Thank you for reading. Hope you like it.

Arthur arrived back at Camelot under a cloud of darkness. Slipping into the castle through a side entrance. He didn't want to see anyone. Have to talk to anyone. The more distance he put between himself and Merlin and Morgana the more his anger started to lessen. He couldn't understand what had made him react so strongly to finding Merlin talking with Morgana. There was the obvious fact that he had gone behind his back. Someone that he had trusted implicitly. Merlin had tried to explain and what little he let him say made sense. Now looking back on it he didn't know why he hadn't listened to him then. Why he had lashed out like he did. He felt embarrassed about it all now. A grown man, a king acting like a petulant child.

All he wanted to do was go to bed and in the morning go back and talk to them properly. Luckily he didn't meet anyone on his way to his chambers. Opening his door slowly as not to make any noise, he let out a sigh of relief as he gentle closed the door behind him. Turning around his eyes scanned the dark room. Leaning back against the door he let himself relax, but only for a moment he was not alone.

He knew her face better than he knew his own at this point. He close his eyes and picture it. Every small freckle, blemish and wrinkle and loved them all. Her hair was backlit by a faint blue tinted light from the window behind her. She sat at his large table, facing the door and now him as well.

Gwen fought a smile of relief from spreading across her face. She knew his face well enough to know he was looking a little sheepish, but quickly pushed it aside. Before he could ask her the question she knew he was about to, she asked hers first.

"Where were you."

She tried to sound anger, strong but felt her worry seep into her voice.

Arthur pushed off the door he had leaned back against and crossed the room quickly to stand in front of the table that separated them.

"I was fallowing your advice." He tried to sound as light and playful, but she wasn't fooled. He didn't need to see her face clearly to know that she did not looked impressed or pleased by his answer. "You did tell me I should seek out Morgana." He said doubling down on his teasing tone.

"Yes." Gwen quickly retorted. Not letting him say anymore. "I didn't say you and Merlin should just take off.

Arthur was glad now that they were having this conversation undercover of darkness. He didn't want Gwen to see the conflicted, embarrassed look on his face. Normally he would have defended himself, but he couldn't this time. He didn't want to tell her that he had go off alone. That he hadn't thought to bring Merlin with him. Maybe he should have. He didn't tell Gwen this. She would be angry that he had taken such a risk. He also didn't tell her that Merlin had followed him, spoke with Morgana. Seemed to be on good enough terms and have had enough contact with her to know where she was living. Partly because he wasn't sure how she would take that information. Also he realized because he didn't know how he felt about it yet.

"It was something I felt-"

"No." Gwen silenced Arthur as she stood up quickly and started to move around the table. "Don't, don't act like your the only one that this affects."

"Gwen."

Arthur reached out to place a hand on her shoulder, but she stepped out of his reach.

"I am to be queen, your queen. You cant keep things from me." He gave a small nod. "I will be your wife. She will be my sister too. I grew up with her as you did. Been hurt by her. I deserve to know to what is going on."

She was right. He should have known that she would have wanted to go with him to see Morgana. She shouldn't have had to ask, he should have know. There seemed to be a lot that he should have done and didn't. If it was possible he felt more embarrassed than he had before. It was this embarrassment that kept him from telling her any thing that had happened while he had been away. He wanted to deal with it before she found out, make sure she never found out. He couldn't stand to think of her thinking less of him.

"I'm sorry." He couldn't meet her eyes.

With a sigh Gwen reached out and placed a hand on his cheek. "We can try again, together."

She believed he was dejected because he hadn't found Morgana. Not because he had. He would let her believe this, it was the simplest. Easiest for him. He nodded again and let her comfort him. Feeling worse.

The sun had just risen into the sky as Merlin and Morgana started off to meet Lancelot. Morgana has used the scrying crystal to see where Lancelot was. In a rare piece of good fortunate for them, the knight was currently on his way back to Camelot, only a few miles away. Merlin couldn't help but be a little skeptical. Things were never that easy. There was always a catch. Having no other real option they headed off to meet up with him. They didn't have to travel far, but took their time. The weight of the events form the day before weighing them down.

