"Everything's quiet, then," Fira asked in a whisper.

Leon nodded, "Nothing more than birds and crickets." Turning to face her he said, "And the horses. How are they fairing? We rode them pretty hard today."

"They're enjoying the rest, that's for certain. But they should be ready to run hard again tomorrow."

"And how about you. How are you doing?"

She looked at him in surprise, "How am I? I'm doing fine."

"Arthur spoke to me about the voices you've been hearing," Leon admitted, "Beware the Green Knight. Have you any idea what it could mean?"

Fira shook her head, "No clue, I'm afraid. But I think it’s safe to say the Green Knight is somehow connected to those mercenaries."

"Hopefully we will find more answers back home."

She nodded and together the two of them stood silently, looking out into the trees side by side. The world lay in a quiet slumber, and it seemed wrong somehow to disturb the restfulness of night.

Eventually Fira wandered back over to the horses to check on them. All eight were still there and in fine health. She sat down and stretched her legs out, leaning against a tree.

A few hours later and Fira still wasn't tired. In fact, she felt wide awake. It was time to switch off with Merlin, so she got up and shook him.

"What the?!"

"Shh! It’s time for you to watch the horses."

Merlin groaned but nodded, pulling himself up into a sitting position and rubbing his eyes. Fira crawled into her bedroll and lay down, trying to fall asleep.

When Fira next opened her eyes it was to the bright sun. She blinked, covering her eyes to protect them from the glare. Gwaine was next to her, packing up his stuff.

"Finally decided to wake up," he laughed. Gwaine handed her a plate with some food, "Eat up, I'll pack your stuff. Arthur wants to leave as soon as possible."

"Thanks."

She ate in silence, content to just sit, her mind blank. But before long Arthur was ordering them up on horseback and they took off. It didn’t take long for them to break the trees, and soon traveling became much easier across the open fields. The wind felt pleasant against Fira's face as she rode Aland across the sea of green.

"Whoa!" Arthur shouted

He reared up, stopping his horse suddenly. The others followed.

In front of them, a man in chainmail was sitting up, holding his left arm. He was surrounded by five corpses, all in black, and a dead horse.

Arthur dismounted, followed closely by the knights. Fira and Merlin both dismounted as well. They approached the injured man.

"Do you require assistance," Arthur asked.

"Ah yes! I could use a bit of help," he laughed, "I was ambushed out of nowhere. The vermin killed my horse."

They helped him to his feet.

"Sir Tor, formerly of King Roldan's court, but since dismissed," he bowed from his shoulders.

"King Arthur, of Camelot," he said warily.

"My Lord!" Tor sputtered, "I was on my way to Camelot to request an audience with you."

"I'm not sure I'm aware of King Roldan," Arthur countered, still unsure about the man.

"I'm not surprised. His lands don't border Camelot. It is a peaceful kingdom, Somerset, far to the south and renowned for its magical prowess. As such," Tor grinned, "we didn't exactly advertise our existence."

"Now then. Why were you seeking an audience with me?"

Sir Tor grew serious, "Dark things are stirring near Somerset. A power very strong and very old. They say that the Emerald Lady walks again."

Fira's head perked up slightly. The Emerald Lady? Who was that? Was it connected to the Green Knight? Arthur, Leon, and Merlin evidently felt the same because she noticed all three of them shift uncomfortably.

"What does this have to do with Camelot?"

"You mean you don't know the prophecy," Tor stared at them in disbelief.

"No," Leon replied.

"Now is not the time to speak such ill words," Sir Tor insisted, "Not out here in the open."

"Then you shall return to Camelot with us," Arthur told him, "Who will ride together to give Sir Tor a horse?"

"Aland will take him. I can ride with Merlin," Fira volunteered. Arthur, the knights, and Merlin all stared at her skeptically, "All I need to do is tell him, and he'll do it!"

Arthur nodded and Fira went over to Aland. She whispered something I'm his ear, to which he shook his head up and down. Fira beckoned for Tor to come over.

"This is Aland. He'll do whatever you tell him, but be careful not to be too rough."

"Of course, my lady," he bowed, mounting the beautiful palomino.

Fira smiled and then Merlin pulled her up into his saddle. They were the two smallest so it was only natural they be put together. They set off once again towards Camelot.

Late that evening the company came upon the city. The group, now much larger than the one that initially set out, was the center of attention as they rode through the Lower Town. Once in the inner citadel courtyard, they dismounted.

"Arthur," Fira offered, "Shall I take our three guests to see Gaius. They're all injured."

"Yes. Please do. Sir Tor, once you're feeling up to it, please have Fira or Merlin show you to my room so we can discuss this prophecy."

Sir Tor bowed to the King before following Fira across the courtyard. Gareth and Gaheris quickly caught up with them.

Arthur turned around to ask Gwaine something. But he was gone. The king looked around, confused, but the other knight was nowhere to be found.

"Where'd Gwaine go?"

