Thalia patted her horse's neck as they slowed to a halt. Before them was a small village with a tavern proudly in the middle.

Thalia stretched her neck and Merlin stretched his back.

Arthur sat back in the saddle with a happy smile. 'You know what you need after a hard day's hunt?'

'Sleep,' groaned Merlin, ignoring the smell of Arthur's game sitting on the saddle behind hm.

'A bath?' Thalia added, equally as tired and eager to be homebound as her magic counterpart.

'A nice cold tankard of mead!' Arthur declared with a happy sigh, ignoring their sullen mood.

'Mead,' Merlin grumbled at Arthur's back as the prince led the way into the village.

Arthur's eyes were set solely on the tavern as they rode into town, Merlin waved at some small children that giggled at him and Thalia kept her eyes on the lovely mountains in the distance.

Arthur stopped outside the tavern, dismounted and tied his horse. 'No better place to measure the mood of your people than the local tavern.'

'If we go in the tavern will you take notice of ours?' Thalia mumbled.

Merlin snorted and then eyed the tavern. 'This is one of those moments where I tell you something isn't a good idea and you ignore me, isn't it?'

'You're learning, Merlin,' said Arthur, impressed. 'Slowly, but you're learning.'

Merlin pulled a peeved face as he finished tying his horse.

Arthur leant in. 'Now, remember, in here you're not my servant, Thalia and I are just simple peasants like everyone else.'

Thalia raised an eyebrow at him.

'Simple part's right,' Merlin muttered in retaliation as they started for the inviting tavern doors.

'What?' Arthur asked, rolling up his sleeves, not missing Thalia fighting back a laugh.

'I said, the sun is very bright,' Merlin raised his voice like he was speaking to an old man.

'Yeah,' Arthur agreed, looking into the sky. 'Yeah, it is.'

'Someone get me out of it.' Thalia pushed past them both to get into the doors first.

The rowdy tavern chatter met their ears and Thalia and Merlin's faces brightened a little.

'Nothing better than a crowd of bubbling people,' Merlin said, leaning toward her.

'The happy chatter of peace,' she agreed, also leaning in.

Arthur noticed their usual tendency to be content with the strangest of things. 'Alright, you two, stop gossiping. I need a drink.'

They soured a little and followed Arthur as he strode toward a table.

Merlin and Thalia were looking happily around as they sat down and the barkeep came over.

Thalia eyed the barkeep's dress and happy smile, grinning at Merlin.

Merlin grinned back and Arthur rolled his eyes.

'Afternoon,' grinned the woman. 'What'll it be?'

'Er...' Arthur started.

Thalia turned away to leave Arthur to it and looked around the tavern.

'Mmm. You're a handsome fellow,' the woman grinned as she wiped the table.

'Well,' charmed Arthur, 'you wouldn't be the first to say it.'

'Oh, no, sorry. I was talking about your friend here.'

Thalia's head whipped around faster than it did in battle and she burst out laughing, putting her arms on the table and her head on her arms to muffle the noise and hide the laugh.

Arthur's face pulled into an unpleasant sneer. 'Him?' he said to make sure she was talking about Merlin.

'Thank you,' Merlin replied smugly as Thalia lifted her head.

'Three tankards of mead, please,' grumbled Arthur, glaring at Thalia, though to no avail.

Merlin leaned in a little, still riding the compliment. 'I was wrong. Coming here was a great idea.'

Thalia's head tilted in agreement as Arthur sighed. 'The measure of the people, he was saying,' she giggled.

Merlin giggled, too as the doors opened.

Immediately the noise died down.

While Arthur and Merlin kept their heads low and at the table, Thalia twisted around to follow the stir.

A large man with a scar across his face thudded into the tavern with a grin as he surveyed the many patrons, approaching the barkeep. 'Afternoon, Mary. Business looks good.'

Arthur, his back still to the door, looked straight ahead, whacking Thalia's arm.

She relinquished her sharp gaze to a casual one and Merlin breathed a small sigh of relief.

'We have our better days,' replied Mary, glaring at him defiantly as she stood cautiously by the counter.

The man reached her. 'I don't suppose you'd begrudge me my share, then.'

Arthur looked up angrily at the man as he reached the counter and threw something onto the counter.

Uneasily, Mary threw a few coins onto the counter.

There was a shuffle of metal as the man checked the, 'And the rest?'

'That's all we got,' Mary replied.

From nowhere the man pulled out a dagger and grabbed her by the front of her tunic, pulling her toward him. 'I'll not ask again!'

Arthur stood up and walked toward them coolly. 'Take your hands off her,' he glared.

The man turned around and swung the dagger.

Arthur ducked and pushed him into a shelf against the wall, watching as he recovered.

The man turned and glared at him. 'I'm gonna make you pay for that.'

Two chuckles made the tavern stop in its tracks and all the eyes turned to Merlin and Thalia, who were still sat at their table.

Thalia hid her laugh behind her hand while Merlin laughed confidently. 'I'd like to see you try,' he laughed.

The man grumbled and whistled through his fingers.

A party of men burst through the tavern doors.

The smile fell from Merlin's face and he leapt to his feet, skirting away.

'You had to open your big mouth, didn't you Merlin?' Arthur said through nearly gritted teeth.

Thalia sighed as Merlin swallowed apologetically. She stood up and meandered her way through the tavern toward Arthur, as did someone else.

'You two have got yourselves in a bit of a pickle, haven't you?' A handsome man with a grin and a cool energy walked between Arthur and the thug.

'You should get out of here while you have the chance,' Arthur said quietly, glancing behind him to find Thalia.

'You're probably right.' The man took a swig of his drink and passed the tankard to the thug.

The thug looked down in confusion. The man smiled and punched him without warning, a clean hit to the nose.

The group roared and chaos flooded the tavern.

Arthur leant to the side out of the way of a punch and shoved a thug away.

Merlin leapt into the fray as Thalia went for Mary, telling her to stay behind the bar.

'Arthur!'

Thalia turned around to see Arthur pinned onto a table by the lead thug.

'Merlin! Behind you!' Arthur groaned, exasperated at Merlin's inability toward special awareness.

Knowing with Arthur's warning Merlin could handle himself, Thalia went for Arthur, swiping a hard kick to the back of the man's knee and as he flailed, grabbed his collar and heaved him to the ground.

Arthur got upright as a crash from the tavern and a quick glance told Thalia she'd been right about Merlin; two men thrown against a wall and pinned by a bench.

Arthur whacked the thug Thalia had taken unconscious and leapt back into the main of the fight.

'Thalia~!' came a call.

