AN:
At "FMAlover555 i really like that": I see you've noticed. I haven't really decided on an ending which means a lot will happen before the end and tragedy can go either way ('either way' in every possible way).

The end of this chapter may spark some anger.

Camelot

Gwaine knew it was time to face the music. It had happened on his watch after all. Merlin's magic became clear to all those in camp when they tried to wake him. They only managed to wake him from his deep sleep by throwing him into the water whilst a bucket of water did not work. He should be feeling guilty about letting, possibly even helping Mithian escape only he didn't. She hadn't wronged anyone and, knowing what her letter to Arthur said, she cared a great deal for her people. Arthur, on the other hand, had become quick to judge on everything that opposed him. Gwaine had visited Gwen when he returned and learned that she had spoken with the King when he returned. According to Gwen, Mithian's capture was all he talked about. The Knight could imagine his anger when he heard that the Princess had escaped.

Elyan, Percival and Leon were already at the council chambers when Gwaine joined them. Arthur and the lesser lords sat in a half circle. They stopped their chatter as they saw that the Knights were complete. The Knights felt as if they were being put on trial and, in a way, they were.
"You all know why we are gathered here today. It is to find out how Princess Mithian escaped custody." Said Arthur.
There were some whispers between the lesser lords but they were silenced when Lord Thesar stood up. Lord Thesar ruled some small lands along the border of Gedref. He wasn't very outspoken but he needn't be. His lands were only mentioned in the gossip shared between old women.
"Knight-commander Leon, would you please step forward?" He asked.
Leon looked at his fellow Knights and approached the council.
"Sir Leon, you led the Knights in the King's absence, is that correct?"
"Yes, milord." He replied.
"Where did you make camp?"
"We made camp at the entrance of a system of tunnels in the Valley of the Fallen Kings."
Members of court whispered loudly but Arthur's gaze did not wander.
"You are aware that those are Morgana's lands?"
It hadn't slipped the Knights mind but there was no reason to believe that the Valley was still a dangerous place.
"She has not set foot in the Valley since we caught her there. Not one whisper says otherwise."
Thesar moved away from the council and closer to the Knight but kept his distance.
"Those whispers came from the druids who lived there and they have been purged from those lands not long ago."
Leon cleared his throat but was without reply.
"Where did your men hold Princess Mithian?" Asked Thesar.
"We occupied part of the tunnels and she was at the back of it."
"And who was guarding it when she escaped?"

Sir Leon took a deep breath. He didn't want to blame anyone but thankfully he didn't have to. Gwaine stepped forward.
"I did."
"Sir Leon, you may step back." Said Thesar.
He took a moment to look at Sir Gwaine before firing off his questions.
"How did you guard the Princess?"
"We had made her a small prison from what wood we could find."
"And she wouldn't be able to escape?"
"Not without alerting half the encampment."
"So this little prison cell was at the back of the camp? Where the system of tunnels began to spread?"
Gwaine knew what Thesar was getting at but he wasn't going to fall for it so easily.
"Anyone coming through those tunnels would need light and that would reveal them to us."
"Did it ever occur to you that a sorcerer might not need actual light?"
Gwaine, thoroughly annoyed by the man, found an enjoyable thought.
"I wouldn't know, milord. I'm not as educated in the forbidden arts as you are." He stated with feigned innocence.
"No more questions." Said a nervous Lord Thesar after which he returned to his seat.
King Arthur rubbed his forehead. This council had been absolutely pointless. He wanted to know whose fault it was but there was no one to blame.
"Merlin outsmarted us but it won't happen again." Arthur declared as he got up from his chair and beckoned the servants.

