Author's notes: I have an especially large thank you to say to all the people who left reviews for my last chapter, and an apology too. Normally, I try to reply personally to each of you, but these past few days my life has been so hectic getting ready to go on my break. However, it's not just a case of preparing for myself. I have a lot of organisation to do for my husband and the carers who come in to look after him.

I am posting this a few days early and I'm sorry I won't manage to post on Friday 29th since I will still be away. I will return to my normal posting schedule as quickly as possible. I hope you will understand.

And for those of you who have patiently waited for a certain conversation, please enjoy.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Secrets, Lies and Truths

By the time the three friends went in search of Mary they were caught up in the general exodus from the great hall, though it had to be said that the traffic wasn't quite as disruptive as the previous days. Clearly, fewer members of the council had stayed to the bitter end.

Learning a lesson from earlier that day, Merlin searched the chambers and corridors of the citadel with his mind and wasn't surprised to find Mary Howden with Lady Amena.

"Mary is in the Walton's chambers," he said quickly, leading the way.

Yet Guinevere hung back for a moment. "How do you know that?" she asked.

"He's using one of his wizard's tricks," Arthur explained shortly, taking hold of his wife's hand and drawing her along.

"You can do that, Merlin?" It was clear that Gwen was a little shocked, but also awed at her friend's powers. "And to think I believed you were like a lamb to the slaughter when you first came to Camelot. Now, look at you!"

"I wouldn't have been able to do anything like that when I arrived, and I'm not sure I like being called a wizard. I don't wear a pointy hat, and look... No wand either."

The three kept on walking, but Arthur let out a bark of laugher. "You were wearing a robe, you had a long white beard and you carried a staff at Camlann. Believe me, Merlin, you looked very much like the wizards I was told about as a child. Gaius told me fairy tales back then too."

"True! I went for the dramatic, but I was still incognito back then. You didn't know I had magic."

"Does that mean we won't be seeing Dragoon the Great any time soon?" Arthur asked, looking past Gwen to Merlin. "I've grown quite fond of the old man."

Merlin shrugged. "Who knows. Maybe I'll have to go incognito again some day. Knowing our past history, I'm sure Camelot will have some difficulties in the future."

"I hope not," Arthur replied, his free hand massaging his chest. "I actually think I'd enjoy an age of peace and prosperity, and we might just get it if we can win over the council and return magic to Camelot."

"Pray you are right, Arthur," Gwen said somewhat emotionally. "I think it would be wonderful to raise our child in a land where danger didn't lurk round every corner."

"I wish that sense of security for all children in our realm, Guinevere, and I will do everything in my power to bring that future into being."

"And I will stand with you every inch of the way, Arthur," Merlin said solemnly and had any member of the grand council been watching, none could doubt the commitment of these young men.

Arthur smiled and gave a nod at Merlin's words, knowing that he had heard that vow many times in the past but was only now appreciating the depth of their meaning. But they had reached the temporary abode of Lord and Lady Walton and he said no more. In truth, nothing more needed to be said between himself and Merlin.

Seeing her husband and her friend sharing a private moment, Gwen rapped gently on the door and within minutes, one of the Waltons' retainers opened it and peered out. Whenever the elderly servant realised who the visitors were, he opened the door and bowing, stood aside to let them enter.

"Sire, Queen Guinevere and Lord Merlin, please come in and make yourself comfortable." Lord Walton came forward, welcoming the group with a wave of his hand towards the chairs which had quickly been vacated. "How can we help you, Sire?"

"Actually, it's Mary we came to speak to, if she wouldn't mind answering a few questions about her time in Avebury's household," Arthur said, striding into the room and availing himself of the offered chair. "Please, don't stand on ceremony and come and join me." He spoke to Lord Cedric and Mary. The latter had jumped up and curtsied at Arthur's entrance.

Mary approached Arthur, encouraged by Guinevere's hand on her arm. "I'll try to answer your questions as best I can, Sire, but it was a long time ago, during the old lord's stewardship." She settled herself in a seat, as Gwen gave her shoulder a friendly squeeze.

"Perhaps some wine would help us all relax," Merlin suggested, helpfully, while sitting down at Arthur's other side.

"Yes, of course. I'm forgetting my manners," Lady Amena said. "Though the wine is watered. It suits my constitution better now I am grown old... and Cedric's too, if only he were honest enough to admit it."

