Gaheris offered to return to the citadel with the reply. He had been given safe passage once before, and grudgingly Lot had to admit he could probably trust Merlin's word. Lot went back to his own camp; Bayard, Caerleon, and Alined stayed within the confines of Bayard's tent. The three kings eyed each other warily.

"We certainly can't trust Merlin. Lot might like to consider him honourable but that boy is far too wily," Caerleon announced.

"He's been useful over the last few years, but he's certainly outlived that," Bayard growled.

"And you wouldn't object to getting the Golden Prince back."

Bayard glared at Alined, who smirked, leaning back in his chair and he took a careful sip of wine before looking back at Bayard, sending a sidelong glance at a smirking Caerleon.

"Oh, come now, Bayard. Everyone in the five kingdoms knows you are obsessed with the boy. He's pretty enough I suppose," Alined drawled. "But I'm not entirely certain he's worth a war."

"So why are you here?" Bayard snapped.

"It seemed inappropriate not to turn up, since everyone else appeared to feel the need to involve themselves."

"And it has nothing to do with trying to gain the land that Camelot stands on?" Bayard snarled.

"And this has nothing to do with taking control of Camelot. Do you think the rest of us will allow Arthur to live?" Caerleon snapped. "Did you have any idea that the prophecy was meant for him?"

"I did not!" Bayard snapped back.

"It would have been a good reason for wanting to keep control of him."

Bayard snarled, reaching for the hilt of his sword. Alined raised his eyebrows, but he didn't move at the threat. Lingering on one side of the tent Trickler shuffled forward. Bayard sent the sorcerer a baleful glance but he made no further move. However he kept his hand on the hilt of his sword.

"Still, I'm sure we can accept the more obvious reason for you wanting Arthur," Alined said smoothly.

Bayard's jaw clenched. "The problem is not the Golden Prince."

Alined raised his eyebrows, waiting and noticing, as everyone else had done, that Bayard never called Arthur by name. Alined sent a knowing glance to Caerleon who smirked in response. By using the title that Arthur had long ago been given he almost seemed as if he was trying not to think of Arthur as a person but simply as an object.

"That Dragonlord's brat is the one behind this. Without him the Golden Prince would never have gone near that sword!" Bayard added.

"He's right," a smooth voice announced, causing the kings to turn. Morgause stepped forward, eyeing them both coolly.

"You think that Merlin orchestrated Arthur pulling out the sword?" Alined asked her.

Morgause shook her head, moving closer to the table. Caerleon stepped back to give her room, his face stayed neutral as she glanced at him, but his eyes flickered with hatred. Morgause paid the sliver of aggression no heed.

"Not even Merlin is that powerful. He is the strongest of us, I grant you, but even he could not fight that magic."

"It is a dragon's power. How do you know he cannot?"

Morgause raised her eyebrows, looking at Alined steadily. She glanced at the other two kings and smirked.

"I have seen him try. It never repelled him as much as some others, but he was never destined to be the Once And Future king."

"And what is he destined to be," Bayard asked looking irritated but he indulged Morgause and allowed her to lead him by the nose to what she wanted to say. The blond woman smirked even more.

"The druids call him Emrys. He is also in the myth of the Once And Future King. He is the one that will guide him on his path. Without Merlin Arthur is nothing, and I feel it is much similar the other way. Merlin and Arthur may have served their purpose, if nothing else you all stand united against them now, the five kingdoms working to a common purpose."

Caerleon frowned. "And that is what Arthur is meant to achieve?"

"Excalibur has proved it, he is the true king of Albion. Destined to unite and rule, bringing balance and peace to the land."

Caerleon's frown deepened, anger seeping into his eyes. "The Golden Prince has no right to rule over any of us. His father's reign was enough."

"I agree," Morgause said, her voice turning almost pleasant and her smile becoming friendly. "I watched Uther slaughter many of my kin, but bear in mind, Merlin's mother also died at his hand. It was why Balinor helped in the revolution against him. Now he stands with the son of his enemy."

