Alaia Skyhawk: Well, here it is! I'll leave of chatting and just let you all get reading, hehehehe! :D

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.

Music:

Summary: Fate has been woven into a bright road, where Morgana no longer seeks destruction, and Mordred has embraced a path of light. But shadows lurk beneath the golden glow of peace, and trouble stirs in the west of Albion. For when one foe ceases to cast their shadow, another will rise to take their place, and spur the call of Unity.

~(-)~

Chapter 1: A Kingdom at Peace ~Part 1~

Looking out the window at the city below, where streets bustled with people who went about their daily errands with confidence and smiles, it was hard to believe that two years ago this city had shivered under the shadow of impending war. Where the common folk had huddled in their homes at night, listening for the alarm bells or waiting for the sounds of knights and soldiers heading to do battle.

Camelot was so bright and peaceful now, every day seemed almost better than the last, and certainly tomorrow was a day that many people living in the castle were looking forward to... Because Sir Gwaine was going to be married, to a noblewoman from Caerleon no less. Not long after the battle of Camlann, he had at last openly admitted to being the son of a Knight of Caerleon. Within a month of that revelation, Queen Annis had invited him to visit her court and granted him his rightful title. And it was during that visit that he had met Lady Viridiana.

Moving away from the window and out of his chambers, Merlin smiled to himself at that thought. Gwaine may like to save 'damsels in distress', but in truth every woman he had seriously flirted with, had been one with spirit and courage. Even the ill-fated Eria, Morgana's spy, who had by law been executed after their return from Camlann. Gwaine had remained hurt by her betrayal, even if he'd refused to admit it, but the warlock knew that from now on his friend was going to be happy.

Of course, that wasn't going to spare Gwaine some good-natured teasing. Nearing the games-room, where he knew Gwaine, Percival, and Leon would be, Merlin leaned against the wall outside the door and listened. Chuckling quietly at what he heard.

"Come on, Gwaine, cheer up. You've got a wonderful time ahead of you, what with being married and no longer allowed to flirt with every pretty woman to walk by."

After Percival's ribbing of the knight, Leon joined in.

"And of course, no more going to the Rising Sun tavern every day either... Maybe we should take you there now. One last hangover, eh Gwaine?"

By the sounds of a small clatter, Gwaine had half-heartedly thrown something at one of them, before he spoke with considerable sarcasm.

"Ha ha, now you two are hardly ones to talk. I saw you, Percy, asking Gwen if she'd make a rag-doll for your little girl. Kid's barely over a year old, and she already has you wrapped around her finger. And you, Leon, you've been rushing home to your wife every night for the past week, waiting for your bairn to decide to make their appearance."

Merlin heard Leon grumble under his breath, for the knight's first-born was due any time now yet seemed to be in no hurry. Meanwhile, Percival laughed.

"Say what you want. We've both been married for more than a year, and you had your fun at our expense before our weddings. Now it's your turn!"

Leon laughed as well.

"We certainly will."

Gwaine's tone became one of feigned annoyance.

"Well then, I'll just have to salve my wounded ego by teasing Merlin or Mordred when time comes that one of them gets married."

Percival snorted.

"You'll be waiting a while then, by the looks of it. Mordred's dallied with a couple of girls, but never made a move on any of them, and Merlin hasn't show any interest in any of the fine ladies of Camelot, at all."

"Mordred's still only twenty, nearly twenty-one, he's got plenty of time to be picky. But Merlin's nearly thirty-four, he needs to make his mind up if he wants to have a family before he starts going grey."

The debate moved on to all the possible matches they could think up for their supposedly 'romantically challenged' Court Sorcerer, who incidentally slipped away down the hall rolling his eyes at their presumptions. Just because they'd never seen him showing an interest in a woman, didn't mean he wasn't courting one.

Merlin smirked to himself. He couldn't wait to see their faces, when they eventually found out how long he'd been courting Katryn right under all of their noses. Gwen was still the only one who knew, and she's been most helpful in helping with perfectly plausible excuses for her maid to be spending time with Camelot's Court Sorcerer. Especially since Prince Balther was nearing his fifth birthday, and was now being taught some of the basic commands for directing Scild to do things. Those lessons alone, created whole afternoons where Queen, Maid, Prince, and Warlock would seclude themselves in the prince's chambers with instructions not to be disturbed.

