Hello. Thank you for reading, hope you are enjoying the story. Once again thank you to all that reviewed and I'm sorry it has taken me so long to up-date again. I did say that how often the story is up-dated is up to all of you. So from the fact that there are very few people reading and reviewing I can tell that not very many people are interested in the story. So I don't think that many people are going to care about me apologising, so I'll get on with the story, after the responses.

LightningBolt21. I quite like it, but there are thing that annoy me, I won't go into a rant. Mainly it is Morgana being the scapegoat for everything bad, like she wanted to be this way, and Merlin being to blame for a lot of the problems that are going on, and never getting called out on it. That part with Uther is an example of what I don't like in the show. The stuff about even when he was king there was magic at the heart of Camelot, um no, even before that. His daughter has magic; he already knows there was magic in Camelot, in his family. It's not all about you mate. Also morgana never got mentioned, you think Uther would have something to say about his children trying to kill each other. That Arthur would think you know what, he wasn't that great maybe Morgana has a point. Also Mordred I was looking forward to seeing, but what they made him do, just to keep Merlin's secret. I am so getting tired of that. That was why I had Morgana find out as soon as I could. I said I wasn't going to rant, and I kind of did, sorry.

Serenityskywalker. Sorry I didn't up-date sooner. I really hate how people forget that she has a right to the throne, even though she is now called Morgana Pendragon. Especially in the newest episode, that really annoyed me. This is not a democracy, it's a monarchy, you can't pick who you want to be king or queen. Sorry for the rant. King Lot will be back; she will always have a close relationship with Gwaine no matter what, and will have lots of drama with Merlin. I believe after all she has done, given up for what she believes in, she deceivers to get some happiness. That doesn't mean I agree with all she has done, and she'll get a free pass. I don't think anyone should get away with hurting people on purpose. Her family will be dealt with at some point as well.

Dawn Ruthless. They really are the most interesting, to watch and write. Ones were you can understand why they are that way are even better. She is very pretty. I have long dark hair, and I want to do it like hers, but I can't get it right.

chronos the cookie thief. Sorry to be misleading. Yes in a way it is. The story was going to be one big story at first, then I got to like chapter twenty and realised that it was going to be around one hundred and fifty chapters. That seemed a lot to expect people to read and follow. So I split it up into three parts of fifty chapters. There will be Merlin, Morgana but I am kind of building up to it. The next arc will have a lot of them, and towards the end. It won't be till the next part that it will be more developed. I hope this doesn't put you off and you'll keep reading.

The sun was high in the sky, though it gave little warmth. The trees in a few weeks if not sooner were going to start to lose there leaf's. Autumn was coming. Not the best time to be going on a picnic, but it was a very special day. Prince Arthur had been engaged to Gwen of one year now. To celebrate he was taking her on a picnic to celebrate, just like they had done almost two years ago. That outing had not ended the way either of them would have expected, but there was no danger of that happening this time. At least they both hoped that was the case. Precautions had been taken to stop that from happening. They had learned a long time ago, though personal experience never to take things for granted, and also to expect the unexpected. Nothing even seemed to plan out the way you expected it would. Their lives and the lives of the people close to them was a clear illustration of this fact.

"Aren't you impressed I remembered."

"You know arrogance and self-promotion are your least attractive qualities, Arthur Pendragon." Gwen smiled, and tilted her head way from him.

The trail they road along was getting less easy to follow, letting them know they were getting close. "And what would my most attractive qualities be, my lady."

Gwen continued to keep her head turned from him, so he couldn't see her face blushing, as she tried not to laugh. "To many to count my lord." Glancing in Arthur's direction, she saw him grinning brightly. "Though one is not your memory."

"What are you talking about"

"Merlin had to remind you."

"No he didn't. I…." He could tell by the look in her eyes that she didn't believe him. "Did he tell you."

"No of course not. I know you well enough by now." With a grin, she urged her horse forward.

Upon reaching the clearing where they were to have their picnic, Gwen pulled her horse to a stop, and moved to demount. Before she could, Arthur was by her side, reaching out a hand to help her. Holding her head up high, trying to act like she had seen Morgana act with the men that had tried to court her, she took his hand. Once her feet touched the ground and her eyes met his, her act broke, and her face fell into a more natural smile.

Arthur quickly moved into action, unpacking the items they had packed. Setting it all out under the shade of a tree. Gwen was not allowed to do anything to help. Once he had first spread the blanket out on the ground, she was made to sit on it, while he arranged the picnic around her. When he finally sat down he looked very proud of himself.

