The Letters of Camelot

by I.thought.slash.meant.horror

Before Merlin and before the Great Purge, magic ruled beside King Uther Pendragon as well as his cousin and friends, the Knights of Camelot. But when a Dragon attacks, young Hunith meets her own saviour, Balinor. And this is where we begin. Love, Hate, War, Peace and Magic filled in a world on the cornerstone of change. Can be read on its own or as a prequel to OtherVersionofEvent

3. A Wife for the King

A/N: So, I was supposed to upload this on Saturday. Now it is Wednesday.

Apologies... End of year uni celebrations, work, drunken Christmas parties.

A maze thing: Here is more, just for you. :)

---

A Wife for the King

To my dearest Ector and Balinor,

There is not much to say about the famed Market City. It is a vermin-filled hole located on the underside of the earth. It should never be visited or even thought of for vacation purposes. If I ever find out either of you have travelled here, I will have your hides, not caring how old you are. Ector, I am specifically talking to you.

I hope to return before Midsummer. I have almost found The Executioner. He has killed three more since the attack, but I am still winning as I've stopped more than fifteen of his rituals over the last two years and not a single one of the deaths ended a bloodline. There are more like him out there, I have discovered. But I hope that finding him will lead to others. It is harder than I thought, tracking down a faceless man, but somehow I have covered a lot of ground.

Both of you, be safe and watch out for each other. I have heard great things about you, Balinor. You have done much good in your role as Master of Dragon's, despite your lack of gifts. Better still as Lord Ambrosius, which I know is a tedious title, but you have done well. Although, maybe please stop sleeping during your meetings. No one has told me such things, but call it a Father's intuition.

And Ector too. I know it must be hard doubling up on duties, between Court Advisor and your brother. It mustn't be easy. But I am so very proud of you and the man you have become. There has never been a day I have regretted you are my son, and your actions of late prove just why that is.

Out of all my achievements, the wars I've won and the dragons I've tamed, having a hand in raising the two of you into the fine young men you are today is by far my greatest. I miss you both terribly and hope to be together soon.

Say hello to every for me and tell Celosia and Nuriel, Aodh sends his regards.

Love your father,

Sayard

---

Uther was striding – rushing – through his kingdom to start the Council meeting. Technically, he was not late for it. Uther was the King so he couldn't be late. Everyone else must have been early. The injury in his shoulder was paining him. He received it during the War for Camelot when he took a flail strike from behind. Gaius gave him daily potions to ease the pain, but he'd woken up too late and forgotten to take it and now he was rolling his shoulder to ease the discomfort.

He was so preoccupied, with the pain, his internal musings and the fact he was late – a fact he would never admit to – that when he turned to corner to reach the council chambers, Uther didn't realise someone was walking right at him until their heads slammed together.

He fell back onto his arse as did whoever he slammed into, and his nose was throbbing as well as his shoulder. He rubbed his face, opening hs eyes and ready to tear his 'attacker' a new hole when he saw the Lady Ygraine in front of him, rubbing her face.

"Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow," she groaned, massaging her face and her forehead. "That hurt," she grumbled.

"L-Lady Ygraine? I apologise!" Uther said quickly. "Are you alright? Are you hurt?"

He quickly knelt forward on his knees, grasping her shoulder and the other hand resting on her leg. "I'm terribly sorry… I didn't mean… Are you alright?" Uther was fumbling for words and didn't hear the quiet snickers from behind Ygraine or even notice they had an audience.

Ygraine looked up and finally saw Uther. "Oh, Sire. It is I who should be apologising. I am sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going. Are you alright, milord?"

"I'm all right," he muttered, though Uther, wasn't. He had never been so humiliated in his life. He fidgeted uncomfortably, ready to turn tail when he noticed the cut on Ygraine's forehead where his crown had hit her. "You're bleeding," he said, swallowing stiffly. She reached up and lightly touched her head. Her face paled when her fingers came back with blood.

From his trousers, he withdrew a handkerchief. It was a white silk token someone had handed him before a fight the other day, and he wasn't quite sure who. Uther hastily wiped her bloodied fingers and pressed the silk to her head. "I'm sorry," he mumbled, inconsolably. "I hurt you."

"It's alright," she said lightly, touching his arm. "Honestly, Sire. It was an accident. I am as much to blame as you are."

But he couldn't hear her words. Uther felt nothing but guilt for hurting Ygraine. No matter how many years passed or how many women he bedded – and there were quite a few – Uther couldn't love anyone more than he loved Ygraine. He couldn't even fathom another and often imagined her in the place of the women he bedded.

Quite often the serving girls he seduced would have similar hair or the same coloured eyes. Uther was obsessed.

He tried opening his mouth to say something. Maybe to apologise again or maybe to tell Ygraine how much he believed her new yellow dress suited her. He could tell it was new because he knew all of her outfits, from the blue gown she wore to functions to the red dress she sometimes wore around the castle. But this one was yellow, and he burned to tell her how beautiful she looked in it, but all that came out were stuttering noises.

"Milord." His head snapped up, along with Ygraine's and there stood Frenwyn and Lachlan, both with matching grins on their faces. Just behind them was Walden who was smiling, but looked slightly more subdued. "The Council is waiting."

He stumbled to stand and, once on both feet, helped Ygraine to hers. "I will go to Gaius," she said, letting him take the silk away from her forehead. They both glanced at the handkerchief and then at each other. "If you wish, Sire, I can have that cleaned for you and returned."

He shook his head and pocketed it, "Don't worry. I have plenty, all alike. Tell me what happens with Gaius?"

"Of course, Sire." Ygraine bowed her head, stumbling slightly to the left. Uther wrapped his hands around her arms to steady her, and she gripped his in return. His heart faltered and skipped, and he wondered if she felt the crackle of lightning between them.

But she didn't. She couldn't.

No matter how hard he tried, Ygraine loved Goloris.

"Thank you, milord," she said, steady on her feet again.

He turned his head. "Sir Walden? Accompany the Lady Ygraine to Gaius's chambers. Make sure she is alright, then return to the meeting."

Walden nodded and approached. He offered his arm out to Ygraine, and she took it gratefully. "Thank you," she murmured, raising a hand to her head. "Ouch." Walden held his hand over hers and led her around the corner. Uther sighed, rubbing his face to hide his embarrassment.

A snicker from behind him only increased that embarrassment tenfold as he remembered that he had, had an audience throughout the whole ordeal.

Blushing red, he turned and pointed a stern finger at Lachlan, whom he knew was the only knight who would laugh at him in the vicinity. "Not a word of this to anyone, Lachlan," he warned.

"Don't know what you're on about Sire," Lachlan said but was having a hard time hiding his smirk. Uther just growled and headed into the Council chambers, wondering how he could be such a fool.

---

Did you see Ygraine and Uther in the hall?

Lachlan, don't start. Pay attention to the proceedings.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Very mature little brother.

"L-L-Lady Ygraine…"

Really, when are you going to grow up?

"I'm terribly… oh no… I… sorry…" – speech from this point on is incomprehensible.

I'm sure whatever he said made sense in his own mind.

Where his fantasies with, Ygraine shall forever remain a secret. I'm sure Uther dreams up some extra weird things… like Ygraine dressed as a knight and her hair done up in ribbons.

Are we talking about you or Uther?

Have you ever tried bedding someone in armour? It's disgustingly hard.

I think this conversation is over.

Wait. Stop. No, I didn't mean bedding someone in armour. I meant bedding a woman while you are in armour… It's difficult! Understand?

I understand you have trouble bedding people in armour.

Oh grow up, you sod!

---

The Court gathered as it did every fortnight to discuss farming, trading, defences, rosters and more. Frankly, Balinor hated it. It was boring, and he wanted to run himself through with a sword.

Two years had passed since that fateful night where Ector had saved Balinor from the man they all now called The Executioner. Balinor still bore a thin scar from his neck to his chin. In the time that had passed, Balinor had not only taken up his father's seat as Lord Ambrosius, but his role as the Master of Dragon's in his absence.

The former he found the easiest. Delegating the land and organising the taxes was easier compared to the times when he had to steer wayward dragons away from Camelot without any Dragonlord gifts. But that was why he had Nuriel and Celosia, the two of them never far from Ector and Balinor should they help it.

Balinor's premature spot on the council wasn't the only thing that had changed in those two years. He turned his eyes up the table where Nimueh sat, dressed in a formal dress of the Isle and a silver cloak. Shortly after the attacks, Uther inducted Nimueh into the Court as Court Sorceress. He said it was only because no one else could fit the role but truthfully, Balinor, Ector and Uther had always felt a loss whenever Nimueh returned to the Isle to live.

Now she had her tower in Camelot and only returned to the Isle for festivals and occasions, which Balinor also attended with Gaius and Alice.

