Arthur's and Merlin's faces went pale, as did the rest of the knights', except Galahad who had no idea who these two men were. He was just glancing at their stunned faces with confusion, and he was begging in his mind for king Lot not to see their reaction. Obviously, something was up. They couldn't believe their eyes. Of all possible scenarios, this was not what they expected.

Mordred's expression was unfazed, though Merlin could tell that the corners of the druid's lips twitched slightly upward. He didn't think he would meet Arthur that soon and for sure not under such circumstances. Knowing the king's violent nature it is more likely that someone's gonna pay for this, no matter what the answer would be. Everything depends on what Arthur will say and how he will get out of it. Vortimer looked rather pleased, which was quite absurd and completely inadequate to the situation they found themselves in. Mordred gave him an eye side questioning look not understanding his intentions.

"They claim that they lost their way during a patrol and they did not realise they had been in my kingdom for that long time," the king Lot spoke up. "My men found them in Forest of Merendra, near the cave."

Merlin narrowed his eyes and looked at Mordred and Vortimer. Why did they go there in the first place? Were they supposed to look for something in that cave? In the cave where Merlin's father, Balinor, had to hide for many years.

Leon patted Arthur gently on his back to wake him from bewilderment. The king immediately came back to reality and blinked a few times. He knew he should say something.

"Well…," Arthur cleared his throat.

"Well? Are these your men?" Lot asked.

Arthur glanced at them again and then at Merlin in search of an answer. The warlock shook his head slightly in warning, which made Arthur's heart beat faster from the stress. If he denies it, king Lot will have the two killed. But Mordred was his mortal enemy and he knew what Merlin would say to that if he stood up for them. Nevertheless, he was always told, most by Merlin himself, to do what he thought was right.

"I wish I could say otherwise, but I must admit that these two are my knights," said Arthur trying to ignore the incredulous looks of Merlin, Leon, Gwaine and Percival. Mordred glanced at him suspiciously.

"So you lied," king Lot said with a grim tone.

Arthur felt his rage. But if the king of Essetir thought he could intimidate him, he was wrong. Arthur was looking in his head for some meaningful answer to Lot's accusation, but nothing came to his mind at that moment. Then king Lot rose from his throne and began walking towards them. Merlin tightened his hands into fists, ready to defend his friend, but Arthur reassured him, taking his wrist discreetly.

"Do you have anything else to say, Arthur Pendragon?" Lot asked when he stood face to face with him.

"Yes," Arthur replied calmly. "All I want to say is that I'm asking of you to not to make any rash decision we would both regret. And I am really sorry for them," he nodded towards Mordred and Vortimer. "They are young and still inexperienced. I know that I shouldn't have let them go on this patrol alone. They are not yet familiar with the terrain. I would never plot against my allies," he shook his head.

The king Lot kept staring at him and after a beat he nodded his head in agreement.

"If what you say is true, they must be punished."

"They certainly deserve a reprimand, but I don't think they need to be punished right away," said Arthur. "Release them and I deal with them when I return to Camelot," he looked at two men.

The king glanced towards them and with a wave of his hand, he ordered the guards to release the captives. Mordred and Vortimer pulled their hands out of their grip and then were followed by Merlin's piercing stare as they joined slowly the rest of Camelot's knights.

"But before you leave I want to end our meeting with a nice touch," he managed a smile. "Stay until tomorrow, we'll have a feast tonight."

"It will be our pleasure," Arthur nodded, returning a smile.

Merlin was pacing in circle in the chambers the king Lot had given him and his friend to stay. He didn't show it on his face, but in his mind he was cursing and calling Arthur names. From time to time he was glancing at him and shaking his head with disapproval. He grabbed his jet black hair and pulled it deploring his friend's stupidity.

"Arthur, are you mad?!" Merlin stood across the room looking at his king who was sitting at the table with a thoughtful look.

"I can't believe that," Arthur murmured. "I killed him. I ran him through with a sword and he collapsed on the ground. It's just impossible."

"When I saw him I was pretty shocked as well," said Merlin. "But why on earth did you say that they are your knights? They have to be up to something because why are they wearing Camelot's uniforms? They planned to get to the kingdom to kill you because they failed at Camlann. They want to avenge Morgana."