"They were given too much power, they should never have been trusted," Bayard snapped.

"But they were useful, having control of the Great Dragon," Morgause said smoothly.

"To which end we cannot afford to lose them. The Dragonlords at least control the beast, if he were allowed to run rampage over the kingdoms there would be nothing left."

"You cannot afford to be without a Dragonlord?" Morgause asked.

"All of us will agree, we cannot take that risk," Alined said.

"The only other way round it would be to do as Uther did. Trap the dragon, so he may harm none, or simply kill it."

Morgause didn't look entirely happy with such a plan.

"Arthur had put himself in such a position, the situation may be simplified by the simplest of methods. If your knight wins, you can do whatever you wish with Arthur Pendragon."

"All things considered, it's safest to kill him," Caerleon snarled.

"I think not," Bayard said with a smirk.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxX

"Sir Leon," Gaheris nodded calmly as the knight walked through the smouldering ruins to meet him. As he had entered through the archway several bowmen had aimed at him. Gaheris had paused, raising his hands, taking several steps closer before shouting out. "I need to speak to..."

He wondered about that actually. Arthur had raised the challenge but Merlin clearly still ran things in Camelot.

"Arthur and Merlin!"

That covered it as far as Gaheris was concerned. He waited, one of the guards turned and spoke and a minute later Leon had walked out to him.

"I need to take your weapons, Sire" Leon said, sounding highly apologetic. Gaheris didn't feel offended. He knew how it all worked. Giving a curt nod he kept his hands up. Leon looked uncomfortable.

"You can hand them to me."

Gaheris looked up at the archers. "Are you sure?"

Leon turned and looked up at the archers. "Stand down!"

His order was obeyed immediately. Gaheris pulled the sword from his belt, and the knife from his boot and handed them to Leon.

"Thank you," Leon said.

"I probably shouldn't have bothered coming in with weapons," Gaheris mused as they walked towards the arch that would lead them into the courtyard. "Not only would I have to surrender them I don't think I need them anyway. Not against you."

"It's a tense situation My Lord," Leon said placatingly.

"Leon, it's on the way to ridiculous."

"Gwen, do you know where Arthur and Merlin are?" Leon called as he saw the young woman passing by.

"Merlin's with Gaius, checking over the injured. Arthur is on the training field with the others."

Leon nodded. "I'll fetch Merlin. Gwen can take you out to Arthur."

Gwen nodded and smiled at Gaheris. "Of course, this way My Lord. Can I bring you some refreshments?"

Gaheris smiled. "You can bring your face, that is more than refreshing."

The prince grinned as Gwen rolled her eyes.

"You're as bad as Gwaine," she informed him.

"No, Gwaine is far, far worse."

Gwen laughed.

"Is he all right by the way?" Gaheris asked.

"Gwaine, yes, he's fine."

"He hasn't been drunk again has he?"

"No, Arthur's been keeping a close eye on him."

"He always did. I thought I could control Gwaine, Arthur was far better at it. That was as good a reason to keep him as any."

Gwen frowned and then turned away, staring at the scenery before looking back.

"You were kind to Arthur?"

Gaheris wasn't sure if that was a statement or a question. He supposed there was no harm in answering. "It wasn't hard, he got delivered into the hallway of the castle along with a load of other luggage. The steward left him there, he'd wrapped Arthur's leading chain around a table leg and ignored him. Then I came along and decided he could help carry our stuff, all three of us were there. After the training session I left Arthur in the armoury tidying up and the steward came along and started to beat him for wandering off."

Gaheris shrugged.

"That was when I decided if my father wasn't there, I was man of the house, and between the three of us we decided we would keep him equally. We treated his wounds, poor thing," Gaheris paused staying in the shadows of the cloisters as he watched Arthur train. "He doesn't get that very often."

"Gwaine seems to want to protect him."

Gaheris turned his head to look at her. "Don't get me wrong, I want to as well. Gwaine just thinks too much at times and then decides to not think at all."

"Arthur will be fine with Merlin," Gwen said. Gaheris turned to look at her.

