A/N:

Hello! Chapter 1 enjoy!

Ilandrae :)

CHAPTER 1 - A DESPERATE PLAN

Camelot Council Chamber

"My Lady" Leon insisted as everyone took their seats and the war council began "We must get you to safety".

"No Leon" Gwen said sternly, she had to stand firm. Running is not what Arthur would have wished. She looked at the council gathered before her "I will not run".

Leon, desperate, tried again, "My Lady at least send Ar-".

"I said no" Gwen cut him short with her sharp tone "he stays with me".

"Guinevere" Princess Mithian said imploringly from the seat next to the queen "I beg you. The only reason I am here today is that my father sought to keep me safe by sending me away from the battle"

"I will not run" Gwen repeated firmly, leaving no room for argument she continued on "We must find a way to defeat this Black Sorcerer, I will not abandon the people of Camelot" Arthur never would have she thought to herself and neither will I. The Queen had some form of a plan… if Gaius came through. But Gaius always came through. Gwen's job was to convince the council. She turned back to Mithian, the poor woman was shaking with fear, she knew what was coming… she had suffered through it before. But she had also escaped. "My Lady anything you are able to remember from the attack on your Kingdom will be greatly beneficial" She looked into Mithian's eyes, begging for her help.

Mithian sighed, she saw the desperation in the Queen of Camelot's eyes. She felt despair creeping into her own heart as she looked at her hands, clamped white knuckled on the table. "We had the same thoughts as you Guinevere" she said sadly "Stand and fight, never abandon the Kingdom…" the former Princess of Rodor began her story…

She remembered being in the throne room. It had become the infirmary and the Princess had been kept busy tending wounds of injured knights and soldiers. But the wounds that many of them suffered were from no mortal weapons, countless died. She heard the soldiers talking, the lower town had been taken in under an hour and the inner wall was already almost lost. The Black Sorcerer had not even ventured into the battle himself, the carnage caused by one of his apprentices who was leading the army.

She had gone to the window and carefully peeked out. Never had she regretted something so much in her life. Amongst the carnage and bloodshed she saw him. The apprentice. He looked to be about 16 but he was cutting down men, women, and children alike as if they were corn. Whether it was by magic or sword all who stood against him fell. The most horrifying aspect of it being that he was clearly enjoying it, he smiled as he was splattered with gore, drenched in the blood of her people.

Then he had look up and somehow he saw her. He smiled, but his eyes held the promise of death.

She had hurriedly backed away from the window, jumping in fright as the throne room doors burst open. Her father and his guards hurried inside.

The King had searched the room desperately, and when his eyes alighted on Mithian he rushed over. He grasped her hand.

"Mithian" he said, fear lacing his words "You have to run"

She had been shocked, never would she have thought her father would tell her to run "But father!"

"No Mithian!" Rodor had almost shouted "We are losing" he looked at her pleadingly "Please Mithian. Take the tunnels, go to Camelot. Tell Guinevere what has happened. Warn her. No Kingdom can withstand this onslaught"

She again she had staggered back a few steps but the fear and desperation in her father's eyes had shocked her into obeying.

Mithian and her maid, Yelene, had fled from the throne room heading towards the secret underground tunnels that would take them from the battle to safety.

But just as they were about to make their escape into the tunnels, a small figure blocked their path. The Apprentice smiled… it was one of nightmares. So obviously delighted in the pain he was about to inflict.

But as he started to incant his spell, Yelene shouted one of her own. The Apprentice, not expecting it, was blasted back for a second. Seeing Yelene's eyes flare faintly Mithian had only stared at her maid in shock. Not distrust or betrayal… surprise.

"Mithian" Yelene said desperately "Hurry! Go! I'll be right behind you!"

Mithian had run. She had run and run and run, not looking back in fear of seeing the apprentice and his cruel smile behind her.

And so she did not realise until she was out of the tunnel… that Yelene hadn't followed her.

As Mithian finished her story she felt tears running down her cheeks. She looked at the council not caring if they saw. They fell for her Kingdom which had fallen. They fell for her father, who she did not know if he was alive or dead. They fell for Yelene, "My maid saved my life" she dared anyone to say otherwise.

