Lorie ended up not going with them, but instead stayed behind to help with the Winter Solstice preparations. She claimed she hated combat, and would only do such things if forced. Leon didn't argue, but reminded her that a time might come when her services would be necessary.

“How'd you end up with that perfect woman,” Percival said, shaking his head while the group rode out of Castle Bertilak. “She's too pure for you.”

Gwaine laughed so hard he nearly fell off Gringolet. “Pure? Lorie?”

He continued to chuckle, repeating what Percival had said in amusement. Finally he collected himself as he patted his faithful steed on the neck absentmindedly. Gwaine loved Gringolet.

“What's the plan, Leon?” Elyan rode next to their leader.

Leon sighed. “Tor and Morholt should be waiting for us near the outskirts of the city.” He pointed ahead of them. “From that point on, they'll be in charge.”

Fira urged Aland forward and she flanked Leon on his left. “Will we get to see the ocean?” She wore a wistful expression, and her eyes remained full of a deep longing.

Leon flashed her a tight smile. “Perhaps.”

Fira closed her eyes and allowed her horse to guide her. Reaching out with her senses, and enhancing them with her magic, she tried to read the world around her.

Everything in Somerset felt more alive than in Camelot. Camelot was a land all but devoid of magic, with the lake of Avalon and the few druid camps the only remaining safe havens. But Somerset had not suffered through the Great Purge. The land itself reflected the magic of its people. She felt her body tingle as she reached out and felt the grass with her mind. She heard the animals in the trees, saw in her mind the teenagers practicing basic spells in their front yards.

Gwaine was going on about something, some story pertaining to a drinking game he’d once taken part in. She smiled as her eyes remained closed. Gwaine had been in high spirits ever since their arrival in Somerset and his reunion with his beloved Lorie.

Percival was humoring his best friend, riding to the right of him upon his own steed. His mouth was set in a tiny smile and every once and awhile Gwaine would say something to really amuse him and he’d laugh. Galahad, to Gwaine’s left, was grinning ear to ear at his friend’s antics.

They joined up with Tor and Morholt soon enough. The two Somersetons nodded to the group and pulled themselves onto their steeds.

“From here we head East. The Lady’s troops were last seen in that area.” Tor pointed his horse up a road and together they began their journey.

“You're strangely quiet,” Elyan said to Fira, leaning forward so he could see her on the other side of Leon. “You're never this quiet unless something’s bothering you.”

Fira chuckled lightly. “Sir Elyan. For the first time in my entire life, I’m in a place where my entire self is accepted, is venerated. An intrinsic part of my being, my magic… it's celebrated here where in Camelot I would be hung if the public found out.”

Leon and Elyan stopped smiling. Her last statement, meant to be just an offhand remark, had troubled them greatly.

“You really don't believe Arthur would have you killed, do you?” Elyan looked at her in surprise.

Fira sadly glanced at the ground. Gwaine had finished his story, and she guessed the others were listening in. When she raised her eyes, her gaze was hard.

“What choice would he have?” She pursed her lips. “I'm a sorceress. And for that, there is but one sentence in Camelot. Death.”

Fira spurred her horse forward. She began to gallop up the hill they traveled on, forcing Aland into a run. She wasn't angry, exactly. Okay, maybe a little angry. For she had glimpsed a paradise for herself, a land where magic was accepted. Yet at the same time she knew she would have to leave, would have to return to a place where she had the threat of death hanging over her head, had endless teasing and whispers from the other servants because of her druid past. Would Arthur have her killed if the public found out?

What was the alternative?

Exile? Because that was so much better. Never being able to see her friends, her family. Forced to live out a life not meant for her? She was meant to help Merlin. She was meant to be the knights’ last line of defense.

She heard horses coming up behind her as she reached the climax of the hill. With a word to Aland he flew down the other side. At the bottom, Aland reared up and she looked at the top of the hill. Her friends finally reached it.

Fira smiled then spoke. “Léoht blícan ond spearcian!”

She threw her hand up towards the sky, her eyes flashed gold, and a thousand little sparkling specks of light hung in the air between herself and the company.

Tor and Morholt were the first to begin riding through them. The itty bitty spots of light moved from them as they cantered on. They loved seeing this girl, this savior of theirs, learning to be free.

“Come on!” Fira called to the others with a laugh in her voice. “We haven't got all day, you lazy idiots!”

At that the others followed without hesitation. The dazzling lights were mesmerizing as they rode through them. Gwaine tried to poke one but it kept moving away from him. Once they reached the bottom, Fira was waiting for them. She let Tor and Morholt take the lead.

“Very nice,” Moholt smiled. “You're going to like the Winter Solstice light shows.”

“Maybe you could start them off!” Tor looked very excited at the prospect. “Show them your abilities.”

Fira bowed her head with a smile. “I would enjoy that, though I fear most of my magic is instinctual and not too pleasing to look at.”

“Nonsense,” Tor admonished. “What you did there was instinctual, was it not? And certainly dazzling.”

Fira laughed and thanked them, dropping back to Elyan and Leon. Her smile fell immediately as they looked at her. The trio still thought about Camelot.

“Arthur would not harm you,” Elyan assured her. “He is a good man, you know that.”

Fira snorted. “I'm less worried about the King and more about the people. Especially those in the Castle.”

“What do you mean?” Leon looked at her quickly and shrewdly.

Suddenly Fira stammered. “Nothing.” The jeers of her fellow workers filled her mind but she shut that down as quickly as possible.

Leon rolled his eyes. “You're lying.”

“You'll find secrets to be a nicer courtesy than truth, often enough,” Fira bit back. “You wouldn't like what you find.”

“We deserve to know what you meant by those in the Castle,” Elyan argued. “If you think you're in danger-”

“Let's just say many people don't agree with Arthur letting a druid mix with his knights.” Fira glared at tuft of hair between Aland’s ears. “And they make it bloody well known.”

Leon and Elyan, and behind them Gwaine, Percival, and Galahad, all sat straighter in their saddles. Tor and Morholt stayed out of it, riding a bit farther ahead.

“Well I don't give a damn what they think,” Gwaine laughed. “Their loss if they don't like you.”

“Easy for you, Sir Gwaine,” Fira bit back with a vicious anger. “But it makes it that much harder to convince myself this is worth it every day when the people working around you hate and mock you, and the threat of death or exile hangs over your head! I'd like to see how long you’d last.”

“Calm down Fira,” Galahad murmured. “You're not the only one with the threat of death on your head.”

“You're a Knight, Galahad, no one is allowed to threaten you.” Fira growled and shook her head. “And your magic isn't even identifiable to anyone but those of us with magic. You could easily deny it.”

“Threaten?” Leon instantly grappled onto her word choice. “Who’s threatened you?”

“No one.” Fira immediately retracted her statement. Angry tears streamed down her face. “No one of importance at least.”

Gwaine watched her, uncharacteristically quiet. He couldn't help but wonder if having Merlin around made her happier. He wished the man could've come with them. Merlin probably would've liked Somerset, too. And God knows he’s always in need of a vacation.

“Anyone who threatens you is of importance,” Percival said softly from where he rode beside Gwaine.

“Don't worry, I'm untouchable because they know I have the King’s favor.” She smiled to herself ruefully. “But if they ever found I had magic…”

As she dropped the topic and was obviously done discussing it, Gwaine swooped in and saved her by delving into another story. As they made their way across Somerset’s grassy rolling plains, his voice kept them awake. When they arrived at their destination, though, everyone fell silent.