Before Uther knelt five men, in a line, a sword tapping their shoulders in succession.

'Arise Sir Vidor, Knight of Camelot. Arise Sir Caradoc, Knight of Camelot.' Uther reached the end of the five.

Arthur, Thalia and Morgana stood behind him, Morgana near Uther's throne and Arthur and Thalia side by side closer to Uther. Merlin, Gwen and Gaius stood amongst the crowd gathered in the council chambers.

Uther, serious and stoic as usual paced strongly down the line again. 'You have been accorded a great honour. But with that honour comes great responsibility. From this day forth, you are sworn to live by the knights' code. You have pledged to conduct yourselves with nobility, honour, and respect. Your word is your sacred bond.' He looked one dead in the eye.

Thalia almost chuckled. The intensity of Uther's gaze was impressive.

'You will find no one who better embodies these values than my son, Arthur, and the Crowned Warrior, Thalia. Follow their example, and you will prove yourselves worthy of your title.'

Arthur and Thalia stood like Uther hadn't mentioned them, continuing to watch silently.

As Uther waited a moment and prepared to conclude the ceremony, from outside the chambers swords clanged. Uther turned and Arthur looked up. Only Thalia jumped into immediate action, hand flying to her not-so-ceremonial-but-nevermind-who-needs-a-ceremonial-one-anyway sword. Her fingers slot over the hilt and she held the sheathe steady and at an angle, ready at a blink's notice.

An armoured supposed knight walked purposefully into the chambers. Uther stepped back as the five new knights drew they swords. Thalia kept her hand still, sheathe still steady.

Stupidly, as written on Thalia's face, Arthur had the idea to step forward, sword drawn, and stand in front of the knights. She tutted almost soundlessly and stepped beside him, drawing her sword as she did. It scraped out with a clear ring like a tuning fork and the sharp, clean blade glowed from the light.

The knight stopped in front of them and took off a gauntlet tossing it to the stone floor between them.

Arthur, despite Thalia's coded movements telling him to absolutely under no circumstances pick it up, picked up the gauntlet.

Thalia could practically hear Uther sighing in dismay.

'I accept your challenge,' said Arthur flatly and dangerously. 'If I'm to face you in combat, do me the courtesy of revealing your identity.'

The knight pulled of their helmet and Thalia's grip tightened. Blonde hair fell from the helmet to reveal a woman with dark eyes, a strong face and a flat expression.

'My name is Morgause.'

Thalia squinted, studying the woman's face. Where had she heard that name?

'I've searched the records going back more than 300 years. I could find nothing to say a woman cannot issue a challenge.'

'I myself have done it many times,' Thalia said.

Uther didn't look happy as he listened to Geoffrey, pacing on the either side of the table Arthur sat on, facing away from his father and Thalia, who was leaning on a pillar behind Uther.

'There must be some way to put a stop to this.'

'According to the Knight's Rules, it appears her challenge is perfectly valid.' Geoffrey said.

'It seems there's nothing we can do,' Arthur said patiently, standing up and turning to look at his father, resting his hands on the table.

'We don't know anything about this woman! I will not let you face her in combat!'

'She's no different to any other knight that's challenged either of us before,' Thalia pointed out.

'She's a woman!' Uther said, turning to look at Thalia.

'So am I,' she suggested.

'Yes, and look at you!' Uther gestured at her, leaning with one leg crossed over the other, sword hanging off of her belt and wearing pants, 'you're hardly an average knight, I've seen you win against Arthur and a dozen of our best knights.'

'Arthur was sick that day,' Thalia said.

'And the knights?' asked Uther, stopping in his pacing for a moment.

'Fair point,' shrugged Thalia, Arthur also shrugging.

Uther resumed his pacing.

'Father, I accepted the challenge. If I refuse to fight, it'll be seen as an act of cowardice.' Arthur looked tired, as he had the entire evening, still leaning on the table with his hands.

Uther tapped the table between them with a single black-gloved finger. 'She killed five guards. You should not underestimate her.'

'I cannot demand that my knights uphold the code, then be seen to break it myself.'

Uther stood away from the table, looking highly unhappy and unsettled.

'I must face her tomorrow.'

'I told you not to pick up the damn thing,' said Thalia, still on the pillar.

'Yes, I know,' Arthur said, dropping his head down.

'Then why did you?' asked Uther, exasperated.

Arthur looked up again, glanced at Uther, to Thalia, then back to his father. He looked away to nothing in particular, shrugging a shoulder.

Thalia's eyes narrowed for a moment, studying Arthur.

"Idiot," her face said. Arthur looked sheepish for a moment before looking away.

Next to him, an equal distance from the gauntlet, was Thalia. If he didn't pick it up, the next likely person would have been Thalia. Like Uther said, they knew nothing of this knight, and so he had picked it up.

'Very well,' snapped Uther, seeming to also snap out of his grumbling thoughts, 'go to bed, the last thing we need is you fighting tired.'

Arthur nodded and walked out, holding the door for Thalia who walked beside him as they walked the castle.

'Next time I tell you not to pick up the gauntlet, you leave it exactly where it is,' she said crossly.

Again, Arthur said nothing.

'Morgause…' Thalia muttered, zoning away.

Arthur noticed she'd gone after a moment or two. 'What is it?' he sighed.

Thalia snapped out of it. 'I swear I've heard of her.'

'Where?' asked Arthur.

'Heaven knows,' she shook her head, sighing. 'But I've got a horrible feeling it wasn't down at the tavern.'

Arthur looked at her uneasily, knowing from experience to trust whenever Thalia had a bad feeling about something. It almost always meant certain death or an uncooked meal. The only time she'd been wrong was when she had a bad feeling about going to a banquet and nothing happened. Though the same night Uther had started singing from the wine.

They entered Arthur's chambers, where Merlin was readily tapping a hammer on Arthur's armour, straightening out the dents, polishing the buckles and everything else.

After a minute, he spoke. 'Do you know why she challenged you?'