Though Gwen saw many tears among the council at the end of the tragic tale, she was not surprised to see much confusion.

"The sorceress… saved you?" one of the elder council men asked confused "Why?"

"She was my friend" Mithian said sharply staring at the man "Should there be any other reason?"

"But she was a sorceress?"

"Yes Fendry" Gwen said dryly coming to Mithian's defence "and I am a Queen, and you are a councilman. Does it make any difference when you are trying to save those you love?"

The silence was deafening. Gwen forced a smile, it was time to reveal her desperate plan, "Well now that we've decided that sorcerers can in fact be people, how about we start figuring out how to defeat the sorcerer who has no humanity? I have an id-" the throne room door swung open with a resounding boom.

Gwen started as Gaius slowly walked in. He had aged the past ten years since the great battle, spending most of his time in his suit in castle, he had passed on the duties of court physician to a spry young lad a few years ago, it was rare to see him out.

"Gaius" Gwen said concerned but her heart also quickened "I was going to meet with you after-"

"Your Majesty" he interrupted her which was very un-Gaius-like "It could not wait" the excitement on his face brought her hope. She had not seen that much happiness on his face since before Merlin and Arthur… Had he done it?

Gaius nodded excitedly, sensing what she was thinking "Yes Gwen. I found him"

All of the council turned to her confused "Found who?" Leon asked

Gwen looked at them grimly, hoping they would accept her plan "The Sorcerer who is going to save Camelot".

Percival could only stare in shock at Gwen as the Council room broke out in an uproar.

"A sorcerer! They cannot be trusted".

"We may as well set fire to Camelot ourselves!"

"Are you mad!" whoever said the last one was lucky that Percival didn't see him, it would not have ended well. Percival saw that Gaius was still standing and hurriedly offered him his seat. Gaius flashed him a grateful smile as he eased into the chair.

Gwen ignored the protesting councilmen and addressed Gaius "You found him?"

"Yes" Gaius said then frowned "At least a general location"

"Your majesty!" Fendry interrupted again. The look on Gwen's face left Percival wondering if she was thinking about who else could better fill his seat on the council "We cannot trust a sorcerer to save Camelot. He very well might ally with the Black Sorcerer!"

Percival, again, could only stare as conversation passed around the room. A majority of the council speaking out against the idea.

Gwen sighed and placed her hands on the table, silencing the chatter "My Lords" she said as all eyes turned to her "We have no other option" she looked around the room and Percival saw the desperation in her eyes "Olaf, Alined and Rodor's Kingdoms are key examples that strength and battle prowess will not be enough to win this battle. Princess Mithian being here today is an example of what even a little magic used against this evil can do. They will not expect it and that is where our advantage lies" she looked to Gaius "Ever since Princess Mithian arrived and told me her tale I knew what was coming. I asked Gaius to investigate some rumours that have been circulating, and amazingly they seem to be true!"

"What rumours?" Percival finally found his voice as he saw the small glimmer of hope that was in both Gwen and Gaius' eyes.

"There have been rumours" Gaius started cryptically as he always did "of a benevolent sorcerer. No one knew his name or where he lived but it was said that if your cause was right and motivation just he would aid you. People have gone to him for healing or for military aid, some even just for advice" he motioned to Gwen "Her Majesty asked me to find out if these rumours were true. I have talked to many and all that I can find seems to say it is. I spoke to many people and eventually I found someone who could point us in the right direction in finding him"

"I propose" Gwen took control back and Percival could see her determination. One glance and he knew what she was going to say "that we send a small party to find this benevolent sorcerer and ask for his aid in fighting the Black Sorcerer. With his help we just might stand a chance" and just as Percival knew she would, she turned to him and to Leon "Sir Percival and Sir Leon, if you will, I give you this task" Percival nodded and saw Leon do the same. The determination that Percival felt was mirrored in Leon's face.

No one else rose an objection. They knew they had no other choice. They knew they had no other hope, other than this desperate plan.