Ector also was also promoted to Court Advisor, fulfilling those duties as well as his knightly ones, and it brought Balinor great happiness to see his brother achieving his full potential. It would just be better if he could sometimes relax when it came to caring for him.

Sometimes Ector proved too overprotective of him when Sayard wasn't around, which was most of the time as of late. The Dragonlord only returned to Camelot when the kingdom was in great need, or he lost the trail of The Executioner. Though Ector believed his fear of Balinor was wholly justified, Balinor sometimes found it downright annoying when his brother wouldn't leave him alone to go to the lower town which meant Hunith mostly had to visit him up in the Castle.

Not that either of them minded. Balinor smiled slightly thinking of Hunith. She was hilarious and often left him clutching his sides. She had befriended all she met, including the Prince Bagdemagus on his visits. Uther didn't seem to mind her either as Ygraine and Balinor and even Nimueh continually invited her to all their functions. Balinor suspected Nimueh and Ygraine liked having a young girl in their lives to treat like a younger sister and dress up as such. But Balinor enjoyed Hunith for the company.

Hunith was intelligent and quick-witted and always had an opinion. He liked her outspokenness, and the two became great friends despite what one might call a terrible age-gap. "You know I think it was destiny it was you who saved me and not one of the other knights. We were meant to be friends," she had said when, one day the previous summer. The two of them plus Ygraine, Goloris, Ector and Lewis had gone to the lake just outside of the city, and they had rested their feet in the waves.

Then Ector had come along and thrown Balinor into the deepest part of the lake, soaking him and declaring war. He smiled and lost himself in the thought of that summer's day when they had taken a vacation from their duties. Ygraine had huffed at all of them that they were children but proceeded to tackle Goloris into the water. They ended up kissing in the lake, and Ector and Lewis groaned and made gagging sounds. They threatened to tell Tristan, which was how they all learnt Hunith was surprisingly strong, able to push both knights into the lake with no help from the others.

"And Now and then the taxes from Lord Exeter's court counted?" Uther asked. Balinor looked down at his notes and realised he was a few pages behind, lost in the daydream. It was summer again, and he yearned to go down to the lake and relax. Being a Lord – Dragon or otherwise – was difficult.

Tristan shook his head and said, "Exeter has not yet delivered his reports, Sire."

"That is the third time in as many months. Send a party down to see what the matter is," Uther said, pulling out another set of papers. "And also someone should send word to Lord Hagen that a great number of his people have left his town to take refuge in Camelot, though no one can get a straight answer as to why."

"Isn't it obvious?" Nimueh said, resting her chin on her hand. Balinor knew the proceedings of Council bored her but she had to be in attendance, even if the stuffier of Councillors believed the presence of a woman to be disgraceful. "He treats servants like scum. If you ask, I'm sure you'll find it was one of the poorest towns that evacuated."

Uther hummed. "Well, we cannot make assumptions."

"I'm with Nimueh," Frenwyn muttered, and Lachlan nodded, agreeing with his brother.

The door to the Council Chambers opened, and a guard stood. "Milord, I beg your pardon, but Lord Ambrosius has arrived at the gates. He has sent word up that he seeks your council, but he is injured and is going to Gaius." Balinor perked up and looked at Ector who shrugged in response. Neither had expected Sayard's return until Midsummer, but it was barely the second week of the season, and he was injured.

Balinor looked at Uther, and he quickly nodded. Both Ector and Balinor stood up and went to the doors, Balinor only just hearing Uther say, "Tell him that I will be there shortly."

The brothers reached Gaius's chambers in record time and upon opening the door saw Sayard with his shirt off, hissing every time Gaius touched his chest. "Father!" Balinor exclaimed, rushing in first. "We weren't expecting you for at least another month."

Sayard smirked. "You sound disappointed. Do you like your new position in Court?"

"I've never seen him detest anything more," Ector commented lightheartedly, walking in slower and at a steadier pace. In the last few months, he'd grown a beard that was rough under his chin. Balinor shaved his off beard after realising how itchy it was. "You look like you've seen better days, old man."

"Watch it," Sayard said testily. "Or I'll have your beard."

Gaius showed both boys away. "He has a pair of broken ribs I need setting. If you would both step back."

They both hurriedly moved away as Gaius forced Sayard to lift his arm above his head to have access to bind the ribs. "Hunith?" Gaius called out. Balinor shifted his head to where Hunith appeared from the room just off from the chambers where stores were.

"Yes, Uncle Gaius?" Hunith called, sticking her head out. "Oh. Hello, Balinor, Ector."

"Bring out some more bandages, please."

Hunith nodded hurriedly and came back, handing Gaius what he needed. She had grown in two years, and her hair was much longer, down to her back. They rarely it saw it out, however, as it was always bundled up in a scarf on the top of her head. She helped hold Sayard's arm up, and he grunted his thanks.

"I didn't know you were helping Gaius today," Balinor murmured once Hunith had given Gaius his equipment. She moved to his side, and he couldn't help but smile at her. Since the fire in her village, Hunith and her father Owen moved into a house in the lower town and Hunith had become somewhat of an assistant to Gaius and Alice around the physician's chambers when she had free time.

"Well, Ygraine is with Vivienne and the other ladies of Court for stitching. I was invited to go when Ygraine came in earlier but…" She shook her head and chuckled. "I saw your father coming up to the castle, so I came too."

Sayard smiled. "She helped carry me up from the gates. She was my little walking stick." Hunith felt a blush creep up on her face.

"You were trying to get out of stitching, weren't you?" Ector knowingly grinned, when Hunith laughed without answering.

The doors opened, and Uther came in, Goloris just behind him. "Lord Ambrosius," Goloris cheered. "We weren't expecting you back for some time."

"So everyone keeps telling me. Sire, Sir Goloris." He greeted them both with a small nod, unable to do much more.

"What news?" Uther asked, getting straight to the point. "Did you find him?"

Sayard looked at up at them and nodded. "Yes, I found him." Gaius finished bandaging Sayard's ribs and let his arm down. "Thank you, old friend," he smiled at Gaius and Gaius patted his back.

"And what of it?" Uther asked. He had sent patrols out for weeks to hunt down the man who injured Balinor, and he still became angry at the mention of that night. If Balinor had to describe his cousin with only one word to a complete stranger, he knew what it would be. 'Unforgiving.' The King could hold a grudge for a lifetime. It was what had spurred him on to reclaim Camelot and Balinor was both blessed and cursed to be a part of Uther's collection of objects and people he refused to 'share'.

"I finally captured the man who tried to kill Balinor. I killed him," Sayard admitted quietly. Ector stiffened, and Hunith's hand slipped into Balinor's. He didn't even look down at their joined fingers but tightened his grip on her hand to reassure her. "But before I did so, I gained some information out of him. He is a part of a group of men who call themselves Déaþgodas."

Balinor frowned. "Spirits," he translated.

"It means more than that, Balinor. It means, The Infernal. Gods. Deities. They believe themselves stronger than druids, or sorcerers. They even think themselves stronger than Dragons, for they know how to slay them."

"How can you slay a dragon?" Ector scoffed. "Only Dragons or Dragonlords can kill another Dragon."

"I do not know, but they have a way. They kill bloodlines and steal their magic. They steal the children's first so that the magic has nowhere to go to be passed on. It is easier to kill the child as they are powerless to defend themselves. If there is a child, they use their blood to withdraw the magical inheritance. But if there is a childless Dragonlord, they mine the magic out from their souls in an even more dangerous ritual for both the Dragonlord and the Déaþgodas. They prefer using the blood magic. That's why he was trying to kill Balinor first." Ector's hand landed on Balinor's shoulder. He wasn't sure if his brother was attempting to comfort him, or if he was comforting himself by holding onto Balinor. Either way, Balinor did not shrug him off.

"They slay the dragons then use their skins for armour. It is smart. Nothing can penetrate a Dragons hide. But to kill such a beast…" Sayard shook his head sadly.

Uther frowned, "For one man to have so much magic… is there not a consequence?"

With a nod, Sayard replied, "Their name isn't too far from accurate. Having so much magic makes them Gods."

"So it would be best to annihilate them," Uther said.

"We are organising it," Sayard assured him. "The Dragonlords. I have sent word, and we are gathering next fortnight."

"You will leave again," Balinor said. Pain blossomed in his chest. He had thought that when his father finally finished the man who had tried to kill him, that would be all. He hadn't known there would be a bigger War. If he had, he would never have asked his father to kill The Executioner. He would never risk Sayard's life in such a way.

Sayard smiled sadly. "I am one of the Elders, Balinor. I have hunted one of them myself. I must go."

"It took you two years to hunt him down. Now that you are hunting them all down, how long will that take?" he argued.

