Arthur and Merlin reined up when they saw a small hamlet at the base of the hill below them. "You know what you need after a hard day's hunt?" Arthur called to Merlin.

"Sleep," Merlin replied with a yawn.

Arthur ignored him. "A nice, cold tankard of mead!" He nudged his horse back into a trot, heading for the hamlet. Merlin sighed and followed.

They tied their horses to a hitching post outside the village tavern. "No better place to measure the mood of your people than the local tavern," Arthur stated.

Merlin rolled his eyes. "Let me guess, you want to pretend we're ordinary peasants in there."

"You're learning, Merlin!" Arthur said cheerfully. "Slowly, but you're learning!"

"Learning what, exactly? That you're an idiot?"

"Ah, what's the worst that could happen?" Arthur countered breezily.

Together, the brothers entered the inn. It wasn't quite so rowdy as the one in Engerd, but it was certainly noisy. Arthur led Merlin over to an empty table. Less than a minute later, a plump woman walked over with a pair of mugs and began wiping down their table. "Afternoon! What'll it be?"

"Uh…" Arthur looked around at the other patrons.

"Mmm. You're an 'andsome fellow," the barmaid interrupted.

Arthur turned back to her and smiled. "Well. You wouldn't be the first to say it."

The barmaid chuckled. "Oh. No, sorry." She turned to Merlin, eyeing him flirtatiously. "I was talking about your friend here."

Merlin started and smiled at her. "Thank you."

Arthur looked decidedly put out. "Two tankards of mead, please," he said flatly. The barmaid walked away.

Merlin grinned and leaned forward. "I was wrong. Coming here was a great idea."

The door opened and a brutish man walked in, grinning wickedly. He slowly sauntered toward the bar, purposely knocking a stack of plates out of another barmaid's hands. "Afternoon, Mary," he said to the barmaid who had flirted with Merlin. Though his tone was polite, there was a hint of a threat in it. "Business looks good."

"We 'ave our better days," Mary replied, sounding slightly nervous. Arthur stood up and surreptitiously inched his way over to the bar.

"I don't suppose you'd begrudge me my share then." The thug forcefully set a purse on the counter and loomed over Mary. Mary turned away for a moment, then threw a small handful of gold coins onto the counter. The thug leered. "And the rest?"

"That's all we got," Mary insisted.

The thug grabbed the front of Mary's dress and drew a knife. "I'll not ask again!"

"Take your hands off her," Arthur interjected, calmly but firmly. The thug turned to Arthur, smirked and lunged. Arthur effortlessly avoided the attack and sent the thug crashing into a nearby shelf.

"I'm gonna make you pay for that," the thug snarled.

Merlin snorted. "I'd like to see you try."

This turned out to be the wrong thing to say. The thug turned to Merlin, then whistled. Nearly a dozen more thugs entered the tavern. Merlin stood up and scrambled toward the far wall.

"You had to open your big mouth, Merlin," Arthur sighed.

A young man with chin-length brown hair and a beard approached them. "You two have got yourselves in a bit of a pickle, haven't you." The man turned to face the lead thug.

"You should get out of here while you have the chance," Arthur suggested.

"You're probably right," the man agreed, taking a drink from his mug. He handed the mug to the lead thug…then punched him in the face.

The tavern rapidly dissolved into chaos. Nearly every patron joined the brawl. Arthur engaged the lead thug in a fist fight. Merlin fought a thug nearly as large as the leader; fortunately, Merlin's speed and agility allowed him to dodge every blow. He landed a blow of his own right before he heard Arthur's voice. "Merlin! Behind you!" Merlin turned around just in time to duck a flying chair, which smashed into the wall.

Straight-up fistfights weren't really Merlin's strong point, so he dodged through the chaos toward the bar. Two thugs tried to charge him, but Merlin magically threw a bench at them and knocked them down. Merlin slid under the counter and came up beside Mary. His original opponent was right on his heels. Merlin and Mary each smashed a jug over the man's head. Then Mary ducked another piece of flying pottery.

Unobserved for the moment, Merlin began magically hurling a stack of plates into the fray one by one. He quickly stopped when his and Arthur's unlikely ally came up to the other side of the counter.

"Pass the jug, eh?" the main said amiably. Merlin handed him another jug. He took a swig, then swiftly turned around and punched a man in the face. "I'm Gwaine, what do they call you?"