"It looks lovely." Arthur gave a nod. "Merlin did a wonderful job packing all of this."

Arthur gave another nod, before pulling himself up. "Maybe you would rather have Merlin's company as-well."

Though she knew deep down he was over reacting, trying to be funny she still worried a little. Reaching out she took hold of his hand. "Arthur." Giving a sharp tug to pull him back, she caused him to fall to his knees by her side. As he went limp and let her pull him down to her. His lips crashed down onto hers. As they pulled apart both fought back the laughter once again that rose up.

"That is something I can do without Merlin's help I trust."

"I would say so, and hope so." Arthur moved to sit upright.

"I didn't mean to imply….. I just….it he… just that he works hard and-"

She was silenced with a second crashing of his lips on hers. "That caring, humility of yours is one of your best qualities." He watched her as she looked away from him, tucking a strained of hair behind her ear, while a deep pink colour coming to her checks. She looked so beautiful, he could never understand how someone so kind and beautiful could exist, and be so humble about it. Though he wished she could see how beautiful she was, he loved the little blush that rushed to her ears when he gave her a complement.

For the next few minutes they picked at the food they had brought with them. Simply enjoy the others presence. They didn't feel the need to fill every second between them with small, unimportant talk. Their relationship had always been made up of fleeting glances, and hurried words, with a secret meaning. They had learned to read the other, communicate without the need for so many words.

Gwen reached out to pick up a grape with her right hand. Her gold ring, that for the next few hours she could wear on her right ring finger, where it belonged, rather than on a string around her neck, caught the sun light. This light went into Arthurs eyes. He watched the source as Gwen lifted the grape to her mouth. Taking hold of her hand before is reached her mouth; he moved it to his lips, where he kissed the ring.

"I'm sorry…"

She quickly pulled her hand from him. "Let's not talk about that."

"It is hard to ignore." While he spoke Gwen placed the grape in her mouth and chewed it. "It is the reason we are here."

"Arthur, please." Gwen moved closer to him, placing her hands on his shoulders. "I understand. Let's just enjoy our time together."

"Because who knows when we will get the chance again." His head fell to face the ground.

His future wife's hand touched his check. Lifting his head up to look at her. "This is not you. Feeling sorry for yourself."

"I should never have asked you, not when it was something I can't give you."

"Don't say that. I understand, we just have to be patient." He tried to move his head away, but she pulled it back. "I understand, and that Arthur, is one of your best qualities. Your loyalty and sense of duty."

Lifting his hand to cover hers, he looked her in the eyes. "I wish you didn't understand. That you would get angry with me, yell throw things. Then I won't feel so bad about leading you on."

"Do you want to marry me." She asked calmly.

"Yes of course I do." He placed his hand on the right side of her face. "I would marry you right now if I could."

"Then you're not leading me on, and I would marry right here and now if we could too." Moving his hand back from her check to the back of her head Arthur pulled her into a tight embrace.

A few seconds later, while still in an embrace, Arthur heard something in the distance. Slowly he pulled away from Gwen. Taking her hand he pulled her to her feet with him. He walked over to the tied up horses, and pulled out his sword. With his other hand he gentle moved Gwen further behind him. The sound grew louder, till a group of five horses burst through the foliage and entered the clearing.

Just a second later from almost the opposite direction a sixth figure burst into the clearing. They were on Foot and looked a little tired. "Arthur…I saw…" It was then the he noticed the five figures in the clearing he had not been expecting.

"Yes Merlin." Arthur said as he turned to face his man servant, while returning his sword to its holder. "Was it a group of knights that you saw." He tilted his head in the direction of the five knights on their horses. " Gwaine offered a small wave to Merlin, Lancelot a sympathetic smile. Leon seemed confused and the others tried not to laugh. "What a coincidence. I saw them too."

The five Knights of the Round Table looked amounts themselves as they smirked and laughed a little under their breath. Leon was the first to control himself and speak. "Sire, we have been told to inform you of a possible Druid camp nearby." He reached out his hand to Arthur, handing him a folded up piece of paper. Arthur took it and opened it up.

After reading it he looked up at his knights. "Ok, I'll check it out. One of you leaned Merlin your horse, then all of you escort the lady back to the city."

It was only by a fraction of a second that Leon beat both Lancelot and Elyan to the ground. Lancelot pulled himself back up into the saddle, before asking. "Are you sure just the tow of you should go."