Arthur was pacing. Thalia sat down on a chair beside Merlin as Arthur spoke.

'I'm the King's son. Perhaps she believed she will prove herself.'

'You're Prince Arthur,' she pointed out.

Arthur conceded her point with a tilt of his head.

'Yeah, but you don't want to fight her, do you?' Merlin asked, moving on to another patch of metal.

'I have no choice. If I refuse to fight her, I'm a coward. If I kill her, what am I then?'

'Excuse me?' grumbled Thalia.

'You know what I mean,' he moaned.

'Unfortunately for you, I do.'

Merlin also looked up.

'What is it?' asked Arthur, stopping at the chair he usually sat at on the end as he noticed Merlin's face.

'You've never faced a woman in combat. What if you hesitate? She could use that to her advantage.'

'I certainly would,' said Thalia.

Arthur glanced at both of them. 'You think she's going to defeat me,' he realised.

'I'm just saying,' said Merlin, not looking up from the armour, 'you need to be… cautious, because… it sounds like she's pretty handy with a sword.' He finished quickly, glancing for a fleeting moment at Arthur.

'Since when do you know anything about combat?' Arthur asked, moving to lean on the wall and look out of the window. 'I need you to take a message to Morgause for me. If I'm seen to do it, it could be viewed as cowardice. You must persuade her to withdraw her challenge.'

Thalia snorted.

'What?' asked Arthur, frowning at her.

'Yeah, good luck with that.'

'Why?'

Thalia leant forward, resting her elbows on the tables, gesturing outwards. 'Arthur, she's clearly made up her mind. No one throws down a gauntlet after killing five guards challenging the leader of the kingdom's army unless they're determined to see it through.' She shook her head and leant back to the board of the chair. 'You should have let me fight her.'

'And you'd be any better?'

'Yes!' she said incredulously like it was the most obvious thing in the world, 'for one, I'm a woman and so don't have to worry about what it makes me if I kill someone my own gender, two, I've fought more rogues than you, who are used to the precision of knights and the movements of nobility; I'm used to the unpredictable and the fierce, three, I have a guaranteed exit strategy, four, I'm not nearly as tired as you are.'

'I'm not tired,' Arthur said, somewhat childishly.

'No, of course not,' tutted Thalia. 'Go on, Merlin, go waste your time doing Arthur's bidding. Arthur, get into that bed and turn your head off.'

She stood with Merlin and they left, parting once outside the door with unified tuts.

'Morgause… Morgause…'

Merlin was cladding Arthur in armour when Thalia entered the armoury next morning.

'You gave her a chance to withdraw. Whatever happens, you are not to blame,' Merlin was saying.

'Kill her, she killed five of us,' Thalia shrugged.

'Thanks,' said Arthur, a twisted smile on his face as he admired Thalia's twisted sense of humour that shone through in moment like these.

Thalia sat beside Uther as Arthur entered the arena. Morgause was waiting for him amongst the cheers.

Thalia nodded at Arthur, whose neck stiffened.

Uther stood up. 'The fight is by the Knights' Rules. … And to the death.' He sat down again, looking himself like death.

Arthur spoke to Morgause quietly before putting his helmet on and twisting his sword round his wrist. They pointed their blades at each other and the fight began.

Immediately Thalia made note of Morgause's calculated attacks. After only a few exchanges, she had stepped back, sword again pointed at Arthur, who circled her as she did him.

Morgause went for another attack and Arthur found an opening to swipe at her stomach, though she leapt back and parried his next attack.

Thalia's eyes darted to Arthur solely for a moment, before focusing on Morgause again. It was then she noticed the susceptibility in her grip, a few powerful blows from Arthur and her sword would be gone.

The next exchange followed exactly as that, Morgause's sword dropping to the dirt, a cut in her armour and shirt, a graze on her arm.

Filled with a sense of the knight's code, Arthur lowered his sword, gesturing with the tip for Morgause to pick hers up. While the audience applauded Thalia's eyes grew uneasy and she clenched her jaw.

"Idiot," her face said.

Her point was proven when after more metal clanging, Arthur cornered Morgause against the wooden edge, until she managed to dart around and kick him in the side of the knee, sending him to the ground and his helmet off.

The previous night's words from Thalia came haunting at Arthur. "Two, I've fought more rogues than you, who are used to the precision of knights and the movements of nobility; I'm used to the unpredictable and the fierce."

'Kick her!' Thalia muttered in exasperation, but Arthur lay confused as Morgause held the tip of her sword to his neck.

Arthur backed away along the ground, the exact opposite of what Thalia was trying to get him to do, until pinned by a tip of a sword to the heart.

He let his head fall back to the ground as he conceded defeat, eyes leaving his enemy's for only a tiny moment to catch a glimpse of Thalia who he noticed, warming his frozen in fear heart, looked ready to tear Morgause to shreds.

Morgause pulled off her helmet. 'Make me a promise and I will spare your life.'

'What is it you ask?' Arthur replied.

'Come to me three days hence and accept the challenge I set to you.'

'And the nature of this challenge?'

'That is for me to decide. Do I have your word that you will accept, no matter what?'

'You have my word.'

'Oh for the love of-,' groaned Thalia as Morgause pulled Arthur up, relieved to the absent ends of the world Arthur was alive and taking the moment to let out frustration at his seemingly unique ability to get himself into such situations to begin with.

Gaius gestured for Morgause to follow him to a tent for her arm and Thalia, wearing pants, a silver circlet and a green and silver top, vaulted over the wooden barrier to Uther's fright and stood next to Arthur, tugging him out of the arena.

'I… I…'

'-am an idiot,' finished Thalia, 'a very embarrassing one at that.'

Arthur said nothing and walked on his own as Thalia dropped back to let Merlin fall into step beside her.

'Gaius said Morgause told him she was here as a baby,' Merlin murmured to Thalia.

'Well I certainly wasn't,' Thalia said back. 'It can't be that.'

