I stood behind the thrones of the King and Queen, listening to Kara's trial as it took place. I kept my eyes trained on the floor as I stood listening intently, afraid my heart would break all over again if I looked to Mordred or Kara or Merlin, though I could feel Kara's eyes trained on me. It seemed though I was able to strengthen and understand myself in my time away, I still failed to control my emotions efficiently.

"Were you part of a cohort of saxons who attacked an arms shipment bound for Camelot?" Arthur asked Kara.

"Yes."

"And were you acting under the orders of Morgana Pendragon?"

"What I did, I did for myself, for my people and for our right to be free," Kara denied.

"I have no quarrel with the Druids."

"I have spent my life on the run because of my beliefs and seen those I have loved killed."

"Once, maybe. But I'm not my father."

"You don't kill those with magic?" Arthur turned to look at her, staying silent for a moment.

"It is no longer outlawed in Camelot," he said, but she shook her head as though disbelieving that he would use such a thing as defense for his past with magic.

"It may not still be outlawed, but it is not difficult for you to see treason in harmless tricks... Acts of sorcery still have such strict restrictions that even the most light-hearted of acts can lead to death. It is not I, Arthur Pendragon, who needs to answer for my crimes, it is you. You and your father have brutally and mercilessly heaped misery on my kind. It is you who has turned a peaceful people to war... and it is you... and Camelot that shall pay the price."

"In your words... I hear the voice of Morgana. It is she and others like her who have abused the powers of magic. It is they who have brought the rift between our people. It is their deeds that have terrorized Camelot and forced us to look down upon such practices," Arthur reasoned. "But you stand before the court not because of an act of sorcery or sedition, but because an act of murder. Your actions have brought about the deaths of many good men and threaten the lives of many more."

"They were casualties of war. And I would do the same again, for I will not rest until you are dead and your kingdom is no more," Kara said coldly, turning to watch Arthur as he walked around the circle.

"Yet you have friends here." I looked up to see her sharing a look with Mordred. "Somehow you got treatment for your leg... from someone in Camelot. Who?"

"I treated myself."

"You're lying. Whoever it was left a trail of footprints in the mud..." I looked over to see Mordred look down in shame. "Footprints that resulted in your capture."

"A stranger came across me and helped me. I have no idea who they were."

"It was me," I spoke up before I could stop myself, and everyone turned to look at me, shock evident on their faces. I swallowed thickly, my cheeks beginning to burn from the sudden attention.

"Ariel?" Arthur asked, confused.

"I... arrived late that night and happened upon her on my way here," I began my lie, hoping that it would spare Mordred but keeping my eyes trained on the floor. "She's been a friend since I was young, when I was a Druid myself. I admit, I did not know of her crimes when I had happened upon her, and so I promised to come back to help her once I had the supplies I needed to do so... I had run into Sirs... Percival, Gwaine, and Leon, who told me of the attack... But I had made a promise." I looked up to Arthur then. "And I had no way to know for certain whether or not she had been a part of it, or happened to be in the crossfire, or... if she had been pursued by the Saxons herself. I could not assume... I did not want to." Arthur looked uncertain of what to make of what I said. "Later, I left my room and got some supplies before doubling back to help her."

"And you never thought to ask her when you went back to help her?"

"I was too afraid to ask, sire," I lied as though it was an admission, my heart racing in my chest. "I figured it safer to leave it be... She's a childhood friend... I do not wish harm to come to her."

Arthur looked thoughtful and I felt the eyes of both Kara and Mordred on me, but I kept my eyes trained on what was going on.

"Those were rather large boot prints for one with such small feet as yourself," he noted. I moved my cloak to expose my knee-high boots.

"I have needed to acclimate to warmer climates and keep my feet dry in my time away, sire," I reasoned. "I went to a cobbler and got a pair specific for my needs. They are very thick, heavy, water-resistant boots, and they have large soles for the sake of the mud. They are also a slightly larger size, as to allow for more layers of wool on my feet."