At a sign from his lady, the servant filled a cup for each, only Guinevere declined. A faint smile touched Amena's lips, yet she made no comment. This was not the time to speak of intimate concerns, though she did notice Arthur send his wife a look of concern and surmised it would not be long before a worried husband would come seeking her advice. Meanwhile, his mind was taken up with court intrigue.

Arthur took a quick drink then leaned towards Good-wife Howden. "Mary, can you remember a man called Daman? We've come across his name lately and believe he is an associate of Brennan Avebury."

Clasping her hands in front of her, Mary let her mind drift back over the years to a time when she was a young servant in Castle Avebury. It had been a busy, happy household when she had first arrived, and she'd made friends with Gwen's mother, who'd been kind enough to instruct her in her duties. She smiled as she recalled it was Gwen's parents who'd introduced her to John, her husband, and the two families had become very close.

But there was one fly in the ointment in the castle; Brennan Avebury, the Lord's eldest son. He was an arrogant, harsh young man who treated his servants with barely concealed contempt... and not only those beneath him. He disliked his younger brother with a passion, only because his sibling had an easy way with his subordinates, while his relationship with his father was also fraught. Neither could be in each other's company for long before a fight erupted.

"Mary?" Arthur's prompt cut into her reverie. "Do you remember such a man?"

Shaking herself, Mary sat up straighter. "Sorry, Sire. I was trying to go back in time... to remember better. Yes, there was a Daman. He was the son of one of the lesser knights, and a nasty little boy he was too. Of course, he looked up to Sir Brennan; followed him everywhere like a puppy and, if there was any trouble in the household, you could be sure those two were at the bottom of it. It wouldn't surprise me if Sir Daman was still doing Lord Avebury's dirty work for him."

"Thank you, Mary. You've confirmed our suspicions." Arthur smiled graciously, though he looked troubled. "It still doesn't get us any closer to discovering who Avebury is working for though."

"Sire, there was a rumour about young Brennan... I can't be sure of the truth because it was before I was in service to his family, so maybe I shouldn't say...

"Mary, anything you tell us here will be treated in utmost confidence, but if you can give us any clues at all about Avebury's leanings or motives, we will forever be in your debt," Arthur said, his blue gaze clear and true.

"You think he is that dangerous?" Mary asked, biting her lip.

"I do indeed!" Arthur pressed his hand to his heart and not just to ease the constant ache.

Glancing at the others in the room, she saw their opinions were in accord with The King's, and when Gwen lightly squeezed her hand, she nodded. "Very well then. I came here to help and will if I can." She took a deep breath. "Remember this is mainly hearsay... but it all began with a terrible outbreak of the sweating fever when Brennan was little more than a child and for safety, the Lord sent his heir to another kingdom which he was told was free of the sickness. From what I heard it was to the royal court of Cornwall that Brennan was fostered for a short time. No one quite knows why, but when the sickness passed and the boy was sent for, he refused to return. At first, he asked his father politely if he could extend his stay, as he and the prince had become friends. Lord Avebury could see little harm in allowing his son a slightly longer sojourn, so he agreed Brennan could stay for the summer. After three months, he sent an escort to bring his heir home... but still the boy refused. I'm not quite sure how long he was gone or how he was finally brought home, but most members of the household agreed that the boy's manners were even worse than when he'd left. I know that when I arrived at the castle some years later, the staff were usually angry at the young lord... and very often scared."

"That's true," Gwen agreed. "I remember my father warning me to keep out of his way."

"To tell the truth, I think the servants were happiest when Lord Avebury let Brennan visit his royal friend, and sadly I think the family was too." Mary was warming to her theme. "The Prince was called Mark and he was invited to Avebury once. I remember that visit and a more unpleasant individual I've yet to meet. Like two peas in a pod they were, and the mischief they got up to was cruel. It was never just teenage pranks with them. Old Lord Avebury had Prince Mark recalled to Cornwall and Brennan was livid.

It was soon after that that his father gave him charge of one of his smaller keeps in the hope Brennan might learn a sense of responsibility, and the whole of Avebury Castle was glad to see the back of him. Though, like a bad penny, he'd turn up every so often to check on his inheritance, but as Guinevere's poor mother had died, I was too busy trying to care for Gwen and Elyan to pay much attention. Then John was called back to Longstead at the death of his father and older brother. I'll be honest, apart from the sorrow of leaving my little Gwen there, John and I were thankful to be out of that household."

