Uther dreamed of his childhood at night. Since his wife's death he had ceased to dream of past accomplishments or anything at all. He was nine again, a small, frightened boy, surrounded by court advisors, generals and sycophants all gathered around the dying king's bed. The only reassurance at his father's slow, agonizing passing was his brother Aurelius, hand on his shoulder, gently reassuring him.

"It will be all right little brother. He will get better."

Two days later they knelt before the throne while Vortigern placed the crown on his eldest brother's head. Constans did not show his grief. He had prepared for the moment his entire life.

"The King is dead." Vortigern yelled in the shrill voice that had haunted Uther in his younger years. "Long live the King!"

The dream continued to turn into a nightmare as real as it was the night he had been there. Tragedy struck less than a year later. Four days before his tenth birthday Aurelius came running into his room at the middle of night in riding clothes, a sword and axe by his hand.

"What are you doing with father's sword?" He was a boy then, frightened by mere shadows and confused by court politics, sheltered by an aging father and ignored by his eldest brother.

"We need to leave Uther. Vortigern may have poisoned Constans."

He dreamed of their exodus and pursuit by the Usurper's guards. At the edge of the border of Essetir Aurelius drew himself up before their pursuers, knowing the young Uther could no longer outrun Vortigern's men.

"Run Uther! Everything will be fine! Go!"

Aurelius was always wrong. He spouted sureties but could never make them come to pass. He heard Aurelius' death cry as he ran, real, visceral, as if his brother was yelling in defiance from his unmarked grave. His father had failed the kingdom by dying early. Constans was a fool who let others get too close to him. Aurelius, for all his courage, did not have the strength and conviction to save both of them. Uther understood all of this now, though at the time he had only been a frightened boy.

Time passed, and he dreamt of his fifteenth birthday, celebrating five years of anonymous peace living as the adopted son of a hunter. He would have been content to forget his birthright, to forget that he was the last of the Ambrosius line. Yet on his birthday fate had sent him another calamity.

Uther dreamt of the black dragon, with one blood red eye. He could smell the burning wood again, the crackling flesh. He choked on the smoke and heard the screams as real as that day. More importantly he felt the rage again. He had been a boy when he was forced to flee. He had become a man and he swore he would never back down again. He dreamt as he felt his hands grab the hilt of the sword, as he began to climb up the mountain in the dead of night towards the lair. Balinor, his twelve year old friend was the only survivor with him. Together they would bring the dragon to heel. The boy was convinced as much.

He heard the laugh again, echoing in his ears and burrowing into his skull. The mocking tone the beast used upon Balinor.

"You are not ready yet boy! You cannot command me! You do not yet have your father's powers!"

He saw Balinor hide his face in shame, then shock as the dragon drew himself up to slaughter the would be dragon lord. Uther was waiting and slipped around the unsuspecting beast.

He felt the hot blood pour on his arms, drip down his face. He relished in the warmth and taste of it on his tongue. He relished in power. Balinor later told him he thought his friend had gone mad with bloodlust in that moment. The dragon turned his eyes on him, the gash in his neck leaking his life's blood. He chuckled, and to Uther's surprise made no attempts at retaliation, no vain last words echoing a promised vengeance.

"Ah Uther. I should have known boy. I can see him in you. My kind can see all things. The Red Dragon who unite all of Albion."

He waited for no more words, fearful perhaps of a final treachery. Balinor stood in shock as Uther butchered the corpse, ate the warm heart of the beast. Destiny had given him a purpose. He was the Red Dragon. He would no longer be Uther Ambrosius, last son of a fallen Roman king. He would call himself Uther Pendragon, the Chief Dragon, the King amongst Warriors. The young boy scoffed as he observed the stricken youth. Blood dripped down his chin and he smiled. Uther was determined to go back to Vortigern. He would crush the Usurper and forge himself a kingdom that would unite Albion.

When he woke, Uther took a draught of wine and smiled to himself. It had felt so good to feel young again, to feel the power he felt in his dream. Back in Camelot, back in his reality, he felt old. His bones ached and he was covered with old wounds that never fully healed. The dream had brought back feelings he had thought long lost since the end of the purge almost twenty years ago. Foremost was the glory of his first conquest before all the others. He remembered his power, the certainty of his destiny, before magic took away Igraine and plunged his kingdom into a constant state of fear and war. The Purge may be over, but he was never free of magic's grip.

When Sir Bedivere came to announce that his patrol had captured a group of druids, and they were now awaiting judgment, Uther felt his mood rise. This was another victory in the war against magic, however small. Yet perhaps it wasn't enough. He had stopped being who he was since the twenty years following Igraine's death. Maybe it was time to become the Red Dragon again.

