The following evening, Freya prepared to attend Prince Arthur's birthday feast, her heart heavy. The maid, Gwen as she had asked Freya to call her, helped her with her clothes and hair, humming gently to herself.

Noticing the faraway look in Freya's eyes, Gwen asked, "Is everything alright, my lady?"

Freya's attention returned to the present. She met Gwen's concerned brown eyes and smiled distractedly. "Hmm? Oh, yes, everything's fine, Gwen. I think I'm still a bit tired." Her attention wandered off again, a frown seeming to have taken permanent residence upon her brows.

"Are you certain, my lady? I can ask Gaius to prepare you something to help ease the tiredness."

Freya shook her head. "Thank you, but that won't be necessary. A good night's rest should do the job." 

Gwen nodded, still worried but felt it wasn't in her place to pursue the matter. With a final brush of Freya's silky locks, the maid declared her ready. She stepped back and observed her handiwork. "You look very beautiful," she told Freya. "I have no doubt you will be the talk of the celebration."

Freya chuckled. "We cannot have that now, can we? It is the Prince's party, after all."

"I am sure his ego will survive this one night," Gwen replied with a snort, making both of them smile.

Freya played with the pendant around her throat unconsciously before she hardened her heart once more. Her hand sought out the dagger hidden in the folds of her dress before following after the maid, heading down to the dining hall.

*  *  *  *

"Is there something wrong, Merlin?" Gaius inquired, standing in front of his worktable. He watched as his ward paced restlessly, brows bunched together into an angry frown.

"I'm not quite sure, Gaius. What do you think of Queen Freya?" Merlin asked, finally stopping to look at his mentor.

Gaius kept staring at Merlin. "What is there to think? She is obviously a friend of the King's and he regards her highly."

"And you don't find that strange?" Merlin demanded. "She used magic in front of the whole court—the King himself!—and wasn't thrown into the cells or executed immediately."

Gaius opened his mouth to respond but closed it hastily, avoiding Merlin's searching gaze. "The King does as he pleases, Merlin. Whatever his reasons are, they are his and it's not our place to question him."

Merlin strode across the room in two long strides until he stood in front of the physician. "What is it? What aren't you telling me, Gaius?"

Gaius gave a long, suffering sigh before answering Merlin. "Freya's mother was King Uther's closest friend and first love. They would have married if it weren't for Balthor, Freya's father. They met and fell in love instantly, breaking King Uther's heart. Nevertheless, they stayed good friends over the years and occasionally visited each other."

Merlin's eyes were wide. "Well, that certainly explains Uther's affections for Freya."

Gaius nodded. "Freya is also a spitting image of her mother except for her eyes."

"That doesn't explain why she is here right now, though. If what she said was true, her parents had been dead for fifteen years and she never contacted Camelot until now. She couldn't have been very old when they passed away. Where did she stay? Who looked after her? There's more to this than meets the eye, and I need to find out what it is."

Gaius hesitated before nodding. "Be careful, Merlin. She has the King's support."

Merlin nodded and left, determination making his lips tighten. He will do whatever is necessary to protect Arthur and Camelot regardless of the consequences that may arise.

A/N: Short chapter this time, but the following one is going to be long, considering things are going to go down in Arthur's party. ;)