It had been many years since King Uther had last held any control. He often wished he could talk to Gaius directly about his curse, though it could never be. Gaius would have to be killed afterwards because it would be yet another poor decision to add to his treacherous tally. He was no longer a man, just a hollow echo floating in the bitterness of a weakening curse.

He assumed his curse had finally run its course, to his citizens he was now a madman lost in his age and pain. He did not understand why his son still loved him, why he still cared. He was growing to be a better man than Uther was ever allowed to be. The maid who cared for him was kind enough, more than kind when all things were considered. He called for the death of her father, accused her or sorcery and took it upon himself to ruin any shred of happiness she might have had with his son.

Well the curse had done that- yet in reality he and the curse were one and the same now; as the curse died slowly then so did his body. His true mind did not know how to be in control any more so the best he could do was to sit, listen to the world as his son saw it and let the sweet Gwen spoon feed him mushed apples and porridge.

One day it occurred to him his time was near. His existence on this mortal plane was not going to last much longer. Then inexplicably, though he could still feel the slightest dregs of his curse fighting him it no longer had the power of complete control. That night he made it to Arthurs birthday feast and he knew that this was Destinies reward to him. So he did the one thing he was never able to do in his cursed life, he doted on his son neither to manipulate nor to keep him in line, but to make him feel loved and to know that his father was truly proud.

When the evening came he knew this was his last night. This was how it was meant to be. He only wished Morgana had succeeded at dragging him from this world earlier but this regret would soon be forgotten. Destiny, it seems had one last plan for him. He was to sacrifice his life to save his greatest achievement and it was something he could not be happier to do.

Yet the pain he felt when Gaius was trying to heal him, trying to keep him pinned to this realm was one of the truest kinds. He suspected Gaius was aware his curse was dying and that he hoped for the return of an old friend.

Then there was Merlin, Balinor's boy. Uther knew he had magic, he had known the entire time. The mad King was truly grateful his son had been given this kindness to bring him into adulthood when his childhood had been filled with failed expectations. He was originally disappointed when Arthur had found out what had happened to his Mother, so desperate to end the curse that he couldn't bear to think what may have happened had he finally been released. When he mused upon it in years to come he was grateful for the actions of his old friend's child, the thought of his son casting the final blow unbearable. His Daughter, Morgana who had been so wronged by him in her birth and the duration of her life deserved that honour.

So when the time came and his Beloved Igraine's brother, Agravaine wrapped another curse around his neck on behalf of his illegitimate daughter he smiled inside. He was dying to save his son by the hands of his daughter, the perfect balance for the life he had been forced to lead.

A/N

Not very sure when I posted the first chapter of this other than I was still at uni... and I've not been at Uni for a very long time (at least 6 months). For anyone still following this and who reviewed- Thank you, this is for you.

Unbeta-ed

Disclaimer- I do not own the characters of the fandoms in which I write sadly.

Will be posting one more chapter of this in the next few weeks to get it finished. That and the other stories I've done. Got a few more plot bunnies hopping around so i need to clear some space for them