Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin sadly

A Camelot Calamity

Sunlight streamed through the window into the bedroom, illuminating the two people on the bed in dazzling light.

Merlin woke slowly, and felt so warm and sleepy that he just wanted to go back to sleep again. His mood was further improved when he remembered that Arthur had given him the day off. Smiling to himself, he rolled over slightly, adjusting his arm over Morgana's sleeping naked torso. She stirred slightly, and smiling to himself he began to gently thread his fingers through her long dark hair. He couldn't believe it. After everything the two of them had been through together, friends, mortal enemies and now this, it was beyond belief. Just last night he had told her that he was a sorcerer, saved her life and told her he loved her. And now this.

"Don't stop." She mumbled sleepily, squirming so she came closer to his bare chest.

"Alright." He said softly, continuing to stroke her hair, and allowing his hand to gently caress her shoulder and down her back.

"What do we do now?" she asked, taking his hand and caressing it with her thumb.

"I don't know. I mean, we can't go about pretending this didn't happen." He said gently.

She smiled slightly. Any other guy had she asked that question would have suggested a much more physical answer. But Merlin wasn't like that, he was much too sweet. And he did raise a good point. She certainly didn't want to pretend that this hadn't happened. Far from it.

"I know. I can't pretend that I don't love you, and that last night wasn't, well, amazing." She said, and she could virtually hear the satisfied grin coming onto his face. Just because he was sweet didn't mean he wasn't a normal guy.

"Me neither. So we can't pretend it didn't happen. Where does that leave us?" he asked, kissing her shoulder.

Morgana wondered. They couldn't go back to where they had been. They had been friends, close friends, yes, but now something had changed. Maybe it was magically charged, she didn't know. After all, they were the two strongest magical beings in the kingdoms. But it was obvious they couldn't go back. They could only go forward.

"We could keep it a secret." He suggested huskily.

Morgana thought about it. They both loved each other. They wanted to be together. The only problem would be everyone else would be opposed to it. A servant with a princess? Most people had only tolerated Arthur marrying Gwen because he had saved them from her in the first place. There was also the fact that she was still relatively unpopular, particularly with the nobles, despite her fight with Madvedor the night before. The Wicked Witch of Camelot was meant to marry some far off living noble so she could never threaten Camelot, or more importantly the nobles wealth, ever again, not fall for a servant, even if he was the servant of the king. And there was also the king himself. Arthur was Merlin's best friend. But he was also her brother. How would he react if he found out about the two of them? Morgana had a nagging feeling in her gut that it wouldn't end well, and considering the rather big bombshell he had dropped the night before about him being a sorcerer, she feared there would only be so much that Arthur would be able to take. So what did they do?

"It's risky." She said sadly, and Merlin stroked her cheek tenderly.

"So's the fact that I'm a sorcerer in personal service to the king of Camelot. I've been at risk ever since I came here, and so have you. What's one more?" he asked stubbornly, and she did have to smile at that.

She rolled onto her front and turned to face him, looking at his warm, living eyes.

"I suppose it did work for Arthur and Gwen. Could we make it work though?" she asked, and Merlin grinned and kissed her cheek excitedly.

"They never got caught because I was clever enough not to let them. And seeing as we are cleverer than Arthur, it shouldn't be much of a problem." He said with a grin and she laughed.

"True. And I know I don't want to stop being with you." She said, kissing him softly on the lips.

"And I don't want to stop being with you either. So...we're keeping it a secret?" he asked softly and optimistically, and she nodded.

"Yes we are. You're mine now." She said seductively and kissed him again, and he rolled away from her, lying on his back.

"You know, I have the day off." He commented idly, and she smiled, seeing what he was getting at.

"Oh. Well, amazing though you were, I wouldn't be adverse to showing you a few tricks." She said with a seductive smile, and he grinned.

"Really? And where would a princess such as you learn such things I wonder?" he asked cockily, and she grinned.

"You're just going to have to try and find out." She whispered tauntingly, and kissed him again, while his hand stroked down her back, the sun shining on the two of them as they did so.

XX

"Why are you so cheerful?" Arthur asked with a smile the next day as they strolled through the grounds.

"What, I'm not allowed to be in a good mood now either? You moan when I'm miserable, you moan when I'm cheerful, there's just no pleasing you at times is there?" Merlin asked with a smile, and Arthur laughed.

"Alright, I'll admit I prefer it when you're happy. You didn't do that much you know." He said, and Merlin glowered at him affectionately.

"I only saved your sister, killed Madvedor and most likely prevented him from destroying Camelot. Give me some credit!"

Arthur laughed.

"Alright, you win! You saved the day, you happy now?" he asked.

"Yes. About time I got some credit, I do everything around here anyway." Merlin taunted with a grin and ducked out of the way as Arthur tried to smack him in the head.

"Alright. Your heroics aside, I've got more immediate problems." Arthur said, and Merlin looked at him curiously.

"Really? Like what?" he asked curiously.

"New knights." Arthur said, and Merlin looked at him in surprise.

It had been a while since he had even considered training new knights. After Lancelot's death, resurrection and subsequent betrayal, he had been fairly opposed to the idea, sometimes losing his rag with Merlin whenever his friend brought it up. Tristan had been an exception, he had fought with Arthur valiantly to reclaim the kingdom and after he had lost Isolde, he had been needing a purpose in life, so Arthur had granted him a knighthood. But for him to actually be considering training new knights...

"Really? You're going to train new knights? Because last time I mentioned training more knights you yelled at me to mind my own business and sent me away." Merlin said softly, deliberately making his voice sound sad to make Arthur feel bad.

Arthur scuffed his feet, and looked at the ground to avoid looking at Merlin, and Merlin grinned. Score one to him.

"I know, and I shouldn't have, ok? But I'm finally taking your advice, I'm going to train some new knights." He said firmly.

Merlin looked at him curiously.

"Um, ok, but why tell me? You're the one who's always telling me I cant tell which end of the sword is which, so what good will I do?" he asked curiously, and Arthur smiled a little.

