Hello people! I admit, I seemed to of lied when I said that I would update within two days (I misjudged school work and I had to prepare for one of my sisters coming home).

Now, I admitted in the last chapter that this is based on a song. So, I therefore issue a challenge...

WHAT IS THE SONG?

Information below. Like, at the end.

In Memory of the Fallen

Chapter 37 – Deception

It was dark in Camelot. Night time had fallen, which always meant that the curfew was in place. Nobody was allowed on the streets after dark, and after the first lot of people who had defied the rules in the name of the King were dealt with publically, in the courtyard of the Citadel, everybody else got the message. Now the only life on the streets after dark were the patrolling soldiers, flaming torches in tow as they trod on the empty roads, searching for signs of trouble, but even so, they could not be everywhere at once.

But if you looked up, it was a different matter.

Figures could be seen moving on the rooftops. Stealthy and silent, they didn't make a sound as they made their way through the Lower Town. The company of shadows were spread on several rooftops, their dark clothing blending in so thoroughly with the surroundings that when they stood still, they were invisible.

Quickly, they dropped down from the houses, careful not to make a sound and grouped together briefly, before spreading out. One shadow took place by a barrel, another by a door. A bold, daring figure simply stood in the middle of the road. They all stopped moving and melted into the darkness and it was like nothing had happened.

Everything was silent.

A while later footsteps could be heard. They were hurried and getting closer to where the figures lay in wait, covered by the shadows. The sound bounced between the houses, making the shadows fade further into the background to avoid detection as the person got closer and closer.

The newcomer rounded the corner, approaching to where the shadowy figures hid. They wore a dark coloured cloak, but it wasn't dark enough to avoid being noticed, and as they walked closer, it was apparent that it was one of some finery. The cloak was a soft, dark grey and it had a deep, wide hood which was thrown up over the face, concealing the person behind it.

The newcomer walked briskly down the centre of the street, but still kept to the shadows and as they continued further down, this task was made easier by the fact that the street narrowed, the houses getting closer and closer together. So intent that they were to remain inconspicuous and to reach their destination, they didn't pay attention to their surroundings.

Once the newcomer in the soft dark grey cloak reached the narrowest part of the street, the shadows struck.

It took three of the figures to eventually capture the newcomer and even then, they still had a hard time when the victim began to fight their way out of it. But eventually, when a green cloth was held to the hooded figure's face, they became limp.

A minute after the newcomer had walked onto the street; they left it, via the rooftops.

And Camelot's streets were left deserted once more.

Arthur's POV

Arthur stood in the clearing with Gwen standing beside him. Merlin had assumed his position of Manservant and the Knights stood in rows that parted on either side of their rulers so that there was a gap running through the middle, which was blocked only by the King and Queen. The people who had managed to escape Camelot and joined the resistance milled around the clearing. Although there were only a few in relative size to the population of the city, fifty was still a large amount.

All of the Knights were wearing their uniforms, and standing on guard. Arthur too, had his red cloak on and Gwen was wearing a dress that one of their people had gifted to her, so that overall, the picture that they posed was almost an exact replica as the council back in Camelot.

"Arthur it can't be true," Merlin argued as they stood there.

The King didn't bother to reply as he noticed that the people down at one end of the clearing had suddenly started to mutter. Although keeping his head straight forward, he noticed that the few citizens of Camelot that he could see had looks of hatred and pain on their faces.

"It's Lady Butter," Somebody hissed.

"What's she doing here?"

"That's Lady Butter," A woman whispered, her words filled with an emotion that Arthur couldn't comprehend to her child.

And indeed, it was.

Lady Flora Margarine Butter walked towards the King and Queen of Camelot from the opposite end of the clearing, where, the night before, the people whom Arthur had sent to take her had left her to sleep. Now, it was clear that the potion that Gaius had given to them and what they had soaked the green piece of cloth in had worn off, and she was fully awake, and aware of her surroundings.

"Look at her hair..."

"I can't believe she is here."

"That's her?"

"Flora!" Merlin shouted and it was clear to Arthur that the Manservant was going to run down to his... friend. But he couldn't allow that to happen, so as soon as he began to move, Arthur threw out his arm, stopping Merlin from moving forward.

"No, Merlin, this has to happen."

"You're putting her on trial," Merlin accused Arthur. "She is our friend. She hasn't done anything wrong."