Arthur nodded in affirmation, agreeing that they would, indeed, create larger prints than those one would expect from me before he then turned to the knights in question.

"Gwaine, Leon, Percival," he called, and the three men shared looks before stepping forward. "Is this true? Did she hear about the attack from you three?"

They looked hesitant to answer, and they looked at me uncertainly before affirming that they had told me of the attack.

"And what was her reaction to the information?" They were quiet for another long time before Leon answered.

"She looked... frightened," he admitted. "As though she realized something of a terrible magnitude."

Arthur turned to Kara once again.

"And you know Ariella personally?" Kara glanced between us, looking uncertain of what to say before she nodded.

"We were children together," she agreed.

Arthur finally turned back to me, looking thoughtful once again.

"So you came upon a wounded old friend of yours, promised to help her, heard of an attack that had happened somewhere near her location, didn't want to assume she was a part of it, and went back to help her, is that correct?" He clarified, and I nodded. "And you didn't ask about how she sustained the wound out of fear... why were you afraid?"

I took a moment, looking to the floor and scrambling for an answer before I spoke.

"Many of the Druids have developed an... animosity toward Camelot and other peoples," I began slowly. "But the sword has two edges - other peoples have also developed a hatred for Druids." I looked back up to him once again. "Druids are a hated race by many because of their beliefs. I am too much a coward to hear more stories that break my heart. I'm tired of learning of good people dying because they have sorcery on their side... Of good people hurting when they have done nothing wrong."

Arthur thought for a moment.

"So you believe sorcery to be a force of good?"

"I believe all power is neutral, sire," I corrected in a hushed voice before turning my gaze to Kara, all my disappointment and pain pouring through my eyes as I beheld her, and she looked almost disappointed in herself. "It is what an individual does with such power that matters. That is what defines one's character." She looked down.

Arthur nodded and began his walking again.

"I do not believe you have done wrong, Ariel," Arthur told me, and I twitched, thankful that I was at least able to get Mordred out of trouble. "However, I am uncertain that I can fulfill your wish to not see your friend hurt." My heart sank and I began to panic.

"What?" I whispered in a slight panic, and he turned to Kara.

"You show no remorse for your actions. I have no choice but to declare you an enemy of Camelot. At dawn tomorrow, pursuant to the laws of this land, you will be taken from your cell... and hanged." I felt my heart break, fear filling my chest as he nodded to the guards to take her away.

"You can do as you wish. It will not stop Morgana's uprising. Your doom is near. And my only sadness is, I won't be there to see it," Kara snapped at him.

"Arthur, please, I-" I begged, rushing to him as he sat on his throne.

"Ariel, I have pardoned you for helping your friend, I can not do any more."

"Then do not pardon me, and pardon her in my stead," I begged. "She means no harm to anyone, I am certain, her mind can be changed-"

"My word is final," he denied, turning his gaze to me, and I felt tears fill my eyes. His eyes softened, but his assurance remained. "I'm sorry."

I turned and left the room, first at a brisk walk, but when I met the eyes of the three knights who had stepped forward, the three of my friends who were looking at me with such sadness, such pity and heartache of their own, my tears broke past the surface and I ran. I ran and ran, just like I would when I was free.

Before long, I realized I had run far enough, and I then made my way to the dungeons where I heard Kara and Mordred's voices.

"You are very loyal, Kara," I heard Mordred say, and I walked down the steps slowly, hearing them better with every step.

"The real person is... very dear to me," Kara began. "I was thankful when Ariel fabricated an innocent story..."

"She must have put it together very quickly."

"She's always done her best to protect us, hasn't she?" Kara asked with a little breathy laugh before they turned serious once again. "I will never tell anyone the truth. I would rather die than see the true culprit harmed."

"I will speak with the King," Mordred promised.

"He will never show mercy to someone like me," Kara denied.

"I will not let you die," I heard him insist strongly, and I pressed myself into the shadows as Mordred passed by. I didn't know if I could face him right then. So instead, I turned the corner.

