Morning had crept across Camelot. Through the castle windows, the sounds of movement could be heard down in the courtyard, while inside servants were moving about, preparing the castle for another day.

Arthur and the others had left Iseldir sometime in the early hours and gone to discuss their next course of action.

"If Relveer has the orb we need to find it!" said Arthur.

"How?" asked Merlin. "We can't just go up and demand it from him. We have no proof."

"Then we find proof! We search his room and look for the orb."

"When? How? If we get caught in there it's just going to cause more trouble with the talks."

"We have to act now. How much longer can we keep any of this from Uther? Soon he's going to learn for sure that something is going on, and then the price will be the alliance."

"We could do it during breakfast?" suggested Morgana. "While everyone is in the great hall eating, someone could slip into his room and search?"

"That could work. Whoever it was would have to move fast," said Arthur. "I'll do it."

Merlin rolled his eyes. "No, I'll do it. I can use magic…it'll speed things up. Besides, you'd absence would be far more noticeable than mine. You just keep an eye on Relveer and make sure he stays in the great hall until I'm back."

There'd been some more arguing but at last Arthur had been forced to agree.

By the time everyone was gathering for breakfast, and Merlin had slipped away, Arthur could feel the combined effects of lack of sleep and nerves starting to take effect. He gotten a couple of hours of sleep after they'd agreed on their course of action, but not enough to make up for the past two nights.

Out of the corner of his eye he kept watching Relveer, trying to see if the man was looking at anyone once too often or avoiding glancing in someone's direction.

Breakfast was fairly informal, with people coming and going as they finished. Arthur noticed Mathias was in quiet conversation with Uther for much of the time. At least Uther looked half annoyed at whatever the man was saying. Mathias was little better than Relveer when it came to encouraging peace.

Arthur finished his own meal and went over to one of the windows, pulling back and trying to look as unobtrusive as possible as he watched Relveer.

"Arthur?"

He started. "Gwen."

She was, as always, looking beautiful. But there was also the determined set to her chin that he had come to know and, occasionally, when directed at him, dread. She came closer to him and looking around to make sure no one was in earshot, lowered her voice. "You need to tell me what is going on."

"Nothing-"

"Do not lie to me." There was a steely edge to her tone. "You snuck out again last night and you never came back. Arthur something is going on. I think Merlin knows what it is. And I should too. The attack on Morgana, and this morning you keep watching Relveer. Something is clearly going on and I want to help."

"It's not-" He stopped and forced himself to resist the temptation to deny. He couldn't lie to her. She was far too clever for that. It was time for the truth. "You're right. I'm sorry." He too glanced around and then lowered his voice still further. "Something is going on. We've handling it."

"I want to help."

"I know you do. That's…part of what I love about you so much. But it's dangerous. And I need you to be safe. You and the baby. If anything were to happen…"

"Arthur, if anything where to happen to this alliance that would be dangerous. For everyone."

"Nothing is going to happen. We are going to stop it from happening."

"And I am part of that 'we'. Arthur…I'm your wife. But I am also the princess of Camelot. I'm new to the job but I know one thing: princesses take care of their people just as much as princes do. Don't they?"

"I- well. Yes." He could already see she'd got him cornered. "But-"

"So, either you and I, both get wrapped up in cotton wool and treated like fragile glass, or we both protect this kingdom. Is that understood?"

"Arthur!" Lancelot hurried over. "Relveer!"

"What?" He looked around. The man had left the room. Merlin! He turned to Gwen: "Just keep the other druids from returning to their chambers! Keep Uther distracted! Start the talks, anything, just make sure no one follows us. Come on Lancelot."

Merlin dug under the piles of shirts stacked neatly in the last drawer. "Nothing," he muttered, exasperated. "It's not here." He sat back on his heels.

He should get out of here. He'd already been searching too long.

