"Merlin, this isn't the sort of thing you can run late for!" Arthur hissed through his teeth as he marched down the halls of Powys' castle, as Merlin hurried to attach the Prince's cape as they moved.

"It's not my fault I couldn't find my way around in an unfamiliar castle." Merlin jibed back, as he finished fastening the red fabric. Merlin had, had a bad feeling about this trip since the moment Uther had stepped into Arthur's chambers, and declared a journey was to be made to Powys for the settling of a peace treaty.

Long had Powys and Camelot shared a border, and even longer had Powys sort to encroach on Camelot's land. They were only staying for two nights, as the treaty was discussed and assessed. Uther had told Arthur that it would be a great test of his leadership to see to the task, in the King's place. Naturally the young Prince had jumped at the opportunity to make his father proud.

The bumbling pair stopped at the large wooden doors, taking a moment to collect themselves, before Arthur pushed them open, marching in with the regality of a natural born leader, as Merlin stumbled in behind him, ducking off the the side, and stopping next to another servant.

The large room was three stories up, and lined with huge glass windows, allowing the natural light to reflect off the long, vibrant, green flags, that hung between each of the windows. The flags hung from the ceiling and reached the floor, the silver Raven, the Kingdoms crest, embroidered in the centre of each, it's wings curving up to form a circular symbol.

At a large wooden table, the King of Powys, Augustinian, stood from his seat at the head, moving to greet the Prince, with a clasp of his hand, and a firm shake.

"Prince Arthur. Powys is honoured to have you here, though I was however, expecting the King." Augustinian had a deep, and gruff voice, and a dark messy beard, littered with greys. His hair was in matching disarray, long dark curls tangled together.

The King of Powys looked out of place in his vibrant green tunic, grey pants, and silver cape, the crown on his head almost appearing too small. Augustinian looked far more like a barbarian warrior than a King.

"The King sends his good wishes, and hopes this treaty can benefit both our lands." Arthur bristled at the comment, but tried to appear indifferent as they took their seats. The Prince glanced around, noticing two guards posted at the wall behind the King, and breifly scolded his own men for not being present. Augustinian waved a hand, and a young woman moved from the wall behind the Prince, a pitcher of wine in her hands. Arthur glanced back at Merlin, as the woman filled both their glasses, and the King picked up the paperwork before him.

The Prince flinched in surprise as the maid turned too quickly, hitting him in the shoulder with the pitcher. She swiftly placed the jug on the table.

"I am so sorry your Highness." She rushed out in panic as she quickly sunk to her knees, head bowed.

"No please, it's fine." Arthur shook his head, and stood from his seat holding both hands out to pull the woman to her feet, as she gripped him with her free one. Augustinian rolled his eyes, and waved his hand.

"Be gone woman!" The maid bowed her head to the King, and then once more to the Prince, before pulling her hand from his, and rushing back to her post, by Merlin. Arthur's brows furrowed as he slid back into his seat, and Augustinian began speaking.

He unfurled his fingers to see a piece of torn parchment. Discreetly unfolding it, his pulse quickened.

It's a trap

Three simple words, and his ears began to ring. With a deep breath Arthur steeled himself, and shifted into action mode. He needed to think fast, but rationally. Augustinian had wanted the King to be here, he hadn't seen his knights since yesterday, they were on the third floor, and practically alone. Augustinian was planning to kill him, right here, right now.

"Your Highness?" Arthur flicked his eyes to meet the Kings.

"I'm sorry, you lost me. What were you saying?" He tried to sound incompetent, like he truly hadn't understood the King's words, that he was nothing but a bumbling fool of a Prince.

"I asked what your father had told you about Powys." The King reiterated as he raised a brow, but didn't appear to be suspicious. Arthur tried to move naturally as he swung in his chair, throwing one leg over the arm, and resting his elbow against the other, appearing relaxed and unbothered.

"He hasn't told me much." The Prince subtly glanced at Merlin, breifly wondering if he'd be any help in the fight that was undoubtedly about to break out. Perhaps the maid could be of use? However he noticed that the woman was nowhere to be seen.

"Just that your a tyrant who's running his Kingdom into the ground with fruitless raids and failed attempts on taking Camelot." Arthur drawled as he shifted to meet the King's eyes. For a moment Augustinian didn't react, didn't even move a muscle, and then, all at once, he sprung from his chair, and drew his sword, vaulting the table as the Prince's chair was yanked backwards, just in time to miss the King's first swing.

