The King Has Returned . . . [Arwen]

[Guinevère]

Guinevère kept looking at Kolby, waiting for him to speak up. 'Can you think of none?' He asked her, rather then to them both. Guinevère stared at him for a moment before gasping softly. Kolby gave a stiff nod. 'It was his idea, and it took some convincing but . . . he wanted his life to have purpose. So in the end we agreed.' Guinevère's shoulders bend forward as her hands covered her lips. Gaius was dead! he's given his old life up to give Arthur this chance to comeback!

Turning she pressed her face into Arthur's shoulder, and overt he scars from the memory that she was thinking of. Her hand came up to press over the the scars. Sir Kolby spoke up then, explaining the story. 'No one survives the bite of a questing beast. For years we assumed you were the first one to ever do it, but when your man servant turned out to be a dragon lord, and told us how your survived we knew that . . . . well, no one survives the bit of a questing beast.'

Guinevère spoke then, sparing Arthur from hearing more from Kolby. "Merlin went to the isle of the blessed, to trade his life for yours, but Nimueh instead tried to take Merlin's mother. Merlin was going to go again, but Gaius bet him to there, to trade his life for Hunith's. When Merlin arrived and found him dead, he used the cup of life, and traded Nimueh's for Gaius'." A hard choice for Merlin, but she could see how he'd trade the life of the woman who killed Arthur's mother, and so many others for the life of a good man who saved lives.

"If they had gone to trade again, then they had to give a life to get a life." She wondered if he would guess. If he would see now why Gaius had, whom she had told him was frail, sick and old. That he could not even make it to the castle now. . . . and he's gone with them.

Even knowing she would never see Gaius again--she was glad to hold Arthur in her arms.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur just stared at Kolby. The words were slowly sinking into him, but he was in shock. His face was expressionless as he tried to come to terms with this information. He felt his wife move closer to him, pressing her face into his shoulder, but he couldn't even bring himself to put his arm around her right now . . . too shocked, too surprised, too . . . devastated. He never wanted anyone dying for him, Gaius least of all. And yet, among the guilt, there was that strong, immense and indescribable gratitude he felt. For giving him a chance to be with his family once again. This, only made Arthur feel more guilty. Apparently it had not been the first time someone was willing to give their life to save him? Merlin had done so many times before . . . but never did Arthur know magic was involved. Especially not at the time of the questing beast bite.

Arthur couldn't even react to this shocking revelation, anymore than he could react to finding out Gaius had ridden out to his death. Now understanding, why he had accompanied them on such a difficult journey. Because he had no plan of returning. "Who are you to decide who should die for me." His voice was strong and a bit accusatory . . . but it was the guilt that Arthur was feeling that forced his words out. Rather than any anger toward Kolby or the other men. Arthur slowly walked away, putting his hands on edge of the table, letting his head hang for a moment as he just absorbed this piece of information. That familiar shock of Merlin being a sorcerer, to Gaius sacrificing his life for him. He would never forgive himself for this. Nor would the guilt ever subside in his heart.

He took a deep breath, trying to compose himself before turning back to face Guinevère and Kolby. He knew that by saying that they should not have made such a decision, would make it sound like he didn't want to be with his family . . . which he did. It left him in such strong conflict, that he didn't know how to feel, or how he should feel. "Are there any other terms of this, plan?" He asked, wondering if there were any more sacrifices he would have to prepare himself for. Any more people who had to die for him . . . "No one else will die for me," he said in a strong voice. Refusing to let any one else pay for his return with their own life. His life was not more valuable than another person's . . . certainly not Gaius'. A man who was loved and respected by all.

[Guinevère]

"Who are you to decide who should die for me." Guinevère heard Arthur demand out, but she could not see his face. She could feel his shock however, in the way his body moved beside her's, How he stood still, and did not put his arms around her. Then he walked away. She moved to fallow him but felt a hand on her arm, stopping her.

