Hello Everyone! It's been a while and I'm sorry but it's been a bit rough for me recently and I'm trying to get my life back on track. One thing is to finish this story! So here we have my update (perhaps not the best) but hopefully you'll like it. Please enjoy, favourite, follow and review! And thank you for reading.

Leon's POV

Camelot is like a ghost town- well for me anyway- everywhere I turn is a reminder of my life before this pain began. Before she betrayed me. Before I even knew her, which although the thought gives me pain, also makes me wonder how much happier I'd have been if I hadn't. Arthur, Lancelot and even Gwaine have tried to talk to me but they can't understand. Any fool can see that Merlin and Arthur are made for each other and will have their happily ever after and Gwaine and Lance are happy enough single. But I'm alone and with the ring I gave her pressed into my palm, so hard that it leaves a mark, I remember how her soft skin and flowing hair felt under those same hands.

Curse everything! The only reason I stayed was for Arthur but I'm starting to think that may not be enough anymore- my once unquestionable loyalty to the crown. Arthur is still my king, that will never change, but I feel so hollow now I'm not sure I can stay in Camelot with all these memories.

My feet are leading me to a place I cannot name and when I finally become aware of my surroundings again I find myself in Merlin's room in front of a beautiful stone basin that I recognise as Ambrosia's scrying basin. For a moment I'm tempted. Would it even do as I asked without magic? But then as if it could read my mind an image of her appears and I see her in all her beauty. She looks tired but happy as she plays with a small child I vaguely recognise. Then Elaine walks over to her and starts speaking seriously, but through the basin I cannot hear, she's with the druids! Good druids as well!

This means she hasn't betrayed Camelot to side with her brother Mordred! She may still yet be on our side, on my side, and we might still be together! Just as I start to get closer to the basin the image fades and the water turns back to blue. I start a little at the shade as it reminds me eerily of the lake I saw, and drank from, when I went to comfort Percival. Shaking my head slightly I leave the room knowing that Merlin and Morgana will probably be back soon from wherever they have disappeared to. Outside Arthur is pacing a rut into Gaius' floor and muttering darkly to himself about 'useless manservants that turn out to be women'. A small smile escapes me at this and I see Lance, who is sitting at Gaius' table trying to stay out of the physician's way, draw back in shock at slight happiness from me.

Gwaine, with his typical roguish 'charm', claps me on the back heartily. "Well look at you Mr Sunshine! If you can get the princess over there to smile I'll be even more impressed. If you hadn't guessed neither of them are back yet."

"Look." Now Arthur gestures towards the window after taking a minute break from his pacing. "It's getting dark and Merlin and Morgana are still out there!"

"No we're not." We all spun to the door to see a teary faced Morgana and a melancholy smile from Merlin. What could have made Morgana cry? "Where is everyone?"

"Well Ambrosia and Balinor went to speak with the queen whilst Gaius is on his rounds." Replied Lance looking behind them but only seeing the two of them. "Where's Percy?"

The two sister's exchanged looks before Morgana swallowed nervously. "He's dead."

And suddenly the world seemed black again.

Elaine's POV

The citadel is beautiful but my people are weary and wary of what lies within those walls for us. Iseldir has yet to tell us what is happening but the people are restless as the every earth awakens beneath their feet at having balance return to it. The Old Religion imbues these lands and beside me Morgause looks to Camelot with something akin to wonder.

"It's so lovely."

Nodding at my companion who is clutching her flat stomach with awe I smile wistfully. "Yes it is, my husband always spoke of it with many fond feelings- his dream was to become a knight of Camelot before he died. I never knew why when their king was so dishonourable but seeing the castle itself I see his hope and honour in the Knights of Camelot."

Galahad came up on my left and took my hand with his eyes wide with more understanding that a boy his age should have. "I'm going to do what he never managed mama and be a knight of Camelot."

Tears fill my eyes and I take my little boy into my arms, he's so small and fragile, the only thing I have left of his dear father. "You'll do me proud whatever you do Galahad."

For several minutes we just cling to each other as we stand on the crest of that hill until I feel Morgause's hand on my shoulder and she speaks softly. "Iseldir wants to make camp on the edge of the citadel. We should be heading out in a few minutes."

Again I nod and pull myself away from Galahad. Straightening my clothes and my pack, I check on Galahad's supplies as well as the herbs I have that are supposed to be good for Morgause and the baby. This is it. The walk towards our future and I know Morgause understands this as well.

Taking Morgause's hand in my right and Galahad's in my left we start walking down the hill. Around us children are laughing, adults are sombre and the sorcerers are edgy but we simply walk quietly. We will survive this and Albion is dawning- the very earth knows.

Arthur's POV

After Morgana's announcement she'd told us all what had happened with a couple of words from Merlin. It all felt hollow as we all waited for something- anything- to make this feel real and not so pointless. These Sidhe had taken our friend as payment! Like humans were currency to them and nothing else. Percival wasn't a gold coin to spend at the market he was a brave fearsome warrior. A quiet man who loved to tease and laugh but kept to himself.

He didn't mean so little- he meant something to everyone in this room. How are we supposed to tell Ambrosia and Balinor? They were his friends for so long and had lost so many already. Everything seemed to empty even in this room full of people. Morgana had dissolved into tears whilst Gwaine held her in his arms (the fact that Morgana wasn't protesting against this just showed how much she needed some comfort) he was looking blankly at the wall whilst he stroked her back soothingly.