"Uh…" Merlin hesitated, not sure this was a good time to reveal himself as a prince. Then he noticed a man coming up behind Gwaine and his eyes widened.

Gwaine whirled back around and smashed his new jug over the man's head. Gwaine turned to Merlin again, grinning good-naturedly. "Such a waste, huh?"

Meanwhile, Arthur was still fighting the lead thug. By now, most of the tavern patrons were either unconscious or watching this fight with interest. The lead thug threw Arthur to the ground and drew a knife again. Gwaine yelled and tackled the thug. Arthur rose to his feet. Gwaine tried to do the same, but collapsed and passed out. The thug's knife was now lodged in Gwaine's leg.

Merlin and Arthur both rushed to Gwaine's side. Arthur knelt to examine Gwaine while Merlin hovered over his shoulder. "How is he?"

"Not good. He's losing a lot of blood," Arthur replied grimly. He tore a strip off his shirt and tied it around Gwaine's leg.


Fifteen minutes later, the lead thug was locked in the stocks while Gwaine was draped over Arthur's saddle. Arthur addressed the villagers. "If this man ever troubles you again, word is to be sent to Camelot. Soldiers will be here within a day."

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

Arthur nudged his horse into a walk. "Because we're the king's sons, Prince Arthur and Prince Merlin."

"The princes?" Mary gasped. "The princes, in my tavern?" She turned back to the stocks. "Come on!" The villagers hurled rotten fruit with renewed fervor.


Once back in Camelot, they laid a still-unconscious Gwaine out on Will's bed. Gaius examined Gwaine's wound. "Will, fetch me some fresh water, towels, a needle and silk thread."

"And honey?" Will suggested.

"Good thinking," Gaius agreed. Will returned to the main chamber to follow Gaius's instructions. "Helps fight the infection," Gaius explained to the princes.

"Will he be all right?" Merlin demanded.

"Providing he's strong," Gaius assured.

"He's that, all right," Arthur commented. "That man saved my life, Gaius. He's to be given anything he needs." With that, the brothers left.


The next morning, Will carried breakfast up into the bedchamber and found Gwaine awake. "Who are you and what am I doing in this bed?" Gwaine asked, surprisingly casual considering the situation.

Will set the breakfast tray on the bedside table. "I'm Will. And you were wounded, so Arthur and Merlin wanted to make sure you were treated by their physician."

"Wait, Arthur and Merlin?" Gwaine repeated, sounding suspicious.

"The princes," Will clarified. "You saved Arthur's life."

Gwaine grunted in pain and adjusted Will's pillow. "If I'd known who he was, I probably wouldn't have."

Will frowned, wondering what Gwaine meant by that.

"He's a noble," Gwaine explained, seeing Will's look.

"Ah. Not fond of nobles?" Will guessed.

"Not particularly, no," Gwaine confirmed. He grabbed a chunk of bread from the breakfast tray.

"The king wants to thank you in person, I'm guessing you're not too keen on that either?"

Gwaine shuddered. "Please. No. I've met a few kings. Once you've met one, you've met them all."

"Can't say I think much of Uther, but Arthur and Merlin really aren't that bad," Will defended.

"If you say so," Gwaine replied, not sounding convinced.

"Why did you help them?" Will wondered.

Gwaine leaned back against the bed. "Their chances looked between slim and none. I, uh…I guess I just kind of like the look of those odds." Gwaine grinned, and Will returned the smile.


Merlin found Morgana looking out a window at the top of a staircase. "See something interesting?" Merlin asked, joining her.

"The knights arriving for the mêlée," Morgana explained. "Hopefully there will be someone worthy of note this year." She squinted, trying to make out the most recent arrival. "Sir Darien. Hmm. Handsome, but boring."

Merlin snorted. "You're trying to find a potential suitor among the contestants in the mêlée? You do realize they're all stupid enough to ride around hitting each other with blunt weapons for no good reason?"

Morgana turned away from the window to raise an eyebrow at Merlin. "Arthur's in the mêlée."

Merlin smirked. "Exactly. Like I said, full of stupid people."

Morgana rolled her eyes. "How's our unlikely hero?"

"Gwaine? Will said he's recovering nicely. But he didn't want the reward, didn't even want to meet Father."

Morgana turned back to the window, scowling slightly. "Can't say I blame him."


Gwen was carrying her washing through the lower town when she suddenly found herself accosted by an admittedly handsome young man with a small white flower. "I believe this belongs to you," the man said with a charming smile.