Turning to look at at Kolby, she saw him shake his head no, before looking back at Arthur. Guinevère wished she could hold him tightly, and comfort him. When Arthur did speak again, she knew that he was having trouble accepting the terms. He asking about terms of of the deal. "No one else will die for me," She had not known about this, but if she'd had . . . she would have helped? 'It is just one life for one life.'

Kolby told him, 'No one else has to die. Gaius said it would have done it with, or with out our help. Bossy old man always was stubborn, but he was said you were like his son. We thought it best to aid him, and let him be surrounded by friends rather then try to do this alone.'

[Arthur Pendragon]

'It is just one life for one life." Just. It was just one life for a life. As if it was so simple. As if one life was worth less than his. He could feel his heart ache at the loss; knowing that it was his fault. It was how his father had died. Sacrificing himself so that Arthur could live. He hated himself for it . . . for having just lay there, unable to do anything to defend himself. So that his father was forced to intervene in his weakened state. Fighting a man who had no issues with the king . . . only with his son. His father would have lived, had Arthur not been guilty of the crime that Odin kept trying to seek vengeance for. Arthur looked in between Guinevère and Kolby, not looking at anything in particular. "But he was said you were like his son."He could feel tears well in his eyes, though he would not let them spill over. Not in front of Kolby anyway. But . . . how could he not already grieve for the man who -- he regarded as a father figure. Who he had known his whole life.

His jaw clenched, in attempt to hold back the tears and he swallowed a seemingly permanent lump in his throat. He didn't even have the strength to tell off Kolby for speaking about Gaius in such a way . . . as a 'bossy old man'. Though, he was appreciating Kolby's sarcastic sense of humor less and less. For the moment, he just focused on taking deep breathes, so many thoughts running through his head and the weight of guilt, sadness and pain heavily burdening his heart. Finally he spoke. "So there is," he paused, realizing his voice had caught, much like in the moment he had held his dying father in his attempt to call the guards. Clearing his throat, he tried again. "There is nothing else we can expect from this arrangement then?" He just needed to be entirely certain, that no one else's life would suffer or be lost for this. For him.

[Guinevère]

"There is nothing else we can expect from this arrangement then?" His voice broke and Guinevère wanted to reach out and hold him. Yet she didn't, for whatever reason at that moment. Kolby was talking, but she didn't hear his words. Only was looking at Arthur's face. 'That was all the magic needed. A trade. Gaius was sick. He knew he only had a few more months, if even that.' Arthur. He would forever wear this, and blame himself even though he wasn't on this earth when it happened.

"Why did you not go with them?" She asked numbly, Kolby looked at Arthur and seemed to pick his words with more care then she ever saw Kolby pick them before. 'Someone had to stay behind. They knew I were my loyalties were.' Guinevère looked confused, but then after a few seconds everything clicked and she shifted slightly away from him, while looking down. "Yes," she whispered, "I supposed they did." That was another story that she would put off telling Arthur. He was having enough trouble taking in everything, no need to shock him with more. She didn't look back, seeming lost in thought while Kolby spoke up. 'We should have a conversation, Arthur.' He told him, 'Alone.'

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[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur listened to Kolby explained that there was nothing else with this arrangement. He wasn't totally sure about that. Then again, one man's death was more than enough. Gaius. The poor man. Arthur wished he could some how bring him back . . . he didn't want to live if it meant another had to die. Yet how could he say that without making it sound like he didn't want to be with his family? It left him horribly conflicted. And that just made the guilt in his heart even stronger. "We should have a conversation, Arthur. Alone." Arthur didn't want to. Not right now. He had only just found his family again. He didn't want to leave them. But, he knew Kolby wouldn't have said it if it wasn't important. He gave a very slight nod and turned to look at his wife.