"My father worked on for a year or so before coming to be a blacksmith in Camelot, yet I was still too young to know much of what was going on. I'm afraid I'm not much help to you either, Arthur," Gwen said, rubbing a consoling hand over her husband's shoulder.

"But you have both helped," Arthur reassured both his wife and Mary. "I'm assuming we're talking about the period when my father made his move to take the throne of Camelot. Cedric, you were there. Didn't Prince Mark of Cornwall claim he had a right to Camelot's throne?"

"Indeed he did, Arthur," Cedric announced, stroking his chin. "By the gods, he was prepared to make a fight for it too... but Uther's claim was the strongest by far and very few nobles backed Mark's right to the title. He was sent packing with his tail between his legs back to Cornwall before your father was crowned."

Now it was Arthur's turn to look thoughtful. "Is it possible that King Mark has been nursing his ambition to usurp the Pendragon's throne all this time?"

"You think Mark of Cornwall is Avebury's mysterious master?" Merlin asked, following Arthur's train of thought.

"It's feasible, don't you think?" Arthur returned the question, wondering if he were clutching at straws.

"But Brennan Avebury went overseas rather than take his oath to Uther," Cedric responded. "As far as I know, he never went to Cornwall."

"Yet that was years ago, and we have no idea of his movements in the interim." Arthur stood, again too agitated to sit still. "He could have been visiting Mark on and off many times over the years and we would be none the wiser."

"Leon might know," Merlin suggested, following Arthur's progress to the window with a troubled gaze. "You should have another talk with him."

"True, but I don't feel comfortable putting Leon in the position of impeaching his uncle."

Merlin rose to join Arthur in the window embrasure. "Arthur, we're talking about the safety of your realm. If Mark of Cornwall is on his way here with an army at his back, we need to know now!"

Arthur stared down on the city he had cared for all his life. Earlier today, Guinevere, Merlin and he had talked of a lasting peace and yet they could be facing another assault within days, and neither he nor the army were in any state to repulse a concerted attack.

He straightened his spine and turned back to the others in the room. "You're right, Merlin. Now is not the time to be fastidious. Besides, if our assumptions are correct, Avebury is planning treason and I know where Leon's loyalties would lie in that case." The King's lips narrowed and his jaw firmed as he walked back into the centre of the room. "We have to get this Grand Council done and out of the way before we have another enemy to destroy. Meanwhile, I suggest we begin making contingency preparations. Our army is weak, therefore I think it's time we called on our allies again."

"Oh, Arthur," Guinevere whispered, slipping her hand in his, the joy of their future parenthood paling in the face of a more immediate threat.

But Merlin grinned. "We're not totally helpless, Arthur. Our men took a mauling, but they were victorious and we have magic on our side now. We can send King Mark back to Cornwall again."

"We only have magic if we can get the vote passed by the council. Do you think we can?" Arthur fell into the old habit of seeking Merlin's advice in moments of peril, only this time he did it in the knowledge of Merlin's powers.

"I know we can!"

A reckless grin graced Arthur's face. "Been looking in your crystal ball again, Merlin?"

The warlock's eyes sparkled in response. "Just a gut feeling."

"Right then." Arthur's voice was suddenly full of confidence. If their suppositions were correct, they might be forced into another battle in the near future. It wasn't what he wanted, and this time he wouldn't be on the front line, but combat was something Arthur understood. "Let's all go fight for Camelot once more!"

Guinevere felt terror seize her heart and she dragged on her husband's arm. "Arthur, you're not proposing to actually fight? You're not fit. You have to heed Merlin's warning. I can't watch you die... not now!"

"Don't worry, Guinevere. I don't plan on dying and spoiling all Merlin and Kilgarrah's efforts." He quickly lifted her hand and pressed it to his lips. "And I have too much to live for..."

The mystery surrounding Avebury's choice of destination after Uther's coronation was soon solved when Arthur and Merlin approached Sir Leon in his chambers.

"My grandfather threatened to disown him and pass the lands and title to my father if Brennan went anywhere near Cornwall," Leon said, looking somewhat puzzled. "My father told me that much when I asked why Uncle Brennan had gone away."

"Then you did know about the friendship between your uncle and King Mark?" Arthur asked.

"Yes, Sire."

"Yet you never thought to tell us?" Arthur shook his head back and forth while he shrugged his shoulders in some confusion.