She turned around and found Merlin hurrying across the tavern away from a large burly thug. She moved quickly after him and made quick work of the man from behind, sending him onto the floor. Then she found Merlin behind the bar, sending plates flying across the room.

She reached him the same time the man from before did.

'Pass the jug, yeh?' asked the man.

Merlin turned around and without question passed the man the jug, who took a big long swig from it.

At Merlin's panicked face he turned around in time to see an attacker that would have been coming for him, if Thalia hadn't taken clean care of him already.

'What do they call you, then?' asked the man, glancing between them.

'Merlin,' breathed the startled servant.

The man shook his hand. 'Gwaine.'

Thalia shook his hand as well. 'Thalia.'

'Pleasure to meetcha,' panted Gwaine and turned around at another yell from Merlin to break the jug over an oncoming thug's head. 'Such a waste, huh?' he grinned.

Merlin and Thalia watched him go with idle, bewildered smiles. Then they glanced at each other with a wicked grin and Thalia disappeared after another thug.

She was on the other side of the tavern pulling a woman up when there was one final yell and the room went silent.

She looked around to make sure Arthur and Merlin were still standing and saw Merlin crouching by Gwaine.

Hurriedly she picked her way over.

'How is he?' Arthur urged.

Merlin was already bandaging an injured leg. 'Not good. He's losing a lot of blood.'

Arthur glanced at Thalia, then around at the tavern. 'Okay.' He pointed first at his servant. 'Merlin, you keep taking care of that, let's get these men outside.'

With Thalia and the tavern's help, Arthur got the thugs outside, and the leader in the stocks.

Merlin appeared as the villager fetched rotten food. 'He's stable, we need to get him out of the village if you're going to heal him.'

'He'll still be crippled if I do; he's going to have to come back to Camelot.'

Merlin nodded. 'I'll get the horses.'

Arthur, after throwing a couple of tomatoes at the lead thug's head, joined her by the tavern door. 'What did he say?'

'Gwaine needs to come back to Camelot, we should leave as soon as we can.'

'Okay.' Arthur went inside and came back out with Gwaine as Merlin arrived with the horses.

Thalia helped Arthur put Gwaine on his horse and they mounted up.

The tavern crowd and more villagers had begun to mill around the stocks as they waited for Merlin to return with Gwaine's possessions.

'If this man ever troubles you again,' Arthur commanded, 'word is to be sent to Camelot. Soldiers will be here within a day.'

'How can you make a promise like that?' Mary asked in disbelief.

'Because I'm the King's son, Prince Arthur.'

Arthur rode off ceremoniously as the people gasped, then turned their attention to Thalia. She waved at them a little as her horse followed Arthur's. Merlin followed proudly.

'I see he's already been healed,' Gaius said as Arthur and Merlin lowered Gwaine onto Merlin's bed.

They'd made it back to Camelot at nightfall. Arthur eyed Gwaine with a tense expression, still not liking that he was unconscious.

'He saved my life. He's to be given anything he needs.'

Gaius nodded and studied the faded wound for a moment, then Gwaine's head. 'Well done, my dear,' he said to Thalia, impressed.

She inclined her head at the compliment. 'I trust you can handle it from here.'

'Of course.'

Arthur and Thalia left them to it.

'He's very selfless,' Arthur remarked as they moved through the castle.

'And strong,' Thalia remarked. 'His wound healed very quickly. He'll need bedrest for a few hours, but he'll be fine,' she promised, noting Arthur's still tense language.

Arthur took in a breath and nodded. 'I should go see if anything's happened while we were away. I'll see you tomorrow.'

Thalia ruffled his hair to annoy him. He scowled, but smiled, and pulled a face.

The next morning, after receiving news Gwaine had woken, Arthur was in a very happy mood. He burst energetically into Thalia's chambers as she blankly looked up from a book by the fire.

'Had a great spar with Sir Mallen,' he grinned, miming a couple of movements with his sword.

'And won, I take it.' Thalia put her eyes back into the book.

Arthur stopped, sighed and sat on the end of her bed, glaring at her slightly. 'Of course. What's wrong with you?'

Thalia slammed the book shut between her hands. 'The mêlée is the most stupid thing I have ever-,'

'-Uh-oh-.'

'-had to deal with in my entire life. It's a bunch of manly knights beating the crap out of each other for no reason other than to beat the crap out of each other and the best person in the kingdom at beating the crap out of someone isn't even allowed to play.'

Arthur sighed, settling further back onto the end of the bed. 'You know the knights would go easy on you because of their honour.'

'Stupid honour. Who invented knight's honour?!'

Arthur grinned as Thalia riled her anger in her chair.

'Give me one dagger and I'd win the entire thing without any tricks, underhand moves or bribes.'

'Of course you would,' Arthur agreed happily. 'Which is why you're not in it.'

'Oh come on, you're obviously going to come out on top, this is so pointless. And then all the knights fill the castle for days on end and I have to deal with them talking to me like I'm Morgana of all people, who incidentally can also fight with a sword.'

Before Thalia could continue the door opened and Merlin entered. 'I thought I heard the tell-tale signs of you two,' he grinned, earning a warning look from Arthur not to make the situation worse.

'How's Gwaine?' asked the chipper prince.

'He's fine, out exploring Camelot, I think. Gaius wants him to stick around for a few days, though Gwaine says he doesn't want any thanks.'

'Probably disgusted he saved the life of a noble, is he?' Thalia spat knowingly.

Arthur frowned at her, offended.

'Yes,' said Merlin cautiously, eyeing the angry witch. Deciding to heed Arthur's unspoken warning he crossed to the window as he heard horses outside.

'Who's that?'

Arthur stood up to go and peer over Merlin's shoulder. 'Ahh, Sir Darien. He's here for the mêlée.'

From the chair came a groan. Merlin and Arthur turned in sync to find Thalia with her forehead pressed against her book. 'Get this over with…' she grumbled.

'Oh, yeah,' said Merlin, catching on and moving to sit in Thalia's other armchair, opposite her and holding his hands out toward the fire. 'The tournament where the knights ride around hitting each other with blunt weapons for no good reason.'

'A little more to it than that,' Arthur replied with a roll of his eyes.

'No there isn't,' Thalia grumbled.

Arthur ignored her.

Merlin nodded in agreement. 'Exactly. All I've ever seen is people getting the seven bells knocked out of them so that the last man standing can be called the winner.'

Thalia nodded in agreement.

'The mêlée,' Arthur sighed, resuming his spot on the end of the bed, 'is the ultimate test of strength and courage.'

