my love." I told him with a smile. "But Merlin was right. You did command he was to be given anything he needs."

"I said needs not wants." Arthur said and I smiled at him. "Being drunk enough to order four dozen pickled eggs." He shook his head and I laughed.

"Merlin said he ordered for more than just himself." I told him and he rolled his eyes.

"Of course he did." Arthur said before picking up a blunt sword. "Will you stay and watch?"

"I normally do when I can, don't I?" I asked him with a smile. I joined other observers as he practiced on a dummy. I spoke with some of the nobles before noticing Sir Oswald walking up to Arthur.

"You look like you need a bit of practice." Sir Oswald said.

"Ah, you think so?" Arthur asked him.

"I know so." Sir Oswald answered. Arthur gestured for him to bring it and Merlin handed him a blunt sword. Arthur attacked once they clashed swords. Arthur pushed Sir Oswald away before the older knight attacked him.

"You're rusty. You're not as quick as you used to be." Arthur said slapping his cheek.

"Still quick enough to hit you." Sir Oswald said before lunging for him. Arthur dodged and pushed him away slightly before looking at him confused.

"I thought you were left handed?" Arthur asked him.

"Yes, I am, I..." Sir Oswald switched the sword to his left hand. "...just wanted to give you a chance." He said before attacking him clumsily with his left hand. I watched him confused as they continued fighting. Why did he grab the sword with the wrong hand? No knight I had met or watched train with anyone ever picked up their sword with the wrong hand. "Why don't we make this more interesting? 50 gold coins first clean hit." Arthur pushed him back with his sword and Sir Oswald dodged a swing from him.

"Make it a hundred." Arthur told him. Sir Oswald attacked Arthur and Arthur dodged before pinning him and tapping his armor. "You can keep your money." Arthur walked towards me as Sir Ethan approached Sir Oswald.

"That was very kind of you." I said smiling at him.

"What?" he asked me.

"You went easy on him." I said and he gave me a mock confused look.

"I don't know what you mean." He told me. I gave him a look before we walked away.


Later that night Gwaine found me wandering the halls and I smiled at him.

"Gwaine. Were you looking for someone?" I asked him.

"It's Merlin. He found something he says you should know." He told me. I followed him to Gaius' chambers as Gaius bandaged Merlin's finger.

"Merlin. What happened?" I asked him and he told me of the sword he found in Sir Oswald and Sir Ethan's guest chambers.

"To the eye the sword appeared blunt, but when I touched it..." Merlin mimicked a grimace as Gaius finished.

"You were lucky. I've seen those blades in action. They're forged using sorcery." Gwaine told us.

"What would they want with such a blade?" Gaius asked.

"I think they mean to kill Arthur in the mêlée." Merlin told us.

"But in front of all those people?" Gaius asked.

"Where else could they without being tried and executed?" I asked him.

"It's the perfect cover. If they succeed, nobody will suspect it was intentional." Gwaine said.

"I need to warn Arthur." Merlin said before heading for the door.

"Merlin, Sir Oswald's a knight. He comes from a well respected family. You can't accuse him without proof." Gaius told him.

"Then we need that blade." Merlin said.

"I'll get it." Gwaine volunteered.

"What if they catch you? What reason would you have to be in Sir Oswald's chamber? No. It's safer if I do it." Merlin said.

"And what reason would you have to be in their room?" I asked him.

"Arthur commanded me to serve them while they were here. I could say I was cleaning." He told me.

"Be careful." I told him before watching him leave.


What felt like hours later, I played with the necklace around my throat as we waited for Merlin to return.

"Merlin should be back by now." Gwaine said as he paced the small room.

"Yes he should." I agreed.

"I'm going to go see what's going on." Gwaine said before leaving.

"Gwaine!" Gaius called after him but the man didn't listen.

"This can only end badly." I said before I picked up Gwaine's pacing.

"Gaius. My Lady." We turned to see Sir Leon in the doorway. "The King summons the council." We left his chambers and Merlin met us along the way to the council chambers. I moved a head of the two men and joined Uther and Arthur at the head of the room as Gwaine was brought into the council chamber in chains.

"Sire, this man attacked me, with a sword, tried to kill me." Sir Oswald said.

"Is this true?" Uther asked Gwaine.

"I stepped in to protect Merlin." Gwaine told him making me smile slightly.

"I tried to talk to him. He was like a man possessed. I'm sure that Sir Ethan will back me up." Sir Oswald said turning to Sir Ethan.

"Indeed, I can vouch for his every word." Sir Ethan confirmed.

"He's a liar!" Gwaine said struggling against the chains and guards holding him.

"I will have your tongue! How dare you speak to a knight in that way?!" Uther shouted.

"Nobility is defined by what you do, and not by who you are. And these men are anything but. They are arrogant thugs!" Gwaine said.

"Gwaine." Arthur tried to warn silently.