"We won't be long." It was both a reassurance to Guinevère that he would return as soon as he could. And a not so subtle suggestion to Kolby to keep the conversation as brief as possible -- since he knew how much Kolby liked to talk. Arthur glanced toward his children who were sleeping on the bed, before heading toward the door, opening it for Kolby to step outside as the king followed suit, closing the door behind him. "Now what is you wanted to say to me that you could not say in front of my wife." Arthur didn't like all this secrecy; all these ploys. He wanted Kolby to get straight to the point, so that he could return to be with his family. The only comfort he had right now.

[Guinevère]

"We won't be long." Arthur assured her before walking toward the servant's door and opening it. With guards and men outside the main doors, he needed to avoid the main halls until he was ready for his presence back into their lives b known. The men disappeared from her sight and Guinevère moved to sit before the fire, staring into the flames while trying to brace herself for what would come ext.

"Now what is you wanted to say to me that you could not say in front of my wife." Out in the hall Kobly reached over to lightly punch his king's shoulder the way knights did in light jest. "Come now, Arthur, we were friends before you die. Surely they did not kill your sense of humor as well?" He said arrogantly before 'casually' talking a step back and grinning.

"There are things you should know, that we keep from her. Purposely." Kobly admitted, "Your friends did not abandon you nor yours when you died. Follow me." Kobly turned and lead them more down the halls, toward the library.

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[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur was not amused. He just stared at Kolby with a completely unamused expression. While otherwise he may have appreciated the knight's jests -- knowing this was how Kolby was -- tonight, he was in no mood for it. He had returned to the dead to find his wife, his grown son, and a daughter he didn't know he had . . . along with a crumbling kingdom, and the dead of a dear friend. So no. A punch on the shoulder, even from Kolby, would not make this better. Arthur's humor was not at its best. He wanted nothing more than to return to his chambers, throw all the paper sin the fire and then lie on the bed with his two children and his wife. That, was what he wanted. When Kolby told him that his friends had not abandoned him, he wondered what he meant. Grateful for the implication, yet knowing that was more to what he was saying. He wanted him to follow him, yet Arthur was hesitant to leave.

He looked at the closed door, not wanting to leave his family. Last he left the room, his children were attacked. But, he followed the man anyway. "Make this quick Kolby," he instructed him, not wanting to make this any longer than need be. As they walked along the halls, heading toward the lower levels . . . he knew exactly where they were going. The only logical place at this time. The library. "Why have you brought me here?" He asked him. Here, of all places. What did he wish to show? Did Arthur not have all the documents he needed to read to be up to date upstairs in his chambers? He waited for Kolby to either answer him, or show him the reason he had brought him so far from his chamber and thus, his family.

[Guinevère]

"Make this quick Kolby," Apparently coming back from the dead, did kill your humor. Or your humor cost more to bring back with you. "Why have you brought me here?" Why would be reviled soon. Entering the library, Kolby lead them toward the back and then walked to one of the book bases. "Our plan did not end with bring you back. We prepared for everything we could. When Morgana learns what we have done--if she has not already--then who knows what she will do. We had to make sure sure we were ready--and that the protection of the heir was maintained at the cost of whatever life it took."

Reaching out for the lever, the wall turned reviling a hidden room. In there was the round table that the knights had once sat at before Arthur knighted them. Only now the seating was different. It held Kobly in place of Gaius, and Amaren would be seated where his mother once sat. Kolby was not foolish enough to push out the queen, but when the Pendragon heir came of age, her seat would be replaced.

There were three walls filled with shelves and on the first one it held books of spells and magic with some bottles, bags of powders and plants. The far wall held dried foods that could last a while and two barrels of water. The other shelf held records, maps, notes, details, plans, scrolls upon scrolls of information. The walls on either side of the moving door held weapons. Unlit candles filled the rooms. There was room enough under reach wall of shelves to make bed under them, small mats that would soften the need to sleep on the floor.

