A bike, a turtle, Merlin, and a condor. What do these things have in common?
They are all things that I don't own but want to.
I guess I'll just have to settle for my plot gremlins playing with Merlin.
Sorry about the delay with the chapter, my plot gremlins are having a hard time focusing.
Sir Galahad and Sir James road in front followed by Sir Elyan and Sir Percival then Lady Morgana and Lady Gwenevier. Sir Bracan, Sir Gregory, and the squires Gaheris, Morien and Caradoc brought up the back of the group. The small group was heading back to Camelot from Lady Morgana's visit to Gorloise's grave sight, She may have found out he wasn't her birth father but he had been a father to her for the first eight years of her life.
The knights while properly alert talked and joked amongst each other enjoying the small trip. None of them minded being sent to guard the king's sister because she wanted to visit the grave of the man she had thought was her father even though the season's snow had already started to fall and had settled to at least six inches. It was only a couple of hours to and from the Lord's and fellow Camelot knight's grave, they would be back in Camelot in time for the evening meal.
Morgana road quietly letting her mind wander to memories of her life in Tintagel. She glanced at Gwen, the lady smiled when she saw Gwen laugh at something her brother said. The forest was quieter than it usually was when she would visit Gorloise's grave. The birds had flown south retreating from the cold, and many of the animals had taken to hibernation but there was still some light sound from the few animals that didn't mind the cold so much.
"Morgana, are you alright?" Gwen asked. Morgana didn't usually go this long without saying anything.
"of course Gwen, I was just letting my mind wander, " Morgana told her.
"thinking about Merlin?" Gwen teased.
"no, I was thinking about Gorloise and that it was quieter than when we normally visit his grave" Morgana said.
"why would you think I was thinking about Merlin?" she asked genuinely confused.
While it was true she and Merlin had a bond unique to them because of what happen when Morgause had taken them from Camelot it did not mean she spent every minute thinking about him.
"are you thinking about Merlin?" Morgana asked a little teasingly.
"My thoughts were about Arthur, " Gwen told her.
"alright, I was thinking about Merlin too. Do you think they will be back from Elmet soon?" Gwen said after a pause.
Morgana opened her mouth to answer but then frowning she cut herself off and looked around, something was wrong. The forest had been quieter than usual before but now there was an eery silence. The witch reached out with her magic senses signaling for Gwen to be quiet when she opened her mouth to speak.
"Elyan, Gwen," Morgana said keeping her voice at a normal level her tone serious.
"be alert"
"My Lady?" Elyan asked discreetly looking around for the threat she seemed to sense.
"I don't know,unsheathing" Morgana said
"something's not"
Morgana was cut off by a shout from one of the squires, the group turned to see Gaheris fall from his horse with an arrow in his shoulder. The knights sprung into action unsheathing their swords as they dismounted. Sir Gregory got down just in time to avoid being shot by a second arrow.
The Knights unsheathed their swords and created a protective circle around the Ladies and the injured squire, as a large group of bandits ran out from behind the tree's from all around them and attacked cutting off any route of escape. The horses were unsettled but trained well enough that they did not run away or panic and trample anyone .
Morgana ran, keeping her head down, toward the injured squire followed by Gwen and Sir Elyan who positioned himself between them and the bandits. She got to Gaheris just as one of the other squires was going to pull the arrow out of his shoulder, four inches lower and to the right and he would have been struck in the heart. Had that happen even Morgana's knowledge of healing magic would not have helped.
"Caradoc, stop" Morgana ordered as she grabbed his hand to stop him from pulling out the arrow.
"My Lady, we can't just leave it in him," Caradoc said a concerned panic in his voice.
"if you just pull the arrow out you'll cause more damage and hurt him worse," Morgana told him.
Caradoc released the arrow and allowed Morgana to gently push him aside.
He realized knew that, how could he have not thought of it. Caradoc shook himself, he couldn't focus on that right know. He drew his sword and turned positioning himself so that he could defend the ladies and his friend from any bandits that got passed the knights, he may not be the best person to ask for medical advise but damn it he could use a sword.