"Kara," I called, and her head snapped up before she rushed to the bars.

"Ariel," she breathed, shocked as I walked up. "What are you doing here?"

"Well I had to see my friend, didn't I?" I asked rhetorically, smiling sadly and she smiled back. My heart broke at the sight of her smile. Who wouldn't fall in love with that smile? I never wondered, though, why Mordred cared for her. It was always obvious.

"Thank you... For what you did..." She said honestly, and I nodded.

"I'm sure you would do the same for me."

"Please tell me you're getting close to the King so you can betray him."

"He is my friend, Kara," I scolded.

"What is with you?" she asked incredulously, stepping away from the bars like I burned her. "You and Mordred, the both of you. He doesn't even know who you are, and if he did, who knows what he'd do to you?"

"You don't understand, Kara," I breathed.

"Then help me to."

So, I told her all about the destiny I had. And not only that, but how it intertwined with Mordred's, Merlin's, and Arthur's.

"So... magic will be accepted in Camelot?"

"One day," I reassured her, tears of hope, of bittersweet sadness, in my eyes, and she had tears as well as she took my hand.

"So there is hope?"

"There always will be, Kara," I insisted, and I cried as she did. "We don't need a prophecy to tell us as such... Please, never forget..."

"What is it?" she asked.

"The only way to fight the darkness is with your own unending light," I whispered before I heard the door to the dungeons open, and I glanced back to see the shadow of someone coming closer. "I must go. If I'm seen here, we could both get in trouble," I whispered. "But I promise you, I will speak with Arthur." She nodded and I hid in the shadows, watching as a guard passed by before I took off up the stairs.

For a long time, I paced back and forth, thinking of what I would say. Finally, after hours of wandering the halls and thinking, I knocked on Arthur's door, absolutely exhausted, but unwilling to rest until I knew Mordred's love was safe.

"Yes?" I heard him call, and I walked in, slightly hesitant. I saw him eating with Gwen. "Ariel," he greeted as I closed the door gently behind me.

"Sire," I nodded, keeping my eyes on the ground.

"I am almost certain I know what you are here for. Mordred came to talk about it, as well." My head shot up at that.

"Did he?"

"He did."

"What... did he say?"

"He told me she was a friend not only to you, but to him."

"He loves her, Arthur," I told him seriously, my heart breaking as I finally spoke it aloud, and tears of heartbreak trailed down my cheeks in spite of my best efforts to withhold them. He looked not only shocked, but pitying and uncertain as well, while Gwen looked merely uncertain.

"Don't you love him?" Arthur asked, and I shook my head.

"A fish may love a bird, my lord," I whispered, remembering my words from our journey.

"But where will they live?" he finished for me solemnly, remembering my words, and I nodded.

"But that is beside the point... sire... I know... the law is clear..." I felt more tears fall. "But I can not lose two people I love at once, sire," I begged, turning my gaze back to the floor and kneeling before him. "I beg you just to give Kara one chance. Just one."

"Ariel," Arthur began gently, kneeling down to me as well and taking my hand. "She has killed many men, and she said herself that she wishes harm upon Camelot."

"She is not at fault, sire," I begged, and he looked confused.

"How? She chose to act-"

"Your father outlawed magic, and ignored the beliefs of the Druids. He raided and killed many innocent people without reason-"

"They were sorcerers-"

"The reason you only see terrible things come from magic is because the people who wish to use their powers for good have either been corrupted or can not use their gifts because it would land them six feet under! I know of people who have been persecuted for saving the lives of dying children!"

Arthur was silent.

"The Druids only saw the hatred and anger the Pendragon family held toward something we were taught was not only a way of life, but was beautiful and sacred. No matter what they used their magic for, Uther would most certainly kill them. Even if you were saving a sick person, or forming smoke into shapes merely to tell a story." Arthur listened intently, looking thoughtful. "So here is my question for you: if you suffer your people to be ill-educated, and their manners corrupted from infancy, and then punish them for those crimes to which their first education disposed them, what else is to be concluded, sire, but that you first make thieves and then punish them?"