Merlin was feeling as old and feeble as Gaius when he stood in the throne room watching the surreal spectacle unfold between the King, the Prince and the eight captive Druids chained and kneeling on the floor, three of them young children. He clenched his fists and drowned out the sound of Uther's voice pounding through the chambers. He had seen and heard enough of these self righteous speeches against magic to last a lifetime in purgatory. A nudge caused him to look to his left, meeting the upturned eyebrow of Gaius. Merlin shuddered at his guardian and composed himself once again as the dutiful servant. His gaze unwillingly went to Arthur, who stared back at him with a quick look of disdain and what Merlin detected, a slight trace of fear, which would be funny if the situation hadn't been so serious.

Only a day before they had been patrolling with Arthur and knights around the borders of Lot's kingdom when they came upon the group of Druids now chained without ceremony in front of the Pendragon throne. Young, brash and eager to prove himself to the Prince, seventeen year old Sir Bors had drawn his sword, screaming "Druids!" like a complete idiot, and spurred his horse forward. Sir Leon had rolled his eyes and fell back into the saddle, looking over to his Prince with a slight smirk.

The Druids had no wish to fight, and had begun to fall back to the forest, hoping no less to cross the border. Tensions between King Lot and Uther had almost escalated to war, and neither side wanted to test the other, fearing to give the other side casus belli.

"Sir Bors!" Arthur yelled, sternly but with a slight hint of mocking.

"Sire?" The knight had ceased his gallop as the Prince rode up to him, and still had his sword raised forward like a charging statue.

Arthur slapped the Knight on the shoulder, and Leon gave Bors an amused smile.

"Sir Bors." Arthur began, using the slightly condescending voice he gave the younger knights when teaching them lessons. Arthur was able to use his position and voice to mask his own age well. "They are unarmed, they have children. They are of no threat to us."

Merlin was growing to love Arthur for these moments of defiance, despite the fact that they were never in front of his father. He might still fear and hate magic, but the Prince was not willing to give up his humanity in a quest to purge it from the land.

"Sire, the law states..."

"Bors, I know what the law states, but honestly we have had Merlin leading us for the past hour and a half." He smirked back at the manservant. "He's such an idiot, for all we know we could be in Lot's kingdom right now. He allows sorcery since the end of the first Purge."

"Sire, we are most definitely in your father's kingdom." Bor's retaliated.

The emphasis on 'your father's' caused Arthur's face to slightly darken. Merlin knew he craved the loyalty of his above all, more to himself then to Camelot. It seemed to be some sick game his father and he played, the older knights loyal to Uther, the younger to Arthur. To Merlin it all seemed too dangerous, even for the Prince. Uther had considered himself to be the last Roman King after all, not from the isles.

"The Knight's Code, Sir Bors." Leon began, interrupting the Prince. "Are our guiding principles, to defy these makes us no worse than bandits. We are not just any knights; we are those who hold the principles of chivalry highest. Our honor and courage is what makes us the best and most feared in the land, we cannot compromise those values, no matter the law."

"Sir Leon spoke my mind." Arthur finished blandly.

Bors nodded before sheathing his sword. He did not apologize to the Druids or their frightened children, but he did not challenge Arthur's decision.

Merlin held back a smile, knowing how much Leon's support meant to Arthur. Uther often prattled about how Arthur was the best example for the knight's to follow, and how he was becoming a fine leader, but it was men like Sir Leon and Sir Kay, knights Arthur grew up with, that had made the Prince who he was. He was not his father's son, no matter how loyal he was to the King.

There was no mirth back in the present, no warm feelings of comradelier, here Sir Bors, ambitious and eager to please, would be tested. Would it be to Liege or Prince? The Druids had been captured by a subsequent patrol to the north, lead by the enthusiastic but bumbling Sir Bedivere, who was picking his nose in the corner. Merlin was certain Bors had no part in this, it was just bad luck. The druids should have turned around instead of trying to pass through Dumnonia on their way north to the Welsh kingdoms. Merlin could see Arthur clenching the handle of his sword as he stood beside his father, anxiously looking at the Druids, seeing if they would betray him to Uther in an attempt to damage the trust between son and father. To Uther's left Morgana sat, pale and sickly, her beauty sapped away from depression and near constant nightmares. He met her eyes, pleading and worried, and knew he could do nothing.

Liar. He thought to himself. He could tell her his secret; help her feel like she wasn't alone.

"...be sentenced to burn in the morning." Uther finished bored, as if he had decided on the menu for a feast, and sitting down motioned to the guards.

As the Druids were being dragged out their leader glanced at Merlin. You tried Emrys. Their leader spoke into his mind.

I am sorry. Don't worry, I'll get you out. Merlin replied.

We were dead the moment we were caught. Good look Emrys.

