Author's notes: Firstly, let me say that if you are reading this, then I am very grateful for your patience in waiting an extra week for a new chapter.

I had a lovely relaxing break, but since I returned I've had a few extra chores to do as a carer. I am, however, still writing so I can return to my schedule of posting every Friday. From now on, you can look out for a chapter each week, barring emergencies.

Again I am amazed and so very pleased at the reviews you have left for this story, and for the extra followers I've picked up. I tried to answer each of your reviews, but if I did miss anyone out please forgive me. I didn't have a lot of computer time when I was away. Also, I'd like to say a big thank you to the guests, to whom I can't reply. Your reviews are very important to me too.

Please enjoy...

Chapter Twenty-Six

The Tryst

Not everyone in Camelot's citadel was asleep. Brennan Avebury was on a prearranged mission. For a big man, he could move quietly and, like a wraith, he made his way through the dimly lit corridors and down twisting staircases. The castle was strange to him, but he'd bribed one of Camelot's servants well for information on how to navigate his way outside without coming across too many guards. He'd also had to pay a good deal extra for the man's silence.

Most of the staff was loyal to Arthur, but he'd watched them closely over the last few days and had chosen his man well. A servant who was particularly vociferous about the return of sorcery to Camelot, and one who was unlikely to turn down the opportunity to earn a few extra coins, since it seemed he spent a lot of his free time in the tavern, drinking and gambling with all comers.

Avebury's careful planning had paid off and he was soon heading, unnoticed, for the southern gate, through the lower town and out towards the woods and the ruined temple of the Old Religion. He just hoped Daman would be on time. The guards changed two hours after midnight and he wanted to be back before fresh sentries took up their duties. Of course, he could have sent a raven, but his instructions were somewhat complicated for a simple message.

Stealthily, he crept under the ivy-covered arches into the body of the decaying stonework. "Daman?" he whispered anxiously, but with an edge of anger. "Dammit, man! Are you here?"

From out of the shadows a stalky, hooded figure solidified. "Here, my lord."

"Then come quickly." Avebury beckoned the man over. "I don't have much time and there is much to arrange. I don't want to be shouting the length of this damned place."

The stranger bobbed his head subserviently, creeping forward. "Yes, my lord."

"Did you forward my message?"

"I did. I handed it over to a messenger this very afternoon. King M..."

"Shut up!" Avebury hissed, grabbing Daman's arm. "No names. We are still within Camelot's boundaries and who knows who might be lurking nearby. Were you spotted?"

"No, sir," Daman answered with some exasperation. His lord was not a patient man. "Were you followed?" he added daringly, earning himself a frown from Avebury.

"Of course not, Daman! Do you think I don't know how to negotiate my way around in a hostile environment? Besides, the fools in Camelot think I'm only here for the Grand Council. They have no idea of my true purpose," Avebury gloated, his chest seeming to swell with self-satisfaction. "We shall return the throne to its true sovereign and I shall take my place at his right hand."

"At last you will get the recognition you deserve," said the plump man with a sycophantic smile.

"Perhaps. But we have not succeeded yet." At last, a chink of doubt coloured Avebury's voice. "We believed that our liege would be taking up an empty crown, but Arthur is alive and well... and he has just achieved a major victory in battle. His people think very highly of him. He could prove difficult to dislodge."

"Haven't you managed to undermine him? You said it would be easy to use his misguided championing of sorcery against him."

"That's not proving as simple as I supposed." Avebury crossed to a broken column and sat down, rubbing his thigh where an old battle wound throbbed. "I am getting too old for this clandestine business. The sooner we take possession of Camelot the better... yet, it seems Arthur has judged his subjects well. His crazy proposal on legalising magic is growing more popular than I'd thought possible."

"But what of Uther's supporters? Surely they must be horrified at Arthur's ideas."