"Well, totally inept at wielding a sword though you are, you are a pretty good judge of character. So, I want you to help me vet them, see what ones you think can't be trusted." Arthur said and Merlin looked at him in surprise.

"You want my help to see if a knight is trustworthy? That mean you'll actually listen to me for once?" Merlin asked cockily, and Arthur rolled his eyes.

"Yes."

"My word will be gold, no contradictions?" Merlin wheedled, and Arthur rolled his eyes again.

"Yes."

"And I can get a pay rise?" Merlin asked hopefully, and Arthur answered automatically.

"Yes." He said, but as soon as he did, he looked furious with himself while Merlin grinned triumphantly.

"I didn't mean that!" Arthur protested, and Merlin sighed theatrically.

"But you said it. And a knight of Camelot never goes back on their word. After all, they're honourable. And besides, how will Gwen react if someone happened to accidentally let slip that you promised me a pay rise and didn't go through with it? She might take a very dim view of the knights then, and with her husband being the leader, well..." Merlin said sadly and leadingly, and Arthur glowered at him.

"You know, there's times I really don't like you." He said, and Merlin smiled.

"I know."

"So what brought this on?"

"You mean other than to stop you nagging? Alright, but you can't tell anyone. We're entering into an alliance with the eastern kingdoms." Arthur muttered as a group of servants passed by.

Merlin frowned, trying to remember, then it dawned on him.

"The eastern kingdoms are the one that nominated the one king to speak for them aren't they? Aulric or something?" he asked and Arthur rolled his eyes.

"King Alaric but yes, they are. They have a lot of wealth, resources and knights, and an alliance with them will benefit Camelot. But, as we're keeping it quiet, only a few knights will make up each delegation when we go. And it'll be a pretty poor lookout if Camelot shows up with only five knights, hence why I've asked Percival to train more." Arthur explained.

Merlin frowned. The potential for something to go wrong was great then, and new knights would only heighten the danger, not lessen it. At least they knew they could trust the knights they already had.

"So you want me to help Percival figure out who should actually be made knights?"

"Exactly."

Merlin nodded, and then looked at Arthur curiously.

"Why we doing it so secretly?" he asked in a low tone and Arthur looked around warily before lowering his voice.

"There's been rumours going around. Odin is growing restless, and we're getting some weird reports from Lot's kingdom as well." He whispered.

Merlin felt his stomach drop. King Odin of Bernicia had long despised Camelot, a feeling heightened when Arthur had killed his son, who had foolishly challenged Arthur to a duel to the death. He had been behind several assassination attempts against Arthur and had been the one who had sent the assassin that had mortally wounded Uther. He had also been continually probing Camelot's defences for years and if he was now getting restless enough to contemplate war, an alliance with the powerful eastern countries would be most useful.

King Lot was the current ruler of Essetir, where Merlin had originally come from. The cousin of the last king, Cenred, he had assumed the throne after Morgause had turned on Cenred before her invasion of Camelot.

"What sort of reports?" Merlin asked worriedly, fearing his mother might be put in danger by chaos in Essetir.

Arthur frowned as they entered Arthur and Gwen's room, and Arthur dropped into the chair behind his desk.

"Reports that we shouldn't be. Rumours that Cenred is still alive. And it's making me uneasy." He said worriedly.

Merlin frowned. Any trouble in Essetir could mean trouble for his mother, which could also spill over into Camelot. Maybe an alliance would suit everyone.

"So that's why you need the new knights, to meet Alaric? Don't you trust him?" Merlin asked as he tidied Arthur's desk.

"A good king doesn't trust any other kings Merlin. But as far as such things go, yes, Alaric is relatively trustworthy." Arthur said, signing a paper on his desk.

"Is this about Morgana?" Merlin asked suspiciously, a trickle of anger slipping into him.

"What? No. Anyway, she did herself a lot of favours holding off Madvedor the way she did. No, I just don't trust any of the other kingdoms that's all. That's why we're keeping it quiet. Only me and the knights will go. Hence, I need more knights than the ones we have, and also need to know they're trustworthy, which is where you come in." He explained, and Merlin nodded.

"Who else knows about this?" he asked and Arthur shook his head.

"No one aside from you and Gwen, and I'll tell Morgana later, see if I can't get on her good side and get her to come to council meetings to scare irritating lords." He said wistfully, and Merlin rolled his eyes.

Merlin looked at his best friend, who was trusting him to help prune out the knights of Camelot, basically asking Merlin who he should have in his inner circle. And here he was, a sorcerer, the one who had unintentionally killed his father, and the one who had killed his uncle, and was now also seeing Morgana in secret. That left an unpleasant feeling in his stomach. He had kept the secret for far too long now. There would be no way Arthur could ever forgive him for being a sorcerer. Morgana was different, she was his sister, and most of her actions were down to Uther and Morgause anyway and a misguided sense of revenge. There would be no way that he would ever forgive Merlin. Slightly sobered by this thought, he turned to leave, and when Arthur didn't stop him he made a run for it, before his guilt ate away at his restraint.

XX

Merlin was heading back to his room after sticking a bedpan in Arthur and Gwen's bed (aimed more to Arthur's side so he might singe his foot), when an arm suddenly clasped him on the shoulder and dragged him into a shadowy alcove, before kissing him deeply and passionately.

"You're going to get us caught." He whispered to her, and she smiled seductively.

"Not likely. Besides, we're the strongest sorcerers in the land. Surely we could think of something." Morgana whispered kissing his cheek.

He laid his forehead against hers and sighed, and he felt her hand cup his face, and he brought his gaze up to look into her worried green eyes.

"Merlin, what is it?" she asked worriedly.

"I can't keep it quiet much longer." He admitted, and she looked at him in confusion.

"Hey, you're the one who said we should keep it a secret." She pointed out, and he rolled his eyes.

"Not what I meant. I mean about me, what I am. He's never going to forgive me, I know he isn't." He admitted, and he sounded so sad and pitiful that Morgana had to bring him close to her and hug him tightly.