"We don't want them to feel threatened." Arthur replied as he mounted his horse.

About a minute later all seven of them were on their horses, with Leon still on the ground. With the picnic packed away, they set off. Gwen and Arthur avoided looking or talking to each other. All of the knights knew of their relationship, but not of their engagement. There were many reasons for that. The main one being that they had to keep it from Uther, the fewer people that knew, the easier this would be. Gwen also had other reasons. She and Elyan were the only family they each had left. She worried about how he would feel about her starting a new family, joining another one. There was also her fear about Lancelot's reaction. She knew he would act like the gentleman he was, he would never do anything to hurt her or Arthur. In the same way as Arthur wanted her to be mad at him to make himself feel better, she wanted Lancelot to be angry with her. Knowing that he wouldn't be made it worse.

She noticed her dress had been caught on the saddle a little so she reached down to fix it. Leon walked by her side, between her and Percival on his horse. He noticed her leaning down a little to fix her dress. For the second time that day the shine for her gold ring caught the light and hit someone's eye. Leon looked up from the ring to meet her eyes. They pleaded with him not say something. He gave her nod in return.

Of course in such a close proximity someone else noticed this little exchange. "Gwen." Elyan questioned. He didn't speak overly loudly, or tried to get anyone other than his sister's attention. However he did get the attention of the other four knights.

"What's going on." Gwaine asked, looking round at his friends.

It felt to Gwen like all eyes were on her. With a lowered head she answered. "Arthur and I are engaged."

"That's wonderful news my lady." Her head lowered at Lancelot's words.

"Yes, congratulations." Gwaine added.

The other knights didn't say anything, but they offered her warm smiles. She smiled back, but when her eyes met Lancelot it felt a little forced. It was his eyes, he smiled warmly at her, and she knew it was genuine, but there was a slightly hurt look in his eyes that he tried to hide. She could also see that he hated, and didn't feel like he had the right to feel hurt. He did, in her eyes he had the right to feel hurt.

In the distance the highest turrets of the castle where now visible. Gwaine pushed his horse on ahead a little. "It would be best if we don't arrive all at once. It will just attract more attention. We don't want to have to explain to the King why we let the prince go off to a possible druid camp on his own."

"He's not on his own." Gwen added. Now beginning to feel a little worried.

The knights all to varying degrees laughed a little. "Merlin is a loyal friend we are lucky to have, but I would not like to rely on him in a fight." Leon said.

"I would rely on him." Lancelot said after a few seconds of silence. He instantly regretted it. Worried he had said to much.

"Aye, my too." Gwaine said before riding on ahead of the others.

Looking around at the remaining knights, Gwen felt there was something they were not saying. "Is everything alright." No one answered her, so she persisted. "What is it. Is Gwaine alright."

"Yes he's fine." Lancelot finally answered. Though she was not convinced.

"Then why do you all look so worried." Her voice had now taken on a more stern tone.

Percival this time answered his future Queen. "It's the way he gets when we hear word about…." He didn't finish his sentence. He wasn't comfortable saying it, and she already knew what he was referring to. She gave a sad nod. She understood perfectly well how he must be feeling.

They road on in total silence for a few minutes before Leon spoke, when the city grew closer. "Percival and Elyan should go on ahead now." The two knights in question nodded and road on ahead as directed.

As she watched them disappear in the tress ahead of them, a look of worry fell over Gwen's face. What if they said anything about her news. Not just that, what if they spoke to each other and were over heard. Lancelot saw the fear crossing her face, so spoke up to comfort her. "None of us will say a word. We understand."

"Thank you." She smiled at him. Then looked down at Leon walking by her side. "Do you think you should go on ahead. Open the stable gates for us. It would look odd me returning. It's perfectly normal for the knights to come and go. As your walking, you should get a head start."

Not knowing really what to say or do Leon looked between Gwen and Lancelot for a second, before realising that while he didn't fully understand, but part of what Gwen had said made sense. So he nodded and run a little ahead of them. When she could no longer see him for the trees, she turned to Lancelot. Who was doing his best to avoid looking at her.

"I'm sorry."

"There is nothing for you to be sorry for my lady."

He was still not looking at her. "Please just call me Gwen."

He finally turned to look at her. "Gwen, there is honestly nothing for you to feel sorry about. I am truly happy for both of you" With that he smiled, and road on ahead of her.

