Elaina had taken her dinner in her rooms, as a lot of the nobles usually did in preparation for the bigger celebration tomorrow and everyone wanted to be in good fighting spirits. A hangover wouldn't do, nor would drunken bets or arguments, but many joined her idea to take a walk in the cool night air to mingle before the melee.

she had sent Gwen home judging morgana had finished with her services, so for the most part she had been alone except for a few knights she was familiar with. One had been Leon who still wore her favour around his arm, as many of the others did with theirs, with the woman in question clinging to the same limb also.

She would have to make sure to wear a gown that matched its colour, as was the tradition, so that the crowd knew who the knight belonged to and she would not want to snub Leon of this kindness when many of the other ladies were bound to obey it for the men they supported. She wouldn't want him embarrassed by her, especially with all the pride he had earnt in gaining her favour among the men, so she was told, and would see to do him proud tomorrow. In that case she believed it best to retire early and catch up on some of the sleep she had lost out on, to be at her best in the arena as she took prime spot with morgana beside the king.

As she told Leon this, he held out the crook of his elbow for her to diligently place a hand, asking "may I be your escort my lady? It's not right for you to be alone on such a fine evening."

She gladly accepted but the few winks Leon received from the men around suggested this meant something between them, but fortunately he rolled his eyes playfully at Elaina, calming her sudden nerves he was interpreting her actions for something more than friendship.

She pinched him back, "oh more the fool they be, they have no idea you have the worse picking among the bunch as far as a noble lady goes and it is you who is honouring me with your reputation."

Leon sniggered back at Elaina unable to say that she fit the picture mothers painted in the ideal match for their sons to find in a wife. Humble and with a constant air of penitence for things they cannot even think of ever committing, but in being taught to act that way, devote every second in pleasing their husbands. Their voices only make sounds little more than a whisper and used only when addressed, with purpose solely to serve and obey for the good of the house they marry into and forbidden to shame it. He had sisters who live in this endless cycle, with daughters of their own, who he sees being instilled with the same manner. It saddened Leon to know that their personalities were being repressed and could only think of a few instances when they showed their true selves when behind closed doors and away from watchful eyes.

like eyeing a well-bred stallion broken in to serve them in what they needed in order to maintain their bloodline and house, noblemen often do not liberate their wives from this and instead continue to subdue them.

Elaina does not think herself suitable, but it is what makes her a prize among many as she is unique in being unapologetically herself. A conversation was genuine and not practiced or repetitive, so it was refreshing to hear a woman project wit and assertiveness in beliefs, hardly demure as her confidence seemed unwavering as was her charm, initiating as much talk as she did in listening to the topics around her. But there she also had a fiery temper that Elaina never learnt to control even from when they were children and could provide a healthy heat to a debate with her opinions sound of knowledge.

She frightened the older generation of courtiers for being the modern woman and tempting men from the former strict expectations of what it means to find a partner. He never looked at Elaina romantically, but she inspired him to find someone as fearless and to value a woman for all she could be if given the chance to lose the chains that bound her to a tradition that demanded they be demure.

"I hardly think so…" he joked, "for we all know that deep down you enjoy singing church hymns before an audience and reading aloud poetry, more than any woman. of course, that is given if you're fingers are not preoccupied in more of your musical abilities to entertain us men, such as playing the harp or lute, or even more so your exquisite needlework. A hunt is not so out if the question either, placed elegantly on side saddle and worry not, for though your marksmanship is not the best you cheer as the men take the kill in your name! really, Elaina you are like a gentle flower."

There was a pause with Elaina's face twisting in disgust the further Leon went to tease her and when he had finally finished, the only response she had was to put her fingers down her throat and gag.

Leon had managed to weave her worst nightmare, as none of what he had described was close to her character, singing more tavern songs and scarcely managing to hold a note as she yelled them out loud. While books of history and the sciences served her brain better than poetry, then as for playing any instrument, the only accomplishment there was when her father picked up a pair of spoons and started smacking them together. Elaina was a quick leaner and to his amusement starting mimicking him perfectly, though he admitted dreading if she should ever show off the skill before the king if they were to join him at mealtimes. Of course, her needlework was fine enough, judging it was through flesh nowadays and to be in the background of a hunt…that was an impossible ask, as she was always at the forefront in making chase with bow in hand determined to make the first kill, usually to rub Arthur's nose in it.