"Alright. How about we work on telling Arthur together? Work up to telling him what you really are?" she asked, and he shrugged.

"I don't know. I mean, he's finally learning to trust me over obscure family members and I'm keeping this from him, I just feel so awful. I'm fed up of hiding." He mumbled and she stroked his cheek tenderly.

"It'll be alright Merlin. Out of interest, did Gaius say anything about you not being in bed last night?" she asked looking furtively up and down the corridor.

Merlin grinned slightly and took her chin in his hand.

"No he didn't. And besides I was in bed, just not the one most people would expect me to be in." He said with a cocky grin and kissed her cheek before disappearing from the alcove leaving Morgana laughing behind him.

XX

The glade was covered with trees, but that did little to protect from the rain. A small fire was up ahead, and the two people who were trudging through the mud towards the fire were bound for it, hoping to find their quarry. However, while the rain was pelting down on top of them, neither of them were wet at all. The first was a tall young man with bright blue eyes and black hair, which hung down to his shoulders in tight rings. His face was pale and there was something in his vivid blue eyes, an almost feral presence, something monstrous. He was clad in black armour, which was embossed with a golden sigil, a sort of sideways H, with an arrow head cutting through it and a spot in each gap.

The second was a woman. Clad in a deep red travelling cloak, it surrounded her slim body, which was covered by a red dress. Her face was soft and pale, her hair black and her eyes a glistening shade of green. As they approached the glade, she raised her hand, and there was a shimmer, allowing the two to pass into the glade, which was dry and warm.

And then there was a sword at both their throats.

The black knight was quick. Training for the last two weeks had given him an edge, and he quickly unsheathed his sword, Clarent, forged from magic and birthed in dragon fire, and knocked the sword away from his neck. The woman simply raised a hand and the sword leapt out of her assailants hand, and a gust of wind ripped through the camp, knocking a group of over two dozen people off of their feet and sent them slamming to the ground.

"I hardly think that is the way you ought to treat a High Priestess Alvarr." She bit out angrily, as the black knight came to her side, grinning wickedly.

"Lady Nimueh! I heard you were dead!" Alvarr said in shock, bowing before her.

"I was unfortunately. Now I'm not. And I trust you haven't forgotten an old accomplice of yours either?" she asked, indicating the black knight.

Alvarr looked at him searchingly, but it was the woman who was beside Alvarr who looked up at him in awe, a tall woman with reddish hair styled high on her head.

"Mordred, is that you?" she asked in shock and he smiled at her.

"Hello Enmyria." He said, and Nimueh conjured thrones for her and Mordred, and beckoned for Alvarr and his band to rise.

Nimueh looked around the clearing. Around thirty people, all dressed in either rags or various imitations of armour, the only ones who looked appropriately dressed for combat where Alvarr and Enmyria. They were the sorriest sight of warlocks and other magic users that she had ever seen, and considering her age she had seen a fair few. But, they did have some talent, which could only be useful.

"What can we do for you my lady? As you can see, my warriors are at your command." Alvarr said, looking at her reverently.

Nimueh exchanged a look with Mordred and they had to turn away from each other to avoid laughing. Calling this sorry group warriors was being all too generous. But, best not to upset him. He did have some uses, and he was a deadly opponent. She was here to recruit, not to fight.

Alvarr had been exiled from Camelot with the advent of the purge, and had since then dedicated himself to the downfall of the Pendragon dynasty. He had rallied a group of outlaws to his cause, most of them magical, with the intent of destroying Camelot. However, it had gone wrong when he had allied with Mordred, and implicated Morgana, giving Arthur the leeway to go after him. Alvarr's forces had been either killed or scattered, and he was only just now regaining his strength.

"As I would expect. I need your help. You will accompany me to the Isle of the Blessed, where you will remain at my command. You Alvarr, will also help with Mordred's training. I have a plan to give you all what you desire: the downfall of Camelot and the death of Arthur. But for that patience will be needed, which means the clever little scheme you were planning on using Alvarr cannot be used." She said coldly, and he looked at her in shock.

"My plan would..."

"Only get you killed. After Morgana smuggled Helios' army in last time the city fell, Arthur cracked down on any and all ways into the city. You'd have gotten up the escape route you found me outside of and would have been confronted by the Knights of the Round Table." Mordred said dismissively.

Nimueh smiled. The years on his own had clearly hardened his heart. Good, that suited her.

"Oh. We didn't know that. Thank you Mordred. Though I think my warriors are a match for the knights." Alvarr said stiffly, and Nimueh rolled her eyes.

"No Alvarr they're not. The knights are all very good and what is more, there are soon going to be more of them, Arthur is training more." Nimueh said dismissively, and Enmyria raised an eyebrow.

"Then surely we should strike before they act?" she asked, and Mordred shook his head.

"Aren't you listening? She has a plan, one that we won't pull off if we charge in before we're ready." He snapped.

"And the knights won't be a problem. I have people on the inside who will keep me apprised of those developments. The knights of Camelot aren't the main problem. Merlin is." Nimueh said, and Alvarr looked at her curiously.

"Arthur's serving boy? How does he pose a threat to one such as you?" he asked respectfully, and she grimaced and prodded herself all over to make sure she was still there.

"You'd be surprised." She said grimly, and Mordred grinned a little.

"Merlin is Emrys."

The effect of that simple statement was profound. Alvarr and Enmyria glanced at each other in wonder, there were several noises of awe from everyone else in the camp and several of them started cowering in fear.

"Emrys? And he's working with Arthur? He should be with us, working to destroy Camelot once and for all!" Alvarr bellowed, slamming his fist into his hand for emphasis.

"I agree Alvarr. The problem is he's too bent on the will of Arthur, he's much too loyal and fond of him for that to ever happen. He sees it as his duty to protect Arthur and despite our very best efforts over the years, he had performed the task quite well. But while Emrys is in Camelot, an attack there would be foolhardy." Nimueh purred.

"Especially now he's bedded Morgana." Mordred growled irritably, and Nimueh rolled her eyes. That crush of his was getting on her nerves. Mind you, if it made him want vengeance she couldn't complain that much.