Arthur shoved the doors to his chambers open and sat down at the closest chair, face planting to the wood of the table.

Thalia had to laugh, making Arthur cringe and shrivel into a smaller mess of an embarrassed child.

Merlin, too, was trying not to giggle as he began to remove the plates of Arthur's armour. 'It could've been worse.'

'How, exactly, could it have been worse?' came the ever-so-slightly muffled voice.

'You could be dead.'

'At least I wouldn't have to face everyone. I've never felt so humiliated in my entire life.'

Merlin and Thalia looked at each other, silently laughing, biting their lips to stop any noise coming out.

Arthur, unaware of this, continued moping. 'I was defeated… by a girl.'

Thalia smacked his head then retreated to lean on the wall by the door.

'Ow!'

'I can always throw down a gauntlet and everyone can watch you get defeated by a second girl if you want.'

Arthur said nothing, trying not to provoke her into actually doing it. As he judged her mood, she definitely would.

'It's actually quite funny when you think about it,' said Merlin, making Thalia giggle.

Arthur's insane look made the smile vanish from Merlin.

'Or not.'

'No, it is,' said Thalia.

Arthur sat up, pointing at Merlin. 'No. It's like you said. I was hindered because I was fighting a woman. I was worried I was going to hurt her. That's why she won.'

'You didn't look hindered,' said Merlin quietly, untying more armour.

Thalia snorted at his wit and broke down into a fit of laughter, sliding down the wall.

Arthur fixed Merlin another look. 'I'll stop talking now.'

Arthur, peeved, turned to watch in chagrin and embarrassment as Thalia rolled on her side to hit the door, laughing.

Merlin couldn't help her contagious laughter getting to him and soon the two were laughing as Arthur let his head fall back to the table.

The next day Arthur was leading his horse out of the drawbridge gate when he saw Morgause saddling her own. He stopped, and to his dismay found Thalia had appeared next to Morgause.

'Congratulations on your victory,' he called bitterly, 'you're a skilful swordsman. Woman. Swords...swordswoman.'

Thalia snorted derisively.

Morgause glanced at her, smiling and then walked over to Arthur, who began to look less uncomfortable and more uneasy.

Thalia continued petting Morgause's horse, watching as Morgause spoke to Arthur, focusing on his horse for a moment.

'I shall expect to see you three days hence.'

Thalia walked over.

'How will I find you?'

'When the time comes, you will know your way.'

Thalia watched the exchange, an eyebrow raised. Arthur was never the best at wit, nor riddles. Morgause walked back to her horse, Thalia passing her the reins.

'If I don't show up it might be because I don't know where I'm going,' he called, bitter and irritated.

'The path you must follow will become clear to you.' Morgause mounted her horse as Thalia stopped near Arthur to turn and look at Morgause.

Arthur looked around, highly aggravated with the riddles.

'I should thank you for allowing me to retrieve my sword,' she added, looking down at Arthur, who had moved to stand next to Thalia. She looked down at the two.

'I'm starting to wish I hadn't,' replied Arthur, glaring at her, yet still annoyed.

'You showed yourself to be a man of honour.'

Arthur looked down.

'You inherited that trait from your mother.'

In surprise, his head lifted to look back at Morgause. 'You knew my mother?' he asked, stepping forward.

'I knew her very well,' said Morgause, turning her horse and cantering away.

'Wait!' Arthur called.

Thalia put a hand on his shoulder, pulling him back before his horse had begun to walk after him.

Arthur looked at her. 'Did you… she… my mother…'

'Arthur, I know,' Thalia said, glancing at the shrinking figure, 'I heard. We'll see her in a few days, relax.'

He nodded after a moment of looking at her sadly.

'Come on,' she said, glancing again at the distance, 'this horse of yours needs food.'

Arthur took a moment to start moving.

'Morgause spared my life, father, on the grounds that I swore to accept her challenge.'

'And what is to be the nature of this challenge?' Uther sat as he worked on papers, looking at Arthur on the other end of the table.

'… She didn't say. But I gave her my word that I would accept it no matter what.'

Thalia, though present, decided then and there not to say a single word and strategically stood slightly behind Arthur.

'You should never have made such a promise. You have no idea what she might ask of you.'

'She had her sword to my chest. I had no choice.' Arthur waited a moment. 'Morgause said that she knew my mother.'

Immediately there was a change in Uther. Thalia frowned, eyes studying the tenseness that suddenly overtook the King.

'She told you this?' Uther stood up when Arthur nodded. It took him a while to respond. 'Obviously she's lying. She's playing on your affections for your mother to lure you into a trap.'

'That makes no sense. She spared my life.'

'It confirms my suspicions. I believe Morgause is an enchantress. How else could she have defeated you?'

Thalia fought very hard to hold her tongue.

'I don't believe she was using magic.'

'And you would know for certain if she were? You should not have picked up that gauntlet, Arthur, there would have been no challenge for Thalia! Under no circumstances will you go to meet her, or accept this challenge.'

'I gave her my word!' Arthur began to pace forward toward Uther.

'I don't care what was said to her. You will remain in Camelot.'

'I want to hear what she knows about my mother!'

'She knows nothing. She is lying.'

Thalia read the fear and hate seeping through Uther's attempt at angry fierce eyes.

'You will not go to her. I forbid it.'

'So I am to break my word?'

Both were becoming increasingly agitated and Thalia knew the signs well. She prepared for a headache as Uther thought of a response. He settled for the guards.

'Escort my son to his chambers. Under no circumstances will he be allowed to leave.'

'You're confining me to my chambers?'

'I am protecting you from your own foolishness!'

Arthur stormed out, leaving Uther steaming in the council chambers. Thalia slipped out before he could order her to remain also in Camelot.

'Why won't he…?'

'You're planning to accept a challenge made by someone who has proved she can defeat you the nature of which you have no idea where or what it entails.' Thalia said as Arthur lay on his bed crossly. She sighed and sat on the corner.

