A/N - Hope you're all enjoying this story so far! :)

Gwen watched as her husband sat lost in thought on the edge of their bed. He hadn't spoken, or eaten since the event in the council chambers that morning.

"Arthur?"

"Yes, Guinevere?" the king answered, staring wistfully into space.

"What's wrong?"

"It's nothing."

"Arthur, I know somethings troubling you." Gwen insisted, moving to sit beside him. "Please, just tell me what it is." Arthur took a deep breath before speaking,

"The sorceress from earlier... I know her, but I don't know where from." Gwen thought for a moment, was that really all that was bothering him? Or was there more...

"Perhaps you've seen her in the market place or town square." she offered. Arthur shook his head,

"No, it's not that simple. I know her, Guinevere, somewhere in my the back of my mind, her identity is hidden away and I need to know the truth."

"Is it really that important?"

"Yes, it is."

The next morning pasted with little thought of the witch, but by afternoon, Arthur's curiosity was magnified tenfold. He had been discussing plans for the patrol with Sir Leon and Gwaine when Merlin popped in to tell him that he had a visitor. A tall dark-haired man stepped in, his eyes lit up when he saw Arthur siting upon the throne.

"Your majesty." he bowed courteously. "I apologize for interrupting you so rudely, but I came here on important business." Arthur waved his hand to signal for the man to continue. "Well, it's just that the-uh, the young lady you have in your dungeons-"

"Isabelle?" Arthur cut him off, sitting straight up in his chair.

"Yeah, that'd be her name. Well, you see, she's very important to me, I made a promise of sorts to her mother that I would-er, take care of her." he said, carefully choosing his words. "I know you probably have plans for her, but I really need her back." he pulled out a bag full of gold coins as he spoke. "I'd be willing to give you these in exchange for her, if you don't mind." Arthur sat dumbfounded, what could this man possibly want with a young seer? "Perhaps you could give me your answer tomorrow?" the man suggested, seeing the King's unsureness. Arthur nodded and had the man escorted from the palace.

"Creep." Merlin commented.

"You're telling me!" Gwaine chuckled. "What could someone like him want with a pretty little enchantress?" Leon excused himself from the group, making no comment on the the unusual event. Once the doors had shut behind him, he hurried after the man. It wasn't hard to find him, his height made him stick out in a crowd like a sore thumb. Leon was fairly tall himself, but this man was a giant, he might even surpass Percival and that was really saying something. The knight followed him into the local inn, up a flight of stairs, and around two or three corridors before coming to a halt. He edged up to the door that he'd seen the man good through, listening intently for any clues as to what he might want with the girl.

"Well, where is she?" came an impatient woman's voice.

"The king was a bit...hesitant, he's giving me his answer tomorrow." the man explained.

"You better not have done anything to make us look suspicious! We need her!" the woman shrieked. The man shushed her,

"Quiet, Lucile! Do you want all of Camelot to know what we intend to do to that wretched woman? They'll have us hanged for murder!" Leon gulped, they were going to kill her. The woman mumbled a few words that Leon couldn't make out, he decided that he'd heard enough anyway and headed back to the castle, his mind in a blur.

"Hey, Leon! Where've you been?" asked a cheerful Merlin.

"Not now, Merlin." Leon snapped. The manservant looked hurt, Leon felt bad for being so impolite, even to a servant, but he really had more important things on hid mind right now. He had decided that he was going to break Isabelle out of the dungeons, however risky it may be. He gathered up some supplies: blankets, food, water, and some clothing. He slipped it all into a light brown saddle bag and pushed it underneath his bed so as to avoid questions from any unexpected guest that might show up in his chambers. He then strode casually from his room, trying his best not to look suspicious. He continued until he reached the King's private chambers, with a light knock on the door, he entered.

"Arthur? Merlin? Gwen?" No reply. He quickly slipped up to the dresser where the king kept his keys, selected the key to the dungeons and took his leave. He nearly collided with Merlin on his way out,

"Oh! Er-Merlin, I was just-uh... Looking for Arthur." Merlin shot the knight a skeptical look before answering.

"He's eating dinner with Gwen and the rest of the knights, like he always does this time of the day."

"Oh, yes, how could I forget... Sorry. See you, Merlin." The manservant scratched his head, what's his problem?