"Morgana?" Gwen asked when Morgana started inspecting the squire's wound.
"I learned a lot during my time away from Camelot" was the only explanation Morgana gave.
"I need the medical kit"
Morien who had only been a squire for less than a month and wasn't as advance with sword fighting as Caradoc was, quickly grabbed the bag with the medical supplies from the horse sir Bracan had been riding. He kneeled down on the other side of Gaheris and open the bag. Then knowing that the knights would need as much help as possible to keep the bandits away from the ladies so Gaheris's wound could be taken care of He drew his sword and joined Caradoc in his position of defense.
Morgana quickly grabbed a clean cloth out of the bag and cleaned the blood from around the arrow. Gaheris hissed in pain as the cloth touched the wound, his shoulder reflexively moved causing more pain.
"try and hold still" Morgana ordered as she gently placed her hand on his shoulder to hold him still.
"s-s-sorry, my, my lady" Gaheris said through clenched teeth.
"just breath slowly and try to as hold still as possible,discrete" Morgana told him as she finished cleaning the blood from around arrow.
The knights were outnumbered five to one, the knights that were in the know about Merlin's discrete help during past bandit attack found themselves wishing he was there. The knights fought to drive the bandit's back keeping them away from the ladies and the not fully trained for this squires. Sir Gallahad cursed as he saw a bandit get passed sir James, the bandit headed toward were the injured squire was being tended. He was fighting three men at once and could not get to them. Suddenly the horse the bandit was running around reared up and kicked the bandit sending him flying into a tree. This destracted one of the bandits that Percival was fighting and the tall knight took the oportunity to pull the mace out of the mans hand and knock him out with the butt of his sword before swinging it around to block the sword of a bandit that was coming at him from the side.
"I need water" Morgana ordered.
Gwen who was crouching beside her looked around and saw a water pouch attached to one of the horse's saddles. Quickly the former servant moved the four feet to the horse and grabbed the water. Gwen gasped as she glanced over the saddle and saw a bandit get passed the knights. She watched as he ran around, she realized he was going to go behind the horse she was standing beside.
Thinking quickly Gwen grabbed onto bridle and just as the bandit stepped behind the horse she tugged forward then pushed back. The horse reared up then kicked back sending the bandit into a tree, Gwen handed the reins off to Caradoc who had moved to her side when the horse kicked the bandit.
"Morgana," Gwen said as she held the pouch of water out to her.
Morgana took the water pouch and pulled the cork out, she gently poured a little out around the arrow to get the rest of the blood. She quickly wiped the skin around the arrow then pulled out a small pouch of premixed yarrow, lavender, and sage. Morgana pulled out a little and placed it in one cupped hand then she took the water pouch that she had place between her knees to hold it up right, and carefully poured a tiny amount onto the herbs.
The knights could only hold out so long against so many bandits, the knights may be more skilled but the bandits were making up for that with numbers and brute force. Galahad took out two of the bandits then found himself facing two more, Elyan and Gregory were fighting five bandits between the two of them being the closest to the ladies and the squires.
The two uninjured squires were had their swords drawn ready to defend their injured friend and the ladies from any bandit that might get passed the knights. Which luckily for the beginner and half trained squires when that did happen it was only one which meant they could help each other to hold the bandit back.
Just as the knights were staring to be driven back and trapped in a human circle the sound of horses came from down the trail. A small patrol of knights came into view, as soon as they spotted the bandits attacking the group they drew their swords and hurried to help. The new group of knights drew the bandits attention behind them taking pressure off the others. With the knight's number now doubled the bandits were quickly over come and run off or contained.
"oh thank goodness," Gwen said under her breath as she saw help arrive. Caradoc breathed a sigh of relief as the bandits had to turn to fight the new group of knights.
Morgana rubbed the wet herbs between her palms smushing them into a leafy paste, then she applied half of it around the arrow, she placed the other half of the mushed herbs onto the top of the herb pouch. Then she reached into the medical bag and pulled out another small clean towel and placed it around the arrow on top of the herbs.
