Thanks so much for the reviews! Even after such a long time... so thank you! I wanted to quickly put up another chapter to try and make up for lost time. :) But I'll be getting into the groove of posting chapters once or twice a week at some point. There's still one more part to this episode! I hope to do the characters justice and enjoy!

Episode 4: Mask of Chaos (Part Four)

The next two days of travel, Merlin expectedly woke up each time with a massive headache. On the second day, they arrived back in Camelot after meeting up with Percival back in Brighton. Arthur made the important decision to tell the townsfolk there that they lost track of the sorceress, rather than tell them of her fate. Merlin agreed with his decision. After all, Piper had saved the lives of so many people and to tell them that she had lost hers… Merlin didn't even want to think about it.

They're arrival back in the Camelot brought no one's attention but Guinevere's. She met the four of them in the courtyard, looking regal in her long, red gown. When Arthur hopped off of his horse and they both embraced, Merlin watched with a solemn smile. He wasn't sure why he felt a warm sadness at their clear love for each other. His heart squeezed, as if it longed for something similar, but his brain knew the truth. He would never have what Arthur had in Guinevere and he accepted that.

"Look at those lovebirds," Gwaine said, lightheartedly mocking, as he slipped off his horse. "I've fallen off my game, haven't I? Maybe I'll visit a brothel."

Percival scoffed as he stepped off his horse. "You don't find love in a brothel, Gwaine."

Merlin jumped down and gave the horse reigns to the stableman who came by to pick up the horses. Gwaine laughed loudly at Percival's reply.

"I disagree! Let me tell you a magnificent tale…" Gwaine and Percival walked away as the long-haired knight began telling his story. Merlin chuckled to himself at Gwaine's absurdity and glanced back at Gwen and Arthur, who looked to be in a deep conversation.

"I was worried you wouldn't get back in time!" the queen said, squeezing Arthur's upper arm lovingly.

"In time for what?" Arthur asked as he handed his horses' reigns to the stableman.

"Lord Galway will be visiting in an hour," Gwen explained, "I feared I'd have to entertain them by myself."

Merlin couldn't pass up the opportunity to poke fun at her and said loudly, "Well, you could've always displayed your fantastic singing voice!"

Arthur actually burst out laughing, after a brief second of trying to hold it in and only resulted in blowing an accidental raspberry. Gwen gaped at Merlin and placed her hands over her hips.

The queen almost smiled as she replied threateningly, "What was that, Merlin? Did you say something?"

Merlin called out, "Nothing!" And he made his retreat with the stableman to help take care of the horses after a long journey.

Even though he may never have a relationship like the king and queen, he'd always have important friends that could fill the gap.

XXX

Merlin had helped Arthur into his royal garments for when the visiting Lord would arrive, but then he was dismissed until the feast that night. During the few hours he had off, Merlin spent it trying to heal the backside of his head with aromatherapy and cold water, but it seemed only time would heal the painful lump.

Merlin stood in the corner of the dining hall with his hands behind his back, waiting for orders or waiting to help another servant who might need his assistance. Merlin always felt uneasy when a visiting Lord brought knights with him, but Lord Galway only brought a few, which Merlin was relieved by. He always worried in the back of his mind that a visitor was planning a coup and would kill Arthur when he was relaxing. With such a small amount of knights, Merlin was relieved that perhaps Lord Galway was in good standings with Camelot.

Merlin glanced at the Lord's direction and took into account his appearance; aged skin, long salt and pepper hair, a blue coat with furred-hems, and a glorious crown atop his head. Merlin didn't think he'd ever get used to seeing so much gold on one person.

While staring at the Lord, Merlin suddenly felt chills run down his spine and he thought his heart almost stopped. His gaze was suddenly dragged away from the Lord to the knight standing near him. Merlin's eyes widened at the Lord's knight; standing what looked like taller than six feet, a long, dark blue cloak around his shoulders, two swords at his belt, with hair just shorter than Gwaine's. It wasn't his appearance that almost brought Merlin to his knees. It was the knight's eyes, staring straight into Merlin's. The sorcerer could feel the hatred, the pure rage, even from across the room. Merlin had never felt so fearful of someone, not since Mordred or Morgana. Merlin's instincts yelled at him that this man was very, very dangerous.

"He's handsome, isn't he, Merlin?"

Merlin was torn away from the knight's gaze and nearly jumped out of his skin. He turned and saw a servant girl, holding a pitcher of wine, also gazing at the knight.

"I hear he is the strongest knight in Lord Galway's court. Look at those green eyes! You can see his muscles even through his chainmail…" the girl swooned, smiling widely.

Merlin swallowed the lump in his throat and looked back towards the knight, who continued to drill holes into Merlin's soul with his gaze.

The servant girl cocked her head to the side and whispered to Merlin, "Is he staring right at you?"

Before Merlin could answer, one of Camelot's knights called the servant girl over for a glass of wine and she left in a hurry. Merlin was so distracted by the knight's gaze that he wasn't even able to figure out which servant was talking to him. Luckily, Lord Galway raised his hand to bring the knight closer to him. The knight leaned over to allow his Lord to whisper in his ear. Merlin took that chance to scurry into the kitchen.

Who was that man?

XXX

The next day, Arthur and Lord Galway met privately together to discuss policies, allies and enemies, and territory borders. None of it really made sense to Merlin, who once again was encouraged to stand in the corner of the room. Merlin was relieved that the knight from the night before seemed a lot less interested in Merlin and kept to himself, standing beside his seated king with his hands behind his back.

"I've had my daughter marry Lord Kell's son, so we've created an ally there," Lord Galway mentioned briefly, pointing at the map in front of them.

"Excellent," Arthur said, though his expression didn't convey happiness. "But I've heard that your knights have gone into Lord Jeril's territory and there's been battle there. As an ally of Lord Jeril, I cannot take part in that dispute."

Lord Galway forced laughter and shook his head, "Oh, no, there was nothing to that battle. Just a misunderstanding."

Arthur raised his eyebrow in suspicion and Merlin almost smiled. "I'm sorry, my Lord, but I find that hard to believe."

"Tyde, please explain what happened," Lord Galway waved his knight over to clarify and Merlin watched intently.

Tyde, the knight who had been glaring at Merlin last night, stepped forward, close enough to begin pointing at territories on the map spread out on the table.

"There was miscommunication between the knights here, and here," Tyde began in a deep, baritone voice. Merlin's stomach nearly dropped and his eyes widened at the sound. "It seems our messenger birds were shot out of the sky by villagers, with no malice intent."

Merlin felt his heartbeat quicken and his fingers began to twitch. There was no doubt about it. It was the man behind the mask. Merlin would recognize that low, silky voice anywhere. It was unmistakable. No wonder why the man was staring at Merlin. He knew… Tyde knew who Merlin was… what he was.

Tyde finished his explanation and stood up straight, replacing his hands behind his back and staring at nothing in particular.

"That makes much more sense," Arthur began, completely unaware of what Merlin knew. "Now then…"

Arthur began saying other things, but all Merlin could hear was his blood rushing through his ears and the echoing pounds of his heart. Tyde then looked at Merlin with his deep green eyes.

Merlin swore he saw a hint of a smile lurking behind his expression.