Night was starting to fall by the time they made it to the destination. It was an old castle by the cliff side. No doubt it location had been long forgotten by nearly all and would make an excellent base to plan their attack. Arthur had instructed everyone to look for anything that could be of use. Kagome had taken the time to go out hunting. It did not take her long to bring back a few rabbits.

"Here. This should be able to feed us all tonight." Kagome said laying the rabbits she just skinned down on one of the tables. "Gwen will you help me cook?"

Gwen looked over to her dear friend. She had almost not recognized her when they were reunited. She looked every bit a warrior and was just as shocked at how Arthur introduced her to Lancelot as he had been. But she still was the same woman she had grown to love like a sister. "Of course."

The two girls started to prepare the meal. They had found some old wood that they could burn to create a fire. Kagome skewered the rabbits on one of the old fireplace pokers before setting it above the fire.

Gwaine entered the room with a handful of weapons and dropped them onto the table. They were not the best quality of weapons, but they were better than nothing. "They must've been left by bandits."

The group of men started to rummage through the weapons, picking out the ones they could use. It was not like the weapons would do much good against an immortal army, but the feeling of a weapon in their hands gave them a sense of security and strength.

"Here! Come and join me." Arthur said as he looked down at the old round table. It had to be the round table of legends.

Everyone went to gather around the table, each sitting down in one of the chairs surrounding it. There were just enough chairs for everyone to have a seat. Arthur helped guide Gwen into her chair before moving to stand in front of his.

"This table belonged to the ancient kings of Camelot. A round table afforded no one man more importance than any other. They believed in equality in all things. So, it seems fitting that we revive this tradition now. Without each of you, we would not be here. My father has languished in prison for too long. Tomorrow, I make my bid to rescue him. Are there any around this table who will join me?" Arthur spoke with all the conviction he could. He would not force any of them to fight this battle, but he would accept any help that was offered to him.

Lancelot was the first person to stand. "You taught me the values of being a knight, the code by which a man should live his life. To fight with honour for justice, freedom, and all that's good. I believe in the world that you will build."

"Even though I was a commoner, a nobody, you were willing to lay down your life for me, Arthur. It is now my turn to repay you." Elyan told Arthur standing up as well to show his support.

"I have fought alongside you many times. There is no one that I would rather die for." Sir Leon said rising like the others before him.

Sir Lucan and Sir Laufre stood up as well. "We have grown up together, Arthur. We have stuck by your side the entire time and we will not stop now." Sir Lucan said bowing slightly.

"I think we've no chance." Gwaine said catching the attention of the room, before continuing. "But I wouldn't miss it for the world."

"Well, I think we have a chance." Kagome said with a smile. "I will go to help keep you all alive." There was no way she would let Arthur and Merlin enter that castle without her. Besides she needed to get to the cup, she was the only one who could stop it.

Percival stood up. He did not know the prince as well as the others, but he could tell the man had a great heart and would be an excellent king one day. "Your enemies are my enemies."

Gaius too stood up. He knew he could not do much in the terms of fighting but he could always lend a hand if need be. "If you need an old man."

Gwen stood up as well. If Gaius could offer his assistance then so would she. "You know the answer." She said looking at the man she loved.

Arthur stood for a minute waiting for the last person remaining to offer his help. He knew the man would follow him everywhere, even if it annoyed him. "Merlin?"

Merlin had been to caught up with the sight of everyone volunteering that he had forgotten to stand up himself, already knowing he was planning on going with Arthur. But when Arthur called his name he could not help the words that left his mouth. "No, don't really fancy it.

"You don't have a choice, Merlin." Arthur told him, knowing that the man was only joking.

Merlin nodded his head before standing up to join the rest. "OK."

"I want to thank you all for staying loyal to me in Camelot's hour of need. I'll do something that my father won't approve of." Arthur told them before motioning the men to kneel on the floor. One by one he anointed each one of them.

"Arise, Sir Lancelot, Knight of camelot. Arise, Sir Gwaine, Knight of camelot. Arise, Sir Percival, Knight of camelot. Arise, Sir Elyan, Knight of camelot. Tomorrow, when you fight, you can stand proud knowing you are members of the most noble army the world has ever known." Arthur said as he finished knighting the four men.

Arthur turned to face Kagome who was leaning against one of the castle's support columns. "Kagome, I may not be able to knight you due to your gender, but know that in my heart you will always be a knight of Camelot." Arthur told her. He was already going to face scrutiny for knighting these for men born to common birth. To knight a woman might cause uproar.

Kagome smiled at Arthur. She knew he respected her, especially when he learned of her skills in battle. "Do not worry, Arthur" Kagome assured him. "Besides I do not look good in red or in chainmail." She added teasing him and lightening the mood. It caused the rest of the room to burst out laughing.