Gwen sidestepped around him. "I don't think so. It's not my color."

The man didn't give up that easily. "Ah, let us see." He stuck the flower behind her ear.

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

The man held up his hands, showing that they were empty. "No. Yours is the only one." Gwen tried to walk around him, but he blocked her again. "I'm Gwaine."

Gwen tried again to walk around him. He caught her hand. "You haven't told me your name. You look like a princess to me, so it's probably something like Sophia or Esmeralda. That's it. Princess Esmeralda!" Gwaine dropped her hand and bowed.

Gwen felt herself turning slightly red. "Stop it, people are staring."

"Not until you tell me your name," Gwaine insisted, still bowing.

"It's Gwen."

Gwaine straightened. "There. That wasn't so hard now, was it?" He tried to take Gwen's laundry basket. "Let me carry that. A princess shouldn't have to lump her washing around."

Gwen did not let go of her basket. "Unfortunately, I'm not a princess."

"Ah, but you see, you are to me," Gwaine countered.

After a moment, Gwen laughed, amused in spite of herself.

Gwaine scrutinized her. "This isn't working, is it."

Gwen shook her head. "No, not really. But I like that you tried, and that you know when to give up." She pulled the flower out from behind her ear and handed it back to Gwaine. "You'd better take this, in case someone else catches your fancy." She walked away again, and Gwaine finally did not block her.

"I've only eyes for you!" he called after her.

"I'm sure!"


Arthur walked down the palace steps as another pair of knights rode up. "Sir Oswald!" Arthur called. "Didn't think you'd be brave enough to show up."

"And miss the chance of putting you on your backside?" Oswald countered, clasping Arthur's arm and briefly embracing him.

"Ha! You've never managed it before," Arthur said cheerfully.

"That was then, this is now," Oswald replied. Arthur gave him a good-natured punch, then turned to his companion.

"Sir Ethan," the other knight introduced himself. He shook Arthur's hand.

"Welcome to Camelot," Arthur said. "I'm sure you'll be quite comfortable."

"You! Boy!" Oswald called to a nearby servant. "Carry my trunk to my guest chambers!"


Morgana finally left her window-watching and walked through the castle. After a few corridors, she encountered Sir Oswald and his friend. Remembering Oswald as a gracious and charming knight, Morgana smiled somewhat flirtatiously. "Hello, Sir Oswald. I trust you had a pleasant journey?"

"Quite pleasant," Oswald replied. He eyed Morgana up and down in a manner that made her slightly uncomfortable. "And I must say, I am loving the view at the destination."

"Well," Morgana said awkwardly. "Thank you."

"I do hope your chambers are near the guest wing," Oswald leered.

"Feel free to visit," Ethan added. "At any time of the night."

"Especially at night," Oswald concurred. He moved as though to smack Morgana's behind. She swiftly caught his wrist in a vice-like grip and shoved him against the wall.

"You will not touch me without my permission, is that understood?" Morgana hissed. Oswald still looked stunned by her violent reaction, so she continued. "I am the king's ward, and I can ensure that you will lose your hand if you try that again. Are. We. Clear?"

"Yes, my lady," Oswald stammered out. Ethan quickly nodded agreement.

Morgana released Oswald. "Good. Now get out of my sight."

The two knights hurried down the hallway. Once they rounded a corner, Morgana leaned against the wall, more shaken by the incident than she cared to admit. Apparently Oswald had changed. A lot.

Gwen's voice jerked Morgana out of her reverie. "My lady? Are you all right?"

Morgana smiled. "I'm fine."

Gwen raised an eyebrow, not looking convinced.

Morgana sighed. "Just had an encounter with a couple knights who need a lesson in chivalry, that's all. How has your morning been?"

"Met a man with a little too much chivalry," Gwen replied, slightly amused by the memory.


Will was slightly late with Merlin's dinner. "Busy day?" Merlin asked.

"A couple dozen noble guests arriving all at once—yeah, busy day," Will confirmed. "Pretty sure you're the first person who hasn't complained that I'm taking too long to do this or that."

"Oh, my mistake. You're taking too long," Merlin deadpanned. "I will starve to death if you do not bring me my dinner right this instant."

"Oh really? In that case I think I'll hold onto it," Will joked, turning back to the door with the tray still in hand.