"As I told you before, Brennan was never much discussed in my family," Leon explained, still baffled and a little contrite. "I'm sorry if I mistook, my lord, but I didn't place too much importance on a boyhood friendship. I was only a child myself when I heard of it."

"If that were all it was," Arthur conceded, "but I'm afraid it went a good deal deeper than that."

Aware of Leon's troubled but perplexed state of mind, Merlin decided to enlighten Camelot's first knight. "Leon, we're sorry, but we suspect that your uncle might be planning to assist King Mark in a bid to take over Camelot."

Arthur shot Merlin an angry glance. "You shouldn't have told him. We have no proof!"

"Leon has a right to know. Besides, you trust him, don't you?" Merlin replied sharply to Arthur's telepathic rebuke.

Sir Leon stood like a statue for a moment or two, his eyes blank, until they came to rest on Arthur. "But that is treason, Sire. There must be some mistake."

"There might be room for doubt... but no." Now that Merlin had let the cat out of the bag, Arthur chose to be candid. "Merlin and I believe that Avebury came to Camelot supposing I was dead and that the realm would be ripe for a take over. Though he had to amend his plans when I returned, and he is now trying to cause as much dissension as possible while he waits for King Mark to arrive with his army."

Clearly Leon did not want to think badly of his close relation. "He speaks out against sorcery, Sire, which you said we all had a right to do. Surely you misjudge the matter. The Aveburys have always been loyal to the Pendragons."

"I wish that were so... and yet, he refused to swear allegiance to my father."

"But he did to you!" Again Leon defended Brennan.

"Which makes his actions all the more treasonable," Merlin said quietly, seeing that Arthur was loath to hurt his first knight and friend. "We intercepted a message to your uncle's servant, Daman. He instructs this Daman to warn their master to march."

"Daman?"

"We've been told he was a member of your grandfather's household and a particular companion of Brennan," Arthur said with kindness, remembering how shocked and empty he had felt when he'd learned of his own uncle's betrayal.

"Yes. I recall Daman's father complaining when his wife was dying that his son was overseas serving Brennan. The poor lady kept asking to see her son." Leon sank into the nearest chair, his shoulders drooping dejectedly, but after a moment or two, he rallied. "Sire, does this message say which master or where he is to march?"

"Unfortunately not, or we would have arrested Brennan by now. Your uncle is not so foolish to incriminate himself," Arthur answered.

"Then it might mean anything. Perhaps they have some other destination in mind!"

"It doesn't seem likely," Merlin interposed reasonably. "Avebury should have no other master but Arthur and can you think of any other foe he could be suggesting they assault?"

For some seconds, Leon racked his brain. "They could be coming to support Camelot against the Saxons!"

"Leon, I sent out a general alert to my liege-men and my allies asking for support before Camlann," Arthur said. "Queen Annis sent a troop of cavalry, as did Rodor. Yet your uncle, who is sworn to my service and whose lands lie closer, came too late to the battle. Do you not think that strange?"

"Yes, Sire... but there could be a plausible explanation," Leon suggested hopefully. "They might have run into some kind of trouble on the way here. Have you asked him?"

"No! And I don't intend to," Arthur reiterated forcefully. "We cannot afford to alert him to our suspicions. So say nothing of this conversation, Leon." Suddenly Arthur relented and placed his hand on Leon's shoulder. "I am sorry, but why did Brennan send a secret message and who is his master if not me? You have to admit that his actions are dubious."

Leon raised his desperate gaze to his king. "But treachery, my lord. I cannot countenance such a thing."

"It is a hard thing to accept. No one knows that better than I, and you must not think I hold you responsible in any way." Arthur gave his friend's shoulder a final squeeze then stepped back. "We are not to blame for the actions of our relatives."

At last aware of the fact that he was sitting while his sovereign stood, Leon quickly rose. "Thank you, Sire." He dropped to his knees. "You know you have my complete loyalty. What can I do to help?"

"Rise, Sir Leon. There is no need for you to kneel to me... I never doubted you, and as for your help, I believe Merlin here has got your uncle covered," he added with a grin. "He's set William and Gilli to watch him. Until we find proof of Brennan's perfidy, we can do nothing."

"And alerting him to our misgivings would be disastrous for now," Merlin said. "We know you would like to challenge him, Leon, but can you stay your hand for the present? At least until we discover the true identity of his mentor and if there is an enemy threatening Camelot as we speak."

The tall knight drew himself erect and swallowed hard. "It will be hard. I can do as you say, but I ask a boon, Sire."