Merlin glanced at Thalia's blank and deadpan expression then cast his eyes away for a moment. 'Are you sure we're talking about the same thing?'

'Well, I wouldn't expect you to understand. You're not a knight.' Arthur drawled.

'Ugh,' said Thalia.

'Oh, well if it means I don't get clobbered 'round the head, I'm glad of it,' Merlin declared, settling further into the chair.

Arthur reached behind for one of Thalia's cushions. 'I'm afraid it doesn't.' He sent it flying at Merlin's head.

Merlin recoiled with an exclamation and picked the cushion up from the floor, tucking it between his back and the chair.

Arthur grumbled and leant on the bedpost with his arms folded. 'If you two are going to be like this the entire time I'll manage without a servant, thank you.'

'Like you could manage half an hour without a servant,' Thalia quipped harshly.

Arthur's frown deepened. 'Look. Why don't you take all the knights on at the training ground if it'll make you feel better.'

'Your stupid mêlée is supposed to liken the greatest of battles, it's not a series of one on one duels, that's the tournament.'

'Why are there so many stupid knight events?' Merlin asked.

'Because they have to remind themselves how noble and honourable they are at least once every few weeks or they implode,' Thalia replied.

Merlin laughed, blocking any window Arthur had to retort. Instead the prince sighed and closed his eyes, willing them away. Then he opened them again. 'Oh that reminds me. I need my armour cleaned for the training grounds this afternoon.'

Merlin hissed under his breath a remark that made Thalia giggle and that Arthur couldn't catch.

Merlin had left to clean Arthur's armour and Thalia had shooed Arthur out of her chambers for continuing to talk about the mêlée.

She was pulling her own armour out of the wardrobe when there was a knock at the doors.

'Who's there?' she called absentmindedly.

'Uh… Gwaine.'

Her eyebrows raised in surprise. 'Enter.'

Slowly the door opened and Thalia watched Gwaine's head turn around the room as he got his bearings.

She piled the rest of her armour into her hands and walked to the table.

'Hi, I was looking for uh… oh. I'm in the right place,' Gwaine grinned. 'I was looking for the Spectacular Lady Thalia, Gracious Crowned Warrior of Camelot.' He lowered himself into a deep bow.

Thalia stopped to blink at him.

Gwaine's face cracked. 'You didn't strike me as that person when we met.' He walked forward and held out a hand. 'Merlin tells me you aren't of noble blood.'

'First of my line,' she replied, shifting her armour to free her right hand, taking Gwaine's.

'The entire castle is swimming with people, I thought I might ask what it's all for.'

'A mêlée, nothing special.' Thalia put the armour on the table.

'And are you partaking in this mêlée?' Gwaine asked, following her.

'No, apparently the knights can't bear to hit a woman.'

'Well, it certainly gives you the element of surprise,' Gwaine grinned. He stood serious for a moment. 'Merlin said you did the most work in healing me. Thank you.'

'It's alright, you saved Arthur after all. Even if you wished you hadn't.'

'You're close to the prince, and you saved my life. I think we can call it even.'

Thalia nodded. 'Even it is. What can I do for you, Gwaine?'

'I'm bored,' he shrugged. 'After meeting you in the tavern I figured you're fun to be around.'

'Hm! Well I'm afraid I can't take you on a tavern crawl; I've got to hit some knights in training soon. I'll find you after.'

'You'll find me?' Gwaine frowned. 'I could be anywhere by now.'

'I know the city quite well,' Thalia replied easily, 'and something tells me you're never hard to find.'

'Ah, guilty as charged. I'll see you later.' Gwaine grinned a goodbye with a wave and left.

Thalia eyed the doors for a moment, sceptical of just how much of a commotion one man could cause. Acknowledging that she would soon find out she began to get into her armour when there was another knock at the door.

Thalia gave up and used a quick spell to change her clothes. 'Who's there?'

Merlin's tired voice came through the doors. 'It's me, Arthur's just told me to send for you. He looks excited.'

'Coming,' she sighed and met Merlin outside in the corridor. 'What is it?'

'Some knights have arrived or something.'

'Uuuuugh…' Thalia's head fell back as she groaned. 'Come on,' she grumbled bitterly.

Arthur was waiting for them just inside the castle by the main steps. 'There you are, come on!'

'Who are you so happy to see?' Thalia replied as Merlin trudged beside her.

'Sir Oswald,' Arthur beamed, rubbing his hands together.

'Oswald's coming? It's been a while.'

'Who's Sir Oswald?' Merlin asked as they neared Arthur.

'An old friend of ours. Filled to the brim with honour and the usual knight's nobility, but he's still nice. You'll like him.'

'For someone who's a knight themselves you sure do seem to hate them,' Merlin chuckled as they went down the last few steps.

'I like most of the Knight's Code,' Thalia corrected, 'the mêlée brings out the worst.'

'Oh, stop complaining,' Arthur grinned, watching horses ride into the main square. 'He's here, come on.'

With an eyeroll to Thalia, Merlin followed Arthur out as the excited prince dragged her with him toward two knights as they dismounted their horses.

'Sir Oswald!' Arthur greeted with a yell as they went down to the square. 'Didn't think you'd be brave enough to show up.'

'And miss the chance of putting you on your backside?' Oswald replied, grabbing Arthur's arm to shake his hand.

'Ha-ha. You've never managed it before,' Arthur said, stepping to the side to make space for Thalia.

'That was then. This is now,' Oswald grinned.

'You'd be doing all of us a favour,' Thalia smiled and held out her arm.

Oswald took her hand and began to raise it, then his eyes darted between Arthur and Thalia's confused expressions and he laughed. 'I'm only joking.' He shook her hand the same he had Arthur's. 'It's good to see you, My Lady.'

'You too,' Thalia agreed.

Arthur gave Oswald a friendly punch and turned to the other knight with a small frown.

The knight introduced himself. 'Sir Ethan.'

Arthur nodded and grasped his arm. 'This is my servant, Merlin.'

Merlin reluctantly shuffled forward.

'He loves hard work so,' said Arthur, clapping Merlin on the back, 'anything you need, just give him a call.'

'Believe me, I will,' grinned Sir Oswald.

Arthur glanced at Thalia's armour. 'Oh, right. Training. We'll be on the grounds.'

Merlin gave Thalia a pleading look to save him as they left him with the knights. She put a hand on his shoulder as they went past.

Merlin eventually found Thalia in a tiny corner of the castle library, slightly frustratedly shifting between three titles splayed over a table. He fell into a chair nearby.

'Sir Oswald has had me running around all day.'

Thalia's attention slipped straight from the books. 'What?'

