After Tor and Morholt surrendered their swords to Sir Adrian, the company continued leading their horses on towards the citadel. Fira was taking in every moment. She noticed the glances Sir Adrian kept sending her after Tor had referred to her as Nyx. But she was more interested in the people around her.

To the left, a pregnant young woman stood in an open doorway watching as a little girl ran circles with her small dog. To the right there were three boys playing Knights and Bandits wielding sticks as swords. An older man, perhaps one of their fathers, stood to the side, working in a garden.

As they continued on, the company watched Castle Bertilak draw near. They passed many knights, most of whom smiled upon seeing Tor and Morholt, but there was sadness in their eyes. The others knew that the two knights’ return could mean their deaths.

They entered the Castle quietly. Fira was at the back, longing to remain outside in the warm air. But in the end she relented, following her friends inside and allowing the large doors to shut. Great tapestries hung in the hallway that led to the throne room. She looked at them in wonder.

But her wonder soon turned to awe when they entered the throne room. There were many high windows that allowed light to flood inside the room. At the far end sat a man upon a beautifully carved wooden throne. The predominant color in the room was green including the robes which the king wore. His hair was golden flecked with white.

“Tor, Morholt, you have a lot of nerve to show your faces here again,” he growled.

Tor nodded and bowed alongside Morholt. “My lord, we return with great allies.”

“I see here knights of Camelot, do I not?” King Roland spat to the side. “Why should I welcome them?”

“Because we bring another,” Morholt insisted, jumping to his friend’s side in defense. “We being the Lady Nyx!”

Roland and the other nobles in the throne room paused in surprise. It became so quiet that Gwaine swore later he could hear his own blood pumping.

King Roland finally spoke. “Where is she?”

Fira stepped through the knights from the back. She looked nervously around at the nobles before her gaze finally landed on the King of Somerset. Fira bowed her head to him in respect.

“You are the warlock of legend?” King Roland arose from his throne and walked forward to her. “The one destined to help bring about a world where magic is welcomed?”

She nodded. “So I've been told. I assist Emrys in that mission every day. My name is Fira.”

Roland looked at her critically before a smirked formed on his face. Laughter was in his eyes as he began to chuckle. He put a hand on her shoulder and nodded to her.

“Then I welcome you. And if you vouch for these men that travel with you, they are welcome here as well.” He turned to the two knights of Somerset. “But you two, never again will I let you wear our colors. You broke your oath, and I cannot forgive that. I only spare your lives because you brought us Nyx, and she might be able to save this kingdom.”

Tor and Morholt nodded and knelt before their king on single knees. It was a fair punishment, and better than they deserved.

King Roland turned back to the others. “Now, who is here?”

Sir Leon stepped up. “I am Sir Leon, first Knight of Camelot. With me come Sir Elyan, Sir Percival, Sir Galahad, and Sir Gwaine all of Camelot, and with us also traveled Gareth and Gaheris of Orkney.”

Suddenly a woman’s voice sounded from a side door. “I don't believe it.”

She stepped inside, a crown upon her head with emerald jewels. Her eyes and hair were brown. She was older, a similar age to the King, but her hair had lost none of its color.

Gwaine, Gaheris, and Gareth all stood stock still. Their faces paled and then the youngest stepped forward.

“Mum?” Gareth’s voice was quiet, but his eyes were wide which said enough.

Fira whipped her head around to look from the trio of brothers to the Queen of Somerset. This was their mother?

She spoke quietly, her eyes never leaving her frozen sons. “Roland, dear, would you dismiss the court please?”

The king did as asked, obviously just as confused as everyone else. The room was quiet except for the shuffling of feet.

“You can leave too, my love,” the Queen shot him a look and though he was irritated, King Roland obeyed. She turned back to the group of newcomers.

“I almost don't believe my eyes,” she whispered. “Here my sons are, returned to me at last!”

Gwaine pushed forward from behind Leon. His eyes had tears in them, something Fira had never seen before. He stepped up to his mom. She placed a hand on his cheek and drew him into a hug.

“Gwaine.” Her eyes were puffy. “My you've grown since I last saw you.”

Gareth was next. The young man ran to his mother as Gwaine stepped away, wiping a stray tear from his cheek. Gaheris joined Gareth soon enough.

Fira was beaming ear to ear. She sensed great magic in this castle, and she thought she sensed it in the Queen, but she couldn't be sure. What she was sure of was that the joy in the men’s faces made her warm inside.

Gwaine, now composed, turned to the knights. “This is my mother, Morcades of Orkney.”

“Ah,” she said, holding up her hand. “About that. We have much to talk about. I ask that you all come with us deeper into the citadel where we can sit and chat. I cannot wait to hear about my sons’ friends.” Her gaze landed especially on Fira.