Arthur nodded.

"When the time is right, might I be the one to challenge Avebury?"

A rueful smile twisted Arthur's lips. "I think you'll find you might often be asked to stand as my champion from now onwards. It seems unlikely that I'll ever recover enough strength to fight for myself."

"In that case, it will be an honour for me to be your champion." Leon made his pledge without a second thought.

"In the meantime, Leon, there is something you can do." Arthur easily slipped into his role of commander. "On the pretext there have been reports of bands of marauding Saxons, double the patrols to all Albion's borders and beyond. Have them search for scouts of an opposing army. In all likelihood, King Mark will be marching from the south west, yet who knows, he could be trying a feint from a different direction. I want his host found, but without giving away our own position. Use Percival and Kay as your lieutenants. I want this kept between our close circle of friends."

Leon came to attention. "As you command, Sire."

Once outside the door, Arthur turned to Merlin. "I have a thought, Merlin..."

"You want me to scry for Cornwall's army?"

"Can you do it?"

"I have no idea. I don't know this King, so perhaps finding him could be difficult. I need a crystal from the Crystal Cave."

"Don't we have one of those in the vaults?" Arthur asked with a lift of his eyebrows. "I have no idea which artefacts are still here or have been stolen along the way."

"The Crystal of Neahtid?" At Arthur's nod, Merlin continued. "I'm not sure that will do the job. I only got jumbled flashes of the future when I looked into it, which was the same as happened in The Crystal Cave. Mind you, perhaps that was because I didn't know how to channel the images properly. I can give it a try to..." A yawn interrupted Merlin's words. "Tonight."

Arthur studied Merlin sympathetically. "Do you feel as tired as I? I tell you, Merlin, we're dining in private this evening, and having an early night."

As darkness settled over Camelot, the royal couple said goodnight to their intimate group of diners, who seemed to share The King's weariness. It had been a very long day, full of many disturbing revelations and one wonderful one which, in Arthur's opinion, over-set the rest. Yet, at Gwen's insistence, that discovery would be kept quiet by the few people who were already aware of her condition.

Arthur felt the realm would benefit from hearing some good news, but for his wife's sake was willing to stay silent for the present. Besides, while Camelot's throne was under threat of being usurped, the information that there was an heir coming could put Guinevere's life in danger.

He'd also persuaded Merlin that going in search of the Crystal of Neahtid could be put off till tomorrow, as Merlin had been dragged from his bed almost at dawn by Arthur's self-pitying actions.

The city and the army had been put on alert, and since Avebury's message instructed Daman to prepare to march, a possible surprise attack was most likely not imminent.

Arthur crawled into bed beside his wife, snuggling close to her warm body, ready and entirely happy to drift off into a deep sleep when, suddenly, Gwen spoke into the darkness, her voice disconsolate.

"How can you trust me, Arthur? I tried to kill you!"

So, the time had come and Arthur was wise enough not to postpone this conversation again.

"No! Not you. It was never you!" Pushing up on one elbow, Arthur leaned over his wife. In a faint shaft of moonlight he saw her beloved face awash with silent tears. "The treachery was all Morgana's. When Merlin told me..."

"Merlin knew?"

"Almost from the beginning." He wiped her tears with the ball of his thumb.

"But how?" Gwen asked, fear spreading through her soul like a dank fog, but needing to know the truth. She could no longer hide behind the excuse of lost memory.

A tiny smile hovered fleetingly on Arthur's mouth. "You accused him of trying to poison me. He knew he was innocent, but more than that, he knew the real you would never have placed the blame on her closest friend. I'm surprised the knights didn't think of that either. In fact, I should have realised that too. My only excuse is that having been so close to death, I wasn't thinking properly... Then Morgana must have warned you to be more circumspect and you started acting more like you... the real you... if you know what I mean?"

"Only I wasn't me. Arthur, I killed Tyr!"

"Yes... but like you said, it wasn't you. Morgana used you like a weapon to assassinate me... and anyone else who got in her way."

"And you can forgive me for that?" Gwen asked, sounding dubious.

"Yes! Because the cruelty wasn't yours. Somewhere deep inside your heart was a place that was never blighted by Morgana's hate." Arthur pulled a resisting Guinevere into his arms, stroking her hair and back as her tears changed to violent, heart-breaking sobs.

"How can you be so sure? I tried again..." she gulped through her cries. "With that terrible man... the Surram of Amata."

