When dinner came around we were rather annoyed along with many of the other dinner guests that it was porridge. Despite the fact that it was a disgusting looking meal, none of us complained as we were glad it wasn’t that damned soup. The townsfolk ate with us due to a lack of other places to eat but the knights were happy to share; and with the day of hard work behind them, two types of people stood out among those eating. Either they were too tired to lift their spoon or they were so hungry that they ate as much as the cooks were willing to give them.

It was lively and I didn’t hate it, but something felt off. Ever since Mordred told me that Balin would kill the Lady of the Lake I have had this sense of dread. I was hoping that Arthur could give me some peace of mind if I told him. However, would I even be able too? Tim might make it so that he doesn’t believe me or that I can’t tell him in a way that he would understand. It was all so confusing and I wasn’t sure what to do about it. It wouldn’t matter though. I could stop it anyways so I might as well not worry about it so much.

After eating Medea went back to my room while I went to talk with Arthur. He was sitting and eating among the townspeople and sharing stories with a smile on his face. A small group of children were all sitting by him as he regaled them with stories of magic, fairies, and war. They stared in awe as he did and even his wife was listening with a grin from ear to ear. Merlin was behind him acting out many of the stories Arthur was spouting much to Arthurs annoyance but to the children's pleasure.

As soon as Arthur saw me coming he excused himself and entrusted Merlin to finish the story he was telling. Merlin agreed to do so but was now giving me a strange look of suspicion. Though he looked as if he brushed it off as nothing and continued Arthur’s story. What I didn’t realize was the small rune covered stone that Merlin slid into Arthur’s pocket as he started to leave. Arthur led me down the hallway into the room with the Round Table and sat down in one of the many empty seats where he laid back and relaxed a bit.

“So, what is it?''Arthur asked in a way that was unbefitting of a king or more like a snobbish teenager whose parents just burst into their room while they were watching tv.

“You know that Knight, Balin?” I asked.

“Yes, I released him from the dungeon this morning.” Arthur said.

“He’s going to kill the Lady of the Lake.” I said.

“Okay, how and when?” he replied.

“I don’t know.” I said. He sighed in response before rubbing his temples.

“I’m too tired for this… what do you want me to do? I could throw him in the dungeon again? Put him on trial for a crime he hasn’t even committed yet?” I can’t just outright kill the man.” Arthur said with a tone that made me think he was done with everyone’s shit. I had to think for a second before I sat down too.

“Didn’t he kill someone? Why did you release him if he was in the dungeon for murder?” I asked.

“Yes, he killed someone. However, he did so out of self defense, and was drunk. Several people saw it. The only reason he was in the dungeon for so long was because we were detaining him so that he could be questioned. Though, we… may have… forgot to release him before we left.” Arthur said in a somewhat guilty voice. I couldn’t help but facepalm.

“Anyways, I can’t exactly put him in the dungeon again without good reason. Plus, I can’t just have him murdered. I’m not that kind of king.” Arthur said in a less dignified way than any king I could think of would.

“Then do we just let it happen?” I asked.

“Of course not. If we can stop it then we will. However, we need to figure out how.” Arthur said in a way that made him sound offended by such a question.

We both pondered it for a minute but neither of us could come up with anything. We probably spent an hour rambling off ideas to one another but deciding that none of them would work. What we didn’t realize was happening while we were talking was that we had an uninvited guest arrive at the dinner. An older woman carrying a large sword bound within a magic scabbard. Since she wasn’t designated a threat she was brought into the castle where she met Merlin.

“Who are you?” Merlin asked.

“I am a maiden from afar. I have been searching for one to take up this blade and fulfill its prophecy.” the maiden replied. Her hair was a long gold colour braided into a large bun on the back of her hair. Despite her age she looked fairly young and her grey clothes barely had a speck of dirt on them even after traveling for so long. Merlin looked her over and saw no signs of magic nor any signs that she was a neighbor.

“What is this prophecy?” Merlin asked. A smile crept up on her face.