"Alas! You've killed me!" Merlin dramatically swooned out of his chair.

Will put the tray on the table and laughed. "Glad to know there's at least one person who realizes I'm only human." Merlin also laughed, then sat up and began eating.

A few minutes later, someone knocked on the door. "Enter," Merlin called.

Gwen poked her head through the door. "Ah, Will. I think you need to come with me."

Merlin stood up. "Is there a problem?"

Gwen pursed her lips. "It's Gwaine."

Merlin and Will both followed her out of the room.


Gwen brought them to the tavern, where the innkeeper was glaring at an obviously drunk Gwaine. Once the innkeeper caught sight of Will, he shoved a parchment at him. It was a very long list of food and drinks which apparently had not been paid for.

Will looked disbelievingly at Gwaine. "You drank all this?"

"With some help from my new friends!" Gwaine declared proudly, clinging unsteadily to another tavern patron. Nearly every person in the room raised a tankard and cheered.

"He says he hasn't got any money," the innkeeper growled. "So it looks like you'll have to pay."

Merlin grabbed the parchment from Will. "I'll cover it." He turned to Gwaine. "As for you…"

Gwaine didn't seem to be paying attention. He laughed heartily, fell over, then continued laughing.

Merlin sighed. "We'll discuss this in the morning."

Will grimaced and grabbed Gwaine under the arm. "Come on, up you get. You're coming back with me to Gaius's, no arguments." He hauled Gwaine out of the tavern.


Will finally released Gwaine back in the physician's chambers. Gwaine promptly collapsed onto Will's bed. "You're the best friend I've ever had," he slurred.

"You seem to have quite a few," Will noted wryly.

Gwaine laughed. "Oh, the look on Merlin's face, when he saw that bill…"

Will folded his arms. "Right. What is it with you and nobles?"

"Oh, nothing," Gwaine said casually. "My father was a knight in Caerleon's army. He died in battle, leaving my mother penniless. And when she went to the king for help, he turned her away."

Will winced in sympathy. "Sounds like the story of my life, except my father was just a common soldier in Cenred's army. For a while I hated nobles too, but…then I became Merlin's servant."

"And becoming a servant somehow made you more fond of nobles?" Gwaine demanded skeptically.

Will shook his head. "No. It's what happened a few days later that changed my mind. The stables caught fire while Merlin and I were inside. We tried to get out, but one of the rafters fell on Merlin and trapped him there. Instead of trying to help him like a decent human being, I left him there and made my escape. Once he'd been rescued and was on the mend, I was sure he'd have me executed. But then he summoned me to his chambers, and you know what the first words out of his mouth were?"

"What?" Gwaine asked, slightly more sober now.

"'Thank god you're all right.' Not only was he not the least bit angry, he told me I was right to abandon him and save myself because there was no point in us both dying. That was the day I realized that not all nobles are the same. Some of them really do value common-born life."

"He said you were right to abandon him?" Gwaine repeated incredulously.

Will sat down on the bed. "Yep. That's Merlin for you—won't even think about his own health or safety if someone else's is on the line. I never would have expected it when I came here, but he's become a good friend. As for Arthur…well, he can be arrogant at times, and I'll admit I don't know him as well as Merlin, but I doubt he'd turn away a penniless widow."

"Hmmm. Who knows."

Gwaine rolled over. Will sensed that he was done talking for the night.


In the morning, Merlin returned to the physician's chambers. He found both Gwaine and Will eating some porridge. Merlin stood in the doorway and folded his arms. "So. Fourteen quarts of mead, three flagons of wine, five quarts of cider, four dozen pickled eggs."

"Yep," Gwaine replied, entirely unashamed. "So gracious of you to cover it, my lord."

"There seems to have been a misunderstanding," Merlin said sternly. "I did not cover that bill out of the goodness of my heart, I simply didn't want to see Will here beaten to a pulp for your transgression. You most certainly will be paying me back."


An hour later, Gwaine picked up yet another boot from the long line of boots he was polishing. Honestly, was it really necessary to make him clean the boots of the entire army? "Thoroughbred little braggart," Gwaine muttered.

"Was that directed at me?" came a voice behind Gwaine. He jerked his head around to see Merlin entering the room.

"Given the bill you racked up, I think this is more than fair," Merlin continued. He sat down next to Gwaine. "It may surprise you, but even I can't just throw away small fortunes on frivolous things."

"What do you want?" Gwaine demanded somewhat harshly.