"So you come to us for aid, witch, but we cannot attack Camelot. What is it you want of us?" a grubby looking bald man demanded irritably.

Nimueh hissed and sent a jet of fire from her finger at him, incinerating him on the spot.

"Silence from pathetic worms for one thing. Yes I know that it is frustrating to not be able to attack Camelot, but patience is our best weapon here." She said, and Alvarr looked at the pile of ash that was a member of his group not ten seconds before.

"So what do you need us for my lady?"

"Magic is in chaos. While I have plans in place to distract Merlin and his witch, I will need your group's help to protect the Isle of the Blessed from prying eyes, especially if that overgrown lizard of Merlin's comes for a look. Your spell casters will help me protect the island, and also help in rituals, while training under you and Enmyria, properly, with Cenred's supervision. However," she began, overriding Alvarr and Enmyria, who both looked like they were about to interrupt, "I will also need your help for other things. Alvarr, you will help dear Lancelot to teach Mordred here everything he needs to know in order to overcome any enemy, you will be another of his tutors, along with carrying out other duties for me. And Enmyria my former pupil," she said fondly, and Enmyria smiled, "you will carry out the duties you used to." She said fondly.

"I trust these duties will be appropriately useful for our ends?" Alvarr asked excitedly, and Nimueh smiled slowly.

"I can promise you this Alvarr. Serve me well and all you ever dreamed of will come true." She assured him, and as one the entire group bent to their knees.

"Then, we are yours to command mistress." Alvarr said, and Nimueh and Mordred smiled at each other sinisterly.

XX

The powerful coastal fortress capital of the kingdom of Bernicia was an imposing sight for all who traversed the land around it. However, it was nothing compared to its king.

King Odin had long held a grudge against Camelot, and its ruler Arthur, who had killed his son in a duel many years before. Ever since then Odin had been determined to exact revenge against Camelot, and had come close to success with his last attempt, the Gleeman, who had nearly killed Arthur and had mortally wounded Uther. But when it had become clear that Arthur had survived, and was now king, he had stepped up his attempts to try and kill him even more, an attempt further exacerbated by the presence of Morgana, who Odin feared. He knew he had to strike and take down Arthur and his queen before they had firmly cemented their rule, and above all else before they sired an heir, and then he would need to take out the witch as well. And then, Camelot would be his, and his son could finally lie at rest.

And it was his ever increasing desire to kill Arthur that had brought the man stood before him to his attention.

He was a stout man, dressed in hanging black robes. His black beard was perfectly trimmed, and his long black hair was falling in scraggly curtains around his shoulders. His eyes were black, as was the turban around his head, and the expression on his face was nothing short of ferocious, beastlike. His name wasn't known, he was simply known as the Hassassin. He had come from a foreign land with slavers, but had escaped, killed them all and had made it perfectly clear that he would never be shackled again. After that, he had gone around the kingdoms, becoming the most well known and deadly assassin in the kingdoms, second only to Myror, who Odin had previously hired. And now, he was being hired to finish the job Myror had failed to do.

"You know what I want done. I want Arthur Pendragon dead. Can you achieve it?" Odin asked, and the man nodded his head.

"It shall be done." He said and turned and left the throne room at a steady walk.

Odin reclined on his throne and smiled. Soon Arthur would die. And even if he didn't, it had been a while since Bernicia had gone to war. And Camelot was still quite weak from Morgana's antics the year before. Who could resist such a prize?

"Soon my son, you will be avenged. One way or another." Odin growled, thinking hatefully of his son's killer.

XX

"You need to learn how to cover your left flank. Go again." Percival said, smiling at Merlin as he came out into the training ground two weeks later, ever so slightly late (Morgana had ambushed him from another alcove and it had taken them a while to get away from each other).

Merlin looked out at the field to see who was going at it. While there had been many knights to originally seek to become members of the vaunted Round Table, Percival had weeded the less worthy and less able out, leaving him with only a group of ten left to practice with, and even then, few of them would become knights of the round table.

Currently going at it was Sir Lucan, a village boy who had volunteered to join Arthur in retaking Camelot the last time. Young, brash and overconfident, his hair hung to his shoulders, a straw blond colour. Well built, he was one of the nimblest of the knights who was left, and Merlin was quite sure he would make the final cut. Merlin had sought out several conversations with him in the last two weeks and found him likable, easy going and friendly. And when Merlin had, rather expertly in his own humble opinion, poked at his reasons and his past, he had been more than willing to cooperate with Merlin's questioning and Merlin suspected he was quite trustworthy.

However, while Lucan had been more than willing to cooperate with Merlin's questioning, others had not. Sir Dagonet had been polite and courteous to him when he had been asking him the questions, but there was something in his eyes that Merlin just didn't like. However that could just be shyness. A stout man, he was broad shouldered and burly, his arm and leg muscles thick. He had only a little hair, it having receded at a young age, leaving him with a mostly bald head and a smattering of black stubble. His most curious feature was that he had two different coloured eyes, one a bright piercing green (which Merlin didn't think was nearly as nice as the beautiful shade of green Morgana's were) and the other a light, frosty blue. But while Dagonet was shy, Merlin did suspect he was quite decent, and had had little trouble with him.

Which was more than could be said for the other two knights that Merlin suspected would actually get to join the round table. Sir Safer was the least trouble out of the other two, he supposed. Safer was perfectly polite and respectful to Percival, he just wasn't to Merlin, treating him like he was a creature with no intelligence, looking down his nose at him and continually ignored his questions, despite Percival telling him to answer him. He was the younger brother of Sir Pellinore, the knight who had been killed by the resurrected Tristan du Bois, who Nimueh had resurrected to try and kill Arthur. Around medium height, he had darkened skin, though not as dark as Elyan, and dark eyes. He had a scar on the back of his bald head, where his brother had apparently dropped him while he was a baby. Merlin had told Arthur of his concerns about Safer not answering any of the questions he put to him, and Arthur had nodded, and had promised to make sure to ask him the questions Merlin had been asking the others while he was present so he could evaluate him like the others.

