Thank you for reading, and for not letting the last chapter put you off. I think this next chapter is better. At least I think it is. It was much easier to write than the last one. Dialog and Character stuff is easier for me to write, but I understand that that can be boring to read so there has to be some action as well. Still not very confident about this but need to push ahead. So any ideas or advice that you may have would be a great help.

It had come as a relief to Merlin when Arthur had told him to stay and take charge of the setting up of the camp. He understood that the king was really asking him to protect his wife and make sure that if things began to take a turn for the worse, he got Gwen out of harms way. Of course Arthur didn't need to ask this of Merlin directly. He would do it on his own volition. It went without saying. Something else was troubling the young warlock. What troubled him more than the stress and anxiety of the situation they were all currently in, was that he had felt relief that he was given then opportunity to part company with Arthur. Despite what some of the knights may have believed before they truly knew him, Merlin was not a coward. He was just grateful to have some space right now. A little time to catch his breath and clear his mind.

Mostly though he questioned why had he gone and said what he did to Morgana before they left Camelot. Why did he back himself into a corner like that. When there was absolutely no reason to have done so.

Deep down he knew that it simply was just a way of holding himself to his word. After everything that had passed between them, he knew that he could no longer lie to Morgana about anything. Wouldn't risk damaging or losing what fragile relationship they had been able to build. By telling her he was making sure that he did not back out at the last minute. She would do nothing to force him to act as he said he would, but just by telling her of his plan he was in effect making a promise to himself that he would follow it though. After so many years he had hoped that he might feel some relief about this, but if he did it was over powered by the relief of a little time and space from those that represented what he had voluntarily committed himself too.

All of these intruding thoughts where pushed from his mind as they found a spot ideal for setting up camp. It was the perfect spot to wait as reinforcements if needed and close enough to where Gwen, Gaius and some of the younger knight were setting up a medical station and stored food and weapons. Located at the bottom of a small hill, with a stream close enough that you could hear the faint sound of the running water if you concentrated hard enough. The source of this stream was the ocean that had taken the saxons to the shores of Albion. So they where not far from where Arthur lead a group of knights and druids to met the saxons as they landed. Give them the welcome they deserved.

The longer the King and those with him were gone the more worried those left behind began to grow. It had been a hard task trying to convince those that would be staying behind that it was the right course of action. For the planned misdirect to work at all then it could only be a small group that carried it out. That there was nothing that they could do right now only gave their minds more time to think about it more. Rationally they understood, but irrationally they felt that they were just sitting on their hands while their friend's, brothers put their lives in danger. This feeling made every second feel like minutes, the minutes feel like hours and every hour to feel like an never ending eternity.

When that eternity pasted into what felt like another the sound of movement to their left had them on alert, as the waited to see what was heading their way.

Gaius watched the young queen from the corner of his eye. She moved calmly and with purpose around the barn that they and a small group of knights and druids were turning into a space that they could use to treat the wounded and store the majority of their food and other supplies. The barn was part of a large farm on the outskirts of a small village a little in from the cove. The farmer that owned the barn had been kind enough to allow them to use it. He and his family then left quickly to stay with relatives nearby. It had looked like it might be another hard task getting him to agree to leave his land, livelihood but when his wife joined them he allowed her to take charge and make plans for them to leave as quickly as possible. They had two girls and a little boy to think off.

When the little boy with bright blond hair peaked his head into the kitchen that the adults were talking Gaius had noticed Gwen's hand and instinctively moved to rest of her stomach. Only for a second before she caught herself and took it away. Turning back to face the parents she didn't address the little boy. Gaius caught her glancing over at the boy, who was told by his mother to go and join his sisters in the other room but refused to do so. He was a much skinners child, but the old man couldn't hep but notice a slight similarity to Arthur when was that age.

The older man had expected the young queen to put up some resistance to the idea of not just staying behind when her husband headed into a fight. Understanding her condition now he understood. Like Arthur it was not just her own life that Gwen had to protect. He would now also do everything in his power to make sure his queen and future child made it home safely.

The silence was only broken by the sound of the horses hoofs hitting the ground. Mordred was a little ahead of Morgana and Luke. The knight focused on the path before them, hoping it would stop his mind from racing with the many thoughts that kept forcing themselves to the front of his mind. He was also hoping that if he avoided looking at or interacting with Morgana at all, his anger towards her may begin to ease.