"We know the dark lady does not know of this room--no one knows of this room. Emrys found it years and years ago, and told no one, for it held a room full of magical things, and your father was still alive." He explained while Arthur took it all in. "When she comes--" And she would, "--It is a safe place for council and keeping little ones safe." A panic room.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Though Arthur's initial response was silence, he was listening very carefully to Kolby's words. Of how they had to take such precautions in the event that Morgana came and attacked them. It was for the best really, for it was one thing for him to be targeted, but an entirely different matter for his wife and children to be. Before, Morgana had wanted to kill him because he was the only heir to the throne. Now . . . she would have to kill three other people. The thought sent a chill down Arthur's spine, for he never could quite grow used to the fact that the woman he had grown up calling sister -- and one who really was related by blood -- was so cruel and heartless. Especially hearing that she attacked his children; innocent children. She had stooped to new lows and he was just glad to hear that everyone was taking the appropriate steps to ensure no harm came to his family. In his absence. But now that he was here, he would make sure nothing happened to them . . . ever again. Arthur watched as Kolby suddenly revealed a hidden room.

Arthur had thought he'd known every inch of the castle . . . but he had never seen or been told of this room. The first thing he noticed was the round table. It had been brought here from the Castle of Ancient Kings then. As he stepped further into the room, his gaze lay upon the books of magic and other objects of sorcery. The whole idea of it still unsettled Arthur, especially the bit about Merlin being a sorcerer. He had not confronted him yet, and may not get the chance until much later . . . but right now, it was not about expressing his hurt over his friend's lies. It was about appreciating how he had protected his wife and children. Arthur did not believe that everyone who practiced magic was evil, and part of him was relieved that hearing of all that Emrys had done for them, was one of the first times he had heard magic be used for pure good rather than evil. Right now, Arthur needed to focus on the kingdom. On securing it and making it a place of peace . . . not one filled with threats and traitors. The returned king walked along the side of the table, his hand moving across the edge of it as he moved.

He paused in front of the king's seating place, but did not sit. He just looked at it, trying to take in all this information. Slowly, his gaze raised to Kolby's. "What happened these past years?" He asked. He knew Guinevère was telling him, and not planning to spare any detail. At the same time, he could only imagine the pressure she was forced to deal with . . . the burdens and stresses that he left her with. He would feel guilty for every moment they lived in fear, stress, panic and anything else that his abandoning them had caused. But now, he had the chance to make this right. And as hurt as he was that Gaius had to give his life for him, he would not have the well loved physician die in vain. "Who can we trust?" Arthur added, needing to know which kingdoms were still their allies and which were not. For come tomorrow, he would seek out those kingdoms for aid. And try to keep his return as secret as possible. As Kolby said, there was a chance that Morgana did not yet know of their plans, and he wanted to prolong that lack of knowledge for as long as he could.

[Guinevère]

Arthur asked what had happened all these years, and then the more important one of, "Who can we trust?" Yet Kolby knew nothing was that simple. Never was. "There is only a handful or two I still trust with my life, and even less with the heir." He admitted, "Not all would willing follow a serf born queen, and not every kingdom was willing to wait for the prince to come of age." Times had been dark, and that was why this plan for Arthur to return had been made. Because they needed him for the kingdom to survive.

Kolby almost ten years older then Arthur and had lived though two kings now, and he was not about to make it three kings and a queen. He might have dis-approved of the base born knights, and even less of the servant queen, but his loyalties were and always would be to the Pendragon name and the kingdom. He had learned to embrace the knights of brothers and serve the queen with his life. "You said no one was to known you are back, but when you ride out, I would be by your side. It would help make our allies believe it's really you."

[Arthur Pendragon]

To hear that they were in the midst of so many enemies . . . Arthur never would have thought it possible. Yet, considering who their enemies were, it made sense. It only made him feel more guilt ridden for having left it all on Guinevère's shoulders to bare, and force her to raise their children in fear; raise them in such an unstable and unsafe environment. But her and the knights had protected them . . . and for that, Arthur was eternally grateful. When he spoke of riding out, already knowing of his plans . . . but also could not take him up on his offer. "No," he said, looking at the table once more. Envisioning all those seated at it; the values he had tried to instill in the kingdom were still strong. And for that, he knew Camelot would survive. It would get out of this dark hole it had been forced into.