Lance had perhaps reacted worst. The sound of pain he'd made was like a wounded animal before he'd just turned silent and hadn't moved. There was such resignation there that I couldn't help but wonder how much loss and pain Lancelot had known before this. I remember he once told me that Percival had been his first friend for a long time and the pair of them had been friends for years- protecting and supporting each other through everything.

Leon was just like me and was frozen within everyone's grief. We'd been friends with Percival but the pair of us had watched comrades fall in battle before and knew how quickly a man can go from a pillar of strength to no more than an empty shell. Both of us have seen the light die in too many men's eyes to not acknowledge that death was very real in this world even for the very best of men.

Then Merlin came forward carrying a beautiful blade- the very sword Percival had died for. "Arthur." So many emotions filled my name that I couldn't possibly know how Merlin felt but there was also a strength that Merlin often had when everything seemed bleak- hope possibly. "This sword was forged for you in a dragon's breath and it's the weapon of the Once and Future King."

She then offered it out to me and for a moment I almost didn't accept it. This thing was paid for in Percival's blood! I don't want the thing at the expense of a friend. But I also know that if I refuse it Percival will have died for nothing and honour meant so much to him. If I don't accept this sword and with it the responsibility as a leader to my people then Percival will have died for nothing.

Shakily I take the blade within my grasp and gasp in surprise. It feels like returning home- everything about Excalibur felt right within me- the balance is perfect along with the weight. Its beauty astounds me and I'm convinced that this is the finest weapon in all the five kingdoms. A blade for a king.

"We must honour Percival." My voice is hoarse but everyone still looks at me waiting for whatever I'm about to say. "Gwaine, Lance please kneel."

Both look at me in shock but eventually move slowly before me kneeling.

"Arise Sir Lancelot, Knight of Camelot," the man stands with a bittersweet smile. His dream had been fulfilled. "Arise Sir Gwaine, Knight of Camelot." They're both standing again now and the atmosphere in the room has shifted. "Soon we shall have to fight- for Mordred rides with Cenred against us- but we shall stand proud knowing we are members of the most noble army the world has ever known. We shall fight for what we know is right and for the people of this kingdom so that they may be free. We shall fight for the people we love and the people we have lost. We shall not let Percival's loss be in vein and we shall bring a new dawn to those who believed these dark times would never end. For the love of Camelot!"

"For the love of Camelot!" They took up the cry and once again hope was restored. Camelot would endure.

Ambrosia's POV

So Percival is dead. I knew it would have to happen but my friend is dead. Lost in the waters of Avalon with his beloved for eternity like destiny foretold he would be- the noble Knight of Avalon. How can I not be happy that my friend is at peace? I am truly but it is still tinged with the bitter sense of loss that I found him again only to lose him. But for balance to be restored he had to die. He was latching Elowen's powers to this plain meaning that the succession of the High Priestess powers couldn't continue. And now there were three High Priestesses again.

I'd felt his passing as soon as he took Elowen's hand and so had Balinor. It had taken a while for us to properly recover from the loss of our friend but war was coming and the luxury of mourning cannot yet be afforded. So Balinor had gone to meet with Kilgharrah about Cenred's forces whilst I made my way through the druid camp.

Around me many were sinking into bows but I pressed on with polite smiles and nods to the brave druids who were here for our cause- for Albion. Arthur had finally taken his official position as the Once and Future King of Albion which was great news but he had yet to prove himself worthy of his title and sword in front of his people. His real challenge was ahead of him but I believe in him explicitly. Now I just need to get Merlin and the other two High Priestesses together before it's too late.

With that in mind I come to a halt at the front of a typical druid nondescript tent. Outside is Elaine, a good friend of Merlin and Morgana's, at first she doesn't see me as she is intent on sharpening her blade. But when she does see me she draws back. "Lady Ambrosia! What on earth are you doing here?"

"I'm here to see my daughter Elaine I have many things to talk to her about." A frown appear on the redheaded woman's face and I'm instantly worried. "What? Is there something wrong?"

"We found her in the woods barely alive, my lady, after having been beaten very savagely."

I knew it would happen, I had had to see it all and chose this path for my eldest daughter, but to hear it out of somebody else's mouth made the rage that had been previously swallowed by regret for the loss of Mordred rear its ugly head. How could he do that to his own kin? My beautiful baby Morgause! How could he turn her away from him with such disregard? Abusing his power so! Why did it have to happen like this?

"I know Elaine and I know this conversation will be hard for her but I really do need to speak to her." This is my last opportunity to be a good mother to Morgause, after all my previous failures, I'm not sure how I would cope if I fail now. Why could I not be a good mother to any of my children? I put them on their current paths and now Mordred has turned away from the Light and the dream of Albion. Morgana and Merlin are signed up for war when they've barely entered womanhood. But Morgause still has a chance of salvation and I'll be damned if I don't make sure she takes it with two hands.

Chewing on her rosy lip Elaine seemed uncertain for a while before she indicated for me to enter. "Galahad is in there at the moment with her. She's amazing with him and one day she'll make a brilliant mother." Unlike you.

The slight is clear but I don't pick her up on it. Instead I just smile sadly in acknowledgement because she's perfectly right. I'm glad that this woman is such a good friend to all three of my daughters and I'm sure she is loyal and a fierce protector of those she cares about. "Thank you for caring for her Elaine- I owe you."

"Just don't hurt her too much my lady."

With that I enter the tent.

Next chapter should be focused mainly on the twins and I'll update as soon as possible. Thanks again and ta ra for now!