"Well, you see, Sire, how he behaves." Sir Oswald asked Uther.

"I've heard enough. For a commoner to attack a nobleman is in violation of the Knight's Code." Uther said.

"I couldn't agree with you more, Sire. He must be made an example of." Sir Oswald said and my eyes widened slightly.

"Sir Oswald, please." Arthur asked moving closer to him.

"Nothing less than his execution will give me satisfaction." Sir Oswald told us.

"Sir Oswald, surly there is something else that would satisfy you." I said.

"No." he denied and I looked to Arthur.

"Father, I understand how this must look, it's an embarrassing situation. Sir Oswald is a dear friend, and our guest here in Camelot. But Gwaine is my guest here, too. And he may not be of noble birth, but I can vouch that he has a noble heart." Arthur told him.

"How can you say that when you see the way he behaves?" Uther asked his son.

"Gwaine risked his life to save mine. I beg you, please, if a knight's word is his bond, then I give you my word Gwaine is a good man. He deserves clemency." Arthur told him. Uther though on it for a moment before looking to Gwaine.

"You are banished from Camelot. If you ever return, you will pay for it with your life. You have until dawn to leave the city." Uther decried.


Later that night I joined Merlin and Gwaine as Gwaine packed his bag to leave Camelot for good.

"I'm sorry." Merlin said feeling sorry for making Gwaine leave.

"Don't be. I never stay in one place for very long. People get sick of me too quickly." Gwaine told him.

"We didn't." I told him.

"After the trouble I caused?" Gwaine asked with a smile on his face.

"You livened the place up." Merlin said and Gwaine chuckled.

"Make sure you look after Arthur. He's in danger." Gwaine told us.

"I thought you hated nobles?" I said with a knowing smile.

"Heh, well...maybe that one's worth dying for, eh?" he asked sealing his pack and leaving Merlin's chambers. Merlin and I stayed up and talked for a bit on what we could do to save Arthur knowing he would never quit the melee before we retired for the evening.


The next morning I sat at my desk talking with the boys and writing in my journal as Arthur prepared and Merlin organized and cleaned the last of Arthur's armor. We heard a knock on the door and Merlin opened it to see Uther on the other side. Merlin moved back and bowed his head as the king strode into the room to Arthur before completing his tasks.

"Ah. I trust you're ready for the challenge?" Uther asked his son.

"Yes, Father." Arthur confirmed.

"I came to bring you this." Uther said revealing a sword that had been covered in cloth. "I won my first mêlée with this blade. The edge has been dulled, it's perfectly safe. All of Camelot is eager for a victory today, Arthur. I know you won't let me down." I sighed at Uther's words before closing my journal. "Elizabeth, how are you today?" he asked me with a gentle smile.

"As well as can be expected." I answered with a smile of my own.

"You have no need to worry." He insisted. "Arthur will do us proud."

"I have no worry about him doing us proud, sire. I worry for any injuries he may sustain in the arena. That's all." I told him.

"As do all the wives of those fighting today." He said. "Join me in walking to the stands."

"Of course." I said bowing my head before moving to Arthur with my token in hand. "Be careful today." I told him as I tied the cloth to him chainmail on his arm.

"I'm always careful." He said giving me a smile.

"Then be my definition of careful, not yours." I told him before we shared a quick kiss and I walked with Uther to the tournament grounds. As we walked to the stands we were joined by Morgana. Morgana and I had been working together on her magic and she began to really smile happily more. The three of us entered the stands and took our places. Uther was, of course, between the two of us with Morgana on his left and me on his right. Once Uther sat down the rest of us did the same as the knights prepared or the melee. Uther stood once again and gave the signal and the melee ensued. The knights all rode their horses towards on another quickly. Once they all met in the middle knights began to all off their horses having to continue on foot unless they were too injured or dead. One man was dragged off by his horse causing the crowd to grimace in pain as another was nearly thrown off his horse but just hung as the creature ran off causing everyone to applaud the remaining knights. I watched as two knights in particular seemed to be hurting most of the knights oddly. That must be Sir Ethan and Sir Oswald. My heart nearly stopped as one of them made their way to Arthur, but Arthur ducked and knocked him off his horse. The knight Arthur knocked off his horse jumped on him causing him to fall off his horse onto his back and I watched as he raised his sword to stab him only for Arthur to roll away. The two then began to fight one on one as the only knight left on horseback charged Arthur and the other knight when suddenly he fell off his horse, saddle and all. I had to remember to thank Merlin. The newly fallen knight got up to join the fray between Arthur and the other. It was now two against one. I watched another knight get up and hold his shoulder before joining the three on combat and standing back to back with Arthur before the fight continued.

"Who is that with Arthur?" I asked.

"We shall see when the melee ends, won't we?" Uther asked and I nodded my head in agreement. I watched in amazement as the mysterious knight disarmed his opponent and caught the blade before stabbing him with it causing the crowd to gasp in shock.