"I'm beginning to think that many of the nobles backed Uther's ideas out of fear rather than conviction. Arthur has given them the chance to judge for themselves and they honour him for it," Lord Avebury sneered. "He has sparked these ideas of equality and fraternity..."

"King M..." Daman bowed quickly, correcting himself. "Our master would not like that."

"Indeed not! Such licence cannot be allowed to prevail... which is why we should rid ourselves of the perpetrator of these idealistic notions as soon as possible."

The servile man rubbed his hands together, asking with some amazement, "You would challenge Arthur?"

"Don't be a fool!" Avebury growled, standing and walking to an empty window. His narrowed eyes stared out at the silhouette of Camelot's citadel, sitting proud on its hill in the near distance. "I have no intention of fighting Arthur physically, though if there were ever an opportunity to win against him now would be the time. He is still recovering from an injury, which would most likely mean I would have to duel his champion... and I'm not certain I could beat one of his precious knights. Once perhaps, but they are all much younger than I... and I too suffer from a battle wound." He turned back to face Daman. "No, I have a different plan."

Amongst the trees, a shadowy figure had moved back when Avebury showed himself in the gaping hole. There was a sharp crack as the listener's foot trod on a broken branch.

Avebury swung round again. "What was that?"

Daman came to his side. "What?"

"I heard a noise!" Avebury scanned the dark woodland. "You must have been followed!"

"Not I, Sire. I swear." Daman too leaned on the ruined windowsill, searching the trees.

William stood frozen to the spot, held in place with one foot raised by his companion's magic. Gilli raised a finger to his lips, giving his fellow conspirator an apologetic smile for casting a spell, though Will completely understood. He shrugged back his own apology for alerting the enemy and was perfectly agreeable to wait until Gilli chose to release him. They both turned to the chapel and were horrified to see their quarries drawing their swords.

"Someone is out there!" Avebury announced, threading his way through an opening and approaching Will and Gilli's hiding place.

But Gilli acted quickly, fingering his ring while his eyes flashed golden towards a spot some distance to their right. From out of the forest a doe stepped lightly through the bracken. Its head raised, sniffing the air, spotting the men with swords. For a brief moment, animal and human regarded each other, before the deer leapt off, springing away into the night and safety.

"See! It was just a deer. No one followed me," Daman said, placating his lord.

Continuing to survey the area, Avebury replied. "Perhaps, but it is dangerous for us to meet this close to Camelot. We must finish our talk quickly, so listen carefully. I have a plan to be rid of Arthur, but it must be done so no suspicion falls on me or anyone associated with me." He took Daman's arm and led him back to the temple, saying quietly, "I know you are a proficient spy. Use your skills to hire an assassin. Camelot is overcrowded right now, so it should be a simple task for a stranger to infiltrate the castle, but I want you to ensure that this assassin is linked to the Old Religion. That way we kill two birds with one stone. We put an end to Arthur and his ideas to reinstate magic. Now go... and Daman, I am relying on you, so do not fail me."

"When have I ever, my lord?" Daman said, grinning sleazily. "But it might be expensive..."

"Never mind the expense. I want the most competent killer you can find," Avebury stated, untying a leather bag from his belt and weighing it in his hand before he passed it over reluctantly. "Here is more gold. Added to what you already have you should have enough to pay a score of brigands. We should not meet again until after the deed is done, and remember, speed is of the essence."

Avebury and Daman passed out of their watchers' view and after a few moments, the sound of a single horse's hooves could be heard trotting on the track which led away from Camelot. Minutes later, Avebury passed them, heading back to the citadel.

The two heaved a sigh of relief as Gilli freed Will from his spell. "I'm sorry, Will. I didn't mean to enchant you so soon after getting to know you."

"No! I'm glad you did... and that thing with the deer. That was good!" Will nodded, beaming his approval. "They would have found us for sure if you hadn't been able to fool them. Just as well you have magic. I'm maybe not so good at this spying job."

