Arthur was waiting inside the tent looking annoyed, Merlin quickly dressed him in his armour. "Where have you been?"
"Sorry I overslept," it was the only answer he could think of on the spur of the moment. "Well it's lucky I'm not first."
Rose was soon standing on the sidelines in full armour, her helmet on and her beautiful pure white unicorn standing next to her. Blessed with the power of speech this unicorn was the best of the best a true warhorse at heart. "How's your dragon?" Rose glared at her if unicorns could grin then this one would be. "Two things. One, your not supposed to be talking. Two no one is to know I own a dragon!"
"Especially one that comes to your every call and adores you!"
"She doesn't do that at all now"
"Only because you made her sleep and she will wake up when you call on her to wake up." Rose rolled her eyes, if anyone had heard this Uther may find this news more important than Igraine coming back to life. "Would you be a little more careful about were we are when you say these things."
Rose was about to joust she mounted her unicorn and Her opponent mounted his. Taking a lance she got ready to throw this knight right off. They charged their noble steeds throwing up so much sand from the floor. Rose could no longer hear the crowd as she concentrated on winning and sending this knight flying. As the lances hit the shields the other knight flew through the air his horse still going. The knight hit the ground and his helmet came off he wasn't getting up in a hurry. He had given up. Rose turned her unicorn round. One run, what a weakling. As she looked down at the night she saw it was Sir Ector's son Sir Kay was laying there. Rose left the arena knowing she had won.
Arthur's fight went just as well , winning easily. He returned to his tent where Merlin was waiting for him. Merlin unarmed Arthur and placed the armour on the floor, he would put it away soon. Arthur was surprised Merlin was normally chatting away, but today he didn't say a word. "Are you alright?" Merlin looked into Arthur's face and nodded still not saying a word. "Are you sure?" "Sure, I'm fine. Just thinking" Merlin replied he didn't look with it.
Everyone met in the hall for that night's feast. Merlin hadn't been right all day and Arthur knew something was up. He had tried everything he could think of to get the answer, but Merlin still wasn't talking.
Merlin was over with Gaius now and Arthur went to speak to Rose hoping she would know. "Rose," Rose turned and smiled "I was hoping you might be able to tell me what's wrong with Merlin," she looked over at him. "Oh…let me show you!" She walked out of the hall and Arthur followed. She walked down steps and through corridors and through the courtyard to Gaius's chambers. They went inside there was Igraine. When she saw Arthur she went all wide eyed. "It's ok, this is Arthur. Your son." Arthur and Igraine looked at each other not believing their eyes. "Mum!" Arthur said in a weak voice. Igraine looked at him and smiled. She hugged him close and kissed his cheek amazed to see him. It was all explained to Arthur about Nimueh killing her, Merlin killing Nimueh and then Robin bringing her here. Everything.
Rose took a deep breath "Arthur, we must be getting back." He nodded and they turned and went. "I don't believe this, does my father know?" Rose shook her head.
"That's why Merlin's acting like that he is trying like the rest of us to think of a way to tell Uther!" Arthur nodded and they half ran half walked back in silence.
The feast was lovely, the room was full of chatter and the food was delicious. Arthur turned to Merlin "thank you" Merlin looked round at him. "What for?" Arthur made sure that his father wasn't listening, he was talking to Rose so he replied "for bringing my mother back." He explained to Merlin how he had done it.
"Rose showed you then," Arthur nodded.
The feast was over, servants were clearing away places and dishes. Uther took Gaius to one side to talk to him they stood just outside the door no one had noticed them leave. Uther was just about to say something when he fell to the floor and fainted!
