Hello. For those that have reviewed and read the last chapter, I am sorry that it has been so long since I up-dated last. I have had a lot of work to get down for school. I will also not go on about the other reasons for why it took so long. I have been over all of that before. Only one person reviewed the last chapter, and no one answered the three questions I asked. I really don't want to sound like a whinny child, but that was really the main reason that it has been so long since the last chapter.

As I am now finished with school for about three or four months, I have a lot of free time to up-date. That is of course if people want me to that is. As I have said a number of times, I know what is going to happen in the story. I write it to share it with other people. If no one is interested in reading it, then I don't see much point in writing it. I could up-date a chapter a week, maybe two chapters a week. If that is what people want. So I have to say that if this chapter gets the same limited response from people reading and reviewing than it will most likely be around a month again before I up-date. If it has a better response than it will be much sooner.

I feel I should point out, as some of you may already know, that while I have not been up-dating this story I have been up-dating my avatar story. This is because that is a rewrite. I really don't expect many people to be reading it.

Dawn Ruthless. I like that part too. No I did not write them. The performers are mentioned in the notes on the last chapter.

MyLoveIsToBlame. Hey, I like your new username. I know what you mean, it always takes longer to get school work done than you think it will. Hope you did well. Hope that you liked the other five chapters.

In the comfortable silence between the prince and the secret warlock, the faint sound of horses galloping nearby echoed throughout the trees. Growing louder as they drew nearer. With a quick glance in Merlin's direction, Arthur pulled the rains of his horse to lead him towards the sound of the other horses. After a while through the trees they could make out the flashes of bright red. Merlin saw Arthur's eyes widened in fear for a second before he pushed his horse forwards again.

He appeared so suddenly out of the trees in-front of the lead horse and knight, that Merlin form his position about eight feet behind thought for a second that the knights wouldn't be able to stop so suddenly and the horses were going to end up toppling over each other. The knights of course were all skilled horseman and able to bring their horses to a successful emergency stop.

"What is going on." The prince hurriedly demanded.

Sir Vidor led his horse forward to meet Arthur. He looked tired and slightly dishevelled, Arthur noticed. Like he now realised the other knights including Lancelot and Elyan did as well. "We were returning from Nemeth when we came upon a druid camp. Sire."

Arthur managed to not show on his face any feeling that would give him away. When he spoke in response, his voice did not give him away either. "What state did you leave them in."

Sir Vidor gave an account of how they had come upon the group of druids as they where moving to their next camp. A small fight had broken out when they tried to detain some of the men in the group. The knights were only five in number, vastly out numbers by the thirty or so druids of varying ages. They had no desire to harm any women or children, but they know they would have to inform the king of the gropes movements and he would want someone from the group to answer his questions. In fight had only lasted a few short minutes, seconds really. Morgana had been able to avoid being noticed by the knights, as she and other women rather than face them, lead the children away. One life was lost in the brief outburst of violence, before the knights made a hastily retreat. A young knight now had only been knighted a few months ago. Greatly saddened by this Arthur could only dwell on this for a second. He had to act quickly or the tentative turce he had with the druids would be ruined. He ordered the Knights to carry on back to Camelot, that he and Merlin would return and bury the body of their fallen comrade. The knights protested, by Arthur further demanded and they had no choice but to allow him to return with out back up.

Lancelot, who had been making eye contact with Merlin as Vidor told of the days event. Merlin silently reassured that Arthur was not going into danger alone. That he would explain all of they side of the story when they too returned to Camelot. Lancelot returned the look, with on that said to take care of himself. He didn't know for sure but it was what Gwaine would call a sure thing, the kind he would bet on, that Morgana was somehow involved in this. Turning from his friend Merlin looked back at Arthur. Who did not stop to say anything further. He forced his horse to turn back towards where the camp had been. Merlin offered a last reassuring half smile to his friend, before he too turned his horse to head back the way they had come.

After passing a fallen log that he recognised. Letting him know that they were getting closer to the camp Merlin finally spoke up. "Do you really think this is a good idea. Going back there."

Arthur snapped his head round to face the annoying voice that he knew very well. "I don't have a choice."

"Arthur, they will feel attacked-"

"I made a promise." Arthur turned quickly to face Merlin who road a little behind him

There was little good that he could do, But still he felt that he had to go back. The issue of magic was not going to change as long as his father was king. When he was king he would have to step up and deal with it. When that happened he didn't honestly know what he was going to do. He just knew that by going back now, trying to explain, he would maybe make thing easier when that time came. They just like those that lived in the bright city of Camelot were still his people. People that he would swear to protect. His father might by able to separate them, but he didn't know if he could.

