He had requested Arthur to dine with him that evening, Lancelot couldn't have arrived at a better time. Now he needed a way to make sure he took his rightful place at Arthur's side and gave Camelot the loyal protector she needs. He was sat at his table, already laid with food, when Arthur arrived. Merlin sat at the right leaving the head seat for his brother; Arthur, however, had other plans, he took the seat opposite his twin instead.

Merlin grinned at him, shook his head and said "and this is why you are destined to be the greatest of them all".

"Shut up Merlin and get on with our agenda for this evening". Arthur replied his face flushed. Merlin sobered at that and looked up again before saying

"The quality of the new recruits".

Arthur took a piece of food from one of the plates before him and nodded grimly. "It's a problem, a very serious one".

"And the crux of it is that we have to rely on noble houses to supply our men, many of the Lord's indulge their sons, they lead comfortable lives causing them to be inept in any fight or battle". Arthur looked at his brother when he said that, he was right.

"What do you suggest we do".

"You have experienced my skill combat, correct"? Arthur nodded, how could he forget "What if I told you that, my teacher, Gwaine was a commoner". Arthur looked at him shocked

"you're joking"

Merlin shook his head in negation. "I think we need to consider training knights from beyond just the Royal houses".

"Merlin you're suggestion goes against the first code of Camelot".

"Arthur even if you adjust the training programme, that still leaves very few recruits who even have the potential or inclination to be knights. The squires are still too young, it'll be years before they are ready, so looking at the short and long term, I still see a rather large hole in Camelot's defenses". Arthur couldn't refute that, he could see it as well.

"Even if I were to consider your proposal Merlin that still leaves the logistics of how we are going to get father to agree, find and train knights completely loyal to crown".

"Father would never agree, there are certain opinions he has that cannot be changed even with all the logic in the world. However, I do have an alternative". He said, looking into his brother's eyes. "Lord Tensen, close to our outer borders near Essetir. His staff consists of mostly commoners, he has no sons but any of his men would willingly die to protect him and Camelot. I've seen their loyalty and devotion with my own eyes. We ask him to recruit and train men for Camelot, they will be tested by you of course in private and though they may not be able to officially earn their rank until you are on the throne, as crown prince you can still bestow them a token of approval, making them your own private army".

Arthur rubbed his forehead "Merlin you're asking me to commit treason against the crown".

"Not if father knows what you're doing. He may not like commoner knights but I doubt he would be opposed to having spare commoners willing to give their lives for this kingdom. We prepare it as a temporary solution to make up the numbers we are missing, it won't cost any more than having to house our regular numbers, it might actually cost less, commoners do not require much luxury, and we can even have them housed with Lord Tensen and others like him". His brother replied shrewdly.

"You know what, I think that might actually work, but why have them housed with the older Lord's"?

"To ensure their loyalty! Many of the older Lord's were knighted themselves, they embody the very values that Camelot and the knight's code was built on".

"And you don't believe that their personal prejudices will stop them from aiding this endeavor of ours"?

"I know who to select," said Merlin conspiratorially, excitement shining in his eyes. "Some of the Lords, they still want to help this kingdom in whatever capacity. They are frustrated that they can't do much". Arthur chuckled

"Oh Merlin, you are a wonder".

Why thank you sire" Merlin joked as he rested back in his chair and the brothers continued to enjoy their meal.

The next morning Will relayed to him that Lancelot had just awoken, and to his surprise, the man had directly put forth a wish to join the Knights of Camelot. Well, that reduces some effort on our part. "Thank you, Will, I will come see him soon, kindly refrain from telling him who I am for now please".

"What are you planning"? Merlin looked back at him with an innocent gaze

"Why I have no idea what you mean".

I while later Merlin found himself on the training grounds watching a new recruit being thrown to the ground by Arthur. His brother saw him and moved closer rolling his eyes in disappointment. "I will be speaking to father about your idea this evening, the situation just keeps getting worse and worse".

"Hmm... I can see what you mean, I may have a way for us to test the implications of our proposal before you speak to father, it may help reaffirm any doubts you may have".

"How so"? Merlin took his eyes off the training field, he had been watching ever since Arthur began to speak and now looked back at his brother. "There is a young commoner within the walls of the citadel at this very moment who aspires to join the Knights of Camelot, he arrived yesterday and if what I hear from Will is true he's quite adept with a sword".

"Alright, how do we go about this"? Arthur asked his brother curiously.

"I speak to him first, and you test him tomorrow. We observe how he performs and then we put forth our plan to father". Arthur took a deep breath

"Sounds reasonable".

When Merlin, dressed as a servant, entered Gaius's chambers later that day, Lancelot and Will were sitting at the table talking with no Gaius in sight. "Will have you seen Gaius"? He asked, " I hurt my shoulder this morning and was hoping to get some ointment for it"? Will looked at his prince with an incredulous expression Who does he think he's fooling! "Oh hello, I haven't seen you here before" ignoring his servant completely Merlin went forward to address Lancelot. "I'm Moras, Prince Arthur's servant". He said holding out his hand to the new arrival.

"Lancelot" was the reply "I've just arrived in Camelot".

"Really?! Well that's fascinating, are you here looking for work"?

"Actually I was here looking to be a Knight but I hear from Gaius that it's not possible". Merlin moved towards to take a seat at the table, next to Lancelot so that they could speak some more. Will busied himself with something at the physician's work table sensing his prince would like some time with Lancelot alone.

"That's true. You don't look like a noble to me".

"I'm not, never wanted to be one until now". The man turned his eyes to the table in disappointment.

"Why do you want to be a Knight Lancelot"? Merlin asked. The dejected man looked up from the table and turned to Merlin before he answered "My village was raided by bandits when I was younger. Men, women, and children slaughtered, when we went to our king for help, he said he couldn't spare the men for one small village. I felt helpless, I wanted to protect them but I didn't have the ability to do it." Merlin kept looking at him as he continued trying to gauge the man's heart.

"Why be a Knight then? Aren't they subject to the king's command? The knights from your own kingdom couldn't help you for that very reason".

"Camelot's different"! Lancelot said adamantly, "I've heard the stories of the knights of Camelot and of King Uther, irrespective of his intolerance for magic he and the knights have never abandoned your people". Merlin smiled at that.

"Will". Merlin called and the young man came back to the table and stood before them. "Bring Lancelot to the private training fields tomorrow morning at dawn please, Arthur would like to meet with him". Will smiled at that, of course, he would. Two can play at this game. "As you wish Sire," he said and promptly bowed low. Lancelot bearing witness to the exchange and confused asked.

"Wait what's happening"?. It was Will who answered.

"Prince Merlin just requested me to bring you to the private training grounds at dawn and I accepted". Lancelot looked between the two and finally understood what was being said

"Prin- Prince Merlin"!? Lancelot jumped out of his chair with a start. "Sire I-". Merlin put up a hand to stop him and got off his seat. Before leaving the room he said

"Bright and early Lancelot, my brother does not like to be kept waiting".

Lancelot tried to come to terms with what had just occurred, he looked at Will for an explanation. "I guess he just wanted to get to know you as a person before you began to know him as a prince. He tends to use that tactic sometimes".