Gwen stopped for a second watching him like the others disappear into the trees. She suddenly felt very alone. As close as she felt to Arthur, Merlin and the knights, they were her family. She still felt alone at times. When they would go off without her into danger, and all she could do was stay behind and wait. This was a reality that she knew about when she started her relationship with Arthur. She knew the dangers. Now that she was really experiencing it, she worried that she would not be able to handle it, that she wouldn't' be strong enough. What she wanted, needed was a friend that would wait behind with her. With a sigh and a conviction to not give into her fear and be strong, she road on towards the city.

About two or three miles in the opposite direction Arthur and Merlin were heading towards the distinction Leon had written down on the piece of paper. Merlin could see from the look on Arthur's face that he was mentally preparing himself for what they were heading towards.

"Arthur." He said as a question.

Not liking the tone Merlin was using, he changed the subject. "Some lookout you were."

"I was tired. I had been up since before sunrise packing your picnic. The day before you had me scrub every inch of your chambers-"

"Don't whine Merlin. It is a very unappealing quality."

"So is arrogance." Merlin bite back under his breath.

"What was that."

"Nothing." The warlock lied.

"That was what I thought."

They were quite for a few seconds till Merlin brought up the question that had been on his mind since he found out why the knights had come looking for Arthur. "What will you do-"

"I don't know."

"You have to have an idea." He pressed. "You can't just-"

Arthur stopped his horse and turned it around to face Merlin. "I know that. Of course I know that…I just don't know what to do…..part of me wants to make peace. Then I remember everything my father has taught me. Everything I have seen of magic."

"It wasn't all bad. Magic saved your life, and Gwen's" Arthur looked away from him, and moved his horse forward again. "What about Morgana." The mention of his sister's name cased him to visible tense up.

"I promised her once I was king I would not hunt down those with magic. I didn't say that I would restore it."

Merlin felt his heart racing, and his mouth open as he tried to get more air into his body. Anger was the first emotion that rose to the surface, so it was what guided him. Urging his horse forward, he blocked Arthur's path.

"So you lied to her. Do you know what she will do when she finds out."

"I didn't lie." Arthur affirmed.

"She isn't going to be fogged off on a technicality." Merlin warned.

Arthur shook his head in sheer frustration. "What does any of this have to do with you."

"I'm your friend. I want to see you be the best king you can be. This is not the way to do that." He said growing more anger as he did.

"What would you know of the responsibilities of being king. I can tell you they are a lot more channelling than polishing a set of armour." He guided his horse around Merlin's and carried on. Once again Merlin took a few seconds before he followed after him.

The air of tension in the air was broken when Arthur spoke. "I didn't lie. I just can't make a decision on something as important as magic without knowing more. So I have to be careful what I say, so I can do what I believe is right, when the time comes. Without making things worse."

Merlin was a little impressed. He knew he shouldn't be, and that he couldn't say so. So he said nothing and guided his horse on alongside him. Now he was no longer angry with him, he wanted to be able to tell Arthur that he was not really on his way to see his sister after a year, but he couldn't. It amazed him that he had been able to get away with being gone for three days so easily, if he told him it would only led to more question. Maybe talking with the druids without Morgana being there, making things unintentionally he hoped more difficult, with all of the personal issues that brought up for Arthur. Then they could really talk and make some progress.

"I have to polish tree sets of Armour not one." The servant corrected.

"Well I'm sorry to have offended you."

"No you're not."

"Umm, no I'm not."

Thank you for reading, hope you liked it. As always I would love to hear what you think of the story.

Also I once again have to point out that there is still only one entry in the competition. All of the details are in the notes at the end of chapters 6 and 7. I really hope more people will be interested. I had planned to put up the poll for the winner when I but up chapter twenty. That way there will be five chapters with of time to vote. Then the story will be half way down. At the very least I need just two more people, so please. I'm sure your all much more creative than me and can come up with something related to this story, that is better than it.

Also the pol for who you think the dark sorceress is, is still up. It will be up till it is revealed who she is. So you can vote as many times as you like, you can change your mind about who you think it is. I have to say that I am surprised with the results. I can't say why as I don't want to give it a way, but I do find it interesting. I would also love to know why you have voted for the person that you have.

As I said before how long it will take it up-date is in a large part up to you. So if you want an up-date fairly soon then you know what you have to do. Also like before please don't feel that you have to review if you don't want to. I just want to make sure that why it may take a while to up-date is understood.