The faint sound of voices and movement up ahead let them know that they were nearing the traveling group. Arthur caught sight of a man about his age just up ahead, through the trees. Their eyes met then he turned and run back to the camp to inform them know what was coming upon them this time. Arthur stopped his horse and dismounted. Choosing to arrive on foot. Merlin followed his lead. Not wanting to be seen as a threat. As they drew closer to the widely disbursed group, they felt all eyes boring into them. Everyone seemed to be stopping what they were doing and walked over to meet the returning prince. A semi crowed started to form around them as they to the centre of the group. Before Arthur had a chance to say anything the crowed parted a little on his left. Allowing Aglain to walk towards him. One of the prince's eyes was on the druid walking towards him. The other was searching the crowd for his sister. He saw no sign of her.

"Arthur. I must saw we did not think we would see you return so soon." Though he smiled at Arthur he looked pained. If his tone of voice was showed even the hint of feeling behind it, then it could have been seen as an attempt at humour. Aglain's dark eyes looked down onto the younger man. Only his father's harsh stare had ever made Arthur feel this small before. That fact that it was clear form his posture that making the prince feel small like this was not Aglain's intention. That he felt this way all on his own made it feel that much worse.

"I had no idea-"

He was interrupted by the raising of the voices of the crowed in protest. Of course they wouldn't believe him, take his word for it. For people that had someone greatly outnumbered, in more ways than one with their magic who they believed led an ambush against them. They were surprisingly acting with great restraint. He and Merlin were still standing unharmed after all. For now at least.

With just a quick glance around the crowd Aglain was able to bring the clearing to silence. Arthur had never seen anyone have that kind of power over so many people with such a simple gesture before. Looking round himself again, still hoping and fearing that he would meet Morgana's harsh glare. Something profound became clear to the prince. They did not follow Aglain out of fear, they did it because they respected and trusted him.

"I believe you. You still should not have returned."

"I wanted to make sure that you knew I will keep my word."

Listening, but not responding to Arthur, Aglain spoke on. "There is nothing you can do here."

"I still-"

"No one was killed." Aglain interrupted. "Some were injured and are being healed now." Arthur offered a nod as he let out a breath he had been holding. "However. A knights of Camelot was killed."

Arthur looked like he had been psychically struck. He knew this already, but to hear it confirmed, in such a direct way still shocked him. Merlin who had stood a few feet behind Arthur, on the very edge of the circle surrounding them, now took a step forwards. Suddenly fearfully there could be a sudden turn in the uneasy peace. Like Arthur he had been scanning the crowed for a pair of familiar green eyes, and found none. It would be just like her to make her entrance now, at the worst possible time. Solely to stir things further.

"He a buried under that tree." Aglain lifted his right arm to gesture towards a old ash tree a few feet away. "As we are forced to go unmarked through life and into death. So shall he."

For a second Arthur glanced over at the tree, with only a hint of the recently disturbed earth under it. While the words had stuck him, he gave no visible sigh of this. That would do no good. He forced himself to see it from their point of view. The graves of those with magic went unmarked. There was no place for their loved ones to mourn them, remember them. The countless number lost in the great purge had no memorial to their loss. It was not his normal way of dealing with things, but he did it now. He could only imagine how he would feel if he did not have his mother's grave to visit. Not that he did that very often. Gwen and Morgana would have found the loss of their respective fathers without a place to remember them harder to bare he knew that for a fact.

"I know that this was not you're doing. I also regret that a life was lost. However I think that it is best for you to leave. There is no more that can be said or achieved here today. In time maybe, but not now. The wounds are to raw for all involved. Return to your castle and comforts."

Still be spoke with rationality and restraint, but could not help adding a small slight. There was also a clear element of distain and contempt to his voice, not solely aimed at Arthur but at the way of life that he and others like him lived. Merlin saw Arthur about to respond, but was stopped as Aglain quickly turned and walked away from him back into the crowed. Who all gave one last look at Arthur and Merlin before they too started to move away from them. Returning to their jobs so they could soon move on again. Wishing now more than ever to be on the move quickly.

With a weak smile Arthur turned to face Merlin. He was trying to act like the conversation with Aglain had not hurt him. He would get him to talk about it later. Now was not the time to push him to open up. It would end only with himself on the receiving end of some painful verbal or psychical assault. That was something he would rather put off for as long as possible. It was something that he had to do however at some point. This was one of the few times when he felt it safe to broach the topic of magic. He had to take it and make the most of it. Even if he did end up in the stocks for it. He was long overdue a visit to that old friend of his anyway.

