Authors Note. This story was supposed to be the first chapter of a rather long Merlin/HP crossover. It was intended to give a little bit of background info. Weeeeeeell, my muse sort of got a bit carried away. I'm already approaching 7K words and I am only 1/2 to 2/3 finished. So I decided to do it as a stand-alone. Perhaps when I finally get around to doing the other story, I'll refer back to this one.

Please note: Merlin is more of a background character in this story (at least at this point). The story mostly focuses on a conversation between Arthur and an old goldsmith who tells him a story about Balinor.

Enjoy, and I welcome reviews, even if they are critical.

The goldsmith looked down at his hands, long aged by time and years spent working with molten metal. He marveled that they didn't shake. He had been summoned back to Camelot under the behest of Prince Arthur. The young prince had commissioned four campaign rings for newly appointed knights. Knights, who were born of common blood, but who had, together with the Prince, his manservant, and court physician, retaken Camelot from the witches Morgause and Morgana and their immortal army. The tale had spread quickly through all the Kingdoms. Prince Arthur is a formidable warrior, and would one day be a formidable king.

He was interrupted from his musings by the opening of the door. A lanky young man with obsidian black hair entered the room. "Master Horatius?" the young man inquired. At the goldsmith's nod, the young man continued. "Prince Arthur has been detained and asks your forgiveness. He said to have a seat and he will be with you shortly". At the Goldsmith's shocked expression, the young man smiled. "Arth..Prince Arthur knows that you are weary from your travel, and does not wish to overtax you. Would you like some refreshment?" the young man asked as he crossed the room indicating a chair then continuing on to where a tray sat with several pitchers of various drink.

The old man sat down, still somewhat bewildered by the treatment. It is expected for one who has an audience with royalty to remain standing, even outside the royal's presence. An excuse and apology was not heard of. He looked at the young man. "Merlin…your name is Merlin, isn't it?"

Now it was the young man that looks rather surprised. "Yes, My Lord."

At the startled expression on the boy's face, the old goldsmith laughed. "Don't look so surprised young man, news travels far of the courageous prince and his plucky manservant…who stays by his prince in battle, even though he has no fighting skills himself?..." Horatius trailed off, looking at Merlin with a raised eyebrow. Merlin's face flushed brightly as he stammered for words. Horatius laughed again. "No need to get flustered my boy" he said, and to relieve the young man's embarrassment, asked "what sort of refreshment do you have?"

Merlin perked up and indicated each pitcher as he answered "we have cooled water, watered wine, and this," indicating the last pitcher, "is a berried juice drink that the cook has prepared. It has no wine, but is sweet and refreshing. It is quite good" he ended with a flourish, then added "If you wish, I could go down and get some mulled wine."

Horatius smiled, "You seem to recommend the berried juice, so that is what I think I will have."

Merlin smiled broadly "I think you'll not be disappointed".

It was at that smile that Horatius knew, without a shadow of a doubt, who Merlin's father was. There was no denying that this young man standing before him was the son of Balinor.

As Merlin poured the drink, Horatius fingered a ring in the pocket of his robes. Yes, this ring, after so many years, would go to the son of the man for whom it was made. He smiled as Merlin handed him his drink. After taking a sip, he had to agree that it was quite good.

Merlin made his leave, saying again that Arthur would be with him shortly. The old man went back to his musings. He wondered if the king or prince knew of the boy's heritage. No, he thought bitterly, there is no way Uther knew. He wasn't so sure about the prince though. He had heard a good bit of whispering about what happened, how the immortal army just vanished into thin air. He also knew that the boy was more than likely responsible for that feat, even if he acted as if he did nothing. No, the prince probably had no idea of the protector and ally that he had in the form of an unassuming manservant.

His thoughts were once again interrupted as the door opened and the prince entered. Horatius set his drink down and stood as quickly as his aching joints would allow. He bowed to the young prince. "Lord Horatius" Arthur said has he grasped the older man's arm "I am sorry you had to wait. It has been rather busy around here, and I am still getting used to the added duties with…um…" the prince trailed off, the burden of leadership during his father's illness showing plainly on his face.

"That is quite alright Your Highness. I understand completely." Arthur motioned for him to sit and took a seat opposite. Horatius pulled a box out of his robes and handed it to Arthur.

The young man raised his eyebrows in question "They are finished already?"

"Yes, Your Highness, I was under the impression that you wanted it done quickly" the goldsmith replied.

