In the armoury, Arthur dropped his helmet onto the bench. Around him, his knights were similarly stripping down after the morning training. Lester had asked that his knights be allowed to join, as warm up for the evening tournament rounds, to which Arthur had easily agreed.

"Leon."

"My lord." Leon stopped fussing with his armour and looked up.

"I want to talk to you."

Inclining his head, Leon walked to where Arthur sat. "What about, my lord?"

"When we heard of the conflict brewing between Lady Joan and Lord Edward, we should have immediately formed an alliance with Acerith and sent our men in."

Leon blinked then frowned. "That would have provoked a war."

"Frankly, if those two small kingdoms want to get into a spat, especially after signing the peace agreement, then they deserve a war on their doorstep. And it wouldn't do any harm for Camelot to take control of some of those lands," Arthur shook his head. "Gwen needs to be more assertive."

"Uh, perhaps we can discuss this at a more appropriate time," said Leon, shifting from one foot to another, his eyes flitting across the room full of knights.

Arthur looked around at the knights who were shamelessly eavesdropping and nodded. "You're right, Leon. And I'm sure Gwen did the best that she could."

"She's done very well. It's not easy getting all the Albion kingdoms to sit down together and sign a peace treaty."

At Leon's defence of Gwen, Arthur couldn't help but smile. "Help me with my armour, Leon."

"Of course, my lord."

"There are some correspondence that I need to see to. I suppose you will be with your knights?" Gwen leaned briefly into his side, before looking up at him with a smile, her eyes shining with fondness. Arthur slipped an arm around her to bring her closer for a kiss, thinking about how being with her and their child was worth everything.

"I was thinking of spending some time with Amber, actually," he murmured against her lips. "I thought I'd let her watch the training."

"Have fun and keep her safe," said Gwen. Then she lowered her voice. "Don't forget the meeting this evening."

"I'll be there." He gave her one last kiss, then released her.

Arthur watched as Merlin led Gwen back to their chambers, trying not to let his worry about her overwhelm him. She claimed she was feeling well, but Arthur wasn't sure whether to believe her or not. After all this time with her, Arthur suspected that lying to prevent him from worrying was something that Gwen wasn't adverse to.

"Sire?" Hector hovered next to him, dragging Arthur's attention away from Gwen.

"What is it?"

"King Lester would like to see you, in private."

"We just had a private lunch with him." Arthur eyed Hector. A thick fur cape was draped over his skinny shoulders and gold chains hung from his neck, all meaningless accoutrements meant to disguise the snivelling coward he was, thought Arthur.

"He wishes to speak with you, without the Queen."

Arthur kept his face blank and stepped back into the dining hall. "Of course."

Still at his place at one end of the table, King Lester watched Arthur as he took his seat. Arthur held his stare, his mind churning with possibilities.

"My lord." After a long moment, Lester broke the heavy silence. "I wanted to speak with you about the brewing conflict between Lady Joan and Lord Edward."

"We will have time to talk about it tomorrow, before the finals of the tournament. We've cleared a whole day for discussions." Leaning back in his chair, Arthur crossed his arms.

Lester nodded. "I know, but I thought a discussion between just the two of us, to make sure we have the same goal."

"And what is that goal that we have in common? Do enlighten me."

The smile that stretched across Lester's face sent a chill down Arthur's spine. "Let's not play games, King Arthur. I know you see this as an opportunity to get a foothold into their lands, lands that are very valuable – sea access, copper mines."

"I agree that the two of them are in control of some very valuable lands."

"Camelot and Acerith would benefit greatly if those lands were under our control."

Arthur narrowed his eyes and drummed his fingers on the thick wood of the table.

When it was apparent Arthur was not going to reply, King Lester continued. "I understand that, unlike your wife, you are not against expanding your borders."

"Guinevere can be somewhat – conservative," said Arthur.

Taking Arthur's words as encouragement, Lester ploughed on. "We are the two strongest kingdoms in Albion and two of the smaller ones are especially weak at this moment. Why not take the opportunity that is presented to us? If we work together, neither kingdom can defy us and we can both maintain the peace your wife was so eager to keep, while absorbing some of their lands."

"That," said Arthur slowly, leaning forward, "is an interesting proposition. What exactly are you proposing?"

Like Gwen had suspected, King Lester was eager to use the clause in the peace treaty to his advantage, wanting to align his kingdom with Camelot.

"You seem to have put a lot of thought into this. I admit, it is very tempting. Lady Joan's mines, as I understand it, are near the border, which would make it only right that we take control of them."

The smile that spread across King Lester's face was amazing in its utter lack of warmth. "I am glad you understand. You might be more like your father than I believed. Your father was a great king."

Arthur forced a returning smile. "That is the greatest compliment that you could give me. I must say that things have fallen into place quite serendipitously. It does seem quite uncharacteristic for Lady Joan to invade another kingdom."

"Sometimes," said King Lester, his smile turning smug, "you need to help move things along. Provide people with incentives."

"Incentives," repeated Arthur.

"Yes. Perhaps someone whispered into both leaders' ears, sowing distrust and discord. Sometimes, as rulers, we cannot wait for things to happen."

"Very impressive."

Lester's yellowed teeth flashed. "It required a light touch."

"My wife thinks that peace can be maintained and she has made arrangements for a meeting between Edward and Joan this evening, during the festivities. She hoped that you would be distracted."

"I see."

Arthur stood. "This was a very enlightening conversation."

With one last nod at King Lester who still sat at the table, acting like he was the one who called the shots in Camelot, Arthur walked out of the room. It was not a surprise to see Hector lingering outside.

"You made the right choice, my lord."

"I don't like people who eavesdrop," said Arthur coldly.