“Thank you, Queen Morcades,” Leon nodded.

“Here it is Queen Anna, actually,” she told them, leading the group down the side hallway she’d come from towards a large conference room.

She sat at the head of the table, with Gwaine on her left and Gareth and Gaheris on her right. The others filled in after them.

“I do not know how much Gwaine has told you about me,” Morcades began. “But there is much more than even you know, my son, that I believe it is time to tell.”

They waited expectantly. She stood from the table and walked around, her shoes clicking on the floor with every step.

“I was born Lady Morcades de Bois.” She threw a glance at her sons. “Eldest child of Eldor de Bois, my siblings are, or were Igraine Pendragon and Agravaine de Bois.”

Leon was the most shocked of all the knights closely followed by Gwaine himself. Leon knew the rumors of the third de Bois sibling, the one lost as a child.

“Are you saying Gwaine, and Gaheris, and Gareth are King Arthur’s cousins?” Fira murmured in shock.

Gwaine’s eyes were wide. He had no idea how to take this news. So, for perhaps the first time in his life, he bit his tongue and remained silent.

“Indeed they are cousins,” Morcades nodded. “I left Camelot city at the age of twelve to begin training with the High Priestesses. However the Purge began before my training was complete. My family hushed it up, eager to forget the member of the de Bois family that used magic.”

“You found yourself in Orkney, then,” Gwaine said quietly. “Where King Lot found you.”

“Yes.” She nodded with a sad smile. “Lot knew who I was, and perhaps intended to unite our kingdoms under you someday, but he was forced to leave our family when you were but a year old. Cenred had been born then too, an unexpected younger brother. It made succession a bit more complex.”

Gwaine’s anger bubbled to the surface. He didn't care why Lot had left. He had left, abandoned his mother to the life of a commoner.

“Then I met Aiken, your father.” She turned to Gaheris and Gareth. “Knowing Lot was probably never coming back, I married him and had the two of you!”

“How'd you find your way to Somerset?” Leon asked curiously.

Her eyes glassed over. “That is a long tale, one I am not ready to tell. Someday, perhaps. All that matters is once more I am a woman of the court. It was just luck that King Roland Bertilak fell in love with me three years ago and I became Queen.”

Percival nodded. “Under the name Anna?”

“Yes well, as you've seen, Camelot’s citizens are not well liked here.” She sighed. “Only my husband knows of my true name. I would prefer to keep it that way.”

Percival spoke up again, looking at his best friend. “Gwaine, you do realize you are now in the line of succession for three kingdoms.”

With a dramatic eyeroll, Gwaine shrugged. “Best we keep that under wraps, mate.”

“Arthur’s going to be simply thrilled,” Galahad joked.

At the name Arthur, Morcades’ lip twitched. Galahad didn't miss it, but he wondered what that was about. He decided he was overreacting, the magic of Somerset messing with his head.

Morcades stood. “Let me show you all to your rooms. You'll have to pair up, I'm afraid. Though you my young lady may have your own room if you wish it.”

“I do,” Fira smiled happily. “If it isn't too much trouble of course.”

“Not at all. Only the best for Nyx.” Morcades led them down a quiet hallway to a second one with many doors. “This is our guest wing. Take your pick.” They quickly paired off before she spoke again. “Oh Gwaine. You have your own room. This one.”

He looked at her in confusion before nodding.

“Freshen up. We will be feasting in an hour to celebrate the arrival of Nyx.” Morcades shot Fira a smile, and then Gwaine. “And Gwaine, don't say I never gave you anything.” She disappeared down the hall.

“What did she mean by that?” Elyan asked in confusion.

Gwaine shrugged. “I have no idea.” He reached for the doorknob to his room and clasped it in his hands. Opening the room, he stepped back in absolute shock. He looked like he’d seen a ghost.

The others hurried over to see what the matter was. Inside they found a young woman, the most beautiful woman they had ever seen. Her skin was pale and smooth, no blemishes anywhere. Her unkempt light blonde hair fell about her shoulders just the right way and her ears seemed slightly pointed. She wore a blush pink dress that flowed over her like cascading waves.

“Hello Gwaine.”

A/N: So there we have it. In the legends, Gwaine is Arthur's nephew through either Morgan le Fay or Morgause, which obviously doesn't work with the show. So I added Morcades, an early version of Morgause's name, to make them cousins. Morcades' other name versions included Anna.

Next chapter you'll meet someone special too.

I just love the irony of Gwaine, the one who hates nobles, being a prince of two kingdoms, and in the line of succession for another. It cracks me up far too much.