"I know that fighting style." I said to myself ignoring the confused looks from the king as the man who was going to kill Arthur fell to the ground dead. The other one who Arthur was fighting knocked Arthur down and was going for the kill with he was blocked and stabbed by the mysterious knight causing another gasp. Everyone applauded except Uther, Morgana and I. Arthur and the mysterious knight faced each other, the knight with his two blades and Arthur with his one. Arthur then removed his helmet, causing the crowd to cheer for their prince. The other knight stuck his sword into the ground and lifted his visor so only Arthur could see who he really was. Arthur looked at him in shock before smiling and shaking his head. The knight then removed his helmet to reveal Gwaine and I smiled as he turned to look at the crowd.

"Guards! Seize him!" Uther ordered and I shook my head as the guards ran towards Gwaine and surrounded him.


At the medical tent where Gaius had set up Arthur, Uther and I rushed to Gaius as he knelt over Sir Ethan and Sir Oswald's bodies.

"Is there nothing you can do for them?" Uther asked Gaius.

"I'm sorry, it's too late for them." Gaius told him.

"The prisoner is responsible for their deaths. I want him executed immediately." Uther ordered.

"You might want to wait before you pass judgment. I fear that..." Gaius pulled crystals from their necks, never removing their helmets. "Sir Ethan and Sir Oswald are not all that they seem." Gaius then removed their helmets to reveal the two thugs that had attacked us at the tavern when we met Gwaine.

"Sorcery." Uther said.

"And once again, I owe Gwaine my life." Arthur said looking up to his father. Uther just looked at Arthur deep in thought.


Later, after Gwaine and Arthur were bandaged and allowed to change out of their armor, I walked with Arthur to Merlin and Gwaine who were waiting to hear the king's judgment for Gwaine.

"The King is prepared to overlook the fact that you fought in the mêlée." Arthur told Gwaine.

"That's fantastic!" Merlin said happily but I just look as him sadly.

"Thank you, Arthur." Gwaine said.

"That's not all." I told them.

"But...he's a stubborn man. He will not rescind his judgment. You must leave Camelot." Arthur told Gwaine. Gwaine gave Arthur a rueful smile and nodded in understanding.

"Oh, you got to speak to him, Arthur, make him change his mind." Merlin asked his friend.

"Merlin." Gwaine said trying to calm him.

"I'm sorry Gwaine. My father's wrong. If it were up to me..." Arthur told him.

"I know. You don't need to explain yourself." Gwaine told him.

"You have until sunset." Arthur told him sadly.


I later joined Merlin and Gwaine in Gaius' chambers as Gwaine left Merlin's chambers with a packed bag.

"Where will you go?" Merlin asked following him.

"I was thinking Mercia." Gwaine told him.

"Mercia is dangerous." I said drawing their attention to me.

"Yeah. And you get a lot more ale for your money." Gwaine said and Merlin and I gave him a look. "I'm joking."

"Why don't you tell the King who you really are, he'll grant you a pardon, you can stay in Camelot?" Merlin suggested.

"The son of a knight would be able to have all those charges dismissed." I said.

"I could never serve under a man like Uther." Gwaine told us.

"Yet you helped Arthur." Merlin reminded him.

"He stood up for me." Gwaine said defending his actions.

"I knew he would." Merlin said with a smile on his face.

"That showed he is, indeed, a noble man." Gwaine said making me smile.

"Then why don't you stay?" Merlin asked him and Gwaine sighed. "You could be a knight. Like your father. You and Arthur, you fought well together."

"Then maybe one day we will again." Gwaine said before leaving the room.

"Don't worry Merlin. I have a feeling we will see him again one day." I said before we left to find Arthur.


We watched from the ramparts above the lower town as Gwaine walked down the street. He turned and saluted to us before continuing on his way to the gates. I waved at him with a smile on his face.

"It's a shame. He would've been a great knight." Arthur said.

"Maybe one day he still will." Merlin suggested.

"The rules won't allow it. Knights are noblemen. Always have been, always will be. It's a tradition that…" Arthur started saying.

"Knights be chosen from noble families." I finished saying. "He is a nobleman."

"What?" he asked confused.

"He told me he's the son of a knight." Merlin told him.

"Why didn't he say anything?" Arthur asked.

"Perhaps he didn't want to be defined for his position." I said and Arthur just looked at Gwaine as he spoke with Gwen.

"Maybe you can remember how that feels. Sneaking into Gwen's house, pretending a farmer was you." Merlin said.

"Merlin." Arthur warned.

"Shut up?" Merlin asked.

"You guessed it." Arthur told him. We watched Gwen kiss Gwaine on the cheek and they went their separate ways. Arthur shoved Merlin slightly and Merlin shoved him back making me shake my head. We all turned back to the castle and Arthur started to chase Merlin back inside before stopping and holding my hand tightly in his.