Again, Arthur looked thoughtful as he helped me stand and he leaned against the table.

"Kara is young, she is impressionable, sire-" just then, the door swung open.

"Merlin!" Gwen scolded.

"I'm sorry, my lady. I need to speak with Arthur. It's important."

"It'd better be," Arthur scoffed.

"It's Mordred." Merlin looked to me, and my eyes widened.

"What is it?" Arthur asked, and Merlin looked between the two of us. My heart was racing in my chest. What happened? Was he okay? What was going on?

"Arthur..." Merlin glanced at me again and shifted his weight.

"Are you going to tell me?"

"He, uh..."

"Well?"

"He's going to help the Druid girl escape."

My eyes widened, and immediately, all three of us took off running, trying to get to them before it happened.

If Mordred escaped with Kara, all would be lost. There would be no chance for redemption, no chance for Mordred to reconcile with Arthur.

And I would never see him again.

They were gone when we arrived.

~:~:~:~:~

"You can not come with us, Ariella," Arthur demanded, but I shook my head.

"Any chance that I could convince them to return, I'm taking it."

"You have to put your personal feelings aside, Ariel."

"I can not," I admitted. "But I will do everything in my power to help you get them back here."

Arthur didn't have time to argue, and we both knew it. After another moment, he agreed.

"You're staying with me."

"Of course."

We took off into the forest, searching as best as we could.

"Over here," Percival called, and I dismounted. "I thought I saw something." Arthur drew his sword, and I swallowed thickly. We took off into the darkness, going as fast as we could, Leon and Gwaine joining us.

"Mordred!" Arthur called as we ran, and I searched for my best friend and his lover, hoping, praying, that they were alright. That we would find them.

That was when Mordred came out from behind a tree, his sword drawn. He trained his eyes on me, and I felt tears begin to flow again. There was a long silence where we just stared at each other.

Use your magic. Kill them! I heard Kara call through telepathy.

"They are my friends," Mordred spoke to her, before lowering his voice so I could just barely hear. "And Ariella... she's..." He trailed off and looked back at me with that expression again. I felt more tears fall at that. If I am to be honest, I was nearly certain he no longer saw me as a friend at that point.

"Kara," I called to the girl whose anger I could feel, and I took a couple steps forward, putting my hands up so they knew I wasn't armed with anything except my magic. "Kara please, you have to remember what I said to you." I was met with silence, but more tears continued to fall. "You could not have forgotten in mere hours, right? The only way to fight the darkness is with light, remember?" She stayed silent, but I took a few more steps forward. I was pretty close now. "Even in the darkest of times, happiness can be found, Kara... You only have to light your candle to let yourself see it."

"Give yourselves up," Arthur demanded, and I looked back to see he and the others still up in arms.

"Let her go. We will leave Camelot and never return," Mordred begged. "You have my word. Please."

"You would leave Ariel behind?" Arthur asked.

"Who said she wouldn't come with us?" Mordred asked, looking to me. I hesitated before I shook my head and took a couple steps back toward Arthur, more tears trailing down my cheeks.

"You know I can not, Mordred." He looked hurt. "I care for you more than you know, but... I know where my loyalties and my destiny lay, and where they always shall... I can not deny my obligation to Camelot. Nor to my King. Or myself."

"Why?" I heard Kara demand, and I saw her stand.

"I told you why, Kara," I insisted, exasperatedly.

"Yes, while I was caged behind bars by your 'King.' Because you have some misplaced notion that he will change Camelot!" She exclaimed, glaring at Arthur for a moment.

"He already has."

"He's a tyrant."

"He is my King," I almost snapped, my voice stern and strong before turning softer once again. "And I have faith that one day, he will unite our people."

There was a short silence.

"You truly believe this?" Kara asked me, looking like she was maybe beginning to understand, convinced by my conviction, and I nodded.

"More than anything," I admitted.

And of course Percival knocked them out.