"Now I will have assistance. There is a great many of us keen to protect our bloodlines. To defend our children." He looked pointedly at Balinor, and he sighed. "Their numbers are smaller than ours. They may have the power of Gods, but we are men of Dragons. Dragon trumps everything."

"Tell that to the ones who are dead," Balinor snapped. He let go of Hunith's hand and shook Ector's off his shoulder, then proceeded to leave the chambers. Behind him was a small argument of who should follow him but Hunith won out, ignoring the men and leaving before they could get a word out.

"Balinor!" she called out, in the hallway. He didn't stop moving. She sighed and chased after him, wondering how someone who was supposed to be a Lord could be so immature.

He allowed her to chase him out of the castle and down into the lower town where he went and found the forge. Inside he swept his cloak off and nodded briefly to the blacksmith, a young man named Thomas.

Hunith followed him in, with a small frown on her face as Balinor readily went to a workstation where he'd obviously been many times before, moving around with familiarity. She stood back and watched as he found a large cast and poured hot iron inside of it. They watched it cool together until it was time for Balinor to beat it into shape.

He pulled the heated metal out of the mould and attached it to a long line of links. It was then that Hunith recognised the form of a chain. It was a giant chain. Bigger than any she could imagine. He sealed shut the link with more iron, which he beat together to bind them, then listened as he chanted with magic. The chain flashed from silver to gold, then died out to a dull grey.

The whole process took more than an hour, and Hunith just found herself a stool and sat there patiently. She watched and she waited for him to calm down. In her mind, no man went and beat metal with such vigour unless they were furious with something, and she did not know how to talk with an angry man.

"I'm sorry," he finally said. He turned to her, beads of sweat down his brow. He had flashes of gold still in his eyes, magic dying from them and his face was ashen from the heat of the forge.

"Don't be," she said smiling lightly. "I like watching you use magic."

He smiled back at her but then the grin faltered. "I just don't want him to leave again."

"Maybe you should tell him that," Hunith offered.

He shook his head. "Asking my father to step away from his duties as a Dragonlord and, in his mind, as a father, would be the greatest dishonour I could show him."

"I'm sure he'd understand. You are his son, and you care for him."

"You don't understand. Family and Kin is the way of the Dragons and their Dragonlord's. For him not to help would go against his very nature. I know he must go and I would not ask him to dishonour himself. I simply wish he didn't have to leave."

Hunith couldn't understand it but agreed anyway. "What are you making?" she asked, tilting her head to the side.

He stared down at the chains then back at Hunith with a smile. "I am not yet a Dragonlord, and do not wish to be so for many years to come. I thought of how best I can imprison dragons for their crimes instead of sending them away to kill other innocent people." He lifted up the cooled chains. "I found a spell to make unbreakable chains."

"Really," she gasped. "That is amazing."

"Thank you," he said, tilting his head in embarrassment.

Hunith just stared at the metal. "And do you believe that can entrap a dragon?"

"Only a powerful magic can break them free… or, of course, the key," he joked. "But they wouldn't be able to free themselves. Someone else would have to."

"That's brilliant," she admitted. "So Dragons could pay for their crimes."

Balinor frowned slightly then nodded. "Yes. We could imprison them much the same way we imprison humans. It would also save from killing the ones with lesser crimes and maybe the laws of the Dragons could become more lenient." He thought of how the Dragons themselves had harsh laws for each other, most of which the punishment was death. "I have yet to test them. So far, though, they are indestructible."

They both stared at the chains and then Hunith reached out and touched Balinor's shoulder. "I know you're worried about your father, but he will be okay. Isn't he one of the Dragonlord Elders? You told me once the Elders are protected, even during a war."

Balinor smiled and agreed. "I know Hunith. Thank you for coming after me."

"You're welcome." She took his hand and tugged him along. "Now come. Your father has come home, and you are absolutely filthy."

He laughed, tilting his head back. "Alright, alright. But I first have to tend to the dragons. Come with me?"

Hunith wore a tense smile as she shook her head. "How about I organise a bath in your room for you and by the time you finish with Celosia and Nuriel, it will be ready and heated. Then we can meet in the kitchens for lunch."

Balinor felt a twinge of regret at the fear in her eyes. One thing he had not been able to help Hunith with since he rescued her was her fear of dragons. She never outright spoke of it, but he saw it in her eyes whenever he talked about them. She also feared for him when he left the castle at night, afraid to find on of the Executioner's returned and gotten to him.

But the fear of going out at night, he understood. He had trouble going out at night without Ector or another companion for the first few months after the attack.

However, Hunith's fear of dragon's hurt him, almost like he couldn't share a part of his soul with her. "Alright. Sounds like a plan." I can't push her, he thought sadly and landed a kiss on her cheek, as he always did, before heading down to the clearing where Nuriel and Celosia always were, hopefully keeping out of trouble.

---

A letter to Sir Arnold,

I have read your interest in regaining your inheritance, but find I cannot allow you what you wish. Your grandfather's will is quite clear. The only way in which you can receive your fathers land is to be wed and with children. That was the law cited by your grandfather, and as you are not married nor with children, the lands still belong to me.

Once the terms are satisfied, I shall return them to you.

Sincerely,

Lord Gerome Hagen

---

Arnold scrunched the letter up between his fingers and threw it against the wall of his chambers where it harmlessly bounced and fell to the floor. He glared at the letter and crossed his arms over his chest, laying his fists under his arms to stop himself from striking the stone.

During the time of Vertigern, Arnold had grown up in Camelot, in the citadel. His father had been a knight to Constantine but, when Vertigern came, he swore his allegiance to the new king.

All the while his father had been sending letters to Lord Ambrosius and Gaius, keeping them and King Budic informed of all the going's on inside Vertigern's court. Arnold's father, Sir Wallace had been dedicated to the Pendragon name and was the greatest spy Camelot ever knew, able to whisper in Vertigern's ear with his complete trust.

That was until Arnold's thirteenth birthday.

Somehow, the King discovered Wallace's betrayal but not before Wallace learnt the King was planning to execute him. He helped his son escape Camelot. Arnold rode straight to Anglia, not resting until he got to the gates where he promptly collapsed. His father's lands had been handed over to, at the time, the Warlord Hagen.

Three years later, Arnold watched as Hagen realised Vertigern's time was nearing an end, and he dedicated his small army to Uther, including the lands that were entitled to him.

Much later, the two had struck a deal. Hagen would keep Arnold's lands until he became of age and was a Knight.

Now, Arnold was a Knight. He was nineteen and had been inducted by Uther the year before and became the second to Walden of a small guard. He had sent his seal, with his Knighted name and the legion he belonged to, but now Hagen demanded a wife and child.

He growled. The man was never going to give him his lands back, this he knew now. Even if he were to have twelve children, it would not be enough to appease the Lord.

Though marriage was something that he had been pondering for some time, strangely. Or at least, marriage to one particular young lady.

Arnold threw the thoughts from his head.

It started two years ago. The strange feelings he had to none other than Hunith Adhan. He thought of her as pretty and naïve, a child with a talent for falling and a certain energy that made everyone fall in love with her. It was hard to put his finger on, but he could only describe it as her kindness.

But he dismissed such ideas because she was a child and wasn't of a noble breed and Uther looked down upon both of those things.

However, she was allowed to come to functions. It was strange, but they reasoned she was Gaius's niece through marriage and Ygraine came to the girl's defence and proclaimed her a friend. Nimueh had agreed too, and while Arnold despised her and all magic, her word was law in Uther's mind, and soon he saw Hunith was more than just a beautiful face.

She was smart.

She knew geography better than most Knights and could read and write and tell of Camelot's rich and diverse history. She didn't act like a peasant and quite quickly upstaged many other young women her age in the Court with her witty comments and intelligence.

Then she turned thirteen, and she was old enough to be courted, and Arnold stood at the banquet and watched as Thaddeus, the most annoying and possibly the most handsome – a debate he'd heard amongst the kitchen maids one day – of the squires had asked her to dance. Balinor snorted in laughter and encouraged her to dance with the sixteen-year-old squire, but Arnold was jealous.

Hunith was a child. Many would be thinking of her as prospective wife to be wed on her sixteenth. Unless of course, she was like Ygraine and Vivienne. One was waiting for the perfect moment to marry for love and the other waiting for a certain King to realise she was pining for him. Arnold rolled his eyes.

Marriage was about duty and honour, and Arnold's father taught him the best brides were the intelligent but diligent ones. The ladies who wouldn't speak until spoken to, but whispered quiet things in his ear that he would not think of himself. Hunith always knew her place in court and had been giving Balinor and Nimueh ideas to improve Camelot since her arrival.

Now that Arnold was a member of Council if he had a wife such as Hunith, then her ideas would be his.