"Alright, we need to sit him up so I can see his back" Morgana said holding pressure on the cloth.
"here, I'll help, " Gwen said
"may I be of assistance my lady?" a new voice asked
Gwen looked up to see a knight she hadn't met before hurry toward them with Elyan and Bracan. He looked familiar but she couldn't place where she had seen him before. Morgana was focused on Gaheris and didn't look up but motioned with her free hand for the person come over.
He helped Gwen sit Gaheris up while Morgana kept pressure on the cloth she had around the arrow. Gaheris grit his teeth as he was moved determined not to cry out. Morgana held in a curse when she saw his back.
"it didn't go through, that's good right?" Caradoc asked.
"no," Morgana and the new knight said at the same time.
"it will have to be pushed through" Gwen explained to the confused looking squire.
Gwen and the new knight each braced the squire holding him as still as possible, the new knight had one hand on the shoulder blade of the uninured shoulder and one on his chest. Gwen held with a firm gentleness to the top of his injured shoulder her other hand was on his mid back. Gwen noted that the knight wore the new colours for the knights of Essetire a mix of black and gray representing their tie to Essetire and a Camelot red dragon to signify their alegence to Camelot and King Arthur Pendragon.
Morgana held the cloth with one hand and used the other to pull the knife from her belt. Placing her thumb on one side of the arrow and the blade on the other she cut the fletching from the shaft. Once that was the done she quickly put the knife back in its sheath and placed her palm over the end of the arrow.
"Gaheris look at me" Morgana firmly ordered the squire who's eyes were closed his face scrunched up and tense.
He obediently opened his eyes and looked at her, Morgana made sure he was looking her in the eyes.
"I know this is hard but I need you to relax your muscles"
"My lady, I"
"just take a slow deep breath and hold it"
Gaheris did as she said.
"now let it out"
As Gaheris breathed out his muscles relaxed and Morgana quickly pushed the arrow through in one swift motion. This time the squire did cry out.
With the arrow removed Morgana cleaned the wound caused by the arrow being pushed through and put the rest of the herbs, she had mushed together on the wound. She placed a small folded cloth over the wound to hold the herbs in place, Gwen moved her hand to hold the cloth in place so Morgana could get bandages out of the bag.
The knight Gwen didn't know moved his hand to hold the cloth Morgana had placed were the arrow had gone in. Morgana got the bandages out and started to wrap Gaheris's shoulder. She held the start of the bandage on his shoulder keeping it taught she brought the bandage down over the wounds entrance, the knight slowly moved his hand as the bandage moved over it.
Gwen moved her hand when Morgana brought the bandage under the squire's arm and up to cover the exit wound. As she brought the bandage up she made sure it was pulled tight. Morgana finished wrapping the wound and securing the bandage just as Leon, Gregory and a couple of the knight that had show up and helped them finished checking over the bandits that hadn't run away.
Morgana was finally able to turn her attention to the knight that was helping her as she allowed Morian and Sir Bracan to help the injured squire up. Morgana stood up and turned to the knight as she looked up she opened her mouth to thank him but when she saw him.
"Alvar?" Morgana asked shocked to see the sorcerer once again dressed in Camelot colours, or at least the colours of a kingdom that swore allegiance to Camelot. His hair was shorter and he had grown out his beard a little but it was him. Gwen looked back and forth between Morgana and the knight, Morgana seemed to know him. She knew he looked familiar but even knowing Morgana knew him as well she still couldn't place him.
"it's good to see you again my lady" Alvar said bowing slightly.
"you're a knight? When did this happen?" Morgana asked hiding her suspicion. The last time she had seen him was when she had released him from his prison cell. He had killed some guards on his way out, at the time she had thought it had to have been self-defence but after she found out about Merlin and he told her his side of everything that had happen since he had first come to Camelot she started to wonder about it.