His eyes went back to his good friend, as he continued to speak. "I need you to stay here Kolby, and protect the queen and my children as you have done in the past." It was far more dangerous to leave Guinevère and Amaren and Anna alone here. Than for Arthur to be out there on his own . . . for people would not know of his return. Not yet. "I will also need you, the queen and the others you trust to do something in my absence." Something of grave importance; something that would start cleansing the kingdom and freeing it of spies and traitors. "Compile a list of all those you and the others do not trust. Everyone that you suspect of being spies or traitors." No severe action could yet be taken, but they needed to be prepared. For when it started, it would happen all at once.

[Guinevère]

Kolby bowed his head at the order to remain here and guard the heir. "I will remain here then, and continue to keep the Pendragon line alive." For once his reply was serious, a sign no doubt of how serious he took his job here as a knight. "I will go an ready a list, so you will have it with all haste. Though some names on it might surprise you, and some names on it might not."

Bowing his head he turned and exited to leave the king alone with his thoughts, not waiting for a dismissal. Everything had changed when they made this plan, and there was still much yet left for the king to discover--some of it, Kobly was rather glad that he did not have to be the one to tell him. Until then, they had to keep moving forward.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur gave a nod to Kolby and thanked him before he left the room. Arthur just remained for a few moments, trying to collect his thoughts. Two men had died for him to return. The messenger, and Gaius. It would not be in vain, however nor could Arthur remove such guilt from him. For him to return, a well respected and loved man had to die. It didn't seem right . . . and yet, how could he regret the opportunity to spend the rest of his life with his family? He couldn't. Not after holding Guinevère in his arms, and kissing the children. When he finally felt composed and in check of all his emotions . . . Arthur left the hidden room that consisted of the round table. He wanted a bigger one; a grand one to fill the hall so that all would know just how important equality was in Camelot.

But there would be a time for that, because for now . . . they needed to bring Camelot back from the dark era their enemies had forced it under. He returned to his chambers, slowly and quietly opening the door so not to wake the children, and possibly Guinevère if she was sleeping. Though it did not take him long to notice that she was awake. He stepped inside, gently closing the door behind him once more as he looked at the children before walking over to his wife. "Let's leave the rest of the documents for another day." Because he was home tonight, and he wanted to spend it holding her, and being near their children.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère looked up when Arthur entered and she rose to her feet to walk over too him. He spoke of leaving the paper work for another day and she wondered if he was tired. Apart of her was afraid for him to sleep--or for her to sleep. What if he never awakened? What if she did and it was all a dream?

"Are you tired?" She asked, "Or hungry? You should eat something." If he was tired she knew she had to let him sleep, even she was tired, yet she was still afraid of waking and finding tonight a lie or a dream. She had a thousand questions as well, but did not wish to over load him, so for now--for tonight--she would do what was best for him. Tomorrow they could do what was best for the kingdom.

[Arthur Pendragon]

He gave a soft smile when she asked if he was tired or hungry and that he should eat something. He put his hand on her cheek, just taking in the sight of her. "I'm fine," he reassured, not feeling hungry or particularly tired. He just didn't want to spend tonight looking over papers and discussing politics. "I just want to lie down next to you and the children, and hold you for the rest of the night." If she would let him. So much had happened that he was so unaware of, and tomorrow he -- they would have to start working towards re-establishing Camelot to what it once was.

It would take time, and work, but he believed they could get there. Camelot was too strong to ever fall and he knew that Guinevère had kept it standing in all the years of his . . . absence. He lowered his hand from her cheek and held it in his own, slowly leading her toward the bed. There was so much darkness surrounding but right here, in this room where these three people were . . . he had his light. His hope. Everything he needed to do whatever it took to purge Camelot of all these threats and evils.