One more spell…maybe something a little stronger. If Relveer had the orb here it was possible he was using magic to mask it. He closed his eyes and with a quick incantation shot out a burst of magic that spread out across the room. Everything shook for just one fraction of a moment and stilled.

And then-

"Impressive spell work, now what the hell do you think you're doing?" The voice was furious. Merlin leapt to his feet. Relveer was standing in the doorway, his expression black, his hand raised, magic crackling at his finger tips. "What are you doing in my room?"

"Uh…"

"Who sent you here? Uther?"

"Uh I was just looking for…you know in case someone was attacking you like Morgana. Checking for any untoward attempts on your life?" Merlin ventured.

"You expect me to believe that?"

"Maybe?"

There was the sound of footsteps running down the hall. Relveer turned sharply as Arthur appeared in the doorway, Lancelot close behind. Merlin's hand shot up, sending Relveer flying back against the wall. Arthur leapt forward drawing his sword. He grabbed the druid by his collar and held the sword up to his throat.

Arthur's head whipped round in Merlin's direction. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine."

"Did you find it?"

"No."

Arthur turned back to Relveer. "Where," said Arthur, his voice low and dangerous, "is the orb?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," the man said desperately, "Lancelot! Help me!"

"I think," said Lancelot evenly, "it would be best if you answered Arthur's questions."

Relveer stared at Lancelot. "We've trusted you! The druids have given you a home."

"A home that you are threatening," snapped Arthur. "Who are you working with?"

"I'm not working with anyone! I'm here for peace!"

"Peace? You call trying to poison people and attacking the Lady Morgana working for peace?" demanded Arthur. "There is only one way this kingdom will ever have peace and that is through uniting!"

"I don't know what you're talking about! I haven't done anything! I didn't attack Morgana"

"There's no point in lying. We already know it was you."

"You're mad! As mad as your father!"

"Relveer," said Lancelot, stepping forward, trying to moderate his voice to something more reasonable and friendly than Arthur's. "I understand that you're angry after everything your people have been through."

There was a silence. Relveer's expression turned unreadable.

"Please Relveer," pressed Lancelot, "If you're not behind what's been going on, then talk to us."

Again the silence.

"It's understandable if you don't trust Camelot and don't want to forgive Uther. But there has to be some way-"

"I will never forgive Uther!" The words burst out of Relveer like a dam breaking. "How could anyone expect me to? He killed my wife!" Arthur lowered his sword. "You didn't know that did you? He doesn't know. And I doubt either one of you care. She is just another nameless victim to the crusade against magic. You just want to sweep it all under the rug and forget what Camelot has done. But you didn't have to watch the woman you love burn in front of your very eyes and hear her screams as the flames engulfed her! You don't have to listen to those screams every night in your nightmares! Could you ever forgive him? Could you forgive him if he'd tied the Lady Guinevere to a stake and set her alight?"

Arthur let go of his hold on Relveer and stepped back.

"What about all the other people who will burn if there is no peace?" asked Merlin quietly.

Relveer rubbed his face and sighed. "I know. I know all that. That's why I agreed to come in the first place. That's why I'm trying. I'm here to save those lives. I can neither forgive nor forget. But I can try to set that aside to build something for others."

"But if you sabotage the talks those people will die."

"I haven't sabotaged anything," snapped Relveer. "I have pressed harder than the other druids, and am unwilling to trust Uther easily, but that is prudent! That is not sabotaging."

"What would you call the attack on Morgana, if that's not sabotage?" Arthur demanded.

"I told you I didn't attack her. I haven't used magic once since arriving in Camelot."

"We know you have," said Merlin. "We know you're working with someone else to prevent these talks from being a success and we believe you're both members of the Cult of Emrys."

"The Cult of Emrys?" Relveer blinked and then shook his head. "Never! I have been a strong voice against that cult. Any members I have found among my camps I have thrown out. They are dangerous fanatics."

"We know-"

"I don't know where you get your information but it's wrong! I repeat: I have not used magic since coming here!"