A/N: A sincere THANK YOU to those who enjoy this series! I'm so sorry I've been away. I will try to update more frequently! Still don't own anyone you recognize. All mistakes are mine and make me cringe when I see them. Enjoy!

Chapter 5

Cait dropped to her knees in exhausted relief. The gleaming white stone of Camelot's renowned citadel had finally came into view on the horizon. There was no way for her to make out the symbols on the flying pennants. She was still too far away. But there was no doubt in her mind that she had found the right place. Mordred's memory was clear in her mind. And with it, the deep feeling of love and belonging that the view brought. Home. This was his home. His heart. His family. Tears stung her eyes as she rested for a few precious minutes. Finally she had crossed into the borders of Camelot. Soon she would be able to get her urgent message to the King and his Round Table.

For six days she had worked her way through the ancient forests that separated Sarrum's kingdom from Camelot. Sarrum had many patrols in place to prevent people from reaching the neighboring kingdom. To her dismay, the men had been both organized and professional. Each day she'd cloaked herself in shadows. Unable to make much forward progress. She'd crept with agonizing slowness in the general direction of Mordred's home. There had been so many near-misses that she couldn't recall distinct moments any longer. They blurred together in a hectic swirl.

What she would never forget was the one time Sarrum's men had spotted her. She had been foolish and tired. For four days she'd remaining in a near constant state of alertness with fitful naps and little to eat . She had been too slow in moving from one patch of shadows to the next. One heartbeat too slow. She'd heard a man sound the alert even as an arrow had clipped her neck. It would take too long and leave her too exposed to climb the tree as she had planned. There had been nothing to do but run.

And so she had, weaving between ancient trees and leaping over obstacles and she raced for her life. As she'd approached a slow-moving stream Cait had known she'd found her chance. For the moment her pursuers were out of range. She'd grabbed a large rock and heaved it out as far as she could throw, causing a large splash near the opposite bank. Running upstream a short ways she'd slid into a hollow log. Ignoring the thick slime and years of detritus filling the cavity and pulling it over her head as she pulled deep shadows to her.

Situated as she was she couldn't see what was happening. A gamble she'd taken only due to desperation. Mere moments later she'd heard the men as they burst from the trees near her original position. She'd held her breath as if even the soft puffs would alert the men to her position. Heart hammering in her chest she'd waited to hear if her ruse had been successful.

"Where'd the git go then?"

"Split up men! Search the river!"

"No. Look! She ran through the river. You can still see the water churned up across the way. We've got her now. With me!"

Bone-deep relief had flooded her with giddy energy as she'd heard the men splash into the stream. Unable to believe that she'd escaped, and fearful that the men would retrace their steps she'd remained in the log for an hour. Only when the sun had set without a sign of her pursuers had she risked leaving her hiding spot.

That had been two days past. She'd ranged far from her original path in her efforts to remain undetected. But she had finally made it to Camelot.

Now that she could see the scale of the citadel for herself she felt another wave of insecurity wash over her. It was well known that the castle and its residents utilized powerful wards for protection. It was home to Emrys himself and his High Priestess wife. The thought the powerful magic users terrified her regardless of the fondness with which Mordred spoke of them.

If anyone saw her before she could deliver her message she was in grave mortal danger. From not only the warlock and his sorceress, but from the sharp blades of the elite knights they called friends. There had to be a way to get the message to them without placing herself in a position to become a prisoner or worse if they didn't believe her. With every day that passed she feared more for Mordred. Without her there to share the burden of the torture how long could he survive?

Cait squared her shoulders and staggered back to her feet. There was only one way to go. Forward. Everything else would take care of itself. She need only adapt and maintain her momentum. She had faith that the All Mother was watching over her and wouldn't let her fall. Not before she was able to deliver her message.

"It's been two days since we've heard from Merlin and Morgana. So no, I will not remain calm! I cannot believe they neglected to bring even a single messenger raven with them! They've sent that dragon, the feisty one, with messages before. Can they not do the same now?" Arthur ranted long and with impressive range as he met with the bare remains of his Round Table. Only Leon, Elyan, and Gwaine remained with the King and Queen.

Gwen pulled a rolled piece of parchment from the the large stack before her and handed it to her husband. "No. We haven't heard from them. But we have received word from Percival. This arrived as I was on my way to the meeting."

The King took the rolled letter from his Queen and furrowed his brow. "Don't think you've changed the subject. We will be returning to the subject of what poor communicators my sister and that man she married are. But in the meantime let's see what our Ambassador has to say."

He broke the red wax bearing Percival's personal seal and unrolled the letter.

Your Majesty,

Matters on the Isle of the Blessed are grave. Leheya's steward, Uveryl, did not overstate the severity of the situation. One fourth of the residents are stricken with this illness. Gaius and Alice have expressed concern that this could spread to Camelot and asked Leheya to impose a ban on travel. For all persons, including ourselves. I apologize that we will not be able to take part in the search for Mordred. Should the situation change, for good or ill, I will send word immediately.