"Well, it occurred to me that I never thanked you for saving my brother's life," Merlin said conversationally. "And I never properly introduced myself." He held out a hand. "I'm Merlin, pleasure to meet you."

Gwaine did not shake his hand. "Just 'Merlin'? Not going to lord the prince bit over me?"

Merlin sighed. "I'm aware that you're less than fond of nobility, but think about it for a moment—how are you any better than the many nobles who dismiss all commoners as dirt? Arthur and I are still the same people you stood up for in that tavern. We haven't changed, only your perception of us has." Merlin took a deep breath. "In my opinion, it doesn't matter who you were born as—what matters is who you choose to be." He had adopted a distant look, and Gwaine suspected that the words held some deeper meaning to him.

After a moment, Gwaine decided to test the waters. "And if I told you my father was a knight, would you still make me do this or would all suddenly be forgiven?"

Merlin snorted. "I don't care if your father's the king of Mercia, you owe me. Either you cough up some gold or you keep polishing."

"Good to know." Gwaine hesitated again. On the one hand, he'd been mistrusting nobility for years…but on the other hand, his first instinct back in the tavern had been that Merlin was a good person, and his instincts were generally reliable. "Because my father was a knight. For all the good it did him."

"What happened?" Merlin asked quietly.

"He served the king and it got him killed. If there's one thing I learned from his life, it's that titles don't mean anything. It's what's inside that counts."

"I'm sorry for your loss," Merlin said sincerely.

It was Gwaine's turn to snort. "I tell you my father was a knight, and now you want to be friends?"

Merlin raised an eyebrow. "Gwaine…why do you think I came in here?"


Will emerged from Merlin's chambers with a basket of laundry and found Morgana pacing in the corridor outside. "Are you looking for Merlin, my lady?"

Morgana started. "What? Yes…no…maybe…"

Will put down the basket and frowned. "Are you all right?"

Morgana shook her head. "It's nothing." She started to walk away, then turned back. "Have you served Sir Oswald or his friend since they arrived?"

"No, why?"

"Sir Oswald seems very…different, that's all." Morgana grimaced. "Watch your step around him." With that, she finally left.

Will stayed where he was for a moment, pondering what had just happened. If Morgana was concerned enough by the supposed change in Sir Oswald that she had come to tell Merlin about it, then perhaps this bore further investigation.


Once he'd taken the laundry to the laundry room, Will found Oswald and Ethan heading to the training field. Will tailed them and inconspicuously sat by a weapons rack.

Meanwhile, Arthur was totally engrossed in beating up a practice dummy. Oswald's voice broke his concentration. "You look like you need a bit of practice."

Arthur turned away from the dummy. "Ah, you think so?"

"I know so."

Arthur held out his arms in an invitation for a friendly spar. Oswald nodded at Will, who fetched him a sword.

Once Oswald was armed, Arthur attacked. It wasn't long before Arthur clearly had the upper hand. "You're rusty, you're not as quick as you used to be!" Arthur observed.

"Still quick enough to hit you!" Oswald countered, trying and failing to back up his statement.

Arthur frowned, realizing something else was off. "I thought you were left-handed."

"Yes I am," Oswald said, slightly awkwardly. "I just wanted to…give you a chance." He switched his sword to his left hand and fared even worse than before. Arthur quickly pinned Oswald's sword arm and tapped his chest.

"I think I'll manage," Arthur said good-naturedly, then walked away.

Oswald walked over to Ethan, who was standing nearby, and they held a quiet conversation. Will could have sworn he heard the phrase "fillet the little brat". Something was definitely going on here.


Near the end of the day, Will took Oswald and Ethan's armor back to their chambers. Once he had set the armor by their beds, he noticed a cloth-wrapped bundle on their table. He opened the cloth to reveal two blunt swords. He picked one up for a closer look and casually felt the blade. The sword sliced into his palm, and he dropped it in surprise.

"What are you doing with that, boy?" Oswald called from the doorway.

Will quickly hid his bleeding hand in his pocket. "Uh, I was just tidying…"

"Keep away from things that don't concern you," Oswald said, a threat in his voice. Will grabbed a dirty plate and hurried out of the room.


Gaius bandaged Will's hand while he recounted his story. "To the eye, the sword appeared blunt, but when I touched it…" Will trailed off with a wince.

"You're lucky," Gwaine stated. "I've seen those blades in action. They're forged using sorcery."