The court began to empty, when Merlin heard Arthur whisper to the King. "Father, there are children with them."

Uther held no pretense for a private discussion. "Not children, druids Arthur." His voice grew dark and his eyes wild for a second. "How many times must we go over this?"

"Never again father." Arthur said with a hint of regret.

Merlin sighed audibly, before being elbowed again by Gaius. Leon noticed however, and sent him a grim and warning smile back.

Uther poured himself another glass of wine, downed it, and motioned for Merlin to give him more.

"You can have your opinions, but against magic you cannot compromise." He put a hand on his son's shoulder as Merlin refilled his glass. "I realize you have more of your gentle mother in you then I had thought, and in time you will grow to be a fine king, but for now you must continue to follow my guidance. Sorcery could destroy this kingdom and all that I built, all that will be yours. Even before Vortigern killed my brothers, before I spread Christianity though these lands, the Old Religion was a malicious force. If only I had begun the Purge sooner. You may rule Camelot's people with your heart, but against those monsters you can only be ruthless."

"Yes father." Merlin held his reaction. It was times like these that Merlin could not see the great King that Arthur was supposed to be, times like this he felt helpless and alone, so sure that the Dragon was wrong about Arthur. He held his tongue. He was just a servant after all.

Morgana was never so timid. "You coward." her voice dripped with venom and her eyes hardly rose to look at Arthur as she stood from her chair. "The future King, cowed by his father like one of his disobedient hunting dogs."

Arthur's face contorted in pain and disappointment. Uther turned with a blank look.

"Morgana..."

"Oh, surely the Prince can defend himself my Lord, can't you my Prince?" She said mockingly with a trace of a smirk.

Arthur seethed. "Morgana!"

"How dare you child!" Uther spoke, anger gaining the best of his emotions. "You forget your place. You are my ward, nothing more. You will show my son the respect he deserves. He will be your king one day!"

Morgana laughed. "You forget your place Pendragon." She turned her eyes on Arthur. "Are you a coward destined to become a tyrant like your father? Tell me Arthur, what monster murders children?"

Her rant would have continued, but Merlin, who had been averting his eyes, heard a sickening slap. His eyes rose, and Morgana lay on the ground, an angry and terrified expression on her face, her left cheek starting to bruise. Merlin rushed forward flinging Gaius' arm off of his elbow and came to her side. Arthur began to move but Sir Leon restrained him quickly. Uther kicked Merlin in the shoulder, sending him sprawling to the ground.

"Out of my way boy!" His face was masked with rage, his hands trembled and his eyes showed no sign of sanity. Grasping Morgana by the neck he pulled her towards his face snarling before he threw her back on the ground.

The guards were on the ward in moments, lifting up by her shoulders. Uther still trembling pointed his finger at her. "You will learn respect girl! Confine her to her chambers."

"Go to hell Pendragon!" Morgana shrieked as she was dragged through the council doors.

Merlin remained on the ground, glimpsing at the King as he began to calm down, only rising once his back was turned.

"She will be banned from all trials in the future. I simply cannot trust her. She is too much like Gorlois. Such unattractive traits for a woman." The king mused, half to himself.

"You struck her father." Arthur said furiously. "You are to protect her, not treat her like an animal!"

"She forgets her place too often, as Gorlois did. She is not queen as he was not king. You will remind her Arthur, of what her duties are. She is to be by my side, supportive, just as she will one day be by her husband's."

Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Father, we are talking about Morgana..."

"I have treated her like a daughter, but she is no longer a child and must act like a proper lady. We are not the Saxons or Celts; our society has standards and roles that we all must follow. The tenants of Christianity, damn it those of the Old Faith maintain that children are to honor their parents. I am as good as her father."

"Of course father, you are right as always."

Merlin sneered, ignoring the eyebrow from Gaius. This was the Once and Future King that Kilgharrah talked about. This was his destiny, to protect a spoiled prat who could only go behind his father's back, who cowed whenever the great Uther Dragon Slayer, spoke. A man who spoke about the principles of chivalry, and watched a woman get beaten by her guardian. He held his tongue as he followed Arthur from the throne room; he was too overwhelmed with the past several weeks, not to mention the events of the last three days. He had high hopes for Arthur, the Arthur who had followed him to Ealdor, the Arthur who rescued Gwen against the King's wishes. That Arthur had died. Everything had changed when the mysterious warrior had arrived.