Her actions had came form a good place he knew that, but he couldn't get past the fact that she had been manipulative in how she had doing went about it. There was also the fact that staying angry with her stopped him from focusing on the other emotions that tried to force themselves to the fore front of his mind. It wasn't entirely fair, but he couldn't help it.

He was just about to offer her some help in setting up some makeshift cots, that he hoped that would not have to use when the both heard a commotion outside.

Growing frustrated by the silence and wanting to ease the tension, hoping to mend some bridges if possible Morgana urged her horse forward to keep pace with Mordred. Quickly understanding Luke held back and gave them some space.

"I understand that you are angry with me." She began as she reached his side. "But acting like a child won't-"

"I apologise for being angered by your manipulation-"

"I told you what you wanted, needed to know." Her voice now growing louder.

"The intent is just as important as the action." He replied in a even tone.

His ability to keep his emotions in check while she could not only added to her frustration. He had reason to he angry with her, but this was excessive. There were far more pressing issues going on and they had to get past this now.

"Alright. Yes, I told you where Kara was because I wanted you to go to her. Where you were both safe."

"Safe, and doing what you want."

With a harsh tug Morgana pulled her horse to the left, into the path of Mordred's horse.

"I will not apologise for trying to keep you safe." Her voice now coming out as calm and even as his had. "Trying to keep both of you safe."

Mordred who had been staring down the older witch since she blocked his path now he had to lower his gazes.

As angry with her as he was for trying to manipulate him, he was more angry with himself for how much he wanted to do what she wished. It had been taking a considerable amount of sheer will power to stop him from running as fast as he could to Avalon, to Kara. He had given his word, made a vow to protect and defend Camelot. He could not go back on that. He could also not stop himself going to her when he had the chance. There was a way to work this out. To come to a compromise that everyone could live with, that would leave everyone happy or at least content. When he could talk to her again, see her again, then they would work all of that out. Right now he had to live up to the commitment he had made. As difficult as it was he had to put Kara from his mind and focus on the more pressing, life threating matter or he would not live to see, let alone speak to Kara again.

Lifting his eyes as he made a silent commitment to be present in the battle ahead so he could live to build the life he wanted with Kara, he finally met Morgana's. He didn't now what emotion he expected to see looking back at him, but it was not the one that he saw. Anger at his, he would admit petulant attitude would make the most sense. Maybe even slightly apologetical for the way she went about trying to protect him. Instead what he saw was fear.

It was only now that be put it all together. What morgana had told him about Kara's past and her role in it. As well was his own past with the new queen. Morgana he was sure felt deep down that she had let him and Kara down, failed to protect them. She was terrified of that happening again. That was why she wanted to see them both safe in Avalon.

Urging his horse forward a little he reached out in a conciliatory gesture to place a hand over her, which gripped the rains of her horse tightly.

"It is not up to you to protect us or anyone else."

"I think you and I have different ideas about what it means to be a queen." She joked as she tried to force a smile.

Lifting her free hand she placed it on top of Mordred's. Giving it a gentle squeeze she turned her horse around so it was facing forward again. Mordred choose not to push the conversation. He too wanted to draw a line under the conversation. So he urged his horse forward once again.

Luke, who too had come to a stop as he continued to give the younger witch and warlock some space, now began to move forward as well. He stopped a few seconds later when he heard something in the distance that he felt sure was not a natural sound. Glancing backwards for a second Morgana saw her trusted adviser stopped once again, his eyes scrunched up as he tried to determine what he was hearing.

It was louder now they could all hear it and it was clear what it was. It was the sound of a large group of at least larger then them moving quickly through the trees.

Their eyes darted around them as they searched for a glimpse of anything. Finally Mordred saw something. The shine of metal catching the dull sun. Without waiting he tugged on the rains of his horse and speed towards it. Morgana and Luke took off after him.

There was every chance that what Mordred had seen was a ally and not a enemy. The saxons could not have made their way this far in land so quickly. In the end it didn't matter. Whoever it was they had to find out.

So I hope you enjoyed the new chapter. The next few chapters will be back to the action, better action I hope. I really appreciate you staying with the story during this rough patch. I really hope that this chapter was an improvement on the last one. Still can't believe that its almost done after so many years.

I highly doubt it but if anyone has been reading the story from when I first started it on fanfic, then I would love to hear from you and thank you so much.

As always any feedback, comments and ideas that you have are very welcome.