"you've got me spot on there, Leon!"

she could just imagine if she had ever conformed to that ideal and the differences it would have made in her life. certainly elaina's years in the castle might have been a great deal easier, less arguments between herself and the king maybe and even on occasion with Arthur. Though she doubted if she had allowed her respect for his title as prince to refrain her fro treating him as human then they would not be as close as they were now, bowing instead of hitting him for good measure. In fact, there would have been less battles all around for herself at least, choosing to remain a bystander and missing the personal growth she had learnt from each adventure and it also occurred to Elaina that another result in retraining her character could have resulted in her following morgana's path as well. To carry magic and be fearful over its potential and exposure. She could have gotten to the point of resentment and on Morgause's reappearance, joined her sisters in all their schemes. There just seemed an overall lack of joy and love in that version of her life from all the viewpoints she conjured about it and she had come to realise that despite all the pain and loss, she would not trade the person she was and had become as there was just as much reward that she valued and could not live without.

Suddenly their peace was disturbed by a far-off clanging, a metallic ringing with steel against steel that the pair were very familiar with.

"what on earth…" Leon swiftly allowed his knightly persona to take over, alerted by these sounds ringing around them and making him stern with authority as he commanded some guards to follow him.

"Elaina, please go to your room," he asked, not needing her to distract him while dealing with whatever was going on. His prediction was that there was some hot headedness happening, making a few competitors forget that a blade should not be drawn in the king's house unless there was proper cause. Even then, it would need answering before the monarch as it boarded on treasonous behaviour.

she was going to refuse him as was the habit, but really there wouldn't be a point, since what would any of it have to do with her any way and it wasn't like she could diffuse the situation between rowdy men. Leon was better suited to that if this was all just the doing of some misbehaving knights. She would likely get the gossip over breakfast tomorrow and met in the middle by remaining in the corridor as Leon charged into the room where the noise came from.

Soon the clanging stopped at Leon's arrival, as they wouldn't dare challenge him with the entourage he brought along and there was some gruff yelling which Elaina could not make the words out from.

"Elaina."

She turned as Gaius unexpectedly called her name, confused as to why he was there and in a panic at that. That could only mean he had further insight into what was going on and if Gaius had a clue, that was a clear indicator that within that room could only be his ward merlin and if there was a sword fight…

Her heart clenched when Leon returned and behind him two guards dragged a restrained Gwaine, the chains being what now rattled around his wrists and feet. He hadn't noticed she was there and made to run after him demanded he be released and that this was all some misunderstanding but following after was the two noblemen they had encountered earlier.

Sir Oswald and his companion.

Really, she didn't think Gwaine would go and do something so stupid for the sake of her pride when the men had been too forward with her before. She had warned him to leave it well enough alone, but then merlin scampered out too, she more or less commanded he tell her what exactly was going on.

"Elaina I'm sorry. Those men are using sorcery to disguise themselves. They are the thugs who attacked us at the inn and they mean to kill Arthur I'm certain. Only, they caught me trying to get proof... that's when Gwaine came and saved me."

Together all three of them chased after the company who would be taking Gwaine before Uther and for this to happen late at night before the melee would not go down well, in terms of appealing to Uther's better nature. What's more, there was the audacity that Gwaine would take action at all against two "noblemen", when they were promised safety as guests of the king. there didn't seem to be any injury sustained, but the insult was still there while Gwaine had done nothing since being in the castle to earn even a shred of respect from Uther, that might have granted him some mercy.

They made it to the throne room, but as Elaina was going to enter Gaius grabbed her arm firmly preventing her from going any further.

"Elaina, it would not do Gwaine any good for you to be in there right now. if you come to his defence, Uther will question why you're so eager to side with him, especially after the time you two have spent with each other. It will do more harm my girl, if Gwaine is shown to have such an effect on one of his wards."

For a moment she did not care and tried shrugging him off, but as she caught glimpse of the fury emanating off of Uther inside she knew Gaius was right and her arrival would only fuel him. She felt to be at an impossible place, because there was not a single ounce of her that was going to stand back and let Gwaine suffer some punishment for a crime he did not commit if Uther only knew the truth. From merlin's expression, he clearly did not succeed in procuring what he needed to vouch for his word against them, so for now she placed her hope in one figure beside Uther and that was Arthur.

Surely his honour would not let a man be punished after saving his life and will see all the good in Gwaine that would not make him draw his sword without purpose.

She obliged to Gaius's will and they entered without her and as everyone became distracted in the case being given before the king, Elaina managed to slip in and hide behind a curtain.

"sire this man attacked me with a sword and tried to kill me!"