And she is beautiful. The idea kept circling through around mind, and despite the fact she was a commoner, he realised her talents made up for the unfortunate circumstances of her birth.

Obviously, Arnold could not marry her yet. She had three more years until she could wed properly, but Arnold could court her and if she was a commoner, the age of her marriage could be brought down to fifteen. He could even buy her from her father to ensure she didn't wed until then.

If I was to be engaged and I had Uther's support… Hagen had to bow to Uther, despite everything else. An engagement should be enough for the treaty. It had to be enough, as he did not know what else he could offer him and did not have any other bride in mind. He pushed himself off from his chair and went straight to the council chambers.

As he entered, he found himself unsurprised to see Uther dining with his cousin Sayard, Tristan, Goloris and Ector. Balinor was out of sight and for this, Arnold couldn't help but be thankful. The acting Lord Ambrosius had a liking for the village girl, and Arnold was sure he would disagree with Arnold's intentions.

He bowed politely at Uther and Sayard, for despite his legion with magic, he was still a Lord of the land and he had to show him respect. "Your majesty. Milord," he bowed at both of them.

"Sir Arnold," Uther said curtly. "What is the matter?"

Arnold twisted his the leather of his glove around his finger for a moment then struck up some courage. "Sire, I come to ask for your permission to use your name on behalf of one of my… accounts."

Uther frowned. "What accounts?"

"Lord Hagen, Sire. When my father was beheaded, Vertigern gave his lands to the Lord. The lands are rightfully mine. He had I agreed upon my knighthood he shall give me my lands back. It has been a year, and he has not. Instead, he gave me another proposition."

Uther exchanged a glance with Tristan who glanced at him and Ector had a smug grin with a look that clearly said, 'I told you so'. "What proposition?" Uther asked

"That he would give me my lands should I marry and have a child."

Uther strummed his fingers together, glancing down at the papers in front of him. "Well, surely he wishes the lands to be secure. If I remember correctly, there is an entire town on those lands, is there not?" He stole a quick glance to Tristan who sighed and leant back in his chair. Ector just rolled his eyes.

"No Sire, I don't believe that is his intent. However, if you sign your name and demand my lands back…"

"You cannot do that," Ector said clearly, and everyone snapped their heads to him. He looked at Arnold sympathetically. "I mean, if I may speak. I sympathise with your plight, Arnold, and if I may speak frankly, I despise Lord Hagen. But if the King goes around demanding lands from Lord's, especially Lord's we have a tedious relationship with, then they'll start attacking."

"He's right you know," Tristan agreed. "And I'm afraid a great many of legions in our army come from Hagen. For Uther to demand the lands back…"

"It would be a Civil War," Goloris concluded, looking more at Uther than at Arnold. "It has been four years since you recovered the throne, Sire and the damages from Vertigern's rule, especially that to the morale of the people is great. To have feuds amongst our men would stir up too much distrust in the Crown."

Uther waved his hand. "I wasn't going to agree with it in the first place. Not, Arnold, because I do not care, but because I already knew of all the problems Goloris, Tristan and Ector have pointed out." Uther sighed. "I apologise. I wish to help you, after all, you and your father have done for me, but when it comes to Hagen, my hands are tied."

"If you would hear out one more idea I have, milord." Arnold stepped forward and the five men in the room watched him. "If I was to change the proposition. If I was to ask Hagen to allow an engagement and not a wedding and if you oversee the contract… he would have to forfeit the lands to me."

Uther looked at his current council, and they all shrugged. Hagen would be bound by his word if Uther oversaw it. "Why engagement? Why not settle for the marriage?"

Arnold bit his lip and glanced at Sayard and Ector, both of whom would tell Balinor of his intents to the young Hunith. "She is too young, at the moment Sire. I have not even asked for her hand."

With a small nod, Uther said, "If you ask for her hand and she says yes, and you can get Hagen to agree on the new terms, I shall oversee the contract personally. I give you my word."

Arnold smiled and bowed. "Thank you, your majesty."

In the next two hours, Arnold had bathed and shaved and was walking towards the lower town to the house Hunith lived in with her father, near the very edge of the city. He picked up his cloak to save it from being messed in the dirt and stood outside of Owen Adhan's door.

He knocked and a moment later the door opened to show the blue eyed Owen, his caramel coloured hair receding slightly with age. "Ah… Sir…" he trailed off.

"Arnold. Sir Arnold." He forced a large smile on his face. "May I come in?"

Owen raised an eyebrow. "I've paid my taxes."

"That is not what this is about," Arnold said tightly. "It's about your daughter."

"My daughter?"

"Hunith."

A small amount of alarm swept across his face. "Is grave alright?"

"Yes, Mister Adhan. May I please come in," he repeated strenuously.

After schooling his features, Owen nodded and stepped away from the door. Arnold stepped inside and, despite the house being on the very outreaches of the citadel, it was rather spacious. It was divided into two sections; the dining room, kitchen and a bed and then the backspace which Arnold assumed the second bedroom.

He assumed Owen slept in the front room, his boots beside the bed. "Hunith is out?"

"Yes. With Lord Balinor and the Lady Ygraine from what she said. Would you like a drink?" he offered.

Arnold nodded gratefully and sat at the dining table. "Tea, if you have it."

Owen went about making a pot and returned, putting the cups down and sitting across from Arnold. "I apologise, however, I am not too familiar with you. I know you apart of King Uther's most trusted knights however I am only on personal terms with a few who take care of Hunith while I am farming."

Arnold looked surprised. "You work in the fields?"

He nodded. "I stay there for five days of the week and return here for the rest of the time. The fields are too much of a distance to go and return daily, and I am afraid I have no other trade. But it's not so bad. I feel better leaving Hunith here than I did in Darreth. The Knights and Gaius and Alice and Balinor and the Lady Ygraine and Sorceress Nimueh… Between them all, Hunith is never alone." He smiled thoughtfully. "My sister and my brother helped raise Hunith together but just before the dragon attacked, Lissa left to raise her family and my brother moved to Essetir with his cousins. She missed all her cousins and her family but now has the nobles of Camelot," he snorted. "An upgrade from my brother's brats, I believe."

Arnold was unsure of what to say to the man pouring his heart out so forced a smile on his face. "She is quite amazing." Despite the forced nature of his words, he did mean it. It was why he chose her out of all the women in Camelot.

"That she is."

Arnold knew it was his lead. He had to ask now, or the moment would disappear and then it might become awkward, and with Owen's confession, he knew just the way to win the man. "Sir, I may know a way to ensure your daughter will be provided for, for the rest of her days." A small frown erupted between Owen's brows, but he didn't speak. "I wish to marry her when she comes of age," he offered, nervously continuing when Owen made no immediate object. "I believe she'd make a fine Lady of the Court and I can even pay for your taxes and your needs until she is of the marrying age."

With a sigh, Owen stood up from his chair. "Sir Knight, this is a bold thing you ask."

"I know, however–"

"For my daughter to marry a Knight would be a blessing for all of her days," he said quite seriously, letting Arnold fall quiet. "She would forever be taken care of, even after your death. She would have all the fineries of life that I cannot provide for her. However, there is something I need to know before I give my response, and you must answer with your word as a Knight that it is true."

Arnold grew worried as he feared what exactly the farmer might ask him but as his blue eyes flashed and he spoke, it wasn't what the knight had expected. "Why do you wish to marry my daughter?"

His face collapsed into surprise, and Arnold laughed the nervous energy that had built up inside of him away. "Sir, have you seen your daughter? She's beautiful and smart and witty and everything a man would want in a wife."

"But what is she to you?" Owen repeated. "Who is my daughter to you, Sir Knight?"

Arnold frowned, not understand. "She… She is…"

"Is she love? Do you love my daughter?" Owen asked harshly.

He blinked, unaware what that had to do with it, and shook his head. "No but…"

"Then my answer is the same," Owen replied, his jaw set in a firm line.

Arnold stood up in surprise. "What?"

With a long and weary sigh, Owen said, "Sir Arnold, I only have my daughter in this life, and I will give her hand to no man, especially when she is so young, for nothing less that true love."

"But…" Arnold choked. "You haven't even heard of what I was willing to offer!"

"Nothing less that true love," Owen repeated. "And she must love you back for I would never resign my daughter to a lesser fate." His face was stonily grave and his stance unmovable. Arnold had seen men like him before, set in their firm resolve and unbreakable. Rather than fight it, he stood and let himself out, utterly humiliated.

---

Dear Uther,

I know there is much that we must talk about. The other night, in your chambers… Uther, I do believe I love you. Please, I know this improper to ask but will you escort me to the banquet tonight?

Your love,

Vivienne

---

Because of Sayard's arrival, a great dinner was prepared for the return of the Lord. The Court Dragon Master sat in his dutiful place, to the right of the King and for the night, Lady Cecelia sat on Uther's left as he escorted her.