However, while Safer was rude and dismissive to Merlin, Alymere was even worse. He was the son of one of the nobles, and hence believed that he shouldn't be made to answer to Merlin in any way, shape or form. He was also rude to Percival and the vast majority of the other knights of the round table, believing they had no business being knights as they were not of noble birth. Merlin, frustrated that he couldn't get the man to answer any of the questions, had told Arthur in a fit of annoyance that Alymere would have made a perfect knight for Uther. Arthur, needless to say, hadn't been amused, but Gwen had had to leave the room to stop herself giggling. He was a tall man, with a red beard and red hair, along with cold blue eyes. Merlin didn't particularly like him, but he couldn't get a decent read on him either.

"Merlin!" Arthur called from behind him, and he rolled his eyes at Percival.

"Don't worry, they're getting a long work out today, they'll still be here when you get back." He assured him with a grin and he went off to answer Arthur.

"Why are you so happy nowadays?" Gwen asked with a smile as she and Morgana walked through the training grounds, bound for the front entrance, and also to run a critical eye over the knights Percival was training, and Gwen had to check herself from yelling at Alymere to stop being totally foul to a servant who had served Lucan a drink before him.

"You know, Merlin's right, we can't win around here. Either we're too happy or we're too sad. What don't I have to be happy about? I have my friends and family back, I'm back home, I have no inclinations to murder Arthur, well not any more than the usual ones I get but that's just because he's him, everyone is being polite to me again, my powers are growing, no one is trying to destroy Camelot and best of all I'm not getting auctioned off to the first suitor who comes along."

And that wasn't to mention the guy she was illicitly seeing behind everyone's back, but she had to admit, sneaking around did add a certain bit of fun to it all.

"Still, you're almost glowing with happiness. It's weird." Gwen said teasingly and Morgana rolled her eyes.

"Excuse me my ladies, might you direct me to the king?" a man asked coming up to them, and Morgan's eyes widened in surprise and a wide grin split her face.

"Gareth!" she demanded in delighted shock.

The man in question was tall, with short brown hair and a trimmed beard. He was well built and muscular, fully armoured, and when he saw Morgana his face split into a wide grin.

"Morgana? Oh it's so good to see you!" he cried, hugging her tightly and spinning her around in delight.

Gwen looked at the two slightly bemused. Not that she minded Morgana having a friend. After all, it had taken them a while to repair their relationship and she was glad Morgana had someone else to talk to other than her, despite the fact that they were now best friends again. And after all, even with her duel with Madvedor two weeks ago, people were still a little squirrelly around her, so it might be good for her to have another friend. But still, she couldn't help but be slightly irritated. After all, wasn't she the queen?

Gareth finally put Morgana down, and bowed apologetically to Gwen.

"My apologies your majesty." He said sheepishly, and Gwen smiled a little.

"That's alright. Sir Gareth I presume?" she asked, extending her hand and he kissed it gallantly before standing to face her.

"Gwen, Gareth is an old friend of Arthur and I's, he used to spend a lot of time in Camelot as a child. But what are you doing here?" Morgana asked him curiously and he rolled his eyes.

"Oh, what else? My dear brother has had enough of him, so he has sent me here as his official liaison with Camelot." Gareth said, once more bowing to Gwen.

Morgana recalled Gareth's brother well. Gareth was the younger and considerably nicer of the two siblings. His elder brother, Garwant, was an arrogant little toad who had been the apple of his father's eye, bred to take over his lands in his stead. Arrogant, conceited and smug, he had annoyed the hell out of Morgana and Arthur when they had been younger, in fact at the time it had been one of the few things the two of them could agree upon. Garwant had been so unpleasant and haughty that even Uther hadn't liked him that much, which was saying a lot. He had made life hell for his younger brother, jealous that Gareth always made friends

"Oh, that delight. Got fed up of you did he?" Morgana asked, and Gareth grinned.

"Yeah, he was fed up of people asking the council leader what they should do instead of the king so here I am, if Arthur will have me that is. Where is the filthy traitor anyway?" Gareth asked eagerly, and Gwen arched an eyebrow at him in interest.

"Filthy traitor?" she asked curiously and Gareth and Morgana grinned at each other.

"Oh Arthur is going to love this." Gareth said grinning wickedly.

"There you are Merlin." Arthur scolded slightly as Merlin trotted up beside him.

"Here I am. I was watching the knights like you wanted me to." He explained and Arthur nodded.

"Well I want your advice on something. You're girly, what sort of things do you get girls who are your sisters, who also happen to be incredibly powerful sorceresses and until recently wanted to kill you?" he asked curiously, and Merlin went paler than usual all of a sudden.

"Why would you think I would know what you could get Morgana?" he asked quickly, and Arthur cocked his head to the side and looked at Merlin curiously.

"Are you alright? Look I'm not winding you up about how you feel about her or anything, I'm just asking your opinion, she really liked what you got her for Christmas." He explained and Merlin relaxed, his heart rate slowing down a little, his fear of discovery of what he was up to with Morgana retreating slightly.

"Hmm, I don't know. Don't get her a dagger, last time you got her one she tried to kill your father with it," he said carelessly and Arthur looked at him in shock, "I don't suppose you'll get her anything magical from the vaults either, so that leaves you with jewellery or ornaments or dresses or stuff like that." Merlin reasoned, his own mind wandering.

After all, it was Morgana's birthday in a couple of weeks, and considering they were seeing other, he wanted to get her something special, but what could he get her, the woman he loved, and also the only person in Camelot who truly knew him aside from Gaius.

"Hmm, I suppose so. Wow, she looks happy." Arthur commented, and Merlin was jerked from his reverie by the sight of someone hugging and twirling Morgana in delight.

"Who's he? Old boyfriend?" Merlin asked, sounding quite respectful for a change, which was an immediate indicator to Arthur that his friend was annoyed by yet someone else coming to see Morgana.