The whispers followed Lady Butter as she continued to walk towards the Rulers of Camelot. Her face expressed no emotion and it was clear to Arthur that she had her regal mask on, much like the one that he wore when he had to face the Council. Around her in the corridor that she walked in, the people all moved back as she walked between them, as if they were afraid of what would happen if they touched her.

Her attire hadn't changed from the night before and although she had obviously slept in it, it didn't look that way. For the first time that Arthur had ever met her, she was wearing dark colours.

Her dress was a deep, shimmering blue that in the morning sun, also alternated between luscious purple. The sleeves were long, coming down to her wrists and had a shapely cut, which the dress itself also owned. The dress wasn't dragging along the floor, but it was still proper in accordance with the Court rules. In the daylight, it was revealed that her cloak was not one shade, but different colours of grey and silver, swirling together. She had the hood thrown back, revealing loose ringlets that clung to the sides of her face.

"I never trusted her..."

"It's the Betrayer..."

"It's that little bitch..."

She reached the end of the line of people and was now walking through the lines of soldier; mainly the Knights of the Round Table (bar one very important guy). The few citizens who had left the clearing to do their business came back, and they too started to whisper among themselves when they realised what was happening.

"What's she doing here?"

"She doesn't belong here..."

"Look at that face..."

"She looks just like Morgause..."

Finally, Lady Butter stood in front of Arthur, a respectable distance away from them and stood there, surveying him calmly. He took a step forward, and immediately the mutterings died down as everybody registered that he was about to start.

"This meeting is about to start. Please may you all remain silent unless you are spoken too or has something to say in regard to the outcome."

He gazed down at Lady Butter and she met his level gaze with one of her own.

"Why am I here?" She demanded. "How am I here?"

"You are here, Lady Butter," Guinevere answered, "Because we brought you here. Granted, it could have been less... orthodox, but we needed to get you out of the city undetected."

"I see. And what am I here for?"

"It is only polite, I find, to have the person we are discussing today present when we talk about your fate."

Lady Butter smiled, her first, true smile since Arthur had seen her all of those days ago, when she attended to Gwaine.

His stomach lurched at that thought, making him feel sick as he remembered what he had organised. Gwaine...

"And of course, we must stick to Court Rules, Sire."

"Indeed," Gwen replied, grinning as well.

"My sister, Morgana Le Fay –or Pendragon as she also calls herself – has once again, taken Camelot and positioned herself so that she may rule as self appointed Queen."

"It has come to my attention," Lady Butter said, somewhat dryly, and Arthur had to forcefully restrain himself from grinning like a lunatic as she showed her wit. Perhaps this meeting will go well after all...

"My people have been steadily escaping from the city and her rule and subsequently, they have brought us news of what is happening inside Camelot. We also have spies inside the City and the Citadel itself so that we may know what is happening."

"Naturally." She deadpanned.

"We know that Lord Butter is in league with Morgana, and we know that the attack was planned for when we were out of Camelot. But," Arthur continued, "Although you have not opposed them, in all of our reports that we have received, not once has there been any suggestion that you have deliberately hurt anybody, or treated people with malicious intent-"

"Yeah! Just simply stood by and watched people being killed -"

"Quiet!" The King of Camelot barked and immediately the crowd fell silent and ceased to move once again. A raven that had been pecking on the grass a few feet away squawked loudly, and took flight in the air, flying behind the King.

"However, it has also been noted that you have commited Treason. Willingly or unwillingly, you are on the side of ones who have acted against the Crown. The punishment for this is whatever the Queen and I deem worthy."

Taking a deep breath to quench the nervousness that he could feel manifesting itself in the form of a dragon breathing fire in his stomach (butterflies were for girls) he began to talk once again.

"We have a decision to make, Lady Butter. You can flee this country, never to return, upon pain of death. Or," Arthur continued taking another deep breath to steady himself, "You can join with us, and help take Morgana down. That is our decision, but we need to take your view into account."

She stood there for a moment, her body stock still as she froze in place and in turn, it felt like the world had frozen too.

Gwaine...

Her eyes were wide as she tilted her head so that she could look up to where Arthur and Gwen were standing. She opened her mouth –

And her eyes hardened and what was once such a warm, open face closed in on itself, a mask displaying instead.

"No."

"No?" Gwen repeated, confused. "No to which one?"

Lady Butter contained her herself, and a cruel smirk sprouted on her lips. "I will not run away like some... Coward and I will not skirt from my duties, both as a Lady and as a Wife."

"Flora, you can stop acting," Merlin said desperately as he stepped closer. Arthur had forgotten he was there but now his Manservant stepped out into the fray, towards the centre of the 'Court'. "Lord Butter isn't here anymore. You are free."