The red haired woman, calling herself Anatiss had defeated Arthur easily enough, and Merlin had almost revealed his secret when the Prince placed his head three days later on the block. Then, after her revelation, and Igraine's confirmation, Arthur had confronted the King. Merlin once again defied Kilgharrah, and lied to save Uther's life, further hardening Arthur against magic, and breaking his will to stand up against his father. The more he thought about it, the incident with the Druids seemed more Sir Leon's doing then Arthur's. He was clearly afraid of disobeying his father, which given the Pendragon King's history, was understandable. Merlin worried that it was only a matter of time before Arthur cracked again. He may have more of his mother in him, but he had the pride of his father.

After the guards shoved her in and locked the door to her chambers Morgana screamed in rage, four vases breaking around her room. Startled at her own use of magic, which she had still not learned to control in the least, she ran to her bed before dropping on the floor sobbing. One day she would lose control in front of the King, and the pyres being prepared outside would be her own. She shuddered. The King would probably break out the crosses from the Purge and condemn her to die the slow death of crucifixion. She felt utterly alone.

She had considered Arthur a friend, and always was surprised, and though she would not admit it to the Prince, proud when he stood up to his father. Now he was just a coward following in Uther's footsteps. She feared he would walk in his father's shadow, even after his passing, afraid to defy the wishes of a dead man. She would never be safe, not in Camelot. Nor could she be safe outside it. Uther would hunt her down; bring her back, all under a misguided sense of loyalty to her dead father.

She couldn't think about Uther without continuing to tremble with poorly controlled hatred. The man was supposed to love her as a father, but he treated her like an animal. She shuddered, wondering if he had physically abused Igraine. Surely he never hurt Arthur in public, he would never undermine the authority of the future king to that extent, but she wondered if he abused him in private. There were rumors after all, all wiped out by the mass crucifying during the purge, of Uther when he was young. The man was said to have cowed his own followers with his cruelty. It should be expected from a man who had slain seven dragons. He took pleasure only in suffering. She felt a brief pang of sympathy for Arthur but quickly erased it thinking only of his cowardice, of his inability to stand up for what was right, for sitting by while innocents were being executed.

Merlin. She thought and chided herself for her unbridled fury. Merlin had moved to help her. The sweet, guileless serving boy stood in the way while the future king watched her get hit. She had trusted Merlin with her darkest secret, the thing she was born with that Uther was convinced was utterly evil. She was not even sure if Uther was completely wrong in that assessment. Not only did Merlin keep her secret, he tried to protect her personally. Since a child she had been taught magic was evil. Though Gorlois wasn't as adamant, since his death Uther had driven it into her skull. Merlin had reassured her, told her she wasn't a monster. She did not believe him, not fully, but it was a relief knowing there was someone who didn't hate her outright for what she was. He should be much more than a servant, considering he was nobler then the Arthur, who was supposed to be the example for all Camelot's knights to follow.

"You will not restrain me again Leon!" Arthur shouted once they had reached his chambers, grabbing a goblet and flinging it at the wall.

"Arthur your hand was on your sword, you were going to try to kill him." Leon replied with a sigh. "Again."

"And I should have!" Arthur yelled, the fury on his face masking any fear he felt at uttering treason. He calmed down and sat on his bed. "He struck Morgana Leon. Morgana. How am I to be the exemplary knight when I let someone be abused in front of me, when I watch innocents and children die? When I'm forced to play the dutiful son?"

Leon accepted two goblets from Merlin, and then offered a third to the servant. "Arthur, I have talked to you about this several times. When you are king, things will be different."

"Yes and how am I to right the wrongs that I have stood by and watched? Leon, Morgana will never forgive me, we will lose her."

Merlin cleared his throat. "Why can't you just be king now?"

Leon looked at him like he was an idiot. Arthur's voice was low. "Merlin, you are speaking treason."

"As are you Arthur!" Merlin shouted before calming down. "The knights follow you. If they follow you so will the rest of the army. Sir Bors is one example of this. He kept his loyalty to you when honor demanded he tell the king about the druids."

"Merlin, I will not betray my father."

"And things are not so simple either. Sir Bors is one man. A young man." Sir Leon began. "Many of the older, more senior knights are loyal to Uther, as are all the Liege Lords. He may have lost the strong support he used to have with House De Bois, and the House of Gorlois is all but destroyed but he is still powerful. He could be overthrown Merlin, but at great cost to Camelot. Arthur cannot simply take the throne, many of the other Kings are friends of Uther, in name at least, and would not see his being disposed of in a favorable light. Lord Idres, the former king of Dorset would go to war in an instant."

"So you are going to do nothing?" Merlin said, shaking his head.

"No. I'm going to act like a king." Arthur replied, ignoring Merin's rolling eyes. "Leon, I need your help more than ever."

"I will send for Sir Kay Arthur." Leon said with a reassuring pat on the back.

"Oh that's great, Sir Kay." Merlin began. "One of Uther's old guard."