"Well that was as much my mistake for believing someone like him could be an ally to Camelot. I have no idea what I was thinking of..."

"You were thinking what was best for your people. I just thought he would be the perfect assassin to be rid of you."

Arthur gently pulled Guinevere up till she was resting on her pillows, before taking her face, just as tenderly, between his hands.

"I want you to listen to me, Guine...vere," he said, drawing her name out lovingly in the way he did. "And I want you to believe me." Arthur smoothed a tendril of hair which had drifted across Gwen's cheek. "When Merlin finally found a way to rid you of Morgana's influence, he was told that you had to walk willingly into the Cauldron of Arianrhod: that we had to reach the one part of your heart which remained true. Guinevere, you did. You walked into the water of your own accord because..."

"With all my heart. You reminded me how I'd answered when you asked me to marry you... With all my heart," Gwen said, very low... wonderingly.

"Yes, my love. With all my heart." Leaning down, he pressed his lips, warm yet, for the moment, passionless against her mouth. "You see, no matter how much Morgana had captured your mind and body, your heart remained true..."

"To you," she whispered. "Always and completely to you."

Gwen was up off her pillows then, throwing herself into Arthur's willing embrace, kissing his lips, his cheeks, his eyes, assuring herself she had never succeeding in hurting him. "Morgana never had my heart, Arthur."

"I know. I know," he repeated, calming her, soothing her. "I never had to forgive you... because it was Morgana's evil, not yours and you must accept that. You must learn to forgive yourself."

Guinevere stilled in his arms, and after a second or two, she shook her head. "I'm not sure I can. Excuse myself... perhaps in time, but there is a part of me which will never forget, never forgive my betrayal... betrayals," she added, sorrowfully. "I have betrayed you twice, Arthur. Though my heart never did, my will was bent by Morgana's power. First with Lancelot and later when I tried to kill you."

"Guinevere, stop. Those things are in the past. We cannot change them, but they must be left behind. The gods know, I too have done terrible things which I have had to learn to live with," Arthur said, biting his lips. "But bemoaning the past will never mend the future. For some reason of which I'm not entirely sure - though a lot of it has to do with Merlin - I have been given a second chance." Arthur stared resolutely into her eyes. "I need you now, Gwen. I need your strength and your honesty. I am sorry, my queen, but I must beg you to find the power to forgive yourself. If not for you... for me and for Camelot. For the sake of our child, Guinevere." He held his breath, praying he had not asked for too much.

Yet Arthur knew his Guinevere well; her wisdom, her steadfastness and her high courage. For herself, she would seek nothing, but for the people she loved, she would walk through the gates of hell, surmount every obstacle. Guinevere did not know how to fail others.

A sense of begrudging resignation glinted like steel in The Queen's eyes, and Arthur swallowed bitter tears at the sight. He would give everything to return Guinevere's innocence to her, but life wasn't always fair; they had to learn to live with the way the dice had rolled. Besides, they were alive, they had each other and the closest of friends, and soon they would be blessed with a baby.

"We have come through so many trials, my Guinevere. Against all the odds, Camelot is safe and most of our friends are well and happy. We are still here, still together and we are going to have a baby." One of his rare, beautiful smiles lit up his face. "I can't ask for any more in my life. Can you, Guinevere?"

She loved him with all her heart. How could she refuse him? "You are right, Arthur. It is ungrateful to dwell on what can't be changed... but if we forget those we've hurt and don't try to make amends, then we are not worthy of a better life."

Arthur's hand traced the contours of her face almost with reverence. "My wonderful, sensible wife. I would be nothing without you."

"Or Merlin," Gwen gave a little smile.

"Very true," Arthur said with a chuckle. "I owe everything to Merlin, but I'm very happy he's not here. I think he might be a little in the way for what I have in mind."

"And what would..."

Guinevere's question was stopped by Arthur's kiss and in the darkened room a sweet, dreamlike quiet descended over the curtained bed.

I do hope you all liked this whole chapter. I wanted to give some insight into Avebury's motives and, of course, the talk between Arthur and Guinevere. I always felt the show swept that whole issue under the carpet, and I felt it deserved an airing. I just hope I did it justice.

Once again, thank you all for reviewing and following, especially the guests, because I can't reply to you. Please let me know what you think of my latest offering. I will have some limited access to the internet, so hope to read some positive reviews... or not. I know I can't please everyone. g