The Lady Vivienne kept shooting Cecelia deadly looks, but Uther pointedly ignored them both and focused on laughing with his friends.

Balinor sat beside his father, with Ector and Lewis across from them. Then there was Goloris and Ygraine and Hunith and Agravaine. Much to Agravaine and Hunith's displeasure, the two had accompanied each other for the evening. Ygraine had insisted and then, with his arm twisted by his sister, Tristan had forced Agravaine to accept. "How lovely would it be if we were sisters?" Ygraine asked, a large smile on her face.

At that moment, Hunith wished she had a brother to marry her to because she'd much rather break apart Goloris and Ygraine than be forced near Agravaine for too long. But she didn't say that out loud. Hunith was grateful that she was welcome to such a feast, even if it meant accompanying Agravaine.

It was more private than the usual Camelot party. The room was mostly filled with close friends. Frenwyn and Lachlan and the quiet and humble Walden; Gaius accompanied by Alice and a slightly perturbed looking Arnold. Nimueh was sitting across from Hunith with two of the women from the Isle of the Blessed, Irena and Elissa, both of whom had taken up Nimueh's previous role as a mediator between the king and the Isle.

There were formalities, of course, but Hunith couldn't help but compare it to a large family dinner.

"Everyone!" Uther stood, raising his goblet and the whole room fell into silence. "I wish you all to raise a toast to my Uncle," he turned his cup to face Sayard, and everyone raised their goblets. Sayard smiled humbly. "For his return and good health and his continued good health in the battles ahead. May your sword be as sharp as your mind, and may you cut down your enemies unharmed. To Sayard."

"Sayard!" everyone cheered and wine spilt sloppily over goblets as it was drunk. Hunith and Ygraine giggled to themselves as some hit their dresses and Nimueh rolled her eyes but quietly smirked behind her cup.

Sayard bowed his head in thanks. "To have all of your prayers is all I need my friends. It will be enough to keep me safe."

Hunith saw Balinor tense, but he had a smile on his face nonetheless. He forced himself to be happy for his father, but nerves were evident beneath the lie. She shot him a look of reassurance down the table, which he gratefully saw and shot back at her. As Uther sat back down Goloris started standing up, much to a blushing Ygraine's embarrassment.

Tristan smirked and looked as though he'd almost expected it and Agravaine rolled his eyes beside Hunith. She frowned, not sure of what was happening as Goloris raised his goblet. "My friends, my king, my Lords and Ladies," he bowed to the table with a dopey grin. "I know this is a celebration of our beloved Lord's return and we feast in his name. However, there is much happiness in my life which I wish to share with you all. If you will allow it, milord." He turned to Sayard who agreed by tilting his goblet towards the Knight.

"Yesterday I asked Tristan for Ygraine's hand in marriage." Hunith perked up and stared at Ygraine beside her, but the Lady kept her head ducked. Meanwhile, Uther began turning pale. "He obviously said no." Ygraine laughed, and Tristan wore a rare smile behind his glass. "Unless, of course, I got Ygraine to agree." Goloris looked down at Ygraine and held his hand out. She took it, smiling up at him. "And she did."

The table erupted into applause, and Hunith and Nimueh both stared at Ygraine, wondering how she had kept this a secret from them for an entire day. The word 'congratulations' was being thrown around, and everyone rose from their seats to hug the happy couple. All but the King rose to congratulate them, and he sat in his chair, holding his goblet with a pale face.

After embracing both Ygraine and Goloris in turn, Hunith stepped back and hit Balinor. He looked down at her with a smile but said nothing, resting a hand on her shoulder instead. She smiled and couldn't help but lean into the touch.

She couldn't deny her feelings. Over the last two years, possibly since the moment that he saved her from the flames, Hunith harboured a secret crush on Balinor.

She was reasonable about it. Hunith knew that she was far too young for him and that, as a future Lord, he needed to marry someone from his station, but she couldn't help it. Her heart fluttered whenever he was near, and she blushed whenever he complimented her or even touched her. But there was a large part of her that knew he saw her more like a sister than anything else.

Hunith glanced around to find something to distract her from how the future-Dragonlord's hands felt like molten lava against her skin and her eyes fell on the King's face. Unlike everyone else in the room, with faces filled with happiness that held congratulations and words of love and hope to the happy couple, Uther's face spoke one of pain and anguish.

He was staring at Ygraine as though his heart had been ripped out and burnt in front of her eyes. Hunith knew that look. She'd worn it once when she'd seen Balinor dancing with one of the Ladies of Court at a function the year before. He loves Ygraine.

Just as realisation dawned upon Hunith, the King stood, his chair almost falling back. Anger replaced the hurt on his face, and Hunith was frightened that he would do something to hurt Goloris. He didn't. But instead of heading to the happy couple, he wrapped his arm around Vivienne's waist and tugged her close and lifted a random goblet off the table.

"A toast," he called out over the noise. Everyone turned to face the King, falling into respectful silence. "To the most beautiful Lady Ygraine and the brave Sir Goloris of Cornwall." His words were loving, but his tone lacked conviction and was peppered with anger. A few others shifted uncomfortably, and Hunith could only guess they knew of Uther's feeling's too. Tristan even looked as if he'd jump on Uther should he say anything reckless. "May your marriage be blessed and filled with love and just as fruitful as mine."

Everyone gasped and it was Balinor, from behind Hunith who spoke first. "Yours, Sire?" he questioned.

"Of course." Uther forced the grin on his face, and it was painful to watch. "Did I not inform anyone? That I am marrying Vivienne?"

A second gasp accompanied by a goblet falling to the floor with a clatter echoed in the Hall. Hunith looked, and Lady Cecelia had wine pooling around the bottom of her dress and tears building up in her eyes. Those who weren't staring slack-jawed at Uther and the excited Vivienne were darting their eyes at Cecelia, the woman Uther accompanied to the banquet.

Nimueh and the ladies from the Isle appeared more nervous than surprised, and Ygraine had forced a smile on her face, as though she knew why Uther was doing such a thing.

Goloris was the only one in the room not unsettled by this turn of events, his good nature shining through as he stepped forward and reached his hand forward to the King and the Lady Vivienne. "Congratulations, milord. Oh, what delightful news. I am thrilled you two have found happiness in each other."

The King looked down at his hand, cringing at the offer and everyone held their breath. But Hunith could see Uther's stomach sinking with the realisation of what he'd done and the King let his eyes shut before he took Goloris's hand back and shook with a small amount of guilt. "Thank you, Sir Goloris."

---

Dear Bagdemagus,

My friend and my brother, I fear I have made a grievous mistake. You know my feelings for Ygraine and the many attempts I have made for her hand. She has indeed become engaged to Goloris, and in my fury, I engaged myself to Lady Vivienne of Burgoyne.

Bagdemagus, tell me what to do. The other knights have removed themselves from the situation as they are all brothers in arms to Goloris and Balinor is no help. But you were always good with these things. Please, Bagdemagus, I need your advice.

Sincerely,

Uther

---

The feeling inside of Uther was one of pure emptiness. A hole was dug out in his heart and Uther had fallen to the bottom of it. Now, someone was slowly filling the earth above him with quicklime and pumice. It hardened under the sun and slowly, Uther was suffocating beneath. Or at least, that was how it all felt.

He sat in his chambers, staring blankly at his dining table, one arm slung over the armrest and the other supporting his head.

Uther was dead. Or he felt dead. He never wanted to move or react or even love again.

It was horrifying. How much one woman could make him suffer without even acknowledging him other to bow and call him Sire, and sometimes even friend. What a vile word friend was. It dangled love in front of his face like a carrot in front of a donkey. Ygraine was getting married to Goloris and Uther had stared at a carrot for almost a decade.

He was fuming.

What did Goloris have the Uther didn't? Uther was a King who owned a Kingdom, and Goloris was a knight with some land in his family's name in Cornwall. Uther was handsome, and even Goloris had once said he looked like he got into a fight with a bear and lost. What was Goloris compared to a King?

He flinched at the thought.

Goloris was his friend for God's sake!

Or he was supposed to be.

A new feeling of betrayal bubbled up inside of him, but he quickly tossed it aside. Goloris hadn't known his feelings for Ygraine. The buffoon was unable to see his nose in front of his face when she was in the room. He probably never noticed the king's pining expression, too preoccupied with his own.

Any fool with eyes could see how hopelessly in love Goloris was with Ygraine. He worshipped the ground she walked on, waited on her with flowers and gifts and she did the same for him. It was rare to see Goloris walking through the castle without a token from her. A flower, a handkerchief or even a scarf on one occasion in winter. Ygraine was so sickeningly in love with Goloris that she couldn't see Uther behind the big lugs head and all the damn butterflies!