Arthur opened the box to find six almost identical rings. A modified Pendragon crest sat at the head of each ring. The sides were thick and each had exquisite detailing. The prince looked up confused. "I only commissioned four rings…"

The old man smiled and answered him. "After hearing your story, and the story from other sources, I thought you might like to award Sir Leon with a ring as well. I realize that he was knighted by your father, and is, in essence, his knight…but I think that you will find is full loyalty is to you. The other ring, My Lord, is for you."

He motioned for Arthur to give him back the box. Horatius pulled out the first ring. "This, sire, is for you. You will notice that the head of the ring is a bit more pronounced and the outer roping higher than the others." On the side here" he pointed to the wide band "is your father's family crest, and on this side," he said flipping it to the other side "is your mother's crest". The goldsmith then showed the prince each of the other rings going over the symbol details and which ring was for whom. Leon's being the only one, other than the prince, to display a family crest.

Arthur sat back amazed at the fine craftsmanship and exquisite detailing of each ring. He knew that his father had always commissioned Horatius for royal jewelry, but never really understood. Until now. He looked at Horatius in awe before regaining his regal bearing. "I am sure my father would say 'these are acceptable'" Arthur said with false detached aloofness, then smiled broadly "However, I will say that these are truly astounding. I will have the treasurer pay you the remainder of your fee, and, of course, for the other two rings".

The old man shook his head. "No Sire, the rings are paid in full. The amount you gave me originally paid for the gold to work with…the workmanship, is my gift to you." The man held his hand up as Arthur started to protest. "Besides," he continued, smiling "I have several other items to show you." He placed his hand in his robes and pulled out a smaller box and was opening it when there was a knock at the door. Before Arthur could respond, the door opened and Merlin stuck his head inside.

"Um, I'm sorry for interrupting….."

Arthur rolled his eyes and sighed in exasperation "What is it Merlin?"

The raven haired main furrowed his brow and started "Lord Risling…." He stopped and scrunched his face as if trying to think of a diplomatic way phrasing the rest of the sentence. "….is most insistent about the meeting the two of you are supposed to be having." He finished off with an exaggerated closed lip smile.

It was apparent that Lord Risling was giving Merlin a hard time. Arthur knew that the obstinate lord had no qualms about becoming loud and disruptive, even physically abusive to servants when unhappy. Arthur sighed and looked at Horatius. "Will you stay the evening? I can have Merlin prepare you a room."

"Oh that won't be necessary, I can stay at the inn" the old man replied.

"I insist. My father would have me flogged for allowing an old friend to stay in such accommodations." The old lord relented. Arthur stood up and smiled. "Good! Merlin, see to it that rooms are prepared for Horatius, and have the kitchen prepare him a light meal." He turned to the old man, "I do hope you will take dinner with me this evening".

The goldsmith bowed "It would be an honor, Sire." With that, Arthur left the room.

Horatius was resting in his room after a small meal, considering the prince. He was quite different from the young prince he used to be. Long gone was the arrogant spoiled teen that he remembered. At the time, he quite feared what type of king the young prince would make. But the man he appeared to be now seemed to truly care about his subjects. He had heard stories of how he had gone to a small village – in another kingdom no less – to fight off bandits who were trying to take the last of the food and grain. How the boy argued with his father to get food to those in the lower town and across the kingdom during a famine. That, of course, was not publicly known. He did, after all, still have several "inside" sources. He had heard many other stories as well. Yes, this young man was becoming quite the "people's prince".

A soft knock came at the door and he bade entry. Merlin entered and smiled at the elder man. "Prince Arthur asked me to take you to the small dining hall in half an hour. Do you, um, need me to help you with anything?" He asked hesitantly.

Horatius let out a gruff laugh "No, my boy….I have been dressing myself for quite some time now"

Merlin smiled in spite of himself. "I did not mean to imply that you could not." Then added "I will be back shortly then to take you" then let himself out of the room.

As Merlin walked Horatius to the dining hall they made polite talk. Merlin asked if he should address him as 'Master' or 'Lord'. "Well, actually I am both. Master by trade, Lord by birth. But really, just call me Horatius. I am getting too old for all this title rubbish." Merlin laughed as they entered the dining hall. It was one of the smaller dining halls, intimately set for just a few people.

Soon after, the prince and Lady Guinevere entered. There was still an empty place setting. Arthur looked to Merlin, "Gaius?"