"He was my mentor Merlin." Arthur began sternly. "All that I know of knighthood I owe to Kay, and to Leon."

"Then where did you learn to be such a prat?"

"Shut up Merlin."

"You need to control yourself Merlin. No one must ever find out your secret." Gaius scolded him over dinner.

Merlin sighed. "I know Gaius. I am so tired, and so sick of watching Uther prey on people with magic likes it's a curse."

"It's more than that isn't it? You've witnessed this brutality since the day you arrived. This is also about Morgana."

"I can't stand seeing her mistreated."

"Because of your sense of honor, or because of other feelings?" The eyebrow began to rise.

"Excuse me Gaius?" Merlin said with an arrogant tone he rarely used.

"You heard me Merlin, and don't try using that tone on me. Powerful Warlock or no, I've been practicing magic for many years, I am a follower of the Old Faith and I demand respect. You have been told before that you and Morgana cannot be friends, let alone anything else."

"I don't have feelings for her Gaius. I'm worried for her." He was slightly off put by Gaius's tone. His guardian had never spoken like that before. He secretly wondered how powerful Gaius actually was. Was he simply a former practitioner now masquerading as a physician, or someone a lot more powerful? He still had no idea who had taught Gaius, and his guardian had never answered his question. The man was a Christian who had converted to the Old Ways.

"And you should start to be scared of her. It was foolish to tell her about her powers."

"Gaius." He groaned. "Between you and Kilgharrah...not this again."

"Gorlois was as violent as Uther, but unlike the king he had a tender side. Morgana has inherited more of his darkness then his light. I watched the Duke grow up Merlin, and I can see it in her. Today you saw her, the contempt, the fury."

"She was standing up for what she believes in, her anger was just. She was struck!"

"High Priestess Nimueh believed she was right as well, and instead of removing the man who had wronged her she wrought havoc against Uther's armies during the Purge."

"Because they were persecuted! Why Gaius, why are you loyal to him? Why do you stand by while he murders our kind?"

Gaius looked up, his eyes warm but sad. "He is my King Merlin. I have been with him since the beginning."

"He is evil Gaius. He may love his people and Arthur, but he is evil."

Gaius chortled. "You have yet to see true evil Merlin."

"Indeed Gaius? I've heard stories about him..."

"Which are never to be repeated."

"So there's no truth then, what he did to Vortigern? That he himself used magic? I know about Arthur. You've been with him since he was eighteen Gaius."

"Enough Merlin." Gaius said forcefully but more gently than he had been. "Finish your pudding."

Moments later Arthur came through the door and Merlin and Gaius started with surprise, noticing several guards behind him. "These men are for your own protection Merlin."

"What do you mean sire?" Gaius asked.

Arthur closed the door and looked straight at Merlin. "Merlin, you cannot attempt to rescue the druids, you know this as well as I, tensions being what they are."

Merlin's heart dropped. He was hoping Arthur had come here for just that purpose.

"Trust me Merlin, it must be this way. Leave. I need to speak with Gaius alone."

Merlin took off his shirt and laid on his bed exhausted. The air was chilled with the start of fall, but he felt like he didn't have the strength to cover himself up. The last days had been exhausting. His faith in Arthur was slightly renewed, the prat may act like the dutiful son, but he was willing to do what was right. If only he knew more of Arthur's plan. He hoped this Sir Kay was everything Arthur said he was. An old guard of Uther who helped in the Purge only seemed like a bad thing. Hopefully he wasn't too much like Gaius, which would drive him mad. His guardian was right on one account which he refused to admit to the old man, he felt slightly scared of Morgana. Her sweetness had dissolved and become an acid. Her contempt for the Pendragons visible in her words and face worried him. It was a different Morgana, a Morgana that perversely reminded him of Uther.

That's an odd thought. But it's all your own fault isn't it?

It was. He had refused to tell her his secret, and so she was afraid and alone. His attempt at taking her to the druids had been a disaster thanks to Uther, and he had been seeing less and less of her. Gwen spent more time with Arthur, and Arthur, who used to mutually tease Morgana, had kept her at a far distance even before the red haired sorceress turned up. Indeed, since Gwen had been captured he had ignored Morgana more and more. He shuddered, thinking of the dragon's words. Perhaps Kilgharrah was right; perhaps she was destined to turn against them.

What am I thinking? We're turning her against us by not being there for her.

Merlin slapped himself in the face, and pulled his shirt on. Tonight, more than ever she needed someone. He was going to go through with it. His palms began to sweat slightly. She had been lied to for too many years, treated with a placebo instead of a cure, and he would be damned if he continued to be an accomplice. She needed someone else, a friend, nothing more Merlin told himself.