"Free?" She said incredulously, "Free from what?"

"You don't have to suffer in silence anymore," Merlin pleaded, "Just stay with us, please. We can heal you-"

"Oh goodie. 'I don't have to suffer in silence anymore'? Fine. I am fed up with people name-calling My Husband. You people," She said contemptuously, glaring around at the clearing. "Are all just talk. That's how you function, isn't it? You can talk the talk, but when it comes to doing the action, you just have to discuss it first and see what everybody else is doing."

"But he can walk the walk, can't he, Flora." Merlin said quieter, moving closer again. "He makes threats and he follows through with them."

"I don't know what you are implying, Merlin-"

"Oh really? How about when you first arrived in Camelot, and your shoes were muddy and the hem of your dress likewise? Or when I was called to treat Dastan, you had bruises forming on your arms. Bruises which I didn't recognise the pattern of but now-"

He reached out and grabbing her arm in a hard grip, his fingers digging in.

"Now, I know. About how he threatened you when you didn't leave Gwaine when he died and his disgust about you looking after Dastan. About how, you look scared when you are in the same room as each other and how when we were leaving Camelot, you were the only one who wasn't smiling."

"Let go."

"Fine." Merlin said releasing her and pushing Lady Butter away like a ragdoll. "Admit it, Lady Butter; your husband is a monster."

Lady Butter growled at him. Literally; Lady Butter growled at Merlin.

"How dare you! How dare you slander my Husband at that!" She threw back her cloak in one motion and wrenched one of her long sleeves up her arm revealing-

Nothing.

"You see Merlin? Nothing. There are no marks, no bruises, and no scars. My Husband has treated me like what I am. He treats me with the respect I deserve."

"But- How?" Merlin stumbled, confusion and shock showing on his face. "I don't understand. It was there-"

"You obviously dreamt it, Merlin." She spat, yanking her sleeve back down. She turned to face the King and Queen of Camelot once again. "I want to leave. Now."

"Please Flora," Guinevere said, coming to stand by Arthur. She extended a hand towards what the Knights of the Round Table once considered their friend. "Stay here. Fight with us."

"Now."

"No." The Queen snapped. "Not until you tell us why you have done this."

"You all seem to think that I care about you? Did you honestly consider me a friend?" Lady Butter questioned maliciously.

"You do care!" Guinevere cried out. "You cared when Dastan was being threatened by that Lord. You cared when Gwaine protected him and you were the person to pick up the pieces and take Dastan and look after him like one of your own. You cared when Gwaine was dying, and did in fact die. You might not care about us, but you care about Gwaine. Think of him!"

"I did!" Lady Butter shouted. "When Camelot was attacked and I led the soldier and Morgana to the Citadel. Not Lord Butter, I did!"

"Exactly! You care more about Gwaine then you do for your own Husband!"

Lady Butter was breathing hard now, her eyes flashing with anger and hatred. "Maybe I did once. But that was before he left me to die. It was Lord Butter who came and rescued me. I loved my friend, and then when he abandoned me, I became to love my Husband."

"But you were always loyal to the promise you made to each other!" Arthur protested vehemently.

"Oh really. And I suppose you would know about loyalty," Lady Butter snorted. "After all, you banished your wife after she committed adultery with Lancelot; a man whom had returned from the dead."

"How do you know about that?" Merlin demanded as he appeared in front of her. Until then, Arthur had never appreciated how scary Merlin could be, but when he towered over Lady Butter, he cut a tall, powerful, menacing figure and his body quivered with unreleased anger.

She stared up at him.

"Oh figure it out, Merlin. But then again, it might be hard for you seeing as you found my Husband's carrier of ravens and yet didn't put two and two together."

"Your Husband's," Guinevere emphasised, "Not your own."

"You wouldn't know about ownership." Lady Butter accused, turning on the Queen. "After all, what happened to that lovely little bracelet that dear old Lance gave to you?"

The Queen of Camelot sucked in a shocked breath and beside her, the King of Camelot froze. The hurtful words that she so casually threw their way struck him like a heavy blow, knocking the air out of his lungs.

"How-" The Queen whispered.

"We are more alike than you think, Guinevere. Both of us peasants, family of a working class. Both of us catching attention, wherever we walk, from Knights and titled men in particular. Both of us seeking to rise above our station. Tell me," Lady Butter leaned in, intent clear in her face. "How long did it take for you to use the Knight so that you could get closer to the Crown Prince?"