'She said she knew my mother, Thalia. How can I not go?'

'I know,' she grumbled, then fell sombre.

Arthur noticed the change. 'What is it?' he asked curiously and calmly, lifting his head off of his arms to frown at her.

'I suppose you'd want to hear this from someone you trust,' she muttered. 'It's about time you knew.'

'Thalia…?' he asked, sitting up.

She looked out of the window as if searching for a good place to start. She found one and adjusted her weight to be comfortable. 'Have you never once wondered, Arthur, about The Great Purge?'

'What about it?' he asked uncomfortably.

'Up until then no one feared magic and no one hunted it. At least not in Camelot.'

'Mm…?'

'Up until then, magic was not dangerous to the user and the world to possess. The Old Religion stood.'

'Ye-e-e-s…?' Arthur pressed.

Thalia twisted to lean on one of the posts of Arthur's bed, facing him who sat against the head at the other end.

'The Great Purge was about 21 years ago.'

Arthur nodded, glancing left and right, clearly having no idea what Thalia meant.

'How old are you, Arthur?'

'21,' he answered, eyes widening. 'What?'

'21 years ago, Uther Pendragon declared all magic prohibited under the laws of Camelot, those who practice it to be burned and all traces of magic to be destroyed. The dragons and Dragonlords alike were slaughtered, one dragon kept in chains as a reminder and a trophy. You know your father, Arthur, what would have made him suddenly change his mind?'

'I don't know,' he said honestly.

'Whatever you learn from Morgause, remember. We don't know that we can trust her.'

Arthur nodded carefully.

'And never forget,' she continued, 'that Uther is not immune to rage or anger. He loses his temper and has difficulty controlling his emotions. Remember that when it comes to understanding something emotional he loses control and goes to drastic means to bring it about.'

'What are you saying I'll learn?' Arthur asked, raising an eyebrow and looking hesitant.

'Listen,' Thalia said, 'I can imagine what Morgause has in plan. Be strong, Arthur, strong in your mind, and you will pull through.'

He nodded, meeting her strong gaze. 'I promise.'

A while later Merlin came in, a confused look on his face and carrying a basket. By this time, Arthur had perched himself on the window sill opposite the door, fiddling with a shortsword. Thalia was lying on her back over the base of his bed, humming on occasion and in and out of naps.

'Why are the guards outside the door?' asked Merlin.

Arthur stabbed the stone wall slightly. 'My father has confined me to my chambers and has forbidden me from accepting Morgause's challenge.'

'Well, maybe he's got a point.'

Arthur let the sword fall from the wall, swinging in his hands to survey Merlin.

'You, you don't know what she might've asked you to do.'

'I gave her my word.'

'So, I take it we're going anyway,' said Merlin with a hint of a sigh.

'You're smarter than you look,' quipped Arthur. 'Gather some supplies, we leave tonight. Oh, and Merlin ...find a way to get me out of here.'

'You'll need three horse to lift his weight,' came Thalia's voice, 'seven if you're including the head.'

Merlin sniggered and Arthur set his jaw, looking out the window.

The evening came with little interest to Thalia, though she left Arthur's chambers to pack her things. She walked back in to find him dressed in chain mail. He saw her clad in her own.

'I didn't know you were coming.'

'Well clearly you can't handle Morgause,' she replied without remorse, 'someone has to.'

'…shut up,' Arthur said.

Their heads turned to see Merlin carrying a hessian bag. 'I got the supplies.'

He lifted the bag away from his torso, revealing a very stuffed tunic.

Arthur took the opportunity to wind Merlin up, pointing at his gut with his sword.

'Merlin, is it my imagination, or are you getting fat?'

Merlin lifted the tunic to reveal a coil of rope.

'Not bad,' said Thalia, 'where are the horses?'

Arthur ignored her. Merlin chuckled.

Merlin was wrapping the rope around his hands as Arthur stood by the window. He turned to see the skinny servant fiddling with rope, and his look of confidence faded.

'Are you sure you're strong enough to hold me?'

'Yeah. I'm stronger than I look.'

Arthur looked incredibly dubious.

'Give it to me,' sighed Thalia and took the rope from Merlin. 'You,' she said, gesturing with a backhand at Arthur, 'get going.'

He slipped out of the window. Thalia fed the rope, Merlin watching. At a certain point, halfway down, Arthur stopped.

'What are you doing?' he called.

'It's a short rope,' she called back, telling him to be patient.

She lifted one foot off the ground and slid along the stone floor, stopping at the window sill.

She looked out. Arthur wasn't too far from the ground.

'Do you want me to let you drop from there?'

'No!' he called back haughtily.

'Fine,' she murmured and her eyes flashed with a storm. The rope somehow grew longer.

'Well that's cool,' said Merlin.

'Mm.'

They heard Arthur jump the last few feet.

'Right, coil the rope, Merlin, we'll wait for you outside.'

By morning Arthur had looked questioningly around at so many paths, unsure of his way that by the time they reached another fork mid-morning Merlin complained.

'Which way? Do you actually know where we're going?'

Arthur tried not to look at him. 'It's this way. Come on.'

His horse didn't move down the left-hand path.

'You sure it's that way?' Thalia said.

'What is wrong with this horse? It's even dumber than you, Merlin!'

The horse turned to the right fork and kept walking.

'Where are you going? I thought you said it was left?' Merlin called.

'It's not me! It's the horse! Morgause told me. When the time comes, you'll know your way.'

'So the horse knows where we're going. Great.'

'Put it this way, Merlin,' Thalia began, 'in normal circumstances, would you rather trust the sense of direction of Arthur, or a horse?'

'Good point,' said Merlin cheekily.

'Oi!' mumbled Arthur.

They kept riding through the day in general silence, until Merlin spoke up in his Arthur-this-is-a-bad-idea-I'm-using-this-tone-so-I-can-say-I-told-you-so voice. 'What if Morgause challenges you to do something you don't want to do?'