He readied himself and snuck out of the room, forgetting that the guards were outside Gaius's chambers. He sighed and mentioned where he was going, his escort following. Moving up to her chambers his heart dropped when he saw the guards at the door. Of course. Guards were everywhere thanks to his royal pratness.

"I have her sleeping draft." He prayed someone else hadn't delivered it.

"The Lady Morgana was already given the draft by her maid Merlin." Richard may have been the guard's name. One of the rare Camelot regulars who actually had half a brain.

"Oh, how silly of me, must be my mistake." His own escort groaned at the wasted trip as he was led back to his chambers. Not like I could spend time in there any way with guards outside the door.

Returning at last, he lay on his bed again, staring at the ceiling.

Merlin.

Merlin!

He groaned, and stood up. The voice echoing in his skull.

"This is all I can do, I wish it was more." Arthur said with remorse in his eyes.

The Druid leader grasped the Prince's hand through the cell bars. "It is more than enough, Once and Future King."

Arthur nodded, bemused and worried by the Druid's words. Tears formed in his eyes as he left the dungeons.

The cave was always the same. Dark and cold. Filled with a smug looking dragon.

"Good morning young warlock, I trust you slept well." He said with ill humor.

"Guards were everywhere Kilgharrah! Now why am I here?"

"Yes of course the unfortunate incident with the druids. Once again Uther shows his uncontrollable hatred, and you show your uncontrollable stupidity."

"Stupidity?" Merlin asked incredulously. "What stupidity?"

"Young Warlock not everyone can be saved. You cannot help every magic user caught by this kingdom."

"I didn't have a chance. Everything has changed Kilgharrah."

"Indeed. The intrusion of Anatiss has caused Uther to increase his measures; I fear we are nearing another purge." The Dragon said with no emotion.

"And yet you seem fine with that Kilgharrah. The sorceress, who was she?"

"Anatiss is of no consequence Merlin. Regardless, I have lived centuries and seen many deaths. My whole kind has died out. I tell you this because now, more than ever you need to be at Arthur's side. Protect the future king, attempt to mentor him."

Merlin shook his head. The Dragon always said the same thing.

"Merlin." The Dragon spoke when he noticed the Warlock's inattentiveness "Arthur's time may come sooner than I once realized."

"No!" Merlin shouted in disgust. "I know you want me to let Uther die. I know you want me to kill the king. I won't do it. I won't betray Arthur."

"You betray him by doing nothing Warlock, but I did not say you were to kill him. The Witch will soon enough."

"I have told you not to call her that!"

Kilgharrah let out a long, sarcastic laugh at Merlin's outburst. "As if you can command me boy. Heed my words Merlin, she cannot be trusted. Very soon you will see her true nature; the nature that spread through her father like cancer now contaminates her own soul."

"She has Gorlois strength, none of his violence. I know the tales that are told about Uther and the Duke of Cornwall. She is not bloodthirsty like they were. She doesn't crave power." Merlin said, unsure because he never knew Gorlois, and because he had seen Morgana's vicious side. What had Gwen said as well? Some people are just born to be Queen.

"Gorlois?" Kilgharrah let out a small laugh and leapt into the air flying higher into the cave. "She is every bit like the former Duke of Cornwall."

"Poisoned Gaius?" Uther asked. It was not the outcome he had wanted, but he was hardly sad at the passing of eight Druids.

"Indeed Sire. It was an overdose of a sleeping concoction. They felt no pain."

"No doubt someone desired to save them from the flames." Uther rubbed his temples, the weight of the crown setting in. "Regardless they are dead and have paid the price for their crimes. Is there anyone who could have done this inside Camelot?"

"No Sire." Gaius replied. "As soon as I made a diagnosis I took note of all my supplies, nothing was missing or stolen."

"I visited the dungeons last night father." Arthur spoke, hands behind his back. "I made the rounds with the Captain of the Guard, nothing was amiss. Sir Leon was there the entire night."

"Understandable Arthur. They were enemies of Camelot, so no need to continue any investigation. Thanks you Gaius. Arthur, stay."

As Gaius left Uther couldn't help but think that his son's tone sounded more like an admission then a statement of the facts. He turned towards Arthur who patiently waited for him to speak.

"We are alone Arthur, if there is anything you want to tell me."

"Nothing that we haven't talked before of father."

Uther shook his head. "One day son, you will learn how to be a strong king. You are ready to rule our people in a time of peace, but in a time of war, I fear you do not have the strength to do what must be done."

Uther sighed. He couldn't understand why Arthur had to go against him were sorcery was concerned. It had taken his mother's life after all, even if Arthur believed the red haired bitch's tale to now be a lie. Why the serving boy had lied to Arthur he still had no idea. He may be a servant but he was slightly too clever for his own good. Regardless he had saved his life and was loyal to Arthur. A true ally in the war against magic.