"You did well," Gilli assured his new friend. "And now you're going to have to go back and tell Merlin and Arthur what we've just heard."

"They're plotting to kill The King!" Will sounded more than a little shocked. "We have to let them know."

"Yes, William. But you're going to have to do that yourself."

"Why me? They might not believe just me. Informing on a lord like that." Clearly, assassinating a king was out of William's comfort zone and panic started to invade his voice.

Gilli reached up and put an arm round the tall commoner's shoulder, pressing his ring against Will's arm while whispering a soothing spell beneath his breath. "William, you'll be fine. Arthur and Merlin know Avebury is a bad man, even if he is a lord. They'll believe you. They like you."

A little grin lightened William's face. "They do, don't they? I never thought I'd be friends with The King, never mind be helping him..."

"Not just helping him. You'll be saving his life. Now go quickly, William, and ask the guard to take you to Merlin and The King. They'll be expecting you, I'm sure."

William took a few steps away, before turning round. "But where are you going?"

"I'm going to track down Avebury's accomplice. Tell Arthur and Merlin that too. Tell them I'll stop this assassin, if I can."

"But isn't that dangerous?" Will asked, aghast.

"Yes, but not as dangerous as allowing Arthur to be killed. Now hurry, Will, and don't let anyone stop you from warning The King. His safety depends on us."

Very quickly Gilli merged into the shadows and William started on his way back to Camelot to carry out his task. There was a moment when he doubted his ability, but he straightened his back as he marched quickly back to the main gates. The King was his friend and he wasn't about to let him be killed by Avebury's paid assassin.

William of Deira passed without incident into the citadel's quadrangle but, when he entered the castle by the main door and asked to speak to The King, he was met with incredulity by the guards.

"No, please. King Arthur knows me. I'm here to vote in the Grand Council," he explained with some pride. "I have something very important to tell him. He will want to see me."

The soldiers continued to stare at him blankly, though one definitely smirked. "I doubt The King knows every member of the council, especially the commoners... and a country bumpkin one at that."

"But it's true. He gave me lodgings in the castle. Lord Merlin saw to it."

"Ah, well that accounts for it," said the older guard sagely. "Nothing against Merlin. He's a good lad, but he does have a lot of strange friends. Now if you do have lodgings here, I'd suggest you go in by one of the side doors."

"You don't understand. The King's safety is at risk and I've got to tell him what I saw." William tried to walk inside, but the guards snapped their spears across his front, forcing him backwards.

"I think it's you who doesn't understand... and threatening The King is treason. You'll be finding yourself in a cell soon enough," the second guard warned.

"It's not me who's going to hurt The King. It's that Lord A..." But William quickly realised it would be foolish to accuse a nobleman of treason. He was a commoner and he didn't think Camelot had changed that much. He drew a deep breath and went on more reasonably. "Look, if you won't let me go to The King, then would you send for Sir Percival? Will you tell him that William of Deira would like to have some words with him... please?"

The first soldier stopped grinning. He was remembering an instruction which had come down the chain of command. "Hey, Dan. Didn't we get told that if some peasant called William asked to speak to Sir Percy, we was to let him?"

The two guards stood back to confer with one another in private before the younger hurried up the stair to call a messenger. There was a long, awkward wait for William as the remaining guard still stared at him suspiciously, keeping him outside the palace doors.

Finally, Sir Percival came striding down the stairs, seeming a little flustered. He looked over the sentry's shoulder to see the tall village elder, whom Arthur and Merlin had befriended, standing awkwardly outside.

"William of Deira, come inside," Percival said beckoning, while sending his men a somewhat disapproving stare. "Weren't you told this man has instant access to the palace and to myself?"

"He didn't ask for you at first. He was saying he wanted to speak to The King." The older guard defended himself and his mate.

"And so he shall. Come, William. I suppose you have some information for us?"

"I do, sir... and it's urgent. I need to tell King Arthur." He lowered his voice, not wishing to be overheard by the unhelpful sentries. "It's about a certain Lord I've been asked to keep an eye on."

