The guests were shown to the chambers that had been set aside for them, and left to change out of their riding clothes before reconvening for lunch before the talks would commence.

Lancelot set his saddlebags down, looked around his room, and gave a low whistle. It was, all things considered, bizarre where the world took you. The first time he'd ridden into Camelot, he'd wanted desperately to become a knight, and now here he was, in the castle with the druids, acting as an unofficial bodyguard, and staying in one of the official guest chambers of the castle. Life was certainly peculiar. You started out thinking you knew what you wanted out of it, and then sometimes you ended up with something even better.

As he stepped out into the hall, he saw that something better coming out of her room. Elaine smiled.

"Lancelot. I hope you don't mind being back here?"

"I have nothing but good memories of Camelot. I understand you might be nervous of course, but I do trust their good intent."

"Your judgment means a great deal to me."

She glanced around and then leaning forward kissed him. For just a moment he wrapped his arm her waist and kissed her back, taking in the scent of her: pine and snow. And then he let go and stepped back as another door opened and Sybil came out into the hall. He escorted the two women down to the great hall.

The hall was filled with courtiers. Servants were bustling in and out, carrying dishes and trays, setting them upon the table. It had been intended originally to be a light lunch, thought Arthur wryly, but it seemed his father had gone a little overboard in an attempt to appear welcoming.

Merlin sidled up to him and gave a low whistle. "Will there be any food left in the castle for dinner tonight?"

Arthur gave a snort. "I wouldn't count on it."

There was a stir in the room as the druids entered. The talk dropped to more of a whisper and became more intense. It left Arthur feeling uneasy. Iseldir moved towards Uther and Elaine left Lancelot's side to speak with Morgana. Gaius and Mathias both approached the remaining druids and lead them into the room and to conversation. Lancelot meanwhile crossed over to Merlin and Arthur, grinning.

"It's good to see you two again," he said.

"You too," said Arthur. "I was surprised to see you still with the druids."

Lancelot shrugged. "They have been very welcoming. Even after memories of you returned and we all remembered who had truly rescued Mordred. And then of course…well…" His gaze flickered to Elaine.

Merlin winked at Arthur and said, his tone complete innocence, "So, tell us about Elaine."

Lancelot dragged his gaze back and looked at Arthur and Merlin a bit sheepishly. He shrugged noncommittally but Merlin wasn't going to be put off that easily.

"You were saying?"

"All right, all right. I met her a few months ago. She comes from the north, an unofficial leader of a small area called Shalott. Up in the mountains. She's apparently very well-known among the druids. Most of her own people are druids. Since I have met her I've seen nothing but kindness and goodness in her." He coughed and looked a little embarrassed. Then, with his own twinkle of mischief, he turned to Arthur. "And what about you? I've heard a number of rumors you're married. Of course the rumors that have been going about since you regained your place have been many and very far-fetched. If they're all to be believed: you died and were resurrected, you are a powerful sorcerer, you're married and/or tragically widowed, and (oddest of all) the true Arthur is dead and you're his evil twin."

"I thought he'd been looking shifty," said Merlin.

Arthur rolled his eyes. "No to the twin, death, and sorcerer. But I am married."

"Really? And when did that happen?"

"Several months back."

"And she woke up one day to discover she was a princess? That must have been quite a shock. And who is the lucky lady?"

"Well she should be here soon…ah! There she is!"

Gwen had entered the room at last, looking much recovered. She glanced around the room and spotting Arthur crossed over to him. Halfway there she saw Lancelot and a beam of pleasure came to her face.

"Lancelot! What are you doing here?" She reached out a hand to her old friend.

"The Lady Guinevere! Or as I take it, it is now Princess Guinevere!" Lancelot exclaimed in surprise, smiling at her and bowing deeply.

"Oh don't be silly and bow. You don't bow to an old friend. It's so lovely to see you. But what are you doing here?"

"He came with the druids," said Arthur. He had felt some obscure twinge of emotion at the sight of how happy the two were to see each other. He mentally gave himself a shake. Whatever distant suspicions he had felt the last time the two had met, a great deal had changed since then. For one he and Gwen were married. And if there was one thing he could trust in his life: it was Gwen.

"You're with the druids now?" she asked.

"Yes. I have been for a while."

"We actually met when I went to the druids for help with-"

There was a crash. A dish had slipped from the edge of the table. Shards of pottery went skidding across the floor and soup began to seep across the tiles.

Servants rushed over, and people's attention was momentarily arrested, but Arthur noticed an expression on Merlin's face. He couldn't quite place what it was. It looked…strained. Arthur looked back at the table.

How had the dish fallen? No one had been close to that corner. A servant couldn't possible have left it balancing on the edge, could they? He looked back towards Merlin. Merlin caught his eye and shook his head sharply, then quickly turned to Gwen and saying hastily: "Are you feeling better now?"

"Oh, uh yes."

"Have you been unwell?" asked Lancelot, concerned.

Gwen smiled and shook her head, instinctively winding her arm through Arthur's. "I'm fine, really."

As conversation returned to normal in the room, Lancelot looked around and shook his head. "I can't believe I'm here under these circumstances." He looked at Merlin. "You're probably having some difficulty with it too. If there's one rumor that's been running through the kingdom like wildfire it's you. Arthur's former man servant, now openly a mage and Uther's adviser. Tell me does this one," playfully he gestured towards Arthur, "know exactly how many times you've saved him and Camelot? Or told him who really killed that griffin yet?"

Merlin coughed.

"What?" asked Arthur, looking between the two of them. "What about the griffin?"

"Please," Uther's called out, before either man could answer. "The meal is ready. Let us take your seats."

Following Merlin to the table, Arthur noticed the man subtly grab something off a tray from a passing waiter. It was a napkin soaked in the spilled soup.

He frowned. Merlin was up to something.