"He's on his own in what he's done."

They looked at each other and turned back to watch Percival sparring with Arthur. Lancelot, Gwaine and Elyan moved around, talking, shouting, trying to distract and advising.

In the end, Percival called a halt.

"Enough, put that sword down and find another."

"Why?" Arthur asked tightening his grip on Excalibur's hilt.

"I'm not denying that it's a good sword, and it will help you. But I would rather teach you. Use a normal sword, just for a while and just see. Put Excalibur down, none of us will touch it. You need your own reflexes, not just that sword's."

Arthur stopped looking angry, looked confused and did as he was told, taking Gwaine's sword instead. Arthur hefted it carefully, the weight of it in his hand suddenly strange.

It felt even worse as Percival moved forward into an attack. Arthur suddenly felt clumsy, having to think about what he was doing and it showed. He dodged back as Percival feinted a light blow to his side and Arthur caught the blade, remembering how Percival had taught him, locking the weapon's hilt to hilt and leaning on Percival's arm. Then Arthur stamped on his foot for good measure. Percival yelped and lost his balance. The swords tore apart and Percival shifted and straightened up.

"Do you see what I mean?" he asked. Arthur glanced down at the sword he was holding, moving it in his grip again.

"Yes."

"I'm not denying that using that sword will..." Percival started and then as he glanced up as saw Gwen and Gaheris making their way towards them he stopped. Arthur frowned at the pause and turned to watch the new arrivals. Gaheris looked at Percival with mild irritation.

"I am not about to start giving away any secrets, if that is why you think I've come."

Arthur frowned, glancing back at Percival. Gwaine shrugged.

"What can you really tell anyone?" Gwaine asked. "No one can hide the fact that Arthur is inexperienced, and no one really knows the power behind that sword. Unless we ask the Great Dragon."

"All he says," Merlin announced walking up towards them, Leon in tow. "Is that in the wrong hands it is a terrible weapon."

"Who decided that Arthur is the right hands? No offence," Gaheris added to Arthur, who shrugged. "Did the dragon know that, when he made the sword."

Merlin looked rueful. "Any answer the beast gives will be cryptic."

"You sound like you have tried," Gaheris said.

"My father did. Kilgharrah came close to hinting that it connects to Arthur's bloodline, he is descended from the first king of Albion."

"In theory then, shouldn't Uther have been able to take the sword?" Leon asked.

"I doubt it, the sword was used when the five kingdoms were formed, when they ended the fighting for which Excalibur had been forged. It was a weapon they didn't dare use again, it had served it's purpose. It couldn't be destroyed, and... I don't even know how it got into the stone. No one knows which sorcerer did that. But at the time, it was said that the sword would be used again, the Once And Future King would claim it, and Albion would unite."

"It's certainly done that," Gwaine growled.

"I'm not entirely certain this is quite what was meant," Percival said, jerking his head in the direction of the outer wall beyond which the armies had camped.

"So what did it mean?" Arthur asked.

"That you are destined to unite the kingdoms and they will follow you, and you would restore the balance of magic back to the land."

Arthur frowned. "But I know nothing about magic, and didn't that happen when my father was... stopped." Arthur wondered if that was entirely the right word, but he couldn't think of another way to put it.

"Persecution of those with magic still occurs," Gaheris said.

"And is the balance referred to as simple as that?" Merlin mused. "You were born from magic, and a life was taken to make that happen."

Arthur flinched at the thought.

"Whatever we think," Merlin said, deciding to change the subject. "The first and foremost thing to be dealt with is this duel."

Arthur grimaced, shoulders hunching slightly. He gave Merlin a wary look, Merlin looked back, slightly resigned.

"There is nothing we can do about it now, except make sure you are as ready as possible," Merlin said, and then turned to Gaheris. "I presume you are here with news."

"Several conditions of the battle. They won't allow seven days, my father has pushed the compromise to four, I don't think you will get any more than that."

"I would have preferred five but I dare say that with be neither here nor there," Merlin said. Arthur swallowed nervously, hand tightening on the sword he was holding.