"I take it we will still have a feast tonight father?"

"Yes. And, Arthur, Morgana will not attend."

"I hardly think she would want to after what happened father." Arthur grew bolder, knowing they were alone. "Why did you strike her? Did you treat my mother like that?"

Uther was shocked at the question. "Never Arthur! I loved your mother. Igraine was my wife; I still love her and never raised a hand against her or caused her harm." Except with your birth son.

"And is Morgana not like a daughter to you?"

Uther sighed. "I have tried Arthur, but she is too much like her father." Is that not true enough Uther? He fought you every step of the way.

"I know you and Gorlois had problems, but he remained your friend."

"Indeed but he was a fellow Duke and a knight, not a noble lady." And I betrayed him, sent him to his death as I betrayed Igraine and him again when I slept with his wife.

"I'm worried we might lose her father. She needs to forgive you."

"I do not seek her forgiveness Arthur. I told you much before." Uther said bitterly. "Her house was destroyed; she would be nothing if not for me. I have treated her like my own daughter, a princess of Camelot, and she repays my kindness by defying me. She has no notion of what it means to be King."

Arthur dropped his eyes, trying to maintain his composure and the king's. "Father she is Morgana. She grew up sharpening swords and fastening her father's armor. She wasn't raised like a proper lady."

"Gorlois's fault. She's had years enough to change that Arthur." Uther strode over to the table and poured himself wine. "She needs to marry, and unfortunately other kingdoms all ready know of her personality. Our own personal problems have no doubt spread thanks to court gossip."

"Morgana? Marry?" Arthur raised an eyebrow and smiled.

Uther allowed himself a small grin. "Indeed." His face hardened. "Which is why my use for her at court is growing short. She will have to reform, learn respect, or she'll find herself married to one of your knights."

"Right. Father I have knights to train and a feast to prepare I'll see you later tonight."

"Of course Arthur."

He refilled his cup as Arthur walked out and set the crown on the table. God why was he even wearing the thing alone? He felt a pang of regret at Arthur's words and accusations. He never hit Igraine and he certainly never thought he would hit one of his own children, but he had been living a lie for so long, it was hard to think of her as his child. She clearly wasn't, but the promise he had made her father had demanded it. Gorlois's personality with her mother's looks, but she had her father's eyes. God she is beautiful. Uther shook his head. She only recently had been a child after all. All he wanted was her love and acceptance, penance for his betrayal of Gorlois, and he hardly admitted it to himself. They had always been at odds since he took her in after Gorlois' death, but had found common ground. Now magic was tearing them apart, as it had been destroying Uther's life since Nimueh bargained with Igraine's life for Arthur's.

He didn't understand Morgana's sympathies, but then again Gorlois had never been a strong proponent of the Purge, though he did do his duty. I killed him out of lust for his wife anyway, not because of his neutrality towards magic. The Kingdom could never now. He had been sleeping with Vivienne even after the child had been born, delivered to the nuns. He had even turned a blind eye to her curse. After all Vivienne had always worked in the shadows. No one of importance save him and her husband knew the Duchess of Cornwall was a sorceress. Vivienne, like Gaius, had vowed to stop practicing the day he cast out Nimueh.

He had his betrayal at the end, rode his cavalry troupe towards the beleaguered Duke. His friend died in his arms and Uther felt himself die with him. He had promised two things then, but found it increasingly difficult to keep the first promise concerning Morgana. Even after the Purge Gorlois had called Morgana his fairy, a nickname Uther had slapped out of her the day she was brought to Camelot. Morgana would come to see reason in the end, and thank him for it. Gaius, Kay, Agravaine, they all did eventually. He would make it up to her. Just as long as she didn't do something stupid and show up to the feast tonight against his command. Uther could already see her, dressed in a provocative gown to gain attention, all the while refusing to cover up the bruise on her cheek, so all could see what he had done. I'll get her more perfumes and dresses. She will come around eventually.

"Morgana?" Arthur said tentatively looking around as he opened the door. "Where are all your flower vases?"

"What do you want Pendragon?" She was sitting on her bed, dressed in her green dress, her black hair falling over her shoulders. Her voice was strained Arthur could tell, from yelling and crying last night.

"Less malice from you Morgana." He said slightly coldly. "I came to deliver a message."

"Uther's messenger boy, how nice." She glared up at him as he moved towards the bed.

Arthur rolled his eyes. "You've used that before Morgana. I wanted to kill him for what he did to you. Leon stopped me."

Her eyes flashed with surprise for a moment before hardening over. "And yet you and your noble Camelot knight stood by while he assaulted me. Two men, but still cowed by the mighty Uther."