Candlelight bathed the room in warm light, and the shadows that fell on Merlin's face made his anxious expression more dramatic.

"Merlin," Arthur looked at the warlock; "they wouldn't dare to do that. It would be suicide. Besides, what do you think Lot might do if I denied it? How would I explain the fact that they're in Camelot's clothes?"

"Well, that's not our problem, they would have to explain themselves."

"Lot doesn't listen to his potential enemies. Whatever the answer would be, they'd end up dead anyway."

"That reminds me of someone, don't you think?" Merlin gave him a meaningful glance.

"Yeah," Arthur sighed and said after a moment. "Maybe that I showed them some mercy and that I stood up for them, despite all of this what happened, will ease the situation and Mordred will look at me from a different perspective," he said slowly, choosing his words accordingly.

"Arthur, it's not your fault what happened to Mordred."

The king looked at the wooden table in which various patterns were carved that resembled thorny branches. He ran a finger along the grooves and frowned before looking back at Merlin who was standing against a wall with his arms crossed over his chest. Above the warlock's head hung the banner of Essetir with the image of a serpent.

"Even if they were planning something against me I wouldn't just let them be killed without having any proof, without knowing their motives and without any judgment. What wrong did they do?" Arthur said.

"It's not about what they did or didn't do, but what they could do," Merlin muttered.

"Merlin, what are you saying?" he frowned.

"I'm trying to protect you, Arthur. To prevent you from getting hurt," Merlin walked to the table and sat across from his friend.

"By killing other people around?"

"What? No," Merlin shook his head. "But sometimes you have to sacrifice someone's life to save yours," he blurted without a beat, not realising the meaning of the words and what it might have sounded like to Arthur. Suddenly he sighed, closing his eyes when he understood clearly what he just said.

"What are you trying to say?" Arthur tilted head and narrowed his eyes.

"Nothing," the warlock looked away just to avoid the king's stare.

"You didn't tell me everything, did you?" Arthur asked quietly. "I don't recognise you, Merlin. Maybe I never did," he rose from his seat.

"Arthur, please. There's no need for that, not now when we have to look after each other. I will tell you everything, I promise, whatever you'll ask me." he said with an apologetic tone.

The king stood by the window and looked over at pitch black night. His expression softened and after a beat he laid his eyes again on his friend. In that moment they held each other's gazes which were full of trust. Eventually, Merlin decided to break the silence.

"You know I would never do anything against you, Arthur," he started. "And I've always kept my friends, my family, your friends and your significant others from harm, no matter how I felt about them, because I knew how much they meant to you."

"For that, I know you too well," Arthur smiled slightly.

"It was my life that I was going to sacrifice, every time. But luckily, we always both ended up alive. And that's it," Merlin explained. "There's just one thing I really regret and I wish I could turn back time to make a different decision."

"We all make mistakes," Arthur walked to the warlock and put his hand on Merlin's shoulder.

"Yeah, but that one was a terrible one," Merlin said bitterly. "It also applies to you that's why you should know and I'll tell you about it, but not now, there's no time and moment for this."

"Of course, I understand," Arthur smiled. "Now we should go to the feast, they will get impatient."

Merlin agreed with him and they both left the room. In the banquet hall, small for such a castle, almost everyone was waiting for them. As they walked in they saw Leon and Galahad sitting at the table on the right side of the room. Gwaine and Percival were sitting next to them, the former laughed and was about to drink from his mug as the latter tried to prevent him from doing it. Arthur and Merlin exchanged quick glances and shook their heads.

"The usual," said Merlin.

"Yeah, it seems we're getting our Gwaine back," Arthur chuckled. "Have fun," he said to Merlin and headed towards the king Lot at the top of the table where his seat was waiting for him.

Merlin turned the other direction where the Camelot's knights were sitting. As he walked he noticed one small detail that he hadn't been aware of before. Next to Leon sat Mordred with his companion and the druid was just one chair away from the knight. For sure, this empty chair was reserved for Merlin, because it was the only seat available. The warlock's expression hardened and he mumbled something under his nose before sitting down at the table. He felt Mordred following him with a hateful look. It wasn't safe for them to be so close to this man, but while they were hosted, they had to pretend and play their roles well enough that someone from Essetir would not find out.