"I became a knight in Essetire a little over a year ago and then Essetire became part of Camelot and here we are" Alvar explained.
Morgana wanted to speak more with Alvar but she didn't think it would be a good idea to do so in front of so many people. Especially if one of the knights recognized Alvar as the man who had escaped imprisonment after stealing the chrystal of neahtid from the vault. While his being a sorcerer would no longer be significant at a trial, the theft of the chrystal and death of the guards he had killed when she had helped him escape would be. Not to mention that Mordred had told her he had never seen Alvar again after he had been captured, which unless he had a really good reason meant he had pretty much abandoned the druid boy who had looked up to him. However considering the kind of man Alvar had been perhaps that was a good thing.
She knew that he had not been the most honest person, that from what Merlin had told her had manipulated her and while she was not quick to forgive him. She had to take into account that back then she had been the kind of person who could be manipulated by the things he said. However she had changed, and perhaps something had happened to make him change as well.
Alvar smiled at her, that same smile that almost made her weak in the knees all those years ago, now it did nothing.
Morgana turned her attention to Sir Gallahad who was speaking with the man who was leading the knights that had come to their rescue. She recognized him as one of the Knights that had been given lord ships over some of the lands in Essetire, Sir Belivare now Lord Belivare bowed to her when he saw she was looking at him.
"my Lady, I hope you are alright," Belivare said.
"I was not hurt, and thanks to you and your men everyone who was not already injured remained so" Morgana's eye moved to Gaheris who was being helped onto sir Elyan's horse, it would be unsafe for the squire to ride alone with his injury. She turned her eyes back to Belivare.
"Yes, I am just glad we were here," Belivare told her.
Morgana while grateful for their help was curious about why they happen to be there, several leagues away from the city of Essetire, They were closer to Camelot than they really should be considering Arthur had placed Belivare in charge of Essetire's capital.
Before she could voice her question Sir Percival and Sir Bracan walked up to them with one of the knights that had come with Sir Belivare. Morgana scanned them looking for any sign of injury, they had a couple of bruises and minor cuts that would barely count as a flesh wound. Sir Bracan would sport a spectacular black eye for a couple weeks.
The knights had finished tying up the bandits that had not escaped or been killed during the small battle. Sir Galahad and Sir Belivare each assigned some knights to bring the prisoners back to Camelot for trial. Some of the bandits had minor injuries and since they would have to walk it would take some time to get there.
It was agreed that Sir Gallahad, Sir Elyan, Sir James and Sir Gregory would escort the Ladies Morgana and Gwenevier and squire Gaheris and one of Belivare's men sir Verson who had gotten a nasty slash on his leg that Morgana insisted needed to be bandaged and kept off of unless he wanted to get an infection and possibly lose it. While the rest of the knights took care of the prisoners which would cause them to move at a slower pace. Morgana also insisted that the bandits injuries needed to be tended as well, Gwen agreed but pointed out that it was something the knights could do. The herbs and bandages Morgana used on Gaheris and Sir Verson were only temporary fixes, they need to get them to Gaius so he could sutcher the injuries so they could heal properly. Morgana made a mental note that she needed to get Gaius to teach her how to do sutchers.
""can you here me?"" Morgana telepathed to Alvar as she mounted her horse.
"" you are as beautiful as I remember you my Lady"" Alvar telepathed back.
"" if you have time, I want to speak with you later""
""of course my Lady, I must help to bring these bandits to be locked up first""
Morgana gave Alvar a discreet nod and turned her horse to join her group, she positioned her self on one side of Elyan's horse but riding a little a head with Gwen on the other side keeping Sir Verson close in case he needed help.
"we'll meet you back in Camelot," Sir Galahad said to the knights as he nudged his horse forward.
""tomorrow, you'll find me by the knights training field after training"" Morgana telepathed, she mentally hoped that Merlin would be back by then so she wouldn't have to talk to Alvar without some moral and magical support.
Morgana didn't see Alvar almost smile, he schooled his features knowing that if he smiled for no reason especially considering one of his fellow knights was injured and they had to take a bunch of bandits over five miles to Camelot someone would want to know why.