'Lugging his luggage around, fetching everything in the entire castle…' Merlin deflated with a heavy sigh.

'That doesn't sound like the Oswald I know,' said Thalia, slight crease between her eyebrows.

'That's what Gaius said,' Merlin huffed. 'What do you think made him change?'

'Who knows.' Thalia pursed her lips sadly.

'He doesn't seem like much of a knight,' Merlin continued grumpily.

'He was when he was young.'

'Maybe it's Sir Ethan's influence. They've got someone else running around for them now. Want to go creature finding?'

'Ah, I'm sorry, Merlin, I'm going to find Gwaine as soon as I'm done here.'

'Sounds like fun,' Merlin laughed. 'Can't afford to seen around the taverns in daylight at the moment or I'll never hear the end of it.'

Gwaine was grinning at a woman keeping a flower shop not far from the main gate to the lower town when Thalia found him.

The woman, a flower placed in her hair, was giggling at him.

Thalia folded her arms and leant on the stone wall of the gate, watching with an amused expression. When she finally became bored she walked forward with a sigh, standing beside Gwaine and smiling at the woman.

The florist gasped and immediately looked down with a shy smile. 'My Lady.'

Gwaine frowned and then noticed Thalia. 'Ah! Finished playing soldiers, have we?'

'Mercifully,' she returned.

Gwaine grinned a winning grin at the woman. 'Sorry, I've got to go, now. Will you be here tomorrow?'

She smiled and hushed out a small 'yes.'

Shaking her head, Thalia started through the town.

Gwaine caught up a few strides later. 'So! Where are we going?'

'Where haven't you nosed around yet?' grinned the wry Thalia.

'Didn't quite make it to the edge of the citadel,' Gwaine replied, gesturing toward the first gates at the end of the lower town further away. I made it to the second last gate.'

'Final gate it is.'

Thalia led Gwaine through the town, Gwaine glancing at her every so often as people darted out of their way with a bow. Thalia smiled at them but mostly walked like it wasn't happening at all.

'Don't like the attention?' he asked as the guards stood straight when they passed through a gate.

'The townspeople are used to me, it's not uncommon for them to see their Crowned Warrior. It's less of an occasion.'

'Is there anyone else like that?' Gwaine glanced back up at the castle high above them.

'Morgana, then Arthur. Uther's rarely out of the castle.'

'Now why doesn't that surprise me?' Gwaine sighed, smiling at a group of women as they bowed to Thalia.

'Careful,' Thalia chuckled, 'you're not far from committing treason in front of the Crowned Warrior.'

'You say that as if you've never done it yourself,' Gwaine remarked, with a look.

'Now that is treason,' Thalia replied, tilting her head toward him warningly, but not offended in the least.

'My Lady!'

Thalia frowned and turned around at the call. Gwen was hurrying toward them with a smile.

'Gwen!' Thalia greeted and waited for her to reach them.

'I didn't see you this morning, did you have a good trip? Hello, Gwaine.'

Thalia eyed Gwaine, amused. 'Why doesn't it surprise me that you two have met? It was a good trip, thank you, Gwen, how are you?'

'I'm alright,' she smiled, 'Morgana hasn't been sleeping too well lately, so I'm just a little tired.'

'Morgana?' asked Gwaine.

'Gwen's Morgana's maid,' Thalia explained without looking. 'Well I'm sure Gaius will pull through,' she reassured Gwen.

Gwen appreciated the sentiment. 'I hope so. Goodbye.'

Gwaine was eyeing Thalia a little suspiciously when she turned away from Gwen's retreating form. He smiled to wave it away when she noticed and gestured for them to continue.

Gwaine had picked up on the slight change in Thalia's tone when Gwen had mentioned Morgana, but wisely chose to say nothing.

'So how was it with Gwaine?' Merlin hauled the sheets off Arthur's bed.

'Good,' Thalia sighed, 'left in the lower town at sundown. Where's Arthur?'

'I don't know, off with some knights somewhere,' Merlin grumbled.

'You're about to knock tha-,'

Crash.

'… over.'

Merlin sighed at the candle holder on the floor by Arthur's desk. 'Thanks.'

Gwen appeared in the doorway. 'Merlin…?'

'Yeah?' Merlin called from under the piles of sheets in his arms.

'You might want to come with me,' Gwen winced.

Thalia and Merlin exchanged raised eyebrows. The Priestess sighed and stood up. 'I'll do that, go on.'

Merlin nodded his thanks and dumped the sheets in a basket, following Gwen out.

'You're really leaving Thalia to do Arthur's sheets?' Gwen questioned doubtfully.

'It won't take her long,' Merlin grinned.

Gwen said nothing more and led Merlin out of the castle, across the bridge, down into the lower town and stopped outside of a tavern.

Merlin eyed it, remembering Thalia telling him she'd left Gwaine in a tavern. 'I think I've got it,' he said, face resigned.

Gwen nodded, equally as resigned. 'Good luck.'

Merlin sighed and entered the tavern, Gwen following behind. Surrounded by a crowd of drunkards sat Gwaine with his legs on a table, leaning back comfortably in his chair.

Without a word someone came up and handed Merlin a list of what he assumed for a second was the tavern's stock, until he realised it was Gwaine had bought.

'Merlin!' Gwaine cheered, raising his tankard.

'You drank all this?!' Merlin breathed in disbelief.

'With some help from my new friends!' Gwaine declared, raising his tankard again.

A mighty, hearty roar went up from the tavern folk.

The inn keeper glared at Merlin. 'He says that he hasn't got any money. So it looks like you'll have to pay.' He picked Merlin up by his shirt.

'But...' Merlin spluttered, wishing he'd brought Thalia, 'I can't afford this.'

'You better find someone who can.' The man dropped Merlin, who blinked in shock, then his eyes twitched as he concluded on his only possible option.

Gwaine fell right off the shoulder of a fellow drinker and onto the floor, laughing.

Gwen teetered around the edge as Merlin watched Gwaine with a very heavy sigh.

'Prince Arthur,' he said with a higher tone in his voice. 'Prince Arthur will pay, send the bill up to the guards in the morning. I'm his manservant.'

The inn keeper blinked while Gwen put her hands over her face and Gwaine's laugh echoed around the tavern.

'On your head be it,' growled the inn keeper and walked away.

Merlin crossed the room to haul Gwaine back up, immediately finding him carrying most of the man's weight.

Gwen opened the door for them as Gwaine tried to wave a cheery goodbye to the people he'd gotten drunk.

'I've got him,' Merlin grumbled as Gwen prepared to help. 'Let's get him back to the castle, then I'll deal with him in the morning.'