When everyone in the room took their seats, the king of Essetir tapped the spoon against the glass of wine to get attention. Two kings stood together looking at all the gathered, whose eyes were focused on them.

"Today," the king Lot began; "we are honoured to host the king of Camelot, Arthur Pendragon," he nodded with a smile towards him. "Over the years between our kingdoms things have been different. There were wars in which many people died. But now, those times have come to an end, because we are here to celebrate a peace between our lands and our people. Despite that there's still some misunderstandings," he paused and continued after a beat; "we both know what we stand for and that everything can be solved by conversation and in an attempt to understand the other side in these talks. So let's raise a toast to everything we have achieved together so far, shall we?" he and Arthur took their glasses, and so did the rest of the table. At the same moment cheerful music, played by local musicians, was heard.

"Well, Arthur," said Lot when they sat and the feast finally started; "the message has reached me that you allowed the use of magic in Camelot," he said and grabbed a drumstick.

"Oh, yes," Arthur confirmed. "This is one of the most important changes in the kingdom. Magic isn't always bad and evil. Because of such thinking many innocent people have lost their families and lives."

"I agree with you on this one, but those who possess magic cannot always be trusted," he took a bite and when he swallowed he continued. "My nephew learnt that the hard way. You know how he ended."

"Cenred was power-hungry, and that ruined him. To his misfortune, he made a pact with the wrong people," said Arthur drinking his wine.

"Morgause had stuffed him with promises about the conquered Camelot that he wanted so badly. As a result, her strength and power consumed him, and she used his army to her advantage, having it previously stripped of its humanity."

"She was evil," the young king agreed. "It was not only Cenred who had fallen victim to her. She was able to sow the seeds of evil and hatred even in those who had a kind and good heart," his thoughts drifted to Morgana, whom he had loved so much before she began to show pure hatred for him and was able to take his life at all costs. Even so, he never hated her, if she had only wanted to listen to him then and agreed to make it up, things might have been completely different now.

The king Lot nodded slightly and then said. "When I came here, there was nothing. No king, no army, the kingdom left on its own. I had to start everything from the beginning. Maybe that's why I'm so mad when someone's crossing a border without my permission, and why I am considered a cruel king, not fond of strangers," he laughed. "But I'm not really looking for a quarrel with anyone. I shut myself up in this kingdom of mine for fear that someone might crave a part of my land when I am still too weak to defend myself."

"I understand," said Arthur.

"That's why I really appreciate your offer of alliance. And at the same time I apologise for that situation with your men."

Arthur smiled and nodded. "Of course, but I should've schooled my newly minted knights better with maps," he glanced anxiously at Mordred and then at Merlin, who didn't seem very fancy of sitting next to the man with curly hair.

The warlock was shooting the druid a murderous look every time when the latter, by accident, nudged Merlin with his hand or was trying to talk to Leon. Obviously, it was Mordred's attempt to make their relations look normal, but Merlin, no matter how hard he wanted to do so, couldn't stop thinking about himself sitting next to his friend's would-be killer.

"That's enough!" Percival exclaimed suddenly when Gwaine tried to pour into his throat another glass of wine.

"Percy, you're not my mother," Gwaine said with a muddy voice and chuckled before drinking the liquor.

"You're mad," he grabbed the glass from his friend's hand.

"What the hell?" said Gwaine indignantly.

"You've already drunk too much and we need you to stay sober."

"Don't worry, I think I have something for a hangover in my bag," said Merlin.

It took them a while, but they finally managed to convince Gwaine not to drink anymore and after the feast they all headed to their chambers to get enough sleep before going back to Camelot. But there was one more important issue that troubled Merlin, and when he and Arthur were in their room, he was supposed to ask about it, but the king pre-empted him.

"What are we going to do?" the king was lying on his bed and looking at the ceiling.

"What do you mean?" Merlin asked, even though he knew what was going on in Arthur's mind. He raised himself on an elbow on the bed placed next to his friend's.

"With Mordred," he said after a beat.

Merlin sighed. "We can't take them to Camelot, if that's what you're thinking."