"No, after the thing with Madvedor I stopped the suitors for a while remember? It's a bit hard to try and get her married when she kills a potential suitor even if he was a clodpole." Arthur said, before he could stop himself.

Merlin turned to him a cocky delighted grin on his face.

"You just said clodpole." He said in a sing song voice, though he kept an eye on the man now talking to Morgana and Gwen.

"Great, I've clearly had you too long, I need a new servant who doesn't insult me with made up words, now even I'm using them. Who is that anyway?" Arthur asked, his eyes narrowed as he saw the newcomer kiss Gwen's hand.

"You couldn't last a day without me. And I don't know, I asked you first." Merlin said, though he was a little relieved that Arthur hadn't heard his first comment.

"Hang on..." Arthur said happily, a smile forming on his face as he strode forwards.

"Gareth?" he demanded in delight, and the man in question turned to face him with a delighted smile.

"There you are you filthy traitor! Oh it's good to see you!" Gareth said, shaking Arthur's hand and then enveloping him in a one armed hug.

"You too! What are you doing here?" Arthur asked, and in response Gareth handed him a sealed envelope.

"My brother is sick of me, so wants me out of his hair, forever if at all possible." Gareth explained with a smile.

"Oh is he still being a cabbage head?" Arthur asked once more without thinking and then realised what he had said when Gareth looked at him in confusion and Merlin, Morgana and Gwen smiling wickedly at him.

"I didn't just say that did I?" he whined and Merlin nodded.

"Yeah you did. I'm Merlin by the way." Merlin said, extending a hand to Gareth, who after looking a little shocked that a servant was introducing himself, shook it.

"Nice to meet you Merlin. Are you Arthur's?" he asked interestedly.

Merlin looked at Arthur, who just rolled his eyes. He also caught Morgana's slightly grumpy expression and grinned slightly.

"Yes sadly, I'm Arthur's manservant." He said, and Gareth laughed.

"My sympathies." Gareth said with a smile.

"Well I don't see anything wrong with this. You're welcome to stay as long as you want. Actually, if you're interested, Sir Percival is currently training new knights and will be all day. I'm sure he will be more than delighted to have your help." Arthur said, taking Gwen's hand.

"I might just do that." Gareth said, and Arthur turned to Merlin.

"Merlin, I want you to help Gareth with his things. Move him into one of the spare rooms, then if he wants take him to the training field with the others. If he's sticking around a while we may as well make the most of him." Arthur said.

"But I thought..." Merlin said, looking at Morgana, which as she was distracted by the sound of a horse neighing, she didn't notice. He also saw the look of horror on her face at the sound and resolved to ask her about it later.

"I'll go with Gwen. I think she'll be more helpful than you. Now help Gareth with his things." Arthur ordered, and then saw the pointed glares he was receiving from his wife and sister and added, "please."

"Yes sire." Merlin said, a little bitterly at being just blown off like that, and gestured for Gareth to follow him which he did, looking confused, and Merlin then flounced off and didn't spare his rude master a second glance.

"Would it kill you to be polite to him for a change? He doesn't have to wait on your every whim you know." Morgana said tartly, jumped slightly at the noise another horse made and she swept off to watch the knights.

"Don't look at me for support either. Come on, I assume you want to see if we can find something for Morgana." Gwen said, watching in interest as she saw Morgana stop to watch Merlin and Gareth entering the castle.

XX

"Merlin, have I done something to annoy you?" Gareth asked worriedly as they entered the room Merlin decided to give him, which just coincidentally happened to be quite far from Morgana's.

Merlin looked at the knight, and decided he was being a little unfair by being grumpy with the new knight. So what if he knew Morgana?

"No my lord, its just Arthur being an inconsiderate prat as always." Merlin said with a slight smile and Gareth chuckled, helping Merlin carry the last of his things into his room.

"Glad to see some things haven't changed. How long have you been his servant?" Gareth asked in interest, and Merlin actually found himself relaxing with this new knight.

"Nearly seven years." Merlin said slightly proudly, and Gareth looked at him, impressed.

"I remember a time when it was considered good that Arthur had a servant who lasted seven days. Seven years is quite the period. Does he always treat you so rudely?" Gareth asked in concern, and Merlin smiled a little.

"No, he just likes to show off. The advantages of having one of your best friends become queen are that she usually tells him off when he's rude." Merlin said.

Gareth clapped Merlin on the shoulder and gave him a wicked grin.

"Well, if Gwen isn't around to keep him in check, having spent nearly all my summers here as a child before my father in his wisdom decided to start training my brother to succeed him, which meant I had to stay at home too to 'honour my brother and liege', as my rat faced brother likes to put it, I collected a fair few stories to use against your good king." Gareth said with a wink.

"Really? Like what?" Merlin asked innocently, his cocky smile broadening.

Gareth smiled and gestured for Merlin to take a seat.

"Well let me tell you about a lord's daughter by the name of Lorana..."

XX

Merlin took Gareth down to the training field. Gareth had his own set of armour, his cloak was a bottle green, a bit darker than the shade of Morgana's eyes, and he carried himself proudly. Merlin found himself growing to like Gareth. The man was amiable and funny, easy to get on with. And the little flicker of jealousy about his connection with Morgana was hardly existent.

"Percival, this is Gareth, an old friend of Arthur's." Merlin said as they approached the training field where Morgana was talking to Lucan animatedly.

"Nice to meet you." Percival said, and Gareth looked at where Alymere was fending off Dagonet and Safer at the same time.

"He annoy you again?" Merlin asked, nodding towards Alymere, and Percival smiled slightly.

"Seems to think that he's above being the target for any knight bar Arthur and Leon, so I got them all to gang up on them, and let Lucan chat to Morgana, he's been on the go all morning." Percival said as Alymere struggled to hold off Safer.

"Perhaps you and I could give them a break. Care for a whirl?" Gareth asked the taller knight, and Percival nodded.

"Alright, you're on."

The two of them headed to the middle of the field and chased the others off, earning Percival a disgusted look from Alymere as they did so. The two of them faced off at each other and Merlin went to stand with the others knights and Morgana.