""tommorow My Lady""
Alvar watched out of the corner of his eyes as the small group road toward Camelot while he and the other knights prepared to move out their larger group of knights and bandits. Even though Alvar had once been in the same situation as these bandits he felt nosimpathy for them. They had out numbered the knights even after help had arrived and yet had still been beaten, and he sensed no indication that Morgana had used her magic at all. In his opinion these bandits deserved what they got if they were so pathetic as to get caught rather than fighting to the death or escaping to fight another day like many of their fellow bandits had.
It took the group of knights and bandits three hours to reach Camelot the sun was over half set and had they still been on the road they would have had to stop and set up camp for lack of enough light to travel. Several guards and Knights including Sir Leon and Sir Gallahad plus Gwen were waiting for them when they came through the gates. The guards stepped forward as the group came to a stop and flanked the bandits. The Knights had created a kind of chain gang with rope tying the bandit's hands together then to each other giving them two and a half to three feet of space depending on their height. There were four sets of bandits each being led by a different knight with four more knights behind them and then a couple more nights and the two squires that had been injured bringing up the back.
"we've been waiting for you," Sir Leon said
"Sir Gallahad explained what happen, the guards will take the bandits from here. There's a meal waiting for all of you in the knights dinning hall then I believe you deserve a rest"
The knights were happy to hand the bandits over, they had been wanted to get to Camelot before the sun set and had decided against stopping for dinner, plus they would have had to feed the bandits to and they just didn't have enough. So they were all hungry and tired.
"after you have eaten some of the servants will show Lord Belivare's knights to the chambers we have set a side for guests," Gwen said as she escorted the knights toward the dinning hall.
Alvar moved to follow the other knights but then while no one was looking he stopped and ducked to the side, his eyes flashed yellow as he cast a spell under his breath.
"ágne mé ungesewenum" (make me unseen ( or unnoticeable) he wasn't powerful enough to make himself completely invisible but he could make people who didn't know he was there or expect him to be there, not notice him.
The other knights were so focused on getting to the dinning hall they didn't notice he wasn't with them anymore. He watched as the guards led the bandits toward the prison cells. The stable hands came to take the horses and led them away to be fed and given a good rub down.
"It's good to see you again Belivare" Sir Leon greeted his fellow knight.
"but what are you doing here? Should you not be in Essetire?"
"I got a summons from King Arthur, to come to the first biannual large council meeting," Sir Belivare said.
"What summons?" Sir Galahad asked.
"I thought that meeting wasn't supposed to be till after the Yule season"
"but I have the summons with Arthurs signature right here," Sir Belivare said showing them a scroll of paper.
Sir Leon took the scroll and looked at it, it was what Belivare said it was and the signature did look a lot like Arthur's.
Who ever wrote and signed this was an expert level forger.
"it does look real," Sir Leon said
"but Arthur didn't send out any summons to anyone"
"Arthurs not even in Camelot right know, He and Sir Gwaine and Merlin are away on a last minute quest for a few days" Gallahad told him.
"and had he been expecting you he would have told us before he left"
Merlin, Alvar recognized that name. He was the prince's or rather the king now's manservant. He had been there when he had been arrested and he stood in the room during his trial. He had also some how seen him and Mordred enter Lady Morgana's room the first night he had met her. How else would he have known to bring prince Arthur and the knight to Morgana's room?
"A quest," Sir Belivare said incredulously.
"but he's the king, he can't just go on quests without having someone to leave in change"
"it was something Arthur felt important, and he left Myself, plus Gaius and the Ladies Morgana and Gwen in charge while he is gone"
Alvar's eyebrow raised at interest at that, the knight he could understand even the elder physician but considering this was Uther Pendragons son he was surprised that He would leave a Lady in charge and from what Alvar remembered Gwen was Morgana's servant. Apparently, Belivare's thoughts were on the same wavelength as Alvar's
"You and Gaius I can understand and perhaps the Lady Morgana, she is his half sister after all," Belivare said.
