I took in a deep breath, painlessly for once, as my small company entered Arthur's camp. As we were recognized, the men parted to give us a direct path to the command tent, distinguishable by the bright red and gold decoration, as well as a large flag flapping from the top of it, embolized by the Golden Dragon of Camelot.

My remaining soldiers were few compared to their former strength in Tahara, but they had melded into Arthur's army as their own legion. When they caught sight of me, a cheer erupted among the crowd. I raised my hand in greeting, which only made them cheer all the louder. Several clapped, others beat the breast plate of their armor. Arthur's men began to join in, making their shouts thunderous. You would think I had just come home from a success in battle, though the truth was anything but. Although, I suppose having their monarch back safely would be a boost to their morale.

I couldn't stop myself from scanning the faces, searching for familiar faces.

Then, Arthur ducked out from the command tent. When he makes eye contact with me he's shocked, then his face breaks into a wide grin. Forgetting propriety, he runs towards me at full speed, nearly knocking Sir Leon to the ground in his attempt to greet me.

I didn't care that it was completely improper as I slide from my mount. The time for being proper was well over at this point. I jogged toward him, as I didn't have the energy to run.

When he reaches me, he takes me into his arms in a tight embrace, making me feel safe and protected. I wrap my arms around his neck, burying my face in his chest. I didn't even mind that that the last time I saw him, he imprisoned me in a storage room.

"I am so sorry, If I-"

I cut him off, pulling away, knowing exactly where he was going with that apology. "That was not your fault. You couldn't have known they would breach the castle, especially not that quickly. You did what you thought was right, even if you were a prat about it."

He still hung his head, letting go of me, completely disregarding my name calling.

"But it is.", he says firmly. "My choices risked your life and safety."

I squeezed his shoulder, getting him to look me in the eye. The action looked like it pained him beyond words. "I don't blame you, even if you insist on blaming yourself. What matters is that I'm here now, for now we must focus on the task at hand."

Instead of responding to me, he pulled himself together, into the self assured looking young man and leader everyone was used to seeing. Behind him, his most trusted knights stood shoulder to shoulder, waiting to greet me and my company. The crowds grew quiet as they each held their right fist to their hearts and gave me a slight, respectful bow. I nod in return, but then their respectful demeanor is gone.

They swarm me, lifting me to the height of their shoulders. I yelp in surprise, ending up on Sir Percival's shoulder. He held my knees tightly, ensuring I wouldn't fall. More and more soldiers joined in, cheering. They attempted to hoist Arthur up as well, but he shoved them off. Although, he couldn't help grinning at me.

I let it go on for a little while longer, until my stomach couldn't take it anymore. Percival was kind enough to let me down when I asked, swinging me down so he had me cradled in his arms, protecting me from getting crushed by large, armored men. Then, he takes me away from the practical mosh pit and sets me down away from the crowd, in front of the command tent next to Arthur.

I thank him as he holds open the entrance flap, he winks at me in return, causing Arthur to roll his eyes.

"You'll have to excuse the lack of furniture. I'm afraid we were terribly unprepared."

Looking around, he was right. All that stood within the tent was a few smaller tables pushed together to make one long one, and a few chairs.

Sitting in one of the chairs was Uther. In the few days since I had last seen him, he had seemed to have aged several years. His face could be described as gaunt, his hair was much more gray than I remembered.

He stood when he saw me, holding out his arms. "Sarah. My goodness, are you're all right?"

I smile and give him a quick hug. "Fine, thanks the Merlin and the knights."

"I am glad.", he forces a smile, but he looked like he was in pain from standing. Something must have happened to make him so weak, but now wasn't the time to ask.

Arthur and Uther sit down, Arthur gestures for me to take the other seat. Once I'm seated, he gestures for all his remaining knights to leave. They look reluctant, but do as he asks. Percival gives me one last wink.

My company, Meliorn in the lead, try to enter next., but I wave them off as well. "We have matters to speak of in private. You may leave. You deserve to go and rest. Get something to eat."

Meliorn wrinkles his nose the slightest bit, the others weren't pleased either. Too bad, one perk of queendom was giving orders.

"We do not rest or eat before our Queen has rested and eaten.", Celso speaks out.

I didn't know what I'd done to earn that kind of loyalty, and I'm sure I'd appreciate it later, but at the moment it was annoying. "If you must, then simply wait outside.", I compromise.

He takes a moment to consider, but in the end obeys me. They all exit the tent, though I know they would all be standing just outside.

Arthur exchanges a glance with Uther, his brow raised, as if trying to decipher my exchange with my knights. He decides not to comment on the 'queen' part, although I'm sure he heard it.

I look over his maps, marking what was still in our possession, and what had been taken over, as well as the positions of all the troops. We continued to control the city and much of the countryside, though we'd lost the citadel. Losses were nearly even, and Raul had the advantage of the safety of the wall. We had the advantage of knowing the territory, and a soldier always fought harder for his homeland. Raul's army was little more than mercenaries, without much of sense of loyalty. They fought for him for selfish reasons, or were forced.

