A/N Only a short update today. To be honest I wasn't expecting to find the time to write at all, but most of my assignments are done and dusted, and I suddenly had the overwhelming urge to write. This chapter is more of a filler chapter, setting up the scene for the next chapter... which is still in the process of being written, but personally is probably one of my faves.

Enjoy!

Gwaine couldn't think of a time where he had had more fun. Oh sure, being a knight of Camelot in itself was fun (Merlin and the princess providing a constant source of entertainment throughout), and there were also the tavern brawls he got himself into before all of that, but this? This was comedy.

When Arthur had decided to invite the old woman to Camelot to help bring magic back to Camelot, Gwaine had thought she would be like every other old codger who made their way onto the council. Boring. He was (happily) proven wrong, on all accounts. The woman's wit was as deadly as her magic, and by Camelot, she used it.

Everytime Lord Clyston tried to cut off the princess or the Queen, everytime Lord Balron made a complaint, she would be there.

The first time it happened, she cut Lord Clyston right off, a sweet smile adorning her grandma-like face. Except she was nothing like the sweet grandma facade she put up.

When Lord Balron started to complain about her being there, she retorted right back.

"I see we have come to an understanding, Balron. You see, your presence annoys me greatly too. But you don't see me complaining, do you?"

The man had stayed oddly silent after that.

Finally, it seemed, the councillors had got the message, shutting up one by one, unless Arthur asked for their opinion. And even those weren't as long-winded as they usually were. Nor were they as negatively inclined to Arthur's ideas as they usually were. Although, Gwaine had half a mind to think it had something to do with the extremely powerful witch sitting at the table with them, glaring them down.

If she wasn't old enough to be his grandmother, Gwaine swore he would marry that woman. He would happily pay her out of his own wages just to keep her around. The councillors had been so shaken by her actions that she not only simultaneously managed to make the usually tedious council meetings fun, but also managed to cut the time in half as well. That was always a plus in Gwaine's eyes, eyes scanning, watching the reactions of the councillors as the Dolma (was that even her real name? Eh, Gwaine would have to ask her later) made another comment, this one directed at Lord Shaffolt and his brightly coloured tunic. Oh, this woman was a riot!

Gwaine was going to have to ask the princess where he found the Dolma. She was steadily climbing up Gwaine's list of favourite people. It was such a shame that Merlin wasn't here with them. He would have to get the Dolma and Merlin in the same room at one point.

Although… maybe that wasn't such a good idea. If Merlin and the Dolma ever combined forces… well that would be a sight to behold. And maybe just the end of the world itself.

No. It was probably best for now that they never meet fully.

Merlin being sick today was probably a warning from the Fates themselves, like they were holding up a massive sign saying "Warning: thou shalt create the end of the world".

Gwaine sniggered, using extra force to wipe the smile off his face. Wouldn't be good for Arthur to see and punish him with council duty again.

Although… now that the Dolma was here, councils might prove to be not all that bad. Maybe Gwaine would roster on for more council duty. This was proving to be quite fun.

Turning his attention back to whichever pretentious lord was now speaking, Gwaine settled back to watch the entertainment unfold.