The Great Hall was only a few minutes away from my chambers, but every minute felt like an age after staying up until the early hours of the morning mending Arthur's armour. I felt the glares of the courtiers as the guards admitted me into the Hall.

"Your servant has seen fit to grace us with his presence, Arthur," sneered Uther Pendragon. After what he had done to Gaius, I could not yet bring myself to call him 'the King' again. "Boy, give me one good reason why I shouldn't have you executed."

Let me see, the fact that I had saved his son's life more times than I cared to remember was a good reason. Or the one about where I stopped him being assassinated by his own daughter. Or perhaps even the one where I saved the whole of Camelot from certain death by Cenred's men. But no, I couldn't say any of these, because then Uther would know that I had magic and he would do the same to me as what he did to Gaius.

"I cannot think of one, Sire," I lied through gritted teeth, keeping my gaze to the floor at all times.

"Then you are sentenced to death." I fell to my knees as the courtiers laughed.

"Please Sire, I beg you. Prince Arthur needs me." The truth in this was seemingly oblivious to everybody but me. My comment even provoked a laugh from Uther himself.

"Let's ask him then," said Uther. Arthur had remained silent up until now and he had avoided eye contact with me. "Arthur, is it true that you need this servant?" Uther said the word 'servant' as if it left a foul taste in his mouth.

Arthur stepped forward silently. He seemed to ponder on his word choice before speaking.

"I always will."

The room fell silent as Uther's face became murderous.

"I beg your pardon?"

"Father, during Merlin's first week in Camelot, he saved my life. He has then continued to save my life, whether it be through his actions or...his magic."

The court inhaled a deep breath in shock, but I had beaten them to it. "You knew?" I exclaimed.

"I've known ever since my quest to the Perilous Lands, Merlin." replied Arthur. "The keeper of the gate said that I would need strength and magic to complete my quest. I just didn't realise that 'Strength' and 'Magic' were actually two people, and let's be honest Merlin, between you and Gwaine there is no way that I could've mistaken him for Magic and you for Strength once I'd worked out what the gatekeeper meant."

If I didn't know him any better, I'd say that he was trying to suppress a smile.

"Guards, seize him!" screamed Uther as he drew his own sword and pointed it against my chest.

"I would not do that if I were you, Father." Arthur had drawn his own sword, and it was pointing at Uther.

"This is treason!" yelled Uther. He did not move his sword, nor did Arthur move his. "You have enchanted my son!" There was no doubt that this venomous sentence was aimed at me.

I made an exasperated noise as I tried to stand. My knees were shaking. "What are you going to do, Arthur?"

"Well done, Merlin. You've asked an intelligent question!" He muttered something to himself, but I understood him. He'd said "Now we just need to work out an intelligent answer."