"No, of course not," the king frowned. "Well, we could, but only as captives."

"Do you remember when I told you about my bad feeling?"

Arthur nodded and looked at him. "You were right."

"You see? I am always right," said Merlin, teasing him. "And now it's the same. We're taking a great risk travelling with them. Do you even know that other man?"

"I believe it to be the prince of Kent. I saw him once."

Merlin looked at the ceiling, pondering, and then, after a few moments, he glanced back at Arthur.

"We should pay a visit to Ealdor."

"What?" Arthur gave him a questioning look.

"I haven't seen my mother for a long time and it will be on the way. Besides, they think that we're heading straight to Camelot, so it will be safer to take a different road."

"It's not a stupid idea," said the king approvingly. "We'll let them go halfway, maybe we'll even get some explanation if we're lucky."

"If we're lucky…," Merlin repeated quietly. "Goodnight, sire."

"Have a good night, Merlin," said Arthur after a beat and buried his face in the pillow.

The next morning they all, well rested and refreshed, were ready on their horses. It was early, but the sun was shining very bright already and it seemed that it would be clear all day long. They stood in shadow and Merlin couldn't wait to finally leave the gloomy walls of this castle, so when king Lot bid them goodbye, he was relieved. Merlin rode close to Arthur keeping at the same time an eye on Mordred and his companion, but the two men seemed remarkably neutral. Their faces expressed literally nothing, that made Merlin even more anxious, as it was unknown what to expect of them. The good thing was that the druid and his friend were unarmed, so the only weapon they could use was magic. And that he feared the most, because their attack could be sudden and unpredictable.

Merlin didn't tell Arthur everything when it came to the visit to Ealdor. It was obvious that their enemies were looking for something in the caves, but their attempt was thwarted by Lot's men. It was not too far from Ealdor and it was Merlin's pure curiosity to go there and check it. There was also a possibility that Mordred and his friend will go to the cave again and by doing so they will lead Merlin straight to what they were searching.

As they drove through the fields Arthur held up his hand in order to inform the others that they're stopping. The king turned his horse and motioned for Merlin and the knights to stand in a line next to him, thus they found themselves in front of their enemies.

"Here our paths diverge, give back these robes and you can go," said Arthur.

"You're letting us… go?" Vortimer asked with a slight insecurity. "Just like that?"

"Yes," the king replied.

Vortimer and Mordred pulled off the cloaks bearing the Pendragon crest and tossed it at Leon, who caught them.

"I only want to know why you were disguised as knights of Camelot and where'd you get these uniforms?" Arthur asked.

"We took it after Camlann."

"So you mean you stole it?"

"Call it as you want," Vortimer smirked, but immediately changed his attitude. "We are grateful that you stood up for us, Arthur, that's why I think you deserve an explanation of our doing, which…"

"Which is none of Arthur's business," Mordred hissed, completing the sentence.

Everyone's eyes turned to him. He jumped off his horse and made a few steps closer to Arthur. Merlin stared at him intently. If his eyes could kill, Mordred would be lying dead where he stood.

"I knew you lived," the druid said. "Of course, Merlin couldn't let his beloved king die," he sneered, glancing at the warlock.

And suddenly, without any warning, Mordred sprang his hands and his eyes turned gold. The next thing Arthur and Vortimer saw was Merlin and knights flying backwards and hitting hard on the ground. Their horses neighed and got scared off by a fierce gust of air. The king drew his sword to defend himself, but the druid was faster and with a flip of his hand he flung him off the horse. Surprised Arthur fell down with a thud. He groaned and tried to get to his feet as quickly as possible, but the pain in his chest prevented him from doing so. Merlin slowly hauled himself off the ground, looking over his shoulder at the unconscious knights. He cannot allow it. He cannot let anything happen to his friend.

Mordred was approaching the defenseless Arthur, whom Excalibur was already in the druid's hands. His eyes wandered to Merlin who crept up to him from the side.

"Not a step further," Mordred said, clearly marking each word. "You know what it can do to you."

Merlin stopped, looking at the king's blade extended in his direction.

"And no tricks or I'll cut his throat," the druid nodded at Arthur.