So rumors were true.
"but Gweneviere is only a servant who happens to be the sister of a knight, who was really only knighted because of the situation at the time. What about his uncle Agravaine?"
"The king hadn't seen his uncle for over a decade before his father died he's hardly appropriate for the task," Sir Galahad said
"Elyan had proven himself worthy of being a knight before Arthur ever knighted him," Sir Leon told Belivare.
"and Gwenevier is Arthur's fiance' and your future queen"
Belivare and Alvar were both shocked, Alvar didn't have to recover as fast as Belivare did since they couldn't see him.
Alvar had to keep from laughing to himself, this was great. Arthur Pendragon the son of Uther Pendragon the most arrogant classist Alvar had ever had the displeasure of having to kneel Infront of, was going to marry his father's daughter's personal maid servant.
"seriously?" Belivare asked
"I know since her brother was knighted it raised her station but surely not that much that she's an appropriate match for a king, I would think a princess would be more what would be expected."
Leon and Galahad looked at each other than they each gave Belivare a WTH look.
"Belivare, where have you been?" Galahad asked sarcastically.
"Arthur and Gwen have been in love for years" Leon pointed out.
"it was like the worse kept secret in Camelot for a long time, you haven't been gone that long"
Oh, this was just getting better, Alvar thought from his spying place.
"alright, if the king did not send this then who did?" Sir Belivare asked, bringing the knight's focus back to the problem at hand.
Alvar listened to the knight's as they tried to figure out what was going on, he would have to complete his task tonight.
The next day Morgana waited by the practise field she had telepathed to Alvar to meet her just bfore breakfast if he could, she had been informed that sir Belivare and his knights including Alvar would be leaving after the morning meal. Sir Varson would remain in Camelot for a little longer while his leg healed some more. Apparently someone had forged a summons from Arthur and since the only thing that did was to get Belivare away from Essitir where Arthur had left him incharge they needed to get back as soon as possible. Leon was sending a contingent of knights with him just incase. The head knight believed it was possible that Lot had set the summons up in order to make a move on Essetire. Everyone knew the old Lord still coveted the Essetirian throne.
Morgana had spoken with Belivare earlier discreetly asking him about Alvar. The man she knew to be a sorcerer had shown up in Essetire shortly after Belivare had taken charge. Claiming that he had been on assignment at one of the kingdoms northern fort. He had finished his assigned time and had been on his way back when news of Essetire's merging with Camelot reached him.
Belivare praised Alvar's skills with a sword telling her he had shown up just in time to help a small patrol that had been attacked by a group of men that had been convinced that Lot was the rightful person to sit on the throne. While most people would have been impressed, Morgana became suspicious.
She knew how skilled Alvar was she was certain that Cenred would have kept him with the men that had attacked Camelot. Or at least he would have sent for all the better fighters from the border guard to return for the attack including Alvar, to return to join the battle. Basically, she found it hard to believe that a fighter like Alvar could have been one of Cenred's knights long enough to have served a full assignment at the northern border and not been called back for the attack on Camelot.
Of course, the deceased king had not exactly been in full control of his mind for the last short time of his life. Morgause having sent him that Horcrux's sword. So it was possible king had not thought to send for anyone that Morgause's voice in his head didn't already know about. Assuming the Horcrux couldn't read his mind.
"Morgana?"
The Lady turned to see Alvar stepping toward her, a cool smile on his face. He stopped and bowed his hand found her's and he lifted it to kiss her knuckles. To his surprise, Morgana pulled her hand back before his lips touched them. He mentally raised an eye brow at that. She had been easy to manipulate almost two years earlier, but it looked like she wasn't going to be as easy to seduce. The sorcerer smiled to himself, he liked a challenge.
Alvar straightened up and gave her an apologetic smile.
"I am sorry I took so long my Lady," he told her.