"Good. This way then." Percival pointed to the stairway, but before he led William away he turned to the two sentries. "Back on duty... and don't be so ready to judge people on their status from now on. The King and Queen and Merlin don't and neither should you!"

At the top of the staircase, Percival halted, putting a hand on his charge's shoulder. "I'm not saying you can't see The King, but are you sure your information won't keep till morning?" he asked, stifling a yawn. He didn't mind being wakened in the middle of the night; being a knight, he was used to odd hours and alarms. However, disturbing Arthur from his sleep was not something he did lightly.

William nodded his head in a tiny bow. "It is! King Arthur told me to watch Lord Avebury and me and Gilli did," he lowered his voice confidentially. "We followed him out to an old ruined temple and he met another man." William stopped and looked about them, before leaning closer. He said, almost mouthing the words, "They're planning on killing King Arthur."

Percival's eyes opened in shock. "Say no more." He also checked over his shoulder. "Keep silent till we get to The King."

Arthur lay on his pillows, listening to the sweet sound of his wife breathing softly beside him and reflecting on how strange this day had been. He had begun the morning angry and sad and taking his frustrations out on a wooden training dummy, which hadn't been at all clever given his situation. He was lucky he hadn't killed himself. Yet here he was in the dark of the night, happy and content, wondering how a day which had started off so badly could end so wonderfully.

Guinevere groaned, and he was immediately alert, but clearly she wasn't having another nightmare because she turned and nestled into his shoulder. In the fading light of a candle, he could just see a hint of a smile lingering on her lovely mouth.

He too smiled, pulling her closer, composing himself for sleep. There were many problems still to be tackled regarding Camelot, but for now he would let them all go and enjoy this moment.

However, this moment was rudely interrupted by a knock on his door. He raised his head, wondering if he had misheard, but the rap was repeated. Whoever was calling him at this hour of the night better have a good excuse. Yet, no one would disturb him at this time if it wasn't urgent. His ingrained sense of duty won out and he gently disentangled himself from Guinevere, praying he wouldn't wake her, but Gwen appeared lost in her happy dreams.

Within moments he threw a cloak around his bare chested torso and opened the door slowly to find Percival and William waiting in the corridor. Immediately, Arthur was alert.

"Sire, I'm sorry to wake you," Percival said. "But I believe William has news of great importance to tell you."

Instead of inviting the two men inside, Arthur checked that Guinevere was still asleep, before joining them in the corridor. "I don't want to wake The Queen, so we'll talk in Merlin's room," he said, leading them down the passageway to the next set of rooms. "Besides, if I have to be wakened in the midnight hours, then my personal advisor should be too." He gave a laugh, realising he was slipping back into his old ways with Merlin, and though the normality of it was comforting, Merlin was no longer a servant. Yet, for all that, Merlin would want to share in this conversation.

He struck the door and walked into his advisor's room, calling out in a friendly manner, "Merlin, my friend, it's time to wake up. Come on, lazybones. Hurry up or I'll be dragging you onto the floor as you used to do to me." Arthur perched himself on the bottom of Merlin's bed and waited for him to open his eyes, which he had to admit was a whole lot faster than he used to answer Merlin's call.

"What are you doing here?" Merlin asked, rubbing his eyes and sounding a bit annoyed. "Haven't I been running around after you all day already?"

"Probably, but I'm not alone, Merlin." Arthur had the grace to look a little sheepish. "I'm sorry, but Percival has brought William of Deira to visit and, as this isn't exactly the time for a social call, I'm assuming he has something to tell us."

That information brought Merlin to his senses. He scrambled out of bed, joining Arthur to sit at the bed's foot while trying without much success to flatten his bed-messed hair.

"William, you're up very late," he suggested, stifling yet another yawn.

"Yes, lord. Me and Gilli was carrying out your orders, following that Avebury character and he doesn't keep normal hours."