Leon, Elyan, Percival, and Merlin also scanned the courtyard. None of them had seen him leave. He'd been very quiet all day.

"Never mind," Arthur sighed, "The three of you go get some dinner and then sleep. If you see Gwaine, ask him to come see me. Merlin, deal with the horses."

The three knights set off towards the kitchens, Merlin went to the stables, and Arthur headed to find Guinevere.

Fira opened the door to her chambers quietly, as she wasn't sure that Gaius would be awake. Fortunately he was, sitting at the table eating dinner.

"We're back, Gaius."

"Fira! Glad you're back safely!"

"Thanks. This is Sir Tor of Somerset, Gaheris, and Gareth."

"Pleasure to meet you. I'm Gaius, court physician. The three of you take a seat here at the table and I'll take a look at you."

Fira pulled Gaius aside, "I'm going to go look for Gwaine after I change. He disappeared on us when we got back. Merlin should be back to help soon, I think."

Gaius nodded and gave her a quick hug. She smiled and went into the back room where she changed into a grey dress with silver embellishments. Because it was cold outside, she also threw on her black cloak. Satisfied with her attire, Fira left Gaius to tend to the three patients.

She scoured the citadel from top to bottom. When Gwaine was nowhere to be found, Fira decided to try the tavern. After all, if he wasn't in the citadel, where else would he be?

She pushed open the wooden door of the tavern, and was greeted with the smell of unwashed men and ale. It nearly took her breath away. Why Gwaine enjoyed these places so much, Fira couldn't even imagine. Nevertheless, she scanned the room but found no trace of the missing knight. Fira was about to leave when someone called her name.

"Fira!"

She glanced around and finally caught sight of Percival sitting at a table by himself. Fira waved and went over as he beckoned to her.

"What are you doing in here," he asked as she sat down across from him.

"Looking for Gwaine. You?"

Percival nodded, "I was hoping he'd make his way down here and I could catch him."

"Have you any idea why he's disappeared on us," she quizzed him.

The knight took a quick sip of his drink, "Not really, but if I had to guess I'd say it has something to do with his brothers."

"I don't suppose he ever mentioned them to you," Fira commented.

Percival shook his head, "No. He mentioned an older sister once, in passing, but nothing about brothers."

"It’s all rather odd."

Suddenly the door opened. Fira turned around to look when Percival signaled to someone. Sir Galahad grinned and waved, pushing his way over to the other two. He pulled up a chair and sat down at their table.

"What has you up so late, Galahad?" Percival asked him.

"I slept in late today, Sir Bedivere had given me the day off."

"Lucky you," Fira smiled, "You wouldn't happen to have seen Gwaine tonight, would you?"

"I saw Merlin a few minutes ago, and he asked me the same question. I'm afraid the answer is no."

Fira frowned, "I should get going. I told Gaius I'd find Gwaine."

They said goodbye and Fira quickly pushed through the drunken crowd and out onto the street. She breathed in the fresh air contentedly. It was much better than the stuffy tavern.

Suddenly, as she looked up at the beautiful full moon, she caught sight of someone standing on the highest of the walls. It didn't look like a guard; usually the guards didn't patrol up that high. Fira decided to try her luck. Perhaps it was Gwaine.

She walked quickly up the first stairs which were outside. She made her way towards the spiral staircase in the turret. She passed a small regiment of three guards on her way. Fortunately they didn't try to stop her.

Almost everyone who worked in the castle knew that Fira had the king's favor. As such, she was well treated by everyone despite her peasant birth. Many of the guards even referred to her as Lady Fira. However it did confuse many servants and guards alike as to why Fira had gotten into the inner circle of knights, and why she and Merlin were on such good terms with the King. They couldn't explain it.

Fira reached the fourth and final door at the top of the turret. She opened it and walked out onto a long, wide stretch of wall. The sides were about chest height on her. At the far end she saw two men. They turned upon her entrance. Because of the moon's light behind their heads she couldn't make out their faces.

"You as well," sighed the taller of the two. The other was sitting down, back against the wall.

"Gwaine! I've been looking everywhere for you!"

"You and Merlin both. Well you've both found me."

Merlin snorted.

"What are you doing up here?"

"I'm-"

"-He's thinking," Merlin cut him off.

"Ah."

"'Bout what?"

"Nothing that need concern you," Gwaine said quickly.

Merlin rolled his eyes and shrugged. He patted the ground next to him as an invitation for Fira to take a seat and she did so. Fortunately her dress wasn't unruly.

"We're staying here until you talk, Gwaine," Merlin insisted.

Gwaine groaned but turned to face them.

"It's just... Well my brothers and I aren't on the best of terms, right?"

The warlocks nodded.

"Well Gareth told me that my mother was gone. Dead I assume. But I'd promised her once that I'd take care of her, make sure she was alright. Even after I traveled."

Merlin and Fira could see where this was going.

Gwaine hung his head and turned away once more, "I failed her. And I failed my brothers."