'I'm not expecting it to be easy, Merlin. That's why it's called a challenge.'

'So you'd do anything she asks of you?'

'I gave her my word. It's a question of honour.'

'What if she challenges you to do something even less honourable than breaking your word?'

'Hey,' Thalia said suddenly, 'what if she challenges you to break your word?'

Arthur's head imploded. 'Will you stop rabbitting on?! We're in Odin's territory. We could be attacked at any second.'

'I just think it's strange to agree to do something when you don't know what it is.'

'One more word out of you, Merlin, and you'll be taking the challenge in my place.'

'Besides, Merlin, you once agreed to being rewarded for saving Arthur's life without knowing where it would make you end up,' Thalia said happily.

Merlin said nothing, meaning Thalia could hear the ambush a second before it happened as the men tensed their feet over treebranches. An arrow missed Merlin's head by a foot, making his horse rear and Merlin found himself lying on the ground next to a tree.

The first man to jump out of them was blown back, Arthur steeling his nerves at the presence of magic and jumping off of his horse, wrenching his sword into his grasp. Thalia's hand was outstretched from atop Leroy, the other reaching for her own sword.

Arthur made clean, quick work of another man as Thalia dismounted, noticing a man with a spear high in a tree.

'Merlin!' she said, making Arthur turn and see another heading right for Merlin with a raised axe.

Arthur threw a sword at the man, saving Merlin and turned back to engage yet another. Thalia leapt at the last one as Merlin turned his attention to the one in the tree.

'Gar onbærne.'

When their attackers were dead Arthur looked around, scanning for Merlin and more attackers until he saw the servant lying down. 'Don't worry, Merlin. I'll deal with this, you lie there, make yourself comfortable,' he panted.

Thalia walked over and held out an arm, pulling Merlin up. He fetched his horse and put on a wise face.

'Maybe we should turn back, the woods could be full of Odin's men.'

'You can go back if you want to, I won't stop you.'

'Well that's very honourable of you,' said Thalia.

'You don't know anything about Morgause!'

Arthur did his best to ignore Merlin's insistent comments.

'You don't know what she's gonna ask you to do! We don't even know where we're going, we're following a horse!'

Thalia said nothing and motioned for Arthur to pass her dagger.

'Morgause said she knew my mother.'

Merlin fell silent, eyes changing from desperate to understanding. Thalia mounted her horse, waiting for the other two to do the same.

'What was your mother like?' asked Merlin, sitting down beside Thalia.

They had stopped to rest for a while in a small clearing in the trees.

'I never knew her. She died before I opened my eyes.' Arthur's eyes dropped to the leafy floor of the woods.

'I'm sorry,' said Merlin quietly.

'I barely know anything about her…' Arthur said, in almost a sigh.

'Can't you ask your father?' Merlin asked gently.

Arthur shrugged, slightly hopelessly. 'He refuses to talk about her. It must be too painful for him. Sometimes it's as if she never even existed. I still have… … a sense of her. Almost as though she's part of me.'

Merlin's face changed. 'That's the same with my father. I never knew him. And my mother's barely spoken of him. I've got this...vague memory. It's probably just my imagination.'

'I'd do anything for even the vaguest memory,' said Arthur quietly.

'Is that why you're so determined to find Morgause? To see what she knows about your mother?'

'Is that so wrong?'

Thalia looked up at Arthur.

'No,' said Merlin quietly.

'I should get some rest,' Arthur said, looking suddenly at nothing in particular.

'Can you remember your father, Thalia?' asked Merlin.

'Not really,' she said, leaning back thoughtfully, twirling her sword in her hand, 'maybe some early ones, but he died before I was at an age you can remember anything.'

Merlin nodded respectfully and sent himself into thought.

'It seems your horse has brought us to a dead end,' said Merlin, not missing an opportunity to point out they were following a horse.

They had been led to a lake, at the other bank of which was a flowing waterfall and no other notable features.

Arthur's horse seemed to think there was something worth the effort, though, as he carried the surprised prince into the water.

'Now where's he going?'

'I think you're going to get wet!' called Merlin as water splashed around Arthur.

'You don't say,' he called back.

Thalia followed Arthur in, noting the lake was shallow the entire way along, coming no higher than the top of their horses' legs.

Merlin followed them and by the time he'd made it through the loud waterfall, Thalia was groaning and Arthur was looking normal.

'What's wrong?' Merlin asked, surveying where he had found himself; in a small cavern and in front of them an old castle. 'Where are we?'

'I don't know,' said Arthur, surveying the stone building. 'Thalia?'

'I haven't memorised every single castle in the land, don't look at me.'

Arthur rolled his eyes. 'Is it magical?'

'Of course it is,' she replied as if dealing with a seven-year old, 'that's why I'm groaning.'

Arthur glanced at her, then shrugged, clicking his tongue and sending himself toward the castle on horse.

'If we weren't sure Morgause was a sorcerer before, we can be certain of it now,' Merlin said as they reached the grass, walking around the castle to find the entrance.

'That must've been how she defeated me,' said Arthur suddenly, 'She was using magic.'

'Uh…' said Thalia.

'Hmm, it didn't look like she was,' Merlin added.

'And what would you know about magic, Merlin?'

Thalia sniggered as Merlin paused for effect.

'Nothing.'

The two chuckled, Arthur irritated at being reminded of his apparently humiliating defeat.

They entered the castle, leaving the horses and climbing a small flight of mossing stairs.

In a tiny courtyard was a clean axe and a chopping block, though smaller than the one at Camelot.

Thalia eyed it, guessing Morgause's use for it.

'Now what?' asked Arthur, eyes returning often to the axe.

'Maybe we should ask the horse,' said Merlin, earning a chuckle and a death glare. 'Well, there's no one here!'

Until there suddenly was. Morgause appeared. 'You kept your promise.'

Arthur spun round and gulped. Thalia's eyes narrowed suspiciously.

Arthur turned to face her properly. 'What is the nature of the challenge you wish to set me?'