He placed his hand on her chin, turning her to see the bruise on her cheek but she flinched out of his hand standing up. "Do not touch me."

Arthur sighed with resignation. "Morgana I cannot defy my father in public. Public includes Sir Leon, Gaius and Merlin while my father is present."

She had a sneer on her face. She ignored his comment. "I heard no warning bells last night, or today. The execution was supposed to be at first light so where are the Druids? Or did Uther simply slaughter them in their cells?"

Arthur looked away from her put his hand on his head and slipped into a chair, tears beginning to form in his eyes.

"He did kill them didn't he?"

"No." Arthur said but it came out choked. "I...Morgana...I had to save them from the fire, but I couldn't let them escape, father would have known..."

Morgana watched in confusion as the Prince tried to keep from crying. She had never seen him break down like this before, not since he tried to kill his father after the incident with the red haired witch. She held out her hand then recoiled. She wasn't ready to forgive him for standing by at her own expense.

"I gave them poison. They took it all willingly."

Morgana gave a gasp and didn't move, only stared at him on the ground.

"I gave them a way out." He stifled a sob.

"One death instead of another. I guess you're a different type of monster than your father." Morgana said coldly but without malice.

Arthur's control slipped and he sobbed. His voice then became calm. "We ran into them, Merlin and me on patrol four days ago. We let them go. Another patrol got them but we let them go. I should have escorted them, but now their dead."

Morgana ignored him. She needed to know more about the poison. "Whose idea was it? Was it Gaius thinking he was noble, or did Uther finally crack not wanting to listen to the screams of children?" She scoffed at herself. He will never get tired of the screams of children.

Arthur's voice became cold. "I went to visit the Druids. I told them there was no way I could get them out. There leader suggested the poison. Well an overdose really" He turned his eyes red with unshed tears while he stared up at Morgana. "I swear I will fight every inch to ensure not another innocent child gets sentenced to death or caught by patrols. I swear it Morgana."

"And of those adults who practice magic?"

"Magic is a choice Morgana, and the law is the law. I can't change that. But I will not slaughter children."

Morgana shook her head. It was a start but a small one. She knelt down and pulled Arthur into an embrace as he broke down and began to sob into her shoulder. He must have only told Gaius. She knew more than anyone what it was like to have a secret and have a deep need to confide in someone. A secret which could get him in trouble, maybe even the dungeon, if his father found out. But not a death sentence like hers.

"I'm not going to let him hurt you again Morgana, but please don't defy him, don't set him off again."

She shook her head. "I'm not going to stop doing what's right Arthur."

He pulled out of her embrace and looked at her. "Fine. I do swear I'm not going to let him hurt you again." He hugged her tightly before standing both of them up.

Morgana knew he was being truthful. She had felt so far away from him the past few months. This wouldn't make up for it, the pain of being ignored, the pain when he asked about Gwen without bothering to help her all those months ago, but it was a small start. She briefly wondered what would happen if he knew about her secret. Would he sentence her to the flames or exile her? Certainly he wouldn't accept who she was. She didn't have enough faith in him for that.

"And Morgana?"

"Yes Arthur?"

"My father says you will not be attending the feast."

"Oh. I was looking forward to it." She said with a wicked smirk.

"Sure you were Morgana." He stepped away rolling his eyes. Probably would show up in that red dress with the left side of her face bruised. Showing my father's 'love' for his ward throughout the whole kingdom. God help me I have enough problems.

He was feeling better already. He needed to get what happened off his chest. He had killed people before. When he was young he stood by at a sacred site and did nothing when druid children were slaughtered. But he had never willingly taken a child's life. He had never killed innocents with his own hand. Gaius knew but he couldn't discuss it with the old man, one of the physicians requirements for giving him the concoction. He couldn't talk to Merlin after all, and Leon was nowhere to be found. Last of all he wouldn't bother Gwen.

It had felt good, talking to Morgana, even as she insulted him. He had been rude and dismissive of her in the past. Maybe this would heal part of the gap. He would get her a new dress or two. Always cheered her up. Arthur smirked. And Merlin thinks I'm not capable of introspection.

Arthur walked into his chambers and slammed straight into Merlin. "What are you doing?"

"Oh I'm sorry! Just getting your clothes ready for the feast and all. Oh and planning the feast as well. That's supposed to be your job."

Arthur smirked and slapped Merlin on the shoulder. "It was my job, which is why I gave it to you."

"Well since you have nothing to do tell me what happened to the druids. Apparently they are all dead."

God.

Arthur shrugged and put on a smile. "Merlin how you manage to find out about state secrets I'll never know. If you weren't so stupid I'd think you were hiding something."

"Hiding something? Like what?"

"Are you a spy? Oh no wait of course not. You're Merlin after all."