And now Uther was marrying Vivienne!

Of all the women in the kingdom he could have committed himself to, why did he say Vivienne? Cecelia had been sitting next to him! Oh yes, Cecelia… Uther flinched.

She had cried and wept and moped about the dishonour. Uther rolled her eyes. Apparently, she had thought she and Uther were to be married after he bedded her. There were other Ladies of Court who had thought something similar, but the circumstances of Cecelia's 'betrayal' were slightly different. He had been escorting Cecelia while he'd announced his engagement to Vivienne. Apparently, she was threatening to end her life over the humiliation.

Which was pathetic.

But then again, Uther was King.

Shouldn't Ygraine be the one who had to get dragged off the battlements screaming and crying and tearing her dress at the horror of going on alone in the world without being Uther's wife?

Not that he was certain that was what happened to Cecelia. He had only heard rumours. Rumours, he was told, which had come from the guard who claimed to have dragged her off the ledge. But rumours all the same.

Uther needed to walk and clear his mind. But he also didn't need to be seen or recognised as the King. After quickly inspecting the hall to see it was empty, Uther got out his cloak and wrapped it around his shoulders and covered his head. It was late evening, and the sun had yet to set but work around the castle was dwindling. He got out with relative ease and made it down to the lower town.

Just as he was about to cross the drawbridge, he became aware of a set of footsteps following him. He turned his head, blinking in surprise as he saw Hunith chasing after him. When their eyes locked across the clearing, she flagged him down, nodding to the guards at the gate as she passed by.

He stopped, just outside the gates and waited, somewhat curious as to why she was hailing him down. Then he saw a bag in her hand and wondered if it was just another favour from the people to congratulate him on his engagement.

She stopped beside him, breathless from running to meet him and laughed. He frowned, but she just grinned and said, "Sorry, Sire. I saw you leaving, and I thought to join you… I need to get gather herbs for Gaius and Alice and…" She caught her breath, looking up to the sky. "It's too dark to go alone."

Uther nodded slowly, eyes darting to the bag and back at Hunith's red face. Not a gift then. For that, relief washed over him. "Why don't you get someone else to escort you?" he asked.

Hunith blinked in surprise. "Pardon, milord. You must be busy. I'm sorry, I did not think of that at all. Ector and Balinor are having dinner with their father, Lewis, Lachlan and Frenwyn are on guard duty, and Walden is on patrol… The women never come, and I did not have anyone to ask. I just saw you and thought..."

Uther raced through all the names in his mind. "What of Arnold and Goloris? And don't you have any other friends?"

"Well Arnold and I do not mix much, and Goloris is busy with Ygraine." She blushed at that, shaking her head. "Otherwise, she would have come with me. I'm sorry for taking up your time, Sire." Hunith went to leave, but Uther suddenly didn't want to be alone.

"Hunith," he called out, and she stopped. "I-I wasn't dismissing you. I'd enjoy the company. If you must gather these herbs now, I shall escort you."

Looking relieved, Hunith smiled and bowed. "Thank you, milord."

He made a face. "You know, the others only call me 'Sire' and 'milord' when company is present, or they're being formal... or sarcastic. Otherwise, it's Uther."

Hunith hesitated but nodded. "Uther then."

The two walked together in a comfortable silence, Hunith leading the way. Now and then she'd pause to collect something and Uther would watch. By the fifth plant, he asked her, "How did you know it was me?" Hunith did not stop what she was doing but did raise his brow at her in an oddly similar manner to Gaius. "When I was walking. Not even the guards at the gate recognised me."

She hummed, still snipping at the plant with a pair of shearers. "Your gait. You have a very distinct walk."

Uther snorted. "What is that supposed to mean?" he asked, though not angrily.

"Not anything bad," she said earnestly. "It's just when you walk you sort of…" She paused in her collection and stood up straight. Hunith tilted her head to the side and tried to mimic him.

The King laughed as Hunith strode across the forest in a near perfect imitation of Uther's stride around the castle. "Anyway," she said, blushing. "I'd recognise it anywhere. It's very distinct."

"Do you know how everyone walks then?" He leant against a tree to watch her.

After her face had turned redder, but she nodded. "I sort of, watch people."

"Show me," Uther asked, amused. "Show me, my Knights."

She bit her lip and then nodded. "Alright then." Hunith drew her shoulders back and lifted her chin. "This is Frenwyn. He marches." She even darted her head around like Frenwyn did when he was on patrol. "Lachlan is more brisk and skips, sort of." She moved her shoulders down walked more casually, adding a bounce to her step. "Ector walks with his arms." When Uther frowned, she showed him and, though Uther had never noticed it before, when Ector walked it was though his arms propelled him forward and not his legs.

"And Walden moves quietly… too quietly for me to imitate, but I shall try." She took a breath then made her movements minuscule as she led herself with her knees the way Walden did to keep her movements as silent as possible. "Then there is Balinor who climbs everything." She rolled her eyes as she mimicked his marching steps that did, in fact, look like he was climbing. "And Arnold walks with fists." She clenched her hands together and marched. "Then there is Goloris, and he hunches over."

Uther felt the heavy feeling of being buried at the bottom of the hole as he saw Goloris come alive in the way Hunith moved. Like Goloris, she nudged her head down, so she looked stooped, leading her stride with her head rather than her chest like other knights. He blinked twice and then asked, "What about Ygraine? Can you copy her?"

Hunith paused and bit her lip, looking decidedly nervous. "I can try, milord."

"Uther," he corrected her mildly.

Hunith set her face into a determined expression then started waltzing across the grass, but it was nothing compared to Ygraine. She tried again then stopped. "I don't think I can. She isn't like anyone else she sort of…" Hunith braced her hands and spun around, flying over the grass with her feet barely moving. "Glides."

Uther chuckled darkly. "Well if you can't imitate her, it's official then. She's one of a kind and irreplaceable."

Hunith sunk back onto the balls of her feet, deflating in front of him. "You love her."

He chuckled darkly. "You noticed?"

"I have a feeling everyone has," she said weakly. Uther sank back against the tree and buried his face in his hands. Hunith hesitatingly walked over and sat on the grass across from him. He looked up at her through his fingers when she spoke again. "How long have you loved her?"

"When I first met her, I was sixteen, and she was around your age." Uther shook his head as he remembered the first time Ygraine had walked into Anglia's court, torn dress and dirty faced, clutching Agravaine's hand. "Even then she was beautiful. She was the most beautiful woman ever to walk into Anglia, and now Camelot. Everyone wanted to court her. When I was eighteen, I asked Tristan if I could marry her.

"He laughed at me and said it was not up to him. By then, Ygraine and Goloris had already fallen in love. I pointed out I was a future King and could provide for Ygraine in ways other men couldn't, multiple times. But Tristan insisted love was more important and never Ygraine loved me."

Hunith frowned. "Well of course love is more important."

Uther rolled his eyes. "Tell me. Will love get you a kingdom?"

"It got you one," she pointed out. Uther didn't understand so Hunith explained. "You loved your father. You loved your people. Why else would you come back? I'm sure you could have lived an easier life being Budic's ward. You would have all the riches of being a prince and a king, but none of the responsibility. Surely it was love that brought you here."

"It was…" he started to answer, unsure of himself. "But it was mostly honour. I couldn't let Vertigern usurp my throne. Camelot is mine."

"Camelot belongs to the people," she corrected him. "You govern them, and hold power over them, but Camelot is theirs. They plough and sow the fields; they feed the people; they make the money that pays your taxes and makes your crown." Her eyes were wide eyed and blue and so filled with innocence, Uther couldn't find fault in her argument. "You help them function, Uther and to do so, you must love them, or at least the idea of them." She rested a hand on his knee and smiled.

"And sometimes, true love is worth more than a kingdom. I know it must upset you but true love, the kind that Ygraine and Goloris have, is worth more than all the kingdoms of the world. It's worth more than gold or the sun. It's an untameable force that frees the soul and entraps it at the same time." she looked off into the distance airily and rested her chin on her knees. "It feels like you are sinking and flying all at once because on one had it is so real, but on the other, it shall never truly be. It's how I imagine magic to feel."

Uther smiled. "You are in love."

She nodded sadly. "Very much so. But it is ridiculous. My father was muttering just last night how I am much too young to love. I am just a child and, to him, I always will be."

"I loved as a child. It is just as real as when you are an adult and hurts just the same. Unless of course, I am mistaking love for an unusual form of torture. The thought has crossed my mind…" Hunith snorted in a very unladylike manner and clutched her hand over her mouth. Uther just grinned, and the two descended into laughter at the absurdity of it all.

They lasted like that for a little longer before Hunith's laughter died down first and she giggled, "May I ask you something that may seem improper? Not about you." she added when she saw his face. "About… about Agravaine."

