Since we don't know exactly how mad Uther's going to be in Series 4, I've made him pretty much lucid. That said, I think I can safely guarantee that this entire fic isn't going to be S4-compliant. Believe me, if I knew that kind of information, I'd write Uther exactly as crazy as he will be in canon.

Actually, if I knew that kind of information, I'd be running around the house screaming and dancing, and probably wouldn't have the presence of mind to write anything at all.

Disclaimer: My family is concerned that I'm keeping Merlin and the knights in a man-harem, so they're sending me to a shrink. What else are you supposed to do when you own such a glorious show and its exquisite male cast? And I do own it, right? Right? *twitch*

Witch Hunt

"You summoned me, Father?"

"Ah, Arthur, yes. That last sorcerer, the one who escaped."

"Yes, sire?" The sorcerer that Merlin had so vehemently defended. On the day of his execution, storm clouds had suddenly billowed out of a clear sky and drenched the crowd, prisoner, and pyre, delaying the event until the next day. During the night, the sorcerer had vanished from his cell, and his pregnant wife had also disappeared, though none of the guards could recall seeing her leave the city.

"The city's response to his escape was not as it should have been," Uther said. "The people seemed apathetic at best, and some were even relieved. I fear that magic may once again be gaining a foothold among the peasantry, and that certain factions – " Morgana " – may be gathering followers." The king paused, momentarily lost, before giving his orders. "I want you and the knights to lead a broad search and investigation of the lower town, as well as servants here in the castle."

Arthur's stomach clenched and flipped. "Of course, sire. I will begin immediately."

A week later, Arthur and Merlin stood on the castle walls overlooking the gate. They could hear the faint noise of a platform being constructed in the courtyard. There was no time for burnings during a miniature purge – beheadings would suffice until things settled down again.

"He insisted on handling the first few himself," Arthur said dully, "in the middle of the court and everything. I've tried to take the ones I wasn't as sure about and question them less publicly, but he's starting to worry that I'm not convicting enough. As if he expects me to meet a quota."

"You're giving them a better chance than they would have had before your father," Merlin murmured. "You're doing your best, Arthur."

"I just had no idea how many he arrested on so little evidence. At least half are completely innocent, yet he seems stunned that I should release so many! Is this how things were handled before?" Arthur knew that things were worse in the Purge, that not everyone was even interrogated. He would have preferred not to think about it, but it had been occupying his thoughts to an alarming degree lately.

Merlin didn't say anything, so Arthur changed the subject slightly. "I'm going to have to start questioning the castle staff soon." Arthur's knuckles turned white on the parapet, and he checked around to ensure that they wouldn't be overheard. "Some of the people have been brought in merely because they were related to or friends with a known sorcerer. Most have avoided accusation by disowning their treasonous relations, but my father is still going to keep track of them for some time."

Arthur glanced sideways at Merlin. The manservant appeared unaffected, but he had become surprisingly good at that expression in the last week.

"If the king finds out you're the son of a sorcerer that he hunted out of the kingdom during the Purge, that'll be enough for him to convict you. You're around him and me every day – any hint of sorcery will set him off."

"Wouldn't the fact that I've been around him and you every day for four years, and done nothing, prove that I'm not a mad sorcerer bent on the downfall of the kingdom?" Merlin quipped, rolling his eyes.

"I wouldn't bet on it," Arthur snorted. "I can't question you myself – my father won't believe that I'm unbiased. I can't have Gwaine or Percival or any of the others do it because he doesn't trust them yet. He trusts Sir Leon, though, and Leon trusts you. I don't think he'll ask about your family, so I'll make sure that you're questioned by him."

"You don't have to do that," Merlin grinned, surprised. "I can hold my own against any knight or guard. I'm a better liar than you think I am."

Arthur laughed. "Sure, Merlin. Keep telling yourself that. You're going to Leon."

"Are you worried about me, sire?" Merlin teased.

"Never."

And yet, for the duration of the questionings, Arthur found excuses to keep Merlin near him almost constantly. He considered coming down with some ghastly illness just so he could justify keeping Merlin at his side and away from the interrogations as long as possible, but he knew he was needed for the investigation so that not every poor, bewildered, panicking peasant would be convicted. He settled for just making Merlin polish his armor twice a day and scrub every surface in his chambers. Merlin was simply thrilled with that.

Eventually, though, a pair of guards showed up at Arthur's door and told Merlin to come with them. The idiot finally showed some fear, glancing over his shoulder as he was led away somewhat roughly. Arthur tried to remember that Merlin would be perfectly safe with Leon, but he still didn't get anything done for what felt like hours.

Finally, Merlin trotted back in, looking a little tired but unexpectedly cheerful.

"I walked in there, and Sir Leon took one look at me and started chuckling!" Merlin proclaimed somewhat indignantly. "Is it that hard to believe that I could be a sorcerer?"

"Yes," Arthur said helpfully. Merlin scowled halfheartedly.

"He asked me three questions that had anything to do with magic, then kicked back and started asking if you were treating Gwen right."

"What?"

"Well, they grew up together, he's essentially her older brother."

"And I thought Elyan was bad enough."

"Mm. Yeah, all the knights have adopted Gwen in one way or another. You'd better never make her mad."

Arthur rolled his eyes. "So Leon didn't find out about your father?"

"Nah. Just asked if I'd ever used magic, ever betrayed the crown, or harbored any ill will toward you or the king. He was grinning the entire time."

"Well, it is pretty hard to imagine. Sorcery's got to take some brains, you know."

"It'd serve you right if I did turn out to be some mad, evil sorcerer. I could enchant your boots to eat your feet."

"That does remind me, you need to polish my boots. All of them."

"Prat."

"Idiot."