Gwen leaned down and cupped Amber's face in her hands. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

The young girl bit down on her lip, uncertainty in her eyes, as she nodded firmly. "I can do this. It's not hard."

Her eyes moved to Merlin who stood to the side of the room. "And you're sure this will work?"

"I am Court Sorcerer," said Merlin with a huff. "But yes, it's not a difficult potion to make. I might have given a little bit to Arthur to test."

Gwen's eyes widened. "Merlin!"

He grinned. "I didn't. I know he's off trying to get into Lester's good books. Can't have him spouting about how much he thinks the beard on Lester looks like a dead rat."

Amber laughed. "It does! I told him that."

"Did you?" asked Merlin. "That makes you a very clever girl."

"Does this mean you'll teach me magic?" Amber hopped from one foot to another as she looked imploringly up at Merlin. "I can read a little. Gwen has been teaching me."

Pinching her cheek, Merlin smiled. "Maybe when you're older."

Immediately, a pout formed. "You are just like Arthur. He won't teach me how to use the sword either."

"Well, I think you're old enough to do this secret errand," said Gwen, drawing Amber back into the main purpose of their huddled conversation.

"Yes!"

Gwen looked at Amber, all large eyes and innocence, and once again she questioned if this was really the best plan. But like Arthur had argued last night, it made sense. Amber had access to the kitchen and no one really paid attention to her. If either of them wandered into the kitchen, there would be tongues wagging and the last thing they needed was for Lester to think that something was up.

"So, tell me again, what do you need to do?"

"I need to empty this into King Lester's soup without anyone seeing."

"Good." Gwen tucked Amber's hair behind her ears. "The best time is just before they serve the soup. I've already told Cook that I want you to serve the royal table, to practise."

Amber nodded again as she bounced on the balls of her feet. "I'll do it right."

"I'm sure you will. But if you don't manage to, just let Merlin know."

"I'll be at the corner of the royal table," said Merlin.

"Yes. Can I feel the baby now?"

"Of course. Come here."

As Amber placed her hand on Gwen's round stomach, then her ear, Gwen tangled her fingers in Amber's hair.

"I miss home. I miss my mum." Amber said suddenly, lifting her head.

"Oh Amber." Ignoring Merlin's frown, Gwen lifted Amber onto her lap. "Once all these people go home, we'll take a trip back to Helb to see your mother. How does that sound?"

Amber blinked up at Gwen. "Promise?"

"I promise."

As she was consulted on various things related to the festivities that night, time flew past. Just before the dinner was due to commence, Arthur entered their chambers with a huge grin and presented her with roses from the castle garden one, pressing kisses against her neck and she found herself irrationally wishing they were wildflowers from the side of a road.

"Wildflowers?" He said in slight confusion. "You don't like roses?"

"No, it's not that. It's just –" She stopped when she realised how foolish it sounded. "Nothing. Thank you. They are lovely."

Arthur studied her, then took her hands and pulled her so she stood right in front of him. "I used to pick you wildflowers."

"Yes."

"Well," Arthur said, "Another thing to remember." One arm snaked around her waist and tightened so that she was flushed against his body. His head dipped and he nuzzled the hollow of the throat, making her moan.

"We have to get to dinner," Gwen said, curling her fingers into his hair. It was the only thing she could think to say.

"A few minutes won't hurt," said Arthur firmly against her collarbone, as if he was trying to make her believe it too when his lips were nibbling her bare skin.

"Arthur -"

He grinned. "Just a little while. I miss you."

His hand slid up her side, until it cupped one breast gently. Completely predictably, Gwen melted against him. "Just a while."

Wisps of her hair had escaped her bun but Gwen thought she looked presentable enough. Merlin sighed knowingly when she and Arthur caught up with him but kept his mouth shut. Arthur's mouth, however, twitched with amusement and he wrapped his arm around her, holding her close to him.

"You said once that you wanted to name your child after your parents," said Gwen as they walked to dinner.

"I always thought it was a bad idea," chimed in Merlin. "Especially naming after your father."

Arthur shook his head. "He was an ass wasn't he? At least the more I learn about him, the more he seemed like an ass. Lester thought I would be pleased to be compared to him."

"That he was. I like your new outlook," said Merlin approvingly. "I don't have to pretend to like your father now. Did Gwen tell you about the time he came back from the dead to try and kill us?"

Gwen felt Arthur's arm tighten around her waist. "No."

"Merlin," said Gwen. "It's not important."

Clearly disagreeing with her, Merlin simply sighed. "What is important is that our plan succeeds. Maybe you should have thought of that before your little – thing."

"Thing." Arthur chuckled. "Are you twelve?"

Ignoring Arthur's remark, Gwen stilled as the weight of the need for success gripped her. Albion's peace depended on them and she wanted more answers from Lady Joan and Gwen knew she needed to secure Lady Joan's lands before Gwen could get anymore answers from her.

"It will work. You will lead the peace negotiations successfully."

"But -"

Arthur's eyes narrowed. "Are you going to tell me that usually I would lead all negotiations?"

"Yes, no matter what part I play in them. You take the lead."

"I am not that Arthur," he said quietly. "You should lead the negotiations. Your plan is a good one and we've done all that we can to put things in place. Lester is overconfident in his certainty that I am his ally and he's essentially confirmed to me everything we've suspected him of doing. Merlin's magic will reveal all when he crashes the meeting tonight."

Gwen wished she had the confidence of Arthur and Merlin but she did pull herself together, just as they reached the dining hall, for a tense dinner with King Lester, Prince Reynard, Lord Edward and Lady Joan.

AN: Life has been busy. :( Anyway, those of you still reading this, I hope you enjoyed this update. :)