Gwen led the way back to the castle and left them when they reached the staircase to Morgana's chambers.

'Good luck with Arthur,' Gwen nodded in concern.

'Thanks,' Merlin agreed and lugged Gwaine the rest of the way to his bed.

They managed to get in without disturbing Gaius too much and Merlin dumped the useless Gwaine onto the bed unceremoniously with a large grunt.

'You're the best friend I've ever had,' Gwaine laughed.

'You seem to have quite a few,' Merlin replied, his laugh a lot heartier than he imagined it would have been. Gwaine seemed to have that effect.

Gwaine leant his head and arm on the wall. 'I'd love to see Arthur's face when he gets that bill.'

Merlin paled a little. 'Right. What is it with you and nobles?' he sat on the bed and looked at Gwaine expectantly.

'Oh, nothing. My father was a knight in Caerleon's army. He died in battle, leaving my mother penniless. And when she went to the King for help, he turned her away.'

'You didn't know him?' Merlin asked, suddenly feeling a lot closer to Gwaine.

'Just some stories I've been told.'

'Yeah, I know how that feels. I met my father just briefly before he died.' He elaborated.

Gwaine frowned. 'Why?'

'He was banished,' Merlin explained tensely.

'What had he done?' Gwaine asked gently.

'Nothing. He served the King.'

'But the King turned against him? That doesn't surprise me.'

'Arthur's not like that,' said Merlin quickly. 'Nor is Thalia.'

'Ha! Maybe. But none of them are worth dying for, heh?' he laughed, hit his head on the wall and laughed some more. 'Maybe it's because I haven't seen her in the castle a lot,' Gwaine pondered, rubbing his head, 'but Thalia doesn't strike me as noble.'

'No, she's the more literal sense of the word,' Merlin agreed with a laugh.

'That's the kind of noble I can appreciate,' Gwaine agreed.

Merlin hurried into Arthur's chambers carrying a huge plate of fruit. 'Sorry. I know, I'm late.'

From his desk Arthur sat with his chin on his hand, watching Merlin with an atmosphere that made him more uneasy than he was already. He decided to make his escape as quickly as he could.

'Not at all,' Arthur replied.

Thalia was sat on the other side of Arthur's desk, dropping the paper she'd been reading to turn around and watch Merlin.

'Good,' Merlin panted, and stepped backward, hurrying out.

'Sure you're alright?' Arthur called.

Merlin stopped with a small frown.

'You're not sick, unsteady, about to burst into song?' Arthur continued.

'No, why?' Merlin was rooted to the spot as he made Arthur's bed, knowing what was coming but still pleading innocent ignorance.

Arthur picked up a piece of paper from under the map he and Thalia were looking at. 'Fourteen quarts of mead,' he read, as Merlin chuckled nervously, 'three flagons of wine, five quarts of cider...'

'I can explain,' Merlin began.

'Four dozen pickled eggs!' Arthur read, almost impressed.

'How many?!' Thalia asked, grabbing the paper off Arthur.

'That was Gwaine,' said Merlin, hurrying around the bed to stand in front of Arthur. 'He went to the tavern and, er..he couldn't pay for it.'

'So you said I would,' Arthur replied blankly.

'Mm,' Merlin nodded. 'You know, if I hadn't, that inn keeper...he, he would've strung us both up.'

'I fail to see the downside,' Arthur glowered.

Thalia snorted and lowered her head as she laughed.

'You said he should be given anything he needs,' Merlin tried with a shrug and turned back to the bed.

'Four dozen pickled eggs?!' Arthur yelled with a tone so angry Merlin cowered before turning back around.

The weight of his yell was lessened by the small giggle from Thalia that glided through the air.

'I'm sorry...' he said with the tiniest of a chuckle. 'I'll pay for it.'

Arthur glared at Merlin menacingly from his chair. 'You most certainly will.'

Thalia tilted her head with a smile. 'Good luck, Merlin.'

Merlin scuttled a few steps back.

'You know what needs doing,' Arthur began, rather happily, leaning back in his chair, 'the army's boots are looking a little bit shabby. There's been dirt tracked through the castle for days.'

Merlin paled.

'I think,' Arthur didn't bother to hide the pleasure at the idea, 'you should give them a scrub. Clean. All of them.'

Merlin, who's face had dropped a few shades with every word, hung his shoulders. With a disgruntled sigh he finished making Arthur's bed and sped out of the room before Arthur could change his mind to something worse.

'Once he's finished with that he can help on the grounds,' Arthur said, glaring at the door.

'Assuming he doesn't finish before we do,' Thalia sighed, rubbing her temple. 'This map is a mess. How Uther found any sorcerers with this is beyond me.'

'Why am I helping you look for an old magical castle again?' Arthur asked with a frown and a small grin as he watched her.

'Because you'd do anything for me,' Thalia replied without looking away from the map.

Arthur watched her for a moment or two longer before giving in and diving back into the map.

As Thalia predicted, Merlin beat them and after lunch they were down on the grounds. Thalia was trying to help Merlin fix a broken shield and Arthur, left without a sparring partner, was whacking a dummy dressed in armour.

'You look like you need a bit of practice.'

Arthur turned around and smiled at Sir Oswald. 'Ah, you think so?'

'I know so,' replied the knight.

With a welcoming shrug, Arthur held out his arms.

Merlin hurried over to Sir Oswald with a sword as Thalia tutted at a dent in the front of the shield.

The clangs of swords between Arthur and Oswald rang through the air as the knights all paused to watch their prince fight.

Merlin meanwhile ignored them and went back to the shield, holding it up for Thalia as she frowned at the handle, also ignoring the fight.

'Who broke this?' Merlin cursed.

'Leon,' Thalia replied, threading a new strap onto the metal.

'That's not like him,' Merlin remarked.

Arthur patted his opponent on the shoulder at a pause in the fight. 'You're rusty. You're not as quick as you used to be.'

'Still quick enough to hit you,' Oswald replied and darted forward.

They kept exchanging blows.

'No, it's not,' Thalia agreed, 'but one of the knights here for the mêlée has a very different style than most of the people Leon's ever fought, he nearly lost.'

'Wow,' said Merlin. 'Do you think Arthur can beat him?'

'Without much of a hitch,' Thalia nodded. 'That's as good as I'm going to get.'

They put the sword down and looked at the match.

'Why don't we make this more interesting?' said Sir Oswald. 'Fifty gold coins first clean hit.'

'Make it a hundred,' Arthur shrugged.

Merlin folded his arms excitedly as Thalia laughed.