"I'm sorry, sire." His manservant replied "…Lady Blasine has gone into labor. Gaius sends his regrets" Merlin then turns to Horatius "But…he does wish to visit with you before you leave."

The old man smiled, "That will be just fine. I would like to catch up with him, I have missed him the last few times I was through."

Arthur interjected himself "Did you know Gaius well…I mean, when you lived here before?"

The man laughed, "Oh quite well, Guy and I more or less grew up together!"

Arthur exchanged amused glances with Merlin. 'Guy?' Both smirked at the nickname. Arthur then returned his glance to his guest. "Was Gaius always so…um….serious?"

"Arthur!" Gwen admonished.

"What?" he asked with false innocence. Gwen just huffed.

The old man's eyes twinkled "Oh, hardly. Let's just say that he had a penchant for pranks and getting us into an inordinate amount of trouble."

Arthur noticed Merlin's wide glee-filled eyes and had to cover his laugh with a cough. Although, he had to agree. The thought of Gaius as being anything but serious was laughable.

"However," Horatius continued "I don't think it would be right to reminisce about old stories without the man being here to enjoy them…or, if I know Guy, to try to shut me up" The older man took a bite of the pork roast and smiled. "Perhaps you could ask him if it is a good idea to dress up a boar in noble finery and let it loose at the Beltane feast…."

After dinner, Gwen excused herself as she knew the men had business to discuss. Arthur sent Merlin to the royal cellar to get some their finest wine and told him to bring it to the Prince's antechamber. Arthur then guided Horatius to the room and to one of the cushioned chairs. He sat in another with a small side table between them. The old man began. "Arthur, before we get back to business, I have to ask you….How is Uthur, truly?"

Arthur could easily see the concern in the man's eyes. He sighed and rubbed his hand over his face "He is quite ill, and it is very hard on all of us."

The old goldsmith placed his aged hand on the arm of the young prince. "I know it is, son." He paused for a moment then asked "Perhaps, do you think it might be possible for me to see him before I leave….that is, if he is having a good day?"

"I don't know, Horatius, he rarely recognizes anyone anymore." Sighed the prince.

Horatius responded with a sad smile, "Be that as it may, perhaps seeing a friend from a less burdened time of his life might help. Talk to Gaius. If, between the two of you, you feel it is okay to for me to see him, I would love to."

Arthur looked at him "I will".

A knock at the door and Merlin entering with a tray with wine and goblets brought an end to their somber discussion. After Merlin filled the goblets he stood back prepared to wait on them as needed. A look from Horatius let Arthur know that he wished to continue their conversation in private. The prince was a bit confused as Merlin knew of the rings, but assented. "Merlin, you are relieved for the evening, just leave the pitcher on the table. Go prepare my chambers for bed, then you are free to go." Merlin shot Arthur a confused look. Arthur just tilted his head and shrugged his shoulders ever so slightly to let his manservant know that he didn't know either but that the elderly man wished a private conversation.

The Goldsmith pulled back out the box with the rings, they discussed again which ring went to who. About 10 minutes later, they heard the sound of a door clicking shut from the other room indicating that Merlin had left for the evening. Horatius pulled out a second box. This box held two brooches. "These are for Gaius and the Lady Guinevere" He pulled out the one for Gaius "This can be worn as a pendant or cloak brooch. The design is of Greek origin, it is the Rod of Asclepius. It is associated with healing and medicine." He placed it back in the box then gently removed a round gold brooch that was solid throughout with several inlaid designs. A lily for humility and devotion, a sword for war, a rose for love, and a flame for wisdom. Under the designs, covering the whole brooch was an intricately carved symbol of the tree of life. He meticulously went over each part and what it meant. He added at the end with a wink "If she is to become your queen, I would be honored to style her a tiara for less official feasts and balls. I know how heavy your mother's crown was."

Arthur looked at him completely overwhelmed "Um, I'd be honored when that day comes." The prince paused for a moment to gather his thoughts "but all this…" gesturing to the rings and brooches "it was totally unexpected…."

The old goldsmith held his hand up to quieten the prince. "Arthur, what the small group of you did – going up against two powerful witches and an immortal army – AND being victorious… is a feat worthy of songs by bards and will become legend in time. Each of you deserve something so that you will always remember this victory…No, I'm serious. It is with these men, each of them, that you will carve out your future." The old man chuckled "well the men and the lovely Lady Guinevere". He reached his hand into his pocket and pulled out a small cloth and unfolded it to reveal a ring. "Which brings us to the last person…"