They traveled mostly in silence to begin with. Then they slowly began to make small talk. How they planned to break the hold the lamia had over the other knights. That was as Morgana pointed out if they were able to break the control on Lancelot first. Merlin brushed it off, they would worry about that when they had to. They gently argued and planned back and forth. Both wanting a distraction from their thoughts. Merlin trying to keep his mind form wondering to what would happen when he returned to Camelot. What would his welcome be like. what was Arthur thinking, what would be say to everyone back home. Morgana too tried to keep certain thoughts form crossing her mind. The loss from the day before, the almost losses.

After about half an hour just in the distance they saw a figure walking towards them. Down the narrow path that weaver its way along the small mounds that populated the wide open space around them. Without saying anything they began to speed up. As they and the figure grow closer they were able to make out that it was Lancelot. A feeling of relief watched over them for a few brief seconds then the realization that this was all seeming far to easy washed over them. Leaving them with an uneasy feeling as they stood and watched the knight getting closer.

As he began to see Lancelot's face becoming clearer as he drew closer, Merlin started to move forward again to meet his friend. Lancelot was his friend. His closest friend who he trusted. He was not going to let Nimueh make him fear those closest to him. Become paranoid and mistrustful. That was what she wanted and he was not going to let her win.

Morgana a little more hesitantly began to move forwards too. She knew Lancelot to be a decent and honorable man. Like Merlin she was not going to allow Nimueh take away the trust she had in a small number of people.

At first Lancelot was a little surprised to see Merlin and Morgana walking towards him along a relativity untraveled road. Lifting his hand in to the air in greeting he smiles at his good fortune and speed up. As he lowered his hand he felt a little foolish. He felt very sure that there was not a good reason for this seemingly chance meeting. Something was going on and he was sure he was not going to like it.

"Glad to see you looking better my lady." He called to them when he felt sure they would be able hear him.

He hoped to try and keep the mood light. He had been traveling for three days, was tired and just wanted to get home. Until conformed otherwise he would hold on the hope that this was all a pleasant coincidence. But when was it ever that simple.

"I'm glad to see you've survived the rest of your journey without further incident." Morgana called back, relief washing over her for a second. He was himself.

Merlin glanced back and forth between the witch and knight. Finding it odd and oddly nice to see two people that he trusted with his secret, cared about getting on.

When he was only a few feet from them and they could get a good look at his face. He was smiling warmly and they couldn't help but smile back. With all the pain of the day before it was reassuring, heartening to see that the sun still shone. There was still light, warmth in the world.

Just as quickly as it appeared the warmth was covered up. Like a cloud blocking out the light. A darkness clouded Lancelot's eyes quickly and his hand flew to his sword.

Arthur twisted the quill in his hand as the other hand propped up his head. His stomach had started to gnawing at him. Letting him know he should eat. It had been more than a day since he had eaten a prober meal. There was no breakfast on the table before him as there normally was. Because there was no one to bring it to him. He wondered how long those working in the kitchen would wait before they understood that Merlin wasn't going to come this morning to collect the kings breakfast. Surly they must have noticed by now. Gaius must know now that Merlin wasn't in the castle. How long would it be until the older man sought him out to find out what was going on.

The knights sword sliced through the air cleanly. Forcing the witch and Warlock to separate to opposite sides of the well warn path. It took him a second to decide who he was going to direct his next attack towards.

Turning to Merlin he pulled back his sword.

Morgana had just enough time to pull out her fathers, now hers and from behind hit down on Lancelot's blade. It was not an elegant or very impactful blow, but it did what it was mean to.

Turning his attention from Merlin, the normally benevolent knight focused his attention now on the Sword wielding witch. Shifting slightly Morgana took a more secure stanch. Waiting for the first real attack to be launched.

She did not have to wait long. Lancelot quickly began a rapid series of direct blows. Gripping her sword tightly she kept it held out in front of her, blocking the onslaught. The sword was heavy in her arms. It had always been too heavy for her. Made for someone much stronger than she was. The continues blows only made it heaver. Her arms shacking from the tension of keep the sword held.

Lancelot didn't relent. Just kept on going. Blow after blow. Never tiering.

Merlin watch in shock at first. Not believing that his friend would really attack him. When he began attacking Morgana he didn't believe what he was seeing. He knew Lancelot to be a strong fighter. Skilled and determined. But this, this relents fury. That was not the man he knew. A hundred different courses of action played out in his mind. Yet he couldn't move. Didn't want to make a mistake and risk harming his friend.

After just twenty or so seconds of rapid blows it seemed Lancelot too was beginning to tiering too. Or maybe he just didn't see the point in putting so much effort into attacking her.