Oswald swung wildly at Arthur, who ducked under the attack and grabbed Oswald, standing beside him and giving his armour a gentle tap on the chestplate.

'You can keep your money,' Arthur replied, fighting a grin. He returned to the swords amongst virtuous applause from the knights.

'Could have paid off Gwaine's next visit to the tavern with that,' Thalia laughed as Arthur joined her.

'Ha-ha! That man's going to make the taverns of the lower town richer than the king.'

'Now that would be a sight,' Thalia said through chuckles.

'Sir Oswald's definitely slipped a bit.' Arthur chose a different sword.

'He's been living away from much action for so long it's probably to be expected,' Thalia sighed. 'That's a shame, though. He used to be a good opponent.'

'You've still got me,' Arthur said, stepping back and swinging his sword around to loosen his wrist.

Thalia smiled and grabbed a sword from the rack. 'You and your pansy technique? Oh thanks.'

'Hey!' Arthur grumbled as the knights laughed. 'I beat you last spar, no bragging unless you've won; you know the rules.'

'I did win the last one.'

Arthur frowned as Thalia stepped to face him. 'No you didn- oh…' to wipe the smug grin off her face he leapt forward in attack.

'So who won?' asked Sir Leon.

'Ha-ha!' sang Arthur.

'Sir Boast-a-lot,' Thalia replied.

'Congratulations, sire.'

They were walking through the castle toward the banquet hall for the gathering of the knights.

'Should have no problem in the mêlée, then,' Thalia said happily, clapping Arthur hard on the shoulder.

'Ow.'

The sound of chatter, mead and cheer was getting louder.

They were nearly at the doors when Merlin sprinted behind them. 'Thalia!'

She stopped as Arthur and Leon went through the doors, a cheer going up at their arrival. 'Merlin?'

'I need to talk to you.'

Thalia glanced at the door. 'Can it wait? It's late already.'

'Yeah,' Merlin said, clearly not quite believing himself, 'yeah it can wait. I'll find you when it's over.'

Thalia frowned at him as he hurried off without another word. After she'd shrugged and begun to move again Merlin spun back around. 'Wait! Can you keep an eye on Sir Oswald?'

'Why?' Thalia asked, narrowing her eyes.

'I just… I think he might be cheating.'

Thalia rolled her eyes with a here-we-go-again tut and nodded.

Arthur nearly opened the door in her face as she reached for it. 'Coming?'

The hall went up in a cheer again as she entered and after a quick wave she sighed. There wasn't a single other woman in sight, and she was the only, save for the servants, non-competitor in the room.

After a few minutes Arthur had glanced across the room and spotted her enough times to pick up on her mood. He moved through the crowd and joined the group she was standing in, stepping beside her and tried to stay there as often as he could into the evening.

'My Lady!'

Thalia squeezed her eyes shut.

'Lady Thalia! The King has summoned the council!'

'Coming,' she grumbled loud enough to stop the calls at the other side of the door. She didn't want to look out of the window and see how dark the sky was.

She grumbled all the way out of her bed, into pants, boots, a thick blue tunic and cloak, out of the door and outside Arthur's chambers, waiting for the doors to open.

A sleepy Arthur appeared within a minute, scratching his head. 'What is it now?' he yawned.

'It better be an attack,' Thalia grumbled.

'This better be a war,' Arthur raised.

They shuffled on muscle memory into the chambers.

'How come Morgana never gets woken up for things like this?' Thalia muttered.

'What I wouldn't give to be Morgana right now,' Arthur agreed, blinking hard to clear his eyes of sleep.

Sir Oswald and Sir Ethan came in and they found themselves a little more awake.

'Are you alright?' Arthur asked.

'We were attacked,' Sir Oswald managed to say before Uther strode in.

Arthur and Thalia fell silent and Uther stopped in front of his chair.

'Bring him in!' he ordered.

Gwaine, in chains was marched into the room and brought to his knees by two guards.

Thalia gasped in horror and Arthur's arms faltered. He put them on his belt.

Merlin and Gaius hurried in behind them.

Sir Oswald spoke. 'Sire, this man attacked me, with a sword, tried to kill me.'

Thalia and Arthur froze for a second.

'Is this true?' Uther glowered in disbelief.

Gwaine had his eyes on the floor. He replied in a determined tone. 'I stepped in to protect Merlin.'

Thalia blinked in shock and found Merlin's eyes. The warlock was panicked and nodded at her urgently.

What? Thalia asked.

'I tried to talk to him,' said Sir Oswald. 'He was like a man possessed. I'm sure that Sir Ethan will back me up.'

He's the thug, Dagr, from the village! Merlin managed as quickly as he could.

'Indeed, I can vouch for his every word,' nodded Sir Ethan.

Then who's Sir Ethan?

One of his men.

'He's a liar!' Gwaine shouted, standing up and trying to reach them.

'I will have your tongue!' Uther roared. 'How dare you speak to a knight in that way?!'

Thalia's eyes moved slowly, deliberately from Gwaine to Uther, wide and furious. She made to move forward as Arthur saw the look in her eyes just in time, holding his arm in front of her as unnoticed as he could.

'Nobility is defined by what you do, and not by who you are,' Gwaine said, fighting to keep his balance against the guards.

Uther rounded incredulously on Arthur, who could only look back at him, keeping his arm where he held it.

Gwaine continued. 'And these men are anything but. They are arrogant thugs!'

'Gwaine,' Arthur warned, worried for the outcome.

'Well, you see, Sire, how he behaves,' Oswald shrugs.

'I've heard enough,' Uther thundered. 'For a commoner to attack a nobleman is in violation of the Knight's Code.'

'The Knight's Code means nothing to a commoner, even more so to anyone protecting a friend.'

Arthur closed his eyes in dread and dismay and let his arm fall, Gwaine's head turned in surprise away from the thugs, Merlin's eyes went wider than a deer's and Gaius, along with the rest of the council stopped breathing for a moment.

Uther slowly turned on the spot to stare at Thalia.

'Sire,' she added curtly.

Thalia had spoken against Uther many times before. But she was clever and chose her moments well. Merlin had never witnessed a time she had challenged Uther when the king was in a rage with her own.

Arthur, almost hanging his head, winced as Thalia didn't move her gaze from Uther, meeting his eyes dead on.

'Surely judging someone on a code they are not expected to uphold is not in yours, sire.' The accidental hostility that had previously been in her voice she'd managed to remove, her voice now sounding very simple and almost very nearly respectful.

Arthur hung his head further to hide a pained wince.

Uther's eyes flared as his temper lessened. He nodded. 'Perhaps it is different to those not of noble birth,' he acknowledged.