At the mention of the sorcerer, Merlin cocked his head like a sparrow and glanced round the room. "Where is Gilli?"

"He's gone off, sir." William didn't look at all comfortable, prompting Arthur to ask Percival to bring them some wine from the side table.

Once that was done, however, Arthur took up the questioning. "Do you know where Gilli has gone?"

William held onto his plain goblet as if it were a comforter. "He says he's going to track that man Daman... find out what he's up to."

Halting in the act of drinking, Arthur demanded, "You've seen this Daman."

"Yes, Sire. Tonight in the temple behind..." But here William's nerves got the better of him and he started coughing.

Arthur rose and crossed to the village elder, placing a hand on his back and leading him to a seat by the table, which he pressed him into. "William, you have nothing to be anxious about. We asked you to keep an eye on Avebury and it seems you and Gilli succeeded. Now take a sip of your drink, compose yourself and tell us what you know," Arthur cajoled, his kindly smile reaching his eyes.

In the background, Merlin mused how much Arthur had changed from his very early days in Camelot. He had been an arrogant braggart then, yet in these intervening years he had learned the common touch, and though he might still find it difficult to express his deepest feelings, he understood the minds and hearts of his people. It was his greatest asset.

"Gilli and I followed Avebury out the southern gate to an old chapel. You must know where it is."

"I do."

"He had a meeting with another man. One of his supporters I think, but not one who is visiting Camelot."

"Did you hear this man's name?" Arthur asked, sitting next to Will.

"It was that there Daman, Sire." Will replied, nodding his head and becoming more outgoing under Arthur's encouragement. "They talked for a bit... but the long and short of it is, that... I'm sorry, Sire, I'm only repeating what I heard..."

"We understand, Will," Arthur said, stifling his growing sense of vexation.

"Lord Avebury ordered his man to hire an assassin to kill you, Sire." William looked at the others in the room, clearly feeling very unsure of how his news would be received. "I know I'm only a commoner and he's a noble, but I swear to you it's true!"

Arthur's mouth took on a mulish look and his eyes looked grim. "I don't doubt you, Will."

The village elder grinned, reminding Arthur of the younger, more callow man he had met so long ago. Behind them, Merlin smiled as he came to stand closer to the pair.

"Then you think we have enough to charge, Avebury?" Merlin asked eagerly.

"No. Not really," Arthur sighed. "Old habits die hard, Merlin, and we're already asking for a huge change to Camelot's laws. A commoner may still not accuse a lord. That's one rule the nobles will be very loath to surrender, mainly because of their own self interest, but I cannot in all conscience tackle both laws at once."

Merlin slipped into a chair, echoing Arthur's sigh. "I suppose that would be one step too far for the moment."

"Indeed. I'm not saying we can't deal with it later, but for now it is out of the question," Arthur said, shaking his head. "It might have helped if Gilli were here to corroborate Will's story."

"But he's a known sorcerer, and Avebury would just imply they were trying to smear his good name," Merlin agreed, looking as dejected as Arthur felt.

Gazing from one man to the other, Will burst out angrily. "Then we did no good?"

"Not so, Will! Believe me, I am thankful for the warning. Forewarned is forearmed." Arthur rose and once more placed his hand on William's shoulder. "I'm very grateful for your work. Now, think on. Is there more you have to tell us?"

"Only that this Avebury ordered his man to find an assassin that was linked to sorcery. He seemed to think that was very important."

An ironic bark of laughter forced its way passed Arthur's lips. "I'll give Avebury one thing. He's a clever villain. If a known sorcerer managed to kill me, then it would wipe out all we are trying to do with the Grand Council."

Percival at last spoke up. "Don't worry, Sire. The knights of Camelot are not about to let that happen."

"Neither am I," Merlin repeated.

And William, not to be outdone, bowed. "That makes three of us, Sire."

