Ygraine's Ring

Chapter 1

The rain continued to pour down on Camelot, as it had been doing for almost the entire day. Gaius was sitting quietly in his room, studying - as he so often did - one of his books on medicine. His reading was, however, suddenly and loudly interrupted by Merlin bursting in through the door, soaking wet, clearly in a bad mood and needing to let off steam.

"You know, I am really beginning to wonder about the sanity of the future king of Camelot! How on earth is hunting – in the pouring rain! – EVER a good idea?! And is Arthur content with dragging me around the woods through ditches and soaking undergrowth after defenceless little rabbits? Oh no! OH NO! Then I have to get him a bath when we get back, deal with his filthy clothes, and clean up all the mud he has walked over the floor that I scrubbed this morning."

Gaius removed his glasses and looked at the young sorcerer, who was standing in the middle of the room, dripping and fuming. "I take it, Merlin, that you have not had a good day."

Merlin didn't answer, but just gave Gaius a sideways look that perfectly conveyed the truth of Gaius' words. Gaius smiled.

"Go and get yourself dry or you'll catch your death of cold, and I'll get you some food."

Meanwhile, in another part of the castle, a somewhat happier and drier Arthur entered the council chambers, where Uther and others, including Sir Leon, were gathered in discussion. All of those gathered looked up as Arthur entered the room and gave a slight bow of his head to acknowledge the king.

Uther greeted his son: "Arthur! I trust you have had a good day?"

Arthur's experience of the day had been very different to that of Merlin. "Excellent, thank you father. A very enjoyable hunt. You sent for me?"

"We have received an invitation from Bayard to visit his court. I believe that such a visit would strengthen our links with Mercia."

Arthur nodded his head in agreement, "Quite…"

The king continued, "Sadly affairs here in Camelot make it impossible for me to go at this time, so I would like you to represent me there. I am sure that Bayard will be delighted to receive you on my behalf."

Arthur was, however, less delighted with this prospect, but masked his feelings perfectly as he again nodded in agreement: "Father. I will leave tomorrow. If you will excuse me, I will go to prepare immediately."

Uther nodded his approval, and turned back to the table and to other matters, leaving Arthur to his preparations. Arthur, however, rolled his eyes in dismay as soon as he'd turned his back on the Council. He couldn't imagine anything he would rather be doing less than going on an official visit. He spoke under his breath to Leon as they both walked towards the door, barely concealing the disgruntlement in his voice.

"Don't worry, I wouldn't dream of inflicting such a visit on you and the other knights. Take care of Camelot whilst I am away."

But as they left the room, a servant in the corner who had been watching them closely slipped quietly and swiftly away. The information about Arthur's trip was of value to someone else.

Merlin's mood was not improved by the news that he was going to have to leave Camelot for several days, especially as he was beginning to feel he was going down with a cold, and as usual, Gaius was the one who was on the receiving end of the continuation of Merlin's latest rant. "Now he wants me to pack for him, get his horse ready, and get together some food for the journey! And then, of course, I'll have to come back and pack for myself."

He paused for a moment before going out through the door, sneezed, and turned to Gaius.

"Do you think it's possible to miss one's destiny by dying through over-work?"

Gaius simply chuckled.

But that evening, far beyond the walls of Camelot, the servant who had been in the council chambers earlier arrived at an old stone stronghold, now shrouded in darkness, that was his destination. And in one of its room, lit by several candles, he brought the news of Arthur's imminent journey to the sorcerer Alvar.

"And you are sure that Arthur will be departing for Mercia tomorrow?"

The servant nodded and added the extra information that he had gathered before leaving Camelot; "He will be travelling with no more than a dozen knights and soldiers."

"Then we shall be waiting for him…."