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

"I think they mean to kill Arthur in the mêlée," Will suggested. "It's the perfect cover, no one would suspect it was intentional." He stood up. "I've got to tell Merlin."

"Will, Sir Oswald is a knight," Gaius said sternly. "He comes from a well-respected family. Even Merlin can hardly do anything without proof."

"Then we need that blade," Gwaine concluded. "I'll get it."

"What if they catch you?" Will countered. "What reason would you have to be in Sir Oswald's chambers? No, it's safer if I do it."


After night had fallen, Will snuck into Sir Oswald's chambers. The swords were gone from the table, so he knelt down and quietly opened Oswald's trunk. He found the sword inside, but abandoned the sword where it was when he saw something glowing in the corner of his eye.

The glow came from a crystal pendant that hung on Oswald's neck. Will crept over to the bed and carefully picked up the pendant. In the crystal, he saw the sleeping face of a thuggish-looking man who was definitely not Sir Oswald.

Then the thug's eyes opened. Will's wrist was suddenly caught in a vice-like grip. "Oswald" was awake.


Gwaine paced in Gaius's chambers. "Will should be back by now."

"I know," Gaius agreed.

"I'm going to go see what's going on," Gwaine decided.


Will was pressed up against Oswald's wardrobe. He flinched as the fake knight threw yet another dagger that landed barely an inch from his head. "I was just rearranging the bedclothes, that's all!" Will insisted shakily.

"You hear that, Sir Ethan?" Oswald derided. "He was just rearranging the bedclothes." Oswald threw another dagger.

"My mistake," Ethan said sarcastically. "He's not the sniveling thief I thought he was."

Oswald grabbed his sword and lunged at Will. Will darted away from the wardrobe and dodged the blow. He tried to reach the door, but Ethan kept blocking his path. Then a voice came from the doorway. "Is there a problem?" Gwaine asked casually, strolling into the room.

"No," Oswald said firmly. "Now leave."

Gwaine ignored Oswald, approaching Will. "You all right, Will?"

Will shook his head.

"I thought I told you to leave," Oswald repeated.

Gwaine glared at him. "I wasn't talking to you."

Ethan drew his sword. "How dare you speak to a knight like that!" He swung at Gwaine, but Gwaine swiftly disarmed him and caught Ethan's sword with his left hand. He shoved Ethan to the ground, dropping the spare sword. Oswald came up behind Gwaine.

"Careful!" Will called.

"Don't worry," Gwaine said, turning around. "I can handle this thug." He lunged for Oswald, skillfully dueling him. Ethan retrieved his sword and tried to attack Gwaine, but Gwaine elbowed him in the face and knocked him down again. Gwaine returned his attention to Oswald and quickly disarmed him as well.

At that moment, Merlin arrived with a group of guards to investigate the commotion. He stiffened when he saw Gwaine and Will. "What's going on here?"

Gwaine whirled around. "These men—" He broke off in surprise when Oswald backhanded him and knocked the sword out of his hand.

"Sire, this man attacked me!" Oswald cried. "I demand an audience with the king!"

Merlin sighed and turned to Gwaine. "You're under arrest," he said apologetically.


The guards locked Gwaine in a set of manacles and led him to the throne room. Merlin and Will walked a little ways behind. "It's not Sir Oswald," Will revealed quietly. "It's…I don't know who it is, but he's using a magical crystal to change his appearance."

"Magical crystal?" said a voice behind the pair. Morgana had joined them. "That's actually something of a relief, I could scarcely believe that Oswald would…well. Let's just say I had an unpleasant encounter with him and leave it at that."

At that moment, they reached the throne room. Uther, Arthur, Oswald and Ethan stood inside. The guards flanking Gwaine shoved him to his knees.

"Sire, this man attacked me," Oswald announced. "With a sword. Tried to kill me."

"Is this true?" Uther demanded.

"I stepped in to protect Will," Gwaine stated through gritted teeth.

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

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

"He's a liar!" Gwaine hissed, rising to his feet and struggling with his manacles. The guards quickly restrained him.

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

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

"Gwaine!" Arthur cut in, hoping to defuse the situation.

"Well, you see, Sire, how he behaves," Oswald said smugly.

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

"I couldn't agree with you more, Sire," Oswald concurred. "He must be made an example of. Nothing less than his execution will give me satisfaction."