Those days were the best. Gwen sitting with Balther, while the prince giggled and got Scild to fetch and place things around and about the room. All the white Merlin and Katryn could sit beside each other, him with his arm draped around her shoulder.

No... Gwaine and the others still had a long way to go before they'd learn just how sneaky their friend could be. But Arthur was going to kick himself the most, for not spotting the relationship, because he did know just how sneaky Merlin could be. Yes, Merlin knew he was going to be teased once word did get out, but he could always argue back that they only knew because he'd told them. They'd never figure it out for themselves.

Still smiling to himself, Merlin headed for the Hall of Records, where he was due to meet up with Gaius and Lord Geoffrey for a casual chat. Gaius had retired now, with Liam now officially Court Physician, but he still assisted with the making of remedies and also with advice. But only for a portion of his day, for he had other things to be doing with his time these days.

Namely spending most of his time with Alice, who had finally been tracked down and brought to Camelot. They now shared what had been Merlin's room, with the main chamber continuing to serve as work and treatment room for Liam. They didn't mind at all, and in fact they enjoyed being of help to Liam, who certainly couldn't complain at having two master physicians who continued to teach and train him in all that they knew of the physician's and healer's crafts.

Merlin sighed in contentment at knowing his former guardian at last had his happiness with Alice. But in relation to Gaius having no formal duties these days, even Geoffrey had eased back a little, although for a different reason. That was because Geoffrey now had an apprentice, who was to be trained in all matters as to what books and documents the Hall of Records contained, and how and where they were categorised so they could be found. As for who that apprentice was?

Merlin entered the cavernous collection of bookshelf-crammed rooms, heading to where Geoffrey sat talking with Gaius. It was as he sat down with them to join that conversation, that the warlock caught a glimpse of his sixteen-year-old ward hurrying down one of the narrow aisles with an armful of books.

Daegal hadn't been impressed with the prospect of being trained to be the next Court Archivist, but Merlin knew his grumbling had just been for show. The former waif, after almost three years of lessons, was a fluent reader of both the current and archaic forms of the common tongue, and was also reasonably fluent in the Old Tongue, both due to being Merlin's ward.

It meant that Daegal could already correctly read the titles of most of the older books, a necessity when retrieving or re-shelving them. Geoffrey had already extolled to several members of the court, at how pleased he was with his new apprentice and the talent the boy showed for the role. And Daegal fair glowed at that praise, when he thought no-one was around to see him do it. There was also the fact that the Court Archivist was often asked to locate books for Merlin's research, and the prospect of one day indirectly working for his guardian who he idolised, gave Daegal great determination to succeed.

It showed, for those who knew what to look for, in the way Daegal would chatter about the interesting-sounding books he'd looked for or re-shelved on any particular day. It also showed in the cheeky grin he flashed Merlin's way as he worked, an occurrence that happened several times during the conversation being held at the table.

And when time came that Merlin made his excuses to leave, citing he has last minute preparations to complete before the wedding tomorrow, it was Daegal who poked his head around the Hall of Records door after Merlin had exited through it.

"Sneaking off to spend time with her again, are we?"

Merlin glanced back at his ward, with one eyebrow raised and a small smile on his face.

"Unless you want me to make you bray like a donkey, you'll keep those comments to yourself."

Daegal grinned.

"I still can't believe you've managed to keep it quiet for so long."

Merlin folded his arms across his chest, giving the teenager a long look.

"That's because I'm very good at hiding things in plain sight. So if word does get out, I'll know who let it loose. Won't I?"

Daegal laughed and vanished back into the Hall of Records, leaving Merlin to go off and 'consult' with Katryn about what she thought would be the best spells to keep flowers of the wedding garlands looking fresh.

After all, this was one of their friend's wedding they were preparing for. They had to make sure it was perfect, didn't they?

~(-)~

Alaia Skyhawk: Just a little intro chapter, setting the scenes and all that jazz. I hope you guys liked it :)

And a little bit of trivia for you. The name of Gwaine's wife-to-be is a little play on his legend. 'Viridiana' means 'green', and Gwaine is the 'Green Knight' hehehehehehe!