She shout a quick glance to Merlin over Lancelot's shoulder. Urging him into action. Reaching out his arm he aimed to take hold of his friend. Stopping him from moving anymore. It was a simple spell, something he could do on reflex at this point. But it didn't work. Lancelot kept moving. Now he aimed a blow for Morgana's right side. She was able to block it, but only just.

"Merlin." She yelled. Fear creeping into her voice.

Lancelot was not giving her a second to use magic. She had no time to formulate a plan. All she could do was try and defend herself as best she could.

"I...It didn't work."

"What." She blocked another blow to her left.

All he could do was shrug. Having nothing else to do he searched for something that might help. A branch or maybe even a rock. Not finding anything he did the only thing he could. Dashing forward he opened his arms. Coming up behind Lancelot he wrapped his arms around his shoulders. Pining the knights arms to his side. Merlin was stronger than he looked and he was able to keep the objectively stronger man restrained. Much to his and Morgana's surprise.

"My magic...It did nothing." He told Morgana through gritted teeth while Lancelot's sword crashed to the ground as he struggled to free himself.

Morgana dropped her sword to the ground and reached out her hands, placing them on either side on Lancelot's face.

A light knock at his door lifted Arthur's gaze. He schooled his face into a blank expression as the door opened. He already knew who it was, but this just confirmed it. Only she wouldn't wait for him to reply before she entered the room. A quick smile crossed his face as he watched her open the door slowly as she balanced a tray of food in her arms. quickly he got to his feet and moved to take the try from her.

With a stern look she moved the tray out of his reach and directed his attention to the smaller table he normally ate at. Not wanting to argue or disagree with Gwen he did as he was silently told.

Sitting down as the tray was placed in front of him he knew he would have to tell her what had happened the day before. She must know that Merlin didn't collect his breakfast. Most likely had made the connection that he wasn't in the castle. He would have expected her to seem worried for their friend. Maybe she hadn't made the connection yet. She would soon, she was smart and very observant.

With a sigh he lifted his gaze from the food before him to look at Gwen. He was about to speak, tell her everything but she spoke first.

Morgana could feel the mark left by the lamia. Like a black ink spot that slowly spread across a cream parchment. It took more energy than she expect it to, to be able to make any connection with the mark. Once she had it is was very easy, surprisingly so to remove it., manipulate it if she wanted to. As she wiped it away she could feel the link of the mark to its creator, the one that used it and to the others marked in the same way. It was not very complex magic, but once she had control she could manipulate it relatively simply.

It dawned on her as she worked on removing the mark that the Lamia was most likely dead. Outliving her usefulness to Nimueh having fulfilled her purpose. She was gotten rid off. Just like Gilli.

Nimueh couldn't be fully controlling them. Not without the Lamia alive. This was simply influence. Influencing the knights, the man in front of her and her brother to act aggressively. It was hard to say what Nimueh hoped to gain with this. She couldn't truly use it to her advance. couldn't rely on it. At best she could only hope that it would create descent and separation between those Arthur most relied on.

If she removed it fully however there was a chance Nimueh would notice. She felt sure that she would not notice until it was to late, but she didn't want to take the risk. So she left the small drop of ink remaining.

"Have you spoken to Leon today." Gwen asked sitting down across the table from Arthur.

He looked at her questioningly. "What about." He asked before taking a bite of his breakfast to distract himself.

It was Gwen's turn to look confused. "Haven't you heard." He shock his head as she chewed his food. "He and Percival had a disagreement this morning-"

"Disagreement." He putted in, dropping his fork and ignoring his breakfast.

Gwen nodded looking a little sad. "No one knows what it was about, but one of the kitchen maids heard them yelling at each other. Then she saw Leon storm past her."

Arthur's mind word hard trying to come up with a reason to explain what Gwen had just told him. He couldn't. Leon was such a calm even tempered person. He didn't think he had even heard the man raise his voice before. For all of his imposing size Percival was one of the gentlest people he knew. The most soft spoken. He couldn't understand what would have caused the two men to come to a argument.

"Gwanie seems to have taken off as well." She added. Concern clear in her voice as she said it all out loud.

"That's not unheard off." He tried to reassure his future wife. picking up his fork to continue eating.

She seemed to agree. "Still, to happen at the same time as everything else."