"He used to be able to match me when we duelled as kids." Morgana commented, watching as the two bowed to each other.

"That isn't saying much though is it?" Alymere muttered, just loud enough for Merlin to hear.

"For your information Alymere, Morgana is one of the best swordsmen in the city, she can outduel the king, and that means she is only one of two people who have ever managed to do that. And you might want to remember that she's a princess as well." Merlin snapped, and Morgana smiled at him indulgently.

Safer turned to glare at Merlin while Alymere looked at him in indignation.

"You dare treat a knight with such little respect? Who do you think you are?" he asked, raising a hand as if to strike Merlin...but then he helped and Merlin could hear the bones crackling together in his hand, and smiled at the golden eyed Morgana.

"I would not do that if I were you Safer. First of all, I will shatter your hand in such a way that you will never be able to use it again. Secondly, he was merely pointing out that speaking disparagingly of the princess is an unwise career move, especially when said princess is a witch. And thirdly, I'm sure you know what the king will do to you if you bring harm to Merlin." Morgana warned, and Safer lowered his hand, cowed.

"So he used to spend all his time here?" Lucan asked Morgana curiously as the two drew their swords and advanced steadily towards each other.

"Yes, his father would bring him and his brat of a brother here each year for the summer, he and Arthur used to be quite the double act. That was until Arthur betrayed Gareth." She recounted in amusement, as Gareth blocked Percival's lunge.

"Betrayed him? He didn't seem that bothered by him." Merlin said, wincing as Gareth was knocked for six by the strength of Percival's swing.

Morgana smiled.

"Not betrayed like that, Arthur just left Gareth out to dry the dirty rat. You see, the two of them were about fifteen, and they quite liked to swing their swords around," she explained, ignoring Dagonet's snort, "and were practicing one day when they were both called to the council chamber. But, Arthur didn't hear the guy coming and when he tapped him on the shoulder, Arthur jumped, and swung his sword. The result was, the poor boy's ear almost came off." She said darkly, and Alymere looked at her with a bored expression while Gareth kicked Percival in the gut.

"He cut a servant's ear off?" he asked in an unconcerned voice.

"No, but it was hanging by a thread. So the two of them quickly took him to Gaius, and he patched the poor boy up. Now late for the meeting, they headed to the council chamber, but not before our teenage king paid the servant off to keep quiet." She explained, and Merlin looked at her in surprise.

"Arthur paid him off? That doesn't sound like him." He said, and ignored the looks of contempt he was getting from Safer and Alymere.

"It isn't usually. But Arthur was already in a lot of trouble with darling Uther." She said irritably, and Alymere rolled his eyes.

"Uther was a great king." He said stoutly.

"No he wasn't, he was a bastard and everyone knows it." Gwaine said as he arrived, cutting Merlin off before he said much the same thing.

Morgana shot a filthy look at Alymere and continued her story, while Gareth and Percival danced around each other, looking for an opening.

"A few weeks before Arthur had gotten rather, boisterous, shall we say when trying to impress a certain lady," she explained and Merlin grinned, as that had been what Gareth had told him, "and her father had found out and complained to Uther. So, Uther summoned Arthur in front of the court and mocked him for falling for the girl. Arthur was horribly embarrassed, the entire court, the visitors and even the servants laughing at him just because he had the hots for a girl. Arthur refused to apologise and basically implied that our dear father could shove it, and stormed out, which sort of cast a pall on the rest of the week's meetings with the lord at the time, and made Uther furious for the lack of respect Arthur had shown for the visitors and for him. As such, he warned him that if he wished to participate in the tournament that was coming up he had better not get into any more trouble, which leads us back to the servant."

Merlin was watching Morgana's face as she described what Uther had done, and he remembered when Uther had laughed when Arthur had told him that he was in love with Gwen. Gareth had also told him what Arthur had really intended to say to his enlightened father, and Merlin had had to hide a grin. He'd have been very proud of his master if he had.

"Anyway, the two of them are summoned in front of Uther, and Arthur sees that his father isn't exactly pleased with the way things were going and immediately cracks, and tells Uther it was Gareth who nearly chopped the poor lad's ear off. Gareth is hopping mad of course, and Uther finds it highly amusing and Gareth's father confines him to his room the next day. Turns out Uther was annoyed because Godwyn had reneged on a deal and Arthur just panicked. He left poor Gareth out to dry for no reason at all, but they made up in no time." She assured them all as they all laughed.

Out on the field, Gareth and Percival slammed their blades together with such force they jerked them out of each other's hands, and stood, panting, looking at each respectfully.

"You fight well." Percival said, and Gareth grinned.

"You're not so bad yourself. I look forward to working with you." He said, shaking Percival's hand.

"So you're sticking around then?" Morgana asked, as Merlin passed the water bottle to Gareth.

"Well my dear brother doesn't want me hanging around, and let's face it, I can do a lot more good here than I can at home." He said, passing the bottle to Percival.

"You know I'm training a bunch of new knights for the round table, if you want you could join with them, I'm sure Arthur wouldn't mind." Percival suggested, having taken a liking to the newcomer.

"I'd be honoured." Gareth said, and Percival then looked at Merlin.

"If you do so, you will have to answer the questions Merlin puts to you, he's been appointed by the king to see if you're the stuff he's looking for." Percival explained, glowering at Alymere and Safer who were rolling their eyes.

"Of course. Well, I'll go and get settled in. Merlin, come by any time, my door will always be open to you." Gareth said, clapping him on the shoulder.

"Gareth, you can walk me back to my rooms if you want." Morgana said, and Gareth bowed his head, and offered her his arm, before the two of them walked off.

Percival looked at the expression on Merlin's face curiously. He had been smiling and friendly looking with Gareth a second ago, but now he was glaring daggers into his back. Percival smirked. Looked like the poor kid still had the hots for Morgana. Smiling, he watched as Merlin mutinously followed Morgana inside.

XX

"What is wrong with you tonight?" Arthur asked, sounding mildly annoyed but also a little bit concerned.

