A/N – Okay so I realised just how small (I mean it was really small!) the last chapter was and decided that I would finish this chapter and post it as well. The review rewards are still up for grabs as before.

Disclaimer in Chapter 1

Chapter 5 - The Letter

Arthur and Tristan arrived to find Uther in conversation with Leon.

"My Lord, Tristan," Leon said in welcome as they entered.

"Arthur, how is Princess Tayla?" Uther asked concerned.

"She is sleeping. Gaius believes she will be fine," Arthur replied, stopping in front of his father, Tristan by his side.

"Leon has just finished supervising the retrieval of the bodies from the woods. Sir Tristan, would you mind explaining why you and the Princess were out there, unaccompanied and dressed as you are. That is no way for a princess to travel." Uther said sternly, sounding upset, though Arthur wasn't sure if it was that Tayla was injured or the circumstances of her attire or the fact that she was alone with the knight.

"My Lord, I have a letter from King Henry that will explain everything," Tristan replied, as he handed a letter to Uther. Uther took it and started to read, looking up occasionally at Tristan, disbelief in his eyes, though he didn't speak until he had finished the entire letter.

"Is this true?" Uther asked Tristan. Arthur noted the strain in his father's voice.

"Yes my Lord, all of it," Tristan replied.

"What is it, Father?" Arthur asked as he reached for the letter that Uther held out to him. His muscles tensed and he felt sick at what he red, now entirely understanding the strain in his father's voice.

Uther, King of Camelot,

My dear friend, I am sending my daughter to you, accompanied by her bodyguard, one of my best knights, Sir Tristan. I beg you, please keep Tayla safe. There have been rumoured threats to her life in the recent weeks and only yesterday, we apprehended an armed intruder in the grounds of the castle. Though even under questioning, the intruder would not admit to being here for her, though we are almost positive that he was.

I have sent them in plain clothing with the hope that this will help them remain unnoticed and arrive safely. No one here, aside from a few trusted aides will know that the Princess has left the castle for at least a couple of days, so she should be safe with you by then.

I am sorry that we were not able to send any supplies. I assure you Uther, we will pay for any requirements for their stay. I will be in touch again shortly. Please allow Tristan to remain by her side.

In the meantime, please Uther, keep her safe as if she were you own. She is my only daughter and I love her dearly.

Henry, King of Dover

"Tristan, do you know anything more?" asked Arthur of the knight once he finished reading the letter. "What caused the threats?" he continued, pacing.

Tristan looked at Arthur, nodding.

"There have been a couple of Princes from adjoining kingdoms looking at forming alliances with King Henry by marrying the Princess. She refuses to marry either of them and her father has accepted that. They will not, and are pressuring the King. They both want him to hand her over or risk war. King Henry refuses to force her, he made a promise to the Princess," Tristan replied.

"Why does she refuse them? She is old enough to marry," Uther interrupted, causing tension in both Arthur and Tristan.

"Even if she does, it will likely end in war as both the princes are from kingdoms that are already enemies and Dover is an ideal attack point for both sides." Tristan paused.

"She also believes in love," he added, "As does her father."

"She is a fool," Uther snapped.

"Father! She is no fool." Arthur replied sharply. Uther glared at Arthur as he spoke.

"If she believes that love solves everything, that makes her a fool," Uther ranted. "A thoughtfully sort out marriage of alliance is always the best thing. Especially with Dover being such a small kingdom, even if it controls some very valuable resources. They are the actions of a selfish woman," Uther continued.

"Father you know Tayla is anything but selfish. You were lucky that you loved my mother. Why should others not have that chance?" Uther looked at his son and Arthur felt like he was just missing out on the title of fool as well.

"My Lords," said Tristan, "Please. Tayla understands this and she will marry accordingly." Only Arthur noted the pain in his voice but both he and Uther noted the slip as Tristan referred to Tayla. He continued before anyone could respond. "But she has asked her father to allow her to at least chose someone she can care for and respect."

"What of these two Princes? She should just choose between them and avoid all of this unnecessary fuss," said Uther, frowning.

Arthur noticed that the tension in Tristan, as well as himself, seemed to increase at his father's words. It was obvious that neither of them liked the idea of Tayla being forced to marry someone she didn't like.

"Neither are worthy of the title or the Princess," Tristan snapped, a frown appearing on his face. Both Arthur and his father shocked at the boldness of the statment.

"Enough! That is not your place to judge, Sir Tristan," Uther reprimanded the knight sharply.

"Father you did ask," defended Arthur, wondering what exactly was behind Tristan's words.

"I am sorry my Lords. I spoke out of turn. If that is all, may I please return to the Princess. I do not like being away from her at this time," Tristan asked.

"Of course, Sir Tristan. Arthur, see to it that there are quarters here in the castle for both Tayla and Tristan. I assume, Sir Tristan, you will want to stay with the Princess?" Uther said.

"Yes my Lord, if that is possible. It will make my job easier. I promised the King I would protect her with my life."

Arthur recognised the look on his father's face and spoke up before Uther could say something inappropriate.

"That you have done, Sir Tristan." Arthur turned to his father and continued, "Tristan fought very well today and had already taken out two of the raiders before we arrived and were able to help." Tristan looked at Arthur.

"Thank you my Lord, but how did you know that the Princess did not have something to do with that?" Tristan asked, curious at how Arthur had known.

Arthur smiled. "As talented as the Princess is with a sword, she has never had the stomach required to place a fatal blow. Plus, her sword did not have any blood on it." Arthur turned back to his father.

"We'll both be going now Father. If you need either of us, we will be with the Princess."

"Of course. I'll make the necessary security arrangements, and until she is on her feet again, make sure that either you, Arthur, or Tristan is nearby at all times," Uther replied.

"Of course Father," Arthur replied, pleased that his father wasn't going to be difficult at this time.

A/N 2 – Review Reward options.

So let me know which one you want (if you want one that is) by putting a 1 for a teaser (just a comment from me) or a 2 for a snippet (a quote from the story).