This is a scene from later in the day after the confrontation on the training field.

" I saw the incident on the training field this afternoon. Your actions were out of line and ill befitting a Knight of Camelot, much less a Prince."

Arthur stared at Uther as if he had just grown another head. "What?!" Arthur stood in front of the King, spluttering indignantly.

" You heard me, Arthur. You and your knights swore to follow the knight's code and act with chivalry. Your actions reflect not only upon yourself but on all of Camelot and if you and your knights cannot handle that responsibility…" He left the rest unsaid, a threat that seemed to hang in the air between the king and his son.

Bowing slightly, Arthur nodded curtly. "I understand, Sire. It will not happen again, you have my word."

" See that it doesn't. "

With that Arthur turned on his heel and marched out of the throne room. Just as he reached the doors his father's voice stopped him again.

"Oh, and Arthur? As a punishment for you actions your servant is relieved of his duties and you shall go without until I can find a more suitable replacement. Now go and I shall see you again tonight at Lady Helena's performance."

When Arthur had left the throne room, Uther sighed. Arthur needed to learn that he had a responsibility for everybody in Camelot, including those who served him. What he needed was somebody who would serve him but who would not blindly take orders from him because he was the prince. He sighed again, rubbing his temples to alleviate the headache growing there. He stood, deciding to pay Guias a visit.

Merlin was grinding the herbs as Guias had shown him when there was a knock on the door. Merlin jumped out of his seat before Guias could move, eager to see who was at the door (as children often are he was bored and wanted to meet somebody new instead of being cooped up in Guais' chambers.) To say he was shocked would be an understatement when he opened the door to see the king himself standing there. He must have stood there staring for a while because all of the sudden he felt a gentle cuff on the back of his head and he turned to look at Guias.

"Where are your manners, Merlin? Let his Majesty in and stop gaping like a fish!" This last part was accompanied with a slight smile to take away the sting of the words.

Merlin felt his ears go red and he quickly stood aside to let the king in, missing the amused look on the king's face as he stepped in. He closed the door after Uther and returned to grinding the herbs, trying to look nonchalant as he listened for what the king had to say.

By this point Guias was on his feet facing Uther. " How may I be of service, sire?"

"Always so formal Guias. I actually came to ask your opinion on a delicate matter and perhaps find a remedy for my headache before this evening's festivities."

"Of course sire," Guias gestured to the small table in the middle of the room. "Now what is this delicate matter you were speaking of ?"

"Well, it actually has to do with Arthur…" the king stopped speaking as a strange sound came from the work bench. He turned to see Guias' young ward staring at him with wide eyes, his hands clasped over his mouth. "You, what was your name again?"

Merlin opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. He tried again, ignoring the "eyebrow of doom" that Guias was giving him. " It's Merlin, sire."

"Well Merlin, do you have something you wish to say regarding my son?"

"N-n-no sire."

Uther just continued to give Merlin a look. Had Merlin been a little less frightened of the King and perhaps a little older he would have noticed the strange gleam in the king's eye. As it was he simply blurted out, " well, sire, the prince is a prat and a bully." A horrified gasp escaped from his lips as the young boy realized what he had just said about the king's son, and he clapped his hands over his mouth again peering at the king fearfully. Images of himself being burnt at the stake flashed through his mind. He began to edge towards the door, and when neither man moved to stop him, he ran from the room.

Guias just shook his head slowly and turned his attention back to the king, who, to his surprise, was chuckling. "I'm sure the boy meant no disrespect, sire…"

"Think nothing of it, Guias. Boys will be boys; now how old is Merlin?"

"He's only ten sire, his mother sent him to me to become my ward."

" I see. As to the matter at hand, Arthur needs to learn his duty to those who serve him. I came here to ask if you had any suggestions on a servant who would still serve him well but not be intimidated by the fact that Arthur is royalty; it seems that I have found one such person already."

"You have sire?"

"Yes I have. Did your ward happen to tell you about what happened on the training grounds this morning?" As Guias shook his head in the negative, Uther continued. " This morning Arthur and his knights were mistreating his manservant. Not only did your ward stop to help him, but he also stood up to knights twice his age to do so."

Guias chuckled. " Merlin always has had trouble knowing when he should keep quiet. More often than not he speaks out for what he believes to be right even if that isn't the wisest course of action."

"And yet, for a boy so young, he seems to have a lot of sense about him. Guias, I wonder, would you object to Merlin becoming Prince Arthur's manservant?"

Guias nodded slowly. " I believe that would be beneficial for both of them, sire. I shall ask Merlin about it first though, if that is acceptable?"

"Of course, I would expect nothing less. Now about that headache…"

Merlin stood at Guias' side, listening to the King make his speech. He was excited to hear the Lady Helena sing, but until then he let his mind wander. His eyes fell on Arthur and the dragon's words about destiny rang through his skull along with the news that Guias had given him after the king had left. He could feel the weight of the decisions pressing on him and he didn't quite know what to do about them. On one hand there was his destiny (Merlin wasn't sure that he was special enough to have a destiny, but the dragon seemed honest) and on the other hand there was Arthur, who was a royal ass (he glanced at Guias to make sure he hadn't somehow heard the cuss word). He was so deep in thought he hadn't even noticed Lady Helena begin singing until cobwebs started to appear on everybody present, who all seemed to have fallen asleep. Covering his ears, he turned to see Mary Collins, the lady who had threatened the king the first day Merlin had been there, pointing a dagger at Arthur. In that split second Merlin made his decision and his eyes flashed gold, causing the chandelier to fall on the witch. No one messed with his destiny. As everybody began to awaken there were shouts of "Sorcery" and other such exclamations filled the great hall. Merlin spared one last glance at the woman under the chandelier; just in time to see her eyes flash gold and the dagger she was holding go whirling through the air.

He didn't stop to think, didn't even consciously order his magic to slow time. All he could think about was getting Arthur out of the path of the knife. Putting all his strength he could into it, he jumped at Arthur causing his thin form to collide with the prince's much larger form. Not expecting the impact, Arthur had no time to brace himself and thankfully that was enough to allow Merlin's thin form to knock him to the ground. Just as the knife thudded into the chair where Arthur had just been. He scrambled backwards as the prince struggled to right himself, staring at Merlin with a mixture of emotions on his face.

The king strode forward and clasped the young boy on his shoulder. Uther found himself faced with the boy's wide-eyed stare, as if he didn't know what was going to happen. Uther couldn't tell for sure but he was certain the boy was frightened, as if he were going to be punished.

"I'm s-sorry s-s-sire." The boy stammered looking as if he were ready to bolt.

"Sorry? Whatever for? You saved my son's life and for that I am grateful." Uther smiled to himself. This was the perfect opportunity to set his plan into action. " You shall be rewarded, I believe." Was that surprise or relief he saw flash in the boy's eyes? " In reward for saving my son I hereby make you manservant to Prince Arthur!" Uther was so pleased with himself he completely missed to looks on both Merlin's and the Prince's faces.