[Guinevère]

"I just want to lie down next to you and the children, and hold you for the rest of the night." He assured her and Guinevère smiled up at him softly, knowing that she had to had faith in him and everyone working for them. She had to be strong and not let her fear make him dead on his feet. "Then we should join our children, and rest for a while."

It would be hard, but she would be strong, and start being the person and queen that he needed to her to be, rather then how she had been. She had done what she believed to be the best at the time, but after speaking with Arthur, she was seeing that she really had not been ready to rule. Having kindness toward the people was only half of what you needed.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur gave a small smile as she agreed that they should rest. Leading her to the bed, he waited for her to lie down before doing the same. Though he was comfortable, his mind was far from being at ease. He closed his eyes, whispering "I love you," to Guinevère as he moved a bit closer to her, as a reminder that she was here . . . that he was here. And that their children were not far. Sleep did not come easy. For when he closed his eyes, he saw the battle. He saw the druid boy, Agravaine, Morgana . . . he heard the screams of the people and felt the pain of death consuming his body. Only this time, in these flashes it was not only the battle that dominated his thoughts . . . but also images of Gaius. Of his sacrifice. And if that was not bad enough, soon images of his family in danger flashed through his mind. Attacks on his children, on Guinevère . . . of Anna being unable to breath, of Merlin using magic . . .

Arthur awoke with a sharp gasp as his eyes flew open. The sun was just peeking through the window, so it was still extremely early. He tried to calm his breathing, feeling his forehead damp with sweat from the nightmares that plagued him. He looked to his wife and still sleeping children and very carefully, moved off the bed to sit on the edge. He put his hands in his head for a moment . . . feeling the sharpness of hair, which reminded him that he needed to shave. He got up off the bed and poured some water in a bowl, standing there for a few moments, trying to think of where a blade would be in the reorganized room. He also did not want to leave their chambers, not only because he was still in hiding but because he did not want to worry Guinevère when she woke up . . . for he wanted her to be reassured that he was still here, and very much alive.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère opened her eyes slowly, after having a rather restless night. She would open her eyes often, afraid that she would not see Arthur. Every time she had--he'd been there sleeping. This time however, she only saw a patch of empty bed and her children. Her heart beat so painful as she turned her head to look around the room. Seeing him there, as if he was preparing for his day made her head spin with the relief from panic.

Pushing from the bed she walked toward him, to come to stand between him in the bowel as she looked up at him. Her fingers reached up to touch his roughened cheek. "I fear I have nothing husbandly in here any longer." He could not rid himself of his bread yet. "Though you should keep it for a while. It would make you harder to recognize and you said you were not ready for others to know you are returned." Stretching up she kiss his lips lightly before falling back to her heels. She was just glad he was here still. She feared when the kingdom would have claim of him once again. "You are awaken early."

[Arthur Pendragon]

He had been so lost in his thoughts, he hadn't heard her get up . . . until she was standing between him and the bowl set on the table. She went on to say that she didn't have many things of his in here any more, like a blade. But he was far from discouraged. He would just find a dagger from the room that held all his belongings. "I can't wait to get rid of it," he admitted, not liking the feel of it. Even if it made him more difficult to immediately recognize. He lightly kissed her back as she raised on her toes, his hands going to rest on either side of her waist. "You are awaken early." "As are you," he noticed, hoping it hadn't been his own awakening that had caused her to rise out of bed. Moving one hand on her cheek, he brushed back a strand of curly hair from her cheek.

He hoped she slept better than him . . . but had a feeling that sleep didn't come easily to either of them. So long as their children were able to get some proper sleep.He also knew on the subject of him being unrecognizable and not wanting others to know he was back . . . that he would have to tell her of his plans. And now seemed to be a good moment for they had some time alone while their children slept. And before the kingdom would demand her attention. "May I speak to you for a moment?" He asked, though was already taking her hand and leading her to the other side of the room, pulling the curtain to partition it so that they would not disturb their sleeping children.