It knocks. Arthur and Merlin frighten. The king takes a deep breath, he goes back to his chair and calls: "Enter!" As the door opens, Sir Leon enters the room. He looks to his king than to Merlin, he pauses: "Should I come back later?" His king shakes his head: "No, everything is alright." Sir Leon still wonders a bit about that mood in the room, but he decides to make some steps towards his king. Behind him, two guards are follwing, holding a man in their midst. Arthur looks sceptically to Merlin, who looks back in the same way. Arthur stands up and walks arround the table. Straight in front of the man, who is down an his knees now, he stops. King Arthur looks down to him. He is old, maybe as old as Gaius. He wears old clothes like a farmer. His less hair is grey and his eyes are green. He looks like a lovely old grandfather. There is nothing suspicious about him.
Arthur looks over to Sir Leon, who nearly stands by his side: "What is it?" Sir Leon bows: "Sire, we watched him using magic in the courtyard." Arthur looks again down to the old man: "He used magic?" Sir Leon nods: "Yes, Sire. He entertained children by using his magic to let some butterflies appear. And he used his magic to let appear some flowers for the ladys." Arthur smiles and looks up to his knight: "That sounds more like tricks then like magic." Even as he is going to return to his chair, Sir Leon adds: "This is exactly what I first thought until I watched his eyes changing his colors. It was magic. I'm entirely sure."
King Arthur pauses, for a short moment, he looks over to Merlin. In his face you already see the fear. Arthur fears thinking about what is coming. He turns arround, back to Sir Leon: "Did he hurt somebody?" Sir Leon shakes his head: "No, he didn't. But according to the laws of Camelot even the use of magic isn't allowed. It doesn't matter, wether somebody got hurt or not. He used magic not to protect or defend himself or other people." Arthur sighs: "Thank you Sir Leon, I know the words." Angrily he looks down to the old man: "What is your name? And what are you doing here in Camelot?" The old man looks up to the king: "MyLord, my name is Ruwen. I'm just an old fool and my end is near. Before dying, I wanted to see the famous city. That is why I'm here. My daughter made my wish come true." Arthur smiles for a second, but then his smiles dies: "And is it true that you used magic here in Camelot?" Ruwen nods: "Camelot is such a wonderfull city, the people, they are all so kind and nice. They have been so touching, I decided to give something in return. But I don't have a lot money. So I payed with what I'm able to. I entertained people by using magic. I brightened up their day."
Arthur is stunned: "Didn't you know, that it isn't allowed to use magic in Camelot?" Ruwen smiles: "Everybody knows that. But I have made my dream come true. I have brought magic back to Camelot. Even it has been just for some minutes." In his eyes lightens pride and peace, no fear. Arthur still wonders, he shakes his head: "I have no choice." He looks over to Sir Leon: "Take him into the dungeons. His trial takes place in two days." Sir Leon bows and turns back towards the door. He leaves the council chamber. Both guards and Ruwen are following him outside the room. Arthur shakes his head again, before he looks over to his friend. Merlin watches him scared. Arthur's stomach hurts as he makes steps close to him: "Merlin, I don't know what to say. I.." A first tear runs down Merlin's face. He turns arround: "Please Arthur, you can't do this. He caused no harm." He dries his eyes with his arm. His king stands behind him: "Merlin, he was seen using magic." Angrily Merlin turns back to his king: "Yes,he did exactly the same, I did before. He entertained people. He used his magic to make people smile." The king puts his hands on Merlin's shoulders: "You know the law. He was seen doing that. This is the difference." Merlin shakes his head: "No, there is only one difference: he has no king as a friend." He pushes his king's hands away and angrily he leaves the room.