Now Merlin was glaring at the king on Thalia's behalf as Arthur looked up in surprise.

'Sire,' said Oswald as Uther returned his attention to Gwaine. 'He must be made an example of.'

'Sir Oswald, please,' Arthur tried again.

'Nothing less than his execution will give me satisfaction.'

'Father, I understand how this must look, it's an embarrassing situation,' Arthur said from behind Uther, stood now a little in front of Thalia. 'Sir Oswald is a dear friend, and our guest here in Camelot. But Gwaine is my guest here, too. And he may not be of noble birth, but I can vouch that he has a noble heart.'

'How can you say that when you see the way he behaves?' Uther asked.

Arthur hurried to speak before Thalia could. 'Gwaine risked his life to save mine. I beg you, please, if a knight's word is his bond, then I give you my word Gwaine is a good man. He deserves clemency.'

Uther and Arthur exchanged a nod.

Uther turned back to Gwaine. 'You are banished from Camelot. If you ever return, you will pay for it with your life. You have until dawn to leave the city.'

As the council disbanded, Arthur and Merlin let out a long breath, both glancing at Thalia as if she'd gone insane as she left with Gaius.

Merlin walked over to Arthur. 'I hate it when she does that.'

'That's the trouble, Merlin,' Arthur nodded. 'It's to her credit, but it scares me every time.'

Thalia had caught up with Sir Leon on his way from the chambers. He stopped when she called for him.

'My Lady?'

'Will you send out a search party on the eastern road, the likely routes Sir Ethan and Sir Oswald would have taken to get here?' she said quietly.

Leon lowered his voice. 'I beg your pardon, my lady?'

Thalia dipped her head and gave Leon a long stare, not saying anything further.

Reluctantly, Leon nodded. 'As you wish.'

'Thank you,' she said meaningfully and nodded her gratitude as the now uncomfortable Leon continued on.

The night deepened. Thalia heard from Merlin everything he'd learnt and explained how the magical blades worked.

'Gwaine asked me to say farewell to you.'

She nodded sadly. 'I'm sure, with the mess he makes, we'll run into him again.'

'So what do we do?' Merlin asked through a mouthful of chicken. 'You're not in the tournament; Arthur's on his own in the arena tomorrow. And you'll be in plain view in the king's stand.'

'Keep an eye on him and try not to let him get killed,' Thalia replied, in a tone that said it was nothing out of the ordinary. 'Stick to the shadows and the back of the crowd, Merlin, you're on your own.'

Arthur looked in on Thalia that morning as the castle bustled with excitement. 'Merlin's just tried to persuade me from the mêlée, despite knowing how important it is. He told me to be careful.'

She was by the window, staring morbidly at the milling crowds and excited knights in the square. 'Sound advice,' she called, not taking her eyes from the window for a second. Then she turned around. 'Gwaine defended Merlin from those two for a reason.'

Arthur frowned, recognising her tone, knowing it meant there was trouble. 'What is it?'

'I'm not sure that was Sir Oswald, Arthur. Merlin says he saw something when Gwaine fought them off, some kind of magic, he thinks they're the thugs from the tavern where we met Gwaine.'

Arthur stepped forward, mouth opening in surprise. 'What?'

'I've sent a search party for the real Sirs Oswald and Ethan. Whoever they are, real or not, keep out of their way in the mêlée. Their swords are enchanted, Arthur, don't let them near you.'

Arthur's eyes widened, sensing the danger creeping through him. 'And if they're the only ones left?'

All she could manage was a shrug. 'Uther won't believe me; I can't stop them from entering the ring. You're on your own. Just try not to get fatally injured, it's the only advice I can give you, I'm sorry. Get out with a minor wound if you can and I'll heal it, but I don't think they'll stop when the mêlée ends. Stay close to the King's chair.'

Arthur absorbed this information, storing it as best he could at the front of his mind. 'Want to wish me luck?' he asked, looking far more uneasy than he had when he entered.

'I wish you all the luck I have,' she replied immediately, eyebrows raised and able to muster a shrug. 'Take care of yourself; they'll fight like thugs.'

Uther didn't say anything as Thalia sat down on her chair. The knights were lined up on their horses.

The King gave the signal and they charged.

Thalia spent a minute trying to find Merlin in the crowd as clangs and yells from the arena mixed with cheers and gasps from the crowd. She spotted him watching the events like a hawk beside Gaius near the participants' entrance.

Uther wore a grin as he watched one of his favourite events. With his spirits in such a high mood, he forgot about the events from the night before and turned to Thalia as the crowd yelled in shock at the sight of a knight leaping from his horse onto another, sending him and his chosen opponent to the ground.

'Did you see the improvement Sir Gerald has made?' he asked happily as he applauded.

'He's certainly come far,' Thalia obligingly agreed, now not taking her eyes from Arthur.

Sir Ethan cantered for Arthur down below them. Uther leant forward, a little worried and a little enthused, and cheered with the crowd as Arthur turned in his saddle and ducked. Thalia, Merlin and Gaius breathed immense sighs of relief as the intruder was thrown from his horse.

The fight continued on and more and more knights were eliminated, collecting their horses from the arena and making their way back to the tents.

The fake Sir Ethan charged for Arthur and pulled him from his horse. Thalia and Uther recoiled with pained winces in unison, knowing the feeling all too well. Then they and Merlin felt their eyes go wide as Arthur just escaped the magical sword by rolling under the blow.

Uther applauded heartily. Merlin and Thalia felt their hearts giving out from the stress.

The fake Sir Oswald, still on what was not his horse, charged at Arthur.

Thalia and Uther unconsciously pushed themselves to the edge of their seats.

Merlin… Thalia called.

A second later the girth of the saddle snapped loose and Arthur's attacker crashed to the ground, making the crowd recoil once more.

A fourth knight, the last one left, pushed himself up and found his sword, going for Sir Oswald.

Thalia and Merlin didn't need to reach out their minds to feel the other's confusion. It wasn't a knight either of them recognised.

As the unknown fighter disarmed his opponent with a complicated spin, Merlin reached out.

It's Gwaine! There's only one person I know who can do that.

Gwaine…?

Thalia leant further toward the arena, honing her sight on who she slowly recognised as Gwaine. He used the fake blade to kill both fake knights and turned to Arthur.

The Prince spoke and then removed his helmet to applause from the admiring crowd.

Thalia cringed and Merlin began to panic again.

Is this the knight's code?

Yep. Damn the thing, was Thalia's flat and uncomfortable reply.