Peeking around the thick velvet drape, Elaina's breathe shuddered in anger at the lies the man was spouting. It was like déjà vu, because time and time again Elaina has stood in this hall with an innocent down on their knees, helpless to accusations by those who are cruel to see them meet an unsavoury end, due to fear, jealousy, hate and ignorance…

It astounds her that many people can look onto another person and find their worth to be nothing, when they too have right to life itself and that death can be an easier way to eradicate their problems. For some, their verdict is already sealed before they can defend themselves and Elaina's hands shook, fearing that Gwaine should now be in such a predicament.

she could not remain idle if the worse should transpire and was begging that there was someone, be it merlin, Gaius, even Arthur who would defend him. She would of course, if all else fails in order to save him, since she is a witness to his kindness and honour, as well as knowing the truth of his nobility if that would make a difference. Knowing he was from another kingdom yet to make an alliance with Camelot, Uther would be reluctant to harm Gwaine unless he caused uproar in a land that would look for any excuse to attack them.

to her the logic was simple and it was better to instead question why it was Gwaine felt the need to attack Sir Oswald in the first place and as of yet, no one had. If she were allowed out from her hiding place, she would want to know every detail, only Elaina was a woman and her word meant little as the gentler sex, being a slave to her emotions which meant that it cancelled out any truth in the claims she made, as though feeling passionate about something caused women to be gullible and easily tricked into being more merciful.

"is this true?" Uther demanded, again not questioning Oswald at all for more information due to his station and addressing Gwaine who remained on his knees, suppressing him to look up at those who were accusing him of acting without just cause.

"I stepped in to protect merlin," Gwaine stated firmly. He would not shy away from anyone in that throne room, whether they were a king or not, believing they could use a dose of reality in someone telling them as it is and would refuse to be subdued by intimidation. He found it mesmerising that as long as you were brought up with a silver spoon in your mouth, automatically that made your word sound and it was these fools who were running the land in all their vanity, providing clarity as to why it was in such ruin if thugs like those two beside him were given power enough to manipulate those in charge of the kingdom's governance.

The servant mentioned was in the very same room, with Gwaine and Elaina both having the same thought, that all they needed to do was ask merlin and he would support Gwaine's story. An opportunity for merlin to direct everyone's attention to the proof that they were using sorcery, in whatever form that might be, deceiving the monarch about their identities.

However, Gwaine had to give it to this 'sir Oswald' he could spin a good tale, which normally thugs weren't so skilled at and preferred brute force as their weapon of choice, not being clever enough to talk their way out of things. It had to be that charming face he had stolen, inspiring him to be more eloquent, like all this was a matter of theatrics. Once you knew who he truly was it was so obvious and though a knight was stuck up, the thugs were smug with it in their facial expression being way over the top compared to a more reserved character.

Oswald was puckering his lips in feigned disbelief, "I tried to talk to him, but he was like A man possessed. I'm sure sir Ethan will back me up."

The man puffed out his chest, hollering a little too loudly "Indeed! I can vouch for his every word."

The ridiculousness of this charade was getting on Gwaine's last nerve and he shot up onto his feet, desiring nothing more than another throw of arms with the pair, "he's a liar!"

The only person ever allowed to raise their voice in the throne room was Uther himself and he challenged Gwaine back, raising his tone ever higher to make the rafters shake, "I will have your tongue! How dare you speak to a knight in that way!"

Again, Gwaine had faced far worse than Uther and he looked the king square in the eye and it was almost like he had altered Uther into the ruler of his home kingdom and the king who had sent his mother away penniless all those years ago, "Nobility is defined by what you do and not who you are. And these men are anything but. They are arrogant thugs!"

Still watching, Elaina's hands had twisted the curtain into nots as there had been no positive progress made that could even flicker any hope for clemency. She was just waiting on leaping out from her spot, to give it one last try in gaining Uther's favour in this case, terrified because she knew it would, as Gaius had warned, only make things worse.

"I have heard enough," Uther proclaimed, hounding on Gwaine to silence him with a finger to his face, as if that one digit had enough authority to take that ability from him by pure will, "For a commoner to attack a nobleman is in violation of the knight's code."

sir Oswald must be beaming to have the king take to him so utterly, praising Uther's rational and adding his own, "I couldn't agree more sire. He must be made an example of. Nothing less than his head will give me satisfaction."

It was the last thing Elaina needed to hear and she whipped the curtain away to get caught by Arthur whose blue eyes widened as they locked onto her frame. He checked if anyone else had spotted her and sharply twitched his head to the side to signal for her to hide again.

Reluctantly she did as he bade. Uther was already riled up enough and he was unpredictable at best, however being antagonised by Gwaine inspired little patience to deal with Elaina as well. She believed that within a second, he would have guards ordered to drag her back to her rooms, to await his wrath later when he was done here. But Merlin and Gaius had yet to say something, which reduced her hopes in just one person and as Arthur had seen her, she knew he would also see the desperation she carried in her eyes beholding the scene that was in front of her. As much as she could, she sent silent pleads through their bond, as he had always been able to read her like a book.