The servants moved the table to form a long line and one of the servants laid out several maps.
"Moving on. Sir Leon, where do we stand?" Asked Arthur.
"People are growing restless since you've declared war on Nemeth and raised taxes. To make matters worse, Queen Annis has stated that she disapproves of your invasion of Nemeth. But I fear that worst of all are the skirmishes with troops from Essetir."
"After we've sorted this mess out, we'll put Lot in his place. Be it with army or assassin."
Leon looked at Arthur with other eyes. It wasn't like Arthur to say something like that. It was something Uther would say. He was pulled from his thoughts when he noticed Arthur's eyes upon him.
"We've also arrested a man spreading word about how Merlin wishes to 'reinstate' Morgana as Queen and how he is promising a just ruler."
"Hang him. He needs to be made example of." Condemned the King.
Again, Arthur spoke like his father.
"Are you sure, Sire? He-"
"He speaks treason and any who interfere with his arrest may be hanged as well." He judged but Leon didn't think it so clear cut.
"There are sympathizers within our walls, always have been."
Arthur shrugged at his comment.
"Imprison them for a day, then let them go."
"Have you heard yourselves?" Questioned Gwaine all of a sudden.
Council members looked at him with annoyance and Knights in surprise. Was he the only one to see they didn't have their priorities straight?
"You've just been informed you're at war with two countries and you speak of hanging bought criers."
"I can't have Merlin or his voice within these walls. He's the greatest threat to Camelot right now." Arthur replied.
Gwaine didn't know anything about ruling a kingdom but he did know a thing or two about people.
"Call a man a liar and people will only see one man's word against another's. Have him spread the word of Lot and he is a man who will say anything for a pretty penny."
Arthur didn't waste a thought on the idea. "He's still a traitor and he will still hang."
Arthur did not only remind Gwaine of Uther; he also reminded him of Caerleon. Caerleon that refused his mother's plea for help when her husband died. Gwaine saw pride and fear and anger. A good King felt the same things but in moderation. Arthur displayed them in abundance.
"Are you that scared of Merlin?" Asked Gwaine.
"I have an army, Camelot and walls that have withstood a dragon. I am wary of him, NOT scared." And of course that bold claim was said with so much anger that Gwaine knew he was overcompensating.
"Nemeth is left reeling from their defeat, it is Lot you should focus on and still you insist on a witch-hunt that will lead nowhere."
"You don't trust my judgement, Gwaine?" Arthur scolded the Knight but he did not yield.
"When your mind is clear, I do." He argued.
"My mind is clear."
"You've not stopped wearing a sword since Morgana escaped." Gwaine pointed out.
Arthur was quiet for a moment. Gwaine was right about the sword but that didn't make him right about everything.
"Will you or will you not follow my orders?" Repeated an agitated Arthur.
Gwaine had always had a problem with authority figures but always saw his fellow Knights as equals, something Arthur stopped doing not so long ago.
"Not today."
Arthur's face contorted with contempt.
"Gwaine, you are hereby released from my service. You have until dawn to pack your belongings. Your sword and armour is to be returned to the armoury."
The Knight removed his scabbard - which still contained his sword - and placed it on the desk in front of him before leaving the room.

Hours later, Arthur felt renewed. Gwaine and his near-insurgence was gone, Merlin's crier no longer poisoned his city with his lies and things would return to normal once they had found Merlin.
"Ah, Gwen, there you are!"
"How can I help you, milord?" Gwen insists on calling him by his proper, formal title.
"There's something I'd like your help with later today, before you go home for supper." He hastily adds the latter.
She distrusts the smile on his face and the twinkle in his eyes but she doesn't show it. She merely nods at the King and the evening brings something rather unexpected.

Entering his room later that day, she found Arthur enjoying an early supper.
"I thought you needed my help with something?" Gwen dropped the formalities out of annoyance.
Arthur smiled and looked at his extravagant supper.
"This is too much for just me." He said and it was only then that she noticed the second plate.
"Arthur-" She began but he didn't let her finish.
"Guinevere. I'm sorry for the way I have behaved recently. I'm sorry for calling you a servant and I'm sorry for neglecting you. I thought I could rely on my uncle and the alliances between the Kingdoms but I was wrong. There has only ever been one thing I could truly rely on and it's been right in front of me the whole time. The sight of you brings a peace to my heart that is beyond compare."
This was the complete opposite of what happened before, when he told her she was a servant and not an advisor. Now he called her more than a servant, more than a friend, and she didn't know what to do with it. She had felt torn between her love for Arthur and her friendship with Merlin but that changed once they knew he was working with Morgana. It was true that Arthur had pushed him towards her side but, ultimately, it was Merlin that decided to do so. Despite their differences, Gwen still cared for Arthur but it wasn't as strong as it used to be; it wasn't love.
"Just this once." She indulged his plea but it was more out of fear of the consequences than anything else.

AN:
Before you get mad. Gwen has seen near to nothing of Merlin. She hasn't seen his emotions and she doesn't know his motives. The news and rumours within Camelot are everything she has to go on. Game of Thrones does a lot of these 'villain is winning' sort of things and it keeps readers interested. Arthur isn't Geoffry (Arthur actually holds love for Gwen) but that won't keep me from trying.

What is the name of the capital of Nemeth? I don't believe it's ever mentioned. If anyone knows of a good name, leave it in your review and I'll see which I find best.