Slowly, with his back to the King's chair, Gwaine removed his helmet and looked up. A disbelieving smile burst onto Arthur's face and he smiled. 'Nobody fights like you do.' Knowing what was about to happen, he looked up, first at Uther, a little defiantly, and then at Thalia with more warmth as they waited for Gwaine to turn.

The shock pushed Uther to his feet. 'Guards!' he boomed and the crowd fell silent. 'Seize him!'

Thalia leapt to her feet, hands on the railing in front of her, about to leap forward when Arthur shook his head slightly, not leaving her eyes.

She stared at him, a little angrily, but leant back, hands resting on the rail as guards flooded the arena. Gwaine went quietly.

'Move the bodies to the tents!' Thalia shouted, surprising Uther. He turned and she inclined her head. 'Sire. There's something I believe you should see.'

Gwaine gave Merlin a smile as he was led past and Arthur followed the bodies into the tent.

Gaius was kneeling over them by the time Thalia and Uther arrived.

'Gwaine wasn't lying,' is all she said and stood back beside Arthur and Merlin.

'That prisoner is responsible for the death of two noble knights,' Uther began.

Thalia felt two urgent hands on her arms, one from Merlin and one from Arthur before she could do anything.

'Sire,' Gaius interrupted calmly.

Uther looked down as Gaius removed the men's crystal necklaces. Lying in the knight's place were two thugs that Arthur recognised.

'Sorcery,' Uther breathed.

'And once again,' Arthur said, leaping on the opportunity, 'I owe Gawain my life.'

Uther thought confused and flabbergasted for a several moments. 'We'll discuss this back at the castle, wash and get changed, I'll be in the council chambers.'

Arthur, Merlin and Gaius bowed to Uther's back as he left.

'Come on, Merlin,' Arthur said.

Merlin followed the prince out.

Thalia knelt beside Gaius, inspecting the crystals in the physician's hands.

'Haven't seen these in a while,' she said quietly.

'No,' agreed Gaius, 'indeed, I thought the knowledge of them had been all but lost. Uther will no doubt want them destroyed.'

'I think for once I agree with him,' Thalia said, raising her eyebrows for a second. 'There are some types of magic that are just too deceitful to ever truly be safe.'

She helped Gaius a little longer and met Merlin and Arthur in the corridor to the council chambers. Gwaine was brought, unchained to them and the guards left at Thalia's nod.

'Okay,' Arthur said, inhaling a deep breath. 'I'll see what I can do. You,' he said, pointing at Thalia, 'stay here.'

Merlin awkwardly turned to glance at Thalia, who merely crinkled her nose in disagreement and leant against the wall.

'Look on the bright side,' Gwaine said to her, 'I like the company.'

An amused huff left her nose and she smiled at him.

'Don't burn the castle to the ground,' Arthur muttered at the chaotic trio in front of him and entered the chambers.

Merlin was the most expressively anxious, pacing around in little circles while they waited. Gwaine was next, unable to stay still for too long, but knew he would be happy with any judgement that kept him alive. Thalia had the least hope of all of them, practically knowing Gwaine's sentence before Arthur reappeared.

'The King is prepared to overlook the fact that you fought in the mêlée,' he announced.

'That's fantastic!' Merlin cheered.

'Thank you, Arthur,' Gwaine nodded.

'But...' Arthur said, looking away for a second as he tried not to grimace, 'he's a stubborn man. He will not rescind his judgment. You must leave Camelot.'

Gwaine's reaction was the calmest, a rueful smile and a grateful nod.

Thalia emitted a scornful laugh and Merlin exploded.

'Oh, you got to speak to him, Arthur, make him change his mind,' he pleaded softly.

'Merlin,' said Gwaine as Thalia's laugh stopped hitting the walls, holding out a hand to silence him.

Arthur looked Gwaine in the eye. 'I'm sorry Gwaine. My father's wrong. If it were up to me...'

'I know,' Gwaine reassured him. 'You don't need to explain yourself.'

Arthur nodded sadly. 'You have until sunset,' he managed.

'Thank you, Arthur,' said Gwaine. 'It was nice to meet you.'

Arthur put a hand on his shoulder. 'May we meet again someday.'

'I look forward to it,' Gwaine grinned. Then he turned to Thalia. 'Thank you. For all you've done. I've never met another like you, my lady. What fine adventures we would have if the world was different.'

An expression that Merlin and Arthur had not seen on Thalia's face in a long time graced the corridor. A wry smile twisted its way across her features as they lit up with amusement. 'If only,' she agreed, warmth glowing from her.

Gwaine's eyes widened a little, for the first time witnessing what Arthur and Merlin considered to be quintessential Thalia.

'Where are you thinking of going?' she asked.

'I was thinking Mercia.'

'Mercia?!' Merlin spluttered, interrupting. 'It's dangerous.'

'Yeah. And you get a lot more ale for your money.'

Thalia laughed as Merlin's face grew more incredulous.

Arthur shook his head.

'Sounds like a fun holiday,' Thalia said with a nod.

'Wait,' said Merlin suddenly. 'Thalia could go with you! For a while.'

Arthur's head turned slowly. 'What?'

'Wha…?' Thalia also went.

Merlin gave Arthur a meaningful look. 'Get her out of the castle for a bit,' he hissed at the prince, as Thalia squinted at him.

Arthur considered it, realising it wasn't a bad idea at all. They looked at Thalia.

'Well, if you'd like to come along…,' Gwaine offered.

Thalia thought hard. 'Alright then,' she said, with a tilt of her head. 'Just for a while.'

'Hang on, what about my father?' Arthur asked.

'I'll tell him I'm hunting a sorcerer,' Thalia shrugged easily.

Merlin and Arthur stood on the battlements watching as Thalia and Gwaine walked out of the castle and toward the town. They stopped and waved to them.

'I'm suddenly really regretting this,' Arthur said as they looked down.

'Me too,' Merlin said softly. 'Not sure we survive that well without her.'

'Do you know Merlin,' Arthur said, folding his arms, 'I think I might agree with you there. But this might just save us,' he added with a sigh. 'I don't know how much more of my father she can take.'

Merlin read Arthur's sad and already lonely face. 'She won't be long. She'll miss us.'

'I don't doubt that for a second.'

Gwaine looked at Camelot one last time as they left the gates. 'Was my life that interesting?' he asked Thalia.

'I've been wandering around that castle court for years,' she sighed. 'You see the world in different eyes when you're travelling as a member of the Camelot court.'

'Well, you're a travelling scoundrel now,' Gwaine declared happily. 'Keep your sword close and your ale full.' He glanced down. 'Nice sword, by the way.'