The druids of the camp that had chosen not encircled Arthur and Merlin had remained a few feet behind, treating two injured men that had bore the brunt of the fight. Walking over towards the healing session. Aglain placed a hand on the shoulder of the women kneeing down with her back to him, treating one of the injured men's leg. Her head quickly spun round to face him as she pulled herself up. Her job now done.

"They have gone." He told her. She nodded in response as she moved to walk away. "Say something Morgana, I expect you have much to say about the events of the last few day."

Morgana glanced behind Aglain to see if she could catch a glimpse of Arthur and Merlin leaving but she didn't. Her eyes then travelled back to meet Aglain's. "Nothing is going to change unless we take action. You are all to naïve." He knew she was referring to not just himself and Arthur but to Merlin and others as well.

"Maybe we are." He laughed a little.

"We have won the battle but have lost the war." Under her breath she muttered. "We lost it a long time ago."

"It is only truly lost when you give up all hope." She scoffed under her breath. "There is still hope Morgana. There is always hope. As long as there is life there is hope."

"That is very nice. What good does it do anyone now."

She moved to pass him, but he halted her with a gentle had on her shoulder. "Something will be done. This-"

"You sound a lot like someone else that I know." She interrupted him. One warlock droning on about hope for a better future without taking any really action to achieve it, was enough for her put up with.

It was not very hard for Aglain to figure out who she was referring to. Knowing her as he did he knew that her words were not meant to be taken as a complement. There was something in her tone that let him know that while she may not agree with their way of looking at the issue, she did respect them in a way for it. She was so locked into her own hate, how could she not respect those that were able to move past that. As well as envy them that ability.

"I will choice not to take that as an insult."

Morgana quickly spun round to face Aglain. "I respect you." There was a look of worry in her eyes. Worry that her words had been taken as a cruel insult. That was not really her intention. At least not in a deep way. "You are one of the very few people that I do respect." He knew her well enough to know that the only other people that she may respect were now dead. Her father and sister. Those that she may have respected in the past had in her eyes turned out to not be the people that she thought they were.

"I fear I do not deserve that." She looked like she had been struck by his words. Fearing that she had truly insulted him. "I am just a man, trying to do what I believe is best. As is everyone. Including Arthur" He saw her about to speak, but went on. "You judge people harshly. You have a strong moral centre. You cannot stand to see injustice. In your aim to bring justice you move further and further away form that moral centre. Which is a gift, I hate to see you waking away from it."

Morgana stepped back. Like she had moved to close to a fire that was now growing out of control. "I am the one being judged."

"We are all being judged Morgana."

"The Disir." Her words came out as just above a whisper.

He nodded. "We have to move out soon. How are they." Looking behind her to the two men resting under a tree.

"Been better." She offered to lighten the mood. "They'll live." As she spoke she began to walk away.

Aglain walked with her. "That is good to hear."

She headed towards a brown pack that was placed under a tree. "They won't be able to walk much on their own. Some room will have to be made for them on a cart." Picking up the pack Morgana lightly attached it to the saddle of the horse closest to her, before beginning to mount it.

"Where are you going." The older man questioned, sure he already knew.

She didn't have to ask how he knew that she was not going to be going forward with the group for now. He always just seemed to know. Not just about her, about everyone. At first it had made her feel a little uncomfortable. She didn't like some of what he had to say in regard to her actions. Though she knew, in a small way that she needed to hear it. Especially form some one she did hold in high regard.

"There is something that I have to do." Was all she would say.

She moved to pull the rain, but he reached up and took a tight hold of her arm. "What do I tell him."

He saw he conviction falter for a second.. "Whatever you want." With a jerk she pulled her arm free. "I would also appreciate it if I never have to hear either of those songs again."

Swiftly as not to be held up any longer or made to think to much, she pulled on the rains and speed off. Travelling in neither the direction they where heading in or the one that Arthur and Merlin where travelling on. She left Aglain with a strong feeling of foreboding building up inside of him and one question. What was she planning. If she was going to do something reckless, impulsive or dangerous. Then he would have been able to tell he was sure. There would have been a sigh, a look in her eyes. A look of anger, hate or determination. There was none of that. She was clam, deadly calm. That could only mean that what she was planning was something that would not place her in any real personal danger. It however would be all the more extreme. requiring a determination and steady nerve.