Your friend,

Percival

Arthur crumpled the parchment and with a low growl threw it across the room and into the large fireplace on the far wall. "Our friend. Our lead Spellsword is missing. Our greatest allies and our best healers are unable to leave the Isle of the Blessed. Merlin, Morgana, and Vadoma gone off somewhere we can't reach them. We've no magic users left to help in defense of the country should an attack come. It's all too convenient. There's someone behind this. Someone who knows exactly how to weaken us."

Leon shared a look with his two fellow knights. There was precious little they could do but prepare as best they could.

"Sire," Gwaine said, "If I may. While it is true that Vadoma is gone with Merlin and Morgana. I will remind you that Purah, her second-in-command remains with the Atzinganoi outside of the walls. Should we not invite them into the city to share in the protection it offers? In return I believe that we could call upon them to assist in Camelot's defense should the need arise."

Arthur gave his most mischievous Knight a hard look. "Gwaine that is an excellent recommendation. It addresses several of our most pressing issues with a single solution. Should Purah and her people agree, we would be happy to offer them protection. This offer is open regardless of the threat of attack. Because it is the right thing to do."

Gwen gave the preening Knight a small wink before adding on to her King's statement. "In fact, Arthur. I believe that you should ask Purah to serve the court in a semi-official capacity. At least until Merlin and Morgana return. We've all seen her skills in battle. She would bring a needed influx of magical strength. Should she agree, we would of course need her here in the Citadel itself. Wouldn't you agree?"

Arthur shot his wife a flat look and ignored her beaming smile. "You've quite transparent, my love." Switching his attention to Gwaine he continued, "Yes by all means ask your lady-love if she'd like to move in with you. I don't know why they two of you pretend as if you don't spend every spare moment together as it is. Although I do appreciate your discretion and ask that you mentor my sister and her husband in the art upon their return."

"I will speak with her first thing in the morning, my liege," Gwaine drawled with a smirk.

"If there's nothing else for tonight?" Arthur asked as he looked at his small council. When nobody raised any new points he called the meeting to a close. "Good. We will reconvene tomorrow to hear Gwaine's report. You're all dismissed."

A hooded figure entered Camelot in the deep twilight hours between sunset and the rising of the moon. Slipping from shadow to shadow, the intruder paused to remember the instructions given.

They'd given the colorful encampment perched along the city walls a wide berth. Their source had warned them about the the tribe that had settled in next to the city. Magic users. Dangerous if provoked and ever vigilant.

The hidden entrance had been exactly where their source had indicated it would be. What had been missing had been protective wards. The intruder had spent precious minutes testing again and again to find them. Disbelief and a sense of foreboding made the figure hurry towards their destination. Something was wrong in Camelot. Something that may or may not relate to their own task.

After evading the knights walking the halls only through sheer luck, the intruder made their way to the kitchens. With a swift look, they saw that there were two women hard at work. And what luck! The tray being set for the King's evening meal. Their source had given specific instructions on what to do with that meal.

The stranger created a distraction in the hallway. A simple matter of knocking over one of the heavy candelabras and returning to their hiding place. As the two women left to investigate the noise, the intruder slipped into the kitchens. They rushed to the King's tray to complete their mission before melting back into the shadows and away from Camelot.

It was done.

"Arthur darling you must eat something." Gwen chided as she handed her husband one of the dense rolls he favored. At his mulish look she cajoled, "For me, then. If not for yourself.

Rolling his eyes at Gwen's small smile, Arthur snagged the roll from her outstretched hand. He took an exaggerated bite into it only to spit it out in confusion. Peering at the bread he could see a rolled parchment pushed into the roll. Unrolling the parchment, the color drained from his face. Handing the small missive to his Queen, Arthur turned to the door and bellowed, "Guards! Call an emergency meeting of the Round Table!"

With shaking hands, Gwen read the message.

King Arthur,

Sir Mordred sent me to contact you. Bandits have captured him. He does not know who leads the bandits. but I was within Sarrum's Kingdom and heard his mental call. Whether it was Sarrum's men or the many bandits who make themselves at home in this dark place I cannot tell you. He heard one clue to his whereabouts though it made no sense to me. I hope that it will have meaning to you. One of the men let slip that they were taking him to "the witch's spit." We have tried to discover what that means but have not been able to find any clues. We believe it was Sarrum's men because they let slip that he is building an army to take on Camelot in the spring.

Highness please hurry. The things they are doing to your knight are terrible. I do not know how long he will be able to hold on. I wish I could stay to answer any questions that you may have but I fear for Mordred's life and I cannot stay away any longer than is necessary.

A Friend.