Merlin glowered as he tidied Arthur's desk, ignoring the king sat on the bed while Gwen sang to herself while she did her embroidery in the next room.

"Nothing's wrong." Merlin said sourly.

And that was exactly the problem. He hadn't seen Morgana all day, she had spent it all reminiscing and catching up with Gareth. However, he had still made time to answer all of Merlin's questions, and Merlin had found him even more likeable than he had before, and reported to Arthur that he had passed with flying colours. He was quite friendly with Merlin, talking to him about his adventures with Arthur and getting to know him. In fact, Merlin was sure they could have been very fast friends, if it wasn't for the fact that he had spent the entire day on Morgana's arm. He knew he was being petty and jealous, but he couldn't help but resent the fact that Gareth had an entire history with Morgana that he could only guess at, and that ever since he had arrived this morning Morgana had next to ignored him.

Arthur rolled his eyes. Merlin had seemed perfectly cheerful this morning, more cheerful than usual, but, as soon as Gareth had appeared his mood had taken a turn for the worst. And then, it hit Arthur and he sighed.

"Merlin, I'm sorry." He said, figuring his friend was annoyed with him due to his rude dismissal of him earlier.

That made Merlin turn around curiously, and he looked at Arthur as though he were mad.

"What for?" he asked obliviously.

"For the way I dismissed you this morning, it was rude, and I'm sorry." Arthur said, and he actually did sound a little sincere.

Merlin smiled a little.

"It wasn't anything to do with you." He assured him, and turned back to tidying the desk, and Arthur rolled his eyes.

"Then...oh!" Arthur said, and Merlin froze a little.

Despite all the names he and Morgana and now Gareth called Arthur, he was occasionally capable of having a clever thought.

"It's Gareth who's annoyed you isn't it?" Arthur said in a teasing voice.

"No." Merlin said a little too quickly, and Arthur rolled his eyes, just as someone knocked at the door.

"Come!" Arthur yelled, watching as Merlin determinedly avoided his gaze.

Gwaine entered, looking slightly alert.

"We had an intruder on one of the ramparts, problem is he escaped before we could do anything about him." He said worriedly, and Arthur exchanged a dark look with Merlin.

"What were they doing?" Merlin asked worriedly.

"That's the weird thing, they were trying to sneak out of the castle. Alymere chased him but he got away." Gwaine reported, and Arthur frowned.

"I suppose it isn't so bad if they were running out of the castle, depending on what they were running away with. Double the guard, and tell Leon to take over the watch. I have another job for you." Arthur said, and both Merlin and Gwaine looked at him curiously.

"Sounds interesting. It isn't to help Percival with the noobies is it?" Gwaine asked, his face crestfallen, and Arthur smiled.

"No. The job I am giving you is one you will love to perform. I want you to go to the tavern." Arthur said, and Merlin's jaw dropped as he looked at his master. Actively encouraging Gwaine to go to the tavern was a recipe for disaster.

"Best job I've ever had, but why?" Gwaine asked, looking at Arthur suspiciously.

"I want you to take Merlin with you, and get him a girl. Maybe then he'll stop moping." Arthur said with a wicked grin, and Merlin glared at him furiously.

"I am not moping, and I don't want to go to the tavern!" he protested, and Gwaine laughed.

"Ah Merlin, you need educated in the ways of the world. Not to worry my fine friend, I'll teach you everything I know. Come on then!" Gwaine said, putting his arm around Merlin's shoulders and leading him towards the door.

Merlin turned around to Arthur, his face a mixture of fear and annoyance, and mouthed 'I hate you' at him, making him grin all the wider.

Arthur smiled as he watched Gwaine lead Merlin to the door, but a small voice inside him alerted him to something as he remembered what happened the last time Merlin had been out after hours.

"Gwaine!" Arthur called, and he turned round, forcing Merlin to do the same.

"Keep an eye on him would you? And, take a couple of the others with you." He ordered, and Gwaine rolled his eyes.

"I'm hardly going to let anything happen to Merlin. I'll look after him." He scolded, and Merlin grinned a little.

"I don't doubt that. I'm just worried about how difficult it will be for poor Merlin to get your drunken hide back up to the castle once the tavern closes." Arthur said cockily, and Gwaine shot him a sour look while Merlin laughed and led him out of the room.

XX

Morgana frowned. She hadn't seen Merlin all afternoon, since she had been spending it with Gareth, and now, she couldn't find him anywhere. Figuring the only place he could still be would be Arthur's room, she made her way towards her brother's room, hoping to find her man on his way home, and perhaps persuade him to come to her room for a bit.

She then heard Gwaine's boisterous voice calling down the corridor.

"Elyan! Gareth! Percival! What do you say to coming down to the tavern? We're going to get Merlin a girl!" he announced, and Morgana froze.

"What?" Elyan asked incredulously.

"Don't look at me, blame your brother in law, it was his bright idea." Merlin muttered, and Percival laughed.

"Oh, this I have to see." He said, and Morgana darted into an alcove, watching as the four chuckling knights and the pale form of Merlin went past.

She stood there, seething, but at who she didn't quite know. Watching as Gwaine and the others disappeared with Merlin in tow, she turned on her feel, her dress billowing behind her as she headed back to her rooms.

This is the second time I've had to write this blurb! Screw you internet explorer!

Anyway, we are now on to our third Merlin story! I was originally going to leave it all to the end and upload them all at once like last time, but I got to the end of this section and it seemed right to upload so here we are!

I know a lot doesnt happen in this chapter but it was mainly intended as an introduction for the new knights and to show that our enemies are getting more dangerous and deadly in their efforts to destroy Camelot.

How will Merlin and Morgana manage their relationship? Who is working for Nimueh within Camelot? What will transpire from this boys night out Arthur has sent Merlin on? Will the Hassassin succeed in his mission? What else will transpire now that Nimueh is moving ahead in her plan to destroy Camelot?

Answers will hopefully come soon as I'm now on holiday, but until these questions are answered, please review review review!