She was wearing a dress for the first time they'd seen, hair tied up neatly. 'Place your head on the block.'

Merlin immediately flinched.

Morgause picked up the axe as Arthur rooted himself to the spot, looking at her.

'You gave me your word that you would do anything I asked,' said Morgause, circling him slightly.

'Arthur, don't,' said Merlin.

Arthur took the fact that Thalia hadn't said anything as a sign that she had a plan. He knelt in from of the block. Thalia walked around past Morgause to stand just in Arthur's field of vision on the right.

'What are you doing? I won't let you do this!' said Merlin, yelling at him.

'Stay out of this, Merlin!' Arthur ordered, glancing at Thalia with a set jaw.

He put his head on the block, noticing Thalia's hand twitching before focusing on the moment.

Morgause swung the axe, and Thalia and Merlin prepared to strike. But like Thalia had predicted, Morgause rested the edge at the back of Arthur's head, then held the axe for a moment, before putting it down, making Merlin frown and the previously internally terrified Arthur look up in confusion.

'You have shown that you are truly a man of your word, Arthur Pendragon, and for that I will grant you one wish.' Morgause walked around the block as Arthur stood up. 'Tell me what it is that your heart most desires.'

'You said you knew my mother. Tell me all that you know about her.'

'Perhaps you would like to see her,' said Morgause and instantly Thalia knew.

'I want that more than anything,' Arthur replied after a moment.

'As you wish,' said Morgause, then walked away.

'Don't believe everything you hear, Arthur, take it with a pinch of salt.'

'What?' he turned his head to look at Thalia.

'Be wary. We still have no idea of Morgause's motivations. Though I can have a guess.'

They followed Morgause into the castle, finding themselves in a strange area lit with columns of stone covered in an overgrown yet neat garden. There was something wrong with the sky. The grey clouds that covered all they could see were too high and yet also looked low, like they were a ceiling.

'Are you sure you want to do this?' whispered Merlin, as Morgause watched them.

'If you were granted the same opportunity, would you not want to meet your father?'

Merlin changed tactics. 'Uther won't forgive you if he finds out you've collaborated with a sorcerer.'

'What if my father's attitude to magic is wrong?'

Merlin's face lit up slightly. 'You really think that?'

'Perhaps it's not as simple as he would have us believe. Morgause is a sorcerer, she has caused us no harm. And then there's Thalia,' Arthur said, gesturing to the woman between them. 'Surely not everyone who practices magic besides one high priestess can be evil.'

Merlin said nothing to argue against that, but tried again. 'We don't actually know why she's doing this.'

There was a moment only the wind spoke, making the leaves rustle.

'Arthur,' said Thalia, stealing both their attention, 'there is a reason why I've never offered to do this before. This is dangerous, not only for the mind, but for the truth. This could damage your chances of ever knowing the full truth.'

'I know,' he promised.

'You've got a hot head,' she continued, 'and she's your mother; you will believe everything she says.'

He nodded, another promise, and went to say something but was interrupted by Morgause.

'It is time.'

Arthur left Merlin and Thalia to walk toward Morgause, who in turn walked behind Arthur. Thalia pulled Merlin back, casting an eye over Morgause to wish her luck. Morgause nodded her head and focused once more on Arthur. 'Close your eyes. Arásae mid min miclan mihte þín suna to helpe. Hider eft funde on þisse ne middangeard þín suna w'æs.'

The rustling of the leaves stopped.

'Arthur,' called a voice.

Arthur opened his eyes to see his mother, Ygraine, standing before him. Like he, she had blonde hair and a strong build. She was shorter than Arthur and had an air of frailty, beauty and compassion.

'Arthur.'

'Mother.' He looked on in shock.

'My son.' Ygraine hurried to Arthur, pulling him into a hug. At the embrace of his mother, Arthur whimpered slightly.

From behind, Merlin and Thalia watched quietly, Merlin in amazement, Thalia with slight doubt and hesitancy, though beneath that she was pleased to finally see Ygraine.

Ygraine stood back, looking up at Arthur. 'When I last held you, you were a tiny baby. I remember your eyes. You were staring up at me. Those few seconds I held you were the most precious of my life.' She turned her head to look past her son at Thalia. 'Who…?' she asked.

Arthur, highly distracted, hand on Ygraine's arm, turned to see her line of sight, which rested on Thalia and Merlin.

'That's uh…,' said Arthur, 'that's Merlin, my manservant.' He paused for a moment, looking proudly at Thalia. 'And that's Thalia Brightsword, the Crowned Warrior of Camelot. I've known her a long time.'

'I can tell,' said Ygraine in her soft, high voice, studying Arthur's blue eyes. 'Arthur,' she whispered, turning her son's head by calling his name.

'Mm?'

Ygraine glanced pointedly at Thalia, a knowing glint in her eye.

He smiled as he began to cry. 'I'm so sorry.'

'You have nothing to be sorry for!' she cooed.

'It was my birth that caused you to die,' he said, determined.

'No, you are not to blame.'

'I cannot bear the thought that you died because of me.'

At this, Thalia lowered her head for a moment. She'd known Arthur for so long and knew the truth behind those words. She could tell whenever he thought of her, he'd be looking at the rings of his left index finger for a start, where he wore his mother's rings. And he would look guilty and haunted, sitting in a thoughtful pose.

'Do not think that. It is your father who should carry the guilt for what happened.'

Thalia's head snapped up again, looking at the woman and her son. She would have sworn if it were not for the company.

'What do you mean?' frowned Arthur, confusion spreading over his upset face.

'It is not important. What matters is that you lived,' insisted Ygraine.

'Why should my father feel guilty?'

The urge to swear once again overtook the power and meaning behind the moment for Thalia.

'It is better left in the past.'

'You cannot leave me with more questions. Please.' Arthur looked at her.

Ygraine gave in, albeit unhappily. 'Your father, he was desperate for an heir. Without a son, the Pendragon dynasty would come to an end. But I could not conceive.'