"I'm afraid I don't have very long to talk we're leaving in less than twenty minute"
Alvar had hoped to sweet talk her into telling him or finding out for him what Uther had done with the magical items that he had expected to find in the vault. He had snuck in after he had knocked the guards out with a sleeping spell, had he killed them it would have drawn attention. The key the Lord had given him made it so he could get into the vault, the door was made of iron which meant that his magic would not work on it. When he had gotten into the vault it was to find the items he needed missing. Even the Crystal of Neahtid was no longer there, although he wanted the crystal he didn't plan to take it. At least not while anyone who knew who he was and his connection to the crystal knew he was in the city.
Alvar knew that the summon's that the Lord had forged and the mild spell that made Belivare open to suggestion, he had used to get Belivare to choose him to come with him, would only get him into the castle for a short time.
It wasn't a plan they didn't expect to be discovered at all, but discovery of the plan doesn't always mean discovery of who's behind the plan. Alvar would appear to have been tricked as well, and showing up in time to save not only the king's sister but his betroved as well from a random bandit attack could only work to make the novice king greatful to the knights including Alvar. Or at least he would be once the incedent was reported to him, it was a slight flaw with the plan that Arthur just happen to not be there. On the plus side he wasn't there to recognize him as the man who been sentenced to death for being an enemy of Camelot. The Lord Alvar was working with wouldn't be happy that he didn't get the items. Not that he cared if the man was happy about it or not. The only reason Alvar put up with him was because of his proximity to the king.
"no need to apologize Alvar," Morgana said giving him a small smile.
"I heard you would be leaving earlier than expected, but why so soon?"
Morgana knew why they were leaving, Leon had told her and Gwen and Gaius about Belivare's forged summons, but she wanted to know what Alvar would tell her. Something she learned from Merlin was to trust her instinct when they told her something was wrong, and seeing Alvar in Camelot wearing a knights uniform. Her instincts were yelling something's not right.
It was also why she asked Percival and Elyan to be close by when she spoke to him. The two knight were out of sight, close enough that they could aid her if she signaled them but not close enough to hear there conversation. They wore the chainmail that Merlin had place a mild protection spell on, just in case.
"I'm afraid I don't quite understand my self my lady" Alvar told her.
"All Lord Belivare told us was that we would be leaving as soon as possible, he didn't give us a full explanation"
Morgana suddenly read his face, his muscle tension and the movement of his eyes as he spoke to her. Morgana had developed the ability to read people's facial expressions, mixed with her seer ability it helped her be able to tell if someone was lying or not. He wasn't out right lying, but she something in his eyes made her believe he wasn't being completely honest.
"I must admit I am surprised to see you once again in knights regalia," Morgana told him as she sat down on the bench motioning for him to do the same.
"considering the last time it was stollen."
"I can see why you might be suspicious," Alvar said
"but I should point out that when Cenred knighted me I was joining a man who hated Camelot as much as I once did"
"and you no longer hate Camelot?" Morgana asked a curious tone in her voice.
Alvar was silent for a moment, he looked toward the entrance to the castle from the practice field. A look on his face as if he was trying to find the right words.
"I realized I could not blame an entire kingdom for the policies of one man," Alvar said turning back to her.
"it was foolish and unfair of me to do so, and with Uther gone perhaps things will change"
"you believe Arthur will be different from his father?" Morgana asked
"I find myself hopeful thou not sure, but I suppose it's possible," Alvar said.
"I believe he deserves a chance to change"
Now that was a lie, and Morgana found herself mentally taken back as for a second she got a feeling of resentment and abhoration. She could feel the emotion yet it didn't feel like it belonged to her. It felt more like it was coming from Alvar when she mentions Arthur's name.
"You know the king better than I do, you know his past and how he's been raised to feel about magic and the kind of person that he is. Do you believe he can be convinced that magic isn't evil like he was taught his entire life?" Alvar asked he looked at her as if he was truly seeking her opinion, yet once again Morgana had the feeling his words and expressions didn't match his emotions.
"I know it's possible," Morgana told him point blank.