"Father, I understand how this must look," Arthur interjected quickly. "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."

"How can you say that, when you see the way he behaves?" Uther demanded.

"Gwaine risked his life to save mine," Arthur continued. "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."

Uther pondered this for a few moments, then turned back 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."


Merlin entered the physician's chambers as Gwaine packed up the last of his things. "Sorry about that," Merlin said contritely. "I'd have heard you out, but I don't make the rules. If I did, then your word and Oswald's would have been weighed equally, believe me."

"Ah well." Gwaine shrugged. "I never stay in one place for very long. People get sick of me too quickly."

Merlin shook his head. "I didn't."

"After the trouble I caused?" Gwaine asked skeptically.

Merlin's lips quirked in a small smile. "You livened the place up."

Gwaine chuckled, then sobered. "Make sure you look after Arthur. He's in danger."

"I will," Merlin promised. "Look after yourself."

"Eh, that's what I'm best at," Gwaine said casually. He clapped Merlin on the shoulder before leaving.

Merlin smiled sadly. It was a shame that Gwaine had to leave almost as soon as Merlin had gotten him to look past his prejudices.


The next morning, Uther entered Arthur's chambers while Arthur was putting on his gambeson. The king held a cloth-wrapped package. "I trust you're ready for the challenge?" Uther asked, smiling.

Arthur walked over to him. "Yes, Father."

"I came to bring you this." Uther unwrapped the package. "I won my first mêlée with this blade. The edge has been dulled, it's perfectly safe."

Arthur picked up the sword and experimentally swung it around.

"All of Camelot is eager for a victory today, Arthur," Uther continued. Arthur lowered the sword as his father put a hand on his shoulder. "I know you won't let me down." Uther turned and left the room again.

Arthur exhaled unhappily. He wished his father would realize that pressuring him like that really didn't help.

The door opened again while Arthur's servant was halfway through helping him into his armor. "I can finish that," Morgana said softly.

Morris bowed and walked away. However, Morgana made no move for the rest of Arthur's armor. "I think you should withdraw."

"Withdraw?" Arthur repeated in disbelief.

"Oswald isn't what he seems," Morgana revealed worriedly. "He's trying to kill you. Please, I beg you. It's just a tournament, Arthur, you don't have to participate in every single one."

Arthur took a deep breath and shook his head. "It's not 'just a tournament', Morgana. The mêlée is more than that. It's about proving to the people that I'm fit to lead them. I'll be careful, but…I can't just withdraw."

Morgana sighed. She glanced around to make sure Morris was gone, then whispered a spell that instantly fastened the rest of Arthur's armor. "Good luck."


Morgana sat next to Merlin and Will in the stands. "I tried convincing Arthur to withdraw, but it was no use," she revealed quietly.

Merlin gave her a funny look. "You actually expected him to withdraw over something so petty as his life being in danger?"

"That's not petty!" Morgana objected.

"Not to us," Merlin agreed. "But Arthur would never let that stop him. We're just going to have to protect him our way."

"Our…oh." Morgana returned her attention to the arena. She didn't like the idea of using her powers in front of half of Camelot, but Merlin was right—magic was their only option.

The knights were mounted on horseback in two lines, one at each end of the arena. Arthur waited at the far end while Oswald and Ethan waited underneath the royal box. The knights lowered their visors. Uther brought down his hand to signal the start of the mêlée.

The knights charged. Swords clashed as the two lines met. Before long, various knights began tumbling from their horses. Merlin tensed when he spotted Ethan heading straight for Arthur. Fortunately, Arthur ducked the blow. Ethan's horse reared, and he fell off.

Arthur and Oswald dueled on horseback. Unfortunately, that did not last long; Ethan came up behind Arthur and hauled him off his horse. Ethan raised his sword and swung it down, but Arthur rolled out of the way and stood up. He began dueling Ethan.

Oswald cantered around the arena, now the last knight to remain on his horse. Once he was behind Arthur, he charged. Merlin used a silent spell to snap the girth on his saddle, sending both saddle and Oswald to the ground. Once Oswald recovered from the fall, he stood up and joined Ethan in battling Arthur.

By this point, Arthur, Oswald and Ethan were the last three contestants standing. Morgana gripped Merlin's sleeve; it would be nigh impossible to interfere without a blatant display of magic now. Arthur skillfully fought both opponents, but it was clear that he was growing exhausted.

