“It's a good thing we’ve been mustering for awhile now,” Sir Tor remarked, glancing through parchments that sat atop the Round Table.

The entire gathered Round Table agreed heartily. In the meeting room sat or stood Sirs Gwaine, Elyan, Percival, Leon, Tor, Morholt, Galahad, Mordred, along with Merlin and King Arthur. All over the table rested parchments and scrolls, inkwells and quills.

The sun had long since sunk beneath the horizon, and they only continued working through the light of dozens of candles. The knights stayed hard at work, figuring out the best way to proceed with the imminent battle.

In the end, they decided to send four thousand troops to the Perilous Lands, leaving two thousand men to guard the city and the border in the north. Even with Sir Tristan’s skill at interrogation, they had been unable to determine whether half of Morgana’s forces remained in the north.

What they knew included the location of Morgana’s castle, Volkihar, and the fact that she remained there with Fira and eighteen powerful sorcerers. They knew now that Fira, referred to by her druid name Nyx, did provide Morgana with Merlin’s identity as Emrys. And lastly, the knew now that Lancelot had become Morgana’s favorite champion and commander.

Arthur sighed and put down the scroll he’d been reading. “I want each of you to rest well tonight. We all move out before dawn.” He nodded to them in encouragement when he saw their hesitant faces. “I already sent Tristan, Bedivere, and Yvain ahead to gather the army together. They'll be ready come morning.”

Gwaine stood. “So will we.”

He nodded to the king before storming out. The others shared uncertain glances over Gwaine’s attitude. It had dramatically changed since that morning, though they supposed that was only natural. Still it was unnerving.

Arthur shrugged in defeat. “Dismissed.”

That following morning, Galahad woke slowly from slumber. The darkness outside quietly lifted as he dressed and allowed his servant Erik to put him in armor. The sun rose red into the sky, heralding a day of rainfall. Indeed, by the time Galahad had breakfasted and headed out to the courtyard where his horse stood ready, a light drizzle had begun.

“Lovely weather!” Tor shouted a greeting and laughed as he pulled himself onto his white stallion. “Can't wait for today.”

Elyan appeared from a walkway nearby and chuckled. “You're insane, you know that?”

Galahad shook his head with a smile at his friends’ antics. He patted Hadwin on the neck before mounting and waved to Merlin who led Hengroen and Gringolet into the square. The servant waved back. Galahad saw Merlin’s face fall as he looked at someone behind the young knight. Galahad turned Hadwin to see who it was.

At the top of the steps, Gwaine, Leon, and Arthur stood talking in hushed tones under the overhang to stay dry. After resolving whatever discussion had been had, the three men hurried down the steps to where the entire Round Table and several other knights waited.

Gwaine sent Merlin a smirk as Gringolet reared upon seeing his master, throwing them manservant off guard. “I'll take that, mate. No need for you to hurt yourself.”

Merlin looked visibly startled by the humor in Gwaine’s voice. He handed over the reins to the knight and stood back.

“Cat got your tongue?” Gwaine patted him on the back. Then he leaned in and whispered. “Better go help the princess. He’s not used to doing things by himself.”

Tristan leapt atop his brown mare, Passelande, a chuckle escaping his lips at Gwaine's thinly disguised comment. He rode over to Gwaine and the two clasped arms atop their steeds.

“You ready for some revenge, my friend?” Tristan smirked. “Because I know I am.”

Gwaine nodded emphatically. “You know that I am.”

Leon and Arthur looked at the twenty or so knights gathered. The king held up his hand for silence as he sat on Hengroen quietly. Once the gathered men fell silent, he spoke firmly and with fiery passion.

“Yesterday, Morgana made a fatal mistake. She targeted the Queen of Camelot, and in the process killed six of our own. Two of those who fell belonged to my own kin, and I will not let that slight go unpunished.” He continued angrily. “Morgana is a traitor to her family, to her one time home, and it is time her cruel tyranny was ended!”

Several swords were drawn and shouts went up in solidarity. Arthur nodded to them before continuing. “She should've known better than to mess with the knights of Camelot! Together we stand as one, and as one we will defeat the witch.” He looked out at his men and nodded. “For the glory of Camelot!”

Almost every knight cheered alongside him. For the glory of Camelot became the battle cry as the knights cantered down through the lower town and reported to their places as commanders of the guards and troops. But Elyan, Leon, Galahad, Gwaine, Mordred, and Percival remained beside the King at all times, his personal guard. Behind the king went Merlin, ever there to protect and serve.

The army moved out like a wave covering the shore of a beach. Most men went on foot, but all the knights stayed on horseback guiding them forward. They estimated a three day trip to the border at the least.

At the end of the first day, the rain finally ceased. The entire army, soaked to the bone, forged onwards only because of the rage in their bones against Morgana. Of the knights, Tristan seemed visibly the most uncomfortable.

“Cheer up, Tristan,” Tor laughed as he tossed him a waterskin during their camping that night. “It's not raining any more.”

Tristan rolled his eyes but caught the waterskin with ease. He took a drink before responding. “Why didn't we bring any mead with us?”

“You might not’ve,” Morholt smirked.

Tristan visibly brightened. “Who did?!”

“Oh come on,” Bedivere chuckled from where he sat roasing a rabbit over the fire. “Take a guess.”

Tristan grinned like a maniac and stood from his spot around their campfire. He jogged across the several yards to where the other company of main knights sat.

“Gwaine!” Tristan grinned. “Friend!”

Gwaine rolled his eyes. He gestured with his hand. “You get one bottle, Tristan. They're in my saddlebag by Gringolet.” He shouted again after the knight. “Grab me one too, mate.”

“Mead or ale?”

“Mead.”

“Got it.”

Tristan returned with two bottles. He handed one to Gwaine before heading back to his own campsite. Gwaine in turn took a swig, looking around at the busy knights who had yet to set up their sleeping arrangements. Only Percival sat nonchalantly, reading a book he’d borrowed from Merlin and Gaius.

Gwaine’s lips curled in a roguish smile. “Reading, Perce? Didn't know you had it in you.”

“Some of us now how to do more than smash people over the head,” Perce bit back without even giving him a glance.

Gwaine rolled his eyes with a smile on his lips. He went back to watching the scenery around him. Leon and Elyan busily talked with Arthur not far away, while Galahad set up his bedroll nearby. He glanced over at his other friends’ campsite to see Tristan enjoying his own alcohol while talking animatedly with Tor and Morholt. Bedivere completely ignored their antics. Gwaine laughed to himself. Bedivere was cut from the same cloth as Leon, that was for sure.

“You look cheerful.” Merlin’s voice sounded behind him and the man came to sit beside the knight. As Gwaine frowned, Merlin continued. “Don't stop on my account!”

“What did you give Percival?” Gwaine pointed at the other knight with his sword. “What could possibly be so interesting.”

“Oh that?” Merlin laughed. “It's called Beowulf. Remember that delegation from the Danes that brought several books? Gaius ended up with one of the copies. It's a popular story there.”

“You should read more, Gwaine,” Percival laughed when the man made a disgusted face.

“No thank you,” chuckled the knight, raising his hand as if to block something. He proceeded to drink.

Leon and Elyan joined them moments later. The quick and witty banter between the friends allowed Merlin to better observe his companions.

Right off the bat he knew Gwaine was putting on his cheerful demeanor as an act. Merlin figured the others had some inkling to that truth as well, and that maybe even Gwaine himself knew that they knew. But Gwaine did it to comfort everyone around him, and it worked. It allowed for a comfort they desperately needed.