Arthur looked up in time to catch the face of the maid, as in one swift movement, she ripped an over skirt from her dress, and wrapped it around the Kings head. Arthur jumped from his seat, and pulled his sword, slicing the King across the chest as he attempted to untangle himself from the fabric. Augustinian roared in rage, and the two guards who previously stood by the wall, quickly advanced on the Prince, and the two servants, swords raised.

"Kill them all!" The King called, as he flung the fabric across the room. Arthur jumped into action, faining high, and swinging low, as he knocked the first guard off his feet. Before he could finish him off, the maid was stamping down on the guards wrist, and yanking the sword from his grip, quickly swiping it across the man's exposed neck, and turning on the second knight.

Arthur shook from his shock when the King yelled out again, charging at him. Augustinian was a very large man, all muscle, and yet still fast on his feet. He swung hard, and with practised ease, Arthur blocked the hit, but his hands shuddered from the mere force behind it.

Banging on the doors drew Merlin's attention, and he quickly spotted why the maid had disappeared earlier. The door was tied shut with torn fabric, and a chair was wedged against it. She'd barred anyone from entering, or anyone leaving. He turned to spot the brunette, as she wrenched one of the large flags from the ceiling. The remaining knight charged at her, and Merlin nearly cried out, but she ducked out of the attackers way at the last minute, curling in slightly as the man in armour went crashing through one of the windows, plummeting to his death, as glass showered the room.

Arthur landed a hit, slicing through the Kings sleeve, and cutting his arm. The man grunted, but was made no weaker. The maid ducked under the swinging swords, and skidded onto her knees by the huge table. Quick as a whip, she began tying the flag around the leg of the table. Merlin's eyes widened as he quickly ran across the room, yanking another flag from the ceiling as he caught onto her idea. He stopped by the end of the first flag, as the maid met him there.

"Here!" He tossed her the end before running to grab another two flags, hoping it'd be enough. The maid secured the flags to each other, before tossing the whole thing out the window.

"Will it hold?" Merlin asked as he stopped beside her, glancing from the makeshift rope, to the table, to Arthur and the King.

"You're kidding right? It's hand spun silk and that's Ironwood, it'll hold." She assured him, before turning on her heels, scooping up her discarded sword, and running at the King. She was grateful he wasn't wearing armour, but aimed for the backs of his knees anyway. With a sure, swift, swing, she sliced through the tendons in the backs of his knees, and he crumbled with a cry of pain and fury. She met the Prince's eyes as he puffed out of breath.

"The window, now!" He didn't have time to ask questions and instead, he sheathed his sword, gripped the rope halfway down, and ran for the window, jumping out. Somewhere in the fight he'd lost his cape and his circlet, but as he smacked against the stone wall, and then slid the rest of the way to the ground, he couldn't care less.

The door bowed, and buckled as a tearing sound rung out over the banging. The maid pushed Merlin towards the window.

"You next!" Merlin hesitated only a moment, before realising that arguing would only waste what little time they had. He climbed out the window, and quickly began moving down the rope. The King shouted in fury, and a loud bang echoed, as the maid scurred down the rope above him. It dropped slightly, as the table slid across the floor, and the pair braced themselves. Then they slipped through the air as the table scrapped the rest of the way, slamming against the window sill, and unceremoniously dropping the pair on the ground.

They didn't have time to stop as shouting rang out through the Bailey, and a door to their right burst open, Camelot red flooding out. Arthur sighed in relief at the sight of his men, but it was short lived.

"The stables!" The maid shouted as she took off to the left. Having already saved his life three times that morning, Arthur followed her without hesitation. The group burst into the stables, and quickly began mounting horses, not bothering with saddles or reins. Arthur swivelled his head, searching for the maid atop his horse.

"Sire! We have to go!" Leon called from beside him as the commotion grew louder as guards undoubtedly filled the courtyard. Several loud clangs were heard as the woman rounded the corner again, atop a mare, a stampede of horse rushing past her. The horses followed heard mentality, and they all began to charge from the stables, wildly knocking men out of the way.

"Hiya! Hiya!" She cried as her mare raced out of the stables, bring up the rear of the group. Percival lead the heard at the front, steaming for the gates.

"Close the gates!" Augustinian's voice rang through the courtyard, from the window above them, as men in armour struggled to avoid the stampede, and reach the gate. The first few knights reached the gate, and began pulling. Percival passed through, then Lancelot and Elyan. The gate lowered further and Gawain and Merlin nearly ducked as Leon and Arthur brought up the rear, hunching over to pass through. The woman leant forwards and reached out, slicing the ropes with her sword, successfully dropping the gate behind them, and buying them a little more time.