Then another fallen knight regained his feet and approached to cover Arthur's back. The battle now evened, Arthur fought with renewed strength. "Who is that, helping Arthur?" Morgana wondered.

"I don't know, but I'm glad he is," Merlin replied.

Right at that moment, the newcomer disarmed Ethan and caught his sword. Will grinned. "There's only one person I know who can do that." Moments later, Gwaine stabbed Ethan with the stolen blade. The crowd gasped as Ethan fell.

Meanwhile, Oswald overpowered Arthur and knocked him off his feet. He raised his sword for a killing blow, but Gwaine parried and stabbed Oswald, again with the stolen blade. Oswald collapsed. Arthur regained his feet and faced off with Gwaine.

"They'll expect us to fight to the end now," Arthur stated. For a few moments, neither man attacked, then Arthur removed his helmet. The crowd cheered. "You fought bravely," Arthur declared. "The field is yours!"

Gwaine dropped the magic sword and stabbed his own into the ground. He looked around at the cheering crowd. Reluctantly, he removed his own helmet. Arthur grinned and laughed. "I should've known. Nobody fights like you do."

Uther was less pleased to see Gwaine. "Guards, seize him!" Within moments, Gwaine was surrounded.


Will followed Gaius to the tent where Oswald and Ethan's bodies were laid out. A minute later, Uther and the princes joined them. "Is there nothing you can do for them?" Uther asked worriedly.

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

"The prisoner is responsible for their deaths, I want him executed immediately," Uther hissed to Arthur.

"You might want to wait before you pass judgment," Gaius called. "I fear that Sir Ethan and Sir Oswald are not all that they seem." He removed the crystal pendants from both men's necks, then removed their helmets. Oswald was revealed as the lead thug from the tavern, and Ethan turned out to be one of his cronies.

"Sorcery," Uther breathed.

Arthur knelt by the bodies. "And once again I owe Gwaine my life."


Gwaine paced outside the council chambers while his fate was decided. Finally, Arthur and Merlin emerged. "The king is prepared to overlook the fact that you fought in the mêlée," Arthur announced.

Gwaine smiled. "Thank you, Arthur."

"But…he's a stubborn man," Arthur continued. "He will not rescind his judgment. You must leave Camelot."

"I'm sorry," Merlin added. "Believe me, we tried talking to him."

"Our father's wrong," Arthur declared. "If it were up to me…"

"I know," Gwaine cut them off. "You don't need to explain yourself."

"You have until sunset," Merlin revealed.


Merlin and Will both watched Gwaine double check his pack in the physician's chambers. "Where will you go?" Will wondered.

"I was thinking Mercia," Gwaine said casually.

"It's dangerous," Will objected.

"Yeah, and you get a lot more ale for your money," Gwaine countered.

Merlin and Will both gave him funny looks.

"I'm joking," Gwaine quickly added.

"Why don't you tell my father who you really are?" Merlin suggested. "He'd grant you a pardon. You could stay in Camelot."

Gwaine shook his head. "No offense, but I could never serve under a man like Uther."

"You helped Arthur," Merlin pointed out.

"You and he have shown that you are indeed noble men," Gwaine conceded.

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

Gwaine considered this for a moment, then grinned and shrugged. "Then maybe one day we will again."


Arthur, Merlin and Morgana watched from a low section of the ramparts as Gwaine made his way through the lower town. He caught sight of them and saluted.

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

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

Arthur sighed. "You know the rules won't allow it. Knights are noblemen. Always have been, always will be. It's a tradition that—" He broke off as he spotted Gwen stopping to give Gwaine a friendly greeting. "They seem very friendly!"

Morgana raised an eyebrow. "Why should you care?"

"I don't," Arthur objected quickly. Gwen and Gwaine appeared to share a laugh. "She could do better than that!"

"You know, she mentioned him to me the other day," Morgana said teasingly. "Said he was very chivalrous, if I recall correctly. And…well, a girl of Gwen's standing, Gwaine is really the best she could hope for, isn't he?"

"After all, consorting with a nobleman would be against the rules," Merlin added, his eyes sparkling with mirth.

"Shut up, both of you," Arthur said stiffly.

Gwen kissed Gwaine's cheek before continuing on her way. Arthur whirled around and stomped away. Life really wasn't fair.


A/N: For anyone who's curious, the full story of the burning stables incident is told in chapter 6 of my fic Childhood Adventures.