Vortimer observed the scene with a slight shock on his face. He didn't know what Mordred was planning. He never thought about attacking Arthur and his knights, but he couldn't stop the druid, because despite the fact that Mordred was on his side, he wouldn't mind killing him if he got in his way. On the other hand he couldn't just stand there and watch and let Mordred make another move.

"Mordred, this is the doing of a coward and you are not one," said Vortimer as calmly as he could.

"Shut up!" Mordred exclaimed. "Now it's finally time for my revenge. Get up!" he pulled Arthur up by his shirt and got him on his knees. "You fell too hard, great king?"

"And now you can have what Morgana wished for," Arthur said after a beat. "But the men of Camelot will never swear allegiance to you."

"I don't want your throne, Arthur," said Mordred. "I'm here to take my revenge for killing my loved one."

"This is not a revenge, this is an execution," Merlin snapped with anger.

"That's what he should get," he looked at the warlock. "He executed many of our kind. I still cannot understand why you are doing this, Merlin. You would do everything for him, wouldn't you?"

Merlin's eyes darkened. He was furious on the outside, but on the inside he was screaming. He had never felt as powerless as then. The warlock couldn't do anything, because Mordred held the sword to Arthur's throat. Fight wouldn't change anything, it only could get worse, so he didn't want to risk it and he had to make the druid put down his weapon in another way.

"I'm sorry. I truly am," said Arthur. "But she gave me no choice…"

"You had a choice!" shouted Mordred, pressing his blade more against Arthur's neck, though his hands were shaking, which told Merlin that he would not be able to kill the king.

The pressure of the sword on his skin made a trickle of blood ran down Arthur's neck. The king's face twisted slightly, and his breathing quickened.

"There is always a choice, but you chose not to give her a chance! Why wouldn't you let her go?" Mordred asked, his eyes welled up.

"I wanted to, I really wanted to," Arthur looked up at him. "I was about to set her free if only she would say she regrets what she did."

Mordred's expression softened and his brow furrowed.

"She refused and chose death," Arthur was still looking in the druid's eyes.

"No," Mordred shook his head in denial. "It can't be, she wouldn't do that. You're lying."

"The love for Kara has blinded you, Mordred. There was no love in her, but hatred. She kept in her heart prejudice and vengeance for the sins of Arthur's father," Merlin spoke calmly.

Mordred stared at the warlock, now his eyes were full of sorrow. It seemed like his heart had been broken once again.

"Vortimer," said Arthur, glancing towards the tall man who stood a few feet behind Mordred.

The druid looked back at his friend and then eyed Arthur again. "You know him?" he frowned.

"Of course I do," he chuckled, which was kind of ridiculous, considering the fact that he still had a sword on his throat. "We met once, a long time ago."

"But not so long ago to forget who he is," said Mordred. "You've helped me once, and yet you forgot who I am, after all these years. It surprised me because Merlin knew right away."

"I knew either," Arthur replied. The druid's eyes widened as well as Merlin's.

"You really knew? And you made me your knight."

"Yeah," the king nodded. "Why wouldn't I? Druids are peaceful people, but besides, it made no difference to me who you were, you just proved yourself worthy of being called a knight of Camelot."

"Mordred," said Merlin softly; "give me Excalibur, please. I know you don't want to do this."

The druid glanced from the warlock to the king and slowly lowered the sword. Merlin grabbed the blade quickly from Mordred's hand and walked to Arthur to check if everything was all right.

"What the hell just happened…?" Gwaine regained consciousness and helped the rest of the knights to their feet.

"I told you not to drink too much," said Percival and then glanced towards the jet black young man. "Merlin?"

The warlock looked at his friends and then again at Mordred who made a few steps back from Arthur. The king stood up.

"I think you should go before I change my mind," he said.

There was something like disappointment and sadness in Mordred's eyes. He gave them one last look, grabbed his horse's reins and started walking away.

"I am so sorry, Arthur," Vortimer mounted his horse. "I had no idea what he was going to do," he said, abashed, looking at them apologetically. He turned and followed Mordred.

Merlin, Arthur and the knights didn't say anything. They just watched them go until the silhouettes of Mordred and Vortimer disappeared behind the trees.