"What about him?"

"Is he Tristan and Ygraine's half-brother or something?" she asked, gasping slightly. "I mean… Ygraine is beautiful and smart and lovely and Tristan, he is just as handsome. Every woman in the kingdom wishes to be his bride, but Agravaine is so dark and haughty compared to their light."

Uther chuckled, shaking his head. "I do not know, honestly. The thought has crossed my mind too. Though he is quite intelligent and on his way to being a great tactical strategist, like his brother."

"What about a knight?"

Uther winced. "Agravaine, with a sword. No."

Their laughter started again, and the two couldn't stop.

The sky had darkened around them, and there was no chance Hunith would be able to see the rest of the herbs she was supposed to gather. "Shall I escort you back up to your home?"

"I must take these to Gaius first," she said, waving the nettle she'd found around, careful not to touch any of the stinging parts. "Then home."

"I shall walk you to the castle then." he stood up and dusted himself and then held his hand out to help her up. He let Hunith lace her hand through his arm and, like a proper gentleman, escorting her all the way to Gaius's chambers. "Thank you very much, Hunith. You have given me much to think about."

"You are welcome, Sire." She curtsied.

"Uther," he repeated and opened the door for her to enter. As she stepped inside, Hunith's face lit up with a bright spark. It was a look Uther had only ever seen on Ygraine's face as she stared at Goloris. He followed her gaze to his cousin and smiled as he realised just who little Hunith was so in love with. He closed the door before they could see him and started for his chambers, recalling all of what Hunith had said.

Then he stopped, his feet sticking together on the step. It's how I imagine magic to feel…

He blinked a few times and rushed off through the castle to Nimueh's chambers. He threw the door open, and it slammed. Later he would think, thank the gods she wasn't doing something private but at the time one crazed thought burst through his mind, hammering like a blacksmith against a dented shield. "Magic!" he exclaimed, and Nimueh looked up from her book and snapped it shut, sitting up in her bed.

"Uther? What is the matter?"

"Magic," he said clearly, rushing around the bed and lifting Nimueh until she was stood in front of him and, almost, on eye level. "You can do magic."

"Yes, well I am Court Sorceress. It would be strange if I couldn't."

"Yes, but… you could cast a spell…" He trailed off and took Nimueh's hands in his, pulling them up until he clutched them against his chest. "You could cast a spell on Ygraine."

At the mention of their friend, Nimueh backed away from Uther, dropping her hands and shaking her head. "What sort of spell would you have me cast?" she asked, but already knew the answer.

"A love spell," he whispered.

Nimueh rubbed her eyes and shook her head. "You are delirious." She stepped away from him, sweeping her hand over the end of the bed to straighten the sheets. She stood behind the chair at her table, leaning on top of it.

"No, I'm not." He stalked after her. "For the first time in my life, I am thinking clearly."

"No one in their right mind would use a love potion." Nimueh glared at Uther. "Do you know the risks? She will not be in love with you. She will be infatuated. She will be obsessed."

"But she will be mine," Uther finished.

Nimueh snorted, "You have lost your mind."

Uther strode across the room in three paces and grabbed Nimueh's shoulder's, bringing her close. "Do you not see? I have not lost my mind. I have made it up. Ygraine can be mine if you assist."

"There are so much that is wrong with this," she murmured, then tugged away from Uther's grasps. "What of Goloris? How will he feel?"

"Can't you make them fall out of love?"

"Love is a tricky business." Nimueh leant against her desk, unsure of why she was even explaining this. "You can not completely create it, and you can never completely destroy it. And true love's kiss is a cure for almost anything. You do not understand, however. It is not that I can't do these things. It is that I won't."

Suddenly becoming enraged, Uther roared, "I am your King!"

"I am your friend!" she shouted back, drawing up to her full height which was nowhere close to Uther's but just as imposing. "This is madness. To make Ygraine fall in love with you with magic would be a sin against your nature."

Uther winced and growled, "You don't understand. I love her. I need to be with her. She is all I think about, night and day."

"Find a hobby. I took up stitching to forget about Ector!" she cried. "Or maybe I can strip you of your obsession. But forcing Ygraine to love you? I cannot do that. She is my friend too, and I love her and do not want to ruin her love with Goloris. They are destined for each other. I see it in the stars. With children made of love and light and hope… Who am I to stop that?"

Tears exploded behind Uther's eyes, but he refused to cry. He couldn't. His heart felt as though it had been ripped out once again and this time was beating on the floor between himself and Nimueh. No. I will not take no for an answer. "Think about it," he said fiercely. "You have until tomorrow evening. If you do not do it as my friend, Nimueh, then I shall find someone else. Don't think I won't."

With that, Uther stormed out of the room and slammed the door closed, leaving Nimueh worried and alone.

---

Dear Uther,

Are you mad? Lady Vivienne? I know you're in love with Ygraine, but please! Control yourself man! Go and tell her things are not working out and that you apologise but you will not marry her. She is lovely, but she's very… clingy.

Anyway, her uncle tried to have her married off to me last summer, and it was the most horrible three weeks of my life… All she talked about was you!

Ygraine is a lovely woman, but you will find another Uther. Do not despair and, whatever you do, do not settle for Vivienne Burgoyne.

Sincerely,

Bagdemagus.

---

Once Uther had left her presence, Nimueh felt sick.

Uther wanted to use magic to make Ygraine love him.

Her stomach flipped over, and she felt ill. Was he that determined to force her into his arms?

Nimueh and Ygraine were of the same age, and when they first met, the young girls had not gotten along. She had just returned to Anglia from the Isle and heard a great deal through Balinor about a beautiful girl who had come along and was so 'pretty' and 'amazing'. She doted on him like a mother would and snuck him extra sweets after dinner with a 'brilliant smile' and 'laughter like a peal of bells'.

She had burned with jealousy.

Before that, Balinor had never cared much for any girl. Nimueh was the exception to his rules, and he boldly claimed that she was the most beautiful girl in all of Anglia. She did not want to share Balinor or any of the boys with another woman, and possessiveness shaped her opinions on the future Lady of Court.

Upon arriving in Anglia, Nimueh made it all very clear to Ygraine that she had ownership of the men. But the Lady-in-training had thrown her nose up in the air and went about her business. It then became a summer of competition to see which of them could outdo the other and impress the boys more. They had sword fights and archery lessons together, and they were both fiercely competitive.

Then, one afternoon, they were chasing each other down the hill to reach the boys first during their practice, when Nimueh slipped, and she skidded down the hill on her backside, tearing up her dress.

The boys had laughed – except Ector, and by default, Balinor who attempted to punch them all into submission – and Nimueh's eyes welled up with tears. Ygraine had come over and helped her up and then stood behind her the entire way back up to the castle and gave her a dress to wear.

As Nimueh was changing behind a screen Ygraine said, "You know I think from this moment on we should be friends. We'd make far better friends than enemies, don't you think?"

And apart from the women on the Isle, Nimueh didn't have any female companions, and they were all so much older than her that she got confused at what they were talking about half the time. "I'd like that," she confessed, and once she came out fully dressed, Ygraine hugged her, taking her by surprise.

"Friends do that," she said matter-of-factly. "Especially real friends. They do that a lot."

From that moment on they were the best of friends, often ganging up against the boys and winning against them. Nimueh wouldn't ask for another friend. She was to be Ygraine's maid of honour and would replace her mother's duties in the ceremony. Tristan was going to replace her father's duties and, upon request, Balinor would perform magic to entertain. Goloris had Frenwyn in the role of best man, the two by far the closest.

The wedding was scheduled for a month away, but it was all planned months ahead of even the engagement.

Nimueh shut her eyes tight and pushed the thoughts from her mind. She was not going to submit to Uther. She was not going to do as he asked and ruin her childhood friend's life.

With those thoughts in mind, Nimueh changed into her nightclothes and laid in bed, extinguishing all the flames in the room with a flash of her golden eyes.

Sleep took her over quickly when she turned over in her bed. There in her dreams, Nimueh saw Ector, smiling and holding a child with thick brown hair and green eyes. A woman wrapped in a thick blur, hugged Ector around his waist, watching him coo at the baby. He swung the child around and then paused, looking straight at Nimueh with a sombre look in his eyes. Nimueh's love looked at peace with the world, clutching his son to his cheek and smiling happily.

The dream turned and next she saw Ygraine and Goloris, laughing and dancing in a grand ballroom with tall golden-haired children, all as beautiful as their mother and as regal and brave as their father.

Again the dream shifted to Balinor and Hunith, both much older standing underneath garlands, pronouncing their love to one another. She saw herself, becoming the most powerful Sorceress in the land and training Balinor and Hunith's son, the child laden with skills beyond her own, who often dove head first into his grandfather's arms whenever he saw him. There were more children to be had by Balinor and Hunith but only the first was a boy, and he held a special place in his father's heart.