She needed him to fight Gwaine's corner and he could see that this would be his redemption back into her good graces and an apology for the misunderstanding over breakfast. However, Arthur did not need her urging to take action, because he was in no agreement with any of what was going on.

Arthur had been shocked and appalled by Oswald's behaviour, which had taken a dramatic change, since the man before had always been too timid to ever exude authority and only ever really showed brute strength in the arena. Even then he was filled with apologies among his fellow competitors and had no taste for bloodshed, which made this request rather far-fetched.

Gwaine may have lifted a blade in merlin's defence and in the prince's view, Oswald should not have pushed him to respond that way. if someone had threatened a friend to such lengths that it made Arthur arm himself to stop the culprit from going further, he had to admit he may have gone as far as Gwaine…

the whole thing didn't make sense to him.

Respectfully, he tried to calm everyone down removing Uther from being in such close proximity with Gwaine who looked ready to slam his head into the kings.

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

The king did not agree with his son's claims, worrying the boy had gotten soft and was letting it overshadow his sight. A prince was meant to observe and learn from instances like this and he wasn't giving Uther much faith he would succeed him in ensuring that order was sustained in his kingdom, between commoner and noble alike. Sometimes there is a balance, whereby one must be made example of just as Sir Oswald said, a cost which keeps the peace and such a price he would pay time and time again, for if it is fear the people need to stay in line, then he would instil it. none can be higher than a king's decree and as such, it is the common people that are taking their turn to be reminded of that.

It would be hard to crack such a fierce armour Uther wears. His thick skin and stubborn bone made his word absolute and his resolve impenetrable. But you could use his own arguments against him and Arthur found a weapon none so more effective than his precious knight's code.

"Gwaine risked his life to save mine. I beg you, please, if a knight's word is his bond then I give you mine, Gwaine is a good man and deserves clemency."

Arthur was Uther's sole heir, his own child and by the man saving him, he in turn also secured Camelot's future and did a service to the king. He has risked losing Arthur many times before and by god's grace, the boy still stands. He glared at Gwaine again, wondering if he were just one instrument of gods will to keep Arthur alive and what might be the repercussions should Uther dispose of him.

he could not deny, it was a hard pill to swallow but this would be his evening the score. As payment for saving Arthur's life, Uther would permit this Gwaine to keep his, but then it is settled and he should not show the same mercy again.

"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."

With his final word, Uther left the throne room and would hear no more about it and Sir Oswald would be a fool to push the matter, so with Sir Ethan he left also but was far from pleased. He strutted pass Elaina unbeknownst to him, hissing something under his breath she could not catch, which had been a shame as it may have been of importance since if merlin was correct, then they still pose a threat to Arthur. A prince who has thwarted them once more, surely making them more determined to finish what plans they had installed for him.

she waited until Gwaine was taken. Banished he would not be able to move without guards monitoring him and this might be the only chance she got to see him before his departure.

"remove these if you would," Arthur indicated to his chains, which clinked as they were unlocked and then he was escorted away to collect his belongings and with it safe to come out, Elaina refused to let him go without knowing she had been there watching over him.

She snuck out and to stop her hands from shaking, clasped them tightly together. it did not relieve them, since what they truly desired was to hold him in gratitude that his life had been spared but it would be stupid to risk that now if Uther heard about it.

Elaina refused to act weak less she unfairly made him question what he had done was right if it had caused her to endure such worry, then shook her head thinking it ridiculous that she would assume that Gwaine would care for what her feelings were about this.

what he did was done out of friendship, which she found admirable and his continuous defence over his beliefs against Uther, who tried to eradicate them, was a great and brave thing to do, never relinquishing his sense of self. She would not take that away from him and tried her best to adjust her expression, smoothing the creases and trembling that came from fear and then relief on his behalf.

He spotted her immediately, suddenly ashamed she had been a witness to his lack of control. A better man would not have hollered like him or try for another hit against those low lives. If he had the same demure as Arthur, Uther may have been more obliged to listen but nothing was ever smooth sailings for him and if he hadn't messed up now, he would have at some other point to get him kicked out of Camelot, like all the rest of the cities he visited. He was just thankful the hurt had not been towards Elaina personally, since he could not imagine letting her down, intentionally or not. But a good thing scares him, so Gwaine has this defence mechanism where he beats the fear of something going wrong by ruining it before it could get at that point itself. Maybe this was just such an instance, but actually…

The desire to see another morning remained, because it promised a day with her. There wasn't a fear that he was taking this too far with Elaina; if anything it wasn't far enough. If he made mistakes, that was all part of his charm and something told him she would be accepting as no one has seen him as clearly as she, nor has he wanted to bear all his soul before a person.

Gwaine could not leave just yet.