"I agree with all you have said. Thank you, Arthur" said Elena gratefully as she and Arthur stood before the crowded hall.
He smiled at her, and glanced at the crowd, "let me escort you out" he said. He offered his arm, which she took, and they walked quickly out of the hall both taking great care not to look at their fathers. Uther was frozen in stunned rage. He sat in shock long after the door had closed behind them. After several long minutes, in which the crowd began whispering quietly Uther stood up and walked over to Lord Godwyn to discuss what had just happened; "I can't think what came over him" he said darkly.
Merlin had run out of the hall behind Arthur and Elena, and soon caught up with them when they stopped in the corridor. "It is a relief to be out of there" Elena was saying as Merlin walked up to them. Arthur nodded his agreement. "Ah, Merlin, would you please walk Elena to her chambers?" Arthur asked as he approached. Elena shook her head, "I will find my own way Arthur" she said, smiling kindly at Merlin, "thank you again for what you did, I do hope your father is not too angry."
He grimaced, "and yours" he said with a nod. Elena smiled at both of them and made her way up the stairs to her chambers.
Arthur watched her for a moment, and then starting to make his way in the opposite direction, toward his room, with Merlin by his side. "You did the right thing, Arthur" said Merlin earnestly. Arthur stopped walking and looked at him, "I know" he said, "another of those rare occasions when you give me useful advice, it seems." Merlin raised his eyebrows and gave a small grin.
Arthur sat down on a bench in the hall and sighed, "I know that what I did was right, but my father is going to be furious."
Merlin sat down beside Arthur, "he will, but, he will come round" he said kindly. Arthur looked up and frowned, "he will think I have let the Kingdom down." Merlin shook his head, "Arthur, to be a good King you need to do what is right, no matter how hard it is. You have proved that today. Your father may not see it now, and he will be angry, but one day he will realise you made the right decision." Arthur looked at him and gave a weak smile. "Thank you, Merlin."
They both looked back down the hall as they heard a yell in the distance, "where did he go?" Uther's voice rang down the hall.
Arthur stood up, "I am going to my chambers, go back to the council chambers, you don't want to be around when father finds me" he said. Arthur gave Merlin a worried look. Merlin nodded at him, "good luck."
Arthur gave a grimace and squeezed Merlin's shoulder before slowly walking the rest of the way down the hall and entering his chambers. Arthur pushed open the door and took of his crown as he entered the room.
Uther stormed in behind him, fury clear on his face. "What did you think you were doing?" Uther demanded. "The right thing, Father" replied Arthur firmly.