Morgana's finger's clench for a second as once again she felt an emotion she was sure was not her own. Disbelief and something else, It was like she could feel Alvar's belief she was nieve. She felt the need to defend her point of view, but she held back. Her instincts were telling her not to trust him so easily, her powers and the fact that Arthur knew about them was still a secret from everyone out side the round table council.
"I hope your right" Alvar said standing up.
" I am afraid I must go, my Lady, my fellow knight will be wondering where I am," He said as he bowed.
"of course, I won't keep you," Morgana said standing and giving him a warm smile.
"it was good to see you again, I look forward to the next time".
Morgana placed a gentle hand on his face for a second and a half, then pulled her hand away and looked away for a second blushing slightly. Alvar smiled and caught her hand once again bringing to hip lips as he bowed forward slightly to gently kiss the knuckles. This time Morgana didn't pull her hand away.
"I will be counting the days my lady"
Morgana watched as Alvar walked away fighting the urge to rub the hand he had just kissed off on the skirts. Once he was out of sight she colapsed back onto the bench. What ever had been happening to her mind when she was talking to him, she felt the kind of tired she did after she practised her magic. Only she hadn't been using her magic, she would need to ask Gaius and or Merlin if they had ever heard about feeling someone elses emotions before. The conversation had taken less than five minute but she felt like
Percival and Elyan stepped out from their hidding spot and walked over to her. Elyan sat down next to her, a teasing smile on his face. However under neather Morgana could sence he was concerned for her, and she could sense Percivals annoyance but it wasn't dirrected at her. It also wasn't based on any sense of jealousy at what her two friend would have percived as a minor intimate moment between herself and an old aquantence. She had told them that she knew Alvar from before but hadn't gone into any real details.
"so you and Sir Alvar?" Elyan said in the tone he used to tease his sister about her and Arthur when he had first found out about them and gotten over the shock.
"there is nothing between us" Morgana denied.
"right, not yet," Elyan said
"he had to ask Arthur's permission to officially court you. But that kiss on the hand"
" I have no desire to be courted by him," Morgana said fake glaring at Elyan, she new he was only teasing.
Morgana became serious as she pulled out a handkerchief from her pocket, she used it to carefully wipe the knuckles Alvar had kissed.
"I only let him kiss my hand so I could get this"
Percival and Elyan just gave her a blank look waiting for her to explain. The two knights figured it has something to do with magic.
"I can use this to cast a reverse tracking spell" Morgana explained.
The blank looks stayed.
"rather than finding were he's going I want to see were he went while he was here,"
Percival caught on to what she wasn't saying.
"you don't trust him either" Percival stated. The Knight could quite figure out why but there was something about the Essetirian knight he didn't like.
"I must admit, I had hope he had had some sort of life lesson experience and had changed since I last saw him," Morgana said.
"but know I'm certain he's up to something, I'm starting to think it's possible that random bandit attack yesterday wasn't so random.
Ya ha ha ha
8 pages worth and I am leaving you with a cliff hanger.
Ok so yeah I brought Alvar back. Cause they set him up to be this big bad and then he just disappears never to be seen again. Not even an oh, by the way, Morgana while you were gone for over a year that enemy Alvar was recaptured and executed. Seriously the guy just vanished, all that trouble he went through to get the crystal and he never tries again.
Any who since Morgana can't be the big let destroy and or take over Camelot villain since not manipulated to become evil, that means we need another big bad to do something.
No, the next chapter is not going to be a direct continuation of this one remember inter connected one-shots. I want Alvars story line to be spread out more.
Also, I referred to Alvar's inside man as a Lord because he is, I just don't know which one yet. At first, I thought Agravaine but then I realized that was too easy. Ok, the plot gremlins thought it was too easy all they are telling me is that he has to be a Lord that can get close to Arthur but not necessarily who you might think.
Also hopefully this chapter built up the friendship that Morgana has with the knights in this AU since she didn't become Camelot's greatest enemy and the bane their existence.
Hopefully, the next one won't take so long.