"Is that going to be enough time?" he asked, not really directing it at anyone in particular.

"You've learnt enough to hold your own Arthur," Percival said.

"What are the other conditions?" Gwaine asked.

"They want Merlin in the royal box, to ensure there is no 'trickery'," Gaheris exaggerated the last word.

"Will Merlin be all right surrounded by them?" Arthur asked in concern. Gaheris winced slightly.

"Yes, as long as you win. If you lose, Merlin will be tried for treason."

Everyone gaped at Gaheris.

"Surely they could do that anyway?" Elyan said.

"If Arthur wins the duel, then the citizens of the castle of Camelot are safe, every single person here falls under that protection, including Merlin. If Arthur loses, then they will take their anger out on Merlin."

"If I lose, I'm dead," Arthur said glumly. Percival patted his shoulder.

"Try some optimism."

"Have they chosen their champion yet?" Leon asked. Gaheris looked mildly grim as he glanced around.

"Yes, and if you lose Arthur, I don't think you'll end up dead. Bayard selected Sir Maleagant as your opponent, with the promise that if he defeats you, Maleagant has you as his slave for a year before you are returned to Bayard's court."

Arthur's eyes widened, and his face, flushed from exertion suddenly paled.

"That's why they will execute Merlin," Gwaine said. "The whole prophecy relies on having the two of you together. I very much doubt it will be a long trial."

"If Arthur loses in the morning I dare say that Merlin's trial and execution will be completed before the day is out," Leon said.

"Cheery thought," Merlin said. Arthur's shoulders slumped.

"I'm sorry. I though I was doing the right thing, I seem to have made more of a mess than we were already in."

Merlin looked at him steadily. "Actually, it's probably the best, if not the only, solution. A siege will cripple us, so we would have to act, and if we turn the forces of magic on them even if we win, we'll still have to keep fighting. Listening to the courts over the years appears to have taught you something."

"Really?"

"You certainly covered all the specifics, all residents of Camelot would be safe, that includes Merlin and Balinor. One fight, two people does mean that no one here will be in danger during battle and the kings have to feel the same. Granted that with the force they have their losses would be minimal, but they'd be there," Gwaine said. "This takes it down to between you and Maleagant."

"He's not the easiest of opponents," Lancelot said.

"I know," Arthur said. "I saw him at a few tournaments. He's acted as Bayard's champion for years. He probably only sent him here to spy on you."

"They all do that," Merlin said.

"Has Maleagant ever," Percival started tentatively, frowning as he looked at Arthur. "Has he ever had you before?"

Arthur blinked and then shrugged, looking unconcerned by the question.

"Probably."

"What's that got to do with it?" Gwaine asked.

"Nothing really," Percival said scratching his head. "But it might skew his perception slightly. He won't think much of Arthur as an opponent."

"And we have trained with him," Lancelot said. "We know his vague style, and although he's not got too many weaknesses, he does have a blind spot, and his arm won't be entirely recovered."

"From what?"

"He received a deep injury during a skirmish with some of Cenred's men while we were tracking him," Merlin said. "It was the reason I chose him to pull you clear of the battle. He wasn't up to a full on fight, but keeping you safe I thought I could trust to him."

"You could," Arthur said. "What followed wasn't exactly an unusual occurrence."

"But he knew damn well that I wouldn't have approved, because he took you too far away from the camp for it to simply be because he wanted to make sure the route was safe," Merlin informed him. Arthur blinked, staring at Merlin in surprise, within his mind there flashed a ripple of memories, from recent history, of Merlin and of how he had treated Arthur in those first few days.

Arthur had now put him in a situation where Merlin's life was on the line. If he lost the duel then he didn't need to worry about his own life, it would be Merlin who paid the price for his failure. Arthur felt something inside him stiffen, hardening as he realised he couldn't afford to fail, and if he did, if he came even close to it, he could still claim a victory. He somehow had to, if he couldn't win, give Maleagant no other option but to kill him.

Not that he intended to tell Merlin that part of the plan.