"Dinner's ready." Gwen said smiling. It was nice, being around such caring people. She had not felt this while she had been at the castle with Morgana. The young woman had become so evil and full of hate. She could not believe how far her friend had fallen.

Arthur had summoned them all around the round table. Today they were going to sneak into the castle and free the king. Kagome had overheard Merlin talking to Lancelot. He would need her skills if they were planning to go after the cup.

"There is a tunnel under the northern ramparts that brings us only a few paces from the entrance to the dungeons. It will be well guarded. So, if we're going to break everyone out, we must remain unobserved. We cannot let them raise the alarm." Arthur told the group. The key to this attack will be their secrecy. Morgana would never expect them to attack.

"We need to take out the warning bell. That way the warriors have no mean of communication." Lancelot said noticing a way to get Merlin away from Arthur and the others.

Arthur nodded. "Good idea."

"I'll need someone with me who knows the castle." Lancelot told him, knowing Merlin would understand and volunteer.

"I'll go." Merlin quickly spoke up before Gaius or Gwen could offer.

"I'll go too." Kagome said. She was not about to be left behind. "Lancelot could use another sword. Merlin is not very useful in that department." She knew Merlin could hold his own, but she needed Arthur to agree.

Lancelot glanced at the woman. This was not good, Merlin could not use magic with anyone around who could expose him, but before he could tell the prince he would be fine without her Arthur agreed.

"Alright." Arthur said. He already had six good men with him and while he would have liked Kagome's help, she would be more helpful to Lancelot. Merlin had a habit of causing more problems than was necessary. "Everyone, prepare to move out."

Kagome walked over to Lancelot and Merlin. The knight probably wanted to talk to Merlin about her going with them. If he honestly thought he could stop her he was dead wrong.

"You weren't planning to go without me." Kagome said in a sweet voice, but Merlin caught the hidden anger beneath it. She probably overheard him last night talking to Lancelot and thought he was going to go after the cup without her.

Lancelot glanced at the woman noticing her tense form. She was obviously angry, but how did she know he was planning to leave without her. He had hoped to talk to Merlin alone and see how he thought they should handle the situation.

"Of course not, Kagome." Merlin told her. "I always knew you would be joining us." That seemed to put Kagome at ease as her body slowly started to relax.

"Good, because there will be an immortal army between you and the cup. One sword will not be enough to break through their lines." Kagome told him.

Once again, Lancelot looked over towards the woman. It appeared as though she knew Merlin's secret. If that was the case than he would greatly appreciate her aid. If she was anything like Arthur describe then she would be a great asset. "Then welcome aboard." He said. Deciding the two did not need him he made his way towards the others, passing Gaius as he made his way towards the two he just left.

"You need to be careful." Gaius said approaching the two young magic users, he too had overheard Merlin's conversation with Lancelot and knew what they were planning to do.

"We've got the easy bit. The warning bell is nothing compared to the cells." Merlin joked with a smile on his face.

Gaius tossed him a knowing look. "I overheard you, Merlin. If Morgause catches either one of you, she'll kill you." Morgause and Morgana were well aware of how dangerous Kagome and Merlin could be. Merlin had foiled their plans before and Kagome was close to Merlin.

"I have no choice." Merlin told him, his voice losing its joking tone. He had hoped to leave the older spell caster out of the mission, but that was no longer possible.

"I remember the bumbling idiot that came charging into my chamber all those years ago. Who would believe." Gaius said looking at the mature young man before him. "Take care of him Kagome."

Kagome nodded as Gaius walked off, probably saddened at the thought of them going into danger.

"Why is it you that has to take care of me? Should it not be the other way around?" Merlin asked looking at Kagome. Everyone, save for Lancelot, thought he was incapable to fending for himself.

"He is just saying that because he knows that if you planned on sacrificing your life I would stop you." Kagome told him softly. Merlin was like her in that aspect. They would both sacrifice their lives for their friends. However, Merlin was too important to die now.

"Promise me, Merlin." Kagome started to say. "Promise me we will make it through this. I already lost so much, I don't know if I could take anymore."

Merlin stared down to the small witch beside him. She spoke with such sadness, something that he did not like hearing in her voice. Walking up to her he wrapped his arms around her form, pulling her to his chest. "I cannot promise we will make it back, but I can promise that whatever we face, we face it together."

Kagome looked up into the blue eyes of the man who held her heart. Merlin could see the love swirling in her deep blue depths. He never thought he could love anyone again after Freya, but here he was. His eyes strayed to her full red lips, begging to be kissed. Slowly he moved his head down, giving her plenty of time to retreat. Their lips met briefly, sending shivers down their spines, but their lips did not have more than a brush before they pulled back, their peaceful moment broken when Arthur called them all to move.

Note from the author: I am so sorry it has taken so long to update. I finished the story last summer, but I just realized that I had not uploaded the last few chapters. I should have all the chapters uploaded by the end of the weekend.