'But how was I born? Tell me.'

'Your father betrayed me. He went to the sorceress Nimueh and asked for her help in conceiving a child. You were born of magic.'

Arthur shook his head. Of magic? Born of an evil? 'That's not true.'

'I'm sorry, Arthur. Your father has deceived you as he deceived me. To create a life, a life must be taken. Your father knew that.'

'No.' Arthur looked down.

'He sacrificed my life so the Pendragon dynasty could continue. It makes you no less my son, nor me any less proud of you. Now I see you, I would have given my life willingly. Do not let this knowledge change you.'

Arthur looked up as Ygraine began to fade, the power of Morgause's spell fading.

'No! Bring her back!'

Morgause looked on in pity. 'I cannot. Once the doorway is closed, it is closed forever. I am truly sorry that your learnt of your mother's fate in this way. I can only imagine how it must feel to discover your father is responsible for her death. It is an unforgivable betrayal.'

Morgause left and Thalia walked to Arthur, who had stood frozen.

'Arthur, remember-,'

'Did you know?' he asked, turning to her.

'Know what?' she replied in bewilderment.

'How I was born, did you know?'

'I had a suspicion, but no, I didn't know. You think Uther would tell me?'

'No,' he nodded and walked out with no further word.

'Are you alright? Arthur?' called Merlin.

'Fetch the horses. We're returning to Camelot.'

'Just do it, Merlin,' Thalia assured him and went after Arthur.

'How could he do that?' Arthur said, the second he saw it was Thalia next to him. 'After all he's pretended to hold up, all these noble ideals that he's protecting us!'

Thalia said nothing as Arthur walked away to his horse.

They thundered back into Camelot, too fast to be able to speak.

Arthur dismounted his horse and marched straight into the castle. Gaius was outside but before he could speak to Merlin, Thalia did.

'Merlin! Listen to me. Don't blame Gaius that he never told you. He probably feared you'd want to tell Arthur.'

Merlin nodded his agreement.

Thalia then turned and ran after Arthur.

'My Lady!' called Sir Leon in surprise when she hurtled around the corner at the council chambers. From behind them came a faint murmur.

'No time, sorry, Leon.'

'You're not allowed to enter,' he said, gesturing to the doors.

She unsheathed her sword, making Leon step back in surprise.

'I can overpower you and I will if I have to. Step aside, and let no one else in.'

'The King ordered-,'

'Leon,' she began, 'now.'

He struggled with himself before standing back.

Thalia put her hand on the metal handle. 'Let no one else in, not even Merlin or Gaius.'

He nodded and she stepped inside, just in time for Arthur to begin raising his voice dangerously.

'This is what fuels your hatred for those who practice magic. Rather than blame yourself for what you did, you blame them!'

'You would believe a sorcerer's lies over the word of your own father? I can only think that Morgause has enchanted you.' Uther was standing in front of Arthur, both on the right hand side of the table. Thalia shut the door quietly behind her.

'You have hunted her kind like animals! How many hundreds have you condemned to death to ease your guilt?'

Uther held up a finger. 'Those who practice magic will stop at nothing to destroy us! I have only done what is necessary to protect this kingdom!'

'You speak of honour and nobility! You're nothing but a hypocrite and a liar!' Arthur's voice echoed off of the walls.

'I am your king, and your father. And you will show me some respect!'

Silence fell for a moment, during which Arthur became aware of Thalia's presence. He was grateful to her for not speaking. He looked at his father and walked forward. He stopped five paces in front of his father and took off a gauntlet, throwing it on the ground at Uther's feet.

'Have you lost your mind?'

'Pick it up.'

'Arthur, I implore you, think about what you're doing.'

'Pick it up.'

'I will not fight you.'

Arthur drew his sword, staring squarely and fiercely at Uther, stalking toward him to close the gap to two paces. 'If you choose not to defend yourself, I will strike you down where you stand.'

'You are my son. You will not strike an unarmed man.' Though Thalia noticed Uther had his hand on the hilt of his sword.

Arthur was shaking with fury. 'I no longer think of myself as your son.'

'Then strike me down.'

Arthur stood straight for a long moment, during which Uther's face remained as blank as he could keep it, and Thalia moved around the room completely silently.

Arthur struck out at Uther with his sword. Uther blocked, throwing his own sword in a parry. He let it drop and took in a deep breath, recovering from his shock.

'I don't want to fight you.'

Arthur said nothing, and kept his sword exactly where it had been when Uther parried. Thalia drew her sword, eyes narrowed.

Arthur flicked his own sword round. Slowly, he brought it back to his side and crept forward, Uther backing away.

Then he lunged forward. After five blows in quick succession the two ended in a small stalemate, Uther using his balance to throw their swords apart and stepping back. 'Arthur, stop this!'

They moved around to the end of the table in front of the king's chair, Uther being pushed back.

Thalia still did nothing, knowing until Arthur knew he could have won, he would not listen.

Uther swung at Arthur, a horizontal blow strong enough to cut a neck. But Arthur leant back, stepping two lengths back to avoid it and while Uther looked a little shocked at Arthur's skill and his own action, Arthur sprang back, sword ready and pointed for Uther.

Panting, Uther resigned himself to the moment and as if in something completely surreal, put his sword at the ready, pointing toward the stern Arthur, who was pushing Uther back as they circled each other.

They were on the opposite length of the table when Arthur lunged again.

He nearly pinned Uther with five swings, but he ducked, making Arthur's sword swing into a pillar and Uther had enough time to leap out of the way and swing at Arthur, who expertly parried with speed and specific movements he'd learnt from Thalia. His determination overtook his precise movements and with calculated blows forced Uther back toward the chair. Thalia moved as stealthily as possible to behind the chair and watched with a small amount of pride as Arthur disarmed Uther with a technique she'd showed him long ago.