I remember my last few days in the castle. The siege had progressed so quickly. Almost impossibly quick. Raul must have had some sort of inside information to have accessed the castle so fast, even Tahara held out much longer to his attacks.

Arthur folds his hands and sits back in his seat. "Merlin warned me, as you asked. The meeting was postponed, but now that you're here, how would you suggest to proceed?"

I took a breath, answering slowly. "Raul is crafty. He is so close to his goals, he will take advantage of any weakness we have. If we are to meet him, he will surely use magic to gain the upper hand, including take your life if possible."

"We would not go in without tricks of our own.", he said, letting a slight grin show.

"Even so, he is a desperate man. He will stop at nothing to get what he wants. No act will be too despicable."

"And I will stop at nothing to regain my home and protect my kingdom.", Uther interjects.

I forced smile, knowing I had offended him. I needed to be cautious with my words if I wished for them to listen to me. "Fair enough, I merely wish to caution you."

This was going to be a long day.

Leaving the tent, I was beyond frustrated with Uther and Arthur. We spent quite an amount of time arguing over a plan to proceed. I had to admit though, it was surprising they inquired after my opinion at all, so I tried not to get too upset with them.

Now I was sitting in another tent with my knights, sharing a quick meal.

I shoveled my food into my mouth without even the slightest thought to manners. Beef and old bread had never tasted so good, though I declined the mead. I didn't need to be tipsy today.

After I finished a plate full, my stomach growled. Meliorn cut off another slice of bread and handed it to me, which I took it gratefully. The only thing that could have made it better was butter.

I look around, no one spoke to anyone, but it was a nice silence. A companionable silence. At least for the moment, it was nice to have some sort peace. Even if it was temporary.

That great moment was interrupted when a pair of arms wrapped around my waist, lifting me from my stool and away from the table. "Boo!", yells a voice in my ear at the same time.

I screamed in fright, thrashing about until I'm placed on my feet again.

The tent erupts into laughter, as does my assailant. I turn to find myself face to face with Gwaine. I'd been so absorbed in my food, I hadn't noticed him sneaking up on me. His face twisted into a smug grin, one I had missed so much. It brought out a smile of my own.

"That wasn't funny!", I say, smacking his arm, though I shouldn't have expected any less from him.

He bows mockingly, taking my hand and kissing it. "My apologies sweet princess. I simply couldn't resist the opportunity!"

"Queen.", corrected the men sitting at the table.

I cringed at the word, resisting the urge to murder them on the spot. I had wanted to reveal that particular piece of information in a more gentle way. Arthur and Uther certainly didn't take it well, saying changing my title only put me in more danger. They were right of course, but the dangers didn't outweigh my duty.

Gwaine's face fell, and I could see the pain in his eyes. His smile slips away, all traces of playfulness gone. He stiffly bows to me in a formal manner, which I never felt was necessary. I didn't feel like royalty, but of course Gwaine would know the divide my rank placed between us. As a princess, I could escape duties. Not as much was expected of me then, now my kingdom and people had to come first. He would see it as there was no place left for him in my life.

"Your Grace, please accept my apologies. I behaved in an inappropriate manner.", he says, almost coldly.

"There is nothing to apologize for.", I say, trying to make eye contact with him. I needed him to know being queen didn't change my feelings for him.

He avoided my gaze, straightening back up. "I-I-I have to go. Arthur assigned me to do... something." He turned and fled the tent without another word.

"Gwaine, wait!", I called after him. When he didn't stop I duck under the flap to follow him, but he had already disappeared into the crowd of soldiers milling around the camp.

When I returned to the tent, you could cut the tension in the room with a knife. Everyone averted their eyes from my gaze, and I really couldn't blame them. My heart felt heavy. I hadn't thought of how Gwaine would react, and it was worse that I could have ever thought. I don't think I had ever heard Gwaine stutter before, or come up with such a terrible excuse.

I couldn't help but see the barely there smug look on Meliorn's face. He tried to hide it from me, but I saw it anyway. He never approved of my relationship with Gwaine.

Exasperated and angry, I snatched the half eaten slice of bread from my plate and turn on my heels for the exit.

As I stormed away, I became aware of footsteps behind me. I turned to find the twins flanking me. I nearly yelled at them, but thought better of it. They were just trying to protect me, now more than ever due to my new status. I couldn't be angry with them for that.

When I reached the tent that Arthur pointed out as mine, I noted it was exactly in the middle of camp. AKA the most protected place in the camp, the farthest from Raul's reaches. A compromise for not sending me away from the battlefield, I suppose.

The twins went to come inside after me, but I stopped them. I needed to be as alone as I could be for now, if I was to go through with what was planned tonight I needed to prepare myself.

"No", I say, holding up a finger

They try to argue but I cut them off. "Stay."

They grimace, but nod, obviously not wanting to be on my bad side at the moment. "We'll stand watch outside. Call if you need anything."

I just barely nod, and retreat inside. Today wasn't going how I'd wanted it to at all. But then again, that seemed to be the story of my life.