Tristan never married in her dreams, but found peace through his nieces and nephews and taught Balinor's son how to use a sword when all others failed. She saw Lewis wed with six children, Lachlan grinning foolishly in the arms of a red headed woman, Frenwyn teaching squire's and his sons, Walden cheerfully finding himself a wife and settling down and teaching an entire generation of knights respect and honour.

Nimueh… a soft voice breathed, and her dreams dove down a black hole and beneath a lake, rising again to met the faces of Uther and Vivienne.

Vivienne, hair darker than night and eyes as pale as the moon wore the Queen's crown and smiled, vanity reverberating off her darkly beautiful features. She wasn't hateful, but she loved herself more than all others, and it showed. She clung to Uther's side who watched on, indifferent. Vivienne's child with Uther grew in her stomach as her dream had them standing regally in front of the turrets of Camelot as time moved forward, ageing them.

Their child, a daughter, would never win her father's favour. Vivienne would grow jealous of the girl's beauty and distant from the King's bed, making her twisted and cruel. The girl would grow and age and become bitter from a lack of love. Many try to warm the girl's heart. Goloris's son, Balinor's son, Ector's son, Lewis's son… they all tried to make the Princess happy but her parents cold rejection broke something in her and the love she didn't feel in childhood could never be replaced.

Then, Uther was dead.

Killed at the hands of his daughter.

The girl, now Queen, became a ruthless sorceress. Her eyes were filled with darkness as she destroyed Camelot. No light could penetrate her as her reign brought the death of entire kingdoms. Vivienne was condemned at the hands of her daughter, and soon Nimueh and her friends escaped Camelot.

Except for Balinor's son.

He went with Ector's son and pleaded with the Queen and tried to make her see sense.

With a flick of her unforgiving wrists, she killed Ector's son and the son of the Dragonlord shouted in pain as he clutched his dead cousin. Even then, he begged the Queen to see the wrongs in her world. Begged her to see the light of the world.

Nimueh tried to scream at the boy – man, unborn child – that his endeavours were useless and she was too powerful, even for Nimueh. But the boy stood up tall, apologised, and blasted the Queen into oblivion.

The world slowed. Ash rained down in a broken Camelot filled with collapsed buildings and a broken man. Balinor's son looked down at the dead Queen, and Nimueh recognised that heartache across his face as one forged by love.

Her own heart twisted, and she choked on a pained sob. He twisted a dagger in his hand, one carved by Dragonlord's and embedded with a sapphire jewel and plunged it into his own heart. She heard the heart-wrenching cries of Balinor and Hunith and saw Ygraine shaking her head in despair but mostly, she felt the magic of the world break. Crack. Shatter.

Nimueh was no longer watching the fall of the Queen and her only love, but in a cave somewhere seeing two sets of parents fall apart and her best friend sob. "He was just a boy. They both were."

Nimueh's voice was cold and calculating, and she couldn't control the words. "They were men, Ygraine. They knew what they were sacrificing. Kay for Merlin and Merlin for her."

"For love?" Ygraine shook her head. "We loved him too."

"He loved her more…" And he always will… A voice whispered to her. It was the same voice that had beckoned her to turn her head towards Uther. No matter what the destiny, or the fate… they are intertwined...

The Queen and the Dragonlord. Nimueh stood in the middle of the broken Camelot once more and saw it crumble around her. She watched people died as Kings fought for the land, watched magic become enslaved by the kingdoms…

All of this because of Vivienne and Uther's daughter.

She sat up, startled and found herself awake, clutching her chest. The dawn rose above the battlements that her bedroom faced, shining the light on the end of her bed. She forced her covers from her body and walked over to her scrying bowl.

Staring into the depths, Nimueh waved a hand over to try and see the future, but all she saw within the shallow pool was Camelot's fiery grave. "No, no, no…" She tried to adjust the future, to show her the path should Ygraine marry Uther, her addled mind considering the King's proposition.

But all she saw was Balinor's son. He was the same man from her dreams, if not thinner and gaunt. All she saw was him clutching a dying woman to his chest near a lake, eyes filled with tears and pressing a bitter kiss goodbye to her lips.

She frowned and tried to see more of the future but only found the blonde-haired, blue-eyed son of Ygraine, riding a horse through Darkling Forest, in an attempt to locate the son of Balinor. Once more she shifted the waters but this time saw the son of Balinor, serving the son of Ygraine dinner. In this future, Balinor's son was nothing more than a servant to the son of Ygraine and Uther…

Nimueh pushed away from the scrying bowl, her heart clenching. Was that what the Old Religion wanted? Was that how things were supposed to be? With Ygraine and Uther's son, a Prince and Balinor and Hunith's a slave?

Was that better than the destruction of Camelot? Did Nimueh's betrayal of Ygraine's trust matter more than the lives of everyone in the kingdom?

Pained, Nimueh thought of Ector and ran her hand over the scrying bowl again. It occurred to her it didn't matter whose future was damaged, as long as her Ector and his son were safe in the new world.

Once again she saw him with a faceless woman and a beautiful son. It was the same boy, brown hair and green eyes. The baby grew up to be a man, and the man grew up to be a Knight, fighting alongside the Prince of Camelot and then the King of Camelot.

Nimueh's heart blossomed and, despite all her misgivings, she knew what she had to do.

It was hours later after she had everything prepared that she entered Uther's chamber's unannounced with a small cauldron in her hands. He had company in the form of a serving girl, with wispy blonde hair and watery blue eyes.

In no way was she anything compared to Ygraine, but Nimueh saw enough of the similarity to understand. The serving girl stood close by and Uther hadn't begun whatever it was he was about to do. He appeared annoyed by the disturbance. "What are you doing here?" he asked, eyes narrowed suspiciously.

Nimueh waved her hand at the serving girl, dropping her cauldron on Uther's dining table. "Leave us," she said to the girl. "Your assistance is no longer required."

A flood of relief washed over the girl, and she bowed to the Court Sorceress and the King before departing in a rush. Nimueh waved her hands over the table and with a simple transporting spell, all that she had prepared in her room appeared around the cauldron. "What is all of this?" he demanded.

"I have thought about it, long and hard and I shall assist you," Nimueh said. The sheer joy on Uther's face was unexplainable. She hadn't seen him look that happy since moment's after Vertigern's death when he collapsed in relief and realised he was King. "Under two conditions."

Uther nodded eagerly. "Anything. You wish it, and it shall be yours."

"Firstly, you must never bed Vivienne again," she said coldly. "Never. Not even in your darkest hour. In fact, you must ensure she is committed to someone else entirely and not have a single sinful thought about her, or allow her to tempt you."

"I can do that," he said as though it wasn't even a problem. "What else?"

Nimueh twisted her hands together and finally relaxed. "You must find Ector, a wife. She must be loyal and kind and love him more than you love Ygraine. She must be sweet of temperament, intelligent, care for him and should be someone who has the potential to become a well-respected Lady of Court and not Vivienne Burgoyne or anyone of the fashion.

"Can you do this for me?"

"Of course. I know just the woman."

Nimueh frowned in surprise. "Who?"

"Julia – she is a serving girl. No, I have not bedded her," he added at Nimueh's aggressive glare. "She is a kind serving girl who I know loves Ector already and, in return Ector has a soft heart for her. Once, when asked by Lachlan, he said that he thought she was quite pretty."

Nimueh's gut already burnt with wild savage jealousy. But she nodded despite herself and began to rip apart the herbs. "Good. I think… To do this spell, I will need to gather something of Ygraine's however. Something personal with a fragment of her upon it, such as a brush or a handkerchief or…"

Uther immediately dove into his cupboards, leaving Nimueh stunned when he returned with a white silk handkerchief, covered in dried blood. "She hit her head. I forgot to get it washed."

"Strange…" Nimueh muttered but tried not to dwell on it as she started the potion under the eager eyes of Uther.

I am so deeply sorry Ygraine…

---

Dear Ygraine,

The Isle is so boring without you. All these women blither on about is magic and the consequences of magic and the hardships of magic and the giving and the taking of the Old Religion… it's all fascinating, I agree but really! Can we get to the fun stuff already? Visit again, please! At least I laugh when you're around.

I miss you. I cannot wait until our fifteenth birthdays. Is it not great we are born close enough to celebrate together? I have decided I shall escort Ector to the banquet, but he cannot kiss me again. I'm making my vow the night after to stay pure. I know you understand, but Ector does not and thinks our love is stronger than magic.

I wish it were so. You seem to be the only one who understands how much this means to me.

You are my best friend, Ygraine.

Love you always,

Nimueh

---

I'd greatly appreciate a review. :)