Arthur kicked out, and Uther fell back into his chair. Immediately there was the threatening tip of a sword at his throat, Arthur standing over him, left hand keeping him in place.

As Arthur's face darkened Thalia tensed.

When his sword moved she put her own under it, stopping his sword from moving further.

Arthur blinked, not moving an inch and looking straight at Uther.

'Stand away,' he said.

'Never.'

'I will kill you if you stand in my way.'

'You'd never raise a sword at me, Arthur, we both know that.'

'So why do you stand in front of me?!' Tears formed in his eyes as he felt betrayed, though he didn't look up at her.

'Because you'll regret this.'

'I will not.'

'Yes, I know, I can see it in your eyes. You won't regret it, and then a week will pass, Arthur. And you will.'

'Do you know what he's done?! Do you know what he did to my mother, what he's done to your own kind?!'

'Yes, Arthur. But you promised me that you would remember what I told you.'

'He killed innocent people because of his own grief and mistake!'

'He didn't know! Arthur, he didn't know.'

'He didn't know what?' Arthur moved his sword further to Uther's throat, who had gone pale.

'Arthur, put the sword down.'

'Why should I?!'

'I'm asking you to put the sword down.'

Finally, his eyes left Uther.

The blue was angry and fuelled by a furious flame. It engaged in combat with the calm, reassuring green-blue.

He conceded defeat and stepped back from Uther, sword slowly dropping to his side.

Thalia stepped around the throne and Arthur now refused to look at Uther, instead focusing on Thalia. He didn't move, watching her from underneath a hard edge.

'What didn't he know?'

'That Ygraine would die. To save a life, a life must be taken. He did not wish for your mother to die. The sorceress was once their friend. She betrayed them and let your mother die. Look at him, Arthur.'

Arthur's eyes darted to Uther, still on his chair, panting and scared.

'Is that really the face of a man with no regrets?'

'He has slaughtered your kind! Because he couldn't accept it! Because he couldn't handle his own grief! Every day, he has the power to order your death!'

'Yes, Arthur. I know.'

'He deserves to die.'

'No, he doesn't.'

'What?' he breathed, unable to see her point.

'He deserves to live. Look at him. Don't feel angry because of what he did. Pity him.'

Up went the sword again. 'You heard what my mother said! After everything he has done, do you really believe he deserves to live?! He executes those who use magic, and yet he has used it himself! You have caused so much suffering and pain! I will put an end to that!'

'Pity his heart that couldn't handle the heartbreak.'

Arthur's rage suddenly began to blink away. Thalia no longer stood between Arthur and Uther, instead she was almost next to Arthur.

He pressed his sword onto Uther's jacket. 'Swear to me it isn't true! You are not responsible for my mother's death! Give me your word! Swear you never meant for her to die!'

Uther was crying by this point. 'I swear on my life, I loved your mother. There isn't a day passes that I don't wish that she were still alive. I could never have done anything to hurt her.'

Suddenly Arthur saw why Thalia pitied Uther over anything else.

'My son, you mean more to me than...than anything. I'm sorry I never told you. Arthur…'

Thalia didn't move and watched as Arthur lowered his sword again. Unsure of what to do with it, he glanced around. Thalia took it from him and he stepped to Uther, pulling him up.

Uther looked scared, sad and lonely.

Arthur looked mature, strong and sad.

They looked each other in the eye before Thalia pulled Arthur away and out of the room.

'You're amazing,' he said as they walked.

'What?' she asked, surprised.

'All these years and you've never once hated him. And yet you hate half of your own kind.'

'Like those who wield a sword, magic is much the same, Arthur. Some people use it to fight to protect themselves, some people have it as their way of live. Some people use it to help others, and some use it to catastrophic ends. Nimue was no different to Cenred.'

Arthur was silent and after a moment took her hand. 'Thank you. You were right, as always,' he added bitterly.

She smiled.

'Nimue… is she dead?'

'Mm. You've seen her before, though. She's even tried to kill you.'

'What?'

'The time Merlin drank from the poisoned chalice. I wasn't there, but he told me what happened. You said you met a woman. That was her.'

'Her?' said Arthur incredulously.

'And when you were bitten by the Questing Beast, she almost killed Merlin's mother in replacement for your life. She's nearly taken an innocent life for the sake of yours twice.'

'Why didn't she the second time?'

Thalia's grin became slightly unnerving. 'Instead of anyone else's I made her trade her own life.'

'What?'

'I killed her on the Isle of the Blessed.'

'Thank you,' Arthur said, 'though I can't help but blame my father partially still.'

'He is to take the blame for the dead, all of them except the first death. Ygraine was not his fault.'

'All the dragons…'

'Most of the dragons, yes.'

'All those people… and he blamed every single one for my mother's death.'

'The lesson we take here is that if one sword wielder kills you their entire country is at risk,' Thalia said.

Arthur sighed as they pushed open the doors to his chambers. He sat down on the head chair of his table with an exhausted sigh. Merlin ran in a moment later.

'Are you alright?' he asked.

'Yes,' said Arthur, letting go of Thalia's hand to drag himself up to get changed. 'Thanks to Thalia, yes I am.'

'Is Uther wrong?' she asked suddenly.

'What?'

'Do you believe all magic to be evil?'

'No,' said Arthur, 'no I don't. I trust you with my life, but I don't trust Morgause. Like you said, it's the same as wielding a sword.'

'She wanted you to kill your father. Magic that is present in Camelot is almost completely evil, Arthur. Those who use it for good are too scared to do so, but those who seek revenge are the only ones we see. No wonder you all think it's evil.'

'Merlin, shirt,' said Arthur, walking behind the screen. 'I know that now. I'm sorry, Thalia,' he called.

'Mm. I'll be asleep if anyone's looking for me.'

'Wait!' called Arthur, sticking his head around the screen.

'Yes?' she said, halfway to the door.

'Thank you,' he said, sincerely.

She smiled at him and Merlin shot Arthur a cheeky look as he opened the cupboard and Thalia shut the door behind her.