AN: This is set after the third series, basically how Arthur takes being Regent after Morgana disappears… Of course there is the whole romance with Gwen, and the magic thing with Merlin which I shall write about. I do not quite know where this is leading to, but the idea just came to me (ironically) in the middle of reading Harry Potter, and I just needed to start writing.

Yeah, reviews/favourites/story alerting would of course be great, and I hope to get chapter 2 up soon…

Enjoy!

PS: NO SLASH only girl/boy romance!

Arthur studied the man trembling before him, hands bound behind his back, forced to kneel by two not-so-gentle guards. He had short brown hair, big hazel eyes, and a small figure. He looked positively terrified.

"Do you confess to using sorcery?" Arthur was tired and worn out from all the events as Regent, but he had to go through this. An accusation for sorcery. The man accusing was standing several paces behind the accused, arms crossed, with a slightly smug expression on his face. The accused, whose name was Henry, was shaking his head desperately.

"No, milord, I never used sorcery. Please… believe me."

Arthur glanced at Merlin, who was standing slightly behind him. Merlin shot him a meaningful glance. Arthur knew what this meant: Merlin thought this man was innocent. Arthur got up from the throne-like chair, which he was using in the absence of his father, and descended down to the man. He considered the man for a moment, and then walked on to the accuser, also known as Richard.

"So, Richard, tell us again exactly what you saw." Richard nodded, took a breath, then started.

"Yes, milord.

It was evening, and I was coming home, as usual, when I heard some strange language being spoken in my neighbours' house, Henrys'. I suspected magic, and so quickly peeked in the window. My suspicions were confirmed. Henry was practicing magic. I saw his eyes flash gold, and him incanting some strange words. I instantly came to the castle and informed you, sire." Arthur listened carefully, then abrubtly turned to Henry.

"Do you say Richard is lying? That he is lying to me, his sovereign?"

"I didn't practice magic, I swear. Please, sire, I would never do that, I could not do that to my wife and children!" Even though Arthur could not see his face, he could hear that tears were forming in the man's eyes.

Arthur took a deep breath, and started pacing up and down, aware that all eyes were upon him. He looked up, and saw Merlin, expectant and pleading. Gwen, pitying the man and also pleading. The knights and advisors in the room, uncertain why Arthur had not condemned this man to death yet.

Uther would already have, definitely.

But Arthur was not Uther.

"Richard, you may go. Thank you for telling us this."

Richard gave a bow, saying: "It was my duty, milord." He walked out the door.

Henry, still facing the throne, with the guards holding him down, was completely breaking down now.

"Please, sire, I am not lying! Richard has had a grudge against me for years! I am no sorcerer! He made it up… I swear…" His voice was drowned out by tears.

"Guards, take this man to the dungeons. Allow no one except me to him."

The guards obeyed, half leading, half dragging the man out the doors. The Regent watched them go, then turned to the rest of the court.

"Dismissed."

They all hurried out. Only Merlin and Gwen stayed. Arthur waited a moment, looking out the window, before turning to them and demanding what they were still doing there. Merlin answered.

"What are you going to do with him? Are you going to execute him?" They both strode over to him. Arthur looked at them for a moment, then let down the wall that been there for days that had been stopping him from letting his emotions out.

"I don't know! Dammit. Since … you know, Morgana, I don't know what to do. Being King, even if only temporary, is just near impossible. I never trust myself to make the right decisions-"

"Arthur..." Gwen interrupted.

"-thinking about if it is the right thing for the kingdom, and what people think about it. What is if my decisions are the kingdoms' downfall?"

"Arthur!" Merlin put his hand on Arthur's shoulder, trying, and failing, to calm him down.

"What if, because of my decisions, we all die? What if, because of them, the whole kingdom perishes? All because of me? What then?" He stopped his rant, because suddenly he felt something warm on his mouth. Gwen was standing in front of him, hand on his other shoulder, giving him a mouth on mouth kiss. When she stepped back, slightly flushed, Arthur had his mouth slightly open, speechless.

"Sorry, Arthur, just thought you needed someone to tell you that you're doing fine. Ok? Fine. The people look up to you, they trust you. With their lives." She spoke with such gentle firmness that Arthur could do nothing but to trust her. Merlin nodded in agreement, then looked around to double check no one was around.

"And …Arthur? People think you're better than Uther. People are also kind of hoping you will take over the throne. Officially."

"Merlin, that's exactly what I'm worried about. That I make a decision like that, and then it goes wrong. What would my father think of me?" Arthur ran his hands through his blonde hair, which was quite messed up and tousled from not being combed the last few days. Gwen took his hand again.

"Why don't you actually get some sleep? You need it. Then tomorrow you can wake up and will think more clearly. Make better and more rational decisions, as that's what you're worried about." Arthur thought about this for a moment, then agreed.

"You're right Guinevere, as always. Thank you." Then he too left the hall.

Merlin and Gwen grinned at each other, then said their goodbyes, and left to their respective homes.

AN: Reviews?

Please?

Pretty Please?

Absolutely gorgeous cute pretty please with strawberry cream on top?