Elyan suddenly appeared and grabbed the Lady from behind, holding her hands behind her back as she struggled towards the Rulers of Camelot, where the Queen was listening, wide eyed and horrified at the words that were spewing from Lady Butter's mouth.

"Quiet-"

"How long did it take for him to realise that you were using him? That you didn't really love him and when he gave you his heart you threw it back in his face? HOW LONG?"

"SILENCE!" The King of Camelot roared. He glared down at the spiteful woman that he once regarded as his friend. Around him, he could hear, feel the anger in the air that was directed towards Lady Butter.

"You don't belong here. And when we first came here, I said that you would have a choice and I would give my judgement-"

"Give her what he deserves!" Someone jeered from the crowd.

"-And I pass it now," The King continued.

"Kick her out!"

"That's right!"

"Judgement day is here!"

"Exile!" The King of Camelot pronounced.

"NO!"

Lady Butter's POV

Lady Butter stood there for a moment, looking around. Around her, the crowd of people began to move, pure anger and undiluted hatred showing on their faces, their feelings directed at her. And the satisfaction that she had first felt vanished as she realised what had happened.

And how much danger she was in now.

"Deception," Elyan hissed, pushing her away from him. She stumbled back, into the left hand row which consisted of the Knights of the Round Table.

"Disgrace," Percival said, with part anger and part sadness directed at her as she crashed into his hard body and immediately bounced off.

"Evil as plain as her beautiful face," Someone commented darkly, as Lady Butter began to move down the line, making sure she didn't touch any of the people around her.

"Deception-"

"An outrage!" Leon said clearly, righteous anger at Margarine insulting his beloved Queen.

"Disgrace-"Somebody finished.

"For shame," Lady Butter whipped her head around and stared back up towards where she had came from. She was sure that Merlin had just spoken quietly -

"She asked for trouble the moment she came," A man said menacingly as she found herself in the civilian crowd now.

"She can't change her life!"

"Deception!" A woman called out, and threw mud straight at Margarine. It splattered on her cloths, and she turned away, not showing any emotion on her face.

"An outrage!" A voice yelled.

"Disgrace-"

"For shame!"

"You know these Eira Dell types!" Margarine overheard a man tell his wife as she passed them by. She stood still then, standing her ground.

How dare they insult her country!

But then a small pebble whizzed past her ear and Lady Butter set off again, realising that her life was in danger. The words started to blur together as the projectiles continued to fall around her.

"Evil as plain as her clothing taste-"

What?

"See you later, infiltrator!"

"Just leave us alone!"

"Deception –"Somebody began again, and dimly, Margarine realised that it was turning into a chant of some sorts. The words that Elyan and Percival had first spoken to her echoing through the ranks.

"An outrage!"

"Disgrace-"

"For shame-"

"Traitor, go back with your own!" A child called out, the voice higher pitched than the rest so it stood out clearer against the cacophony of noise.

"- She asked for trouble the moment she came."

"See you later, agitator!"

She was out of the clearing, and still she ran. The words that they said following her as she blindly sprinted past all of the trees and tripping over the undergrowth.

"Born in grief, raised in hate –"

"Helpless to, defy her fate-"A voice argued. Why through? Who on earth would still want her after what she had done?

"Let her run."

"Let her live?"

"But do not forget, what we cannot forgive-"

The voices reached a crescendo now, the haunting sound reaching her ears, and Margarine realised unconsciously that she was crying.

"For she is not one of us –"

"She has never been one of us –"

"She is not part of us –"

"Not our kind-"

Pounding of feet could be heard behind her and terrified, Margarine started to run again, the mob behind still chanting as they raced through the forest.

"Someone once lied to us. Now we're not so blind-"

"For we knew she would do what she's done –"

"And we know that she'll never be one of us-"

"She is not one of us," A voice echoed in her head.

"Deception –"They whispered.

"Disgrace –"

There was only one place she could go.

"Deception -" Guinevere's voice hissed in her head.

"Disgrace!" Arthur's voice yelled as she headed for her haven

Camelot.

"Deception."

So, there you have it. One pretty short chapter, but I think it was necessary (or maybe I just liked the song part)...

Oh yeah, and for the COMPETITION...

To submit your answer you will have to review (hint hint) this and put your answer there or PM me.

The winner will receive whatever she wants. It can be a one-shot, a character, a life... a death.

Whoever.

Whatever.

I promise.

And now a quote from a great book; LET THE GAMES... BEGIN!