She was right, he started to worry now. He placed his fork down again. He didn't want to add to her worry, but he had to tell her what had happened the day before. It was starting to become clear that all of this was very likely all connected.

Hesitantly Morgana removed her hands from either side of Lancelot's head and took a step back. Merlin held his tight grip around his friend as he felt the tension leave and Lancelot relax in his arms. Not wanting to risk the possibility of another outburst.

Lancelot looked at Morgana not understanding how he had got from facing her and Merlin walking towards him to being restrained by Merlin and Morgana watching him cautiously. Looking down he saw his sword and what he assumed was Morgana's lying abandoned on the ground.

"What happened."

Merlin relaxed letting his friend go. Moving to stand in front of him he took a deep breath before he began to tell him what had happened and all that happened the day before. Morgana adding in what she felt sure she had just learned.

Gwen was silent for what felt like an eternity. Arthur waited patiently for her to say something, anything.

eventually she spoke. "What could be effecting you all like that."

Arthur couldn't help but let out a tight laugh. Trust Gwen he brush past the things she knew he would want to avoid talking about right now and focusing on what they needed to do now. Unfortunately he didn't now what they could do.

"I don't know." He admitted.

Reaching out she placed her hand over his. "We'll figure it out." She said confidently.

"We need to remove any control that she has over the others."

Merlin and Morgana agreed with Lancelot, But they also knew it was not going to be that simple.

"Of course, but how." Morgana questioned. "Nimueh would notice if the mark was removed fully. Then we'll have to wait continue to wait for her to make her move, again."

"Are you saying we should let her have control, influence over those closest to Arthur." Lancelot questioned. Managing to be both firm and understanding as he did.

"No." She answered.

"We just have to pick the right time." Merlin said.

"And when is that. How will we know."

Lancelot continued to question. Starting to grew frustrated with being unable to do anything. In the back of his mind he worried that this frustration was the result of the remaining mark.

"We can't wait any longer." Morgana affirmed.

"We still can't risk-"

"There's always a risk." Morgana intubated. "The greater risk is leaving her to do whatever she is planning."

"We can't make the wrong move."

"Doing nothing is the wrong move."

"No falling to make any move so you are backed into a corner and have no real choices left is the wrong move."

Merlin knew this was a thinly veiled insult at him, but he choose to ignore it.

"She had been planning all of this for years. She's steps ahead of us. We can't ever get ahead of what she is planning."

"But we can cut her of-"

"From what. we don't know what she's planning."

Merlin groaned, running his hands through his hair. They were going round and round in circles. Morgana let out a frustrated sigh. Then bent down to pick up her sword. Lancelot seeing what she was doing quickly moved to pick up her sword before she did. He felt guilty for having attacked her and wanted to try and make up for it. Even though he knew and she did too, that it had not been his choice. She gave him a smile as he handed the sword back to her in thanks. The knight then retrieved his own sword. Returning it to its scabbard he made a decision.

"We have to remove the influence she has over the knights of the round table. We can not allow her to corrupt the very heart of what Camelot is meant to stand for."

It was not hard to convince Merlin. Morgana was just glad to have a plan, something to do.

"Okay." Merlin said setting their course of action.

Morgan and Merlin moved to leave but Lancelot stayed standing. "Do you think its safe for you to return to Camelot right now." He asked Merlin.

He hadn't even thought about that. How Arthur would react to his return. Finding out he had gone behind his back further by making a plan of action without talking to him. There was also the danger that the other knights would most likely try and attack him or Morgana on sight as Lancelot had just done. Someone could get hurt. He wasn't prepared to risk that.

"We can't go back yet."

"Then where are we going to go."

Morgana was growing frustrated as the plan stalled again and they were back to going round in circles. She was not looking forward to returning to Camelot. If she had to she wanted to get it over with.

"We need to get them somewhere where you can remove the mark and no one will get hurt." Merlin answered. Though not very well.

"Do you really think that is going to help things with Arthur. You going further behind his back." Morgana a little unhelpfully pointed out.

"You could use the mark to get the knights to meet somewhere else." Lancelot asked her . Hoping to take the attention off Merlin. She nodded.

"But where."

Merlin looked at Lancelot. They were thinking the same thing, of the same place.

"I know somewhere."

Hope you liked it. I don't know how I feel about the fight in the chapter. I hope it wasn't to bad. All feedback or comments is very welcome.