Arthur's eyes roamed over his friends and guardians. "You know, William, I might have to make a proper knight of you by the time all this is over," he said, grinning, and making Will's eyes boggle. "Now get back to bed and try to sleep. You've served your king well this night."

Arthur then turned to Percival. "Needless to say, we keep this between ourselves for now, and definitely don't speak of it to Leon. He's already having to deal with the fact that his uncle is a traitor. I won't burden him further with the knowledge of this murder plot. Not yet."

"But, Arthur," Percival objected. "The knights and soldiers have to be alerted... put on their guard so we can protect you."

"Thank you for that thought, but I don't want Avebury realising we are on to him. We've already increased the border patrols to try to intercept Cornwall's army." Arthur thought for a moment, before adding. "If it makes you feel better, choose a few of our most trusted knights and let them know you want security tightened within the city... but discreetly. Say that with the vote so near at hand you're afraid of bullying tactics. But that is all, Percival. Sometimes to flush out big game you have to set out bait."

"Yes, but we'd all be happier if that bait weren't yourself, Arthur," Merlin said as Percival and William nodded in agreement.

The knight and commoner left soon after, Percival agreeing to escort William to his room, and also promising, with less enthusiasm, to say nothing to Leon about Avebury's assassination plan. Obviously he wasn't comfortable hiding such important information from his friend.

As Merlin closed the door behind his visitors, he made it apparent he wasn't happy with Arthur's choice either. "Do you think it's wise keeping Leon in the dark? He is your first knight and, by rights, he should be the one organising the guards."

"I don't think it's fair to trouble Leon when we don't have any proof," Arthur finished on a yawn, wanting to get back to bed before Guinevere woke and realised he was missing. "He's already had to face the fact that his uncle might be conspiring with Mark of Cornwall to attack Camelot."

Merlin shook his head with annoyance. "But we have proof! You said you believed Will and it was just your nobles who would have difficulty accepting his word, or was that only for William's benefit."

Arthur looked shocked at Merlin's suggestion. "Of course, I believe Will. Merlin, you have known for a long time how little store I place on the unfair and outdated knight's code. Believe me, that's something else I intend to change around here as soon as possible. But, if it comes down to William's word against Avebury, I swear Sir William of Deira will become a reality in the very near future, then he can accuse Avebury with impunity," Arthur said somewhat stormily, stretching the muscles in his shoulder and back. He couldn't stifle a groan.

"Are you in pain?" Merlin asked, his irritation disappearing immediately as his eyes glowed gold and a soothing warmth enveloped Arthur's torso.

"Thanks, Merlin," Arthur smiled gratefully. "It's a pity you can't bottle that. It helps a whole lot... and it doesn't taste bad."

"Don't mention it. I am your physician. And I shouldn't have doubted you, yet I still think you're wrong to keep Leon in the dark. He's your friend and he deserves your honesty." Merlin came to stand by Arthur. "Think how shocked you were when you uncovered Agravaine's deception. Wouldn't you have wanted me to warn you sooner?"

"True, Merlin, though I probably wouldn't have believed you..." Arthur searched his friend's eyes. "But had you planted a seed of doubt, at least, it wouldn't have come as such a shock."

"If you tell Leon, he's not about to disbelieve you," Merlin said, placing a hand on Arthur's arm. "It's your choice, but this has been a very long day and I'm off to bed. I suggest you do the same."

"You're right, as usual, on both counts, my friend." Arthur turned and started for the door. "I'll talk to Leon tomorrow. Goodnight and sleep well."

"Goodnight, Arthur."

There might be troubles looming before them but neither man had difficulty sleeping that night.

I do hope you found this chapter was worth waiting for. I'm sorry if I concentrated more on furthering the plot, but I hope I had enough Merlin and Arthur interaction in there to satisfy you.

I also hope you enjoyed the scene with William and Gilli working together. I did have fun with them.

Please let me know what you thought... good or bad.