The next morning was glorious, the sun was as hot as noon by the time Arthur and Merlin rode through the gates of Camelot. All trace of Arthur's mood had disappeared and it seemed as if he was embarking on his weekly hunt rather than a noble quest. He had decided to tell Uther the truth, well mostly the truth. He smiled to himself as he recalled his father's usual concerned frown and well used protest.

" No Arthur, I cannot risk you going off on some uncertain jaunt. This is the time for consolidation. Our hard work has won us the blessing of peace and we owe it….."

Uther made the mistake of looking up at Arthur at this point in his speech. Arthur had his hand on his sword hilt and looked indulgently at his father, he had heard it all before and his father's concern always touched him, although it was the most frustrating nonsense he had ever heard. With this one look Uther recalled an eight year-old Arthur, standing before him asking for some adventure, something to rise to, to make him feel like a man. Countless times Uther had denied him this and now, hearing himself drone on and seeing that familiar look of suppressed frustration, Uther came to an impass. He loved Arthur and that love translated into an overwhelming fear for his safety but Uther knew how easily he could smother him. And besides hadn't he learned that he could no more engineer Arthur's fate than he could his own. His boy had railed against him, disobeyed him, by the Gods, he had even tried to kill him, But here he was, the finest Prince, the dearest son a man could wish for. 'It's about time,' thought Uther to himself.' I let him go.'

Uther had stopped in mid sentence and paused. The entire court was waiting for his next word.

"Go then! Take whatever you need." Said Uther, and stepping forward he placed a hand on Arthur's shoulder his son smiled at him. Uther removed the leather glove from hand, revealing a web of scars and he gently touched Arthurs cheek.

"Be careful my son." he said.

Arthur's eyes grew round with a sudden joy. "

Thankyou Sire." He said and bowed deeply.

The travel journal had recounted a journey of 13 days that took them beyond the white mountains and through the forest of Dalgeath. The writer and encountered beasts and errant knights on his travels but Arthur was certain that these were no more. Camelot had changed a lot in 300 years. He turned in his saddle to look at Merlin who was lagging behind. Merlin sat his horse well these days but still had the ability to look like a country bumpkin when he was tired.

"We have hardly gone twenty miles Merlin, you can't be tired already!"

"No..not tired exactly," said Merlin, "just reading this." He waved the journal at Arthur.

"Don't read and ride at the same time you idiot."

"But is says here we are about to cross the river Wicci."

"So?"

"The river Witch?"

"What of it?" Questioned Arthur with growing amusement at Merlin's worried face.

"I never heard of it?"

"Nor I, it's most likely on old name Merlin, it must be the river Quert where the oak trees are."

"Witches and oak trees…..that sounds like somewhere we should avoid."

"Are we scared Merlin?" Teased Arthur.

"No…."

"Well get on up here then, keep up and keep your eyes peeled!" Arthur stepped up the pace. Merlin groaned.

The River Quert was well inside Camelot but not frequented much by its people. It was a dark and gloomy river, sluggish and lifeless. No fish were found in it and it's depths could not be fathomed. They approach the river through a line of ancient oak trees which although magnificent had an air of neglect and solitude about them as though nothing had touched them for centuries, no bird had nested in their branches, no rodent made home amongst their roots or beetles scuttling across their skin. Oak trees were life itself to a forest, but not these oak trees. Merlin inwardly shuddered but Arthur hardly noticed any of it, he was all bravado and ease.

"Yes and we have to whistle while we do it."

Arthur scoffed. "Come now Merlin that sounds like superstitious nonsense."

"No it says it here." said Merlin holding the page out for Arthur to see. The prince refused to look.

"And what reason does it give then Merlin….for the whistling!"

"To keep the fléogan at bay, there's a picture here..they're like giant flies with....yeuk.....that's disgusting!"

"Theyr'e what!..you made that up!" yelled Arthur making a lunge to snatch the book. Merlin lifted the journal higher to avoid Arthurs hands but Arthur was quick and managed to knock into him. The book went flying and with an almost silent splash, slipped below the dark waters.

"Now look what you've done Merlin…you idiot."

"Youhit it out of my hand." protested Merlin angrily and dropped to his knees. He peered into the water. Hesitating to put in his hand into such a soupy mess

"Go and get it then." Taunted Arthur shoving him in the back.

Merlin overbalanced and fell headlong splaying his arms as he fell and landing with a loud sharp splat. Arthur couldn't help laughing

"Ouch that must hurt ." he joked.

But Arthur was talking to himself. The had river swallowed Merlin in an instant. There was not even a ripple on the surface