The sound of the knights words were drowned out for Uther by the sound of their combined footsteps echoing off the stone wall in the long corridor. He heard him telling him that camp was dealt with, that Arthur would return soon, that was all he needed to know. All the rest of the drivel was drowned out, there was no need to listen to any of it. As they turned the corner a small group of four ladies of the court walked towards them. They stopped and bowed to the king before he gestured for them to carry on, as he and the knights moved a little to the right. The ladies in turn moved to the left. As the two groups approached each other Uther tried to imagine another face amongst the group of faces that he did not recognise. It had been so long, her image should have faded, but it refused to. He saw her so clearly, but was unable to picture her with this group of women. She had never spent much time with the ladies of the court. It was not her nature place. Even he could see that.

Walking a little behind the small group was a face that he did recognise. "Guinevere." He greeted. Gwen bowed again. Then attempted to move on with the rest of the ladies, but he spoke again. "I trust that you have been informed of your brother's return."

She nodded. Then realised that she was expected to verbalise a response. "Yes sire."

"It would be rather inconvenient for you if any harm was to befall him."

"Inconvenient." She clenched her hands in front of her. Wanted to bite back the word that just left her mouth. Her body seemed to shrink into the stone floor at her feet as she waited for her punishment for speaking back like that to fall.

"I trust you enjoy the comforts you now have, like living in the palace." Her eyes slowly lifted to face the king. "Those comforts come with the title you have been given." He paused looking at the knight still by his side. Gwen saw the young man crumple under the harsh gaze. He bowed and moved away as quickly as he could without breaking into a run. "I trust you know that, that title and all that comes with it is dependent of you being the sister of a knight."

"Of course sire." She smiled sweetly. "I am truly proud of my brother. The knights of Camelot represent all that this kingdom stands for. Truth, honour, justice and equality for all."

There was something in her tone that he did not like. It was like she was disrespecting him, but he couldn't see how. He knew that tone, he had heard it enough times from the same person that he had tried to picture amongst the group of ladies that the lady in-front of him had been a part of or at least she had tried to be a part of. She would never really be a part of that group, or that life.

"I trust then that I will soon be asked for permission to hold your wedding in the main hall." The king carried on.

Gwen felt the air being pulled from her lungs. How could he know. She was sure that Arthur had not told him about them. He gave no hint that he had the last time they spoke. It had always been just a matter of time before he found out. If she was honest she was surprised and very grateful that they had been able to hind it for as long as they had.

"The only way to keep that title of yours after your brother's death will be to marry a knight of Camelot, and have a son. Who can also be of use as a knight."

As he quickly moved passed her his shoulder knocked against hers. For that second time in as many minutes she felt the air being forcibly pulled out from her. Once his footsteps seemed to have faded away enough, she moved to the window on her right. Grasping the frame she took in a few deep breaths. Not letting herself look down onto the courtyard below her. If Arthur was there she would lose the thin grasp that she had on her emotions and cry.

With both of his hands Uther reached out to push open the door to his chambers which he did so with more force than was necessary. That serving girl, walking around acting like a lady, she always made his blood boil. This anger clouded his vision. Which stopped him from noticing right away that there was something not quit right in his chambers. There was a presence in the room that he couldn't see, but as he walked to the centre of the room he could feel it strongly. Like a pair of eyes pouring into him. In-front of him was his desk, placed in-front of the largest window in the room. Walking towards it, he saw a clear sign that something was not right. The chair was turned around to face the window. He never left the chair that way. With quick strides he moved towards the chair. Reaching out to turn the chai round, a voice filled the room.

"It has been such a long time."

Thank you so much for reading. I really hope that you liked it and that you have not been put off from the story by the long break. As I said before when the next chapter is going to be up-dated is up to you. If you do choice to review then I would be very grateful if you could answer these questions, so I can better plan the rest of the story.

Firstly, there are a few things that I have set up in the story that will be paid off later on. So I would like to know what things like that, things that I have set up but not paid off, things that don't make sense yet have you noticed. I want to make sure I haven't missed anything by accident.

Secondly, is there anything from seasons 4 or 5 that you would like to see a version of in this story. There are still a few places where I have gaps and can add things to the story. So is there anything from the show you would like to see a version of in that way. Seasons 4 or 5 palace.

Thirdly, I had planned to work in a few other song the two in the last chapter into the story. So I would like to know if that works, or does it seem out of place. Would you rather not have the songs in the story.

I really hope that I will hear for you soon.